Student Life

“Why would you pay so much for a dirty shoe?”

It’s a question plenty of teenage girls at St. Andrew’s, and honestly about anywhere, have been asked or asked themselves. Golden Goose sneakers, known for their iconic (and intentionally scuffed) star and scraped-up soles, have had Gen Z totally obsessed for years. Ranging from $565 to $2,350 a pair, these shoes can look like they've been through three owners before reaching your doorstep. 

Golden Goose is far from alone, and far from “the worst” in this dirty trend. In 2018 Gucci dropped “white” sneakers that were filth-coated and came with broken laces for the price of $800. But Balenciaga took it to a whole new level in 2022, releasing a limited collection of “extra destroyed” shoes that looked like they’d barely survived a natural disaster. The price range was $700 to $2000, mud stains included. 

So why exactly are scuffed-up sneakers a market and even a status symbol?

What looks like dirt to some can be a statement to others. In her book, The Psychology of Fashion, Professor Carolyn Mair says, “fashion is communication.” Wearing a pair of $800 distressed sneakers tells a very specific story, but only to those who get it. “You have to be in the know,” Mair says. “If you love Balenciaga and you already saw these scuffy trainers, you’ll know it is a status symbol.”

This trend taps into the concept of effortless luxury, the idea that you’re so secure in your wealth or social standing that you don’t have to try to look polished. Think the Olsen twins with their tens of thousands of dollars, beat-up Birkin bags, but also Adam Sandler in his basketball shorts and t-shirts. 

Still, the trend hasn't come without controversy, as critics say it veers into class insensitivity. Balenciaga’s mud-caked shoes were accused of glamorizing poverty by the press. One person commented on Twitter (now X), “I’ve been bullied for wearing thrifted clothes before thrifting was cool — and now we have high-end brands capitalizing on poverty-related suffering.” 

This critique feels especially relevant for Gen Z, a generation that’s both image-conscious and socially aware. A Today article highlighted the disconnect: while some wear worn-out shoes out of necessity, others are paying hundreds (or thousands) to mimic the look. 

While brands defend their designs as “nonchalant” and “vintage-inspired,” the fact remains, the shoes are exclusive. Golden Goose CEO Silvio Campara told the Financial Times that 80% of their customers are Gen Z or millennials. It’s a surprising stat for a brand that charges upward of $600 a pair. But Elle magazine points out that in a fashion world where fast fashion trends dominate, we’ve moved from chasing novelty to justifying investment. The concept of cost per wear, the idea that a higher price tag makes sense if you wear the item often, has become a key part of that logic.

So…why buy dirty shoes? Maybe it’s about irony or rebellion or even recognition in a group that just gets what those scuffed-up soles mean. But when I looked at what other high school papers have to say, I was met with headlines like “Golden Gooses are a waste of money” and “End the Poor-Baiting.” The criticism is real and not entirely wrong, but it is mostly opinion-based. 

Christian Louboutin once said: “Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.” Maybe for some, the right shoes are beat-up sneakers with a luxury price tag. For others, they’re clean, practical, or meaningful in different ways. In the end, fashion is personal. Whether you’re drawn to scuffed soles or crisp white kicks, what you wear should feel like you, not just a trend to follow or price to prove.

Following the culmination of a successful 2024 season, in which the St. Andrew’s boys soccer team finished fourth place in the 4A Winter SPC tournament, sophomore and junior members of the team were looking to continue playing with one another in whatever way possible. Although joining in practices or participating recreationally at someone's house would definitely be fun, there was an air of competitiveness between the two groups of students that could only be settled through an official match. This is when then-junior Colin McCormick proposed the idea of a sophomore vs. junior soccer game, where two teams of 11 players would play and compete against each other for the ultimate reward: their pride.

In its initial phases of creation, the game would only be played between members of the soccer program at SAS, including both varsity and junior varsity(JV) boy’s and girl’s teams, but soon a glaring problem arose: there weren’t enough players willing to play on both rosters to hold the games. However, as the idea and hype surrounding the game grew, the team turned to students of the SAS community, who were equally interested in being involved. You see, the magic of this competition was not of two skilled groups of soccer stars playing in a high-stakes match, but the camaraderie  of the two classes coming together to create an experience larger than school. As now-junior Conrad O’Connor, who does not play soccer officially at SAS, puts it “the game allows me to play for something bigger than myself, alongside people who share that same excitement.”

With the ever-changing date of the match approaching in early May of 2024, mostly due to conflicting schedules among members of the rosters, competition soon arose off of the pitch. Originally meant to be played at St. Andrew’s, due to the Spring SPC sports season, players were forced to pivot locations to the local West Ridge Middle School, who were kind enough to accommodate an idea as ludicrous as this. The next idea put into play was the creation of unique kits/jerseys for each team, each bearing class crests/badges as well as unofficial sponsors. Referees emerged from the adjacent freshman class, so as to not sway bias for any certain team. Following, coaches were added to the game’s catalogue, with then-junior David Moore and then-sophomore Brooks Moore steering the ships respectively. “The first two games were not as well organized as we wanted them to be, filled with questionable calls from the officials. Although less tactical, they definitely had more passion,” recounts current junior Cole Eclarinal.

