THE HILL NEWS VERBA VOLANT, SCRIPTA MANENT
VOLUME CXXVII. NO.5
February 8, 2022
Authority and Social Control Editor’s note
I grew up in Shanghai and went to schools that were in the system. My public elementary school was huge: each grade had 16 classes, and each class had 35 to 40 students. Under the authoritarian system, every student had a homeroom. They didn’t go to different classrooms for classes, but rather teachers moved from classroom to classroom to teach classes. In elementary school, the first thing we were taught to do is to abide by rules and orders: Whatever the teacher says is always the right thing, and we should do it involuntarily. The school emphasized unification, where everyone had the same clothing and the same haircut and studied together in the same homeroom classroom. We also had a flag-raising ceremony every Monday, where all classes came out to the playground with neat lines, just like the military. I was the flag bearer, and I remember that it was such an honor for me to bear the national flag on my chest and hand it off to the flag raiser. The Chinese education system didn’t fit me. I didn’t like being confined in a classroom. However, the education system produced very diligent scholars. It was just not for me. With many Hill students coming from other systems of governments, we think that it is important to educate ourselves about the cultural and political differences on campus. We took a comparative approach to show daily aspects of life under various political regimes and to give insight into the countries’ culture and institutions. —Off-Campus News Editor Jason Zhou ’23
Members of Hill’s DEI gather in the Warner Center to watch Anthony Ray Hinton’s livestream on Zoom.
PHOTO BY MONIYAH PERSON-HENDERSON ’23
Hill celebrates inclusion week with Martin Luther King Jr. Day programming By MONIYAH PERSON-HENDERSON ’23 STAFF WRITER
The week of Jan. 16 was truly impactful for many Hill students across campus. The Hill School started the week by having Michael Tennant ‘00, the CEO of Curiosity Lab, facilitate “A Model for Empathy” at 7:45 p.m. via Zoom on Sunday, Jan. 16. Students learned how to empathize with others using Tennant’s interactive card game, Actually Curious. Continuing through the week, on Monday, Jan. 17 advisory groups watched the movie “Just Mercy,” a 2019 film about a young lawyer named Bryan Stevenson who heads to Alabama to defend those on death row who were wrongfully convicted or could not afford proper legal representation. Virtual students participated in this viewing by watching the movie through
the school’s classroom streaming service, Swank. Portia Sockel ’22, a student in Diane Richards’ advisory, described this film as “deep and real.” This year Hill started “Courageous Conversations” where advisories gather and talk about serious topics such as racism, disabilities, sexism and more. The movie brought up meaningful discussions in advisories and got students to engage and learn different opinions. “I thought the movie as a whole was phenomenal. It is one of those stories that is so captivating and unbelievable that it was difficult to imagine being true. I found myself experiencing emotions I had not felt in a long time: a strange amalgamation of anger, sadness, discomfort,
and anxiety for the characters,” Sela Muto ‘23, a remote student, stated in a text. “The fact that so many innocent black men were sentenced to years of waiting for their execution day is absurd. How does a system as important as the justice system experience so many failures? The story was beautifully told, and I found the relationship between Johnny D, Herb, and Anthony Ray Hinton so heartwarming, especially after reading about Hinton’s freedom in ‘The Sun Does Shine.’” After watching the film, many students began counting down the days until they would hear Hinton speak live about his experience via Zoom. When the day finally came, positive feedback was received. Maggie Classon, a 5th form day student, watched the livestream with her mother at home. “Mr. Hinton was an ex-
cellent speaker and inspired me to learn more about the death penalty and what I can do, as a member of my community, to help prevent further injustice,” Classon said. “It inspired my mom to want to read his book as well!” The week concluded with the “Writing for Social Change” event. The workshop demonstrated how students can help influence social change through letters, articles, reports, public testimony and other forms of writing. Students wrote to local officials on various issues to end MLK week. ”The ‘Writing for Social Change’ event was a great introduction to the world of social change through direct action. Dr. Miller did an excellent job of teaching us how to write an effective letter to our representatives,” stated David Slavtcheff ‘24.
Looking into the lens of injustice: an exclusive interview with Anthony Ray Hinton By ELLA GRINDLE ’24 STAFF WRITER
The Hill School community recently welcomed author and former inmate Anthony Ray Hinton as a guest speaker. At the age of 29, Hinton was incarcerated and sentenced to death for a crime that he did not commit. It would take him 30 years to prove his innocence and be released as a free man. Now, Hinton travels Tensions are at an all-time high be- the world speaking out about racism in tween the nations of the world, and that the justice system and educating audihostility has seeped into the 2022 Beijing ences about his experience on death row. Winter Olympics. Set against a backdrop of political turmoil and uncertainty, it seems Unbossed: Rev. Khristi that 2022’s Winter Olympics are turning Adams uncovers the out to be a political battleground. narratives of young, Black, A routine flag-raising ceremony was held every Monday at Jincai Elementary Primary School in Shanghai. Students and teachers line up neatly on the playground. PHOTO COURTESY OF JASON ZHOU ’23
Beijing Olympics boycott will prove unsuccessful
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I did not commit.” That seems to catch people’s attention; after, they have wide eyes and want to talk. They will ask, “How do you spend 30 years on death row, and what did you do to survive?” Sometimes it makes them cry, and they walk away feeling sad, but I believe that we need to get to know one another. There’s nothing I’m ashamed of, so I’ll just be open with people. Grindle: How do you like to spend your time? Do you see (your best friend) Lester often? Hinton: I see him every day, I talk
to him every day. We live about 50 yards from one another. He has retired, but I still have to work towards retirement, so every day during my lunch break I’ll call him up and ask how he’s doing. I truly wish everyone could experience the friendship we have. We’ve been friends for 63 years, and there’s nothing we can’t talk about. What I love about our relationship is that we disagree a lot, but we don’t disagree to fall out. We have always made a promise to never go to bed angry at each other. Continued on Page A2
“Euphoria” romantizes drug use
female leaders
U.S. politics evolve in an authoritarian direction
Authoritarianism is not a trait unique to the Republican party, but rather a frightening shift in the way in which modern American politicians carry themselves in their pursuit of political power.
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More content on C4&C5
He also works closely alongside the Equal Justice Initiative, the legal organization which helped to prove his innocence, to raise awareness about the death penalty and it’s concequences. Hinton agreed to do an exclusive feature for The Hill News, of which an excerpt is included below. Ella Grindle: How would you introduce yourself to someone new, and what would you tell them about yourself? Anthony Ray Hinton: I would say, “My name is Anthony Ray Hinton. I’ve been out for six years now, but I spent 30 years on Alabama death row for a crime
CAMPUS NEWS | Page A2
SATIRE: Dear Blue: Valentine’s Day Advice
Club sports increase exposure for recruitment and COVID-19
So, to all you hot teens out there – have fun, love each other, love yourselves, and treat every day like Valentine’s Day (but not in front of me, please).
Although some mandates are being lifted and vaccines have been administered, the regulations regarding club sports are ever-changing.
