Monthly Archives: September 2022

Editorials

Hurricane Ian – How We Can Help

By Cristina Alvarez
Journalism Teacher

Hurricane Ian took a sudden turn right before landfall on Florida’s West Coast on Wednesday. Instead of heading toward the Tampa/St. Petersburg area as predicted, the high Category 4 storm directly hit the areas of Sanibel, Naples, and Fort Myers. Not only that, as it moved through the state, cities like Orlando, Kissimmee, and St. Augustine flooded as enormous amounts of rain fell from the sky.

While the last-minute turn spared us from the worst in Alachua County, many of our fellow Floridians were not as fortunate. Whether it’s watching a Tampa Bay Rays game at Tropicana Field, enjoying a Boston Red Sox spring training game at JetBlue Park (a.k.a. Mini Fenway), relaxing and collecting the most unique seashells on Sanibel Island, or visiting Mickey at Disney World; Hurricane Ian destroyed some of the most beautiful areas of our state. It destroyed whole neighborhoods and it destroyed people’s lives. It has changed our state forever.

More than 2.5 million people lost power. Sadly and tragically, some people lost their lives. Those in Sanibel, Fort Myers, Captiva Island, etc. had slim to no time to evacuate. After all, the hurricane wasn’t supposed to hit there. The Sanibel Causeway is now impassable, as chunks of it fell into the Gulf of Mexico. The only way to get help to people on the island is by boat or helicopter.

As I watched the devastation unfold, I couldn’t help but break down in tears. Some of my fondest memories have taken place on the West Coast. I’ve watched the Cardinals play the Rays (and lose every time) at The Trop, and I’ve walked with my daughter on Sanibel Beach many times, showing her how each seashell was different.

When horrific things occur, I always think of a quote from Mister Rogers:

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping’.”

It is now our time to be the helpers. Even though we might not physically be able to go to the hardest hit areas, there are other avenues where we can help our fellow residents and citizens.

Cajun Navy – This non-profit organization led by community volunteers travels to the hardest hit areas to rescue and restore. Coming from Louisiana, these men and women are well aware of the devastation a hurricane can bring. To donate, please click here.

American Red Cross – According to its website, the Red Cross “is a non-profit humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief, and disaster preparedness education in the United States.” Not only can you go to our local LifeSouth buildings to donate blood, but you can also monetarily help.
To donate blood, here are three LifeSouth buildings in Alachua County:
1221 NW 13th St, Gainesville, FL 32601
4039 Newberry Rd, Gainesville, FL 32607
15652 NW US Hwy 441 Suite F, Alachua, FL 32615
To donate monetarily, please click here.

Florida Disaster Fund – “The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Florida’s official private fund established to assist Florida’s communities as they respond to and recover during times of emergency or disaster. In partnership with the public sector, private sector and other non-governmental organizations, the Florida Disaster Fund supports response and recovery activities.” It should be noted, however, that no more than 3% of each donation is used to cover administrative costs. To donate, please click here.

Salvation Army – According to its website, “The Salvation Army uses 100% of all disaster donations to support disaster relief. Your donation may be used to provide food and drinks, baby, hygiene, cleaning and other emergency supplies, or direct financial assistance to disaster survivors. Donations may also support long-term recovery programs (including repair and reconstruction programs) or to support disaster relief workers serving in impacted communities. The Salvation Army NEVER places an administrative fee on disaster donations.” To donate, please click here.

It is going to take months or even years to restore the beautiful West Coast. In the meantime, it’s important that we help those in need; not just because they’re Floridians, but because they’re human beings.

Some of our Sanibel adventures
Features

If the MLB Playoffs Started Today

By Brody Beaupre

When most people think about October one word comes to mind: Halloween. Unless, of course, your favorite Major League Baseball (MLB) team is in the playoffs. October was not only made for ghosts and ghouls, but for homeruns and high scoring games. In the 2022 postseason, there are bound to be many great matchups and upsets.

The Good, the Bad, and the Angels

This season has been full of some very high highs, and some very (very) low lows. There are many examples of this throughout the baseball season, but my personal favorites are the Angels and the Braves. First the good, a.k.a. the Braves. The Atlanta Braves went on one of the hottest winning streaks in baseball this year. The team won 14 straight games. This streak, which started June 1 and ended June 15, was one of the main reasons the Braves are in the playoffs. For a large part of the season, the Braves have been two to four games behind the New York Mets for the Divisional Series spot but were able to make a good run for the Wild Card spots. The younger team led by head coach Brian Snitker has a very solid chance at the NLCS, if not the World Series. Now for the not so good, a.k.a. the Angels. The Los Angeles Angels went on one of the worst losing streaks in the MLB this year. A straight 14 games without a win. This is oddly ironic, because two of the biggest names in baseball are on the Angels. This would be Mike Trout (#27) and Shohei Ohtani (#17). Mike Trout has been on the cover of many MLB video games, and Ohtani was recently the cover of “MLB The Show ‘22”. Unfortunately, the superstars could not save the team from a very low spot in the rankings. 

