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
Lizette Gonzalez

Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor

Lizette Gonzalez joined the Oracle as a staff reporter in 2019 and was Features Editor in 2022. She served on the executive board of Hermanas Unidas. In her free time, she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, reading, watching baseball and listening to music. Lizette graduated in 2023.

All content by Lizette Gonzalez
This is a portion of my senior page and some of my favorite moments of the past year. My time at Archer has been a rollercoaster, and within my last piece, I wanted to dedicate it to those who have supported me throughout the past four years.

Commentary: How Archer became my imperfect second home

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
May 9, 2023
While 20% of students at Archer recieve some form of Flexible Tuition, the school's term for financial aid, none of these students receive meal stipends for breakfast or lunch. Within this piece, students share their concerns with the lack of meal stipends, while administration explains the complexities of the school's budgeting system. (Graphic Illustration: Maia Alvarez)

Students raise concerns about lack of food stipends, administration shares complexities behind school’s budgeting

By Lizette Gonzalez and Maia Alvarez
May 7, 2023
This is a postcard of a painting depicting a street vendor by Margaret Garcia. Street vendors around Los Angeles are common sights, yet not many know about the hardships a lot of them encounter.

Op-Ed: Why you should support street vendors

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
April 18, 2023
Two girls are split into two and each represent the two sides of a reporter: the human side and the inner reporter. Student-journalists across the country reflected on how they report on difficult topics and their experience.

Reporter vs. human: Student-journalists discuss approach to reporting on difficult topics

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
March 16, 2023
Seniors Helen Solis and Samantha Garibaldi talk about their upcoming trip to Belgium and France. In June 2023, 21 French students will attend a sustainability-focused trip through Archer Abroad.

Archer Abroad returns with trip to France, Belgium in June 

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
February 16, 2023
The Kia Forum was lit up in pink and blue in honor of Harry Styles' fourteenth Los Angeles show. Styles sold out 15 nights in the Inglewood venue, and he played a 90-minute setlist to a sea of fans with colorful outfits and boas.

Review: Harry Styles puts the love in ‘Love on Tour’ during his 14 LA show

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
February 3, 2023
The illustration shows books and a laptop signifying the research students in the new advanced study curriculum delve into. Seniors who decided to take the advanced class equivalent of either their history or English course completed an individually designed semester-long project.

Seniors develop research skills, explore own interests through humanities advanced study curriculum

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
January 19, 2023
A girl sits in front of her laptop and does work for her Latine Studies course. This year, I enrolled in my first ever ethnic studies course, and it has erupted a passion in me in this field. It has also helped me feel represented in history curriculums.

Op-Ed: My Latine studies class changed my life

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
January 14, 2023
Sophomores Bryce Collis and Hayden Seid perform a scene from holiday movie “Elf” during a Drama Queens performance. Students, faculty and family members watched holiday-themed scenes prepared by students in the advanced theatre class in Archer’s Blackbox Dec. 15.

Winter cheer: Drama Queens take stage, perform holiday-themed scenes

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
December 16, 2022
A painting by Margaret Garcia from her collected works titled "Arte para la Gente" is displayed at La Plaza de Cultura y Arte in Los Angeles. This museum uses community geared art to evoke a powerful message of bringing awareness to the Chicano and Latino identity and history in this country. 

Review: La Plaza de Cultura y Artes is a hidden gem

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
December 15, 2022
Los Angeles mayor-elect Karen Bass talks with a group of young activists in an event organized by her campaign's youth group called "Youth 4 Bass" at WACO Theatre Center in Los Angeles Oct. 8. "We had a dialogue between her with young people who agreed and disagreed with her. It was awesome to see such seamless organizing [take] place by young people," Youth 4 Bass organizer Bailey Swain said. 

Karen Bass becomes Los Angeles’ first Black female mayor, focused on youth involvement in campaign

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
December 5, 2022
Juniors Amelia Hines and Tess Hubbard stand in front of their poster during Archer's annual club fair. Due to both of their love for Taylor Swift, they created Archer’s new Taylor Swift Club this year.

