Issue 03 2017

SECTION

THE BISHOP’S SCHOOL | | NOVEMBER

Tow e r

THE

TITLE GOES HERE Author

ISSUE 03 MMXVII

IN THIS ISSUE

SHORTS PRIDE AND PREJUDICE MS. ROCHE’S DEPARTURE NATIONAL ANTHEM ADDERALL USE JUUL ON CAMPUS

Issue 03 • November 2017 • The Tower

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the details Colophon

Philosophy

COLOPHON

The Tower was printed by Streeter Printing Company in Mira Mesa, CA. For this issue’s layout, the Staff used Adobe InDesign, Adobe CC (CS9), and Photoshop CC (CS9) to arrange photographs and graphics. We printed and distributed 700 copies of Issue 03 to the Bishop’s community. Typefaces included Garamond Premier on our cover, Mrs Eaves for our headlines & covers, and Minion Pro for our body text. Issue 03 and previous issues of The Tower are available on issuu.com.

PHILOSOPHY

The Tower is a student-run publication at The Bishop’s School in La Jolla, CA. Writers and editors work together to enhance the Bishop’s community and evoke meaningful conversation through the collection and distribution of news and other information. The Tower aims to educate The Bishop’s community about issues that pertain to the experience of young adults. Sections of The Tower include Academic News, School Culture, Sports News, Arts News, Beyond, Opinion, and The Bell.

Policy

CONTACT

The Bishop’s School 7607 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037 Email: thetower.tbs@gmail.com Website: thetoweronline.squarespace. com Facebook: tbsTower Instagram: tbs_tower

CONTRIBUTORS Editor-in-Chief: Emma Oliver Graphics Editors: David Brewer, Sara Michael Copy Editors: Amy Carlyle, Annie Zeigler Sports Editor: Collin Douglas Managing Editor:

POLICY

All materials featured in The Tower are student-generated, from the Bishop’s community, or both. All articles connect to the Bishop’s community even when covering an international or domestic story, issue, or event. The Tower works with the administration by communicating about sensitive topics to ensure the safety of Bishop’s students and to confirm all topics are approached in an appropriate manner. The Tower accepts anonymous quotes when the privacy of the individual is a concern.

Isabelle Kenagy Online Editor: Collin Douglas Consulting Editor: Jake Stenger Staff Writers: Alyssa Huynh, Harper White, Maya Minagawa, Olivia Ralph Faculty Advisor: Ms. Laine Remignanti

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Cover Art by Jake Stenger (‘19); To learn more about the front and back cover photos,visit pages 24-25 to read Issue 03 • November 2017 • The Tower David Brewer’s (‘18) article.

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from the editor

In many ways, the month of November marks a time of transition for the Bishop’s community. As we stride into second quarter, the days get shorter. As the weather becomes crisper, black tights and thick cotton sweatshirts scatter the quad with greater frequency. We think Grandparents Day, Thanksgiving Break, cumulative exams, and finally, the end of the first semester.

For seniors, the month of November seems to bring with it signs of our looming departure: we’re winding down on college applications (almost) and attending our final high school football games. The now trite “light at the end of the tunnel” seems oddly attainable.

This month, I have found myself thinking too much of the future, and somewhat neglecting my immediate obligations. But I’ve realized that I must be present and engaged, now more than ever, as I help to lead my cross country team to our CIF meet, as I usher The Tower towards its next set of deadlines, as I attend Rady’s Committee meetings, and certainly as I study for the coming Calc. exams.

These commitments draw me back to November and hold my thoughts in the present. And I am glad they do. I cherish the feelings of joy and reward I receive from these endeavors, the sense that I am engaging with what matters most to me. I’ve had to remind myself of this, and put thoughts of graduation cap and gowns or college decision letters on the back-burner.

It’s tempting to let ourselves, both seniors and non-seniors, drift away from this year as we become more and more focused on its end— whether that be outgrowing middle school, escaping freshman year, or closing an ACT prep book forever. But I hope you, too, return to your current commitments with renewed energy. I think you will find it refreshing.

This issue of The Tower has also helped me to do so. Through Olivia Ralph’s (‘19) and Amy Carlyle’s (‘19) articles surrounding our football team and acts of protest during the national anthem, Annie Zeigler’s (‘18) article discussing student Adderall use, and David Brewer’s (‘18) article addressing the “JUUL,” I have been drawn more deeply into our present-day community and the conversations happening in the now. I hope Issue 03 does the same for its readers as it did for The Tower team and me.

“It’s tempting to let ourselves, both seniors and non-seniors, drift away from this year.”

Emma Oliver

Issue 03 • November 2017 • The Tower

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PC: David Brewer

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16.

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28.

ARTS

SHORTS - ISABELLE KENAGY PRIDE AND PREJUDICE -

ALYSSA HUYNH

SPORTS

PLAYING THROUGH THE PAIN - COLLIN DOUGLAS

ACADEMICS

BIOTECH AT BISHOP’S - SARA MICHAEL A CHANGING OF THE GUARD - EMMA OLIVER

BEYOND

WHERE DO YOU STAND? - OLIVIA RALPH

CULTURE

TALK IS CHEAP (AND LOUD) - AMY CARLYLE FOR THE CULTURE - HARPER WHITE FAUX FOCUS - ANNIE ZEIGLER JUULING IN THE JEWEL - DAVID BREWER

THE BELL

TOP 10 SIGNS OF FALL BACHELOR & BACHELORETTE

ARTS WHAT I LEARNED, IN SHORT(S)

PC: Bishops.com

Isabelle Kenagy

Zack Pilarski (‘18) tackles Lucas Buu-hoan (‘21) during Faizan Jamil’s (‘18) short titled “This is a Test.”

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y acting experience is extremely limited. The last time I was in a play was when I was Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz in fifth grade, so I was understandably hesitant to audition for a Bishop’s production— with their renowned professionality and prestige. After much deliberation and hesitation, I decided to audition for Shorts with the hope of embarrassing myself in front of all my peers.

Every year Acting Workshop (AW) produces Shorts. The seniors in AW choose a script and direct their own 10-15 minute play. About a month and a half before the show, the AW seniors hold auditions and shortly thereafter rehearsals begin all in preparation for a two-day performance. Shorts is entirely student-led and directed with almost no adult intervention except occasional comments from Head of the

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Drama Department Ms. Courtney Flanagan. Advanced Theatre Production (ATP) even designs the sets. Shorts are meant to provide opportunities for new actors who don’t normally perform in Bishop’s productions, either because of scheduling conflicts or lack of experience.

My experience with Shorts was slightly different than most as I took on a more somber role. I was cast for the classic “sad short.” Shorts is known to be light and funny, but every year there is at least one serious and slightly depressing short. I played a homeless girl named Nicole, who left home because her mother wouldn’t leave an abusive boyfriend.

