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Welcome to the second issue of DCI's high school student newspaper!
Logo by Christopher Dunlop, Class of 2026
DCI’s Lunch Provider Has Changed: Why, Who, and What Does This Mean for DCI Students?
DCI’s Lunch Provider Has Changed: Why, Who, and What Does This Mean for DCI Students?
By Melanie Delfosse, Class of 2024
Edited by Alexander Harris, Class of 2023
February 28, 2023
Students have long been used to Revolution Foods: chunky milk, undercooked pasta, broccoli stems, and more. However, the school has recently changed to Whitsons Culinary Group, and while school lunch is still regularly described as gross, the lunch seems to be better and of higher quality. Why did this change take place, who is the Whitsons Culinary group, and how does this impact DCI students?
Whitsons Culinary Group, at DCI and on their website
Revolution Foods, at DCI and on their website
Revolution Foods, during its term at DCI, has long been hated by the student body. As is usual for school lunch, the shiny pictures on their website don’t reflect the usually soggy food in real life. Before they were replaced, how did Revolution Foods start? In 2006, a few business graduates were working together to design healthy and nutritious meals for primary and secondary school students and had to work to stay within the school’s budget, with each meal costing about $3.
So, why have we switched over to Whitsons Culinary Group almost 10 weeks after school started? Well, Whitsons actually purchased Revolution Foods during the school year, and our provider instantly changed. The components of the lunches also seemed to change, with higher quality bread and cheese, and cereals switching brands.
Whitsons Culinary Group themselves, however, started back in 1979 when “Elmer and Gina Whitcomb purchased a pair of restaurants in Garden City, New York.” Over the next forty years, Whitsons has grown as a food management and food service operator, providing school lunches not only to schools, but also to prepared meal services, residential, emergency, healthcare, and general food services, and the company is still headquartered in Long Island.
So how does this impact DCI’s students? Overall, people seem to enjoy the change because of the higher quality ingredients. However, there is one concern to consider: DC public school nutritional requirements. Because we quickly switched over to Whitsons out of necessity, they may not be meeting all of the DC nutrition standards, especially concerning the requirement for whole wheat grains, as their cereals seem to be more sugary brands.
How food tastes is generally subjective, but Whitsons Culinary Group seems to be a change for the better.
Scholarships Come in All Shapes and Sizes—Here Are a Few Examples
By Lehana Daniel, Class of 2024
Edited by Alexander Harris, Class of 2023
February 16th, 2023
Long story short, college is expensive. In college, there are billable and nonbillable fees that you will need to pay. Billable fees are things directly related to the college, such as tuition, room, board, and some miscellaneous fees—like dorm WiFi. These are all direct costs. Indirect costs include things such as personal expenses, transportation, books, and supplies. These costs are not directly related to attending the college and often don’t show up in price calculators. Personal expenses would include housekeeping supplies, hygiene products, laundry, and food (if you choose not to eat on campus). These things may seem small, but they can quickly stack up. While you can’t get scholarships for your personal expenses, you can get them for tuition, as well as room and board. That is why it is important to find and win scholarships. Lessening the cost of attending college eases the financial burden of living on your own. There are thousands of scholarships available to high school students, and they all have different requirements, academic and otherwise.
Some scholarships are much more exclusive than others, only catering to a specific demographic of students. These exclude students based on race, gender, religion, intended majors, etc. For example, students can find scholarships that cater exclusively to students in STEM, such as the Dream Award from Scholarship America. Other scholarships cater to specific racial minorities or religious groups, such as the American Bus Association Diversity Scholarship and Muslim Youth Leadership Awards Scholarship, respectively. These scholarships tend to be a little more niche than merit-based scholarships or competitions, but they are not impossible to find. Websites like GoingMerry and College Board are extremely useful when searching. The former takes information you provide about yourself and matches it against countless scholarships, showing you the ones that you best qualify for. The latter works similarly, though it is less personalised.
Many scholarships are also found in the form of competitions. Essay contests are very common, though they tend to give less money than other scholarships. Contests tend to award winners with a few hundred dollars, though some can award students several thousand. A lot of them are essay-based, but there are also contests that judge other skills. For example, the L Ron Hubbard Illustrators of the Future contest judges art pieces created with sci-fi or fantasy themes. There are other scholarships that require applicants to have different unique skills, such as dancing or acting. Like all scholarships, these are offered by both schools and outside entities. George Mason University and Hofstra University both offer scholarships to performers, and there is a charity named the Princess Grace Foundation which aims to support those talented in dance, film, and theatre.
