The student news site of The Archer School for Girls

The Oracle
  • November 17There will be a bus emergency drill Thursday, Nov. 21, and there is no late bus.
  • November 17The Amphitheater will be closed Monday, Nov. 18 for the removal of the US Musical set.
  • November 17School will be closed Friday, Nov. 22 for virtual parent-teacher conferences.
The student news site of The Archer School for Girls

The Oracle
The student news site of The Archer School for Girls

The Oracle
Audrey Chang

Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief

Audrey Chang joined the Oracle as a staff reporter in 2021 and became the News Editor in 2022. In 2023, she became the Editor-in-Chief. She played on the Archer varsity tennis team, was a member of the Ambassador Leadership Team Advisory Board and ran the For Goodness Cakes club. In her free time, you could find her baking, surfing and playing with her four dogs. She graduated in 2024.

All content by Audrey Chang
My press passes from the last two years are placed next to each other. As my senior year comes to a close, I reflected on my three years on The Oracle and how much this experience and community has meant to me.

Commentary: Thank you, Oracle

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
May 19, 2024
A March Madness set-up displays multiple games and different teams' merchandise. This year's women's March Madness tournament, which started March 22 and concluded April 8, marked record-breaking viewership. Photo by Rebecca Lazarus.

March Madness: Students, athletic director discuss record-breaking viewership of NCAA women’s basketball

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
April 16, 2024
Holding a poster about the French region Corse, Marin Hennegan ('29) presents to Lila Berg ('29) during the French Around the World Festival Friday, March 15, in the courtyard. The event aimed to celebrate French students' learning and engage the community in French language and culture.

French Around the World Festival brings learning ‘full circle,’ extends understanding beyond Archer

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
March 18, 2024
Eighth graders reference a slideshow on each of the amendments composing the Bill of Rights Wednesday, Feb. 14. Prior to having students begin working on a Bill of Rights scenario worksheet, history teacher Bethany Neubauer presented about each of the amendments, including when they are most relevant and why they are important.

#FirstAmendment: Student journalists across California discuss teaching, impact of First Amendment on publications

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
February 19, 2024
The Eastern Star Gallery's second show of the year, "Zine," features political and activist zines, or small magazines. Photographer and artist Daisy Noemi, along with the Eastern Star Gallery members, curated the exhibit, which opened Wednesday, Jan. 24, during lunch.

Art as activism: Eastern Star Gallery show ‘Zine’ highlights advocacy through interactive experience

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
January 31, 2024
Power Hour Student Coordinator Lucia Ponti ('24) and Peer Tutor Francie Wallack ('25) work on a computer together Wednesday, Jan. 17. "For the future, my vision is really to create not only a place where academics are just fostered and focused on, but also a place where we're really emphasizing connection and relationships and this big sister dynamic that I was privileged and lucky enough to find when I was a middle schooler," Ponti said.

[Photo] ‘That’s what Archer is all about’: Learning specialists, seniors roll out Power Hour

By Nina Sperling, Senior Reporter
January 26, 2024
Hermanas Unidas Board members present to families at Archer's annual Spanish-Speaking Families Night Tuesday, Nov. 28. Their presentation included campus news and information about the college application process, as well as resources for Spanish-speaking families at Archer. Photo by Talia Geffen.

A space to ‘feel seen’: Annual Spanish-Speaking Families Night promotes connection, highlights diversity within community

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
December 3, 2023
This graphic illustration of a magnifying glass with an exclamation point being held up to text represents the importance of critically thinking about your news consumption to combat the spread of misinformation. The rapid spread of information facilitated by social media further underscores the importance of responsibly reporting and consuming news. (Graphic Illustration by Audrey Chang)

[Photo] Editorial: Dangers of misinformation and how to combat it as a news consumer

November 30, 2023
Senior Megan Kelley performs a scene from "Yoga Play." The Drama Queens held their first performance of the school year Thursday, Oct. 19, during lunch in the Blackbox, and featured a collection of scenes and monologues from contemporary plays.

Drama Queens steal the show in first performance of year, present contemporary monologues, scenes

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
October 25, 2023
The library's display for Banned Books Week features books that have been banned or challenged, including "The Hunger Games," "The Bluest Eye" and "Speak." Librarian Denise Hernandez said the display was meant to raise awareness about censorship across the country.

