The Panel, March 2023 - Volume 71, Issue 7

JASON HSU SPEAKS IN CHAPEL Kageyama-Hunt Speaker Series February 2023: Jason Hsu

By Aaron Stanger ’24 Panel Staff

“Everyone here in this chapel can be an agent of change.” These simple words highlighted the focus of Jason Hsu’s presentation on his experience and lessons as a Taiwanaise legislator. On February 23, Hsu spoke as part of the Kageyama-Hunt Lecture Series. Created in 2012 by Belmont Hill parents Bill and Yuko Hunt, these chapel talks exhibit models of global citizenship that inspire boys to “embrace the challenges and opportunities of an interconnected world.”

While he focused on the importance of being a voice in the world, Hsu’s backstory and rise to public office were equally inspiring. Growing up in a night

market, Hsu learned everything from his mom. Despite her lack of college education, Hsu’s mom’s wisdom made him the man he is today. She often said, “When you have an opportunity, you should create more opportunities for others.” On the other hand, Hsu learned another vital lesson: “A hustler’s mindset - never take no for an answer.” Through these frequent calls to action and undeniable ambition, Hsu became inspired to grow as a leader. After an education in Silicon Valley, Hsu returned to Taiwan to fulfill his military service. As he learned more about the state of Taiwan and the conflict with China, Hsu leaned toward a term in the legislature. Having lost a friend to Chinese fighter jets, he became very aware of the foreign and

AoTI: Aaron Green ’23

By Noah Farb ’24

Panel Staff

Aaron Green ’23 has been a valuable member and captain of the Belmont Hill Varsity squash team for the last three years. As a result of his hard work and dedication to the squad, The Panel is honoring him as the Athlete of the Issue. This year, Aaron guided the squad to their fourth straight ISL Championship, with a perfect 9-0 record in the league. When asked about his role on the team, Aaron answered, “other than being captain, I need to be a role model for the younger guys...Continued on Page 9.

Look Inside The Panel

News

Ohio Train Derailment

Kevin Weldon ’24 details the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and discusses the enviromental impacts.

Arts

Artist of

domestic issues the small country faces. Once elected, Hsu worked on various legislation, including cybersecurity, AI, autonomous vehicles, and same-sex marriage. In his political work, Hsu’s goal was simple: create change that will last generations.

Outside of politics, Hsu brought Ted talks to Taiwan through TEDx Taipei. In the first expansion of Ted through this independent style, speakers can give presentations on anything. “If you could share one thing with the world, what would it be?” For Hsu, he would share about his country, Taiwan, including its thriving culture, global conflicts, and expanding industry. A true patriot of his country, Hsu has dedicated his life to advancing Taiwanese interests by promoting legislation.

Hsu’s talk was well received by students and faculty alike. He captured the audience with his bold energy and deep wisdom on various topics, such as politics, economics, and leadership. Mr. Harvey, Chair of the History Department, was impressed by his presentation. Mr. Harvey reflected, “I hope it empowers students to look at the world’s problems and the problems in our community and have the confidence to seek solutions.”

Likewise, Jason Hsu closed with the fundamental goal that everyone is an activist somehow. After sharing several final characteristics, including humility, curiosity, openness to adventure, building consensus, storytelling, and tenacity, Hsu concluded where he began: “Be a change agent!”☐

Opinions #

Debate of the Issue: Are UFO’s Real?

Luke Trevisan ’24 and Lev Tolkoff ’24 debate a mysterious topic.

Opinions #

Moldovan Government

Sports # Super Bowl LVII: Recap and Thoughts

Christopher McEvoy ’25 and Andrew Hildebrandt ’25 write their thoughts and recap the Super Bowl and halftime show.

Jason Hsu with Mr. Schneider, Bill Hunt, and Ms. Zener BH Communications

the Issue: David Cho ’23

Brian Lee ’24 writes about David’s achievements and contributions to the BH Music program playing the cello.

Luke Guleserian ’24 writes about the imminent demise of the nation’s top politicians.

Jason Hsu speaking in the Hamilton Chapel BH Communications

Aaron Green playing squash, and the Varsity Squash team at Nationals

Aaron Green and @bhsquash on Instagram

MAP Speaker Series: Belmont Hill Alumni in Medicine

By Brady Paquette ’25 Panel Staff

On February 3rd, Belmont Hill welcomed back three alumni to discuss their career paths and journeys through a special school meeting in the chapel, “Alumni in Medicine.” Welcomed to the stage were Alby Coombs D.M.D. ‘03, Corey Gatewood, M.D. ‘07, and Dewey Jarvis ‘13 (M.D. candidate). The community also got to welcome back Belmont Hill Trustee Greg Paul ‘09 with introductions and follow-up questions led by Mr. Collins ‘93. The directors for the Multicultural Alumni Partnership (MAP) also attended the meeting and helped organize the special reunion. All three alumni talked about the impact Belmont Hill had on them and how they used their experiences and what they learned and incorporated those lessons into their future career paths and life choices. When asked about his relationship with the three boys, Mr. Collins (head of the DEI program) talked about the shared work ethic and determination on and off the field among the boys. Mr. Collins mentioned that each boy knew that prioritizing and thriving in the academic field would help them excel in whatever path they chose. Diving deeper into their playstyle, Corey was a running back who wore number 24 using his talent to eventually play Division 1 ball at Stanford University while Alby also played running back using his toughness to then play Division 3 at Kenyon College. As Mr Collins stated, “Dewey was by far the most physical guy on the field” playing on both sides of the ball and made his way to play Division 1 football at Brown University where he then went on to play for the Atlanta Falcons after he graduated. He stated that Dewey was a “triple-threat,” excelling as a musician, student,

and athlete. It was clear that all three boys were not only ambitious football players, but student-athletes partaking in AP courses while thriving elsewhere around campus.

Having a former NFL player not only intrigued, but inspired the Belmont Hill community. However, it seemed that Alby, Corey, and Dewey all decided to go down the path of medicine. Knowing that football would not last forever, Alby was interested in pursuing the dentistry path in his sophomore year of college as his mother was a prominent figure at South Shore hospital. After the chapel talk, the three alumni also spoke with the Brothers to Brothers group around DEI sharing their experiences and impact on the community. When asked about what lessons he learned from the guys,

Simon Henao (Form IV) spoke very positively about Corey stating, “He talked about the stereotypes around him and how he was always thought of to be a good football player because of his race, but never thought of as an academic student who thrived in the classroom.” Simon was also intrigued by Alby’s story, speaking on how he struggled in school when he first arrived at Belmont Hill, but used his differences as fuel to propel him both academically and athletically.” He stated, “I feel like the three speakers were truly inspirational. After talking with Alby, I realized that we’ve both overcome similar challenges. I don’t know that many people I have been able to share those stories with since I got the chance to talk with him one on one.” Not only did all three alumni

exemplify character, but a well-roundedness all throughout campus, participating in anything they could get their hands on. Mr. Collins wanted to share with the community that a lot of students may put emphasis on athletics, but what made the boys successful was their ability to know that football was just a small step in their journey. Belmont Hill thanks Corey, Alby, and Dewey for sharing their experiences with everyone and on behalf of The Panel staff, we thank you for taking the time to inspire us for what’s to come. ☐

Chinese Spy Balloon Spotted in US Territory

By Luke Trevisan ’24 Panel Staff

On January 28th, a Chinese surveillance balloon entered U.S. airspace over Alaska. The U.S. authorities tracked this balloon as it took off from Hainan, an island to the south of China. It drifted east, toward Guam and Hawaii and then turned north towards Alaska. After reaching Alaska, it came back down south, passing through Canada, and entered Montana on February 1st. From there, officials report, the balloon ceased drifting south and headed to the East Coast. It was eventually shot down by a U.S. fighter jet on February 4th off the coast of South Carolina.