‘Archer itself is a Swiftie’: Students share Taylor Swift’s impact on campus

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
November 30, 2022
My family and I stand up during the seventh inning stretch at a Dodger game this season. Unfortunately, the 2022 Dodger season tragically ended on Oct. 15. I'm a huge baseball fan, an even bigger Dodger fan, so in an effort to highlight the positives of the season, here are my six top Dodger moments.

Commentary: Pride, heartbreak for 2022 Los Angeles Dodgers

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
November 16, 2022
Hermanas Unidas holds an affinity meeting for Archer students who identify as Latina or Hispanic. Archer offered six different affinity spaces Nov. 1 to upper school students. 

Upper school students participate in first affinity space programming of school year

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
November 3, 2022
I found myself researching the situation after the multitude of articles The New York Times published on the resignation of previous Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez. Martinez and three of her colleagues are being demanded to resign by the public after a leaked audio of racist comments against Black and Indigenous communities in Los Angeles was posted on the online platform, Reddit.

Op-Ed: City Council’s leaked audio emphasizes need to address colorism in Latino community

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
October 14, 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. 

‘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
Pictured is the entrance of The Archer School for Girls. This school year, Archer enrolled 500 students in both divisions, and 95 new students overall.

New students adjust to Archer, learning structure, support systems

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
September 30, 2022
Four books written by Latina writers are displayed above. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I recommend checking out these books that depict the stories and history of Latines in the United States.

Five books written by Latina authors to read right now

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
September 24, 2022
Senior Daisy Marmur performs in the Maccabiah Games in Israel. Over the summer, Marmur represented the United States in the Olympic sanctioned event in rhythmic gymnastics.

Summer spotlights: Students pursue passions over break

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
September 13, 2022
Former Oracle Editor-in-Chief Cybele Zhang ('18) reads the newspaper's mission statement during the 2018 editorial board induction ceremony. Zhang served as Sports Editor and Editor-in-Chief during her time on staff.

Archer publications’ alumni reflect on their time on staff, share skills, lessons they learned

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
May 24, 2022
Seniors and their families participate in the Maypole set-up event Thursday, May 5. This year’s Maypole process was different than in previous years because its set-up was lead entirely by Archer staff members.

Community reflects on process, significance of annual Maypole setup

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
May 6, 2022
This graphic illustrates Karol G, Grupo Firme and Anitta who all attended this year's Coachella Music and Arts Festival. The annual music festival hosted 20 Latin American artists in their lineup, which has been the most in Coachella's history. Watching every performance made me feel represented as I saw songs being sang in Spanish in one of the biggest musical stages.

Commentary: Viva la musica latina

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
May 6, 2022
Seniors Andrea Ramirez, Destiny Morado and other students participate in a baile folkorico lesson led by senior Anny Rodriguez during an Hermanas Unidas meeting. This meeting was open to all of the Archer community and featured the history of this traditional Mexican dance. Affinity club leaders said they hope to see more student allies attending their open club meetings to support and learn.

Student leaders celebrate affinity spaces, call for more allyship

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
April 28, 2022
The language hallway's walls are filled with the work of students in Archer's Spanish, Chinese and French classes. For me, it's extra special to see the work in Spanish and to walk by classrooms speaking my native language. Like in many places, the Spanish language is what brings a sense of home and security for me.

Commentary: A love letter to Spanish

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
March 29, 2022
In honor of Nowruz, seventh grader Charlotte Kamdar installed a Haft-Sin that is currently displayed in Archer’s Zimmer Family Gallery. She led Archer’s celebration of Nowruz by presenting on the holiday to the community March 15. 

Charlotte Kamdar presents on Nowruz, shares holiday’s significance

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
March 17, 2022
The "Stuffed Animal World" exhibit features topics of childhood, nostalgia and love in connection to the stuffed animals in people's lives. The show opened on March 3 and is open throughout the entire school day for students and faculty. 

‘The beauty of childhood’: The Eastern Star Gallery opens ‘Stuffed Animal World’ exhibit

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
March 8, 2022
As I drive around my neighborhood, I now pass by the SoFi Stadium on the daily. Despite the huge fences surrounding our so-called new treasure, its presence has changed my lifestyle.

