By Isabella Fiutak, Banner Staff Every February, Americans across the nation celebrate Black History Month. According to the National Archives, Black History Month originated in the 1920s with Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s efforts to promote awareness of the history and achievements of Black people in the United States. At the time, Woodson proposed a week …
From Rugby Athlete to Icon: Ilona Maher
By Serena Toscani, Banner Staff Ilona Maher has become one of the most recognizable faces in women’s sports, rising to fame as a dominant force in rugby—but her impact extends far beyond the pitch. Born and raised in Burlington, Vermont, Maher was a multi-sport athlete from a young age, participating in field hockey, basketball, and …
Setting the Scene with Mina Feldman ’25
By Anya Weerapana, Banner Staff Rehearsing scenes from Hamlet at the age of six isn’t for everyone, but for Mina Feldman ’25, these living-room recitals were an early introduction to the theater world. “That was all my dad’s doing,” Feldman laughed as she recounted the memory. “Other than that, my parents were not big theater …
Winsor Upper School’s Music Taste, Wrapped
By Caitlin Wang & Christina Gabrieli, Banner Staff Each December, music listeners open their Spotify app in anticipation to see the words “Spotify Wrapped Is Here!” displayed across their screen. An entertaining annual tradition, Spotify Wrapped shows users data about the music they listened to that year and allows listeners to reflect on how their …
Rogues’ Gallery: Exploring Art and Imperfection
By Jaya Goud, Banner Staff As members of the Winsor community entered the Goel Theater on Friday, February 7 for the Lower School Winter Play, Rogues’ Gallery, they were greeted by the sight of many cardboard boxes laid on the stage—an unconventional set that promised a thrilling performance to follow. When the lights dimmed, it …
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From Prep to Performance: Winsor Dance Team
By Jackie Belliveau, Banner Staff Since its inception almost a decade ago, the Winsor Dance Team has never failed to impress the rest of the Winsor community with their performance skills. At Under the Lights and assemblies, the team consistently inspires with their amazing moves. But what goes into preparing the performances for the Winsor …
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A Glimpse into Winsor’s Alumnae Art Gallery
By Julia Bae, Banner Staff Winsor’s newest art exhibition—all done by Winsor alumnae—is now complete! Established at the end of January, the “Young Alumnae Art Exhibition” features works by Katya Agarwal ’23, Audrey Cheng ’23, and Petra Sarkisian ’23. These works are wonderful to admire and serve as a testament to the talent of these …
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Holding Space for Wicked: Review and Recap
By Katina Handrinos, Banner Staff The 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum has inspired a long line of spin-off media, including the stage musical Wicked, which first opened on Broadway in 2003 and has been running ever since. Wicked has garnered high acclaim, winning three Tony Awards and amassing a …
Not a Chord Out of Tune, Even A Minor
By Katina Handrinos, Banner Staff On Sunday, February 9, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles faced off in Super Bowl LIX, with the Eagles securing a decisive victory, 40-22. However, for some who may be disillusioned with football, the more notable event of that day was the Super Bowl’s Halftime Show, headlined by …
Winsor Robotics Takes on State Qualifiers
By Julia Bae, Banner Staff On a cold morning in February, members of Winsor’s Robotics Club loaded up their van and began the journey to Westwood, MA for a full day of coding, engineering, and competing. They were headed to the Massachusetts State Qualifier—their biggest competition of the year. Both of Winsor’s robotics teams participate …
Controversy over the H1B Visa Arises
By Iris Shen & Sophie Kim, Banner Staff The H1B visa has quickly become a point of controversy within the Trump supporter, or Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, an H1B visa is a temporary visa classification that allows employers to sponsor highly skilled foreign professionals for employment …
PWAP: Remembering Maggie Ryan’s Legacy
By Grette Buttner, Banner Staff In 2016, beloved Winsor alumna Maggie Ryan ’12 was tragically killed in a car crash on her way home from her college graduation at Washington University. Her tragic passing left a wake of sorrow in the Winsor community as well as a keen desire to remember and continue the work …
Leftovers to Landfills: Winsor Against Food Waste
By Isabella Nguyen & Lilac Nguyen, Contributing Writers According to the World Health Organization, 133 billion pounds of food are wasted in the United States every year while 828 million people are currently starving worldwide. Food waste, an issue that stems from and erodes communities around the world, is not only an economic and social …
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Winsor Security Staff Spotlight: Ms. Shaw and Noah Turner
