The Deerfield Scroll: November 9, 2018

Vol. XCIII, No. 5

Deerfield, Massachusetts

Sonja O’Donnell Sues Deerfield Academy JOSHUA FANG Co-Editor-in-Chief Former English teacher Sonja O’Donnell has filed a pending federal lawsuit against Deerfield Academy, alleging years of gender discrimination and retaliation for her advocacy on behalf of female students.

The lawsuit contends that Ms. O’Donnell was unfairly sanctioned

by Deerfield administrators for reporting sexual harassment by another faculty member, for standing up to her male colleagues, and for supporting female students, some of whom alleged they were sexually assaulted by fellow students.

“Deerfield has created a culture in which female students and faculty who stand up to sexism face punishment,” the lawsuit states.

“Male faculty and students who discriminate and create unwelcome or hostile environments for women and girls are not held accountable.”

Deerfield has filed a response in

all other faculty members.”

Ms. O’Donnell taught English at Deerfield for 17 years, advising several student-run groups including the Feminism Club, and coaching the girls varsity swim team from 2000 to 2013. Deerfield

“Deerfield has created a culture in which female students and faculty who stand up to sexism face punishment.”

- Sonja O’Donnell’s lawsuit did not renew her teaching contract for the 2018-2019 school year.

Her husband, Michael O’Donnell, who taught philosophy, resigned abruptly last August.

In a telephone interview, Mr. O’Donnell declined to comment on why he left Deerfield. The couple also declined to comment on the pending litigation.

The lawsuit describes a series of incidents during Ms. O’Donnell’s tenure which she says represent

“The irony of ironies is that this case comes when a woman is leading Deerfield.”

- Margarita Curtis court denying the allegations and has stated that Ms. O’Donnell was disciplined for multiple incidents of unprofessional conduct.

“The irony of ironies is that this case comes when a woman is leading Deerfield,” Head of School Margarita Curtis said, when asked about the lawsuit. “Ms. O’Donnell was held to the same standards as

a longstanding pattern of gender discrimination and demonstrate a “hostile working environment.”

It states that Ms. O’Donnell was sexually harassed by a faculty member from 2003 to 2007. The faculty member, whose name was redacted and no longer works at Deerfield, allegedly sent emails to Ms. O’Donnell expressing love to

Opinion: Deerfield’s Heteronormative Culture ABBY LUPI Contributing Writer College is a magical realm over the rainbow and a world away from Deerfield.

Here at the Rochester Institute of Technology, the pride flag is framed in the entrance to the Student Alumni Union, and small rainbow flags line the student bulletin boards.

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I not only feel welcomed, but also I sense a distinct lack of other-ness that tends to follow those who fall outside the norm.

At my graduation from Deerfield last year, I wore a suit and tie in place of the typical white dress and flower women usually wear. This is because I believe women should feel free to wear what they choose, no matter what others may assume.

I believe that gender expression should not be inhibited by outof-date standards like our current dress code.

Gender-queer or gender questioning people, upon stepping onto Deerfield campus, are forced to make a very public, very bold statement about their identity.

This forced statement is something

Opinion and Editorial, p. 3

The Death of Nuance

The Kavanaugh hearings dealt a blow to nuanced discourse by turning a blind eye to the science and ambiguity of memory.

her that was “not unconditional.”

After Ms. O’Donnell and her husband reported the mistreatment during the 2006-2007 academic year, the lawsuit contends, Deerfield retaliated against the couple by removing Mr. O’Donnell from

exceedingly daunting when around 78% of trans youth face significant abuse at school, according to a study by the University of Iowa. In college, people wear whatever they feel like wearing and, surprisingly, it never seems to get in the way of anyone’s education.

Deerfield operates on the idea that standards for men and women should be decidedly separate.

The library displays two statues exemplifying the “Deerfield Boy” and the “Deerfield Girl,” dorms are strictly gendered, and visitations are fundamentally heteronormative.

If a straight person wants to spend time with a member of the opposite gender, they need only follow the ordinary rules; nonheterosexual people are faced with a moral dilemma. They must first ask themselves whether they trust their hall resident enough to disclose their identity, something many kids don’t even feel safe to tell their families.

According to a study by the University of Chicago, LGBTQ+ youth face more than twice the average rate of homelessness in the US, which is largely attributed to unsupportive families kicking out their children.

Continued on Op-Ed, p. 2

Opinion and Editorial, p. 4

Innocent Until Proven Guilty Kavanaugh’s sexual assault allegations undermined the foundation of America’s judicial system.

the Strategic Planning Committee and allowing the mistreatment to become known around campus.

Deerfield has denied these allegations, stating that the faculty member’s employment was terminated in response to the complaint.

In another heavily redacted section, the lawsuit describes several alleged incidents in which Ms. O’Donnell defended female students who reported being sexually assaulted on campus.

In these cases, according to the lawsuit, Deerfield was “dismissive” of the complaints and the alleged perpetrators faced no disciplinary consequences.

According to Assistant Head of School for Student Life Amie Creagh, reports of sexual assault typically lead to an investigation and an adults-only Disciplinary Committee hearing. The threshold for disciplinary action as a result of the hearing is “clear and convincing evidence” that a major school rule has been broken.

Continued on News, p. 6

November 9, 2018

Opinion: The Power of Love MAYA LAUR Contributing Writer 11 souls stand amongst the Pews of the Etz Chaim Synagogue.

Among them are a primary-care physician, a couple married in the same room they stand in now, and a 97-year old grandmother. 11 pairs of hands reaching out to embrace their brothers and sisters around them. 11 voices raised in song.

“Oseh shalom bimromav, Hu ya’aseh shalom aleinu.” “May the one who makes peace bring peace upon us and on all the world.”

They call out. But the prayer is left unfinished, gunshots drown out the cry for peace, louder than the word Shalom.

In 11 seconds 11 souls leave this world. 11 bodies lie bleeding on the ground. More than two look like my grandparents. And, no one left standing can recall the meaning of the words they spoke only moments before. The survivors no longer know what peace is.

When I arrived on this campus 2 years ago, I had never directly experienced an act of Anti-Semitism.

I was luckier than many members of affinity groups in this country, whom bigotry and xenophobia target on a daily basis.

But, there is bliss in ignorance.

For it wasn’t that anti-Semitism didn’t exist in the United States, I had just been one of the few in the history of the Jewish people who was privileged enough not to know it.

Yet, my ignorance faded with the destruction of the Mount Carmel Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia two years ago. It melted faster when angry crowds marched the streets of

Charlottesville, Virginia, chanting “Jews will not replace us” and, most profoundly, when an unidentified perpetrator drew a Swastika on Deerfield’s own campus, accompanied by the word “heil” outside the Denunzio sidewalk.

However, although I knew about the presence of anti-Semitism in the United States, I didn’t truly feel it in my heart until I read the names of the 11 victims in a CNN News Report, and replayed the sight of

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bodies falling to the ground over and over again in my mind.

But, now I know. Anti-Jewish sentiments are alive and well and thrive along with every other form of hate in this country. And, that is not something I can shake from my conscience. It is true that I am angry at President Trump and other American citizens who give hatred a voice in the so-called “land of the free.”

Continued on Op-Ed, p. 2

Deerfield Addresses Juuling on Campus SARAH JUNG Associate Editor Over the past few years, Juuling amongst teenagers in America has increased significantly, and Deerfield has not been immune to this trend. High school students all along the East Coast are Juuling in bathroom stalls and classrooms.

In response to the continued prevalence of Juuling on campus, Deerfield changed its rules on Juuling over the summer by reducing the number of strikes students can receive before a Disciplinary Committee hearing.

Assistant Head for Student Life Amie Creagh said that national widespread use across high schools and colleges also helped influence the Student Life Office’s decision.

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Sports, p. 8

Choate Day Through the Years Learn about the history of Choate Day throughout the years and see what’s new—and what traditions remain.

“It would have been irresponsible for the Student Life Office to not do something,” she said.

Juuls are non-combustible electronic cigarettes. They gained immediate popularity when they entered the cigarette market in 2017.

According to the FDA, Juuls do come with published health risks.

They contain nicotine, an addictive substance that impairs teen brain development, as well as toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde.

During Family Weekend, parents were instructed on how to recognize Juuls. They were shown pictures of Juuls, which strongly resemble USBs in their small size and shape, and informed that Juuling does indeed occur on campus.

“It’s marketed perfectly to the teen. We have a problem where Deerfield students are getting addicted to tobacco and nicotine,” Ms. Creagh elaborated.

In April 2018, Juuling was declared a teen health epidemic by FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb.

Popular e-cigarette brand JUUL, worth more than $16 billion dollars, claims that their product is a healthier alternative for adult smokers transitioning from combustible cigarettes.

However, the company remains under fire for not doing enough to prevent minors from buying its

product.

On September 12, 2018, the FDA stated, “The FDA won’t tolerate a whole generation of young people becoming addicted to nicotine as a tradeoff for enabling adults to have unfettered access to these same products.”

In the past, students’ first nicotine or tobacco violation resulted in the assignment of 7 hours of work detail and a talk with the Health Center on the harms of Juuling.

A second violation led to more work hours and a Letter of Reprimand. The third violation led to a DC hearing.

Over the summer Deerfield essentially removed a strike. Deans Kevin Kelly, Rebecca Melvoin and Sam Bicknell worked with Amie Creagh to change the rules so that the first violation meant work hours and a letter of reprimand, while the second moved to a DC. In the past, the number of Juuling DCs was “very, very low” according to Dean of Students Mr. Kelly because Juuling was viewed as a tobacco violation.

Students in possession of a Juul can be taken to the Health Center for testing, which tests only for tetrahydrocannabinol (found in marijuana) or nicotine.

Arts, p. 15

More articles online at

Crazy Rich Asians Review Hear from Abby Persons and Christina Li on the first Hollywood film since 1993 to have a full Asian cast and director.

Continued on News, p. 7

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Opinion and Editorial

2 | Friday, November 9, 2018

The Deerfield Scroll

Letter from the Editor Dear Reader,

Vol. XCIII, No. 5 Editors-in-Chief Joshua Fang & Orlee Marini-Rapoport Opinion & Editorial Editor Nadia Jo

Graphics Editor Madeline Lee

News Editor Thomas Song

Online Editor Simon Lam

Features Editor Emma Earls

Associate Online Editors John Chung Emma Johnson

Arts & Entertainment Editor Claire Quan Sports Editor Maggie Tydings Buzz Editor Soo Min Lee Photography Editor Britney Cheung

Associate Photography Editor Harbour Woodward Associate Editors Peter Everett Lily Faucett Anna Fu Sarah Jung Annie Kane Jae Won Moon Seth Thayumanavan

Advisors Julianne Schloat, Sam Savage and Marissa Cornelius The Deerfield Scroll, established in 1925, is the official student newspaper of Deerfield Academy.

The Scroll encourages informed discussion of pertinent issues that concern the Academy and the world. Signed letters to the editor that express legitimate opinions are welcomed. We hold the right to edit for brevity. Opinion articles with names attached represent only the views of the respective writers. Opinion articles without names represent the consensus views of the editorial board.

Honors Classes or Not? Consistency Across All Departments is Key BOARD EDITORIAL The breadth of Deerfield’s course catalog is mind-boggling.

Boasting 170 courses across eight academic departments, Deerfield offers just about any class students want to take.

Particularly for math and science courses, students can choose a specific level, such as regular, honors, or AP, to find a desired level of rigor. A student who is serious about pursuing advanced chemistry may study AP Chemistry; others may enjoy a more relaxed class by taking Chemistry I. However, it is strange that the same breadth of levels is not available for English, social

subject that grounds all students’ academic experiences at Deerfield.

Declamations and Meditations are considered to be a “rite of passage” in the Deerfield experience, and English is the only subject with a 4-year graduation requirement.

While these efforts to give every Deerfield student an equal English education is admirable, it divides students in reality. Students who do not enjoy English much or for whom English is not their strong suit have no choice but to dedicate 50 minutes to homework every night. Students who want to pursue English at a high level may choose to work harder in these standardized English classes, but they will not be rewarded for their work in the same way strong STEM students are through their “honors” or “AP” distinction.

The same analogy can be extended to most social studies classes and some language classes.

We realize that students who are passionate about humanities classes do not necessarily need higher level courses in order to feel challenged.

