Magazine 5.2 - Spring 2022 by The Lasso

THE LASSO

The official student magazine of Meridian High School Spring 2022 // Volume 5, Issue 2

Meeting Ms. Hardy

Mary Asel: “You need some help. I’m going to show up.”

H4H: Building homes and spreading hope

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 08 Profiles of the Heart and Soul of Falls Church 16

The world of high school sports

Historic roots of Falls Church

Ukraine: Day of Solidarity

for a playlist...

Cover designs by Eva Williams and Megan Clinton

@LassoMeridian

We publish student voices. The Lasso (Meridian) 2

Email eic.lasso@gmail.com or DM @lassomeridian

Lasso Magazine // Spring 2022

Editor’s Letter The Lasso Meridian High School 121 Mustang Alley, Falls Church, VA 22043 703-248-5500 www.meridianlasso.org Volume 5, Issue 2 Spring 2022

Editors-in-Chief Sam Mostow Eva Williams

Managing Editors Megan Clinton Liam Timar-Wilcox

News Editor Stella Turner

Features Editors Audrey Morrison Clara Kasik

Opinion Editor Isabel Costa

Video/Broadcast Editor Truman Lapp

Staff Writers & Contributors Jack Ackerman Sophia Borghesani Mino Castillo-Juarez Elizabeth Creed Abby Crespin Kaylah Curley Mac Duross Greta Hermann Everett Johnson Laura Lieu

Preston Lieu Kylie Moffatt Molly Moore Catherine Norton Pariss Quaintance AJ Strang Maia Tartaglino Emma Tice-Kepner Thomas Wotka

Mission Statement: The Lasso and its staff strive to inform their readers through accurate and factual reports, where information has been thoroughly gathered and verified; serve as an educational laboratory experience for those on staff; be accurate, fair, and impartial in its coverage of issues that affect the school community; not avoid publishing a story solely on the basis of possible dissent or controversy; cover the total school population as effectively and accurately as possible; report all issues in a legal, objective, accurate and ethical manner, in accordance with the Canons of Professional Journalism developed by the Society for Professional Journalists. Lasso Magazine // Spring 2022

As we reflected on what the theme of our magazine should be, our editorial team thought back to recent themes. Due to the media takeover of the pandemic, they’ve revolved around how our community dealt with COVID-19. This year was marked with wholeness -- a whole school year in-person, in the new school, with many of the traditions past classes have enjoyed brought back into the limelight. So we chose to focus on the “Heart and Soul” of The Little City, a slightly fun-sy but genuine attempt to encapsulate the unique spirit of Falls Church City -- the community members, historic buildings, and special quirks that make up the place we call home. We profiled a teacher who has been here a long time (page 9), a community member who was a constant presence at FCCPS schools during the COVID-19 pandemic (page 22), a student who journeyed to manage every sports team at Meridian (page 20), and more. This magazine also includes a look into protests in D.C. in solidarity with Ukraine (page 28), a glimpse into the world of Meridian’s female wrestlers (page 17), and features editor Audrey Morrison’s last printed “For the Record” (page 6). You may also spot designs from our fantastic graphics team, who created content on iPads, an exciting method that students hadn’t experimented with before in class. Thank you to the Lasso staff, which includes all those in our journalism class and out-of-class club. Our team of about thirty all wrote profiles (the ones that aren’t in this edition are published on lassomeridian.org). Many also designed pages, copyedited, and created graphics. It was the last magazine for eleven staff members, and their work on this magazine and in their Lasso careers has been greatly appreciated. Special thanks to the rest of our editorial staff and our devoted advisor, Mrs. Lietzen, for all their work putting this magazine together. We had a blast creating it, and we hope you enjoy reading it!

Editors-in-Chief 3

WHAT’S IN YOUR BAG? By Audrey Morrison and Megan Clinton

TATE CEARA

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AVERY

GARRETT

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Springsteen for the Spring Teen By Audrey Morrison and Eva Williams

In the depths of American music lie many guitar-playing men, such as Bob Dylan, Jeff Buckley, and Joe Bonamassa, but there’s one that strikes a chord with all the rest: The Boss, the Italian Stallion, Sir Bruce Springsteen. He is the type of artist whose music almost feels patriotic to listen to, simply because of its iconic place in American history. (Also, probably because of “Born in the U.S.A.”). He has a podcast with Barack Obama, he’s performing 40 years into his career, and he’s a bluegrass-playing national icon. When I think of music in The Little City, I think of bluegrass. In fact, the music genre and our city invoke many of the same warm, multifaced, rooted in tradition feelings for me. As I look forward to the annual events to come, there’s always one thing I await with bated breath. For one bustling, hot day in late spring, The Little City is alive and bursting with color. The Tinner Hill Music Festival. The “Party in the Park” attracts crowds of Falls Churchians to Cherry Hill with the promise of award-winning barbecue, face 6

paint, and bluegrass. Bringing it back to our dear friend Bruce, we can revel in his bright explorations of sound in the springtime. He brings energy and fun during a time of the year where we begin to have more fun. Long drives, walks in the sunshine, and backyard dinners -- they all could use a bit of Springsteen in the background. When I heard the clash and brass of Bruce Springsteen’s “The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle,” I was immediately transported

(Graphic by Ellen Chadwick)

to the Tinner Hill Music Festival. Scenes of Springsteen’s hometown, heritage, and history mingle with glowing guitar licks and soulful croons. His sophomore release is an epic of adolescent highs and lows and in many ways, a fitting farewell to my high school career. The second track of “The Wild, The Innocent…,” “4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy),” might just be the best song ever made. Ambling and building in might, “Sandy” grapples with sweet reminiscence and borrowed Lasso Magazine // Spring 2022

time. Complete with accordion, plenty of jazzy keys, and Springsteen’s signature sprawling guitar, he looks back one last time at the town that raised him. “Oh love me tonight, for I may never see you again.” There’s finality and gravity, but above all, Springsteen seeks to pay homage to his own little city roots. As I say goodbye to friends and familiarity, I look forward to the promise of independence and much needed change. Springsteen’s “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)” is a similar last hurrah. The track crescendos, enticing all sorts of hopes with the lyrics “hold on tight, stay up all night” and “jump a little higher.” The last couple months of school sprawl out endlessly, digging in their feet and refusing to drift. If we only hold out a little longer, jump a little higher, and occasionally glance over study materials, I think we’ll be alright. The possibility of new beginnings and bright futures is only too good to ignore. As Springsteen wrote odes to his hometown, I write odes to mine. In this way, I’m basically Bruce Springsteen.

