Spring Break Is Gone, But Fear Not!

By Suha Choi ‘22

The pandemic has taken away the March break of 2021 and led to new adjustments to make up for this break, but maybe things are not too bad this way… 

Weeks ago, before the school made an official announcement, discussions alongside worries and concerns circulated among students about the possibility of spring break being cancelled. Some of those main concerns and worries centered around the simple– but surely important– need for students to take a break around this time of the year: early March when weather is starting to get warmer and you are exhausted by having already made through more than half of the school year. For some seniors, this time is supposed to be their highlight of “Senior Spring,” when they are finally freed from the burden of college applications and can travel, perhaps, fly to Coachella with friends. March break is also the time when arguably one of the most exciting parts of the St. Mark’s community happens. Sadly, the exciting travel programs offered by the Global Citizenship department to countries ranging from Italy, Belize, Peru, to Namibia will not happen this spring. However, as a year of pandemic has probably taught us by now, this is no longer a time to discourage ourselves about what is taken away from us, but rather to see the best in what is new for us. And what’s more, the St. Mark’s faculty and trustee committee have put in a great accumulation of time, care, and thought to make the best changes possible for the St. Markers despite limitations and uncertainties. 

Mr. Corliss, a science department faculty member who led the faculty committee that landed on this decision, said that the biggest reason for not holding Spring Break was equity. “For some people, two weeks off and two weeks of remote learning would have been a nice time at home, but some people would have been stuck spending that time on campus, or traveling through multiple layers of quarantines,” Mr. Corliss explained. He acknowledged that now with the absence of a typical Spring Break, we’re all facing the same challenge together, or even footing. A typical Spring Break of about two consecutive weeks off is gone, but this is not to say that a time for a break is totally taken away from students. It simply occurs in a different way this year, perhaps, indeed in a way that allows better rest for many busy and exhausted St. Markers.

There is one day of no classes – besides the weekends– during the school weeks throughout March to May, as some may have noticed on the schedule on St. Mark’s Google Calendar. Alongside this change, we finish the year two weeks earlier than usual. These off-days are primarily to make up for the absence of spring break, providing students to take a midway break from days of remote learning, which can still be somewhat stressful even if it is something we have been practicing for a long time now. Mr. Corliss added that “it's really important that we all find ways to talk openly about our mental health and make sure we all get to the finish line together.” Given that fancy vacations trips in March will likely be difficult due to the pandemic anyways, this change might come as a big advantage for V formers or other students who take challenging academic coursework. It may also come as a pleasant change for those who simply prefer to get spread-out and shorter, but more frequent, days of rest.  Regardless of being a boarder, day student, or remote student, St. Markers who are all around different locations of the world will be able to spend the days equally as a means to catch up with busy school work or to simply recharge themselves.

228 - Washington

By James Nichols-Worley ‘23

Feel Uncomfortable

Have you examined just how you feel about January the 6 2021? Do you feel uncomfortable?

On Wednesday, supporters of President Trump broke into the U.S. Capitol after leaving his rally. By all indications, they were egged on by Mr. Trump’s previous comments. He refused to promise to concede if he lost in 2016 (Lind, 2016). He falsely claimed that millions of people illegally voted in 2016 (Nichols, 2019) and for months tweeted that there were widespread voting irregularities in the 2020 election, or that specific states unconstitutionally allowed people to vote. 

We pride ourselves on a sense of there being one truth - there are no alternative facts. There is no getting around the fact that Mr. Trump inspired the sieging of the Capitol. Sixteen high profile individuals have already resigned (The New York Times, 2021) with several more certain to follow. The Vice President, Mike Pence, reportedly hasn’t spoken with Mr. Trump for nearly a week (McEvoy, 2021). Nearly the entire Democratic Caucus is unified in calling for the Presidency to be vacated by any means possible, and they’re joined across party lines by multiple Republicans, like Senators Pat Toomey, Mitt Romney, Lisa Murkowski, Representative Adam Kinzinger, and a majority of the American public (McCaskill). Some of the largest corporations in America are pausing political donations to those “who objected to President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College win” (Cutter et al., 2021). 

To be sure, Mr. Trump’s rally preceding the riot poured gas on a fire. Words like:

“you’ll never take back your country with weakness… You have to show strength… We will never give up We will never concede… You don’t concede when there’s theft involved. Our country has had enough. We will not take it anymore… we will stop the steal… [If] you don’t fight like hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore.” (Savage, 2021) provided fuel for raging flames.

But the buck does not stop there. These words were merely gasoline on in the inferno.

