Community

BT VOICES

Question: Do you believe it is a good idea to go trick-or-treating this Halloween?

"Yes, Halloween is traditionally a great time to get out and meet people. Neighbors who often are too busy to socialize, Halloween provides that opportunity. With Covid, there may need to be some precautions and with it taking place outside, that really helps! But trick or treating is a wonderful tradition! Kids today have had so many familiar things taken from them or changed in significant ways. If we can keep some things the same for them, I’m all for it!"

-Mrs. Vetter (English Teacher, Saratoga House Dean, and Learning & Curriculum Coordinator)

"I believe it is ok to trick-or-treat this year as long as it is socially distant and people are wearing a mask or a costume that covers the face. We should try to return to normal life in these weird times but also be as safe as possible about it."

-Ian Jenkins ‘22

“I believe it is a good idea for kids to go trick-or-treating this year as long as they stay in small groups with their parents and follow social distancing guidelines. Trick-or-treating would provide kids with a sense of normalcy and allow them to have fun!”

-Mrs. Hughes (Librarian)

"I believe that it isn't a very good idea to trick or treat this year. With the ongoing pandemic, it will cause the spread to increase. There are many other safer alternatives to still have fun this Halloween"

-Lauren Dolson '23

Photos and text by Claire Cenovic

Verbatim polled BT students on Instagram (@btverbatim) about favorite Halloween traditions

Instagram poll conducted by Kidman Ip, pie charts compiled by Maggie Estabrooks

ADVICE

Senior Wisdom

How do I choose between two activities with conflicting schedules? One is an activity that I love and the other is an activity that will look better on a college resumé—which one should I prioritize?

Entering BT in freshman year, there was definitely a wider variety of activities I could participate in and with that came the decision of what activities to stick with for the next four years. Looking back on it, there were many activities that I didn’t enjoy at the start and did for my resumé, but over time, I recognized the value of having passion towards an activity. "Continue to do the things you love because you need to recognize how valuable it is to enjoy an activity," said senior Janki Patel. No matter how good you are or how impressive that activity may look to colleges, at the end of the day, nothing can ever beat the authentic enjoyment of an activity.

by Crystal Huang

Over the course of high school, I have tried various activities from speech to powerlifting. While I have never had the activity I enjoy more and the one that looks better to colleges conflict, I have had to choose what ones to invest more of my time in. After hours of pondering the best activity, I chose to dedicate my time to the activity I enjoyed the most similar to what my classmates would do. “It’s better to do the activity you enjoy more because sacrificing your own happiness is not worth it,” said senior Thalia Lawson-Betum. In the end, no one activity will make or break your acceptance to a college, so it is better to pursue the activities you enjoy.

by Aishani Srikumar

Dear Susie 2.0

“Dear Susie, it is safe to say that I am not the greatest driver. Now, I’m not the worst in the world, and I’ve never gotten in an accident, but I am terrified of big streets like Dodge, and am not quite sure how to overcome my fear. I’d love your advice!”

Dear Scared Driver,

Thank you so much for your question. Driving can be scary, so it is best to continue driving with a parent until you get more comfortable. The first few times on your own might be a little rough, but it will get better. Keep in mind that Dodge is just like any other street in terms of regulations and traffic laws, except on a larger scale. Try to limit any distractions, like your phone or music, until you feel in control enough and confident enough to take on Dodge independently. The only way you will overcome the fear is to do it, but make sure to take precautions as well to stay safe.

More questions for Susie? Reach out on Instragram (@btverbatim)

ON CAMPUS

Homecoming Week and its Festivities

by Berlyn Thompson

Despite all of the obstacles Covid-19 has created, the school still managed to have a successful Homecoming week. The cheerleaders started out the week’s festivities by decorating the school in the Brownell Talbot colors saying chants such as “Homecoming week 2020” and “Lets go Raiders!” on Sunday afternoon. On Monday, everyone had a chance to show their school pride while also having a friendly competition by having a “Color War” by grade level. Grades 1, 5, and 9 all wore green. Grades 2, 6, and 10 showed off the color purple. The 3rd graders, 7th graders, and juniors all dazzled everyone by showing off their best orange outfits. Grades 4 and 8 both wore the color red. And lastly, but certainly not least, the senior class amazed everyone dressing in black from head to toe. Tuesday was “Tropical Tuesday” and everyone wore their best hawaiin outfits. There were shirts with flamingos, umbrellas, coconuts, and anything tropical you could think of. “Walt Disney Wednesday” was Wednesday’s theme. People wore disney and marvel shirts, or dressed up as characters such as Tinkerbell or Daffy Duck. That night was the chilli supper where the school honored the seniors and the cheerleaders came up with cheers for each of the senior football boys. On Thursday everyone showed off their best outfits from past years and decades, because Thursday was “Throwback Thursday.” Girls crimped their hair and wore scrunchies, pulled out the poodle skirts, and one senior even dug deep into her closet to find her outfit from lower school.

On Friday everyone was encouraged to wear the color gold. The football players got new all-gold uniforms, so to show support administrators decided to theme Friday a “Gold Rush,” and the school was immersed in the color gold. All week, each upper school house had worked on a homecoming banner, as a replacement for the homecoming shopping carts that are usually made. Each house brought something unique and charming to the array of homecoming banners. Each was a variation of the Raiders beating the Wildcats in some way, most with a pun referring to the Wildcats’ name. Friday night was the big homecoming game against the Cedar Bluff Wildcats. After a tough game, the Raiders ended up beating the Wildcats 60-6.

Saturday night was the actual Homecoming dance. This year looked slightly different due to the fact that it was outside, legitimately “Under the Stars,” which was the theme the sophomore class came up with. Most people wore sweaters and sweatshirts over their outfits, and most of the girls wore Birkenstocks and tennis shoes as opposed to the nice flats and heels normally worn to school dances. Everyone was on their feet dancing along to the songs the DJ was playing, in particular the electric and cha-cha slide. The Homecoming dance was truly the perfect way to end the festive week.

SERVICE

The Giving Garden

by Avery Dieckman

As Thomas Jefferson once said, "No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no culture comparable to that of the garden."

Started two years ago, Brownell Talbot’s garden is truly unique. The idea was originally dreamt up by Sandy Mellili, but now the “Garden Team” has many members. One of them is Jay Sauer, the Biology teacher for Brownell. He has a background in gardening, at the Dundee Community Garden. His favourite plant to grow is green beans because they produce a large amount of beans per plant.

Every so often, the garden team groups together, and harvests the produce. Much of it goes to Charity, at the Mulhalls plant to give events, or to a local food bank. The rest is for BT staff.

In its two years, the BT garden has brought people together doing good for others.

Page updated

Report abuse