May 2024

THE

TRINITY VOICE

May 2O24 Volume 26 Issue 7 Trinity Preparatory School 57OO Trinity Prep Lane Winter Park, FL 32792

Rockin with the Eclipse

Students gather at the rock to watch the Great North American Eclipse on April 8.

NEWS

Travel concerns run high admist recent accidents with Boeing planes.

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OPINIONS

New technologies within the medical field create ethical concerns.

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FOCUS

Meta has decided to censor the political content displayed to users.

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LIFESTYLES

An in-depth look into the lives of Trinity Prep’s unsung heroes.

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SPORTS

Six Trinity seniors pledge to continue their athletic careers in college.

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Table of Contents

May 2O24

TABLE OF CONTENTS News

Curriculum Changes O4 Boeing Blunders O5 ChatGPT in Writing O6-O7 Parker’s Legacy O8 Wilbur Retires O9 Dowdys’ Departure 1O-11

Opinions

TPS Accomodations 12-13 STEM Ranking 14-15 New Tech in Medicine 16-17 Fellowship Program 18 Public Domain Horror 19

Lifestyles

Unique Travel Experience 23 Tiktok Ban 24 TPS Unsung Heros 25

Sports

Commitments 26-27 Sports Betting 28

Puzzle 29 Ads 3O-31

Focus

Celebrity Privacy 21 Meta Management 22

Caden Liu

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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 THETRINITYVOICE.COM @TRINITY_VOICE @THETRINITYVOICE Caden Liu

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Olivia Kortman

Cover Page

“THE TRINITY VOICE”

Staff/Podcast

May 2O24

STAFF

Editor-in-Chief: Ana Carolina Marques, Peyton Alch

Editor-in-Chief of Non-Print: David Steinberg Managing Editors:Amanda Rose DeStefano, Lucy Chong, Zach Kleiman, David Hull

Saint Talk This Month’s Podcasts:

Blurbs by Gustavo Membreno and Mohil Kapadia Graphics by Caden Liu and Maxima delaFuente

Ep. 9 - Trinity Voice Issue Overview

Copy Editor: Aarav Gupta, Jack Aaron

Gustavo Membreno gives an overview of The Trinity Prep Voice issue, covering the News, Opinions, Focus, Lifestyles, and Sports departments. Tune in to gain insight of what’s in store for this month issue.

Layout Editors: Laziza Talipova, Fay Zhao Social Media: Ana Herrera (Editor), Olivia Agnew, David Bryskin News Department: Sofia Hadadin (Editor), Zach Kleiman, Aarav Gupta, Emily Lopez-Couto, Taylor Riley Opinions Department: Nikhil Daniel (Editor), Sammy Lou, Sebastian Cabeza, Karthik Stead Focus Department: Mila Taylor (Editor), Mia Prince, Taylor Griffith, Fay Zhao Lifestyles Department: Sam Lou (Editor), Iris Lei, Jack Aaron, Tavish Ward

Sports Department: Emily Lopez-Couto (Editor), David Hull, Olivia Agnew Podcast Department: Gustavo Membreno(Editor), Mohil Kapadla Graphics Department: Caden Liu (Editor), Maxi de la Fuetne, Sam Miller, Lia Garibay Photo Department: Jackson Napier (Editor), Olivia Kortman, Ella Eichenholz, Olivia Prince Fact Checking Editor: Taylor Griffith, Mia Prince Business Manager: Jack Aaron Adviser: Erin Miller

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Ep. 1O - Rom-Com Rankings Want to know more about your favorite romantic comedies? Listen to this episode where Taylor Riley and Lucy Chong rank their favorites, what constitutes a rom-com and how they fuel every teen girl’s drive to survive school!

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News

May 2O24

SOCIAL SCIENCE CURRICULUM CHANGE Article by Nikhil Daniel Graphic by Maxi DeLaFuente

August 2024 will mark a new chapter for Trinity Prep’s social science department as significant revisions to the curriculum reshape course selection, content and requirements.

With hopes of expanding opportunities and achieving a closer alignment with current National Association of Independent Schools educational standards, the department hopes these changes will foster a diverse, comprehensive learning experience for students.

The curriculum committee and the social science department went through a lengthy review process culminating in a series of changes such as decreasing the social science graduation requirements from 4.5 to 3.5 credits for the Class of 2029 on, replacing civics in eighth-grade with World History I and implementing a required high school government course.

“We really wanted to keep the core of who we are in our social science requirement,” Director of Learning and Instruction Stephanie Dryden said. “But also open things up so that students could have more voice and choice.”

A key tenet of the new plan is broadening course selection. “[Students] are going to get a wider world view, and they’re also going to have more choices,” Social Science Department Chair Robin Grenz said. “We haven’t made total selections yet, but we’re looking at things like possibly African American history, Latin American history and maybe something about World War II.” Students are yearning for expanded course selection allowing for more indepth learning within the social sciences.

“I know a lot of people who are just interested in learning about different perspectives on the world and kind of how things work,” senior Eva Chong said. “I think it would be interesting and benefit the community as a

whole to explore and learn more about different aspects of the world.”

Teachers support the changes too.

“I think [the changes] will help students gain a better worldview,” middle school United States history teacher Kevin Keith said. “It supports the idea that [students] want to see the world differently.

Though increased course selection has benefits, it also comes with obstacles.

“The biggest challenge is going to be that at times teachers may have more preps [lesson plans], especially if they are wanting to teach one of the semester classes,” Grenz said.

Curriculum and course requirement chang-

es, while often necessary, heavily impact students, faculty and administrators.

“Whenever you make a tweak in graduation requirements, that can have ripple effects throughout your curriculum in terms of staffing and all kinds of things that can happen,” Dryden said.

One effect is that seventh-grade United States history and eight-grade Civics are consolidating into one class to make space for World History I. Though this might in the short term decrease in-depth civic education in middle school, Grenz articulates that a refined curriculum supplements any knowledge lost due to the change.

“In all of our history classes, there’s some discussion about governmen, citizenship, responsibilities and rights,” Grenz said. “That’s throughout the whole curriculum.”

In addition, a high school government requirement will prioritize civics education before college, preparing students to be informed, involved citizens.

“I think our school is on that path [and] I hope [Trinity] starts to recognize the responsibility they have to produce actual citizens rather than produce the best lawyers or the best doctors,” social science teacher and Assistant to the Head of the Upper School Sebastiaan Blickman said. “Citizens and then lawyers.”

Grenz and Dryden remain optimistic that the changes will produce a more worldly, flexible social science program.

“We’re always trying to become a better school and serve the needs of our students and and meet our mission,” Dryden said.

In the fall, Trinity’s revisions to the social science curriculum will have sweeping impacts on both the middle and high school –– only time will tell if those effects are positive.

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BOEING BLUNDERS

Turbulent times shine a negative light on airplane safety Article by Sofia Haddadin Graphic by Caden Liu Panic and fear fell upon passengers aboard the Alaskan Airlines flight on Jan. 5, when a door panel blew out of the plane at 16,000 feet. Cuong Tran, a passenger who sat just behind the row where the panel ripped off, felt the strong suction caused by the wind. Tran even went airborne for a brief second, but luckily remained inside of the plane due to his seatbelt. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured during the incident. Next time, however, we may not be so lucky.

The frightening door plug accident has not been the only recent technical difficulty that Boeing has encountered.

On April 7, an engine cover on Southwest’s Houston-bound flight ripped off and struck the wing during takeoff. This prompted the pilot to make an emergency landing and led to an investigation by U.S. airline regulators.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reviewed Boeing’s Quality Assurance processes, which include extensive testing and inspections as well as specific airline maintenance programs in the industry. Unfortunately for Boeing, the results were not favorable.

The FAA found that Boeing has not been complying with the FAA’s manufacturing quality control protocols regarding the 737-9 MAX aircraft, the same model in which the door blew out. The issues of non-compliance were found in manufacturing process control, parts handling, parts storage and product control. From dangerous engine malfunctions to loose parts, the FAA has a lot to cover.

“There can’t be any question of safety of an aircraft,” said commercial pilot Rosario Raffa, not affiliated with Trinity family. “In light

of some of the current events that have happened, I think some people are questioning it and the FAA is looking at Boeing and trying to figure out how some of those events came to be because they shouldn’t have happened to brand new airplanes.”

A memo published by the Allied Pilots Association (APA) states that it is determined to find solutions to the plethora of safety issues that plague the airline manufacturing company. This is in light of a recent uptick in quality assurance concerns, which include the removal of overnight

maintenance checks as well as other issues. A safety risk assessment (SRA) and investigations will be carried out through the union. The association further urged its members to prioritize their focus on safety protocols instead of hurrying to complete their job.

“Don’t be pressured into doing something that doesn’t pass the ‘smell test,’” the organization’s memo wrote on the APA website on April 13. “Just because it’s legal doesn’t make it safe.”

Despite this, Oscar Patino, a pilot qualified to fly Boeing’s B767 and B757, still has faith in the airline company.

“I can attest that Boeing [aircraft] are some of the safest and wonderful to fly in the world,” Patino said.

Echoing a similar message, pilot, mechan-

ic and authorized FAA aircraft inspector Jeff Simon noted in an interview with Slate magazine on Feb. 2 that Boeing aircraft are still an extremely safe form of travel. He even notes that it is due to the rarity of aircraft incidents that we see such large media coverage when one does occur.

“I have flown Boeing in the last week, and I’ll fly Boeing again,” Simon said.

Despite the shared notion that commercial aviation continues to be a safe form of travel, Kathleen Bangs, an aviation safety analyst and former commercial pilot, acknowledges Boeing’s pressing safety concerns during an interview with Slate.

“It’s a quality control issue,” Bangs said. “There’s no question that Boeing has a quality control problem.”

Recent events have pushed people to reconsider what plane they fly on. Online travel booking sites, such as Kayak, saw a 15-fold increase in the amount of a filter feature that allows potential passengers to change plane preferences and omit certain planes when booking flights.

While many travelers are still apprehensive about flying on a Boeing plane, sophomore Maren Marshall does not share this concern.

“If something happens, they’ve got many safety precautions that they talked about,” Marshall said. “Even something as random as the door blowing off and an engine cover hitting a wing, there are possible precautions that can be taken.”

While recent aviation issues have shone a negative light on Boeing, Raffa firmly believes that the aviation industry is still safer than ever.

