The Index Eutαxia Swzein Dokei
December 2016
Volume LXXVIII, No. 4
Haverford, Pennsylvania - haverfordindex.com
Dr. Nagl Outlines Plans for New Tennis & Squash Courts Aditya Sardesai ‘20 Dr. John Nagl described Haverford’s tennis and squash programs as some of the most successful athletic programs at the school. The tennis team has won an impressive seven consecutive Inter-Ac titles, and Varsity Squash was second in the nation last year by a mere one game. To add on to the success at the upper school, the Middle School Squash team was the most successful squash program in the country, last year winning nationals. Through all of these accomplishments, there remains one complaint: the small number of courts. It seems as though the four tennis and four squash courts are not enough to contain the talent possessed by the athletes. Both tennis coach Mr. Antonio Fink and previous squash coach Mr. Andrew Poolman have heard murmurs about these renovations but are unable to confirm anything. Mr. Fink said that Haverford needs more courts desperately. Every Inter-Ac school has at least seven courts. Tennis matches are currently played at Baldwin. Mr. Fink described it as a “pretty sad situation.” For a school with a superior program, it is hard to believe that our tennis and squash courts are not at the same level. According to Mr. Fink, we have room for more courts. It is hard to fit thirty-two players on four squash courts. The school could help students come out and watch what Dr. Nagl calls “the best tennis program in the United States that is not in
Florida or California.” Haverford has looked at a number of solutions. The biggest community relations problem the Haverford school has is parking. Dr. Nagl says that the Haverford School has “examined the prospect of building a parking garage and putting tennis courts on top of it.” This would be a huge improvement for
Current plans for new tennis courts.
A. Sardesai
the tennis team because it means more courts and the ability to play home match on campus. According to a blueprint Dr. Nagl showed me, the plan looks to involve six tennis courts on top of a two-story parking garage. The only issue is funding, but the project is certainly on the longterm wish list.
In terms of squash, there is a strong enough squash program that Dr. Nagl would love to have more courts. Dr. Nagl has explored “the possibility of a public private partnership or setting up the Haverford Squash Club.” A
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Haverford’s Co-ed Class
‘Do it for the Common-App’
Human Relationships opened up to Fifth and Sixth Formers this semester as an extracurricular class held in cooperation with Agnes Irwin and Baldwin. The course’s primary objective is to encourage discourse about social psychology topics that are often glossed over in the traditional school curriculum, such as gender roles, romantic relationships, sexual violence, interpersonal conflicts, and more. Each class, held at AIS on Monday nights for an hour and a half, is structured as a reading or video followed by open sharing and discussion. Often this would develop into a quasi-debate, with a focus on sharing experiences and broadening each other’s worldview. Over the course of the semester, the students of Human Relationships underwent a healthy intellectual exchange of ideas and critical thought. The female members of the class enrich the experience with their perspective. For gender-specific topics, boys and girls would
College admissions grow more selective each year. Our admissions officers are forced to look beyond test scores and grade-point averages to differentiate applicants. While a transcript and standardized test scores can attest to your intelligence and knowledge, the extracurricular activities a student engages in reveal character, personality, and most importantly, what kind of student he might be in college. Beyond the classroom, Haverford provides students with a rich selection of extracurricular clubs and activities to encourage students to take ownership of their community. Admissions officers review and make decisions on thousands of applications each year in a short period of time. “At some point, colleges need to decide if they are going to be admitting students who are going to contribute to their collegiate community,” said Assistant Director of College Counseling Ms. Heather Stinson. Admissions officers are under enormous pressure to evaluate the applicant pool in order to produce the best class and campus community possible. Admissions officers want to know what high school students are doing outside of school in their free time. Colleges are not particularly picky about how a student spends their free time, as long as they are doing something meaningful and productive. Admissions officers will not know if you spend your free hours playing Xbox, but they will certainly notice a lack of noteworthy activities on your college application. Getting involved in extracurriculars in and out of school is a great way to become active in the community. Although, with the vast amount of extracurriculars offered at Haverford, one does not necessarily have to have a long list of stellar activities in order to earn college acceptance.
John Comai ‘18
be split into two groups, then brought together to share thoughts together for the final thirty minutes. This allowed both groups to express ideas that would potentially be uncomfortable and to refine such ideas for the final segment. The atmosphere at Human Relationships is unique. At times it felt like a dinner-table discussion, and at other times it felt more like a conventional classroom. Indeed, many times it serves as a dinner table of sorts; pizza is provided every class, and students casually mingle and chat while they eat before class. The teachers, who act more as discussion leaders and moderators than lecturers, bring new material and ideas into every class that fostered ripe, productive discussions. This class brought up relevant and important discourse that is rare in the typical high school classroom. It is an opportunity for Form V and Form VI students to have fun and challenge themselves intellectually outside of the school.
Agnis Irwin girls engage in casual conversation before class
Ms. Carmen Epstein
P.J. Rodden ‘18
Also inside this Issue... English teacher and track coach Luqman Kolade
Index Staff
Fifth Former Will Henderson
Common app activity sheet
Index Staff
“Do something meaningful,” said Associate Directors of College Counseling Mrs. Karen Ley. “An applicant who has dedicated years to a few extracurriculars with true enthusiasm and motivation will catch the eye of admissions committees, much more so than an applicant who has only tried to follow a formula by becoming marginally involved in multiple extracurriculars.” Ms. Stinson noted that “being passionate about a few extracurricular activities demonstrates commitment and responsibility.” In addition, Ms. Stinson commented, “Do it for yourself because that is what is going to pop off the page. That passion that you possess and express is how you will stand out on your application. If you can demonstrate to the admission committee some level of
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The Haverford community reacts to Donald Trump Presidency
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The Index
Editorials
December 2016
Let’s Double Check and Move “Forward” Weeks before the election Mr. Green introduced the concept of a semipermeable membrane to explain the mutual interactions between the school and the outside world. Take recent events at a local independent school, for example. A student carved a Nazi swastika into an upper school desk, bursting the semi-permeable membrane. In the first few weeks following the stunning 2016 presidential election, our nation has reacted in many different ways. From flag-burning at American University to demands for flags to be flown at halfmast at Hampshire College, disunity permeates through America, especially through the veins of the country’s more liberal youth. While the American people are constitutionally guaranteed and morally responsible to use their right to express their beliefs on nearly any platform, we should not dwell on theoreticals like, “what if FBI Director James Comey had not reopened the investigation?” Rather, we should take a step back and consider what we can learn from the 2016 election. A large part, though not the majority, of America has evidently been hurting under the current establishment, and Presidentelect Trump connected to this group by awakening the old-fashioned ideals of rural America. However, his often charged
rhetoric poses a greater danger than simple campaign marketing: it has spawned a flocking towards deep-seated“alt-right” ideals. As our nation continues to heal despite these spin-off movements, our school too must unite because, regardless of beliefs, all of us want the best for America. While the Index endorsed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, her campaign
essentially offered Americans four more years of President Obama and by no means does this endorsement condone the protests that are happening. Jill Stein’s campaign does have the legal right to a vote recount and given the Obama administration’s formal accusation of Russia hacking the DNC’s email system, the likelihood of Russian tampering seems high enough to justify a vote recount. However, excessive
actions undermine the sense of equality and unity that our nation requires in these divisive times. The Index wants to move on and the rest of the country should follow suit. Instead of extending the painful journey that was the 2016 presidential election, perhaps we should, taking a cue from President Barack Obama’s 2012 campaign slogan, move “Forward.”
