Issue 4

THE HILL NEWS VERBA VOLANT, SCRIPTA MANENT

Volume Volume CXX. CXVIII, No. 4 NO. 2 Volume CXIX, NO.2

Hill School focuses on sustainability but students’ efforts are lagging behind

By ALEKSANDR GLAMAZDIN ’22 STAFF WRITER

In recent years the Hill School has been trying to improve its sustainability practices, and despite the numerous measures undertaken to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Hill School has been doing very well overall so far. However, the students are not doing their part when it comes to plates and trash in the Dining Hall, even though our school is capable of recycling pretty much anything. Since the 201920 school year, the Hill School has taken decisive actions to improve its sustainability practices and became the first school in the United States to participate in the Materials Recovery for the Future (MRFF) program. This initiative seeks to reshape the recycling industry by connecting consumers, recyclers and producers, and therefore creating a cyclical transfer of plastic to halt the increasing waste of recyclable products.

Over the last decade the movement for waste plastic practices and lower waste has been getting more and more ground, and many organizations such as Plastic Pollution Coalition and The Ocean Cleanup originated to fight pollution. Guided by the environmental push, the packaging industry has seen many advancements in recent years, primarily in the realm of small goods.

Flexible plastic packaging (FPP) accomplishes reduced food waste as well as a lighter and more compact form of packaging, yet many companies utilize different kinds of plastic (the famous seven numbers one can find on plastic packaging indicating the chemical composition to ease recycling) that overcomplicate the recycling process. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, only 35.2% of solid waste was recycled in 2017. However, the recycling industry changes as well, with new initiatives taking reprocessing to the next level.

In order to play its part in the enhancement and the preservation of nature, the Hill School became a part of the Materials Recovery for the Future initiative.

MRFF research program -- which includes such notable members as The Procter & Gamble Company,

STAFF WRITER

COVID guidelines require more single-use plastic, such as water botthes, in the Dining Hall PHOTO BY SARAH WISNESKI ’21

DATA COURTESY OF SODEXO. GRAPHICS BY CLAIRE HARTEMINK ’21

Target, Walmart Foundation, The Kraft Heinz Company, Nestlé USA, PepsiCo, Chevron Phillips Chemicals and American Chemistry Council -- centers around the TotalRecycle materials recovery facility (MRF) in Berks County, Pennsylvania. The TotalRecylce plant belongs to J.P. Mascaro & Sons waste service company based in PA and “accepts all items capable of being recycled, including, but not limited to, plastics #1-7, cardboard (OCC), aluminum, newspaper (ONP), clear and colored glass, steel, tin, e-waste, aseptics, cartons and electronics,” as stated on their website.

Becoming the first school in the United States to participate in the program, our school is able to compost or recycle all of its waste, aside from waxed coffee cups and tea bags. If Hill students are care-

ful about sorting their trash and are able to maintain a 60% level of plastic in the recycling bins without bringing the paper contamination level to 15%, all of the trash will be recycled into the new composite material -- rFlex. TJ Stinson, the recycling coordinator at JP Mascaro, said that The Hill School is doing a good job with its recyclables being “one of [their] better customers,” and so far, all 1380 pounds or 49 cubic yards of waste per week get recycled, which is up 30% from last year.

Continued on page B3 Staff contributor Rohan Dondeti ’21 contributed to this report.

As with almost all co-curricular activities on campus, the Hill Speech and Debate team’s season is looking different.

Their once in-person competitions now take place over virtual meeting rooms on the website Tabroom. com. Hosted by the National Speech and Debate Association, this website manages and provides access to debate tournaments worldwide. In 2020, however, it now acts as a means of holding competitions, as it is where student debaters access their virtual competitions. Aside from judges having to consider the impact technical difficulties may have on debate participants, competition rules are the same as those of years prior. To many on the team, competing virtually does not take away from the art of debate.

“If we keep those core principles of empowering students to interact and to be able to express themselves, we find that a lot of that debate can still happen online,” said Head Debate Coach Nick Malinak.

In fact, virtual debate has presented some new opportunities to Hill debaters.

The team can now participate in usually far-away tournaments. In the past two weeks, the team debated in Arizona and Colorado-based competitions. years after graduating high school, he found himself coaching a JV debate team

Faculty create art

Are sit-outs effective?

HASOGI focuses on education and advocacy

FEATURES | Page B3

A sit out was held on by Hill students Mofe Akinyanmi ’21 and Kendal Thomas ’21 in response to the acquittal of Breonna Taylor’s murderers. Taylor was a 26-yearold EMT, who was shot and killed as a direct result of police brutality and systemic racism.

ARTS & LEISURE | Page E6

in his hometown, experiencing the role of a coach for the first time. In the years since, Maliank has moved throughout towns and has been the head of multiple debate teams, overseeing the development in each of his old schools’ debate programs. After finishing his Master’s degree, he found the job listing at Hill.

“Speech and debate is like a family.

We spend all of this time after school and on weekends with them, helping them figure out college- all of these things that we do here at Hill. This was the right fit,” said Malinak.

He hopes to continue to grow Hill’s debate program, expanding to more students interested in current events, public speaking, drama, or wherever their interests may lie.

“We’re finding students who are interested and helping to enable and support them in their other interests,” said Malinak. “We have over 500 students and every one of them is unique and has their own interest. To bring people under one umbrella and say this is our competitive team for academics, the arts, science, or whatever people’s individual interests are is what speech and debate is about.”

Continued on Page B3

Contents

Many in the Hill community can attest to the incredible talent and passion of three beloved art instructors Mrs. Nelson, Ms. Richards, and Mrs. Lim.

This year, co-presidents Lillian Rizek ’22 and Arwen Lutwyche ’22 plan to focus on the advocacy and education aspects of HASOGI.

NEWS | Page A2

Debaters take the (virtual) stage

By ANNA YAO CARROLL ’23

DEI discussions stimulate campus discourse on race The Hill School is currently striving for racial equality and acceptance in difference and change.

The efforts of the DEI Discussions may have some minor issues that need improvement.

November 18, 2020

OPINION | Page C4

NEWS................................. A2 FEATURES......................... B3 OPINION.....................C5-C6 ARTS & LEISURE...... D6-D7 SPORTS.............................. E8

ELECTION: Want to catch up on the election? Check out our coverage on our website or social media.

Thank you to everyone who contributed! @hillnews

@TheHillNews1

/whatsoever thingsarenews

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NEWS

A2 | News

The Hill News

DEI discussions stimulate campus discourse on racial discrimination

By JENNIE KI ’23 STAFF WRITER

After the Black Lives Matter movement intensified in the United States and many institutions were called upon to better their contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion, Hill has implemented many new programs and tried to progress: members and students participated in a sit-out bringing attention to Breonna Taylor’s murder and police brutality, many offices on campus sent out emails of support, and student-run accounts have used social media to support racial equality.

Perhaps the most significant change in formal programming has been the addition of DEI discussions on every other Tuesday in which advisories were encouraged to discuss the summer reading, Racial Profiling, as well as more general conversations around diversity and equality.

The DEI discussions present an opportunity for conversations about important social issues. While talking

The final DEI discussion of the fall was held last Tuesday. PHOTO BY TOMMY SIMPSON ’21

about the summer reading, Racial Profiling, students are also able to contemplate critical race issues or reflect on Wes Moore’s visit to campus.

