The student newspaper of Hackley School Tarrytown, NY 10591

The Dial
Screenshot of the FAQ document shared in the email to families. The document answered many of the "pocket" go-to questions parents asked in surveys and meetings. The document also outlined what the implementation may look like.
Academic Committee Announces Major Changes Coming to Upper School
This is the current Middle School Progress Report. Administrators are discussing bringing an updated version of this system to the Upper School because of its increased clarity. "The middle school progress report is a more descriptive document," said Mr. King. (Photo courtesy of Bess Seewald)
Conversations Surrounding Hackley’s Grade Reporting System
Courtesy to the alumni office
Hackley Alumnus, Danny Casper goes to the Olympics
Stationed at the Allen Center for Creative Arts and Technology, security guard Edwin Melendez is watching the security cameras. He often buzzes in students who have lost their keycards. He is one of the many security guards positioned near the entrance of our buildings.
The Hackley Defense
Located in the Hackley archives is the time capsule from the senior class of 2021. Inside, students signed the lids, put in old ID's, tests, and other items they felt recapped their time as a Hackley student.
Preserving Our Legacy
Hackley delegates Shivan Thaker, Max Desai, and Julian Mann are watching a veterinarian (specializing in falcons) perform an operation on a falcon in the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital live. The falcons in this hospital are worth thousands of dollars, with some of them being previously owned by a sheikh. Mrs. Maddox characterized this as "an incredible day".
Hornets in the Desert: Hackley Students Go To The Round Square Conference In Dubai
The salutatorian this year was Elan Suttiratana. He gave a speech about connecting to his grade throughout the years, especially when it came to fostering what may be unlikely friendships. After his speech, the valedictorian, Sophie Huang, delivered her speech.
Commencement Photo Essay
Mr. Chalfy tests the new sound system in Diller Hall. He is able to add effects and adjust the EQ of audio and microphone input.
Beyond the Stage: The Unseen Work Behind Coffeehouse Performances
Prof. Dhillon spoke to the Upper School in an extended community time assembly, speaking case studies of how families affected current immigration law. The most notable was the Tape family (slide pictured here) which framed her the rest of her conversation to Diller Hall.
The Role of Asian Immigrants in US Law – Professor Dhillon’s Visit to Hackley
A group of students posing together in front of a statue during the Uzbekistan trip. Photo Credit: Dr. Liu
Go Forth: How Global Learning is Shaping Hackley In and Out of the Classroom
Homer Gere (2nd from the right) is at his graduation in 2018. Homer came to Hackley as a freshman in 2014. "I will always have a soft spot for Hackley," said Homer. (Credit: Hackley School Communications).
Hackley Alumnus Homer Gere Makes Acting Debut On HBO’s Euphoria
A screenshot from an instagram reel shows a supposed US F-35 being pursued by missiles. However, AI detection tools like Synth ID were able to confirm that the clip was generated by AI. This clip was linked to false reports of a US aircraft being hit by Iran.
AI Warfare: Debunking the AI-Generated Videos Spreading Misinformation on Your “For You Page”
The Jazz Combo #2 performed "Autumn Leaves" by Joseph Kosma. Junior Mai Maikel both sang and played the bass. Other instruments used were the trombone, accordion, piano, and drums. The audience was blown away as they watched the five instruments seamlessly blend into one melody.
Students Blow the Roof off of Diller Hall at the Collage Concert!
The Center for Creative Arts and Technology is abuzz with the sound of the viola as Mason Lee prepares his latest piece. The spacious new orchestra room is a productive place to practice.
Stuck in the Middle: The Journey of Violist Mason Lee
Isabella Barriera stands in front of her AP art portfolio. Her concentration is clowns, and she uses charcoal in her artwork to depict herself and friends as clowns. She uses charcoal because it encourages the viewer to look at the person rather than the colors in the art.
Isabella Barriera Encourages Students to Reflect on Their Childhoods Through Her AP Art Concentration
Credit: Photo courtesy of Ava Derby Ava shot her EP cover with her producer, who came up with the idea of adding golden tears to her face since many of the songs are sad. Ava said that much of her songwriting is based on hypothetical scenarios and not necessarily her real life, and is a form of storytelling.
Senior Ava Derby Showcases her Musical Passion Through Debut EP
The album cover of Farah's recent EP released, called "Left and Right" shows her sitting in the back of a car. Her EP was released on Nov 6, 2024 and contains 5 songs. The EP is available on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
The Musical Journey of Student, Singer, and Published Artist Farah Goods
Senior Lucia Butterfield loves her new art space in the Creative Center for Arts and Technology. With the new building, each senior taking AP art is given their own cubical space to decorate and personalize. “Having a designated little corner of the universe to create art is one of the most helpful things, you can totally feel at home,” said Lucia.
