The
MEADOWS SENTINEL Volume XXV Issue 3 2
The Meadows School
May 2021
Spotlight on the 2A Football Champions! Q&A with Mustang Football Captains!
Meadows Milestones
Hitting the Field with Spring Sports
Adapting to New Tech Boosting Core Values
Making College Decisions
Additional Articles: • • • • • • • •
Empowering Women Spring Word Search Meadows Milestones New English Elective Violence Against Asians Fast Food Facts Planning for Next Year Congratulations Class of 2021!
Being a Good Neighbor
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Welcome to the Virtual Stage!
Hitting the Field with Spring Sports
Empowering Women
The Meadows appreciates the extraordinary achievements of historical women
By Sneha Sridhar (senior)
Each year in March, the Meadows School celebrates Women’s History Month, spearheaded by the Women’s Empowerment Club. This year specifically, presidents Ari Jones and Devin Howard, and club advisor Dr. Slater, have created a month filled with activities to highlight the women’s excellence and their accomplishments throughout history. When asked about what were the most pressing aspects that WEMP wanted to discuss during this month, Ari Jones mentioned that focusing on changing the narrative and the course of conversation regarding women’s issues was one of her foremost goals. With much of the everyday attitude about feminism surrounding the pitfalls and obstacles that all women have to overcome, Jones wanted to spotlight women’s excellence and triumphs. Shifting the narrative from the hardships women experience to the successes women create actively changes the context in which people view feminism and womanism. Furthermore, terms like “feminism,” “intersectionality,” “womanism,” and more have all become increasingly common in our daily discourse in the 21st century. But without knowing the history and definition behind these words, they can easily carry harmful stereotypes and broad generalizations. Feminism, which has over time become generally focused on white women, gave way to wom-
anism, which focuses more on the issues women face coupled with race, gender, class, and much more. With educational webinars concentrating on the different waves of feminism, Ari Jones and Vice President Sneha Sridhar were able to shine a spotlight on the women and issues that were in each generation, from Susan B. Anthony and the Nineteenth Amendment to Alice Walker and womanism.
From transforming the conversation around feminism with a more positive outlook to making sure that the student body is educated on important terms, the Meadows WEMP club has created many informational and engaging activities to celebrate Women’s History!
The return of spring sports at The Meadows School By Katherine Chau (freshman) The Spring sports season officially began on April 3. Sports such as baseball, softball, track and field, and boy’s golf practices will begin on April 3rd. Each coach wants to assure their athletes a safe practice as this year’s spring sports season will be different from the others. Ms. Maes, the Assistant Director of Athletics, hopes to assure families that their child’s sport is safe. She also arranges each team’s games. One of parents’ biggest concerns for their athletes is their child’s safety from the pandemic and hope for them to be healthy. In addition, teachers and the Meadows community want their students to be COVIDsafe. In order to attempt to keep students and families safe, they require weekly COVID testing per student athlete. Ms. Maes assures that “all student-athletes are also being COVID Plus by Tiger Tech Solutions armband tested by Coach Jacobs before each practice.” If an athlete of any sports team tests positive for COVID, “the whole team must quarantine.’’ When looking at a player’s perspective when it comes to spring sports, many have enjoyed the busy season. Games are commonly filled with many supporters in the stands or by the fences, filled with students, teachers, and families of the players. Ari Jones, the captain of the softball team, is grateful to have had such a successful season, and has thoroughly enjoyed the experience of being on the team. When
Spring Word Search
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talking to her about the difficulties of the pandemic and how the softball team was able to overcome that, she expresses, ”Even though COVID has made this year irregular, sports has given me a sense of comfort my whole life. Being able to be out on the field gives me hope that we’ll be able to return to a new, even better normal.”
Arianna Jones smiles for the camera during a softball game.
With the help of the Athletic Department and coaches, spring sports have been extremely successful at the Meadows School, with the Softball team winning multiple games backto-back and the Baseball team clinching the #1 seed in the NIAA playoffs!
