November 2025

THE

TRINITY VOICE

November 2O25 Volume 28 Issue 2 Trinity Preparatory School 57OO Trinity Prep Lane Winter Park, FL 32792

SENIORS STORM THE SCENE

The senior class marches across the track on homecoming night to celebrate their court nominees.

NEWS

After-school testing program returns to campus post COVID-19

Page 4

STEM

Popular proteinpacked products pose health risks to students

Pages 12-13

LIFESTYLES

FOCUS

Morning practice has pros and cons for student athletes

Timeless traditions connect school community

Page 18

Page 23

OPINIONS

Trinity’s welcoming approach to faith reflects our Episcopal mission

Page 25

SPORTS

Athletes choose between playing for their club and school

Page 31

TABLE OF CONTENTS

November 2O25

8 #Throwback 15 Mind the Gap 19

Table of Contents

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14

5

18

9

27

Courses That Count

New AP courses bring practical career preparation into the classroom.

Old products and trends are making their way back to popularity.

Empathy gaps become normalized as views begin to differ.

2O Traditions Connected 23 Club Conflict 31

Demon Slayer Review New “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle” movie lives up to hype.

Trinity’s traditions connect Saints across generations.

Athletes are forced to choose between playing on school and club teams.

November 2O25

Broadcast and Social Media

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

Broadcast & Social Media

Non-Print Editors-in-Chief: Jack Aaron, Nikhil Daniel Managing Editors: Ashwin Anand, Emily Lopez, Sammy Lou, Gustavo Membreno Layout Editors: Aarav Gupta, Sofia Haddadin Copy Editors: Sami Haddadin, Taylor Griffith Broadcast & Podcast Department: Olivia Agnew (Editor), Brayden Kells, Britt Voll Social Media and Online Department: Olivia Agnew (Editor), Gabbie Williams News Department: Mia Prince (Editor), Krish Gupta, Sami Haddadin, Janav Ramprakash, Victoria Suarez Opinions Department: Karl Loiseau (Editor), Gabbie Williams Focus Department: Lila Choudry (Editor), Taylor Griffith, Skyler Campbell Lifestyles Department: Mila Taylor (Editor), Julia Wu, Jena Mhamdi

Watch Brayden K. ’29, Emily L. ’27 and Britt V. ’27 recap homecoming week, athletics, fine arts and more! Check out The Trinity Voice on YouTube to keep up to date on campus events and updates!

Sports Department: Ben Kleiman (Editor), Thomas Bonos, Neve Judelson STEM Department: Ashwin Anand (Editor), Sarah Zobel, Omi Tikalal Graphics Department: Maxi de la Fuente (Editor), Natalie Baron, Aylin Garibay Photo Department: Julia Hoskins (Editor), Eden Kiger, James Ellzey, Lola Brown, Ally Williams Business Manager: Krish Gupta Advisers: Erin Miller & Brian Kells

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

The Trinity Voice is produced by the newspaper/journalism class at Trinity Preparatory School of Florida.

Editorials represent the opinion of The Trinity Voice writer and are not necessarily the views of the administration, faculty or Board of Trustees of Trinity. The Voice welcomes letters to the editor and free-lance articles or photography. All submissions become the property of The Voice. Please send all correspondence to 5700 Trinity Prep Lane, FL 32792. The Voice may also be contacted via phone at 407-671-4140 and via e-mail at voice@ trinityprep.org. For information regarding the purchase of advertising within The Voice, contact us by one of the methods mentioned above. The Voice is a monthly publication during the school year (with the exceptions of November and January).

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

Brayden K. ’29 covers the drum line, highlighting their teamwork and dedication to bringing a spirited atmosphere to every football game. Watch the feature now on YouTube!

Podcasts After officially opening for classes on Oct. 6, the Sankar Science Center has brought a wave of evolution to the campus. Listen in to Gustavo Membreno ’26 and Jack Aaron ’26 as they share their opinions on the good, the bad and the future of Sankar.

News

November 2O25

TESTING BEYOND THE BELL Mia Prince Photo by Eden Kiger Graphic by Maxi de la Fuente

After disappearing during the pandemic, ers and everybody hold themselves to a stanSince the program is new for many students, the after-school testing program returned this dard, and I think we have to hold ourselves to there has been a lot of stress and worry over year for upper school. The program is a way to a (high) standard.” how the program would work out and how streamline the process for make-up tests and Not only does it take a burden off teachers, accommodating administrators and teachers for those who receive extended time. but it also helps with the inconvenience for would be about returning after illnesses.

The program was originally removed due students who previously had to use their free One of the major issues caused by the new to COVID-19 protocols, but it was a pro- time to meet at breaks, at lunches or before program is the confusion surrounding when gram many teachers enjoyed and were hoping and after school. This system gives students students are meant to make up tests if absent would come back. one place to meet at a known date and time. for multiple days. Students and families are “Ultimately, the stuff being told that they we were doing before need to take their tests COVID worked fine,” the next time they are social science teacher on campus, but BlickBrandon Burmeister man has clarified that said. “We just had to if you are gone for six remember to put it days, the school policy back in.” allows six days to make The program was put up any assessment. in place with the idea While some teachers of limiting the number who were here in past of students who were years are familiar with skipping class simply the program, there are because they did not a lot of new teachers want to take tests. Adwho are navigating ditionally, it was comit as much as the stuplicated for teachers dents are. to schedule a time for “I think it’s just a a make-up test that (matter) of getting worked for both teachused to and instituers and students. tionalizing the pro“Lots of teachers gram again so that we use it,” Assistant Head don’t have to remind Students report to the study hall room after school to make up missed assessments. of School Sebastiaan everybody,” BurmeisBlickman said. “I think ter said. “(If ) you it’s been effective. I think it’s been nice for the While the new program cuts out the con- missed this test, then you go to after-school teachers to sort of take that off their plate.” fusion of where and when to make up tests, testing, and you take it. Once we just instituThe program also brings back the high it still creates anxiety about how soon to take tionalize these changes and rules, it (will) just standards of accountability that come with tests after being out. become commonplace. I think it’ll be fine.” being a student at Trinity Prep.

“I think for families, it’s actually been tough In the future, there are hopes to extend the “Holding students a little bit more ac- and not as effective because I think that there after-school testing program to middle school countable for (testing) I think is in line with has been either misunderstanding ... or I hav- so that it can equally benefit both high school who we are, right?” Burmeister said. “Trinity en’t been clear enough in the fact that we don’t and middle school students.

Prep is Trinity Prep, right? So students, teach- want sick kids on campus,” Blickman said.

November 2O25

News

PA NT THE TOWN

National Art Honor Society focuses on new community projects Article by Victoria Suarez Photos by Eden Kiger Toward the beginning of the school year, Fine Arts Department Chair Jolie Spellman connected the National Art Honor Society (NAHS) with an opportunity to decorate flowerpots for Barktoberfest, a local fundraising event. All the proceeds from the event will go to an animal rescue organization. They have already made tremendous progress and are very grateful for the opportunities presented to them and the assistance they have received along the way.

Students designed dog-themed pots for Barktoberfest.

Trinity Prep’s chapter of NAHS is a student organization focused on using the artistic talents of its members for the benefit of the community. The society is co-sponsored by fine arts teachers Irina Ashcraft and Vadim Malkin and is open to any upper school students who are interested in applying their artistic prowess to community service projects.

“We just want to use art as inspiration,” Ashcraft said. “Something that brightens somebody’s day, but also for the better good.”

The society is a low-commitment way for students to get involved and earn some volunteer hours doing either 2D or 3D art, depending on their preference. The only requirement is the completion of eight initial volunteer hours to be inducted into the society at the end of March.

“We will put them on our roster, on the email list, and start sending the opportunities their way,” Ashcraft said. “And it’s going to be up to them to uphold their end of the bargain and actually earn those hours.”

Since the beginning of the school year, NAHS has been hard at work on multiple new and exciting projects. The society has been working with the Boys and Girls Club of Orlando, as well as Barktoberfest. In addition to these new projects, they are still dedicated to working on their typical yearly activities.

“I think the service projects we do right now are really meaningful,” NAHS President The National Art Honor Society presents small teracotta pots with colorful designs.

Mavis Li said.

Their first major service project for the school year was inspired by fine arts teacher Ashcraft said. “They see that somebody cares Caberbe Joseph. It started with him request- about you across the globe and knows about ing help from the artists with thank-you notes you and saw your picture and took time to for the Boys and Girls Club, and soon after, create a portrait for you. That’s amazing.”

They also donate $15 per portrait. Howthe society launched into action. Volunteer artists created unique and ornate designs for ever, instead of asking NAHS members to the cards before returning them to be filled donate the money, they undertake several projects throughout the year to fundraise and out and delivered.

“We jumped on it, and then in a week, we use the money for both their donations and supplies. Primarily, this is through selling at got over 100 cards done,” Ashcraft said.

Once the cards were completed, they moved the Teen Art Show at the Winter Park Library.

“For all the projects we did this year, my on to decorating the pots for Barktoberfest with Spellman’s connections. The highly tal- favorite is the teen art show, where we’re doented artists created beautiful designs of an- ing painting and 3D clay jewelry to sell,” Li imals and other symbols to elevate the terra- said. “I think that’s pretty fun, (as well as) the cotta bases. The pots were then allowed to dry chalk art for the orchestra, since I’m also in the orchestra.” before being packed up and donated.

These new projects would “We’re always open, “We just want to use art as inspi- not have been possible withthe dedication of all and we welration. Something that brightens out NAHS members. This year, come people with more help in the 2D coming into somebody’s day.” and especially in 3D sections, us and saying, - Irina Ashcraft, NAHS co-sponsor the society was able to take ‘Hey, we have on more activities than they this’ or ‘How can we collaborate with you?’ or ‘Can we get could previously handle. Moving forward, they hope to work with more local organizayour help?’” Ashcraft said.

Additionally, they are gearing up to do an tions and look forward to keeping their art to annual project called the Memory Project. help people in whatever way they can.

“A lot of people think that you have to give The organization connects NAHS with an orphanage around the world, and they receive up your weekend and go out and find these pictures back of the kids and create person- organizations to work with,” 3D Vice Presalized portraits. When the portraits are sent, ident Kinsley Wood said. “But it can be as they receive back videos of the kids receiving simple as doing something that you love, like them, and they get to witness their reactions. making pottery or making bowls, and that “Some of them don’t own a photo of them- can greatly impact someone’s life in a very selves, and then they get that excitement,” positive way.”

News

November 2O25

$TOCKS BEYOND SIMULATION Article by Sami Haddadin Photo by Julia Hoskins, Graphics by Natalie Baron In an era where understanding financial Daniel serves as the fund manager and “As an analyst, I’m responsible for working literacy is more crucial than ever, the Trini- oversees everything about the fund while also on one-pagers,” said junior Campbell Alch, an ty Prep Investment Fund, founded by seniors planning fund meetings and guest lectures. analyst for the healthcare sector in the fund.

Nikhil Daniel and Owen Raffa, adopts a tech- The chief education officer, Raffa, speaks with “In my group, there are four or five people, nical and pragmatic approach to teaching stu- local students and spreads financial literacy to and we chose two stocks, CVS and Pfizer. We dents valuable investing skills. The fund com- the community. Senior Sarah Cantwell holds are split and working on one-pagers to give prises 25 students across 10th through 12th the position of chief technology officer, where the details of it, like the price, how it could grade, who invest in stocks through a pool of she is responsible for creating and running (fluctuate, etc.).” money raised through donations, fundraisers the fund’s website. And Thomas Bonos, the The fund’s structure parallels that of othand student tuition funds. chief investment officer, has the responsibility er college and high school investment funds, “It’s important to emphasize that financial of overseeing pitch meetings and handling in- incorporating aspects from a diverse array of literacy in the tumultuous financial times vestment logistics. institutions, which enables it to prepare stuwe’re in is of critical dents for what to expect importance,” said Asbeyond high school. sistant Head of Up“We already had conper School Sebastiaan nections with other high Blickman, who played school and college investa key role in getting the ment funds … at (UC) fund off the ground.

