Issuu

School policies | 2

Student experience | 4-5

Reopening sports | 7

How the new school policies can prevent an outbreak of COVID-19 on campus

Students discuss the ways that their everyday lives have changed this year

Athletes react to new sports restrictions for games and competitions

Vanguard College Preparatory School, 2517 Mt. Carmel Dr., Waco, Texas 76710

October 2020, Volume 48, Issue 1

The Vanguard Review A VCPS Publication

Coming of age

Emily Coleman ‘21 business manager

First-time voters share excitement about upcoming election

igned, sealed, delivered. You have just registered to vote in the upcoming, and very heated, presidential election. Anxious but excited, you get to partake in an important civic duty. Seniors Samantha O’Flaherty and Brooks Indergard have just experienced this feeling for the first time. “It makes me feel like a real adult,” said O’Flaherty. “Knowing that I get to have my voice heard on election day this year is exciting.” With the polls opening in November, 18-yearolds all across the country understand that they are making a difference with their vote. VCPS Civics teacher Hunter Edmundson said he thinks it is important for new voters to be informed about current situations. “Democracy is about governing, not about being governed,” Edmundson said. “The earlier you start, the earlier you can take a small step towards fulfilling one’s duty as a citizen.” Fifty-six percent of students said they believe that one person’s vote makes a difference, according to an Oct. VR poll. “I’m voting because I think it’s important that we have a forward progression in our country’s timeline,” Indergard said. “Leaving yourself out of the

vote makes the results less accurate, and makes you passive in your country’s future.” O’Flaherty agrees. “I find it a privilege and a duty to vote as an American citizen because it makes you a part of this country and gives you somewhat of a say in the government,” she said. Indergard intends to make himself more aware of both sides before he votes. “The issues most important to me are environmental issues, debt/inflation and police reform,” Indergard said. “However I intend to inform myself more before voting, so that I can educate myself on the issues I already know of, as well as discover new issues that will inform my vote.” Some students and new voters may not care, but Edmundson thinks everyone should, because it is, in fact, their future. “You might not care about politics, but politics cares about you,” Edmundson said. “People have to be informed.” O’Flaherty has recognized her duty as a citizen. “I grew up in a household where not every adult was able to vote,” she said. “My dad was unable to vote because of his citizenship status. He is

finally able to vote this year for the first time, and I think that has made me learn to appreciate this opportunity more.” In an age of constant news, new voters are often faced with overwhelming influences and information from various parties and affiliations, and choosing which platforms and candidates to support is incredibly important. Indergard said he differs from his family in political views but doesn’t like to bring the subject up much to prevent an uproar. “I don’t talk too much about Indergard shows O’Flaherty his voter registration card in anticipapolitics within my family,” Inder- tion of the upcoming election. Photo by Emily Coleman / VR staff gard said. “It just gets tiring to hear people regurgitate the same arguments, and most of the time even if what you say is logical they still won’t change their mind. I do feel a bit pressured sometimes by friends and the media, but I try not to let them sway or get to me too much.” O’Flaherty said she feels she is given an opportunity in her community to speak her mind. “I’ve always been very strong on my beliefs, Madi Burch ‘21 and I wouldn’t change that because of the opinions guest columnist of others,” O’Flaherty said.

Peaceful protest

Masks on, hearts together

Elizabeth Watson ‘21 editor-in-chief

VCPS students reflect upon new policies put in place to prevent spread of COVID-19

hen school began this year, VCPS students flooded back onto campus to greet their peers for the first time in nearly six months, and though resuming in-person instruction was exciting for many students, it did not come without its changes. The VCPS Vision 2020 | Transition Team, composed of Head of School Bill Borg and ten faculty members, began meeting the day after graduation and met throughout the summer with the goal of establishing a safe school year. The team worked alongside Dr. Rod Richie, a local pulmonologist, to implement the new measures. “In returning to campus, our goal is to limit exposure to COVID-19,” Borg said in a statement from a July Vision 2020 newsletter. “Our focus is to open the school in the fall and remain open. We are committed to creating a culture of health and wellness in our community by working together on-and-off campus.” To foster that culture, the administration published the VCPS On-Campus Wellness Guide on the school’s website discussing all of the changes implemented over the summer: mandatory mask requirements except during designated break periods, one-way hallways, outdoor and socially-distanced lunches, as well as sanitation devices and HEPA air purifiers installed in every classroom. “As the father of two Vanguard graduates as well as husband to a Vanguard teacher-tutor and my being a physician, I was asked to give advice about how Vanguard could safely resume in-school teaching,” Richie said. “Although I was asked about a variety of measures, the one I will definitely take credit for is the air filter machines in each classroom, attempting to make indoor teaching as

