THEbridge

Spring 2015 | Vol. 5, Issue 1 Illus

trate

d by

Tyle

r Inn

‘15

Kupe

lian

Brandt

Pion

Silence is Deadly

Mental

Body

Image

Breakdown

Letter from the Editors

staffAbby Kuhns - Editor in Chief

Tessa Palter-poston - online editor

connor moldo - managing editor

Jack ginsberg - sports editor

Daniel hyun - opinion editor

Alli blythe - copy editor

zoey lyttle - staff writer

Matthew chill - staff writer

luke goldstein - staff writer

Lucy Wurwand - Guest Designer

serena ettinger - staff writer

rachel griswold - staff writer

Tristan damon - staff writer

Charles Lyttle - editor in chief

This issue of The Bridge was undoubtedly our most collaborative and comprehensive endeavor yet. Throughout both of our trajectories on this magazine, (three and four years, respectively) we have seen The Bridge grow from a small biannual publication to a substantial and very personal 60-page magazine.

This year we published a variety of stories concerned with shattering expectations, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of many members of the Windward community. From tackling obstacles on the playing field to battling life threatening situations, the stories in this year’s first issue are unequivocally poignant and profound.

The Bridge staff members worked tirelessly to dig up stories on a broad spectrum of subjects and topics. Because of the

depth of these articles we could not limit the magazine to our usual 30-40 page cutoff. Instead, we’re proud to produce our longest and best issue yet. This has been a long and tiring process but after months of toil we’re happy to publish our best work on these pages.

We hope you enjoy and that this issue makes you proud to be part of our community long after the last sentence .

Cheers,

Charlie Lyttle and Abby Kuhns

page 2

Table of ContentsHe Said, She Said

Ipad vs Paper

diamonds in the rough

Sound-Off

Outside the box and between the lines

Living pastthe weekend

under the wing

What is feminism?

A sneak peak

Mental breakdown

Artistic: griffin pion

A man on a mission

Swing for the Fences

warpedimage

silence isdeadly

crossword

4

6

8

10

13

16

18

22

28

34

36

38

40

44

50

46

page 3

How do you feel about Windward’s dress code?

Which CTL Floor do you prefer?

I think it’s too restrictive. Some people are more targeted than others. -Haylie Wolitz ‘16

I think the dress code is less strict than other schools. What I’ve heard is that other schools are really strict about it, and Windward isn’t that strict about it.

The lower floor because it is more talkative and fun and you can study with

friends. Also the rooms you can rent out are really fun.

-Lara Treisman ‘20

I prefer the lower floor because I can get my work but I can still be with my friends and collaborate with them. -Sara Platt ‘17

He Said, She Said

-Greta Gersh ‘18

BY ZOEY LYTTLE ’17 staff writer, illustrations by: Jonathan Gardner ’15

page 4

Middle School or Upper School advisory?

How well do students and teachers communicate?

Which is more nerve-wracking: Midterms or Finals?

Upper school advisory because we get food. I like food.

-Jeremiah Sears ‘18

I like lower school because it was more entertaining.

-Jack Longarzo ‘18

Many of my students are very proactive about communicating and getting help. Some... would like to hide.

-Ken Asher

If a student is too busy and has too many extracurriculars going then they will contact their teacher, email them, and tell them why they can’t do something.

Finals, because it’s at the end of the year and I have to remember every-thing from the year.

-Jack Lipstone ‘19

Neither. I really don’t care, I’m a senior so I don’t have finals. [In past years] I would say midterms, whatever, it’s okay. -Joshua Schnitman ‘15

-Cory Silverman-Lloyd ‘18

page 5

iPad vs Paper Does the iPad actually help students learn?

In 2012, Windward integrated the iPad into the educational program, changing the curriculum drastically. Rather than using physical notebooks and textbooks, students now use iPads for almost all of their schoolwork. The iPad is an innovative learning tool that provides students with an assortment of applications that expands their understanding of everything they learn. While the iPad program is designed to keep students organized and engaged, some students find that the program does the opposite.

Sam Wimmer ’18 and an anonymous source agreed that students are fortunate to have access to the iPad, and “we need to appreciate them.” Nicole Kohut ‘18 appreciated that the iPad allowed her to communicate with her teachers. Students have admitted that they checked their emails less often without iPads, and teachers would respond to emails with less frequency. Now that email is always at her fingertips, Nicole reported that she has faster access to what she needs. Students also now have immediate access to all of their

assignments and grades through the app “Haiku.”

Alex Treisman ‘18 added “the iPad makes it so much easier to catch up if you miss school. If I miss a day, I still have all the information I need about my classes and I have all my assignments.” An anonymous source added, “Teachers used to just say stuff about dates and tests and homework in class and expect us to remember. Now that we have Haiku, I don’t have to stress about writing every detail down in class because I can always look and see what information the teacher has posted online.”

Students were also glad that the iPad has so many resources in one place. At all times they have access to the internet, all of their class notes, a calculator, and other helpful tools.

“Having everything in one place makes things easier because I don’t have to carry around so much stuff, and I know I can’t lose anything because I can back up my notes,” said Miriam

Harshberger ‘18. The iPad also keeps Miriam organized in other ways; she added, “I really like that I can color code my notes. I’m one of those people who can’t do work unless her stuff is organized, and the iPad makes organization so easy.”

Another student agreed with Miriam, saying, “the iPad makes organizational aspects of everything less stressful. We do a lot of projects on the iPad now using Notability, iMovie, and Geogebra, and it’s so much better than using paper. I feel like I learn more using the iPad for projects because I’m a visual learner and when everything’s on paper it all looks the same, so it’s really hard to remember things.”

While some students agree that the iPad is

BY RACHAEL GRISWOLD ’18 staff writer

page 6

beneficial, others find that the iPad makes other things more difficult.

Sydney Oppenheim ‘18 shared “I think with paper and pencil, you aren’t as easily distracted. Paper and pencil just help me take notes and study.” An anonymous source agreed with Sydney, adding “It would be cool if some kids could use the iPad and some didn’t have to. Like, the iPad should be given to every student so we could have the internet and all the apps, but we shouldn’t be forced to use it for everything.”

This statement sparked a positive, enthusiastic conversation, during which an anonymous source responded to the statement, saying, “Yes! That is the greatest idea. Why doesn’t Windward just do that?”

Ten out of twelve students who were interviewed about the iPad immediately agreed that “the iPad should be given to every student so we could have the internet and all the apps, but we shouldn’t be forced to use it for everything.” One student who disagreed argued that the iPad is expensive, and we should use it because we are fortunate to have access to it. While students are not actually forced to use the iPad for everything, it is encouraged. Some teachers give students the option to take notes and do homework on paper, but students still have to submit homework assignments to Haiku and take notes on digital worksheets. The class of ’18 had learned to take notes on paper and use physical textbooks and worksheets, which is why it is difficult for some students to adjust to the iPad, a completely different learning tool.

Although some students find that the iPad keeps their notes organized, others find that the iPad is “less reliable than a

notebook,” as Sydney Oppenheim stated. An anonymous source agreed with Sydney, saying, “so much can go wrong. All my stuff is on my iPad. If I don’t have it, I can’t do any work.”

Sam Wimmer agreed that the iPad is “unreliable” at times. He shared, “Whenever I try to do homework (on Notability), it crashes. Notability needs to get figured out before I go on my iPad again.”

Matthew Rotchel ‘18 said, “I just don’t really like the way the iPads work. I’d rather use Pages or Word than Notability, so I just use my laptop for everything. I don’t even need an iPad.” Students like being able to back up their notes on Notability, but they find that they are more likely to lose work because of technical difficulties on the iPad than to lose a piece of paper kept in a binder. According to one anonymous source, “That defeats the whole purpose of Notability.”

Students have almost unanimously come to the conclusion that, ideally, they should have access to an iPad without

being “forced” to use it. Although it would make it harder on teachers, students have suggested that worksheets be handed out as well as posted on Haiku, which would honor individual styles of learning. Visual and auditory learners either found the iPad beneficial or found no change in their study habits or learning ability. Kinesthetic, or tactile learners, who learn through touch, motion, and/or physical activity, found it more difficult to adjust to the iPad because they could no longer write by hand or flip through pages. Half of the students interviewed identified themselves as tactile learners.

The iPad is an innovative learning tool that Windward brought into its curriculum to help students learn, but some students find that the mandatory nature of the iPad program has obstructed their learning experiences.

“The iPad should be given to every student so we could have the internet and all the

apps, but we shouldn’t be forced to use it for

everything.”

page 7

Imagine living in a world with a few lucky people who are born with amazing talents and multi-coloured eyes, known as gracelings.

Katsa is one of the few gracelings throughout the world, and her grace is even more unusual than her social stance. She is graced with killing, and though there have been stories of others graced similarly, she had never met anyone her like her.

That is until Po, the mysterious Prince graced with fighting came into her life. Katsa’s grace had been abused all her life, but she discovers things about herself that change everything.

This fictional young adult book is thrilling and empowering. It’s is a great choice for all fantasy lovers. Though the main fanbase is female, people of all orientations love it.

