Vanguard Review: December 2020 Issue

Supreme Court | 2

Bouncing back | 4-5

Much at stake | 6

Will Amy Coney Barrett prove to be a fair and objective member of the U.S. Supreme Court?

How local small businesses faced the COVID-19 shutdowns and are getting back to business

The decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court are everyone’s business

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

December 2020, Volume 48, Issue 3

The Vanguard Review A VCPS Publication

Pancake shenanigans

COVID-19: Current Stats Active Cases

Recovered

McLennan County

757

13,576

Vanguard

3

4

Source: McLennan County Health District; VCPS

Elizabeth Watson ‘21 editor-in-chief

Caritas canned food drive takes on new form in face of COVID-19

M

any students are familiar with the good-natured pandemonium of the final day of the Caritas Food for Families Drive at VCPS. Veterans of the school community have long since grown used to the sight of students racing through the hallways with boxes of cans, while others frantically coordinate last-minute runs to the local grocery store to purchase as many cans as possible before the deadline. For more than 20 years, the canned food drive has been one of the most important events at VCPS - not only because of the impact it has upon the community but also because of the way it brings the school together, even during a pandemic.

“My favorite part of the can drive is the unity that it brings for the school and classes,” Emma Lowe, senior, said. “It is a good way to all come together as a class to achieve a single goal of bringing as many cans as possible. We all talked about the drive and reminded each other to bring cans.”

Nearly 30 percent of Waco residents are living in poverty and struggling to meet basic needs, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In fact, 46,000 Central Texans do not know where their next meal will come from. These statistics are only some of the many reasons that Caritas hosts a food drive each year.

“I like that we always have such a good turnout [for the drive],” Karissa Kuhl, freshman, said. “It’s nice to know students and parents care enough to give

or buy cans if they can. I’ve brought in cans myself, and I hope that students realize that with COVID-19 affecting so many lives more than ever, we need to give back to places like Caritas that want to help those who need it the most.”

Freshman Annabelle Reese agrees.

“My favorite aspect about the canned food drive is that our entire school joined together to help the Waco Community,” Reese said. “Encouraging as many people as I can to bring cans [is part of my role as a member of the student council].”

The drive kicked off at a pep rally on Nov. 7 and came to a close on Nov. 20. Over the course of the drive, VCPS students raised a total of 4,161 cans, and despite the turbulent events of the past months, VCPS’ spirit of competition and giving has remained strong. Traditionally, the grade level that brings in the most cans during the drive earns a day in the senior lounge during the spring semester.

The student council sponsors made the decision to change the prize in the form of Pokey-O’s ice cream in order to maintain a safe environment for the students amid the pandemic. This year, the eighth grade class placed first with 1,036 cans.

“This has been a very competitive event each year with all of Vanguard’s grades trying to win the event,” Leo Jackson, junior, said. “I love jumping in each other’s cars to buy as many cans as we can.”

In the past, the canned food drive

Trial by tiger

was kicked off by the pancake breakfast fundraiser hosted by the student council.

Due to concerns about COVID-19, the breakfast took on a new incarnation this year with the first annual pancake pep rally. At this event, grade levels were represented by teams of their class officers. The teams faced off against one another in a tournament-style mini-pancake toss, competing in a final round to determine the champion.

“I enjoyed the pancake pep rally because the entire student council got together and just had fun throwing pancakes,” Jackson said. “School is so serious now with COVID-19, so being able to be silly was so refreshing.”

Unfortunately, not all students were able to participate due to safety concerns.

“I think it was fun for the grade level officers, but it didn’t really include the rest of the student body, making it boring for them,” Maggie Winarick, freshman, said. “I know that with COVID-19, it probably wouldn’t be a good idea to include everyone in those activities, but if we could’ve given them something to do, it would’ve been better.”

Senior Erik Knoll has a similar opinion.

“I think that it is difficult for the school to make events as exciting as normal while trying to make sure it is safe,” Knoll said. “It is important that the students take as much as they can from the event to make it enjoyable.”

Students prepare boxes of cans on palettes to be picked up by Caritas on the final day of the drive. Photo by Elizabeth Watson / VR Staff

Jordan Young, eighth grade, fends off the seventh grade class officers by blocking their pancakes with a spatula. Photo by Sage Suchecki / Bifrost Staff

Elisabeth Rollins ‘21 guest columnist

Mock trial team prepares Tiger King-inspired case for regional competition

T

he mock trial team is gearing up to compete in this year’s Regional Mock Trial competition held in February at the Baylor School of Law. This year’s case is criminal — where the state is suing the defendant — and is heavily inspired by Netflix’s smash-hit documentary “Tiger King.”

Sylvestris Dairdis has been charged with the murder of his boss, owner of the Big Cat Temple, Barry Bazaar. Did Sylvestris commit the murder, or was he framed by a jealous coworker?

These are the questions the team’s attorneys will be arguing this year in competition. To prepare, the team meets every Tuesday and Thursday during lunch.

“I really like that this year’s case is related to the “Tiger King” documentary,” said sophomore Aldo Ibarra.

This year, the team consists of four attorneys — Sophia Serr, Elisabeth Rollins, Issac Saadi and possibly Markham Dossett — and six witnesses.

Right now, witnesses are double cast, but only

one will compete. They are Aldo Ibarra, Anthony Foti, Avery Schnautz, Ben Lho, James Merchant, Landon Hanshew, Lily Martin, Madorry Gonzales, Emily Coleman, Samantha O’Flaherty, Thaddeus Denton and Sehoon Joo. The witnesses’ job is to portray the characters involved in the case and to answer the questions asked by the attorneys.

