PASSING DOWN PRIDE - National Scholastic Press Association
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Volume 37 • Issue 2
November 12, 2019
University Prep
8000 25th Ave. NE • Seattle
I almost called you Dad
PASSING
DOWN PRIDE
PLATE SKATE STATE
Can you microwave A sophomore is a Athletic Pumas find
holiday dinner? curling prodigy success in fall sports
Page 11 Page 13 Page 14
NEWS
PUTTING IT TO
THE TEST
What are standardized tests actually measuring?
TEST BY ANNA INGHRAM issue with the tests is that
S
enior Charlie Kauff- they don’t measure skills
OPTIONAL
man spent hours that would help a student
studying and attend- achieve academic success.
SCHOOLS
ing tutoring sessions for “Creativity, work ethic,
college-related standard- time management. Those
Over 1,000 colleges and universi- ized tests and, ultimately, are all skills that I think
ties are now test optional, meaning Kauffman thinks he got are required to be success-
pretty good scores. But ful in college, not your
that they don’t require students to
Kauffman doesn’t think ability to answer Algebra
submit SAT or ACT scores in order his academic preparation II questions quickly in
to apply. Test optional schools is the only variable that a timed environment,”
include: contributed to his high Nelson said.
scores. One skill senior Sam Kim
“I think that I scored thinks affects standardized
a little bit higher than tests scores is a student’s
I probably should have test taking abilities.
on some of the tests, and “Some students are just
part of that’s because I not good test takers, but
guess I’m just good at that doesn’t necessarily
University of Chicago sitting down and doing mean that they’re not as
Chicago, Illinois something for six hours,” smart as other students
6,286 undergraduate students Kauffman said. that are doing well on PHOTO: ANNA INGHRAM
Acceptance: 7% University Prep seniors standardized testing,” Kim higher scores than black more poorly on that test.” Standardized
are busy working on com- said. and Latino students. Boys In addition to stereotype test scores,
Source: University of Chicago while required
pleting and submitting Another reason stan- consistently score higher threat, a student’s cultur-
applications to colleges. dardized test scores may than girls on the math al background can affect by most
not be indicative of a stu- section of the SAT, and their ability to effectively colleges in the
One element of college
United States,
applications is a student’s dent’s academic abilities is students who never used a prepare for standardized
can be affected
Bates College standardized testing that they can be strongly fee waiver did better than tests. by factors that
Lewiston, Maine scores, students who did. “Having parents who aren’t related
Size: 1,787 students namely While a broad range of don’t know English that to a student’s
Acceptance: 18% SAT and “Some students are just factors contribute to dif- well, it’s kind of hard to academic
ACT ferences in scores across prepare for an English abilities or
Source: Bates College
scores.
not good test takers, but gender and race, according section,” senior Azita potential.
Most that doesn’t necessari- to the American Psycho- Shirinzadeh said.
colleges logical Association, one Though standardized
and uni-
ly mean they’re not as reason students from cer- tests can feel like an im-
versities smart as other students.” tain backgrounds tend to portant part of the college
Wake Forest University consid-
— SENIOR SAM KIM
perform worse than others process for many students,
Winston-Salem, North Carolina er test is a phenomenon known Shirinzadeh hopes that
Size: 5,225 undergraduate students scores as “stereotype threat.” students and colleges
as part of their admissions influenced by a student’s “There are stereotypes understand that high
Acceptance: 29%
process, but these scores background and identity. that say that girls and peo- schoolers are not defined
Source: Wake Forest University may not be a meaningful According to the College ple of color are not as good by their test scores.
indicator of a student’s Board, there is a strong in some areas of these “I think that they should
academic potential. correlation between race tests as others,” Nelson hold some significance,
For Associate Director and SAT scores, with white said. “By simply acknowl- but I don’t think it’s ev-
of College Counseling and Asian students tend- edging your demographic erything about a person,”
Britten Nelson thinks one ing to receive significantly status, you may perform Shirinzadeh said.
Whitman College
Walla Walla, Washington
Size: 1,506 students
Acceptance: 50% WHAT IS “STEREOTYPE THREAT?”
Source: Whitman College
Definition: “Being at risk of confirming, as self-characteristic, a negative Stereotype Threat on the SAT
stereotype about one’s group.”
Causes: Filling out information about race and gender directly before
What it means: When someone is reminded of a negative stereotype about taking test or general awareness of stereotypes
one of their identities, their self-doubt can rise, causing them to perform
worse on tests like the SAT and ACT. Effects: Black and Hispanic students under perform by an average of 40
points, and women under perform on the math section by an average of 20
Source: Stanford University points.
2 University Prep • November 12, 2019 • Vol. 37, No. 2
NEWS
TACKLING TEACHER DIVERSITY
How increased representation could empower students
BY PARISA HARVEY
BY THE
C
hances are, if you
NUMBERS
are sitting in a Uni-
versity Prep class-
room, you are probably
being taught by a white
teacher. Despite initiatives How does UPrep staff
in hiring and admissions
to attract more diversi-
identify?
30%
ty in the classroom, the
teacher population at UP-
rep remains overwhelm-
ingly white. 70% Identify as
According to the Di- of color
versity and Community
Office, students of color
Identify as
make up 35% of the stu- caucasian
dent body while teachers
of color constitute 30%.
Some students of color
rarely, if ever, will have
a teacher that looks like
them.
“I don’t think I’ve ever
had a black teacher,” se-
nior Hibak Hassan said.
Hassan believes that
having a diverse teaching
staff is inspiring and helps
students see themselves PHOTO: PARISA HARVEY
and their own potential.
“It’s very powerful to
see someone that has the person and more than just dents are our focus here. I also pointed out the im- Spanish
same identity as you be in their teacher. know they try, but I don’t portance of intersectional teacher Alma
a powerful position and be “For some of my white think [teacher diversity] is representation. Andrade helps
someone that you look up students, I think they something we talk about “If you look at how middle school
to,” Hassan said. enjoy learning about my often,” Andrade said. many teachers of color students in
UPrep has a strong culture. I think probably Associate Director of there are there versus Spanish C.
commitment to improving some kids don’t care, but Diversity and Community staff, and then think about
diversity and inclusion. that’s okay. They don’t Jill Leahy, in addition to what level they teach at,
Yet, this commitment is care about a lot of things. working with students, how do we create more
ongoing, and a lack of I think with students of helps teachers and staff representation in higher
diversity can be especially color, even though we may through professional de- positions?” Leahy said.
apparent at certain times. we might not share the velopment, affinity groups Science teacher and
“I think about race a lot same culture, there might and conferences. department head Moses
in the classroom, espe-
cially in the beginning of
be a different connection,”
Andrade said.