‘Don’t let your curiosity be stifled’: Students, faculty discuss access to stories, discourse during Banned Books Week

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
October 19, 2023
A sign on the door of room 228 displays the names of the three middle school Deans of Culture, Community and Belonging. These new positions were implemented at the start of the year, and the DCCBs have further developed the mentorship curriculum and have started cultivating connection and belonging at each grade level.

Administrative, student life position changes emphasize belonging, connection post-pandemic

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
October 1, 2023
A slide from the Honor Education Council's presentation explains the guidelines for Grammarly versus ChatGPT, which both use artificial intelligence. Upper school HEC representatives presented at grade-level meetings Sept. 5 about the addition of AI guidelines to the student handbook. Photo by Alejandra Cortes.

HEC, community members discuss addition of AI guidelines to handbook, related ethics

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
September 18, 2023
Audrey Chang (’24) takes her senior portrait. Chang will be serving as the Editor-in-Chief of The Oracle for the 2023-2024 school year. Photo by Ultimate Exposures. (Graphic Illustration by Audrey Chang)

Letter from the Editor

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
August 28, 2023
This slideshow presents information to seniors during College Jumpstart. Due to Hurricane Hilary, the event was moved online Aug. 21, and there was a follow-up session on campus the next day where seniors learned more about the college application process. 

[Photo] Hurricane Hilary moves College Jumpstart to Zoom, seniors connect virtually 

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
August 28, 2023
The Class of 2023 applaud and cheer as English teacher and 12th grade dean Stephanie Nicolard finishes her faculty address. Their graduation took place Friday, May 26, at the Skirball Cultural Center.

Class of 2023 graduates, reflects on open-mindedness, excitement of the unknown

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
May 31, 2023
Junior Julissa Espinoza creates pieces inspired by different interests and cultural connections for her Advanced Ceramics class. The skull ceramic piece was inspired by Mexican artist Alfonso Castillo Orta, and the lamp was inspired by nature, specifically sun rays, as well as the symbol sagrado corazon. (Graphic Illustration by Audrey Chang)

Cakes, culture and creativity: Advanced ceramics students construct independent projects, reflect on past year

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
May 19, 2023
The position of middle school president goes to Asha Parry (’28), as she received the most votes from the rising seventh and eighth graders.

BREAKING: 2023-2024 middle school election results announced

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
May 5, 2023
The first slide of the Jewish Student Union's presentation states Jewish American Heritage Month is in May. JSU presented to middle schoolers Tuesday, April 25, and upper schoolers Wednesday, April 26, about the purpose of the month and ways to recognize and celebrate Jewish culture and contributions.

Comedy, culture and social justice: JSU presents on Jewish American Heritage Month

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
April 28, 2023
The Willow Project is a massive oil drilling venture in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, which is estimated to produce enough oil to release 9.2 million metric tons of carbon pollution per year. Prior to its approval March 13, awareness of this project and advocacy against it was especially spread through social media platforms. (Graphic Illustration by Audrey Chang)

Students react to Willow Project approval, role of social media in advocacy

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
March 22, 2023
Senior Stella Lyne presents “The Gaze vs. Gays: Understanding the Subject-Object Relationship Within Lesbian Film,” a presentation under the theme of works examining identity. Archer’s 15th annual Lit &… Conference was held in the library Friday, March 10, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Annual Literature &… Conference spotlights student passions, connections, love for writing

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
March 12, 2023
Administrative Leader of InvenTeam Karen Garcia ('23) presents their team, invention and progress at the mid-grant review. InvenTeam members went to Singleton Classics in Costa Mesa Saturday, Feb. 25, for their presentation and received live feedback on their ideas.

InvenTeam members further entrepreneurship, present invention, progress at Lemelson-MIT mid-grant review

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
March 10, 2023
These featured images are from articles representing in-depth reporting. Staff Reporter Ella Schwartz ('25), Staff Reporter Meredith Ho ('26) and Senior Reporter Allie Yang ('25) wrote a variety of thorough stories focusing on specific people or opinions within the Archer community. (Photo compilation of featured images created by Audrey Chang)

#InDepthReporting: The Oracle highlights past features, writers share value of process

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
February 24, 2023
This illustration of a computer with ChatGPT, a pencil and paper represent that with a rise in AI technologies, educators are starting to think about its impacts on student writing and learning, especially in the humanities classes. OpenAI released ChatGPT in November, a bot that can generate human-like responses to user prompts. Graphic Design by Audrey Chang. 

