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Vanguard College Preparatory School, 2517 Mt. Carmel Dr., Waco, Texas 76710
April 2022, Volume 49, Issue 5
The Vanguard Review A VCPS Publication
Worries of war
Reacting to horror of Putin’s invasion, students seek answers to what war could mean for their generation Brooke Jolliff ‘22 senior reporter
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n late January, the state of our world and a possible war started off as a bunch of rumors circling all over social media. However, just a few weeks later it became a tragic reality as Russian forces began invading the country of Ukraine. Now, bombs are destroying cities and innocent civilians are fleeing to neighboring countries with their babies and only what can fit inside a rolling suitcase. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has taken to social media, begging for NATO to enforce a no-fly zone and send more support — and the world waits to see how the United States will respond. Vikings, along with young people all over the world, are now facing another major event and the uncertainty that it brings over the current events going on in the world. On top of a global pandemic, a war has made the world an even scarier place. Students are concerned for the future of their country as well as others. So what exactly does this mean for our future? What rumors are actually true? How will the U.S. react to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s increasing threat to a sovereign nation? Will the invasion of Ukraine start WWIII? Could there be a draft that would send young people into battle? “The thought of war is really scary. It’s kind of the same thing as when the virus first started. It seemed so far away and like it could never happen to us, but then it ended up coming here and
affecting us all,” said freshman Zara Diaz. “Right now in World History, I’m learning about all these wars around the world and how many people died. It used to seem like that could never happen, but now it seems like a possibility. It would be really scary to go to war, especially because of the modern world we live in and all the new technology. A war could be even worse than back then.” More than 40 percent of the student body is concerned about the possible U.S. involvement, according to a Feb. 2022 VR student poll. And 17.5 percent of students think it is right for the U.S. to defend Ukraine, while 25.5 percent think that it is not the country’s place to do so. Many still are not sure what to think. President Joe Biden has come under scrutiny for his handling of the U.S.’s support of Ukraine. On one hand, not getting involved makes Russia think they can get away with their invasion. On the other hand, if the U.S. gets directly involved in the conflict, it could start a world war. “I think Biden is a weak leader,” junior Erin Padgett said. “And in these world situations, we need a stronger leader.” Sophomore Mary Campbell said leaders should learn from what happened in history. “I am worried because Biden isn’t doing much,” Campbell said. “Russia may go beyond Ukraine, especially because something similar happened before World War II. The allied nations
— Britain especially — agreed to give Hitler some of the land that he demanded, in hopes of keeping the peace. But they were somehow surprised when he continued to invade surrounding areas. It might be a long shot, but I am worried that if America doesn’t stand up to Putin as an actual threat, then he may assume that the U.S. is not prepared to follow through on their threats.” Luke Williams, sophomore, agreed. “I really hope that the people in Ukraine will be okay,” Williams said. “I have an uncle in Poland, and that is bordering Ukraine. So, I am a little scared that Russia might not stop at Ukraine and will go on to Poland.” Others are cautiously optimistic and recognize that Biden is trying to unite the world. “I’m definitely a little worried, especially for the innocent lives in Ukraine,” freshman Danae Simmons said. “Also, this shows how one country can impose its force on another, and this could spiral out of control. However, I do think Biden will make a move, and he has already made several. One thing that he has done well is rallying our allies, which can become extremely helpful in the
future.” Watching the horrific images of the aftermath of air raids, Ukranians fleeing their homes, and watching homes and buildings being destroyed takes its toll on young people in the U.S. who must sit by and cannot do a lot to help. But, they naturally have fears of their own about war — and social media plays a big part in that. “There have been things on TikTok for a long-
“The thought of war is really scary. It’s kind of the same thing as when the virus first started. It seemed so far away and like it could never happen to us, but then it ended up coming here and affecting us all.” — Zara Diaz, freshman time that joke about a possible WWIII,” senior Sage Suchecki said. “Social media often makes jokes about serious topics and that makes people freak out when they may not even have all the facts.” So, it’s important to understand what is going on in the region — and where the U.S. has sent troops or might send them in the future. “First, President Biden hasn’t sent any troops to Ukraine and probably never will,” said Brad Livingstone, who teaches History of WWII and Continued on page 8 also
Hold the phone
Students question fairness and relevancy of the school phone policy Hope Hamblin ‘25 reporter
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cardboard box labeled “PHONES” became a daunting sight for many students one day in late January as associate head of school Zach Seifert used it to collect cell phones and other devices he saw them using during the school day — for reasons that did not relate to school work. That left some students perplexed and even shocked. Though an official cell phone policy has been around for around at least five years, teachers are now putting their foot down and enforcing disciplinary action for anyone violating the rule. The rule set in the student handbook states that “all high school students (9-12 graders) will be required to have their phone off and away from visibility (ex: left in car, in backpacks, classroom designated container, lockers) during the school day.” Middle school students are allowed no access to their phones at all and are required to turn them in to science teacher Patty Flowers before 8 a.m. every morning. More than 81 percent of students believe that the phone policy is unreasonable, according to the February VR student poll, and 87.8 percent of students say the phone policy needs to be changed. “I do not consider our phone policy to be strict,” Borg said. “The effort is to try and balance some reasonable flexibility and freedom with
phones that are also age appropriate.” The main complaint students have about the phone policy is not having the freedom to use their own devices in their free time when they are not in class or taking care of academic responsibilities. “I think it is fair for the school to not allow us on our phones during classes so we can focus on our schoolwork,” freshman Townlin Starr said. “However, I think we should be allowed to check them during lunch or break. I don’t think it’s healthy to be staring at a screen throughout the whole school day, but I don’t disagree with being on it every once in a while if you are not in class.” But head of school Bill Borg thinks differently. “There is no free time at school,” Borg said. “Students are under our jurisdiction and responsibility from the time the bell rings in the morning until it rings at the end of the day.” Borg said phones and social media are destroying today’s kids and he does not plan to stand by and watch it happen. “Statistically, I can’t find anything out there that gives any solid validation to the positives of what phones are doing to the youth,” Borg said. “Everything I read is negative. There are many things that are detrimental to kids growing up — and phones aren’t helping. They are contributing to
it.” Borg said. The offenses for disobeying the rule include confiscation of the device, charging a fee to get it back and having to have a parent/guardian pick it up. Students who violate the cell phone policy and get caught will face the following A student uses her phone during her study mod to communicate with her mom about what time she is bringing lunch. punishment: For the first ofPhoto by Hope Hamblin/ VR staff fense, the device must be turned have policies,” he said. “It would be no different into the office until 3:20 p.m. On the second of- than if you go to work and the work environment fense, it must be turned into office for the three fol- says ‘no cell phones allowed during the working lowing days before 7:40 am and picked up at 3:30 hours.’ There may be a college professor who says p.m. By the third offense, the device must be turned ‘I do not allow cell phones in my classroom and if into the office for the next 10 days before 7:40 a.m. I see or hear it, you get a 0.’ If the law firm you go and picked up at 3:30 p.m. And after the fourth of- to work for, if you get a law degree, says they wear fense, the student will turn in their phone for four coats and ties, you’re going to wear a coat and tie or weeks and have a meeting with the head of school. they’re going to tell you to get another job. Some“I’m not out to get your phones,” Borg said. “I times there are going to be boundaries that are set don’t want them around me or to be responsible for — and you may not like them. That’s OK — you keeping them, to be honest.” can learn to live with them.” Borg said kids also need to realize that there “When people tell me not to do something it will always be policies and procedures — and lev- makes me want to do it more,” said freshman Ella els of expectations — they may not agree with or McCallie. like. “This is a school like a business and businesses