The C&G | Volume IX | Issue 2 | Spring Edition

The C&G Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School 805 Mount Vernon Highway Atlanta, GA 30327 March 2021 Volume 9, Issue 2, Spring Edition thecrimsonandgold@gmail.com

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The C&G Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School 805 Mount Vernon Highway Atlanta, GA 30327 March 2021 Volume 9, Issue 2, Spring Edition thecrimsonandgold@gmail.com

The C&G staff aims to be honest, accurate and accountable as they convey news, ideas, events and opinions that are relevant to the Holy Innocents’ community, including but not limited to students, faculty, staff, parents, administrators, and prospective families. C&G aspires to publish complete and accurate coverage through journalistically responsible, ethically reported and edited content that values diversity of perspectives.

STAFF

MAGGIE BELENKY Editors-in-Chief MADDIE POCH ZAK KERR Managing Editor GRAYSON COLLIER Staff Writers AARON JORDAN ALEX NEWBERG ZAYNAH PRESTON MARINA QUINTERNO BROOKS SCARBOROUGH PARKER MILES Contributing Writer DANIELLE ELMS Adviser

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

One year ago, we were home on a Friday so our teachers could learn how to use Zoom. A week of virtual school didn’t feel like our reality–until we were unable to return to campus for the rest of the 2019-20 school year.

Since March 2020, we’ve been social-distancing, wearing masks, and adapting to life during a pandemic. In The C&G’s second issue of the 2020-21 year, we are happy to provide survey results on page 8 with data breaking down exactly how HIES students have changed their lifestyles due to COVID-19, and page 16 provides details about how HIES sports teams have changed their practices to continue competition during the pandemic. Listening to music has also been a pandemic pastime, and page 18 illustrates a pandemic playlist featuring songs from students and faculty throughout the high school. Though this year has brought immense challenges, incredible scientific feats have also been accomplished as more and more COVID-19 vaccines are distributed. Read page 6 to see ratings of the truth of some common myths surrounding COVID-19 vaccines.

Whether or not you have had the opportunity to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, The C&G staff encourages all of our readers to remain optimistic. The safety precautions that have drastically altered our daily routines have saved lives, and an eventual return to ‘normal’ is in sight. As always, thank you for your readership as we approach the final stretch of life during the pandemic.

Maggie Belenky Co-Editor-in-Chief

Maddie Poch Co-Editor-in-Chief

CONTENTS NEWS

Briefs | 4

Vaccination Explanation | 6 One-Year Checkup | 8

10 OPINION

Locked Down& Opening Up | 22 The C&G Selects | 24 Selfishness: The Forgotten Virtue | 28

Masked Up & Looking Out | 30

4

FEATURE

Senioritis: The World’s Most Infectious Disease | 10 Happy Space | 14 Competition with COVID-19 | 16 2021 Pandemic Playlist | 18 Introducing the One HI Task Force | 20

22

4 | NEWS

Tagging Our Teams

BROOKS SCARBOROUGH, staff writer

Recapping winter sports and previewing spring sports @WRESTLING The wrestling team closed their season with strong individual performances.

They were led by Robert McDonald ‘21, Jake Swink ‘22, and Art Matinez ‘22. Swink won state for the third year in a row, and Martinez took home his first title. Young star Nick Morgan ‘24 took fifth place.

@TENNIS

@CHEER

The boys tennis team is hopeful for a deep run in the postseason, led by Charlie Bahin ‘21, Thursten Miklovic ‘23 and Nicholas Verlander ‘21. The girls team also looks to dominate the courts. Sydney Bly ‘23, Kate Reddy ‘21, and Rachel Whitfield ‘22 will lead their team.

@SWIMMING AND DIVING

@BASKETBALL Landon Kardian ‘21, Garrison Powell ‘21, and Justin Wilson ‘21 led the team to the most successful HIES boys basketball season in school history. The varsity team had a 10-3 record during their regular season and made it to the state championship against Mount Pisgah, falling just short at the buzzer. Rachel Suttle ‘21, Olivia Hutcherson ‘23, and Cierra Foster ‘21 led the girls to a Final Four performance. For the first time since 1999, both teams made Final Four appearances.

The swimming and diving teams earned many state qualifying times despite a challenging season. Star diver Spencer Pearson ’21 took third place in the state championship meet. Underclassmen including Anna Harper ‘23 and Sydney Sprayberry ‘23 earned individual state qualifying times and showed promise throughout the season, and several relay squads made it to state. Andrew Keller ‘21 and Gaby Diamonon ‘21 showed strong leadership throughout the season.

@GOLF The boys golf team looks to have a strong year as Jon Domescik ‘21 and Colin Edwards ‘22 hope to lead the team to another state championship. Haven Ward ‘23 and Regan Southerland ‘23 dominate the courses for the girls team with promising performances early in the season.

@BASEBALL

@LACROSSE

The baseball team looks to make another strong run into the postseason. They had a record of 8-2 last year until COVID-19 shut their season down. This year, JD Bogart ‘21, Tyler Fuller ‘21, Matt Hoffman ‘21, Shane Newsome ‘21, and Williams Willis ‘21 look to continue an impressive showing.

@SOCCER The boys soccer team had a record of 3-3 before the pandemic ended their 2020 season. They are hopeful to make the playoffs this season.

They are led by Patxi Risinger ‘21, Jake Godwin ‘21, Christopher Carrillo ‘21, and Matthew Goldberg ‘21. Captains Caroline Belisle ‘21 and Abbie Reams ‘21 lead the girls team. Their record was 6-0 last year before the pandemic forced their season to shutter. They have a loaded team and are led by UGA commit Rachel Suttle ‘21.

The cheerleaders put on amazing shows this year. Captains Maddy Sudlow ‘21, Morgan McGrotty, ‘21, and Kenidi Cook ‘21 led the basketball cheer squad. The cheerleaders did not disappoint to hype up HIES students at games and pep rallies.

Boys and girls lacrosse teams both look forward to this season. Aidan Diaz ‘21, Drew Bayne ‘21, and Bo Maxwell ‘21 are spotlight players on the boys team, and Cornell commit Annie Parker ‘21 and Antonia Martinez ‘22 lead the girls squad.

@TRACK AND FIELD The track and field team is hopeful for a record-breaking season with star athletes like William Welden ‘21, Joe Sapone ‘23, Parker Miles ‘23, and Ryan Kelley ‘23 who should bring the long distance runners to victory. Sam Barton ‘21 looks to be a key player on the field team in the shotput and the discus throw. Meanwhile, Sarai Jackson ‘21 and Regan White ‘21 will earn points for the girls squad. Mazi Welden ‘24 and Abigail Jablon ‘22 lead the girls distance team.

THE C&G | 5

Humanities Building Preview PARKER MILES, contributing writer

A

new era is on the horizon for students and faculty at HIES. This will be facilitated by the development of the new Humanities Building. From improved classroom settings to enhanced social connectivity amongst students, this new building will combine all beloved elements of HIES into one.

What features will make this building extraordinarily special, and how will the students and faculty benefit from them? Headmaster Paul Barton and history teacher Kevin Lewis provide insight.

When developing the Humanities building, Barton and his staff had three critical design themes in mind: “Flexibility, Community, and Collaboration,” Barton said.

