Pelican Issue 6 2022-2023

The Pelican

St.

Paul's School

World-Renowned Dancer Visits

Michaela DePrince Inspires Students

Lulu Mangriotis '25

The St. Paul’s Community was privileged to welcome Michaela DePrince, a world-renowned ballerina and ballet icon, to the grounds on Feb. 21. During her day at SPS, DePrince spoke in Chapel, taught ballet classes, and had lunch and dinner with members of the student body.

DePrince rose to fame after being featured in a movie called “First Position” when she was 14. The movie follows six young dancers through the national ballet competition Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), and DePrince was one of the six highlighted.

Part of what makes DePrince so inspiring is her story. Born in Sierra Leone, she grew up during the decade-long civil war. Her father was killed during the war and in an effort to keep her daughter, DePrince’s mother died of starvation. When DePrince was placed in an orphanage, she says, she was discriminated against because of her vitiligo, a condition that causes the loss of skin color in blotches. Once adopted, she says she was determined to excel in dancing. A common misconception DePrince shares is that once she was adopted her life was smooth sailing, but the life of a dancer is extremely difficult and she faced racism and injuries.

In 2017, DePrince ruptured her achilles, an experience she describes as a heartbreak-

Understanding the Ten-Day Attendance Policy OPINION: It's O.K. to Sit

School administrators introduced a new policy in the 2022-23 school year: the ten-day policy on attendance, which states that when a student misses more than ten meetings of a single class during a single term, they may not receive credit for the course.

Rector Kathy Giles explains the school’s decision behind the policy. “Missing ten days of class means you are missing around two weeks of a ten or eleven week term,” she says. “If you are absent for twenty percent of a term, not only are you missing out on a lot of content, but you are also being absent in the learning of your peers. This is problematic because we purposefully hold small classes so that each student can play a key role in the learning of their classmates.”

ing setback as a dancer. Full of ambition and determination, DePrince says she felt that she had to “do it all” alone. When describing her injury, she explains that “for once, I had to start asking for help.” Her pause from performing helped DePrince gain some insight into the role ballet played in her life. “Ballet is my identity and this injury helped me find my love for dance again,” she says. After she recovered from her injury she says she held a new perspective on ballet and beauty.

DePrince has been an idol for many dancers since “First Position” was released. For fans of the film, watching her perform in person with the Boston Ballet was a surreal experience. Dancers who had the opportunity to speak with DePrince at St. Paul’s said it was the privilege of a lifetime.

DePrince is a humanitarian who uses her platform for the better of others. She spoke about her desire to both give back to her community in Sierra Leone and to raise awareness about her journey. She is an ambassador for the non-profit organization War Child, which is committed to the wellbeing of children during times of war. DePrince is also using her platform to collaborate with Nike to “change the ballet world for the new generation,” she says.

As a dancer, DePrince uses her platform to show people that “you do not have to be defined by where you come from.”

The Case Against Standing Ovations in Chapel

Nicky Fink '23

It is an all too familiar feeling: sitting through a Chapel talk that seems to drag on for an eternity, offering too little entertainment to help keep us awake at such an early hour. Then, at its closing, we’re compelled to join in on a strangely obligatory tradition: a standing ovation. At first, a small group of people stand. Social pressure mounts, and before we know it, the whole St. Paul’s School community has risen to its feet, clapping for a talk that may not have even kept us awake. It is these moments that have led me to an unavoidable conclusion: we need to stop giving so many standing ovations.

A standing ovation is among the highest honors a speaker can receive and is typically reserved for only the most spectacular performances. This isn’t the case at SPS. We give standing ovations to nearly every speaker and performance, regardless of whether we actually like them or not. As a result, the honor of a standing ovation is cheapened, so much so that it is now nearly meaningless. Since we give standing ovations so often, we fail to single out and recognize truly remark-

Continued on Page 2

The Vice Rector for School Life, Rector, Dean of Studies, and the Dean of Students, who work collaboratively to oversee attendance, make sure to consider the circumstances of the absences. When it comes to situations like injuries, illnesses, or family matters, this group will look into each individual case and potentially make exceptions. And the policy on attendance does have benefits, according to Giles. Students are deterred from missing class, and she reports that uncertainty around leaves has reduced.

Some student athletes share that this policy has caused them tension, as absences for athletic commitments apply to the tenday tally. “I think it’s unfair,” says Calla Yim ‘25. “I play competitive squash, and that means I have to participate in tournaments all year round. In order to get my ranking up, I need to partake in as many tournaments as possible, but now I need to pick and choose what tournaments I want to go to. It’s hard because I know I can be ranked higher than certain people in my age division if I played in more tournaments, but I can’t because they can afford to miss more classes than me.”

Cami Capdevila ‘25, another student athlete, agrees that the policy is challenging for student athletes. “I think it’s really unfair. If you worked hard enough to represent your school in Nationals or New Englands, you shouldn’t be punished for it.”

Continued on Page 3

Photo Courtesy Michael Seamans

Kelly Sung '25

It's OK to Sit

Nicky Fink '23

able speakers and performers. We are unable to show genuine appreciation for those singular Chapel speeches or performances that leave us thinking in new ways and understanding new perspectives, which is the goal of any good Chapel talk.

It can be incredibly scary and difficult to give a Chapel talk, whether you are a student, faculty member, or otherwise. We should commend the bravery shown by all those willing to undertake this daunting task. Because such a feat deserves recognition, I think many consider a standing ovation to be a fair way of recognizing this bravery. However, we don’t need standing ovations to celebrate speakers and performers for their efforts. Applause is enough. It sufficiently shows our gratitude for a speaker and commends their courage in speaking before the entire community.

In a perfect world, I would have us give no applause. Rather than going through the

stand, or simply sit and clap, we could cease applauding at all. Instead, we could take a moment to pause and consider what we just heard, whether that be an interesting point offered by a speaker, the piece of music that a student has just performed, or even a simple Chapel announcement. This would give the person who has spoken what they truly deserve: genuine consideration of their words or performance and their impact.

We don't need standing ovations. Applause is enough.

To go from mostly standing ovations to silence would be a big jump. Until we arrive there, let us reserve the standing ovation for only the most remarkable performances. In this way, we can duly commend and celebrate their magnificence.

SPS Students Celebrate Black History Month

Cora Partridge '24

As the end of the International Decade for People of African Descent approaches, St. Paul’s School celebrates Black History Month. Throughout the month of February, Onyx has expanded students’ knowledge of Black history through Chapel announcements. On Sunday, Feb. 12, students and faculty hosted a special celebration of Black History Month.

The commemoration began in the Coit Upper Dining Room, where performing artist Theo Martey hosted traditional drumming and singing from different African regions. Outside the dining hall, Onyx set up several learning stations including a book display from Ohrstrom Library, a Jean-Michel Basquiat-inspired art station, short-form graphic novels on Black history, and a Zamani Project showcase. At 2 p.m. the main event began in Memorial Hall. Organized by Dr. and Mrs. Justinvil, the celebration featured students, faculty, alumni, and guest artists of African descent. The theme of celebration for the year 2023 was “Praising the Past, Acknowledging the Present, Uplifting the Future,” and the program moved through each of these stages in turn, using a variety of presentations.

