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Volu m e 6 4 , Is su e 7
A Student Publication of the Belmont Hill School
Does Belmont Hill Need a Health Course? By Brendan Pulsifer Panel Staff When I first asked Mrs. David about Belmont Hill’s sex ed program, she chuckled a little from behind her nurse’s desk. “What program?” she inquired. Then, she walked to the back of the Health Office and retrieved an old blue bag bursting at the seams. It contained an array of miscellaneous sexual health items - packs of condoms, diaphragms, tampons, and
things I didn’t even know existed. “This bag holds all that’s left of what we used to teach students,” she said. “I haven’t brought it out in years since this part of the curriculum was cut.” Belmont Hill has never developed a very large sex ed curriculum by today’s standards, but over the many decades that Mrs. David has worked as the school’s nurse, she has actually seen it shrink. In the 1990s, she and Mr. McAlpin used to teach Form I about anatomy, relationships, and the consequences of risktaking for seven sessions.
Look Inside Political Makeup of Belmont Hill pg 4 Winsor Mock Trial Team on Top pg 5 Panel Editor Switch Day pg 10-11 Review of Kanye’s New Album pg 12 “Ask Emily” Advice Column pg 18
Those classes however, were abolished after a few years to make room for more academic class time. Since the 2000s, she has taken 40 minutes in Form I Science and Form IV Biology to educate students about the fundamentals of sex. But the Form I seminar has been eliminated from the schedule, and her meeting with Biology students doesn’t necessarily occur every year. It was removed last year, for example, because of snow days.
The only formal class that the school now offers appears in the Form II curriculum, where boys meet for three one-hour sessions with the school’s health professionals to talk about the basics of sexual education. “I’ve almost given up the fight to improve sex ed,” Mrs. David said. “The information students learn in those classes might not be as intellectual as concepts in physics, but it will be pivotal when they have to enter the real world and make life-changing decisions. And we’re not teaching them nearly
enough now.” A recent movement led by students and faculty in the Senate and the group Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) to improve Belmont Hill’s sexual education program has pushed many to consider the value of adding not only a sex ed program, but a more general “Health” class to the schedule. In addition to covering sexual education - specifically topics such as sexual orientation, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), healthy relationships, sexual harassment - Health would also educate students about drugs and alcohol, mental wellness and stress management, racial/ gender/religious diversity, bullying, and nutrition. The specific material varies from school district to school district as well as from grade to grade depending upon what the school deems appropriate and developmentally relevant. The benefits of a Health class are myriad. Numerous longitudinal studies around the globe have shown that the implementation of such curricula correlates with lower teen pregnancy, delayed sexual debut, reduced average number of sexual partners, curbed sexual risktaking behaviors, increased contraceptive use, reduced use of drugs and alcohol, and decreased prevalence of psychological stress. One paper even asserted that it boosts math & reading scores (though I can’t exactly explain that correlation myself ). Continued on page 16
David Mitchell '18 Shines On Court By Will McCormack Staff Writer Leading the team in a singalong on Monday afternoon’s bus to Roxbury Latin, sophomore Jovan Jones ‘18 approached this week lightheartedly. Yet, playing three games in five days to end the regular season, both Jovan and the entire Varsity Basketball team were aware of a dire need to bolster their NEPSAC tournament resumé. A February 17th loss at Brooks may have ended the team’s hopes for an Independent School League title, but attaining a tournament bid in New England’s competitive Class A bracket was still viable. Wins over RL, St. George’s, and Governor’s would undoubtedly improve the NEPSAC committee’s opinion of Belmont Hill’s young team. From his high-pitched rendition of Sorry by Justin Bieber that atypical Monday afternoon, no one could have predicted the three tremendous performances Jovan would soon deliver. But by
week’s end, everyone on the Hill had heard about at least one of Jovan’s highlight dunks, part of a rapidly expanding repertoire: his alley-oop Wednesday afternoon, self-pass-turned-slam off the backboard Wednesday, and a classic windmill Friday night. Their auspicious week began with a convincing 54-39 win over Roxbury Latin. Jovan’s double-double (21 points and 12 rebounds) culminated in an electrifying four-point play late in the second half. Fouled after swishing a three pointer near the baseline, Jovan, laughing on his way to the line, calmly swished his free throw before jogging back to play defense. Jake Bobo ‘18, another starter and solid contributor, especially when taking charges on the defensive end, finished with fourteen points. On Wednesday, the team continued its streak, handily defeating a weak St. George’s team. Every single player contributed to the victory. Young players typically out of the spotlight, like Pat Shea ‘17, Continued on page 4
Marc h 1 0 , 2 0 1 6
Read Panel Online!
bhpanel.org & winsorpanel.org Supporting the Female Candidate: Winsor Opinion on the Significance of Clinton’s Gender By Isabel Isselbacher Staff Writer In our nation’s 239 years of independence, we have had 44 presidents. Of those 44 presidents, it is troubling that the only break in the trend of Caucasian men was
Barack Obama’s election in 2008. While all of our past presidents were certainly qualified to be elected, as a group, they are not representative of the diversity of the nation. Like his predecessors, Obama was elected based on his qualifications. Additionally, the election of our first AfricanAmerican was particularly meaningful, and the fact that America had finally elected its first black president inspired hope that true social reform was not so distant. The Civil Rights Movement was only 50 years ago, and even then the notion of having a non-caucasian President was inconceivable to the majority of Americans. Finally electing African-American
was symbolic of the drastic social change that has occurred within the past few decades and was a crucial step in the ongoing effort to shift from a racist America to a country that truly embraces equality. Similarly to the idea of having a black president, the notion
of saying “Madame President” seemed impossible when women were given the right to vote in 1920, less than one hundred years ago. Some citizens still view the idea of women in leadership theintercept.com as radical even today, supporting their opposition by claiming that women are over emotional or fickle, and these stereotypical characteristics do not a leader make. Although gender-equality laws like Title IX have been enacted into law, and women are now expected to get an education through college at least and encouraged to pursue a career, sexism is still a real presence in our society. As I attend Continued on page 19
Panel Editors Farewell
To our Panily,
The past four years have been full of laughs, tears, and long Sundays in the Belmont Hill library, but we are so grateful that we have been able to make our mark on Panel through Volume 64. Being the voice of the student body has been such an honor and a privilege, and we hope that we have done it justice. From debating about center spreads to laughing at backpage jokes, we have enjoyed every minute of working alongside our hard-working staff and dedicated advisors. We will miss our staff so much next year, but we trust that you will keep the Panily alive and well. Good luck, and we look forward to reading issues of The Panel in the future! Sincerely, HALLAH-Brayke
Beline
Belmont Hill NEWS
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Th e Pan el
Belmont Hill Ramps up Community Service in the Spring Semester By Ishaan Prasad Panel Staff Amidst school days brimming with academic, athletic, and extracurricular commitments, 2016 has been an extraordinary year for Belmont Hill’s community service programs. Coming off of a strong first semester of community service, the group had high expectations to uphold at the start of the second semester: from the Blood Drive and Diaper Drive in February, to the Cereal Drive in March, not to mention the year-long Meadow Green and Work Crews, many hands were needed to take care of the plethora of jobs in order to ensure yet another successful year of service on the Hill.
the organization and Belmont Hill after hearing more about the Pine Street Inn’s mission through fellow classmate Jared Stier ‘18. Talking to the Director of Community Outreach, Mr. Jack Nolan, the boys learned that cereal is always needed at the inn. With more than 70 pounds, or 200 bowls, of cereal being consumed each day, Pine Street annually spent more than $60,000 of their funds on cereal; money that could have instead been used to expand their program. “After hearing these crazy facts on cereal,” McCormack noted, “We figured that we could donate the cereal they needed allowing them to focus on their other efforts, including their newlyformed street outreach program, which administers aid to people in need.” Hoping to take advantage of the competitiveness of the community to incrementally increase their goal, by the end of Class-of-
Blood Drive With the switch from the Red Cross to the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center this past November, the “Blood Belmont Hill Students Unloading Diapers Mobile” was back in the academic quad this Leap Day, with yet another ‘18, Antonio Ubeda ‘18, Jake Carter remarked, “This year was an great turnout of students and faculty. ‘18, Frank McField ‘16, and faculty ad- incredible year for the drive, With the Fall blood drive committee visor Mr. Sweeney ‘83) reprising their especially coming off of such a (Patrick Connor ‘18, William McCor- roles this spring, the group looked to great couple of years with the encourage boys to donate blood and Class of 2015. With such a great platelets to those in need. As Patrick showing this year, it’s clear that Connor ‘18 maintained when asked the school clearly is invested in about the future of the program: maintaining the drive for years “We had a great group of boys this to come.” This year’s diaper year and great leadership from the drive was also notable for its insenior class. With so many boys re- novations in ordering diapers, turning to the program next year, it’s as Will explained, “This was clear that the drive is in good hands.” the first year students, faculty, staff, and alumni could order Diaper Drive boxes of diapers through AmaEstablished in February of zon and have it directly sent to 2013 by alumni Evan Chaletzky ‘15, the school. We hoped that this Alex Santangelo ‘15, and Colin Ward would make it easier for peo‘15, the diaper drive was an effort led ple to donate diapers without by the class to honor the passing of going out of their way to buy Colin’s mother. With the family wish- them. Overall,” he ended, “we’re ing to donate to the Shrine of St. An- very happy that we kept the thony in Boston, MA, the boys learned drive’s momentum up this year, that the organization was in need of and in the future we hope to diapers, thus beginning the annual hit 12,400 before we graduate, tradition of the Belmont Hill diaper while also identifying anothdrive. Meeting their initial goals of er younger student to pass the 2500 diapers in 2013, and 5000 dia- torch and continue the drive.” A Van Loaded with Donated Diapers pers in 2014, by their 2015, final year 18’s sixth form year, the group hopes on campus, the school collected more Cereal Drive than 12,400 diapers, surpassing their Coming up this spring, the to donate more than 1,000 boxes. goal of 10,000 diapers by a sizable class-of-2018-led Cereal Drive is reWith so many other exceptional margin. This year the drive was spear- turning to campus. Having spent the headed by Frank McField ‘16, William beginning of their second form year community service efforts by memMcCormack ‘18, and Jake Carter ‘18; donating “no-desert day” money to bers throughout campus, the final Charlie Danziger ‘16 Carrying Diapers while the boys were hesitant to set a the Pine Street, in Boston, MA, cere- quarter of school is sure to be chockedgoal this year, the drive exceeded all al drive leaders William McCormack full of initiatives that will inspire mack ‘18, Ben Lebowitz ‘16, Bhaw- expectations, with the school donat- ‘18 and Jacob Carter ‘18 decided to and aid the Belmont Hill community, ramaett Broehm ‘16, Ishaan Prasad ing nearly 10,500 diapers. As Jake strengthen the relationship between along with our greater community. ☐
Dr. Gill, Renowned Team Physician and P'13, Talks Sports Medicine By Chip Daley Staff Writer Though we as a school convene in the chapel to hear many speakers, performances, and announcements throughout the year, rarely do we have the opportunity to select someone from our own community. This year, the student senate chose Dr. Thomas Gill, father of 2013 graduate Ty, and renowned field leader in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. Dr. Gill previously served as Medical Director for the Boston Red Sox, Head Team Physician for the New England Patriots, and team physician for the Boston Bruins.
