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Finding a Voice Through Music at Winsor’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Assembly
By Eileen Lee Banner Staff
The David E. and Stacey L. Goel Theater erupted in a standing ovation on January 20, 2026, as the entire student body leaped to their feet, clapping and cheering. The Martin Luther King, Jr. assembly, “The Music of Movements: Making Your Voice Matter,” honored Dr. King and his enduring legacy. The multimedia performance blended live music, storytelling, and historical reflection.
Martin Luther King, Jr. championed nonviolent resistance as a powerful force for justice, leading marches and peaceful demonstrations that challenged racial inequality across the United States. His vision of equality, justice, and collective responsibility continues to inspire generations and underpins the themes explored in the assembly.
From the first chords, the audience was captivated. Musicians and vocalists took the stage, weaving together stirring renditions of civil rights songs, including “Redemption Song.” Narrators shared stories of how music has been a tool for activism, highlighting artists such as Sam Cooke and Bob Dylan, who used their voices to stand up for their communities.
At one point, the performers invited the audience to consider a familiar symbol of national identity, asking, “Why did [‘The Star Spangled Banner’] become an anthem?” Looking back at the original lyrics, one performer emphasized its unmistakably collective language, noting that Francis Scott Key used the word “us” twice, “we” three times,
and “our” four times. “If you want your voice to matter,” she urged the audience, “learn how to speak on behalf of your community.”
The audience clapped and sang along as the group performed familiar songs like “A Hard Rain’s
tion on Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement, and it showed me how passionate the performers were about Martin Luther King’s legacy.”
Reflecting on the assembly’s connection to Dr. King’s message,
the role of listening, the more I wanted to write a complementary show about the opposite of listening…namely, speaking. Or said another way, finding your voice.[...]Having a voice that matters means speaking on behalf
Performers at the MLK Assembly
A-Gonna Fall” and “If I Can Help Somebody.” The performance created moments of reflection, celebration, and unity, leaving the theater buzzing with energy.
“I really enjoyed how all the performers used music to express how they cared about civil rights and to teach us about history and the importance of equality and justice,” Chloe Lien ’29 shared. Lien added that it was fascinating how music brings an entire community together, calling music “a really universal and powerful thing.”
Clara Ko ’32 emphasized the educational value of the performance, “I loved how the performers included narrations of history and slideshows because it gave me background informa-
English Teacher Ms. Krier praised the performance. “I thought the group did an excellent job of not just telling the story of King’s work or showing archival footage, but attempting to bring his message to life and make it vivid and current for the audience.” She highlighted not only the group’s “amazing musical talents” but also the way they “tied King’s work to the efforts of others who have worked for social justice, both inside and outside of the Civil Rights Movement.”
In an interview after the performance, Creative Director Dave LeMieux explained that the program grew out of his years of touring productions focused on Dr. King’s call to action.
“The more I pondered
of your community,” LeMieux shared. He hopes that the assembly left students “empowered to use their influence, voices, and platforms thoughtfully, lovingly, and boldly whenever they have a chance to speak up for others.”
As the final notes faded, the audience paused in thoughtful silence before breaking into applause once more. “The Music of Movements” reminded everyone that Dr. King’s voice did not end with his life—it continues to resonate through those who stand for justice. From music to storytelling, the assembly celebrated the power of using one’s voice, leaving students inspired to carry King’s message of equality, courage, and community into their own lives. ☐
take a look inside this issue!
Read Leela Uppaluri ’26’s description of the Admission Department’s newly rebranded Red Keys ambassador program Page 8
Center News
Lealo el opinión de Iris Shen ’26 de Bad Bunny en el Super Bowl
6
Bela Patel ’27 explores how the Winsor class Intellectual Property and the Law confronted the ethics of human remains found on campus
Arts & Lifestyle Opinions
Bella Holt ’27 critiques the rise of live-action remakes of animated movies
Backpage Sports
Page 4 Page 11
Check out Charlotte Wheler ’27’s Athlete of the Issue on Savanna Hurd ’27
Page 12
Scan the QR code and check out the online version of The Banner for additional articles, photos, games, and more!
One Cold Email Away: The Brookline x Winsor Anti-ICE Walkout
By Elizabeth Tucker Contributing Writer
On Wednesday, February 4, at 1:50 p.m., approximately 60 Winsor students joined approximately 100 Brookline High School students to walk out, advocating for an end to the brutality imposed by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
I had my sister send the email. I couldn’t do it myself. I was so scared—what if nobody showed up? What if my efforts to organize a walkout relating to such a personal issue failed before it even began? What if this email was left unread in many peers’ inboxes, left to fade as another action proposed but never followed through on?
The most complicated thing I had ever organized up to this point was my freshman-year birthday party. Now, I was organizing a dual-school walkout—a walkout that wouldn’t be possible without the willingness of Cécile
Van de Velde, my Brookline High Co-Organizer, to respond to a cold email on a Thursday afternoon. I had recently heard that one of my friends from middle school, Lina Kang, a senior at Belmont High School, had organized her own school walkout, and I was amazed at how quickly she pulled everybody together. That dedication and perseverance reminded me that, in a world where I felt increasingly hopeless in the face of almost never-ending headlines telling
me how little I can do to change anything—I might have a chance. America is increasingly becoming more of an authoritarian state, helmed by a reality TV star on a McDonald’s-fueled power trip. Immigrants are staying home, with parents fearing arrest and children being abducted from school. Our world is ever more surrendering to the concept of “Ignorance is Strength” explored in 1984. Conversations occur in hushed whispers, oblique mentions of “what is happen-
ing in Minneapolis is so terrible,” and utterances of “did you hear?” pervading nearly every discussion of current events that I have had over the past couple of months and years.
Winsor is a school that has continued to teach me that complacency is equivalent to complicity. Winsor is a school where History and English classes often unpack the implications of blissful ignorance. We even had Civil Rights Leader Francesca Montgomery come in to emphasize the important impact that students and the education of students have had throughout history. From the White Rose to the student activists of the Civil Rights Movement, at Winsor, we are implicitly and explicitly taught that our voices not only matter, but that the world can respond to our voices in defining ways. This walkout was a protest against ICE’s reprehensible terrorism, and by participating, students
are honoring their moral responsibility to protest a racist and oppressive administration. Many of us are fortunate to receive a quality education without the threat of arrest, and we are even more fortunate that the worst consequence we had to face for walking out was simply an unexcused absence from class. My peers helped ensure that history remembers our generation as one that stood up for what we believed in, not bystanders who decided that the enactment of martial law was something to scroll past. In the words of somebody who stood up (and died) for what they believed, Russian opposition leader and activist Alexei Navalny in his posthumous memoir Patriot declared, “The only moments in our lives that count for anything are those when we do the right thing— when we don’t have to look down at the table but can raise our heads and look each other in the eye. Nothing else matters.”
Julian Braxton
Winsor x Brookline Anti-ICE Protest Brookline News
A Student Publication of The Winsor School
Current Events Club Discussion on Venezuela
By Nina Gersen Banner Staff
After the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by the U.S. Army’s Delta Forces in early January, Winsor’s Current and Political Events Club (CPE) hosted an open discussion to help educate the Winsor community on the political background and future implications of the United States’ actions in Venezuela. To facilitate this discussion, the club brought in Valentina Páez, Winsor Spanish teacher and native Venezuelan, to provide her perspective on the situation.
In preparation for the discussion, the club heads sent out multiple news and opinion articles that gave a basic overview of the recent events and context of the situation in Venezuela.
On January 3, President Trump authorized a U.S. military strike and a special forces operation to capture President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. After Maduro’s capture, Venezuela’s Vice President, Delcy Rodríguez, was named interim President. Maduro’s capture was motivated by his violation of U.S. sanctions as well as accusations
of election fraud and other political crimes, all of which were discussed during the CPE meeting.
The vast majority of the discussion was dedicated to a presentation given by Ms. Páez, which addressed questions submitted in advance by club members. This presentation covered a variety of topics, from the Venezuelan economy to the reactions of Ms. Páez’s family currently living in Venezuela, but it began with her giving a disclaimer that she “cannot be objective [and] will never be objective” due to her longstanding support of the Venezuelan opposition party, and the situation’s direct impact on her and her family.
She then discussed the political context in Venezuela that led to Maduro’s rise to power, and then his eventual capture and removal from office by the United States government, giving details on Maduro’s regime, and how he was able to stay in power after Venezuela’s 2024 elections. Ms. Páez’s family members in Venezuela have already felt the increased U.S. presence, as they have reopened the U.S. embassy in Venezuela that had been closed since 2019.
Although they are wary of
what comes next, specifically regarding the involvement of the U.S. government, they are “celebrating cautiously,” and experiencing a universal sense that “something big has shifted.” Although Ms. Páez emphasized that she does not view the U.S. intervention as legally justified, she shared that this has not stopped her from celebrating what the moment represents for her fam-
ily members still living in Venezuela.
After completing her presentation, Ms. Páez opened up the conversation for questions and discussion. Many of those who participated in the discussion felt that Ms. Páez’s presentation enhanced their understanding of the incredibly nuanced situation in Venezuela.
Yasmeen Alam ’27 shared, “Hearing from Ms. Páez expanded my
understanding of the situation in Venezuela beyond the binary portrayed in the American media. I appreciate her honesty and openness with us.”
The discussion served as a reminder of the importance of hearing and understanding firsthand accounts, looking beyond summaries or basic factual information. Ms. Páez reminded the group, “We cannot let the legality obscure the humanity.” ☐
Dissecting the Dark: Vera Rubin Observatory
By Elina Suri Banner Staff
In central Chile, east of the city of La Serena, and in the Coquimbo Region is the seismically active Cerro Pachón. Home to both the Gemini South Telescope and the SOAR 4-Meter Telescope, the rocky mountain is recognized as one of the best sites for ground-based astronomy. In late 2025, Cerro Pachón’s El Peñón peak officially became home to yet another astronomical landmark: the Vera Rubin Observatory, standing proud at an altitude of approximately 8,600 feet.
Dr. Vera Rubin (1928–2016) was an astrophysicist known for her work studying dark matter, the unseen material that makes up more than 80% of the matter in the universe. As Dr. Rubin once remarked, “We became astronomers thinking we were studying the universe, and now we learn that we are just studying the 5 or 10 percent that is luminous.”