Lucia Butterfield Inspires Authenticity Through Her AP Art Paintings of Imperfect Childhood Photos
The Hidden Costs of Short-Form Content; How Reels and Tiktoks Affect your Focus and Academic Performance
The Hidden Costs of Short-Form Content; How Reels and Tiktoks Affect your Focus and Academic Performance
This IRP project poster captures a very small aspect of the project as a whole. It shows all that's gone well, the methods that have worked, the background to the project, but you don't see all the failures or dead ends that researchers had to push past for their project.
Hackley’s IRP Program Empowers Students in Cutting-Edge Research
Available for purchase since February 2023, the Vision Pro represents Apple's entry into the realm of virtual reality. However, the product was soon met with controversy: some expressed their excitement, while others brought worries of increased social isolation. Could Apple's continuous development in virtual reality be a threat to our physical relationships, or instead transform communications to a greater level?
An Incoming Dystopia or a Modernized World?: Fear and Excitement for the Apple Vision Pro
Don’t Take Cookies From Strangers: The Real Risks and Concerns Surrounding Cybersecurity at Hackley
Don’t Take Cookies From Strangers: The Real Risks and Concerns Surrounding Cybersecurity at Hackley
Ashley Currie
IRP Update with Hackley’s Science Researchers
One of many construction workers walk towards the developing Center of Creative Arts and Technology. The construction is planned to finish sometime in 2024, mere months away.
New Beginnings: Update on the Center for Creative Arts and Technology
A Different Lens: Seeing Through the Stereotypes of ADHD
A Different Lens: Seeing Through the Stereotypes of ADHD
Towards the entrance of the store is where the majority of the seating is in the cafe. Decorated with plants and local art, the atmosphere is perfect for group studying.
Muddy Water Cafe: A Tarrytown Hidden Gem
The Hidden Costs of Short-Form Content; How Reels and Tiktoks Affect your Focus and Academic Performance
The Hidden Costs of Short-Form Content; How Reels and Tiktoks Affect your Focus and Academic Performance
The New York Times website includes many games to play in your free time. Wordle, Connections, and The Mini are the three most popular New York Times games. The games are very widespread and popularized.
App of the Month: NYT Games
Freshman Riyaan Ratliff's doing his homework in the library during his free. His bag is simple but versatile to hold everything.
Students Use Backpacks as a Way to Express Themselves
The outside of Bibillé on Main Street.
Great Places to Grab a Meal in Tarrytown
When Community Council has its meeting, they sit at a harkess table to communicate. First, they sit in a big group, then split up by grade. Once each grade has brainstormed, the group will come back and present their ideas about activities or events. Photo Courtesy: Pia Severin
Student Council’s Purpose and Productivity
The Pedraza siblings, Emmerson (left) and Fiona (right), entered the duo competition at the very last minute. Getting up on stage before the groups started, Fiona called Emmerson down to the stage. They went as the Princess and the Pea, a popular children's fairy tale.
Diamond Trolls & Children’s Books Shine in Diller Costume Contest
The Uncertain Path Ahead
The Uncertain Path Ahead
How Digital Media Plays a Key Role in the Presidential Election
How Digital Media Plays a Key Role in the Presidential Election
The Debate on Debates
The Debate on Debates
State of the Race
State of the Race
When Community Council has its meeting, they sit at a harkess table to communicate. First, they sit in a big group, then split up by grade. Once each grade has brainstormed, the group will come back and present their ideas about activities or events. Photo Courtesy: Pia Severin
Student Council’s Purpose and Productivity
The Pedraza siblings, Emmerson (left) and Fiona (right), entered the duo competition at the very last minute. Getting up on stage before the groups started, Fiona called Emmerson down to the stage. They went as the Princess and the Pea, a popular children's fairy tale.
Diamond Trolls & Children’s Books Shine in Diller Costume Contest
Community Council Update: Inside the Work of Our Hilltop Representatives
Community Council Update: Inside the Work of Our Hilltop Representatives
Upper School Class President Steven Li presenting his speech to the Hackley community.
Community Council Update
Student Council President, Taylor Robin, addressing the K-12 Hackley Community with her Commencement Day Speech about what her new position means to her.
