sign in sign up
<<
Home , Globe Life Field, Use This Gospel

Riverfield rocks students perform for a full house ...

PHOTOS BY YEARBOOK STAFF

Published biweekly by and for the Upper School students of Riverfield Country Day School in Tulsa, OK DECEMBERAPRIL 13,3, 2015 2019 THE COMMONS Protests

continue in Hong Homecoming is tonight! Kong By Jack Bluhm STAFF WRITER By Andrew Jordan NEWS EDITOR asketball season is now in full swing for all teams, and each of the

high school teams has won games and is improving every week. The special Administrative The Varsity Girls team, for one, has been in some tight games this season, and they have come out on top of them. Zone of Hong Kong has been The annual Homecoming basketball game is tonight on Dec. heating up in recent months. B13, and we are expecting a big crowd for all the games. The theme this year is a It started when the Chinese blue-out. Try to wear everything blue. government began to take power The Junior Varsity Boys team will play at 5 p.m., followed by the Homecoming away from the Hong Kong gov- Court presentation at 6 p.m. The Varsity Boys team will play at 6:30 p.m., and ernment, even though the Hong the Varsity Girls play at 8 p.m. Kong government was still tech- Each grade voted on their representative for the Homecoming Court, nically in control. and the girls then chose the boys who will escort them. Freshman That made people in Hong representative Amelia Anderson will be walking with Drew Kong worried that the Chinese Heining, sophomore representative Miranda Cagle will be would take over the area, re- escorted by Zion Nokes, junior representative Abigail gardless of what they had said Pope will walk with Gannon Alden, and the Homecom- when Britain handed Hong ing Queen, senior Hannah Grenier, has chosen James Kong over. Carson to walk out with her. These actions were met with Congratulations to all the basketball players for a protests, at first peaceful. But good season so far, and good luck to them for the when the Chinese government rest of the season. These teams are fun to watch. refused to back down and Come out to see them play someday in the next cracked down harder on the ci- few weeks. Good luck to the teams tonight vilians, the protests got more against Wesleyan Christian! violent. As the weeks progressed, the Chinese government started to send in government troops. They moved a Chinese special forces company into the city, as well as seven heavily armed and armored tanks. As the protests got even worse, the Chinese troops began to disregard public image and tried to put down the riots, kill- ing 26 in one night alone. The protesters soon hid out Quinten Nokes and Hannah Grenier will lead their teams in many small areas, with one tonight in the Homecoming game. PHOTOS BY YEARBOOK STAFF large group hiding in a universi- ty downtown. However, troops soon surrounded the university, and most of the people hiding inside have either managed to Industrial Arts students work on various projects escape or surrender to the police and military forces outside. By Mason Malloy boards and work with electrical three-day event. Riverfield had types of metals before con- However, there has been one STAFF WRITER equipment. The students will a group that finished in the top structing various objects with shocking development in the also practice piloting the drones 25. them. whole situation, the possibility The students in RCDS’s built, as well as their own The Industrial Arts students This metal fortification pro- of the stepping in. Industrial Arts elective are cur- drones they bring. are also building sea perch. ject is something that Industrial Recently, Congress passed a rently working on a revised pro- Beginning on Thursday, These are underwater propul- Arts has never done. However, bill unanimously supporting ject from the 2017-18 school Nov. 14, some RCDS Industrial sion vehicles that can be con- most of the students are ready to Hong Kong. The bill provided year. The students are rebuild- Arts students participated in trolled by remote. get involved with it. no action, and it was symbolic ing the drones from a couple Tulsa Regional STEM Alli- Those who are not working I asked junior Teddy Ames, in nature. years back. ance’s first “Flight Night” at with electrical equipment are one of the Industrial Arts stu- However, the Chinese gov- In turn, the students who did Tulsa Tech’s Riverside campus. working on 3D models for their dents, to explain what he is ernment saw this as a threat to not get the opportunity to en- Thousands of students from metal fortification project. The building for the project. He said, its control over the small city- gage with the program can learn schools all over the Tulsa area students will learn to melt, “I am currently working on a state, and tensions continue to how to solder wire and circuit competed with their drones in a bond, and work with various metal pencil holder.” rise in the South China Sea.

