News

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Asian American Footsteps Conference

BY WONG ’28 AND ZHAO ’29

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CoEd 50: 142 Years of Men at Groton

BY DING '26

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Diplomacy in Practice: Groton Students at Yale Model UN

BY BAY '27

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Artemis II, The Daring Reignition of Space Exploration

BY PICUCCI ’27 AND YU ’28

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Brainrot and Its Place in Groton’s Legacy

BY LIM '28 AND HOCHMAN '28

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“Pioneers and Architects”: Groton School Celebrates 50 Years of Co-Education

On the brisk Saturday morning of September 20, students, faculty, alumni, and former teachers gathered in the Campbell Performing Arts Center to celebrate a transformative milestone: the school’s 50th year of coeducation. In place of morning Chapel, a panel of alumni and former faculty members—Pam Clarke, Bill Polk, LuAnn Polk, David Bannard, Ben Pyne ’77,...

BY ETHAN YAN '27', PHILLIP HOLLAND '27', HAYUN SHIN '27', NICOLE WONG '28'

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Groton Students’ Opinions on the Government Shutdown

On October 1, following a week of struggle within the government concerning health insurance subsidies, House Democrats and Republicans failed to agree on spending bills to fund government operations. Thus, the United States government shut down for the third time during Donald Trump’s two presidential terms. In an effort to better understand the current circumstances,...

BY BRISA SMITH '28', OWEN SPRING '28'

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Tanzania GEO

“We had this realization that we live in a world with so many resources, yet we have a scarcity mindset as a culture. In Tanzania, if you just looked at physical resources, they don’t have what we have. Yet, they have an incredible abundance mindset. Their school motto is, ‘When you get, give. When you...

BY ETHAN YAN '27', HAYUN SHIN '27'

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Groton Welcomes New Faculty to the Circle

This fall, Groton welcomes several new and returning faculty members to the Circle. Each brings their own set of experiences and enthusiasm to their respective subjects.   Wayne Bainter joins Groton’s Science Department, where he will teach Second Form Science and Third Form Life Sciences. After graduating, Mr. Bainter worked at Boston Children’s Hospital studying...

BY NICOLE WONG '28'

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The History of Spirit Week

During this winter’s Spirit Week, dorms fiercely competed for the prize of a pizza feed with unique costumes and wild performances. From Girls Hockey’s Trolls impression and Williams’ imitation of Washington Crossing the Delaware—and particularly Victor Fat ’28’s elaborate costume—students rocked memorable outfits each day. Countless teachers showed up in style alongside their dorms. The...

BY ALEX DOCTOROFF '28', DAVID YU '28'

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An Open Door on the Circle: The Revised Peer Counselor Program

Fresh starts are always challenging, especially at a boarding school. Homesickness and nerves about school work, tests, athletic events, and friends are emotions many of us experience. And for these seemingly small anxieties and situations, we all have those times when we want to get something off our chest but don’t want to go to...

BY NIKHIL LUTHRA ’27

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Chronicles of the Circle

Groton School, the institution many of us know and love, has not always looked or operated the way it does today. Since its founding in 1884, the school has renovated the Forum, relocated the Schoolroom, built the Campbell Performing Arts Center, and has scrapped and created tradition after tradition.  David Black PhD ’80, Katharine Leggat,...

BY AISLING KENNEDY '27

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The First Steps: Lower Schoolers Adjust to Life at Groton

As first-time boarding students, Second and Third Formers are introduced to many new people, new customs, and a new lifestyle. Luckily, Groton makes this transition flow smoothly for everybody and creates unforgettable memories.  Dorm life has exceeded the standards of new boarding students, welcoming them in with open arms and excitement. Kids scream across the...

BY SAMHITA BANDARU ’28

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Groton’s Unusually Warm Summer

On July 6, 2023, what began as another hot summer day reached national headlines as the warmest day in recorded history, capping off a year defined by reduced snowfall and an early spring. The summer of 2024, however, was even hotter. According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, July 2024 turned out to...

BY ETHAN YAN '27

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Planning Productive Political Discourse on the Circle this Fall

As summer comes to a close, the school year looms ahead, and so does the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Unlike past elections, the road to November 5 has been one of tumult:  President Joe Biden dropping out of the race late in July, an attempted assassination of former president Donald Trump, and still no debate...

