Review: Glee creators return to high school for Netflix’s ‘The Politician’

By Molly Goldberg, Culture Editor

December 4, 2019

"Glee" creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan make a return to high school for the new Netflix series, "The Politician," a fantasia on American politics, high school movies and the current cultural moment. Starring Ben Platt, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Lange and many other notable faces, the series promises the darkly comedic, sat...

‘Connections’ exhibit in Eastern Star Gallery sparks interactions between students, faculty

By Vaughan Anoa'i, Staff Reporter

December 4, 2019

Interactive, community-oriented and rainbow-themed prompts and responses covered the once white walls in the Eastern Star Gallery for the first two months of the 2019-2020 school year. "Who or what inspires you?" and "What brings you joy?" were just a few of the questions pasted around the space. "Usually...

Review: Ava DuVernay’s ‘When They See Us’ holds nothing back

By Celeste Ramirez, Multimedia Editor

December 4, 2019

"When They See Us" is rated TV-MA on Netflix and may not be suitable for children under 17. Common Sense Media recommends the series for children ages 15 and up. "When They See Us," the four-episode Netflix series directed and co-written by Ava DuVernay, won two awards at the 2019 Primetime Em...

Review: In ‘Joker,’ mental illness is no laughing matter

By Rio Hundley, Sports Editor

November 13, 2019

Disclaimer: "Joker" is rated R for violence and bloodshed, strong language, and sexual references; it may include triggers for people sensitive to mental health, gun violence or references to abuse. The Oracle does not recommend the film for our younger readers, and Common Sense Media estimates it is appropriate for ages 16+. In a grim...

Dancers aim to present ‘Grimm’ interpretation of fairytales in annual show

By Rio Hundley, Sports Editor

October 4, 2019

In past years, Archer's Night of Dance has transported audiences to other planets, different decades and even dystopian futures. The 2020 show, titled "Mirage," asks viewers to revisit a world they are likely familiar with: children's stories. "What we want to do is investigate the impact of morals...

Junior Kelsey Thompson combines passion for baking with work at Cookie Good in Santa Monica

June 7, 2019

From cake to bread to cookies, junior Kelsey Thompson is always baking. She brought her passion from her own kitchen into the real world two years ago, when she began her job at Cookie Good, a small, family-run bakery in Santa Monica, California. When Thompson started working at Cookie Good in October 2017, sh...

Festival of Dance highlights student-created choreography, dance talent

By Amelia Stone, Staff Writer

June 7, 2019

The sun was shining as the students and faculty sat down to watch Archer's annual Festival of Dance on May 3 in the courtyard. The festival showcased dances by student choreographers in both middle and high school. Sophomore member of Dance Company II Mackenzie Turner explained that each student in...

Madison Dea, Megan Escobar take ‘a detour through the mind’ in collaborative senior art show

By Lola Lamberg and Celeste Ramirez

June 2, 2019

The Eastern Star Gallery was filled with students, faculty and family for Megan Escobar and Madison Dea’s collaborative senior art show on May 16. Kehlani played in the background and videos of the sea and Escobar playing with paint were projected on the ceilings. Visitors looked at the various portraits...

Fire and Film: Ceramicist Sandy Frank, photographer Olivia Woolf present senior art shows

By Rio Hundley and Chloe Richards

May 31, 2019

Two artists, two disciplines, two narratives, one space. The Eastern Star hosted two senior shows on May 7: Sandy Frank's "Home Sweet Home" and Olivia Woolf's "Nostalgia." Frank focused her art show on how her dogs make her feel "love, support, happiness and more." Her show consisted of a series of...

‘I just loved every moment’: Middle school performs ‘School of Rock’

By Ella Frey, News and Features

May 30, 2019

In 2003, "School of Rock" debuted, making approximately 131.3 million dollars in the box office. Following its success, the movie was crafted into a play on Broadway and other production companies. On May 11 and 12, middle schoolers performed their own rendition of "School of Rock" at the American Jewish University [AJU]. Accordin...

Veganism impacts American, Angeleno culture

By Liz Haltrecht

May 30, 2019

Fifty thousand. This is the number of fast food chains in America. According to a study conducted by National Center for Health Statistics between 2013 and 2016, 36.6% of adults consumed fast food on a given day. According to the Huffington Post, Americans consume 50 billion burgers a year. However,...

‘Pillars of Salt’ highlights ‘modern, contemporary’ literature

By Nicki Rosenberg and Molly Goldberg

May 24, 2019

The creative writing elective entails more than just writing poetry and short stories. The students' collective creative process often includes lying on the floor, crying and a lot of vulnerability, junior Maddie Fenster said. The class curates and edits "Pillars of Salt," Archer's literary magazine....