International Dateline - June 2023 Edition

Seniors reflect on supportive college process

By NAOMI BREUER and ISABELLA DUCHOVNY, 2024

The class of 2023 has officially graduated from WIS, and most of the newly-crowned alumni are heading off to the next chapter of their lives: college.

The college application process this year was met with a positive attitude across the grade, according to the college counselors and several members of the class of 2023.

The college counselors Joanna Tudge and Pam Joos implemented a variety of measures to encourage reflective thinking and limit toxic competitiveness in the college application process. “We want you to be reflective,” Joos said. “We want you to really put your heart into this.”

Senior Madeline Robbins believes her class was very supportive of each other due to their variety of interests.

“I think [it’s] maybe a product of there not being a ton of direct competition,” she said. “But at the same time, I just think we have a really great dynamic across the board. We’re all very uplifting of each other.”

Senior Sebastian Illing believes they approached the process in a “professional manner” in which everyone respected their peers. Illing only told his closest friends about his college news.

“There was no boasting,” he said. “It was much more... just delivering factual news.”

Tudge remarked that the seniors were very good at staying discreet about the process and celebrating each other’s achievements when they chose to share their decisions.

“We would like to think we played some role in trying to model or suggest to them multiple times and multiple ways [to be supportive], either through the [college] honor code or talking to them about [the college process],” Joos said.

The college counselors also had current seniors talk to juniors so the latter could receive the message from their peers.

When asked if the class of 2022’s college process was particularly competitive, both college counselors laughed self-consciously and simply said “yes.”

Robbins believes that the class of 2022 was not a good role model for her grade coming into the college application process due to an abundance of toxicity during their process. Illing describes hearing “horror stories” about the class of 2022.

For example, the class of 2022 created a wall of rejection to display their college rejection letters. However, Robbins noticed that these letters were mainly from top-tier universities and that people were embarrassed to hang up letters from other colleges, which she says defeats the purpose of the wall.

The International Student Union (ISU) and the class of 2023 decided not to follow the class of 2022 with the wall of rejection at the start of the school year. “No matter how positive it could be, the negatives out-

inside look

Hong Kong’s National Security Law Examining the impact three years later globalnews page 3

2023 IB Art Exhibition showcases hard work Students faced many hurdles arts page 4

weigh that,” Robbins, who was a member of ISU, said.

Though he does not believe the class of 2022’s approach was the driving factor in his grade’s approach, Illing does think the wall of rejection impacted him.

“I remember thinking, ‘Why would anyone do that?’” he said. “I suppose that kind of gave me the sense of wanting to be respectful about it. And I think that was shared by a lot of people in our grade.”

Joos believes that it is not healthy for students to overly discuss college acceptances and rejections. The college counselors often hear students discuss their grades as well, which Joos also believes students should refrain from talking about.

As a way to limit excessive college discourse, the college counselors introduced the college honor code. Both college counselors emphasized that the honor code was in existence pre-COVID, but they tweaked it for the class of 2023 to adjust to the ever-changing landscape of college applications. For example, they addressed the rising number of applications students sent in by limiting the number of American schools students could apply to 15 colleges.

“We also think the emphasis has been through this honor code to encourage students to be reflective, be thoughtful, be honest,” Joos said. Tudge added that it encourages students “to focus on themselves, rather than a community thing.”

Robbins believes that the honor code

was extremely valuable for the health and well-being of her grade, as it reduced conversations about college, which can be frustrating if someone’s plans for college are not solidified, such as her own. At the time of her interview, Robbins was still deciding between attending college in the U.K., the U.S. or Canada. She thinks it is beneficial to keep social, academic and college life separate.

Illing, on the other hand, did not know about the honor code’s existence until reading a Dateline article about it, and believes many people in his grade also did not know about it. Senior Tristan Martin does not think his classmates followed the honor code and was also unaware of the details of the code throughout the year.

“We were told about it at the beginning of the year, but there’s just so much going on, [so] it just flew out of my head,” he said. “I knew there was one, and I just was like, ‘Okay, I don’t think I’m going to do anything terribly wrong.’”

Despite many seniors being unaware of the college honor code, Illing says that his grade’s attitude led them to be respectful anyway.

“I think anyone can be respectful,” he said. “That’s not something that’s going to be instilled by the existence of an honor code.”

Senior Chloe Chao was aware of the honor code due to several conversations with her college counselor about it and class meetings. Though she believes people would have been respectful without the honor code, Chao thinks that the honor code helped create a positive atmosphere.

“It enforces it in everybody’s minds that they should not talk about [college and] that it’s very personal,” she said.

Many seniors do not believe all of their

Students’ summer plans

peers stuck to the rule of applying to only 15 colleges. Some were given exceptions by the college counselors, such as senior Isabel Restrepo, since she applied to theatre and BFA programs, making her process different and more selective than the normal one.

“I had to talk to [Tudge] about it and be like, ‘This is why I’m doing it’ and she was like, ‘That makes sense, based on what you’re doing.’ It wasn’t a thing I decided on my own,” Restrepo said.

Restrepo says it was strange, though not necessarily good or bad, to not talk about college at school, though one could discuss it outside of school.

“From basically September to January, the main thing happening in everybody’s life is college decisions, college applications, doing this whole process, and it was just kind of odd to not really be able to talk about that at school,” she said.

She says it is difficult to assess her class’ approach to the process due to the discretion of their process and the honor code rules.

Although the class of 2023 has shown thoughtfulness in applying to and discussing college, the college counselors worry about the incoming seniors.

“We have heard a few things that we’re not particularly happy about, in terms of potentially judging other students’ decisions,” Joos said, pointing out that students may also not know other students’ family situations. “It really, really hurts me when I hear how other students [criticize each other].”

The college counselors are also “not big fans” of the college commitment Instagram page.

See COLLEGE PROCESS, page 2

A photo story of prom featuring the bestdressed students and cutest couple wislife page 5

“

I think anyone can be respectful. That’s not something that’s going to be instilled by the existence of an honor code.

SEBASTIAN ILLING

GRAPHIC BY MAIA NEHME

A map depicting this year’s seniors’ college destinations around the world. Although WIS does not publish a list of colleges by student, they print a list of all college destinations in the graduation booklet.

Primary school’s STEAMFest unveils the world of STEAM to students

By SELENA SAID, 2026

The WIS primary school conducted its annual STEAMFest for the fourth time on April 29, 2023. The STEAMFest is a science fair-like event where primary school students showcase a project they have researched or made that falls under one of the science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) categories.

This event is optional for students in first through fifth grade. It is an opportunity to extend what they already learn in class with the primary school’s STEAM and Learning Support Specialist Tamsin Bradbury, according to Associate Head of School Natasha Bhalla.