“The Humanities Building will provide flexibility in that classes will be able to be used every period of the day, community in the form of from a new atrium to new student commons, and collaboration in that students will be able to work more with their peers and teachers.”

The Humanities Building will be revolutionary not only for the new features it has to offer, but also for the upgrade it will provide from both the STEM and Riley Buildings.

“Right now, Groesbeck and Riley tend to feel very separated,” Lewis said. “An opportunity for a shared space will enable more collaboration amongst all of the teachers from the History and English departments.”

In terms of community, Barton said, “the atrium in the building will connect students by floors. STEM is a great building, but once you’re on one floor, you don’t see anyone on any of the other floors.” These additions are noteworthy, but they are just the beginning.

In terms of dining, the new café will enable people to socialize.

“It will certainly have a college feel to it,” Barton said.

In terms of education, there will also be a new Harkness Room. The Harkness table is a large oval table which will enable students in History, English, or Global classes to engage in Socratic discussions.

For the artists at HIES, there will also be a two-story art gallery. In Barton’s opinion, the most significant development will be the new assembly space on the first floor. Barton said, “there will be a 2,400-square-foot assembly space that will be used for numerous conferences at HIES. The most unique thing about the space is that walls can divide it into three 800-square-foot classrooms for students. These will end up being three out of the 25 total classrooms in the building.”

With all of this said, in terms of upgrades, it is fair to say that the Humanities Building will have a profound impact on the HIES community.

While the new building will certainly be a fresh start for the students and faculty at HIES, there are numerous idiosyncrasies about the Riley Building that will be missed.

“There’s something nostalgic about the flooding in Riley. If it’s raining, you know it’s flooding in Riley. The important thing to take away is that the building has personality,” Lewis said. “Leaving an old building is like leaving an old car behind; it becomes a piece of you.”

While a plethora of new memories will be formed in the Humanities Building, the antiquated Riley Building will always resonate with members and alumni of the HIES community. This time marks a critical point in the history of HIES, and it is up to students and faculty to make the most of it.

The new Humanities Building will offer more social spaces for HIES students and faculty.

Photo via hies.org

6 | NEWS

Vaccination Explanation Fact-checking COVID-19 myths PARKER MILES, contributing writer

1

The vaccines can alter DNA.

NOT TRUE

COVID-19 vaccines help the body’s immune system create antibodies to fight COVID-19. A vital component of the COVID-19 vaccine is mRNA, or Messenger RNA. Dr. Thaddeus Stappenbeck, Chairman of the Department of Inflammation and Immunity at Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute said, “Messenger RNA is something that’s made from DNA, but it’s not designed to integrate with our DNA, and it doesn’t permanently change our genome and who we are in any way.” The mRNA from the vaccine enters people’s cells, but the mRNA does not enter the nucleus where the DNA exists. The primary function of mRNA is to make proteins that bolster the immune system so that individuals will not catch the virus, according to Dr. Lisa Maragakis, John Hopkins senior director of infection prevention, and Dr. Gabor Kelen, director of the Johns Hopkins Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response.

2

Vaccines for COVID-19 cannot be trusted because the development process was rushed.

NOT TRUE

While the average vaccine can take approximately 14 years to develop, the COVID-19 vaccines came to market in a matter of months. But this does not mean they are untrustworthy. The Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines were created with a specific method that has been in development for years. Therefore, the vaccine’s record-breaking development time is not a byproduct of being “rushed,” but rather, is a culmination of mRNA research years in the making. The CDC has written and spoken extensively about the long history of mRNA vaccine research: “Researchers have been studying and working with mRNA vaccines for decades. Interest has grown… because they can be developed in a laboratory using readily available materials… the process can be standardized… scaled up, making vaccine development faster.” According to the Cleveland Clinic, the vaccines for COVID-19 were developed quickly, but there were no shortcuts in the process. Companies put their vaccines through rigorous trials involving tens of thousands of volunteers, and early data indicates that both the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are effective in mitigating COVID-19’s transmissibility and general impact, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

THE C&G | 7

3

People who have already had COVID-19 will not benefit from the vaccine.

SOMEWHAT

TRUE

The CDC recommends that all individuals get the vaccine regardless of any previous history of COVID-19. When people are naturally infected with COVID-19, their immune response is “highly variable,” according to the New York Times. Some individuals make very high amounts of antibodies that last for many months, while others who may have experienced less symptoms of COVID-19 may produce less antibodies. Though the CDC acknowledges that it is uncommon for a COVID-19 reinfection to occur within 90 days of recovering from an infection, the antibody levels after vaccination are significantly higher than antibody levels after natural infection. Immunologist Andrew T. McGuire from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Institute in Seattle performed a study measuring the increase in antibody levels for individuals who received their first dose of the vaccine. He found a “massive, massive boost” in antibodies even in individuals who had previously recovered from COVID-19, indicating the importance of receiving a vaccine even for those who had a prior infection.

4

COVID-19 vaccines can have adverse effects.

SOMEWHAT

TRUE

One of the main reasons why people are hesitant about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is that they might experience negative side effects. The COVID-19 vaccine does have some harmful side effects, but they are not long-term. As of January 21, 2021, two million people reported symptoms of nausea, fatigue, or pain in their arm at least once to the CDC after receiving the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccines. Individuals might experience a headache or a fever for a day or two, but these side effects are signs that the vaccine is working to stimulate the immune system, according to both Dr. Kelen and Dr. Maragakis. If you have not previously had COVID-19, you may notice more side effects after the second dose of the vaccination series.

5

Now that people are getting vaccinated, the pandemic will be over very soon.

SOMEWHAT

TRUE

According to the CDC, at least 70 percent of the entire population needs to either have had COVID-19 or been vaccinated in order for life to return to somewhat normal. As of March 2021, nearly 20 percent of the U.S. population has had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. While the number of people vaccinated has skyrocketed over the past several months, it is not likely that the world’s return to normal will be immediate. According to the CDC as of March 9, 2021, even after you have been fully vaccinated, you should keep taking precautions in public places like wearing a mask, staying six feet apart from others, and avoiding large crowds.

Staff Spotlight Upper School faculty member Meredith Many shares her COVID-19 vaccine experience.

Vaccine manufacturer: Moderna Vaccination dates: January 20, 2021 & February 17, 2021 Many’s advice to those on the fence about getting a COVID-19 vaccine is simple: “Do it anyways.” Prior to receiving both doses of the vaccine, Many recalls her anxieties about her symptoms. Her reaction to her second shot was more severe than her first dose, and she took the day off of work with a 100.3 °F fever. Though the two doses of the vaccine have boosted Many’s immunity, she does not plan on relaxing her safety protocols. It is still possible for Many to contract COVID-19, but her vaccine will fortify her response to the virus to minimize the potential for a severe COVID-19 case.

8 | NEWS

one-year Checkup

MADDIE POCH, co-editor-in-chief

In March 2020, safety measures and restrictions went into effect to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Read how the HIES community is handling the pandemic after one year of social distancing requirements. Results are from The C&G’s February 2021 survey of 221 HIES Upper School students.

85% 16% 60%

of HIES Upper School students have been tested for COVID-19.

of HIES Upper School students have been tested for COVID-19 antibodies.

NO (6.8%)

of Upper School students have received an email from the HIES Contact-Tracing Team indicating they were directly exposed to COVID-19.