From the Creole language to ballet to hip-hop concept albums, performances traversed the length and breadth of Black histo-

ry, art, and culture. One particularly poignant moment was the contribution of Monique Bobb Schlichtman, an alumna of St.Paul’s who spoke about her SPS experience. “Black students should embrace the freedom that they have and make the most of their experiences at SPS,” she said. “They should be free to make SPS their home and to demand from that home all that they need to be successful.”

Jaeleen ‘24, who is one of the student heads of Onyx, discussed the planning process behind this year’s Black History Month celebration and their own experience a a Black transgender individual at SPS. As an Onyx head, Jaeleen was especially invested in emphasizing the contributions of Black transgender people, a group that is often underrepresented when telling the story of the African Diaspora. “Black trans women were the leaders of Stonewall and queer liberation,” she said. “The amount of contributions Black trans people have made to Black culture is amazing.”

Jaeleen credits the Black and African American community at SPS as a critical support in their own journey of finding their cultural identity. “We acknowledge that everyone comes from different backgrounds and we encourage each other to embrace our cultures."

Puzzle Mania Sweeps Campus

Annie Bermingham '23

Do you have a topic you are dying to write about? Submit an opinion piece or objective coverage article to the Pelican now! We can publish your work and highlight new voices! If new or returning writers have any article ideas, please use our QR code to go to our website: pelican.sps.edu

We reserve the right to edit and maintain a role in the creative process of any submission.

A deafening silence filled the common room of Brewster House on an early Sunday morning. In the very center of the room, a 1,000 piece puzzle laid on the marble countertop beckoning to be worked on. As soon as the pieces were scattered carefully among the table, countless hands began to organize the pieces into color and edge piles. No one's eyes dared to divert from the puzzle in hopes of being the first person to put two pieces together. Just when the anticipation reached its climax, an “oh ya” cheer sliced through the air. The girls surrounding the table all erupted into laughter, which was followed by a congratulatory dance session for completing the first part of the puzzle.

On Jan. 15, the Dean of Students Office at St. Paul’s School introduced the concept of a puzzle competition to the student body. The puzzle involved in the competition was advertised as the “World’s Largest Jigsaw Puzzle” by Costco, including over 60,000 pieces that form an 8 foot tall by 29 foot wide illustration of the world. The promise of a dorm feed for

beating the Deans encouraged students to participate in the activity. And just like that, the competition began.

The novelty of a puzzle competition at SPS compelled many students to take on the challenge immediately. During the seven years that Associate Dean of Students Thomas Gregston has been at SPS, "we have never done something like this," he says. Within the first few hours of the competition, common rooms were packed with students eager to contribute. While most dorms worked on the puzzles as a fun dorm activity, some made it their mission to be in the lead.

Kehaya ranked first in the puzzle competition. The girls in the dorm completed nine 1,000 piece puzzles, which pushed them ahead of their closest competitors, Center and North, who finished five puzzles each.

Avery Hinojosa ‘23, the puzzle captain of Keyaha, reported feeling excited about the competition. “Everytime we were working on the puzzle, someone would be playing music on the speaker, and it was nice to have a little karaoke while puzzling.” Hinojosa comment-

Graphic by Julia Koeman '25

Ten-Day Attendance Policy

Kelly Sung '25

Yim says the policy means she has a much smaller margin for error in her competitions. “Normally you can redeem poor performances in one tournament with better performances in another,” says Yim. “But in this case, it’s almost as if every tournament I attend has to be perfect.”

Giles says she believes that athletes have a responsibility to participate fully in the life of the school. “A student athlete’s responsibility does not end at them keeping up with just their work, but it also extends to their contribution to everybody,” says Giles. “If we had a

student who had to play in the Olympics, we would work out a longer leave, but that is an unusual circumstance. On the other hand, for a student who wants to miss school every Saturday to play in matches, our school might just not be the best fit.”

The policy was put into place in part due to absence increases during the Covid-19 pandemic, and Giles contends it was created with the best intentions. “We wanted to put better and more visible boundaries around absences to restate our main priority, which is academics,” she says. “I want students to know this policy is designed to be helpful and not as a punishment. We miss you when you are not here.”

Marine Bio Students Visit Florida

Editorial Board

Editors in Chief

Maddie Rosato '23

Ashley Zhou '23

Managing Editors

Lidia Zur Muhlen '24

Skylar Christoffersen '24

Photo Editor

William Mao '23

Assistant Editor

Matthew Letourneau '23

Art Editor Sam Seeley '23

Copy Editors

Nausicaa Chu '26

Kelly Sung '25

Layout Editor Andrew Choi '25

Historic Temperature Lows over Mindwinter Weekend

Zhang '25

On Feb. 4, historic cold temperatures were recorded at the Mount Washington Observatory in New Hampshire. The wind chill atop Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast United States, dropped to -108 degrees Fahrenheit. According to Brian Brettshneider, a climate scientist based in Alaska, the last time wind chills dropped this low on Mount Washington was 138 years ago. Coincidentally, Feb. 4 also marked the second day of the Mid-Winter Recess for St. Paul’s School students.

“That was probably some of the coldest weather I’ve ever experienced, and I’m from Chicago, so I am used to the cold,” says Simona Mesgina, ’23, who remained on campus over the long weekend. “It wasn’t just the temperature, it was also the wind. You could feel the cold in your bones.”

this strange dichotomy where the overall trend is warming, but there are also more extremes, such as the irregular cold weather,” said Science Teacher and Eco Action adviser Nick Babledelis. “We had this super cold weekend, but right before that, we’ve had an abnormally warm winter. The snow had already been melting on campus, then suddenly we got two feet of snow and sub-zero temperatures.”

During the first weekend of February, many St. Paul’s School students dispersed for mid-winter recess. For three and a half days, students and faculty enjoyed a respite from their six-day week. Such an opportunity to rest might seem too appealing to pass up, but many students in Davies Cabot’s Marine Biology class discovered an even more tempting prospect: a five-day trip to Key Largo to learn about marine biology in person, in the sun, and away from New Hampshire’s freezing temperatures.

Eden Knight '24 as their home base for five nights. Activities at MarineLab consisted mostly of snorkeling, lectures and labs, and the majority of the day was spent on the water. Hadley Cepiel ‘24, a participant in the trip, said that trip highlights included snorkeling and exploring MarineLab’s private island. Avery Hinojosa ‘23 said her favorite parts were swimming with animals like reef sharks and tanning during her afternoon free time. The trip also helped students forge lasting and sometimes unexpected friendships.

