The connections you make here will stick with you”Looking back on his time at Ensworth, RyanseeshisyearsatEnsworthasmorethanjust a high school education He looks back on his yearsasthefoundationforthewayheapproaches everydaychallengesandnewopportunities.
WhenstudentsgraduatefromEnsworth,they will always be a part of the Ensworth community Foralumni,theirtimeatEnsworth is remembered as a meaningful experience that shaped their habits, values, and continues to shapelifeincollegeandbeyond.RyanCrantsis an Ensworth alum that attended from kindergarten to 12th grade, and he graduated from Ensworth in 2020 and furthered his education at Williams College He graduated from Williams College in 2024 where he majoredintheatreandstatistics Duringcollege, Ryan Crants directed and acted in productions including a 24 hour play while balancing his academic courses. When reflecting back on his academic course load he said, “Ensworth’s workload was actually heavier than what I had incollege,”Healsoadded,“Ensworth'sacademic coursework made the transition a lot easier” Crants also gives credit to Ensworth for his organization and time management skills, specifically saying, “I still use calendars and schedules the way I learned back then”During histimeatEnsworth,Crantswasactiveinawide rangeof activities:theaterproductions,student government, chamber singers, trout club, gardening club, tennis, peer support group, spirit house captain, and class speaker Specifically in the Peer Support Group, Ryan among other members were trained to provide confidential support for classmates When speaking on his peer support group experience Ryan said,“That training still helps me in my day to day life, it taught me how to listen withoutjudgement,andIstilltothisdaycarry thatskillwithme” Ryanencouragesallcurrent Ensworthstudentstotakefulladvantageof all Ensworth has to offer “Join clubs, talk to teachers,andbuildfriendships,”hesaid
STUDENT PERSPECTIVES
IstheDressCode Logical?
byAllieBernstein,Classof2027
At the beginning of each school year, someone from the Ensworth faculty will explain any new changes to the dress code at a grade specific assembly during orientation In the 2024-2025 school year the Ensworth girls were shocked by the announcement that they would now be required to tuck their shirts into their skirts. Thatspecificadditiontothedresscodehasledto a significant increase in female citations, and therefore an increase in restrictions Many Ensworthboysfeltunaffectedbythis,duetothe fact that they already were required to tuck in their shirts and wear belts However, in the beginning of this school year, every Ensworth student was blindsided by the worst dress code changebyfar:Nomorecasualdress.Thismeant that the once highly anticipated Fridays, when students could ditch their uniforms for shorts andahoodie,suddenlydisappeared
Whathadoncebeenasmallweeklyfreedom,a chance for students to feel like themselves, was now gone The announcement was met with groans, whispered complaints, and even a few eye-rolls, but ultimately there was nothing studentscoulddoexceptcomply
2025-2026
Although it would be nice for Ensworth studentstoalwayshaveautonomyoverwhat theyweartoschoolonanyday,itmakessense that we have a uniform Our uniform is a symbolof ourschool Mostprivateschoolsin the Nashville area require students to wear uniformsinordertofosterequality,enhance safety, reduce peer pressure/bullying, and improve the learning environment by minimizingdistractions.However,weneedto examine the line between having a uniform and having a dress code that feels unnecessarily restrictive So, this leads us to thequestion:Isthedresscodelogical?
To begin with examining the whole school handbook,itstates,“Ensworthhasastudent dress code that embraces student choice within specific guidelines.”While we are all well aware of those specific guidelines, I am stillleftwonderingwherethestudentchoice can be found in our most recently updated dress code However, in that specific statementitisclearthatEnsworthhasmade a promise to us that we have some choice in whatweweartoschool,evenif wemayfeel at times that it has been overshadowed by variouslimitations.
Moving forward to the high school specific dress code, the very first section is on footwear. It says “Shoes that enclose the entire foot with less than a two-inch heel; visible socks must be black or white or from an Ensworth source. Continued on Page 9
Ensworth football season is here, and the energy on campus is contagious. From the first whistle at practice to the roar of the crowd on Friday night, it’s clear that for players and cheerleaders alike, Game Day means more than just the score It’s about leadership, teamwork, and the family bonds that make every practice, pool day, and post-game locker room moment unforgettable
Seniors Leading theWay
For Jayden Pyant, a senior safety, summer training was no joke Between grueling workouts, mental prep, and the ever-persistent Nashville heat, he found himself relying on more than just physical strength “If you ’ re my teammate, you ’ re my brother,” Jayden said, reflecting on the deep bonds formed over years of early mornings and late evenings Teammates describe Jayden as goofy and uplifting, the kind of guy whose locker room pranks like his antics from his freshman year still get talked about to this day.
Justin Hopkins, a defensive back, sees his senior season as an opportunity to rewrite the playbook on leadership. After watching past upperclassmen struggle to set the right example, Justin hopes sophomores and juniors will step up as role models for the entire school. Family also drives him he plays in part for his brother and says the bond among teammates feels like a tight-knit unit, especially after navigating coaching changes together. “It’s a blessing for those of us who stayed,”he said, with words carrying the kind of quiet pride you can’t fake On the sidelines, Virginia Powell, senior cheer captain, has been setting the tone for the squad Summer camp and prep didn’t just polish routines they brought the team closer. She explained that cheerleading isn’t just about
stunts or perfect form; it’s about leadership, encouragement, and being a positive example for younger teammates Virginia’s favorite memory? Winning the first playoff game against MBA, an experience she hopes leaves a legacy of a welcoming, spirited squad for years to come.