FEATURES | Page B3
OPINION | Page D6
SPORTS | Page F8
Campus News
The Hill News | A2
Unbossed: Rev. Khristi Adams uncovers the narratives of young, Black, female leaders By ELLA GRINDLE ’24
Rev. Khristi Adams’ new book highlights young, Black women who are demanding changes through activism. PHOTO COURTESY OF REV. ADAMS
STAFF WRITER
Rev. Khristi Adams is the Hill’s Dean of Spiritual Life & Equity, leading the Warner Center for diversity, equality, and inclusion. PHOTO BY ANNA CARROLL ’23
“The idea was to focus on girls that were leading in different areas, and there is a particular focus and emphasis on Gen Z,” Adams explained. The book highlights the accomplishments of these eight young, Black girls, each with a different focus. Furthermore, the book addresses the intersections between race and gender in accomplishment through recounting specific hardships each activist encountered during their career. One such example is Amara, a first-generation Nigerian climate activist living in Maine. ”By nature of where she lives, she grew up with a real love for her environment. She has wanted to focus on that, but it’s almost been inevitable that the racial issues that she’s experienced have intersected with her climate justice activism,” Adams explained. “Unbossed” is not the first of Adams’s publications. In February 2020, Adams’s book “Parable of the Brown Girl: The Sacred Lives of Girls of Color” was released and grew to popularity over the summer. Unlike “Unbossed,” “Parable” takes a more theological theme, discussing the
Looking into the lens of injustice: an exclusive interview with Anthony Ray Hinton Continued from Front Page
Grindle: Do you still talk to (your lawyer) Bryan Stevenson? Are you currently involved in any EJI initiatives? Hinton: Not only do I have the privilege of talking to God’s greatest lawyer, I have the privilege of working with him every day. I work at EJI with Stevenson, and I am what they call the community educator. I go out to schools, colleges, businesses and talk about the unfairness of the justice system, as well as my own experiences. It’s been a wonderful experience to meet people and just give them knowledge about the system as a whole. I couldn’t work for a better person than Mr. Stevenson, someone that is dedicated to serving the poor. I look at this man, and he could be working for any law firm in this country, but then he chose to work for the poor and not get paid for it. I think the world of him, and I always say: He’s my lawyer first, brother second, friend third. Grindle: What are your thoughts on ignorance, especially when addressing those who will never be able to relate to your goals, fears, and experiences and instead only listen? Hinton: When I run across someone who is ignorant, my response is to continue to tell the truth. The truth has a way of convicting all of us; we may not want to admit it in the open. I meet people that are for the death penalty. Then, when I tell them my story, I watch as their face changes. When I tell them the ups and downs of the justice system as well as the death penalty and
Students in Media Arts craft audiovisual afternoons By TOFE AKINYANMI ’23
STAFF WRITER
In today’s world of widespread cultural communication, it is not uncommon to see informal terms like “queen,” “icon” or “girlboss” used to uplift a female audience. However, when asked to assign these terms to a subject, many think of older, outstanding women who have already made their marks. Hill’s own Rev. Khristi Adams challenges this outlook in her new book, “Unbossed: How Black Girls are Leading the Way,” which explores the fascinating stories of eight young, Black leaders who are changing the world. Adams’ “Unbossed” journey began during the racial justice movement of 2020, as thousands of marches occurred globally against police brutality and racial injustice. Adams remarked, ”I would watch these marches and social movements led by teenagers and then being led by teenage girls.” This notion of a young generation of females who are taking control over their nation’s culture set “Unbossed” underway. Over the course of the next few months, Adams reached out to many young leaders, asking them to share their stories, their values, and their power with the audience.
February 8, 2022
I ask them one question: Imagine if I had been your father, how would you feel about the death penalty then? I truly believe that we must learn to respect and love one another and that the death penalty will solve no problems. In fact, it creates problems. Every time the state of Alabama executes a man it costs taxpayers $2 million dollars. I want to say this if I say nothing else: There’s over 200 men and women on Alabama death row. At $2 million dollars per person we could build schools, give teachers a raise, put computers in schools, even help fund other infrastructure. At the end, when we execute someone, ask yourself what did we gain by killing someone? Grindle: Mr Hinton, where do you see yourself in five years? Hinton: I see myself retired hopefully, or traveling through this country and enjoying the land that God had created. I want to see the forests and the mountains and to be able to relax and enjoy life as best as I can. Anthony Ray Hinton’s experiences on death row are something that most will never relate to; however, it is important to stay educated on the injustice of the legal system, especially on communities of color and poverty. Now a free man, Hinton continues raise awareness about the death penalty and how society can work past this atrocious punishment toward a better future for all. Hinton’s book “The Sun Does Shine ‘’ is available for purchase; for more information on Hinton’s initiatives, go to eji.org.
profound relationships between young women of color and God. “I had to think to myself, what impacted me, what has really stood out? They were so impactful too, because I wanted to tell their stories in a really profound way. So, knowing them, it was easy for me to go back and write their stories as the content really gave way to itself,” Adams expressed. A similar notion can be asserted regarding “Unbossed.” When asked to comment about the messages, or what she would like the audience to take away, Adams said, ”For me, I think it’s important for one 15-year-old to see another 15-yearold doing significant work. To know that there are young, Black girls your age, and your generation doing the hard work, and you can too. You don’t have to wait; if you have an idea you can start now.” “Unbossed: How Black Girls are Leading the Way” will be released on March 8, which is National Women’s Day. These profound stories of young black activists will serve as an inspiration to young girls everywhere as they change the world “unbossed.”
While students around the Hill spend their afternoons dribbling balls, running laps, and singing songs, some work in room 313, recording and editing. The Silverstein Media Arts Collaborative is an opportunity for Hill students to collaborate in various media art formats. It was founded by Allen Silverstein, a parent with two sons who attended the Hill School and who wanted to work on films. To fund their opportunity, Silverstein created the SMAC, enlisting a teacher he was acquainted with to head up the project. Ned Ide, in addition to heading the SMAC, has an interest in podcasts and writes screenplays, making him the perfect choice to assist students in developing their media-based works. This year’s group is comprised of John Ju ’23, Nate Whittemore ’23, Harry Winter ’22, Luke Gerdeman ’23, and Olivia Mofus ’22, who is currently the co-editor-in-chief of The Hill News. They’re working on projects concerning audio, film, screenwriting, and manga.
One such project is an attempt to reconcile the serious and ridiculous sides of the podcast world. Ju teamed up with Aidan Ma ‘23 and Rosa Rodriguez ’23 to create a podcast called “Happy[er].” It’s a chill talk about teenage life with six episodes recorded so far on topics like anxiety, food, and travel. Ju spends his SMAC time working on editing and other aspects, like creating their title card. On the visual side of things, Whittemore and Gerdeman are collaborating on the only multi-person project this year, a short film about relationships and boarding school. They both work as producers, directors, writers, actors and editors. Their project has evolved from where they began, but they are enjoying the process of learning more about themselves and each other through it. They’re exploring different aspects of cinematography through their work. “The Silverstein Media Arts Collaborative is a testament to our human capacity for creativity and possibility. We’re a small unit, but we have big dreams. Together, we keep dreams alive and actualized,” Ide said.
