TOWER TALK
Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School
From the Editor:
reetings, all! As we approach the holiday season as well as finals week, we cover a variety of different topics. In this issue of Tower Talk, you can read some merry stories about Christmas gifts and candles, as well as a timeline on the Black Lives Matter movement and a highlight on our new Villa club: Women in Business. To enliven your Christmas spirit through these problematic times, grab some insight on the new winter fashion trends on page 15 to read Liza Brown’s take on how you can stay trendy this season. Are you stressed out with the upcoming exam week? Flip on over to page 14 to read my story on Christmas candles to eleviate your stress. Are you struggling on what to get your friends or family for Christmas? I highly recommend stopping by Kate Fesler’s DIY Christmas crafts on page 13. Whether you are looking for what to do during the Christmas season during a pandemic or want to read about current national events, our Tower Talk staff has your back. Enjoy this December issue; we know you’ll love it!
Sincerely,
Anna Johnson Senior Editor
Pg 03 Distribution of funds at VDOH
Molly Kaspura tackles tuiton, salaries, the FIT system, and donations in her article about finances.
Tower Talk Staff
Bella Fehl highlights the Villa Christmas baskets tradition and the nonprofit Operation Help a Hero, which are both opportunities to give back.
Keeping safe this holiday season doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do. Theatres are open again with a unique way to enjoy a movie
Page Design by Anna Wiss
In many ways, it all adds up
From tuition to donations, contributions keep Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill running
Donations
Villa Duchesne is a private independent school, which means unlike public and parish schools, we have fewer revenue sources to support the school. That being said, all of Villa’s expenses are not covered exclusively by tuition. Tuition is by far the greatest source of revenue for Villa, as around 81 percent of the school’s combined revenue comes from tuition. However, donations from our community play a large role in the operation as well. Villa’s annual budget counts on the Advancement Team, led by Mrs. Debbie Schlattman, to raise around $1.1 million on an annual basis to support the operation of the school. These donations come from our families, alums, grandparents, and friends of the school, as well as the two primary fundraisers for the parent community: the annual giving campaign and the Bonne Chance Auction.
Family Individualized Tuition
The FIT system is a new tuition system Villa implemented for the 2020-2021 school year. FIT, or Family Individualized Tuition, is “a flexible tuition model designed to remove barriers for families seeking a Sacred Heart education at our School” says Cathy Hencken, Villa’s Director of Finance and Operations. Villa works with each family individually to create a customized tuition package that works for them in order to make sure families from all socioeconomic backgrounds can receive a Villa education. In previous years, around 1.1 million dollars was awarded in financial aid, but for the 2020-2021 school year, this number increased to more than 2.2 million. Donations are a large part of what makes this program possible.
Tuition
The tuition at Villa Duchesne, grades 7-12, is $23,950. Villa has a strong financial aid program and more than 25 percent of our families receive individualized tuition, or in other words, financial aid. In fact, Villa awarded more than 100 families just around 1.4 million dollars in financial aid during the 2019-2020 school year.
Expenses
Operating expenses are the costs required to keep the school running, such as maintenance, extracurriculars, cocurriculars, financial aid, and staff salaries. About 65 percent of Villa’s operating expenses go towards faculty/staff salaries and benefits, while the rest is used for other expenses to help both run the school on a day-today basis and improve the quality of our programs. These operating expenses are paid for by a combination of both tuition and donations.
The Auction
The Bonne Chance Auction is an essential part of Villa’s fundraising, as it brings in around 665,000 dollars each year. Students and volunteers play a large role in the auction’s success, as it takes four to five months to plan, and upwards of 50 volunteers. The money raised comes from both the auction itself and raffle tickets students sell in the months prior to the auction. 495,00 dollars of the money raised goes to the school’s operating budget, while the rest supports innovations such as the new Think Tank and the renovations to Kenefick Gym. While the auction usually takes place around Christmas time, this year, some changes had to be made due to Covid-19. Villa hopes to have everyone on campus in the spring for an in-person event, but there are also plans to go virtual if needed. See you there!
