Stories from The Trail

CT Today
Stories from The Trail

CT Today
Stories from The Trail

CT Today
Elyse Sommer

Elyse Sommer, Editor-in-Chief

I’m returning to CT Journalism as Newspaper’s Editor-in-Chief for the 2020-2021 (try saying that five times fast) school year! This will be my third year on staff, and I’m so excited to be in this role as a student journalist and leader. Outside of the Newsroom, I love to read, watch movies with my sisters, and try to stand up on a longboard.

All content by Elyse Sommer
The gradient between smoky air and clear skies is visible above Tallyn’s Reach pool on Sept. 7. “As a lifeguard the fires have impacted me negatively because it makes it really difficult to work outside when I am constantly inhaling the ash and smoke,” said Gabby Burns (12). Burns is a lifeguard who works at Tallyn’s Reach and finds that the atmosphere has been murky for the past few months in a way she’s never seen before.

The Haze Upon Us

Elyse Sommer, Editor In Chief
November 6, 2020
Watching his ball sail away after a well-placed hit, Gavin Buttshaw (12) concentrates hard at a tournament on Aug. 31. "We can always play good separately, but we'd never put it together at the same time," said Buttshaw of the separated team dynamic due to safety precautions. "And it was kind of tough."

Boys Golf: Getting to Play

Elyse Sommer, Editor-in-Chief
October 1, 2020
The staff of The Legend, the yearbook, pose together for a picture before the mandatory closing of CCSD schools went into effect. The staff worked hard all year to produce this year's yearbook, making sure to commemorate this unique time in history. Every senior should have access to the memories and photos on every page and that's why the yearbook staff has created a way for yearbooks to be donated to seniors who wouldn't have access otherwise.

Every Senior Deserves a Yearbook

Elyse Sommer, Managing Editor
May 4, 2020
The IB Diploma Program is a world-renowned academic program, known for its emphasis on international involvement and rigorous courses for its students. As of March 22, the IB Program announced that it was not going to be administering any exams planned in May. Photo courtesy of Hatyza (CC 4.0)

No More IB Tests: What That Means to Us

Elyse Sommer, Managing Editor
March 29, 2020
An illustration of the coronavirus, created at the Center for Disease Control, highlights its stark shape. The coronavirus has swept the globe, infecting over 80,000 people. Photo courtesy of PHIL, #23312. Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAM

Coronavirus Update: What You Need to Know

Elyse Sommer, Managing Editor
March 2, 2020

CT Against Eaglecrest: Girls Basketball Game

Elyse Sommer, Managing Editor
February 26, 2020
Behind the scenes at the 92nd Academy Awards, actors James Corden and Rebel Wilson shift in their cat costumes from the fated movie that came out in 2019 to scathing reviews. Ironically, the pair announced Best Special Effects, a section they claimed to know the vitality of, which drew laughs from a knowing audience. The 92nd Oscars broke barriers in terms of foreign film and representation for all cultures, a star-studded night in its own right. Photo and Tweet courtesy of Amy Kaufman, journalist for the L.A. Times.

A Run-Down of the 92nd Oscars

Elyse Sommer, Managing Editor
February 10, 2020
A classic BAFTAs mask in traditional large style appears on a red carpet. The BAFTAs, standing for British Academy for Film and Television Arts, are held in early February, before the Oscars. This year, the nominees are suspiciously Caucasian and male, a discriminatory lineup that is not tolerated by Hollywood's elite. Photo courtesy of Chloe (CC BY 2.0)

#BAFTAsSoWhite: Another Backslide

Elyse Sommer, Managing Editor
February 2, 2020
Pressing play on the newest Jumanji movie was a regret personally. Jumanji: The Next Level grossed $404.6 million at the domestic box office and I am left wondering how. It has Kevin Hart to thank, for sure.

Jumanji: No More Levels Please

Elyse Sommer, Managing Editor
January 23, 2020
This graphic depicts Marmee, Meg, Jo, Amy, and Beth March in their home, demonstrating the novel Little Women by Louisa May Alcott in its entirety, set during the Civil War. The film, featuring Saoirse Ronan, Timothee Chalamet, Laura Dern, and Florence Pugh, amongst others like Emma Watson and Meryl Streep, debuted on Christmas Day, 2019, grossing $12 million in its first two days. The film was a heartening success to viewers like CTHSToday.org’s reviewer, Elyse Sommer. Photo courtesy of Giulia Lombardo (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

Little Women: An Endearing Tale of Domesticity

Elyse Sommer, Managing Editor
January 23, 2020
Grinning in front of the credits after the newest Star Wars installment, Rise of Skywalker, Elyse Sommer flashes a double thumbs up, a hallmark of her movie review approval. John Boyega starred alongside Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver in the final film in the franchise, hopefully, that grossed nearly $150 million in its first day. Photo courtesy of Dan Sommer.

