The Pelican Vol. LXXII, No. 6
St. Paul's School
December 14, 2023
Opening night of SPS Ballet Company's Nutcracker Act II // Photo by Declan Schweizer '24
NEW ATTENDANCE RESPONSE INTRODUCED NEST addresses first three unexcused absences Kelly Sung '25 The Pelican NEST program, a new St. Paul’s attendance policy introduced at the beginning of the 2023-24 school year, has been a hot topic among many students. The purpose of NEST is explained by its acronym: Necessary Engagement, Self-Reflection, and Transformation. Before school leaders implemented NEST, students’ consequences for their first three unexcused absences per term was checking in thirty minutes before their regular checkin time. This new policy requires students who have accrued three unexcused absences to attend one Thursday morning NEST session in the Friedman Community Center before attending Chapel. The purpose of this program, according to the Dean of Students Office, is to support students who have accumulated three unexcused absences and are at risk of going On
Restrictions. When a student has four unexcused absences, they are placed On Restrictions, which means they lose a number of privileges for a period of time. Page 60 of the Student Handbook offers more information on the specific privileges that can be lost. Associate Dean of Students Kyle Losardo describes the program as an “intermediate step between early check and being On Restrictions. NEST is not a week’s worth of consequence, so it allows students to still be active members of the community, while providing them the opportunity to reflect on the potential impact of future unexcused absences.” Even though NEST may not be as severe a consequence as being placed On Restrictions, attendance is mandatory and students must treat it with the same seriousness Continued on Page 2
PREDICTING ST. PAUL'S WINTER CONDITIONS
HOUSE ACCESS POLICY CHANGES
Audrey Zhang '27
Rhys Rountree '25
As the frosty winter begins to settle over Concord, St. Paul’s School braces itself accordingly for the annual deep freeze. New Hampshire winters are notorious for their freezing temperatures, but with the impact of climate change, Millville residents cannot help but wonder: How cold is our winter really going to be? Concord typically experiences a first snowfall as early as late October, with consistent snow through the next few months. However, snowfall thus far in the 2023-24 season has been less consistent than usual, with snow sometimes turning into sleet. This is due to a rise in temperatures from climate change, which causes areas in the Northeast United States, including Concord, to experiContinued on Page 3
With the latter half of the Fall Term came the understanding by St. Paul's students that all but one of the doors in each residential house lock in the evening. While many students have adjusted to this safety policy, it remains a hot topic among others. As Winter Term begins, bringing with it colder weather, some students have expressed frustrations with single-door access to their houses at night. According to Head of Armour House Lucinda Muther, the single-door policy has many upsides. She says she appreciates that the policy makes it impossible for students to enter the dorm in the evening without the adviser on duty seeing them. “Throughout the evening I want advisContinued on Page 2
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News NEW ATTENDANCE RESPONSE INTRODUCED Kelly Sung '25 Continued from Page 1
as a commitment. Being tardy or absent from NEST counts as another absence. Students must turn in their phones and headphones upon arrival and sign an attendance sheet before they take a seat. From 8 a.m. when the session starts to 8:45 a.m. when students are dismissed to Chapel, they are expected to make productive use of their time. “Phones and headphones are confiscated because doing so minimizes distractions and helps students positively engage in self reflection so that they can transform the habits that have led them to be placed in NEST,” explains Losardo. “Students can use this time
to do work, mindful meditation, or reflect on how to better manage their free time.” Though there is not yet sufficient data to demonstrate quantitatively if NEST has been effective in deterring absences, Associate Dean of Students Thomas Gregston believes that the program has at least been more effective than early check in instilling a sense of responsibility. “Students think that the first three absences are theirs to take whenever they want,” he says, “but NEST serves as a good reminder that attendance is something we take very seriously.” The Dean of Students office welcomes feedback about NEST from the student body. “We are always eager to hear from students what can be done to help them make their commitments,” says Gregston.
LESSONS AND CAROLS A heart-warming tradition before the joy of the holidays Wilson Xie '26 Lessons and Carols has been a longstanding tradition for the St. Paul’s community since 1970, according to Director of Chapel Music Nicholas White, with this year being the school’s 53rd annual festival. The event initially started for the academic musical program, responding to a need for more formal performance opportunities. The thenDirector of Music, based in the Chapel at the time, came up with the idea of doing Lessons and Carols at the end of Winterim before people went home for Christmas. The tradition grew, reinforced by the nostalgia of subsequent alumni generations. “You can see it in other areas of the school too,” says White, “but the Chapel is such a constant for every student who comes here.” Lessons and Carols is a collective touchstone, and many like to come back and experience it again: alumni, parents, families, and school members. As Lessons and Carols brought unity
Graphic by Julia Koeman '25
SINGLE-DOOR POLICY Continued from Page 1
Rhys Rountree '25
ers to be able to greet residents as they return at the end of their day,” Muther says. “By limiting access to the house, residents are more likely to connect with the adviser on duty and share some conversation, grab a snack, and say ‘hi’ to others in the common room. We focus on community building, and this is one way we can care for each other.” Muther acknowledges that the unlocked door for students in Armour is in an inconvenient location. Some students living in Kehaya say they have resorted to “bushwhacking” to their available door when returning from a late practice or game, as there is no path around the back of the dorm. Kehaya resident Aedyn Kurd ‘27 argues that the lack of access to the back door, which roughly faces in the direction of the AFC, is “inconvenient and unnecessary.” Since both the front and rear doors open into the common room in Kehaya, she believes that the policy is counterintuitive. Head of Kehaya House Jessica Pine says she can more confidently account for her stu-
dents thanks to the single-door policy. Pine dislikes what she calls “super-secret exits” in the dorm and believes the single-door policy maintains students’ safety. While Pine says she favors limited-door access from a safety perspective, she says she is not opposed to unlocking a second door,
"We focus on community building, and this is one of the days we can care for each other." -Head of Armour House Cindy Muther given Kehaya’s centralized layout. Some students say the single-door policy has been an inconvenience throughout the Fall Term, and some believe the policy may have a more significant impact as temperatures drop. Changing weather has led some students to hope that a policy change in the upcoming term is both compelling and possible.