BY NIKHIL LUTHRA '27

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The Revival of Roofball

Roofball was a long-standing Groton tradition that students played on the Circle during the spring for decades. However, this tradition, neglected by the new waves of Groton students, slowly disappeared from the heart of the campus. When everyone thought the tradition was going to be forgotten, this year’s Reunion Weekend changed the fate of the...

BY MILES ZHANG '26

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Groton’s New Track: A Momentous Inauguration

Standing along multicolored pennant flags ringed around 400 meters of pristine track, Groton’s track and field team watched and cheered as their captains cut the ribbon, anointed with the school’s colors, on the Vuyelwa and Temba Maqubela Track and Field Complex, formally opening it to use.  Advocacy for the new track began with Vuyelwa Maqubela’s...

BY PHILIP HOLLAND '27

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Beyond the Numbers: Humanities vs. STEM Grading

Grades are a defining aspect of the academic experience, especially under Groton’s rigorous curriculum. Under the strenuous course load that Groton students endure on the regular, grades become an important benchmark to gauge the payout of their hard work. They are a holistic tool for evaluating excellence and an instrument that supposedly levels the playing...

BY MILES ZHANG '26

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The Glorification of Stress at Groton

It can come in the form of your first late night spent finishing a homework assignment, first lunch break packed with studying, or even just the feeling of breathless apprehension before a highly anticipated major assessment. It is felt during a dorm check-in spent complaining about an immense workload or in Chapel listening to a...

BY LENA ALOISE '27

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A Goodbye to Shanghai Exchange Students

This winter term, Groton hosted three exchange students from the World Leading Schools Association (WLSA) Shanghai Academy in Shanghai, China: Youyou Yu, Elma Liu, and Luca Mo. During their two weeks on the Circle, Youyou and Elma stayed in Bannard’s dorm, while Luca stayed in LeRoys. Their experiences on the Circle leave us with reminders...

BY STEPHANIE MO '26

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Groton’s New Flow, A Victory for Period Products

Debates pertaining to the accessibility of female health care, including period products, have become increasingly relevant after the Supreme Court’s overturning of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision in 2022. One of the first steps to ensuring that proper health care is available to everyone is recognizing the necessity of period products. After a years-long...

BY KRISTEN BILLINGS '25

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Groton Takes on Harvard MUN

Every year, a dozen students in Groton’s Model United Nations (MUN) team attend the Harvard MUN (HMUN) conference, which hosts forty countries and 3,000 delegates. From January 15th to 18th this year, accompanied by history teacher Tommy Lamont, Fifth and Sixth Formers attended both current and historical committees. These committees included the World Conference on...

BY NOLAN CHONG '27

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IMPACTing Students Beyond Groton

For many people worldwide––and particularly women and girls––going outside at night or in unfamiliar places can be anxiety-inducing, dangerous, and even life-threatening. But within our Groton bubble, we are seldom prepared to confront the dangers of the real world. If we want to ensure Groton equips us with skills of situational awareness, confidence, and above...

BY LEAH BAY '27

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A Gift to Remember: Groton’s $15 Million Donation

Amid the bustle of our Groton routines, it is often easy to forget that the resources we are given for our education have been made possible by the dedication of Groton’s donors. And with a historic $15 million from an anonymous alumni donor—the largest donation in the school’s history—Groton will be set on a path...

BY ALISA GULYANSKY '24

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Piercing the Glass Bubble: The Effect of the Israel-Hamas War on Grotonians

Within the Groton bubble, the world around us often dissolves. Yet beyond the glass, the world is on fire. As we manage school assignments, the Israel-Hamas war rages in the Middle East, where Israeli forces have killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and more than 100 Israeli hostages remain unreturned by Hamas. But we often...

BY ELLA FARAHNAKIAN '25

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To Celebrate Or Not To Celebrate: Shakespeare's Anniversary at Groton

“To be or not to be…” “If music be the food of love…” “Parting is such a sweet sorrow…”   From these few words, most of us would recognize these as Shakespeare’s time-old lyrics. Shakepeare’s rhythmic writing, ironic symbols, and delicately plotted scenes embed in every reader’s heart. No matter how the centuries that have...