The talks eventually diverged, leading to other topics that coincide with ongoing issues of today: racial discrimination and the 2020 presidential election, the BLM movement, and structural prejudice.

Moreover, by allowing students to share personal experiences of discrimination, DEI conversations effectively created awareness and empathy for wider issues of inequality.

“This avenue allows for greater understanding, empathy, awareness, and even action steps that young people are taking across communities to institute meaningful change. I am pleased with these efforts,” said Associate Headmaster Sylvia Rodriguez Vargas, who is actively engaging in DEI discussions within her own advisory.

Though The Hill School just started the discussions focused on race and gender equality fairly recently, students believe there can be room for improvement.

“It would have been better if we (students) were able to watch clips of movies related to racial discrimination and debate about it. Like the movie, “The Hate You Give”, watching those movie clips will make the DEI discussions more intriguing and easier to understand,” said Amanda Hudak ’24, a member of Rodriguez Vargas’ advisory.

“For our DEI discussions, it would have been way better if we did some group activities beforehand to get to know each other. We could have had ice breakers! That would have helped us participate in the conversations,” said Timmy Woodward ‘24 of the same advisory.

The Hill School is currently striving for racial equality and acceptance of difference and change. The efforts of the DEI Discussions may have some minor issues that need improvement.

“I am pleased with these efforts of the DEI discussions and I believe that they reflect our school’s mission,” said Rodriguez Vargas.

Little Italy’s navigates new normal

By MONIYAH PERSON-HENDERSON ’23 STAFF WRITER

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic hit Pottstown, it has been hard for many businesses to survive. With new rules and regulations coming out every day to close indoor spaces, many Pottstown restaurants have faced trying circumstances.

Among them is High Street’s Little Italys. A pizzeria that has been around for almost fifty years, Little Italy’s is owned by Rocky Citrino. He tells us how he and his staff dealt with the heat of the pandemic.

When the pandemic first started, Citrino was forced to close dine-in options for Little Italy’s and adjust to regulations.

“Not only did we have to adjust to state and local regulations, we also had to find out what things were safe. We met customers outside or started to use Doordash, whatever was convenient for the customers,” said Citrino.

Though many small businesses closed due to the financial strain that the pandemic caused, Little Italy’s was able to stay positive and maintain revenue.

“We are maintaining business, it’s not better or worse just differ-

ent. There are so many things you need to do to make sure everyone is safe and make customers happy,” said Citrino when asked about the difference between post and pre-COVID. Citrino also was impacted by the lack of social interaction in the restaurant.

“It’s strange not having people at the bar and not socializing with your customer base. I’m used to interacting with my customers and seeing our regulars; it’s hard not seeing them everyday.” Luckily, a big part of Citrino’s customer

base consists of The Hill School community. “Hill has been a huge part of our business for years now. Without them we wouldn’t be where we are today” said Citrino.

As regulations begin to change around the nation, Pottstown is yet to receive specific details.

“Everything is pretty much up in the air.

Rules and regulations change every single day and you have to go with whatever is allowed.” For now, new regulations include capping capacity at the bar. Supply chain strains are also hitting Little Italys. “Something that is tough is supply change disruptions. You

always want to make the customer happy, but sometimes we can’t. It’s hard telling a customer, ‘I’m sorry that item isn’t available right now.’ because you always want to make the customer happy.”

2021 will be the restaurant’s 50th anniversary.

With the pandemic continuing to spread through the country, the state of Pennsylvania and the borough of Pottstown, Citrino and Little Italy look forward to opening back up and providing food service, as well as a place to relax, socialize and connect, to the local community

Little Italy’s on High Street will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next year. PHOTO BY CECILE WEGMAN ’23

November 18, 2020

Progressives work towards change

By SARAH JIANG ’22 STAFF WRITER

In this election in particular, there has been a significant growth in participation among younger voters.

Youth democrats and republicans alike have expressed political views through social media, activism and in everyday life. Many students at Hill have also been a part of this political journey.

The Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) is an organization that “[fights] for the immediate needs of workers and students while building our capacity to fight for more radical and structural changes.” They pride themselves in their over 70,000 members across college and high school campuses, and their student and staff led campaigns to aid topics such as poverty or fossil fuel diversion. The YDSA works through its hundreds of chapters across the United States to spread awareness and activism of their beliefs.

6th former Gavin Guerrette is the president of the YDSC at Hill. The group meets regularly for discussions ranging from progressive social and economic policy to destigmatization of socialism on campus. Recently, Hill has become an official YDSA chapter, and this new initiation has a been step for the YDSC. “I think that the greater YDSA organization has given the Hill Chapter a foundation

to discuss leftist thought,” says Guerrette. This formal change allowed for YDSA to provide Gavin and the members of the club information and education on what and how the YDSA operates, as well as how to further develop Hill’s own club as a chapter within this bigger organization. “As a club, we have also used the chapter organizing manual provided by the YDSA to draft our constitution and structure our chapter, used resolutions released by the greater YDSA as topics for our meetings, and even considered their stance in the election for our endorsement of presidential candidate Joe Biden,” said Guerrette. Now with the support of the YDSA, Hill’s young democratic socialists have a new source of political educational support.

As for the future of YSDC, Gavin says he “[hopes] to see far more in-person collaboration, whether for marches or protests in Philly in solidarity with labor and social justice movements or to attend YDSA general meetings as a club to have a greater influence on the policy and action taken by the organization.”

The recent election has had a major influence on the political views of younger Americans. The link between the Young Democratic Socialists of Hill and of the country as a whole has provided collaboration and inspiration among the community of Hill and other students around the country.

Working for the Friel campaign amid a pandemic

By PHILIPPE JIN ’21 LOCAL NEWS EDITOR

Working for a political campaign during an election year is difficult. Volunteering during a pandemic as a high schooler? Even harder.

Madeline Burger, a student that attends Owen J. Roberts High School in Pottstown, PA., described her experience interning for the Paul Friel campaign for state House district 26.

She explains the unconventionality of working on a campaign during a pandemic. “Working on a campaign during a pandemic is strange.

There’s limited canvassing and it’s harder to personally connect with voters without that face-to-face interaction,” said Burger. Burger explains that though the COVID 19 pandemic has affected the campaign, Paul Friel and his team have found ways around it. “We’ve made the best of it with more phone banking and socially distanced, outdoor events,” said Burger.

For Burger herself, personal reasons also made this Election Day very different.

“Election Day has looked a bit different for me than I expected. I was recently possibly ex-

posed to COVID and am playing it safe by working from home,” explained Burger.

However, this has given her the opportunity to work from home more independently.

“I’ve been launching phonebanks and managing communications with volunteers,” says Burger. If not for the necessity of her self-quarantine, Burger looked forward to traveling with Friel. “Paul, the candidate, has been traveling between polling locations to talk to voters with Jhonas Dunakin, his campaign manager. If I wasn’t in quarantine, I would’ve spent the day outside of various polling places greeting voters and handing out lit to those in line,” Burger told The Hill News. Burger, at the end of the day, is happy to have had the experience to work for the Paul Friel Campaign, citing that though it was not what she expected she has had a wonderful few months.

“I can’t vote this year so I am glad that I was able to do my political duty. It was still an amazing experience, one that I am very happy to have had,” says Burger as she sits at home in her living room.