I’ll admit, at first I was disappointed at the missed opportunity to make a fool of myself. However, as I got further into the process—rehearsal

after rehearsal—I realized that I had received an opportunity to develop true acting skills and dig deeper into a character.

On the night of the first show, backstage became a hectic display of colorful costumes and peculiar props.

Gabe Worstell (‘20), an actor in two of the shorts, used liquid latex on my arm to create an amazingly realistic fake injury that added to my character.

Meanwhile, Clarke Eastman Pinto (‘18) rubbed dirt on his face to look tired and dirty and Elle Schneider (‘18) placed a delicate tiara on her head.

The show opened with Nick Moseley’s (‘18) short which centered around a “Jeopardy!” episode where host Alex Trebek goes a little insane.

The actors faked a few slaps and punches perfectly, sound effects and dramatic falls included.

Issue 03 • November 2017 • The Tower

ARTS

Following Nick’s short, Jiakai Chang’s (‘18) told the story of a call between a frantic man and an operator, the man requesting a psychiatrist for his unstable wife. The conversation quickly went hilariously awry as the operator took offense to the man’s requests and frustration. Despite the man’s many dramatic attempts to obtain a psychiatrist contact, his wife ends up killing him.

The next short, directed

by Noah Adikalam (‘18) presented a story about a man and his son who move out of their home and sell everything to go live in a dumpster. Like the short in which I took part, this dumpster family short also became known as one of the few “sad shorts.”

Next, Carlo Tridenti (‘18) created a play on the classic story of Rumpelstiltskin. In this short, the queen actually wants to give her baby up to Rumpelstiltskin and uses several feminist phrases to illustrate her motives. After that, my short, directed by Simran Deokule (‘18), signaled the end of Act one.

Act two began with Faizan Jamil’s (‘18) short about a test, a nightmare teacher, and an underprepared student. Tommy Kimmel (‘18) played the obnoxious teacher and improvised a dramatic guffaw by spitting out an apple onto Duncan Mulgrew (‘18).

The show then introduced the strange story, directed by Dory Bertics (‘18), of an ancient religious figure who kisses a girl he believes is dead. The girl

is, in fact, not dead and goes to find the man only to discover he has drowned.

Ben Li (‘18) followed that with a short about a tutor and his friend who slept with the tutor’s girlfriend. The tutor threatens his student with a knife which eventually leads to the two of them coming to a greater understanding of each other.

As cast member Haley Gibson (‘18) said, “The Shorts production was such a great experience. I became closer to a lot more people and got the opportunity to do something [act on the Bishop’s stage] that I wouldn’t have normally done.”

Directors also enjoyed the experience; as Noah Aidikkalm said, “I realized that directing might actually be one of my great passions and ended up enjoying my directing part of Shorts more than my acting part.”

Based on the hearty applause following the show, the audience clearly enjoyed Shorts. As audience member Layla Khazeni (‘19) said after the production, “I was so impressed by the performance from people new to acting. I also really enjoyed seeing new faces on stage and seeing many of my friends.”

For me, Shorts was a personal success; in this unique experience, I was exposed to acting at a level I’d not experienced before. Shorts provided me with a more sophisticated acting experience than my fifth grade Dorothy experience, and I’m almost positive my next project will come sooner than shorts came after my fifth grade play.

OVERALL, SHORTS THIS YEAR DELIVERED A LOVELY MIX OF HILARITY, DRAMA, AND SLIGHT SERIOUSNESS. EACH PLAY CREATED A NEW FEEL ON THE STAGE AND CONTRASTED NICELY WITH THE ONES BEFORE AND AFTER IT.

The show ended with CJ Delfino’s (‘18) spectacular British comedy that dealt with a death of a man who had sexual relations with just about everyone and everything. The short was a fantastic mix of British accents, highly dramaticized screams, and overly enthusiastic use of firearms.

Overall, Shorts this year delivered a lovely mix of hilarity, drama, and slight seriousness. Each play created a new feel on the stage and contrasted nicely with the ones before and after it.

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ARTS

ALL PRIDE, NO PREJUDICE Alyssa Hyunh

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ead of the Drama Department Ms. Courtney Flanagan directed a Bishop’s rendition of Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice, which ran from October 12-14.

The play was Ms. Flanagan’s final Fall production at Bishop’s, as she has announced her plans to retire at the end of this school year. The actors auditioned early in the 2017-2018 school year, and worked tirelessly to convert the script to the stage.

SETTING THE STAGE

Picture this: a two-story set casts long shadows over the black surface of the stage in the Taylor Performing Arts Center. Three sets of double doors line the bottom floor, through which actors weave in and out of the action on stage. Three more sets of double doors and balconies adorn the top floor, where actors perch from above— watching the elegant dances below. Behind the lower double doors, eighteen actors wait for the theatre lights to dim and for music to play, cueing them into action as they become the characters of Pride and Prejudice.

At the center of the stage sits a lone chair, boosting playgoers’ anticipation.

FROM THE PAGE TO THE STAGE

Originally a novel published in 1813, the revolutionary Pride and Prejudice became a pivotal piece of literature during its time for its modern take on gender roles and female empowerment. In Austen’s novel, there no longer exists the expectation that a woman should accept a marriage proposal for economic or status benefit; rather, Austen depicts marriage on the basis of emotions: love, respect, and equality.

Such playgoers who have read the book might wonder: what will the opening scene be — will it be Mrs. Bennet nagging Mr. Bennet to become ac-

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quainted with Mr. Bingley? Will it be Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley conversing at a ball?

The audience soon discovered that these scenes did not open the show, and neither did the first sentence of the book: “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” Instead, Bishop’s Pride and Prejudice opened with a first-person pointof-view introduction by the female protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet, portrayed

by Caroline “CJ” Delfino (‘18). This short introduction provided the audience with a quick contextualization of the Bennet family and the late 1700s.

Another immaculate translation from the novel to the play, occurs when Mr. William Collins, played by Tommy Kimmel (‘18), first arrives; he sits with the Bennet girls and talks nonstop about himself and Lady Catherine de Bourgh, played by Rita Kimijima-Dennemeyer (‘18). In the book, Collins’ conversations and proposal show that he is a robotic person with little personality; Tommy did a great job portraying this lack of social skills, especially through his awkward jokes and eccentric dancing.

THEMES COMING TO LIFE

Jane Austen is known for her critiques on contemporary social issues.

While the concepts of pride and prejudice seemingly do not blend, Austen’s characters epitomize both traits. Elizabeth developed a prejudice against Mr. Darcy before ever meeting him after hearing that he told Mr. Charles Bingley that Jane Bennet, played by Dory Bertics (‘18), was the only “agreeable” woman at the ball. During the course of the play, Elizabeth hints, in a somewhat civil way, that she disapproves of anything Darcy believes.

