2025 May

THE

TRINITY VOICE

May 2O25 Volume 27 Issue 7 Trinity Preparatory School 57OO Trinity Prep Lane Winter Park, FL 32792

INSPIRATION BEHIND CELEBRATION Senior Cara Mortimer’s stained glass plate is amongst the many studentmade pieces highlighted in this year’s Arts in April celebration.

Pages 12-13

NEWS

Computer science teacher Susan Frederick retires after 26 years.

Page 9

OPINIONS

FOCUS

Identity-based humor on campus has isolating effects on students.

Popular teen dramas exaggerate the realities of high school life.

Page 15

Page 18

LIFESTYLES

After three years of anticipation, season two of “Severance” delights fans.

Page 21

SPORTS

The torpedo bat is quickly becoming baseball’s newest controversy.

Page 25

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

May 2O25

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6 Schedule Troubles 14 Teen Dramas 18

Boerth’s Retirement Dr. Robbie Boerth retires after 24 years at Trinity.

Inconsistent schedules cause more confusion than clarity.

Exaggerated realities in teenage TV favorites draw in viewers.

19 Texting Troubles 2O Game Changing Bat 25 Clique Culture

High school cliques differ from the movies.

Online messaging impacts teenagers’ communication.

New Yankees torpedo baseball bat sparks ethics debate.

May 2O25

Broadcast and Social Media

STAFF Editors-in-Chief: Lucy Chong, Fay Zhao

Broadcast & Social Media

Non-Print Editors-in-Chief: Jack Aaron, Nikhil Daniel Layout Editors: Aarav Gupta, Sofia Haddadin Managing Editors: Ashwin Anand, Emily Lopez, Sammy Lou, Gustavo Membreno Copy Editors: Sami Haddadin, Taylor Griffith Social Media Department, Podcast & Broadcast: Olivia Agnew [Editor], Ana Herrera News Department: Mia Prince (Editor), Krish Gupta, Sami Haddadin, Janav Ramprakash, Carol Marques, Peyton Alch, Sarah Currie, Zach Kleiman Opinions Department: Karl Loiseau (Editor), Ashwin Anand, Amanda Rose DeStefano Focus Department: Lila Choudry (Editor), Mia Prince, Taylor Griffith Lifestyles Department: Mila Taylor (Editor), Bowen Dong, Aarav Gupta, Jack Aaron, Lila Choudry, Laziza Talipova Sports Department: Ben Kleiman (Editor), Thomas Bonos, David Hull, David Steinberg

Trinity invited senior citizens to enjoy the play, The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee, and have a prom-like experience! The senior citizens were able to enjoy various activities, and two were crowned king and queen!

VOICE@TRINITYPREP.ORG THETRINITYVOICE.COM @TRINITY_VOICE @THETRINITYVOICE “THE TRINITY VOICE”

STEM Department: Ashwin Anand [Editor] Graphics Department: Maxi de la Fuente (Editor), Natalie Baron, Caden Liu Photo Department: Julia Hoskins (Editor), Eden Kiger, Jackson Napier, Ally Williams, Aksel Williams Business Manager: Krish Gupta Adviser: Erin Miller

Editorial Policy The Trinity Voice is a member of the Florida Scholastic Press Association and the National Scholastic Press Association.

The Trinity Voice is produced by the newspaper/journalism class at Trinity Preparatory School of Florida. Editorials represent the opinion of The Trinity Voice writer and are not necessarily the views of the administration, faculty, or Board of Trustees of Trinity. The Voice welcomes letters to the editor and free-lance articles or photography. All submissions become the property of The Voice. Please send all correspondence to 5700 Trinity Prep Lane, FL 32792.

The Voice may also be contacted via phone at 407-671-4140 and via e-mail at voice@trinityprep.org. For information regarding the purchase of advertising within The Voice, contact us by one of the methods mentioned above. The Voice is a monthly publication during the school year (with the exceptions of November and January).

(From left to right) Dakota Brown ‘25, Grace Sheppeard ‘26, Naomi Tanielian ‘26 and Ceci Bove ‘26 play with a dog on Seniors compete in Hungry Hungry HipSenior Dog Day. pos during the Senior Games on April 29.

Podcasts Listen in to Lila Choudry ‘28 and Mila Taylor ‘26 as they discuss and debate the latest episode of the hit series, “The Last of Us.” Whether you are a long-time fan or have never even heard of the show, this podcast is an engaging, comprehensive review, full of opinions and entertainment!

News

May 2O25

AN EDUCATION IN JEOPARDY Article by Karl Loiseau Graphic by Maxi de la Fuente A ban on face masks, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportations and a loss of over $3 billion of federal funding have been only a fraction of the changes experienced by higher education facilities across the nation following the state of the Trump administration in January. Harvard, Cornell, Columbia, Brown and Princeton have all been requested to integrate Trump’s demands, and some have complied under the threat of further consequences. These actions have left a number of students and faculty unsure of their entitlement to free speech.

“Everyone should be alarmed,” said William Myers, Associate Professor of Political Science and International Studies at the University of Tampa, over email. “Higher education institutions are not just engines of economic mobility and economic growth, but they are one of our nation’s most valuable economic and cultural exports. If colleges and universities are attacked for not being sufficiently supportive of the administration then academic freedom and the generation of ideas as we know it will be over.”

The current administration points to the student protests that erupted following the attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. While some protests posed a legitimate threat to Jewish students, the entirety of the protests — even the peaceful demonstrations — were painted as national security threats. The protests were led by primarily international students, leading to discourse on what the response would be under the new administration.

“The First Amendment does not say it ap-

plies to citizens only,” Myers said. “The justification is a provision in a law that allows the Secretary of State to personally single out individuals whose conduct is detrimental to our foreign policy. It is quite extraordinary that this is being applied to students on college campuses.”

On March 8 following a series of executive orders, a newly bolstered ICE detained Mahmoud Khalil, a key organizer of the student protests and a student on a visa. Khalil was arrested in campus housing and taken to Louisiana by plainclothes officers.

“We also don’t want people being afraid to express their opinion because they might get their visas revoked and get deported from the country or, God forbid, detained and sent to some horrible detention center in the middle of nowhere,” John Gihon, Florida immigration lawyer said.

Following Khalil’s detainment and subsequent proceedings, an immigration judge in Louisiana ruled on April 11 that Khalil could be deported on the grounds that he posed a threat to United States national security.

“It’s the same thing with student visas, (Trump is) trying to deport as many people as he can, no matter what the circumstances are, and if he can revoke student visas a... he looks at that as an easy way to do it,” Gihon said.

A crackdown on student protests was only one of Trump’s demands. The curriculum changes began when the Trump administration first delivered an ultimatum to Columbia on March 7. To be able negotiate “Universities are a boon to society as much as that to the terms they can do what they’re meant for, which is to be of the $400 the centers of intellectual development, which is to million federal fundbe progress makers to discover and inquire about the ing freeze set forth by world around us.”

Trump, the university - Reese Taylor, sophomore at Barnard College of Columbia had to ban

face masks, suspend students involved in the protests and place departments in academic receivership.

The Department of Middle Eastern, South Asian and African Studies was to be taken out of the control of the faculty for a minimum of five years, and into the hands of newly appointed interim president Katrina Armstrong.

The reason cited was the faculty’s views, not the course material itself.

“Something I’m super concerned about is if we continue to threaten and we continue to pull funding, I don’t really want to see a change in what we’re allowed to learn,” senior Connor Nanus said. “It just goes against freedom of speech. It’s essentially censoring.”

To many the action sets a dangerous precedent for the behavior of the executive branch.

A statement put out by the Middle East Studies Association on March 17 stated, “One can easily imagine the same threat of withholding government funding being deployed to compel a university to, for example, compel a bi-

May 2O25

News

Universities hit hard by funding cuts, ICE arrests and curriculum changes ology department to teach ‘creationism’ on an equal basis with modern evolutionary theory, or to require that history courses portray slavery and segregation in a favorable light.”

Despite such concerns of overreach, March 21 saw Columbia give in to the demands of the Trump Administration.

“Once we saw us capitulating to Trump’s demands … it solidified for the students here that our university views itself as a business,” Reese Taylor said, a sophomore at Barnard College of Columbia and Trinity Alumn.

Beyond Columbia, universities across the nation are being required to share class presentations and grant applications with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Schools in the state of Florida such as Seminole State College have received requests under a newly created Florida DOGE On April 10 the Tampa Bay Times reported, “Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office has asked colleges and universities across Florida to hand over detailed information on grants received by faculty and research over the last six years.

Colleges this week began the process of asking

professors for the infor- “We also don’t want people being afraid to mation, which would be supplied for Florida’s express their opinion because they might get newly formed cost-cut- their visas revoked and get deported from the ting Department of country or, God forbid, detained and sent to Government Efficiency, some horrible detention center in the middle of or DOGE, initiative.”

Currently, no further nowhere.” statements from the federal or local government - John Gihon, immigration lawyer have clarified the purpose or reaIn addition to funding and research, the soning for the demands. agency had a significant role in protecting Federally, institutions formerly in place to the civil rights of students across the nation. oversee these changes have had their power The agency ensured that in public schools the greatly restricted. On March 20 Trump issued rights of students with disabilities were rean executive order calling for the Department spected and acknowledged.

