The student news site of The Archer School for Girls

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

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

The Oracle
All content by Kim Smith
Finalist pairs smile after playing Windward in the PBL championship. Eighth grader Hana Cho said the team made major progress since the beginning of the beach volleyball program and overcame challenges throughout the season.

[Photo] Middle school beach volleyball team reflects on challenges, triumphs of season’s finals

By Tavi Memoli, Senior Reporter
June 1, 2023
Team members prepare to surf during a Sunday morning practice. Archer’s first surf team practices at a variety of different beaches throughout Los Angeles, Malibu and Ventura County.

[Photo] Archer creates first surf team with Loyola High School: plans to compete, gain new members

By Allie Yang, Columnist
December 15, 2022
Swimmers on the middle school swim team throw their hands up in celebration after winning the PBL championship. The PBL final took place at Palisades Charter High School Nov. 5.

[Photo] Middle school swim earns 8th PBL Championship for swim program

By Surya Patil, Editor-in-Chief
November 27, 2022
The Archer cross country team begins to run their course. They competed in their first league meet at Pierce College Sept. 15.

[Photo] Varsity cross country team competes with ‘spirit,’ ‘dedication’

By Audrey Chang, Editor-in-Chief
October 19, 2022
The junior varsity tennis team pose for a picture after a victory against Marymount where they won 16-2. This season, the team has played two matches so far and hold a record of 1-1. 

[Photo] ‘You have a team to fall on win or lose’: JV tennis welcome three new ninth graders to team

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
October 8, 2022
Serenity Jones ('26) preparing to serve to begin the next set during their game against Buckley Sept. 24. The JV varsity volleyball team's overall record so far this season is 7-6.

[Photo] Bringing the ‘best game energy’: JV Volleyball celebrates new skills, strengthen team dynamic

By Maia Alvarez, Features Editor
October 29, 2022
Junior Malia Apor lifts the bar and two additional ten pound weights during A-train Sept. 22. A-train takes place from 4:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

[Photo] Learning to lift: Upper school students join A-train, Barbell Club

By Surya Patil, Editor-in-Chief
September 28, 2022
Varsity track and field advancing from Liberty League compete at the CIF Prelims. Seven athletes qualified for CIF Prelims. After the CIF Prelims, junior Treasure Brown qualified for CIF Finals and has now advanced to CIF Masters.

[Photo] Trophies and triumphs: Varsity track and field finishes spring season

By Jullie Cach, Staff Reporter
May 30, 2022
Swimmers Thea Leimone (’22), Chloe Resnick (’24), Amelia Hines (’24) and Lacey Thompson (’24) compete in the CIF Division 2 finals in Mission Viejo May 6. This was the team’s first time competing in the event. “Even though it was about results — and that’s what you’ll see in the weekly emails — the biggest part of the swim season is being together and being a part of a team,” Hines said.

[Photo] Archer swimmers compete in CIF Division 2 finals, place 10th out of 50 schools

By Cadence Callahan, Voices Editor
May 22, 2022
The varsity softball team poses for a team photo after their game against Marymount. The team won with a score of 16-6. "I love our team because of how supportive everyone is of each other," Apor said. "We always pick each other up after a loss because softball is a big game of mistakes, and it’s the only way we will get better."

[Photo] Varsity softball ends season with ‘sense of togetherness’

By Nyah Fernandez, Multimedia Editor
May 8, 2022
The middle school softball team poses for a photo with assistant coach Dani LeNoir (left) and head coach Natalie Chambers (right). The team is comprised of sixth and seventh graders. "At some point, the middle school team diminished because the interest wasn't there," Chambers said. "It has been a while, so the fact that we had a lot of girls sign up and really want to commit themselves — I couldn't ask for anything more."

[Photo] ‘They push me to do better’: Q&A with middle school softball coach, Natalie Chambers

By Alexis David, Columnist
May 12, 2022
Kim Smith, Director of Athletics, poses with the 2020-2021 varsity soccer team. Along with her posistion, she is also the coach of varsity scocer. "It takes effort," Smith said. "You know, it does. But it's so worth it because you never know the support you'll need or the inspiration that you'll be able to give to your teammates later on down the road."

