The student news site of The Archer School for Girls

The Oracle
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
Spanish teacher Talia Geffen produced the poster for the first ever ARCHERVISION competition based on the Eurovision Song Contest poster. The competition included both middle and upper school divisions. (Graphic Illustration by Talia Geffen)
Archer community celebrates middle, upper school ARCHERVISION winners
Senior Ella Poon recounts the power of theater for Latine Americans by highlighting everyday life in Washington Heights from the musical “In the Heights.” Archer’s annual Advanced Study Humanities Symposium was held in the library and Media Space Friday, May 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.
Annual Advanced Study Humanities Symposium highlights seniors’ passions through presentations, writing
Tess Hubbard (24) explains InvenTeams outreach strategies of connecting with local and digital audiences. The team presented on campus to parents, students and teachers during the STEM Symposiums third breakout session presentation.
STEM Symposium offers platform to discover scientific solutions, explore global problems
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
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
Junior Maia Alvarez and sophomores Cezanne Silverton and Allie Yang practice for the speech and debate club’s national competition. According to another debate team member Lucy Williams (’25), the art and language of disagreement has largely been forgotten but is fundamental to understanding opposing opinions and one’s own beliefs.
The culture of discourse, importance of conversation, communication in the 21st century
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
This WordCloud illustrates the results of a survey about teenage girls’ self-esteem where Archer students were asked to describe how social media makes them feel in one word. Social media has both positive and negative effects on teen girls, specifically on their body image and mental health. (Graphic Illustration by Tavi Memoli)
Self-love and social media: Teen girls navigate their lives on, off the internet
An individual pushes away boxes labeled with common phrases teenagers say that misuse the labels of mental health disorders. Clinical psychologist and author Lisa Damour said it is essential that people separate describing momentary feelings from clinical diagnoses to not diminish the experience of those who struggle with the disorder. (Graphic illustration by Emily Paschall).
Teenagers’ conversations on mental health: misusing clinical diagnoses, social media’s impacts, self-diagnosing
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 of ‘Sense and Sensibility’
Choir Director Hannah O’Connor leads middle school a capella, the Middle C’s, as they sing “Roar” by Katy Perry. A cappella, choir and orchestra groups came together  to perform the Spring Concert May 3-5 in the amphitheater.
Cities, Seas and Stars: Spring Concert sends audience on musical journey through community, culture
Junior Julissa Espinoza creates pieces inspired by different interests and cultural connections for her Advanced Ceramics class. The skull ceramic piece was inspired by Mexican artist Alfonso Castillo Orta, and the lamp was inspired by nature, specifically sun rays, as well as the symbol sagrado corazon. (Graphic Illustration by Audrey Chang)
Cakes, culture and creativity: Advanced ceramics students construct independent projects, reflect on past year
Strawberries, pots, blueberries and more fill the Eastern Star Gallery. Seniors Sara Steiner and Lily Prokop opened their ceramics show, Soirée, Wednesday, May 10.
A community soirée: Lily Prokop, Sara Steiner open senior ceramics show
The front cover of the Nationals new album, First Two Pages of Frankenstein, features a photograph of a young boy holding a mannequins head. The ninth album in their catalog finds the rock band examining sadness with a newfound softness.
Review: The National re-examines their sadness in ‘First Two Pages of Frankenstein’
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 of ‘Sense and Sensibility’
Choir Director Hannah O’Connor leads middle school a capella, the Middle C’s, as they sing “Roar” by Katy Perry. A cappella, choir and orchestra groups came together  to perform the Spring Concert May 3-5 in the amphitheater.
Cities, Seas and Stars: Spring Concert sends audience on musical journey through community, culture
Junior Julissa Espinoza creates pieces inspired by different interests and cultural connections for her Advanced Ceramics class. The skull ceramic piece was inspired by Mexican artist Alfonso Castillo Orta, and the lamp was inspired by nature, specifically sun rays, as well as the symbol sagrado corazon. (Graphic Illustration by Audrey Chang)
Cakes, culture and creativity: Advanced ceramics students construct independent projects, reflect on past year