A SNEAK

PEEK

GracelingBackground

Commentary

BY TRISTAN DAMON ’18 staff writer

page 8

Katerina can steal anything; it could be a huge painting from a well known museum or a famous ancient jewel. Born and raised in a family of thieves, she struggles with her identity and who she wants to grow into. This book previews how she matures as a teenager, altering her daily mischievous activity, and returning items to their rightful owner. Her family and best friend, Hale, do everything they can to stop her, until they join her.

Loui Antellini was an Olympic Champion at the peak of his life when he was sent to war. Antellini’s story is almost unbelievable. After being sent overseas, his crew goes down into the Pacific. Antellini and the remainder of his crew go through great lengths to survive, but they’re separated when they are found by the Japanese. He comes face to face with death many times, and the only thing keeping him alive is his will to survive.

Once you start this thrilling book, it’s hard to put down. Heist Society is also followed by two sequels.

This thrilling war story is touching and empowering. It’s hard to not have a great amount of respect for Loui after you read it. While the book may showcase the lives of men, it still appeals to audiences of all genders. This story is also accessible as a movie directed by Angelina Jolie and debuted in early 2015.

The Heist Society

Unbroken

Background

Commentary

Background

Commentary

page 9

page 10

Sound

OffPodcasts have risen from the depths of their irrelevance

to unexpected new heights in 2015, particularly with last

year’s accessible WBEZ Chicago’s “Serial “podcast from

This American Life’s Sarah Koenig.

“I started listening because my parents were obsessed

and wouldn’t shut up about it,” said junior Ines Garcia of

the podcast. “And I ended up loving it, probably because

the storyline is like straight out of an episode of (Law and

Order) SVU.”

However, despite the popularity of the program, which is

set to have a second season, podcasts generally have been

gaining traction because of the inherent advantages of

audio media as opposed to visual media.

“They easy to listen to, for example, in the car or while

exercising,” said Isabel Kibreab, a junior. “And there are so

many different kinds. It’s like watching TV, but easier.”

The less obvious benefits of listening to podcasts are

more psychological than logistical. Because our lives have

become increasingly cluttered with work, school, and the

like, it’s hard to sit down and read a long article or watch

a comedy. Listening to something current that is just as,

if not more, entertaining than the last episode of Friends

is cathartic and calming. Doing homework or driving to

practice with a fast paced and witty soundtrack makes

some of life’s mundane experiences that much more

bearable.

As platforms like Soundcloud, iTunes, Stitcher,

and Earwolf have grown in popularity, so have the

breadth of podcasts available for free streaming

every week. Undiscovered comedy, news, music,

and political commentary treasures are just

around the corner (or on your phone,) and here

are some of the best of the best.

BY ABBY KUHNS ’15

co-editor-in-chief

page 11

Gilmore GuysLeave it to none other

than Netflix to make Alexis Bledel’s

claim to fame Gilmore

Girls gain traction

among younger

millennials almost 15 years after episode one

aired in October of 2000. And what better way to find

some much needed commentary on the witty and caffeine filled show

than a podcast? Both Kevin T Porter and comedian Demi Adejuyigbe have our backs. “Gilmore Guys” is all that you’d expect, as both Porter and Adejuyigbe discuss each of the 350--yes, that’s right--episodes of Gilmore Girls and every single cultural reference, camera shot, and unexpected plot twist in between. Even if you aren’t a fan of what could easily be considered a cult classic, older guys’ intense and opinionated commentary on a TV show meant for girls in the 2000’s is nothing if not hilarious.

Recommended episodes: Any Gilmore Girls episode you’ve seen and have weird theories or questions about

Call Chelsea PerettiChelsea Peretti has risen to new heights lately; her Netflix

special “One of the Greats” came out in November and her role as Gina Linetti on Fox’s Brooklyn 99 has garnered her extended praise from critics. However, one part of her growing span of influence is often overlooked: her podcast, “Call Chelsea Peretti.” Every week Peretti takes calls from any random strangers, usually bored college students, and banters with them until she gets bored and moves onto someone else. Often she’ll have another comedian like Brandon Walsh, Chris Delia, and Pete Holmes as a guest host. They’ll hear stories about cockroaches, family life, and food preferences from the comfort of a studio at Staples Center.

Recommended Episodes: Thirsty and Thirty with comedian Yassir Lester, Roach Infestations and Actual Murder

Don’t Ever Change Nobody needs a psychologist’s report to know that

being in high school is often mundane at best and literally horrendous at worst. This span of emotions is presented by Chicago born and LA based comedian John Roy from the point of view of comedians on his podcast, ironically called “Don’t Ever Change.” Roy asks comedians all about their trials and tribulations in high school, provoking some highly entertaining (Mo Mandel, April Richardson) and sometimes saddening (Mick Betancourt, Nick Thune) stories from all over the country. If you’re ever caught in traffic and need some entertaining banter from the people who do it best, this podcast is for you.

Recommended Episodes: Moshe Kasher (highly rated,) Brooks Wheelan, Shelby Fero

Plz AdviseWhile Two Broke Girls isn't exactly comedy gold, its former

writer, Molly McAleer, gives some humorous and tough love advice on her podcast, aptly named "Plz Advise." Listeners call in with their problems via voicemail, ranging from relationships to career goals ("I want to live in L.A. and be a writer just like you!" is a common sentiment) and McAleer delivers blunt and honest answers with the help of her guests, her producer, and her intern. She also gives away a $1.29 iTunes song to her favorite caller of the week and, at 27 episodes in, was able to organize a meet up with fans of the podcast in Hollywood.

Best episodes: Herpes Backpack with Ryan O'Connell, Tinder and Tigers and Tanning, Oh My (Featuring Blair Bercy)

**Disclaimer: Many of these podcasts are appropriate for those 14 and above, as they contain inappropriate themes and vulgar language.

Rebecca Rosenzweig ‘15

uses her phone to listen to NPR’s This

American Life

Serial, Sarah Koenig

‘s popular podcast is

available on an app

page 12

Menta

l

Breakdow

nMost

students at Windward

are plagued with stress due to a busy

schedule, a heavy workload, or a complicated social life. Some

have to balance a time-consuming, life-controlling battle on top of it all. These

unrelenting struggles are known as mental illnesses.

It may seem rare, but, according to the National Alliance of the Mentally Ill (NAMI), one in five teenagers struggle with his or her mental state. Windward students are no exception to this statistic. Disorders such as Anxiety, Depression, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) create challenges for Windwardians every day.

“[My disorder] has made me unable to relax at times,” said one student living with OCD. “I feel the need for everything to be perfect in certain ways.”

OCD is a disorder made up of irrational thoughts known as “obsessions” and meticulous behaviors called “compulsions.” This student has struggled with her condition since middle school, brought on by puberty and schoolwork. She feels the effects of OCD impulses every day. “Leaving something alone and accepting if something is good or finished has been my

greatest challenge.”

According to David Unger, Director of Upper School Counseling Services,

the primary catalyst for a student needing to seek additional help at Windward is stress.

“There’s a healthy amount of motivating stress to have, what they call positive stress,” Unger explained, “but then it

[becomes] too much.”

Stress is apparent all over campus. Whether it’s a fight with a friend or an upcoming test, a student’s life is typically full of strain. But when strain turns to suffering, a mounting issue becomes a problem worth addressing.

Often, stress levels will increase with age and growth, especially with school in mind. “I think the hardest part is coming into ninth grade, not having serious honors courses before,” Unger noted. “You want to achieve at a high level, but you’re not used to that. Stress volume goes up as you go through the process.”

But stress doesn’t just come with school. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Panic Disorder, and social anxiety are only a few types of illnesses that are caused by stress. Anxiety, which derives from emotional tension, is a natural feeling when faced with uncomfortable situations. However, some feel anxious at times when others typically do not, a disorder very common in children, teens, and adults.

“The way it worked for me is that I was always afraid of people judging me and I was always very self-conscious of myself,” one male student with social anxiety explained. “It was really hard for me to even eat in public places because I’d always be worried if there was food on my face, or if people were looking at me.”

Naturally, this condition leads to difficulty making friends and enjoying everyday life. When one is obsessed with every last detail of his or her actions and feelings, it begins to take a toll. What less-anxious people view as a simple task, such as

Illustration by Katia Kupelian ‘15

BY ZOEY LY

TTLE ’1

7

staff writer

page 13

talking to friends, anxiety-ridden people take to a new level of insecurity. “I wouldn’t talk to anyone,” he recalled, “I would go to the bathroom just to escape people.”

Often, anxiety becomes too intense, and leads to an extreme form of sadness classified as depression. While everyone feels down from time to time, people with depression feel unhappy almost constantly.

One of the most common side effects of depression is a lack of motivation, which usually makes all tasks feel like nagging obligations. The deeper into a slump you slip, the more infrequent happiness is, and normally strenuous duties become impossible. “I would lie on my couch and just watch TV and not do homework or anything,” one Windwardian said. “It was like, ‘What’s the point?’”

Just like with most problems, there is a solution. Whether it is someone to whom you can talk, medication, or “tools,” as Unger describes, to help you achieve mental stability.

The “tools” Unger utilizes are exercises and strategies to strengthen mental stability. An example he used was dealing with test anxiety. “I would give that student some things that they can do at home before you even come into school for the test,” Unger explains, “People want control in their life, when they lose that, they need tools in their toolkit to help regain it.”