He began his talk with a short on how a few times Manny Ramirez narrative concerning a conversation would come into the physician’s office he held with his father when trying to and check his email during the game. find a more specific job in medicine. As his last slide of his presentation “I asked someone I thought knew what read, he emphasized the importance of he was talking about about becoming a finding a job that you do for the right team physician. He replied, ‘Pathologists reasons, making sure the job never deknow everything and do nothing. Ortho- fines you, and, most importantly, getpedists know nothing but do everything’. ting family involved. Following his I said, thanks, Dad, for that great advice.” contributions to eight championship He then discussed the significance teams, Dr. Gill continues to serve as a of his job, recounting the play in which leader in the field of orthopedics, servMo Lewis crushed Drew Bledsoe, break- ing as the Director of the Boston Sports ing two ribs and causing severe internal Medicine and Research Institute, and bleeding of the chest. “If I hadn’t sent Medical Director for Orthopedic Re- formative insight into the field of him to the emergency room, he would search at Newton Wellesley Hospital. sports medicine while also teaching have died.” But just as he talked about Overall, Dr. Gill’s chapel talk each student life lessons applicable the severity of his job, he also reflected provided a both humorous and in- to whatever career he may choose. ☐
March 10, 2016
Belmont Hill NEWS
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Annual Chapel Builds on Rich Tradition of Performing Poetry
From left to right: Macdony Charles, DJ Demetri, and Brendan Pulsifer nalists who performed before the of the Fourth Form recited “Car- the end. DJ Demetri’s “A Letter to the school. Owen Pickette of the Fourth toon Physics, Part 1” by Nick Flynn, President,” a slam poem which he perForm recited “Ozymandias” by Per- Charles Mullaney of the Second Form formed with conviction and emotion The Belmont Hill Poetry Fest is an cy Bysshe Shelley, Sixth Former DJ performed “A Narrow Fellow in the regarding the problems that America annual event renowned by all members Demetri performed “A Letter to the Grass” by Emily Dickinson, Third For- faces today, was the first victor. Macdof the Belmont Hill community, and President” by Prince Ea, Charlie Booth mer Hamza Shemsu delivered “Com- ony Charles won with his rendition this year’s performances were no ex- of Third Form delivered “If ” by Rud- plainers” by Rudy Francisco, Brendan and passionate performance of “Beception. Every boy in the school must yard Kipling, Fourth Former Macdony Pulsifer of the Sixth Form performed cause He’s Black”, a poem regarding memorize and perform a poem in their Charles presented “Because He’s Black” “Rhapsody on a Windy Night” by T. race and its impact on a child. BrenEnglish class, with each class sending by Javon Johnson, Yazeed Dahleh of S. Eliot, and Fourth Former Cole- dan Pulsifer was the third and final their best performer to the semifinals; the First Form recited “Alone” by Ed- man Walsh closed out the chapel winner, with his confident and wellfrom there, the very best performanc- gar Allen Poe, Alex Czarnecki of the with his rendition of “Ten Responses delivered recitation of “Rhapsody on a es go on to perform before the whole Fifth Form performed “For the Life of to the Phrase ‘Man Up’ ” by Guante. Windy Night.” Overall, the poetry fest school in a long school meeting, with Me” by Taylor Mali, First Former TimWhile all the chapel perfor- was a great success, allowing students three boys crowned as the winners. othy McCormack performed “Woman mances were recited phenomenally, to both witness the hard work of their This year, there were twelve fi- Work” by Maya Angelou, Seth Israel there could only be three winners in peers and enjoy hearing poetry. ☐ By Jason Fischman Panel Staff
Politics Play A Large Role on BH Campus with Many Differing Opinions been a hit amongst Upper Schoolers. Although the group provided much insight confined to meetings at X block, the A new forum for general discus- into the politics of today, there is no exper- school-wide primary took place on SuBy Bennett Rush sion without position or party affiliation tise required to join the conversation, only per Tuesday, as the state of Massachusetts Panel Staff was started under the guidance of Dr. that you are interested in the conversation. went to the polls as well. Super Tuesday Political conversation is every- Buckley on Thursday, February 18th. The Revitalized by where these days, so why should Belmont inspiration for such an assemblage devel- C om m an d e r- i n - C h i e f Hill be any different? Political discussion oped after students approached Dr. Buck- Nate Miller and Mr. Kirby, ley, desiring a place the Young Conservatives for politics. Dr. have been a longstandBuckley describes ing group on campus. “Politics at X” as “a From fiscal and foreign drop-by, informal, policy, the presidential ongoing conversa- election and societal istion that anyone is sues to economic trends, welcome to join in. the Young Conservatives Given the fast-paced analyze problems and political world in discuss solutions. Though which we live, “Poli- the group does embrace a tics at X” provides conservative political phia weekly meeting losophy, all political views place for students are welcome as without to discuss a gamut them, there would be no of issues--policies, debate, and as Nate puts parties, campaigns it, “all members of Young & elections--in an Conservatives have a firm un-intimidating en- belief that the use of convironment.” Sopho- servative ideas and princimore Louis Goun- ples by our government is den has taken the imperative in order to relead in publicizing store the country to promthis group. They have inence.” Young ConservaBelmont Hill Election Results for the Democratic Primary built up momentum tives meets on Friday’sBelmont Hill Election Results for the Republican Primary as was seen on Fri- at X block and typically groups have been springing up and gain- day, February 26th, when Mr. O’Leary pre- discusses current political issues, recaps on provided an opportunity for many Beling popularity, most notably the newest: sented the group’s take on Super Tuesday in debates and other recent political events, mont Hill juniors and seniors to parPolitics at X. Continually gaining ground Chapel. Mr. O’Leary presented a complete as well as statistics and video. Overall, the ticipate in their first presidential election since its recent start, Politics at X is not review of the primary process, including: club offers enlightening details behind pol- cycle. So whether you are Democrat, Rethe only place to discuss the issues of to- who is/was in the lead, predictions for the icies, discussion on political issues, and a publican, and of voting age or not, if you day. Classic clubs such as Young Conser- election, the process of delegate assign- strong sense of American pride and values. have political interests, the Belmont Hill vatives exist on campus and have always ments, and the positives of each candidate. Political discussion is not just campus has a forum for your voice. ☐
winsor NEWS
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Breakthrough in Schizophrenia Research in Boston By Juliet Isselbacher Panel Staff
and Harvard. They found that the risk of developing schizophrenia is associated with excessive synaptic pruning. Synaptic prunThere is no cure for schizophrenia. ing is a process that peaks during adolesYet. According to the fifth edition of the Di- cence, in which the brain discards weak or agnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental redundant connections among neurons. It Disorders, schizophrenia is a severely de- occurs mainly in the prefrontal cortex, the bilitating psychiatric disorder characterized region of the brain associated with both by “a range of cognitive, behavioral, and personality expression and social behavior. emotional dysfunctions.” Such dysfuncIn fact, through a genomic analysis of tions may include delusions, hallucinations, 64,000 individuals, the researchers were able disorganized speech, and diminished emo- to identify an overactive gene variant of C4 tional expression. A recent study conducted in people with schizophrenia that aggresby Bostonian professors offers momentous sively tags connections for synaptic prunprogress towards understanding the patho- ing. The gene, C4, is located in the MHC genesis, or development, of schizophrenia- (major histocompatibility complex) locus, -and perhaps towards developing a cure. to which a strong association with schizoThe authors of the study, which was phrenia had previously been determined. published in Nature a month ago, are an Bruce Cuthbert, the director of the associate professor of genetics at Harvard National Institute of Mental Health, deemed webmd.com University and an assistant professor of the study “a crucial turning point in the fight CT scans of brains with and without schizophrenia. neurology at Boston Children’s Hospital against mental illness.” Indeed, it presents the prospect of a therapy for schizophre- other words, by offering us the first “bionia that would restrict synaptic pruning logical handle” on any psychiatric disorin those who demonstrate early symp- der, the study has rendered the mind just toms of the otherwise terminal illness. a little bit less elusive and little bit more However, the study has even great- accessible. And that is pretty thrilling. er implications in that, in the words of Some condemn this work of reconciling Eric Lander, the founding director of the the mind with the brain, remarking that it Broad Institute at MIT, “it [has taken] would reduce humanity to simple mechanwhat has been a black box...and [allowed] ics. Yet to simplify a phenomenon is not us [to] peek inside for the first time.” In necessarily to reduce it; one could very well contend that to simplify a phenomenon is to reveal its underlying perfect form, or the general laws to which webmd.com it adheres, thereby making it grander than ever before. By Anya Keomurjian spending countless hours learning case law And, Contributing Writer (which is derived from actual Massachuremember--this setts law). Others become witnesses and all happened On Sunday, March 6th, 2016, prepare for grueling cross-examinations. right next door! members of the Winsor Mock Trial team This year, the case is a civil trial in which a ☐ went against the unspoken rule of sleeping young woman named Pat Varma sues Dr. Number of schizophrenia cases compared to other common disorders. in on weekends, and start their days at 7:00 Sam Kang, a cardiothoracic surgeon, on the AM. They will head to Worcester, where basis of medical malpractice. Pat was a socthey will compete in a daylong, grueling cer player who went into cardiac arrest after tournament. Thirty-two regional cham- a game in 2011. Dr. Kang operated on her pions will enter the gauntlet, and Winsor heart and saved her life, but she neglected hopes to emerge victorious as one of the to notice a small mass in her right lung that top eight Mock Trial teams in the state for was later diagnosed as metastasized osteothe fourth year in a row—a feat that has sarcoma. The question that Winsor seeks been accomplished by few teams before. to answer is whether or not Dr. Kang met Editors-in-Chief This tournament is part of the a standard of care, or did his/her job corJake DeCaprio newly restructured state Mock Trial Com- rectly, and whether Pat Varma’s life could Executive Editors Copy Editors Jay O’Brien petition run by the Massachusetts Bar As- have been extended past the few months she Hailey Fuchs John Markis Lilla Gabrieli sociation every year. The season starts when has left to live if Dr. Kang had identified the Brendan Pulsifer Ishaan Prasad the trial booklet is released in early Novem- mass in 2011. Our mock trial team’s theory Abigail Simon Talia Ruxin ber. Teams must prepare both the pros- is sure to be put to the test as they continOnline Editors Arts Editors News Editors ecution/plaintiff and defense sides of the ue to progress through the tournament. ☐ Joanna Chen Alex Afeyan Jason Fischman case. Some students work on lawyer parts, Arnav Prasad Betsy Kim Helen Sayegh
Update from Winsor Mock Trial
Sports Editors Matt Reppucci Brigitte Schmittlein Photo Editors Arielle Blacklow John Gosselin
Assistant Editors Kiran Butte Augustus Lamb Susy Liu Evan Ricci Jack Richards Bennett Rush Priya Shukla Abby Weyer Backpage Editors Emily Litz Gabe Schmittlein
Pallavi Krishnamurthy '16 questioning a witness
Kristie Rae Gillooly
Opinion Editors McAlister Perry Caitlin Weldon Faculty Advisors Meghan Hazard David Hegarty Sarah Wolf Juliette Zener
The Panel, founded in 1953, is the official school newspaper of the Belmont Hill and Winsor schools. The Panel is the voice of the student body. We publish articles that are of consequence to the students, as well as the school communities. The views expressed in The Panel belong solely to the authors and editors and do not necessarily represent the student body, faculty or administration of either school. Any comment about the content should be addressed directly to the editors. The Panel encourages responsible opinion in the form of Letters to the Editor. We reserve the right to edit all submissions for length and content. Copyright 2016 The Panel. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission of the Editor-in-Chief. Published by the Belmont Printing Co., Belmont, MA 02478.
winsor NEWS
March 10, 2016
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Clinton and Trump Win Big in Super Tuesday Primaries By Saphia Suarez Contributing Writer Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump solidified their statuses as frontrunners on Super Tuesday and will likely be the Democratic and Republican nominees. The idea of Super Tuesday emerged in 1984, and since then only seven Super Tuesdays have been held, including the five state mini Super Tuesday in 2004. In order to win a party nomination, a candidate must secure a majority of that party’s delegates. Delegates are allotted to a candidate in proportion to the percentage of the vote they receive during the primaries. Currently, Hillary Clinton has 1,121 delegates, and Sanders has 481. In order to win the Democratic nomination, one candidate must get 2,383 delegates. In the Republican party, however, a candidate only needs 1,237 delegates to get a majority. Trump has 128, Cruz has 300, and Rubio has 128. Clinton’s big win in South Carolina last month further proved that she has secured the African American vote. She won in this demographic by 86%, compared to Sanders’ 14%; this makes his losses in Alabama and Georgia--
The frontrunners of Super Tuesday.
abcnew.go.com
two states with large African- American Cruz trailing close behind. Marco Rubio election? Trump has drawn out Republipopulations of voting age-- not surprising. won only Minnesota, but he has high favor- can voters, so voter turnout among ReThe Democratic primary in Massachu- ability in the states with upcoming prima- publicans has skyrocketed. Meanwhile, setts was very close. Sanders’ voter base is largely made up of white progressives, The question every Democrat is now asking is: could Clinton beat Trump in who make up most of the left wing in Masthe general election? sachusetts. However, Clinton has secured union support in Boston and is popular in Democratic turnout is at a low. Clinton Boston’s black communities, so she won in Massachusetts with a one percent lead. ries, so he could still pick up momentum. will need to amass greater support and Donald Trump won seven of the elev- The question every Democrat is now asking encourage greater voter turnout in oren states—including Massachusetts—with is: could Clinton beat Trump in the general der to secure a victory in November. ☐
Current delegate count for Democratic nominees as of March 6.
google.com
Current delegate count for Republican nominees as of March 6
google.com
Environmental Educator Speaks at Winsor By Talia Ruxin Panel Staff Winsor’s Conserve Our World (COW) club recently hosted environmental educator Marica Gens to discuss solar power in Massachusetts. Mrs. Gens is the cofounder of “Eco-Bridge,” a lunchtime recycling and food waste composting program in schools across several towns nearby Lexington. She has collaborated with school coordinators and the Lexington Global Warming Action Coalition on the “Solarize Lexington-Bedford” grant, which has succeeded in adding 130 rooftop solar electric systems to Lexington homes. Mrs. Gens’ expertise and background in solar energy and environmental education provided an informative platform for discussion of the science of solar panels (i.e. how they worked), the practicality of implementing panels, and the Massachusetts government’s role in incentivizing renewable energy. Since many club members did not have much prior knowledge about solar power, Mrs. Gens’ presentation proved “informative” and “thought-provoking” as club member Brigitte Schmittlein ’16 reflected. Club members also had the opportunity to voice their questions; for instance, club head Emily Litz ’16 inquired about how progressive Massachusetts is in
incentivizing renewable energy in compariIn response, Mrs. Gens recommended COW has yet to hear back from the Baker son to the rest of the country. Mrs. Gens ex- that COW write a letter to Governor Baker administration, the club remains hopeful! plained several initiatives proposed to help to emphasize the imperative of solar power Overall, the process of hearing Mrs. Gens Massachusetts transition to increased solar incentives and net metering. Emily Litz ’16 speak and writing the letter has facilitated energy including tax deductions and the explained that the letter is of particular sig- an interesting discussion of the governenvironmental impact. Another topic that nificance and relevance now because of “the ment’s role in climate change, the financial arose during the club’s dialogue with Mrs. shutdown of a nuclear power plant that pro- costs of renewable sources, and the enviGens was the challenges that impede the duced 10% of Massachusetts’ energy.” While ronmental effect of purposeful changes. ☐ widespread implementation of solar panels. Mrs Gens mentioned two factors that are holding solar energy back: lack of unified political support for renewable energy and the myth that solar panels are unaffordable. In fact, financial feasibility of solar panels was a primary aspect of Mrs. Gens’ presentation. She emphasized how solar power can be financially practical. With the sizable upfront costs that solar power entails, homeowners sometimes do not see solar as a viable option. Despite these upfront costs, Mrs. Gens cited net metering, which virtually eliminates homeowners’ electricity bills, as a direct financial way to offset the cost. Net metering allows homeowners to sell (meter back) any extra power produced by their solar panels back to the grid, and then they receive credit for this power at retail price. However, utility companies are pressuring the Baker administration to eliminate or decrease the cost of the credit homeowners receive for the power they “meter” back to the grid as utilities lose Marica Gens profits when homeowners switch to solar. Statistics on rising electricity prices .