MADELINE LEE/DEERFIELD SCROLL However, these level studies, and language classes. distinctions are often beneficial for There are no official AP courses in the college admissions process, any of these subjects, and though when admissions officers need the language department offers to quickly assess the breadth and honors options, there are only rigor of students’ transcripts. three honors history courses and Although Deerfield alone no honors English classes at all. cannot change the college The Scroll Editorial Board admissions process, preserving believes in the value of consistent this disparity between different levels across all academic subjects is misleading for everyone departments. Standardized levels involved. will offer fair opportunities to These issues can be solved by every student who wants to take implementing a consistent system challenging courses; in addition, of levels across all departments. they will give credit to students The Scroll Board is calling for who challenge themselves. one of three options: 1. Offering During freshman and AP, honors, and regular levels for sophomore year, every student every core academic subject; 2. takes the same English class.

Offering honors and regular levels As upperclassmen, students for every core academic subject; 3. merely have more freedom to No leveled classes at all. choose a more narrow set of Deerfield sends ambiguous themes to explore without having messages about its academic an option to have a more relaxed mission by only offering the choice or demanding English class. of different levels to select subjects.

Perhaps this is rooted in the We at the Scroll hope the school idea that Deerfield upholds seeks consistency in this regard English, to some degree, as the one across all academic departments.

When I heard about Mr. O’Donnell’s abrupt resignation from Deerfield last August, like many other students, I was intrigued. It seemed too timely to be a coincidence, considering Ms. O’Donnell’s departure at the end of the prior year.

After a bit of searching, I soon discovered that Ms. O’Donnell had filed a pending federal lawsuit against Deerfield. I located the public court document online and found serious allegations—some of which described our school administration as dismissive of complaints of sexual assault and hostile to women and girls.

Regardless of the veracity of the allegations, it seemed clear I needed to report on it.

For the past four weeks, I have spent countless hours interviewing dozens of people, including many former students, and going through more than one hundred pages of court documents. I doggedly pursued every single lead as far as it would take me, determined not to shy away from asking difficult or uncomfortable questions. While many of the parties I interviewed are not quoted directly in the article, every perspective I heard was important in better informing my reporting. If I was going to

write an article discussing topics of this magnitude, it had to be done right.

It is important to acknowledge that the Scroll is not an officially independent newspaper. All of our operations are paid for by the Academy, and an article like this that draws publicity towards such serious allegations against current administrators is unprecedented for our newspaper. But Deerfield has stated that they want the Scroll to remain uncensored, and this has been a chance to witness that in action.

I assure you that I have maintained total independence in my reporting and have strived to portray the facts without bias.

While the article was proofread by the Scroll faculty advisors and my co-editor, every word in it comes directly from me. As a journalist, my role is not to serve as judge or insert my own opinion, but to present the facts and trust you, as a thoughtful reader, to draw your own conclusions.

This article has likely been the most personally taxing project I have ever taken on. Both sides are contentious, tied up in a legal battle that will likely impact Deerfield for years to come, and in my reporting, I have inserted myself into the middle of the conflict. In talking with both the O’Donnells and the administration, in addition

to working with Scroll advisors and editors, I have had to listen to and acknowledge many different opinions while staying true to my mission: to inform the community about newsworthy information that impacts all of us, even if it is uncomfortable to talk about.

This news might be difficult to bear for many. Indeed, there was a lack of consensus with my coeditor about the publication of this article due to her concerns that it could negatively impact certain members of our community.

I wish no member of this community harm. On the contrary, the reason we decided to publish this article is because we believe our community becomes stronger when we lean into uncomfortable discourse. These conversations may be difficult or even painful in the short term, but in the long term, everyone benefits when our community is better informed.

I call upon everyone here to embrace these sensitive topics with maturity and strength. The real test of a school’s courage is our ability to look in the mirror and be transparent about our flaws.

Deerfield is a community defined by each and every one of us. Let us strive to improve the place that we all call home.

Joshua Fang Co-Editor-in-Chief

Love is Our Strongest Remedy The heartbreaking Synagogue shooting, coupled with similar large-scale hate crimes in recent years, reminds us that the only way America can be the “home of the brave” is by loving one another.

MAYA LAUR

Contributing Writer Continued from Front I am afraid to go to Saturday services for the alarming realization that anyone with malevolence in their heart and a gun in their hand could’ve walked into any Synagogue across the country that Saturday morning, including my own. And, I am heartbroken for my people. But I am not defeated.

Recently, I sat in the front row at the Fall Theater Production of 12 Angry Jurors, watching Juror #10 deliver a monologue clouded by bigotry (as it was the playwright’s

intentions to highlight its existence in the United States), with tears streaming down my face for the people of color massacred in the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church shooting of 2015, for the members of the LGBTQ+ community slaughtered in the Orlando Nightclub Shooting of 2016, and for the Muslim congregation who watched their Mosque go up in flames in the Texas Mosque burning or 2017.

But, in the midst of my sadness, I came to this conclusion: it is time for America to practice love. It takes courage to love one another.

But, in the midst of my sadness, I came to this conclusion: it is time

for America to practice love. It takes courage to love one another.

But there’s a reason we call ourselves the home of the brave.

Let us also become the home of the peace-bringers, the justicecreators, and the love-givers.

To my fellow Jews I say: “Oseh shalom bimromav Hu ya’aseh shalom aleinu V’al kol Yisrael, v’al kol yoshvei t’vel.” And, to my country I say: “veahavta lereacha kamocha: love your neighbor as yourself.”

Love is our strongest remedy.

It’s the only cure to the disease of hatred that plagues our nation, and at this point, it’s all we have left.

Deerfield Should Open Doors for LGBTQ+ Students to Come Out Deerfield’s visitations policy alienates its LGBTQ+ population and needs revisions in order to create a more equitable system.

ABBY LUPI

Contributing Writer, Deerfield Class of 2018 Continued from Front On top of that, in their visitations requests, they disclose the orientation of the other person as well. If others on the hall notice the trashcan or shoe in the door, both of them are “outed” to the hall, and we all know how rumors spread. Finally, technically, this means that no other same-gender person on the hall can enter their room without visitations permission. A truly welcoming community would not support this sort of alienation.

But again, this brings into question the purpose of visitations.

The idea behind having a process is to protect students from unsafe sexual interactions. But the underlying assumption in this setup is that any member of the opposite gender would only care to enter your room if they intend to have sex. Similarly, it also assumes that any member of

the same gender wouldn’t ever intend to have sex. Visitations create uncomfortable stigmas about opposite gender friendships and unfair expectations for same gender relationships.

People who fall outside the majority should not need to feel like a burden to the rest of the community. Gay people shouldn’t need to follow a meticulous and otherwise anxiety-inducing process that only further isolates them from both the hall and the broader student body.

I’ve found that many students are afraid of straying from campus norms lest they become estranged from the community. Being original on such a campus means accepting that eyes will be on you, a lot. Furthermore, the Academy’s notions of acceptable gender norms highlights Deerfield’s resistance to change. I’m a strong advocate of creating a more equitable system: gender-neutral bathrooms and, at long last, a gender-neutral dress code. The solution to visitations is a complicated one, but I believe

working towards a gender-neutral campus begins with at least one gender-neutral dorm. Visitations won’t be required and anyone of any identity can live there. This could serve as a trial run toward expanding the idea of genderneutral housing. At the very least, there can be no progress until some attempts are made. These inequitable standards have held up for too long, and it’s time to test and implement policies that help solve the issues rather than perpetuate them.

P.S. To any DA student reading this: remember that your selfworth is not defined by anybody but yourself. Continue to listen to others’ ideas and challenge your own–but don’t be afraid to challenge other ideas too.

Deerfield can be a daunting place, but you reserve the right to be unapologetically you. Let nobody tell you otherwise. If you have an opinion, express it, discuss it, and always fight for what you believe in. You make your own path through Deerfield; I know I did.

Opinion and Editorial

The Deerfield Scroll

Friday, November 9, 2018 | 3

The Death of Nuance The Kavanaugh hearings dealt a blow to nuanced intellectual discourse by turning a blind eye to the science and ambiguity of memory.

MICHAEL SCHLOAT English Teacher

When I was a boy, I fell from a bridge into a cold mountain river in northern New York. I emerged relatively unscathed, but I remember vividly the panic of knowing I was falling and that the rocks below hurt. My mother wasn’t far, helping an elderly swimmer onto the shore, and in family lore, she ignored my agonized screams until her old pal was safely ashore. Looking back, I doubt this legend is true: my mother is a worrier and, like all mothers, deeply concerned about her children’s safety. But, at some point since my tumble, the notion grew in my memory that Mom thought my injuries insignificant, and I have relished the chance to tease her about that for decades.

It’s funny—when I try to recall the fall, I still see the butterflies clustered on the bridge, drawing my attention away from balancing across its narrow span, and I see the woods tipping unnaturally as I topple over. But, when I “remember” the aftermath, I see the event from a distance. I see a crying blond-haired boy stumbling out of a rocky riverbed, running toward his mother, who dismisses him before realizing his distress.

Memory is confounding like that. I know that I fell from that bridge—no one in my family disputes that—but none of us can say exactly how I got to my mother or how she reacted. Those details are lost to the vagaries of memory.

Last month, the vagaries of memory took center stage during the confirmation hearings of Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Specifically, the Senate Judiciary Committee questioned Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Judge Kavanaugh about their recollections of the summer of 1982, when Dr. Ford says Justice

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Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her. Both Dr. Ford and Justice Kavanaugh averred their absolute certainty about what did or didn’t happen, and Senators were left to decide whom to believe. In the end, no authority reached a definitive conclusion about the events of 1982, and the Senate confirmed Justice Kavanaugh.

While neither Dr. Ford nor Justice Kavanaugh wavered in their certainty about the accusation, Dr. Ford testified that she could not remember when the party had occurred, how much she had drank that night, and how she had returned home. Her critics leapt on those vulnerabilities, questioning the reliability of her memory, and President Trump mocked her publicly. Setting aside politics and the morality of believing sexual assault victims, this national spectacle sent dangerous messages about how we discuss, understand, and incentivize absolutism versus nuance and ambiguity.

Scientists’ understanding of the brain supports Dr. Ford’s accounting of her memories. In light of the Kavanaugh hearings, Scientific American published a series of articles about how traumatic memories form; the articles are short, fascinating, and worth a Google. But that science—which reveals that the hippocampus stores central details of traumatic events but essentially switches off afterwards—was ignored in Dr. Ford’s case. Instead, the holes in her decades-old memories were exploited while Justice Kavanaugh’s unflinching conviction about his innocence stood, despite numerous, if unrelated, falsehoods in his testimony.

The message was unequivocal: absolute certainty trumps nuanced certainty. But certainty can be tricky, even dangerous.

You may recall Obi-Wan shouting at Anakin, “Only a Sith deals in absolutes!” (which, it’s worth noting, is itself an absolute).

Precious few things in human life are absolute. Pregnancy and death come to mind—one can’t be a little pregnant or, The Princess Bride notwithstanding, mostly dead. Humans dwell in the gray, the murky middle defined by nuance, subtlety, uncertainty, and ambiguity.

From personal relationships— What did she mean with that look?— to history—Was America’s use of nuclear weapons to end World War II justified?—to even the law— What, exactly, is a “well-regulated militia?”—we are awash in deceptive simplicity that belies deep complexity, and nowhere

is this more true than in the deep recesses of our inscrutable minds.

I’m sure I fell off that bridge, but years of my brothers’ and my teasing have colored our view of the aftermath. The truth of what happened is uncertain and irretrievable. Similarly, Dr. Ford and Justice Kavanaugh likely believed themselves to be truthful in their testimony, but for such an important national debate to misunderstand and abuse one participant’s honest admission of the flaws in her memory imperils a key component of reasonable, nuanced discourse: ambiguity.

As a learning community, we must resist reducing ideas and positions to absolutes.

Rather, we should lean into nuance and uncertainty, and the

accompanying discomfort. The Reluctant Fundamentalist may have struck some as un-American, but Mohsin Hamid admitted his intention to challenge dominant narratives and foreground American nostalgia. The dress code may seem anachronistic to some, but it provides comfort and security to others when standing out can be frightening.

In the end, the vulnerability of Dr. Ford’s memory made hers the more authentic account, but the supremacy of Justice Kavanaugh’s improbable certainty dealt a blow to authentic, nuanced argument.

At Deerfield we should remain committed to resisting that tide, one that seems to draw more and more Americans further and further apart each day.

America’s Pandora’s Box Justice Kavanugh and Dr. Ford are casualties of ongoing political turmoil in the United States, illustrative of a departure from our country’s original democratic morality the Founding Fathers constructed.