NO (10.9%)

YES (93.2%) Do you generally wear a mask in public?

YES NO (42.1%) (57.9%) Have you traveled via airplane since March 13, 2020?

Do you participate in large, indoor gatherings of more than 10 people without social distancing or mask-wearing?

YES (89.1%) Have you eaten inside a restaurant since March 13, 2020?

YES NO (53.4%) (46.6%)

THE C&G | 9

50%

Skills students reported learning include: Painting SKATEBOARDING Yoga Chess PIANO Jewelry Making Patience Woodworking Debate Coding a website cooking SUdoku I can Cut hair now Golf Ukelele Gambling Astrology How to zoom snowboarding Appreciating the things we take for granted

of HIES Upper School students indicated they learned a new skill since March 13, 2020.

You have gotten sleep since March 13, 2020.

You have spent time outdoors since March 13, 2020.

How have your friendships changed since March 13, 2020?

75 students

76 students

68 students

89 students

66 students

65 students

79 students

69 students

71 students

more

less

the same amount of

more

less

the same amount of

they stayed the same

grown apart

grown closer

When the COVID-19 pandemic ends, you expect that things in your life will...

57 students

132 students

32 students

basically go back to normal.

remain changed in minor ways.

remain changed in major ways.

How has your time behind a screen (i.e. use of phone, laptop, tablet, etc.) changed since March 13, 2020?

26 students same amount of screentime

0 students less screentime

193 students more screentime

How have your relationships with your immediate household/family changed since March 13, 2020?

115 students

30 students

75 students

they stayed the same

grown apart

grown closer

Understanding Pandemic Fatigue

The C&G asked students to rate their tiredness with COVID-19 safety protocols in two different categories.

SOCIAL DISTANCING FATIGUE 1

no fatigue

2

3

average rating

4

3.6

5

complete fatigue

MASK-WEARING FATIGUE 1

no fatigue

2

3

average rating

4

3.4

5

complete fatigue

S E N I O R I T I S: THE WORLDS MOST INFECTOUS DISEASE MAGGIE BELENKY, co-editor-in-chief

WARNING

The world’s most dangerous and infectious disease is in fact not cancer or even COVID-19, but instead the phenomenon known as Senioritis. Symptoms of this deadly disease include lack of motivation, oversleeping, laziness, boredom, and random arguments with your parents. This illness should not be taken lightly. Please call your doctor if you feel you are at risk for Senioritis.

A

s college-bound high school seniors open their admissions decisions and decide their plans for the next four years, most feel the weight of their grades has been lifted off their shoulders. Whether they are celebrating acceptances to their dream schools or muddling through rejections, nearly all seniors realize that their push to maintain a high grade point average suddenly matters much less.

to do or why. According to the New York Times, “Psychologists use the terms “external” versus “internal” control, which is the sense that someone other than that individual is responsible for his or her success or failure.” High school, and especially the college admissions process, fosters this tendency. Students look to their teachers and parents for signals of what matters in life and try to imagine what they need to do to meet the approval of admissions officials.

Seniors become familiar with Senioritis in their second and final semester of high school. HIES Upper School Counselor Katie Cruce describes Senioritis as “a lack of motivation to finish out the year strong, the second semester of senior year, spurred on by already knowing what might be coming next or maybe the feeling that what is happening right then won’t affect what’s next.”

Unlike Corts, Caroline Causey ‘21 has yet to decide which college she plans to attend for the next four years, but she still senses a strong change in her performance and motivation.

In the second semester of senior year, students are still engaged with the same people and activities of the last four years, but the terms, pressures, and motivations have changed. Though a shift in motivation and emotions might not seem drastic, all high school seniors experience some form of change.

Each day, Causey spends less and less time on homework. “Most weekends I do not open my backpack,” Causey said.

“I think that certainly most seniors will experience some sort of shift in their emotions or experience because they’re realizing that their time at Holy Innocents’ or wherever they’re in school is coming to a close,” Cruce said. “Not everyone may experience that drastic dip in motivation, but I think everyone will experience some sort of shift in their emotional response to their school environment.”

Each student begins this process at different stages. For Sophie Corts ‘21, it began on November 1, 2020 when she put her admission deposit down for Samford University.

“They did not ask for my first semester transcript. I knew they weren’t going to see my grades, so I kind of just stopped caring,” Corts said.

Corts finds that she is not only unmotivated by her schoolwork, but also by her extracurriculars.

“I am a church leader and I do National Charity League and stuff like that, and I just felt a little bit unmotivated to go to those things too,” Corts said.

Without an external motivator, such as the reward of a college acceptance or the threat of a college denial, far too many students have little idea of what

“I think my brain is really shut off from learning information,” Causey said.

Though Causey finds that her grades have gone downhill, she has found that her motivation to succeed lies elsewhere. “I still have some motivation because I’m trying, and I want to do it for my teachers. It’s less for the fact that I do it for the grades,” Causey said.

Though this infectious disease is inevitable for high school seniors, there are some ways to avoid slipping too hard. Cruce recommends “keeping in mind that your schoolwork certainly still matters as far as being in the habit of being on top of work, completing what you need to do. Those are life skills that you’ll take with you to college.”

Beyond seniors suffering from Senioritis, everyone’s emotional health can benefit from keeping a routine. “I think just for your well-being, it serves us all well to be engaged and in the moment with what we’re experiencing now, instead of always thinking about the next step,” Cruce said.

Students: enjoy those last few weeks of high school, take a deep breath, lighten up, and remain focused.

“Try to stay in the moment of what you still have left in your last few months here,” Cruce said. Afterall, Senioritis is by no means a terminal disease.

S SURVEY E N I ORESULTS R I T I S: *55 out of 135 seniors completed this survey

On a scale of 1-10, how academically motivated are you?

1

10

no motivation

complete motivation average rating

Less

On a scale of 1-10, how much do you care about your academic performance in school this semester?

1

10

don’t care at all

I completely care

5

More

average rating

Same

Increased

3.7%

6 Same

5.5%

14.5%

34.5% 81.8%

60% Decreased

How much time are you spending on homework per school night compared to last semester?

How have your grades changed since the start of second semester?

d

S MY E NPERSPECTIVE I O R I T I S: As a side effect of Senioritis, I am turning this piece in late. I hope it still makes it in the magazine.

W

e’ve all heard the various Senioritis horror stories, witnessed upperclassmen mentally checking out months before walking across the graduation stage and waited patiently for our own chance to play the Senioritis card.

The wonderful thing about being entangled in the Senioritis web is I don’t worry anymore. All of my grades are gradually trickling down drain, reaching recordlows for my 12 years at HIES.

Everybody handles stress differently. Taking Honors or AP classes, participating in many sports and/or clubs, and applying to at least five colleges can add up to several hours of work daily. Don’t forget family commitments, religious holidays, and other hobbies, and the stress and tiredness keep piling on. You’ve been trudging through this for five months and you’ve already been accepted to college. Would you want to maintain your level of motivation and care for five more months? I didn’t think so...

I have found that Senioritis doesn’t just apply to your grades, but instead friendships and social matters. After getting into college, I realized there is more out there. It started when I met a new friend going to the same school as me next year. We stayed up for hours on the phone conversing about our various friend groups and drama throughout our four years. She helped me see that my high school experience won’t matter in the long run. So what if I don’t get invited to that one person’s house and so what if a friend is ignoring me? In the end, none of this is going to matter in three months anyway!