The student participants are expected

them for themselves, but those that are forgotten eventually grow into trees.

There was a lot of student interest this year, with 135 out of the 300 eligible students participating in the event and being heavily invested in the projects, according to Bradbury.

Throughout the whole process, the students develop and explore new concepts and skills, which opens up their enjoyment of STEAM.

“Even from last year to this year, we saw more students following the scientific method and really going about their projects in a more systematic way,” Bradbury said. “It really lets them develop a particular interest of theirs.”

everyone in and it ends it back together as a community.”

Jonathan Blutinger, who graduated from WIS in 2010, came to speak to the students about his journey in STEAM through WIS and discuss his current occupation as a mechanical engineer in the field of food robotics. Currently, he is helping to create a machine that can cook food by assembling different elements or ingredients.

Blutinger believes that the school gave him a new perspective on engineering and design through different projects he conducted as a high school student. He also found that taking physics and math at the higher level in the IB was beneficial, as his physics teacher helped him develop a passion for science.

Blutinger thinks that being exposed to the vast world of science and technology at such a young age is extremely impactful for the students and their understanding.

“It makes the biggest difference,” Blutinger said. “It sounds like WIS is [keeping up with the technology by] including STEAMFest and doing other things like integrating different types of manufacturing technologies into the curriculum and new classes.”

In addition, the event is meant to help build up students’ confidence as they begin to recognize their potential. “[It] gives the primary school students a vision of who they could be and become,” Bhalla said.

‘It doesn’t have to be stressful’: Class of 2023’s college process

From COLLEGE PROCESS, page 1

“We’ve seen students feel pressured to put something out there, even though they hadn’t even had the conversation with their parents,” Joos said. The college counselors pointed out that WIS only publishes a list of commitments by class and does not identify which student is heading to each college in the fall.

Although the college counselors feel like things are going “a little awry,” in Joos’ words, for the class of 2024, they hope that students can take a step back, remember this is their first time applying to college and look to people who have already gone through the process for resources and advice.

“Don’t take the rejections personally. It’s hard not to, and it takes a toll on you, but it’s not a reflection of how qualified you are.

to build the project at home by following the scientific method or design cycle and share their creations at the fair with the community. “STEAMFest is really about the kids taking agency and doing their own design and really coming up with their own projects,” Bhalla said.

This year’s STEAMFest featured several interesting projects.

First-graders Devyna Dean and Maya Sood worked together on a project about how recycling will benefit the future of the planet.

Third-graders Livia Benelli and Maeva Delsol discussed the importance of Agoutis, which are rodents that help nut trees grow and are especially important since many trees are being cut down. They take the nuts from the Brazil nut tree, open them to find smaller nuts and then hide

Bhalla agrees that STEAMFest allows students to dive into their passions and areas of interest. “Every student will find one thing in [STEAMFest] that they will think, ‘Oh, I really enjoyed this,’” Bhalla said. “The beauty of it is that, embedded in the project, everyone will find something that they can get out of it, and keep as they progress.”

The event helps them envision their future in the field of STEAM. “Exposing young kids to as many possible avenues is the ultimate way to set them up in the future,” Blutinger said. “I think it definitely will help them to develop their knowledge base, show them what’s possible with this different technology.”

NATASHA BHALLA

Along with setting up the stations and presenting their projects to other students, parents and siblings, the young participants got to hear from a guest speaker.

“What a speaker does is it anchors the program,” Bhalla said. “[A speaker] brings

Ultimately, STEAMFest represents the school’s objectives for their students and their growth throughout their educational journey.

“STEAMFest is a snapshot of what it means to be a student at WIS,” Bhalla said. “It is a prism through which everything we do it with is represented. There’s teaching, there’s content, there’s exploration, student agency, the capacity to create and build and then ultimately to publish and share.”

MADELINE ROBBINS

Illing’s advice for next year’s seniors is simple: relax.

“I think there’s this idea of a stressful process,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be stressful, especially when you’ve got people who are supporting each other and no one’s boasting and everyone knows how to be respectful. It makes the whole process much better.”

Chao calls her college application process a “positive experience” due to the manner in which her grade approached it and her college counselor’s support.

Robbins hopes that next year’s seniors will be supportive of each other as well. She also urges students to learn to accept rejection.

“No matter how qualified you are, everyone is going to get rejected,” Robbins said. “Don’t take the rejections personally. It’s hard not to, and it takes a toll on you, but it’s not a reflection of how qualified you are.”

Third-grader Livia Benelli presenting her STEAMFest project on the Agoutis at this year’s STEAMFest.

COURTESY OF @WISREDDEVILS

From left to right: Second-graders Bassem Himmo, Baseem Said and Kutemwa Mulenga exploring Mulenga’s STEAMFest project related to picking up trash.

COURTESY OF @WISREDDEVILS

“

[STEAMFest] gives the primary school students a vision of who they could be and become.

WIS alumnus Jonathan Blutinger shares the goal behind the cooking machine he is helping to develop with the STEAMFest participants. He explained the role of STEAM throughout the progression of the project.

COURTESY OF @WISREDDEVILS

The impact of Hong Kong’s National Security Law on society and press freedom, three years on

This article follows Dateline’s anonymous sources policy.

By OLIVER DASHWOOD, 2026

June 30, 2023 will mark three years since the highly controversial National Security Law (NSL) was passed by the Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in Beijing and entered into force in Hong Kong (HK). The NSL has faced intense scrutiny and widespread criticism for its impact on free speech and civil liberties in HK since its implementation.

The law was introduced in response to widespread and often violent protests from 2019 to 2020 against the proposed extradition law due to concerns about the protests’ potential implications for the city's autonomy from mainland China, the rule of law and human rights. The proposed extradition law would have allowed Hong Kongers to be extradited to mainland China to face trial under the Chinese legal system, often criticized for a lack of due process and a 99.9% conviction rate.

Since the NSL was introduced, political institutions have been restructured and education and media reforms have been enacted. Critics say that the NSL has silenced political dissent and opposition voices by imposing limits on freedom of expression and of the press, but the HK government says the measures were necessary to address national security concerns and restore stability post-protests.

The NSL’s consequences continue to shape the fabric of HK’s society and economy. Prominent media outlets with pro-democracy viewpoints have been raided, forced to shut down or had their assets frozen, notably Apple Daily and Stand News. These shutdowns have led to international accusations of press freedom violations from organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Reporters without Borders.

Meanwhile, daily life has changed, with citizens being more cautious of what they post on social media or discuss with colleagues and friends. Even so, the HK government claims the NSL does not affect

the rights of law-abiding citizens granted under HK’s mini-constitution, the Basic Law, including freedom of expression and of the press.