In higher educaof Education (ED) to “take all necessary steps tion specifically, the agency often investigated to facilitate the closure of the Department of reports on sexual harassment, racial discrimEducation and return authority over educaination and discrimination based on disabiltion to the States and local communities.” ity status.

Oftentimes, if discrimination was In congruence with Trump’s demands, found, districts or schools were required to DOGE cut $900 million from the ED’s rechange their policies and provide extra sersearch agency that tracks items such academic standings across the nation and ways to ac- vices to students.

Another facet of education that has been commodate students with disabilities. The facing severe cuts has been positions related research allowed for the government to accuto diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). DEI rately allocate funds and ensure that the deinitiatives have existed in schools to provide partment itself was running efficiently. teachers with the resources to understand and The ED has also played a crucial role in tailor to the changing demographics of their providing funding to schools in impovschools.

They provided training to teachers erished districts, covering the gaps that and additional resources that the school may the individual state was unable to fill. need to aid their students.

Block grants that are disbursed by The cuts to both the ED and DEI-related the ED, such as Title I, provide aspositions could impact over 4,000 federal and sistance to schools by improving local jobs.

Moreover the cuts could drasticalteacher pay and training. The ly reduce the resources available to schools, grants also funded programs teachers and students to receive or ensure that provided free meals to quality education beyond economic status. homeless students.

“Universities are a boon to society as much “It’s kind of typical as that they can do what they’re meant for, of this administration which is to be the centers of intellectual dewhere you have a velopment, which is to be progress makers to sledgehammer that discover and inquire about the world around is taken to everyone us,” Taylor said.

“When they’re politicized, when they’re trying to target a few individu- when they are restricted and they are limited als, and so there’s a lot directly, it conflicts with their founding.” of collateral damage going on across the country,” Gihon said.

News

May 2O25

BOERTH’S NEXT CHAPTER

Article by Peyton Alch and Carol Marques Photos courtesy of Robert Boerth

the adviser for a student newspaper is that I had a very strong sense that I was not the editor for the newspaper, and it should be a vehicle for the students to report on things and express their opinions. And sometimes that comes into tension with other people at the school who don’t see it in the same light.”

His time as newspaper adviser set a tone for the way he taught English, giving students the freedom to explore their interests and discover their beliefs while in the confines of a structured English course.

Since then, Boerth has taught classes from English 10 to AP Language and Literature.

Boerth and his family at the formal adoption of his youngest daug Throughout his years of teaching different classes and students, he has learned that lenging, but it’s also made it really fun,” Boteaching is fluid, and it is important to under- erth said.

Despite the challenge, Boerth always stand the needs of the students in each class. “(My) experience has always been new and looked forward to meeting his new students constantly changing, which has been chal- each year; he enjoyed getting to know the dynamics of each class.

“It’s the specific chemistry of each class,” Boerth said. “I might be teaching multiple sections of the same class, but it is always the case that each section has its own chemistry.”

In addition to how students change, Boerth has gotten to witness how the campus has changed since 2001.

“The Grille was known as the Pagoda, and it was open air,” Boerth said. “The library was a much smaller building, and it looked nothing like the Student Resource Center.”

Throughout the years, Boerth found different ways to get involved on campus, mainly through clubs. Boerth has sponsored a number of clubs, like the Astronomy Club, the Rocketry Club, and the Strategy and Role-Playing Club.

“Most of the clubs I’ve advised are because I have an interest that kind of dovetails with the interests of the students,” Boerth said.

Boerth poses with Jeff Vandermeer, author of “Absolution,” at a Trinity writing workshop.

His Strategy and Role-Playing Club has ex-

After 24 years at Trinity, English teacher Robbie Boerth is retiring. In these 24 years, Boerth has left a resounding impact on the school. His love for teaching is obvious, seen through the many roles he has taken on during his time on campus.

Boerth came to teach at Trinity on a whim.

After teaching at Stetson University, Boerth applied for a position at Trinity to see what it was like to teach at the high school level.

“I sent in my resume to Trinity, not due to any advertisement, it was just out of the blue,” Boerth said. “I got a quick call back, and they said they needed a teacher … it was just a fortuitous timing that brought me here.”

Boerth has taught various classes across the English department. When he started at Trinity, he taught English 9, which dealt with mythology and early English literature. He was also asked to step into the role of adviser for the Trinity Voice, having no prior experience in running a student publication, Boerth had to learn a new way of teaching.

“There was definitely a learning curve,” Boerth said. “One of the challenges with being

May 2O25

News

English teacher Robbie Boerth retires after 24 years at Trinity

panded beyond school hours, and students come to meet and participate on weekends.

Boerth has found a passion in games and game-making.

He has connected with students about this passion as well, and often plays different strategy games with students.

Through his club advising and game making, Boerth has cultivated an environment where students feel seen and heard.

After Boerth retires, he plans on continuing with his passion in analog games. He will be busy working on designing, writing about and playing different strategy daughter Nicki in 2007. games. Boerth also plans on possibly returning for the interim term to teach a game-making class. Outside of that, he hopes to do more volunteering with organizations he is passionate about and come back to Trinity as a substitute.

Even in his retirement, he hopes to instill important lessons in members of the Trinity family. He was reminded of this attitude at this year’s prom while looking at a plaque in the venue. The picture depicted three children who were martyrs. The writing below encouraged children to have the fortitude and confidence to stand up to emperors.

“I thought, as my last prom at Trinity chaperoning, that was an encouraging and wise admonition, which I think students would benefit from,” Boerth said. “Part of what education is, is bringing people up to have a good sense of values and a good sense of themselves, and having the strength to speak up and stand up for things that they know are true.”

Boerth, adviser of the astronomy club from 2002 to 2012, uses a telescope with a solar filter to observe sun spots.

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News

May 2O25

FALLOUT FROM FEDERAL LAYOFFS

Trump and DOGE implement sweeping layoffs in the name of efficiency Article by Sami Haddadin Graphic by Maxi de la Fuente

Anger. Confusion. Betrayal. These words capture the emotions of more than 30,000 federal employees who found termination notices in their inboxes. The Trump Administration and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Elon Musk, have launched sweeping layoffs to cut down, restructure or gut federal agencies.

These changes are part of an effort to overhaul a flawed federal government.

“When you look at the bureaucracy, you see this really bloated, inefficient mechanism that is not providing the services it is supposed to be providing,” social science teacher Brandon Burmeister said.

“This has been felt for a very long time by the American public … and even as far back as the Reagan Administration.”

While the administration thinks these reforms will help in the long run, it could potentially hamstring the distribution of government resources and services, and lead to significant unemployment.

“It’s unclear as far as what the approach is, other than just firing everyone which is not necessarily an approach, because a lot of these people are doing really good work and have things that are necessary to make the country function but we’re not getting any clarity on what the process is,” Burmeister said.

Ph.D. economist Nick Sargen concludes in a Forbes article from Feb. 21 that the cost of federal employees represents only a small fraction of total federal expenditures. So, even significant reductions in the federal workforce would have a limited effect on the national deficit, which is driven by larger structural issues such as entitlement spending and tax policies.

Among the various restructured agencies, one of the most noticeable was the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

According to an HHS release on March 27, their plan aims to save taxpayers $1.8 billion per year through downsizing from 82,000 to 62,000 employees. Although the purpose is to improve efficiency through streamlining processes, this reorganization temporarily leaves the United States vulnerable to outbreaks due

to a less efficient capacity to respond.

“When you look at (what is being done to the) HHS, we’re seeing a measles outbreak that’s running rampant through Texas, and nothing is being done about it because there’s no personnel,” Burmeister said.

The same could be said for the Department of Education.

A U.S. News article from March 20 lays out both sides of the story. On one hand, a 50% reduction in workforce for the department could be beneficial. Similar to the HHS, it has been referred to as a ‘bloated bureaucracy’, where the department functions as an excessively large and inefficient structure. Reductions in its workforce could help address these inefficiencies, similar to the approach taken with the HHS. On the other hand, the dismantling of the Department of Education could impede the distribution of billions of dollars in federal aid to Title I schools and students with disabilities.

Moreover, the funding cuts could impact 29.6 million students in public schooling.

“You’re going to see kids at school go hungry because of the Education Department shutdown,” Burmeister said. “Because (the Source: Forbes department) can’t fund lunch programs, the states can’t fund lunch programs, so kids that can’t afford to eat at school are now not going to eat.”

Looking ahead, these job cuts are not only affecting current federal employees. They are deterring the next generation of the workforce from pursuing federal jobs “It was pretty disappointing and disheartening when I found out about the job cuts,” said Vassar college junior Jordan Alch, who was considering joining the National Park Service.

“For postgrad, I’m kind of turning away towards making that my initial goal because … people aren’t getting hired.”

Despite the uncertainty, many like Alch are remaining hopeful for the future.

“Just realizing that while things seem scary, hopefully one day they will all be ok, so we have to see what happens and be there for each other,” Alch said.

News

May 2O25

PROGRAMMING A NEW PATH Susan Frederick retires from teaching after 26 years Article by Lucy Chong Photo provided by Susan Frederick

her teaching style, choosing to lean more into collaborative and discussion-based learning Computer science teacher Susan Freder- exemplified by the scrum methods. Scrum is a ick hoisted the championship belt above her well-known project management framework head, as the cyber security team rushed to that aims to build teamwork and accountabilcrowd around her. Everyone smiled as it sunk ity in group work settings.