“Something that we
really look at is how we
Rifkin also believes that
teacher diversity in race,
30% 19% 9% 20%
the year, going into a class In addition to teaching, retain staff of color and gender and beyond helps
being the only black girl Andrade helps with UP- make sure that there are students. Teachers of color at Uprep: 30%
or even sometimes the rep’s Latino Family Bridge programs that support “Teaching in general
only person of color in the where families learn and them. We currently have a skews female, but teach-
room,” Hassan said. ask questions about UPrep POC and LGBTQ+ affinity ing in STEM tends to skew
Seattle city level: 19%
Spanish teacher Alma programs in Spanish. groups,” Leahy said. male,” Rifkin said. “So
Andrade thinks her “Students need to see Furthermore, represen- having gender equity and WA state level: 9%
perspective as a Latina someone that looks like tation is important when gender balance among
teacher allows all her
students to see her as a
them. And someone who
they can relate to. Stu-
looking at department and
leadership roles. Leahy
the stem faculty is really
amazing.”
national level: 20%
Credit: Seattle Times Education Lab
REPRESENTATION IN DEPARTMENT HEADS
8 88%
Caucasian
50%
Departments Female heads
heads
Credit: Diversity and Community Office
Vol. 37, No. 2 • November 12, 2019 • University Prep 3
OPINIONS
EDITORIAL OPINION COLUMNS
A COLLECTIVE Your Vote Matters
CHARGE C
limate change, homelessness, national politics. When President Donald
healthcare, social justice, gun con- Trump pulled the United States out of
trol. While many Americans find the Paris Agreement in 2017, 22 states
these issues incredibly important, they (including Washington) vowed to continue
W
are so daunting that it sometimes seems to pursue the goals outlined in the agree-
hile we all bring our impossible for one person to effect mean- ment. Though the president had decided
own quirks and perspec- ingful change. Government, however, has to abandon the agreement, elected state
tives to University Prep, incredible power to affect such issues. officials still had power to steer our coun-
The white marble of Washington D.C. can try’s direction in deciding how we would
the school community is largely ho-
feel detached from the lives of average approach climate change.
mogenous. Most students identity as Americans, but our gov- State elections are meaningful not only
white and straight and reside in well- ernment provides citizens because of the national power they hold,
off households. We spend school countless opportunities to but because of the individual power they
days in classrooms with mostly white become engaged in politics offer voters. While hundreds of millions
at both the national and of people vote in national elections, only
teachers. But this doesn’t mean UP- state levels. a few million vote in state elections, in-
rep must only be welcoming to one One such opportunity creasing the weight of a vote drastically.
demographic. is an American citizen’s Famously, in 2004 Christine Gregoire
As UPrep aims to accommodate right to vote, a right won Washington’s gubernatorial race by
a diverse student body, the effects BY ANNA which many Americans only a few hundred votes after three re-
INGHRAM ignore, handing over deci- counts. At the state level, your vote truly
have been evident across the school. sion-making power to the matters, and, in county and city elections,
Teachers have added pronouns to select few with political your vote is even more powerful.
their email signatures, and Commu- power. In the last King County election, I understand that most University Prep
nity Conversations have tackled ste- voter turnout was only 35%. In the 2016 students are not yet eligible to vote yet,
presidential election, however, turnout but if you’re 16 or 17, you can pre-register
reotypes. The Black Student Union
was over 80%. If we want to create mean- to vote at voter.votewa.gov. All you need is
and the Community, Ethics and Cul- ingful change in our communities, we your driver’s license and about three min-
ture Committee swiftly addressed must make our voices heard by voting in utes of free time, and you’ll automatically
the cultural appropriation in the ju- local elections. become a registered voter on your 18th
nior boy’s Buff Puff video this year at State and local government is the birthday. As a voter, you will have the
foundation of our democracy. News opportunity to directly influence govern-
an Upper School assembly. usually centers around national politics, ment decisions on legislation and select
Such changes, however, have not but states hold the power to make deci- representatives that fight for causes you
all been welcomed with open arms. sions and lead movements separate from believe in just by turning in your ballot.
When you don’t feel like LGBTQ+ The Puma Press
Durag Debacle
plus issues apply to you, it can be University Prep’s
easy to ignore the importance of gen- Student Voice
der pronouns to others. Following Winner of Four
B
the addressing of the problematic Pacemaker Awards uff Puff season, the time every year the big deal? It’s just a durag and waves.
“hype” video featuring a white stu- Editors where junior and senior boys duke it There really isn’t any harm that can come
Beatrice Cappio out in historically controversial vid- from them just being featured in a video,
dent in a durag, some scoffed at the
Olivia Poolos eo warfare to prove which Buff Puff team right?”
hampering of a Homecoming tradi- is better. In the Buff Puff video by the A lot of my friends and I agreed on one
Copy Editor
tion. Anna Inghram junior boys team, there idea: the entire controversy will become
As a community, we must aim to were photos of two white moot upon reaching our ultimate goal of
Graphics Editor
embrace such awareness instead. Wally Bargeron
students featured wearing culture mixing and the removal of cultur-
a durag and waves, two al appropriation of these cultures. Howev-
Fine Arts teacher and theater manag- Web Editor things associated with er, having not reached a state in society or
er Paul Fleming remembers the prej- Aaron Igra
black culture. at UPrep where groups that feel targeted
udice he saw around the community Reporters Representatives from can be discredited for feeling that their
Sydney Goitia both Black Student Union culture is being attacked, it is important
when he first came out as gay several
Parisa Harvey and Community Ethics for many UPrep students to interpret
decades ago. Since, Fleming recalls Abby Headstrom BY JEROME
TODD and Culture Committee these instances in which minority groups
that the culture has changed for the Aidan Lee made an announcement advocate for themselves as learning expe-
better. Moving forward, UPrep must Theo Mahlum
classifying the photos riences.