Bruce Springsteen’s nostaligic, sophomoric album: “The Wild, The Innocent & E Street Shufflle” (Photo by Klaus Hiltscher via Flickr)

The logo for the Tinner Hill Music Festival, which will take place on June 11. (Photo via tinnerhill.org)

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A Look Inside the Life of Dr. DeFazio By Preston Lieu Most people know Dr. Albert DeFazio as the Hemingway-obsessed English teacher who has worked at Meridian as long as anyone can remember. However, before establishing himself as a teacher, professor, and Hemingway scholar, Dr. DeFazio grew up in Northern Virginia, just like many of his students. As a baby, his family lived in an apartment on James Street, which is located right here in the Little City. Shortly after, the family moved to a new home, where he remembers some of his fondest childhood memories. There were a variety of occupations and careers Dr. DeFazio took on before arriving at Meridian to teach students. His first job, outside of cutting grass, was at Carvel’s Ice Cream in Merrifield, where he recalls, “hand-dipped cones were only 17 cents at the time.” Dr. DeFazio also worked as a dietician’s assistant at the Fairfax Hospital, but he admitted that the title meant he mostly “worked the unending food line, mopped floors, polished steel, and got drenched [while] washing gargantuan pots.” Next, he worked at a family-run excavation business. During the week, he would work on several job sites “digging basements and putting drain tile around foundations,” or, his favorite, “raking gravel in septic fields.” On the weekends, though, he worked on the owner’s farm — building pole barns, making hay, or clearing lots. As a young adult, Dr. DeFazio coached and served on the board of the local Little League — the very same one Lasso Magazine // Spring 2022

Dr. DeFazio relaxes in a lawn chair. (Photo by Albert DeFazio)

that he played on as a kid. “I have thought about those jobs and experiences a lot over the years,” Dr. DeFazio said. His last job before he began teaching, painting walls at the Culpeper Baptist Retirement Community, especially impacted him. “Working in the retirement home as a twenty-something, just married, was incredibly instructive,” he said. “Here were all of these folks who had already walked most of their journey.” He described some of the different lifestyles he encountered among the retirement homes: “Most of them lived in a single room, with one or two pieces of furniture and lamps and shades from another era. Their entire lives were boiled down to this small space that they’d made uniquely their own, with ancient family photos on the plaster walls,” Dr. DeFazio said. Hearing the stories of those more experienced than he changed his perspective on his own future. In his youth, DeFazio also picked up a variety of hobbies, many of which he still enjoys in his spare time today. He compared one of these activities, finishing and repairing furniture, to teaching. “Antiques are stone silent and they won’t tell you in so many words what you need to do to make them run better. You have to figure it out anew with each piece.” As an adult, another activity that played a significant role in Dr. DeFazio’s life was his interest in American writers Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald. He has written about the two for more than thirty years,

“At its core, teaching is affirmative” - Albert DeFazio and Dr. DeFazio takes pride in this work. “For more than a decade, I wrote the annual chapter on Hemingway and Fitzgerald for the American Literary Scholarship, which required that I had read everything by and about the authors – and that meant lots of reading,” he added. Dr. DeFazio has also written a book about “The Sun Also Rises,” a novel by Hemingway; a collection of letters between Hemingway and his first biographer; several chapters in anthologies; and the first five volumes of “The Letters of Ernest Hemingway” as an associate editor. “For most academicians, publishing is linked to tenure and promotion. For me, it was really just a serious hobby,” Dr. DeFazio commented on his Hemingway work. Even after working in a wide variety of memorable childhood jobs, DeFazio eventually settled down as an English teacher. When asked why he chose to pursue this career, he joked that he is “still working towards an answer.” However, with a more serious tone, he also noted that “at its core, teaching is affirmative,” which is his favorite part of the job. 9

Meeting Ms. Hardy By Abby Crespin

On Tuesday, Feb. 22, Ms. Valerie Hardy, Head of Secondary Schools, guided me down Meridian’s hallways, through staircases and passages I didn’t even know existed as I began my journey of shadowing her for the day. I had originally expected to be a silent participant at meetings, only sitting and taking notes, but Ms. Hardy would invite me to speak during meetings, and other administrators would talk and joke with me. Dr. Peter Noonan, FCCPS Super-

intendent, even bought us lunch. I saw a playful yet hard-working, diligent side of the administrative team that I had never experienced before. Immediately after Ms. Hardy walked into the room with assistant principals Mr. Rob Carey and Mr. Adam White, the three began joking and poking fun at one another. According to Carey, White suffers from “the sniffles,” and Carey claims that everyone should take a daily Claritin, a recommendation backed up by his doctor.

“This is how misinformation spreads,” Ms. Hardy joked. Ms. Hardy has recently transitioned from her previous position as principal of Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School (MEHMS) to her new role as Head of Secondary Schools. Last June, Noonan announced the changes to the leadership teams of the two schools. The intent of this change was to formulate a more unified administration to pair with the unified campus, and to better align the IB curriculum within the student experience

Valerie Hardy poses at the center of Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School as students and staff pass around her. (Photo by Rob Carey)

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at both Henderson and Meridian. FCCPS is currently re-evaluating its strategy for the entire school system, including its mission, vision, and goals, and Ms. Hardy plays an important role in this new process. She oversees the administration of both Henderson and Meridian, but I saw that her role is much more than just overseeing two administrations. Ms. Hardy hopes to lead a student-centric experience that carries throughout a student’s time on the Secondary Campus, but this leadership comes with some tradeoffs. Ms. Hardy revealed that she misses her previous direct involvement with all the events at each school. She explained that with her new job, she is only brought in to assist with larger issues impacting the broader environment. For example, as we left the meeting with Carey and White, Ms. Hardy explained that part of her new role has shifted from a need for her direct work on every issue to her planting what she called “nuggets’’ in order for the other administrators to solve the issue on their own. We ate our lunch in her office together, where Ms Hardy mentioned her father as we talked together. She said that much of her passion for education was derived from him and his influence, and growing up he was always a role model for her and still is in memory. “He was definitely, definitely one of my best friends,” said Ms. Hardy. We decided to order Plaka Grille after Dr. Noonan offered to buy us lunch. The administrators joked about Plaka being “scarring” after having previously ordered Lasso Magazine // Spring 2022