“AT THE CENTER OF THE STAGE SITS A LONE CHAIR, BOOSTING PLAYGOERS’ ANTICIPATION”

Issue 03 • November 2017 • The Tower

ARTS

Pc: Alyssa Hyunh

Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, played by Jiakai Chang (‘18), proposes to Ms. Elizabeth Bennet, played by Caroline “CJ” Delfino (‘18).

Another character with the same spiteful personality is Ms. Caroline Bingley, played by Quinn Rodriguez (‘20). Ms. Bingley, in all her jealousy and arrogance, displays much resentment for Elizabeth. “I don’t think she likes Elizabeth for two main reasons: she is poor, and she is a threat to [Ms. Bingley’s] relationship with Darcy,” said Quinn. Her desperation for Mr. Darcy fuels her prejudice towards Elizabeth.

Despite Elizabeth’s criticism of Darcy’s pride throughout the entire course of the play, she is naive to her own pride and prejudices. Elizabeth’s pride prevents her from accepting the possibility that Darcy is a decent human being. Mr. Darcy indirectly say-

ing that she was not agreeable hurt her pride and made her obstinate.

However, Elizabeth is not the only perpetrator of allowing her pride to blind her. Mr. Darcy’s pride manifested in the form of arrogance over his wealth and status. He was too proud to admit his feelings for her, a lower class woman. Even in his first marriage proposal, he insults her by mentioning how he tried to deny his feelings because of her inferior status.

No character is exempt from embodying both of these attributes; personalities are neither black nor white, but grey. Jane Austen understood this, and the play portrayed this ideal by possessing no angelic character.

The play was a joy to watch for those who were new to the book, as well as those who had read the book. CJ, on what they hope the audience took away from the play, said, “I hope the strictness of the time will come through, as well as the stakes for our family, since we have no estate to inherit. Neither feminine, intelligence, nor flirtation is rewarded in this time period, so it’s in our best interests to restrain the whims of our ridiculous relatives.” Whether a romantic, or just someone looking for a laugh, the play appealed to every kind of audience and stayed true to the novel.

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SPORTS

PLAYING THROUGH THE PAIN Collin Douglas

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rom 2:55 to 3:30 p.m., in the pre-practice, pre-game parents, like ‘does it really hurt?’ Also, just because of the ritime frame, the training room is packed. The sounds valry with La Jolla High, there was a lot of internal pressure of tearing tape and calmly delivered diagnoses hit the as well.” eardrum first, and the melodious hum of the STEM machine While Athena’s decision so far has not resulted in re(a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy) fill injuring her back (knock on wood), Marek Thompson (‘19) the background. While many inhabitants are seeking help did not share the same luck. In his sophomore year, Marek for preventative reasons, Bishop’s athletes, like athletes at ev- battled back pain throughout the first half of basketball seaery level, experience injury. From soreness to sprains to ACL son, and returned multiple times from injury only to be overtears, the room adjacent to the pool deck has seen it all. come by pain again; finally, after an MRI, he was diagnosed

In many cases, these athletes’ main concern is not with a stress fracture in his lower back. “I initially thought it their diagnosis, but the was just back spasms,” he effect it will have on their said. “I thought I would playing time. General just play through the pain soreness is not an excuse for a little bit, and then it to miss a game, but a would go away. But it kept sprain poses the risk of a coming back and hurting future, more serious injua lot, so I’d have to stop ry. In recent years, more playing.” and more student ath At that point, in letes are choosing to play the heat of the basketthrough injury, risking ball team’s tough league not only their immedischedule, Marek made ate future, but their long the tough decision to sit term athletic career. for the remainder of the

This decision is season: “I did feel some never an easy one, espressure to play from my pecially when the line teammates and coaches, between a minor and sebut Coach Levine in parrious injury is blurred, ticular was fully supportbecause, at their cores, ive; he didn’t want me every athlete wants to injured for my junior and play. The news that Athesenior seasons, too. The na Leota (‘19) would miss worst pressures are inthree weeks of games hit ternal, though. It’s really Marek Thompson (‘19) sprints down the court in a basketball game. the volleyball team hard. hard to come to practice After an MRI, a doctor recommended she take some time off and just watch your teammates play, or to sit on the bench to remedy her strained back. She ignored the recommenda- during games. It was really hard to know that you couldn’t tion, and played a game versus La Jolla High that afternoon. make a difference.”

Luckily, after closer examination by a physical therapist, she “It all comes down to yourself and how you feel, begot the “green light” to play. cause in the end you’re the one that hurts, and only you can

Still, approval couldn’t make the injury go away. The make that decision not to play,” continued Athena. pain still lingered, and she continues to spend almost every Whether starters or role players, stars of the team afternoon rehabbing with Athletic Trainer Jason Charlebois. or water-boys, no one is immune to injury. When making a When asked about her reasoning to play in the La Jolla game, cost benefit analysis means pitting one, inconsequential high she expanded on her experience with injury as a whole: “I school game against a long-term injury with lifelong implididn’t want to look like a wuss. With injuries, especially ones cations, sometimes the risks are too high. that are relatively small, there’s pressure from teammates and

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Issue 03 • November 2017 • The Tower

“IT ALL COMES DOWN TO YOURSELF AND HOW YOU FEEL, BECAUSE IN THE END YOU’RE THE ONE THAT HURTS, AND ONLY YOU CAN MAKE THAT DECISION NOT TO PLAY” - ATHENA LEOTA (‘19)

Photo courtesy of the Bishop’s School and Athena Leota (‘19)

ACADEMICS BIOTECH AT BISHOP’S Sara Michael

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ver since grass turned to grain, and sickles turned to silver machinery, the improvement of science and nature has defined humanity.

Now scientists are able to genetically modify things that we use everyday.

There is something terrifying yet terrific about the advancements made in the scientific community, especially in the realm of genetic engineering, which, thanks to Dr. Anthony Pelletier, is something Bishop’s students now have access too.

A month ago, the science and college counseling departments announced the arrival of a new biotechnology and genetic engineering class.

The new class, which will be taught by science teacher Dr. Pelletier, will focus

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on the application of DNA methods and techniques.

This class was originally proposed along with several others over a decade ago by Dr. Pelletier, but the class was not developed until this year, when Dr. Pelletier’s full schedule allowed for the additional commitment.

Thanks to a donation by a Bishop’s parent, the science department was able to hire Wu-Tsai Endowed Chair Dr. Lani Keller. With Dr. Keller taking over one of Dr. Pelletier’s AP Biology classes, his schedule freed up enough to include the biotech and engineering course. The administration officially approved the class this summer.

The approval process took less time than typically allotted to review a

class. Academic Dean Ms. Janice Murabayashi said, “Typically a department will work on a course that a teacher is interested in. Then, they will run it by me and some of the other administrators. Last, it will go to an academic committee for review.” In the case of Dr. Pelletier’s class, Ms. Murabayashi and other administrators were able to “fast-track” this process, thus allowing the course to run this coming semester.