and beauty to the students in the 1970s, the program’s warm welcome to all continues to foster community at SPS. “It allows your peers who are very dedicated to singing to express themselves,” said Jaylan Shuea ‘26. In addition, many people come to Lessons and Carols because of the relaxing and inclusive atmosphere. “There are a lot of people who come to Lessons and Carols even though they are not religious, but because they like Christmas music,” White says, “so they do reach people beyond just Chapel religious life; it’s more of a community.” Given that Lessons and Carols is such a meaningful tradition, the choir worked hard throughout the Fall Term to prepare for the Dec. 10 performance. Putting aside the amount of time to learn the different pieces, many choir members are new to singing. “It is quite a learning experience for everybody,” says White. “Despite many adjustments, the choir works very hard. And we love doing it.”
A GUIDE TO AVOIDING THE "SPS PLAGUE" Miya Zhang '25 Returning students may recall the general state of sickness that often looms over campus at this time of year, as St. Paul’s School becomes plagued with one illness or another. The Pelican spoke with Dr. John Bassi, the school’s Medical Director, about how to avoid adding sickness to the many other stressors of Winter Term. “We’ll probably see a lot of respiratory illnesses: cold, flu, Covid; probably some stomach bugs—things that are passed from person to person easily through air or touch,” says Bassi. He explains that winter is prone to bringing on sickness. “One, certain viruses actually survive better in cold, dry climates. For example, flu passes in cold, dry climates, and lasts longer in the air under these conditions. Two, most of the time during winter we’re inside in close quarters, which allows illnesses to spread quickly. When people are inside and congregate more, it leads to more disease transmission.” To avoid getting sick this term, Bassi em-
phasizes the importance of hand washing. “Always always always wash your hands,” he says. “I can’t stress that enough. If you have a cough, wear a mask, cough into your sleeve, or your elbow. If you’re sick, don’t infect everyone else. If you’re sick, take a break— don’t come back from holiday with fevers or coughs.” Bassi also emphasizes not only taking care of yourself, but also of our wider community. “You might feel okay not wearing a mask and going to classes sick, but my concern is spreading it to the rest of the community.” Here’s hoping you stay healthy this winter, but if not, the doors of Clark House are always open.
Graphic by Michaela Hope '24
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News PREDICTING LETTER FROM THE EDITORS Dear reader, SPS We are so excited to share this fun and festive issue with you! We know that sometimes WINTER Winterim can feel like both a blessing and a curse – a blessing because of all the fun activities CONDITIONS that have happened: lessons and carols, The Nutcracker, gingerbread house decorating,the Audrey Zhang '27 Continued from Page 1
ence a warming trend. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s 2023 Winter Outlook, this temperature rise will result in a decrease in the frequency of extremely low temperatures and a gradual change toward warmer winters in Concord. Concord temperatures do generally seem to be on the rise. A Dec. 2023 review conducted by WMUR revealed a gradual increase in average winter temperatures of around 1.5 degrees over the past decade. Their research also showed that the area has received less snowfall than usual the past few winters. These findings illustrate a subtly changing definition of “winter.” Despite an overall warming trend, the beginning of winter in Millville has been chilly, and SPS students and faculty alike are coming up with their own ways to stay warm. Mayu Ogawa ‘24 says she bought rechargeable self heating gloves off of Amazon. Fleur Caryl-Klika ‘25 details what she plans on wearing throughout the winter: earmuffs, big sweaters and different jackets. Humanities Teaching Fellow Caroline Jenkins is in the same boat, having recently bought shearling boots, a down coat and mittens. Scientists say New England is warming more quickly than other areas of the United States. One study, conducted by the Northeast Regional Climate Center, explains that southern New England “could see an almost total loss of snow and freezing temperatures by the end of the century, especially in coastal areas.” This could impact outdoor skating, skiing, and other winter activities. While this time frame will not impact current SPS students in the short-term, it remains to be seen how this winter will feel. For what it’s worth, the Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts that this winter in New England will be “mild and snowy.”
Christmas feast, the first snow, and a generally festive mood on campus. The downside is all of the work and stress that is crammed into these three brief weeks on campus (trust us, we know — we somehow had to cram an issue into these weeks). Hopefully, you all can find some balance in the Winter Term! The fall term may have gone great for you or was very challenging. Either way, do not lose focus or motivation as we enter the winter. The stigma about how depressing winter can be on campus is a bit overwhelming, but we believe it is only as bad as you make it. If you surround yourself with friends and focus on the things you love about St. Paul’s, you might even be able to see the beauty in a New Hampshire winter. It’s also important to address how difficult it can be to enter a new term on campus. Maybe you have a completely different course load or a new afternoon activity. We can’t forget that campus completely transforms into a different place because we live in New England: snow, black ice, freezing cold temperatures, and a general gray tinge surrounding the campus. Thus, we as students live different lives on campus and must adapt. But change is a good thing, and there are so many positives: starting afresh, meeting new people, trying new things, and seeing our school in a different light. With all that said, we hope this issue can encapsulate the emotions one might feel entering a new term on campus. Either way, we hope that, as a community, we are able to make the most of the winter term (and survive LOL!) both academically and as a community. We have already laid down the foundation for our winter term and now when we come back, we will be ready to accomplish our New Year’s Resolutions!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!! 2024 ain’t ready for us, see y’all then!!! We’ll cheer for that.