Anika Shashidhar
aim to adapt as the culture continues Loobna Shego
as cultural appropriation and stated UPrep is known for its “bubble.” The
to change. that they put durags and waves into the thing that keeps UPrep students safe from
Jerome Todd
Michael Youmans
umbrella of pop culture instead of keep- many viewpoints and issues that conflict
While sharing preferred pronouns ing them within the black community.
Freelancer with school values. Students need to know
and remaining conscious of poten- Members of the UPrep community looked that the real world is different. These mo-
Nathan Burke
tially hurtful stereotypes may be at CECC and BSU as being dramatic and ments become even more important once
Join us online
new to some, the community can’t overreacting. you realize that the skills groups that
Instagram: @uprepmedia
ignore minority concerns. Just as it’s Despite the situation not stemming from BSU and CECC are teaching, are to better
Twitter: @uprepmedia
Web: uprepmedia.com
bad intent, the impact of our actions do prepare students on how to respectfully
everyone’s right to bring their full not always correlate, and you cannot dis- address cultures other than their own.
selves to the UPrep community, it is Send feedback: pumapress@ count minority perspectives. I fall into the Next time a minority group exress them-
universityprep.org
a shared responsibility to make that category of people that thought,“What’s selves to you, listen.
Cover Photo: Nathan Burke
possible.
About the Cover: “By playing with black and white vs. color photos, we wanted to demonstrate how UPrep has shown pride over the years.”
- Olivia Poolos
4 University Prep • November 12, 2019 • Vol. 37, No. 2
NEWSBRIEFS
JAYAPAL INSPIRES ACTION
The congresswoman spoke to UPrep students
BY OLIVIA POOLOS would love to come speak conversations.
P
ramila Jayapal, at our school,” Sniezek “Make sure you’re up-
congresswoman for said. holding your principles,
Washington’s 7th The Global Action club but make sure you’re lis-
congressional district, encouraged students to tening to the other side,”
came to speak at submit questions for the Jayapal advised.
University Prep about how congresswoman to answer. Overall, Sniezek believes
students can take political “We wanted the stu- that Jayapal’s speech was a
action in their dent body to have a say,” success.
communities. Sniezek said. “I really liked her re-
Jayapal was invited by Jayapal mostly received sponses to the questions,
the Global Action club, questions about how and how she focused on
where members focus students could take action what we as students can
on global health, climate in the world. To a question do,” she said.
change and global politics. about what is being done Not every student was
Co-leader of the club to combat climate change as moved, however. Senior
sophomore Allie Sniezek in congress, Jayapal said Emily Lyons-Hammond
said they approached “The biggest thing we was impressed with Jayap-
Jayapal at the US Global have been doing is urging al’s professionalism, but
Leaderership Coalition on our young leaders.” understood the visit to be
Luncheon on Oct. 3. Jayapal also addressed self-
“She was impressed that a student concern about promotional.
young people were so in- growing polarization be- “She clearly has a lot of
terested in change, so she tween political parties. She experience, but it came
gave her spokesperson’s emphasized the impor- across as a little bit of a
card to us, and said she tance of having productive campaign event,” she said.
Pramila Jayapal addresses UPrep students on November 5th. PHOTO: NATHAN BURKE
Candy, Costumes and a Presidential Coup
BY MICHAEL YOUMANS found motivation from the
T
he Halloween assem- support of his class.
bly has returned to “Though doing both
UPrep. Grades com- back-to-back was an unex-
peted against one another pected task for my diges-
in a variety of Hallow- tive system, I did what
een-related competitions needed to be done with
to earn points. The winner the whole grade backing
of the competition was me,” he said.
the senior class, who came While these two classic
out victorious in the group events returned from the
costume contest and the previous Halloween assem-
pumpkin carving contest, blies, new events such as
among others. the “Vampire Teeth” were
Each grade had one or introduced. In the compe-
two student represen- tition, contestants wore
tatives competing for toy vampire teeth, which
each event. Competitions they used to bite and spit
included “Candy in a as many marshmallows
Bucket,” “Pumpkin Pie as possible onto a tarp.
Eating Contest,” “Know Sophomore Kalid Alobaidi
Your Puma,” and “Hungry participated in this compe- PHOTO: NATHAN BURKE
Hungry Monster.” Some tition.
students, wanting to give “It was extremely hard Seniors put extra care the senior class performed the videos,” Anand said. Sophomore Kalid
their all, entered more to carry the marshmallows into the planning of the a skit during the group “I tried to emulate a Alobaidi competes
than one event. Senior due to the vampire teeth assembly so that they costume competition. In villain petting his cat by in “Vampire Teeth”
Remy Talbot competed in getting shut tight midway could have a memorable the skit, Anand planned to petting one of my chick- during the Hal-
through the competition,” October for their final overthrow Gary. ens, but the chicken kept loween assembly.
both the donut on a string
year at UPrep. President “Overall, it was really freaking out, and I got Contestants had to
and the pie-eating contest. said Alobaidi. “At that
transport marhmal-
Though the challenge was point, I just decided to use Michael Gary, vice pres- fun to plan it all out with pecked.”
lows to a tarp by
physically taxing, Talbot my lips.” ident Daran Anand and the senior class and make carrying them with
toy vampire teeth.