Cate Barfield, a cheer flyer and sideline reporter, is also wrapping up her senior year with style. Summer cheer clinics gave her a chance to boost her confidence and stand out, while mentoring her younger sister on the team added a new layer of responsibility. Cate’s favorite memory so far is last season ’ s victory over MBA “Being a cheerleader means being a role model, on and off the field,” she said, describing how sideline reporting and highlight reels have let her combine her love for football with her knack for storytelling
Underclassmen Stepping Up
Moving down the roster, Mason Seely (‘27, Defensive Lineman) has been around football since first grade, but now that he’s older, he’s taking leadership in stride While summer practices help him stay in shape and ready for game day, it’s the bond with teammates that keeps him coming back From pool days to team dinners to big wins over MBA, Mason thrives on the camaraderie Even injuries can’t dampen his motivation; seeing teammates succeed drives him to push harder
Khris Rice (‘28, Defensive Lineman) is still finding his footing in high school football, but he’s laser-focused on growth Every snap is a chance to learn, and he’s got big dreams NFL big His family in Ohio follows every game, and his favorite memories include victories against MBA and McCallie, experiences that fuel his ambition
Kaden McNeal (‘28, Position TBD) is experiencing varsity football for the first time as a sophomore Summer training pushed him both physically and mentally.“The heat and intensity of practice help me persevere in a game and get ready for the season, ” Kaden said. He also credits track especially hurdles for improving his running mechanics and overall athleticism Varsity has been humbling; football hasn’t always come easily, and he’s learning to embrace the challenge
Family and team support keep Kaden grounded “The team feels like a family, and leaving for the last game would feel like leaving that family twice,”he said. His coaches and teammates describe him as upbeat, energetic, and always ready to do whatever the team needs. Kaden’s favorite memory? Beating MBA back in 8th grade and celebrating with his friends proof that sometimes the best victories happen off the scoreboard
Freshman Luke Knoch (Strong Safety) didn’t play football before high school, but he’s already carving out his place “It’s a family I feel like a brother here,”he said. He looks up to seniors likeTaylor Hasselbeck and hopes to leave his own footprint at Ensworth, one play and one prank at a time.
From seniors playing their last games to freshmen just finding their footing, one message is clear: Ensworth football is a family affair From pranks and pool days to chants and highlight reels, the traditions are about more than sports they’re about spirit, community, and memories that last far beyond the final whistle
Game Day at Ensworth isn’t just football it’s teamwork, leadership, and laughter, making every second playing or witnessing any snap and cheer worth it Whether they’re seniors or freshmen, players or cheerleaders, every member of Ensworth’s Game Day family shares a commitment to teamwork, leadership, and the lasting bonds that make every season about more than just football. And if you catch it on a Friday night, you might even feel a little of that magic for yourself.
When I first discovered the world of the romantic comedy movies at age 10, I was in awe Movies like Love Actually, 10 Things I Hate About You, and The Proposal were without flaw in my mind As I continued to age and ran out of the old classic movies to watch, the selection began to become very slim. Movies like The Kissing Booth or He'sAllThat really didn’t feel the same as the movies I knew and loved from my childhood The classic 2000s rom-com is dead in today's society and never was up to the standards of their predecessors to begin with
A Cinderella Story, with Chad Michael Murray and Hilary Duff’s anonymous chatting on flip phones and old chunky computers, is not aligned with the realities of love today These plots have died out with the rise of new technology, the loss of meeting someone in person for the first time, and letting it form organically.
Even if all of these tropes and ideas still existed authentically, the movie industry doesn’t want to make a movie that is low-risk and lowreward Franchise films like The Avengers and Star Wars cost studios millions of dollars to make, but cool action scenes and incredible graphics attract broad audiences Compared to the production of a rom-com, which is typically mid-low tier, it is much more difficult to market and advertise worldwide The reward for action movies is often high, with the promise of sequels and merchandise The rom-com seems measly and pointless compared to that potential payout.
While my favorite movies collect dust, and as flashy new action sequels and thrillers continue to flood the box office, this is my official plea to bring revitalize the film genre everyone once loved While I know it's not realistic, in today's world, a cheesy, amusing rom-comrom com is something everyone needs All we need is someone to make it.
Despite still following the classic rom-com formula: meet, fall for each other, conflict, then a nice ending tied up in a bow, these new movies don’t give off the same dopamine hit that the old films seemed deliever every time. Why is this?
In contrast to the old movies, today's characters seem so one-dimensional and not to be blunt, but basic Ryan Gosling’s yearning and almost stalker-like behavior in The Notebook, or honestly, the entire plot of She's the Man, could never be portrayed today without seeming too controversial, or crossing a line. These once-cute tropes that young girls yearned for now seem toxic and out of place in society If these movies truly wanted to sell today, they would need a serious makeover to fit with what would sell, and not be incredibly scrutinized.
Now, I am not saying these themes and plots are completely dead today; I actually enjoyed Anyone But You starring Sydney Sweeney, but they still aren’t the same as they once were With the rise of technology and dating apps, the 2000s style of romance isn’t realistic today.