Design by Molly Kaspura
Villa Saints Dominate State
With a lot lost in 2020, the Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill community has found many things to celebrate, particularly two major victories for its fall athletes. This year tennis made Villa Duchesne history by winning state for the first time. For the tennis team, dedication through cold weather, dealing with COVID-19 restrictions, and hard work in challenging matches each week proved that the girls were unstoppable.
Villa’s new head coach, Brian Kirk, and returning co-coach, Barbara Fox, trained their girls to be prepared for State despite this year’s challenges. Freshman Alex Todorovich explains, “I was so excited to go to State with the team, I didn’t know what to expect, but going to State with everyone ended up being one of the most fun things I’ve done all year.”
Lizzie Barlow ‘21, a three-time Individual State champion, helped lead the team to their first-ever team championship. State qualifiers also included Izzy Cancila ‘21, Liza Brown ‘23, Sophya Qureshi ‘23, Caroline Potter ‘23, and Alex Todorovich ‘24, with substitute London Weiler ‘24. While the freshmen and sophomores are starting their high school athletic journeys with a celebration, the seniors are ending theirs on a great note. Cancila recalls, “It was such an amazing experience, and winning State was the best way I could have ended my high school tennis career.”
These girls made tennis history, especially through these unprecedented times. Not only did they win the State championship for the school, but the Head of School Mr. Michael Baber also adds that “these athletes join the ranks of the tennis pros around the world.”
The field hockey team brought home a win, the third state win in four years, beating John Burroughs 1-0. Persevering through a season truly like no other, the girls managed to pull through. Villa’s head coach, Kate Graft, and co-coaches Kate Barber, Steve Stoll, Sydney Tomaso and Grace Woods helped lead the team to victory, and the athletes definitely recognize their hard work: “The amazing coaching staff, especially Coach Graft, has taught me every single thing I know about field hockey,” says Ava Gueck ’22.
Through safely quarantining, taking precautions against COVID-19, and preventing exposure to other students attending in-person classes, the field hockey players were able to participate in games while also keeping others safe.
Taryn Tkachuk ‘21, a team captain, led the team with determination and persistence, scoring the winning goal of the season 3 minutes and 53 seconds into overtime.
Tkachuck explains that the victory, not to mention the celebration, was a team effort: “The first thing I did to celebrate was hugging my teammates, the ones who worked so hard all season. Then we ran to the crowds and I got to hug my brothers.”
Gueck ’22 continues, saying, “I chose to play field hockey my first year at Villa in 7th grade because I knew how central it was to Villa athletics and wanted to be a part of it. I am very passionate about the sport of field hockey… the amazing team aspect rooted within the sport.”
As per Villa tradition, the community celebrated both teams’ hard work with an extra day of Thanksgiving break. Congratulations to the coaches and athletes of these two champion teams.
Story by Anna Johnson and Hope Schenk Page Design by Hope Schenk
Photos provided by Alice Dickeherber
Teachers Adapt During Pandemic
As the months of living through a pandemic wear on, everyone has undoubtedly had to make sacrifices and changes to their daily lives. The Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill community has done an incredible job of addressing the concerns and struggles of the students. However, we at the Tower Talk staff have noticed an absence of voices and experiences from an important part of our community: our teachers.
At the beginning of the school year, some teachers like Mr. Costan Spina, Head of the History Department, had to make the tough choice of whether or not to come back in person. “What tipped the scales [for me] to return was my faith that students will adhere to safety regulations both on and off campus.”, Spina feels that the low number of cases in the community “appears to validate [his] confidence.”
Once the administration decided to start classes in person, teachers faced hurdles ahead, and one of the biggest was learning how to juggle the technological aspect of school, including Zoom, cameras, audio, and Google Classroom. While students have readjusted the way they learn and interact in class, teachers have created the new Covid-safe curriculum that includes promoting a productive learning environment for students in person as well as those who are virtual. “I really do not think of it in terms of positive or negative,” says Mrs. Alison Sanford. “We cannot change what is in front of us so we need to adjust and meet the challenge. We are all getting used to using a lot of technology every day.”