Students who attended the trip, along with Cabot and science teacher K.C. Hambleton left early Thursday morning, missing classes on Thursday, Friday and Tuesday to leave enough time for their itinerary. After flying into Florida, the twelve students and their two chaperones drove for several hours to the northernmost Florida Key: Key Largo. They used MarineLab, a small marine education center on the water with one dorm, one cafeteria, a few classrooms, and several boats,

While students did enjoy fun, games and sunbathing, there was a lot of learning to be done, too. Ivan Vergara ‘23 said he enjoyed learning about coral reefs and seagrass.

Students appreciated the hands-on experiences in the water that allowed them to apply what they’d learned in their classroom far away in New Hampshire. Those who attended said the trip was a great reminder that sometimes the most important learning happens outside the classroom.

Mesgina’s sentiments echo those of most students who stayed on campus, where the RealFeel temperature fluctuated around -50 degrees throughout the day. Ella Kim ‘25 was warned by teachers that “frostbite settles in in less than ten minutes in such weather conditions,” she says, “I chose to stay indoors that day, and bundle up whenever I had to leave the dorm.”

Humanities Teacher Beth Little has spent all her adult life living in New Hampshire and describes the mid-winter weekend temperatures as unprecedented. “It’s ridiculous,” she says, “because right after those cold days, this week may set a historical high for the warmest day in February ever on the East Coast.”

While the state is warming faster than the global average, it also suffers extreme colds. “The warming of our planet disrupts really large currents of air, with cold air from cooler regions of the world being pushed to other places. On the other hand, there is the matter of global warming and more greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. So we have

Erich Osterberg, a Dartmouth climate scientist, spoke to the New Hampshire Bulletin about this strange New Hampshire winter. “We’re losing the cold, snowy winter which defines New England culturally, economically, in terms of tourism. It’s what a lot of us love about living here: our winters. It’s more than changes to the climate; it’s changes to our livelihood and our culture,” he said. Winters are essential to New Hampshire’s seasonal rhythm, and students at St. Paul’s aren’t exempt from feeling the repercussions of climate change.

“The school needs to plan for a future where we know global warming is happening. We have to prepare for more extreme weather and work around the climate,” says Babladelis. “Not just in winter, but in summer too: the number of 90-degree days are increasing steadily. It's issues and challenges such as these that the SPS community will need to face in the next decades.” Babladelis emphasizes the importance of building communal resiliency and mitigating climate change. When faced with a future where global warming is a reality, he asks, to what extent can we prevent the situation from worsening while also preparing ourselves for the worst?

Miya

highlighTs

SPS Pelican Poll: Your Best "Falling" Stories

Submission 1

One cold winter morning, Chapel took place in Memorial Hall. As a poorly informed European, I thought that wearing my beloved loafers in sub-35 degree weather was a great idea. Unfortunately, New Hampshire was not on my side. I exited the building, determined to head to the Schoolhouse, and saw many people all taking the same path. As smart as always, I decided to walk down the stairs on the side of Mem Hall, without considering why no one was taking that path. The moment I stepped on the first stair, I understood my mistake. These steps were entirely covered by extremely smooth and slippery ice. While I tried my best to stay up, I slipped, landing hard with my back against those three cursed steps. Mem Hall Chapel and my loafers, along with the consequent shame and Tylenol, will forever stay in my memory.

Submission 2

Last year, it was the middle of winter term and I left the open mic night early before my check. Ice was on the ground and my breath came like clouds of smoke in the freezing temperatures. The night was quiet and no one was around. Until I heard it.

THWACK THWACK THWACK! Over and over. I looked around, desperate to find out where the noise was coming from. Finally I looked to my left and saw someone running down the hill next to Sheldon. They were running in flip flops...and shorts. I assumed that they were running from someone, but after a few seconds, no one else came. I was pretty confused, to say the least. They were running like someone was chasing them. Soon enough, they reached the flagpole where there was a substantial amount of ice. "They are going to slip and fall," I thought. And they did. They fell and, like a cartoon character, spun 180 degrees while sitting. I thought they would stop for a minute and contemplate what just happened, but they didn't. They immediately flipped over to a plank position, stood up and ran. And since they were still on ice, they looked like a cartoon character running for a moment before resuming their journey. Then they ran…far. The last I saw of them, they were sprinting past the Upper.

Chapel Choir Combats Low Numbers with Mid-Year Auditions

Sarah Lee '24

One of the most cherished traditions of St. Paul’s School is its choir program. Despite its numbers being lower than usual at the start of the 2022-23 academic year, with a mid-year call for new singers, the choir is reinvigorated. Meeting three times a week in the New Chapel, 36 members of the choir program work hard to uphold this tradition that has persisted for more than 160 years. The choir program performs during Chapel, with its most notable service being the annual Service of Lessons and Carols. Every December, this event brings students, members of faculty, families, and alumni together to celebrate the winter and communal gatherings.

Beyond being provided a chance to sing, members of the Chapel Choir experience “an opportunity for the novice singer, alongside the experienced chorister, to take part in a long-established tradition of singing in a chapel-driven music program,” says Nicholas White, the Director of Chapel Music and Organist.

you to learn to listen to yourself and others, trying to pay attention to every single detail.”

Members of the Chapel Choir improve their vocal talents along with cultivating a determined drive to accomplish a goal. “It is satisfying to work with so many other people to achieve a goal, in this case, performance,” Zoltowski says of the “addictive” feeling that comes along with perfecting a song with fellow choir members.

The choir enables students to feel the joy that comes from working together. Benetton “made a lot of new friends and got to know many new people,” revealing that Chapel Choir is an opportunity to create lasting camaraderie among friends. Much of the choir’s hard work, made possible with the growth and companionship of the choir members, is evident through their performances at Chapel throughout the year.

Sam Seeley '23

Puzzle Competition

Annie Bermingham '23

Continued from Page 3

ed that her favorite aspect of puzzling was the dorm bonding. She explained that the presence of the puzzles got people out of their rooms and encouraged people to interact with others.

Many students shared that working on puzzles was an extremely addictive activity. To their surprise, there is a science behind why puzzles are so addicting. According to Piece House Journal, when people put puzzle pieces together, their brain releases a small amount of dopamine. Dopamine is a hormone that works with the reward system of the brain, so when it is triggered, people often experience a sense of accomplishment or a euphoric feeling. The more people engage in dopamine releasing activities, the more their brain craves to continue, causing people to become addicted to what they are doing. Hi-

nojosa reflected on the sensation that she felt when working on puzzles. “When putting a puzzle together, I would describe it as a euphoric ASMR, and once you put your first puzzle piece together, you were hooked.”