much like being outdoors as possible.” The policies implemented at VCPS this year have helped reduce the chances of an outbreak occurring on campus among the student body. According to the October VR poll, 61.3 percent of VCPS students said that the strictness of these new policies was just right, and the majority of students, 79.4 percent, are not concerned about catching the virus. “I am impressed with the policies at Vanguard concerning COVID-19,” Naomi West, junior, said. “They show that the staff and administration care about students and their families. Although some of [the policies] are somewhat cumbersome, I do think they have helped mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19.” Senior Aidon Butler concurs. “I agree that all the policies put into place at Vanguard are very reasonable and in-line with CDC guidelines,” Butler said. “I am not concerned about the threat [of COVID-19] because I, as well as others, are taking the necessary precautions to help slow the spread.” Sophomore Avril Maldonado has a similar opinion but understands why certain restrictions are difficult for students to adhere to. “Vanguard is all about respect and responsibility,” Maldonado said. “Therefore, I think that students should be able to prove their respect of the rules and responsibilities towards being clean and maintaining distance outside of school. Students, especially seniors, should be able to go off-campus for lunch. I think that this is a hard thing to do because of the world outside of Vanguard, but if the students are being safe when going outside of school, it should be a doable thing. In general, it’s a

student’s responsibility to know who they’ve been around and be aware of things that they are doing to maintain social distancing or be safe.” The policies implemented by the VCPS administration strive to keep students safe from COVID-19. “I would not change anything regarding the current COVID-19 policies,” West said. “I do feel safe on campus even with COVID-19. The classrooms are well ventilated and students are encouraged to go outside during passing periods, which helps decrease close interactions with other people.” Senior Samantha O’Flaherty agrees. “I think there are enough regulations in place that I feel comfortable with going to school and being around my classmates,” O’Flaherty said. Though the new policies have changed many aspects of day-to-day life on the VCPS campus, students understand that these measures have been taken not only to protect them and their families but also faculty and administration. “I think that the new policies are necessary but still give Vanguard students a great experience,” Townlin Starr, eighth grade, said. “Vanguard is doing a great job, and the only thing I would like to change is after a while, to let loose on some rules, but I know they are just trying to keep us safe.” Fortunately, there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that preventing a COVID-19 outbreak on campus is a community effort that relies upon empathy and concern for others. “I am concerned about the threat of COVID-19, but not just for myself,” O’Flaherty said. “My best friend has an autoimmune disease, so I need to be careful so I can still see her and not put her at risk.”

Photo by Nicole Robles

his summer, I joined members of the Waco community in a peaceful protest for the Black Lives Matter movement. The protest was held during the time when protests spanning across the country were being raided by the police and being met with racist opposers. I was apprehensive at first, but I wanted to be there to show my support and let others educate me. I remember approaching the Suspension Bridge and watching in horror as two white men suited with several guns and knives made their way to the bridge. I stared them down, terrified of the power they held with a gun in each hand standing in a crowd full of people begging for change. We watched as they halted, drew a sign from a backpack, and held it up confidently. “We stand for BLM.” I felt relief washing over the protesters standing next to me. I drove my attention to the circle where Waco citizens took turns sharing their stories. I was amazed at the racial diversity of the groups; they stood tall and listened to each speaker: “I can’t breathe,” “White silence is violence,” “Say their names,” “I will never understand but I stand,” “Enough,” “All lives can’t matter until Black Lives Matter.” The crowd sobbed and cheered and roared with each speaker. It was moving to see such a supportive group of people in Waco. I learned right then in that circle that I have a special privilege which I have the power to utilize for others until we all matter.

2 opinion Aiyana Pettes ‘25 junior reporter

fter six months of quarantine and social distancing because of COVID-19, I was excited, yet also dreading, our return to school. I wasn’t excited about returning to campus with strict policies related to sanitizing, social distancing and wearing a mask. However, I understand that these policies are in place to help keep us all safe. Although there are some things that we lost because of the new policies, there are also some things that we gained. For starters, we get extended passing time between classes. While this is meant to provide a mask break, it’s also just a good time to take a moment to relax before the next class. Extended passing time also helps those who take a while to pack up their belongings and visit their locker between classes.

The Vanguard Review October 9, 2020

New VCPS COVID-19 restrictions have more benefits than what might be apparent a first glance Second, the enhanced cleaning, social distancing, and sanitizing should help prevent the spread of other viruses that our age group typically gets like the common cold, flu, strep throat and mononucleosis. A reduction in illnesses overall means we should see students spending more days in school and benefiting from in-person learning. Also, a reduction in illnesses overall should lessen pressure on the healthcare system. Finding ways to reduce the pressure on the healthcare system is important because hospitals and doctors are already struggling to care for COVID-19 patients. Finally, the new policy that all classes must be recorded not only helps those

Things to

Consider October 2020 poll results are in!

who are absent due to COVID-19 but also helps students who attended class and need to review the lectures. Also, teachers have diligently posted homework online this year. If you are not sure of what homework that you have, there is a big chance that the homework is posted in Google Classroom and RenWeb. These new policies will help students stay on track. To conclude, while none of us envisioned attending school with the new policies, they help to keep us safe while also providing opportunities to relax, stay healthy and stay on top of our workloads. Best of all - the new policies allowed us return to school! Yay!