2016 Editors-in-Chief: (Left to Right) Samuel Turner ‘18, Connor Lees ‘17, George Rubin ‘17
Index Staff
December & January Service Board Announcements Will Henderson ‘18
Toys For Tots The Toys For Tots drive will be held from December 1st to 11th. Students can drop off toys in any of the marked bins by the Lower, Middle, and Upper School entrances. The toys will be given to the Marine Corps, which will distribute them to children throughout the holiday season. Those attending the Notables concert on December 7th at 7:30 are asked to donate one toy. Coat Drive For Project HOME Students can bring in coats and other winter apparel to the Service Learning Center. All of the goods will go to people in the Philadelphia area in need of the clothing. Contact Gaspard Vadot or Ms. Loos if you have any questions. Rowan House Tutoring The Rowan House Tutoring project has been headed by Alex Ciardi for the 2016-17 school year. Students go into the city every other Friday to tutor children. We have a large list of students volunteering, and we can always
add more. Contact Alex Ciardi, Ms. Loos, or any other Service Board member if you are interested.
Loos or a Service Board member.
“Gently Used” Collections (MLK Day) The Service Board will be collecting slightly used books for infants to eighteen-year olds. The books will be given to public schools, shelters, and CHOSEN 300 in Philadelphia. In addition to books, students can also drop off clean, gently used clothing (for men, women, and children), which will be donated to Life Centers, Our Closet, and an orphanage in Romania. Besides clothing, people may also bring in things like blankets, sheets, towels, etc. People can drop these items off in the Lower School lobby from January 4th to 18th. Volunteer For The Lower School’s MLK Day Upper School students will be running the Lower School Martin Luther King Day of Service and Celebration on Monday morning, January 18th. There are a variety of activities that take place for this event, and the Lower School boys love to have the Upper School
The Index’s
2016-2017 Staff
students engage with them in doing good for others. If you’d like to volunteer, contact Ms.
Connor Lees ‘17, Editor-in-Chief George Rubin ‘17, Editor-in-Chief Samuel Turner ‘18, Editor-in-Chief Bill Wu ‘17, News Editor Will Henderson ‘18, Opinions Editor P.J. Rodden ‘18, Sports Editor Grant Sterman ‘18, Politics Editor David Bunn ‘17, Photography Editor Harper Weigle ‘17, Website Technician Andrew Lengel ‘17, Outdex Editor Mr. Thomas Stambaugh, Faculty Advisor Ms. Alicia Evans, Faculty Advisor
All opinions and viewpoints expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of The Index or the school. The Index is designed and produced digitally. Photographs may be retouched. Submissions and letters to the editors regarding any and all articles are welcomed at index@haverford.org.
Volunteers pack up cans for the anual canned-food drive
Ms. Jini Loos
The Index is a student-run publication of the Haverford School that does more than bring news: it provides the diverse perspectives of the Haverford student body. It is an outlet for student writers to take stands on issues they deem important. It chronicles the daily struggles and accomplishments of the Haverford community. The Index also provides a forum for discussion of pertinent issues, such as student culture, academic policy, and Haverford’s place in world affairs. The Index presents new ideas and aspires to influence constructive change. The Index, a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, is composed on Mac OS X, using Adobe InDesign CS 2015. Its surveys are conducted via SurveyMonkey and are advertised on Facebook to current Haverford students. Southern Dutchess News prints 200-400 copies of each issue, and its editorial staff distributes them in the Upper School on the day of release. The Index serves the needs of a total school population of 1091 community members, consisting of 975 students and 116 faculty members. Contact The Index: 450 Lancaster Ave, Haverford, PA 19041 index@haverford.org Twitter: @Haverford_Index http://www.havindex.com/ (610) 642-3020 x. 1222 Volume LXXVIII, No. 4 - December 6, 2016
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The Index
News
Common-app Activities, cont.
commitment, initiative, accomplishments, and leadership, you’re on the right track.” Ms. Stinson feels that extracurriculars hold great weight in the admission process because they teach students things that they would not necessarily learn in the classroom. Skills such
as time management, teamwork, leadership, and communication skills are all seen throughout extracurricular activities. She remarked that students “will encounter skills that will prepare them for the real world. Colleges have to teach students a lot of things, but it is really nice to
be able to see a student who is already thriving outside of the classroom (whether it is in a part time job, a leadership opportunity, on stage, or in a band) because they are learning lessons and they are going to bring strengths to the table.” On the flip side, when applying to colleges, students and parents often see extracurricular activities as an opportunity to think: what extracurriculars do colleges want to see or which extracurricular would look best on my application? “It’s not the what,” stated Mrs. Ley, “it’s the why. If you have to ask ‘what do I have to do to gain admittance into your college?’ that’s a problem. You’re probably not the student they’re looking for.” While trying to impress admission officers, some students try to fill their activity list with as many clubs, sports, and service hours as possible. Colleges know when a student is just trying to fill up the page. Mrs. Ley stated that “there is a strong difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. I want to do this club versus I have to do this club, is totally transparent in an application.” It is preached in every academic environment: quality over quantity. Ms. Stinson also commented, “It’s not just breadth, it’s depth. That’s really what colleges are going to see.” At Haverford, students are introduced to
squash club dedicated to the Haverford School and its community would allow the school to enhance its program. The club would consist of four new courts, or three new courts and a
demonstration court. Either way this would be amazing for the growing Haverford squash community. Both of these renovations are places where Dr. Nagl said that he could use a
lot of help from the squash and tennis alumni who are willing to provide the resources to make it happen. Both projects would be multimillion dollar
Intel Chen ‘19 and Jared Hoefner ‘19 at Worlds 2016
The Shaw Family
Tennis Courts, cont.
New Flag Recycling Program Abuobiada Elamin ‘20
Ask yourself this: Do you respect this great nation? Do you know anyone in your family who has served this country? If you answered yes then, you’ll be surprised to find out that you might be disrespecting their service. All but a few citizens of the United States don’t know how to properly dispose or repair a flag. Knowing how to do this is important because flying a tattered, worn, or faded flag shows little pride in our country. If you have a flag that is in bad condition or if you know a neighbor or business that does, you should ask them to take it down and to bring it to Mr. Suter’s Flag Recycling box. Once you put it in the box it goes to either The General Smedley D. Butler (Haverford class of 1898), The Marine Corp Auxiliary, or another recycling group in Montgomery County. Traditionally when all flags were made of cotton or wool, they were burned. Now that many flags are made of synthetic materials like nylon and polyester, they cannot be burned because they can produce harmful fumes. The process by which they recycle materials like these allows them to reuse the fibers for other flags. If you have a tattered or worn flag or know someone who does, ask for it to be taken down for recycling.
