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Yurok Song ’22 has been involved in music ever since the young age of three, when he began playing the piano. Since then, he made the switch from piano to the cello and has contributed to Deerfield’s music program with his leadership, musical passion, and skill in chamber music and orchestra. Song started in music early on, playing the piano up until he was nine years old. However, he never found much passion for the instrument, so he was thankful to discover the cello one day while at a music shop with his mother and sister. After being shown an assortment of string instru- ments, his sister picked the violin, so naturally, because “bigger is better,” Song chose the cello. “If I could go back now, I wouldn’t pick a different instrument,” Song said, reinforcing his love for the instrument. Advanced Chamber Music Coach Mei Wei reflected on her time spent teaching Yurok since his freshman year, saying, “He has matured a lot. He plays a lot of different types of repertoire and has more depth in his playing.” Although fellow cellist Chloe Xue ’25 has not known Yurok for very long, his mentorship during orchestra has left a strong impression. “At the start of the year, he was intimidating, mainly because he was so good at cello. Winter term though, I’ve gotten to know him a lot better,” Xue said. “He’s always willing to help, and not just with cello; he’s always there to just sit down and talk.” Song also shared his experience with being a part of orchestra and the music community at Deerfield since freshman year. He said, “To be truthful, there aren’t a lot of music people at Deerfield. The ratio is pretty small, but within the small bubble itself, it is very intimate and everyone is very supportive of each other. Some of my best memories are from the music program here, which I will always be thankful for.” Olivia Boe ’25 echoed Xue’s remarks. She said, “Yurok is a very good mentor. He helps me practice and gives me tips.” She explained that since he is the principal cellist, the leader of the cello section, and she is assistant principal, or the next best player, he has helped her prepare for next year and taught her how to lead the section. Orchestra concertmaster Gale Gai ’22 said, “Yurok and I had our very first chamber music group together freshman year, and he has stuck with the program and me for a while now. He is someone who loves music and plays it not only because of his talent for it, but rather because of his love for it.” Outside of the music community, Song also serves as a proctor for sophomore boys in the Louis Marx dorm. Proctee Alex Fontecchio ’24 explained that Song manages to balance his work life with other things well. “Yurok recognizes when you’re having a tough day and will always be there to talk. He’s also very mature, so you can come to him with anything, and he’ll give good advice,” Fontecchio said. Another member of Song’s hall, Robbie Hua ’24, said, “He’s been an inspiration to me as a music person because he’s really good at what he does, and he also wants me to do well with my music.” Just this past Long Winter Weekend, Song traveled with members of Deerfield’s Advanced Chamber Music class to New York City to perform at Carnegie Hall. He explained how it felt like a full-circle moment because during his freshman year, Deerfield’s Orchestra went to New York to perform at the Oculus. Song shared, “It was probably my most fun trip at Deerfield ever. Going back to New York with cello and Deerfield as a senior now felt kind of weird but kind of nice too.” Song also explained that during winter term, he has had a lot more time to enjoy playing cello. Recently, he has been learning new chamber music and plans to perform a classical duet with Gai in the spring. “I’ve been trying to branch out a lot more and do some nonclassical things too, like playing the electric cello with [William Yang ‘22] at KFC,” Song said. Ms. Wei expressed her hopes for Song’s future in music, saying, “I hope he keeps on inspiring others, especially the younger musicians, and I hope he keeps on improving and growing as a musician.” Looking to the future, Song hopes to minor in music in col-lege, and he plans to continue playing the cello. In regards to Song’s upcoming graduation, Xue said “I don’t think the Deerfield music program will be the same without him. He’s helped me so much musically, and I think it’s really important to have an older cellist as a mentor.” Song has been a strong and consistent leader and musician during his time at Deerfield, and both his proctees and fellow musicians expressed that they will miss him greatly next year.

