THN Issue 6 2022-23

THE HILL NEWS

Students elect Mason Moore ’24 and Reet Tharwani ’24 as the 2023–2024 SGA co-presidents

By ANNA CARROLL ’23 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

On April 24 during seated lunch, the election committee revealed that Mason Moore ’24 and Reet Tharwani ’24 would serve as SGA’s co-presidents for the 2023–2024 academic year.

Students voted with a rank-choice ballot, in which different points are rewarded for their first and second choices. In total, 411 students voted.

Moore and Tharwani edged out their opponents with 1056 points, while Evan Sun ’24 and Xander Hoishik IV ’24 received 878 points.

Moore and Tharwani ran their campaign founded on three central pillars. These included the creation of common spaces at The Hill, building trust among the student body, and promoting engagement with SGA.

Having been the class of 2024’s SGA representatives for the past two years, Moore and Tharwani believed their experience would allow them to more easily transition into the co-presidency role. During her time on the SGA, Tharwani played an integral role in extending mail room hours and editing the dress code.

Similarly, Moore worked to integrate day students and open weekend activities during

Hill’s unusual COVID-19 year.

Additionally, Tharwani and Moore were the election chairs for the 2023 special election.

Throughout their campaign, Moore and Tharwani highlighted the importance of addressing issues that impact student life, such as those related to meals, residential life, and extracurricular activities. They pledged to be attentive to the needs of the student body and to prioritize student input in their decision-making process.

“The biggest reason why Reet and I chose to run is because we believe student leaders shape Hill and we believe

that student leaders are the mold that keep our community together. The SGA and

the co-presidential position, specifically, is stereotypically referred to as the gap between the administration and students. We believe that we have the tools — with our experience in the SGA and our ability to work with adults and peers — to strengthen that relationship and increase students’ lives also,” Moore explained.

Tharwani continued, stressing the importance of their prior experience working with peers.

“I think I can speak for both of us when I say we both enjoy being role models and someone other people look up to, and we have experienced this after serving as prefects for third formers. We’re familiar with working one-on-one with others,” Tharwani explained.

For the two, the most pressing issue is winters at Hill, focusing on the lack of common spaces for students. They hope to work with Residential and Student Life to improve the current conditions and regulations for open common rooms, as well as the frequency of dorm open houses.

After becoming familiar with the challenge of passing SGA proposals, the pair also

FEATURES | Page 5

hopes to significantly increase the effectiveness of the SGA.

“We have seen many great things be proposed and few great things be passed and approved,” Moore said. “We want to work on creating tangible and actionable ways to improve the lives of Hill community members.”

The pair plan to do so through consistently meeting with various student leaders outside of the weekly Tuesday morning breakfast shared by student leaders.

“DEI and SAMH, we think they do amazing work for our school, and we think they are at the current moment the most effective group of student leaders so we want to see how we can make that more effective and support them. We want to work with the Student Life Association to communicate what the student body is feeling and provide them with a different perspective. Also, we really just want to be supporting these organizations. We want to meet with Ellis Theater Guild members to see how we can support them, and meet with fall, winter, and spring Captains consistently. And we believe that by consistently reaching out we

believe we can really increase the SGA’s effectiveness,” Moore explained.

“With the old administration, it was a bit harder to

“We have seen many great things be proposed and few great things be passed and approved. We want to work on creating tangible and actionable ways to improve the lives of Hill community members.”

—Mason Moore ’24, co-president-elect

pass proposals because their policies were different. I think something very exciting about the new year is since there is a new head of school so there is going to be a new administration, so we are looking forward to seeing their new policies,” Tharwani said.

As Hill welcomes Kathleen Devaney as the next Head of School, the co-presidents face the added challenge and excitement of working with

a new administration. Both Tharwani and Moore expressed their eagerness to work with Devaney during her transition, hoping to effectively support both the student body and the overall community.

“We are excited to help communicate what we believe are our school’s traditions and core values to the administration to help integrate whatever potential changes Ms. Devany introduces,” Moore explained.

Moore and Tharwani are eager to work to continue to strengthen and improve The Hill as a whole.

“We’re excited to see the student body as one whole, even just at lunch announcements and creating the lunch time tradition that all co-presidents create,” Tharwani explained

Both Tharwani and Moore are looking forward to step into their new roles as co-presidents, hoping to leave a positive mark on both the Hill community and the surrounding Pottstown neighborhood.

The only real question left: what will their lunchtime bit be?

SPORTS|

Potential Tiktok ban worries student users across

Mason Moore ’24 and Reet Tharwani ’24 win the 2023-2024 co-presidential election by 55% of the

“I think I can speak for both of us when I say we both enjoy being role models and someone other people look up to, and we have experienced this after serving as prefects for third formers. We’re familiar with working one-on-one with others.”

—Reet Tharwani ’24, co-president-elect

Feroe House undergoes renovations in preparation for new Head of School

By KIERN LIM ’25 STAFF WRITER

As Hill prepares to welcome our new Head of School, Kathleen Devaney, home in July, one of the many preparations included was ensuring that the Head of School house, also known as the Feroe House, was ready for her arrival.

Commenting on the history of the renovations conducted for the Feroe House, Lou Jeffries, the Head of Archives stated, “I believe that there have been renovations to Feroe House between Heads of School.” Having been at Hill for 24 years, Jeffries said how he knew there were “significant renovations to Feroe House in 2012 after David Dougherty retired as Headmaster and Zachary Lehman arrived.”

Due to Dougherty having stayed in the Feroe House for 19 years, from 1993 to 2012, renovations to update the house was needed to keep up

CREDITS

with technological advancements.

“In 1993, there was much less fiber optic cable and the like which necessitated upgrades.” Jeffries said. There is no set schedule for the renovations to the Head of School house. “These renovations are not mandatory but fulfil the requests and suggestions of the incoming Head,” Jeffries commented.

With regards to the current renovations, Rich Bouher, Capital Construction Project Manager stated, “We are taking advantage of the Feroe House being currently unoccupied to make necessary preventative maintenance repairs, which is what we try to do with any of the facilities if the timing works.”

The house dates from the 1920’s and is in need of window replacements as well as an update to all the bathrooms. “We repainted the interior and exterior, as the house had not been painted in 12 years, and we are refin-

ishing the hardwood floors as well,” Bouher stated.

During each renovation, a budget is allotted for the

upcoming projects.

“The budget is in line with what we would expect for the rehabilitation of a

house from the 1920s.”

Bouher also commented.

The project is expected to be wrapped up in mid-May,

which provides an ample time buffer between Devaney’s arrival and the completion of the renovations.

Are you thirsty? Here’s how Hill stays hydrated

are no different.

Hill begins renovations to the facilities in Feroe house.

