The Hotchkiss Record – March 5, 2020

The Hotchkiss Record Thursday, March 5, 2020

Vol. CXXII, No. 1

The Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, CT, 06039

Honor Code Plans Announced Siri Nellutla ’23 Staff Writer

Mr. Steve McKibben, dean of community life, announced plans to create an Honor Code Committee during auditorium on February 21.

Creating a committee is the first step to completing a draft of the code.

The Honor Code Committee will consist of two students from each class, along with Mr. Marcus Christian, instructor in English, Mrs. Carmen Dockery-Perkins, instructor in Spanish, Mr. Charles Frankenbach, head of the English depar tment, and Mr. Pierre Yoo, instructor in chemistry.

Woodwind and brass instrument performers rehearse in preparation for the annual Student Music Showcase (SMS). See page 2.

Photo | David Li ’21

Seasonal Flu Hits Campus Hard Madeline Chang ’22 Contributing Writer The United States has been experiencing a difficult flu season for the second year in a row, with a national death toll between 14,000 and 36,000, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). On campus, the Health Center is overwhelmed. Health officials are stressing the need to continue to be vigilant against the influenza virus, even as media attention is absorbed by the threat of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Influenza is more prevalent throughout the U.S. this winter compared with previous years, particularly having a large impact on children. National Broadcasting Company (NBC) Connecticut reports that in Connecticut alone, the number of hospitalizations for influenza is approaching 2,000, and 49 people have died.

In the U.S., the CDC estimates that there have been approximately 29 million cases of influenza this year, with 280,000 hospitalizations and 16,000 deaths.

These numbers are still lower than last year’s, when there were 35.5 million cases, 490,600 hospitalizations, and 34,200 deaths, but flu season is far from over. Flu season usually lasts until April, but has occasionally lingered until May; so, it is expected that the numbers will continue to rise. In fact,

in some years, the number of flu cases did not peak until March.

In comparison, as of Tuesday, only 118 cases and nine death in the U.S. have been reported as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, according to The New York Times.

Although the coronavirus is deadlier than influenza, with a mortality rate of approximately 2% compared with 0.1% for the seasonal flu, the flu is spreading far quicker in the United States Dr. Jared Zelman, medical director of the Health Center, said, “The flu is much more of a threat to the students [than the coronavirus here at school].”

While the number of influenza cases on campus is similar to previous years so far, the flu season started much later than it usually does, which meant that the cases have been concentrated into a smaller time frame.

This concentration of cases has left the Health Center overwhelmed. If the number of ill students exceeds the number of beds in the Health Center, students who have single rooms will be sent to stay in their rooms and will have food brought to them.

According to Ms. Danielle Shippey, director of health services, there have been 49 cases of the flu among students since October. The Health Center provided 446 flu vaccines, but some students also received the vaccine outside of school. The Health Center has a total of 14 beds; four of them are licensed by the State of Connecticut for

overnight stays.

Ms. Shippey said, “Admission to the Health Center is determined on a case by case basis depending on the presenting symptoms and assessment. We always want students who are feeling unwell to come to the Health Center to be evaluated and receive the appropriate care. Students are admitted for a variety of reasons, not just the flu, and we are always attentive to separating students who may be contagious.”

Vaccines are not 100% effective against influenza because the virus has many different strains and can mutate quickly into novel forms. However, getting the vaccine is still vital because those with the vaccine who do contract the virus tend to be more protected against life-threatening complications and get well sooner. To protect against influenza, health officials emphasize that it is still not too late to get vaccinated.

The CDC estimates that the flu vaccine is about 45% effective this year, which CDC officials say is better than the average 40% efficacy rate.

There are also many small things community members can do to prevent the spread of influenza. Dr. Zelman said, “We hope that all the students use the usual precautions, which are the same for both the flu and the coronavirus: copious handwashing, staying away from hugging and sharing food and drinks, and elbow bumps [instead of handshakes or high fives].”

Sports Page 4

Arts & Features Page 2

Girls Varsity Hockey Builds New Roster Girls Varsity Hockey reflects on season’s challenges and the future.

What is Key in Preparing for SMS? A timeline of the annual Student Music Show preparation.