Making College Decisions
It’s that time of year when Meadows seniors decide where home will be for the next four years
By Macy Litt (senior)
As a senior, I completely understand the stress of the college application and admissions process. Even though writing and submitting our essays, transcripts, and resumes is over with, hearing back is probably just as intimidating. That is why this article is dedicated to the seniors of this year and years to come, offering advice about understanding and accepting college decisions. Firstly, let’s talk about rejection. If a college decides that a student isn’t right for them, then chances are, they are correct. This is the advice Mr. Hallman and Mrs. Lustig had to offer. Mrs. Lustig said, “It’s perfectly normal to feel disappointed, and you should take time to honor those feelings, but know that each of you has a bright future ahead of you and you’ll find the place that is right for you if you keep an open mind and embrace your choices with enthusiasm and positivity. There are so many fabulous colleges out there; so much of the experience is what you make of it. Trust the process and know that things happen for a reason.” Mr. Hallman followed with, “Remember that you were denied a place in the class--not rejected. Rejection carries a lot of psychological baggage. There is nothing wrong with you! Perhaps the college admitted a quarterback, a cellist, an artist, etc. in place of you. If so, that was totally beyond your control.” If you aren’t immediately accepted, but you’re waitlisted/deferred, don’t give up! There are plenty of next steps to take. Mr. Hallman and Mrs. Lustig explained how best to optimize your chances of getting off of the waitlist. Mrs. Lustig said to “follow up with a letter of intent, reiterating your interest, why you want to attend, what you will contribute if admitted and update their office with
any new accomplishments and academic as well as extracurricular progress. Keep in mind that even though colleges want to take students off the waitlist, sometimes they do not have the space or money. Take this time to further explore those colleges that you have been admitted to and transform disappointment into excitement for the options available to you.” Mr. Hallman added, “First, read the instructions from the college regarding next steps. They will ask you to complete a form indicating interest in accepting a spot on the waitlist. Follow their instructions. Understand that you will most likely need to deposit at another institution before hearing back from your waitlist college. If accepted by the college that waitlisted you, you will lose your deposit at the original college.” After receiving all of your college decisions, you are ready to start making a crucial choice. If you are stuck deciding between two or more amazing schools, Mrs. Lustig mentioned important factors to consider that could push a single school ahead of the rest: “Reflect on your priorities: program, people, place, price, prestige, etc. Decide what’s most important to you and your college experience. Make an informed decision by talking to current students, attending webinars and virtual spring admitted student programs, join social media groups for admitted students, and if possible, go visit. While the majority of colleges are not hosting official tours or open houses, perhaps you can still walk around the campus to get a feel for the place.” Lastly, the college counselors described another important thing for students to remember when receiving their college decisions. Mrs. Lustig advised, “Be sensitive to your peers when discussing your options. Not everyone
In a signing event, Lindsey Hofflander commits to play tennis at Brown University.
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wants to talk about their decisions. Don’t criticize any institution just because you think it’s not competitive. What you may consider a foundation school, for others it may be their dream school and it’s important to respect each student’s journey and choices. Most importantly, continue to stay motivated and demonstrate upstanding character; honor our core values and the principles that represent our Meadows community.” Mr. Hallman also reaffirmed that “You can be happy at more than one college. Do not choose a school based solely on one factor; e.g. athletics or a restricted major. If you are injured and cannot play sports; or you are tied to a major that you do not like, you still want to be happy at that school. And remember: it’s all about the journey, not the destination.” Seniors and future seniors, I hope that you remember this advice after receiving your college decisions. This information has helped me greatly throughout the decision process. Even though a rejection or waitlist feels like the end of the world (and trust me, I know this feeling), it really isn’t. All it means is that there is another college out there that is a better fit. You will end up where you’re meant to be, and all you have to do is trust the process.
Adapting to New Tech
Students & faculty at The Meadows School reflect on using new technology in their curriculum
By Karolina Davis (freshman)
It’s safe to say that this school year is vastly different from normal school years we’ve been used to. Through the changed schedules, extra sanitation, social distancing, and increased use of technology, the Meadows School has adapted well to the unexpected pandemic. One of the most noticeable differences between this year and a normal school year is the heightened necessity of technology in daily life. Technology has been extremely useful and effective in The Meadows School. Online classes and assignments have substituted the traditional way of learning. Many wonder how the Upper School students have adapted to these changes. Freshman Morgan Liu says that “[she] adapted to online assignments well… but online classes make it hard to focus and stay motivated.” She believes that taking tests and submitting work online is something to get used to, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes part of your working routine. Remote classes, however, are a lot harder to get used to, in her opinion. According to Morgan, “getting distracted is a lot easier when you’re not physically in the classroom.” Seemingly, it has been hard for students to adapt to online learning. In general, online learning has been a big shift from what students and administrators are used to. From completing and submitting all work online to even attending school from home, it has been a lot to get accustomed to. Thus, student adaptation to new technological ways of learning has been mostly positive, but it will never feel the same as complete in-person learning. Luckily, next year’s students will be in the classroom full time. While we still might have online assignments, the student body will again have the opportunity to interact face-to-face!