For some teachers, such as Ms. Elizabeth Blanton ‘94, the switch to virtual assignments meant a shift in teaching style: “I am redoing every assignment and activity for all of my classes, so that they can be digital and available to be virtual or in person [students].”, Blanton, like many others, has been able to find advantages: “the benefits are revamping the curriculum and creating an entirely digital class that is available for any situation.”
Both teachers and students want to foster social interaction and create the feeling of everyone being together in the same space, despite the screen separating them. Mr. John Powell says “keeping students at home engaged” has been difficult for him, “sometimes the teacher forgets they are there, and they need to be brought into the conversation.” Sanford adds that “everyday during this pandemic, I have been reminded how relational teaching and learning are. I miss seeing faces and non-verbal cues.”
Despite the challenges, all of the teachers have shown strength, perseverance, and hope during this time all for the sake of their students’ education. Even though it may not feel like it, there are things that we as students can do in order to show support to our teachers. “Be patient with us,” says Powell, who goes on to add, “wear your masks. Protect others, protect your family, protect your Villa community, protect yourself.” Sanford shared a similar sentiment: “Patience. Practice being a good pandemic citizen by behaving in ways that protect everyone in our community.”
Blanton’s optimism sums it up: “stay strong, keep safe, pray for new solutions to our problems,” says Blanton, “I want to stop “virtual hugs” and get back to a real hug of friendship and support. But until then - “virtual hugs” to all!”
Stories
Petti
Spotlight on Women in Business
This year there are many new clubs available to students to promote community building and life-long skills. Women in Business is one of these new clubs. Founded by Ava Gueck ‘22, the club’s mission is to “help Villa students learn about business, whether it be stocks, finance, entrepreneurship, or listening to experienced women give tips and inspiration.” Gueck started this club because she noticed a lack of business education in her community that was in contrast to oppurtunities available to her brother at his school. She feels that Villa should foster business-related skills in order to give women of the world an opportunity to explore all of the different career fields in their future.
Gueck saw the need for this club when she “noticed that many [girls] our age are never taught opportunities in business.” Realizing this, she became aware that it is vital for young women to know that we have a myriad of opportunities in the business world, saying, “I hope to show girls in the Villa community that they are able to become successful in a male dominated career field.”
On another level, the club was created to empower the young women of the Villa community. Gueck says that she “wanted to give young women, specifically Villa women, the chance to start the basis for a successful career in business. I feel that it is so important for women to expand their careers and break stereotypes.”
What can we expect from the Women in Business club in the near future? Gueck has many exciting plans for the future, such as “hosting local businesswomen to speak about their experiences, any tips they may have, and what they love about their career.”
by Camryn
Page Design by Camryn Petti
Giving back more important than ever
The season of giving is approaching, and with Covid still surging, people will have to find alternative ways to spread holiday cheer. One organization, Operation Help a Hero, has created several ways to give back safely. Operation Help a Hero is a nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for our American military famlies through service and donations. Their programs support miltary units and famlies who are preparing for separation and undergoing the process of deportation/transportation to and from the US. During the holidays, they provide different opportunities to help through Operation Christmas Spirit, the organization’s annual Christmas project. Opportunities range from hosting a toy drive, adopting a military family, and even donating online so that those who work with the organization can do the holiday shopping for families.
In spite of covid, Operation Help a Hero is still up and running with modifications to ensure safety for everyone. While volunteers have to wear masks and social distance, the mission still remains the same. Since the start of the pandemic, the organization has been struggling to stay in “business” because of the uncertainty of the times, so any sort of participation will help to keep this organization running. If you’re interested, check out the organization’s website for additional information on how to become involved.