PELICAN MASTHEAD EDITOR IN CHIEFS
Skylar Christoffersen ‘24 Lidia Zur Muhlen ‘24 MANAGING EDITORS
Andrew Choi ‘25 Lucas Miller ‘25 Cole Hamilton ‘24 LEAD C O PY E D I T O R
Cora Partridge ‘24 C O PY E D I T O R S
Kelly Sung ‘25 Nausicaa Chu ‘26 Will Ekstrand ‘24 Eden Knight '24 Sarah Lee '24 NEWS EDITOR
Lulu Mangriotis ‘25 OPINIONS EDITOR
Michael Nechipurenko ‘24 STUDENT LIFE EDITOR
Henry Dennis ‘24 SPORTS EDITOR
Sam Bentley '24 PHOTO EDITORS
Temi Johnson ‘24 Vin Chutijirawong '25 MEDIA EDITORS
Declan Schweizer ‘24 Henry Wilson ‘26 LAY O U T T EAM
Elle Ruminski '26 Aedyn Kourakos '26
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Student Life SURVIVING THE NH WINTER Mathis Riff '27 Temperatures are dropping and the days are getting shorter as we begin Winter Term here at St. Paul’s. It has already been reaching the low 20s during the mornings and evenings, and it will continue to get colder soon. It can feel a little gloomy on campus when the sun is setting by the time we leave practice in the afternoon. New Hampshire winters can be intense, but with this basic survival guide,
any SPS student can get through it. First of all, it is important to dress appropriately for the weather. Do not leave your dorm in the morning wearing only a sweatshirt, even if it feels convenient and comfortable at first. You will be wishing for warmer clothes soon after. As long as it is cold out, wear a warm jacket, gloves, and most importantly, a hat. Do not forget your boots either,
because you do not want to trudge through snow or slip on ice in sneakers. With proper winter clothing and footwear, you will be more comfortable, safer and much happier. Next, it is important to be around other people as often as you can. Do not skip meals, even if you have to walk through the cold and dark to get to them. It will be rewarding to see other faces during this gloomy time. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, keep a positive attitude. Winter will be over eventually, and we will all be rewarded with a fun and sunny Spring Term. Embrace the winter and enjoy yourself. Have some fun in
the snow, eat s’mores, and do not stress yourself out too much. Even though winter here is intense, we will all get through it together.
Graphic by Julia Koeman '25
What Winter Activity Are You? Do you enjoy cold weather? No
Winterimlover? lover? Winterim Yes
Yes
No Do you play a winter sport? No
Yes
Do you like snow?
Christmasor orNew NewYears YearsEve? Eve? Christmas
No
Yes
Doyou youenjoy enjoysledding? sledding? Do No
Yes
A Spark of Holiday Cheer
Hibernator
Winter Athlete
Snow Lover
When you think of winter, you think of holidays: cheer, joy, sparkles! What a positive outlook for such a cold and miserable time of the year. Nevertheless, the holiday festivities of the SPS Community are what keeps you going. Celebration of Lights, Lessons and Carols, The Nutcracker! There is so much joy that circulates, especially during Winterim. You are the light that shines during the ever-so-dark times of winter, and we are grateful. Without you shining light on the positives of winter, it would be really, really sad.
During the winter, hibernation calls your name. You prefer to spend time indoors as much as possible. This means long dinners, more room time, and questionably low levels of vitamin D. Intervis is also a success during winter months. You enjoy baking cookies with friends or simply just reminding yourself of humanity when the temperature drops below 20 degrees. The indoor type is smart, thoughtful, and always down for a good time (indoors). It’s just logical: don’t put yourself in the cold if it isn’t necessary. Side note: the hibernator and the snowbunny probably clash.
The athlete in you doesn’t rest, in fact it is ignited during the winter. For you, the winter months are your prime. You are focused on your sport, whatever it may be. Although it’s slightly disheartening to leave practice when it's pitch black outside, you persevere with the positivity that fuels your fire. You are a very dedicated person and you don’t let seasonal depression get in your way. Winter = Grind Time. We all should commend our winter athletes because— DAMN.
The cold weather just floats your boat! You enjoy sledding, snow angels and maybe even cold walks. Some people are just built for the cold and that is you! When there is finally snowfall you are a force to be reckoned with. You are the person who relentlessly tries to rally all of your friends to go sledding. Your mentality: someday we are going to look back to our winters at SPS and have happy memories in the snow with friends. A little frostbite never hurt anybody!