Community members consider impact, ethics, possible applications of AI technology, ChatGPT

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
February 13, 2023
Panelists Josie Craven ('12), Chelsea Thomas ('05), Erinn Cawthon ('07) and Sabrina Jaglom ('10) speak about their journeys in the entertainment industry. They presented to freshmen and sophomore students in the amphitheater Tuesday, Jan. 31.

Alumni in entertainment industry emphasize importance of passion, hard work to freshmen, sophomores

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
February 6, 2023
This image features a vanilla Disney-themed birthday cake I made for a 3-year-old girl during the summer of 2022. Volunteering for the organization For Goodness Cakes for over two years, now, has allowed me to see the immensely positive impact even small actions like baking a cake can have on a person's life.

Op-Ed: You can bake an impact

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
February 1, 2023
Holocaust survivor and artist Trudie Strobel speaks about her experiences during the Holocaust and the importance of her work as an artist throughout her life. Strobel spoke to the upper school, and the middle school watched from a livestream in mentorships, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day Friday, Jan. 27.

Archer community commemorates International Holocaust Remembrance Day, hears from Holocaust survivor, artist Trudie Strobel

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
January 29, 2023
The courtyard is empty during a rainy day Monday, Jan. 9. During rainy days, students looked for indoor spaces to eat, sit and study.

Heavy rain, storms impact Archer community, California, demonstrate greater climate trend

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
January 15, 2023
A Christmas tree stands in a living room. During the holiday season, mental health challenges, like depression, loneliness and stress can increase for many people.

Mental health challenges increase during holiday season, community members share coping mechanisms

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
December 15, 2022
Junior Anaiya Asomugha and sophomore Bryce Collis sing "Christmas Tree Farm" by Taylor Swift and students dance with them. Winter Wonderland took place in the courtyard Friday, Dec. 9.

The most wonderful time of the year: Annual Winter Wonderland brings holiday cheer

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
December 10, 2022
Director of Athletics Kim Smith watches her team compete in a game at night. After coaching Archer soccer for 11 seasons, Smith has decided to step down this year.

Kim Smith steps down from coaching Archer soccer, focuses on role as athletic director

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
November 29, 2022
Senior Treasure Brown signs her National Letter of Intent to throw shot put at CSUN. Brown celebrated with her family and the Archer community Nov. 9.

Q&A with senior Treasure Brown who signed National Letter of Intent to throw shot put at CSUN

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
November 18, 2022
“Ted Lasso” is a heartwarming and hilarious TV series about an optimistic American college football coach finding his way as the coach of a professional soccer team in London. It was nominated for 20 Emmys this year, making it the most nominated comedy series in 2022.

Review: ‘Ted Lasso’ is life!

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
November 18, 2022
In response to the rise in antisemitic incidents in Los Angeles, we can stand up to antisemitism by staying informed, supporting the Jewish members of our communities and speaking out against antisemitic actions. Ye's antisemitic tweets Oct. 8 sparked public demonstrations in Los Angeles.

[Photo] Editorial: How we can stand up to antisemitism

November 6, 2022
Eighth grade students walk along a road at the start of their day. During Arrow Week, students had the opportunity to see Columbia Rock, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls and Yosemite's spider caves.

Photo Essay: Eighth graders explore Yosemite National Park on Arrow Week

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
October 22, 2022
The Archer cross country team begins to run their course. They competed in their first league meet at Pierce College Sept. 15.

Varsity cross country team competes with ‘spirit,’ ‘dedication’

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
October 19, 2022
Flour Shop's location in Beverly Hills, CA, displays their colorful merch wall, including clothes and baking supplies. The store originated in New York and expanded to Los Angeles in 2020.

My 5 favorite bakeries in Los Angeles

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
October 14, 2022
Jewish Student Union Board members and co-adviser Talia Geffen speak to middle school students about Rosh Hashanah. JSU members presented Sept. 22 and discussed different ways people celebrate the holiday.

Cultivating cultural awareness: Jewish Student Union presents to students about Rosh Hashanah

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
September 28, 2022
Maia Alvarez staff photo 2022

[Photo] Maia Alvarez

September 7, 2021
Students arrive to campus on their first day of the new school year September 6. Prior to the start of school, students from a variety of grade levels experienced outdoor education programs, orientation or a College Jumpstart Meeting.

