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The Oracle
Diversity Conference Leadership Team member, Layla Huber-Verjan ('22) presents during the Upper School Current Conversations meeting about linguistic appropriation and African American Vernacular English (AAVE). She has been a member on the DCLT since 2020 and she has been reinstated for the 2021-2022 school year.
Navigate, educate and teach: Q&A with the Diversity Conference Leadership Team
Rising seniors Chidimma Nwafor, Anny Rodriguez, Marley Mills and Andrea Ramirez pose for a photo together in the courtyard wearing their blue accessories. Ramirez holds blue bucket hats, which class reps bought for the entire rising senior class and senior mentors. On June 4, rising seniors spent Moving Up Day at school, commemorating their final hours as juniors.
‘A day to remember’: Rising seniors celebrate Moving Up Day
Dani Fenster ('23) and her father traveled to a lake last summer.
‘Summer break feels long overdue’: Students look forward to summer plans
Seniors and their families listen to the welcome speech delivered by Head of School Elizabeth English at the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2021. Situated in the Eastern Star courtyard on the Archer campus, the seniors, dressed in the traditional white attire with flower wreaths on top of their heads, sat socially distanced to watch the ceremony live as well as on two projected screens featuring videos from Oprah, Brandi Carlile, and the grade themselves.
‘A love-filled ceremony:’ Senior class partakes in an in-person graduation
Senior Kaitlyn Kim presents to her classmates and faculty on
‘Thinking and learning made visible’: Seniors share semester research journeys at annual Humanities Honors Symposium
The week of May 24 was the senior's last week on campus. To celebrate, they ended Monday with a water battle to share some laughs and memories. This was a COVID-adapted version of the traditional fountain jump.
‘A chapter that’s closing — so another can open’: Seniors look ahead to college
Encouraging Women and girls through chess.
The lopsided-gender imbalance in chess: What players are doing to make chess more inclusive
Samantha Hazell-O'Brien, who was recently appointed as Dean of Student Life, Equity and Inclusion for the 2021-2022 school year, teaches an English class at Marymount High School. Hazell-O'Brien is
Dean Decisions: Samantha Hazell-O’Brien selected as Dean of Student Life, Equity, Inclusion 2021-2022
This picture was taken at the Kedren Community Center Garden where one of Marley Mills' gardens are located. Marley Mills said that she felt
Through the eyes of Marley Mills: Flourish4Ever
A mother and her two children walk away from a Laraya's Bodega, a local grocery store. The grocery store is located in the middle of downtown Los Angeles and puts an emphasis on healthy nutritious food. According to Feeding America, inn 2020, an estimated 265,000,000 were living with food insecurity, partially due to lack of access to healthful food and affordable groceries.
‘Striving to help’: Understanding the underlying issues of affordable food
Dancers Cara Banks, Chloe Terani and Daisy Marmur perform in doorways in an edited piece streamed during the remote Festival of Dance. The doorways were used as framing to represent the isolation people have faced this past year.
Annual Festival of Dance: Overcoming obstacles and finding hope
The annual Senior Art Exhibition is a culmination of a year’s worth of work, which gives senior artists a chance to share their work with the entirety of the Archer community. This year, each senior art student created a website to display their efforts as well as the chance to display a single piece in the Eastern Star Gallery amongst their peers.
Senior art exhibitions celebrate and recognize the work of the graduating class
Carey Mulligan is pictured as she steps into the role of Cassandra Thomas. Cassie is at a local bar waiting to go home, pretending to be intoxicated, with yet another man who intends to take advantage of her.
Review of ‘Promising Young Woman’: A struggling feminist seeking revenge
Upper school students watch a performance from the musical,
‘A fruitful endeavor:’ The upper school puts on virtual performance of ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’
Archer's 10th annual Film Festival took place on April 22 via Zoom. The festival was comprised of the three finalist films, keynote speakers and alumni appearances.
Lights, ‘Zoom’ Camera, Action: Archer Film Festival adapted to virtual setting for second year
Dancers Cara Banks, Chloe Terani and Daisy Marmur perform in doorways in an edited piece streamed during the remote Festival of Dance. The doorways were used as framing to represent the isolation people have faced this past year.
Annual Festival of Dance: Overcoming obstacles and finding hope
The annual Senior Art Exhibition is a culmination of a year’s worth of work, which gives senior artists a chance to share their work with the entirety of the Archer community. This year, each senior art student created a website to display their efforts as well as the chance to display a single piece in the Eastern Star Gallery amongst their peers.
Senior art exhibitions celebrate and recognize the work of the graduating class
Carey Mulligan is pictured as she steps into the role of Cassandra Thomas. Cassie is at a local bar waiting to go home, pretending to be intoxicated, with yet another man who intends to take advantage of her.
Review of ‘Promising Young Woman’: A struggling feminist seeking revenge
Upper school students watch a performance from the musical,
‘A fruitful endeavor:’ The upper school puts on virtual performance of ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’
Archer's 10th annual Film Festival took place on April 22 via Zoom. The festival was comprised of the three finalist films, keynote speakers and alumni appearances.