Broadcasting at Deerfield has been around since the mid01900s, in which donated equipment, including a transmitter and receiver station, allowed for the creation of the Radio Club. Since then, the DA Radio has opened many opportunities for both students and faculty to express their voices and share certain aspects of campus life with the wider community. Dean of Ethical and Spiritual Life Jan Flaska, a key figure in ensuring the radio runs smoothly, said that participation in the radio offers benefits for both broadcasters and listeners. “If you’re a host, you’re not necessarily doing it because you think 500 people will be listening,” Mr. Flaska said. “You’re doing it because it’s just fun to play music, to talk to people. And it’s fun to listen to.” This fall, Isha Rao ‘22, along with Coco de Vink ’22, Jimmy Ueland ‘22, and Bodie Fish ‘22 started a show called ‘Bacon Egg and Cheese on Everything.’ The show mainly features campus life, including weekend activities and general overviews of how the student body is feeling. Rao said, “Honestly, I think we kind of just started [the show] for fun– we enjoy talking to each other and I think we definitely thought it was something that people would be entertained by. People would want to listen to it, especially because it relates to their lives. We could talk about sports and sit-down conversations that everyone’s having, for everyone to listen to in one place.” In addition to ‘Bacon, Egg, and Cheese on Everything,’ Deerfield hosts a variety of other student- run programs including ‘Think About It’, a podcast about ethics and current events, and ‘Door to Door’, which features Deerfield alumni discussing their time at Deerfield and beyond. Sara Robert ‘22 and Billy Kitchel ‘22 are the current hosts of ‘Door to Door,’ a podcast that features Deerfield alumni. Questions typically cover the guest’s Deerfield experience, their transition to university and the professional world, and advice for current students. Robert shared, “As someone who’s going to college and exploring different paths, it’s super interesting to talk with people and hear their stories first hand. Oftentimes, if those alumni are in a field I’m interested in, they’ll give me their contact info and tell me to stay in touch. That’s a super cool and rewarding part of the radio show.” One of the greatest lessons Robert has learned from hosting ‘Door to ‘Door’ has been the importance of natural conversations. “In the beginning,” she said, “I created a script and a list of questions that I wanted to ask the alumni. However, I soon realized that a script limits the conversation rather than expanding it. I think that’s something I’ve been able to apply to my everyday life.” This past fall, Gale Gai ’22 started his own show ‘Around the Field.’ He invites prominent sports figures as guest speakers on his show, including Steve Kelley, who works with the Red Sox, Matt Lindsay, an assistant hockey coach at the University of Massachusetts, and both current and past Deerfield student- athletes. Gai said, “They get to talk about their stories that otherwise would not have been shared with all of us. I also try to encourage other students in doing their own shows.” Rao said that the process of starting a program is actually very easy. The broadcasting room is in the basement of the Main School Building, across from Security, and the controls required to go live are all easy to learn and adjust to. Aside from paying a small fee for each song used, broadcasters face few restraints, as session length and frequency are up to individual discretion. Interested people can put their proposed shows down on a schedule to prevent time conflicts. Robert said, “Prior to this year I had no knowledge about how to work a radio podcast, but I’ve learned how to adjust and work speakers, microphones, head-sets, etc.” Gai’s advice for any students looking to start their own show is, “If you want to start a show, it’s great. You know, having that passion for sports or a particular show or whatever, but then find a focal point. If you’re a big fan of the NFL, talk about the NFL and even closer, if you’re a big Patriots fan, if you just want to talk about your New England sports, you can talk about those, finding a focal point and expanding out of that.” He added, “Listen to the professionals do it. Watch games, see what they do, how they make games interesting.” Looking towards goals for the future, Rao said, “I think a lot of students don’t know how to access the Deerfield radio right now and when live shows are or even how to listen to recordings of past shows. So I think [it’s important to] try to promote it more so more people can listen.” Izzo also said that bringing the radio program to the attention of the wider school community wasn one of her goals. Mr. Flaska invites any interested community member to try their hand at recording a couple of episodes, or even starting their own show. For those more interested in listening than hosting, the link to live programs and past recordings can be found on the Bulletin, and through creating an account, listeners can receive notifications when their favorite shows are live.