Fall Outing, orientation and College Jumpstart: Archer leadership welcomes students back to campus

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
September 20, 2022
Junior Kayla Bruce uses Canvas to look at their English assignments. Sophomores, juniors and seniors accessed the Canvas technology training asynchronously on the first day of school.

Students, teachers switch to new learning management system, adjust to Canvas

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
September 18, 2022
Archer leadership announced the Health and Safety Protocols for this school year. The main changes in the protocols compared to last year are that masking is optional and there is no surveillance testing. 

Archer leadership announces COVID-19 guidelines for start of school year

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
September 4, 2022
Student Body President Langdon Janos ('22) introduces the commencement speaker, Hannah Minghella. The Class of 2022 had their in person graduation Friday, May 27, at the Skirball Cultural Center.

Seniors graduate, have ‘symbolic ending’ to Archer experience

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
May 31, 2022
Rising seventh and eighth graders elected Autumn Walker ('27) to be the middle school president for the 2022-2023 school year. They also elected Hana Cho ('27) and Sherry Zhang ('27) as class representatives.

Middle, upper school Student Council members share goals, excitement for next year

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
May 30, 2022
A group of seventh grade students sit in the sun on the front lawn during lunch. The group originally began sitting there when one of them decided to use the drain cover as a makeshift table. 

Lunch time opinions: Students share favorite spots around campus

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
May 20, 2022
Science fiction and fantasy books "Legend," "Klara and the Sun," "The Ocean at the End of the Lane" and "Boy, Snow, Bird" are stacked on a table. Students read these books in various clubs, activities and classes at Archer.

Science fiction, fantasy books ‘enhance empathy,’ develop ‘greater ability to change’ among readers

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
May 20, 2022
The chess team and chess coach Jay Stallings stand in front of a poster advertising the tournament before competing in their first rounds of matches. At the tournament, each player earned at least one point by winning a match for the Archer chess team.

‘A uniting experience’: Chess Club members compete in All-Girls National Championships in Chicago

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
May 2, 2022
YA author Peyton Thomas speaks to Archer students about his experience writing his first novel, "Both Sides Now." Thomas visited Archer April 25 to speak on his experiences as an author, journalist and podcaster.

‘We are a part of history’: ‘Both Sides Now’ author Peyton Thomas ‘resonates’ with Archer students

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
April 29, 2022
Sophomores Nita Kelly and Megan Kelley practice chosen jazz and rock songs on their instruments. The jazz and rock band members met in the choir room March 29 to continue rehearsing their songs together.

‘Connection through music’: Archer pilots first student-run jazz, rock band

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
March 31, 2022
Sophomore Elle Moccio stands in front of a poster at the Southern California Food Allergy Institute as she finishes her allergy treatment there. On Dec. 3, 2019, Moccio achieved food freedom when she finished her treatment that slowly desensitized her to her peanut allergy.

‘Still a lot to learn’: Food allergy awareness, psychological impact

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
March 22, 2022
Head of School Elizabeth English addresses grandparents and special friends in the amphitheater as they enjoy time with their granddaughters on campus. Archer hosted the first three groups of Grandparents and Special Friends' Visits March 11.

Archer ‘reimagines’ structure, grandparents, special friends visit campus

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
March 13, 2022
Junior Ella Poon practices her dramatic interpretation in front of speech and debate coach Shaindi Schwebel and freshmen Allie Yang and Lili Franks, who are watching to give Poon feedback. Speech and debate members competed in qualifying tournaments March 5 and 12, where top placers advanced to the state tournament.

Speech and debate members ‘solidify interests,’ place highly in qualifying tournament

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
March 12, 2022
Alejandra Cortes ('24) and Chloe Hayden ('24) work on their robot, practice running it and make any necessary adjustments before using it in competition. On Feb. 20, The Muses competed in a qualifying tournament at Monrovia High School.

The Muses compete in robotics qualifier, demonstrate ‘growth,’ ‘resilience’

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
February 22, 2022
Shanthi Seth ('27), Beyla Patil ('27) and Adella Travers ('27) present their poster showing their experiment to other middle schoolers. On Feb. 4, middle school students presented their research from their passion-driven science projects in the annual middle school science fair called Lil' SIS.

Middle school students present research from ‘engaging,’ ‘innovative’ experiments at annual Lil’ SIS

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
February 11, 2022
This image features my twin sister and me at our first tennis practice together as four-year-olds. We always played tennis and did all of our other activities together growing up, and we still love playing doubles together now. To me, individuality means finding my own interests and what makes me unique, as well as beginning to think more in terms of "I" rather than "we." 