Ned Ide (far right) and the Silverstein Media Arts Collaborative members John Ju ‘23, Harrison Winter’ 22, Olivia Mofus’ 22, and Luke Gerdeman’ 23 discuss the new media project. PHOTO BY JENNIE KI ’23
Dr. Miller shares her experience with the Writing Center and plans for the future By CLAIRE WANG ’24 STAFF WRITER
The Humphrey Family Writing Center has always been home to all writers at The Hill School; it is a place in which they unfold their talents and express their passion toward writing. Since the beginning of the academic year, the Writing Center has been holding intriguing workshops and activities that have attracted many students to participate, including a comedy workshop and one on writing for social change. Dr. Catriona Miller, co-director of the Writing Center and the Humphrey family visiting scholar, shared her thoughts and plans for the Writing Center in the near
future. “For April, Dr. Pearson and I are talking about doing something with poetry and with Earth Day. April is a month about environmental issues, and I’m thinking about bringing in someone who can actually talk about it,” Miller said. In retrospect, Miller described her experience with activity planning for the Writing Center. “I actually had a student who told me that she would like to see a slam poetry or spoken word poetry event, and I was looking for someone to do a workshop,” Miller explained, “But in that process, I came across the poet laureate of Philadelphia, Cydney Brown, and, since she’s a high schooler and lives locally, I thought that would be really cool to bring her in
Dr. Catriona Miller (left) and Mia Keane ’22 (right) speak together at the Jan. 21 “Writing for Social Change” workshop as students discuss social issues. PHOTO BY CLAIRE WANG ’24
and have a spoken word and open mic night that features an established poet but someone that’s still in high school.” Miller also mentioned that she invited Hill Alum Max Barth to do a comedy workshop. “Because I’m new and I don’t know about all the clubs on campus, I found out that there was a comedy club, so it actually worked out really well,” Miller said. Luke Gerdeman ’23, the president of the comedy club, believed that the workshop was a great opportunity for him and members of the club to approach comedy in a more professional way. “It’s nice to hear different perspectives on comedy and working in it as a professional space, just because there are so many different people who had very different journeys,” Gerdeman said. Apart from the activities, Miller introduced a new leadership position for students who are passionate about writing. “Students from each form will lead between the Writing Center and the student body. We would hope to have meetings with them regularly next year, and they would help to say, like, our form would be really interested in doing a Writing Center event centered around a particular topic.” Arwen Lutwyche ’22 shared her thoughts on working as a Writing Fellow this school year. “When people learn things, they learn it better if they figure it out themselves,” Lutwyche said. “It’s not just a proofreading thing; it’s improving their writing skills.”
Features
February 8, 2022
B3 | The Hill News
Head of School Zack Lehman turns teacher with new film course By IBRAHIM EKMEKCI ’25 STAFF WRITER
ILLUSTRATION BY ANGIE CHI ’23
SATIRE: Dear Blue: Valentine’s Day Advice By ANONYMOUS Hill students, do you smell that? Love is in the air … and in the Student Center, the quad, the pitch, the Map Room, the Dining Hall, the library, the Upper School portico (especially there), and everywhere else adults aren’t. Valentine’s Day is upon us and coming in fast. Firstly, I want to say that I do not intend to offend anyone who enjoys this holiday. I concede that it can be a great way to liven up these boring winter months and to get ready for what’s actually important: St. Patrick’s Day. But then again, this is a satire – so deal with it. Now, let’s get into it. It’s very hard to maintain a private relationship in a school where everyone knows everything at all times. So the Couples of the Hill™ collectively decided: “To heck with privacy!” and have run with that declaration ever since. It is not a bad thing. In fact, I catch myself silently rooting for many of these #HillCouples. We love you all! I want to see you have a great Valentine’s Day. However, you seem pretty well-adjusted, so I guess I only have one suggestion: please stay around 10 feet away from the rest of us – and maybe pick up the pace a little. I love you! But I have to focus on those who need advice more. As for the rest of you … let’s be honest
with ourselves. You probably won’t spontaneously find a romantic partner in the week before Valentine’s. And that’s okay too. Life is not “How to Build a Better Boy” and you are not China Anne McClain (or whoever the main character was). Still, that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Here’s some semi-concrete advice. 1) Don’t pay attention to TV or movies. It only makes you feel bad when reality doesn’t meet your raised expectations. If you catch yourself thinking “I can change him,” then please reevaluate (or run). 2) Show your friends and family some love. Valentine’s Day isn’t just about receiving love but giving it as well. Even if you get nothing, you can always spread some McLovin’ to others. If still adamant about romance, never fear! You may not have known that Hill has its own Tinder, but we do. It’s called “Snapchat,” and students can use it to get properly acquainted with each other. Valentine’s Day can be the start of a great relationship too, not just the culmination of one. So, to all you hot teens out there – have fun, love each other, love yourselves, and treat every day like Valentine’s Day (but not in front of me, please). If you want to submit your question, go to tinyurl.com/dearblue.
Adelyn Sim ’24 becomes published author By JEREMY LEE ’24 STAFF WRITER
“We would like to publish your story.” When Adelyn Sim saw an unexpected message from her phone, it took awhile for her to realize what this “story” was. Sim was part of a gifted arts program in fifth grade where she was given the opportunity by her teacher to write her own children’s book and publish a few personal, non-sale copies. The book “Giraffe’s Wings” covers the captivating story of a giraffe’s journey to fly in the beautiful sky; it is a story that gives hope to children to not be afraid of hardships and to work hard to achieve their dreams. During the winter of 2021, far after the original book had deeply faded in
Sim’s memory, she received a call from an unknown number. After ignoring the call several times, Sim eventually heard from her mom that the call she had been ignoring was from a chief editor in a publishing company who wanted to publish “Giraffe’s Wings.” The chief editor happened to listen to a lecture by Sim’s fifth grade teacher and was immediately inspired by Sim’s book. The process of editing the original copy didn’t take long, but it took a whole year for the book to be published because a separate illustrator worked on the images. Along with the original Korean version, Sim has made an English version that comes as a complimentary gift when purchasing the Korean book. “It was unexpected, but I’m glad it happened,” Sim said, happy that she got the chance to relive a part of her childhood.
“Giraffe’s Wings” inspires children to not succumb to adversity.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ADELYN SIM ’24
Zack Lehman, Hill’s head of school, is now teaching a film course. After teaching this subject in his previous school, he said that the class is his first time teaching in 10 years. “I am looking forward to interacting with students as a teacher rather than the Head of School,” Lehman added. As discussed in his 2021 Chapel Talk, Lehman has always had a passion and a special interest in the subject of cinema. In recent months, however, he has gained a greater appreciation through teaching students – both physically and via Zoom. “This introductory level filming class teaches students about the fundamental skills of filmmaking and visual telling. Students must take this course for at least two semesters consecutively in order to complete this program,” Lehman said. “Students who learn the basic concepts about cinematography at the beginning of the course use these new skills they
have acquired over the course of time.” Lehman also said the primary objective of this class is to tell stories and express emotions via filming. In the course, students learn techniques suitable for today’s filmmaking by working individually or as a group. Furthermore, Brody Intern Nathan Taubkin is assisting the class. “In this class, students comprehend the correct use of light, camera settings and appropriate editing skills for the videos which they shoot. Mr. Lehman and I are focusing on the notion of collaboration. I emphasize the significance of collaborating with team members, and students can only develop their skills working together in accordance,” Taubkin said. Furthermore, Taubkin added that there is no prerequisite for the class and that they already have nine students from different forms. Explaining that these students have made great progress, Mr. Taubkin said he is looking forward to the participation of new students.