Belmont Hill Sp orts
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Th e Pan el
Sophomore David Mitchell Propels Varsity Basketball Team to Victory continued from page 1 Jones stepped TJ Agnihotri ‘17, Spenser Smith ‘18, up. A couple of Justin Neil O’Riley ‘18, and Quentin Har- steals had cut ris ‘18, capitalized on the chance to show- the deficit to one case their skill and potential, while seniors with less than a Johnny Hincks ‘16 and 7th-man AJ DiFil- minute left on lipo ‘16 enjoyed one of their last basketball the clock. The games sporting Belmont Hill’s sharp, navy Loop, feeding off jersey. Co-captain David Mitchell ‘18 only Varsity Hockey’s missed one of his nine shots (89%) from the 6-4 Senior Night field, but saved his most important three win, buzzed with points of the season for Friday evening. a unique energy. A large crowd composed of The A strategic, lateLoop, family, faculty, and friends were game foul landlucky to witness Senior Night, the regular ed a Governor’s season’s final installment, a Friday night shooter on the game against Governor’s. Injured co-cap- free throw line, tain Austin Masel ‘16 was forced to watch but after missing from the sideline, but seniors Johnny his second shot, Hincks and AJ DiFillipo joined Mitchell, Belmont Hill reJones, and point guard Jake Haase ‘18 in covered the rethe starting lineup. Signs of the game’s bound, and Jake historic destiny were evident even in the Haase rushed up first half. From the second the opening the court, preball left the referee’s fingertips at center serving valuable court, teams traded leads for the remain- seconds with evder of the evening. A deep, buzzer-beater ery rushed step. AJ DiFillipo gave Belmont Hill a tenuous, With 4.3 three point lead at halftime. With about seconds retwo minutes left, however, Coach Murphy maining, Haase found his team down five. The events that squares and refollowed would define an epic two min- leases the ball, utes in Belmont Hill basketball history. As its immense they have managed to do so many times arc seemingly this year, sophomore duo Mitchell and suspending the David Mitchell ‘18 Shoots a Free Throw
Wrestling Follows Undefeated Season with Win at New England’s By Robert Griffin Staff Writer
force of gravity. In a frenzy to block Haase’s three attempt, Governor’s defenders fail to monitor Mitchell’s presence below the rim. Haase’s shot bouncing off the back rim, Mitchell adeptly positions himself on the right block. Outstretched hands meet the ball and in one swift motion, he shuffles his feet, dribbles once, and jumps, absorbing excessive contact from a Gov’s defender. Protecting the ball with his side, his gentle hands initiate the ball’s path towards the glass. The referee’s whistle sounds exactly as the net swishes, and a stoical David Mitchell walks to the foul line with a chance to convert his three-point play, avoid overtime, and win the game. Calm, cool, and collected, Mitchell positions his feet, takes a deep breath, and stares down the rim, intimidating it with his silent confidence. Slowly bending his steady knees, Mitchell grounds his feet and releases the ball. He sinks the free throw with ease before raising his arms in celebration. The Fritz Gym erupts with euphoric fans. Mitchell’s veteran composure towards the end of Friday night’s game reveals so much about the team’s potential. With sophomore point-leaders Jones and Mitchell already showing the composure of seniors, the Belmont Hill basketball program has entered an exciting period of potentially unmatched success. While the selection committee failed to recognize their second-place 13-2 ISL finish and current 6-1 run, expect to see this ambitious young team in the bracket next year. ☐
Alpine Ski Team Flourishes
England’s best wrestlers clashed in the finals, with fitted into the lineup at 120 and 195 respectively, sophomore Seth Israel fighting heroically against and each of Belmont Hill’s fourteen wrestlers from a Brooks senior and taking second place. At 132 brackets top to bottom played a crucial role in the By George Hu The 2016 Belmont Hill Varsity Wres- Henry Griffin sealed third place with an impres- team’s first place finish. Individually, Ryan WilStaff Writer tling Team has now achieved every single team sive and surgically performed takedown in sud- liams took 6th, Matt Smith took 7th, Seth Israel goal it set out to accomplish at the beginning of den death overtime in his final match. Captain took 3rd, Pete Tedesco won 1st place, Phil Conithe year. All three banners in the wrestling room Pete Tedesco bulldozed his way through his 138 gliaro won 1st as well and also earned Outstanding Despite patchy conditions have now been modified to reflect this historic lb bracket with ease, pinning all of his opponents Wrestler of the Tournament honors, Colin Vallis that plagued New England this winter, 2016 season. The team, which secured the ISL in rapid succession and earning the coveted desig- took 2nd, Luca Pontone finished 3rd, DJ Deme- the Belmont Hill Alpine Skiing Team Dual Meet Championship after a 24-0 regular nation: Outstanding Wrestler of the Tournament. tri took 3rd, Will Ryan won 5th, and Alex Afeyan persevered and performed admirably, season, is, according to Mr. Bradley, the first un- Phil Conigliaro secured first place in the 145 lb finished in 6th place. All these wrestlers earned amassing an overall record 32-4 in ISL defeated varsity wrestling team in school history. weight class with equal ease, effortlessly beating the distinction of All-New England honors and meets. With the ISL’s title-deciding The team subsequently advanced to lay down a talented Middlesex wrestler in his finals match spots at the following week’s National Prep tourna- race between Belmont Hill, Bill MiddleMahoney a postseason performance for the ages -- one by a mercy rule score of 17-2. Wrestling at 152, ment held at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. sex, and St. Sebastian’s canceled due to freshman Colin Vallis gave At National Preps, Pete Tedesco battled his lack of snow, the team finished in 3rd Belmont Hill its third first- way to an unbelievable second place finish--the place in a competitive ISL. Outside of place finish with a pin in his highest of any single New England wrestler. Phil ISLs, in the middle of February, seven finals match. Captain Sean Conigliaro earned All-American honors for the Belmont Hill skiers (Harrison Rohrer, Rayment wrestled up nearly second year in a row with a seventh place finish, Will Cannistraro, Sam Rohrer, Sasha two weight classes to wrestle and Luca Pontone was one victory away from be- Gannon, Bobby Stevenish, Jack Theat 160, and still managed to ing an All-American as a freshman. Also, Coach berge, and Danny Tsyvin) traveled to take home the silver medal- Leonardis was recognized at the tournament the slopes of Shawnee Peak in Maine -a truly impressive feat. with the Assistant Coach of the Year Award--an to compete in the NEPSAC Class A Freshman Luca Pontone honor well deserved and heartily supported by Championships. At NEPSACs, the rolled his way to a first-place his team. Congratulations to Coach Leo and All- team performed respectably, earning finish at 170, and Captain Americans Pete and Phil on outstanding seasons. 7th place in a field of almost 20 teams. DJ Demetri battled his way This was truly a historic season for Belmont Alongside team accomplishback from an upset loss in Hill’s Varsity Wrestling Team. Seniors dominated ments, this season also witnessed the semifinals to take home as they were given one last go-around to showcase spectacular individual achievements. third place while wrestling three years of dedicated hard work and improve- Captain Harrison Rohrer consistentup to the 180 lb weight ment under the masterful guidance of coaches ly placed in the top 10 in ISL meets, class. Also wrestling up a Bradley, Leo, Davis, and Kaplan. Juniors grew into winning one race outright. Despite weight class (at 195), Will leadership roles over the course of the year and will having a sickness that sidelined him Ryan lost a heartbreaker in be excellent role models for future Belmont Hill for much of the season, Captain Will the finals and took second wrestlers coming up through the ranks. Sopho- Cannistraro, in his return, helped place. At 220, sophomore mores battled and achieved as much as any other the team battle its way into contenMyron Duarte showed a class and showed that this team is here to stay as tion in both ISLs and NEPSACs. Sam lot of character wrestling a league powerhouse. Finally, the freshman class Rohrer, Sasha Gannon, and Bobby Steup to one of the most dif- alone is already better than many full ISL teams venish consistently placed in the top that the school community will long remember. ficult weight classes in the tournament, and still and will be giving coaches around New England 20 in ISL races, and they will provide The annual, Belmont Hill-hosted Graves- won the team several key matches as a sopho- nightmares for years to come. On behalf of the en- the team with a young core in future Kelsey Tournament augured great things for the more in a senior and junior-dominated tour- tire wrestling team, thank you to those who came years. Finally, Jack Theberge, Danny team. Starting at 106, Ryan Williams won first nament. And finally, senior Alex Afeyan won out to watch us on Wednesday and Saturday home Tsyvin, and Quinn Richards providplace with a nail-biter finals match against a Brooks third place after an impressive victory over the matches, and thank you especially to those who ed much-needed depth to the team. opponent to whom he had lost just a week before. St. Paul’s heavyweight in the consolation finals. came to watch or help out at the Graves-Kelsey Overall, the team would Freshman Matt Smith (wrestling at 113) and firstThe following Saturday the Varsity Wres- Tournament. Thank you to coaches Bradley, Davis, like to thank Coaches Feldman and year wrestler Maahin Gulati (120) both stepped tling Team won first place at the NEISWA All- Kaplan, and Leonardis, and thank you to everyone Trautz. Also, the two senior captains up in a big way, securing fourth and fifth place New England Tournament and updated the third else who made this such an enjoyable and special will be sorely missed. With talent alrespectively, and earning spot on the podium and and final banner in the wrestling room. New ad- season. Belmont Hill Wrestling is back on top and ways bountiful on the JV team, the some hardware to take home. At 126, two of New ditions Warren Cross and Mike Glauninger were this team is showing no signs of slowing down. ☐ team’s future shall always be bright. ☐
Belmont Hill Sp orts
March 10, 2016
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Belmont Hill Varsity Scoreboard TEAM
RECORD
NOTABLE RESULTS
TEAM MVPS
17-9-4
W 5-2 vs. Proctor Academy W 5-3 vs. Nobles
Brian Matthews David Giunta
Basketball
15-9
W vs. 57-56 vs. Gov’s W vs. 88-77 vs. St. Mark’s
Jovan Jones David Mitchell
Wrestling
24-0
Graves-Kelsey Tournament New England Tournament
Pete Tedesco Phil Conigliaro
N/A
3rd in ISL W in First Slalom Race
Harrison Rohrer Sam Rohrer
N/A
2nd in ISL 7th at Lakes Region
Henry Swain Will Weiter
17-1
W 4-3 vs. Avon Old Farms W 5-2 vs. Deerfield
Blake Gilbert-Bono Jack Bell
Hockey
Alpine Ski Nordic Ski Squash
Nordic Skiing the Lakes Region Championships, Weiter, Swain, Hall, Pradko, and Richards led the team to a solid 7th place finish, just behind Despite the brutal winter for sports St. Paul’s. In search for revenge, the top 9 that required snow, the Nordic Ski Team skiers made the trek up to Gunstock Ski had yet another successful season. The Resort in New Hampshire to partake in team captained by William Weiter and the New England Championships. Despite Henry Swain raced almost every Wednes- the blazing 50 degree weather, the Belmont day at the Proctor School in New Hamp- Hill team gave it their all. With an amazing shire, battling with the big-time ski schools top 20 finish, William Weiter led the team of northern New England. Starting the to an outstanding victory over St. Paul’s season in a respectable 8th place in the School in the ISL Freestyle Championship. Lakes Region League, the Belmont Hill Under next year’s captains Ben Pradko and Varsity Nordic squad raced back and forth Cam Hall, the team is excited to get back with their arch-rivals St. Paul’s School for on skis next year and hopes for more snow the title of ISL Nordic Ski Champions. In to defend their title in the 2017 season. ☐ By Quin McGaugh Staff Writer
Squash Teams Dominate By J.P. Champa Staff Writer The squash team wrapped up a remarkable season in a strong fashion. On February 11th, both the Varsity and JV teams travelled down to Philadelphia to compete in High School Nationals. The Varsity team competed valiantly; however, they lost to Haverford in the semifinals of the tournament. Nevertheless, the team came back strong and defeated Avon Old Farms to place 3rd place overall in the country. The JV team also had a strong showing, competing in Division V, they made it all the way to the finals but lost in a tough finals to the University School team. After proving that the team was a top national competitor, the Varsity returned to ISL competition to clinch an ISL title defeating St. Paul’s, Brooks, and Milton 7-0, 5-2, and 7-0, respectively. The New England tournament was the final competition of the year for the team. This tournament marked the last time that the seniors: Timmy Brownell, Blake Gilbert-Bono, and Thomas Wolpow, would represent the Belmont Hill squash team. Held at Deerfield, the
Can Celtics Disprove Pessimists?
top seven players each competed in an indiern Conference Finals. If they give By Matt Reppucci vidual bracket of other players at their posithe Cavaliers a run for their money, Staff Writer tion on the team. After the last matches have maybe their success, plus an abunbeen completed, how well each member of Don’t underestimate these Celt- dance of high-future draft picks to be the team finished determines the team’s final ics. Individually, Isaiah Thomas, Jae used as trade bait, entices a big-name position. Overall, Belmont Hill demonstrated Crowder, Avery Bradley, Jared Sull- free agent to come to Boston, such as the depth of the team with all seven players inger, Marcus Smart, Evan Turner, Kevin Durant (that idea might sound placing in the Kelly Olynyk, and Amir Johnson are crazy, but early offseason prediction: top five of their purely good-to-above-average players. Durant either stays in Oklahoma City, bracket and the But collectively, they create a team of team finishing effort, hustle, defensive intensity, and 2nd overall. Jack offensive chemistry that has led to a Bell and James likely 3rd place finish in the Eastern Bell both won Conference to culminate what has their bracket at been a fantastic season to watch. Every positions 3 and game is exciting and up-tempo, and 5, upsetting top the TD Garden crowd seems to propel seeded Bruns- the Celtics to victory night after night. wick players If all goes well, the Celtics will in the finals. likely face the Toronto Raptors in Blake Gilbert- the Eastern Conference semifinals, Bono, Thomas with the winner moving on to face Wolpow, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Rap- or heads east to Boston where his road John Paul Champa all came in second. Timmy tors have beaten the Celtics twice this to the NBA finals is much, much easier Brownell, having just resumed play after an in- year, with the second game coming that in the Western Conference). If jury, placed fourth and Alex Kurtin placed 5th. down to the final seconds. Since that the Celtics could surprise even their Throughout the season, the team perse- January 20th date, the Celtics have biggest supporters by upsetting Clevevered through injury and tough matches and gone 16-4, and have seemingly found land, believe it or not they match up their hard work came to fruition in their ISL their rhythm. The defensive identity very well against the guard-heavy Warchampionship and excellent results at both has returned, they are getting out on riors, as evidenced by their doublethe New England and National Tournaments. the fast break, and Isaiah Thomas’s overtime loss to Golden State earlier With three seniors in the top seven gradu- driving ability is creating open looks in the year. Boston’s perimeter defense ating this year, this season will prove tough for himself as well as his teammates. is excellent (see: Marcus Smart, Avto follow up next year; however, with new While some radio hosts in the ery Bradley, Jae Crowder) and truthtalented players and hard work, the squash area believe that a first round loss is fully (really, I am serious,) may be the team is looking to improve upon the suc- likely for the Celtics, do not be sur- only team with any shot at all to slow cesses of this past year in the years to come. ☐ prised if they make a run to the East- down the greatness of Steph Curry.☐
Winsor Sp orts
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Spring Sports Begin: Captain Interviews By Isabelle Bastian ’17 and Anya Keomurjian ’16 Contributing Writers The Charles River has melted, the frozen fields have thawed, and the weather is starting to warm up just enough to make running outside bearable. Winsor athletes everywhere are suiting up in spandex and strapping on sneakers and cleats, ready for another spring season of sports. Below, the captains of each sports team comment on the upcoming months.
Tennis
Sailing
Captains: Iona Forrester ’16 What was the highlight of last season? “Getting the chance to play in New Englands right in Massachusetts!” What is the best thing about playing your sport? “Tennis is a small team so we’re all super close. Even though we play individual matches, we all have the team in mind.” What are you most excited about this season? “We are most excited about getting to know the new players and bonding as a team.” What are your goals for the new season? “Our goal for this season is for every single member of the team to improve and to have fun on the team.”
Captains: Karina Singhal ’16, Sandra Lee ’17, Haley Nolan ’17 What was the highlight of last season? “Seeing the team get better and better at sailing skills.” What is the best thing about playing your sport? “The sailing team gets really close, and we all have so much fun.” What are you most excited about this season? “New sailors coming in.” What are your goals for the new season? “To continue to improve our skills and work as a team.” “To improve everyone’s sailing skills and to have a lot of fun.” Kristie Rae Gillooly
Lacrosse
Kristie Rae Gillooly
Track
Captains: Samantha Plante ’16, Charlotte Pollard ’16, and Eliza Beebe ’16 What was the highlight of last season? “Definitely winning the EIL B-pool championship. We’re a pretty big deal…” What is the best thing about playing your sport? “Lacrosse is such a team sport - there are so many opportunities for the team to grow close and for individuals to grow within a supportive community. Lax is also a relatively easy sport to pick up, but at the same time, it’s impossible to master - there’s always room to improve and learn.” What are you most excited about this season? “We’re really excited to have a close-knit team and to bring a new level of intensity to WVLAX. We’re going all in, expecting to bring home the Apool banner this year.” What are your goals for the new season? “We would love to have a strong winning record this season, as well as a team that feels like a family. We really hope to balance having a fun-loving, close-knit team with a team that brings intensity and focus to every game and every practice. Lacrosse is an incredibly mental sport, so it’s important that we’re able to pick each other up mentally / emotionally, so that as a team, we can perform at our highest possible level.”
Captains: Nicole Cerulli ’16, Talia Ruxin ’16 What was the highlight of last season? “Winning the first ever EIL Track Championship in a dominating fashion!” What is the best thing about playing your sport? “Since not everyone is racing at once, everyone can cheer for each other and encourage teammates to push themselves during races, so we have a lot of team spirit!” What are you most excited about this season? “Especially with the addition of sixth graders to the team, we have a lot of new athletes, so we are really excited to see what the young team can accomplish!” What are your goals for the new season? “If we can all improve individually, then we will have our best shot at winning the EIL Championship for the second year!”
Kristie Rae Gillooly
Kristie Rae Gillooly
Crew
Captains: Giovanna De Vito ’16, Elizabeth Roe ’16, Taylor Wright ’16 What was the highlight of last season? “The best thing about last season was winning the Team Trophy at NEIRAs, our regional rowing championships! All four varsity boats did really well in their races and all it all it was a great day.” What is the best thing about playing your sport? “The best thing is that it is extremely challenging.” What are you most excited about this season? “We’re most excited to hang out with the team and for NEIRAs.” What are your goals for the new season? “To win the NEIRAs team point trophy and have fun!”
Softball
Kristie Rae Gillooly
Captains: Abigail Simon ’16, Sarah Condon ’16 What was the highlight of last season? “Beating Bancroft with strong performance on offense and defense. It was a close game but we gritted out a hard-fought win!” What is the best thing about playing your sport? “Softball is a unique sport in that technique is the basis for the game, but no matter how skilled you are and how hard you work, there is a certain unquantifiable element of sheer luck involved: the way the grass falls, the timing of the steal, or the way the ball comes off the bat. It makes the game exciting, and this element of unpredictability brings the team together in such a special way.” What are you most excited about this season? “We are really excited to work with new players and to continue to improve as a team from last season!” What are your goals for the new season? “We are hoping, most importantly, that everyone will improve and achieve their personal goals by the end of the season! We want to have fun events, work hard in practice, and have a winning season.”