Haverford’s New Flag Recycling box
Index Staff
December 2016
a number of clubs and extracurriculars at the beginning of each school year. Starting freshman year, students should begin to understand and develop their interests, talents, and passions. Mrs. Ley urges students to “try a variety of different extracurriculars, but not just in these four walls. Get active in your synagogue, church, and community.” In other words, simply do things that you enjoy. “I think students are so afraid of making a mistake because they’re afraid it is going to be held against them later,” noted Ms. Stinson. “Take some risks, do interesting things, and be responsible for people other than your parents.” Ultimately, if things do not work out with a particular school, it would be unfortunate to say to yourself: “Well, this club was useless; I really missed out on something I could have enjoyed.” Students should explore their individual interests and the special talents they want to develop, whether that be in the visual and performing arts, athletics, or leadership activities. Mrs. Ley concluded by sharing that “there is no perfect formula to cracking the extracurricular code in college admissions. Do what makes you happy and what you have a passion for, and that will stand out on your application the most.”
investments. According to Dr. Nagl there has not been enough donor support to get too far down the road.
Coat Drive: December 5th to the 14th. Any donations of old, gently used, and clean warm clothing are very much appreciated. Box will be located outside Ms. Loos’ office
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The Index
Opinions
December 2016
Why I’m Scared (for those who cannot understand my fear)
Mr. Luqman Kolade I’m scared because you will tell me I shouldn’t be. I’m scared because I don’t have the privilege not to be. I’m scared because I am the son of Muslim immigrants, naturalized U.S. citizens who have lived here for almost forty years and whose excitement at becoming citizens filled me with pride for both them and this country. I’m scared that I now have to consider their place in this country. Will they need to carry cards? Will they be placed on a list? Is that what this country wants? I’m scared because David Duke, the former head of the Ku Klux Klan, a group founded to place checks on the existence of people like me, non-white non-Christians, tweeted, “This is one of the most exciting nights of my life -> make no mistake about it, our people have played a HUGE role in electing Trump! #MAGA.” And I know the president-elect denounced him and his kind, but seeing past these sentiments is difficult for me. How should I feel about a hate group founded to punish my very existence endorsing the man who will lead this country? I’m scared because you will tell me I shouldn’t be. I’m scared that my life has been boiled down to the single story that I must live in constant fear of being shot, that I’m surrounded by poverty, that no one has a job, and that this faux reality is seemingly believed by a vast majority of my country, who either see me as potential criminal or a potential victim. I’m scared of the defense of the unconstitutional stop and frisk policies, which overwhelmingly targeted people who look like me. I’m scared that as a teacher who has taught students to be inclusive, accepting, and openminded, those ideas have been summarily repudiated and shown to be out of touch with my country. I’m scared that I have students who are scared and I do not have the words to comfort them. They are worried about their sisters and their Muslim, LGBTQ, Hispanic, or Black
English and track coach Mr. Luqman Kolade.
Index Staff
family and friends. They feel unmoored, and I am at a loss for how to bring them back. I’m scared because you will tell me I shouldn’t be. I’m scared of how easily the civil right violations of the president-elect are disregarded. “It wasn’t just him,” you’ll say. “That was a long time ago… He’s different… Why does it matter now? That case was settled.” I’m scared because you will tell me I shouldn’t be. I’m scared of the easy vilification of Latinos, of the dog-whistle rhetoric used to turn immigrants and Muslims into others. I’m scared that more people did not fight against this language and of how easily its
impact was discounted. I’m scared about how quickly the “birther” movement was forgotten and not seen for what it was, a way to marginalize the first Black president, and of how a Hispanic judge could be disparagingly called a Mexican and consequently incapable of doing his job because of his heritage. I’m scared because you will talk to me about political correctness, bringing jobs back to America, the economy, terrorism, changing the system, making the country great, protecting ourselves, law and order, #AmericaFirst, going back to our values, crooked Hillary, emails, Benghazi, corruption, black lives matter, blue lives matter, etc., but you will not speak of how my fears could be valid. You will say I am
Mr. Kolade on the finer points of grammar.
being sensitive or paranoid. I’m scared because my soon-to-be-born son may live in a world more restrictive than mine and that the rights many people fought for may be taken away. I’m scared that your comfort may not allow you to see the discomfort of others or it will keep you from caring, and you will say to us, “You shouldn’t be uncomfortable.” I’m scared because you will tell me that it was all just rhetoric and campaign talk. You will say, “He won’t be able to do most of that stuff… he was firing up his base… he didn’t really mean what he said.” You will not understand why I don’t have the luxury of just accepting that. I’m scared because I believed things were getting better for more people and you will say they must be better because we had a Black president. I’m scared because you may read this and try to find flaws, to disprove me, to tell me what I’m feeling is wrong, or you’ll tell me that I’m a teacher, and I should keep my thoughts to myself and my job is to just teach English. You might tell me that I’m being a sore loser and should just get over it, as if this were all a game. You may even find some way to be offended by this, and you’ll tell me that not everything is about privilege or race or class or religion. You won’t know why you’re offended, but you will see this as a personal attack, even though it’s not about you. Maybe you’ll even tell me that if I’m scared, I should leave, find a new place and that somehow my fear makes me unpatriotic, and you will find nothing wrong with saying that. You won’t see how I could be scared by that way of thinking. I’m scared because I do not know what the future may hold for me, my friends, family, and all those who are not in the majority. I want to have hope. I want to believe it will be all good, but it is hard to unsee what has been seen, hard to unhear all the misogyny, bigotry, and various phobias that have been given both voice and validation. I don’t want to be scared, but I am because you may not really hear me, and then you will tell me I shouldn’t be.
Ms. Dawn Blake
Unhappy about the election? Do something about it! Mark your calendars for Tuesday, November 6th, 2018 to vote for your local Congressional representative and a Pennsylvania Senate seat.
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The Index
Opinions
December 2016
Get Over It: Why The Protests Need to Stop Will Henderson ‘18 Dear protesters, college students/professors, and anybody else who suddenly does not accept the U.S. Democracy and the next president,
When the Constitution was written over two-hundred years ago, the delegates created a system that has not changed. In each of the over fifty presidential elections since then, the electoral college, and in some cases the House, has determined the victor. So, when Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton began a campaign a year and a half ago, everybody — the candidates, politicians, and most importantly, you — knew how the election would work. Although Hillary Clinton won the popular vote, Donald Trump won the electoral college, and he is president, end of story. The system is not perfect, and it never has been, but just because your candidate lost doesn’t mean you can suddenly throw your arms up and claim the system is working against your candidate and your political beliefs. In fact, half of the electorate disagrees with you, but I’m assuming you believe they’re misogynists, racists, and not American, so let’s not go there. In the days following this contentious election, some of you petitioned your teachers to push back exams, others have cancelled classes, and many of you have protested in a dozen cities all for one reason: your candidate lost. Poor things. Unfortunately, a democracy does not guarantee your candidate will win, so as much as we all would love to, we are unable to impose your entitled, everybody-wins (as long as it’s you) beliefs on the results of a presidential election. But, come on, Trump isn’t our president, right? Let’s see. Do you not want a candidate who has pledged to fix urban America because he believes it’s rigged, especially against minorities; who was the first victorious presidential candidate to have a female run his campaign; who is not opposed to gay marriage;
Nell Hoving Photography
Fifth former Will Henderson
who has pledged to get rid of the elites in Washington in order to allow everybody’s voice to be heard; who paid his female employees more than his opponent did; who has called for an end to the harassment of Muslims, Blacks, Latinos, and other religious and racial minorities? That’s fine with me, but I guess not with you. You can argue that Hillary Clinton said the same things, but perhaps next time you protest something, it might be helpful to understand what the other candidate has said. I can’t help but wonder if, had Hillary Clinton won, the outcry by Donald Trump’s supporters would have been the same. Personally, I would equate your retaliation to that of a parent disciplining his or her child.