The balloon itself was about 200 ft. tall, carrying a payload of a few thousand pounds. It held communication devices and advanced monitoring and scanning equipment “clearly for intelligence surveillance,” said the U.S. State Department. It also featured “multiple antennas likely capable of collecting and geo-locating communications.” On the structure below, there were two large solar panels for powering the balloon and its components. China was able to control the balloon remotely by use of propellers and a rudder to steer the balloon.

After the balloon was shot down, a recovery team was dispatched to retrieve the debris, although they were delayed by a day due to weather conditions. Despite falling around 11 miles from its lofty patrol, the debris field was contained and the equipment itself was relatively intact and recoverable. The surface remnants were gathered quickly and sent to a lab for examination,

where no explosive device was found. Underwater retrieval was again inhibited by weather conditions, but by February 16th, the U.S Northern Command said that the search was completed and that the “final pieces of debris are being transferred to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Laboratory in Virginia.” Again, nothing besides electrical surveillance equipment was found. While this event took center stage, three other unidentified flying objects were shot down as a precaution against other possible surveillance devices. Between

February 10 and 12th, objects were shot down off the coast of Alaska, within Canadian airspace, and in the Great Lakes Region. All of these objects were deemed to have not been connected to the initial balloon. However, on February 17th, the search for these objects was called off, due to challenges faced in recovering them from deep water. Thus, the final intention of these objects remains unknown.

Through all of this, the U.S has maintained communication with China. “We believe in keeping lines of communica-

tion open,” said State Department spokesman Ned Price. The tensions both within the U.S. and between countries seem to have died down over the past few weeks and so it is unlikely that any more major revelations will arise from the event. ☐

Alby Coombs ’03, Corey Gatewood ’07, Mr. Tahan, and Dewey Jarvis ’13

Belmont Hill Instagram

Chinese Balloon in the open sky AP Photo

BH Waiter Jackets Return for Centennial Celebration

By David Luo ’25 Panel Staff

The Belmont Hill family-style sitdown lunch is an iconic part of Belmont Hill life. Many students feel sit-down lunch is unique to Belmont Hill culture and allows lunch to be much more enjoyable for students. This lunch style also allows people to interact with others that they may not see at other times and give them a chance to meet new people.

Waiter jackets at Belmont Hill have a long history and date back to the establishment of the school. These waiter jackets made a reappearance on February 16th when the waiters at the tables had to wear these traditional jackets to celebrate the centennial. These waiter jackets have been a part of the Belmont Hill community since the school hired waiters for students. However, the hired waiters were eventually sub-

stituted by student waiters during the World War II era and the need to cut costs. This waiting system has stuck around since and is one of the most recognizable things about Belmont Hill. These jackets were meant to represent the position of being a waiter and give a sense of formality to the lunch table.

Many students thought that these jackets were a great way to celebrate Belmont Hill culture and remind the Belmont Hill community of where this school came from. These waiter jackets served as a throwback to show how this school has built itself over the years and to celebrate all aspects of Belmont Hill culture. ☐

Derailed Train Pollutes Ohio Town

By Kevin Weldon ’24 Panel Staff

On February 3rd, 2023, in the rural town of New Waterford, Ohio, a local resident filmed a train as it passed through the small Ohio town. This person filmed the train due to a wheel he noticed sparking as the Norfolk Southern train raced along the tracks. A similar event was caught fifteen miles before, when the wheel was caught on security camera footage lit on fire. Unbeknownst to all who saw the blazing wheels, the same train would derail a short time later, in East Palestine, Ohio. It caused one of the most disastrous human-caused natural disasters in the contiguous United States in recent memory. The Norfolk Southern freight train is believed to have derailed in the small town due to an overheated wheel bearing on one of its cars, which caused damage to a third of the cars and the derailment of just over half of them. While this in of itself would have been an issue, the ensuing effects of the crash remain a massive hazard to Ohioan residents.

The train carried a myriad of chemicals, including vinyl chloride, ethylhexyl acetate, residue of benzene, and more compounds which are highly flammable and toxic in high quantities. The main concern, however, is vinyl chloride, a large amount of which was carried on the derailed cars and was involved in a chemical fire that burned for hours in the aftermath of the crash. This chemical is particularly worrying to citizens of East Palestine and neighboring towns, as vinyl chloride is a classified carcinogen, associated with many specific types of cancer after exposure, and it is uncertain the extent to which the chemical has permeated into the environment. The EPA has reported no contamination to the drinking water of East Palestine, and no significant amounts of pollution of any of the chemicals. However, reports of animals dropping dead due to exposure and an estimate of 3,500 fish deaths caused by the runoff of chemicals worry residents.

In recent days, there has been much strife among residents of the town as they try to determine how seriously they should take

the threat of the chemicals. The catastrophe continues to develop, as many government officials weigh in to reaffirm that the water and air are indeed safe for consumption, and toxic chemicals seeping into the wa-

ter and mixing with the air will hopefully continue to be avoided in the following weeks as the disaster develops further. ☐

Record Earthquakes Affect Turkey and Syria

By Duncan Kilbride ’24 Panel Staff

On February 6th, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit parts of southern Turkey and northern Syria. The deadliest earthquake in Turkey in nearly a century caused vast devastation leveling entire cities and killing thousands. Current reports estimate the death toll in both countries at over 50,000.

With thousands dead and hundreds of thousands more without shelter, electricity, or food, Turkey has issued a 3-month state of emergency and 230,000 relief workers from dozens of countries have used popup shelters and rescue vehicles to clear the rubble and help recover those trapped, dead and alive, in the collapsed buildings.

However, aid in Syria has been far less productive as debris, geographical complications, a civil war, and a president suspicious of western governments have made it difficult for the United Nations to import the necessary supplies for an adequate and timely relief operation. The people of northwest Syria “rightly feel abandoned,” says Martin Griffiths, a British official who served as Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator

at the United Nations. A resident of Syria, Ali Obeid, who is a member of the White Helmets civil defense group added, “We felt helpless, just helpless,” as the UN must fly most of their supplies in, then request permission, which is often refused, to ship it

out to the front lines of the civil war where the earthquake took place. While President of Syria Bashar al-Assad has opened two more border crossings from Turkey, he still blames United States’ sanctions for interfering with humanitarian aid, but as

the sanctions do not affect relief efforts, the State Department has refused to lift them. The damage done to both countries and their people was disastrous, and despite international aid, it will still take many years to rebuild what was lost. ☐

Rubble from the Earthquake Adem Altan (Getty Images)

Waiters in waiter jackets eagerly waiting to deliver food BH Communications

Toxic Fumes from the train

Gene J Puskar (AP Photo)

Belmont Hill February Performing Arts Recital

By Brian Lee ’24 Panel Staff

On Sunday, February 25th, the various musical groups of Belmont Hill performed a number of pieces that spanned a diverse range of musical genres, from classical orchestral pieces to modern pop songs.

The concert began with the Belmont Hill Chamber Orchestra’s performance of Carillon from L’arlésienne Suite No. 1, a beautiful piece composed by Georges Bizet and arranged by Robert D. McCashin. Following a precise and emotive rendition, the orchestra performed a surprising arrangement of Led Zeppelin’s hit song, Kashmir, arranged by Tim McCarrick. With guest musician Thomas Cannistraro on the drums, the orchestral interpretation of this rock classic was both impressive and exhilarating. Soloists from Belmont Hill’s B-Flats took the stage next, with lan Hendrix as the first vocalist. After beautifully singing Zach Bryan’s The Greatest Day of My Life, Ian was followed by an expressive performance of Hey There Delilah by Tom Higgenson, with Luke Travaglini as the vocalist and Alex White on guitar. Alex returned to the stage as the vocalist for Come Back to Earth by Mac Miller, and his soulful voice established a peaceful and introspective atmosphere.

