The Dane
~ editorial ~
DEC 2023
Braulio valenzuela ‘25 Chief editor Season's Greetings, Danes! As we conclude an exceptional year brimming with achievements and shared moments, The Dane joyfully unveils our December issue—a festive collage capturing our spirit and successes. As we wrap up the semester and embrace the holiday spirit, savor the warmth of shared celebrations, relish the satisfaction of accomplishments, and revel in the unity that improves our high school experience. Let this issue be a festive checkpoint, offering glimpses into the rich tapestry of our community. Looking ahead, The Dane remains dedicated to fostering connections and amplifying the voices that shape our collective journey. We invite you to contribute, engage, and be part of this collaborative venture. As we bid farewell to 2023, let's treasure the memories, celebrate the achievements, and eagerly anticipate the stories that await us in the coming year. We wish you a joyous holiday season and are looking forward to an exciting journey together in the new year! Cheers, The Dane Editorial Team
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~ sports ~
DEC 2023
DANES DIVE INTO VICTORY; STELLAR PERFORMANCES AND STATE QUALIFICATIONS IN TRIUMPHANT HOME MEET BY: Evalena G., Rain L., Stella R..
The Danes had a very successful first home meet on Tuesday, December 12. The meet was against South Pueblo, and had many close races, with the 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relays both qualifying for states with a 2:03.00 in the 200, and a 4:43.15 in the 400.
These two qualifying relays were made up of Stella Rhee, Evie Gruben, Sofia Bedoya-Correa, Axelle Mengin (400 free relay), and Ava Lazar (200 free relay). Sofia BC also qualified for states in both the 100 and 50 freestyle. As far as the diving goes, both Charlotte Ridgway and Bailey Blish improved their diving scores and dives by a good amount from their meet a few weeks ago. The team also experienced some impressive5 swims
from Axelle Mengin, getting a 1:12.90 in her 100 freestyle, and Stella Rhee qualifying for state in multiple events. The whole team celebrated a victory with almost double the points earned by the other team (103 to 53). Overall, the Danes made a splash in their first home meet.
Photos by Daniel Xu
~ News ~
DEC 2023
BENDING THE ARCH TOWARDS FREEDOM - HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SDLC IN ST. LOUIS, MO BY: Victoria A. From November 29 to December 2, St. Louis played host to the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC), a gathering that brought together students, educators, and inspirational speakers to delve into issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The conference featured a lineup of impactful speakers, engaging affinity groups, and thought-provoking activities aimed at fostering dialogue and understanding among participants. One of the standout speakers at the conference was Simon Tam, lead vocalist of the dance-rock band "The Slants." Tam shared his journey, which unexpectedly led him to the US Supreme Court. The band's decision to reclaim a term often considered a slur against Asian Americans sparked a legal battle, but Tam transformed it into an educational opportunity, presenting his story through music.
Another notable speaker was Professor Muhammad, specializing in Curriculum and instruction with a focus on literacy, language, and culture. She passionately advocated for the reform of the academic system to better address the diverse needs of students in today's world. Dr. Dibinga, a multifaceted individual, brought his expertise as a motivational speaker, trilingual poet, TV talk show host, rapper, and professor of cross-cultural communication at American University. His contribution
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added depth to the discussions surrounding the intersectionality of culture and communication. The conference also featured unique family and affinity group structures. Family groups, consisting of 50-60 individuals each, were named after significant court cases related to people of color, such as Loving v. Virginia, Worcester v. Georgia, and Elk v. Wilkins. Participants were encouraged to speak from the "I" perspective, fostering personal connections and understanding. The affinity groups, designed for open and honest discussions, covered a wide range of topics. The Asian group delved into cultural roots, language, and challenges faced, while the Indigenous group discussed land acknowledgments and shared aspects of their identity.
~ News ~
DEC 2023
BENDING THE ARCH TOWARDS FREEDOM - HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SDLC IN ST. LOUIS, MO BY: Victoria A. The Latinos-Hispanos group celebrated their diverse heritage through conversations about cultural pride, traditional foods, and discussions on hot topics like immigration and sexism. One common takeaway from the conference was the importance of normalizing discomfort. Participants discussed the need to confront uncomfortable realities as a crucial step in educating oneself about the experiences of others. Reflection-based activities prompted discussions on integrating more diverse histories, including those of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities.