“The vast majority of Hong Kong people who abide by the law and do not participate in acts or activities that undermine national security will not be affected [by the NSL],” the HK government said. “Life will go on as normal. The public will continue to enjoy the legitimate freedoms of speech, of the press, of assembly, of protest and procession, etc.”

Tom Grundy, editor-in-chief of Hong Kong Free Press, an independent English-language newspaper based in the city, says that changes in HK’s society would initially be hard to spot for outsiders and tourists beyond billboards scattered around the city praising the NSL.

“You would not notice, really, for most people, especially tourists, that much has changed,” Grundy said. “But even day to day, regular people, they will certainly

have to be thinking now about what they post on social media. They will certainly have had to have discussions at work, or their bosses or companies will have had to think about the National Security Law.”

In relation to the long-term effects of the NSL in the city, Grundy pointed to the onset of indirect censorship by the HK government and a lack of clarity and consistency about what is legal and illegal under the NSL.

“It became clear, through a series of court cases, that certain slogans became illegal in Hong Kong,” Grundy said. “[But it is not clear if] ‘Glory to Hong Kong,’ a popular pro-democracy anthem that was popularized during [the protests in] 2019… is illegal… People have been arrested who have sung that song in the street, but the government will point to other legal issues, such as COVID-19 group gathering violations.”

As of early April of this year, 250 people have been arrested under the NSL, a

figure emphasized by HK’s Justice Secretary Paul Lam as being "only a very small number of people."

20 to 30 individuals have been convicted, and many have been high profile figures. These individuals include prominent pro-democracy activists such as Agnes Chow, Joshua Wong and most notably Jimmy Lai, a media mogul and founder of pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, who was charged under the NSL in December 2020.

With regard to the NSL restoring stability to the region, a senior British official who was involved in the effort to respond to the NSL at the time and requested to remain anonymous remarked that perceived “stability” could be influenced by the threat of retribution from voicing dissatisfaction that the NSL brought about.

“[Stability] is a very difficult metric to measure, because as long as you lose your freedom of press and your freedom of speech… it’s not clear until it's unstable where the pockets of disagreement and challenge exist,” they said.

The HK government presses on amid sustained criticism from nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), human rights groups and governments around the world.

“[The NSL] will protect Hong Kong from relevant threats, help maintain the city’s political and social stability as well as create a favorable environment in the long run for investments and conducting businesses,” the government said.

However, the British official believes that the NSL was the last nail in the coffin for press freedom, freedom of expression and judicial independence in HK.

“Actions to close liberal media establishments in Hong Kong would never have happened before the NSL,” they said. “Whilst such stitch intervention in the media landscape continues in Hong Kong, it's not possible to say that Hong Kong has a free and open media, or anything like it.”

The Ukrainian war from the perspective of a student

This article follows Dateline’s anonymous sources policy.

By ELEKTRA GEA-SERETI, 2024

The war in Ukraine started on Feb. 24, 2022, although arguably, the war has been going on for decades, with the 2014 annexation of Crimea marking the 21st-century starting point for the conflict. While people’s stories are being shared in the news, these are mainly the perspectives of adults, young adults, the elderly and soldiers.

To resonate with the high school community, a 17-year-old Ukrainian native, who requested to be anonymous and will be referred to as “A,” shared their experience of what it has been like living in Ukraine during the war. Answers have been edited for clarity.

International Dateline (ID): How has your life changed since the war began?

A: Before the war began, I celebrated my birthday and wished not to go to school the next day... But not in that way. My parents woke me up at 5 a.m. with the words: “The war has started.” I rushed to pack my school bag with necessities like medicine, documents and money. In one day, my school bag had transformed into an “emergency bag.” My phone was blowing [up] with messages from friends who lived in other cities with pictures of explosions. Our basement became the safest place to be and our second home. I understood that there was nothing decent about war. It is not like is described in books with heroic actions, love and justice. It feels like fear, it

looks like fresh graves and it sounds like sirens and cries. But it makes me understand what it means to be a nation and to have pride in one’s country. Ukrainians became like one organism, working in harmony.

ID: What has been your greatest challenge?

A: The raids and sirens. For two weeks, all I managed to do was read the news to be up

to date on air raids to let my family know when one happened. I still remember that warm night when I was woken up because of the sound of planes and sirens.

ID: What is something you’ve done that brings you joy throughout the war?

A: I met several online friends and dove into biology and history. All that I could do to help my country was for it to have decent

citizens, and I did my best to be one. When I saw the news that my close friend died (he was very educated), I promised that I will represent my country in the best way possible, so I dove into work and learning.

ID: How can people best help Ukraine?

A: Stay aware of the official news and don’t let Russian fake news deceive you. Also, refuse to consume Russian products and content.

ID: What is something you want people to know about the war?

A: This war didn’t start on [Feb. 24], and not even in 2014. It is just another phase. This war has lasted for centuries. Don’t be shocked. The casualties today are only a small part of people who were tortured, deported and shot in a ditch. The only difference is that in the past it was hidden from the news, but now it isn’t. Also, I want people to know it costs much more than you could imagine. In my city, we see only men in military form or with crutches. Last but not least, Ukrainians are fighting not because we hate Russians, but because we love our families and our country.

If you would like to support Ukraine, websites such as Support Ukraine Now offer resources and opportunities to donate. If you wish to tutor English to Ukrainian youth or volunteer in other ways, ENGin provides volunteer opportunities to teens 14 years of age and older.

Young girls standing in Kyiv, the capital city of Ukraine, wrapped in Ukrainian flags in a show of support towards their country.

IULIAN ROMANYSHYN/CARNEGIE

A government banner promoting the National Security Law in Hong Kong’s Central district.

SAM TSANG/SCMP

Middle school performs ‘Matilda The Musical Jr.’

By MARTINA TOGNATO GUÁQUETA, 2024

“Matilda The Musical Jr.” was this year’s middle school musical, which took place in the Black Box Theater from April 27 to 29. The musical follows Matilda, an incredibly gifted young girl, through her journey in school and her decision to stand up to her cruel principal.

During the performances, the middle school cast and crew faced several “stressful events,” according to sixth-grader and cast member Paloma Naftulin. These included non-functional microphones, sound system issues, internal conflict on the managerial team and a sickness which made its rounds in the cast.

Nonetheless, the students pushed through and put on a spectacular performance. “The kids were great, even in the face of conflict,” sophomore and crew member Julia Forrester said.

sports

Boys varsity tennis team triumphs in PVAC championship

By ELEKTRA GEA-SERETI, 2024 and LEONARDO SARZI BRAGA, 2025

As soon as the flowers bloom in March, it’s time for the Boys Varsity Tennis team to get their rackets out and begin training for the Potomac Valley Athletics Conference (PVAC) and the District of Columbia State Athletic Association (DCSAA) championships. The team brought back a PVAC Tournament banner this year, tying for first place with St. Anselm’s Abbey School.