Hardy smiles while standing in the Meridian lobby. (Photo by Chrissy Henderson)

from there every day for a week. In between meetings, we discussed student life, school spirit, Block 8 and the artwork around the school. We’d both noticed a lack in student interactions in hallways and less engagement at sports events and pep rallies. Ms. Hardy expressed her desire to reintroduce the school community that was lost due to COVID-19. We agreed that following the return to in-person, although our classes are the same as before, the community, spirit and social dynamic of the school is still partially absent. Our final meeting of the day centered around recent issues of mental health, and how to provide support and resources to students and staff. Ms. Hardy recognized that oftentimes the administration’s perception of student needs and wants often differs from actual student’s needs and wants, and she and the administration are actively working to bridge that gap. I found that despite working in the same building as Ms Hardy, my day as a student drastically differs from hers. Even though the rooms she works in and the people

she works with are clearly different, the focal point of her work was always clear: the students. Whether dealing with a specific incident, planning ahead or discussing the upcoming spring dance, her job is student-centered. As I reflected on our day together, I remembered that Ms. Hardy always sat towards the middle of the table. She didn’t speak over anyone, but instead created an equal and interactive environment while still maintaining respect. As both a young woman and aspiring leader, I found that Ms. Hardy’s actions and leadership techniques contain something that all can learn from. These techniques especially show in how she interacts with students and staff, saying hello to everyone she meets and never dominating the discussion while still progressing towards goals, as well as her consistent kindness and reflections on her own work and the work of the administration overall. While Hardy never sat at the head of the table, her respectful yet commanding presence made it clear that she was looked up to as a leader. 11

It all started with Playboi Carti… By Audrey Morrison

written music as much… I feel like sometimes it limits creativity.” When asked what creatively Everyone has a “thing.” That inspires him, I finally saw a light autonomous, defining detail in your spark in Kaethan’s eyes. Words life that gives it color and purpose. For some at Meridian High School, streamed from him, rapid-fire. it’s achieving outstanding grades or “When I was in ninth grade I got into this one rapper: Playboi Carti. being the captain of a sports team. Y’know who Playboi Carti is? And For junior Kaethan Virmani, his “thing” can be defined by one word: when I first heard him, it was like this new sound I’d never heard music. before. It sounds sort of funny “When I was really young, because it’s Playboi Carti but at the like seven years old, my mom same time - y’know that’s what got signed me up for piano lessons.” me into music.” A simple, unassuming beginning. He joked, trying to scholarly Kaethan dictates to me this time of sing the praises of Playboi his life in a distant, lackadaisical Carti: “the language… the vocal way. inflections. You could describe it As a somewhat perpetual super complex like his infantile…” ‘new kid’, Kaethan moved around Kaethan laughed, then grew the country often. Even without sincere. “But really that was my first geographical constancy, he found inspiration.” himself overwhelmed yet bored The booming melody with the sameness of concert piano. of Playboi Carti and Tyler, “I played classical piano, and then when I was in 8th grade, I really just the Creator’s “EARFQUAKE” transcended from the carpool stopped liking it.” When encouraged to follow stereo of Kaethan’s ride to school. He kept the song in his head, classical routes, he found that the running over the lyrics until bounds of musical arrangements they were imprinted in his brain, were confining. “I don’t like 12

Kaethan Virmani editing music on his laptop in the library. (Photo by Audrey Morrison)

waiting for the second he got home. There, with the help of the Internet, he discovered a wealth of resources: from the entirety of Carti’s discography, to his piano transcriptions, to rap and music production videos. “I was on YouTube, y’know? Where I was just getting recommended all these music videos and stuff. There were some videos like ‘types of producers’ and stuff, there was joke videos – they’re kinda dumb– but then I was like, damn, I wanna life like that.” Now, Kaethan modestly lists off the multiple instruments of his musical acumen. “Right now I play the piano (mostly jazz), I play the trombone in band… I can sort of play the drums... I am mediocre at the bass.” He can boast of relative TikTok and YouTube fame (but he won’t). He’s humble and almost diffident about his Internet popularity. “During quarantine, I just wanted to be famous,” Kaethan explains. “I just wanted to get a bunch of views on TikTok.” Lasso Magazine // Spring 2022

Despite ultimately fulfilling his resolution, he felt empty from his newly garnered fame. “Eventually I got that…then I didn’t really feel fulfilled.” It was only when his computer broke, when he finally found gratification. When Kanye West famously suffered a shattered jaw from a car crash in 2002, he accidentally jumpstarted his lyrical and vocal career. When Kaethan Virmani’s computer broke due to water damage, a different transformation took place. He describes how the two accidents (though, in his own words, “a loose parallel”) are deceptively similar. “During quarantine, I was trying to make beats and then… my computer actually broke but like in a way –y’know how Kanye got into the car crash – although it was a setback for him, he ended up getting big.” Turning away from the digitized ease of BandCamp beats, Kaethan found inspiration in an old, cast-aside instrument. “When my computer broke, I played piano more and just explored different chords and stuff. It was like a

different world of harmony. I wasn’t really getting views anymore…but I was content.” Music production wasn’t always plain sailing and perfect harmonies, though. Kaethan winces when recalling his early rap and lyric endeavors. “When I was in ninth grade, I tried recording my voice… it was really bad. It was my first song I ever made. And there’s like, so much autotune. I was honestly trying to be the next rapper. I thought it was actually good, that was the sad part.” In spite of the intense embarrassment that marks his face, Kaethan admits that there was a silver lining to the terrible tune. Like a musical detox, he laughs, it was “good to get that out there, out of my system. Everyone has to have one song like that.” Having grown some and learned some, Kaethan came to terms with his vocal inadequacies. “I realized that I have no rapping or singing abilities. So it was like, okay I need to become a producer now.” Despite his aversion to the rigidity of written music, Kaethan

was drawn to Meridian’s jazz band. “I love playing in jazz band and improvising on a solo.” He touts the accomplishments and freedom of expression which MaryJo West, music and band director at Meridian, encourages all students to assert. “I feel like the band teacher, Ms. West, gives me opportunities to use my music production skills or create.” Kaethan jumps to lay praise on her support for the ensemble, recounting the many times Ms. West has supported him in his musical endeavors. “Like one time, I made a backing track for ‘INDUSTRY BABY’ [by Lil Nas X feat. Jack Harlow] at the football games… or one time I mixed the audio for the band.” The fear of the unknown doesn’t seem to faze Kaethan. In fact, the mystery seems to excite him. “I think that’s my favorite part about music… sometimes you don’t know what you’re doing exactly… but you play it and somehow it works, y’know? And you’re just jamming like that.” And what does the future hold for Kaethan Virmani? He’d love to tell you all about it. “One other project I’m thinking of doing: maybe writing a song for jazz band or something. It would probably be something like, groovy. Soulful.” Although he’s taken a slight compositional detour from the inspiration of his youth, Kaethan still pays homage to the musician who started it all. When asked who he would choose if he could collab with anyone dead or alive, the first answer that comes to him is easy, self-assured. “You already know, it’s Playboi Carti.”