THE COMMONS is published biweekly dur- VOLUME XIV ISSUE 6 ing the school year by the Upper School Newspaper elective class FALL 2019 STAFF at Riverfield Country Day School, 2433 W. 61st Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74132. The staff reserves the right to edit any article or FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2019 letter submitted for publication. Send all EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ...... Brenden Paul submissions to the Editor-in-Chief at NEWS EDITOR ...... Andrew Jordan FEATURES EDITOR ...... Will Dozier [email protected]. All opinions SPORTS EDITORS ...... Jon Morley, Jack Bluhm DESIGN EDITORS...... Jake O’Shaughnessy expressed are those of the individual writ- ers and do not reflect positions of the staff, OPINIONS EDITOR ...... Shashwat Singh ...... Quinten Nokes adviser, or school administration. A&E EDITOR ...... Catie Doerr COLUMNISTS ...... Ava Fritts REVIEWS EDITOR ...... Mason Malloy ...... Jack Jones Online: riverfield.org/community/studentnewspapers.cfm

THE COMMONS Friday, December 17, 2019 The last basketball game of 2019 will be played on Tuesday, dec. 17 SPORTS as riverfield teams travel to agra. The season resumes in January. 2 Drillers’ improve ballpark during their offseason

By Jon Morley scoreboard and video board that The players’ suites will also SPORTS EDITOR have been utilized since the see some changes that will result opening of ONEOK Field in in a higher quality of presenta- The Tulsa Drillers season is 2010. tion on the scoreboard. Hopeful- over, and they are making some Another scoreboard will be ly these changes can be made in changes to the ballpark this off- placed right in front of their time for Opening Day. season. mascot Hornsby’s hangout. It Fans will be excited to see The biggest change will be will show the stats of the game the new scoreboards and the new the renovation of the score- as well as a line score of games. suites. Get your tickets now for Nokes and Grenier prove to be outstanding examples of dedication and board. They are constructing a Additional game and statistical Opening Day on April 9, when leadership to their teams. FILE PHOTOS new LED video board that will information will be shown that the Drillers play the Frisco be extended beyond left center includes today’s analyt- Rough Riders at ONEOK Field. Quinten and Hannah field. It will replace the original ics. Go Drillers! are valuable leaders Astros caught cheating The were cameras in the outfield and also catcher could talk and change After the first few weeks of the 2017 Cham- in the . So they knew the signs so the Astros would- the new basketball season, the Most pions, and we just found out what pitch was coming, and n’t know what was coming. Varsity Boys and Varsity Girls that they cheated their way to they tried to signal their batter They stuck with a change started their seasons with an Valuable the championship title. which pitch to expect. up and struck the Astros’ batter away game at Glencoe, which Now there are a lot of un- It was as if they had trash out. has won State many times in Players happy fans and some of them cans, and no bangs meant a fast- During the World Series, want the title stripped from the ball, and two bangs for a change the Astros did the exact same recent years. By Jack Bluhm The games went well for Astros or a loss of draft picks. up. thing they did to the White Sox both teams, and they will watch Here is what they did to It got to a point where the earlier in the season. But this film of the games to continue to was one of the MVPs for the cheat. During the MLB regular White Sox knew they were read- time, they got caught doing it. improve their games. cross country team this year. season, the Astros were play- ing their signs during a long Now we have to wait and Both of these players show- She was an important part of ing the . time at bat. For instance, in the see what penalty they could ed their eagerness to win in the Riverfield’s first ever girls cross During the game, the Astros 5th inning, there was a trip to receive, or if they get away games as well as their leader- country team that qualified for were up to bat and there were the mound so the pitcher and with it. ship on and off the court. State. Hannah has brought expe- Quinten Nokes — Quinten rience, composure, leadership, played a key role last year when and the mindset of winning at he started for the majority of the all costs to this basketball team. season. He is a vital piece in the As captain of the team, she has Varsity Boys’ system, being shown her teammates that she is one of the best free-throw a captain who will lead from the shooters on the team. In one front. She has the ability to see game, he made 15 of the 17 passing lanes, and if there is just tries he shot from the charity a small gap to shoot it, she will. stripe. The team went on to win Overall, her game can be de- the game in overtime, and Quin- scribed as cool, calm, and col- ten earned himself the nickname lected. “South Coffeyville.” He was Both Varsity teams are able to win that game with his working hard putting in time in fantastic shooting from the line. the Blue Gym. They are focus- HOMECOMING DOORS DECORATED BY CLASS GROUPS Hannah Grenier — You ing on the games ahead. Make might remember that Hannah plans to come watch them!