BOOKREVIEW
MalcolmGladwell’s TheTippingPoint
bySorenSugalski,Classof2027
Love it or hate it, at Ensworth there are some things that you just can’t escape Unfortunately, you can’t escape the lunch line, Monday schedules, or access fitness. But you wouldn't want to escape from the football games, the community, or the friendly people. Ensworth strives to be a close-knit group, and within every group there are norms, trends, and common practices. Some are unspoken rules, and others might fall under the radar, but a few are very publicly and maybe too frequently acted upon. Can you think of something that you really wish would just die out? Because I can, and I find it mildly dismaying that the most nonsensical, least interesting trends are ones that always stick
I think 6‘7 jokes are particularly embarrassing kind of like a guilty habit no one is quite ready to let go of People will even go out of their way to bend random other numbers and statistics into some variant of 6 '7, knowing fully well that the connection is just not there My question about this joke if you’ll give it that is how can such a random number so effectively stick within a group of people? The number is not intrinsically funny, so the humor must come from somewhere It might be that people believe it is a collective inside joke, or the fact that it is ridiculous, or that people just like saying it However, I like Malcolm Gladwell’s explanation the best
In his book, TheTipping Point, Gladwell analyzes the way that smaller trends spread, catch, and eventually fall into the mainstream He traces the unpredictable spread of trends to a single, critical moment in time: a “Tipping Point”Unsurprisingly, Tipping Points do not happen on their own; they are triggered by the compounding of several key factors Gladwell names these important constituents “The Law of the Few,” “The Stickiness Factor,” and “The Power of Context”
Here is a common misconception in advertising: to push a message you must 1) make it catchy, 2) promote it constantly, and 3) spread it to millions of people.While you can never make people’s decisions for them, you can make your message attractive; you can make it ubiquitous. The rest is a calculated toss-up Guess what? If this is the way that you think advertising works, Malcolm Gladwell probably disagrees with you In his eyes, the world is surrounded with endless ad campaigns There are billboards on highways, ads on television, ads on websites, and ads on music streaming platforms. With so many ads, people are majorly overwhelmed In order to keep their heads from exploding, they must devote less energy to each individual ad; they must censor them all out
As ads become so overbearing, giant corporations seem to lose touch with their audience Despite their vast campaigning efforts, heavy competition nullifies much of what they achieve. Somewhat counterintuitively, their vast efforts actually empower normal people to be the real sources of change. Why? Because nobody takes advice from those billboards and flashy images anymore. Instead, they turn to the friends and family that they know and trust However, let me backtrack for a second: not quite everybody can be a message spreader. For example, I would be terrible at this since I am very quiet and mostly introverted However, the best people can spread messages easily and quickly, sometimes without even trying According to Malcolm Gladwell, these people are the“Few”identified by“The Law of the Few”, and are known as “Connectors,”“Mavens,”and“Salesmen” I could go on about each of these groups, but Gladwell says it much better in his own book. Instead, I will give a quick summary: Connectors are people who are charismatic and well known, Continued on page 9.
Gladwell,Malcolm TheTippingPoint:HowLittleThingsCanMakeaBigDifference Little Brown 2000 Bookcover
ENSWORTHENSIDER
UNTOLDHISTORY
TheBalkanWars
byMitchAddison,Classof2028
Many events in the world are doomed to become historical footnotes, despite their significancetothebiggerpicture.TheBalkan Wars are one of those events, as they intensified the ethnic tensions that would eventually kickstart the first World War Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Ottoman Empire, a once great Middle Eastern power, had been slowly crumblingfromtheinsideout.Itfacedmuch internalconflictasthereformistYoungTurks sought to take power and transform the Ottoman Empire from a sultanate to a more constitutional, modernized nation AustriaHungary had recently taken Bosnia and Herzegovina, much to the disdain of the Serbians who were aiming to secure a union withthepeopleof thearea Likewise,Russia was alarmed by its decreasing number of alliesintheregion,soitbeganleveragingthe diplomatic power between Serbia and Bulgaria These two nations, under Russian guidance,formedaloosealliancewithGreece and Montenegro known as the Balkan League All resentful of the AustroHungarians and Ottomans, they planned on territorial expansion, especially in OttomancontrolledMacedonia,withroomforRussian diplomacy should these nations find themselves at odds. With a shaky alliance secured, the Balkan League members began to plan on striking the Ottoman Empire, knowingthattheywouldbecrushedbyafar more powerful nation such as AustriaHungary
On October 8, 1912, war broke out between Montenegro and the Ottomans.The remaining members of the Balkan League followed suit 10 days later.All together, the Balkan League amassed a force of 750,000 soldiers The Bulgarians had defeated the mainOttomanforcesinThrace,the area
where modern-day Greece, Bulgaria, and TurkeyshareaborderTheGreekarmypushed north towards Thessaloniki while the MontenegrinsattackedsouthtoAlbania The Serbians took control of Macedonia With these sudden victories, the Ottoman Empire begansuingforpeace,reachingabrief pause in December 1912 Unfortunately, theYoung Turks launched a successful coup and continuedthefightingforanotherfivemonths until they finally surrendered and signed a peace treaty on May 30, 1913 The treaty forcedtheOttomanstosurrenderallof their remaining European territory Albania became a free nation, and Macedonia was dividedamongsttheBalkanLeaguemembers.
Peace would not last, however, as the allies began to dispute the territory they held in Macedonia Serbia hoped to gain a port along the Albanian coast, but its recent liberation made that difficult As a result, Serbia wanted to strengthen its hold over Macedonia to balance out the loss of the port. The Greeks, not having a claim over Macedonia, declared they would retain the territories they had conquered. Bulgaria, noting its allies’ ambitions, remained determined to control Macedonia This sparked a schism amongst the Balkan League. The Serbians and Greeks formed a separate alliance against the Bulgarians Despite mediation attempts by the Russians, war began on June 29, when the King of Bulgaria, Ferdinand I, ordered his troops to march on Serbia and Greece The Serbians soon halted the Bulgarian advance with a successful counterattack conducted on July 2.The Greeks also stopped the Bulgarian attack on their land On July 10, however, the war came to a halt The ceasefire would only last a day, as the Romanians, worried about the recent wars in their region, attacked the Bulgarians with an unopposed march on their capital, Sofia. The Turks, seeing opportunity, also invaded from the south The Serbians and Greeks launched an offensive against Bulgaria on July 15. Soon after, Bulgaria finally surrendered, bringing an end to the Second Balkan War. As a result, Macedonia was split between the Greeks and Serbians They also lost some of their northern territory to Romania.