LILLY SHUHDA

Contributing Writer At present, our country seems separated. Justice Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court appointment highlights all aspects of division in the United States: #MeToo, political maneuvering, biased media coverage, issues with social media and more. Many choose to scrutinize the current allegations against Kavanaugh in deciding his legitimacy to sit on the Supreme Court. This is unconditionally rational.

However, I believe that the controversy surrounding Kavanaugh’s appointment means much more than just the seating of a Supreme Court justice.

Rather, the recent events of the past two weeks (and perhaps two years) have strained our democracy to the core. No matter what transpired with Judge Kavanaugh’s appointment, I fear we may have unlatched Pandora’s Box and there’s no way to secure it.

I’m not going to pretend that I know what occurred between Judge Kavanaugh and Dr. Ford;

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no one except the two parties and witnesses can definitively say what happened. However, it is clear that both Judge Kavanaugh and Dr. Ford are victims of the political battlefield brought on by both the Democrats and Republicans. It’s difficult to view either party’s actions in a positive light.

Each move of the Democrats increasingly seems to be part of a political gambit. Why didn’t Senator Feinstein bring Dr. Ford’s accusations to the attention of her colleagues immediately if it was going to be “leaked”

anyway? Why wait until after all the judiciary hearings to drop the accusation? Why did Dr. Ford’s lawyer at first insist she be heard in a hearing and then proclaim that there must be a full FBI investigation beforehand?

It’s extremely likely that these actions are all politically motivated with intent to delay the Kavanaugh appointment.

If Democrats frankly cared about Dr. Ford’s allegation and trying to find the truth, they would have brought it to the attention of the FBI and Senate Judiciary Committee weeks ago, or at the very least would have held a private, independent investigation.

Now let’s talk about Republicans: they (at least most of them) were always going to vote for Kavanaugh’s appointment.

They too care little about the actual allegations. Justice Kavanaugh and Dr. Ford are simply a means to acquire political ends.

Republicans are trying to direct attention to Kavanaugh’s calendar, the map of said witnesses’ homes in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and his“impeccable” record.

Republicans fail to recognize the emotional attachment that many have to Dr. Ford’s case and point. They refuse to see the legitimacy of such testimonies, ostracizing those who see such as of vital importance to the #MeToo movement, and perhaps to our democracy as well. In addition to this, Republicans fail to see the

problem in appointing a Supreme Court justice whose character and morals are ambiguous. However, what is most problematic is the Republicans’ promise to equally oppose the Democrats’ Supreme Court nomination when it is their time around. This behavior further divides our country.

As an eighteen-year-old, this is the type of political maneuvering I have come to know. It is the only type of politics I know. Quick Google searches can give me insight into the past: a world where Supreme Court Justices received 90+ votes from the Senate for their appointments, where partisan lines weren’t paramount, and where preserving our democracy was of utmost importance. An appointment to the Supreme Court will never again be so unanimous; it will only be a contentious affair, strictly based on partisan politics.

Division, tribalism, party over country—these are characteristics that currently define the United States. Gone are the days where we strictly sought compromise in the name of justice. In are the days where every square inch of the political battlefield will be fought and clawed for; until there is nothing left. Pandora’s box has been opened, and these controversies and partisan actions may keep it open for good.

4 | Friday, November 9th, 2018

Opinion and Editorial

The Deerfield Scroll

Kavanaugh Deserves to Be Considered Innocent Until Proven Guilty Kavanaugh’s sexual assault allegations undermined the foundation of America’s judicial system: innocent until proven guilty. Open discourse is needed to move forward from this issue.

CHIJIOKE ACHEBE Contributing Writer

Let me start by saying this: I like to think that I’m a reasonable person with generally moderate political views. I didn’t want to write this piece, but a lot of people have asked me to, and I fear that if I don’t say something explaining the view a lot of members of this community hold, then no one will.

Toward the end of the confirmation process for thenJudge Brett Kavanaugh, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and two more women stepped forward to accuse him of sexual assault.

I don’t think these allegations were supported. People have suggested that a more in-depth investigation would have helped shed more light on what happened that night. Yes, this might be possible. The FBI conducted a one week investigation of the allegations. We don’t know what exactly was investigated, or how it was done. Again, maybe a longer investigation would have helped.

But we have to go on what we know, and clearly, whatever was found wasn’t enough to stop most of the swing vote senators from voting for Kavanaugh.

Even a Democrat, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, voted for Kavanaugh after reading the FBI report.

What concerns me is that the

presumption of innocence, a core tenet of our judicial process, was cast aside in a lot of the national discourse on the Kavanaugh confirmation. A lot of people immediately said that they believed Dr. Ford and the other accusers, and that Justice Kavanaugh was a sexual assaulter.

That’s not how the justice system works.

Now some say that the presumption of innocence isn’t relevant outside the courtroom.

Then let’s look at this without the presumption of innocence. If we do that, and focus solely on the evidence presented, it still doesn’t add up.

The evidence presented to the Judiciary Committee against Justice Kavanaugh did not show, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Brett Kavanaugh assaulted Christine Blasey Ford.

Again, some say that outside the courtroom, proving anything “beyond a reasonable doubt” doesn’t matter.

Then ask yourself this: is it really fair to torpedo a nomination based on something we aren’t that sure about? For me, the answer is no. The people Dr. Ford claims

attended the party in question all say that they don’t remember the party. While it is true that one of those attendees says that she believes Dr. Ford’s allegation, she also still denies being at that party

have signed either asserting Kavanaugh’s innocence, or the truth of Dr. Ford’s testimony. I’m only going to look at the evidence here. And that evidence didn’t tell the Senate, and it doesn’t tell me that Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted Dr. Ford. There’s an old Roman principle that goes like this: “It’s better to leave unpunished a guilty person than to condemn an innocent one.” That applies perfectly in this case.

Now, others have said that Brett Kavanaugh shouldn’t have been confirmed based on his temperament and his visible anger during the second hearing. While this may be a fair point, I think some of that anger was understandable, given that he was defending himself against very serious accusations.

However, I think that he went too far at certain points. Justice Kavanaugh realized that he stepped out of line during part MARK CHUNG/DEERFIELD SCROLL of his testimony and or knowing Brett Kavanaugh, and apologized for it in an op-ed that that takes us back to square one. ran in the Wall Street Journal the I’m not going to get into the week after the hearing. various letters associates of Dr. The Kavanaugh confirmation, Ford and Justice Kavanaugh however, raises a completely

different issue. It has little to do with Justice Kavanaugh. The fact that a number of my classmates and peers were afraid to share their opinions on Brett Kavanaugh with the community is the fundamental problem with American politics today. If people can’t express their opinions without fear of retribution, then we aren’t in America anymore.

Over the past two years, all we’ve heard is screaming from both sides of the political spectrum. Nothing gets done in Washington because suddenly, it’s a horrible idea to reach across the aisle and get things done for the people who sent those politicians to Washington.

All most of them care about now is what looks good for the base so they can launch a campaign for president in 2020. This toxic partisanship has seeped into the lives of everyday Americans, and now we can’t talk about politics without it turning into a shouting match. I’ve had enough, and I think most reasonable Americans feel the same way. Here’s what I suggest. Find someone you disagree with on any political issue, sit down with them, and talk. It’s not hard, I promise. The Kavanaugh confirmation fight is behind us now. It’s time to move on, and focus on regaining the civility and the decency that makes us American.

A Woman Condemned, A Man Protected SARAH JUNG

Contributing Writer At one point in his testimony, the following dialogue between Brett Kavanaugh and Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Senator, occurred: WHITEHOUSE: Did it relate to alcohol? You haven’t answered that.

KAVANAUGH: I like beer. I like beer. I don’t know if you do...

WHITEHOUSE: OK. KAVANAUGH: ... do you like beer, Senator, or not?

WHITEHOUSE: Um, next...

KAVANAUGH: What do you like to drink?

Brett Kavanaugh’s rushed FBI investigation, uncleared sexual assault allegations, lies under oath, and intemperate nature points to the conclusion that he should not have been confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice.

Even before considering the validity of the sexual assault allegations made against Kavanaugh, I see an immediate issue with the FBI investigation that took place. The Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee requested for President Trump to reopen its background investigation into the sexual assault allegations. President Trump agreed, but ordered strict limitations on the nature of the investigation. The White House gave the FBI only one week to complete its assigned task and review all claims. In addition, the White House set restrictions on who the FBI could interview. NBC News reported on September 29th that heavy limitations had been set on interviewing Mark Judge, who was allegedly also in the room the night of Ford’s sexual assault.

Although President Trump denied the existence of such restrictions, it was confirmed by The New York Times on September 30 that they were still indeed in effect, and the

Kavanaugh should not be a Supreme Court Justice because of his rushed FBI investigation, uncleared sexual assault allegations, lies under oath, and intemperate nature. incredibly short span of time that the whole nation. was allotted inevitably led to a Some people accused Ford of longer list of witnesses who were lying because she “conveniently not interviewed than were. forgot” to come forward about Thus, I believe the FBI Kavanaugh until right before investigation was inadequate, his confirmation. But they don’t rushed and compromised, understand how hard it is for especially for the inspection of an women to admit that they have issue as grave as sexual assault. been assaulted, how much trauma More time should have been and pain it can bring to relive those allotted and more attention given memories, especially in a world to the allegations. that threatens to kill Ford and The hurried nature of the defends Kavanaugh just because investigation and the entire he is a federal judge. Despite the confirmation process MADELINE LEE/DEERFIELD SCROLL itself speaks to a deeper irresponsibility on the part of Congress. There was an alarming amount of secrecy surrounding Kavanaugh’s past record, and the fact that the final vote completely came down to partisan lines only heightens my fear that his confirmation process was influenced by partisans who simply wanted to see him on the Supreme Court, regardless of his integrity.

This leads me to my next concern – the actual sexual assault allegations themselves. Three women stepped forward with accusations that Kavanaugh committed assault as a young high school and college student. I do not believe that they should automatically be believed without the presence of solid, undeniable evidence. Yet as a teenage girl incredibly passionate about the issue of sexual assault, surge of movements like #MeToo I know that 1 in 3 women around and #TimesUp, rape culture still the world are sexually assaulted very much exists, and women all according to the Rape Abuse and over the world, including Ford, Incest National Network. And are simply not believed when they I know that it is unspeakably speak their truths. According difficult for victims of sexual to the National Sexual Violence assault to even acknowledge that Resource Center, more than 90% they have been sexually assaulted, of college girls don’t report to the let alone risk their own safety to authorities. Why? Because society come forward about it in front of asks the girls what they were

wearing that night, how much they had to drink, whether they have any evidence. Society tells girls that it’s their own fault they were assaulted. Society lets the perpetrators walk free.

During Ford’s moving, guttural address to Congress, I saw a strong, brave woman speaking her truth because she felt it was the right thing to do: not a leftwing, partisan liar trying to ruin Kavanaugh’s confirmation process. Congress’s decision to confirm Kavanaugh shows just how low its standard is for taking sexual assault claims seriously. Little girls and boys who watched him take the oath witnessed their own government hurriedly push aside the words of a possible assault victim within the span of a week. This sets the wrong precedent for our younger generation, for whom the President should be the highest role model of integrity and honor.

I choose to believe Christine Blasey Ford. But even if you don’t believe her, the fact that the numerous sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh remain unresolved should be reason enough to concern you. He currently sits on the highest court of the United States, yet his honesty and character as a person is tarnished.

I am not demanding the destruction of a man’s reputation based on unsubstantiated claims, but rather, asking that these allegations be treated with proper gravity.

The last thing I want to consider is Kavanaugh’s judicial temperament. There is undeniable proof that he lied during his Senate hearing. For one, he claimed that he was a innocent, church-attending

high school boy who never drank.

Yet as Amy Klobuchar, a U.S. Senator, pointed out to him, “You have said, here and other places, that you never drank so much that you didn’t remember what happened. But yet, we have heard — not under oath, but we have heard your college roommate say that you did drink frequently.

These are in news reports. Another classmate said it’s not credible for you to say you didn’t have memory lapses.” When Klobuchar later asked if he had ever drank so much he couldn’t remember what had happened, he replied, “It’s — you’re asking about, you know, blackout. I don’t know. Have you?”

This unbelievably childish petulance was common throughout his testimony. There were many more small lies and details that can be inspected, and no matter how small, each one of them is significant because if he is willing to say even one false thing on oath, then everything else he says is undermined. Since Kavanaugh was caught lying multiple times, how can the nation place any belief at all in his tale of innocence?

I believe that a judge should be even-handed, impartial, and courteous. But during his testimony, he was openly aggressive to his questioners, and even had to apologize to one of the Senators afterwards for his rude belligerence. Instead of acknowledging that the Senate needed to try to understand what had happened, he dismissed the entire process as “a calculated and orchestrated political hit.”

