350 Prospect Street Belmont, MA 02478
Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage Permit #58555 Boston, MA PAID
Volu m e 6 6 , Issu e 2
Ju ne 5 , 2 0 1 7
A Student Publication of the Belmont Hill School
THE END OF AN ERA Dr. Wachtmeister Retires After Thirty Years At Belmont Hill
By Charlie Donahue ‘19 and Charlie Booth ‘19 Panel Staff It is with a heavy heart that at the conclusion of this school year we say goodbye to a staple of the Science Department for over three decades, Dr. Wachtmeister. When Doc joined the faculty in 1987, Reagan was president, gas cost 89 cents per gallon, and biology was still taught on blackboards. Despite this, Doc has changed very little and has been a constant presence on campus who has guided generations of boys in the same thoughtful, intuitive, and caring manner. In preparation for his campus visit on March 5, 1987 for an interview, a colleague in Virginia sent Headmaster Wadsworth a letter of recommendation which read, “He has always been well liked and respected by his students, and has a reputation of really knowing the material. Probably his greatest strength is his love of teaching. He really cares about his students and works hard to help them achieve success.” Twice his stuPhoto (left) by Johhn Gillooly and (right) from Harvard Business School dent, I can confirm that this holds true today, maybe even more so than it did then. With every class it is more and more evident that he loves teaching. Beloved colleague Mr. ity and work ethic. If there is one thing I “on the farm.” According to Mr. Trautz, the material. As he explained to us: Goodband called Doc a “scholar of teach- know for certain: the Science Department “Doc is a master story teller...On one par“One thing I love about teaching is ing,” which in my opinion sums up what will not be the same next year without ticular day I visited [his class], he started it’s like being an actor. You get to act out makes him so good at it. Despite knowing its Charles Darwin lookalike at the helm. by telling some interesting stories to the different things, or use stories or metaphors the material like the back of his hand and As many people know, Doc boys about cattle reproduction, castration to help kids remember the material. We all practically being able to recite the textbook, grew up on a beef-cattle farm in Fauquier of bulls, and his beloved bull John Henry. need positive reinforcement and when I do Doc arrives at school every morning before County, Virginia. His dad purchased the This somehow segued into getting ‘the talk’ I just ask the class a question knowing that 5:30 to brush up on the day’s lesson. This farm in the 1940s and it is where Doc will from his dad back in the day on the farm.” someone will have the answer. When they desire for improvement and perfection even retire. Many of the stories that he tells as Doc often uses these sto- do it makes me feel good about what I do.” after thirty years speaks to his personal- part of his lessons come from his childhood ries to help his students understand continued on Page 2
Back to Back to Back: Lacrosse Wins 3rd Consecutive ISL Title Tribute to the Artists By Brian Antonelli ‘18 Staff Writer
By Austin Kwoun ‘18 Panel Staff
On a warm and clear-skied Friday night, the entire season hung in the balance for the varsity lacrosse team. After a key victory against Nobles, the team faced a dangerous Rivers team who arrived to Danehy Park with a world class goalie and a potent offense. However, the boys from the Hill refused to back down. After Belmont Hill scored the first goal of the game, Rivers answered with two quick ones before Christian O’Neill, as he has done all season, tucked one past the Rivers goalie to tie the game at 2-2. goal to make it 13-6. Rivers would never navy blue uniforms and trot out onto their Belmont Hill took control as they recover as Belmont Hill finished off the beloved home field. The game started out went into the half up 10-3. At that point, game with a 15-7 victory. The win was a with everything going Middlesex’s way. Belthe boys in white had confidence and there real statement in the league, as Rivers had mont Hill could not buy a goal until once was no turning back. As Rivers tried to claw recently beaten St. Sebastian’s, who Bel- again Christian O’Neill got Belmont Hill on back into the game with a goal to make it mont Hill had fallen to earlier in the season. the board. After that, it was all Belmont Hill. 12-6 midway through the third quarter, Another notable game of the season Stellar defense and a very productive offense senior long pole Zach Shpilner plunged was against Middlesex, which would be led the team past Middlesex and into the a dagger into the heart of Rivers with a the last time the seniors would put on their continued on Page 5
Look Inside The Panel
Sports 5 4-Peat: Track & Field Wins 4th NEPSTA Title
Special 6-7, 12 Prize Day & Matriculation Lists
As per tradition, The Panel presents the official 2017 Prize Day and Class of 2017 Matriculation Lists.
News 4 Class of 2017 Leaves Enduring Legacy
An endearing look back at the accomplishments and memories that defined the Class of 2017.
The team also captured the ISTA title, breaking a 6-year dry spell.
Sports 8 Athlete of the Issue: Evan Ricci ‘17 “While most of the athletes covered in Athlete of the Issue have spent many years perfecting their craft, Evan Ricci ‘17 started running the hurdles less than two years ago...”
Where do the renowned artists of Belmont Hill’s senior class go after they’ve passed on? Rumor has it, there’s a promised land for the legends of BH theater, visual art, and music, a Valhalla of hearty prose, sculpture and song. In this special haven, the orchestra’s Vice President and longest tenured member Andrew Kaneb determinedly pulls the bow across the strings of his violin in the final bars of the Violin Fantasy for Orchestra and Chorus and Piano (may it Rest In Peace, until next year); his aggressive tremolo comes under the watchful eye of the piece’s conductor and composer Armin Thomas. President Armin never had a chance to conduct his finest composition as a Belmont Hill student, but the “stunt piece” is a smash hit in Senior Haven. Horns blare continued on Page 10
Arts 11 Sister Act Impresses The third annual Senior Talent Show impressed faculty and students alike.