A well loved Villa tradition that also allows people to give back COVID-cautiously is Villa’s Christmas Basket mass. This season, basket mass is taking on a brand new look. The attendees allowed this year has been limited to only members of the current senior class, with a plus one for each. Basket drop off is avaliable the day prior Decmber 17th from 1pm-3pm, or the day of on Demember 18th from 7am-8:30am. Luckily, the mass portion of the day will be livestreamed at 9am, via Facebook, for the rest of the Villa community. This year, because of the small number of guests allowed, mass will take place in the chapel, instead of the gym. The seniors and guests who are able to attend in person will be socially distanced in pews and wearing masks. Then, after mass, seniors will help recieve and load baskets into cars, but all families are allowed to pick up and transport baskets, just like in the past. Although most students are not allowed to help with loading baskets, which has been an enjoyable aspect of the past, they can still help drop off, which is a great way to still be involved. Even though this long standing Villa Chrsitmas tradition has to be smaller and altered this year, the team of participants and coordinators are working very hard to ensure that every Villa member still feels the joy of the tradition while remaining safe.
Make sure to look into either of these choices if you are interested!
Story and Page Design by Bella Fehl Photos provided by Operation Help a Hero
Nationwide, Two Social Movements Work for Change
Perhaps the major story of 2020, aside from the pandemic, has been the cultural reckoning in the United States sparked by the Black Lives Matter movement (BLM). It gained worldwide attention in the wake of widespread protests in May, and continuing into the holiday season. Blue Lives Matter, which sprang up in response to the BLM movement, also has garnered attention.
Black Lives Matter again captured national attention after George Floyd died when a police officer, Derek Chauvin, kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes despite Floyd’s pleas for air. Video of the incident kicked off worldwide protests, which have overtaken social media. People across the globe have used the hashtag #BLM, attended rallies and signed petitions to bring awareness to the event and encourage officials to create legislation to prevent it from occurring again. Recent polls of the American public taken in August show BLM also appears to have moved the needle on racial justice in the United States. According to a Monmouth University poll, nearly three-quarters of Americans currently believe the anger behind the demonstrations is justified, as opposed to the 49 percent who felt the same way in early June.
The Black Lives Matter movement strives to overturn not only systematic racism but also address implicit biases in everyday life. According to the National Bureau of Academic Research, the reality is that Black Americans are fatally shot by police more than twice as often as white Americans. Black drivers are 20 percent more likely to get pulled over than white drivers. In addition, resumes with a black name attached are 50 percent less likely to be responded to than the same resume with a white name, according to a study done by the National Bureau of Academic Research.
The BLM movement has met opposition and caused controversy because of calls to “defund the police.” Many people have interpreted this statement as “abolish the police,” which is not its intention. Rather, “defund the police” means reducing police department budgets and redistributing those funds towards essential social services targeting poor and minority communities, which are often underfunded. This means directing money to housing, education, employment, mental health care, and youth services. According to the Black Lives Matter website, one major aspect of the BLM movement is to bring awareness to the lack of funding many police departments have to properly train their recruits and hopefully direct money into de-escalation training and body cameras.
For some, the protests and the Black Lives Matter
movement are the first steps toward change that could lead to a more equal and safe society for people of color. Many have experienced racism and discrimination, and this an opportunity to prevent that for future generations. Moriah Morrow ’22 says, “It means change not only for me, but for my friends, siblings, children, and grandchildren. I want change because we are all humans, and we all deserve to be treated equally.”
Some advocates of law enforcement have launched a movement to protect police officers, as many have interpreted the Black Lives Matter movement as antipolice because of the violence against them. Blue Lives Matter was formed in response to Black Lives Matter after the 2014 shooting death of two New York City policemen who were targeted by a man claiming he was getting revenge for the deaths of two Black men.
The movement’s flag, also created in 2014, is a US flag in black and white with a thin blue line running immediately under the field of stars. The “thin blue line” is considered a reference to the professional pride of law enforcement. This flag has been the center of controversy regarding the movement. Whereas some see flying this flag as a way to show solidarity with police, others criticize it as a symbol of white supremacy.
Blue Lives Matter proponents have held rallies around the country, most notably one in Hollywood in 2017 when 100 law enforcement officers gathered to protest violence and discrimination against police. The movement calls for violence against law enforcement officers to be considered a hate crime. That means anyone convicted of a violent crime against police would be eligible for significantly harsher sentences. Louisiana was the first state to pass such legislation, making it a hate crime to target police, firefighters and emergency medical personnel.