BY CHEYENNE ZHENG '26

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National Perspectives: Cultural Alliance Attends St. Louis Diversity Conference

In early December, Cultural Alliance Heads Jasmine Powell ’24, Kritika Aryal ’24, Oliver El Hadj ’24, and Sydney Senerchia ’24 traveled to St. Louis, Missouri. They attended the National Association of Independent Schools Student Diversity Leadership Conference, an annual gathering of student leaders from across the country who come together to self-reflect and build connections....

BY ETHAN YAN '27

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Reaching New Heights: The Next Chapter for Groton Track and Field

For years, Groton’s Track and Field team has remained competitive, despite the majority of its practices being held at nearby middle schools and high schools. A five-minute bus drive away, Ayer High School was where the team practiced three times a week up until last year, when the team practiced at Bromfield Middle School. Twice...

BY SOPHIA BAY, MICHAELA HANSON '24

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Machan's Dorm Flood

  On the morning of Friday, September the 23rd, students on their way to chapel were surprised by the sight of fire trucks parked outside of Machan’s dorm. Due to an unfortunate series of events, the emergency fire sprinkler system was set off in one of the upstairs rooms of the dorm. Once turned on,...

BY JOON WHANG, VIVAN DAS '23

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Two Sixth Formers Become Published Authors

“If you have an idea, go for it!” That is how Julie Xie ’23 and Amy Ma ’23 describe their summer’s accomplishments of publishing their first books, Sundays by the Seaside and The Seed Still Grows: A Graphic History of Australian Bushfires.   Since middle school, writing a book has been on Julie’s radar. As...

BY DIGITAL EDITOR, AGATHE ROBERT '24

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The Dwight Fund: Student Impact Beyond the Circle

Starting in late February, the rigorous selection process for the coveted George H.P. Dwight 1945 Internship Fund began. Described as a project advancing “causes of economic development, community building, education, health, job training, or youth development programs in students’ home communities” by the Groton Community Engagement grant faculty committee, the opportunity seeks to serve as...

BY DIGITAL EDITOR, EVAN KHYM '24

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Returning Full Circle: The Revival of Groton’s Reunion

For many students, June 10th will represent the day that a year of hard work will be repaid with a well-earned summer vacation. For the Groton community, though, it will be the return of reunion. Typically, in past years, the festivities marking a year’s end would consist of a reunion. For the past two years,...

BY EVAN KHYM '24

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Dressing To Express, Not Impress

Khaki pants, collared shirts, and dress shorts are no longer popular outfit choices for students. Over the course of several meetings since the fall term, eight faculty members and seven students collaborated to revise the dress code. On May 4th, the edited dress code was approved, and then shared in a faculty meeting on May...

BY JESSICA LEE '24

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A Shifting World History Curriculum: Adopting a Contemporary Lens

History has always been one of the staple classes. Recounting the past in school differs dramatically depending on the country one lives in, and the country’s own history and politics. History, a subject that theoretically retells the past, is ironically a constantly evolving story especially as society embarks on a more objective, inclusive, and global...

BY AGATHE ROBERT '24

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Prize Day 2022

  Memories, lessons, and friendships have been cultivated on the verdant fields of Groton; for nearly half a decade, the Circle has been home to our graduating class. On June 5th, hundreds of students, families, and faculty will convene for the Prize Day celebration–one final hurrah for the Form of 2022.    Prize Day will...

BY SOPHIA BAY, JOON WHANG '23

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Admissions Without Borders: Carolyn Chica’s Outreach Initiatives

Every year, the Admissions Office welcomes a new set of bright, motivated students to the Circle. Hailing from both local and international backgrounds, newly admitted students add vitality and diversity to the existing student body. One of the key members of this operation is Associate Director of Admission Carolyn Chica, who uses many different strategies...

BY EVAN CHEIGH '22

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How Has the Russo-Ukrainian War Touched Our Community?

When Russia began its assault on Ukraine on February 24th, Juliya Makhanov ’22 was up late completing her homework like most students. But when those explosions reverberated throughout Ukrainian cities, she watched from afar as places she recognized were obliterated to no more than bricks on the ground. “I remember thinking, ‘Wow, I am so...

