The Trinity Voice - December 2021

THE

TRINITY VOICE

December 2O21 Volume 24 Issue 3 Trinity Preparatory School 57OO Trinity Prep Lane Winter Park, FL 32792

THE SEASON OF GIVING

Christmas spending continues its annual increase Page 11

NEWS

Diversity Council releases findings from multiple meetings over the past year.

Page 4

LIFESTYLES

Thrifting influences fashion and poses ethical and environmental concerns.

Page 8

FOCUS

Holiday depression affects many, even in Florida where winter is not as severe.

Page 13

OPINIONS

Many films do not fully represent the Black experience.

Pages 18-19

SPORTS

FHSAA adds a new lift to high school weightlifting.

Page 24

Table of Contents

December 2O21

TABLE OF CONTENTS News

Diversity Council O4 Mask Optional O5 International Students O6

Lifestyles

“Rust” Set Shooting O7 Thrifting O8 Middle School Investors O9 Lozano-Diaz in Spain 1O

Opinions

Lead Ed 16 Anti-Homeless Laws 17 Black Image in Media 18-19 Period Products 2O-21 Arts College Counselor 22-23

Sports

New Weightlifting Event 24 Varsity Swim Team 25

Focus

Christmas Spending 11 Religion and Christmas 12 Holiday Depression 13 Holiday Statistics 14-15

Sarah Lin

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 freelance 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).

VOICE@TRINITYPREP.ORG

Pages 14-15 Anna Miliotes

Editor’s Note - The editorial staff of The Trinity Voice is proud to feature the writing of the Introduction to Journalism class. These articles were written by the students in the month of November as a culmination to the course. Ella Craghill

Page 8

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

Cover Photo

Staff/Focus Topic

December 2O21

STAFF

Editors-in-Chief: Emma Kim, Deniz Bölöni-Turgut Managing Editor: Jack Ververis Copy Editor: Cate Williams Layout Editors: Amy-Ruth Gyang, Jaidyn Holt Online Editor: Cate Williams News Department: Ava Savino (Editor), David Bryskin, Iris Lei, Victoria Berube, Julian Sealy Opinions Department: Jack Ververis (Editor), Maddie Peckham, Abby Hernan, Ella Norman Focus Department: Marcos Membreno (Editor), Aetant Prakash, Sreekar Nagulapalli, Angel Zheng, Peyton Alch, Alec Diaz Lifestyles Department: Sarah Zehnder (Editor), Kaylee Ortega, Taylor Riley, Amy-Ruth Gyang Sports Department: Boaz Kim (Editor), David Hull, Carol Marques, David Steinberg, Cate Williams Graphics Department: Jaidyn Holt (Editor), Sarah Lin

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This Month’s Focus Topic:

Holidays Blurb by Marcos Membreno Graphics by Jaidyn Holt and Sarah Lin

A month filled with holidays and winter spirit, December celebrates many diverse cultures and holds unique phenomena. This month Focus writers covered topics of religion’s impact on Christmas, mental health challenges, and economic trends for Christmas spending. In line with the spirit of giving, we spoke with Second Harvest Food Bank founder George Mackay to hear his entreprenurial success.

Podcast

Tune in this month to hear from our special guest entrepreneur, George Mackay!

T HE T RINIT Y V OICE P RESENTS

Photo Department: Anuha Tatineni (Editor), Ella Craghill (Editor), Reese Taylor, Anna Miliotes Fact Checker: Julian Sealy Business Manager: Sarah Zehnder Adviser: Erin Miller PODCAST

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News

December 2O21

DIVERSITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCES RECOMMENDATIONS Article by Ava Savino Graphic by Deniz Bölöni-Turgut

On Oct. 28, the Advisory Council for Di- was to review and revise the Trinity Prep misversity and Inclusion officially released its rec- sion statement. Rhoads explained that mission ommendations for the Trinity family. This was statements are typically updated every five to the combined representation of the ideas con- ten years to reflect the current focuses of the tributed to by all members, whose names were school, which he said oftentimes change due announced last fall by Head of School Byron to events that happen in our culture.

Lawson. The committee was created to advise “What we were trying to do was come up the Board of Trustees on different ideas that with a mission that included specific language the school could implement to further support that would say, ‘[inclusion] is important to us diversity and cultural awareness on campus. and is a way that we fundamentally support The council Zoom meetings included time the safety of our population,’” Rhoads said. with both the entire council and different Another one of the committee recommensubcommittees, each dealing with a different dations was for the school to create a new aspect such as student life, marketing and edu- faculty position with an expertise in diversity cation. English teacher and Advisory Council and inclusion. Senior and Advisory Council member Dean Rhoads said that the goal of the member Lilly Nguyen said that she has already talks was to not only create recommendations seen these types of positions present in colleges for the school to that she is applying implement, but also “What we were trying to do was to and believes that it talk about longto have come up with a mission that in- isthisimportant term support that kind of support could guide situa- cluded specific language that on Trinity’s campus as tions that arise after would say, ‘[inclusion] is import- well. the board’s sessions “Their whole job is ant to us.’” discontinue. to make sure that camTrinity parpus is welcoming to - Dean Rhoads, Council Member people of all genders, ent and Advisory Council memraces, sexualities and ber Mya Hatchette is part of the marketing religions, and I think that’s something that committee, where she said that they worked Trinity should adopt,” Nguyen said. on reaching out to the community about the The final recommendation was to increase school’s message of diversity and inclusion. the diversity and cultural norms training for “It was important to think of ideas and ways both employees and students on campus. that we are already doing that at the school Rhoads said that this type of training is imand ways that we could increase that to further portant due to the fact that people are not show that [diversity and inclusion] are very born knowing how to treat each other. important to us,” Hatchette said.

“Training should include helping people One of the recommendations of the council who are not targets of that kind of behavior to

September 15, 2O2O

Trinity sends out an email request for Advisory Council applicants

November 1O, 2O2O

Trinity announces members & official formation of the Advisory Council

understand what that looks like and feels like,” Rhoads said.

Nguyen said that in her committee, they discussed the possibility of increasing diversity training in the form of a graduation credit semester class but ultimately decided that increasing training outside of classes would also be beneficial.

“The discrepancy between what we think is the world versus the actual world is vast, and I think that having a course to sort of open our eyes will help,” Nguyen said.

Hatchette said promoting a diverse community for both faculty and students encourages growth and learning by introducing people to new experiences and cultures. She finds this cause even more important to her and her family as she has African American mixed children while she is Caucasian.

“I know that my kids are always going to be a little bit different coming into a situation,” Hatchette said. “Whenever I can see an opportunity where we’re going to make sure that they are welcome and that their differences are promoted and seen as good things, I think that’s awesome.”

With these recommendations being received by the board, Nguyen, Hatchette and Rhoads all believe that it is a step in the right direction on the journey to promoting diversity and inclusion on our campus.

“The issue of establishing campus inclusion is not just a one and done thing,” Nguyen said. “Collectively, the Trinity Family has to all come together in their minds if we really want this to happen, and we do really want this to happen.”

October 28, 2O21

Advisory Council releases its four recommendations to support diversity

December 2O21

News

5

TRINITY TURNS TOWARDS MASK-OPTIONAL Article by Iris Lei Photo by Anuha Tatineni Before Oct. 29, all students in classrooms wore masks. However, enter a classroom today, and you will see an assortment of students with and without masks. On Oct 29, Trinity’s announcement that classes are now mask-optional for grades 7 through 12, left students and their families deciding how they wanted to face the future.

According to the email sent by Byron Lawson to families on Oct. 29, Trinity’s decision to go mask-optional for grades 7 through 12 was supported by recent statistics for both Trinity and nearby counties. The reported vaccination rate of employees is at 89%, and the rate of vaccine-eligible students is at 67%, along with the average of COVID-19 positive tests in nearby counties and on-campus decreasing.

According to the email, the school has been COVID-free for 30 days and counting. Masks will continue to be required for 6th grade, visitors while indoors, and all-school chapels and assemblies.

Science teacher Bryan Moretz is one of the many who do not wear a mask during class, and his decision to do so was assisted by vaccination rates.

“I’m vaccinated,” Moretz said. “And based off the number of other teachers and [the] majority of students being vaccinated, I feel like it is safe.”

Moretz agrees with Trinity’s choice to go mask-optional and feels that the school has reached enough immunity to do so.

“If we were to go back to more COVID cases, then [mask policy] should go back to mandatory for inside spaces,” Moretz said. “But overall, I am happy with the numbers.”

For Moretz, going mask-optional has made interactions with students easier as well.

“It’s just been easier since I can speak clearer,” Moretz said. “It’s easier for me to give directions and lectures.”

Ninth-grader Sasha Miller also agrees that not wearing a mask has made aspects easier.

“It’s just more comfortable, and I can breathe easier.”

Despite the announcement, some students still wear their masks. Tenth grader Kelsey Wang chooses to keep a mask on during

class and believes that it still is not safe to go mask-optional.

“I’ve been sick,” Wang said. “And I think masks are primarily for protecting other people from the germs you might have.”

A few weeks ago, Wang caught a cold that has apparently been passing around campus and did not want to spread it to anyone else.

Wang added that the school’s announcement about going mask-optional felt rushed.

“I just got an email for the visiting writer,” Wang said. “And they were like, ‘masks are still required, even though the school is going mask-optional.’ And I was like, wait, we’re going mask off?”