PHOTO BY CARRIE SHANG ’23

From states all across the U.S. and countries all over the world, a patchwork quilt of different people and personalities shape the Hill community, and our waterbottles

Jack O’Brien ’24 claims, “I think I have the best water bottle on campus. It gets the job done. It makes me hydrated, it doesn’t leak, its colorful, and its customized. It has OB47 on it.”

Campus store attendant, Paula Walton, showed off her blue Stanley cup that uses everyday to help her hydrate while she helps students and faculty in H-mart.

Kevin Tkachuk holds up his gatorade water bottle with his name on it, which separates his bottle from the other ones on campus. He states in an email, “The best thing about a water bottle is the cost… in this particular example, there was none, at least to me.”

Gavin Grady ’23 is seen mid- bottleflip in the Class of 1971 garden.

A colorful water bottle, owned by Kelly Grable ’23. sits in the Center for the Arts lobby. She said that this is her favorite cup to drink her coffee in.

Audrey Nehr ’24 holds her favorite baby blue Stanley water bottle.

Philip Kunkel-Quesada ’23 said he loved his water bottle because he “only has to fill it up once a day.”

Emma Herzog ’24 drinks from her favorite water bottle. “It’s been my favorite color since I was younger,” she said, explaining why she loved it so much.

Christopher Stackhouse ’24 poses with his favorite reusable water bottle in the Student Center.

By SARAH KENVIN ’23, RYANN HOLLADAY ’24, GEORGE ACKLIN ’24, & RYAN OWENS ’25 STAFF WRITERS

The new normal: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to impact the world

By EVAN LUO ’25 STAFF WRITER

In the wake of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s belligerent invasion of Ukraine, the global landscape has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis. In the short span of a year, Putin’s conquest has killed over 300,000 people, while forcing tens of millions to flee their homes. However, it has also revitalized NATO’s relevance and deepened the ties between China and Russia. Russia’s blatant failure to quickly seize Ukraine further exposes the limits of the Russian war machine.

Prior to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, NATO’s relevance was in question, with some leaders, such as French President Emmanuel Macron, declaring it “brain dead.” President Donald Trump even threatened to withdraw the United States from the alliance. Additionally, many member countries had failed to meet their military spending commitments, even after Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. However, in the year since, NATO members have pledged billions in military equipment and provisions to support Ukraine, turning the tide of the war.

The war has also unified western Europe. Formerly neutral countries, like Finland and Sweden, have sought NATO membership. On March 25, the Nordic Defense

Cooperation, including Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark, agreed to operate their air forces as a single fleet, comprising 250 fighter jets. Five days later, all thirty NATO member-states ratified Finland’s bid to join the alliance. Finland was formally introduced into NATO on April 4.

At the onset of the war, Ukraine received only small arm donations, such as American Javelin anti-tank systems and British armored personnel carriers. The start of 2023, however, saw the introduction of heavy weaponry, including main battle tanks and fighter jets. On March 27, 18 German-pledged Leopard 2 main battle tanks arrived in Ukraine. The introduction of Western-made battle tanks will be critical to Ukraine’s prospects for punching through Russian fortifications and retaking lost territory.

Russia’s initial plan to seize Ukraine quickly failed, and in the summer of 2022, Ukraine regained the initiative, recapturing Kharkiv and Kherson Oblast. Since the start of the war, Russia has lost 200,000 soldiers, 1908 tanks, 7372 vehicles, and 662 artillery pieces, forcing the Russian war machine to shift its strategy from armor-heavy “Battalion Tactical Groups” to smaller infantry-heavy “Assault Detachments” to conserve equipment. Russia has also mobilized 300,000 reservists and

enlisted an additional 147,000 men to boost its total combat personnel to 1.5 million.

Prior to the invasion, Russia relied heavily on EU member states importing Russian natural gas and oil. However, following the invasion, economic sanctions imposed on Russia severed this revenue stream. Russia’s isolation from the global economy and inability to overpower Ukraine has prompted Putin to turn to China. China is now a significant buyer of discounted Russian gas and oil, and also serves as a conduit for

goods no longer available to Russia due to Western sanctions.

During a state visit to Russia in March 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a 12-point peace plan to resolve the war in Ukraine, which Putin reportedly viewed “with respect.” However, Western nations largely dismiss China’s proposal as a ploy to give Putin time to regroup and solidify his hold on occupied Ukrainian territory. The United States has also warned that China may be considering sending lethal aid to Russia, which Beijing has

denied.

Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has had far-reaching consequences, not only for the region but also for global geopolitics. As the war drags on, China’s involvement in the conflict adds a new dimension to the situation, raising concerns among Western nations about its intentions. As the conflict continues in 2023, the international community will have to grapple with finding a last solution to the crisis, one that can ultimately bring peace to Ukraine and ensure stability in the region.

French President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reform law sparks riots

“unjustified” and a further 70% said they are dissatisfied with President Macron.

Harrowing images of burning cars, piles of trash bags, and clouds of tear gas have shocked the world as French protesters take to the streets. In Paris alone, tens of thousands of people gathered to protest in the city square Place d’Italie. Protesters even threw an effigy of Macron into a blazing bonfire in another one of Paris’ many public squares.

The Parisian government has since banned large gatherings in the city. In Marseille, protesters broke through police barricades and even occupied a train station. While most protests have remained peaceful, some have stirred into violent riots, impelling the police to disperse tear gas to crush the dissent.

By MEG O’ HALLORAN ’25 STAFF WRITER

The French are engaging in their most well-known activity: rioting. Throughout March and into April, throngs of protesters took to the streets in response to French President Emmanuel Macron’s pen-

sion reform bill. The move comes after President Macron raised the country’s retirement age from 62 to 64 through the controversial article 49.3 of the French Constitution, enabling the President to force the passage of his pension reform without a vote.

President Macron’s decision

stems from a pension system threatened by the country’s changing demographics, along with a stalling French economy. Macron’s Bill, however, faces fervent and steadfast backlash from the general populace.

In a CNN IFOP poll, roughly 80% of the population deemed the new bill

However, President Macron’s pension reform bill puts France more in line with its European Union neighbors. Currently, the average age across the 27-nation bloc is 64.8 years. In a prime-time televised address on April 17, Macron explained to the French that “working a bit longer, as our European neighbors have done, will create more wealth for the economy and

allow greater levels of investment.”

Opposition parties and unions have criticized Macron’s proposals, claiming that they are a brutal attack on the nation’s welfare system, which relies on hefty taxes and pension contributions to provide generous social services. In contrast, the Macron administration contends that increasing the retirement age would address a projected 13.5 billion euro shortfall in the pension system by 2030. Nonetheless, a report released on April 18 indicated that the government’s anticipated benefits were excessively optimistic and that a deficit would still persist.

