The Case for an End to the Résumé Arms Race
September 11, 2017
Filed under Columns, Opinions, Showcase
So, how many of you did something this summer because you thought it would look good on your college applications? Unanimous show of hands? I thought so. In applying for colleges, students are often told by parents and counselors to do what they feel is right. However, this advice is much easier sai...
How to Have a Better Summer: Don’t Volunteer
September 11, 2017
As summer rolls around, an influx of well-meaning teenagers takes off to whatever Third World country is in vogue this year to volunteer. The students usually stay for two or three weeks, and often work in schools or with animals. This combination of traveling and volunteering, dubbed “voluntourism,” is o...
Six Strikes, You’re In! (For the Rest of the Year)
June 2, 2017
It is a universally-recognized truth that seniors will not work as hard in their spring term. The School, however, does not want seniors to lose their drive in their final days on campus. In order to combat this nonchalance, the school adjusts the demerit policy so that senior privileges can be lost b...
All Gender Dorms: Tolerant or Too Far
June 2, 2017
Phillips Academy Andover and Phillips Exeter Academy, two boarding schools similar to Groton, plan to introduce all-gender dorms in the next school year. Each of these dorms will house around twenty students, all in singles. These dorms are meant to make students who are transgender or identify as non-...
An APpalling Waste: How AP exams lost their way
Charlie Vrattos '18, Columnist
May 11, 2017
Filed under Columns, Groton, Opinions
As the spring term approaches its end, fifth formers face a major obstacle between them and summer break: APs. These dreaded “advanced placement” courses are the bane of any fifth former’s existence and come as the conclusion of a long year of studies in one course. While the popularity of these terr...
Hitting the iron ceiling: the weight room and gender
Nina Norton '18, Columnist
May 11, 2017
Filed under Columns, Groton, Opinions
Here at Groton we pride ourselves on two things: our diversity, and our inclusivity. We care about those two things so much that at least twice a year we have a day devoted entirely to them. And yet, you only have to look as far as our athletic center to find exclusion. When you walk into the weight room, ...
Kim Jong Three, Two, Un: A Nuclear Countdown?
Rajit Khanna '19, Reporter
May 11, 2017
Filed under Opinions, Politics
In another of a series of miscues regarding the Trump administration’s North Korea foreign policy, Trump claimed that he was sending an “armada” to the Korean Peninsula. North Korean officials probably had a laugh when news leaked that the “armada,” which included the USS Carl Vinson aircra...
Liberté, égalité, and fraternité win out over malignité
Brooks Anderson '20, Reporter
May 11, 2017
Filed under Opinions, Politics
On May 7, the rising wave of populism was halted in its tracks by a crushing loss for the far-right nationalist candidate, Marine Le Pen. Ms. Le Pen, whose ideology, rhetoric, and style parallel that of Dutch politician Geert Wilders and U.S. President Donald Trump, worried many around the world. Sh...
Venezuela, socialist dream turned nightmare? Not so fast
Leo McMahon '19, Reporter
May 11, 2017
Filed under Opinions, Politics
Despite what is commonly believed in the United States, Venezuela’s economic and political crises are not the fault of socialism, but the result of incompetent state capitalism and the sabotage of the opposition. In fact, Venezuela is not socialist in the least. Socialism is “social ownership and...
The grocery store from The Interview?: Revisit Day
Andrew Porter '20, Reporter
April 19, 2017
Filed under Groton, Opinions, Showcase
With the admissions season having drawn to a close, newly admitted students came to Groton for Revisit Day. As Mr. Gracey said, it’s a way to help students get a “feel for the culture of the school.” But just how legitimate is Revisit Day? Revisit Day is a way to increase the yield of admitted st...
A little less terrible: the fallacy of Obamacare-worship
Leo McMahon '19, Reporter
April 19, 2017
Filed under Opinions, Politics
“Ryancare” (or “Trumpcare,” depending on whom you ask) may have failed to pass the House, thereby saving twenty-eight million Americans from losing their health insurance and between 270,000 and 500,000 people from dying in the next decade, at least according to Vice News. But that doesn’t mea...
How does that make you feel?
Nina Norton '18, Columnist
April 19, 2017
Filed under Columns, Groton, Opinions, Showcase
Given the high rates of depression and anxiety suffered by high-school students--especially at a place as demanding as Groton--it is little surprise that the counseling office is a frequent topic of conversation here. And, more often than not, that discussion turns critical. Many of us have had some...