His inflammatory responses and discourteous behavior displayed that he does not have the judicial temperament to be sitting on the highest court of the land. Brett Kavanaugh should not have been confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice.

Opinion and Editorial

The Deerfield Scroll

Friday, November 9th, 2018 | 5

Justice for Kavanaugh Justice Brett Kavanaugh deserved to be appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States because of his textualist and originalist interpretation of the Constitution.

WILLIAM ABOU-RJAILI & ROSNEL LEYVA-CORTES Contributing Writers

Justice Brett Kavanaugh deserve to be appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States because of his textualist and originalist interpretation of the Constitution. Fluid interpretations lack protection for the rights of citizens, which mostly occurs in turbulent political periods.

The government is supposed to respect our inalienable rights, not expunge them during cycles of a growing consensus might favor their erasure. We think that Kavanaugh’s interpretation of refusing government intervention in the case of individual liberty keeps Orwellian legislation in check.

In the “Volokh Conspiracy,” a blog hosted by The Washington Post for law professors, Ilya Shapiro argues in favor of Kavanaugh.

He explains how Kavanaugh’s decisions preserve the sovereignty of the individual. “In a 2009 law review article, [Kavanaugh] wrote that ‘... the President does not enjoy unilateral authority with respect to all incidents of war…’

Kavanaugh …rejected executive supremacy in favor of judicial review… in Hamdi v. Rumsfeld (2004), which argued that the military can’t detain U.S. citizens absent a congressional suspension of habeas corpus.”

Kavanaugh’s analysis reaffirms the U.S. citizens’ writ of habeas

corpus, which requires arrestees be brought to a judge. In that example, instead of succumbing to executive powers that could have easily tempted other judges, Kavanaugh stood his ground. This is ideal for a judge since the way a legal document was written is the way it should be interpreted.

When this is not enforced, partisan ideas can influence a judge’s decision on a case.

The Supreme Court is not designed to carry out personal justice; instead, their rulings should align with the ideals of the Constitution.

Legislators are supposed to devise bills that address the population’s concerns in the modern day.

We believe Kavanaugh’s discernment of law is unwavering through civil unrest and resists the ideological fluidity of human discourse in favor of an interpretation that will withstand the test of time.

Recently, Kavanaugh has been accused of sexual assault

by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. We would like to address that if these allegations against Kavanaugh

are true, he should not be on the Supreme Court and he should be put on trial for sexual aggravation.

However, Ford’s testimony falls apart under scrutiny. She was unable to give a consistent account of events leading up to nor during the “assault.” According to The Washington Post, her therapy

Ford’s letter to Senator Feinstein, she said that there were “... me [Ford] and four others… ” at the party. However, she later stated it was 4 boys, Leland Keyser (one of her lifelong friends), and herself who were present. Ford also writes that she heard Mark Judge (person identified by Ford) and Kavanaugh MADELINE LEE/DEERFIELD SCROLL speaking to each other.

However, in her testimony, she said she was unable to hear any conversation occur. She also refused to provide any therapy notes to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Ford has also lied on multiple occasions in her testimony, according to other records and testimonies.

She initially refused to go to Washington to testify since she had a “fear of flying,” but, if one notes from 2012 (no mention of looks at her flight record, she flies Kavanaugh) stated that there were annually to visit her family. She four boys in the bedroom at the also has flown for fun to Hawaii, time of the assault.

French Polynesia, and Costa Rica.

Then later with The Washington She also recounted how she asked Post, she stated that there were her husband, in 2012, to put in a four boys at the party, and two second door in their renovated in the bedroom, making the home during couples therapy. therapy notes contradictory. In She claimed this was due to

claustrophobia from her “sexual assault.” According to Palo Alto City records, she actually wanted to rent the room and use the door as an alternative entryway for tenants. The records also show that the door was built in 2008, four years before the reported therapy session.

Coming to terms with reality, though, if it were possible to peer into Kavanaugh and Ford’s memories, and do comparative analysis of their experiences, then perhaps the truth wouldn’t be so difficult to attain.

However, the evidence mounts demonstrably against Ford in our opinion. Separate from any sentiments one would have towards Ford’s account, she is not credible, and it is dishonest to condemn Kavanaugh without legitimate evidence.

Without the notion of innocent until proven guilty, a society cannot expect legal proceedings to be demonstrative of justice since it is very easy to fabricate an allegation, and inversely immensely difficult to disprove.

The burden of proof should be on the accuser since without this, all people can be ended by another’s wicked semantics. In the words of Steven Crowder, a political commentator and comedian, “It’s [innocent until proven guilty] because we know that if people can use lies to further their own personal position, to advance their own personal gain for power, that they will.”

Watching the Kavanaugh Nomination Unfold On the Steps of the Capitol Building As an intern for Senator Murkowski in Washington D.C., I watched the Kavanaugh nomination play out in its early phases.

Through her unpredictable conclusion on Kavanaugh tied with my experience in the capital, I arrived at the decision that he is not the best candidate for the Supreme Court at this time.

SYDNEY COX

Contributing Writer I spent my time this summer working as an intern in Washington D.C. for Senator Lisa Murkowski from Alaska. The big event on my first day of work was the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh for the position of Supreme Court Justice. That evening, the other Alaskan interns and I decided to take a walk and very soon began to hear chants. We followed the noise until sat on the steps of the Supreme Court with the view of hundreds of protestors and supporters exchanging “pro-life” and “pro-choice” chants. For the whole of my internship I got to see the Kavanaugh nomination unfold and develop in its early phases.

Senator Murkowski is one of the Senate’s key swing voting members (51 Republicans and 49 Democrats).

Although she identifies as a Republican, Murkowski has been known to swing to the left, more so than most of her party colleagues. For example, she voted against the repeal of the Affordable Care Act and has been recently known to defend Roe v. Wade. In fact, Murkowski and her Republican colleague and friend, Susan Collins of Maine, were the swing voters that became the deciding votes on the legislation that would have otherwise defunded Planned Parenthood. However, being able to predict her vote on Kavanaugh was difficult due to her occasional tendency to be a swing-voter as well as her former approval of previous Republican Supreme Court nominees, such as Neil Gorsuch.

I was fortunate enough to not only work in her office, but personally shadow her throughout two full days; she is the only Senator that allows interns to shadow her.

I watched her interact with fellow Alaskans, press crowds, as well as her colleagues. I have a strong appreciation for her respect and concern towards those around her.

I admire the slow and thoughtful analytical process she uses to arrive at a decision. My great respect for Senator Murkowski plays a large role in helping me form an opinion on Kavanaugh and whether or not he has truly earned the high honor and lifelong position of Supreme Court Justice.

I organized my overarching thoughts on Kavanaugh and the role of a Supreme Court Justice by breaking down Murkowski’s own final statement she announced on the floor: “I believe Brett Kavanaugh is a good man... It just might be, in my view, he is not the right man for the court at this time.”

Piece one: “I believe Kavanaugh is a good man.”

Murkowski later admitted to the press that she was “truly leaning towards supporting Judge Kavanaugh in his nomination” as she viewed his

professional record.

I agree that Kavanaugh is man with impressive academic credentials as well as a solid professional record from his time as a lawyer, judge, husband and father. However, there is much more to a person than what stacks of papers convey.

Piece two: “He is not the right man for the court.” When on the floor, Murkowski proceeded to knead in the Code of Judicial Conduct Rule Section 2.1, which states that “a judge act at all times

up to. Murkowski asked, “Is this too unfair a burden to place on somebody that is dealing with the worst, the most horrific allegations that go to your integrity, that go to everything you are?” Under most circumstances I would agree that this burden is particularly unfair when dealing with alleged improprieties from the distant past. These are faults from youth that yearn to be redeemed and given time to improve upon.

However, a Supreme Court Justice is unlike most government positions. This is the highest court in the country with only nine seats.

What is most significant is that these seats are occupied by men and women for their lifetime.

L i f e t i m e .

Most other prominent U.S. government positions r e q u i r e elections and are limited by terms so as to MADELINE LEE/DEERFIELD SCROLL uphold the best representation in a manner that promotes public of the people and thus, their best confidence in the independence, interests. Although those on the integrity, and impartiality of Supreme Court have their job for the judiciary and shall avoid life, they must still uphold the impropriety and the appearance best interests of the American of impropriety.” people at heart, which is why it is This is without a doubt an critical that they honor the Code of incredibly high bar to set and, Judicial Conduct Rule Section 2.1 quite frankly, a demanding and “promote public confidence.” standard for any person to live In my opinion, the only way

a justice can promote public confidence throughout the rest of his or her life is if they have been promoting that very public confidence before they were appointed as a justice. Under these different circumstances, this includes that nominee’s youngadult life. Therefore I think that it is fair that Kavanaugh’s young life be inspected.

Piece three: “At this time.”

The last phrase of Murkowski’s official statement marks a crucial point. Kavanaugh is not right for this position “at this time.”

On the floor, Murkowski said, “We are at a time when many in this country have lost faith in the executive branch, not just with this administration, we saw it with the last as well, and here in Congress many in the country have given up on us.”

I do not know to what extent this statement rings true, but I do know that the current executive branch has brought an increasingly polarized attitude towards the U.S. government.

Focusing simply on the three words “promoting public confidence” is a concept that has quite frequently wavered with the current administration as the majority of the public has hesitated to instill their confidence in them, which most certainly becomes an issue with a strong personalitybased rule. Murkowski adds that it is necessary “that we have public confidence in at least one of our three branches of government.” This imperative statement is why Kavanaugh’s appointment threatens the concept of “promoting public confidence” to the U.S. government as a whole.

6 | Friday, November 9th, 2018

News

The Deerfield Scroll

Ben Bakker, Sheryl Koyama Back at Deerfield After Sabbaticals ALISSA ZHANG Staff Writer

Mr. Bakker: After a year off to pursue his own personal and professional aspirations, Science Teacher Ben Bakker has returned to campus.

His sabbatical were filled with exciting news, including traveling, catching up with family, and even meeting refugees.

Mr. Bakker has taught science and computer science at Deerfield since 1997. During his sabbatical, he did a myriad of activities including spending time with family, traveling to Greece to work with refugees, devoting more time to his Christian faith, and attending an artificial intelligence conference as a representative of Deerfield.

Mr. Bakker said that his sons’ graduation from high school and his father’s passing two years ago both influenced his decision to take a sabbatical. Discussing how his sabbatical impacted his life, Mr. Bakker shared, “At Deerfield, we can feel trapped in an accomplish mindset, which can wear us out.

Last year, given that both my sons were out of high school, I felt that it was a good time to take a break.

Through my sabbatical, I was able to find restoration for my soul by spending time with my mom, visiting friends, and resting.”

Even though he did take time off from his work, he still did some programming for his church and worked on the classes he is teaching this year. With his family, he went to the Canary Islands and hiked in Virginia and Montana.

More importantly, he spent time with refugees in Greece, because, as he put it, “the refugee problem… is a growing issue … especially in Greece. I wanted to learn more about the issue on displaced people. By doing so, I hoped to try and find a way to bring real issues, like the refugee crisis in Greece, into the classroom.”

One of the highlights of his sabbatical was representing Deerfield at a conference on spiritual life hosted by Columbia University. The main goal of this conference was to discuss what schools have implemented into their curriculum to help adolescents develop spiritual connections.

Mr. Bakker explained, “Lisa Miller, a leading psychology professor and researcher at Columbia University, brought to light the research she conducted that showed how teenagers who had a better connection to their spiritual life are less likely to suffer from anxiety issues.”

He also went to a conference about artificial intelligence, which discussed what role teachers have

JEFFERY SO/DEERFIELD SCROLL

in preparing students for a world where artificial intelligence could be a very present reality. There were speakers from schools like Northfield Mount Hermon, Yale, MIT, and others. To him, both conferences focused on people not just living life with their heads, but also with their spirits.

Since coming back, Mr. Bakker has been more ready to dive back into his life as a teacher. He compared his sabbatical to the baseball season— at the end of it, the players are tired of baseball and need the break, but when spring training comes around, the players get excited and are ready to come back.

Sonja O’Donnell Sues Deerfield Academy JOSHUA FANG

Co-Editor-in-Chief Continued from Front By state law, all incidents of sexual misconduct or assault are also reported to the Massachusetts Department of Children & Families.

In many of the cases that are reported, Ms. Creagh acknowledges, there are often conflicting stories, with one word against another.