Her groundbreaking work on dark matter inspired one of the main areas of research at the Observatory.
“I think it’s really cool that a laboratory is being made to help discover the unknown, even when we don’t
exactly know what we’re looking for,” said Sabina Stevens ’26.
Beginning construction in 2015 and capturing its first images in June 2025, the Observatory features the largest and most sensitive digital camera ever made, allowing it to fulfill its purpose of “capturing the cosmos,” according to the Vera C. Rubin Observatory website.
The Observatory also has international databases, allowing astronomers and members of the scientific community to access its data remotely. For the next ten years, the Rubin camera will scan the southern hemi-
sphere sky to create a high-resolution, detailed time-lapse record of the universe. It has already begun to release impressive first looks at nebulae, distant galaxies, asteroids, and more. Chloe Ko ’29 added, “Ten years is a really long period of time. It’s fascinating that they have the ability to help us dive deeper into space and astronomy to such an extent.”
In a BBC article on the first images captured by the Observatory, Astronomer Royal for Scotland Professor Catherine Heymans commented, “I personally have been working towards this point for about 25 years. For decades we wanted to build this phenomenal facility and to do this type of survey.” Aside from its contribution to the advancement of astrophysics research and technology, the Vera Rubin Observatory is a symbol of Dr. Rubin’s philosophy and contributions to science. She advocated for women in science, inspired new and foundational questions that challenge our understanding of the universe, and encouraged an appreciation for science as a field of endless possibilities, constant discovery, and astronomical wonder. ☐
Editor-In-Chief
Leela Uppaluri ’26
Executive Editors
Lara do Rosario ’26
Louisa Furman ’26 Faculty
Assistant Editors Aya Goldwasser ’27 Jaya Goud ’27
Bella Holt ’27
Anaisha Mallik ’27
Bela Patel ’27
Iris Shen ’26
Arts Editor
Elyse Hychong ’26
Opinions Editor Bonnie Shao ’27
Sports Editor Emma Birdsong ’26
Staff Writers
Eunha Basu ’28
Nina Gersen ’27
Izzy Lai ’27
Molly Ma ’28
Charlotte Wheler ’27
Jackie Belliveau ’27
Sophie Chan ’27
Current Events Club Members and Ms. Páez
Nina Gersen
Our Sanctuary: Keeping Boston ICE-Free
By Lilac Nguyen Banner Staff
Every day, Winsor students and Boston residents alike wake up to another story of horrifically violent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids casting bloody shadows over once peaceful, vibrant cities: Los Angeles, Chicago, and most recently, Minneapolis. Tear gas, batons, and bullets terrorize unarmed bystanders in their streets. As an American citizen and Greater Boston resident, I often find myself wonder-
ing: when will my city be next?
There’s no doubt that Bostonians are lucky to live in a metropolis that the Department of Justice labels a “sanctuary city,” committed to protecting and welcoming all immigrants. However, Boston’s relative immunity from ICE is the culmination of many hard-won political battles.
In 2014, Boston adopted the Boston Trust Act, which prevents the Boston Police Department and federal law enforcement from detaining people for possible deportation without a criminal warrant.
A decade later, the Boston City Council reaffirmed its support for the ordinance, which has fostered trust between immigrants and police officers and, before 2024, kept deportation orders in Boston significantly lower than other cities.
To Mayor Michelle Wu, Boston’s “sanctuary city” status means that Boston, the “safest major city in the country,” is a “beacon of freedom, a home for everybody.” In response to a recent surge in ICE activity, Mayor Wu commented that the Boston Trust Act limited the circumstances in which Boston police officers could cooperate with ICE agents. In 2025, the Boston Police Department received 57 requests from ICE to detain illegal immigrants, which were all denied in accordance with the Act.
However, in the past year, sanctuary districts, particularly throughout New England, have become new targets for the Trump Administration and ICE. Attorney General Pamela Bondi claimed the
Boston Trust Act was illegal, and the Trump Administration threatened to withhold federal funding if Mayor Wu did not comply with federal law enforcement. ICE significantly increased its presence in Boston district courts in 2025, with 2961 arrests between May 21 and October 15, up from 128 arrests from January through early May.
Because of Boston’s political resistance against the federal government, Winsor students can safely enjoy everything the city has to offer: food spots in the Longwood area, spaces to socialize, and more. However, many Winsor students, as Elizabeth Tucker ’26 explains, share a sense of “helplessness” in the face of an “authoritarian government” whose violent reality students can still feel through social media and the news: the murders of U.S. citizens, the separations of countless families, and the arrests of young children.
Through the Beyond Bond and Legal Defense Fund providing
money for detainees, “ICE Out Everywhere” protests, and advocacy against ICE agents’ masks, Boston’s residents are helping keep Boston’s streets, and Winsor’s campus, ICEfree. On February 4, Tucker led an Upper School walkout against ICE. She says, “There’s a sense of hopelessness, especially as a young person who doesn’t necessarily feel like they have a voice. I want this to be an opportunity for students to recognize that they have the power to make change, that their voices matter.” Lana Fravel ’28, who attended the walkout with hundreds of Winsor and Brookline High School students, describes Greater Boston residents as being very supportive as the crowd walked to Brookline’s Town Hall. Boston may not be the perfect sanctuary, but for many Winsor students, it is our home. Amidst Boston’s ongoing struggle against ICE, students’ perseverance, bravery, and love for their community are enduring beacons of hope.
Celebrating Black History Month at Winsor
By Angeliki Agape Volandes & Caitlin Weeks
Contributing Writers
As the dreary winter days drone into a never-ending cycle of assignments, tests, and applications, Black History Month, a month celebrating the contributions made by African-Americans throughout history is a stark contrast to the gloomy atmosphere.
First recognized in 1970 by African-American students and faculty at Kent University in Ohio, Black History Month has become a cherished celebration, spreading pride throughout Boston and at Winsor.
Oluwayemisi Adetowubo ’26, co-head of Winsor’s AfricanAmerican affinity group, SISTERS, describes how Black History Month provides a “very intentional moment in time where the Winsor community can reflect on African-Amer-
ican figures, like the Little Rock Nine and Thurgood Marshall, that have paved the way for Black students to attend schools like Winsor.”
During their meetings in the days leading up to February, SISTERS has set aside time for members to share reflections about the signifi-
cance of the holiday, a few of which will be shared with the larger student body during an Upper School meeting. Adetowubo shares that she hopes the greater Winsor community will also take this time to have a moment of self-reflection on what Black History Month means to them.
Time Out Market: Time Out or
By Lara do Rosario Banner Staff
In a stunning twist of fate, the beloved Fenway gem Time Out Market was saved from the brink of permanent closure. Time Out’s managers informed vendors of the planned closure on Monday, January 12, when the food hall was slated to shutter its doors on Friday, January 23, just the next week.
In deciding to close the hall, Time Out’s CEO Michael Marlay cited slower foot traffic following the pandemic, with more people working from home. Then, shockingly, the market was saved at the eleventh hour by Fenway real estate company Samuels & Associates.
Before making the initial decision to close, Time Out offered to hand over operations to the 401 Park building owner, Alexandria Real Estate Equities. Alexandria declined the offer. A sa-
tirical post from the Boston Globe brainstormed that the vacant space occupied by Time Out should be transformed into a giant “Time Out Market Basket,” a Dunkin’ Donuts, and other Massachusetts staples blown up to fit the proportions of the cavernous space.
Administrative Assistant to the Division Heads Ms. Mead and I discussed ways the Time Out Market space could have been transformed to better suit the needs of the diverse Fenway community, including an open-space bookstore and having more open flea markets. In light of the news about Time Out Market no longer closing up shop, Ms. Mead commented that going forward, the food hall should strive to cultivate “more of a hometown feel,” leaning more heavily into the sports culture that makes Boston unique from other Time Out locations.
She noted that the disconnect be-
tween Time Out Market and the community’s needs could stem from the fact that the Time Out organization is not Boston-based and, as such, not in tune with the ebb and flow of the Fenway neighborhood. One successful attraction under the previous owners, however, was the ice skating rink on the 401 Park lawn, which drove foot traffic during the winter slowdown. Last winter, though, under Alexandria’s management, the ice skating rink wasn’t installed. Time Out Market’s new management by longtime Fenway developer Samuels & Associates could signal major changes in the food hall’s operations. When, previously, the market chose not to air Red Sox games on its projection screen, now, leveraging game days could create more weekday foot traffic under the new leadership. Now spared from closure, Time Out Market stands at a
In recent years, SISTERS has focused on having specific themes for the month of February, with last year’s being Black Art. During last years’ assembly, OrigiNations, a performing arts non-profit, shared multiple contemporary pieces, highlighting both the struggle and bravery of the Black community.
Kendall Pauyo ’26, co-head of SISTERS, describes how having a core subject allows the group to “show the diversity of the Black diaspora” and “highlight figures who might not be as wellknown and could even be locals.”
Beyond Winsor, celebrations of Black History month are also prevalent in the greater Boston area. For example, at the end of February, the Mayor’s office annually hosts a Lift Every Voice celebration at the Strand Theatre in Dorchester, featuring performances by Black DJs, singers, and poets.
Overall, the month of February provides a necessary sanctuary for the nation to reflect, learn, and celebrate the great strides made by the African-American community. It truly is a time for the community to come together and be engulfed in the magnificence of Black Joy. ☐
long-standing
crossroad; whether it mirrors or redefines Fenway’s
Sign Outside City Hall
Berkeley Beacon
Black History Month Assembly 2025 OrigiNation Performance
Winsor Communications
Winsor Cross Country Team at Time Out Lara do Rosario
The Trump Administration is Silencing Speech
By Aya Goldwasser Banner Staff
In a typical U.S. History curriculum, there are certain topics that are almost always covered: the American Revolution, the Constitution, and, of course, the basic rights we are all entitled to. To me, our First Amendment rights—freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and the press— are the most fundamental. In the U.S., we have the right to use certain offensive (but not seditious) phrases, engage in symbolic speech, and even not to speak at all. Up until very recently, this summary of our freedoms would have seemed trivial. The United States is a country that claims to discourage censorship. The Trump administration, however, has embarked on a journey of intense censorship, targeting particular ideas, words, and phrases that it deems unacceptable—and simply erasing them from federal documents.