On the other hand, Moretz disagrees and thinks the decision to go mask-optional was to be expected.

“It was pretty clear that other schools were doing it,” Moretz said. “There was evidence there to help support the decision.”

Melissa King-Polsinelli is the parent of two Trinity students, and is on the fence about the school going mask-optional.

“I would like to be a little bit more informed about what the vaccination rate for students is,” King said. “They’ve done a pretty good job of telling us the adult vaccination rate.”

She also prefers that her children wear their masks and has asked them to do so.

“In Florida, there’s this sort of attitude that ‘oh, the pandemic is over, we don’t have to worry about it anymore,’” King said. “And I don’t think that’s true.”

King occasionally works as a substitute teacher for Trinity, and expects more students to get sick because of flu season.

“Last year during the height of the pandemic, Ms. Rizzo told me that they didn’t buy as much Kleenex as they normally buy for classrooms because fewer people were getting sick,” King said. “So I think now that fewer people are wearing masks, there’s probably going to be an uptick in the flu cases.”

But both Moretz and King are not worried about the health of the students, mainly because of vaccination.

“Again, I’m vaccinated and I trust the science,” Moretz said. “But at the same time, if the percentage of students allows for it to be mask-optional, you know I’m going to follow the numbers.”

Overall, King’s family is healthy and has been in terms of nutrition and other things.

“We’re all vaccinated fully,” King said. “So I’m not so worried about [the health of students]. I’m more worried about other people.”

But despite the varying opinions, King believes that choice to go mask-optional was to be expected.

“I think that it’s inevitable- that eventually we’re going to get to the point where masks aren’t worn and that it’s going to get back to normal, whatever that is,” King said. “Sooner or later.”

One class at Trinity shows some seniors masked and others unmasked, reflecting Trinity’s new mask policy.

6

News

December 2O21

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS OVERCOME COVID-19 BOUNDARIES tional students now have dual citizenship and look to attend school to graduate in the United States. Trinity has shifted its focus from reBefore the pandemic, Trinity had one or two cruiting more exchange students to attracting international students each year. In the 2021- longer-term international students during the 2022 school year, that number has risen to pandemic.

21 students from other countries. According The application process for international to Director of International Student Affairs students starts with the regular admissions and Assistant Director of Admissions Victoria process. Then, they take a Test of English as a Johnston, the sudden increase in exchange stu- Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam if they are dents is a result of families moving to Florida not already fluent in English. and changes in exchange programs.

Prior to stepping on a plane, there are strugTrinity has partnered with different pro- gles with paperwork. Johnston has noted how grams over the years to accept international there were concerns if the students could students. One of the well-known organizations even enter the country if they were outside is ASSIST. Accordduring the pandemic. ing to assistscholars.

Ninth-grader Jennifer org, it is a non-profLi had issues with flights it organization that and travel when she matches multilingual moved from Canada. students with inde“When I first came pendent American here, I was on a visitor’s secondary schools. visa for five months,” ASSIST students Li said. “Until we got stay in the country stuck in Mexico, and for one year and arthat’s when we got my rive with a scholarstudent visa to come ship. back to America.”

In the past, Trinity Even before has worked with TBI COVID-19, the proNew Oasis in China cess of traveling overseas but has now moved for education has never on since programs been easy. International have been fizzling out Student Liaison Bozedue to COVID-19. na Lawson experienced As a result, Trinity struggles herself with has shifted its fostaying in a new councus from recruiting try first hand after more exchange stu- Ninth-grader Jennifer Li is an international growing up in Poland dents to attracting student who arrived last year, after experiand coming to the longer-term inter- encing troubles with travelling to Trinity United States to teach national students. during the pandemic.

Latin.

Johnston has seen “Getting used to a the switch in behavcountry, it takes time,” ior because of the pandemic.

Lawson said. “You learn about it: the languag“More [international students] are apt to es, the accents, cultural customs...and everyregister for school through Trinity,” Johnston thing [else].” said. “We’ve had the ability to do that more Many countries shut down their borders this year.” during the pandemic, which created further Trinity can register students directly since roadblocks for Trinity and exchange students. students have chosen to move with their fami“It was a problem getting flights here on lies into the state instead of staying with a host time because a lot of flights were canceled or family. According to Johnston, some interna- delayed,” Lawson said.

Article by Iris Lei Photo by Reese Taylor

The pandemic has not deterred Trinity or international students, but the school is working harder to provide safe travel for students.

According to Li, her troubles in the airport and Mexico were alleviated by Trinity’s diligence with responding to emails and sending important documents.

Travel is not the only source of difficulty for international students, as getting used to a new environment is also difficult. Li experienced challenges with school life when she arrived.

“Canvas was hard to figure out,” Li said.

“And the homework, it was all really hard to figure out.”

However, the assistance of teachers made her adjustment process easier.

“If I missed homework...most of the time they were okay [with it].”

Interacting with other students helped Li to acclimate and open up to others.

“As the year progressed,” Li said. “I was able to get in contact with other international students, and it was fun learning from them and their first experience.”

Although Li did not participate in extracurricular activities at first, getting involved introduced her to more students.

“This year when I joined golf and other clubs,” Li said. “I was able to get to know more people and they were able to teach me a lot about high school, which was really useful.”

The increase of international students this year is only the beginning. Johnston expects the population of international students will remain steady going forward.

“Our international students are global citizens,” Johnston said. “Our students with multiple citizenships really do bring something to the table in terms of diversity and global citizenship.”

Trinity has almost met its international student goals, but Johnston and administrators are always looking for ways to increase global citizenship in the community.

“So what will it look like? I think only [20]22, [20]23 can tell,” Johnston said. “But our goals in the administration office would always be to bring in nice students that are a fit, that bring something to the community.”

December 2O21

Lifestyles

7

‘RUST’ SHOOTING REVEALS LACK OF PRECAUTIONS The movie industry has a legacy of accidents on set Article by David Bryskin Graphic by Jaidyn Holt On Oct. 21, while filming a scene for the upcoming movie “Rust,” Alec Baldwin was handed a live firearm which discharged, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring film director Joel Souza.

While this shooting seems like a one in a million error, movie sets in the U.S. have seen many accidents like these. According to a Los Angeles Times article, since 1990, there have been 250 accidents on sets nationwide which resulted in a combined total of 47 deaths.

These accidents are the result of a variety of factors, ranging from freak accidents and human error to poor decisions and negligence.

During the filming of “Twilight Zone: The Movie,” while filming a low flying helicopter in a chase scene, a special effects explosion on set caused the pilot of the helicopter to lose control, killing Vic Morrow and two child actors. According to film production teacher Donna Walker, an accident like this was a freak accident that could only be attributed to human error.

“Helicopters crash, and unfortunately, this helicopter crashed on set,” Walker said. “Most of these things happen because of human error. Not necessarily bad judgment.”

Though sometimes accidents happen because someone made a poor call or was negligent. For example, during the filming of “Kill Bill Vol. 2,” actor Uma Thurman was injured in an accident because director Quentin Tarantino insisted that she drive rather than using a stunt driver.

According to Walker, this wasn’t the result of a mistake, but rather it was due to a poor decision on Tarantino’s part.

But there is a difference between poor judgement and downright negligence on set, and nowhere is this better shown than in the production of the film “Midnight Rider,” in which camera assistant Sarah Jones was killed by a train after only being given a minute’s warning to clear the tracks of personnel and props. It was later found that the producers were criminally negligent and had not received permission to film on the railroad property.

Another major contributor to these accidents is poor choreography. According to senior and Film Fest Club president Isabel Tongson, poor stunt choreography and/or inadequate training has led to people being thrown off bikes, planes crashing and body parts being crushed.

“There are so many stuntmen out there who have died or been permanently injured,” Tongson said. “Seven have been actually paralyzed on set, because stunts weren’t properly and safely choreographed.”

These accidents are made even worse considering they could have been easily avoided through the use of CGI. “It’s very possible to just use CGI and keep the actors safe,” Tongson said. “Keeping everybody on set safe should be the priority.”

Perspectives are divided on whether or not the industry as a whole is truly failing in terms of safety. Some feel that the fact that these accidents are happening on set in the first place is intolerable and that people should not be dying to create entertainment.

“Producers, actors, directors, anybody that’s there on

set, they’re just there to do their job … it is unacceptable,” Tongson said.

Others like Walker feel that the film industry is doing fairly well where safety is concerned, and that accidents in the industry are the fault of individuals, rather than an industry wide problem.

This isn’t unprecedented, since according to the Los Angeles Times, in 2019 the U.S. had 3.5 fatalities due to injury per 100,000 full time workers, while the film industry over the last decade has only had a rough rate of .9 deaths per 100,000 workers.

“For the most part movie sets are safe,” Walker said, “Almost always, accidents are due to human error.”

But even considering the recent “Rust” shooting, both Tongson and Walker as well as many others feel that this incident will end up leading to no real legislative change regarding safety on set.

“I think people will be more cautious but concerning regulations, I’m worried nothing is gonna come out of it,” Tongson said, “The film industry in general is such a hard thing to change because it has such a long history.”

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Lifestyles

December 2O21

REUSE, RECYCLE, RESELL

Thrifting’s effect on fashion trends, the environment and ethics Article by Sarah Zehnder Photo by Anna Miliotes

These days it’s easy to bemoan the widespread consumerism in our society. However, there is a segment of discerning shoppers who choose to spend their money in a different way: at thrift stores.