In response to the Black Lives Matter movement, many police departments have made changes, such as re-evaluating their budgets and policies. The mayor of Portland recently announced that more than 1 million dollars will be moved from school resource officers to community programs. In Minneapolis, officials plan to continue meeting into the new year to discuss ways to address the issue of police funding that satisfies both Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter supporters.
Both the Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter movements advocate for significant changes. However, we have a long way to go. The first step, as stressed by Villa this year, is dialogue. Understanding both movements is necessary to form an opinion and communicate with those who disagree with you.
by Molly Kaspura
The Incident: Elijah McClain was apprehended on his way home from a store after someone called 911 saying McClain “looked sketchy” according to the transcript of the 911 call. Aurora, Colorado Police put McClain in a carotid hold and called first responders.When the paramedics arrived, they injected McClain with a large amount of the sedative, ketamine. He died a few days after he went into cardiac arrest.
The Ramifications: On August 28, 2019, the three police officers involved in the McClain incident were placed on administrative leave. In June 2020, a petition circulated online that encouraged the investigation of McClain’s death to be reopened. Later this June, other officers that appear in photos at the scene of McClain’s death were placed on paid administrative leave.
The Incident: Three officers entered the apartment of Breonna Taylor unannounced, firing rounds into the apartment. Breonna Taylor was shot five times. The police were searching for a different individual but had a “no knock warrant.” Police failed to call for medical assistance for more than 20 minutes.
The Legal Battle: On September 15, the city of Louisville, Kentucky agreed to pay a $12 million dollar settlement to Breonna Taylor’s family, and the city also agreed to institute police reform. A few days later on September 23, a grand jury decided to not indict the officers in regards to Breonna Taylor’s death, but one officer, Brett Hankison, was charged with three counts of wanton endangerment for shots fired into neighboring apartments.
The Ramifications: Even before the grand jury decision, the mayor of Louisville permanently suspended “no knock” warrants. On June 1, the Louisville Metro Police Department Chief Steve Conrad was fired after the death of Breonna Taylor. Brett Hankison, an officer who fired ten shots into Breonna Taylor’s apartment, was fired on June 23. 24
The Incident: Ahmaud Arbery was followed on February 23 by father and son Gregory and Travis McMichael. The two shot and killed Arbery, who had been out jogging, after an altercation, the entirety of which cannot be seen in video. of the incident. On May 5 the video of the shooting was released by a local radio station, who later confirmed they got the video from a local attourney, according to the New York Times. Two days later, Gregory and Travis McMichael were apprehended and charged with felony murder and aggravated assult.
The Legal Battle: On May 21, William “Roddie” Bryan, the man who recorded the shooting of Arbery, was arrested and charged with felony murder and criminal attempt to commit false imprisonment. All three men are currently facing life without parole for malice murder, four counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, false imprisonment and criminal attempt to commit false imprisonment.
The Ramifications: Brunswick, Georgia district attorney Jackie Johnson, who was in charge of Arbery’s case, was not re-elected to her position as district attorney on election day.
29 May 2020
Federal Officer David Underwood
The Incident: David Patrick Underwood, a member of the Homeland Security’s Federal Protective Service, was killed during a driveby shooting while guarding a federal building in Oakland, California. Other officers were shot in the attack, but only Underwood succumbed to his injuries
The Ramifications: Steven Carillo, a staff sargeant in the air force, was charged with murder and attempted murder after the San Francisco division of the FBI says he “came to Oakland to kill cops.” Authorities say Carillo believed protests over the death of George Floyd would help him get away with the murder. As police attempted to arrest Carillo days later, he also shot and killed Santa Cruz County Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller.
2 June 2020
Police Captain David Dorn
The Incident: According to the St. Louis PostDispatch, retired police Captain David Dorn was found fatally shot outside of Lee’s Pawn and Jewlery he had been hired to protect.While the night of June 2 began with peaceful protests, Dorn eventually responded to an alarm looters burglarized or damaged at least 55 buisnesses.