The 2022 Winter Olympics, hosted in Beijing, China, has brought about many firsts in cultural representation: Donovan Carrillo is the first Mexican figure skater in thirty years competing at the Winter Olympic games, Nathan Chen is the first Asian-American male to win an Olympic gold medal, and Erin Jackson is the first Black woman to win an individual medal in speed skating. About one hundred seventy-eight athletes at the 2022 Winter Olympic games competed for countries other than the country in which they were born, as the current Olympic Charter allows competitors who identify as nationals of 2 or more countries to choose which country they want to represent. Responding to the current way in which the Olympics handles diversity, Maddy Slater ’22, co-chair of the Deerfield Mixed Student Alliance, commented, “I think it’s a good thing that [Olympic athletes] are able to choose which country to represent. My mom was born in Korea and now she lives in the U.S, but I can see how her connections to her Korean roots, were she to be an athlete, would be important to her.” Although Eileen Gu and Zhu Yi, two Chinese-American athletes who sacrificed their U.S. citizenship to represent China, are among the athletes most dis- cussed in the media regarding current tensions in representation, many previous Olympic athletes have also chosen to represent a country rooted in their family’s heritage rather than competing for the country of which they are a citizen, such as Gus Kenworthy (British-American), Jazmine Fenlator-Victorian (Ecuadorian-American), Giovanni Lanaro (Mexican-American), and Becky Hammon (Russian-American). When discussing the importance of representation in the Olympics, Rosnel Leyva-Cortes ’22, co-chair of the Latin American Student Alliance, said, “Sports are a very pure expression of self and as a performative action, you want markers of your identity to be at the forefront of that, especially at such a high level like the Olympics.” He continued, “Athletes are often represented by their countries because that is a marker of their identity they want to display that is also associated with their achievements.” Recently, tension has grown, most prominently on social media, surrounding the issue of country representation concerning athletes of multiple ethnic backgrounds. Eileen Gu has particularly received both criticism and praise for choosing to compete for Team China rather than Team USA, as she claimed to strive to foster a connection between countries. In an interview with the Olympic Channel, Gu shared, “When I’m in China, I’m Chinese. When I’m in the U.S, I’m American.” She added, “[Audiences] understand that my mission is to foster a connection between countries and not a [act as a] divisive force.” When asked about her opinion regarding Gu’s decision, Slater commented, “Sometimes it can be frustrating to see someone who grew up in the U.S. representing another country, but coming from a mixed background, I can totally empathize with feeling connected to two different places. You really have to do what makes you happy.” Jose Briones, Sr. Associate Director of Admission and faculty advisor of the Foreign American Alliance, agreed, saying, “An athlete should compete for a country they are loyal to as we are coming to a world where we can’t label people.” In response to the choices facing many multi-ethnic athletes, Leyva-Cortes added, “The problem with having a split identity is that, as a Cuban, I understand that you are proud of your country; but you are not proud of what the government does. That is why [many athletes in Cuba] have to disband from their Cuban identity and take on another country that supports them in their expression of their medium, which isn’t an inherent part of their identity.” Not only have many athletes expanded the previous understanding of representation at the Olympics by striving to embody all parts of their identity, but many are also forced to face socioeconomic inequity regarding the resources that a country can provide for them to succeed in their sport. This inequity raises the issue of inherent disadvantages countries with a low GDP face when attempting to meet the economic needs of their athletes at the Olympics. For example, Mexican skater Donovan Carrillo was forced to carry out his Olympic training at a rink in Plaza Mayor Mall in Mexico, as Mexico does not have the resources to provide for an Olympic-sized rink. Additionally, in order to afford the expensive sport of figure skating, he teaches ice skating lessons at the rink at which he trains. Leyva-Cortes commented on the interconnectedness of socio-economic needs of athletes and their choice for representation, emphasizing, “You also have to reconcile the fact that [Olympic competitors] are also athletes and if the country they are representing that aligns with their identity is not giving them the resources necessary to do that, then they may choose to make that decision for themselves [of representing another country].” Regardless of the country they are representing, generations of Olympic athletes embody the virtues of hard work, dedication, and persistence as they pursue their passions on a world stage while inspiring future generations with the beauty and potential of intersectionality across cultures.