The protests in France against President Macron’s pension reform bill highlight the tension between government’s efforts to address economic challenges and the public’s desire for a generous welfare system. Despite aligning with EU standards, the significant opposition to the bill necessitates further dialogue and compromise. As France continues to grapple with the consequences of an aging population and underperforming economy, finding a balance between financial stability and social welfare will undoubtedly remain a contentious issue for years to come.

Potential Tiktok ban worries student users across the country

By EMERSON LEGER ’25 STAFF WRITER

In the last few years, Tiktok has swept the nation: and at Hill its no different. Many students are among the 150 million TikTok users in the United States, many of whom are younger Americans.

In April, Congress convened on a potential TikTok ban, arguing that the app represents a threat to national security since it shares user data with the Chinese government. The Restrict Act, proposed by Democratic Senator Mark Warner of Virginia and Republican Senator John Thune of South Dakota, if passed, would grant President Biden the ability to ban TikTok.

The Restrict Act could potentially ban other popular Chinese apps, such as retail apps Shein and Temu,

and the messaging app, WeChat. This would not be the first time the U.S. has banned Chinese technology products. In 2019, President Trump issued an executive order banning telecommunications equipment from Huawei Technologies, a large multinational technology corporation in China.

History Teaching Fellow Nicholas Malinak, pointed out that while it falls under Congress’ jurisdiction, the age demographics of its members indicate a potential lack of awareness.

“The average age in the Senate is 64 and the average of the House is 58,” said Malinak.

Malinak emphasizes that the debate surrounding TikTok “is not about whether TikTok should be banned,” but about “whether or not members of Congress like TikTok.”

In a survey on American reactions to the potential TikTok ban, CNN reporter Brian Fung states that “opposition to banning TikTok is significantly higher among young Americans” with “46% of respondents” between the ages 18-29. Since TikTok targets the younger generation, a TikTok ban inevitably impacts the younger generation.

Malinak explains, there is a “reason for ‘why TikTok?,’” and not Facebook or Instagram, faces pressure from Congress.

Malinak says, “In China, a lot of the companies are owned by the Chinese government” or people affiliated with the government.

However, whether the government will ban TikTok only on government devices or throughout the entire U.S. remains unclear. Republican Senator Rand Paul of

Kentucky believes that any ban on TikTok infringes on the First Amendment.

History and Social Sciences

Fellow Samantha Walther elaborated on how TikTok’s popularity and affiliations contributes to the decision to ban the app.

“It is simply the most popular app in the U.S. and has clear connections to Chinese businesses and founders, bringing it to the forefront of a much larger political contest,” said Walther.

TikTok has become so ingrained in American culture that it is hard to imagine life without it. Its ban could also raise questions about our constitutional rights. The debate surrounding TikTok, however, highlights the challenges of balancing technological advancement, cultural exchange, and national security.

ILLUSTRATION BY HELEN ZHANG ’25

Civilians walk among destroyed Russian military equipment scattered around Kyiv, Ukraine.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GOOGLE IMAGES

Students embrace diverse cultures with spring religious celebrations

By LAYLA CHOUDHRI ‘26 STAFF WRITER

Hailing from 32 different countries and 27 states, The Hill’s diverse student body introduces different perspectives to its campus, including a variety of religious celebrations. The Spiritual Life Committee and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program at Hill continuously work towards supporting the numerous religions which join on campus. These include, but are not limited to, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Students involved in the Spiritual Life Committee help coordinate these campus festivities for all community members to attend, regardless of religious affiliation. In doing so, The Hill School brings in outside traditions and grows them within the community.

Built on beliefs of Christianity, the Hill School’s in-

clusivity has greatly improved and expanded over time. Each year, Hill grows their spectrum by adding additional events and services to accommodate student’s interest and cultural practices. Spiritual Life requires students to take part in one or two programs per term, regardless of religious affiliation. There are meditational, religious, and virtual options, allowing students to choose an option which suits their spiritual interests.

“All religions are internally diverse, which means there is bound to be a lot of variety. So, when you get people coming together from all different places, they bring that variety with them. Our goal isn't to replicate or replace what students do at home but rather to provide the opportunity for students to practice their religions here at Hill with and in this community.” explains Reverend Anne Confer Martens. Students should always appreciate their home backgrounds but are en-

couraged to explore the festivities of others in the Hill community and learn something new.

According to General Manager of Sodexo Staff at Hill, Lisa Demetrio, Sodexo makes changes towards their food availability during times of need such as Lent, Ramadan, and Passover. Depending on the requirements of each individual student, Sodexo staff are always willing to accommodate and account for religious needs. The supportive kitchen staff results in a more authentic, positive experience for those who wish to practice their religion in this way.

“Students can follow their religious Practices during these times without feeling the pressure of needing to find a way to eat correctly according to their beliefs.” Demetrio explains. “We work with Spiritual Life to make sure that all needs are met for the entire student body.”

For the observance of Lent, advance preparation is needed to provide accommodations. Typically, Christians refrain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent. The kitchen supports this and includes mainly non-meat meals on those Fridays leading to Easter.During Ramadan, scheduling becomes slightly tricky. The few hours of eating are outside the dining hall breakfast and dinner guidelines. According to Ms. Demetrio, there were very few students who reached out requesting accommodation, which Sodexo was happy to provide. “For Passover we offer a Passover Station which has a variety of Passover items such as Matzo Ball Soup, hard boiled eggs, Matzo crackers, Cheese, Gefilte Fish, also available is Marinara Sauce, and on the Simple Station we have conformed those meals to meet Passover needs such as steak, fish or chicken,” Demetrio continued. The caring and adaptive Sodexo staff allow students to be able to continue with their religious events.

Other faculty members at Hill ensure students are surrounded by a caring atmosphere. Some faculty members, like Mr. and Mrs. Eilberg, provide celebrations in the comfort of their own home. Recently, they held a seder, marking the start of Passover. In an interview, Mr. Eilberg states, “I am one of several Jewish faculty members who works to support our Jewish students. We have done shuttles to high holiday services such as Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. We hosted apples and honey to celebrate the Jewish new year, and we have also hosted break the fast meals at end of Yom Kippur, day of atonement.” Besides the Eilberg’s, Dr. Ehsan, an Islamic following teacher, shared that she invites Muslim students to have iftar regularly. Iftar is at the sunset of Ramadan and is the meal in which Muslims break their fast. Coming together at the end of a long day brings peace and comfort to students. Other programming and events recently include the Holi color celebration and Ash Wednesday services.