“DEI” stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and is defined by Merriam-Webster as a “set of values and related policies focused on establishing a group culture of equitable and inclusive treatment.” One major concept in DEI policies is to accurately represent and acknowledge the
experiences of a diverse group of participants, including groups that have been historically marginalized in the United States like, for example, African Americans, immigrants, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. These policies are implemented by organizations across the country and are usually accompanied by certain keywords (e.g., “discrimination,” “inclusive,” or “inequity”).
The First Amendment guarantees our right to speak about and promote, in a nonharmful way, any idea—in this
case, topics concerning DEI and related keywords. However, the Trump administration has directly violated this amendment by censoring, in government speech, thousands of words related to this concept. A New York Times article titled “These Words Are Disappearing in the New Trump Administration,” published on March 7, 2025, details that officials “flagged hundreds of words to limit or avoid,” in order to “purge” the federal government of what the Trump administration likes to call “woke initiatives.” The article then provides an extensive list of just some of the words that have been crossed out from government memos, agency guides, and public websites—words like “identity,” “racism,” “women,” and even “Gulf of Mexico.” Director of Community & Inclusion and History Faculty Mr. Braxton noted that he was not at all surprised by the conflict over whom the First Amendment applies to. He explained, “whoever is in office sees the issues in the Constitution through their political lens.” However, he emphasized the importance of free speech, even when “saying things that may be offensive.”
The examples go on and on, but listing censored words
does not create an understanding of how exactly these actions could be justified. Yes, there are officials who may argue that DEI initiatives have “resulted in the elevation of unqualified people,” as per The New York Times . While I don’t share this viewpoint, I also don’t condemn it. Humans are allowed to hold their own unique opinions. What is vital to understand is that freedom of speech does not force anyone to agree with a concept—rather, it allows one to speak their mind about an issue in a nonviolent manner. Katie Bohl ’27 remarked that “censoring a person or group for reasons unrelated to the safety of others is very much illegal, as it goes against the Constitution.”
It is ironic, then, that a significant aspect of Trump’s campaign agenda was his promise to “bring back free speech for America.” For a politician who seemed adamant to do away with censorship altogether, the president is creating the opposite effect.
Above all, even if one doesn’t agree with an opinion, that doesn’t permit them to cancel someone else’s thoughts, feelings, or rights—particularly when they wouldn’t want their own opinions to be censored. ☐
Live Action Remakes: Where is the Originality?
By Bella Holt Banner Staff
In just two years, Disney has released three major live-action adaptations of their classic animated movies: Lilo and Stitch in May 2025, Snow White in March 2025, and The Little Mermaid in May 2023. Theoretically, the live-action component of these films is meant to modernize and revive these stories for a new generation of moviegoers. However, these live-action remakes reflect Disney’s use of nostalgia to compensate for its current lack of originality.
There are three key questions I believe Disney has overlooked in their production of these live-action adaptations: Why is this story important today? Why does it deserve to be reimagined? How can the story be developed into something more
than a copy-and-paste of its animated precedent, only with real actors? Instead of adapting these stories with a unique vision or even specific motive in mind, English Teacher Ms. Jackson explains that “[Disney’s] main goal seems to be to get people to come to theaters by repackaging old hits and capitalizing on older viewers’ nostalgia.” While this method guarantees that a generation of viewers is predisposed to love the story and music of the adaptations, the resulting movie is one that feels hollow and insignificant. In some ways, Disney’s live-action movies may appear to modernize or shift their stories to the present day. Actress Rachel Zegler, who played Snow White in the 2025 adaptation, pointed out that her Snow White “is not going to be dreaming about true love, she’s going to be dreaming about the leader she knows she can be.”
However, many viewers critiqued her interpretation, pointing out that it felt incongruous with the original plot. “If Disney really wanted to make that story about a strong, independent woman,” said Sienna McCabe ’27, “they should have just written an original movie, instead of trying to pretend that Snow White fits that label.”
Though Disney prospers as a creator of kids’ entertainment, the company has not produced these live-action films for today’s children, who will not necessarily resonate with a decades-old story. Instead, their target audience is an older generation of viewers who can recognize their childhood in a new live-action format. In reviving an already successful story, Disney misses the opportunity to invest in unique stories written for its next generation of viewers. ☐
Fast Fashion: Cheap Clothes and Hidden Costs
By Esther Zhang Contributing Writer
Trendy off-shoulder tops for $10, new sweatfleece hoodies every month, and endless tags of “must-wear outfits” on TikTok—brands like Shein and Forever 21 definitely make it easy for teens to keep up with trends at low prices. But though many young adults view fast fashion clothes as “must-haves,” the actual cost of these clothes is much higher than we realize. Those fast-fashion brands encourage us to buy more than we actually need, whether it’s
cozy fall outfits or skirts for a “hot girl summer” look. These companies treat clothes as disposable items rather than as valuable possessions meant to last. Due to the environmental damage and human labor exploitation caused by fast fashion, consumers should definitely reconsider their clothing choices.
The first major problem with fast fashion is its detrimental impact on the environment. Many customers only wear these clothes a few times before throwing them away. This overconsumption contributes to the issue of overflowing landfills
across the world, according to uniformmarket.com.
Beyond environmental effects, human labor concerns are an important factor to consider when thinking about fast fashion. Laborers in sweatshops for companies like Shein and Forever 21 are overworked and often work in unsafe conditions.
A report by the University of Sheffield and partner organizations found that workers in garment supply chains in countries like Ethiopia and India experienced increased risk of forced labor. This statistic highlights that global fast-fashion produc -
tion can contribute to the exploitation of workers. Despite loving brands like H&M, Harper Bolton ’27 explained how she has started to rethink her choices in clothing to decenter these fast fashion brands. “I used to shop fast fashion all the time because it was trendy and also cute, but I didn’t realize how bad it was for the environment,” she said.
At first, fast fashion, with its low prices and trendy pieces, sounds appealing to many students. But we can make better choices for the environment and for fair labor practices by choosing to thrift, reuse clothing, and buy longer-lasting items.
“Once I learned about the unsafe working conditions and how much waste it creates, it kind of changed my perspective. Now I try to thrift or rewear outfits instead of buying something new every week.” World Languages Faculty Ms. Gangi said that fast fashion has “serious environmental and ethical consequences,” and that she incorporates the topic into her curriculum to help students think critically about global issues and their power as consumers.
Keywords Censored by Trump Administration The New York Times
Rachel Zegler as Snow White
Bella Holt
Stranger Things: No Stranger to Clumsy Representation
By Bonnie Shao Banner Staff
Stranger Things , a Netflix series about 1980s small-town residents fighting an alternate dimension, has been marketed by its creators, the Duffer Brothers, as “a story about outsiders and outcasts…about banding together and embracing your otherness.” As the show—one of the most-watched Netflix series of all time—headed into its final
the series’s female protagonist. Since the beginning of the series, the telekinetic Eleven has suffered abuse at the hands of men— namely, her manipulative father figure, a supernatural monster (Vecna), and a government that seeks to capture her for experimentation. Fans follow her harrowing and emotional journey of escaping a government lab at 12 years old, struggling to connect with other humans, and forming a found family. We experience her
season, fans anticipated an ending that would celebrate diversity. Yet, this season failed to follow through on its professed dedication to uplifting the marginalized. Rather, its clumsy handling of underrepresented storylines rendered its support of “outsiders and outcasts” little more than promotional lip service.
A much-discussed plot point of the season finale involved the self-sacrifice of Eleven/Jane Hopper (Millie Bobby Brown),
delight as she revels in the human experience and realizes that her worth lies not in her superpowers, but in her personhood.
At the show’s conclusion, however, Eleven sacrifices herself to ensure other children do not endure the government experimentation that she experienced. In a Netflix interview, the Duffers commented that Eleven embodied the “magic of childhood;” her death was therefore essential to represent her friends’ growing up.
While characters certainly serve symbolic purposes within stories, they are, first and foremost, representations of real-life human experience. In reducing Eleven to a narrative device, the show completely undermines her previous journey of self-discovery. It disempowers oppressed women and girls by suggesting that they do not deserve fulfilling lives and that the only means of breaking cycles of patriarchal abuse is death.
The show’s problematic messaging also extends to its representation of LGBTQ+ characters. Season 5 established that its other protagonist, Will Byers, identifies as gay. However, it did so with a scene that felt forced and disingenuous. In Episode 7, Will discloses his sexual orientation to a room full of people—a number of whom he has never actually interacted with. Charlotte Holmes ’26 stated, “I do think it would’ve improved it at least slightly to talk to people who actually came out in the ’80s because it was just so unrealistic. There’s no way he would’ve done that in front of 10+ people.”
Will also explains that he fears Vecna’s weaponizing his secrets against him in their final confrontation. Thus, instead of waiting for Vecna to out him to his friends and family, he has decided to do so preemptively. These circumstances portray queer identity not as something worth celebrating, but as a liabil
ity. They uncomfortably parallel a forced outing, a situation in which an LGBTQ+ person is made to disclose their identity before they are ready to do so.
Upper School Community and Inclusion Coordinator Ms. Wang noted, “Writers who cannot speak from the ‘I’ perspective about their characters have a responsibility to conduct intentional research to develop a multifaceted, nuanced understanding of their subjects.” She explained that this research should include “gathering a wide variety of perspectives from people of that minority group in order to tell their stories in a representative way.”
Throughout their interviews, the Duffer Brothers have not mentioned working with any consultants from the LGBTQ+ community on Will’s coming-out scene. In fact, the only person outside the writer’s room whose opinion they claim to have sought was Will Byers’s actor, who identifies as gay. Though the input of an actor with parallel experi -
ences is certainly valuable, one person’s opinion can by no means account for the diversity of an entire community. The Duffer Brothers reduced LGBTQ+ people to a monolith. As a result, they produced an uncomfortable and unrealistic coming-out scene prompted not by true selfacceptance but fear of further marginalization.