November 18, 2020

FEATURES The Hill News

Sustainability at Hill

Hill debaters take the national competition stage ... virtually?

By ANNA YAO CARROLL ’23 STAFF WRITER

Continued from Page A1 Like last year, student debaters meet every weekday as an afternoon activity. Day-to-day activities can range from brainstorming arguments, editing cases, and even playing croquet on the Quad.

“We separate practice into three different ideas: one is actual practice, so doing drills and debating, the second part is brainstorming arguments and discussing with each other to see what works. And then, the last part is evidence production,” said two-year member Corbin Cartagine ’23.

The most important aspect of the team at each practice, with or without COVID-19, is to create a close-knit environment for its members.

“I feel like this year the team is much more close and tight-knit,” said Ste-

The debate team continues to compete.

PHOTO BY MONIYAH PERSON-HENDERSON ’23

fanie Li ’23, a member of the debate team for two years.

Malinak furthered, saying, “what we want to do is create that same team environment because just like so many of our sports, it’s a team activity.”

Malinak, this year’s new Head Debate Coach, is one of the team’s major changes. Having participated in his high school’s debate program, Malinak has long roots connecting him to the world of speech and de-

bate. Only a few years after graduating high school, he found himself coaching a JV debate team in his hometown, experiencing the role of a coach for the first time. In the years since, Maliank has moved throughout towns and has been the head of multiple debate teams, overseeing the development in each of his old schools’ debate programs. After finishing his Master’s degree, he found the job listing at Hill.

“Speech and debate is

B3 | Features

By ALEKSANDR GLAMAZDIN’ 22

like a family. We spend all of this time after school and on weekends with them, helping them figure out college- all of these things that we do here at Hill.

This was the right fit,” said Malinak.

He hopes to continue to grow Hill’s debate program, expanding to more students interested in current events, public speaking, drama, or wherever their interests may lie.

“We’re finding students who are interested and helping to enable and support them in their other interests,” said Malinak.

“We have over 500 students and every one of them is unique and has their own interest. To bring people under one umbrella and say this is our competitive team for academics, the arts, science, or whatever people’s individual interests are is what speech and debate is about.”

STAFF WRITER

Continued from page A1 When it comes to the Dining Hall, this year, the food waste that goes to composting has decreased dramatically down by 55% from last spring, primarily because with COVID precautions, there are no family meals, and food portions are smaller. Mark Hinlke, the executive chef at the Hill School, reiterated: “As far as food waste goes we are looking at on average 75 lbs of food waste per day which comes out to 525 lbs per week compared to about 1100 lbs last spring and in fall of 2019.” The amount of recycled waste has almost tripled as waste itself increases, primarily due to the new drinking station format with 150 crates of beverages coming to school every week as well as the substitution of metal utensils with plastic alternatives. Overall, the Dining Hall recycles around 3.5 dumpsters a week. Dining Hall composts and produces waste at the same rate of about a dumpster per week, and since the Din-

ing Hall began its composting practices, the waste has been reduced by 50%.

Even though the Dining Hall has reduced its waste and is working on recycling more effectively, students have not been doing their part. As Operations Manager Lisa Demetrio put it: “No one is throwing their trash out properly,” said ….The majority of people have been throwing food out to the trash cans near the Dining Hall exit, but this year the food and napkins are supposed to stay on the plates, which are scraped off and washed downstairs.

Overall, as the Hill School has transitioned to a more sustainable food processing, it has maintained a relatively steady level of sustainability. Even with COVID adjustments, both the Dining Hall and the campus recycling stay under the required 15% paper contamination level.

If the students become more responsible with their food waste especially, Hill’s sustainability practices will only improve.

CLUB SPOTLIGHT: LGBTQ Chapel Talk topics evolve advocates of HASOGI focus on as COVID-19 and racial teneducation and visibility sions loom over the country

By CARRIE SHANG ’23

By NICHOLAS WON ’22

STAFF WRITER

In an ideal world, The Hill School would be a place where everyone feels represented regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity. That is what HASOGI (Hill Advocates for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) is working to achieve. Created in 2012 by Brielle Smith ’16, HASOGI is a student-led organization that gave Hill’s LGBTQ+ community a voice. This year, co-presidents Lillian Rizek ’22 and Arwen Lutwyche ’22 plan to focus on the advocacy and education aspects of HASOGI. “We’re not made to be a social group. We’re meant to be like a safe space, yes, but also really to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community,” Rizek said. “A significant part of that is trying to do educational type events.”

One such example was a two-part event in October: a showing of the documentary “An Act of Love” and a talk by Rev. Frank Schaefer, the documentary’s subject. In his speech, Schaefer explained the concept of Progressive Christianity and how it accepts the LGBTQ+ community.

He affirmed that queerness and Christianity are not mutually exclusive. The talk sparked several meaningful

STAFF WRITER

HASOGI has held many events on campus this year. PHOTO BY HARLIV SINGH ’23

questions and conversations among the students who attended.

Another goal for HASOGI is to provide people in the Hill community with the language to discuss gender identity and sexual and romantic orientations. Rizek and Lutwyche want them to be something that people can talk about despite them being somewhat awkward topics.

“Once you’re in a group or community, it can be kind of hard to remember that most people outside of the community have no idea what a lot of the language and terms mean,” Lutwyche said. Many people are familiar with terms like “male”, “female”, “gay”, and “straight,” however, as Rizek mentioned, “there’s so much more depth to it.”

Currently, HASOGI’s methods of providing people with information include educational posts and info-

graphics on their Instagram (@hillhasogi). Both leaders hope that “ideally in the near future, Hill becomes a place where people know these terms, and can talk about them in an accepting and not exclusive way.”

Faculty advisor Lauren Hoyt, who has been a part of HASOGI since its founding, is quite proud of how much the club accomplished over the years.

“The club has worked really hard to become a vocal part of the community...a noticeable part,” Hoyt said, “One of the biggest things we did was to get the symbol out so that students saw that it was available. To me, that visibility is really, really important.”

Hill is not perfect, but that is exactly why there are groups on campus like HASOGI-, to make sure that all students feel included.

This year, numerous Chapel Talks have revolved around topics like race, feminism, discrimination, and activism.

Themes that were rare, if not unheard of, in the Chapel Talks of last year. Undoubtedly, a tremendous shift has taken place.

Last year, many talks shared personal anecdotes that were then used to share messages to the school, perhaps about the speaker’s family, experience at The Hill School, or general advice to the community. This year, the element of personal stories is still present, but such narratives are being spread with a much larger and far-reaching message. These messages now apply to not only students in the audience, but also to people and events on a national and international scale.

Some of the most popular Chapel Talks this year might even have been considered radical last year, such as Kathryn Gvodas’s ’21. She spoke on September 14 about gossip and the ways that female students are treated poorly on campus.

Gvodas understands that “change does not come easily,” but nonetheless was compelled to give her talk because she believes in speaking about issues that are “moral issues, not even political.” Specific to her talk, was about compelling “equal treatment and respect, but that is hard.”

More recently, Avery Liggon ’21 spoke on October 23 regarding her experiences with race living in Wisconsin, specifi-

cally after the shooting of Jacob Blake in late August.

Liggon believes that the shift in this year’s Chapel Talks has been “the climate” of the country and a “realization that Hill is not doing its part” in progress.