The Ramifications: 24-year-old Stephen Cannon was charged with first-degree murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, three counts of armed criminal action and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Police charged a second man, Jimmie Robinson, with first-degree burglary, one count of armed criminal action and one count of stealing
The Incident: After a call about a suspected counterfeit bill, four officers arrived at the scene to detain George Floyd. After successfully putting Floyd in handcuffs, officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on Floyd’s neck for about eight minutes despite Floyd’s cries for help. The next day, the video of Floyd’s death was released, and protests immediately began across the country.
The Legal Battle: On June 3, Chauvin was charged with second-degree murder, and the other three officers were charged with aiding and abetting second degree murder. A judge decided to drop a third-degree murder charge against Chauvin in late October. The trial of the officers is currently set to be on March 8.
The Ramifications: Derek Chauvin and the three other officers involved were fired by the Minneapolis police department.
In light of the protests and calls for action that are sweeping the country, it is important to look closely at the cases that have captivated the media in the past year. For more about the Black Lives Matter movement and the Blue Lives Matter movement, see Molly Kaspura’s article on page 7.
25 May 2020
George Floyd
Story by Abrianna Sykes and Anna Wiss Page Design by Abrianna Sykes
Lifestyle
Lights, Cocoa, Animals!
As the leaves fall and colder weather settles in, social distancing remains key, yet becomes more difficult. If you’re bored at home with nothing to do, here is a list of socially distanced winter activities to get you through these unprecedented times while still having fun.
Winter Wonderland Hot Cocoa
Tilles Park’s Winter Wonderland has always been a holiday classic. While driving through with friends or family, you can enjoy the mesmerizing light displays away from other people. Moreover, this experience is reasonably priced, a family vehicle is $10 and you pay onsite.
While making hot cocoa and sitting around a fireplace may sound boring, there are so many ways to spice it up. Playing a board game with your family can be a really fun and relaxing idea, especially if you just finished sledding out in the cold. Jazzing up your hot chocolate with whipped cream and chocolate shavings can also be a fun and yummy activity.
Holiday Fun Drive-Thru
Another safe and fun activity is taking a ride through Grant Farm’s first-ever Holiday Fun Drive-Thru! Here you can go through different sceneries filled with a variety of animals including llamas, camels, sheep, and yaks. Vehicles with children receive a complimentary bag of goodies and may additionally purchase the $40 Family “Fa-La-La” bundle consisting of a photo, beverages, snacks, and two Clydesdale plushies. The drive-thru started November 27 and goes to December 31, Thursdays to Sundays. The cost of one car is $40 but be sure to purchase a ticket quickly, they’re selling out fast!
Whatever you decide, remember to observe safe social distancing, wear masks, and keep gatherings to ten or less regardless of whether it’s indoors or outdoors.
Story and Page Design by Hope Schenk
The holiday season is a much needed time at the end of the year in which family and friends can reconnect and enjoy the time off. The break is full of relaxation and fun activities spent with others that include making new traditions and continuing old ones.
One holiday tradition many American families have is going to the movie theatre. Unfortunately, because of Covid restrictions, this tradition will look a bit different. In an effort to reopen safely, movie theaters have had to enact new rules and restrictions to make movie going as safe as possible. But, there is only so much they can do to make it completely safe so most customers are still hesitant to come back. In addition, movie releases are scarce because of the halt in movie production due to Covid as well.
Fortunately, AMC has found a solution! Guests are now able to rent out one of their theatres for private events. The base price is $99, and the host can invite up to twenty people to accommodate their forty percent capacity rule. If divided among all twenty people, everyone pays $5, which is less than a normal movie ticket. Along with the reduction in price, all guests can safely social distance while enjoying the film and each other ’s company. The film is also your choice! Guests have the opportunity to choose any movie they like, new or old. This means you can choose any movie ranging from a Holiday favorite to a new release. But what’s a movie without popcorn? Like normal, popcorn and candy will still be available, but is not included in the rental and masks are required to be worn at all times except during eating or drinking.
