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The Berkeley Carroll Blotter is proud to present its 5th weekly newsletter: short edition! This issue features the “5 in News” by co-editor in chief Cleo Logan (‘26) and a spotlight on dance teacher Penelope McCourty by Zofie Mclune (‘27). Photos from Sadie Bell Moorcroft are throughout. As always, we thank you for interacting with The Blotter.

Happy reading!

Cleo Logan and Genevieve Eisner, co-editors

Cleo Logan ‘26

On Tuesday, attorney general Pam Bondi testified to Democrats in the Senate Judiciary Committee over the actions of the Justice Department so far under the Trump administration. According to the New York Times, “the hearing was far more confrontational than the last time she appeared before the committee in January”. Key topics included the deployment of National Guard troops to Oregon, the controversy over the Epstein files, and Republicans’ lasting resentment over the Democratic party’s response to the January 6th attacks on the Capitol.
On October 3rd, Taylor Swift released her 12th studio album, entitled The Life of a Showgirl. And although there is significant controversy over the album, with Esquire writing that Swift “too often settles for overworked metaphors, characters and one-liners,”the album is already the most streamed album in a single day in 2025 in the US. Furthermore, Swift’s film that included the music videos for the album “came in at No. 1 at the North American box office this weekend with $33 million”.
On October 9th, President Trump facilitated the beginning of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, the first stage being the exchange of Palestinian prisoners and detainees and Israeli hostages.* President Trump said that this was the first phase of a 20-point plan between the two nations.
As of November 7th, National Guard troops from Texas have assembled in Chicago in order to provide support to federal immigration officials, thereby increasing ICE’s presence in Chicago, a sanctuary city. Brandon Johnson, the Democratic Mayor of Chicago, said that the deployment is “‘illegal, unconstitutional,’ and ‘dangerous’”.
Ahead of the NYC Mayoral race on November 4th, polls from the New York Times show Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate, holding a significant lead of 10-20 points in all polls over Curtis Sliwa (the Republican candidate) and Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo, the former governor of New York, is now running as an independent amid multiple reports of sexual harassment.

* The original publication contained different phrasing

Pictured above on the left: the Girls and NB Volleyball team swept Staten Island Academy 3-0 on their senior night, celebrating Maya, Amelie, Lara, Aarju, Lucia, Kaia, Isabelle, Willa and Blotter editors Genevieve, and Mikaela.

Zofie Mclune ‘27

If you’ve ever walked past the dance studio and heard laughter, music, or the faint squeak of sneakers on the floor, chances are that you’ve caught a glimpse of Ms. McCourty in action. As the Middle and Upper School Dance Teacher, an 11th Grade Advisor, and the Performing Arts Department Chair, she’s been bringing rhythm and joy to Berkeley Carroll for 14 years.

“I’ve always danced,” she said with a smile. “I went to a performing arts high school, then got my degree in dance at Hunter College.” Being a native New Yorker made her dance journey even more vibrant. “New York is one of the epicenters for dance,” she explained. “When I danced, I wasn’t just going to school — I was performing, dancing in studios, and hanging out with other dancers all the time.”

Her love for teaching began early, inspired by a middle school teacher who encouraged her to audition for a performing arts program. “I tried out for both choir and dance,” she laughed. “I liked both, but I got a lot more attention for dancing.” That confidence, combined with admiration for her own “rockstar” teachers, set her on the path to education: “I wanted to be a rockstar too.”

Before coming to BC, Ms. McCourty spent years teaching dance throughout Park Slope. “I’ve taught dance in Park Slope for about 25 years” she began; “sometimes I’d have BC students in my classes.” One day, she spotted an ad saying Berkeley Carroll was looking for a new dance teacher and decided to try her hand. “I thought, ‘This might be a good idea.’ I sat on it for a while, then applied — and once I settled in, I thought, ‘This is the best decision I’ve ever made.’” She added, “I’ve always felt respected and heard here as a dance teacher. That’s not something you find everywhere.”

Ms. McCourty brings a diverse perspective to her teaching. “I’m a first-generation American; my parents are from Panama,” she shared. “It gives me a chance to see things in the world more broadly.” Outside of school, she teaches senior adults and people with disabilities, and at home, she’s a proud cat mom: “I have two cats: Chadwick, named after Chadwick Boseman because he’s black with a triangle on his neck, and Squeak, who sounds exactly like R2-D2.”

When she’s not dancing, she’s watching documentaries. “About anything: sports, insects, music… I just love learning new things.”

And if she could be a genre of music? “Funk,” she answered instantly. “A friend once said I’m like a bass guitar. As dancers, we have to be funky sometimes!”

As for this year’s dance show, she couldn’t be more excited. “What we’ve been working on in all the classes has been really good,” she said. “It’s gonna be a great show — I hope people check it out!” Make sure to support Ms. McCourty and BC dancers on May 14th and 15th at 7:00 PM.

Wednesday 10/15:

Tennis Girls and NB (Varsity) vs. Friends Seminary (Away)
- 4:30 PM, Flushing Meadows
Cross Country (Varsity) vs. ACIS (Away)
- 4:45 PM, Van Cortlandt Park
Soccer Boys and NB (Varsity) vs. Saint Ann’s (Home)
- 4:15 PM, Red Hook #4
Soccer Boys and NB (JV) vs. Saint Ann’s (Away)
- 4:00 PM, Red Hook #5
Volleyball Girls and NB (Varsity) vs. LuHi (Away)
- 4:30 PM, Long Island Lutheran

Friday 10/17:

Tennis Girls and NB (Varsity) vs. Trevor Day (Away)
- 4:00 PM, USTA
Soccer Girls and NB (Varsity) vs. Friends Seminary (Home)
- 4:30 PM, Red Hook #2 SENIOR NIGHT
Soccer Boys and NB (Varsity) vs. Friends Seminary (Home)
- 3:00 PM, Red Hook #2
Soccer Boys and NB (JV) vs. Friends Seminary (Away)
- 4:15 PM, Dyker Soccer Field #3
Volleyball Girls and NB (Varsity) vs. Friends Seminary (Away)
- 5:45 PM, Friends Seminary
Volleyball Girls and NB (JV) vs. Friends Seminary (Away)
- 4:15 PM, Friends Seminary