Rangers’ new park, Fantasy FB: Good Pickups Field By Brenden Paul land Browns) — Hunt is com- ton out for the season, this is the STAFF WRITER ing back from an 8-game sus- perfect time to pick up Kyle By Jon Morley a retractable roof that would pension and is expected to have Allen. Although Carolina focus- SPORTS EDITOR close when it gets too hot or Fantasy Football is winding an immediate impact for the es on their running game, and when it is raining. But in the down for the year, and some Browns. He will primarily serve Allen had a terrible game The Rangers have end, it was cheaper to build a teams out there may need to get as a secondary back to Nick against San Francisco, after the been playing at the Globe Life new park. a crucial win in order to make Chubb but can also be a good Packers, the Panthers have an Park for 24 years. But now it is The old Globe Life Park is the playoffs. option for FLEX. easy schedule throughout the their former park, as they have not finished hosting sport This column will serve to Kyle Allen (QB, Carolina next 3-5 weeks. Look for Al- been building a new ballpark events, though. It just won’t show some of my picks of play- Panthers) — With Cam New- len’s numbers to be on the rise. which will be finished by host baseball games anymore. ers that you should pick up on Opening Day in April 2020. According to Wikipedia, waiver wire to help you get that The new ballpark will be Globe Life Park will be home playoff-clinching victory. For called Globe Life Field. to a football team called the this column, I will talk about The reason they are getting Renegades (XFL) for players who are on less than a new ballpark is that the old the next three years. 65% of rosters in Fantasy Foot- park got way too hot in the Next time you’re in the ball Leagues. summer, and there is no shade DFW area, go check out the Zach Pascal (WR, Indian- for seats close to the field. It Rangers’ new ballpark in Ar- apolis Colts) — Pascal has was just miserable to watch a lington. And while you’re been a very reliable target for baseball game at that field. there, see how the 2020 Texas Indianapolis QBs this season. Through the years, the Rangers team looks to start After slow starts in the first two team had talked about building the season. weeks, Pascal had a good Week 3 and has been putting up solid numbers since then. Although he had a bad Week 8, Pascal had 19.6 points in a PPR (Points Per Reception) League. Look CONGRATULATIONS to the Raven basketball teams for their wins for Pascal to be a good option in the Wilson tournament last weekend. The Varsity Boys took for a second/third wide receiver 1st Place, and the Varsity Girls took 3rd. Way to go, Ravens! or FLEX. Kareem Hunt (RB, Cleve- Zach Pascal catches another target. PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

THE COMMONS Friday, December 13, 2019 Visit riverfield’s holiday REVIEWS / A&E mart by Monday! 3 MUSIC REVIEW: ‘’