Hill’s new film class is conducted in the school’s Media Lab.
PHOTO BY IBRAHIM EKMEKCI ’25
Students who are in this class appreciate the program and what is being taught. Atticus Short ’24 is one of the students who are in this course. He said, “This class helped me to develop my skills based on my filming. I enjoy filming and I had a filming background about this area.” Short also shared some information about the course curriculum: “At the beginning of the class, our teachers demonstrated how to use the professional cameras and film editing programs. Besides, we had quizzes and assignments about the basic principles of filmmaking based on what we have learned. After the first two weeks passed, we started to make our first filming project with a group of people. Right now we are working on a filming project and we have to describe the emotion which is laid in the poem in a certain amount of time.” Short also mentioned, “The main focus of this class is to express certain emotions about events with cameras by shooting with appropriate angles. The video producer should communicate with the audience to tell his true feelings about the event.” For those who have not experienced this before, Short said that they should not be afraid. He clarified that “starting from the beginning of the year our teachers help us to shoot professionally and the basics of the camera. In the lesson, we learn what needs to be done, from the simplest skill to creating professional work. This class does not only consist of recording footage with cameras, but also creating artworks that imply certain types of emotions.”
Bryan Stevenson is on a mission for equal justice for the unfairly incarcerated By CLAIRE WANG ’24 STAFF WRITER
Bryan Stevenson believes the American legal system treats “you better if you’re rich and guilty than if you’re poor and innocent.” An inspiring lawyer who has dedicated his entire life to defending people who are poor, incarcerated or condemned, Stevenson has spent more than 30 years of his life, helping innocent people of color escape from death row. The case of Walter McMillian is one of many examples that exemplifies Stevenson’s work with the nonprofit Equal Justice Initiative. The movie “Just Mercy,” which details the McMillian case, was shown to all members of The Hill School on MLK day. Danielle DeZart, a 4th form student, shared her insights after watching the movie: “I think the movie was really enlightening, and I also think it was important to be shown. A lot of institutions picked and chose what they wanted to tell about Black history. I feel like this movie was very raw and enlightened people in many different ways.” Stevenson grew up in a poor community in Delaware and went to a segregated school. Later, Brown V Board of Education, one of the most significant unanimous decisions the U.S. Supreme Court has made, stated that racially segregated schools are inherently unequal, henceforth they are unconstitutional. Dedicated to
his studies, Stevenson was able to attend high school and then Harvard Law. Otherwise, he would probably have ended up like his father, with only a middle school education (because that was the extent of colored school education provided by the county at that time). During his time at law school, Stevenson felt a sense of estrangement and was ashamed by his background while attending. The turning point, however, was when he went to work with the Southern Prisoners Defense Committee in Georgia. He saw “people on death row and the struggle made manifest,” Stevenson stated in the documentary “True Justice” – the experience motivated him to advocate for the rights of people of color through litigation. Through all the years he has worked as an attorney, Steven-
Byran Stevenson gives a TED talk to a live audience.
son perceived that the court was the only way to defend minorities and the unfavored as the entire legal system was prejudiced and filled with white supremacy. In 1995, he founded EJI, “a private, nonprofit organization that provides legal representation to people who have been illegally convicted, unfairly sentenced, or abused in state jails and prisons.” Envisioning the broader picture of the nation, Nicolas Malinak, history teacher and head of Hill’s forensics team, commented, “I think it’s sad that we need people to be going in because they see the need – and justice might not exist without them. And they have to put in all of this effort working around the margins as opposed to us having a judicial system that does actually work.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF JAMES DUNCAN DAVIDSON
Authority & Social Change
The Hill News | C4
February 8, 2022
Students share experiences from home countries By NIMALA SIVAKUMAR ’23, JASON ZHOU ’23 & ALEKSANDR GLAMAZDIN ’22
Reet Tharwani ’24
STAFF WRITERS
Nam Dao ’22
Saudi Arabia
Vietnam
Saudi Arabia : Officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy. The government is headed by the king, who is also the commander-in-chief of the military.
Vietnam : The Socialist Republic of Vietnam has a one-party system. It is ruled by the Communist Party of Vietnam. How much control does the government of your country have over people’s lives and how has that affected you and your family?
How much control does the government of your country have over people’s lives and how has that affected you and your family?
ILLUSTRATION BY PORTIA SOCKEL ’22
Authoritarianism: What you need to know By JASON ZHOU ’23 OFF-CAMPUS NEWS EDITOR
What is authoritarianism? The term “Authoritarianism” refers to a system of government customarily linked with dictatorship. In contrast to democracy, it is based on obedience to authority and opposes autonomy of individuals in thought and action.
What are some examples of authoritarian government? Some authoritarian regimes rely on the control of the military, such as Idi Amin’s eight-year dictatorship in Uganda. In others, a cult of personality serves as the foundation of autocratic rule – think Saddam Hussein and Joseph Stalin. Many other forms of authoritarianism exist; for instance, in contemporary China leadership changes are regular and institutionalized.
What does an authoritarian education system look like? An authoritarian education system refers to the imposition of power and authority over the lives and curricula of students. A total authoritarian system not only controls the learning plans of students but also their lives through extracurricular activities, boarding mandates, and strict penal systems. The numerous behavioral regulations like uniforms, haircuts and languages are just a tip of the iceberg.
How does it differ from a democratic education system? A democratic system lets students set their own curricula, what they want to learn, and how they will achieve it. Adults may be present to help them achieve these ends, but they aren’t there to impose a specific set of things to be achieved on them. Authoritarian education in China, for example, emphasizes standardized test-taking. The system also strives towards the ends of creating good members for a community (the body politic).
I would say that the government has a lot of control over our lives, but it doesn’t really affect our lives. It definitely has that feeling because the king has the “final say,” but the rules that are put in place are to keep the county going, not to stop our lives. We still have freedom. For example, women used to wear long cloth jacket things called abayas, but now we don’t need to as long as we dress modestly. Another example is that women were not allowed to drive, but now they are and are being treated equally for work opportunities. My mom is a prime example as she has a full-time job.
What say do ordinary people have in the running of your country? Do you feel you have a say? Because of the way our government is outlined, we don’t really have a say in who is going to govern our country. We don’t elect people because we don’t have an election process. We have a royal family and the person next in line for the throne is the person who gets to rule. We don’t follow a democracy because we have a monarchy; therefore, it is the royal family who makes the decisions in our government.
How has your country’s politics influenced your educational experience? How does it influence your future goals? My country’s politics have not really influenced my educational system. I feel and know that I have the same opportunities as a kid in the U.S. Same thing applies with my future goals. The only thing I would say I see a difference in is extracurricular activities. We don’t have a variety of options and opportunities for sports and other activities. (This may or may not have anything to do with the politics).
Political control pertains to speaking ill of government or otherwise instilling seeds of seditious behavior. My family and I don’t meddle in political affairs, which has been enough to keep us unimpacted.