You don’t even have to take my word for it. Peruse the laundry list of white nationalists, conspiracists, and supporters of the president waving Trump flags. Michael Phillips and Jennifer Levitz, for The Wall Street Journal, described Doug Sweet, a rioter who broke into the Capitol: “Mr. Sweet says he took his marching orders from the president and walked east” (2021). Also included in the group was Eric Munchel, who dawned camo and was seen carrying zip tie restraints, Cleveland Meredith Jr., who authorities say texted that he would put “a bullet in her [Speaker Pelosi’s] noggin on Live TV,” (Astor et al., 2021) the Proud Boys, a far-right men’s only group, and state lawmaker from West Virginia, among many, many others. All who “had one thing in common: a… certainty that President Trump had won re-election.” (Ailworth et al., 2021)

Does this make you uncomfortable? The unmistakable, nauseous, gasoline-like smell of white supremacy and white nationalism. Confederate flags circled around the Capitol like the lips of a burning conflagration. Doug Sweet “[liked]… Mr. Trump’s defense of Confederate war memorials… [He] felt Mr. Trump was trying to ‘preserve America.’” (Levitz & Phillips, 2021) 

But just how and why do you feel uncomfortable?

I spoke with Dr. John Daves, the Director of Community & Equity Affairs here at St. Mark’s. Nothing that makes you uncomfortable can be thoroughly challenged without the insight of others.

Dr. Daves describes it best: “White nationalism is really about the belief that America is a country designed to serve white people.” Consider how much power the President’s words hold. At his rally, he told his supporters, “But just remember this, you're stronger, you're smarter. You've got more going than anybody and they try and demean everybody having to do with us and you're the real people. You're the people that built this nation. You're not the people that tore down our nation.” (Jacobo)

To Dr. Daves, “the literal meaning of the speech is white supremacy. The actual truth is that the U.S. Capitol was built by slaves.” The President and his allies spread the myth of a white America, echoing the calls of the alt-right heard four years ago in Charlottesville of “They will not replace us.”

Black Lives Matter activists, who have been working for years to bring justice to an unjust system, expressed frustration at the incredible disparity of police action at the Capitol riot (Eligon, 2021). Not only was there a major disparity in arrests compared to previous Black Lives Matter protests, but there was also a disparity in how the rioters were treated (Click & Shamsian, 2021). The rioters, carrying the flag of a foreign country that was at war with America for the entirety of its existence, were able to break into the seat of American democracy, threaten a hostile takeover, and then leave. 

“White supremacy, really the practices of white nationalism and white supremacy, is that the rioters' lives are valued more than the black and brown protestors. See the contrast between the police presence at the peaceful Black Lives Matter protests compared to the underpolicing of the riots. This shows the disparity in the over policing of the community.” Dr. Daves remarked.

(Via Business Insider)

In an Opinion published last weekend in The Wall Street Journal, former D.C. assistant attorney and White House official Jeffrey Scott Shapiro defended Mr. Trump’s action from a legal standpoint, citing “language based on Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969), in which the Supreme Court set the standard for speech that could be prosecuted without violating the First Amendment. The justices held that a Klu Klux Klan leader’s calls for violence against blacks and Jews were protected speech. The court found that [these] comments were ‘mere advocacy’ of violence...” (Shapiro, 2021)

The basis of Mr. Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rhetoric lies in the disenfranchisement of non-white Americans (Burns, 2020). The basis of Mr. Trump’s supporters holding a beacon of democracy hostage was a gross ideological and racial disparity in policing. The basis of Mr. Trump’s legal defense rests on precedence used to defend lynchings.

Does this make you upset?

Do you feel like there has been a great injustice committed?

Do you think you understand why all this chaos happened, or why it’s such a big deal?

(Nichols-Worley, 2020)

The riots at the Capitol made nearly everyone uncomfortable.

The day of, a Tammy from Boise called into C-SPAN:

I just have one question. I wanted to know if my president lied to me today. If he did I want him to tell me. More importantly, I want him to tell the family of the woman who got shot and killed today. I voted for him — I voted for him. I’m sorry. (Matthews, 2021)

Who have you talked to about what happened?

It is probably one of the hardest conversations you’re going to have right now. For many here at St. Mark’s, this is rightly a passionate subject. It is whether or not white supremacy and lies will dominate our future. 

To be sure, it will still lie in our future. Already, its enablers have started trying to rehabilitate its image. They will claim that both sides are equally guilty, falsely saying that Black Lives Matter protests were similar if not worse (they were not). Sitting Congressman will falsely claim that Antifa, which is not a group, let alone a terroristic one, was behind the protests (Contorno). Most of all, however, they will continue to ignite the kindling that caused this insurrection. They will attack voting.