The consequences of the Balkan Wars would ultimately ignite World War 1 HostilitiesbetweenSerbia,Montenegro,and Austria-Hungaryintensifiedastimewenton ThistensioneruptedwhenGavriloPrincip,a member of the nationalist Black Hand, assassinatedArch Duke Franz Ferdinand in June1914,leadingtowaramonthlater.
TheRussians,havingseveredconnections with Bulgaria due to their failures at deescalating the Second Balkan War, had onlyoneallyremainingintheBalkans This allywasSerbia,andtheyintendedtoprotect them at all costs Serbia was a critical territory for Russia: Serbia provided Russia with a foothold near Constantinople, now modern-day Istanbul, allowing them to put vital, diplomatic pressure on the Ottomans Bulgaria, humiliated by their major loss in territory,turnedtotheTripleAlliance,ledby Germany, to rebuild their strength Ultimately, they joined the Germans in World War 1, culminating in another humiliating loss. The Balkan Wars, despite their significance to the larger story of the early20thcentury,areoftenglossedoverand left behind when looking at the story of WorldWar 1 Of course, it is not the only one, and all are encouraged to look and see thestoriesthatoftengountoldorcannotbe discussed
TECHNOLOGY ScreenTimeandits AffectsonChildren
byAdelineCourtney,Classof2027
Technology has a significant adverse effect on the language development of children. One of the most important contributions to a child’s ability to speak is communication Children learn how to speak through conversations and by hearing adults talk, picking up on subtle cues, emotions, and expressions. With many children now preferring to spend their time playing games rather than socializing with their parents and other adults, it denies them key moments that are crucial to their language development While technology can be beneficial for learning in older kids, the numerous adverse effects on speech and language outweigh the slim chance of positive effects (NLM).
Along with its negative impact on language development in children, technology has also been proven to worsen mental health in growing kids In a study led by the Columbia School of Nursing and the Yale Department of Psychiatry, it was found that children who spend extended time on electronic devices showed higher levels of depression, anxiety, aggression, bullying, social anxiety, and defiance, with these heightened mental health issues being caused solely by specific changes in brain development (Nexus)
Finally, one of the most detrimental effects of technology on growing and developing
children is its impact on academic performance First of all, lack of development is caused by the absence of social skills in many children who consistently use electronics With minimal social interaction in their childhood, these kids do not know how to interact with their teachers and peers The one-on-one connection between a student and a teacher is a fundamental relationship in a child’s academic life Without this relationship, children miss out on a valuable bond Devices such as iPhones and iPads also deplete cognitive abilities and undermine problem-solving skills, two essential qualities that are crucial during the formative years of elementary school and middle school Additionally, excessive device use can distract children from their homework and focused learning, further lowering their grades While many teachers may find it helpful to shift their teaching to an online or technology-based format, it is still essential that face-to-face learning continues and that students learn to grow their brains away from screens (Lynn University).
Technology has done an incredible job of bringing together communities and connecting people globally, but it is essential to limit its access to the developing and evolving minds of hild I d i t it i i ibl d
In today’s fast-changing world, artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a tool it is transforming the way we live and work From self-checkout machines in grocery stores to chatbots that replace customer service agents,AI is rapidly taking over tasks that were once performed by humans While some people see this as progress, many workers fear being replaced and losing their sense of job security AI is taking over people’s jobs by automating repetitive tasks, reducing the need for human labor in entire industries, and creating economic and social challenges that workers and communities must adapt to
I bet you had no idea that what you just read was copied and pasted from ChatGPT. That's how easy it is All I had to say was “make me an introduction and a thesis based on the idea that AI is taking over the world and taking people's jobs right from under them”AI was founded as a
field of research in 1956 at the DartmouthConference, where the term “artificial intelligence”was coined by John McCarthy to describe machines that could simulate human intelligence.The goal was to understand and replicate the learning, concept formation, problem-solving, and language processing that humans compute in their brains and implement it into a computer. Early 20th-century pioneers, such as Alan Turing, laid the foundation for AI through the subsequent development of the first digital computers (Science and Technology) “Can machines think?” This essentially life-changing question was posed by Alan Turing in his 1950 paper, “Computing Machinery and Intelligence,” and laid the groundwork for the field of artificial intelligence. The“Turing Test,”also known as the imitation game, was proposed to determine whether a machine could exhibit intelligent behaviors that are indistinguishable from those of a human Artificial intelligence has the power to reshape careers by eliminating jobs that once provided stability for millions of people Many industries, such as transportation, retail, and even healthcare, are seeing machines overtake tasks that previously required human employees. Robots have been operating trains for decades; humans haven’t handled the recorded voice and the one-track path to the airport for quite some time Self-driving cars threaten the livelihoods of truck drivers, taxi drivers, and delivery workers, while automated kiosks are replacing cashiers in fast-food chains and grocery stores. Even white-collar professions are not safe; AI can perform tasks in accounting, legal research, and even medical diagnostics faster and more accurately than humans;AI doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be more precise than humans, which, all things considered, is not a difficult achievement Doctors are concerned that their diagnosis may not align with that of a robot (Johns Hopkins University). While these advancements may increase efficiency for businesses, they also reduce the number of available positions for workers, leading to widespread job insecurity If people run out of jobs, the poverty line will skyrocket, and families who thought they had a stable income will no longer have one This shift forces people to either adapt by learning new skills or risk being left behind in a rapidly changing economy
Artificial intelligence isn’t just here to help us; it’s here to become us With it, we learn new things and develop new ways of thinking, but while we ’ re doing that, AI is following the questions we ask and the information we search to learn how to mimic human behaviors In the next 50 years, many jobs currently performed by humans are expected to become outdated, including customer service and accounting roles, among others “If left unchecked,AI has the potential to take over the world by replacing human decision-making with machine control”(ChatGPT)
WhenIattendedNashville’sCMAfestthis summer, the most memorable part of the eventwasnotthemusicatall–instead,itwas avilestench Later,Iwouldcometodiscover that the smell was a costly consequence of outdatedstormwaterinfrastructure Asewage smell from our storm drains lingered at the baseof thepedestrianbridge.Foracitythat heavily relies on tourism, this issue poses seriousproblems–onvacation,nobodywants toplugtheirnoseastheyfightoff achemicalwarfare grade stink According to the AmericanSocietyof CivilEngineers(ASCE), theUnitedStatesisfacingan“oldagecrisis” intermsof infrastructure,andNashvilleisno exception to this trend Ironically, the savior of our outdated infrastructure is precisely what we as Nashvillians complain about most:populationgrowth.