What say do ordinary people have in the running of your country? Do you feel you have a say? Ordinary people define the cultural attitudes that reinforce the will of the ruling class. Since there is no democratic voting procedure, I don’t think I have a say in political dealings. However, in my experience with people who are deeply embedded in the structural foundations of the Vietnamese Communist Party, they are very similar to ‘ordinary’ people. Confucian ideals have restricted the mode of variation in personalities and cultural attitudes to be incredibly limited. Everyone is ordinary.
How has your country’s politics influenced your educational experience? How does it influence your future goals? Besides some mandatory Leninist-Marxist teachings diffused in the pages of our history textbook, it hasn’t impacted my educational experience much. In fact, spending time in the U.S. has inspired me to take a magnifying glass to re-examine this very mode of political ideology and concomitant theory of history, economics, and anthropology.
Olivia Kalu ’22 Nigeria
How much control does the government of your country have over people’s lives and how has that affected you and your family? Nigeria is a democracy. Since the transition to democratic rule in 1999, Nigeria has made significant changes, but there is still a long way to go. I would say the government has not affected my family.
What say do ordinary people have in the running of your country? Do you feel you have a say? As a democracy, people have a say, but often government officials do not make changes, little change is made, or change takes a long time to come. An example would be the #EndSars movement in 2020. Citizens called for the disbanding of SARS (Special Anti-Robbery Squad). SARS was a notorious unit of the Nigerian police force with long records of targeting the youth. When the government failed to listen, citizens turned to days of protesting and petitions before change was made. I would say Nigerian citizens lack freedom of expression and there is a lack of transparency between citizens and the government. I’m not 18 yet, so I have little say when it comes to voicing my opinion in elections.
How has your country’s politics influenced your educational experience? How does it influence your future goals? I lived in Nigeria for eight years and completed some of my middle school years there before moving to London. Nigeria’s educational system lacks the funding and resources from the government. Boko Haram, a terrorist organization in Nigeria, has significantly impacted the education system in Nigeria. They target and kidnap students in schools, disrupting access to education for young people. (Boko Haram in Hausa, a Nigerian dialect, translates to “Western education is forbidden.”) Growing up in Nigeria, there were often attacks by Boko Haram, which resulted in school cancellations. There are often strikes that disrupt the academic calendar, and students take years to complete their education. My parents always wanted me to have a good education, and studying abroad was the best option. Because of the rising insecurity and violent conflicts, it has definitely changed my mind on studying in Nigeria. I do plan to complete my education in the United States.
Artem Kiselyov ’23
Ginta Harada ’23
Urkraine
Japan Why did you come to the United States for education? First, I went to UK because of my dad’s work. I decided that I needed a fresh start and I wanted to challenge myself and experience more of the English culture. I have been in day schools my whole life. One day puberty hit and I just wanted to get away from my family. I also lived in Conneticut my fifth grade year and I really missed the experiences. That is why I came back.
Ukraine : Ukraine is a unitary republic under a semi-presidential system. The modern Ukrainian state is democratic. Japan: Japan has a parliamentary government with a constitutional monarchy.
How is it different from your hometown education?
This is a classroom at Jincai Elementary Primary School in Shanghai. Students are required to wear uniforms and a red ribbon which was a symbol of The Young Pioneers of China. PHOTO COURTESY OF JASON ZHOU ’23
Nigeria : Nigeria is a federal republic, with executive power exercised by the president. Its democracy has been struggling with recent uprises.
Back in Japan, everyone in my school takes the same class together. I speak better English than most of my school, but I still got placed in the same English class as the other students and it just doesn’t benefit me at all. I wasn’t happy at all. However, I do think that this system nourished better trust and friendships with my fellow peers because I spend most of my time with them. Sports wise, we play the same sport in the entire school year, but there weren’t a lot of choices offered in my old public school.
How is your time at Hill if comparing it with your educational experience in Ukraine? The educational system at Hill gives me an opportunity for self-realization and provides me with resources inaccessible at my old school – this fall I was able to start my robotics club with funding from the school and compete in robotics competitions. Faculty members here are also extremely supportive – for instance helping me when there were problems with the essay in English. H-Term was also great for me to do my science project, since I got the necessary equipment and made the first ever tests of a smart water polo cap.
February 8, 2022
Authority & Social Change
D5 | The Hill News
Beijing Olympics boycott will prove unsuccessful for lasting change By AIDAN MA ’23 STAFF WRITER
Tensions are at an all-time high between the nations of the world, and that hostility has seeped into the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Set against a backdrop of political turmoil and uncertainty, it seems that 2022’s Winter Olympics are turning out to be a political battleground. Major politicians, activists, and human rights groups have advocated for a boycott of the Winter Olympics this year, with countries like France, Canada, Lithuania, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the United States, and more participating, all trying to put pressure on the People’s Republic of China to hold them accountable for their actions. A clear message is being sent, with democratic nations using the games as a chance to draw a line in the sand, showing what they will and will not tolerate. China has faced a multitude of accusations regarding the violation of human rights, most notably being the genocide of the Uyghur Muslims (allegations which China denies), as well as the disappearance
of Peng Shuai (a notable tennis star and public figure) after sharing allegations of sexual assault about an ex-high-ranking official of China’s Communist Party. The growing rift between authoritarian and democratic states (namely between China and the United States) has been a cause of worry for citizens of both countries. So what does it mean for a country to boycott the Olympics? In this case, most of the countries that are choosing to participate in the boycott are engaging in a diplomatic boycott, where the nations will not send any diplomatic representation but will still send athletes. New Zealand, Sweden, the Netherlands, and other countries have opted to not send any diplomats as well but stated the pandemic as the primary reason. While it might be a nice sentiment, the actual effectiveness of the diplomatic boycott will most likely fall flat and only serve to stoke the flames of anger and distrust between China and the United States. The boycott has barely garnered the attention that the United States was probably hoping for, and only nine other nations have joined in as of now (com-
pared to the full boycott of the Moscow Olympics in 1980 with 65 countries participating, also led by the United States). China has already told the United States that if they choose to boycott the Beijing Olympics, they will be met with countermeasures, as well as any other nation that chooses to boycott. Whether or not the boycott is a good idea for nations to be involved in or not is hard to determine; but, in the case of the Beijing Olympics, it seems like it doesn’t have much potential. Politicization of the Olympics is nothing new, and not sending delegates to the Games will hardly be a devastating blow to either party. The line between being complicit in the actions of a foreign nation by staying silent on matters of importance and agitating an already tenuous relationship with an authoritarian state is a difficult line to toe; but, if the purpose of the boycott was to put international pressure on the People’s Republic of China in order to stop its persecution of the Uyghur population, it’s probably safe to say that it will be a failure.
