The ReMarker | December 2023

ReMarker Volume 70, Issue 3 St. Mark’s School of Texas Friday, December 8, 2023

Camaraderie &Compassion

A GREATER PURPOSE Junior Matthew Hofmann sells t-shirts and raffle tickets at a morning event during McDonald’s Week (top.) Kitchen staff and volunteers at Austin Street Center prepare dinner for the residents (bottom left.) Austin Street CEO Daniel Roby visits with son junior Noah Roby and Headmaster David Dini (bottom middle.)

Austin Street residents play an afternoon game of dominoes (bottom right.)

For over more than two decades, as part of McDonald’s Week, an annual fundraiser in mid-November led by the junior class, students flock to the restaurant for food, fun and games. But beyond the camaraderie, the event generates thousands of dollars to donate to charity.

SEE JUNIOR PAGE 6

Inside Issues......................................... 3 Academics................................. 9 Focus......................................... 14 Life............................................. 16 Reviews..................................... 21 Editorials................................. 22 Sports...................................... 24

On the Web Seniors v.

Juniors A friendly match between the junior and senior classes, organized by the student council, ends with an unexpected outcome.

Check out other Web Exclusive stories including: In-depth Literary Festival preview Seniors start new decorating tradition Sports commitment updates Scan to visit the ReMarker website

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Letter from the Editor

Demystifying our own fears

Friday, December 8, 2023

Bulletin

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The holidays feel different after a parent has passed

A look back at the best of 2023

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An empty seat

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Dawson Yao Focus Magazine Editor

If you walked into the journalism suite anytime from Monday to Thursday, you’d see me toiling away in the editor’s office, working on spreads and stories. And in those three days, if you were to follow me through my day, you’d see me endure 3-4 hours of classes, then sit back down on that black office chair, where I’d toil some more for the rest of the day. After that, at around 10 p.m., I’d eat a quick meal, then collapse on my bed, preparing myself to do it all over again, the very next day.

But even if you followed me through all of that, you would not have seen a fraction of the entire production process.

In truth, production for the magazine began long before it all – when the idea came to me and my co-editor Linyang Lee on a whim. And from a pool of topics ranging from everything from immigration to suicide came fear.

After two cycles working on the ReMarker centerspread, we finally began putting our full forces towards the magazine. Amid college application and in the heat of a massive exam week, we distributed, wrote and designed spreads around stories – stories which facilitated the discussion of all our greatest fears.

And behind the motivation of every piece, column and description is the desire to tell the story of fear. That desire comes from hour-long, heartfelt interviews with victims of fear. That desire comes from the need to put those emotions in an 800-word story. That desire comes from the need to transform a person’s deepest terrors into something manageable, like mere words on a piece of paper.

Like the description says on page 4 of the magazine, the piece is meant to unravel fear, and demystify it to the point where we eventually realize that there was nothing to fear at all. And I hope it does just that.

Much thanks to Jenny Creech, Jim Jarvis, Josh Goforth and the entire journalism staff for their vital contributions to the magazine.

I hope you enjoy the first issue of Focus.

There is so much more to come.

to 04 Hard hang up A look into the challenges Marksmen face with screen addiction.

star in the 19 Amaking Junior Lukas Palys is making a name for himself in the opera world.

09 Curating Curriculums

The tale of the tape How highlight culture has changed over the years

of the 10 Changing classroom The evolution of the educational environment for students at 10600.

A look into how teachers design classes and decide what to teach.

dream 23 The schedule

in 26 Ahismile shoes

Editorial Director Aaron Augustine explores life with a normal sleep routine.

Junior Noah Roby discusses his extensive knowledge of running shoes.

IN BRIEF

You can find the newest edition of Focus magazine on campus today with the ReMarker or online at smremarker.com.

NATIONAL PHSYICS EXAM Upper School students enrolled any of the school’s physics courses will have the opportunity to take the F=MA exam for a chance to qualify for the United States Physics Olympiad. Registration for the exam closes on Jan. 23, with the exam being administered on Feb. 9. Those who perform well enough will qualify to take will be eligible to take the test for USAPhO, which will be on April 4th. Students who wish to compete should contact Stephen Houpt.

to honor former presidents of the St. Mark’s Parents’ Association. The event, run this year by president-elect Cindy Brown, honored 29 of the group’s former presidnents. The event, which was held on campus, featured remarks from the association’s current president and board member Cindy Hanson, Assistant Headmaster for External Affairs Scott Jolly and Headmaster David Dini. Director of Marksman Wellness Gabby Reed, the keynote speaker for the event, discussed the school’s greater emphasis PAST PRESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION on mental health includThe annual Past Presidents’ ing the creation of the new Luncheon was held on Nov. 8 Marksmen Wellness Center.

CHRISTMAS PARTY PREVIEW This year’s Christmas party will take place Dec. 15 in the Great Hall. The party will serve as host for many of the school’s long-standing traditions, including the seniors carrying their Lower School buddies through the audience to hang the ornaments on the school’s Christmas tree. The event also marks the end of the two-week Gift Drive, and the amount of gifts collected will be announced and presented to the Salvation Army

by Headmaster David Dini.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was recently named to the 2024 Julius Erving Award Watch List, the honor given to nation’s best small forward. Through the first seven games with the Tar Heels, Ingram is averaging 15.0 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. After capturing the 110-meter hurdle national title at the 2023 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championship, Enoch Ellis ‘22 of the Massachusetts Institute of Technol earned National Scholar Track Athlete of the Year honors. His winALUMNI SPORTS UPDATE Harri- ning time of 14.22 seconds son Ingram ‘21, a forward is both Ellis’ personal best playing basketball at the and an MIT facility record.

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Surge in theft causes local stores to suffer Items are flying off the shelves this holiday season, but many stores in the area are finding not everything is getting paid for.

M

By Arjun Poi and Josh Goforth

ath instructor Lauren Logan always felt safe in her condo complex.

After all, there was a gate code to enter and another gate code for where her car was parked — those gates were armed with sharp spikes that made them almost impossible to scale.

But, one early morning, when she was getting ready to drive to school, she looked at her car and knew something was wrong.

Her door was cracked open.

When she looked in her car, she saw a mess. Every compartment in her car was cracked open and rummaged through like a raccoon does to a trash can. Luckily, the only thing missing was $9 set aside for valet tips in the glove compartment. But even though the monetary damage was small, Logan still felt extremely gross about the ordeal.

“It felt like a violation,” Logan said. “It was really creepy getting into my car, knowing someone had been in here.”

Logan had done everything right. She had locked her car and parked it in a seemingly secure location. But her car was still broken into.

While she didn’t report the crime to the police because she believed the likelihood of catching the burglar was slim, she posted about it on Nextdoor, a social media platform where neighbors communicate with each other about what’s happening in their neighborhood. It was on Nextdoor that she learned that she wasn’t alone. What had happened to her had happened to several other people as well.

Over the past few years, theft has risen to become a major problem in Dallas. According to a study done by the Council on Criminal Justice, Dallas experienced a 73 percent increase in retail theft through the first six months of the year.

However, some stores and supermarkets all around Dallas have resorted to adding many security measures in an attempt to lower theft. Stores have placed items like electric toothbrushes in locked cases, added security gates to store exits and increased the use of armed guards.

These measures led to a brief decrease in report-

ed shoplifting cases in October.

But as the holiday season comes around the corner, one thing is certain — crime rates are bound to go up.

Throughout his 31-year career, campus security officer Martin Hoffer has worked at a variety of locations, but one thing he’s noticed consistently is the holiday season correlates with a rise in theft and break-ins.

“It happens every holiday season,” Hoffer said.

“There is this resurgence of crime, particularly property crimes. People can take, resell or utilize items they can’t purchase themselves because of economics.”

A hallmark of the holidays is the sharp increase in shopping, as Christmas entices parents and children to buy gifts for family and friends — but the holidays attract more than just the innocent shopper.

“There are criminal shoppers as well,” Hoffer said. “They’ll walk the lot, and they’ll try doors as they’re walking and looking in cars. If there’s something in there they really want, even if the car is locked, they will break the window.”

As the gifts pile up, so do the crimes, and navigating the increasingly perilous season may seem like a matter of luck. But to Hoffer, protecting oneself from property theft or any other situation only requires one thing: situational awareness, which means understanding the surrounding environment and being aware of the problems that may arise.

Hoffer addresses a crisis using the three D’s: Detect, Defend and Defer.

“The simplest thing you can do is lock your car,” Hoffer said. “By locking your car and securing your personal items, you are potentially defending and deferring a crime. You’re making somebody break a window or pry the door open, which they would rather not do. The suspect would rather open the car, take the stuff and leave.”

He recommends always having a plan and being prepared for worst-case scenarios.

“Stay in a well-populated, well-lit area and lock your vehicle. And anything that you wouldn’t take with you, leave at home,” Hoffer said.

PHOTOS / WILL CLIFFORD WATCHFUL EYES Even with registers and aisles unattended, Target utilizes cameras across the ceiling to keep track over guests.

What’s hidden in the terms of service

By Tejas Allada From recent Amazon purchases and Google searches to facial recognition, personal data is exposed and controlled.

In the digital age, the widespread use of social media dominates people’s lives. According to Forbes, in 2023, over 4.9 billion people use social media at an average of 145 minutes per day.

The process of signing up for a social media account is as easy as ever. Type in your information, scroll through the terms of service, click ‘I Agree’, and you will have made a new account. Yet, when signing up for these accounts, people always seem to gloss over the terms of service section and miss out on important information about what they are getting themselves into and how they are exposing their personal data.

For sophmore Aryaman Lahoti, social media and terms of service pages constantly come up through the many platforms he uses.

“I have a lot of different (social media) accounts,” Lahoti says. “Whether it’s Google, YouTube or Instagram, I use them on a daily basis, and I use them for school as well. I have never truly thought about actually reading the terms of service. To me, it’s more or less an afterthought when I create new accounts.”

The main reason people don’t read over the terms of service is because of its extreme length and complicated legal terminology. Considering 84 percent of social media users are between the ages of 18-30, companies hook younger audiences who are less inclined to thoroughly examine what they are agreeing to.

Meta, the most used social media platform, mentions using personal data to advertise third party products throughout its terms of service. This personal data includes biometrics, browser history, private messages on the platform, location and other private information.

However, privacy laws in the United States are starting to change to make terms of services more

accessible and easier to reject. The nationally publicized lawsuit with Mark Zuckerberg in 2016 involving privacy policies created awareness to what terms of service were really asking for and has begun to reform terms of services’ accessibility to the common people. As a result, companies like Meta are starting to introduce new features where personal data can be cleared every 30 days.

Aside from Meta, other social media companies are hopeful in becoming more honest and open to what their users are signing up for.

91

According to a Deloitte survey, almost 91% of people do not read the terms of service.

SOURCE / BUSINESS INSIDER

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TO STUDY OR NOT TO STUDY Many Marksmen have trouble doing homework and choose to scroll through social media, seeking instant gratification. The prioritizing of social media over homework is a common form of procrastination and self-handicapping.

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PHOTO / JAKE DEBOEVER

Students struggle with screen obsession As the world grows more dependent on technology, many people are becoming addicted to their phones. English Instructor Cameron Hillier ‘13 and the founder of screen addiction counseling service Escapingthe.com, Jeremy Edge, discuss how dangerous social media can be, and what can be done about it. total weekly screen time on their phone every Monday.

For many of his students, the results are shocking. unior Jack Frary’s phone buzzed on his desk.

The average total screen time is 35 hours a week, It was 9:30 p.m. on a Tuesday night;he had or five hours a day. Some of his students even reach been studying for a precalculus test for the past over 50 hours a week. hour and hadn’t even started his physics homework “Most Marksmen are concerned that they’re or nightly English reading. not getting seven hours of sleep at night,” Hillier Picking up his phone, he read the Instagram no‘13 said.

“But I’ve got guys that are spending seven tification. hours a day on their phones.”

Check out some of today’s most watched Hillier tells his students to look reels. at their screen time because part After diligently working for an extended of the premise of the class is based period of time, he needed a break and knew on Amusing Ourselves to Death by taking a minute to unwind on Instagram Neil Postman.

The book suggests would be the perfect recess from his studies. that the United States is creepBut Frary knew that just a few minutes on ing towards a dystopian society Instagram could quickly turn into a lengthy where people are choosing the easy break, and every minute wasted would mean way out by seeking instant gratia later night, less sleep and diminished proCameron Hillier ‘13 fication, avoiding difficulties and English instructor ductivity at school the next day. abandoning their critical thinking.

While the notion of watching a funny reel Senior Alex Soliz, who is in Hillor an NBA highlight on Instagram was enier’s Dystopian Literature class, has personally exticing, Frary silenced his notifications and focused. perienced the mindlessness of interacting with apps Across the country, many people, especially teenlike TikTok, which embody the ideas of the book. agers, lack the discipline to put down their phones, “I do think it’s terrible,” Soliz said. “I hate it, but showcasing how addictive social media apps can be.

I love it at the same time.

It’s 30 seconds – little In English instructor Cameron Hillier’s Dysbits – of entertainment.

It’s easy to follow. It’s not topian Literature class, students go through their anything hard. It’s just easy.”

By Arjun Poi and Hilton Sampson

J

Number of Marksmen

20

13

15

14

9

10

6

3

5

1 0-9

10-19

20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59

Total Weekly Screen Time Data comes from a sample of 50 students.

4 60-69

With students spending multiple hours a day taking in this “mindless” content, they’re losing time to be productive and interact with others.

When Soliz first took Hillier’s class, he would total over 50 hours a week on his phone — over seven hours a day.

“The class helped me understand that there are better things to do than be on my phone,” Soliz said.

Instead of using his phone, he read the Harry Potter series and studied more for school. He put a screen time limit of 15 minutes on TikTok to remind himself of how much he was using the app.

In the end, Soliz was able to cut his weekly total by 15 hours.

Hillier believes that although social media can be fun and can have benefits if used correctly, it’s primarily a waste of time and has made the world worse. He quit using social media five years ago and has never looked back.

“We all know it’s garbage, but hey, it’s fun garbage,” Hillier said.

Social media apps can do much more damage than waste time. Based on data from the headspace National Youth Mental Health survey, 37 percent of adolescents say social media was the No. 1 cause of their declining mental health. “Logically, you can present the body of research – which at this point is overwhelming –that there’s not just a correlation, but a causation between social media usage and a decline in mental health,” Hillier said.

When Hillier’s students are presented with such data, some try to stop using social media. Yet, they find that they either can’t or are severely struggling to quit apps like TikTok and Instagram.

Part of the reason why they struggle is that social media companies specifically design their app to make them as addictive and hard to quit as possible. When a user tries to delete their TikTok or Instagram account, the app won’t officially delete the account for 30 days.

“If we think about how addiction works, folks who try to kick an addiction, they’re most likely to relapse in the first 30 days,” Hillier said. “If you make it past that 30 days, your chances of kicking it permanently go way up. All it takes is to log back in, and it kills that timer.”

Frary deleted TikTok several months ago, not only to combat screen time, but also to protect his data.

Apps run by foreign entities, such as TikTok are

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known to exploit user data, so many users have shifted towards more domestic platforms. After deleting TikTok, Frary saw a drop in total usage on his phone, but he has transitioned to a greater use of other social media platforms.

Now, Frary primarily uses Instagram, specifically Instagram Reels, which is similar to TikTok, allowing users to scroll through endless amounts of short-form content, ranging from trends to pets to global issues.

Despite an overall decrease in screen time, he has

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“The brain is getting used to the habit of immediate feedback, immediate positive reinforcement and immediate pleasure,” Edge said. “So other activities that are slower, more methodical, will feel very, very boring and sometimes even painful, just because of the process of what the activity looks like.”

He believes that the randomness of social media is a large part of what hooks users.