DECA qualifiers advance to international competition; Model UN members face exciting opportunity

By CAYLIE ZIGNER ’25 STAFF WRITER

After great success at the state-level competition, six members of Hill’s DECA club will move on to the ICDC (International Career Development Conference), an international competition recognizing the top competitors of DECA’s 25 events. This fantastic opportunity provides students with a chance to compete in a variety of business-oriented events, showcasing their creativity and critical thinking skills while representing Hill. Five Hill students attended Cornell University’s Model UN conference, CMUNC. This event featured a globally focused role-play scenario where Hill students competed against other chapters.

DECA is a student-led or-

ganization that has chapters in many high schools and colleges across the country. The organization aims to prepare students for careers in marketing, hospitality, management, and finance within a competitive environment.

DECA competitions feature written events, role-play scenarios, cluster specific tests that contribute to a participant’s total score. Students may be required to develop marketing plans or financial reports ahead of time, which are then evaluated by professional judges at the competition. All events are highly competitive, requiring critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills.

This year, ICDC took place in Orlando, Florida from April 22–25, with an attendance of 19,000 students, advisors, and judges.

In addition to ICDC,

Cornell University’s International Affairs Society hosted its annual Model UN conference from April 20–23. Model UN is a popular club among high school students where participants role-play as representatives of global powers to discuss and solve current global issues through writing, speaking, and debating. Students do not generally need to qualify for Model UN conferences, but this does not diminish their dedication in any way to discussing and solving various global issues. David Sun, Model UN co-president, stated that “It’s a good way for students to be aware of world events, especially those that are less talked about.”

Members of DECA and Model UN may experience nerves and anxiety, but the teams are generally excited and hopeful as they enter

April. Jeremy Lee, co-president of Model UN and member of DECA, comments, “I’m not really nervous, just excited and blessed to get these opportunities.”

In Christianity, individuals mark the start of the Lenten season, a 40-day religious observance, with Ash Wednesday leading all the way to the end with Easter Sunday. Celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Easter is a day of joy. Christians all around the world attend services and pray on both Ash Wednesday and Easter.

Passover, a seven to eight-day Jewish holiday, remembers the liberation of Jewish slaves. Typically, it begins with a seder, a festive meal, then follows with special blessings, prayers, and visits to the synagogue throughout the week.

The Islamic month of fasting is known as Ramadan. From dusk until dawn, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking in tribute to the first revelations of the holy book, the Quran. At the end of this period, a day of celebration, Eid, occurs. Muslims pray, exchange gifts, and celebrate what and who they have.

Holi, the festival of colors, celebrates Lord Radha Krishna’s long-lasting love. Big crowds gather as people dance, throw color, and honor their spirits.

Buddhist New Year falls sometime in April. Based on solar years, it is marked three days after the first full moon in April. Traditions include visiting temples, lighting candles, and meditations.

Although the conferences are highly competitive, they offer the chance to connect with like-minded and talented individuals, making the trip worthwhile. Participants find the conferences challenging and intensive but ultimately fun and enjoyable.

DECA and Model UN are always welcoming new addi-

tions to their teams and serve as excellent environments for learning and preparing for future careers in business, global affairs, and leadership. As our fellow Hill students embark on these prestigious conferences, we wish them the best of luck in their endeavors.

MUN students attended the Columbia Model UN Conference and Exhibition

Hoda Ehsan hosts Iftar, the fast-breaking meal eaten after sunset, at her house for students celebrating Ramadan.

Reet Tharwani ’24 and Smeena Gill ’24 enjoy themselves at Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colors.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HODA EHSAN

PHOTO COURTESY OF SARAH BENDER

Disciplinary history shows a formative approach to student growth

By LIZZIE HOPPER ’23 STAFF WRITER

Whatsoever things are true — this statement encapsulates Hill’s basic principles of trust, honor, and truth. While this has been the slogan of Hill for decades, the institutions designed to uphold this mission have evolved since its establishment.

The Demerit System

Foremost, the demerit system used today has been greatly modified over the years.

Dating back to the 1920s, Hill discipline was based off a mark system. Marks were used to tally daily infractions such as tardiness or absence. Demerits were saved for larger infractions, and were given out in multiples of five, depending on the rule broken. Furthermore, immediate expulsion was made after reaching the “magic five-o,” meaning receiving 50 demerits. Marks could be worked off by detention, chores, or athletic

mark time.

Later, in 1987, the system changed again and the use of marks disappeared. Students were now given different amounts of demerits based on the level of infraction. For example, skipping chapel resulted in one demerit while an absence from class was four demerits. If you accumulated more than 12 demerits by the end of each term, you were placed on restriction for three weeks.

Immediate Care (I Care)

Other systems implemented at Hill are a result of situations that demanded reform.

“When I was a student, there was no such thing as I Care. If you were turned in by a student, or turned yourself in, for using drugs or alcohol or other substances, you were immediately kicked out of school,” explained the Rev. Anne Confer Martens ’02, Warner Associate Chaplain.

Furthermore, Confer Martens recounts an experience from her student years, commenting that she can “clearly

remember a time when someone in my dorm had drank a lot of alcohol one night and was in bad shape in her dorm room later that night.”

“There was a lot of talk in the dorm about if we should go to the dorm parent; we were really worried about the student’s health but also knew she’d get kicked out if we went to the dorm parent or just leave her in her room, cross our fingers, and hope she would be okay,” Confer Martens said. “Looking back, that was not a good situation to be in.”

The installment of I Care looked to solve this problem by providing a program that allowed students to seek help for their substance use without facing disciplinary action or sacrificing school enrollment. As stated in The Hill School Handbook, Students are eligible for I Care if it was initiated by a proactive student referral, they receive wellness and medical care, the student is compliant, honest, and cooperative, and other students involved in substance use are

identified. Honor Council

Much like I Care, The Honor Council resulted from demanded change to honor and respect around campus.

The Hill School Handbook describes the Honor Council as an educational tool that informs the school community about the Honor Code, academic honesty, and personal integrity. Furthermore, it serves as an advisory group to the Deans’ Office and convenes to hear cases involving Honor Code violations such as lying, cheating, stealing, and plagiarism.

Prior to the year 1997, however, there had been no such thing as the Honor Council, and all disciplinary action fell under the Disciplinary Committee, which resembled the modern model, consisting of administrators, form advisors, student advisors, and selected student leaders such as Head Prefect. During this time, there were theft and trust related issues amongst the community, which called for a needed emphasis on honor.

In 1997, due to a student-led initiative and leadership under former Head of School, David Dougherty, the Honor Council came to be.

Matthew Gettings, Senior Master Teacher of Mathematics and former faculty representative to the Honor Council, recalled that “students wanted to have more of an impact on fellow students, and they thought one area could be honor violations, which often are lying, cheating, or stealing.” Students at the time believed that “they could play a role in helping fellow students to not fall into those traps.”

Initially, in the Honor Code’s pioneering days, students disagreed on the legitimacy of the code’s purpose.