“Statistically, the most dangerous part of your whole travel is your drive to the airport,” Raffa said. “Once you are in that airplane, you are the safest you are during your travels.”

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News

May 2O24

AI REWRITES EDUCATION Article by Ashwin Anand Photo by Ella Eichenholz

A student excitedly shows their latest cre- marly, if you notice that ‘Oh, there is this reg“A lot of us use it to help us learn, to help ative writing piece to a friend, who looks it ular punctuation mistake where I’m using this us get ideas, because the biggest wall you have over. The sentence structure is spectacular. inappropriately,’ that you would ideally start to jump over when you’re writing an essay or The punctuation is perfectly placed. The word picking up on what the rule is there.” something is getting the idea in the first place,” choice is wondrous. Everything seems perfect said another Trinity stu— too perfect. dent, who also asked They’ve been caught. And this student, who People who rely on AI for their creative pursuits to remain anonymous asked to be recognized under a pseudonym, shouldn’t be pursuing anything creative. I’m all for and will be referred to Sam, for privacy reasons, is not alone. AccordGreg. “And when it AI for any solutions to problems that we have. But as ing to a June 2023 survey conducted by the comes to ChatGPT, standardized testing company ACT, 66% of creativity isn’t a problem that needs to be solved. you just type it in, and high school language arts students nationwide boom, you have ideas used artificial intelligence (AI) in some capacand you start writing.

- Alex Matusiak, Film Fest Co-President It makes the process ity last year.

Since the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in so much more streamNovember 2022, this technology has taken solined. I love it.” ciety by storm, leading many to question its These possible benefits have been greatly Middle school English teacher Ann Skipimpact on the education system. And while augmented by the recent boom of generative pers also sees the potential strengths of AI. She every department has been forced to adapt, no AI — tools that can produce original, thor- believes it can be an asset to human thought subject stands to gain or lose more in this new oughly developed content from just a user — if applied responsibly. world than English. prompt — such as the infamous ChatGPT. “It can generate amazing products for you, AI has had a foot but you have to be willing in the writing proto review the work and cess since long before then adjust it,” Skippers ChatGPT stepped onto said. “If it’s used as a tool the scene. Longstandinstead of in place of, I ing tools such as spellthink there’s a lot of bencheck as well as modern efits. It can stretch your aids like Grammarly thinking … it can genhave become ubiquierate so many ideas that tous in online writing. people aren’t necessarily To AP English Literathinking of right now.” ture teacher Dr. Robert As this technology has Boerth, these tools can grown in popularity, it definitely help improve has also diversified to one’s writing skills provide benefits in a myrwhen used attentively. iad of genres. For exam“My hope is that ple, programs like Verble with tools like even the are designed specifically spell-checker or with for writing speeches, a Grammarly, you notice daunting task for many a pattern where, ‘OK, students. Other assisI keep misspelling this tants, such as Microsoft’s word,’” Boerth said. “I Copilot, are equipped think eventually you do to help out with poetry. pick up on how to spell These tools could allow the word correctly. And Since its 2022 release, ChatGPT has found great popularity with students, being used students to experiment I think also with Gram- anywhere from brainstorming ideas to writing entire research papers. in genres they are not as

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Tech streamlines writing process but poses ethical issues comfortable with, opening up new paths for blossoming writers.

However, there is no clear line as to where the use of these tools becomes problematic.

Some scholars, such as North Carolina State University (NCSU) English professor Chris Anson, believe that using AI for one’s writing in any degree is detrimental to education.

“Especially in educational settings, the reciprocity of writing and thinking is essential for intellectual development and higher-order reasoning,” Anson said in a March 2023 article published by NCSU. “Asking an AI-based system to write an essay on a topic that the [human] writer has not yet explored significantly subverts the thinking and learning process.”

This is particularly important to Skippers, whose students’ writing is still in the formative stage. She worries that the overuse of technology could take away valuable opportunities to hone their skills and inhibit them from fully developing their voices.

“I think [my students] have a lot to say, and I want them to learn how to communicate,” Skippers said. “That’s my biggest thing. It’s not standing in the way of them cheating or finding a work-around. It’s more the fact that they are diminishing their own capabilities.”

These concerns become a reality for those who fall back on tools like ChatGPT to complete entire assignments, such as the aforementioned student who used the bot to write a full introductory paragraph for one of their papers.

“I felt very guilty because I knew I could’ve easily done this by myself if I’d given some effort and time,” Sam said. “But I chose not to and chose the lazy method, which could end up getting me caught and getting in trouble.”

Luckily, before submitting the paper, they wisely decided to rewrite it themselves at the urging of their friend, who recognized that the writing was too different from their typical style. This shines a light on another crucial aspect of AI: it lacks the ability to replicate human creativity.

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT do not come up with responses completely from scratch; they look at content in the public do-

main related to the task at hand and use that to formulate something new. Thus, they are confined to certain patterns and cannot think outside the box as a human might.

“Even if you tell [ChatGPT] to do it as creative[ly] as possible, it always sounds like a research paper because it has the structure that it always uses,” Greg said. “I like to make metaphors, similes, a lot of rhetorical strategies, and ChatGPT doesn’t really do this. It just gives you facts. It gives you a structure. It gives you something rigid that sounds correct, but not necessarily creative.”

Because AI-produced writing is a hodgepodge of information without a mind to properly communicate the material, it has a very distinct voice — or lack thereof. The drab writing style simply does not live up to authentic human work. And worse, it undermines the idea that art is uniquely human.

tan conceded that AI was not welcome in the screenwriting space, prohibiting its use in writing scripts or producing source material.

While such a consensus has yet to be reached in the educational world, some teachers have found ways to incorporate AI’s drawbacks into their curricula. Boerth agrees that though AI writing can meet basic requirements, it isn’t a suitable replacement for human writing. To him, this is a great teaching opportunity.

“I would say that a lot of times ChatGPT gives you proficient writing, but it’s not necessarily always knocking the ball out of the ballpark,” Boerth said. “And so giving [students] an example of OK writing but writing that could be improved, and using that to get students to think about revision, what could be done to do it better.”

Given that ChatGPT is still less than two years old, there is much to be learned about how, or if, it should be into writIf it’s used as a tool instead of in place of, I think incorporated ing. Skippers feels it there’s a lot of benefits. It can stretch your think- must be further explored ing … it can generate so many ideas that people before a proper decision can be made. aren’t necessarily thinking of right now.

“I think we need to understand more of how to use it as a tool before - Ann Skippers, English teacher we can rely on it as something to be integrated into the writing process,” Senior Alex Matusiak, co-president of Trin- Skippers said. “If we don’t know how to use it ity’s Film Festival club, holds a moral oppo- properly as a tool, then we’re going to misuse it sition to AI for this reason. He believes work and we’re not going to communicate clearly.” produced by AI takes away from the sanctity of With how far technology has come over just human expression. the past few years, it’s clear that AI’s capabili“People who rely on AI for their creative ties will only continue to grow, and with them, pursuits shouldn’t be pursuing anything cre- its impact on young writers. And the burden ative,” Matusiak said. “I like AI in things that ultimately lies with teachers to navigate this don’t deal with creativity. I’m all for AI for any with their students. solutions to problems that we have. But cre“I think one of the challenges for teachers ativity isn’t a problem that needs to be solved.” is just going to be how to teach writing alongMatusiak is far from alone in this sentiment. side ChatGPT and do it in a way that students This issue was at the forefront of the Writers would be developing the skills that they need,” Guild of America’s five-month-long strike Boerth said. “But also, I think we need to be against Hollywood last summer. In an agree- doing it with the idea that in the world today, ment reached in late September, the film ti- it is going to be the world of generative AI.”

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News

May 2O24

PARKER’S PATH TO RETIREMENT Article by Taylor Riley Photo provided by Georgia Parker

After 30 dedicated years, English teach- to teach, my favorite adult book, my favorite Author Fest, which had its ninth anniversary er Georgia Parker is retiring. Hired in 1994, biography, my favorite autobiography and this year. Inspired by Y’all Fest, a book festiParker has been working at Trinity Prep for my favorite historical fiction. I have different val in Charleston, Parker opened campus to three decades, inspiring students’ love of liter- books that were my favorites at different times 11 authors in an event attended and adored ature throughout our community and beyond. in my life. You know when you’ll hear a song by many in the Winter Parker community Parker did not always know she was going to and it will remind you of a certain time, like a in 2016. The event has grown significantly be a teacher, initially believing she was going summer or a trip that you took? I feel that way since then, and in recent years, Author Fest to work in journalism. Howevhas hosted over 20 authors and er, fate ultimately led her to the over 10,000 participants in person profession that she would end up and online, attending from several spending her life devoted to. states and countries.

“A job opening came up at a pri“It started as trying to do a mini vate school in Louisiana, where I Y’all Fest on our campus and then was living at the time,” Parker said. to reach not only our students, but “I applied on a whim, like maybe the community, so that other peoI’ll go check this out and see what ple who love books and authors it’s about. By the time I left the inand reading can come and interact terview, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I with the authors,” Parker said. really want this job.’ And I got it.

Although Author Fest is an inIt was the best thing that ever hapcredible achievement that will live pened. It was one of those things on long after Parker has moved where God definitely intervenes.” on, she says her proudest accomIt’s full circle that Parker is endplishment is the graduation of her ing her teaching career by moving four daughters, who all attended back to Louisiana to be with her Trinity, one of which is current family. Although, Louisiana is not English teacher and JV softball where her love of words first becoach Hannah Schuttler. But it’s gan. She recalls that some of her not solely due to her family confirst memories of books took place nection and her Author Fest legacy in Houston, Texas, where she frethat she will always be a part of the quently visited the public library Trinity community. as a child.

“My favorite part of this school “I remember back in elementais the traditions and the continuary school, we always went to the tion of the Trinity family,” Parker public library,” Parker said. “They said. “We talk about that, but it would only let us check out 10 truly does exist.” books every two weeks. So I would Parker reflects on her time here check out 10 books, and before with fondness and gratefulness, the week was over, I was ready to English teacher Georgia Parker pictured next to author Shaun reminiscing on what a special expeturn them back in and get 10 more.” David Hutchinson (left) and TPS alum and author Caroline Wright rience Trinity is for both students Parker’s love of books has endured (right) during the 2021 Author Fest. and faculty. throughout her life, leading her to “It is very unique,” Parker said. “I her English degree and career. Even think the fact that I’ve been here for now, after teaching English classes for 30 years, about books.”