Thrift stores were created in the late 1800s to provide affordable, second-hand clothing to shoppers. Their popularity, and need for groups like Goodwill and the Salvation Army, peaked during the Great Depression when poverty was widespread. Almost 100 years later, thrift stores are experiencing a resurgence. But why would someone choose to sift through racks of used clothes? The reasons are varied.

They have since transformed from shops marketed towards working-class people shopping for affordable second-hand clothes, to one-of-a-kind destinations that capture a mix of current trends and authentic style. In the Orlando area, popular thrift stores range from Avalon Exchange, Dechoes Resale and Out of the Closet.

The search for individualism Thrifting has transformed into a passion for many groups of people, especially millennials and Gen Zs who seek a sense of individualism in their style. They turn to thrift shopping to find one-of-a-kind pieces that they won’t see anyone else wearing.

“Thrifting allows me to buy clothes that make me feel comfortable,” senior Taylor brown said. “Many things mainstream are the product of trends, which then makes them overpriced. The thrift store had a wide-variety and endless possibilities- and at the risk of sounding basic- more clothes from the early 2000s and previous- which are more my style.”

Thrift shopping fosters self-expression and creativity in outfit construction. Junior Max Balon, a frequent thrifter, shared a opinion similar to Brown’s: “Thrifting has helped me express my own personal style by letting me wear what most people don’t, and also it helped me discover

that style and figure out what sense of style fits me the best,” Balon said.

Regardless of their motivation, thrift store shoppers share a love of the hunt for a great bargain or a unique item.

Environmentally conscious A different benefit to thrift stores is their eco-friendliness. Although it might not seem like it, a simple outfit of jeans and a t-shirt use thousands of gallons of water to manufacture.

Reselling and reusing clothes rejects contributing to the wasteful cycle of fast fashion. By shopping at thrift stores you can help reduce our carbon footprint and shop with intention.

“When I saw all these things online talking about the benefits of thrifting for the environment, I felt better about my choice.” Brown said.

Thrift shoppers break away from bulk manufacturing and are able to find authentic, but still trendy, clothes.

Cost friendly and not so

Companies such as Goodwill are well known to take donations of almost anything, and their resale stores charge affordable prices. On the other hand, there are thrift stores which instead carefully cultivate their inventory of “previously loved” clothes and resell them at not so affordable prices. Some thrift stores, like Dechoes Resale, specialize in creating a selection of vintage clothing from luxury or designer brands so their prices are typically higher.

Depending on a thrift store’s specialization, prices vary. Dechoes has detailed guidelines of the kinds of clothes they will take in order to create a unique selection in their stores.

And the market for thrifting has never been better. The creation of virtual resale apps like Depop and Thread Up give users the ability to resell their clothes exclusively online. Furthermore, many thrift stores have websites so shoppers can have the option of purchasing clothes by mail or in-person.

Today, the variety of thrift stores and list of items they sell is endless, one reason for thrifting’s immense popularity.

“When I go thrifting, I usually look for old, vintage, and earth-toned t-shirts because of my current style and how it’s mainly based around earth tones or darker colors and also having a vintage sense to it,” Balon said. “I also look for unique pants or jeans, since they go for pretty cheap in thrift stores compared to online or in a retail store.”

Not only do many thrift stores have accessible prices, but shopping at them is a great way to support small local businesses in your community.

Ethical concerns

While thrift shopping can be a positive experience with many benefits, it is important to remember that thrift stores were originally and still are necessary for people who cannot afford clothes at their original retail price.

As a result of increased popularity of thrift shopping, many stores have raised their prices limiting the accessibility of thrift stores to people who must buy their clothes from there.

“I think in those instances it’s crucial to remember there are people that might have needed that ‘y2k baby tee’ for their literal baby,” Brown said. “It makes me wonder how many people went without for people to make capital gain.”

Dechoes is a popular thrift store with two locations in the Central Florida area that has a wide selection of clothes, shoes, accessories and makeup. According to Dechoes’ owner, Kerri Colangelo, “there are lovely finds at all price points at both shops.”

December 2O21

Lifestyles

9

MS STUDENTS ENTER THE WORLD OF THE STOCK MARKET Article by Sammy Lou Graphic by Sarah Lin

Looking at the screen, eighth-grader Owen Raffa was delighted as he watched his investment in Tesla slowly trend upwards. In only two weeks, the Tesla stock rose 28% from about $870 to its all-time high of $1114.

Many students like Raffa started investing during quarantine. Students depend on their parents to set up an account for them, which they can then use to spend their money to purchase or sell companies’ stocks. In addition to the appealing opportunity of being able to make money appear out of thin air, Raffa said that several other aspects of investing are also fun.

“For me, the best part of investing is checking every single night to see how much money I made that day,” Raffa said. “I guess what comes with making money is a sense of pride in yourself.”

There are many other middle schoolers who enjoy investing too. One is eighth-grader Nikhil Daniel, who goes as far as to develop investment strategies and to constantly research different stocks.

“I use many different strategies, including looking at multiple different sites such as Motley Fool, Market Watch and CNBC,” Daniel

said. “I basically see what analysts are saying regarding the stock.”

Daniel, who also started seriously investing during quarantine, now shares his knowledge of the stock market with several students who joined his middle school investment club. Students in the club learn about the fundamentals of the stock market and the different factors that affect a certain stock.

“I started the investment club because I wanted to show other young teenagers how to invest and the basics of investing,” Daniel said.

Daniel gave his club members an interesting project. The students would research a stock of their choice, then use a pitch to try to convince Daniel to invest in their researched stock.

“We’re working on a project where they will pitch a stock to me,” he said. “Through pitching me a stock, they will learn the dividend yield and different factors within the stock.”

More and more students are getting involved with the stock market, as they can learn valuable skills and lessons from it. However, being a student does make investing a little bit harder.

For another eighth-grader, Peyton Keith, it is difficult to balance managing his money

Tesla Stocks

successfully and focusing on school activities.

However, he still believes that it is good for teenagers to be investing.

“The cons are that it can be very difficult to manage your money, especially when you’re a student,” Keith said. “You have to look at the news, and you have to do homework from school.”

Upper school economics teacher Kelly Aull also believes that it is beneficial for students to start investing at a young age. She noted several benefits such as learning how to manage your money and learning how the economy works. However, she mentioned a common mistake made by investors of all ages, including younger investors.

“I think a lot of people tend to take on more risk than they ought to,” Aull said. “Especially as you get a little bit older, I think people tend to make more emotional decisions about what to invest in, rather than thinking about it mathematically. When you are young and making short-term investment strategies, sometimes it’s hard to transition to long-term investment strategies.”

$1114

$870

Oct 18

28.03%

Oct 29

Source: Wall Street Journal

1O

Lifestyles

December 2O21

TRAPPED ABROAD WITH ONLY A BACKPACK AND A COMPUTER Spanish teacher Lozano-Diaz was stuck in Spain for 18 months due to COVID-19

Article by Jack Aaron Infographic by Jaidyn Holt When everyone was adjusting their lives due places people in Madrid, Spain were allowed sa Spallone in order to arrange her transition to the COVID-19 pandemic, few knew that to go to were the supermarkets, pharmacies back to Trinity. there were over 13,500 Americans, 300,000 and hospitals. Out on the streets were po“It was always understood that we wanted Europeans and millions of other people stuck licemen watching the Spanish citizens and Ms. Lozano-Diaz to come back, and so we in various countries around the world. Trini- making sure they only left their homes to go stayed in touch to see what the decisions from ty’s world language teacher Inmaculada Loza- purchase something or to go work. The police the Europeans were in regards to traveling no-Diaz was one of them. would have to check their receipts from the back to the U.S.,” Spallone said.

After being gone for a total of 18 months stores they went to in order to excuse them Spallone, along with many other faculty and and two days, Lozano-Diaz returned to her from leaving their homes. staff members, said that they were worried for Spanish 1B students and the rest of the Trinity Lozano-Diaz’s mother is a doctor in Spain, Lozano-Diaz and hoped for her quick and safe community. so she was the only family member working return.

Lozano-Diaz was born and raised in Ma- outside their home. While her mother was “It was almost traumatic at the beginning drid, Spain, living with her brother, because we really thought that she father, mother, and pet dog named was coming back, but we found out Citizens Stranded Abroad CHINA: Zara. maybe two weeks before school start2020 1.42 million “I went to a private school in Maed that she was not going to be able (students) drid,” Lozano-Diaz said. “I did a to return,” Spallone said.

EUROPEAN UNION: lot of extracurricular activities, like During faculty week, a week be300,000 RUSSIA: sports and playing piano. I roller fore school, the world language 25,000 skated as well, [along with] riding administration had to find a new USA: horses with my brother.” teacher to replace her for a year, and 13,500 Lozano-Diaz has always enjoyed it had to be an interim teacher who spending time with her family over was willing to leave at the end of the the weekends. By the time she turned school year.