Vol. 37, No. 2 • November 12, 2019 • University Prep 5
NEWS
MOLDING THE
PERFECT CHILD
Parenting styles shape students
Ivy League
ACT Practice
SAT Practice
QUOTES FROM BY ANIKA SHASHIDHAR ents to be tiger parents as
W
hile most eighth they pushed me, which
STUDENTS
graders are was more important
busy playing on because I was less self-mo-
the D1 basketball team, tivated, but now I feel like
working on Capstone I have it ingrained in me
HOW ARE YOU PARENTED?
projects and going to to be my own tiger-parent
weekend birthday parties, and to push myself be-
ave
r i c t . I h the sophomore Shraeya Iyer cause of how I have grown
ty st n of
re pret ormatio . I also with the insistence of her up,” Iyer said.
ts a in f ith ior
y p aren contact g out w ” - Jun parents, spent her eighth In contrast, Iyer’s moth-
“M t the hang i n e r. er would not label herself
e high grade year preparing for
to g le I am B+ or the SAT so that she could to any sort of parenting
a
peop to get be accepted into the John style.
have Kucur
Ezra Hopkins Center for Talent- “I think I am neither
ed Youth. a tiger parent nor an
This style of parent- elephant parent. The way
ing is not uncommon as I parent is the only way
overbearing parents have I know, and I feel at this
become a brand with the point my daughter already
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: ANIKA SHASHIDHAR AND OLIVIA POOLOS
coining of various terms has her values and it is
such as “elephant parents” her job to take [them] into
and “tiger parents”. Tiger her life. So now I hold is probably the best thing from the parent,” Nelson Parental pres-
parents are the parents more of a supportive role,” you can do,” Associate Di- said. sure can cause
“My parents just want me to do who push their kids to Iyer’s mother, Anooradha rector of College Counsel- Nelson also said that stress for
my best in school. I feel like I have be number one in every- Raman said. ing Britten Nelson said. there are stereotypes that students as
a lot of liberty in who I want to thing they do. This term, Retrospectively, Iyer These boundaries do not fulfill themselves in the they strive to
hang out with and they trust my which describes a south- echoed that everything only exist physically but college process, with par- perform at a
opinion.” - Junior Kiley Flanagan east-Asian parenting style, her parents did for her high level to
also verbally. ents who went to the most
was to benefit her future. meet
has been popularized by reputable expecations
Professor of Law at Yale Growing up with parents schools set by their
University, Amy Chua who immigrated from In-
in her book, “The Battle dia, junior Rohan Raman
“It is also dependent wanting parents.
the same
Hymn of the Tiger Moth- had a similar assessment on the pronouns that for their
er” . to Iyer. children.
On the other hand, “It comes from the parents use.” She wor-
elephant parents blend a culture my parents were - BRITTEN NELSON ASSISTANT ries that
caring tone with structure raised in, such as how DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUN- while
ut
strict abo and obedience to ensure much they are involved in
ts are very er, they tell me
the tiger
y p a re n SELING
“M wev g that their children are their kids’ lives,” Raman
y use. Ho es as lon
parenting
technolog re about my grad grounded enough to suc- said. philos-
ca a n
they don’t nior Grace Silverm ceed but also have enough Parenting in the college ophy
s I tr y.” - Ju
a freedom. process can be challeng- “It is also dependent on might work in terms of
Iyer has experienced ing, especially in being the pronouns that par- college admissions, kids
even more stress now, as mindful of boundaries. ents use such as ‘we are who have always had
an Upper Schooler looking “I think supporting your taking the SAT this week’ parental support might
ahead to college. child when they need the or ‘we are applying to this flounder once they reach
“Growing up, I would support but also letting college’ but it is not ‘we,’ college as they would lack
have considered my par- them make their mistakes it is the kid with guidance necessary independence.
DIFFERING PARENTING PHILOSOPHIES
A B-? As long as you learn from A B-?? This is an A+ family. If you don’t
your mistakes, it’s okay to make improve your grades, you don’t deserve
them. I know you’re capable of A to go to an expensive school!
level work.
6 University Prep • November 12, 2019 • Vol. 37, No. 2
NEWS
AN E-CIGARETTE EPIDEMIC
Vaping has taken over, and the Washington state government is not happy
BY LOOBNA SHEGO
WHY DO
W
ashington
Governor Jay
Inslee has taken
action against vaping. In STUDENTS
the United States, there
have been 34 deaths and VAPE?
many more injuries with
vaping being the one thing
all the patients have in
1
common.
According to the Centers
for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), as of “The way my
Nov. 5, 2019, there have friends treated it
been 2,051 reported cases
of lung injury due to va-
made it seem rel-
ping and 39 deaths in the atively harmless
United States. so it didn’t seem
These numbers are PHOTO COURTESY: THE UW DAILY like a big deal.”
quickly rising. During
the month of October,
2
the number of deaths has a ban in early October on we think this is the most that she can do. A teenager
risen from 18 to 37. the sale of these flavored effective way to prevent “It’s real hard to be 38 holds a vaping
As stated by the CDC vapes. youth from starting vap- and realize that you can’t device. Health
Vapes can contain nico- concerns have
tine, CBD or THC. Nicotine
Juul is an electronic
cigarette company that
ing,” said Legislative Aid change behaviors that have
caused new
“I vaped
Kira McCoy. become embedded when
is highly addictive and can has become a very popular Associate Director of you were an adolescent reforms in how once and I didn’t
be very harmful to brain among teens with flavors Upper School Sarah Peter- and that are having a really e-cigarettes like it because
development, especially such as mango, cucumber, son feels concerned for negative effect on your are sold. it didn’t do any-
for growing adolescents.
There is an ongoing inves-
or mint. students choosing to vape. health as an adult,” Peter- thing for me.”
Recently, a ban has been “I’m legitimately worried son said. “I’m just trying
tigation regarding what is placed against these fla- about the health of young to do this for your future
in vapes, but the specific vored vapes. people who are choosing self.”
3
ingredient causing these “The governor asked the to vape heavily as teenag- Washington state has tak-
problems are unknown. Liquor Control Board to ers… [and] the impact that en action to prevent more
Recently, the CDC re- do a ban on flavors and will have on students’ long deaths.
ceived test results possibly that is absolutely the right term health,” Peterson According to the Wash- “Feels nice”
identifying the element thing,” said Dr. Beth Ebel, said. ington State Liquor and
that caused these injuries. a professor of pediatrics at One highschool student Cannabis Board, in the
4
Fluid from the lungs of 29 the University of Wash- at University Prep choses beginning of October, the
patients contained vita- ington. vaping as a way to cope government began a tax
min E acetate, a harmful Currently, this ban is with stress. where the solution in e-cig-
additive used in nicotine only temporary. Washing- “Life is stressful, and UP- arettes are taxed 27 cents
products. ton state legislators are rep doesn’t want to actu- per millimeter.