[Photo] Q&A with Kim Smith: Director of Athletics inducted into North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame

By Grace Doyle, Sports Editor
February 9, 2022
A group of middle school soccer players warm up for practice on the back field. "Everybody is really brought together by soccer," Walker said. "It's super easy for us to connect about one thing which branches into fun and interesting conversations."

[Photo] ‘Back on the field’: Middle school soccer embarks on season, sets goals

By Jullie Cach, Staff Reporter
January 29, 2022
Specchierla and her teammates take a picture after playing against Brentwood High School, where they won 9-0. “I love the family that I have found through Archer soccer,” Specchierla said. “Every single one of the girls on the team means so much to me.”

[Photo] Through the eyes of Isabella Specchierla: Archer Girl, athlete, activist and artist

By Nyah Fernandez, Multimedia Editor
January 13, 2022
Middle school swimmers huddle together in the pool before an event. The Middle school swim team participated in and won the 2021 Pacific Basin League Championship, which was held on Nov. 7 at The Culver City Municipal Plunge pool. The meet started at 4 p.m. and ended at 6:39 p.m.

[Photo] Prevailing in the pool: Middle school swim team wins Pacific Basin League Championship

By Cadence Callahan, Voices Editor
November 15, 2021
The middle school cross country team poses with their championship plaque after their win. In a history making season, the team remained undefeated in their league meets and finished the season with a championship win. “It was fun" sixth grader Camille Chi said. "It was challenging, but I think it was really, really worth it.”

[Photo] Middle school cross county ends undefeated season with championship win

By Grace Doyle, Sports Editor
November 10, 2021
The sixth grade team huddles during one of their home games. When sixth grader Caroline Banabin had to discibe her excpienshe she said it was "awesome". "Because everyone on the team is really nice and really fun. And the coach is really nice and practices are really fun." Benebib said.

[Photo] Three’s a party: Middle school volleyball hosts range of skill levels amongst teams

By Grace Doyle, Sports Editor
November 4, 2021
Members of the middle school cross country team take their first stride at a Pacific Basin League (PBL) meet in Cheviot Hills. The running squad has earned first place finishes in both of their September meets, which marks the first time in Archer history for the middle school cross country team.

[Photo] Middle school cross country sprints through season, makes history

By Vaughan Anoa’i, Editor in Chief
October 12, 2021
From soccer to swimming, basketball to softball and tennis to track, Archer Athletics are culminating their seasons that were met with "metal fortitude and joy" according to Director of Athletics Kim Smith. COVID-19 didn't stop teams from training, practicing and competing in the 2020-2021 seasons.

[Photo] A year of ‘silver linings’: Looking back at 2020-2021 season for Archer Athletics

By Grace Doyle, Sports Editor
June 3, 2021
Athletes Lauren Robson ('22) and Kate Hanney ('25) run on the Archer field during an Archer cross country practice. COVID-19 regulations have changed in L.A. county, allowing for Archer athletics to return to sports practices and some competitions.

[Photo] Archer sports teams return to practices; athletes ‘reconnected,’ ‘excited’

By Thea Leimone, Features Editor
April 15, 2021
The 2021 Archer softball team gathers during the month of March after not playing for a year with each other. This softball season, junior Cristina Fuentes-Alva said communication and motivation are key within in a team. "Yes, and I feel because it's a sport where we're so spread out on the field, we're always communicating and then we just made a group chat recently so we can all talk about stuff, and we're all coming to practices and we're all very motivated." Fuentes-Alva said.

[Photo] Archer softball players reflect on motivation towards ‘exciting’ season

By Nyah Fernandez, Multimedia Editor
March 28, 2021
Cross County athletes Katherine Lee ('21), Keera Levell ('23), Nicole Farmer ('21), Alessandra Aragon('22) and Lauren Robson ('22) stand on the field next to Coach Leufroy during a practice on Nov. 19. As the fall sports season came to a close, senior athletes reflected on their last season. From cross country to volleyball athletes has to adapt to a Covid-19-plagued fall.

[Photo] Final fall: Senior fall athletes reflect on their ‘non-traditional,’ ‘chaotic’ season

By Grace Doyle, Sports Editor
April 12, 2021
The volleyball team wears masks to practice on campus to maintain COVID-19 guidelines. Both the upper school volleyball and cross country teams have the opportunity to practice on campus as they started on Nov. 8 with their COVID-19 friendly training.

