The student news site of The Archer School for Girls

The Oracle
  • October 19All middle school students are invited to attend the 6th Grade Improv Showcase at 12:20 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25.
  • October 19The PSAT will be Wednesday, Oct. 23. There is no school for students in grades 6-9 and 12.
  • October 19There will be a bus emergency drill for a few buses at 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22.
The student news site of The Archer School for Girls

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

The Oracle
Vaughan Anoa'i

Vaughan Anoa'i, Editor in Chief

Vaughan Anoa'i joined the Oracle as a staff reporter in 2019 and became the News Editor in 2020. In 2021, she became the Editor in Chief. She loves playing volleyball and played on the Varsity team all four years of high school. Vaughan graduated in 2022.

All content by Vaughan Anoa'i
Members of the junior class pose for a photo during their Arrow Week trip in Wyoming. The expenses for this excursion are included within the Flexible Tuition program.

Flexible Tuition program reduces barriers to entry, students hope for servery coverage in future

By Vaughan Anoa'i and Greta Irvine
May 23, 2022
Graduating Editor-in-Chief Vaughan Anoa'i poses for her kindergarten graduation photos (top left) and smiles in her Archer polo during her first day of senior year. After seven years at Archer, Anoa'i reflected on her journey through middle and high school, more specifically what her role as Editor-in-Chief meant to her.

Letter from the Editor: And that’s all she wrote

By Vaughan Anoa'i, Editor in Chief
May 17, 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.

[Photo] Community reflects on process, significance of annual Maypole setup

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
May 6, 2022
I shuffle laterally across the net as I prepare to jump in the air and block the opposing team's offensive attack. On a day-to-day basis, I also feel as though I have to "block" or combat the ignorant assumptions and comments that people will make when discussing my college journey.

Op-Ed: Take a walk or run in my shoes

By Vaughan Anoa'i, Editor in Chief
March 29, 2022
Archer's student-run publications The Oracle and Hestia's Flame participate in a Zoom call with one another, where both parties are unmuted. Thursday's theme for Scholastic Journalism Week 2022 is #UnmuteYourself, encouraging student-journalists to interact with their favorite professional journalist or celebrity via social media. Thursday also marks Student Press Freedom Day, celebrating the privilege that is press freedom.

#UnmuteYourself: Student-journalists share importance of Student Press Freedom Day

By Vaughan Anoa'i, Editor in Chief
February 24, 2022
An AP Calculus AB and BC course and exam description binder sits on the desk of math teacher Monica Barragán. The binder details the specific standards and way in which to teach the AP course. Phasing out AP classes will allow teachers to choose their curriculums and teaching pace.

‘It allows teachers to teach’: Archer phases out of advanced placement, honors courses for 2022-2023 school year

By Thea Leimone and Vaughan Anoa'i
February 15, 2022
A female agent from the FBI demonstrates how bulletproof vests are worn. Students who participated in the assembly had the opportunity to try on gear following the presentation.

Feminism in the FBI: Female agents visit campus, discuss career paths

By Vaughan Anoa'i, Editor in Chief
January 28, 2022
Digital illustration that states: "Most sincerely, Vaughan and Chloe." As members of the two affinity groups that were targeted by this hate speech, we shared our emotions and reflected on how this situation impacted us as individuals.

Opinion: There is no excuse

By Vaughan Anoa'i and Chloe Fidler
January 20, 2022
Senior and team captain Naya Ben-Meir crouches in ready position waiting for her opponent to serve. Varsity tennis made Archer history this season, as their CIF run marks the longest a varsity tennis team has ever made it in CIF. "I also think it was special because we weren't able to go [to CIF] last season and me and Lily both qualified to play together there, but we never got to go," Ben-Meir said. "I think that's why it was so special to be able to represent Archer there and actually get to compete and have some fun."

Varsity tennis makes Archer history, ends season with gratitude

By Vaughan Anoa'i, Editor in Chief
December 10, 2021
"King Richard" was theatrically released on Nov. 19, 2021. The biopic is based on the upbringing of tennis superstars, Venus and Serena Williams, and how learning under their father's tutelage shaped their professional and personal careers.

