The student news site of The Archer School for Girls

The Oracle
Student Body President Anaiya Asomugha (24) and Executive Board member Tess Hubbard (24) hold their hands up to create a human tunnel as the younger students run through. Moving Up Day took place June 2 and commemorated non-graduating students and their achievements this year.
Moving Up Day celebrates ‘motivated,’ ‘creative’ rising senior class
Wearing flower crowns designed by the seventh graders, seniors Azel Al-Kadiri, Olivia Torrington, Margaret Morris, Sophie Altemus and Alyssa Ponrartana listen to Delara Tehranchis (23) speech. Something Im really going to miss about Archer is that sense of community, and everybody is one big group of friends and you never feel ostracized or alone, Morris said. All the time, theres always someone you can turn to.
With ‘two wheels and an open road,’ Class of 2023 says goodbye to Archer in Senior Farewell Ceremony
The Class of 2023 applaud and cheer as English teacher and 12th grade dean Stephanie Nicolard finishes her faculty address. Their graduation took place Friday, May 26, at the Skirball Cultural Center.
Class of 2023 graduates, reflects on open-mindedness, excitement of the unknown
Journalism adviser Kristin Taylor helps publications staff members organize the yearbooks while grades six through 11 line up to receive them Wednesday, May 24. Community members signed each others yearbooks to reflect on the year before summer break.
Yearbook distribution week resurfaces community memories from school year
The new, blank triangle sign on the gender-neutral bathroom replaces the old female figure sign. According to GSA Executive Board member and junior Remi Cannon, the opening of the gender-neutral bathroom helps provide a safe space for students of all gender identities at Archer.
New gender-neutral bathroom provides safety, comfort for students of all gender identities
Culture Editor Rose Sarner (’23), Voices Editor Cadence Callahan (’23), Features Editor Lizette Gonzalez (’23) and Editor-in-Chief Greta Irvine (’23) hold mugs given to them by journalism adviser Kristin Taylor during The Oracle’s senior celebration and new editor induction ceremony May 16. “It speaks volumes that we can say, ‘I want to write about this,’ and no one says no,” Gonzalez said.
Q&A with features editor and voices editor on freedom of speech and censorship
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. Thats Ms. Davis.
Associate Head of Finance and Operations Jane Davis shares a look inside her time at Archer
The yearbook staff and Head of Scholastic Journalism Kristin Taylor gather around a cake in celebration of completing the 2022-2023 edition of the Hestia’s Flame. There have been 27 volumes of the yearbook, each tasked with reporting the most important, newsworthy moments of the school year.
Hestia’s Flame staff publishes 27th edition, reflects on in-depth, yearlong creation process
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
Freshman Olivia Hallinan-Gan fills out her crowded planner for the week. According to writer Jennifer Wallace, high achievement culture is harmful to teens because it adds to the pressure to succeed and can make students feel like they are not good enough.
Under pressure: Teens face high achievement culture, adults seek solutions
Siena Fantini (’27) and Grace Nordling (’28) sing in the Blackbox theater during a performance of “Frozen Jr,” a junior musical version of the 2018 Broadway musical “Frozen.” Performances took place May 19 and 20.
“Frozen Jr.” sparkles on stage as cast members grow their skills through process
Mia Ronn (’23) rips pages from a book and throws them in the air as she sings “I Know It’s Today” from “Shrek: The Musical” with Hayden Seid (’25) and Bryce Collis (’25). They performed the song as part of the Drama Queen’s last show of the year Wednesday, May 17, in the Blackbox.
Lights, camera and ‘All That Jazz’: Drama Queens rule the stage in final performance of the year
Pictured is Katsu Bar’s original katsu sandwich with waffle fries. The restaurant opened its sixth location May 1 in Santa Monica, and I reviewed four items on its menu.
Review: Katsu Bar brings delicious Japanese cuisine to Santa Monica
Singer SZA sits on a diving board, looking up and wearing a hockey jersey in the middle of the ocean. This album cover references a famous photo of Princess Diana as she sat on a diving board gazing out to the ocean. SZA dropped her new album, SOS, Dec. 9, 2022. Photo Source: Image from Official SZA Site.
Review: SZA’s latest album ‘SOS’ is the lifeboat we all needed
Freshman Emerson Cohen works on her Music Styles and Composition course final project, composing an original song on GarageBand. Cohen has continued to grow her passion by exploring new avenues of music. “I’m still getting used to the songwriting process because my initial beginning was mostly performance and playing,” Cohen said.
‘I can’t see my life without music’: Q&A with freshman Emerson Cohen on music composition, arrangement
Siena Fantini (’27) and Grace Nordling (’28) sing in the Blackbox theater during a performance of “Frozen Jr,” a junior musical version of the 2018 Broadway musical “Frozen.” Performances took place May 19 and 20.
“Frozen Jr.” sparkles on stage as cast members grow their skills through process
Mia Ronn (’23) rips pages from a book and throws them in the air as she sings “I Know It’s Today” from “Shrek: The Musical” with Hayden Seid (’25) and Bryce Collis (’25). They performed the song as part of the Drama Queen’s last show of the year Wednesday, May 17, in the Blackbox.
Lights, camera and ‘All That Jazz’: Drama Queens rule the stage in final performance of the year