Some students believed the code would be impactful on the community while others had a hard time adapting and didn’t see the changes it was making to the community.

Adam White ’98, wrote in a The Hill News article at the time that “I personally do not

“The Honor Code is essential to Hill’s culture. Not only does it preach the integrity of students’ academic work, but it also sets standards of honesty and morality that students and faculty can and should follow in their everyday lives.”

—Timmy Woodward ’24, 5th form Honor Council Representative

understand the significance of the new honor system. I had honor before I came to this school, and I do not see how signing the back of all our tests is going to make the school a better place.”

Some students like White believed that if an individual consciously chose to cheat, the punishment should be the same regardless of an Honor Code. However, Tim DiIorio ’97, argued that “students listen to students,” explaining that peer impact, and expectations set by those on your “level,” compelled students to follow rules.

The Honor Council has not had any significant structural changes made to it since its development due to the constitution it was made under, However, the school has adapted to the expectations it sets.

“The Honor Code is essen-

tial to Hill’s culture. Not only does it preach the integrity of students’ academic work, but it also sets standards of honesty and morality that students and faculty can and should follow in their everyday lives,” Timmy Woodward ’24, 5th form Honor Council representative, said.

In this way, the Honor Council operates as an educational tool. Gettings reiterates the formative task of the student institution.

“Certainly, there’s always a punishment component or consequence component, but it is always about education and really trying to avoid similar situations in the future at Hill,” Gettings said.

“Whatsoever things are true,’ I would say is at the core of everything we try to do at the school, including but not limited to the discipline process,” noted Dean of Students Ari Baum.

When asked about the purpose of dicipline, Baum answers, “I hope that we cure cancer, and I hope that we put a person on Mars, and I hope that we end poverty, and I hope that we get clean drinking water to all human beings. But it starts on this basis of pursuit of respect, and pursuit of morality over anything else.”

“It has to happen through like a deliberate commitment across communities, within communities, to do our best within the scope of respect, and I understand why people might see like the Deans’ Office or the discipline at the school as falling short or problematic. And that’s because we’re not perfect, but we want to be perfect,” Baum said. “We want somebody to walk on Mars; we want to cure cancer; and we believe we do that through the relentless pursuit of morality over anything else.”

Caption Contest

For this issue, The Hill News provides a cartoon in need of a caption. Students can submit a caption, the editorial team chooses three finalists, and the student body votes for their favorite. Submissions may be made for this issue’s cartoon, by Grace Carroll ’26, using the QR code, or commending on The Hill Newss instagram @hillnews. The editorial board will announce the winners for this cartoon caption contest in the following issue.

Issue 5 Caption Contest Winner

BY

“I’m trying to sign the check. You wouldn’t happen to have a pen, eh?”—Elle Molyneaux ’23

ILLUSTRATION BY ANGIE CHI ’23

ILLUSTRATION

GRACE CARROLL ’26

Theater students “Ride the Cyclone” in student-led production

By MICHELLE LAWRENCE ’26 STAFF WRITER

This year, Hill students presented “Ride the Cyclone” in the Black Box Theatre from April 21-23. Specifically geared towards students, “Ride the Cyclone” is a musical which tells the story of six Canadian teenagers who find themselves in an accident on a roller coaster.

The Hill School’s performance of “Ride the Cyclone” is currently entered into the Greater Philadelphia Critics and Awards Program for High School Students, better known as the Cappies.

The Cappies is an international program which recognizes and celebrates journalism and theater students, as well as teenage playwrights for their outstanding performance.

When selecting a musical for this year’s student-led production, Tofe Akinyanmi ’23, “Ride the Cyclone’s” program director, thought back to her previous experiences. Akinyanmi was a stage director last year, but she felt that the production wasn’t appropriate for school. She felt that “Ride the Cyclone” was the perfect musical for the 2023 student-led production because not only was it an appropriate musical for a school setting, but the cast and staff alike, were thrilled upon learning that “Ride the Cyclone” is only a one act play.

For this musical, the following

seven students were casted in lead roles: Luke Gerdeman ’23 (Karnak), Devon Smith ’24 (Noel), Carolyn McNay ’23 (Ocean), Emma Herzog ’24 (Constance), Joy Booth-Genthe ’24 (Jane Doe), Sienna Licata ’25 (Ricky), and Frankie Halvey ’24 (Mischa). Halvey also served as the production’s music director.

Although set design began last May and music rehearsals began in October, this cast was not finalized until November, when it was switched. Auditions were held near the beginning of the school year after auditions for the Ellis Theatre Guild productions.

“I actually sat in on auditions because of my role as music director,” Halvey commented. “It was difficult choosing people for roles, as we have so many talented students at this school. It took us two weeks to decide on a cast, because of all the amazing auditions we received.”

After some students were no longer able to perform, others were asked to fill their roles, one of which was Licata.

“In the beginning of the year, I wasn’t sure what my schedule would look like or if I’d have time to do a student led musical, since it wouldn’t be my afternoon activity. Therefore, I didn’t audition,” Licata explained. “I got into the musical by special circumstances. However, when I was asked, I was very happy to fill the role. I love doing theater and performance, and I have fun

every moment I’m doing it.”

Even though they were faced with the task of balancing schoolwork, afternoon activities, and “Ride the Cyclone” rehearsals, the cast members and staff find joy in it all.

“My schoolwork has picked up this term, and I definitely have more of it on my plate,” Booth-Gen-

These shows are so bad that they’re rad

By MEREDITH MARKS ’24 STAFF WRITER

Everybody loves a good trainwreck. When something is so bad that you can’t help but watch. Often, movies and TV shows have this effect, when a plot point is so bad, or a character does or says something so weird that we can’t help but laugh and keep watching. If you want something to make fun of with friends, or just have a good laugh on your own, check out one of these.

“RIVERDALE”

One of the most infamous instances of a TV show being so bad that it’s funny is “Riverdale”. When “Riverdale” first came out back in 2017, it was loved by audiences everywhere. The show is a crime drama with some supernatural/horror elements. It is based off of the characters of Archie Comics, starring KJ Apa as Archie, Lilli Reinhart as Betty, and Cole Sprouse as Jughead. I’m sure that we all remember the buzz that surrounded the hit first season. Then, the second

season came out. And the third, and the fourth. With every new installment of the hit series, it got worse and worse. Riddled with cringe-worthy dialogue, a bizarre and inconsistent plot, and laughable musical episodes, “Riverdale” has become a joke. But, with iconically awful lines such as “I dropped out in the fourth grade to run drugs” some watchers can’t help but look away. “Riverdale’s” seventh and final season will be coming out later this year, so be sure to catch it!