If the postseason started today:

Brody’s Official First Round Predictions:

All of the teams in the playoffs this year have the ability to beat their opponent but there can only be one winner. 

Seattle Mariners @ Cleveland Guardians – Seattle
Seattle has not seen the playoffs since 2001 and now that they have a shot, I believe that they will claw and fight for the series win.

Tampa Bay Rays @ Toronto Blue Jays – Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is starting to spread its wings as an organization. They have good pitching and some quality hitters, whereas Toronto is lacking in the quality pitching department.

Philadelphia Phillies @ St. Louis Cardinals – St. Louis
If I pick Philadelphia, there’s a high chance Ms. Alvarez will fail me (kidding…kind of). St. Louis has star catcher Yadier Molina and designated hitter Albert Pujols, both of whom are retiring after this season. They will have extra incentive to go all the way as one final hurrah.   

San Diego Padres @ Atlanta Braves – Atlanta
Atlanta is coming off a World Series win in 2021 so the extra motivation is there for the Braves to go back-to-back.

News

Hurricane Ian UPDATE – Sept. 28

Sept. 28

Oak Hall School is closing today at 12:30 p.m. All after school activities are cancelled, along with any after school student care. The campus will reopen on Monday, Oct. 3.

As of the 11 a.m. update from the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Ian exploded into a high Category 4 hurricane overnight. Winds are currently sustained at 155 mph as the pressure has dropped to 937mb. Alachua County remains under a Tropical Storm Warning, a River Flood Warning, a Flood Watch, and a Tropical Storm Watch.

Sept. 27 – Second Update

Per the 5 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Ian is now a strong Category 3 storm as it moves into the Gulf of Mexico with sustained winds of 120 mph as the pressure continues to drop, now at 952 mb. Alachua County continues to be under a Hurricane Watch, Tropical Storm Warning, Tropical Storm Watch, and a Flood Warning. The Flood Warning is in effect until 2 a.m. Saturday. Ian is moving North at 10 mph and one of the larger concerning threats is the amount of rain that will saturate the state.

National Hurricane Center update – Sept. 27, 5 p.m.

Sept. 27

According to an email sent to faculty, staff, students and parents, Oak Hall Campus will be closed beginning at 12:30 Wednesday afternoon due to Hurricane Ian. Per the email:

Dear Families,

In preparation for the impact of Hurricane Ian, we will have an early dismissal tomorrow, Wednesday, September 28th. Our campus will be closed on Thursday, September 29th & Friday, September 30th. Classes will resume on Monday, October 3rd. 

Dismissal times for Wednesday, September 28th are as follows:

  • ECLC: 11:45 a.m.
  • Lower School: 12:00 p.m.
  • Middle & Upper School: 12:30 p.m.

There will be no Extended Day Programming on Wednesday. Students must leave campus at their divisional dismissal time. All afterschool activities (sports, clubs, etc.) will be canceled for Wednesday. 

Please note that any absences on Wednesday will be excused as we support our families in doing what’s best for their households. Updates, such as changes in dismissal times, will be communicated via our Emergency Notification System (email, text, phone call).

Take care and stay safe.

As of the 8 a.m. advisory, Ian is a Category 3 storm with sustained winds at 125 mph. It is moving North at 12 mph. Alachua County is currently under a Hurricane Watch, Tropical Storm Warning, Flood Warning, and a Tropical Storm Watch.

Sept. 26

The West Coast of Florida is bracing for the impacts of Hurricane Ian. As of the 11 a.m. advisory the storm has a maximum sustained winds of 80 mph which currently makes it a Category 1 storm. So far, no tropical storm/hurricane watches or warnings have been declared for Alachua County. As for Oak Hall, administrators are keeping an eye on Ian and consulting with County Emergency Management. In an email to faculty and staff, Director of Operations Jeff Malloy made it clear that safety is the school’s number one priority. The school, however, might not close if Alachua County schools do. “Please keep in mind that our facilities are not used for the purpose of shelters.  That said, we do not need to close for the same reason or duration that public schools close,” Malloy noted. If Oak Hall needs to close because of the storm, faculty, staff, students, and parents will be notified three ways: by text, by email, and by a phone call via the school’s Emergency Notifications System.