“It’s rare to have a third party witness who can share what they saw,” she said. “It is maybe the most difficult thing that our office has to grapple with.”

Ms. Creagh said that students had been suspended in the past for incidents involving sexual misconduct or assault, but declined to say whether any had been expelled. She also declined to comment on the lawsuit or specific cases, citing privacy concerns.

In October 2012, Ms. O’Donnell was required to see a mental health counselor.

The lawsuit alleges that this requirement was unlawful and “unjustified by any legitimate concern about Ms. O’Donnell’s ability to perform her job effectively and safely.”

Deerfield has stated the requirement was imposed in response to Ms. O’Donnell’s inappropriate behavior with students. According to Deerfield, a student complained in the spring of 2012 about Ms. O’Donnell’s use of expletives and conduct. Deerfield also stated Ms. O’Donnell was told she had “aggressively attacked” faculty when serving as an advisor or advocate in two Academic Honor Committee hearings, providing “staunch advocacy” for students but failing to support the

mission of the school.

“We asked you to undertake counseling … to help you deepen your understanding of what triggered these incidents and develop preventive strategies,” Dean of Faculty John Taylor wrote in a letter to Ms. O’Donnell in 2012. According to Deerfield, Ms. O’Donnell agreed to attend the counseling sessions but met with a counselor only once.

Four years later, the lawsuit contends, after Ms. O’Donnell advocated strongly for a female student during a 2016 DC hearing, she was investigated for all of her conduct during her entire tenure at Deerfield.

On Apr. 11, 2016, she was found to have violated Deerfield’s employee Code of Conduct due to her behavior during disciplinary hearings and criticism of her colleagues, according to a letter written at the time from Mr. Taylor.

Ms. O’Donnell was required to attend at least ten counseling sessions, a requirement she says she protested and Deerfield claims was later rescinded.

She was removed from her duties as an advisor to students and banned from serving as an advocate in disciplinary hearings.

Her pay was reduced by 5%, and she was denied a cost-of-living raise for the subsequent year.

Following these sanctions, Ms. O’Donnell filed a charge with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, which she alleges led to further retaliation from Deerfield. She says she was subjected to repeated internal investigations, and that Mr. O’Donnell was also investigated as a further form of retaliation.

The lawsuit states that after multiple Deerfield administrators built a case for her termination, she was informed her contract would

not be renewed for the following year due to her contact with students violating the sanctions Deerfield imposed on her in 2016.

After Ms. O’Donnell learned her contract would not be renewed, she alleges, she had to “direct students not to speak to her or seek her advice” and was informed by an administrator if a female student were to report a sexual assault to her, she could be immediately fired.

More generally, the lawsuit also alleges that Ms. O’Donnell was paid less than other male staff of similar seniority. It cites as an example that Ms. O’Donnell’s pay was less than her husband’s.

Deerfield has denied these allegations, saying Deerfield faculty are compensated on the basis of their merit, years of experience, and, on occasion, professional qualifications and degrees.

“Gender is not the determining factor in assigning salaries,” Dr. Curtis said. “We have demonstrated even and fair treatment in terms of how we support all our faculty.”

The lawsuit, initially filed in October 2017, has been sealed— meaning the thirty-page complaint has been redacted and any supporting documents included in the court file are unavailable to the public. Deerfield requested that the file be sealed, saying it was “replete with allegations that are immaterial, impertinent, prejudicial and scandalous.”

The last time Deerfield faced a civil suit was in 2015, when an alumnus alleged sexual abuse by former teachers Peter Hindle and Bryce Lambert. The case was eventually settled for $500,000.

Ms. O’Donnell’s case is scheduled to go to trial in early 2019.

Ms. Koyama: Assistant Academic Dean, Study Skills Coordinator, and math teacher Sheryl Koyama has been working at Deerfield since 1989.

She is back on campus after a year-long sabbatical she took last year.

She used her sabbatical to achieve three main goals: looking at academics supported at other schools, improving her skills as a Spanish speaker, and enhancing her skills as a leader of international trips.

She traveled in order to reach these goals. She flew to Mexico for six weeks, went to Peru on a professional development trip for about two weeks, attended a conference in Colorado about tripleading, and spent seven weeks in Europe for recreational purposes.

When asked about the highlight of her sabbatical, she mentioned her recent marriage, stating, “Well, I got married. It wasn’t a goal, but it was a nice outcome.”

Koyama elaborated on other personal goals she achieved as well.

She worked on becoming a more confident Spanish speaker and prepabetter prepared to take students on international trips and be able to get students to think more deeply about the people

JEFFERY SO/DEERFIELD SCROLL

they are with and where they are in contexts of the trips.

On her sabbatical, she was able to set her own schedule every day, which was very nice for her.

But when asked if she misses her sabbatical, she said, “We are at a great school. The students are great and I have wonderful colleagues. I am happy to be back at the place I really care about and to be working with students and adults whom I really admire.”

When she was asked if she would take another sabbatical, given the opportunity, she said, “Absolutely, even though I’ll probably retire before that opportunity comes.”

Deerfield Fights Spread of Juuling on Campus SARAH JUNG Associate Editor

Continued from Front Mr. Kelly clarified that “students who call sanctuary have no disciplinary consequences.

However, students who acknowledge their use of contraband (when confronted by an adult) are required to go through the disciplinary process.”

While students cannot be randomly drug tested, there is a community concern testing policy.

If a student suddenly performs poorly in multiple classes for no plausible reason, misses classes, or has a pungent room, they can be tested.

If there is a loud room of students on a certain hall after curfew and it smells strongly like cotton candy or creme brulee, the faculty resident might be justified in further inspecting the situation.

However, there must always be specific reasons for testing a student.

have been considered a large number.

Yet this year, Mr. Kelly indicated that there have been a total of nineteen to twenty AHC and DC hearings so far. The exact reason remains ambiguous, even to Mr. Kelly.

Looking forward, Mr. Kelly noted that winter term usually marks an increase in the number of DCs. “In the winter, it’s cold and dark. People are fatigued. Students plateau, the excitement of the new year wears off, and things seem to be more challenging for some folks in terms of making decisions.”

Thus, the motive behind last year’s new Be Worthy Campaign was to help younger students struggling with alcohol and drugs.

There is research supporting that having a mentor and building a positive relationship helps students stay away from contraband.

Mr. Kelly shared, “It’s unrealistic for me to expect perfection from them all the time.”

“In the winter, it’s cold and dark. People are fatigued ... things seem to be more challenging for some folks in terms of making decisions.”

- Mr. Kelly When asked if she believed the rule change had led to a noticeable change in the amount of Juuling on campus, Ms. Creagh said that because Juuls are nearly undetectable, it is hard to tell.

In the past several years, Mr. Kelly clarified that the DC met on average between four to six times during the fall. A dozen would

But his biggest concern about the high number of DCs is that he wants students to focus more on how they treat each other, and kindly look out for each other’s weaknesses. He added, “Kindness leads to trust, and trust leads to positive relationships. I want kids to be very very conscious about how their actions affect others.”

News

The Deerfield Scroll

Deerfield Promotes Political Advocacy ANNA FU

Associate Editor With midterm elections having recently concluded famous figures, from ex-presidents to celebrities, have joined in political activism. Many have voiced their political stance and emphasized the importance of voting.

Deerfield has felt the effect of this growing push for voting and civic engagement.

Driven mostly by students’ desire to teach others how to become politically engaged, CSGC-run initiatives for political advocacy have become increasingly prominent on campus.

These events vary in purpose.

Some focus on the process of registering to vote, as many Deerfield students are eligible to vote in this coming election.

Others show students and members of the community how to actively advocate for issues that are important to them.

Science and Computer Science teacher, Megan Hayes-Golding, who has been active in these efforts explained, “The intent was to get students there who were thinking about voting in the next couple of years and maybe students who aren’t eligible to vote in order to learn how they can still advocate for causes they still care about. We educated folks on what a ballot looks like, what types of races are on a ballot, how to research causes you care about, and contact your representatives about those issues that you care about.”

Recognizing that the majority of the student body cannot vote because of age or nationality limitations, these community forums also inform students on other ways to be civically engaged.

As Maggie Tydings ’20, a CSGC board member emphasized, “Even if you can’t vote, there are so many other ways [for your voice to be heard]. [The CSGC] does letter writing [workshops on], how to call your representatives, and things that you can do when you’re under 18 to voice your opinion that would have an impact on something maybe even greater than [just] voting.”

These initiatives go beyond events held by the CSGC, as the Young Democrats and Young Republicans clubs have also hosted joint meetings, like their Change My Mind event. Alexa Brown ’19, a leader of the Young

Friday, November 9th, 2018 | 7

Diversity of Thought in the Classroom SETH THAYUMANAVAN Associate Editor

MADELINE LEE/DEERFIELD SCROLL

Democrats club explained that these joint events have been organized with a main goal of, [raising] political activism on campus and [promoting] political discussion and political discourse.

Though the intent of these events has been well-thought out and planned, some students feel that the impact has not been as substantial.

Jazmine Ramos ’20 said, “I feel like it’s good that Deerfield is trying to promote political advocacy, but I don’t think it’s super effective on campus because I haven’t seen a lot of students paying attention. I personally haven’t gotten anything out of it.”

However, political advocacy for many individuals in the Deerfield community remains extremely important to their lives.

Tydings shared, “I think that it’s really important to be civically engaged, and one way you can do that is through politics… it’s important that you know what issues you care about.”

Focusing more on the importance of the discourse political activism fosters, Alexa Brown ’19 stated, “A lot of views that people have are different, especially on this campus… I think that everyone has their own views and it’s important to share them.”

Yet there tends to be an imbalance of dialogue regarding political issues.

As Tydings said, “I think at Deerfield we tend to hear only one side of the story. Students and faculty from both sides of the aisle should be encouraged to voice their opinion to encourage diversity of thought and equality.”

Trying to grasp the reason behind this apparent disconnect

between Deerfield students and politics, Hayes-Golding stated, “The fact is, [for the students] it’s hard to see how our representatives affect [their] lives.”

For many of the students, politics may not be a priority, especially compared to the busy, hectic schedules and demands that come with being a Deerfield student.

As Alexa Brown ’19 explained, “People are so consumed by their work. It’s important to stay aware and awake, but things get so overwhelming at Deerfield to the point where people don’t prioritize it.”

However, political activism can be much more simple, nuanced and personal than many people may think.

Sharing her own experiences as an advocate and elaborating on how being engaged does not demand as much time and dedication as many think, HayesGoulding stressed “Following politics doesn’t have to be your hobby. The issues I care about are small piece of what our representatives do on a daily basis.

That’s where my interests lay and it’s very narrow.”

Political advocacy, civic engagement, and open discussion are the main goals of the recent initiatives organized by the CSGC and student-run clubs.

They have already put in a significant amount of effort in teaching students the importance of being aware and how to voice their opinions on issues that are important to them.

However, as Alexa Brown ’19 put it, “There’s more we can be doing as a community to make it easier to be civically engaged.”

BRITNEY CHEUNG/DEERFIELD SCROLL Leaders of this year’s Change My Mind initiatives, Jack Bill ‘19, Lily Davy ‘19, Shreyas Sinha ‘19, Alexa Brown ‘19, Raegan Hill ‘19, and Mason Horton ‘19 pose for a photo.

Among one of the most distinctive characteristics of a Deerfield humanities classroom is the roundtable. As Academic Dean and Chemistry Teacher Ivory Hills said, “The point of these discussions is to teach students the importance of educated debate and to also ensure all students have chance to have their own perspectives heard.”

Despite these intentions, there is always a possibility that some voices and perspectives may overshadow others in a discussion. As a result, teachers have been working to ensure as many perspectives as possible are heard.

There are no school rules mandating teachers to expose students to diverse perspectives.

Instead, teachers in classrooms are given a fair amount of freedom on how they choose to style their classes.

Dr. Hills stated, “Generally we don’t tell teachers what to do in their classrooms … but what I think every teacher should do, beyond presenting perspectives from an external source, is make sure that every student in the class is able to offer their perspective.”

Many faculty agree that spreading diverse perspectives is a vital part of a classroom. When asked about the school regulations on the matter, History and Social Science Department Chair and History Teacher Julia RivellinoLyons said, “The department itself thinks breadth of perspective is important, but I don’t think the school has any rules about it.

Teachers are expected to pursue development, and the institutional idea of increasing learning.”

As a matter of fact, one of the classes Mrs. Rivellino-Lyons is teaching this year is Honors US History, which has to follow the AP curriculum.