The night of the riots, after Congress had finally resumed its session, nearly every Republican Senator or Congressperson condemned the rioters. Yet, oddly, they continued to use the same rhetoric that started the riots in the first place. Notably, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell remarked, “I support strong State led voting reforms. Last year’s bizarre pandemic procedures must not become the new norm.” (Rev, 2021)

Racist ideas can propagate largely through plausible deniability. That is what a dog whistle is, a comment that can be plausibly denied to have a racist innuendo, but still resonates and is understood by its intended audience.

Those, like Ted Cruz, will condemn the Capitol rioters and then proceed to question the validity of the election, saying he’d even still do so with hindsight (Gillman, 2021). On his Twitter account, Senator Cruz called it a lie that “debating an Election Commission in the Senate somehow supports terrorist violence.” 

To be very clear: Mr. Cruz and his colleagues are practicing the rhetorical equivalent of condemning the Civil War yet defending slavery.

Do you disagree with this characterization? Did you once disagree, but have since changed your mind?
Does it make you uncomfortable to consider any of this?

At the present, we need to be equipped to face these challenges. Already, many of our classes have broached the subject. But is it enough? Consider, have you been able to fully explore your understanding and your emotions? Do you feel like you can actually talk about this with your classmates, your peers, your teammates, or your friends? Are you worried about disagreement? Have you considered what you’re going to do in the future? 

We need to confront these issues as head-on as we can. We need to start taking these discussions to points that will make us uncomfortable, and keep going. 

We should follow the lead of our own, great, Mr. David Lyons, who was featured in the Metrowest Daily News: “[His] approach going into class on [last] Thursday was ‘not to set parameters on the discussion.’ Instead, he planned to start class with: ‘It was an extraordinary day and it became, obviously, even more extraordinary. What are your reactions, thoughts or questions?’” (Razzaq, 2021)

This challenge is no different than your classes or your sports: It should not be easy because it needs to make you stronger. No scientist ever understood relativity without trial, and no runner ever got to state without tribulation.

If you’re not willing to change your opinion, or share your opinion freely and defend it, will you claim to be not just a non-racist, but an anti-racist? If you’re unwilling to be confronted that you may be wrong, how are we going to ever improve?

And, to be honest, I don’t know how we’re going to get there easily. What is maybe the most significant domestic attack to happen in American history should not be able to slip past us. We have a duty to not let it. We, not just as a school, but as the individual people who make it up, need to confront this and never stop. We need more conversations that make us feel uncomfortable talking about blatant white supremacy and white privilege. Feel uncomfortable that not everyone agrees with you. Feel uncomfortable talking about injustice because you don’t know everything. I definitely don’t.

One of the last things Dr. Daves said to me, and the one I will probably keep with me the longest, was, “This is just the tip of the iceberg. Until we gain a greater understanding of the lenses through which we see the world as white people, black people, and Asian points of view, we cannot begin to truly understand the truth behind America’s living history. Whether we’re voluntary immigrants or involuntary immigrants. We need to understand history from our own point of view and the views of others if we continue to strive to be a nation that is a role model for democracy for ourselves and the world.”

This will not be solved by unilateral action. This will not be solved only by what the School can do. Talk to the people you know. Talk to your friends. Stay on an uncomfortable Zoom call for two hours. Start a club dedicated only to this one subject if you have to. If we have to reorganize the entire school just to get it through our heads that we cannot let this opportunity slip out of our hands, then so be it. There might not be any more noble action that we can take than facing the wrongs that make us uncomfortable.

And then we never stop making them right.

(Since we don’t really have Letters, please forward any responses for this article to thejamesnicholsw@gmail.com and I’ll work hard to respond to or publish them.)

References

Ailworth, Erin, et al. “Conspiracy Theorists, CEOs and Grandmothers: Inside the Capitol Mob.” The Wall 

Street Journal, Dow Jones & Company, 11 Jan. 2021, www.wsj.com/articles/conspiracy-theorists-ceos-and-grandmothers-inside-the-capitol-mob-11610329655.

Astor, Maggie, et al. “Presidential Transition Highlights: House Says It Will Move Swiftly With 

Impeachment If Pence Won't Act.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 11 Jan. 2021, www.nytimes.com/live/2021/01/10/us/joe-trump-biden#dozens-were-arrested-after-storming-the-us-capitol-heres-a-look-at-who-they-are.

Burns, Gus. “How Detroit Became the Central Scapegoat of the 'Stop the Steal' Crusade.” Mlive, Mlive, 

26 Nov. 2020, www.mlive.com/politics/2020/11/how-detroit-became-the-central-scapegoat-of-the-stop-the-steal-crusade.html.

