By Chip Genung ’25 The winter term has seen many significant changes to daily life on the hill, with the most significant being sleep-ins on Tuesday and Friday and the exam dress code for the rest of the term. The entire student body is grateful for these changes, but there are still many questions in the air. Do these include the reasoning from the perspective of the faculty? How long are these changes expected to stay? And where does the school want to go with them, if they are part of a bigger plan? In pursuit of answers, I sat down with Mrs. White to discuss these changes. Here are what I learned.
By Chip Genung ’25, Maya Tavares ’24, Wills Erda ’24 Promptly after classes on Thursday, Jan. 19, twenty-two dedicated Westminster students filled into two toaster buses and drove down the hill. After an hour of driving, they found themselves on the steps of the one and only Yale University. But why were twenty-two of Westminster's most intelligent and talented students in New Haven? To attend Yale Model United Nations of course!
By Jacqueline Wu ’24 Do you enjoy having your parents close to you?
Morgan Curtis ’24: Yes! I enjoy seeing them a lot. My parents are everyone’s parents. I know many people who would call my mom their school mom. Mary Styspeck ’24: Yes, it doesn't bother me personally. It's nice to know you have a parent around if you ever need something. My teachers and counselors can easily talk to my mom if necessary. By Trent Jones ’25 As the Westminster population wakes up and gets ready for the day, the last thing we think about is danger. This is in large part thanks to the work of our security team. Mr. John Durkin, a member of the team, helps keep all of us safe and secure. Over a 35-year career in law enforcement, most of which was spent at the Simsbury Police Department and the Mashantucket Police Department, Mr. Durkin has impressive experience in safety and security.
By Alexandria Goodman ’25 Over the past decade, rapper Nicki Minaj has been in multiple online controversies. From disputes with fellow artists to disagreements with fans, it is safe to assume Minaj has cultivated a negative presence in the online sphere. The most recent controversy dates back to last year when Minaj and her fans attacked a journalist for commenting on her husband’s criminal record; Minaj’s husband, Kenneth Petty, is a registered sex offender in New York. Minaj’s fans ruthlessly harassed the journalist for days; some of Minaj’s fans threatened to dox the journalist’s address, and others threatened to show up at the journalist’s niece’s preschool. While Minaj claims she had no direct involvement with the recent bombardment, one cannot deny there is a pattern with this kind of behavior. Minaj’s fans often attack her “haters” while Minaj agitates the situation. After the event, Minaj excuses her fan’s behavior by describing them as supportive or cutthroat, and the cycle continues. But why? Why is this behavior encouraged and forgiven?
By Kimi Weng ’24 You have encountered someone who has suffered from cancer, even if you don’t happen to know it.
By Alice Tao ’24 Imagine walking into the squash pavilion and seeing nine girls in scientist goggles hitting rubber balls. Would you laugh? We are often referred to as the “nerdy” tennis players but has anyone told you that squash is actually attractive? Infamously known as the “Lobbers,” given by the great Mr. Ulrich, we traveled 220 miles to Philadelphia for Nationals and missed the V-day dance because we are such dedicated athletes. Yes, you heard it right, Nationals. We are legit, thank you. Packed inside a long white van, we embarked on a three-day trip with tacos, pizzas, and pasta. You may wonder, were you there for food or squash? “Both,” is the only correct answer.
By Tarapi Pyo ’24 At its core, feminism is a belief in the political, economic, and cultural equality of women. The movement is typically categorized into four waves, each with its distinct time period. The metaphor of ‘waves’ describes how the feminist movement surges at the beginning of its phases and then peaks in the forms of concrete accomplishments.
By Margee Mahoney ’24 One thing that allows our community to grow is our Chapel Talks, or, as I like to think of them, story times. Each Tuesday and Friday, we gather in a dimly lit, beautiful building and listen to our peers’ innermost thoughts.
By Hannah Small ’25 Ever wonder what would happen if your favorite food was no longer available? What if you could no longer enjoy a savory sandwich or a colorful, juicy fruit? Well, this might be more of a reality than a dream. With today’s drastic climate changes, food sources are rapidly decreasing. The chances of your favorite food becoming a rare commodity is not far from the future.
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