Time and again, the creators of Stranger Things have professed their show’s intent to uplift social outcasts and reject conformity. As one of Netflix’s flagship shows, with over 120 million streams of its fifth season alone, the show had the potential to turn a new page on sensitive mainstream representations of underrepresented storylines. Instead, the show only turned on its own marginalized groups. By the end of Stranger Things ’s final season, the very characters who were meant to defy social expectations had fallen into the same narrative stereotypes that have defined popular media for decades. ☐
There is Too Much Elitism in Classical Music
By Elyse Hychong Banner Staff
I’ve been a classical violinist for the past 13 years, and I love music: it’s how some of my closest friendships have started, it’s pushed me to have discipline and drive, and it’s taught me the incredible feeling of taking part in—and of creating—art that touches the heart and soul. But I’d also be remiss not to acknowledge that classical music is inherently elitist.
When I say “elitist,” I mean three things: that classical music is seen as “superior” or “prestigious,” that classical music was founded on racism, and that classical music is entrenched in an exclusionary system of wealth. To unpack these conclusions, it’s necessary to understand the history of classical music’s exclusionary practices. As a New Yorker article “Black Scholars Confront White Supremacy in Classical Music” notes, when the classical music tradition, which started in Europe, was brought over to the U.S. in the 19th century, the white majority used European music as a badge of cultural supremacy. Prominent white music theorists and musicians, too, rejected minority musicians and composers. The classical music institutions which emerged consequently focused almost entirely on white European composers, and a fixed canon of classi-
cal music developed—one that excluded minority composers. College and university music schools were also built on this culture of exclusion. As George Washington University Professor Loren Kajikawa explains, the founding of many U.S. music departments in the late 19th and early 20th centuries coincided with mass immigration to the U.S. As cultural elites worried
about the racial landscape of the U.S. changing, they attempted to maintain control by imposing their ideas of a superior white elite—in one way, by claiming classical music as a result of their superior heritage. Violinist Angelina Fang ’26 reflected, “I think [classical music has] gotten a lot more equitable in the last century, but historically, it’s elitist. A big part of classical music is its rigid
concert etiquette and strong association with the aristocracy and upper class.”
Classical music also has an inherent price tag attached: in order to become advanced in classical music, it’s necessary to pay for private lessons, instruments, orchestras, ensembles, camps, and more. Because of racial disparities in wealth accumulation and the general wealth gap, this
means that it’s much easier for some people to afford playing classical music than it is for others. Music Teacher and Illumina Director Mr. Marshall remarked, “A healthy pride in a musical style or genre should be encouraged. Negative aspects of elitist issues arise, though, when one considers an art form to be better than that of another, and this view may be held across genres.” But this isn’t all to denounce classical music or to reject the study of Beethoven, Mozart, or Tchaikovsky. On the contrary—it bears repeating—I love classical music, partly because it still feels so relevant and personal. So yes, classical music is elitist, but it shouldn’t be discarded. Instead, we need to be aware of its history and seek to expand its diversity in the present day: by widening classical canon to give recognition to all voices, not just white male ones. As Mr. Marshall reflected, “[When choosing repertoire for Illumina to sing, I] consider songs that speak to issues in our communities and the world we live in. These give us a chance to lend our voice to the change we want to see.” This kind of adaptation to modern events breathes life and relevance into music. We also need to increase the diversity of musicians and conductors, and to celebrate all music genres as unique and special. Classical music should be available to all, not just the privileged few.
- Will Byers’s Coming Out Scene
Netflix
Eleven Sacrificing Herself Netflix
Elyse Hychong
Es el momento del Bad Bunny en el Super Bowl
Por Iris Shen Personal del Banner
En una fría noche de domingo de invierno, se celebrará el 60.º Super Bowl, un enfrentamiento entre los Seattle Seahawks y los New England Patriots. Pero, para alguien como yo que no entiende nada de fútbol americano, hay algo más emocionante que la rivalidad histórica entre estos equipos: la presentación de Bad Bunny en el espectáculo de medio tiempo. Bad Bunny, cuyo nombre de nacimiento es Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, representa en muchos sentidos una faceta del llamado “Sueño Americano.” Creció en Vega Baja, en la costa norte de Puerto Rico, y trabajaba a tiempo parcial en un supermercado mientras hacía música. Poco a poco, sus canciones comenzaron a captar la atención de productores y otros artistas como DJ Luian, Ozuna, J Balvin, Drake y Cardi B, hasta convertirse en un nombre reconocido en todos los hogares, con sus canciones sonando en la radio. Su esfuerzo culminó en un premio Grammy por su álbum Debí Tirar Más Fotos, una oda y una muestra de la diversa cultura puertorriqueña. Hablando únicamente en términos de logros, Bad Bunny es lo suficientemente grande como para presentarse en el Super Bowl.
On a cold Sunday winter night, the 60th Super Bowl featured a showdown between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots. But, for someone like me who doesn’t understand anything about football, something more exciting than the rivalry between the teams took place: Bad Bunny’s performance at the halftime show. Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, in many ways, represents a facet of the so-called “American Dream.” He grew up in Vega Baja, the northern coast of Puerto Rico, and worked part-time at a grocery store while he made music. Slowly, his songs started gaining the attention of producers and other artists such as DJ Luian, Ozuna, J Balvin, Drake, and Cardi B, and he eventually became a household name, with his songs being featured on the radio. His hard work culminated in a Grammy win for his album Debí Tirar Más Fotos, an ode to and a showcase
Cada año, acumula 19.8 mil millones de reproducciones en Spotify; además, es el décimo artista más escuchado en la plataforma y el sexto más reproducido en los Estados Unidos. El espectáculo de medio tiempo del Super Bowl es mucho más que solo 15 minutos de entretenimiento. Los artistas presentan su música, pero también sus identidades y comunidades. Elegir a Bad Bunny reconoce la innegable influencia de la música latina en los Estados Unidos. El español es el segundo idioma más hablado en el país; artistas latinos como Bad Bunny, Shakira, Rauw Alejandro y Daddy Yankee dominan las listas y las plataformas de streaming. Sin embargo, ha habido mucha controversia en torno a la selección de Bad Bunny como artista del
medio tiempo. Surgieron preocupaciones por el hecho de que es puertorriqueño y que sus canciones están en español. El Sr. Henningsen, quien enseña Literatura Latinoamericana, habló sobre cómo las personas a menudo miran superficialmente a Bad Bunny y hacen suposiciones sobre él—ya sea por el color de su piel o por el idioma que habla. De hecho, parece que muchas de las preocupaciones que la gente tiene sobre Bad Bunny casi siempre surgen de su identidad puertorriqueña. En tiempos políticos tensos, la identidad suele convertirse en un arma. Sin embargo, como dice el Sr. Henningsen, “la música siempre ha sido política”. Canciones de artistas estadounidenses populares como “Blowin’ in the Wind” de Bob Dylan, “Born
in the U.S.A.” de Bruce Springsteen, “American Idiot” de Green Day e incluso “You Need to Calm Down” de Taylor Swift han transmitido mensajes sobre identidad y política de una manera u otra. Criticar la música de Bad Bunny por ser “demasiado política” parece ignorar la realidad de la música como forma de expresión y protesta. No obstante, más allá de la política y la representación, la música de Bad Bunny trae alegría. Es enérgica, rítmica y divertida. Sus canciones son populares porque inspiran el lenguaje universal del disfrute y la felicidad. En AP Español tuvimos la oportunidad de aprender más sobre su nuevo álbum al ver un cortometraje ambientado en Puerto Rico, con escenas que mostraban la gentrificación de la
of diverse Puerto Rican culture. Speaking in terms of accomplishments alone, Bad Bunny is big enough to perform at the Super Bowl. Every year, Bad Bunny garners 19.8 billion streams on Spotify; he is also the 10th most listened-to artist on Spotify, and is the sixth most streamed artist in the United States. The Super Bowl halftime show has been much more than just a 15-minute show. Artists showcase their music and also their identities and communities. Selecting Bad Bunny acknowledges the undeniable influence of Latin music in the United States. Spanish is the second most spoken language in the country; Latin artists such as Bad Bunny, Shakira, Rauw Alejandro,
and Daddy Yankee dominate the charts and streaming platforms. However, there has been much controversy behind Bad Bunny’s selection as the halftime performer. There were concerns that he was Puerto Rican, and his songs were all in Spanish. Mr. Henningsen, who teaches Latin American Literature, talked about how “people often take a cursory look at Bad Bunny and make assumptions about him— whether from the color of his skin or the language he speaks.”
In fact, it seems that many concerns that people have about Bad Bunny almost always stem from his identity as a Puerto Rican. In fraught political times, identity often becomes weapon-
ized. Yet, as Mr. Henningsen puts it, “Music has always been political.” Songs from popular American artists such as Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind,” Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.,” Green Day’s “American Idiot,” and even Taylor Swift’s “You Need to Calm Down” all feature messages about identity and politics in one way or another. To criticize Bad Bunny’s music as “too political” seems to miss the reality of music as a form of expression and protest.
However, Bad Bunny’s halftime show comes at a time of concern about the political climate of the country, about ICE, about immigrants being kidnapped and detained; concerned about their next paycheck; concerned about
isla y calles silenciosas sin el bullicio y la vitalidad que muchos inmigrantes recuerdan de su tierra natal. Estos son tiempos muy desafiantes para muchos. Muchas personas están preocupadas por el clima político del país, por ICE, por los inmigrantes que son detenidos; preocupadas por su próximo salario; preocupadas por sus padres, sus hijos, su educación. Estamos ansiosos e inquietos por el futuro. El video termina con el personaje principal, un anciano, tomando la iniciativa. Hace sonar reguetón a todo volumen desde sus altavoces, su carro vibrando mientras maneja por su vecindario. El arte de Bad Bunny nos deja una lección aplicable a todos: la alegría es una forma de resistencia y no puede ser arrebatada. Personas de todos los orígenes se reúnen frente al televisor por la noche para ver el Super Bowl. Ya sean fanáticos apasionados de los Seahawks o de los Patriots, ya sea que comas pizza para llevar o un tazón de pho, que ames el fútbol americano o estés allí solo por los comerciales, el Super Bowl une a los estadounidenses de todos los ámbitos de la vida durante unas horas. Abracemos la alegría de la presentación de Bad Bunny y reconozcamos que, cuando suba al escenario, estará reflejando a los Estados Unidos: vibrante, multicultural y en constante crecimiento. ☐
their parents, their children, and their education.
Beyond politics and representation, Bad Bunny’s music brings joy. His music is energetic, rhythmic, and fun. His songs are popular because they inspire the universal language of enjoyment and happiness. Bad Bunny’s artistry leaves us with a lesson applicable to everyone— joy is a form of resistance, and it cannot be taken away.