Click, Sawyer, and Jacob Shamsian. “Police Have Arrested Only 69 People Connected to the Capitol 

Building Invasion so Far, Far Fewer than Those Arrested during BLM Protests This Summer.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 7 Jan. 2021, www.businessinsider.com/number-of-arrests-capitol-riot-compared-blm-protests-chart-2021-1.

Contorno, Steve. “How Matt Gaetz Spread a Falsehood about Antifa Infiltrating the Mob That Attacked 

Congress.” Tampa Bay Times, Tampa Bay Times, 7 Jan. 2021, www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2021/01/07/how-matt-gaetz-spread-a-falsehood-about-antifa-infiltrating-the-mob-that-attacked-congress/.

Cutter, Chip, et al. “WSJ News Exclusive | Capitol Riot Prompts Some Big Banks and Companies to 

Pause Political Funding.” The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones & Company, 11 Jan. 2021, www.wsj.com/articles/capitol-riot-prompts-some-big-banks-and-companies-to-pause-political-funding-11610315288.

Eligon, John. “'What a Joke.' Black Lives Matter Activists Note Contrast in Police Response at Capitol.” 

The New York Times, The New York Times, 8 Jan. 2021, www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/us/capitol-trump-mob-black-lives-matter.html.

Gillman, Todd J. “Ted Cruz Says He'd Object to Biden Electors Even Knowing about Riot, Blasts Trump 

for 'Reckless' Rhetoric.” Dallas News, Dallas News, 8 Jan. 2021, www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2021/01/07/ted-cruz-says-hed-object-to-biden-electors-even-knowing-about-riot-blasts-trump-for-reckless-rhetoric/.

Jacobo. “This Is What Trump Told Supporters before Many Stormed Capitol Hill.” ABC News, ABC 

News Network, 7 Jan. 2021, abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-told-supporters-stormed-capitol-hill/story?id=75110558.

Levitz, Jennifer, and Michael M Phillips. “One Trump Fan's Descent Into the U.S. Capitol Mob.” The 

Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones & Company, 10 Jan. 2021, www.wsj.com/articles/one-trump-fans-descent-into-the-u-s-capitol-mob-11610311660.

Lind, Dara. “Donald Trump Is Toying with Refusing to Concede If He Loses. That's Horrifying.” Vox, 

Vox, 4 Oct. 2016, www.vox.com/2016/10/4/13153832/donald-trump-refuse-to-concede.

Matthews, Dylan. “A Trump Supporter Called C-SPAN in Tears to Ask If Her President Had Lied to 

Her.” Vox, Vox, 7 Jan. 2021, www.vox.com/2021/1/6/22218031/trump-supporter-cspan-president-lied.

McCaskill, Nolan D. “Trump Facing Increasing Pressure to Leave Office Early.” POLITICO, POLITICO, 

10 Jan. 2021, www.politico.com/news/2021/01/10/trump-increasing-pressure-leave-office-457023.

McEvoy, Jemima. “Trump Hasn't Spoken To Pence Since Rioters Stormed Capitol Calling For His 

Execution.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 10 Jan. 2021, www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2021/01/10/trump-hasnt-spoken-to-pence-since-rioters-stormed-capitol-calling-for-his-execution/?sh=70904b75478b.

The New York Times. “Trump Administration Officials Who Resigned Over Capitol Violence.” The New 

York Times, The New York Times, 7 Jan. 2021, www.nytimes.com/article/trump-resignations.html.

Nichols, Chris. “PolitiFact - PANTS ON FIRE: Trump's Latest California Voter Fraud Claim as Baseless 

as Past Allegations.” Politifact, Politifact, 25 June 2019, www.politifact.com/factchecks/2019/jun/24/donald-trump/pants-fire-trumps-latest-california-voter-fraud-cl/.

Nichols-Worley, James. “Presidential Mock Election at SM: Interview with Mr. Lyons.” The St. Marker, 

The St. Marker, 20 Nov. 2020, www.thestmarker.com/humans-of-st-marks/2020/11/16/presidential-mock-election-at-sm-interview-with-mr-lyons.

Razzaq, Zane. “How Do You Teach Insurrection? MetroWest Educators Help Students Make Sense of 

Capitol Chaos.” MetroWest Daily News, MetroWest Daily News, 8 Jan. 2021, www.metrowestdailynews.com/story/news/education/2021/01/07/how-do-you-teach-attempted-sedition-metrowest-educators-help-students-make-sense-capitol-chaos/6579614002/.