SOUTH AFRICA: AUSTRALIA: 26, she had already received both Lozano-Diaz did not only stay in 5,239 40,000 her bachelor’s degree in psychology touch with Spallone, but also with all and her master’s degree in child psyof the other world language teachers. chology in Spain. Lozano-Diaz then “[Lozano-Diaz] stayed in touch decided to travel to Florida and at- Sources: NBC News, Reuters, through the world language group France 24 News, International tend UCF for a master’s in Spanish Relations and Cooperation chat,” Spallone said. “She was in Linguistics. touch with all of the world language At UCF, she met both former teachers through the chat, just to world language teacher Nicole Garcia and away, Lozano-Diaz found many ways to pass say ‘hello,’ or to organize tutoring sessions for current world language teacher Maria Weaver. the time.

Spanish students with other colleagues.”

“We played a lot of video games, watched Shortly thereafter, Lozano-Diaz was convinced As Lozano-Diaz waited to come back to

by Garcia to teach at Trinity. In August 2018, movies, and did a lot of exercising,” Loza- Trinity, she constantly was watching the news Lozano-Diaz became the official Spanish 1B no-Diaz said. and waiting for a sign of hope.

During the time Lozano-Diaz wasn’t enteacher.

Finally, in August, after 18 months of conLess than two years later, Lozano-Diaz went gaging in those activities, she was helping the stant waiting, Lozano-Diaz went on a plane to visit her family in Spain for spring break on interim teacher who temporarily took her to travel to Mexico to visit an old friend from March 13, 2020. Unfortunately, she traveled place. This teacher was coincidentally the same Spain, and from there she flew to Miami. to Spain right at the start of COVID-19, leav- person she met at UCF, Weaver. Due to their Lozano-Diaz has learned a lot of key lessons ing all of her property and valuables behind. friendship, it was easy for Lozano-Diaz and away from her experiences, but she said that Lozano-Diaz said she was terrified.

Weaver to work together in order to benefit the most important one is patience.

“I was stressed,” Lozano-Diaz said. “Every- the 1B students’ Spanish education.

“Just take one day at a time, there are things Along with assisting Weaver, Lozano-Diaz more important than material things, which thing was here [in Florida], my house, my car, everything. I just went with a backpack and tutored kids of all Spanish levels. is health and quality time, so quality time [is] my laptop. That’s it.”

Lozano-Diaz also frequently met with more important,” Lozano-Diaz said.

For the first four months of her, the only World Language Department Chair Vannes-

Focus

December 2O21

A COMMERCIALIZED CHRISTMAS

Americans are now spending more than ever on Christmas Article by Angel Zheng Graphic by Sarah Lin As the end of the year 2021 approaches and the weather becomes colder, many people are looking forward to having a “normal” Christmas holiday after COVID-19 restricted social gatherings during this traditional event last year. Spending during this season is extremely common; according to the National Retail Federation (NRF), Americans planned to spend roughly $998 on gifts, food and decorations on winter holidays in 2020.

Christmas holds a special place for many Americans, as it is not just a religious holiday but a time of celebration during the winter season. Science teacher Carrie Lopez explained that this special day brings families together, fosters connections between members, creates a joyful atmosphere and carries on traditions from the previous generation. However, she shares a unique reason on why she spends more on this particular holiday.

“I think why I tend to spend more money on [Christmas] is because as a kid ... my parents didn’t have a lot of money … we celebrated Christmas, but it wasn’t lots of lavish things,” Lopez said. “But now, it’s nice because I can actually buy that for my kids.”

Seventh grader Campbell Alch also said that her family goes all out for this special holiday.

“Most people have one big Christmas tree in a main spot of their house. My mom has twelve, so we have one in a lot of the rooms,” Alch said.

Presents are undeniably the most famous and well-known tradition during the holiday season. Items such as the latest electronic device, clothing, greeting cards and even sweets are some of the more commonly bought gifts, despite the large amount of money they add up to cost.

“I spend a lot of money on Hallmark ornaments,” Lopez said. “Each ornament itself is between $15 to $20.”

Similarly, Alch mentioned that the amount of money that goes into the holiday is surprisingly large.

“It’s definitely a lot. It’s probably in the thousands because my mom likes to buy a lot of ornaments, and they’re expensive,” Alch said.

Since 2000, holiday sales have typically increased by 3.4% on average, according to the NRF. Another statistic from Gallup indicated that while the Great Recession (2007-2009) prompted a decrease in Christmas spending plans, those figures have started going up until

Percent of Americans that Spent More, Less, or the Same as Prior Year More

67 54 35 18 12 2OO6

2OO7

9

2OO8

2OO9

Less

59

57

27

28

11

14

2O1O

2O11

2O12

2O13

2020, in which Americans planned to spend on average $837 on Christmas gifts compared to $942 in 2019.

This decrease is likely only temporary. With COVID-19 cases decreasing little by little, people are starting to attend more social gatherings, and Christmas is no exception. Lopez stated that her family travels almost every Christmas but was not able to last year.

“I would say that a lot of people probably are spending less on travel because people aren’t travelling as much, at least for COVID, but now that numbers are going down, they might start spending more,” Lopez said.

It is very likely that the Christmas spending trend will increase even further, as vaccines are being administered to almost all ages and the number of new COVID-19 cases has slowed down. Additionally, the NRF stated that the 2021 holiday spending could “shatter previous records.” This means that the year 2021 may harbor the largest Christmas spending of all times compared to the past.

“The unusual and beneficial position we find ourselves in is that households have increased spending vigorously throughout most of 2021 and remain with plenty of holiday purchasing power,” NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said in a statement, as quoted by Market Watch. “If retailers can keep merchandise on the shelves and merchandise arrives before Christmas, it could be a stellar holiday sales season.”

Source: Gallup

Same

66

6O

63

24

21

17

13

14

14

2O14

2O15

2O16

59

28

2O17

2O18

2O19

64

22

12

13

2O2O

2O21

Focus

December 2O21

A NON-CHRISTIAN CHRISTMAS What the celebration of Christmas means to other religions Article by Aetant Prakash Graphic by Jaidyn Holt Colorful red and green lights shine outside, Junior Jack Luna, an atheist, has also been a tree lined with presents adorns the living celebrating Christmas since he was born beroom, the smell of cookies fills the house, and cause his parents have made it a custom. His all of this happens in a Hindu household cele- family even attends church the day prior. brating Christmas.

Over time, they have even developed their Christmas has broken the barrier of just own traditions. In Luna’s family, they get to being a religious holiday and has become a open one present the night of Christmas Eve. universal one instead, something that almost Junior Lilly Freedman, who comes from a everyone celebrates.

Jewish household, has A Pew Research Center a tradition in which survey found that 81% of “In terms of religion, I don’t think her family visits her non-Christians in the U.S it matters as long as you respect grandma to celebrate celebrate Christmas. So, the holiday. I don’t know much Christmas with. celebrating it is about a lot “For fun someabout the Christianity part of times, more than just religion. we also go out Presents seem like a like- Christmas, but I still love Christ- to the restaurant Bob ly motivation. mas for the feels, the food and Evans to change up Christmas is known to family.”

Christmas a little,” be the time when everyone Freedman said. gets excited about presents With all of this - Raheel Patel, Junior under the tree and the gifts said, it’s clear that they receive, but many Hindu, Jewish or athe- these people have developed Christmas tradiist people cite their love of Christmas as hav- tions and made it special to themselves. ing nothing to do with a single present. Many “As a Catholic, I have been taught to respect non-Christians love the holiday even though it others’ religions,” junior Koray Tekin said. “If is not a part of their own religion because they someone chooses to celebrate Christmas and enjoy spending time with their family. see the goodness of the holiday, and they do it “The feeling of happiness and warmth is respectfully, I think it is perfectly okay.” why Christmas is my absolute favorite time of People like Patel, Freedman and Luna have the year,” junior Raheel Patel said, “That feel- all grown to love and respect Christmas for ing, and having my family around me is why I what it means to them and their families. The love Christmas.” tradition of Christmas has grown so interPatel’s extended family visits every year weaved in their lives that they even want to during Christmas time and they decorate a keep celebrating when they are older and have tree, give gifts, and do most things a Chris- families of their own. tian family would do. On top of a traditional “I’m going to have my kids celebrate Christmas, they also add a bit of their own cul- Christmas,” Luna said. “I don’t even care ture by enjoying Indian dishes and sweets in if we do presents, I just want to teach place of a traditional Christmas meal. the values and traditions associated Since Patel’s parents missed out on celebrat- with it.” ing Christmas while they were young, they An opportunity to see famimade sure to celebrate it with their children ly, experience another religion, so they could at least experience the traditional and discovering new traditions, holidays of America. And while Christmas is Christmas is another connector not a part of their religion, it’s been integrated in the melting pot of cultures as a part of their culture. that is America. Being a non-Christian

doesn’t seem to limit celebration this time of the year.

“In terms of religion, I don’t think it matters as long as you respect the holiday,” Patel said, “I don’t know much about the Christianity part of Christmas, but I still love Christmas for the feels, food, and family.”

December 2O21

Focus

THE HOLIDAY BLUES

The holiday season comes with an unlikely side effect Article by Peyton Alch Graphic by Jaidyn Holt As the days get shorter and the nights get colder, seasonal depression rears its ugly head. Usually a time for happiness and winter festivities, many are plagued by the “holiday blues.”

In the time after Thanksgiving, senior Paulo Botelho said he

already starts to experience symptoms of seasonal depression.

“Right around November, I start to feel this way,” Botelho said. “Where I just don’t really see a point in anything.”