Berkeley and UF,” Raffa “If our students can said. “Because of those learn that through this connections that we had, real-life learning experiit was super easy to figence, then we’re all for ure out things like fund the better for it.” structure, what your avBefore the fund erage meeting looks like, became a reality, the and that also allowed us fund’s leadership faced to look more professional various hurdles that when pitching it to adtested their resilience min because we formatand adaptability. ted our fund based on “In our meetings with The investment fund’s executive board, composed of Sarah Cantwell ’26, Thomas college funds.”

(Director of Alumni Bonos ’26, Nikhil Daniel ’26 and Owen Raffa ’26, poses for a photo in light of the A key distinction beRelations Liz) McIn- fund’s creation. tween the fund and other tosh, the CFO (Michael Drake) and Mr. Blickman, there were a lot of times where Nikhil and I had to make compromises with them,” Raffa said. “For example, we originally wanted full freedom on everything we wanted to invest in, but we found out from them pretty quickly that was not going to be possible. … (So the) back-and-forth with admin to get all the details ironed out … (was) probably the hardest thing.”

The fund structure is divided between the executive board and four investment sectors.

Each member of the four-person executive board oversees a specific area of the investment fund, ensuring all bases are covered.

The four investment sectors comprise Information Technology, Healthcare, Energy/ Mining and Consumer, with each sector having three analysts and one associate who serves as the sector leader. Having four sectors diversifies the fund’s investments and provides a wider range of opportunities for students to specialize in and learn specific skills for a specific industry.

With the fund planning to start investing by the end of November, each of the four branches is currently preparing to pitch two stocks to other associates, the executive board and Trinity’s Board of Finance.

student initiatives at Trinity is that it provides students with real money to invest. This, paired with the money’s ties to the school, creates realistic conditions for what it is like to be an investor.

“Nothing simulates real money more than real money,” Blickman said. “I can do a fake (simulator) online, but … when you add in that (the money is) tied to the school … you see a sense of responsibility … to make sure that I’m not just throwing letters against the board and hoping that I pick the right stock.

So that’s a really cool opportunity to teach leadership, ownership, responsibility and the hard skills of finance.”

November 2O25

News

New investment fund marks shift towards practical teachings in finance

The fund highlights Trinity’s commitment to the learning process and to preparing its students for the real world, even if that means failing at first. “(The fund) says that Trinity Prep is a place where we believe in the real-world preparation for students, where they can learn by doing rather than by lecture,” Blickman said. “It’s a place where even if you fail … there’s just as much learning to be had as to why that happened, what we missed, what we could have done differently, and that learning will stick with people just as much as the success will.”

This is accomplished by teaching navigational skills and creating an atmosphere that is not part of the standard classroom experience.

“The … analysts are not picked together with friend groups; they’re picked together by interests,” Blickman said. “It might not be your friends. It might not be people in your grade. It might not be people of the same gender. And so you need to navigate how to work in that team … and that’s a skill that you don’t get to practice as much in classes. … Whereas in this team, you’re all in very different places of understanding, different ages, different genders and different levels of comfort.”

The fund enhances this experience by inviting Trinity alumni and parents with diverse fi-

nancial backgrounds to speak to fund members, offering unique insights into the world of finance and the work they do. “(With the fund) bringing back speakers, it takes (learning) beyond theory and something you’d study in a classroom to the real world,” said Todd Hartung, assistant head of school for external affairs. “These are people who make their living doing this type of work, and they’re from all different fields. And so one, you get exposed to different positions or jobs that you may

“In five to 10 years, my hope is that this fund … (has) grown to a point where we can start to spin off 4% or 5% for student initiatives that better the student experience,” Blickman said. “At one of my previous schools … they were able to (use) that money they had earned through the investment fund’s performance and their analysis to buy new jerseys for all sports teams.”

However, there is a deeper lesson to be learned than just seeing the money from successful student investments being allocated to the student body; it teaches students that the learning and growth experienced at Trinity as a whole can make a real impact on another person’s life.

“My hope is that over time, you get comfortable having conversations with people you might see as investors or people that you want to learn from,” Blickman said. “When you see a speaker come in, you’re able to go and speak to them, ask them individual questions and carry yourself in a professional manner.”

But the benefits of having an investment fund extend far beyond simply advancing the knowledge, experience and professional skills of the analysts, associates and leaders who manage it. Over time, the fund also gives them the unique capacity to make a lasting and direct impact on students’ day-to-day lives across the entire school community.

“That’s a tangible impact that this group of students’ learning had on the school,” Blickman said. “You learned how to invest in a sustainable, strategic manner that paid dividends over the course of five to 10 years. … Your learning had a direct impact on students.”

Beyond this, the fund symbolizes more than just an environment for learning and applying practical financial knowledge. It puts on full display the determination and intuitiveness of Trinity’s student body, which will hopefully spark new initiatives that may have seemed unlikely in the past.

“Even if an idea you have seems like a long shot, it seems like it would never get approved, it seems like it could never happen, if you sit down, work through it and work your hardest, it can and will be done,” Raffa said.

“It was a super important realization that just because we’re kids doesn’t mean we can’t accomplish something great.”

News

November 2O25

COURSES THAT COUNT

New AP courses bring career prep to the classroom Article by Krish Gupta Graphic by Natalie Baron

Trinity is known for offering one of the most diverse ranges of Advanced Placement courses, from AP World History to AP Latin to AP Environmental Science. Yet, students often feel that they miss out on real-world applications of their education. With the College Board’s recently announced courses, AP Cybersecurity and AP Business with Personal Finance, however, that could change.

College Board’s new offerings are designed to bring a more practical, career-oriented approach to high school education. The business course introduces students to the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, accounting and management. The cybersecurity course dives into topics such as risk assessment, threat detection and security mitigation.

AP Cybersecurity is already under consideration as part of Trinity’s growing computer science program, with the course currently being reviewed on how it fits into the school’s overall curriculum plan. “(AP Cybersecurity) is going to be a combination of policy overview, how to set up programs and what things you should be looking for, as well as an introduction to the technical aspect of it,” Chief Technology Officer Alex Podchaski said. “It’s going to be (looking at) the entire landscape versus just being a legal or application class.”

Podchaski hopes to create a path in which students begin with foundational courses that introduce physical computing and basic programming before choosing more specialized tracks such as advanced programming, cybersecurity or robotics. For instance, AP Cybersecurity is specifically designed to build directly on an introductory course, Cybersecurity Principles, that offers broad exposure and some hands-on experience.

“We don’t want people to go (into AP Cybersecurity) cold,” Podchaski said. “AP is really meant to be your second step. … Just like you don’t take AP Biology without taking biology … (the AP course) is going to build on the foundation.”

Regardless of the courses, Podchaski believes that understanding the fundamentals of cybersecurity, data privacy and information protection is more important than ever for students today.

“Given the rate of digital adoption for your generation, you need to be aware of where your information is, who’s using it, and who you’ve given permission to use it,” Podchaski said. “Because of the developments with AI (and) identity theft, you need to … protect and represent yourself properly.”

Meanwhile, discussions around AP Busines with Personal Finance are in earlier stages. According to Mathematics Department Chair Donald Worcester, the course has not yet been discussed within the department. Still, some students see a clear demand, believing the course could not only offer practical preparation by helping them better represent themselves in the real world, but also equip them with tools to manage financial decisions and everyday transactions.

“In this world, we rely on money,” junior and investment fund member Luke Kang

said. “One day we’re all going to be managing ourselves, our income, (our) taxes and things like that. … We have to know how to use money, how to spend it, but most importantly, how to budget and make sure we have enough to provide for ourselves.”

Mathematics teacher Sage Butler, who is also directing the interim course “Cha-Ching 101: A Guide to Finances,” sees AP Business with Personal Finance as a shift toward real-world readiness. She also emphasized the long-term advantages of financial literacy, especially when introduced earlier to students, as this course aims to do.

“If (students) start now, they’re going to start years ahead of a lot of other people,” Butler said. “Kids don’t realize that you can end up with a million extra dollars if you start a retirement fund now.”

For students like Kang, this kind of forward-thinking education fills a noticeable gap in Trinity’s current course offerings.

“For students who want to fully indulge themselves in finance, marketing, business and whatnot, I think there is (currently) a little bit of a gap in the curriculum,” Kang said.

“There are definitely quite a few students (in Trinity) who want to take the business route, whether it be a marketing director or a business manager.”

Both AP Cybersecurity and AP Business with Personal Finance offer valuable skills that transcend academics, equipping students with the necessary experience to navigate a world where digital literacy and entrepreneurship are key. This shift could better support students who want to see more practical application in their education.

News

REPR PR

GRAMMED

November 2O25

Students take on new redesign of TPS Time Article by Aarav Gupta Photo by Allison Williams

Access TPS Time today!

Students sit in silence, their eyes gazing at application, piggybacking off of the program’s create similar applications to prevent confuthe window as they anxiously await the sound old code. sion among students and uphold strict secuof the bell. With no one sure about the exact The pair initially had trouble interpreting rity standards. schedule, they reach for their laptops to check all of Hawley’s old code and applying it to the “Because the word of TPS Time isn’t really the infamous online scheduling application new application. out too much, some of the people have tried — TPS Time.

“When he made the new version for us, he making similar apps,” Borgman said. “As Originally developed by alumnus James tried to make it easy to read,” Borgman said. (Chief Technology Officer Alex) Podchaski Hawley, TPS Time was an instant sensation, “There were still some parts that we were not was talking to us, he wanted the app to be reaching the devices of most students and able to understand, so it took us a couple of secure to make sure the schedule didn’t get teachers overnight. Designing the finished days to just understand where everything was out, so it’s been kind of difficult to try to put website took a total of around two years of and get it figured out from there.” out some of the copy cat apps.” work.

The redesign has been met with pos“When I first entered sixth grade, itive feedback and engagement. there was a simple yet popular app cre“I think it’s way better,” freshman ated by a former student, Ricky WoodNeel Bhonde said. “You can also acruff,” Hawley said. “In eighth grade, for cess it through an extension browser, my 20-Time project, I had the opportuwhich I think is really cool as well.” nity to work on anything I wanted, so Since Hawley’s departure, students my friend Zach Kleiman and I decided and faculty alike have still used the old to take on the challenge of reviving the application due to limited awareness idea. … The positive response motivated of the new website. Furthermore, acme to keep improving it and turn it into cessing this new application requires something even better.” connection to the school WiFi. HowThe launch of the application received ever, the team is working to incorpoimmense praise. rate the tpstime.com domain, which “The initial student response was inwould allow users to access the app credible,” Hawley said. “People immein any environment, eliminating the diately bookmarked the site and began need for a WiFi connection. In the using it daily.” meantime, the application can be acHowever, when Hawley graduated, cessed at tpstime.trinityprep.org. the future of the app remained uncerAfter the pair graduates in the comtain until juniors Joe Borgman and Asad ing years, they hope to continue the Sadikov decided to take over the app. legacy of TPS Time for future grades.

Hawley’s ultimate goal was to leave “We’ll probably try to find somethe new developers full access to the body next year who can continue the website. The new pair of developers creproject, keep it maintained and add ated an entirely new website with the Junior Broc Williams works on his laptop as his teacher features that need to be added,” Borgdisplays TPS Time on the board. same features, functionality and code. man said.

“When I was creating the website, it The redesign of TPS Time has overwas exciting to experiment with new ideas,” Teamwork and collaboration with Sadikov all been a success, enhancing the experience Hawley said. “I believe any oversight would made the redesign process significantly easi- for the student body as a whole. only limit the students’ creative freedom. er. For instance, Borgman was responsible for “I think TPS Time is a great resource beThat said, I’ll always be available to help if the the login interface while Sadikov primarily cause you get to see what time your classes end current developers need it.” worked on integrating the house systems into and the whole schedule of the day,” Bhonde Designing the new application was no easy the new application. said. “Especially when we have events like pep feat. Using TypeScript, it took the pair a total The pair maintains primary ownership of rallies and homecoming week, the timings are of four weeks to complete the redesign of the the application. Others are not permitted to a bit skewed, so I think it’s a great resource.”