Child holds sign at a Trump rally in Newtown, PA.
The kid doesn’t listen to others, he feels entitled to his toys, expects his parent to always — always — hold his hand and tell him he’s right, and eventually the parent has enough. He or she takes away the child’s toys and says enough is enough; that the child can’t always get what he wants. This election has shown how you and all of the other leftists are so out of touch with the rest of the country; how you hear what you want, report what you want, spin what you want, and still expect to get what you want. This “surprise” victory was a repudiation of that, so accept it. It didn’t taste good when President Obama won his elections, but there were no tantrums from the right. The next president and even your own party have called for you to stop.
Michael Candelori via Wikimedia Commons
Supporters form a line at Trump rally.
When Donald Trump won the election, he proclaimed, “It is time for us to come together as one united people.” Hillary Clinton stated that, “We owe [Donald Trump] an open mind and the goodwill to lead.” President Obama, too, said, “Everybody is sad when their side loses an election. But the day after, we have to remember that we’re actually all on one team.” Unity, a peaceful transition of power, and maturity — these are the underlying themes of the three most influential people in the last election. While it’s fair to be disappointed about losing the election — perhaps even publicly displaying your discontent — protesting in the streets for days on end, leading to violence and unrest is not what the aftermath of an election in the United States looks like. Good job listening; your actions are antithetical to progress and diametrically opposed to an ideal American democracy. Next time your party loses, and I’m quite confident it will in the next election, I recommend not protesting a democratic process because, by definition, a democracy is carried out by all of the people, not just you. I recommend not calling for the electoral college to stop listening to the American people. I recommend not destroying other people’s property. I recommend that you get the liberal media in touch with the people to whom they’re supposed to give “unbiased” reports. I recommend not spinning every single thing your opponents say into something completely different (and almost always false). I recommend learning about the other candidate’s beliefs rather than listening to an out-of-context blurb of what he or she may have said. Disagree with one candidate? Fine. But calling for an overhaul of American democracy and conducting riots simply because your candidate lost or you fundamentally disagree with the winner is childish, hypocritical, unAmerican, and simply ridiculous. Sincerely, Those who understand the laws of our country
Wall Street Journal
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The Index
Why Trump Won Eusha Hasan ‘18 America has experienced its most grueling, controversial election season in the past couple centuries. Virtually every poll projected Secretary Hillary Clinton to become the nation’s 45th President, and the media only affirmed this notion. On election night, most Americans prepared for an early bedtime. However, by 9pm, the tables turned. Ohio, a battleground state that swayed towards Trump, was the first blow to liberals who were nevertheless still confident in their candidate to pull through. Just minutes later, tensions grew: Pennsylvania was handed to Trump, then Michigan, and then Wisconsin, all three of which had voted left since the 1980s. America was shocked to see the momentum shift so swiftly, with Republicans sensing a newfound hope as Democrats saw this pivotal election escape their grasp. After a nonstop joust between states, the Republicans lunged for the kill blow: After hours of unpredictable contest, Florida finally turned blood-red. Congratulations, Trump, on becoming the 45th President of the United States. After a few weeks of recovery time, the country is now ready to ask the most pressing question: Why did Trump win? On the campaign trail, Trump adopted radical policies and beliefs that appealed to a niche group, crafting a wild and frankly infantile persona frowned upon by many Americans. Building a wall along the southern border with Mexico, his most infamous plan, prompted backlash from all sides. Both Democrats and Republicans criticized the proposal not only for allegedly fueling racism and anti-immigrant sentiments, but also for simply lacking efficacy. Such a wall would not only be easily dodged—Trump proposed a 35-45 foot wall— by, comically but seriously, climbing a ladder or burrowing a tunnel, but also would cost billions in taxpayers dollars for construction and maintenance. Trump later crafted another policy plan bearing similar flaws: a temporary shutdown of Muslim immigration. His most memorable fiasco became the war against Clinton. In response to the Clinton email scandal, Trump continually echoed a promise to his supporters: once in office, he will appoint a special prosecutor to file a suit against Clinton, in hopes of incarcerating her. Although FBI Director James Comey himself suggested that the Department of Justice drop charges, Mr. Trump continued to pursue the case. All this only scratches the surface; countless inappropriate comments about women, prisoners-of-war, disabled individuals, and others lie deeper within his character. With such an unprofessional, unbridled disposition, how was it even possible for Trump to win the election? His best selling point by far was his anti-establishment mentality. For a little more than a year, Trump defied every unwritten rule followed by the politicians before him. He justified this risky campaign choice by asserting he was not a politician: he did not behave like one, known for his offthe-cuff remarks and promised to rid D.C. of the establishment which “gets nothing done.” Trump’s base disproportionately consisted
Politics
December 2016
Donald Trump speaks to crowd.
of non-college-educated, blue-collar workers who generally feared rising international connectivity and technological advances. As was eloquently written by Eli Wachs ’16, “This election was about a rebellion by those left behind by globalization and industrialization… A return to when Kodak employed hundreds of thousands, and assembly line manufacturing was a staple employer in cities across the rust and sun belt? That would also mean giving up technological advances, global connectivity, a vast array of knowledge, and not to mention, the social progress this country has taken arduously long to make.” Trump’s blue-collar base may, at most, acknowledge the loss of progress, but they value their jobs much more, and nobody can blame them for yearning to provide for their families and maintain stable job security. Trump does not recognize the severity of climate change, and he pledges to subsidize the fossil-fuels industry and undermine the advancement of clean, renewable energy research and investment. By doing so, workers, especially in the coal industry, feel safe completing work to which they are accustomed, unchained from the hefty learning curve required for working at renewable energy companies. In addition, the President-Elect vowed to bring back jobs by reducing trade with China, easing domestic regulations to encourage companies to manufacture within state lines, and scraping international trade deals. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which has yet to be ratified by member nations, intends to slash tariffs and deepen economic relations between the U.S.
and countries in Latin America and Asia. Trump interprets the deal as encouraging other nations to manufacture clothing and textiles, and then selling them to Americans. According to him, other nations profit off of American purchases. If TPP and others deals were rejected, jobs would supposedly come back, fostering a selfsustaining, isolated American economy. This is exactly what workers supporting Trump aspire to achieve. Although Trump did a fantastic job pandering to voters whose voices usually are not heard, he cannot be the only person responsible for his own success. Mrs. Clinton arguably contributed more to his campaign through her own demise, which traces back to just one flaw: her undeniable affiliation with the despised establishment. In her interview with CNN’s Brianna Keilar, Clinton refuted her use of a private email server by simply trivializing the situation. She is correct nothing illegal took place, but, only until months later, she was willing to admit that her handling of potentially sensitive information was lazy and irresponsible. By continually refusing to acknowledge her wrongdoings and manipulating her speech instead of “telling it how it is,” Clinton reaffirmed that she represented the establishment. Trump leveraged Clinton’s mistake throughout his campaign, constantly reminding the public to not fall for “Crooked Hillary.” Even though the media generally favored Mrs. Clinton, this support perhaps backfired. Rather than accept the media’s opinion, the people during this election
Donaldjtrump.com
donaldjtrump.com
season interpreted Clinton’s endorsement as confirmation of her involvement with the establishment. Republicans believed the liberal media, ignorant to the conservative values they championed, did not properly account for the other half of the country’s opinions. This was not limited to the right wing, as left-winged Sanders’ supporters felt neglected as well; for example, leaked DNC emails revealed that the party undermined Sanders’ campaign to ensure Clinton’s nomination, delegitimizing his potential to lead the country from the very beginning. Because of this, Trump was able to garner support from both sides with little to no effort, with most of the dirty work executed by Clinton herself. The United States currently lingers in a dark state of paranoia: the populus is more divided than ever before, and most are uncertain how this election will impact the country for the next four years. Nevertheless, Americans must stay optimistic for a Trump presidency, whether they like him or not. The first step in transition of power is accepting the transition itself; just as it did when the Republicans trumped the Federalists during the Election of 1800, America must be willing to achieve this. The people must continue this practice adopted by the Founding Fathers to expedite the healing process, and proclaiming “He’s not my President” will not bear fruit. Comprising one union, Americans ought to accept and understand each others’ differences, enabling them to work together to trudge through arguably the most difficult period in this nation’s history.