Kaethan Virmani playing the guitar. (Photo by Audrey Morrison) Lasso Magazine // Spring 2022

GOING By Eva Williams

If you ever walk down the fourth floor hallway to the science classrooms, you might see plants lined against the windows, illuminated fish tanks, and the ever-purple glow seeping from the vivarium. You also might see Ms. Carolyn Pollack, the Environmental Systems and Societies teacher, tending to all that lies within the micro-ecosystem of Meridian. While Ms. Pollack has only been heading environmental care at the new Meridian since its opening, she’s been teaching classes on the subject for far longer. She started out as the head of the science department of the defunct alternative education department in 2006 until moving to Meridian in 2009 to teach Earth Science. When environmental classes started being offered in 2010, she followed Mr. Pepper as one of the first teachers on that area of education. But, before teaching the subject, she was an Earth-science obsessed high school student. She claims to be “an Earth scientist at heart.” She studied geology at the University of North CarolinaChapel Hill for her undergrad, earned her master’s degree in education at Virginia Tech, and recently finished another masters program for geography at George Mason University. Though students may picture Ms. Pollack choosing her career path due to an obsession with plant growth and microorganisms in the stereotyped science teacher fashion, she states that she’s “always tended towards 14

GREEN Carolyn Pollack waters a plant outside the vivarium. (Photo by Eva Williams)

the inorganic.” She hasn’t always enjoyed the biotic aspects of science -dissecting frogs or working with worms -- and felt grossed out by interaction with living things. “I’ve gotten a lot better with that,” she laughed. In terms of what’s in store, Ms. Pollack looked to the prospect of Meridian adding a “sustainability academy.” The program will involve taking a series of classes, but also participating in projects around the campus and connecting school projects to sustainable development goals. While the academy is in its infancy, it would eventually allow students to earn a “sustainability scholar medal” upon graduation. Ms. Pollack stressed the importance of understanding sustainability and climate work. “Sustainability isn’t a choice. When you say the word sustainability, you’re literally talking about the ability to sustain life into the future. Life will be sustained, it’s the conditions that we get to choose. You can’t just say that we’re not going to care about it and be surprised that current conditions will change.”

While Ms. Pollack has accumulated a wide range of knowledge on environmental sustainability, she admits that she still struggles with how to take action. “I try to be real about how hard the decisions are - the individual decisions to make a sustainable world and the collective policies for a more sustainable world.” She encourages students to research environmental issues, vote if they are able to, and get involved in service projects. Hopefully, soon, more opportunities for sustainability work will be offered at Meridian. Ms. Pollack holds a lot of optimism and excitement for the future -- even mentioning the possibility of raising chickens at Meridian. “Our goals are really big. We added indoor plants to better the air quality, we’re raising fish in the terrarium to study the food chain and consider the effects we can have on land systems. If we have chickens, we’ll sell eggs. We can give the extras to families in need, learning about economics and developing community.” Lasso Magazine // Spring 2022

A GLIMPSE INTO MS. AGUILAR’S WORLD

Clara Aguilar stands next to a bookcase in her classroom. (Photo by Molly Moore)

By Molly Moore

I walked into Ms. Clara Aguilar’s English classroom and immediately noticed her library in the corner by the window. On top of the shelf sat three baskets, one for each class where students can keep their book for sustained silent reading. As I walked further in, I observed boards in the back of the classroom covered by colorful scrapbook pages, layered by outstanding student examples and previous projects. Her room is welcoming and emulates her bright personality. Calling herself “a product of [her] upbringing,” Ms. Aguilar grew up in California, surrounded by beaches, deserts, and mountains. She describes herself as “pretty calm and pretty patient, but energetic” -- adjectives that describe her teaching style as well. She notes, “it’s hard for students to follow me sometimes” -- referencing the pace of her class -- because it jumps from a milder tone to “Go! Go! Go!” Ms. Aguilar knew she was going to be a teacher in first grade, when she was watching her teachLasso Magazine // Spring 2022

er do something and she thought “when I’m a teacher, I’m not going to do that.” However, her first grade self would have never realized the complexity of managing multiple classes. “Everyone believes they know what teachers do because they went to school, but there is a lot more that goes on behind the scenes,” she explained. Ms. Aguilar relished her time in college at the University of California, San Diego and greatly appreciated the laid-back culture. She was able to spend time at the beach and have picnics, and she frequented a local shop called Extraordinary Desserts, joking, “who would not want to live in a place with extraordinary desserts?” After college, Ms. Aguilar joined the Peace Corps for two years and was assigned to work in Trostyanets, a small village in Ukraine’s Vinnyts’ka Oblast region. She noted it was “often a linguistic adventure” as she was taught only Ukrainian but had to communicate in Surzhyk, a hybrid of Russian and Ukrainian. She mentioned feeling “like a small child” as she had to

relearn how to communicate. Ms. Aguilar spent her time in Ukraine teaching English to fifth through eleventh graders, as well as suggesting new approaches to teaching to the other English instructors. Ms. Aguilar described her experience as “intense [but] always an adventure.” She faced challenges, such as going weeks without consistent water sources during the springtime, struggling across dirt walkways when it rained or snowed, and navigating a language barrier. However, Ms. Aguilar was able to learn how to thrive in a less comfortable living environment. In addition, she “learned how people depend on each other in tough times and how the collective can be stronger than the individual,” a lesson she has brought home to her stateside classrooms. Along with teaching in Ukraine, Ms. Aguilar also taught in New York City and at Alexandria City High School before coming to Meridian. She currently teaches ninth grade Honors Lang and Lit and Language Learners’ classes. She enjoys watching her students grow over the course of their time together, especially with her Language Learners whom she typically teaches for two years. Ms. Aguilar takes joy in “watching them change from being absolutely brand new… they don’t speak any English, and at the end of those two years they are a completely different person.” Her favorite part of teaching is knowing that she has the potential to transform her students’ lives. Ms. Aguilar wants her students to know that they can “do anything they want to do [and] people will support you to help get you there.”