One of the perks of Windward’s nurturing community is our counseling staff. Unger encourages anyone who desires help of any kind to come to him or another counselor. “Counseling is about empowering people, and if you feel powerless, my job is to help you get that power back.”

Talking to anyone is a solution that has endless potential to help. Letting out feelings can be a much needed relief. Therapy is a weapon that is immensely helpful in fighting mental illness. “I’ve gone to therapy for about year,” said a student, “all of that has helped.” Whether you see a professional, describe how you feel to friends, or talk to a family member, there is no harm in opening up.

When the subject of expressing yourself comes up, naturally the mind focuses on fear of judgement. While Windward is an especially accepting community, this dynamic is not universal. One person received an unexpected familial judgement when describing his feelings to his parents.

“My anxiety was really bad, and I wanted to go to a psychiatrist,” he said, “So I told my parents what I was going through. I was just being super honest with them, and they told me to go jogging. I was like, ‘What does that have to

do with anything? You’re not listening to me.’ It was almost offensive, because I opened up to them about this serious thing that I was going through, and they brushed it off.”

Reaching out for help or support can prompt questions such as, “What if they hate me? What if they think I’m crazy?” These thoughts are normal, but so is mental illness. True friends, supportive family members, and therapists will not

“I would go to the bathroom just to escape

people.”

page 14

Illustration by Katia Kupelian ‘15

judge something uncontrollable. “I have friends for a reason,” said a Windwardian battling depression, “because they like something about me.”

Life is a series of trials and triumphs, and if illness is the trial, then what is the triumph? “It has helped me excel at school and being an athlete,” one girl battling OCD said of the motivation she receives. “I like to be [perfect], which helps me work really hard.”

Another result is fortitude. After the tiring ups and downs of depression, a student explained that emotional endurance is the positive skill he has learned. “I’ve dealt with anxiety, I’ve dealt with depression, so if I’m having problems at home or trouble with my friends, I know how to deal with them.”

Mental Illness is not a choice. It is purely something people are born with or without. Psychological problems are testing journeys. But, like most journeys, those who take the proper approach grow from their experience. An essential step in coping with these issues is to realize that no one is alone in his or her battle.

page 15

American Gothic- Grant Wood

The Last Supper-Leonardo da Vinci

Have you ever noticed that even the smallest details of our daily lives have artistic components? Magazines, billboards, logos, even cereal boxes are characterized by art. Across the globe, art characterizes cultures and serves as a key to unlocking the social and political situations of the cultures that produce art at the time it is produced. Some pieces, such as Leonardo’s The Last Supper and Botticelli’s Primavera remain staples of our concept of art through centuries. However, art evolves quickly and in line with cultural, economic, and political situations of the society at the time the piece was produced. Pieces such as Grant Wood’s American Gothic have become cultural staples in under one hundred years due to their truthful, interesting, or shocking reflection of culture at the time.

Art is not limited to visual works. When the field of

consideration is broadened to movies and music, the political, economic, and social statements become clearer. Movies such as Selma and Unbroken discuss cultural and political issues, nationally and internationally, drawing on the past to express issues that defined national and global history, such as racial oppression and segregation in the United States and the Second World War.

As the world becomes smaller through technology and social media, there are new levels of connection emerging. In fact, global dialogue through art and media shape much of the population’s perception of the global dialogue. As awareness of events across the world increases, international conversations between artists across the world becomes more common. However, these global conversations are not necessarily premeditated. Brittany Berriz, AP European History teacher and new faculty at Windward says they’re

Outside the Box Between the Lines:How Art Reflects CultureBY ALLI BLYTHE ’17

copy editor

page 16

W

Primavera- Botticelli The Imitation Game

“not just intentional. Absolutely intentional, but reactionary as well.”

Despite the sometimes unintentional reactionary nature of art in the global dialogue, Brittany argues that “in our moment people are more aware of their ability to influence the culture through media. Not just art proper, but also movies, music, and music videos.” Though artists have produced art in order to send a message for centuries, in this day and age, the general public is more aware of the power of an artist to do so. And so is the artist.

In the art market today, though art prices are increasing, very few artists are benefiting. “One percent of artists,” said Damon Willick, professor of Art History at Loyola Marymount University and Windward parent, “are making a living off of their art,” and the gap between “have and have not” in the art world “is growing.” Sound familiar? Professor Willick sees it as “reflective of the economy today.” Though this economic

situation is not pleasant, it is not all that new. For a while, the idea of ‘starving artists’ has characterized artists in society. Does this play a part in the content of the art itself? As famous American artist Andy Warhol said, “art is what you can get away with.”

Testing the limits of acceptance of the viewers is an old artistic trend. Contemporary art is characterized by a dangerous closeness to the thin line of what counts as “art.” One of the most famous American contemporary artists, Andy Warhol, epitomizes this idea. Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans shows that art that tests the limits can become the gold standard of contemporary art. Another example of an artist who tests the limits of traditional art is Jackson Pollock. Famous for his “drip painting” style, Pollock also became a famous, successful artist by pushing boundaries and filling his own niche.

page 17

ARTISTIC

“[Art] is a way to talk about things you want to talk about but don’t know how to get

started”

BY TESSA PALTER-POSTON ’15 online editor

page 18

page 19

Griffin Pion is known as one of Windward’s leading artists. He is vice president of the National Art Honors Society. He takes photos for many community service events including HelpPortrait and Art in a Box. He can be found in film class and Independent Studio Art. However, despite Griffin’s well-established reputation as an artist, his passion for art is both relatively new and unexpected.

Although Griffin has been doing photography for almost five years now, his interest in studio art and film is quite recent. It was not until ninth grade that Griffin started exploring other art forms.

“One day, I started looking up artists and I couldn’t stop,” explained Griffin.

Feeling inspired, Griffin joined Independent Studio Art at Windward. This class acted as an important catalyst that cemented his newfound interest in art beyond photography.

“I had never been around people who loved art that much, so it opened the door for me,” said Griffin.

When it comes to art, Griffin does it all. He takes photographs, makes movies, writes poetry, paints pictures and more. However, film has recently become Griffin’s favorite medium of expression.

“I love film because of its potential. It has so many dimensions. I feel like the more dimensions you add to art,

the more complex it is and the more you can put into it. Like in a painting you have two dimensions, so you can present a two-dimensional world which can stand for a lot but when you have a movie it’s in a three-dimensional space so already you have so much potential to put meaning and then you have time too so the opportunities are endless.”

The natural compatibility between different art styles has allowed Griffin to pursue a variety of disciplines with ease. He enjoys the flexibility that comes with a large range of artistic knowledge. He likes to choose the artistic medium that most complements the idea he is trying to portray.

“I really haven’t ever seen a line between photography or film or painting. I don’t see consider them different at all. They all are trying to convey an idea. It is kind of ridiculous to be so specialized in just one. Like sometimes I want to portray an idea and it will be best in a photo or sometimes if I portray something as a line drawing it will be stronger. I feel like you have to go with whatever is most effective.”

Among Griffin’s favorite artists and sources of inspiration are Stanley Kubrick for film, Salvador Dali for painting, and Mary Shelley for literature. Specifically, Griffin is particularly drawn to metaphysics and science-fiction which explains his love for Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse Five.

“One of my favorite books is Frankenstein. Once I read it I was just obsessed. I reread it after we finished it in class, I just couldn’t stop.”

True to his interest in distortion and science-fiction, Griffin has just completed his first short film which depicts a drug deal.

“I love when really obscure things, like things that are so unrelatable, are the best things at portraying something meaningful. Some things have so much depth that it is hard to talk about them. But if you separate them from yourself like say you are a monster like Frankenstein, they become easier to talk about. I think that’s true for all art. It’s a way to talk

“I feel like the more dimensions you add to

art, the more complex it is and the more you can

put it into it”

page 20

about things you want to talk about but don’t know how to get started.”

Griffin also uses his art to explore differences between certain social and ethnic groups and distinctions between suburban and urban life. When his chief focus was photography, Griffin turned to the streets to capture the real-life divisions that exist within communities. He now considers this work “photojournalism” as opposed to “art.” Even though Griffin has moved away from photo documentation to pursue more conceptual art, he still explores this theme of community differences.

“I grew up in the Palisades so when I would go to New York, I was really excited by the stimulation. Everything is so close. And then I went to Downtown L.A. I was surprised by what I was seeing. I feel like I have been so sheltered and deprived of all of these experiences so that’s why I think I’m interested in social divisions. It’s crazy being so sheltered at a private school.”

Griffin finds that he needs frequent stimulation. In fact, last summer, Griffin was in a “bad mood all the time” as a consequence of feeling under-stimulated. A return to school

helped him overcome this slump, Griffin finds that school actually complements his interest in art. His favorite art is conceptual -- “something that has a really strong meaning tied in many different ways” -- and school allows him to both understand complex ideas and gain inspiration.

Although Griffin is a natural artist, art does not run in his family. Rather, both Griffin’s brothers and parents are very sports-oriented. In fact, Griffin’s siblings Chase and Drew played for Windward’s volleyball and soccor. While Griffin did not make a conscience decision to stray from his family’s athleticism, their preference certainly influenced him.

“Everyone in my family is very athletic. I was kind of sick of it. I would have always loved art, but maybe everyone being so involved in sports helped me discover it.”