Review: “King Richard” offers a look into the rise of tennis phenoms Venus and Serena Williams

By Vaughan Anoa'i, Editor in Chief
December 9, 2021
One of this year's promotional memes created by the "Pillars of Salt" staff, encouraging upper school students to submit their writing, art or photography to the magazine. The submission deadline was extended a week later to Nov. 12.

‘Pillars of Salt’ literary magazine extends submission deadline to November 12

By Vaughan Anoa'i, Editor in Chief
November 7, 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.

Middle school cross country sprints through season, makes history

By Vaughan Anoa'i, Editor in Chief
October 12, 2021
Editor-in-Chief Vaughan Anoa’i and Features Editor Thea Leimone work on editing a story together in the Publication Lab. Anoa'i is serving as the Editor-in-Chief for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Letter from the Editor

By Vaughan Anoa'i, Editor in Chief
September 22, 2021
Three neon signs illuminate the word "Perfect" in colors turquoise, yellow and white in the Museum of Modern Art in New York. My love-hate relationship with perfectionism has taken on a new meaning as I continue to evolve and grow older.

Op-Ed: My love-hate relationship with perfectionism

By Vaughan Anoa'i, Editor in Chief
June 3, 2021
Uniform policy posters hanging in the bathroom describing the new rules from the 2018-2019 school year. As students return to campus they are now required to wear their uniforms whilst on-campus in addition to students who are continuing remote learning.

A united uniform front: Archer students required to wear uniforms on-campus, at home

By Vaughan Anoa'i, Editor in Chief
May 18, 2021
Photographers wait for families to end their caravan experience with a family photo in front of the Maypole on Sunday, May 2. Seniors hung their college pennants on the portable wall for all to see the day before.

25 years of the ‘magic of Archer:’ On-campus caravan, gala celebrate anniversary

By Vaughan Anoa'i, Editor in Chief
May 16, 2021
This illustration depicts a love letter among the various aspects of the busy lives of student athletes. The love letter recognizes all the hard work and sacrifice student athletes make to do what they love.

Op-Ed: A love letter to student-athletes everywhere

By Vaughan Anoa'i and Thea Leimone
April 15, 2021
In this picture on February 10, 2019, the Grammys was hosted at the Staples Center. However, this year the Grammys aired the 63rd show on March 14 at. Students shared their opinions towards how the Grammys went with limited amount of audience members due to COVID-19.

[Photo] Lights, Camera, Action: Students react to socially-distanced Grammys

By Nyah Fernandez, Multimedia Editor
April 25, 2021
Junior class members play the game "Head's Up" in their assigned on-campus cohort group. Following the Spring Break, Archer will continue to host students back on-campus for in-person learning opportunities.

Archer community prepares for return to campus plans following Spring Break

By Vaughan Anoa'i, Editor in Chief
April 12, 2021
An ICU unit is separated into two rooms to prepare for the surge of COVID-19 cases. Melissa Sharp's Systems Biology & Disease class researched and studied both vaccines to better inform the greater Archer community through their work.

Vaccine injects ‘eye opening’ experience: Student-scientists research COVID-19 vaccines

By Vaughan Anoa'i and Rio Hundley
March 26, 2021
The administration announced return-to-campus plans in a series of emails which includes specific dates for each grades with a combination of social/emotional learning and academic learning. More information and updates to follow.

Archer administration announces school-wide return-to-campus plans

By Vaughan Anoa'i and Thea Leimone
February 28, 2021
For Scholastic Week 2021, Sunday's theme is entitled "Diversity Matters," and discusses the importance of diversity and inclusion within student-journalism.

Diversity matters: Community members reflect on representation within scholastic journalism

By Vaughan Anoa'i and Andrea Ramirez
February 21, 2021
A cup of Valentine's Day candies are scattered across a table. On Feb. 13, the annual Galentine's Day celebration is held, which ceremonializes and commemorates the gift of friendship for all.

Op-Ed: Love me, love me not: Why Galentine’s Day should be equally celebrated as Valentine’s Day

By Vaughan Anoa'i, Editor in Chief
February 7, 2021
A chef at a local restaurant prepares a meal while adjusting his mask. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom lifted the current stay-at-home order and extended the curfew for California residents. Because of this, restaurants, religious groups and other activities are now able to take place.

Community reflects on Newsom’s lifting of stay-at-home order for California residents

By Vaughan Anoa'i, Editor in Chief
January 29, 2021
On June 6, 2020, men stand in unity at the Black Lives Matter protest in Washington, D.C.