We want to spread joy not germs so let’s continue our holiday traditions while keeping others in mind by finding ways that accommodate everyone’s safety. Stay safe for Santa!
Story and Page Design by Elle Decker
With the arrival of colder weather, ways to safely socialize with friends and family are limited. Going outside may no longer be a viable option, but there are still fun ways to connect inside the comfort of your own home
One exciting development during quarantine was the introduction of Netflix Party, a way to watch Netflix with your friends on your computer.
Netflix Party has now expanded into Teleparty, which allows you to group chat while watching Disney +, Hulu, HBO, and of course, Netflix, with your friends. Teleparty is a fun way to watch holiday movies with friends this winter.
Christmas Wish List Ideas For... Parents Friends You
Electric Massage Pillow for $30 on Amazon
Tula Brightening Eye Stick for $28 at Ulta
19oz Capri Blue Iridescent Candle for $32 at Anthropologie
“Hey friend, I wrote a book about you” Custom Book for $13 on Amazon
Comfy™ Sweatshirt for on Amazon
Carpool Karaoke Mic for $40 Amazon
Skylite Projector for $50 on Amazon
Saturn Necklace And Earring Set for $16 on Puravida
Chamberlain Coffee Blend for $19 on Chamberlain Coffee
Story by Elle Decker and Bella Fehl Page Design by Elle Decker
Krafts with Kate
A homemade gift is special because of the time and energy put into crafting a gift. Gift giving is extremely important because it creates a special bond between two people and promotes Christmas spirit! Not sure what to give this year? Here are some fun homemade gifts that will spread joy to your family and friends!
Materials:
- Cardstock or thick paper
- markers, colored pencils, or pens
- creativity!
Materials:
Who are you making a gift for?
- 1 styrofoam wreath model from craft store
- pinecones
- hot glue gun
- ribbon of choice
Ingridients:
- 3 cups raw cane sugar -1/2 cup melted coconut oil (microwave for 30 seconds, let cool for 1 min after microwaved)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Mix until fully combined and place in clean mason jar!
Materials:
- Canvas
- acrylic paint
- hot glue gun
- fake flowers from craft store
- pencil
Lots of time
Lots of time Low on time
Homemade Christmas Card
Pinecone Wreath
DIY Monogram Flower Canvas
Homemade Sugar Scrub
Low on time
SCENTS OF CHRISTMAS
Exam week ushers in a mix of negative emotions, but also reminds us that the holiday season is upon us. For this Tower Talk production, I walked around Bath&BodyWorks and rated four different Christmas candles to bring us in the holiday spirit. When studying, different scents can affect our moods positively and negatively. I hope this story allows you to choose a candle according to what mood you want to be in.
There’s nothing better than a sweet vanilla aroma when you step foot into your house. Composed of vanilla bean, marshmallow fluff, and vanilla cake with essential oils, this candle will bring you back to the Christmas spirit. If you like to study with a natural vanilla scent, I would recommend a more traditional vanilla candle to study with; however, this candle will truly elevate your mood and spirit.
Imagine the taste of that candy cane your mom put in your stocking. The sweet, peppermint flavor is immaculate. With this candle, composed of cool peppermint, sugared snow, vanilla buttercream, fresh balsam, and a hint of musk with essential oils, you will definitely get that refreshing peppermint aroma. If you need a scent to wake you up and stay motivated when studying, this is the candle for you. Not only will this candle keep you awake, I think that this is by far the most Christmas-y candle at Bath & Body Works.
If your favorite cookie is the classic snickerdoodle, this candle is perfect! With components of warm spices, creamy vanilla, and sugared musk with essential oils, you will feel like you’re making a gingerbread house with Santa. If you love the smell of cinnamon and freshly baked cookies, this is the candle for you.