Every year, the Center for Service and Global Citizenship (CSGC) offers a series of travel programs that aim to give students an opportunity to explore new perspectives on topics they are interested in. Each faculty-led trip requires any students who want to participate to submit an application that details the reasons why they are curious about the trip and why they want to attend. This year’s offerings include many upcoming trips over spring break, and a recent trip to Washington D.C. over Long Winter Weekend. Twenty four students and three faculty members attended the Washington D.C. trip. The theme was Stories to Learn and Stories to be Told, with a cumulative goal of understanding unheard experiences and varying perspectives surrounding civil discourse. The group of students met with congressman Jim McGovern, a Western Massachusetts representative. Additionally, the group went to the Republican National Committee to meet with politicians including Lee Zeldin, a representative from New York who is running for governor. The group visited three museums: the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of the American Indian, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. On Saturday, the students, alongside a group of Deerfield alumni, watched a Washington Wizards basketball game at Capital One Arena in Chinatown. Finally, at the end of their last day in D.C., the students visited Mary House, a non- profit organization that provides housing and aid for refugees in the Washington D.C. area. When planning for this trip, the safety risks of COVID-19 definitely posed a central concern. Faculty trip leader and Dean of Ethical and Spiritual Life Jan Flaska stated that the faculty members “needed to have a plan for a positive test while on the road”. Therefore, Mr. Flaska rented a minivan to pick up any students who exhibited COVID-19 symptoms or had tested positive before departure. Deerfield also reserved a separate hotel room for any quarantining students. Thankfully, none of the students exhibited symptoms during their time in Washington D.C., nor did any test positive after returning from the trip. In contacting politicians and reserving museum tickets, the faculty members worked to incorporate multiple political viewpoints and stories that are not frequently portrayed in the media into the daily activity plan. Mr. Flaska said that one of the many ways he contacted politicians to talk with the student group was asking people with “connections at Deerfield to folks that know people in the Trump administration.” Furthermore, with the astounding number of educational museums near the National Mall, selecting the few to explore was difficult. Mr. Flaska usually leads a trip to a Native American First Nations Reservation in Canada, but unfortunately wasn’t able to travel internationally due to COVID-19. The idea to visit the National Museum of the American Indian came from his previous trips to Montreal. Mr. Flaska also said that he had been to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum before and that it was a powerful experience, so he thought that it would be valuable to include it in the trip. Ella Moriarty ’25, who went on the trip, said, “One thing that is really great about Deerfield is that you have people coming from all different backgrounds. When you have a group of people that are all unalike to a certain degree, having and fostering experiences that talk about justice, passion, and acknowledgment it is really cool.” The participants of the trip were thus able to meet and engage in meaningful discussions navigating different perspectives. Ultimately, the D.C. trip displays the spirit of the CSGC, whose trips provide students with valuable learning experiences and opportunities to form new, invaluable bonds with people from diverse walks of life.

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We all love drinks. Whether it be sweet, sour, or bitter, the icon of your beverage can say a lot about you. Your drink isn’t just something that you prefer but represents a part of your everyday life that is constant and enduring. With that said, here is what some of your drink choices reveal:  Sugary Drinks: Lemonades/Sweet tea/Hot Chocolate The taste of sugar meeting your tastebuds has never been sweeter. You relish the syrup’s occupation of your gustatory system. As an individual, you are incredibly energetic and love to go out and explore. Your desire for fun and laughter never fails to bring smiles to other people, and you like being the source of joy. Sitting around and doing nothing is wasted time when adventure calls right outside the dorm exit. For you, nothing is more important than making the most of your time. You prefer to be in big groups with your friends, socializing and having the comfort of your peers around you. Being alone is rarely desired and only when necessary or forced. You like to take life as it comes, meeting challenges and tasks by living in the present rather than employing meticulous planning to get through the term. Overall, you’re a  hearty individual that loves to be with your friends and do things together as a group.  Caffeinated beverages: Coffee/Tea/Energy drinks You love the kick of adrenaline that your drink provides, caffeine rushing into your system and warming your body’s engine for the day. Your sense of drive and purpose is what defines your day, whether it be exceeding your PR at the gym or writing a killer play that you want to showcase. You want to make sure you hit the ground running with no hesitation. That extra push from your energizer is the match that lights the motivation to get the task done, never failing to give you the energy to last you through the day. Your personality is goal-orientated, always thinking about hitting the next benchmark to achieve a greater goal, and you use caffeine as the whetstone for your focus. Without your drink, you can sometimes be cranky, irritable, or sluggish as you clamber your way through the day with a questionable amount of sleep and lethargic anxiety. But in the end, you’re an individual that people respect for having a goal and committing to it, understanding the drive it takes to do so.  Water: You’re often mistaken as simple for choosing water, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. You’re content with water, always reliable and unfailing, just like you. You’re somebody that thrives independently, who can hold themselves and the people around them accountable. The work and effort you put into the day is always consistent and rarely falters, something that is valued by both your peers and teachers. You’re also an incredibly flexible individual. Like water, you can adapt and find your own enjoyment in virtually anything, always done to try something new. Your open mind will also make it easy to get along with you, and your friends will have a mix of all sorts of backgrounds, passions, and talents. Overall, you’re an easy-going individual that everyone can rely on, and you have no problems making friends wherever you go.  These are just a few of the traits your drinks can reveal. In actuality, everyone mixes multiple drinks (hence the combo drinks everyone does). So the next time you go to the dining hall, check what’s in someone’s glass and maybe you can meet a new friend.

