Students and staff donate during red cross blood drive …

PHOTOS BY YEARBOOK STAFF

Published biweekly by and for the Upper School students of Riverfield Country Day School in Tulsa, OK MARCHAPRIL 3, 6, 2015 2020 THE COMMONS NEW student ARTworks ON DISPLAY

All of these new artworks are on display now in the LAC Building. The four elements — earth, air, fire and water — were the subjects of these works by Middle School and Upper School students in Mr. de Verges’ Art classes. PHOTOS BY CATIE DOERR and PATRICIA DICKEY

Super Tuesday results are in BSA declares bankruptcy

By Shashwat Singh obtain the nomination after a This bodes well for By Jake O’Shaughnessy able to go camping with scouts. STAFF WRITER hard-fought early season in Biden’s future, as he has ap- STAFF WRITER Mrs. Knight has children in which he finished out of the top parently consolidated a diverse Scouts, and she said, “I was On March 3, 14 states vot- 5 in Iowa and New Hampshire base of energized voters that Boy Scouts of America pleasantly surprised that the ed in primaries for their and didn’t win a state until his could carry him to the Demo- (BSA) filed for Chapter 11 training was rigorous and had choice for the Democratic and dominant performance in South cratic nomination. bankruptcy on Feb. 17. scouts’ safety at the forefront. Republican candidates for Carolina. Two aspects particularly They have filed bankruptcy I’m happy about the training president. Despite numerous verbal prove this idea. First, accord- in order to be able to help all the that I took and proud of the The vote totals for the slips, Biden proved his “fire- ing to NPR, turnout increased victims of sexual abuse that scouting organization for taking Democratic primaries have yet wall” in South Carolina to be exponentially in many states, happened while in scouting by steps to ensure scouts are safe.” to show who won the most intact, causing a startling chain including Virginia, which forcing a class action lawsuit. The most important thing to delegates, but according to of events resulting in victories went for Biden and had 68% This is only possible under know about the bankruptcy is Politico, Joe Biden is now in in 10 of the 14 Super Tuesday more turnout. Chapter 11 bankruptcy. that day-to-day activities in the the best position to become states for the former vice presi- Second, the likelihood of a In the public letter they re- Boy Scouts will not change at the party’s nominee. dent. contested convention means leased, the BSA made sure the all. The Indian Nations Council However, it is very likely Especially surprising was superdelegates are likely to public knew two things: scout- sent out a letter to all adults to that a contested convention Biden’s ability to win in states favor the establishment, mean- ing is safer now than ever be- make sure they know that “our will occur, due to the proba- where he had almost no ground ing a likely Biden victory in fore, and scouting continues. Council is legally separate, dis- bility that no candidate will presence. According to CNN, he the second round of delegate Over the past few years, tinct, and financially independ- reach 1,991 delegates, accord- even won Massachusetts, the voting. In most scenarios, this safety for scouting youth has ent from the national organiza- ing to NBCNews. home state of Elizabeth Warren, seems to be the ideal situation increased immensely. Even as tion.” Biden was not expected to without ever campaigning there. for Joe Biden. an adult in a scouting unit, you This is important, as most have to go through long Youth activities are done on the coun- Protection Training just to be cil and unit level.

THE COMMONS is published biweekly dur- VOLUME XIV ISSUE 10 ing the school year by the Upper School Newspaper elective class SPRING 2020 STAFF at Riverfield Country Day School, 2433 W. 61st Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74132. The staff reserves the right to edit any article or EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ...... Brenden Paul FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2020 letter submitted for publication. Send all NEWS EDITOR ...... Andrew Jordan submissions to the Editor-in-Chief at SPORTS EDITORS ...... Jack Bluhm, Jon Morley DESIGN EDITORS ...... Jake O’Shaughnessy [email protected]. All opinions expressed are those of the individual writ- OPINIONS EDITOR ...... Shashwat Singh ...... Quinten Nokes ers and do not reflect positions of the staff, A&E EDITOR ...... Catie Doerr PHOTOGRAPHY EDITORS .. Anna Claire Boyd adviser, or school administration. REVIEWS EDITOR ...... Mason Malloy ...... Chloe Tunnell FEATURES EDITOR ...... Will Dozier COLUMNISTS ...... Ava Fritts, Jack Jones Online: riverfield.org/community/studentnewspapers.cfm