Rise of Skywalker: The Final Touch

Elyse Sommer, Managing Editor
December 23, 2019
Happy Tears: Skylar Brogch (10) cries in the arms of a teammate after having swam an incredible time against Mullen on December 12. In the meet against Mullen, Brogch clocked in a time for the 100 fly that was a mere 0.6 seconds away from the pool’s record. “After having worked so hard, it just feels amazing,” said Brogch of the immense accomplishment. Brogch has already qualified for the State meet in both the 200 free and 100 fly races after only a handful of meets.

Us Against Mullen; December 12 Swim Meet in Photos

Elyse Sommer, Managing Editor
December 13, 2019
Popping two thumbs up for Knives Out, the latest crime drama in theaters this past week, Elyse Sommer and her youngest sister smile in front of the promotional poster at AMC Southlands before viewing the film. The movie, originally written by Agatha Christie as a novel, features Daniel Craig (007 extraordinaire), Chris Evans (did someone say Captain America?), and Ana de Armas (another former James Bond star) in a set straight from a historic Victorian melodrama.

Agatha Christie Strikes Again: Box Office Destroyer

Elyse Sommer, Managing Editor
December 4, 2019
Grinning in front of a large Terminator poster, Managing Editor Elyse Sommer grins after watching the new Terminator: Dark Fate movie on November 3, the day after the newest terminator film’s debut. The film, featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton, is a textbook box office flop, grossing $123 million in its budget of $185-$195 million, even if viewers like Sommer enjoyed the movie for all the gory, gruesome ways it is exactly like its predecessors. Photo courtesy of Dan Sommer.

“Terminator: Dark Fate” Hits the Spot

Elyse Sommer, Managing Editor
November 3, 2019
Gwen Stefani, lead singer of No Doubt, croons into a microphone during a concert with her band. No Doubt has been ingrained in the image of the '90s, but still finds a foothold in modern day culture with their classic song, "Just A Girl", identifying the struggles that women face on the daily. "Gwen1" by Kris Sikes is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

“Just A Girl”: No Doubt’s Powerfully Relevant Hit

Elyse Sommer, Managing Editor
October 20, 2019

Run Straight to the Top

Elyse Sommer, Managing Editor
September 19, 2019
Grinning from ear to ear, hopeful junior Powderpuff applicants are camped outside the Athletics office, patiently waiting for the doors to open and their applications to play in the one-time fall event to be accepted. “It's a fun way to get involved in school and something that's competitive,” said Mia Thorn (11). “We typically get super caught up in winning, yet it’s for a greater cause, and it brings our school together during homecoming week.” Girls began filing in as early as 6:30 before school to secure their spot in line, following the application process’ accordance with “first come, first serve”. In past years, the Powderpuff theme has ranged from veterans to breast cancer support. Photo courtesy of Ms. Tammy Johnson

Do It For The Cause: Powderpuff and All Its Triumphs and Flops

Elyse Sommer, Managing Editor
September 11, 2019
Two administrators grin over paperwork at the parking pass section of senior registration on Tuesday, July 30. All students who drive to school and plan on using either of the parking lots during the school day must swing by this station in order to get their parking pass for the 2019-2020 school year. “It was frustrating because there was no information online,” said Jenna Bressler (12)

Upperclassmen Only: Parking Passes

Elyse Sommer, Managing Editor
July 30, 2019
Car keys dangle from the door handle of a sedan, much like Anna Cameron (11)’s car, where she stores her stuff during the school day. “If I stay organized and know exactly what I need that day, I never really need to carry much around all the time. If I stay organized and know exactly what I need that day, I never really need to carry much around all the time,” said Cameron about the advantages of using her car as a storage space for all her school materials. Photo by House of Joy Photos (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Locker, Car, or Backpack?

Elyse Sommer
May 13, 2019
The Oscars are an annual event, celebrated by actors, directors, and viewers alike all over the globe. Arguably, the Oscars are the pinnacle of American filmmaking, awarding the previous’ year’s movies’ successes according to a system of film-knowledgeable voters submitting who they believe earns the award in different categories such as Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and many others. Photo courtesy of Disney ABC Television Group (CC BY-ND 2.0)

The Oscars: A Night of Successes and Failures

Elyse Sommer
April 15, 2019
A pro-life graphic depicts a pregnant woman with a strangled fetus in her womb. Pro-life ideologies often stem from religious beliefs or ideals of human life starting at conception. Many people who identify as Republican are oftentimes pro-life. Photo by Alex Ribeiro (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Everything You Didn’t Know About Abortion and Jane Roe

Elyse Sommer
March 29, 2019
Transgender student Emily Bacon (12) gives the camera a long hard stare, showing her powerful emotion regarding the topic of a young student left in the hallway of a Virginia school during a lockdown.

Trans Student Left Outside

Elyse Sommer, Staffer
February 28, 2019
Bringing Light Sophie Sandberg uses bright colors and large type in order to make her work noticeable among the busy throngs of people bustling around New York City. “My favorite part of the account is the positive conversations I've had with people -- that is, women thanking me for telling their story, or simply listening to their story.”

Cat Calls of NYC

Elyse Sommer, Staffer
December 4, 2018

The Conversation on Dogs at School

Elyse Sommer, Staffer
November 29, 2018
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Stories from The Trail
Elyse Sommer