Fortunately for Griffin, his family is very supportive of his divergent interests. He has been able to pursue art instead of sports without worry.

Despite his familial support, Griffin sometimes feels limited by his late entry into the art world. In certain areas, he lacks technical skills and _. Nonetheless, Griffin has not been afraid to try new things despite his inexperience. He knows to focus on the meaning behind his pieces rather than exact technique.

“Sometimes I feel held back. I wish I had always drawn or painted, but I guess it’s the ideas that are most important.”

Although Griffin’s future remains unknown, he is certain that art will remain a part of his life. While certain stigmas surrounding art schools make Griffin question attending these institutions, he still is considering film school. Also, he is particularly drawn to New York City. After taking a film and digital photography class in New York, Griffin hopes to return to The Big Apple to take film classes at TISCH School of Arts.

“I love New York. It’s my favorite city by far. I just love how little room you have. I feel like L.A. is too spread out to discover something...I just love when so much is going on.”

page 21

fter beginning his broadcasting career with Fox Sports in 2000, Windward varsity soccer coach Nick Webster has always kept two cherished toys very close to him. Wherever he’s worked, Statler and Waldorf, the old men from The Muppets Show, have sat on his desk in their miniature plastic chairs, watching over him like guardian angels, helping him through difficult times.

But one afternoon in May 2014, Webster suddenly parted ways with the duo. Well, temporarily parted ways. He realized there was someone else who needed them more than he did.

Alec Kupelian ‘13 was a few short weeks away from completing his freshman year at the University of California-Santa Barbara, when his life was forever altered. After an ultimate frisbee pulled groin yielded unusually excruciating pain, doctors discovered a 19-centimeter tumor in Alec’s pelvis. He was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare but treatable form of cancer, which affects only 300 patients in the United States. Doctors told him, with the right treatment, life would be back to normal within a year.

A week or so following following Kupelian’s abrupt departure from UCSB, Webster visited his former varsity soccer captain at Kupelian’s house, in between chemotherapy sessions, bringing Statler and Waldorf to their new home.

“As soon as I heard that Alec had been diagnosed with cancer, I’m like, ‘alright these guys need to go to his house immediately.’”

ABY CHARLIE LYTTLE ’15 co-editor-in-chief

page 22

Living Past The Weekend

page 23

anybody would want from a friend, and he’s consistent,” said Webster. “He’s not your friend one [day]. He’s your friend every single day. He’s always there for you, and that’s why people love him so much.”

“I think he’s just overall just a really likable guy. He’s really thoughtful. He takes the extra time to open doors for people, to ask them how their day’s going,” said Alec’s sister Katia ‘15, a current Windward Senior. “People want to be around him.”

“I think, especially at a school like Windward, he came in with this really open mind and this idea of really wanting to be helpful and involved, and I think his personality really thrives in that environment and was appreciated,” added Uhley.

For any college freshman, transitioning to a new life, in a new environment is an exhaustive and consuming experience. After dating for two years at Windward, Kupelian and Uhley began speaking less and less during their freshman years, adjusting to trials and tumults of their first year of college.

“Alec and I have been close for a very long time, but due to college and being apart [we were] in touch a little bit less in the spring of last year,” said Uhley, now a sophomore at UC Berkeley.

Kupelian left UCSB last spring before receiving his diagnosis, knowing something was wrong with his health. The morning after Uhley returned home from her second semester at Berkeley, Kupelian came over to her house and revealed to

her that doctors were testing for cancer. He needed the love and support of his best friend.

“[He told me], ‘look I have this thing that’s happening. I don’t know what it is…[but] I want you to be involved [in my life],’” said Uhley. “I tell people that was the easiest decision I’ve made in a very long time. Because in my mind how could I not? This person was such a huge part of my life, and I hope [he will] continue to be a huge part of my life. And if there’s something that could possibly threaten [our relationship], I’m not going to miss another second of it.”

As Kupelian remembered, “He said, ‘These two guys have always looked over me, and so I want them for these nine months to look over you, and when you’re done you can give them back to me.’ ”

Cancer is a one player game (as Kupelian quipped, “Chemo isn’t really a group activity”), but Webster’s message to

Kupelian was clear: he didn’t have to fight cancer alone.

In 2011, after moving from Orlando to Los Angeles, Kupelian arrived at Windward as a sophomore. Though switching school and being inserted into a new environment as a tenth grader can be a particularly difficult social adjustment, especially when most of the other students in your class have been going to school together for upwards of three years, Kupelian was quickly embraced by his graduating Class of 2013 and the Windward community at large.

“People were really excited to have Alec. Windward’s a pretty small school, so any time there’s new students it’s a big deal,” said Olivia Uhley ‘13, Alec’s high school girlfriend and still one of his closest friends. “We were excited to have him, and he appeared excited to be there, and I think it all worked out really well in everyone’s world. We all benefitted from him coming to school.”

In his first year at Windward, Alec quickly became one of the most actively involved students at the school. He auditioned for the fall play, was an immediate contributor for the soccer, volleyball, and track and field teams, and became known for his quick wit and outrageous sense of humor as a member of the Comedy Sportz team.

“He came [to Windward] and was ready to get involved,” said Uhley.

But for all of his community involvement, it was Alec’s kindness and caring personality that endeared him to teachers and classmates alike.

“He’s honest. He’s loyal. He’s got all the attributes that

Muppet figurines Statler and Waldorf seated on Kupelian’s desk.

“Having that ability to laugh in my situation...helps me heal almost.”

page 24

This past summer, as Alec was in and out of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, whenever Olivia finished work at one of her three jobs, she went to be with Alec, whether he was at home or in the hospital. They played board games, watched movies, and enjoyed their favorite pastime, eating. There was rarely a day that the two weren’t in each other’s company.

As Alec told Olivia at the beginning of his treatment process, he didn’t wanted her to be his “rock.” What he needed was for her to be his “pillow.” He didn’t need her to hide her emotions to try and keep him in check.

“[Alec] is his own rock. He centers himself. He grounds himself,” said Olivia. “Alec’s diagnosis was scary and treatment is not always pretty, and it is not fun. But by telling me he needed a pillow and not a rock, I could have those moments where I could honestly tell him, ‘I’m scared’ or ‘I’m worried.’ ... Because I was in a position where I could be honest about my emotions, I think that he felt like he could be honest with me about his which was super, super important.”

“Olivia Uhley has been my shoulder to lean on, has really been the person I go and talk to more than anything,” said Kupelian. “She’s the person I used to talk to. She’s the person I still talk to.

“Distance is hard. It was a struggle even as friends, and I think, realizing where your priorities are, what’s important to you, I realized for me have that friendship is more important than having anything else, and I don’t want to lose friends for any reason.”

Kupelian has always been someone who needs to keep himself busy with extracurricular activities. But for the past several months, Alec’s health has been his number-one concern.

“I’ve been sidetracked a little bit,” said Kupelian “My priority isn’t the forward progression of my life. It’s...making sure I get better.

This past fall, as Uhley headed off to college for her sophomore year, Kupelian stayed at home knowing that he wouldn’t be able to return to Santa Barbara until he entered remission. While his sophomore status at UCSB was delayed another year, Kupelian refuses to allow himself to feel what he describes as being ‘stuck.’

At the beginning of this school year, Kupelian returned to Windward working as a teacher’s assistant. Whenever he isn’t in the hospital getting treatment, Alec works along alongside Webster teaching Windward’s Broadcast Journalism class, which produces weekly installments of Windward TV.

“[Working with Windward TV] is huge,” said Alec. “When when I’m out [of the hospital], to have something to do and to have somewhere to be, that makes a big difference because otherwise I sit, watch netflix and feel bad about myself all day. Nobody wants to do that.”

While Webster is listed as the class’s official teacher, Kupelian and Webster share virtually identical roles. From helping in the editing process, to working in the video control room, to grading students, Webster admitted that Kupelian, “does everything I do.” Alec also brings his unique and newly graduated point of view to the show’s storyboard.

“He brings an alumni perspective where Nick provides the faculty perspective. Because he’s closer in age and a recent graduate he knows what students want to see,” said Windward TV student producer Emma Lipstone. “It’s easier

Alec and Olivia pose for a picture before their Junior prom.

page 25

to watch the show with him or read through script with him because he has a feeling of what people would actually be interested in watching.”

“Alec is very well-liked, very funny, very hands on,” Lipstone went on to say. “Even though he’s going through such a hard time, his personality doesn’t show it, and his energy he brings to the class makes you forget he’s sick in the slightest way.”

Returning to Windward has not only given Kupelian the opportunity to work alongside one of his favorite Windward teachers; it allowed him to spend more time with one of his closest friends.

“I’ve always been close to Nick. He [was] always a go-to guy for me when I was at Windward,” said Alec.

“Even though we’re separated by thirty years, it’s more of a friend relationship rather than a parent-son or a teacher-student [relationship], said Webster. “We’re just good mates. We talk about the class. We talk about how we can help the kids. His house is on the way to school, so often I’ll stop in on the way back to see how he’s doing, and really, I’m here to support him in anyway I can.”

But despite Alec’s extensive role in class and his dedication to Windward TV, what impresses Webster most is the way

Kupelian’s able to put his current situation aside and channel of his positive energy into his new job. In every aspect of his life since his diagnosis, Kupelian does his best to successfully preserve his trademark positivity that makes him so endearing to so many people.