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AN INSIDE LOOK AT MERIDIAN’S

FEMALE WRESTLERS Elizabeth Creed

While many people know about Meridian’s talented and accomplished varsity wrestling team, many are unaware of the Mustangs’ female wrestlers. Meridian currently has five female wrestlers: juniors Emilie Miner and Senya Urbom, sophomore Megan Carpenter, and eighth graders Macy Brock and Audrey Pounds. The girls team is still a part of the larger Meridian wrestling team, but with the increased number of female wrestlers, they are able to attend tournaments specifically for girls teams. “I would say that girls tournaments have seriously helped me to see that, while girls wrestling isn’t sanctioned in Virginia yet, there are so many incredible girls and a real initiative for wrestling as females,” Miner said. They have competed in three gender specific tournaments so far this year, including the Girls State Wrestling Tournament. Urbom and Pounds both placed third in their respective weight classes in the first tournament. Pounds then placed third again at their second tournament, and second at the Girls State Tournament. Urbom has been a member of the wrestling team since her freshman year and played a key role in the increased number of female wrestlers. Urbom and the rest of the team want to recruit more female wrestlers in order to allow girls wrestling to become “sanctioned” in Vir-

Eighth grader Audrey Pounds came in third place at a girls wrestling tournament this season. (Photo via Twitter/@KishRafique) Lasso Magazine // Spring 2022

The team poses at a recent tournament. Since Meridian has more female wrestlers this season, they have been given opportunities to attend girl-specific tournaments. (Photo via Twitter/@KishRafique)

ginia. Sanctioning is the process in which these rewards, such as learning to overthe Virginia High School League official- come physical and mental challenges, ly recognizes a sport. If girls wrestling be- being a part of a family-like atmosphere, comes sanctioned, it would force teams to and having the opportunity to engage in acknowledge their female wrestlers and competitions with peers. She also emallow them to develop tournaments and phasized the life skills that wrestlers gain, such as leadership, confidence, accountmatches against girls. “It’s been years and the officials say ability, and self-defense. Rafique has been there still aren’t enough a huge proponent for numbers [to sanction “It has really changed my the female wrestlers girls wrestling], but at Meridian and conthe reason there aren’t outlook on coed tinues to push for the enough numbers is besports and how women sanctioning of the cause girls don’t want to still don’t have equal sport. join a team where they’re “The more females representation in not going to be taken sewe have on our team, riously or be taken to wrestling, at least in VA.” the more [the coachany tournaments,” Ur- Emilie Miner es] find opportunities bom said. “It’s kind of at for them to compete a standstill because we need more girls to get it sanctioned, but in girls specific tournaments,” Rafique girls don’t want to [wrestle] because it’s said. “We’ve attended three this season and have two [in the] postseason, which not sanctioned.” Urbom believes that recruiting female is unlike any other season we’ve had in wrestlers is key to girls wrestling becom- the past.” Overall, the girls team has made a very ing sanctioned. “If we can just recruit girls now, then positive impact on the athletic commuwe’ll be even closer to getting [girls wres- nity and the wrestlers are looking to continue to grow the team over the coming tling] sanctioned.” Having a wrestling program that is seasons. open to all students allows them to reap the benefits that wrestling can provide. Coach Kish Rafique stressed some of 17

GOODBYE WINTER Top left: Swimmers raise their hands and splash the water as a pre-race cheer. Top middle: A fan holds flips up three fingers as a Meridian shooter attempts a three-pointer. Top right: Senior Maeve Dodge cheers on her teammates. Middle right: A Mustang wrestler matches up against an opponent. Bottom left: Senior Ben Yimaj goes in for the dunk. Bottom middle: Senior Megan Tremblay anticipates the rebound. Bottom right: Senior Duncan Miller takes a jumpshot. (All photos by Eva Williams and Audrey Morrison) 18

Lasso Magazine // Spring 2022

HELLO SPRING

Top left: Flora Pelton stands in the batter’s box, awaiting a pitch. Top middle: Oliver Frandano approaches the ball to strike it. Top right: Josh Wattles stares down the pitcher and prepares to swing. Middle: Lucy Hladky observes the field. Bottom right: the boys lacrosse team holds their sticks in the air to cheer before a game. Bottom right: Bella Paradiso contests an opponent for a ball in the air. (All photos by Audrey Morrison)

Lasso Magazine // Spring 2022

Hunter Hicks: Manager Extraordinaire By AJ Strang

A hush fell over the basketball gym on the girls’ basketball senior night as the boisterous crowd looked into the hype tunnel. The players had already been introduced to rounds of applause, but the loudest cheer was yet to come. Attending my first Meridian basketball game, I wondered why the senior boys had been growing noticeably rowdier in anticipation for the last entrant. Trying to peer through the loosely-hung red streamers concealing the tunnel, I searched for a player. Instead, the emcee announced, “And last but not least, the team manager, Hunter Hicks!” A roar erupted from the student section. Hunter’s recognizable lanky figure emerged from the dark hall, eyes alit with excitement, his trademark baseball cap replaced by a tiara. He hugged his family and moved across the court to join the rest of the team, and I pondered whether the crowd was feeding off of Hunter’s energy or vice-versa. As the announcer read Hunter’s many bonafides – includ-

ing his participation in the SCA, his love of numismatics (coin collecting), his leadership in the Hat Club, and his contributions to Scholastic Bowl – I couldn’t help but wonder why this clearly busy student chose to commit so much of his precious, scarce time to manage three sport teams. Hunter claims that the explanation is quite simple. “When I first got to high school, I realized that I don’t really have the athletic abilities to succeed a lot as an athlete,” he said. “But I still wanted to be a major part of the athletic program. I thought managing was a great opportunity to help the team, in a fashion in which it was fun.” While Hunter humbly minimizes his competitive prowess – especially his Scholastic Bowl acumen as a key member of the regional-champion squad – he opted to devote himself to supporting other teams. Originally, his plan was to manage every sport at the school, but after being surrounded by both his and his sister’s friends on the girls field hockey team in his first gig, he noticed he “felt better connecting with one group, one team [per season].” Hunter then managed the swim and dive team in the win-