National Merit Scholarship Program Results

What is your opinion of Vanguard’s policies for protecting students & staff from COVID-19? Too strict 34.0% Not strict enough 4.70% Just right 61.3% Are you concerned about catching COVID-19? Yes, very 20.6% No, not really 79.4% Do you know someone who has had COVID-19? Yes 66.4% No 33.6% Would you want to vote in the 2020 presidential election if you were old enough? Absolutely 75.2% No way 24.8% How much difference do you think one person’s vote can make in an election? A big difference 55.8% Not a lot 44.2% What issue is most important to you in the 2020 presidential election? Economy 21.4% National security 16.3% Racial justice 34.7% COVID-19 21.4% Unemployment 6.20%

Elizabeth Watson, Aubrey Roberts, and Erik Knoll were named National Com- Sarah Emerson and Elizabeth Watson were named National Hispanic Scholars. mended Scholars. For the past 10 years, VCPS has had 41 students recognized The students earned their distinction by scoring in the top 2.5 percent on the 2019 PSAT/NMSQT in our region who identify as Hispanic Americans. Archive by the National Merit Scholarship Program. Archive photo photo

The Vanguard Review Volume 48, Issue 1, October 9, 2020

The Vanguard College Preparatory School Student Newspaper 2517 Mt. Carmel Dr., Waco, Texas 76710 vanguard_review@vanguard.org (254) 772-8111

Staff Listing Elizabeth Watson editor-in-chief Emily Coleman business manager Walker Nall sports reporter Delaney Trepinski reporter Gretchen Eichenberg adviser

Distribution and Printing Process The Vanguard Review prints 300 copies of each issue. The paper is made available to students and faculty at several locations across campus. The paper is sent through the mail to individuals, including parents and alumni, on the official VCPS mailing list. It is also available online.

Mission Statement

Demographics

It is our mission to be the voice of the students of Vanguard College Preparatory School. We will endeavor in our roles as journalists to create a paper that students can read to be educated and informed.

Vanguard College Preparatory School has a total population of 251: 219 students and 32 faculty members.

Our Policies The Vanguard Review is a print newspaper published six times per year by the journalism students of Vanguard College Preparatory School. The paper’s primary audience is the student body of Vanguard College Preparatory School, as well as the families of students who attend the school, alumni and members of the Waco community. The editorial board, comprised of newspaper staff members, determines by consensus the content of the paper. The Vanguard Review staff has elected to use this editorial policy to govern the activity of the paper throughout the 20192020 school year. The Vanguard Review is intended to serve as a public forum for students to discuss relevant issues and events occurring in their community. Letters to the editor are accepted and, if necessary, will be edited for length or libelous content. Opinion page items represent the views of the original contributor and not the views of the faculty, administration or school board. The Vanguard Review will not print material that does not fit the standards set by its editorial board. Writing that includes obscenities or makes libelous claims will not be printed. The Vanguard Review reserves the right to refuse to print a piece in the publication if said piece proves to be unfit for a student audience, as determined by the newspaper’s editorial board. Pieces that are submitted to the Vanguard Review will be edited for punctuation and grammar and must be approved by the editorial board. All content will be reviewed and approved by the editorial board, as well as the paper’s adviser. The Vanguard Review is funded through the

student sale of advertisements to local businesses and reserves the right to refuse ads based on the discretion of the editorial board and adviser. Advertisements that are considered inappropriate or support any form of illegal activity, as well as any unethical or offensive ideologies will not be permitted to run in the paper. Corrections made to any story in the Vanguard Review will be printed in the corrections box of the following issue, which can be found on the opinion page (page 2) of the paper. If any misinformation or errors are found in a story, the staff can be alerted through vanguard_review@vanguard.org so that the appropriate correction may be made. If an article is written by one person, then only one name will be listed in the byline. If an article is written by more than one person, the byline will be shared. If an article is written by one person but uses information acquired by another individual in an interview, then the author of the article will be given the byline and the individual who conducted the interview will be credited at the end of the article as a contributor. If an article is written by one person but is heavily edited by another (occurring only when the second individual has made such drastic contributions that the piece no longer resembles the first individual’s work), the byline will be shared. All material printed in the paper, with the exception of mugshots, editorials, images for the ‘Find Vegard’ challenge, the logo for ‘Marly at the Movies’ and the official logo for the Vanguard Review only when printed in the masthead and folios, will receive bylines. This includes all other photographs and artwork.

Have you participated in a racial justice protest in 2020? Yes 13.3% No 86.7%

The above results reflect the VCPS student body of 219 students. Polls were distributed electronically through Google Forms.

Have an idea? Talk to us! Email us at vanguard_review@vanguard.org to talk to us about sharing your opinion in the paper or submitting a letter to the editor! If you’re interested in submitting artwork or other pieces of writing, send us an email - or stop by the newspaper room in Brown 112.