[Photo] On-campus sports practices structured with new framework, allows athletes to refine ‘basics’

By Grace Doyle, Sports Editor
December 20, 2020
The Panther Board is a supplemental portion of the Panther Challenge. The squares within it provide some examples of challenges athletes are asked to complete in order to earn points and win prizes.

[Photo] New challenges arise from cancellation of traditional spring sports season

By Grace Doyle and Rio Hundley
May 21, 2020
One of Coach Smith's daily workouts, posted on the Archer Athletics instagram. Smith and other coaches are working to support athletes with conditioning during the spread of the novel coronavirus.

[Photo] Athletes, coaches adjust to remote learning during outbreak of COVID-19

By Lizette Gonzalez and Rio Hundley
April 9, 2020
The middle school soccer team plays a game against Crossroads on Jan. 14. The game took place on campus and the team lost.

[Photo] ‘Spirited’, ‘enthusiastic’ middle school soccer team worked on teamwork and goals during their season

By Cadence Callahan, Voices Editor
February 13, 2020
Captain Eden Oje ('25) dribbles the basketball toward the hoop during the match against Westside Neighborhood School on December 16, 2019. Archer lost the match with a score of 14-21.

[Photo] Q&A with middle school basketball captains: Kate Beckerman, Eden Oje

By Avery Fox, Staff Reporter
January 27, 2020
Junior Ariel Heimanson attempts a shot in the first varsity basketball game of the season against Vistamar School on Nov. 19. The team won with the score of 30-21.

[Photo] Q&A with varsity basketball captains: Nadia Charles, Ariel Heimanson

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
December 4, 2019
The varsity cross country runners take their marks at the league final meet. The runners collectively came in second place and beat their league rival, Pacifica Christian school. Throughout the season, every member of the team set a personal record.

[Photo] Varsity cross country sprints through season, reflects on triumphs, challenges

By Vaughan Anoa’i, Editor in Chief
December 13, 2019
Head Coach Stephanie Ferri advises the Middle School swimmers. The swim team was undefeated this season. Photo courtesy of Archer Athletics' Instagram.

[Photo] (Pre)Teen Spirit: Middle school volleyball, cross country, swim teams wrap up fall seasons

By Rio Hundley, Features Editor
December 10, 2019
Athletes, including sophomores Naya Ben-Meir and Vaughan Anoa'i and eighth grader Julissa Cach practice their sports. Varsity Tennis, Varsity and Middle School Volleyball, Cross Country and Middle School Swim were all affected by the Getty fire, which left many students evacuated from October 28 to October 31. Photos courtesy of Archer Athletics. Photo editing by Rio Hundley

[Photo] Getty fire impacts athletes’ practice, game schedules

By Lizette Gonzalez, Rio Hundley, and Celeste Ramirez
November 14, 2019
The varsity cross country team, including senior Sophie Larbalestier, runs during an on campus practice. Larbalestier has been running cross country since the tenth grade and is team captain this year.

[Photo] Q&A with varsity cross country captain: Sophie Larbalestier

By Lizette Gonzalez, Vaughan Anoa’i, and Celeste Ramirez
October 24, 2019
The purple volleyball team, led by sixth grader Juliette Hoeber and seventh grader Callie Wicklander, gathers in a huddle on Archer's Sport Court. The team is composed mainly of new Archer students, and a sense of unity was a main goal for both Hoeber and Wicklander.

[Photo] Q&A with MS Volleyball captains: Chloe Chu, Gemma Larbalestier, Callie Wicklander, Juliette Hoeber

By Rio Hundley, Features Editor
October 24, 2019
Chelsea FC, Twiggy, and Mr. Hubble pose in front of Smith and Tait Coffee Shop. This year for Halloween, owner Kim Smith dressed them as rufferees.

[Photo] Paws-itively perfect: Dogs bring joy, calm to community

By Rio Hundley, Features Editor
January 19, 2019
The team poses in shirts showcasing the team's 2016-2017 motto. The motto, "Stronger Together," was selected by coach Kim Smith.

[Photo] Varsity soccer wins Liberty League, falls to Anaheim in playoffs

By Alice Grainge, Staff Writer
March 2, 2017
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