Written by Lulu Mangriotis '25 // Graphic by Michaela Hope '24
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Student Life BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE SPS STORE Edie Jones '24 The St. Paul’s Store is an integral part of many students’ school days, and more hard work goes on inside the building than what’s obvious from a quick snack stop during hum flex. Open six days a week, the Store, commonly known as the Bookstore, is run by Manager Sharon Levesque and Assistant Manager Mimi Casey, who work alongside cashiers Paulette, Kristen, and Katie. In addition to helping students while school is in session, Levesque and Casey say they also work through school vacations, when they do inventory, fill online orders, coordinate with teachers to order school books and facilitate textbook buybacks. Levesque, who is originally from New Hampshire, says she has been working at the Store since 2001, and found out about the position because her mom worked in food service at St. Paul’s. After more than 20 years on the job, Levesque has a broad perspective on how the school has changed, since she’s “been here through a few Rectors” and administrators in the Business Office. Casey, who is originally from Vietnam, says she found the job through a friend, and has been working at
the SPS Store for six years. Both Levesque and Casey say they love seeing students every day. “Some students know exactly what they’re doing with their lives. They will come in here and tell us, ‘this is what I want to do for college and what I want to do in the future.’ They know what they’re doing, and that’s an inspiration,” Casey says. Levesque adds that her aim is to create a welcoming environment for students. “If we have a student that comes in that’s shy, we try to get them out of that zone, so within a couple of months, they’re totally different when they come in. We want them to feel comfortable in here,” says Levesque. “Or if the student’s having a bad day, they’ll come in, and we can tell. So we try to cheer them up or ask how it’s going.” The SPS Store is run by an outside contractor, Higher Learning Supply Company, which works with the Business office and pays a commission to the school. When the school hired its first contractor in 2004 to run the Store, Levesque wasn’t sure how it would change her job. “We always wondered, are we going to feel like we’re still part of the school?
And we have. We’ve felt very welcome,” says Levesque. Levesque and Casey feel they have gotten to know students and teachers well by providing textbooks, snacks and school supplies for years. Levesque and Casey both emphasize that they’re open to inventory suggestions from students. “We pass that information onto our buyer; sometimes it happens, sometimes not,” says Levesque. Most recently, student suggestions have resulted in Nike merchandise and the Reverse Weave Hoodie. Casey, who is in charge of food ordering, says that food and music suggestions are also welcome, with kombucha being one of the most recent success stories. There are downsides to working at the SPS Store, like having to go outside in the winter to get books (there is no indoor staircase), but Levesque and Casey say they ultimately like the job because they get to see students grow. “They come in as a Third Former, and now they’re Sixth Formers applying to college,” says Levesque. “It’s not sad,” says Casey. “After a year you will come back [for reunion].” And perhaps you might even buy a Reverse Weave.
Book Store Manager Sharon Levesque and Assistant Manager Mini Casey // Photo by Subin Park '27
PARIS: THE TRUTH Stella McNab '25
Graphic by Michaela Hope '24
La Tour d’Eiffel, L’Arc de Triomphe, and Le Louvre (which I still have yet to visit) are the three popular locations most people think of when “Paris” comes to mind. I write to confirm that yes, these places do in fact exist; they are not myths the French invented to tempt tourists to spend thousands of dollars. The other weekend, I and five of my friends made our way to Paris to soak in the magic of the Parisian lifestyle. However, before we could even step onto the train, we had a few obstacles in our way: obscene hotel prices, finding a good hotel that wasn’t technically in Paris, and taking the SAT the morning of our departure. These things, though annoying, did not stop us from eventually making it to the fashion capital of the world. Many things were enjoyable from this trip, from the half-hour long metro rides to La Tour d’Eiffel to running across the roundabout by L’Arc de Triomphe (you are NOT supposed to do that). In my opinion, the most important parts of Paris are not the sights you can see or the reputation it holds, but rather how it acts as a catalyst for good memories. The sights are good. However, chainsmoking panhandlers on the Metros and frosty winter weather can make it a tad underwhelming once you make it to the city. Many of us, myself included, have inflated the magic of Paris. Despite what you might think based on what I’ve just said, I love Paris. It’s a city of opportunities and a place to meet all sorts of people. However, I recommend also visiting the smaller cities of France instead of solely focusing on Paris. Visit Bordeaux or take a drive through the French countryside in the south. Living as the French do has been an exciting experience thus far and I am excited to visit the other parts of France. Stay tuned.
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Student Life WHAT'S IN THE WATER? THE END OF A CHAPTER A fond farewell to the 2023 football season Jack Bretl '24 At the beginning of the school year several people asked me about how I thought the SPS football team would perform this year. This was a really tough question to answer because of the amount of turnover the team went through last summer. We lost twelve seniors, many of whom were starters, so each returner to the team this year knew that there would be a lot of new faces on the field. Sure enough we were correct, with ten new players that started on both offense and defense. I knew that Coach Vandersea had found players with sufficient talent to compete on the team, but knowing how well we would all mold together was difficult to predict. Thankfully, because of the stellar leadership from everyone on the field, we all worked extremely well together and created an amazing team culture. In football everyone must be on the same page and have faith in each other in order to execute plays and our team did exactly that. Returners and rookies to the program formed an amazing culture led by my fellow seniors. Ernest Obiorah ‘24, our most vocal captain, kept us all in check and set the bar high for our team this year. His wise words of inspiration kept us smiling on even the coldest days. I attribute a lot of our success and determination to him. Right before Thanksgiving break we suffered a devastating loss to an extremely talented Lawrence Academy team, but oddly, I was not sad for long. Obviously a loss never feels good, but as soon as I realized this was the seniors’ last game, I could only remember the good times from the last four years. To have gone undefeated at home for three of our four seasons was such a blessing, and being able to play our best in front of our own fans was so much fun. As a team we were able to achieve our goals and be bowl-eligible all four seasons. During my third form year, we hosted one of the only night games during that entire school year due to the pandemic, and winning that game was an amazing way to cap off the season. And last year, beating an un-
defeated, star-studded Dexter Academy in front of the entire SPS community also felt surreal. Those games were moments when we were truly able to share our skill, team bond, and love for the game with the entire community. Believe it or not, some of my favorite SPS memories came from the three-hour bus rides from Connecticut after a win. Talking quietly in the back of the bus over quiet music and some pizza will always be a good time. Regardless of how much time I spent actually playing, SPS football will always hold a special place in my heart. This team offered me a place to spend time with the individuals I love the most and it made my life at SPS easier. Coach Vandersea and Coach Klicka worked extremely hard to develop our character on and off the field, and it certainly shows. I attribute a lot of my development as a person to what I learned each autumn afternoon at practice. These coaches and this team were the people who taught me some of the most important life skills, such as to never take any opponent lightly and to treat every moment with the same level of focus and determination, which has helped me through other challenges in my life. As the season has now officially come to a close, I invite all seniors to reflect on all the great moments from the past four seasons, and I invite the underformers to continue the legacy and make SPS football a memorable part of the SPS experience. Thank you SPS Football.