Holiday depression, also known as the holiday blues, is a heavily discussed topic in the 21st century due to its abnormal timing. It is characterized by the feeling of sadness through what should be a happy holiday season.

“I feel like part of it is because of the portrayal of [the] media,” Botelho said. “It kind of sets expectations of how we should interpret certain times of the year. And I feel like if we don’t feel what the media wants us to, it makes us feel like there’s something wrong.”

The holiday season can trigger a lot of emotions as it is a time of change and stress for many. According to a 2008 article in Psychiatry magazine, approximately 14% of Americans experience the holiday blues.

“I think one of the reasons people experience holiday depression can be because of a traumatic experience that happened to them around this time,” Botelho said. “I think that also just the chaos of the holiday season and the change in weather can be a cause of it.”

Holiday blues can also be compared to seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. The holiday blues as well as SAD are both widespread disorders that impact many people throughout the changing seasons. While holiday blues focus on the holiday season itself, seasonal affective disorder is due to the change in weather, particularly the decrease in light exposure.

“We believe that the cause of seasonal depression has to do with light,” psychology teacher Donna Walker said. “It has nothing to do with the cold weather. It has to do with the amount of light we are exposed to and how it affects the photoreceptors in our eyes.”

Trinity alumnus Caio Marques started attending Cornell in the fall. These extreme differences in weather caused him to develop seasonal affective disorder, something that he didn’t have when he lived in Florida.

“It was definitely harder getting used to

the weather difference, especially the lack of sunlight and full months of cold weather and snow,” Marques said. “Living in a cold state makes life much harder due to the snow and well the cold weather itself, especially in Cornell where it is always rainy and cloudy.”

Marques said that the weather has impacted his work ethic and motivation. He began to experience SAD as the weather began to cool down and light exposure decreased. This has had a direct effect on his ability to function as a new college student.

“Colder weather definitely makes me more upset,” Marques said. “There is a big difference from waking up with the sun shining and warmer temperatures, than when you wake up, and it is rainy and cold. It makes me feel unmotivated, and it makes it hard to want to leave my dorm room. ” Many people come to Florida to combat seasonal affective disorder where, because of the warm, sunny climate, people don’t experience SAD. “Being in Florida can prevent seasonal affective disorder because we don’t have that light issue, we don’t have a season where we’re deprived of light.” Walker said. “So SAD doesn’t affect students here as much.”

There are ways to combat SAD. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the main way to treat SAD is to use light therapy. Light therapy is the exposure of light, using either natural or artificial light.

“Because the cause of seasonal affective disorder is caused by a lack of light, they will prescribe to you to go walk around malls to go walk around under lights, because that light replicates the waves that are found in natural sunlight,” Walker said.

While people in Florida don’t experience SAD, they can experience holiday depression.

“What I’ve observed is that if the holidays are a struggle for you, it probably will come and go in waves,” Walker said. “I think [that] even if you’ve had some rough years with some holidays, it doesn’t mean that it has to be that way forever.”

Focus

December 2O21

A COVID CHRISTMAS Infographic by Jaidyn Holt and Sarah Lin

ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION, OVERALL HOLIDAY SPENDING PREDICTED TO INCREASE

58%

1O.5%

PLAN TO COOK THEIR HOLIDAY MEAL ALONE

42%

PLAN TO STAY WITH THE FAMILY/FRIENDS THEY VISIT

FROM 2O2O

15%

INCREASE IN ONLINE/ NON-STORE SALES FROM 2O2O

23%

45%

PLAN TO VISIT FAMILY/FRIENDS

DAY INCREASE IN CARGO SHIPPIING TIME SINCE MARCH 2O2O

SOURCES: THE WASHINGTON POST, INVESTOPEDIA, CNBC, HOPPER, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, TRAVEL AND LEISURE, THE SUN, TRAVEL AGENT CENTRAL, BUSINESS INSIDER

DIA, OF UN, R

December 2O21

Focus

A prediction of this holiday season in percentages

92%

INCREASE FROM 2O2O IN THOSE PLANNING TO TRAVEL

ACCORDING TO THE BUREAU OF TRANSPORTATION, OF AUGUST 2O21 FLIGHTS

3%

CANCELLED

22% DELAYED

67%

OF TRAVELERS MORE LIKELY TO FLY IF MASKING IS REQUIRED

1O%

OF TRAVELERS LESS LIKELY TO FLY IF MASKING IS REQUIRED

ACCORDING TO KAYAK TRAVEL AGENCY, ONLINE SEARCHES FOR CAR RENTAL ARE AT A

23O%

INCREASE COMPARED TO 2O19

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December 2O21

Opinions

WRONG ANSWER, RIGHT PROBLEM

Diversity Council’s proposals only solve half the issue Trinity promised to change. Last summer, in response to historic protests and a controversial Instagram post, the Board of Trustees formed the Advisory Council on Diversity and Inclusion. Consisting of faculty, alumni and students, the Council’s chartered goal was to provide recommendations for improving diversity on campus. Despite some skepticism, the measure as a whole was a step forward in a school that, to many, needed it.

On Nov. 2, the Board reported the Council’s findings, with four key recommendations the Board says it will consider in order to “make the Trinity Experience the best it can be.” The announcement should be a sign of hope.

But a year’s gone by. Last summer is not this summer, and real and lasting change has continued to be evasive throughout the country.

Promises have been broken. So have Trinity’s.

Rather than addressing the structural problems of diversity at Trinity, these recommendations have turned diversity into a check-thebox exercise, and as something to be marketed rather than solved. Each of the four recommendations is noble, yet lacking.

The first suggestion involves an “extensive mission review, placing particular emphasis on how the School expects Trinity students to treat one another and others in the world at large.” While these are strong words, they’re also ones we’ve heard before. Last year, hundreds of corporations and businesses promised to place new scrutiny on their diversity and racial equality. But without specific language, those promises fail to capture the depth of the problem. If Trinity won’t even say the word “race” in an email about racial justice, how can we ever hope to solve it?

“There are those here who are fine with things the way that they are, and who would not agree with the changes that the Board is suggesting,” senior and Council member Lilly Nguyen said. “ I think that the Trinity Prep administration is trying to walk that very narrow line between the two.”

The second recommendation is yet another corporate approach to a human problem. Although a “Board-level committee on diversity and inclusion” would keep the conversation

going, diversity committees put pressure on students and faculty of color to essentially solve an issue that’s never been their fault.

Committees also further separate administration from students — not only did the Council never meet with a current student, but they also boiled down the entirety of the student body into just two representatives.

As its charter said, “The Advisory Council is intended to represent the diverse interests of Trinity Prep’s constituencies.” Ignored interests are ignored problems.

There’s also the issue of time. While the Council rightfully needed time to investigate and formulate its findings, it’s hard to imagine real change coming when the reaction is always 12 months late. Finding the balance between the two means making diversity efforts clear, instead of hiding them behind meetings and closed doors.

However, the final recommendation is perhaps the most dangerous of all. By “significantly expanding the training that employees and students receive regarding diversity and cultural norms,” Trinity risks turning diversity from a crucial and demanded issue into a dreaded class exercise.

These programs, which can include seminars and mandatory courses, are a favorite of forward-thinking organizations, and last year the Diversity Equity Inclusion sector made over $8 billion. However, from a 2018 Anthropology Now research to a 1990 New York Times review, study after study has shown that these programs are ineffective at best and actively harmful at worst.

Biases are built up over years, and those who are biased often don’t realize it. Attempting to “train away” that bias in a single afternoon or Canvas course is unfeasible, and only benefits those who would see diversity as a marketing issue rather than a human one. Those who would gain the most from the training are also the least likely to learn from it- numerous studies have shown that mandatory diversity education can reinforce existing bias and lead to people feeling threatened or controlled.

One example of that mismanagement came two years ago, when Trinity and Peace Jam brought in an outside counselor to give a mandatory, 80-minute lecture in the RAC. The

reception was not positive. A hostile student body and blundered presentation left most students frustrated, if not completely skeptical. In attempting to counter bias, the training just made it more clear.

Still, the conversation can be important.

“What we’re trying to do is help a segment of our community understand that another segment of the community has reason not to feel safe.” Council member and English teacher Dean Rhoads said. “And so when we talk about training or education, we’re really talking about helping people understand that not everyone has the same experience here.”

Despite these nebulous promises, the third recommendation does include one concrete policy: the retaining of “an additional administrator with experience and expertise in diversity and inclusion matters.” According to the position’s details, labeled as “Assistant Head of School,” the administrator will answer directly to Head of School Byron Lawson and be in charge of making recommendations regarding faculty hiring, especially in regards to inclusion and opportunity.

In contrast to every other recommendation, diverse hiring practices build change from the ground up. According to data analysis group Harver, the odds of hiring an applicant from an underrepresented group are 79.14 times greater if there are at least two underrepresented candidates in the final pool, and in a recent study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 79% of graduates said a diverse workforce was “very important” to their consideration. Diverse hiring practices aren’t flashy or marketable, but they’re effective.

“If the board thought this would be a one off, where we’d be teaching this year, and never have to do anything about it again, it’d be foolish to pay out that salary,” Rhoads said.

“That position is being put there on the understanding that there’s a certain segment of the population that is always going to have trouble dealing with understanding people who are not like them.”

The Council is an important first step. It can’t be the last. A more diverse environment is a more accepting environment, but true diversity doesn’t come from a committee. Change can’t either.