That is exactly what happened to me. I was admitted to my top school with a major scholarship in November and that is when it all started. I began spending less and less time on my homework. If I had a B in a class, I would just brush it off and say ‘oh well… I’ll fix it later.’ Paper due Friday? That sounds like a problem for Thursday night.

Senioritis is a senior coming to terms with the fact they have to grow up. It’s a time when a 17-18 year old American realizes that they aren’t going to school with all their friends, and they aren’t going to be living at home. They have to come to terms with that transition. For me, this semester helped me realize that. In the long run, it really all doesn’t matter.

I used to consider myself the queen of time management. My assignments for school were always finished early, my lines were always memorized before the deadline for the play, and my service hours were completed before I stepped foot onto campus for the first day of school. Everyone I knew persuaded me that if I could survive junior year, senior year would be a piece of cake. I genuinely didn’t believe in Senioritis.

With my final few weeks upon me, I decided to give myself a new motivator. I want to do well for my teachers––I owe it to them. Yes, we are all mentally and emotionally drained, but we must keep in mind those who have supported us on this journey.

I was mistaken.

The ease of senior year is completely a myth. The classes aren’t any less difficult, the workload is only somewhat smaller, the teachers still expect the same from you, and the emotional toll is far greater than I imagined. Everything feels like it’s falling apart before me… but I don’t really care.

Finally, I need to finish strong for myself. I have spent my career at HIES joining as many clubs as possible, participating in the musicals, studying late, and serving my community. We have worked so hard to get to this point––why stop now?

Maggie Belenky Co-Editor-in-Chief

14 | FEATURE

HAPPY

space MADDIE POCH, co-editor-in-chief

1. Celebration

2. PLay

Bursting shapes like confetti and fireworks elicit emotions of joy across cultures. The feelings of spontaneity and excitement that accompany holidays, birthdays, and parades are often accompanied by visual associations of movement , fanfare, and even sparkle.

“I call popcorn!” a friend shouts as they move into the “King” spot in a game of Four Square, bouncing a rubber ball against the gym floor. The spherical shape is accompanied by associations of fun and games, just as many objects designed especially for children are often round with curvier flows for motion and movement. Think of the wave of a slide on the playground or the clear orbs dancing across the sky when waving a bubble wand. These squiggles and loops visually cue us to remember a time when we could play pretend and forget our responsibilities.

In your space: Incorporate pom-poms and tassels into blankets or pillows for your bed or couch. The bursting shape of the added touches will add a subtle element of festivity to your daily life, and this effect can also be captured by hanging string lights, lighting candles, or illuminating other small points of light.

3. Harmony Patterns containing symmetry and flow are highly satisfying to perceive. Results from a 2013 study from the University of Liverpool indicate that positive words like “paradise,” “heaven,” and “pleasure” are more often associated with symmetrical forms while negative words like “evil” and “disaster” are more likely to be associated with asymmetrical forms.

In your space: Simply grouping objects that look similar in color or size together will add harmony to your space. Mirrors can be used to create a sense of greater symmetry in a space, and incorporating designs with clear patterns can also accentuate the order and flow of a space. No need to run to the store - organizing and even color-coding items you already have will help make your spaces flow more smoothly and more joyfully.

In your space: Choose more circles and spheres to fill your space: bean bags, circular mirrors and rugs, and even balloons will add more play to your room or home. Furniture and pillows with round, curving corners can make your space feel much more friendly and provide a welcome contrast from the sharp lines and corners generally incorporated in schools and offices.

4. Transcendence Looking out the window of a skyscraper or airplane allows for a quick reminder of the small part we play in our great world. Just a few moments watching the clouds can similarly inspire bliss. Taking the time to note aspects of nature and the great magnitude of the spaces around us can fill us with a calmer form of joy. The feeling of physical elevation when one looks down from a higher altitude is often associated with elation.

This happiness has its roots in terms in our language: we’re exceptionally delighted if we are “walking on air” or “on cloud nine.”

In your space: Draw your eyes to the ceiling! Hang light fixtures and other decorative objects to bring your line of sight upwards and accentuate the height of your space. If you have the ability to repaint your space, choose a light color for your walls and ceilings to make your room feel as large as possible without making any architectural changes.

THE C&G | 15

COVID-19 increased our time indoors. Use these tips based on Ingrid Fetell Lee’s 10 aesthetics of joy from her book Joyful to improve your mental and emotional health through your space.

5. energy

6. Magic

From a biological perspective, energy from the sun ultimately powers our entire ecosystem, and, by extension, our own existences. Light invigorates life and fuels the plants and animals of our world. It’s no wonder that warmth and brightness in our environments elicit feelings of joy from an evolutionary understanding. Vibrant, saturated colors indicate health in living things. In one instance, the introduction of these colors into a dangerous city reduced crime rates and ultimately restored Tirana, the capital city of Albania. In 2000, the mayor of the city painted buildings brilliant patterns of bold colors like orange, pink, and yellow. The changes in hue drastically changed the behavior of Tirana’s inhabitants: littering decreased, more taxes were paid, and people overall felt a greater sense of safety. The energy of the city’s new colors gave joy to the citizens, and they respected the spaces around them without a significant increase in government spending as a result.

Sleights of hand and “disappearing” acts in magic shows offer a glimpse into a world where the impossible seems to happen. Moments when occurrences defy rules and logic offer delight and wonder.

To make objects in your room appear to levitate, try suspending decorative objects with fishing line.

9. renewal

In your space: Add neon lights, signs, or other decorative lighting to your space to increase the energy of your room. Purchase warm light bulbs with a color temperature of 2700 to 3000 K and use them throughout your living space. Bulbs that have a color rendering index (CRI) of close to 100 will brighten your areas the best.

7. Abundance 8. Freedom Picture the rainbow of candies shelved row after row in a local sweet shop. Listen to the swell of a song that incorporates notes from a plethora of different instruments.

The variance and layered wonder of these sensations can create a profound sense of jubilation in those who embrace their surroundings.

In your space:

The natural world offers many aspects of the freedom aesthetic in the unrestrained growth of an open field or the expansive view of a sunset on a lake. These unbounded visuals allow for a blissful escape from the demands of our busy lifestyles. Compared with the rigid structure of city life, nature’s freedom can lift spirits and clear minds.

In your space:

In your space:

Use multiple colors in your space when possible, and even layer multiple patterns within the same area. The different textures and hues will create an enriching environment for your senses.

Decorate with flowers and natural imagery to bring a bit of the great outdoors into your own space. Incorporate your sense of smell with this aesthetic, too: diffuse natural scents with essential oils.

Though nature is a prevalent component of the freedom aesthetic, immersing oneself in the natural world also allows for renewal and rejuvenation. The revitalization a hike brings can capture this sensation.

In your space: Placing fresh-cut flowers and even floral images within your space can offer a renewing sensation within the confines of life indoors.

10. Surprise If you have ever been a babysitter or parent, you’ll be familiar with the surprise aesthetic in games of peek-a-boo. The thrill we feel when seeing the unexpected endures our whole lives.

In your space: Hiding notes and objects for your friends and family to find will fill their days with surprise. Maybe they’ll even return the favor!