The Middle School Jazz Ensemble was up next with a lively rendition of Summertime, composed by George Gershwin and arranged by Roger Pemberton. With solo-

ists Jake Ma on trumpet, Ryan Ho on alto saxophone, and James Palumbo on trumpet, the ensemble gave an exciting performance that had the audience tapping their feet. B-Flats Soloists returned to perform, with Declan Reilly singing Riptide by Vance Joy, accompanied by Leonardo Montoya on guitar. Reilly’s energetic singing and Montoya’s skillful guitar playing gave the song a

unique touch. Montoya then took the stage again, this time as both the vocalist and guitarist, performing Snow by Zach Bryan; he was followed by Nick Ascione, who delivered a captivating performance of Jack Johnson’s Upside Down. The Upper School Jazz Ensemble then performed an arrangement of Miles Davis’ Nardis, with Derrick Huang as the soloist on alto saxophone. It

continued with The Commodores’ hit song Brick House, with soloists William Lloyd on tenor saxophone, Alex Zhang on alto saxophone, Cameron Connell on piano, and TJ Cannistraro on bass guitar, and the help of guest musicians Alexander Behn on trombone and Daniel Xie on alto saxophone, the Upper School Jazz Ensemble successfully gave energetic and funky performances. They were followed by the final group of B-Flats soloists; these performances were undoubtedly the highlight of the concert; Davi Ribeiro delivered a stunning performance of John Legend’s All of Me, and the audience rose to their feet for a standing ovation as soon as he sang his last notes. He was followed by another amazing performance of Zach Bryan’s Revival sung by David LoGrasso, and Will Kelly finished off with the Lumineers’ Leader of the Landside, which brought the audience to their feet once again. The concert ended with an impressive combined ensemble performance of Come Celebrate Belmont Hill. Members of the B-Flats, Orchestra, and Upper School Jazz Ensemble provided a fitting conclusion to a fantastic concert that showcased the immense talent of Belmont Hill’s students. Overall, the concert was a huge success, demonstrating the Performing Arts Department’s dedication to fostering musical excellence and creativity in its students. The audience left feeling energized and inspired by the impressive performances and musical diversity of the show. ☐

Successful Winter Production: “Cut + Speed Date”

By Brian Lee ’24 panel Staff

After nearly two months of preparation, the Belmont Hill production of “Cut + Speed Date” was a resounding success. According to directors Mr. Ojeni and Mr. Payne, the “aim [of the show] was to lighten spirits during the dark and dreary winter months with comedy.” With 45 minute rehearsals taking place three times a week, the Belmont Hill cast immersed themselves in their characters through weekly challeng-

“The aim [of the show] was to lighten spirits during the dark and dreary winter months with comedy”

es in order to fully understand their objectives and truly embody their roles. The result of their efforts was a collaborative and synergistic production that certainly lifted the spirits of many. Although scheduling conflicts and illnesses posed obstacles, the cast showed their dedication and commitment to the play by making up missed rehearsals and prioritizing self-care. Having received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback via both email and in-person, the play was praised by many members of the Belmont Hill community for impressive performances and a diverse range of accents and characters. As Mr. Ojeni describes, “the production offered students an opportunity to develop their comedic and acting skills, cultivate self-confidence, foster a sense of teamwork and collaboration, and build positive relationships with their

peers and teachers. Such extracurricular activities can create a sense of pride and accomplishment and promote a deeper sense of connection to the school community.” Ultimately, “Cut + Speed Date” exemplified the power of humor in bringing people together, and offered a shared experience that transcended both cultural and social barriers; not only did the success of the

“The production offered students and opportunity to develop their comedic and acting skills, cultivate self-confidence, foster a sense of teamwork and collaboration, and build relationships”

play demonstrate the potential for future Belmont Hill productions in continuing to excite and delight audiences through come-

dy, but also fostered the growth and evolution of the Belmont Hill theater program. ☐

Belmont Hill’s Visual Arts Awards Chapel

By Aidan Lee ’24 and Brendan Young ’24 panel Staff

Belmont Hill’s Visual Arts Award Chapel on Friday the 24th revealed many students’ impressive accomplishments throughout the year. The categories included drawing, painting, ceramics, and photography; students were ranked based on their most significant pieces of work. In ceramics, Eli Ackerman ’26 won third place, Mikey Sullivan ’25 won second place, and Cam Nacar ’26 won first place. In advanced ceramics, Mac Bobo ’23 placed third, Jack Duffy ’25 placed second, and Stephen Agular ’25 placed first. In photography, Panos Gianoukos ’26 won third, Rylan Dean ’26 won second, and Nathan Folker ’25 won first place. In advanced photography, Conner Goodband ’25 won third place, Cooper Nelson ‘23 placed second, and Teddy Stonestreet ’25 came in

first place. In painting and drawing, Daniel Cho ’26 won third place, Andrew Cotter ’26 won second place, and Babikir Saeed ’26 won first place. In woodworking, Jack Kastner ’25 came in third, Grant Hanser ’26 came in second, and Jack Santonelli ’26 came in first. In advanced woodworking, CJ Collins ’25 came in third, Ford Webb ’25 won second, and Andrew Hildebrandt won first place. Finally, awarded best in the show was Ben Kuechle ’23, winning for his masterful black and white photography.

Furthermore, artists such as Daniel Xie ’24 and Brian Lee ’24 were awarded gold keys. Daniel was awarded for his masterful drawing skills, capturing the back of an empty school bus in a dazzling way, having the drawing overflow with detail, and having it provide a sense of eeriness. Brian was awarded a gold and silver key for his incredible photography skills and digital editing skills to create unique and masterful photographs and art that could be appreciated by all students and faculty. Along with these

two, there were also many other winners of this prestigious award, and we have much to celebrate as a community. Additionally, Nate Voss ’24 and Jaiden Lee ’26 won silver medals for their respective artwork, while Daniel Xie and Teddy Stonestreet ’25 won Honorable mentions for their artwork as well.

Overall, the show portrayed Belmont Hill’s enormous artistic talent and reinforced the appreciation we have for such

students. For the coming years, we as a community should be excited to celebrate and appreciate all the art placed around campus, particularly the Landau Gallery. In addition to this, Belmont Hill students should also strive to participate not only in the performing arts but also in the visual arts as well. Belmont Hill offers many artistic opportunities for students, and as a school, it is crucial that we take advantage of them. ☐

Performing Arts Recital

Neal Hamburg

Mr. Duarte presents at the performing arts chapel BH Communications

Cut + Speed Date BH communications

Artist of the Issue: Senior Cellist David Cho ’23

By Daniel cho ’23 Panel staff

Looking back at his Belmont Hill experiences, David Cho ’23 doesn’t miss a heartbeat to talk about his musical contributions to the school. Since Form I, David has graced the Belmont Hill community with his cello repertoire, from playing a duet piece with his brother for graduation in his first year here to leading the school orchestra in season concerts as the Co-Vice President.

David is most proud of being able to perform for the community in meaningful ways. While he has many fond memories of his time playing music at Belmont Hill, the recent Centennial Arts Chapel and celebration song recording project stick out to him. Although playing for the school orchestra is a great time commitment, David relishes the fact that it trained him to better balance his schedule, and he found playing with other students a very worthwhile experience. Because the school orchestra is small in size, and has a majority of players as cellists, David has had the opportunity to play parts for different instruments. Along with exploring types of music he wouldn’t have the opportunity to do elsewhere, he got to play parts usually written for violins, violas, and basses. David embraced this unusual circumstance to assist the orchestra. From his school orchestra experience, David had the chance to play music by

rock bands and songs from movies, some being Led Zeppelin and Pirates of the Caribbean. Besides the school orchestra, David has explored music in other ways, like an independent study of music theory.

Laven, David has played pieces of extreme technical difficulty. David has played in Symphony Hall, Jordan Hall, Sanders Theatre, and more. At BYSO, David has built a resume of fine repertoires, like Tchaikosky’s

Outside of school, David plays for the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra (BYSO) organization. Since Form V, he has played for the highly-esteemed Boston Youth Symphony. Under the leadership of the conductor Federico Cortese and cello-coach Steve

Performing Arts Competition

By Andrew Bittner ’24 Panel staff

Anticipation is building for the inaugural Belmont Hill Performing Arts competition. The competition, created by Nate Voss ’24, is designed where all participants will deliver a performance that they created by themselves. Nate Voss kindly offered to preview the three acts that will be performing in the finals on Friday, March 10 at chapel:

The first act (in alphabetical order) is Ezra Lee ’25, who will be performing a combination of a speech and

a poem. Next, Jeremy Eaton ’23 will deliver a monologue, and lastly, Wes Lindstrom-Chalpin ’25 will perform an original piano piece. Again, all of these acts were created by the participants themselves!