Dr. Pelletier consulted with Head of the Science Department Mr. John Rankin, Head of Upper School Mr. Brian Ogden, Ms. Murabayashi, and the college counselors, and together the teachers approved the class. Now, the goal for the class is to gather enough interested students so that the class can

Issue 03 • November 2017 • The Tower

ACADEMICS “AN IMPORTANT PART OF SCIENCE IS LEARNING HOW TO FUNCTION IN A LAB, AND THE NEW BIOTECH CLASS IMPLEMENTS A LOT OF THAT MATERIAL.’’ - LAYLA KHAZENI (‘19)

run. The prerequisite for the class is a concurrent or previous enrollment in biology.

Dr. Pelletier explained that the class will evolve around a project requiring students to at the engineer a green fluorescent protein and alter the gene to change its color. This engineering process is practiced regularly by the Advanced Honors Science Research class, but for the new Biotech and Genetic Engineering class, it will be the feature.

Science fan Layla Khazeni (‘19) said, “I’m interested in the class because an important part of science is learning how to function in a lab, and the new biotech class implements a lot of that material. It is also great for people inter-

ested in lab work and biology.”Although students were excited about this new addition, many expressed that they were afraid that the class would clash with their schedules.

Dr. Pelletier explained another issue: although the class can still run this spring, it won’t show up on a student’s transcript until the University of

California approves of Biotechnology and Engineering, which is something he said the school is working on.

Dr. Pelletier said, “The approval process begins in the spring with submission of a detailed course description. We anticipate that we will submit the forms to the University of California then. If the UC system has questions or concerns, we should be able to address them and get the course approved.”

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CULTURE A CHANGING OF THE GUARD Emma Oliver

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n the mornings from 11:00-11:45 a.m., crowds congregate outside Buckingham Palace, packing onto the sidewalks and flowing into the streets, waiting. Then the valiant, silver-trimmed red coats march in line to the square below the palace. The new regiment takes over for the old.

And the city of London goes on, living in the prosperity preserved by the old regiment and the prosperity protected by the new. The changing of the guard ceremony happens Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, when weather permits.

The Bishop’s School undergoes its own changing of the guard, though its leading regiment— Head of School— changes far less often than at Buckingham Palace. The school’s longest Headmaster tenures were those of Caroline Cummins and Mike Titelman, serving 32 and 26 years, respectively. After nine years of leadership, Head of School Ms. Aimeclaire Roche has announced this year as her final at Bishop’s. Her tenure will become the third-longest at the school, following Ms. Cummins and Mr. Titelman.

THE MOVE

Last July, Ms. Roche announced her decision to transition back to the East Coast, where she grew up, went to undergraduate college at Harvard University, and where much of her immediate and extended family resides. The decision, Ms. Roche explains, was not a spontaneous one.

“Being Head of School is a high-intensity job, and for me, being my best means being near family, and I was able to do that here when my mom lived with me,” explained Ms. Roche, whose mother passed away in 2014.

And in the years following, Ms. Roche felt a growing desire to reside closer to her family on the East Coast. Thus,

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after becoming engaged to be married this summer, the timing seemed right for Ms. Roche and her fiancé to move back East.

Prior to October, Ms. Roche expressed her desire to settle somewhere “north of the Mason-Dixon line and east of the Mississippi River.”

Yet Ms. Roche’s attention was directed westward when she received a position offer from Cranbrook Schools, located in Bloomfield Hill, Michigan.

Ms. Roche’s plans soon solidified.

Cranbrook named Ms. Roche the next Director of Cranbrook Schools on October 27.

Now, Ms. Roche looks forward to a new and different educational endeavor: “It is a big school, with 1600 students in preschool through twelfth grades, so the education covers the whole spectrum of ages, which is a professionally exciting challenge.”

Upon moving closer to the East Coast, Ms. Roche will also return to a boarding school environment, having both attended and taught at boarding schools in her years prior to Bishop’s.

THE JOB

There is no simple way to sum up the job of Head of School. In the most simple and perhaps daunting of terms, it is the position that is multifaceted and demands a multitude of skills. From hiring teachers, staff, and administrators to evaluating and creating curriculum goals to attending theatre and dance performances, fundraisers, and sporting events, Ms. Roche spends most of her days spending time with the various sectors of the school.

Ms. Roche came to Bishop’s from Groton School in Massachusetts.

There, she first taught Latin, then became the director of college counsel-

ing, and finally assisted the head of school. Ms. Roche notes that, “Learning how to work with kids, I’ve found, is a process you have to do yourself.

Even working with parents is only a piece of it. So, for me, being a college counselor opened a window into kids’ experiences. And I think that’s why I’ve always been mindful of what a student’s experience at the school is like, and how do we always improve that and give you the greatest amount of freedom.” Ms. Roche also interacts with many constituencies at Bishop’s: students, parents, teachers, staff, administrators, and then the broader San Diego community. A twenty-four hour a day job, it seems.

In addition to her commitments within Bishop’s, Ms. Roche serves as the President of the California Association of Independent Schools and Vice Chair of School Year Abroad. She is also a member of San Diego Heads and The Headmasters’ Association, the oldest heads-ofschool organization in the country.

HER TENURE

As Ms. Roche plans to move forward from Bishop’s, those she’s worked with closely and community members recall all that has been done under her leadership. President of the Board of Trustees Annette Bradbury explained, “Ms. Roche’s leadership has been one of great progress on many fronts: she has championed a stronger focus on student-centered learning and student health and well-being, reduced faculty workload to give teachers more time for to develop curriculum and collaborate together, overseen the improvement of facilities.”

Ms. Bradbury also listed several other school achievements since 2009 (Ms. Roche’s first year), including the enhancement of racial, ethnic, and

Issue 03 • November 2017 • The Tower

CULTURE Photo courtesy of Ms. Roche

socioeconomic diversity of matriculants with a variety of equity and inclusion-driven programs; the expansion of the arts and athletic offerings while maintaining a competitive standing within the California Interscholastic Federation; a greater emphasis on students’ health and well-being with a later start time, new schedule, and creation of School Counselor and Director of Diversity positions; the creation of the Manchester Library & Learning Center as well as the renovation of 27,400 square feet of dining, kitchen, student activity and arts education space; initiatives to moderate faculty workload and to increase faculty salaries; and a growth in Bishop’s endowment, which is now more than $48 million.

“I have been working with Ms. Roche as President of the Board for the last five months. It has been a joy to get to know her better and to meet with her on a weekly basis,” said Ms. Bradbury.