By Will Dozier the introduces Kanye’s with sincerity. However, if his STAFF WRITER punchy production and rapping mission with this album was to with Sunday Service’s vocals. convert his listeners to the In late October, famous rap- This concoction of styles sets Christian faith, he may need to per and producer the scene, creating a grandiose explore the subject through a released “Jesus Is King.” The tone for the record. less narcissistic lens. album enlists Kanye’s gospel The fun and punchy produc- In “Jesus is King,” Kanye vocal group, known as Sunday tion continues with “Follow fails to communicate the values Service, to craft his interpreta- God,” “Hands On,” and “Use of loving their neighbor and tion of Christian Hip-Hop and This Gospel” being highlights. justice, instead justifying his Gospel. Additionally, there are great billionaire status as God’s plan. This album comes in the features on “Jesus Is King,” and Despite this, Kanye stays wake of Kanye’s newfound on “.” Ty true to his family values, and the Cassie and Chase prepare for the HQ invasion. ART BY PENNY MUSICK Christian awakening, and the Dolla $ign crafts a fantastic record is helped by the fun and album dives into Christian hook. punchy production. themes. On “Use This Gospel,” I give this album 3.5 ravens The album opens with verse creates a classic out of 5. “Every Hour,” which is an ex- sound. Additionally, The chase experience cellent performance by Sunday has a great saxophone solo. Service. The lyrical content in “Jesus By Andrew Jordan voice. On the next song, “Selah,” is King” explores Kanye’s faith STAFF WRITER Will stiffened. “Yes sir, but I thought now that we know Previously … Chase and where he’s going to be, and his associates plan to invade the walking into a trap no less, we headquarters of the people who may have a better chance of experimented on him and his capturing him.” MOVIE review: ‘A beautiful day in sister, Cassie. The Administrator shook his head. “He’s too much of a dan- ger. If you get the chance …” he creative fiction looked at Will, and his eyes were devoid of sympathy and the neighborhood’ is inspiring “A trap, sir?” Will asked as warmth. By Brenden Paul The film digs deeper into the ment to profile Mister Rogers. he took a position on the wall. “…you take the shot.”

STAFF WRITER “Yes,” the Administrator more darker subjects of life, Vogel was not considered * * * * * * including internal struggle, tur- to be very friendly amongst his said, slowly sitting down in his On Monday, December 2, moil and hardship in one’s life- peers. But with the uncondi- chair. “We have a person giving The sounds of gun maga- I had the chance to see “A time. tional love and attention given us information from inside their zines being chambered ringed Beautiful Day in the Neigh- In Mister Rogers’ Neighbor- forth by Rogers, Vogel learns strike group. They are on their through the van. Chase looked borhood” at Warren Theater in hood, Mister Rogers (played by characteristics that make him a way here. They think our de- around at the various men and Broken Arrow. Tom Hanks) is always seen in a better friend, father to his new- fenses are weak enough for women getting ready. Then he Going into the movie, I bright colored cardigan living in born child and a better person them to take us out in one stared off into space. thought it would be about the a vibrant neighborhood with as a whole. blow.” “You good?” Cassie asked. life and background of be- friendly faces. But this film went Even though the movie Will smiled at the realiza- Chase snapped back up. loved children’s television above and beyond in showing wasn’t as I originally ex- tion, but then his demeanor “Yeah, yeah, I’m good. Just personality, Fred Rogers the internal struggles and hard- pected, I thought it was a very went back to neutral. “So what nervous.” (better known as Mister Rog- ships of Lloyd Vogel (played by inspirational film that teaches happens when we get the boy?” She smiled at him. “Don’t ers), but that was not at all Matthew Rhys), a journalist for us all that with help from our he said, looking around. worry, you got your big sister what this movie was about. Esquire who is given an assign- community, we can get Two men stood nearby. here to protect you.” through any struggle we may They were dressed in suits and He smiled back at her. She face, no matter what. each had a red pin on his lapel. dug around in the front seat and I also thought Hanks very The Administrator’s personal handed him a pistol. Chase re- well represented the Mister guard, the best of the best. His coiled a bit, but then took it. Rogers character, showcasing old commander had been as- “You don’t have to use it. all the heartwarming charac- signed to that. He never saw But if you need it, better safe teristics of this beloved figure. him again. than sorry.” I thought this movie was “You got the order, right?” Cassie nodded at him, then very good and delivered a very the Administrator asked, a hint turned around. important message about get- of annoyance coming into his … to be continued ting through your internal struggles regardless of how hard they may be. I give this PG-rated film 4.5 out of 5 ravens. Café night 2019

Tom Hanks and Matthew Rhys turn in stellar performances in this deeply affecting story. PUBLICITY PHOTO: TRISTAR/SONY