This is the first time that this event will take place, and it will provide Belmont Hill students with the opportunity to showcase their creativity and performing talent. Hopefully, this competition will exist for years to come. Make sure to arrive at school on time on Friday, March 10 (the day after this issue is released) so that you do not miss these students’ exciting performances. ☐

Romeo and Juliet, Rimsky Korsakov’s Scheherazade, and Beethoven’s Leonore Overture. Last year, BYS performed Mahler’s 6th Symphony, a monster one-hour fifteen-minute piece of chaotic emotion. Among the pieces and challenges Da-

vid has encountered at BYSO, his favorite performances are the opera productions. Last year he played Verdi’s La Traviata Symphony Hall; having rehearsed the opera since August for a January concert which was postponed due to COVID, the long wait to play the opera in April only made to experience more meaningful. Playing a semi-staged production of an opera is rare for the youth level, but David has played in two of them. This year he was the assistant principal cellist for BYS’s performance of The Damnation of Faust by Berlioz. While the piece is very challenging, even for professional orchestras, David’s passion for music and cello motivated him to practice for months to master the music, and he enjoyed a successful performance. BYSO has been a particularly rewarding experience because of the close nature of the community. Every year, the orchestras head off to Maine for a sleep-away preseason camp, and there the bond of music ties every member together in a special way. Additionally, David is proud to play in this year’s All-State Festival. In college, David plans to continue playing the cello. He hopes to study more solo repertoire through private lessons and connect with others in an orchestra; he even plans to expand his ensemble experience by joining a cello group. The Panel thanks David for his musical contributions to the Belmont Hill community and wishes him all the best in college. ☐

Editors-In-Chief

Online Editor Kevin Weldon ’24

Digital Media Editor Andrew Bittner ’24

Arts Editor Brian Lee ’24

Sports Editor Noah Farb ’24

Graphics Editor Luke Trevisan 24

Daniel Xie ’24

Mac Bobo ’23

David Cho ’23

Executive Editor Alex Lo ’23

Cooper Nelson ’23

Assistant Editors

Tommy Folan ’25

Ben Hack 24

Duncan Kilbride ’24

Alex Laidlaw ’25

Staff Artists/writers

Nick Andersen ’24

Matthew Flaherty ’24

Jake Kornmehl ’24

Garrett Theberge ’24

Faculty Advisors

David Hegarty

Juliette Zener

Paige Wallace

News Editor Daniel Cho ’23

Opinion Editor Aidan Lee ’24

Article Support Editor Luke Guleserian ’24

Back Page Editors

Jason Cannistraro ’23

Trey Penna ’23

Turner Rayment ’23

The Panel, founded in 1953, is the official school newspaper of the Belmont Hill School. 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 the 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 © 2022 The Panel. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission of the Editors-in-Chief. Published by the Belmont Printing Co., Belmont, MA 02478.

David Cho playing in an Orchestra

David Cho

DOTI: Are Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) Real?

By : Luke Trevisan ’24 And Lev Tolkoff ‘24 Panel Staff

A recent Pentagon report reveals that there were hundreds of UFO sightings in 2022. The report used a new term, UAPs, meaning Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon, but we will stick to the classic UFO. Until recently, UFO sightings were purely based on sight and thus were not taken seriously. However, with the aid of modern technology like cameras and video recorders, concrete evidence can be found to suggest that they might indeed be real. Nevertheless, speculation still arises as to whether or not these aeronautical vessels are really from the cosmos.

Lev Tolkoff: Yes, UFOs are Real

When the acronym UFO is brought up, people inherently think of a flying saucer with a green alien sitting in the cockpit. But, at its true meaning, it is simply an object that someone monitoring the airspace does not recognize. So, with this new definition, yes, UFOs are most certainly real and documented; however,the new question of their origin arises. Most people simply dismiss the idea of extraterrestrial visits as impossible; the idea of an alien species advanced as a civilization far past humans seems preposterous, but, it may not be as far-fetched as one may think.

Starting from the first UFO sighting in 1947, where a reported “flying disk” was spotted near a United States base, the idea of the extraterrestrial UFO began. As this phenomenon has become more popular over the past hundred years or so, an increasing number of sightings have been reported. Recently, a former United States

fighter pilot went on a podcast and talked about his sighting of a very similar UFO, which he spotted far out in the sea. In nearly all of these stories, there are some common themes: a small metal round object flies in a pattern not normally seen and sometimes at speeds not achieved by humans. To further this, former U.S. President Obama said this

fly at thousands of miles per hour, it is not unlikely that there is something out there.

Finally, whether you believe in aliens or not, the increase in sightings of UFOs is undeniable, and the question of whether these are extraterrestrial objects or just some Chinese spy balloons has arisen in even the brightest of minds.

per the BBC, “What is true, and I’m actually being serious here, is that there are, there’s footage and records of objects in the skies, that we don’t know exactly what they are,” Even the President of the United States has on record said that even the government does not know what they are dealing with. The idea that aliens have evolved far past humans is not likely, but it is also not entirely impossible. While we like to think of the human race as one of a kind and the exception, It is, in fact, unlikely that humans are an anomaly. The notion that we are the only sentient species in the scope of trillions of light years is arrogant and most likely incorrect. While it may be unlikely that that species can create small metal discs that

Luke Treivson: Nuh Uh, No Chance

Right off the bat, there lies an inherent fallacy in the name, Unidentified Flying Object. Yes, a UFO flies, defined as “moving or being hurled quickly through the air,” and it would indeed be an object, “a person or thing to which a specified action or feeling is directed.” However, the word “Unidentified” makes no sense in the context of such objects. If they were truly unidentified, eyewitnesses would not know what or who flew by them. In reality, these objects are identified by the very nature of having been seen and pointed out by an eyewitness. If even the topic’s name is under debate, I lament the person who has to argue that these objects come from outer space.

The idea of any aerial craft being an “extraterrestrial spacecraft” is so utterly preposterous and lacking in any trace of evidence that I will simply not elaborate. Regardless, we must still question the origin of such a phenomenon. One might suggest that it could be a meteor or satellite falling from space. This idea might make sense, except that any object entering the Earth’s atmosphere would create a noticeable trail and only travel downwards. The report unsurprisingly listed half of the UFO identifications as “classified.” So, it could be very likely that the objects seen in the sky are actually elements of secret technology withheld from the public knowledge, and thus we, the public, are told that they are “unidentified.” Another possible explanation is that these flying objects are not real. Throughout the years of sightings, eyewitnesses have been questioned and analyzed to determine their mental state. They may have been hallucinating or under the influence of a mind-altering drug. Even if their eyes were working correctly, their surroundings may have caused confusion. Especially at night, airplanes, stars, or even leaves blowing in the wind may be mistaken for alien spacecraft. Furthermore, along with the development of evidence-capturing technologies, software to edit photos and videos has risen. Human editing and the rise of AI deep fakes can easily fabricate “hard evidence”–not to mention that every single piece of proof is even blurrier than the one before it.

I am sure that most of you have never seen a UFO from space, which makes sense because they don’t exist. But if you think you have, I implore you to reconsider your ideas: Alien UFOs definitively do not exist and never have. ☐

The Impending Fall of the Moldovan Government

By Luke Guleserian ’24 Panel Staff

On February 10th, following former Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita’s resignation due to a perceived lack of domestic support, Moldova’s government collapsed. Natalia Gavrilita became Prime Minister in August 2021 and persevered through many issues during her tenure. Moldova, formerly part of the Soviet Union, shares an extensive border with Ukraine, leading to difficulties given the current war within Ukraine and the broader region of Eastern Europe.

