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
Lola Thomas

Lola Thomas, Culture Editor

Lola Thomas joined The Oracle as a staff reporter in 2022, became a senior reporter in 2023 and became the culture editor in 2024. She runs her nonprofit Fashion Moving Forward and is a part of the Ambassador Leadership Team, the Black Student Union Board and Service Squad.

All content by Lola Thomas
A silhouette of a student with flowers blooming at the top of their head. It's essential to prioritize students' mental health in school by providing mental health education and resources and creating a healthy, supportive and collaborative learning environment. (Graphic Illustration: Lola Thomas)

Editorial: Mental health matters

By 24-25 Oracle Editorial Board and Lola Thomas
October 29, 2024
Glow sticks illuminate the Actyve Gym Friday, Oct. 11. To celebrate the end of their season, the JV volleyball team had a glow-in-the-dark themed practice with varsity, inspired by the popular TikTok trend.

JV volleyball team lights up final practice with glow-in-the-dark celebration

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
October 24, 2024
Junior Tessa Moshtaghi plays Dress to Impress on Roblox during her free period. Roblox is an online gaming platform where players can virtually play games created by themselves and other players. Dress to Impress is a competitive fashion game where players participate in a virtual fashion show.

Upper school students start playing Roblox on campus, dedicate free time to play

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
October 4, 2024
Palisades High School and Archer students gather at the Palisades Village Green Park for the "Fridays for Future" climate strike Sept. 20. Freshman Katia Thomas said the strike was an opportunity to take action and spread awareness about the changing climate. 

Archer Council for Sustainability, Palisades High School students organize climate strike

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
September 29, 2024
Immersed in song, sophomores Olivia Broock and Lena Sakhnini prepare for upper school musical auditions in the RBG courtyard. Auditions took place Tuesday, August 27, and the cast list was released Saturday, August 31.

Upper school musical sparks excitement, actors develop skills through audition process

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
September 1, 2024

S4E10 – The Scoop on changes to Student Led Conferences

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
May 19, 2024
Graphic image displays some of the dis-tracks Kendrick Lamar and Drake have written about eachother. Since 2013, the two have been in conflict, but recently began their newest 'rap battle' November 2023 continuing into May 2024. (Graphic image by Lola Thomas)

Opinion: Unpacking the greatest week in Hip Hop: Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
May 15, 2024
Performing the "Cup Song," the Unaccompanied Minors join together on the veranda to sing. Before each concert, the Unaccompanied Minors participated a tradition of performing a "Riff-Off," inspired by the 2012 a capella film "Pitch Perfect." Cohen said she felt especially connected to the rest of a capella during tech week. "I just think it was a great concert," she said. "I was so grateful for the opportunity to spend the concert with everyone."

Photo essay: Behind the scenes of the spring concert

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
May 14, 2024
This graphic illustration depicts a hair pick and other hair tools. According to the Legal Defense Fund, 66% of Black girls in predominately white schools face hair discrimination. (Graphic Illustration by Lola Thomas)

Kinks, curls and culture: Challenging race-based hair discrimination in a predominately white school

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
May 6, 2024
Serenity Jones ('26) and Alice Rifenbark ('28) interact with senior Sadie Long's artwork. Long and Chloe Resnick ('24) opened their senior show, "Roots & Reflections: A Surreal Look at Beginnings," in the Eastern Star Gallery Wednesday, April 10.

Senior show ‘Roots & Reflections: A Surreal Look at Beginnings’ displays introspection, reflection on senior year

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
April 18, 2024
Senior Lacey Thompson dives into the pool. The varsity swim team won first place in their first league meet Tuesday, March 5, at Crespi. Photo by Archer Athletics.

Varsity swim coach Wilma Wong reflects on coaching career, Archer swimmers describe her impact 

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
March 15, 2024

Broadcast: Artemis Center hosts Art and Activism table, students reflect on their involvement

By Lola Thomas and Tavi Memoli
March 4, 2024

#StudentPressFreedomDay: Archer wins 9th FAFPA, Oracle staff discusses value of press freedom

By Lola Thomas and Maia Alvarez
February 22, 2024
Junior Gabriella Specchierla pours sprinkles on a student's cookie. Girls Empowering Girls hosted a Galentine's day event Tuesday, Feb.13, where students decorated cookies and connected in the courtyard.

Sugar, spice and everything nice: GEG hosts Galentine’s event, emphasizes celebrating ‘girlhood’

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
February 17, 2024

Broadcast: Varsity basketball team reflects on challenging season, discusses strategies for improvement

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
February 11, 2024

Broadcast: Studio City faces record-breaking weather, leaves some neighborhoods without power

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
February 5, 2024
An illustration depicts a girl listening to music. Hip-Hop is an exciting and ever-changing genre that has a significant influence on modern music and culture, and listening to Hip-hop can expand one's point of view. (Graphic Illustration by Lola Thomas)

Op-Ed: The stigma against Hip-hop is rooted in racism

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
January 24, 2024
Parents gather for an Archer School for Parents meeting Thursday, Jan. 10. Participants discussed strategies for wellness and set goals for their families to reduce their screen time. 