Last year’s first game was undoubtedly a spectacle, due to several chaotic decisions from referees Nate Hofer and Jack Dial and rising tensions culminating with a scrap between several members of the opposing sides. In the end, it was the sophomores who took home the victory of the first inaugural match with a scoreline of 2-1 following two goals from Brammer Knisely. With the juniors eager to avenge their loss and the game itself being a massive success amongst its participants, a second match was soon scheduled for a later date. The buildup was similar to the first, with the sophomores holding their victory over the juniors’ heads, raising the stakes higher for the upperclassmen. “We were hungry for a win and you never want to lose to kids younger than yourself,” says now-senior Abraham Balser.

The juniors' efforts and aspirations prevailed in last year’s second match, culminating with a resounding 5-1 victory. Goals here were scored by a combination of James Reilly, Abraham Balser, and Joaquin Alzaga. This time around the game was more formal, mostly due to the imposing presences of senior referees Grant Northway and Owen Gab, who were sure to implement their ‘no nonsense’ officiating style. With summer approaching, and next year in the minds of every player, two matches for the subsequent school year were decided upon, marking the advent of a new SAS student tradition. When asked to describe the feeling surrounding this year’s match, junior Brammer Knisely said, “There’s more to play for now than ever. The series is tied at 1-1 and the results of this year’s games will settle this once and for all.”

The lead up to this year’s preliminary game retained the same excitement and presence of its predecessors. Following deliberation from senior coach David Moore and junior coaches Chucho Vargas and Brooks Moore, two rosters of 17 players were filled with many familiar faces backed by some new additions. The game was held again at West Ridge Middle School, with the juniors taking an early lead due to a brilliant goal by forward Charlie Precourt. The seniors would come back to gain the advantage early in the second half, their goals scored by Abraham Balser and Joaquin Alzaga. However after mounting continuous pressure, junior Cole Eclarinal would rocket the ball into the goal’s top corner, celebrated by a moment of pure exhilaration in which the junior team's members ran around the field with their shirts flung to the wayside. With a final score of 2-2, a two-year long blood feud is still yet to be settled, with either sides’ pride hanging in the balance of the second game’s results, which will be held sometime this May. Senior Joaquin Alzaga warns, “This game we were really playing our B team. We had a lot of missing players, so I’d be worried if I was a junior.”

With both teams awaiting the ‘fated’ second match, it's hard to think about what will happen to its spirit and execution after the seniors’ graduation. However that’s not for a lack of ideas. In fact, a potential game between this year’s sophomores and juniors is officially in the works for next year. “It doesn’t really matter who’s playing,” says junior Cole Eclarinal, “but football is a game meant to bring people together, which I feel we’ve accomplished.” The idea of making the game a charity match is also popular amongst students. As Cole states, “there is an organization called Football For Peace in the Philippines that we’d love to partner with. This match has deepened our love for soccer as a whole, and it's our duty to share that love with the world.”

We use our hands for everything. In a world where time rarely pauses and self-care is treated as a luxury, a small but meaningful ritual is quietly making a comeback: taking care of your hands. Whether it’s the meditative act of filing your nails, sitting in a salon chair, or the soft swipe of lotion after washing up, hand-care is more than surface-level beauty—it’s a personal form of restoration. Hands carry your gestures and work. They deserve some care back. 

In an interview with Vogue, celebrity dermatologist Dr. Harshna Bijlani says, “The problem is compounded in recent times as hands are now exposed to a considerable amount of cleansing with soap, hand wash, and sanitizer.” Moreover, in an interview with ELLE,  skin expert and Founder & Medical Director of Yavana Aesthetics Clinic, Dr. Madhuri Agarwal explains the importance of hand-care by stating “When hand-care is not done, the fingertips and palms can start showing cracks and fissures which can be painful with time. In fact, people who are prone to hand allergies, eczema, and psoriasis can see worsening of the symptoms.” She adds, “hands are more exposed to factors like frequent hand washing, sun exposure, climatic changes and pollution as they are always uncovered. The skin starts aging faster and shows roughness, spots, dullness, lines, and wrinkles with no hand-care.” With this in mind, It's worth considering developing a routine that fits you. Whether you prefer a classic manicure or nail art, proper hand and nail care is essential for maintaining soft hands and strong, healthy nails. 

Just like in facial skincare, there are three key things in hand care: cleansing, moisturization, and sun protection – all pretty straightforward. I interviewed three of our SAS college counselors – Ms. Baldino, Ms. Elliott, Ms. Guice to get their thoughts on self -care and work life balance. 