Student Musicians Shine in Walker Musical talents showcased at SMS.

AOI: Leo Poggi ’20 Swimmer Leo Poggi recalls favorite moments with the swim team.

Opinions Page 3 Let’s Electrify the Car Market Electric cars shouldn’t be just a luxury— the climate depends on them.

Free Speech: America At a Crossroads We shouldn’t be afraid to be uncomfortable: free speech increases understanding.

While I may be initiating this process, I think that it is important that the students are the ones driving it.

Mr. Steve McKibben

Straus ’21 Named All-American Margo Donohue ’22 Sports Editor

Making her mark in Hotchkiss athletics history, Simone Straus ’21 has become the first girl in the history of the school’s wrestling program to earn an All-American title.

All-American status is achieved when a wrestler finishes in the top eight places of their weight class at a national tournament. On February 21, Straus earned this recognition in the under-130 lb. weight class at the National Prep Tournament.

Straus is the school’s first female wrestler to attend the National Prep Tournament, which welcomes wrestlers enrolled in independent schools from across the country. The tournament, held at Lehigh University this year, drew schools from states as far as North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas to celebrate its 85th year.

After wrestling in the first-ever girls’ division of the competition, Straus achieved a spot on the podium by placing fourth. Straus said, “What’s more important to me than my personal benefit is that my performance will hopefully inspire the rest of the team and let the other girls know that they can do anything.”

Only six other wrestlers since the school’s program was founded in 1968 have ever earned All-American status, all of them male. The most recent was Nick Carola ’16, who became an All-American in 2016.

This year, Straus joins their ranks with a trophy-earning finish. Teammate Hongquan Chen ’22 said, “Simone alway s work s hard in her matches and puts it all out there. By doing that, she not only shows a lot of spirit, but also continues to improve along the way.”

All students had the option to apply for the committee, and student representatives will be elected by their classmates. Mr. McKibben said, “While I may be initiating this process, I think that it is important that the students are the ones driving it.”

For inspiration, committee members will research existing honor codes in universities and secondary schools. The purpose of the research is to learn how institutions have successfully created and maintained honor codes.

What we are talking about here is culture change and an opportunity to coalesce the values that we have and practice but maybe are not articulated in a coherent expression of integrity.

Mr. Steve McKibben After completing a draft of the code, the committee will share it and accept feedback from the entire community, including students, faculty, alumni, and staff. Mr. McKibben said, “What we are talking about here is culture change and an opportunity to coalesce the values that we have and practice but maybe are not articulated in a coherent expression of integrity.”

Once it is finalized, the code will be proposed to the Board of Trustees for adoption. Nicole Ocampo-Montoya ’23 said, “I think that the Honor Code committee will present an opportunity for Hotchkiss students to be better guided morally and as a result, create a safer and more welcoming environment. I think we just need a little help being better people and an honor [code] will help us with that.”

Applications for the committee were due on Februar y 28, and Mr. McKibben aims to have the code completed by early next year.

The Hotchkiss Record

Arts & Features | 2

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Arts & Features Art in the Hands of Students

This week, Arts & Leisure and Features collaborated to highlight the student-led Student Music Showcase, with the help of Staff Writers Amelie Zhang ’23 and Isabella Wei ’23.

What is Key in Preparing for SMS? Step 1

Preparation for the Student Music Showcase (SMS) started in early November. Heads Kostia Howard ’20, Julia Lloyd ’20, Elizabeth Molitor ’20, Elijah Stone ’20, Desmond Teague ’20, and Kelly Zuo ’20, convened and drafted a tentative setlist.

Howard said, “The songs are always up to the heads, and they vary depending on the tastes and talents of each year’s [group]. We usually try to get a range of styles and moods based on generally known music.”

Step 2

In early December, an all-school email announced auditions. Contrary to popular belief, cuts were necessary since over 70 people auditioned this year and not all the students would fit in the program.

Howard added, “[SMS] is really open to everyone, and we always need all kinds of instruments. A lot of people who don't necessarily sing in Bluenotes or Calliope end up in SMS, which I’m really happy about.”