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Politics/Opinions
December 2016
What a President Trump Means for the Auto Industry Vincent Scauzzo ‘19
With an ambitious president-elect on his way to the White House, people can expect a great change in all areas of industry. One area in particular that could be affected greatly is the auto industry. Trump is not particularly fond of machines and products that are not made in America and would want to change where they are made as soon as he is inaugurated. However, moving huge factories from one country to another is not as easy as it sounds. Big changes are to come under the Trump administration, and bigger changes still for the auto industry. For that past decade, carmakers’ numberone priority has been to build cars which are cleaner and more fuel efficient. They believe that by doing this, they will help save the planet, but keep the industry alive by using alternative fuels and electricity as opposed to gasoline. The government makes rules that state how clean a car or truck has to be for it to drive on public roads. It must comply with certain regulations and cannot use any sort of computer trickery to do so (I’m talking to you, Volkswagen). However, in this day in age, gas is relatively cheap, and big, thirsty SUVs are being sold exponentially more than before. Very soon, the crossover will surpass the sedan as the most common car on American roads. Still, the government makes automakers churn out little hybrids and efficient hatchbacks that Americans do not really want. Under the Trump administration, the presidentelect plans to “complete a comprehensive review of all federal regulations. This includes a review of the fuel economy and emissions standards to make sure they are not harming consumers or American workers” says John Mashburn, a Trump senior policy advisor. He went on to say “Mr. Trump will be focused on bringing jobs, including auto manufacturing, back to the U.S., and making sure that government policies are in
the national interest.” This, in turn, at least in the eyes of Trump, would give the American people what they want and would let the automakers focus less on what the government wants and more of what the customer wants. Trump not only plans to change the regulations for cars but also plans to change the cost of making cars outside side of the United States, especially for Ford. During his campaign, Ford announced that they would cease production of the Focus and C-Max, two economic hatchbacks, in their Michigan factory and build them elsewhere. Trump was not thrilled to hear Ford would be building their cars outside of America and questioned Ford on where the two cars would be built in the future. When Ford said they would be built in Mexico,
Let’s Review Our Teachers Harrison Fellheimer ‘18 Students come out of their classes at the end of the year full of knowledge, learning valuable information that propels them into becoming better men. However, some of them feel that they are not reaching their full potential. One of the many possibilities includes students’
learning styles such as being a visual learner, a verbal learner, or a physical learner, which some teachers take into account, while other do not. In addition to different learning styles, some students feel that they do not communicate well with their teachers. In order to overcome
Trump threatened Ford with a thirty-five percent tariff on any vehicle made in Mexico that was sold in the United States. However, Trump does not have the authority to impose said tariff (that is Congress’s job), but it shows that he does not want anyone making anything outside of America and that he would make it very difficult for them to do so. The reason that he does not want American companies to produce outside of America is because he wants American people to keep their jobs. Ford countered his complaint by saying that the two models that would leave the Michigan plant would be replaced by two new models that would be made there. Trump has also threatened many other companies with tariffs, including a forty-five percent tariff on
Donald Trump signals at reporters through car window.
these issues, it would be beneficial for both the teacher and student if students gave teacher reviews at the end of each school year so the teacher knows if they are helping each student reach their fullest potential. Students would include the pros and cons
CBS Philadelphia
Mr. Fox poses with his paints.
Wayne Hester Jr. ‘16
any American vehicle made in China that would be sold in the United States. With a desire to keep and increase the number of American jobs, Trump has a plan to raise tariffs on imported cars. Increasing the tariff is difficult because it would require the support of both Houses of Congress. Additionally, this type of legislation is complicated because it impacts U.S. trade policy. With Republicans controlling the House and the Senate, a tariff on importing cars is not totally out of the question. It does seem, though, that under President Trump, we can expect to see challenges to the current E.P.A. efficiency mandates. Since raising tariffs would send consumer prices skyrocketing, it remains to be seen how popular this strategy will be.
washingtonpost.com
of the class and their opinions on the manner in which the class was taught. In a survey conducted by The Index, 76.1% of upper school students agree that reviews would be useful. Currently, administrators assess the performance of teachers in the classroom through standardized test scores in some cases, like Biology, Chemistry, and US History, and others through class observations by outside teachers. But shouldn’t students also have a say in how teachers perform? After all, they are the ones who are actually taking the classes. The review would not be a chance for students to rant about their teachers, but to complement and offer suggestions to them to improve the experience of said class. This in turn makes Haverford a better school because teachers are held accountable by the students. The review would need to ask specific questions that would allow for department heads to identify which teachers were the most and least effective. Another way to insure the quality of a response would be to have students write down their current grade in the class. This would allow people reviewing the feedback to determine the student’s biases. By making this survey a small grade, students would honestly take the survey, and give honest feedback. After receiving the feedback, they will be able to fix any current issues and engage more of their students in class discussions and activities. Teachers around the Upper School fear that the student evaluation might lead to them getting fired. There are many flaws within the reviews; one of them being a student’s bias. Without a doubt, students will favor classes they are interested in as opposed to required classes. In addition, the students in each class can impact the way a student receives information. Students that are in classes filled with their friends might be more vulnerable to being distracted as opposed to students who are in classes where everyone is solely focused on the information. Whatever the school determines, this feedback mechanism provides students a way to help improve the Haverford experience for future generations, which is after all the school’s mission.