“The most challenging part of my role is getting to know everything about the character I’m supposed to be,” Anthony Foti, sophomore, said.

Some students said they joined the team to get experience in the fields of law.

“As a witness on the mock trial team, I’ve learned a lot about the process of preparing for a case,” Joo, sophomore, said. “I’m interested in possibly studying law, so it’s been a good experience for me.”

Senior James Merchant agreed.

“I like that mock trial gives us a real live court experience,” Merchant said. “We get to work on logic and speaking skills that will be useful if I de-

cide to go pre-law in college.”

The attorney’s job is to prepare questions for direct and cross examination and to deliver the opening and closing statements. The team’s attorneys just completed their direct questions — questions answered by their team’s witnesses — and are now shifting their focus to cross questions — questions answered by the opposing team’s witnesses. The team plans to begin having practice matches, or scrimmages, with opposing school’s teams when they return from the Christmas break.

Despite the difficulties brought on about by COVID-19, the team is optimistic for competition, which may pivot to virtual, depending on the situation.

Going over the practice schedule for the months leading up to competition, the mock trial team, led by coach Hunter Edmundson, faces the reality that they may handle their cases virtually, for the first time in history. Archive photo

2 opinion Isaac Saadi ‘22 guest columnist

A

s a South Bend native, I was beyond ecstatic to see that my hometown had the potential to be represented in the highest court. Amy Coney Barrett (ACB) embodied the South Bend spirit of hard work and of course being affiliated with Notre Dame. Barrett was a law school professor when my dad was a professor there, so I felt a personal connection to her appointment.

I first found out Ruth Bader Ginsburg died in a debate round when a judge stopped the tournament and told the news. I was disappointed at her passing as she was a pioneer for women’s rights and paved the way for many. When I heard ACB was her replacement, I started to draw the parallels. They both are strong, intelligent women with a vast knowledge of the Statute. They both graduated first in their law school class, and they both believed in bringing justice to the American people.

ACB seemed like a superhuman being able to juggle being a devoted mother of seven, a respected conservative scholar (in a liberal environment) and a former clerk for Justice Antonin Scalia. I expected very little hesitation to confirm her, despite being appointed so close to an election. But in the polarized state in our country, they still resisted her confirmation and caused much harm to her and her family. We as Americans need to be grateful that we are in such a privileged position to receive a competent judge.

During Justice Barrett’s Senate confirmation hearing, it was a flip-flop between personal attacks on her political ideologies and how amazing of a pick she is. I felt as if during the hearings, she submitted herself as the perfect choice for the American people, showing grace and her vast intelligence under such pressure. Her powerful statements during

The Vanguard Review December 8, 2020

Amy Coney Barrett will prove a fair and objective addition to SC

Tuesday, Dec. 15 8:00AM - 9:30AM 10:30AM-12:30PM 1:30PM-3:30PM

LA 7 (31) and LA 8 (31) AP Art History (13) English I (60) and English II (36) English III and AP (30), English IV and AP (30) Prealgebra, Math 7 Geometry, Alg. I, Stats Precal, Alg. II, AP Calculus

The Vanguard Review Volume 48, Issue 3, December 8, 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

Consider

December 2020 poll results are in!

her hearing exclaiming that all American people de- accept the nomination to serve because she wanted serve justice — no matter their beliefs, background, to protect her family and the backlash she would get. race, gender, sexuality, etc. — showed her desire Ultimately, she put her country first.

The claims and responses I have seen to her that and passion to do what’s right. The media is still painting a false narrative that she believes women she is going to make America into “The Handmaid’s are inferior to men, despite the fact she told stories Tale,” revoke all women’s rights and so much more from her childhood of overcoming gender norms in are simply fallacies. Several times throughout her hearing, she has expressed that her personal beliefs a patriarchal society.

Barrett is a dedicated originalist and has ex- will never get in the way of her rulings. The emopressed the judicial philosophy that a judge should tional distress her family has had to endure is a disinterpret the law as it is written, not as she wishes grace to this country.

When I was working a phone bank in the days it were. Democratic presidential nominee Amy Klobuchar consistently asked Barrett about her stance leading up to the election, I encountered a 76-yearold swing voter, who in hypothetical has voted for both parcourt cases, and to Barrett is a dedicated originalist ties in the past. We had a the detriment of and has expressed the judicial discussion for one hour Klobuchar, she reon politics in America, sponded that she philosophy that a judge should and she brought up the would consider all interpret the law as written, not point that despite the the sides to a case left’s refusal to confirm and what is morally as she wishes it were. right for the American people. She has even gone so her, Ruth Bader Ginsburg would’ve respected ACB. far as to say that she rules each case as if it were her They have vastly different judicial and political children facing the opposing impacts by her ruling. philosophies, yet they are both intelligent women Having a justice that puts the good of the country with one common purpose: serving the American people. Although there was never any interaction first is a privilege.

After Barrett was appointed by one of the most between them, we can only imagine what beauty controversial presidents in modern history, she faced would flourish through this country with both of a backlash on her religion, despite the fact the can- them serving.

The betterment of this country is achieved when didate opposing Trump follows the same religion and her decision to adopt two children from Haiti. we stop looking for the “D” or “R” beside someBoston University professor, Ibram X. Kendi made one’s name and see what they will do to make our the arbitrary claims that Barrett was a “colonizer” country better. We can see that Amy Coney Barrett for adopting them and using them as “props” for her checks all the boxes and has a bright future on the political agenda, despite the fact she almost didn’t bench.