According to Liggon who is a staff writer at The Hill News, talks such as these, namely her favorite, Gabe Dorsey’s ’21, got the ball rolling for more discourse. Although it may be “uncomfortable,” she appreciates the shift - something that is nonetheless very necessary to “open the minds of students and faculty.” This is what pushed her to write her Chapel Talk; she thought it could positively impact others.

Gavin Guerrette ’21, President of the Young Democratic Socialists Club observes the shift in themes, as does most of the school. Guerrette believes the shift is due to COVID-19, and “facilitated new discussions on a small and large scale.” Guerrette also says that, like Liggon, these were some of his favorites, and also comments on the isolated

community at The Hill School, what many call “the Hill bubble.” Specifically, he claims that while we “like to think that we are always in it,” it can also be restricting in the way we think of the world outside of The Hill.

This year specifically, it seems like larger societal events have seeped into the community that we once may have believed was behind a barrier that is impermeable. Understandably, serious and sacred traditions, such as chapel, have been changed significantly.

Perhaps the future is the most intriguing question at this time. What more will we learn from Chapel Talks? What will be the impacts of recent Chapel Talks? And, is the shift in Chapel Talks indicative of a shift in the way the Hill community will interact with the rest of the world?

These are all questions to consider as the community watches Chapel for the last time together on campus.

Gvodas ’21 gives her Chapel Talk ea. PHOTO BY ELIZABETH HUDAK ’21

C4 | Opinion

OPINION The Hill News

November 18, 2020

DUELING TYPEWRITERS: Are sit-outs effective?

FOR: “What we need right now”

By IZZY FELDMAN ’21 STAFF WRITER

A sit out was held on by Hill students Mofe Akinyanmi ’21 and Kendal Thomas ’21 in response to the acquittal of Breonna Taylor’s murderers. Taylor was a 26-year-old EMT, who was shot and killed as a direct result of police brutality and systemic racism.

The sit out took place on the pathways lining the quad and drew in a physically distanced crowd of 100 or so people, according to some in attendance.

I think I speak on behalf of most, if not all of the participants in saying that the organized event was moving–– and a clear step forward in dismantling Hill as a bubble of ignorance to issues of systemic injustice and social unrest. Yet, the peaceful protest generated controversy.

Upon seeing the event, many students decided to walk back to their dorms, rejecting the open invitation to sit down. Even more so, the protest was criticized by some as being unproductive and ultimately inconsequential in

creating change.

To those students and whoever is reading this, I pose a question: What defines productivity? Can we measure significance by the number of people who showed up or the response from faculty of which it conjured–– and should we? Is it possible to measure significance and productivity at all? And if it is, who’s to say our standards are correct in doing so? People have protested for their rights throughout history, some violently, some peacefully, but they advocated for themselves, nonetheless. We have seen in this country, firsthand, the reaction to protesting in a violent manner. People are labeled “thugs”, their movement: “a symbol of hate.” In fighting for their own humanity, they are defamed, shot dead, hung. People who were predisposed to see themselves as allies to Black people “couldn’t understand the looting.” It didn’t make sense to them. It wasn’t productive, but when people, students and faculty, sit silently, peacefully, in honor and defense of the humanity of oppressed people, it earns

similar backlash. People can’t understand it.

My religious radicals teacher, Rev. Khristi Adams, told our class that we “have to make room” for people to react. We have to make room for anger, violence, and even peace. I argue that the most productive thing we can do is to make room for each other, for sit-outs, for marches, for noise, and for silence. Productivity cannot be measured; significance cannot be analyzed. Our community came together, and we mourned.

Maybe for some, that mourning inspired in them a desire to do better, a motivation to be a better ally. Or maybe it reaffirmed all the work they’ve been doing as being in the right direction.

The only fact that can be spoken about the sit-out was that it happened. People joined, they showed up and I think if everyone in our country were to show up for Breonna Taylor, we would be living in a different world. I think Hill is doing its part in that work by showing up.

It’s exactly what we need right now and by all standards productive.

AGAINST: “What is the point?”

By TOFE AKINYANMI ’23 GUEST CONTRIBUTOR

I mean, I learned “sit still be quiet” before multiplication. The school’s little “sit-out” didn’t achieve anything, it was a photo-op for the school, and, frankly, it seems the only result was patting a bunch of kids on the back and saying, “Hey! You’re an activist!” The government definitely won’t make a change because of it. So, what was the point? To show solidarity? If you want to show solidarity, then fight! Saying that we won’t stand for this, but not following through by doing anything is just hypocritical hogwash.

Civil disobedience has one necessary caveat. It needs to include disobedience. So, sitting around isn’t quite fitting the bill. One of the main factors in a protest that achieves something is breaking the rules. There’s a reason it’s called civil disobedience. A peaceful protest is hard to pull off, as it can easily turn violent.

But sometimes, the opposite problem occurs.

That is what happened at our school. It was too peaceful. Now don’t get me wrong, a sit-

out can be great when done right. But ours left a great bit to be desired. There was no disobedience involved. Were we sitting somewhere we weren’t allowed to be? No. Were we doing it at a time when we weren’t permitted to? No. So why even bother?

It wasn’t beneficial to ‘the cause’ (as it’s often referred to) so what was the point? Neither a protest nor a memorial. A silent echo of the turmoil of the outside world, except out there, people are doing things. They’re making a change. Us, the family boarding school? We’re just sitting around. So this is a call to action. If you want to make things better, make a change? Then do it. Donate. Write letters. Email your senators. But for the sake of the world, and our lives, know that just sitting around won’t make a change. Just following the rules won’t make a change.

I, of course, sympathize with the intention behind it, but ultimately, it amounted to nothing. I just wish we could have achieved something. Done something. Made a difference.

A campus sit out organized by Mofe Akinyanmi ’21 and Kendal Thomas ’21 was held on Oct. 7 in response to the acquittal of Breonna Taylor’s murderers. Taylor was a 26-year-old EMT who was shot and killed in her home in a botched raid by police.

Following nationwide protests, the sit out took place on the pathways lining the quad and drew in a physically distanced crowd of more than 100 people.

ILLUSTRTION BY PORTIA SOCKEL ’22

When will President Trump’s claims be taken seriously? The president shouts upon losing re-election

By IZZY FELDMAN ’21 STAFF WRITER

Before millions of ballots had even been processed, President Donald Trump declared victory on election night, in a public address to his supporters. “We were getting ready to win this election,” spoke Trump, “and frankly we did win this election.”

With cases of COVID-19 skyrocketing across the nation, a large percentage of voters took to voting via mailin-ballots, which delayed the results, as predicted.

As a consequence, votes from swing or battleground states came in at a slower pace.

On Saturday, Nov. 7, though, news sources such as the Associated Press, the New York Times, Fox News, CNN, etc. were able to declare former Vice President Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris as the President and Vice President-Elect,

with a Democratic win in the state of Pennsylvania.

Prior to Biden winning the presidency, Trump and his campaign managers had already declared victory in the electoral process.

When news channels and tech companies, such as FOX and Twitter, shut down the president’s claims as false––he and his administration called for the counting of ballots to end.

“We want all voting to stop. We don’t want them to find any ballots at 4 o’clock in the morning and add them to the list,” Trump said in the aforementioned public address.

Many predicted that if the election results leaned in Biden’s favor; or, more incriminatingly, showed that he had won, that President Trump would do exactly this–– claim fraud, and they were right.

