Issue 13 2023-24

Vol. LXXII, No. 13

CAMPUS: FROM SNOW TO SUN

Students arriving on the grounds at the start of the Spring Term were greeted by paths covered with thick blankets of fresh snow, with white borders outlining the branches of trees and bushes. Within the first three days of classes, the grass unveiled itself and the spring season began to bloom. These dramatic climatic changes are not typical displays of New Hampshire weather.

These significant fluctuations in weather are explained by the phenomenon of climate change. According to NASA, since the Industrial Revolution humans have contributed disproportionately to the exhaustion of toxic fumes, including carbon dioxide, methane and other gases that trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere.

Trapped heat aggravates extreme weather cycles, triggering unpredictable and dangerous climates such as drenching rains, severe floods, years-long droughts, extreme wildfires, and sudden, late-season snowfall.

Historically, New Hampshire is one of the snowiest states in the nation. Despite this year's spring snow, in recent years the amount of snowfall in the state has progressively decreased.

The 2023-24 winter marks the state's sixth year with below-average levels of snow on the grounds. Despite students’ desire for the warm arrival of spring, these below-average snowfall statistics are concerning. The numbers illustrate the negative consequences of climate change.

Dramatic weather changes will likely not be the only impacts of climate change on St. Paul's. Climatic oscillations may also trigger a loss of species diversity in the natural marine and forest ecosystems around campus, and potential droughts during the summer months.

Although the school grounds are beautifully maintained, climate change and its various implications may mean more resources will be required to preserve the natural beauty of the SPS campus.

Even though these consequences may seem isolated to the far future, some of the impacts have already gone into effect at SPS and around the world. The St. Paul's community must strive to live eco-friendly lives to contribute to solving the climate crisis.

The Pelican

St. Paul's School

May 3, 2024

ADMIRAL RICHARDSON VISITS SPS

On April 19 the SPS community welcomed retired four-star Admiral John M. Richardson to the grounds. During a midday Chapel, the 2024 Conroy Visitor shared his experience and wisdom as an admiral with students and faculty. Richardson's presentation provided analogies between our individuality and the varying compositions and currents of each level of the sea, offering a perspective that can help students navigate life in alignment with our deepest values.

In an interview after his all-school address, Richardson shared that he grew up in a "Navy family," where his father, also a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and a naval officer, influenced him to take the same path.

Richardson explained that his main duties in the Navy after graduation revolved around "being prepared in all respects to progress the nation's interest abroad. And in the event of war, to be prepared for prompt

and sustained combat at sea." As a decorated admiral, he said he worked to "recruit, and equip the Navy to carry out those core duties."

At sea, Richardson explained, a 24hour period is broken into three eight-hour watch rotations: "on-watch", "off-watch" and a rest period. "On-watch involves running, steering, and diving to operate the submarine," said Richardson. "Off watch" is typically maintenance and training. Lastly comes a much needed rest period.

The most difficult and rewarding parts of his job, Richardson said, included "learning how to prioritize under a fixed amount of funding and resources. Everyone has good programs and good proposals, but you have to make hard calls on what survives and what doesn't."

He shared that some of the proudest, most rewarding moments as an admiral were times "when a colleague or someone

TALENT SHOW IS A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

The annual talent show blessed Raffini Commons on the fateful evening of April 6. Eager to see the upperformer performances, students packed into Friedman as the judges—Kaz Maksymowicz '24, Ava Price '24, Jade Hill '26, Harrison Black '26 and I—prepared their scoring cards.

After Fifth Form representatives Charlie Voge '25 and Kevin Wu '25 started off the night by performing a card trick, Hudson Stovall '24 gave his rendition of “Let it Go,” wearing a silver cropped polo and ill-fitting pants. Sudents sang along and waved their flashlights, kicking the talent show off with excellent audience engagement.

David Kwon '25 played an emotional rollercoaster of songs on the piano, transitioning from the "Up" soundtrack to "La La Land" to "Runaway" by Kanye West. The audience could not have been more surprised

Lucas Conrod '25

Danielle Choi '26

Georgia Bussey '24

Members and fans of the Mingrid and the Armourites // Photo courtesy of Edie Jones '24

ADMIRAL RICHARDSON VISITS SPS

Georgia Bussey '24

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who was on one of my teams goes on to do really amazing things. You just feel so proud for them and being able to help them do that.”

Richardson shared that being on a submarine was a rewarding experience due to the connections he built. "The coolest parts were always going overseas and working with the crew to achieve difficult and vigorous missions" he said. "The camaraderie that builds in any crew of any ship is so unique and so complete because you're truly all in this together.”

Richardson encourages anyone interested in the service to try it. "If you are curious, seriously curious, give it a shot and see what happens" he said. "The nation needs you, and will be stronger with people like you.”

In addition, he explained that there is something to be gained by joining the service. "The experience to gain while you are young is an amazing opportunity."

Richardson said he found his time at SPS to be rewarding. "It has been fantastic, and I meant it when I said this is one of the most beautiful places that I've seen," he said. "Everybody is really just so friendly, welcoming, all the opportunities that the students have here just blow you away. And, everyone seems to recognize and appreciate that this is a really special place, and that it requires dedicated effort to make the most of all of it. You really get that vibe too, which is terrific. It's been a pleasure to be here."

Richardson was joined in his visit by his friend, SPS Board of Trustees President David Scully '79.

Students were overwhelmingly grateful to have had Admiral Richardson share his experience in the Navy with our community. To learn about his experiences as an Admiral and for him to share universal advice and inspiration was a true gift to us all.

WHAT'S THE BEST FOOD TO DOORDASH?

Carly Bigelow '25

Most of the SPS community has seen, whether in-person or through shared photos, the overflowing desk in the Lindsay parking lot on a Wednesday or Saturday afternoon. If you have not, that desk is the same kind that you sit in during your math and science classes.

The main difference is that this desk is surrounded every day by bags and containers of all colors and sizes, such as the classic brown paper bag from Chipotle or The Works, the pop of tropical blue Playa Bowls, and of course, someone’s weekly grocery order. Personally, it is the only time I have ever been happy to see a classroom desk.

Doordash and other food delivery services are evidently very popular within the student body, and the fact that there is an entire section in our handbook dedicated to food delivery and its rules says it all. Some students order every day, some once a week. If you want to see what you are missing out on or want to continue your commitment to on-campus food delivery, I have a few new or old recommendations for your next order.