Hunter Hicks: state champion. (Photo by Hunter Hicks)

ter, before Coach Courtney Gibbons recruited him to manage girls lacrosse in the spring. However, according to Hunter, “when I was managing swim, they had to make a role for me, and I didn’t feel I was helping that much,” so he switched to managing the girls basketball team during his sophomore year to provide an even greater impact for his community. But what exactly does Hunter do as a manager? He explained that although he only attends the games for each sport, his job is quite detailed. For field hockey, Hunter fills a stat book with goals, shots on goals, assists, and saves. For basketball, Hunter works as the videographer, uploads games to Hudl, and edits highlight reels. And for lacrosse, Hunter operates the scoreboard, records stats, and “makes sure everything runs Lasso Magazine // Spring 2022

smoothly.” Hunter’s role is essential, as his collection of data and film allows Meridian students to be recruited by colleges. But, perhaps even more importantly, Hunter fills the unofficial role as the “head of team spirit, the team’s biggest fan.” Whether that comes from offering encouragement throughout the games themselves (“If you ever watch the films, I’m always the biggest clapper. I’m a big fan of clapping, you know”) or belting the lyrics to DJ Khaled’s hit single “All I Do Is Win” on a triumphant bus ride home, Hunter provides critical emotional support to the squads. Through his gregarious nature, Hunter has amassed quite the following and gained notoriety both school and district-wide. Still, he has always strived to put the team's performance above his own ego. Hunter provides a calming presence to his teams by soaking up the burden of conversation. While some athletes have complained about people trying to approach them in the heat of competition, Hunter expertly redirects all the distractions onto himself, relishing the opportunity to talk with enthusiastic referees, chatty players, competing managers, and nosy parents. On the Scholastic Bowl State Championship trip to Williamsburg, I witnessed first-hand how Hunter shielded the team from unwanted disturbances like pesky hotel managers. Indeed, Hunter described one of his favorite parts of being a manager as the opportunity to “go to all these different areas around the state, like Green County, which is like two and a half hours away. Kind of sucks, but once you’re there, you’re talking to a whole different Lasso Magazine // Spring 2022

group of people. It's a different part of Virginia, which is a diverse state to begin with.” Yet, even though Hunter may gain the largest following and the greatest applause, he deferred to his players when summing up his job: “I hope [the coaches and players] appreciate [my contributions]. There’s always going to be more of a connection between people playing the game together. But I think I play an important role, I know I’ve definitely bonded a lot with the players on the team, and I love hanging out with them as a quasi-part of the team.” As he departs for greener pastures after this year, Hunter will leave a tremendous vacuum in the athletic department. He urges others to follow in his footsteps, conveying that “you just have to contact the coach. I know wrestling wanted some managers… it never hurts to ask.” Although Hunter himself never had a mentor – “My fresh-

Hunter Hicks takes one for the team. (Photo byHunter Hicks)

man year the only person I managed with that managed longer than I did was, s*** I can’t remember her name, Kayla something” (Hunter was referring to Kylee Dunn ‘19) – he is eager to keep the tradition alive and show the tips and tricks of his vital profession to the next generation. As for the soon to be graduate’s own future plans, this iconic leader says that “in college it's a much different game, as you can’t really manage more than one sport. It's much more of a commitment, [but] I think it’d be fun to manage one sport.” Although I fear replacing Mr. Meridian himself may border on impossible, I can only dream that someone with Hunter’s sacrificial devotion, boundless enthusiasm, and knack for shenanigans may help fill the monumental void he will leave in his wake.

Mary Asel: “You need some help, I’m going to show up.” By Sam Mostow

Mary Asel is everywhere. Throughout the pandemic, she was a constant presence around Meridian, distributing textbooks, assembling desks, or setting up hubs. Her helpful outlook has greatly benefited the Meridian community and Falls Church as a whole. A NoVa native, she was a student at Fairfax High School and then Williams College. Afterwards, in the late 1980s, Asel worked as an analyst for an investment banker on Wall Street. “Back in the day, that meant crunching a ton of numbers to do financing. And I worked with state and local governments, so I’ve always had a heart for public policy.” When Wall Street had run its course, Asel attended business school at Dartmouth. Unfortunately for Asel, it was difficult to get jobs during economic troubles in 1992. She needed somewhere to go, and what could have been a better adventure than going to Eastern Europe right after the Soviet Union fell? Asel worked with a small bank in Budapest, Hungary, then moved to 22

Moscow and witnessed an attempted coup in 1993. “We had just gotten together with some old friends from that time, we had a lot of journalist friends,” Asel remarked. “There had been a ton of optimism about the perestroika and

Mary Asel photographs herself in action. (Photo by Mary Asel)

the opening and change. But it was not a seamless transition, let’s put it that way. And there was a ton of crime in Russia. But it was a great time to be there.” Asel moved to Falls Church City in 2000 and became involved in the Falls Church Education Foundation, rather than involving herself with just one school, because she had a child in all four school buildings. At the time, the Education Foundation had brought in Debbie Hiscott as the Executive Director and launched more programming efforts. The Falls Church Education Foundation is a leader in fundraising efforts for the school system and the community, generating scholarship programs, teacher grants, and staff training. “What we strive to do is to fund some innovative things that wouldn’t necessarily fit in a standard school budget.” On top of that, the FCEF administers the Family Assistance Fund to support those in need, especialLasso Magazine // Spring 2022

ly since the COVID-19 pandemic began. In the past two years, the Education Foundation raised more than $150,000 for its Family Assistance Fund, on top of ongoing support for its Super Grant and Teacher Training Programs. Asel noted the love that community members have for the schools. “There are people on the board whose kids have been out of the school system for far longer than they were in it. They have kids in their 40s and are still involved with the Ed Foundation. That really impresses me that there’s this long-standing community commitment to learning and resources.” “There is incredible community support and long-lived, heartfelt community support for the school system. A lot for the high school students in particular, over the last couple of years. When COVID hit, Asel was the president-elect of the Meridian (then George Mason) Parent Teacher Student Association, with the understanding that she would serve as president during the 2020-21 school year. She understood that the incoming move to the new school building would require extra hands, and Asel was willing to take on the challenge. “As it turns out, the move was probably the least stressful part of [the school year],” Asel commented. However, restrictions on visitors and volunteers in the building were an added challenge for Asel, given that health guidelines prevented most people from entering the school. She worked around it, signing up as a substitute teacher and covering other areas that needed to be taken care of. “I was like, you need some help. I’m going to show up. Then you can figure out what to do with me.” Lasso Magazine // Spring 2022

Asel set up tables to allow for more social distancing during the height of COVID-19. (Screenshot via Twitter/@MaryAsel)

She took on a wide range of duties, from packing boxes to making SignUpGenius forms. On top of that, Asel facilitated opportunities for students to come into school during hybrid learning to participate in online school in collaborative spaces. Her motivation to make do with difficult circumstances made her a driving force throughout the school system and community. “I felt like, rather than complaining to the school administration about a lack of in-person clubs, we could go to them and say ‘hey, we can help run this,’” Asel said. “We can do it outside, we can do it distanced, we can get the resources together. Let us take this off your plate, and let us make it happen for the students.” A significant priority of Asel’s was to preserve

as much of a normal senior year for the Class of 2021 as possible. The PTSA understood they couldn’t save all of the senior experiences, but they could preserve a senior sunrise breakfast, chalk painting, and spray painting the senior courtyard in the old building. “Graduation might have been my happiest moment. When we had graduation in-person where everyone could bring their whole family. When we did that, it was a testament to literally hundreds of volunteers.”