“We’ve added more of the scrum methods in that they had just won the Lockheed Marinto the classroom since I first came,” Fredtin CYBERQUEST in March of 2023.

In 2023, the Trinity cybersecurity team was erick said. “It was very strict. Here’s a lesson. created, and with the leadership of Frederick, Here’s a quiz. Here’s a test. And now, it’s more they went on to win CYBERQUEST their of here’s the information, discuss the informavery first year competing, establishing the tion (in groups).”

By using this method of teaching, Frederick strength of Trinity’s program early on.

Frederick has served as an integral part of has been able to cultivate a creative, educathe Trinity family over the past 26 years. From tional environment that sets students up for creating cybersecurity champions to founding success for years to come.

“I really appreciate (that) Ms. Frederick is the middle school cheer team to teaching almost every coding course at Trinity, Frederick not very on top of you during class,” senior has left an indelible mark on Trinity that will Nicholas Saraiva said. “A lot of teachers will last long after her retirement at the end of this have very strict (guidelines) for a creative class, where you have to follow all this and school year.

In August 1999, Frederick arrived on cam- that. And (Frederick) has parameters and pus, and throughout her time here, she has things to follow. But, coding is a very open taught a significant variety of classes includ- subject where you can do a lot, and she allows ing all of the programming classes, robot- that mobility to thrive in her class.”

Frederick emphasizes self-confidence in ics, graphics, app design and cybersecurity.

Additionally, she has helped several students her students and focuses on making sure they know their own capabilities. through their own independent studies.

“She’s one of the most encouraging teachAs Frederick’s classes have evolved, so has ers I’ve ever had,” junior Sarah Cantwell said. “She pushes me to try it, even if I don’t think I’ll be good.”

This theme of encouragement is mirrored in Frederick’s role on the competitive coding and cybersecurity teams, whom she has repeatedly led to many wins.

“She’s definitely the team coordinator,” senior James Hawley said. “She plans all of our events. She’ll make sure that we have everything ready before the events. After the fact, she’ll always enjoy Frederick poses with Trinity’s winning team of the CyberPatriot any successes we have with us Silver Division after their victory on Jan. 25.

and she’ll celebrate with us. She’ll tell us what we could have done better, what we did good, and kind of just be a role model.”

On top of her work in the computer science program, Frederick has also had an o u t s t a n d i n g Frederick holds her new grandson impact on Lucas John Frederick after his Trinity athlet- birth on Aug. 12, 2024. ics. When she first came to campus, Frederick founded the middle school girls cheer program and served as their coach from 1999 to 2008. And, from 2009 through this year, she was a coach for the varsity bowling team.

One of Frederick’s bowlers, Class of 2024 alumna Amanda Lang, even went on to compete in Division I Bowling and earn an NIL contract in college.

After departing from Trinity, Frederick is planning to continue teaching her online coding class and work on expanding computer science resources to underprivileged children at her church.

“We have some underprivileged children (at my church), so I’ve gotten some attorney office(s) to donate laptops,” Frederick said.

“And then hopefully Trinity will be donating some more of their (laptops and) more of their books so that these kids can get exposure.”

While everyone is excited for Frederick and her future plans, she will be sorely missed here at Trinity and be leaving behind some big shoes to fill.

“She’s going to be a hard spot to fill,” Hawley said.

News

May 2O25

SOCKWELL’S HISTORIC RECORD History teacher Andrea Sockwell retires after 2O years at Trinity

Article by Janav Ramprakash Photo courtesy of Andrea Sockwell After spending 20 years shaping minds, that I had in Orange and Seminole County fostering a love for learning and having four when I taught at those two.” family members at Trinity, sixth grade histoSince then, Sockwell has never left, serving ry teacher Andrea Sockwell is retiring from now as the sixth grade team leader and equipteaching and moving on to a peaceful lake- ping each generation of sixth graders with front home in South Carolina. With her hus- necessary research and writing skills. band stepping into a command position in “Sometimes I’m known as the homework the National Guard, Sockwell will be by his side to support him.

“I had three little babies when I started here,” Sockwell said. “They went through middle school and high school here and then graduated. My mom taught here before (me) and she was the head of the English department in upper school and the curriculum director. So it’s been a family affair for 30 years of our life.”

In the course of her tenure here, although Sockwell taught some upper school courses of World Religions and an art history course, her favorite class to teach will always be sixth grade history because it allows her to work with new students and help them integrate into the school community.

“I’ve always been able to get to know all the sixth graders,” Sockwell said. “I am really proud of trying to help them enter our school and get to know people and get acclimated.”

Sockwell first taught fourth and fifth grade in Orange and Seminole County public schools for six years before joining Trinity in 2005 as a sixth grade history teacher, a role she enjoyed because of the independence it gave her in the classroom.

“The greatest thing about teaching at Trinity is the autonomy we have in our classrooms,” Sockwell said. “We are allowed to run with our own lesson plans Sockwell and her three sons (Jordan Acker ’23, and come up with really enriching ac- Josh Acker ’20 and Noah Acker ’18) enjoy the outdoors in their new home state, South Carolina. tivities for students to help them learn.

We do not have some of the red tape

queen,” Sockwell said. “I know reading and writing are not kids’ favorite things to do, but I really feel like it is my calling to teach kids how to research and write thoughtful responses to questions. I get kids every year who come back and say, ‘Oh my gosh, you did have a hard class, but I learned so much and I grew so much as a student because of you pushing me to do that,’ and so I really am proud of that.”

In addition to teaching, Sockwell has coached both the middle school and varsity cheer teams, where she has bonded closely with the team members.

“Being a cheer coach for 20 years, both in the middle school and varsity levels, has been really rewarding,” Sockwell said. “I love the girls and what they have accomplished over the last 20 years in the program. They really support our school, and they’re just amazing young ladies.”

Throughout her two decades at Trinity, Sockwell has experienced many special moments too, including watching her former students graduate from Trinity.

“Being able to hand in their diplomas on their graduation day and just look out at all the teachers who made their growth possible was pretty amazing, ” Sockwell said.

With the knowledge of many valuable lessons gained in her teaching career, Sockwell has developed a wide range of skills she hopes to carry into her future.

“You learn how to bring out the best in your students, how to come up with new ideas of presenting information and trying to engage people,” Sockwell said. “I feel like those skills can translate to several different areas, and I’ve enjoyed teaching, but I feel like there are many different things out there still left to try.”

News

May 2O25

FORENSICS FACULTY FAREWELL Forensic teachers Hren and McKenzie depart after three years

Article by Fay Zhao Photo courtesy of Jia Sood After three years of helping with the forensics program, fellow and debate coach B. Quinn McKenzie and Assistant Director of Forensics Julia Hren will be making their departure. Since 2022, they have led the Saints to many victories both locally and nationally.

Together, with Hren focusing on speech events and McKenzie on debate, they have worked with a total of 114 students from sixth grade to 12th grade in these past years.

This year, they will bring a historic 20 students to nationals.

MCKENZIE

Out of the 114 students in forensics, McKenzie individually practiced with 84 in debate events across varying levels.

“It’s always really exciting to help someone find their passion for speech and debate,” McKenzie said. “That’s a very rewarding experience for me because I get to introduce someone to a passion that they find, and it’s so exciting to see this growth from someone who doesn’t know what the activity is to someone who’s so invested and so capable and so involved in the team.”

His passion shaped the team culture to be both productive and encouraging.

“He’s always been a rock for the team, just like Coach Hren,” senior Jonah Downs said.

“He has worked tirelessly to make our team excellent in winning and in failure based on his view that we are successful if we are working hard, whether we win or not.”

Because of their support, there have been many success stories.

Downs, under the guidance of McKenzie, became the national champion for Extemporaneous Commentary in 2024. He dedicates much of his success to McKenzie’s help in breaking down what a winning round looks like. His mentorship left a lasting impression on many students, especially Downs.

“(He is) a debate wizard, a speech god,” Downs said. “Just probably one of my favorite people I’ve ever worked with when it comes to speech and debate and someone who has always been there for me, who has always been there for the team and always had the best interest of our team and our success.”

Outside of his mentorship with debaters, McKenzie also brought his teaching capabilities to many different classrooms in an experience that was both engaging for his students but to him as well. “(Students) bring those different perspectives that I can engage with as a teacher and a member of the community to all sorts of topics in history class, speech and debate and government class,” McKenzie said. “I get challenged as an educator and as a person.”

HREN

While McKenzie focused on teaching social studies classes and debate, Hren taught English in addition to her many contributions to forensics.

“She was always super helpful because I’ve done a lot of speech events during my time, and she’s helped me with every single one in a different kind of way,” junior Jia Sood said. “A lot of the times the team forget(s) how much she does for everything like she’s the one who makes the trip sheets, helps us find our build-

ings (and) helps us with our events.”

As a coach, she has helped various students navigate the many events forensics offers. In one of her highlights, Hren recalls the moment when Sood and junior Katia Lyakh both qualified for nationals in their events.

Even shedding some tears of happiness, the heartwarming moment encapsulated Hren last year here.

“Because especially with it being my last year, I really wanted them to have this,” Hren said. “In that moment I was like ‘yes! This is great. I am so happy for everyone.’”

Their success was also a testament to Hren’s efforts in this program. From her willing attitude to her expertise in speech, Hren’s dedication to her students shines through.

“You can really tell she cares a lot just the way that she works with everybody,” Sood said. “She’s always super involved with everything that you’re doing, and she’ll go out of her way to find the best sources for you.