Boosting Core Values
Students describe their week of great activities By Natalie Vo (junior) For the first time, The Meadows Upper School hosted a Core Values Week throughout the week of March 1 through March 5. Although this time period would have traditionally been reserved for Trips Week, the COVID pandemic has prevented traveling for safety and precaution. Therefore, the Meadows faculty and student council have worked extremely hard to plan a special week for the Upper School students. Labeled as curricular days, students were expected to participate in planned activities and actively listen to the several speakers invited to speak, which were Kane Smego, Bradley Rayford, Jennifer Hart, and Buey Ray Tut. The week was also filled with both student workshops and student presentations that allowed all of the four grade levels to engage in educational and inspiring experiences. Furthermore, classes were able to learn about a variety of important topics and got the chance to research ways to help our communities. Students were able to enjoy activities that highlighted inclusion, self-identity, and global awareness, the week presented a bountiful of events for students to enjoy. The Upper School student body had several opinions to give on how their experiences went. When talking to Marcus Lee, he particularly expressed excitement about the archery activity: “I was surprised that archery was being offered, but learning how to shoot a bow and arrow was a really cool experience.” Lee and many other students were excited to participate in the Core Value of Discovery. Not only did the week have a wide range of physical activities for the students to participate in, but Core Values Week also revealed opportunities for students to learn about new topics, even the seniors! Since they did not listen to college presentations, their activity list was a bit different compared to the other grades. The seniors were in charge of creating workshops of 45 minutes each and presented a variety of interesting content to their peers. Many expressed their enjoyment of the engaging material, such as senior Sneha Sridhar, who stated, “All of the topics that were presented aren’t specifically talked about within our curriculum, so it was really interesting to have a crash course on all of these subjects!” Although many of the activities took place inside, such as creating picture books with Jennifer Hart or writing poems with Kane Smego, there were others that involved students spending
their time outside. For example, one of the activities involved having the students walk around the track carrying buckets of water to get a sense of what Maiwut civilians had to endure, and was intended to highlight the importance of empathy and compassion.
During Core Values Week, students create their own children’s book after hearing author and illustrator, Jennifer Hart, describe her process.
Meadows Milestones
Learn about the interesting history of The Meadows School By Karolina Davis (freshman)
Paula Legisima participates in the water-carrying activity on the track.
Overall, this week was ultimately a success for the Upper School. Students and faculty enjoyed the refreshing new experiences and were interested in the activities that were offered. Filled with productive discussions and educational talks, the week was a nice break from the regular school schedule. Due to its success, there is a discussion that it might become a permanent event for future years, but the time span is still to be determined for how long it will last. Regardless, whether the activities will be offered in a week or within a day, this is not the last the student body will see of Core Values Week!
The Meadows hasn’t always been the same school we go to today. Before all the extracurricular activities, sports programs, and hundreds of students, The Meadows was a much smaller school. In fact, it started off as a 5000 square foot lot with 140 students grades K-6. The Dr. LeOre Cobbley Lower School was the first building in the Meadows school and in Summerlin, and a couple years later, the Meadows Upper School was built and opened. Once everything was finished, Meadows was the first nonprofit, nonsectarian, coeducational, K-12 college preparatory school in Nevada. Even after such an accomplishment, the Meadows school still wasn’t fully completed. A couple years later, the Richardson-Beckley Gymnasium was opened as a place to exercise for the students. Not long after, The L. Harkness Jewett Field House, Creel Field and Levin/Richardson Track were completed, which allowed students to pursue their sports goals. Finally, The Wanda Lamb Peccole Center for the Arts was completed in 2000, and continues to be a wonderful place to engage in the arts even today. Lots of programs in the CFA continue to take place, including plays and art programs. Through the hard work it took to create The Meadows School, it has been an outstanding school with dedicated students and educated administrators since the beginning. The Meadows School has always been and will continue to be a wonderful educational experience.
Before
Today
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Being a Good Neighbor
Welcome to the Virtual Stage!
During the COVID-19 pandemic, local businesses need Check out what the CFA introduced! more support than ever By Gia Orsini (freshman) Elizabeth Blau is just one local business owner who has been negatively affected by the pandemic. In a recent interview, she gives us perspective on creative ways that she has coped and offers helpful tips to her customers on how to support her businesses. “COVID-19 has devastated the restaurant industry,” says Blau. She is the owner of several restaurants including Summerlin’s Honey Salt, Andiron Steak and Sea in Downtown Summerlin, Buddy V’s Ristorante in The Venetian, and a few others in North America. This is a wide range from the types of food sold. While all of her restaurants have suffered greatly, some had it worse than others. Blau says that Buddy V’s Ristorante has been devastated the most since it is a fine dining restaurant whose food doesn’t go well with curbside pickup, and most of its profits relied on tourists. Luckily, Honey Salt has loyal Summerlin customers who buy often and participate in several events hosted by Honey Salt.
