The Berkeley Carroll Blotter is proud to present its 12th weekly newsletter of the 2025-2026 school year! This edition features the standard “5 in News” by Rory O’Connor (‘26) and a spotlight piece on Dr. Carla Triplett by Zofie Mclune (‘27). Finally, Mikaela Gerstenhaber (‘26) presents a piece on the annual BC Upper School Spoon Games. Photos from BC photographers are throughout. After this issue, we’ll be taking a holiday break until January 12. We’re also excited to publish more print issues in 2026. As always, we thank you for interacting with The Blotter.
Happy reading!
Genevieve Eisner and Cleo Logan, co-editors
5 in News
Rory O’Connor (‘26)
The Trump Administration announced this week that ICE officials will target Somali immigrants in Minnesota under a new immigration operation. Recently, Trump has expressed hatred towards the Somali population, arguing that they do not belong in the United States. New York Times writers Zolan Kanno-Youngs and Shawn McCreesh stated, “even for Mr. Trump--who has a long history of insulting Black people, particularly those from African countries--his outburst was shocking in its unapologetic bigotry.”
An incredibly destructive typhoon, called Cyclone Ditwah, struck Sri Lanka’s coast last week. The storm has ruined rice fields and rail lines, leaving large communities in ruins. More than 480 people have died so far. Ditwah is part of a series of natural disasters that has struck South and Southeast Asia in the last few weeks, leaving over 1,800 people across the continent dead.
After a nearly 5-year long manhunt, the suspect for the 2 pipe bombs found near Capitol headquarters on January 6th 2021, Brian Cole Jr., was captured and taken into custody last week.
In early December, the Oxford University Press announced its word of the year: “Rage Bait.” The dictionary defines “Rage Bait” as “online content deliberately designed to elicit anger or outrage by being frustrating, provocative, or offensive, typically posted in order to increase traffic to or engagement with a particular web page or social media account.” First coined on social media, the term has rapidly increased in popularity and is now widely known and used.
Last week, the New York Times sued Pete Hegseth, the secretary of the Department of Defense, over new Pentagon media rules. According to the New York Times, “the Defense Department’s new set of rules for journalists ‘violates the Constitution’s guarantees of due process, freedom of speech and freedom of the press.’”
Soul Music, Saltwater, and Support: The World of Dr. T
Zofie Mclune (‘27)
Dr. Carla Triplett—known to most students simply as Dr. T—is the Upper School psychologist at BC and an advisor for both DOD and BSU. Now in her sixth year at the school, after starting during the pandemic, she has become a steady and familiar presence in the community.
Her days are a mix of faculty meetings, student check-ins (both scheduled and spontaneous drop-ins), Zoom conversations with families, and answering what often feels like an endless stream of emails. She also mentors a student completing an independent study, showing how deeply she supports students beyond traditional counseling roles.
Before joining BC, Dr. T worked in private practice and wasn’t actively searching for a change. But after visiting campus to speak with BC’s Psychology Club and experiencing the warmth of our community, the school stayed on her mind. When she later saw an opening, the timing—and the fit—felt perfect, allowing for a smooth transition into her new role.
Originally from Springfield, Massachusetts, home of the Basketball Hall of Fame, Dr. T jokes that even though both of her kids play basketball, she would probably fail a basketball trivia quiz. At home, her family keeps a 50-gallon saltwater aquarium that she loves to look at, while her partner handles the maintenance. She once had fish she lovingly refers to as the “aquatic siblings.”
Outside of work, Dr. T is a foodie who loves exploring new restaurants, traveling whenever possible, and binge-watching great TV shows. She gravitates toward soul and R&B music, and she firmly believes Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is the greatest album of all time.
Her message to the students of BC is simple but powerful: Believe in yourself, and stand firm in what you believe in.
Whether she’s offering advice, grounding a chaotic day, or just saying hi in the hallway, Dr. T is one of the many reasons students feel cared for at BC.
Spoon Games? More like Hunger Games.
Mikaela Gerstenhaber (‘26)
On Tuesday, December 9, Berkeley Carroll began its annual version of the Hunger Games: Spoon Games. You pay $5 to join, and in turn, you receive a plastic spoon with your name and someone else’s on it. The objective is to tap the person written on your spoon with said spoon––and when eliminated, they hand over their spoon to you. You then become tasked with the same operation, but with the name on their spoon. But, it’s not just you searching for your prey. Equally so, you are the prey being hunted by an unknown predator.