Sometimes I’ll get an email randomly at like 10:00 p.m. (of ) the source she thought was good for my speech.”

In completing their Trinity experience at the end of this school year, Hren and McKenzie will be heading to New Jersey where they will both teach at a private debate academy.

Even as they move on to other places, they hope to coach the forensics team online.

Left: Lyakh and Sood stand with Hren.

Right: The forensics team poses with their trophies from the 2024 state tournament.

AR ~ S In Artists: 1. Jiani Fu ‘30 2. Mariella Frederickson Valdivia ‘28 3. Kaitlyn Wilke ‘25 4. Brooks Steketee ‘25 5. Iris Lei ‘25 2

Spread by Fay Zhao Photos by Julia Hoskins & Eden Kiger

1

5

In April T

hroughout April, Trinity’s art department proudly showcased a year’s worth of creativity and dedication. Paintings, etchings, sculptures and photographs lined the halls, transforming the school into a vibrant, gallery-like space filled with color and imagination.

From Art 6 to AP Studio Art 3-D, different art pieces came together to celebrate a wide range of artistic mediums. Alongside theater productions, band concerts and choral performances, these visual pieces remind us that art speaks in countless forms.

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Opinions

May 2O25

SCHEDULE LACKS CLASS Inconsistency causes stress for students

It was announced at the beginning of the school year that the school’s weekly schedule would follow the order of A-B-C-B-C. However, what feels like every week students and staff are met with a new modified schedule — whether it’s to accommodate for a last-minute assembly, guest speaker or a grade-wide field trip. In fact, in the month of April alone, three out of the four weeks had an altered schedule.

The schedule’s variability creates chaos and stress for students and teachers leaving many behind on essential assignments and activities.

“It’s confusing and I don’t really know what to expect for the next week, so it’s hard to know when my tests are on, when to study for assignments and do my homework,” sophomore Nathan Lu said.

When the order of classes changes each week, it becomes harder for students to plan their assignments. Consequently, students are often left to scramble to keep up with assignments and are unable to effectively prepare or plan ahead.

Because of the unpredictability of the school schedule, an uneven distribution of assessments are assigned to students which only exacerbates stress levels. A clear example of this occurred during the week following Headmaster’s Day. In order to accommodate for the day off, teachers had to move assignments around to the same week. While Headmaster’s Day provides great value through immense fun, this day is quickly offset by the stress of tests scheduled right after it.

Finding a balance of school-sponsored events while minimizing schedule changes is crucial to the well-being of students. A four day week that starts with a “C” Day may result in a series of disruptions. While certain scheduling conflicts such as holidays are out of the school’s control, guest speakers and assemblies should be planned out more thoughtfully.

The inconsistent schedule also creates

challenges for teacher planning, resulting in teachers spending less time planning the content of their lesson and more time making adjustments.

“It’s hard to create consistency, especially if I’m trying to do a lab that might be over the course of a few days that I need consecutive time to do and also sudden schedule changes create somewhat of a chaotic system for the kids or students,” science teacher Bryan Moretz said.

Furthermore, club leaders are not meeting as often as they would like because of conflicting school events and assemblies that are scheduled during what would otherwise be club time. Numerous clubs only have the chance to meet only once every month and a half — if not longer. Due to this problem, clubs are having to find time outside of club times to accommodate their meetings and activities, often leading to low rates of attendance due to other commitments.

“It’s very difficult because a lot of members don’t exactly know the schedule and when there is going to be club time during break and when there’s not going to be,” Latin Club President Jerry Chen said. “Overall the number of times they meet throughout the year has been cut down a lot from last year or previous years.”

As a result, Trinity does plan on revamping

the weekly schedule to have three “A” days and just one pair of block days. According to Head of Upper School Tracy Bonday, this change is best for students, both for attention span during class and homework load throughout the week.

“There are a lot of studies that indicate that block scheduling is not necessarily ideal for purposes of how much content gets covered because the longevity of the block itself frequently can be problematic,” Bonday said.

With this new schedule, the addition of three “A” days should limit the perceived need for constant schedule changes because removing a single “A” day impacts all classes equally and doesn’t require the shuffling of other week days. School should be a chance of learning and growth, not a source of constant uncertainty where students are being forced to adjust.

Administration must develop a clearer plan moving forward on how to sort out the inconsistent schedule to encourage student and faculty well-being. In order to promote the best learning environment, administrators must develop a consistent schedule that streamlines future planning for both students and teachers. After all, students deserve more than an unplanned schedule that hinders their ability to learn but more of an environment that promotes excellency above all else.

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Opinions

May 2O25

15

NOTHING TO LAUGH AT

Identity-based humor often isolates more than it brings together Article by Karl Loiseau Graphic by Maxi de la Fuente April 7 brought Rosetta Lee, a speaker from the Seattle Girls’ School, to Trinity to present on a novel topic on campus: microaggressions. The presentation initiated a much needed conversation on seemingly minor remarks such as, “You only do so well because you are Asian.” Lee explained that microaggressions often isolate peers and serve to diminish a student’s hard work, even if intended as a joke.

“People are more receptive to messages that come in a humorous way, and that has pros and cons,” PhD candidate in Psychology at Columbia Dean Baltiansky said. “People feel more comfortable saying things that might be offensive because they think it’s just a joke.”

Lee presented during a time of increased concern among faculty and parents regarding discriminatory humor on campus. Trinity has been taking steps to curb this behavior though. Efforts include Lee delivering a different speech to the Middle School and the initiation of a new Middle School council.

If Trinity truly wants to have a “community (that) respects the dignity of each member of the Trinity family and is safe, caring, and supportive,” as its mission states, we must acknowledge what unites us as well as address and solve what divides us.

“Part of this ties directly into our mission, which is to develop ethical and resilient leaders and … it we’re thinking about what we need to do and how to do it,” interim Head of Middle School Stephanie Dryden said.

Identity-based jokes often diminish people’s identities to a punchline and a chorus of laughs, essentially reducing them to only their skin color, gender or disability status. Making comments such as “That’s so autistic,” or “I don’t know what your people eat,” and simply laughing after it does not absolve someone from being discriminatory.

“If you’re having a normal conversation and then you just slip in a racial joke when it’s

just one person, and especially if that person is of that race and you’re not, that’s not funny,” junior Jia Sood said.

Unfortunately, students are calling their peers racial slurs, treating them as if it is a joke, but that behavior only becomes more rooted in a student as they age if unaddressed.

We should not infantilize younger students because if they are old enough to say a slur, they are old enough to have an open conversation about their usage.

“When Rosetta Lee came to speak to (middle school), a lot of it was about her talking about how to have good friendships, how to have good relationships and being clear with your friends,” Dryden said.

If we want to create ethical leaders, it is necessary to recognize that jokes based on identity not only isolate, but also create echo chambers within a given group further ingraining that behavior into the group dynamic. In both instances, community is eroded.

As a starting point to building a more inclusive community, abandon the mentality of “it’s just a joke” because whether you know it or not, it may not be.

“You’re incentivized by the way the world works to keep your position in the hierarchy … so there is a motivation to keep that, and that motivation could come out in jokes,” Baltiansky said.

The “it’s just a joke”mentality also prevents open conversations from being held. Many times it only diminishes the real feelings that students experience. It makes it even more difficult for that student to either set their boundaries or even find community if people around them make light of the issues that impact them.

Additionally, if someone is not laughing, trying to change the topic or acting differently from themselves, that should prompt consideration. There should also be a greater effort to understand what

one student may find offensive. Respecting people’s boundaries is as hard as you make it.

“Messing around also has boundaries from person to person. You wouldn’t tease your teacher like you would tease your friends,” eighth grader, Enzo Cuada said.” So it’s always just boundaries (and) definitely no racist, misogynistic (jokes). Stuff in that area is definitely a no go for anyone, anything, (in) any sort of situation.”

Beyond the students, the school itself needs to do more to prevent this behavior than just a slap on the wrist. An assembly lecturing middle school on the usage of slurs and educating high school students on microaggressions is only as good as the follow-through is.

Faculty, if it is within their ability, should do more to continue these conversations in and out of the classroom.

“We have been making, in the middle school, a concerted effort all year to really emphasize community and to think about what our community norms are,” Dryden said.

This could look like calling out jokes that they hear on campus. The school should then enforce the already-existing rules given that the student body is fully aware of the impacts that their behavior may have.

“Obviously there’s a time and a place and also an ability to shut up,” Sood said. “And certain people need to have that ability to shut up.”

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Commentary

May 2O25

COMMENTAAR N PLAQUE ATTACK Pain in my Grass

In the spring of 2024, the quad saw its first sign of upheaval. Because the cost of green spray paint would blow the budget for our school, we instead chose the old-fashioned method to keep those darn kids off our lawn: put little chains up around the grass so it grows into our own miniature Amazon rainforest.

But now, the graduation for the Class of 2024 is long gone, and just like clockwork, the Class of 2025 needs the quad’s grass to be crisp and lush for their special little day. Despite some misconceptions, Trinity does actually learn from their mistakes. In today’s economy, wooden fences just don’t do the trick anymore, so Trinity created “Operation: Great Wall of China.”

How unfortunate for middle schoolers that their phones are locked up in a maximum security prison all day. I guess now they just have to go outside and play in the quad. Oh wait.