Although the team is successful, it is rarey recognized at WIS. Since games and practices are off-campus, few, if any, students go to support the team during their matches.

However, this year, the team has gained more attention, such as a shoutout from the spirit coordinators, notably due to the advancement of several players, including junior Sam Huffard and freshman Simeon Bayer, into the state tournament.

The team is coached by upper school history, economics and Theory of Knowledge (TOK) teacher Guy Neal, who also coaches the Girls Varsity Tennis team. Neal used to be a competing tennis player throughout high school and did some light coaching over two summers of his high school and college years.

His hopes for the team aren’t only to win more PVAC banners or for individuals to advance into states, but to continue to “create a new ethos where tennis is more than just a season-long sport” and build on the team’s collaborative spirit.

“In this quasi-team, quasi-individual sport, you may be the number one singles player, but you’re not only playing for yourself,” Neal said. “Every point, in every match we play, counts equally, whether you’re the first singles or first doubles.”

Team manager and sophomore Andrea Brudniak-Berrocal helps Neal out through assistant coaching, ensuring there is enough water and announcing the players’ rankings before the matches start. As a tennis player herself, she understands the team’s mindset.

“Tennis is a very mental game,” Brudniak-Berrocal said.

Brudniak-Berrocal began training the team last year to be able to play tennis off-season without the pressure of tournaments. She enjoys mentally preparing the team for matches, as well as making prac-

tice fun for everyone.

In addition to Brudniak-Berrocal’s support, the team’s number one singles player, Huffard, values the collaborative aspect of WIS’s tennis team. This was his second year playing on the team, and he also plays three days a week at the Pass Academy program in McLean.

“Tennis is such an individual sport, and after playing so many team sports like soccer, basketball and volleyball, I really missed the team aspect,” Huffard said. “You don’t get that as much with tennis as you do [in] other sports, but it was really fun having a team play tennis instead of it being just myself.”

Huffard was one of the players who was nominated to states, along with Bayer, who has played tennis since he was a child and now plays five times a week outside of WIS. Bayer also values the team component of tennis, as well as its equally important physical and mental elements.

Sophomore Derin Kirtman echoes both Huffard’s and Bayer’s sentiments about the sport. For Kirtman, the tennis court becomes a sanctuary where all distractions fade away. His focus shifts to the exhilaration of the game and the pursuit of victory, pushing his physical and mental limits.

“Ever since I was a toddler, I understood that sports were my escape from any negative things in my life,” Kirtman said. “When I’m on the court, field, track [and] gym… everything dissipates except for the feeling of fun and, of course, the desire to win.”

While a competitive spirit is certainly a recurring theme among the team, many of the players have additional goals. Brudniak-Berrocal expresses her hopes for the team’s future and their willingness to always strive to be better.

“I hope they keep their drive,” she said. “It’s important to stay focused and not get nervous during the games. And most of all, I hope that they continue to have the bond they have today.”

Even though the team won the PVAC banner and advanced into states, winning isn’t the message Neal hopes the team leaves with. “You’re doing this ultimately for the team, which is, of course, WIS,” Neal said. “[I hope] to give them that sense of camaraderie and spirit and appreciation for the school and what it has to offer.”

Despite hurdles to get there, 2023 IB Art exhibition showcases hard work

By MARTINA TOGNATO GUÁQUETA, 2024

The IB Art exhibition for the class of 2023 took place on April 20. Spanning across the Black Box Theater and the surrounding hallways, senior IB Art students presented their artwork from the past two years in the program. Seniors demonstrated a variety of skills and overarching messages through many artistic mediums, ranging from sculptures and paintings to photographs and textiles.

The senior class experienced a switch in teachers at the end of the first semester, causing many students to struggle in the course. “The seniors did a really good job, despite the mid-year chaos they dealt with,” junior Ava Gonzalez, who attended the exhibition, said.

Overall, the exhibition proved to be a captivating experience, demonstrating the talents within the WIS community.

From left to right: Seventh-grader Miles Fenkart and eighth-grader Chiara Venturi.

COURTESY OF CHERYL TANSKI

Bruce Bogtrotter stands victoriously over his completed cake.

COURTESY OF CHERYL TANSKI

Matilda and her kind librarian friend discussing books, portrayed by sixth-grader Aaliyah Al Said and seventh-grader Imogen Thomson, respectively.

COURTESY OF CHERYL TANSKI

Photos from left to right: A photographic composition presented at the exhibition, created by senior Saf Mugengana. Senior Nina Young presenting her artwork to French and Theory of Knowledge (TOK) teacher Charles Gueboguo. The senior IB Art classes and their teachers Matthew Haughn and Andrea Burk on the night of the exhibition. A welded sculpture hung in the Black Box Theater, created by senior William Williamson.

COURTESY OF CHERYL TANSKI

COURTESY OF CHERYL TANSKI

COURTESY OF CHERYL TANSKI

COURTESY OF CHERYL TANSKI

PROM

PARADISO

WIS hosted Prom 2023 on May 20, 2023 in the Mansion. Organized by the WIS Parent Association (WISPA), the theme was “Cinema Paradiso.” Parent volunteers completely transformed the Mansion with decorations including disco balls hanging in the Mansion entrance, a drink station on the Mansion terrace, a candy station and a popcorn corner in Davies Hall. The Goodman Room was converted into a mini casino, complete with a roulette and blackjack.

Best Dressed: Senior Safiya Mugengana in a lavender dress.

Cutest Couple: Juniors Aarav Mithani and Jenna LoescherClark, from left to right.

The Spring Bazaar returns after four years

By ANDREA BRUDNIAK-BERROCAL, 2025

The sugary snow cones, upbeat music and joyful bouncy houses… they’re back. The annual WIS Spring Bazaar took place on Saturday, May 6 for the first time since the spring of 2019, and the community responded positively.

The Spring Bazaar is a community event and fundraiser where families and community members gather at the Tregaron campus. The Bazaar offers many activities, including the international food court, a bouncy house, face painting and a dunk tank.

The Bazaar was a throwback to some, but new to others, such as sixth-grader Ko-

die Yeboah-Amankwah.

“I have been enjoying it a lot; it’s pretty fun,” Yeboah-Amankwah said at the Bazaar. “I like all the action and all the thrill that’s happening throughout the whole campus.”

Those who have been at the Bazaar before noticed some changes due to the construction of the new science building.

“It doesn’t look as full, and it might be [that] because of the construction, everything is in different places,” parent Giorgio Furioso said.