ILLUSTRATION BY AIDAN MA ’23
U.S. politics evolve in an authoritarian direction By CORBIN CORTAGINE ’23 STAFF WRITER
ILLUSTRATION BY VICKY XIAO ’24
The United States of America was founded with the primary goal of escaping the oppressive authoritarian monarchy of the British government. The colonies made a monumental decision to declare their independence as a nation so that they could escape oppression. Over the next 200 years, the American government would come to embrace some of the very values that it was once founded against. The United States has gradually become a stronghold for authoritarian politics. One of the prime examples of authoritarianism within the United States is the strong arm tactics utilized by Donald Trump over the course of his four-year term. As outlined by The Hill, Trump’s handling of his election defeat was a clear display of authoritarian politics. Trump attempted to strong arm the American justice system and media into buying into his narrative that the election was the result of fraudulent political proceedings. This narrative was of course proven to be false within the courts, and the accusations of electoral fraud were deemed to be insignif-
icant or nonexistent. Furthermore, Trump demonstrated authoritarian politics by encouraging the siege upon the Capitol on Jan. 6. The Trump administration’s response to the election results is just one of the many examples of authoritarian abuses of power. Another example of authoritarian politics within the United States is certain members of the GOP’s utilization of media manipulation and propaganda to mislead the political understandings of their constituents. According to Vox, “Some of these developments, like extreme gerrymandering and efforts to keep their supporters in a propaganda bubble insulated from nonpartisan media, are long-running.” These methods of political manipulation are classic examples of authoritarian politics. Authoritarianism is not a trait unique to the Republican party, but rather a frightening shift in the way in which modern American politicians carry themselves in their pursuit of political power. It is a harsh reality of American politics that often goes unrecognized. Authoritarianism is on the rise within the United States, and it is the duty of the American citizenry to defend the anti-authoritarian and democratic values that this nation was founded on.
How an authoritarian regime can oppress the view of the public By GUSTAVO CARDENAS ’24 STAFF WRITER
In response to the protests, the government decided to shut down the internet in Kazakhstan, to manipulate the protests and opinions of the people. This was seen as a human rights violation, in an attempt to silence political dissent. Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest metropolis, has been turned into a conflict zone that had started with their anger caused by the surging fuel prices as the government lifted the price cap on gas, but has now turned into something far worse. With buildings and cars being burned down, and shootings happening throughout the day and night affecting both the government and the people, everyone in Kazakhstan is scared to go outside because the violence doesn’t stop. Roads and neighborhoods have been blocked to prevent people from looting their homes, stores have closed be-
cause owners fear they might get robbed or vandalized, this makes it very hard for residents from Almaty to get food and necessities as only small shops are open. The price cap in L.P.G (Liquified Petroleum Gas), the fuel that Kazakhstan’s use for their cars, was lifted, and gas prices are surging high. But the protests are not just about this, protesters are mad about the economic disparities within the country, According to the New York Times, the average salary of Kazakhstan’s is about $570 a month. The protesters demand the ouster of political icons that have been ruling the country without any substantial opposition. Authoritarianism is the political idea that a country only follows one political party or icon. This is done so the place that’s being ruled under authorities can keep the status quo and prevent multiple political ideas or pluralities. Kazakhstan is an authoritarian regime. So, when a
ILLUSTRATION BY ANGELA JIN ’24
government does something that the citizens of that place disagree with, there is not much that the citizens can do; in this case, they protested. They have no alternative; there aren’t multiple political leaders in Kazakhstan. If there were, citizens could most likely
disagree with this gas price uptake, and it could’ve been treated more civilly; but, since it is an authoritarian regime, it can’t be. Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, sent in militaries and officers from Moscow, the capital of Russia, to help calm down the
protests. According to the New York Times, Jon Herbst, former U.S ambassador to Ukraine and Uzbekistan said this “If this intervention fails—and if he feels to be safe he needs to send in 30,000, 40,000, 50,000 troops— then he might have to deprioritize Ukraine.” This shows us Putin’s priorities involving the two countries and how important it is to him to silence the public. According to the New York Times, Daniil Krislov, an expert in Central Asia and editor of Fergana, said that by inviting the troops in “Tokayev gave a real gift to Putin.” “Putin is happy to use any opportunity to expand somewhere, be it Ukraine or some other unstable country where a good helping hand of Moscow might be needed,” he said. If this is true this can only leave us to believe that the motives behind Putin’s help were only to have leverage over Kazakhstan that be in the future or now.
Opinion
The Hill News | D6
February 8, 2022
“Euphoria” romanticizes drug use By ANDRES AREVALO ’22 STAFF WRITER
For many years society has discussed what appropriate / suitable content for any audiovisual material is and if there exists any subjects or themes that should be banned for public health. The same debate has been seen across all areas of entertainment, like the issue of video games allegedly making children more aggressive. Similarly, recent series targeted to teenagers, like “Euphoria,” have created a debate about the romanticization of drugs. Different from many other shows, where drug addicts are used as comic relief, antagonists, or simply amoral characters, “Euphoria” follows the story of a highschool addict, Rue, as she and her friends find their way through the struggles of modern teenagers. Credit where credit’s due, “Euphoria” manages to represent and properly depict many recurring themes of high-school life like sex, parties, social media, substance abuse, dysfunctional relationships, mental illnesses, sexual assault and self-esteem. This representation mostly creates an outlet for teenagers to relate and reflect on many of the issues that they encounter. However, the problem begins with the show’s portrayal of the use of substances as coping mechanisms. Although some conversations and directorial decisions are made to demonstrate the downsides of substance abuse, most of its appearance in “Euphoria” is romanticized and set as a savior
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ILLUSTRATION BY AIDAN MA ’23
or a no-consequence fun activity. With Rue’s addiction and her many emotional rollercoasters, the show justifies the use of drugs as a coping mechanism for the suffering in life. In the same way, it is also used as an alternative to counteract mental illnesses and justified by “being better” than suicide or selfharm. Furthermore, we’re presented with main characters who are drug dealers, and they’re depicted in a friendly manner, which makes one prone to take a liking to them and to view drug dealing as “not big of a deal.” Finally, adding to the justifications previously discussed, drugs are also seen in the show as a substance to experience better states of existence and a way to
find extreme happiness and pleasure, summing up to complete the textbook definition of romanticization. There are extremely few chances someone would run to consume drugs after watching an episode of “Euphoria;” but, similar to the effects of advertising, one should pay attention to how this type of series changes our outlook on substance abuse. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, please contact the Counseling Center for confidential support. Another option is to utilize the school’ s I CARE process; see infographic for more detail.
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ILLUSTRATION BY ANGELA JIN ’24
Nuclear energy is the future for the U.S. By CAMILLE BEEDING ’22 STAFF WRITER
ILLUSTRATION BY PORTIA SOCKEL ’22 & ALEKSANDR GLAMAZDIN ’22
Nuclear power has been used in the United States for the past 60 years but not nearly to the extent that it should be utilized. The Hill School happens to neighbor the Limerick Nuclear Power Plant. In order to get a better look at how nuclear reactors work and operate, retired president of Limerick Thomas Dougherty offered to answer some questions about nuclear energy through an environmental lens. Essentially, Dougherty stated that uranium atoms are “excited” in a controlled setting to initiate fission: the splitting of one atom into two daughter atoms. This fission converts energy to heat that is then used on water. The heated water becomes steam, which in turn spins large turbines, thereby creating electricity. Many people, including
Dougherty and the Wall Street Journal, believe nuclear energy is the way to achieve a greener future. The biggest hurdles in the way of the nuclear energy industry, as discussed by Dougherty, are cost, design, and human error. Dougherty explained that just two new, standard plants would cost billions of dollars to build. The most noticeable chink in nuclear energy’s armour is the need for starting fuel and the disposable of said fuel, now dangerously radioactive after years-long use. Nuclear power plants, especially the ones in the United States today, are designed carefully to function with ease. However, the errors made by the workers at the Chernobyl plant cast a shadow on nuclear energy that has been hard to clear away despite the fact that oil rigs and coal
plants have histories of disaster as well. Nuclear energy is seen less as a way forward for green energy and, instead, a point of fear and anxiety for some individuals. When asked about the safety of nuclear power plants, Dougherty firmly asserted that nuclear power plants are secure and safe to be around civilization: “I would put all of the plants out in Montana if I could just to prevent human panic, but that would be the only reason.” Nuclear energy is a powerful, clean source of electricity that has yet to be truly capitalized on by the United States. The industry has such potential for growth, with research on stable fusion and hydrogen fuel cells only being the beginning. Nuclear energy is not something we should be afraid of, but something we should be excited for.