Rev. “Mitch McConnell Senate Speech Transcript January 6: Rejects Efforts to Overturn Presidential 

Election Results.” Rev, Rev, 7 Jan. 2021, www.rev.com/blog/transcripts/mitch-mcconnell-senate-speech-on-election-confirmation-transcript-january-6.

Savage, Charlie. “Incitement to Riot? What Trump Told Supporters Before Mob Stormed Capitol.” The 

New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Jan. 2021, www.nytimes.com/2021/01/10/us/trump-speech-riot.html.

Shapiro, Jeffrey Scott. “No, Trump Isn't Guilty of Incitement.” The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones & 

Company, 10 Jan. 2021, www.wsj.com/articles/no-trump-isnt-guilty-of-incitement-11610303966.

Book Bites: A survey of Winter Break Reading

By Coco Chen ‘24 

Winter break was a wonderful time to relax as we want and read as we want! Relieved from projects and assessments, we could finally immerse ourselves in books that we had long yearned to read. Absorbed in myriads of adventures experienced by the characters, intrigued by complex concepts brought up by great thinkers, and engrossed by the history of objects of our interest, we all rejoice in books with a close relation to and a tremendous impact on us. In the interview with some of St. Mark’s readers, we can see how our choices for books are related to our personal experiences and thoughts. 

Helen Qing, a freshman, enjoyed reading 7000 Years of Jewelry by Hugh Tait, a renowned expert on European decorative arts. As a student of studio art, Helen has always loved to incorporate jewelry as an element of her designs. She is also fascinated by its history, the complexity of which, in her opinion, the book well illustrates.

Cathy Zhou, a senior, read Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, a 1994 book by Stanford University biologist Robert M. Sapolsky. In this book, Sapolsky points out that zebras can ward off ulcers because they do not feel stressed about their social securities. As for Cathy, she considers the book “a light-hearted introduction into the stress that we experience daily as humans.” As a senior and a remote student, Cathy is not able to enjoy her last year at school,Nonetheless, most scientifically, this book cheers her up!

Brandon Tang, a junior, immersed himself in Country Driving by Peter Hessler, an award-winning American author famous for his China trilogy. The book talks about the author’s journey through China and conveys the sense of rapid change in this country that he is so familiar with. As a Chinese, Brandon is very concerned about the development of China and the life of people living in the countryside. He appreciates Hessler’s profound insights on China. 

Diana Oh, a freshman, finished The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid, a Pakistani American author. In the book, a Pakistani named Changez tells an American stranger about his affair with an American woman and his eventual abandonment of America. Diana is impressed by the discussion of capitalism and power abuse in the book. She as well deeply resonates with both the author and the character Changez’s identity as a person of in-between cultures and their perspectives of America, since she is also a Korean American who is still exploring her identity. 

Carl Guo, a junior leader of the debate club and an avid reader, has always been fascinated by philosophy, leading him to constantly challenge himself by choosing books that require him to think profoundly. He completed The Stranger by Albert Camus and Shoe Dog by Phil Knight around winter break. The Stranger accounts for the experiences of Meursault as a bohemian, an example of absurdity Camus advocates, “the philosophical discussion of nihilism, absurdism, and existentialism” of which fascinates Carl. As a recommendation of Carl’s beloved YouTuber John Fish, Shoe Dog provides novel insights by comparing life to a sport, and Carl deeply appreciates the life lessons obtained. Looking ahead, Carl plans to read A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and On Liberty by John Stuart Mill, as the former is a short and fulfilling book while the latter is “one of the most famous texts in advocacy of utilitarianism”. 

Though the winter break is over, we shall continue reading. As a nice way to help us relax and acquire insights, reading has been integrated into our life. Though personal experiences and interests lead to differences in our book choices, we all enjoy the sheer pleasure of reading, a modest happiness that will hopefully accompany the rest of our life.

Remote Learners Navigate Challenges

By Coco Chen ‘24

With the closing of Window 1, students have completed their assessments and group projects, received their grades for each course, and reflected upon their learning experiences. The remote students are especially faced with challenges due to geographical, technological, and social obstacles. They have become more accustomed to using Zoom throughout these two months of remote learning, but remote learning could still not fully replace in-person learning.

