The student news site of The Archer School for Girls

The Oracle
  • November 17No school for students Friday, Nov. 20, for parent-teacher conferences.
  • November 17An earthquake drill will take place at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19.
  • November 17Love Your Body Week activities will happen in the courtyard during lunch Tuesday, Nov. 18.
The student news site of The Archer School for Girls

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

The Oracle
Gabby Kaplan

Gabby Kaplan, Photo Editor

Gabby Kaplan joined The Oracle in 2023 and is now the Photo Editor for the 2025-2026 school year. In her free time, she enjoys being in nature, cooking, watching films and spending time with friends. You can also find her on the Archer Equestrian Team.

All content by Gabby Kaplan
A candle and a yellow ribbon are pictured on a pale yellow background. The candle is a yahrzeit candle which is traditionally used by Jewish people to honor the memory of deceased loved ones on the anniversary of their death. The yellow ribbon serves as a commonly used symbol of hope for the return of the hostages captured on Oct. 7, 2023. "I do think that on Oct. 7, 2023 there was a lot of confusion, a lot of sadness, a lot of anger," Rabbi Calvin Dox DaCosta said. "How could this have happened? Why did it happen?"

‘Working on bridge building’: Two year anniversary of Oct. 7 prompts action, reflection

By Gabby Kaplan, Photo Editor
October 27, 2025
A round loaf of Challah bread sits on a table for a family's Rosh Hashanah dinner Monday, Oct. 22. Eaten primarily on Rosh Hashanah, the Challah's specific circular shape represents hopes for a continuous, prosperous and sweet new year.

‘Continuing a cycle’: Rosh Hashanah inspires reflection in students, faculty

By Gabby Kaplan, Photo Editor
September 28, 2025
In Stephanie Nicolard's ninth grade Harkness discussion , Ninu Alitoro ('29) comments on the short story, "Two Kinds." Harnesses, separate from Socratic Seminars, are student discussions that encourage open-minded thinking amongst students. These types of discussions are the perfect example of a balance between listening and speaking.

Commentary: Open discussion is the key to dealing with a crisis

By Gabby Kaplan, Photo Editor
September 24, 2025
Students, head of school express concerns, perks of new uniforms 

Students, head of school express concerns, perks of new uniforms 

By Sydney Tilles and Gabby Kaplan
September 12, 2025

Video Slideshow: Archer Council of Sustainability celebrates Earth Day, promotes waste reduction

By Maya Hernández and Gabby Kaplan
May 21, 2025
Bert, played by seventh grader Lilly Swigert, holds up a chimney broom. Swigert said that although it is difficult to play a male character, a British accent helped her to better step into the role. (Photo by Caroline Fu '27.)

Practically perfect in every way: Cast, crew of ‘Mary Poppins’ step into their roles

By Gabby Kaplan, Photo Editor
May 20, 2025
An ankle boot sits next to a football on the floor, representing the risk of sports injuries. According to Stanford Medicine, contact sports pose the most risk for sports injuries compared to non-contact sports. Alexa Kagiwada (‘26) said not being able to play her sport was a big letdown, particularly because she lost many of the skills she had worked hard to develop before her injury.

‘One step back and three steps forward’: Students, professionals discuss impacts of sports injuries

By Gabby Kaplan, Photo Editor
May 16, 2025

[Video] Reflection and renewal: Jewish Student Union members reflect on Passover traditions

By Phoebe Casparian and Gabby Kaplan
May 9, 2025

S5E10 – The Scoop on how Archer students observe Ramadan, incorporate fasting into daily routine

By Vivianne Arnold and Gabby Kaplan
April 20, 2025
The freshman class faces off against the junior class in a round of tug-of-war during Color Wars April 17. Farah Sandoval (’28) said that her favorite activity of the event was the tug-of-war, even though it her grade lost the game.

[Photo] Color Wars brings colors of the rainbow, community to campus

By Josephine Hatton, Staff Reporter
May 6, 2025
People sit at tables next to the grab-and-go section of the Joan's on Third kitchen. Joan's is gourmet marketplace cafe that serves as a great place for gathering with family and friends.

Review: Breakfast, brunch, lunch, oh my! Joan’s on Third is a must-go restaurant in Studio City

By Gabby Kaplan, Photo Editor
April 8, 2025
People talk using common phrases that include the term “big back.” Teens often use calling someone a “big back” as a way to push their own insecurities about body image onto others. (Graphic Illustration by Gabby Kaplan).

Commentary: The “big back” effect

By Gabby Kaplan, Photo Editor
February 28, 2025
Wong and other upper school flutists play "The Bar Talk Trilogy." This song was also played at the Winter Concert last week. Sophomore Camden Forster is a member of the upper school orchestra and plays violin. Forster said that playing in the Zeller Student Center affected the quality of their sound. "It allowed less people to be in attendance because it was a smaller space," Forster said. "I also think the acoustics were worse in there."

Photo Gallery: Arts Fest features Archer’s creative minds

By Gabby Kaplan, Photo Editor
February 20, 2025

Broadcast: Upper school students, faculty share thoughts, reactions following President Trump’s inauguration

By Gabby Kaplan and Phoebe Measer
February 14, 2025
A younger woman hugs an older woman inside of a Zoom icon. The University of Florida Health emphasizes that through intergenerational connections, "teens can also gain a deeper appreciation for the challenges older adults have faced, often putting their own experiences into perspective". Graphic Illustration by Gabby Kaplan

Op-ed: Importance of intergenerational connection

By Gabby Kaplan, Photo Editor
December 18, 2024
A student athlete takes the concussion test with her screen displaying the word green in blue coloring. According to the National Library of Medicine, "in all sports, collegiate athletes had higher rates of concussion than high school athletes, but concussions represented a greater proportion of all injuries among high school athletes."