Singer SZA sits on a diving board, looking up and wearing a hockey jersey in the middle of the ocean. This album cover references a famous photo of Princess Diana as she sat on a diving board gazing out to the ocean. SZA dropped her new album, SOS, Dec. 9, 2022. Photo Source: Image from Official SZA Site.
Review: SZA’s latest album ‘SOS’ is the lifeboat we all needed
Freshman Emerson Cohen works on her Music Styles and Composition course final project, composing an original song on GarageBand. Cohen has continued to grow her passion by exploring new avenues of music. “I’m still getting used to the songwriting process because my initial beginning was mostly performance and playing,” Cohen said.
‘I can’t see my life without music’: Q&A with freshman Emerson Cohen on music composition, arrangement
Junior Julissa Espinozas ceramic platter won an honorable mention in the 2022 Annual High School Ceramics Exhibition at AMOCA. Espinoza said she is very passionate about the arts and displays this love through her involvement in the Eastern Star Gallery and ceramics classes. 
Q&A with junior Julissa Espinoza on her passion for ceramics, her journey to discovering it
Pictured is Katsu Bar’s original katsu sandwich with waffle fries. The restaurant opened its sixth location May 1 in Santa Monica, and I reviewed four items on its menu.
Review: Katsu Bar brings delicious Japanese cuisine to Santa Monica
The birthday cake cookies I made using the Momofuku Milk Bar cookbook sit on top of the recipe. The recipe was straightforward and made the most delicious cookies.
Review: ‘Momofuku Milk Bar’ is delicious but complicated
This is the table set up at Haidilao Hot Pot that my extended family and I had when we went for dinner. We ordered many items, including egg noodles, spinach, corn, fried bean curd rolls and chicken fried rice. I highly recommend this restaurant for a unique dining experience that exposes you to a part of Chinese culture.
Review: Haidilao Hot Pot allows diners to not only enjoy a meal, but an experience
This is the famous truffle pasta from Sushi House Unico located in Beverly Glen Circle. It was creamy and it had great texture to it. This was my favorite dish of the night.
Review: Sushi House Unico’s dishes capture wide range of cuisines
I hold my dessert from Pinkberry: a large pomegranate and tart swirl with cookies and cream and chocolate chips on top. Upon the first bite I knew this would be my new favorite dessert place.
Review: Pinkberry’s frozen yogurt is personalizable, delicious
Finalist pairs smile after playing Windward in the PBL championship. Eighth grader Hana Cho said the team made major progress since the beginning of the beach volleyball program and overcame challenges throughout the season.
Middle school beach volleyball team reflects on challenges, triumphs of season’s finals
A student athlete thinks about her day-to-day activities. Many Archer student athletes reported learning time management skills and resilience through sports. (Graphic Illustration by Meredith Ho)
Benefitting and learning through sports: Student athletes develop endurance, time management
A volleyball rests on the Archer logo, which is painted on the sports court. The court can function as a playing space for volleyball, pickle ball and basketball and hosts Archer fitness classes.
From classroom to carpool: Student athletes, athletics department reflect on campus sports facilities, transportation
Junior Izzy Jeffery holds hands with her teammate Kennedy Schultz (’23) during a match in the 2021-2022 season. Jeffery has played volleyball for eight years with little league, club and school teams, loving the sports energy and intensity throughout.
Q&A with volleyball player, Junior Olympics competitor Izzy Jeffery
Varsity basketball player Phoebe Ramirez (25) smiles as she accepts the Panther Award alongside her coaches. The Panther Award is given to one student athlete on each sports team for their demonstration of honesty, respect and responsibility throughout the season.
Athletic Awards Night recognizes upper school student athletes’ accomplishments, season highlights
To start ending worldwide polarization, we must begin having conversations with people who hold different beliefs than us. Fostering empathy and recognizing others as a human is how we can begin repairing the world and mending the political divide. 
Op-Ed: How to combat hate, stop polarization
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
My sister and I smile for a picture in the summer of 2012. We have always had a very close relationship, and I have loved taking care of her; she has taught me so many lessons. I am grateful that she helped me grow my leadership skills through the experience of taking care of her.
Op-Ed: Being a big sister made me a better leader
My parents assemble all the ingredients necessary to make which dumpling filling. This particular dinner, my mom tried to step out of her comfort zone by making a pork and mushroom dumpling, which she had never attempted before.
My top 5 favorite Chinese foods
Instagram plays a large role in the growing rates of eating disorders in teenagers. As the apps popularity exponentially increases among teenagers, the commonality of eating disorders in teens has risen as well. (Graphic illustration by Tavi Memoli)
Op-Ed: Instagram’s role in the growing rates of eating disorders in teenagers
Japanese Breakfast performed May 11 at the Kilby Block Party Festival in Salt Lake City, Utah. Witnessing their performance live is one of my final memories of high school and stirred up a lot of bittersweet emotions.
Column: An ode to senior year… and Japanese Breakfast