“I have come to understand the enormous amount of time and energy she puts into her role on a daily basis, plus

“I’M SO PROUD OF WHAT WE’VE DONE HERE, THAT I CAN FEEL LIKE WHEN I LEAVE, I WILL BE GIVING SOMEONE A REALLY BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF WORK.” - MS. ROCHE the countless hours she commits outside of the regular school day whether attending a game, a show, or an alumni event.”

Looking back on her nine years as Head of School, Ms. Roche feels excited to pass the school onto her successor. While, as Ms. Roche explained, there are always little things to discover that need “tweaking” or other “minor improvement” she is content with all that has been done under her tenure: “I’m so proud of what we’ve done here, that I can feel like when I leave, I will be giving someone a really beautiful piece of work.”

HER LEGACY

“On the spectrum of headmasters across the world, I am probably someone who veers much more towards the offering of freedoms to kids,” said Ms. Roche. In thinking about the kind of environment she hopes to have cultivated at Bishop’s, Ms. Roche points to the many innovations at the school originating as student conversation: our late starts, our new schedule, grad-

uation robes’ color change.

Head of Middle School Ms. Carol Barry met with Ms. Roche before joining the Bishop’s community. She was immediately drawn to what she sees as Ms. Roche’s advocacy for student onus and development. “I left my 28 year career with San Diego Unified after a one hour coffee meeting with AC at The Living Room,” said Ms. Barry. “I really had no intention of leaving, but after meeting with her, I was inspired and ready to take on a new challenge.

At the time, I felt like her number one mission was to create a nurturing and stimulating environment for students.

After seven years of working with her, I was right. She cares most about the student experience and she doesn’t let other issues cloud her vision for creating the space for positive student-teacher relationships.”

For more information analyzing Ms. Roche’s tenure as well as the search process for the next head of school, please watch for the coming issue of The Tower.

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BEYOND WHERE DO YOU STAND? Olivia Ralph

B

ody language became more than just sitting up straight at the dinner table and rolling your eyes at your parents, when Colin Kaepernick kneeled during the national anthem to express his concerns regarding race and equality within America.

In August 2016, the former San Francisco 49’s quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, began to sit on the bench and kneel during the national anthem before football games.

This single action exploded into a national debate about race after Kaepernick shared the logic behind his actions: to protest against race inequality in the United States.

In an interview with ESPN, Kaepernick gave insight to why he felt the need to kneel during the anthem.

He said, “People don’t realize what’s really going on in this country. There are a lot of things that are going on that are unjust which people aren’t being held accountable for.”

He went deeper into his reasoning, stating, “There’s a lot of things that need to change.

One specifically? Police brutality.

There’s people being murdered unjustly and not being held a c countable...That’s not right. That’s not right by anyone’s standards.”

Kaepernick’s actions have inspired and shocked many other NFL teams. His ideology has spread to high school athletes across the country, creating an array of displays during high school football games. The Bishop’s football team, made up of 33 players, seems to have found a way to avoid this conflict. Although some players want to stand and others want to kneel, every

Friday night they have chosen to stand with their right hands over their hearts for the minute and twenty two seconds during which the anthem is played.

In a recent poll of 25 members of the Knight’s football team, 72% said

allow this individual to feel more comfortable kneeling.

Team member Drew Yashar (‘19), feels that, “[Kneeling during the anthem] is not how people should share their opinions on this topic. I think if you really wanted to share [Kaepernick’s] beliefs, you should go to rallies, speak up on social media, donate money or your time to organizations that support your beliefs. Taking a knee is too inflammatory of an action...

People focus on how ethical the action was instead of the actual reasons behind it.”

This topic became more sensitive when members of the team were asked what the National Football League (NFL) means to them as each individual had their own take on the issue. Hasant Moses-Hillman (‘18) said, “People are shedding light on an issue that we have in America. The NFL athletes are protesting the racism, social injustice, and inequality that we have in our country.”

On the other side of the spectrum, Jeffery Jackson (‘18) shared, “[The protest] doesn’t have a real meaning to me, because the cause they are standing for has never affected my life directly, so I have a hard time relating with their cause.” This difference amongst the team’s beliefs is expected, however many may wonder how each member would like to express themselves during the anthem Mozes shared, “Personally, I would kneel, because I do support it.” He followed up by saying, “I want to address the team as a whole, but I don’t want anyone to feel disrespected or take it

“IT HAS MY ATTENTION, IT HAS NATIONAL ATTENTION, IT HAS EVERYBODY’S ATTENTION…” - HEAD COACH JOEL ALLEN

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they prefer to stand during the national anthem. When asked if they would be disappointed if a teammate were to kneel, 52% said no. One team captain, Jacob Jackson (‘18), said, “There is an unspoken agreement that we all stand.”

However, the team has yet to discuss this controversy and what players wish to do during the anthem.

Many of the Bishop’s players are moved by Kaepernick’s actions; an anonymous member of the team said he would prefer to “kneel if [his] whole team joined him.” This suggests that assurance of the team’s support would

Issue 03 • November 2017 • The Tower

Photo courtesey of Wyatt Charette (‘18)

BEYOND PC: Olivia Ralph

The football team stands during the National Anthem at their away game against Classical Academy on October 27.

the wrong way. I also don’t know how the coaches feel.” This alludes to a common theme amongst the team: some individuals want to kneel but have little insight on their teammates’ and coaches’ opinions.

In an interview with the head coach of the Knights Football Program, Coach Joel Allen, he stated that, “[Taking a knee] is [each athlete’s] right,” and he will, “take the school’s perspective of supporting of anybody—student, faculty, teacher—to take a knee.” Coach Allen also addressed a very interesting side to the controversy, explaining that many NFL players have made their statement; “The attention is there. It has

my attention, it has national attention, it has everybody’s attention, but for me, it is time to do something.” Coach Allen adds his opinion to this debate by stating that it is time for athletes to take their frustrations with the subject and focus on how they can help change society.

Each interview with a portion of the seniors of the football team ended with the same question: Say a teammate was really passionate about kneeling during the national anthem, what would you do as a leader of the team? Jeffrey, Jacob, Mozes and Hasant all separately answered that it would be the teammate’s decision whether they

wanted to kneel or stand. Mozes and Hasant also included that they would encourage the teammate to kneel and join him to show their support.

The Bishop’s football team has had a very exciting season and are undefeated. They have held their heads high, not letting incompatible interests affect their performance each week.

Charlie Mossy (‘20) highlighted the team’s unity: “On the field we are one team, we are brothers. We support each other and are here for one another, and I don’t think any conflicting beliefs will ever change that.”

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CULTURE TALK IS CHEAP (AND LOUD) Amy Carlyle

T

he Manchester Board Room is teeming with students and faculty. People are seated in a circle, like in an English classroom, but there is no table, no teacher tracking conversation, and some students sit ne arly a room away from their peers at the opposite side of the circle.

Small groups form and chatter away about their shared perspectives.