Step 3

Before winter break, the heads finalized the setlist, decided on who would be performing which songs, and started scheduling rehearsals. Molitor said, “A lot of my work was choosing what voices were suitable for which songs, arranging harmonies when it was necessar y, and helping [performers] feel comfortable and confident.”

Desmond Teague ’20 plays electric bass at a rehearsal for the Student Music Show.

Step 6

Step 5

In January, rehearsal s star ted to r un f ive days a week for each of the ten songs on the setlist.

Students also practiced their par ts in their own t ime. Molitor said, “I think people underestimate just how much work goes into a production like SMS. It really isn’t just a bunch of kids who get together on Wednesday and decide to play some songs, but a carefully chosen setlist [that includes] well-rehear sed songs per formed by students who have dedicated a lot of their free time to the show.”

Step 4

Zu o a n d Te ag u e h e l p e d write the arrangements for all the songs. Zuo specializes in arranging songs, which includes dividing a song into multiple parts for different musicians and compiling the final piece into a completed score.

She said, “Each song alone takes 4 to 12 hours to arrange properly, with different songs [needing] various degrees of artistry.”

Photo | David Li ’21

In late January, Teague and Molitor met with Mr. Derek Brashears, director of theatre, regularly to review logistics and make sure that the show was on track. This is one of the ver y few times that faculty members work on SMS. Mr. Brashears also created the light design for the show.

Step 7

In the final week of February, SMS heads held final rehearsals.

Performers put in their final efforts to perfect and polish their performances, and the heads worked behind the scenes to make sure sound and lighting were running smoothly. Carter Moyer ’20 ran the lights for the show.

Student Musicians Shine in Walker Isabella Wei ’23 Staff Writer

Rounds of applause filled Walker Auditorium as student musicians took their final bows. The annual Student Music Showcase (SMS) offered an evening of music last night.

This year, SMS featured a wide range of genres, including pop, hiphop, R&B, and jazz. Students performed ten songs, such as the R&B hit “Can’t Turn You Loose” by Otis Redding and “25 or 6 to 4,” a song by rock band Chicago. The show has remained themeless, with the goal of catering to ever y musical style.

Desmond Teague ’20, co-head and four-year participant of SMS, said, “At Hotchkiss, you can go to orchestra concerts, jazz concerts, sometimes open mics, but SMS is the one time

in a year that we get to hear all the different talents [and genres].”

SMS is the one time in a year that we get to hear all the different talents [and genres].

Desmond Teague ’20 An important step in the preparation process is score arrangements, which involves examining and transferring individual parts of a song, such as vocals and instrumentals, to a master score. Kelly Zuo ’20 arranged two songs this year: “Surround Me” and “Feeling Good.” According to Zuo, pieces that included multiple harmonies and background instrumentals presented a challenge. The instrumental arrangements of songs

determined the groupings of musicians who were selected.

SMS s eek s to c reate a judgment-free space for student musicians, enabling them to collaborate with each other and fully express themselves. Allison Lin ’22, who played the cello last night, commented, “I decided to do SMS, because I like working with other musicians and vocalists, [as well as] put[ting] together music that I can’t remake by myself. [The show also] showcases many [individual talents] but in a not-too-overly formal manner.”

Teague looks for ward to SMS every year as plaform to interact with musicians on a deeper level. “You get to meet people in a new way, [because] people are different when they do things they love doing,” said Teague. “Being the senior organizing all the younger kids that are just getting into it, [I appreciate] seeing the cycle of life like that.”

Step 8 Showtime! SMS took place yesterday from 9-10 p.m. in Walker Auditorium.

The Hotchkiss Record

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Opinions

Free Speech: America at a Crossroads Michael Zhang ’21 Opinions Editor

Americans today face an unprecedented war on the First Amendment and free speech. Accusations of fake news in mainstream media have turned Americans into political silos of intense partisanship.

Reports of foreign meddling in our elections and nascent technologies such as deep-fakes or doctored video fabrications of political leaders, threaten the very foundations of our democracy. Consequently, our nation grows increasingly polarized as we question whom to trust and fail to find a common ground.