Op-Ed: Inglewood is changing

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
March 2, 2022
Guggenheim participates in a cinnamon croissant baking class at Sur La Table. Guggenheim dedicates her free time to learning different baking skills.

‘Baking is who I am’: Through the eyes of Lily Guggenheim

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
February 22, 2022
Juniors Rose Sarner and Charlotte Tragos facilitate the Q&A event with Councilmember Nithya Raman in the courtyard on Jan. 31. Raman spoke about her experience as an elected official and why she believes women should be leaders to Archer's upper school.

‘To see it is to be it’: City Councilmember Nithya Raman speaks to upper school

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
February 3, 2022
The graphic illustrates how I feel when I'm having an anxiety attack. Experiencing anxiety in silence has led me to drown myself in a million thoughts all at the same time. It's time to create a safer and more authentic space in conversations about mental health. 

Op-Ed: One million inhales, zero exhales

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
January 31, 2022
Varsity soccer captains Alessandra Aragon, Isabella Specchierla and Gabrielle Wolf pose for a picture before a game in 2020. All three of them began their Archer soccer journey in middle school, but in freshman year, they joined varsity soccer.

‘We’re friends on and off the field’: Meet the varsity soccer co-captains

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
January 20, 2022
Junior Samantha Garibaldi and her mother, Marizabel Garibaldi, look at college resources that are in Spanish. Archer’s college guidance team offers these resources to students from Spanish-speaking families as part of their curriculum.

‘Language shouldn’t be a barrier’: Support to students from Spanish-speaking families in college process

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
January 17, 2022
Maria Hinojosa's memoir "Once I Was You," sits on a book shelf in Barnes and Nobles. Hinojosa's memoir touches on her personal journey as a journalist and emphasizes the importance of reporting on difficult topics, such as the immigration crisis.

Review: Maria Hinojosa’s memoir ‘Once I Was You’ highlights importance of diverse journalism

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
January 7, 2022
Students participate in the gingerbread house decorating contest in the courtyard for Winter Wonderland. Four students from each grade competed for spirit points and the junior class won first place.

Holiday connection: Archer community celebrates annual Winter Wonderland

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
December 12, 2021
Seventh grader Sloane Fitzgibbon and Dahlia Scarpa work together on a a cloud-based computer aided design program called Fusion 360 during the middle school InvenTeam meeting. InvenTeam uses Fusion 360 to create design models for Hydra.

‘We are becoming leaders’: Middle schoolers take charge in InvenTeam

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
November 29, 2021
"Red (Taylor's Version)" was released on Nov. 12. This album is Swift's second re-recorded album released so far and is composed of 30 songs. Some of these songs are brand new, and some others, are from her first "Red" album.

Review: Taylor Swift takes us back to 2012 with ‘Red (Taylor’s Version)’

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
November 14, 2021
This picture is a literal, illustrative metaphor of my parents' unconditional support and love that pushes me through any obstacle. The pressures of being a first-generation student and being the oldest sibling in the family can be hard sometimes, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Op-Ed: What being first-generation means to me

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
November 7, 2021
Archer's annual altar for Dia de Los Muertos is located in the front hallway of the school. Students are welcomed to bring in photographs or items to place on the altar and the work of art and Spanish students are displayed as well.

‘A beautiful tradition’: Archer celebrates Día de Los Muertos, students reflect on significance

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
November 3, 2021
Table in the dining hall displays the treats for the annual 11th grade fall bake-off this year. The judges announced Lily Guggenheim's devil's food tombstone cake as the winner. 

‘Terrifyingly good’: Juniors participate in Halloween themed bake-off

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
October 27, 2021
Meera Mahidhara works on her tutoring organization's, Mentorship Allegiance, website in the courtyard. She has four years of tutoring experience and created her own site in 2021.

Mentorship Allegiance: Meera Mahidhara’s self-built tutoring organization

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
October 22, 2021
The graphic illustrates the two worlds I feel that I have battled since coming to Archer. As when I am riding on the bus towards school, which is a different environment than I was ever used to, it felt as I entered a second world when I walked up the school's front steps.

