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The Student News Site of Menlo School

The Coat of Arms

The Student News Site of Menlo School

The Coat of Arms

The Student News Site of Menlo School

The Coat of Arms

Tatum Herrin

Tatum Herrin, Editor in Chief

 

Number of years in The Coat of Arms: 4

Favorite aspect of journalism: Designing pages

Interests outside of school: Mock trial and lacrosse

Class of 2024

All content by Tatum Herrin
Photo courtesy of Tania Troper

Menlo Students and Faculty Recall Marco Troper’s (‘23) Powerful Impact

Tatum Herrin and Lizzie Freehill
June 19, 2024

Marco Troper (‘23) passed away on Feb. 13, 2024 in his dorm room at UC Berkeley. In the months following his death, the Menlo community has mourned a...

History teacher Katina Ballantyne helps a student during tutorial.

2024 Edition: Departing Menlo Faculty Members

This collection of stories is an online extension and reproduction of the Coat of Arms 50.5 print edition. This package includes the original articles...

Which Workouts Are Working Out?

Which Workouts Are Working Out?

Tatum Herrin, Editor-in-Chief
April 2, 2024

Disclaimer: I am no workout expert. I am, however, a second-semester senior with more free time on my hands than I’m used to. I’ve taken on the adventure...

Staff illustration: Amber More

“Saltburn” Review: All That Glitters Isn’t Gold

Tatum Herrin, Editor in Chief
March 5, 2024

Beautiful and shallow. These words describe the Catton family of “Saltburn” just as well as the film itself. Director-writer Emerald Fennell has taken...

Staff photo and illustration: Alyssa McAdams and Tatum Herrin

For Our Sake and Your Own, Stay Off The Senior Quad

Tatum Herrin, Editor in Chief
January 15, 2024

I know it’s hard to imagine, but there was once a time when I myself was a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed junior. Before that I was a sophomore, and before...

Mark Aquino poses with one of his catches. Photo courtesy of Aquino

Mark Aquino Has Some Big Fish to Fry

Tatum Herrin, Editor in Chief
October 15, 2023

Waves crash against ethnic studies teacher Mark Aquino’s 12-foot kayak. The culprit: a 6.8 pound, 26-inch halibut thrashing wildly to escape the clutch...

A recent NBC news poll found that 76% of Americans believe there is a threat to democracy and majority rule. Staff illustration: Tatum Herrin

[Photo] Discussion: What is America’s Political Outlook?

February 9, 2023

A recent NBC news poll found that 76% of Americans believe there is a threat to democracy and majority rule. Staff illustration: Tatum Herrin

Artificial intelligence programs like ChatGPT are creating breeding grounds for cheating, the spread of misinformation, and a decrease in work ethic and integrity. However, people should be working with AI, not against it. Staff illustration: Tatum Herrin

[Photo] ChatGPT: Artificial Intelligence is Outsmarting Us

February 3, 2023

Artificial intelligence programs like ChatGPT are creating breeding grounds for cheating, the spread of misinformation, and a decrease in work ethic and...

Spread from 48.5 Print covered technology usage at Menlo. Staff illustration: Tatum Herrin

[Photo] From 48.5 Print: The Dangers Behind the Screen: Students Explain Snapchat Functions At Menlo

Alea Marks, Community Relations Director
May 18, 2022

Spread from 48.5 Print covered technology usage at Menlo. Staff illustration: Tatum Herrin

A variety of Menlo faculty are departing at the conclusion of the school year. Staff graphic: Sophie Fang

From 48.5 Print: Departing Teachers Share Favorite Memories Continued

This collection of stories is an online extension and reproduction of the Coat of Arms 48.5 print edition. This package includes the original articles...

Menlo students have a warped perception of COVID-19. Staff illustration: Tatum Herrin.

Menlo’s Myopic Lense: How Wealth Has Skewed COVID-19 Understandings at Menlo

Tatum Herrin, Assistant Spread Editor
March 12, 2022

Sometimes, tragedy brings us together. Other times, it cracks the earth and leaves fissures between us. Tragedy can also walk the delicate line between...

Some Menlo teachers strongly believe in cold calling while some never cold call. Staff illustration: Tatum Herrin.

[Photo] Menlo Community Reflects on Cold Calling

Rhea Nandal, Staff Writer
February 6, 2022

Some Menlo teachers strongly believe in cold calling while some never cold call. Staff illustration: Tatum Herrin.

In the 1890s, society deemed women's ankles inappropriate. Today, hundreds of years later, dress codes only perpetuate lingering taboos of the female body. Staff illustration: Tatum Herrin.

Dress Codes Bolster the Taboos of the Female Body

Tatum Herrin, Assistant Spread Editor
February 1, 2022

As early as 300,000 years ago, Homo sapiens roamed the earth wearing hardly anything. We spent our days hunting and gathering with one thing in mind: survival....