Hinojosa was not alone with this senti-

Over the years, members of the choir grow through the experience of singing together. “In September, it took us about two weeks to learn a new psalm, but now we have it perfected in only two or three rehearsals,” says Anna Zoltowski ’23, one of the choir leaders. Newcomer Luce Benetton ‘25 agrees. “I already started to realize how much Choir helps

Overall, Gregston was happy to observe the positive effects of the puzzle competition. “It brought us all away from our phones, and even though puzzles can seem very simple in some ways, it shows that those little things can pull us away from the big things that are distracting”

Over the past three years, the Chapel Choir faced a reduction in participation partially due to Covid-19. However, with the addition of choir members this term, the choir program is back on track. Benetton says that she joined the program “to get closer to the world of music and melody” and because she thinks “it’s a great way to release stress.” The Chapel Choir provides a place of haven for students to relax from their busy academic life and sing along with harmonious and peaceful melodies.

The puzzle competition shed much needed light on this campus during these dark and wintery days. As the puzzle comes to an end, the Deans are still trying to find a place to display the “World’s Largest Puzzle” on campus.

ment. Gregston, who was working on the puzzle with the other Deans during our interview, shared similar feelings. “The joy of finally finding a puzzle piece that slides together is really indescribable. It’s just like in life, when two things slide into place and it just works,” said Gregston.

The competition ran smoothly until students learned of a potential puzzle ban during the school week. The Deans heard from anonymous sources that indicated “there was some really aggressive puzzling going on, so we were worried that people were going to sacrifice their schoolwork and sleep, so we considered pausing the puzzles,” said Gregston. The Deans met with Dean of Studies, Lori Bohan, and Rector Kathy Giles to receive their opinion on the matter. In the end, both Bohan and Giles agreed to allow students to continue the competition. “I didn’t think it was necessary,” said Bohan about the ban. “The advisers would check in with students in Kehaya about their homework completion, and sometimes have the students take a break to go do homework”.

"The Deans heard from anonymous sources that indicated 'there was some really aggressive puzzling going on.'"

Sam Seeley '23

F eaT ures

Quiz: What Bookstore Drink Are You?

Text by Lulu Mangriotis '25 Graphic by Samantha Seeley '23

Snowball Fighters and Their Injuries

Teddy

Tom Wang, an interesting fifth form fella studying at St. Paul’s school, was wearing his fluffy winter jacket and walking down Library road in Concord, New Hampshire, moving his feet to the cadence of loud blasting music from his speaker. While he was intoxicated by the rhythm of loud hip hop music, a giant snowball suddenly struck the side of his head.

Tom felt a sudden wave of extreme coldness radiating from his neck and reaching his face. Looking around to find his enemy, he could feel the pain on his ears and face where the snowball landed. The right half of Tom’s face quickly turned red under the dim street lights of a dark evening. What hit Tom was a giant piece of ice wrapped in snow.

“I really like winter, and I had a lot of fun with snowball fights and building snowmen,” Wang later recalled after this tragic incident. Indeed, he built a giant snowman—possibly this year’s largest—on the freezing grounds of St.Paul's School. “However, I didn’t expect anyone to attack me with an iceball. That was brutal! Now

Fang '23

my math grade is bad because I got hit in the head!” Wang was furious.

St. Paul’s School is not the first place where snowball fights took place. The origin of snowball fighting dates back to centuries ago, when Japanese people developed it as both an entertaining and competitive sport. People have known of their dangers for centuries. Snowball fights were officially prohibited in Amsterdam by the Dutch government in the 1400s to prevent ciaos and to protect public safety.

The general dynamic of snowball fights at St. Paul's school is an ongoing development. Students are actively learning from this activity while having fun with it. “Safety is very important,” Wang says, speaking from his own experiences of the snowball fights. He would like to remind students to be mindful of the snowballs they throw. He pointed out that mistaking a piece of frozen ice for a snowball is the biggest danger in snowball fights.

Think twice before doing, as the old Chinese proverb goes. The campus has already witnessed enough injuries this winter.

Style Column: Eden Knight

Lidia Zur Muhlen '24

Eden Knight ‘24 creates her authentic outfits by combining unique pieces. At first glance, no one article of clothing stands out, but they all bring a different element to the look. “I am not afraid to stand out, and I try to dress in ways that stay true to who I am,” Knight says.

Style conveys a message to the world through the creativity of expression with articles of clothing. Knight draws inspiration from people who experiment with clothes in different ways. “In my eyes, Mick Jagger is someone who has always had cool, thoughtful, and provocative ways of dressing,” she says.

In terms of accessories, Knight believes a little can go a long way. They can easily be overdone and take away from the central aspect of the outfit. Knight explains that she finds accessorizing difficult and “feels burdened by hats, or things you might have to carry.” She keeps it simple when it comes to accessories. When she was ten, she found out she needed glasses and that they are a great way to add excitement to an outfit. As she gets older she enjoys accumulating more

unique pairs. “Scarves are also a really fun way to help create that character you’re stepping into through your style,” she says, especially during the cold New England winters. Knight varies her outfits throughout the week. “I could wear sweatpants three days of the week, and then on the fourth day pull out a mini dress and tights,” she laughs. Her choices truly depend on how she is feeling, she says, and “the key to my style is comfort.” Knight is always trying to think of new combinations and colors to add to her wardrobe. She strives to not be influenced by the societal ins and outs, but rather what she considers to go best with her hair, skin tone, or eye color.

Knight adds that a great way to experiment with style is to start shopping secondhand. Not only is it a good way to reduce your carbon footprint, she says, but it is also a great way to find interesting pieces with a lot of character. She also recommends goodonyou.eco, a database that rates brands ecofriendliness. “Fashion is a positive way to express yourself,” Knight says, “as long as we have our climate’s best interest in mind.”

The Pelican F eaT ures

The SPS Crossword

Henry Dennis '24

The Hidden Truth in William Abbé's Prints

Henry Dennis '24

On a chilly winter night at St. Paul’s, flakes of snow fall slowly from the inky black sky, draping soft blankets over the sleepy campus. At the Rectory, bundled-up students mill in and out, leaving small footprints in the freshly snow-covered ground. The door is open, and from the softly-glowing interior wafts the warm aroma of the Rectory’s trademark lemon poppyseed cake. It is a Saturday, and the students are well-worn by a week of hard work. They have come to savor these few carefree hours with an evening of tea, board games, and laughter.

Then we zoom out. This nighttime winter scene in which we once found ourselves is now nothing more than the size of a sheet of looseleaf paper, encased within a simple wooden frame in a dimly-lit corner of a study bay on the first floor of Ohrstrom Library. It is one of many black and white prints that can be seen around the library, each one depicting a distinct moment in time at the school. In my many visits to Ohrstrom throughout my time here, I had always noticed them, but never really stopped to appreciate the subtle beauty of the stories they had to tell, and what benefit they might have for SPS students today.

The prints themselves are works of William Abbé, an art teacher who was at St. Paul’s for three decades from 1950 to 1981. In creating them, he set out to describe the SPS student experience, often capturing a mood or an expression that is common to a broad

Pelicans Read: Notes of a Native Son

Madison Andree '24

range of students, such that if you showed them to any student on campus they could see a little bit of themselves in each and every one.