“I do not,
According to research working on making this a ally help us destress so we On Jan. 1, 2020, the tobac- but my friends all
done by the Washington more permanent solution. turn to substance abuse to co 21 will be placed. The got peer
State Liquor and Cannabis
Board, flavors have had a
“We are working on a relieve ourselves,” a UPrep Tobacco 21 is a law that presured.”
bill to introduce in Janu- student who wishes to will raise the minimum age
large contribution to the ary, its making a perma- remain anonymous said. to purchase vapor or tobac-
beginning of use for many nent ban on flavors, which Peterson wants to help, co products will rise from
adolescents. Inslee placed we’re doing because... but there is only so much 18 to 21 in Washington.
VAPING AT UPREP
Have you heard about deaths or ilnesses caused by vaping? Do you know the health risks of vaping? Are you worried for the health of yourself or your friends
that chose to vape?
No: 14.3% A little: 7.1% No: 3.6%
No: 39.3%
Yes: 85.7% Yes: 85.7% Yes: 60.7%
Methodology: Poll results
from 28 randomly selected
students in the upperschool
Vol. 37, No. 2 • November 12, 2019 • University Prep 7
BEYOND THE RAINBOW FLAG
Pride History Month sparks further conversations on identity
BY WALLY BARGERON AND ABBY proactive and involved in for the past two years. that UPrep’s inclusiveness ally a part of the student
HEADSTROM the gay community be- Decades ago, Fleming was is a step up from his own life, it’s pretty different.”
T
wenty-five years ago, cause I knew how difficult one of the founders of education experience. For instance, Selby point-
Fine Arts teacher it was for me to be closet- UPrep’s first GSA club. “We wouldn’t have ed out the oddly low num-
and theater manag- ed,” Fleming said. The club began as “Cake [had a gay teacher].That ber of males in UPrep’s
er Paul Fleming became This year, UPrep’s cele- with Mr. Fleming,” named wouldn’t have been LGBTQ community.
the first University Prep bration of Pride History so for two reasons: first, possible where I went to “There’s still shame and
teacher to come out as Month during the month because Fleming would school,” Blok said. a toxic culture around
gay. At that time, Fleming of October marked an- supply cake at each meet- He feels, however, that that, which is hard be-
said, coming out as gay other step in the school’s ing, and second, “because he is accepted as a gay cause changing the culture
was a big deal. Now, it’s ongoing efforts to become we didn’t want to have teacher at UPrep. is what takes the longest
different. a more accepting commu- the stigma of kids having “[Having] grow[n] up in a and the most work,” Selby
“If you’re gay or straight, nity. The month focused to say they were said. “I definitely
[it] doesn’t matter in Seat- on educating the UPrep gay at school,” have felt frus-
tle,” Fleming said. community on pride-relat- Fleming said. “UPrep really emphasizes on trated in the fact
When Fleming first came ed issues and an expand- Vocal music that UPrep talks
out at UPrep, he made a ing UPrep’s celebration of teacher Tim
paper that we’re very wel- so much about
pledge to help others who Pride. Blok grew up in coming. But I think when being inclusive,
were having similar trou- Pride History Month is Lynden, Wash- and we still have
ble coming out to their a national event that has ington, a small you’re actually a part of a lot of work to
community. evolved at UPrep from town just south the student life, it’s pretty do to actually get
“Right after I came out, Pride week, which had of the Canadian there.”
I decided that I would be been organized by GSA border. He said different.” Reiterating Sel-
— SENIOR RACHEL SELBY by’s frustrations,
Social Emotional
Learning Coor-
dinator Schorr
place where there was no Lesnick noted that the
support for queer people, lack of attendance from
I think being at UPrep has UPrep’s upper school at
always been really posi- many of the non-manda-
tive,” Blok said. tory events during Pride
Blok believes that accep- History Month has shown
tance and celebration of that there is still a lot of
the LGBTQ community is work to do in UPrep’s
an important part of the community.
message UPrep sends to “It feels like people
its wider community. Blok aren’t able to make that
cited the rainbow flag that next step for that effort,”
hangs in Associate Direc- Schorr Lesnick said.
tor of Upper School and Despite senior and mem-
math teacher Sarah Peter- ber of the LGBTQ commu-
son’s office as an example. nity Lucy Day’s general
Senior and GSA co-pres- happiness with the way
ident Rachel Selby, UPrep embraces pride, she
however, believes UPrep agrees that more participa-
still has room to grow in tion is an important step
implementing its inclusive for the community.
message among the LGBTQ “I think there could
community. always be more partici-
“UPrep has kind of an pation within the school
interesting culture around celebrating pride as a
the LGBTQ community,” whole, and with any other
Selby said. “On the one affinity groups as well,”
hand, UPrep really empha- Day said.
sizes on paper that we’re History teacher and
PHOTO: ABBY HEADSTROM
very welcoming...But I LGBTQ member Gus Feliu
Senior and GSA club co-leader Rachel Selby stands in front of University Prep. think when you’re actu- thinks that it’s also im-
8 University Prep • November 12, 2019 • Vol. 37, No. 2
Q & A WITH GUS FELIU
Q: What are some things students who don’t identify within the LGBTQ
community can do to support their peers?
A: “The most important thing they can do is to give their friends and peers space to sort out
their own sense of self at their own pace”
Q: What language should students avoid or use instead when talking
about the LGBTQ community?
A: “Make an effort to be thoughtful, self-aware and kind in your use of language… Recognize
also that there’s going to be some diversity of opinion and sensitivity here. For example, I’m
quite comfortable with hearing straight folks use “homosexual” and “queer” in an appropriate
context, but not all queer people feel that way. I think there’s an interesting discussion here for
our community, and I hope we have it someday.”
Q: What else should aspiring allies know?
