Best of Fall Issue E-Dition 2020

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Time for Team Loyalty & Spiritby Joseph Richards,class of 2023While the news buzzes aboutpromising vaccines and potentialdiscoveries to help keep people safe fromCOVID-19, the sports industry hasbeen scrambling to find ways to bounceback from the sting of the pandemic. Allsports leagues—including the NationalFootball League (NFL), NationalBasketball Association (NBA), andMajor League Baseball (MLB) are takingprecautions to limit the spread of thevirus. As each sport deals with thepandemic in unique ways, fans are alsoadjusting to the new norms of being aspectator during this challenging time.Since the start of the pandemic, theNBA received an impeccable rating forthe changes they made to ensureeveryone’s safety. Currently, NBA playersare mandated to stay at the Walt DisneyWorld Resort in Orlando, Florida. This“bubble” system eliminates allinteractions with others to reduce thespread of coronavirus infections. Thesituation may not seem ideal; however,people recognize the importance ofcooperation. “It’s an amazing thing, andit’s like history…this has never beendone before, and to be a part of it is justa blessing,” described Los Angeles Lakerscenter JaVale McGee. Although it hasbeen successful at keeping everyone safe,there has been a lot of pressure on theleague to generate profits. So far, theNBA has lost an estimated $500 millionin ticket sales alone from a shortenedseason. Despite the fact that the NBAwill not recover this enormous loss anytime soon, they still have offered fansfree virtual seats.Similarly, the MLB is dealing with anabridged baseball season. Every teamwill play 60 total games – 102 gamesfewer than normal. This change is alsohitting the league with huge economiclosses. In order to limit travel and keepplayers healthy, teams will play mostgames against their division rivals;nevertheless, all stadiums are beingutilized. The league is expected to losebillions in profit and many are stillquestioning whether there will be aWorld Series as the season rounds thebases. Athletes from every sport expressedJordan Longino Becomes a Wildcatby Clara Alger,class of 2022Jordan Longino, rising senior atGermantown Academy, donned aWildcats t-shirt to announce his verbalcommitment to Villanova Men’sBasketball team over social media onJuly 23rd.Over the course of 2020, Longinoreceived offers from Virginia, Indiana,Maryland, and Florida, among manyother schools. Longino’s decision camedown to what program he would fit bestinto, and Villanova had exactly what hewas looking for. “I officially knew Iwanted to be a Wildcat about two weeksago when me and Coach [Jay] Wrighthad a phone call and he really gave me aclear and transparent look into what mytime at Villanova would be like” saidLongino.Coach Matt Dolan, the varsity boysbasketball coach at GA said “recruitingcan be both challenging and extremelyrewarding.” Longino explains that“trying to grow an honest relationshipwith every school that is recruiting you”is one of the many challenges. He advisesthat other students going through theconcerns not only for themselves andtheir families, but also for their loyalfans. Despite the health precautions,dozens of players tested positive for thevirus. “In baseball, at least 80 players andtwo dozen staffers have tested positivefor the illness. On the Miami Marlinsalone, at least 17 players and two coacheshave been confirmed positive for thevirus.” Statistics change daily, suggestingmore changes to come.There have been changes andcancellations across the entire sportsworld. The NFL cancelled all preseasongames and began with the regular season.They also allowed players to opt out ofthe season due to the COVID-19pandemic, and in response, 66 playersare sitting out the season. This changeresulted in devastating losses for someteams, including Dont’a Hightowerfrom the New England Patriots and C.J.Mosley from the New York Jets. For theplayers who decided to participate,masks are required when traveling andwhen in team facilities. Some teams,such as the Jacksonville Jaguars andCleveland Browns, allow fans to fill therecruitment process “really listen closelyto how the coaching staff and especiallythe head coach talks about your playingstyle” in order to ensure you are findingthe right fit for you. Coach Dolan andthe coaching staff emphasize that “it’s allabout the fit” and recommend athletesSportsstadium at a limited capacity whilemandating mask-wearing. Although notall seats will be filled, Microsoft haspromised to provide a virtual fanexperience at NFL games. Microsoft’s“virtual fan experience” enables viewersto enjoy their favorite sports as if theywere really there.Although the pandemic has limitedfans from physically being at games,technology has played a huge role inproviding people a way to partake in theexcitement virtually. Both players andfans have dealt with a lot of change overthe recent months, as sports require thisflexibility. Although everything is inconstant flux, it surely is the perfect timefor team loyalty and spirit.to “control your effort and attitude, visitthe schools that are contacting you, andfocus on places that will challenge youboth academically and athletically.”Longino emphasized that “the funpart [of recruitment] was getting achance to grow relationships with headcoaches that are considered legends.”Longino mentioned that he “was prettystar struck” the first time he talked toCoach Wright one-on-one.” Longino’steammate, Jake Hsu, said, “it wasdefinitely fun to be around Jordanduring his recruiting process consideringall of the coaches that came to ourgames” and that “it adds more fuel to thefire to go out and play your absolutehardest.” Longino said that as he nearedhis decision, “sometimes the wholeentire [Villanova basketball] staff wouldbe on a zoom call with myself and myfamily.”Throughout his recruiting journey,Jordan displayed maturity anddedication. Another one of Longino’steammates, Casey Traina, said that“Jordan largely kept his recruitment asecret” and that “basketball recruiting ismuch more individualized than socialmedia makes it seem”. Hsu added thatLongino was “humble” throughout thewhole recruiting process. Coach Dolanemphasized that “Jordan has workedextremely hard to have this opportunity,and has the personality and drive tocontinue to get better each day in anenvironment that will positivelychallenge him.”Although his signing day ceremony isa few months away, Longino is excitedfor what’s to come as a future Wildcat.He joins three other rising seniors fromaround the country who have committedto Villanova Men’s Basketball, and theyare considered the No. 1 recruiting classof 2021, according to 247sports.com.Jordan wrapped up our interview bysharing that, “Nova Nation to me is thebest fanbase in the country. I can’t waitto give them my best as a player andperson.”