30 years — if it weren’t unique and special and she still can’t choose a favorite book.

Parker has shared her love of books not only wonderful, it would have just been a job. But it “My favorite book? That’s an impossible with her own students, but with the greater has never been a job. It’s always been about the question,” Parker said. “I have favorites for reading community. One of her greatest ac- kids and about being here and the experience. all different reasons. I have my favorite book complishments is founding Trinity’s annual Definitely not a job.”

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WILBUR’S LASTING LEGACY Article by Julian Sealy Photo by Ella Eichenholz

In the fall of 1998, Lynn Wilbur started her first year as a mathematics teacher at Trinity. In the 26 years since, Wilbur has certainly made her mark on the Trinity community. Her son Eric graduated from Trinity in 2003 and went on to be a College Football National Champion at the University of Florida as a punter. More recently, her granddaughter Karlee Moody graduated last year and now attends Florida Atlantic University.

Over her years at Trinity, Wilbur has taught both Pre-Algebra and Algebra courses and said she has learned a lot from all the students she’s taught over the years. “[They have] made me a better teacher,” Wilbur said. “I have the flexibility to make changes if I need to. If they’re not getting it, I can totally just stop, go back and figure out another way to do it.”

Wilbur has had various memories over her career at Trinity, forming strong bonds with teachers and students alike. Assistant Control-

ler Karen Cary’s daughter, Tiffany, helped Wil“They mean the world to me, I would not be bur during her first year on campus. the person that I am right now if it weren’t for “I’m in my classroom, basically thinking those people, I wouldn’t have even made it my …‘Oh, my goodness, what am I going to first year here,” Wilbur said. “There are some do here,’ and this little people that I would seventh grader pops in “They mean the world to me, I trust with my life. my door,” Wilbur said. would not be the person that I am I know that if any“‘She said, ‘Hi, I’m Tifwere to come right now if it weren’t for those thing fany. My mom said that up even after I’m you’re brand new here people, I wouldn’t have even made gone from here. If I and I thought I would it my first year here.” needed something, come down and see if those are people I you need any help.’”

- Lynn Wilbur, Math Teacher could reach out to Wilbur’s friendship with her and I knew that they former student has made an everlasting impact would be there for me.” on her life until this day.

For Wilbur, the Trinity community has “I have held her children when they were offered her continuous support. Wilbur reborn, I’ve done baby showers with her, she is calls one of her most memorable experiences a dear friend of mine now and we’ve bonded at Trinity was after her husband’s passing in ever since,” Wilbur said.

2011, when students and teachers offered their Outside of forming lasting relationships comfort and friendship. with her students, Wilbur has formed strong “I had people from Trinity at my house that bonds with her colleagues. night, and they were there for me,” Wilbur said. “I don’t think I would have made it without my friends here.

And it wasn’t just my colleagues, it was students as well.”

After 40 years of teaching, Wilbur is unsure of what she will do after retiring, but mentioned continuing her passion for teaching through tutoring along spending time with her family.

“I have 10 grandchildren so that’ll take up a lot of time,” Wilbur said. “I can tutor because I do it a lot right now and I actually enjoy tutoring because it’s one on one, and I actually can see the results practically right away.”

Though her retirement ends a significant chapter in her life, Wilbur will be remembered by her dedication and passion for not only math, but the Trinity community, allowing her legacy to live on.

Math teacher Lynn Wilbur teaches her Algebra I class exponent rules for the last time before she retires after teaching for 26 years.

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May 2O24

DOWDYS’ FINAL DASH Article by Fay Zhao Photos courtesy of Sara Dowdy After spending half of their lives at Trinity, science teacher Sara Dowdy and Middle School Principal Jason Dowdy are starting a new chapter of their lives in Vero Beach, Fla. During their time at Trinity, they have witnessed the rebuilding of the Brokaw building, have taught generations of students and athletes and have raised their family at Trinity.

“It has meant everything,” Mr. Dowdy said.

“My kids went to school here. [Trinity] has been a huge part of our family. We were all here and this was something we absolutely loved. I was 25 years old when I walked in the doors [of Trinity]; I was a kid and I have really grown up here.”

After the Dowdys moved from Seattle, not yet married but engaged, Mrs. Dowdy got the job as a middle school science teacher. A year later, Mr. Dowdy joined the Trinity faculty as a social science teacher. The initial plan for the Dowdys was to move back to Seattle after a couple of years, however, that quickly changed

Clara Dowdy graduated Trinity in 2021 and now is a junior at FSU.

when they settled down in Florida.

“I thought ‘I’ll come down for a couple of years, have an adventure, and then I’m going back to the mountains,’” Mr. Dowdy said.

“25 years later, here we are. We fell in love with Florida.”

Since starting at Trinity, Mr. Dowdy worked his way up to becoming the middle school assistant principal and eventually to his current position as Middle School Principal. Many students are familiar with Mr. Dowdy’s announcements at middle school assemblies or simply his presence in the quad.

“It’s the best job,” Mr. Dowdy said. “It is challenging but so much fun. It’s been something that I’ve truly truly loved. “I still get to work with students. I still get to be with kids and have fun… while also working with teachers and being able to have an impact on what’s happening in the classroom and what’s happening in the school at large.”

Similar to her husband, Mrs. Dowdy worked hard in the science department, serving as the Denicole Endowed Science Chair while teaching 8th-grade science classes. She founded the legendary boat race project, where students, applying their knowledge of physics, attempt to stay afloat while paddling on their cardboard boats across the pool.

“Her class is always fun, she always did fun labs,” said sophomore Elizabeth Carlin, a former student of Mrs. Dowdy. “She taught in such an interesting way that made me look forward to science.”

Outside of teaching, the Dowdys were very involved in atheltics as well. In Mr. Dowdy’s first five years at Trinity, he coached middle school football, one year of varsity football and was varsity for track and field. As Mr. Dowdy stopped to focus more on his leadership in administration, Mrs. Dowdy continued her leadership on the field as head cross country coach for both boys and girls team as well as assistant varsity coach of track and field.

“She’s really one of the best coaches I’ve ever had,” Carlin said. “We had morning practice for cross country, and she was never late at 6 a.m. every morning for the team. I never

The Dowdys supports their son, Mason Dowdy, at his graduation in 2023.

thought I wouldn’t be able to enjoy morning practice. She really made it fun for everyone.”

Mrs. Dowdy comes prepared to practice three hours a day, six days a week to train her runners and help them excel in their sport, never wavering in her support of her students.

“At all the meets she would always walk around with her bright pink backpack, so we’d always see her everywhere… no matter where I am on the course, I can always hear her,” Carlin said. “I can always pick her out in the crowd.”

The Dowdys have made a committed effort to serve the students and provide them with fun experiences in and out of the classroom.

From creating new engaging activities with the middle school student council to fostering traditions like Headmaster’s Day and the big brother/sister program, Mr. Dowdy has contributed much to the Trinity community.

“I will miss the things that are the traditions at the school,” Mr. Dowdy said. “I love the first

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The Dowdys depart after 25 years at Trinity day of school and when the 6th graders come, or when the 6th graders gather around the rock with their senior big brothers and sisters.”

Whether on or off the field, the Dowdys have supported each individual at Trinity.

“The best part is having a coach who’s like my friend,” Carlin said. “She pulls us out and talks to us, and figures out what’s wrong. You could tell she cares about us as athletes but also as people too.”

In addition to their contributions to various programs and aspects of Trinity, the Dowdys have created a community here. Their children have grown up in the Trinity family, with their daughter Clara graduating in 2021 and their son Mason graduating in 2023.

“They’ve been everything to me,” Mrs. Dowdy said. “My old department chair was like a father figure to me. The old head of

school and Lawson too. They take care of us.

It’s a family. It’s a way of life. I always joke ‘This is not a job. This is my second home. These are my kids doing cross country ... The kids are my kids.’ My husband works here. My children went there. It truly is family in every sense of the word.”

The sense of community and spirit are one of the things that the Dowdys will miss the most. One of Mrs. Dowdy’s favorite memories at Trinity was seeing students’ support for her son and the soccer team when they won the soccer state championships. Mr. Dowdy also highlights the support he and his family received.

“It’s been special to be in a place where they went to school to see the education that they got here and the care people showed for them.

Then, to be able to work with Mrs. Dowdy

every day is incredibly special.”

Moving forward, the Dowdys are moving to Vero Beach, where Mr. Dowdy is taking the position of the head of middle school at Saint Edward’s Episcopal School. Although the Dowdys are leaving Trinity, their legacy remains, and Trinity will always be a part of their family. “[Trinity] has allowed me to grow in my career and really learn how to be an educator, and so I will always be grateful to the school,” Mr. Dowdy said. “I love the traditions and the people. The most important part and the thing that’s kept me here [are] the teachers and students; that’s what’s been so much fun. It will forever be a special place for us.

Sara Dowdy poses with her cross country team after a successful senior night on October 24th, 2023.

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News

May 2O24

FOLLOWING UP ON FELLOWS Understanding the fellowship program and its functions

Article by Karthik Stead and Jack Aaron Graphic by Sam Miller History teacher Quinn McKenzie is an important member of the Trinity community.

This is not just due to his exceptional teaching or excellent coaching of the speech and debate team, but because his time here on campus is more conditional than any other teacher.

This is because McKenzie is a fellow. Rather than a full-fledged teacher, a fellow is meant to stay on campus for two to three years and learn the tricks of the teaching trade. The program provides teachers with mentorship from other teachers – known as master teachers – and the opportunity to coach extracurricular activities in addition to their teaching responsibilities.

Previous fellow, Chris Newman, looks back on the program quite fondly.

After being a social science fellow for two years, Newman went on to secure a teaching position at Gaston Day School in North Carolina.

“It was a blast,” Newman said. “I enjoyed going to work every single day. I loved what I did, and I loved the people I worked with. And when I left, my emotions predominantly were filled with gratitude.”

Head of School Byron Lawson established the fellowship program at Trinity roughly five years ago and modeled it after the program he ran at his previous school, St. Mark’s School of Texas. Lawson has recognized that, thus far, Trinity’s program has lacked diversity because it has included only fellows in social science and hard science.