Keeping Falls Church grounded in its historic roots By Molly Moore and Abby Crespin On Park Avenue rests a beautifully kept 19th century farmhouse lined with flowers and bushes, and an old barn sits to its right. Meticulously scattered across the city are Civil War trail signs to remind anyone passing by of Falls Church’s role in that critical era. The Women’s History Walk every May helps citizens to recall important women in the past and present who have supported our changing city. Falls Church City would not be Falls Church City as we know it if it weren’t for the many organizations, commissions, and people who work tirelessly to conserve our extraordinary history. Here are a few groups who have had a profound impact in preserving The Little City and its history:

Cherry Hill Historic House and Farm The Cherry Hill Historic House and Farm is a landmark where anyone can enjoy learning about early Falls Church City and is listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places. The museum was founded in 1976, by Harry Wells, the City Manager at the time, who was instrumental in protecting Cherry Hill, as well as other various city organizations. Today, Cherry Hill is managed by the City of Falls Church, which maintains and owns the property, as well as the Friends of Cherry Hill Foundation, who maintain and own the furnishing in the house and antique tools in the barn. The museum replicates the mid-1800s time period, when the Blaisdell family owned the farm and lived there. Currently, the Cherry Hill House and Farm hosts readings, lectures, workshops, teas, and children’s summer camps. In addition, free public tours are offered by volunteers on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. from April through October. Corey Jannicelli, the Cherry Hill Coordinator who manages 24

Cherry Hill House and Farm (Photo by Megan Clinton)

the programs at the property and serves as a liaison between the City of Falls Church and the Friends of Cherry Hill Foundation, said the goal of the museum is to create “a variety of ways for the community to engage with the museum and learn about local history.” She hopes Cherry Hill will continue to grow and evolve with our ever changing city to fit the needs and interests of every visitor.

The Cherry Hill House and Farm is positioned perfectly in the heart of the city and is a great attraction for everyone who is curious about what Falls Church was like almost 200 years ago. Learning about the lives of people who placed the building blocks for the city will always be important and will help us choose how we will progress as a city. Lasso Magazine // Spring 2022

One of many historic residences in Falls Church City, meaning they were built during or before 1910. (Photo by Megan Clinton)

Civil War trail markets can be seen in a few places around the city. (Photo by Megan Clinton)

Falls Church Women’s History

The Falls Church Women’s History group works to highlight both historical and modern women who have made great contributions to our city. Their primary focus is to educate others about the exemplary women in Falls Church and guarantee that their impactful stories are not forgotten. Member Marybeth Connely explained that, “From the earliest days, Falls Church has been shaped by women who saw a need and found a way to make

their community better - whether that is through education, business, government, arts, activism. Some women act locally, others nationally, and others globally.” Their most well known project is the Women’s History Walk, which will take place on May 1 this year. The group has been working for nine months to select and notify honorees, then research and create biographies and signs to be displayed along the walk. “I love working with this group because they are all ‘do-

ers.’ They have spent decades working on events in the city and they work well together. They are taking their lifelong talents and dedication and generously sharing that with the community,” Connely said. The Women’s History Group here in Falls Church reminds us to appreciate those currently making history as well as those who have paved the way for the present and future.

The Falls Church Historical Commision

The Falls Church Historical Commission is an advisory board that provides information and assistance in how the local government and businesses preserve the city’s historic roots. Although they do not receive funding and therefore don’t take concrete action, the commission works to ensure that Falls Church can continue growing while still commemorating its past. The group meets once a month at City Hall, and is made up of five members, including Lasso Magazine // Spring 2022

Chairman Ronald Anzalone. Anzalone has been the chair for 20 years and is very passionate about the work the commission does. “I feel fairly strongly about the value of [preserving the history of Falls Church],” he said. Over the past few years, the commission has had many admirable achievements, including making the Falls Church Honor Roll plaques at the Community Center. They have also partnered with the local Civil War committee to design

and install the eight markers for the Civil War trails to be a part of the state’s Civil War Trails program. In addition, they participated in a “Falls Church Day” on the National Mall to commemorate Virginia’s 400th anniversary in 2007. The commission offers guidance to our local government and private developers on how to implement the city’s history into new projects such as the City Center, West End, and North Washington Street.

Bottom left: The Tallwood House is a historical staple of Broad Street. Bottom right: Brown’s Hardware is one of Falls Church’s oldest businesses. Top right: The Falls Church Episcopal, after which Falls Church City is named, is another sighting on the backside of Broad Street. (All photos by Megan Clinton)

Lasso Magazine // Spring 2022

H4H: BUILDING HOMES AND SPREADING

HOPE

By Sophia Borghesani

The renowned national organization Habitat for Humanity has a long history with Meridian High School, giving students volunteer opportunities to improve the lives of others in the community. Meridian’s chapter in the organization works with them to build houses in sites around the area for those in need. Behind the club is design teacher Mr. George, who has been running the group for about three years. “I took over the club in [the spring of ] 2020,” he explained. “At that point the teacher who was doing it had retired and I took over because I was teaching design and was interested in getting the design students more involved in service learning.” As Habitat for Humanity is recognized as a reputable national program, the club remains popular with about 40 students in the Schoology group. “Being as we’re a chapter of a national organization, it’s pretty popular,” said Mr. George. “I have probably a core of about a dozen students who meet regularly, like once a month. Currently, we’re Lasso Magazine // Spring 2022

Student volunteers from Habitat for Humanity club pose at a work site. (Photo via Twitter/@KGMustangs_Make)

going on builds once a month and I usually take about eight to ten students.” Our school’s chapter of Habitat for Humanity does more than build homes. Many of the club’s members volunteer at the retail storefront ‘Restore’, helping organize, stock, and collect donations which go towards funding builds. In addition, the group put together what they’ve coined as “welcome home baskets” for those moving into the houses they built. They’re equipped with essential items needed for moving, such as cleaning supplies and other commodities. Mr. George highlighted the impact the baskets can have saying, “those little things we can do to offset the upstart giving a first time homeowner can be really meaningful.” Despite the club’s positive impact, efforts to build homes and fundraise were stalled during the pandemic. As Mr. George noted, “We were unable to go on any builds until very recently, so that was a pretty big setback.” However, the group found other ways to continue supporting the organization. In particular, the club hosted a movie night outside the high school in the fall of 2020, raising over two hundred dollars to donate to Habitat for Humanity. Mr.