THE COMMONS Friday, March 6, 2020 Our next issue will be the highly anticipated annual SPORTS “un -commons” issue. Look for it on april fools day! 2 It’s here! March madness has begun By Brenden Paul large” bids, meaning their over- get the automatic bid. STAFF WRITER all record was strong enough to In the American conference, make a case for them. Tulsa is currently sitting at 20-9 College basketball’s confer- The Big 12 tournament takes and is currently sitting at first ence seasons are winding down place over four days in Kansas place in the conference. Tulsa now, and teams are getting City, from March 11-14. Right would need to win their final ready for the conference tourna- now, Baylor and Kansas have three games and have a good ments. split their head-to-head match- showing at the American Athlet- The winners of these tourna- ups and will be tough contend- ic Championship tournament in ments will get automatic bids to ers for the No. 1 seed. Fort Worth on March 12-15. the NCAA March Madness Oklahoma will need to make The selection show which Paige and Dylan work on their tennis skills constantly. Tournament. a deep run into the tournament will reveal the 68 teams that PHOTOS BY BRENDEN PAUL As of now in the Big 12 in order to solidify their case for make the field this year will be tournament, ESPN’s bracket advancement. held on Sunday, March 15 (the predictors say Baylor, Kansas, Due to their lackluster sea- first Sunday of Spring Break.) Paige Williams and Oklahoma, Texas Tech and son to this point, Oklahoma Be sure to tune in on CBS to West Virginia are set to make State will need to win the con- see if your local team makes the Dylan Patterson lead the NCAA tournament as “at ference tournament in order to cut.