BY SOPHIA-NICOLE BAY '23

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Groton Students Attend the 2022 Student Diversity Leadership Conference

As the movement to promote and understand social justice becomes increasingly critical, student leaders are continuously at the forefront of the effort. This November, Groton students Olivia Fayemi ‘23, Jaden Adinkrah ’23, Lang Burgess ’23, Joon Whang ’23 and Jiacheng Kang ’22 participated in the annual Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC), hosted by the National...

BY VIVAN DAS '23

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2022 Senior College Survey Report

Go to middle-of-nowhere rural New England, and you’ll find a collection of private boarding high schools—ones that have long held the attraction for parents and their children who desire to go to the most selective, reputable colleges.  At Groton School, the rigorous academics and the work of the college counseling office have proved successful: in...

BY ALLISON JIANG '22

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Operation Revolving Door: Groton’s New Covid-19 Plan

Since the Covid-19 situation has changed dramatically with the recent outbreak of the Omicron variant, Groton’s administration has adjusted accordingly with an updated back-to-school plan. Given the highly transmissible nature ofOmicron that makes a zero-percent on-campus positivity rate difficult to maintain, the administration has now shifted focus to realistic goals of containment and supporting students...

BY CHRISTINA CHEN '23

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Demystifying the Disciplinary Committee

“What could you have done differently?” It’s a weighty question. As it lingers in the air, the student pauses. Some members on the Disciplinary Committee describe it as one of the most important moments at the end of every Q&A—and it is always asked, for good reason. The disciplinary system at Groton is oftentimes not...

BY JOON YEONG WANG '23

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Demystifying the Disciplinary Committee

“What could you have done differently?”   It’s a weighty question. As it lingers in the air, the student pauses. Some members on the Disciplinary Committee describe it as one of the most important moments at the end of every Q&A—and it is always asked, for good reason.   The disciplinary system at Groton is...

BY ALLISON JIANG, JOON WHANG '23

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MLK Day Preview: Former Death Row Inmate to Address the Circle

On Jan. 17, the Groton community will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day with special events. MLK Day activities are planned by members of the Cultural Alliance and its faculty sponsor, Associate Director of Admission Carolyn Chica. The Cultural Alliance is hosting American activist and author Anthony Ray Hinton, who has become well-known in...

BY EVAN CHEIGH '22

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The Long-Awaited Return of Parents’ Weekend

After a year-long hiatus from accepting visitors to campus openly, Groton is finally ready to welcome families back to campus for this year’s Parents Weekend. Though some changes have been necessary to adapt to a dynamic Covid-19 situation (coupled with the likelihood of rain throughout the weekend), it has been a relief to all to...

BY ALISA GULYANSKY ‘24

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Groton Clubs on the Rise

With Groton School’s student body and faculty becoming increasingly diverse, it should come as no surprise that the school’s array of extracurricular activities has shown similar growth and expansion. This fall, new clubs focusing on poetry, body positivity, cooking, and medicine have mushroomed on Groton’s campus.  One exciting new club on campus is the Poetry...

BY AIMEE ZHENG '23

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Sixth Form Student Qualifies for International Championship

Standing tall and hands gesturing, Steven Pang ’22 can often be seen in the forum coaching the Groton debate team. He has won numerous awards at high school tournaments and is the co-president of the Groton Debating Society. Earlier this fall, Steven achieved a particularly significant feat: he qualified for the World Individual Debating and...

BY ERIC GE '24

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Exploring Underrepresented Identities in Summer Reading

In assigning readings for this past summer, Ms. Sen-Das said she sought to choose “compelling narratives that span the breadth of the human experience.”  Second Formers were assigned The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros.  Third Formers The Song of Achilles by Madison Miller, Fourth Formers Kindred by Octavia Butler, Fifth Formers Homeland Elegies...

BY GRIFFIN GURA '24

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Groton Traditions in the Past and Pandemic Present

Matching neon clothing, tug-of-war in a pool of mud, and board games at the headmaster’s house — traditions like ’80s Dance, Spring Fling, and Parlor were vital parts of student life before the Covid-19 pandemic.  However, Groton had to temporarily put these exciting events on hold to prioritize safety on the Circle. The pandemic taught...