THREE PHILOSOPHIES ON TEACHING AT SPS Katy Scott '24 What does it mean to be a teacher today? How do teachers impact society? What could attract a reasonable adult to a profession dealing with moody, hormonal, and ungrateful teenagers? I explored these questions in the context of St Paul’s School in discussions with Teacher of Math Pankti Dalal, Teacher of Science Rick Pacelli, and Teacher of Humanities Josh Duclos. Teaching high schoolers, especially at SPS where teachers face incredibly steep time demands, may seem undesirable to some students. These three excellent teachers share a peek into their approach to teaching at SPS. Do you have a teaching philosophy? If so, what is it? Dalal explains that her teaching philosophy contains three big parts: providing students with tools use the mathematics they learn in the classroom in real-world contexts; aiming for all of her students to see themselves in the subject; and recognizing that the needs and identities of students will change and that methods should adapt to meet those needs and identities. “Identity impacts how you learn,” she says. “There is no such thing as a ‘math person,' and believing this limits your belief in yourself.” Pacelli says his teaching philosophy begins with relationships. It is essential for students, he says, to feel comfortable taking risks and facing challenges. “Creating a space where students can learn comfortably and feel safe and welcome starts with positive student-faculty relationships.” Duclos quoted a line from Virgil’s Aeneid: “moniti meliora sequamur,” which can be translated to “after instruction, let us pursue higher things.” While doing well in class is important, he says, what matters most is understanding that education is a continuous process that does not end when a student leaves high school or college. Duclos says he believes the goal of education is to learn and grow in pursuit of things like truth, beauty, and justice.
Graphic by Julia Koeman '25
Why did you choose to teach high school? “I chose to teach high school because this
is a time in an adolescent’s life that is completely open to new experiences and can directly impact our future. My hope is that the way I work with students and teach mathematics can compel them to go off into the world and make a true difference,” says Dalal. As for Pacelli, after teaching students “ages 5-75,” he says he is most comfortable teaching high school students because “high school students can handle complex topics and are excited about how much they are capable of doing.” Duclos says he was drawn to the challenging multifaceted nature of SPS life. While the long hours of teaching, coaching, and advising might deter some, he says, he chose SPS for the many different aspects of boarding high school.
"How we live and what we do influences the people around us" What role should teachers have in the lives of their students? Do you think that role is different in a boarding vs. day school? All three teachers answered that the role of teachers, especially at a boarding school, is to be role models for students. Since boarding school students see their teachers in all facets of their lives, it is important for teachers to set an example for their students. “If I want students to read books and engage with current events,” says Duclos, “then I should do this myself. If I want them to work hard while also being able to have fun and goof around, then they should see me do it. How we live and what we do influences the people around us, especially in a small community.” It is clear that teachers at SPS are incredibly thoughtful in their approach to teaching. Teaching high school is not for the weak, and these three teachers have stepped into their roles with eagerness to make an impact on each and every student. Their dedication and care to continuously challenge themselves to be the best they can be for their students is what makes SPS the wonderful school that it is.
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Student Life
Marlie Ross '24 showing off her style in Crumpacker Gallery // Photo by Temi Johnson '24
STYLE COLUMN: MARLIE ROSS Exploring Marlie's style and the inspiration behind her wardrobe Lidia Zur Muhlen '24 I know you all have missed the style column dearly as it went on a one-issue hiatus, but have no fear, it is back! Today we are hearing from a person we all know and love: Marlie Ross ‘24. I met Marlie my sophomore year when we were in the same Algebra 2 class. Aside from Marlie’s kind and funny personality, one thing that stood out to me about her was her impeccable sense of style. Marlie describes her style to be “clean girl with an urban twist,” and I could not have said it better myself. She serves fire looks every day, and made math class classy. So how does Marlie come up with these very put-together and clean outfits? Well, she has a few places where she looks for inspiration. Marlie keeps it real and acknowledges that picking out outfits is not easy. “If there is
a specific vibe I’m going for that I can't figure out how to execute, I look at Pinterest,” she says. Where she was brought up has also greatly affected her style. “Growing up watching my mother and older sister get ready and seeing the bold outfits they would always wear inspired and pushed me to create my own bold style.” And she cannot forget her friends who are always there to give her advice when putting together outfits: Mayu, Betty, and Jean. Marlie believes that her style reflects the many parts of her identity as well as her general mood for the day. For example, she says, “I might go for more of an oversized cozy vibe to combat the cold weather or let loose with a few of Kim K’s Skims outfits for a hot spring day.” Most importantly, Marlie dares to “push the boundary between a more feminine style
and what society considers a more masculine style.”