Congratulations to both Var- sity basketball teams on a very Most NBA playoff predictions successful season. The Varsity Boys and Varsity Girls both Valuable By Jon Morley with high expectations. Hope- gets, Houston Rockets, Los went to Districts and advanced SPORTS EDITOR fully they will carry their suc- Angeles Clippers, Memphis to Regionals. Players cess into the playoffs. Grizzlies and Utah Jazz in the With basketball season start- By Jack Bluhm The NBA season is almost The next team will probably playoffs for the Western Con- ing to wind down, tennis season over. be the L.A. Lakers. They have ference. is starting back up and is now There are some teams that had a really good season too, In the Eastern Conference, in full swing. The team has al- her skills outside of school as look like they definitely will and they will probably be the the teams I expect to make the ready been making some trips well. She works with her trainer make the playoffs this year, so favorites to win it all this year. playoffs will be the Boston to play matches in the preseason and works hard every day. here are my predictions. It looks like the OKC Thun- Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Indi- window. This first round of Dylan Patterson — Dylan The first team I think will der also will be making the ana Pacers, Miami Heat, Mil- matches is important for team has been in the Tennis program make the playoffs is the Mil- playoffs! This year they will waukee Bucks, Orlando Mag- training before the full season for years now, and every year it waukee Bucks. They have had likely finish in 6th or 7th, so we ic, Philadelphia 76ers, and starts up. seems like Dylan has gotten a really good season so far and will have to wait and see. But Toronto Raptors. Congratulations to these two much better. He plays a key role are in first place over the To- I’m putting them in my playoff So those are all the teams juniors who have been putting in both his singles and doubles ronto Raptors. predictions. that I think will make the NBA in massive amounts of work matches he plays with his part- I expect the Bucks to end As far as the rest of the playoffs this year. Now we just before the tennis season and are ner. Dylan is a vital piece in the the season first in their divi- teams go, I think it will be the have to wait and see who will ready for this year’s campaign. system this year, and he may sion and go into the playoffs Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nug- take home the title. Paige Williams — Paige look to push for a state run this has played tennis since middle campaign. Like Paige, he works school and has come a long way on his game outside of school to from her beginning. She has hone his skills, sharpening them been a part of the State Tennis every day and putting in plenty team here at Riverfield. Every of extra work. year, she beats the competition Congratulations to these two RCDS tennis season starting at all of the tournaments she hardworking athletes as they try plays in. She has worked hard at to continue their success from By Jack Bluhm Dylan Patterson looks to Both teams are experienced school, and she is working on recent seasons. SPORTS EDITOR push his boys’ team to strive for at the state level, and they have another great season. Dylan will both had success in recent years. With the tennis season in try to help his team to victory. The teams have gone to bigger full swing and spring weather Dylan plays singles, which tournaments to play bigger First glance at the starting, things are looking good means he plays one-on-one with schools and still have gotten for Coaches Clark and Mar- another opponent. There is only great results. This is a testament shall’s squad this year. Both the one open singles slot per team, to the coaching abilities of new XFL league Varsity Boys team and the Var- and Dylan and Paige have these Coaches Clark and Marshall. sity Girls team look to put up roles. Both of these men help out on By Brenden Paul play from the 2 yard line, a big numbers in their upcoming Paige Williams is a junior the high school and middle STAFF WRITER two-point play from the 5, or a tournaments. looking to lead her team to school levels of tennis. three-point play from the 10. The girls’ team is led by state. Paige has been part of the Both teams are doing great The newest football league, This definitely adds to the Paige Williams, who has high state team since her freshman so far this season. Stop by the excitement of the game. the XFL, just completed their hopes for this season and thinks year, and she hopes to carry on tennis courts after school and In terms of the gameplay, I first four weeks of competi- her team can make a state run that legacy as there are no sen- watch them practice. Great job was very pleased with the tion. Since there are only six this year. iors on the girls’ team this year . to everyone on the tennis teams! weeks left in the regular sea- great play all across the son and each team is fully de- league. All teams have play- veloped, here are my impres- makers who made big plays in sions of the new rules and the first week and made the teams of the XFL. game very exciting. In terms of new rules, I am It is great that some big a big fan of the new kickoff names are getting a second rule. With this rule, the kicker chance to make a name for kicks off at the 35 yard line, themselves. with the rest of the kicking Finally, the team uniforms team placed at the opposing 35 and logos are extremely nice. and the kick return team All use a wide variety of dif- placed five yards away at the ferent vibrant colors which 30. makes striking uniform de- I like it for the two reasons signs. I like how all colors the rule was put in place. The from lime green to burnt or- first reason was to minimize ange are used to make great injuries of a full speed colli- logos and uniforms. sion, and the second is to cre- The XFL has been boom- ate more exciting kickoffs. ing across social media, and I I also like the no-extra- recommend you check out the points rule, where teams can league for yourself. It shows a choose to convert a one-point lot of promise. Lily Clark, Paige Williams, Amanda Bose and Elle Kalcik are four of the Riverfield tennis players. PHOTO PROVIDED BY ELLE KALCIK

THE COMMONS Friday, March 6, 2020 SPRING BREAK IS ALMOST A&E / REVIEWS HERE! — March 16 -20 3 The chase experience creative fiction MUSIC REVIEW: ‘Miss ’ By Andrew Jordan He had become separated two locked eyes. STAFF WRITER from his main group and was Chase turned and tried to By Will Dozier now running from three soldiers run, but he found himself face to STAFF WRITER Previously … Cassie and who were chasing him through a face with another of Will’s men.