The rise of female political leaders: Hackley leads the charge
2019-2020 Class Officer Candidates
The Importance of Defining the Gray Areas of Hackley’s Dress Code
The Importance of Defining the Gray Areas of Hackley’s Dress Code
This is the Freshman Hallway, a location central to 9th-grade life, with lockers and seating. Often, it is criticized for its low, exposed pipes and unkept appearance.
What’s Wrong With the Campus?
Albert Camus' The Stranger, translated by Matthew Ward, stands only at around 123 pages in most editions. Despite its short length compared to other philosophical books, it is able to convey such a range of emotions with so little emotion actually written.
The Stranger Effect
Senior Zion Bennett loves to go off campus for her coffee and lunch. Although she doesn't care for most of the chicken dishes served, she enjoys the buffalo chicken and mac and cheese lunch. During her senior project, she has been on campus eating more of the school lunch.
Why the Seniors are Obsessed with Going Off-Campus for Food
Sophomore Kubrick Croce is playing one of his favorite video games on the bridge. Kubrick is known around school as an incredibly knowledgeable gamer - if you have a question about video games, he's your guy.
Study, Game, and Chill
Pickert lot is where most athletes park during the spring season. Parking here requires basic skills. Most times, there is ample space between parking spaces to pull in.
Finding Ones Favorite Place to Park at Hackley
The Importance of Defining the Gray Areas of Hackley’s Dress Code
The Importance of Defining the Gray Areas of Hackley’s Dress Code
Behind the Scenes of How the Board of Magistrates Works
Behind the Scenes of How the Board of Magistrates Works
Editorial: Hackley’s new phone ban is the best-case scenario
Editorial: Hackley’s new phone ban is the best-case scenario
Editorial: The Change in Policy Regarding Bake Sales and Community Engagement: Why it is more Positive than we may Think
Editorial: The Change in Policy Regarding Bake Sales and Community Engagement: Why it is more Positive than we may Think
Editorial: Exploring the Lack of Attendance at Hackley Performing Arts Events
Editorial: Exploring the Lack of Attendance at Hackley Performing Arts Events
Editorial: Students Should Learn to Live with New Schedule Change
Editorial: Students Should Learn to Live with New Schedule Change
Yankee Stadium in October 2022.
Devastation in the Dugout to Hope for Home-runs
Legacy in College Admissions
Legacy in College Admissions
How Does Legacy Affect A Student’s Chances of Admission?
On March 14, 2018, Hackley hosted a walkout in response to lives that had been lost in the Parkland Shooting. Students and faculty gathered on Akin Common for 34 seconds of silence, to honor the 34 killed and injured in the shooting.
Opinion: We Need to Implement More Gun Safety Laws
Editorial: Chat GPT
Editorial: Chat GPT
Students Opinion on a New Head of School
Students Opinion on a New Head of School
Peru Exchange Students Visit Campus
Video: Winter Sting Recap
Video: Winter Sting Recap
Community Council candidate speeches 2019
Community Council candidate speeches 2019
Sophomore Alexander Goldman play an acoustic version of “Message in a Bottle” by the Police. This year’s coffeehouse was hosted by seniors Lilliana Khoshroshahi and Francesca Doctors who offered audience volunteers minute-to-win-it games in between numbers for a chance to crack a raw egg on one of their heads.
Winter Coffeehouse 2018
Richie Nuzum ’19 and Bea McColl ’18 perform Sam Smith’s “I’m Not the Only One” to an enthused audience. Richie is a member of this year’s house band while Bea worked behind the scenes throughout most of the night as the stage manager; a position also affectionately known as “Coffeehouse Goddess”.
Fall Coffeehouse 2017-2018
2017 Winter Sting Recap
2017 Winter Sting Recap
Podcast: Effects of Energy Drinks (Part II)
Podcast: Senior Perspectives w/ Marcus
Podcast: Effects of Energy Drinks (Part I)
Dialed In: Athletic Traditions on the Hilltop
Dialed In: Athletic Traditions on the Hilltop
Dialed In: Cultures on the Hilltop
Dialed In: Cultures on the Hilltop
Dialed In: Academic Dishonesty - Part Two
Dialed In: Academic Dishonesty – Part Two
Hackley Girls Varsity Lacrosse had the night game at Spring Sting. The team was aggressive and got crucial goals which lead to the win
K-12 Community at Spring Sting and the Excitement it Brings
Winter League Lacrosse is a helpful program that allows players to practice outside of the regular season. While the goal is development over competition, everyone was very excited about the win.