One colleague of Abbé’s remarked that his works touched on “something recalled from childhood, an event out of the past deeper than the transitory moment of laughter.” I felt this way upon seeing his Rectory print for the first time. It caught my gaze and held it, and I was entranced by some difficult and mysterious feeling, which I often try to describe but am never able to. The best I can say that it made me feel nostalgic for a place where I still am, but I know I will inevitably leave.

Abbé’s prints remind me of the fleeting moments that can occur so often here. The students in the Rectory print are simple silhouettes, living solely in that singular moment in time and enjoying the evening in its purest form. From our more modern St. Paul’s perspective, this moment is long gone, a forgotten scene from a bygone era. But, we often forget that we are living in our own moments as well, and that soon we may end up like those very silhouettes in a dim corner of the library, our experiences relegated to the past. In memorializing these scenes, Abbé provokes us to become aware of these crucial times which we have a brief opportunity to embrace.

Consider this an invitation to slow down and truly take a look at the Abbé prints. There is a great deal we can learn from them about our own lives, if we are willing to see it.

James Baldwin said that the moral duty of an artist is to force society to see reality. It is our natural inclination to view the world as being better than it is and to tell ourselves fantasies about how the world ought to be instead of seeing what is really there. Artists help us see a version of the world that our fantasies shield us from: reality.

In his debut essay collection, Notes of a Native Son, Baldwin captures Black life in America during the 1950s in honest detail. “I love America more than any other country in the world,” Baldwin says in the book's preface, “and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.”

In twelve essays, Baldwin examines topics from the “protest novel,” the Black press, life in Harlem, and being Black abroad. The titular essay about his father's death at the same time as the Harlem race riots is particularly moving. It examines a rage commonly

Review: Taylor Swift's Midnights Album

Nia Goodloe-Pierre '23

Taylor Swift returns to her autobiographical roots with her newest album Midnights (2023). Midnights is Swift’s reclamation of her own narrative, a thank you to her loved ones, and a commentary on past relationships, decisions, and losses. Through thirteen well-ordered songs, Swift tells the story of finding love, self-reflection, and a new era in her life in which she disregards others’ opinions.

In the fast-tempo, catchy track “Lavender Haze,” Swift reflects on past media pressure and sets herself free from the opinions of others. She continues this theme of self-reflection through the upbeat, fan-favorite, “Bejeweled," which focuses on Swift’s independence from tabloids, media, and rumors.

Though less snappy and cheerful than “Lavender Haze” or “Bejeweled,” “You’re On Your Own, Kid” still manages to solidify a tone of self-reliance through soft-spoken lyrics set to a powerful accompaniment. The song tells a tale of loss and disillusionment, yet ends on a running list of the little joys in life and Swift’s final words of wisdom: “You can face this."

In “Anti-hero” and “Midnight Rain,” Swift takes on the role of the villain. In these ballads of introspection, Swift is not afraid to be self-critical. “Midnight Rain” is Swift’s confession about her role in the failures of her past relationships. The upbeat tempo of “Anti-hero” mismatches the lyrics in the best way. Her out-of-breath chant “it’s me, hi, I’m

felt among Black people that was rarely shown in the media. Baldwin doesn't romanticize this rage for the oppressor, but shows it in its raw form. He understands the importance of recording these topics even when it means confronting ugly truths.

Often, essays lose momentum, fall short of a conclusion, or simply become boring. Baldwin avoids these obstacles with his direct, rhythmic prose. He carefully weaves arguments, criticism, and analysis throughout the book, resulting in a beautiful tapestry of Black life in America. Notes of a Native Son is an essential read for its beautiful prose and because it is an honest acknowledgment of the past, present, and future of the Black community. Baldwin highlights the importance of knowing one’s history and acknowledging it, because with acknowledgment, change will come.

the problem, it’s me” reflects the exhaustion of knowing she is in the wrong, yet not fixing the problem.

In “Vigilante Sh**” and “Karma,” which pay homage to her 2017 album Reputation, Karma takes on the role of one of her lovers as Swift restates her favorite philosophy: she may forgive, but she never forgets. She taunts her past foes with witty one-liners such as “draw a cat eye sharp enough to kill a man” and “addicted to betrayal, but you're relevant.”

Swift reminds the audience that she is only a person with her slower-paced tracks “Labyrinth” and “Sweet Nothing,” in which she details the hideaway that is her closest friends and allies. The final track, “Mastermind,” is the ribbon that ties this narrative together. Like a big reveal at the end of a movie, Swift takes credit for everything. Her confession leaves listeners wondering: is she an evil mastermind, or a woman forced to construct her own story before society does it for her?

“People who shut their eyes to reality simply invite their own destruction, and anyone who insists on remaining in a state of innocence long after that innocence is dead turns himself into a monster.”

-James Baldwin, Notes of a Native Son.

uden T l i F e

The Mystery of the Missing Con/20 Fish

As you walk into the Con/20 common room and sit in the newly renovated dorm, you will notice another new addition. Sitting on top of a shelf, a 29-gallon fish tank hosts several guests, who swim around and hide away in the decorations of the tank, creating a game to see who can find them first. The tank’s vibrant landscape provides the fish with colors similar to their natural topical home. Squirt, who came to the dorm as a small fry, is microscopic compared to the other fish in the tank. To find him, you need to get your phone out and zoom in to see the full detail of his scales.

The tank is spacious enough to ensure that no fish will become aggressive due to overcrowding. The gender ratio is about one male to two females, the proper amount for fish communities. Nothing about the Con/20 tank should cause aggression related to reproduction, either.

So where are all these fish disappearing to?

Every night, science teacher and Head of House KC Hambleton walks out of her apartment and down a mini flight of stairs to take a look in the Con/20 fish tank in hopes of feeding all of the fish that she purchased from a local Petco. The dorm started off with four female guppies, two male guppies, two female mollies, one male mollie, and one baby Squirt. When they first moved in, the guppies

would swim around, shining their orange coats, while the mollies flashed their spotted coats. Hambleton would religiously check the pH and ammonia of the aquarium water to make sure the living environment was up to par for the new house members.

But as days went on, dorm residents noticed that some fish were missing. One by one, they slowly disappeared.

Kate Taylor ‘23, one of the Con/20 prefects, explains how the residents are responding to these losses. “Our whole dorm is following the story of the fish, and always texting the chat. We all wonder when we hear about a new disappearing fish,” she says.

Just four fish remained before students had a chance to name them. The survivors were named Squirt, Sharkbate, Cheeto Puff

and Bubbles.

These four fish kept Hambleton’s hopes up. She “wanted something alive in the dorm for us to take care of and love.” She drew on her education around creating therapeutic spaces for students, and thought that fish were fun.

Several days after the naming, sad news spread around the Con20 hallways and throughout the group chat. Squirt and Sharkbate had gone missing. Dorm residents instituted its protocol for when a fish goes missing. They first checked the time to mark down the first known moment when the fish had gone missing, then gave it 24 hours to appear before Hambleton went looking through the decorations and filters in the tank.