A lot of scholarships require interviews and/or essays, but there are some that require neither. Some of these are in the form of something like a raffle. College Board’s Big Future scholarship is one of these. Students who use their website and complete certain steps to prepare for life after high school are entered into a drawing. Each month, several people are chosen from the pool, most receiving five hundred dollars with one forty-thousand dollar winner. Other sites like Niche and Bold have similar drawings, available to most people for simply creating an account on their website.
There are thousands and thousands of scholarships and awards to be won. No student has anything to lose by applying for these scholarships. There are only benefits and awards waiting to be reaped. Don’t wait to start applying for scholarships!
Scholarships, awards, and websites mentioned: L Ron Hubbard llustrator Contest, Dream Award Scholarship, ABA Diversity Scholarship, Muslim Youth Leadership Awards, George Mason University Scholarship, Hofstra University Scholarship, Princess Grace Foundation, College Board Big Future Award, No Essay Niche scholarship, "Be Bold" No Essay Scholarhip | Bold, GoingMerry
IBe Prepared
IB High School Capstone Projects: what they are, tips from students who have completed them, and past examples.
By Naama Brown, Class of 2023 and Alyssa Toussaint, Class of 2023
Personal Project
The personal project, completed in 10th grade, is the capstone for the Middle Years Program which lasts from grades 6-10. The Personal Project allows for the most autonomy given the lack of restrictions on the topic. They can range from research, to humanitarian pursuits, to completing a task on your bucket list.
Tips:
Max Rosenwasser (Class of 2025)
Choose a topic that you find interesting, but not something that you already know everything about.
Choose a teacher who you already know to be your supervisor, but make sure they’re also interested in your topic.
Stay up to date on all of the work in your PPD class, especially the journals.
If you have any concerns about your project, don’t wait to ask. The longer you wait, the harder it may be to fix or change.
Bridget Eastman (Class of 2025)
Try to turn in everything on time and don't be intimidated by the workload, it's completely doable even though it may seem crazy at first.
Don't be afraid to ask for help or support when you need it, there are a lot of people at the school who are very willing to help.
Example: Birds of D.C. Watercolors Personal Project (Naama Brown)
Extended Essay
The extended essay is the capstone project of the IB Diploma Programme and generally of your time in high school as an IB student at DCI. The student will write no more than 4000 words of a topic of their choice. Unlike the Personal Project, this topic must be in connection with or a combination of IB class subjects that the student is enrolled in. For example, if you want to write about music but chose art as your elective, you will have to redirect or switch your question. These are the two most important requirements of the Extended Essay.
Tips:
Maya Schindler (Class of 2023)
Use the Extended Essay as an opportunity to explore something you’re already interested in or want to learn more about.
Get support from teachers or classmates who might have different skills or knowledge.
Don’t shy away from academic sources, they are intimidating but manageable and have valuable information.
Break your research and writing down into smaller, more manageable sections.
Nina Mitchell (Class of 2023)
Start early and pick something that you care about because you will be spending months with that topic.
Alyssa Toussaint (Class of 2023)
Make sure that not only is your topic/question interesting to you but that the research it will take to answer it is engaging because it will show in your time management and the quality of the evidence you find to support your argument.
Example: Beauty Standards Extended Essay (Lilliana Becker-Benton)
Reflective Project
The reflective project is the capstone project in the Career Programme. Note that this is the parallel to the extended essay which is only written in the Diploma Programme. A primary feature of the reflective project is that it prompts students to address an ethical issue within their career-related focus. The final product can be in one of two forms: one 3000-word essay or a shorter written product accompanied by a product in another format.
Tips:
Dennis Best (Class of 2023)
Research (citations, sources, etc) is the most important aspect. With the reflective project, you are bringing up an opinion you have on a topic. You need a balance of accurate information from both sides of the topic as well as your own point of view.
Imagine the people you are writing this for have no clue what your topic means: explain it so that a toddler could understand.
Tayler Dindyal (Class of 2023)
Choose a topic that you really care about. It’s hard to go on writing about something that’s irrelevant to you for a long time.