The latest Texas abortion law, also known as the Texas Heartbeat Act, sidesteps the jurisdiction of Roe v. Wade. Staff illustration: Tatum Herrin.

The Fetal Heartbeat Law: An Attack on the Constitution

Tatum Herrin, Assistant Spread Editor
October 15, 2021

Maybe you’re pro-life, and you believe our souls are created at the moment of conception. Perhaps you believe a fetus deserves the same rights as a person,...

Staff Illustration: Tatum Herrin.

The Male Gaze Infiltrates Menlo Sports

Tatum Herrin, Assistant Spread Editor
June 2, 2021

To me, sports are a celebration of the human body — of its capabilities, its strength and its raw power. When I play sports, my body is on display. My...

While 81% of Billboard's Top 10 best-selling albums are made by non-white or mixed-race groups of artists, musicians of color only received 26.7% of Grammy nominations from 2012 to 2020. Staff illustration: Tatum Herrin.

The Grammys’ Casual Racism Has Gone on for Too Long

Tatum Herrin, Staff Writer
May 12, 2021

After 63 years of elaborate celebrations, the Grammy Awards have gained impressive prestige. Considered to be the most significant award in the music world,...

Sia's lack of consultation with members of the autistic community led to harmful characterizations of autistic people in her recent movie 'Music.' Staff illustration: Tatum Herrin.

[Photo] Don’t Watch Sia’s New Film ‘Music’

Annie Stent, Staff Writer
April 6, 2021

Sia's lack of consultation with members of the autistic community led to harmful characterizations of autistic people in her recent movie 'Music.' Staff...

Being part of the "undersized" category creates extra challenges for for athletes, but hard work can always bring positive results. Staff illustration: Tatum Herrin.

[Photo] My Perspective on Being an “Undersized” Athlete Has Changed

Annie Stent, Staff Writer
March 23, 2021

Being part of the "undersized" category creates extra challenges for for athletes, but hard work can always bring positive results. Staff illustration:...

March Madness 2021 is approaching; the annual college basketball tournament was canceled as a result of the pandemic last year. The tournament has altered some of its rules this year to accommodate safety measures. Staff illustration: Tatum Herrin.

[Photo] March Madness is Back After One-Year Hiatus

Jake Lieberman, Staff Writer
March 11, 2021

March Madness 2021 is approaching; the annual college basketball tournament was canceled as a result of the pandemic last year. The tournament has altered...

Freshmen socialize at lunch wearing shirts designed by the seniors for their first day back to hybrid learning on Feb. 1, 2021. Photo courtesy of Pete Zivkov.

Freshmen Face Social Hurdles in Distance and Hybrid Learning

Tatum Herrin, Staff Writer
March 7, 2021

Making friends over Zoom can be difficult, and starting the year online has proved to be a social hurdle for new freshmen at Menlo. For many students who...

In order to halt the COVID-19 pandemic and save as many lives as possible, it is crucial that eligible people receive the vaccine. Some cannot receive the vaccine due to religious objections, compromised immune systems or being newborn babies, according to Mayo Clinic. It is important to continue to wear masks and follow COVID-19 guidelines to protect those who have not been vaccinated until we reach herd immunity. Staff illustration: Tatum Herrin.

[Photo] COVID-19 Vaccines Are Safe, Community Members Should Get Vaccinated If Offered

Lizzie Freehill, Staff Writer
February 12, 2021

In order to halt the COVID-19 pandemic and save as many lives as possible, it is crucial that eligible people receive the vaccine. Some cannot receive...

Anti-Trump protesters rally outside of the Capitol in opposition to the Trump supporters who rioted at the Capitol on January 6th, 2021. Creative Commons photo: Ted Eytan on Flickr.

The Overton Window: Menlo Freshmen React Differently to Riots Than Parents Do

Tatum Herrin, Staff Writer
January 26, 2021

When I first heard that the president of the United States was egging on a domestic coup at the Capitol, I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Typical Trump,”...

Teachers are adapting their classes for the virtual and hybrid learning formats. One teacher might use the strategy of waving to their class through Zoom. Staff illustration: Tatum Herrin.

[Photo] Teachers Describe Virtual Teaching Takeaways

Jake Lieberman, Staff Writer
January 22, 2021

Teachers are adapting their classes for the virtual and hybrid learning formats. One teacher might use the strategy of waving to their class through Zoom....

A student enters the Menlo Shuttle to the train station after school. Photo courtesy of Pete Zivkov.

The World of Menlo Transportation: Transportation Coordinator Explains Reopening and Her Job

Tatum Herrin, Staff Writer
December 2, 2020

As Menlo students return to in-person learning, transportation arises as an important concern. On account of these circumstances, Transportation Coordinator...

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