George added that the main goal throughout virtual learning was “just to maintain an involvement with the organization to keep that relationship going, and support them monetarily or in goods as much as we could.” Looking forward, the club will continue helping out on build sites and fundraise for the organization. Specifically, they’re working on the Groveton site in Alexandria which is two plots of land that will be subdivided into four pieces for four different houses. In fact, they put up exterior framing walls for the first house on that site last month. Mr. George commented on the relationship between the school and Habitat for Humanity saying, “Habitat [for Humanity] is a very popular service organization, so we’re very fortunate that we have a really good relationship with them and we get invited to work with them very often. Lots of the corporate world really likes to go do this and desires to be a part of it, but we have a reputation for being hard workers and being reliable, so they always make space for us to help out.” “Students are doing it because it matters and it makes our community a stronger place,” he concluded. 27

Day of Solidarity with Ukraine

By Everett Johnson

B On Sunday, Feb. 20, around 500 people gathered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial as they’ve done year after year to honor the “Heavenly Hundred,” the Ukrainians who died during the Euromaidan Revolution that took place in Kyiv in 2014. However, this time they gathered not only to honor those who gave their lives to defend Ukraine’s democracy, but also to stand with Ukraine. A country that, at the time, was surrounded by 190,000 Russian troops on its borders. A country that had 20 percent of its land occupied or claimed by Russia. The Russian military rolled tanks into the rest of Ukraine four days later. “He’s choking the rest of Eastern Europe, preventing prog28

The eighth annual commemoration and candlelight vigil for the “Heavenly Hundred” (Photo by Everett Johnson)

ress preventing prosperity (sic),” said Katya Shengeliya, a George Washington University student from Ukraine who attended the rally. The protest was peppered with Ukrainian civil and military flags, but also flags from Estonia, Lithuania, Canada, America, Portugal, Georgia, Russia, Sudan, and Poland. It felt like an entire community tensed, hoping for the best but mentally preparing - however one can - for the worst, and the continuation of the war. The protest was united by love and support of one country, and by a lot of hatred for one man: Vladimir Putin. “I don’t understand. Why can’t we just kill him?” one mother from Pennsylvania said. Many protestors were

Ukrainian or had Ukrainian ancestors, but there were attendants from Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian groups, others had some other Eastern European connection, or were just ordinary Americans out standing with Ukraine.

“He’s choking the rest of Eastern Europe, preventing progress, preventing prosperity.”

-Katya Shengweliya

“Unfortunately my country is an aggressor and I must stand against it,” said a Russian man who attended the rally. The protest began on Lasso Magazine // Spring 2022

the Reflection Pool and the World War II memorial, before turning towards the White House for the final section of the march. Cries of “Slava Ukraini” (translation: Glory to Ukraine, a national salute used to show support for Ukrainian sovereignity) filled the air with smoke rising from manholes in the street reminiscent of the smoke from burning tires that burned in Kyiv eight years ago, which left 123 people dead, according to The New York Times. As of April 22, the United Nations confirmed 2,435 Ukrainian civilians have been killed and 2,946 have been injured. The UN acknowledged that their casualty statistics may be underestimated.

“[The Ukrainian people] built a country of peace and freedom…See us and stand with us. Stand with Ukraine,” said Natalia Jaresko, the Former Minister of Finance of Ukraine, who spoke at the rally. “I was born in Moscow, but my father is from Ukraine and my mom is from Georgia. For me, as a general East European, what I’m witnessing is Putin who, with his security forces, is worsening the situation, not just for his own people, who are being choked into submission into accepting all of this pathetic behavior but he’s choking the rest of Eastern Europe prevent progress preventing prosperity,” Shengeliya said.

Katya Shengeliya, a GWU student from Ukraine, pictured above. (Photo by Everett Johnson)

Top: protesters gather at the front of the White house. Bottom: Ukrainians stand in support at the base of the Reflection Pool. (Photos by Everett Johnson) Lasso Magazine // Spring 2022

By Isabel Costa, Clara Kasik, and Eva Williams

House M.D. “House M.D.” is an edgy medical drama that follows Dr. Gregory House, a genius diagnostician with a terrible personality, and his team as they try to save patients from a myriad of ailments. Each episode features a new patient with a new series of problems, making for short and (sometimes) sweet plotlines. The main characters are all pretty awful people, often seen breaking into patient’s houses to find clues about their lives, fighting with each other, and making decisions that would have them fired five times over in real life. In addition to the interesting character dynamics, this show focuses largely on rare medical conditions and I often find myself sucked into a black hole of researching obscure and interesting diseases after an episode. Although this show and its characters can get dark at times, House and his team always manage to make a miracle diagnosis at the end of each episode, leaving you tense but satisfied. If you’re looking for a medical drama with digestible episodes, I highly recommend checking out “House M.D.” on Amazon Prime or Peacock. - Isabel Costa

Good Will Hunting There lies a certain intimacy in any Robin Williams movie that is difficult to describe. “Good Will Hunting” displays his kind and complex nature with loads of starpower, incredible writing, and a stunning Elliott Smithfilled soundtrack. The film is written by young Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, both of whom also star in it, which rocketed them to fame. Damon plays Will Hunting, a troubled genius living in inner city Boston during the early 90s. He spends each evening with his best friends, including the Affleck brothers, arguing with Harvard boys and trying to pick up Harvard girls. When his intellegence is discovered by a professor, he is thrown into the world of pretentious education. But he’s also forced into therapy with Williams, where he is truly challenged for the first time. There’s a little romance, a lot of laughing, and many, many tears. It’s the kind of movie that will (I swear this is not hyperbolic) change your life. - Eva Williams 30

Graphic by Ellen Chadwick

Sidelines While most of Phoebe Bridgers’ songs have sad messages like staying with someone who is unfaithful, “Sidelines” has the same classically depressing tone but with more positive lyrics. Bridgers sings about how she is now fearless because of her love for Paul Mescal, with whom she has been with since 2020. In this single, Phoebe describes often being in the background, but then meeting her lover and feeling ready to face the world happily. - Clara Kasik

Lasso Magazine // Spring 2022

Lasso Magazine // Fall 2020