How long have you been at Deerfield? This is my 27th year. What brought you to Deerfield? I knew that I wanted to teach highschool students and I wanted to be in a place that would allow me to teach the kind of courses I like… Asia and World History, U.S-China Relations, and The History of Opium. What is your favorite Deerfield tradition? Singing together on Sunday nights. Did you make any New Years resolutions? To get outside more. What’s your favorite restaurant to get take out from in the area? Ginger Garden.  Any Netflix recommendations? Money Heist, original Spanish with subtitles.  If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? I would go back to Nepal. As a teacher, what’s one tip you have for highschool students? Stop thinking so much about grades and really lean into the educational experience.  What’s one thing students do that you would consider a pet peeve as a teacher? Starting a sentence with “wait.”  What’s the last thing that happened that made you genuinely laugh or smile? Watching my students compete to put together a silly puzzle.

Top Scroll intelligence has recently confirmed that a new Deerfield publication has taken root, calling themselves  the “Scrawl”. Popping up in microwaves across campus, this paper has truly shaken the Deerfield community- from huge printed Scrawl copies on the Dining Hall floor, to scathing exposès on high profile community members – no one is safe. With the help of hidden cameras, constant surveillance, non-disclosed internal sources, and the wire-tapping of suspected Scrawl writers, the location of Scrawl headquarters has been pinpointed to a nondescript classroom on the second floor of the Main School Building. Reports of huge Red Bull shipments and pizza deliveries to the classroom have only amplified rumors of students living full time in the headquarters, and students fear the possibility of Scrawl spies living in their dorms, collecting information. “It’s like… you kinda become afraid to do or say certain stuff, because you know they’ll say anything in their issues, right? You know, it’s like, who am I even talking to? Like, nothing is off limits for them” said one female student, who preferred to remain anonymous. Directly after making this comment, she became suspicious of the Scroll reporter’s possible affiliation with the Scrawl and refused to contribute any more to the record.  Pockets of devout Scrawl followers have begun cropping up across the globe, and a surprising amount of celebrity support has accumulated.  “The Scrawl really GETS me,” said global pop sensation Justin Bieber as he chewed thoughtfully on a Flamin’ Hot Cheeto. “I’ve always wanted a newspaper that’s really raw. Like, I feel like in interviews everyone sugarcoats the facts for me because I’m Justin Bieber. But the Scrawl gets the real me. Can you put something in this article about my tour, by the way? Buy tickets for the Justice stadium tour. Word.” Should the Scrawl continue to gain momentum, its impact could prove devastating. In an official statement, CIA representatives said they “can neither confirm nor deny” Russian involvement. Additionally, global leaders are keeping a close eye on the Scrawl’s self-proclaimed “King” Jerry Zhou, noting any potential threats to international security. For now, readers, keep your eyes peeled, stay safe, and continue receiving your news from the only real and reliable source in the Valley – the Scroll .