Fall Final Exam Schedule Monday, Dec. 14 8:00AM - 9:30AM 8:00AM - 10:00AM 10:30AM-12:30PM 1:30PM-3:30PM

Things to

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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.

Wednesday, Dec. 16 8:00AM - 10:00AM 10:30AM-12:30PM 1:30PM-3:30PM

Thursday, Dec. 17 8:00AM - 9:30AM 10:30AM-12:30PM 1:30PM-3:30PM

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Spanish I, Latin I Spanish II, Latin II, French II/III Spanish III, Spanish IV, Latin III Phys. Sci, Earth Sci. Anatomy, Bio, AP Bio Conc. Physics, Physics, Chemistry, AP Chem TX History, Civics/Geo World Hist, Euro Hist and AP US History and AP

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Do you support the recent appointment of Justice Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court?

Yes 53.8% No 46.2% How much do you think the decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court affect you personally?

A lot 23.7% Somewhat 37.7% Not that much 38.6% How important is it to you to give to charitable organizations during the holiday season?

Very important 53.5% Somewhat important 37.9% Not that important 8.6% What is your favorite part about the Student Council canned food drive?

Helping others 68.4% Competition 17.5% Bonding with the class 14.1% Do you consider yourself more of a team player or an individual athlete?

Team player 68.1% Individual athlete 31.9%

What do you think is the most important quality learned from teamwork?

Accountability 26.7% Adaptability 23.3% Resilience 12.1% Supporting others 37.9% The above results reflect the VCPS student body of 219 students.

Polls were distributed electronically through Google Forms.

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Editorials & Content 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 2019-2020 school year. We reserve the right to refuse any content. No offensive material will be permitted to print, and submissions may be edited for grammatical purposes.

Do you or will you support the results of the 2020 presidential election?

Yes 64.3% No 7.1% I’m not sure 28.6%

Remember to wash your hands and wear a mask!

people

The Vanguard Review December 8, 2020

3

Student Spotlight: Teddy Miller Grade 10

Guitar Superstar Funny Musical Hopeful Photo by Charlotte Livesay / Bifrost staff

Delaney Trepinski ‘23 reporter

I

f you hear the soft sound of a strumming guitar while walking around campus, chances are it’s sophomore Teddy Miller. Miller describes himself as a funny, musical and hopeful person.

“I first tried to play guitar when I was nine, which was also the time I began taking piano lessons,” he said.”My fingers were too small and weak to play some of the chords at the time, so I didn’t really get into it until I was 13-years-old.

This is when I bought my first acoustic guitar, an Ibanez Talman.”

Teddy said he’s always looked up to his father who also plays guitar.

“My house has always been pretty music-oriented, as my dad played guitar and taught me to sing songs my whole life,” he said.“I guess I’ve always looked up to him for his guitar playing, and I wanted to pick it up myself.”

Miller is known around campus for his musical talent.

“If it isn’t obvious, I’m very passionate about guitar and music in general,” he said,”I also enjoy driving or even just working on my truck. I feel more at home there than most places.”

His favorite band right now is Soundgarden.

“Their lead singer, Chris Cornell, is probably

one of the most amazing people to ever live, and on top of that, he is an excellent musician,” he said.

“They surely changed the music industry forever.”

Music, though, is not Miller’s entire personality.

Miller said he also enjoys theater. “ I’ve always liked acting. I guess it’s just nice to be someone else for a little while sometimes,” he said.

When asked if he could learn any instrument in three seconds he chose another string instrument.

“I think I would choose the violin,”Miller said. It’s always seemed cool to me, but I don’t have the time to learn how to play at the moment.”

Miller hopes to one day become a doctor.

“I hope to someday become an anesthesiologist,” he said, “but I want to enter Air Force Medical on an ROTC throughout my schooling.”

One place Miller said he would never want to work is at a bank.

“I don’t think I could ever work for a bank,” he said.” I feel like I would be too pressured by the responsibility of someone else’s money.”

His favorite songs at the moment include: “Sweet Euphoria” by Chris Cornell, “Going to California” by Led Zeppelin, and “Forty Six & 2”

by Tool.”

“I like all kinds of music, so choosing just three is pretty hard for me,” he said. “The first two on my list are beautiful, and they remind me of moments in my life or allow me to imagine new ones. I like the last song because it is a powerful, yet still musically impressive song that helps me get through taxing jobs, like oil changes or mowing.”

Miller said it takes time to get to know the real him.

“I guess I would want people to know that I’m actually a caring, fun-loving guy once you get to know me,” he said. “I’m just too tired most of the time to act like it at school.”

Miller said he doesn’t have a dream destination, as long as he is with someone that makes him happy.

He said he doesn’t want much for Christmas “I just want to spend time with people who make me happy,” Miller said.

Miller’s favorite gift he ever received was an

(left) Teddy Miller strums his guitar. Photo

by Charlotte Livesay / Bifrost staff. (above) Teddy Miller does a Chemistry lab in Mr. Seifert’s classroom. Archive photo electric drum set. “ I got it when I was around seven,”he said. “I focused a lot of time into it, and I think it helped me with my improvisation skills.”

His favorite family Christmas traditions include dressing up as Santa.

“I used to help my parents play Santa for my little sister, but now we’ll usually go over to my grandparents’ for a Christmas dinner with some other relatives,”he said.