For her restaurant Honey Salt there was a marketplace in which they sold wine, cocktails, and exotic items. The most exciting product that they sold was cooking demonstrations with an ingredients basket that were based on meals from their menu. Blau has more exciting events coming up that can be seen on Honey Salt’s Facebook live streams. To help aid the people of our city who have been hit the hardest, she paired up with Dignity Moon Ridge Foundation and together they have delivered over 300,000 meals to poor people. Working with 40 other nonprofits, she helps to find these poor families to give them these meals. No matter how hard things get, there are always good people there to help the community as a whole. Several Meadows students volunteer to be drivers for Honey Salt to deliver some of these meals. This kind of work is
infectious in the best way possible.
Honey Salt’s farm to table business model saved them from tragedies that larger food corporations faced. There was a pork shortage which affected several chains but this wasn’t felt by Honey Salt. Because they buy their products from small farms, there was no shortage. While this was a win for most local restaurants, chains are still better off. Blau says local restaurants are the ones who are at risk and therefore need the support of their community to survive, but when most people buy from fast food chains it is frustrating. People should buy locally since their food is much tastier and they are taking action to help their community. Most importantly, when you buy local you are helping a small business thrive in a time when many iconic restaurants have had to close their doors. So now that you have an incentive to support small businesses, whether that be restaurants or clothing shops, here’s how you can help. Obviously, buy their products frequently, whether that be their specialties or gift cards. While the capacity of restaurants has risen significantly, it still leaves the business short of money that it needs. Follow them on social media to see what they are up to and go to events that are fun and helpful. Leave positive reviews on Yelp or any other site. This catches the attention of people who have never heard of the restaurant before and gives them a good reason to go and try it.
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By Macy Litt (senior)
Once again, the Meadows Theatre department has overcome the challenges of COVID-19. Students have been able to explore the musicals and plays of their choice and record snippets of them performing their favorite parts. Even though there hasn’t been a musical this year due to safety concerns, students are still certainly able to thrive and continue to grow and spread their passion for theatre. Since these virtual recordings are emailed throughout the school, students can share their hard work beyond the stage to their friends and family from anywhere. Audiences can rewatch at their own convenience since all of the performances are shared on the Meadows YouTube page. You may be wondering, does this mean that students can only perform solo? Well, absolutely not. Through editing and collaboration, students are able to perform duets and even group numbers if they so choose. Many theatre students, including myself, are grateful for the opportunity to still be able to perform. Some even prefer the ability to choose from any show! Be sure to check your emails and the Meadows YouTube page to watch these performances. Trust me, you won’t want to miss them.
Even though these virtual performances are a significant accomplishment of the Theatre Class since their rendition of Twelfth Night, the Theatre Club here at Meadows has even more activities on their agenda. Through TMS’s community outreach program, Meadows performers have been able to spread the joy of theatre to those who need it most. Recently, the Meadows theatre students wrote and directed a version of The Ugly Duckling which was sent to several organizations such as the Garden Foundation and The Shade Tree. Kids at these organizations look forward to viewing skits from Meadows Students and even have their own viewing parties. The Ugly Duckling was the second skit shared this year, following a very special holiday performance. Not only has this program made excellent waves in the scheme of Meadows Theatre, the Thespian Troupe has also been staying very active. Performing at multiple regional competitions, many actually qualified for internationals. This means that students will likely perform over the summer and receive scholarships and other awards. Additionally, Meadows Thespians also attended the Thespian state conference where their show Twelfth Night was actually shown and viewed by theatre lovers across Nevada. Ultimately, even though the Meadows Theatre students deeply miss a live audience and an in person performance, it is safe to say that they are making the most of the pandemic to learn and grow in new ways.
Spotlight on the 2A Championship Football Team Q&A with Senior Team Captains After such a monumental championship for The Meadows Football Team, I interviewed the Senior team captains as they reflect on the last game of their season. Allison Steward (kicker) 1. As one of the first female football players in Meadows history, what do you think was your biggest impact? “I think my biggest impacts were having people see the points I put on the board, and overall just kicking. I feel like I inspired younger girls, and made lots of people proud.” 2. What was your biggest achievement on the field? “I have three big achievements. One was my big tackle last year against Indian Springs. Their player, #3, was running through the time, but by the time he got kind of close to half-field, I tackled him by the sideline and stopped him from scoring a touchdown. And this year, I kicked an extra point that won us the game. Close to the end of the game, we needed one touchdown and one good kick, and that’s exactly what happened. I felt like I was gonna throw up, but it went in. However, the most significant accomplishment of mine was winning the 2A Championship. I’m proud of the guys and so proud I got to be a part of the championship team contributing to our victory.”
3. What do you think is your biggest takeaway from being on the team? “My biggest takeaway is probably what it truly feels like to be a team. There’s just nothing like a football team, especially the energy. I learned a lot from my teammates and my coaches, and also grew a lot. One of my biggest takeaways is that I can do more than I give myself credit for.”