In this era of confusion and division, free discourse and empathy are our nation’s only hope. Yet, censorship in our educational institutions continues to sabotage free speech and, with it, the remedy for these issues. We must continue to protect free speech to ensure a greater understanding of the issues discussed.

One of the leading forms of censorship many educational institutions employ is the rejection of controversial speakers. For example, visits by gun rights activist Kaitlin Bennett sparked intense outrage and backlash at multiple universities, including Ohio and University of Akron. One viral video depicts Bennett at Ohio University bombarded by infuriated protestors who yell obscenities at her and drown her out whenever she tries to speak. Opponents argue that she - and other controversial speakers - use their views to promote hate and inflammatory speech and, therefore, do not deserve a voice.

The definition of “hate speech” lies at the center of the free speech debate. To what extent should opinions be censored if they offend others? The prevailing interpretation suggests that hate speech is determined by effect rather than intention; some argue that, regardless of a person’s intentions, if their words offend others, their opinions should be censored.

However, I would argue that speech should only be censored when the argument begins to utilize ad hominem tactics (i.e. attacking opponents’ character, not the their arguments). This definition of hate speech would condemn the actions of the protestors as hate speech. By conflating Bennett’s arguments with Bennett herself

Editorial

Opinions | 3

and attacking Bennett rather than her ideas, the students exacerbated divisions and further entrenched their own opinions.

In order to appease those wanting to hear conflicting opinions, some educational institutions give designated “free-speech zones,” where students are supposedly allowed to freely speak their mind. In reality, these areas are usually extremely small, and in corners of campuses where students never visit or pass by. "Free-speech zones" are just ways for educational institutionts to merely state that they are pro-free speech, but in fact they contribute to the overall problem of polarity.

Whether by disinviting controversial speakers or shackling students to designated “free-speech zones,” censorship remains prevalent within America’s educational institutions and obstructs the road to bipartisan action in our country. In doing so, these universities contradict their purpose as institutions committed to learning, infringe upon the free speech rights of their students, and exacerbate partisanship divisions in our society.

Educational institutions should function as diverse hubs of knowledge and discourse. Students from different cultures and social classes should be encouraged to discuss issues and expand their worldviews.

By censoring students and speakers, institutions rob community members of exposure to a diversity of viewpoints and discourage students from listening to perspectives contrary to their own. Consequently, censorship furthers the divisions of our nation by grooming the next generation to only listen to their own side.

At a time when Americans struggle to find people and institutions to trust, we must navigate by listening to contrary opinions and championing free speech.

Americans must address the censorship in our educational system as the first step towards healing our nation’s political divisions.

America stands at a crossroads: we can continue on our current path, crippling our nation by discouraging diversity of thought, or we can forge a new path by listening to and respecting the opinions of others, collectively achieving greater understanding and reuniting as Americans.

Contact Michael Zhang at mzhang21@hotchkiss.org

Space to Recover

Coughing and sneezing; classes and practices with half of their students; bags under everyone’s eyes: these are all symptoms of a community stricken by the spread of the flu and other illnesses. While winter has traditionally been a difficult time for students due to Seasonal Affective Disorder and the long time between breaks, this winter has been especially tough due to the spread of influenza on campus and the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic.

As students with the flu are overwhelming the Health Center, it has been unable to provide proper care to everyone in need. Also, because everyone lives in such close quarters, it is easy to become infected. Adding to the gravity of the situation, many students, especially those who live in Asia and Europe, are worried about their families living in the affected areas affected by the coronavirus. These stresses have only added on to the stress of academic life and school activities, which have continued at the same hectic pace.

With these additional sources of stress, students are likely not able to learn as effectively or focus as fully on school. Especially in a culture that emphasizes overachievement, it is easy for students to neglect their health by working too hard. If students are constantly too stressed, they are also more susceptible to sickness.

With the widespread flu on campus and the coronavirus epidemic, staying healthy should be the number one priority for everyone. However, the overwhelmed Health Center is a clear sign that the community is hurting and needs space to recover. Administrators should acknowledge this problem. It’s not enough to tell students to make healthy decisions. It can be very hard to make healthy decisions when students are stressed and tired.

