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Clara Martinez

Clara Martinez, News Editor: Print

Clara Martinez (’24) is the News Editor: Print for The Standard. She began journalism as an editor of the Middle School newspaper The Scroll and later became a Standard staff writer. In  Grade 8, Martinez was awarded an Excellent in newswriting at the Fall 2019 JEA/NSPA conference. Since attending the conference, Martinez has been passionate about writing timely news pieces that highlight diverse perspectives in the school. Outside of the newsroom, Clara enjoys dancing and playing the piano.

All content by Clara Martinez
Written by Donna Tartt in 1992, “The Secret History” is one of the oldest books to circulate the TikTok For You page. Beginning with the murder of classics student Edmund Corcoran, the focus of the novel is on the investigation of his peers’ homicidal motivations.

#BookTok Review: ‘The Secret History’ draws in readers yearning for prestige

December 10, 2021
With 1.9 billion views under its TikTok hashtag, “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas is one of the most popular books circulating the For You page. The first novel of a five book series, “A Court of Thorns and Roses” narrates the story of 19-year-old Feyre when she is kidnapped and taken to the faerie realm Prythian.

#BookTok Review: ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ introduces sophistication to fantasy genre

October 27, 2021
With 1.9 billion views under its TikTok hashtag, “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas is one of the most popular books circulating the For You page. The first novel of a five book series, “A Court of Thorns and Roses” narrates the story of 19-year-old Feyre when she is kidnapped and taken to the faerie realm Prythian.

#BookTok Review: ‘All the Bright Places’ sheds light on teenage mental struggles

October 1, 2021
With over 80% voter turnout, new Student Council representatives were elected Sept. 24. Following a four day online voting period, five students in each grade have been selected to represent the student body during Thursday meetings and various committee gatherings.

Students elect StuCo representatives with over 80% voter turnout

September 27, 2021
The varsity boys celebrate a goal after scoring against ACS Cobham. The team won this match 8-0.

[Photo] Photo Gallery: Fall Fest brings community together to watch soccer games

September 23, 2021
With 1.9 billion views under its TikTok hashtag, “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas is one of the most popular books circulating the For You page. The first novel of a five book series, “A Court of Thorns and Roses” narrates the story of 19-year-old Feyre when she is kidnapped and taken to the faerie realm Prythian.

‘Circe’ defies typical #BookTok expectations

September 17, 2021
With 1.9 billion views under its TikTok hashtag, “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas is one of the most popular books circulating the For You page. The first novel of a five book series, “A Court of Thorns and Roses” narrates the story of 19-year-old Feyre when she is kidnapped and taken to the faerie realm Prythian.

#BookTok Review: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

September 10, 2021
Ruby Read (’23) and Ellie Taylor (’23) act in a scene filmed at 47 Grove End Road May 8. Read and Taylor are both enrolled in the Advanced Acting: TV and Film class and collaborated with two other film classes to produce three-minute films for the annual High School Film Festival.

Annual Film Festival to premiere online, showcasing student productions

June 15, 2021
Members of the community reflect on how characteristics of ASL, among those of other schools, impact students’ learning environment. Social dynamics, diversity, curriculum and student population are all topics of discussion that surface when comparing ASL to different school systems.

Students, faculty explore dynamics of different education systems

June 14, 2021

Social interactions and cliques

June 14, 2021

Students worldwide

June 14, 2021

School environment

June 14, 2021

Socioeconomic status

June 14, 2021
Kleidi Likola (’21), Charlotte Fink (’22) and Danna Rubesh (’22) pose as their characters in the fantasy realm of “Dungeons & Dragons” during a performance June 2. The play had 12 cast members that had been rehearsing for the production since January.

Advanced Acting Play Production class performs “She Kills Monsters” amid COVID-19 restrictions

June 7, 2021
Max van Zyl (’21) attempts to steal the ball from an opponent during the varsity boys’ game against Cobham May 26. Cobham defeated ASL 3-0 in ASL’s last game of the season.

Soccer teams play final games of season, recognize Grade 12 athletes

May 28, 2021
Evelyn Bond (’22) organizes her AP Biology notes using colorful subheadings and diagrams. From notetaking to bullet journalling, putting a pen on paper comes in a variety of forms and each serves different purposes.

Journaling serves as outlet for not solely organization, but also creativity

May 26, 2021
Grade 12 graduation will take place at Central Hall Westminster June 12 with extra COVID-19 regulations and will be available to watch over livestream. Grade 12 students may only invite two guests.

Grade 12 graduation to be held at Central Hall Westminster

May 21, 2021
This year, the Advanced Placement exams occur May 5 to June 10. In comparison to the 2019-20 school year, some alterations to exam format options have been maintained as a result of COVID-19 while others have returned to normal.