If you do not want to trek to the Upper for brunch on Sunday mornings, Concord’s own Works Cafe, Tucker’s, and Windmill

Diner are the best breakfast places. Dunkin’ and Starbucks are consistent in their drinks and snacks for a more chain-like taste.

Your transition into lunch might mean something lighter, such as Playa Bowls or B.

Good. When I asked some of my peers what they thought about campus food ordering, I received one word answers like “Chipotle” from Henry Sloss ‘25. When your food leaves you nearly speechless, it is worth trying.

I also heard opinions that sparked debates, like Teddy Madara’s ‘25 appreciation for Ichiban’s sushi being rebutted by Parker Hanson’s ‘25 claim of Moritiomo being the best. Cam Perry ‘24 says he “enjoys ordering Domino’s for dinner with friends.”

These insights from the community helped me understand the positive impacts of food ordering. The highlights of my week are always when I order food with my friends, and we reconvene in my favorite parking lot on campus on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.

Flik does so much for us at the Upper, Kwok, and Grab & Go, but DoorDash allows us to break out of our daily routines, connect with our close friends, and create a special bond with new ones.

TALENT SHOW MARKS A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

Lucas Conrod '25

Continued from Page 1

by the next performance, Cole Fidler’s '25 “interpretative dance,” which could not possibly be described by any form of human language. As the crowd picked their jaws up off the floor, “David and Goliath,” composed of Nash and Simpson residents, took to the stage to sing Beatles songs for fifteen minutes, a relaxing change of pace to prior escapades. As the crowd went silent, Luka Clark '25 came onstage with a recorder, a bucket hat, and a dream. He executed a version of “hot cross buns'' to a crowd silent in pure, talentinduced awe.

The highlight of the evening took everything you thought you knew about talent and threw it out the window. The act was intricately crafted by Anna Asano '25, Elizabeth

Johnson '25, Bella Perry '25, and Gretta White '25. Each of them dressed as a different Dean, performing a parody of “The Schuyler Sisters” from the hit Broadway musical Hamilton. The clever lyrics and headto-toe outfits made this act nothing short of unforgettable. The performance won first place and not a single person could hold back their laughter.

To conclude the evening, “Mingrid and the Armourites,” a band starring Ingrid Cassidy '25 and Meg Bohan '25, shared their musical gifts. All of Raffini sang along, some even holding up big signs in support. All in all, this year's talent show was a huge success, displaying the best of bravery, skill, and humor in our community.

THE ART OF A POINTE SHOE

Pointe shoes, with their delicate satin ribbons and “coquette” appearance, are synonymous with the beauty and grace of the ballet world. To achieve the characteristic ethereal look of classical ballet, pointe shoes allow dancers to stand on their toes as if they are floating. However, beneath the glamorous surface lies a reality often overlooked. For ballet dancers, their ability to stand and dance on the tips of their toes is a testament to years of dedication and discipline. But dancing on pointe can cause injuries, blisters, and bruises. Why endure the discomfort of dancing in these seemingly torturous shoes? To answer this, we must delve into the origins of pointe shoes.

Pointe work emerged in the nineteenth century when Marie Taglioni first performed a full-length ballet en pointe. Her tight-fitting, darned, and leather-soled slippers would set the standard for generations to come. As ballet evolved, so too did pointe shoes. In the late nineteenth century, a new type of Italian pointe shoe emerged, which had a solid platform at the front end of the shoe. This version of the point shoes was not made with nails, and the soles were only stiffened at the toes. The modern pointe shoe owes much to Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, who reinforced her shoes with hard leather soles and stiffened the toe area to create a box. Since every dancer is different, pointe

Continued on Page 5

Photo Courtesy of Henry Wilson '26

Grace Guang '27

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

Dear reader,

The senioritis is beginning to kick in, and we hate to share this with the group, but we are actually holding up layout because we can’t seem to get our act together. And you know what’s even more telling, we are using writing this letter as procrastination for all of our other work! The unchecked boxes on the Canvas dashboard is a little bit depressing, especially when it’s nearly 11pm on a Wednesday. But we realize that we are not the only seniors who are feeling this way.

With roughly a month left at this place, suddenly all of our motivation that has propelled us through our time here has dissipated. And it’s not that we don’t want to do our work, it’s that we physically can’t. Burnt out might be one good way of putting it, but honestly it feels hard to focus on our work when we have to realize that we only have one month left to make memories in this special place. Suddenly, the looming Calc AP doesn’t seem so important anymore when you realize that you won’t be with this group of people at the same time until reunions. However, we also want to remind everyone that even though it feels physically impossible to do the bare minimum, it is still necessary because graduation is not guaranteed. So please use this letter from the editor as motivation. If we can still somehow find it in ourselves to write something for the school newspaper, you can do that flipgrid for Spanish! We believe in you Form of ‘24.

Xoxo, The EICs

THE MASTHEAD

Copy Editors

Annabella Bernhardt ‘24

Skylar Christoffersen ‘24 Editor-in-Chief

Lidia Zur Muhlen ‘24 Editor-in-Chief

Andrew Choi ‘25 Managing Editor

Lucas Miller ‘25 Managing Editor

Cole Hamilton ‘24 Managing Editor

Lulu Mangriotis ‘25 Managing Editor

Cora Partridge ‘24 Lead Copy Editor

Sarah Lee ‘24 Lead Copy Editor

Nausicaa Chu ‘26

Miya Zhang ‘25

Kelly Sung ‘25

Jay Nam ‘26

Asher Gupta ‘26

Aedyn Kourakos ‘26

News Editor

Lulu Mangriotis ‘25

Opinions Editor

Parker Hanson ‘25

Student Life Editors

Kevin Wu ‘25

Raegan Otey ‘26

Theo Christoffersen ‘26

Arts Editor Anna Liu ‘25

Sports Editor

Emerson Bentley ‘25

Photo Editors

Temi Johnson ‘24

Vin Chutijirawong ‘25

Media Editors

Declan Schweizer ‘24

Henry Wilson ‘26

Layout Team

Elle Ruminski ‘26

Aedyn Kourakos ‘26

Lily Reid ‘26

CRUMPACKER GALLERY: "BETWEEN EAST AND WEST"

Helen Berger '24

The current Crumpacker Gallery Show, "Between East and West," presents works by Korean-American artists Jihye Han and Yeonsoo Kim. The pair visited St. Paul’s School from April 9-12, hosting a talk at the Crumpacker Art Gallery that showcased their artistic journey.