We truly appreciate the Health Center staff who are taking care of ill students, counselors who are helping with mental health, and TLC staff who are helping students reduce stress and anxiety. However, the school can make broader efforts to help students on a larger scale. To ensure the safety and healthiness of the community, the school should provide more spaces for community members to recover from illnesses and take the initiative to create more opportunities for wellness.

As a community, we would all be healthier and better prepared to learn if we had more space to recover and care for ourselves. This might mean having an additional day off from classes for students to catch up on work and rest. The last Wellness Day was in the fall; maybe it is time for another one. Opening up a relaxation and wellness/de-stressing room would also be helpful. The Relaxation Room outside the Seminar Room remains currently empty and unused, the door locked.

Schools will always contain some element of stress - this is uncontrollable. But what the school and the administration can control is the amount of recovery that students get. Hopefully, the worst of the flu season will be over soon, but if illnesses continue to persist after spring break, or even in the future, members of the administration should take this message into account.

Let’s Electrify the Car Market

Cartoon | Julia Willet ’20 James Yae ’23 Contributing Writer Ever since the 1890s, the world has been running on internal combustion engines. That innovation was a feat of engineering that helped many people reach their destinations in a faster, more efficient way. However, the soaring demand for oil and other fossil fuels caused massive air pollution. Nowadays, automotive companies focus on building cars with more fuel-efficient engines instead of finding alternative energy sources. However, as the perils of climate change becomes more apparent, we must recognize that the transportation sector alone contributes around 15% of man-made carbon dioxide globally. The world desperately needs to transition to cleaner transportation methods in order to reduce our carbon footprint, and one step towards greener lives is the electric car.

Electric cars have zero tailpipe emissions, whereas their gas-powered counterparts “[emit on average] 24 pounds of carbon dioxide and other global-warming gases for every gallon of gas,” according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. In

addition, electric cars are also cheaper to drive, costing about three times less than gas-powered cars, according to a recent Texas Energy and Environment Report.

Simply put, electric cars inherently have environmental advantages over gas-powered cars while saving customers money in the long run. However, electric cars have been slow to catch on, and despite companies marketing electric vehicles as “zero-emission,” many consumers are still concerned by electric vehicles’ short range and high initial cost.

Because of these views, the world has looked down upon electric cars in the past, believing that the benefits of buying one are not worth it because they are more expensive and don’t provide any tangible improvements over its gas-powered counterparts. But with the rise of Tesla, the most renowned electric car company, and its continuous outreach to the general public, people are starting to see the electric car as a more enticing option.

While most internal combustion engine cars in the past have failed in attracting the mass market, Tesla has succeeded in making electric cars appealing to the public developing electric cars since 2003 with a

single mission: “to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.”

Today, according to CleanTechnica, Tesla dominates 75-85% of the electric car industry. According to Forbes, Tesla has a market capitalizations of approximately $100 billion dollars, almost double that of Grand Motors, which makes the company the second most valuable automaker in the world to date.

Tesla’s successes will influence other companies to develop their own electric cars, as seen by Grand Motors’ Chevy Bolt and Cadillac SUV models. The new trend in electric cars is furthering the change towards more sustainable and greener automobiles, which will decrease each car’s greenhouse emissions by 43%, according to Carbonbrief.

That being said, Tesla vehicles take up less than 2% of the entire vehicle car market in the world, but that percentage should grow as people start to value the electric car as a greener alternative rather than just a luxury.

Contact James Yae at jyae23@hotchkiss.org

The Hotchkiss Record est. 1893

The 122nd Editorial Board Editors-in-Chief

Photography Editors Design Editors Faculty Advisors

Meghana Annamaneni ’21, Connie Cao ’21, Tina Deng ’21, and Reece Yang ’21 Kiki Henry ’22, Sander Kuijs ’21, and Isabel Su ’22 Sydney Goldstein ’22 and Eric Jin ’22 Charlotte Urquhart ’21, Lily Yang ’21, and Michael Zhang ’21 Yihan Ding ’22 and Stephanie Ge ’22 Margo Donohue ’22, Hannah Goldberg ’22, and Rachel Mokriski ’21 David Li ’21 and Doug Wang ’23 Annie Xu ’22 and Arhan Chhabra ’22 Ann Villano and Emma Wynn