16 | FEATURE

Competing with COVID-19 HIES teams’ triumphs and sacrifices amid a pandemic ZAYNAH PRESTON, staff writer

AARON JORDAN, staff writer

H

layout, MARINA QUINTERNO, staff writer

IES sports teams have persevered through unforeseen changes and restrictions in order to keep the community, players, and coaches safe due to the pandemic. Even with the restrictions, HIES sports teams have managed to maintain a high level of academic and athletic performances throughout the year.

times during the 2020 fall semester to ensure their safety and success.

For student-athletes especially, this academic year feels unusual. With new precautions and restrictions, athletes and teams are facing challenging times. While following COVID-19 guidelines, achieving championships, and maintaining academic standing, athletes are enduring emotional, mental, and physical changes.

“We [JV football] optionally quarantined ourselves because we wanted the seniors to be able to play,” Nick Morgan ‘24 said.

COVID-19 has forced teams and athletes to make tough decisions to continue playing the sport they love.

Beginning in winter 2021, many HIES athletes have sacrificed their in-person learning to ensure their eligibility in competitive play after the policy stating ,“It is clear that our best course of action is to begin 2021 in remote-learning for all divisions.”

“We had no major issues with COVID-19,” football Coach Todd Winter said.

“That was the guys making sure that they were making good choices for their teammates.”

Similarly, the HIES varsity volleyball team made difficult decisions to ensure their success after ending their bid for a state title in the 2019 semifinals. With eight seniors heavily invested in the program, there was no room for error during the players’ final season.

“I personally made the choice to try not to see many friends on the weekends who were not on the team in order to make sure I did not get contact-traced for COVID-19 and would have to quarantine from the team,” Caroline Harper ‘21 said. “As a team, we also made the decision to go virtual the two weeks leading up to the state championship because we saw another team get affected by contact-tracing at their school.”

For some HIES student-athletes, choosing virtual learning for the sake of their team comes with challenges - online learning is not optimal for all students.

“I cannot learn online,” Varsity swimmer Christopher Binney ‘22 said. “It is really hard to retain the information.”

Binney learned remotely until swim season ended early February. This sacrifice enabled a boys relay to qualify and compete in the state championship swim meet.

While most athletes competing in winter sports are required to learn remotely, some fall athletes had already made the difficult decision to learn online earlier in the year. Athletes competing for HIES football and volleyball teams learned virtually at The volleyball team huddles in preparation for their next play.

Photo via HIES Athletic Department

“We have had a few positive COVID-19 cases amongst our student-athletes.

Sometimes these positive cases have caused us to suspend play.” HIES Athletic Director Tony Watkins continued, “The good news is that all of our athletic teams have had a chance to compete this year.”

One year after COVID-19, athletes strive to continue their beloved sport. One such athlete has a more vested interest in this spring season - considering he has sights on playing in college next year. ”I get out of practice a bit later and have to stay up a bit later to do my

homework, but other than that it hasn’t had much of an effect on me,” second baseman and left fielder Tyler Fuller ‘21 said. “I was able to adapt to playing baseball during COVID-19 over the 2020 summer and used my experience to smoothly transition into balancing the sport with COVID-19 and my schoolwork.”

Along with making tough decisions to remain playing, teams also had to follow protocols and precautions to stay safe for their season. The swim team this year were faced with hardships as well as contact-tracing rules.

“We [the swim team] were also missing a bunch of swimmers that couldn’t swim because of covid reasons. That obviously made it harder to compete,” Binney said.

Although the guidelines are tiring, Morgan felt safe while practicing and playing in games.

“For practices, all the coaches had to wear masks. We would wipe down all the gear we used, our helmets, all the padding and everything,” Morgan said. “When we were doing water breaks and such, we would separate by six feet and the same during a game.”

“We had people that got contact traced,” Morgan said. “I believe one kid got COVID-19, but he wasn’t a starter. It still affected our team defensively.”

Similarly, the volleyball and basketball teams were hit with obstacles this season.

“We had one person on the team get contact-traced, which was hard for all of us to not have her there with us at games and practices for two weeks,” Harper said.

“We all stayed pretty motivated and determined to win every game that we could.”

The swim team used similar precautions to finish their season safely. The team practiced mostly out of Life Time Fitness weekdays before school because Westminster’s facility, the practice location during previous years, had limited availability due to COVID-19. Life Time’s lap pool was actually slightly shorter than the full-length competition pool the swimmers raced in during meets, but the swimmers still managed to produce outstanding results during these unusual circumstances.

- Caroline Harper ‘21

“I felt completely fine with the practices and everything,” Binney said. “We didn’t have as many team gatherings as we did last year because of COVID-19. We’ve had no cases and no transmission at practice.”

The protocols and precautions worked wonders for many sports teams, but there were still downfalls. Although some HIES sports teams were fortunate to have no COVID-19 cases, some teams struggled with contact tracing and positive tests.

HIES sports teams have sacrificed a lot for themselves and others to play safely throughout their seasons. Despite the many setbacks COVID-19 brought, players and coaches accomplished great feats while adapting to these new guidelines.

Up until the latter part of the swim season, Spencer Pearson ‘21 remained the only athlete qualified to compete in the 2021 Swimming and Diving GHSA state championship meet. During the last couple meets of the season, swimmers saw their hard work pay off when numerous relays and individuals earned state cuts.

“We got to qualify for state this year, which was fun,” Binney said.

All things considered, HIES sports teams still stood out in GHSA 5-A Private. In the fall, HIES Varsity Volleyball won state, and Varsity Football made it to the first round of state. In the winter, HIES Varsity Swim team took third place in state diving. In the spring, HIES Varsity Baseball is currently 3-6, and Varsity Boys Basketball fell in the final seconds of the state finals.

“We had a great season,” Winter said. “A lot of things that we’re proud of and things that we’re going to build on for next year.”

Tyler Fuller ‘21 stands at home plate.

Photo via Andy Jabaley

14 18 | FEATURE

2021 PANDEMIC PLAY LIST MARINA QUINTERNO, staff writer

The 1 Taylor Swift "Very chill, but…you…get into it." - Ms. Shunnarah

3

Oh Well (Pt. 1) Fleetwood Mac "Scratches that itch in my brain." - Madeline Rojas ‘21

Images 1,2,3,5,6,9 via Creative Commons

2

The Four Seasons Vivaldi "My favorite classical work ever.” - Will Weaver ‘24

Dreadlock Holiday 10cc "Gets me ready...pumps me up." - Zak Kerr ‘21

THE C&G | 19

5

7

For a Dancer Jackson Browne "Lyrics are life lessons." - Coach Dunn

Un Año Mas Mecano "Sang at the top of my lungs." - Brandon Sertl ‘22

9

The Mother We Share CHVRCHES "Top of my list." - Mr. Taylor Images 8 and 10 via WallpaperCave

6

Daughters John Mayer "Reminds me of the fun times." - Mary Evelyn King ‘21

8 10

Freedom! '90 George Michael "A classic." - Thursten Miklovic ‘24

Courage to Change Sia "Exactly what I needed." - Abigail Jablon ‘22 Image 7 via Last.fm

20 | FEATURE

INTRODUCING

F

THE ONE HI TASK FORCE

rom its inception, the Episcopal faith has been synonymous with promoting equity and broadening inclusivity. Being renowned as one of the nation’s largest Episcopal day schools, HIES strives to uphold the Episcopal faith’s values of equity and diversity. And now, manifesting itself as the second pillar of the five-year Aim HI Strategic Plan, strengthening the school’s unique Episcopal identity through the promotion of traditions and diversity will take center stage.