Back in my day, the quad used to be filled with seashells from sea to shining sea: our little own underwater Atlantis that stuck little daggers in the bottom of everyone’s shoes. With the new wall up — in hopes to make the quad great again — Atlantis has been washed away.

However, our land-shells aren’t the only thing to magically disappear in the quad. Here comes mystery #2 … sidewalks! Once resembling Harry Potter’s shifting staircases — in the form of pavement going every direction but to the building of your class — our sidewalks have now been Wingardium Leviosa’d away.

It is quite an ingenious plan if I do say so myself. If the reason the quad’s grass is ruined is because everyone walks through it, we should get rid of all the walkways so they have no other option but to trample it!

Despite all of these super awesome and amazing changes our school has made for our benefit, there is one downside I suppose. Every year, one nameless duck migrates to the rock to lay eggs, but now that all methods of navigation have been mowed away, how will she ever make it back to the rock? Only time will tell if she has what it takes to weed through the mighty jungle and plant the seeds of the next duck generation underneath an oversized pebble. Even if we lead to the extinction of duck-kind, at least the grass is finally greener on the other side.

America has too many gosh darn trophies Article by Yizhao Chen Graphic by Jack Aaron

Yizhao is an exchange student spending a year at Trinity through the ASSIST program. In this column, she documents her unique experiences and observations on American culture.

Americans take competition to a spiritual level. If there is a noun, there is a contest for it. And if there is a contest, there is a trophy.

Since arriving at Trinity, I have encountered an endless parade of accolades. Art contests.

Debate tournaments. Latin competitions.

Journalism conventions. There’s an Artist of the Week, and Athlete of the Week and even just an all-around Saint of the Week. If you’ve done anything impressive or even mildly competent, someone is ready to print your name on a plaque.

In Austria, we’re a little more restrained. There are not a lot of niche competitions in the first place, but even if you win, you might get a modest certificate and a “Well done” from your parents at the dinner table.

But here, you achieve anything and suddenly your name is being announced in front of the school during assembly while your peers politely clap and you finally have something new to add to your resume. There’s even a club for competitions. I think it’s called ... school?

At this point, I’m convinced the most profitable industry in the U.S. isn’t tech or finance — it’s the trophy business. Forget about becoming an engineer, doctor or lawyer. If you can churn out trophies for any and all high school competitions, you’ll have a steady stream of customers for life.

And yet I admire it. Truly. Americans celebrate every kind of excellence. You gave a passionate speech about whales? Trophy. You painted something that vaguely resembles emotional turmoil? Trophy. You know which modern-day European city used to be called Vindobona? You guessed it: trophy.

It’s refreshing. In Austria, we lean more toward quiet suffering and humble bragging.

Here, you all just brag. Loudly. With bedazzled plaques.

But there’s something beautiful in that. This culture tells students, “Hey, what you love doing matters. And we’re going to put your name on a plate and glue it to a block of marble to prove it.” And somehow, in the chaotic flood of ribbons and medals and contests I didn’t even know existed, I found myself cheering people on.

Because here, people actually support each other’s weird passions. Even if that passion is conjugating Latin verbs competitively.

Now, as this is my last column, I want to end in the most American way possible: by giving out one last trophy. Not to a soccer team or a debater or a painter.

No, this one goes to you. Yes, you, dear reader.

For your patience, your attention and your unwavering commitment to reading the ramblings of a confused Austrian trying to make sense of football fangirls and pledge rituals — I hereby award you: Best Readership Ever Put it on your shelf. Right next to your participation ribbon for life.

With that, auf Wiedersehen.

Your Favorite Austrian Export, Yizhao

Focus

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Focus

May 2O25

PLOT TWISTS & POP QUIZZES

How teen dramas exaggerate reality, but we love them anyway Article by Lila Choudry Photo by Allison Williams In the world of teen dramas, no one’s ever Janine Papin said. “There’s never a slow build- allow for that,” she said. “Instead, it’s all exjust tired from math homework. They are up. They don’t show the in-between moments tremes. You’re either completely broken or torunning from cops, burying secrets in the — the figuring it out, the being unsure. And tally empowered. There’s no middle ground.” woods and whispering betrayals under flick- that’s the part of adolescence that’s real.”

But while the dramatization may be unrealering neon lights. It is a universe where the Papin sees the disconnect clearly. In her istic, it isn’t entirely useless. hallways echo not with awkward hellos but theater classes, students are encouraged to “I like how interesting it is,” Asher said of with blood oaths and perfectly delivered “Pretty Little Liars.” “The storylines one-liners. are just so wild. There’s something These heightened, high-stakes portrayals new in every episode; it kind of gives have become a cultural obsession, especially you something to feel more emotionamong teens — but they come with conal about.” sequences. From warped expectations to There is catharsis in the chaos. For emotional dissonance, the gap between ficteens wading through their own quition and reality is wide. eter versions of confusion and heart“I think it gives people a false sense of break, the shows can serve as both an what high school is like,” junior Gracie exaggeration and a mirror. A place Asher said. “(Students) grow up watching where the stakes are higher, the feelthese shows and think it’s going to be a lot ings louder — but the core emotions more exciting, or dangerous or dramatic still ring familiar. than it actually is.”

“I think teenagers are drawn to the Shows like “Pretty Little Liars,” “Euphodrama because it gives them a space ria” and “Riverdale” have become staples of to project their own feelings onto teen culture — not because they reflect resomething bigger,” Papin said. “They ality but because they offer something even might not be hiding bodies, but they more enticing: an escape from it. While are dealing with real pressure. Watchmost television tends to exaggerate for efing these shows, they feel seen.” fect, teen dramas in particular often skew And maybe that’s the appeal. Not toward the extreme — not just glamorous realism but recognition. Not accuraor adventurous, but dark, twisted and incy but intensity. The shows don’t retense. The stakes are always life-or-death, flect what high school is, but what it the emotions always dialed to 11. sometimes feels like: overwhelming, “None of the characters really feel realtheatrical, terrifying and thrilling. istic,” Asher said. “They’re in high school “It’s something to distract yourself technically, but everything they do is so from the stress of everyday life,” Ashheightened. It feels like a completely differer said. “Like, I’m not living that life ent world.”

— but it’s fun to watch it happen to Between classes and homework, shows like “Euphoria” That heightened world is one filled with offer a break from reality and a glimpse into a world far someone else.” secrets, scandals and stylized trauma. In more intense.

In the end, the fiction isn’t fooling these shows, teens speak in soliloquies and anyone. Today’s teens know the difnavigate plot twists with impossible grace. communicate an authentic story through ference between a story arc and a school day, What is missing, often, is the mundane — the vulnerability, ambiguity and discomfort — but that doesn’t mean they’ll stop streaming. group projects, the daily uncertainty, the slow emotions that get skipped over in many of the Because sometimes, the only thing better than quiet process of growing up. shows marketed to them. surviving adolescence is watching someone “These shows kind of force the characters “Teenagers are still trying to make sense else survive it with better lighting and a drato grow up a little too quickly,” drama teacher of themselves, and I don’t think these shows matic soundtrack.

May 2O25

Focus

CLIQUES THAT DON’T CLICK Article by Taylor Griffith Graphic by Caden Liu The cult classic movie, “Mean Girls,” por- but it did not really make me popular with trays an extreme version of high school popu- other people,” Rosario said. larity through superficial cliques, usually with Although movies often show football playone set of queen ers as the most bees who run the students “To some degree, there are cliques, popular school, have all the on campus, juattention from the there are clear groupings that I nior Ishan Chokrest of the school. would deem as getting the student sey believes that Meanwhile, Trinbeing a part of the ity’s social ladder council votes. But I don’t think I ever Trinity football works a little dif- notice any of the Regina George ‘we team does not ferently than what change his social wear pink on Wednesdays.’” movies potray. status.

While movies por“My social sta- Michael Brown, psychology teacher tus doesn’t really tray a hierarchical social ladder, Trinity’s change because social groups are much less extreme. the football team isn’t that good, and we’re “In a way, everyone is one big friend group also a small school, so we all essentially know but separated partly into their own groups,” each other,” Choksey said. senior Evan Glebov said.

Psychology teacher Michael Brown also beHowever, not everyone thinks Trinity’s so- lieves that at Trinity there are not really any cial ladder is balanced. clear cut cliques of students like there are in “The popular groups don’t treat others the the movies. best, and make fun of you if you’re not similar “To some degree, there are cliques, there are to them,” sophomore Gabby Rosario said. clear groupings that I would deem as getting These so-called popular groups do not the student council votes,” Brown said. “But just come from making friends, usually, they spiral from sports.

While movies do accurately portray friend groups coming around sports, the off-base in depictions of those groups, leaning far too much into harmful stereotypes of groups like cheerleaders and football players. Usually, in movies, the stereotype of cheerleaders and football players are the most popular in school, but at Trinity, this isn’t necessarily true.

“Cheerleading definitely gave me more friends in my grade and other grades,

I don’t think I ever notice any of the Regina George ‘we wear pink on Wednesdays’ thrown at others, the students that are more popular don’t seem inherently more evil.”

Even though Trinity is different from the movies, other schools, such as public schools, still have these cliques in place.

“Going from a public to a private school wasn’t as bad as people think it’s going to be, the social ladder is definitely way different,” said Glebov, who started Trinity as a junior after transferring from Hagerty High School “I feel like there isn’t any popularity at this school just because everyone knows each other and everyone is super connected.”