A: “I think the best kind of ally-ship works the same way that the best friendships do. You’re
there to support, you’re there to listen but you’re also there to speak up when you think some-
PHOTO: WALLY BARGERON
thing is amiss… Our greatest allies are the straight folks who are committed to securing for
everyone dignity of treatment, equality under the law and the right to make our own decisions
Openly gay history teacher Gus Feliu laughs while teaching an eighth grade history class. about how we live and who are also there to ask us tough questions and to challenge us when
they think we’ve got something wrong.”
portant to understand that new efforts to create pride. It’s really nice to see ever they want. We should
there is diversity within time for all school everyone coming together, follow their lead,” Schorr
the LGBTQ community. assemblies surrounding especially at UPrep with Lesnick said. “That said,
“Gay men may have pride. our pride assemblies,” I believe really strongly
different interests than “In general, I’ve had McCarty said. that it’s unfair to make
lesbian women, who may good experiences with Building on the many students do the education
have different great things about and the programming that
interests than UPrep’s acceptance we as a school should have
bisexual folks,” “Right after I came out, I of pride, Schorr in place.”
Feliu said. Lesnick has goals to Selby hopes that the
Despite the decided that I would be build an even more change will come from the
room to grow and proactive and involved accepting commu- students rather than from
conversations to nity. administrative action.
be had, sopho- in the gay community “[My hope is to “I would love to see
more and LGBTQ have] a balance of everyone at UPrep take
community mem-
because I knew how dif- student leadership personal accountability
ber Chris McCarty ficult it was for me to be and adult support. to correct their friends
feels UPrep is still I want students to if their friends say some-
a very inclusive
closeted.” feel like they can thing that’s not quite
community and — PAUL FLEMING imagine and feel right,” Selby said. “Just be
is happy with the supported to do open to having those hard
administration’s and facilitate what- conversations.”
ACCEPTANCE BY THE NUMBERS
Do you identify as a member of the Do you believe the community at Do you believe there is over-
LGBTQ community? University Prep is accepting of the looked diversity within the LGBTQ
LGBTQ community? community?
Yes: 12.1% %
1 5.2
ybe: No: 25%
Ma Yes: 28.1%
No: 87.9% Yes: 84.8% Yes: 46.9%
GRAPHICS:WALLY BARGERON
Vol. 37, No. 2 • November 12, 2019 • University Prep 9STUDENT LIFE
DINNERTIME
DEBATES
How students talk about politics with family
ASK THE EXPERT: BY SYDNEY GOITIA AND OLIVIA
POOLOS
Junior Henry Buscher
leads the Centrist and
Q&A with UW professor of
T
he holidays are just Conservative Discussion
around the corner Club, a group dedicated
political science, W. Lance
and along with to talking about politics
Bennet pumpkin pie and endless during school hours. He
remarks on your height finds value in debates
from relatives, comes the where participants share
Many people say to avoid often inevitable dinner- their ideas frankly.
controversial topics (such time political discussion. “That almost always
as politics) at family For families like fresh- leads to differing opinions,
man Talia LeVine’s, which make the best dis-
gatherings. Do you agree or
political conversations are cussions,” Buscher said.
disagree? nothing new. LeVine agrees, and
“[Politics] are like 90% related the importance of
of our conversation at the varying opinions to
dinner table,” she said. our governmental system.
This is really a While LeVine describes “Having a range of polit-
personal choice. If most of her family as ical beliefs is important.
these discussions ruin Democratic, she admits That way not everyone has
family gatherings then she is more left-leaning the same ideas, and it’s
they are to be avoided. than her parents and more [democratic],” she
But there may be ways brother. said.
“I think [my family] is a According to Buscher,
to avoid meltdowns.
little more centrist than the Centrist and Conser- PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: JEROME TODD
I am,” LeVine said. “We vative Club welcomes
sometimes disagree on anyone willing to have a
What makes a productive modern issues, where they productive political debate that gets high school become better listeners… Some families
weren’t raised to see them on all sides of the political students involved. Ellis I think it’s just as equally have differing
political discussion? the same way I do.” spectrum. identifies as a important as understand- politcal views,
Like LeVine, freshman Buscher also believes Democrat, and she wishes ing how to voice your which can
Julia Cappio’s family mem- that familial conversation opinion,” lead to heated
bers also immerse them- centering around politics Ellis said. debates during
Avoid calling people selves in politics. can be useful in seeing all
“In this day and age, peo- Ellis is
family
out or being gatherings.
“[Talking about politics] sides of an issue. ple often take political a firm be-
judgmental about gets quite annoying... It’s “In this day and age, liever that
their opinions. Ask all we ever talk about at people often take political differences too far. ” talking and
questions more than family dinners,” she said. differences too far and use — JUNIOR HENRY BUSCHER listening
making polarizing Cappio explained that them to define a person’s is the way
statements. Be pre- when her family visits rel- entire existence, and thus to reach
atives in South Carolina, can generate unnecessary her conversations with understanding.
pared not to convince
“We don’t talk about hatred towards people extended family at holiday “I feel like this fear that
anyone to change their [politics] as much if they who hold different opin- dinners were as prominent people have of being afraid
mind. have different views than ions,” he said. as with her immediate of making someone mad…
us, but we still make an Senior Lillian Ellis has family. is really bad,” she said. “I
effort as a family to hear worked with in politics in “I talk about this all think this idea to empa-
other people’s points of the past, and she is now the time, that our nation thize is really what’s going
What makes an view.” the chair of a program and our city, all needs to to help us out.”
unproductive political
discussion?
POLITICAL PIES
How often do you talk about In your immediate family, do you all generally share the
Name calling. politics with your family? same political beliefs?
Dismissing views you
think are wrong or ill
informed. Making fun
of others. All of the time: 9.1%
No: 31.8%
Occasionally: 86.4%
Yes: 68.2%
Never: 4.5%
Methodology: Poll results came from 22 randomly
selected students across all four grades.
GRAPHICS: SYDNEY GOITIA AND OLIVIA POOLOS
10 University Prep • November 12, 2019 • Vol. 37, No. 2STUDENT LIFE
MICROWAVE THANKSGIVING
Can you prepare Thanksgiving favorites in the everyday appliance? We tried it out
BY MICHAEL YOUMANS
PUMPKIN PIE IN A MUG
1 teaspoon unsalted
butter Pumpkin Pie in a Mug best dish, or, rather, the
14 grams gingersnaps was the first dish we least bad.
(2 small cookies), crushed made. It took about 15-20 To make, microwave the
into 2 tablespoons of minutes to make. It was butter until melted. Crush
crumbs the easiest one to make, gingersnaps and add them
1/3 cup pumpkin puree given its simple ingre- to the bottom of the mug.
