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
Sydney Tilles

Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor

Sydney Tilles joined the Oracle as a staff reporter in 2022, became a senior reporter in 2023 and is the outreach editor for 2024. She loves learning about current events and participating in service learning and activism. She has a passion for government, politics and criminal justice reform.

All content by Sydney Tilles
To ensure balanced coverage on The Oracle, this article provides an insight into conservative political perspectives. The goal of this piece is to educate the students on viewpoints that are not as common at Archer. (Graphic Illustration by Sydney Tilles)

A political minority: Conservative views across Los Angeles

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
November 15, 2024

Broadcast: Middle schoolers share opinions, predictions about 2024 presidential election

By Lucy Williams and Sydney Tilles
November 4, 2024
Seniors Bryce Collis and Amelia Lewinson perform in last year's upper school play “Le Gallienne and Friebus’ Alice In Wonderland.” In early October of this year, Collis was selected as a finalist for the "The Show Must Go On" Teen Monologue Festival.

[Photo] Senior selected as finalist in ‘The Show Must Go On’ Teen Monologue Festival, performs in finalists show

By Zoe Gazzuolo, Assistant Editor-in-Chief
October 30, 2024
Revenge is not the same as justice nor should it be treated as such. Too many people are dying unjustly for society to brush these life threatening mistakes under the rug. Marcellus Williams deserved better. (Graphic Illustration: Sydney Tilles)

Op-Ed: Revenge is not justice

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
October 18, 2024

New names, new faces: Meet some of Archer’s new faculty

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
September 30, 2024
Juniors Vivianne Arnold and Lucy Kaplan recite their chosen poems in the library Tuesday, Sept. 17. In the 11th grade Advanced Study English classes, students were tasked with picking a poem that was meaningful to them. (Photo credit: Kathleen Keelty).

Poetry presentations: Juniors recite literature, poetry in English classes

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
September 23, 2024
On a dirt road, children run alongside a bus while waving goodbye to Archer students. This past June, upper school students visited Kenya for 11 days through the Archer Abroad program.

[Photo] Archer Abroad immerses students in sustainability-focused Kenya trip

By Melinda Wang, Photo Editor
September 2, 2024

Slideshow: Body Electric, insight into the owner Brian Keith Thompson

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
May 30, 2024
Seventh graders hand out hand-made flower crowns to the senior class during Archer's senior tea party. Talya Petrillo's seventh grade art class made flower crowns for the seniors to wear during the event. 

Seniors reflect on their time at Archer, share their thoughts on graduating

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
May 30, 2024
The graphic illustration is a depiction of the rise of antisemitism. The Anti-Defamation League tracked a 360% surge in antisemitic incidences after Oct. 7.

Campus conversations: The impacts of antisemitism post Oct. 7

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
May 23, 2024

Commentary: My experience in a male-dominated gym

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
May 13, 2024
Gabrielle Cain stands at her graduation in Naval Academy outfit. She graduated from flight school and became a Naval Aviator in 2023. Photo provided by Gabrielle Cain.

‘Unicorn’ in her field: Life in the military as a Black woman

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
March 24, 2024
Cannon performs a line after getting upset with Alice during the tea party. The Mad Hatter then calmed down and joined the rest of the guests for the remainder of the scene. Stella Leland (‘26) played the knave and reflected on their favorite part of rehearsals. “What stands out a lot is always the first read-through of something. Whenever we do that at any production — some of us might have read this script beforehand — it's the first time the show is seen with everyone,” Leland said. “Who they are, their characters and everything, and it's the first time you're like, ‘Oh, I can tell what's going to happen now.’ It's just a nice moment.”

A ‘nonsensical’ journey: Upper school presents ‘Le Gallienne and Friebus’ Alice In Wonderland’

By Zoe Gazzuolo and Sydney Tilles
March 21, 2024

S4E9 – The Scoop on Archer’s English curriculum, impact of certain novels

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
March 21, 2024
Selah Johnson receives her award for second place in Los Angeles County's annual Poetry Out Loud competition. Johnson performed "American Smooth" by Rita Dove and "Black Matter" by Keith S. Wilson. Photo provided by Selah Johnson.

One poem at a time: Poetry Out Loud runner-up moves to statewide competition

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
March 7, 2024
Administrative Assistant Nilusha Patel sits behind the desk in the front office, where she answers the school phone and greets students and parents. She joined the "Archer family" in 2000, and she has since moved from the college guidance department to the front office.

[Photo] Celebrating the women of Archer

By Lucy Williams, Voices Editor
March 14, 2024
Sabrina Walker ('24) and Megan Kelley ('24) pose wearing their Bruins jerseys, as they are both fans of the hockey team. Kelley started a fantasy hockey team with her friends, including Walker. "I love hockey so much. My mom's from Boston, so she's been a fan her whole life. I've grown up on Boston sports teams, and hockey is one of the biggest sports there," Kelley said. "I love hockey — especially in LA, not many people play it or watch it." Photo courtesy of Megan Kelley.

Connecting near and far: The multifaceted love of fantasy sports

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
February 12, 2024
Middle school students play mini volleyball on the Sport Court Friday, Jan. 12, for Fun Friday. Eighth grade Dean of Culture, Community and Belonging Hannah O'Connor, along with Middle School President Asha Parry ('28) and class representatives Sydney Lem ('28) and Sophie Salehi ('28), have been planning Fun Fridays this school year.