Jihye Han currently teaches at Phillips Exeter Academy, and is a self-described nomad. In addition to being a bright and warming presence in and out of the art classroom, her passion for artistic exploration is inspirational. Han described her journey throughout the art world and her transition from graduate schools, where endless resources were available to her, to her home studio once she graduated. Her artist statement explains that her sculpture "explores spatial relationships through ceramic objects and found ma-

terials. Jihye’s work bridges the gap between people and their environment by constructing abstract narratives with familiar materials and interactive aspects. Her installations examine the duality between the tangible and intangible into constructions of substantial shape, form, and space.”

Both artists talked about their experiences originally living in Korea, and their adjustment to life in America.

Yeonsoo Kim was first taught the art of “onggi,” a Korean pottery style that varied in size, shape, and purpose. He worked at various onggi factories and became attracted to both the craftsmanship behind the works and its cultural and historical significance. While his art still includes his original teaching of clay, Kim has put his own twist on the art form, carving and painting into his works. In his personal artist statement, Kim states that his “desire is to find and develop my aesthetic

sense by focusing on the relationship of the old and the new. The interest in this relationship is getting wider and wider until it reaches human, nature, and space. Until now, a lot of effort and time were spent for develop my works, yet I want to create more inspirational and touching works that integrate both tech-

nique and ideas through ceaseless efforts while developing my artistic views and values.”

Both artists visited art classes on the days they were here, and interacted meaningfully with the students, offering valuable insight and advice.

Brianna Blake '25 observing the new exhibit in Crumpacker// Photo courtesy of Michael Seamans

Graphic by Julia Koeman '25

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MODEL UN CLUB SPOTLIGHT

Ever since Nick Hoerle '23 singlehandedly founded SPS Model UN in the 2021-22 school year, the team’s growth has been impressive. Under the leadership of SecretaryGeneral Sofia Pace ‘24, the club holds regular meetings every Friday at 7 in Ohrstrom Library's Periodicals Room. The weekly meetings differ in length and content. While some meetings last under thirty minutes and consist of watching a simple current events video, others are longer and require more commitment, such as a conference simulation that takes several weeks to complete.

Though the lack of a faculty advisor does strain the club’s ability to travel frequently to off-campus conferences, whenever the opportunity arises for SPS Model UN

to attend any conference, the limited number of slots are quickly filled up by interested students. SPS students have yielded impressive successes at every conference, one recent conference being the PEAMUN in November 2023, where Asher Gupta ‘26 and Jay Nam ‘26 were recognized as best delegates.

Conference Coordinator Olivia Van Stone ‘25 offers her take on why conferences are such an essential part of the Model UN experience: “At conferences, you meet so many new people and form so many lasting connections that I would definitely say they are worth attending," she says. “These conferences are also an amazing way for novices to improve quickly because there is no better way to gain experience and skills than by being in the debate yourself.”

Pace is extremely passionate about Mod-

THE BEST PLACE TO GET A SNACK DURING THE ACADEMIC DAY

Do you find yourself going to Lindsay, Schoolhouse, the bookstore, Friedman, or your room?

Theo Quan '26

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you have Hum Flex free or just got out of class a few minutes early, and your stomach is rumbling? If this has ever been the case for you, this article will be a treat as I introduce you to the different places of the academic quad where you can acquire a delicious or healthy snack.

First there is Lindsay, with the food located at the bottom of stairwell three, adjacent to Mrs. Hrasky’s classroom. In this corner lies a fridge and three baskets normally filled with food. The fridge contains bagels, cream cheese, and often fruit like oranges or apples. While the fridge is fairly consistent, the snacks in the baskets are quite the opposite. Often on Saturdays, the bowls are empty, and the snacks vary from breakfast bars to fruit snacks.

Then, there is the second floor of Schoolhouse. Near the water fountain, you will find a chair with a basket containing many different types of snacks. Early in the morning, you

can find breakfast foods such as Belvita cookies. Later in the afternoon, you can find Cheez-Its and chips. If you are craving something a little sweeter, head next door to Rector Giles’s office. Chat with the Rector for a few minutes and grab candy and other sweet treats.

Although technically not part of the academic quad, Crumpacker Gallery offers a variety of sugary snacks. Oftentimes, when visiting artists’ works are on display, there will be cookies, cupcakes, and candy.

Students have differing opinions about the snacks. Diego Davalos ‘24 feels that “Schoolhouse definitely has the best snacks. My favorites are the Welch’s fruit snacks.”

Chappy Carroll ‘27 thinks that “the snacks in Lindsay are the best because they are morning snacks, and classes are earlier in the day.”

Although it is debatable which station has the best to offer, the students of SPS are blessed to have access to a variety of snacks throughout the academic day.

el UN and believes there are several reasons why students would benefit from being involved in it. “Though I won’t be here next year, I really hope more people take an inter-

est in Model UN," she says. “Participating in Model UN really helps you put yourself in another country's shoes and try to understand their perspectives on global issues.”

THE FOURTH CONSCIOUSNESS

Fun, lively, and creative, Cole Edwards '24 is a style icon, film connoisseur, and, to me, the most exciting part of my Fourth Form Algebra II class.

I know what you’re thinking: unlikely friendship. But thanks to Ms. Beaudoin's Algebra II class and her “random” partner pairing, I’ve had the pleasure of truly getting to know Cole Edwards, AKA “Funky Cole.”

Around campus, I had often heard people endearingly referring to Edwards as “Funky Cole.” When I asked Edwards about the nickname, he explained to me that it was his Snapchat username during Third Form, and somehow, it stuck. However, the nickname “Funky Cole” not only represents the

"Indian spirituality, because it believes in three levels of consciousness"

spirited and lighthearted Edwards that we know today but was also a source of inspira-

tion for Edwards’s recent passion project: “The Fourth Consciousness.”

Since the beginning of the Spring Term, it has been rare to see Edwards without his vintage camcorder in hand, recording and savoring every moment of his last term on campus. Edwards says that the name for “The Fourth Consciousness” was deeply inspired by “Indian spirituality, because it believes in three levels of consciousness.”

The mystery of the fourth level, he argues, inspired the name for the Instagram account where he posts compilations of the videos that he records twice a week. When I asked Edwards about his video-making process, he noted that he first picks out the music and then nonchalantly added, “Videos just kind of flow, I get into it, and they come as they do.”

“The Fourth Consciousness” has taken St. Paul’s by storm this term, and has students constantly looking forward to the next video published.

“It’s good to see people happy," Edwards says, "and when the camera is on, people are smiling and happy. I like to share all that peace that people are putting out there.” The fun-loving nature of Edwards’s videos serves as a testament to his ability to find joy and happiness in every moment and he reminds each one of us to soak up our little moments in Millville.