“There’s just unseen opportunities for growth that frankly we don’t recognize because all of our fellows have been on sort of one side

of the brain,” Lawson said. “We’ve not had a fellow in mathematics, we’ve not had a fellow PE, we’ve not had a fellow in world language and we’ve not had a fellow in fine arts. That’s two-thirds of the disciplines that we offer.”

According to Lawson, another goal of the fellowship program is to increase the number of master teachers – currently English teacher Steven Krueger and mathematics teacher Stephanie Wood – who provide feedback and advice from perspectives outside the fellow’s discipline.

“When you get to see operations from a totally different disciplined standpoint or just through somebody else’s eyes, it ramps up your learning process,” Lawson said. “We do pretty much the same [master teachers] inside your discipline, but we don’t do as much outside the discipline.”

The most notable aspect of the fellowship program is the policy for fellows once their contract expires. Regardless of an available position or years of experience a fellow possesses,

they are not allowed to be hired as a teacher by Trinity. According to Lawson, the reason for this policy is for the fellows to continue their journey elsewhere to gain more valuable experience and use the knowledge they acquired here to benefit them in their future job.

This policy is mostly consistent with that of St. Mark’s. That school, however, is not without its exceptions: Andrew Farrar is a former fellow at St. Mark’s, but was quickly offered a teaching position, which he accepted.

“So my understanding of St. Mark’s program is that it is a twoyear [program],” Farrar said. “However, my personal experience was that after my first year, there was an opportunity in my department, so I was offered a full-time position on the faculty.”

However, this is not the policy at Trinity. Currently, McKenzie is in his second year of the program, and after his third year, his contract will expire, and he will be unable to continue his time here. This was the same case for Newman, who after his two-year contract was up said he could not apply for a full-time position at Trinity.

Though McKenzie’s time at Trinity will soon come to an end, he reflects on the opportunity he was given here.

“I care a lot about Trinity and I care a lot about the students, about the culture, about the community, about the team and about making my classes the best classes they can be,” McKenzie said. “And so I pour a lot of myself and my energy into those things.”

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PUBLIC DOMAIN PANDEMONIUM Article by Karthik Stead Photos courtesy of the public domain

Winnie the Pooh slaughtering innocents, Bam- pictions to a franchise based on children’s media Mythology and places the reader in her bi getting revenge on the hunters who took her isn’t inherently wrong if it serves a narrative pur- shoes, while watching familiar tales. mother away, and now Mickey Mouse gearing up pose, and the project is explicitly labeled as not “Blood and Honey” also does to commit all kinds of atrocities. These shocking for children. The content featured in “Blood and not begin to represent the scenarios are all thanks to the public domain. The Honey” serves no purpose other than shock value. full scope of public domain public domain is the collection of formerly copyBut “Blood and Honey” does not represent the horror. For example, Steven righted intellectual property that can be used by entirety of the public domain whatsoever. Online, LaMorte, director of the the public, now that the copyright has expired. many sentiments have been shared that the pubhilarious parody horror-comedy “The Mean The public domain has existed in the Unit- lic domain doesn’t do any good, or that perhaps One” is working on a horror-comedy based on the ed States since 1789, but has only recently been the system ought to be done away with entirely. Steamboat Willie cartoon. making headlines with the release of more con- These opinions seem to come in response to less LaMorte has a genuine passion for horror and temporary projects into the public domain. Some than stellar projects like “Blood and Honey.” But filmmaking as a whole that shines through all of notable new arrivals include Winnie the Pooh, the public domain, by its nature, lends itself to a his work.

Bambi, and Pinnochio. The most famous of these pantheon of creativity that also includes horror.

“Start with a movie or an idea that you like. recent public domain releases is Walt Disney’s Many wonderful projects have been made thanks And if it belongs with an IP-driven [project].

“Steamboat Willie” cartoon, otherwise known as to the public domain. Public domain is what gave Then we’ll get there. But first you need a story the first appearance of Mickey Mouse. that you want to tell,” LaMorte said when A recent trend since the release of these asked about the development of his Steamiconic children’s characters has been to boat Willie project. make horror properties based on them.

LaMorte had started developing his This is best seen in Jagged Edge ProSteamboat Willie project before the rights ductions’ “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and were officially released, starting with the Honey” franchise and their recently anconcept of a horror film based on a boat. nounced project “The Twisted Childhood “I really wanted to make a boat movie Cinematic Universe.” These productions because once the boat takes off, there’s noseems to be to capitalize on the buzz where to go, right?” LaMorte said. around these characters being released It was only once this concept had been into the public domain by very quicksettled upon that LaMorte discovered that ly making a horror movie based on the Steamboat Willie was entering the public property. This strategy seems to work, domain, and the seeds for the project had with “Blood and Honey” bringing in $5.2 been sown. LaMorte’s project is another million in worldwide box office sales on a horror-comedy and involves a group of $50,000 budget. Shortly after the release passengers on a late-night boat right being of “Blood and Honey”, the same produchunted by a murderous mouse. tion studio announced an entire cinematic “I wanted it to be another horror film u universe with properties based on that doubled down on everything. More We’re able to use this photo because this property is in the Cinderella, Bambi and comedy, more kills, more of everything,” public domain.

Peter Pan. LaMorte said.

These movies are, to put it gen- life to classics like “Snow White,” along with a PiLaMorte and other directors like him represent tly, not very good. The films are a des- nocchio-inspired video game “Lies of P,” as well the fundamental truth that not all public domain perate attempt at trying to shock the as “Circe” which takes inspiration from Greek horror projects should be lumped in with one anaudience all the while having nothing mythology as well as Homer’s “The Odyssey.” The other. LaMorte’s commitment to making hilariof substance to say. In addition, “Blood main difference between these projects is that they ous but appropriately scary horror films should be and Honey” also features many sexu- come from a place of genuine inspiration. While commended in the face of an ever-growing horror al situations alongside excessive gore. “Blood and Honey” reads like a generic slasher film industry.

While sexual situations and gore are part with Winnie the Pooh retrofitted onto it, these Ultimately, the public domain is one of the of the horror genre’s DNA, the content projects were designed with the properties and most fascinating creative goldmines that we have featured in “Blood and Honey” comes creative ideas in mind. “Lies of P” takes the idea of access to, and although there is bound to be a few across like a 12 year old’s attempt Pinocchio as the crossroads between a puppet and “Blood and Honey”s, there is an equal chance of to be cool and edgy more than a a real boy and incorporates it into the gameplay, a “Snow White,” a “Circe,” or a “The Mean One.” terrifying horror movie. In ad- the more lies you tell, the more mechanical abil- So please, don’t throw the public domain baby out dition, the implication of adding ities you gain as you become more puppet-like. with the “Blood and Honey” bathwater. explicit sexual references and de- “Circe” takes an oft-overlooked character in Greek

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May 2O24

AN IMPERFECT SYSTEM Article by Ashwin Anand Graphic by Lia Garibay

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual income for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) occupations is over double the national average across all disciplines, with such positions expecting an 11% increase in the workforce by 2032. As students enter a future dominated

by STEM, it’s imperative that schools work overtime to set them up for success in these fields.

“Some version of those [STEM] disciplines make you well-rounded, capable and able to move through life at its most sophisticated,” Head of School Byron Lawson said in a February 2023 podcast. “You are talking about students who have access to the greatest careers and/ or leadership opportunities that the world has to offer.”

Trinity is well on its way to realizing that goal, with a phenomenal math department and now the upcoming Nochur Sankar Science Center. But there’s still more that must be done if it wants to embrace its potential as a STEM powerhouse.

SCIENCE CURRICULUM Science department chair Dr. Romina Jannotti has found that students lack adequate exposure to the physical sciences.

“Our graduation requirements only force

you to take biology, and everything else is your choice,” Jannotti said. “So unfortunately, there’s a lot of students who think that the physical sciences aren’t important. For me, it’s like a tripod [of biology, chemistry and physics]: A tripod has three legs. If one of those legs isn’t there, it doesn’t stand.”

Physics is an intimidating subject, so many students may choose not to take it unless forced. This is definitely the case at Trinity, where only 65% of the Class of 2022 graduated with physics on their transcript, compared to 100% with biology and around 95% with chemistry, according to Jannotti.

Class of 2023 alum Seth Brunner attends the Georgia Institute of Technology and is

majoring in math and physics. He took AP Physics 1 and 2 at Trinity and wanted to continue with AP Physics C, which would only be offered with enough student interest. He tried for years to find peers who would take it with him but was ultimately forced to self-study for the exam.

“It definitely is a problem that there’s not really much interest in physics,” Brunner said. “Which is part of the reason Physics C wasn’t taught for a while, because it’s just a waste of resources.”

This phenomenon is not exclusive to Trinity. The American Institute of Physics found in 2019 that only 42% of graduating seniors had taken one or more physics courses. Though that rate is much higher at Trinity, Jannotti won’t be satisfied until it’s at 100%.

“When you’re a science major, the first thing that you do is a year-long sequence in [biology, chemistry and physics],” Jannotti said. “And then afterwards when you want to specialize in something, you take a semester on immunology, you take a semester on microbiology. I want to emulate that.”

According to Director of Learning and Instruction Dr. Stephanie Dryden, new courses go through a rigorous review phase by the curriculum committee, as do changes to graduation requirements, so codifying that tripod may be a difficult process. Still, progress is

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Trinity’s STEM program is strong, but could be even better being made. Recently, the Physics of Art elec- tions like the yearly Ying Expo provide invalu- dents know that Trinity offers the Biology and tive was introduced for students who may not able scientific experience, but they suffer from Chemistry Olympiads, and these students want to take an intensive, math-heavy course low student participation. Almost all the expo’s have to personally recruit others. But that job to receive some relaxed STEM experience, and entrants come from the Independent Research should lie with the school, not on the shoulother changes are in the works. class, which totals only around 10 students. ders of individual students.

“We are reviewing our Podchaski recognizes this and is working graduation requirements to call attention to his department in various and starting to think The goal is to create the opportunities for stu- ways, including a student-run podcast titled about what’s best for our dents to find ways to make an impact. The more “Burst of STEAM” highlighting Trinity’s acstudents,” Dryden said. in the technological field. we can get you interested in driving your learning, complishments “There’s a lot of different “The goal is to create the opportunities for things that we’re explor- the better off you’re going to be. students to find ways to make an impact,” ing, and some potential Podchaski said. “Because there’s a tremendous additions to the curricu- Alex Podchaski, Chief Technology Officer amount of learning going on, whether you’re lum that I think will be doing programming, robotics, engineering, really, really exciting.” any of that drives your learning. The more we “There are a couple of students that will do can get you interested in driving your learning, Ying independently, but you can count them the better off you’re going to be.”

TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING on one hand,” Jannotti said. “And there cerThe impact of his vision has already been tainly isn’t as much middle school participa- seen with competitive successes, and that’s The computer science — now Applied Sci- tion as I would like.” without the facilities of the Sankar Science ence and Engineering (ASE) — department This lack of middle school engagement is Center. The new building will undoubtedhas undergone some great developments since concerning, as those who get involved early on ly help accomplish Podchaski, Jannotti and the arrival of current department chair Alex are more likely to mature into active partici- Dryden’s combined goals.

Podchaski in 2022. The courses have been pants. If Trinity wants to cultivate large high “Once we have the new lab spaces, then streamlined to create more focused paths, and school programs, it should look toward mak- there’s all kinds of exciting stuff that can beprograms like cybersecurity and robotics are ing these activities more accessible to younger come possible,” Dryden said. “And we’re in receiving well-deserved expansions. students. Pringle agrees that doing so could what I would call the ideation phase of it, Still, it has room for growth. Senior Ben boost membership on the robotics team. where we’re dreaming and imagining. After the Pringle is planning to major in computer building’s built and science and has participated fervently in proafter we’re in, then gramming and robotics over the last four years. Some version of those [STEM] disciplines make you we can really think “As somebody who’s very interested in com- well-rounded, capable and able to move through life in concrete ways.” puter science, I’d want [the ASE department] This project is to expand,” Pringle said. “I think compared to at its most sophisticated. You are talking about stu- a huge step in the the rest of the departments it’s very small.” dents who have access to the greatest careers and/or right direction, and Moreover, only half a credit of ASE is relong as Trinity leadership opportunities that the world has to offer. as quired for graduation. With this lack of emcontinues on that phasis, students may fail to see its value. And trajectory, the fuif few students take coursework in the depart- Byron Lawson, Head of School ture is bright. ment, it has no reason to expand.

“I think we’re on the right path,” Jan“You just need more people that are inter- notti said. “I think that we have a really strong BEYOND THE CLASSROOM ested in [robotics],” Pringle said. “Part of that student base here at Trinity with really talented might be that I’m not sure how many people students. And I would like to have a curricuImproving the academic curriculum is just at the school know we have a robotics team.” lum that pushes them to their capacity so that a start, because STEM extends far outside the This publicity problem goes beyond just when they leave here like that, they can master classroom and into extracurriculars. Competi- robotics. For instance, only a handful of stu- anywhere they go.”

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Opinions

May 2O24

A NEW ERA OF MEDICINE Article by Aarav Gupta Graphic by Caden Liu

Imagine a world where technology and artificial intelligence (AI) have taken over the medical field. Dying patients rely on 3-dimensional plastic hearts to save their lives. Robots perform complicated surgeries. Scientists genetically modify babies to fit the traits the parents’ desire. While these developments could improve the healthcare industry, their costs will unfortunately go unestimated.

While the use of AI has been significantly growing over the years, relying on AI would be disastrous for modern healthcare and would put an end to it entirely. The rapid use of technology in healthcare must be regulated and more heavily researched before full-scale implementation. It poses severe ethical risks that could undermine equal access, data privacy and core human values. We must proceed cautiously with robust public discourse to establish guardrails.

DNA can get frighteningly close to eugenics, a belief and practice that aims to improve the genetic quality of the humans.

Eugenics has a painful history, as it was adopted by Nazi Germany to justify their actions.

Consequently, more than 200 patients have already been treated with experimental CRISPR therapies resulting in many unsuccessful outcomes according to the MIT Technology Review. Currently, scientists have observed many drawbacks including inaccurate changes in DNA in regions other than the target site and its efficiency and incomplete editing.

“Regarding potentially faulty information,

CRISPR CRISPR is a technology that allows scientists to selectively modify the DNA of organisms. While it provides many advantages, it can be detrimental to the field of biology.

According to the National Institute of Health, CRISPR is being widely used to correct many genetic variants and mutations.

However, most notably, it has been used to modify human embryo cells so that a baby carries certain traits desired by the parents. Although such practices can be beneficial when it stops the passing along of HIV from parent to child, taken too far, the modification of

I think that this issue is inevitable when using technology,” junior Jerry Chen said. “For example, when teachers use technology to enhance the classroom experience by displaying a presentation, there will occasionally be technical difficulties.”

According to a study conducted by the University of Cambridge UK in 2021, a team of scientists found that some human embryos lost larger regions of chromosomes when they were edited through CRISPR. “[CRISPR] is going to cause problems by

altering genes and unmasking new problems,” said John Kupferschmid, a congenital heart surgeon at Pediatrics Specialists of Texas.

3D Printed Organs 3D-printed organs are created using bioink: a material consisting of cultured cells that are paired with biopolymer hydrogels to help construct structures.

“Since all the organs in the body consist of several cell and tissue types, a specific bio-ink must be developed to suit their exact requirements,” said Niina Matthews, a PhD Candidate working at the University of Technology Sydney developing 3D-printed organs.

“Cells organize into different types of tissues, and when tissues are assembled together, the end result is an organ.”

There have already been examples of this technology being implemented. In 2023, doctors successfully implanted an outer ear which was 3D printed using the woman’s own cartilage cells on a 20-year-old woman.

“I think that in 10 years we will have organs for transplantation,” professor Tal Dvir, said director of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine at Tel Aviv University in Israel. “We will start with simple organs like skin and cartilage, but then we’ll move on to more complicated tissues.”

Multilayered skin, bones, muscles structures and blood vessels have already been 3D printed. However, many of these have not yet been approved as they have been deemed unsafe by medical experts.

Many are anticipating to place a printer

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Scientists implement new technologies within the medical field right next to a bedside of a patient suffering from serious wounds.

However, The 3D printing process is wildly unpredictable with challenges ranging from biomaterial degradation, tissue integration and biocompatibility all of which pose significant challenges. Since there has been a lack of cases and testing in the bioprinting field, the field will encounter a plethora of difficulties for researchers to follow.

“The body is very complex,” said Biology teacher Bryan Moretz, who received a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology. “There are a lot of unknowns when we do these types of things even. Today, when we go from human-to-human transplant, there’s still uncertainty as to what’s going to happen.”

Despite these organs being developed for all socioeconomic classes, they will be only limited to the elite wealthy, defeating the whole purpose for what this invention was originally intended for.

skill sets, companies risk the dangers of setting everyone up for failure. According to Forbes, 28 percent of providers label telehealth as extremely frustrating.

Artificial Intelligence Google Health recently released its ambitions for its involvement in health and medicine through AI and technology. During Google Health’s annual event, The Check Up, executives shared updates about new developing AI models.

“[Biologists] are able to bring that connection that [AI] just can’t bring and so I don’t think anytime soon at least they will be replacing biologists.”

- Bryan Moretz, Biology Teacher

Telemedicine Telemedicine, the remote diagnosis and treatment of patients by means of telecommunications technology, is becoming more prominent in our day-to-day lives. It can often lead to incorrect diagnosis, misunderstandings, poor patient care and low adoption.

According to law firm Halberg and Fogg nearly 70 percent of telehealth medical malpractice claims were diagnostic issues.

“If I’m seeing a baby, I can tell more about that baby’s cardiac output and well-being by feeling that baby’s foot,” Kupferschmid said. “I can’t do that over the phone.”

With the rapid advancements of technology, both providers and patients are upset with the challenges of adapting to this new era, where everything is so technology driven. Because citizens possess varying levels of technological

According to FierceHealthcare’s press release on March 19, 2024, “The company is fine-tuning its Gemini model for the medical domain, building a personal health large language model (LLM) that can power personalized health and wellness features in the Fitbit mobile app, developing AI models to help with early disease detection and researching ways that generative AI can assist with medical reasoning and clinical conversations.”

Letting companies like Google control private medical data could prove dangerous in the future as they could release significant billions of personal information to the government.

It was revealed in April that Google’s Incognito Chrome browser explicitly states that they collect data from third-party websites regardless of the user’s browser, highlighting their dishonesty to their users. “[Google] might tell you that it’s private, but you should always assume that anytime that you use AI, [your private data is] going to be out there,” Moretz said. “Someone’s going

to be storing it on a server somewhere and it’s possible that it could leak.”

Future of Medicine Slowly integrating these currently dangerous technologies into the medical system will undoubtedly bring numerous benefits. “[AI] has the potential of being a game changer in a couple of areas,” Kupferschmid said. “AI can handle lots of data because it’s all computer files. There’s a million things you could put into a database, and it could really help you with diagnosing things early.”

However, scientists are implementing these technologies too quickly into the lives of humans. Without the proper testing and regulations being enforced, the future of medicine is in serious danger.

The whole point for AI was to make the jobs of humans more efficient, not replace them.

There has never been a greater need for lifting the voices of healthcare workers. A 2016 report from the University of Toronto’s Mowat Centre said Canada could see automation cut 7.5 million jobs across all sectors in the next few decades.

“In the short term, there will definitely be an adjustment period where people may face job loss or other issues,” Chen said.

Moretz states the importance of humans controlling healthcare. “[Biologists] are able to bring that connection that [AI] just can’t bring and so I don’t think anytime soon at least they will be replacing biologists,” Moretz said.

Implementing AI and these technologies will have devastating consequences for the lives of people and will unleash chaos in the medical field if we do not slow down these rapid developments.

“We should never be 100% reliant on these technologies for one big reason and that is morality,” Kupferschmid said. “If you don’t have a moral code overlying [technology], all of this will get out of hand. That’s where the human comes in, something you’ll never get from machines or technology.”

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Opinions

May 2O24

DON’T WAIT, ACCOMMODATE Article by Amanda Rose DeStefano Graphic by Sam Miller

The National Center for Learning Disabilities reports that 1 in 5 children in the 20152016 school year had learning or attention issues, and 1 in 16 school-age children received special education services for specific learning disabilities and attention difficulties.

While these statistics paint a picture that many students across the country require their educators to take spe- cial steps to ensure their success, barriers to accessibility exist across the

country in both public and private schools. Trinity is no exception.

Public schools across the nation outline 33 specific accommodations, with room for psychiatrists to request additional aids that might not be included in the document. Our school only offers five.