“Whenever you go on social GRAPHIC / THE REMARKER, DEC. 8, 2017 media platforms, sometimes you’ll get a lot of comments one day and sometimes not,” Edge “I DO THINK IT’S TERRIBLE. I HATE IT, BUT said. “And that randomness to it is very addicting and very very I LOVE IT AT THE SAME TIME. IT’S 30 SECONDS — pleasing.”

LITTLE BITS — OF ENTERTAINMENT. IT’S EASY TO Edge warns that teenagers are FOLLOW. IT’S NOT ANYTHING HARD. IT’S JUST most at risk to an addiction to social media.

EASY.” ALEX SOLIZ “I would say teenagers post puberty, potentially those who noticed the time he spends unwinding on his phone have ADHD, those who are isostill occasionally inhibits his studies. To combat lated socially and those who are this, Frary has established personal guidelines to not doing well academically are keep him on track. the most at risk because plea“Sometimes I’ll turn on airplane mode, or I’ll sure is heightened objectively in give myself 30 minutes to do work, and then I’ll the adolescent brain more than take a break,” Frary said. in any other stage in life,” Edge Like Soliz, Frary knows there is more to life than said. “So when they feel pleabeing on his phone. sure, it feels fantastic, versus a I think it’s important to try to be in touch with 40-year-old, who feels okay, but the actual world and what’s going on rather than not fantastic. just scrolling through social media,” Frary said.

After working with several pa“Now in the digital age, everything’s at your finger- tients, Edge uses his experience tips. I think we have to limit the content that youth to give advice on how to quit a can see nowadays; it can be damaging.” potentially serious technology With more than 40 percent of 18-22 year olds addiction. self-reporting that they are at least somewhat ad“The first thing I would do dicted to social media, according to Statista, falling is to talk to someone who they victim to social media addiction is a growing and trust,” Edge said. “Counseling is pressing issue among modern youth, and it is caus- fantastic, and I engage in it being an increase in screen time for almost all young cause I think it’s great for any people across the country. space and for anybody, even for But there’s a key difference between a social me- personal growth. Peer positive dia addiction and a drug or alcohol addiction. For and peer support can be huge.” the latter, there’s a negative stigma Edge also recomattached to it. Those with drug addicmends taking a 60 to tions are looked down upon. For those 90 day break from the with a social media addiction, it’s the specific screen activity complete opposite. that’s causing prob“Not only is [a social media addiclems. tion] okay, but it’s encouraged,” Hillier When Edge realized said. “If you don’t have Snapchat, you’re that he had an addicostracized; you’re not ‘in the loop’. If tion to video games, he you don’t have TikTok, what are you took a similar break for Jeremy Edge going to talk about when everybody’s several months, which Licensed Professional Counselor, Founder of talking about the new video?” he believes helped him Escapingthe.com To combat social media addiction, greatly.

Jeremy Edge, a licensed professional “I engaged in other counselor, founded ‘Escaping the.com,’ healthy activities, and a counseling practice for people with various forms I was able to implement realof screen addiction. ly good healthy coping mecha- REFLECTION: Six years ago, The ReMarker had sixth Edge started the practice after realizing that nisms,” said Edge. “Now, I play graders Baxter Perry-Miller and Warner Hartnett go without more and more of his teenage and college-age pa- games, but it’s in a very differ- their phones for three days. Perry-Miller and Hartnett, now ent capacity than in the past. It’s seniors, comment on whether they would be able to do the “LOGICALLY, YOU CAN PRESENT THE BODY OF intentional. It’s purposeful. It’s same challenge today. meaningful. It’s not out of conRESEARCH — WHICH IS OVERWHELMtrol, and it has clear boundaries, PERRY-MILLER: “This HARTNETT: “I need elecING — THAT THERE’S NOT JUST A CORRELATION, whereas before, not so much.” challenge would be much tronic devices for research According to Edge, the break more difficult now because projects and it’s impossible BUT A CAUOSATION BETWEEN SOCIAL serves as a way to be able to everything is on people’s to do schoolwork without MEDIA USAGE DECLINE IN MENTAL reconnect with one’s physical phones. Even in my classes, them. I could go without surroundings and the people we use our phones constant- electronics for three days, HEALTH.” CAMERON HILLIER around them. But, the goal isn’t ly on projects. Now that I am but it would definitely impair tients had major issues with technology. to give up screens altogether; older, I really see how immy life. Technology was “There is no one really addressing it specifically rather, it’s to find a balance that portant and vital my phone made to improve our lives, in the Dallas area,” Edge said. “So in 2019, I opened works for them. After the 60 to is to living.” so it’s only the misuse of it the practice, bought the domain escapingthe.com 90 day break, Edge believes a that can be a problem.” and just broadened it to not just video games and person can accurately reassess porn, but also social media, gambling, day trading, whether they can engage with sports betting and anything within the online space the app in the intentional and practical way that it’s that’s problematic.” supposed to be used.

Edge also has a personal reason for starting his “I compare screen use and games to food,” Edge practice. When he was in college, Edge developed a said. “We can eat unhealthy food or healthy food all video game addiction himself. He was spending too the time, and how much we eat and what we eat is much time playing video games, wasn’t truly enjoy- going to have an impact on our health and well-being them and had a lack of balance in his life. After ing.” using various methods to cure his addiction, he felt Hillier agrees with Edge that, at the end of the he could use his personal experience on top of his day, it’s all about finding a good balance. professional expertise to help others.

“I love The Office,” Hillier said. “I love Seinfeld.

According to Edge, the feeling of instant grati- I love a good TV show. I don’t sit and watch five fication one gets from social media can make one’s hours a day of The Office. That would be wild.” real life surroundings much more dull.

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PHOTOS / ZACHARY BASHOUR & NOAH CATHEY A GREATER PURPOSE Austin Street Center residents engage in an afternoon game of chickenfoot (top). Freshmen students partake in an intense game of FIFA on an XBox set up out of the back of a car on all-day day during McDonald’s Week in the restaurant’s parking lot (bottom left). Doc Browning leads Lower School students from campus to McDonald’s on all-day day (bottom right.)

Junior class fundraiser benefits local shelter

McDonald’s Week, led by members of the junior class, took place Nov. 13-16. The event is a memorable experience for students of all grade levels. Proceeds from the fundrasing directly benefited Austin Street Center, utilizing the proceeds from the event to continue helping their community.

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By Hilton Sampson

our guys sat around a small table near the entrance to Austin Street Center for an afternoon game of Chickenfoot on Black Friday.

Cracking jokes with each other, they shuffled their dominoes, quickly pairing up the small black dots.

A decorated Christmas tree was up, welcoming visitors and residents inside with twinkling lights.

A few sat reading their Bibles, others cut through construction paper at an arts and crafts setup. Everyone conversed with friends both outside in the courtyard and in the warmth of the center’s main room.

College football games were on the television, allowing the residents to watch Oklahoma beat down TCU and Tulane kickoff against UTSA. Among the handful of people who

were settled in for the day was CEO of Austin Street Center Daniel Roby.

As Roby made his rounds, residents looked up from what they were doing to offer a, “Hey, Mr. Daniel!” or simply a smile and nod. Roby reciprocated their greetings every time.

Heading through the kitchen, to volunteers making fajitas for dinner, Roby says, “I’m grateful for you.”

That evening, each resident would have a nutritious meal and warm bed to sleep in.

They might be at Austin Street for a week, a month or even longer. But with the help and resources they are receiving, they can have a lot of hope that they’ll land in a home of their own.

A few weeks before, eight miles north of the center, Markmen were celebrating McDonald’s Week, enjoying the brisk fall weather in the restaurant’s

parking lot, a short walk away from campus.

Whether that be showing up for early morning events before school or walking over with their classes throughout the day on that Tuesday, they arrived ready to relax and enjoy time with their friends.

After buying a Frozen Fanta or a Bacon McGriddle inside the overpacked restaurant, students headed over to foldout tables where juniors were eager and ready to sell them raffle tickets, baby blue Minions-themed t-shirts and wristbands.

Huddled around junior Gage Fojtasek’s car, they cheered each other on playing FIFA on an XBox and monitor set up quickly out of his trunk.

Onlookers enjoyed intense games of ping pong which often involved junior Mateu Parker facing off against talented Lower Schoolers. They celebrated the winners of cornhole matches, while jamming out to music blaring out of the

sound system of Fojtasek’s car through the open doors. Maybe they heard Charlie Grable pour his heart and soul out into the karaoke mic.

But this weeklong event was much more than a fun break from the school routine. During the events of McDonald’s Week, funds raised selling merchandise and raffle tickets, also accumulating donations from McDonald’s itself along with other local restaurant partners will go directly to Austin Street Center and allow Roby and his colleagues to continue their work.

The junior class is still finalizing the total from their fundraising, but they have accumulated $18,000 so far with more to come. Last year, McDonald’s Week led by the class of 2024 raised over $26,000.

With a $60 cost of lodging and food for one person to spend the night at Austin Street, the McDonald’s Week

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enabled over 430 people to stay at the center, and this year, the junior class hopes their efforts will nearly double that total.

With these continued contributions, there will be more happy afternoons for residents. More nutritious meals, more beds to sleep in. More lives touched.

Roby believes he’s at his best when he’s engaging people with significant need, and that is exactly what Austin Street is built to do.

A homeless shelter situated just outside downtown, Austin Street Center has been the place of relief for those in need of short-term housing for decades.

But the center not only provides temporary housing for its clients - it also aims to enable them to move into permanent homes.

These partnerships help bring more than 40 events to the center each month, including computer literacy sessions taught by Goodwill and Parkland mobile medical clinics every week.

To finance and operate the facility, Austin Street Center holds fundraising events of their own, which are supplemented by government funding as well as third party donors and events, such as McDonald’s Week.

“We’re lucky that the young men of St. Mark’s are the ones that lead that charge,” Roby said, “and they really don’t require a whole lot of us because of how capable they are.”

Austin Street Center is proud to have helped more than 2,000 clients in 2022, and with the continued support of the greater Dallas community, that number will continue to grow.

“OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES ARE REALLY SECONDARY TO THAT MAIN FOCUS. IF WE’RE IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM AS HOMELESSNESS, THEN WE’VE ALREADY IDENTIFIED THE SOLUTION TO HELP.” DANIEL ROBY

Junior Jack Tholking served as one of three McDonald’s Week co-chairs alongside juniors Eduardo Mousinho and Owen Ackerman, all three working closely with their two class sponsors, Sherry George and Amy Pool.

The event has been a staple on campus for nearly two decades, and each year the junior-class-led fundraiser has not only been a bonding experience for the entire grade level, but also generated annual profits to benefit Austin Street Center.

Since Lower School, Tholking has seen the palpable excitement spread across campus each year during mid-November to partake in the school tradition, and his interest in participating in the event has only grown since his earlier years.

But knowing that the true purpose of McDonald’s Week is to make an impact on other people’s lives through Austin Street pushed Tholking’s intention to join the event planning beyond a doubt.

“It’s a great way for us to have fun and also to spread the word about Austin Street, and not just to spread the word but to do something about it,” Tholking said.

In late spring of this year, Tholking and his other co-chairs led the class of 2025 to their first major decision: the McDonald’s Week theme.

After much deliberation, the class decided on “McMinions,” basing the theme on the popular movie franchise “Despicable Me.” Over the course of the summer and through the early months of the fall, the co-chairs organized various groups and subcommittees to organize sponsorships, design t-shirts and wristbands, organize events and much more.

Finally, in mid-November, Tholking saw all their work pay off.

The junior class event, consisting of morning events, all-day day on Tuesday and dinner nights at local restaurants resulted in a successful week of fundraising and a grade-wide bonding experience Tholking will never forget.

The co-chairs are still compiling final details and will announce the total sum of their fundraising in the coming weeks, with the hope their efforts build on the impact of years prior.

Junior class secretary Teddy Fleiss participated in the planning of McDonald’s along with other STUCO members was particularly moved by the event, knowing it will make a positive difference in the lives of those at Austin Street.

“Seeing the impact of McDonald’s Week, I definitely want to continue to find ways to help those less fortunate than me in the community,” Fleiss said.

“I can’t wait to see the impact our event has made at Austin Street first-hand.”

With a nearly 90-day long average length of stay for the average resident, Roby is able to get to know each person and see their development, and it’s clear he’s popular among them.

He knows that the work done by him and his colleagues is not enough to keep the Austin Street up and running; volunteerism is vital for their success.

“People don’t realize that when they come in to serve, it’s essentially offsetting a cost we’d otherwise have to pay for.” Roby said. “So when people say, ‘We realize the importance of community, and we want to spend time serving people that have significant need,’ it not only offsets cost for us, it’s also just good for humanity.”

Originally founded by local philanthropists, Austin Street Center primarily relied on churches that supplied meals for residents to enjoy.

Now, a year and a half after moving into a new, larger facility, Austin Street has access to a fully functional kitchen, enabling them to provide balanced meals to residents without a heavy reliance on daily donations and dropoffs.

This larger facility came with increased bed capacity, group spaces and resources for clients.

It also came with greater operating costs, making the little things like volunteers all the more vital to maximizing every dollar available as they work towards their ultimate goal.

“Other circumstances are really secondary to that main focus,” Roby said.

“If we’re identifying the problem as homelessness, then we’ve already identified the solution to help.”

Roby knows that short-term shelter doesn’t fully address homelessness, so Austin Street also prioritizes programs enabling clients to make independent housing possible.

“Each program is embedded in the same process,” Roby said. “That process is basically coming up with a plan, making sure that we are able to find a placement for everyone, making sure that we’re able to find the payment for that placement and to make sure that that placement is permanent.”

Working with community partners makes this process easier for both Austin Street and their clients.

“Everything we do is in partnership,” Roby said “There’s no way we could do all this by ourselves.”

Eric Yi contributed to this story.

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PHOTOS / ZACH BASHOUR IMPACT IN ACTION Residents at Austin Street enjoy the aernoon watching college footl (top). The center carefully organizing clothing donations to be distributed to residents (second). Daniel Roby discussing the impact of Austin Street Center (third).

The pantry, stocked full with nutritious food, gives the center versitility to provide various, balanced meals (bottom).

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Not all that is lost is gone The issue of students losing their belongings around campus results in racks of racks of the lost and found being filled with clothes and more, waiting to be claimed by the students who lost

By Ronit Kongara, Arjun Poi and William Kozoman

H

oodies. Water Bottles. Textbooks. Even Sports Equipment. Some have been sitting for only a day, some for more than a month. Once belonging to a Marksman, now sitting in the Lost and Found, waiting to be picked up.

Chairs Jessica Green and Natalie Miller are in charge of the Lost and Found. Their job is to maintain the space and ensure that it is organized and not overrun with items.

“They’ve worked so hard on making the Lost and Found such a pretty space, and it feels like a store when you go in there,” Parent’s Association President Cindy Hanson said. “It’s like a second student store.”

Yet despite the efforts of Green and Miller, many students on campus don’t utilize the Lost and Found.

“Every time I lose something, I kind of just give up,” junior Teddy Fleiss said. “I don’t know where it could be.”

After losing a belonging, Fleiss has never considered checking the Lost and Found.

“Where is the Lost and Found?”

Fleiss asked.

Fleis isn’t the only one that doesn’t

LOST AND FOUND Junior Fox Gottlich sorts through different student’s sweatshirts, hoodies, shorts and more on racks in the lost and found as he looks for a lost item of his own.

check the Lost and Found, which is located in the first floor hallway of the Green Library. Almost 50 percent of the items in there are unclaimed. After 30 days of not being picked up, items are separated into three categories: trash, Lion’s Closet and outside donation.

Items going to the Lion’s Closet generally consist of sweatshirts and uniforms that can be cleaned and sold again at a discount, while items being donated to outside organizations consist of non-St. Mark’s clothing, textbooks, shoes and equipment. Outside donations usually go to organizations like Family Place Thrift Store, Donate2Impact, Dallas ISD and Half Price Books.

In addition, the sheer amount of be-

longings in the Lost & Found reflects a deeper issue at the school: the culture of leaving items behind.