Arts & Leisure
February 8, 2022
E7 | The Hill News
Hill students qualify for PMEA District 11 Choir Festival By EMERSON LEGER ’25 STAFF WRITER
Nervous energy is tightly contained as lines prepared for something that would not have happened if not for the push from a music teacher are sung. This is how the four students from Hill felt when they were auditioning for the PMEA District 11 Choir Festival, which is made up of schools from Bucks and Montgomery counties. After performing in an all-district choir, singers can then audition for regional choir; those who qualify for Regionals can then audition for the all-state choir. “Each student has a unique voice and specific goals as a singer,” Yoon Soo Lim, the director of vocal music, stated in an email. “I was available to teach them when they needed to, and they also had experience singing three out of four parts together so they knew how the audition pieces sounded.” High school students from across Montgomery and
Bucks counties are eager to qualify for the PMEA District 11 Choir Festival, just like the students from Hill. “We were given two pieces, and you have to learn your part. Then, you submit a video recording, which determines if you get in or not,” explained Frankie Halvey ’24, who sings bass. Once they got the news that they got in, it was time for the work to begin. “We have a concert on Feb. 11, and there are many songs we have to learn. It is not just knowing the notes or the lyrics, it is knowing the dynamics. It is being able to tell a story through the song,” said Anna Carroll ’23, who sings alto. The songs they have to learn are not only in English. “There is one in German; one is Spanish, and another which is like a Hungarian folk song. We’re getting videos to help us, and the director has given us specific notes of how loud or quiet he wants certain parts
to be,” Carroll continued. By the end of this, they will all be well-versed in many languages. With tons of songs to learn for a concert a few weeks away, Cordelia Davies ’23, who sings soprano, explained that “on top of that, I have my chamber choir music for my class, and the music for the musical ‘Love, Dot’ to learn. My love for music and the fact that I love listening to music in my free time, makes it not a bother for me.” This is not a burden on top of academic work for these students, as it is something they love. Singing has been a part of most of their lives, and to make this accomplishment happen adds to their joy and passion for it. “I’ve been doing choir since I was 9 years old. I have traveled and sang extensively at different theaters and chorus halls. What first inspired me to join the choir was mainly my brother. He used to do plays and musicals, and he loved it, so I just followed in his foot-
steps, and ended up liking it more than he did,” Davies said. Harvey said that he has “been in choir for six years, and went to an all-music school, so going there helped” him get where he is today. “It’s pretty cool that I get to represent the school in this way,” he added. “I always loved to sing in the shower and have always enjoyed it as a kid. I never thought I would be in this place at all because I have just been singing at Hill this year, and, to be quite honest, I didn’t think I would be auditioning for a district choir,” said Ethan Ambrossi ‘23, who sings bass. Whether they have been in choir since they were young, or just started this year, the students showed that qualifying for something like this just takes passion and determination. These students will be working hard in the upcoming weeks, doing lessons with Lim to hone their voices in preparation for their PMEA District Choir 11 Festival concert.
Frankie Halvey ’24
Anna Carroll ’23
Ethan Ambrossi ’23
Cordelia Davies ’23 PHOTO COURTESY OF HILL SNAPSHOTS
Hill artists hope to perform in front of the audience
During rehearsal, Ariana Polevshchikova ’23, Caroline Grable ’25, Reet Tharwani ’24, and Carmelita Robinson ’23 pose (back row, left to right) with Helen Zhang ’25 (front row). PHOTO BY RACHEL HWANG ’25
By RACHEL HWANG ’25 STAFF WRITER
The 1977 album “Animals” continues to captivate its fans.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CLASH MAGAZINE
Pink Floyd’s album “Animals” remains ahead of its time 45 years later By GUSTAVO CARDENAS ’24 STAFF WRITER
Pink Floyd is without a doubt one of the most revolutionary bands of all time. They were the pioneers of many rock movements and sounds such as progressive rock, psychedelic rock, and more. Most of all, however, they were original; they tried something new; they stuck out; and, in that, they created something new and beautiful, that is “Animals.” A vivid, eye-opening listening experience that tells a story about social injustice and corruption with sound. The first few times I listened to this album I loved it, but not for the same reason I love it now. The first time I listened to it I wasn’t really paying attention to the message or the meaning of the album, I just fell in love with the instrumentals and the dreamy guitar work. Then I started to pay more attention to the songs and the lyrics behind the album. “Animal Farm” is a nov-
el about a group of animals who rebel against their human farmer, in hopes of creating a society where animals can be equal and happy, however the protest backfires when a pig betrays them in a thirst for power, and the farm ends up far worse than before under the dictatorship of this pig. Although the story might seem a little joking and playful, I believe it tells a powerful message about society and our desire for power, and so does Pink Floyd. Throughout the album they compare the social hierarchy we have in society to animals in a farm, such as stray dogs, pigs, herds sheep, etc. Like I had mentioned earlier, the first few times that I had listened I did not really get it, but that is because I was so mesmerized by the instrumentation and guitar work, in a way it distracted me. I sort of thought about this proj-
ect like “Dark Side of the Moon,” – where the main thing was the sound, not the message – but it wasn’t the case with this album. That’s not a bad thing though; because even though this album is more focused on the message, it still has some amazing production. Although the lengthy songs can be off putting and sort of drag on too long at first, after a few minutes go by you get to really appreciate the composition as a whole, and you get a real value from the album and start to really recognize the complexion of it. Since this album is geared more towards the meaning though, there isn’t much to say about the sound. The reason this album is so successful with its fans is because it wins you over with meaning and reason. The sound is great; we get that classic long and dreamy Pink Floyd sound, and the message is amazing. This was Pink Floyds’ last masterpiece, but they ended on their best.
Hill’s performing arts students prepared for the winter concerts hoping to perform in-person with an audience to support them; however, because of COVID-19, they were ready to record their performances instead. As of Jan. 27, the planned performance dates were as follows: jazz ensemble and orchestra, Feb. 4 in the CFTA; dance concert, Feb. 11 in the CFTA; and chorus and HillTones/Trebles, Feb. 18 in the Chapel. Anna Carroll ’23, one of the leaders in chorus and
Hill Tones/Trebles, said, “COVID-19 did affect lots of things, but the biggest part that got affected is the possibility of holding a rehearsal schedule. Even in this difficult situation, the practice is going fluently. So just come to the concert and support your friends.” Maya Brigandi ’22, one of the jazz ensemble presidents, said that COVID-19 did not change much: “the only difference is wearing a mask; but, besides that, we are on stage; we sit next to each other; we have music;
Jazz ensemble (pictured during rehearsal) performed with the orchestra in a winter concert on Feb. 4.
the practice is turning out good; it’s the same thing.” Last year, because of COVID-19, the orchestra had to record their concert, and “obviously, it does not sound the same. It is not quite great of an experience for somebody who plays. As the preparation gets ready, we would love to have a big audience to welcome us back from break,” Callie Connelly ’22, president of the orchestra, explained. Laura Cobbs, the dance instructor, said that the theme for the song is “light.” This light would be “directed to incorporate light and sunsets, through the music or props.” Cobbs said, “COVID-19 created a challenge in creating content and pattern, since there are people who are having quarantine. Though the preparation was so far, so good. We are hopeful that closer to the recital the class will get full again.” All sources interviewed said that it means a lot to the artists when the audience shows up and supports them. Stay tuned to Today on the Hill for updates about these performances.