The only accommodations available for students are extended time on assessments longer than 20 minutes, allowed computer use for hand-written essays, no scantrons, use of a 4-function calculator and a copy of class notes.

“We can handle children that have mild learning or processing issues, but we have a minimal number of accommodations that we can make because we’re not staffed [for more],” Head of Upper School Dr. Tracy Bonday said.

According to guidance counselor Christine Hempsted, 130 Trinity students receive accommodations, making it imperative that the school plays an active role in securing and enforcing accommodations for students diag-

nosed with learning and attention disabilities.

The first step in obtaining accommodations at Trinity is attaining a professional psychological or psychiatric evaluation. A diagnosis isn’t enough, though. Once diagnosed with some sort of disability or mental health issue, the evaluator would then recommend specific accommodations for the student. Only if the

recommended accommodation is provided by Trinity, then it will be given to the student.

Being approved for adequate accommodations took an anonymous student, who receives 50% extended time for their diagnosed anxiety, nearly a semester and visits to two different psychiatrists after their first diagnosis had been denied.

“Having diagnosed anxiety wasn’t good enough [to get accommodations],” the student said.

Public schools across the nation use “504 plans” to ensure that students receive the help

that healthcare professionals deem necessary.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 specifically prohibits discrimination against disabled students and guarantees the right for them to access free public education. There are specialized coordinators to help parents and students with the entire process, as well as a legal burden for schools to accommodate when necessary. Because Trinity does not take public funds, it is not required to follow the same guidelines as a public school.

Not only are the amount of accommodations offered by Trinity significantly fewer than many public schools around the country, but there are also vast shortcomings in implementing these aids.

Students who receive accommodations are not able to use them on quizzes or assessments shorter than 20 minutes. While a possible reason for this caveat is because some teachers like to teach after giving a quiz, the integrity of accommodations could be maintained if quizzes were only given at the end of a class, or if they could be split up for accommodated students to complete at a later time.

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Trinity’s accommodations have room for expansion Accommodations are meant to provide students with equal footing, but when they are overlooked for many quizzes, Trinity misses the mark. No matter how short the assessment is, the recommendations of healthcare professionals should never be ignored. When students take a quiz shorter than 20 minutes, their learning disability does not disappear, but the tools to manage it do.

Some psychiatrists recommend less homework or alterations to the usual curriculum for students with certain conditions, which Trinity does not accept. Unfortunately, the size of our school is not the only reason these concerns have been ignored. According to Hemsted, the school specifically refuses to modify the curriculum regardless of recommended accommodations.

“We want to make sure that we maintain the integrity of our diploma, which is why we don’t modify our curriculum,” she said.

As a prep school, Trinity ought to emulate colleges across the nation that dedicate entire offices to aid students who need these services. As one example, on its website, Stanford University says it offers “modifications to policies, practices, or procedures,” including a student submitting a written paper on the subject matter in lieu of an oral presentation or submitting written responses to a discussion question instead of participating in an in-class discussion. A prestigious university such as Stanford providing these resources shows that a commitment to providing students with equal opportunities for success does not come at the expense of academic rigor.

Trinity, unfortunately, is unwilling and unable to consistently model institutions like Stanford.

One reason for Trinity’s difference in the implementation of accommoda-

tions is due to the smaller nature of our campus and staff. While many public schools have buildings or staff members designated to ensure that students have equitable access to accomodations, Trinity does not.

“We don’t have the staffing or the physical infrastructure to be able to do a lot of the other accommodations,” Hempsted said.

Due to our student-bodyto-staff ratio along with our private school status, there are instances where the school offers outside-the-box solutions on a caseby-case basis as a teacher sees fit. These can be on a singular assignment, type of assignment or something else entirely.

While operating on a case-by-case basis can afford a level of flexibility that larger

institutions don’t have, it can disadvantage students who are unaware of these exceptions or are less apt to advocate for themselves. Students and parents aren’t made aware of the potential accommodations that can be made, and are instead left to their own devices to seek them out.

A significant portion of the student body is left behind to struggle without the accommodations that healthcare professionals demand they need. The school must take active steps in ensuring that students with learning or attention disabilities receive the care they need by allowing for accommodations to be used on all assessments, making the process more transparent and providing flexibility with curriculum to benefit students with learning or attention disabilities.

It’s clear that the Trinity faculty and staff is dedicated to seeing students succeed, but without all the right pieces, this effort falls short.

May 2O24

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FANS PROHIBIT PRIVACY Article by Taylor Griffith Graphic by Lia Garibay Freshman Monely Balouchian picks up her phone and goes to the popular social media app, X, which she uses to get information about news events. She is scrolling until she comes upon a post that seems somewhat disturbing: “Kate Middleton takes leave from social media but speculations about her death arise.” Balouchian, a huge follower of the Royal Family, becomes instantly alarmed.

“I thought she died because of these rumors, they were spreading so much, so I thought they were true,” Balouchian said. “And so then I started talking about it with my friends and family. And I started saying wow, did she actually die?”

Gossip was then put to rest when Princess of Wales Catherine Middleton posted a video, talking about how she had been diagnosed with cancer, had to undergo abdominal surgery, and would be out until Easter.

“The video gave everyone more explanation on what was going on,” Balouchian said. “It would have been easier to just post something, but usually when you put it on text people can view it differently. So on video, she explained her situation, and people could not interpret it differently.”

Rumors began to die down, however many people wondered if she was forced into making the video due to many growing conspiracy theories.

“The video was very brave because she could have just put out a statement, but she felt it was important for people to see her, and I think that is her way of answering all the speculation with everything, “ Ethics teacher Rylan Smith said. “For whatever reason, she felt that she had to come out and address some things.”

According to a news article by Page Six, the rumors about Middleton became too much to bear and she was pressured into making the video. The statement also expressed that the family wanted to keep as much normality for her children. Middleton explained in the video

that her condition took time to explain to her children, which is one of the reasons she wanted to keep this more private.

Other celebrities have also suffered from privacy issues including popular music artist Billie Eilish. In Novemeber 2023, Eilish was on the red carpet during a Variety Hitmakers’ interview when she was outed with her sexuality to the public. Eilish responded with an Instagram post confronting Variety Hitmakers and cleared the air about the rumor.

People speculated about her sexuality before

this interview, but after the incident, Eilish confirmed this with the post. As she was not able to come out on her own time, she became very upset with the interviewer and Variety Hitmakers, for forcing her to expand on her sexuality.

“Stuff that we tend to take for granted, celebrities have to be very thoughtful about,” Smith said. “How they go about it and then sometimes end up sharing things that maybe they wouldn’t have liked to share if they had been an ordinary citizen.”

The isolation from regular life can cause

celebrities to struggle with the isolation and can overall damage their mental health. Some people will make up these types of rumors for publicity or to simply make the celebrity look bad. While some talk about celebrities is meant to be harmful, others are simply talking about it due to their curiosity.

“I talk about celebrities when it’s an interesting story because sometimes it is one of those stories where it doesn’t happen every day,” Balouchian said.

Most people realize the effects of these rumors but continue to feed into the conspiracy theories that will continue to spiral unless addressed.

“It’s not okay, but sometimes if you get certain evidence or information, you jump to conclusions without actually thinking of it, and that’s where these rumors would be coming from,” Balouchian said.

A lot of speculation comes from posts or videos that only show one particular piece of a whole scene.

When the royal family posted an edited photo of Kate Middleton rumors spread on the reason that Middleton had to be edited in, only further contributing to the rumors about her leave of absence.

Smith agrees that a photo can sometimes not show the entire truth, so even a photo can lead to speculation and rumors.

Many celebrities suffer from a lack of privacy and are not being treated with the same amount of respect that regular citizens have. To veer from this type of gossip being spread, people should wait for the whole story before posting their assumptions.

“The power is in the ordinary citizens and the journalists,” Smith said. “If we want things to change, then we as a society have to decide we’re going to let celebrities be their own people and have their own lives outside of whatever it is that makes them popular or makes them famous.”

22

Focus

May 2O24

META MANAGES POLITICAL FEEDS Article by Mila Taylor Graphic by Maxi de la Fuete

In early February, Meta released a statement explaining that Instagram, Threads and Facebook are limiting political content shown from accounts not followed by users. The setting was set to limit political content by default, with apps failing to notify users about the change. Many were concerned about this change, as it is implemented in the same year as important upcoming elections.

Many influencers whose platforms focus on educating users about current events and politics have released step-by-step posts showing users how to opt out of the setting.

Accounts of marginalized communities have called out the act of censorship and expressed that the setting will make their missions of education and empowerment even harder.

Despite influencer’s concerns, social science teacher Brandon Burmeister said such changes are completely within the platform’s rights.

“Facebook, Instagram and TikTok are privately owned companies,” Burmeister said.

“So they have the right to determine the content that’s on their website. If they don’t want to allow or do want to allow certain things, it’s not a free speech issue.”

According to Meta, the company added this setting to avoid spreading misinformation and accusations of news bias, along with aiming to create a more positive online space. However, the updated setting hinders people who depend on social media to stay up-to-date on current events and today’s political world.

“It could create a problem by filtering out important political news that people might not get otherwise,” Political science associate professor at the University of Florida Beth Rosenson said. “If Gen Z is getting all of your news from social media… I worry about preventing people from learning important things in the news.”

Generation Z (Gen Z) has been the biggest culprit of absorbing information about news and current events from social media. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, 34% of high school-age teens or younger get their news from Instagram. This raises concerns about whether the information is correct. However, despite discrepancies, access to social media makes it the go-to source for in-

formation. Rosenson explains issues with news from social media.

“The positive [of social media] is the ease of access, you can just pull something up on your phone, but then there’s also the problem of information overload,” Rosenson said. “There’s [also] a term that scholars use called cocooning where you can just seek out sources that fit with your ideology. One of the dangers is that people will only seek out media that confirms what they already believe, and they’re not being exposed to a different point of view.”

Along with information overload, social media is one of the biggest culprits in spreading misinformation to its users. Users also tend to neglect other credible sources when looking for news.

“The problem is within the diffusion of the manipulation of the media platform,” Burmeister said. “And the diffusion of misinformation and disinformation, which is so easy to do on social media, because there’s no accountability. There’s no fact-checking.”