The Bazaar functions with volunteers, staff and the “worker bees,” who are the 10th-graders that work at the Bazaar every year.

Most sophomores remember the last

Bazaar that took place in 2019, and have been reminiscing about the past Bazaars.

“Because of the fact that we haven’t had one in so long, it’s definitely been a strange transition with new people,” sophomore Anton Jordan said. “It’s been a really great experience to learn what we have missed out on for the past three years.”

This year, the class of 2025 worked at the Bazaar, giving them a chance to gain the annual Bazaar experience through a different lens.

“I think it’s been a great event,” sophomore Madeleine Fine said. “Even though we are working, we still get a lot of opportunities to have fun. It’s also a cool way to see the WIS community as a whole.”

Track and Field in pictures

By ZOE HÄLLSTRÖM, 2024

The Upper School Track and Field Team competed in the Potomac Valley Athletic Conference (PVAC) Championship on May 15 and 16 at Gallaudet University. The girls got second place, and sophomore Tyra Holst won Athlete of the Meet.

Best Dressed: Junior Xavier Tanyi in a brown suit.

MARTINA TOGNATO GUÁQUETA/INTERNATIONAL DATELINE

MARTINA TOGNATO GUÁQUETA/INTERNATIONAL DATELINE

MARTINA TOGNATO GUÁQUETA/INTERNATIONAL DATELINE

MARTINA TOGNATO GUÁQUETA/INTERNATIONAL DATELINE

From left to right: Juniors Karin Kaneda, Zoe Hällström and Naomi Breuer at the candy station in Davies Hall.

From left to right: Sophomores and worker bees Celeste Martin, Haze Warren and Margot Stavropoulous face painting at the WIS Bazaar.

COURTESY OF VALERIA CUESTA LOPEZ

Sophomore Shane Royster running the 100 meter dash at the PVAC Championship.

COURTESY OF VALERIA CUESTA LOPEZ

From left to right: Junior Solveig Unteroberdoerster, sophomore Tyra Holst and junior Sophia Jemsby celebrating on the bus.

Marvel’s Cinematic Universe has lost its spark

This article contains spoilers for MCU movies and TV shows.

By ELEKTRA GEA-SERETI, 2024

When I was eight years old, I saw my first Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie: “Captain America: The First Avenger.” I quickly became obsessed, watching all the MCU films, the X-Men series, the Spider-Man movies, the Disney+ shows and any spin-offs.

I was a dedicated fan, waiting for movie releases, going to the theater and, obviously, staying seated all the way until the end of credits scene. I still remember sobbing for hours during “Avengers: Endgame,” especially when Black Widow died. I used to eagerly await the news of an MCU project being in the works. Now, whenever I see a new movie has been released, I sigh with disappointment and forget that it even exists.

How did this change occur? How did Marvel movies go from being something I avidly watched as a young child and teen to something I watch only when I feel I have exhausted all other viewing options? I don’t even bother going to the movie theater; I simply wait until it’s on Disney+ or I forget about it. That’s because Marvel has lost its spark.

What made Marvel movies so appealing in the past wasn’t just their beautifully choreographed fighting sequences, such as Captain America versus Bucky Barnes in “Captain America and the Winter Soldier,” or their intricate and beautiful costumes, most notably seen in “Black Panther.” It’s the layer of raw emotional connections and complexities Marvel movies used to provide that other action and superhero movies don’t.

Marvel builds its characters full of flaws. Take Iron Man, for example. The Tony Stark we see in the first “Iron Man” movie is cocky, arrogant, egotistical, full of hubris and unwilling to ever grow out

of his “bad-boy” player ways. He is in no way the same, albeit cocky, Iron Man that sacrifices himself at the end of “Avengers: Endgame.”

The character development isn’t rushed; it’s fleshed out. Take one of the most complex characters: Wanda Maximoff. Her character development and the acting prowess Elizabeth Olson brought to the role, starting in the second Avengers movie and all the way to her own miniseries, “WandaVision,” made her character a favorite of many. Her emotional range, power growth and transformation from working side by side with Ultron to almost killing America Chavez in order to build her own universe is fascinating to watch.

These are just two examples of complex, intricate characters who develop over the course of the different movies, and many more characters exhibit the same traits.

The original six Avengers all complement each other well and, combined with an invigorating plot and complex villain,

they make the movies worth watching. The cherry on top? They don’t always win. They have to fight and work harder and even if they do, sometimes the consequences are catastrophic, like in “Avengers: Age of Ultron” or “Avengers: Infinity War.” One sees the heroes not only win but lose everything too.

The movies also delve into intricate topics and aim to include diverse cultures and important issues. “Black Panther” could be considered one of the most “politically charged” movies released in 2020. It is a movie that discusses “what it means to be Black in both America and Africa—and, more broadly, in the world,” according to Jamil Smith in TIME Magazine.

“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” does the same. It is a superhero movie with a purpose deeper than simple entertainment. “This is a pushback for all the Asian hate crimes against us. It’s an answer to all the bigots who have been against us for decades,” British Chinese actor and writer David Ts said in an NBC

The fight for recognition: Why the U.S. women’s soccer team deserves more credit

By ZOYA ZWART, 2025

When you think of successful soccer in the U.S., you probably think of the women’s national soccer team. You probably don’t think of the lackluster U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT), who have not been especially victorious.

While the USMNT has had some success in regional events such as the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Gold Cup, they have struggled in the World Cup. In reality, the USMNT has only made it past the Round of 16 once, in 2002 in South Korea and Japan.

On the other hand, the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) has been consistently successful. They have won four World Cups and four Olympic gold medals. Yet they often receive less recognition than their male counterparts. I believe that the women’s team and all female soccer players deserve more credit for their achievements, hard work and grit that they put into the game. Nonetheless, some factors are holding them back.

One way that would help acknowledge female athletes’ accomplishments and efforts is equal pay, which is a critical step toward the growth of the game. Many countries such as England and Brazil announced their own equal pay agreements in 2020, while the U.S. only introduced it in 2022.

In the U.S., equal pay is implemented by splitting the prize money earned by the men’s and women’s teams. Teams collect prize money based on how far they advance in a competition, which has made a significant impact on the USWNT, whose prize money is far lower than the men’s. In fact, the USWNT only received $6 million in to-

tal for winning back-to-back World Cups, whereas the men’s team received $13 million for reaching the knockout stages this past year.

Another main factor is the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), soccer’s governing body. Many of FIFA’s leaders, such as former FIFA President Sepp Blatter, are sexist. Blatter once stated that female players should “wear tighter shorts” to increase interest in the sport. His comment is just one example of how the international soccer community does not take female athletes seriously and easily objectifies them.