Affinity group discussions led to a call for expanding options to include groups for individuals with multiple identities, such as multiracial, religious, transracially adopted, international, and SWANA (Southwest Asia and North Africa). Participants urged the normalization of discomfort as a key aspect of learning and advocated for active engagement in making positive changes within their communities. As the conference concluded, the resounding message was clear: if you want to bring change to your community, you must actively pursue it. The challenge issued was for attendees to channel the
Photos by Victoria Arroyo & Sam Marris
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lessons learned and the discomfort experienced into positive action, fostering a more inclusive and equitable future for all. SDLC is an experience that transcends boundaries and challenges, and is one that everyone needs to truly understand the power of diversity and the importance of fostering unity.
To learn more about the SDLC, visit https://www.nais.org/pocc/s dlc/
~ entertainment ~
DEC 2023
MAGICAL MOMENTS AND UNEXPECTED TALENT: FVS WINTER PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS By: annie w.
The
holidays bring many things: cheer, happiness, presents, nagging family members wondering about the state of college applications, and Fountain Valley’s esteemed winter performances. As the years have gone on, the quality of the winter performance has increasingly improved. There was no winter performance during my
freshman year. In my sophomore year, the choir recorded their performances and we watched the entire performance on video. This performance was particularly memorable because the video audio did not properly correspond with the speakers and it sounded like the audio was deep-fried. Junior year, we all discovered.
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Mr. Litchenberg's pure talent on the drums. And finally, this year, we were gifted with a magical performance from all members of the community. Mandarin III performed “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” in Mandarin. Mandarin IV presented beautiful poems about snow and nature, in Mandarin and in English. Willy G. and Mr. Litchenberg performed a song that made me feel like I was skating on ice.
~ entertainment ~
DEC 2023
MAGICAL MOMENTS AND UNEXPECTED TALENT: FVS WINTER PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS By: annie w. The choir sang songs that filled my heart with joy and my eyes with tears. Brynn J. delivered a memorable poem highlighting the absence of our snow day. Adam Sandler made a guest performance and represented the Jewish population (whoop whoop!). To our surprise, Ms. Kelley is a better singer than Mariah Carey (there, I said it!).
However, the most impressive performance of the night was the teacher band; who would’ve thought FVS had their very own professional band? I never expected my college counselor, my old English teacher, the assistant head of school, Ms. Strehl, or the many other members of the band to rock it like they did.
And of course, what would an FVS winter performance be without everyone singing Silent Night while almost burning the Chapel down? All of these performances are certainly memories I will never forget, and I am sure that they will continue to bring our community together in the future. #fvsbringsthehumor.
Click above for Brynn J. ‘25’s recitation of “Snow Day”, and click below for the faculty band’s performance of SCICTT! Photos by Matt Marine
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~ opinion ~ “MY FAVORITE BLANKET” By: Yosie H. After walking up twenty steps, going through the front door with a reef hung over-head, and turning to the right, you will find a bedroom. In the bedroom you see a blanket white as moonbeams. It’s a heated blanket, filled full with delight– one that holds you and protects you through the cold winter nights. Once awaken you’ll look through the frosted pane, and within an instant, notice the winter reign. Your blanket is gone by now, nowhere to be seen. But something tells you it wasn’t just a dream. Behold the beautiful snow! You look with delight, but then your eyes grow. In the snow, a tale you see; Your favorite blanket in Earth’s thieving spree!
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DEC 2023
~ art ~
DEC 2023
Crafting A Unique C-Blues Composition with the FVS Jazz Ensemble By: Mauricio V.
In a recent music class, the FVS Jazz Ensemble, under the guidance of our music instructor, Mr. Langford, embarked on a musical journey. Practicing our improv abilities, we decided to dive into a session of spontaneous composition. Mr. Langford skillfully led us through the intricate nuances of blues music—an expressive genre known for its emotional depth.
Opting for a blues key allowed us to express new and different rhythmic and tonal patterns. The music room soon became a collaborative brainstorming session where each band member shared their musical insights. From the soulful chord strikes of the piano to the rhythmic heartbeat of the drums, every instrument played a crucial role in shaping our composition. The rehearsal space buzzed with energy as the notes blended into a symphony of creativity.
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As we fine-tuned our composition, we navigated the delicate balance between preserving traditional blues elements and injecting our unique flair. The resulting C-Blues piece is a demonstration of what can be developed from collaborative creation in and outside the classroom. Click below to listen to the full audio of the ensemble’s composition!
Photo/Recording by Matthew Langford
~ Issue credits ~
DEC 2023
Editor: Braulio v. ‘25 Faculty sponsor: Michayla kelley Writers: Sports: Evalena G. ‘26, Rain L. ‘26, Stella R. ‘26 News: Victoria A. ‘25 Entertainment: Annie W. ‘24 Opinion: yosie H. ‘25 Art: Mauricio V. ‘27 Photographers: Matt Marine, Matthew Langford, Daniel X. ‘25, Victoria A. ‘25, Samantha M. ‘24