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Reese Lanzone '25 & Delfina Fraiberger '25
Reporting live on an airplane somewhere between Hartford, CT and Palm Beach, FL, Delfina and I are tuning in on Avon Old Farms’ students' comments about the hockey game's recent results. “I’m not happy about it,” the first blonde boy in the sweatshirt says, just half an hour after Westy’s epic comeback. The other blonde boy in the sweatshirt says he feels “bad.” They seem to be very upset about this ultimate takedown; however, they are attempting to remain poker-faced. Just a week or maybe two ago, Westy tragically lost to Avon, although having put up a valiant fight. Today, Westy has come back stronger than ever and won 4-1, and we are triumphant, as seen by the utter morale on this plane! One student said they had never been so happy in their life: “I have never been so happy in my life!” Cricket Beard remarks upon hearing the news. As avid Westy superfans, we cannot see what’s next for our Martlets on ice!
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Lily Meguid ‘26 How many of us recall the apprehension and anxiety around our first months at Westy? So many new faces, situations, conventions, traditions, customs, rules, etc. A year or two on, we don’t think of it often, but it was undeniably a change-intensive time for all of us. That’s especially true for our schoolmates who join after the Third Form. In my experience, lots of important relationships and patterns can be created early on, and being a year or two off cycle can make it all the more challenging an adjustment. Curiously, when I ask friends about their early months on the Hill, even many who matriculated as Third Formers say they could have benefited from more guidance. This is especially the case when it comes to understanding the rules of the road on expected behavior and the consequences of breaking them. I will confess that I would have taken advantage of a peer-only group to help me navigate my way around and perhaps accelerated my acclimation to a border’s life away from home. Adjusting to a new school is about more than just academics: social pressures, dorm life, extracurricular commitments, and the emotional challenges of being away from home all play a role in shaping our experiences. This inspired the idea for a peer support club that eases the transition for students new to Westminster by offering peer-led guidance and a forum for exchanging experiences through open dialogue. It strives to be a space where new students can ask questions, gain insight, and find support. Through group discussions, informal gatherings, and mentorship opportunities, every student will feel welcomed and supported. This club is about much more than answering logistical questions, like fostering friendships and giving new students confidence to fully embrace Westminster’s culture. The transition to a new school is never easy, but the right support system can transform uncertainty into opportunity. By weaving new students into the fabric of Westminster’s community and giving them a space to share their voices, the Westy Navigators Club ensures that no unsure Martlet navigates that journey alone. Alexandria Goodman '25
While many believe the food label “organic” only refers to foods that use minimal synthetic materials, it also refers to foods that claim to foster resource cycling, promote ecological balance, maintain and improve soil and water quality, and conserve ecological biodiversity. With the increased use of GMOs in food production, many consumers are considering buying organic foods to incorporate into their diets. The National Organic Program, a subset of the USDA, oversees the use of the label and enforces the standards for crops, livestock, and agricultural products in general. Organic crops must be sprayed with natural fertilizers and farmers must protect the soil; Organic livestock must roam freely outdoors and can’t consume growth hormones or antibiotics; Organic products can not contain any GMOs or artificial colors/preservatives. The organic food label carries merit and allows consumers to feel more comfortable making healthy and environmentally conscious decisions. Many believe organic produce is grown without pesticides; technically, this is false. Organic produce has lower levels of pesticide residue in general compared to nonorganic produce. They may be sprayed with natural pesticides and a few synthetic pesticides used specifically for organic farming; however, this happens rarely and the farmer must contact a USDA organic certifying agent should they choose this method. Farmers commonly use insects or insect traps and rotate plants regularly to control pests. Organic food critics claim that organic produce isn’t healthier than conventional produce. The science community is divided on this topic, with the UK Consumers’ Association reporting that studies investigating the link between health and organic food have not reached a consensus. However, studies have shown a moderate increase in some nutrients in organic produce – like antioxidants. Additionally, organic grains have shown much lower levels of cadmium – a toxic metal. Although many consumers want to start buying organic food, some are worried about the potential price increase associated with the switch from regular. In an ERS study, researchers discovered that all organic products were more costly than their conventional counterparts and that the premium was 20% higher. In 2010, the prices for 17 organic foods were on average 7% higher than regular prices for spinach and 82% for eggs. This price increase can be justified as the time and effort to grow organic food greatly outweigh that of nonorganic food. Regardless, organic products are more expensive. As stated before, the National Organic Program oversees the organic food label. As a result, they are hyperspecific about what each organic-orientated label means. There are differences between “100% organic,” “organic,” and “made with organic” labels. The 100% organic label is used for any products made with all-natural ingredients excluding water and salt. The organic label is used for products that, at minimum, contain 95% organic ingredients. The five or below percentage of ingredients must be on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances for organic organizations. The “made with organic” label is used for products that contain at least 70% organically produced ingredients with detailed constraints for the nonorganic ingredients. The National Organic Program also mandates that organic products can not contain any GMOs or utilize genetic engineering. Farmers must show proof to the USDA that they aren’t using GMOs and are protecting their food from GMO contamination. Any operation proved to use GMOs or other prohibited substances faces loss of certification and fines. In conclusion, the organic food label holds more substance than the myriad of food labels available on the market. It protects buyers from foods containing GMOs and could potentially indicate health benefits. Organic foods have been shown to help improve farming conditions and the environment around them. There are different types of organic foods, each with their own specifications (100% organic, organic, and made with organic ingredients.) While the price of organic foods may be too expensive for some, it is ultimately up to each shopper to decide if organic food is something they want to implement into their diets. Citations Barnes, Robin How Organic Food Works https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/organic-food6.htm#:~:text=Production%20costs%20for%20organic%20foods,to%20lower%20the%20overall%20cost. Beaton, Kelly February 8, 2024 Organic Growth Continues, Even Admidst Inflation. https://foodinstitute.com/focus/organic-food-sales/ Carlson, Andrea May 24, 2016 Investigating Retail Price Premiums for Organic Foods https://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2016/may/investigating-retail-price-premiums-for-organic-foods July 22, 2016 Understanding the USDA organic label https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/blog/understanding-usda-organic-label May 17, 2013 Organic 101: Can GMOs Be Used in Organic Products https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/blog/organic-101-can-gmos-be-used-organic-products#:~:text=Any%20certified%20organic%20operation%20found,USDA%20organic%20regulations%20for%20GMOs n.d. About organic labeling https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/labeling n.d. Organic Foods: Are they safer? Are they nutritious? https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/organic-food/art-20043880 n.d.Organic Regulations https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic#:~:text=The%20National%20Organic%20Program%20(NOP,of%20all%20USDA%20organic%20products. n.d. USDA Certified Organic: Understanding the Basics https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/organic-certification/organic-basics#:~:text=Organic%20is%20a%20label%20that,biodiversity%2C%20and%20preserve%20ecological%20balance. October 17, 2018. The Pros and Cons of Organic Food https://www.realbuzz.com/articles-interests/nutrition/article/the-pros-and-cons-of-organic-food#:~:text=Organic%20food%20may%20go%20'off,the%20use%20of%20any%20chemicals. Audrey Tan ‘27 In late January, NVIDIA stock experienced a crash out, which was caused by DeepSeek. DeepSeek, an open source AI model designed to enhance machine learning capabilities, put the world into shock as it performs nearly as well or better than the current AI models, costs a fraction to make and train, and doesn't rely on human feedback to provide answers. This breakthrough not only posed a direct challenge to NVIDIA’s existing AI technologies but also sparked fears of a shift in the AI landscape. NVIDIA is a graphic processing unit company that is used for computer applications such as the gaming industry, robotics, and most importantly the leading player in graphics processing and AI technology.   In late January, NVIDIA stock experienced a crash out, which was caused by DeepSeek. DeepSeek, an open source AI model designed to enhance machine learning capabilities, put the world into shock as it performs nearly as well or better than the current AI models, costs a fraction to make and train, and doesn't rely on human feedback to provide answers. This breakthrough not only posed a direct challenge to NVIDIA’s existing AI technologies but also sparked fears of a shift in the AI landscape. NVIDIA is a graphic processing unit company that is used for computer applications such as the gaming industry, robotics, and most importantly the leading player in graphics processing and AI technology. Investors became concerned that DeepSeek's capabilities could lead to a decrease in demand for NVIDIA's high-end GPUs, which are essential for training and deploying traditional AI models.The startup's launch of a free, open-source large language model raised alarms, with analysts noting that DeepSeek claimed it was developed "in just two months at a cost of under $6 million," significantly less than what Western companies typically invest. Sam Altman stated that Chat GPT cost more than $100 million to develop. Moreover, the competitive advantage offered by DeepSeek, with its cost-effective development and efficiency, raised questions about NVIDIA's future profitability and market share. This situation highlighted the fragility of tech dominance in the fast-evolving AI sector, where innovations can rapidly alter where innovations can rapidly alter the competitive landscape. For instance Alibaba’s new AI that launched recently on Lunar new year, Qwen 2.5, basically outperforms Chat GPT -4.0, Llama-3.1-405B, and even Deepseek-V3. Investors reacted swiftly to the news, resulting in a sharp decline in NVIDIA's stock price. “Nvidia shares plunged 17% on Monday, resulting in a market cap loss of close to $600 billion, the biggest drop ever for a U.S. company.” (CNBC). Analysts suggest that the company's ambitious projections for DeepSeek may have contributed to heightened expectations, making the current problems even more pronounced. NVIDIA recently experienced a significant downturn in its stock value, raising concerns among investors and tech enthusiasts alike.  NVIDIA’s CEO, Jensen Huang, addressed the situation in a recent press conference, stating, “We acknowledge the challenges we are facing with DeepSeek and are committed to resolving them as quickly as possible. Our team is working diligently to ensure the product meets the high standards we set for ourselves.”