ZAK KERR, managing editor

This is where the newly introduced One HI Task Force will concentrate its efforts.

Through an innovative, data-driven approach, One HI’s goal is to assess the HIES community’s current standing as it pertains to diversity and inclusion and, using the findings from that assessment, as derived from the climate survey, recommend changes that may affect hiring, admissions, and the curriculum.

Where is One HI Task Force in the Strategic Plan?

The One HI Task Force is a component of the Aim HI Strategic Plan -- HIES five year plan. The Aim HI plan is framed through six pillars: HIES Culture, Episcopal Values, Excellence In Teaching and Learning, Discover Passions, Campus Transformation, and Institutional and Financial Stewardship.

One HI is the vehicle through which Pillar Two, Episcopal Values, will be accomplished. Through the enhancement of diversity and inclusion, achieved by fostering cultural competency across the community, it is the goal of One HI to strengthen HIES’ unique Episcopal identity.

THE C&G | 21

Given that the One HI Task Force has been charged with promoting diversity, it would not come as a surprise that the committee itself is diverse. Each committee member has been hand-selected by school administrators. Members include alumni, parents, faculty, and trustees, with the committee chair being newly-instated trustee Rakesh Chauhan––an investor and businessman who has experience in promoting equity through his hospitality businesses.

recommendations that will impact many elements of the HIES community ranging from admissions to hiring and even curriculum.

Members of the One HI Task Force are divided into two subcommittees: one directly addressing Pillar Two of the overarching Aim HI Strategic Plan, and the other charged with designing a climate survey –– the first step towards attaining the goals of the task force.

The task force will be conducting an audit of books -- and other components of the curriculum -- in order to determine how what is currently being taught demonstrates diversity of culture and background.

In all, the task force created five different climate surveys: two student surveys, one for the middle school and one for the upper school, an alumni survey, and a faculty, staff, and board member survey. Responses from the surveys will be distilled into analyzable data that can measure the school’s current standing and inspire recommendations for adjustments to existing policies and the development of new programs.

“We pride ourselves on being inclusive, welcoming, and open. We want to see, from all these different groups, if we are achieving that,” Barton said. “If not, what groups are we not achieving that with? And how can we be better about it?”

The committee independently develops all questions for the survey with the aid of Jackson Insight, a third-party consultancy firm. Initially, the committee created a base survey of 25 questions. Using the content of the base survey, the committee designed unique surveys for the various target demographics within the HIES community (divisions, faculty, alumni, parents, and trustees).

“Do we recruit in a way that brings us a diverse pool to choose from? And If not, how do we improve that so that we cast a wider net and we have more to choose from in both hiring and admissions?” Barton asked.

“This is an opportunity to really do a wholesale audit and realize how great things happening in third grade can help inform some of the content in eighth grade,” Barton said.

Although there have been previous initiatives aimed at enhancing the diversity and inclusion at HIES, none have embraced the scale nor the data-driven approach currently being employed by the task force. The climate survey will be the first time members of the HIES community, parents, students, and teachers alike will have a medium through which they may directly voice their sentiments to the administration; an administration that is eager to institute change that will positively impact the HIES community for the decades to come.

“God gave us different gifts that make us the individuals that we are. And that’s truly what diversity and inclusion are.”

- Keith White

“For example, what you might be asking a parent is going to be totally different from what you would be asking a board member or a student. We needed to make sure that the language was appropriate for each group and that they would understand the content, and that it would apply to them,” Claire Dickey, a lower school teacher and committee member leading the construction of the climate survey, said.

Out of consideration for the survey’s sensitive nature, and in keeping with conventional survey design, the committee has taken additional steps to ensure respondents feel comfortable providing their honest responses. All surveys will remain strictly anonymous, and the questions have been worded with care.

Once the climate surveys have been distributed and responses have been collected, the task force will begin to review the data and, ultimately, make

HIES expects to distribute the inaugural climate survey sometime in the 2021 - 2022 academic year and will continue to distribute climate surveys on an annualized basis.

“You, the community, will have an opportunity to speak your truth within the survey. We want to really examine who we are as a school and we want to make HIES a more inclusive place,” Keith White, HIES Director of Multicultural Affairs, said. “I don’t mean that we are not already inclusive, but it’s like saying: ‘You’re welcome in my house, but I can’t make you any more welcomed. Well, maybe I could?”

For the task force, diversity extends beyond race. The committee wants HIES to be a place where students from all backgrounds can identify pieces of themselves within the community.

“A lot of times, folks will think only of race when they hear the word diversity, but it’s more than that,” White said. “We’re looking at gender, ability, age, race, ethnicity, socioeconomics, and religion.”

“God gave us different gifts that make us the individuals that we are,” White said.

“And that’s truly what diversity and inclusion are. How do you feel when you walk in the door? Do you feel like this is a place that you would love?”

22 | OPINION

Locked Down & Opening Up

MUKJA KORE

Despite recent closings, here are three Atlanta restaurants who opened their doors during the pandemic.

MAGGIE BELENKY, co-editor-in-chief

H O T D O G P E T E S

RATING: 8/10 When I think of a hot dog, I don’t typically think of a jalapeno cheddar hot dog topped with bacon, avocado, pinto beans, and pico - but that’s just the kind of hot dog you’d get at Hotdog Pete’s. Hotdog Pete’s opened in June 2020, named after Pete Graphos, who founded Alabama-based chain Sneaky Pete’s Hotdogs in 1966. Hot dogs are cooked over charcoal, then dressed to order from a variety of toppings. Eight specialty hot dogs, including a vegan option, are listed on the menu, along with sides like onion rings, waffle fries, loaded fries, collard greens, cole slaw, and of course, milkshakes and floats. The atmosphere at Hotdog Pete’s might just be the best part, with plenty of outdoor seating, 80s dance music blasting the patio, and a welcoming staff. I ordered the original with a pork/beef combination dog, covered in Pete’s hot dog sauce, kraut, diced onions, and mustard. The smoky flavors of the sauce and hotdog paired perfectly with the kraut and soft bun. Hotdog Pete’s is a must-try for anyone who loves this classic staple.

REAN FRIED CHICKEN Down in the heart of Midtown lies a brand new, crispy Korean fried chicken hotspot. Mukja Korean Fried Chicken opened in October 2020 and is already a booming success. The restaurant, opened by two friends who hatched this dream in college, is modern and bustling, like a typical Korean beer hall. The menu includes chicken, chicken, and more chicken, accompanied by your choice of sides. Staples such as coleslaw and mac and cheese are offered, but if you are feeling adventurous, pair your fried chicken with a waffle or Korean slaw. Each sauce is unique and full of intense flavors, ranging from a sweet honey butter, to the spiciest flavoring named A-T-HELL. The service could not be more enjoyable at this hole-in-the wall, with friendly waiters, quick service, and convenient to-go boxes. If you are in the mood for a change from traditional southern fried chicken, then Mukja should be next on your list.