By Natalie Vo (junior) coachable and a good teammate are the best things you can be. Put in the work and put in all the effort that you have. It’s gonna come and go so quickly, and probably be one of your best memories. You’re gonna miss it if you don’t go for it!” 5. What would you say is the key to being a successful team? “The keys to having a successful team are good leadership, good camaraderie, and the desire to succeed. You need to think about your teammates at every moment, not just yourself. You win together, lose together. If everyone gives everything they have, it’ll be more than enough for team success.” 6. Who are your biggest motivators? “My biggest motivators are my dad, my mom, Coach Concannon, and Giselle Kimball. I was also heavily motivated by my teammates. On the team, I have one job (being the kicker). I always want to do the best for my teammates since I know the only way I get to kick, is if they score. And I don’t want them to let them down by missing my one thing. Coach Concannon also wanted me on the team for a while, and he definitely supported me the whole way through. As for my parents, they were extremely proud of me because I was really showing who I am through football. And Giselle, of course, she joined before me, and it wouldn’t have been the same without her.” 7. What was the most fun moment you had while being on the team? “There were too many fun moments on the team. Celebrating with the team on wins was always great, but celebrating personal victories (like my tackle) was even greater. Singing on the bus rides home was definitely a highlight. The boys have the best voices you’ll ever hear (total sarcasm). But team dinner and just being able to be around my teammates was the best environment and the best thing to experience.”
4. Do you have any advice for incoming freshman players? “My advice would be to go for it, and to take in as much as you can. Being
Senior captains, Blake Collier, Allison Steward, and Mick Collier, hold their championship plaque
Blake Collier (nose guard and offensive tackle) 1. What was your biggest achievement on the field? “In the fourth quarter of our Laughlin game last year, they had the ball with 25 seconds left. They were down one score, and I strip-sacked the quarterback to make us win the game. This was definitely one of my biggest achievements. Another achievement was when our team beat Lincoln county away for the first time since 2014, just last week. This was very special to me since they had beat us a combined 50+ points in my freshman and sophomore years. Also, just watching the underclassmen grow up these past two years has meant a lot to me. I’ve helped coach them on their journey, and seeing them succeed means everything to me. Especially, during the championship game, seeing everyone on my team thrive together was amazing.” 2. What do you think is your biggest takeaway from being on the team? “Through being on the team, I have learned what true brotherhood means. I would never trade any of the relationships I’ve made for anything in the world. In these past few years, I’ve developed bonds with my teammates unlike any other. Whether it be working out in the summer or winning/ losing games together, we have been by each other’s side every step of the way. 3. Do you have any advice for incoming freshman players?” “Don’t be afraid to step in when you are needed. For example, in my freshman year, I remember when we had 14 players playing 11 men, and some of us were asked to step up. So just remember to be there for your teammates and treat each other with respect. And no matter what, always give your best effort.” 4. What would you say is the key to
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being a successful team? “One of my sayings while on the field is “next play.” Even if someone makes a bad play, or gets down on themselves, it is extremely important to have them keep their head high. No matter the score or the situation, being a leader for your teammates is crucial for a victory. On top of that, my coach has always said “Effort is a habit.” Giving your all, whether it be practice or workouts during the summer, will all show up when it comes time to play.”
5. Who are your biggest motivators? “Number one would have to be my teammates. I don’t wanna let any of them down and waste all our time. The amount of work we have put in the off-season just to come out and fail is not acceptable, so I feel like it is my duty to give my best effort and help us win. I would also have to say my parents. They have supported me since day one and have come to pretty much all my games. They are always cheering me on no matter the score, and are always there to comfort me.” 6. What was the most fun moment you had while being on the team? “After wins, we have a Mustang tradition to always go to In-N-Out. Since I’ve been going to In-N-Out for the past four years, I have created some of my fondest memories there. Whether it be celebrating a hard-fought win or mourning a season-ending injury, being able to relax and enjoy my time with some of my best friends and eating some fire food are memories that I will never forget.”
Spotlight on the 2A Championship Football Team (continued)
Capturing the Excitement
By Natalie Vo (junior)
Mick Corrigan (quarterback)
summer.”
“Beating Lincoln county and breaking the school’s single-game passing yard record were my biggest achievements. Beating Lincoln county was big for us considering they beat us by 50 points in my freshman and sophomore year, and they really embarrassed us in front of our home fans. That’s why beating them our senior year was such a major accomplishment. Finally, winning the 2A championship was an incredible accomplishment for our entire team, and I’m proud to be an integral part of that.”
4. What would you say is the key to being a successful team? “I would say the key to being a successful team is to be as happy for your teammates’ success as you are for yours. Quality is built during the off-season whenever everyone is grinding together doing sprints in 110-degree weather, working out at 8 am, and staying on the field to get onfield practice in. Just by being together so much and putting in so much time and effort together, naturally, a great camaraderie is built and I think that is the key to being a successful team.”