Classrooms are off limits, as well as the atrium, library, cafeteria, study hall, and a few select spaces teachers have marked off, basically leaving only the hallways as fair game. Additionally, there is no running—although the enforcement is shaky on this rule because there must be a witness. The hallways have become a place of extreme anxiety, with students (and teachers) peeking their heads around the corner before they go to class.
Many strategize and attempt to form alliances (and packs). On December 10th at 12:38pm on the dot, I was on my way up the back stairwell when I realized that the person who had my name on their spoon (which I had found out through eavesdropping) was in the 10th grade, meaning that she had lunch when I was on my way to class. She had time. Additionally, the classroom I was attempting to enter was protected by no corners—no opportunity to weasel in. I peeked my head into the entrance of the third floor from the stairwell and saw my predator, along with maybe five of her other sophomore friends, standing directly outside Room 305. With a spoon raised in her hand, we made eye contact, and I turned around, speed walking down the stairs. I returned a few times to see if the flock had dispersed. They had not. I was missing class for Spoon Games.
I went back around the school to enter the third floor from the main staircase and visited Mr. G for help. After listening to my complaints, he scoped out the situation and returned with the conclusion that “I was not getting through that blockade.” Definitely true, yet I knew I had to attempt it. I convinced Mr. G and another friend, who had been in the ceramics room, to help escort me past the herd of sophomores. During the approach, it seemed that three more had spawned and were sitting on the bench outside the bathroom. I saw them and they saw me.
“CA-CA-CA-....CA-CA-CA”
They had gotten to the point of using bird signaling to alert my opponent of my presence. I approached a little further, until I realized she was prepared to “walk” after me until she tagged me. I did not end up making it to my class, and for that, I deeply apologize to Ms. Sandoval.
Prior to that day, I had tagged a sophomore, who then handed over her target to me. I was now searching for Abel, a student in my grade. I strategically worked in the Study Hall from 2:45 to 3:30, and to my surprise, who was there doing the exact same thing? Abel. I worked until I decided the coast was clear, and at around 3:20 I decided it was best to leave the study hall before him. 3:25 hit and it was clear he was planning to wait it out until 3:30. Understandably, I ventured upstairs to talk to a teacher quickly, and on the way down I passed someone in the hall who alerted me that Abel was right around the corner at the locker. It was 3:29. I had one minute, but I was willing to try. Full speed walk, spoon in one hand, I was ready. I turn the corner and am fully exposed, when Robin, a friend in my grade, says “3:30!!!!! 3:30!!!!” I quickly turn my back and slide the spoon back into my pocket.
“Oh my god! Izzy Coogan was just chasing me around the corner. I haven’t been able to escape her the entire day,” I said to Abel. I had done it. He had no idea.
The entire concept of this game is insane, and I am so interested in how this game came to be. Although I only have reports of my experiences, I can assure you that everyone who plays has similar ones. However, during such a stressful period of the exam cram of the last two weeks before break, a little insanity is keeping us all sane.
Lions Den: Upcoming Games for the Week of 12/15 - 12/19
Monday:
Basketball Boys and NB (JV) vs. Dwight (Home)
4:00 PM, Athletic Center
Basketball Boys and NB (Varsity) vs. Dwight (Home)
5:30 PM, Athletic Center
Basketball Girls and NB (JV) vs. Dwight (Away)
4:00 PM, Dwight Athletic Center
Basketball Girls and NB (Varsity) vs. Dwight (Away)
5:30 PM, Dwight Athletic Center
Tuesday:
Basketball Girls and NB (Varsity) vs. SIA (Away)
4:00 PM, Staten Island Academy
Wednesday:
Basketball Girls and NB (JV) vs. York Prep (Home)
4:00 PM, Athletic Center
Track (Varsity) vs. Ivy Prep (Away)
5:30 PM, Manhattan Armory
Thursday:
Basketball Girls and NB (Varsity) vs. Packer (Away)
3:45 PM, Packer
Friday:
Basketball Boys and NB (Varsity) vs. Dalton
3:30 PM, Dalton
Community Time 12/15 - 12/19
Monday: Advising
Tuesday: Affinity Groups
Wednesday: G Block
Thursday: Morning Meeting
Friday: Candle Lighting Ceremony
HAPPY WINTER BREAK!!!
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