People from all backgrounds gather around the TV at night watching the Super Bowl. Whether you are a die-hard Seahawks fans or Patriot fans, if you eat takeout pizza or a bowl of pho, or if you love football or are just there for the advertisement breaks, the Super Bowl unites Americans from all walks of life for a few hours. Embrace the joy of Bad Bunny’s performance, and continue to recognize that as he takes the stage, he is reflecting the United States: vibrant, multicultural, and thriving. ☐
Winsor Hockey Skates Through the Season
By Eleanor Musto Contributing Writer
Winter in Boston has been especially snowy this year, but no one has taken on the cold like the Winsor Varsity Ice Hockey Team and its 17 players, ranging from Class II to VIII. Ms. Burke, Latin faculty and Varsity Ice Hockey head coach, explains how the Upper Schoolers prioritize giving Lower Schoolers a positive experience on the team. She notes that the welcoming environment “was important to [Upper Schoolers] when they were in Lower School, so they really make a point to keep that going.”
With such strong team camaradarie off the ice, the team
has been working to improve its mental focus during games. Sonia Shroff ’29 reflects, “We[’ve been] working on communication,” while Amelia Rudy ’29 comments on the team’s priority of “being able to mentally reset quickly during games.” The team has also been working to combine individual success into team wins.
These skills have been especially important as the team has faced several new teams this year. Despite long drives to games in New Hampshire, New York, and Connecticut, Ms. Burke reflects that “it’s always exciting to play against some new competition.”
A big highlight for the team this season was beating Dana Hall in December in a close 3-1 away
game. More recently, Ms. Burke praises how “a lot of different people [have been scoring] in games in January” and how it’s been “exciting to get everyone involved.” The team has started celebrating these individual successes through their new mascot, Bandit, a stuffed animal named after a pug who often spends time at their rink. Ms. Burke describes the mascot as “an award that’s passed around to someone who had a great game, someone who really brought it for the team.” As of February 8, their record is 4 wins, 10 losses, and 1 tie overall. The team looks forward to many rematches with opponents, using the strength of their close-knit team culture to bring success. ☐
School-wide Just Dance
Winsor Canto
Winsor Varsity Hockey
Winsor Canto
Working Around the Clock: Winsor Facilities
By Louisa Furman Banner Staff
Every morning, hundreds of students pour into the halls of Winsor and find that our lights are working, the building is warm, and the campus is prepared for the activities of the day. We take this reality for granted, yet behind the scenes there is a dedicated and hardworking facilities team working around the clock to ensure that our learning happens without interruption.
Winsor’s facilities staff is responsible for so many aspects of campus life, from electrical repairs and snow removal to event setup, renovations, and building maintenance. Their work spans over Winsor’s two buildings, each with their own unique needs. The newer Lubin O’Donnell Center (LOC) presents more complicated electrical systems, while the 126-year-old historic main building has an older setup.
To learn more about the amazing work of our facilities team, I sat down with ten members of the staff to hear about their experiences, challenges, highlights, and what we as students can do to help.
Team members have been here for varying amounts of time, from an impressive 39 years in the case of Mr. Lynch, to the newest member, Mr. Juste, who has been at Winsor for just 10 months. Director of Facilities and Construction Mr. Crompton, spoke about how he started at Winsor to head the construction of the LOC. Originally, Mr. Crompton, with a background in building, expected to leave Winsor after the LOC project. But, as he explained, two things kept him here, “the students here were amazing” and “the folks in this room.” Throughout the interview, the team’s commitment to the students and strong bond was clear.
Mr. Crompton explained how he has “this invisibility theory in my head that I’ve had for decades, which says in this room, if the lights don’t flicker, if it’s not too hot or too cold, if the chair isn’t broken or has a caster… then we’re doing our job the best we can… We don’t take away from the real reason why you’re here, which is for great education.” But we Winsor students should recognize that it is only because of our incredibly dedicated facilities team that we have the privilege of letting a running campus be invisible to us.
Beyond maintenance, facilities teams handle setting up for special events and undergoing 30-35 capital projects every single year. After getting feedback from teachers and students and through “2 a.m. ideas,” the team proposes a list of projects which are approved or rejected for each fiscal year. Often, the team plans
out years in advance. The overall budget usually lands somewhere around two million dollars each year but is projected to decrease with recent renovations and fixes.
Mr. Crompton also explained his logic when undergoing a new task. “I look at a project and say, ‘What are my top five screwups?’ That’s just the way that I look at it, because next time, I want to do it, and I want to have maybe four. And if I do another five projects, maybe I’ll get to zero. So that’s how I learn,” he said.
Mr. Crompton explained how his “favorite projects here are the ones that had the students involved.” “I’m proud of the LOC, proud of the science renovation… it’s gonna sound crazy, but the new floor in the senior homeroom,” he said, adding that “the solar panel project was really important… It wasn’t special because it saved 25% to 28% on the electric bill. It
was special because the students were involved every step of the way. When I look back at that, and I think if the students continue to be involved in the school, they continue to give us ideas, then we’ll only get better.” Mr. Lynch similarly enjoys “Under the Lights,” where after their hard work setting up, team members get to see students “running around and having fun.”
Behind all of the facilities staff’s contributions to Winsor is the core principle of teamwork. Every day, the team of ten works together to run our campus, through the difficult task of monitoring morning dropoffs to keeping the lights running. Beyond the school, Mr. Lynch emphasized a yearly highlight: Mr. Crompton’s annual cookout. The cookout is a tradition that has been around for nine years. Because while students are away for the summers, the facilities team is still hard at work. One
member also described the “nice bonding between us” with recent moments like going out to dinner as a crew. Mr. Waite explained, “We are here with each other more than our families most days, so anytime we just sit down with each other, and talk about something outside of work, it’s always a bonding moment. We always learn something new from each other.”
So, next time you rush into 103 Pilgrim Road on a snowy and freezing day, take a moment to slow down and appreciate the amazing staff that keeps your school day running. As Mr. Crompton noted, “being invisible is 6:00 at night with a wind chill temperature three below zero” standing out in the cold “behind a snowblower.” “That truly is a tribute to this gang,” he said. Mr. Crompton highlights how the team “[pulls] it off… it’s seamless.”
I would like to extend a special thank you to Mr. Medrano, Mr. Channer, Mr. Manjarres, Mr. Daley, Mr. Juste, Mr. Applin, Mr. Waite, Mr. Lynch, and Mr. Crompton for the work you do 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 52 weeks a year to keep our campus upright.
To give these team members your appreciation directly, or if you have ideas for new projects and improvements, please take the time to fill out the form linked to the QR code. We hope to have many kind messages to share with the team!☐
250 Years of Art and Activism at the BPL
By Yasmeen Alam Contributing Writer
“Revolution! 250 Years of Art & Activism in Boston”—currently on view at the Central Library branch of the Boston Public Library (BPL)— surveys the defining socio-political movements of American history and their associated material cultures. The exhibition asks how the foundational ideals of the United States have been applied in the past 250 years, and questions how they might shape the next 250. As the BPL’s first exhibition in over a decade, “Revolution!” draws from the library’s rich collection to guide visitors on a chronological journey from Boston’s pivotal role in the American Revolution to its place in ongoing struggles for freedom. Organized by movement, over 100 political, activist, and documentary works are displayed, spanning a wide range of media. While historic treasures—such as an impressive restrike of Paul Revere’s 1770 depiction of the Boston Massacre, one of the first examples of American propaganda—are included, the contemporary art located throughout the exhibition is particularly notable. Works like Steve Locke’s Homage to the Auction Block series (2022),
which places the auction block, and thus slavery, at the heart of modern society, and Oglala Lakota artist Joe Pulliam’s watercolor TOKALA Defender of the water and earth (2020), position the revolutionary history
Manager of the Arts Kristen Parker explained, “The unfinished look was intentional. We understand that democracy is always under construction; we have to keep building to support it. So we leaned into that idea
“conceptual scaffolding” provided through generous curatorial text and instructional labels makes the exhibition accessible and inviting for all. Visitors who have more background knowledge and would like
of America as an ongoing narrative. The exhibition’s physical design further signals that the struggle for freedom remains incomplete through its use of construction materials as displays. As BPL Lead Curator &
by choosing plywood and scaffolding to hold up the artwork as a metaphor. We used wheat paste posters for the exhibition texts, just like you might find on the wall of a construction site.”
Beyond the literal framework,
more depth of engagement can take advantage of the many provocative questions placed below specific works.
Winsor’s Director of Community and Inclusion and History Teacher
Mr. Braxton shared that “Revolution!”
is “a powerful reminder of how we should commemorate America’s tricentennial. I worry that the celebration will be limited to the Founding Fathers, when in reality, we must embrace a far more expansive view of the Revolution. It is not only about 1776 itself, but about how people have drawn on revolutionary principles in the years that followed. The American Revolution sparked other revolutions and movements, and that ongoing legacy is an essential part of the broader story that must be told this year and beyond.”
Ultimately, Parker and the curatorial team successfully manage a broad scope, centering Boston while effectively situating the city in the context of national movements, such as the U.S. anti-war effort and global shifts like the Haitian Revolution. In connecting later revolutions to the founding of America, “Revolution!” serves as a reminder of Boston’s revolutionary spirit that continues to today.
“Revolution! 250 Years of Art & Activism in Boston” is on view at the Central Library branch of the Boston Public Library in Copley Square through April 21, 2026. Various accompanying free programming can be found online at bpl.org.☐
Winsor Facilities Team Members Louisa Furman Share a message!
“Revolution! 250 Years of Art & Activism in Boston”
Yasmeen Alam
Behind the Scenes of Winsor’s Newest Red Keys
By Leela Uppaluri Banner Staff
This year, Winsor Admissions has reshaped student involvement through the rebranded Red Keys Program. Red Keys are Upper School students who give tours to prospective students, assist during student revisit days, and guide visitors around campus. Assistant Director of Admissions Ms. Cunningham emphasized the importance of Red Keys in all of these activities, stating, “Student voices are literally everything.” She explained that although admissions offices can feel similar across schools, “it’s the students that make 100% of the difference.” Families and prospective students are often uncertain about Winsor’s all-girls environ-
MBTA
ment, but after a tour with a Red Key, they later tell Ms. Cunningham that they can finally “envision themselves in their shoes.”