Lights, ‘Zoom’ Camera, Action: Archer Film Festival adapted to virtual setting for second year
The counter at Bianca displays the day's pastries, ranging from banana bread to olive oil cake by the slice. Located at Platform LA, Bianca serves as both a bakery and restaurant for the Culver City area.
Review: Bianca Bakery brings Europe to your plate
Erewhons hot bar has a new selection of sides every day made fresh that morning. All their ingredients are sourced locally.
Review: Every Angelenos’ dream and addiction: Erewhon
A box of a dozen cookies from Cookie Good, the bakery in Santa Monica where junior Kelsey Thompson works. Thompson
Junior Kelsey Thompson combines passion for baking with work at Cookie Good in Santa Monica
Chickpea tikka masala with red quinoa is a plant-based meal.
Veganism impacts American, Angeleno culture
Visitors of Downtown Los Angeles' Grand Central Market check out restaurants. The market is home to more than 30 restaurants and different shops.
Review: Grand Central Market offers delicious food, unique experience
From soccer to swimming, basketball to softball and tennis to track, Archer Athletics are culminating their seasons that were met with
A year of ‘silver linings’: Looking back at 2020-2021 season for Archer Athletics
College freshman Andrea Campos and her teammates come together in a huddle during a volleyball game.
Once a Panther, always a Panther: Archer alumni continue their sports at the collegiate level
Senior spring athletes are upon their final meet, match and game. As their seasons come to an end, senior athletes characterize it as
Springing into senior season: Senior athletes reflect on ‘bittersweet’ last season
Professional big wave surfer Bianca Valenti discusses her career as a professional big wave surfer, activist for gender equality and advocate for ocean conservation as the final speaker in the ALC’s Panther Speaker series. Her conversation ranged from mental toughness to fighting for equality across sports, with the hope to expand the conversation surrounding female empowerment.
Women of the waves: Final Panther Speaker Series features big wave surfer Valenti, Hamilton documentary
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.
Archer sports teams return to practices; athletes ‘reconnected,’ ‘excited’
Three neon signs illuminate the word
Op-Ed: My love-hate relationship with perfectionism
Joe Biden smiles for his official White House Portrait. The Biden administration has been in office for more than 100 days.
Column: 100 days later
Con(grad)ulations: Gift guide for the graduate
Con(grad)ulations: Gift guide for the graduate
I took this picture in the summer of 2020. Protests all over the nations ensued in response to the police brutality experienced by the Black community. This picture symbolizes the desire to belong in a society that continuously rejects you for your skin color, yet people have found support in others that feel, experience and fight for what they believe in.
Column: We fight for a space where we are accepted
The left cup, filled with matcha, and the right cup, filled with chai tea, steaming before being enjoyed. Although Chloe and Grace often bicker about which drink is superior, they have finally found common ground and can agree that both are valid ways to enjoy morning-time.
A battle of how to start the morning: Matcha vs. Chai tea latte
Joe Biden smiles for his official White House Portrait. The Biden administration has been in office for more than 100 days.
Column: 100 days later
I took this picture in the summer of 2020. Protests all over the nations ensued in response to the police brutality experienced by the Black community. This picture symbolizes the desire to belong in a society that continuously rejects you for your skin color, yet people have found support in others that feel, experience and fight for what they believe in.
Column: We fight for a space where we are accepted
The Archer garden is used by sustainably classes to learn about soil health. One solution to food deserts is local gardens. Community gardens can help build relationships between neighbors, provide healthy foods and improve physical and mental health.
Column: Food for thought
This is an action shot of me at a softball game up to bat against Marymount’s softball team. A picture that represents me in a state of confidence and appreciation for the sport I play.
Column: I am enough and that is enough
Lieutenant Donald Glenn Droz (right) poses with his crew on board his Navy ship in Vietnam. Droz was killed in battle on Apr 12, 1969, at 25 years old, leaving behind a wife, Judith Droz Keyes, and three-month-old daughter, Tracy Droz Tragos, whom he only met once.
Column: We need to ban military assault weapons
Three neon signs illuminate the word
Op-Ed: My love-hate relationship with perfectionism
Graduating Editor-in-Chief Lola Lamberg stands in front of her locker in sixth grade (left) and poses for a photo in her senior blazer (right). There is a six year difference externally and internally between these two images, all thanks to Archer and the Oracle.
Letter from the Editor: Kisses, hugs and lots of love
Liberation Day May 5, 1945: my great grandma (woman with white circle around her face) and other prisoners were given new boots and clothes after being freed from Mauthausen by the Americans. My great-grandma later moved to the United States, settling in Brooklyn, New York.
Op-Ed: I am tired of my people being the punchline
Senior Lola Lamberg and her father, Evan Lamberg, wear masks inside to maintain caution and mindfulness surrounding Covid. Even though it may be tempting to no longer follow Covid guidelines, we need to uphold the values of empathy and care in regards to our own health and the health of others, specifically in public spaces.
Op-Ed: Maintain your mindfulness