Furthermore, historically, there has been less investment in women’s sports. Women’s sports receive only 5% of media coverage, according to a recent study conducted by the University of Southern California and Purdue University. It is easy to excuse the lack of funding by stating that women generate less revenue, however, investment and revenue go hand in hand. Without investment in women’s sports, stereotypes will contin ue, and many people will stay closed off and not watch women play.

I have been watching and supporting the USWNT and female soccer around the world throughout my whole life. Recently I’ve no ticed a hostile attitude toward female soccer players, such as sexist comments, gender-based discrimination and harassment. I’ve been playing soccer since I was four years old, and I’ve seen a lot of hostility toward my abilities because of my gender. Female athletes face sexism in a variety of forms in sports that are sup-

posed to empower us.

When viewing internet discussions, there is always someone bringing up reasons why women’s soccer will always be worse than men’s soccer. My favorite argument is the under-15 (U-15) boys’ team from Texas upsetting the USWNT in 2017. This argument is not only overused but is also told out of context.

The game was a scrimmage to aid the development of the young team. Most soccer federations do this to improve soccer around the country; these types of scrimmages are common. The loss then began to circulate on the internet. It became an obvious target for people with misogynistic views towards women’s soccer. While some may argue that men’s soccer is superior to women’s soccer due to viewership and revenue, it is critical to recognize and celebrate women’s sports achievements.

Women’s and men’s soccer are the same. They have the same rules, yet our culture and FIFA refuse to accept them as equals. The only difference is biological.

The gap between the men’s and women’s teams needs to be addressed on a social level, as well as on an institutional level through FIFA, and implementations of equal pay in other nations.

There is no rational reason to prefer men’s soccer over women’s soccer, and sexist stereotypes and out-of-context information about women’s athletic abilities are no longer acceptable. I hope that those of you who have been putting off watching women’s soccer will tune in this summer to watch the World Cup and see fantastic players compete for the ultimate trophy.

article. “‘Shang-Chi’ is us reclaiming our culture. It says globally, culturally, this is a new tide of history.”

The plots, complexities and topics of the MCU used to be, simply put, cool. But that magic seems to have vanished, just as the original six Avengers did.

“Thor: Love and Thunder” seemed to be a measly attempt at recreating the fan-favorite “Thor: Ragnarok.” I haven’t even seen “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” but its 6.4/10 rating on IMDb, 47% score on Rotten Tomatoes and 48% score on Metacritic score don’t offer much hope. Numbers don’t tell the whole story, but they certainly provide a bit of insight.

Still, this won’t be the end of Marvel. While they aren’t typically predicted to win any Best Actor or Best Actress awards at the Oscars, they provide people with a sense of an action movie with heart. Marvel has it in them to do that, and they’ve proved that they can with the recent release of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”

Marvel certainly still has the potential to go back to the spark that once flowed through the original Avengers films. Even though I don’t look upon Marvel’s upcoming projects with as much enthusiasm as before, I still do pay attention. I guess I believe that Marvel’s spark hasn’t been fully snuffed out. Only time will tell.

international dateline

June 2023

Editorial Board

Managing Editors

Abigail Bown

Maia Nehme

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Naomi Breuer

Isabella Duchovny

Marketing Managers

Leonardo Sarzi Braga

Sofía Vakis

Print Design

Naomi Breuer

Andrea BrudniakBerrocal

Isabella Duchovny

Tindra Jemsby

Photographer

Martina Tognato

Guáqueta

WIS News

Andrea BrudniakBerrocal

Global News

Eliana Aemro Selassie

Sports

Kas Salehi Opinion

Zachary S. Pan Features

Zoe Hällström

Derin Kirtman Arts

Dora Baptista dos Santos Selena Said

Food

Lauren Brownell

Faculty Adviser

Alexandra Wilding

International Dateline is a publication of the student body and therefore has a responsibility to reflect student, school and community affairs. It will strive to inform, entertain and inspire its readers in a broad, objective and accurate manner.

Dateline also provides an open forum for the opinions of the student body, Dateline staff, the faculty, the school administration and people in the community.

Dateline staff editorials reflect the opinion of

Dateline’s editorial board. Over 50% of the editorial board must support the opinion. Editorials do not reflect the opinions of individual writers.

Submit a letter to the editor: Go to wisdateline.org or scan the QR code on page 1.

“Submit a letter to the editor” will appear in the top right corner of the screen. Letters must be under 250 words and can address any issue concerning Dateline or WIS.

A digital graphic with many of the original Marvel Cinematic Universe characters, including Captain America, Wanda Maximoff and Black Widow.

KOMAR

An ‘enchanting’ trip through Taylor Swift’s eras in Philadelphia

By NAOMI BREUER, 2024

Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated Eras Tour finally came to Philadelphia from May 12 to 14. To the disappointment of D.C. fans, Swift did not make a stop at the nation’s capital, leading many of them to swarm to Philadelphia for her three nights performing at the Lincoln Financial Field.

Were the hours waiting in line for tickets on Ticketmaster worth it? 100%. With 44 songs on the setlist, and about three hours of singing along with Swift through her record-breaking career’s many eras (from the yee-haw country days of “You Belong With Me,” to her catchiest pop songs like “Shake It Off,” to more melancholy songs such as “cardigan”), this was truly a memorable experience.

For those that weren’t able to snag tickets due to the infamous Ticketmaster fiasco or couldn’t make the two-hour drive to Philadelphia, here are Swift’s eras in photos and a quick review from the night of May 12.

‘Lover’ Era

out of excitement. Her performance of one of her most iconic albums was a trip down memory lane to the days when Swift was a curly-haired rising star singing of crushes and teenage angst. With the return of her sequined guitar and golden fringed dress, this was one of the highlights of the night; not a single person had a dry eye.

‘Speak Now’ Era

6 students’ summer plans

By TINDRA JEMSBY, 2026

Coppery sunlight streams through the windows of the AAA building as excited chatter fills the halls between classes, heralding the imminent arrival of summer break. Here are some activities students are doing this summer.

Claire Ewing

Horseback riding, rock carving and secret ceremonies are only some of the activities held at Teton Valley Ranch in Dubois, Wyoming, according to seventh grade student Anita Kunsman. She’s attending the camp for the third year in a row this summer.

The camp is activity-oriented, and it has a social side as well. “You mostly hang out with your cabin, but… you still spend time with others every day,” Kunsman said.

A four day horseback riding trip and a three day backpacking trip are the highlights of the experience for Kunsman, but she looks forward to the food and “just the camp activities, day to day.”

Swift

Next up, Swift performed “Enchanted” from her album “Speak Now.” She wore a stunning, shimmering ball gown and delivered a magical performance that pulled heartstrings and “enchanted” the audience. My one complaint was that she only sang one song from this album.