Kristie Rae Gillooly
Winsor Sp orts
March 10, 2016
Pa g e 9
Winter Sports Wrap-Up Swimming Record: 4-7 Quote: “We’ve had a lot of fun this year! Everybody has worked really hard and greatly improved over the course of the season; all our hard work really showed at EILs where we placed second and had a total of 25 lifetime best times!” - Taylor Wright ’16 Favorite thing this season: Having a joint varsity and junior-varsity meet where we swam goofy events. It encouraged team bonding, enthusiasm, and positivity!
Ice Hockey
Kristie Rae Gillooly
Record: 3-8 Quote: “Going into this season, we were adding a lot of new players who hadn’t had that much experience. But by the end, the team’s improvement and cohesion was unbelievable. We worked really hard and had so much fun!” -Maslen Ward ’16 Favorite thing this season: Creaming Pingree (to whom we usually lose) 7-1 in the last game of the season!
Kristie Rae Gillooly
Basketball
Record: 10-8 Quote: “The ball fam is the best! We became so close, and I think it really helped our cohesion on the court at the end of the season. Every girl improved so much and really grew into her role on the team.” - Abigail Simon ’16 Favorite thing this season: Winning on senior day in our new gym!
Squash Record: 11-5 Quote: “We had an amazing and fun season filled with lots of great squash and competition!! We are already looking forward to next season!!” - Alexa Jacobs ’17 Favorite thing this season: “It was so amazing to see all 26 players come together and have fun playing and improving together.” Kristie Rae Gillooly
Kristie Rae Gillooly
Mad for March Madness: College Basketball Predictions By Caroline Hearle Contributing Writer
lor, seeded third, last year. Also, numerous games are played at one time, contributing to the excitement of the tournament by giving fans constant entertainment. The continous games also ensure maximum excitement and buzzer beaters, a situation where the winning basket is scored with only seconds to spare. At the center of March Madness is the prediction bracket that millions of people fill out with family, friends, coworkers and teammates before the games begin. Once you have filled out a bracket, you have immediately chosen teams to root for. You have pride, and more often than not money, on the line as motivation to tune in. So, go fill out a bracket, because you just may get the bragging rights of picking the underdog champion at the end of the tournament! ☐
As if the second day of Spring Break is not exciting enough, March 13 will also be Selection Sunday for NCAA College Basketball March Madness 2016. Thus, the struggle to claim a top seed seat in the March Madness bracket continues. A three-step process determines the final bracket of 64 teams. The first step is to sift through incredible amounts of information and data from the season in order to select the 64 teams who will definitely compete in March Madness. The first ten teams, commonly referred to as the “Big Ten” are www.nanigan.com automatically admitted to the tournament by winning their regional championships. After the initial step of selection, the com- will not win again this year even though they mittee seeds, or ranks, the teams into 16 did win against UVA, whom I want to win.” Upcoming Games: “levels,” making sure that the teams in each Even though Duke is not seeded first this level are as equally talented as possible to year in most predicted brackets, it is seeded ensure maximum competition. Within second, and there is a clear trend in that the Wednesday, April 6th................. V Softball vs. Thayer (@Home, 3:45) these levels there are four teams from each same group of teams typically ends up in region. The third and final step is to create the top ten from year to year. So why do the Wednesday, April 13th........ JV Tennis vs. NCDS (@Amory Courts, 3:15) V Tennis vs. NCDS (@Amory Courts, 3:15) the bracket where the teams ranked first same schools continue to field highly ranked play the teams ranked sixteenth, the second teams? One reason is that the “Big Ten” are V Softball vs. NCDS (@NCDS, 3:45) seeded teams play the teams ranked on the entered into March Madness by winning their V Lacrosse vs. NCDS (@NCDS, 3:45) fifteenth level, the third plays the fourteenth regional championship, and so they have JV Lacrosse vs. NCDS (@NCDS, 5:15) and so on. In August 2015, ESPN released more control over how they are seeded, while their prediction for the upcoming March the rest of the teams are selected and ranked Saturday, April 23rd.....V Crew- Lake Quinsigamond (@St. Mark’s, 2:30) Madness bracket, ranking Kansas, North by the committee mentioned above. For the V Track vs. Thayer, Governor’s, Groton Carolina, Kentucky and Maryland first and most part, however, the teams who are in the (@Thayer, 3:00) Robert Morris, Lehigh, Hampton, Texas higher seeds simply have a more prestigious Southern, High Point, and North Florida basketball program and, as a result, are able JV Tennis vs. Berwick (@Berwick, 1:00) all vying to be ranked sixteenth. More re- to attract more high school basketball stars. V Softball vs. Berwick (@Berwick, 1:00) cently, CBS predicted that Kansas, Virginia, Millions watch March Madness every JV Lacrosse vs. Berwick (@Berwick, 1:00) Villanova, and Xavier will be seated first. year, raising the question: what is its appeal? Last year, Duke claimed the March Madness is known for unexpected upV Lacrosse vs. Berwick (@Berwick, 1:00) March Madness Championship title; how- sets that can cause unpredictability. For exever, Alina Brennan ’18 predicts that “Duke ample, Georgia State, seeded 11th, beat Bay-
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WORLDS COLLIDE FOR SENIOR SWITCH DAY
For one day, the top three Winsor editors went to Belmont Hill while the top three Belmont Hill editors visited Winsor. These are their stories: Atthebeginningoftheday,allBelmontHillstudentsmaketheirwaytoadvisory. Both Winsor and Belmont Hill have a similar advisory set-up: approximately eight studentsandonefacultymember.However,contrarytothefifty-minuteperiodonceortwice aweektowhichWinsorstudentshavebecomeaccustomed,BelmontHillhasfifteenminuteadvisoryperiodseveryTuesday.Infact,theadvisoryIvisitedwasletoutafteronlyfiveminutes.AtWinsor, advisoryseemstobeatimeforstudentstorelaxanddiscusswhateverisontheirmind.Incontrast,atBelmont Hill, advisory seemed more of a technicality, a place where students must drop by before starting their day. Belmont Hill’s senior homeroom, Goodband Commons, is starkly different from Winsor’s. For Winsor girls, the homeroom is a key part of social and community life, particularly for seniors, who get to paint their homeroom with a characteristic theme that is collectively chosen by, and even representative of, the class. A closed-door space for girls to sleep, work, talk (but not eat or change, of course), each Winsor homeroom serves as a sort of haven - a place to relax and let down during a busy school day. The Belmont Hill homeroom is more of a “common room”: though it seems to serve a similar purpose, it is a much more open and non-personalized space. While Winsor girls decorate their homeroom with lights, snowflakes, compliment stockings, a “hot” wall, birthday boards, and inside jokes, Belmont Hill boys don’t quite have that freedom because their hang-out space is in a more central and public location. And, although all Winsor grades are assigned a homeroom, several Belmont Hill grades (10th and 11th in particular) don’t have their own homeroom space - Goodband Commons is unique to seniors. Since many BH grades don’t have a homeroom, their library and many study rooms serve as convenient spots for boys to hang out and do homework. Interestingly, unlike at Winsor, there did not seem to be very many silent spots for doing homework; in fact, their library does not even have a silent floor. While many Winsor girls work independently during frees, boys tended to study more in groups: they sat collectively at tables, reserved study rooms with friends, and lounged on the couches with textbooks. Perhaps my experience was distorted by the relaxed senior spring vibe, but frees seemed to be dominated by socializing more than homework: we spent the entirety of one playing a very enjoyable and intense game of Jeopardy!
I never realized that eating snack served on tables inside was a luxury until Switch Day at Belmont Hill. In the middle of the morning, Belmont Hill’s dining staff leaves cookies in buckets on the cold, hard ground — outside. Take into account that this is the middle of the winter. Used to the warmth of our cafeteria, I watched in awe as a swarm of boys aggressively flocked to the cookies and picked them from the ground. The scene somewhat resembled that of a group of dogs scrambling for their meal. However, I have to admit that the daily chocolate-chip cookies were far superior (in taste, though perhaps not in health) to Winsor’s Ritz crackers or yogurt cups. Lunch was certainly one of the best parts of my day. While I have grown adjusted to Winsor’s characteristic seas of red trays, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the homey feel of Belmont Hill’s family-style lunch. This may partly be due to the fact that, as a guest, I did not have to “wait” on the rest of the table; Belmont Hill has a tradition where lower-classmen take turns serving food and clearing plates for their respective tables. One of the starkest differences was that Belmont Hill lunch has required attendance. While people are constantly moving in and out of the Winsor cafeteria due to clubs and classes that end at varying times, the Belmont Hill Upper School congregates as a whole student body during their lunch period, making it somewhat similar to Winsor’s community time. The fact that the entire Upper School was required to be present for lunch created an intimate community space for chatter, announcements, and even a prayer of thanks before the meal. The grilled cheeses were a highlight; buttered and served with onion rings, they may not have been healthy, but they were certainly delicious. Of course, my judgement probably wasn’t objective because almost anything would have tasted good at that point; Belmont Hill eats a very late lunch at around 1:40 pm, leaving us all starving — even the Belmont Hill boys who have been there for years insist that they still haven’t gotten accustomed to the strange timing. But if the boys ever get too hungry, they can always go off campus senior year!
Pros and Cons • • • • •
•
•
Family-style lunches foster a sense • • of community. Dogs are allowed around campus and in class! The snack is chocolate chip cook- • ies every day. • Some forty minute classes!!!!!!! Many of the classes at Belmont Hill are impressively unique: offerings include a boat-building class and a class on sports statistics. • Panel-making, a BH tradition in which the boys carve a wooden panel senior year that will be hung up on the walls, allows each boy to leave his mark on the school in a • concrete and physical way. • A bell rings to signal the ending of classes, meaning that students are always on time to classes, and teachers can’t run over!
No mandatory ILE Lower classmen have to wait on the upper schoolers during lunch, serving food and clearing plates. Most of the campus is outside, so we got very cold walking between classes. Snack is placed in flimsy plastic bins on the ground, forcing each boy to scramble aggressively for his share - we questioned the sanitation of this tradition... Classes tend to be slightly less organized with students calling out answers and side conversations often becoming quite loud. Lunch is very late (1:40-2:10); by that point, everyone is near starving. Advisory is short (15 minutes at the beginning of the day) and only on Tuesday; boys were shocked when we told them our advisory could last for up to 45 minutes.
From “Maine Coast” to “Statistical Revolution in Sports,” the classes offered to seniors at Belmont Hill could not be more varied. While such a variety does exist to some degree at Winsor, a part of me could not help but be a little jealous of some of the classes offered. In “Maine Coast,” the boys have the opportunity senior year to construct by hand a wooden canoe that they will eventually take up to Maine at the end of the semester. Throughout the class, the boys also read certain literature pertaining to Maine, which they discuss over the sounds of hammering and sawing that fill the classroom. In “Statistical Revolution in Sports,” students discuss theories in professional sports, such as the Hot Hand Theory. As an accomplished basketball manager, I felt prepared to attend “Sports Statistics,” a class which I had read about in previous Switch Day spreads. As was probably expected, the students’ interest in the subject matter was palpable: each student was eager to share his evidence for whether the Hot Hand Theory was valid. The class dynamic at Belmont Hill also differed from that at Winsor, though perhaps not as much as one might expect. Generally, boys seemed to be more open in class, casually sharing grades with each other, self-grading tests by checking them in groups, and calling out answers even if they were uncertain whether or not they were correct; the main difference seemed to be in their general ease and playfulness in class. Though I would argue that students at Winsor, particularly by senior year, feel more comfortable messing around with one another and with teachers in and out of the classroom, the Belmont Hill seniors were definitely more at ease during class. In fact, in one of the classes I visited at Belmont Hill, boys tried to play music on their computers as loudly as possible from two different sides of the room without letting the teacher hear it!
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We visited Winsor on a Wednesday, which coincidentally is also pasta day for them. Their choices, however, were a bit greater than ours on Hump Day - they offer a variety of sauces, large deli and salad bars, and Oreos for dessert. Lunch is much more informal at Winsor; it is cafeteria style with no assigned tables, it is a very loud, communicative time to catch up with friends after morning classes. Clubs often meet during the lunch period, and Upper School students (grades nine and above) may go off campus for lunch. Students often walk to nearby Bruegger’s or the Longwood Galleria Food Court (which includes McDonald’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, and more). The schedule of a typical academic school day at Winsor certainly stuck out the most to us Belmont Hill students. The combination of four 60 minute classes and one 75 minute class--with the exception of Fridays-certainly provides teachers with the necessary time to cover extensive content within a subject, especially for AP classes. While Winsor students attentively sat through classes until the end of the academic day at 3:00, we Belmont Hill students are used to having all five classes condensed to no more than 40 minutes each, with the academic classes ending by 1:35 in the afternoon. In addition, we found that Winsor classes are little more formal than those of Belmont Hill. Even though Belmont Hill students and Winsor students speak the same amount in class, the discussions between Winsor students and the teacher don’t seem to diverge from the content quite as much as classes on the Hill. Some may say that off-topic tangents may be detrimental to the productivity of a class, but it can also be beneficial mentally for a student to take a quick break in the middle of a class before diving back into the academic subject matter. Belmont Hill and Winsor are obviously different milieus: an all-boys prep school in the suburbs has a very different social environment from the all-girls urban Winsor campus. Nevertheless, the dynamic among students is similar. Winsor girls fondly “roast” their classmates when they slip up just as Belmont Hill boys affectionately rip on their friends. Students in both schools speak intelligently and are engaged in the classroom (though students on the Longwood campus overall seemed a bit more stressed). Furthermore, both schools pride themselves in close student-teacher relationships, and Winsor’s students clearly had the same closeness with their teachers as Belmont Hill’s. For example, the girls in one of our classes spent almost all their time before and after class discussing The Bachelor with a favorite teacher. But there were also visible differences between the two schools’ social scenes as well. When we walked into the homeroom, girls were wrapped up in blankets on the couches and snuggling with each other, a sight not often seen in Goodband Commons. In assembly, Winsor students were much more animated than Belmont Hill students - almost every hand shot up enthusiastically after the speaker finished his lecture. There are certainly differences between Belmont Hill and Winsor, but there may not be as many as one might initially think.
Pros and Cons •
LOC facilities
•
Longer class days and longer classes
•
Whiteboards are an entire wall!!