Meanwhile, Choksey agrees that Trinity’s uniquely small student body means it lacks the social hierarchy of public schools and that portrayed in movies.

“Since Trinity is such a small school and we all know each other I feel like social status is not really a big deal, it’s just about having your friends,” Choksey said.

May 2O25

Lifestyles

TROUBLES WITH TEXTING

Online messaging affects Gen Z’s communication style Article by Mila Taylor Graphic by Natalie Baron Gen Z is the guinea pig when it comes to growing up completely online. We hear it constantly: phones, online communication, and social media have ruined this generation.

Words like “bro” or abbreviations like “LOL” have become so mainstream that Gen Z’s online and in-person vocabulary is merging, and technology is so readily available to kids that it is taking a toll on development.

Gen Z and Messaging

Texting was a savior for much of Gen Z during the COVID-19 pandemic, giving a way to communicate with friends, family and peers despite physical barriers. Yet, the online messaging pandemic has not stopped.

English teacher Hannah Schuttler, who is on the threshold between Millennials and Gen Z, believes that technology has blurred the lines between in-person and online communication for Gen Z. “We saw this inability or lack of desire to socialize with others their age,” Schuttler said.

“We see this change as we get farther along with COVID kids.”

Although constant online messaging decreases in-person socialization for teens, it creates benefits that were not available to past generations – for instance, sending pictures to a grandparent in another state. Online messaging builds a bridge in relationships, maintaining them despite distance.

Mental Health

Although messaging through iMessage, DMs or Snaps is extremely convenient, researchers say that these take a toll on mental health.

“So, people are more susceptible to

developing anxiety due to their frequent negative interpretations of text messages,” said a study from a clinician at an online mental health service, Thriveworks.

Tone and body language are everything when it comes to communication, and cutting them out causes messages as simple as an “ok” to lead to questioning the meaning.

“You are cutting out certain elements of communication that are vital for understanding other people and making sure that you’re understood by other people,” Schuttler said.

Yet, texting does not have to be this way.

“You may have sent a really nice message, that somebody on the other side could think it was completely derogatory,” freshman Madison White said. “I think if that ever happens and you think something was wrong that they said, just confront them in person, and see what they meant to say.”

Professionalism

Schuttler said that she has been called “bro” a lot more recently, a clear sign of the merging of communication style with friends and adults. She explains that teens now have a

hard time distinguishing between language used in casual and professional settings.

“Students tend to lean into their casual language, as opposed to what we call code-switching,” Schuttler said. “We adjust ourselves based on the situation and what is acceptable. That is not happening as often.

Students tend to lean more toward their everyday language.”

She has also noticed more and more students using texting abbreviations in academic writing. Along with this, she has seen a lack of professional emails sent from students that look more like messages sent to peers. This raises the concern of students’ transition into the professional world later in life.

“In the next couple of years, when you move into the workforce, there will be a learning curve for a lot of kids who are trying to be professional adults,” Schuttler said.

Just like every other generation, Gen Z will work differently in a professional environment than past generations did.

“I think that this happens with every generation,” Schuttler said. “Everybody assumes that this new generation doesn’t want to work hard, doesn’t know what they’re doing, doesn’t have it in them, but everybody figures it out at some point.”

May 2O25

Lifestyles

21

Severance: A Mind Splitting Masterpiece Article by Emily Lopez Photo by Maxi De La Fuente

Although “Severance” fans were forced to wait three long years for the premiere of its second season, the wait was most definitely worth it. The show is incredibly, impressively idiosyncratic, and the writers will take you down to some of the deepest rabbit holes in cinema history. Sit back and grab some popcorn because this is one show you don’t want to miss.

The premise of the series lies in the “Severance” procedure, where workers undergo brain surgery to sever their work memories (innies) from their out-of-office identities (outies). The storyline follows Mark S. (Adam Scott) and his colleagues on the “severed floor” through their adventures and revelations about the true purpose of the company they work for, Lumon Industries.

The promise attached to the severance procedure is alluring, as it grants people a literal work-life balance. Outies essentially give life to fully formed humans without considering the consequences of their decision. Since Lumon isn’t so quick to advertise the fact that innies are given virtually zero free will, the concept sounds super appealing to outies, while their innies are trapped in a miserable, inescapable existence.

Throughout the season, philosophical conundrums begin to pile up as characters attempt to interlink their work lives with their personal lives. Mark’s desperate attempt at reintegration — a process that would supposedly relink his innie’s and outie’s memories — led to complications between his character’s two love interests, Helly R. (played by Britt Lower) and Gemma Scout (played by Dichen Lachman). Forced to choose between his innie’s office crush and his outie’s wife, Mark is stuck arguing with his alter ego over which girl he gets to go home to. In the season finale, Ms. Cobel (Mark’s boss as Lumon) reminds him that there will “be no honeymoon ending for (him) and Helly R.,” enraging his already hopeless innie even more.

Apart from its compelling storyline and keep-you-up-all-night thriller moments, the

success of “Severance” heavily relies on its unique cinematography choices. The most notable camera trick in the show is the Dolly Zoom effect, which is used on the Lumon elevator rides as each character transitions from their outie self to innie self and vice versa. In these shots, the camera moves closer while zooming to a wider angle lens, resulting in a dramatic reshaping of facial features.

Part of what makes “Severance” spectacular is its intentionality. The directors made sure every small detail had a purpose, so don’t be so quick to overlook the minor things like color thematics and the seemingly perfect symmetry in every shot. You might notice that scenes inside Lumon stick to the same two to three colors, while there is far more experimentation with color when we get a peek at the characters’ lives outside of work. “Severance” set director Andrew Baseman addresses this in an interview with Variety Artisans presented by HBO. “We wanted the outside world to have much more warmth and color, rather than the very tight color palette of Lumon, which is predominantly green and blue,” Baseman said.

Another brave stylistic choice was the sequencing of two back-to-back bottle episodes in season two. The first, titled “Chikhai Bardo,” was centered around Mark’s life before severing, with a huge focus on his relationship with his wife Gemma. This is arguably one of the best episodes in the entire series, as it finally reveals the answers to some pressing questions from earlier in the season and simply holds its own as a straight-up cinematic masterpiece. Following this episode is “Sweet Vitriol,” which reveals — let’s be real, no one’s favorite character — Ms. Cobel’s background.

While neither episode is in any way unwatchable, the decision to order these consecutively hurts the pacing of the show.

For a trippy psychological thriller that demands all of your attention, you shouldn’t discredit “Severance’s” ability to bring out some deep emotions in its viewers. “Severance” will do more than mess with your mind. It might just make your eyes water.

Lifestyles

May 2O25

L FE OF A CHESS MASTER Key moves build Larry Kaufman’s grandmaster success Article by Sammy Lou Photo courtesy of Larry Kaufman

amount of time to launch a successful investKaufman found that playing shogi later Larry Kaufman was sitting at home when ment firm. He explained how his knowledge helped with his chess skills. After playing and he received a call from an old friend who ex- of chess came in handy even in this arena. studying shogi for several years, Kaufman decitedly told him that their life stories were “There were two famous economists in the cided to re-enter the competitive chess scene. made into a TV show.

1970s named Black and Scholes who pub“It took me a few weeks to get back to Many people are not aware that the main lished a paper about how to evaluate stock it,” Kaufman said. “At first, I could barely characters in “The Queen’s Gambit” were in- options, and they won the Nobel Prize for it,” remember how to play, but soon I was back spired by actual chess players in the U.S., one Kaufman said. “Before their paper was pub- into it. My chess was much better than before, of whom is Grandmaster Larry Kaufman. His lished, I was working on the same problem, and I think it might have been because there’s influence on “The Queen’s Gambit” is just but I came about it from this background a different way of thinking. In chess, I used one small part of an inspirational life filled of knowing about chess ratings. So I tried to to think too much about the result. In shogi, with other accomplishments. apply what I learned about chess ratings to since there are no draws, you just try to find In the show, Beth Harmon, the main char- options, and it turned out that the formula the best move. So I got in the habit of just acter, meets Harry Beltik, the local chess I developed was almost the same as theirs. trying to find the best move and not worrying champion who becomes her mentor. Harmon So because of chess ratings, I independently about the result of the game.” reputedly is based on Woman Candidate Mas- invented a close relative of the Nobel-Prize– In 2008, Kaufman became a Grandmaster, ter Diana Lanni, who was the main female winning model.” the highest title in chess, when he won the chess star in the New York chess scene when During his break from chess, Kaufman World Senior Chess Championship. Notably, the “The Queen’s Gambit” book was original- learned shogi, a Japanese board game simi- he accomplished this at an age when many ly written in 1982. According to Kaufman, lar to chess. He soon became the top-ranked competitive chess players have long since rewhat was portrayed in the series was similar shogi player in the U.S., winning the North tired, showing that it is never too late to go to what happened in real life.

American Shogi Championship in the 1980s. after your goals.

“Diana Lanni came to my chess “I peaked much later and didn’t realclub, and we became close,” Kaufman ly start to decline until much later than said. “We actually moved together to most chess players,” Kaufman said. “It’s Miami for a few months, and I taught normal to peak at 30 and to already be her chess, just like in the story. We still declining at 40. But in my case, my remain lifelong friends. So basically, highest rating was just before I turned Harry Beltik was based on me.”