Where’s Vegard? Be the first to find our viking inside this issue, and win a prize! Email us at vanguard_review@vanguard.org

The Vanguard Review October 9, 2020

people

Student Spotlight: Jaxson Burch Grade 7

All Business with Burch Determined Outgoing Skillful Emily Coleman ‘21 business manager Photo by Avril Maldonado / Bifrost staff

lthough he is new to Vanguard, Jaxson Burch has big plans for his future as a student and in the business world. When he asked his friends what words they would use to describe him, Jaxson Burch got two common responses: “determined” and “anxious.” “When I get started on something, I have to do it the right way,” he said. “Once I put my mind to something, you can’t get me off track.” The seventh grader shares some insight about his life, hobbies and interests. Something that inspires Burch to work hard is his family and his ambition to be successful. He said he looks up to Jeff Bezos, CEO and founder of Amazon. “I would like to ask how Bezos took his business from nothing to one of the most successful in the world,” Burch said. If he could host any game show, Burch said he would love to host Jeopardy. He admires the intelligence it takes to be on the show.

“You would have to know your facts, and it’s a very successful show,” he said. Burch says a skill that he would like to learn is speaking Spanish. “My whole mom’s side of the family speaks Spanish,” Burch said. Burch said that football is his favorite sport to watch and play. “Anything can happen, and it’s just a very interesting and strategic sport,” Burch said. Rosemary Beach is a favorite vacation spot for Burch. He said he enjoys going there in the summer with his family and making memories. A gift that Burch cherishes is his phone. As typical as that response may seem for a young adult, he said he enjoys being able to communicate with his friends and family. With a varied taste in music, Burch said he enjoys country music the most. “It’s calm and always fits the vibe,” Burch said.

Clockwise from top left: Breaking through the defense, seventh grade quarterback Jaxson Burch heads for the end zone against Reicher on Thurs., Sept. 24 at Parkview. Burch discusses strategy with his offense in between drives. Burch goes for another touchdown against Reicher. He scored a total of six in the game. Annabelle Reese / Bifrost staff

masks & social dista

VCPS CLAS

[ the student experience & the science behind

he end-of-break bell rings, and students reluctantly break from their groups to return to the classroom - but not before putting their masks back on and sanitizing their hands. Lockers, now only meant to be accessed for essential purposes, are now bypassed as students head directly to their third mod classes. This is one of the many ways that life on the VCPS campus has changed this year, but the familiar sense of Viking spirit and morale remain high.

[ the student perspective ]

earing a mask and engaging in social distancing are some of the most important ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and understanding the science behind these measures is just as important as practicing them in our day-to-day lives. According to an article published by the Association of American Medical Colleges in July, masks are crucial to reducing the transmission of COVID-19 between individuals. Dr. Robert R. Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), stated that masks are one of the most powerful tools that we have at our disposal to keep each other and ourselves safe. Many VCPS students understand the role that masks serve in keeping the school open for as long as possible. “I believe that masks are important to preventing the spread of COVID-19 because it keeps you safe, considering they limit the spaces on your face in which you can touch to spread even more germs,” Taniya Degrate, freshman, said. “You can never really keep track of how many surfaces you touch and if they are clean or not.” Junior Grace Yoon agrees. “I think wearing masks is important because of asymptomatic cases that we wouldn’t be able to acknowledge no matter what,” Yoon said. “If an asymptomatic person followed the safety guidelines for COVID-19, I think it would significantly reduce the chance of spreading the disease to others.” Face masks also allow for students to keep from transmitting bacteria to one another. When people wear masks, it keeps their germs from spreading to others, which is why a collective effort against COVID-19 is essential. “Masks prevent bacteria particles from our mouth from escaping into the air and possibly prevent contaminating other students with illnesses,” Jon Esparza, eighth grade, said. “I wear a plain white cloth mask to school and sometimes an N95 mask in case someone I know gets an illness. It makes school feel stricter than normal.” Masks and social distancing have altered aspects of students’ days on the VCPS campus. During lunch, for example, students have had to distance themselves when socializing. They have also had to adjust to interact without the aid of facial expressions. “Because we are more physically distanced, I think it also made me feel mentally distanced from my peers and the faculty at the very beginning,” Yoon said. “But now, ironically, I somehow feel more close to them because we try to build more mental bonds because we can’t be physically close to each other and see each other’s full face.” Degrate has had a similar experience. “The new policies have changed my experience in school dramatically,” Degrate said. “I have not been able to get close with my friends when we hang out or with certain friends from other grades at all. In choir, we have to go outside in order to sing.” The VCPS administration has encouraged students to spend as much time outdoors as possible. They have designated mask break periods outside and encouraged teachers to hold outdoor classes. This allows larger classes the opportunity to learn while still maintaining a safe distance from one another. “I’ve been able to go outside more and get more sunlight [because of social distancing],” Isaac Saadi, junior, said. “But I communicate with my facial expressions a lot and many people aren’t able to see if I’m listening to them.” Some students are still growing accustomed to the changes. “It is funny with everyone wearing masks because you can never see anyone’s expressions,” Jack Meehan, freshman said. “You’re only able to hear what they are saying. Wearing a mask has somewhat changed my experience at school. It is different having to social distance and wear a mask inside, but wearing a mask has already become natural.” Senior Madi Burch agrees. “I was dreading the idea of distancing at school, but standing a few extra feet away from someone to keep everyone safe isn’t that devastating in the grand scheme of things,” Burch said. “You can still tell your friends about the new TV show you started watching over the summer while maintaining a reasonable distance. I will say that some of my funny faces no longer come across as funny to others because half of my face is covered up. I’ve lost several well-deserved laughs from my peers.”