So, what does this mean for our democra-

GRAPHIC BY CLAIRE HARTEMINK ’21

cy?

It means what most us have known all along, that Trump has never and is not willing to play by the rules of the Constitution. In fact, he promotes the very opposite.

He is a direct abridgement to our democracy.

He sees his presidency as a means for awarding people their liberty, though his policies and actions continue to contradict that. Now, he’s encroaching on the

democratic freedom to vote and the freedom for those votes to be counted in a presidential election.

The Washington Post commented on this hypocrisy in an article, writing that “Trump has shown once again he cares not about the Constitution or the stability and well-being of the country or anything like that … And so, he cries ‘fraud’ when there is no evidence whatsoever of

any such thing.”

Then again, this is Trump we’re talking about. Most of what he says is not taken seriously. So, do his claims have any real bearings on the results of this election?

The short answer–– it’s complicated.

Trump cannot legally operate on the basis that he won this election without the votes to support it. However, the president is actively perpetuating skepticism in his supporters. Now, with the outcome in favor of Biden, many of Trump’s supporters are refusing to accept the results, claiming that come January 2021, the president will be re-inaugurated.

“Trump has given his followers license to see anything other than a Trump victory as a stolen election,” wrote the Washington Post.

Though some are able to see recognize the absurdity of the president’s claims, millions of

his supporters are losing their faith in the democratic process. This action from the president doesn’t surprise me, but it is disheartening to see it realized, just as so many predicted it would be.

It makes me wonder about those who voted for his re-election, those who repeatedly justify his behavior by saying claiming that he isn’t serious. When or where the line will be drawn for them? When will he be taken seriously? If his refusal to condemn white supremacy on the debate stage wasn’t enough to convince the people of his apathetic character, the so-called voter fraud of this election likely won’t either.

And it’s not right.

November 18, 2020

The Hill News

C5 | Opinion

How to deal with COVID-19 Sixth Form Sentiment: Looking back on fall 2020

By SAM BECKETT ’22 STAFF WRITER

How could this have happened to me? I can’t do it. He ruined my day.

I wish I didn’t have to do this. WHY ME! As we navigate through the challenges and tribulations that life presents us, oftentimes many of us find ourselves reacting with this train of thought. It’s why some of us generally have a worse day when the sun isn’t shining, or we didn’t get that grade we thought we deserved on that test.

While sifting through normal, everyday life can be tiresome enough, treading through this year in light of a global pandemic makes it even easier to fall into these traps. The long list of rules we deem to be irrelevant and the often less than ideal conditions quickly come to mind.

People with a reactive mindset believe that what happens to them has a direct impact on their actions afterward. These people are controlled by their surroundings and therefore have no control over the direction of their life. They simply symbolize a puppet

controlled not by a puppeteer but instead by circumstances that are outside of their control. This proves to be troublesome as you unknowingly exert dependence upon the actions of others to determine your own. Furthermore, this thought process is much more prevalent in a group setting, where individuals often look to have their reactive mindset validated by others. This all causes a great deal of stress to the human body, and we all know the long term adverse effects of too much stress.

However, the good news is that you can grow out of this mindset and develop a proactive one.

This starts by acknowledging that you and only you are responsible for your actions. You have the free will to decide how you will react in certain situations and whether or not you do the right thing. By focusing on the things you can control you suddenly realize you have immense power over your own life. Instead of blaming others for your misfortunes, you realize that you have the power to correct and make the best

of them.

While in theory it sounds simple, in practice it is not so easy. It requires a great deal of self-awareness to catch reactive phrases you tell yourself and replace them with proactive ones. Instead of attending class because you have to, you attend class because you get such a special opportunity to be at such a prestigious school. Instead of not doing well in school because you’re “not smart”, focus on the things you can do to better prepare to be successful. While separate they seem mundane and irrelevant, compounded by several hundred decisions a day, seven days a week your outlook on life starts to be dramatically affected.

Finally, the most impactful thing you can do for yourself and others is to take action. By taking action no matter how small the task you create an environment where it’s okay for others to do the same.

Whether or not you agree with this philosophy is up to you, just don’t say you had to read this.

Respect and COVID-19: No, the two aren’t mutually exclusive

By CASSIDY BEEDING ’21 GUEST CONTRIBUTOR

“First impressions aren’t always the right ones,” wrote Anessa Amin in the fall of 2015 about the incoming class of 3rd formers, the then class of 2018. This “letter to the third form” was one steeped in annoyance about the blatant lack of disrespect running amuck on Hill’s campus at the time. The letter says much to the tune of 3rd formers needing to keep their heads down, obey the rules, wear the ugly skirts, and quit sitting at the high tables – essentially, “know thy place.”

Having been a 3rd former the year the class of 2018 graduated, I was stricken at the thought of some of my older peers publicly embarrassing me and my fellow classmates as Amin did in 2015. Acting what I now know was pretty irrationally, I made sure that my classmates and I were aware of this letter and actied in a way that wouldn’t have history repeating itself. I dutifully respected every 6th former I came in contact with and, as a good 3rd former, knew my place and knew it well.

As a 6th former now, though, metaphorically looking down upon the new incoming class of 2024 and 2023, I finally realize where Amin was coming from.

Yes, it is incredibly annoying when an underformer cuts the line in the Dining Hall, and yes, it is my opinion that 3rd formers should not be al-

ILLUSTRATION BY ELIZABETH HUDAK ’21

lowed to have UE booms on campus. But, all of that being said, my class doesn’t need to write a letter about these two classes and their tendency to be, well, 3rd and 4th formers.

That is just who they are right now, and while their youthfulness should be encouraged, not rejected, it should not be an excuse for disrespect of the upperclassmen, faculty members, or school rules.

The class of 2021 should lead by example in this weird, but very real, school year.

Despite the fact that the idea of COVID-19 intrudes upon most conversations around campus, this is not- and should not- be the only topic of discussion. Ideals that the Hill and its community hold dear – like respect, obedience and class - should still be at the forefront of all student’s

minds – including the 6th form. Just because this year is the “COVID-19 year” by no means means that a 3rd former should be allowed to talk back to a prefect. Just because this year has placed health at the forefront of our minds does not mean that it is okay to break the dress code because it has been deemed “not as important.”

This doesn’t only go for the class of 2024, though, but rather our community as a whole. We need to do better, and as a community, we need to respect one another and our places on this hallowed ground more. On this campus, everyone is entitled to respect, but the 6th form has been here long enough to earn it, too, and a pandemic should not change that.

By BELLA BASILE ’21 STAFF WRITER

As students flocked back to campus at the end of August, there was no possible conception of how life at Hill would function in the midst of a global pandemic, how classes and the academic schedule would fit community safety guidelines and restrictions was on everyone’s minds. While one can outwardly appreciate and be grateful to our community’s ability to conduct in person-classes and retain a new way of life throughout the COVID-19 era, the initial excitement of returning to campus and the school we love has significantly diminished as we have shifted from Autumn 1 to Autumn 2.

The start of Autumn 1 offered a new class schedule, trackers, WAVE and TRACE, unconventional seating and class locations, and unique fall afternoon activities. The excitement of simply being back on campus permeated throughout the school’s atmosphere as we began

to fall into a new kind of normalcy, where there were numerous aspects of Hill tradition and life to look forward to. Yet, as we have now transitioned towards the end of Autumn 2, there is an outward lack of enthusiasm not only towards classes but simply being on campus.