Her biggest worry is snuffing out this breadth of perspective, as the fast paced curriculum does not leave as much room for debate has she had hoped. History is constantly changing and being rewritten, and she is worried there isn’t much time to address all the new perspectives constantly arising.

Naturally, the issue of varying perspectives and interpretations extends beyond history.

English Teacher Christian Austin agreed wholeheartedly in the importance of the matter, commenting, “Regarding breadth of perspective, I do my best to ensure that everyone knows they may share an opinion, [popular or not], as long as it’s done so with good intentions and sensitivity.”

Although this issue is more obviously present in the humanities, according to Dr. Hills, it is present even in STEM subjects.

Dr. Hills commented, “I think it’s relevant beyond the humanities. Every student in every Deerfield class should feel comfortable in a respectful fashion, in every class, to say what’s on their mind. Even if, or perhaps even more so, if it disagrees with someone else.”

To Dr. Hills, the issue in the sciences is that accepting other perspectives is required to encourage teamwork in solving problems using applied sciences.

He commented, “Solving the world’s problems requires groups of people, working together towards a common goal. And that can only be done when people are able to listen to, and respect, each other’s ideas.”

Of course, when everyone is encouraged to share their perspectives, the community faces another issue: conflict and disrespectful disagreement. Many teachers indicated, though, that they have not experienced these sorts of problems in the classroom.

Mr. Austin commented on the matter, saying “​This type of conflict is rare in my experience.

I think that this is in part thanks to the norm-setting we do at the beginning of the year.”

Ms. Rivellino-Lyons agreed with Mr. Austin’s points, saying, “It’s extremely rare for our conversations to become disrespectful, so it is not a problem I have to manage.”

However, there is one other issue that sometimes holds back the spreading of diverse perspectives: the power dynamic between students and teachers. Referring to history essays in particular, Ethan Chen ’20 remarked, “When one walks around the dorms or the library the night before a test or essay is due, they can often hear students worrying that this might not be what my teacher wants me to write.”

However, many teachers emphasized that they in fact want to hear diverse perspectives in students’ arguments in the classroom and on my paper. Ms. Rivellino-Lyons commented, “I’m happy to get a different interpretation if it’s based on the evidence … If there is trust between a student and teacher, they should be able to look at the facts and talk about a difference of opinion, if it arises.”

Mr. Austin agreed with this sentiment, stating, “People who think differently than I do make the world go round. I couldn’t get by without them. Disagreement is healthy and productive. No one’s ideas are above reproach.”

MADELINE LEE/DEERFIELD SCROLL

Sports

8| Friday, November 9th, 2018

The Deerfield Scroll

Choate Day Through the Years ANNIE KANE

Associate Edutor It’s that time of the year in the Pioneer Valley. The arrival of Choate Day brings wild excitement, as well as the commitment to a rivalry that has held strong for decades. In fact, the tradition of travelling down to Wallingford has been happening for almost a century, even if it has not always been in Green Machines.

The first football game was played in 1922, when Choate cordially invited Deerfield to Wallingford after the Big Green requested a match.

Letters between Heads of Schools were written with typewriters, Choate’s Manager of Football Mr. F. R. Kellogg writing, “Our athletic association has been carefully considering the matter of the football game which you offered us for October 7, 1922, and we would be very glad to play you in Wallingford on that date.”

An immediate competitive bond lead to the two teams competing annually, with soccer joining the fight in 1930 and cross country in 1948.

The first record of fans travelling to Choate is from 1950, with a schedule describing the entire student body taking a train down to Wallingford.

The Scroll followed the event and described the scene upon arrival: “When the train arrived in Wallingford shortly after the middle of the day, the Deerfield boys lined up behind the Band according to classes.

The seniors came first, followed by the underclassmen in descending order.

It is a number of blocks from the railway station to the Choate campus, and the Deerfield students

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DEERFIELD FLICKR & ARCHIVES

marched 111 lines of four through town and onto the playing field.

The band drummers rolled out a steady beat to keep the cadence.”

Although there is no more marching, the commitment to the rivalry mirrors Choate week today, the article further describing that, “in preparation for the Choate weekend there was marching practice on the previous Friday and the rally that evening.

“Both activities gave the school a greater sense of unity and intensified the school spirit,” it concluded.

In a rally in 1965, Frank Boyden spoke to the beauty of the Deerfield spirit coinciding with school’s intense rivalry with Choate, saying in an address to the student body “Well fellas, this is quite a sight...Now we’ve always been noted for our spirit and support of the teams, and this tonight is one phase of our support of the team. Tomorrow we meet a traditional rival and every fella here is representing Deerfield. I hope everybody makes sure that tomorrow we’ll carry on in the finest traditions of sportsmanship, which everybody expects from us and from all others in the schools with which we are associated. We oughta have a great day tomorrow, the teams are ready, I think we’re ready, so let’s go!”

This tradition and spirit in every way lives on.

Echoing Mr. Boyden, this year’s Co-Captain Deerfield Bailey Cheetham ’19 says, “I’m excited for a day that we are expected to lose our voices, we are expected to get in Choate’s head, and we are expected to make Choate’s campus our house. Deerfield is ready to roll and Choate doesn’t know what’s coming to Wallingford.”

The evolution of Deerfield cheerleading. Sweaters may change, but the hype stays the same!

Varsity Soccer Brought Home Choate Day in 2017, Looks for Repeat Performance PETER EVERETT Associate Edutor

One of the most memorable highlights from Choate Day 2017 came from the storming of the field in the aftermath of the girls varsity soccer team’s miraculous upset. “The buzzer going off at the end of the Choate game was one of the most surreal moments I have ever experienced,” said last year’s co-captains Alli Norris ’17. “The video of it still gives me chills.” The hard-fought spectacle seemed nearly impossible at the beginning of the season.

“Last Fall was a building season that culminated in us reaching the ‘top of the mountain,’ as Erin Demarco would say,” 2018 co-captain Bailey Cheetham ’19 described. One week before Choate Day, the girls had filed into one of Hotchkiss’s visiting locker room following a 6-0 loss. The tough outing dropped the team’s record to 0-9-4 on the season.

As the winless weeks continued, it became harder and harder for the girls to relax, so head coach Carly Barbato came up with a solution.

Cheetham recounted the address at Hotchkiss: “I vividly remember Coach Barbato saying, ‘This is our last week with this year’s team, and we’re going to have fun this week.’”

The girls attacked the Choate week with a newfound purpose: savoring the soccer they had left with that year’s team.

“We were fired up for the last two games,” said 2018 co-captain Valerie Hetherington ’19. “We wanted to win for the seniors.”

The girls captured their first win on Wednesday against Wilbraham and Munson.

Returner Annabel Gerber ’20 cites the lack of conventional structure during practices as a

Girls Varsity Soccer storms the field, led by Coach Barbato, after a huge win against Choate last year.

factor behind the boost in play: “It was one of the most fun weeks of practice we’ve ever had. Everyone was able to relax more and have more fun, which made us more confident as players.”

“We were enjoying playing and competing with each other,” Cheetham summed up.

The exuberance carried over into the team’s final game.

Choate’s record was a near mirror of Deerfield’s, having only lost once all season.

The girls knew their confidence would have to stem from self-belief: “We were clearly the underdogs,” said Cheetham. “But

we all believed anything could happen. That gave us the motivation to prove everyone wrong.”

The team started warm-ups with a focused intensity fueled by their love of playing with one another. “I didn’t think we’d leave without a win that day,” remembered Ruby Chase ’21.

Sure enough, Deerfield took it to Choate from the onset and earned a 4-3 victory and a field-storming fight song to cap off their remarkable season.

“Everything we were looking to do just culminated,” said Barbato. “That was pretty surreal, and it was a great moment for the

PHOTO COURTESY OF DEERFIELD FLICKR

players.” Unsurprisingly, the emotion of the Choate Day victory has led to an optimistic approach to their games this year, and by the second week of the season, the team had scored their first win.

From the beginning of this term, the team continued to build upon the improvement from the previous season.

“We have great team chemistry,” Barbato described. “There’s a lot of positive energy. The team is focused, determined, and working really hard. It’s a great group to be around right now.”

While the team tries to take positive energy where they can,

Coach Barbato makes it a point to keep the team’s eyes firmly forward: “Our season will culminate with the Choate game at the end, but now we’re trying to get a win every Wednesday and Saturday. It’s one step at a time,” Barbato ensured, “but we know what we’re building toward.”

Choate has had another strong season to this point, having earned seven victories to Deerfield’s three.

With a better team and the memory of last year’s improbable upset fresh on both teams’ minds, another inspired effort could be in the cards.

Sports

The Deerfield Scroll

Friday, November 9th, 2018 | 9

Blast from the Past: Choate Day!

Deerfield Cheerleaders storm the field during a football game in 1984.

Former Head of School Mr. Frank Boyden addresses the student body in 1955.

Deerfield cheerleaders march down Albany road in the 1970s.

Deerfield students cheer on Deerfield Football as they take on Choate in 2013.

Deerfield students show Choate what is up in Wallingford back in 2016.

Deerfield megaphones never fail to please, even all the way back in 2008!

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DEERFIELD ACADEMY FLICKR & ARCHIVES

Sports

10 | Friday, November 9th, 2018

Athlete of the Issue: Ricardo Gonzales ‘19

Varsity Scores Boys Water Polo

15-16 at Andover

17-9

vs Suffield

Field Hockey

8-2

vs Worcester

Football

17-21 at Andover

Boys Soccer

2-3

at Andover

6-1

vs Wilbraham

Girls Soccer

1-3

at Andover

0-0

at Suffield

Volleyball

1-3

at Andover

Boys XC

Loss

at Andover

Girls XC

Win

at Andover

Sub-Varsity Scores Boys JV Water Polo

5-11

at Andover

JV Field Hockey

1-1 at Andover

Reserve Field Hockey

1-0

vs Bement

JV Football

16-3

at CHOATE

JV Boys Soccer

1-1

at Wildrahan

Junior A Boys Soccer

2-4

vs Avon Old Farms

Junior B Boys Soccer

0-4

vs Bement

JV Girls Soccer

0-5

at Andover

Reserve Girls Soccer

1-3

at Suffield

JV Volleyball

1-3

at Stoneleigh Burnham

JV Girls XC

2nd Place at Westminster

JV Boys XC

1st Place vs Choate

More articles online at

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@deerfieldscroll

The Deerfield Scroll

MADDY SOFER Staff Writer

Ricardo Gonzales ‘19 can often be spotted as a front runner during both cross country practices and meets or hard at work in the studio making music.

His dedication to whatever he sets his mind to clearly translates to his many achievements as a top runner for Deerfield’s boys cross-country team.

As a four-year team member and current team captain, coaches and teammates alike have lauded his spirit, commitment, and unwavering leadership for the sport.

Gonzales’ journey in the sport is unconventional. When asked why he started running he said, “I looked up to my sister who also happened to force me to run.”

But ever since he started, he has enjoyed it and dedicated himself to it. His dedication stems from his passion for the sport.

He commented on his passion saying, “I like running because it allows me to be free from all stress especially that of classes here at Deerfield.”

His work ethic and talent truly shine through as he is one of three captains this season.

His co-captain Tom Dillon ‘19 described being one of three captains, “It’s a lot of fun having three captains leading the team, there’s competition to improve, not only as an individual but as a team.”

The bond that is exemplified by the captains carries throughout the whole team and strengthens their team spirit and ability to be competitive in a friendly way.

New member of the team, Trey Souder ‘22 raved about this team dynamic and the way that Gonzales contributes to it saying, “Ricky’s position as a team

PHOTO COURTESY OF DEERFIELD FLICKR Gonzales races at Deerfield against Loomis Chaffee.

“The terrain we run on here at Deerfield is the best and the trails are just plain beautiful. ” –Ricardo Gonzales ’19

captain brings us together and reminds us of our goals and our main objectives, whether those are short term or long term.”

Aside from being an exceptional leader, Gonzales is also an accomplished athlete. He finished in ninth place at last year’s New England championships and is a key athlete in every race he runs.

His coach, Michael Schloat, described his season so far saying, “On the course, Ricardo has been our number 1 runner during every race, doing battle each week with the rest of New England’s top runners. It is a grueling role to play, but he has hung in there gamely.

His natural running capabilities and determination set him apart. “ Gonzales’ goals for the team going into New England’s are high, but he knows what this team has the capability to do.

His other teammate, Charlie Lewis ‘21 describes Gonzales as a “smart, well-liked leader who helps focus the team.” Despite his many successes, he is still a humble leader who has gained the team’s respect. His fellow captain, JJ Siritantikorn ‘19, respects Ricardo for his “hard work in and out of practice.” He is a friend to all of his teammates and offers helpful advice and tips when they are needed. This compassion and unmatched passion for cross country inspires all of his peers and his coaches.