FunEditor’sBlockNews Desk:Desk Editors: Harry Hou ‘21and Sangeetha Bhuyan ‘22Copy Editors: Alaina Steck ‘22and Lauren Casimiro ‘21Op-Ed Desk:Desk Editors: ChristinaNguyen ‘21 and Priya Anand‘21Copy Editors: Olivia Abraham‘23 and Sarah Fineman ‘21Arts Desk:Desk Editors: Clara Alger ‘22and Sofia Eichsteadt ‘22Copy Editors: MackenzieSmith ‘21 and Nicole Ranile‘22Sports Desk:Desk Editors: Justin Weiss ‘21and Stefan Lynton ‘21Copy Editors: Atharv Awasthi‘22 and Nate Phillip ‘21Lead Staff Writer:Maddie Gamburg ‘21Photo Desk:Jordan Robertson ‘21, KaraLintgen ‘23, and Olivia Pacitti‘22Instagram Editors:Eileen Zhang ‘21 and RiyaPalkar ‘22Website Editors:Paige Begley ‘22 and SamWang ‘23Layout Editor:Candice Medina ‘22“I’m so glad they finallycleared out some moreroom for kickball.”-Eileen Zhangdrawn by Kara LintgenNew FacultyMRS. SOFFERby Alan Liu,class of 2024Mrs. Soffer joins GA as the Middle andUpper School Learning and ReadingSpecialist. She has taught students forthe last 15 years. As an educator, shedeveloped a passion for reading,prompting her to become a readingspecialist. She is eager to begin helpingDR. VANDERSTARby Saloni Bhatia,class of 2024Dr. Vanderstar, a new addition to theGA language department, teaches Latin.Dr. Vanderstar has taught for 23 years atschools such as Penn Charter, where shetaught Latin and History, and theUniversity of the Arts, where she taughtAncient World History. Before teaching,Dr. Vanderstar worked as a Greek andRoman archeologist. She recalls, “I spentCaption WinnerRunner Ups:“Aw man, he almost made it through to the end of 2020 :(”-Chelsea Bright“...I guess we can’t be called the quad anymore.”-Helen Wu“2020 couldn’t get any worse—“-Alan Liustudents of all ages read and write. In herfree time, she loves traveling, watchingGame of Thrones, and reading books byher favorite author, Daniel Silva. A funfact is that she met her husband at asleepaway camp at 11 years old.Welcome, Mrs. Soffer!MR. HOUPTLEYby Kate Cooper,class of 2022Mr. Houptley, a new Upper SchoolAssistant Teacher and the yearbookadvisor, describes himself as “a life-longlearner with a passion for helpingstudents.” He recently graduated fromWest Chester University with a Mastersin Higher Education Policy in StudentAffairs. During the past two years, heworked as a graduate assistant at West10 years living in Europe doing fieldworkand used to live in Cyprus.” Dr.Vanderstar previously taught GA Latinin 2008. Some of her hobbies aregardening, biking, and reading Latinpoetry. This year she looks forward tomeeting all of her students and exploringthe Latin program. Welcome, Dr.Vanderstar!Chester and aided in large scale eventplanning for the University. This year, heplans to help students with theirtransition from high school to college.He is most excited about “capturing thisinteresting year through the yearbook,tastefully and respectively because thisyear looks different than any other year.”Welcome, Mr. Houptley!Senior Digital Editor:Jenna Rothenstein ‘21MR. HUNTby Cam Smoore,class of 2023Editors in Chief:Grace Brogan ‘21 and HelenWu ‘21Faculty Advisors:Helga Vutz and Alicia EvansMS. JOHNSONby Adah Kaplan,class of 2024Mr. Hunt joins GA once again as anUpper School guidance counselor.Having previous experience as a teacherin Special Education, as well as in EarlyChildhood Development and Education,he looks forward to “continuing goodrelationships” with the students he sees.In his office (which is open from 8:00am to 3:00 pm every Friday), he hopesto create a safe space to help peopleaddress their concerns and work towardsresolutions. He and his wife enjoytraveling and seeing live performancessuch as Jazz, Blues, the Orchestra, andDance. Welcome, Mr. Hunt!Read our most current articles byscanning this QR code!Ms. Johnson has loved her first fewmonths at GA, both teaching historyand coaching high school volleyball.After taking a year off of teaching totravel the world (she has been to 80countries!), she chose to teach historybecause of how it intersects with hervarious interests, including sociology,psychology, and culture. In this comingyear, she looks forward to playing somegames with the volleyball team andteaching students to “express their ideasclearly, have well-founded world views,and know what they’re passionateabout.” Welcome, Ms. Johnson!
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