After a hiatus from most sporting competitions last year, Deerfield students are once again thrilled to compete in interscholastic competitions… and for long bus rides! Whether you are traveling just to NMH or far away to Andover, to your first away game or fiftieth, here are some top rated activities to pass the time.  Sleep – A highly acclaimed activity for several reasons. Sleeping passes the time like no other, offering a quick boost to your energy level for the upcoming game (or on the flipside, providing a fast power-nap after a Deerfield victory). If you choose to sleep on the bus, the window seat is the way to go as it gives you a headrest on one side. Just make sure to avoid the tire seat if you want to keep your legroom.  Talk to your teammates – Get to know someone you don’t know super well, chat with your captain, or sit with your usual bus buddy. Away game bus rides offer a great opportunity to forge a new friendship with someone you haven’t had the chance to get to know quite yet. If you have a designated ‘bus buddy’, try something new and challenge yourself to sit with a different person on each bus ride. This will leave you looking forward to every lengthy drive. Ultimately, there is no better way to spend your time than laughing with both new and old friends.  Homework – An especially popular choice for Wednesday away games. You may not necessarily enjoy doing homework on the bus but once you finish the pile of work, you’ll feel stress-free for the rest of the day. If you are someone who does not get headaches or motion sickness from reading on the bus, doing homework is definitely an efficient use of time.  Play games on your phone – From mainstream games such as Candy Crush to Clash Royale to those random ones that no one but you understands, playing games on your phone is an entertaining way to help pass the time. Find a new game that you haven’t tried before (I personally recommend Sally’s Spa ) and you’ll be at your destination in no time. However, if you do choose to spend your time playing games, don’t forget to bring a (portable) charger… the charging ports on the bus work 0.0001% of the time. Listen to music – For the majority of students who remember to bring their Airpods on the bus, listening to music makes these long bus rides a little less drab. For the select unlucky few who forget to bring their Airpods, do not fret – someone probably brought a speaker. Listening to music on a speaker is a great way to get the whole team pumped for the game. You can even create a collaborative playlist with your team on the bus! Despite the dullness of bus rides, it is always possible to have a good time with your teammates on the drive. The five activities listed above guarantee a good time for you and your friends. The bus ride can be a favorite part of away games, so make the most of your time with your teammates and coaches. Good luck on all upcoming games – Deerfield, we’re cheering for thee!

It’s cold here at Deerfield! If you have poorly heated rooms like mine, the battle against the cold never ends, even when you’re inside your beds, firmly nestled inside a blanket-cave and hugging your pillows for dear life. Staying warm is a struggle, and sometimes you can feel so helpless against the cool air because you can’t control the weather. To aid your fight against the merciless cold and snow of Deerfield’s winter, here is a list of seven survival items that will keep you warm and safe. Weatherstrips: Feel the cold air seeping through the hairline gaps in your windowsill? Block it out with weatherstrips! They come in various thicknesses and materials; I recommend foam or rubber for foolproof insulation. The best part is that a roll of weatherstrip comes with adhesive tape already attached, so all you have to do is peel and stick it on!  Electric heating pad: This heats up within minutes of clicking “ON” and it’s perfect for rolling out onto the bed! Once you get under your blankets, your cocoon of perfect warmth will remain undisturbed for the rest of the night! Sleep cold-free with an electric heating pad this winter.  Tea heater/warmer: All of you have probably experienced leaving your hot drink on the table for five minutes and coming back to find it lukewarm/cold. Your problem can be solved with a tea heater that keeps your tea/coffee warm for your enjoyment! It’s quite cheap and easy to operate. This nifty gadget is also known to keep food warm, as long as it’s sealed in a container.  Hand Warmer: Hand Warmers are better than gloves; they radiate heat and can keep your whole body warm if you put it in your pockets. If you’re the type of person who loses gloves easily, why not buy single-use hand warmers this winter and melt your frozen fingers? Long, fuzzy socks : Say no more! If you have cold feet, long, fuzzy socks are your go-to items this winter. Keep those toes protected with an extra layer; socks really do make all the difference! Best of all, they’re often cheap– did you see the $1 sock sale at Old Navy? Warm fuzzy slippers could be another alternative that will keep your body heat insulated.  Humidifier: You might think, “Question mark?”, but scientists have proven that buying a humidifier is effective against the cold. They also hinder the spread of viruses, which happens quicker in dry environments. Stay hydrated and warm with a humidifier. A note of caution: buy one that’s easy to wash (one without any convoluted structures)  or else it’s really hard to get rid of limescale once it settles. Thick, comfy pajamas: A good pair of pajamas don’t just set the tone for bedtime; they act like your personal tent tailored to fit your body, and ensconce you in a safe, sheltered bubble. For people who have grown up wearing pajamas to sleep, it can provide you with comfort knowing that you have a piece of home with you at all times.  Your level of warmth can really make or break your day, so we at the Deerfield Scroll encourage you to stay toasty at all times with these must-have winter essentials! Stay healthy and safe, Deerfield! We wish you a warm winter in the Valley.