“Just seeing somebody, he has a life-threatening illness, and he has to go through these incredibly unpleasant treatments, and his demeanor is just unbelievable,” said Webster. “It puts

your problems and really makes them feel insignificant. I look at what Alec is doing, and if Alec can beat cancer then I can beat anything. You know, obviously, as you get a little older in life, there’s different challenges that present themselves, but I don’t think these challenges are as big as they once were, because I can put things it the proper perspective now.”

Outside of the classroom, Kupelian has re-emerged as an on-campus presence in the Windward community. He routinely attends and participates in school events and festivals, spending time with old friends, students and faculty alike, while acquainting himself with new members of the Windward community.

“I wanted to be back [at Windward], and I wanted to be around the people there. It’s not like they forgot me once I left. It’s like coming back to an old friend: you pick up where you left off.”Alec and Nick work in the Windward TV control room.

Alec and fellow Windward Alumna Amy Nadal ‘14 perform during a Comedy Sports competition.

page 26

to have fun with your friends. So I think that biggest takeaway for me… , I’m never waiting anymore. I’m never going to be

waiting anymore. I’m not waiting for the end of treatment. I’m not waiting until I’m better. I’m enjoying as much as I can [with] what I have now.”

“I just think [cancer] has made him so much stronger. It’s made all of us stronger,” said Katia. “The things that used to annoy him before, I don’t think they really matter as much to him. Now he’s really appreciative of the things he has. He takes every opportunity to have a good time, which I think is great.

And it’s just made him just overall a more positive person because I think he realizes how bad things can get and how good things actually are for him.”

As the day approaches when Alec is declared cancer-free, Statler and Waldorf will soon return to the desk of their rightful owner, sitting in their little plastic chairs.

“I’m looking forward to the day when he calls me up and says, ‘Nick, come over to the house. These guys are going back you’re place,” said Webster. “That [will] be a very special evening.”

This year, Alec participated in Windward’s annual Halloween costume festival and competed in a Windward Comedy Sportz match, using these opportunities to battle the disease using his greatest weapon: his sense of humor.

On Halloween, Kupelian dressed up as Ang from the Nickelodeon show Avatar the Last Airbender, drawing Ang’s signature blue arrow across the top of his head, unafraid to call attention to his baldness.

Since his diagnosis, Alec’s self-effacing and, at times, morbid sense of humor has been his greatest medicine. According to Katia, remarks such as “at least it’s not cancer” are more than common in the Kupelian household.

“Cancer is one of those things, once you say the word, the room goes quiet and it’s such a serious issue. [Our family is] facing this really scary thing head on, and I think if you can laugh at it, it makes it just that much easier to deal with it,” said Katia. “People think it’s an unbearable thing, and it is hard to a crazy degree, but we know we’re going to be okay, and if we can laugh about it, then it just makes it easier.”

“I’ve always been somebody who’s going to try and laugh and try and smile and make jokes through whatever is going around,” said Alec. “Having that ability to laugh in my situation and make terrible jokes...not only makes [this process] easier to go through, but it helps me heal almost.”

In March, Alec finished his final round of chemotherapy, his once football-sized tumor no longer a “visible mass” in either his CT scan or MRI. He officially entered remission in early April. As his ten-month battle concludes, Alec carries a new philosophy into the next chapter of his life.

“Everybody else who has been through [cancer] says it gives you a new perspective, it gives you a new view on life, and it gives you all of these things,” said Alec in December. “I think for me, that perspective and that viewpoint comes from realizing what is so important, and for me it’s always going to be people. It’s always going to be the happiness of the people I care about, and hopefully my ability to help give them some of that, because you want to make your friends happy. You want

“My priority isn’t the forward progression of my life. It’s...making sure I get better.”

Gabi Kessler ’15 and Alec flaunt their costumes

during Windward’s annual Halloween celebration.

page 27

It’s 5 am when Breland Brandt wakes up to the sound of his alarm. Tired from another late night of studying, he gets ready to head to school for football weight lifting. The 6’4’’ 220-pound outside linebacker and tight end hops in his 2001 Lexus and heads off to Windward. He’s been making this commute since seventh grade to a school almost 20 miles away from his home in Carson yet so close to his heart.

Breland Brandt has never taken the easy way out.

In an era of high school sports dominated by transfers and hold-backs where it isn’t unheard of to see a player go to four schools in four years, Breland Brandt has stood by the school where he grew up and proves to the rest of the high school sports world that school size doesn’t matter.

“We’re the little school that can do what the big schools can, and I think he wants to represent Windward that way,” said Breland’s dad, Bobbington Brandt, a retired police officer and former offensive lineman for Long Beach State. “His drive in football and basketball has a lot to do with representing Windward.”

Breland Brandt’s story extends far beyond the football field or the basketball court. In fact, athletics in his case have just been a vector for the infinite opportunities that have been opened up to him at Windward.

“I think he’s had a great experience at Windward, he’s met some great kids and parents that are involved in many different aspects of business and life,” said Mr. Brandt. “It’s inspired him to look into anything from clothes lines to stocks to real estate, such a vast amount of intellect and successful entrepreneurships.”

The family decision to send Breland to Windward certainly was not based on athletic prestige. Breland comes from a family of college graduates that puts educational endeavors well ahead of sports. Breland’s mother, a CEO for a public health department, and his father instilled in him at an early age the value of academics and their importance to the family. This ideal was the primary reason they chose to enroll Breland in a school so far from home.

“Breland would never have gone to Carson High because I would never want him to go to an all black school. I want him to assimilate and get along with everybody and know that the world is not just built on being black or white,” said Mr.Brandt. “I want my kid to have a good education. Both my wife and I were college graduates, and we think that education is the key to everything.”

Breland showed up on campus in September of 2010, a tall, lanky seventh grader, completely unaware of the culture shock that he was about to endure. In those first few months, he went to friends’ bar and bat mitzvahs, a completely

A MAN ON A MISSIONBY LUKE GOLDSTEIN ’16

sports editor

page 28

“We’re the little school that can do what the big schools can...”

page 29

“My parents wouldn’t let me play my freshman year...”

new and eye-opening experience for him coming from a neighborhood with minimal Jewish representation.

“He’s been exposed to different religions. He’s gone to bar mitzvahs. He’s participated in hanukkah. He’s become well-rounded as far as different religions and different races,” said

Mr.Brandt.

While adjusting to a more

rigorous workload,

Breland

befriended classmates from the Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, and Beverly Hills, much different socio-economic environments than his own.

“I’ve always been a type of person who can talk to anyone, so I never had a problem with going to school with kids who’d come from different backgrounds. I love to talk and interact with people, so it really helped me adjust to Windward,” said Breland. “I’ve seen a lot of different lifestyles. I’ve always been myself, but I’ve gotten to see how other people do things.”

At Windward, Breland soon discovered, it didn’t

matter where you came from.

“You can come from a feeder school or you can come from Carson, the transition is the same for every middle school student, you’re coming into a new environment, a new school,” said Tammy Clem, Director of Counseling Services, Middle School. “You have to balance seven new classes, trying to fit in, trying to make new friends, it’s the same for any kid no matter where you come from. It’s a new balancing act for something that you don’t know.”

As Brandt rolled into high school and his views of the world kept expanding, he was put on the varsity basketball team as a

freshman, where he averaged 10 points per game. Many people might forget that Breland’s first love was basketball, and it was also his only athletic passion as late as his freshman year. Football had not yet become a part of Breland’s life.

“My parents wouldn’t let me play my freshman year. I’d just come off my knee injury in eighth grade so they were super skeptical about letting me go into something with even more contact than basketball,” said Breland.

Once Windward football Head Coach Alvin Cowan saw Breland’s size and athleticism, he knew that Breland could revitalize a football program that

Breland tackles Jordan High School running back (left

image) and goes for a layup during Sophomore season

(right image)

page 30

had recently moved up to eleven man. With persistent attention from Cowan, along with Breland’s relentless requests, the two were able to convince Breland’s parents to let him play football his sophomore year.

“At first it was really hard because I had no idea what I was doing and I was just running around on the field trying to make stuff happen, but once I got the idea of the game, my athletic ability took over,” said Breland.

As Breland transitioned to football during tenth grade, he struggled at times learning his positions and the game, but there was overwhelming evidence of his potential as a football

player.

“The first day of practice for him in the summer, he showed up not really knowing how to do tackle football, so he just thought, ‘hey tackle football just means hit everybody,’ ” said Casey Webster ‘16, a fellow teammate. “So we were doing seven-on-seven and I was on defense and he was on offense and after the first play was over, like two seconds after, Breland just shoves me and throws me across the field and he just didn’t know at first that you weren’t suppose to do that to your own teammates. In all our drills that first day, he would just go way over the top and keep tackling people after the whistle was

blown, not because he was angry or anything that’s just what he thought football was supposed to be. He didn’t know his own strength.”

The following year would define Breland’s athletic path and result in his complete devotion to football. Breland traveled and went to several football combines where coaches from around the

country were enthralled by his athletic prowess. After various Nike prospect combines and the Army All-American Combine, Breland became the number 53 ranked junior football prospect in the nation, according to ESPN.