1. What was your biggest achievement on the field?
2. What do you think is your biggest takeaway from being on the team? “My biggest takeaway is that through hard work and dedication, anything is possible. In my freshman year, I stood at only 4’11 and 90 pounds, and I couldn’t throw the ball farther than 20 yards. I was nervous, and I could barely handle a snap. And then by my senior year, I gained almost 80 pounds and would say I’m a pretty confident passer now. Also, other takeaways include the memories and friends that you make along the way. There truly is a bond in football that is unlike any other. It’s incredible to see how people are willing to sacrifice their body just for your success and the success of the team.”
3. Do you have any advice for incoming freshman players? “There is no such thing as being over-prepared. For example, my freshman year, I was unprepared for our first game and I’ll never forget that horrible feeling of letting the team down. Your confidence will come from your work ethic and the work that you put in during the summer and the spring. Working out all year is crucial to the success of the team, which is why you should make sure to get plenty of on-field work during the
5. Who are your biggest motivators? “My biggest motivators are my teammates, and I never want to let them down and I always want to put them in a position to succeed. I think as the captain, they look to me for work ethic and for what they are supposed to be doing and I always want to set an example for them. I would also say my biggest motivators are the coaches, my parents, and everyone else who believed in me during my freshman year when I was just a 4’11 quarterback. Not a lot of people believed in me and thought I didn’t have a future in that position. But for the ones who stuck with me, I always wanted to prove them right and I thought they were the smartest people in the world for continuing to stick with me and believing that I could lead this team to success.” 6. What was the most fun moment you had while being on the team? “Football was one of the only things in my life that I enjoyed every part of the process. I loved throwing in the winter with my teammates, conditioning, and lifting weights in the summer. But my favorite moments I had on the team were after a big win being able to celebrate with my family and teammates.” 7. How do you handle the pressure of being a quarterback? “Preparation is key. It’s a lot to handle going out there and needing to throw a ball while 11 guys want to take your head off. Being confident in yourself and your teammates is crucial.”
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Violence Against Asians
Fast Food Facts
Increased racially-charged hate directed at Asian Americans heightened by the pandemic By Sneha Sridhar (senior)
Interesting insights about your favorite fast food joints By Skye DeCicco (freshman) Fast Food has been around since the 1860s and continues to be a fast growing industry. As a way to quantify its success, the fast food industry in America today is worth around $198.9 billion. In the US, there are about 200k fast food restaurants. According to the Pew Research Center, there are 50 million Americans who eat fast food everyday. That’s roughly 1 in 7 people! Are you a part of the 50 million? Do you ever count the amount of fast food advertisements on the road? Kids are exposed to at least five fast food ads every day. Have you ever noticed that we can all sing the “I’m Lovin’ It” jingle when asked, or that we all know what the Wendy’s girl looks like? These commercials have a large effect on children. The appealing food in commercials plus the affordable price can convince anyone to ditch their $10 salad for a Happy Meal. Speaking of the price of food, American adults will spend around $70,500 on fast food or take-home meals. That is the same price as a 2021 Tesla model S! Just because a burger is $5 doesn’t mean it’s cheap. This equates to about $1,100 every year on fast food. In the McDonalds Happy Meal, the customer receives a small toy. Ty Teenie Beanie Babies toys, Hello Kitty toys, Hot Wheels, and Barbie toys are some of the multiple toys given out. The world’s largest toy distributor is McDonald’s, thanks to their Happy Meals. Even though they still give out toys, they are slowly but surely transitioning to books. Surprisingly, McDonald’s has sold more books to kids as part of happy meals than are located in the Library of Congress! Did you know that Subway was sued for short sandwiches? Some customers who questioned the name of Subway’s foot-long sub one day used rulers to find out They sued the sandwich chain for making sandwiches that were short. They were only 11 inches in length. Subway resisted by saying it was just a “descriptive term,” but then they settled and agreed to measure all their breads. Another fast food company that was sued for false advertising was Taco Bell. Taco Bell was sued for calling their taco filling ‘meat’. In 2011, a law firm in Alabama sued Taco Bell, stating the taco filling couldn’t be called beef since it contained oats, seasoning, and fillers rather than actual meat. Taco Bell fought back against the charges by
On March 16, eight people were shot and killed in Atlanta, six of whom were Asian women. This is just a recent example of violent attacks on Asian Americans, which has exponentially increased due to COVID. With extremely derogatory terms for the COVID-19 pandemic like “China virus” or “kung flu” in regular discourse, racially-motivated violence and hate incidents against Asian Americans have dramatically increased, underlined by the United Nations report that detailed an “alarming level” of racist assaults. Furthermore, the advocacy group Stop AAPI Hate received more than 2,800 reports of hate incidents towards Asian Americans in the last year. Other than the traumatizing impacts of this statistic, it further creates a dissonance within our society. Being Asian in America puts a target on one’s back rather than patriotic pride. Whether it’s outright violence, bullying, or other types of social abuse, many east or southeast Asians believe that they aren’t welcome in American society even though they are foundational to the American economy, owning 2 million independent businesses across the nation (US Department of Commerce). This inherent racism runs deep within our society today, but there have been steps to ease the rampant violence against Asian Americans. President Biden signed an executive action banning the use of “China virus” or similar language within the federal government. Lawmakers and activists are calling for more attention and awareness devoted to stopping Asian hate. Furthermore, California lawmakers allocated $1.4 million in state funds to “expand data collection, advocacy initiatives and resources for victims” (BBC). Asian Americans have been “perpetual foreigners” even before the pandemic, and the fight to stop Asian hate is far from over during this crisis point.