‘Folklore’ Era

Swift started the concert with a thrilling, colorful performance of hits from her 2019 “Lover” album. Within minutes, the stadium was screaming along to the fan-favorite bridge of her song “Cruel Summer.” Other highlights were the rainbow pattern of the crowd’s light-up bracelets during “You Need To Calm Down” and Swift’s power dance moves during “The Man.”

‘Fearless’ Era

Next was “Fearless (Taylor’s Version).”

The moment I heard the nostalgic first notes of the album’s title track, I screamed

This was one of the best moments of the show. Hearing Swift capture the gut-wrenching feeling and nostalgia of her song “august” while sashaying around the stage in her stunning flowy white dress was unforgettable. Not to mention the way she immediately transitioned into the bridge of “illicit affairs,” ending up crouched on the floor singing with note changes that somehow made it even more agonizingly beautiful.

In her three hours onstage, Swift never once tired. Her incredible endurance to sing and dance was exceptional and admirable. She managed to keep the whole audience captivated and surprised the whole night, song after song, whether simple and acoustic or with a massive show. Swifties and non-Swifties alike can agree that the Eras Tour is an unforgettable experience.

Freshman Claire Ewing will attend Top Rank, a soccer camp in Potomac, Maryland. It’s a camp for all age ranges and levels of experience, though Ewing says that she falls in “the older age range and the lower experience range.”

The week-long camp is not sleepaway, as Ewing found out at age 12 that she was homesick at camp. Now, she sees camp as “a pre-pre-season” where she can spend time with a friend group outside of school. She looks forward to improving her soccer skills, but doesn’t really know what to expect. “I’ve never been, so we’ll see what it’s like,” Ewing said.

This summer, junior Gabriel Piris wants to “find different ways [he] can view the world” through a summer program at Brown University. He is participating in two week-long courses in astronomy and ancient art.

“They’re both things that I don’t really want to do with my life, but I think it’s just a fun way to explore interests,” Piris said.

Being surrounded by people who are “knowledgeable, in some aspects” is part of the appeal to Piris. Summer programs, for him, have always been about “find[ing] people that speak to you.”

Seventh-grader Jonathan Gardiner is returning to Camp Coda this summer, a music camp in Maine which he attended last year. The six-and-a-half-week camp is “music-focused but also balances traditional camp activities,” including swimming, sports and arts and crafts.

Gardiner chose to attend the camp because his mom also attended it several years ago. Though it’s a commitment, he said that the sign-up process is low-pressure. “You don’t even have to be good at [music],” he said.

Amidst the chaos of post-high school summer, senior Nora Galizia will continue an experience she has been participating in for more than six months: volunteering as a Montgomery County EMT. “I started looking for volunteer opportunities in the medical field, [because] that’s what I’m interested in, starting in ninth grade,” Galizia said.

This year, she heard from WIS alumna Mia Chao about the Montgomery County Fire and EMS volunteer program, and she decided to apply. Because volunteer slots on the ambulance are full, she works on the fire truck, tending to patients, checking their vitals and bringing them to the ER, among other tasks.

Meeting every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Galizia admits that the schedule is tough. “With the IB, it’s kind of brutal,” she said. “You just have to decide how you want to spend your time.”

But the experience, to her, has been priceless. “It’s not something that can be classroom-taught,” she said.

Madeleine Fine

Finding a camp can be as easy as reloading a website. In fact, that’s how sophomore Madeleine Fine found out about the Sciences Po summer program she’s participating in this summer. “It’s in France [and] it teaches political science; that’s a pretty good combo right there,” she said.

Fine is one of 100 high schoolers from around the world attending the three-week camp, and she’s looking forward to going in depth into topics like economics and political science.

“Although school classes are interesting, you don’t get to focus on topics that are as narrow as something like political science,” she said. “I’m excited to just get a 100% focus on that discipline.”

Camino a la libertad: La inspiradora historia de Antonio Ramallo

By DERIN KIRTMAN, 2025

“Sabía algunas pocas palabras aquí o allá,” dijo el profesor de español de la secundaria, Antonio Ramallo, refiriéndose a su conocimiento del idioma inglés cuando llegó por primera vez a los Estados Unidos. La historia de Ramallo es un ejemplo de cómo la comunidad diversa e intrincada de WIS se enfrenta a los retos inesperados.

Ramallo comenzó su viaje desde Cuba hacia los EE.UU. en noviembre de 1993, enfrentando desafíos y abrazando nuevas oportunidades.

“Cuando llegué a los Estados Unidos la impresión fue más ‘tipo de películas’... un país muy desarrollado, perfecto, donde todo el mundo vive bien,” dijo Ramallo. “Esta [impresión] sucedió porque fuí directamente para Rochester, una ciudad bastante próspera.”

Recién llegado a Rochester, Nueva York, los recuerdos iniciales de Ramallo presentaban una visión muy unidimensional de los EE. UU., debido a que era un suburbio típico estadounidense. Había un aura de perfección que fue desvaneciéndose a medida que Ramallo exploró más.

“Manejé por todo el sur de los Estados Unidos y entonces vi de verdad [al país],” dijo Ramallo. “Que no es el Estados Unidos

de las películas de Hollywood. Es mucho más complejo.”

Establecerse en un nuevo país tiene sus desafíos, comenzando por ganar suficiente dinero. Reconociendo ese reto, Ramallo buscó empleo de inmediato.

“Hice todo tipo de trabajos para sobrevivir y para poder insertarme en la vida americana,” recuerda. Ramallo tuvo que desempeñar una variedad de tareas, “desde limpiar pisos a ser camarero.”

Algunos de estos trabajos obligaban a Ramallo a trabajar jornadas increíblemente largas.

“Mi primer trabajo fue en una pequeña carnicería,” dijo Ramallo. “Entraba a trabajar a las once de la noche y estaba hasta las doce del día.”

Después de establecerse, Ramallo deseó seguir su pasión por la educación. En Cuba, Ramallo había sido un profesor calificado. Su principal desafío que se interponía en su camino hacia sus metas era la barrera del idioma. Sin embargo, contaba con tiempo, dedicación y afortunadamente, algo de ayuda.

“Las muchachas camareras donde trabajaba eran muy agradables y me ayudaban. Ellas veían el interés que tenía para aprender inglés,” dijo Ramallo.

Cuatro años después de su llegada a

los EE.UU., su inglés había mejorado considerablemente. En 1997, Ramallo empezó a enseñar en la universidad de Buffalo.

Curiosamente, en lugar de aceptarle en el programa de doctorado, la escuela le ofreció un puesto de profesor.