The program is not only about representing Winsor to others but also about developing confidence and communication within its own members. Head Ambassador Hamna Chowdhry ’26 described how being a Red Key has helped her learn “to connect with people genuinely” and “to enjoy getting to know people for the sake of getting to know people,” skills she describes as “invaluable.” Angeliki Agape Volandes ’28, another Head Ambassador, confirmed that the rebranded Red Keys program “strengthens both the experience of prospective families and the growth of the ambassadors who represent Winsor.”
Changes Bring
By Isabella Nguyen Banner Staff
Boston’s public transit system is entering a period of significant transition as the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) works to improve safety, infrastructure, and service reliability, primarily to restore rider trust.
While MBTA leadership points to measurable progress, riders and advocates continue to question whether these improvements are reaching the communities that rely on public transportation the most. Maya Bingaman, Communications Manager at the Office of MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng emphasized how “[i]mproving bus service and connectivity to the overall MBTA system continues to be a major priority for the MBTA.”
In recent years, the MBTA has indeed expanded bus priority infrastructure across the region in an effort to reduce delays and improve reliability. Bingaman shares
What makes the new Red Keys program stand out is its new structure and intentionality. In the past, the ambassador program was open to many students, a fact that made it difficult for the Admissions Department to provide consistent, standardized training and support to ambassadors. Now, the program is a smaller, closer-knit group of students and more selective.
As Ms. Cunningham stated, this change allows her to “100% guarantee that I can give [all Red Keys] my time and attention.” It also creates what she described as “a smaller community within Winsor.”
With applications for the Red Keys Program expected to open in late April or early May, The Banner encourages Upper School students to take the opportunity to apply to be part of this community! ☐
New Opportunities and Challenges
that these efforts have included working with municipalities such as Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville to address rising traffic congestion, a frequent cause of service delays. She notes that ridership data and equity considerations have
driven decisions surrounding route changes and service increases.
But while MBTA leadership points to progress, some riders argue that deeper, longstanding inequities remain unresolved. Luisa Griffith-Gorgati ’26, a daily MBTA
rider, recently launched an online petition on change.org calling for more equitable funding for bus transportation, emphasizing how transit funding decisions affect marginalized communities. For her, the issue is not only systemic.
“I’ve been taking the MBTA every day since I was twelve, so it’s a personal issue for me,” she shared.
Griffith-Gorgati emphasized that “[e]ven though the MBTA largely serves low-income passengers and passengers of color, the lines that most serve those passengers are consistently underfunded.”
She also identified inconsistent service as one of the biggest challenges riders face. “There’s been times when my friends or I have had to wait 30 minutes for a bus or train even during rush hour,” she explained, noting that winter weather and ongoing shutdowns only worsen these delays. While discussing transit equity, GriffithGorgati pointed to broader state funding priorities: “Massachusetts
is giving so much more money to build new highways and roads when we should be prioritizing public transport.” She added that “[f]unds should be allocated to lines that serve low-income areas, such as the bus system, Red Line, and Orange Line.”
The MBTA maintains that rider input plays an important role in shaping policy decisions. Bingaman highlighted public meetings and opportunities for community feedback as ways riders can engage with the authority. For GriffithGorgati, student voices are especially important. “Public transport impacts our daily lives,” she said. “If we speak out, we have the opportunity to bring awareness and make a difference.” As the MBTA continues its push to modernize and stabilize the system, the ongoing dialogue between riders and leadership raises an essential question: How can progress be made more equitable for the communities that depend on public transit the most? ☐
How Winsor Students Prepare for a MUN Conference
By Jaya Goud Banner Staff
On Friday, February 6, members of Winsor’s Model United Nations (MUN) Team headed to the three-day Boston Invitational Model United Nations XXV (BosMUN) conference. There, they were joined by over 2,300 high school students from around the nation at the Prudential Center in downtown Boston. Over the course of the weekend, delegates debated topics ranging from global trade to Milan Fashion Week.
While BosMUN lasts only a weekend, preparation begins many weeks in advance as delegates research their assigned countries’ policies, study committee topics, and practice articulating their positions. Notably, students have spent significant time drafting their position papers. Written well before the conference, a position paper summarizes a delegate’s assigned country’s perspective on the committee topic, including relevant policies, past actions, and proposed solutions. Elena Bird ’27, a BosMUN delegate who repre-
sented Cuban-American lawyer and writer Alfred de Zayas this February, remarked, “Although it’s extra work, writing my position paper helps me understand my topic, character, and how I plan to argue my case better.” Indeed, these papers often serve as both a research foundation and a strategic guide once the conference begins.
In addition to individual research, Winsor delegates prepare collaboratively through regular club meetings and cohort sessions led by experienced members. These sessions focus on obtaining early feedback, practicing impromptu speaking, and discussing effective speaking strategies. Bird adds, “The heads [of the club] and advisors do a good job making sure we are prepared” in a variety of ways, including “meeting during community time” and “[providing] BosMUN preparation videos.” This structure allows newer delegates to learn from returning members while fostering a supportive environment within the team.
The skills students cultivate at BosMUN will last far beyond the weekend. Faculty Advisor Ms.
Holland states, “Students learn how to work effectively with others in a setting that blends cooperation, collaboration, and a bit of competition,” which allows them to “practice building consensus, mak-
ing compromises, and advocating for their positions.” Additionally, working alongside students from different schools around the nation exposes delegates to diverse perspectives and encourages a more
global outlook. For Winsor’s MUN team, BosMUN is more than just a weekend of debate, but a culmination of learning, teamwork, and the excitement of representing their delegations on a national stage. ☐
Winsor Delegates at BosMUN Jaya Goud
The Commuter Rail
Emma Birdsong
Lara do Rosario ’26 Giving a Tour Leela Uppaluri
Messages of Gratitude to Our Amazing Teachers
By Cindy Jin & Ayaka Hatabu Banner Staff & Contributing Writer
The first semester has drawn to a close, and exams have come and gone. As we continue into the second semester, we want to take a moment to pause and appreciate all the Winsor teachers and faculty who supported us in the first semester. As such, The Banner conducted short interviews and asked many students to share their gratitude for their teachers.
A Class VI student shared, “I am grateful for Ms. Lieberman because I would not have a research paper topic if I didn’t have her help. She’s helped make sure I get to write about what I’m actually interested in. She makes history class
so interesting, and I always look forward to going.”
One Class VII student said, “I really appreciated Ms. Kendale’s passion, positivity, and excitement every day, and we always have a lot of fun in her class. She is so passionate about her work, and the way she teaches concepts is so engaging. She helps me understand everything, even when I have questions, and she’s just such an amazing teacher.”
“I’m really grateful for Ms. Tu because she makes our classes so fun, and she cares about her students so much. I love Chinese class—it’s my favorite class,” shared one Class VI student.
“I’m grateful for Ms. Macaulay,” said another Class VI student, “because she gives very good
Mini Crossword!
By Aya Goldwasser Banner Staff
Give the mini crossword a go!
Inspired by The New York Times Mini Crossword, this puzzle is sure to keep even those with short attention spans entertained! ☐
Across:
2. Long and cold season
3. Winter precipitation
4. Cozy spot or non-Amazon e-reader
Down:
1. ___ makes the world go round
2. Sweater material
3. Found on the ground during the winter Mini Crossword
advice. She provides support to everyone in her class and really individualizes her advice. Plus, she responds really quickly to emails!”
A Class V student shared, “I’m grateful for Ms. Phinney because when I took her class, she always made sure that I understood the feedback that she gave. She would go out of her way to type out a whole page of feedback for us, which was super helpful.”
“I don’t usually meet with my math teacher a lot, but this year, meeting with Ms. Wang has been really helpful for me,” a Class VI student said. “It makes me less stressed and more confident before tests, and after I meet with her, tests feel like just another opportunity to do math, and not anything different from what we usually do in class.”
These were just a few of the responses we received, and truly, there are no words to express the entirety of our appreciation for our teachers. We appreciate how much effort teachers put into supporting us, whether by taking time to meet one-on-one, giving extensive feedback to help us grow, or fostering a welcoming learning environment. We hope everyone carries this gratitude with them through the second semester. ☐
Submit a Caption for our Contest
By Arts Editors Banner Staff
Calling all New Yorker fans! This issue, we are hosting a caption contest for this amazing graphic, made by our staff artist, Bella Holt ’27. Use your creativity and think of a caption that fits the graphic to the right. It can be anything! Funny, sad, relatable, happy... it’s up to you! Submit using the QR code to the right.
Also, the results of our one-liner question last issue are in! It’s a tie, but hopefully next time we can get a more conclusive answer! ☐
By Bela Patel Banner Staff
Most music listeners know Spotify Wrapped, an end-of-year recap Spotify sends to its users that chronicles their most listenedto songs, genres, and artists. A multitude of other organizations, notably Apple Music, Grubhub, Strava, and Duolingo, have followed suit in the last few years. Each year of Wrapped brings nostalgia, outright confusion, and a time and place to reflect on the last year. This year, we wanted to do a Banner Wrapped to bring a bit of nostalgia and reflection to the Winsor community! ☐
Pictures from the Snow Days
Lily-Rose Pepin and Bela Patel
Thank You to All Our Amazing Faculty and Staff! Ayaka Hatabu
Aya Goldwasser
“That Star Quality”: Teacher Mr. Jean Appolon
By Leena Devendran & Annie Fitzpatrick
Contributing Writers
Winsor students who have participated in the dance program fondly remember classes with Mr. Appolon for his captivating choreography and energetic personality. On campus for Winsor Dance Team and Lower School Performing Arts classes, he has made a profound impact on every student he has taught.
Mr. Appolon, who was born and raised in Haiti, was introduced to dance at six years old. He recounted, “I saw dance on TV… I was so mesmerized by the way I’d seen people moving their bodies… I felt like I was born to dance.” His passion for dance came with many obstacles; he recalled how teachers, friends, and his parents told him that he couldn’t do it, that he was not ready, and even that he “had two left feet.” Regardless, he continued taking dance classes in Haiti and landed a one-year scholarship at the Harvard-
Radcliffe program in Boston. After that program, Mr. Appolon set on another ambitious goal: the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, a world-renowned dance company based in New York. He earned a full scholarship to the program after his third audition. Mr. Appolon noted that his perseverance in pursuing Alvin Ailey taught him “that a young boy from Haiti… an impoverished country, could do anything.”