Gonzales is also a dedicated athlete outside of practices and meets.

He “eats, sleeps, and trains constantly which is a tough lifestyle that he’s willing to buy into,” according to Dillon ‘19.

His devotedness to the improvement of his running is the essential factor in making him the outstanding athlete that he has become.

Off-Campus Athletics Play Pivotal Role at Deerfield GEORGE DARLING Staff Writer

For better or worse, off-campus athletics have become a fixture of the high school athletics landscape at Deerfield. Although there are many disadvantages to the demanding schedules of off-campus teams, they have become essential for high-performance.

A frequent by-product of admirable factors such as an athlete’s authentic desire to simply do what they love, to maximize talent, performance and potential, or to continue team friendships and bonds that may have formed years prior to Deerfield, off-campus athletics undoubtedly require an extensive time commitment that each individual must set aside. As a result, time may be taken away from their moments on campus, as members of the Deerfield community. It is important for athletes to balance this time with the time they take to pursue their passions.

However, there are other factors behind the rise of off-campus athletics that may or may not be so altruistic. The privatization of youth sports in which professional quality (presumably) coaching has become widely available to aspiring athletes from virtually the moment they can walk for a fee – sometimes as high as $10,000 per season – is one factor. The unceasingly competitive, all-or-nothing college admissions

process in which athletic prowess can tip the scale like few other factors this side of GPA and test scores is undoubtedly another.

Balancing off campus athletics as well as academics and co-curriculars is something trying for

can manage it.” Hanna acknowledges the challenge of missing Deerfield activities on the weekend and the challenge of related travel. However, she also enjoys the breaks from campus and opportunity for additional practice.

athletes.

Deerfield Women’s Varsity Lacrosse player Hanna Deringer ’20, who hopes to play college lacrosse and plays for the Virginia Metro club team, offers sage advice, “The key is to be disciplined in balancing academic commitments and life at Deerfield as well. Do it if you are passionate about it, but also make sure you

“I have to do a lot of work before I leave campus, otherwise there’s just not enough time…and (you have to be careful not to) spread yourself too thin as you can’t accomplish anything if you do that.”

Alton Machen, a junior boys’ ice hockey player who plays for the Springfield Rifles during weekends in the Fall and who aspires to

play Varsity Hockey at Deerfield this winter, feels that off-campus athletics requires discipline and time management, skills that are important throughout life. “Sometimes it’s difficult because we go to faraway places on weekends, but I try to get ahead on my work and do it when I am back on Sunday nights, but it’s difficult because I am a cheerleader and sometimes I miss games.” He adds that, “It depends on the sport, but for hockey, you have to be constantly skating and it’s good preparation for the season.

But it’s important to get acquainted with the school if you are new and to do things outside of sports, so you have to manage it.”

Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse Coach Allison DiNardo agrees that it is all about balance, “It takes the right kind of athlete with good time management skills.”

Ms. DiNardo notes that many student-athletes participation in off-campus athletics focuses on summer showcases that are important for the college admissions process.

Moreover, “Coaches don’t pressure students into off-campus athletics,” according to Ms. DiNardo.

She also notes the importance of Deerfield’s multi-sport athlete model which emphasizes that students participate in two or more sports.

In the end, like many decisions all Deerfield students must make for themselves, an off-campus athletics commitment is a process of weighing the pros and cons and making the best personal decision possible.

Sports

The Deerfield Scroll

Friday, November 9th, 2018 | 11

The Hard Knock Life, As Demonstated by Injured Athletes CAIO PAIVA OLVEIRA Staff Writer

With any worthwhile endeavor in life comes an obstacle that needs to be overcome. Examples of such obstacles are prevalent in our lives here at Deerfield. Whether one is doing poorly academically, struggling on social terms, or finds themselves at an unfortunate situation of events, it is fair to say hardship comes on a familiar basis for the members of the Academy. For athletes, nothing can be more grueling and devastating than to be sidelined with an injury.

The word “injury” itself causes some to cringe, and brings pain in the eyes of an athlete. Not only does injury challenge a person’s physical endurance and strength, but their mental toughness as well.

Depicting the life of hard knocks are two of Deerfield’s most exemplary athletes to date: Boys Varsity Soccer athlete Austin Philie ’19 and Football player Alex Judelson ’22.

Type of Injury: Philie tore his ACL and partially tore his Medial Meniscus while participating at a lacrosse tournament this summer.

Austin, playing for the Deerfield soccer team, recalled the event precisely. “I went to plant my foot and it never planted” says Philie; “… my knee gave in underneath me.”

Philie contains video evidence of the event taken by a parent of a teammate (Ned Lynch ’19), and

90 Seconds with Mr. Hart CARTER WEYMOUTH Staff Writer

What’s your favorite yoga position?

Half moon pose.

What’s your favorite type of music?

shares a common opinion - as one does when looking at an ACL tear live – “[It was] pretty gross.”

Judelson experienced a strained groin during the course of football season.

Though not a torn ACL, Judelson properly acknowledges the severity of his injury – “It’s one of those injuries that’s not the worst, but it’s pretty painful and it lingers [on] for a while.”

Judelson attributes his injury to the sudden shift from summer to football preseason; sprinting everyday took a toll on his unprepared body.

Recovery Routine and Trainer’s Room: Both athletes experienced a progressive path of recovery. Philie visits the trainer’s room everyday after classes, and says his routine, “changes all the time.” As of now, Philie is focusing on bringing his leg back to its original form with the help of the trainers. “It makes it all the better that our trainers here at DA are super nice and so easy to talk to,” says Philie, “As much as I wish I was back out on the soccer field I don’t hate being in [there].” He finds his progress rewarding, from strolling around with crutches to now being able to walk up stairs, he is more than satisfied with his results. He ends his day with icing and cordial conversation among fellow injured peers, as

there’s, “always a smile and laugh to be shared in the trainer’s room.”

Judelson, experiencing excruciating pain from a strained groin, first began by icing the area. He then proceeded to biking exercises, and intense leg lifts. After gaining a little confidence back and getting cleared to play again, Judelson had the urge to put on his skates to play hockey. It did not go as he expected. “It was my first time skating in about a month,” says Judelson, ”and I re-injured my groin so [that] stunk.”

Judelson began the same process as before, having to go through the same treatment all over again But the trainers find a way to keep morale high. As he recalls one Friday, one of the trainers, Gabi, played the song “Friday”

by Rebecca Black on repeat. Judelson had his own thoughts of the song choice, but stated, “It brought a positive energy to a room full of injured kids.”

Feeling Left Out:

Philie has had a mixed experienced in terms of feeling left out.

The varsity soccer team still includes him in the team, allowing him to attend both home and away games. Unable to attend practices, Philie has a special love for match-

es. Discussing his love for soccer games, he shared, “I love watching the guys compete out there, and it makes it a lot easier knowing that my peers are out there playing hard for the Academy.” Cheering, however, is not enough for Philie’s competitive spirit.

Wishing to be out on the field playing, he said, “I am very passionate about athletics at Deerfield.

I feel as though we all have a very special privilege to be able to fight for the green and white on the beautiful campus we have.”

A model of competitiveness and of school spirit, we should all aspire to have the same Deerfield principles exercised by Philie.

Judelson feels excluded at times from the world of athletics at Deerfield. “The hardest part about being injured is just watching people doing something that you love to do but you can’t.”

Looking from afar, away from the action, can take a toll on some athletes. Judelson recalls specifically when the new Athletic Center was inaugurated.

With it being the opening of the new ice rink, he said, “I really wanted to be on the ice the first day it was open, but I knew I couldn’t and that was just as painful as my injury itself.” Judelson clearly depicts the dayto-day mental struggles of injured athletes with this example.

As a good teammate, he attends practices and games to support his peers.

Public Service Announcement: As injured athletes comprise only a small minority of Deerfield students, it is vital that members of the community hear out what they have to say. Often their lives are unique, making it hard for others to connect with them. Philie and Judelson would appreciate for the community to know the following: Philie said, “I’m not a manager, I think that’s one thing I want people to remember, because if I was healthy I’d be out there giving it everything I had and playing the game I love … Just because I got injured before the season doesn’t mean I’m not part of the team. The soccer guys accept me as part of the team but I was a bit disappointed to see ‘manager’ next to my name on the roster, and no jersey number either.”

Judelson said, “One thing I’d like people to know is that our injuries are completely legitimate. Just because we don’t have a cast or aren’t on crutches doesn’t mean we’re fine.

Walking around hurts for me but it’s one of the ways I’m re-strengthening my groin so I just push through it.”

We wish Austin and Alex speedy recoveries, and can’t wait to see them back on the field wearing the Green and White!!!

Spotlight on Deerfield Alums Playing Club Sports club sports during college. Maddie Wasson ‘18, Cam Snow ‘18, Maddie Blake, ‘17, and Thanasi Tsandilas ‘18 all participate in club athletics at their respective universities. Wasson is on the women’s soccer team at Syracuse after playing on the varsity squad at Deerfield her junior year. Snow rows at

Bowdoin after never touching an oar during his time at DA. Blake plays coed field hockey at Penn after playing on the junior varsity team all four years and Tsandilas plays lacrosse at Boston College after a storied junior varsity career at Deerfield. Each athlete notes how playing a sport in college has

enhanced their experience in more ways than one. The athletic fields and boathouses have the potential to form friendships that will last a lifetime. The teams themselves are fun while still being competitive. Deerfield alum have fun and work hard which embodies the mission of club sports.

Maddie Wasson ‘18

Cam Snow ‘18

Maddie Blake ‘17

Thanasi Tsandilas ‘18

Soccer

Rowing

Field Hockey

Lacrosse

MAGGIE TYDINGS Sports Editor

There are many opportunities in your athletic career at Deerfield and beyond to play a sport for the love of the game regardless of competition level. One great opportunity to pursue a passion in athletics in by participating in

Syracause

Bowdoin College

University of Pennsylvania

“Rowing at Bowdoin was the best decision I made. I always wanted to try it as the training mentality matched what I always looked for in a sport. Rowing also provided me with an amazing group that helped me greatly through the first weeks of the school year.

In addition, everyone genuinely loves the sport, making each practice and workout together both intense, and meaningful.

“I loved playing team sports at Deerfield, so I knew it was something I wanted to continue to do in college.

Club sports are perfect for me, because I still get the opportunity to compete against other schools, but without the intensive schedule that varsity teams have. Being on the club field hockey team has been one of the best parts of my Penn experience! Because our team is made up of anyone associated with Penn (undergraduate students, graduate students, even staff members), it’s greatly expanded my social circle. We just found out that we qualified for nationals this year so we will be heading to Virginia Beach before Thanksgiving!

Boston College

I love this band called “Dead Can Dance.” Basically anything that makes me want to move.

What’s your favorite thing to do other than yoga?

Anything to do with theater, whether it’s performing or writing new work.

Pick three words to describe yourself.

Positive, flexible, and optimistic.

Favorite part of Deerfield?

New athletic facility and the people.

Least favorite body part?

Feet.

Spirit animal?

I have a t-shirt with Tina Belcher on it and it says “Tina is my spirit animal.”

Have you done hot yoga and if so, do you enjoy it?

I have and I don’t.

“I was not even going to try out for the club soccer team since I did not play my senior year at Deerfield, but getting back at it has really helped me feel more motivated and positive about myself. The girls on the team are so awesome and supportive, and we have a lot of fun on and off the field!”

“Being on a club sport right at the beginning of school is great because you automatically have a big group of friends.

It’s also such an awesome way to get to know older guys on campus/ people that you’d never meet otherwise. Overall it’s been an amazing social experience so far!”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MADDIE WASSSON, CAM SNOW, MADDIE BLAKE, AND THANASI TSANDILAS

12 | Friday, November 9th, 2018

Features

SPC and Student Council Plan Ahead MADDIE MCCARTHY Staff Writer

With the new year in full swing, both Deerfield’s Student Council and Student Planning Committee are hard at work.

Though the two groups are sometimes confused, the purpose and duties of each group are distinct.

Deerfield’s Student Council serves as a connection between the students and the administration through a group of grade representatives, day student representatives, the school president, and the council chair.

The council is responsible for advocating for school policy and supporting campus initiatives.

Deerfield’s Student Planning Committee is in charge of all of Deerfield’s event planning. They organize weekend activities and campus events, working with the Student Life Office to keep students busy every weekend.