"Growing up watching my mother and older sister get ready and seeing their bold outfits inspired and pushed me to create me own bold style" For accessorizing, Marlie acknowledges that she is a big “silver girly” for jewelry, and has signature pieces that she can whip out every day to tie an outfit together. But even more interesting— Marlie also reflects that sometimes her hair can be an accessory on its
own. “I can change my hair from locs, braids, straight, curly and this can change the entire vibe of an outfit.” Sometimes it is difficult to build a wardrobe, and moreover a sense of style. “I started by buying white and black basics from affordable places that I felt fit my body type,” Marle says, “and then continued by buying simple statement pieces–like a cool pair of sneakers or jacket–to add character to my fit.” It takes trial and error to learn what works best for each person, and that only comes with time, so don’t be afraid to take risks along the way. Marlie leaves us with a final quote that keeps her motivated to dress well every day: “if you look good you feel good, and if you feel good you do good!”
December 14, 2023
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Student Life SPS CROSSWORD PUZZLE Henry Dennis '24
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Student Life THE SPS COMIC Luke Wolfram '27
THE UPS AND DOWNS OF SPS DANCES Sarah Ernst '24
Winterim is arguably the prime time for holiday fun and festivities, and SNL has a boatload of events ready to take place. As students returned from Thanksgiving with their loved ones, it was essential to keep the positive energy going through the month of December. While Fall Ball was definitely a ball, some students left the dance early or did not go at all, checking into their dorms before their check time of 11 pm. Perhaps one reason for the tepid response was the music. "The only good song was Take It Off by FISHER,” says Lucas Conrod ‘25. Some students reported that the DJ refused to take song requests, and that they wished for the student DJs to make a come-
back. The back-and-forth about Fall Ball may have also had an impact on attendance. "All the changes that happened before it and all the ambiguity made it feel unofficial,” says Conrod, referring to the Halloween vs. Fall Ball debate. Our Student Council worked tirelessly to provide our students with both dances, allowing us to celebrate an important holiday and have a fun SPS tradition. But the timing may have been a challenge: some students did not have the energy for Fall Ball with a critical exam week coming up. Dances at St. Paul’s always come with their ups and downs. While many have been largely favorable, such as the 2021 Mish
dance, the 2022 Club Cup, and the 2023 Halloween dance, some have been less popular. The reasons for these discrepanices is always unknown. Is it the music? The amount of people? The location? “The fun part is getting ready for the dance because once we get there it does not always live up to the hype,” says Margaret McCluer ‘24. For some, this was true for Fall Ball, as students arrived between 8:30 and 10:30, and many left to go to Raffini. Walking into Raffini the night of Fall Ball, Pierce Trevisani ‘25 said he thought “there are more people here than at the dance.” With music blaring and people laughing in their red carpet attire, some students seemed to enjoy themselves more in Raffini than when they were at the dance. Many students also walked around cam-
Grpahic by Ava Price '24
pus in large groups playing music as a fun Saturday night activity. As 2024 approaches and students pack their bags for a much-needed winter break, they have high hopes for the winter dance. So prepare your black tie attire for a dance that will start the new year off right.
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Opinions WHY I DANCE
Lulu Mangriotis '25
Graphic by Julia Koeman '25
When people ask me what I would do if I stopped dancing, I always ponder for a long time before I respond, and given I’ve been asked this question multiple times you would think I have an answer…but I don’t. I have been dancing since I was two years old and I have never stopped. Would I lose all sense of identity if I stopped? Do I still love dance? How would I know, because I have never known another way of life? All of these questions start to haunt me when I go down this
My journey through life with ballet by my side rabbit hole of a life without dance. But after sitting and thinking, I can confidently answer all of these questions. Would I lose all sense of identity if I stopped dancing? Although this is a completely irrational thought, I definitely used to think this was true. Now, after thinking more, I’ve realized that dance isn’t just my time in the studio or on stage, it lies deeper within me. Dance will always be a part of me: the music and counts pulsing through my body. I view the world through the eyes of a dancer, subconsciously relating small things I observe to aspects of dance. I think this keeps dance alive within me and my identity wouldn’t be lost, but rather it would be shifted. An ideal life for me would incorporate dance into my life whatever I do. Do I still love dance? I love dance with my whole heart. It has always been a constant in my life. Dance is my escape, a moment to meditate and remove myself from the
real world. My old ballet teacher used to say: “Don’t think about your homework or what you’re going to have for dinner, think about your plies.” At that moment, of course, I began to think about what was for dinner, so that saying didn’t work immediately. But I think about this idea quite differently now. My ballet teacher was creating an environment that implied the ballet studio would always be a separate space. She was teaching me to embrace the escape of reality. As I’ve grown older I have used this safe space even more deeply. In the past two years, I have been struggling with anxiety more than before. I can confidently say that ballet is the only place where my anxiety feels relieved. The silky movements of my body and the music that plays so perfectly to complement my movements–that is why I love dance. How would I know if I would miss dancing, because I have never known another way of life? Well if I think further into this, it's not
true. I have known a life without ballet and that was quarantine. Not only was my studio space stripped from me but I also felt out of love with ballet. I was burnt out, I didn’t love what I had always loved. So I stopped trying. Yes, I still went to the Zoom classes and did barre from my kitchen table, but it felt like an obligation, not a passion. So I switched it up and applied to St. Paul’s. The SPS Ballet Company was an angel to my relationship with dance. I have never loved ballet more. I have fallen back in love so deeply that I can’t imagine my life without some form of dance in my life. So when I think about why I dance, I think about how dance keeps me driven, passionate and grateful. Dance is in my heartbeat and I’m truly so lucky to have had it by my side since the beginning.