My friend and I took this screenshot of our avatars on one of our favorite servers. Throughout all the years I’ve played video games, it’s always been the one I can consistently return to, having built some of my strongest relationships and shaped who I am as a person.
Column: Create new world
As I begin the road to graduation, Im reminded of the extraordinary experience that Ive had writing a feminist column. It has been a beautifully empowering process that I will be forever grateful for.
Column: Dear column, I love you.
Disney’s 2002 film “Lilo and Stitch” is getting a live action reboot, set to release in 2024. Recently, the film has come under fire, though, for its seemingly whitewashed casting decisions. (Graphic Illustration by Sydney Frank)
Column: “Ohana means family”
Image displays a Nintendo Switch alongside a gaming mouse and a few dollar bills. With the overwhelming prices of video games in the modern age, here are five wonderful games that you can play for free! Image credit to Paulina DePaulo.
Column: The best games in life are free
To start ending worldwide polarization, we must begin having conversations with people who hold different beliefs than us. Fostering empathy and recognizing others as a human is how we can begin repairing the world and mending the political divide. 
Op-Ed: How to combat hate, stop polarization
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
My sister and I smile for a picture in the summer of 2012. We have always had a very close relationship, and I have loved taking care of her; she has taught me so many lessons. I am grateful that she helped me grow my leadership skills through the experience of taking care of her.
Op-Ed: Being a big sister made me a better leader
Instagram plays a large role in the growing rates of eating disorders in teenagers. As the apps popularity exponentially increases among teenagers, the commonality of eating disorders in teens has risen as well. (Graphic illustration by Tavi Memoli)
Op-Ed: Instagram’s role in the growing rates of eating disorders in teenagers
Sophomore Mia Vosicher wrote an opinion piece for her 10th grade English class about the meaning of true activism and how people should approach making change today. (Graphic Illustration by Maia Alvarez)
Op-Ed: What is true activism?
My parents assemble all the ingredients necessary to make which dumpling filling. This particular dinner, my mom tried to step out of her comfort zone by making a pork and mushroom dumpling, which she had never attempted before.
My top 5 favorite Chinese foods
This graphic image contains promotional posters for five journalism films I believe are inspiring and powerful. These films range from the classic All the Presidents Men, which was revolutionary for the way it depicted journalism, to Bad Education, which emphasizes the power of student journalism in schools. (Graphic Illustration by Nina Sperling)
From ‘Shattered Glass’ to shattered glass ceilings: 5 films that capture the power of journalism
Jet Rags only location in Los Angeles has a large ground floor and a smaller second floor. Smaller items like rings, sunglasses and iron-on patches can be found near the cash register on the first floor.
My 3 favorite thrift stores in Los Angeles
Gift Guide: What to get your dad for Fathers Day
Gift Guide: What to get your dad for Father’s Day
These are six books I consider the perfect summer reads. They all take place in summer and are wonderful novels to keep you reading all season. (Graphic Illustration by Olivia Hallinan-Gan)
The perfect summer books with the perfect summer playlist
Letter to the Editor: See the whole person
Letter to the Editor: See the whole person
Conversation with Shirin Pakfar, head of private sector partnerships for United Nations Refugee Agency
Conversation with Shirin Pakfar, head of private sector partnerships for United Nations Refugee Agency
Letter to the Editor: Sun, sand and scrumptious
Letter to the Editor: Sun, sand and scrumptious
Letter to the Editor: Food deserts
Letter to the Editor: Food deserts
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
The Scoop on the History of the Senior Fountain Jump
The Scoop on the History of the Senior Fountain Jump
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
The Scoop: A conversation with my trans brother
The Scoop: A conversation with my trans brother
Azel Al-Kadiri (23), portraying Elinor Dashwood, and Ella Gray (24), portraying Marianne Dashwood, hold hands during a technical rehearsal of Sense and Sensibility. Rehearsals for the upper school play began in January and spanned over three months.
From script to stage: Making ‘Sense and Sensibility’
An image of a phone with numerous searches for how to fix one’s body demonstrates social medias deeply-rooted diet culture. According to Healthline, there was a large user growth among girls ages 15-22 on TikTok, an app known to spread misinformation, especially about weight and dieting. (Graphic Illustration by Olivia Hallinan-Gan)
Teenage girls reflect on diet culture on social media in all-girls environment
The Scoop on the History of the Senior Fountain Jump
The Scoop on the History of the Senior Fountain Jump
The Scoop: A conversation with my trans brother
The Scoop: A conversation with my trans brother
The Scoop on Academic Peer Pressure in preparation for College
The Scoop on Academic Peer Pressure in preparation for College
S3 Ep3 – Round Table: Varsity Winter Sports Captains
S3 Ep3 – Round Table: Varsity Winter Sports Captains
The Scoop S3 Ep3 – The Scoop on Growing Up Archer: Alumni Lauren Finkelstein
The Scoop S3 Ep3 – The Scoop on Growing Up Archer: Alumni Lauren Finkelstein
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The student news site of The Archer School for Girls