Strawberries, pots, blueberries and more fill the Eastern Star Gallery. Seniors Sara Steiner and Lily Prokop opened their ceramics show, Soirée, Wednesday, May 10.
A community soirée: Lily Prokop, Sara Steiner open senior ceramics show
The front cover of the Nationals new album, First Two Pages of Frankenstein, features a photograph of a young boy holding a mannequins head. The ninth album in their catalog finds the rock band examining sadness with a newfound softness.
Review: The National re-examines their sadness in ‘First Two Pages of Frankenstein’
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
The açaí bowl, margarita pizza and curry bowl are pictured at Gratitude Cafe. One of my favorites on the menu was the pizza as it replicated a traditional pizza, while adding new flavors and expanding my tastebuds. The cafe offers a wide range of vegan cuisine, such as an entirely plant-based cheese made from cashews.
Review: Cafe Gratitude offers wide variety of quality vegan dishes
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
This year, we cooked up and untraditional Thanksgiving table at my grandmothers house consisting of Oysters Rockefeller, lobster bisque and debuting sweet potato Christmas trees. Experiment with new holiday dishes this winter to spice up your seasonal routine and impress friends and family.
A cozy, untraditional winter food adventure
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
Club lacrosse team Fire Lacrosse holds up sticks to cheer after a practice at John Adams Middle School. High school soccer goalie and club volleyball player Serenity Jones-Nwankwo said she has played through and not been fully honest about her injuries because she would rather play hurt than not play at all.
Managing athletic injuries: High school, collegiate concussion protocols, injury awareness
Junior Cate Childers poses in a Colgate University soccer jersey to celebrate her commitment to their Division I women’s soccer team. From starting soccer at age 4 to joining the recruiting pool freshman year to committing to Colgate April 29, Childers said she is relieved and excited to see what the future holds. 
Junior Cate Childers verbally commits to play Division I soccer at Colgate University
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
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
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?
Sophomore Sophia Calne wrote an opinion piece for her 10th grade English class about how height should be included in the body positivity movement, and people should be more sensitive to differences in height. (Graphic Illustration by Maia Alvarez)
Op-Ed: The weather down here
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
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?
Sophomore Sophia Calne wrote an opinion piece for her 10th grade English class about how height should be included in the body positivity movement, and people should be more sensitive to differences in height. (Graphic Illustration by Maia Alvarez)
Op-Ed: The weather down here
Sophomore Natalie Huang wrote an opinion piece for her 10th grade English class about how personality tests can capitalize off of and further insecurities. (Graphic Illustration by Maia Alvarez)
Op-Ed: This essay will tell you how insecure you are
Sophomore Sydney Curry wrote an opinion piece for her 10th grade English class about her experience being Black at a predominantly white school and the importance of affirming Black students value in their existence. (Graphic Illustration by Maia Alvarez)
Op-Ed: Is it because I’m Black?
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
World Language Teacher Natalie Kang rock climbs up a large boulder on a sunny day. This is one of Kang’s favorite hobbies and she said it has helped her gain a higher tolerance for adversity.
Rocks, nature-walks, photography: Faculty members share their favorite hobbies
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
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 of ‘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
An individual pushes away boxes labeled with common phrases teenagers say that misuse the labels of mental health disorders. Clinical psychologist and author Lisa Damour said it is essential that people separate describing momentary feelings from clinical diagnoses to not diminish the experience of those who struggle with the disorder. (Graphic illustration by Emily Paschall).
Teenagers’ conversations on mental health: misusing clinical diagnoses, social media’s impacts, self-diagnosing
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
The Scoop S3 Ep2 – The Scoop on Antisemitism in Los Angeles
The Scoop S3 Ep2 – The Scoop on Antisemitism in Los Angeles
The Latest
The student news site of The Archer School for Girls