9:20 AM  I sluggishly awaken from a long sleep.Two loud knocks at the door signal that breakfast has arrived and I attempt to get out of bed. 10:00 AM Attempt two to get out of bed. 10:20 AM Ok, I really get out of bed this time. I need to get ready for my Zoom class at 11:00. I’m lucky I have a free period.  10:30 AM I get dressed, brush my teeth, and open the door to get my breakfast. I look into the brown bag and see delicious cold eggs and rice from the Dining Hall waiting for me.  11:00 AM I open my laptop and log on to my Zoom Spanish class. My teacher has COVID so all my classmates are on Zoom, though many are logged on from the classroom. I enviously look at the in-person students, free from the confines of COVID-19, as I begin conjugating my verbs on conjuguemos.com.  12:30 PM I finish my Spanish class as I again hear two loud knocks at the door. Lunch has just been dropped off. I anxiously look into the brown bag for my second meal of the day. Beef and rice. Yum.  1:20 PM I log on to my second Zoom class of the day. This time, it’s English. My teacher struggles to connect his iPad to Zoom so that I can engage in the class discussion, but I can barely hear the other students. Oh well. I can’t wait to leave.  2:50 PM I finally finish my class, having actively engaged in the discussion for a good 30 seconds. I take a quick break on TikTok before I start my homework. 6:00 PM I’m still on TikTok when I hear two knocks again on the door. Yay. It’s dinner time. Chicken and rice. I hate rice. 7:00 PM  I finally start my homework. I work for a whole 20 minutes before taking another quick break on my phone. 10:00 PM Now I realize why study hall exists. I again start my homework, only to be interrupted by blaring music coming through the paper-thin walls of the room next to me. 12:00 AM I begin to get ready for bed after a hard day’s work, but first a little bit of Netflix. 3:00 AM Ok I really need to go to bed. I shut off my computer after an exciting and studious day at the COVID Inn.

After a relatively healthy fall term, students have re-adjusted to wearing masks, testing more frequently, and adhering to other COVID-19 protocols this winter. While more positive cases have also impacted academics, students’ social lives, and the mental health of the entire Deerfield community, this wave of COVID-19 has acutely disrupted winter sports.  Due to COVID-19’s almost unnoticeable impact on the student body this fall, sports teams were able to practice and play games as normal. However, after Thanksgiving break, many winter sports games for teams such as hockey, swimming and diving, and squash were cancelled due to increasing concerns about the virus. Whether it was too many athletes being identified as close-contacts or other schools struggling with similar COVID-related issues, winter athletes were forced to be flexible.  COVID-19 has barred many athletes from playing, due to either their contracting of the virus or their being named a close contact. This frequent loss of players has forced winter teams  to readjust often.  Thomas Lu ’23, a member of the Boys Varsity Basketball team, pointed out that athletes have also felt other impacts of the campus outbreak, saying, “It has been harder to connect as a team, because talking to someone with a mask on is completely different than talking to them without a mask on.” Lu added that the team “has always been short a couple guys this season because of COVID-19 and close contacting.”  On the other hand, Ryan McHugh ’23, a Boys Varsity Hockey player, said, “It was good to see the guys who remained step up and fill roles.” He added that COVID has “made the team closer” because they’ve had to come together to overcome these uncertain times.  Emma Gurnell ’22 from Girls Varsity Hockey shared that, due to game cancellations, she “can’t get dressed with [her] teammates in the locker room” and experience the other forms of team bonding that other teams have experienced. However, she added that game cancellations have made the team stronger in some ways, because they have held practices where they could “focus on [their] weaknesses.” While sports cancellations have been hard for everyone, including fans, they are particularly impactful for athletes seeking college recruitment. The virus has left athletes with limited opportunities to get in-game film of their play and invite college scouts to watch their games. Game cancellations have also limited the amount of time that each athlete gets to play their sport against real-time competition.  Gurnell, a postgraduate student from Westminster School, reflected that in her season last year, she had no games. She added that she “is in a much better position already, having [multiple] games in [her] pocket” and that, when she gets on the ice, she is “playing for the people who didn’t get the opportunity last year.” Gurnell added a semblance of appreciation, as she credits the COVID-19 pandemic for making her realize that you cannot take any moment on the ice for granted.