BY SOPHIA-NICOLE BAY '23

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Groton’s Covid-19 Plan in the Past and Present

Credit to Amy Ma ’23 As the new school year begins, a look back on the hard work of Groton’s faculty and staff shows the accomplishments of the past year of in-person learning.  In order to see students back on campus during extraordinary circumstances, three entities worked behind the scenes: the School Opening Health Advisory...

BY CHRISTINA CHEN '23

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A Nearly-Normal Summer For GRACE 2021

Credit to Marlene Ma ’24 Despite masks fogging up chemistry goggles, GRACE 2021 resembled a normal summer, preparing rising sophomores for their entry into Upper School this fall.  Accelerating learning as well as challenging and enriching scholars on campus this summer, GRACE reached a new level of success in 2021. This summer saw a record...

BY AGATHE ROBERT '24

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Prize Day 2021

When asked about her thoughts on her upcoming graduation, Beatrice Agbi ’21, the student speaker elected by her form for this year’s Prize Day, responded: “There’s something magical about wearing white.” This seems to be a shared feeling among not only those who await their graduation this year but also among those who have graduated...

BY ALLISON JIANG, JARED GURA

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New Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

In recent years, Groton’s trustees, faculty, and students alike have been united in their passion for diversity and inclusion. Responding to this collective drive, Groton outlined in an all-community email important facts and initiatives from various members of its community that support the school’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. The following is an overview of...

BY ALLISON JIANG, EVAN CHEIGH

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A Fond Farewell to Departing Faculty

A Fond Farewell: Faculty Departing the Groton Community   As the bittersweet end of our school year nears, we prepare to say goodbye to ten faculty members who have served as positive role models and inspired the Groton community. Three will be heading off on sabbatical, while seven will be pursuing different endeavors.   Shop...

BY DIGITAL EDITOR, ZOLA SAYERS-FAY '22

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Record Breaking Admission Seasons

This year’s admission season has proven Groton’s adaptability once again. The admissions office had to host the campus tours, interviews, admissions fairs, and revisit days on online platforms. These efforts brought the number of applicants to an unprecedented level, with an acceptance rate of 9%.  To enable applicants to virtually “visit” campus before their interviews,...

BY DIGITAL EDITOR, AGATHE ROBERT '24

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Plans for 2021 Prize Day

Groton’s Prize Day has always been a monumental event for seniors and their families, marking the end of a four-year journey filled with memories, challenges, and friends. While this important ceremony will still take place this year on Sunday, June 6th, Covid-19 precautions will make certain aspects of Prize Day more difficult, such as close...

BY DIGITAL EDITOR, DAVID WANG '23

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Weekend Events this Spring

Every spring, after a winter of being stuck inside, students return to campus looking forward to nice weather and longer days. With the new term comes beloved annual events that take advantage of the enjoyable weather, such as Spring Fling and Formal. Spring Fling provides a fun way for dorms to come together and compete...

BY DIGITAL EDITOR, VIVAN DAS ’23

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Update on the New Schoolroom Busts

Walk inside the schoolroom and you’ll find a range of dignified historic men, perched on mahogany staring back at you. From Caesar to Washington, these 17 busts stood as esteemed role-models for the white, male student demographic of Groton’s past. Yet, almost 100 years have passed since these busts were originally installed, and Groton has...

BY DIGITAL EDITOR, DAVID WANG '23 AND AMY MA '23

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Fighting for Sustainability at Groton

The Sustainability Committee, founded in 2018, targets environmental issues which have become increasingly prominent and urgent on our campus. Unfortunately, aesthetics, limited control, and recent Covid-19 safety concerns often precede being environmentally conscious. “The problem hounding sustainability at Groton, in general, is a conflict of prioritization,” noted Sustainability Committee Head Samarth Agrawal ’23. Nevertheless, the...

BY DIGITAL EDITOR, AMY MA '23

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Virtual MLK Day

On January 18th, students will experience an unusual MLK Day. Typically, the event begins with student performances, followed by an outside speaker, and concludes with various student-run discussion groups on topics ranging from self-exploration to identity. But this year, due to Covid-19 restrictions, MLK Day will be fully virtual. Although there will be no performances...

BY DIGITAL EDITOR, JIACHENG KANG '22