“Cuando hice la solicitud para el doctorado, la universidad me mandó una carta para una entrevista,” dijo Ramallo. “Yo pensé que era precisamente sobre mi aplicación pero no, era para proponerme que enseñase.”

Después de vivir en Rochester por 17 años, se mudó a Washington D.C. y comenzó a enseñar en WIS.

Con todo esto en mente, es extremadamente difícil dejar tu país de origen, dejando atrás a tantas personas, lugares y una cultura que se extraña profundamente.

Habiendo vivido en Cuba toda su vida antes de emigrar, Ramallo “[conoce] Cuba muy bien, de punta a punta.” En su juventud, viajó por toda la isla y llegó a conocer muchos lugares diferentes.

La cultura cubana es conocida por su rica diversidad y mezcla de influencias, resultado de la fusión de diferentes tradiciones y raíces. Se caracteriza por ser vibrante, festiva y llena de pasión. Cuando Ramallo tiene la oportunidad de viajar a Cuba, hay muchos factores que lo atraen.

“Me gusta visitar Cuba porque cuando voy allá está mi familia, cultura, música, comida,” dijo Ramallo. “[Me gusta] cómo las personas se relacionan, esa amistad y simplicidad.”

Él continuó describiendo el fuerte sentido de unidad que comparten todas las personas en Cuba. “Una de las cosas que extraño es… un grupo de amigos compuesto de médicos, ingenieros, arquitectos, profesores,” dijo Ramallo. “Hablábamos de todo, incluyendo de cuestiones políticas.”

En los Estados Unidos, Ramallo se siente más libre, especialmente cuando enseña en WIS. En Cuba, cuando enseñaba, el gobierno solía prohibir ciertos libros o temas para controlar a sus ciudadanos. “Lo que por un lado pierdo [de irme de Cuba], también lo he ganado aquí en [WIS],” dijo él. “Por ejemplo, la libertad que tengo para escoger los libros que utilizo con ustedes.”

Después de vivir en dos sociedades drásticamente contrastantes, hay demasiadas diferencias para mencionar, pero Ramallo está muy agradecido por su vida en D.C.

“Es bastante diferente pero en realidad la vida que tengo aquí en D.C. me gusta porque estoy haciendo el trabajo que me fascina,” dijo Ramallo.

Gabriel Piris

Jonathan Gardiner

Anita Kunsman

Nora Galizia

NAOMI BREUER/INTERNATIONAL DATELINE

COURTESY OF KATHY MYINT-HPU

NAOMI BREUER/INTERNATIONAL DATELINE

NAOMI BREUER/INTERNATIONAL DATELINE

Swift singing during the concert’s intro song, “Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince.”

Swift singing songs from her album “Fearless.”

Swift laying on the roof of a cottage singing “the 1” from her album “folklore.”

onstage for her song “Enchanted” from her 2010 album “Speak Now.”

What was English teacher Nicholas Loewen like as a student?

By TINDRA JEMSBY, 2026

International Dateline (ID): How would you describe yourself as a teenager?

Nicholas Loewen (NL): I was athletic; I played lots of different sports. Mostly just with my friends, and I played some volleyball too. I was not studious. I was way into photography and music.

ID: Tell me more about the “not being so studious” part.

NL: I used to make the joke that I could get a C in any class, so I did. I was in Honors Geometry class, and I got a C. Then I went to regular geometry class, and I got a C there. In English I did really well, ‘cause I’m built like that. And in history I did pretty well because I’m a good writer. But I didn’t... spend a lot of time on work.

ID: On a scale of one to 10, how much did you enjoy school?

NL: I liked school fine. I never pulled an all-nighter or anything. I knew that my poor grades were due to my lack of work ethic, so it didn’t upset me very much. Seven or eight.

ID: What were your favorite subjects?

NL: English, photography [and] gym.

ID: What were some of your hobbies outside of school?

NL: I would go out in the city shooting photos with my friend. I’d play sports; we would play basketball around the city.

ID: Where did you grow up?

NL: Takoma Park, here in D.C.

ID: Do you have any embarrassing memories from school?

NL: We kind of got into trouble, but nothing came of it, when we got into our high school gym when it was closed. The police came and took our numbers... but they never called.

ID: Did you listen to any music?

NL: I was into rock and punk music. I was a little too timid to be a full-on punk; I didn’t have a mohawk or shave my head or anything like that. But I did wear lots of army-navy thrift clothing, or skinny ties, or an untucked collared shirt. I liked the Replacements, the Sex Pistols, the Clash, Fugazi.

ID: What was your senior prank?

NL: The only thing I remember from our senior prank was we repainted the lines in the parking lot, so they were all curves.

ID: What is one thing you hated about being a student?

NL: I didn’t like doing homework. I didn’t do that much homework. I would do the minimum and turn that in. Eighth grade was terrible. Even in English, I got a D. But I was a pretty even-keeled person, so I didn’t really get that upset or excited.

ID: What is one thing you wish you had appreciated more?

NL: I wish I had appreciated more building up a work ethic. I wish I had appreciated more the things I could learn in math and in science. Now, I have to go online to find out how to find the area of a triangle. I wish I had a more well-rounded education.

ID: What type of people did you spend time with?

NL: I’m good at being in different groups, so I was in the jock group, I’d do sports with them... I knew a lot of the punk kids because I liked punk music, and I knew a lot of the studious kids because I was in some honors classes. I [didn’t have] two feet in any group, but I had three feet in different groups.

Across

1 Plastic bag alternative.

5 Clothing store in Georgetown including 5-Down.

7 Torture for a senior.

9 Punishment for not wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day.

10 “Starbucks ___ me” (common Google search).

11 Worst-case outcome for 7-Across.

13 2,200 word assignment often done in one day.

15 Everyone works to improve these in order to get a set of six.

16 Non-SAT admissions test.

17 Home of Outer Banks.

18 October birthstone.

Down

1 It should be left behind in a restaurant.

2 ___ Wan Kenobi of Star Wars.

3 Boys team which recently won the PVAC.

4 Tedious spreadsheet program.

5 Either of two continents.

6 SL science.

8 “Found you!”

11 “I’m your number one ___!”

12 Letters included in Jackson Five song and GAYLE song.

14 Georgia metropolis, casually.

16 These were recently completed in Italian, Spanish and/or French.

To complete this crossword online, check it out on our website, wisdateline.org.

A graph of student ego over time in middle and high school

Have you ever wondered how student ego changes over time from the rough years of middle school to the grueling days of high school? This definitive, “purely statistical” guide will help.

CROSSWORD BY TINDRA JEMSBY

Nicholas Loewen as a student. COURTESY OF NICHOLAS LOEWEN