Chase create a shockwave that confusing maze of hallways. Chase tried to backpedal, but Over the past decade, enables their team to escape The battle was still raging he ended up losing his balance (aka Claire Boucher) from the Administrator’s clutch- behind him. Chase could hear and falling to the floor. He has released some of the most es … sporadic gunshots throughout looked up to see Will standing cutting-edge pop and electron- the complex, the sounds rever- over him. One of Will’s men ic music to date, manifesting Chase ran down the hall berating off the walls. stood beside him, pointing a in two self-produced : quickly as loud bangs emanated Chase turned a corner and rifle at Chase. “Visions” and “.” from the hallway behind him. found Will standing there. The “So, we finally caught up to Now, Claire adds “Miss the elusive Chase,” Will said Anthropocene” to her streak of with a smirk. self-produced . Chase grimaced as he stared Grimes’ new may become If “Art Angels” was a cele- up into the cold eyes. “So, what one of your favorites. bration of the world Grimes ALBUM COVER: now, you want to sit down for built as an auteur, “Miss An- lunch?” Chase said, watching thropocene” looks outward, colorful rave. This song best the smirk disappear from Will’s focusing on world issues such epitomizes Grimes eccentric face. as global warming and the presentation, but it could be Will took a radio out of his singularity, creating a dystopi- polarizing to many listeners vest and clicked it on. “Com- an fiction. due to its maximalist sound mander Kaska to Alpha-1, we This eccentric concept is and ideas. have Priority Target 1 in custo- best epitomized by “Violen- Other songs on the album dy. Awaiting tasking,” Will said ce,” which personifies Earth in drip with ambient beauty, such as the radio clicked off for a its violent climate conflict with as “So Heavy I Fell Through moment. A few seconds later, humanity. It is a strange way the Earth (Art Mix).” The song the radio clicked back on. to explore the theme, but yells contains a loop of an ambient “Roger. Orders are to elimi- with Claire’s eccentric style. guitar with reverberated vocals nate.” Despite the dark subject echoing around them, creating These words sent a chill matter, Grimes does what she a gorgeous soundscape. down Chase’s spine. His eyes does best, turning hopelessness met Will’s, and he winced as the Claire plays guitar on this and turmoil into something smirk returned to Will’s face. album more than ever before, danceable and catchy. She has and it pays off favorably. Will receives his orders to eliminate Chase. ILLUSTRATION BY PENNY MUSICK … to be continued previously done this on bril- Overall, “Miss Anthropo- liant tracks such as “Obliv- cene” is a fantastic addition to ion,” and “Violence” is no a very consistent discography different, colored by its pro- and could become the favorite gressive house-esque beat and of many fans. ‘Call of Duty’ announcement chord progression. I give this album 4 ravens The best song on the album out of 5. By Mason Malloy Treyarch is taking a step back to what it once was. I believe “4Æm,” is a cluster of ambi- REVIEWS EDITOR from the high tech age. Instead, Treyarch studios knows that tious ideas inspired by Bolly- the game will take place during and are taking things back to wood cinema and cyberpunk Treyarch has just an- the Cold War, similar to “Black the beginning of “Black Ops aesthetics, culminating in a nounced that “Call of Duty: Ops 1,” but with better graphics. 1.” Black Ops 5” is set to release According to Digital Trends, I am excited for this game in 2020, and according to digi- “there is a chance for Black Ops because I think this will be an tal trends, “will reportedly be to follow the footsteps of Mod- epic conclusion to the series “even more gritty and grue- ern Warfare by dropping the that we know and love, being GAME PREVIEW: some” than this year’s “Call of number in its title to signal a the 5th game release of the Duty: Modern Warfare.” return to the grounded roots of series. I am also hoping that it ‘MLB The Show 20’ The new Black Ops game the series.” has a much better “zombies” is still a mystery regarding the I was not happy about the mode than the 4th game in the story and the exact release content of “Call of Duty: Black series did. But overall, we will date of the game. Ops 4,” so I believe that a fresh just have to wait for more in- However, we do know that start will help the series get back formation from Treyarch.

Don’t miss the Honors convocation on Tuesday morning! During this first period assembly, our upper and middle school Ravens’ Roll, HONOR ROLL, NHS, NJHS, and National Merit Finalist STUDENTS will be celebrated. All classes will meet for this assembly to honor our most outstanding scholars. The Chicago Cubs’ Javier Baez will be the cover athlete for “20.” SCREENSHOT: MLB THE SHOW 19