With the end of daylight savings time, there is now even a greater time difference for remote students who live in different time zones. Although not required, Many remote students attend classes after 11:30 pm at night and before 7:45 am. Remote students who attend the late-night classes experience irregular sleeping patterns and unhealthy lifestyles. Brandon Tang, a junior connecting from Shanghai, China, says he “wakes up really early in the morning for ‘evening’ classes when [he] went to bed at 4 am the night before.” Yolanda Zhou, a freshman from Beijing, China, has been trying her best to adjust to school life, but this has become “even more difficult for [her] by [attending] classes at night.” Olivia, a Junior from Singapore, is disappointed that she has to miss several synchronous classes every week and can only attend classes at night. She shares that the evening blocks made her forget what it feels like to have classes in the morning with her classmates. 

Remote students also feel disconnected from the community. They stay at home, stare at their computer screens, and do all the extra-curricular activities alone. In particular, upperclassmen find it hard to fulfill their leadership duties, such as Olivia, the dorm prefect of Pine/Oak this year. She cannot physically meet and talk with the girls in the dorm as she wants to, and Zoom meetings are an unsatisfying alternative. She also misses hanging out with her friends in the dorm. Yolanda also shared that she cannot connect with the teachers as well due to the time differences, which sometimes result in delayed feedback for her assignments. 

Despite these conflicts in the schedule, remote students try to make the best of this experience and stay optimistic. Yolanda has learned some “valuable and essential skills like time management and not procrastinating during this time” to be more efficient. She has also realized the importance of centering herself amid a busy life, and she “[squeezes] out some time for sports to relax.” Olivia is grateful for her teachers, who offer to meet with her individually outside of the normal synchronous blocks she cannot attend. She reflects that the experience has “really taught [her] how to appreciate everything that [she] used to take for granted.” If anything, the pandemic taught the remote students to stay optimistic and be grateful for the support from their teachers, advisors, and parents. 

A Sacrifice for Safety: One Student’s perspective on SM’s COVID-19 Social Contract

Yoonjeong Yang’24

While St. Mark’s has been imposing strict guidelines on campus to ensure the safety of the community, they ironically give rise to some overlooked “side effects.” Many students have expressed that due to the rigid enforcement of new policies, they feel quite pressured, apprehensive, isolated, and overly restricted by the strict rules. Some go so far as to say that they are disappointed by school life because it is starkly different from what they had looked forward to. While students do recognize the importance of taking responsibility in fostering a safe community, such emotions are equally valid and worth of discussion.  

One major policy at St. Mark’s that has emerged from the pandemic is the mask mandate. All students are expected to have, at least, a seven-day supply of masks. Further, there are specific “expectations” for these masks– they must be machine-washable, be dryable without damage to the shape of the mask, fit snugly on the wearer’s face, and the list goes on. Students are required to wear masks (covering the entire nose and mouth) at all times on campus with a few exceptions of spaces like dorm rooms. The next policy is that of social distancing. In classrooms, students must sit at designated– again, the list goes on. Many more guidelines and routines are to be found on the school homepage, not to mention the Boardingware temperature and symptom checks which in-person students have to fill out every single morning. These routines can surely be exhausting, even if we all know that they are necessary. 

I recently felt the harshness of the new policies first-hand, when I was forced to quarantine at the Annex Health Center due to a headache I had. Even though the only symptom I was displaying was a headache, which was probably caused by the recent cold weather, the nurse isolated me in a single room for the entire day while I waited for the result of my COVID test. To be honest, I was not pleased with being stuck inside this room with nearly nothing but a couple of items received from the nurses. At the same time, I understood that the staff was deeply concerned about my well-being. As I spent the day quarantined at health services, I came to understand the importance of the school’s strict guidelines, appreciating their role in keeping every member of our community safe and also realizing how much danger I could expose others to if these guidelines did not exist.

The rules may seem like a lot. Keeping up with academics and sports at school is already a lot, and to have all these added guidelines can surely be stressful. However, when students recognize that the safety of our community depends on our hands, these guidelines may not necessarily feel easier but rather come as more meaningful. 

After all, living in a community means looking out for the welfare of others. St. Mark’s is a small community, and that also means that the actions of each individual matter much more. There are still students who do not follow the new rules as much as they should. I have witnessed students who wear their masks only halfway or do not bother to social distance. Not only can this impose danger on others, but is also extremely unfair to those who are following the rules despite the discomfort. “It bothers me seeing people not wearing masks properly,” Anaya Strong ’24 expressed. Anaya is not alone in thinking this way. We all understand how difficult it is to have to adhere to these strict guidelines. We all want to enjoy school life and socialize with our friends. However, this pandemic has presented our community with a new reality, and we have come to know that safety and socializing are both possible under the school’s guidelines.         