After 24 hours, Squirt and Sharkbate were nowhere to be found. To date, Hambleton still has been unable to locate the fish.

In the days before Midwinter break, Con/20 was hit with yet another devastating loss. Bubbles and Cheeto Puff had also been reported missing. The news hit Cat Esteves ‘23, another perfect, hard. Her favorite fish was Bubbles.

Because all ten fish are now missing, Hambleton is committed to finding the culprit behind this mystery that has taken place in the Con20 common room.

Predicting

(or not) Surprise Holidays

Students sit crammed in their Chapel seats, too distracted by their hope of a snow day surprise to pay attention to the announcements. Some hold flashcards for upcoming tests, trying to get in their last-minute studying, while others hope the rector calls a holiday to save them from the homework they didn’t do. The last announcement finishes, and the Rector gets up for closing remarks.

Many hold their breath in anticipation, while others prepare for the worst. “Have a great day,” the Rector says, and in unison, loud groans fill the Chapel.

St. Paul’s School is a 100% boarding school, so word has a way of traveling fast, even if it is just speculation. Traditional SPS surprise holidays include MISH and Cricket, and students sometimes “play the holiday”

by not doing their homework or staying up unusually late. When Rector Kathy Giles joined the school in 2019, she occasionally called a surprise holiday the day after the Superbowl. As students have become more desperate for days off in the winter term, rumors about “snow days” grew.

The desire to predict the holiday has students creating and spreading crazy theories, examining minor details and engaging in wild speculation. One morning, Dean of Students Suzanne Ellinwood didn’t release the daily SPS Connected email at its regular time. As a result, students entered Memorial Hall with high hopes, only for Rector Giles to remind them to simply “flip your seats up” at the end of Chapel.

“None of it was true,” confirms Dean of Studies Lori Bohan, who believes the fun of the holiday is the surprise itself. “I tend to like announcements when everyone is together in the same space for the announcement because the excitement feeds off one another,” Bohan says. Having all the students and faculty in one place, like at Chapel services, allows that excitement to be felt simul-

taneously.

According to Bohan, surprise holidays have required more planning in recent years. Originally, Rectors decided to call Cricket on any nice day they chose. Now, Bohan says, planning must take into consideration schedules, visitors, meetings, and much more.

But when the administration plans sur-

past, students thought the administration would call Concord Taxi about surprise holidays to prepare them to take kids into town.

St. Paul’s School students have a short weekend, so some grasp at anything that presents a glimmer of hope for some additional time off.

Sofia Mancino ‘23 says she ignores the rumors so that the holiday is a true surprise. “I like to believe the opposite of what everyone else tries to theorize,” Mancino says. This fall at Cricket, when Rector Giles started to read the school prayer for holidays, Mancino still thought it was just a trick. “I act this way so that if it doesn’t happen, I’m not disappointed,” she says.

prise holidays in advance, this time allows students to make guesses and pick up on clues, analyzing everything from early birthday announcements to homework due dates.

Bohan shares with amusement that in the

Word travels fast on this small campus, and many of us are gullible. So when the time starts to roll around for the school holidays, everyone is on edge and hanging onto every word after announcements. And on Monday, Feb. 13, students’ prayers were answered: Rector Kathy Giles announced a surprise holiday.

Bree Ricker '23

Teaghan Casey '23

Photographed by Gabby Purvis '24

Valen Tines day

How to Tell Someone You Like Them

Matthew Letourneau '23 and Lidia Zur Muhlen '24

Telling someone you like them on the SPS campus can be hard to navigate. You never know how they will react, if they will understand, or if you’ll look and feel like a loser. Word spreads fast at SPS, and if you make one mistake, your name could be on everyone’s lips in a matter of seconds. Let us do the heavy lifting for you. As the self-proclaimed St. Paul’s love gurus, we got your back. Just follow these three easy steps to tell your crush how you feel, and you’ll be GOLDEN. Or don't listen, and have your entire love life blow up in your face and be in shambles for the rest of your time here.

Rose Sale: Giving Love

Aedyn Kourakos '26

Love was in the air during the Valentine’s Day season as the International Society held its annual Rose Sale, which raises money for Doctors without Borders and brings the St. Paul’s community together.

The Rose Sale allows students to show their appreciation by sending a rose along with an endearing personalized message to the recipient’s dorm. The yearly tradition was a massive success this year, with students purchasing over 600 roses and raising $3,000. One anonymous buyer went to the length of buying 51 roses for a single student. The same buyer is believed to have bought a rose for every girl in the entire school during the previous year.

Tip 1: Reaching Out

It may seem easy to tell your crush how you feel over text, but this is overdone, makes you look timid and lacks emotion and effort. Instead, reach out to the person you like and ask to hang out with them. It’s not middle school anymore, so don’t have a friend tell them on your behalf. Meet them at the library, the dining hall, or a quiet space in Friedman, start a casual conversation, and try to make them feel comfortable. DO NOT try to impress them by listing your academic or athletic achievements. This is not your Admission interview.

If everything is going well and your crush is comfortable, let them know you’ve been meaning to tell them something… Then, BOOM! Let it all out (not your raw emotions though; MAJOR RED FLAG). Be confident and communicate what you fully mean. Don’t try to beat around the bush by being vague or indirect. You’ll just confuse them, and if their head is spinning, it’s hopeless. This may seem awkward at first, but just remember that your crush will probably need time to process the information. All you can do now is wait for their reaction and pray. Or you could be mysterious and just walk away, but that choice we will leave up to you…

Tip 2: Control Your Response

Sometimes things work out for the best and sometimes for the worst. Either way, there is only one thing you can do: control how you react. Here are a few tips: Obviously, don’t be weird. Getting too excited, sad, or awkward only looks bad. As we said, emotions can be scary, so just CHILL OUT. We know this is sometimes out of your control, but stay calm, cool, and collected.

If things do work out for the best, this is a time to celebrate! Spend time with your NEW SPECIAL SOMEONE. Go for a delicious dinner at the Upper, or better yet, pay Vishal a visit at Kwok!

Tip 3: Conversation Alternatives

Sometimes it is difficult to tell someone how you feel about them. They could be an old friend or someone you barely know. Either way, it is difficult to build up the courage to have this talk with them. So if you’re really too scared to talk to them in person, handwriting a note will still feel genuine, but it will be less stressful than face-to-face. As long as it is heartfelt, we think a note can go a long way. Ask your crush on a casual date. Go to the movies, a hockey game, or intervis (just don’t break the rules).

Now, we know we’ve given you a lot of advice, but remember to approach all of this with some humor, and don’t take yourself too seriously, remember the worst thing that can happen is getting rejected, AYEEEE! Dearest reader, always love yourself before you love others.