Gavrilita’s government was pushing a pro-Western and pro-European Union agenda, unpalatable to Russia and its allies. It wished to reduce its energy dependence on Russian oil, as well as integrate itself further into Western trade and alliances. When this agenda was revealed, Russia put pressure on Moldova by maintaining a force of at least 1,500 soldiers within Transn -

istria, a separatist region sandwiched between Moldova and Ukraine, therefore putting Moldova under threat of an imminent Russian siege. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that “Russia had a plan to destroy Moldova,” according to Ukrainian intelligence reports. While it remains un -

clear what exactly Russia’s plan would entail, it would certainly bring tensions to a fever pitch within Moldova.

As of February 22, 2023, the United States has sent $76.6 billion in aid

to Ukraine, of which $46.6 billion was allocated for military purposes. Many suspect that the true Russian goal of their Ukrainian invasion was not only to reclaim ancestral lands but to reestablish Russian power in the region and dissuade Eastern European nations from joining NATO. Thus, to prevent Moldova from either being overtaken internally by a prominent movement of Russian sympathizers or taken militarily by Russia after Ukraine has been successfully invaded, Moldova will need foreign aid. The United States should give financial aid to Moldova to fund its armed services for the defense of a Western bastion in the region. Furthermore, some aid should be given to Moldova to ensure that they will not become dependent on Russia and cheaper prices for energy and other services if their economy goes into dire straits. While this would be a venture that NATO should be very interested in, their lack of financial support to Ukraine would suggest that they are

disinclined to give aid. Thus, this effort should be financially supported by both the United States and NATO, but NATO’s history of giving minimal aid indicates that the United States must take a leading role. The subject of giving so much aid to Ukraine is a sore one for those in America, with many thinking that the United States should not take such an interventionist role.

While I agree that perhaps the United States has spent too much money in a region so far away, I do believe that the principle of preventing Russian expansion into Europe should stand. Thus, the United States should give financial and military aid to Moldova as a way to both protect Moldova from Russian expansion and Eastern Europe as a whole, and also to ensure that their previously sent funds to Ukraine should not go to waste if the Russian invasion is successful. Therefore, the United States should give financial and military aid to Moldova to prevent Russian expansion into Eastern Europe. ☐

The LIV Golf vs PGA Golf Anti-Trust Case Review

By Luke Guleserian ’24

Panel Staff

In the past year, the indomitable PGA Tour, a staple of the world golf scene, has seen a potential threat arise. The Saudia Arabian LIV Golf tournament, with its 54-hole competition (instead of the traditional 72), has established a considerable presence on the professional golf scene. Not only has LIV Golf garnered playing time on some of the most prestigious golf courses in the United States and around the world, but it has also attracted some of

golf’s greatest talents. Thirteen golfers involved with LIV Golf have won a major tournament on the PGA Tour and four of them have been ranked World #1 at some point in their careers.

In the past, Saudi Arabia has committed many human rights violations, sanctioned by the state and its Crown Prince. These include the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi and public executions. To give a more favorable image of the country to those abroad, the state has used sports-washing campaigns as propaganda to divert atten -

tion from many of its terrible abuses in recent years. For example, the Gulf nation has hosted numerous global sports events, including an annual Formula 1 Grand Prix and titular boxing fights. During such events, the world focuses on the grandeur and power of the nation and views it as a company that should be visited or traded with.

A recent anti-trust case has been filed by LIV Golf against the PGA Tour. However, that plan backfired, as the PGA Tour filed a countersuit. In this, LIV Golf divulged that its revenue was “virtually zero.” If LIV Golf was truly

serious about making a profitable rival to the PGA Tour, then surely they would be able to make some revenue after one season. The lack of any revenue is certainly telling that it merely exists to promote Saudi Arabia’s reputation. We should not accept this new company wishing to disrupt the game of golf with sinister motivations. As the traditional golfing tour, the PGA Tour should remain the gold standard for golf. Thus, American golf fans should attend PGA Tour events, watch live coverage of PGA Tour events on TV, and not pay attention to the LIV Tour. ☐

A Very Real UFO

Source: Spongebob.Fandom.com

Moldova

Source: SpiritofAmerica.org

JV Basketball Team Recap

By Luke Trevisan ‘24 and Aidan Lee ‘24 panel staff

The Belmont Hill JV basketball team dominated this year. The squad finished with an outstanding record of 20-0. Witnesses of their dominance can vouch for the unparalleled coaching and teamwork that the team exemplified. The final scores of games also speak volumes to their impenetrable defense and unstoppable offense, often leading to doubling, tripling, or even quadrupling the other side’s score by the final whistle.

Crucial to the team’s performance was the leadership of Coach Rosser and Coach E.J., both of whom helped the team unlock its full potential. While still maintaining high levels of focus, the coaches always found ways to incorporate games and competitions into practice to make it fun for all the players. Star shooting guard Jackson Pagan ‘24 mentioned, “The practices were always serious but fun at the same time.” Cooper Nelson ‘23 says, “this was the greatest JV Ball to ever exist. I believe it’s the start of a Belmont Hill dynasty.” The goal of the coaches was to create a positive environment that fostered selflessness and hardwork, in order to improve players both as athletes and teammates. Coach Rosser elaborated that they also sought to “make practice both fun and a competition every

World Baseball Classic

day, to do enough to get into a position to win.” The positive attitude carried over to games, where the players displayed an even greater level of commitment.

The impressive undefeated record proves the team’s strong responses to adversity throughout the season. Despite the many blowouts, many of the JV squad’s wins came down to the wire, including four overtime victories. Against Tabor, the team quickly found themselves in a 20-point deficit within the first few minutes. However, the win was secured after a heroic comeback, culminating with the overtime triumph. This win exemplified many of the skills the coaches tried to instill in the group. Coach Rosser highlighted that a factor for the team’s success was trust, saying that “it was built in practice, and, come game time, the team could rely on one another to do their job.”

The faith team members fostered an environment that allowed them to reach their full potential.

Ultimately, the dominance shown by the JV Basketball team is unquestionable and reflected by their undefeated record. The team accomplished an incredible feat and should be proud of their accomplishments. With aims to aspire to even higher goals in the following years, Belmont Hill’s JV Basketball team set a standard of perfection in the 2022-2023 season that they look to carry over into the future. ☐

Centennial Sports Chapel

By Tommy Folan ‘25 panel staff

On March 3rd, the Belmont Hill community came together to celebrate 100 years of athletics in the chapel. As boys arrived at school, they were greeted by brand new centennial T-Shirts. Chapel consisted of speeches from Mr. Schnieder, and Jay Civetti ’97 and Kit Hughes ’97 as well as a brief video background on 100 years of sports and the centennial song performed by the B-Flats.

Mr. Hughes, who spoke first, is the Director of Athletics at Holy Cross. He graduated from Bowdoin College and got his masters from Boston College and also worked seven years at North Carolina State under the great Tom O’Brien. He spoke in depth about sports and teamwork and the value of working hard. He mentioned that it is important to strive to be more than average and that you will regret it later on if you don’t give your best effort.

Mr. Civetti’s message was quite sim-

ilar, but he focused more on teamwork and the teacher coach model. He talked about some of his greatest role models and how he appreciated their support in both the classroom and down at Jordan. He also talked about his experience as head football coach at Tufts University. He talked about the importance of a team and being in a team environment.

This chapel is one of several aspects of the ongoing Centennial celebration as the school celebrates 100 years of Belmont Hill tradition! ☐

By Connor Mackey ‘24 panel staff

After a long five years, The World Baseball Classic is finally back! The WBC is baseball’s version of the FIFA World Cup, with a group stage followed by a knockout tournament. Players from the best teams across the world compete and represent their nation.