RATING: 7/10

CUBANOS ATL In a seemingly random parking lot off of Roswell Road, I was surprised to see adorable custom-built “tiny house” Cuban sandwich and coffee joint that is Cubanos ATL. After its opening in August 2020, Cubanos ATL could not be more successful. The line stretched all the way down the parking lot with guests eager to get a taste of this authentic Cuban sandwich. My mouth watered as I finally walked up the steps to the window to put in my order of the “El Miami,” which included their family’s secret pork recipe, Ham, and Swiss Cheese, piled on top of a soft grilled buttery Cuban bread. The cheerful crowd and Cuban dance music made the experience all the more exciting as I took each bite of my sandwich. Cubanos ATL is not to be skipped.

RATING: 9/10

The C&G Selects The C&G Staff offers their take on works of entertainment, new technology, and even a baked good.

Bridgerton MAGGIE BELENKY, co-editor-in-chief

Welcome to 1813 London where the corsets are tight and the rules of society are even tighter. Netflix’s Bridgerton is exactly what we all need: a ball every night, a promenade around the meadow, a duel between best friends, and scandals galore, all reported through the eyes of Lady Whistledown, an anonymous pamphlet writer. Based on a series of romance novels by Julia Quinn, TV-MA rated Bridgerton pursues the lives and loves of the Bridgerton family, the Featherington’s, and, of course, the dreamy Duke of Hastings, Simon Bassett. Bridgerton is a must-see for all in need of a little high-class, elegant period drama.

Wonder Woman 1984 MADDIE POCH, co-editor-in-chief

The Payback Alex Newberg, staff writer

Funky. . . rhythmic. . . soulful. . . a masterpiece. In a time when “new” is the talk of the town, it’s rewarding to enjoy beauties of the past.

The music of beloved singer/song-writer James Brown is worldrenowned, but few reflect on what makes his tunes so mesmerizing.

Widely considered amongst his best works, The Payback is a necessary re-visit. Apart from his talent and electric performance, Brown holds a principled understanding of philosophy, evident in his lyrics. The Payback displays his interest perfectly. To experience this firsthand, The Payback will provide the heartfelt sound, captivating lyricism, and raw talent the world has come to love about James Brown.

In 2016, Wonder Woman fans raced to the theaters, unable to contain their excitement as Gal Gadot brought their favorite heroine to life.

Viewers expecting the same quality from Wonder Woman 1984 will be highly disappointed. The 2020 sequel lacks the luster and originality that made the first film a hit. Numerous plot holes combined with annoying characters to make for a film that undoubtedly made many watchers regret purchasing an HBO Max subscription to stream the film from home. Though Wonder Woman remains an empowering female character, her newest saga’s plot structure and lack of strong supporting characters left much to be desired.

His Dark Materials Season Two

ZAK KERR, managing editor

As Lyra and her Dæmon journey through the portal into a new and mysterious world, inhabited by soul-feeding Specters, season two of His Dark Materials commences. The new season is much like a new iPhone. While it maintains many of its original core and lauded attributes, it inhabits a refined body with an optimized progression.

With the addition of two new worlds, the show becomes less confined and allows the writers to give the already rich characters an added layer of dynamism. Thematically balanced, intellectually stimulating, and narratively thrilling, His Dark Materials has returned to HBO with immense success and high production quality.

Tesla Model S BROOKS SCARBOROUGH, staff writer

Quiet... slick... smooth. The next generation of cars is here. Meet the new Tesla Model S. Electric and efficient, Tesla Model S can accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in just two seconds. The new power system signifies the end of gasoline and diesel fuel-operated vehicles.

New features include autopilot, Falcon Wing doors, in-car gaming, and dog mode. Dog mode enables vehicle owners to safely leave their pets in their vehicles while running errands. These new features come at an additional price, but it is worth it: According to Business Insider, Tesla has the highest consumer satisfaction for the past three years.

Gossip Girl GRAYSON COLLIER, staff writer

Skyscrapers reach up to the clouds, shiny patent leather shoes glisten in the sun, and a mixture of romance and deception mingle in the air.

Gossip Girl, a teen favorite drama, follows the lives of Manhattan’s elite teenagers on the Upper East Side as they navigate the beginning of adulthood. Gossip Girl recently moved to HBO Max in January 2021, and it is currently in the process of releasing a reboot. The plot twists and turns in the storyline of this teen drama will leave you wanting more.

Once you press play, you won’t be able to turn it off. XOXO, gossip girl.

Soul AARON JORDAN, staff writer

The 100

Comedic, radiant and heartwarming, Disney Pixar’s latest feel-good movie, Soul, brought all the warm and fuzzies home for Christmas 2020.

As the movie explores afterlife and spirituality, the viewer transcends into an understanding of the world beyond physical existence. When a middle school music teacher finally gets the opportunity to show off his instrumental potential, things don’t go the way he expects after an unfortunate accident. Soul includes well-crafted comedy, irony, and thought-provoking narrative. Viewers will walk away questioning their perception of reality and the afterlife. In this family film, Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey explore the greatest mystery of all: human nature.

ZAYNAH PRESTON, staff writer

The CW’s The 100 is set after decades of warfare when human life leaves home and travels to a space station and waits for Earth to be survivable again. 100 young adults and teens are sent from a space station to see if Earth is habitable once more. The 100 is a unique drama-filled show that has stayed on television screens for seven full seasons. Based on the novel series by Kass Morgan, The 100 is rated 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and is now available to watch on Netflix. This chaos and trouble-filled spectacle is a must-watch for viewers seeking a convincing plot.

Banana Bread MARINA QUINTERNO, staff writer

The baking sensation of the year: banana bread. This easy-to-make treat is the unofficial snack of COVID-19. Sometimes mushy, sometimes chewy, the key is finding the perfectly moist texture. Emotions swell as you begin to slice through the crust and down into the center of the dense loaf. A mouth-watering aroma is released, evoking feelings of warmth and comfort. As each bite bursts with fruitiness, the real beauty of the banana bread is its versatility. Whether you prefer nuts, chocolate chips, or even pineapple, its thick batter can endure it all.

This snack provides a sense of company when in isolation.

Selfishness 28 | OPINION

The Forgotten Virtue

photo via iStock

THE C&G | 29

M

A Foreign Idea Un-MASK-ed

asks: Americans came to know and dread them. While medical professionals frequently sport N-95s and other surgical masks, the average American does not. . . well, until 2020 arrived, that is.

Perilous conditions wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated that citizens worldwide become accustomed to carrying a mask– not just at the doctor’s office nor the nail salon, but practically everywhere. Though many did, in fact, disregard the federal public health guidelines outlined by the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), a vast majority complied and wore a mask.

But a question seldom addressed is: why? Beyond the obvious: “for health reasons” answer, what psychological and philosophical ideas underlay the proposition that we ought to wear masks?

Though the question may appear crazy and esoteric initially, it is likely a question you have pondered without realizing it.

It is important to first establish that wearing a mask is tremendously advantageous for stopping transmission of Sars-CoV-2, the pathogen that causes COVID-19.

A meta-analysis published recently in the Lancet Journal of Sciences systematically reviewed more than 170 observational studies across six continents. It concluded that the Scientific literature on the matter is clear: masks can reduce likelihood of transmission by up to 95%.