Commentary: Battling two worlds at a time

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
October 2, 2021
Upper school students walk around Archer’s courtyard to sign up for interest clubs and affinity, alliance and advocacy student groups at the Club fair on Friday, Sept. 24. The club fair is held annually in September during students' lunchtime so club leaders make posters and offer treats to welcome potential club members.

Annual club fair prompts ‘authentic connection’ among student groups

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
September 25, 2021
Signs reminding community members to stay home if feeling ill and to follow COVID-19 protocols are posted all around campus. If students do experience such symptoms, they have the option to access online learning. 

Connecting safely: Remote learning options for COVID-19 related absences

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
September 16, 2021
Seniors Mikayla Weinhouse, Isabella Specchierla, Faith Soriano, Thea Leimone, Gabby Wolf, Lily Miro, Lauren Robson, Ali Aragon and Marissa Gendy pose for a photo in the Eastern Star courtyard following upper school orientation. The students are dressed in the formal uniform blazers to mark the occasion.

Bittersweet blues: Class of 2022 reflects on their last first day of high school

By London Sinclair, Lizette Gonzalez, and Maia Alvarez
September 3, 2021
Conan Gray's new album, "Kid Krow" was released on March 20, 2020. "My friends have always joked that if I were an animal I would be a crow," Gray shares that this was the inspiration behind the album cover and title in an Apple Music interview.

Review: Conan Gray proves his place in indie-pop music world with ‘Kid Krow’

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
May 15, 2020
An artistic illustration by Leslie Castaneda. The graphic represents students of color standing in front of the entrance of Archer.

Students of color, mentors reflect on Archer’s admissions process, diversity

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
May 7, 2020
Niall Horan's second album was released on March 13, 2020. "I have worked so hard on this album for the last 18 months and I am so ready to release it," Horran wrote in an Instagram post.

Review: Niall Horan’s disappointing album puts the heartbreak in ‘Heartbreak Weather’

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
April 22, 2020
The middle school tennis team adjusts to having practice over Zoom. "Tennis players are staying connected not only to their rackets, but with their teammates and coaches," Director of Athletics Kim Smith wrote.

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

By Lizette Gonzalez and Rio Hundley
April 9, 2020
Lit & Conference Logo

Lit &… Conference postponed due to coronavirus (COVID-19)

By Lizette Gonzalez and Cadence Callahan
March 18, 2020
During her free time at school, freshman Maya Kakani explores Disney's new streaming service, Disney Plus, on her school laptop. Disney Plus features old and new shows and movies from not only the Disney universe.

Community shares strategies, opinions regarding Disney’s new streaming service

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
March 1, 2020

[Video] A changing game: Varsity basketball talks new coaches, players and leadership

February 26, 2020
David reads lines from Act 3 Scene 3 from Macbeth and shows students the importance of understanding the emotions in the text.

Actor Keith David performs, presents about Macbeth to ninth grade English students

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
February 23, 2020
Harry Styles' album "Fine Line" was released Dec. 13, 2019. "I can not wait to share this album with you," Styles said in a concert at The Forum on the day of the release. "The album is yours, I am yours."

Review: Harry Styles’ ‘Fine Line’ explores happiness, heartbreak

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
January 21, 2020
English teacher and journalism adviser speaks with parents along with Admissions Associate, Angela Boulart who was present to be a translator during the conference. "I see [conferences] as an opportunity to tell them what I see as their daughter's strengths and where I see their areas for growth, and to work together as a team to help their student improve," Taylor said.

Parent conferences prompt communication among parents, students, teachers

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
January 8, 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.

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

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
December 4, 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

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.

Q&A with varsity cross country captain: Sophie Larbalestier

By Lizette Gonzalez, Vaughan Anoa'i, and Celeste Ramirez
October 24, 2019
New freshmen Maya Kakani, Treasure Brown and London Dorton sit around the same courtyard table every morning. Brown said she can "be more herself" around people she feels comfortable with.

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