The voice of the student body

The Dial
The voice of the student body

The Dial
The voice of the student body

The Dial
Fernanda Paz

Fernanda Paz, Senior Features Editor

Fernanda Paz is a senior at Hackley and is the Senior Features Editor for The Dial which she has been a part of since freshman year. She is from Scarsdale, NY and enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with her family and friends. She also volunteers at a local non profit organization where she tutors elementary and middle school students. A fun fact about her is that she is fluent in two languages and proficient in a third. 

All content by Fernanda Paz
For the past six months, senior Frances Clifford has used her iPad for the majority of her note-taking. Whether it be taking notes on videos, presentations in class, or doing practice problems, she prefers typing out her notes by hand. The iPad has allowed her to do this while also giving her the ability of keeping her work stored in one place. “I found that typing out my notes often gave me too much information and handwriting them allowed me to weave out unnecessary information while simultaneously allowing me to process the information better,” said Frances.

Putting Pen to Paper, Hands To Keyboard, or Electric Pencil to iPad?

By Fernanda Paz, Senior Features Editor
November 19, 2024
During the Upper School assembly on the quad on Sting day, Council hosted a series of competitions between the grades. Treasurer Mika Nuzum and Vice President Ben Iaderosa cheer on students as they compete in dizzy bat races, hula hoop challenges, and handless popcorn eating. The Hilltop had a surge in energy and was able to bring school spirit to the Sting later that day.

New Activities Brought By Community Council

By Fernanda Paz, Senior Features Editor
October 9, 2024
In addition to working with students and families individually, college counselors teach an Intro to College course to juniors where they review the application process and give advice. Upon joining the Hilltop, Ms. Fritz has worked to improve this course to allow students to reap all its benefits.

Meet Kassy Fritz, New Director of College Counseling

By Fernanda Paz, Features Editor
October 8, 2024
"You use psychology in your daily life whether you know it or not,” said Mr. Gruenberg. Not only does his course expose its students to great films, but it also educates them on topics that they can apply to the real world. The duality of this course is what makes it very unique and special.

Mr. Gruenberg’s Interdisciplinary Approach to Psychology and Film: Psychology In Film Minor

By Fernanda Paz, Senior Features Editor
June 3, 2024
Although the affect of COVID-19 has been on a decline with less cases and deaths allowing most of us to remain mask free, people on the Hilltop are still choosing to mask up. Personal health concerns as well as helping an elderly neighbor are reasons as to why middle school science teacher Emma Olsen still wears a mask years after the COVID-19 pandemic began. "Since I am helping take care of him, you know I go over to work with his dogs, that kind of thing; I don't want to bring [the virus] home to him," Ms. Olsen said.

The Virus That Never Ends

By Fernanda Paz, Feature Editor of Community & Service
March 13, 2024
After analyzing the results of a survey inquiring about Upper Schoolers' commutes, it was apparent how much geographic diversity there is on the Hilltop. Although most students live in Westchester County, there is a large amount of the Upper School student body who lives in New York City. Other students also live in other regions within the tristate area, from New Jersey to Connecticut.

From Five Minutes to One Hour: How Students’ Commutes Affect Their Day-to-Day Lives.

By Fernanda Paz, Feature Editor
December 15, 2023
Brookhouse's Karen campus's middle school that resembles a fairytale castle. Its pristine architecture fuels a great learning space for students. It also shocked delegates from around the world that a school so beautiful could exist, yet coming from Hackley we were used to such nice buildings.

Hackley students and faculty members take on the RSIC ‘23 in Nairobi, Kenya

By Fernanda Paz, Feature Editor of Community & Service
November 28, 2023
A spotted lanternfly seen on a window outside of a Raymond classroom. Surprisingly, it was by itself compared to the large swarms that are commonly seen.

007: License to Kill

By Fernanda Paz
September 29, 2023
One of Allison Chin's art pieces. It is titled "Midas" and was drawn digitally.

Art at Hackley: Students on the Hilltop with a Passion for the Arts.

By Fernanda Paz, Feature Editor
June 6, 2023
The difference between the schedule from the 2021-2022 school year and the 2022-2023 year. The original one, on the left, consists of a seven-day schedule with seven periods per day, with major classes meeting five times out of the seven days. The schedule on the right shows an eight-day schedule with five periods a day, and major classes meeting five days out of the seven.

More Schedule Changes Coming in 2023-2024

By Fernanda Paz, Feature Editor
June 6, 2023
Along with the introduction of new foods with the reopening of the Well, they have also invested in new machinery that is able to provide students with a larger array of different options to choose from. For example, the new coffee and espresso machines have made it possible for customers to be able to purchase an assortment of coffee drinks. Also, in addition to the expensive choices, the Well always has different fruits on hand, that students can pick up on the go for free.

The Well in the Johnson Center Reopens

By Fernanda Paz, Staff Writer
January 9, 2023
Sophomores Brooke, Frances, Sarah, Olivia, and Kayce eating lunch in the middle school hallway. The dining hall was extremely crowded and all the tables her full.

[Photo] The Real Issue With Lunch

By Kayce Park, Staff Writer
December 13, 2022
Mr. López-Prieto teaches a lesson on a poem about a famous author. He uses PowerPoint slideshows to convey his lessons to keep his students engaged.

Mr. López-Prieto’s Seamless Transition to the Hilltop

By Fernanda Paz, Staff Writer
October 28, 2022
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[Photo] Student Reactions to New Schedule

By Maura McGlarry, Opinion Editor
October 3, 2022
The beautiful decorations and pictures you see when you walk into the restaurant. The bright colors and flowers bring Taco Project to life.

[Photo] Great Places to Grab a Meal in Tarrytown

By Kayce Park, Staff Writer
September 28, 2022
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