Heads up: Archer hosts annual concussion testing for middle, upper school athletes

By Gabby Kaplan, Photo Editor
December 16, 2024
Three women question themselves and others around them. "Women have been socialized to aspire to perfection and are overly cautious," Reshma Saujani said. "Even when we’re ambitious and we lean in, that socialization of perfection has caused us to take fewer risks in our careers."

‘This might be wrong’: Exploring female fear of failure in the classroom, workplace

By Gabby Kaplan, Photo Editor
December 10, 2024
The Macy’s Day Parade plays on the TV right as the Smokey the Bear float goes by. The 3 hour parade starts at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones.

Carve out time for these 5 classic Thanksgiving activities

By Gabby Kaplan, Photo Editor
November 26, 2024
Pura Vita sign lights up the restaurant above the bar. Pura Vita's locations are in West Hollywood and Redondo Beach. (Photo Credit: Lily Kaplan)

Pasta without parmesan: Pura Vita vegan restaurant review from a non-vegan

By Gabby Kaplan, Photo Editor
October 27, 2024

The Scoop on classroom education of 9/11

By Gabby Kaplan, Photo Editor
October 16, 2024
Autumn Walker ('27) poses with her mango smoothie from Belwood Bakery during lunch Tuesday, Sept. 24. "Belwood has fantastic smoothies, if I need a sweet treat halfway through the day," Walker said.

First week of freedom: Students, faculty reflect on ‘across the street’ privileges, budgeting

By Gabby Kaplan, Photo Editor
October 16, 2024
Broadcast: Community members share Rosh Hashanah traditions, celebrations

Broadcast: Community members share Rosh Hashanah traditions, celebrations

By Phoebe Measer and Gabby Kaplan
October 14, 2024
Julieta Girbal instructs Ambassador Leadership Team members on how to format birthday cards to their buddies. Lead by Girbal, ALT met for the first time this school year Sept. 9 to discuss tour guides, Discover Archer and Back to School Day.

Q&A with new assistant director of admissions on her first few weeks at Archer

By Gabby Kaplan, Photo Editor
September 11, 2024
Middle school students in Willy Wonka look out into the audience while singing "There's No Knowing." Archer's productions of Willy Wonka occurred May 16-18 in the Blackbox Theatre.

‘A whole new set of eyes’: Middle school Willy Wonka Jr. cast, directors adapt to leave of director

By Gabby Kaplan, Photo Editor
May 27, 2024
Medication and a book titled "Healing After Loss" sit on a table. Socioeconomic status plays a role in the quality of care that dementia patients receive. According to the Alzheimer's Association, "Individuals who experience high socioeconomic deprivation ... are significantly more likely to develop dementia compared to individuals of better socioeconomic status, even at high genetic risk."

Care costs: Socioeconomic status impacts California dementia care

By Gabby Kaplan, Photo Editor
May 7, 2024
Senior Gemma Larbalestier shows world language teacher Juan Carlos Moraga Vidal her artwork, which combines the human experience with music. Larbalestier and Olivia Miro’s senior show, “Genesis,” took place May 1 in the Eastern Star Gallery.

‘Genesis’ senior show connects music, nature to the human experience

By Gabby Kaplan, Photo Editor
May 3, 2024
People line up to order from the unique menu at McConnell's Ice Cream in Studio City. McConnell's was founded in 1949 by Gordon “Mac” and Ernesteen McConnell in Santa Barbara, California.

Review: McConnell’s Ice Cream is a California treasure that never gets old

By Gabby Kaplan, Photo Editor
April 30, 2024
Freshmen Snow Zhou and Nicole Svendsen play against Pacifica Christian at Annenberg Beach Club on a day with sunny weather. During their season, the team had to adjust to the ever-changing weather in Los Angeles this year. "We're very consistent with our serves," Zhou said. "So even if it's raining, we still put effort into the serves and all the practices."  Photo by Long Tom Zhou.

You’re hot then you’re cold: Varsity beach volleyball team perseveres despite weather challenges

By Gabby Kaplan, Photo Editor
April 23, 2024
Mia Vosicher ('25) walks Hollyn Alpert ('28) through the "Willy Wonka" script. Vosicher originally applied to be a stage manager, but at the last minute, she applied to be assistant director. "Encouraging the middle schoolers to take risks and really go outside of the thoughts of their character choices is what's going to make the show strong," Vosicher said.

Q&A with assistant director of middle school musical

By Gabby Kaplan, Photo Editor
March 18, 2024
Freshmen Phoebe Gustafson and Lena Sakhnini look at their phones during lunch. Teens often find it hard to live without their phones on a daily basis. According to a Pew Research study, "About three-quarters of teens (77%) say they use YouTube daily, while a smaller majority of teens (58%) say the same about TikTok."

Op-Ed: Charging your own battery

By Gabby Kaplan, Photo Editor
March 4, 2024
Black Student Union members serve students at their pancake breakfast Thursday, Jan. 11. BSU held the breakfast to honor the legacy of the Black Panther Party.

Black Student Union’s pancake breakfast honors legacy of Black Panther Party

By Gabby Kaplan, Photo Editor
January 17, 2024
Fitness and wellness teacher Jamie Fink prepares to throw a ball while playing a variation of four square with her with her fitness class on the Sport Court. In addition to fitness classes, she said she enjoyed her first year coaching and teaching Human Development at Archer. “I’ll just say that whoever has her is very lucky to have her,” Paige Kim (’28) said. “She’s one of my favorites of my teachers.”

‘Dedicated’ soccer coach, fitness teacher tackles first semester with ‘positive’ approach

By Gabby Kaplan, Photo Editor
December 12, 2023
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