PHOTO BY RACHEL HWANG ’25
Sports
The Hill News | F8
February 8, 2022
Club sports increase exposure for recruitment and COVID-19
Brooke Heck ’24 has continued to compete with her club team. PHOTO COURTESY OF BROOKE HECK ’24
By AUGUSTUS GERHART ’23 & LUKE RASMUSSEN ’23 STAFF WRITERS
COVID-19 is still a large and pressing issue in the small Hill community and one that athletes have to deal with every day, especially those participating in club sports. Although some mandates are being lifted and vaccines have been administered, the regulations regarding club sports are ever-changing. An issue arises when these athletes must leave the highly regulated
COVID-19 bubble of Hill and go out into the real world. Athletic Director Seth Eilberg said, “The club sports world is not as regulated as we choose to be in our Hill community. We’ll always have to prioritize the health of our community and protect community health. Try to do whatever we can to keep them safe. Working hard around these surges and breaks in order to reopen and keep in-per-
son education.” Eilberg also mentioned the additional things that not just his coaching staff, but Hill athletics has done to help bring some of the benefits of club sports to Hill. This includes things such as increased player development and filming practices for college coaches. However, Hill recognizes the benefits of club sports and what they can provide for their athletes. Eilberg said, “Big picture, I think, is that Hill understands and appreciates the value and the role of club sports as a vehicle for player development and augmenting the athletic experience they get here and the role it plays in college recruiting.” Although Molly Riggi ’22 left the Hill “bubble,” she said there are benefits to playing club hockey. “I lucked out since one of my club coaches is a D1 coach who has many connections to other coaches in the hockey world.” Club sports are very beneficial, but Hill is also a place where preparation for college recruitment takes place. “However I feel that the Hill coaches were the ones much more involved in my college process and who really helped me get recruited,” Riggi continued. Nationals are the big stage for any sport in terms of college recruiting. Brooke Heck ’24 said, “I chose to go virtual last year because my team was going to nationals.” She added, “Major tournaments, such
Rex Geng ’25 makes a name for himself
Rex Geng ‘25 warms up for the game.
PHOTO BY ANDREW ALBERT ’22
By EMILIE KIRSCHNER ’23 STAFF WRITER
Hill boys ice hockey’s newest member is none other than Rex Geng, a 3rd former from Beijing. Geng was pulled up to the varsity squad in the second week of his first JV season at Hill. Geng began his hockey career at a very young age when his cousins, who played in the United States, introduced him to the sport. Since then, he has made hockey his whole life, despite it not being a popular sport in China. He lived there for over 10 years before deciding to come to Hill. His journey to varsity was different from most of his teammates. According to Coach Sean O’Brien, “I didn’t know anything about him. You know, he’s from Beijing, China. So obvi-
ously, all the players that I know, I recruited. He was a player I did not know; I hadn’t seen him play. So when he wanted to try out for the teams, we tried him out, and I liked what I saw from him.” O’Brien’s decision was very well received by both Geng and his teammates, including Peter Galindez ’23. “He’s almost like our good luck charm. We try to teach him and be big brothers to him and try to get him acclimated to the hockey environment at Hill. We really like him as a part of the team,” Galindez said. Being the youngest member of a competitive team comes with its challenges, but Geng has faced them head-on. “The competition is just complete-
ly on a different level. The players here are much more physical, they’re a lot more skilled,” Geng said. “So I feel like this is a challenging step for me to make as a freshman to the varsity team because there’s a lot of changes.” Geng’s contributions to the Hill hockey program are not limited to varsity; in a JV game versus LaSalle College High School, Geng had two goals in the overtime win, including the game-winner. But this accomplishment is only one of his many so far at Hill. This season, the Hill team won the Barber Tournament against some of the best competition in New England. “It was unforgettable,” Geng remarked. The freshman earned time on the ice, which helped contribute to the win in shootouts against St. Marks. Geng reflected on his experience so far with Hill boys ice hockey: “I feel like this experience really shaped me into a more gritty person, more perseverance. I feel like at first I was having a lot of challenges and encountering a lot of problems. I still have some issues with my game that I have to continue working on, but I feel like it makes me a more resilient person overall.”
Brooke Heck ‘24 (left) engages in a play against the boards.
as Nationals, East Coasts Wizards, Two Nations, and CCM World Invite, have a lot of college recruiters.” Hill girls hockey players Riggi and Heck were both faced with the decision of
leaving Hill’s “bubble” in order to further their athletic careers. “I decided to go virtual last year following the Hill hockey season when we weren’t able to play a lot of games due to
Molly Riggi ‘22 celebrates with her club hockey teammate.
PHOTO COURTESY OF BROOKE HECK ’24
them being canceled from COVID-19. At the time, I thought the exposure I would get from playing at Nationals would help for my recruiting process,” Riggi said.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MOLLY RIGGI ’22
Hill boys hockey team culture remains strong despite change in coaching By ALEXANDRA LUBCZENKO ’25 STAFF WRITER
Most Hill students, at this point in the year, have been able to watch a varsity boys hockey game. Watching their incredible performance and teamwork on the ice, makes you wonder: What is the culture on the team like? Both on and off the ice? Has it changed with the addition of the new coach? Jesse Corser-James ’23, a member of the boys varsity hockey team, is playing his second year for Hill. He claims that the team has grown since last year. “Our new coach, Sean O’Brien, has brought a lot of great hockey players [this year].” Co-captain Tyler Chen-
evert ’22 has been playing for Hill for three years now and has noticed several changes with the change of the coaches. The largest differences he’s seen are those with play style and the personalities of the players they’ve recruited. He still, however, describes the team as his family. “Those are my brothers I go out and compete with every day. Our other captain Will Schaller says it the best: ‘Cherish every moment and time on the ice we have together.’ That’s how our team is, we love one another and love winning, it’s a great culture to be a part of,” Chenevert said.
Hill boys hockey team celebrates after winning the Barber Tournament.
Corser-James said that it’s not just varsity that’s enjoying being on the ice this year. “I have noticed too that kids that aren’t even on the varsity team are starting to enjoy hockey as well. The new JV girls hockey team is a bunch of new players who are having a blast and it’s awesome to see that.” Corser-James described his highlight as the time he gets to spend with his team. “There is never a dull moment with all of us.” Both players agree that the team culture is thriving and have high hopes to win the games and championships coming up. “Hill Hockey is a second family to me more than anything,” Chenevert said.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SEAN O’BRIEN ’24