Some hold notes, covered in scrawled letters and bullet points ready to be shared. The room is noisy: paper shuffling, feet tapping on the floor in anticipation, sighs voicing disagreement. Loudest of all are the voices, each drowning out another, all overlapping and becoming an incoherent mess.

The October 2 town hall, in a nutshell.

“PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY IS ABOUT CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE IT’S OKAY FOR PEOPLE TO CONTRIBUTE, AND WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO BE RESPECTED FOR THEIR INPUT.” - MRS. SMITH

Town hall meetings are meant to serve as opportunities for student-led conversations about a multitude of topics, from school issues to global affairs. Most recently, students discussed Colin Kaepernick and professional football players kneeling during the national anthem.

Town halls, mostly when covering political topics, have be-

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lemma lies in the absence of the element essential to making any team function.

Google spent several years searching for this element, beginning in 2012, conducting Project Aristotle, a research operation d e d i c at e d to discovering the secret to a perfect team. Initially, researchers expected that people with similar interests and opinions would form the best groups, but the results said otherwise. What a team really needs to succeed, they discovered, is psychological safety: the idea that everyone is free to express their thoughts and opinions without fearing ridicule or backlash from one’s peers. The actual opinions of the people were irrelevant.

History and economics teacher Mrs. Emily Smith shared Google’s revelations with her Modern World History and Introduction to Economics courses as an introduction — and expectation — for the school year: “For me, psychological safety is about creating an environment where it’s okay for people to contribute, and where they are going to be respected for their input; it’s also about calling people out if you’re feeling unsafe, but teaching people how to do that

come less of a forum for discussion and more of a debate; clear sides are drawn from the beginning — both ideologically and physically — and tension escalates throughout the meeting. The notion of participants gaining a variety of perspectives has become substantially less valuable than winning the argument over the past few years — even if the conversation was not meant to be an argument in the first place.

School discussions of this sort are intended to consist of multiple people sharing ideas in a thoughtful way; it’s meant to be a team effort.

Perhaps the root of the town hall di-

Issue 03 • November 2017 • The Tower

CULTURE in a respectful manner, rather than descending into that place of poor language choice and name-calling. When I think of psychological safety, I think of that quote: ‘I do not agree with what you say, but I will fight to the death for your right to say it.’”

Without this environment, team members are not able to work as efficiently. People become more hesitant to share new ideas and concepts, and are afraid to present their work to their peers.

After this most recent town hall, many students felt that their voices were not valued and that their opinions were ignored — essentially, the absence of psychological safety. Noah Adaikalam (‘18), for example, took to the Daily Urinal (DU) to express his thoughts: “My intention on entering the town hall was to voice my opinions on this issue, not to change minds or win people over, but simply to make myself heard. I do not think that happened.”

His piece in Issue 28 of the DU shared his thoughts on kneeling during the national anthem, but also highlighted the much-needed respect and empathy that the town hall lacked.

Part of the problem lies in students’ preparedness — or over preparedness — for the town hall. Many entered the Manchester Board Room with notes and a plan of action for delivering their perspectives, but does entering a conversation so ready to contribute restrict listening? Town hall participant Kelsey Chodorow (‘18) said, “I feel like the majority of Bishop’s kids don’t have open minds — or aren’t willing to have an open mind — and are very strong-minded, which is never a bad thing, but I think they have a lot to learn if they want to be open.” Conversation is a two-way street, and, as Kelsey expressed, when preparing for

a discussion, preparing to listen is an important part. Shouting over someone else is not a discussion.

The volume of the town hall — and the blatant dismissal of ideas, like eye-rolling or groaning — seems to be unique only to politically-based discussions. “I think in general, the conversation about politics is very divided, so when we have a political town hall, I think this is normal. If it was about something else, though, then I wouldn’t say this was normal,” Kelsey added.

Politics have been known to spark confrontation and argument both at Bishop’s and beyond, especially following the 2016 presidential election.

Shouting and interrupting is not exclusive to Bishop’s discussions but occurs nationally as well. The behavior has permeated American culture and inserts itself in multiple places, from televised debates to Twitter threads. Mrs. Smith said, “I think kids model what they see, so when they see neo-Nazis in the streets screaming at counter-protesters, and the counter-protesters are screaming back, everyone wants to scream at each other.

Everyone wants to be heard. And if that’s the model you see over and over again — in presidential election debates, in the news, — that’s what kids are going to do.”

Psychological safety is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain.

The use of language has such a capacity to hurt other people, both individuals and groups; are hurtful speech or offensive ideas also protected by psychological safety and the right to free speech?

“Ultimately, when you look at what’s happened in the last year, so many of the problems are because of people screaming at each other, unwilling to remember that there are reasons why people hold the views they

do. And is that an excuse to spew racism, sexism, and other horrible things?

Absolutely not, but how do you help those people that are racist and sexist and etcetera realize there is a different view if you don’t listen to them as well?

I think oftentimes people feel like their story is shut down — even if the story is offensive and wrong — and when it’s shut down, they start to shut down. The conversation has to keep going,” Mrs. Smith continued.

The end of the town hall showed no resolution or conclusion; the debate simply ended, no participant feeling the benefits of a balanced, productive discussion.

A stream of town hall participants file out of the board room and make their way to class. The volume has greatly decreased. Some students are celebrating a supposed-victory and mocking those who dared disagree with them; others are silent, having not said a word the entire lunch period.

You mull over what you heard — a collection of passionately delivered statements, loosely connected to each other but showing no evidence of speakers actually responding to one another.

Town halls are intended to help students gain multiple perspectives on a topic — could they gain anything from this?

For more information on kneeling during the national anthem, see Olivia Ralph’s article on pages 16-17.

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CULTURE FOR THE CULTURE Harper White

T

Photo courtesy of Mr. Hayden

aking place two have been workduring spring ing on making the trip break and lasting as accessible as possiabout ten days, with dayble, with financial aid long excursions to the available to those who Andes Mountains and need it. Ms. Wepsic will the Ecuadorian Cloud also hold Japanese culForest, the Galapagos ture lessons before the trip is offered to sophtrip. “We have up to 10 omores, juniors, and spots remaining,” Ms. seniors. It will focus on Wepsic said. “No artishelping students gain a tic talent is required; all deeper understanding of are welcome.” nature through spending time in a geographically ver spring unique area. “Students break 2018, the will be encouraged to Italy trip, led experience this unique