Holidays might feel a little bit different this year. Miller’s tips for Christmas during this pandemic include: spending extra time on your favorite hobbies, making sure you get sufficient sleep, and finding something or someone that makes you happy.

4

Bouncing Back

Local Waco business owners share their experience on surviving the COVID-19 shutdowns and how they are currently reviving from hardships they faced in 2020

Story and photos by Emily Coleman

Although Deaver knew how it would affect the local The heart of Waco, downtown, is normally known to be businesses, he said he did what was best for the safety a pulsing area with live music, visitors from all around, and health of his citizens.

Baylor students and that sweet elderly couple taking their “I knew that it would have a serious impact on our afternoon stroll. Walking downtown Waco in the Spring local businesses, but I felt that it was inevitable that we of 2020 was a very different experience than it had ever would have to issue an order in the next few days,” Deaver been before. The streets were empty, with “closed” signs said. “It was my belief that a few more days could make in many windows as local business owners were shuttered a huge difference for controlling the virus, whereas a few due to the global coronavirus pandemic that swept the na- days difference would not have a significant impact on tion beginning in March—and that still has a grip on the businesses.” city with capacity limits and restrictions that make it hard Adorn is a family-owned women’s fashion boutique for people to do business and stay safe at the same time. owned by Kim Charlet of Austin, Texas. Waco was Adorn’s Waco Mayor Kyle Deaver announced the city’s shelter- newest location, opening in Dec. of 2017. Charlet felt the in-place order on March 23, 2020. All non-essential busi- effects of the shutdown first hand. nesses, including retail shops and entertainment venues, “We were shut down during our peak spring sales were closed, and restaurants could only offer take-out. months which resulted in absorbing a significant loss,” During the COVID-19 shutdowns, local Waco businesses she said. suffered a great deal.

W Promotions, a local “McLennan County lost company that provides banmore than 12,000 jobs in ners, wraps and signs in all April 2020,” said Kristishapes and sizes experienced na M. Collins, senior vice the loss as well. president of economic de“COVID-19 shut our busivelopment in the Greater ness down for six weeks,” said Waco Chamber. “At the Brian Ginsburg, co-owner. time, the highest impacted “This has dropped our sales Source: VR Dec 2020 student poll businesses and employ25-30 percent compared to ment segments were mainlast year this time. Our prodly service sectors businesses, including retail, hospitality, ucts are geared toward marketing, and most of what we restaurants. Deemed non-essential, these businesses were produce are for public events, corporations, schools and required to close for public traffic or in the case of hos- non-profit organizations, all of which were shut down. pitality, people were not traveling, hosting conferences, Some still are shut down.” shopping in person, all severely impacting the tourism Dan Moroso, chef and owner of Moroso Wood Fired and travel of the area.”

Pizzeria, experienced these effects from a restaurant’s

70.1% of students said they think it’s very important to support local businesses, especially during the holidays.

point of view.

“Like most restaurants, the shutdown cut our revenue stream significantly,” said Moroso. “People didn’t want to go out and eat anymore. All we were allowed to do was curbside service.”

Business owners began to seek alternative ways to receive revenue.

“Many businesses looked for alternative revenue sources, including the manufacturing and selling of personal protective equipment, offering curbside delivery, shifting to online business sales and services, partnering with other businesses to co-market and overcome government restrictions,” said Collins.

In a time of desperation, Charlet found ways to stay afloat.

“We launched our website which created an opportunity for our customers to support us, as well as provided curbside services,” she said.

Ginsburg persevered as well, as W Promotions started selling essential items.

“We went after essential items to sell, such as masks and social distancing signs, banners, and decals,” Ginsburg said. “We also put several employees on a part-time basis in order to maintain our cash flow.”

The Chamber recognized that businesses, particularly small businesses, would have significant impacts as a result of COVID-19.

“Our organization quickly put together a resource page to provide businesses with a centralized point of information, providing updates through emails and social media, engaging businesses in weekly industry calls,” Collins said. “Partner organizations conducted surveys to gauge business vitality and areas of vulnerability, providing information sessions on the ways of establishing online

75.7% of students said they have supported a local business this month.

5

From left to right: Twinkling lights are strung up at storefronts to warmly welcome their costumers inside. As you stroll down Austin Avenue, the W Promotions building stands out, as it has been a part of Waco since 1940.

Inside Adorn, customers wear their masks and browse jewelry, clothing items and the addition of masks. Just outside of Moroso sits an ever-flowing fountain that sparkles at sunset, as people sit outside and enjoy their pizza with a view. The downtown area is lively on a Wednesday afternoon, as people shop with their friends and loved ones. Authentic Italian pizza can be found at Moroso, a safe environment to enjoy a meal during the pandemic. As the sun begins to set, the Alico building catches the light and casts a glow on the streets of downtown Waco. platforms for their businesses. The City of Waco and McLennan County provided small business grant funding for businesses that weren’t able to access the PPP loans from the federal government. Specifically looking at downtown, the Downtown Waco Biz Bucks voucher program has been a way of encouraging locals to visit our downtown businesses, driving much needed dollars into these merchants.”

Moroso’s concern was finding a way to continue to serve their loyal customers during a state of caution.

“We waited an extra week [before opening again] to make sure that we fully understood what the CDC guidelines were for safety,” Moroso said. “Our team did a great job in making those adaptations and implementing them so that we could serve the same quality food that we have always served, but with these new guidelines in place. We even revamped our menu. We began offering family meals like lasagne for example, that could serve a family of six.”

Charlet said the main focus for her business was to keep her staff and customers safe “while simultaneously keeping [their] bills paid to survive the loss in sales while [their] store was closed.”