Char Machiels '25

Kelly Sung '25

Typical Model UN practice in the Library // Photo Courtesy of Sofia Pace '24

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WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO OVER MIDSPRING BREAK

Wrenn Ragsdale '26

Amidst the flurry of spring term that seems to fly by, it appears that we have made it to the end of April. For many, Mid-Spring Recess is a sign of relief, a checkpoint, and an opportunity to rest or even go home. On the other hand, for many seniors, the Mid-Spring Recess marks the beginning of the end, the final stretch before graduation that inches closer year by year.

For those staying at SPS, the usual allstar SNL lineup featuring trivia, trips to destinations near and far, over-the-top feeds, and Kwok giveaways make for positive memories. Plus, don’t forget about the opportunity to sleep in for more than one day, as you have not just Sunday but Saturday and Monday off too. Mid-Spring Recess sees many of those staying on campus a chance to get a breath of fresh air and head away to cities such as Boston or New York.

"Excitement in the air for the opportunities it brings"

The excitement for Mid-Spring Recess has seemed to engulf many Pelicans, including Fourth Former Thomas Armstrong, who said: “Spring term has been fun, but I’m ready to go home, not worry about school, and mostly, sleep.” For those venturing elsewhere, Spring Recess also offers a chance to recharge and rejuvenate. It's a time to catch up on sleep, reconnect with family and friends, and engage in activities that bring joy.

Regardless of the destination, Spring Recess provides a welcome break from the rigors of St. Paul’s life. As we look forward to the upcoming long weekend, there's excitement in the air for the opportunities it brings. Spring Recess allows everyone to pause and do what they love, whether exploring new places, indulging in favorite hobbies, or simply relaxing. So, as we approach the end of April and the start of our long weekend, remember to do what makes you happy.

STELLA AT SYA FINDING TIME: THE BEAUTY OF RENNES

Stella McNab '25

“What’s going on in Rennes?” you may find yourself asking. Luckily, there is one singular person who you can rely on to do the job: me.

Currently, the rain has ceased its constant downpour, the flowers are bigger and more luminous than I’ve ever seen them and the trees are the prettiest color of green you could imagine. The parks are occupied by nearly every resident of Rennes who finds enough time in the day to pay a visit.

My friends and I eat lunch in the park each day. Typically a sandwich from La Boulangerie du Thabor, but sometimes our host parents will make us lunch the night before, which we then carry to the park. We sit on the green benches, soaking up every ray of sunlight (all of us went home with burns last Friday).

Just today when we visited, the park was filled with teenagers, kids, and adults all

dedicating a moment of their day to bask in the sunshine. Picnic blankets in tow, it was hard for my friends and I to find a spot to settle down in the park, but we couldn’t complain. It was nice to see everyone smiling, laughing and having fun.

As I’ve said before, spring is the best time of year in Rennes. Everyone is happy to be outside in a comfortable temperature of around 70 degrees (I still don’t understand Celsius). The smiles on people’s faces are unlike anything I’ve seen before in Rennes.

Dark clothes and slicked back hair have been replaced by colorful knit cardigans and long skirts. A city that I once felt so distant from has finally made itself home. The rennais are familiar and a casual bonjour on the street isn’t so difficult to say anymore.

As my friends and I get ready for our final month in Rennes, we’re soaking up every moment and making as many memories as we can. We have lunch in the park, nights at the pizza place in Place Sainte-Anne, and coffee at

TWO DAYS IN THE LIFE AT ANDOVER

Emily Decker '26

Hi! I am Emily, a 10th grader at Phillips Academy Andover.

Fall Wednesday:

I normally wake up at 7:40 and head to breakfast with my friends at Commons. My first period starts at 8:30 and goes until 9:45. On Wednesdays after first period, we have a conference period: a time where we can meet with any of our teachers and ask them questions on topics we are learning. This is something unique to Andover that is extremely beneficial when you need more oneon-one time with a teacher.

If I do not attend conference period, I normally head to Susies (AKA the den), a

snack shop and hangout spot for students, and meet my friends. My next class starts at 10:20 and goes until 11:35, and leads right into my last 75 minute class ending at 1:00. After classes, I head to lunch and eat for about 30 minutes before I grab my soccer stuff and head to the bus or our home field for a game!

Spring Period:

Similarly to fall, I wake up at 7:30 and head to breakfast with my friends, and then go to my first class starting at 8:30, and then attend my second class (75 minutes) right after.

After my second class, I head to the All School Meeting (ASM), an assembly that the whole school attends, and we listen to an interesting guest speaker. One week we got to hear from a Holocaust survivor. After ASM, everyone heads to Commons or walks to downtown Andover for lunch.

We have a 2 hour break between ASM and our next class, so after lunch everyone goes to the great lawn, where we play games like Spikeball and just hang out. At Andover we call this lawning, and it is one of the best parts of Spring Term. Fortunately, in the spring I have my last block free, so I am done with school after ASM!

the café where the baristas know our orders by heart.

I’m happy to say that Rennes has become a home away from home and sad to say we leave in just a short month. Similar to St. Paul’s, time passes strangely here, one moment feeling so slow and another so fast. Literally smell the roses, soak up the heat from the sun, and make unforgettable memories.

THE ART OF A POINTE SHOE

Grace Guang '27

Continued from Page 2

shoe manufacturers need to create many different models of ballet shoes. Individual dancers often customize their shoes with various techniques and accessories tailored to their preferences. For example, Madeline Rick ‘27 wears Freed of London pointe shoes but enhances them with her choice of toe pads, gel squares, and even paper towels. With the reexamination of gender norms, more men are performing en pointe too. Though point work is traditionally reserved for women, choreographers like Michelle Dorrance, James Whiteside, and Dwight Rhoden are integrating pointe work for all gender identities.

Despite the challenges associated with dancing en pointe, it remains integral to the enchantment of ballet. It symbolizes the unwavering dedication and passion of dancers who continually push the boundaries of this exquisite art form.

Graphic by Michaela Hope '24

Photo Courtesy of Emily Decker '26

Dear Paul,

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LETTER TO MY YOUNGER SELF: PAUL MURRAY

Congratulations, you are graduating from high school and the next chapter of your life awaits you. This is you from the future, we are 40 now. You’ll never believe what we do for a living. I’ll leave some clues later. We’ve got this unique opportunity to alter our economic future so pay attention! This company called Google will happen in a year. Go ahead and invest in that, along with this thing called an iPod that you can bring your music around with. Your thousands of mp3s will not go to waste. Apple makes a comeback, so yeah… Invest in them.