Creative Writing
Learn about the new English elective being offered next year! By Gia Orsini (freshman) Great News! Creative Writing is being offered as elective for next year. In the past, it was only for seniors as a core English class, but now it is offered for every high school student as an elective except incoming freshmen. Three years ago was the last time this class was run, and in recent years it had to be cancelled because not enough students enrolled. This is the main reason it is now offered as an elective. Mr. Devito, who will be teaching the class, says students should take this class since it is engaging and rewarding. Students don’t always get a chance to lean into their creative side when writing formal essays or strictly factual research papers, and this class allows you to do just that. The Mytonomist is a literary journal of the works that the students in this class write, allowing everyone to see what an amazing writer you are. One of the students who took this course got a scholarship into medical school based on being in creative writing and explaining how he learned how to write with empathy. Students only need a writing portfolio and to recognize that they will be writing a lot. The course will fluctuate with units, but will start with dialogue that goes along with writing a story. Students will also be reading a lot of short stories from authors like F. Scott Fitzgerald, Steven King, contemporary writers, and famous short story authors. Analyzing their writing styles and imitating writing styles will be the purpose of reading them. Students can also discuss each other’s writing, similar to writing workshops like Iowa’s writing program.
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changing the wording of their advertising, and the case was dropped. Don’t you love the smell of a Cinnabon bakery? Well they bake empty cookie sheets coated in their signature sugar and cinnamon mixture. Another myth that is true is that McDonald’s uses real eggs in their Egg McMuffin. This is quite hard to believe, but they do. The McMuffin uses real whole eggs that are freshly cooked in restaurants without additives. McDonald’s recently changed from frying their eggs in margarine to using 100% real clarified butter. When asked about favorite fast food restaurants, the Meadows High School responded that they liked In-N-Out Burger best:
The fast food industry continues to grow and change. For healthier or for worse, fast food will always be around for your midnight snack or when you are in a rush. From myths to truths, we hope you were able to gain some fast insights about fast food!
Planning for the New School Year
New schedules, new COVID protocols, and new sports season! By Katherine Chau (freshman) Since March 13th of 2020, the Meadows School began doing online learning due to the pandemic. Since then, Meadows continued doing online schooling until the end of the year. At the beginning of the 20202021 school year, Meadows gave the option of going fully remote, hybrid, or in person, however there will be many modifications to the next school year. The Meadows School’s academics, arts, and athletics was different during this school year, but Mrs. Larson, Mr. Orman (the Director of the Arts), and Mr. Grubair (the Director of Athletics) are planning for next year’s school year with many changes. In the Meadows Upper School, Mrs. Larson has been investing the majority of her time in planning for the 2021-2022 school year. There are many additions to the Upper School next year. During the 20202021 school year, it was a challenge for both students and teachers. Teachers had to adjust to the new learning systems (hybrid and remote learning). Attempting new strategies such as four longer periods a day and flex periods received positive feedback and will most likely be returning next year. Mrs. Larson believes that “there is no going back to going normal. We learned a lot of things this year. I think that we don’t need to go back but evolve and continue to learn and improve in the best interest of students” hence new additions to courses the Upper School will be offering as well as adjustments or modifications made in the Upper School. Since this year is coming to an end and the number of the cases of COVID has gone down, there will be no option for remote learning and fully in person classes will be held. COVID protocols will be loosened. Masks and social distancing will mostly likely still be in place, social distancing will not be as tight as this year. There will be new courses introduced such as: Chinese I and II, Creative Writing, another level of Engineering, post-AP Spanish and Latin, Design Thinking, and digital arts classes. In addition to newly introduced courses, there will be added classrooms which could take possibly a year to complete. Since this year was much different from the previous school years, Mrs. Larson took a different approach for arranging schedules for students which will most likely be used for the 2021-2022 school year such as flex periods which will be continued. Another objective is to open the campus back up to parents since COVID has taken this oppor-
tunity away. Mrs. Larson encourages being outdoors more often, and hopefully next year there will be more social activities for students.