To be honest, it is completely understandable. As a sixth form class and members of the community, we are grateful to be here, but it is hard to feel heard when constantly reminded about how lucky we are to be here. Compared to three years of fall terms defined by the school-wide blue-out games, L-ville weekends, seated dinners with teams and advisories, and sharing blankets on the pitch with friends to watch scary movies, there has been very little to look forward to this fall. Due to the lack of beloved traditions and school spirit, this fall has been unfulfilling for most students, especially for us sixth formers.

It is not the fault of the school, as they are simply implementing these reg-

GRAPHIC BY CLAIRE HARTEMINK ’21

ulations and precautions for the better health of our community. However, the more time we spend in this new kind of daily life, the more that desire and enthusiasm to engage within the community has dwindled.

With that said, I pose a question to the Hill community, and specifically to the 6th form class- what can we do to make the most of the time we left? Whether it be the last couple of weeks before we leave for H-term, or the last five months we have left as students, it is up to us to decide.

The election is over, but the race against racism is not

By NOAH TOOLE ’22 STAFF WRITER

MORGANTOWN, Pa. — The election was one to remember. This election will be in the history books, and I’m proud to be living through it all. The majority of the country cheered as Joe Biden jumped past 270 votes; but I was home, peering through my window making sure everything was still normal.

I live in a suburban neighborhood where the majority of people who make up the population are Amish and white people.

My dad and mom have expressed how much they need to know where I am. I never thought of it as strict or controlling; it’s necessary and reassuring that my parents care about my safety.

The scariest part about where I reside is that there is an active Ku Klux Klan and white supremacist group nearby. Pennsylvania is home to a lot of hate groups, 36 to be exact(as reported in a 2018 study from the Southern Poverty Law

Center), and that can be quite eye-opening to hear about when regarding a state that seems so nice on the outside.

When Biden won the election as president-elect, I was texted by my dad to stay indoors.

He told me this because there was a message that described how these white supremacists would be hunting the streets for vulnerable and lonesome black kids if President Donald Trump did not win. I was scared but stayed calm especially for my little brother since we were home alone.

This is not a normal thing that everyone has to go through.

This shouldn’t be something that anyone has to go through.

As one of the only black families in my big neighborhood, we were one of the only Biden supporters. My neighborhood is still littered with Trump and MAGA flags and signs.

I am not bashing President Trump, but I am attesting how in my neighborhood my neighbors have shown faces and body language that makes me feel less

than. It’s not a good feeling to have when you are only trying to live your life like a normal teen.

Being black in rural and suburban Pennsylvania puts a target on your back, no matter if you are half white.

I was scared for my safety that day and always have to keep my head on a swivel when traveling in my town late at night. It is a constant reminder that our country needs more change.

This presidential election was one for the ages, and I truly feel that there will be change. As Joe Biden said at his speech after the victory, “I’ve lost a couple of times myself, but now let’s give each other a chance. It’s time to put away the harsh rhetoric, lower the temperature, see each other again, listen to each other again. And to make progress, we have to stop treating our opponents as our enemies.”

I completely agree with Biden, we need to give respect to one another in order to receive it. Although the election race is over, I feel that the race for equality and justice is not.

This graphic displays the number of hate groups, by state, on the Southern Poverty Law Center’s 2013 list, normalized to U.S. Census estimates for 2013. Graphic source: Derntno, via Wikimedia Commons

D6 | Arts & Leisure

ARTS & LEISURE The Hill News

November 18, 2020

Arts faculty put their talent to use for personal projects

By SARAH WISNESKI ’21 STAFF WRITER

Many in the Hill community can attest to the incredible talent and passion of three beloved art instructors - Senior Master of the Arts, Boyer Gallery Coordinator Ellen Nelson, Chair of the Arts Department, Athey Family Master of the Arts Diane Richards, and Oaklawn-Tuttle Director of Vocal Music, Athey Family Master of the Arts, Director of Afternoon Arts Yoon Soo Lim. Not only are these instructors heavily invested in teaching; they are also frequently involved in interesting creative projects outside of the classroom.

One of Nelson’s series, Body Wisdom, has been in the making for three years. Some students may recall when she showcased pieces from this series two years ago at Hill Forum.

Nelson uses biodegradable and sustainable materials to create pieces that allow her to “hone the connection between mind and body.” In her personal statement about the work, she explains: “I use my art to help me become more attuned to my body, to facilitate listening to it and hearing its’ voice.” She has made garments using oak leaves, sweet gum burrs, porcupine quills, and boiled wool; has eco dyed fabric using oak leaves and black walnuts, and has made sandals of pine with sycamore pod accents. Currently, she is working on Visages of Resilience, a series of portraits made of cut cloth. She chose cloth to symbolize our common humanity. The portraits celebrate fortitude and strength. She draws her inspiration from “people who show resilience in the face of challenges” and the portraits “reflect on how the human spirit prevails despite adverse conditions.” Nelson hopes the series will “inspire and instill hope in those who view the portraits.”

Lim has been playing the piano since she was ten. After only two years of lessons, she performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra. After graduating with a degree in piano performance and music history, she discovered a passion for teaching. One of Lim’s favorite memories is performing with her mother and daughter on stage. Her mother is a retired opera singer who earned her third master’s degree at age sixty-seven. She had to perform several recitals in order to receive her degree and asked Lim to accompany her during the final one. Lim stated, “ It was truly special to accompany my mom on the piano and sing with her that night. It was also special that my daughter also accompanied her on the guitar. I will never forget that three generations of women in our family stood on that big stage and performed together.” What an incredible experience that must have been!

When asked whether she has any dream project, concert, or collaboration, Lim replied, “Conducting a professional choir - that’s what I get to do someday!”

Two summers ago, Richards traveled to Iceland for an artisan residency. While apprehensive about spending a month in such an isolated area, she was curious to see how the new location would affect her work. “We were on the ocean, but then alongside of us was the mouth of a river that opened up into the sea, and so the tides, and the birds, were just so fascinating, and so everything changed.” Inspired by her environment, Richards “learned how to look and see the land differently.” She took many pictures, but her main project involved working with silk. “I was experimenting with two different processes that I never would have put together unless, I think, I was there and I was able to play and just have fun. I think in that playful time, I was able to just uncover other processes that I really still enjoy doing now.”

Her residency turned out to be an unforgettable experience that has had a lasting impact on her work.

ARTWORK BY AND PHOTOS COURTESY MRS. NELSON

The complete laptop guide for every student

By TERRY SHAO ’24

Artists

STAFF CONTRIBUTOR

As the prevailing coronavirus continues to warn us of the perils of nature, we are forced to stay at home and chat with our friends behind our computer screen.

But wait, you don’t have a computer. Don’t worry, we here at The Hill News are here to help you decide what laptop to get.

Everyday Use For all of you out there who want a computer solely for doing homework, browsing Reddit, or watching YouTube, you probably do not need a whole lot of cores or high clock speeds. With that in mind, buy a MacBook Air. It is lightweight, smooth on the interface, and boasts a matte finish.

If you are interested in Windows, however, I recommend the LG Gram or a budget Dell laptop. Both of these brands make sturdy and light laptops that you can safely use for two or three years.