ancing:

SS OF 2020

d the measures ]

[ the science ]

hough students on the VCPS campus are complying with the administration’s mandatory mask order and social distancing measures, this is not the case across the U.S. Many Americans remain skeptical about the effectiveness of masks and argue that social distancing is more of a hindrance than a helpful tool. However, scientific evidence proves otherwise. When an individual sneezes, the barrier that a mask creates prevents microbes from entering the air and being transmitted to other people. Otherwise, the microbes can remain in the air for several minutes and can travel as far as 27 feet in extreme cases. A study conducted by the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation suggested transmission rates could decrease by as much as 30 percent if 95 percent of Americans were to wear face masks regularly. “The masks you wear at school (and hopefully what you wear when you are out in the community) are not foolproof for inhaling the virus,” said Dr. Rod Richie, Waco pulmonologist and VCPS’ health consultant. “But we have found that the masks prove to be very good when a person with COVID-19 (whether they are aware they are sick or not) breathes, coughs or sneezes. Masks prevent most of the ejecta from escaping into the environment. Wearing a mask is very good to keep you from giving COVID-19 to someone else. That is why we recommend that everyone wear the masks. The mask you wear is protecting those around you, and the mask they wear is protecting you.” The Mayo Clinic recommends that people wear masks when they are in public and especially in close quarters where it may be difficult to social distance, like crowded hallways or small rooms. People should sanitize their hands both before and after putting a mask on and avoid touching the mask whenever possible. Social distancing is also a crucial tool to prevent the spread of the virus. Not only does it include staying six feet apart from others but also avoiding group activities outside of a school environment. It means making the decision to stay home rather than going to a social gathering that may not be taking the proper precautions to prevent the transmission of the virus. “The six-foot distance rule rose from studies showing that when we cough or sneeze, the droplets usually are large enough sizes that they fall to the ground before reaching six feet,” Richie said. “So the idea was that even if a COVID-19 patient coughed or sneezed, you were okay if you were six feet or more away. Unfortunately, we now know that some virus particles may go much further, although the number of viral particles needed to infect you lessen the farther the distance. The big problem is when you are indoors and the viral particles are allowed to remain airborne and are not whisked away with a puff of breeze. That is why being indoors - not your home, but in gyms, bars, large events, and yes, being in school - is such a risk.” Another benefit of social distancing is to “flatten” the curve. This means that with less active cases, hospitals will have more resources to take care of current COVID-19 patients and contain virus outbreaks in communities.

[ the unexpected ] “An unexpected benefit to [wearing a mask] is no one can really tell if I am yawning in my early mods. There’s usually a look if someone notices that makes everything awkward.” - Taniya Degrate, freshman “People can’t tell if someone has braces or not.” - Jon Esparza, eighth grade “It makes it easier for me to hide my feelings at needed times, even though that can also be a drawback.” - Grace Yoon, junior “It will hopefully help normalize wearing masks in western societies when we are not feeling well.” - Isaac Saadi, junior “I’ve found that since I started regularly wearing a mask, my mouth hangs wide open while I’m focusing on someone speaking or while I’m reading. I’m thankful that no one has to witness my new mouth breathing habit.” - Madi Burch, senior

[ story and art by elizabeth watson ]

6 feature

The Vanguard Review October 9, 2020

Distant, yet social Social distancing doesn’t necessarily mean an end to being social Hope Hamblin ‘ 25 junior reporter

ince the global pandemic hit and the term “social distancing” became part of everyday life, finding a way to hang out with friends while being safe and having fun has been difficult. “The world changed so much so quickly right in front of me,” Ella McCallie, eighth grader, said. “It felt like I wasn’t able to do anything with anyone anymore.” It is hard to have fun while not being able to be within six feet of each other. It’s not easy to stay apart from the people we want to be with — it’s not normal. “At first when I was quarantined, it really sucked because all I wanted to do was see my friends,” Hope Jackson, freshman, said. “I couldn’t and that was upsetting.” Local mask orders are still in effect this fall and distancing is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and national health officials. That means socializing for teens is still going to be a challenge but there are some different and creative ways kids can get together and have some fun. Social distancing doesn’t necessarily mean an end to being social. There are, after all, plenty of other ways to interact with your friends while still keeping yourselves and others safe.

1. Drive in Movie

An alternative to going to the regular crowded movie theater, old-fashioned drive-in movie theaters are a great way to get that cinematic experience with your friends while still being safe outdoors. There are two local options. The Last Drive-In Picture Show theater in Gatesville premieres two movies every night. One at 8:15 p.m. and one at 9:45 p.m., both of which are family friendly. If you are under 16 or don’t have a car or driver’s license, a drive-in movie is also a fun activity you can enjoy with your family. As a special event during the COVID-19 crisis, Walmart on Franklin Avenue is hosting a drive-in movie at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct., 9. They will be showing the movie “Selena.”