Here are some things to do right away: Your idea of trying the long distance thing with your high school sweetheart is a waste of time. I know you are planning to declare Psychology as a major; don’t do that either. You haven’t realized this yet, but you are unreal at learning languages. Choose linguistics and learn as many languages as you possibly can. As you grow up, you’ll encounter two mentors who give you hugely helpful advice. The first piece of advice is from this guy named Charlie who helped you when you were interviewing for jobs. He told us that we never seemed grounded; for example, if we were asked why we made a decision, we’d say that it just seemed like the right thing to do, or that we just acted on feelings.

He told us to always convey the idea that everything we do in life is done for a reason. We didn’t live in Africa because we felt ‘yada yada yada’, No! We went there to master French, or we went there to start our teaching career (Yes, you end up living in Senegal for a couple years).

Now get this. As it turns out, the place where we work now is… interesting. Almost every week, we get to hear someone really interesting talk about life. Just this past week, it was a four star General! He’s an admiral who said he'd spent a collective total of 11 years or something unreal like that on a sub.

He shared this beautiful analogy about how we go about our lives. He described the ocean as having three depths; a very deep depth, a shallow depth, and then an area in between. The deep one he described as being calm and with predictable currents allowing the crew to park the boat and chill out. The shallow depth he described as being turbulent and requiring constant attention. Part of the job required navigating the boat to both depths, and his analogy was that we do something similar in life.

When we are up near the surface, we are focusing on our actions and connections. In other words, we are focused on who we are with and what we’re doing. When we are down deep, we are focused on our relationships and our character. In other words we are focused on our close

friends, family, and ourselves!

The part of this that you will find useful is as follows: You already know that people who only stay at that shallow depth tend to only focus on who their friends are and who they are going to hang out with this weekend. You know that those people need to dive their boat to deeper depths sometimes, too.

But what you don’t realize is that there is a flip side. The mistake you are making is that you’re staying down at 800 feet all the time. I know… We are the epitome of an introvert. If more than four people are talking at the same time, we can’t focus on the one who is talking to us.

It’s hard, so here is the other piece of advice that another mentor has given us. There is this faculty Christmas party every year, and we hate going to it. When I mention to my mentor that I’m not going, she pulls me aside and gives me this talk. To summarize, the point was that everybody has things that make them uncomfortable. We could either do nothing and be uncomfortable, or “turn the uncomfortable into the comfortable."

Sure enough you ended up connecting with a colleague who was just like you! If something is uncomfortable, embrace the discomfort and try to wrestle with it for a bit.

To summarize, convey a sense of purpose in everything you do, and always try to turn the uncomfortable into the comfortable. Anyway, now we are guilty of insider trading. Burn this letter.

Paul

WHERE DID THE COLD BREW MACHINE GO?

The St. Paul’s community recently suffered a tremendous loss without any explanation or reason. The delectable delicacy also known as the cold brew machine vanished at the beginning of this school year. I write this obituary to find the answers we deserve. Now, friends, this article might be a hard read for some of you.

In the mornings, cold brew was part of the breakfast routine for many: grab a cup with ice, head over to the machine, think whether or not it was finally time to switch to the nitro cold brew—definitely not—fill your cup and enjoy. Nothing else mattered because you had that ice-cold, scrumptious coffee. That day was going to be great.

But now, with the machine gone, the

stressful, tired mornings are back, and rumors have been spreading quickly. One student claims that the machine was seen in the Rectory during an open house. Others claim to have seen the machine in the boys locker room or the Kehaya basement (right next to the hot tub).

However, we, as St. Paul’s students, know rumors can't be trusted. I bring you the most reliable source this campus offers: SPS Dining’s Production Manager, Alan Judkins, with a raw, authentic, uncensored interview.

“The cold brew machine was initially removed from service due to the escalating cost of the product" Judkins explains, "When the prices became more reasonable, we put the machine back in service, only to

find it was broken.” Valid.

The answer to the question of whether or not the machine was utilized may come as a shock to many. Most students believe that cold brew is the most-consumed type of coffee.

“Regular coffee is consumed more than the cold brew, by a large margin,” says Judkins. However, he still believes the machine deserves a place in our dining hall.

In the words of Mr. Judkins: “cold brew will be served once again.” Though the new machine was ordered, due to supply chain issues, it may not arrive until September.

Despite the initial confusion, our campus has now found peace. I hope you all can finally sleep again.

Thank you, Mr. Judkins.

ROGUE:

SPRING ESSENTIALS, SHOE RACKS, AND MORE

Whassup, howdy, greetings, whassguud, heybrotha, salutations, Roguers. This spring we’d like to start by encouraging you to say hi not only to new people, but in new ways. Let’s expand our vocabulary palettes.

#Websterthesaurus style.

On top of expanding our vocabulary, let’s expand our shoe racks. EJ would like to start with motivating you to add a trusty pair of flippity-floppitys, flip-floppers, or as they’re commonly known, flip flops to your closet. Suns out, dawgs out. “It doesn’t even need to be sunny,” EJ argues. “Yes, it does,” Nel asserts.

Besides flip flops, here are some other essentials we’ve compiled in list format for SPS Spring:

A hammock: This is a must if you enjoy happiness; it allows you to pretend you're connecting with nature when you are in fact in the center of campus.

Spikeball Net

Floaties for the Docks

A ‘good lawn blanket’: Thank you Cami Bell '24.

"Suns out, dawgs out. 'It doesn’t even need to be sunny,' EJ argues."

Hydroflask/Owala: Make sure you put your name on this JBL Speaker

Five Piece Munch from Kwok If anyone’s reading this, we need some ideas. Perhaps some ghost writers. Let us know if you’re interested.

Happy Spring, Go Rogue, Nel & EJ

Elizabeth Johnson '25 and Nel Peter '25

Ava Detweiler '25

Paul Murray

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SPS CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Henry Dennis '24

STYLE COLUMN: ELIZA TSE '24

Lidia Zur Muhlen '24

Since Third Form, Eliza Tse ‘24 has always been someone who is unique, comfortable, and confident in what she wears. Growing up, she was exposed to two very different cultures: Berlin and the Upper Valley (between Vermont and New Hampshire). With time, Tse has been able to combine both of these places in her wardrobe and truly make it her own. She says, “In my rural home town practicality reigns supreme, but it was juxtaposed when I was in Berlin, which exposed me to a more urban, edgy vibe.”