In the past, the tournament consisted of 16 teams, but this year it is 20. The 16 teams that competed in the 2017 edition of the WBC received automatic bids, while the last four had to qualify through smaller regional tournaments. Similar to the soccer World Cup, the World Baseball Classic starts with a group stage, called “pool play”. The four

pools are: Pool A (Chinese Taipei, Netherlands, Cuba, Italy, Panama), Pool B (Japan, Korea, Australia, China, Czech Republic), Pool C (United States, Mexico, Colombia, Canada, Great Britain), and Pool D (Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Israel, Nicaragua). Each team plays every team from their pool once, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the knockout stages, which are played in a single elimination tournament format. These are my predictions:

Pool A winners: Cuba and Netherlands,

Pool B winners: Japan and Korea,

Pool C winners: USA and Mexico, Pool D winners: Dominican Republic and Venezuela ☐

Varsity Squash Update

By Aidan Lee ‘24 panel staff

The 2022 squash season marks another incredible season for the Belmont Hill Squash program. They finished with a record of 12-3. Under the leadership of Coach Brownell and Senior Captain Aaron Green ‘23, the team went undefeated in ISL matches, thus winning the ISL and extending their record of 14 undefeated seasons in the last 15 seasons. Although the successful record may not show it, Coach Brownell emphasizes the difficulty of their matches, especially against Milton, Nobles, Tabor, and Groton. He stressed the importance of his players’ determination and will to win, and credited their focus and dedication for ultimately allowing them to prevail victoriously. To this point he said, “At the right time our kids managed to have the right performance”. This work and dedication gave them the opportunity to win important matches. Coach Brownell also added, “every boy had a really good win and tough loss over the year,

which gave them an edge in experience and mental toughness.” Furthermore, the team also recently traveled down to Pennsylvania to compete in nationals. After grueling matches, they earned 9th place in their division.

The Varsity Squash team completed another incredible season, and with such a young roster with only one senior leaving the Varsity squad, we can only expect them to continue their success in the following years. As Coach Brownell stated, “Our team will continue to get better in the next few years; we are a team with tremendous potential. We had a small taste in nationals, the level we want to get to, and I think it gives the kids something to aim for.” One cannot understate the importance and the effect that captain Aaron Green had on this team. Coach Brownell speaks enthusiastically about Aaron’s value, saying “we are a young team but we lose a sensational senior captain in Aaron Green”. The Panel congratulates the squash team on their ISL Title and wishes them success in the future. ☐

Athlete of the Issue: Squash Captain Aaron Green ’23

By Noah Farb ‘24 panel staff

...and coordinate team activities. Over the years I have transitioned from being someone who followed others into being someone who needs to set an example.” He has many fond memories of the Belmont Hill squash program, but one that stands out in particular was during first year on the team; “I was at the top of the JV ladder, and Coach Brownell had me practice with one of the top guys from varsity. Obviously, he was much better [than me] and beat me, but after he told me just to keep trying and working to get better.” Coach Brownell has also been a significant factor of Aaron’s evolution from JV player to varsity captain as he “holds myself and the rest of the team accountable and makes sure we are playing the best we can.” Some of his favorite memories from Belmont Hill squash include beating Tabor last season for the ISL title, and “really any match that came down to the Aaron Green Playing Squash

wire or we were the underdog and ended up winning. This year especially, there were a lot of matches where we [were] not favored and came up on top, which is really amazing to be apart of.” Coach Brownell appreciates Aaron greatly and says his contributions as captain were “superb” and that he was “super reliable”, adding that Aaron only “had one loss [all season], which is very impressive”.

Outside of squash, Aaron has been involved with the Belmont Hill soccer and rowing programs, and has also taken part in strength and conditioning with Coach Markham. Belmont Hill squash has taught him many lessons, most importantly that “you only can achieve what you put in. Squash has taught me a lot about myself and how to stay calm and focused. I have learned how to control and compose myself in the heat of the moment through my time on the court.” The Panel wishes Aaron the best of luck in the future in all of his athletic and academic endeavors. ☐

Aaron Green

Jay Civetti ’97

John Gillooly

Connor Mackey’s Knockout Stage Predictions

Connor Mackey

Reflecting on another Successful Wrestling Season

By Kevin Weldon and Duncan Kilbride ‘24 panel staff

Belmont Hill Wrestling concluded this past weekend. This year, the team fielded two Varsity squads en route to a historic season. After the first meet, when BH traveled to Germantown, the season quickly picked up with a dual meet and 2nd Place performance by the second Varsity squad at Marvelwood while the first team had a convincing win over Green Farms Academy. Wrestling came back in full force after Winter Break, with dual meets and ISL League competition in full swing throughout January, with a notable 71-6 victory over the otherwise undefeated Roxbury Latin.

The team secured the ISL Dual Meet Trophy and began the postseason with an incredible showing at the Graves-Kelsey Tournament. BH wrestlers were entered into all but one of the weight classes, with the 113-pound class being double entered. Everyone made their respective finals, where Isaac Novod ’27, Scotty Moreau ’26, Andrew Pimental ’25, Jack Dragoumanos ’26, Cord Vallis ’24, Freddy Pimental ’23, Turner Rayment ’23, Alex Gavronsky ’23, Will Stewart ’24, Haden Bottiglieri ’24, Josh Houston-Davis ’23, and Dave Lograsso ’23 all won their weight classes, while Aaron Stanger ’24 and Bennett Carroll ’23 finished

second. Along with having the record number of finalists, fourteen, Belmont Hill also scored the most points by any team ever in the history of the ISL Championship, with 377 of the total 390 points possible scored. Cord Vallis won the “Most & Least”

Trophy for pinning every opponent in the least amount of time, and Freddy Pimental received the “Globe All-Scholastic Award”. Next weekend the team drove up to Andover for New Englands, where Scotty Moreau and Alex Gavronsky won their weight

classes, Isaac Novod, Jack Dragoumanos, Cord Vallis, Freddy Pimental, and Turner Rayment placed second. Aaron Stanger, Andrew Pimental and Haden Bottiglieri placed third, with Will Stewart, Josh Houston Davis, and Bennett Carroll also placing and qualifying for Prep Nationals. Dr. Davis was also awarded the trophy for “Assistant Coach of the Year” at New Englands. The team placed in third. However this ranking is deceptive as BH was only 10.5 points behind the second place team while finishing 162 points ahead of the fourth place squad. Belmont Hill had a record 13 Wrestlers qualify for Nationals, and placed record best for the team in school history, scoring 93 points and finishing 11th out of 128 teams. Alex Gavronsky ’23 finished and Haden Bottiglieri ’24 both are All-Americans, finishing fifth and seventh in their respective weight classes. Also noteworthy, six wrestlers total made the round of 12. Alex Gavronsky ’23 also won the award for “Most Pins Least Time”, awarded to the individual wrestler who pinned the most opponents in the least amount of time.

After a record breaking season, Coach Bradley proudly stated, “Top to bottom probably the strongest team we ever had” and “with so many good wrestlers we were able to do something pretty unprecedented.” The Panel congratulates Varsity Wrestling and wishes them luck in future seasons. ☐

March Madness Preview and Predictions

By Ben Adams ‘25 panel staff

There is lots to look forward to with this year’s March Madness. Unlike most seasons, there are not any clear favorites, due to the recently implemented transfer rules that allow players to easily move around from team to team each season as long as they formally put their name in the “transfer portal” within two months of the prior season ending.

Even with the lack of top teams, a few colleges standout above the rest. The Houston Cougars, led by Marcus Sasser, have built a strong squad with good depth. As a result of their excellent defense, I expect to see them make it to at least the Final Four. In my opinion, Alabama is the most complete team in the country; I expect them to make it to the Final Four. The Crimson Tide are tall, athletic, and have a number of guys who step up in clutch moments, something needed to advance in March. However, even with all of Alabama’s strengths, the

team is currently bogged in controversy. An altercation earlier in the season led to a player being kicked off the team and out of the University of Alabama, and recently it has been announced that star freshman Brandon Miller was involved in some form. As of now, it appears that Miller won’t get suspended. A traditional college basketball blue-blood and last season’s national champion, Kansas may have the best starting five in the tournament, even though they lack needed depth. Led by coach Bill Self and stars Jalen Wilson and Gradey Dick, the Jayhawks will likely make a deep tournament run and very well could go back to back for their 5th ever NCAA tournament championship. Purdue is led by 7’4 potential National Player of the Year Zach Edey. Other than Edey, the team has significant weaknesses that I believe will end their tournament run early. I project Purdue to have a disappointing exit in the Sweet 16 or Elite 8 because in the past top teams exclusively led by bigs failed to succeed in Match Madness.