2. Cookout

Cookouts are always a fun way to spend quality time with your loved ones — and they work especially well now that being outdoors is considered safer. Of course, you will still have to stay six feet apart, but there are plenty of games you can play and other enjoyable activities you can do to keep everyone entertained. Assuming you will maintain the social distance, you can listen to some tunes,

tell funny stories, throw a football around and even make s’mores after. Who doesn’t like s’mores?

3. Paintball

Paintball fights are very fun and energetic — and outdoors in the fresh air. Most of the time, you are separated from the other players to ensure that you won’t get hit — so it’s safe. Paintball also requires masks or face coverings to prevent injury, so you’re preventing any bacteria or diseases from infecting you. There is a paintball arena in Lacy Lakeview called Powerplay Paintball. On Mondays-Fridays, you can schedule a private session and on the weekends, they are open to the general public. They will teach you everything you need to know and prepare you for the fight.

4. Virtual Dinner

For anyone who enjoys going out to eat with their significant other, friends or family, try a Zoom meeting or a FaceTime call. You can order UberEats, DoorDash, Postmates or any other food delivery service. These and similar companies have an option of having the food left at your door, so no one is within six feet of you. If you want to watch Netflix together, have the host share their

Writing snaps On Anthropology: Three Museums and A Bowl of Ice Cream

That hurt your feelings?

Fight the Blight

Madi Burch ‘21

Dana Burton ‘21

Aubrey Roberts ‘21

What That was offensive

Ten, and a pile of devoured magazines lie next to a melted bowl of ice cream, the entire history of which I can now recite even if my mom thinks I’m making it all up.

Oh, sorry that what I said offended you I really didn’t mean it like that I was just joking around

April’s fools, forget the rules, To open the schools is just plain cruel. Black tulle, welcome the ghouls, Here’s to the mules who grasp their jewels. Ignore their crimes while we do the time, Sweet limes, new nursery rhymes. So begrimed is our social clime.

Fourteen, and I cannot pull my eyes away from a priceless pit of garbage where poor Jane found her rest after the Jamestown survivors ate what they had to survive, even if their dinner was barely my age. A grim find, a great find, and the archeologist’s enthusiasm is infectious.

You shouldn’t be so sensitive It was a harmless joke You just took it the wrong way But whatever

Fifteen, and the Gallagh Man’s hand points me past shields and mummies and Viking ships towards a video on the wall explaining how his sacrificers left him to be perfectly preserved in a Galway bog. He wants me to know, he shows me, and the museum closes in fifteen minutes.

Top Ten

Sixteen, and each stone frog and ceramic fish behind the glass holds me longer than the last. People made these, who made these? People made these, and why? They are gone, they aren’t here, but here is proof they existed and felt and created. Did that fish hold soup or a soul in its gaping mouth? I want to know, how do you know? Seventeen, and the past is mine to claim. I will imbibe the knowledge ceaselessly, until it is mine to shape and name and piece together like a shattered pot, or perhaps from a shattered pot.

I already said I was sorry

Elisabeth Rollins ‘21 Feelings I wish I could experience again for the first time: Making a snow angel in Texas Tasting the perfect spaghetti carbonara in Scotland Driving on the highway by myself Conquering my fear and rappelling off of a bridge Watching Joe Wright’s 2005 masterpiece Pride and Prejudice Baking pizzelles with my nana Feeling the crowd come alive at a John Mayer concert with my dad Being so engrossed in a novel that I finish it in one day Stepping out on stage during the opening night of a play Impeaching a witness during a Mock trial competition Holding my newborn brother

screen and turn their microphone on so you both can watch. You also can try HouseParty if you want to play games.

5. One-On-One

There are many fun activities and games you can enjoy while still maintaining six feet apart, especially when just two people are involved. Hope Jackson said she and her friends have enjoyed meeting up with one friend at a time and just talking over a table and doing crafts or swimming. “It was super fun and a great way to slowly get back into seeing everyone again.” Swimming also is a fun way to socialize, of course as long as you are keeping your distance.

In place of the Haunted House, the senior class is filming a movie for the student body!

We beseech on the streets, The impeached proclaims peace, Yet lapses the task of keeping a mask. Hidden beneath is a false salute To the expert group and their pursuit. “I can’t breathe,” they seethe, With his cheek beneath their knees. Instead the brutes root to shoot, Have fun with guns while someone runs. Let us address how they suppress, We shall not acquiesce. We raise our signs and lay down shrines While the swine all dine and drink grape from the vine. Gore galore, they ignore what we’re for— What is the lore? The higher score? We fall to the floor and implore to our Lord, Walk out the door, no more life-risking chores. We will fight this war, Hear us unleash our roar.

Keep an eye out for updates!

SLOW & STUDY OCTOBER PLAYLIST Play these songs while studying this fall to help maintain a calm environment.