COLE'S DECLASSIFIED WINTERIM GUIDE Cole Edwards '24 Picture this: You’re idling with your family by the fireplace. The Holiday season is in full swing. Your decorations adorn the walls of your home, and you’re slowly and comfortably enjoying your hot chocolate as a fresh snowfall cascades the silent, serene world that sits outside your window. The good ending. However, like anything worth having, we have to work to get there. Freedom doesn’t come free. Our job in question? Survive. What must we survive? A fortnight of dark skies, grueling assessments, sleep deprivation and freezing temperatures. If I had never been to Cleveland, I’d call this stretch hell. Instead, the colloquial term for this two-week test of wills is Winterim. Considered by many to be one of the toughest stretches of the school year, Winterim is the desolate darkness that precedes the season of light. Teachers are itching to shoehorn all the grades they can fit in before we leave for the Holidays, sports are in full swing, and you, dear reader, are tired. Frankly, I am too. But, this being my third and final go-around with the gauntlet, what better way to say goodbye than to share my survival methods with the Millville community? Here, friends, are three ways to thrive and survive in Winterim.
#1. Get sleep. Duh. Here’s the thing: Winterim is busy. We have a whole lot on our plates. Balancing our heavy workloads with sports, The Nutcracker, the One Acts, or any other of the infinite extracurriculars that we have is challenging, especially when the temperature is consistently ping-ponging between freezing and really freezing. This is tough to manage, and oftentimes leads us to late nights. Now, I’m no chemist (really, ask Mr. B), but I don’t think mixing an academic burden with extracurriculars in a subzero environment makes a good solution. We need sleep, or our brains won’t function properly. Anywhere between 8-10 hours will do wonders for your mind and body! Sleep deprivation is no joke, folks. Without good rest, you’ll find yourself groggy, irritable, and stressed. I’m sure that has something to do with neurons, but I really don’t know (really, ask Dr. G). Get your work done as soon as possible, do your skincare routine, brush your teeth, turn on a Lana Del Rey album, and you’ll be fast asleep in minutes! #2: Manage your time. Now, once you’ve woken up from your deep winterim slumber, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to conquer whatever comes your
way. Unfortunately, what’s coming your way is a biblical monsoon of homework, quizzes, tests, and perhaps even graded discussions as well. Do you feel like you’re going to drown in the work? If not, that’s odd. You probably should. If yes, you won’t if you’re careful! Here’s where the ancient practice of time management comes into play. Suppose it’s Monday. You have two tests, a “quest,” and an in-class essay on the last Thursday before departing for break. Doesn’t that sound like an absurd amount of work? My teachers don’t think so! Anyways, you split your time to work evenly, leaving time to be the social demon that you are. Try using your Hum Flex time to study for whatever you can or visit a teacher’s office hours. Here’s another little known fact: Free Blocks can be used for studying instead of doomscrolling Instagram reels in the Schoolhouse Reading Room! While the latter may be the actual reason for the existence of free blocks, surviving Winterim means making sacrifices. After school and sports, take a break. Go get dinner at the Upper (or Doordash Tea Garden) with your friends. You deserve it. After dinner, the grind begins again. Find a place where you can dial in and study for your assessments. For some, it’s the Library. For others, it’s the comfort of their own rooms. Perhaps it’s a project room in Fried-
man. Wherever your place is, find it, and do not leave until you’ve taken care of business. If you really commit to locking in, you can be done before your check-in time (unless you’re a third former; 8:00 check is brutal). If you have spare time, go grab yourself a Kwok cookie. Nothing says “good work” like an enormous circular mass of processed sugar. Once back in the dorm, commit one more hour to the grind, hang out in a friend’s dorm for a bit, and hit the hay. Following this schedule won’t always be fun, but neither is falling behind early in your classes. The Winterim workload is heavy, but we can lift it if we stay dialed in. #3. Take care of yourself. In the constant rush of St. Paul’s life, we often forget to think about ourselves. It may seem like we’re juggling the whole world, and that can be overwhelming at times. Find time amidst your busy day to take a deep breath. Check in on yourself and your friends. Find time to relax, whether that’s by setting an hour aside to meditate with Mr. Pacelli on Monday nights, taking a night off from being social to recharge in your room, or screaming at FIFA at 11 PM (@ Kitt underformers). Ignoring your health for too long can lead to stress, frustration and burnContinued on Page 12
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Sports BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE NUTCRACKER Georgia Bussey '24 Winterim is often regarded as a busy time here in Millville, and a can’t-miss event is the SPS Ballet Company’s annual performance of The Nutcracker. Beloved by the SPS community, The Nutcracker showcases the talent, diligence and professionalism that the BC possesses, leaving their audience in Memorial Hall both in awe and in the holiday spirit before the last week of winterim. How do they do it? Many find themselves wondering this as they watch the Company's outstanding productions. SPSBC captain Holland Goss ‘24 describes how much work and planning goes into getting the pieces show-ready: “Many days we spend several hours just listening to notes and running the entire show.” Dancer Lauren Edouard ‘25 agrees. “The process consists of lots of rehearsals,” she says. “Once we have the choreography down, technique and stage presence, as well as fitting into your assigned role is practiced and practiced until it is perfect.” The SPSBC's Nutcracker is a gift both to the SPS community and the Ballet Company members. New to the SPSBC, dancer Alexis Conway ‘27 describes how her first Nutcracker experience at SPS has been both rewarding and inspiring. “As we lead up to the final performances, after lots of costume fit-