“TWILIGHT”

A well-known movie example of this is the Twilight series. Based off of the hit book series of the same name, the movie adaptations fell flat. Starring Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan and Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen, Twilight follows a young girl (Bella) as she falls in love with a vampire (Edward). The reason why Twilight is so laughable is because of the acting, cinematogra-

phy, and the crazy plot. When Twilight first came out back in 2009, it was given a lot of hate. But now, 15 years later, it is an unintentionally funny watch. The acting performances in Twilight have been widely ridiculed, especially Kristen Stewart’s. The movies have spurred TikTok trends, in which creators recreate certain scenes and exaggerate the already bad performances.

the mentioned. “I don’t get a day off to rest because rehearsals take place on Saturdays and Sundays, but they are a great use of my time. While rehearsals are long on the weekends, some over six hours, I find them enjoyable because I am surrounded by great people and hard workers.”

With four shows, April 21 at 7:30 pm, April 22 at 2:00 pm and

7:30 pm, and April 23 at 7:30 pm, everyone involved in Ride the Cyclone is diligently preparing for what they hope will be an amazing production.

“I’m really excited to see it all come together. We have all put a lot of work into this and it would be nice to see it pay off,” Akinyanmi said.

Artist Spotlight: Casey Li ’23 brings the pep to our step with his musical talents

By SRINIDHI PASUMARTHY ’26 STAFF WRITER

Born in Hong Kong, Casey Li ’23 started his musical journey at a very young age and, with rigorous practice, became excellent on the piano, soon becoming one of Hong Kong’s top youth players. Li relocated to The Hill school at 14 to continue his musical journey. He was disciplined and dedicated to his art but knew something was amiss. The passion and purpose that he thrived for were missing. He found the answer to both when he entered the Julliard pre-college program.

A rigorous program that only accepts the very best, Juilliard’s pre-college put Li on the right track where he could take his craft and turn it into art. During an interview, Li describes his journey to finding love and enjoyment in music, “In Hong Kong, I was kind of forced into music a bit. However, because I went to the Juilliard pre-college, I found a lot of people who had an intense passion for music, and through them, I found my own passion and love.” Li continued to demonstrate his determination and skill as he became heavily involved in Hill Life. While balancing the rigor of Juilliard, Li was also a member of the Varsity boys soccer team, the Les Miserables student orchestra, and in his 6th form year, the president of The Hill School orchestra.

Julliard taught Li the impact of influence. Having been inspired by the students in the program, he became deliberate in helping those around him. His ability to impact changed many students at Hill, including Liam Mpofu’26, who was “deeply inspired to pursue my love of the arts. He made a great impact on me.” Li received the Eastman School of Music Award for his remarkable contribution to the Hill Music Department in various aspects.

Margaret Neiswender, the director of instrumental music, is incredibly excited that “The Hill School Orchestra will have in its library two Casey Li arrangements for future Hill musicians to enjoy.” As Li’s time at Hill ends, he is “thankful for all the opportunities Hill provides.” He continues to say “that Hill helped him discover more about music and allowed him to try new things, for which he is forever grateful.”

In his recent chapel talk, Li described his journey to finding his purpose in music and urged community members to do the same. He asks them “to think about something you are good at and then think about why you are good at it.” Leaving his fellow peers with a valuable lesson for which they will forever be in debt.

As Li prepares to move on from Hill, he expresses excitement for his future. He enjoys learning more about the guitar and hopes to compose more music, especially in pop and electric. Shades of gray and blue will be there in all his tunes.

A few more quick-fire examples for you to enjoy: “Glee”, “Once Upon a Time”, “Teen Wolf”, “Zombies”, “Green Lantern”, “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice”, “The Vampire Diaries”, “Scream Queens”, “Free Rein”, late seasons of “Supernatural”, and late seasons of the “Flash/Super Girl”.

Students rehearse for the student-run production “Ride the Cyclone.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF PAYTON JOBSON ’23

PHOTO COURTESY OF GOOGLE IMAGES

PHOTO COURTESY OF GOOGLE IMAGES

Casey Li takes on the role of conductor during the winter orchestra concert.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SARAH BENDER

It’s time Hill students feel safe on campus

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD

On February 8, The Hill community conducted its first school-wide muster and fire drill of the 2022-2023 school year at the end of seated lunch. Trish Haas, director of security, announced on the podium that in the event of a fire drill, people were to clear the dining hall and then promptly return.

Chaos and confusion soon followed. Most students, and even some faculty members, were clueless about the fire drill details. Masses of people gathered directly outside at the dining hall patio, a clearly unsafe area if it were an actual fire, and went off to their respective classes.

“It was pretty chaotic, I didn’t know what to do at all,” first-year 6th former Mauricio Choussy said. Several faculty members also made similar comments.

This single exercise under-

scored a worrying lack of clear security protocols, drills, and communication at Hill. The school must act now to put in place clear emergency guidelines and utilize past security drills even when changes are being made.

In years past, the student body participated in routine security drills that prepared the student body for a range of emergency responses.

One such drill was the orange hat and gloves drill, in which security tested the time it took for students to report the location of the person wearing the orange hat and gloves. This sought to test students’ vigilance and readiness to respond to the presence of a suspicious person on our campus. This exercise was not carried out this year.

“The bad guys do not wear orange hats,” Haas explained after a seemingly impromptu security drill was conducted on April 24. Two visitors from the district attorney’s office walked around campus in plain

clothes and talked with students until they were confronted by someone inquiring about their presence. It took 45 minutes until their whereabouts were relayed to security.

It is true that bad guys do not wear brightly colored clothing. But this logic misses a fundamental point. Clearly defined drills not only help alert the student body, but they also inform the community about the correct protocols to enact during an emergency. Drills are educational as much as they are preparatory. Without communicating the rules and expectations of emergency action, students are left in the dark.

Many students are not familiar with the logistics of fire drills and the variety of alarm tones, which can range from a simple bell to pre-recorded messages. This confusion directly caused panic when an actual fire alarm went off in Upper School dormitories in the early morning of Feb. 17.

“When the alarm sounded, I was in bed,” Upper School West dormitory resident Cecile Wegman ’23 said. “It went off and said something like ‘there is an emergency, please exit the building.’ My immediate thought was that there might be an active shooter especially because there were police cars on campus. There was no real communication as to what was going on until we got to the quad.”

In addition, two single rooms in the Upper School dormitory, one in each wing, do not have a built-in broadcast speaker, resulting in the student inside not waking up to the alarm.

“My room can detect smoke, but there is no sound piece to the fire alarm,” Avelyn Higgins ‘24, who lives on the first floor of the Upper School East dormitory, said. “Whenever the fire alarm goes off, I usually can’t hear it. When it was set off, I was asleep, and someone had to call me to wake

me up. I was 20 minutes late than everyone else when I finally went down to the quad.”