Tse has been able to create a “comfy and practical wardrobe that is still within the dress code.” Tse says, “overall, my style reflects my easy going nature.” While Tse believes that your style is a great way to express yourself and make a statement, she brings up the important point that sometimes people can get a bit carried away. She says, “It annoys me when people assume things about who I

sT uden T l ife

am based only on what I wear.”

Tse has mostly been influenced by her older siblings. She says, “My style inspiration is definitely my older brother, Henry.” Her brother works in the fashion industry in Berlin, where he is able to introduce Tse to new brands and fashion concepts. She says, “Berlin has a huge fashion and music scene, so I have definitely picked up on a few things from my time spent there.”

For some last words of advice, Tse emphasizes the importance of having a coordinated wardrobe. She says, “I like to have pieces that can be mixed and matched easily.”

Tse believes it is important to have a balance of basic items but she also enjoys “going to thrift stores and online secondhand stores to find unique vintage items.” It can take time to gather the right items, but Tse can say with confidence: “I'm happy with where I am now.”

SPS BUZZFEED QUIZ

Eliza Tse '24 in a classic outfit // Photo Courtesy of Eliza Tse '24

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ADVICE ON COURSE REQUESTS

him trying to flex his selection of courses.

Pierce Trevisani '25

As course requests are being processed, we decided to interview two seniors to see which classes they recommend for upcoming 5th and 6th formers.

“I believe it is best to take a Soebroto or Duclos Humanities class for your senior year, they were great teachers and great courses overall. I not only learned a lot but also improved a lot,” says Sebastian Brigham '24. "And anyone interested in challenging themself should take Multivariable Calculus because getting a fine grade in Multi is so much more rewarding than getting a good grade in math. I have honestly learned and gained a lot from that class, despite me not doing that well in the course.”

We should definitely listen to Brigham, but we also believe that part of this quote was

Next up we have Nathan Rosenzweig '24, who has a different approach toward his courses this year. We believe that Rosenzweig is more involved in having a typical senior spring, rather than other seniors who are still on their grind.

“I was inspired when I took Ceramics 1 and believe that it is a true tragedy that I didn’t take the course sooner," says Rosenzweig. "I wish I could have progressed up the Ceramics ladder here at SPS throughout my four years instead of spending the amount of time that I did on my lab reports.”

We hope that this information helps with any lingering questions and can lead any current 5th or 4th formers toward their perfect senior year.

ARCHIVES COLUMN: NASH HOUSE

Hamilton '24

With its construction being completed in 1915, Nash House formerly served as the Lower School Study. This was a place for St. Paul’s Lower School students to engage in classes, watch films in the fireproof motionpicture room, and get extra help from teachers. After serving as the Lower School study

for many years, it was eventually converted into an art building in 1959. After 6 years of serving as the school’s art building, it was converted in 1965 into the dormitory that we see today. Despite the many rounds of renovations and changes made to the building, the structure and the design remained relatively constant throughout the years.

SNL RECAP: OUT OF THIS WORLD

It had been a long time since the previous SNL dance, so students were pleased to hear about the “Space Dance” in Raffini on April 13. However, while excitement increased, so did hesitation. With nearly half of the senior class away with college visits and students tired from sports and standardized testing, SNL wondered whether this dance would truly be out of this world. Neverthe-

CUSTODIAN

less, enthusiasm continued to build. When asked how she imagined the dance to be, Hadley Cepiel ‘24 said, “I expect it to be lit. GVL will all be there, and we will blow the roof into space.” Fellow teammate Meg Bohan ‘25 added that she had devised a clever costume: “I will be a black hole and wear all black!”

The scene was set in Raffini, with a moon on the ceiling, music shooting around the room, and a galaxy of ice cream toppings. As students began filing in around 8:45, there seemed to be many fun interpretations for the dancewear, including space Barbies, clouds, black holes, and aliens! However, despite the creative attire, the dance was less exciting than students hoped. While a dance usually becomes more entertaining as the night darkens, this dance lost energy as people were seen leaving Friedman without a glance back. The low energy was likely due to the few students and seniors on campus.

HIGHLIGHT: KIM HILSON

Custodians at St. Paul’s School are truly the unsung heroes on campus. They keep the foundation of SPS strong and largely account for the way campus buildings look on a daily basis. Custodians especially play a huge role in dorm life. With B-block free, I saw Ford House's custodian almost three or four times a week.

After a week or so I asked my custodian what her name was, so naturally Kim Hilson and I have been best friends ever since. After creating a bond with Hilson over the past two terms, I have learned about her family and her travels to South Carolina. Every second spent talking to Hilson is a second I spend smiling.

Hilson never talks about her daily life as a custodian, but rather what she will do on her days off, like riding her motorcycle or going down to South Carolina. While the focus of our conversations is not on her work at SPS, the daily life of a custodian is not easy and requires a lot of diligence and love for St. Paul’s School.

Hilson arrives on campus at 5 a.m. and stays until 1:30 pm. The team of twelve to

thirteen custodians first tackle the academics and administrative buildings and then go on break at 8am.

After their break, they clean their assigned dorm until 1:30pm. With this number of custodians, it is difficult if one person is sick because the work is then spread across fewer hands, adding to the time it takes to complete the assignments. While the work is tedious and hard, our custodians are a “close and cohesive group,” according to Hilson.

“I enjoy interacting with all the people, especially the students in the dorms.” says Hilson. “You guys are great."

Bonding with Hilson this year has given me new insight into how tightly knit our community is. After five years at SPS and living most of her life in Concord, N.H., Hilson will be moving to South Carolina at the end of the year. This is most certainly a loss to the SPS community and especially a loss to the community of Ford. However, Hilson’s bright light will always shine at SPS and she will always be a fond face to remember when I think about my time in Ford.

Photo Courtesy of the SPS Archives

Sarah Ernst '24

Graphic by Ava Price '24

Cole

Lulu Mangriotis '25

OPiniOns

WHY MARINE BIOLOGY IS THE BEST SCIENCE

With an intriguing basis, a dive into the mysterious, and a lot of water, Marine Biology is the right science for you. But don’t take my word for it, take the word of Barrett Pickett ‘24, and Charlie Hepp ‘25.

"I chose to take marine biology because I was not only intrigued by the course but also by Mr. Cabot and his impact on the SPS campus," says Hepp. “Ever since I was a child I have always loved the ocean and beaches so I thought it would be a cool and challenging course to take.”