by Latin teacher Mr. environment and conIan Hayden, Head of sider the complexity and the Religion Departfragility of nature,” says ment Dr. Regina Baltrip leader and science lard, and Head of the teacher Dr. Pam ReynHistory Department olds. She, along with Dr. Jeffrey Geoghegan, science teachers Mr. will allow students to Michael Samale and Mr. experience the rich Benjamin Duehr, will history and culture of A group of students standing outside of the Roman Colosseum during the 2015 be accompanying the 22 Ancient Rome. This spring break trip students on their trip. In is experience, as Mr. addition to sightseeing, Hayden points out, students will also participate in service learning activities, cannot be fully achieved by means of modern technology such as removing invasive species, and more lighthearted ac- today. “Our purpose is to imbue the lessons, theory, and lantivities, such as snorkeling and hiking. “The trip is intended guage of our students’ studies in all spheres of learning with to be educational, fun, and, for some, life changing,” says Dr. the sights and sounds, bricks and stones, people, and places Reynolds. This year’s trip is full, but students who are eligible that motivate, inspire, and support a truly passionate life of are encouraged to apply when the opportunity arises again. the mind.” Offered to sophomores, juniors, and seniors, the trip is aimed towards students interested in European and he Japan trip, taking place the week after school fin- art history, religion, classical languages, and Italian culture ishes for the summer, is an art-focused trip to Tokyo, and cuisine. While there are no remaining places, once again, Kyoto, and Hakone. The trip encourages students to students are encouraged to apply again in 2019, when the develop their artistic abilities in a more personal way while trip applications will return. simultaneously experiencing a unique culture. “This will be a fantastic art trip that will provide daily art activities within cultural experiences,” says Head of the Art Department Ms. Elizabeth Wepsic. She, alongside ceramics teacher Mr. Jeremy Gercke, will be accompanying the students on the trip. The

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Issue 03 • November 2017 • The Tower

CULTURE

FAUX FOCUS

Issue 03 • November 2017 • The Tower

PC: Annie Zeigler (‘18)

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CULTURE FAUX FOCUS Annie Zeigler

A

Bishop’s senior, overwhelmed with college applications, first semester grades, and three hour daily soccer practices, read over the prompt for an essay that was due the following day. It was 8:00 p.m. and she hadn’t written anything. She opened a drawer in her desk, pulled out an orange medicine bottle, and stared at the single tablet inside.

A notable number of Bishop’s students could relate to an experience like this imagined one. Of 192 tenth through twelfth graders at Bishop’s who responded to a survey, 13% reported that they have taken unprescribed Adderall to enhance their school performance. Additionally, 67% of these students reported knowing someone who has taken unprescribed Adderall. As shown by these statistics, a proportion of Bishop’s students are willing to put their health at risk to succeed academically.

A stimulant, Adderall targets the central nervous system and hones in on chemicals in the brain and nerves that control hyperactivity and impulse control. Those with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are often prescribed Adderall, or drugs with similar effects, to enhance their focus. For those taking the drug without a prescription, though, Adderall has a high potential for abuse and addiction.

Adderall and other study aids have traditionally been used on college campuses, yet they have begun to seep into the lives of high school students as well. Though it is hard to know exactly how many high school students across the country abuse Adderall, a study by the University of Michigan in 2015 predicted that 7.5% of all US high school seniors take it unprescribed for academic achievement.

When someone without ADHD or ADD takes Ad-

derall, they develop laser-focus and high energy levels. An anonymous senior said, “Last year, I took [Adderall] to write a six page paper in one night. All I could think about was finishing the paper and distractions were not nearly as enticing as usual.”

In terms of supply, generally, some students who have been prescribed Adderall sell portions of their prescription to their classmates. “Since last year, there have been people in my grade who sell their own prescription [for Adderall] to other Bishop’s students. It’s especially prevalent right now because a lot of juniors are taking the SAT and ACT and we’re all expected to get good scores,” said Rachel Greenfield (‘19).

As a junior, Rachel and her classmates are beginning to feel the stress surrounding standardized testing, as it is one of the first big steps towards the college application process.

Suddenly, Adderall can look quite appealing when there’s a research paper a student wishes he or she had started earlier or three chapters of reading he or she need to complete for tomorrow’s test. But because Adderall is addictive, according to the US National Library of Medicine, just one or two uses can turn into dangerous abuse.

Aside from the potential of abuse, Adderall’s side effects are dangerous as well. According to a New York Times article, young people who take the drug unprescribed often experience depression and mood swings, both of which are partially due to a lack of sleep.

The Bishop’s academic environment is competitive and challenging, but does it push some students to believe that they need Adderall to succeed?

Some say yes. “Bishop’s puts far more emphasis on good grades and getting into good colleges than it does on personal wellbeing and mental health,” said an anonymous senior. “Bishop’s prides itself on its successful students, not students who take care of themselves. In the Bishop’s promotional video, a student says ‘We’re stress cases!’ while laughing, as if that’s a good and normal thing to be.” For many

SUDDENLY, ADDERALL CAN LOOK QUITE APPEALING WHEN THERE’S A RESEARCH PAPER A STUDENT WISHES HE OR SHE HAD STARTED EARLIER. . .

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Issue 03 • November 2017 • The Tower

CULTURE

“IN THE BISHOP’S PROMOTIONAL VIDEO, A STUDENT SAYS ‘WE’RE STRESS CASES!’ WHILE LAUGHING, AS IF THAT’S A GOOD AND NORMAL THING TO BE.” - ANONYMOUS STUDENT Bishop’s students, stress and anxiety have become routine, as common conversation consists of comparing unhealthy sleep schedules or recounting latest mental breakdowns.

But others are not convinced that the Bishop’s environment is accountable for students’ mental strain. An anonymous sophomore said, “If students are having a hard time in their classes to the point where they are sacrificing their health and need to compensate with unprescribed drugs, they need to switch into an easier class. Harder classes at Bishop’s exist for students that can take the workload and competitiveness.” Another sophomore agrees: “I think this ‘pressure’ is internal, and could be affected by other factors, meaning students should solve those issues before blaming Bishop’s or looking for alternative relief.”

One junior views the high competition and stress level as vehicles for success: “Bishop’s competitive environment is important because it pushes people to do better.

Although some people may use Adderall, I still think the

competition is necessary.”

No matter a student’s opinion as to why their classmates take Adderall, the fact that it is taken unprescribed is a problem. The solution to this problem is not instant or simple. However, Ms. Megan Broderick (‘98), Director of Counselling, says a solution is mainly grounded in healthy habits. “Bishop’s students, and people in general, need to take the time to develop healthy coping skills. Finding ways to cope with difficult things like stress, illness, or fatigue is something that students should begin working on now so that they can rely on those healthy behaviors instead of falling back on behaviors that could have very detrimental consequences.”

Nevertheless, unprescribed Adderall use in any high school or college setting might be impossible to eliminate— especially at Bishop’s, where stress and overcommitment are common trends amongst much of the high school community.

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CULTURE JUULING IN THE JEWEL David Brewer

“L

ast year towards the end of the school year, three of my friends were ‘JUULing’ in the downstairs library bathroom and they set off the smoke alarm. Everyone in the library had to be evacuated,” said Olivia Ralph (‘19).