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

The Oracle
Seniors hold their hammers in preparation for the Maypole setup Sunday, April 30. The Maypole setup is an annual tradition held each spring. Seniors tie their ribbons to stakes, which they then hammer into the ground to create rows of taut ribbon. 

Seniors prepare Maypole for new generation of Archer students

By Tavi Memoli, Staff Reporter
May 2, 2023
Senior Lucy Lassman writes words such as voice and echo on her own portrait to capture her Archer experience. Starting in February, seniors Sophie Altemus, Olivia Torrington and Mia Makower began working on completing every senior class members portraits.

Parting portraits: Seniors work on portraits of graduating class

By Cadence Callahan, Voices Editor
April 18, 2023
Advanced Study dancers pose on stage wearing sparkly mesh tops and baggy pants during their dance, The Great Gatsby, which opened Night of Dance at the Broad Stage. The dance was choreographed by Jezebel Melara and based on the book by F. Scott Fitzgerald. This year is the first year that Night of Dance has been held at a theater since 2020. The theme of this years show was Timeless, with each dance representing a book and a different stage in the coming of age cycle.

Behind the wings: Dancers, crew reflect on bringing ‘Timeless’ to life

By Nina Sperling, Senior Reporter
March 22, 2023
Then sixth graders Mina Mohammed, Letti Oetker, Alyssa Ponrartana, Avery Weingarten and Carla Martinez Rivas stand in front of the maypole after participating in the traditional sixth grade maypole dance. Now that were seniors, weve realized its our last year and we should cherish the time we have with each other, senior Alyssa Ponrartana said. Its almost over, [so] its just really sad.

Remembrance of Archer past: Class of 2023 shares highlights, reflects on time together

By Nina Sperling, Senior Reporter
December 4, 2022
Live on the fright side: Halloween celebration encourages joy on campus

Live on the fright side: Halloween celebration encourages joy on campus

By Maia Alvarez, Multimedia Editor
November 16, 2022
Dani Fenster (23) and Uma Bajaj (23) defend a strike by Coach Stephanie Ferri. Members of the faculty and class of 2023 faced off in a volleyball match Friday Oct. 21.

‘What Archer spirit really looks like’: Color clash encourages school spirit, seniors edge out faculty in volleyball game

By Maia Alvarez, Multimedia Editor
November 1, 2022
Caption: The graphic showcases the bakeries and shops students can visit when traveling to the Brentwood village. Starting Oct.3, seniors, juniors and sophomores could travel off-campus to the Brentwood Village to purchase anything from the stores available including coffee, tea, pastries and lunch during the school day.

Off-campus privileges resume for sophomores, juniors, seniors

By Maia Alvarez, Multimedia Editor
October 23, 2022
Seniors Emily Cadenas and Naobi Benjamin pose with their flowers to commence the opening of their art gallery. “Character Development” opened Wednesday, March 30, at the Eastern Star Gallery and highlighted their joint artwork about their growth as POC women. “Working with Emily  — she’s one of my best friends, so it’s cool to have a best friend who will encourage you and help you,” Benjamin said. “Our gallery was really successful because we have that trust and connection as well.”

‘Character Development’ in progress: Senior art show explores ‘space of transformation’

By Maia Alvarez and Jullie Cach
June 2, 2022
Student Body President Langdon Janos (22) introduces the commencement speaker, Hannah Minghella. The Class of 2022 had their in person graduation Friday, May 27, at the Skirball Cultural Center.

Seniors graduate, have ‘symbolic ending’ to Archer experience

By Audrey Chang, News Editor
May 31, 2022
Nyah Fernandez (22), Vaughan Anoai (22), Thea Leimone (22), Chloe Fidler (22) and Gracie Doyle (22) embrace each other during their celebration in one of their final classes. The former editors reflected on their time writing for The Oracle and the life lessons they learned along the way.

Graduating editors reflect on experience writing for The Oracle, discuss “bittersweet feeling”

By Cadence Callahan, Voices Editor
May 27, 2022

Post-prom: Students reflect on celebration with peers

By Thea Leimone, Features Editor
May 11, 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.

Community reflects on process, significance of annual Maypole setup

By Lizette Gonzalez, Features Editor
May 6, 2022
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