50 and I became a Grandmaster at 60.

Lanni and Kaufman were surprised It was the best result of my life, and it when they found out that a show came happened at age 60.” out that paralleled many aspects of With decades of notable and varied Lanni’s life. achievements under his belt, Kaufman “I was a bit shocked,” Kaufman said. shared the biggest lesson that he “I noticed the similarities. When the learned from his long chess career. show came out, I got a call from her, “I would say one of the biggest lesand she tells me, ‘They just made my sons is, when you play chess, you learn life into a Netflix series!’” to play the position you’re in and not Like the Beltik character, Kaufman dwell on what you should have done was a state chess champion. He also five moves ago,” Kaufman said. “So in won the American Open Championlife, you want to play the situation that ship in 1966 at the age of 19. you have now and not try to re-litigate Some of Kaufman’s greatest achievewhat you should have done yesterday. ments happened outside of the chess Just because you did something stupid world. For most of the ‘70s and ‘80s, Larry Kaufman (left) plays Life Master Theo Slade (right) yesterday doesn’t mean you have to Kaufman quit chess for a significant at the March 2025 Orlando Magic Chess Championship. dwell on that.”

May 2O25

Lifestyles

CANINE COUNSELING CONNECTIONS

Therapy dog Bailey helps create a comforting environment for students Article by Skyler Campbell Photo courtesy of Rylan Smith During a counseling session, Guidance this way. In the U.S. alone, different organi- are trained to help with significantly differCounselor Rylan Smith noticed that her stu- zations like the American Kennel Club have ent procedures. Therapy dogs visit hospitals dent was having trouble opening up about helped give back to the community by train- to help bring a bit of joy and comfort to the their struggles. When Bailey, Smith’s thera- ing over 50,000 therapy dogs for people who people who are going through a tough time. py dog, was brought into the room, the stu- need them.

To be able to do events like this, therapy dogs dent immediately began to relax, and Smith “We put in over 100 hours of observed have to go through coaching and earn mulwatched in amazement as the child opened up hours [of service] in different environments,” tiple certificates to prove themselves able to about their home life while petting Bailey.

Smith said. “From nursing homes to fire sta- provide comfort to the public.

“It’s allowed me to communicate Therapy dogs are specifically with kids who maybe would not trained to provide comfort to peohave approached me otherwise,” ple, as well as give some relief from Smith said. “They’re telling me stuff anxiety and stress. These dogs are ofthat they wouldn’t have told me if ten taken to nursing homes, schools, they didn’t have Bailey there.” or even rehabilitation centers to help Smith has had an affinity for dogs out the people there. A therapy dog’s since she was little. They’ve helped tasks vary from those of a service her tremendously as she has navidog, which is trained to provide a gated through her life, and because specific medical task, or an emotionof this, she hoped to share the calmal support dog, which doesn’t have ing power of dogs with other people any specific training. who are struggling.

Not all dogs are suitable candi“It’s kind of been a dream of dates to support others in therapy, mine,” Smith said. “I have always however. Dogs are normally chosen had animals in the house growing based on their temperament and up, and I know the power that they level of comfort in a variety of sitpossess. I’ve witnessed people being uations. Bailey was an easy pick for scared or (in) high emotions or that therapy dog training, given he is very sort of stuff, and then all of a sudden level-headed and from a very smart they have animals come up and it’s and willing breed. like everything washes away.”

“Bailey’s got golden in him, which Petting a dog releases a hormone gives him some of that same temcalled dopamine, which allows your perament, and the border probably body to enter a happy and tranquil makes him smart, which is nice bestate. This effect can be very useful cause it’s intuitive,” Smith said. when dealing with highly tense or Smith’s love of dogs and her desire upsetting situations. to help people have led both her and Because of their ability to make Bailey far in their careers. Even after people comfortable in stressful situshe retires, Smith hopes to continue ations, Smith found dogs to be the to be able to bring comfort to those perfect partner in her field of work. Counselor Rylan Smith poses with her therapy dog Bailey, who around her using therapy dogs.

“I know how they make me feel,” she brings to campus as well as to community events in town.

“I would love to, especially when Smith said. “So between that and I retire, to have a therapy dog that then knowing I wanted to go into counseling, tions to malls anywhere, we could desensitize I can take and go to different places and do it just seemed like a good mix. (It) was a nice them to all different types of things.” different things with just as a way to give back fit to have a therapy dog that I can still use A common misconception is that therapy to the community,” Smith said. some of my same counseling skills with.” dogs are the same as service dogs and emoSmith is not the only counselor who feels tional support dogs. In reality, these animals

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Lifestyles

May 2O25

DESK TO DESTINATION

Students embrace learning through trips abroad Article by Gabrielle Williams Graphic by Maxi De La Fuente Summer trips are the perfect chance to relax and unwind after a long year of work, school and stress. Most people take this opportunity to travel somewhere on their bucket list, but the Kalmanson family has their own unique way of selecting trips. They don’t decide where to go on trips; the tickets do.

1 “(My dad) will look for plane flights and pick where he can get cheap enough plane flights,” junior Brooke Kalmanson said. “And then my mom plans the actual activities once he picks the location.”

Because of this unique approach, the Kalmansons have gone to places like Bolivia, Uganda and Nicaragua. This past spring break, they went to Malaysia, Borneo and Brunei.

“I liked Brunei the most,” senior Zara Kalmanson said. “It was almost deserted in a way, and their population is less than the city of Orlando. It was a place I’ve seen that a lot of people haven’t seen.”

Although Zara Kalmanson feels grateful to have been to these places, she is excited to start her solo travel journey in her college years.

“I’m definitely going to be studying abroad,” Zara Kalmanson said. “I’ve gone to a lot of the exotic places with my parents, so now I want to go to some of the more basic destinations.

Spain, Japan or South Africa; those are good places to go.”

So far, Zara Kalmanson has been to 43 countries in her life, while Brooke Kalmanson has been to 44. They travel with their friend Maiori Butz, a junior. Over the many years they have been traveling together, the three of them have learned a lot and are extremely grateful to have been to these places.

“You can find beauty in every destination, and there’s something for tourists in every single place,” Zara Kalmanson said. “When you study things in a history class and see them on paper in a textbook, it’s way different when you go and see it.The memory doesn’t click in the same way.”

Sophomore Olivia Patino is also a frequent traveler who attended her first school-sponsored trip to Spain in the summer before her 10th-grade year.

“This trip was very planned out; I just wish there had been some more free time because

2

so much about other people, and you learn so much about yourself. You learn about how you respond in different situations.”

Gaining knowledge through travel is a very important way to learn, whether it be about the destination or other people.

“I really believe that traveling as a teacher can be so valuable beyond going to a cool location,” McGimsey said.

“Students (and teachers) are different people sitting in a classroom than they are out exploring the world.”

If you’re thinking about where to plan your trip this summer, think twice before you book a trip to a trendy place; you might love something unexpected a lot more.”

“Since it’s a trip for you, it’s different than what anyone else is doing,” Brooke Kalmanson said. “You have to find what you like. In every country, there are certain places for different types of people.”

Summer offers the perfect window to travel, reflect and learn something new. No matter how out of your comfort zone that trip is, there is always something to take away from it.

“Being exposed to so many different cultures, foods, people 3 and their way of lives showed me a lot not to judge someone based on where they’re from before I see it,” Maiori Butz said.

“Some of these places are not what I expected, and those places I thought I would love, sometimes I didn’t like it as much. I’m always open to everything; I’m learning.”

Spain is beautiful, and I know because I’ve been there before,” Patino said. “This made me see a different side of it; we did a lot in nine days, so it was really cool to see everything. on our own.”

This year, Trinity hopes to improve their travel plans by having former Upper School Dean of Students Kyle McGimsey take over the role of Coordinator of Global and Domestic Travel. He feels that having the opportu- 1 - Sophomore Olivia Patino, juniors Macyn Singleton and Isanity for students to travel bel Manrressa, and senior Sylvia Stark attends a school summer abroad builds key charac- trip to Cordoba, Spain summer of 2024.

2 - Junior Maiori Butz, freshman brother Alex Butz, and friends teristics for their future.

“It’s not always learn- Brooke and Zara Kalmanson poses in the Balkans. They had ing facts about historical taken a stop on their ride in Bosnia and Herzegovina. sites and buildings,” Mc- 3 - The Kalmanson family enjoys their trip to Morocco. This Gimsey said. “You learn photo was taken before they got to ride a hot air balloon.

Sports

May 2O25

25

TORPEDO TWIST

Torpedo bats present a hard hitting problem for baseball Article by Ben Kleiman Graphic by Natalie Baron It doesn’t look much different than any other bat. Same length. Same material. But a slight shift in the barrel on the bat has turned the torpedo bat into baseball’s most controversial and powerful equipment.

By subtly shifting the sweet spot lower and closer to the hitter’s hands, the torpedo bat is designed to bring the sweet spot in line with where many players tend to make contact.

This adjustment on the bat has been met with criticism from baseball fans after the New York Yankees hit a record-setting 18 home runs in their first four games of the season. Five of the Yankee players who hit home runs were using the torpedo bat, and they accounted for 11 of the 18 home runs. However, Rule 3.02 requires bats to be no more than 2.61 inches in diameter, no longer than 42 inches, and made from one piece of solid wood.