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The Index
Opinions
December 2016
The Case for a 40-Hour Service Requirement Nick Chimicles ‘19
A wise man once said that in capitalist society there is “a sort of reality-forced altruism: I may not want to help you, I may dislike you, but if I don’t give you a product or service you want, I will starve.” In that sense, we supply others with what they need only to benefit ourselves. But those who are moral can rise above what society requires of them and voluntarily supply their fellow man with kindness, compassion and service. This is the type of person that Haverford strives to produce: a true gentleman. Throughout its existence, The Haverford School has never had a minimum requirement of service hours. This differs from several of the surrounding public schools as well as private schools like Agnes Irwin. At Haverford, Ms. Jini Loos, the Director Of Service Learning, provides students with community outreach opportunities. Students must pursue these community outreach programs with their own motivation to do good, which Ms. Loos sees as much more “authentic,” rather than “demanding that students do something that they do not have a genuine interest in.” Mr Matt Green speaks to this goal of instilling a motivation to engage in community service: “The message we want to send to our students is not that service is an item to be checked off a list of requirements but a set of diverse, studentcoordinated opportunities...Our experience is that service is a more meaningful experience when young people find their own ways to it for their own reasons.” Once Haverford boys are unleashed into the real world, there will not be a list of required service hours to complete, nor will there be the same ease of access to the amazing service opportunities provided at Haverford. By graduation, every student should have developed a desire to support and give himself to his community, as stated by one of the Essential Qualities of a Haverford School Graduate: “A Haverford graduate should live as a cooperative, compassionate and engaged member of his local, national, and global communities.” Despite there not being a formal service requirement, there are several mandatory service days which students experience throughout their time at Haverford. These outreach programs provide a taste of what further dedication to service can bring. “We are confident that through activities organized by teams, clubs, forms etc. each student has a service experience through which he will feel called to explore deeper and more authentic pursuits,” Mr. Green said. However, this philosophy only benefits those
who have the motivation to take advantage of service opportunities. Therefore the question is whether Haverford boys are actually dedicating themselves to community service. In a poll conducted amongst 77 students, the majority (58.44%) claimed that they either participate in a service activity less than once a month or not at all, with most claiming not at all (38.96%). The remaining students (41.56%) regularly participate in service activities (from once a month to once every week). In addition, these 77 students were asked how interested they were in participating in community outreach programs. The majority (57.14%) responded that they were ‘somewhat interested’, 24.68% responded ‘very interested,’ and only 18.18% responded ‘not very interested’. When students were asked whether there should be a required amount of service hours, the ballot was nearly split —- the vote to have a requirement won the majority by only 3.95%. While interviewing the respondents, a common issue arose: a lack of time. One student said that “[Service] is important, but not when you only see your house in the sunlight once a week from getting home after 8 p.m. every day.” Another student said that he does not do service because “between classes, college, sports, and looking for a job, I already have the majority of my time booked.” However, others argued that a requirement is needed to give students an initial push to participate in service. Another student said that “while it is nice to think that your classmates will volunteer out of compassion, a little requirement never hurt anybody.” Some students believe the answer lies somewhere in the middle: “Since most students are generally busy...they may be interested in doing community service but the lack of time [prohibits them]. Therefore, providing time during the school day would allow for students interested to fulfill [the service requirement].” Other schools on the Main Line emphasise volunteering like Haverford but do require a minimum number of service hours. One of such schools is the Agnes Irwin School, with Sarah Kinder, the director of service learning, leading community outreach efforts. At Agnes Irwin, there is a required number of service hours (40 hours) which must be completed by the time students graduate. This is a relatively small amount of service hours —- when compared to the demands of some public schools which require upwards of 100 hours —- which results in most students fulfilling the requirement and participating in more service activities with a newfound motivation. Ms. Kinder said that “the
Service board member Charlie Rahr delivers cans.
Ms. Loos
thinking is that not everyone will have the time or interest in doing a large number of hours, but everyone should do something.” She also said that “the requirement sends a clear message that the school believes [service] is important and it holds students accountable.” Like the system which has already been established at Haverford, Agnes Irwin builds service into the curriculums of the Lower and Middle schools in order to instill a sense of civic engagement from an early age. With a philosophy similar to that of Haverford, Ms. Kinder attempts to have students create an independent motivation to serve their communities. She finished by saying that “[the Agnes Irwin faculty] asks students to take the initiative to find service projects that are particularly meaningful to them.” Because we live in a society which focuses so heavily on competitions, it is invaluable for young men to develop a desire to help those around him. The question which many schools face is how to achieve this. Some have decided to require that students engage in community service for an extremely large amount of time in order to ensure their dedication. Others, like Haverford, do not demand students to participate in community service at all, with the rationale that students ought to motivate themselves to do so and therefore have a much more rewarding experience. But, between these two extremes, there is a middle ground: a minimal requirement which begins one’s civic engagement experience after the completion of
which most will continue to commit themselves to community service motivated by their own will. This system, instituted by Agnes Irwin and proposed by several in the previously mentioned polling of Haverford students, combines the benefits of each approach to service learning: dedication and the development of a lifelong will to help others.
most agree that a person should feel free to pursue a single sport if they choose. Multi-sport athlete and Forth Former A.J. Aivazoglou, who plays golf, basketball, and lacrosse, is an ideal athlete in the eyes of the school. Even as an athlete who can do it all, Aivazoglou feels that those who want to focus on one sport should
be able to do so. Not all students can do what Aivazoglou does, as he faces the risk of injury, time, and the lack of improvement that come with being a multi-sport athlete.
Times Have Changed: Require Only One Sport
Graphics by Connor Lees ‘17
Nick Pippis ‘19
Currently at Haverford there is a two-sport a-year requirement encouraging athletes to play multiple sports or engage in various activities, but the new theme of this generation of athletes is to focus more on a single sport rather than practicing multiple sports as the school preaches. There are loopholes to meet the school’s sports requirement and focus only on a single sport, but this year, the school has made the lives of single-sport athletes more difficult. New changes, such as making Strength and Conditioning not count as a sports credit, forces single-sport athletes to explore new options to meet their requirement. For these athletes, the only way to meet the sports requirement now is by doing a non-athletic activity, or doing another sport. What made Strength and Conditioning so great, is that single-sport athletes could fill their sports requirement while improving athletically. In addition, it would not be time consuming, making it easier for athletes doing sports outside of school. When taking up a new sport, students also have to dedicate considerable time to learn the sport. Playing another competitive sport at a high level is physically demanding and requires much time. Athletes will have to take away time from their main sport, weakening Haverford teams. Also, as an athlete competing in an unfamiliar sport, at a competitive level, it is common to see injuries occur. Injuries could potentially end a career for a single-sport athlete.
But what if a single-sport athlete chooses to take the non-athletic route, like picking up debate? He will be taking time away from his sport and will not be improving athletically in any way. At least with other sports, a singlesport athlete will still manage to get in a good workout. With these new dilemmas brought forth by the school, it makes being a singlesport athlete and still getting a good workout near impossible. Although this was not the school’s intention, many of the star athletes that drive the athletic program feel the effects of its flaws. One outraged individual, Fourth Former Jed Senior, is a singl- sport athlete going through this exact dilemma. Senior wants to focus solely on soccer but doesn’t mind working out in Strength and Conditioning to improve his athletic potential. The problem is that now he has to do school soccer, Strength and Conditioning, and in addition to this, another unwanted afterschool activity to fill his sports requirement. Normally, this would be fine, but Jed’s out of school commitment to club soccer makes life even more difficult and time pressed. “I think the school should let us do what we want to do,” Senior said. If the school were to let students do what they wanted, none of these issues would arise and students and athletes would be able to pursue their interest to the fullest extent without interference from the school. Even when talking to multi-sport athletes,
Multi-sport athlete Josh Ridenhour sprinting with the ball past a helpless Episcopal defender.
Mr. Jim Roese
Page 9
The Index
Sports
December 2016
Hockey Team Seeks Revenge, League Title
Matt LaRocca ‘18 Last winter, the Haverford hockey team reached the semi-finals of the Independence Hockey League before falling in overtime to Academy of the New Church (ANC) in a heartbreaker. Despite losing many important Sixth Form leaders, the Fords have high expectations this year. The team returns many key players like Sixth Formers Ryan Jacob, Teddy Fitzgerald, Grayson Nunnelee, and Kirk Oliver and Fifth Formers Cal Buonocore, Aidan Mantelmacher, and goalie David Aspinall. Along with these returning players, the Fords added talented transfer Bobby Gibson to the team. Together, these players have the potential to lead the Fords to another successful season.
