the bird on fire

The Bird is the Word: Sophisticated Schoolyard Shenanigans

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Senior Spotlight: Isabella Goetschel

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By Lilah Nick 

In just about a month we will all have to say goodbye to our beloved seniors. While they are still here gracing our company, let’s talk about them. Here’s graduating Senior Isabella Goetschel. 

I have known Izzy since I was a freshman. We’ve acted together. We share ASB responsibilities. So, I talked with Izzy and asked her some questions about high school. 

How was your high-school experience?

I think I have had a pretty good high school experience. I have been so lucky with some of my teachers and the friends I’ve made have been…interesting. Interesting but hilarious. I’m truly grateful to have been able to enjoy it as much as I have.

Do you have any favorite memories?

There are so many funny memories. A lot of them are probably from lunch in the student lounge. I do have a really good one from golf, but I can’t expose Jane like that–lol.

What’s your favorite thing about high school?

My favorite thing about high school has got to be the people. My friends and teachers have just been the best!

What’s your favorite subject?

My favorite subject in my whole high-school experience was probably AP Government or Algebra II.  I’ve just always loved politics and math. AP Gov really allowed me to learn more about the government and things going on in real time, which I loved. As for Algebra, I just find math to be fun when you understand it, and I just have fond memories of that particular math class.

Are you involved in any club?

In school, I’m the Captain of the Owls, Founder/ President of Amnesty International Club, President of United Way, President of Film Club, and Vice President of Junior Statesmen of America (JSA).

Are you excited to graduate from PVS?

Let’s just say I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited in my life.

What university are you going to?

As of right now, I’m going to UC Santa Barbara, but it all depends on whether I get accepted from the waitlist at UC Berkeley.

What are you planning on majoring in?

I plan on majoring in Political Science with perhaps a double major or minor in French.

What are your plans for the future? Dream Job?

I would love to become a civil rights attorney. If not that then something with human rights and perhaps public administration.

What are you most excited about in the future?

I’m definitely most excited about the independence and freedom that comes with college.

What are your favorite hobbies?

My favorite hobbies are definitely dancing and acting.

What are some things you do outside of school?

Outside of school, I’m usually at work. I work at the movie theater. I work at the Cinemark at the River. Honestly, it’s been one of the best experiences I’ve had in all of high school. I love working there! I also do dance! I mainly do contemporary and lyrical dance. I love hip hop as well, but I find it much harder to find a good teacher for hip hop. I tried to find a lot of places to dance here in the desert, but they were either too far or just not the right fit for me. I danced at Starlight Dance out here for a while, but then Covid hit. I plan on just picking up dance again in college rather than finding a place now.

What’s your favorite thing to do in your free time?

My favorite thing to do in my free time is read. I loveeee reading!! I also love to watch youtube. I can’t say I have a favorite book because there are just too many good ones, but one of my top books is for sure the Shadow and Bone/ Six of Crows series. If you read them, READ THEM IN ORDER!!! Do not start with Six of Crows!! 

What’s a fun fact about you?

 A fun fact about me is that I used to go to a French school.

What is your favorite kind of music?

My favorite kind of music would have to be rap. I’m really the type to listen to everything from classical to rap, but there’s just something about rap music. I have wayyy too many favorite songs. I love music so much, I could never pick one, and they constantly change. Right now some of my favorite songs are probably “Lucky You” by Joyner Lucas and Eminem, “Parents” by YUNGBLUD, and “Achilles Come Down” by Gang of Youths. Veryyy different songs but all so good! I usually use the last one to study or do homework.

So, let’s all congratulate Izzy on her future endeavors. Izzy, keep us in the loop; drop us a line; let us know how you’re doing as a Gaucho or a Bear.

Student Led Conferences: Good Educational Practice or … What’s the point?

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By Lilah Nick

Quarter 3 ended on March 11th, and the school year is quickly coming to a close. Thus, Student Led Conferences (SLCs) arrived on April 4th. SLCs are conferences with students, advisors, and parents. The purpose of them is for students to talk about all of their classes with their parents and advisors and then come up with ways for them to improve. But are they really necessary?

Most teachers and parents will argue that SLCs are good because you work together as a team, there is communication and transparency, and it allows the student to be in charge of the conversation. For certain families, there isn’t much communication about grades, so SLCs might be a good idea for them. 

Personally, I don’t really like the SLCs. I have never liked them. You get a script, fill in the blanks, and talk to your parents and advisor about it. I’ve always found that most people fake their way through the scripts and put minimal effort into them. For example, there’s the value question. The script asks, “Which of the PVS values am I exhibiting regularly? How?” In my personal experience and that of my friends, we all fake this question the most. I’ll usually just select the value “Inquiry and Exploration.” I say I exhibit the value regularly in that I “ask questions” and I’m “interested” in my classes. It’s one of the easiest answers that we can just slap on the page.  