Composed by Delaney Trepinski Butterfly’s Repose / Zabawa Right Here Waiting / Richard Marx Piano Man / Billy Joel Please Notice / Christian Leave Sonata No. 14 “Moonlight” / Beethoven This Is Home / Cavetown Rainbow Connection / Sleeping at Last Imagine / John Lennon Every Breath You Take / The Police

The Vanguard Review October 9, 2020

Upcoming Games HS Volleyball

10/2 @University 5:00/6:00/7:00 10/6 @Reicher* 5:30/6:30/7:30 10/8 LIVE OAK* 5:00/6:00/7:00 10/13 @Holy Trinity* 5:00/6:00/7:00 10/15 CTCS* 5:00/6:00/7:00 10/20 CENTEX 5:00/6:00 10/22 REICHER* 5:00/6:00/7:00 10/27 @Live Oak* 5:00/6:00/7:00 10/29 HOLY TRINITY* 5:00/6:00/7:00

HS Cross Country

10/5 TAPPS Preview HS 10/10 McGregor Meet HS 10/14 Midway Meet HS 10/21 Valley Mills Meet HS

HS Football

10/2@Rockwall Heritage* 7:30 10/9 LIVE OAK* 7:30pm 10/16 @Kennedale Fellowship* 7:30 10/23 PLANO CORAM DEO* 7:30 10/29 @MCH (JV) TBA 10/29 @Ovilla Christian* 7:30

MS Volleyball

10/1 CTCS 5:00/6:00 10/5 Live Oak 5:00/6:00/7:00 10/12 @St. Mary’s West 5:00/6:00 10/13 @Valor 5:00/6:00 10/19 @WCS 5:00 10/26 Reicher 5:00/6:00/7:00 10/29 @Live Oak 5:00/6:00/7:00

MS Football

10/1 Centex 5:00 10/8 @ St. Mary’s West 6:00 10/15 @ Centex 5:30 10/22 Westphalia 5:30 *District Game

sports

Continuation or cancellation?

COVID-19 restrictions for athletes met with criticism and praise

eing stuck in a nationwide quarantine is certainly not fun for anybody. It seemed like the only thing to do was binge Netflix and watch sports. One of these got taken away towards the beginning of March when a professional basketball player tested positive for the new virus called COVID-19. It seemed that it would pass relatively quickly. The first cancellations came from the NBA. On March 12, 2020 the NBA released a statement saying “The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic.” After the NBA, came the cancellation of March Madness, truly a horrifying sight for all college basketball fans and players. However, basketball was not the only sport shutdown. Other spring sports such as tennis also decided to postpone their matches. A major talking point was the announcement that Wimbledon would be scrapped and not played. Many sports hoped to return to normal soon. As the start of school approached and local COVID-19 cases were still going up, high school student athletes began to question whether or not they would be able to play sports in the fall. Athletic director Will Curtis said he and other athletic directors from around Texas have been working tirelessly to keep athletes safe and give them an opportunity to play this fall. “Our biggest priority is we want the kids to be able to have the activities back and enjoy them because we know how much that means to [the athletes], but to do it in a safe manner,” Curtis said. Curiosity began to mount considering the amount of time these coaches and staff spent to evaluate the sport’s future. “It was a long-drawn-out process that involved a lot of people and a lot of time,” Curtis said. Whether or not the sports seasons would be able to play all the way through was under debate months ago. However, with the hard work and help of many, it seems that there is a high likelihood of seasons being completed. Curtis said he feels very optimistic that they will. “If other schools are doing what our school is

Athlete Spotlight: Faith Regan

doing, then I feel very very confident that we will be able to get through an entire season,” Curtis said. Besides implementing a late start for all sports, volleyball players are required to wear masks when not actively on the court and the balls are switched out and sanitized between sets. In football, players must keep their helmets on while not playing and

Clockwise from top left: Members of the VCPS tennis team greet opponents with a socially-distanced racket touch. VCPS Volleyball team stand together, masks on, prior to a game. Members of the tennis team discuss the upcoming match with Coach Greta Knoll. Photos by Avery Haynes and Avril Maldonado / Bifrost staff

must stay spaced out during practices. For cross country, not much has changed, except the implementation of rolling starts, rather than shotgun starts, to avoid too many athletes gathering in one place at one time. With the new restrictions put in place designed to protect players, athletes have their own opinions on these new mandates, Curtis said. Junior tennis player, Avery Haynes, said the school’s COVID-19 restrictions affected her game. “It’s hard to stay separate from people at practice, but since I play an outside sport, we don’t have to wear masks at practice or matches while