By Bonnie Shao & Hailey Duan, Banner Staff & Contributing Writer Behind security desks, around the perimeter of the field, and through the buzzer speakers at the front door and back gate, Winsor’s security staff works tirelessly every day to maintain the safety of students, faculty, staff, and the building itself. The Banner had the …
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The First Month of a New Trump Term
By Louisa Furman, Banner Staff One month into his second term, President Donald Trump has enacted significant changes through executive orders and proposed plans, affecting immigration policy, social justice issues, government spending, foreign policy, and the economy. Director of Community and Inclusion, Mr. Braxton, said that “there are [different] policies that each individual student really …
LA Fires: Thousands of Homes Lost
By Elyse Hychong, Banner Staff In early January, multiple fires of varying sizes broke out in Los Angeles. The largest of these fires were the Palisades and Eaton fires: the Palisades Fire burned 23,707 acres in the Pacific Palisades, destroying 6,800 structures, while the Eaton Fire burned 14,021 acres in Altadena and Pasadena, resulting in …
Banning Books is Banning Brilliance
By Nina Gersen, Banner Staff As a child, my favorite activity was reading. Before I had a cell phone or homework to do after school, I would go home and read a book. I remember sitting on the floor of my fourth grade classroom while my teacher read Charlotte’s Web aloud to our class, listening …
Music Mixes with History at MLK Day Assembly
By Louisa Furman & Leela Uppaluri, Banner Staff Winsor’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day assembly on January 21, just one day after MLK Day, marked an important opportunity for students to learn more about the Civil Rights Movement beyond the classroom. Winsor hosted an assembly called At the Table with Dr. King by the Mizel …
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The Winsor Science Internship Program
By Elina Suri, Banner Staff The 2025 Winsor Science Internship Program, known among students as the “Winternship,” was launched earlier this year with the annual presentations by previous interns. Winsor’s Science Internship Program was established in 2000 by former Science Faculty and Department Chair Ann O’Meara P’93 with the goal of expanding opportunities for students …
Athlete of the Issue: Kate Drachman ’25
By Abby Whelan, Banner Staff From winning 15 consecutive EIL Championships to their iconic Instagram account, Winsor Squash’s reputation speaks for itself. A core member of this team is Kate Drachman ’25, who has been playing squash at Winsor since Class II and has served as captain for the past two seasons. The Banner was …
Men’s College Hockey Beanpot Recap
By Cate Ewald, Contributing Writer The Beanpot is an annual hockey tournament that dates back to 1952, and the men’s competition in particular is one of the most iconic and popular college hockey tournaments in Boston. Because the arena is filled with both students and regular fans, the event is a great representation of the …
AsIAm Lunar New Year Recap
By Molly Ma, Esther Zhang, Emma Zhang, contributing writers Glowing lanterns sway like fireflies in the night, their crimson lights flickering against the smoky air. The sharp crackle of firecrackers erupts, scattering sparks across the crowded streets, where the scent of roasted chestnuts and home-cooked meals lingers in the cold winter breeze. For many Asian …
Take a Stand Project: Boston Women’s Sports
By Nora Furlong & Lizzy Fitzpatrick, Contributing Writers The Take A Stand Project is a part of the senior elective Politics of Identity: Race, and Gender in the United States. This project invites seniors to answer the question: To what extent do we have a responsibility to act on behalf of values we believe in? …
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New Patriots Era: Mike Vrabel Head Coach
By Cate Ewald, Contributing Writer The Patriots have hired their second head coach since Bill Belichick: Mike Vrabel. Hours after the conclusion of the Patriots’ last game of the season, then-Head Coach Jerod Mayo was fired. Game attendance had been down all season, and fans had even been chanting “fire Mayo” during the last couple …
Winsor Varsity Basketball Team Spotlight
By Charlotte Wheler, Contributing Writer This season, Winsor Varsity Basketball (WVBB) has quickly progressed to become a competitive opponent. Recently, WVBB lost by only a single point to Middlesex Academy, a team that defeated them by over 20 points at the start of the season. Co-captain Nell Sparks ’25 credits WVBB’s rapid improvement to the …
Accessibility At Winsor: Room for Improvement
By Leela Uppaluri, Banner Staff While most students don’t think twice about navigating Winsor, the reality is that the school can be difficult to traverse for those with physical impairments. As Science Teacher Mr. Player, who uses a cane due to his disability, says, “It’s a building that feels like it was designed by M.C. …
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What (not) to Change: The Winsor Club Schedule