•
Indoor campus
•
Bruegger’s in close proximity
•
Inconsistent heating and cooling
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Silent floor in large library
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Open seating at lunch
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Very nice, relaxed senior homeroom
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Graham crackers for snack.... we missed our cookies on the ground
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The Life of Pablo: A New Album, A New Sound, A New Kanye There were no restrictions for him on the have to consider selling his upcoming third album, like most of his previous work. In mixtape in order to “snatch the Grammy”. some songs there was no hard hitting drum Brooklyn-born rapper Desiigner proor snare, which is impressive as these instru- vided the modern trap sound on two tracks, ments are often seen as essential in rap and “Freestyle 4” and “Father Stretch My Hands Kanye West’s newly released The Life of hip-hop. In other songs he lets loose and has Part 2” with his own verse and a sample from Pablo is, overall, a great, innovative album, fun, as seen in “I Love Kanye” and “Ultra- his popular and only song to date, “Panda,” and, though not necessarily his best work, it light Beam.” Kanye is an innovator and was which took him one and a half years to will certainly be remembered as a highlight not influenced by mainstream rap and pop complete. With an almost identical voice to of his career. in making the album. Instead he “shifted the the well known rapper Future, 18-year old Kanye manages to artfully combine vari- paradigm” and made the album for himself D e s i i g n e r ous assets of his previous albums into this with songs that sounded correct to him. r e c e n t l y masterpiece. It incorporates the passionate 808s & Heartbreak was neither loved nor signed to emotions of The College Dropout, the posi- well received at the time of its release, but, G . O . O . D tive, audacious attitude of Graduation, the looking back, musicians and critics realize Music, a reminimalism and emphasized beats of 808s & that this album was ahead of its time and set cord label Heartbreak and Yeezus, as well as a plethora forth a new wave of pop, rap, and R&B artists f o u n d e d of features, as on My Beautiful Dark Twisted such as Drake, The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, by Kanye Fantasy. and Bon Iver. Similarly, The Life of Pablo West. With In order to correctly evaluate TLOP, one will need time to fully be appreciated until a mixtape must look at this album not as a rap album, we fully learn the extent of its impact in the expected to but just another album released by an art- world of music, if it has one. be released ist. Unlike the norm for a hip-hop album, The Life of Pablo boasts 24 features in- in the comKanye focuses most on the overall scheme of cluding artists and producers currently at ing months, production, which includes the creation the the forefront of the music industry and oth- Desiigner can thank Kanye West for his sup808s and managing the samples and features ers who are beginning their rise to fame. port and for helping him spread his name in into perfectly fitting roles, as opposed to the These artists include the likes of Kendrick the world of hip-hop. Lamar, Rihanna, The Weeknd, Kid Cudi, It is necessary to first take a step back and Metro Boomin, Chris Brown, The Dream, realize how Kanye has changed as a person Kirk Franklin, Post Malone, Ty Dolla $ign, before it is possible to interpret how he has Rick Rubin, and a brief return from Frank evolved as an artist. It has been 3 years since Ocean, who has not released any music for Kanye released his last album, Yeezus, and in the past 3 years. Perhaps the two most no- that time he has switched allegiances from table guests on the album were Chance The Nike to Adidas, married Kim Kardashian, Rapper and Desiigner, who were featured and fathered two children, North and Saint. on “Ultralight Beam,” “Father Stretch My TLOP takes listeners on an emotional rollHands Part 2,” and “Freestyle 4.” ercoaster while transcending various musiWhile Chance the Rapper has already cal genres, which works to his advantage. reached a certain level of fame, his decision The opener, “Ultralight Beam,” is a gospel to not have his music sold on iTunes limits sounding track where he explains how he his popularity to those fans who search the attempts to maintain his faith in God as he internet for his music and listen via websites manages the struggles of balancing his life. conventional idea of rap being limited to just such as SoundCloud. However, his verse on Tracks 2-8 focus on the materialistic pleathe lyrics and beats. “Ultralight Beam” can be compared to that sures of fame, wealth, and superstardom On TLOP, Kanye shows his genius abil- of Nicki Minaj’s on “Monster” from My that defined the ‘old Kanye.’ “I Love Kanye” ity in production despite the fact that he Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy as her fea- (the ninth track out of 18) serves not only as was working on it until the last minute. He ture boosted her popularity in the world of a reminder of Ye’s conceited opinion of himdid not follow any sort of structure, much hip-hop. Now a wider audience has been in- self, as it appears at first, but also a bridge like Picasso’s unstructured style of painting. troduced to Chance the Rapper who might between the old and new Kanye. The followBy Pablo DiBenedetto and Massimo Auferio Staff Writer
The Oscars 2016: Leo Finally Gets His Award By Henry Wyett Staff Writer
ing songs, 10-18, revolve around his family, faith, and business. The theme of the songs shifts from that of the liberty and insouciance of the bachelor life to one of anxiety and fear concerning his commitment to his wife and children and the management of his debt and many lines of business. Specifically, in “Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1” (track 2), “Famous” (4), and “Freestyle 4” (8), he raps about having affairs with various women and his public stunts, whereas in “FML” (11) he declares his firm commitment to his wife, stating he is willing “To give up the women//Before I lose half of what I own,” meanwhile having a dark, confused, and paranoid outlook of marriage and a life with limits and responsibilities. In “Wolves” (13), he sings about his fears of parenthood as he and Kim Kardashian are controversial figures in pop culture, and their kids, North and Saint, will be the target of the “Wolves” in the media. If you are not and never have been a Kanye West fan, then you will most likely not enjoy this album. Unfortunately, people who know very little about Kanye West and his music tend to be very strong in their opinion as they fail to separate Kanye the person and Kanye the musician; however, if you do consider yourself a fan and have enjoyed his past work, we highly recommend that you give The Life of Pablo a listen, and you will fall in love with it from the first sound of the drums on “Ultralight Beam.” There is no more old Kanye, chop up the soul Kanye, set on his goals Kanye. Kanye has evolved, and in order to fully appreciate his work and correctly evaluate The Life Of Pablo, we as listeners must do the same.☐
Instrumental Concert Showcases Talent
By Armin Thomas about the allegations against a priest well, and they were just as receptive for the next tune Staff Writer for molesting more than 80 boys in played by the band, Freddie Hubbard’s “Red Clay”. his life. Sam Smith won the Oscar More soloist performances followed, starting The 2016 Academy awards took for Best Original Song and was ver y Last Sunday, instrumentalists from Bel- with pianist Armin Thomas, who played the capriplace on February 28th, 2016, in Hol- delighted when he talked about be- mont Hill School’s music program convoked and cious Rhapsody in B minor by Johannes Brahms, lywood and were hosted by comedian ing the first gay actor to win an Os- participated in the Winter Collage Concert, mark- propagating harmonious sonorities all through the Chris Rock. This year was an inter- car ; however, Sir John Gielgud, for ing the third of four major performances this year. Chapel with his lyricism and passion. After leaving esting year in Oscars history, as Leo his work in the movie Arthur, acThe Orchestra was the first to take the the stage, fellow pianist George Hu wowed the audiDiCaprio finally won an Oscar for tually is the first gay actor to win. stage, playing a haunting rendition of Camille ence with a powerful performance of Franz Liszt’s his movie The Revenant, and there Arguably the best actor of his Saint-Saëns’s “Danse Macabre.” Central to the “Après une lecture du Dante,” hands flying across was also a boycott generation, the piece was star violinist Austin Kwoun’s who pas- the keyboard in octaves and in florid arpeggios. against the Os41-year-old Leon- sionately played solo to complement the excellent Subsequently, the Middle School Jazz Encars for being “too ardo DiCaprio fi- technique displayed by the rest of the orchestra. semble took to the stage to rock the beat of Nat Adwhite”. This was the nally achieved his The orchestra then yielded the floor to a derley’s “Jive Samba” with Tim Brown soloing on least watched Osgoal of attaining an group of soloists the like of which has never before tenor, and Jacob Welborn soloing on trumpet. As cars since Jon StewOscar. While ac- been seen at Belmont Hill. First in this set of five so- always, the MS Jazz Ensemble was well liked by the art hosted in 2008, cepting the Oscar, loists was veteran pianist Juan Carlos Fernandez del audience, and left the stage to rapturous applause. and an international DiCaprio thanked Castillo, who elegiacally filled the Hamilton ChaNext came the Chamber Society’s Brandentrending hashtag, all his directors and pel with the beautifully moving chords of Maurice burg Trio, consisting of Andrew Kaneb on violin, “ # O s c a r s s o w h i t e ,” producers from the Ravel’s “Pavane for a Dead Princess”. Didier Lucceus on viola, and Armin Thomas on most likely helped previous years and Then, violinist Kerby-Louis Roberson playing piano, who played the 6th trio piece in a collecthe Oscars reach he also talked about Pablo Sarasate’s Zigeunerweisen. His showmanship tion of 8 written by Max Bruch. Then the Belmont such low ratings. climate change. Leo and technique duly impressed the audience, who Hill Piano Trio (with George Hu on piano, Spencer Last year, Neil Pataccepted the award were very grateful for an excellent performance. Sub- Kim on cello, and Austin Kwoun on violin) played rick Harris received for those, “...Who sequently Andrew Kaneb took the stage, to play the the Scherzo from Johannes Brahms’s Piano Trio in 6 percent more viewspeak for all of hu- first movement of Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. B major, and delighted the audience with its jocuers than Chris Rock manity, for the in- 1 with excellent musicality and interpretation. Violist lar character and wide dynamic range. Finally, the this year, despite digenous people of and polyglot Coleman Walsh also impressed the Jazz Combo, characterized by their suavity of charRock being a black the world, for the audience with Gabriel Faure’s “Après un rêve,” which acter and sporting of aviator sunglasses, pleased actor. Many famous billions and billions expressed the French qualities of Faure’s composition the audience with a driving performance of “Cissy actors boycotted of underprivileged through his soaring lyricism and legato playing. Fi- Strut” by Nocentelli, Neville, Porter and Modeliste. the Oscars this year, including names people who will be most affected by nally to end the first group of soloists was violinist DiAfter requisite remarks by Mr. Fiori, the ausuch as Will Smith and Spike Lee. this, for our children’s children, and dier Lucceus, playing the second movement of W.A. dience and the musicians retreated up the dell to the Enough about controversies, for those people out there whose Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 transcribed for viola, Prenatt Music Building, where a reception took place. here is the recap of winners. Spot- voices have been drowned out by and stunned the audience with his flashy cadenza. Everyone present knew this concert was historic. light took the Oscar home in the the politics of greed.” In conclusion, Next, the Upper School Jazz Ensemble, sup- The quality of the ensembles and the quality of the best picture categor y, arguably the Leo finally got his Oscar, and the plemented by Armin Thomas on trombone. The soloists has never been better in Belmont Hill history. hardest categor y to win. Spotlight is Oscars may be a little too white.☐ audience took to the groovy vibe of the song very The Golden Age of Belmont Hill Music is alive. ☐
Belmont Hill Arts
March 10, 2016
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Austin Kwoun Performs Sibelius at NEC By George Hu Staff Writer On the evening of Sunday, January 31, hundreds of people filed into New England Conservatory’s (NEC’s) Jordan Hall to witness Belmont Hill sophomore Austin Kwoun perform the first movement of Finnish composer Jean Sibelius’s violin concerto in D Minor with NEC Preparatory School’s Youth Symphony Orchestra. They were not disappointed. As one Belmont Hill student who attended the concert put it, “Austin was amazing.” Austin began playing violin at the age of seven and has been studying with Ms. Jin Kyung Joen for the past six years at NEC Preparatory School. Austin is currently a first violinist in NEC’s Youth Philharmonic Orchestra. At Belmont Hill, he is also recognized as the violinist of the Belmont Hill School Piano Trio and a member of the Orchestra. In addition
to winning the 2015 NEC Preparatory School Concerto Competition, Austin has also participated in several other competitions. In an impressive musical resumé, he has won first place in the 2015 Wellesley Symphony Orchestra Young Soloist Competition, the 2015 MMTA Bay State String Competition, the 2014 New England Philharmonic Young Artist Competition, the 2014 Brockton Symphony Feinberg Competition, the 2013 Ellen Huff Powers Young Artist Competi- formed in numerous famous ven- zation that holds semi-annual concerts tion, and the 2013 Roman Totenberg ues, including Carnegie Hall, Lin- to raise funds for foundations such Young Musician String Competition. coln Center, Jordan Hall, and the as UNICEF and Cradles to Crayons. He has As a fellow member of the BelAlongside his wins, he finished sec- Tsai Performance Center. ond place at the 2014 Waltham Phil- also performed for distinguished mont Hill Piano Trio and Orchestra, including Joseph I can say that it has been a privilege harmonic Concerto Competition and teachers/guests the 2013 American Protégé Inter- Lin (Juilliard String Quartet), Tony to practice and perform with Ausnational Romantic Music Competi- Woodcock (NEC), Lucy Chapman tin for the past two years; he truly is tion, and he received the Conduc- (NEC), and Mia Chung Yee (Curtis). a special musician. As his stunning Austin also enjoys playing the vi- performance of Sibelius’s violin contor’s Choice award at the 2013 Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra Jeanne olin for community service; he is a core certo would suggest, Austin will sureSelander Concerto Competition. member of the Boston Youth Music ly continue to have musical success Furthermore, Austin has per- Charity, a non-profit musical organi- at both Belmont Hill and beyond. ☐
This Month in Arts:
Upcoming Arts Events Spring Coffee House - 6:30 PM, April 6, 2016
Senior Directed Play:
@ BH Theater
Brighton Beach Boys Cast Photo (Left), Steven DeVellis ‘16 and Henry Vettel ‘18 in the Play (Bottom)
Jazz Night at Ryles - 7:00 PM, April 29, 2016 @ Ryles Jazz Club Middle School Musical: Lion King Jr. - 7:00 PM, May 6-7, 2016 @ BH Theater Dana Hall Musical: Footloose - 8:00 PM, May 13-14, 2016 @ Bardwell Theater, Dana Hall BH Spring Concert - 7:00 PM, May 20, 2016 @ Hamilton Chapel
Visual Arts: Varun Shah won the Boston Globe Scholastic Art Gold Key for his photograph entitled Two Classrooms (left)
Four Students, Brian Antonelli, Christian Dolan, Coleman Walsh and Jack Tahan (whose Green Bowl is pictured to the right) won Silver Keys in the same competition
Middle School Play: Middle Schoolers Perform Antigone
Winter Collage Concert: The Piano Trio plays Brahm’s Piano Trio No. 1 in B Major (2nd Movement)
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Samantha Bee Buzzes into the Late Night Scene By Betsy Kim Panel Staff Sharp, sarcastic, and steely-eyed, Samantha Bee is buzzing into the late-night scene. A little less than a year after leaving her job as a correspondent on The Daily Show, Bee has created much buzz as the only female late-night host currently on air. As Winsor teacher Ms. Wolf said, “I am excited to watch her show, as I admired her work on The Daily Show.” In Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, which debuted February 8 on TBS, Bee demonstrates a bold willingness to ridicule everyone and owns the late-night stage with every episode. Full Frontal is a satirical news show that combines Bee's hosting with her fieldwork, in which she investigates social issues by interviewing real civilians in public settings and workplaces. “It was in the back of my mind for a long time to do a show with a heavy field element,” Bee remarked in a recent New York Magazine
interview. “I get something so deep from people when I talk to them.” In a segment called “Syrian Refugees,” for example, Bee humorously teaches an English class for Syrian immigrants who had recently immigrated the U.S. The segment can be noted for its humanization of the oft-victimized Syrian refugees and its simultaneous mockery of the more outrageous aspects of American culture, such as Donald Trump and Americans who would wear sweatpants to a wedding. Bee’s news show segments often shine a light on women’s issues. Her segment “Job Fair for Future Women” addresses the widespread sexual harassment that occurs in workplaces, from luxury cruise liners to comedy clubs. Though sexual harassment is a tricky subject to talk about, Bee succeeds in making the segment informative and humorous. Bee also ridicules all viewpoints and political parties. In one segment, Bee pokes fun at Jeb Bush’s woeful inability to appeal to the masses despite millions in
samanthabee.com Bee on The Daily Show
Are Awards Shows Stupid?
funding from super PACs. In another, she called Hillary Clinton’s declaration that Nelson Mandela is her hero a prime example of “top-shelf pandering” to black voters. By zinging everyone in equal measure, Samantha Bee shows that everyone can be satirized, regardless of political affiliation. Bee’s evenhandedness is refreshing in a time where so many other late-night shows seem completely biased towards one party and opposed to another. As one YouTube commenter remarked on Bee’s “The Democratic Debate” segment, “I can't tell if this is pro-Sanders, pro-Hillary, or just pure satire”. Bee can also be commended for diversifying late-night TV. In a recent TIME magazine interview, Bee dished on how she assembled one of the most diverse writers’ rooms in TV today: “We had a blind submission process, and we actively recruited… we really worked hard to reach into different communities and call people we admired.” The result? A writing staff that is 50 percent female and 30 percent nonwhite.