For months, though media networks have properly reported the benefit of wearing a mask, they have simultaneously told the public that refusing to wear a mask is “selfish” and should be rebuked. This theme of selfishness versus altruism has underpinned the mask debate. It is actually a core ethical conflict encapsulated in several other moral questions.

Wearing a mask is actually selfish. That’s right– wearing a mask is selfish, not the inverse. And more broadly, people should be more selfish.

To properly understand how this could be so, one must first ask: what is selfishness? Selfishness is a concern with one’s own interests. It is an understanding that valuing one’s own needs is necessary for survival. An individual must feed himself when hungry. An individual must nurture his body through proper hygiene.

Adam Smith says in his magnum opus An Inquiry into the Nature & Causes of the Wealth of Nations, Vol 1 published in 1776: “It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own self-

interest. We address ourselves not to their humanity but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our own necessities, but of their advantages.”

While I primarily dislike Adam Smith and the way in which he formulated Capitalism, as I am more a fan of Austrian Economics, I find that Smith hit the nail on the head in the quote above.

“Selfishness” has become synonymous with “evil,” when in fact, we ought to view it as “virtuous.”

Humans need a moral code. Morals are the guiding principles of how individuals ought to act in a social context. And this code of ethics must support a human’s own life. Individuals have a right to their own life. This life must be guided by principles grounded in reality, i.e., recognizing that fulfillment of one’s own interests is a necessary precursor to survival.

As Aristotle said in Nicomachean Ethics, “ . . .the good man should be a lover of self.”

Now, let’s apply this understanding of “selfishness” to masks. Is it selfish to wear a mask? Or, in other words, is it in your rational selfinterest to wear a mask? The short answer: yes. . . without a doubt.

There is an overwhelming scientific consensus that masks prevent the spread of COVID-19. Even if you believe that this benefit is infinitesimal, you would have to concede that it is then to your advantage to wear a mask for your own health’s sake. Furthermore, even if stopping the spread prevents only others from getting the virus, it would still be in your rational self-interest because it mitigates the severity and length of atypical health practice (lockdowns/masks) for the country. Thus, the nation as a whole will have a more speedy return to “normalcy,” as it was known before the outbreak.

Ayn Rand says in For the New Intellectual: “Do you ask what moral obligation I owe to my fellow men? None—except the obligation I owe to myself. . . it is only with their mind that I can deal and only for my own self-interest, when they see that my interest coincides with theirs. . . I win by means of nothing but logic and I surrender to nothing but logic.”

We owe nothing to anyone except ourselves, according to Rand. We must remain devoted to facts. . . we must deal with others utilizing logic and reason. . . we must promote our own interests to survive.

So with this in mind: for the sake of yourself and your own interests, slap on a mask when entering a public place. And please– be more selfish. . . for selfishness is a forgotten virtue.

ALEX NEWBERG, staff writer

30 | OPINION

Masked Up &

Looking Out Virtual Travel

What is it: Interested in exploring the world from the safety of your home? Take advantage of the virtual travel opportunities that Google has to offer. Choose from a variety of intriguing places on their Arts and Culture page. I chose to view the Eiffel Tower in Paris, a place that I dream of visiting one day. Viewing it online made me feel as if I was already there. While scrolling through the digital presentation, I learned about the history and construction of the Eiffel Tower. Afterwards, I saw Paris from the perspective of an actual tourist looking out on the skyline. From 1,603 feet above the ground, I could see the silhouettes of the square-shaped buildings and trees lining the streets. Don’t miss this educational online experience to inspire your next destination.

Similar Experiences: Tripadvisor Virtual Tours, San Diego Zoo Live Streams Ideal for: Curious or Adventurous Individuals Rating:

Virtual Service What is it: Whether you are a virtual student, or learning in person, earning service hours during a global pandemic can be challenging. But community service doesn’t have to be. Every high school student at HIES has access to Make Tracks, which offers an array of in person and online service opportunities to choose from. Select from numerous options like crafting toys for dogs to decorating cards for children in hospitals. They even offer an opportunity for those who have contracted COVID-19 to donate plasma which could help save lives through important research about treatments for the disease. If you are struggling to find service hours or just want to help your local community, check out the Make Tracks Canvas page to find ways to help out your community.

Similar Experiences: Atlanta Humane Society, Trees Atlanta, Solidarity Sandy Springs Ideal for: Students wanting to lend a helping hand Rating:

THE C&G | 31

GRAYSON COLLIER, staff writer

Virtual Game Night What is it: Gather around for a virtual game night on the website Let’s Roam. From trivia to Pictionary, this digital platform has it all. Sign up online for a seven day free trial for the service that is typically $20 a month. During my free trial, I chose to play trivia with a few of my friends. I created a game, sent them the link, and they all joined with the game code so we could begin. We were asked questions about the movie Star Wars and even an old video game classic, Pac Man. Unfortunately, this experience wasn’t as entertaining as I had hoped because the questions were somewhat irrelevant to my generation. I think that it has the potential to be fun for a different age group or people with different interests. If you are a big trivia or Pictionary fan but haven’t been able to congregate in groups to play, Let’s Roam’s virtual game experiences could make for a thrilling evening for you.

Similar Experiences: Words With Friends, Gamenightout.com, QuizUp Ideal for: Groups of adults who are looking for a good time Rating:

Virtual Baking Class What is it: Indulge in numerous videos and tutorials that walk you through delicious recipes.

Whether you are in the mood to make a quick snack or experience some of the fanciest food, head to AllRecipes.com. I chose to make pizzelles, which are treats that combine elements of fluffy waffles and crisp cookies. Before getting started on this delicious treat, make sure to preheat a pizzelle iron. The treats are light and airy with a crisp crunch accompanied by the perfect amount of sweetness. To achieve their unique consistency, beat eggs with sugar to create pockets of air that make for the most perfect texture. Mix in flour and vanilla to complete the dough. Once my kitchen was completely covered with a light dusting of flour, I fired up a pizzelle iron to finish this perfect treat. If you ever have the urge to make something delicious, Allrecipes.com has an array of mouthwatering recipes.

Similar Experiences: MasterClass, TheCooksWarehouse Virtual Classes, Airbnb Online Experiences Ideal for: Anyone looking to satisfy their cravings Rating:

EDITORIAL POLICY The C&G is a student-run, quarterly magazine published by the Crimson and Gold journalism staff at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School of Atlanta. All opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual author, and do not necessarily reflect those of the entire staff or those of Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School. The magazine is written and designed as part of the journalism curriculum, and contributing writers can be included.

The C&G values inclusivity and would appreciate any feedback or contribution. The staff strives to publish a diverse set of writing and perspectives while maintaining a standard of excellence. Please contact thecrimsonandgold@gmail.com for more information. The advisor and the editors have the ultimate say on content and have permission to edit contributions for grammar and taste. The staff will only publish legally protected material and keeps the privacy of individuals included in mind.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY The C&G values inclusivity and encourages any feedback or contribution from its readers. To express any complaints, concerns, or compliments with our most recent issue, please write a letter to the editor and include your name. Email the letter to thecrimsonandgold@gmail.com, or slip the letter under the door of room STEM 603. Letters deemed appropriate by the C&G staff will be published in the following issue alongside a response from the editorial board.

AFFILIATIONS CSPA // GSPA // JEA // NSPA