From popular movies to classic books fairytales are a staple in many childhoods. However, looking deeper into the stories reveal another side of the lighthearted stories. Jon McBride, a BYU professor wrote for Phsy.org,
Bippity boppity boo: Why we must offset fairytales’ harmful gender norms
Con(grad)ulations: Gift guide for the graduate
Con(grad)ulations: Gift guide for the graduate
The left cup, filled with matcha, and the right cup, filled with chai tea, steaming before being enjoyed. Although Chloe and Grace often bicker about which drink is superior, they have finally found common ground and can agree that both are valid ways to enjoy morning-time.
A battle of how to start the morning: Matcha vs. Chai tea latte
Gift guide: Just because I love you
Gift guide: Just because I love you
Gift guide: In the name of self-care
Gift guide: In the name of self-care
Gift Guide: For the significant other
Gift Guide: For the significant other
Letter to Editor: Mental Health Club: 8 Ways to stay occupied & healthy during social distancing
Letter to Editor: Mental Health Club: 8 Ways to stay occupied & healthy during social distancing
Letter to the Editor: Inspirational advocates have advice for you
Letter to the Editor: Inspirational advocates have advice for you
Letter to the Editor: Grin yourself a good day
Letter to the Editor: Grin yourself a good day
Letter to the Editor: Elementary, My Dear
Letter to the Editor: Elementary, My Dear
Letter to the Editor: FBI Teen Academy
Letter to the Editor: FBI Teen Academy
Rising seniors Chidimma Nwafor, Anny Rodriguez, Marley Mills and Andrea Ramirez pose for a photo together in the courtyard wearing their blue accessories. Ramirez holds blue bucket hats, which class reps bought for the entire rising senior class and senior mentors. On June 4, rising seniors spent Moving Up Day at school, commemorating their final hours as juniors.
‘A day to remember’: Rising seniors celebrate Moving Up Day
The Scoop S1 Ep 6 – Colonialism, Capitalism and Carbon Emissions
The week of May 24 was the senior's last week on campus. To celebrate, they ended Monday with a water battle to share some laughs and memories. This was a COVID-adapted version of the traditional fountain jump.
‘A chapter that’s closing — so another can open’: Seniors look ahead to college
This picture was taken at the Kedren Community Center Garden where one of Marley Mills' gardens are located. Marley Mills said that she felt
Through the eyes of Marley Mills: Flourish4Ever
The Scoop S1 Ep 5 - #COVID19: Archer teen volunteers for adolescent Pfizer trial
The Scoop S1 Ep 5 – #COVID19: Archer teen volunteers for adolescent Pfizer trial
The Scoop S1 Ep 6 – Colonialism, Capitalism and Carbon Emissions
The Scoop S1 Ep 5 - #COVID19: Archer teen volunteers for adolescent Pfizer trial
The Scoop S1 Ep 5 – #COVID19: Archer teen volunteers for adolescent Pfizer trial
The Scoop S1 Ep 4 – Transition of Power: Conversations about Democracy Part 2
The Scoop S1 Ep 4 – Transition of Power: Conversations about Democracy Part 2
The Scoop S1 Ep 3 –Transition of Power: Conversations about Democracy — Part 1
The Scoop S1 Ep 3 –Transition of Power: Conversations about Democracy — Part 1
The Scoop S1 Ep 2 –: The Scoop on Voices of Democracy
The Scoop S1 Ep 2 –: The Scoop on Voices of Democracy
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 has played on the Varsity team for three years. She is also on the board of the Girls Empowering Girls (GEG) club at Archer and serves as a PAWS tutor for middle school students. In her free time, you can find her spending time with friends and family, bike-riding or reading.

All content by Vaughan Anoa'i
Three neon signs illuminate the word

Op-Ed: My love-hate relationship with perfectionism

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

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

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

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

April 25, 2021
Junior class members play the game

Archer community prepares for return to campus plans following Spring Break

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

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

February 28, 2021
For Scholastic Week 2021, Sunday's theme is entitled

Diversity matters: Community members reflect on representation within scholastic journalism

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

October 18, 2020
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

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

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

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

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

August 22, 2020
Seniors, also known as the

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

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

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

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

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?

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

March 22, 2020
Nia Mosby, Giana Parks and Hailey Adams warm up during one of their after school practices. The entire team feels

Track and field sprints through preseason, sets goals for season

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

March 6, 2020

#press4education: Community weighs in on press freedom

February 27, 2020
Upper school orchestra prepares to perform the piece

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

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

December 13, 2019
Multi-colored prompts, prompt responses, and a rainbow ball-pit fill up the Eastern Star Gallery space for the

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

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

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

October 24, 2019
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