comedycentral.com
The staff also includes a wide range of background and socioeconomic status: there is one staff writer who previously worked for David Letterman and another whose latest occupation was working at a Maryland DMV. Bee’s efforts to hire qualified people from diverse backgrounds has proved successful: Full Frontal with Samantha Bee has gained high ratings from critics and garners hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube. In an industry where most shows are dominated by white males, it is crucial that women like Samantha Bee boost gender diversity in the late-night scene. Through her talent, fearlessness, and wit, Samantha Bee has proved that comedic brilliance does not have a gender. Bee addressed this fact herself in an interview with magazine Mother Jones: “A good joke is a good joke… I have a really tough sense of humor, but I don't have a gendered experience of laughing at things”. Ladies and Gentleman, please welcome Samantha Bee! ☐
Bee on Full Frontal
samanthabee.com
Lady Gaga at the Oscars
radjewelers.com
One Winsor Student Reflects on the Golden Globes, Oscars, and Grammys By Emily Litz Panel Staff Ron Swanson (beloved Parks and Recreation curmudgeon) once said, “I think awards are stupid.” I, too, think awards are stupid, yet I watch award shows religiously. The award shows I love, like the Emmys, the Golden Globes, the Grammys and the Oscars give out awards based on subjective decisions made by groups of unidentified voters. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, for example, which decides the Oscars, is well known to be overwhelmingly white and male (a 2012 Los Angeles Times study actually determined that Oscar voters are 94% caucasian and 77% male). Other academies and institutions whose awards on which we put such great emphasis are widely suspected to be influenced by how much money was made by a given movie or what position a song reached on the Billboard charts. Did you know that Golden Globe-winners are decided upon by the Hollywood Foreign Press, a group of 88 foreign reporters? Doesn’t it seem bizarre that the second most important American award show for both film and television is governed by the tastes of such a small, specific group? In short, maybe we shouldn’t care about these awards because of their level of subjectivity. The recent protest of the Oscars by many black actors comes to mind. I believe there is substantial classism, sexism, and arguably racism ingrained in the award show model, and these prejudices should be recognized, but in spite
that amount of money would feed the family from 19 Kids and Counting for 122 years (so the next generations of Duggars!). This amount of money is unimaginable for the typical American. Also, the fact that women and men aren’t considered in the same category for acting (and sometimes for music) is inherently sexist in that it makes it seem like the genders can’t give equally powerful performances. When I first read that The Grammys distilled its “Best Female Pop Vocal Performance” and “Best Male Pop Vocal Performance” categories into “Best Pop Solo Performance” in 2011, I believed that this change was made as a laudable attempt to de-gender the awards. However, my naivete was soon unmasked: it turns out that the two categories were combined because both received too few submissions and to decrease the number of categories. Ideally, actresses and actors (and female and male musicians) would be judged in the same categories for the right reasons. In all, there are a lot of Oscar host Chris Rock usmagazine.com questionable and perhaps prejudicial practices surrounding award shows. of their stupidity I don’t think award I still watch these shows though shows are completely devoid of merit. and root for my personal picks because Will I keep watching them? You bet. I love the spectacle. I love seeing my Award show silliness includes the favorite performers interact with one red carpet ritual. During red carpets, another, and I love seeing mishaps, viewers at home watch a parade of glam- technical difficulties, and acceptance orous people name-dropping their ex- speeches running over the allotted travagant dresses and jewelry. According time. I love watching Jennifer Lawto E! Online, the worth of a red carpet rence trip over her dress and love-tolook for an “A-Lister” can be up to $10 hate watching the camera pan to Taylor million dollars, including hair styling, Swift enthusiastically singing and dancdress, jewelry, shoes, makeup, and more ing along to others’ songs and being far primping. According to my calculations, too happy post-loss. Seeing everything
go down on live television can be at once wonderful and cringe-worthy. It’s fascinating for a pop culture geek like me. Call me a hypocrite, but I’ll never stop tuning in to (or DVR-ing, in order to forward through the insanely long commercial breaks) award shows. ☐
March 10, 2016
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Brand-New Broadway Shows Arriving Soon poser, choreographer, and book writer). her strict mother, Winnie discovers that the erlasting promises to be as magical and The other show opening this spring Tucks have a secret which could potentially heart-wrenching as the original book. is Tuck Everlasting, an adaptation of the change her life. She must decide whether Two other new Broadway shows are “I am not throwing away my shot!” beloved children’s book, directed by Casey she wants stay with the Tucks and experi- in the works as well, though they won’t Whether or not you recognize that quotation, Nicholaw. It is about a young girl named ence their secret, or return to her former be making their debuts just yet. Shortly you’ve probably heard of the smash hit Hamafter the blockbuster-hit Frozen came ilton. The cast album ranked number 2 on out, Disney revealed plans to adapt the Billboard’s Hot 100 list, made Spotify’s trendmovie for the stage. Because one of Froing page, and the difficulty of getting tickets zen’s songwriters is Tony Award winner has been joked about by even celebrities such Robert Lopez (Book of Mormon, Avenue as Stephen Colbert. The show’s unique mix Q), and many actors and actresses in the of traditional showtunes and hip-hop, comfilm have Broadway backgrounds, Disney bined with an incredibly diverse and talented decided to make Frozen the next of its cast, has catapulted Broadway into popular movies to be reworked as a stage musical. culture. For anyone who has just become However, no casting has been announced interested in Broadway (whether because yet so it is unknown whether any of the of Hamilton or not) or anyone who simply cast of the movie will also join the Broadloves a good musical, here are some of the way production. To Kill a Mockingbird renewest shows coming to Broadway and sevcently announced that it acquired its stage eral exciting announcements for the future. adaptation rights. The beloved novel, set Two of the newest shows opening on in 1930s Alabama, follows a young girl Broadway will be coming this spring: Waitnamed Scout whose lawyer father decides ress and Tuck Everlasting. Waitress, which to represent a black man accused of rape. premiered here in Boston to a sold out run The book shows Scout’s discovery of the at the American Repertory Theater, is based racism of the world she lives in while on the movie of the same name starring retaining a sense of humor and warmth Kerri Russell. It is about a woman named throughout much of the novel. The show Jenna, played by Tony Award winner Jessie will feature Tony Award-winning direcMueller, who works at a diner and is amaztor Bartlett Sher (South Pacific), in addiHolly Gettings ing at baking pies. She is trapped in an abution to well-known screenwriter Aaron sive marriage, and when she hears about a Sorkin, who has worked on shows such baking contest that could potentially win as The West Wing and movies such as her enough money to break free from her The Social Network and Steve Jobs. Little current life and start anew, she must make is known about the show so far, but To some difficult decisions. Directed by Diane Kill a Mockingbird’s popularity is sure Paulus (who also directed Pippin and Findto attract a large audience. Both Frozen ing Neverland which premiered to glowing and To Kill a Mockingbird are schedreviews at the A.R.T. as well), with music and uled to arrive on Broadway in 2018. Kimiko Glenn, Jessie Muller, and Keala Settle in Waitress broadway.com lyrics by Sara Bareilles, Waitress will make With a wide variety of shows Broadway history when it opens because it Winnie Foster who one day meets a boy life. Starring Andrew Keenan-Bolger as coming to Broadway over the next couwill be the first show ever to have females named Jesse Tuck and his family. Long- Jesse and 11-year-old Sarah Charles Lewis ple of years, theater fans have a lot to in all four top creative spots (director, com- ing to be out from under the control of as Winnie in her Broadway debut, Tuck Ev- look forward to in the near future! ☐ By Julia Mastandrea Contributing Writer
Thriller Writer Regales and Enriches Winsor Audience Holly Gettings
Holly Gettings
Author and Winsor Parent Joseph Finder Speaks at Assembly
er. He told of his time translating Russian texts for the CIA and how it was not the thrilling job he had In honor of the 100th anniversary hoped for. So instead, he turned to of the Winsor Lamp, Winsor had the writing thriller novels. Among his privilege to host Joseph Finder, well- first fictional novels to be published known writer and parent of a Winsor were bestsellers The Moscow Club, alumna during assembly on February High Crimes, and Paranoia. While 24. Mr. Finder spoke about his expe- his books have definitely been a sucriences writing and becoming a writ- cess, Mr. Finder certainly had his fair share of struggles when trying to both write his novels and find a publisher. His books were refused by publishers over and over again and he faced writer’s block and disorganization during the writing process. He reflected, however, that “rejection is not such a terrible thing. It's how the world tests you." Some of the most respected and bestselling authors, he added, “are not the best writers, but are the most stubborn, the most persistent.” Mr. Finder’s rejection surely did not stand in his way to fame. Not only are his thrillers top sellers, but movies have been made based on High Crimes and Paranoia, starring Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, amazon.com Liam Hemsworth, Gary Oldman, and Paranoia film poster Harrison Ford. Mr. Finder himself was excited to be given the opportu- helped further acknowledge his ennity to play a role of a prosecutor in thralling books. Despite this sentiHigh Crimes. During the assembly, ment, Mr. Finder talked about how he Mr. Finder revealed, however, that did not have a glamorous lifestyle, but other than his small role as prosecu- Brigitte Schmittlein ’16 remarked, “It tor, he took little part in the produc- looked pretty glamorous to me! When tion of the movie. No matter, the your daughter gets to meet Liam movie production has given him an Hemsworth, I think that’s a win.” Finder’s High Crimes josephfinder.com inlet into the Hollywood world and At the end of the assembly, WinBy Arielle Blacklow Panel Staff
sor students had the opportunity to ask questions to Mr. Finder. In response to a question about the book he is most proud of writing, he decided on Paranoia because “it was the first book [he] felt was really in [his] own voice.” The assembly has also sparked interest and inspiration in many Winsor girls who still have questions for him. Claudia Meyer ’17 commented, “Hearing from a successful author was so inspiring. I think it reminds the students how important it is to keep trying at whatever you are interested in.” Overall, Mr. Finder gave great insight into the writing and filmmaking processes for Winsor students who were eager to hear and respond to his knowledge. ☐
Finder with Emma ’12
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Belmont Hill Opinion
Pa g e 1 6
Th e Pan el
Movement for Establishing Health Course at Belmont Hill Gains Traction continued from page 1 Though there is no health class integrated into the schedule on the Hill, the school does offer important programs where students can discuss health-related topics. Special student-led clubs, such as Peer Leaders, often hold programs for boys about alcohol, bullying, and dating. Guest speakers - Will Slotnick, Bob Bigelow, and Urban Improv - visit campus throughout the year to get students thinking about drug use and sexual harassment. From ninth graders in Dr. Melvoin’s Ethics class to tenth and eleventh graders in Fishbowl to twelfth graders in TYSK, students discuss the negative effects of sexual and drug-related risk-taking behaviors. But many believe that those short seminars are not enough. “The programs we currently have about alcohol and stress are certainly valuable, but they’re just too fragmented to effect the benefits we are hoping for,” says Mrs. David. “A Health class, however, connects information from the discrete programs Belmont Hill offers and a host of new material in a streamlined course.” Furthermore, the current program only covers a fraction of what most semester-long courses examine, and many activities are led informally by students who may not be as well-informed as a professional. As the Director of Counseling and an influential confidante for boys at Belmont Hill, Ms. Schmunk understands the need for a larger Health program. “These are the years when guys develop the foundations of their character, and I have found that our boys are eager to explore these issues,” she says. “The school has provided opportunities for growth through individual speakers, workshops, programs and support groups. We have not, however, offered a consistent, thoughtout Health program where boys could meet weekly and process the non-academic issues in their lives. This would be a valuable experience
for our boys as they move through adolescence.” taught Health course could help boys avoid std’s Though our male counterparts at Roxbury and legally dangerous situations; equally imporLatin and St. Sebastian’s schools have a similar tant, it could help them to feel better about their paucity of formal Health classes, the majority of bodies and to find loving sexual relationships.” schools in our area have implemented substanA particularly stunning moment for Dr. tial programs. Winsor girls are required to take Thompson was when the Urban Improv group 3 semesters of a robust Health course to gradu- presented to the Upper School about rape and conate high school. “Throughout my years at Win- sent. At on point, he realized that none of the hunsor, the experience I have had in my many health dreds of boys in the chapel knew that they should classes has been invaluable,” says Rebecca Koppel, bring a rape victim to the hospital after an attack. a senior at Winsor. “I’ve learned so much about “At first, I was mad at the students for not knowing, so many different, important topics - I’m not sure but then I realized that they didn’t know any betwhere I would be developmentally without it.” ter. We didn’t teach it to them, and that’s our fault.” Additionally, most of Massachusetts’s To better understand the sexual activpublic school systems choose to offer a compre- ity and health-related decisions made by Belmont hensive program despite the lack of a legal re- Hill students, SADD sent out survey to the Upquirement for Health classes. In Winchester and per School in September, in which 35% of the 62 Newton, for example, students are required to respondents indicated that they were sexually acenroll in Health classes as early as 6th grade, and tive. Of those sexually active students, only 55% these continue as core classes through senior year. affirmed that they were confidently practicing So without a Health class, where exactly safe sex, and only 43% affirmed that they wore a do Belmont Hill students get their information? condom during every sexual experience. FurtherThe programs that the school offers are undoubt- more, over ¾ of respondents felt that they have edly informative and thought-provoking, but experienced average to poor health education at some boys feel that even those cannot answer Belmont Hill. It is important to note that the relaall of their questions. “I like the programs we do, tively small sample size of this survey may not albut I ultimately learn most about Health issues low for readers to draw immediate conclusions. from the Internet and from what my friends tell Yet at the same time, it might be interesting to me,” says an anonymous Belmont Hill student. wonder if these results could change for the better “I’m not really sure if the information I’m get- through the establishment of a formal health class. ting is all that accurate, but there’s really nowhere In response to recent student initiatives, Dr. else I feel comfortable talking about that stuff.” Melvoin has been receptive to hearing calls for up“Most of our boys are getting the major- dating the school’s policies on sexual education and ity of their sex education not from their parents improving the current health program. When asked and not from the school, but from online porn,” for comment, Dr. Melvoin stated the following: says Dr. Michael Thompson, author of Raising “I believe that Belmont Hill has a strong proCain and the supervising counselor at Belmont gram in what might be termed ‘health and wellness’ Hill. “Sex is an important part of the lives of most - but it is fragmented. As examples, we do excellent adults. I wish for all boys at Belmont Hill to have work in drug and alcohol education in every Form; happy, healthy sexual lives. I believe that a well- we also help boys think about important issues
from the “We Lead” program in Form I through Third Form Ethics class, from some of the groups that Ms. Schmunk leads through the TYSK program in the spring of Sixth Form year. We also try to be responsive to current issues, as was seen when we put together two events last fall to address matters of sexual assault. At the same time, we need to look more holistically at our program to make sure we are being as comprehensive as we can. In that regard, our different programs in sex ed deserve review and, led by our Health Team, I hope we can engage more in that discussion in the months ahead.” Unfortunately for student and faculty activists, there are significant obstacles on the road to establishing a Health course. Two glaring obstacles include the already-overloaded schedule and the availability of teachers. Members of the Senate believe that the course could operate like Ethics or like meetings with Will Slotnick, happening weekly or bi-weekly for one semester at a Lunch, 2:15, or 4:00 Study Hall period. As for course instructors, Ms. Schmunk, who has experience working on a similar course, believes that the best Health educators are those who understand what the boys are thinking and allow students to be honest with each other. The training, she says, is not extremely rigorous, and it would appeal to many engaged advisors on campus. There is a significant distance that must be covered by both the student body and the administration before any real change becomes implemented. But the energy around these ideas is unprecedented. “I’ve never been so hopeful that we can actually expand the Health program,” says Ms. Schmunk. “The students in SADD and the Senate have had great timing.” Perhaps next fall, students from Form I to Form VI will be having entirely new and provocative conversations about previously-awkward topics, and that blue bag in the Health Office will be brought out once again. ☐