Op-Ed: Identical twins are different too

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
February 8, 2022
Maia Alvarez (‘24) and Charlie Clayton (‘25) look through the book “The Woman in the Window” as they discuss it in the book club. The Freshmen-Sophomore Book Club had their first meeting Jan. 25 during lunch.

Students join Freshmen-Sophomore Book Club, share love and passion for reading

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
January 31, 2022
Sixth grader Allie Cohen jumps her horse in competition. The Archer equestrian team competed in their third show of the school year on Jan. 16 at Hansen Dam Equestrian Center. Cohen has an overall Novice Division ranking 25th of 70 riders in the IEL.

‘A super positive group’: Archer equestrian competes in third show of season

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
January 28, 2022
"Flee" is about Amin Nawabi's journey to reach safety and find a place where he belongs as he goes through traumatic events as an Afghan refugee and navigates his new life in Denmark on his own. It was released in theaters in the U.S. on Dec. 3, 2021, and has since been nominated for three Oscar shortlists. 

Review: Animated documentary ‘Flee’ tells emotionally evocative story of Afghan refugee

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
January 24, 2022
Upper school students split up into groups based on their particular art disciplines and interests to brainstorm ideas for the Visual Arts Festival and how art can be better represented at Archer. The ACA had their first meeting of the second semester Jan. 12 in the photography room during lunch.

‘A place where every single art has the ability to shine’: Archer Council of Artists highlights creativity in community

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
January 21, 2022
A group of middle school students participate in the PAW-Some Pup Run Club, working on dog agility and helping Boo go over a hurdle. “[The dogs have] actually improved a lot,” sixth grader Josephine Hatton said. “At the beginning, some of them did not know how to do anything at all, and the students have trained them to be really attentive and do the agility courses.”

PAW-Some Pup Run Club empowers students, inspires ‘joy,’ ‘confidence’

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
January 18, 2022
Leah Abazari ('22) poses for Presley Sacavitch's ('22) projection project for her Advanced Photography class. So far, Sacavitch said she is most proud of the work she has produced for this project because of the various steps it included. ”The idea behind that project is that students were photographing images first and then they used a digital projector,” Alford said. “They can move the projector and angle it onto the body or the face of a person or an object, and then create photographs from that projection.”

Seniors begin photography classes with ‘experimental,’ ‘classic’ projects

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
December 14, 2021
Archer upper school students work on their final group projects for the Web Design computer science elective. They coded websites that aim to help their peers, with one group building a website about social media and body image and another group creating a website about study tips.

Students join ‘creative,’ ‘useful’ computer science electives, combine art and STEM interests

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
December 12, 2021
After the JV flat equitation round, the riders go to the middle of the ring while the scores are tallied. The Archer equestrian team competed in their first show of the season on Nov. 7 at Hansen Dam Equestrian Center.

Archer equestrian gallops into season with first shows

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
December 9, 2021
Shayla Covington ('26) films Julia Ong ('26) and Skylar Roberts ('26) posing in the lighting studio. On Nov. 17, they filmed their cooking show segment "Flop Chef" for the middle school broadcast.

Eighth grade film and TV elective captures ‘lighthearted spirit’ of middle school through broadcast

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
November 29, 2021
Glory Chase (‘22) dips Isabelle Verdery (‘23) during an upper school musical rehearsal of the “Hanky Panky” number in the amphitheater courtyard. On Nov. 1, members of the musical had their costume parade outdoors, which consisted of the performers all trying on their costumes so they knew what the actual show would look like.

‘An exchange of energy’: Upper School Musical ‘Leader of the Pack’ sparks ‘connection’ and ‘enthusiasm’

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
November 7, 2021
Archer middle school swimmers assume their starting positions and are ready to start their first race. On Sept. 30, they competed in their first meet at Crossroads against Brentwood, Crossroads and Wildwood.

Middle school swim dives into season, with morning practices for first time

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
October 25, 2021
The first season of “Teenage Bounty Hunters” was released on August 14, 2020 on Netflix, featuring hilarious fraternal twins balancing their strange and intense part time-job as bounty hunters with high school life and drama. This show stands out from others because of the perfect balance of action with relatable and sweet moments, as well as the uniquely close bond between the twins being at the heart of the show.

Review: Netflix’s ‘Teenage Bounty Hunters’ is hilarious and heartfelt

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
April 12, 2021
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