Ginsburg said that his fear as an owner is that the [virus] will not go away, and future shutdowns could happen.

“This could ruin more businesses that were already weak from the first shutdown, and hurt our economy,” he

said.

Moroso was not only concerned for his own restaurant but also for others.

“We wondered how long it was going to last,” Moroso said. “Obviously, we knew that some restaurants were not going to be able to weather the storm because of cash flow.

Our biggest fear was that the Waco dining public wouldn’t want to go back to restaurants after this. Of course, we see now that they do. But in those first few weeks and months, we had no idea if we were ever going to be able to

back up but we also need local support,” Charlet said. “To keep independent unique shopping, dining and entertainment venues alive we encourage locals to show up and support small businesses.”

Ginsburg already sees an improvement in the community and expresses his gratitude in being able to stay in business.

“Things have improved as companies have reopened, but it may take a year or two to fully get back to where we were,” he said. “We are fortunate to be a versatile company that produces many types of items.”

Moroso is also hopeful for the future of his business, other restaurants in Waco and all throughout the U.S. “We are now seeing that we can operate, albeit, under a limited operational level in the current situation,” Moroso said. “We are still not open for lunch yet, but we plan on doing that within the next two weeks. With everyone having a better understanding of this virus now, we are seeing the dining public return with less fear.”

Collins believes that the best possible thing to do now is buy local.

“Our local businesses need your support,” she said.

“Gift certificates are a great way to help our local merchants thrive through the holidays. Many local businesses have taken the Safe Waco pledge to demonstrate their commitment to safe business practices for their patrons and employees. For those individuals that prefer to shop from home, many now have online options that provide curbside delivery of goods.”

“Since the tourism in Waco has decreased, citizens need to support local businessses so that they are able to stay open.”

— Dory Gonzales, junior open again for inside service.”

A few businesses had to bow out for now, like the Waco Hippodrome Theatre. Due to it being a venue dedicated to dining, live entertainment and movies, the theatre had to face public concern about government-issued orders and social distancing. The Hippodrome was widely cherished and visited by many Wacoans, but COVID-19 forced their doors to close last month.

The outlook for the future is hopeful, however, as many local business owners seek out support from the community.

“Our sales are improving monthly as tourism picks

6 feature

The Vanguard Review December 8, 2020

Much at stake

F

ree speech. Marriage equality. Gun rights.

Healthcare. Freedom of religion. Abortion.

Chances are, one or more of these issues is of concern to you. And, if so, the business of the U.S. Supreme Court is your business. During this tense political year, the Supreme Court is being closely watched.With the October death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the contentious appointment of Justice Amy Coney Barrett just days before the 2020 presidential election, all eyes are on the Supreme Court.

“It is important for Supreme Court members to be balanced and nonpartisan to ensure that everyone’s rights are protected and not just the people who the member favors,” McKenna Lowrey, sophomore, said.

In a similar tone, senior Nathan Cobb agrees.

“The infrastructure of the Supreme Court relies on the members being non-partisan,” he said.

“If a Justice is put in the position specifically to push their personal doctrine, the system fails to ensure a fair ruling.”

Andrew Holze, sophomore, said the Supreme Court should keep the government from taking away citizens’ freedoms and rights and infringing on their way of life — and should protect the people.

“I think it’s important to have nonpartisan judges to keep ruling fair and keep following the constitution as it should be followed and not to throw away all America has done,” Holze said.

“Though this is the best case scenario, it is very difficult to keep all judges nonpartisan.”

Judge Matt Johnson, Waco’s 54th District Court, said Supreme Court justices are called to follow the law regardless of a particular judge’s political views.

“All judges take an oath to follow the law and they should strictly abide by their oath,” Johnson said. “Federal judges are appointed by the president and confirmed by the United States Senate. The Senate confirmation process is where unqualified or overly partisan nominees to the bench should be addressed.”

But some worry that the hasty appointment of Justice Barrett by President Donald Trump was a partisan move. In a Nov. VR student poll, the student body was split 50/50 on whether or not Justice Barrett should have been confirmed.

Everyone, teens included, is affected by decisions of the Supreme Court Delaney Trepinski ‘23 reporter

“It is essential that religious influence stays out of Supreme Court rulings, specifically when that influence is used to target and tear down the rights of particular groups,” said Cobb. “Barrett has a strong religious motivation to overturn protections of LGBTQ+ and women’s rights which would set America’s progress in civil rights back decades.”

All cases accepted for review by the United States Supreme Court deal with big issues that will affect all citizens. Cases set for review for the 2020-2021 term of court deal with immigration, health care, elections, impeachment procedure, religion, separation of powers and many more.

“All are important, depending on a particular individual’s situation,” Johnson said.

Currently, nine justices — John Roberts, Clarence Thomas, Stephen Breyer, Samuel Alito, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett — serve on the Supreme Court. The president nominates someone for a vacancy on the court and the Senate votes to confirm the nominee, which requires a simple majority. In this way, both the executive and legislative branches of the federal government have a voice in the makeup of the Supreme Court.

Justices are appointed for a lifetime term or, as the Constitution states “during good behaviour,” which means they can only be removed by impeachment.

The most important role of the United States Supreme Court was established in Marbury v.

Madison, Johnson said.

“In that case Chief Justice John Marshall first applied the concept of judicial review in a Supreme Court opinion,” he said. “Judicial review ensures that the United States Constitution is the superior law of our land and no law passed by Congress or a state’s legislature can violate the United States Constitution. It also established the United States Supreme court as the final authority in determining what laws are unconstitutional.”