The Exploitation of College Atheletes: Should They Be Paid? their hours to academics, and have designated time with an education; however, only 53% of student- the ten schools that made the most money in 2014, for clubs. The NCAA notes on their website that less athletes are awarded some sort of athletic scholarship. which were all large state-schools, such as Alabama, than 2% of their basketball and football players turn However, athletic scholarships are contingent on ath- Oklahoma, and Texas A&M. The average scholarIn a week, tens of millions of Americans will pro, and stresses the importance of education before lete performance and health and can be revoked at ship expense for each school totalled $12.4 million, turn on their televisions and dive into 67 games of sports. However, Division 1 men’s basketball and any time. A torn ACL or career-ending concussion while incoming revenue added up to $144.8 milMarch Madness, watching college athletes com- football players spend approximately 40 hours a week can mean that a student loses his or her scholarship, lion’ colleges are funneling just a 1/12 of income back pete at a top level. The tournament brings in over on their sports; basically, it’s their full-time job. The which might have been the only way he or she could into scholarships.Both an increase in scholarship cap a billion dollars in advertisement revenue alone. amount of time demanded by D1 sports makes it vir- afford college in the first place. The NCAA does not and a guarantee in the case of injury must be impleCollege football generates the same amount of in- tually impossible for students to keep up with class- cover their athletes with insurance, instead requir- mented to fairly reward an athlete’s work on the field. sanity, with an estimated 26 million tuning in to work. In fact, top athletes may not be able, or choose ing players to finance their own insurance, either by Recent attempts to define student-athletes as this year’s championship. Yet the athletes will not not to, attend class at all. A 2014 scandal at the Uni- themselves or through the school. Furthermore, play- employees made national news as the Northwestern receive a penny for their work; instead, the money football team attempted to unionize after the 2013goes straight into the pockets of the schools and 2014 season. The Chicago district of the National Lathe NCAA, a “non-profit” association that made bor Relations Board (NLRB) voted in favor, but their $989 million in revenue for the 2014 fiscal year. decision was overturned in August 2015 on the arguThere are two sources to blame for this monment that the players were students, first. A CNN etary exploitation of these athletes: the NCAA, which article published at the time revealed that the Northhas a near-monopoly over collegiate sports, and western players spend 50-60 hours a week on football the schools themselves. To exploit their athletes, the in the pre-season and 30-40 during the regular season, NCAA hides behind its “amateurism”, which they quite for a heavy dose of time “extra-curricular activlaud as a “bedrock principle of college athletics and the ity”. The lead student-athlete organizer for NorthwestNCAA”. This protects the NCAA and their schools ern, former quarterback Kain Colter, testified that from having to pay their athletes. “There’s not even a the coaching staff advised him to drop his plans to salary to debate. They’re not employees, they’re stucontinue his pre-med major, as the courses required dents”, says Mark Emmert, president of the NCAA. were too difficult and time-consuming to align with The NCAA enforces strict rules banning athletes his football requirements. Missed class time due to from accepting any form of payment or benefit that a athletic commitments prohibits a student-athlete “non-athlete” wouldn’t receive, including discounts at from the “student” opportunity; there should be an stores or even free lunches. The NCAA and its schools opportunity to freely continue and finish their educaprofit off of ticket sales, ads, sponsorships, and apparel, tion and install more regulations to ensure students using the money to finance ludicrous stadiums and are receiving the valued education they are promised. salaries of valuable head coaches. Who is Alabama’s It would be ideal to protect the sanctity of highest-paid state employee? None other than Tide versity of North Carolina revealed the school offering ers are rarely subsidized by a full scholarship - only amateurism in collegiate sports, but in reality the coach Nick Saban, who earns a handsome seven mil- fraudulent “paper classes” for eighteen years where at- the best of the best have a free ride, for the NCAA booming business has turned too large to ignore lion dollars a year. In fact, the highest-paid employees tendance was optional and the only requirement was caps the amount of yearly scholarships granted by a “amateurism” anymore. While we cannot profesin 40 states in the country are either men’s basketball a one page final paper, aiming to keep athletes aca- school to their team. For example, the NCAA per- sionalize college athletics, the NCAA should inor football coaches. It’s a conundrum with no right demically eligible with a free “A”. The time-consuming mits just 12.6 full scholarships for D1 men’s lacrosse crease the number of scholarships available to cover answer: while these athletes shouldn’t be paid tens of schedule of a Division 1 sport creates an incredibly programs that must be split between the 40-odd play- more athletes and guarantee the scholarship in the thousands of dollars in yearly salary, we can’t simply tight schedule that leaves little room for studying or ers on a roster. Most scholarships are not split evenly, case of a season-ending injury, cover insurance for ignore the injustice of a thirteen billion dollar busi- other parts of college life. Adding in other demands either - starters on the team are awarded more than all of their players, and provide a free education for ness that gives not one penny to its “money-makers”. prior to college, such as camps, AAU and club, and second-stringers, who commit just as much time those who choose to finish their degree or cover Sports have always been viewed as beneficial college recruiting visits, elite athletics can prevent on the team, but may not be earning the school as classes missed due to the burdensome athletic comto academics; it’s one of the founding tenets of Bel- top recruits from developing the academic abilities much money for their play. A chart in an October mitments. Increased benefits for athletes is the first mont Hill, where students play sports every day. But that would enable them to thrive in college courses. 2015 Business Insider article averaged the athletic de- step to tackle the exploitation of student-athletes at Belmont Hill, students dedicate the majority of The NCAA rationalizes that athletes are “paid” partnment revenue vs. scholarship expensives from without completely professionalizing the sport.☐
By Mack Perry Panel staff
Belmont Hill Opinion
March 10, 2016
Pa g e 1 7
Student Debate: Pie vs. Cake This is our last Panel debate. We’d like to thank all the people who’ve read this column over the past year and passionately voiced their opinions to us. We’ve enjoyed writing this section and we hope you all have enjoyed reading it too. Look out for our final email, in which we’ll send out the poll for this debate as well as take a look back at all previous debates. Without further ado... Pie vs. Cake. Jay and Gabe out.
Team Pie
Team Cake
By Gabe Schmittlein Panel staff
and America is easy to understand -- both are previous debate for chocolate versus By Jay O’Brien great -- but this debate isn’t about America, it’s vanilla), and while these are certainly Panel Staff about pie versus cake, so let’s get down to it. high quality dessert options which I’ve got one question for Jay First off, let’s talk heavy hitters; the big In what will be our last news- have rightfully earned an annual spot O’Brien… Do you hate America? Do you hate two that initially come to mind when thinking paper debate, Gabe has made the fa- at the birthday dinner table, Team freedom? Do you hate bald eagles? (that was of pies are apple pie and pumpkin pie. Any type tal decision to argue in favor of Team Cake has more to offer. Much like the three questions I’m sorry) To quote the great of cake pales in comparison to these legends Pie in a classic debate of cake versus addition of the designated hitter in card game Apples to Apples, “Apple Pie: It’s as of the dessert game. In fact, when young cakes pie. These have been very enjoyable baseball, the invention of ice cream American as….. as….. Something.” Of course, around the age of five or six (in cake years) are for the two of us to write over the past cakes added an entirely new offenthe classic idiom goes “as American as apple asked what they want to be when they grow up, year, and I thank everyone for read- sive juggernaut to this debate, since pie,” which is why the quote is funny guys! The their most common answers are apple pie and natural association that we see between pie pumpkin pie (research done by Gabe Schmit-
Results from Last Debate Instagram - 127
79%
31%
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Advantage: Instagram
tlein). I’m in danger of running out of analo- ing. Now let’s get into the debate. the dessert combines icing and ice gies here but apple pie and pumpkin pie are like Much like our first debate cream into one refined masterpiece the 2025 Philadelphia 76ers winning their 5th of breakfast and dinner, this is truly of a cuisine. In addition, the addition straight NBA Championship and visiting the a matter of quality versus quantity. of cheesecakes to this stellar lineup White House to meet the President - the per- There are plenty of different pies that creates an unstoppable food trio that fect combination of unstoppable and America. one can eat, and I will concede that is not to be messed with. Much like Pie doesn’t just bring the heat with its apple pies and pumpkin pies in partic- ice cream cakes that can have many top two, though, it’s also an extremely diverse ular are moderately delectable. Yet for different flavors of ice creams, the and deep group of desserts. Let me take you on a every apple pie and pumpkin pie, you cheesecake has a plethora of options to trip down Pie Lane… We’ve got all the fruit pies: also have to take into account the ones choose from depending on the restauapple, blueberry, peach, strawberry rhubarb, at the bottom of the barrel, like the rant, including chocolate, mocha capgrape; the creamy pies: pumpkin, chocolate sour tasting lemon meringue pie or puccino, oreo, and strawberry swirl. So on the surface, it may seem like cream, banana cream, Boston Cream, key lime, pecan pie, which basically looks like a pecan, sweet potato. Or we can show off the ver- pie made of bugs. So sure Gabe, your Team Cake has a limited number of opsatility of this food and go for the non-dessert top two or three precious pies may be tions, when in reality, the three main pies: chicken pot pie, shepherd’s pie; the stretch- good, but there is a sizable drop off in branches have all kinds of different ing-the-definition-of-pie pies: pizza pie, any sort quality once you start examining the flavors that warrant your vote in this of cobbler or crisp, tiramisu (all considered pies spinach pies of the world. I bet Gabe debate. In conclusion, I would like to according to food.com). Pie takes the cake (YES didn’t mention that one in his article. once again thank everyone for reading PUNS) in this debate with both top-end quality As for cake, the typical image these debates, and more importantly, and impressive depth. Doesn’t hurt that it’s got that pops into mind is a icing-topped I plead that you make the correct America on its side either. Your move, cake. ☐ chocolate or vanilla birthday cake (see decision and vote for Team Cake. ☐
Jockeying For Success: In Favor of Spring Break Practice cohesively in future practices and games. er shooting free throws, doing the pole said, rest is important, and perhaps one Not to mention, the friendships born from vault, or rowing a stroke.” Spring train- can utilize one week for resting the mind By Robbie Warming sports teams are second to none. This ear- ing provides our teams the chance to hit and body. But not two, which is why a Staff Writer ly-formed teamwork simply creates a bet- the ground running once the season kicks March break training camp is so imporAlthough being dragged from a Flo- ter playing environment which, in turn, off, as many spring games are played the tant. Active individuals lose strength ridian beach to a week-long sports camp provides more long-term success. By start- first week back. Thus, the extra week after two and a half weeks of inactivity; doesn’t feel ideal for parents and students ing off in a better mental state, teammates is absolutely vital for installing plays, cardio drops in just twelve days and the alike, the week of training positions our can push each other to whatever level formations, and individual technique. effects of strength-loss would set in by teams for success throughout the sea- necessary to win throughout the season. Perhaps more pressing, athletes the end of break. Therefore, the training son. The intensive week-long training Whether it be on the campus fields obtain significant physiological benefits camps during the second week of March sessions, which are now recognized as a or the waters of the Charles, skill is a de- from this week of training. Though ex- break are absolutely vital, preventing atpart of varsity sports at Belmont Hill, al- fining factor in a team’s success as well. ceptions arise, vacations tempt a seden- rophy and building toward future success. low our athletes to develop camaraderie, Spring training, often involving double tary lifestyle - I certainly wouldn’t mind If we expect to continue Belmont skill, team strategy, and fitness long be- sessions or longer practices, provides lounging on the couch and watching Hill’s victorious athletic legacy, March fore the season starts. The extra training coaches with the time to cement athletes’ twelve-hour Netflix marathons for two break training must be supported. Not adds to the short spring season and gives muscle memory. In the case of rowing, weeks. But success in spring requires only do these camps improve our athletes us an athletic edge over our ISL peers. the extra week of training during March maintaining some semblance of a training psychologically, technically, and physiSpring training, at its basic level, break is the ultimate WD-40 for rusty plan during break. The American Col- cally, but such training has become insupplies time for team bonding through form. Mr. Richards, the head coach of lege of Sports Medicine and the Ameri- creasingly commonplace across the ISL spending a week together through inten- Varsity Crew, said: “It is pretty much a can Heart Association both recommend program; in short, everyone does it. If sive, double-session training. By forming fundamental truth in sport that practice thirty minutes of moderate activity five spring training were dropped, the scoreteam camaraderie early, athletes act more and repetition lead to mastery, wheth- days a week, at minimum. That being boards would reflect the consequences.☐
Winsor Opinion
Pa g e 1 8
Th e Pan el
The Return of the Winsor Advice Column Winsor Junior Emily Chen responds to your inquiries By Emily Chen Contributing Writer Welcome back to The Panel advice column! Thank you to everyone who submitted such thoughtful questions. Think of another question? Send it through the GoogleForm, and I’d love to answer it in the next issue of the Panel! -- Emily Chen, Class VII I play a Varsity sport at Winsor, and I also do one of the more time-consuming clubs. How do I manage that in addition to homework? – Miserable Mary Dear Miserable Mary, You are not alone! Everyone struggles to balance her academic life (homework), her personal life (sports you do, clubs you’re involved with, time to eat, relax, sleep, etc), and her social life. Since this is your first year of high school (you mentioned on our survey that you are a Class V student), everything must seem ten times more time consuming and overwhelming. There are two pieces of advice that I can offer you: 1) make priorities and 2) motivate yourself in someway to stay efficient. Both of these things are easier said than done (I am the first to admit that I struggle to be efficient with my time everyday). Nevertheless, these skills are important for ensuring that you have time in the day to do everything you enjoy. To prioritize your activities, perhaps you could find another club that you would enjoy just as much as your current club but that requires less commitment. I know it’s difficult to consider dropping something that you might be super passionate about, but there may be another club out there that is just as exciting and interesting. To get motivated, give yourself some incentives to get homework done sooner rather than later. Think about a favorite food of yours that you can eat when you’ve written two pages of a paper. Or maybe hold off from perusing Instagram and sending Snapchats until you’ve finished two subjects. But do make sure that you take periodic breaks and don’t work for six straight hours. It’s important to enjoy yourself, too! Watch a favorite show or talk to a friend. And remember: using your free periods to work means
they get to spend time with their friends and relax after a long week. Have fun! that you’ll have less work to do at home. I don’t know how to respond when Despite all of this admy friend gives me backhanded complivice, I want to remind you that this is just ments. What do I do??????? –Anonymous the beginning of high school. You still have Hi Anonymous! many years to figure out what works for Compliments are always nice to reyou. I felt incredibly overwhelmed myself ceive, but backhanded ones are a little bit as a freshman because I wasn’t used to harder to understand. Your friend probably having so much work in addition to my means the best when s/he is complimentextracurricular commitments, and it took ing you, but there are two ways to respond some time for me to realize that I couldn’t based on whether or not you like the comdo every possible thing I wanted to do. If pliment. If you don’t really mind them, or you use your first year of high school as actually find them funny, then perhaps it a time to experiment with different time can just become a joke between you two. A management strategies, then you will feel little humor in life is always good! But if you much more comfortable managing all of don’t like backhanded compliments, say so! your commitments during the You shouldn’t have to laugh off evrest of high school. ery veiled insult. Seeing You can do it! as the person What behind a backare some handed compligood foods ment is most to eat (real likely a good food, candy, friend (s/he junk food, anyprobably feels tangibleireland.com thing really) for a Friclose enough day night hangout with your friends? to joke around with you), What if it’s been an emotional/traumatic telling your friend that week? What will make everyone happy you’re hurt by these “com(and full)? – Fun-on-a-Friday Felicia pliments” can be really difficult. However, I Hi Fun-on-a-Friday Felicia! think that your relationship has the capacity In my opinion, any food to grow enormously from telling each other is good food--at least most of the time! I the truth, so even if you’re worried about think that people will be happy with anyyour friend’s reaction, know that honesty is thing you serve, but a good thing to do bealways the best path to take in a friendship. fore a hangout would be to ask the invitees How to get good grades? – Anonymous what they would like to eat. If you want to Dear Anonymous, indulge on “unhealthy” treats, some good Oh! If only there were a straightfor“go-to” options are Doritos, sea-salt popward, easy answer to this question, I would corn, and bars of (dark) chocolate. If you happily give it to you! Don’t worry though, really want to splurge on junk food, howbecause you are far from alone – I also wonever, go for those gourmet peanut butter der about this question quite a bit somecups (or Reeses work fine too), Peeps, and times! What I can give you is some advice Terra chips. Of course, you could also serve to help you feel more confident during tests some healthier options like kale chips, alor while writing papers. The first piece of monds, and yogurt parfaits. These foods advice that I can offer you is to seek help will definitely make you feel better than if you don’t understand something. Either how most of us feel after advisory! If it’s find a friend to study with or schedule a been a particularly difficult week, I sugtime to meet with your teachers. Also, there gest having more food than usual (the are peer tutors available if you want an “exmore food the better). But to be honest, pert” to work with you one-on-one once I think that people will be happiest that per 7 day cycle. My second piece of advice
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is to actively participate in class. The more questions you ask, the more involved you become in class discussions, and the more you use class time effectively, the more likely you will get to a test or paper and understand the concepts. My last piece of advice may seem counterintuitive to getting “good grades,” but I suggest that you think less about your grades and more about whether or not you’ve gotten something out of the experience. This particular piece of advice is extremely challenging to remember in the moment that you get a “bad grade” back, but I promise that you will get way more out of your high school experience if you take a step back and gain perspective of the greater picture. Always ask yourself, do I understand what I’ve done right and what I’ve done wrong? How can I improve next time? By asking these questions and seeing the whole rather than the part, you are more likely to relax and have more fun in school. See the path to your future as a bunch of squiggly lines, rather than a clearly defined path. Good luck! ☐
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Beyonce’s “Formation”: Super Bowl Smash or Super Out of Line? Reflections on the controversy behind Beyonce’s latest single By Sophie Stone Contributing Writer Beyonce recently released her latest song, “Formation.” In true Beyonce form, the music video was, as one Winsor girl put it, “a work of art.” The lyrics engage with the black American Southern experience, and act as a call to action, a call to “get [into] formation” for the cause of black equality. The video comments on different aspects of the black southern identity, according to Beyonce. A young boy is shown dancing in front of a police line. The camera pans to graffiti saying “stop killing us,” then pans back to the officers who put their hands up. The images of the video are both compelling and evocative. A majority of Winsor students interviewed praised the song and vid-
eo. Chanel Matthews, ’17 stated that “‘Formation’ brings attention to a very real, pressing issues, and that can be uncomfortable to discuss, but I think [Beyonce highlights] topics that necessitate conversation.” Chanel’s sentiment is also shared by Priya Shukla, ’17 who stated that she admired that Beyonce “was using her platform to bring her message out.” She acknowledged that though there were parts that she “didn’t understand,” she still found the video “compelling.” On a different note, one student expressed that while she thought “Formation” certainly highlighted important concepts, she believed “that as a very influ-
ential artist, Beyonce could so so much more with her voice.” She expressed frustration that Beyonce had not used her fame and power to “speak out more” for the Black Lives Matter movement.
