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WFS Costa Rica Trip, A Trip to Cherish Alex del Tufo '14
Features Editor Summer vacation is usually a time for saying goodbye to familiar faces and welcoming new experiences. For a
group of WFS Upper Schoolers, the familiar faces stayed ai.ound for the beginning of their summer adventures. The 2014 Wilmington Friends Costa Rica Program hit off the summer from June 17-28, 2014 . The participating students enjoyed eleven days in paradise, but it was not all rope swings and white-sand beaches. The students left Costa Rica better than they had found it with their service project. The trip also provided the students with an opportunity to improve upon their Spanish speaking skills. "The trip definitely improved my Spanish speaking. If we were not with a family
program. The students also had the opportunity to work with one of the village's English classes. The village where the students donated their time doubled as their host village where they all lodged. An interesting aspect of the housing system was that the students were separated into different houses where they developed a connection with their host family. It was a unique opportunity but was also extremely nervewracking. "Each of us stayed with our own host families in the village which was very nerve racking at first because we didn't know who we would be paired up with, but as the visitprogressed1beeanemorecomfortablewiththefanily and could communicate better which eventually helped with some of the awkward silences," mentioned Harper. The host families were also a great way for the participants to create bonds with people
that only spoke spanish,
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whom they wouldnomally
we were surrounded by construction workers
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never have the chance to bond with.
that only spoke spanish.
The students were
They had to explain to
incredibly satisfied by their
us what jobs needed to
impact on their host village, but when the work was to do them," said Frances done they were ready to Haiper ' 14, a participant relax. Costa Rica offered of the program. They the students everything enriched themselves from beaches to volcanoes. and benefitted their It was excellent for those community, all while seeking out adventure and Spanish teacher, Chamby Zepeda, and Physical Education for the more relaxationgetting a tan. teacher and Assistant Athletic Director, Jessica Franklin The sel.vice portion oriented crew. The group of the WFS Costa Rica pose with students on the Summer 2014 Costa Rica Trip visited Manuel Antonio trip was focused ai.ound National Park. a beautiful improving the handicap accessibility of the country. beach with an array of wildlife. They also trekked down Although they could not help all of Costa Rica, they started to Nyaca Waterfall where they swam, relaxed by the small , which made a large impact for those affected. The water. and ventured into the jungle. When asked about students were instructed to build a handicap- accessible her favorite part of the trip Pantano said, "the whole trip bathi.oom in a small village called Pura Suerte in San Jose. was just a highlight." "As a developing country, the government is trying to The students helped to improve the lives of their become wheelchair accessible everywhere," told Harper. friends in Pura Suerte. Harper recalled, "throughout the The job was not easy and a lot of manual labor went into trip our leaders told us not to categorize anything you the project. "We chiseled at the wall to make room for experience as better or worse from where we live, just pipes. We built a ramp, cleaned out gutters on the soccer different." The WFS family truly benefitted Costa Ricans field near our work site in the host village, and some of with their commitment to service, while their Costa Rican the boys built a drainage system in the back of the site," friends gave back with the opening their homes and stated Margeaux Pantano '14, another participant of the welcoming them to their magnificent country. be done and explain how
Welcome Back to School, From The M/hi.fri.er Mi.5ce//a»y! Martha O'Bi.ien'15
Sports Editor With the start of a new year, the editors of 77ie Wfoi.//I.er
A4j.ace//any thought it was a nice idea to review some of the important aspects of Wilmington Friends School that
money for the 8+ Foundation. Last year, the dance brought in 22,000 dollars , so let's see if we can raise more awareness , dance longer, and help fight childhood cancer!
Walk abouts: When a group of freshman speed walk down the
students and faculty show their Quaker spii.it by dressing
hallway in pairs talking about India and Palestine, they might just be a big history buff, but most likely they are on one of History Teacher, Scott Rhodewalt's famous walk abouts. Creating a snake-like procession throughout the entire building, they might just sweep you up so stand
for each day of the school week. This week it is perfectly
clear!
okay to show up to Peace class in a onesie or eat a scone with a tutu on. The Arches:
Business Meetings: Once a month the Agenda Committee runs Business Meetings to address concerns within the student body. If a club or committee needs funding, club clerks sinbmit
every student should be familiar with.