In the last 12 years, the population of Nashvillehasgrownbyanumberof 101,000 – a 16% increase that smashes the national averageof 6% Theinfluxof newresidentsin Nashville naturally creates the need for new building projects, whether this be schools, healthcare facilities, or residential developments.Theseprojectsareproposedby an owner– either a private developer or Metro– and then executed by a general contractor (GC), who oversees the actual construction process In the last decade, 88 major build projects have broken ground in Nashville–24hotels,34residentialbuildings, 16 office buildings, and 2 stadiums Though the rate of new projects is slowing, Turner and fellow GCs have no shortage of work, oftenjugglingmultiplemajorbuildsatonce.
Inmanycases,MetroandNashvilleElectric Service (NES) will coordinate with the GC and use these new construction projects as a golden opportunity to update antiquated infrastructure I was able to witness this symbiotic relationship firsthand this summer when I shadowed Turner Construction superintendents on the up-and-coming Roberts Academy and Dyslexia Center. LocatedalongEdgehillAvenuebetween18th and17thAve,theacademyisanewinitiative sponsoredbyVanderbilt’sPeabodyCollege
withtheaimtoimprovedyslexicresearchand outreach
As part of the build, Metro ordered that Turner update the sewer and stormwater drainageunderneaththebuildsite.
In the photo above, the smaller concrete tubingontheleftisthecurrentpipinginour storm and sewer system, whereas the larger tubing is the new piping to be installed once the project proceeds further The diameter of thenewpipingisseveraltimeslargerthanthat of theexistinginfrastructure;highercapacity will accommodate more population density andwillminimizeruptures Accordingtothe city’s Overflow Abatement Program, initiatives like GC-Metro collaboration has eliminated 27 billion gallons of overflow volumeannually Beyond simply increasing the capacity, Metroisalsousingnewbuildssuchastheseto correctanearlydesignflawinvolving our wastewatersystem–thesameflawthatruined
my night at CMA fest At the inception of ourcity,Nashville’scityplannerscombined our waste and storm water into a single pipeline. Consequently, a rancid stench emanatesfromoursewerswheneverrainfall hits because the overflow of storm water disturbs the waste water as well The smell, most prominent in Nashville’s oldest districts,drivesawaytouristsand(disturbs) permanentresidents Tocorrectthis,Turner isseparatingthewasteandstormwaterinto two different pipelines Though just one example, Turner is taking steps to move towardsabetter-smellingNashville.
Admittedly, there are also downsides to Nashville’s growth The influx of new building projects does corrupt Nashville’s heritage and flair Historic buildings are leveled in favor of sterile apartment highrises OnMusicRow,oneof Nashville’s most culturally rich sectors, independent recordingstudiosthathaveservedNashville for decades are slowly being replaced. Historic preservation should always be prioritized over new sewage systems or brighter sidewalks Secondly, coordination betweenMetro,GCs,andNEScanalsostall the build process, leaving more active job sitesscatteredacrossthecitythanwouldbe thecaseif GCsworkedindependently And speakingfromexperience,activesitesarenot themostaestheticallyoraudiblypleasing.A growing city also means expensive housing: since 2015, the median housing price has more than doubled, skyrocketing from $210,000 in 2015 to $436,951 this year Prohibitivelypricedhousingspawnsawhole breed of other issues, including gentrificationanddelayedhomeownership That being said, next time you pass yet another apartment highrise under construction, in between your gripes about Nashville’s traffic and overpopulation, rememberthatnewfacesandnewbuildsare a crucial ingredient to keep our infrastructure up to par and our living standardsserviceable
in Ensworth’s new MiniArt Galler-E You canmakeabigimpactwithsmallart You may present photography, fine art or sculpture! Ask Ms Johnson if you have questionsandsubmitthisform.
PhotobyHudsonHoneybone
CAREER EXPLORATION
Dr.AllisonHanlon
by ClaireMurray,Classof2027
As students navigate their way through high school, the frightening question of “What’s Next?”arises As high school comes to an end, there’s pressure to choose a path.This pressure includes choosing whether or not to attend college, choosing a college, choosing a major, etc. There are many different career options past high school and college I interviewed Dr Allison Hanlon, a Professor and the Interim Chair of the Department of Dermatology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center to explore some of those pathways and hopefully quell some of those anxieties. Dr Hanlon shared her experience of how she got to her position, what her job is like, and advice for students thinking about medicine in the future
Daily Life
Dr. Hanlon’s day in the clinic begins at 7:45 A M and ends around 5 PM During her day, Dr Hanlon treats patients, and teaches students while still continuing her research Dr Hanlon shared with me that her position at an academic medical center allows her to continue learning within the field of medicine A few examples of how she continues to learn within dermatology and medicine altogether is attending lectures, reading primary research papers, and preparing her own lectures to teach to students
Advice For Students
Dr. Hanlon shared valuable advice for all students, especially those who might be interested in medicine Dr Hanlon emphasized the importance of finding a mentor “A good mentor will help you grow, prepare you for opportunities, and be a sponsor for you ” , she says She also highlighted the importance of managing your time Medicine is a very time consuming field during your time in school and during your career Dr Hanlon suggests that even though it may be difficult, it is important to try your best to find time for your own health, hobbies, families, and friends Dr Hanlon recommends the field of medicine because it is a “long and hard road”, but if you ’ re dedicated it becomes a very “rewarding field”
FindingA Passion
Dr. Hanlon shared that she had always imagined herself in medicine in the future She said, “I enjoyed science and helping people.”Although she knew medicine was in her future, she did not decide that dermatology was her passion until she was in graduate school. She developed an interest in the immune system and how it related to the skin cells
Education andTraining
After studying biology in college, Dr. Hanlon entered a year of lab research This lab research focused on studying the immune system’s role in heart disease Her lab research prepared her well for a combined MD/PhD program. After graduating medical school, Dr Hanlon completed an internship, a threeyear residency program, and a one-year fellowship focused on micrographic surgery and dermatologic oncology In total, Dr Hanlon spent 12 years in education and training following college.