“When colleges started coming into the picture for football, a light bulb kind of

“When colleges started coming into the picture for football, a light bulb

kind of went off, and I saw that would be more

beneficial for me.”page 31

Picture of Breland taken at Nike NFTC camp

went off, and I saw that [playing football] would be more beneficial for me,” said Breland, who received eight offers that year from top schools such as USC, UCLA, Alabama, and Miami. All for football.

“We encouraged Breland to play football because we knew that he would be a special talent on the football field,” said Athletic Director and boys basketball Head Coach Steve Smith. ”We needed guys to get out there and then all of a sudden he was top 20 in the country.”

Along with his innate ability on the football field, colleges were impressed by his performance in the classroom, which helped make him the most sought after athletic prospect to ever come out of Windward.

“They look at talent, but they also look at a kid that can handle their school academically, and that’s what Windward has done for Breland. Those colleges don’t tend to have to worry about him academically,” said Mr. Brandt. “It made it easier for colleges like UCLA, Stanford, Cal and Notre Dame to recruit him, to know that he’s met the Windward academic demands.”

Although everything on the playing field seems to come

so easily to Breland, from leaping up in the air to catch a touchdown pass to slaming down an alley-oop, he has had to work hard to become the player and person he is today.

“Athletic ability has never been an issue for him, but he had his ups and downs, and we devoted a lot of time working on his game; he had to put in the work,” said Mr. Brandt, who can be credited for preaching to Breland the importance of a strong work ethic. “I believe effort beats talent everyday. If you grind and put in work, you don’t have to be the sharpest tool in the shed, but you should know how to use all your tools.”

The same applies to academics. Breland has struggled at times in the classroom, but not due to a lack of effort. During his freshman year, Breland was studying hard, going to his teachers for extra help, and just wasn’t seeing the results. After a trip to the psychologist, Breland was diagnosed with ADHD.

“It was definitely weird for me to hear about it and know about it because I just didn’t want to be that person. I know that sounds bad, but I wanted to be that perfect guy. I didn’t want anything to be wrong with me, but it was also a blessing, because once I found that out I got the proper help and the proper treatment and ever since then school has been much easier,” said Breland.

“He never complains and sometimes I got to force him to take a rest. He’s always been driven,” said Mr. Brandt.

During the summer after his sophomore year, Breland would have to make one of the biggest decisions of his life. As he emerged as one of the most coveted football recruits in the nation, bigger high school football programs from around Southern California wanted him to come to their schools. Leading the pack was renowned football powerhouse, Saint John Bosco, home of the number-one ranked football team in the country.

“He told me, ‘I started Windward in seventh grade. This is where my family is and where my friends are at, and me transferring would be the easy route and an escape route,’ ” said Mr. Brandt, reflecting on the talk he had with Breland that summer. “He basically made me put my foot in my mouth… he said, ‘dad you always taught me to finish what I started, and I started here and whatever the outcome’s going to be I want to finish here.”

Breland’s decision to stay at Windward, not only defined his future, but reflects his character as a person. He realized

page 32

that the academic environment and nurturing culture of Windward would serve him well in the long run versus the short-term athletic cachet of Saint John Bosco. While most elite athletes would have seen a Windward as inferior to a Bosco, Breland chose the small school, his home.

“Breland has always been loyal to Windward. even though it might not be the most popular thing to do, he said, ‘I must remain loyal because this is where it started from, everything that I’ve gotten began here,’ ” said Mr. Brandt.

On October 3, 2014, Breland verbally committed to UCLA, a culmination of his athletic and academic achievements, bringing pride to his family and the Windward community.

“Considering that we’re a small school, it was amazing when he committed to UCLA. I was a little surprised. It’s a blessing, and I told him that ‘you got some angels around you... it was your destiny,’ ” said Mr. Brandt.

“UCLA is a school that I would go to even if I didn’t play sports. I’ve always been a big fan of the school, and it has a great business program, which is what I want to major in,” said Breland.

In addition to his verbal commitment, Breland was chosen to play in the U.S. Army All-American Game next year, a feat never reached by any player in Windward history, representing himself but, more importantly, his school.

“It’s one of the biggest All-American games in the country, and it’s kind of putting Windward on the map,” said Mr. Brandt.

Breland will move on to UCLA sooner than expected, as he plans to leave Windward after the first semester of his senior year to start a new chapter of his life as a Bruin. But the legacy that he has left will resonate throughout the Windward community for years to come.

When Breland straps on his pads and takes the field for his first UCLA game, he will be surrounded by something more than the roars from a sea of baby blue and gold. He will be submerged in the indelible memories from his six years at Windward, a community that has given him so much and received so much in return.

Breland celebrates after team victory

page 33

In high school, traditional spectator sports such as football, basketball, and soccer receive the most attention and glorification. While students support team athletics at Windward with fervor and passion, there are other sports, where competition is individual, that aren’t often captured in the spotlight. Windward has several individual athletes who perform in their respective sports at exceptionally high levels. These sports, and these players, don’t always receive the credit they deserve, so here is a small sampling of elite individual athletes on campus.

Diamonds in the Rough

Two years ago, Line (pictured on left; center) and his sister Marie, who each began sailing at young ages, helped bring the sport to Windward. Since then, the sailing program has grown into a small school powerhouse, most recently finishing second at a state regatta in which over 20 teams competed. Sailing hasn’t always been a breeze (pun intended) for the two-sport athlete, who is also a starting pitcher on the baseball team. “When I was nine, I was sailing in an Optimist sailboat, and it was blowing 40 knots (46 mph) at the Golden Gate Bridge,” Line recounted. “I capsized, and so I flipped over my boat and started bailing water, but it kept getting filled up. Fortunately, a man came by, helped dump the water out, invited me into his boat, and towed my boat in. Ever since then, I’ve loved sailing.” The sailing team looks to build upon its recent success as Line heads into his senior season this fall.

Will Line ’16

BY JACK GINSBERG ’16 sports editor

page 34

At age eight, Moreno was inspired by his grandfather to pursue golf. Nick was mainly attracted to the sport’s reputation as “a gentleman’s game.” The Carnegie-Melon commit is now the senior captain on the Windward golf team, and has lead the program to four of its most successful seasons. But beyond his quantifiable success at Windward, Moreno feels his time on the golf team has helped him become a better leader. “I’ve learned a lot of life lessons through Windward golf. I learned how to handle adversity and become more mature. It’s also allowed me to meet a lot of great people.” Moreno is eager to improve his game during his next four years in Pittsburgh.

Janika Ho ‘16 broke into high school swimming as a freshman, placing eighth overall in the CIF Finals in the 100m backstroke. Ho, the star competitor on Windward’s young swim team, has already qualified for the U.S. Junior National team. But despite her impressive accolades, Ho hasn’t been in the pool very long. “I started competitive swimming the summer before freshman year on a club swim team,” she admits. “Windward helped me by getting me in good competitions and letting me improve my times.” Janika says that swimming at Windward has also allowed her to have some unforgettable experiences during tense CIF Finals competitions. “It was a really great experience to compete at CIF with people who I would normally not get to compete with. It was also just a really fun experience that I got to experience with my teammates.”

Nick Moreno ’15

Janika Ho ’16

page 35

Swing for The Fences

This softball season is ending after a year-long hiatus. The girls wanted to get back on track from two years ago when they made the quarterfinals of CIF and were one run away from going to the semifinals. Repeating this success proved a very difficult task and is a lot easier said than done, especially considering that many of the players have not played softball in two years.

In regards to cutting the team last year, Athletic Director Steve Smith said, “It was a tough decision but it was a decision we had to make.” Considering that there were only 7 girls interested in playing, it was a necessary measure to take.

Andie Munoz ’16 was devastated when the team was cut last year. She said, “I was very upset because I really

did like softball, and I love the [team] bonding; it was very disappointing.”

So what is different now? To prevent this lack of interest from leaving the program defunct, Smith decided to coach

the middle school softball team to regain the players’ spark and passion. Consequently, close to 90 percent of the middle school players were retained for the high school program.

Because so many freshmen girls decided to stick to softball, not only

was there a team this year, but a much larger one than anticipated.

Head coach Tim O’Halloran believes that the players’ innate talents will make the transition from middle school

“We’re really expecting big things from our softball

program. [We hope to] play to the best of our ability and to

maximize our potential.”

BY MATTHEW CHILL ’17 staff writer

page 36

softball to high school competition a lot smoother.

“A number of our girls are strong players that play outside of school. We also have three to four very strong pitchers, which is something that is atypical in high school softball, so: advantage us,” said O’Halloran. Josse Gee ’17 echoed O’Halloran and said, “I think this year we have a really strong team and many new players who will improve a lot over the season.”

Last year, with softball season canceled, former standout pitcher Alexis Rowley ‘14 chose played on the baseball team. When the softball team was dropped, she was given

the opportunity to play under Coach Tyrone Powell on the baseball team. She was honored with the opportunity to pitch on Senior day.

Despite the previous trials and tribulations this season brought, the coaches were originally optimistic about the

outcomes of the team. Smith said, “We’re really expecting big things from our softball program. [We hope to] play to the best of our ability and to maximize our potential.”

“We also have 3 to 4 very strong pitchers, which is

something that is atypical in high school softball, so:

advantage us.”

Mia Parker ‘18 pitches during the first home game in two years.