1 large egg dients and process com- Use a separate contain-
1 tablespoon milk or pared to the other dishes. er or bowl to whisk the
cream It tastes like a s’more, pumpkin puree, egg, milk,
2 tablespoons packed except the only difference brown sugar and pump-
brown sugar being the heat of each bite kin pie spice. Pour your
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie quickly diminishes while mixture into the mug and
spice chewing. Senior Sasha Lees microwave for 2-5 minutes
remarked that it “tastes until sufficiently cooked.
like Christmas.” It was the Remove the mug carefully.
CRANBERRY SAUCE
12 ounces cranberries,
The Cranberry Sauce was dish was disgusting. It has fresh or frozen
the second dish we made. the same texture as baby 1 ¼ cups sugar (a little
I believe it took 10-15 food. I would not recom- more sugar, if you prefer it
minutes to make. Though mend the consumption of sweeter)
one could argue that the this dish in ANY situation. ½ cup orange juice or ½
process was more straight- Mix the cranberries into cup water
forward, I think we had to a bowl with sugar and 1 teaspoon grated orange
be more delicate with how water. Place some sort of rind
we did it because we were cover over the bowl and
working with fruit this microwave for 5 minutes.
time. Perhaps we didn’t Smash them to make a
microwave it adequately jelly consistency. Let the
or that the cranberries I cranberries cool until they
bought weren’t very good; are ready for consump-
no matter what it was, this tion.
SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE
1 medium sweet potato
2 tablespoons brown The Baked Sweet Pota- taste the dish. For this
sugar toes was the third dish we though, there was noth-
Small handful of mini made. It took about 15-20 ing. There was absolutely
marshmallows minutes to make. If you no taste for me to con-
1 tablespoon butter know how to rip open a sider, so there were no
potato, then I guess this upsides or downsides.
is a simple dish to make. Prick the sweet potato
I honestly can’t decide with a fork or knife. Mi-
whether to label this as crowave the sweet potato
the second best dish or for 8 minutes, then cut
the second worst dish. For the potato open and add
those of you who haven’t brown sugar and butter.
had a baked sweet potato Finally, microwave some
before, you should know marshmallows on top for
that you are supposed to about 30 seconds.
PHOTOS: MICHAEL YOUMANS AND BEATRICE CAPPIO
Vol. 37, No. 2 • November 12, 2019 • University Prep 11Catch up. Keep up.
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12 University Prep • November 12, 2019 • Vol. 37, No. 2STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
LEGION OF BROOM
Sophomore Andrew Bell competes at a high level at his sport of choice, curling
BY THEO MAHLUM
THE PUMA
Y
ou may play sports
like soccer, ulti-
mate, cross country Bell has been the Puma since
or baseball, but sopho- his eighth grade year because, as
more Andrew Bell’s pas- he put it isn’t a very competitive
sion is for a different type position.
of sport: curling.
“I think in sixth and seventh
Think of curling as
shuffleboard on ice, using grade, saw the Puma and [was]
brooms instead of cues like, ‘I want to be that person,’”
and stones instead of Bell said.
pucks. He still enjoys being the Puma
Now imagine you could but there are a few problems. His
also hit your opponent’s biggest problem with the Puma
pucks away from the
suit is with the mask.
target, That’s curling. Bell
combined both hitting op-
This year, UPrep decided to
ponent’s pucks away and make the job a paid position, which
scoring during his Youth Bell appreciates.
Olympics trials earlier this “I mean, if they’re gonna throw
year. money at me, I’m down,” Bell said.
“I took out two of [my
opponents’] stones, and
then the next stone I
rolled landed directly on
the button,” Bell said. PHOTO: ALLISON TAN
Compared to shuffle-
board, curling is much rest of the family wanted as soccer, if not more, in almost won.” Junior Andrew
more of a team sport. to go home,” Bell said. other places. The three losses disqual- Bell poses with
There are four positions: Bell has curled for the “If you go out to like ified his team from the his Broom and
the skip, who calls the last six years after joining Minnesota and Wiscon- Olympics, but for Bell, this Stone. At the
shots like a captain would the Granite Curling Club sin, [curling] is bigger out disappointment creates Granite Curling
in other sports, he lead, of Seattle in 2013. Bell’s there. And then you go up future opportunity. If his Club in Seattle,
who throws the first two Bell has been
athletic experience is to Canada and there’s a team qualifies again in the
stones, the second throws competitively
different from students ton of curling. Like every next Olympic trials, it is curling for the
the third and fourth that may play on school or small town has a curling possible he will even make last 6 years.
stones and the vice throws recreational teams because club or two,” Bell said. it to the Olympics.
the fifth and sixth stones. of the sport’s unpopularity Because of the sport’s Reaching such a high
Bell mostly plays vice, in the Seattle area. Bell unpopularity in Washing- level of competition in
but he doesn’t mind play- primarily plays against ton, Bell tends to have to curling takes a ton of
ing the other positions, adult teams because of travel to tournaments in commitment. Bell has
except skip. the lack of junior teams in faraway states. Just this games every Tuesday,
“I just haven’t worked the Seattle area. For Bell, October, Bell traveled to Thursday and Friday with
that much to develop that playing with adults is not Denver to compete in the three hours of practice on
part of my game,” Bell necessarily a bad thing, Youth Olympic Trials. Saturdays, in addition to
said. though. “I missed a week of the occasional weekend
Bell first discovered his “Curling is sort of unusu- school which was rough, tournament.
passion while he was in al in that you can compete but the actual curling Luckily, Bell has been
kindergarten attending at it at a successful level itself was amazing. We able to work around the PHOTO: UPREP MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
the 2010 Winter Olympics for slightly longer range of actually played really well. time commitment. He
in Vancouver. ages than [other] sports,” We went to 2-3, but our focuses on school and curl-
“I insisted on staying Bell said. three losses were all really ing primarily, having little
until all four games had Bell said it’s as popular close,” Bell said. ”We free time.
finished, even when the
WHAT IS CURLING?
THE GOAL HOW ARE POINTS SCORED? WHO WINS? WHAT DO I NEED?