Looking Back
Dr. Hanlon shared that when she looks back at her path that brought her to her position, she would change one thing: studying abroad When she was in school, she was not encouraged to study abroad because of her science major She wishes she would have studied abroad for a semester or a year because it is a valuable educational and eye-opening experience
For high school students, it is never too early to begin exploring potential careers even if you ’ re not sure exactly what they want the future to look like Dr Hanlon’s story shows that career paths can evolve over time and that an early interest like science can lead to a career decision in the future At Ensworth, majors involving medicine are one of the most popular majors for students to pursue in college. Whether you are interested in medicine, something completely different, or you are just beginning to think about the future, stories like Dr. Hanlon’s can help you connect your passions now to your goals in the future
SPORTS
byAlannahWong,Classof2027
Golf, a sport built on class and etiquette, now finds itself in a civil war in modern sports The world of golf stands divided between the iconic PGA Tour with its prestigious players and culture, and the radical LIV Golf League, which has reshaped tournament golf Who will emerge victorious in the battle for viewers, money, and sports power, and who will take the top spot in the world of golf?
The PGA has a rich history dating back to 1916, when it was founded with the mission to enhance golf as both a sport and a business, while also increasing its popularity By the mid-1900s, the PGA had rapidly grown and was focused on hosting tournaments for professional golfers During this time, the PGA introduced the PGA Championship, one of the four major championships in golf, along with a series of smaller tournaments, all of which are run by the PGA In 1968, the PGA split into the PGA of America and the PGA Tour. The PGA of America was designated to focus on expanding golf to the public and providing training for both current and aspiring professional golfers. The PGA Tour was founded to host professional golf tournaments and take tour players around the world to compete in the four major championships: the Masters Tournament, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and the British Open A century later, the PGA of America has over 30,000 members, and instructors teach golf, while the PGA Tour boasts a rich history and a roster of renowned players But how does this tour for classic golf compare to contemporary LIV golf? LIV Golf has reimagined the game of golf by focusing on efficiency and performance They do so by featuring 48 players instead of the traditional 140 or 150 Additionally, LIV shortens the tournament to 54 holes in 3 rounds with a shotgun start, unlike traditional golf majors, which have 72 holes over four rounds of golf and each group teeing off at
ENSWORTHENSIDER
at different times The next step LIV Golf takes is to introduce team competition to several tournaments Besides the Ryder Cup or the Presidents Cup, the PGA Tour lacks this sense of camaraderie. Both LIV and PGA have their strengths when it comes to professional golf tournaments So, how do theproschoosewhotosupport,LIVGolf or thePGA?
In recent years, LIV has gained tremendous popularity amongst professional golfers, primarilybecauseitpaysvastlymorethanthe PGA PGA Tour players earn their money based on their tournament placement. For example, the first-place golfer in the PGA willearn$33million;thisamountdwindles asyoudescendtheleaderboard,withthelastplacefinisherearningaround$23,000 LIV’s system is somewhat different and pays much more First, each player is guaranteed $120,000afterthetournament,regardlessof their place finish There is an additional payment based on place, with first place earning$4million.However,itistheupfront contracts to join LIV Golf that have persuadedplayerstojointheleague InJohn Rahm’s contract to join LIV, he was offered $300 million, Phil Mickelson was offered $200 million, and Bryson DeChambeau was offered $125 million LIV pays marginally better than the PGA for pro golfers who consistently win and those who don’t. This leadstothequestionof whyhaven’tallmajor playersswitchedtoLIV?
LIV’s greatest strength is the amount of moneyitpaysitstournamentplayers,butthis can also be one of its most significant weaknesses Duetotheguaranteedamountof money given to every golfer, competition to win tournaments for money drastically decreases. Retired professional golfer and worldchampionNickFaldobelievesthatLIV golf is “not sport” and the “guaranteed millions has turned golfers soft” Rory McIlory, 2025 Masters champion and PGA Tour player, critiqued PGA players who left thetourforLIVbysaying,“If it’spurelyfor money,itneverseemstogothewayyouwant it to” The number one golfer in the world andPGAtourplayerScottieSchefflier,notes
thatthePGAtourhas“byfarthebestplayers in the world”, furthermore Scottie said in an interviewbecauseof thecompetitivenatureof thePGAhewillstayontour
Manymoreprofessionalgolfershavecriticized LIV for its lack of competition, not only due to the substantial money given to players but alsobecauseof hownovelLIViscomparedto thePGAorothertours,suchastheDPWorld Tour(formerlyknownastheEuropeanTour) LIV players don’t get points on the official golf world ranking, causing a majority of LIV golf players to slip from the world leaderboard. This ranking is crucial for qualifying for the pinnacle of golf: the four major championships Even though LIV golf playerscanparticipateinthemajors,theymust meet the same qualifications as those in the PGA Because they are behind in points, a majority of LIV golf players are at a disadvantage
Ultimately, it's the majors, such as the Masters and PGA Championship, that keep thePGAthrivingandwillbethedownfallof LIV Golf Not only do the majors provide points towards the world ranking, but they also supply pro-golfers with the chance to showcase themselves and their skills to the public and media In terms of viewers, the majorshaveLIVgolf soundlybeaten Thefinal rounds of LIV golf tournaments attract around 175,000 viewers, while the PGA averages 3 million viewers per tournament, and majors like the Masters draw 12 million viewers
Intheend,golf’sfuturemaynotbedefined bywhopaysthemostorplaysthefastest,but by who upholds the integrity, tradition, and competitive spirit of the game LIV Golf has shakenthesportwithitsfinancialbackingand modern approach. Still, the PGATour’s deep history,globalrecognition,andconnectionto the majors continue to solidify it as the gold standard of professional golf While LIV has forced the PGA to adapt and evolve, it is the majors the accurate battlegrounds of golf that will determine which league holds lasting influence And for now, it seems the PGA’s prestige and the weight of tradition keepitfirmlyontop.