Freshman Nathan Tan, who went to a public school in Plano until eighth grade, has noticed a difference between the number of items lost at his old school and the number of items lost here.

“At my old school, there wasn’t that culture where you could trust other people not to take your stuff,” Tan said.

“St. Mark’s is definitely a good place because people are comfortable with that.

At the same time, I think fewer people keep track of their things.”

Middle School Librarian Elyse Chevallier sees items like pencil bags, binders and homework in the library left

PHOTO / WINSTON LIN

behind all the time. She believes that she has a solution to the issue of losing items at school.

“If there was a culture of people using lockers to stow things and to maybe only carry things around campus that you really needed for that day and for those classes, then maybe things wouldn’t get left behind,” Chevallier said.

Chevallier also recommends the simple act of labeling one’s belongings.

Green and Miller say that less than a third of the items in the Lost & Found are labeled.

While it’s very easy to lose something, utilizing one’s locker and labeling one’s belongings can help lower the amount of things lost.

Inclement weather delays parking lot construction

By Neil Yepuri There was hope that the new parking lot would be finished in time for the holiday season, but the construction has experienced unexpected delays.

These delays have occurred for multiple reasons, but mainly becayse of the unpredictable weather of the fall.

“We had one long, rainy week,” Eugene McDermott Headmaster David Dini said, “And then because of the water, the ground gets wet, which affects pouring concrete, digging underground and utilities and those kinds of things.”

Another challenge to the construction process was the arduous task of receiving the proper permits from the city.

“There are a lot of different permits for a construction project this big, and so the time that it took to get some of the permits was longer than anticipated,” Dini said. “That held us out from starting some of the construction in the parking area – it can set you behind in any project of this magnitude.”

But, despite those setbacks, the projects is still largely on course – it just requires efficiency in its execution, and an immense amount of attention to detail.

“It’s not just pouring out concrete for the parking lot,” Dini said. “That’s why

you’ve seen a lot of construction going on out there. They have to dig holes and run utilities like power, water and irrigation – all that has to be done underground before they can actually put the framing down and then actually pour the concrete. So (pouring the concrete’s) the final step.”

Pouring the cement, however, will be much faster than the rest of the process.

“The pouring of the concrete of the parking lot will happen in about 2 days,” Dini said. “It has to be very fast.

They do it overnight because you have to do it very quickly, and you have to pour a whole big section all together.”

This construction process has resulted in the continued use of the student parking lot as a vital resource to alleviate parking congestion during the school week, as well as during sporting events or other activities on campus.

And, it will continue to be used, even after the new parking lot is finished.

“We’ll leave the student parking in front of (the Winn Science Center) for the duration of of the project so we can continue to use that,” Dini said.

“Which will give us more more flexibility because the construction team will continue to have that site out on the Northwest field.”

PHOTO / WILL CLIFFORD WORK IN PROGRESS On the north side of campus, construction is still underway to redo the old student parking lot, with vehicles poised and ready to continue work.

Within the coming weeks, concrete will be poured and shortly after, students will be able to return to their former lot

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Diving into Designing Curriculums

As the world evolves, so do the curriclum requirements. Teachers are confronted with the task of designing new curriculums while adhering to guidelines and rules.

LitFest The upcoming 2024 Literary Festival’s guest speakers have been chosen along with this year’s literary competition winners.

2024 Literary Festival Guests Michael Chabon

Pulitzer Prize-winning author, columnist and screenwriter

Sara Hickman

Singer, songwriter and artist

INVESTED Master teacher Bruce Westrate teaches his Modern World History class.

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By Eric Yi and Rohan Kakkar

cross the United States, teachers must design a curriculum that meets many standards, from ensuring that students score well on standardized tests and ever-changing school and departmental requirements.

This challenge only increases with the addition of Advanced Placement courses, which are expected to cover far more material than on-level courses and prepare students for the rigorous AP tests. At the school, teachers are experienced and have thoroughly prepared curriculums with unchanging core concepts and room for flexibility for modern events.

Modern World and AP European World Instructor Bruce Westrate teaches his lecture-heavy class through a series of PowerPoints but always keeps an eye out for current events to add to his curriculum.

“I read constantly,” Westrate said. “I am always trying to stay current with changes in the historiography of particular subjects and informing myself and bringing new material in.”

“YOU START WITH WHAT YOU WANT YOUR STUDENTS TO KNOW AT THE END OF THE COURSE AND THEN YOU BUILD A COURSE THAT GETS THEM THERE.” - Fletch Carron Through his lectures, Westrate provides his students with a narrative for history, serving as “the skeleton in the human body,” and then adds analysis and class discussions to serve as “the flesh and bones.”

“History, after all, is storytelling,

and there are two components to it,” Westrate said. “The way teachers teach is through the narrative of the story and then the analysis of history, which is the cause and effect of historical events. The trouble is, teachers can’t have one without the other. I like to provide a good narrative with some analysis as I present my lecture and have discussions in my class all the time.”

For his AP class, Westrate teacheswith similar methods to his Modern World courses.

“My teaching of the [AP European World] class is different from other AP classes because I don’t teach the test,” Westrate said. “That’s partly because I have the luxury of teaching mostly seniors who know how AP tests work already. Our class just concentrates on the content, and that takes care of itself in terms of their ability to take the tests, so I am very lucky in that respect.”

While some departments may have more strict guidelines, the history department is more flexible - allowing teachers to focus on their specialties rather than having every teacher repeat the same information. This flexibility provides students with different opportunities to learn different aspects of history throughout their time in upper school. For example, an Upper Schooler may receive a more religiousbased Foundations of World Societies class and a more governmentalfocused Modern World class during their sophomore year, providing a well-rounded history base.

“I think the freedom that the department gives us in history works best because students get exposed to many different styles,” Westrate said.

For the science department, however, curriculum requirements are slightly different. Teachers consult with those teaching the same course as them to ensure that all students learn

PHOTO / WINSTON LIN

the same content.

“You start with what you want your students to know at the end of the course and then you build a course that gets them there,” Science Department Head Fletch Carron said.

AP Physics 1 and 2 Instructor Stephen Houpt teaches the AP Physics 1 exam, arguably the most challenging AP exam in the nation, so his strategies differ from Westrate’s.

“The AP Physics 1 exam is nationally the most difficult AP exam a student can take,” Houpt said. “The AP exam has been really, really conceptually based, and I do cover concepts extensively. I do a lot more number-based questions to help students prepare for the exam.”

Houpt has taught at St. Mark’s for 23 years, and his curriculum has evolved.

With the advent of new technologies and an ever-updating AP curriculum, Houpt has had to change his course several times.

“I don’t pick up homework; I give homework quizzes instead,” Houpt said. “I give fewer tests for a number of reasons, mostly internet-based. The labs are also different, as they are a little more student-centered now. Also, I occasionally give group quizzes, but the majority are individual quizzes.”

Even though teachers need to ensure students learn an ample amount of information for the final and to prepare them for their classes next year, teachers still have control over both the content and their methods of instruction.

“Different teachers have different emphases and we all have different strengths and weaknesses, so it’s going to change from time to time, but I think that the freedom that they give us in the history department [to design curriculum] works best,” Westrate said.

Jason Hinojosa ‘99

Novelist and English teacher

Elisabeth Rain Kincaid

Theologist and writer

2024 LitFest Competition Winners Poetry Winner

Junior Carson Bosita

Fiction Winner

Senior Nate Wilson

Nonfiction Winner

Senior Dawson Yao

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PHOTO / MARKSMEN 1965 TYPEWRITERS The 1974 Marksmen staff poses for their yearbook photo.

Elmers glue, typewriters and scraps of paper scatter the desk.

PHOTO / MARKSMEN 1974

HARD AT WORK Students from the Class of 1965 busy in a lecture.

A seismic shift

The world has changed through the decades — new technology, culture changes and much more rapidly evolving — but how has the school accomodated these changes?

By Josh Goforth, Oliver Peck and Joseph Sun He only had enough time for a quick breakfast before he was off to school.

A highly regimented day, he had hours of classes, sports and clubs, with little free time in between.

Before, teachers wouldn’t take any excuses.

There was no ‘my last class was in Nearburg,’ and no ‘I had a basketball tournament this weekend.’

Class started and ended by the bell. Chalk scratched against a green board while teachers droned on for what felt like hours on end.

Lunch was only 25 minutes long. No seconds. Definitely no salad bars or panini presses. Just a couple conversations, then back to studying.

Things have changed since science instructor Dan Northcut ‘81 first joined in seventh grade.

“It was more serious,” Northcut said. “When I got here, after my first day, I was thinking, ‘this is a job.’”

Following his graduation, Northcut joined the faculty. As a teacher, Northcut began to notice small changes from his time as a student, starting with the little things: students could get extensions.

“In order to get an extension on a paper when I was a student, you'd have to have a death in the family,” Northcut said. “Our job was to be prepared for all these things.”

In the 80s, mental health awareness, extensions and other excuses weren’t used much.

“Things have gotten a lot more touchy-

feely, but not in a demeaning way,” Northcut said. “The world was not interested in relieving your stress. During the school day, there wasn't a lot of free time, and we certainly didn't have games to take out and play on the quad.”

As culture and technology evolved, so has the classroom. When Northcut was in school, only dusty chalkboards hung from the walls of each classroom.

“If you wanted to show pictures, you had to have slide carousels and show slides,” Northcut said. “We had 16 millimeter projectors that had big reels of film that we put on.”

Along with classroom technology, the campus has gone through major renovations, with buildings knocked down often and new ones rising in their place. Standing for more than 60 years, Wirt Davis Hall was once the most recognizable and important academic building on campus, housing everything from the student commons to massive lecture halls.

“I think there are only three buildings still here that have been here since I was a student,” Northcut said. “There was the library, Decherd Hall and the gym.”

Throughout the years, curriculums have also changed drastically. Classes like French and German were slowly replaced with the likes of Chinese and senior English electives. Old lecture-style classes have also been switched out, in favor of the more interactive socratic seminar structure.

“In my experience, classes were just lectures and you just had to learn how to sit through it,” Admission Officer Korey Mack '00 said.

“Now, the advent of technology may have contributed to those attention spans being a little shorter, so as a result, teachers have to be more creative in framing up a greater variety of distinct learning experiences.”

Groups like Telos have led to dramatic curriculum changes over the years. Ten years ago, those groups didn’t exist. But now, those same groups have shaped the school and its students. For example, in its morethan-a-decade-long tenure, Telos has helped to shape the school’s English curriculum, switching out classes like World Literature to English, where students focus on character education and becoming a man.

With these changes, chemistry instructor Kenneth Owens ‘89 believes that the social culture has dramatically changed since he was a student, with more friendships and interactions between students across different grades.

“Senior buddies did not exist,” Owens said.

“The only time I dealt with the lower schoolers was picking them up, putting them on my shoulders at the Christmas party, walking them up, putting them down and letting them go. So that whole bit of mentorship is new.”

There also used to be much more academic interaction with Hockaday, with students going to each other’s campuses for classes during the day.

“When I was a student, there were only a couple of students who did [the program], but it became more encouraged over the time I was gone,” Owens said. “When I came back as a teacher, there were as many as 70 stu-

UPGRADE Terdema Ussery '09 plays around with new technology recently added to the photography classroom.

PHOTO / MARKSMEN 2000 CHECK Juniors from the class of '01 present their check of $8,044.

PHOTO / MARKSMEN 2007

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PHOTO / MARKSMEN 1981

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SENIORITIS Seniors and former history instructor Thomas S. Adams pose for a photo outside the library.

OVERVIEW Ariel photos of the campus were taken in a helicopter before drones eventually replaced them.

PHOTO / MARKSMEN 1989

through the decades dents a day going back and forth for classes.”

Most of these changes may be due to one factor: technology. Thirty years ago, using a computer required a visit to the computer lab, but now technology can simply be carried around.

Classes now can be virtual, assignments can now be distributed online and more advanced laboratory equipment can now teach students much more.

Although more efficient in many ways, these advancements have come with many downsides as well.

“There are so many sites that exploit our time and attention, social media being a great example,” Mack said. “The fact that there are these competing interests for your time and attention create another layer of challenge in this era in this age that wasn't there. Before, we weren't bombarded with so many distractions because we didn't carry them around in our pocket all the time.”

With more students on their phones and computers, interpersonal communication may have become more distant. However, Mack believes technology has helped students branch out from the classroom.

“I think St. Mark's does a really good job of making sure that our boys recognize the importance of making positive affirmative efforts to get outside of our community,” Mack said. “I think it's important for us as a school community to recognize that we have to get outside of our own community to really be Marksman.”

Like Mack, Owens feels that the development of modern devices such as the iPhone come with positives and negatives of student connectedness.

“You get to have communities off campus

that you can access all the time,” Owens said, “but that comes at the cost of interacting with people who are immediately around you.”

Nevertheless, Owens believes that the distractions of modern technology should not be used as an excuse, as students will always find a way to distract themselves whether the technology is new or old.

“We had those same distractions, so they're not really new,” Owens said. “It's a new twist on an old and perennial problem, and learning how to navigate that is as important for students today as it was for us.”

As earning high marks in classes have become ingrained in school culture, Marksmen are more inclined to strive for a certain grade than learning the material.

Nowadays, students can see their grades online — a large contrast to the system just ten years ago.

“When I was a student, I had no idea what my grade was until the mid-semester when comments were mailed home in a letter, not published online,” English instructor Cameron Hillier ‘13 said. “As a teacher, I see it in my students now where what we've given rise to is grade grubbing, for lack of a better word, because students have a live feed of their grades.”

This aim for perfection can lead to unhealthy competition both between students.

Additionally, a larger focus is put on grades rather than learning the material.

“Think about the additional pressure you're putting on yourself as a student,” Hillier said.

“Just focus on doing well on the next thing.

The advice you get in a game from your coach would probably be, ‘Don't worry about that one, just focus on doing well on the next

play.’ There’s something to be said with that — it’s simpler, but maybe better.”

Outside of the classroom, the culture of competition fades, and in contrast to before, there have been more clubs and more free time for students outside the classroom, such as the hour time in between sports and more studyhalls. Marksmen are free to pursue their unique interests and support classmates in any endeavor.

“The pervasive culture when I was a student was to be good at something,” Hillier said. “It didn't really matter that much about what you did, but (you had to) be good at it.”

The environments of social spaces like Centennial Hall lounge and the senior lounge have been shaped by a modern-day dependence on technology.

In any given free pe- “WHEN I WAS A STUDENT, I HAD NO riod, a vast majority of students in Cen- IDEA WHAT MY GRADE WAS UNTIL THE tennial Hall lounge MID-SEMESTER WHEN COMMENTS WERE can be seen staring into their phones, MAILED HOME IN A LETTER NOT PUBLISHED and the senior lounge ONLINE." CAMERON HILLIER '13 echoes the sound of a video game console.

“In the senior lounge, we had a ping pong table and a boombox CD player,” Hillier said.

“We just sat around, played ping pong and listened to music on CDs, and that was fun.”

Although most things have changed — from buildings to technology, culture to curriculums — the Marksman community has stayed the same. No matter how the classroom changes, from chalk boards to touch-sensitive projectors, each student is still bonded to their classmates by a brotherhood and unwavering loyalty.

DISCUSSION History instructor Harry Flaherty and his students engage in a socratic discussion.

LEARNING Former math instructor Jeffrey Hale teaches his class.

PHOTO / MARKSMEN 2016

PHOTO / MARKSMEN 2023

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TEAMWORK Working in collaboration with Sophomore Richard Wang, Dr. Dan Lipin advises Wang on how to write his scientific paper.

PHOTO / JOSEPH SUN

From scientific curiosity to intellectual contribution Navigating the rigorous path of scientific paper publication, sophomores Richard Wang and Benjamin Standefer are working with biology instructor Dr. Dan Lipin and others to produce their findings in the scientific world

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By Joseph Sun and Doan Nguyen

ot just anyone can publish a paper.