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

The Oracle
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, Staff Reporter
April 23, 2023
A bumper sticker with a picture of the Earth accompanied by the slogan, Make Everyday Earth Day, is displayed on a blue car. This sticker highlights the flaws within societys current Earth Day celebrations and calls for actions that make each day Earth Day.

Column: Why I don’t like Earth Day

By Eliza Tiles, Columnist
April 22, 2023
Snow heavily covers trees in Mammoth Lakes, CA. This winter season has seen an increase in harrowing snow storms around the globe as climate change increases the intensity of weather events. The Willow Project will add to climate change and thus weather patterns are only going to get worse.

Column: The Willow Project is the beginning of the end

By Eliza Tiles, Columnist
March 22, 2023
The Willow Project is a massive oil drilling venture in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, which is estimated to produce enough oil to release 9.2 million metric tons of carbon pollution per year. Prior to its approval March 13, awareness of this project and advocacy against it was especially spread through social media platforms. (Graphic Illustration by Audrey Chang)

Students react to Willow Project approval, role of social media in advocacy

By Audrey Chang, News Editor
March 22, 2023
The courtyard is empty during a rainy day Monday, Jan. 9. During rainy days, students looked for indoor spaces to eat, sit and study.

Heavy rain, storms impact Archer community, California, demonstrate greater climate trend

By Audrey Chang, News Editor
January 15, 2023
In the fall of 2013, Stick Season approaches over my late grandfather’s farm in Columbia County, New York. I sit with my grandparents Bernese mountain dog, Bodhi. The snapping turtle-infested pond is to the left, and farther behind is the faint outline of wild Canadian geese. 

Column: Reflecting on ‘Wild Geese’

By Eliza Tiles, Columnist
December 7, 2022
Farmers put up signs off Californias 5 Freeway outside of Bakersfield on April 18, 2022. With extreme drought water restrictions farmers have been forced to leave thousands of acres idle, directly impacting the agricultural economy and their livelihoods. Photo used with permission from the Epoch Times.

Column: California’s drought is affecting our agriculture

By Eliza Tiles, Columnist
November 6, 2022
The Summer Snapdragons surround the fountain in the courtyard. As I approach my final year at Archer, I am beginning to realize how little I knew about the array of species that have called Archer home long before I did.

Column: Connections to place, identifying species at Archer

By Eliza Tiles, Columnist
October 12, 2022
Juniors Dani Fenster and Uma Bajaj hold up a sign while marching at the Youth Climate Strike Los Angeles. The strike took place March 25 in Downtown Los Angeles, and Archer students were granted excused absences for attending.

Editorial: The immeasurable value of administrative support for climate activism

By 21-22 Oracle Editorial Board
April 24, 2022
Senior Bess Frierson, founder and leader of the garden committee, gets to work inspecting the vegetation in Archers garden. She hopes that time spent in the garden will (quote)

‘It’s a unifying place’: Students ‘get their hands dirty’ with Archer’s garden committee

By Lucy Williams, Senior Reporter
December 14, 2021
The Lorax is an activist-invoking tale ahead of its time. The Lorax is a film that has inspired audiences of all ages to take a stand against people and companies harming the environment.

Review: Environmental messages in ‘The Lorax’ inspire for the future

By Liora Ginzburg, Staff Reporter
April 12, 2021
Oil drilling can be deadly for the earth and people. Although there has been legislation introduced to Congress to create a buffer zone in communities, no laws have been passed.

Column: It’s time to end fracking

By Norah Adler, Columnist
March 21, 2021
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