Many more professional golfers have criticized LIV for its lack of competition, not only due to the substantial money given toplayersbutalsobecauseof hownovelLIV iscomparedtothePGAorothertours,such astheDPWorldTour(formerlyknownasthe EuropeanTour).LIVplayersdon’tgetpoints ontheofficialgolf worldranking,causinga majorityof LIVgolf playerstoslipfromthe world leade for qualifyin fourmajorc golf players they must m thoseinthe points,ama adisadvanta Ultimate Masters and the PGA th of LIVGolf points towa also supply showcase th public and majors have final round attract arou PGA avera tournament draw12mil In the defined by w fastest, but by who upholds the integrity, tradition, and competitive spirit of the game LIVGolf hasshakenthesportwithits financial backing and modern approach Still, the PGA Tour’s deep history, global recognition, and connection to the majors continuetosolidifyitasthegoldstandardof professionalgolf
These overlooked details make me question whether these rules exist to actually uphold standards, or if they serve more as subjective guidelinesthateventheadministrationdoesnot consistently enforce If teachers are not citing students for the color of their socks, then why shouldtheycitestudentsforanuntuckedshirt?
Another interesting addition to the dress codeinthe2024-2025schoolyearwasthaton casualdressdays,if youwantedtowearshorts, they had to be Ensworth fitness shorts That rule is moot considering that we are currently required to wear skirts and khakis on ‘casual’ dressdays,butitisstillworthquestioningwhy the school made that choice Some might say thatgirlswerewearingshortsthatwerelacking sufficientlength,butit’snotasif girlswerenot alsorollingtheirfitnessshorts.Itisstillunclear whatthepreciselogicorreasoningwastothat specificrule
AsIamgoingthroughourdresscode,Ithink IhavefiguredoutwhereEnsworthbelievesthey are delivering on their promise of “student choice”in our uniform On regular dress days, we get to choose any Ensworth hoodie/crew neck to wear over our polo shirts. I personally donotbelieveweshouldbecelebratingthebare minimum of what our student body deserves when it comes to choosing what we wear to school If allthechoicewegetistopickoutone of a limited selection of sweatshirts to school, then we need to reconsider whether we really haveanychoiceatall Andonthatnote,whydo wehavetowearpolosunderoursweatshirts?
Thisyear,specifically,itseemsliketherehas beenahugeuptickincitationsfornotwearing polos under sweatshirts, when I don’t think I even heard of someone being cited for that my freshmanyear Itrulyjustdonotseethelogicin thisrule Whyshoulditmattertoanyonewhat isunderoursweatshirts?
Towrapupthisdiscourseonthedresscode,I thinkit'simportanttodiscusshowitcanimpact the student-teacher relationships at Ensworth. Whenateachercomesuptoastudentandasks if they are wearing a polo under their sweat shirt, the student does not want to lie to the teacher However, if the student says they are wearing a polo underneath (even if they are not)whatistheteachersupposedtodo?Askthe student to lift up their sweatshirt to prove it? Overall, these unnecessary and restrictive rules can actually lead to discomfort among the Ensworth community. It can cause students to feel united in hostility towards any specific faculty member that is a heavy enforcer of the dress code, which should not be tolerated in a supposedly welcoming and positive school environment At the end of the day, the dress code should make sense for both students and teachers Rightnow,toomanyof therulesfeel confusing,unnecessary,orunevenlyenforced.If the school really wants to give us “choice,”it’s worthrethinkingwhethertheserestrictionsare helpinganyoneorjustmakingdailylifeharder
CONTINUED
BookReview:MalcolmGladwell’sTippingPoint
Mavens are experts in a certain field, and Salesmen have exceptional skills in persuasion Not only are these groups remarkable, but they are also perfectly attuned to message-spreading Forexample,Connectorsarehelpfulbecausethey know more people and have greater spheres of influence. As for Mavens, they are the resident experts theonespeopleturntowhentheyarein doubt If youarelookingforacar,youmightask your car-enthusiast friend (a Maven) for advice Last of all, Salesmen are those people who can just“sellyouanything” Theircommentsareeasy to follow, their charisma is apparent, and their pointsmakelogicalsense.