This issue was addressed in a study done by Dartmouth, where researchers described the importance of acknowledging the discrepancies of bias, and participation bias in social media. Young people are more likely to use social media than the older population, therefore young people’s political views are more likely to be represented, leaving out other groups that are less represented on social media. These bias discrepancies further feed information to social media users, and create echo chambers of only certain views being shared.

“There’s always going to be bias in news sources,” Junior Jonah Downs says. “It’s almost impossible to ignore. When it’s on social media it is amplified because of the way the media is dissected, especially with how they’re trying to grasp your attention.”

Opinions shared by influencers also have a very big impact on social media users. One example is Taylor Swift, who influenced over 35,000 fans to register to vote. She became the topic of many news articles questioning whether she could influence the 2024 elections. In an article by Berkeley News, Taylor Swift is described as a highly influential role model, who, with even a small endorsement,

could influence millions of young voters.

“Even though I try not to listen to celebrities because I don’t think they necessarily know what they’re talking about when it comes to politics,” Rosenson said, “Taylor Swift, I think is the best example if she said something about her political views, I think a lot of people would listen and they trust her. They like her.

They believe in her so they would take what she has to say pretty seriously.”

Taylor Swift along with so many other celebrities and influencers has a lot of power when it comes to endorsing candidates and spreading news. This can be extremely problematic for young people, especially those who don’t do further research before voting for a candidate or believing the news they hear.

Regardless of issues getting news from social media, Meta’s new default setting will greatly affect young generations.

“I feel like everyone needs all the information they can get their hands on, for better or worse, because that’s the beauty of media,” Downs said.

May 2O24

Focus

23

THERE IS MORE TO EXPLORE

Visiting a new country can look different to each person traveling Article by Mia Prince Graphic by Sam Miller Freshman Campbell Alch landed in Mexico but never left the resort she was staying in. Still, she marked it down on her list as one of the countries she has visited. Brooke Kalmanson doesn’t think so. Kalmanson is a sophomore who travels outside of the country frequently, inculding a trip to Uganda during spring break.

“You don’t get to explore anything if you just stay at a resort, you’re staying in one place, so you have a very one-sided view of where you are,” Kalmanson said. “You can’t see different perspectives of the different cities to fully understand where you are.”

However, not everyone shares Kalmanson’s view about being able to see the country by staying at a resort for the duration of the trip.

“I think they could [say they’ve been to the new country] because in the resort there are a lot of different experiences than it would be from a US resort like the culture,” Alch said. “If you left the resort, I would understand how your trip was a little more but I’d still say you could experience it from staying in a resort because even driving from the airport is an experience in itself because you are seeing new things.”

Like staying on a resort, traveling on a cruise ship also restricts a person’s experience of a new country. In many instances, most people who take cruises don’t explore farther than the ports or the local beach.

“You can’t really see what’s in a country by stopping in a port,” Kalmanson said. “You

can’t see anything of the local country. You have to be there for at least two days to really see the country and see some of the sites and talk to at least a few locals to get the full experience of being in a new enviroment.”

Cost is a deciding factor for many vacationers. Depending on the country and the local cost of food, it can be more cost effective to stay at an all inclusive place instead of going

out to eat at restaurants every night.

Depending what country people are in and the prices of food can increase. Picky eaters also tend to find more comfort in resort food rather than trying new cuisines.

When travelers are visiting a new country, there can be new aspects such as food and traditions that come as a culture shock. Certain

countries also have diseases such as dengue and malaria that make people hesitant of exploring in fear of contracting new viruses.

According to Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) the demand for all-inclusive resorts is increasing, with all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Dominican Republic averaging an occupancy recovery of 77% in March 2022. Marriott and Hyatt along with others are creating more all inclusive resorts as instead of their normal traditional style hotels due to an increase in consumer demand.

On the other hand, staying at a resort allows for a relaxing trip because food and activities are often included.

“It’s more relaxing if you’re just sitting at the pool and resting, which sometimes is necessary since life is pretty stressful,” Kalmanson said.

Along with easy access to food and activities, transportation is also provided by the resport.

“The pros for the resort is that you don’t need a car, so you can walk places or they have golf carts, which is nice and makes it easy to transport around the resort,” Alch said.

However this should not stop people from traveling and exploring a new country. Going out and exploring a new country is a way that you are able to see the raw culture and experience the local cuisine.

“I like trying all the food, shopping and just seeing the different sites and learning about new places,” Kalmanson said. “Learning about other places also helps you learn more about your own country as well, because you can see something that you only saw from one perspective in a different and new way.”

24

Lifestyles

May 2O24

TIKTOK BAN’S EFFECT ON U.SS. Article by Olivia Agnew Photo by LIa Garibay

As of Wednesday, April 24, a bill was signed into law by President Joe Biden, enforcing that if TikTok is not bought from its current owners, Bytedance, within the next 270 days, then the app will be removed from all app stores throughout the United States. Yet the President may extend this time frame to a year.

According to a recent Associated Press article, 170 million Americans are on TikTok, and many of these people are between the ages of 10 and 21. TikTok user junior Reese Tanis is against the proposed ban because she sees great value to the app.

“TikTok is such a great platform to spread ideas and your thoughts and spread awareness while also having fun,” Tanis said. “It’s just an app where mostly, all ages, can come and collaborate together, especially Gen Z, and use their voices to spread news and their thoughts and opinions on things.”

Not only is TikTok a source of entertainment, but it has also become a valuable marketing tool. In September 2023, the app

launched TikTok Shop where users can link items, foods, and clothing for their followers or any user to buy.

According to a study done by Vogue Business, TikTok Shop contributed $24.2 billion to US GDP, and has supported over 200,000 jobs last year. TikTok Shop has been particularly helpful for small businesses, earning them a total of $14.7 Billion in revenue.

TikTok Influencer Chika Uwazie, whose tiktok handle is @chikauwazie, has built up a strong following with 100.4k followers to promote her small business called The Soft Nest.

“This app solely helps me with my business,” Uwazie said. “All my booking calls are solely built on this app.”

For many business owners like Uwazie, the proposed TikTok ban would be devastating.

Yet, Head of Brand Marketing for Cash App, Mike Earl, believes that businesses will just turn to other social media platforms, TV ads, and other marketing outlets.

“I think a lot of people use TikTok in this country,” Earl said, “If it’s banned, I don’t know if it will have a massive impact per se, because I think somebody else will just replace it with a different product, whether that’s YouTube shorts, which is very TikTok, or Instagram Reels, becomes the dominant player.”

Influencer Kristen Bousq, whose TikTok handle is @kbousq, is planning on doing that.

“I’d definitely just focus more of my energy on Instagram and potentially tap more into YouTube Shorts, specifically,” Bousq said.

As the influencers and marketing strategists are working on finding a way to work

“I think the ban is a way to address a bigger issue that’s probably more corelated to social media more broadly.”

- Mike Earl, Head of Brand Marketing for Cash App through this possible ban, from a political standpoint the ban will definitely affect the upcoming election in November of 2024.

In the summer of 2020, Former President Donald Trump advocated for the ban of TikTok, for similar reason of the Chinese Government being too involved. Yet, according to a published by ABC News, President Trump released a statement saying he is against the ban because he doesn’t want Facebook to become too big ‘because Facebook is more of threat than TikTok.’ Completely banning an app is going to change a lot of upcoming voters’ perspective of the candidates and could also be the reason a voter choses one or the other candidate.

There are many ways the government can fix the problem at hand, and many are curious if a ban is the right thing to do.

“I think a ban is a lazy way to address a bigger issue that’s probably more correlated to social media more broadly,” Earl said.

Many people against the ban argue that, like TikTok, nearly all social media platforms collect a users information.

Until the potential ban goes in place, all we can do right now is wait.

TikTok influencer Anahita, tiktok handle @ anahitaxo, who has 198k followers, loves TikTok. “TikTok has changed my life,” Anahita said.

May 2O24

Lifestyles

25

A LOOK BEHIND THE SCENES

Featuring unseen staff that help everything run smoothly Article by Sammy Lou Photos by Jackson Napier, Olivia Prince and Ella Eichenholz The Trinity Prep soccer team ended their 2023 season with a bang by winning the state championship. For Trinity Prep videographer Jordan Johnson, this was just the beginning of the job. That night, Johnson worked feverishly to create a celebratory video to post on the school’s official Instagram page before the next day. It seemed like the obstacles were endless.

First, the stadium closed, forcing him to move to a coffee shop. The next thing Johnson knew, his computer shut down. Then to top it all off, Instagram unexpectedly cut out a chunk of his video. Finally, at 1 a.m., with the relief of a student finally submitting their big paper, he posted the video.

When Trinity Prep students look back on their time in high school, the first people that pop into their head might be an inspiring teacher, a supportive coach or perhaps the school chaplain. While they all deserve appreciation, it is easy to forget those who work around the clock behind the scenes to make student life better, whether it be the security guard, helpdesk specialist or videographer.

It is not just taking pictures. Jordan Johnson is responsible for many things related to the school’s social media, from producing video marketing to creating event recaps.

Johnson has always been fascinated with film and music, two reasons why he loves his job at Trinity.

“I grew up doing film,” Johnson said. “Every time I get the chance to make something more cinematic, I think it’s fun. And then I play the drums at my church, and that is just like a love for music. And then I do stuff like filming small skits with my friends.”

One of the best parts of his job, he says, is getting to see student life up close and working with Trinity students.

“The students are so unique [to me] because I grew up in the public school system,” Johnson said. “It’s nice to go in and see that magic on a day to day and be able to capture

it and show it to the world. I just try to give everybody the experience of what I would have wanted in high school if we had an Instagram or social media or if we had somebody walking around that is here to do videos.”

When a student’s computer breaks or a teacher can not log in, helpdesk support specialist Jeffrey Gutierrez is there for the rescue.

One day, Gutierrez could be investigating why a student’s computer does not turn on. The next day, he could be helping chaplain Father Russell Wohlever behind the scenes with setting up sound,

videos, lighting and the stage for chapel.

“Some people think it’s just easy,” Gutierrez said. “And that it’s just a few clicks of the button and things are fixed. And it’s not always that. Sometimes you got to dig a hole. You got to dig again and dig again in order to find what the root cause of any problem is.”

When he’s not fixing tech issues at school, Gutierrez enjoys a wide variety of hobbies, whether it be gaming, computers, or music.

“I play Pokemon Go, I play Fortnite, I was

a gamer growing up,” Gutierrez said. “I’m a computer nerd. I’ve built my own computers, like four of them. I’m also a music nerd going to music festivals. I travel for them sometimes, going to other states in California, and I went to New York.”

Although Gutierrez has a Master’s degree in business administration as well as a Bachelor’s in marketing, he has always loved working with computers and solving puzzles, which happen to fit perfectly with what he does.

“I’ve been messing around with computers my entire life, fixing them, and reprogramming them and learning the ins and outs about them,” Gutierrez said. “So that’s when I figured out what I wanted to do.”

From serving in the military to working in sales, security guard Scott Cassell worked in many fields before finding himself here at Trinity. The life of the security guard certainly is not easy. Cassell is constantly checking incoming traffic, patrolling the perimeter and attending school activities to ensure everything and everyone is safe.

“It’s no joke,” Cassell said. “Even though it’s a school setting, we do live in a day and age where things have happened in the past and could still possibly happen. And that’s why we’re here.”

Before he was a security guard, Cassell served as a corrections officer in the military, worked in sales and even tutored students in math.

Despite the job being tough, Cassell still enjoys his job.

“I enjoy it because I just like helping people,” Cassell said. “That’s it. And that’s what this job mainly calls for is assisting and making sure that everybody’s safe. Everybody’s really nice. It’s almost like a giant big family too, and I just want to make sure that my extended family here is safe.”

The overall Trinity experience is greatly enhanced by the hard work and services of these Trinity staff members, even if they sometimes go unnoticed. With this in mind, it is important to appreciate all that they have done.

26

Sports

May 2O24

A STEP IN A NEW DIRECTION

Six Trinity athletes have commited to play at the collegiate level Article by David Hull Photos by Olivia Prince Following a successful year for Trinity Prep athletics, six student-athletes will take their talents to the next level.

Caden Clifton As a three-year starter on Trinity Prep’s varsity soccer team, Clifton contributed to the 2023 state championship run with five goals and three assists as a junior. Clifton also played club soccer at Florida Kraze Krush (FKK) while running track and cross country at Trinity. Next year, Clifton will attend Vassar College to continue playing soccer at the Division III level.

Isabella Hartung Although only at Trinity for one year, Hartung left her mark on the tennis program,

leading the Saints to a District title. During her senior season, Hartung lost zero single matches and is going on to play in the State tournament. Next year, Hartung will continue playing the sport she loves at Bowdoin College, which is a part of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC).

Caden Alexandre A member of Trinity’s baseball program since 9th grade, Alexandre has led the Saints to a successful season as a captain in his senior year. Playing multiple positions throughout high school, Alexandre will look to establish himself next year at the New College of Florida.

Amanda Lang As a three-sport athlete, Lang has excelled for Trinity athletics since 6th grade. The 2022

“Trinity has helped me become prepared to compete at the next level because I’ve had great coaches who have taught me that there is only winning.”

- Caden Clifton, Soccer at Vassar College

“I could never imagine myself in Maine at such a small college. When I visited, however, I fell in love with everything: the campus, location, people and (most importantly) the food. I can’t wait to be a polar bear!

- Isabella Hartung, Tennis at Bowdoin College

All-Area girls bowler of the year will continue her bowling career at the Division I level as an Arkansas State Red Wolf.

Julian Sealy Sealy played for Trinity during his freshman year and helped the team win a district title.

After a successful season, Sealy became a member of the Revolution Tennis Academy. Although not playing tennis for Trinity anymore, Sealy has found success and will be competing at Washington College next year.

Kelsey Wang Although Trinity does not have a fencing team, Wang has competed for the Orlando Fencing Academy since 2021. She quickly established herself and was reached out to by multiple colleges. After her trip to Vassar, Wang decided to commit.

May 2O24

Sports

“The lessons I’ll carry with me from Trinity to college is that with the more you learn from your mistakes, the more you grow as a person.”

- Caden Alexandre, Baseball at New College of Florida

“I am most excited to compete against the highest level of competition, make new memories with my new teammates and hopefully win an NCAA championship.”

- Amanda Lang, Bowling at Arkansas State

“I had only vaguely thought about Vassar until my coach introduced me to it, but once I visited and researched the college, I realized it was a perfect fit for me.”

- Kelsey Wang, Fencing at Vassar College

“I’m most looking forward to how competitive the environment is... college tennis is full of yelling and cheering and trash-talking and I feel that’s an environment I will thrive in.”

- Julian Sealy, Tennis at Washington College

27

May 2O24

Sports

RISKY PLAY

Unregulated online sports betting can be dangerous to new bettors Article by David Hull Graphic by Caden Liu As the Super Bowl approached, 18-yearold senior Parker Brock placed a $10 bet on Fliff Sports Picks, a popular and easy-to-access sportsbook. After the game, Brock looked into his near-empty account and saw that Fliff gifted him an extra dollar along with an offer to purchase more Fliff Cash to bet with. However, Brock decided to stick with his dollar and wait until the following day to use it.

While Brock accepted his loss, many sports bettors aren’t satisfied with making such little wagers. The expansion and popularity of online sportsbooks have made sports betting more attractive and accessible, while also raising the risks for bettors.

In 2018, the Supreme Court overturned the 1991 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, paving the way for legal sports betting in 38 states. Over the past five years, the effects of this court decision have been evident. $119.8 billion was spent on legalized sports gambling outlets in 2023 alone, 27.8% more than the previous year.

One of the most prominent effects of the legalization of sports gambling has been the increase in online betting. The online sports betting industry’s revenue has increased by over 1600% in the U.S. since 2018, totaling $7.62 billion in 2023.

After Tennessee legalized sports betting in 2020, Tori Horn, a doctoral student in clinical psychology at the Institute for Gambling Education and Research at the University of Memphis, saw a significant increase in patients who were struggling with a sports gambling addiction.

According to Horn, gambling is like many addictive substances.

“Like anything that’s easy to access, we’re going to see an increase in it,” Horn said. “The same thing happened with other substances when they got legalized.”

As the popularity of sports gambling continues to grow, more sportsbooks are being created, making it very easy to create an account, even if the user is below the legal gambling age.

With limited advertisement restrictions, leading sportsbooks like FanDuel and DraftKings can advertise widely televised games that often attract thousands of viewers below the legal gambling age.

Along with these advertisements, betting odds have become a vital component of sports broadcasting and can influence their audience to gamble.

After drawing in new users, even popular sportsbooks have no way of restricting the age of their users who are able to use a parent or friend’s information to withdraw money.

New bettors tend to be unaware of the risks that come with gambling. Many sportsbooks don’t label their app’s currency like real money which tempts users to buy more of it. For example, Fliff offers users free “Fliff Cash” to prompt them to buy more once they’ve run out. Being classified as a sweepstakes, the app’s age to wager is 18 instead of the federal legal age of 21.

“I’ve never really had a problem with betting too much,” Brock said. “I do get that it’s super easy to get hooked, especially now that it’s right on your phone. It doesn’t even feel like you’re using real money on most of these apps.”

While many young adults like Brock are able to safely enjoy the occasional wager, sports betting is one of the leading causes of underage gambling and addiction. Depending on the state, the legal gambling age varies from 18 to 21. However, according to the National Council on Problem Gambling, between 60% and 80% of high schoolers have gambled with money within the last year. These high school-

ers use legalized gambling outlets or practice casual betting with friends. “[In many states], you just have to be 21 years old and have a smartphone and a debit card or credit card to bet,” Horn said. “It [is] really difficult to treat because I can’t tell people these days to get rid of their smartphone, that’s not an option anymore. Sadly we’re heading on this trajectory of more gambling problems among younger people.”

According to the American Psychological Association, roughly 5% of adolescents and young adults who gamble develop a gambling disorder. However, according to an ESPN survey, most wagers are only $10 to $20. Horn is aware that the majority of bettors aren’t hooked and while she isn’t against sports betting, she recognizes that it must be done safely and limits should be set. Despite the dangers of gambling seeming evident, Horn observed multiple patients who were unaware or ignored the potential risks, and whether or not they felt dependent on gambling.

“It doesn’t have to be all bad,” Horn said.

“Just look out for the signs that there’s a problem and try to prevent a problem from happening in the first place, which the only way you can is by acknowledging that one could exist in the first place.”

The same ESPN survey focused on bettors ranging from 18 to 22 years old, as the most common age of sports bettors is between 18 and 34. Brock falls into this pool of recently legalized bettors and is a good example of a safe bettor, averaging a wager of only $10 and only betting on a few games a month.

Despite seeing the potential risks associated with gambling, Horn recognizes that when done safely, simple wagers can be enjoyable.

“Gambling at the end of the day is something that can be done safely and just because you place a bet every now and then with some friends does not make you addicted to it,” Horn said. “Gambling can be fun.”

May 2O24 Puzzles by Mila Taylor

Puzzle

29

pencil, bluebook, computer, algebra, geometry, chemistry, biology, casual, snacks, essay, calculus, spanish, french, studyguide, cramming

ACROSS

DOWN 1. association football

2. April 13, 2023

3. Taylor Swift’s 10th

4. A confusing or diffi-

studio album

cult problem or question;

5. Popular streaming ser-

a dilemma.

vice

6. formal discussion with

7. edible plant in the

opposing arguments

cabbage family.

8. The elephant, or slang for crazy 9. April 8, 2024

Riddles!

1. What is the end of everything?

2. The person who makes it has no need of it; the person who buys it has no use for it. The person who uses it can neither see nor feel it. What is it?

3. What belongs to you, but everyone else uses it?

Answers:

3O

Ads

May 2O24

May 2O24

Ads

31

32

Photos

May 2O24

PHOTOGRAPHY EXPOSITION Student Life

Jackson Napier Ella Eichenholz Juniors and seniors attended Prom at the Orlan- On April 22, seniors who plan to study fine arts in college were recognized. do Museum of Art on April 13. This year’s theme During the ceremony, alumni Austin Burket and Alex Ferguson were inducted into the Fine Arts Hall of Fame. was “Starry Night.”

Jackson Napier The seventh period Florida Ecology class along with UCF has been growing mangroves propagules since winter. They will be sent off to Canaveral National Seashore in early summer where they will be planted to protect native peoples of Florida heritage sites.

Olivia Prince Trinity Prep Alum Chuck Nadd ‘07 returns to campus to speak to the 8th grade Civics class. Nadd spoke about his military experience and the importance of civil military relations in today’s world.