At the end of a sheet of The team with the stone The team with the most • Shoes/Sliders
ice there is a target called closest to the button will points after 10 rounds • Broom
a “house,” inside the house be the only team to score wins. If there is a tie, it • Stabilizer
is a smaller target called in any given round (called goes to over-ends. Think • 42lb Stones
a “button,” players try to an end). This team gets overtime.
get stones as close to the points for each stone that’s
button as possible. Think in the house and closer to
darts. the button than another
team’s closest stone.
Vol. 37, No. 2 • November 12, 2019 • University Prep 13UPREP’S GOING TO STATE!
SPORTS
Pumas set records, dominate the competition and send the best to state BY AIDAN LEE
GIRLS SOCCER
y Re
BOYS ULTIMATE
it cord JV Record ity Record ec JV R ord
Vars Vars
6-8 1-1-7 5-8 5-7
After losing 11 players to graduation last “I think everyone really knew their role on After beating Eastside Prep 13-7 during varsity roster and has seen many iterations
year, varsity girls soccer was in a period of the team and what they needed to do as an district playoffs, the varsity boys ultimate of the team.
change, working with players new to the individual,” Bown said. “Everyone had to put team ended their season against SAAS with “I think for me, the highlight in terms of
varsity girls roster. Captained by seniors in the work and develop as a team.” a tough 10-7 loss. Varsity ultimate went when we felt most like a team was when we
Lillian Bown, Ashley Shackelton and Julia Varsity soccer ended their season after a through a series of changes, after several key played our homecoming game,” Burke said.
Beitel, varsity entered league playoffs with a close 2-1 loss to Bear Creek during league players graduated the previous year. Senior “That was one of the games of the season
3-6 season. playoffs. Nathan Burke has played three years on the that I feel like we were absolutely dominant.”
Entering league playoffs after a 9-5
VOLLEYBALL
“I think this year we are way more com- “Our team vibe is still the same [from last at SAAS.
season, varsity girls volleyball came in with petitive,” Anderson said. “We have more of a year],” Anderson said, “we all have a good At the time of writing, varsity volleyball
a drive for success and searching for a state drive this year as we really want to win and relationship with each other and we’re all will continue their journey for a state ap-
title. Junior Ava Anderson leads the team go to state … we have an overall goal.” friends outside the court.” pearance on November 9th against Nooksack
alongside junior Jane Morgan as captains, One strength varsity volleyball carries is League playoffs have been an exciting Valley high school, after preventing the
helping drive the team’s competitive spirit to their team cohesion, being able to work well journey, starting with a 3-0 home win against reverse sweep against Sultan high school on
a state appearance. as a unit. Bear Creek, before losing a close 3-2 game November 7th.
Vars
ity Record JV Record JVC Record
PHOTO: AIDAN LEE
PHOTO: AIDAN LEE
11-5 3-13 3-5
CROSS COUNTRY BOYS TENNIS
P l ac e eme ity Record ecJV R ord
eag
u n Vars
t
L
2nd 5th 12-1 5-2-2
The UPrep cross country teams showed “I’ve been taking [cross country] a lot Entering the district tournament off of a In the end, both Tyler and Jackson Wurzer
a high level of dedication and commitment more seriously and [my] teammates have too, dominant 13-1 season, varsity boys tennis advanced to state for singles. Arron and
to the team this year, improving their times treating running with much more priority in went to districts with the highest ranked Keaunui will also join them at state, finishing
each race. Junior Max Lagunoff has been our everyday lives,” Lagunoff said. players, notably junior Tyler Wurzer, ranked third at districts.
running cross country at UPrep since sixth Boys cross country finished second place No. 1 seed for singles, and senior Nicholas “Being co-league champs this year was
grade, developing himself to become one of in districts, qualifying for state alongside Arron and sophomore Mattias Keaunui, great,” Tyler Wurzer said. “We only lost one
the top runners in the league. solo qualifier freshman Haley Hoffman. ranked No. 1 seed for doubles. match the whole season.”
14 University Prep • November 12, 2019 • Vol. 37, No. 2NEWS
THE NEXT JAFFE
University Prep is starting the search for a new Director of Upper school
BY AARON IGRA ambiguity and a sense school with my son, who
A
ccording to Uni- of humor” while UPrep was a student here,” Jaffe
versity Prep, a new undergoes changes in lead- said. “It was just neat to
Director of Upper ership at Head of School see his trajectory through
School should be selected and Upper School levels. the school through both
by the end of February. Applications for the the lens as a parent, and
The hiree will fill Assistant position will be reviewed through the lens as the
Head of School and Direc- by Carney, Sandoe & Director of Upper School.”
tor of Upper School Ken Associates and the search From his 22 years of UP-
Jaffe’s current position. committee before finalist rep experience, Jaffe has
The search committee candidates are brought some advice for the next
is headed by future UPrep to campus for meet and Director of Upper School.
Head of School Ronnie greets with the UPrep “Make sure that the
Codrington-Cazeau. She is community. focus is on the students,”
working with Robert Fric- “Three or four finalists Jaffe said. “Sometimes I
ker and Karen Whitaker who will come to school think there’s a lot of other
from hiring firm Carney, and meet everybody, so things that can take your
Sandoe & Associates. there will be opportuni- time and attention and
On Nov. 4, Carney, San- ties for faculty drop-in, what I found to be the best
doe & Associates posted parents, students as well part of the job is my inter-
the job description and ap- as some specific people,” actions with the students
plication for the position. Interim Head of School at the school,” Jaffe said.
According to the descrip- Lila Lohr said. Lohr has one simple way
tion, UPrep is looking for With Jaffe’s time at UP- to describe what UPrep
the next Head of Upper rep coming to a close, he is looking for in the next
School to be “a champion reflected on his time here. Director of Upper School.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: AARON IGRA
of diversity, equity and “Selfishly some of my “I keep saying to Ken
inclusion,” as well as have favorite memories were [Jaffe], ‘we just want an- Assistant Head of School and Director of Upper School Ken Jaffe is leaving at the end of the 2019-
“comfortableness with being able to share the other Ken,’” Lohr said. 2020 school year.
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