1O

November 2O25

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November 2O25

STEM

SCIENCE OF STRESS Article by Omi Tikalal Graphic by Natalie Baron

All students know that feeling of dread in the days leading up to tests. Notes lay scattered across the library tables, highlighters run dry and caffeine becomes a lifeline. But that feeling is not just emotional; it is a biological signal developed over millions of years ago to help us survive.

Stress is one of the body’s oldest defense mechanisms. It helped early humans escape predators and endure harsh environments.

Today, that same system that once saved lives now powers all-nighters and testday jitters.

When someone feels stressed, their nervous and endocrine systems trigger a fight-or-flight response. This causes an increased heart rate, boosted immune response, uneven breathing and slower digestion.

According to Harvard Health, the brain’s amygdala is responsible for emotional processing and sends a message to the hypothalamus after perceiving a threat.

The hypothalamus then activates the sympathetic nervous system, which prompts the release of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol from the adrenal glands in the endocrine system.

The American Psychology Association explains how adrenaline quickens your heartbeat, sharpens your senses and floods your muscles with energy. Cortisol keeps you alert and ready to act. Together, they prepare your body to react, whether to being face-to-face with a lion or walking into AP Biology for your first test.

Not all stress is bad. In small doses, it can sharpen focus and boost performance.

“I think we see stress as an exclusively negative thing,” Brown said. “Stress causes us to act. It causes me to get my grading done and you to get your studying done. It’s interworked with fear to keep us from not walking in the middle of Aloma during rush hour.”

Good stress, known as eustress, gives you that energy before a presentation or boosted focus during a sports game. It is a way to keep you alert, motivated and challenged without feeling overwhelmed.

The problem is when stress starts to turn against you. Most know stress as feeling panicked, scattered or forgetful.

“You’re in the middle of something and you’re frazzled … then (you) say … ‘Oh God, I forgot A, B and C as well,’” Honors Anatomy teacher Brandon McDermed said.

Chronic stress can cause memory lapses, fatigue and muscle tension as cortisol overwhelms the brain’s learning centers. Longterm stress keeps cortisol levels high for long periods of time, affecting things like sleep, immune function and concentration. It is why students still feel drained after sleeping or eating well: The body is stuck in alert mode.

Physically, it can manifest in small yet telling ways. McDermed has noticed students picking the skin on their cuticles, face, eyebrows or lashes. If this stress goes on for too long, it can result in long-term health concerns like lack of appetite leading to massive weight loss.

People’s varying response to stress is first and foremost determined by genetics.

“We underestimate the power genetics has on us,” Brown said. “Our genetic code dictates so much more than we’ve been giving it credit for. … You will more likely handle stress similar to how your parents handled it from a genetic perspective.”

Environment plays a role, too. How you were taught and how you have witnessed people close to you react to stress can influence whether you respond in a more intense or more laid-back way.

“You’re going to become more like the people you surround yourself with, (and) they’ll become more like you,” Brown said. “Just like pack mentality, we’re built to want to be like those that we are around.”

In other words, stress is not only chemical; it is contagious. On our campus, teachers often see stressors — causes of emotional or physical tension — in the form of cultural pressure to achieve good grades and prepare for the college admissions process. This stress exists at all institutions, but not much is done to turn it into something positive.

“We talk about (stress) a lot, but I think we talk about it in a very passive sense, not super fixated on ‘Let’s fix the problem,’” Brown said. “Students have so many tests right now, but then not much is done about it. So, although we do acknowledge it, I don’t think we’re doing a lot about it.”

The goal is not to erase stress, even with its negative connotation, but to understand it, turn a survival mechanism into a study partner. Stress does not necessarily mean that you are failing. It is better to differentiate between good stress and bad stress, in turn learning healthy coping mechanisms.

“Go live your life,” Brown said. “Be stressed out. Stress can be crippling, but it isn’t always bad. And if we’re always comfortable, we are often making it so that we can’t grow. But if we can access some discomfort, we can grow.”

November 2O25

STEM

(DON’T ) TRUST THE PROCESS Article by Sarah Zobel Photo by Eden Kiger, Graphics by Maxi de la Fuente and Natalie Baron

26 grams of protein. 170 calories. Natural nies know this, so they add enzymes to make very successful due to its discrete nature.

While scrolling, teenagers see hunflavors. At first glance, this may seem like the it easier to digest these products. perfect snack to hit your protein goals, un“There’s cellulose gel, there’s cellulose gum dreds of hidden ads from their favorite influencers til you realize the missing descriptor — the and there’s carrapromoting prodone that food engineers hide from marketing, geenan … those influencers ignore and your friends do not (are) thickener “Ultra-processed foods are ucts with no sciunderstand: “ultra-processed.” Unbeknownst agents,” Wasyliw good for no one. … There’s entific reasoning behind them. to many, the majority of these high-protein said, referring The bright health snacks are simply ultra-processed treats to the contents truly no nutritional benefit to colors and marketed to seem like miracle foods. of the Fairlife putting them in your body.” carefully Everyone consumes some form of pro- Core Power Pro- Jayne Wasyliw, Nutritionist c h o s e n tein Shake. cessed food in their everyday lives, “Those three wording as “processed food” is defined can actually … degrade your gut. of the product packby the U.S. Department of They know that gel, gum and car- aging are no mistake Agriculture as “anything rageenan can hurt your stomach, either. Packages often that changes the fundamen(so) they put a lactase enzyme in advertise popular flavors, tal nature of an agricultural there (to make you) want to drink like mint-chocolate chip product,” such as freezing or more of it. or cookie-dough, and are juicing an apple. Ultra-proCompanies do not want their filled with bright, fun colcessed foods are an entirely consumers, you, to find out ors to obscure the truth of different story. about these modifica- the product inside.

“Ultra-processed tions. Luckily for them, “(Teenagers) definitely foods are good for they are extremely good follow the marketing and no one,” nutritionat concealing this infor- like the taste,” junior Thomist Jayne Wasyliw mation through tact- as Hoskins said. “None of said. “There’s truful marketing, aimed my friends care about the acly no nutritional pointedly at teens. tual nutrition.” benefit to putting “When you see Companies also use buzzthem in your someone that you fol- words like “high protein,” body.” low … promoting a “natural flavors” and “no sugThese foods are product … you think ar” to conceal the real meanmanufactured in they look healthy, they ing behind their words, factories to make look happy and you like knowing their consumers them taste good them, so you want to try what- will not think to check the enough to ignore the risks ever they’re doing,” Wasyliw ingredient list. on the back of the package. said. “It’s a huge business. What “(I have) two (Core According to Yale Medipeople don’t realize, because it’s Power Protein Shakes) cine, the long ingredient not talked about, is that these a day, in the morning list primarily includes influencers are getting paid and after school … it’s a “substances … extracted to push these products. I can good way to get protein from food or derived from tell you from the inside world, in, and it tastes good,” hydrogenated fats or modithere are some influencers who eighth grader Eiden fied starches.” Many of these push products who don’t actually O’Farril said. “No, (I do additives are harmful to the eat them.” not look at the ingredient body, leading to gut issues or other inflam- Statistics courtesy of John Muir Health, Marketing for ultra-pro- label), I just look at its protein. mation, but compa- Balance is Better and Kids Eat Right cessed foods is endless and That’s it.”

STEM

November 2O25

Popular protein-forward products pose hidden health risks Many young people are not aware of the facts. The ideal amount of protein in each “If it’s a laundry list of ingredients on the risks associated with many of these product depends on the type of food, but in bar, then you don’t want to eat it,” Wasyliw products and do not know where to general, a teenager’s diet should consist of 10- said. “Especially if you can’t even pronounce find information to make better de- 30% protein, or 0.5 to some of the ingredicisions for themselves.

0.8 grams of protein ents on the label, you “That’s why being a really good per pound of body certainly don’t want label reader is really important,” weight. Social media to eat it.”

Wasyliw said. “You can look at the has also created a large This method can front of a package, and it could emphasis on consumbe applied to a poptell you it’s all natural, it’s ing protein, but it ular Grille item: healthy, it’s full of great actually makes up for the aforementioned stuff … but when you the smallest amount of Core Power Fairlife turn it around and look a person’s diet.

Protein Shakes. Its at the ingredients, the “(My friends) want net fiber is 4 grams, calories, the dietary fi- to get protein in,” it has 5 grams of sugber, the sugar, all of that, Hoskins said. “But ar and it contains 26 you’re like, ‘Oh no, this they don’t really care grams of protein. At does not look so good.’” about all the speciffirst, it does not seem Decoding an ingredient ics of sugar and other terrible. However, or nutrition label can be added ingredients.” looking at the long tricky, since vagueness is The final compoingredient list, there what these companies rely nent is sugar. Oftenare multiple gums, on. Therefore, it is the con- times, people do not gels and additives sumer’s responsibility not to realize how much sugthat are harmful to let these corporations get the ar they are consumdigestive health. best of them. ing. According to Yale “I think there’s There are three main num- Health, the average better options out bers to find: The first to look American teen consumes around 136 grams there that could be offered,” Wasyliw said. for is the dietary fiber. Fiber of added sugar in one day, over five times “There’s definitely options out there that are is a very important carbohy- the recommended 25 grams. Ultra-processed better for you with better ingredients than drate that the body does not foods hide large amounts of added sugars to any of these.”

By looking beyond the catchy advertisedigest, and it instead main- improve taste, making it easy to unknowingly tains the body’s blood sug- exceed this limit. ments and into the details of the nutrition laar level and assists bel, you can discover the with digestion.

“That’s why being a really good label reader is really truth about what you are “Fiber is so inconsuming. Be wary of credibly import- important. You can look at the front of a package, and colorful marketing and ant in a teen- it could tell you it’s all natural, it’s healthy, it’s full influencers, and check ager’s life, in every nutrition and ineveryone’s life, of great stuff … but when you turn it around and look gredient list before purbut teens, for at the ingredients … you’re like, ‘Oh no, this does not chasing a new product. sure, do not get Ultimately, the carefully enough fiber,” look so good.’” crafted advertisements - Jayne Wasyliw, Nutritionist have no power over a Wasyliw said.

The second conscious consumer. thing to find is the total proAfter considering the nutrition facts, it is tein, which is directly listed on the nutrition important to look at the ingredients.

November 2O25

STEM

BYPASS THE FIREWALL All-girls cybersecurity team breaks down barriers Article by Janav Ramprakash Photo by Lola Brown, Graphic by Natalie Baron

stereotypes that have often subtly downplayed dows machines or somebody who specialized At the CyberPatriot competition this year, her achievements. in networking.”

Trinity Prep’s all-girls cybersecurity team was “I got an internship with Lockheed Martin Consistent mentorship has also been essentasked with handling three to four critical op- this summer,” Cantwell said. “It was said that tial to helping the team. erations. These included checking for system I only got the internship because I’m a wom“I was making myself as available as possiupdates, ensuring firewalls were active, con- an in STEM. It has been said that I’m a DEI ble in my room and in a location,” Frederick figuring network links and setting up a new hire or I was only there because they needed said. “We would meet at lunch and sometimes router. After a grueling four-hour session, a girl face.” before school. I was also there after school if where the team earned points for completing However, Cantwell and the team have con- they needed me to be.” various tasks, they entered the nation’s top sistently broken down stereotypes through However, Frederick could not always be 30 in rankings. Their performance at Cyber- participating in the highest levels of national there to assist the team, which made it imPatriot did not just showcase their technical competitions. Their success is largely a result portant for them to learn how to succeed skills, but it also significantly highlighted of the team’s continuous skill development when working independently. their role in confronting a “I was mainly teaching them much larger issue. how to manage themselves,” According to the Global Frederick said. “I would just get Cybersecurity Forum, as of them started with what went 2024, women made up only right in the last competition, 24% of the cybersecurity what went wrong, and then start workforce. These competithem on their own research. The tions often reflect this statistic, more I could hand it over to the where most of the competing students, the better I felt it was.” teams are overwhelmingly By allowing students to take male. However, Trinity Prep’s ownership of their progress, all-girls cybersecurity team is Frederick fostered a sense of challenging expectations and drive that continued to motibypassing the firewall. Survate the team even beyond her rounded by male-dominated guidance. groups, they know what they “I think you just have to have are up against. a passion for it and be willing to “We come knowing that Members of the all-girls cybersecuity team practice coding on their lapdo the work to try and get betwe’re going to be seen as the tops. Pictured from left to right is Sophie Yamada ‘27, Sarah Cantwell ter,” Cantwell said. underdogs because we are girls ‘26 and Grace Lohr ‘29.