My parents are always looking at My Backpack and checking my grades. If I have a low grade, they’ll ask for me to get it up. I don’t find SLCs necessary for me, but for other students whose parents don’t check their grades, it might be.

Let’s ask around: How do you feel about SLCs?

“It’s half an hour of my life wasted.”

Sienna Price, 8th Grade

“I hate SLCs. There is no point to me when I can just talk to my parents on my own.”

Alyna Llapitan, Sophomore

“My mom doesn’t check my grades. So, if that report card comes back with anything other than what I promised, it’s game over.”

Jessica Denyer, Senior

”I always think it’s good when parents, teachers, and students work together as a team.”

Ms. Zachik, Teacher

For better or for worse, Quarter 4 has no SLC. In fact, we have only 27 school days remaining in the 2021-22 year. But, get ready; SLCs return in only six months . . . .

Let’s Talk About Sophie!

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Though it was very sad to say goodbye to our dear friend and fellow student Sophie Zhong last Thursday (she’s flying back to her family in Chong Qing), it is never too late to learn something new about someone cherished. Read on to learn about Sophie! For our ongoing Senior Profiles, Alyna Rei interviewed Sophie about her high school life and her future plans. Here’s Sophie in her own words!  

– How would you describe yourself?

I am a girl who loves life and cares about others. 

– Are you excited to graduate from PVS? Nervous? Scared?

I feel both excited and sad to graduate.

– What is your dream school?

My dream school is Princeton University, but I actually didn’t apply there. I plan to go there for a master’s degree.

– What are your plans for the future?

I want to start my own business and be a part-time freediving coach. 

– How was your high school experience?

I definitely had a wonderful experience in PVS. Although Covid-19 affects us a lot, I feel the kindness from my teachers and friends. The memories I made here are absolutely precious. 

Sophie Zhong, Class of ’22

– Do you have any favorite memories in high school?

Yes, I joined the golf team for my junior and senior year. I love it so much! I really enjoy practicing and having matches with teams from other schools. Also, I joined cross country for the first time in my life in my senior year. Mr. Winter and my teammates went to so many places to compete. I got one medal in my first three-mile race. 

– What are you most excited about in the future?

I am most excited to arrange my life in college and . . . achieve my dream. 

– Do you have a favorite subject?

Yes, it is PE.

– What are you planning on majoring in?

I am planning on majoring in business administration.

– What are your favorite hobbies?

I have lots of hobbies. I don’t know which one is my favorite, but I really enjoy horseback riding, golfing, and playing the piano.

– What are some great tips to get through a school day?

My tips are to always be positive and never give up. 

Have fun in the future Sophie! Wish you the best!

Isabella with the Words

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Congratulations to Palm Valley School’s US Poetry Recitation winner: Senior Isabella Goetschel. Isabella recited “Epitaph” by 17th-century poet Katherine Philips. In a striking twist of fate, Isabella was also selected Audience Favorite. Second Place went to Sophomore Indy Behr with a recitation of “be careful” by poet Ed Roberson. The Third Place recitation went to Freshman Lily Jones with “Poor Angels” by poet Edward Hirsch.

On the Friday before Thanksgiving break, the Upper School gathered for Poetry Recitation Finals in the Gym. Eleven finalists competed before judges Ms. Bernstein, Ms. Maguire, and Mr. Richardt. The judging criteria was that of Poetry Out Loud.

Isabella will advance to Riverside County Poetry Out Loud. She is our Palm Valley School representative. She will recite two poems before a panel of judges. If she wins, she advances to State Poetry Out Loud competition. Indiana serves as our alternate.

“A poem begins as a lump in the throat . . .”

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. . . so wrote poet Robert Frost. Despite lumps in throats, on Tuesday, Middle School Poetry Recitation finalists–

  • Ciera Carr
  • Roman Soobben
  • Sherwin Hemmati
  • Sierra James
  • Mia Meyer
  • Jackie Padgett
  • Tal Maruvada
  • Yola Belickis
  • Zander Eaton
  • Walker Craven
  • Louisa Richardson
  • McKenzi Johnson–

gracefully, and sometimes passionately, shared words of solace, concern, love, hurt, and presence. Judges Andrea Coffey, Chris Griffin, and J.K. Hilbert selected the three most outstanding recitations–those of Ciera Carr, Zander Eaton, and McKenzi Johnson. Following Poetry Out Loud guidelines, the three were acknowledged for the poise and appropriateness of their physical presence, articulation and enunciation, and understanding. Ciera Carr was selected Audience Favorite.

Middle School Poetry Recitation Champions: McKenzi Johnson, Zander Eaton, and Ciera Carr. Photo Credit: Chris Griffin
For her recitation of the poem “Lost,” Ciera Carr was voted Audience Favorite. Photo Credit: Chris Griffin

Congratulations, Andrew!