Araceli Basaldua ‘24, a house representative for the rose sale, finds the event to be especially enjoyable. “I am able to show my admiration for those teammates, classmates,

or even just dear friends of mine whom I do not have the chance to on a day-to-day basis,” she says. “It makes me feel so nice to be the recipient of a rose so I try to spread that love the best that I can by sending roses of my own.”

The proceeds of the sale went to Doctors Without Borders, a non government-affiliated organization dedicated to providing independent, impartial medical assistance to those who need it most. Most recently, Doctors Without Borders has been working to relieve destruction caused by a detrimental earthquake that hit Northern Syria and Turkey on Feb. 6. As of Feb. 20, the organization has supported the treatment of over 7,600 people injured and led efforts to provide resources for the thousands more displaced in the event. In addition, Doctors Without Borders continuously works to care for people affected by conflict, disease, natural and human-made disasters, and health care exclusion. “It is important to give back to those in need on Valentine's Day,” Balsuda says, “because this holiday is about love and thinking about others.”

by Ella Raniolo '23, Samantha Seeley '23 and Julia Koeman '25

A Perspective from the Front Lines

Brett Forrest '91 Visits SPS

Sebastian Brigham '24

On Feb. 10, investigative journalist Brett Forrest ‘91 returned to the St. Paul’s School grounds to deliver a Chapel talk, visit classes and speak with Humanities Teacher Joshua Duclos in an interview before dozens of faculty and students about his experiences covering the war in Ukraine for the Wall Street Journal and his career in journalism. Forrest’s visit coincided with the launch of a fundraiser for Ukraine led by Lidia Zur Muhlen ‘24, Sarah Hu ‘23, Duclos, and Associate Director of Admissions Michelle Hung. At Forrest’s evening talk, students sold cookies, shirts, and stickers. So far, they have raised nearly $400, which they will donate to the New Hampshire-based Common Man for Ukraine organization to build a generator for a Ukraine orphanage.

Forrest’s Chapel talk emphasized the importance of “bearing witness” and venturing out into the world to gather knowledge. Citing a constant, rapid spread of misinformation, Forrest said the United States is “suf-

sT uden T l i F e

fering from an epidemic of assumption.” Forrest also discussed his own experience venturing out to gather knowledge. He told the story of how he uncovered, for the first time, the atrocities committed by Russian soldiers in Bucha, Ukraine. Persisting against a militia leader who said it was too dangerous to explore the city, Forrest said he was determined to uncover the truth.

Throughout the school day, Forrest visited multiple classes and shared his perspective as a reporter on the front lines in Ukraine. In his evening interview, he told stories and shared insights on journalism and writing. The interview began with Forrest discussing what it was like living and reporting in Ukraine during the war. He also shared what he felt the SPS community should know about the war. “A lot of the stuff that you probably hear is about weapons, battles, Vladimir Putin, Voldomyr Zelensky, Biden,” Forrest said. “But this war is really about average people.” One person’s death, he said, affects an entire network of people, impacting far more than simply the death toll would suggest.

Following the conclusion of the interview, Duclos opened the floor up to questions from the SPS community. Students and faculty had questions for Forrest about his experience in journalism, his time in Ukraine and Russia, the writing process, networking,

SPS Alpine Shines at NEPSACs

Lucas Miller '25

The St. Paul’s Alpine Team thrived this winter despite a season with little natural snow. On Feb. 15, the team traveled to Berkshire East Mountain in Massachusetts to compete in the New England Prep School Association Championships (NEPSACs), hosted by Eaglebrook and Pingree. The team had an excellent showing, with the boys and girls teams finishing first and fourth, respectively. Within the teams, three skiers placed inside the top ten: Milly Kirkman ‘25, with a seventh-place finish in both Slalom and Giant Slalom, Brewster Smyers ‘24, holding down seventh place in the Slalom and tenth in the Giant Slalom and Kyle Gump ‘26, who placed fourth in Giant Slalom.

Placing in the top ten at NEPSACs requires dedicated practice, says Kirkman, which can be hard to balance with a rigorous academic schedule. “It’s been hard to bal-

ance the long training days and the bus rides with the St. Paul’s workload,” she says. But despite the long hours, Kirkman says the team environment makes it all worth it: “Our team is really awesome. Arguably the best team culture on campus.” According to Kirkman, the group's togetherness creates an admirable team environment. “Everyone’s just so nice and inclusive, and [the team has] people I wouldn’t cross paths with at school in my day-to-day life, but we all come together and love skiing,” she says.

When it comes to the race itself, Kirkman says that a good performance comes down to muscle memory. Because ski racers travel at high speeds and course runs are completed in seconds, there is little time for thought or planning. So rather than make a plan, Kirkman says her recipe for success is to trust her instincts and training. “I just try to relax and not overthink it,” she says. “There’s not much you can do since it comes at you so fast.”

Kirkman thinks the most challenging

and more. Students were so engaged that for over an hour after the conclusion of his talk, Forrest stayed to offer students advice and answer their questions.

Forrest came to speak at SPS, he said, because he believed it was “essential” that he

share his experiences in Ukraine with the community, given his status as an alumni and the importance of the war. In the process, he also offered thoughtful and professional perspectives on writing, journalism, and life.

part of ski racing is the mental taxation during the events. “After the first run, it’s easy to get into your head for the second run, either skiing too cautiously or too loose and not finishing,” she tells The Pelican. “Ski racing’s almost more mental than physical.”

After NEPSACs, winter sports wind

down in preparation for the end-of-term, but the communities built on St. Paul’s sports teams endure even after practices and meets are over. “I’m so grateful to have had the team this winter,” Kirkman says. “Everyone’s just so positive– I'm lucky to be a part of it.”

Photo by

Photo courtesy Michelle Hung

SPS Girls Wrestlers Finish off the Season Strong

In the 2022 wrestling season, St. Paul’s Lily Fitzpatrick ‘25 finished her astounding rookie season by taking first place in her weight class at the 2022 National Prep Wrestling Championship. This impressive win is part of the recent upswing in girls wrestling at SPS.

Although the school’s wrestling program is coed, its roster has traditionally been skewed toward the boys' side. This is not surprising considering that wrestling has a history of being a “male dominated sport,” says Fitzpatrick. However, her Nationals win last year helped highlight the achievements of the girl wrestlers.

Elite Term Off Athletes

Matthew Letourneau '23

If someone asks you, “What sport are you doing this trimester?” there's one response that trumps all others, an answer that instantly asserts dominance over anyone foolish enough to ask. “Well,” you say, “I’m actually doing term off.” Watch as the inquirer crumples to their knees, realizing they are in the presence of a term-off- athlete.

There are many reasons why one would take a term off of sports: more free time, more sleep, better grades, or just simply because they don’t have a sport to play. It may seem like a boring route to take, but we plebeians who decided to play a sport can’t help feeling envious of these individuals. Sometimes, I find myself sitting in the JV Hockey locker room after a 7-1 loss thinking, "if only I took the term off."