He advanced his art further at the Joffrey American Ballet Theater in New York City. Following his graduation, he continued choreographing and dancing, and in 2006 founded Jean Appolon Expressions, his own Haitian folkloric dance company. Jean Appolon Expressions aims to “cultivate hope and healing” through performances and classes. That same year, Mr. Appolon joined Winsor for a workshop class with Winsor’s dance team. Since then, he has been a frequent guest artist at Winsor, introducing Haitian-style dance to the program. Ann-Marie
Ciaraldi, head of Winsor’s dance program, shared how Mr. Appolon helps diversify the dance program through Afro-Haitian technique, which “gives [students] a global worldview” as well as an insight into Mr. Appolon’s Haitian identity and story as he teaches and choreo-
In the most recent Winter Dance concert, Mr. Appolon choreographed two pieces—one for PAB dancers and another for the Winsor Dance Team—with a focus on community and resistance. Winsor Dance Team Co-Captain Saratu Waya ’26 shared, “A common theme among all his pieces is resilience and strength.” Mr. Appolon’s choreography and his bright personality have made Winsor’s dance program a highlight for many. As Winsor Dance Team Co-Captain Kendal Pauyo ’26 put it, “There’s no one like him… he really has that star quality.” ☐
From Beginner to Master: Handbuilding Classes
By Daniela Antras
Contributing Writer
One of many exciting art classes offered at Winsor, handbuilding introduces both Upper and Lower School students to a fun and unique art form that involves creating clay sculptures using only hands and simple tools rather than pottery wheels. With projects ranging from small pinch pots in Class III Ceramics to intricate and complex sculptures in AP Art and Design, Winsor’s handbuilding curriculum has much to offer for students at all levels. But how do Winsor students go from having never touched clay to being experts at this special technique?
The answer: the progression of difficulty as students move through the program. For example, Ally Gorman ’30 noted that her favorite project in Class III Ceramics was making “a bunch of mugs from slabs.” A similar project was also a favorite of Soraya Hanjani ’28, who “really liked the slab vessels
that [she] did” in Introduction to Handbuilding. Simple techniques such as slab-building, which involves rolling out flat pieces of clay and then joining them together, are introduced at a basic level and then are built upon with similar but more advanced projects later on.
Indeed, Art Teacher Ms. Rosenblatt explained that Lower and Upper School ceramics classes “actually
have in some ways a very similar curriculum,” but these projects are adjusted based on grade level, “in terms of what the expectations are for their product.” Ms. Rosenblatt also noted that while the Lower School curriculum is focused more on the joy of creating art out of clay, in the Upper School, “there is a little bit more emphasis on technique” as students’ handbuilding skills evolve.
This gradual development of core handbuilding techniques— pinching, rolling coils, and constructing slabs—allows students to take their projects to the next level through AP Art and Design. Former AP student Morgan Peterson ’26, who “created sculptural works based on circles and spheres,” took all of Winsor’s ceramics classes prior to embarking on this project. Peterson
reflected that these earlier classes gave her “the foundations of how to work with clay and taught [her] what boundaries [she] could push.” Winsor’s ceramics program is one that’s suited for all. Whether you’ve had ceramics experience before or never touched a piece of clay in your life, Winsor’s fun and creative projects will have you mastering handbuilding skills in no time! ☐
Books and Movies to Get Excited for in 2026
By Kathy Wang & Leila Pan Contributing Writers
As the check-in question at the first Banner meeting after Winter break made its way across the room, one common New Year’s resolution came up again and again: read more. It’s more than a month into the new year, and in the aftermath of the math exam and never-ending essays, it’s easy to find your goal collecting dust in the corners of your mind. To get you back on track for 2026 or just to give you something to look forward to, we’ve compiled a list of the five most anticipated book and movie releases this year.
1. The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss. As Ms. Duncan put it, this YA thriller “has all the elements of a highstakes, twisty mystery” and “comes to mind immediately for Winsor
students.” When one season of an escape room-themed game show ends in the murder of contestant Alicia Angelos, the new contestants must unravel the killer before the game turns deadly again. This novel is set to be released on April 7, 2026.
2. The Midnight Train by Matt Haig. Set in the same world as the major international bestseller The Midnight Library, Matt Haig’s new novel explores themes of love, regret, and second chances. The novel follows Wilbur Budd, an 81-year-old man haunted by the loss of his true love, Maggie. The Midnight Train will be released on May 26, 2026.
3. Dear Debbie by Frieda McFadden. This psychological thriller was released on January 27, 2026. Fans may know McFadden from her bestselling book The Housemaid Dear Debbie is centered around Debbie Mul-
len, a successful advice columnist whose life begins to unravel after she loses her job. Strange things are happening to her family, and when frustrations mount, Debbie takes her own advice in increasingly extreme ways. Whether you’re already a fan of McFadden’s fiction or picking it up for the first time, Dear Debbie is sure to be a compelling read for all Winsor students.
4. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The highly anticipated prequel to the Hunger Games movies , Sunrise on the Reaping marks the sixth installment in the Hunger Games movie franchise. It is adapted from the book Sunrise on the Reaping, which was released in March 2025. It explores Panem 24 years before Katniss Everdeen’s story and dives into the backstory of her mentor, Haymitch Abernathy. Elena Catalino ’30 is
“especially looking forward to seeing Jennifer Lawrence play Katniss again,” and so are we! The movie is set to release on November 20, 2026.
5. Avengers: Doomsday. Starring notable actors like Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Florence Pugh (Yelena), and Simu Liu (Shang-Chi), the new Avengers movie is sure to be an exciting release in December 2026. While the plot of Avengers: Doomsday has not been released, rumors suggest that there will be multiversal collisions. This movie will lead up to the sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars, which will be released in 2027. ☐
Jean Appolon Teaching Class
Jean Appolon Expressions graphs.
Students Reading New Books in the Library Erin Cantos
Left to Right: Coil Jar, Slab Vase, Painted Cup, Piece from Peterson’s AP Art Portfolio
Daniela Antras, Smugmug, Morgan Peterson
The Skeleton in the Science Wing’s Closet
By Bela Patel Banner Staff
In classrooms, historical objects are meant to teach. But what happens when the object was once a person? Last semester, a box of human bones surfaced during renovations of Winsor’s science wing, forcing students to confront questions usually reserved for museums, courts, and universities. The elective that prepared us to confront this question was Intellectual Property and the Law, taught by Art Teacher Ms. Mia Rosenblatt. I had the privilege of taking this class last semester, and I was really shocked and amazed by the cool topics and depth of law we covered. The class explores the intersection of the legal and artistic worlds, including topics like copyright, trademark, and museum ethics.
As part of our last unit, we examined the morality of the repatriation of human remains in museum collections. Specifically, we looked at case studies that involved museums repatriating human remains and religious objects to indigenous
communities and descendants of artists. Our class decided to apply our knowledge of museum policies and ethics to determine the future of the bones discovered in the science wing. Rather than treating the remains as ordinary teaching tools, we researched their possible origins and debated the ethics of their con-
tinued use. Our class split up into four groups to tackle the research: one group cataloged the bones and identified parts of the body, the second reached out to organizations that may have more information about the bones’ storied past, the third group researched the use of bones in high school classrooms, and the last group researched museum policies on human remains. Grace Murphy ’27 was part of the group that cataloged and identified the bones. She reflected, “Looking at the bones was a little bit scary but also interesting. A few of them had identifying numbers and names on them, and that was
the starting point for the group’s research.” Yasmeen Alam ’27 was in the group that researched policies on human remains. She said, “We learned a lot about museum policies relating to how they found the descendants of certain remains and used the framework of their research to look into our specimens.”
After presenting our observations to the class, we wrote a statement of acknowledgement that recognized the individuals behind the specimens and modeled respect for future students. Although we were not able to fully identify the bones, our class learned a lot about secret bone trafficking and the ethical implications of using morally questionable tools, even if it is for learning. Our research required a willingness to approach inquiry with a sense of responsibility and respect for the people and histories connected to the materials discovered. Although our research did not yield definitive answers, we felt confident that we had created a meaningful foundation for future classes to approach the remains with care, context, and ethical awareness. ☐
Golden Globes: An Award Show Worth Watching
In an era of streaming and nonstop releases, the Golden Globes remain a rare moment when audiences pause to reflect on film and television. At Winsor, the awards reach beyond Hollywood, shaping student conversations and influencing what they choose to watch. While not all students actively follow awards shows, English Teacher Ms. Caspar noted that “any celebration of achievement can be inspiring,” especially for those considering futures in theater, film, or television. Within the school’s theater and film communities, the Golden Globes have become a shared experience that unites students with different interests. Shared viewings
and post-show discussions allow students to connect over storytelling, performances and emerging trends, creating a strong sense of community. Theodora Zarrow ’26, cohead of Winsor’s Theater and Film Club, said the awards “bring people together with a common interest.” She emphasized how they provide a space for both theater students and those who enjoy media for entertainment to engage with one another. The awards also serve as a guide for what Winsor students watch. Acting as informal recommendation platforms, they spark interest in films and shows that peers may not have discovered otherwise. This year, Adolescence stood out as a student favorite. The show’s young lead, Owen Cooper, inspired and impressed students with his outstanding achievements.
He demonstrated, as Zarrow noted, that “as a young person, you can achieve a lot in theater and performing.” The Golden Globes do more than celebrate Hollywood; they inspire students and foster shared appreciation for storytelling. The host also often shapes the overall vibe; this year, Nikki Glaser’s political and comedic opening set the tone. Winsor students also felt engaged while watching the Golden Globes; Zarrow noted that Glaser’s opening felt fitting. For example, she referred to the A-listers as “people who were on a list that has been heavily redacted” since “a lot of the films and television shows up there did have a pretty strong political message.”
Beyond the broadcast itself, the Golden Globes matter to the Winsor community because of how
students interpret and carry those moments forward. Ms. Caspar noted that while awards shows may not resonate with everyone, they can still be meaningful when winners address younger audiences directly. She pointed out that “often the winners
send messages to young people to pursue their dreams and never give up.” For students watching, those speeches connect high-profile recognition to the realities of learning, practice, and persistence within their own creative communities.