The torpedo bat was an innovation created

by Aaron Leanhardt, a physicist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who joined the Yankees’ analytics department in 2022. After spending time with players in the minors, Leanhardt noticed that the players were often missing the ball or hitting it awkwardly instead of making solid contact.

By moving the bat’s sweet spot closer to where the hitters naturally made contact, Leanhardt created a weapon that made it easier to generate clean, hard contact. The Yankees began using them in the Minor League before introducing them in Major League Baseball (MLB) last season during the American League Championship Series (ALCS).

Giancarlo Stanton began using the bat during the 2024 season. He crushed four home runs during the ALCS against the Guardians and was named Most Valuable Player of the series. But what many didn’t know at the time: Stanton was playing through pain in both elbows. He told reporters his elbow issues could have been related to “ some bat adjustments.”

The bat seemed to help him stay productive despite injury, though it seems that the modification may have been the cause, due to the altered swing mechanics and different bat.

The change in swing path and muscle usage could force hitters to compensate in ways they are not used to. Players may start to put pressure on their elbows, wrists and shoulders over the course of a 162 game season. If the torpedo bat is going to stick

around for a long time, player safety and long-term health may become part of the discussion just as much as performance.

While the torpedo bat still technically fits the MLB’s requirements for equipment under Rule 3.02, some players and fans like Youth Baseball Umpire and varsity baseball player Matias Morales argue it crosses an ethical line. “(It’s) definitely an unfair advantage,” Morales said. “There’s a catcher for the Yankees, Austin Wells, who hit a home run off the lower end of the bat. You’re not supposed to hit a home run like that. With a regular bat, it probably would’ve been a routine fly out or even broken the bat. It gives people home runs for free.”

Not everyone sees the torpedo bats as a problem for the game of baseball. Some argue that innovation is simply a natural part of the game’s evolution.

“Players are doing everything to try to get an edge today legally, and I think they should,” Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy said in an ESPN interview. “I think whatever is good for the offensive side of the game is good for the game of baseball.”

While the motivation is understandable, players believe some argue that the result is an unfair edge. They believe that the bats may help hitters keep up with rising pitch velocity and increasingly talented fielders, but they also alter the game’s balance in a way that feels unnatural.

“Pretty much every pitcher throws 100 miles an hour,” Morales said. “(The new bats) show that the game is advancing, though at the same time we’re trying to find ways to catch up. We should stop using (them), so players can learn how to hit the ball without assistance.”

Sports

May 2O25

WALK ONS, WALK OFF

House settlement threatens walk-ons in collegiate sports Article by Thomas Bonos Graphic by Caden Liu

Trinity alum Alec Holler didn’t follow the typical path to college football stardom. He didn’t start playing until his sophomore year of high school and graduated without any Division I (DI) scholarship offers that would allow him to break through at the college level.

He joined the University of Central Florida as a preferred walk-on, starting last among eight tight ends. Within two years, he earned a scholarship and became one of the Big 12’s top tight ends, eventually signing with the Dallas Cowboys undrafted.

“The walk-on experience and working my way up the depth chart prepared me for a lot and allowed me to achieve my dream of being a part of an NFL team,” Holler said.

Walk-ons are athletes who do not receive financial aid or an athletic scholarship from a college or university but are given a chance to get a spot on a college roster; they make up about 40% of the student athlete population.

Walk-ons give opportunities to athletes, like Holler who may have gone undetected in the college recruiting process.

Walk-ons give many athletes the platform to succeed both at the college level and beyond. Basketball player Scottie Pippen and Heisman Trophy Baker Mayfield are notable atheletes that were once walk-ons.

“You don’t know how many opportunities you will get as a walk-on, especially in football,” Holler said. “I learned to become meticulous and perfect in every routine. I had and took advantage of every opportunity I was given, which allowed me to succeed and gain respect of the people around me, not only as a walkon but later on as well.”

Such a success story may not be possible for prospective walk-ons in the future, as the current House settlement against the National College Atheltic Association (NCAA) goes up for approval early into the summer. It is a $2.8 billion federal settlement filed against

the NCAA and allows colleges to opt into a revenue sharing model that allows them to directly give athletes a cut of profits and funding from their athletic program. Further, the settlement puts a roster limit on sports programs, whereas previously there has been a limit on scholarship; limits on rosters decrease the spots available for walk-ons. “(The House settlement) is going to have an impact on how programs supplement their teams and how programs come together,” Trinity Athletic Director Colin Sullivan said.

“Walk-ons ... as well as partial scholarship opportunities are going to go away with the roster limits as colleges will look to bring in almost entirely scholarship players.”

Junior Olliver Polsinelli, varsity swim and dive captain, is actively being recruited by many top DI schools. However, many schools facing the settlement no longer have the roster space to recruit him as a non-scholarship athlete or partial scholarship.

“Michigan University has been my dream school not only to pursue academically but I have also looked to be recruited to their swim and dive program,” Polsenelli said. “The roster cuts cause me to have to compete for a smaller amount of recruiting spaces, whereas prior to the settlement I could be considered for a walk-on or partial scholarship opportunity.”

The lawsuit extends what the NIL agreement is offering.

Not only can an athlete make money of their own name, image and likeness, but now programs can provide a cut to athletes for what those colleges make off of their own athletes and program, increasing the amount of full scholarship they are able to give out.

“It gets harder for colleges to compete now with the landscape of college sports with NIL, pushing them to bring in higher status athletes or someone from a Junior College with much more experience,” Holler said. “Big schools will also look to increase funding for their more popular sports and have budget cuts for smaller sports.”

The increase in funding that colleges are able to provide will result in schools pulling a large amount of money into their top sports programs such as football or baseball, causing many less popular or lower profiting sports teams to lose funding or be cut out of the school entirely.

“With more popular sports pulling the majority of funding and profits, an inequity begins to exist between funding for not as popular or smaller sports which could even more so limit opportunities for recruits and especially for those of walk-ons looking to attend those schools for that specific sport,” Sullivan said.

He added that the culture of a team is significantly impacted when roster limits are placed on the program for the sole purpose of increasing the amount of scholarship and NIL money going to players.

“The walk-on oftentimes represents the values and culture of a team, I don’t think that model of cutting these opportunities and allowing athletes to have lucrative scholarships and funding from the school fits within higher education,” Sullivan said. “It leads to the destruction of a traditional 4-year college team and the dynamics which a program builds.”

Sports

May 2O25

MORE THAN A GAME

Nine Trinity athletes commit to continue their sports at the next level

Article by David Hull and Steinberg Photos by Julia Hoskins & Ally Williams Action shots provided by athletes

“At 6-foot-3, Stillman has the kind of projectable frame teams look for in high school arms, and when combined with his feel for pitching, it’s easy to see why scouts are excited to see what’s to come from this southpaw.”

- MLB Scouts

“He’s always around the zone and has a very good understanding at a young age of how to set up hitters.”

97

th

in 2025 MLB Draft Rankings

Aiden Stillman University of virginia “I am looking forward to facing the best competition and being able to dedicate even more time to the game I love.”

Gold Medalist with USA Baseball Cal Ripken AllWorld Series Team Team Captain Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-State Honors Perfect Game Senior All-American First Team TPS Male Athlete of the Year

Sports

May 2O25 “Trinity has prepared me for college football, especially recently with the new football staff, by implementing better weight training and improving my mental side of football.”

- Jackson Altomare, Westminster College

“Trinity has prepared me for college athletics by hiring the best volleyball coaches that challenged me and taught me a lot about leadership and being a good teammate.”

- Victoria Hill, University of South Carolina

“I chose Georgia Tech because of their great engineering program and I get to play the game I love at a high level.”

- David Hull, Georgia Institute of Technology

“Nova Southeastern really appealed to me...while their great facility and high rankings definitely made me curious on paper, the whole team environment sealed the deal.”

- Brielle Buchanan, Nova Southeastern University

Sports

May 2O25

“I’m looking forward to the memories I’ll make with my new teammates and trying to make a deep run into the NCAA tournament.”

- Wilder Judelson, Colorado College

“I chose George Washington because of its amazing academics and the ability to compete at the highest level.”

- Laziza Talipova, George Washington Univeristy

“I am looking forward to the new levels of competition and skills I will learn. I also can’t wait to make new friends on the team.”

- Trevor Hopkins, Johnson and Wales University

“I’m looking forward to being part of a big team, especially participating in important competitions like conference and NCAAs in March and February.”

-Danika Senekal, Nova Southeastern University

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May 2O25

Puzzle

Puzzles by Mila Taylor

AP Exams

ACROSS 5. A teen show that exaggerates teen life and revolves around the death of a classmate in a small town.

6. Number of students attending speech and debate nationals.

7. Petting a dog releases this type of hormone.

DOWN 1. The TPS cybersecurity team won this competition in their first year competing.

2. Chess player who inspired “The Queens Gambit” 3. Type of bat that has become very controversial in the world of baseball.

4. America has too many gosh darn ______

Play Some Music

Crossword answers can be found in our newspaper!

Photography Exposition 2

Aksel Williams

Spring 2025

3

4 Julia Hoskins

1 & 2 - #18 pitcher Max Anders delivers a fastball and #17 catcher Braeden Henderson connects for a base hit during the Saints’ Senior Night 12-9 victory against Geneva School on March 27.

3 & 4 - #11 David Steinberg dodges past a defender and #22 Brodie Wordell battles for possession during the Saints’ unfortunate 6-13 district loss against Montverde Academy on April 10.