By Julia Bae, Banner Staff Since entering the Upper School, I have quickly realized how integral clubs are to Winsor: they allow students to explore their interests outside of the classroom while engaging with students in other grades. I have also recognized and repeatedly heard some of the difficulties posed by the current club schedule. …
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Emilia Pérez vs. the Golden Globes Awards
By Bella Holt, Banner Staff On January 5, comedian Nikki Glaser stood in front of Hollywood’s biggest names and hosted the 82nd Annual Golden Globes. “Tonight,” she said, “we celebrate the best of film and hold space for television.” Compared to the ultimate flop of last year’s Golden Globes, this year’s ceremony featured an overqualified …
Why We Should Fight Against the TikTok Ban
By Eileen Lee, Contributing Writer “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now.” This message flashed on my screen as I opened the app. It was January 19, and Congress had banned TikTok, a wildly popular video-sharing app. According to CBS, 170 million people use TikTok in the U.S. For Generation Z and millennials, TikTok is a …
Meta’s Right Move: Dropping Fact-Checkers
By Emma Yang, Contributing Writer Meta, founded by Mark Zuckerberg, is the parent company of many prominent social media apps, including Instagram and Facebook. However, its widespread influence increases the risk of spreading misinformation. The company originally employed fact-checkers to combat inaccuracies and regulate content but has recently replaced them with Community Notes, a system …
Winsor Students’ Perspectives on the TikTok Ban
By Anya Weerapana, Banner Staff Just minutes after 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 19, the popular short-form video-sharing app TikTok began shutting down for users in the United States after government officials deemed the platform a threat to national security. Because TikTok is a beloved form of social media amongst Winsor students, its …
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The Ultimate Guide to Overcoming Winter Blues
By Eunha Basu, Contributing Writer As the winter season drags on, the shorter daylight hours and colder weather can often leave us feeling unmotivated and burned out. A common struggle during this time of year, winter blues can affect our mood and energy levels. However, there are several effective ways to stay …
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From Say Anything to The Proposal: Rom-Com Recs
By Anita Rodriguez, Contributing Writer Studies show that about 70% of people enjoy watching romantic comedies, or rom-coms, on or around Valentine’s Day. Personally, I watch rom-coms indiscriminately throughout the year and am a self-proclaimed expert on the genre. I believe that nothing can truly top sitting down with a group …
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NASA’s Artemis II: Launching into the Future
By Aya Goldwasser, Contributing Writer In the field of astronomy, the search for more information about the universe continues. One of these research endeavors is NASA’s new Artemis II. According to NASA’s official website, Artemis II will launch in April 2026 at the earliest and send four astronauts around the moon in a newly built …
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Mass Update: State Local Election Results
By Nika Bigelow & Ella Paterniti Banner Staff & Contributing Writer While America experienced a red wave on Election Day, Massachusetts remained securely under Democratic control. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D) was reelected to the United States Senate for a third term, and Democratic representatives were reelected to all nine of Massachusetts’s seats in the House …
The Lasting Legacy of Winsor’s Solar Panels
By Isabella Nguyen & Lilac Nguyen, Contributing Writers What happens atop the LOC, beyond the view of students below? What powers our school, providing us with heat, electricity, and light? As climate change increasingly threatens Boston and its surrounding community, Winsor’s solar panels provide the campus with a significant source of clean energy and demonstrate …
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Winsor Execs Visit Belmont Hill for Switch Day
By Katina Handrinos, Julia Bae, & Anya Weerapana, Banner executive Staff A highlight of being a part of The Banner’s executive staff is the opportunity to engage in a Switch Day with the Belmont Hill Panel editors. By shadowing the day-to-day lives of Belmont Hill students, we were able to better understand what it is …
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Flipping the Podium: Jordan Chiles’ Bronze Medal Controversy
By Lara do Rosario, Banner Staff You don’t have to be a gymnast or even understand how gymnastics is scored to enjoy watching the sport in the Olympic Games. Every four years, gymnastics is a must-watch at the Games because of how exciting it is to see true feats of nature combined with elegant artistry. …
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Standardized Testing: College Admissions Standard?