However, even the best of the “Few” cannot spreadanunappealing,irrelevantmessage.Foran idea to spread, the packaging must be just as effective as the sender This brings me to Gladwell’s next law: the“Stickiness Factor”This rule of advertising states that a key change in branding can be the difference between a viral ideaandonethatrapidlydiesout IntheTipping Point, Gladwell uses examples like the growth of thechildren'sshow“Blue’sClues"toillustratethis point. He argues that the show mainly rose to popularityduetoafewkeymodificationsmadeto its content, using repetition and interactivity to increase its stickiness Ironically, Blue’s Clues bolstered its growth by doing something the others thought would alienate their audience: airing the same episode five times in a row They took a big risk with their reputation, and the changetotallywontheiryoungviewersover.The repetition was intellectually challenging in the perfectway;witheachre-runchildrencouldlearn a bit more of the show, and feel proud of themselvesforunravelingmoreof themystery Gladwell’slastof thethreelawsisthe“ThePower of Context”Atitscore,thislawmainlydealswith simple generalizations Generalizations are important because they are the primary way that ourbrainssortinformation.Wheneverwemeeta person,wealmostimmediatelystartjudgingtheir character and making generalizations based on their behavior This allows us to put people into logicalboxes,suchas“Heisannoying”and“Sheis nice”Whetherornotwethinkthatthisisagood thing, it is just something that we do And the purpose is simple it allows us to simplify and retaininformationmoreeasily. However, that doesn’t mean that generalizations arealwaysright.Inmyownlife,Ihaveseenmany timesthatapersonIjudgedasmeanmayalsoact nice sometimes, or that an annoying person isn't alwaysthatannoying Generalizations–thoughwe will never stop making them are often incomplete Forthesereasons,societynowfrowns upon many generalizations as erroneous and harmful representations of a more complex whole.Wedon’talwaysactthesame wechange based on where we are, what we are doing, and who we are with Within some families, I have observedthatmanyoldersiblingsseektoactmore mature and responsible around younger siblings, while expressing just the opposite behaviors aroundtheirfriends Whydotheydothis?
Because their environment is changing This is the“Power of Context:”the idea that people change based on their surroundings,almostasif theyaretotally differentpeople.Itisanot-so-complexlaw that effectively describes very complex humans
Atthispointinanarticle,mostwriters would probably want to leave their audience with some call of action: something to go out into the world and do And I could definitely tell you to go aheadandreadTheTippingPoint,butyou might be feeling like you have a pretty goodunderstandingof itbynow.Instead, I might suggest that you read Gladwell’s new,updatedversioncalledtheRevengeof theTipping Point, which adds nuance to some of the laws and examples of the previous edition And if that also doesn’t sound interesting, he has lots of other booksonarangeof topicslikeluck,snap decisions,andmeetingnewpeople.Bestof all,mostof thesebooksarenowavailable for free checkout at the Ensworth library Aside from that suggestion, the only takeaway I will push is to think more aboutlifearoundyou Theads,thepeople, the arguments–everything has a message andmotive
The Eclipse is now accepting submissions for the 2025–2026 publication!We welcome poetry, photography, and visual art, and we ’ re also open to other creative works. Have questions? Reach out to Sutton Korn or Jasmine Hollowell For special submission requests, please email our Faculty Sponsor, Mrs Bahr, at bahrco@ensworth com
Don’t miss your chance to be published share your creativity with the Ensworth community!
Ensworth’sArt and Literary Magazine
On Fr witness the Pet Show, lower schoo show off growing ac large crowds Although when did this tradition begin? What were the wildest animals?
Whilenospecificdatehasbeenfound,the earliest mention of the Pet Show was in 1975 For50years,thePetShowhasbrought manykindsof animalstoRedGables
she has gone to We u Show at the front of Re had the middle school school,”shesaid. “Onet I had to chase down a escaped! Fortunately, the the head of school's hom Reynoldsalsomentioned well behaved animals, Family’s parrot, as well a g ashorsesatthePetShow!
Ultimately,theFirstGradePetShowisan amazingexperienceforeveryoneinvolved,and it will be exciting to see what this year ’ s will bring Thank you to Dr Ellen Reynolds and Mrs MollyWarrenforprovidingtheirstories, photos,andothermaterialsinthecreationof thisarticle!
BetsyHartWright,2014
FrancesDuvall,2014
WillGerken,2014
“First Grade Pet Show is a big day We were glad it didn’t rain because we had invited everyone to the tennis courts to see our pets and find out how we take care of them There was a goat, lots of dogs and cats, several fish, some ants, and even a baby brother! Thank you parents for bringing all of them It was fun to see all of the animals we hoped they liked their visit to our school ”
I am only known by the skiers and Hikers that know me once briefly
Short moments on their long and Beautiful trips
But every season they will come back
And I will stay standing here
Faithfully in solitude
And time is always passing on
But you can come back to me
And I’ll be here
Gently and softly
Longingly and peacefully
Quietly
Waiting
Endlessly
Until I am moved and uprooted
Then I take a while to acclimate
To learn and grow
Rebirth and acceptance
But I will always be here
Whereever here may be
Waiting
Like an old Snow-ridden Evergreen Tree
And then I’ll just make a gap In the soil
For, I, Sebastian C E
An Evergreen is me
An evergreen tree
MOUNTFUJI
ByMatthewDeCamillo,Classof2026
SNOWDAY
ByLivGarrett,Classof2028
FUN&GAMES
GuessWho
Who are these adorableTigers at their First Grade Pet Show?
ENSWORD
ARTFOR EVERYONE
ColoringPage
Stressed before the big MBA game? Don’t panic color! Mindful coloring lowers stress, eases anxiety, and clears your head. Scan the QR Code to get the PDF
ENSIDERSTAFF
MitchAddison
AllieBernstein
AdelineCourtney
CharlotteFigler
ClaireFlury
SamanthaMassad
EliseMilner
ClaireMurray
SorenSugalski
AlannahWong
HudsonHoneybone,Editor-in-Chief
Mrs.Bahr,FacultySponsor
All are welcome to drop in any time during lunch to make movie-themed collages with gallery artist, DavidWison.