GAME REVIEW: ‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare’ By Mason Malloy best way I can summarize it is a mon. However I find that play- REVIEWS EDITOR combination of black ops 3 and ers will get used to this and will modern warfare 3 as it has some adjust themselves to where this It has been 3 years since the of the same mobility as black wont be an issue any more. This release of Call of duty Modern ops 3 but, some of the less futur- could also be because it is a new Warefare: Remastered. When I istic weapons compared to black game and people are trying to got news about the release of ops 3. find strategies. the new Call of duty Modern I also am a fan of the Time But overall, this game is one Warefare, I was excited. to kill as it is really easy to have of the best call of duty’s I have I remember the good old to respawn on the battlefield as played in a long time. It com- days of modern warefare 2 and it is highly realistic. This me- bines two of the things I wanted 3 and how it got me into the chanic will force players to real- in a new call of duty game per- franchise. And may I say after ly put themselves in the charac- fectly. I give this game 5 ravens. playing multiplayer of the new ters shoes and be cautious. On Saturday night, Dec. 7, performers from Riverfield’s Middle and 2019 game it recreates that nos- One thing I do not like about Upper Schools presented various covers and original to a full talgic feeling of that 2009 game. the multiplayer, however is the house in the Upper School cafeteria. PHOTOS BY YEARBOOK STAFF After playing this game the fact that campers are very com-

THE COMMONS Friday, December 13, 2019 FEATURES / OPINIONS 4

A ‘glovely’ musical Impeachment looking imminent It is getting colder, so get The impeachment inquiry is series of questioning that leads your gloves out! Who doesn’t wrapping up, with public testi- nowhere. The GOP is backed love gloves! Maybe we don’t mony encouraging Democrats to into a corner, and they’re unable all want to produce a musical Wacky take their efforts a step further civil to get out. Further hurting the about them, but who’s to say? WORLD and impeach President Trump. discourse GOP are allegations by House With the Riverfield Thea- After calling a multitude of Intelligence Committee Chair- tre Co. looking toward their By Ava Fritts witnesses to the stand, including man Adam Schiff that Nunes spring musical, “Little Shop of By Shashwat Singh high-profile individuals such as colluded with the White House Horrors,” how about I turn Gordon Sondland, Alexander during the hearings. your head toward a … um, about this, she broke down in Vindman, and Fiona Hill, Dem- but their strategy during the Unlike the Republican Party, stranger one. laughter. It sounds like some- ocrats released a report on Tues- hearings has been interesting, to Democrats seem to be in a very “For the Love of a Glove: thing someone would think up day, Dec. 10, relating their rea- say the least. Those who have strong position. Recent polling An Unauthorized Musical when they officially run out of soning for impeaching the presi- watched the hearings may be suggests that although public Fable About the Life of Mi- ideas. dent. These accusations are re- familiar with the common strat- support for impeachment has chael Jackson, As Told By His Then I asked Tara Fritts, lated to his use of military aid as egy, employed by Devin Nunes not increased since the hearings Glove” is coming. who is the biggest musical fan leverage to secure investigations and other Republicans, to at- began, it has not decreased ei- The life of a celebrity told I know, and she had this to of Joe Biden and the DNC, ac- tempt to discredit each individu- ther, according to the Washing- by an article of clothing?! say. “First of all, Johnny cording to Politico. al’s testimony and sow doubt ton Post. Therefore, Democrats That’s right, according to Depp ... he’s been in his fair Although there is obvious about the factuality of Trump’s can find solace in the fact that a broadway.com. share of movie musicals, bias throughout this entire pro- actions. substantial portion of the popu- Johnny Depp is producing “Sweeney Todd,” “Into The cess, I believe the allegations The issue is that they are lation does not see the inquiry as this musical which is set to Woods,” etc., but I don't know have enough merit to warrant unable to do so properly. What illegitimate. The problem for open at the Carl Sagan and if this is the best time to be impeachment. may seem to Republicans a fool- them now is the possible effect Ann Druyan Theatre in Los making a musical about a Republicans have largely proof strategy to show the pub- of impeachment on public opin- Angeles on Jan. 25. glove. It seems a little absurd.” been on the defensive since the lic how wrong Democrats are ion and the 2020 presidential When I told Dr. Edwards A little absurd? inquiry was formally opened, has actually become a confusing election.