December 2O21

Opinions

17

HOW WE HURT THE HOMELESS

Anti-homeless legislation should be banned Article by Taylor Riley Graphic by Sarah Lin In downtown Orlando, many benches that line the sidewalks have statues obstructing the seat. The sole purpose of a bench is for sitting, so why did the city planners commission such pointless structures?

Defensive urban design, also known as hostile architecture, is a form of city planning that restricts behavior and targets those who use public spaces the most, such as the homeless.

Hostile architecture can be seen all around us: boulders along sidewalks, spikes under bridges and even statues or bars obstructing benches are all considered hostile architecture. The purpose of these structures is to discourage “undesirable” members of the public from residing in public spaces.

Tactics like this are common in highly populated cities such as Orlando. In a 2019 survey, the National Homeless Law Center found that in the United States, anti-homeless laws such as prohibiting loitering and/or vagrancy had increased by 103% since 2006. These policies can be seen frequently in Florida, since our state has the third largest homeless population in the country.

According to NBC News, officials in West Palm Beach created a sound blockade to prevent homeless people from sleeping around the Lake Pavilion Patio. Songs generally considered repetitive and annoying, such as ‘Baby

DO NOT SIT

Shark’ and ‘Raining Tacos’ were played on repeat in order to keep the homeless population from sleeping there.

Anti-homeless legislature has also begun to target groups who help the homeless. In 2006, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer supported the ordinance which made distribution of food to more than 24 people in public parks illegal.

Members of organizations attempting to feed the homeless were arrested repeatedly for their efforts. It seems you’re allowed to feed ducks at the park, but not other people.

In June, Texas Governor Greg Abott signed a statewide ban for taking up residency or storing personal belongings in public spaces, punishing violators with up to $500 in fines. This law tells the homeless population that they’re not welcome to exist in the only spaces they have to do so. This also begs the question, if public property is not meant to be used by the public, then who is it meant for?

“In my opinion, the justification for this type of stuff is misguided,” social science teacher Brandon Burmeister said. “You’re looking at people who don’t like the look of having homeless people in their cities so they’re trying to move them out rather than looking at what is the root cause.”

Anti-homeless policies are used to systematically drive out the homeless so the city can avoid facing accountability for its underlying

issues that lead to having large homeless populations in the first place.

One cause of homelessness is that our government continually fails to support its most vulnerable populations. Veterans returning from war, non-white people, people struggling with mental illnesses, the LGBTQ population and those struggling with addiction are the most likely people to suffer homelessness.

According to Forbes, 39.8% of homeless individuals are African-American, despite only making up 13% of the overall US population.

In a study conducted by Street Kids, 40% of homeless kids identified as LGBT. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration stated that 20% to 25% of the homeless population suffers from severe mental illness. The National Coalition for the Homeless found that 38% of homeless individuals have substance abuse issues. Homelessness isn’t random, and it can be prevented by funding programs to protect populations subject to losing their homes.

“There’s stigmas around things like alcoholism and mental illness, and we have to get over that and start really taking those issues seriously if we want to solve those problems,” Burmeister said.

Another leading cause of homelessness is the difference between our minimum wage and what would be considered a livable wage.

Housing costs are rising at a much higher rate than wages, making it extremely difficult for many to afford housing. A report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition states that an Orlando area worker earning minimum wage would need to work 117 hours a week in order to afford the average rent.

“Affordable housing is not only a necessity but it’s also a boon for developing your economy,” Burmeister said.

Homelessness will continue to exist for as long as we view housing as a commodity rather than a necessity and criminalizing the homeless population does nothing to solve this problem. In what world would the solution to homelessness be putting bars on benches?

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Opinions

December 2O21

A DISTORTED The media only favors trauma

Article by Reese Taylor Graphic by Jaidyn Holt

Moonlight.

Twelve Years a Slave.

Green Book.

Out of the 93 films awarded the title of “Best Motion Picture” at the Academy Awards, only three star both Black actors and Black stories, and they all depict some of the most difficult parts of African American history, both past and present.

When Black experiences are intrinsically connected to pain, hardship and oppression, the stories of Black triumph are lost.

Movies solidify both the traits and themes we value but also give voice to the problems we perceive. The reality for African Americans is that the only stories of Blackness that are praised and valued are ones of racialized struggle; Black success and Black joy are shunned in favor of Black pain.

In 2018, “Green Book” spotlighted that lack of dimension. Directed by Peter Farrelly, the movie would go on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture the following year. The film’s plot centers around the characters Tony Vallelonga and Don Shirley, a Black classical and jazz performer and composer as they travel across the midwestern and southern United States The title references a guide used by African Americans that detailed safe places in the Jim Crow infused South from the 1930s to the 1960s. But throughout the entirety of the film, no Black person mentions the significance of the Green Book or even holds it.

By never having a Black person hold or explain the very title of the film, “Green

Book” resulted in a message that never In the wake of the Black Lives Matgave credence to the resilience of Black ter protests, an image emerged of Leshia Americans in the face of oppression but Evans, an African American nurse from highlighted the oppression itself.

New York, walking towards police officers “Green Book”’s controversy unfolded armed in riot gear. The contrast of Evans’s as questions about whether or not Shir- peaceful procession, with her arms outley and Vallelonga actually wanted a film stretched to be handcuffed, in comparison based on their lives. Not only that, but as to the rows of heavily-armed cops spoke the movie was released it became increas- volumes to the environment surrounding ingly more obvious that “Green Book” fell the protests. neatly into the “white savior” trope.

Soon after, Pepsi would go on to release The “white savior” trope in and of itself an ad mirroring the same scene but refacilitates the neglect of Black joy and is placing Leshia Evans with Kendall Jenner integral to the conversation. It spoon- and a can of Pepsi to offer to the armed feeds racism in a way that allows white officers. The backlash in the face of the ad audiences to align with a story’s chosen took social media by storm. Black Lives savior. All the while, Black audiences are Matter went on to become one of the largtraumatized by est movements in stories that only United States his“Outrage is the only way to shift the seem to benefit tory with Civics by weaponizing corporate conversation because the Analytics reportBlack pain. people who make the decision don’t ing 15 million to White savior 26 million people look like you and I.” films represent participating in what story-telldemonstrations.

- Dr. Tracy Kizer, Professor ing has done to The ad spit in the at Rollins College the Black experiface of the millions ence, trivializing who supported it. it to a plot device. It cloaks itself under “How dare you take our struggle, the guise of freeing Black characters from which is so personal, and so painful, and the role of villain by casting them in the try to use that moment to sell Pepsi,” Traequally damaging position of victim. cy Kizer, professor of marketing at Rollins However, Black people constantly reb- College said. el against being victimized with moments In the midst of it all, the vocalization of of civil rights triumph and are constantly injustice was viewed as a source of monemet with media that reclaims the events tary gain. while removing their blackness from the “The outrage was absolutely necessary,” equation.

Kizer said. “Outrage is the only way to

December 2O21

Opinions

REFLECTI N

in the Black experience shift the corporate conversation because the people who make the decision don’t look like you and I.” But there are glimmers of hope for the representation of Black joy. The remarkable success of the Marvel film “Black Panther” indicated the eagerness of Black audiences to support a film that centered Black characters without centering racial struggle. The movie made 1.3 billion dollars and, according to CNBC, more than all of the other Best Picture Oscar nominees combined, including “Green Book.”

“Black Panther” did not fully divorce itself from the realities of the entire Black experience, but the story itself didn’t hinge on the hardship inflicted upon them by white people.

In the end, the film fit squarely within the superhero genre. For once, Black audiences were able to watch themselves quite literally become both the heroes and villains of a story that celebrated them as complete human beings not entirely condemned to a singular dimension of pain The prioritization of stories that center on a race-based struggle of the Black experience denies the story of unadulterated joy white audiences receive. As Jamil Smith, writer for the New York Times explained, “Every day, the culture reflects not only you [white people] but nearly infinite versions of you … the world shows you that your possibilities are boundless.”

As possibilities begin to unfold for Black Americans, diversity needs to be prioritized. Not just diversity in whose story but in what type of story we decide to tell.

19

2O

Opinions

December 2O21

WE NEED TO PROVIDE Article by Maddie Peckham Graphics by Jaidyn Holt

Female students face the same dreaded moment every month.

Getting your period at school is a nightmare and a worry for your clothes and comfort. You know it’s coming, of course, it’s a cycle. You’re bound to get it at some point, but sometimes it just comes. You race to the bathroom. You weren’t expecting to get it today. Why today?! Why now?! You don’t have anything. In the corner, a metal box glints; you dart over, and it’s the dispenser — $0.25.

‘A quarter? For a tampon? Who has a quarter?!’ you think, jiggling the crank in a desperate attempt, panic bubbling and rising in your chest.

Another girl walks in, and you gawk at her, your mouth drying. You begin the question, the fear of judgement gripping in your stomach.

“Do you have anything?”

She knows exactly what you’re asking, and she shakes her head.

“No, sorry.” A hint of piteous understanding in her voice. But what now?

In the last two years, Trinity has seen the importance of preserving health on campus. With quick acting COVID-19 regulations, students are used to their health being protected by Trinity. But is it protected for all students?