Gamers I trust all of you reading this have played a video game in your life, and in fact, most of you probably play on the daily. People say PC gaming is dead, but I actually see more and more teenagers hop on the bandwagon and start gaming on their computer. If you are only playing normal games like Terraria and Fortnite, I suggest you get a Dell XPS or a Razer Blade Stealth. A MacBook may not be the best choice, since most games do not even run on macOS. If you want to up your game and play highly graphic-demanding games, there are a wide range of gaming laptops out there you can get. They might just be a little bulkier and heavier. Some brands I recommend are MSI, Razer, and Gigabyte.

Computer art has been increasingly popular in the last two or three years. It is not only Photoshop and Illustrator where artists work on their projects, they also use their devices as a mobile notebook or drawing paper. With all this in mind, I believe you only have one choice: the Microsoft Surface Laptop. Windows 10 is silky smooth and the pen that you can buy separately is amazingly amazing.

However, if you are really into drawing and “iPad lettering”, I suggest you get an iPad Pro. Procreate on the iPad works really well and is highly customizable, and I trust that you wouldn’t mind the $9.99 price tag when you already have a $799 “computer that is not a computer”, according to Apple.

However, if you are one of the professional photo students, you should get a more powerful device with a designated graphics card. I suggest the Razer Blade, the Dell XPS (no designated graphics but great speed and hardware), or the Apple MacBook Pro.

Beat Producers The beat producer is one of the unlisted jobs that surprisingly, makes you a good twenty thousand a year. Software has got to a point where half of your RAM might be used in the process of making a beat. This makes RAM management and battery capacity more of an issue when choosing a laptop for producers. First, I would suggest you get a Windows laptop, for the fact that MacBooks do not share the exact same file types as Windows laptops, and most producers happen to be working on Windows. With that said, I recommend the Dell XPS, Lenovo ThinkPad, or the Razer Blade as your producing rig.

Youtubers If you focus on video editing and do it for a living, I would again tell you to choose a mid to high-end laptop with a large battery. Get a MacBook Pro, Razer Blade, or Dell XPS.

ARTWORK BY AND PHOTOS COURTESY OF MRS. RICHARDS

Editors-in-Chief Elizabeth Liang Hudak ’21 Tess McArdle ’21 Features Olivia Mofus ’22

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Come to our meetings or contact a member of our staff. To submit a letter to the editors or an opinion piece, email ehudak21@thehill.org or tmcardle21@thehill.org

November 18, 2020

The Hill News

A guide to spending time with friends during COVID-19

By PAIGE TIMBROOK ’22 STAFF CONTRIBUTOR

Overjoyed at the news in early July, providing us with a plan to return to the Hill School for in-person learning, students also had to prepare for the 2020-2021 school year to look completely different compared to previous years. Staying six feet apart, wearing a mask, no seated lunches, the list goes on. With regard to the COVID-19 safety measures, the Hill School faculty as well as students have developed new ways to spend time with friends.

Director of Student Enrichment David Hoffman ‘01 said, “our biggest challenge is: how do you run a program that does not feel recycled?”

Restricting group sizes, taking precautions to avoid close contact and not having the ability to take students off campus is certainly not ideal.

In addition to this, conducting events with shared objects proved to be very difficult, especially in the beginning of the year.

However, the Student Life Association has discovered solutions over the past

few months, as Hoffman explained, “We are using pool noodles to tag people in manhunt so there is no physical contact.”

According to Hoffman, some of the safest activities on campus include: NFL games, college football games, matinee evening movies and the NFL playoffs in the CFTA. Hanging out with friends in the headmaster’s garden and watching the movie on the Quad also follow all COVID guidelines.

We have been blessed with great weather almost every single weekend, making it easier to keep as many students outside as possible.

- Director of Student Enrichment David Hoffman ’01

That being said, students from all grades have come up with their own forms of entertainment. Below are a few ways to spend time with friends in a COVID-friendly manner:

Sports Whether it is going to the far fields to play hockey and lacrosse, running around the indoor track or playing basketball at the Sweeney Gym, playing sports is an efficient way to occupy extra time as long as students remain six feet apart from others. “My friends and I enjoy going to the farfields. I love going to the far fields because we are all just together and we don’t have to wear masks if we stay physically distant from each other,” MaryKate Barnhart ‘24 said.

The Headmaster’s Garden In contrast to recent years, the Headmaster’s Garden has definitely become a popular spot for students to safely spend time together on campus.

While sitting around the cozy fire in adirondack chairs, students communicate with each other and laugh all night long. “It is a good place to sit around and talk while staying properly physically distanced,” Tess Mcardle ‘21 remarked. How can blasting music and roasting marshmallows with fondue on the side not make for a perfect, germ-free Saturday night?

Bingo & Trivia With the introduction of bingo and trivia games, students have gladly taken this opportunity to embrace their competitive spirit, knowing they have a chance to win a variety of cool prizes. “Getting to go to bingo and trivia has been a lot of fun because this is something I have not done in past years,” Tess McArdle ‘21 stated. Remaining six feet apart on the seal patio, the faculty provides students with a pencil and paper to write down the trivia answers to avoid collecting germs on reusable boards. The students enjoy this time to laugh with friends and guess who will be the champion at the end of the game.

D7 | Arts & Leisure

90s grunge undergoes a renaissance

By MOFE AKINYANMI ’21 ARTS & LEISURE EDITOR

London-based rising altrock star, Bea Kristi, better known by the moniker “Beabadoobee,” is one of many young artists bringing grunge back into the mainstream. Kristi came into popularity after a remix of her song ‘Coffee’(which was the first song she had ever written) called ‘deathbed’ by the lo-fi rapper Powfu went viral on the video-sharing app, TikTok. Since then, she has released 3 EPs and on October 16th2020, she released her debut album, “Fake It Flowers.”

Kristi’s music is characterized by raw, vulnerable lyrics and unique melodies. The use of pedals in her music shows the shoegaze influence, and her utilization of alternate tunings shows the impact of bands like the Smashing Pumpkins, Pavement, and similar indie-rock pioneers on her music. In her project before “Fake It Flowers”, “Space Cadet”, we see for the first time what Kristi is truly capable of. With catchy tunes like

“She Plays Bass” and “Wish I Was Stephen Malkmus,” she is able to reach her full potential with a complete band at her disposal. In “Fake It Flowers”, one witnesses Kristi fully come into her sound.

The production on the album is 90s-reminiscent, but Kristi’s instrumentation has a unique flair. Some of the most notable tracks in my opinion were ‘Dye It Red’, ‘Sorry’, and ‘How Was Your Day?’ Dye It Red is written in honor of one of Kristi’s friends who was stuck in an abusive relationship. I felt that the song was truly empowering, and I enjoyed the solo. In Sorry, her emotion rings true in her voice and in lyrics such as “To think I was just like you, All alone, skin to bone” and the usage of strings is truly beautiful. In ‘How Was Your Day?’, Kristi returns to her acoustic roots, and the usage of a four-track recorder adds another layer of authenticity to the song. I truly enjoyed this album, and I look forward to seeing what lies in Kristi’s future.