Gracie Newman ‘18 mid-catch as she defends her base.

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Warped Image

Advertisement today relies on making the viewer feel inadequate, causing him or her to think, “If I only buy this brand of makeup/clothing/face-wash/shampoo I can be attractive, successful, and carefree!” However, these same ads have caused many people, especially girls, self-esteem issues over the years. In response, some companies such as Modcloth, Aerie, and, famously, Dove have tried to make amends for the photoshop culture in marketing. These companies have worked hard to do their part to dispel the unhealthy image and self-esteem issues that viewers have subconsciously adopted by absorbing these unrealistic standards of beauty. By using “real-people models” or celebrating different body types, these companies are trying to alleviate some of the mounting pressure consumers are feeling from advertisements, and create a unique advertising space. The question is: Does this advertising tactic work? (how?).

Ever wondered why these self-esteem damaging ads aren’t regulated? Turns out that they are, by Truth in Advertising laws. These laws enforce truthfulness in advertising and require the ads to be backed with scientific evidence when appropriate. Truth in

Advertising laws do not, however, ban photoshop. Is photoshop in advertising inherently evil? No. While companies do use it to change background colors and make other set decisions post-photoshoot, the problem comes when companies use it to alter model’s physical features. These digitally altered images set unattainable standards for consumers.

Recently, Modcloth signed a contract to only use “real women” in their advertisements. Women are able to send photos of themselves to the company through instagram using a special hashtag. Through this campaign, Modcloth is not only promoting a healthy, realistic body image, but also creating interactive publicity on one of the world’s leading social media sites. So it’s a win-win, right? Modcloth gets publicity and consumers get to see clothes modeled by “real people.” But does the motivation to make money and gain publicity allow space for good will.

Many people are familiar with Dove’s healthy-image promotion videos and advertisements. Not surprisingly, there is diversity in the reactions to these videos. Some see them as esteem-boosting, well-intentioned, do-gooder videos. Other viewers are not

BY ALLI BLYTHE ’17 copy editor

page 38

so complimentary. While the videos promote a good image, they harbor underlying messages that aren’t so benevolent. For example, in Dove’s Real Beauty Sketches video, women are brought into a room and told to describe their physical features to an artist who cannot see them. Other people who spoke with these women are brought in and asked to describe them to the same artist. At the end of the video, the women are shown both drawings, and the drawings described by people other than themselves are typically more attractive. The message is that women are more beautiful than they realize. Though this sounds like a well-intentioned message in theory, it is often presented in a less-than-complimentary way. If the message is “women are more beautiful than they realize,” the underlying concept is that women believe that they are ugly, a message that leaves viewers feeling less than confident, even if they are not sure why.

Another disconcerting element of these advertisements is the motivation of the companies. Why spend the money to produce a video if it is not intended to benefit the company? These videos rely on insecurities,

especially the insecurities of impressionable young people. While these ads target people of all ages to a degee, young people are especially targeted, and are more affected. Based on the age group of these ads, it is clear that they are meant to be most relatable to viewers aged 12-25. These videos are advertisements at their core that are preying on the insecurities of the masses, if not in a more pleasant way, just as much as advertisements that shame women’s bodies. So which would we prefer? While the advertisements that shame people’s images are plainly manipulating, the ads that make us feel good through the rejection of our insecurities are just as manipulative. Does the possibility of a positive impact on society outweigh the questionable incentives and tactics used by these companies?

Despite the questionable motivations of these companies, many Windward students support them.

“I think they’re a good impact on society,” said Michelle Hong, ‘17. “Motivations could be flawed, but the fact that they’re putting it out there is a good thing.”

In 2009, 14.5% of high school girls and 6.9% of high school boys reported not eating for at least 24 hours to lose weight

IN 2009, 5.4% of high school girls and 2.6% of high school boys reported vomiting or taking laxatives in order to lose weight

A survey done in the UK in 2013 reported that 15% of women between the ages of 18 and 20 believed that images in magazines and advertisements or models and celebrities were not digitally altered

Over 650 participants of the above survey reported that they are not confident about their bodies

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Michelle is not the only one that feels this way; Amanda Reymer ’17 said, “If they’re trying to get a message out that I find important, then I 100% support it.”

However, other Windward students feel differently. “I think empowering women is part of it, but obviously they’re trying to sell their product,” said Kira Torrieri, ‘17.

So where are these companies coming from? They’re trying to make money. Fundamentally, these companies are for-profit businesses, and it is their objective to make as much money as they can. As explained by Myla Bui, professor of Marketing at Loyola Marymount University, “[Dove] is trying to sell their brand as a brand that is about real beauty.” In marketing today, “people are trying to approach it from a new perspective.” Though the goal is to make money, that doesn’t necessarily devalue the “Real Beauty Campaign.” Myla Bui would give Dove a “thumbs up for the fact that they at least tried to market beauty for what beauty should be.” An added bonus to the new

angle in marketing Dove is taking is the relative scarcity of companies with the same approach. When a consumer thinks of companies that are trying to boost self-esteem, Dove is definitely the first to come to mind.

When it comes down to it, companies who produce advertisements that boost women’s self-esteem, such as Dove, are using a marketing technique to sell their products. Despite the strategic angle of these ads, they are raising awareness about women’s esteem issues, which makes a real impact. The companies producing the ads “still have standards of how girls have to look in their minds,” said Serena Ettinger ‘18, but that does not bar them from making a positive impact.

Let’s Focus: Emma Lipstone’s Concentration on Image Alteration

To learn a little more about the nature of image alteration, we spoke to Emma Lipstone ‘15, whose concentration in her Graphic Design class is on image alteration.

1) What inspired you to focus on image alteration as your concentration?

What inspired me to focus on image alteration in graphic design was due to how people are seen in magazines. All the models I see in magazines and online are super skinny, big eyes, perfect skin, etc. and most of that is due to fantastic photoshopping. I wanted to take on the challenge to see if I could do that with my work and achieve the same goal that professionals do.

2) When you see image alteration in the media or in marketing, how is your perception altered by your experience?

When I see alteration in the media or marketing, it makes me feel bad about myself. “Why am I not that skinny? Why isn’t my skin that clear? Why don’t I look like that? Why, why, why.” But through doing this

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concentration I have realized that nobody looks that way. It is a facade that is created through photoshop and perfect lighting, and it’s terrible that it has such a destructive effect on people’s images of themselves

3) What serves as your inspiration for your work?

I was reading Buzzfeed one day over the summer, and an article came up about Photoshop errors on Oldnavy.com that sparked my interest, and then I started seeing more image alterations when I looked at photos of celebrities. Along with that, there was another article online about what people would look like if they had Disney princess proportions, and it was unrealistic. It sparked my interest though.

4) What is the typical process of one of your image alteration projects?

I will go out and take a photo of a friend. Then I’ll liquify it, making the face smaller and longer, eyes bigger, nose smaller, change lips so they are smiling. From there, I’ll correct the skin and change skin color, then change eye color, lip color, add makeup, change hair, add illusion of high cheekbones, etc. And Voila! A person whose unrecognizable to my friend, but would be completely normal in a magazine full of models.

95% of people struggling with eating

disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25,

according to the National Association of

Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders

Only 5% of women

naturally have the

body type portrayed

popularly in the media

Only 10%

of people

suffering

from an

eating

disorder

will seek

professional

help

44% of adolescent girls believe that they are overwieght

60% of Adolescent girls are actively trying to lose weight despite healthy and normal weight ranges

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What is Feminism?

Feminism, an important idea that is becoming more and more topical here at Windward, is often misunderstood. Feminism rejects societal expectations that men are supposed to be strong and brave, while women are supposed to be subservient and docile. For example, despite the fact that more women graduate college than men, according to the Center for American Progress, only 4.6% of women become Fortune 500 CEOs. This idea also applies to girls in classrooms at Windward, where girls do not ask questions as much in class as guys do.

“Sometimes I do end up feeling less smart than the guys in my class,” said Junior Ally Delber.

Whenever an individual falls outside of this stereotype, he/she are heavily criticized. Many believe that feminism is solely advantageous for women, but the truth is that feminism gives men an advantage too.

Yes, feminism does support women’s rights, but it also allows women to be strong, self-sufficient leaders without being seen as overly persuasive or rude. On the contrary, while feminism helps women act stronger, it also promotes that men should not be criticized or teased whenever they have moments of weakness.

“You’re such a girl” and “You throw like a girl” are both common phrases that are frequently used by both men and women whenever a man doesn’t fit the specific stereotype of what a “man” is supposed to be.

Changing the cultural norm and levelling the social playing field so that women are depicted as being strong and brave, will strongly benefit men, so that these phrases won’t be perceived as insults anymore. These phrases, and stereotypes also affect women in their daily lives, making them think that they are, or should be, weak, and worthless. Having people use being a “girl” as an insult when talking about someone not being manly enough isn’t right because it implies that being a girl is inherently weak and inferior.

“There are so many inherent gender stereotypes that people don’t even know they are conforming to and making socially acceptable,” said senior Dylan Gee, a leader of a Windward feminism group, Girl Up.

Women are strong and brave and our society needs to understand that concept. This way, when someone says “you throw like a girl” it won’t be an insult anymore, which benefits both men and women.

