The Gauntlet

08/05/2026

That’s a wrap!

The 2025-2026 school year is coming to an end with final exams next week. The Gauntlet wants to thank you, our audience, for supporting our Journalism over this school year. We can’t wait to do it better next year.

Link in bio for more news from today.

08/05/2026

In "Constructing Moments: A Yearbook Review,” incoming ed-in-chief Sophia House took a deep dive into the new Yearbook in her new Review.

House writes, “The theme of Constructing Moments seems to be showing how an entire school year is built from hundreds of small, meaningful experiences. So instead of only focusing on the big events, this year’s book highlights the everyday memories, the behind the scenes, the candid moments, that made the 25-26’ school year unforgettable.”

House interviews Yearbook staff and students to get their take, and assesses this years content, photos, design, and theme.

Link in bio for the full scoop and more news from today.

This year’s book has garnered a lot of acclaim. So we sat down, yearbook in hand, to give it the review it deserves. Let’s go! Putting together a yearbook is a huge feat— from developing the theme, to planning the design, to executing the photos, to writing the captions— it takes a village t...

07/05/2026

I have to pick a college? Where do I start!?

Yesterday, marked the 5th year college counseling hosted the 8th Grace College Expo in the MS Commons.

8th grade students heard from four seniors head to college next year, in addition to all of their teachers, who shared about their alma maters in a college fair setting.

20 different colleges were represented and students walked from table to table, where they found college displays and the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about each school.

College Counseling also raffled college t-shirts and provided Facts Sheet from each school, for further reading.

Link in bio for more news from today.

07/05/2026

The Falcons delivered an outstanding performance at the FHSAA 1A State Track & Field Meet, highlighted by senior Keymani Dillingham, who capped off her legendary career as a four-time state champion and new Class 1A state record holder in the 400-meter hurdles, winning both the 100-meter and 400-meter hurdles. Dillingham will continue her track career at Jacksonville State University.
Other top performances included Gabby Smith placing third in the 400-meter hurdles, Jaida Milburn finishing fifth in the high jump, and Naeha Akella taking seventh in the 3200-meter run. The girls 4x400 relay team earned sixth place while breaking the school record, and overall, the Falcons placed fifth as a team in Class 1A.
Link in bio for more news from today.

06/05/2026

First-year Spanish teacher Mrs. Yasiris Torres has been there this year, from big games under the lights to behind-the-scenes at plays to magic moments at Prom, to capture moments that matter. And her photos are incredible.

In “The Art of Life and Photography,” Karlah Benzán features the new teacher, who has implanted herself in the community in such a short time. This is a must-read piece about a must-have teacher.

Head to the site for the full Feature.

At games, plays, or meets, you might see Ms Yasiris Torres down in the action, snapping photographs of memorable moments for students. These aren’t your usual photos. These are some of the best shots you’ve ever seen, as the student body and staff has come to know from her Instagram posts. Ms. T...

05/05/2026

Today, a Gauntlet was held for the varsity track team and the varsity boy’s weightlifting team.
Check out some photos and videos of today’s ceremony here.

This Wednesday, the varsity track team will attend the FHSAA 1A State Championships, where they will compete in 7 events after a strong performance at regionals. Track and field athletes include Naeha Akella, Keymani Dillingham, Jaida Milburn, Gabriella Smith, and Olivia Fessler.

The event will take place at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.

This Friday, the varsity boy’s weightlifting team will attend states in Lakeland. Lifters include
Corbin Franklin who is going for traditional and olympic, and Noah Dam and Tyler Conn who are
going for olympic.

We wish the best of luck to our athletes as they go to compete at the state level! Link in bio for
more news from today.

05/05/2026

“Recent alum to present networking platform ‘TeenOp’ during assembly tomorrow.” Story by Associate Editor Lexi Mascera.

Tomorrow, on Wednesday May 6, graduate from the class of 2024 Kensington Wheeler present her startup company, TeenOp, to US students from 9:40–10:00am.

Wheeler graduated from Saint Stephen’s in 2024, and now studies Computer Science and Commercial Entrepreneurship at Florida State University.

TeenOp, standing for Teen Opportunity,is an online platform where Saint Stephen’s students can connect with each other to network, whether that be for jobs, collaboration, or support in areas of need.

The platform provides an opportunity for Falcons to support peers in their journeys, work together on jobs, or connect for gigs, to earn money based on their skill-sets. Posts by users can range from dog walking, babysitting, tutoring, graphic design, photography, and more.

TeenOp works similar to the platform Fiverr, except it connects individuals in the same local community, with signups limited to a school email address and invite code.

“I thought, how great would it be for Lower School families and students to connect with the Upper School’s offerings,” Wheeler said in a video describing her startup.

During tomorrow’s assembly, Wheeler will provide more information. She hopes that SSES students and the community can get involved by either connecting with one another or spreading the word.

Link in bio for more news from today

04/05/2026

"Girls softball brings home District Championship." Story by Sophia House.

On Thursday April 30 out at the MAC, the Falcons secured the district title for the first time in 11 years in a tense, 3–0 victory over Admiral Farragut. The trophy comes after a season defined by teamwork, determination, and growth.

7th grader Emma Jackson pitched a tremendous shutout, allowing no runs, in an effort that put her in the running for the Herald Tribune's Athlete of the Week.

8th grader Ryland Goar was a top hitter, with several base hits and runs scored throughout the game.

In the field, the Falcons were solid, allowing no runs in the decisive title game.

According to Freshman Alcie Despard, this was a big win for the team.

"It meant a lot for our seniors," Despard said. "Haley [Munson] has poured so much time in for the team. And we finally got to win for her."

Despard added the team is "confident going into regionals, we know the teams we're playing and we can all pull together well."

Led by coaches Nate Boggs and Sheryl Leach, the team’s success reflects months of hard work and dedication. Key players Emma Jackson ’31, Abby Eanet ’30, and Alcie Despard ’29 played major roles throughout the season, contributing both offensively and defensively.

Recent highlight wins for the team included a thrilling 9–8 win against Bradenton Christian and an impressive 11–1 victory over Sarasota Christian.

For Despard, the team’s strength comes from unity.

“We really came together as a team… we all complement each other in different ways and are able to pull together,” she said.

With mostly middle school athletes and four high school players, the Falcons now look ahead to regionals on Wednesday May 6 at home against Shorecrest Prep.

04/05/2026

Looking for some new tunes?

‘Don+t Settle- Transmissions East’ is a new album by Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard that will really pull you in, according to Afton Cox in her new review.

Hansard, famed for his indie film ‘Once,’ is a folk musician that everyone should know about.

Cox writes: “The album is a one-take wonder recorded in Funkhaus [recorded in one take]…The album consists of ten, carefully picked songs.”

Cox shares her analysis and videos of each song in the story. This is a must-read for music lovers.

Link in bio for full story and more news from today.

30/04/2026

Whew! That was a Pub Chapel! And here is the full 2026 Gauntlet Publications Chapel vid, "Sergeant Pepper's Last Stand."

A video team of Annette Logan, Sawyer Girgis, Carter Hasbrouck, Grace Kotter, Haley Munson, and a whole lot of other staffers worked tirelessly to make it special.

Enjoy!