We want to make our campus a safe, comfortable and healthy place for all students. This has been done in numerous ways, with policies like contact tracing, hall passes, security guards, and health and wellness classes. But we’re glossing over an important part of health for half of the population. Females can’t control whether or not they get their periods, and they shouldn’t be struggling to fix something they can’t control. Accessibility to period products would solve multiple avoidable problems for students who menstruate.

Female students are losing instructional time that males are not. If a female student is to get their period and forgets products, they’re expected to go to the nurse, and if a female student needs a product and has to travel all the way to the nurse’s office or the middle/upper school office, this takes a significantly larger amount of time rather than just going to the bathroom and having everything you need right there.

“We certainly want everyone to get

through their day and not have to worry about your cycle, getting caught up in that, and have it be an issue for anybody,” school nurse Kelly White said.

“I’ve always made sure that the nursing budget had included enough that I could keep a couple bags of pads here,” White said. “I’ve got a box of tampons available here … especially as a teenager, your cycle can get irregular.”

But in almost every bathroom, there’s nothing. There’s an occasional $0.25 dispenser, but they aren’t regularly re-

plenished with products and some don’t even work.

With the introduction of hall passes, products are even less accessible. Hall passes were introduced with the interest of safety for all students, and they’re required for going anywhere that isn’t the bathroom. If a student while in class realizes that they have gotten their period, they’ll have to request a hall pass to go to the nurse to get a pad or tampon. This introduces a layer of discomfort for students. For those requesting a hall pass for the nurse from a male teacher, this can be especially uncomfortable.

December 2O21

Opinions

21

PRODUCTS, PERIOD.

“I don’t think a student is obligated to tell a teacher why they need to come see me,” White said. “If they need to see the nurse, they need to see the nurse.”

Recently, the Diversity Club has worked to fix this problem, but it’s not yet a permanent solution. The Diversity Club held a period product drive and put plastic decorated shoeboxes filled with pads, tampons and chocolate in the bathrooms.

However, this is only a temporary solution. The “take one, leave one” policy Diversity Club is enacting can only work for so long. Eventually, they will deplete as people forget, and the initiative will end.

Eventually, the products will run out.

People will forget to fill them, and students will find themselves stranded and at square one once again. This is why the school needs to provide these products in more readily available places for female students, such as the bathroom. If these products could be found in bathrooms and not just in the nurse’s office, this will also minimize the length of time students will be gone from class.

“You’re in a situation where you’re already leaving class or using time because it’s not readily available,” Parker said.

This initiative has already been started

by Diversity Club; all the student body needs to do is finish it. Installing permanent cabinets with an ever-refreshed supply of products for female students to access would be a great way to address the health of all students.

Students spend several hours a day on campus, and they need to be kept healthy while they’re here. These students who menstruate can’t just go without the proper products. The solution is fairly simple, especially compared to other issues on campus. It’s just a matter of actually doing it.

This topic shouldn’t be viewed as “taboo,” but it often is. Since males don’t experience this, females have often felt the need to be quiet on the topic.

“I feel like it’s still such a taboo conversation, especially in middle school where it’s also new and uncomfortable,” English teacher Hannah Parker said.

The only time you really talk about the menstrual cycle in school is during a health and wellness course. In most schools, that really only occurs once or twice, not nearly enough for everyone to understand that it’s normal and natural.

“I just think that there should be more discussions to normalize periods,” Diversity Club officer Leah Keefe said.

But for the half of the population who do menstruate, they have to deal with the awkwardness of it every single month, and without adequate products, it is even more difficult.

“I think just bring in products for the drive and be respectful of the boxes in the restrooms,” Keefe said. “And if you see it empty, maybe bring in some pads and tampons. Somebody might need them, and periods are normal. Just know that yours is normal, and other people’s are normal and you shouldn’t make it weird.”

Health and wellness should be a consistent priority on campus. It shouldn’t just be the most obvious things that are taken care of, like soap and toilet paper. Menstruation is normal, and it should be treated as such. All aspects of health and wellness needs to be addressed, from bandaids in the nurse’s office to pads and tampons in the bathroom.

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Opinions

December 2O21

PORTFOLIO PANIC Article by Ella Norman Graphic by Jaidyn Holt

We can all feel the tension as seniors rush around campus, desperately trying to make it through the day so they can go home and try to finish their college applications. There is a widespread awareness of the stress that comes with college applications, but the challenges faced by performing and fine arts students are often overlooked or even unknown entirely.

Their applications don’t end with a Common App essay and lengthy supplementals but also include a portfolio portion and stressful interviews or auditions.

The resources Trinity has right now are good; knowledgeable teachers in almost every subject area and college counselors with a general understanding of the portfolio process.

But, it could be better. If our college counseling department expanded to include a counselor specific to arts applications, it would be better for not only just the art students but all parties involved.

This topic hits very close to home. I have recently finished applying to college for stage management. It has been an incredibly tedious process with a ridiculous workload. “[Bachelors of Fine Arts] programs require, it feels like, 10 times the amount of work because not only do you have to have an app and an essay for each college, then you have to have a separate portfolio, or audition . . . and separate essays for each school,” Fine Arts teacher Donna Walker said. “And on top of that, each school has different requirements.”

On top of all the additional work, students in many areas also face a decresed chance of acceptance. Carnegie Mellon University released acceptance rates for different departments.

In 2020, the university as a whole had an acceptance rate of about 15%, but its School of Drama had by far the lowest acceptance rate, at only 4%.

The additional portion of my application requires me to include a headshot and resume (both of which I did not previously have) as well as obnoxiously long writing samples for a couple of colleges and the dreaded portfolio.

In short, this portfolio for stage management included everything I have written (blocking, props lists, set change sheets, light, sound cues, etc.) for every show I have stage-managed. As

you can imagine, that is absolutely a nightmare to assemble, especially since I had virtually no direction as to formatting. Because of this lack of direction, I believe the school and college counseling would largely benefit from learning more about the needs of art students as a community to learn how they can better assist us.

“We are super open as a department to tell us how we can help you better,” Director of College Counselor Christine Grover said. “I’m hoping with individualized counseling that … the art students are feeling supported because everybody’s different. They have a different path.”

Senior Isabel Tongson has the unique major of dramatic writing. She and I are in a similar situation, as there is no teacher specific to scriptwriting or stage management. She mainly received help from Fine Arts Department Chair Janine Papin to help look over the plays she submitted in her portfolio.

“For a script writing portfolio, I included four different pieces ranging in size and genre to show the full breadth of my abilities,” Tongson said. “Plus a research paper I wrote using a critical feminist eye to demonstrate that I can thoroughly analyze works of writing in addition to creating them.”

Tongson said she lacked resources specific to her major because there have been very few scriptwriters from Trinity and no specific stage-writing teachers. Instead, she got advice from English, theatre and film teachers, but most of them were not certain about how to go about the process.

Sarah Suarez, a senior majoring in Music Therapy, received significant help from Fine Arts teacher Christina Carter on the audition process and requirements.

“Every school has different requirements,” Suarez said. “Every school asks for one to four songs, and some require all or partially classical music. Some schools require pre-screen videos, which are videos that you have to submit before you get asked to audition in person. Also, some auditions also ask for you to show some music theory skills through sight-reading or improvisation. Also, many schools ask for an interview.”

Suarez, like many art students, needed to

travel to complete her auditions. She received a lot of support from her counselor at TPS, but her application was still a very confusing process.

“I have an unconventional major and had pretty strong opinions on what kind of school I wanted to end up at, so my options ended up being pretty limited,” Suarez said. “Since music therapy is such a new and growing field, not many schools have it as a major. I had to do a lot of independent research and find all of the schools that had it as an undergrad basically on my own.”

For some schools, you need to be accepted into the school to even be considered for the arts program. Also, assuming that you need to interview, a lot of schools look at your portfolio and application first before they even offer an interview, so in those circumstances you need to make it through like three rounds of decisions.

“I mean, there are so many things that you have to do even to be able to qualify for an audition,” Papin said. “Not only do you have to be accepted to the school, but you have to be looked at with these pre-screens for most programs to see if you can even get an audition time. [There are] so, so many more hoops to jump through.”

“Going into this, I had no idea how to put together a portfolio, and I don’t think my counselors did either,” Tongson said. “Additionally, auditions and arts interviews take quite a bit of preparation depending on what the program asks for. Students often have no clue what is going to make them stand out, so they rely on those who have gone through the arts application process to give them pointers.”

Many students have no prior knowledge of the portfolio process. Not only is there a limited capacity of knowledge given to the prospective fine art majors about the process, there’s also no way for them to gauge talent.

“While we’re excellent at the logistics of helping you guys get the applications out, get them early, follow the deadlines, I will never be somebody who can say like, this person’s talented enough,” Grover said. “So I think that makes it tougher for you guys, if you don’t have somebody who can look at your work and say,

December 2O21

Opinions

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Limited resources for the arts application process lead to uncertainty for many students this is good enough, because it’s talent-based, arts applications, since they are so much more right?” Grover said.“So it’s much tougher to competitive.”

The main thing to focus on is that there are put that art students into likely, probable, and many ways we can build upon the systems that reach.”

Senior Hannah Yared is planning to minor are already in place.

“I think that we need to be able to identify in art. She was assisted in selecting pieces for her 3D art portfolio and building her resume anyone who’s interested in doing a BFA proby Fine Arts teacher Vadim Malkin during as gram, so that we can work in tandem with the well as outside of class. In addition, college college counseling office,” Papin said. counseling helped in proofreading her artist Adding an extra counselor would lighten the workload of counselors and teachers trystatement.