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 Our Palm Valley nominee Andrew Hall was selected as a South Region finalist for the CSF 2021 Seymour Memorial Award!

Ten nominees from the South Region were selected as finalists. As a finalist, Andrew participated in the South Region Seymour Memorial Award Zoom Interview. Here, he’s pictured with his medal. In addition, he was awarded $2,000.

The winners will be announced at the CSF Virtual Awards Presentation on April 17. Each region’s recipient will receive an additional award of $3,000. Good luck, Andrew!

By Sara Habibipour

2020 Seniors Paint Parking Spaces

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Celebrating School Events

Last Saturday the 10th, after Senior Sunrise, the 2020 PVS Seniors donned coveralls, grabbed their paint buckets and brushes, and set to painting their senior parking spaces. Drive by the southernmost lot to see their artwork, and DON’T park in their spaces.

Seniors Andrew Hall, Hannah Hall, and Caroline Scheil are well protected from paint blow-back in their matching coveralls. Photo Credit: Ms. Jen Clark
Senior Chelsea Xu–artist and anime fan–sketches anime character Pain in her spot. Photo Credit: Ms. Jen Clark
Seniors Evan Spry and Jake Sonderman with Junior Jessica Denyer cool down after the painting. The day’s temperatures reached into the 100s. Photo Credit: Ms. Jen Clark

Senior Sunrise

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Celebrating School Events

We celebrated the start of our seniors’ last year at PVS last Saturday EARLY morning with a Senior Sunrise. ASB Advisor Ms. Clark had seniors write down their year’s intentions. Then, as the sun broke over the mountains, she captured seniors jumping in joyful silhouette.

Photo Credit: Ms. Jen Clark
Photo Credit: Ms. Jen Clark

FIREBIRD Letter to Palm Valley Community by Charles Schnell

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“Naked and alone we came into exile. In her dark womb we did not know our mother’s face; from the prison of her flesh have we come into the unspeakable and incommunicable prison of this earth. . . . O waste of lost, in the hot mazes, lost, among bright stars on this weary, unbright cinder, lost! Remembering speechlessly we seek the great forgotten language, the lost lane-end into heaven, a stone, a leaf, an unfound door. Where? When?

O lost, and by the wind grieved, ghost, come back again.” 

— Thomas Wolfe, Look Homeward, Angel

Dear Palm Valley Community, 

If someone asked you, “Who are you,” how would you respond? “I’m a. . .” Student? Parent? Teacher? Social worker? Musician? Politician? Doctor? Athlete? Farmer? Architect? Clown?

Then, if someone asked you, “What are you?” how would your response change? Would it change at all? What’s the difference between “who” and “what” you are? Which one makes you happy? Which limits you? Which obstructs you from being the happiest you can possibly be? 

These questions are all asked and answered in Firebird, the new musical dramedy premiering at Palm Valley School this March. This play marks the return of the highly-regarded playwriting team of Mr. Chris Griffin and Mr. Ken Sarkis at Palm Valley School. (If you are a fan of shows such as Home Sweet Homer and Shakespeare at Starlucks, this newest musical of theirs is right up your alley!)

The play takes place over the span of the life of one person, named Arruda, as he travels throughout the world, bound to the task of defining “who” he is. There are no antagonists, other than life itself and that obnoxious, deceiving question, “Who are you?” During his voyage, Arruda encounters and learns from a wide array of odd folk who have already defined “who” they are and are quite comfortable with their answers, including a family who sweeps, the U.S. Common Core education system, successful businessmen whose specific company’s name we had to take out of the script (for copyright reasons), Buddhists and yogos, spirits of the Amazon river, and—everyone’s favorite type of people—self-absorbed actors.  

This person’s journey to self-discovery will be accompanied by only the greatest composers of the 19th and 20th century, such as Maurice Ravel and Igor Stravinsky, with modern, original lyrics to tell our story. 

Almost all of the 23 drama students in the Upper School Theatre Department will be playing multiple roles, and you better believe every single one will be acting, singing, and dancing their way through this existential, musical romp of self-discovery. And, to top it all off, you certainly don’t want to miss the show that will be Mr. Sarkis’s “Last Hurrah!” as a theatre director and teacher. You can expect that he is giving it his all! (As usual.) 

If you would like to join us on this young person’s journey, Firebird will be running for six shows in the MPR: March 20, 21, 27, 28, 29 at 7:30 p.m. and on March 22 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets will start at $15 for general admission and will cost $20 for premium seats. (To purchase tickets, you can do so at the link below* or at the door.) The department is hard at work rehearsing and producing Firebird, and we hope to see you there as what you truly are. 

On behalf of the cast and crew of Firebird, 

Charles Schnell

Editor: Luke Langlois

*To buy tickets for Firebird, click here: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/the-palm-valley-school-9832789066