Alongside competing in Cyand we won’t be considered as berPatriot, the all-girls cybersecusmart or as talented as some of the guy-teams and growth mindset. rity team has also participated in CyberFlorithat we’re facing,” said senior Sarah Cantwell, “We are able to ask more questions with- da, where the team placed in the top 25% of captain of the all-girls cybersecurity team. in our group,” Cantwell said. “Documenting the state. These successes highlight the contriThis feeling of underrepresentation is not what we’re doing so that we can go back and butions that girls can bring to cybersecurity, new. Former computer science teacher and look up better ways to do it after has helped challenging outdated assumptions about who team mentor Susan Frederick faced similar us succeed in these competitions.” can belong in the field. challenges during her own college years.

Additionally, the team’s strategic use of task “I hope people think that we’re not just “I remember when I was in college, I was specialization has allowed them to achieve diversity hires,” Cantwell said. “It’s actually the only female in coding classes,” Frederick this level of success. something that these women can do and be said. “I was the only female in the engineer“We usually try to each specialize in some- great at and even compete against. I hope that ing classes I took.” thing,” Class of 2024 alumna Lauren Neese it’s not like, ‘Oh, she’s a woman. That’s why Years later, these same challenges persist. said. “I specialized in Linux machines. We’d she won.’ It should be, ‘Oh, she won because Cantwell herself has personally encountered also have someone who specialized in Win- she’s awesome and she can do it.’”

November 2O25

Lifestyles

15

#THROWBACK Old school is the new cool Article by Julia Wu Graphics by Maxima de la Fuente In an era defined by rapid innovation, teenagers are turning back time and rediscovering the past. From the grainy effect of an old camera to the comeback of 2000s low-waisted jeans (except much baggier), teenagers are reviving the trends that their parents left behind.

Digital Cameras:

Scrolling through Instagram, it’s likely to come across a “photo dump” here and there, many of them appearing grainy or look like they have a filter on. These photos aren’t taken by the average iPhone but by something older, a digital camera.

“I think the appeal is that (a digital camera) takes so many different types of photos,” freshman Maggie Zissman said. “Not necessarily better, but I think differently. It appears warmer and captures your emotions better.”

Zissman feels more in touch with reality when taking photos with a digital camera compared to a phone. “(When) I take (photos) on my camera, I feel like I’m more in tune with what I’m doing,” Zissman said. “If I’m just taking a picture on my phone, then I’m not really focusing on taking it. I’m just doing it because I have my phone in my hand.”

Vintage cameras naturally give their photos an “older” look that is difficult to replicate even with purchased filters. It is the “vintage” feel of a digital camera that makes it so special.

Vinyls:

Movies:

Today, access to music is instantaneous. With the touch of a button, people can listen to their favorite songs, but pressing “play” is out of style. A vinyl and a record player appeals more to the teenage brain. Freshman Addison Atkinson spends her Sunday afternoons chilling out and listening to records by the Beatles and Sublime.

“At first, I only thought that music came out of the radio of the car, until I discovered vinyls,” Atkinson said. “A vinyl definitely offers more of an interactive feel, and it holds more sentimental value than just playing it on your phone.”

Rather than an endless list of songs, vinyls are physical collectibles. There is a certain satisfaction of collecting them. Some of Atkinson’s favorite vinyls she has collected are “Songs for a Nervous Planet” by Tears for Fears.

It is an experience to use a vinyl; placing it on a turntable, watching it spin and hearing the soft crackle of analog sound is somewhat comforting to teenagers.

“Being able to touch a vinyl and put it on the record player,” English teacher Steven Garnett said. “I feel like it is a more meaningful experience rather than just pushing a button. So, if it makes kids happy, it’s fun for me too.”

In the rising popularity of nostalgic films, movies from the ‘80s and ‘90s such as “Dead Poets Society” and “Forrest Gump” are back in the watchlists.

“I got interested in old movies because my older brother is a major in film,” sophomore Sophie Matusiak said. “He taught me all about old films, and I thought it was cool.”

In a fast-paced world with constant noise of the buzzing of technologies and devices, older films become a timeless space where students can find some space away from distractions.

“It’s very common among people our age to watch old movies,” Matusiak said. “I think it’s just because it helps you escape from the modern day world.”

Some things simply last and transcend generations.

“It’s kind of nice to know that some things don’t have to change just because we’re told they do,” Garnett said.

Lifestyles

November 2O25

PUSH FOR PRESTIGE Article by Fay Zhao Graphic by Maxi de La Fuente As November comes around, juniors begin standardized testing while seniors prepare to click submit on the Common Application, waiting for the influx of acceptances and rejections. While the pursuit of excellence begins well before high school, it culminates in a breeding ground for comparison and competition in junior and senior years.

“Right now, I would say (Trinity’s) culture has a lot of high expectations for all students,” said senior Luke Parker, who asked for a pseudonym because he felt his perspective would cause scrutiny. “There is a certain amount of competition, and that creates a very subtly cut-throat environment.”

In part, the competitive campus culture derives from the student body’s definition of success at any private college preparatory school: pursue higher education at a prestigious school, whether that be a D1, top 20 or Ivy League institution. Many parents pay tuition for their children not only to get into a college, but THE college.

While prep schools have benefits like college counseling and various leadership opportunities, the amalgamation of students all vying for the

same goal pushes the line of healthy competition to a more aggressive one.

This environment is not exclusive to our current juniors and seniors; it has been ingrained in generations of Trinity students to varying degrees. The Class of 2022 documented a spreadsheet of every student with the colleges and specialized programs they got into, along with their acceptance rates, all to rank each student based on how competitive they were.

“The couple classes before me had incredible college streaks,” 2022 alum Lilly Nguyen said. “Collectively, all of us had a feeling that we had to keep it going from very early on in high school. There was always this feeling of being watched by everyone around you.”

According to a study published in the National Library, since 1986, high schools have been increasing their academic intensity with students scoring higher on the SAT, enrolling in more AP courses and applying to more selective private institutions. In face of this, students may perceive themselves to be stuck in an academic-based ranking.

“There’s definitely a hierarchy at Trinity based on how people perceive intelligence,” said senior Megan Scott, who asked for a pseudonym for the same reasons as Parker.

“A lot of people are used to being at the top and the smartest in the room. They assert themselves and judge other people. I think that they think of me as a different league, like I am playing Little League and they’re in the MLB.” This hierarchy often becomes more intense in smaller, closer-knit communities like Trinity, where students compete across the same academics, extracurriculars and

leadership. In a larger student body, there is a greater diversity in the goals and values of students. For example, in Winter Park High School’s student body of 3,264, competition exists but is concentrated in niches.

“Because it’s a public school, the vast majority of people want to go to big SEC schools and Public Ivies,” said Ramsay Davis, 2025 graduate of Winter Park High School. “It’s only very specific and small sects of kids who are even shooting for those Ivies in the first place. That title is not really present.”

While students at other schools see getting into college itself as a success, prep school students aim for a higher standard, striving for schools with less than 20% acceptance rates.

“When you put pressure on yourself to succeed, you’re bound to have self-doubt,” Parker said. “When you compound that with teachers, college counselors and other students, stress builds even more. The more anxiety you have over it, the more eyes you feel are watching you. That’s where the insecurity sets in.”

Because college acceptances have varying institutional priorities that attributes to the subjectivity of holistic reviews, no one can confidently predict their outcome. According to a survey conducted by Education Advisory Board, 48% of students indicated that stress and anixety overshadow their college search and planning. The arbitrary nature of acceptances and rejections leads some students to seek control in the form of comparison, using the perceived accomplishments of fellow students to gauge their own odds.

“My parents always have to tell me that I’m smart because every time I do good on something, I tell them about someone who did better,” Scott said. “I don’t consider myself the most competent person at Trinity.”

According to a study in the National Library of Medicine, humans are strongly motivated

Lifestyles

Novemeber 2O25

Competitive campus environment impacts social dynamics by their perceived social rank. Without a clear sity of Florida hoodie to school and people standard, the neural reward system within the told her to take it off because she was not getbrain creates a need for comparison to see ting in. where that ranking lies. The space for vulnerSometimes, students choose to gatekeep ability and empathy is replaced with wariness to stay out of the competitive environment; as students see themselves competing with without disclosing any information, they do their peers. It’s hard to share conversations not add fuel to the drama that comes out of when someone else’s success becomes the comparison. Gatekeeping information, such cause of one’s own struggle. as the colleges or scholarships they are ap“In high school, there was a sense of dis- plying to, also becomes a way of protecting trust,” Nguyen said. “There was a distrust themselves against the judgement of others in your peers that you can’t rely on someone come decision day. with what you were up to academically, (in) The fear even seeps into personal friendextracurriculars. You can’t rely on them for ships, making it harder to be authentic in help. If you were struggling, that was some- moments of both success and failure. thing you kept for yourself.” “(My friends) don’t tell me much about Because of the distrust, students often gate- their school-related life,” Scott said. “ I don’t keep, withholding information, resources know if this person has someone to talk to and opportunities from others. Especially in about it. I think that they’re so afraid of not a place where opportunities are accessible to being the best or failing at something that everyone, keeping information about intern- they would rather no one know about this reships or exjection. It bums me tracurricular “My parents always have to tell me that out because I wish activities may I’m smart because every time I do good that they knew that give students could talk to on something, I tell them about someone they a comparative me, and I would advantage in who did better. I don’t consider myself never judge them.” their college the most competent person at Trinity.”

However, the applications. competitive enviIn other cas- - Megan Scott, senior who requested anonymity ronment modeled es, the interand spoke under a pseudonym in high school may nalized presnot be an accurate sure can lead to people putting down others as representation of what college is like. a projection of their own stress and insecuri“I learned to create much more authentic ties. When only a select few get into these top relationships (in college),” Nguyen said. “I colleges, people are quick to point out who learned to open up about myself in ways that deserves the spot and who doesn’t.

I wasn’t able to in high school. I learned that “In high school, it’s a lot more contentious it is okay to tell friends about all of the inbecause (of ) college admissions, and then ternship achievements, that you’re excited to even among my friends we would pit people publish, that you got rejected. I would say the against each other,” Nguyen said. biggest thing I learned in college was Scott recalls many instances where she was what I had to unlearn from immediately shut down by peers after indi- high school, which cating interest in applying to a competitive school. One day, she wore a Univer-

was to trust the people around me.”

Competition within school is inevitable, especially in a prep school, but a high school ex- perience does not need to be dictated by it. Individuals can find people and places that give them support.

“Up until (junior) year, I was mostly surrounding myself with those (toxic) people,” Scott said. “Then I branched out with my sports team. That’s why junior year was my best academic year of my life because I was in a more supportive environment and I was in a group of people (where) there wasn’t a need to make themselves better than me.”

High school is an exciting time for fun experiences, strong friendships and new communities. While it is easy to be dragged down by competition, uncertainty over the future and all kinds of pressures, ultimately, it is the choice of the individual to decide what kind of experience they want. Nguyen, who has lived through these years and come out the other side, offers simple advice: “I’d say keep the blinders on and just focus on what’s in front of you,” Nguyen said. “It’s important to be observant of what others are doing, what they’re saying and how they’re approaching things. But at the end of the day, it’s just you and this (process). And so I think it’s important to focus on what your personal motivations are, what your personal priorities are.”