Gun rights are an important issue to Holze.

“A past issue I feel strongly about is the issue of District of Columbia v. Heller,” Holze said. “In this, DC rules that you can’t own a gun in the area, but the Supreme Court ruled that it was against the second amendment and that you should be allowed to keep guns for legal purposes. This affects me

Writing snaps Icarus

I stand on our stone windowsill, and the waves crash below Aubrey Roberts ‘21 in their familiarly inconsistent rhythm. My father distantly says, “Use that brain I gave you, boy, and get down!” I linger for a moment longer as to feel the sun caress my face and relax my limbs, stiffened from disuse.

My father is a genius. His genius is what imprisons us, and he believes it is what will set us free. At night, when the sun has left my side, his workspace is still dimly illuminated by the candles he melts down. His fingers weave together a sea of feathers with the precision of an experienced thief opening a lock. The determination stabs through my heart.

In the morning, when my father has not woken up, I talk with Apollo. He’s seen the world. “It’s beautiful. Let me show it all to you, every last stone and flower.” I cast a guilty glance towards my snoring father. I cannot leave him alone, not here. When I return my gaze to Apollo, he’s left.

The windowsill is still warm where he sat.

My father murmurs about freedom. In his sleep, as he cooks, as he works on the newest product of his genius.

“The wings are freedom. They are… unchained joy. Victory.” I must look uncomfortable because he begins to chastise me. “They are your future, Icarus! I made them for you.

Think of all the years we did not have these wings. Now we do. Be grateful!”

Every molecule of my body screams as he binds me to what he has created.

As I wait for the tears of pain to stop blurring my vision, I ponder the scar that will surely form where the burning wax eats at my skin. Then I recall the plan, crafted in whispered voices during a rendezvous known only to the

Art by Daphne Templin because I like to hunt and I feel like we must be allowed to own guns to protect ourselves in the case of government takeovers as the founding fathers intended or from home invasions and urban problems. Guns must be allowed to be owned (legally of course) to protect citizens’ rights and to give citizens a way to protect themselves against a dictatorial government or other citizens with malicious intent.”

The protection of LGBTQ+ rights is the most important issue for Cobb.

“Repression or revocation of those rights would essentially extinguish most of my plans to succeed in a career without discriminatory setbacks,” Cobb said. “The purpose of the Supreme Court is to uphold and protect the rights of the American people, and revocation of my rights would directly conflict with the purpose of the Court, deeming it a failed system.”

Lowrey said the most significant issue to her is giving the same rights to all no matter an individual’s ethnicity, religion, sexuality or any other factor, she said.

“Marriage equality, LGBTQ+ safety in the workplace, and religion in school are some of the

participants. I ponder the scar that will surely form where the burning guilt eats at my heart. I do not change my mind.

“I’ve planned it all out, you see,” my father once again explains, not looking at me. “We’ll find somewhere safe, and we’ll stay there. Fly at a moderate height. Not too low, and not too high. If you keep in the middle, the gods won’t punish you for hubris - that’s how it goes. Listen to me, I know the world.”

It is dawn. The day has come. My legs shake as I stand on the windowsill. My head is light. So this is how the fledgling feels before he falls from the nest.

He gives his speech once more. “A moderate height.”

The gods painted the world for him in black and white.

They painted the world for me in golds. I want to see it. I silently thank whoever is listening that he does not see my eyes. I don’t know what is held there - grief, yearning, pity, anticipation - but, whatever it is, I don’t want him to see it.

I step into empty air, an uncharted route to freedom.

The earth yanks me downwards. Crags, crashing waves, cold sea mist, panic and gulls, my father’s shout. And then I fly. The sun begins climbing the sky, and I move upwards to meet him. Apollo extends his hand to me, and tenderly helps me into his chariot. I cling to him and look down. So that’s the world, so large and boundless that I cannot point out the tower where I’ve spent my entire childhood.

Miles away, I see my father’s face. He looks at me like I am a fellow soldier who deserted some war he himself cannot, will not leave. He looks at me like I am a stranger.

My scars ache. I will not change my mind, so I look away.

I still see him.

most important to me of the ones listed as those are some of the issues that I know the most about,” Lowrey said.

Abortion is another issue that the Supreme Court has ruled on in the past (Roe v. Wade) that Holze hopes to see addressed again soon.

“I feel like abortion is a horrible practice and [we] can’t justify the killing of unborn babies,” Holze said.

“And life starts before the abortion limit ends and no abortion can really be justified by those means. No baby deserves to die, and I feel like this is a very unruly and immoral practice.”

Even with such strong opinions, only 27.8 percent of students said they think the decisions of the United States Supreme Court affect them strongly, according to a November VR poll. But Johnson said it is imperative for students to engage in the process.

“As teenagers reach voting age, they must prepare and educate themselves to make wise decisions when exercising their right to vote,” he said. “Keeping up with Supreme Court decisions and the impact of those decisions is part of being an informed, educated and a civic-minded voter.”

Something Bright Please

Dana Burton ‘21 an apple-scented candle a day keeps the responsibilities away do what i must to delay please leave me in my dismay an orange mint on my tongue i inhale deep in my lungs the words to which i’ve clung are meant to justify what i’ve done pitter-patter drowns out the chatter “what’s the matter?” my mind is too scattered let it shatter, i couldn’t be gladder forget my promise from yesterday i must object, that is hearsay i pray as my tears ricochet please do not walk me down that hallway

DECEMBER PLAYLIST Lots of things are going on in the world right now, so step back and take a breath. This playlist can help you unwind and remind you of all the beautiful things that exist in your life.