Hocky team huddles around new coach and biology teacher Daniel Goduti
With all the returning talent, the Fords have set big goals for the 2016-2017 season. “The real goal this year is to win the Independence League. Haverford hasn’t won it in some time, but we’ve been in the playoffs for the past three years, so we think it’s a real possibility,” Oliver said. The Independence League this year is stacked with talent. ANC, Episcopal, and Germantown Academy will be major obstacles for Haverford’s quest of Independence League glory. While the team realizes its goal will be a difficult one to achieve because of the deep Independence League field, they believe it is possible by buying into to their new coaches and their gameplan.
Mr. Jim Roese
For the 2016-2017 season, Dr. Daniel Goduti has taken over as the head-coach. The team hopes the new atmosphere and gameplan brought by Coach Goduti will help them to reach their ultimate goal. Oliver said that “there was a big coaching change this year refocused everyone. I think overall the team feels more organized. The offensive and defensive schemes have undergone a big change.” The key games for the Fords hockey team this year are the games against ANC and Episcopal. ANC has knocked the Fords out of the Independence League playoffs the last two years and “Fords Hockey wants revenge,” said Oliver. Fifth Former Aidan Mantelmacher
said that “ANC will be a big test for us to pull out a win against them early in the season.” Episcopal, Haverford’s main rival in all sports, again boasts a squad that has been able to compete with the Fords. Oliver said that “EA is always a big game because of the rivalry that exists between our two schools and so we look forward to competing against them every year, especially senior day at the Skatium.” Behind strong Sixth Form leadership and a new coach, the Fords have their sights set on an Independence Hockey League title.
2017 Could End “Pool Drought” Dating Back to “D-Day”
Ryan LaRocca ‘20 In 1944, The Haverford School won the Inter-Ac league championship in swimming and diving. Almost four months later, the Allied Forces in World War II invaded Normandy in what all know as “D-Day.” In the past 72 years, The Haverford School’s swimming and diving team has failed to achieve its ultimate goal: winning the Inter-Ac. Head Coach Sean Hansen believes that 2017 could be the year that the “pool drought” finally ends due to fantastic new recruits and team chemistry that developed between the boys during water polo season. “That’s 72 years. That ends in 2016-2017,” Hansen said. This previous year, Haverford admitted Third Form star breastroker Antonio Octaviano. Octaviano is on pace to break the school’s record 100-meter breastroke record set by Connor O’Prey in 2012. The current Third Formers also have other key swimmers, such as Brian Brennan and Antonio Crescente. This dynamic trio will provide the essential support necessary to overcome Malvern, which has won the InterAc the past three years, ultimately achieving Haverford’s goal of the Inter-Ac championship.
Mr. Jim Roese
Sixth Former Charlie Ryan said that the Third Formers will “help dramatically when it comes to relays and individual events. Brian helped us last year as a distance freestyler. Our program has lacked a breastroker for years and now that Antonio is swimming, we finally have a breastroker on the team. Antonio can help us win against Malvern which is an event Malvern always got first, second, and third in.” The diving team has also recruited many new members in the offseason. Although some are not experienced in the sport, they do have the necessary athleticism and motivation. Third Former David Gobora described this diving team as “young and [we] have gotten a lot better, but there is still a long road before we can be considered very good.” This newly assembled team will also undoubtedly support the Fords’ goal of winning the Inter-Ac championship. Although varsity water polo fell short in winning the Inter-Ac, the chemistry that brewed and eventually strengthened between the athletes has carried over into winter swimming and diving season. The Fords are all united under Coach Hansen’s vision to bring glory back to Haverford’s swimming and diving
program. Haverford swimming and diving appears to have a bright season ahead of them. Due to the recruitment of new swimmer and divers,
the “pool draught” may finally end. The season starts January 6th, an Inter-Ac meet where they look to send a message to rest of the league.
Matt LaRocca competes in breast stroke
Mr. Jim Roese
Page 10
The Index
Sports
December 2016
More Records in Danger this Winter Track Season Nick Magnani ‘17
When talking about his winter track team, Dr. Ehrhart is not afraid of setting lofty goals. He believes that “two to six records could fall this year” and he “has not had depth like this before.” With all the team’s talent, runners will have to compete for their spot in the relays. The team has about fifty runners and only lost a few from last year, setting this experienced squad up for success in the coming season. Like their coach, the runners also have high expectations. Returning to beat his own school record and to potentially add his name further down the record board is Fifth Former Sam Lindner. Lindner has been a consistent contributor at the hurdles, racking up points to help the team the last two years. For the relays,
Fifth Former Sam Lindner leaps over a hurdle.
Mr. Jim Roese
the sprint and distance squads have the depth to build multiple competitive relays, though the team can only assemble one per meet. Sixth Former Aaron Hudson is looking to take down the 4x400m and 4x200m relays. Hudson said that “with the return of Sam Lindner, Isaiah Winikur, Solomon Dorsey, Dave Hogarth, and with newcomer Carnel Walker, our goal is to send a couple individuals to states and see if we can grab a couple medals.” In the distance game, runners will have to compete for their spots as well. Look for Fifth Formers Mark Gregory and Will Merhige and Sixth Formers Taj Bland, Anthony Calvelli, Aditya Bhise, and Nick Magnani to all rack in medals and invites to the Meet of Champions
and state meet individually and through relays. Pennsylvania is filled with talent as the Fords do not compete against any Inter-Ac schools or even an Independent School division. The Fords will compete against 543 schools in the PIAA, and in the weekly meets, against 100 other teams. “We compete against big schools, small schools, public schools, catholic schools, private schools, and all the other schools,” Coach Ehrhart said. The team does not want the number of teams to deter them from reaching their goals of qualifying for the state meet. Captain Taj Bland even sees potential national trips for the top relays on the team: “I think that this could be one of the best winter track teams in recent history.”
Sixth Former Aaron Hudson in intense competition.
Mr. Jim Roese
Wrestling Poised for Strong Season in Post-Kennett Era P.J. Rodden ‘18
The start of the winter sports season will mark a new era for the Fords’ wrestling team. Under the command of the new Head Coach Greg Hagel, accompanied by strong Sixth Form leadership, and alongside a competitive and composed team, the Fords look to embark on one of their strongest seasons yet. “Entering this wrestling season as a Sixth Form captain, I am looking forward to seeing Fourth Formers Ryan Shephard and Connor Tracy, Fifth Former Chase McCollum, and Sixth Formers Chris Hervada, Danny Grobman, and Richie Souders all having a breakout season this year,” said Sixth Form Captain Chris Kober. Kober’s goal will require hard work both in practices and during matches, but it is still within reach. Kober said, “My mentality during practice is all about working on the little stuff that can put me on the next level. Every practice I try to push myself to the limit to make sure my conditioning is the best it can possibly be.” Like Kober, this mentality is not just present in himself, but ubiquitous throughout the team. As the season begins to kick up, the Fords have their eyes set on their demanding schedule. “Our toughest match of the year will probably be against Malvern Prep, which is ranked as high as number seven in the country,” Fifth Former Chase McCollum said. Anticipating this matchup, the Fords will also look to prepare for the annual Beast of the East tournament and the New Hope-Solebury School Wrestling tournament in late December. As for potential stars on this year’s team, McCollum said that “106 pounds will be one of the deepest weight classes of the Inter-Ac and at these tournaments. Fourth Former Ryan Shepherd is looking to make a big impact there.” Considering results from last year and in anticipation of the team’s strong performances, McCollum predicted that “the Fords could finish top three in the Prep State and top ten at National Preps.” With a poised lineup of under and upperclassmen, any goals they set are attainable.