By Bonnie Shao and Jaya Goud, Banner Staff There are a multitude of components that go into preparing a strong college application, including extracurriculars, essays, grades, and scores on standardized tests like the SAT and ACT. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, during which many SAT and ACT testing sites were forced to close down, many …
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An Award-Winning Comedy with No Jokes: the 76th Emmys
By Bella Holt “And the Emmy goes to… Shōgun!” was a phrase uttered a total of 18 times at the 76th Emmy Awards, making the “Outstanding Drama Series” a record-breaker in Japanese language shows. Beloved comedy The Bear didn’t trail far behind, amassing 23 nominations and 11 wins at the awards ceremony. Interestingly, Hulu’s Only …
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History of Founder’s Day
By Talia Ziblatt and Leila Andermann, Contributing Writers Every year on October 31st, Winsor celebrates Founders Day with cider and donuts in honor of founder, Mary Pickett Winsor. Ms. Winsor was born October 31, 1860 in Salem, Massachusetts and founded Winsor in 1886 in Beacon Hill. Winsor was relocated in 1908 to Longwood where she …
Warm Welcomes to New Faculty
By Sheyree Williams, Contributing Writer As we begin the new school year, Winsor welcomes many new faculty and staff members to the community. This year, seven new faculty and staff have joined Winsor, spread across departments from physical education to visual arts to accounting. One of these new staff members is Ms. Sjoblom, Winsor’s bookstore …
UTL Recap
By Sophie Kim, Banner Staff & Ella Paterniti, Contributing Writer Under The Lights (UTL) is the culmination of spirit week and a beloved Winsor tradition where every fall sports team (except for crew and cross country) plays a home game on the same afternoon. UTL also takes place on the last day of spirit week, …
The Winsor Mini Crossword
By Emily Lutzker, Banner Staff Across: 1. Very long fish (which, by the way, goes through the stage described in 2-Down) 4. What the seniors did when they performed their cheer 6. Gradient featuring shades of the same color 9. They turn yellow, orange, red, and brown 10. Noah ___’s album Stick Season is perfect …
Make Connections with Winsor’s Word Nerds
By Word Nerds Club, Contributing Writers Do you have what it takes to group seemingly random words into perfectly matched sets of four? Play this New York Times inspired Connections game to find out! Scan the QR code to submit your answers for a chance to win a special prize from Word Nerds! ☐
A First Look Into Winsor’s Political Climate
By Anya Weerapana, Banner Staff Open Winsor’s website, and you’ll instantly see a celebration of a “diverse community” where “authentic engagement” is not only encouraged, but found everywhere. This was the marketing that appealed to me as a prospective Class V student: Winsor was the place, I thought, where I could find lots of people …
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Diving Behind the Mural in the MPR Hallway
By Aya Goldwasser, Banner Staff If you have walked through the hallway under the dining room this year, you have undoubtedly seen the six fantastical portals painted on the walls. This mural was designed and painted by two Winsor alums, Sofia Grabiel Butler ’24 and Eva LaFond ’24. The art depicts mystical scenes of dragons, …
LS Athlete of the Issue: Avery Fantasia ’29
By Serena Toscani, Banner Staff Class IV student Avery Fantasia ’29 is taking on Winsor Cross Country (WXC) for the first time this year, joining practices at the scenic Arnold Arboretum and tackling races with hundreds of feet of elevation gain. The Banner was excited to interview Fantasia and hear about her routines, highlights, and …
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The 2024 Presidential Elections: What’s at Stake?
By Leela Uppaluri, Banner Staff According to PBS, “three in four American adults believe the upcoming presidential election is vital to the future of U.S. democracy.” What exactly makes this election so impactful? Class VI U.S. History Teacher Mr. Mirelman stressed, “the stakes are high.” Although elections may seem distant to middle and high school …
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Your New Favorite Food Review App: Beli
Ms. Macaulay and Ms. Calamari-Kirwan, two long-time members of the visual art faculty, spent some time away from the classroom last school year while on sabbatical. While they were greatly missed at Winsor, both teachers created a lot of art in their time away from the school, some of which was on view in the …
Ms. Macaulay and Ms. Calamari-Kirwan’s Art
Ms. Macaulay and Ms. Calamari-Kirwan, two long-time members of the visual art faculty, spent some time away from the classroom last school year while on sabbatical. While they were greatly missed at Winsor, both teachers created a lot of art in their time away from the school, some of which was on view in the …
New Club Spotlight
New club alert! Check out the Winsor Detectives Club on Day 6 in Room 206, where you can solve riddles and play fun investigative games such as Clue, Codenames, and more! Club heads Emma Roffman ’27 and Aoife Keane ’27 have enjoyed mysteries and riddles since they were young. During the Winsor Mexico trip to …
Authentic Italian Sandwiches: All’Antico Vinaio
All'Antico Vinaio, a Florentine sandwich shop with 15 locations in Italy, recently opened its first Boston location right across from the Boston Public Library. Videos of the restaurant’s locations across the globe and their signature sandwiches have blown up on social media and have been praised for their authenticity and unique flavor. Curious to see …
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Performative Males and the Crisis of Authenticity
As I walked around Newbury Street earlier this summer, someone in front of me caught my attention: an oversized plaid shirt, a white tank tap, baggy jeans, a Labubu clipped to a bag, wired earbuds, a book in one hand, and a matcha held in the other… yes, that’s right–I had seen my first performative …
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