This issue, the Features section surveyed the school and interviewed political club heads about the upcoming election. Mr. Keith Moon, instructor in English, history, and Russian language, presents an essay on the importance of voting. Arts covers how this week’s HDA production and the music program have both adapted to COVID-19. Sports analyzes the shortened MLB season, and this week brings new artists and athletes of the issue. News reflects back on the Head of School Holiday and looks forward to Family Weekend. As always, stay tuned for an email with further instructions on how to contribute to The Record. Have a great week.

- The Record Editorial Board

Community Celebrates Holiday with Food Trucks, Hiking

Amelie Zhang ’23, Staff Writer

Whole floors and even entire dorms joined a Zoom call to celebrate following a surprise email from Mr. Craig Bradley, head of school, on Wednesday, October 7. During the call, Mr. Bradley announced a Head of School Holiday in honor of every member of the school for their diligence in following COVID-related restrictions.

Communications

Family Programming Goes Virtual

Amber Bretz ’23, Contributing Writer

In a departure from previous years, students and guardians will not be putting on funny accessories and posing together at the photo booth during family weekend this year. Due to COVID-19, the school has renamed “Family Weekend” to the “Virtual Family Program,” and all events will be held virtually.

Quarantine Lifted After Negative Tests

Kiki Henry ’22, News Editor

On Thursday, October 15, Mr. Richard Davis, COVID coordinator, notified the community via email that three students had tested positive for the coronavirus, and that the campus would be immediately entering into quarantine.

Gage Skidmore & Michael Vandon

Community Survey on Presidential Election

Sydney Goldstein ’22 and Eric Jin ’22, Features Editors

In advance of the 2020 presidential election, Features Editors Eric Jin ’22 and Sydney Goldstein ’22 surveyed the student body, faculty, staff, and spouses anonymously to get a sense of the school’s political climate. The survey received 350 total responses, and the data collected is represented in the tables and charts below.

Annie Xu ’22

A Conversation with Political Club Heads

Benjamin Who ’24, Contributing Writer

Contributing Writer Benjamin Who ’24 interviewed heads of political clubs to learn more about their role in promoting civil discourse in the community and their views towards the upcoming presidential election.

Quisha Lee ’24

Why I Vote

Keith Moon, Contributing Writer

One of my earliest political memories, when I was only seven years old, was the ratification of the 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which allowed the voting age across the United States to be lowered to 18. My father worked at the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica at the time, and I remember sitting down with him in our house in San José to figure out when that meant I could first vote for president. I was disappointed to learn that I’d have to wait an extra two years—until I was 20—because there would be no presidential election when I first turned 18. The first year I could vote for president, 1984, seemed preposterously far away to my second grade brain.

Festival of Fables Puts Social Justice Twist on Fairy Tales

Nithya Chundi ’23, Contributing Writer

As the saying goes, “the show must go on.” In spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, students passionate about the performing arts are finding ways to showcase their art and its message to the community.

Raven Hong '22

Artists of the Issue: Raven Hong ’22 and Kyral Ogazi ’21

Clara Ma ’23, Contributing Writer

In anticipation of this year’s unique fall Hotchkiss Dramatic Association (HDA) production, The Festival of Fables, Record Arts interviewed two members of the HDA Tech team. Working behind the scenes with Mr. Derek Brashears, director and instructor in theatre, HDA Tech is essential to the success of HDA performances.

Musicians Begin on a High Note

Parth Jain ’24, Contributing Writer

Although restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic have posed an unprecedented challenge for the school’s music education, music teachers and students are prepared to keep music alive.

Matthijs Van Mierlo

Athlete of the Issue: Romy Tarantino ’21

Carrie Cao ’23, Staff Writer

Romy Tarantino is a three-year Senior, co-captain of the Girls Varsity Soccer team, and member of the Girls Varsity Lacrosse team. Teammate Lydia Bullock ’22 said, “Romy is nothing short of a great leader. She fearlessly took the role of captain on the soccer team when we didn’t even have a season. She is so kind and never fails to make everyone around her feel like they fit right.”

World Series Begins in Pandemic-Shortened MLB Season

Nate Seidenstein ’24, Contributing Writer

No one expected the Major League Baseball (MLB) season to end before it even began, but that is exactly what happened on March 12, when the league announced the cancellation of Spring Training due to the COVID-19 pandemic. What followed was the indefinite postponement of the 2020 season Opening Day. Weeks of fighting between the league and the players’ union ensued, as players resisted pay cuts and a shorter season. Both parties eventually agreed upon a compromise – a 60-game season and full prorated pay – setting the tone for one of the strangest and most unprecedented seasons in MLB history.