Despite the setback, many industry experts remain optimistic about NVIDIA’s long-term prospects. The company has a strong track record of innovation and resilience, and some analysts believe that with the right adjustments, DeepSeek could still fulfill its potential. As NVIDIA navigates this rocky phase, the future of DeepSeek remains uncertain. The tech world will be watching closely to see how the company responds and whether it can regain the confidence of its investors and customers. Lily Meguid ‘26
Wildfires in Los Angeles are becoming increasingly frequent and severe, as they swallow thousands of acres of land, displace numerous families, destroy untold homes and infrastructure, and leave multiple fatalities in their wake; the latest wildfires are among the most devastating in all of California history. The Palisades Fire alone, which ignited in January of 2025, consumed nearly 24,000 acres of land in Pacific Palisades and Malibu, leaving entire communities in ashes and priceless memories in smoke–for reference, this equates to about 18,000 football fields placed side by side, which is nearly 10 times the size of Central Park in New York City and roughly all of Disney World. LA communities are now struggling with whether to rebuild despite the chaos around insurance issues, legal disputes, prevention costs, and uncertain construction timing. These fires will prove to be the costliest in United States history, and, according to former President Joe Biden, rebuilding expenses will be at least “tens of billions” of dollars. Within the past two months, wildfires have resulted in over $30 billion in losses to insurers, effectively propelling California’s insurance landscape into a state of turmoil and disorder. After COVID, insurance companies in California chose to avoid areas prone to natural disasters, including Los Angeles. However, there was an exception: State Farm chose to expand in the area and controlled over 20% of the California market. Interestingly, just months before the 2025 wildfires, State Farm abruptly stopped offering policies and let go of around 30,000 homeowners due to a higher risk of wildfires. By default, most families were switched to the California Fair Plan, which provided the least coverage at the highest rates. This dramatic shift in behavior from insurance companies like State Farm left countless homeowners both uninsured and unsupported, forcing them to consider rebuilding their lives with less protection than ever. Over the past few years, the California government has established more stringent fire-resistant building codes in response to the escalating threat of wildfires. Homes in highly prone areas must have preventive features such as fire-resistant roofing or ember-resistant vents. Although these changes exist in the best interest of the communities in these areas, they increase prices for rebuilding, making the process even more difficult. For example, rebuilding a typical 2,000-square-foot home with the added cost of fire-resistant supplies and features can range from $40,000 to $100,000. This additional financial strain makes it even harder for families to rebuild their lives and places an even greater economic toll on those already attempting to recover from destruction and loss. On top of economic setbacks, supply chain issues have hindered construction companies’ abilities to rebuild in a timely manner, worsening the overwhelming anticipation experienced by the countless families eager to recover a sense of normalcy and security. The increasing consumer demand on retail supply chains over a short-term period has increased the prices of materials such as new roofing and drywall. Many devastated communities will not start construction for up to two to three years as infrastructure is the priority for rebuilding. Due to these supply chain issues, displaced families have no choice but to wait in painful anticipation for months–and potentially up to years–before they have the option to return to their home communities. In all, the January fires have demolished 16,000 homes, killed 29 individuals, and caused an estimated $30 billion in financial losses. For the families living in LA, these fires are more than just a headline in the newspaper or a statistic in an article; Californian families are tasked with the emotional and economic challenge of rebuilding their homes and reconciling what they have lost. It will require the effort and support of the entire Los Angeles community if these devastated areas are to ever recover fully amidst the new policies that make bouncing back an especially taxing process. Sources Wall Street Journal BBC Fire Rescue Construction Dive Cindion Huang '25
11:27pm on a Tuesday night, Carrying the crushing weight of adulthood, I returned to the unending cycle of chores that consumes my every waking second and long-lost childhood dreams. For too long now I have been feeling nothing but wistful regrets for not achieving more for not being more; and I have long been feeling nothing but this numb, crushing weight of adulthood on my shoulders suffocating every thought creating fake façades and pulling my flesh apart, or simply nothing at all. Like an oblivious, senseless robot I operate with apathy while living for precision -- until a notification shattered me: “Take care of yourself, dear. I have been looking through your baby photos… Call home when you miss us. We all miss and love you! –xo, Granny” And just like that -- at 11:27pm on a Tuesday night -- the walls guarding my heart and hopes and feelings that I built instantly crumble and fall apart. My vision gradually blurs by streams of tears as my fingers, trembling, typed: “I love you too granny. Take care.” Aidan O’Callaghan ‘26