Op-Ed: Selfie versus shooting: Double-standards emerge surrounding police response at Capitol Hill storming

By Vaughan Anoa'i and Nyah Fernandez
January 24, 2021
An American flag waves over a car dealership in Los Angeles, California. Amid the insurrection, the American flag was one of the many examples of paraphernalia displayed at the storming of the Capitol. Pro-Trump supporters held up and waived this flag during the "Save America" march, that later turned into a violent rioting event, where the Capitol was ransacked and breached.

Community members reflect on Capitol riots, acknowledge white supremacy, white privilege

By Vaughan Anoa'i and London Sinclair
January 22, 2021
In the college admissions corridor, various pennants hang along the walls representing the past two years where Archer graduates have matriculated. For people of color, the harmful effects of microagressions surrounding the college admissions process has become an area of discomfort and discouragement, as topics such as race, athletics and socioeconomic status arise.

Op-Ed: The harmful effects of microaggressions surrounding the college admissions process

By Vaughan Anoa'i, Editor in Chief
December 13, 2020
Archer's very own mascot, the Panther, poses in front of a Winter Wonderland poster from a previous celebration on campus. Due to the recent surge of COVID-19 cases, this year's Winter Wonderland caravan was cancelled until further notice.

Snow happens: On-campus Winter Wonderland caravan cancelled

By Vaughan Anoa'i, Editor in Chief
December 12, 2020
People stand in line to vote with voting sign displayed in Washington, D.C. Donald Trump issued remarks on the election and mail-in ballots on Nov. 5 stating that "there’s tremendous amount of litigation generally because of how unfair this [election] process was, and I predicted that. I’ve been talking about mail-in voting for a long time. It’s — it’s really destroyed our system." According to The New York Times, there was no evidence of voter fraud occurrence within this election.

Snail mail: U.S. Postal Service reports mail-in ballot delays on Election Day

By Vaughan Anoa'i, Editor in Chief
November 8, 2020
Senator Kamala Harris speaking during the BBC News coverage of the vice presidential debate. The debate took place at the University of Utah on Oct. 7, 2020.

Let the chaos fly away: Vice presidential debate recognized as more ‘civil,’ ‘professional’ according to students

By Thea Leimone and Vaughan Anoa'i
October 18, 2020
On Sept. 29, President Donald Trump and Former Vice President Joe Biden gathered for the first presidential debate.

In the virtual space, members of Archer's dance program have had to readjust and readapt their usual rehearsals for this semester. In preparation for the annual Night of Dance performance in the winter, all members of the program have been collectively rehearsing their respective dances via Zoom.

Dance like nobody’s watching: Archer’s dance program adjusts rehearsals due to remote learning

By Vaughan Anoa'i and Thea Leimone
October 15, 2020
On December 3 2019, the Black Student Union (BSU) and Hermanas Unidas Club came together for a joint club meeting held in the HD room. This meeting was hosted by both club's student-leaders as well as faculty advisers.

Goal-setting and reflection: Archer club leaders ‘excited’ to explore remote learning space

By Vaughan Anoa'i and Thea Leimone
September 15, 2020
Seniors Gracey Wyles and Norah Adler socially distance while spending Labor Day at the beach in Santa Monica. Los Angeles County reached a record high temperature of 121 degrees over Labor Day weekend.

COVID-19 restrictions and heatwave burns up Labor Day weekend plans for Angelenos

By Vaughan Anoa'i and Thea Leimone
September 15, 2020
The front of Archer on March 13, 2020, the last day of on-campus school activity. On March 8, 2021, in-person learning will officially begin again as the sixth graders arrive to attend class on the Archer campus for the first time.

Archer students and faculty continue remote learning plan for 2020-2021 academic year

By Vaughan Anoa'i, Editor in Chief
August 28, 2020
Archer graduate Lena Jones recently proposed and petitioned to both the Archer student-body, as well as the faculty, for the inclusion of Malcolm X's autobiography in at least one of the humanities courses. Jones, who was admitted to Yale University and is taking a gap year, offered to join in the conversation with junior classes as they discuss the autobiography in the spring.