Walker Nall ‘22 sports reporter

we’re playing,” she said. “So when I’m playing, everything is essentially the same. Mentally, it’s definitely a stressful time right now, but playing tennis honestly takes most of that away. I’m not really worrying about anything else except winning, which is a nice distraction from the crazy world we’re in right now.” Sophomore football player, Andrew Holze, believes that COVID-19 has affected his football season in a more negative way. “It affects my gameplay by putting restrictions on our practices and not allowing us to play to our full potential,” Holze said. “COVID-19 has also slowed down our practices and delayed our start for the season.” The restrictions put in place for the players is another point of contention for many. “The restrictions are too strict because we need to be able to practice together better and be able to play football as a team and hit before we start our season,” Holze said. “I feel like we should be able to hit each other in practice so we are used to it and can be better at tackling before the season starts. Though most of these problems are TAPPS and not Vanguard rules.” COVID-19 restrictions are put into all sports not just football, but also tennis. Haynes said she thinks the restrictions put in place are reasonable. “The restrictions are just enough to keep us safe, but not overwhelming to the point where it’s all we think about,” she said. “I think they’ve done a good job of returning to normal practices and matches as much as possible.” With the continuation of fall sports, a difficult decision presents itself. How will fans attend these events? Curtis reveals behind the scenes information on this. Possibly the most important fans in an athlete’s mind are their family members, he said. Curtis recognized this through the planning of how to reopen. “At this point for volleyball, we are planning to have immediate households only of the players coming,” Curtis said. “As far as the outdoor sports go, obviously there’s a lot more leniency. If you go to cross country, pretty much everyone will be able to go because everyone will be able to space out there. Football, again we’re still waiting. One of the nice things I’m hopeful for is playing at Paul Tyson.”

Walker Nall ‘22 sports reporter

Vanguard Review: What is your biggest strength on the volleyball court? Faith Regan: My biggest strength would have to be blocking and hitting. VR: If you had to play another sport besides volleyball what would it be? FR: If I were not playing volleyball, I would participate in cheer again. VR: What is your pre-game playlist? FR: My pregame playlist consists of Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole.

Photo by Avril Maldonado / Bifrost staff

VR: How will the lack of fans affect your performance? FR: It’s a bummer we won’t be able to have as many fans this year to feed energy off from, but I still think we can thrive. VR: If you could choose any person (dead or alive) to watch you play who would it be? FR: I would have my grandmother and grandfather come watch, but because of COVID-19 they are not able to be there. I think it’s amazing though that Vanguard is broadcasting sporting events so that everyone who can’t be there can still watch.

Vanguard Review Vanguard College Preparatory School 2517 Mt. Carmel Drive Waco, Texas 76710

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Waco, Texas Permit No. 1967 Return Service Requested

The Vanguard Review October 9, 2020

October Junior Staff Features

Pairing up

VCPS Peer Program is back for another year of mentorship, middle schoolers give thoughts

he Peer Program is a Vanguard tradition that will be continued despite COVID-19. It is a special opportunity to connect the seniors and the seventh graders. It began Sept. 18 during lunch. In the first meeting, the seniors and seventh graders met in the gym and got to know each other. This was a chance to restart the year and meet new people and make new friends. When the Peer Program was explained to seventh grader Toni Mickleburgh, she exclaimed, “I love it!” Usually, the seniors take the seventh graders to lunch off-campus. Because of COVID-19, we can’t do that this year, but we will find some way to make it a great year for the seniors and seventh graders. If the students could go off-campus, we think the teachers would really enjoy having to look after less kids; we’re sure it will work out, though. How will the Peer Program work if no one can go off-campus? What will they do? Well, the seniors and seventh graders will eat lunch in the gym together. They will get to know each other and make some new friends. They will not be able to go off-campus, sadly, but it will still be a blast. We think all of the seventh graders are looking forward to getting advice from the seniors. The seniors may be looking forward to new perspectives from the seventh graders.

Junior Staff 2020-2021 Willow Alexander Willow Alexander ‘26 junior reporter

Aria Cleveland Hope Hamblin Hutson Harper Madlenne Braus ‘26 junior reporter

Toni Mickleburgh Marcus Offill Aiyana Pettes Jordan Young

Enjoying lunch on a fall day, seventh graders get the chance to meet their senior peers. Archive photo

Caution and care Middle schoolers react to new COVID-19 restrictions

Aria Cleveland ‘26 junior reporter

TALK TO US!

ith the global outbreak of COVID-19, VCPS students are lucky enough to be able to return to school. Even though these rules might come across too strict to students, we are lucky to be able to come back to school. These rules are also in place to help protect our hardworking faculty because some of them may have underlying conditions putting them at high risk. Some of these new policies included the obvious, such as wearing a mask and social distancing at six feet apart. These rules had mixed reactions from the middle school students. “Even though I don’t particularly like the rules I think that the rules are in place for a reason and everyone should follow them,” Grant Herridge, eighth grade, said. Other students felt that the restrictions, though helpful, were being enforced with too much severity.

Madlenne Braus

Hutson Harper ‘25 junior reporter

Marc Offill ‘25 junior reporter

“I think that these rules are good and help protect the students and staff of Vanguard, but they are enforced a little too harshly,” Brian Neel, seventh grader, said. These statements from the middle schoolers show that the middle schoolers know why the rules are in place and that they are important but come as an inconvenience to them during their time at school.

During their lunch time, a group of middle school students plays a makeshift game of volleyball in front of the Mayborn building. This is one of the ways that students can be active and social while also maintaining enough distance to stay safe. Photo by Hutson Harper / VR junior staff

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