By Jon Morley you get your homework done STAFF WRITER and you stay on track. He is basically a trainer, too, during Rocklahoma 2020’s BAND lineup “MLB The Show 20” is the baseball season. coming out on March 17, and And there will be a little By Mason Malloy bands performed such as dis- The daily lineup of bands there are some new features in change to Diamond Dynasty REVIEWS EDITOR turbed and Ozzy Osborne, and has just been released and is this year’s version. that you might see when you get there was quite the mosh pit. available on the Tulsa World One new feature is that they your copy of the game. No Rocklahoma 2020 has re- This year, I am extra excited site. I would strongly advise you have a new mode where you can spoilers here! cently released their band to tell you that big names such to get your tickets as soon as create and design your own Other than these changes, lineup/set list for Rocklahoma as Slipknot and Five Finger possible, as they go up in price baseball team and create your the game is basically the same. 2020. The event will take place Death Punch will be performing as the event draws closer. I also own logo. You will likely be Same features, same teams … May 22-24 in Pryor Oklahoma. at Rocklahoma, as well as recommend you look at the able to pick who is on your And you only have to wait It will be an all-ages event, Staind, All That Remains, Bad lineup and find out the times team, and you can create an until Spring Break. “MLB The however young children are Wolves, Body Count, Anthrax, I certain bands are playing so you expansion team as well and add Show 20” will be out on St. strongly recommended to not Prevail, Papa Roach, and many won’t miss your favorites. the team to the 30 MLB real-life Patrick’s Day. You can preorder attend the event. others. Overall, I am looking for- teams. it and get yours 1-2 days ahead Rocklahoma is an annual This number of big bands in ward to this event. Make sure to A new feature for Road to of time if you want. If not, you festival that features metal and one place might be the biggest ask your parents first if you can the Show is a coach who fol- can pick it up at Game Stop on hard rock bands. Last year, big Rockahoma event yet. buy tickets. lows you around and makes sure March 17.

THE COMMONS Friday, March 6, 2020 FEATURES / OPINIONS 4

Did anyone see a Russia’s 2020 election hacking bunch of owls? Russia is taking steps to in- meddling and said at the last terfere in the 2020 election. debate on Feb. 25 that Russia For most of us, college is It is unclear the level of in- should stop interfering in this

the next step in our lives. For volvement, or the specific steps civil election and future ones, should some, it is coming too quickly. available to the United States so discourse he become president. For others, it isn’t quickly Wacky close to the general election. Ultimately, Congress must enough. But if something is not done By Shashwat Singh take steps to fix this issue. Pro- One aspect that is despised WORLD quickly, multiple issues could visions could include increased by many is how we’re going arise from fears related to elec- funding, further regulation, and By Ava Fritts to pay for this. One well- tion tampering, and misinfor- pears to have won. This would federal oversight. known choice is student loans, mation campaigns a la 2016 be an extreme situation, but nev- According to a New York but the debt that comes with owls dropping letters. could adversely affect this ertheless possible. Times article, Democrats in the them is notorious. The only thing unexplaina- year’s voting. Bernie Sanders is apparently governing body have tried to For one family, the debt is ble about this situation, how- President Trump has evi- another benefactor of Russian make their case to the president the least of their worries. It is ever, is why the loan company dently taken no interest in bar- interference. He may claim that and to Republicans in the Sen- the size of their mailbox. didn’t notice something wrong ring Russian intervention in his movement is entirely grass- ate, but to no avail. Dan Cain, a resident of when they spent a preposter- future elections, alluding to a roots, but NPR and other Congress will be the decider Ohio, went to pick up his mail ous amount on postage to mail likely strategy for the upcoming sources have reported a notifica- in this scenario. But if some- from the post office because it all those letters to the same election. tion was sent to the Sanders thing is not done on a grand “wouldn't fit through the front address. According to a recent Politi- campaign by U.S. intelligence scale, Russia will likely get its door of the post office.” When To make matters worse, co column, the President could officials alluding to him benefit- way with the 2020 United States he arrived, he found 79 large Cain claims the letter was in use this tactic and others to ting from Russia. presidential, senatorial, guberna- bins of letters from College error, as it used the wrong claim victory in an election that For his part, the candidate torial, state, and House elec- Ave. Student Loans. Inside interest rate. his Democratic challenger ap- has publicly decried Russian tions. were 55,000 of the same letter. College Ave. Student FIFTY-FIVE THOU- Loans denies the potential SAND OF THE SAME LET- mistake in the amount Cain TER! owes, but the company is It reminds me of that fa- working with him to answer The spread of COVID-19 mous scene in the first Harry his questions. They have also Potter movie where Harry and offered to pick up all the extra By Andrew Jordan the Dursleys were magically mail and reimburse him for his NEWS EDITOR inundated with thousands of troubles. Headlines have been filled with the fact that the Corona- virus has been spreading quickly to many different countries. As the virus Gardening is life — spreads, the death toll has been rising according to the Associated Press, which on Wednesday put the worldwide Prep season underway death toll at 3,100, most of Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that have a halo, or crown-like whom were in China. More (corona) appearance when viewed under an electron microscope. Gardening season is coming than 92,000 have been sick- PHOTO: CDC/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