Archer graduate Lena Jones proposes Malcolm X autobiography to ‘mend the hole’ within current curriculum

By Vaughan Anoa'i, Editor in Chief
August 22, 2020
Seniors, also known as the "girls on fire" after being assigned the color red in Color Wars four years ago, pose in front of their banner at the Color Wars 2020 event hosted by Student Council on Feb. 14. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, all forms of social gatherings, including graduations are prohibited until further notice. For this year's annual ceremony, the class of 2020 celebrated their commencement virtually via Zoom.

Virtual graduation ceremony, surprise performance creates ‘gratitude’ among graduates

By Vaughan Anoa'i and Nyah Fernandez
June 8, 2020
The Class of 2018 graduates Archer. This year, the ceremony will be held online due to the spread of coronavirus.

BREAKING: Archer announces virtual graduation for seniors

By Vaughan Anoa'i, Editor in Chief
May 21, 2020
ACTing in a pandemic: COVID-19 causes ACT, SAT cancellations, impacting juniors' college process

ACTing in a pandemic: COVID-19 causes ACT, SAT cancellations, impacting juniors’ college process

By Vaughan Anoa'i and Nyah Fernandez
May 19, 2020
This illustration depicts the effects and various stages of heightism that members of the Archer community and beyond can experience. Additionally, this image demonstrates the greater effect that heightism has within our society, considering it doesn't only affect one group or type of people. This illustration was created by graphic design artist and sophomore Molly Solowitz.

Heightism affects athletics, media portrayal, romantic relationships in contemporary society

By Vaughan Anoa'i, Editor in Chief
May 11, 2020
A liquor store in Sheffield, UK posts a sign reminding customers to social distance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although businesses that provide essential services like food or healthcare are permitted to stay open, millions of people, including members of the Archer community, face financial uncertainty and job insecurity.

Cash, Community, COVID-19: Is Archer economically impacted by the novel coronavirus?

By Rio Hundley and Vaughan Anoa'i
May 7, 2020
Emma London '21 and her horse jump over a fence during one of their shows this past season. The equestrian team participates in the Interscholastic Equestrain League, better known as the ECL.

Saddle up: Equestrian members leave their hoof-print on athletics program

By Vaughan Anoa'i and Nyah Fernandez
March 22, 2020
Nia Mosby, Giana Parks and Hailey Adams warm up during one of their after school practices. The entire team feels "excited" to officially begin their season this year and begin competing. Their first liberty league meet took place on March 3.

Track and field sprints through preseason, sets goals for season

By Vaughan Anoa'i, Editor in Chief
March 7, 2020
Students played in the courtyard with a bouncy beach ball while the LA vibe themed activities took place. In order to get spirit points students had to guess the ingredients in a Kreation juice drink.

[Photo] LA Vibe Day embraces Los Angeles stereotypes

By Allie Worchell, Voices Editor
March 6, 2020

#press4education: Community weighs in on press freedom

By Chloe Fidler, Vaughan Anoa'i, Allie Worchell, and Grace Doyle
February 27, 2020
Upper school orchestra prepares to perform the piece "Classical Symphony" by composer Sergei Prokofiev. The choir, a cappella, and orchestra ensembles previewed the concert for all of the upper school on Jan.15.

Annual Winter Concert promotes inclusion,’ ’empowerment’ among performers

By Vaughan Anoa'i, Editor in Chief
January 26, 2020
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.

Varsity cross country sprints through season, reflects on triumphs, challenges

By Vaughan Anoa'i, Editor in Chief
December 13, 2019
Sophomore class representative Marissa Gendy looks up the Securly website on her computer after school. The initial installment of Securly sparked conversation among students as well as faculty leading up to its eventual removal.

Multi-colored prompts, prompt responses, and a rainbow ball-pit fill up the Eastern Star Gallery space for the "Connections" exhibit. Both students and faculty members used this space as an opportunity to make new connections and rekindle old ones.

‘Connections’ exhibit in Eastern Star Gallery sparks interactions between students, faculty

By Vaughan Anoa'i, Editor in Chief
December 4, 2019
The Getty fire burns over a hill. Some families of Archer students were evacuated or faced power outages in addition to school cancellation.

‘We had to live with the unknown’: Students reflect on Getty fire impacts

By Anna Brodsky, Jessica Jimenez, and Vaughan Anoa'i
November 7, 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
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