Example: Video Game Policies Reflective Project (Alexander Zheng)
Questions to Ask on College Visits
By Kublai Kolb, Class of 2023
Edited by Alexander Harris, Class of 2023
It is the time of year when college visits are being planned and high school juniors are beginning to build their college lists. Visiting colleges is exceedingly important because it demonstrates interest and commitment to a college. Demonstrated interest can act as a booster for academic performance, extracurriculars, and essays. It is particularly beneficial in writing the common “why our college?” prompt.
When visiting a college, it is useful to plan out your questions. While it may be intuitive to visit nearby colleges in the DC area, it is also paramount that you visit colleges that are your reach schools. Visiting colleges in the DC area may be an opportunity to test out your college questions and learn about college in general. In general, college tours have two essential components: the tour and the information session. In the tour, the campus is shown off, usually by a student working in the admissions office, and in the information session, an admissions counselor will usually brag about the college's highlights and selling points. During both, it is important to assert yourself to make the most out of the visit. If they don't get to your question during the visit, you can always email college admissions offices or look up these questions online. Here's a key list of questions that can be helpful in your search:
Academically-oriented questions:
How difficult is it to get your desired classes?
Is there guaranteed housing for first-year students? If not, do you help first-year students find housing off-campus?
What is one piece of advice you would give to a prospective student?
On average, how many classes are taught by TAs? How often are office hours?
Do I get an academic advisor? If so, when are they assigned and will they be a professor in my major? How often will I meet with them?
On average, how many classes do freshmen take?
What support does the college offer when transitioning into college?
On average, how large are classes?
Are there good study abroad opportunities? If so, where?
Other less academically-oriented questions:
What kind of student would fit in on this campus?
How safe is the campus? What safety measures are in place?
How would you rate the dorms on campus?
How would you describe campus culture?
If they can’t answer these questions, that's a big red flag. It either means they're very uninvolved, which is unlikely, or the college has a terrible culture. (Lack of social gatherings, events, and traditions)
Favorite tradition or event?
Is the food on campus good? Are there good food options nearby?
How easy is it to get transportation around campus or the surrounding area?
How dominant is Greek life on campus?
Questions to ask yourself after the visit:
Can I afford this college?
Remember that almost all colleges nowadays offer (decently generous) financial aid and you’re unlikely to have to pay the published “sticker price” that comes up when you google the college. Nevertheless, cost may be an important factor to consider AFTER you get into colleges. Don't let cost deter you from applying to prestigious institutions.
Is this somewhere I want to be for the next four years?
Great things to consider with this question include location, distance from home, weather, housing, food, academics, prestige, or whatever is important for you to attain in your college education. Remember, college is expensive, so you want to get as much as you can out of it.
Does the college offer my major? Is this a well-taught or popular major at this school?
Looking at the course catalog (all colleges publish their list of classes) can be very helpful with understanding a certain major within a school. Try to find out about class sizes, learn about specific professors, or even read student-made class ratings that are published by some colleges.
What are its job and internship placement rates?
A typical selling point for a lot of colleges is their unique or broad variety of internship opportunities. (Particularly useful in med and law) Make sure to take full advantage of whatever opportunities your college levies.
Did I like the study abroad opportunities?
Study abroad is an opportunity that is worthwhile for all college students to take advantage of. These trips are often heavily subsidized and can help you get extra course credits. Looking into studying abroad can help you plan your future career and college experience.
Does the college have a strong presence of Greek life? Am I interested in Greek life?
This can be something that parents want their children to avoid due to the toxic frat cultures of some colleges. Greek life might also be something that you're interested in getting into. Either way, this is a very important question to ask during visits.
Do I prefer single-gender or co-ed institutions?
Many colleges that were founded as single-gender institutions have opened their doors to students of all genders, but several have remained single-gender. Historically single-gender institutions tend to continue to enroll a high percentage of students of that gender, even after becoming co-ed. According to U.S. News, “Single-gender schools can establish more relaxed environments [and] less gender stereotyping, and courses can be tailored to student needs and interests.” Likewise, such institutions can foster an environment with less “behavioral issues” (Borst).
How diverse is this college?
