Why we tell the story.

Something that I feel weirdly passionate about is the fact that children deserve quality stories. I understand this seems like a weirdly specific hill to die on, but hear me out. For six summers I performed at the New London Barn Playhouse in the Junior Intern Company. The Junior Intern Company performed the Children’s Series at the barn. Because of this, I have a lot of experience with children’s theatre.

Sometimes the shows are just bad. The plot is poorly constructed, the lines are uncomfortable to say, and the story is not funny or engaging. People think if they stick some well-known fairytale characters into a script and have some sort of twist on that story (always inevitably involving a detective and/or police officer) that kids are going to love it. No! Kids can see right through your half-baked, lackluster, rough-draft script. And they are not buying it.

During my last summer at Junior Intern,s I was fortunate enough to be cast as the lead in one of the middle shows which was Puss in Boots. What was different about this show versus some of the other children’s shows that had been done is that this story had depth. The plot was clear, the characters were interesting, and most importantly there were no awkward lines or embarrassing things that anyone was forced to do on stage (I did have to kiss a boy on the cheek and let me tell you it took a lot to make that not awkward.) It was so rewarding to be genuinely acting and feeling as this character and watching as the kids in the audience got invested into the story. In one scene a character named Will is being taken away to a dungeon for lying to the King. As he was being dragged off stage a young boy in the audience let out a tiny “no!” He cared about what was happening to the characters in front of him. That’s what theatre is supposed to do. It's supposed to inspire you and make you feel something and theatre for children is no exception.

Procrastination

I am writing this the period before it is due. I had a weekend to complete this but spent it goonin with the boys. I have been an avid procrastinator since a young age, and it has screwed me over many times, while also allowing for more free time. I find it hard to work hard on a schoolwork assignment when there is no true incentive for me to complete it. I would rather spend my time young wild and free than grinding 3 hours nightly to complete my homework for dat 4.0 so I can do another 4 years of even harder work. Without these pressures, people our age could be far less stressed, spend their time learning about things that they will use as an adult, and be able to enjoy their youth. I did this assignment doe so there we go mr Bourne.

-TM

Dear Pico

Dear, Pico Ski Way

I love skiing! I love Pico! I've been skiing since I was a very very little girl. My mom had the little kid ski leash hooked onto me and taught me how to pizza and french fry at a young age. I used to unhook it when she wasn't looking and book in town the mountain. I went to Newton in Strafford VT. They had a half day every Friday and we would all go skiing at Dartmouth Ski Way. It was so much fun! I miss it. When I got to high school I found out about the student season pass at Pico and immediately bought it. It's an amazing deal. 89$ for  season pass with no black out dates along with other perks. Usually a season pass is 400$ to 500$, so its obviously an amazing deal. I'm sad for two reasons. I am going to loose my ski buddy because he is going to China this year, so I need to find someone else to go with. Not easy. I'm also sad because this is my last year to get the student pass because I'm a senior. The pass doesn't apply to college students. I will miss the mountain when I go to college. I have had some amazing memories at Pico. I will see you soon!!!

Love, Iva

Pickle Juice

Does anyone else like drinking pickle juice? This might sound weird but pickle juice tastes pretty good. It's one of those guilty pleasures where you know it's something your not supposed to do, but it sure is rewarding. This is strange coming from me since I used to hate pickles, but after my brother brought a jar home I thought, why not? One day I tried to drink some straight out the jar and it tasted really good. That started turning into something where if I got a chance I would drink straight out of the jar.

Bless the Snow Day

Honestly, I am so grateful that today is a snow day. I had so much work due in so many classes that I can finally sort out. There are still so many college supplements I have yet to finish, which I am finally going to have the chance to start writing and/or editing today. I need to work on polishing my two violin pieces that I want to record and send to colleges, as well. There’s a large variety of work I need to get done. But, despite the fact that I seem to be academically drowning right now, the snow is indeed very pretty. It’s been snowing for the last four or five hours I believe, and I love snow. It looks gorgeous, the brisk cold air is refreshing, and despite the fact that sometimes limbs freeze outside, the festivities and beauties that come with the winter season make it totally worth it. I have been downhill skiing since the age of five, and I’d really love to get out and ski more this season. I haven’t been able to ski a lot over the past few years, and it’s so unfortunate. I really hope I change that this year, especially before I leave to go who knows where next fall (even though I know I’ll be able to come home and visit for a good amount of the vacations, winter ones included). I also just realized that with the joy of this winter season and the vacation, I still need to buy all my gifts for my friends. Oops. Oh well, that will be sorted soon enough. HD is this weekend, and it’s super fun to see everyone look really good because they actually put in effort. So, I suppose, amongst the disaster that is school and everything pertaining to it right now, everything else is pretty chill (no pun intended).

My Opinions on the Dress Code Motion

I care much less about whether people can show their belly buttons in this school than I do about the underlying patriarchal norms that the dress code motion brings to light. What does it say about us that we are establishing rules that regulate/police women's bodies in a very different way than they do men's? Because, let's be honest, wording which allows/disallows people from showing their belly buttons in this school will affect girls, not boys.

The patriarchal, heteronormative powers which have constructed the norms of our society have defined what a woman should look like and how a woman should dress. As a result, women's clothing is more revealing and tight, displaying women's bodies in a way that would look ridiculous if done to men. Women are praised and appreciated for wearing revealing clothing in certain contexts. In others (and as in the proposed dress code), however, they are punished for wearing the very clothing which our patriarchal society deems "attractive."

I understand that school is a work environment. I understand that wearing revealing clothing makes teachers uncomfortable. And I don't personally feel compelled to wear clothing which shows my belly button. But I think that any conversation about regulations for what women can/cannot wear needs to take into account why women wear what they do. It needs to acknowledge how the patriarchal powers which govern our society encourage women to wear revealing clothing but consequently punish those who do.

#freescott

Dear Scott,

Hanover High misses you so much. I don't understand why you got fired really. People have told me it was because the caf stopped making a lot of money because you were serving healthier food. I don't know if that is true, but if it is I am discussed. Students ask for you to sell healthier options and things that they actually want to eat and when you tried you were fired? This plays into wrongful termination and the problem in America with obesity. It's amazing that kids at this school even want to eat healthy, now was are going to tell them they can't because it will cost to much? And in the rich town we live in? You knew everyone names in the school. That's amazing! There is over 700 kids here and you care enough to learn their names? Your a great person. I don't know about other kids but coming in and talking to the caf guys helped calm me down when I was stressed. It was like taking a break. From the moment I walked into the caf everyday since I was a freshman you all said hi and talked to me about my life. I appreciate every conversation you had with me. After you left the school started to boycott the caf. They wrote letter to the company, made complaints, and calls. We made you letters that everyone signed. We cared. I just wanted you to know that we all miss you and won't give up hope that you'll come back!