Nothing feels better than sitting by the fire with people that you love, roasting marshmallows on a winter night. Composed of toasted marshmallow, smoldering woods, fire roasted vanilla, and crystalized amber with essential oils, this candle will definitely make you feel like you’re enjoying a freshly roasted marshmallow on a cold, wintry night. If you’re just trying to relax and take a break, this subtle toasted marshmallow scent will alleviate stress and keep you in a positive mindset.
Story and Page Design by Anna Johnson
A LA MODE
Temperatures in the midwest continue to plunge, so it is the perfect time to invest in some new outerwear. Adding a few extra jackets to your Christmas list will create more flexibility in your wardrobe when it comes to the cold weather.
The first of the three trendiest jackets of the 2020 Winter Season is the shacket. Shackets are fairly new, and despite the fact that most people don’t know what they are, they are probably the most versatile and easy to style. A shacket is simply a “shirt jacket” so it is a thinner material than a regular jacket but thicker than a shirt. They are typically collared and button-down and meant to be worn unbuttoned. Because shackets are considerably thinner than a jacket, they work best when layered over something warmer.
Shackets can be found for a range of prices. H&M is an economical option for the frugal shopper. They offer a variety of patterns and fabric options along with pretty inclusive sizing. On H&M’s site, most shackets are listed as oversized in their descriptions so there is no need to size up for a looser fit. For the shopper looking to splurge on a higher-end shacket, Aritzia is the perfect place to look. Like H&M, they offer a variety of color, pattern, and fabric material variation. Some of the best selling shackets at Aritzia are plaid wool, which have more of an Autumn feel, so sticking to a solid color may be better for the winter setting. In terms of fabric, wool definitely transfers well into winter, but adding some corduroy or leather to mix textures is very stylish.
A classic trend that we’ve all worn since preschool and still serves great looks is the puffer jacket. Contrary to the shacket, puffer jackets tend to be more casual. A puffer jacket over a fancy dress looks out of place, so stay away from that. A better way to style a puffer jacket would be with something more casual like jeans, sweatpants, or athletic wear.
Similar to the shacket, many price ranges are offered for puffer jackets. Typically expense means higher quality but definitely not always. Boohoo is a great option for a jacket that is well-insulated but doesn’t drain anyone’s bank account. There are many options for colors, patterns, and thickness so there is a jacket for everyone on their site. Keep in mind that the quality will not be top notch considering the price. Just like the shacket, Aritzia’s signature Super Puff™ is a high quality piece that also goes for a higher price. This jacket comes in about 70 colors and six different lengths or styles. Although this jacket goes for a semi-high price, it is not unreasonable considering the quality and how long it will last. For a piece that is still high quality but not as expensive as Aritzia, look at Zara. They offer reasonable prices while still
maintaining quality in their items.
The last jacket of the season, the trench
coat, is simultaneously trendy and classy. Trench coats have been a winter staple for women and men for decades, and they do not seem to be going out of style any time soon. They are incredibly classy and versatile. Both of these characteristics contribute to how timeless this coat is. The standard trench coat is a taupe or beige color, but some of the trendier trench coats come in black, brown, or cream leathers or wools. They typically fall to about shin length but can range from ankle length to just above the knee. These coats can be dressed up or down effortlessly. It really depends on what is underneath. Needless to say, an investment in a trench coat will always leave shoppers with no regrets.
To find a more traditional trench coat, try Nordstrom because it is a conventional department store and offers items that are on the traditional side. On the other hand, a store like Zara has a lot more to offer if a shopper is looking for something more trendy. The trench coats on their site come in a variety of colors, lengths, dressiness, and prices. The wool blend trench coats are typically more expensive than leather or cotton. The sophistication found in wool pieces plays into the price along with how much wool and time goes into making a product. An investment in a wool piece is a smart idea because of its high quality and its respected place in the fashion industry.
This is an all black shacket from several winters ago. Although it is possible to find solid colored shackets, printed will be much easier to find.
Story, Photos and Page Design by Liza Brown
This is a Zara trench coat from 2018. There are many that are very similar also on the Nordstrom site now.
This is last season’s Cloud Puff from Aritzia in sandy pink, which is sold out, but many other colors and styles of the SUPER PUFF™ are still available.