This story may seem shocking, but this discreet, slim e-cigarette known as the JUUL has become a very popular recreational device among students.

Over 25% of 186 Bishop’s junior and senior survey respondents claim to see the JUUL on a daily basis— including on campus.

Mr. Beamer attributes some of the JUUL’s popularity to its marketing. “I think there is an active market campaign for e-cigarettes that is targeted at kids. If you look at any vape store, you will see flavors like crème brûlée and cotton candy. I believe these companies are trying to get young people hooked on something that tastes really good and is addictive. From there, the companies have customers for life.” However it is not only the flavors that attract teens: the water vapor has almost no smell— making it very discreet to use, the

“I FIRST USED IT AT THE BEGINING OF SOPHOMORE YEAR. EVENTUALLY, I GOT ADDICTED OFF USING OTHER PEOPLE’S JUULS AND BOUGHT MY OWN.” -ANONYMOUS STUDENT

“We know kids have them on campus. I’m not going to hang out in the bathroom trying to catch kids, but if a student does it enough, they will inevitably get caught,” said Dean of Students Mr. Michael Beamer. The JUUL was brought to Mr. Beamer’s attention after a student was caught using it during class this fall. “With the combination of extensive rumors and the student being caught on campus, we thought the school should address the issue with the parents, so we did so at the Parents Association meeting. The conversation was mainly about how teenagers who use e-cigarettes are twice as likely to end up smoking cigarettes later in life,” Mr. Beamer continued.

Since then, Director of Counseling Ms. Megan Broderick (‘98) has brought the issue to the attention of both the sophomore and junior classes during their class meetings. Considering that 54% of seniors and 64% of juniors from the survey sample have seen the JUUL on campus, the school’s concern is by no means groundless.

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device charges quickly and easily via USB, and it offers a variety of attractive sleeves and accessories for personalization.

Mr. Beamer is not wrong in his belief that young people are drawn to the flavoring. An anonymous junior girl described the tobacco JUUL flavor as “disgusting,” but referred to the mango flavor as “super good.” Of the 270 total high school respondents, 108 students said their favorite flavor was mango, while zero students said their favorite flavor was tobacco. Clearly the traditional flavor of a cigarette is no longer attractive to teens, but the exotic flavors of e-cigarettes are.

Hady Shahbaz (‘18) thinks that the “kids at Bishop’s see the JUUL as a healthy substitute for cigarettes without considering the harmful effects and carcinogens.” When asked about the potential health risks of the JUUL, two juniors and four seniors replied, “What health risks?” However, other students are aware of the risks but elect to use the JUUL regardless. As an anonymous senior said via

Issue 03 • November 2017 • The Tower

CULTURE the survey, “I know the JUUL is bad for me and that it is addictive, but there are worse things I could be doing. Plus, it really helps me relax.”

Additionally, some students expressed concern about developing an addiction, particularly as a result of social pressures. “At first, I felt a lot of social pressure to try the JUUL,” said an anonymous junior. “I first used it at the beginning of sophomore year and it was not satisfying at all because I coughed a ton. But as more of my friends started getting JUULs, my lungs got more used to it and I started feeling the ‘shack’ [the head rush that the JUUL gives its users] experience. Eventually, I got addicted off using other people’s JUULs and bought my own.”

In the junior and senior class, the expectation to use the JUUL becomes clear in social settings, particularly those outside of school. Nick Van Huizum (‘18) said, “I have been at parties where almost every kid there is using it.” The JUUL’s popularity paired with its extremely addictive nature results in an astounding prevalence of student use.

Mr. Beamer made it very clear that using the JUUL on campus will not be tolerated, but he recognizes that it may be a persisting problem.

“I don’t think e-cigarettes are going anywhere. The marketing behind them, calling them the safer alternative to cigarettes, is really savvy. I think this might be the new normal.”

“I HAVE BEEN AT PARTIES WHERE ALMOST EVERY KID THERE IS USING IT.” -NICK VAN HUIZUM (‘18)

PCs: David Brewer The front (left) and back (right) of the packaging that came with the JUUL the administration purchased for educational purposes.

Issue 03 • November 2017 • The Tower

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The Bell

Nestled inside the Bishop Johnson Tower is a bell. Though tucked away from view and hardly ever rung, everyone knows it is there. The bell has become a prize to find — students have attempted to reach the top of the tower for decades. Needless to say, the bell is a much sought-after icon on the Bishop’s campus.

The Tower has its very own bell; though not mysterious and more easily accessible, it aims to stir the same excitement as the physical bell. Home to lighter news and satire alike—such as Top Ten, Bachelor/Bachelorette, and Who Wore it Better—the Bell intends to serve as a break from the depth of the magazine and bring a different, lighter kind of joy to the Bishop’s community.

1.

TOP TEN Signs it’s Fall

When people start wearing UGGs to school (@thedailybulletin)

Patagonia re-emerges from hibernation (UV szn)

When people put up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving

When you fear the occasional drizzle might ruin your Marc Jacobs backpack

2.

3.

7.

8.

When the weather drops to an astonishing below-70- degrees

Snapchat becomes inundated with sunset pics

Brick and Bell runs out of Pumpkin Spice powder.

When sporadic sniffling distracts you during tests #flushotszn

4.

5.

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6.

When the Senior Rec Room blasts All I Want for Christmas

9.

10.

Having to work off your food baby during Black Friday shopping

Issue 03 • November 2017 • The Tower

BACHELOR AND BACHELORETTE

Gabe Thomas

Dory Bertics

Celebrity crush: Ryan Gosling Best uniform combo: Navy Blue shirt, Khakis Theme song: Side to Side by Ariana Grande Hottest sport: Water Polo Pet peeve: Chewing with your mouth open / mouth breathers Most important personality trait for a flame: Charming First physical trait you notice in a potential flame: Height Biggest turn-off: Not being honest Favorite form of contact: Snapchat Your best quality: Humor Hashtag that describes you: #NoFilter Favorite dance move: The Sprinkler Your favorite talent: Dancing Snapchat: gabethomas26 Instagram: gabethomas7

Celebrity crush: Gareth Bale Best uniform combo: plaid skirt and dark blue polo Theme song: Simple Things by Miguel Hottest sport: Soccer Pet peeve: Chewing gum loudly Most important personality trait for a flame: Sense of humor First physical trait you notice in a potential flame: Eyes, then abs Biggest turn-off: Selfishness Favorite form of contact: Snapchat Your best quality: I’m a good listener Hashtag that describes you: #justkeepswimming Favorite dance move: Shuffling awkwardly Your favorite talent: Anything acrobatic, like flips or handstands Snapchat: doryyyyyyyyyy (10 y’s) Instagram: dorybertics

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SECTION TITLE GOES HERE Author

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Issue 03 • November 2017 • The Tower