The
Whittier Miscellany
Fall Issue 2024 • Wilmington Friends School’s Community Newspaper • Wilmington, DE
Cooper Jones ‘25 Staff Writer The 2024 election season is one of the most eventful in recent memory, between the upset of President Biden dropping out, Donald Trump’s felony convictions, and worries about the preservation of democracy in the United States. The results of this election will go down as one of the most important in the nation’s history. What exactly are the policy plans of both parties? Despite the United States undertaking one of the most effective economic recoveries, with high GDP growth and the largest decrease in inflation among the G7 countries, economic worries are still the highest issue for voters. The Harris campaign is focused on what she calls an “opportunity economy” which focuses on tax credits for young families, first time home buyers, and small businesses. She also hopes to continue Biden’s administration policies focused on
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bringing down costs for health care and prescription medicines. Donald Trump plans to cut taxes for American workers, specifically enacting a policy of no taxes on tips for service workers. Trump plans to implement high tariffs on imported goods, in hopes that the increased costs will encourage people to buy American-made products instead. Trump also promises to curb inflation. Both parties’ campaigns focus heavily on border policies. During his campaign, Trump has claimed that there are over 20,000,000 illegal immigrants in this country. According to a PBS fact check, border officials have reported only 10,000,000 encounters with undocumented migrants over the past four years. During the Vice-Presidential debate, JD Vance claimed that, “about a million migrants have criminal backgrounds.” The director of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) claims that around
Catch This! Fantasy Football at WFS Abby Terrell ‘27, Staff Writer Every year at the end of August, people of all ages find themselves meticulously plotting out the perfect assortment of players to create a winning season in fantasy football. Fantasy football is a game where participants are the managers of their team, draft their players, create the starting lineup, and trade players. Each week a person’s team plays another team in their league. As the NFL players pass, run, sack, catch, kick field goals, and score touchdowns, the participants gain points. Whichever team has the most points wins. Fantasy football was created in 1963. Bill Winkenbach, an owner of the Raiders, had friends over and created the first fantasy football league. After realizing how fun it was, he decided to join the Greater Oakland Professional Pigskin Prognostication League (GOPPL). Fantasy football started to gain popularity as people began using the internet. In 1985, the Grandstand Sports Service created the first fantasy football league online. Since then fantasy football’s popularity has grown rapidly. In 1988, there were only 500,000 users. Now there are more than 60 million. Out of that 60 million, 71 percent of all players are between the ages of 18 and 39. Continued on page 5
600,000 non-citizens have outstanding criminal charges. The Department of Homeland security reports an even lower number, claiming that out of all border crossings, only 100,000 have been flagged for a criminal record. Kamala Harris wants to extend the border policies of the Biden administration, while also reviving the bi-partisan border security bill. This bill, which was rejected by House Republicans earlier this year, focuses on expanding the power of Homeland Security, and making the process of reviewing asylum claims easier for immigration courts. The Democratic party has made abortion access a clear priority throughout the 2024 campaign. In the summer of 2022, the Republican dominated Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, allowing states to decide their own abortion laws.
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May the Odds be Ever in Your Favor...
Ethan Halaby ‘27 Staff Writer
It’s no secret that the teachers at Wilmington Friends School are talented in many ways beyond the subjects they teach. WFS staff is comprised of mountain climbers, Aikido masters, motorcyclists, marathon runners, and more. With so much talent and skill in the faculty, students might wonder which of their teachers might be the best survivalist. What better way to ask that question to a community full of high school students than, “Which teacher would be most successful in the Hunger Games?” To answer this question, a poll was sent out to the upper school community, and interviews were conducted with the teachers to uncover the answer. After careful analysis, it became clear that there was only one clear answer to this exciting question. First, we should es-
tablish what it takes to win the Hunger Games. Though some claim physical strength is the most important for success in the Hunger Games, others beg to differ. Dr. Dagold, a 10th grade English teacher who has led an adventurous life crossing the country by motorcycle, says, “To be successful in the Hunger Games, you need to know who to trust, and most of all, be willing to do anything.” When asked who she thinks would win the Hunger Games, library media specialist Mary Woodward says, “Sarah Woodward. She’s fierce, smart, can make connections, but can also do what needs to be done”. Ana Niiler ‘28, who is a current member of the freshman class, agrees. She says, “Ms. Woodward has a lot of knowledge on the human body and science in general.” Continued on Page 3