Disconnecting as a family: ‘Keep Calm and Parent On’ meeting promotes wellness through relationships

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
January 12, 2024
Archer’s old logo is pictured on the top of this image with the new logo below. The administration rolled out Archer's rebranding Sept. 6, including their logos, tagline and website. Photo by Archer Communications.

Communications team, focus group members give insight into Archer’s rebranding, new ‘Striking Brilliance’ tagline

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
December 7, 2023

S4E2 – The Scoop on Archer’s holiday spirit: Diversity in holiday celebrations among students, faculty lights up campus

By Lola Thomas and Emily Paschall
November 30, 2023
Team captains Stephanie Harrison ('24) and Emi Marmol ('24) chat as they come off the court. The JV tennis team had a final record of 8-1. Photo by Archer Athletics.

JV tennis coaches promote mental strength, in-person connection

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
October 25, 2023
Senior Lacey Thomson prepares to pitch a kickball. Seniors and faculty competed in Color Clash Oct. 6, an annual competitive game to raise school spirit. The seniors and faculty played kickball, where they tied 2-2.

Annual Color Clash brings community together despite heat

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
October 12, 2023

Broadcast: Annual Club Fair fosters student engagement, existing clubs present to peers

By Lola Thomas and Nina Sperling
October 8, 2023
Harry Styles performs "Late Night Talking" at SoFi Stadium Oct. 23, 2022. Since 2019, the average concert price to see prominent artists like Styles has risen 18%.

Pulling back the curtains: Rising ticket prices impact concertgoers’ access to seeing artists live  

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
September 25, 2023
Juniors sit at Union Peak in Lander, Wyoming. From Aug. 25-Sept. 1, most members of the Class of 2025 went on Arrow Week, a hiking and leadership program that is a part of Archer’s curriculum. Photo courtesy of Danilka Foronda-Zanipatin.

Juniors adapt to Arrow Week with fewer students attending, develop leadership skills

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
September 20, 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. 

Hurricane Hilary moves College Jumpstart to Zoom, seniors connect virtually 

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
August 28, 2023
An 8-year-old me holds up a photo of a Gucci dress, wearing the duplicate I made myself. Months earlier, I became infatuated with it in the mall, which inspired me to start sewing. I still make clothes to this day.

Commentary: My love and devotion to fashion

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
May 31, 2023
A graphic illustration depicts a teen girl being pointed at, feeling peer pressure. According to Firewall Times, 85% of high school students have felt peer pressure during middle or high school. (Graphic Illustration by Lola Thomas)

Archer students reflect on peer pressure’s impact, professionals describe psychological effects

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
May 28, 2023
This illustration shows a Black girl with an afro. Since second grade, I’ve attended predominately white schools and have often been discriminated against for my natural hair. (Graphic Illustration by Lola Thomas)

Op-Ed: I’m not a guest, I’m a member

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
May 21, 2023
Two archer students visit the Senior Visual Arts show. The show, displaying works by Mia Makower, Lucy Lassman and Georgia Ehrlich, first opened Wed. April 12 and closed April 14.

Senior art show ‘Perennial’ explores themes of childhood, imagination, nostalgia

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
May 4, 2023
Archer's Disabled and Neurodiverse Student Union listen to activist Theodora Mashamba speak via Zoom April 20 in the Human Development room. Students said they were inspired and impacted by her story of determination.

Activist Theodora Mashamba gives advice for combating ableism, inspires community to learn more

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
April 23, 2023
Paramount Global’s Executive Vice President of Entertainment Diversity and Inclusion Tiffany Smith Anoa’i, advocate for justice and equality Sofia Shield and Education Director at the Anti-Defamation League in Southern California Megan Nevels speak on the Anti-Bias Panel in the Zeller Student Center. The panelists gave suggestions for navigating difficult conversations surrounding bias Feb. 24.

EBAD hosts panel on anti-bias, presenters advise on having difficult conversations

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
March 12, 2023
Freshman Vivi Arnold writes in her book-writing journal in the RBG courtyard. Arnold is writing her own fantasy novel entitled “Through the Years” about a time traveler and an immortal person that keep meeting each other and wonder why.

On the write track: Vivi Arnold writes book freshman year, inspires community

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
February 21, 2023
My meal included pancakes and a side of bacon and scrambled eggs. After one bite, I was immediately hooked. I knew that the Good Neighbor Diner would forever be one of my all-time favorite restaurants.

Review: Studio City’s Good Neighbor Restaurant is the perfect small town spot

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
February 16, 2023
Two players on the middle school basketball green team high-five during a game. "I like the team very much and I'm glad to be on the team with such great people." Alice Rifenbark said

The middle school green basketball team’s formula for success: optimism

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
January 25, 2023
Junior Alejandra Cortes holds the InvenTeam’s device, Hydra, which she has been working on for three years. Alejandra is currently working on motion programming for Hydra. Cortes has been on the InvenTeam leadership team for two years.

From ALT to InventTeam, Alejandra Cortes is taking the world by storm sySTEMatically

By Lola Thomas, Culture Editor
January 23, 2023
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