Staff Writers

Alex Cheng ’23, Siri Nellutla ’23, Isabella Wei ’23, Amelie Zhang ’23

News Editors Features Editors Opinions Editors Arts & Leisure Editors Sports Editors

Staff Cartoonists Staff Photographers

Jiahua Chen ’20, Julia Willet ’20 Mahmood Almadeh ’20, Nicky Lorentzen ’20, Sea Phongsphetrarat ’23

School population: Students, 599; Faculty, 124. Distribution: 1000 papers are printed. Free papers are distributed on campus. Subscriptions mailed first-class are available at an annual cost of $25. Scholastic press affiliations: CSPA, NSPA.

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The Hotchkiss Record

4 | Sports

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Sports

Girls Varsity Hockey Builds New Roster Devin Goldstein ’21 Contributing Writer

As a returning player, Ellie Traggio ’22 has played a role in fostering team culture.

Photo | Mahmood Almadeh ’20

Despite achieving fewer wins than in past years, the Girls Varsity Hockey team held its own against the league’s strongest competitors this season and aims to ride this momentum into additional success next year.

The girls do not believe that their season record reflects how they have played, as Captains Sofia Weber ’20 and Sandrine Brien ’20 noted that their close losses were against Class A’s toughest competitors. In games against Millbrook and Williston, the team stepped up to the level of their tough competitors but were unable to finish well, with both match-ups resulting in losses by only one goal.

Weber described the team as “less technical than in years past, but more of a hard-working team. [They are all] grinders.”

After graduating eight Seniors last

Girls Varsity Squash Victorious at New Englands Alex Cheng ’23 Staff Writer

On February 28, the Girls Varsity Squash team traveled to the New England Interscholastic Squash Association (NEISA) championship, hoping to finish the season strong. The team went 11-6 for the regular season, working hard to improve its skills and maintain its rigor. The team finished third in Division II at the HEAD U.S. High School Team Squash Championships (a.k.a. Nationals), achieved first place in the NEISA Class B championship, and took home the Sportsmanship Award.

This season has been one of many changes for the team, including the addition of three Preps: Alex Chou ’23, Mary Wood ’23, and Lauren Sonneborn ’23. The Preps have played an integral role in the development of the team and its culture.

Co-captain Ellie Burke’20 said, “The Preps have been really strong players, and it [has] been great having new energy and new faces that will be able to carry the program moving forward.”

Furthermore, a new head coach has sparked a cultural shift within the team.

[The girls] play for each other, which is always a privilege to watch as a coach.

Coach Corey Cooper ’08 Coach Cooper explained that the younger team and the loss of last year’s Seniors have impacted the team’s goal-scoring, making it more difficult to win games. Therefore, the team has spent more time on competitive

game-like drills as well as looking to capitalize on power plays. However, Cooper also said, “The team has been a lot more defensively accountable and has played its best games against the best opponents in the league, which has been a testament to its growth over the season.”

Brien expressed her excitement for new players’ participation going forward into future seasons. She said, “It has been nice to have younger kids to take under our wing, especially because they are all so mature and talented. It’s so encouraging to know that some of our best players are underclass [students] who are going to keep getting better.”

The girls ended their season on a positive note with a 3-0 victory over Taft and look to build even further in the next winter season.

Looking forward, Coach Cooper is excited for the development of the underclass students, as well as continuing to welcome new athletes to the program.

Athlete of the Issue: Leo Poggi ’20 Carrie Cao ’23 Contributing Writer

Placing special emphasis on individual growth, Head Coach Maja Clark said, “I really want the girls to improve on their own personal goals. It’s about their personal best and playing with more freedom.

They are super inspiring.”

The team played with a high intensity regardless of its opponents or previous results. “We started [the season] off with two really tough matches against two of the toughest teams, [Deerfield and Greenwich Academy],” commented Assistant Coach Ashley Suan. “But since then, we really rebounded and had lots of good wins.”