UCLA has the always important

prior tournament experience with Tyger Campbell and Jaime Jaquez, who were both part of the school’s 2021 final four run. I see them as an Elite 8 exit. Baylor in my opinion has the best backcourt in the country with Keyonte George, Adam Flagler and LJ Cryer. Their reliance on the three-pointer makes them inconsistent and viable for an early tournament upset if their shooters go cold. Kansas State entered the season under the radar but their strong play has placed them in the national spotlight. Led by star players Keyontae Johnson and Marquise Nowell, K-State poses a strong threat to any team. If K-State reaches their full potential they have an outside shot at the Final Four but I see them as an Elite 8 exit. Arizona is a strong offensive team that has defensive acumen, but they have good size with power forward Azulous Tubelis and center Omar Ballo. I see them as likely an Elite 8 team. Gonzaga, led by star Drew Timme, brings another strong team to the tournament this year. I think people are sleeping on the Zags. Most seasons, there’s a cinderella

story of March Madness; a team that makes a huge tournament run that nobody was expecting. Last year the Cinderella story was 8-seed UNC who made it to the Finals. This year I see three teams that can be a Cinderella story. First is Duke, the Blue Devils are a projected 7-seed but have players and depth. If they can get hot at the right time I think Jon Scheyer can bring this team to the Final Four. Next is NC State, projected to be a 9-seed. This team is maybe the most exciting team to watch in college basketball. While it will be tough for them to get out of the second round (as they will have to play a 1 seed), if they can pull an upset a final four run is possible. The last team is the projected 12-seed Oral Roberts Golden Eagles. Yes, this is the same team that upset 2-seed Ohio State two years ago. The Golden Eagles star player from that upset, point guard Max Abmas is still on the team. With additions like Connor Vanover, this is a scary team. Whatever happens, the tournament is sure to be exciting with lots of twists and turns along the way. ☐

Nordic Skiing Season Recap and Thoughts

By Daniel Xie ‘24 panel staff

The Nordic Ski Team, led by captains Brian Lee ‘24 and Lev Tolkoff ‘24, recently finished off an outstanding season with a final record of 36-9. The team, despite having no seniors, continued to be a force in both the Lakes Region and New England leagues, ultimately finishing 3rd in the Lakes Region and 4th at the New England Championships. Led by Coach DeCaprio ‘16, with assistant coaches Coach Weiter ‘16, Coach Calloway, and Coach Kirby, the team dominated in its “Friday Night Lights” races against the Rivers School, Phillips Academy Andover, and Middlesex.

The Lakes Region Championships saw the team competing at Proctor Academy for a podium spot in the Lakes Region. Ultimately, the team placed 3rd in both the race and the final season standings, behind only the Dublin School and Proctor Academy. Of the scoring skiers, William Walton

‘25 finished 3rd overall with a blistering 13:05 time for the 4.8K course, followed by first-year skier Jack Kastner ‘25, scoring 11th with a time of 15:20, Eita Fuse ‘26, scoring 14th with a time of 15:55, and Fitz Courtney ‘26, scoring 17th with a time of

16:16.

The team also performed well at the NEPSAC New England Championship Race, placing 4th behind Gould Academy, Dublin School, and Proctor Academy. The race consisted of two segments, a 6K classic

skiing race, and a 4 x 2.6K skate skiing relay race. In the 6K classic, Walton finished 9th overall with a time of 18:56.0, followed by Kastner, finishing 26th with a time of 22:34.6, Courtney, placing 28th with a time of 22:56.2, and Lev Tolkoff ‘24, scoring 30th with a time of 23:59.6. Furthermore, in the skate relay, the “A Team,” consisting of skiers Jack Kastner, Fitz Courtney, Lev Tolkoff, and Will Walton, placed 4th with a time 33:10.4, and the “B Team,” consisting of skiers Danie; Xie, Ezra Lee ‘25, Davis Woolbert ‘25, and Brian Lee, finished 11th with a time of 38:04.3.

Ultimately, despite the poor winter conditions and lack of snow, the Nordic Skiing team performed incredibly well this year. When reached for comment, Coach DeCaprio stated, “I’m impressed by the hard work of the skiers this year, despite the tough winter.”

The Panel would like to congratulate the Nordic Ski team on a successful season. ☐

Wrestling Medalists at Graves-Kelsey Tournament

Belmont Hill Communications

Nordic Ski Racers competing

Nordic Ski Parents

UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Predictions

By Luke Guleserian ‘24 panel staff

After the end of the first legs of the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League, many interesting contests remain to be replayed. Here are our predictions for who will advance and who may have a shot at competeting for the title!

Benfica vs. Club Brugge:

Away from home, Benfica easily dismantled Club Brugge 2-0 in the first leg. Benfica is currently leading Primeira Liga by a significant margin and has never looked out of place throughout any of this season’s competitions. On the other hand, Club Brugge looks anything but comfortable. They sit 4th in the Belgian League, and seem destined for a round of 16 exit.

Prediction: Benfica

Chelsea vs. Dortmund:

The first leg was not spectacular, with the sole goal coming from Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi, however, the second leg should be quite a contest. Chelsea has spent by far the most of any club in the past year under new owner Todd Boehly. Despite this, the results have been subpar. Chelsea sits 10th

in the Premier League, having won just one out of their last ten matches. Graham Potter will be under serious pressure if they cannot progress in the Champions league. Dortmund has been on fire, equal on points with Bayern Munich in the German Bundesliga.

Prediction: Dortmund

Bayern Munich vs. PSG:

Much like the Real Madrid vs. PSG matchup of last year’s Round of 16, this second leg should be fiery and exciting. A rematch of the 2020 Champions League Final, PSG will be looking for revenge, as they seek their first Champions League title. While the Messi and Mbappe tandem shall be powerful, Neymar will miss the match up with an injury, preventing the entire first team lineup from playing. Bayern remains strong as always, co-leading the Bundesliga. Importantly, Bayern lead on aggregate 1-0 after the first matchup in Paris, courtesy of former PSG player and 2020 Champions League Final scorer Kingsley Coman.

Prediction: Bayern Munich

Tottenham Hotspur vs. AC Milan:

Tottenham is a very fickle team. In the past month, they have beaten Manchester City, Chelsea, and West Ham. They have also been destroyed by Leicester City in the Pre-

Varsity Basketball Recap

By Noah Farb ‘24 panel staff

Belmont Hill Varsity Basketball

finished the season strong going 7-3 in their final games. Some highlights from the season included playing at TD Garden against St. Sebastian’s and also beating Roxbury Latin 75-67 in a close matchup at home.

Senior captain John Milewski ‘23 has led the group through both the highs and lows of the season, providing a steadying force both on and off the court and helping many of the younger players on the team along the way. Coach Cofield and Coach West have been invaluable to the team this year, providing knowledgeable and supportive figures for the team to rely on in any situation. Coach Cofield, when asked about the season, responded, “This year was one of ups and downs, but a year in which we learned a lot about ourselves as individuals, coaches, and more importantly, as a team. After a rough start to the season, our boys

battled each day in practice and competed like champions all the way to the end. I’m thankful for the leadership of Captain John Milewski and our seniors.”

This year was more of a transitional year for Belmont Hill basketball as six seniors graduated last season; four of whom are playing basketball in college. Even with the lack of upperclassmen, the team finished the season with a winning record in the ISL, finishing 8-7. The Panel congratulates Coach Cofield and the rest of Belmont Hill Varsity basketball on their season and wishes them luck for even better seasons to come in the future! ☐

mier League and knocked out of the FA Cup by second-tier English league squad Sheffield United. After going through a rough patch early in 2023, Milan has won their last four games. Going into the second leg with an aggregate lead will inspire some hope in Milanese fans.