Pickett's feeling about Marine Biology nearly sent him into tears. Once he collected himself, he shared. “Ever since Freshman year at SPS there has been something missing in my life, but it wasn’t until Senior year when I started taking Marine Biology that I found out what I was truly missing," he says. "Now that this gap is filled, I'm happier than ever.”

St. Paul’s, don’t take my word for it, take the word of your peers who have changed their lives and molded into something better because of Marine Biology.

Marine biology is not confined to the campus of St. Paul’s; It goes outside of the

classroom too.

Though we are high schoolers, we are often prompted to think about our futures, and despite the stress that doing so entails we have to think ahead. But where do we start?

This leads me to my next question: Have you ever wondered where you're going after college or what you want to do? If so, being a marine biologist is the answer for you.

Marine biology isn’t just the best science. It is also the perfect profession and a profession that consists of truly life-changing experiences and aspects. Even though we have heard how great marine biology is from Hepp and Pickett, I believe that we need some more insight into what it is like as a profession.

Who else to go to but Davies Cabot, the marine biology teacher. “It is the most interesting diverse study which feels like you are descending into a completely foreign universe,” says Cabot.

With nothing but love for their classes and professions, we are able to see the true impact that Marine Biology has on our community and everyone who decides to dive into the best end of science.

ARE MINI FRIDGES REALLY NECESSARY?

Kaia

Last summer, as I prepared to leave the humid warmth of Florida for the frigid climes of New England, I spent many hours scrolling through lists entitled “What to Pack for Boarding School.” Furry boots? Check. Puffer jacket? Check. Warm blankets and gloves? Check and check again.

Mini fridge? Definitely not, I thought to myself, remembering the distinctive blue and white “Ice Alert'' notifications that would pop up on my phone whenever I checked the weather in Concord. I saw myself clutching steamy mugs of hot coffee and hot chocolate; cold drinks and snacks were the last things on my mind. I realized just how wrong I was when I arrived on campus to sweltering late summer heat and a broken fan.

After my first day trekking 10,000 steps on our 2,000-acre campus, I was ready to stock the common room fridge with an assortment of refreshing drinks. Everyone else clearly had the same idea, as within the first week, the shared fridge in the common room was so stuffed it would barely close.

Sodas, energy drinks and water bottles shared space with mysterious packages with unknown scents. Packed with other people's groceries and with every new opening of space filling up within minutes, I couldn't fit anything of mine into the fridge. As for ice, there was never a single ice cube left inside the freezer.

I convinced myself that my desire for fridge space would pass soon, and figured that in the wintertime my need for cold drinks would abate.

Unfortunately, it turns out that at St. Paul’s we like to heat our dorms and classrooms to tropical extremes and cool drinks are always a necessity. However, it wasn’t just the refreshments I was missing out on. I noticed some of my dorm mates never emerged with puffy eyes like mine from late-night study sessions.

Poking around for answers, the secret was revealed to me by Claire Lee '26, who looked at me sympathetically as she revealed that she stores her skincare essentials in her fridge as well as her assorted refreshments. “Face masks are the best,” she shared enthusiastically. “Also, the mini globes that you can massage across your face depuff my skin every morning. It keeps my face cream nice too. Even though it takes up room, I think it’s worth it."

My regret is real and the decision is clear. As Caroline Rogers '26 declares emphatically: “I wish I had a minifridge, and I will definitely be buying one for next year.”

Even with the freezing temperatures that St. Paul's faces, it is clear that a minifridge manages to serve purpose and usefulness throughout every season. Whether I’ll use it for skincare, food or drinks, I know that I will definitely not be missing out on a minifridge when I come back to school in the fall.

IS SENIOR SPRING REAL?

Most of the Form of 2024 is currently battling senioritis. However, for those who are still waiting to arrive at the sentiment, it feels like a myth.

Many of my friends have ironically asked: “What even is homework? It doesn’t matter,” yet they continue to feel the need to succeed.

Other seniors continue to do their work, although the quality of work wavers in comparison to early terms. Senior spring looks different for everyone. “Well, I'm about a week behind for every single class, so I'm gonna say no, I no longer do my work,” says Eliza Tse ‘24.

Tse is among the many who have taken

the ultimate relaxed approach to this term. Contrastingly, Lilly Ehlinger ‘24 feels the need to keep up. “I do my homework the night it is assigned, but I’m in an art class so that's pretty senior spring to me.”

Evidently, senior springing differs greatly among the form. Many seniors also find themselves in the category of people who await warmer, sunnier weather before fully letting loose. As they hold out hope for the future May flowers following this month’s April showers, they look forward to boat dock days, Chapel Lawn volleys, less completed work, and an increase in relaxation.

No matter the approach, whether resembling the tortoise or resembling the hare, we will all make it past the June 2 finish line after living our own realizations of “Senior Spring.”

Pierce Trevisani '25

Huttenlocher '26

Manon Lesort '24

Graphic by Julia Koeman '25

THEATER COLUMN:

SPOTLIGHT ON MASON DEAS '24

In the bustling world of St. Paul's School's theater scene, one name shines bright: Mason Deas '24. With a repertoire that spans from gripping dramas to uproarious comedies, Deas has captivated audiences and earned acclaim for her remarkable talent both on and off the stage.

As the captain of the theater company, Deas has left an indelible mark with each performance. She has been involved in all of the Fall Plays during her time at SPS since her Fourth Form year. In Bluestockings (2021), Deas’s portrayal of Mrs. Welsh added layers of complexity to the production, earning her praise for her nuanced performance.

Her portrayal of Catherine Donohue in These Shining Lives (2022) showcased her depth and emotional range, while her embodiment of Miss Scarlet in CLUE (2023) left audiences guessing until the very end.

In addition to her contributions to the annual Fall Play, Deas also made a presence at the Student-Directed Winter One Acts. She brought to life student-written characters: Samantha in Honeymoon (2022) and Julie Davis in In the Crowd (2024).

On top of her role as a performer, Deas took another step to direct The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon (2023), demonstrating her creative vision and leadership.

Deas also is actively involved in the SPS musicals as she took on the role of ensemble member and assistant director of the 2023 Spring production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

a rTs

While her theatrical activities may leave you in awe of her dedication to the arts, the theater is by no means the only way Deas contributes to the SPS community. If she is not on stage expressing heightened emotions at you, she is on the paths of Millville asking how you are with a smile that makes you doubt how she can portray a sad character. In the dorm, Deas is a Prefect of Armour House, where she brings the same passion and commitment that she displays on stage.

Deas explains how her artistic endeavors began. “I started theater when I got to St. Paul’s in Fourth Form, honestly, because I didn’t want to play any of the Fall sports. But I stuck with it after because I was inspired by the really wonderful group of seniors in the theater program that year.”