Yared art teachers were able to help because ing to assist with portfolios. The they most likely went through a similar pro- school would also benefit from cess to major in the area they teach in. How- more arts acceptances into more ever, she thinks the school would benefit from prestigious universities. As more an art counselor specializing in applying to an and more students are exploring arts majors, this could be a really art major or creating art portfolios.

“College counselors aren’t usually very pre- great move for the school pared to deal with the arts as much as all the to show how vital the other things,” Malkin said. “I think it’d be nice arts are to the image of our school as a whole. In if they had more knowledge of art schools.”

Although many students major in the arts, addition to classes and their assistance from teachers are often over- help from teachers, we looked, unappreciated and (more important- also have college counseling. One of the bigly) uncompensated.

“This is not something that I’ve been spe- gest things to keep in cifically contracted or compensated from the mind is that these counschool for,” Walker said. “We could definitely selors aren’t going to track down artists to get use some assistance.”

Senior Katie Wright is majoring in screen- them to go to the events writing but submitted an optional portfolio the school offor photography. She said she didn’t receive fers. Therefore, help from teachers as far as the photo selec- we all need be tion process went. However, she found college to counseling to be helpful and knowledgeable in proactive walking her through all the processes for her major. At the same time, she agrees that L O O H more resources could be beneficial.

SC T “I absolutely think that there AR TO should be more knowledge, help, and resources to help kids that are trying to go to college for the arts,” Suarez said. “There are only a few of us and I know we have all somewhat banded together in our struggle and stress. I feel like my counselor has done all that he is really able to do, and the rest was really left up to me.

I wish there was more support and ways that we could talk to someone that specializes in

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in learning about what college counseling offers to take advantage of everything available.

“Last year, we had an athletic recruitment night,” Grover said. “And this year, we have a night for the arts. And it’s open to all the students at Trinity and have like some of the best art schools and admissions and what they’re looking for. I’m hoping as the campus opens up this spring, when the university reps come to visit, from everywhere, when the reps come, because they’re the ones looking at your portfolios. They come with a lot of expertise, so I’m hoping we can provide you with that expertise a little more.”

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Sports

December 2O21

SNATCH ADDED TO LIFTING LINEUP Article by David Hull Photo by Ella Craghill

Hardly ever do the fundamental rules of a Senior lifter Alyssa Dorrien is in favor of the “It’s kind of a given that it’s just a daily part high school sport change, but weightlifting has snatch because of its benefits for lifters that of our routine,” Cabal said. “So that eventualbroken the norm and added the snatch lift to may not regularly make districts. ly, one or two years down the road when the its lineup. The snatch has been represented in “I think it will help people go to districts be- snatch is a part of weightlifting in Florida, Olympic events along with the clean and jerk, cause if they feel like they can’t with the other we’ll have been doing this for years.” but until this season, it had never been includ- lifts, they’ll be able to with the snatch,” DorThough both teams lost many seniors last ed in high school competitions. The snatch rien said. year, hopes are still high for the upcoming seawill be an optional lift for now, but many Cabal would like to normalize workouts for son. Meyers said he’d love to fill every weight lifters and coaches have expressed interest in the snatch in practices and see all of his lifters class for both lifts but isn’t confident he will competing. participate. Meyers said there could be strug- because many of the lifters aren’t comfortable In past seasons, gles incorporating with the snatch. Despite this, Meyers is conboth bench press all three lifts into fident that the girls can win districts in not and clean and jerk “I think the snatch is the most athlet- practices, but both only the clean and jerk and bench but also the were measured ic of all three lifts ... I also think it’s coaches want all snatch. to determine if a of their lifters to Cabal and Salinas agreed that the boys’ team lifter qualified for easier to learn, and when taught cor- begin the snatch has a lot of young talent and should be able districts.

These rectly, it’s a much safer lift than the now so that un- to repeat the success the team found last year. two lifts are still clean and jerk.” derclassmen will “The entire team is really talented, and scored together, have more experi- they’re all really strong,” Salinas said. “I feel but the snatch is - Harry Meyers, ence than students like this year, a lot of the new seniors and jua completely sepfrom other schools niors are really going to step it up and take us Girls’ Weightlifting in the future. arate competition. back to where we were last year.”

Head Coach Girls’ weightlifting coach Harry Meyers is all for the addition and hopes it will soon become a mandatory lift. The boys’ coach Isaiah Cabal was also excited about it and expects that the snatch will eventually replace the bench press as one of the two main lifts for high schoolers.

“I’m really excited about it because when you look at Olympic weightlifting, [the clean and jerk and the snatch] are the lifts that are measured,” Cabal said. “The bench is just not something that you see internationally.”

Junior Jackson Salinas was also a supporter of the snatch and said it’s a much more fun and beneficial lift than the bench press. The snatch is great for increasing speed and quickness while also being a safer lift than the other two lifts according to Meyers.

“I think the snatch is the most athletic of all three lifts we have mentioned,” Meyers said. “I also think it’s easier to learn, and when taught correctly, it’s a much safer lift than the clean and jerk.”

The snatch is a completely separate competition from the other two lifts, so a lifter Senior weightlifter Alyssa Dorrien practices doing the snatch, a new lift that has been added can qualify for districts just from the snatch. to girls’ weightlifting.

December 2O21

Sports

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SWIMMERS BECOME WINNERS WITH PROGRESS AND SUCCESS Article by Fay Zhao Photo by Ella Craghill The swim team cheered loudly for their teammates, as the swimmers propelled forward and touched the wall for yet another win for the team.

The varsity swim team ended another successful season by winning both the Citrus League Championship on Oct. 8 and districts on Oct. 18. In districts, the boys won all 15 events, scoring 697 points, almost twice as many as the second place team, and the girls won all events except three, scoring 575 points. At regionals on Oct. 26, the boys were runner-up and the girls placed fourth. The team then went to states on Nov. 5, where the boys placed fifth and the girls 15th.

The swim team is led by Varsity Head Coach Rocco Aceto, who has been at Trinity since 2005. His experience and expertise helped the swimmers reach their full potential.

“He sees the potential in everyone and knows how good you can be and helps push you to be that good,” senior Sara Stricklin said.

With the help of Aceto, many swimmers did well this season, including Stricklin, who won most of her events in districts. Many swimmers dropped time in their events, including sophomore Dylan Smith who improved in the 200 free and 100 fly. Seniors Dylan Reher and Andrew Foley and juniors Kevyn Collazo Torres and Trevor Beuttgen also broke the school record in the boys’ 200 medley relay at the region meet and finished third at the state championship this season.

Due to COVID-19, there were only six dual meets, which is fewer than usual. However, the team had more practices than last year, so they had more time to improve.

“We’ve had a lot of training,” Stricklin said.

“We’ve gone back to our normal schedule, which is really nice, so we had three mornings a week, and then six practices Monday through Saturday, and we’ve gotten a lot better, a lot faster.”

Many younger members of the team improved as well, including sixth grader Chloe Anders. They improved significantly with the help of coaches and older team members.

“The team is really young this year,” Stricklin said. “So I’m really excited to see how they grow in the future. I like being a leader for them like a role model. I try to inspire them and try to encourage them. Even when we are not having such a great time, I always try to push them.”

The team developed many friendships through all the hard work and training. Many team members attribute their success to the close bonds they have with one another.

“The best part about swimming is definitely hanging around the community and your friends,” Smith said. “Every single time that we get in the pool, we’re always getting better together.”

Part of building a strong team is bonding over fun traditions. There are many traditions including having shave parties, where the boys

Junior Kevyn Collazo-Torres has contributed to the varsity swim team’s continued success. During practice, he swims the butterfly stroke in preparation for the state meet.

shave off their hair or bleach it, and doing the cupid shuffle at a pool-side dance party before meets. A newer tradition that was recently created was the “bling bing’’ award, where swimmers who swam well in their events are honored with a huge golden necklace to put around their neck. Another tradition is making cheers.

“Before relays we say, ‘Let’s go, Big Blue!

Let’s go,’” Anders said. “We would say that three times, and then sometimes, before the meet starts, we’ll cheer or just play some music to get us hyped up.”

Along with keeping a fun atmosphere, Aceto also wants his swimmers to pur in effort and be focused.

“Every day is a new challenge,” Aceto said.

“I [don’t] think it’s humanly impossible to give a 10 every day. I just don’t think that’s realistic.

But if your day is a six, I want to see the six. So it’s really that effort that is what I’m getting at.”

Looking forward, Aceto’s goal is to sustain the current swim team’s level of success and continue the legacy.

“I’m just trying to continue the great tradition here in the program for somebody that wants to do what I’ve done and what people prior to me have done,” Aceto said. “We’ve broken national records, we’ve had all-Americans, now it’s just sustainability.”

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December 2O21

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December 2O21

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Photos

December 2O21

PHOTOGRAPHY EXPOSITION HOLIDAY SEASON

Ella Craghill

Anna Miliotes

Light up decorations are popular around the holidays, especially with students who love to show their Christmas spirit.

Light displays are being put up throughout the Orlando area to bring festive cheer to the community.

Anna Miliotes Ornaments shine on a Christmas tree as a traditional decoration.

Anuha Tatineni Poinsettias fill the city of Winter Park during the winter season as floral holiday decorations.