Overall, raising the awareness for feminism and gender equality, strongly benefits girls around the world, and at our own school so that they will

begin to be treated differently and more equally to men. But again feminism isn’t only a benefit to girls. Increasing gender equality will also help men deal with the societal stereotypes put on them. This is an issue that needs to become more prominent throughout our campus, and the world itself, in order for positive changes to be made.

“There are so many inherent gender stereotypes that people don’t even know they are con-forming to and making socially acceptable.” - Dylan Gee ’15

BY SERENA ETTINGER ’18 staff writer

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Dylan Gee ’15 participates in a class of krav maga along with many other

Windward Students as a Girl Up activity.

Windward Students, Serena Ettinger ’18, Dylan Gee ’15, Ally Gelber ’16, Stella Ginsberg ’17, Michelle Hong ’17, Chase Kirshbaum ’17, and Lily Kopp ’17

attended a talk led by Gloria Steinem as part of their various feminism groups.

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Diversity Coordinator Ernie Levroney at Winter Bowl

Stud

ents

and

par

ents

of the W

indward community at Winter Bowl, an event by the Student Diversity Board in December

Silence is deadly

In the midst of a slew of conversations about racial relations in the U.S., the Diversity Task Force Commits to making on campus changes

By Abby Kuhns ‘15

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“Is this for college?” said one upperclassman student with a sigh as he filed into the theater on December 3rd, 2014, a Thursday, during what was usually a normal advisory meeting.

“I think it’s about the news,” said another student, with a vague but simultaneously wary inflection.

In fact, the upperclassmen were about to listen to something that, seemingly for the first time, was not about activities, off campus privileges, or GPA’s. The diversity task force, made up of faculty and staff who are committed to promoting ideas of inclusivity and diversity, dipped their feet into what some consider a hot button issue: racism in the 21st century. The conversation took place the day after a grand jury decided that NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo would not be indicted in the murder of 43-year-old Staten Island resident Eric Garner and a week after a grand jury decided not to indict police officer Darren Wilson for the murder of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.

“It’s kind of been developing for the last year and a half, but Ferguson was the tipping point,” said Ernie Levroney, Upper School Dean of Students and Dean of Experiential Education, of the inclusivity campaign Windward has launched. “Last year we had a whole in-service (days), in fact two whole faculty inservices, around diversity and inclusivity so that we can start this year to be able to integrate more of that into our conversation both with students and in the classroom.”

The conversation has never seemed more relevant. As more and more names have turned into hashtags as the result of these murders and numerous protests across major cities have taken place, racial relations in America have triggered more conversations about civil rights. After the events surrounding Ferguson, the Diversity Task Force knew it was their chance to start a dialogue about race, but more importantly, inclusivity, oppression, and diversity. The first meetings were divided between the middle school, the freshmen and sophomores, and the upperclassmen, all of whom listened to faculty stories about oppression and privilege. In the upperclassmen meeting, Levroney and Director of Upper School Peggy Proctor shared personal experiences about privilege.

“We knew we wanted to do something,” said Levroney. “Though Ferguson itself is important and impactful and there’s a lot around it...because there’s so much around it and

Inclusivity Coordinator Geraldine Loveless at

Winter Bowl with Windward parents

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so many different varying perspectives on it , we didn’t want to make it ABOUT Ferguson but we did want to make it about what was happening in our country and social equality and social justice and what that looks like or doesn’t look like.”

In a conversation with Procter the night prior to the first of the Diversity Task Force meetings, Geraldine Loveless, middle school science teacher and Inclusivity Coordinator, had to negate her doubts and trust that talking about these subjects was better than staying silent. “I said ‘I think we just have to know going into it that it’s better to do something that needs to be done and [have] received criticism, feedback, and make changes than it is to not have the conversation at all,’” Loveless said, some of which was not focused on the meeting itself but the specific subject matter.

“Yes, we’re entering this because of what some are calling the larges resurgence of national civil rights movements since the 60’s but what about the fact that girls at Windward and around the world are experiencing sexism everyday and we still haven’t had a female president?” said Loveless.

Levroney agreed about the importance of addressing racial, economic, ethnic, and gender disparities in America. “Definitely more than a subset of students kind of know what’s going and is getting information actually become

more affected because we’re not talking about it and they’re wondering internally and sometimes externally ‘why aren’t we talking about it’,” he said.

The next meeting, which also took place during advisory, allowed students to talk amongst themselves about being part of target and non-target groups (socially advantaged and disadvantaged groups), creating a personal influence on the conversation.

“And I think that that’s a difficult process for people to go through, the realization of membership in a non target group and I think its also an important one because non target group membership is just scene as ‘the normal.’ And so that’s...people just feel like they’re identity in a non-target or a privileged group is inherent or standard or normal and these privileges...they’re blind to,” said Loveless.

Isabel Kibreab, a junior, and Mark Freeman, a senior, shared experiences about oppression and privilege. Both Loveless and Levroney are also familiar with these issues from a personal standpoint. In his predominantly white hometown, Levroney was not allowed to play the lead in his school play his junior year because of the threat of the KKK, who, even in the 80’s, were still an active threat.

“Of course I was mad and upset but at the same time I was like this is the system I live in and there’s nothing I can do about it,” said Levroney of his experience. “I wasn’t oblivious to the fact there was racial tension and racial issues at my school in the community I grew up in. I was well aware of that and indoctrinated to it almost the first day of schooling in the kindergarten, so it didn’t surprise me.”

Loveless experienced racial privilege from a different perspective, as she had a close childhood friend who was

“It’s better to do something that needs to be done and [have] received criticism,

feedback, and make changes than it is not to

have a conversation at all.”

Students learn about Mexican culture at a Latino Heritage Booth created by the Student Diversity Board

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Ernie Levroney and Geraldine Loveless at National Coming Out Day, 2014, another event that promotes diversity at Windward

deported because his family lost their greencard status.

“They had come to the country legally and then became illegal and he actually lived with my family for a while and he was kind of like a brother to me. And then he had to go back to Bolivia so that he could reenter the country legally and go to college,” said Loveless. “That was my first realization of ‘things aren’t fair and it’s something bigger than me.’”

These perspectives from both the faculty members of the Diversity Task Force as well as the Student Diversity Board make the entire campaign one of the most innovative and important parts of the Windward community today.

With both personal and school wide experience under his belt, Levroney is also aware of the relevance of the Diversity Task Force. “We’re an education institution and that’s [informing students] what we’re supposed to be doing,” he said.

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2 . O u r M a s c o t4 . F o u n d e r o f W i n d w a r d S c h o o l

5 . K i n g s H o c k e y f a n a t i c7 . G r a m m a r i a n w i t h c r a z y t i e s

8 . D a y o n w h i c h K e n A s h e r m a k e s h i s s p e c i a l d i s h

9 . S t u d e n t s b e c o m e m e r c h a n t s a t t h i s e v e n t1 1 . A d a y o f f , s e l e c t e d b y t e a c h e r F r i e n d

1 . Q u e e n o f t h e S a n d w i c h b a r3 . 2 0 1 4 F a l l M u s i c a l

6 . C a p t a i n o f t h e G i r l s ’ V a r s i t y V o l l e y b a l l T e a m9 . C o m m u n i t y s e r i v c e a t W C C

1 0 . H e a d o f S c h o o l

D O W N

By Zoey Lytt le

Wi nd wa rd Cro s s word

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2 . O u r M a s c o t4 . F o u n d e r o f W i n d w a r d S c h o o l

5 . K i n g s H o c k e y f a n a t i c7 . G r a m m a r i a n w i t h c r a z y t i e s

8 . D a y o n w h i c h K e n A s h e r m a k e s h i s s p e c i a l d i s h

9 . S t u d e n t s b e c o m e m e r c h a n t s a t t h i s e v e n t1 1 . A d a y o f f , s e l e c t e d b y t e a c h e r F r i e n d

Press Play

While reading...“Still Crazy After All These Years” by Paul

Simon

“Operator” by Jim Croce

“Rivers and Roads” by The Head and the Heart

“New Slang” by The Shins

“The First Cut is the Deepest” by Cat Stevens

“Harvest Moon” by Poolside

“Right Time (feat. Soraya)” by Beshken

“Blowin’ in the Wind” by Bob Dylan

“Going to California” by Led Zeppelin

“Everyday” by Carly Comando

Dear Reader,

We realize that the subject matter in this issue is much more serious than our usual content. For that reason, here are two Spotify playlists to maximize your reading experience and to expedite your recovery process.

See you in June.Charlie and Abby

“Shake it Off” by Taylor Swift

“Dog Days Are Over” by Florence + The Machine

“Celebrate (From the Original Motion Picture “Penguins of Madagascar”)” by Pitbull

“Happy” by Pharrell Williams

“The Best of Both Worlds” by Hannah Montana

“Comes a Time” by Neil Young

“Recover” by ChvrcWhes

“Chicken Fried” by Zac Brown Band

“Stolen Dance” by Milky Chance

“Escapee” by Architecture in Helsinki

For Recovery...

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e W

ind

wa

rd

Br

idg

efor more student articles!

windwardbridge.com

Visit our website

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Co

min

g s

oo

n!

J UNE 1 ST

Remember to pick up the summer edition of

The Bridge due out:

...and stay tuned for some exciting developments in social media expected to launch in

fall 2015!

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