Although started on a whim, Deas’s love for theater is undoubtable. “As far as what I like about theater, there’s so much" she says. "I love the sense of community we have within TCo. here. I also really love the intellectual side of acting. I’m really passionate about building characters that feel human and using the work I do as a sort of exploration of human instinct.”

As Deas prepares to embark on the next chapter of her journey at Columbia University next fall, the St. Paul's School community wishes her continued success and looks forward to seeing her light continue to illuminate stages far and wide. Here's to Mason Deas, a true star in every sense of the word.

THE SPS COMIC

CHAPPELL ROAN: NEW ARTIST OF THE MONTH

If you haven’t heard of Chappell Roan yet, you probably will soon. In the everevolving landscape of the music industry, where trends come and go constantly, emerging artists with authentic, timeless talent and a unique voice stand out like beacons of hope. Among these rising stars is Chappell Roan, a singer-songwriter whose ethereal voice and poignant lyrics have been captivating listeners since she first emerged onto the scene. However, in the past few months Roan has been making her way into the spotlight after her debut album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” and opening for artist Olivia Rodrigo on her Guts tour. Let’s dive into what makes Roan so special.

Born in Willard, Missouri, Chapell Roan (born Kayleigh Rose Amstutz) discovered her passion for music at a young age. Raised in a household where creativity was encouraged, she began writing songs as a form of self-expression. Influenced by a diverse array of artists ranging from folk icons like Joni Mitchell to contemporary pop sensations like Lana Del Rey, Roan developed a distinctive sound that seamlessly blends elements of indie-pop, folk, and alternative rock. Her creative voice and persona are also reminiscent of musical legend Kate Bush.

Roan's breakthrough came in 2016 with the release of her debut single, "Good Hurt." In 2018 she moved to LA to pursue music which became a turning point in her career. An important part of Roan’s musical identity is being a queer woman, and living in LA was

when she felt she could truly express that part of herself. In her recent music, Roan has dived deep into the intricacies of her experience as a queer woman in both colorful and fun pop tracks like “Naked in Manhattan” and heart piercing ballads like “Casual”. Chappell Roan has an infectiously fun energy, and has cited her stage name and look to be somewhat of a drag persona. On both her independent tour and her tour with Olivia Rodrigo, Roan has made it a point to include local drag stars in her performances. Her campy and girly vibes are contagious and she has a special way of captivating a crowd through dances, chants, and costume contests.

Roan never shies away from honesty, and dives deep into themes of sex, relationships, and her queer identity all while never taking herself too seriously. Her lyrics are fun, flirty, and often hilarious. But what makes her such a special emerging star is her ability to bring out creativity, confidence, and joy in her fans. She is unapologetically herself and you can’t help but love her.

As she continues to carve out her place in the music industry, Chapell Roan stands as a testament to the power of music to touch hearts, inspire change, and bring people together. With her talent, determination, and unwavering authenticity, Roan is undoubtedly poised for even greater success in the years to come. Her new single “Good Luck, Babe” is out now and already shooting her even further into stardom. Keep an eye on this rising star – her journey has only just begun.

Andrew Choi '25

Liv MacMillan '25

Comic by Marilyn Doyle '25

Mason Deas '24 and Gretta White '25 on stage for the Winter One-Acts // Photographed by Vin Chutijirawong '25

THE SEASON AHEAD FOR BOYS CREW

Our very own "Boys in the Boat"

You may have heard of the iconic book “The Boys in the Boat” and the film adaptation that hit theaters last December. The story of the legendary American men’s crew team that started from humble beginnings and would go on to win gold in the 1936 Olympics won the hearts and minds of many; however, a trip down Dunbarton Road will allow you to meet another one of a kind team: the SPS boys varsity crew team.

This upcoming season is looking promising for the Big Red on the water. The boys crew team is captained by Jack Sulger ‘24 and head coached by Humanities Teacher Chip Campbell, with many returning varsity members like Johnny Dase ‘24, Jack Bretl ‘24, and Lucas Salazar ‘24.

Salazar shared his excitement about the season. “The team is hungry, excited, and eager to succeed,” he said, while crediting Sulger for his great leadership.

In addition to the small group of returning senior athletes, Salazar said the team has an exceptional number of athletes who are “excited to practice and put the work in each and every day.” He said their contributions are integral to the team’s biggest strength this season: depth. “Each boat is pushing the next boat to work their hardest,” said Salazar.

The rowers' motivation and persistence have shown clear results of a strong teamwork ethic and an unwavering goal for the season– to push each other and win.

The team secured their first win against Tabor Academy on April 20 at Turkey Pond, going 3-0.

The next race at home will be against Phillips Andover on May 4. So make sure to stop by Crumpacker Boathouse this season to cheer on SPS’s very own Boys in the Boat!

SOFTBALL HIGHLIGHT

As the Spring Term gains momentum, so does the Girls Varsity Softball Team, marking the beginning of an exciting season ahead. The team already shows promising signs of success.

The season kicked off with a bang as the team secured two back-to-back victories against Nobles and Thayer. The Nobles win broke a six-year loss streak against that opponent.

The team continued to dominate and maintain their winning streak with another 8-5 victory against Thayer. Though the game against KUA was a tough battle, they remain headstrong to train and improve in the coming weeks.

Softball practices are full of movement and heart-racing drills and conditioning. While it is not easy to have these intense practices six days a week, the results speak for themselves with consistently great performance on the field.

“A typical day of practice starts off with dynamic stretching and exercises," says Dakota Martinez '27, who plays third base and middle infielder. "We then move into some throwing progressions. Usually, we do some

'everydays' for fielding. Then we go into some hardcore drills to get us ready for our upcoming games."

The team has a tight-knit bond both on and off the field. Martinez feels as though the team is more than just players on the field but like a family. “During preseason, I remember the time when we missed our flight from Florida back home, and we were stuck in the airport for hours. That really tightened our bond," she says.

The formidable friendship and bond between these elite athletes stem from countless hours of practice and shared experiences. “During practice, if someone makes a mistake, we’ll always support each other and make them feel better. Whenever I’m on the field, I’ll always know my teammates have my back,” says Martinez. This familial bond between players is undoubtedly what propels the team forward, fueling their determination to succeed.

As they gear up for their upcoming matches, one thing is certain: the Girls Varsity Softball Team is ready to tackle whatever challenges come their way as they march forward into the heart of the season.

Melody Zhang '27

Gretta White '25