Composed by Elizabeth Watson

Paradise / Coldplay Run / Delta Rae Little Talks / Of Monsters and Men Conquest of Spaces / Woodkid Welcome Home, Son / Radical Face On and On / The Score Waking Up the Giants / Grizfolk Sunday / Les Friction Learning to Fly / Hills x Hills I Touched the Fire / Casey Breves Like a River Runs / Bleachers Good Times / All Time Low I Bet My Life / Imagine Dragons How Far We’ve Come / Matchbox Twenty

sports

The Vanguard Review December 8, 2020

Upcoming Games SOCCER Dec. 18 Jan. 4 Jan. 9 Jan. 12 Jan. 14 Jan. 16 Jan. 18 Jan. 25 Jan. 28 Jan. 30

@Live Oak 6:00pm Live Oak 6:00pm @Veritas TBA @Reicher 6:00pm San Juan Diego 6:00pm Hill Country 3:00pm @Holy Trinity 6:00pm Veritas 6:00pm Reicher 6:00pm @San Juan Diego TBA

ANNOUNCEMENT: Due to COVID-19, all basketball games have been rescheduled for January. Practices will continue with social distacing.

HS GIRLS BASKETBALL Jan 5 ECA 5:00 VG Jan 8 @Hill Country 4/6:00 Jan. 12 @Live Oak* 4/6:00 Jan. 15 Holy Trinity* 4/6:00 Jan. 19 @CTCS* 4/6:00 Jan. 26 @Reicher* 4/6:00 Jan. 29 Live Oak* 4/6:00 HS BOYS BASKETBALL Jan. 5 TX Wind Jan. 8 @Hill Country Jan. 12 @Live Oak* Jan. 15 Holy Trinity* Jan. 19 @CTCS* Jan. 22 @TX Wind Jan. 26 @Reicher* Jan. 29 Live Oak*

5/7:30 TBA 5/7:30 5/7:30 5/7:30 5/7:30 5/7:30 5/7:30

Jan. 7 Jan. 9 Jan. 11 Jan. 14 Jan 18 Jan. 21 Jan 25 Jan 28 Jan 28

6/7:00 TBA 5/6/7:00 5/6/7:00 6/7:00 5/6:00/7:00 4:30/5:30 5/6:00 5/6:00

Aggieland CTCS Tourney @Reicher @TX Wind @Valor TX Wind Parkview @St. Mary’s Reicher

*BOLD indicates home games

It’ s all about community The impact of teamwork applies to much more than just sports

Photo by Katylu Offill/ Bifrost staff

Walker Nall ‘22 sports reporter

I

magine a situation where there is less than a min- circumstances, whether those be good or bad,” said ute left to play in the final quarter of the district athletic director and varsity girls basketball coach championship basketball game. You are being Will Curtis. trusted with the ability of your explosiveness and Building community with those around you on ability to reach the basket easily. However, the de- your sports team transfer into school, Curtis said. fender guarding you is beginning to get in your head “If you are disciplined in your sport and working as you begin to miss open layups. Now, your coach hard at it,” Curtis said. “You can see that translate has called a timeout because you are visibly dis- to the classroom, because that discipline applies to tressed. Without your positive input into the score, study habits and work ethic, thus resulting in higher the game will be lost. As you begin to fume, one of achievement in classes.” your teammates begins talking to you. They begin Coming off of a tennis state championship, varto give you words of encouragement, or they start sity coach Greta Knoll spots teamwork in many difto give you high fives. This simple gesture of friendship and teamwork starts to change your mindset. You no longer are feeling stuck in your head and you begin to just play basketball.

“Sports and life are difficult,” said sophomore volleyball and basketball player Erin Padgett. “No one person can do it alone. Teamwork is working toward a common goal that will benefit not just you but everyone involved.”

Every sports program is centered on a bond that is considered different than any other bond: community.

Community is what helps teams to win championships. The lack of community could be a factor in a losing team.

“When I think of teamwork I Clockwise from top left: Grace Yoon and Sarah Emerson celebrate think of a group of people who are after a vicrory. The Viking volleyball team support each other and close that work together to accom- encourage one another before a match. The varsity football team plish something or reach their goal,” hypes one another up prior to a tough district game. Photos by Avsaid sophomore athlete Avril Mal- ery Haynes and Sage Suchecki / Bifrost staff donado. “Teamwork is an important cause in order to succeed as a group you need ferent situations for her players. Championships are to work together. If your group isn’t all on the same not won in a matter of months, she said. It normally page, you aren’t going to get anything done.” takes years of hard work and building relationships Community is established through teamwork with those around you to be able to trust them. and can help athletes in their academic, professional “During the state team tennis tournament, it and social life, as well. Working with others on a took the entire team to reach the goal of winning the team unearths attributes that pay off in your daily inaugural team championship,” Knoll said. “ It took life, whether in the classroom or in a social setting weeks of preparation. One could even say years.” with friends.

Grace Yoon, junior, was part of that experi“One of the most important lessons to be learned ence.“Teamwork in sports is important because it through teamwork is learning to work with people in not only improves the performance as we cheer each a way to accomplish a common goal, no matter the other on and work together but also it builds person-

Athlete Spotlight: Karoline Horner Vanguard Review: What motivates you to participate in basketball?

Karoline Horner: I love the sport, teammates and coaches. Our team has so much potential so I am excited to see where this season takes us.