Undermining Spring Athletic FSAs: a bad call
Charlie Vrattos '18, Columnist
April 19, 2017
Filed under Columns, Groton, Opinions
Spring sports are, without a doubt, one of the highlights of Groton’s favorite term. On a warm day in April or May, students can amble between the baseball diamond, tennis courts, and lacrosse fields or walk down to the boathouse to watch the crew team racing on the Nashua River. In recent years, howeve...
Incognito no longer: Congress sells our search histories
Brooks Anderson '20, Reporter
April 19, 2017
Filed under Opinions, Politics
On March 28th, the House passed a resolution that dismantles certain Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and bars the Commission from issuing similar rules in the future. The regulations that were rolled back essentially forced ISPs, or Internet Service Providers, to obtain specific opt-in consen...
Sugar, spice, and nothing nice: Sean Spicer, the propagandist
February 23, 2017
Filed under Opinions, Politics
Since the advent of the position in 1932 under the Roosevelt administration, the White House press secretary has been the primary spokesperson for the executive branch of the government, according to the JFK Library. The press secretary is responsible for briefing the press corps on issues that conc...
E&R: Turning time (and socks) into big bucks
February 23, 2017
The choice between using E&R or doing your own laundry is solely dependent upon individual preference. I personally do my own laundry and find it easier not only because I get my clothes back faster, but also because I can account for where my things are instead of risking the chance of losing it...
Please excuse our mess: Groton’s constant construction
February 23, 2017
Recently, Groton has been investing time and resources into constructing and renovating facilities across campus. But have we been spending too much money on these projects, and are they necessary? Let’s look at the biggest construction project the school has built recently: the new Schoolhouse. The overal...
Concussions and the NFL: A $13 Billion Headache
February 23, 2017
With another exciting Super Bowl in the books and a growing fan base for the event overseas, it would seem that the National Football League has nowhere to go but up. In fact, according to the latest estimates by Forbes Magazine, the organization is set to make upwards of thirteen billion dollars thi...
Helpful or just awkward: Date Night Taxi
January 26, 2017
Why does Groton foster unhealthy relationships? Various theories include the hookup culture, the teacher practice of roaming, and the fact that there is so little free time here to spend quality time with your significant other. But the resounding reason I’ve heard at various discussion groups is th...
Enforcement or judgement: The homework limit
Cara Chang '19 and Nega Agarwal
January 26, 2017
The Handbook offers this equation for homework: Form x 10 = minutes of preparation time per class. This, however, is far from reality. Students and faculty are aware of this limit, but it is not executed. The big question: should the homework rule be enforced? Affirmative Argument: The Groto...
Burqa(n) or Burqa(nt)? Groton’s Muslims share their views
January 26, 2017
Filed under Opinions, Politics
On January 10, the production and sale of burqas—clothing worn in public by some Islamic women—was banned in all of Morocco for security reasons. A burqa is a full-body garment that covers the neck and head of the wearer; a mesh screen conceals the face while allowing her to see out. The Moroccan go...
“Yuge” Thumbs of fury: Trump and Twitter
January 26, 2017
Filed under Opinions, Politics
One of the most remarkable things about this recent election cycle was the condemnation of so-called mainstream media from both sides of the spectrum. Both Senator Bernie Sanders and President Donald Trump were outspoken against what they deemed unfair media coverage, although Mr. Trump certainly go...
Peeping Putin: Russian election hacking hysteria
January 26, 2017
Filed under Opinions, Politics
Of all the claims that the 2016 election was somehow skewed, the most unsettling—and delegitimizing to President Donald Trump’s election—is that of Russian interference in the election. Inevitably, Democrats and Republicans have squared off, debating whether this hacking means Trum...
Gilded Age President? Trump’s not-so-populist plans
January 26, 2017
Filed under Opinions, Politics
With the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump and the convening of a Republican-dominated House and Senate, it is clear that America is in for some radical policy changes. AFter eagerly awaiting this moment for eight years of the Obama administration, Republican congressmen will not delay instituting thes...
Thanks, Obama
December 14, 2016
Filed under Opinions, Politics
For the last eight years, Barack Obama has led the executive branch of the United States with more than his fair share of controversy. However, with the spotlight on President-Elect Trump and the impassioned opposition his victory has caused, President Obama’s imminent departure from the White House ...
Concessions and Victories: The world on November 9th
December 14, 2016
Filed under Opinions, Politics
The results of the presidential election on November 8th came as a shock. Most sources predicted a Secretary Clinton win by a significant margin or had her winning the Electoral College while losing the popular vote. The election was almost certain to go to Mr. Trump by early on the 9th. Despite thi...