Features

One School Musical Preview: “Seussical the Musical”

By Elizabeth Birkner

For the last five years, with the exception of the 2020-21 school year, Oak Hall students have performed in the One School Musical. Next month, around 100 third graders through seniors are performing Seussical the Musical, a musical based off Dr. Seuss’s literary creations. Theater teacher Brooke Molitor and music teacher Erin Cushing work together to decide which musical will be performed. “Every January, Ms. Molitor and I start with a huge list of musicals and start narrowing them down,” Cushing said. When deciding which musical to produce, the two teachers take into consideration how large the cast should be, what type of technical equipment they would need, and what instruments need to be used for the orchestra pit, among other things. 

Unlike previous One School Musical’s like Matilda and James and the Giant Peach, Seussical is a play that strays away from the usual set design of musicals with its bright colors and cartoony theme, much like the drawings in a Dr. Seuss book. The musical includes famous Dr. Seuss characters like Horton, the Cat in the Hat, Gertrude, Yertle the Turtle, and the Whos of Who-ville.

Students participating in Seussical say this play is an amazing experience that brings the school together as one and inspires them to share and showcase their love for the performing arts. “There is a big social aspect with everyone being in a group of people and it can be fun to talk with the cast [with parts similar to yours],” said eighth grader, Soie Haberman. She also elaborated on how working with different grades is one of her favorite parts of participating in the musical. “[The musical] gives students of all ages and abilities the opportunity to be leaders or learn from others,” Cushing noted.

Seussical performances will be held Oct. 13 and 14 at 7 p.m., and Oct. 16 at 3 p.m. All performances are in the Edith D. Cofrin Theater on Oak Hall’s campus. Reserved seating is $10 per ticket through Oct. 10 and can be purchased by clicking here! After Oct. 10, general admission tickets will be available at the door for $5 via credit card only (no cash).

Features

Alumni Update: Anita Coleman C/O 1990

By Bailey Thorp

In 1987, junior Anita Webster (née Coleman) decided to enroll at Oak Hall School (OHS) after previously attending Southside Baptist Christian Academy. One of the main reasons for the change was to further challenge herself academically. During her time at OHS, she was a member of the cheerleading squad, theatre class, and yearbook. Her favorite senior traditions were engraving her name in the stone near the softball fields and being able to leave campus for lunch. She graduated in 1990 alongside around 20 other classmates. 

Going into her first year of college, Webster notes that she had an amazing foundation due to the education she received and study habits that she learned at OHS. She went on to attend Florida State University for her freshman year of college and then transferred to the University of Florida, where she majored in journalism. She wrote for The Alligator and later graduated with her Bachelors in Journalism and Communications. While tutoring for UF, she fell in love with teaching and became an English and Journalism Professor at Santa Fe College. She then went on to receive her masters in English at Georgia Southern University. 

When asked what has changed since her time on Oak Hall’s campus, Webster notes that the buildings are getting larger, and that the campus has expanded greatly. Although the campus has grown since 1990, Webster emphasized how the feeling of community still exists. There is still the “Oak Hall Family” that was present in her years at Oak Hall. This “family” was her support system during her three years at OHS and continued to aid and support her even after she graduated.

Her favorite teachers were Eileen McCarthy-Smith, her adviser and English teacher, and Michael Beistle, her theatre, history, and English teacher. Webster recalls an instance of this never-ending support from faculty during her time in graduate school. When she was overwhelmed with the amount of work that she had to complete for her thesis, she ran into McCarthy-Smith. Her former teacher encouraged Webster and gave her a book that broke down the writing process into simpler terms. “I could not have survived the thesis without [McCarthy’s] support,” she said. 

This idea of a constant support system and feeling of family that has lasted decades shows just how accurate the Oak Hall mission statement is. The school truly is supportive and welcoming, which was a selling point for Webster. For her, this encouragement in the conservation of the arts is what convinced her to send her daughter Arabella, a talented visual artist, to school at Oak Hall. When looking for schools to enroll her daughter in, Webster was wary of the public school system. “I knew that the Alachua County School system was really not valuing the arts,” she said. She then looked at Oak Hall and was sold on the Arts Conservatory Program and the amount of space and effort dedicated to the arts.  

Even though she graduated more than 30 years ago, and the campus has grown, the warmth of the community hasn’t changed. “Even though there have been different policies that have come and gone, that same visceral feeling of community has stayed the same,” Webster noted.