AP exams undergo changes to format, location

May 13, 2021
Eleanor Ilyas (’24) applies lotion as a part of her daily hydrating skincare routine. Different skincare products cater to unique skin types, and the most effective results depend on finding the right match.

Effective products enhance skincare routine

May 4, 2021
The community reflects on George Floyds death after the conviction of former police officer Derek Chauvin. Floyds murder spurred a wave of worldwide protests over the summer of 2020.

Derek Chauvin verdict provokes discussion surrounding US criminal justice system

April 29, 2021
East Asian students and faculty discuss recent hate crimes and personal experiences with anti-Asian discrimination March 30. For the first time, the East Asia Culture Club held an in-person affinity space for East Asian members of the ASL community.

Affinity space held in light of escalating anti-Asian discrimination

April 2, 2021
Olivia Lang (’22) dribbles away from Casey Johnson (’23) March 29 and looks to pass to a teammate.

Photo Gallery: Girls, boys soccer play in final week of mini-season

April 1, 2021
Dance students rehearse their routine in December for a pre-recorded performance video. Students in PE, dance and fitness are not required to wear masks while exercising as long as social distancing and COVID protocols are followed.

Students have option to wear mask in dance, fitness, PE, Well-being classes

March 23, 2021
After the murder of Sarah Everard and recently surveyed statistic about sexual harassment was released, female students are more concerned for their safety on the street. A commonly suggested method for self defense is to keep a key held between your fingers in order to have more impact if an offender were to become violent. Photo illustration by Clara Martinez.

Murder of Sarah Everard, UN survey result spark conversation around sexual harassment

March 19, 2021
From the day campus closed on March 13, 2020, the last year has brought lockdowns, isolation, and millions of deaths. But, through the challenges of COVID-19, the ASL community reflected on the pandemic and the positive outcomes that have come to light.

Unprecedented: One year with the virus

March 15, 2021
Abastillas teaches first grade in 2009-2010, including current Grade 12 students Emily Forgash (’21) and Eric Henrikson (’21). Abastillas started teaching at the school in 2008, and has since taken her influence beyond the classroom and into the realm of diversity, equity and inclusion work at ASL.

Jennifer Abastillas works to diversify world of education

March 4, 2021
Almost every book in the Romance genre can be categorized into one of many common tropes. Enemies to lovers, forbidden love, and fake relationships are all examples of general storylines that can be greatly diversified depending on the characters, location, and time period.

Top 8 novels for each romance trope

March 2, 2021
17 year old Olivia Rodrigo’s debut single “drivers license” has surpassed all other songs on Spotify and has remained at No. 1 on the charts since its second day of release on Jan. 8. The popularity of the song can be traced back to the widespread impact of social media and surrounding drama.

Community debates validity of Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘drivers license’

February 22, 2021
William Iorio (’22) revises for a class at 6:30 a.m. in Connecticut, equivalent to 11:30 a.m. in London. As all students are expected to attend synchronous Zoom classes, Iorio begins his classwork before dawn.

Timezones impact students’ DLP experience abroad

February 11, 2021
Despite the trials and tribulations of 2020, the year has finally come to a close. Upon reflection, each month has been attributed a song fitting to the events that occurred. Make sure to scan the codes with your Spotify app to listen along!

A year-in-review: Spotify 2020 Wrapped

February 1, 2021
Aequitas Week is an annual event organized by the Social Justice Council. Due to COVID-19, the week has been moved to March, during which students will attend split sessions with opportunities for activism on the second day of workshops.

Aequitas Committee changes date to March, adapts sessions to COVID-19 restrictions

January 26, 2021
Starbucks has released its new holiday drink specials. Staff Writers Sophia Bassi and Clara Martinez review the the Toffee Nut Latte, Eggnog Latte, Truffle Deluxe Hot Chocolate and Gingerbread Frappuccino.

Starbucks seasonal drinks review

December 18, 2020
Until further announcements from the government Dec. 2, small businesses continue to be in danger of closing. Store managers reflect on the impact COVID-19 has had on their businesses, as well as their predictions for the future.

Small businesses on high street battle lockdown

December 1, 2020
Brooke Beesley (’22) and Amber Auh (’21) compose a melody in Choir class. Until further notice, students are prohibited from singing despite U.K. government guidelines allowing them to do so.

Prohibition of singing clashes with government guidelines, per scientific studies

October 22, 2020
New from Singapore, Sam Hamilton (’23) adjusts to the High School through finding the similarities between Southeast Asia and London. Hamilton said that the variety of cultures in London remind him of his previous home and brings a feeling of community, despite the vast difference in population. “Its just super interesting to meet people from all around the world,” he said.

[Photo] 14 new students reflect on their transition to the High School

October 8, 2020
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