Stranger Things Season 5: Flop Or Flawless?
By Emily Yakoobian Contributing Writer
Major spoilers of Stranger Things Season 5 will be discussed in this article. Read at your own risk!
After four fantastic seasons of Stranger Things, expectations were sky-high for the final season. As the series ended, though, fans were left divided. Some liked the finale, praising its intriguing storyline and thought-provoking ending. However, others felt that the ending was too simple to be true and that it was poorly written. Since 2016, fans have been hooked on the story and suspense of Stranger Things, a Netflix Original series created by Matt and Ross Duffer. The show is nostalgically set in the 1980s in Hawkins, Indiana, and is loosely inspired by the hit table-top role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons. The show’s main characters battle supernatural forces emerging from
the Upside Down—an eerie, alternate dimension of their town.
One aspect of the fifth season
I like is how the ending mirrors the start of the pilot episode: in both, the group plays Dungeons & Dragons together. During their final game, Mike creates a story that parallels their recent experiences and questions the death of one of the main characters, Eleven. Because she was able to communicate with
him using her mind despite being surrounded by her “kryptonite,” a weakness that normally limits her powers, Mike believes she had escaped to safety and her apparent death was an illusion created by Kali, a character with the ability to manipulate what people see. Personally, I believe that Eleven dies. However, Liv Todd ’28 thinks Mike’s theory may have some truth. Todd also noted that the option
to speculate your own ending and believe or deny Mike’s theory is interesting. She also noted that the final battle felt too short, and the absence of Demogorgons—the main monster throughout the series—made the finale underwhelming and hard to believe. Anna Contu-James ’28 is also skeptical about the ending. She believes that the finale is not the true ending but an illusion created by Vecna—the villain who manipulates
characters’ minds throughout the season. This idea, known as the “Conformity Gate Theory,” is supported by many fans worldwide because it would fit other clues from episodes in the fifth season. The theory became so popular online that many viewers were convinced a secret final episode would come out, although the creators denied it. In the end, there was no final “secret” episode released. Despite the discrepancies, Stranger Things Season 5 was widely enjoyed, and the ending continues to spark heated debate. Whenever I interviewed a group of Winsor students about the show’s ending, they excitedly shared their thoughts. Their sharing of theories and strong opinions highlight how the show managed to captivate the audience. Whether viewers believe the ending was good or bad, real or an illusion, or something in between, Stranger Things remains a show that keeps its audience invested throughout the story.
Human Bones Bela Patel
By Molly Ma & Charis Liu Banner Staff & Contributing Writer
2026 Golden Globes Awards Golden Globes
Left to Right: Crocheted Demogorgon, Stranger Things Season 5 Banner Emily Yakoobian, Netflix
Winsor Athlete of the Issue: Savanna Hurd ’27
By Charlotte Wheler Banner Staff
Savanna Hurd ’27 excels on the basketball court and the hockey field. Beyond being an important member of both Winsor’s Varsity Basketball and Field Hockey teams, she also plays for the Wizards Field Hockey U-19 team. Last summer, Hurd committed to Boston University’s Division I Field Hockey team. The Banner was lucky enough to speak with Hurd about her experience playing
basketball and field hockey!
How and when did you first become interested in athletics?
I started playing sports when I was very young. I have two older brothers, so that’s where my competitive nature came from. They also played basketball, so I grew up in a household where it was normal to play sports no matter your gender.
When did you start playing basketball and field hockey?
I fell in love with basketball first. That was always my sport…I
used to play outside of school.
Then I came to Winsor and joined field hockey in Class II as a joke. [The coaches] said, ‘We need a goalkeeper for our team,’ and my friend raised my hand. I ended up being the goalie, and I loved it.
Why did you decide to pursue field hockey at the collegiate level?
After I found that attraction to the sport, I decided that I wanted to continue playing field hockey in order to stay a part of its incredibly strong community even after I finished high school.
What is your favorite part of being on a Winsor team?
Being on a Winsor team is a great way to relax after a very difficult school day. You go in the gym, or you go out into the field, and you just relax. It’s a great way to decompress and find an outlet for all the energy that you’ve put into the school day. How do you balance your academics and athletics?
When I’m at school, I’m focused on school, and when I’m on the court or the field, I focus on the court or the field. Then, when I’m not doing either of those things, I juggle both of them.
If there’s anything I need to do for recovery, I do that while working on schoolwork. It’s really just multi-tasking: splitting up your work and home life to be more productive.
What has been your favorite moment of this basketball season?
One of our highlights was the last game we had [against Newton Country Day School]. In this game, we all came together and ended up winning, which was huge for us. Our goal is to win the EILs, so that
was our first step and the trigger to realize that we can do this as a team.
What are you excited about in the upcoming months?
I’m very excited to see my friends on my Wizards field hockey team. I’m a goalkeeper, and we have a very small community. There are probably 100 of us around the nation. So, when we get together and compete at different tournaments, it’s very exciting. We get to talk to each other, not only on the field, but also when we get dinner after I beat them.
The Banner also spoke with Ms. Bushman, the coach of Winsor's Varsity Basketball team. Reflecting on Hurd’s contributions to the team, Ms. Bushman said, “Savy has such a huge impact on our team through her energy, athleticism, and fearless approach to the game. Off the court, her smile and sense of humor are contagious, helping keep the team loose, connected, and confident.” She added that Hurd “sets a powerful example for her teammates every day.”
The Banner wishes Hurd luck as she finishes her basketball season and heads into spring! ☐
Eyes on the Ice and Snow: The Winter Olympics
By Emma Birdsong Banner Staff
The Winter Olympics have arrived! The Banner recommends four major events to watch, filled with incredible competitions that push the limits of human strength, speed, and craft.
1. Snowboarding
This crowd favorite, packed with extremely technical tricks like triple corks, twists, and 1800-degree spins, is always fun to watch! Ella Luo ’27 shares, “I am excited to watch Chloe Kim!” Kim, known for her skillful performances under pressure, will compete in hope of a historic third Olympic gold medal in the Women’s Halfpipe event. Also keep an eye out for Japan’s Hirano Ayumu as he returns to competition after suffering from a January injury. He will
attempt to become the first-ever Japanese Winter Olympian to medal at four consecutive Games.
2. Luge
Perhaps not as well-known, bobsledding’s faster twin is a must-watch. Athletes race head -
first down icy tracks at speeds over 90 miles per hour, steering with subtle body movements to make it down twisted paths. With no room for error and runs lasting under a minute, luge is one of the most intense events in the Olympics.
3. Figure Skating
Get ready to watch skaters jump, glide, and spin with incredible strength and elegance!
The world’s top ice dance pair, Americans Madison Chock and Evan Bates, will be chasing gold in Milan for their final season, making each performance especially emotional. Also keep an eye out for Amber Glenn, three-time U.S. Women’s champion, as she makes her Olympic debut. “She has a triple axel, which we need if we have any hope of making the podium,” notes Lauren Folker ’26, an experienced skater who has competed for the U.S.A.’s Junior
National team. As one of the few openly queer competitive skaters, Glenn also brings important visibility to the LGBTQ+ community. As Folker shares, “Look out for Emily Chan and Spencer Howe for Pairs, and Maxim Naumov for Men’s Freeskate: they’re all from Boston!” And of course, in Men’s Skating, the “Quadgod” Ilya Malinin continues to amaze with his consistency in highly technical jumps.
4. Alpine skiing
With events like downhill, super-G (super-giant slalom), and special slalom, athletes combine speed, technical skill, and risk, where a single missed gate can disqualify and end medal hopes instantly. Close margins and dramatic crashes make alpine skiing one of the most exciting events to watch.
As athletes from around the world come together on
icy tracks and snowy halfpipes in Milan and Cortina, this year’s Winter Olympics promise unforgettable performances and history in the making! ☐
A Super Bowl Season For the Patriots
By Ella Paterniti Banner Staff
It’s official—our New England Patriots are the 2025 AFC Champions. Despite a disappointing end, this proved to be a very exciting season for fans looking for a glimpse into the Patriots dynasty of the past.
The Pats have rebuilt their team in an exceptionally short period of time since Tom Brady’s 2020 departure by drafting quarterback Drake Maye in 2024 and signing former Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel as head coach this season.
The team has gained significant attention online for its uplifting culture, with anecdotes of Coach Vrabel always giving his first question in press con -
ferences to a female reporter and waiting to shake all players’ hands after games. Star quarterback Drake Maye has garnered a presence of his own, earning a slightly confusing nickname:
Drake “Drake Maye” Maye.
“From post-game interviews to clips from inside the locker room, it is clear that all of the players (many of them young!) and Coach Vrabel really care about the franchise and the team.
As a fan, that is really great to see,”
Annie Frigerio ’26 commented. With a regular season record of 14-3, the Patriots won their division, the AFC East, to advance to the postseason playoffs, where they were seeded second. This year marked their first AFC East win since 2019 and their first playoff appearance since 2021. Super Bowl
LX was the Patriots’ 12th Super Bowl appearance, the most of any in the league. They’re also the first NFL team to have a perfect 9-0 record on the road after their playoff win in Denver! Off the field, Maye has also gained a loyal following online. According to ESPN, the Instagram account “drakemayelover,” which initially started as a joke between the account
owner and his friends, has gained over 300,000 followers by posting daily about the star QB. This attention is rightfully deserved, as Maye led the NFL in regular-season points contributed (PAA), expected points (EPA), and adjusted total quarterback ranking (QBR), per ESPN. Given these stats, Maye was a leading NFL MVP contender, losing a vote of 366 to 361.
Still, his performance has been undeniably strong this season.
Liana Min ’26 said, “I’m pretty tapped out of the football world normally, so the fact that I know who Drake Maye is means he must be a pretty big deal. It’s cool to see someone so young be so exceptional!” Although this year’s Super Bowl ended in a tough defeat for the Patriots with especially disappointing offensive production, the future remains bright for this young team. Their record breaking improvement within the last season has proved that the Patriots could soon regain their status as an NFL dynasty. Winsor fans look forward to next year when the Patriots will hopefully continue the momentum from this strong season to bring even more consistent results.☐
Drake Maye
Robert Deutsch, Reuters News
Kim
ABC News
Glenn Laurent Cipriani
Savanna Hurd ’27
Winsor Canto