Super Bowl LIX was contested on February 9th, 2025, between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. The game was highly anticipated due to the Chief’s chance at being the first team ever to win three Super Bowls in a row. The matchup was a repeat from Super Bowl LVII, which was a very exciting game, ending with the Chiefs on top 38-35. Due to great early offense from the Eagles, they were able to execute a successful “Brotherly Shove” and score the first touchdown of the game. Thanks to incredible defense, including five sacks and a pick-six from Cooper DeJean, the Eagles were able to jump out to a 24-point lead going into halftime, and it seemed as if the Eagles were going to run away with it. This was a major shock as the Chiefs had one of the best offenses in the league, with superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes at the helm. The second half started with more of the same, and the Eagles were able to extend their lead to 34. Finally, in the last minute of the 3rd quarter, the Chiefs broke through and scored their first touchdown, a 24-yard pass to Xavier Worthy. However, the Eagles sealed the game by quickly striking back with two field goals. Despite two late touchdowns, it was too little too late for the Chiefs, and the Eagles took Super Bowl LIX by a score of 40-22. This was their second Super Bowl after Nick Foles and the “Philly Special” were victorious in 2018. It also proved that their coach, Nick Sirianni, was the right man for the job and was winning material despite the setback of losing Super Bowl LVII. Overall, the game proved the difficulty of the threepeat and solidified Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley as all-time greats. Sunshine Li ‘26
“I want you to do this–and I know it sounds silly, but really, try this tonight: look at yourself in the mirror and say, ‘I love you.’” Visiting writer Daniel Donaghy’s December 13th presentation for the McKinley Friday Nights at Westminster program exuded the ethos of empathy by connecting with both the audience and the subjects of his writing, a trait that echoes throughout the shared rhetoric and themes of his work. Donaghy’s ability to weave empathy into his presentation allowed him to connect with the audience on a deeper level, leading myself and I’m sure many others to ponder about his words days after. He didn’t just read a few of his poems, shamelessly plug a new book, and skedaddle; Donaghy served us anecdotes of self love analogous to his suggestion to say “I love you” in the mirror. By asking the audience to imagine a crow perched on their shoulder and a wise, grandmotherly figure nestled in their hearts, he painted two juxtaposing metaphors that spoke to me. The crow, an embodiment of self-doubt or lingering pain, serves as a reminder of our burdens, while the inner “grandmother” is a symbol of nurturing self-kindness. These images are not just poetic flourishes, however; they are tools, gently nudging us toward a more compassionate view of ourselves. Suggesting that the audience tell their reflections “I love you” wasn’t a halfhearted cliche–it was a call to bravery, a radical invitation to embrace vulnerability and offer love to the person we often neglect the most: ourselves. Comparable to how he coaxed the audience’s self awareness during the presentation, Donaghy’s poetry observes the lives and struggles of others with unflinching empathy and subtle detail, from the topics he writes about to the rhetoric that he writes with. Unlike some renowned poets, such as Emily Dickinson, whose work reflects introspective, often abstract concepts, Donaghy’s muses lie in people around him and their lived experiences. For example, in “Old Man Shooting Free Throws,” he quite literally puts himself in his subject’s shoes, using observations to create vivid visual imagery. Closing my eyes, I can picture a scene where “the ball settles / into the cradle his right fingertips make, / his bent wrist even with his glasses.” Furthermore, Donaghy weaves a beautiful description of a construction worker’s daily routine in “What Cement Is Made of” when he writes, “In shower stalls, concrete mix washes off / like limestone loosened by hard summer rain / under a single, shared fluorescent bulb.” The similes of “concrete mix” and “limestone loosened by hard summer rain” emit visual and auditory images, while the “single, shared fluorescent bulb” is a potent symbol of both hardship and togetherness, exhibiting Donaghy’s ability to not just comprehend, but fully immerse himself in a situation vastly different from his own. Whether the elderly man shooting free throws is a friend or if Donaghy has worked as a blue-collar worker, we don’t know–but through his profound empathy and command of poetic devices, he makes the reader feel as if we understand his subjects just as intimately as he does. Donaghy’s ethos extends to his community and beyond, as he sheds light on obscure social issues that transcend time and culture, culminating in the reading of an excerpt from his poem about the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. Fueled by racism and hatred, a false accusation that Black teenager Dick Rowland had assaulted a white woman sparked a white mob to destroy homes, businesses, and churches in the “Black Wall Street” of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The