Sixth Former Chris Kober takes on Malvern last year.
Sixth Former Chris Hervada faces off in a wrestling tournament against Malvern.
Mr. Jim Roese
Mr. Jim Roese
Page 11
The Index
Sports
December 2016
New Squash Coach Sets Sights High Grant Sterman ‘18 Where to start with the 2016-2017 squash team? It is a season of firsts, but also a season filled with pressure. It is a season of change, but also of excitement. This coming squash season will mark a new era in the history of Haverford’s storied squash program. This season the squash team welcomes a new coach to build on the legacy of Mr. Poolman’s successful squash career. Coach Asad Khan is both an esteemed squash player and coach, and he heads the squash program throughout the lower, middle, and upper schools. The squash team is coming off of one of their greatest seasons ever, with the Varsity “A” team finishing runner-up at high school nationals last year. Coach Khan hopes to continue the team’s strong performance while integrating his own style. He is confident that despite some
pressure, the team will thrive. He hopes to unify the team through a strict leadership style that holds players accountable for their devotion to the team. By doing this, Coach Khan also hopes to prioritize securing a group mindset among his players rather than an individual one that is often associated with squash players. This team mindset will not only benefit the players now and help them reach their high school squash goals, but will also prepare them for college and adult life. Coach Khan hopes that, with the help of Coach Kan and Coach Walters, all of his players will grow stronger this season. Sixth Form Captains Duncan Joyce, Bill Wu, and Will Glaser lead the team. They hope to lead all three of Haverford’s teams to InterAc, MASA (Mid-Atlantic Squash Association), and ultimately a National title. Haverford will
be looking to beat several key opponents over the course of their season. Within the Inter-Ac, Haverford will face tough competition like rivals Episcopal Academy and SCHA. Familiar foes Brunswick, Avon Old Farms, and Belmont Hill School stand in the Fords’ path to their first ever national championship. Despite the changes to the team this year, the squash team will hopefully continue their strong showing on all levels. Coach Khan also hopes for a large showing from the student fan section to cheer on all the players, as support from friends can carry people through the toughest of matches. With the help of Coach Khan, the team may reach new heights.
David Bunn ‘17
Fifth Former Tyler Burt in action against Shipley Varsity B faced Shipley School in their first match of the season.
David Bunn ‘17
Basketball Returns “Hungry” for Inter-Ac Title P.J. Rodden ‘18
A familiar sound resonates through the Haverford School gym. Screeching sneakers start and stop across the gym floor and basketballs bounce their way up and down the court. In his second year, Coach Bernie Rodgers looks to build a successful program. In two highly contested scrimmages during the Thanksgiving break between the Fords, Archbishop Wood and Imhotep, the team is quickly adjusting to their new players that have stepped up to the varsity team. “Although we lost some key stars like Jack Marshall, Micah Sims, and Tommy McNamara last year, we have a lot of young talent that will make a large impact on the team. There are no Sixth Formers on the team, so over the course of this year we can only get better,” said Fifth Former Manager Alex Ciardi. In addition to the lack of Sixth Formers, point guard Joe Dignazio will be absent for a majority of the season as a result of an injury. Ciardi said that “Joey is definitely a big loss for the team both on and off the court, but so far his recovery is going better than most thought, and he’ll definitely be back soon. The team is very deep this year so they will be able to cope with the loss.” Fifth Formers Kharon Randolph, Bobby Stratts, and Nasir Smith will lead the team. The team will also benefit from returning fourth formers like Asim Richards, Gavin Burke, and Cristian Ray. Fifth Former Bobby Stratts said that “we have an elite squad this year so we can play many different types of basketball.
We can go small, by using players like Kharon Randolph, Nasir Smith, and Gavin Burke to shoot the ball and use speed and quickness to dismantle guards and get easy points, or we can go big by using players like Asim Richards, and Christian Ray to power people inside the lane.” This team’s talent is multi-denominational. Stratts said that “this range of skill is something I think no other team in the Inter-Ac has, and it resonates not only with the starting five, but with many of the skilled players on the bench.” Looking into the season, the Fords have set their sights on a strong start. Following the preseason scrimmages, the team’s performance shows that they can compete with some of the state’s best talent, resulting in a tight loss against Archbishop Wood and Imhotep, which Ciardi described as “two of the best teams in the Philadelphia area.” Under the leadership of Coach Rodgers, the team is growing stronger with each practice and after every scrimmage. “We put a ton of trust in Coach Rogers, as does he in us. Coming off his first season, both he and the team want to make a statement. We want to really show how good we are,” mentioned Stratts. With this mentality, the Fords will face off against tough opponents like Episcopal Academy and Germantown Academy in the Inter-Ac this year. The Fords have consistently practiced to amend their mistakes and use their multifaceted talent to the highest potential. “The Haverford School Basketball team
is like nothing you have seen before. We like to think we have a shot at being in the top three this year, and maybe winning the Inter-Ac. Being the first team to win
in seventeen years is something which we think is achievable. We all are hungry for it,” Stratts said.
Fifth Former Kharon Randolph outmaneuvering a Hun player.
Zakee Hawkins ‘17
Page 16
The Index
The Outdex
December 2016
Contributors: Shea Dennis ‘17, Luke Egan ‘18, Nick Magnani ‘17, MJ Tricolli ‘17, Jack Costello ‘18, Henry Scarlato ‘17, Andrew Lengel ‘17, Will Pechet ‘17, Samuel Turner ‘18
Senior skip day this year will be the day Penn decisions come out, for good measure. When asked if his hair is for the play, Andrew Lengel just angrily mutters, “It’s not a phase.” ISIS claiming responsibility for every single act of violence is basically the terrorist equivalent of that kid in middle school who swore that he kissed a girl at summer camp, she just doesn’t have a Facebook, dude. After seeing a photo of Mr. Lengel with another person, Mr. Long has decided he will never again make a diplomacy alliance with his “friend.” What is one thing in common between the Democratic Party and EA? Both got swept. The Outdex’s Yearbook Recognitions Most likely to message you on Facebook at 2 am 10 years from now- Mohid Khan Most likely to teach at Haverford - Andrew Lengel Most likely to be arrested by the federal government for cyber crimes - Garrett Bowser Most likely to grow up to be a successful and positive contributor to our community as a whole - Dean Manko A List of Possible Reflections The One Thing You Can Eat on a Diet with Shea Dennis Frat Star to Free Verse with Mr. Dan Keefe How to Keep a Secret with Ryan Sanfilippo How to Make a Proper EA Day Video with the Signet Society How to Make a Proper EA Day Shirt with Mr. Mark Fifer I’m Always Cold with Scott Deck
Mr. Murphy Doing his Best Steve Harvey Impression after the Dodgeball Game.
Possible Reflection: How to be Payton Hollway with Harrison Fellheimer.
Episcopal’s 6th L of EA Day. Spot the error.