The highly competitive process and extensive steps required to publish a scientific paper in a peer-reviewed journal may take several months, if not, several years.

In fact, most experts in the field won’t publish more than two papers during their careers.

Papers require research, data analysis, figures and convincing arguments – and for scientists to generate the research and data, institutions spend millions on lab equipment.

But sophomore Richard Wang took what started as a budding curiosity into a lifetime accomplishment: publishing his first research paper, which was titled “Breast cancer mammographic screening by different guidelines among women of different races/ethnicities” in the Journal of Emerging Investigators (JEI).

And it took a lot more work than an average lab report.

“Having to learn all the statistics and how all the numbers worked was difficult,” Wang said. “But really, I had to learn how to write a scientific paper.”

Wang did the bulk of his research with his father’s colleague. But while dealing with the struggles of lack of experience and mere stylistic errors, Wang realized he wasn’t ready to take the next step in publishing.

He needed more than statistics and numbers; he was searching for a mentor.

Fortunately, Upper School Biology instructor Dr. Dan Lipin was the perfect choice. Lipin was the first person Wang went to and the only one he ended up needing. With a doctorate in biochemical engineering, Lipin has experience in publishing papers and was willing to help. But Wang needed to prove his dedication and determination to the claim in his paper.

“Richard had to convince me,” Lipin said. “If he can convince me, then he’s going to be able to convince the

wider scientific community.”

Throughout Wang’s freshman year, Lipin served as another perspective and an experienced helping hand.

“There was a big back and forth,” Lipin said. “Every few weeks, he would send me a version, and then I would send it back and back and back; it just got longer and longer.”

Following this extensive process, from copy editing and learning the correct format to learning new data analysis software and statistics, Wang submitted his paper to the JEI. “That was published this year,” Lipin said. “Richard started to work on a new paper over the summer. Ever since the school year started, we started that process again, and it's still not done yet.”

Richard’s interest and commitment didn’t just compel him to continue to research and write another paper; it piqued the curiosity of the people around him.

“Benjamin Standefer came in with a blank slate and said ‘I want to do research,’” Lipin said.

Working with Lipin, sophomore Benjamin Standefer has started his own research paper, using it to further personal curiosity and reach out to professors and other experts. The pair reached out to a graduate student connected to JEI, and he is currently advising Standefer as he works on his paper.

Going through a process similar to Wang, Standefer started to learn more about papers, reading dozens to further understand the topic he is interested in.

“My research is focused on certain proteins and looking at how they've evolved over time,” Standefer said. “I use a basic local alignment search tool to understand what specific parts of proteins have changed over time and how those affect protein structure.”

Standefer and Lipin needed to read more papers to truly understand these complex concepts.

“We started looking around research and it's such a rabbit hole,” Lipin said. “If you get to a paper where

you have no idea what they’re talking about, you may have to read six other papers to understand it.”

Unfortunately, as this task is extremely time-consuming and unsustainable to finish in time, the strongest plan of action is to speak to experts.

“We contacted Professor Dhivya Arasappan at the University of Texas, who teaches a freshman biology course in big data analysis,” Lipin said. “We talked to her for about 30 minutes and she recommended cool software Ben could learn.”

With her advice, Standefer was able to learn more about protein evolution.

“As I was reading a lot of papers and doing more indepth research, I came across topics that were more specialized that general scientists wouldn't have as much information about,” Standefer said. “And so, the best option was to contact the people who wrote those specialized papers, but they wouldn't always respond.”

However, Professor Alicia Michaels, one of the leading researchers in the specific field Standefer was concerned in, was interested in helping.

“She gave him all kinds of hints on what to do,” Lipin said. “So my job, I think, is less of like, being the science teacher, and more trying to get them in contact with people. So now [Standefer] has Dhivya, Alicia, the JEI graduate student, and many more to come.”

Mr. Lipin places great emphasis on the ability to connect with scientists and receive prompt responses, as the scientific community is closely-knit and open to sharing research and fostering new ideas.

After publishing his current paper, Standefer is already looking forward to his next one.

“This is really a trial run to understand the research process, the paper writing process and to create a great outline I can perfect over time by doing more research, writing more papers and discovering what field of biology suits me,” Standefer said.

Juniors take first ever digital PSAT, students report varying levels of difficulty

By Christian Warner The first ever digital PSAT was administered to students across the country, including the junior class, on Oct. 11.

The importance of the test remains, with it being an essential part of the National Merit program, but the format has changed drastically. In brief, the digital version is meant to shorten the test-taking and grading time frame while maintaining comfortability.

Some students like junior Robbie Tate found the digital test more difficult than a paper test. He found on-screen format of the PSAT felt harder to read and focus than a regular paper test. According to a study from the Kappan magazine, 92 percent of students found reading on paper more comprehensive than online.

“I thought reading on a computer was a lot more

difficult than reading physically. I found that aspect [of the English section] harder because it made me read slower,” Tate said.

Not only was reading more challenging for some, the math section also proved difficult. While in-school math tests have the problems written out, the digital PSAT does not. Even with the supplied scratch paper, the problems seemed less comfortable.

“Not being able to work out the problems for the math section on the actual [test] felt harder because I like to see the numbers written out,” Tate said.

Other students like junior Russell Higgins did not notice the change as much as others. With in-school computer usage being very common, the digital test felt comfortable to him. Tools like the Desmos calculator provided on the test also assisted.

“Because the test was digital, it made me feel a lot more comfortable, and I think I was less pressed for

time than I would be if it was on paper.” Higgins said.

“I also didn’t really need to use the online calculator at all because we got to use our actual calculator."

For the college counselors, the digital test held many advantages over the traditional paper test.

Distribution was simpler, grading was much faster, and students are already used to computer usage. Results for the test were received by the juniors in three weeks; whereas the old test took six to eight weeks at the earliest, and the time it took to complete the test was also much shorter.

“I think the biggest difference for most juniors was the exam was around 45 minutes shorter than it was for last year’s group,” College Counseling Coordinator Vanessa Leyva said. “I think the fact that students are on their computers most of the day in class and while working on homework makes a big difference in terms of their comfort level with the flow of the exam."

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PHOTO / CREATIVE COMMONS STRUGGLE FOR SIZE Large lecture hall environments are common at many colleges and are effective for lectures but can limit discussion. Classes that are too small offer much more individualized learning but limit the exchange of ideas.

Striving for optimal class size

PHOTO / AKUL MITTAL

As Texas teacher shortages across public schools create overflowing class sizes, the school works to maintain the right balance of students for productive discussion.

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By Oliver Peck and Kevin Ho

eacher shortages across the state pose a substantial problem to the Texas education system.

Factors such as low pay, pandemic burnout and better economic opportunities have led to a lack of educators in the already struggling public school system. Per the Texas Education Agency, more than 13 percent of the state’s teachers, nearly 50,000, left the teaching profession last year, the highest number on record.

With the drought of teachers comes larger class sizes, and the limited number of educators remaining are faced with the equally challenging task of maintaining an exceedingly large classroom. In grades pre-K through fourth grade in Texas, the legal limit for students in a class is 22 students. In Fort Worth ISD, 147 classes across 58 schools are over this boundary, up from 127 classes across 44 schools last school year.

At the school, class sizes average around 15 students, and the emphasis is on sharing ideas through discourse around the Harkness table — a valuable education tool that’s not always feasible at a larger public school. These discussion-based environments highlight the importance of the learning environment, as students exhibit better individual attention, increased participation and retain information better.

History instructor Jerusha Westbury believes class size shouldn’t be determined by the number of students, but rather by what facilitates a good discussion, since engaging in conversation with peers often opens new perspectives and views about a specific topic.

“This is my eighth year teaching at St. Mark’s and still in teaching, in talking and in discussions, students say something that makes me look at the topic in a new way,” Westbury said. “That’s invaluable.”

For subjects like history, the curriculum depends heavily upon healthy class discussions and civil dis-

course around the Harkness table.

“It’s particularly valuable in a history class because people hold the narratives that are told very dear,” Westbury said. “They are integral to our views of ourselves and part of our identity. Stories we tell in history have a lot of emotional and political baggage to them.”

While having a wide variety of viewpoints in class discussion is important to developing a vibrant class environment, having too many students can pose a challenge not only for the teacher, but also the students trying to learn in a suboptimal environment.

Students who want to fly under the radar can do so more easily, and side discussions not relating to the material at hand are much more frequent, making it hard to pull everyone together for quality discussion.

“When the class is really big, it can be harder to have discussions,” Westbury said. “I’m glad I have such a great group of seniors because they can do it, but it’s challenging. I’m more worried about the kids who just don’t want to speak at all.”

On the other hand, not having enough students in the class can limit discourse, ultimately hindering the overall education.

“With smaller classes, you actually end up with a likelihood that you’re not getting as many viewpoints, and you might have some days where you don’t have the critical mass for having a discussion,” Westbury said.

With the recent addition of the Winn Science Center and the upcoming athletic complex, admissions officer Korey Mack ‘00 believes that the campus could be better utilized to support more students. A growth plan to add students to the ninth grade was developed four years ago, which has noticeably increasing class size. This school year, the freshman class boasts 111 students, making it the largest in school history.

Mack believes that larger class sizes each year is beneficial to the school’s vibrance. Nevertheless, he

acknowledges the challenges that accompany.

“When I became a teacher at public charter schools prior to joining the St. Mark’s faculty, I taught classes that ranged from about 18 to 86 kids in each one,” Mack said. “When you have only one space with 86 students to facilitate learning experiences, you have to be creative.”

However, the addition of students to a class can make it more difficult for teachers to captivate students’ attention or provide individual assistance, as well as increasing that teachers’ workload.

“It’s not that when you add a few students to the class, the teacher becomes less effective,” Mack said.

“However, when there are more students in a class, the teacher has to be creative about implementing a learning strategy to positively engage the students and their experiences. For example, there could be more working in groups.”

In a college environment, spacious lecture halls are common. Sal Hussain ‘23, a freshman at the University of Texas at Austin, feels these learning environments can prohibit not only education, but also the personal connection you get from smaller classes.

“In some of my classes, I’m in a group with nearly 300 people, and there is no Harkness table,” Hussain said. “You see new faces every time you walk into class, whereas at St. Mark’s, you see the same faces and the same people. The inside jokes that each smaller classroom has fosters a sense of community that you otherwise wouldn’t have with 300 people.”

When in a large-scale learning environment, the opportunity to share opinions, views and ideas is greatly hindered.

“By nature of having smaller class sizes, everyone has a voice,” Hussain said. “It doesn’t feel like I’m just sitting and listening to a lecture. It’s interactive — it’s people talking together, with and to each other. I totally prefer the smaller size.”

Technology upgrades transform the Planetarium experience on campus

By William Kozoman The planetarium is commonly considered one of the crown jewels on campus — parents and students alike regularly stop by on tours to watch shows and learn about all the impressive technology that makes it function properly. But now, the planetarium is receiving one of its biggest updates ever to prepare it for the next era of its role on campus.

“I’ve been really busy making updates to the planetarium recently,” Michael Lane, Doc Nelson Alumni Master Teaching Chair and the school’s new Planetarium Director, said. “We’re adding all kinds of features to improve the experience for everybody.”

The planetarium’s changes are mostly related to new software which will enable the computers to run faster, instructors to create new shows more efficiently and new features to make shows more interactive.

“A lot of the software active right now is still pretty old and hard to navigate,” Lane said. “The new updates will make it a lot easier for me or anyone else to make a show and present it.”

Computers within the planetarium are also being replaced in order to facilitate this software and run it to its maximum potential.

“We’re going to be getting new computer racks soon which will replace our current ones,” Lane said.

“They’ll be sleeker and faster than our current ones.”

However, the most interactive part of the planetarium are the dual projectors that actually create the image. They will not be receiving any update.

“We had an option to move to LED screens as well, but the cost right now is just too high to justify it,” Lane said.

Nonetheless, Lane expects the planetarium’s overall experience will be heavily elevated by all the new

changes.

“I’m glad because it’s going to be much easier to use our new system than the one in here.” Lane said. “I’m hoping that I can get people that want to come in and learn.”

All of these updates closely follow Lane’s joining the school this year. Between teaching eighth grade science and becoming familiar with and upgrading the planetarium, he’s stayed busy.

“I’ve stayed at school every night to work on the planetarium,” Lane said. “Luckily, everything is falling into place.”

It will still be some time before students and families will be able to see all the new changes going into the planetarium, but when they do, these changes will prepare the planetarium for a new generation of visitors ready to be inspired.

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Biggest Moments of 2023 1

This year was full of intense games, broken records, community gatherings and much more. Here’s a look at three of the events that characterized this year.

Compilation by Noah Cathey

Tang, Munshi deliver in playoff penalty shootout

After their pre-counter season tie in Houston, the soccer team went into a rematch with Awty at DISD’s Loos Sports Complex in the first round of the SPC tournament on Feb. 10. The Lions went down 1-0 early to the Eagles in the first half due to a defensive lapse. The team was forced to play push for an equalizer the rest of the game. After some big saves from junior goalkeeper Tyler Tang kept the lead to one, junior captain John Ma curled in a free kick with 10 minutes left to of regulation to level it. For the last ten minutes and the overtime periods, the Lions dominated the possession and created several chances on goal; however, they were

unable to find a game winner – sending the game to a penalty kick shootout. Despite key players missing two penalties early in the shootout, Tang sent the boisterous Lions student section—which included the basketball team who rushed over from their first round win—into absolute euphoria by saving three Eagle penalty attempts. After twelve kicks from the spot, the shootout was still even.

With their seventh penalty, an unlikely hero emerged. With the Awty goalkeeper diving left, Senior Akash Munshi pushed his kick in the bottom right of the net. His score his broke the tie and sent the Lions to the semifinals. Students rushed the field to celebrate.

NAIL BITER The soccer team stands together at during the penalty shootout.

PHOTO / VIKRAM SINGH

School breaks ground 2 on new athletic complex

READY TO WORK Program participants put their shovels in the dirt, the sign of a new era in athletics.

PHOTO / ZACHARY BASHOUR

Since a tornado ran through campus in October of 2019, destroying Hicks Gym and adjoing athletic facilities, the community long awaited news about the buildings’ successor. After months of fundraising and releasing the plans in October of 2022, the school finally gave a decisive answer when they broke ground on May 9. The ceremony just in front of Hicks’ former location was well attended and included guests from the community and the city. Headmaster David Dini and Board President Jeffrey Hillier ‘76 were joined on the program by Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, Chair of the Athletic Complex Planning Committee Carl Sewell,

III ‘02, Athletic Director Sean Lissemore and student council President Sal Hussain.

The Marksman Athletic Complex, which has supported through the financial contributions of the Wikert, Wisenbaker and Hill familes, will both replace the old building and expand the facility to meet the needs of an evolving student athlete base. The new complex will include features such as an 850-seat gymnasium, a 12-lane natatorium, a locker room fitted with top-grade Longhorn Lockers, offices for athletic and security staff, a brand new concession stand and alumni meeting spaces. The project is set to be open in January of 2025.

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ALL FUN AND GAMES A group of seniors dress in costumes to help sell a night of Halloween Trick-or-Treating.

PHOTO / NOAH CATHEY

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Class of 2024 shatters record

On Oct. 8, the class of 2024 held their installment of the famed senior auction in the Decherd Fine Arts Center.

The event, led by co-chairs Bennet Applbaum, Lucas Blumenthal, Nathan Meyer and Grayson Redmond, featured 28 unique offerings for community members to bid on. Half of the items were on display in the Blackbox as part of a silent auction.

Some of these items included a football signed by all of the Lions’ football team’s seniors and a one-of-one painting of the Grandparents’ Court-

yard by senior Holden Browning.The more sought-after items were bid on in a live auction hosted by Director of Admission and Final Aid and longtime auctioneer David Baker.

The items sold for the most was a dinner with Dallas Cowboys legend Troy Aikman hosted by the Elevated Cooking Club for $17,000. Some of the other big ticket items included Christmas caroling with SMAcapella and a night Trick-or-Treating with a group of seniors. Overall the auction raised more than $173,000 for the

It’s hard to cover all of the things that made 2023 great. Here’s a list of some of the other things that took 10600 by storm.

BIG SCHOOL EVENTS

POP CULTURE PHENOMENONS

Literary Festival

ChatGPT changes outlook on AI

January-February Snow Days

LeBron James break All-time NBA points record

Basketball wins Senior Night thriller against TCA

Taylor Swift, Drake go on record-breaking tours

Marksmen Multicultural Night opened to entire

Chiefs, Clark Hunt ‘83 win second Super Bowl

community

SpaceX launches starship rocket

Dr. David Vanderpool ‘78 receives first Lee Smith ‘65

Coronation of King Charles III

Award

Tom Brady actually retires

STEM Conference

Inter Miami FC signs Lionel Messi

Habitat for Humanity House Completion

Elon Musk changes Twitter to X

ISAS Arts Festival

UTOPIA ends Travis Scott’s hiatus

2023 Commencement

Barbie, Oppenheimer kill it at the box office

Blue Shirt Day for the Class of 2024

Israel-Hamas conflict

The Two-grade Pecos

Rangers finally win World Series

Sports practices moved to morning due to extreme heat

New Season of Fortnite

A Fast and Furious Homecoming

Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter passes at 96

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Note to reader: The following stories discuss deaths of loved ones.

An empty seat at a family dinner Taking family photos for a holiday card Decorating a Christmas tree

A devastating void

PHOTO / NOAH CATHEY

With the holidays prioritizing time spent with family, this part of the year can be especially hard for those who have lost a loved one.

By Zack Goforth and Matthew Hofmann

or Gage Fojtasek, there was no warning.

In Italy for a water polo camp with the Dallas club team Thunder, his summer vacation was spent playing a sport he loves. On the night of June 25, 2022, Gage was walking with his father, Russell Fojtasek, to a team dinner at a restaurant owned by the camp organizer.

While traversing the winding streets of the Italian town they were staying in, observing the nightlife around them, Gage’s dad suddenly flinched.

Then he fell.

At first glance, Gage didn’t think anything was wrong.

“I wasn’t too concerned at first because he was old-

er and had been through some issues with his knee.

Whenever he [fell] at home, he would start stretching,” Gage said. “I would always ask him if he was ok and he was always like ‘Yeah, I’m fine.’”

But this time was different. After laying on the ground unmoving, Mr. Fojtasek was rushed to a hospital, and in the operating room, doctors spent nearly 20 minutes trying to restart his heart. Their efforts were in vain, and they pronounced him dead. The camp organizer translated a nurse’s words and told Gage the news, the gravity of the situation setting in.

“My immediate reaction: shock,” Gage said. “When the nurse came in and said ‘He’s dead,’ it was just disbelief. I had my uncle on the phone crying. My mom and I were crying. It was just a genuinely sad time.”

At Mr. Fojtasek’s funeral, students and alumni banded together to support their fellow Marksman.

“It was a shock to see how many St. Mark’s guys were there,” Gage said. “Lots of water polo guys and lots of my classmates were there as well. I also received texts from Miki Ghosh ‘22 and Brett Honaker ‘21 just checking on me and seeing if I was okay, which was nice.”

Mr. Fojtasek was an alum, and Gage had learned about what it meant to be a Marksman from him.

Now, not having him to continue was hard. Not only had his father’s passing shifted Gage’s outlook on life, but also his outlook on the rest of high school.

“It just makes me want to get to [graduation] more than ever, and to do it to the best of my ability,” Gage said. “I want to make sure I honor him in the best way possible by being the best student I can be and graduating at the highest level I can.”

Today, Gage continues to uphold his promise to his father.

Now, he drives his father’s car to school every day, which serves as a time capsule of memories and a constant reminder of the passage of responsibility and the loving bond the two PHOTO / COURTESY GAGE FOJTASEK shared.

ll his life, Oliver Rubarth knew it was a possibility, so when it happened there was no explo sion of emotion or rapid release of hate in his heart. Instead, a candle had blown out with the wind, leaving behind the words, ‘I love you boys.’

“My mother [Katy Rubarth] had breast cancer ever since I was a kid,” Oliver said, “but there was a six-month period where [the cancer] spread to her brain. A couple weeks before her passing, she was in bed, so I had time to come to terms with it a little… those were her last words, ‘I love you boys.’”

Amidst the cold stillness and the black skies of a February night, Oliver walked with his brothers, reflecting on what he thought he knew was coming.

“I was experiencing a lot of derealization,” Oliver said. “I didn’t really believe it.”

In the quiet, he reflected on his mother’s legacy.

Mrs. Rubarth was a hard worker and someone committed to treating everyone equally and with fairness, no matter who you were — traits she exhibited for years during her tenure as the school’s Director of Communications, helping the school redesign its website and host commencement and homecoming.

Since then, life hasn’t been the same.

“Before, my parents were divorced and my mom had sole custody [of me],” Oliver said, “so I had to stay with my father, which I wasn’t accustomed to doing for long periods of time; normally, it was every other weekend.”

Oliver shifted his attention, spending more of his time on the things that gave him satisfaction.

“I started focusing on school and playing the piano a lot more,” Oliver said. “I was just trying to grind it out.”

Away from home, Oliver discovered on-campus life was relatively unchanged, something he appreciated.

“My close friends told me they were trying to pretend [my mother’s passing] didn’t happen,” Oliver said, which is honestly what I wanted most people to do. [Director of Marksmen Wellness Gabby Reed] also didn’t pressure me with meetings or anything, and I talked to [history instructor Michele Santosuosso] — she was very helpful to talk to.”

Oliver has found ways to keep his mother’s memory strong. He has kept notes on all of her favorite things and a Spotify playlist with her favorite songs.

“I’m going to honor her and just pretend she’s still

here because I believe she’s in Heaven looking at me,” Oliver said.

Not only does Oliver continue to honor her every day, but the school has honored her as well.

In 2020, a year before her passing, Mrs. Rubarth received the Marksmen yearbook dedication: a direct result of her impact on the community. Even today, she continues to help her son take steps towards achieving his goals.

“Now, I’m just trying to go to a good college, be a good person and make her proud,” Oliver said. “It’s what I’ve always wanted to do.”

An empty seat at a family dinner.

Taking family photos for a holiday card.

Decorating a Christmas tree.

During the holidays, these activities are poignant reminders for those who have lost a loved one.

Two juniors — Gage Fojtasek and Oliver Rubarth — reflect on their experiences losing a parent in high school and the effect the tragedy has had on their lives.

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PHOTO / COURTESY OLIVER RUBARTH Noah Cathey contributed to this story.

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A life on stage: Palys’ opera journey

BRAVO! Palys sings in front of an audience during a recital at the Schmidt Vocal Institute at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

PHOTOS / COURTESY LUKAS PALYS

Lukas Palys has spent his life perfecting his performing, but it hasn’t always been easy. There have been plenty of roadblocks on his journey through school, sports, extracurriculars and his passion for singing.

B

By Akash Manickam

right lights. A full crowd. College scouts.

Many people associate those words with sports, but for junior Lukas Palys, they have a different significance.

Yes, Palys is getting recruited, but not for any sport. Instead, he is attempting to pursue opera in college, a path that, in his experience, has been anything but easy.

Through hours of vocal coaching, competition and performance, however, Palys has come to love the art of opera, and he has his sights set on opportunities far beyond high school.

Palys’ opera career began a few years before he joined the school.

“Back in fifth grade, I started choir,” Palys said. “In sixth grade, I joined the Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas, and I really liked it a lot. They had auditions for the Dallas Opera Children’s Chorus, so I joined that and got a little bit of money there, and that was fun for me.”

In recent years, Palys has faced some adversity while trying to balance his academic and athletic pursuits with his opera career. In fact, he says one of the biggest challenges he faces is the contrast in singing styles between opera and choral performances.

“They are counterintuitive to each other,” Palys said, “because in opera, you’re supposed to stand out and use your voice to resonate louder than the orchestra. In choir, you’re not supposed to stand out or be heard over everyone else. It has definitely been an adjustment in choir, and it’s been hard to find a healthy balance while singing choir.”

In addition to working through his two singing-related commitments, Palys is also an athlete on the volleyball team.

He knows that by doing opera, he sacrifices a lot of social and academic opportunities. He has also lost opera time due to school-related obligations. In the end, however, he believes the benefits he gains

from opera far outweigh the negatives.

“My voice instructor actually told me last week that I was doing too many things,” Palys said. “He said, ‘You need to stop doing sports because it’s too much for you.’ Even though opera doesn’t seem like it, it is really a whole-body activity. Your voice is your instrument, so you have to take really good care of your voice. If your body is extra tired, it puts strain on your neck and voice muscles.”

Director of Libraries and Information Services and Upper School Choir Director Tinsley Silcox, a long-time musical student and instructor, emphasized the important differences between the various styles of singing employed between choir, opera and musical theater.

“In choral music, your job is to balance and blend,” Silcox said. “You listen to all the people around you. You’re basically singing the same thing at the same time.

You don’t want your voice to protrude.

You don’t want your vibrato to be different from the person next to you. It’s all about balance and blend. The choir is a unit.

That’s exactly the opposite of an opera.

You want to be this person in the spotlight on stage, and it’s your distinct voice that gets you there.”

Looking forward to the next few years, Palys is set on continuing his musical studies through higher education. For singers like Palys, there are two options once high school is over: conservatories or normal universities. At a conservatory, singers spend a majority of their time on music-related endeavors.

“For college applications, I’ve been looking at schools with double-degree programs where you can do a dual major or schools with a conservatory on top of a normal college,” Palys said. “And then in the rest of my life, I’m going to see how it plays out. My dream would be if I could be an incredible opera singer and perform at the Metropolitan Opera House, all around Europe and at all those renowned houses, but that’s a really hard road. And once you

get there, it’s lucrative and you have a great career, but it’s really, really, really hard to get there.”

Palys says that young opera singers, like young athletes, have to upload clips of auditions and performances online in order to attract attention from prospective colleges.

“Almost in the same way that athletes have Twitter accounts where they post their highlights,” Palys said, “there’s actually a website for high school singers where they post their resume and videos of them singing. They reach out to schools that they’re interested in. Through that website, I’ve been able to broadcast myself almost or advertise myself on these to these colleges. And if the colleges are interested in you, they will respond.”

Before he entered his current role, Silcox taught at SMU. His familiarity with collegiate music study has helped him guide students like Palys through the process of finding a suitable college to continue studying music.

“If you go to one of these national competitions sponsored by a group like NATS, (the National Association of Teachers of Singing) they’re going to be college voice teachers either judging or just observing so that they can snag the best students,” Silcox said.

Palys says that despite the difficulty levels of schoolwork and athletics, opera is the hardest endeavor he has ever undertaken in his life.

“Opera is one of those things where I can try extremely hard and I just still fall short of what I’m trying to get,” Palys said.

“So it really pushes me mentally to succeed in opera and to try and become a better singer. And the payoff when I perform is just unmatched – it’s better than anything else that I’ve ever done. It’s just a feeling of euphoria when you’re on the stage and the lights hit you and you are singing and acting. It’s just a moment of bliss when you’re not connected to anything else in your life except for when you’re singing. I love that.”

The Palys File 2x All-State and AllRegion Choir (2022, 2023) 3 performances with Dallas Opera 2024 YoungArts Finalist in Voice 3 Musical Theater performances in high school 1st Place, Hal Leonard Vocal Competition, Early Teen Art Son Finalist, Poetry Out Loud (Texas) 5 year member of the school choir School carilloneur Member of SMACapella club, Musicare club and Music 4 Eternity

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PHOTOS / COURTESY DAVE CARDEN

Holiday traditions: a deeper dive With an incredibly wide range of religious holiday traditions observed at the school, students celebrate the festive season with varied celebrations.

By Matthew Hofmann and Christian Warner With the advent of wintertime and breaks from school, the holiday season approaches, bringing celebrations from cultures around the world.

Diwali or Deepavali, the first of the Winter holiday celebrations in chronological order, comes from various South Asian cultures and religions. Celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists, the five-day holiday starting on Nov. 12 represents a sacred time for their cultures in a Festival of Light. As a symbol for the victory of light over darkness, those who celebrate Diwali honor the gods who have blessed and guided them.

“We pray to several different gods of all kinds: money, love and abundance,” senior Sharang Vyas said.

“It’s about signifying all of the good things in your life.”

To honor the blessings given to and asked for, families like Vyas’ perform their own traditions and rituals. Many of the Diwali celebrations involve a symbol or physical representation for the prayer and the prayer itself.

“One thing that my family does is we take a bunch of money that we have, and we put it on the ‘place’ where we pray,” Vyas said. “We pray to it and do this because it shows our thankfulness for the wealth in our lives.”

While some of the Diwali celebrations focus on the present blessings in life, the historical meaning is not forgotten. For Hindus, the Festival of Light represents the return of the human form of the god Vishnu, Rama from his 14 year exile from his kingdom. Upon his return, his kingdom lit up candles and lights as a beacon to their banished and wandering ruler.

“[This tale] is signified by the lighting of diyas which are Indian candles that we put all around our house,” Sophomore Ekaksh Bansal said. “You are not supposed to blow them out and instead let them go out on their own when the wax runs out because of Rama.”

The importance of the holiday remains high, being celebrated by over a billion people around the world. The school recognized Diwali through the special chapel service on Nov 15 featuring guests and students to perform specific hymns and prayers.

Hanukkah, a perennial Jewish Holiday between Nov. 28 and Dec. 26, is a unique holiday among the various celebrations in Judaism.

In brief, Hanukkah also known as the Festival of Light is an eight-day period to bring together the Jewish people in remembrance.

Hanukkah’s lighthearted and joyous tone comes from the miracles during the reconquering of Jerusalem and the Holy Temple. Upon the Temple’s reconquering, a single bottle of burning oil, equating to one day of light was found yet lasted 8 days worth. Although the holiday’s spiritual and holistic significance falls short of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the religious presence is still seen. “(Hanukkah) is important to the Jewish people because it shows (their) coming closer to God and his work and grace by giving His people success and aid,” sophomore Ollie Morgan said.

Hanukkah’s more casual nature has led to a wide variety of adaptation and customization for each celebrator’s own choice for practices. The practices, both traditional and non-traditional, performed throughout the course of the holiday

include gift-giving, Menorah lighting and cooking specific cuisine.

Latkes, sufganiyot or jelly donuts and the lighting of the Menorah for each of the eight days in the story are all traditions that have existed for centuries while gift-giving has been a more recent addition as a result of interaction with Christmas.

The history of Judaism also plays into the diverse cultural practices and traditions.

“After all of the Jews were kicked out of Israel and the diaspora was formed, religious traditions got their own distinctions by each culture,” senior Mitchell Galardi said. “Hanukkah itself was not mentioned in the Bible. It’s just us remembering something that happened.... So, it has got its own distinction because there is no written way to celebrate it.”

For Galardi, his family’s version of Hanukkah is centered around being together. They approach the holiday less seriously than the High Holy Days and take it for its elements of joy.

“It’s just another opportunity to get together with family; it’s like any other family event,” Galardi said.

Last in chronological order is the most celebrated holiday in the world: Christmas. Christmas is celebrated by people from all around the world, both atheist and believers, but the origin of the holiday stems from the Christian faith which acknowledges the birth of Jesus Christ on Dec. 25 – Christmas day.

This holiday has developed into an international phenomenon that involves the exchange of gifts, bright lights, candles, mantel decorations, and Christmas trees to name a few of the popular celebration techniques.

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On campus, one will quickly notice the holiday lights and decorations that adorn the trees, columns and buildings during late November and all of December. This tradition is passed down with each senior class decorating the campus for the enjoyment of everyone else. This year, the Class of 2023 decorated campus for Christmas on Nov 27. Senior Holden Browning feels like this is a very meaningful tradition and was something he was looking forward to going into his last year as a student here.

“Typically everyone shows up from Thanksgiving and sees all the lights up on campus,” Browning said, “and it’s cool that I am now a part of that behind the scenes of setting that up.

To give back by setting up the lights I have always appreciated is really nice.”

With such high Christmas spirit on students’ minds, sophomore Cooper Guiler reflects on what the Christmas holiday means to him.

“It is a very special day,” Guiler said. “Christmas Eve happens to be my mom’s birthday, so we celebrate with family a lot of times. Oftentimes, we will celebrate Christmas early before going to a church service later that night. Generally, it’s a fun candlelit service outside. Typically, the next morning we don’t have church. We go see family that we hadn’t seen the previous day, and celebrate with them.”

A devout Christian, for Guiler, the holiday is not only an important time to spend with family, but also an important time due to the holiday’s religious significance.

“According to Christian tradition, it’s Jesus’ birthday,” Guiler said. “Jesus, who’s just God,

comes down and becomes a man so he can serve.

I feel like personally, just knowing that having Jesus take my place and bear the punishment for all the bad stuff I’ve done is the best gift I can receive and ultimately, all the presents I get is meant to be a reflection of what he eventually does after being born. So I feel like it bears that extra significance.”

However, in Guiler’s opinion, he feels like this importance is now being lost in the modern consumerist age.

“I feel like it has kind of been wrapped up in Santa Claus bringing presents from the elves side of things,” Guiler said. “Obviously, it’s become a thing that oftentimes even families of another religion will celebrate the more westernized version of it.”

Christmas has certainly become one of the most commercialized holidays in the U.S. According to the National Retail Federation, the average expenditure by a U.S. consumer on Christmas-related items for 2022 was $826.

With such a popularity for buying gifts or ordering lights to wrap a fence, the holidays have become a time when money is often discussed and focused upon. However, some believe it is necessary to remember the importance of the religious events that have created this holiday spirit, something Guiler reflects on specifically for Christmas.

“While the gifts are fun, the center of it is the religion,” Guiler said. “There are religious activities on the day. But it’s alright to celebrate it either way.”

ALL SMILES Seniors Greyson Redmond and Bennet Alger enjoying decorating a pillar outside the Commons.

PHOTO / COURTESY DAVE CARDEN

NINE CANDLES Senior Daniel Weinstein celebrating Hanukkah in middle school.

PHOTO / COURTESY DANIEL WEINSTEIN

OVERHEARD AT 10600 | Holiday Edition

What is the best holiday food?

“My favorite holiday food is these cheese potatoes that my grandma makes — they are the best!”

“Sand tarts or Christmas Wreath cookies because my mom used to make them for me.”

“My favorite is this spiced tea that my mom makes because it is comforting and warm after being outside.”

Maddox Canham

Ken Owens

Beau Babilla

Junior

Science Instructor

Sophomore

What is the best holiday movie?

“Elf. It is a happy movie that encapsulates the Christmas spirit.”

PHOTO / TEJAS ALLADA

“A Wonderful Life because it makes me cry at the end of it every time.”

Sam Light

Mark Adame

Junior

Science Instructor

FESTIVE SPIRIT The famous Christmas tree has returned to the Great Hall once more for the holiday season, continuing a decoration tradition.

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Away from the nest and spreading their wings With the end of the first semester on the horizon, three alumni from the Class of 2023 share their thoughts about their first few months of college, including the ups and downs of campus life, their adjustment to new states and communities and advice they would give to Marksmen anticipating the next stage of life.

Luke Noack

Bowden Slates

Rishab Siddamshetty

Political Science and Business Major and Football Player, Washington & Lee University

Music Industry Major, Santa Monica Community College, transferring to University of Southern California

Finance Major, University of Michigan

Akash Manickam: What’s different between St. Mark’s and college?

AM: What’s different between St. Mark’s and college?

AM: What’s different between St. Mark’s and college?

Luke Noack: It’s a lot more on the student to reach out to the professors, whereas at St. Mark’s, the teachers do a pretty good job of staying involved in a student’s life and asking them if they think someone might be struggling. In college, it’s all on you. Your teachers will let you fall behind if you’re not actively seeking help.

Bowden Slates: I think the workload is much easier because St. Mark’s really prepares you to be able to balance a heavy workload. Also, your class schedule is so different. You could have a class from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and then another from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., and then the next day, you have no classes. It’s about figuring out when you have time and doing what you need to do.

Rishab Siddamshetty: First of all, you’re attending classes with girls, which is really not that different, but it’s an interesting experience to say the least. You have no uniform. You work on your own schedule. Academics still take a decent amount of time just because they give a lot of homework, but you have a lot more free time. I can explore my own interests.

AM: How have you adjusted to college life?

AM: How important has the size difference been between St. Mark’s and Michigan?

AM: How did you adjust to college life, especially in those first few months?

LN: It was tough just because I’m in the unique position of also playing a fall sport. The biggest struggle for me was managing my time, but I think St. Mark’s did a really good job preparing me for that. It gave me a good foundation for coming in here and having to balance practices with all this homework.

AM: When you got to college, who or what helped you the most?

LN: I would say my teammates just because the upperclassmen do a super good job of making sure all the freshmen know the ropes, the tricks to succeeding academically and the do’s and don’ts.

AM: What’s your favorite part about college so far?

LN: I enjoy the freedom of it. I definitely feel a lot more independent. There’s a lot of decisions that are mine to make now. I can pick classes that I’m interested in, and there’s a lot less requirements for what I have to take.

AM: What do you miss about St Mark’s?

LN: I definitely miss the culture of how tightly-knit everyone is. I would say I was friends with everyone there, and that was really nice. If I walked into a room at St. Mark’s, there’s a 99 percent chance someone in there was going to be my friend, and I really liked that.

BS: Coming from Dallas to Los Angeles is very different. A lot of guys I’ve met have been from New York or California, and one of my really good friends is from Australia. Academics are really important, but the most important part for me is meeting people and figuring out who I’m going to be later in life. And that’s one of the first things to choose in college, the type of people that you’re going to be around.

AM: What’s your favorite part of college so far?

BS: My personal favorite part of college is the friends that I’ve made. The new people that I’ve met come from so many different backgrounds.

I think St. Mark’s does such an amazing job as a high school, but I think it’s really hard to compare that to a college experience. I mean, one of my best friends is from the Bay Area. Another is from New York. Everyone here has such a different experience and life story that I think makes us a lot more well-rounded.

AM: What would you tell your earlier self with the knowledge you have acquired through college so far?

BS: Don’t stress yourself out so much when you’re applying to college, it’s all going to work out. Of every single person I know in my grade, there’s very few that don’t enjoy the place that they’re at.

RS: It’s made all the difference, because, at St. Mark’s, I made it a priority to know who someone is when I see their face. But at Michigan, it’s so different. Every day, I’ll walk around and I’ll see at least 30 people who I’ve never even met in my life, usually a lot more. It’s crazy not knowing everyone that you’re talking to.

AM: What do you miss most about high school?

RS: Everything from the teachers, the classmates, the community and the uniform to being able to be in such a tight-knit and small group of people. I really miss all of that a lot.

AM: What do you do in your free time?

RS: For kids doing finance like me, we need to start networking and talking with as many people as we can. You can join the finance clubs at Michigan or any school that has an elite finance club, but you’ll have to apply, and it’s around a 10 percent admittance rate. I was privileged to get into two of the best ones. Students do actual projects with venture capital and private equity firms. You’re learning quick concepts, you’re networking, and that takes a ton of time to be honest. I’ve joined fun clubs as well like intramural basketball and the Indian-American Student Association.

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P ag e 21

CHRISTMAS MOVIES

Holiday Classics Holiday movies are some of the most timeless films of all time, with families turning on recognizable titles come the holiday season. From Home Alone, to It's a Wonderful Life, to Elf, these three classics combine the Christmas atmosphere with traditional themes and morals to package together some of the most famous films of all time.

By Vikram Singh

'Home Alone' displays heart, humor for wide-ranging audience "Home Alone," directed by Chris Columbus, stands as a timeless holiday classic that has captivated audiences since its release in 1990. This beloved comedy follows the misadventures of young Kevin McCallister, portrayed by Macaulay Culkin, who is accidentally left behind when his family travels for Christmas vacation. Alone at home, Kevin must defend his house from two bumbling burglars, Harry and Marv, played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern, respectively.

Macaulay Culkin's portrayal of Kevin is iconic, blending youthful innocence with resourceful wit as he navigates being "home alone." His endearing performance captures the audience's heart, making Kevin's escapades both hilarious and heartwarming.

The plot unfolds as Kevin revels in the freedom of having the house to himself, indulging in mischief and creative antics. Meanwhile, the burglars target his house, unaware of Kevin's clever and elaborate traps awaiting their arrival.

Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern's portrayal of the hapless burglars adds a layer of slapstick comedy and serves as the perfect foil to Culkin's quick-thinking character. Their exaggerated physical comedy and comedic timing contribute to the film's enduring appeal.

At its core, "Home Alone" encompasses themes of family, resilience, and the power of resourcefulness. Kevin's journey from initial fear and frustration to taking charge of his home's defense resonates with audiences, highlighting the importance of courage and self-reliance, even in the face of adversity.

Chris Columbus's direction captures the holiday spirit, blending humor, warmth, and memorable moments that have solidified "Home Alone" as a perennial favorite during the holiday season. The film's ability to evoke laughter, combined with its heartfelt message of family and empowerment, ensures its continued relevance and status as a cherished classic for audiences of all ages.

Decades after its release, "Home Alone" remains a beloved staple in holiday movie traditions, offering timeless entertainment and a heartwarming reminder of the true meaning of family and resilience, making it a must-watch for generations to come.

'It's a Wonderful Life' stands the test of time Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" is a cinematic gem that transcends generations, proving its timeless relevance since its release in 1946. This heartwarming classic continues to resonate profoundly, capturing the essence of the human experience and the significance of one's impact on others. The film revolves around George Bailey, portrayed by the incomparable James Stewart, a compassionate and selfless man who, amidst personal sacrifices, finds himself at a breaking point on Christmas Eve. Facing financial ruin and feeling utterly defeated, George contemplates ending his life, only to be intervened by his guardian angel, Clarence. James Stewart's portrayal of George Bailey is nothing short of iconic. His nuanced performance beautifully embodies the character's inner turmoil, unwavering integrity, and eventual redemption.

Donna Reed shines as Mary, George's devoted wife, providing unwavering support and love throughout their tumultuous journey. The plot masterfully weaves through George's life, highlighting his pivotal moments, dreams, and the profound impact he has on his community. Capra's direction beautifully captures the quaint town of Bedford Falls and intricately explores the human spirit's resilience amidst adversity. At its core, "It's a Wonderful Life" delves into themes of selflessness, the value of human connections, and the realization of one's true worth. Its enduring message of hope, kindness and the profound influence of one individual's life on others remains as potent today as it did decades ago. What sets this film apart is its ability to evoke a myriad of emotions—joy, sorrow, empathy—in its viewers.

The heartfelt narrative, coupled with impeccable performances, crafts an emotional resonance that lingers long after the credits roll.As the holiday season approaches, "It's a Wonderful Life" continues to invite audiences to reflect on life's blessings, the power of community and the profound impact of one's actions—a testament to its enduring legacy and unwavering relevance in any era.

'Elf ' spreads joy withElf warmth, delight, lots of laughs "Elf," directed by Jon Favreau, remains a timeless holiday gem that continues to enchant audiences with its endearing story and timeless charm. The film revolves around Buddy, played by the incomparable Will Ferrell, a human who grows up at the North Pole among Santa's elves, unaware of his true origins. When he discovers he's not an elf, he journeys to New York City to find his biological father, Walter Hobbs, portrayed by James Caan, and spreads his infectious Christmas spirit wherever he goes.

Will Ferrell's portrayal of Buddy is a masterclass in comedic innocence and boundless enthusiasm.

His childlike wonder and unwavering belief in the magic of Christmas create a character that's simultaneously hilarious and heartwarming.

The plot unfolds as Buddy experiences the stark contrast between the North Pole's festive joy and New York City's bustling cynicism. His relentless optimism and genuine love for the holiday season gradually influence those around him, leading to both humorous and touching moments.

James Caan's portrayal of Walter Hobbs, initially distant and detached, undergoes a transformation as he reconnects with his long-lost son. Caan brings depth to the character, showcasing the importance of familial bonds and rediscovering the joy of the holiday season.

At its core, "Elf " encapsulates themes of innocence, acceptance, and the power of spreading joy. The film celebrates the importance of embracing one's uniqueness and finding the magic in simple moments, ultimately emphasizing the significance of family and togetherness during the holiday season.

Jon Favreau's direction captures the essence of Christmas with vibrant visuals, heartfelt performances, and a delightful blend of humor and heart. The movie's enduring appeal lies in its ability to evoke laughter, warmth and a renewed sense of wonder, making it fit right in during the holiday season.

Decades after its release, "Elf " remains a beloved classic, offering a timeless message of love, acceptance, and the enduring spirit of Christmas, making it a cherished part of holiday traditions for audiences of all ages.

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Friday, December 8, 2023

Student Newspaper of St. Mark’s School of Texas 10600 Preston Road Dallas, TX 75230 214-346-8000 Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief Zack Goforth Managing Editors Nolan Marcus, Grayson Redmond Digital Editor Ben Adams Editorial Director Aaron Augustine Focus Editors Linyang Lee, Dawson Yao Photo Editor Zachary Bashour Section Editors Issues Arjun Poi Hilton Sampson Academics Oliver Peck Joseph Sun BLEAK As the seasons change and plant life dies off, life seem faded and uninteresting, which can pose negative connotations for school work, social life and personal activites.

PHOTO / ZACHARY BASHOUR

Students need to utilize mental health resources available to them Every year seasonal affective disorder affects nearly 20 percent of the student body and causes issues ranging from insomnia to anxiety.

W

hile many celebrate the shift to the colder weather, the winter season poses a unique challenge. As the days grow shorter and the grass withers, seasonal depression looms here. Students refrain from activities, have less energy and are at times unable to actively participate with the community.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a unique type of depression that is linked to changes in seasons. Winter SAD begins in the autumn and continues throughout the winter months. SAD is often accompanied with oversleeping, lack of energy and a plethora of other symptoms (Mayo Clinic).

Unlike other widespread mental health issues, SAD is unique in its routine. Like clockwork, winter SAD begins in the fall and fades in the spring. This is likely caused by the loss of daylight affecting circadian rhythms. When the days grow shorter in winter, the amount of sunlight decreases and thus throws the human body into a state of flux. This can be combatted through light therapy, a method that involves exposure to a bright light that mimics natural sunlight. Integrating light therapy into daily routines can help regulate circadian rhythms, mitigate the effects of seasonal depression and restore a sense of balance to individuals to combat the symptoms of SAD. The implementation of an ordered

schedule is pivotal for fighting SAD. While it is easy to go into hibernation mode when it gets dark, having scheduled activities, events with friends or even a walk around the block can serve as powerful repellents for SAD. Once SAD sets in, it becomes incredibly difficult to adapt, thus preparation becomes paramount.

This preparation includes proactively establishing a routine and ensuring that social interactions are integrated into daily life well before the onset of winter. This early preparation serves as a preventative measure to help prevent the effects of SAD. While SAD affects nearly 15 percent of the population, it is commonly dismissed as simply “winter blues” or feeling “under the weather.” These commonly held beliefs stand in contradiction with the problem that SAD poses to the mental wellbeing of the school community.

Within the student body, there is a tendency to trivialize the profound impact of mental health problems with potentially disastrous ramifications. Mental health issues are often seen as something to be easily overcome, which perpetuates a harmful misconception that undermines the complex and nuanced nature of conditions like SAD. The school has taken commendable steps regarding mental health.

The expansion of the Health and

Wellness department is a solid step towards addressing these issues and shows the school’s commitment to supporting students. However, the central issue is not the lack of resources available to students, but rather students’ willingness to utilize these resources. The stigma surrounding men’s mental health needs to be dismantled in order to encourage more students to seek the help and support they require.

Members of the school community must challenge these misconceptions to foster an environment conducive to proactive support for students struggling with SAD. Only through a collaborative effort can the stigma surrounding mental health be dismantled. By promoting open communication, the foundation for a community where students feel comfortable seeking help can be readily built.

As the colder winter months march upon the school, it becomes imperative that students prepare for the problems posed by SAD by actively engaging with the community and fostering a culture of support. The changing seasons bring unique challenges that demand preparation and communal support. By embracing open communication and adopting preparation strategies, students have the power to dispel the coldness of SAD and ignite a fire of collective resilience.

Life Matthew Hofmann Akash Manickam Sports Lawrence Gardner Neil Yepuri Design Director Noah Cathey Assistant Digital Editor Will Clifford Head Writers Vikram Singh Eric Yi Staff Tejas Allada, Weston Chance, Joshua Goforth, Chris Guffey, Kevin Ho, Michael Jimenez, Rohan Kakkar, Ronit Kongara, William Kozoman, Winston Lin, Doan Nguyen, Christian Warner, Andrew Ye, Kayden Zhong Adviser Jenny Dial Creech Headmaster David Dini Audience The ReMarker is intended for the students, faculty, staff and alumni community of St. Mark’s School of Texas.

Press run is 4,000 copies, with more than 2,600 of those mailed out to alumni, courtesy of the school’s offices of External Affairs, Development and Alumni divisions.

Opinions and Editorials Editorials represent the views of the Editorial Board and are not necessarily those of the Board of Trustees, administration, faculty or staff. All personal opinion columns, bylined with the writer’s name and photo, represent the views of that writer only and not necessarily those of the ReMarker, Board of Trustees, administration, faculty or staff.

Online www.smremarker.com instagram @remarkernewspaper Reader Involvement The ReMarker encourages reader input through guest columns and story ideas. Contact the appropriate editor for suggestions.

Letters to the Editor Letters to the editor are welcome and encouraged.

They must be typed, signed and not exceed 300 words.

Submissions are not accepted.

Membership The ReMarker maintains membership in the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, New York City, NY; National Scholastic Press Association, Minneapolis, MN; and the Interscholastic League Press Conference, Austin.

E d i to r i a l s

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Friday, December 8, 2023

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P ag e 23

Conquering restlessness: transforming sleep

PHOTOS / INSTAGRAM

SHLUMPED Having to juggle the pressures of school, sport and clubs can be quite time consuming and can make it hard it achieve the recommended sleep requirement leading to lower preformance and anxiety.

A week-long challenge to fix my sleepless night

Aaron Augustine

A

Editorials Director

s I lay in bed, the screen of my phone winks up at me with its kaleidoscopic lights.

The light humming coming from the kitchen finally cuts out as the dishwasher I started at midnight stops.

In the silence, I set my phone down and roll over to sleep. It’s 2 a.m. and I can’t sleep.

Since the summer ended, my sleep schedule could most kindly be described as erratic. After school, I would go home and take a two-hour nap followed by the traditional night of homework and dinner. I would go to sleep again around 11 p.m. and stay asleep to about 2 a.m. I would stay awake between 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. before finally staying asleep until 7 a.m. before charging into the day

armed with sleep deprivation and caffeine.

It was no surprise that I was chosen for this special week-long challenge. The rules: follow the recommended daily sleep schedule. Every night, I had to sleep for at least eight hours consecutively and use no devices an hour before bedtime. Easy enough . . . or so I thought.

It began on a Sunday night, which was by far the easiest. Having completed my homework earlier in the day (shocking), I had no real excuse to fail the first night. As I prepared for bed, I looked forward to the rest of the week with dubious optimism.

Monday was the first sign of difficulties. It was two minutes before I had to stop using screens, and I still needed to study for my APUSH test for Wednesday. Well, my pride wouldn’t stand if I failed on the first school night, so I made the (terribly difficult) decision of simply not studying that night. The sacrifice of my future as a post 9/11 American history scholar truly displayed my dedication to the task at hand.

By Wednesday I was ready to quit.

I had fallen back into old habits and shot-gunned two Red Bulls an hour before bed. There was no way I would be able to fall asleep until well past the set time, but then I remembered the words of a popular internet personality: “Never back down, never

give up.” Inspired by the words of a 12-year-old Fortnite Youtuber, I decided to burn off the caffeine. What followed was a 30-minute sprint, several close calls with a heart attack and 1984 (I had to multitask).

AFTER MY CAFFEINE CRISIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT, THE REST OF THE WEEK WAS SMOOTH SAILING. I HAD SETTLED INTO A ROUTINE, AND THUS FOUND IT EASIER TO FALL ASLEEP AT A TIME SOME CONSIDER NORMAL. After my caffeine crisis Wednesday night, the rest of the week was smooth sailing. I had settled into a routine, and thus found it easier to fall asleep at a time some consider normal.

Throughout the week, I noticed several changes to how I felt. For the first time in probably several years, I began to wake up nearly 20 minutes before my alarm. I also no longer felt the urge to pass out after school and had more time to be productive (Clash of Clans). My overall consumption of caffeine also decreased considerably. Even on Wednesday, I drank the Red Bulls as a habit instead of needing the boost. Addi-

tionally, by adopting a traditional schedule, my appetite normalized as well. The midnight brownie runs were a thing of the past.

The most difficult part was definitely the no device policy. As a student, I stay up late finishing homework, or procrastinating on said homework quite often. As a result, I typically go to bed right after using my device. The one-hour policy forced me to plan my time more efficiently. I had to spend free periods more productively and actively study ahead for tests, instead of studying for hours the night before. While there were undeniable benefits of following this schedule, I doubt I will continue to religiously maintain it.

My schedule won’t worsen, but when it’s one minute to midnight, I can never say no to cat videos.

Schedule Before

After

Nap (3-5 p.m.)

Homework (3-5 p.m.)

Caffinate (6 p.m.)

Water (6 p.m.)

Homework (7p.m.)

Dinner (7 p.m.)

Sleep (11 p.m. — 2 a.m.)

Device off (10 p.m.)

Sleep (3-7 a.m.)

Sleep (11 p.m. — 7 a.m.)

Side Editorial

Tipping culture has problematically expanded to include nearly every service It’s everywhere. Grocery store self-checkout kiosks, gas station pumps and fast-food restaurants are all asking for tips. It’s unavoidable.

Tipping culture within Dallas is incredibly flawed. Initially, tips were asked mostly by restaurants to supplement servers’ unfairly low paychecks. Being excluded from minimum wage laws and often earning less than $5 an hour, servers are forced to rely upon the tips of customers. This system itself is inherently flawed as it deprives employees of basic secure income.

While the tipping system was itself

already incredibly backwards, it has only grown worse. Now nearly every business is asking customers to add tips to support employees. While it may seem considerate to allow their employees to earn more through tips, this system harms the overall stability of workers’ income.

By using tips instead of traditional wage increases, businesses pass off their risk onto their employees. Instead of having to commit to higher base wages, businesses shift the financial responsibility to their employees by relying on tips. This practice allows companies to avoid the fixed costs associated with per-

manent wage increases and ties employee earnings directly to customer discretion. In doing so, businesses transfer the uncertainty of income from the company to the individual worker, making employees vulnerable to fluctuations in customer behavior and economic downturns.

When you are prompted by a self-checkout kiosk to leave a tip, they are not actually suggesting a gesture of appreciation for service, but rather these prompts are part of a broader trend where businesses seek to externalize labor costs onto the customer. In a time where inflation is rapidly driving up prices for

everyone, the burden of fair compensation for workers is increasingly being placed with the customer.

In the face of these widespread tipping expectations, Dallasites must be aware of the broader implications of this practice. As members of the community, we have both the power and responsibility to advocate for fair compensation and challenge the status quo, so that workers in Dallas can enjoy stable incomes.

Conversations and change regarding income stability is the only way to foster the drive for a more sustainable and just economic model.

ReMarker

Friday, December 8, 2023

Page 24

Fall teams display valiant effort in SPC finishes Cross country finishes in fifth place at SPC

PHOTO / COURTESY HARMAN POPE STANDING ON BUSINESS The cross country team poses together after a successful meet in Arkansas.

C

By Lawrence Gardner

oming off a streak of strong performances, the cross country team entered into SPC as the favorites, but unfortunately fell short, earning a fifth place finish.

Head Coach Ryan Hershner saw firsthand the

huge contributions the seniors made to the team.

Their commitment and focus proved to be invaluable, leaving a significant impact on the teams overall performance.

“They were one of the biggest reasons why our team culture had such a big shift this year, and why we had much early and often success,” Hershner said. “They held the other kids accountable and for attendance on the season, where the seniors lead the way.”

The mindset of the senior runners influenced the entire team, empowering younger players to step up and make meaningful contributions as well.

“There were two freshmen, Harmon Pope and Jackson Bailey, that took it upon themselves to just be as present as possible,” Hershner said. “They ended up rounding out our top seven.”

The team's strength and focus on their goal became undeniable as they attained considerable success throughout the season, ultimately pushing themselves to the top of North Zone.

“We didn't lose to an SPC opponent until SPC,” Hershner said. “We won the SPC preview meet and showed the ability to compete for the championship, but we just fell short.”

With the results piling up, Hershner noticed the

pressure that began to build on the team throughout the season. Their desire to meet the standards set by previous teams and sustain their winning streak ultimately impacted their SPC performance.

“They put a little too much pressure on them because of how well we've done in the past,” Hershner said.

While the team was weighed down by pressure, senior captain Raja Mehendale saw no justification for the team's performance and is fully aware the team possessed the ability to give more the day of the race.

“We simply didn't fully commit to the race,” Mehendale said. "When the train leaves the station and you don't have a ticket, you're never getting back on it. We paid the price for it.”

Overall, the team had an incredibly successful season with 14 of 20 athletes earning PR’s. Reflecting on the season, Hershner believes that placing a greater emphasis on mindset for SPC would have greatly benefited the team.

“You can train legs all you want, but training the mind is an entirely different beast,” Hershner said.

"The winds will come and go, but just allowing yourself to stay poised and let your true ability show is way harder than it looks.”

Volleyball earns second place finish in SPC

T

By Michael Jimenez

he Lions volleyball team, led by head coach Darren Teicher and senior captains Graham Estess and Kevin Lu, capped off an excellent season going undefeated in counter play as well as a second place finish in the SPC tournament.

Throughout the entirety of the season, the Lions put on a show for everyone in attendance.

With a perfect 16-0 regular season record and nine 3-0 sweeps, the Lions skill was unmatched.

“We had a really good shot at winning this year with our undefeated counter season,” Estess said.

With a great start to the season beating teams like Trinity Valley and Greenhill, the team had high hopes for the rest of the season.

“After starting the season undefeated, a lot of the guys knew that this season was going to be a good one,” Estess said.

Throughout the rest of their season the Lions maintained their perfect record with good wins

against other top programs in the SPC. “Still, being undefeated really cemented our beliefs that we could win it all this year,” Estess said.

The end of the season before the SPC tournament the Lions saw their last game of the season come against a familiar opponent in Trinity Valley. Although plagued with injury, the Lions came out on top 3-2, keeping their perfect record.

“Winning against Trinity Valley in our last home game when we were missing most of our starting lineup was really cool,” Estess said.

The Lions started off the SPC tournament hot with two 3-0 sweeps against Awty and Fort Worth Country Day, placing them in the championship against Episcopal. The Lions ultimately lost the match 2-3 earning them second place in the SPC tournament.

“The championship came down to 2 points," Estess said. “Had it gone our way, we would've won it all.”

PHOTO / WINSTON LIN THE LIONS ROAR Juniors John Householder and Charlie Gordy and William Morrow celebrate winning a point. The team rode their impressive record all the way to the SPC finals where they ultimately fell to EHS.

Despite losing record, football hold heads high

L

PHOTO / WINSTON LIN YOU GOT MOSSED Lucas Blumenthal rises up for a grab against John Cooper. The Lions would go on to win the game 15-8.

By Michael Jimenez

ed by head coach Harry Flaherty and senior captains Jimmy Francis and Nolan Marcus, the Lions football team finished the season with an overall record of 4-6. Big wins against John Cooper and other opponents highlighted the season for the Lions, giving the team momentum heading into this offseason.

The Lions started the season with a perfect 3-0 record after their first three games against Fort Worth Country Day, Cistercian, and a huge win against SPCpowerhouse John Cooper.

“I was proud of our first two games where we were playing in 110-degree weather. I thought we out conditioned and out hustled our opponents for two early wins,” Flaherty said.

After disappointing losses to Legacy Christian and Casady, the Lions headed into the middle of their season without star players like senior Lucas Blumenthal.

“Legacy and Casady have lost a combined two games on the season, so there's really not a lot of give in our schedule,” Flaherty said.

After three more losses to St. John's, Kinkaid and Episcopal, the Lions headed into their homecoming game at home against a familiar rival, Greenhill.

The game started slow for the Lions but a few explosive plays and good execution earned them a 51-9 win over the Hornets.

“Responding while being down to Greenhill, coming up with a key defensive stop, a blocked field goal and going on to score 44 unanswered

points was a really good moment for us,” Flaherty said.

In the final game of the season the Lions once again met cross-town rivals ESD. While the Lions lost the game, the coaching staff saw improvement from previous games against the eagles.

“In the ESD game, it was a disappointing outcome, but we were a lot more competitive in that game then we have been,” Flaherty said.

The Lions head into the next season having lost key senior leaders in Francis, Marcus, Blumenthal and Baker Long.

However, the future looks bright with 15 starters returning to the team next year. The two captains will be juniors Noah Williams and Henry Estes.

“We have a lot of potential, but we have to actually work and execute,” Flaherty said.

S p o rts

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Friday, December 8, 2023

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P ag e 25

Highlight culture takes over recruiting The importance of player highlight tapes in the recruiting process cannot be understated, and, in the age of social media, it's becoming the quickest way to impress coaches.

By Neil Yepuri and Nolan Marcus

Y

ou’ve seen the high-flying dunks, the 3-pointers from unbelievable range and the no-look passes that light up social media feeds.

The viral compilations of a highly-touted prospect from an unknown high school.

The huge hits, perfect spirals and spectacular catches that shouldn’t be possible.

But, highlights aren’t all there is to a recruit’s game. It’s becoming increasingly necessary for players looking to be recruited to show more than a couple of strong plays.

“A coach wants to see you in your high school setting in a whole game or a whole quarter, not necessarily in a highlight tape,” Jim Hicks, founder of RCS Sports, said. “Nobody ever misses a shot in highlight tapes - it’s almost like being catfished. But now, most coaches know better than to fall for a highlight tape.”

Hicks’ company is based in the Houston area and centers around scouting and showcasing local high school talent, so it is popular amongst coaches at the college level.

However, Hicks believes that highlights nowadays primarily serve the purpose of generating hype around a player’s name.

“Highlight tapes are mostly novelties, but they can get the attention of a recruiter if it gets into the right hands,” Hicks said. “But for the most part, it just gets you props, clicks and likes on social media.”

That hype is especially important for athletes at smaller schools, who have a lower chance of getting noticed purely off of a numbers game.

“Smaller school players can’t afford to not have a video service or highlights these days,” Hicks said. “That’s the disadvantage. Those kids are most likely to be recruited to or play at a school with a smaller budget who can’t afford to go out and see just anyone, so they have to do most of their recruiting by car or by vehicle. Highlights expedite the process tremendously for those smaller school kids.”

While Hicks’ service is more tailored to the coaching side of recruiting, he also acknowledges the effort that goes into making a mixtape and its potential benefits for a player’s recruiting process.

“Most highlight reels are put out by a third party,” Hicks said. “They go viral and get a check. But their main job for the player is to get the general public aroused and the news impressed.”

That process is no different at the school. Junior running back and safety Noah Williams combs through the tape of each game to find the plays where he stands out.

“Every Sunday, I’ll go through my game and find clips where I was really explosive or hit a guy really hard,” Williams said. “I’ll highlight those so I can add them to my film that I send out to coaches.”

Williams is not only trying to convey his skill or talent through these plays, but also his mentality as he presents himself to college coaches.

“The biggest thing that I try to showcase is that I try to be as physical as I possibly can and always go 100 percent every play,” Williams said. “Don’t take a play off - I try to make that my playstyle.”

In addition to standing out on film, Head Varsity Basketball Coach Greg Guiler stresses the importance of athletes having the opportunity to show their talents on the court while also refraining from distracting the team.

“You don’t want kids to ever be self-centered,” Guiler said. “But the NIL market has forced being self-centered a reality. So if you can market yourself without distracting from your team, then you’re doing yourself and your team a huge favor.”

Instead of a highlight tape, Hicks now suggests that players send full games or quarters to coaches, so the coaches begin to get an actual feel for how the player operates during a game.

“Showing off a whole game, a whole quarter of a high school game or even a grassroots game, if you’re playing against college prospects, that’s what college coaches are looking for,” Hicks said.

Another important part of this process is the player’s personality. Guiler finds that one of the best parts about the basketball recruiting process here is that he's able to always tell scouts the truth.

“Thankfully, dealing with Marksmen, I don’t have to skip around certain questions,” Guiler said. “I can be direct and say this athlete being recruited is a guy who coaches don’t have to worry about off the court issues with and a guy teams want on their roster.”

Hicks believes this method is more effective in gaining genuine interest and is the first step down the road of gaining a college offer.

“Once the college recruiters see (those highlight tapes against competitive opponents), then they’ll say, ‘Well, I got to see this kid’,” Hicks said. “Then, an assistant coach will come and see him in person.”

SPC JAM Junior Luke Laczkowski leaps towards the basket for a slam dunk.

That first visit is crucial to a recruit’s future because of the amount of detail that goes into an assistant’s scouting report.

“The coaches evaluate everything.

They evaluate how much the moms and dads are hollering in the stands, the body language of the kid when he’s off the court and his energy level,” Hicks said. “And if all those boxes check out, then they’re going to go back and they’re going to encourage their boss, the head coach, to come and see him play next.”

Finally, when the head coach is in town, a player has a massive opportunity staring him in the face.

“And if the boss comes and sees him play, then guess what?” Hicks said. “The kid’s life will change if he performs.”

It’s also important to look at this subject from the side of a player. Hicks commends the savvy of players who make their own highlight tapes, but notes that external factors, like social media following, are also important in those cases.

“Those that are making their own, they’re saving the money from having somebody else do it, so economically, they’re smart,” Hicks said. “But it depends on their following on that par-

Freshman Battie shows early excellence The basketball season has started off strong for the Lions, who jumped out to a 4-2 record through their first six games.

Much of that success is due to Dawson Battie, who joined the class of 2027 this year and is averaging 20.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game through his first five games.

As Battie has eased into the physicality

and speed of SPC basketball, he has displayed intensity on both ends of the floor. His involvement in the paint areas is especially impressive, and he's always prepared to put his body on the line for a rebound or a trip to the freethrow line.

And, he's already earned the starting center job for the team. Here are some of his top performances so far:

PHOTO / WINSTON LIN

ticular platform. If you’re making your own mixtapes and you only have 10 followers, then it’s not going to gain much traction unless you’re doing something extremely impressive on that video that could make people share it with others.”

For Williams, that process involves sending coaches who have reached out those highlights, so a coach can easily stay updated on a player and their progress throughout the season.

“I’ll make highlights and compile my stats for those games, and I’ll post that on my Twitter,” Williams said. “Then, I’ll send it to any coaches that I’m really interested in and say ‘Here are my first two games of the season, it’s going well.

I hope to talk to you soon.’ Just a little update to be friendly and keep my name in their head.”

Despite all the pressure to perform and show off his skills, Williams’ mindset during the game remains largely unchanged.

“I don’t think about [my highlights] during the game," Williams said. "I try to keep my head in the game while I’m playing because when you think too much, it’s pretty easy to get distracted.”

30 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists Opponent: WT White

22 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist Opponent: St. John's

22 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists Opponent: Roosevelt

PHOTO / ZACH BASHOUR IN THE PAINT Battie fights for a tough bucket.

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Former QB returns to school to coach young Marksmen

By Weston Chance

PHOTO / WILL CLIFFORD RUNNING ON WATER Roby has enough running shoes in his collection to completely surround his body, like a halo of shoes.

Noah Roby’s running world

Asher Wilburn’s number was called to suit up as the Lion’s starting varsity quarterback during his junior year.

He resumed this critical role during his senior football season. Along the way, he learned many invaluable lessons that guided him on and off the field.

After graduating in 2023, Wilburn headed to Southern Methodist University. With his Lion pride still burning bright, he returned to campus this fall as a 7th grade football coach in order to share those lessons and pass down long standing traditions.

“I knew I was going to miss being involved with football on a daily basis,” Wilburn said. “So I thought to myself what better place to explore my passion than back home at St Marks.”

Prior to this year, Wilburn had already tried his hand at coaching, and wanted to share the positive experience with the seventh graders.

“I’ve been coaching Lower School kids for the past few years through

Noah Roby’s knowledge of running shoes is unmatched. With his passion for cross country, Roby uses that knowledge to maximize his performance.

By Will Clifford and Christian Warner

W

hile junior Noah Roby was warming up for a cross country meet, he noticed something peculiar.

One of his competitors was wearing the Hoka Bondi 8’s. To the untrained eye, they look like any other shoe. But Roby knows they’re special. He called his teammate over and pointed out the other racer’s shoes like a little kid showing his parents a strange insect.

“Why is he wearing shoes for elderly women with back problems?”

Roby wondered.

His teammate stood in shock, not because one of his competitors was wearing shoes for old ladies, but because Roby was able to recognize them so easily.

“Yeah, look at the heel. All of the cushioning is in the back to support joint movement,” Roby continued.

Without saying a word, his teammate just stood there, his hands on his head, questioning how Roby knew something that seemed so miniscule and random.

While some boys spend extensive amounts of time memorizing old NBA roleplayers, random baseball statistics or the best fantasy football players, Roby spends his free time learning about running shoes. His fascination stems from being a runner himself, but he was not always interested in footwear.

In fifth grade, he started his running career at the Turkey Trot race over Thanksgiving, earning a 2nd place finish for his age group. He got hooked on the rush he got from racing others, overtaking them and crossing the finish line. His passion for the sport continued to grow, leading to Roby’s signing up for a club team.

“It was the summer before seventh grade,” Noah Roby said. “I was invited

to this track club which is now called Caliber Athlete. By eighth grade, I was all in. I was training probably five, six or seven days a week. I decided to quit tennis and go all in on running.”

His increased training regimen led to a series of small nagging injuries.

After consulting his coach about his injuries, Roby was asked about his shoes. As soon as he changed his footwear, his pain disappeared. Once he realized the importance of proper running shoes, he went down a rabbit hole.

“I watched a lot of YouTube, and running dominated a lot of the content I was watching,” Roby said.

“With that came shoes, because at that time, the marathon world record was broken using these new carbon-plated shoes that were everywhere in the media.”

The science behind the famous world-record-breaking shoes caught Roby’s attention. The padding, shoe structure and materials all factored into creating revolutionary footwear.

Over the summer, Roby worked at the running-shoe store, Feet Fleet.

Roby learned all about the different types of shoes and what they were made for.

“What you want depends on what you’re using it for,” Roby said. “If you’re using the shoes for a slow, easy mile or longer run, then you want normal foam to make you more comfortable and enjoy running in it.

If you are looking for faster runs, or speed sessions, then you’d want the most responsible shoe possible: the shoe that gives the most bounce back when you put it into the ground.”

In the past, shoe manufacturers designed competitive footwear to be as light as possible. However, through extensive research by shoe engineers and experts at places like Nike, opposite conclusions were found. As a

result, shoe technology has surged in recent years.

“What people have discovered is the more foam you put in, especially responsive foam, the more energy return and bounce you are going to get out [after striking the ground],” Roby said. “Since they’ve discovered carbon-plated shoes and carbon energy rods, there have been massive improvements. The first one to do that was the Nike Alpha Fly which was a huge revolutionary technology.”

The results of the advancements have been apparent on world records and personal record times around the world. For the past few years, it seems like every race has someone breaking a record in a new shoe.

This phenomenon has upset some members of the running community.

The steep price and the inherent unfairness to runners without the new technology has led to regulations and changes from global and national organizations.

“It’s been pretty controversial, but (the governing organizations) have to allow these shoes to improve because, otherwise, running shoe companies like Nike or Adidas are not going to make money if they all have to use the same shoes,” Roby said. “As soon as Nike released the Alphafly, all these other running shoe companies started releasing their own carbon plated shoes.”

With continuing advancements in shoe technology coming year after year, and price increases following the same trend, it seems like records are getting broken by technology rather than humanity.

“I think this shoe technology is great, but shoes are becoming so much more expensive, and people are realizing the benefit that it gives you if you want to beat the world record,” Roby said.

Asher Wilburn ‘22 7th Grade Coach the YMCA and a summer sports camp that I run during the summer,” Wilburn said. “It’s been a lot of fun and I’ve appreciated the opportunity to impact the lives of young men the same way so many coaches have in my life.”

As a varsity athlete, Wilburn learned how to overcome adversity and how to handle defeat, both of which profoundly influenced his path to manhood.

“Learning to overcome adversity, it’s more than just the physical strain of football that is hard to overcome, even though coach Dilworth’s summer workout curveballs redefined my idea of tiredness, it is the mental strength I developed throughout my career,” Wilburn said. “In addition, I learned how to handle defeat and not be afraid of failure.”

Over the course of his career, Wilburn gained wisdom from several different coaches. This year, he added the many lessons that he found most beneficial to his play book as a coach.

In the end, he worked to find the right strategy to motivate each of his players.

“It depends on the kid but I would say generally positive reinforcement and encouragement work best,” Wilburn said.

Although his team did not finish the year with a winning record, Wilburn succeeded in connecting with each of his young players and making them better in the process. Accordingly, when asked about a motto for his team, Wilburn replied, “you will be remembered.”

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PHOTO / WINSTON LIN BRICKWORK Basketball’s first game had a theme: getting back to work. To follow this theme, students wore construction vests and hardhats to kick off the young season.

These themes often feature specific colors or settings to drive student interest and attendance at sporting events.

More than just a game Communities live for rivalry games. There are weeks worth of hype going into the game, the players play harder, the crowd cheers louder and the stadium is bustling with people. But, with the animosity between the sides, there’s a fine line between acceptable trash talk and going too far.

By Nolan Marcus and Lawrence Gardner

S

omething’s different about this one.

You wake up at the same time. You eat the same breakfast. You get to school at the same time.

But something’s different.

You have the same pregame meal. You listen to the same music on the bus. You warm up the same way you always do.

But something’s different.

This time it’s not just another nameless, faceless opponent. This time you know the other players on the team. This time there’s history on the line.

For one team the memories of last year’s defeat burn bright in their minds as they try to take back victory.

For the other, the pressure to repeat weighs on them as they prepare to go win it again.

Everyone in the community is talking about it. It means a little bit more. It’s a rivalry game.

Rivalries push the competition to its climax, creating a thrilling environment to both play in and cheer for.

Associate headmaster John Ashton, a former football player, wrestler and coach, believes that rivalries are integral to the community.

“A rivalry we have with a school is a community-galvanizing thing,” Ashton said.

In addition, rivalries bring out the best in athletes as the high emotions of a critical game against a school with a lot of valuable history is one of the most exciting things in sports.

However, to Ashton, there is a point in which rivalries can be taken too far. This leads to overall disrespect for the players and ultimately the game.

“It’s important that we keep what is the goodness and the spirit of what competition and athletics is,” Ashton said. “If there is an over-exaggeration, then it goes to a bad place. When any team and or its community begins to drift to an extreme position, then (people) start to undermine what is good and virtuous about athletics.”

At school here, students are encouraged to control themselves, to maintain the integrity of the rivalry.

“At St. Mark’s we control what we can control,” Ashton said. “We are responsible for what we do and we have an expectation for how we operate. You all (the

student body) do things the right way when I see you at games.”

This way of behaving is highlighted by the mantra “Cheer for St. Mark’s not against the opponent.” When students make signs, they are for Lions and not directed at a player on another team.

“I’m not a fan of the shirts and posters,” Ashton said.

“I’m a fan of complete enthusiasm for your classmates who are out there competing because then, as fans, we get to share in that together.”

Behavior, particularly during crucial games, plays a significant role in the managing of rivalries. Statistically, rivalry games draw more attendees from various parts of the school, emphasizing the need to behave properly despite the heightened excitement for the game.

“Homecoming games are usually that way,” Associate Director of Athletics Josh Friesen said. “That game is alway highly attended. If you have families on Lion night and a tough opponent, it’s just going to be a larger group of kids, which causes more chaos.”

While administration strives to minimize behavioral issues during rivalry weeks, ensuring every student complies appropriately remains challenging. This is why there is often a collective effort among the boys themselves to hold each other accountable.

Friesen recognizes the significance of this, understanding that if any behavior goes unnoticed, it has the potential to initiate a series of negative actions that may harm the schools reputation.

“The boys set a good example for each other,” Friesen said. “When things go unchecked, and people are allowed to get away with it, all of a sudden, it begins to snowball. Then, all of the sudden, the masses are representing the school in the wrong way.”

Rivalries tend to weave themselves into multiple areas of life in and outside of school. Whether it’s texting with the other team, the big pep rallies or the special shirts and signs, a rivalry brings out an entirely different feeling. However, Friesen believes the true essence of rivalries start and end on the field.

“Where two teams challenge one another, and make each other better,” Friesen said. “Both teams get up to play each other because they know it’s going to be a tough game. That’s a true rivalry.”

Though rivalries are apparent in high school, many

times they begin from an early age. For senior Mitchell Galardi, growing up in close proximity with other schools and competing against them naturally ignited a rivalry, just on a smaller stage.

“Since seventh grade or even before that when playing flag football against these teams, you have competed against these guys almost your entire athletic career,” Galardi said. “Often times, the rivalry is just built into the fact that you go to a different school that’s close and involved.”

Throughout a season, teams invest considerable effort into every game. However, when it comes to rivalries, some athletes adopt a different mindset.

To Friesen, the approach to rivalry games should mirror the consistent approach to all other games throughout the season.

“When we start to put other schools above, we legitimize them,” Friesen said. “If we can go into every competition with the same goal, let’s work hard, let’s play our game, and stick with the game plan. We’re going to be in great shape as a program.”

PHOTO / ZACHARY BASHOUR UNITY Students from both Hockaday and St. Mark’s wear Hawaiian clothing per Superfanmen to the Lions Football Team’s home opener against Cistercian Friday Sept. 1. The Lions handily beat the rival Hawks 36-3.

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ReMarker St. Mark’s School of Texas

10600 Preston Road, Dallas, TX 75230

PHOTO / COURTESY DAVE CARDEN SAY CHEESE! Second grader Declan Tolia poses for a picture with his family guest during Lower School chapel.

RECYCLE ME

Families share campus on Grandparents’ Day On Nov. 17, the last day before the Thanksgiving Break, Marksmen were joined in class by there grandparents. A shortened schedule allowed relatives to experience all that boys experience on a daily basis.

Visit smremarker.com for a column by Noah Cathey on his Grandparent’s Day experience.

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PHOTOS / COURTESY DAVE CARDEN HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS 1 - Sixth graders and their guests participate in a lab involving microscopes in life science. 2 - Grandparents join their Lower School students in praying for the spirit of thankfulness. 3 - Eighth grader Bruce Rosenfeld takes a picture with his grandparents in front of the Path to Manhood statues. 4 - Fifth graders Ben McGongile and Grayson Ziegler work in a lab involving motion.