Reforms needed in the college admissions process

By Shashwat Singh them harder to find. If colleges marginalizes low-income stu- OPINIONS EDITOR were more transparent with their dents who must compete with and admissions decisions, students affluent students who can af- Will Dozier could gain a better understand- ford to retake the test to get STAFF WRITER ing of the necessary course of the score they want. action to achieve admission. Other than standardized With college deadlines Standardized testing has testing, issues with college fast approaching, high school largely lost its purpose. In the admissions also revolve seniors at Riverfield and College Board’s mission state- around tuition and the respec- across the nation are paying ment, it says, “We’re a mission- tive colleges. Following the high fees to seek admission to driven, not-for-profit organiza- college admissions bribery their dream schools. In a sys- tion that connects students to scandal earlier this year, it tem that is becoming increas- college success.” However, they became evident that bribery ingly expensive and biased, fail in their mission to serve the and nepotism are severe issues we must reconsider the lack needs of students from low- in college admissions. At a of transparency, prominence income families. Test fees are few elite universities, legacy is of standardized testing, and expensive, encouraging wealthy still considered, which The the role of economic status in students to retake the SAT and New York Times’ editorial the admissions process. ACT more than once to get the board has criticized as “an The college admissions score they want. affirmative action program for Additionally, affluent stu- successful families.” More innovations are coming … ILLUSTRATION: PIXABAY.COM system is too subjective, espe- cially with the increased prev- dents have access to expensive Furthermore, college costs alence of essays. Affluent applicants often have the ad- What is 5G technology? vantage of paying for external help, which defeats the pur- pose of a personal response. Anyone who has a mobile Another problem with device (that is, pretty much eve- contemporary college admis- ryone) has probably at some tech sions is the subjectivity and point noticed the little 5G icon lack of transparency sur- at the top of your phone when CORNer rounding selection. Colleges using mobile data. have full authority to decide 5G is, as the name suggests, By Jack Jones based on any factor they wish, the fifth generation of wireless allowing representatives to technology. It promises to pro- decide students’ fates based Want to attend Harvard? Your chances are better if your parents did. vide even faster internet speeds fast as the standard 4G setup. on arbitrary metrics. Super- PHOTO BY TED EYTAN (FLICKR) than before. The technology is only re- charging this dilemma are cently beginning to reach the decreasing acceptance rates, prep courses, such as Prince- too much. Not only does it cost common user, which is why you as increased scrutiny on indi- ton’s $1,300+ prep course. students to apply to most col- don’t actually see it very often vidual applications makes According to the Washing- leges, but tuition is increasing [5G] will greatly when you’re using wireless da- factors separating them more ton Post, despite being a non- at an alarming rate. According “ accelerate the ta. arbitrary. profit, the College Board’s to the Hechinger Report, However, within the coming development of new Riverfield junior Mason C.E.O. earned over $700,000 in UChicago will have a six- years, 5G will begin to standard- Malloy had an interesting 2014 alone. The College Board, figure tuition by 2025. wireless innovations … ize. perspective on the matter, which administers the SAT, Although it may be tough There are a lot of theories saying, “I think they should PSAT, and advanced placement, to fix these issues in a timely regarding what kind of impact primarily look at academics has been criticized for its prac- manner, unless substantial That being said, the technol- 5G technology will have on the because it’s a school.” tices by human rights organiza- steps are taken to solve the ogy is still somewhat experi- wireless world. Some even go as While this may not be tions such as the Americans for problems students face during mental, and the ability to use it far as to say that it will replace possible, his statement alludes Educational Testing Reform. the college admissions pro- is still the exception, not the in-home WiFi. to an increasing dilemma: ACT has issues as well. cess, the system will continue standard. While this isn’t too likely, more and more students have Next year, students will be able to favor the wealthy and rely The goal of future 5G tech- it’s undeniable that this technol- similar academic capability, to retake specific sections on arbitrary measures to shape nology is to be able to provide ogy will greatly accelerate the making factors distinguishing of the ACT for a fee. This again the futures of millions. speeds of 10,000 megabits per development of new wireless second, almost three times as innovations.