Similar sentiments were shared when another fire alarm went off in the US dormitory at 8:01 p.m. on April 19 Students exited the building and were told to relocate to the Ryan Library steps.

Kim Monzingo ’23 elaborated, “We kind of just walked outside, and they didn’t tell us what to do. Then someone said go to the stairs, but we were like, ‘What stairs?’”

The confusion surrounding these drills further highlights the worrying lack of communication and preparedness among the Hill community.

We originally reached out to Haas on Feb. 10 and expressed our concern about the situation and offered to help communicate security drill information after the initial fire drill on Feb. 8. Students were given basic information at an all school meeting back in September, and we, as the editorial board, wanted to organize this information and publish it as a resource for the Hill community members to view.

Haas explained that some of our questions cannot be answered because the answers are subjected to change.

“Our critical response team is working on updating the school’s current plan. Once those changes are complete the Hill Community will be updated,” Haas stated in an email.

Haas mentioned that we should check back with her in March if we have any further updates or questions. On March 27, we wrote again to Haas in hopes of getting new information on the security drill logistics.

“Currently, we are still working things out,” Haas stated in an email. “As I am sure you know everything comes to a halt during long breaks. It is tough to have meetings and such.”

This gap in our security

Editors’ Note

By ANNA CARROLL ’23 & JASON ZHOU ’23 Editors-in-Chief

The Editorial Board is a collective of editors who convene to write and publish opinion pieces. Their views represent those of the Board exclusively, and not The Hill News as a whole. Let it be known that this article does not intend to denigrate any Hill security personnel. We acknowledge and appreciate the tireless efforts of these individuals to keep our community safe. Nevertheless, we must address the recent tragedy of the 2023 Covenant School shooting in Nashville and underscore the paramount importance of personal security and wellbeing within our Hill community. For an in-depth profile of the Hill campus security team, please refer to our previous spotlight, “Guardians of Beech Street – Hill Security Spotlight”.

protocols is something that really concerns us, especially after the 2023 Covenant School shooting. In the unfortunate reality of American society, schools need to prepare and protect their members from extreme scenarios. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 102 mass shootings in the U.S., eight of which were school shootings, since we reached out to Haas on Feb. 10.

On April 12, we wrote to Haas again to get her insights on Hill security logistics.

“During a critical incident on campus our mass notification system, Blackboard, will inform students, faculty, and staff via text, email, and phone calls when there is a drill or urgent need for attention,” Haas stated in an email. “Instructions on how to proceed pending the circumstances will also be in the mass notification alert,”

“I work closely with the Police Chief, and he will immediately contact me if there is a possible threat to the Hill Community,” Haas added. “My security team patrols campus and the perimeter around campus, so they are aware of what takes place on campus and just outside of campus in our neighboring community.”

Though Hill may have a system in place to communicate emergencies, that does not replace the vital need for drills and exercises, which reduce panic and fundamentally inform the student body how to act. Students should not have to rely on communications made

during a state of emergency to know what to do and where to muster.

Since we last talked to Haas on April 12, there still has been no additional information about any of the security drills.

Our writing staff talked to interim Head of School Dr. Sylvia Rodriguez Vargas, and she agreed that it is crucial for people to be familiar with what to do in the case of an emergency.

“Avoidance does not reduce anxiety,” Rodriguez Vargas stated in an email. “Knowledge, information, and practice will help us.”

Dr. Rodriguez Vargas ensured that the school’s critical response team, a committee made up of various faculty and staff, are scheduled to meet to review processes and consider the best way to communicate what the protocols are under various situations.

“The safety and security of our campus is a top priority for Hill, and we are working diligently to review, revise, and communicate relevant best practices for our community,” Rodriguez Vargas stated in an email.

Yet, we still don’t know what to do. The confusion regarding security measure must end. Even as Hill is changing its security guidelines, it must better inform community members on how to muster and respond in emergency situations. In the meantime, Hill can pull from its rich array of past drills and work towards a safer community.

PHOTO BY JASON ZHOU ’23

Editors-in-Chief Visual Managing Editors Anna Carroll ’23, Jason Zhou ’23 Aidan Ma ’23, Carrie Shang ’23

Campus News

Off-Campus News

Features Layout

Ryann Holladay ’24

Jennie Ki ’23

Ella Grindle ’24

Emilie Kirschner ’23

Winnie Liu ’24

Caroline Calello ’26

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Staff Writers &

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Online Editor Opinion Arts & Leisure Sports Head Illustrator Social Media Managers

The federal reserve has mishandled inflation

By NATE WHITTEMORE ’23 STAFF WRITER

Jaewan Lee ’25

Corbin Cartagine ’23

Luke Gerdeman ’23

Rose Flaherty ’23

Adelyn Sim ’24

MoniYah Person-Henderson ’23

Diemmy Dang ’24

Lizzie Hopper ’23, Payton Jobson ’23, Kate Longo ‘23, Dami Odubona ’23, Nate Whittemore ’23, Winnie Liu ’24, Meredith Marks ‘24, David Slavtcheff ’24, David Sun ’24, Kiern Lim ’25, Caylie Zigner ’25, Emerson Leger ’25, Alexandra Lubczenko ’25, Evan Luo ’25, Meg O’ Halloran ’25, Layla Choudhri ’26, Michelle Lawrence ’26, Srinidhi Pasumarthy ’26

Faculty Advisers Alec Swartz, Nancy Body

Content Policy

The Hill News is the student-run newspaper of The Hill School. Content is determined by and reflects the views of the student editorial board and staff and not school officials or the School itself. The Hill News acts as an open forum for student expression where they have complete control over the content produced.

Want to contribute to The Hill News?

Come to our weekly meetings TBA or contact a member of our staff. To submit a letter to the editors or an opinion piece, email acarroll23@thehill.org, zzhou23@thehill.org, ama23@thehill.org, hshang23@thehill.org.

Inflation has been a major concern for the American public this past year. The federal reserve has failed to do its job and protect the public from out-of-control inflation. It is not a question of intent. The federal reserve was established to give the country a strong national bank and keep the business cycle in check. However, the liberals in Washington have let the Fed go unchecked leading to horrid inflation rates and economic instability. It is only through the stabilizing hand of the private sector that inflation came under control late last year. While a noble experiment, the federal reserve has failed to live up to its promised goal of controlling inflation through interest rate control. The free market should be trusted to regulate inflation through healthy competition. This competition will drive innovation and better practices, to stay competitive prices will stay low and wages will rise.