Fun in the sun: Middle school students share their love for Fun Friday

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
January 19, 2024
Sixth grade Dean of Culture, Community and Belonging Natalie Kang ice climbs in Erie, Colorado, where she goes every year with her husband and friends. "It's something I always look forward to for winter break. It's kind of a non-traditional Christmas or holiday choice, but it's what works for us," Kang said. Photo provided by Natalie Kang.

Ice climbing, homemade wrapping paper, a Swedish Christmas: Teachers share their favorite ways to celebrate the holidays

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
January 5, 2024

S4E3 – The Scoop on the life of Student Body President Anaiya Asomugha

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
December 10, 2023
In the 2023 haunted house's opening scene, it was senior Alex Martin's birthday slumber party, where they are watching "Scream." The theme was a birthday slumber party mixed with classic horror movies. 

Slumber party turned horror nightmare: Behind the scenes of the 2023 senior haunted house

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
December 3, 2023
Service Squad member Avery Greene ('26) donates food to the Service Squad's annual Thanksgiving food drive Nov. 12-17. They created posters and set up bins for food in the front hallway, and at the end of the week, Greene sorted the food to be ready for donation. 

‘Accessible form of giving back’: Service Squad hosts annual Thanksgiving food drive

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
November 28, 2023
I went with my friend to see Arctic Monkeys perform live at the Kia Forum Sept. 29. It was one of the best nights of my life, and I cannot recommend this band enough. Photo courtesy of Sydney Tilles.

Review: Arctic Monkeys’ The Car Tour was best night of my life

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
November 9, 2023
This is a group photo of my journalism class, a mix of freshman through seniors. I appreciate how Archer supports our press freedom and educational autonomy. Photo by Kristin Taylor.

Op-Ed: Freedom is a right, not a privilege

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
November 1, 2023
Freshman Ella Tulloch presents at the Los Angeles County Science Fair, where she placed first in pharmacology March 13. Tulloch made it into the top 300 Junior Innovators out of 1,828 in the 2023 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge. Photo by Allan Tulloch.

Q&A with top 300 Junior Innovator Ella Tulloch on her science journey

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
October 13, 2023

Broadcast: Archer taps into new safety measures with School Pass

By Oona Seppala and Sydney Tilles
October 11, 2023
The varsity cross country team stands together after their first league meet. The team competed in the Westside 2 Mile and came in fifth place Sept. 5. Photo provided by Kim Smith.

Varsity cross country works to overcome challenges of individual sport, prioritizes connection

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
October 5, 2023
Jane Davis uses her computer to work in her office, room 129. Davis is the associate head of finance and operations and has been at Archer for 14 years. "Ms. Davis has a fiery and passionate commitment to ethics and justice," Pavliscak said. "She is a balance of prudent financial stewardship and this feisty, politically active dog rescuer. That's Ms. Davis."

Associate Head of Finance and Operations Jane Davis shares a look inside her time at Archer

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
June 1, 2023
This WordCloud depicts students' and faculty members' responses when asked the question, "What are three words that come to mind when you think about our justice system?" Attorneys and judges described what they see as the underlying biases in L.A.'s justice system and how they are working to combat them. (Graphic Illustration by Sydney Tilles)

Seeking justice: LA attorneys, judges discuss bias in system, ways to address it

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
June 1, 2023
The school gathered in the courtyard on Tuesday May 23 for the Senior Tea Party. The Honor Executive Council gives their speech in a form of a song for the seniors apart of HEC.

The Animal Rights Club holds a bake sale fundraiser with treats ranging from cookies to donuts to customizable lemonade. The club raised money for the Sanctuary at Soledad, an animal rescue center, Thursday, May 11, in the courtyard.

Baking a change: Animal Rights Club hosts bake sale, fundraises for the Sanctuary at Soledad

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
May 17, 2023
My mother and I ride bikes at Santa Monica Beach. We had an amazing time with this activity last summer, and I would highly recommend trying it.

7 fun things to do with your friends this summer

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
May 16, 2023
Freshmen Josie White, Finley Vincent, Olivia Hallinan-Gan, Liv Karp, Natalie London, Sylvie Hacker and history teacher Meg Shirk set up the composting initiative. They passed out compost pails for food scraps to ultimately help fight against climate change.

Ninth graders serve community by passing out composting pails

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
April 23, 2023
A picture of Pamela Anderson from Netflix for her documentary. The documentary is called "Pamela 'A Love Story."

Review: ‘Pamela, a love story,’ is a powerful film depicting strong women taking power back

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
April 15, 2023
The beach volleyball team practices at Edinburgh beach. The team started practicing in the beginning of February and has played Palisades Charter, Notre Dame and Viewpoint.

Beach volleyball reaches midpoint in season, athletes reflect on team environment

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
March 20, 2023
Depicted is the flag representing transgender pride with an athlete in the middle. There was no way to tell whether the athlete was male or female to show that no matter the gender, anyone can play sports. (Graphic illustration by Sydney Tilles)

Op-Ed: Transgender athletes should compete with their gender, not sex

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
March 1, 2023
Junior Maia Alvarez recites her selected poem for upper school students and judges. Archer’s upper school students gathered in the dining hall for Poetry Out Loud presentations Monday, Jan. 9.

[Photo] Asomugha wins schoolwide Poetry Out Loud competition, advances to regionals

By Cadence Callahan, Voices Editor
January 16, 2023
Sophomore Julianna Hatton sits down in the Archer courtyard with her math notebook and calculator ready to work on math. Hatton specializes in math and began tutoring students' during the pandemic.

Julianna Hatton inspires students to enjoy learning through math tutoring business

By Sydney Tilles, Outreach Editor
December 16, 2022
Julianna Hatton Profile

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