DCI is very diverse in many ways (although perhaps not politically); going to a predominantly white college or a college that lacks other types of diversity like socioeconomic status, religious beliefs, political affiliations, and social and ethnic backgrounds can be shocking at first. Diversity can have different levels of importance for different students, but it is always helpful to check. Additionally, many colleges have identity-based student organizations and groups that allow students with common aspects of their identities to connect and receive any necessary support. These can also be helpful to look into, especially at less diverse colleges.
Are there athletics that entice me?
This can also be a factor in getting into college. Colleges are often looking to expand their niche sport teams, so picking up softball, water polo, or another less common sport might be a good idea. Athletic offerings at college could allow you to continue your athletic interests or pick up new sports. Many colleges offer varsity, club, or intramural sports teams.
What kind of work-study opportunities are available?
It never hurts to have some spending money while in college. Most colleges offer this but looking into work-study ahead can help you apply for easier on-campus jobs.
Am I willing or will I need to work in college?
Colleges will sometimes bundle in working as a mandatory part of your college experience in your financial aid package. This can also be important to consider if you can’t fully afford college and need to take classes part-time to work.
This may be a short list, but I hope it will be helpful in your pursuit of higher education.
Sources: Borst, Heidi. “The Pros and Cons of Single-Gender Schools.” U.S. News, 13 Jan. 2022, www.usnews.com/education/k12/articles/the-pros-and-cons-of-single-gender-
schools#:~:text=%E2%80%9CSingle%2Dgender%20schools%20can%20establish,to%20student%20needs%20and%20interests.%E2%80%9D.
The Writing on the Walls
DCI’s mission manifested through student artwork and student agency
By Alyssa Toussaint, Class of 2023
From student walkouts to gender neutral bathrooms, DCI administration has historically given its students an unprecedented amount of student agency compared to most DC public and public charter schools, and its student body has shown, time and time again, that it is not afraid to use it. The school mission states that DCI strives to inspire “inquiring, engaged, knowledgeable and caring secondary students who are multilingual, culturally competent, and committed to proactively creating a socially just and sustainable world”. In fewer words, DCI fosters globally minded leaders who make their mark. When you walk through the halls of DCI, the mark made by past and present students is prominent and in vibrant color.
The creation of student murals is one of DCI’s most unique traditions hidden in plain sight.
Mural located in the 2B hallway
Located directly across from the theater entrance, this is DCI’s most prominent and in many ways most comprehensive mural. Illustrated in 2018 by two students in DCI’s Class of 2021 for their 10th grade Personal Project, the piece depicts DCI surrounded by all of the many things that are prevalent in DCI student life. This is including but certainly not limited to: racial and gender equity activism, the IB Learner Profile Traits, sports, music, language, and, of course, a dragon.
This is only 1 example of the 10+ murals that are located throughout the first and second floors of the school. Not only is this form of self expression and school spirit normalized but it is encouraged and cherished.
To some, the abundance of freedom could appear to be in excess but I would argue that the benefits of student agency are equally abundant. Student agency is not only freedom, but also responsibility. It requires students to proactively create a unique experience for themselves at DCI through clubs, student-staff relationships, and independent projects. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), student agency is officially defined as an approach to education that actively seeks and values student choice based upon the belief that students have the ability to positively influence their own lives and the state of their communities when given the freedom to create goals and make decisions. More practically, student agency addresses a common problem within the classroom: the teacher-student power dynamic. (Williams) The trust and faith that is required of the educators in the application of this system gives students confidence in their thinking processes and original ideas. With this confidence students are more likely to seek opportunities, reflect on their abilities before moving forward, and develop a voice that will allow them to be successful in a professional setting.
This expectation, however, also allows students to proactively disengage with the community which can create factions, fragmenting the student body. While this is an inevitable side effect of student agency, the IB program works in tandem with DCI’s student agency policy, having capstone like the Community Project (8th grade) and Personal Project (10th grade) in the Middle Years Program to foster a love of independent study, as can be seen by the creation of the mural pictured above.
Although I can not personally point to a mural I have contributed to, DCI’s student agency policy has given me a critical and creative mind and helped me find my way to many leadership roles in places and spaces I would not have expected. As a student ambassador, the murals, and specifically the 2B mural, is one of the first indicators of DCI student culture that I point out to prospective teachers, administrators, and students. Although I do not have many tours left to give, I can’t wait to see the unofficial tradition continue.
Think outside the box, write on the walls, and make your mark.
Sincerely,
A Graduating Senior
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