up, so here are a few tips and ened, they say. tricks to help you grow your The virus has now spread its way, trusting that the country has all the characteristics of a best garden. FARM to almost all continents: Asia, would perform the best actions pandemic and will possibly The time to start preparing is Africa, Europe, North and they had to contain the spread of add that moniker in the future. in February. Why so early? You life South America, and Australia. the virus. This whole situation reeks want the ground to be ready so There have been nine deaths However, as more cases pop of Chinese mismanagement. By Anna Claire Boyd you can plant by March. Some in the U.S. as of March 4. up in countries like Italy, as well They have let so many people vegetables are planted before This can be seen as star- as the quarantine of the Princess slip through the cracks. It has the first freeze, which can be as seeds. tling, as the world was led to Diamond cruise ship with over become apparent that the Chi- late here in Oklahoma as April Okra plants have a shorter believe by Chinese authorities 400 passengers onboard, WHO nese government has been 15. These vegetables that we maturity than tomatoes and pep- that they would halt the has reevaluated what it may call stating everything is fine, plant on our farm are arugula, pers, so they can be planted out- spread of the virus. WHO (the the virus. It says that it isn’t when things are clearly not. lettuce, spinach, and radishes. doors from seed. Okra grows World Health Organization) calling this virus a “pandemic” Only time will tell what Some crops that we grow excellently in Oklahoma. mostly let China continue on yet, however it also says that it ends up happening. need to be planted after the final One last tip that we have freeze. These crops are okra, learned is that an effective way tomatoes, peppers, corn, and to produce hot peppers is to squash. water them minimally. We wa- One interesting tip is that in ter our pepper plants after the Oklahoma, tomatoes cannot be leaves start wilting, then we Bernie’s plans could be affordable grown from seed outdoors. The don’t water until the pepper growing season is not long plants’ leaves wilt again. enough for tomato plants to Our squash typically grows By Will Dozier estimation of the total cost of could prevent expensive conse- reach maturity. If you want to- out of our compost pile. The STAFF WRITER Bernie’s plans would be $50 quences. matoes in your garden, I suggest seed germinates every spring. trillion over 10 years. The cost- Despite potential affordabil- sprouting them from seed inside Squash plants love to grow in At the South Carolina Dem- liest plan is Medicare for All, ity, Sanders would struggle to or buying tomato plants. Oklahoma. ocratic debate, Democratic can- totaling an estimated $27 tril- pass his plans through the Sen- Peppers have an even longer Gardening season is upon didate Bernie Sanders was at- lion, followed by the Green ate. According to The Atlantic, timeline than tomatoes, so it is us, and Oklahoma provides a tacked the most, and mainly New Deal, totaling $16.3 tril- he would need 60 votes, unless best not to plant them outside as fantastic place to garden. questioned over the cost of his lion. the Senate rules regarding the plans. These plans would be fi- filibuster were to be changed. Bernie has now released this nanced by a significant increase Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, a information on his website, in taxes on corporations and the Bernie surrogate, has stated a showing how he believes he will wealthy, which would raise President Sanders may have to be able to finance his policies. around $37 trillion over 10 compromise on Medicare for Evidently, Bernie’s plans years. The rest of the budget, All. could be affordable but would according to Sanders’ plan, Despite Sanders’ plans theo- require a substantial change to would be paid by revenue made retically being affordable, it the tax code, cutting military from nationalizing electricity would require significant reform spending, and the nationaliza- and cutting the military budget. that may not pass through the tion of energy production. In Another strong argument Senate. If voters agree with Ber- order to achieve this, not only made in Sanders’ plan refer- nie’s vision, they must turn out would Dems need to elect Sand- ences a Yale study demonstrat- for the remaining primaries, as ers but would have to flip seats ing that Medicare for All could well as for the general election in the Senate to pass his plans. cost less than our current sys- in November for presidential, Vegetables grown in our garden last year. PHOTO BY ANNA CLAIRE BOYD According to CNN, their tem, and the Green New Deal Senate, and House elections.