Cleansing : Although the most adequate way of maintaining clean hands is by washing them throughout the day, it can be hard when you’re on the go. When keeping your hands clean, hand sanitizer sprays come in handy! “Dr. Bronners are the best! Especially the lavender or peppermint scent” say the college counselors in agreement. “That’s the key to hand sanitizer.” 

Moisturization : You don’t need a $45 hand cream. You can choose the richness and have fun with scents! Ms. Guice shares her favorite hand cream: “It’s from this goat farm in Tennessee, Little Seed Farm’s Hand-Aid Healing Hand Balm.” Currently, she’s using Peppermint but her favorite is Blue Lotus; She describes it as a “light-floral” scent. “I probably like this balm better in the winter since it’s very rich but I still love using it year-round.” In addition, she loves another product:“My aunt sent my mom this and she swore by it: “Avene Cicalfate Restorative hand cream.” Ms. Elliott adds, “It’s like a French Neutrogena.” Ms. Baldino’s favorite is the Los Poblanos Lavender Peppermint Hand Lotion from New Mexico! Ms. Elliott recommends Retinol Anti-Aging Hand Cream. “It’s not super scented so I like that,” she said. Having a hand-cream handy is key.

Sun Protection : Sun protection often goes overlooked but is essential to overall skin protection.  Even though you might remember to wear sunscreen in the morning, you’re going to end up washing your hands soon after – washing off the sunscreen as well. That’s why it’s important to note the simple solution of touching up after washing your hands. Ms. Elliot recommends the brand Supergoop!

Diving deeper into nail services,  there are all sorts of options. Although hand/nail-care is subjective, it’s simple: get what you want — whether it’s a basic mani to extravagant nail art. While options are endless, here are my top 3: regular lacquer, regular gel, and builder gel. 

History teacher Ms. Jess Peña, who is known for her colorful hands says, “If you’re doing it the right way, like making sure the person who does your nails is clean, their equipment is clean, and that you’re clean, it’s just another way to make sure that you’re taking care of your hands because they're so important; they touch things and they touch you. Keeping them clean is important and I think nails help with that. It can also just be a way to express your personality and express yourself and make you feel good after a bad week.” Hand-care shouldn’t feel like a chore. If anything, it’s an opportunity to get to know yourself better. “I personally feel like nails are one way for you to express yourself, especially if you feel like maybe you’re limited in expressing yourself in other ways,” said SAS senior Coco Malina. “Just like being able to pick the color, the shape, the length, there are a lot of decisions that factor when doing your nails so it’s really a personal decision. I think it can make you feel good that you’re doing something that you want to do.” 

As the Class of 2025 prepares to close the chapter on their high school years, one unique group of students stands out — the lifers. At St. Andrew’s, a lifer is someone who has attended the school from first grade all the way through twelfth grade. Before the school added its kindergarten program, first grade was the earliest possible starting point, making this 12-year journey one of the longest commitments a student can make at SAS. 

This year, 17 seniors have earned the title of lifer. These students have spent over a decade walking the same hallways, attending the same field days, and growing up within the same close-knit community. Their experience is one that offers a unique perspective on what it means to truly grow up at St. Andrew’s, seeing both the school and themselves evolve over the years. 

For these students, memories of Lower School are filled with lighthearted moments and playful traditions. Activities like learning to unicycle, juggle, and the excitement of field day still stand out years later. Even though the childhood experiences create lasting memories, so do the later ones, as Sofia Wesbecher states that “Honestly senior year has been my favorite. The Lower School was much more cliquey and the Upper School is much more chill and fun.” Over the course of 12 years, these students have witnessed St. Andrew’s itself change in both small and significant ways. New buildings have been built, new leaders and extracurriculars have been added, and traditions have evolved. Luke McGrath says that “I prefer the Lower School traditions. We always had consistent things we did there, like drinking hot cocoa during Christmas, I wish we brought stuff like that to the Upper School.” 

Spending 12 years with the same group of people creates a bond that’s hard to describe. One lifer, Luke Paddock, said “The pros are the people, and the cons are also the people. It’s a relatable truth for many lifers. These long-term friendships can feel like family. ” The lifers often speak about how their classmates have become like siblings. They celebrate victories together, support one another during challenges, and understand each other in ways that only people who have shared the same experiences can. Of course, as in any family, familiarity can also lead to frustration. But for most, the bonds made at St. Andrew’s outweigh the occasional conflicts. Sofia puts the overall feeling perfectly when saying “I can't really think of cons to the people. I really love everybody here and I like how I kinda have a friendship with everybody.”

As this year comes to a close, and for the seniors so do their highschool career, the lifers reminisce on eating popsicles with the 12th graders in first grade, only how they are the 12th graders eating popsicles with the first graders now. It’s about watching a community change and realizing that, through all the years, you’ve changed too. The Class of 2025’s lifers stand as a living reminder of what makes SAS special, a place where students can be known, challenged, supported, and celebrated from childhood all the way to graduation.