have a guaranteed, regular schedule for the year, there is still much uncertainty of having everything be normal. Since COVID will probably still linger around during the next school year, there will still be restrictions such as “masks and some type of testing that will be done. There will be limitations with fans and indoor facilities. There may not be much travel.” Despite COVID being an obstacle for each sports season, Mr. Grubair set two goals for the upcoming sports season, one was “to keep the kids playing, making sure everyone can play throughout the year and have the best COVID testing system in the state, ensuring the safety of student athletes and their families.” His other goal is to create one of the best girls sports programs in the history of the state of Nevada. He believes that females in sports should see the opportunity provided for them: “The girls may not know that things are there for them. I want to make sure they see that they have opportunities.” Committed to supporting the success of female sports, he is excited to advocate for their athletes.
Mr. Orman, Director of the Arts, has been planning for next year. Since this was his first year, he found it difficult to connect with students and families due to COVID, unable to know what a normal school year in the arts looks like. During the 20212022 school year, he hopes to be able to connect with students and families. Next year, while there will still be masks, some COVID protocols will be loosened. There will be adjustments in the arts program. New courses such as animation, digital art, graphic design, contemporary vocal, modifying our film program, and AP Art History will be introduced to students next year. There will also be some modifications in Studio Art II, which will be more focused on art styles and content. Since this year was impacted by the pandemic, Mr. Orman found that not having the ability to have live performances, all the while keeping up the energy in the arts, was difficult”. Next year, he hopes to raise the level of excitement in the arts and give more opportunities to performers, artists, and musicians. We are going to have our traditional band concerts and musical performances, have gallery showings, and find opportunities for smaller, informal events, that can be brought to campus and done off of campus in the hope of expanding student interest and involvement in the arts. Mr. Grubair, Director of Athletics, hopes to give a sense of normalcy to all student athletes. It is guaranteed that each sports season will have more of a normal schedule next year. Although the sports seasons will
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Mrs. Larson, Mr. Orman, and Mr. Grubair hope that the upcoming changes will help set the foundation for an amazing school year. Mrs. Larson and Mr. Orman are excited to bring new classes to the next school year. Mr. Grubair is enthusiastic that sports seasons will be similar to previous years with student athletes participating in full-length seasons. Having changes and additions to the school will be something to look forward to.
Congratulations Class of 2021!
Kalina Abaturov Davidson College
Claire Adamson George Washington University
Sachin Bhatnagar University of Nevada, Reno
Calista Bordador Cornell University
Lars Carlson University of Nevada, Reno
Blake Collier University of Washington
Cesira Cook University of Oregon
Izzac Cordell University of Southern California
Mick Corrigan University of San Diego
Lukas Diazgranados University of San Diego
Kosi Ezeanolue University of San Diego
Amelia Heimerman Texas Christian University
Hayden Heninger George Washington University
Jackson Hinz University of San Diego
Lindsey Hofflander Brown University
Aidan Holbrook Dominican University
Devin Howard University of San Diego
Alisha Hyder University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Lia Jensch Israel Defense Forces
Chelsea Joe Dartmouth College
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Congratulations Class of 2021!
Arianna Jones University of San Diego
Raees Kamboj Columbia University
Emily Kang University of Chicago
Julien Lara California Lutheran University
Brian Lee Washington University in St. Louis
Sofia Legisima Chapman University
Sarah Lelah Santa Barbara City College
Macy Litt University of California, San Diego
Chiara Lorico-Rappa University of Notre Dame
Michelle Luh Yale University
Adam Mehdi Dartmouth College
Bella Monroe Boston College
Ella Moscoe Western University
Lexi Peltzer-Harding University of Nevada, Reno
Michael Ramenofsky Southern Methodist University
Jack Rowland Macquarie University
Nebi Samuel Harvey Mudd College
Nana Sarfo University of Southern California
Jake Maeng University of Pennsylvania
Nick Pereira University of San Diego
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Congratulations Class of 2021!
Biro Shin University of Utah
Iycis Smith Loyola Marymount University
Sneha Sridhar New York University
Allison Steward University of Nevada, Reno
Alice Sun Rice University
Kambree Takekuma University of Nevada, Reno
Cassandra Thanos Chapman University
Avery Thomas University of San Diego
Lauren Tsuchiyama University of Southern California
Angel Ventura University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Jack Weckerly-Healey University of California, Irvine
Lexy Yeager University of Virginia
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