Netflix Watching television shows on Netflix accompanied by friends in the common room of the dorm is always enjoyable. “My friends and I love watching the Vampire Diaries and Criminal Minds together in the common room,” Maddy Timbrook ‘23 said. By staying physically distanced and keeping their masks on, students can lounge around on a rainy day and watch a variety of their favorite shows.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GOOGLE IMAGES

Comic Corner

COMIC BY TINA WANG ’22

SPORTS

E8 | Sports

The Hill News

November 18, 2020

Fall sports’ debut falls back yet again Wrestling while social distancing

By HANNAH GORDON ’21 STAFF WRITER

You may dream of scoring the winning goal in overtime of a playoff game, or being cheered on by hundreds of students after beating Lawrenceville during your 6th form year. Hundreds of Hill students also play club sports in the fall, but are unable to do so if they wish to be in-person for classes. It is no secret that this rule has caused extreme frustration for many in the student body, especially since school competition was cancelled but many club teams continue to play. This frustration is evident due to the popular petition made that called on the school to allow athletes to attend in-person classes while also going off campus for club competition. Although this petition did not change the rules regarding club athletics, it did show athletes’ crave for competition. Although fall sports teams’ games had been put on pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, recently some hope has come their way.

“Nothing has changed in terms of our desire to support competition if it’s safe and healthy to do so. But we need to make sure we can be able to do that,” explained Athletic Director Seth Eilberg.

First level risk sports, such as golf, cross country and tennis, are able to compete safely and will continue to do so as long as the special precautions that were put in place are followed. Tennis is playing with two cans of balls, one for each team, and you may only serve using your own can.

Cross country is competing on the same course back to back instead of running shoulder to shoulder.

“Things have been going really well so our decision was that based on really positive health standards, both at Hill and in the larger community, along with confidence that things were in a good place,” Eilberg said. “The reality

that we found out from our league was that we wouldn’t be able to get competition for our fall teams in the spring. We viewed this as our best chance to get competition.”

Second level risk sports, soccer and field hockey, had the opportunity to play other schools but competition was cancelled due to a student who tested positive due to COVID-19. According to Kerry Elliot ’23, the field hockey team was on their way to brunch before they boarded the bus to their game against Wyoming Seminary when they received news of the student and case that caused their game to be canceled. Eilberg explained that once notified of the positive test that morning, Hill had to go through a contact tracing process and “the school could not send out groups to other campuses and communities without knowing what the close contacts would’ve been.” While it was disheartening for the players to have their game cancelled, the school will continue to “reassess community health to decide if we should resume scrimmaging. We won’t scrimmage unless we can actually have competition,” Eilberg said.

Third level risk sports include football and water polo. These sports are a much higher level of risk than others and have less available competition. Eilberg is hopeful that there will be a chance for the water polo teams to compete in the spring. As for football, he does not believe games will be able to proceed as normal in spring. However, he is hopeful that Hill will be able to provide football players with showcases and exposure, which may mean playing seven-on-seven games rather than the standard eleven-on-eleven.

While there have been many setbacks and disappointments for fall athletes, many of them are staying positive and feel that the fall season has been productive in regards to training.

By SAM BECKETT ’22 STAFF WRITER

As I breathed in the crisp and reassuring South Carolina air, I couldn’t contain my excitement for what was to come. After more than a seven-month hiatus from competition, the opportunity to compete on the mat in the middle of a global pandemic had adrenaline pulsating from the tip of my head to the ends of my toes. Usually held in North Carolina, Super 32 is widely considered to be the best high school wrestling tournament in the country. With over 2,000 wrestlers hailing from 46 states, wrestling fans around the country would be holding the edges of their seats from the opening whistle.

Firstly, however, the task of making weight remained. Although often deemed to be the most notorious and controversial portion of the sport, when performed safely I believe it teaches discipline, hard work, and impressive levels of dedication. With the

weigh-in scheduled for six that night, a morning run in the hot October heat proved to be sufficient. The first day proved to be full of ups and downs, as two early wins were followed by a loss in the round of sixteen to nationally ranked Iowa State Commit Paniro Johnson. Thankfully, however, I was able to bounce back and defeat Harvard commit Evan Gleason to secure my spot in the top sixteen and make it to the second day.

Although I lost my first match on the second day, the weekend as a whole proved to be a great learning experience and give me a good taste of where I’m at.

While I’m not yet where I want to be, to know I’m that close will provide a tremendous amount of motivation headinginto these winter months. Along with my brother Ben, three other teammates from Hill competed at the event with Kelvin Griffin even bringing home a medal.

Along with fall athletes, athletes whose sports are in the winter or spring have started practicing. PHOTOS BY CLAIRE HARTEMINK ’21

Athlete spotlight: Isabelle DiLiberti ’21

By ELLA GRINDLE ’24 STAFF CONTRIBUTOR

She may be new, but she’s certainly no rookie. As Isabelle DiLiberti ‘21 skates onto the rink, her mind fixes on the ice, and the puck. For the next 2 hours, she and her teammates will skate, shoot and sweat to prepare for the next match.

Originally from San Diego, DiLiberti has been playing ice hockey since she was five years old. While in San Diego, she was often the only girl on the team. However this did not deter her passion for the sport. In 6th grade, her family moved to Belgium where she continued to play hockey, and in her freshman year she joined the French National Team. In 2019, she went on to play for France in the Ice Hockey U18 Women’s World Championship, and was recruited to play for Hill by Head Girls Ice Hockey Coach Ari Baum from there.

Before Hill, Isabelle had never gone to a private school, and certainly never imagined herself at a boarding school. She explained that back in Belgium, she

Before coming to Hill, DiLiberti played for Meijer 19U AAA PHOTO COURTESY OF ISABELLE DILIBERTI ’21

attended a public Catholic school that was structured similar to most American public schools. She was not considering other schools in the United States when Baum reached out to her through Instagram and expressed interest. Originally, DiLiberti declined the school’s offer, but decided to accept when COVID hit. Now, she does not regret her choice.

Entering Hill as a senior, DiLiberti acclimated to the community quickly. She enjoys getting to see her friends and engage in all of the activities that Hill has to offer.

Despite the unusual conditions that the year presents, she finds herself grateful to be in a community with coaches who really care about her not just as a player, but a person. When questioned about this, she mentions a phrase her friend taught her, “Ubuntu,” which roughly translates to, “I am, because we are.”

“That’s really big here, it’s just making us all around better athletes, and better students, and better people in general.”

When asked about the team dynamic DiLiberti mentioned, “There’s a big emphasis on playing ‘for’ the Hill, not just ‘at’ the Hill … you play for something greater than yourself.” Her coaches share similar thoughts and note how DiLiberti contributes to this dynamic. Assistant Girls Ice Hockey Coach Megan Toomey said, “She’s proud to be here, and wants to do everything to make use of the opportunity.”

Her other coaches agree, and were happy to elaborate on DiLiberti’s position in the team dynamic. When asked how she affects the team’s energy, Baum said, “She’s incredibly important, especially for a new player. When interacting with her teammates she has a very genuine energy. It’s infectious.” When asked how hockey has impacted her life, she responded, “It’s given me a goal to work for, there are so many skills in hockey that you can translate to life, like how to work with a team.”

Ben Beckett ‘23 attempts a to come out on top of a scramble. PHOTO BY SAM BECKETT‘22

Sam Beckett ‘22 attempts an elbow pass in an early round match. PHOTO BY BEN BECKETT‘23

Sam Beckett ‘22 trots back to the center of his first round match. PHOTO BY BEN BECKETT‘23