With the release of her recent song, Beyonce has sparked discussion and captured the nation’s attention. What she decides to do with this attention will be telling. ☐
thewrap.com
March 10, 2016
Winsor Opinion
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Why Winsor: Juniors reflect on choice to attend Winsor mous, ’17).” Luckily for the rest of us, we needn’t look far from home in order to get some new perspectives on and answers to this question. As we study for standardized tests and In order to figure out why we go to begin the college counseling process at Winsor, Winsor, it may help us to be reminded of why we juniors (Class ’17) are forced to acknowl- we applied to Winsor in the first place. Since edge that college is coming and that it, and all different people come to Winsor at different of its expectations, are very, very real. A survey times, there is a great range in age for when we sent out to Class of 2017 revealed, perhaps not applied to Winsor. A fourth grader applying for surprisingly, that almost everyone’s least favor- Class I will probably have different priorities ite aspect of Winsor right now is the stress that than a more experienced eighth grader applycomes from the pressures and expectations ing for Class V. Thus, our decisions to apply to of quickly approaching college applications. Winsor may have differed based on how old Many of us feel that we live in an environment we were at the time of application. Some of us in which “everything is about getting into col- may not have even had a choice in applying. In lege (Anonymous, ’17)” and that at Winsor in the survey, 66.7% of Class of 2017 chose “parparticular, there is an “infectious mindset that ents” as one of the reasons for their applying to we must all be perfectionists and cannot take Winsor, and 72.2% chose “prestige.” However, pleasure in our successes (Amanda Lu, ’17)” the most popular reason, with 88.9% of the reperpetuated in our school. These frustrations sponses, was for “the challenging curriculum.” with Winsor raise an important question that According to Betsy Kim, ’17, Winsor has “an we may have ignored or forgotten: Why do we incredibly stimulating academic environment, go to Winsor? One student had the opportu- and I believe that it will prepare me well for nity to experience an environment without college.” The academically challenging curWinsor’s stress at a semester away program riculum is one of the things that makes Winsor last semester and returned with the simple special, and apparently most of us were drawn but sublime answer of: “I don’t know (Anony- to Winsor by the promise of the thought-provoking material characteristic of our classes. However, after applying, we had to take a large leap of faith to turn that promise into a reality. When we jumped from simply applying for another education option to choosing to spend a third (or more) of our lives at Winsor for the next 3-8 years, our reasons for going must have strengthened. When asked what factors helped people to decide to actually come to Winsor, once again the most popular response was for the “challenging curriculum,” with 72.2%. Notably, not as many chose this as the reason for coming to Winsor as they did for applying to Winsor. The number of people who chose “the prestige” also sank to 55.6%, and “parents” sank even more to 38.9%. Instead, people tended to Kiran Butte choose options that had to do more with themBy Emma Pan Contributing Writer
selves than outside forces. 55.6% of people chose “the Winsor community,” 50% chose “the academic options,” and 44.4% chose the “all-girls environment.” After applying to Winsor, these more personal reasons ended up being the main reasons for why people chose to actually attend Winsor. In fact, when asked “What’s your favorite aspect of Winsor?”, almost everyone’s response was linked to the Winsor community or the allgirls environment in some way. For some of us, the community is made special by how engaged and intelligent the people are. “I really like the motivation that you see from all the students and the close-knit community,” says Arielle Blacklow ’17, “People are so intellectual that discussions about topics you study continue outside the classroom.” Others love the freedom to say what you want to say. “[Winsor]’s such a safe place to openly express an interest for a subject/ topic of learning-- here, students aren’t considered “nerds” for doing so--or if they are, it’s a positive label (Anonymous, ’17).” Additionally, the all-girls part of Winsor helps to foster this open and “nerdy” environment in which we feel comfortable with our opinions and how we look. Kiran Butte, ’17 says, “[Wearing] sweatpants [is] actually the norm here, and I think that is special. You don’t have to try hard to look pretty or cool or whatever because here that is just not the focus; it’s who you are and what you like and how much you can procrastinate when writing an English paper because honestly that is talent.” Because we are so comfortable with expressing ourselves at Winsor, we are able to explore who we are. According to Isabel
Kristie Rae Gillooly Griffith-Gorgati ’17, “It has allowed me to really find my own voice in many ways.” Another anonymous Class ’17 Winsor girl said, “we’re encouraged to be whoever we want to be.” What all this comes down to is that many of us are here because, as Audrey Bloom ’17 aptly states, “somebody is doing an excellent job attracting and admitting genuine, passionate, and supportive girls to the school. My classmates are why I show up to school (almost) every day.” We’ve all had our moments of doubt, and we’ll probably be having a lot more in the future. But, despite the fact that the highly academically-motivated Winsor community may be what perpetuates the stress that we dislike, it is also what makes many of us want to stay. “Sometimes I wonder how different my life would be if I hadn’t come here, but I’ve stayed because I genuinely cannot imagine a place in which I would feel more safe, accepted, and supported. I have had wonderful teachers and made such strong friendships, and I think these bonds are what have kept me here. I know we criticize the “Winsor Bubble” but it is a happy little bubble that I can call my home (Anonymous, ’17).” As long as we remember why we go to Winsor, nothing, not winsor.edu even college, will be able to burst our bubble.☐
What is the Role of Feminism in the Ballot? A Winsor Student’s Opinion on the Significance of Clinton’s Gender
Sanders in which she declared, “There is a President would handle situations and such special place in Hell for women who don’t in America rather than making a statement support other women.” It is important to note, through gender.” These arguments are valcont from page 1... first of all, that Albright’s quote was taken a litid. In an ideal world, the factor of gender in As I attend an all-girls school and tle bit out of context; she was giving a broader electability would be nonexistent, as would have associated with progressive, thoughtful talk on gender equality, not commanding race and religion. The motive of feminism, people all my life, I have rarely been discrimi- women to after all, is apajuelo27.files.wordpress.com to nated against based on my gender. However, vote for achieve although the full brunt of sexism may be an C l i n t o n . equality for experience that I and many girls my age lack, R e g a r d the sexes, not its existence cannot go ignored. There are few less, femisimply to prowomen in government, there are more CEO’s nists Gloria mote women named John than there are those who are fe- S t e i n e m in general. male, and there remains an unwarranted in- and MadHowequality in pay. Some misinformed individu- eleine Alever, others als take a look at the closing wage-gap and the b r i g h t ’ s argue that we improving percentages and deny the existence messages to do not live of sexism. Numbers may be improving, but young fein an ideal that does not mean that the problem is solved male voters world, so as sexism cannot be accurately reflected in that they do gender must numbers. As millennials in an all-girls setting, not necesbe consida generation known for being near-aggressive sarily comered more in with accepting and embracing difference, we p r e h e n d elections. Eva can scarcely comprehend the full inequality the imporDowd ’18 exthat still exists. tance of the plains that, Just as having Obama in offices ad- f e m i n i s t “Many peovances the cause of racial diversity, having movement ple, people Clinton in the office would be necessary to didn’t bode I’ve heard in advance further gender equality, a phenom- well with younger women and sparked a heatperson and people online, say that we live enon much more difficult than writing new ed debate: Is Hillary Clinton’s gender inconin a world of “post feminism,” and it doesn’t laws. Juliet Isselbacher ’18 affirms this sig- sequential or a possible factor in electing her? matter that [Hillary Clinton] is a woman nificance: “Just as it was a social statementpolitichicks.com to Some women argue that true femisince women have equality in the world elect Obama, it would be a statement to elect nism entails judging and electing candidates now. That is just not true. We have not had Clinton. It would show that we as a nation are on their policies only, male or female regarda woman president yet, and there is still deeply committed to the achievement of gen- less. Penny Mack ’18 argues, “It’s important much discrimination in the workplace.” der equality. And that’s a powerful message.” to acknowledge her gender, but it should not Although gender, “should not be the only, Many women erupted in outrage after be a reason to decide for or against [Clinton].” or the most important, thing that should be Madeleine Albright’s recent comment against Likewise, Caroline Nolan ’20 reasons that, thought about when deciding what candiyoung women supporting candidate Bernie “the election should be about the way the date to vote for,” she adds, “I don’t think we By Isabel Isselbacher Panel Staff
can start to ignore gender and pretend it’s not an issue until equality has been achieved.” Overall, although all Winsor students who were asked for a quote said that Clinton’s gender should be considered when voting, they diverged on whether that point should be factored into casting a vote. By no means should you vote for anyone based solely on their gender or racial identity; numerous factors must be taken into account when electing a President. A candidate may be likeable and charismatic, but may lack a true action plan. A candidate may hold all the same opinions and values as you do, but they might be ineffective in congress. Effectiveness is one of the most important things to consider when electing a President, because if the executive can’t get things done, their ideas don’t matter. But, if the importance of effectiveness is taken into account, one might also argue that a pioneer President (first woman, first Hispanic, etc.) might be effective if he or she succeeds as a leader in promoting meaningful change by serving in office. As many people put it well, finally having a female President would reflect positive change for the country, regardless of what party you identify with. Therefore, although it is not right to simply pick the minority candidate, if you are ever torn between two well-matched candidates, consider the implications of having a first female, Hispanic-American, Asian-American, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu etc. president. Although a candidate’s minority status alone is not enough to warrant your vote, it could definitely be a tie-breaker after you’ve considered the candidates’ plans and policies.☐
Gabe & Emily’s Last L ast L o ok
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Th e Pan el
Breaking News: Your Teachers Were Once Young Winsor
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Winsor: 1-Ms. Macaulay, 2-Ms. Labieniec, 3-Ms. Kelly, 4-Mr. Mosher, 5-Ms. Ryan, 6-Mr. Braxton, 7-Mr. Johnson, 8-Ms. Stern BH: 1- Mr. Trautz, 2-Dr. Wachtmeister, 3-Mr. Kirby, 4-Mr. Martellini, 5-Mr. Zamore, 6-Doc Fast, 7-Mr. Bradley, 8-Mr. Brownell, 9-Mr. O’Leary, 10-Mr. Butler
This Quiz Will Help You Determine Your Favorite Nickleback Song Look at this photograph:
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Yes, and every time I do, it makes me laugh. Your favorite song is Photograph No.
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Did you look at it? Are you through with standing in lines to clubs you’ll never get in? Is it the bottom of the ninth, and you’re never gonna win? Has this life not turned out quite the way you want it to be? Your favorite song is Rockstar
What is this quiz? I’m not really sure...
Yes, and I just wanna be a big rock star.
“Reaching for something in the distance, so close you can almost taste it, Release your inhibitions, feel the rain on your skin, No one else can feel it for you, only you can let it in, No one else, no one else, can speak the words on your lips, Drench yourself in words unspoken, live your life with arms wide open, Today is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten”
- Natasha Bedingfield The Panily (Panel-Family)
More fear, revolution -- Armin Thomas • 48555 65200 81818 54747 56215……. If you weren’t able to decipher that code don’t even bother responding. Long live the revolution. A visa to New Zealand -- Mr. Kirby • Will purchase pending a certain presidential outcome (rhymes with trickery prison, which are two words that ironically describe said candidate well, also I’m not very good at rhyming). ϐ ǦǦ • ʹͷ ͻͲǡ ϐ Ǥ ǡ ǦǦ • ǯ I can’t afford to be looking small. Also, if you’ve got any good calf exercises I’m all ears. A win -- The Football Team • We’d settle for a tie even. A name that’s easier to spell -- Bhawramaett Broehm • ǣ ǡ ǡ ǡ ǡ ǡ ȋ ǯ Ȍǡ ǡ ǡ ȋ ǯ ϐ ǡ ǯ Ȍǡ ǡ ǡ ǡ ǯ never hear about unless they had weird names (including, but not limited to Ǧ ǡ ǡ Ǧ ǡ ǡ Ǧ ǡ ǡ etc...) Lorenzenioso, Literally any name ever.