Nancy Pelosi, America’s most embattled Democrat
Charlie Vrattos '18, Columnist
December 14, 2016
While much of recent political news has been speculation about the effects that a Donald Trump presidency will have on the Republican Party, perhaps just as important is the current battle being waged among Congressional Democrats. Although House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi recently defeated her co...
Playing with karmic fire: Abuse of seniority at Groton
December 14, 2016
We see it most obviously in chapel, in the Dining Hall, in the Forum. It’s laced into our schedules, giving preference to older students in course selections. It finds its way into our social lives, too; I have witnessed few close friendships formed in spite of large age gaps. At Groton, seniori...
Want to survive Groton’s winters? Chill out.
Nina Norton '18, Columnist
December 14, 2016
You come back home for Thanksgiving break filled with relief: exams are over. The next time you’ll have to do work is the beginning of winter term. Slowly, the feeling of relief drains from your body and is replaced by a sinking sense of dread as you realize that Winter Term is coming. Why i...
After 229 years, it’s time to graduate from the Electoral College
December 14, 2016
Filed under Opinions, Politics
The Electoral College is made up of 538 electors who cast votes to decide the President and Vice-President. This system was established in 1877, at a time when the federal government did not trust its citizens to vote directly for their senators or president. And although we now vote directly for our se...
My only regret is that I have but one can of spray paint
October 21, 2016
Filed under Opinions, Politics
Here’s a fun fact: a current United States presidential candidate has a warrant out for her arrest. To the disappointment of about fifty percent of Americans, I’m talking about Jill Stein, the Green Party’s current candidate for President of the United States. On September 7 of this year, a judge...
Explosion in number of clubs: a good thing?
October 21, 2016
Filed under Columns, Groton, Opinions
A. Wei Over the past two years there has a been a drastic increase in the number of clubs at Groton. I’m not entirely sure what is to blame for this recent explosion in the number of clubs, but my personal theory is that it is at least in part due to the institution of Fall Jam at the beginning of th...
And years to go before we sleep
October 21, 2016
Filed under Columns, Groton, Opinions
It’s 10:30 at night after a long, busy Monday, and after check-in all you want to do is brush your teeth and crawl into bed. But you have an English essay due tomorrow—and you haven’t even started it. I don’t care how brilliant or organized a student you are. One day—perhaps in the middle...
Not all those who roam are lost
October 21, 2016
It is a Saturday night. The student center is full of dancing teens, dominated by the stench of hormones and sweat-soaked DIY muscle tees. Slowly, as the night progresses, groups break off and exit the dance floor. They find relief in the rush of cold air that meets their faces, but little in the row...
Paper or Plastic?
October 7, 2016
The recent change from disposable paper cups to reusable plastic cups has received some negative feedback since the switchover. Many reusable cups will be lost and will cause an annoying increase in group student emails. Another flaw of the reusable cups was the misleading and contradictor...
Breaking the (terror empathy) barrier
October 7, 2016
Filed under Opinions, Politics
Taking the volume of media coverage as an indicator of terror attacks, it would be fair to assume that the world was destroying itself in an inferno of terror. However, the incidence of terrorism actually decreased worldwide in 2015, increasing only in the West, a region subjected to few terror attacks...
Snack attack
October 7, 2016
Rumor has it that there was a time here at Groton School when potato chips flew off the shelves of the school store. There is evidence that around the time of the dinosaurs, candy was sold in vast quantities down the hall from the old mailroom. Historians are debating whether it’s possible that students...
Something red, something blue, something’s missing?
October 7, 2016
Filed under Opinions, Politics, Showcase
At the first presdidential debate on September 26th, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton had a battle for the ages in front of a record-setting audience. It was quite a performance from both candidates. Trump used his traditional style of aggressive and combative tactics, scoring points with some great...
On hashtags and haters
October 7, 2016
Filed under Opinions, Politics
A record-breaking total of eighty million viewers tuned in to the first presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump on September 26. And that figure from CNN Money doesn’t even include online viewers. The record to beat was the 1980 debate between Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. With...
Trust me, you’re wrong
October 7, 2016
Filed under Columns, Opinions, Politics
At Groton there are three different types of students: Students who are extremely democratic/liberal, students who are highly republican/conservative, and students who still think Bernie is a candidate. I have no problem with being political—in fact, I think it’s very important for us, as adolescents,...