Homecoming and Spirit Week: The week leading up to Homecoming (October 18th!)
The beloved arches are back in use with the start of the 2014-2015 school year. Since the area near the Jones
house is closed for renovations, students can now enter the enclosed space with easy access to the gyms, locker rooms, and the newly opened Java Nook.
Junior Lounge The area of couches and tables right outside of the library is known as the Junior Lounge. Although the couches are not as plush as those found in the senior hangout of the College Guidance Office, the Junior Lounge is a great place to socialize with friends and maybe occasionally open your biology textbook. Dance-a-thon: After a successful first year, the 8+ committee will host another Quakeover Cancer dance-a-thon to raise
proposals to the Agenda committee. In the past, funds have been allocated for club trips, charity groups, and club supplies. In addition, rule changes, such as eating in the hallway, were brought forth to Business Meeting.
The Whittier: If you are searching for the latest trends, or a breakdown of the current situation in Russia that you can actually understand, or maybe even just the score of last week's football game, rfee Wfo!.ff!.er Mi.sccjjci7iy has
you covered. Dating all the way back to 1884, the school newspaper is written, edited, and distributed by students for students and always provides the most interesting.
pressing, and relevant news for the student body.
On the class of 2015, A Group to Remember Shannon Skibicki '15 Editor-in-chief As the school year begins, we welcome with
great enthusiasm amazing additions to Wilmington Friends: new faculty, new students, a new java nook, and much more. However, we also welcome a familiar group back to Wilmington Friends. A
group that now help leads our school. A group with booming personalities, and extraordinary intellectual, artistic, and athletic capabilities. A group that always pushes the envelope. That is the Class of 201 5 .
For all the new faculty and students who do not know this class , you will learn very quickly that we are special . For instance, this class has mastered the art of procrastination. With the rigorous academic demands of the 18 program, we often tend to let the work pile up. Then, when it is a little before midnight, after five episodes of netflix have been accounted for and our instagram posts have been uploaded and earned significant likes, we resurrect ourselves to complete the massive lab repoi.ts, TOK essays, and DBQs. Another place where the Class of 2015 is unique is on the athletic field. I could point to the
three consecutive conference championships girl's soccer has earned. Or Girl's lacrosse tie for the 2014 Conference title, winning 16-15 over Tower Hill last season in a conference game, Meryl Gatti
The Class Of 2015 bonds during the Senior retreat at Rehoboth Beach on September 12 '15 scoring in the final second to top the hillers.
Not to forget the boys' impressive leadership on the athletic fields; five seniors led boys lacrosse and baseball last spring season as captains . And last but not least,Annie Jaskulski's ' 15 earned the state title the past two years in first singles tennis . Maybe these accolades are because of natural talent, but the effort we put into practice suggests otherwise. Likewise in the classroom, we still have character. We are not afraid to laugh and debate. Our debates take all kinds of forms too. Whether it's making a case to extend a due date or arguing the primary causes of WWII, we are not afraid to let our voices speak. 2015 is also special in the course of bad luck
we have faced. The middle school got AC after our departure,leaving us to question whether it was the temperature or our absence that prompted cooler classrooms. More importantly, we have had to live in the shadow of 2014, jokingly called the ``angel class", who all are remarkably talented and driven students. Talk about a tough act to followi. Even though we may not be perfect, this class continues to evolve for the better. From our lack of
participation in the pep rally grade dance off during our "teen" years to last year's 8+ dance-a-thon, we have amped up our spirit and shown our character. The 8+ committee led by Meera Kohli ' 15 raised 22,000 dollars, and Patrick Pearce ' 15, DJ of the event, had numerous classmates dancing . 2015 has undeniable character. Although we may succumb to perils of senioritis at times, we are excited to embrace our new role at Friends.