VR: If you could have any person (dead or alive) watch you play who would it be?

KH: I would want Charles Barkley to watch me play because he would push me to my best potential, while also making the sport fun with his upbeat comedic attitude.

VR: Why did you start playing basketball?

KH: I started playing basketball in elemen-

7

al relationships that go outside of the sports,” she said.

The key concepts of teamwork can be useful in daily life. Teamwork leads to a stronger ability to work with others and face difficulties.

“In social life, the principles of teamwork can help in supporting others, getting along with others and getting through challenges together,” Knoll said.

When an unforeseeable event takes place, like an injury or mistake, it sends the team searching for answers in the friendships they have built. Trials may be plentiful and come with terrible timing, but often the players are able to continue on at an effective level due to bonds built in previous months.

“I remind [my teammates] that everyone makes mistakes, but we can get past the mistakes.” Padgett said.

In order to accomplish a common goal, a team needs good communication.

Padgett said that in the rivalry volleyball game against Bishop Reicher this season, her team talked more than they ever had. Because of this, they were able to hold their rivals at bay and defeat them.

These relationships formed in a sports team seep into everyday life building bonds that are unlike any others.

“Working with a team can create a special relationship in which one can rely on the other,” Yoon said. “I try to keep up the cheerful atmosphere. I tell [my teammates] never to give up and support them regardless of the outcome.”

Teamwork comes with time; the players must spend time working with each other to get better and form bonds with one another.

“Motivation is key when it comes to teamwork, because if the team is hyped but one person isn’t, it’ll throw the team off.” Maldonado said. “If someone isn’t pumped up, the team usually tries to make jokes or laugh. Overall we try to get on the same page with each other and try to figure out a way that works best when there is something wrong.”

Yoon agrees.

“Teamwork in sports is important because it not only improves the performance as we cheer each other on and work together but also it builds personal relationships that go outside of the sport,” she said. “In life, you just can’t live by yourself. You could be selfish and be alone to some extent but at one point you have to collaborate with somebody.”

Walker Nall ‘22 sports reporter

tary school because it was one of the main sports offered. The reason I kept playing was my love for basketball grew because our team has so much chemistry and many of us have been playing together for a while, which helps with the flow of the game. Even through the long practices, we would find a way to keep the positive vibe and never give up.

VR: What is your best memory from playing basketball?

KH: My favorite memory from playing has been when we played a tough select team.

Even though the game wasn’t in our favor, last season we dominated the majority of our

games and when we played this select team, they tested our skills of working together and showed us our areas that we could improve, which I am grateful for.

VR: What are you most excited for this season?

KH: I am excited to get back on the court, and I am excited for high school games. It feels like just yesterday middle school basketball was starting, but now in high school it is a whole new ballgame. I am excited to work as a team to get better every game and win.

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

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The Vanguard Review December 8, 2020

December Junior Staff Features

Junior Staff 2020-2021

Celebrating despite COVID-19 Ways to enjoy the season without being together

W

hen you think of the winter festivities you would normally picture a gathering of family and friends. Whether you commemorate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or another holiday, COVID-19 has affected us all, some more than others, but we can still have a season full of good times. People are not letting this virus ruin the holiday spirit and are still finding different ways to celebrate the holidays.

Seventh grader Jaxson Burch’s family would normally join with all their relatives for Christmas and go see friends. He says that this year will be

Willow Alexander ‘26 junior reporter

almost the same but the friends. He says that his Christmas spirit will be dampened because he will not be able to see his friends.

Seventh grader Ezri Horton says that she would normally go to New Mexico and spend time with her great-grandparents, cousins, uncles and aunts. This year her family has just decided that her grandparents would come, and they would carry out their annual traditions here.

If your family does decide to make this a “staycation,” you can decorate your abode with mini Christmas decorations, watch Christmas

Election reactions

Willow Alexander Aria Cleveland ‘26 junior reporter

movies or make a holiday playlist.

Even though this year will be different for sure, we are still determined to have fun and be around friends and family. If you can’t meet faceto-face, you can use Zoom or FaceTime to see each other. If someone is out of town, then you can send them a Christmas card or something personal. This year has been hard, but we can still have fun and spend the holiday season apart but together.

Artful encounter

Middle schoolers voice opinions on election

W

ith the 2020 presidential election finally coming to a close, Joe Biden is predicted to be the next President of the United States of America. Some people support Trump, and some people support Biden. The country could not have been more evenly split this election.

Hutson Harper ‘25 Marc Offill ‘25 This year we have asked some of junior reporter junior reporter our middle schoolers to share their thoughts about the election with us.

“I feel that Joe Biden could’ve would win from the polls, but the 2016 cheated, and I think that Trump should’ve presidential election did not follow the won from the start,” Matthew Clark, sev- polls,” Harp said. “I was relieved when I enth grade, said. saw the results.”

Eighth grader Hudson Harp said he The world is full of opinions, and the felt anxious about the election. opinions of our middle school students “It was nerve-wracking during the here are some of many. election because Biden looked like he

Madlenne Braus Aria Cleveland Hope Hamblin Hutson Harper Toni Mickleburgh Marcus Offill Aiyana Pettes Jordan Young

TALK TO US!

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haping and molding the soft clay with her fingers, Amelia Livesay, eighth grade, creates a vase using the pottery wheel in her 6th mod art class. “I love that making pottery is very hands-on,” Livesay said. “And there’s a lot of gratification in making something out of nothing.” Photo by Addie Morris/ guest photographer

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