More than Just Games: Winter League Lacrosse
New girls varsity basketball coach Scott Kato heads the program after two years working at the JV level. His team 6th Borough Hoops also practices at Hackley throughout the year.
A New Era for Girls Varsity Basketball
For the middle school squash games, players paired up based on their ranking to scrimmage.
Middle School Teams take the Court at Sting
Hackley Varsity Swimming came away with a great win. The team swam against Poly and the girls extended their undefeated record.
Winter Season Updates
Senior captain Justin D'Alessio crushed his wrestling match, beating his opponent in under 2 minutes. The referee raised his hand to signify his win, adding points to the scoreboard and solidifying Hackley's strong victory.
Students pack the bleachers as Hackley dominates at Winter Sting
Hackley's Field Hockey team had a wonderful season. One of Field Hockeys main focuses this season was learning to adapt on the field.
End of Fall Season
Lili Kanev is practicing at Hackley, training for an upcoming match. She practiced before school started, even though she had varsity practice later that day. "Every single day I have at least a two-hour practice and a workout 30 minutes to an hour," she said. (Photo courtesy of Lili Kanev)
Sophomore Lili Kanev Makes History
The Hackley Cross Country Captains, Sophie Frazier, Emma Curran, Nico Kim, and Brandon Acosta, gather before a meet showing shared support and unity in their individual competition. Through inclusive leadership and fun traditions, they've made connection a cornerstone of the team. (Photo Courtesy of Emma Curran)
Running Together: How Hackley’s Cross Country Captains Turn an Individual Sport into a Team Effort
The stands were covered in students sporting their black, white, and yellow decorations for the night game. Some senior boys even participated in "Go Hack" letter painting.
Seniors Led Their Team to Sweep All Games this Fall Sting
Macey McLane and Caitlin Morrow raced in the New York State Regional Cross Country Meet. They ran in a race of more than 300 runners. The top finishers of the race would then go on to racing in the National Cross Country Championship in Eugene, Oregon.
Running Towards Success
Captain Jack Perlman and Tyler Mook standing together on the field during their Senior Day game versus Dalton. The captains talk with the referee before the game and decide who starts with the ball and which side of the field they start on.
How Captains Shape Their Teams
Winter League Lacrosse is a helpful program that allows players to practice outside of the regular season. While the goal is development over competition, everyone was very excited about the win.
More than Just Games: Winter League Lacrosse
New girls varsity basketball coach Scott Kato heads the program after two years working at the JV level. His team 6th Borough Hoops also practices at Hackley throughout the year.
A New Era for Girls Varsity Basketball
For the middle school squash games, players paired up based on their ranking to scrimmage.
Middle School Teams take the Court at Sting
Hackley Varsity Swimming came away with a great win. The team swam against Poly and the girls extended their undefeated record.
Winter Season Updates
Senior captain Justin D'Alessio crushed his wrestling match, beating his opponent in under 2 minutes. The referee raised his hand to signify his win, adding points to the scoreboard and solidifying Hackley's strong victory.
Students pack the bleachers as Hackley dominates at Winter Sting
Video: Winter Sting Recap
Video: Winter Sting Recap
Hackley Girls Varsity Lacrosse had the night game at Spring Sting. The team was aggressive and got crucial goals which lead to the win
K-12 Community at Spring Sting and the Excitement it Brings
Winter League Lacrosse is a helpful program that allows players to practice outside of the regular season. While the goal is development over competition, everyone was very excited about the win.
More than Just Games: Winter League Lacrosse
Brooke Koffler scored her record breaking goal. The team was very excited and celebrated loudly. Teammates even ran on the field in celebration.
The Graduating Senior Class has Broken Impressive Records This Year in Sports
The Boy's Lacrosse team made headlines throughout the season, with multiple NYSAIS upsets en route to their championship victory. The team looks to build on their roster in the fight for the title defense next year.
Springing to Success
Paving Her Path
Paving Her Path
Hackley Boys Lacrosse takes on Fieldston at the Spring Sting
Hackley Boys Lacrosse takes on Fieldston at the Spring Sting
The student newspaper of Hackley School Tarrytown, NY 10591

The Dial
The student newspaper of Hackley School Tarrytown, NY 10591

The Dial
Ellie Firsenbaum

Ellie Firsenbaum, Staff Writer

Ellie Firsenbaum is a sophomore and a Staff Writer of the Dial. Ellie is from Ardsley, New York and enjoys playing softball, swimming, and reading. Ellie swims in the winter, plays softball in the spring, and has a younger brother in the Lower School at Hackley.



All content by Ellie Firsenbaum
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