“Meanwhile, consumer prices continue to climb at a rapid rate. Annual inflation

in February was 6% — down from 9.1% last June, but still well above the Fed’s target of 2%.” Commented Scott Horsley, spokesperson for NPR, on a podcast late last month. Even the liberally controlled media won’t deny the out-of-control inflation is a problem, “Still, policymakers made their decision and hiked rates for the ninth consecutive time. They raised overnight lending rates to a range of 4.75% to 5%, their highest level since September 2007.” Said Nicole Goodkind, a CNN “reporter” in a recent article. It is their dear reader we see the true downfall of the fed. The Fed is a tired workhorse. Needed when the nation foolishly moved off the gold standard into fiat currency. But now it is struggling to stay

in control. By lowering, raising, and raising again interest rates we can see that the Fed is grasping for control. In the midst of bank failure and on the verge of a recession, where do we find our trusted Federal Bank yet further extending its reach into the private sector?

It is the opinion of this writer that Joe, do nothing, Biden should finally move to get his administration together, rally Congress, and perhaps do some good by affecting real reform in the Fed. The fear that has been created by the recent bank failure and the distrust stoked by the recent inflation has left the American public asking “Why?”

It is my opinion that the why is simply an old, decrepit system that is failing us.

The fences around Hill perimeter hold up private property signs for security measures.

Everyone works out in the end, even the girls

By KATE LONGO ’23 STAFF WRITER

The Hill School weight room underwent significant changes this year, most notably, “girls only” hours on Friday and Saturday evenings from 7:30–8:30 p.m. and on Sunday from 4:00-5:00 p.m. Assistant Athletic Director Elle O’ Brien initially suggested this concept upon her arrival at Hill, but in April finally implemented the change to provide girls with a sense of empowerment, comfort, and inclusion.

Before the introduction of girls-only hours, “a lot of our female students weren’t super comfortable going into the gym,”

O’Brien said. “During study hall hours it is busy and most of the people in the weight room are boys which can be intimidating so the need started well before the hours were implemented.”

For girls who have just started going to the gym, girls-only hours offer them an opportunity to lift comfortably without intimidation from their male counterparts.

“I did not feel scared if I messed up on something and felt I could ask for advice and to borrow equipment from the people around me,” Hala Silverstein ’23 said. “Additionally, it felt more like a vocally open community where with the boys, it is not like they are rude or anything, there is just a disconnect.”

Colby Isabelle ’23 also mentioned that with these girls-only hours, girls have the “ability to go up to someone they are familiar with or someone in the same position as them and ask to borrow equipment or help. Typically, those questions might be intimidating for girls to ask guys those questions.”

Overall, the girls-only gym hours allow for more girls to start working out in an environment where they feel comfortable and excited about lifting. The first weekend of girls-only gym hours had a great turnout, leading Coach O’ Brien to consider extending these hours throughout the spring, and possibly even adding an hour on Thursday morning.

Madden Stadium construction breaks ground

The Madden Stadium, a highly anticipated construction project at the Hill named after the Madden family, seeks to provide student-athletes with a first-class experience.

The state-of-the-art facility primarily caters to football athletes but also accommodates other sports and can hold up to 750 people.

Rich Bouher, the Capital Construction Project Manager, oversees all construction activities related to non-routine maintenance projects and provides a glimpse into the features of the new stadium and its significance for Hill students. Bouher emphasizes that installing the new field will create more opportunities for student-athletes to compete with their peers at other schools.

Construction began in October 2022, and Bouher expects completion by mid-May, pending validation of all lighting and scoreboard systems. This quick turnaround time is remarkable considering that the stadium was built on “essentially bedrock,” according to Bouher.

Varsity football player Billy Antippas ’24 expresses his excitement about playing in a brand-new stadium next season.

“I’m excited for the new stadium. It’ll be great to finally play on it,” Antippas said.

Varsity football coach Kevin Tkachuk agrees that it was time for

“The stadium will provide great opportunities for us to gather in larger groups to support our teams being able to play, and for the football team specficially to play Friday night and Saturday night games that the community can come and support.”

—Kevin Tkachuk , Varsity football coach

Hill to provide a new facility for its football players and highlights how this development benefits the Hill community.

“The stadium will provide great opportunities for us to gather in larger groups to support our teams being able to play, and for the football team specifically to play Friday night and Saturday night games that the community can come and support,” Tkachuk said.

The Madden Stadium will be a valuable addition to Hill’s athletic facilities, providing student-athletes with top-notch amenities to help them succeed both on and off the field.

Brand-new workout equipment enhances weight room experience

By DAVID SLAVTCHEFF ’24

On February 16, Assistant Athletic Director Elle O’Brien sent out an email that dismayed students, informing them that the weight room would be closed. The Hill community collectively wondered what would happen to the athletic sanctuary of the school. However, when the weight room reopened, students and faculty alike were elated to see the weight room refurbished with all new custom-made Sorinex equipment.

The new weight room boasts eight new power racks, four highly modular pulley systems, a quad extension/hamstring curl machine, two Franken-Hypers, and new benches, among other additions.

O’Brien hopes that the new equipment will not only allow students to train better and harder but also in new ways. She also encourages people to continue finding new ways to use equipment to train in more sports-specific fashions. Most notably, a belt squat machine

is already on its way, which many students can look forward to using as an alternative to free weights.

“The purpose was to best support our student-athletes and community with the best equipment on the market for sports performance,” O’Brien said.

The reception of the new equipment has been overwhelmingly positive, and this is evident in the attitudes of everyone in the weight room. An avid user of the weight room, Grant McCormack ’23 shared his thoughts.

“I really like the new upgrades in the weight room. It took a few days to get used to the new racks, but I’ve grown to really like them over the past few weeks,” McCormack said. “My favorite addition is the cable machine because of its versatility. Another small thing that I really like is that resistance bands are now outside of the closet that is always locked so I can have access to them whenever I want.”

The growth of Hill athletics is not, however, constrained to the shiny new machines. Students have noted definitive shifts in

the weight room culture attained by O’Brien.

McCormack went on to say that “the environment she has created in the gym is a welcoming and uplifting one where everyone not only competes with one another but encourages each other to push for that little bit of extra effort that we couldn’t give on our own. I feel lucky to be a part of strength and conditioning and know I’m going to miss it when I’m gone next year.”

Aside from its aesthetic attraction, these developments vastly enhance the weight room, increasing the working capacity, giving athletes more options with their workouts, and allowing for greater efficiency with teams in the weight room.

The renovation of the weight room serves as a prime example of The Hill’s unwavering commitment to providing its students with the best possible resources to help them achieve their athletic goals. With the upgraded weight room now in place, the Hill community can look forward to reaping its benefits for years to come.

STAFF WRITER

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAMI ODUBONA ’23

Construction of the Madden Stadium will be completed mid-May.

The new Madden Stadium boasts a greater amount of seating. PHOTO COURTESY OF RICH BOUHER