Prediction: AC Milan

Porto vs. Inter Milan:

Coming off a successful season, Inter has underperformed this season. They sit 3rd in Serie A, 18 points off of leaders Napoli. Likewise, Porto also not continued their dominance in Primeira Liga, finding themselves 8 points behind Benfica. Despite the troubles of the season, Inter retains a 1 goal aggregate lead and with a host of attacking talent like Lautaro Martinez, Romelu Lukaku, and Edin Dzeko, Inter remain the favorites.

Prediction: Inter Milan

Man City vs. RB Leipzig:

Man City has been a juggernaut in European football for the past decade, with the exception of winning the UCL itself. In the Premier League this year, Man City has also been formidable, perhaps a little weaker than usual even with the addition of Erling Haaland. However, they are even with RB

Leipzig on aggregate after the first match. Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku was absent for much of the first leg but his return from injury could spur Leipzig to an upset.

Prediction: RB Leipzig

Napoli vs. Eintracht Frankfurt:

Napoli may have the best chance of advancing out of any team going into the second leg of the Round of 16. They are up 2-0 on aggregate, with the second leg being played at home. Napoli looks like an overwhelming favorite to win Serie A, with a current lead of 18 points. Eintracht’s Kolo Muani, star of the French World Cup team, received a red card, putting him out for the second leg. Napoli should see little trouble in advancing to the quarter-finals.

Prediction: Napoli

Real Madrid vs. Liverpool:

A classic UCL rematch. The 2018 final, 2020 knockouts, and 2022 final. In all of these contests, Real Madrid has had the upper hand. They have retained that upper hand in the first leg by coming back from a 2-0 deficit to trounce Liverpool 5-2 at Anfield. They will go into the match at the Bernabeu up by 3 with no away goals rule against a historically poor Klopp side. Real Madrid should advance quite easily.

Prediction: Real Madrid ☐

Alpine Skiing Recap

By Luke Guleserian ‘24 panel staff

The Alpine Ski Team recently finished a successful 2022-2023 season. Led by Captain Luca Mezzanotte ‘23, the team was competitive within both ISL and NEPSAC racing. Unfortunately, due to the shortened ski season, there were only 4 races in total. Belmont Hill, Nobles, and Middlesex each won a race before the final race, meaning the ISL Championship would be winnertake-all. Belmont Hill placed very well after the first run, with Nathan Pappas ‘24 leading and Vince Mezzanotte ‘25 and Charlie Crowley ‘25 close behind. However, as a result of the balmy February temperatures, the snow became soft, making the course treacherous. Four different Belmont Hill racers fell on the second run, eliminating any hope of an ISL Championship.

At the NEPSAC Class A Championship at Berkshire East, Belmont Hill looked to repeat its success from the pre-

vious year, in which the school placed 3rd at NEPSACs. In slalom, Belmont Hill did very well; Charlie Crowley ‘25 placed 3rd, Vince Mezzanotte ‘25 placed 4th, and Luca Mezzanotte ‘23 placed 9th. Hugh Wiley ‘27 fought valiantly in his 2nd varsity race, impressing many at the mountain. In giant slalom, Belmont Hill also performed well, with Nathan Pappas ‘24 finishing 5th and Charlie Crowley ‘25 finishing 9th. In the end, Belmont Hill finished 2nd in New England, just 2 points behind champion St. Paul’s. ☐

Super Bowl: Reflections and Review

By Christopher McEvoy ‘25 and Andrew Hildebrandt ‘25 panel staff

This year’s Super Bowl between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs was a game for the ages. The third-highest scoring Super Bowl of all time, Super Bowl LVII is sure to go down in history as one of the best Super Bowls of all time, but the game was not without controversy and heartbreak. In this year’s edition, two of the most talented young teams in the NFL clashed for sixty minutes on national television. The Philadelphia Eagles led by MVP runner-up Jalen Hurts, entered the game with a league tied for best 14-3 record seeking to achieve their second Super Bowl title in the past six years. The Kansas City Chiefs led by two time MVP and this year’s MVP Patrick Mahomes entered the game with a tied for league best 14-3 record and sought to capture their second Super Bowl under Mahomes. These two teams were very close

in talent entering the game but the Eagles were the slight favorites by small margin because of their regular season dominance.

The game opened up fast and did not show signs of slowing down. The Eagles scored early in the first quarter with a Jalen Hurts rushing touchdown which was followed by a Travis Kelce touchdown three minutes later. The first quarter ended seven to seven, but the second quarter opened up with fireworks as A.J. Brown found the end zone on an astounding 45-yard reception. Just as things were looking good for the Eagles, Hurts fumbled; this led to a Nick Bolton defensive touchdown. With two minutes remaining in the half Hurts would score his second rushing touchdown of the game to put the Eagles ahead. Following a strong defensive effort by Philadelphia, Eagles kicker Jake Elliot would extend the Eagles lead with a field goal as time expired in the first half.

This year’s halftime show was performed by Rihanna who performed many of

her classic hits. Rihanna’s performance has received much praise and is being heralded as one of the best halftime shows of all time.

To start the second half, the Chiefs opened up with a touchdown by rookie Isiah Pacheco which cut the Eagles lead to three points. After the Eagles drive stalled late in the third quarter, Jake Elliot kicked a field goal to extend the Eagles lead to six. In the fourth quarter, receiver Kadarius Toney would score to put the Chiefs in the lead, and soon thereafter Kadarius Toney had the longest punt return in Super Bowl history. On the proceeding drive the Chiefs scored again to take an eight point lead. The Eagles kept fighting and tied the game with a third Jalen Hurts rushing touchdown with five minutes left in the game. On the next Chiefs possession, the game began to get controversial as the Chiefs drove down the field aiming to take the lead. On third down inside the Eagles 20 yard line, Patrick Mahomes threw a ball intended for JuJu Smith-Schuster that fell incomplete. Fol-

lowing a moment of excitement for Eagles fans across the country came a moment of reckoning as it was announced that there was a flag on the play. Eagles cornerback James Bradberry was called for holding and the Chiefs were awarded with five yards and automatic first down. This officiating call drew much criticism from fans as the pass was deemed uncatchable by fans and the hold was suspect. The Chiefs would go on to drain the remaining clock and kick a game winning field goal. The Eagles got the ball back with eight seconds on the clock and the Hail Mary attempt by Jalen Hurts came up well short of the endzone. Following the game Eagles cornerback James Bradberry, who was called for the hold, stated that he believed he held Smith-Schuster and the officials were right with the call.

Despite the late game controversy this Super Bowl has been widely regarded as one of the best in recent memory and will leave a lasting impression on football fans all over the world. ☐

BH Basketball at TD Garden Adam Richins

Luke Guleserian Racing Adam Richins

CENTENNIAL SONG!!

Sing along to this jaunty riff!

Lyrics (with accompanying dance moves)

(verse 1)

GOD I LOVE BELMONT HILL (wave hands around)

GOD I LOVE BELMONT HILL (throw it back)

GOD I LOVE BELMONT HILL

GOD I LOVE BELMONT HILL

GOD I LOVE BELMONT HILL (assorted fortnite dances)

(Chorus)

GOD I LOVE BELMONT HILL (hip thrusts)

GOD I LOVE BELMONT HILL

GOD I LOVE BELMONT HILL

GOD I LOVE BELMONT HILL (The WAP)

GOD I LOVE BELMONT HILL

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Teacher Most Likelies

Mr. Doar: Most likely to suck your blood like a mosquito

Mr. Hegarty: most likely to grab a pint with you after you graduate

Mr. Bracken: most likely to attend his safety school (Yale)

Decap: Most likely to be paying tuition

Mr. Butler: Most likely to say, "Decap, we have to cook"

Mr. Spheer

We at the Back Page hacked into Mr. Bradley's email account. This is what we found: