Summertime Swagness
Aisling O'Connell '21, Zoe Park '21, Samuel Quigley '21, Humor Editors
May 31, 2020
John Donovan’s Lasting Imprint
Michael Lu ’24
May 31, 2020
John Donovan ’20 is a gifted and passionate artist with talents ranging from stagecraft to painting to drawing. Adding to his many artistic accomplishments, John has recently won this year’s Groton Library bookplate competition with his block print chapel design. Mr. Melchior decided to start this c...
“Prize Day” 2020
Isabel Cai '21, News Editor
May 31, 2020
In light of the pandemic, Prize Day has been postponed to a future time on the circle when it is safe for the Form of 2020 and their families to return to campus. However, an Awarding of Prizes and Diplomas will happen virtually at the end of the school year. The ceremony will consist of the same proced...
The Uncertainty of Sports Leagues Returning
Tyler Weisberg '22, Sports Editor
May 31, 2020
Groton students are consumers of sports entertainment like millions of other people around the world. Due to the coronavirus, many sports leagues globally have either “shutdown,” “paused,” or “delayed” their seasons. This includes the National Basketball Association, Women’s National Basketball A...
Why Numbers Matter
Leah Pothel '21, Opinions Editor
May 31, 2020
When the coronavirus ramped up, schools across the country had no choice but to shut down. They did, however, face an important and contentious decision about how students would be assessed for spring term. Schools could either choose to switch to a pass/fail system or continue to assign a specific numbe...
A Letter from Your Former Editor
May 31, 2020
To our community: Re the Fiftieth Volume of The Circle Voice, 2019-20: I write, first and foremost, to congratulate the new Board on their first issue together. I am happy to see familiar and new faces take the reins and I look forward to reading more of The Circle Voice. I'm so excited for you. ...
Senior Prefects Pass the Torch
Christina Oelhafen ’21 and Sophia Wu ’21, Features Editors
May 31, 2020
Grace Mastroianni ’20 and Lwazi Bululu ’20 led the school through one of the toughest times in recent years. The virus threw unimaginable challenges at them – as Grace said, “planning a virtual ‘prize day’ when we knew that no matter what our form was going to be unhappy”. Yet, they l...
Synchronous Classes: When Less is More
Zoe Colloredo-Mansfeld ’21, Editor in Chief
May 31, 2020
When Mr. Anderson dedicated his chapel talk to the interesting history of time zones across the world, nobody seated in the chapel that morning could have predicted that those very time zones would come to dictate our spring term schooling. As students left Groton and scattered across the globe, Gro...
The Show Must Go Online
Allison Jiang ’22, Arts Editor
May 31, 2020
In the midst of theatre shutdowns and a myriad of empty stages, artists all over the world have been locked out of their performance spaces during quarantine. Though confined, they have persevered by transforming their homes into performing spaces, working to create for an audience wit...
The Case for a Fall Return
The Editorial Board
May 31, 2020
With Prize Day looming and summer stretching beyond it, attention is shifting towards the single most important question of the next year: should students return to campus in the fall? If we look to the most recent scientific studies and examine the global consensus, the results are compelling: come Se...
Online APs: The Wrong Enemy
Evan Cheigh '22 and Jiacheng Kang '22
May 31, 2020
Due to COVID-19, the nature of the Advanced Placement (AP) exams had to change — the alternative being the entire cancellation of the program. In a survey conducted by the College Board (CB) in early spring, 91% of students expressed a desire to take the tests. As a result, the CB created a new, f...
We Can’t Let the Culprit Become the Hero
April 28, 2020
As of April 28, COVID-19 has infected more than 2.9 million people across the world and claimed over 205,000 lives. This deadly pandemic — which has ravaged the global economy, locked billions of people in their homes, and necessitated a war-like response from the government and the private sector —...
The Pilot is Stupid and the Autopilot Sucks
April 28, 2020
While Trump congratulated himself on his “very serious” travel ban on China in early February, COVID-19 was already spreading across the nation, unhindered by travel restrictions and aided by government officials downplaying the imminent danger. The coronavirus has exposed not only the administra...
From Virtual Revisits to Webinars
Evan Cheigh '22, Assistant News Editor
April 28, 2020
Faced with the cancellations of city receptions and Revisit Day, the Admission Office discovered new ways to reach Groton’s newly admitted applicants around the world. The virtual Revisit hosts, Groton Admission Instagram, webinars, and Choose Groton website all received excellent reviews; the office w...
Artist of the Issue: Jed Rainey
Allison Jiang '22, Assistant Arts Editor
April 28, 2020
It's Saturday night, and the dance floor under the Dining Hall is lively and crowded, the space covered in graffiti and strobe lights. Tracks blast from the DJ booth. There, you will find DJ Rainfall, more commonly known as Jed Rainey ’20. Jed is a familiar face behind the turntables of Groton dances...
The Forgotten Evil of American Politics
Anuj Agarwal '21, Assistant Opinions Editor
April 28, 2020
When someone says “politician,” many people immediately think of the word “corrupt.” This stereotype is more prevalent in America than in almost every other developed country. According to a survey conducted by Transparency International in 2017, almost 7 out of every 10 Americans believe the ...
Athlete of the Issue: Mary Collins
Michelle Kim '23, Staff Writer
April 28, 2020
Captain Mary Collins '20 is most recognizable by her gait as she saunters across the slick, shiny court. She stops at the free-throw line, eyeing the basket. All eyes watch her as she takes her final breath. With precise force, she launches the ball, which cleanly whooshes into the net. Cheers echo throu...
Traditions Have Expiration Dates Too
Jiacheng Kang '22, Breaking News Reporter
April 28, 2020
St. Mark’s Day. Check-in. Surprise Holiday. The interminable cycle of traditions define our lives on the Circle, yet we tend to forget the traditions that we no longer have. We no longer condone 6-5-4. We are no longer an all-boys school. We no longer shape the character of our students through “m...
Students Against COVID-19
Stanislas Robert '22
April 28, 2020
During this pandemic, Elizabeth Wolfram ’23 is wondering how her time in quarantine can be made more meaningful for her and her community: “I feel much more at ease knowing that I am doing something to try to help with everything that is going on.” While it’s easier to sit back and wait for t...
The Groton Community – Online Edition
April 28, 2020
After Groton transitioned to online classes, many students feared that we will not be able to maintain the community that we all enjoy. However, from my siblings and my own experience at Stanford Online High School (Stanford OHS), I know that we can keep the closeness and togetherness of the Groton ...
The Virtual Pulpit
Joon Whang '23, Staff Writer
April 28, 2020
Just as teachers have done their best to adapt to virtual classrooms, Reverend Gil Birney is striving to preserve a centerpiece of Groton's community: Chapel. This also means that Chapel Talks, milestones of many students' senior years, have also taken a place in the virtual spotlight. Chapel is held ...
Deaths vs. Dollars
Alisa Gulyansky '24
April 28, 2020
The United States has now surpassed all other countries in the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19. Meanwhile, our economy has crumbled. With the virus quickly becoming a double-edged sword, government officials are now forced to redefine our priorities: the success of the economy or the health of...
COVID-19 Changing College Process
Annabel Kocks '20, Assistant News Editor
April 28, 2020
Due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 across the US, many upcoming college tours and standardized tests have been canceled or postponed until August. In the wake of this unprecedented tumult, many high school juniors fear that the coronavirus pandemic may disadvantage them in the upcoming college admissi...
An Unaddressed Fallacy
April 28, 2020
The streets of Los Angeles and New York seem apocalyptic. Yet, all too often, we see young Americans mocking social distancing guidelines over social media. In the past few weeks, American cases have grown exponentially; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the US has more than 957,0...
Celebrities & COVID-19
April 28, 2020
The definition of “celebrity” is ever-evolving, now encompassing tech giants, athletes, social media stars, and political figures. In this new world permeated by COVID-19, celebrities must be prioritized more than ever because they interact with thousands more people than average citizens. For a st...
Sanitizing the School
Derek Hu '21, Assistant Features Editor
April 28, 2020
As students and teachers tackle online classes, Groton’s health experts and Buildings and Grounds (B&G) staff have worked together to thoroughly sanitize the campus. They focused on disinfecting dormitories, including rooms, and classroom surfaces like tables and cabinets. According to Gro...
Update: How COVID-19 Is Affecting the Circle
Evan Cheigh '22, Assistant News Editor
March 8, 2020
Citing an “abundance of caution,” the Global Education Opportunities (GEO) program is rescheduling trips due to the surge of COVID-19. Headmaster Temba Maqubela and Groton School Physician Sophie Allende-Ritcher announced in a joint email that the theater trip to Bali, the choir trip to Italy, and the cultural trip to India are being pos...
Groton School Primary
March 8, 2020
As the Democratic nominee field continues to narrow, many students and teachers engage in political discussions inside and outside of the classroom. The geographical diversity of Groton’s student body is accompanied by a similarly wide range of backgrounds and opinions, which stimulate these dynamic d...
It’s Time to Change Protected Period
Cam Nguyen '22 and Zola Sayers-Fay '22
March 7, 2020
The goal of protected period is to assess students without putting them under the enormous stress of an exam week, especially after a cold and dark term. According to Academic Dean Katherine Leggat, “Protected period has always been an integral part of Groton. It’s been here even before I arrived...
Run, Zebras, Run! Acceleration at Groton
Elizabeth Wolfram '23 and Aimee Zheng '23
March 7, 2020
Imagine being told that you are not allowed to accelerate academically by skipping course levels, just because other people would feel pressured to do so as well. Despite the peer pressure it might generate, having the freedom to accelerate is one of the best aspects of Groton. Due to the amount of extra work acceleration demands, it self...
Finding the “Runner’s High” at the Hyannis Half-Marathon
Sophia Wu '21, Assistant Sports Editor
March 7, 2020
If you happened to wander along the river, you might have wondered what the group of 30-odd, colorfully clad runners were doing sloshing through snow while the sun threatened to set behind them. You might also have wondered what compelled them to venture to the Cape to run 13.1 miles while most Groto...
Groton Swim Smashes Through Expectations at Invitational
Charlie Weisberg '23
March 7, 2020
“There have only been a few times in my coaching career that I have been speechless. I’m proud to say today was one of those days. I’m so honored to be a coach to such amazing athletes. Today, you represented Groton Varsity Swimming at a whole new level,” said Coach Caley Zannoni in an email to...
Artist of The Issue: Chioma Ilozor
March 7, 2020
You’ve listened to her songs on Spotify. Under the name Ai Bendr –– inspired by her middle name, Ai Bendors –– Chioma Ilozor '20 has dropped many catchy singles, such as “Stay With Me,” “blue skies,” and “Boy.” In addition, Chioma sings at many Open Mics and for many postludes. Wh...
A Guide to Spring Classes: Elective Highlights
Jiacheng Kang ’22 and Elizabeth Wolfram ’23
March 7, 2020
There are many exciting electives in the spring term, and we find the ones displayed particularly unique. Some electives (such as advanced readings in a modern language) are advanced, term-courses within their given department. The electives below, however, are a few examples of beloved clas...
Athlete of the Issue: Caroline Wilcox
March 7, 2020
As the ball zipped across the court, she lunged for a powerful hit with her racquet. A deafening silence emptied the room as her clean cross-court died in the back left corner, leaving her opponent with no time to reach the ball. Applause signified yet another victory for Groton. Caroline Wilcox '20...
From Our Perspective: The Winter Recital Series
March 7, 2020
In 2000, the first Groton student recital was held with three performers. Two decades later student recitals are an integral part of our music program here on campus. Musicians at every level get the opportunity to perform as a complementary addition to their music lessons during the year. ...
Mock Trial Advances to “Elite 8”
Tyler Weisberg '22, Page Editor
March 7, 2020
Groton’s Mock Trial team, founded and coached this year by new Physics fellow Andrew Evans, will compete at the Massachusetts state tournament later this month. The team is one of 32 teams to make it to the first round of the tournament after beating Groton-Dunstable Regional High School, Lunenburg...
Poet’s Visit Echoes Across the Circle
March 7, 2020
Sally Bliumis-Dunn’s visit to the Circle impressed and inspired many Groton English students. On February 18, English teacher John Capen invited Ms. Bliumis-Dunn to spend a day at Groton to lead several workshops on her latest anthology, Echolocation. The workshops began with Ms. Bliumis-Dunn's anal...
Trump Probably Committed Treason… But I’m Glad We Acquitted Him
March 7, 2020
As the Democrats decide on a presidential candidate, President Donald Trump is marching through America, rallying his supporters and raising money. He wields an incredible weapon that has already generated massive crowds and 46 million dollars since January: "absolute exoneration" from the "greatest...
The Irony of COVID-19
Christina Chen '23, Vivan Das '23 and Zhining Zhao '23
March 7, 2020
In mid-December last year, ophthalmologist Li Wenliang warned his medical school classmates about the possibility of a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in Wuhan. But on January 3, 2020, the police department of Wuhan ordered Dr. Li to stop spreading “false information.” Fast forward...