November 2O25

Lifestyles

SWEAT BEFORE SUNRISE Article by Jena Mhamdi Photo by Julia Hoskins, Graphic by Aylin Garibay

Wake up at 4:30 a.m. Go to practice from 6 to 7:30 a.m. Go to classes at 8 a.m.

Leave school at 3:30 p.m. This is a common schedule for many student-athletes who have morning practices. While some appreciate more free time in the afternoon, others point to the sleep deprivation it can cause.

Pros

Waking up every day before 5 a.m. is definitely challenging, and while many students would rather skip practice and sleep in, waking up very early builds discipline. According to Swimming World, “To succeed in life, you have to be willing to push yourself and do things that you sometimes don’t want to do.”

Waking up at 4:30 a.m. is an obstacle many athletes have to overcome. This type of discipline is particularly beneficial for preparing students for college, where routine is essential to success. In addition to the routine, the morning provides cooler weather.

“In (cross country), we race in the morning, so we’re training at the same time that we try to compete,” varsity cross country coach Amanda Dean said. “It’s also significantly cooler in the morning, so we can expect our athletes to be able to work harder.”

Across all sports, heat is a significant factor in deciding when to hold practices. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), athletes who exercise in the heat are more likely to become dehydrated and get heat-related illness, which is why it is

better to schedule practices earlier or later in the day when the temperature is cooler. Many sports that have afternoon practices have to cancel them due to the heat index, if temperatures hit at least 92 degrees Fahrenheit.

In previous seasons, football practice has been canceled when the weather was deemed too dangerous to practice in.

“During (the beginning of the) season, the heat that comes in the afternoon makes a huge difference in what athletes are capable of doing, because when it’s 90-plus degrees outside, they just can’t shed body heat,” Dean said. “When you’re trying to (perform) at maximal standards, it’s just much more productive to run in the morning.”

Aside from temperature, morning practices also set up the rest of the day for students. According to Hinge Health, an online platform for physical therapy, exercising in the morning boosts energy levels due to an increase in oxygen, nutrients and dopamine. Exercise also improves productivity by increasing brain chemicals like norepinephrine and acetylcholine, which are associated with improved cognitive performance.

Cons

Without a healthy sleeping schedule, sometimes waking up early every day for practice and going to bed late to do homework for many days on end leads to exhaustion and an inability to pay attention in class. According to the CDC, 80% of high school students in Florida do not get enough sleep. Not only do most high schoolers go to bed late, but they

The boys varsity cross country team runs on the track during morning practice, which is every Monday through Friday from 6 to 7:30 a.m.

are now being forced to wake up even earlier to attend morning practices. Canadian swim coach Rick Madge discussed the disadvantages of morning practices in his article “Teens, Sleep Deprivation and Morning Practices.”

“We are doing our swimmers a grave disservice by having too many morning practices and by having those practices start too early,” Madge wrote. “The impact of our enforced sleep deprivation may be extending into their school performance and their general health.”

From vigorous practice schedules to balancing academics, while also getting less than eight hours of sleep, it can be challenging for some to balance their time effectively.

“That’s probably the biggest drawback, that we’re trying to get (all our workouts) in in a smaller amount of time and dealing with, potentially, fatigue if kids aren’t managing their sleep well,” Dean said.

Varsity cheerleader and sophomore Moraia Clemente, who has morning practice once a week and afternoon practice twice a week, also believes that afternoon practices are better than morning practices. “(During afternoon practices), I get more time to practice, and they’re usually more relaxed because I’m not rushing to get things done,” Clemente said.

Although there are various pros and cons of morning practices, each sport has its own preferences about when to hold practice.

“The general feedback is once you get your sleep schedule adjusted, which usually occurs in that first week or two of practice, the benefits far outweigh the cons,” Dean said.

November 2O25

Lifestyles

MIND THE GAP

One word sparks global backlash Article by Gabrielle Williams Graphic by Maxima de la Fuente Singer and songwriter Tyla catapulted to fame in early 2024 after releasing multiple hit songs in her album “TYLA,” like “Water” and “Jump.” Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, she incorporated much of her culture into her music, blending amapiano — South African house music — with pop and R&B from Western music.

In an interview for “The Breakfast Club,” a podcast hosted by Charlamagne Tha God, DJ Envy and Jess Hilarious, she was asked to explain what she meant when saying that she identifies as a coloured person in a TikTok made by her in 2020. She avoided the question, but that non-answer made fans believe she was “denying her Blackness.” What people fail to realize is that the term “coloured” carries significantly different connotations in South Africa. “(I) never denied my blackness, I don’t know where that came from,” Tyla said in a post on X (previously Twitter). “In South Africa I would be classified as a coloured woman and in other places I would be classified as a black woman. Race is classified differently in different parts of the world.”

She released an album labeled “WWP” on July 25, but it received a lot less support coming from the United States than her previous album. This situation makes one thing clear: A lack of understanding causes people to replace the feeling of empathy with hostility and judgment. “(Biologically), if you threaten my standing in society by disagreeing with my

views, I feel like I’m built now to feel fear and want to combat that either by running away or attacking something,” psychology teacher Michael Brown said.

This phenomenon can be described as “selective empathy,” the tendency to feel less compassion or understanding with people whose beliefs seem to conflict with our own.

People tend to feel more discomfort or anger when faced with these opposing views. When someone challenges our beliefs, our brain can interpret that as a threat. As a result, we become less empathetic and more critical.

“For example, in politics, people become more critical and take it personally when others don’t fully agree with them,” Sophomore Class President Nylah Davis said. “When someone doesn’t agree with me, I’m not critical of it. I just see them in a different light.

Your core beliefs and values make you who you are as a person, so having different ones would change my perception of that person.”

This bias also extends into how we judge others. When someone else makes a mistake, we are quick to assume bad intentions. But when we mess up, we justify our actions, blaming the situation on circumstance rather than character. “(People assume that because) we have done the research and we have the knowledge, if (others) don’t agree with me, it’s probably just because they are dumb, or they have not done the research,” Brown said.

Anger is an emotion easier to achieve than empathy. People tend to act out of anger in the moment rather than to pause and think about the reasoning behind why a decision was made.

With the emergence of social media, it is easy for people to connect with others with similar views — and to spread hate to those with differing ones.

“Social media, if anything, functions like an amplifier,” Brown said. “If you’re already going to disagree, now it’s easier to find the people you disagree with.

I don’t think it’s going to change who you are; it’s just so easy to hide behind a screen.”

Tyla gained a massive number of her fans from social media, as well as a lot of her backlash. Since many of her American fans do not understand her heritage, their disinterest for the situation came primarily from their lack of understanding, showing how a lack of cultural awareness can make it harder to relate, or even care, about someone else’s experience.

“Your culture and background shapes your values, but it (doesn’t have to change) the people you want to surround yourself with,” Davis said. “I have friends of different religions and different cultures, and we all are understanding of each other.”

Assumptions are natural when presented with little information. When only hearing one perspective on a topic, people tend to believe the person it comes from. Since Tyla had not yet addressed the issue with the public before angry fans did, the perspective people began to have on Tyla was negative.

When expressing anger on social media, it is easy to believe that one negative comment won’t do too much harm. These comments are often said without regard for the mental well-being of the person they are afflicting.

“I think social media has widened the empathy gap, but I also think that it has lessened it at the same time,” Davis said. “Someone will post something really sad, and (people) will show up and say, ‘We’re here for you,’ but (when) someone (else) posts a picture, people will ... say something negative. ... It just depends on the people that come across it.”

In order for people to confront these empathy gaps, society would first have to recognize that there are empathy gaps.

“You can’t really address anything if you don’t know the problems that exist,” Brown said. “I would say awareness is super important. That could only help people communicate better when they are too scared to.”

Throughout the Tyla scandal, as well as many other “controversial” subjects, we have to learn to think before we speak, or rather, learn before we speak. In a world where one post can make or break a reputation, we must begin to empathize with others — especially if they do not share the same perspectives.

Lifestyles

November 2O25

DEMON SLAYER: INFINITY CASTLE REVIEW Article by Sammy Lou Graphic by Jack Aaron

Summary: 5 stars - “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle” is the perfect continuation of the renowned “Demon Slayer” series. Boasting top-tier animation and some of the most emotional subplots you will ever watch, it’s no wonder this movie broke box office records. Disclaimer: Since this movie is a continuation of the series, I recommend watching the TV series on Crunchyroll or Netflix before watching this movie.

I’ll admit it: I cried twice during this movie.

This movie disproved Demon Slayer’s reputation as a show whose success “relies too heavily on animation.” Of course, the animation was top-tier. However, the characters’ backstories are what made the movie a success.

This movie had big shoes to fill. Just five years prior, “Demon Slayer: Mugen Train” broke box office records in 2020 by becoming the highest-grossing anime film to date, with a total of $486 million, according to IMDb, despite its release during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following its release after three and a half years of production, the Infinity Castle movie shattered expectations.

Since its release in August 2025, the Infinity Castle movie has grossed $648 million worldwide, according to IMDb. Considering that its budget was $20 million, the movie is a huge success.

The Infinity Castle movie is already the highest-grossing anime film of all time while ranking fifth in the 2025 worldwide box office.

Demon Slayer’s main plot is fairly simple and typical of an anime story. Tanjiro, a young boy, lives a happy life until a demon kills his family and turns his sister into a de-

mon. Tanjiro then swears to avenge his family by killing Muzan, the ruler of the demons.

This movie is the first of a trilogy that will cover the Infinity Castle Arc of Demon Slayer, in which Tanjiro makes his final push to defeat Muzan.

The beginning and majority of Tanjiro’s journey is a TV series, which you can watch on Crunchyroll or Netflix.

As previously stated, Demon Slayer is defined by its animation; it has a reputation as one of the most well-animated anime of all time. So, to no one’s surprise, the animation in the Infinity Castle movie was top-notch.

Comparing the scenes from the Demon Slayer: Mugen Train movie and the Infinity Castle

movie, the latter’s frames are noticeably more detailed and vibrant.

Also, the backdrop was gorgeous. The setting, which is the actual “infinity castle” within the Demon Slayer universe, is such a unique concept that was perfectly executed down to the detail by the animation studio, Ufotable. As someone who watched the movie three times, there are so many small details in the fight scenes that you can catch upon rewatching the movie. For example, one character names many of his attacks after different types of Japanese fireworks that his attacks somewhat resemble.

The movie’s little subplots add a layer of depth to the fight scenes that makes it much more than just good versus evil. Previously in the series, Demon Slayer’s backstories had the audience grinning at the wholesome past of a good-hearted character or clenching their teeth at the cruelty of one of the villains. However, the Infinity Castle movie breaks away from that pattern and surprises the audience by using character backstories to flip the audience’s perception of a character. This twist makes this movie so much more emotional and truly unforgettable.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle’s animation and backstories make it more than your typical fight-filled anime. Watching this movie will have you dreading the fact that the next part of the trilogy likely won’t be released until 2027. Don’t miss out! Rush to theaters before it leaves. Otherwise, you will have to wait until it starts streaming on Crunchyroll sometime in 2026.

Focus

November 2O25

Focus

November 2O25

CHARMED, I’M SURE Each bag charm is threaded with stories and personality Article by Lila Choudry Graphic by Aylin Garibay In the hallways, you can hear it before you see it: the jingle of personalization. Charms swinging from zippers, stuffed toys dangling from keychains and enamel pins glint against canvas. Each backpack becomes a collage of its owner, stitched together with small declarations of self.

“I like to keep small plushies or keychains of my favorite characters or just things I think are cute,” sophomore and trinket collector Lucia Fang said.

Fang gravitates toward pastel colors and soft materials

that match her style and personality, but her keychains hold deeper meaning.

“I have this little bunny in my purse,” Fang said. “I got it for doing well on my first-year exams in seventh grade. It kind of reminds me to keep working hard and to be proud of my accomplishments.”

Each charm serves as a tiny reminder of emotions, achievements or affirmations woven into her everyday life.

“I think our accessories express our personalities and styles further in general,” senior and fashion club co-founder Gracie Asher said. “Especially at Trinity, since we have a dress code that restricts us from expressing ourselves in other forms of fashion.”

Each charm tells a story, from a favorite cartoon to a memory tucked inside a keychain loop. For Asher, that story hangs from a gold chain, layered with pendants gathered from different corners of her life: an Eiffel

Tower from Paris, a sun with a carved face and a tiny amber heart from Spain.

“Charms can be used for style purposes, like matching one to your shoes, but they can also represent something deeper … since there are so many novelty charms available,” Asher said. “An accessory becomes meaningful when you attach a story or memory to it.

I found this charm when I traveled to Spain and stumbled upon a hidden shop filled with little trinkets. It’s a little amber heart I still carry on my bag, and every time I look at my bag, it reminds me of such good memories and that little store.”

Among Fang’s favorites is one plush that holds more weight than the rest: Joke Bear, a little white bear with a simple, playful smile.

“I discovered Joke Bear when I was really young, and it reminds me of my childhood,” Fang said. “I used to watch the TV show it’s from with my old childhood friend. I think it reminds me of being a kid and finding comfort in simple or cute things, even then.”

Still, these tokens don’t exist outside of trend cycles. Even individuality, at times, is shaped by what is in style.

“I would definitely say there has been a rise in the need for individuality in the past few years due to social media,” Asher said. “The algorithm constantly pumps out videos where people are wearing the same clothes, hairstyles and bags.

Due to fast fashion, the trends change so quickly that people are done with trying to keep up. Accessories are now telling stories because we have run out of new clothes.”

Yet even within these trends, individuality finds a way to pass through the cracks, shaped as much by personal discovery as by what is popular at the moment. Small details like where a charm is found, how it is paired and the story it carries allow students to carve out a space for themselves even when larger fashion trends feel repetitive or constraining.

“It’s a lot easier to have the same top or skirt as someone, but it’s more difficult to find a similar charm,” Asher said. “Many people find these charms while traveling, thifting or at vintage markets. People can focus on more specialized interests through these charms.”

Each charm carries a little piece of memory, a hint of personality and a thread connecting to something bigger. They remind us that self-expression doesn’t need to shout to be heard. Sometimes, it just jingles softly as you walk by.

November 2O25

Focus

THREADED THROUGH TIME Timeless traditions connect the school community

Article by Skyler Campbell Graphics by Aylin Garibay, Photos courtesy of Jordan Johnson Celebrated between March and April, Headmaster’s Day is a day filled with activities that celebrate school spirit. It was a tradition founded by Canon A. Rees Hay after the football team won its first game, and continued as a day to celebrate all of Trinity’s headmasters. The suspense of the surprise and the fun assembly announcing the day brings a wonderful atmosphere to the campus.

Headmaster’s Day has always been an exciting experience for the faculty and student body, both in the past and present.

“I remember it was a huge day because the headmaster … would announce that we were having Headmaster’s Day, and everybody freaked out because it was a day off,” said alum Aimee Nocero, a volunteer for the Patrons of the Arts. “Everybody knew it was going to be fun, and every year, it kind of morphed into something different.”

Headmaster’s Day has shifted over time, starting from the rope pull between the juniors and seniors and evolving into the color wars, but the purpose of bringing students together in celebration has stayed consistent throughout the years.

“I think traditions are important because they’re something that you can look forward to, and it’s a time where you can reflect as you get older,” Nocero said.

“And that’s the beauty about traditions, is you can repeat them but make them Dickens Day is one of Trinity’s most festive and your own. beloved traditions, combining a passion for literature with creativity. Each December, the campus is transformed into a winter scene representing Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol,” where the seventh graders watch movies in the auditorium, dance and step into the spirit of the story. Seventh graders come together and sell handmade goods, where each shop features unique projects from decorated ornaments to peppermint fudge.

Over the span of many years, alum Hannah Schuttler and now English teacher recalls the various changes made to Dickens Day. “Anytime you have a tradition where it has been going on as long as something like Dickens Day has, … you have an entire generation of adults now who have experienced something similar,” Schuttler said. “And those people, whether they knew each other on this campus or not, they can have conversations about that experience.“ The unofficial Trinity mascot, Nutty the Elephant, has been around since the founding of Trinity. Every year, Nutty the Elephant, who is normally displayed in the library, is painted by one of the senior students and wheeled around at graduation to be shown off.

Art teacher Irina Ashcraft, who has been working here for around two decades, has always loved the suspense of this tradition.

“The tradition of an art student, a senior, being picked at the end of the school year to paint the elephant isn’t known to everyone else but that student and the administration, and then it’s a surprise,” Ashcraft said. “So that student closes the procession at the graduation with the Nutty rolling out, and that’s cute.”

The painting of Nutty unites the community in a unique way, using visual representations, such as bright colors and flashy accessories, to show the school spirit and allow students to reflect on how they see traditions.

“Art is something visual, and sometimes traditions are just actions, but it’s fun to see how they are visually expressed,” Ashcraft said. “It makes the traditions more obvious.”

Focus

November 2O25

SWIFT CONNECTIONS Article by Taylor Griffith Graphic by Aylin Garibay

Before Taylor Swift’s new album release, fans are going crazy searching for any little clue for her upcoming album “The Life of a Showgirl.” And as usual, she left a little trail of Easter eggs until the release of her album on Oct. 3. In case you haven’t cracked all the clues, here are some that you might have missed!

Orange Door

During Swift’s last song, “Karma,” on “The Eras Tour,” 10.1 million people saw an orange door on stage. Although inconspicuous at first, as the shows went on, fans began picking up on this Easter egg.

The first shows only had a door on the big screen, but at the last show in Canada, a physical orange door appeared at the back of the stage. Instead of exiting the stage, Swift walked through the physical orange door at the last show, symbolizing the transition into a new era.

“I went to the Eras Tour, and I did not know what the orange door meant at the time, but now that I know it’s so cool how she’s entering this new era,” sixth grader Oliva Welsh said.

Later, it was revealed that the color of the door matched the album colors.

Plaid

Fans also began noticing plaid all over the place: plaid when Swift went to a restaurant, plaid when she was seen walking around.

She was caught by fans and the paparazzi wearing plaid countless times; whether it was a skirt or a top, the adornments had the signature orange and green of the new album. People speculated that the reason she was wearing so much plaid had to somehow contribute to the new album.

“The spread of these Easter eggs usually is on social media, like Instagram and TikTok, and that’s how I find out,” junior and Taylor Swift fan Presley Sherman said.

All the plaid drew the fan’s attention to National Plaid Day, which happens to be on Oct. 3, the day of the album release.

Lyrics On Sept. 30, as fans went to listen to one of Swift’s albums, “Reputation,” they noticed a change in the Apple Music lyric page, some of the letters were capitalized. Soon, fans realized this was a hidden message. Once all of the capitalized letters were found and put together, it spelled out: “They don’t make loyalty like they used to.” At the time these were found, they did not seem like much, but later, during the album release, these were the exact lyrics found in her new song “Father Figure.”

Eras Tour Stage

The Eras Tour stage seemed like a regular stage, with a long walkway and big platforms, but there was actually more to it than that. After the album was released, the stage proved to have more significance. The song titles, in her new album, all made the shape of the stage when put together in order. Swift explains that the album was written to give fans a glimpse into her life during the shows. This makes the connection of the stage and the actual performance to the album. The new album goes along with the stage as it reflects the changing eras of Swift’s life.

November 2O25

Opinions

GOOD FAITH EFFORT

Welcoming campus reflects Episcopal mission

Part of Trinity Prep’s mission has, for decades, been to help its students “grow spiritually.” This goal gained a new neighbor in 2023: “embrace diversity in thought and perspective.” Today, we are successfully fulfilling both.

In line with its Episcopal values, Trinity has proved that promoting Christian doctrine and championing openness are not competing objectives, but complementary ones.

“One of the tenets of Episcopal schools and Trinity is to be a place that is Christian but welcoming to all faiths,” chaplain Russell Wohlever said. “That’s one of the (reasons) why I felt very comfortable in the Episcopal Church and why I feel comfortable here.”

Trinity has done a lot in recent years to embrace this tenet of inclusivity. The Diversity of Spirituality, Thought and Perspective Student Advisory Council was established last year, and it now routinely hosts interfaith events that bring together belief systems ranging from Judaism to Buddhism and secular humanism.

The accepting atmosphere transcends these events, though. It is ingrained in how faith manifests on our campus. Our community comprises students of all backgrounds and beliefs, and this reality is at the forefront of weekly chapel.

“Chapel is walking that tightrope,” Wohlever said. “Everyone, I believe, is searching for something or believes in something greater

Majority: 5

than them. For some people, it is science. For some people, it’s this sense of justice. For other people, there is a personal God.” Wohlever appeals to this commonality by focusing on universal ideas and presenting them in a relatable way, often through personal anecdotes. During more solemn religious observances, he remains considerate of his diverse audience, giving each student the option to come forward and receive a blessing or remain seated.

These efforts combine to make chapel something all students can attend not just harmlessly but happily. Many non-Christian students have told Wohlever that they look forward to chapel and that it has made them think more deeply about their own beliefs.

“There’s a good balance between (religion) being there, but more of it’s there for the students who want it,” said senior Ajay Maniar, who comes from a Catholic and Hindu family but does not consider himself very religious.

“Chapel does a good job not making it too text-heavy … and more (Wohlever’s) stories and his homilies, because I think that gives better real-world advice.”

Trinity’s unique approach to religion also offers Christian students an opportunity to see their faith in a new light. Senior Reese Macau, who previously attended Annunciation Catholic Academy, believes Wohlever’s style has increased her comfort and connection with her own Catholic faith.

Dissent: 1

Opinion by Emily Lopez

“The first chapel I went to, Father Russell came out, and he was tangoing, and I think we were singing Adele,” Macau said. “That was a big shift, but I think it ... helped me open up more and just (helped) with my relationship with God.” The welcoming campus we have built is especially valuable when compared with other religious institutions in the area that have a more restrictive approach to faith.

English teacher Rachel Luckenbill recently moved to Trinity from Bishop Moore Catholic High School. In her first quarter here, several of her students have opened up to her about their religious traditions, such as Yom Kippur and Ramadan — something not all schools facilitate.

“It’s exciting that students feel free to be open about what their faith practice is,” Luckenbill said. “Not to say that it wasn’t that way at Bishop Moore, but I think that students who were not Catholic were less likely to speak openly about that.”

We should be grateful to have an environment that encourages us to explore, learn and grow in our spirituality freely. Together, we have built a Trinity family where every member is loved.

“I do not believe the Christian faith is something to be imposed on others,” Wohlever said. “Everyone’s on their path with God … and where it leads, that’s their narrative. It’s their story.”

A fundamental pillar of Christianity is evangelism. As followers of Jesus, we are called to share the gospel of Christ and embody the fruit of the spirit. I recognize the challenge of appealing to a student body full of diverse perspectives while simultaneously preaching Christian beliefs. However, the expectation for chapel is that it will fulfill the duty of evangelism. While sharing biblical stories may help the audience take away a moral lesson, it runs the risk of them failing to understand how the lessons tie into Christianity. Simply helping students set moral standards and urging them to ponder their thoughts and actions does not qualify as evangelism; it falls more along the lines of secular humanism. Therefore, sermons should include references to scripture and clear demonstrations of Christian beliefs.

Commentaaron

November 2O25

THE COMMENTAARON: STAY IN YOUR LANE

I will admit it … I do not have the best manners. My shirt is quite often found untucked, I make far too many “6-7” jokes in the middle of normal conversations and I cut teachers off in the parking lot.

It’s not my fault that I’m a 10-mph-speeddemon down Trinity Prep Lane. But for all my flaws, there are some rules of etiquette I take very seriously. So for this month’s chat, allow me to graciously burst your bubble like Mr. Blickman in the middle of class to alert you of your afterschool testing.

I didn’t think it would have to come to this, but we need to learn how to walk better, guys. Specifically, I’m talking about that solid 30 seconds of pure pandemonium after assemblies and chapels where students rush

out of the auditorium and knock down anyone blocking their path to their mid-morning Grille snack.

I can’t say I know for sure how Mufasa felt when he was stampeded by a herd of wildebeest, but I think I have a pretty good idea.

While I can dust off my khakis after a good tumble, what I can’t brush over is the sheer lack of door etiquette plaguing our campus like some kind of anti-politeness epidemic.

I would like to hope that whoever invented the double door intended for it to be used just like any kind of traffic: The goer opens the door on the RIGHT side and lets the exiters walking in the OTHER direction leave through the OTHER side. Unfortunately, Trinity students haven’t gotten that memo.

Picture this: Innocent, dainty and unsuspecting me opens the door on the right side to exit Brokaw. But instead of me walking out to my next class, I find myself holding the door open for the next three minutes as a flock of kids enter in on the wrong side. Sometimes I don’t even make it to the door before a tidal wave of teenagers start entering.

I hope that the next time you find yourself waiting to exit the auditorium, you choose to walk at a non-threatening pace and simply go with the flow of traffic. And — if it’s not too much to ask — could you just do me a solid and use the right side of the door? It is called the “right” side for a reason, after all.

Cartoon by Maxi de la Fuente

November 2O25

Opinions

COMMENTAYLOR

To the headache-causing Taylor Swift haters: Article by Mila Taylor Photo by Allison Williams Taylor Swift just dropped an album of the year. For anybody who knows me, they are probably surprised that this isn’t a review.

No, my editors would not approve of a whole page in The Voice just for me to gush over her. You probably think that her songs are like a mosquito, constantly buzzing in your ear.

When you think you have her voice out of your head, one listen to the radio is all it takes to get another song to reenter and lodge itself.

“I’m immortal now,” Swift belts in her new song, “Life of a Showgirl,” and it genuinely feels this way: she’s inescapable.

What is even more inescapable is people’s comments about how much they hate her.

It is impossible to talk about the new album without someone talking loudly in my ear about how “there is just something about her” that they just hate. Honestly, it’s concerning how triggered some people get when they just hear her name uttered in conversation. Chill out, dude, she’s just a pop singer, she’s not running our government.

Let me propose a hot take: Sometimes, your opinions are unwanted, and some people feel so entitled to share their opinion that they feel it is okay to put others down for their interests, like saying people have bad music taste for listening to a particular artist or genre.

No, unfortunately, I cannot be convinced that country music is actually enjoyable to listen to; I even prefer listening to Taylor Swift’s later albums (I even purposely opt to skip over her country phase when going through my daily binge through every breakup of her life). But at least I am not yelling at one of my peers from across my English class that all of Morgan Wallen’s songs sound the same.

Yes, maybe when Taylor Swift releases a new album, it becomes my whole personality.

I’ll admit, I know way too much about the pop singer for her to just be considered my favorite music artist. But honestly, it is draining having to hear a hater share their unwanted opinion about how she “only writes breakup songs” or “has dated hundreds of men.”

Hating on other people does not make you unique, interesting or cool. Honestly, no one cares. This notion goes for all music fans. Just let people be, and although you might think your opinion is interesting, trust me, that fan probably couldn’t care less, so maybe just save your breath. When you encounter your local Taylor Swift fan, consider just letting them live in the glory of 12 new addictive songs that may or may not sound the same.

Opinions

November 2O25

ONE NATION, DIVISIBLE Article by Thomas Bonos Graphic by Maxi de la Fuente

A shot was heard around the world: The assassination of political commentator and activist Charlie Kirk transcended political beliefs, and the video of the shooting spread like wildfire, leaving everyone shocked.

Political violence is increasing at an alarming rate. In the last four years alone, our nation has endured the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, the 2022 assault on Paul Pelosi and the 2025 assasinations of Minnesota state legislators Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman.

Extreme rhetoric, polarized politics and the amplification of both by the media create a self-perpuating cycle that makes political violence likely, eroding the values that shape our democracy.

“I’ve personally never seen something like that in my life, with there being an actual video,” said a Trinity student who asked for anonymity because they felt their political beliefs would open them up to scrutiny. “We’ve never seen an assassination like that on such a wide scale.”

Political violence has existed since the birth of America and peaked in times such as Reconstrucution and the 1960s. However, this modern polarization is unique in that access to technology and social media is globalizing political violence.

“Politics has become more conflictual, emotional issues, and as things heat up, it’s been correlated with increases in political violence,” Columbia University political science professor Robert Y. Shapiro said. “Tensions really started to heat up with the presence of social media as well as after Obama was elected, and then Donald Trump took it to a much higher level. As this tension increases, the big question is, does this rhetoric spill over into producing political violence? And it has.”

As political violence occurs, the initial response is not empathy but instead a question of what political party the shooter belonged to or the politicalagenda in reaction.

“If you look at any recent school shooting we’ve had, any recent political violence, the very first move of the country is ‘Who can

we blame?’” the anonymous student said. “‘Who is at fault here?’ Because then the next step after that is ‘Wow, can we use this to further our agenda on either side?’”

Increasing polarization is leading to the normalization of hate speech and targeted diction. Hateful rhetoric dehumanizes the other side, painting them more as opponents or something to throw a dart at, rather than as actual humans who

institutions and basic human dignity is the “right step.”

“When you start looking at people attacking the fundamental institutions of a democratic state, trust in the courts as an honest arbitrator of the law and the processes by which elections take place, the state

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care equally for their country. In this case, violence stops being unthinkable and ends up becoming actually justifiable.

“Hateful rhetoric increases the probability of violence,” Shapiro said.

“I would argue that these tensions have increased to such a degree, it’s actually surprising that the loses its legitimacy,” social science teacher level of violence isn’t greater than it could be.

Brandon Burmeister said. “In this view, the It’s increased the probability that people will only way you can deal with a rigged system is use violence in to deal (violence), and this type with certain situations.” of behavior is destruc“Hateful rhetoric increases tive towards democratic An Oct. 1 NPR poll cites that one in three the proability of violence. ... thought and process.” people believes violence I would argue that these tenSocial media plays to be the right next step. sions have increased to such a a dangerous role in Regardless of political degree, it’s actually suprising spreading such rhetoorientation, it’s alarming ric. Algorithms used by that the level of violence isn’t Facebook, X, Instagram, to see that people have become so distrustful of greater than it could be. ” etc., directly feed users our democratic system content of their own po- Robert Y. Shapiro, that they think directly litical ideology, filtering SIPA Columbia professor abandoning the values of out opposing views and free expression, trust in fueling polarization.

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Opinions

November 2O25

Extreme rhetoric and polarization perpetuate cycles of violence “Sixty percent of the American population now gets sentiments from social media,” Burmeister said, referencing a study by Pew. “When you have people in these echochambers, (there are) these like-minded people that might be all hate or extreme approaches, and all of a sudden you see people getting radicalized in many different ways.”

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cial media. And so they’re adopting some of the same tactics that social media uses.”

These online echo chambers and spread of misinformation need to be held accountable for ultimately fueling this cycle of violence.

Directly limiting this is difficult while still allowing free speech, but one step is to remove the digital anonymity and algorithms on social media platforms that lead to this

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- ACCORDING TO NPR Mainstream news worsens political violence by amplifying misinformation and appealing to a predetermined target audience, reinforcing information echo chambers.

“We have seen an abject failure of honest reporting from our conventional news sources,” Burmeister said. “I think that’s partially due to the fact that they’re desperately seeking an audience that they are starting losing to so-

“Violence and especially gun violence is very normalized. ... I don’t have the same gut reaction that I do to mass shootings or even a case of political violence because its so desensitized nowadays. At the end of the day, these killings should not be a political matter.”

- Elizabeth Carlin, senior

type of extreme and polarizing rhetoric online.

Division and violence have become so commonplace that the American public has grown numb to many cases of violence in general.

These instances have become so normalized that what once united politics around prevention now divides on the basis of party lines.

“Violence and especially gun violence is very normalized,” senior Elizabeth Carlin said. “I don’t have the same gut reaction that I (used to have) to a mass shooting

or even a case of political violence because it’s so desensitized nowadays. At the end of the day, these forms of violence should not be a political matter or motive.”

Distrust in the system is fueled by polarization in the public, but it is also a top-down problem. The extreme rhetoric used by American leaders has led to an increase in tension over the past decade. Presidents, congresspeople and all public servants have the responsibility to reduce the tension occurring in the country, not fuel it.

“What you’re seeing is that people are reflecting their leaders,” the anonymous student said. “There (are) always going to be problems in a democracy. The idea and the mentality have shifted from being policy-based to personal-based, creating a very hostile environment because of who we have or have had in office.”

The uptick in violence and failure in leadership has created an environment where citizens are also afraid to engage in peaceful political protests or any form of dissent. This directly undermines the responsibility of participating in democracy, which entails engaging in civic life and advocating for change. Moreover, it strays away from the First Amendment right to protest, which creates a chilling and lasting effect on all constitutional processes.

“I went to a few protests this summer, and we actually powered off our phones because we were scared our information could be accessed or leaked and that there could be consequences from that,” Carlin said. “It’s worrying that exercising the right to peaceful protest can feel threatening to our safety and to others across the country.”

The cyclical nature of this violence will compound if we continue along this route.

As Americans, we should strive for the progress of the country and the collective growth beyond political borders. Only when we continue to solve these problems through open discussion and thoughtful dissent will we be able to build up institutions rather than look to tear them down.

November 2O25

Opinions

WHITEWASHED WAYS Article by Olivia Agnew Graphic by Maxi De la Fuente

Uncle Sam established the image of an American as someone hardworking, patriotic and successful, until that person isn’t white.

If they have darker skin and act or dress like the image Uncle Sam created, they’re often labeled “whitewashed.” Such a term implies defining someone as being influenced by western culture, yet it only applies to people who aren’t white. Their ability to fit in is what makes them stand out.

Neither of my parents were born and raised in America; I was.

I have lived in three different states: New York, Connecticut and Florida, and I have learned and embraced different parts of American culture. I celebrate the Fourth of July by eating hot dogs and watching fireworks. I eat turkey on Thanksgiving with my family. I do all these things because I live in America, but the color of my skin is brown, so I am often called “whitewashed.” But what they do not know is that both my parents are British, and we often eat a traditional Sunday roast. There is a presumption that because of my skin color, I am unable to participate in such activities and should participate in activities of my presumed culture.

Over the years, I have grown to become closely connected with American culture, yet for minorities who were born and grew up in America, how are they supposed to avoid being called “whitewashed?” The truth is, they likely won’t. No matter how anyone acts, dresses or speaks, they are expected to embody their ethnic culture.

Almost every day, children around the country have to stand with their hands over their hearts and pledge allegiance to the

flag of the United States of America. In the late 1800s, the pledge was created for newly arriving immigrant children to understand the model of American culture.

Although senior Reha Nadga was born and grew up in Winter Park, she still gets stereotyped because of her Indian roots rather than being seen as an American, and has been called “whitewashed.”

“It’s brown on the outside, but then at the end of the day, all the things I’m involved in and my personality have leaned more into my American side, I think that’s why that term comes up a lot,” Nagda said.

For those who do come from different cultural backgrounds, they nevertheless strive to do the best they can to fit in. According to a study done by Psychology Today, we constantly use the decisions of others around us to navigate the choices we make throughout our daily lives. Because of this feeling of belonging, we desire to be more American through adopting American trends and traditions.

“I had just been exposed equally to the American side of things, especially growing up in Winter Park, where the majority of the people are white,” Nagda said. “It just felt natural for me to fall into cheerleading and country music just because it was what I was around all the time, and it’s what my parents also showed us.”

Regardless of whether you are born here or not, whenever people attempt to celebrate other aspects of their identities, they are faced with other challenges, such as online hate and discrimination.

“It’s weird because (Indian) culture is hated on a lot,” senior Diya Suri said. “So when I don’t celebrate it, somehow I get called ‘whitewashed’ for not embracing my own culture, which is made fun of a lot.

It’s weird to turn around and make fun of me for not embracing it (and) embracing something else.”

No one can define the perfect balance between cultures that makes someone not “whitewashed.” The balance between one’s American identity and any other identity they have is their own business. It should never be necessary to prove to others who you are.

“I don’t feel like I need to show my culture,” Suri said. “The things I like that they considered me liking to be ‘whitewashed,’ I’m not going to stop liking those things. So I just learned to embrace both sides.”

It takes time and courage to be able to talk about the various aspects of your own culture and what you, as an individual, celebrate, which is often exacerbated by online hate. According to the United Nations, 70% or more of hate crimes and hate speech on social media are targeted toward national, ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities.

One step towards embracing all aspects of one’s culture is to find friends who accept and celebrate these unique experiences.

“Now I bring it up a lot more than I did before,” Suri said.

“I was more embarrassed. But the color wars that happened are the same thing that we do when we celebrate Holi. And I brought that up, and I was talking about that and my experiences. So I defi- nitely bring it up a lot more now.”

It makes it hard to casually bring culture into a conversation with other people because sometimes it’s hard to explain, or because you get worried that if you bring it up, people will judge you.

Suri has been able to look past the comment and reflect on how she has grown with embracing her own culture.

“Once I realized that no one’s going to stop stereotyping you, and they’re going to say whatever they want about your culture,” Suri said. “What you do with it and what you don’t do with it. I think not caring what other people think about it and just doing what you want (with your culture).”

Regardless of the way people look, no one should think that they have the right to judge others on how they act, dress or talk.

November 2O25

Sports

CLUB CONFLICT

Athletes choose between club and high school teams Article by Neve Judelson Photo by James Ellzey, Graphic by Jack Aaron Senior soccer player Gavin O’Brien rushes from his school soccer practice to his next club practice, wondering how he’ll also manage to finish his schoolwork that night.

Choosing between club soccer and school soccer is a tough decision that many students have to make. Some leagues in club soccer, one being MLS Next, legally do not allow their players to play school soccer, forcing players to choose where to continue their athletic journeys.

An exception to this is the soccer league ECNL-R. ECNL-R is a club league throughout the United States that encourages young athletes to play for their high school teams, purposely arranging most

of their season around the school season. Because O’Brien’s league is an exception to this rule, he has the choice to play and experience both.

“Club (soccer) is a lot higher (of a) level, but high school is more just for fun, and you get

to play against your club teammates, which creates a fun competition,” O’Brien said.

However, for those who have to choose, the decision is dependent on their goals.

“I think clubs are really focused on ... results, tournament wins … or athletes committing to various colleges,” varsity girls soccer coach Sebastiaan Blickman said. “(In comparison), schools are like, ‘I’m not recruiting kids. I’m taking what I’m given and trying to make a really nice group and nice experience out of it.’”

Junior Eren Agsak chooses to play for MLS Next, which legally forbids him to participate in school sports.

The MLS Next website states, “Primary players must agree to forgo participating simultaneously in both (1) MLS NEXT and (2) high school or middle school soccer.”

This restriction is due to the concern of commitment, injury and level of play. MLS Next can cause resistance for players, but Agsak believes that his club is best for him.

“I have trust because I’m confident in my club as well,” Agsak said. “If I didn’t get as many minutes, I’d probably play somewhere else to get more minutes.”

However, playing in school sports does have benefits, one of which is increased team chemistry from bonding in school.

“The relationships that they’re building with one another at the lunch table or, you know, in the library or (when) they’re working on homework or when they’re in class together, that’s going to pay dividends on the field somehow,” Blickman said.

Although other athletes enjoy the fact that their sport acts as a nice break from their education and school life, the type of friendships that are formed is based on a different foundation, so relationships vary. “(At) Trinity, everyone focuses on academics a lot more than sports,” Agsak said. “So it’s very different. … My other friendships are more based on soccer.”

Club teams may have better competition and overall can assist in the development of athletes, but highschool soccer teams promote friendships connects on different levels, through sport and education.

“It’s a different type of bond with (school) teammates, and it’s a whole different dynamic,” O’Brien said. “In club, you might not be as close with them, but they’re still good players to learn to play with them.”

The decision relies on your goals and how far you want to go with your own soccer career.

Depending on your personal values, factoring in friendship, personal life and over all development, either can be a great decision.

“It depends on what your goal is,” Blickman said.

“If your goal is to get recruited and to play at the highest level … club is the better option, but it’s your goal. … I believe that being part of the Trinity Prep team … I don’t think there’s anything better than getting to laugh with your friends, joke with your friends, get better with your friends, suffer with your friends and then find success with your friends.”

Sports

November 2O25

REDEFINE DEFINE THE BRAND Article by Ben Kleiman Logos courtesy of Trinity, Photo by James Ellzey and Graphic by Maxi de la Fuente At the start of the 2025-2026 school year, Trinity Prep Athletics embraced a brand shift with new logos, jerseys and sponsors, signaling a new era. The refreshed design reflects Trinity’s next chapter both in the classroom and on the field.

As part of the rebrand, Trinity adopted a new style of crests — one for academics and one for athletics — that reflects the school’s updated identity.

Every detail in the new crest carries meaning. The image in the center of the new crest represents Chi Rho, a religous symbol, and the red in the shield is from the original color of the crest. Trinity’s past logo, the fleur de lis, is present in the top left corner of the rebranded logo. Specifically, in the athletics logo, the iconic bell tower is in the center of the logo, wedged between the “T” and the “P.” Development associate and varsity diving coach Kristy Nave has had prior experience working on the marketing side of athletics as the Marketing and Premium Services Coordinator for the New England Patriots. Nave explained why Trinity rebranded and what it aimed to promote.

“Trinity wants a more of a modern feel,” Nave said. “We just built a brand new science center, and being consistent not only with our values and mission but also with our competitors too is very important for the marketing of the school.”

Trinity’s rebrand has had a positive effect on student, and athlete, morale because it symbolizes a new era for the school’s athletic programs. A study published by the International Textile and Apparel Association found that wearing updated and well-designed athletic uniforms helps strengthen a team’s indentity and boost confidence within the teams. Trinity has experienced the same effect with its rebrand.

As of Oct. 23, the varsity football team has racked up a total of five wins, which has been the most in the past six years. While jerseys do not necessarily have a direct impact on a team’s record, they contribute to a larger morale boost and a stronger sense of unity and pride as Trinity’s image is refreshed.

“The new logo gives us a fresh start,” varsity football player Jayden Moore said. “I feel like it’s kind of like a new era of football for the school. This season we’re doing really well compared to past years.”

Other sports organizations have experienced similar benefits after updating their visual identity. In 2017, after years of presenting an outdated brand to the public, the Minnesota Timberwolves needed to modernize their image to stay relavant in today’s market. The reasons the Timberwolves made the upgrades are similar to the reasons Trinity chose to rebranded: Trinity’s logos were obsolete and needed to be revitalized.

“You want to adapt to a changing marketplace, which is super important,” Nave said.

“That’s what Trinity did (with the rebrand).”

Part of the purpose for the rebrand was to provide a consistent image across all teams because previously each team had different jerseys and uniforms, making Trinity’s various athletic programs look severed.

“It’s been a really positive thing to see everybody get on board with (it),” Assistant Athletic Director Travis Sanders said. “We are not just one team. This is our whole athletic program and school. We’re all wearing blue and gold. We’re all wearing the same crest.

That brings a deeper sense of connection between programs.”

What started as a visual change has evolved into a unifying force across sports, creating a shared identity that ties the induvidual programs together.

“We’re all wearing the same branding,” Sanders said. “We feel like an athletic program and not just a collection of teams.”

While the teams are now unified, the school and the athletic sides logos still remain different.

This separation is very common among both collegiate and preparatory institutions.

“If you look a lot of universities and their logos, the academic side often has a different logo from the athletics side,” Sanders said. “That’s what we’ve done here. It fits a (college preparatory) model (just) as well as a collegiate one.”

While the academic rebrand set the foundation for it, the athletics program has extended it into everyday life. Students watching games or walking around campus see the features of the rebrand on athletic jerseys and school uniforms.

The new slogan, “Lead On,” has been prominently displayed all over campus, becoming a part of Trinity’s renewed identity.

According to Sanders, the slogan, much like the overall response to the rebrand has been great. Students, athletes, parents and faculty have all embraced the fresh look.

November 2O25

Sports

Rebrand reshapes the identity of athletic programs and athletes “Every interaction that we’ve had has been positive,” Sanders said. “Clearly, people love new jerseys and new apparels. It’s been fun to have (athletes) wear the new logo.”

The rebranding effort has extended far past new slogans, athletic-wear or school crests.

It has become something Saints can see anywhere on campus. The rebranded logos are

found on the merchandise at the new Trinity School Store and on all students’ identification cards.

“It really starts the minute you set foot on campus,” Sanders said. “It’s hard to miss when you drive into our campus now. We have five banners hanging on the light posts as you enter, banners on the back of the dugouts and

Old Boys Varsity Soccer Jerseys

New Boys Varsity Soccer Jerseys

on the back of the away bleachers. The branding for us is now bigger than just the uniform or T-shirt athletes are wearing.”

For many players, the rebrand did not just change how they looked — it changed their mindset. Moore has worn both versions of the jerseys, saying the new ones positively affect his confidence and performance.

“You look good, you feel good, you play good,” Moore said. “The uniforms look good, and it gives me some confidence.”

Behind the sleek designs and updated logos sits a plan much bigger than athletics. The rebrand opened new marketing opportunities for Trinity, from merchandise sold at the school store to promotional events.

“When (schools) rebrand, (they) stay consistent across the board,” Nave said. “All the letters and envelopes, (the) website, everything is consistent. Following a rebrand, you don’t look disorganized. They make schools look more professional.”

The signage is also exibited on the pool deck and along Aloma Avenue displaying the rediscovered pride students have found in being Saints.

“We’re more proud to be Trinity Prep Saints,” Nave said. “Indirectly the signage kind of brings everyone together.”

A rebrand means new ways to make money, too. Student gear and team apparel can bring in funds that go directly back into the sports programs, fueling initiatives like buying new equipment or hiring more coaches.

As Trinity continues to build on its renewed identity, the rebrand stands for more than just a visible change. While the new logos, jerseys, slogans and merchandise are appreciable, the rebrand is made to be a statement of where the school is headed.

“There’s an ever-evolving nature to logos,” Sanders said. “Maybe this iteration of the crest is what we carry on for the next 50 years.

Maybe it changes over time as styles change and grow. It really would be powerful to keep (this) logo and make this our identity for a long time. It really could happen.”

November 2O25

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Puzzle

November 2O25 Puzzles by Mila Taylor

WORD BANK HERE

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1. New AP course launching in fall 2025. (pg.8) 2. Last song played on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. (pg.24) 5. Policy removed due to COVID-19 protocols, implemented again this year. (pg.4) 6. Type of camera and popular “photo dump” of Gen Z. (pg.15)

Answers

3. Main protagonist in Demon Slayer (pg. 20) 4. A club soccer league that legally prohibits students from playing school soccer. (pg.31) 7. Competition where TPS’s allgirls cybersecurity team entered the nation’s top 30 rankings. (pg.14)

Photo Exposition PHOTOGRAPHY EXPOSITION

Photos #2

May 2O25

Lola Brown

#1

Homecoming Events

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#3

On Au groups Kelly W 4Kids ular op

1 & 2 - #24 Junior Diego Lopez kicks off the the second half of the Oct. 11th homecoming game.

Sophomore #1 Josh Shaw delivers a big hit that resulted in a tackle against the opposing team.

3 & 4 - The football team bursts through the banner at the pep rally and students race toward the hoop during a musical chairs spirit event, won by Josh Shaw.

Ally Williams

#4