tings, hours upon hours rehearsing, and all of the preparation,” she says, “I have cherished the countless memories we have made as a team and the work ethic that everyone involved in the performance has demonstrated is astonishing." In the final week leading up to the performance, Edouard says that dancers rehearse the performance with "full run throughs, lighting, and costumes to practice what it feels like to be in the performance." This part of the process, Edouard adds, is her favorite. “Rehearsing my roles in my costumes makes dancing even more fun.” Goss includes the faculty kids' performance as part of the angel scene as one of his favorite parts of the performance. “It's really sweet to watch the little ones get out on stage. It takes a lot of bravery.” Teacher of Spanish Meredith Finch, whose daughter participated last year and couldn’t wait to do so again this year, describes the opportunity as being wonderful all-around, owing, she says, to the amazing work of Assistant Artistic Director Courtney Peix and Director of Dance Kate Lydon. Dressed in white with gold wings, the angels of Millville are another aspect of what makes the annual Nutcracker something the SPS community members look forward to. The Ballet Company's hard work and love for ballet shone through on stage on Dec. 8 through 10 at Memorial Hall.
Graphic by Julia Koeman '25
SPS varsity football team on the field // Photo courtesy of Michael Seamans
RECAP: END OF SEASON NEPSAC EVENTS Hunter Morton '26
The SPSBC in the wings of Memorial Hall // Photo by Gabby Purvis '24
The varsity football and boys and girls cross country teams had a remarkable season this fall, with each team earning NEPSAC postseason appearances. The football team, led by twelve Sixth Formers including captains Daniel Sullivan ‘24, AJ Mihalak ‘24 and Ernest Obiorah ‘24, finished out a strong 6-2 regular season. This was good enough to earn the team a bowl game against Lawrence Academy, their second bowl game in the last two years. While most students spent the final week of the fall preparing for finals and packing up for the break, SPS football was busy in the New England cold practicing for the playoffs. The team came up just short with a tough 17-28 loss to end the season. The boys cross country team, led by captains Cam Perry ‘24 and Jonny Dase ‘24,
finished first in the Lakes Region. This year, the team benefited from a positive team culture: “I love the practices and going on runs with the team as we had great chemistry and it was super fun,” said Harry Moyer ‘27. Both the boys and girls cross country teams traveled to Loomis Chaffee for the New England Championships. At Loomis, the Big Red, propelled by an impressive performance by Owen Gorenc ‘27, finished sixth overall. The girls cross country team, led by captains Rebecca Barnard ‘24 and Lidia Zur Muhlen ‘24, made great times throughout the season, finishing first in the Lakes Region and eighth overall in New England. “The girls worked hard all season and should be very proud of their performance and recognition. It is all well deserved,” said coach Kate Daniels.
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Sports THE ANNUAL CHARLES B. MORGAN CLUB RUN Theo Christoffersen '26 On Nov. 13 on a cold afternoon, the SPS community gathered to participate in the 51st Annual Charles B. Morgan House and Club Run. Charles B. Morgan worked at St. Paul’s for 41 years before retiring in 2010. He taught Greek, and Latin, and coached crew during his time here and the run was named in his honor. The event aims to raise money for the Missionary Society (MISH) and also have fun along the way. Many students take this run as a great opportunity to promote competition between other students and their respective houses. There were five prizes over-
all: the fastest boys house, the fastest girls house, the house with the most participants and the fastest boys and girls times. The race started with students in high spirits as houses gathered outside Conover 20. As the community gathered for the start of the race, anticipation was in the air and a lively mood throughout. The race course is a 2 mile path starting next to Con20 and going down Rectory Road toward the turf before turning off onto the cross country skiing trail. The race continues with a turn at the dam and then crossing the stone bridge before a final sprint toward the finish line
around Library Pond and ending on Chapel lawn. There were strong performances across the field, but Andrew Carroll ‘25 came out on top, crossing the line first followed by a group of Nash boys, firmly cementing Nash’s place as the fastest boys house. After the race, Andrew Carroll ‘25 said, “The House Run is a great school tradition that they brought back. We’re happy that the Nash boys showed up and won.” The remaining participants came rolling in while the community drank hot chocolate and socialized. The event was a huge success with many faculty and students participating in a school tradition spanning more than half a century.
COLE'S WINTERIM GUIDE Cole Edwards '24 Continued from Page 10
out. Understand that your mental health and well-being come first, and they’re more important than any grade on any assignment thrown at you during these two weeks. Listen to your body, it always knows best. In conclusion, friends, Winterim sucks. But, it builds character. You’ll look back at these days and frown, but then you’ll pat yourself on the back for somehow having survived. This stretch may seem impossible to manage (I still feel that way sometimes), but I promise you’ll survive. As the great Albert Camus said, “In the midst of Winterim, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.” Or something like that.
Written by Sam Bentley '24 // Graphic by Cole Hamilton '24