Don’t get me wrong, I love JV Puck as much as the next guy, but there’s something so enticing about not having an afternoon commitment. I decided to take it upon myself to delve deep into what makes a term-offathlete tick in order to educate the SPS community (Roll Pellies).

Luckily for you, I am, in fact, an expert on this topic. After tearing my ACL during the beginning of my fourth form lacrosse season and then shredding my meniscus a year later, I was a term-off-athlete for many seasons. It has its ups for sure, but it also has its downs. During my time as a term-off athlete,

Fitzpatrick says there are struggles associated with competing in a coed environment, however, such as “being defensive” when wrestling with male teammates and switching to a more “aggressive” style against female opponents. Overall, she says she is happy that the team is all-gender since she “likes to see the sport grow not only in the girls’ division but also in the boys’ division.”

This season has been a strong one for girls wrestling. On February 22, SPS wrestling heads to nationals again. This year, Cami Capdevila ‘25, Lily Fitzpatrick’25, and Maddie Morse ‘26 will represent the school. With their skill and support from the community, they are sure to impress as they head to Washington for the competition.

Fitzpatrick encourages girls who are

I found a love for the weight room, going almost everyday to lift and socialize with people who have Fitness for a commitment or other term-off athletes who want to stay active. I also improved my grades and had more time to pursue writing. However, I also found myself indulging in unhealthy habits, such as taking multiple-hour naps and then going to bed at 3 am.

Injuries aren’t the only reason why people become term-off athletes. For example, Michael Nechipurenko ‘24 is a Varsity Soccer player who just doesn’t have a sport to play in the winter. “It’s actually sick,” he says. “So much stress is taken off.” Nechipurenko’s shift to a term-off athlete allows him to relax, take naps after class, and get ahead in his academic endeavors. “I’ve had such a great time this winter.”

Others may have a goal in mind when becoming term-off athletes. Lidia Zur Muhlen ‘24 won the Sokoloff Prize for Kindness and Compassion, allowing her to pursue a service project this winter. She usually does JV Squash, but her service took priority. “I’m working with a program that helps the homeless,” she says. “It would be great to be doing squash, but I would rather use the extra time for the project.”

There are many reasons one would leave the realm of normal athleticism and embrace term-off athleticism. In a school where free time is few and far between, it makes sense to take a break and just enjoy life at SPS. Whether you’re an athlete who doesn’t have a sport to play, someone who thinks school work takes priority, or you want to hit the gym more, a term off might be the solution for you.

considering joining wrestling to take the risk and try the sport on for size. “Don’t be scared to try a male dominated sport like football, jujitsu, or wrestling,” she says. “You may be surprised by the many opportunities and experiences you gain.”

More girls are joining wrestling teams at

other independent schools as well. Three SPS wrestlers participated in the 2023 NEPSAC tournament, with 2 first place finishes and an overall third place in the championship, for which the team was awarded the first trophy exclusively dedicated to the girls of the program.

Graphic by Cole Hamilton '24

Thaddeus Lucentini '25

Team Highlight: Boys JV Hockey

Will Ekstrand '24

As the pride and joy of St. Paul’s School, the boys junior varsity hockey team does their best to represent St. Paul’s athletics day in and day out through their gritty play on the ice and strong team spirit. The team is guided by the steady leadership of their three veteran captains, Heath Mann ‘23, Baurice Kovatchev ‘23, and Matt Letourneau ‘23. With nine new players this year, these three Sixth Formers have been tasked with maintaining the rich, winning culture that the JV hockey giants before them have worked so hard to cultivate.

The boys of SPS JV Hockey represent some of New England’s finest hockey talent. In their 15-game season, the team routinely handles their Lakes Region opponents with overwhelming determination and unmatched sportsmanship. According to the players, however, the boys’ record this season is “unknown” as they choose to devote

their focus and attention to “the next game.” Despite any challenges the scoreboard may present to the team, boys JV hockey prides itself on maintaining a positive outlook, regardless of circumstance.

Will Carten ‘26 says his first year on the team has exceeded all his expectations. “It’s really been fun to see this group of guys come together to form such a special bond throughout the year,” he says. The brotherhood fostered by the team is undoubtedly one-of-a-kind and is credited with drawing countless fans and parents to every game.

Letourneau, the team’s lone goalie this season, has come out of retirement in his senior year to fill the positional gap in the net. In his games, Letourneau sees a lot of shots, but he is always quick to sacrifice himself for his JV family. Letourneau expresses his thoughts on the season: “The boys are buzzing, the play is good, and morale is high. It doesn’t get much better than this,” he says. The team is very thankful for Letourneau’s contributions this season.

Varsity Squash Finishes the Season Strong

Will Ekstrand '24

At the end of the winter season in Millville, the boys and girls varsity squash teams headed into the most exciting part of their season: playoffs. Each year, varsity squash teams compete against some of the most talented programs in the country. And St. Paul’s Squash doesn’t just compete with New England’s best. They win. In the 2022-23 season, both teams netted an impressive record of 14 combined wins to only four losses. Eleven of those wins came in sweeping 7-0 fashion.

Chris Smith, head coach of the squash program, attributed the team’s consistency, work ethic, and eagerness to learn as the basis for their success. “The team works hard, they help one another, and they are easily coached,” Smith said. The program’s winning culture translated to new levels of success this year. In seven consecutive years, the girls team has ranked within the top eight among New England Prep Schools. This season, for the first time in over a decade, the team attained a number four ranking after dethroning Winsor School in the last game of the regular season.

The boys team boasted a strong 7-3 regular season record along with a number six

ranking in New England. But their work was not done, said Smith. The team looked forward to a “grueling two weekends in which they will play a season's worth of matches.”

Since its establishment in 1882, the SPS squash program has brought home 11 New England team titles and 11 New England individual titles. Player Calla Yim ‘25 said this year’s program could add to those numbers. “We have the grit to win and the motivation to keep working hard,” she said. “Everyone on the team is really pumped to show everyone at New Englands and Nationals that we aren’t just any squash team in New Hampshire, we are THE squash team in New Hampshire.”

At New Englands, the boys team upset 3-seed Deerfield and 4-seed Andover, finishing third in New England Class A. The girls tournament had a different format where individual tournaments awarded team points at the end. “The girls played through some tough competition, injuries, and the strange format and still finished fifth, one off their seed,” Smith said, “which was a great showing and one of their highest finishes in the last ten years.”

Both teams then moved on to the high school Team Nationals in Philadelphia, where the girls finished tenth in Division 1 and the boys finished seventh.

As the season comes to a close, the team looks forward to their final game this year against New Hampton School on Gordon Rink. While it will be heartbreaking to see the seniors leave the team this year, the under-

classmen are well-prepared to continue the longstanding traditions and culture of the team, just as the players before them have done.

SPS boys JV hockey vs. Andover // Photographed by Vin Chutijirawong '25

SPS Girls Varsity squash after another winr // Photograph courtesy of Lele Gibbs '24