On February 21, the team headed off to Westminster School for Nationals, where 96 teams faced off. The team started off seeded first in Division II, but faced a tough blow when sickness and injury spread through the team. Despite the setback, the team pushed through, finishing 19th in the nation and third in Division II. “The team performed really well, which was great, as the matches were super-close. Everyone fought really hard,” Coach Clark reflected.

With the help of a new coach and new players, the Girls Varsity Squash team is set up for success for years to come.

Makayla Oas ’21 has been a strong player on the team since coming to the school her Lower Mid year.

year, the team had a large gap to fill on its roster. Head Coach Corey Cooper ’08 reflected on the successful integration of the nine new athletes who joined the team this year, attributing a lot of this success to the impressive leadership of the five returning Seniors. The team has become a tight-knit group; she said, “[The girls] play for each other, which is always a privilege to watch as a coach.”

Photo | I Lok U ’20

Leo Poggi ’20 is a four-year Senior and co-captain of the Boys Varsity Swim Team.

This past weekend, Poggi led the team to a third-place finish in the Founder’s League Championships, placing second in the 500 yard freestyle, sixth in the 200 yard freestyle, and second in the 200 yard medley and 400 yard freestyle relays. Teammate Ryan Tse ’23 said, “Captain Leo [Poggi ’20] is not only a [great] swimmer, but also a great leader and teammate. Despite his obvious talent, he does not see himself as above the team, and instead looks at the entire team as one entity. To him, what matters most is that everyone improves.

He works hard to make sure that the entire team is putting maximum effort into every practice, and his passion for the sport is what drives us forward.”

What have been some of your favorite moments with the swim team this year?

I loved the Canterbury meet because everyone was just in a good mood. We all swam really well, so we were all having a good time. We weren’t really worried about winning or losing, so it was fun just to get up and race each other. We have also had some tough practices. Recently, we did the drop back set, where you swim twenty-five 100 [yard freestyles], that get faster each time, and you see how long you can stay in. This year, four guys finished the set. In my Prep year, nobody finished, so it was really nice to see [this improvement]. Two Preps, Ryan [Tse ’23] and James [Yae ’23], finished [this year], and it was just really cool to have people finish.

What are some of your goals for the season and the future?

We always have the goal of getting closer together as a team, getting to know each other, and supporting each other. [The goal is also] just to swim faster than ever before.

I think the program is definitely growing, so I think [our goal is to] add more fast kids [and] see more people improve. That’s one thing we do differently than a lot of other

Leo Poggi ’20 specializes in distance freestyle, swimming the 200 and 500 yard freestyle in most meets. schools. We don’t recruit as much as other schools, but we develop a lot of kids.

Who inspires you most on the team?

Probably James Yae. He works really hard, he always has his mind on swimming, and he doesn’t really get lazy and quit, which is something I think we all do. James is also very positive, and he’s in my lane, so he’s a lot of fun.

Is there any advice you would give to newer members of your team?

Always listen to what Coach [Keith Moon] says, even when it sounds ridiculous. I trust [Coach Moon], so I don't take

Photo | Edward Guo ’19

it easy when he says to take it hard, or to take it hard when he says to take it easy.

[I’ve found that] it’ll all work out if you just listen to him.

What are some challenges the team has faced this season and how did you overcome them?

We’ve had some competitive meets, where other teams did better than we expected, and we ended up losing. [We have to] stay out of our own heads and focus on our main goal. We just have to keep a good attitude and look towards the future.

Spring Season Records Boys Varsity Basketball: 22-3 Boys JV Basketball: 12-1 Boys 3rds Basketball: 4-6 Girls Varsity Basketball: 9-12 Girls JV Basketball: 6-4 Girls 3rds Basketball: 0-5

Boys Varsity Hockey: 18-5-2 Boys JV Hockey: 8-2-2 Girls Varsity Hockey: 7-11-2 Girls JV Hockey: 3-7

Boys Varsity Squash: 19-6 Boys JV Squash: 9-3 Girls Varsity Squash: 11-6 Girls JV Squash: 6-4

Boys V/JV Swimming & Diving: 4-4 Girls V/JV Swimming & Diving: 5-4 Varsity & JV Wrestling: 8-7