tragic event resulted in 300 Black residents killed and thousands left homeless. Although now recognized as one of the worst incidents of racial violence in U.S. history, this event was covered up for decades. Hence, Donaghy’s voice carried a stoic tone of respect, trembling with a hint of indignation as he told us about the injustice that Dick Rowland and the people of Greenwood experienced. Though far removed from his own experience, Donaghy’s passion about the massacre threads their stories into his broader tapestry of social justice and human dignity. To extend compassion so fully to a community and moment in history outside one’s own is rare, and it speaks to Donaghy’s commitment to honoring the stories that matter, even when they are not his own. Daniel Donaghy’s reading and his work stand as a testament to the transformative power of empathy. Through intimate metaphors and powerful imagery, Donaghy doesn’t just invite us to see the world through his eyes; he urges us to open our own, and, in doing so, to carry forward the light of kindness in a world that so often forgets its importance. Chip Genung ‘25
Tariff is a word used a lot recently when talking about foreign policy and economics. This is primarily because they serve as a part of President Trump’s new foreign policy strategy. Tariffs historically have pros and cons, both for the United States and for the countries the U.S uses them against. They can hurt or help the economies of the countries that implement them. Very simply, tariffs are a way in which the government taxes imports from foreign countries. Recently, Trump has announced a 25% tariff on imports of steel and aluminium, which means 25% of the price of all imported steel and aluminium will have to be paid by the importer to the US government. Douglas Irwin is an economics professor at Dartmouth, and has laid out the historical precedent for tariffs in the US saying they are used to promote the “three R’s”. These stand for revenue (more income for the government), restriction (a method to protect American producers from international competitors), and reciprocity (leverage to use when negotiating with other countries). The revenue aspect was popular before the introduction of an income tax in the 19th century, but today the cost of the US government cannot be solely covered by tariffs. The restriction and reciprocity aspects of tariffs have been implemented multiple times throughout history. President Trump appears to be a fan of the “three R’s”, using tariffs as leverage and favoring it as a way for the government to make money. For example he used the threat of tariffs as a bargaining chip in talks with both Canada and Mexico. However, he has seen a considerable amount of pushback, as tariffs have been known to raise prices for American consumers on imported products, which can have varying effects on the economy depending on the severity of the tariffs. Others worry about the effect tariffs will have on inflation. Furthermore, without resources from other countries being imported in, we might have a lack of specific goods, therefore driving the price up. There's no doubt that tariffs have been playing a big role on the world stage, and it appears they will continue to do so, as leaders of the world attempt to use them to accomplish their ambitious goals. Lucy Wainwright ‘25
If you’ve spent any weekends on campus these past few months, you may have been lucky enough to find yourself in an unusually raucous Hinman reading room during one of the winter coffee houses. Coffee house is far from a new organization at Westminster, having existed in some form or another as a place for students to share their talents for quite some time. However, in recent years, it has lost some of the vibrance and energy I remember experiencing as a Third Former. Crowds often dwindled, and we’d only get one or two a term, if we were lucky. Thankfully, something changed this year. Perhaps it was the renovation of Keyes Porch that catalyzed the shift. Brand new patio furniture encouraged students to squeeze five to a couch and three to an armchair. The expanded space offered room for a conveniently perfect stage and plenty of seating options. Once students finally attended an event, they realized just how fun it could be to support their classmates, and continued to show up even as the stage was moved to Hinman. However, maybe this shift can be credited to co-heads Elise Park ‘25 and Hannah Maltby ‘26 in their decision for the winter venue. In my previous experiences of coffee house, indoor events had been held in the dining hall lobby. While that space offered lots of foot traffic, it was cursed by being far to open. As you can imagine, it was hard to create ‘atmosphere’ in the middle of a Saturday night postgame dinner rush. The decision to move to Hinman created a warmer environment that not only invited more fans, but more performers as well. Instead of a sparse and ever-transient crowd, this year’s coffee houses have retained captive and enthusiastic audiences, leaving standing-room only to take part in this revived tradition. The rebirth of coffee house serves as an example of the importance of supporting all aspects of the Westy community. Athletics and arts can be celebrated at the same time, without one taking away from the other. With less than half of the year to go, I encourage you all to cram into Hinman Reading Room or squeeze onto a couch on Keyes and experience the magic of coffee house for yourself. |