These are difficult times, but we must remember that the entire world is dealing with this pandemic. Compared to countless others around the world, we are fortunate to live in a community that is safe and cares about its members. Even though the new rules may initially seem strict, they really are not that unreasonable when we consider the alternative of fighting against the deadly virus. As a community, it is our responsibility to make sure that our community is safe and secure. If that means wearing a mask, then so be it. If that means socially distancing, fine. As St. Markers explore the feelings of frustration and loneliness that are natural to emerge during the year of pandemic, hopefully they too will come to understand the significance of their actions even more, just as I did.  

The lunch Shift

By Judy Xie ‘23

Lunch has always been one of the busiest and most chaotic parts of St. Mark’s experience. That 35-minute block of the day had students racing down the stem-building stairs and pushing past one another in the hallways to get to lunch before the line grew too long. Everyone would hurry through the server and into the dining hall, filling up their plates and possibly engaging in some small talk along the way as well. Every day, we crammed hundreds of people into a space where we ate and caught up with our friends without worrying about social distancing or being able to hear their voices through a plexiglass safety barrier. 

With the new introduction of a rampant and easily transmittable virus into all of our daily lives, the St. Mark's lunch block needed to be completely reimagined to allow us a safe return to campus this fall. It would be impossible for all students and faculty to eat in the dining hall while still following safety guidelines with our original lunch schedule. Now, lunchtime is instead split into three separate periods between 11:10 and 1:25, with time allocated in between for disinfection. Every day, Lunch B hosts the most amount of students by far because only students who have free blocks during the other lunch periods are assigned to them. Due to my schedule, I have Lunch A on Tuesdays and Fridays and Lunch B on Mondays and Thursdays.

Personally, I prefer Lunch A. The lines are nonexistent, the buzz of the dining halls is quiet enough to have conversations through the plexiglass dividers, and the atmosphere is much less hectic. Since there is a much smaller number of students assigned to Lunches A and C, I am able to see many more of my friends on days that I have Lunch B. It is quite loud in the dining halls during Lunch B, though, so conversation is minimal or less satisfying. Waiting in line for the second lunch is one experience that is very similar to past years. Especially with the added need to remain 6-feet apart under social distancing guidelines, the line always extends far down the hallway. I’m sure that many would agree with me in saying that long lines are always a pain and seem to move along even slower when you have a rumbling stomach. It does, however, offer a small semblance of normalcy during these times where all of our lives feel unfamiliar and chaotic. It’s funny how I now find myself looking at annoyances in my life with a feeling almost akin to fondness and nostalgia. 

There are certainly some aspects of the COVID-friendly lunch schedule that I like, but also others that aren’t as favorable. Overall, I feel that it is the best option that we have at the moment since it allows us the ability to remain safe while still eating inside the dining hall and having a semi-normal lunch experience. 

What the world needs now is Civil Disagreement

By Sophie Chiang ‘23

Trump’s contentious beliefs and wrongful acts certainly make it easy to want to dismiss the Conservative party as a whole. His narcissism, xenophobia, and blatant disrespect have truly painted his party in a negative light, especially in the eyes of our St. Markers. But does that mean Republicans and Democrats should live in constant division?

In a recent chapel, it was mentioned that the Young Republicans club did not yet have a leader this year. However, the SM mock election revealed that there are, in fact, at least 63 Republicans on campus. Though they make up the minority, any of them are eligible to step up as leader of the club. Nobody has. This got me thinking, why is that? In a community where leadership positions are so sought after, why has nobody stepped up? Perhaps, it’s because of the controversy in sporting a conservative stance in today’s divisive political climate.

Dealing with controversial topics and controversial stances can be difficult. In a school of vastly liberal students (with 79% voting for Biden in the mock election), St Mark’s conservatives may be reluctant to lead a Republican club. Each party has differing positions on topics ranging from basic human rights to economic policies, leading to an increasingly polarized world. But we are a school under one roof, and so we must learn how to handle different viewpoints with clarification, reflection, and compromise. 

When controversy arises, we need to clarify the nature of the conflict by setting forth all the information needed. Each side should explain clearly why they stand behind their conviction and offer any relevant evidence, being impartial and using reason wisely. Then, each side should reflect on what the other person has to say. Using prudence and poise, each side should think deeply about the others’ stance, taking it in completely. This requires an open mind, without prejudice or assumptions.

Not every Democrat is an easily offended hippie and not every Republican is a heartless Trump-worshipper. Not every person has as extreme a view as you might assume. We mustn't demonize any one side. You might even come to find out that you have more common ground than you thought on certain issues with a member of the opposite party. But what if you don’t? If you come to disagree strongly with the other person, be sure to do it with maturity. Civil disagreement demands poise, empathy, and compromise. Both sides should be willing to accept that there may not necessarily be a “right answer” or a way to get the other person to agree completely. But of course, use your judgement. If you are disagreeing on something as basic as women’s rights or gay marriage, it is okay to simply walk away from the conversation.

We should keep in mind our differences but not let them prevent us from respecting other groups’ beliefs. We shouldn’t silence someone’s opinion, but instead hear them out. If you don’t believe it is right, give them food for thought to let them change their own mind. Democrats and Republicans have a lot to learn from each other, and by hearing each other out, we might realize that the other actually has some valuable points to present. 

Unexpected learning outcomes

By Amber Lee ‘24

We can all agree that remote learning has brought drastic changes in our lives. It is a method that is new to everyone, and it has thrown us into a different classroom environment. In the process of adapting, we find ourselves experiencing things that would never have occurred in normal situations. Many of us realized the importance and preciousness of interacting with each other. Also, some developed new hobbies, new interests, and even progressed to complete activities that they always wished to do but never had the chance. Although the pandemic and the online classes were situations that were unexpectedly thrust upon us, making the best out of it and using the disaster as an opportunity and to our advantage definitely helped improve the confusion.

When I first started online classes, I thought it would be much easier and much more comfortable. All that was required was a computer, and I did not have to go all the way to school in order to participate in my classes. However, as time passed and I went through months of zoom lessons, I realized the value of in person learning. I missed the time when I could ask questions without fear of technical difficulties and the opportunity to learn with my classmates. It also made me value my teachers and peers. Staying at home all the time allowed me to appreciate my family as well. My parents made sure my learning environment was quiet and appropriate for studying, and they tried their best to make me comfortable and focused. Aside from studying, we also spent a lot of time together, which bonded us even better than before quarantine. We became even closer and learned to understand each other better, even though it was not an optional opportunity. My family tried to make the best out of the situation, so it was nice to be able to be around them and communicate more often.

Another aspect that I appreciated about remote learning was the fact that I could pursue my interests and passions. Although I love books, I did not have the time to read as much as I wanted to. However, I ended up reading at least five books as so much time was saved during the online classes period. I eventually learned how to use the free periods such as time that was previously used for transportation to my advantage, and I completed so many things during them. I also learned to do the splits and learned to cook from my parents. It was nice to be able to get good use out of those times and make it useful.

Although quarantine and social distancing is a difficult and unprecedented situation for everyone, it made us appreciate the opportunities that we usually take for granted. Also, taking advantage of our free time helped make the period richer and fuller.

The Loneliness of online Learning

By Mandy Hui ‘23

Being intentionally small has always been a part of St. Mark’s philosophy since the day it was founded in 1865. Every year, students have sought comfort in the small community and believed it was one of the key factors in differentiating our school from others. This year, however, the pandemic has presented a great barrier to students around the globe studying in different time zones. Many of us have one question in mind: am I the only one feeling lonely?

The feeling of loneliness is ubiquitous and is probably not foreign to any of us, but it poses a number of threats to us, as humans. Loneliness can lead to a higher risk of both physical and mental problems - including anxiety and depression. Since the pandemic, victims of these mental states have surged throughout the world because of the necessity of social distancing, which ultimately forced schools to shut down in-person classes. Students adapted to the new remote environment, learning from a computer screen at home all day, away from real-life interactions.

Everyone has different takes on learning remotely. Some may be exasperated, some may be content, and others may simply be indifferent. There are a number of options to help alleviate loneliness. One may be video-chatting. We are privileged to be in a position where we are able to easily reach out to people via mobile devices. During this pandemic, facetime/skype/zoom can be a bridge for people who crave social interaction as it allows us to view our facial expressions and actions on screen. Compared to texting, video-calling a friend or family is the way to go. Allot a certain time during your day to just call someone; it’ll definitely make your day. Another solution may be exercising - take time out of your day to be active (at home or outdoors) because being active benefits both physically and mentally. Other activities may include any hobbies that are fitting for a home environment. 

Ultimately, coming in terms with the fact that you are not the only one feeling lonely is the best way to combat this feeling. You might try activities other people are doing to mitigate their situation, and since we have so much time in our hands, it’s also important to reflect on yourself as a person. You can discover things you never knew about yourself before this pandemic: your habits, moods, and what you should start prioritizing in life. Reflecting on your needs and learning how to be independent are essential in life. You may enjoy reading, someone may enjoy drawing, and another may enjoy writing to help them handle these circumstances; so at the end of the day, we all cope with this pandemic differently. There is no single answer that will cure this feeling, but if you are in need of help, always talk to someone as they can support you through these difficult times because, in my opinion, that’s when you’ll slowly start to feel better again.