With Student Council Chair Sophie Opler ’19 helping to coordinate each initiative, Student Council representatives constantly work on a variety of different campus-wide projects, each affecting different aspects of Deerfield life.

As a long-term project for the class of 2019, Caroline Carpenter ’19 is focused on resurrecting DANoteworthy, a student run platform that allows students to publicly share their writing, music, videos, or other creative works.

Protik Nandy ‘19 stated that he is working on an open dorm structure. Brigid Stoll ‘19 is working on finding a graduation speaker and pen pals for foreign languages classes.

Sim Bethel ‘20 is interested in bringing a barber to campus for his classmates. Christina Halloran ‘20 is working on getting smoothie bowls in the Greer Café, and Tim O’Brien ‘20 is evaluating the possibility of vending machines in John Williams. Whitney Vogt ‘20 is exploring the possibility of getting coat hooks in the gym.

Chijoke Achebe ‘21 was trying to develop a DAinfo app but reported, “The DAinfo app has been stalled because of software problems.” However, Achebe said, “I already started to get to work on the some of the ideas that I’ve had and ideas that my classmates have had,” including a potential Shipping and Receiving App. Willy Conzelman ‘21 is looking into a call ahead system at the Greer.

Day Student Representatives, Mina Liang ‘19 and Seth Blain ‘20, have already completed a day student cookout, and Blain is looking ahead to a potential Day Student Parent Network a n d Clothing Swap.

’19.

The SPC was occupied by the Halloween season for most of October, then they manage a range of annual Choate Week activities.

These plans include Deerfield’s annual banner painting this past Friday night, as well as a pep rally this week. The week concludes with a dance following Choate Day. They also helped to plan the Original Deerfield Academy Concert, or ODAC for short, which Smith ‘19 said, “We haven’t done for the past few years, but it’s basically like Fall KFC, but with all original music that students have composed.”

SPC also organized a commute to the interscholastic dance hosted

by Choate as well as Stargazing and Smores outside of the Greer within these next weeks. They are also already beginning to plan for Deerfield’s annual Semi-Formal, hosted in early December, as well as the annual Koch Friday Concert, which is in February.

For the long term, the SPC wants clubs to get involved in campus plans and eventually host events, funded by the SPC, as well as to take advantage of the new athletic space to host dances and activities.

Both councils encourage all members of the community to express their ideas to representatives. Smith ‘19 said, “We are trying to get as many people involved in student life MADELINE LEE / DEERFIELD SCROLL as possible.”

Meanwhile, the Student Achebe added, “If people Planning Committee is also hard have ideas, that should reach out at work. to any one of us because some of “This time of year is always so the smaller things that you don’t crazy for SPC,” said SPC Senior think can get done are some of the Representative Bailey Cheetham things we can accomplish.”

Ninth-Graders Settle into Life at Deerfield JEAN CHUN Staff Writer

With the end of the semester quickly approaching, the ninthgraders have each had a taste of life at Deerfield and can reflect on the contrast between their expectations versus their realities.

Overall, ninth-graders seem to generally agree that Deerfield is a place of community, noting how no one is afraid to talk to each other.

“It’s great to be in a place where everyone says ‘hi,’ especially since it’s not like that in New York.” said Ella Mbanefo ’22.

R e a l i s t i c a l l y, Deerfield and its community are not perfect, because there will always be negative people, but Maria Vieira ‘22 reflected, “I know some people here aren’t going to be nice, because there are people like that everywhere. But that doesn’t make me question my decision to come here.”

Some 9th graders also expressed surprise at the friendly closeness between under and upperclassmen.

Aoife Bruce ‘22 commented, “I expected the upperclassmen to be intimidating, but they’re actually super nice.” She spoke about how she was initially hesitant about making friends with these older students, but she soon realized that there was nothing to be afraid of.

In the academic sphere, the Deerfield workload is universally challenging, but some 9th graders have not been phased.

students only have to work for fifty minutes on a subject also confused some of these new students, who felt like they had to finish their assignments no matter what.

“I feel incomplete if I don’t finish the full thing, even though teachers say to only do fifty minutes of it,” said Mbanefo.

Socially, many new students were not familiar with boarding, and did not know what to expect.

Jasmine Decossard ’22 remarked, “I really like it. I was skeptical before I came here, but you’re with your friends and a ton of other people.”

Upon being asked specific favorable aspects of boarding life, she stressed independence.

“You get to experience being independent and find yourself at a different place,” she explained.

“You can choose your own path.”

Bruce, who lives on Johnson 1, said “I thought I would only be friends with my roommate, but I was surprised to see how close everyone in the same floor are, from MADELINE LEE / DEERFIELD SCROLL hall feeds to other activities.” like a little work, but it takes time As the Fall Term comes to a because you have to actually work close, the 9th graders are settling hard and think about it.” into life at Deerfield and starting Deerfield is a challenging to feel like they are a part of the school, as all of its students community. know. Many freshmen expected Cooper DeMallie ’22, after that challenge, but still need to being asked for a pivotal memory work hard to thrive in such an from 9th-grade fall, told this story: environment.

“There was one night me and my Vieira said, “I’m doing friends decided to go out and bring everything meticulously, because I a speaker to the quad, and we just want to do well here academically. sat there and chilled talking about That’s why I came here. But it stuff,”he said. “It was just a bond. takes a long time.”

And I just thought ‘Man, this is The workload is intense and where I belong.’” time confusing, but the rule that Elena Lu ‘22, reflected, “In hindsight, I overestimated the workload a little bit. I figured I would have no time to spend with my friends, but luckily that was not the case.”

Others, however, were taken aback by the hours of work needed at Deerfield. A few said that it’s not the quantity, but the quality of work the Deerfield standard calls for that surprised them.

Isha Rao ’22 said, “It seems

The Deerfield Scroll

Campaigning for Cultural Competency SABRINA TICER-WURR Staff Writer

Each term, as part of the Deerfield Cross the Valley campaign, the Office of Inclusion and Community Life chooses a cultural competency theme that aims to highlight ways in which students can be more culturally aware. The fall term focus is “embracing individuality,” which aims to celebrate diversity on campus.

Each focus is based on a skill mentioned in a set of twelve core cultural competency skills that the Office of Inclusion introduced to the community in early 2017.

The skills are just one part of a strategic plan for inclusion that was approved by the Board of Trustees in 2016. The plan includes measures for inclusivity that cover all departments of the school, ranging from the Athletic Office to the Communications Office.

The vision statement of the plan states, “In 2021, Deerfield Academy is a community that values and affirms the distinct identities and differences of each person. Diverse perspectives fuel creative and innovative thinking, build empathy and consideration, and provide varied skills and experiences from which the entire community benefits. As a community, we consider cultural competency essential to the pursuit of excellence and success, both on campus and beyond.”

Director of Inclusion and Community Life Marjorie Young said, “We believe that knowing, practicing and applying these skills to daily actions will build understanding and lead people to become more respectful and open to different cultural perspectives.”

The themes for each term are determined and integrated into the community by a group of 25 students known as Cultural Competency Ambassadors.

Working alongside Ms. Young and the Office of Inclusion, they seek to foster inclusive practices at Deerfield.

Cultural Competency Ambassador Emma Reavis ’19 believes that they provide a fresh perspective: “Without us, I think it would be hard to know what the student body thinks about certain issues.”

The theme for this fall was chosen by the ambassadors as a way to embrace the diversity of the Deerfield student body.

Reavis explained, “A lot of people, I think, try to assimilate to others instead of being who

they are, so I think it was very important that it be a prominent theme. It’s important to just be yourself. Embracing individuality is kind of just this idea that you embrace yourself and who you are and embrace others as well.”

Included with the theme are four skills that are relevant to its conception. The skills listed are the use of “I” statements, pronouncing names accurately, greeting others genuinely, and striving for authentic connection.

To integrate the theme into the broader community, the Cultural Competency Ambassadors have led workshops and trainings with proctors and new faculty, as well as with ninth-graders in the Village.

The purpose of these trainings is to reinforce and educate the community about certain skills that can be used in order to have healthier interactions.

“We go over different tactics to make sure that we can still have those conversations and not have animosity towards each other, not judge each other, listen, and learn from each other despite having opposing views,” said Cultural Competency Ambassador Alexia Baker ’19.

In addition to holding workshops, the ambassadors have started a media campaign utilizing posters and buttons that promote individuality. At the beginning of the term, posters with brightly colored word bubbles were displayed around campus to spread awareness of the fall focus.

In conjunction with the posters, the community was presented with the opportunity to express themselves through buttons and “I am passionate about” stickers during a recent sit-down lunch.

The campaign will also bring speakers to campus during school meetings and Martin Luther King Day Workshops. New posters and skills will be introduced to the community every term.

On a campus with students from over thirty-eight countries, thirty-eight states, and a myriad of backgrounds, the continual promotion of such ideas is especially important.

Baker stated, “It’s just about knowing that you don’t have to be in just one box. Someone can have many overlapping things that make them unique in their own way, which is something that’s really cool in shaping and learning from experience. I think our job is to get everyone else to realize that and use it to make better conversations.”

DEERFIELD ACADEMY OICL

Features

The Deerfield Scroll

Friday, November 9th, 2018 | 13

History Department Redesigns United States History 400 MAYA LAUR Staff Writer

malleable and contested concept is discussed in the theme “Identity.”

The development of “Capitalism” is another theme, expanding on how the desire for material progress shaped the American social,

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political, and economic environment. The final theme of Exceptionalism explains how America’s expansion shaped American foreign policy.

Ms. RivellinoLyons and History Teachers Mr. Chapin and Mr. Pitcher each applied for a Release Grant during 2017 to develop this course, which means each of them was “released” from another aspect of their job. During this time, these three teachers pulled a variety of sources, researched textbooks, and visited

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In 2017, the History Department came to the decision to make a radical change: a complete overhaul and redesign of the United States History 400 curriculum.

“The goal of this change was to create a course that emphasizes a few big ideas revealed by a close look at discrete moments in time, with a strong emphasis on primary sources,” said History and Social Science Department Head Julia Rivellino-Lyons.

“What has sticking power is wrestling with ideas and having to apply what you’ve learned in contemporary world questions.”

Since this course does not have to prepare students for the AP U.S. History exam, U.S. History teachers can be more flexible with the material, finding new ways to explore the course of American history. Through this method, teachers can take the time to develop in-depth conceptual and analytical skills.

Ms. Rivellino-Lyons said, “Given the opportunity to do something really different than a typical chronological based survey, we have developed something that we’re hoping will allow us to explore topics in more creative ways and to structure a

class that helps us teach students how to apply history to their role in the world—to use history when they vote, when they read the news, etc.”

From there, they decided to take advantage of the flexible curriculum provided by a nonAP course to teach students conceptual and analytical skills that AP students may not have the time to focus on.

With this goal in mind, this course was developed through what Ms. Rivellino-Lyons calls backwards planning.

“Start with something you want students to be able to do,” she said, “And then plan backwards— figure out what they need to do to accomplish it.”

“Each unit explores one of five big ideas by traveling chronologically: the course as a whole doesn’t seek to ‘cover’ the content, but asks students to ‘uncover’ meaning in particular moments, in relation to these themes,” said Ms. RivellinoLyons.

The theme of “Democracy and Citizenship” highlights the relationship between the people and the government and the responsibilities each owe to one another. The theme of “History” acknowledges that history is the stories we choose to tell. The fact that the American identity is a

Sit Down Meals: A History

classes to develop the main themes and layout of the course.

Continuing into the summer, and joined by 9th and 10th Grade Dean and History Teacher Ms. Rebecca Melvoin, History Teacher Ms. Marissa Cornelius, and History Teacher Mr. Tim McVaugh, they fleshed out the details of each of the five main themes, planning the specific and daily details of the course.

“This collaboration among six teachers, across nine sections, and this decision to work from a common syllabus means that teachers can share ideas and talk about particular classes. All 100 students taking U.S. History 400 are doing the same readings/ assignments/projects, which means there is cross-pollination among them, as well as among the teachers,” said Ms. RivellinoLyons. This year, both Ms. Rivellino-Lyons and Mr. Pitcher have another Release Grant in order to manage and organize the teaching of this course.

“A lot of times teachers have general ideas, but it’s rarely the norm to think this carefully about

“Liberty in North Korea” Raises Awareness at Deerfield CHRISTIAN ODENIUS Staff Writer

Deerfield students eating in the Dining Hall, 1971

LILY FAUCETT Associate Editor

One of the most fundamental Deerfield traditions is the sitdown meal. Gathering together four times a week for lunch and three times for dinner is a custom that Deerfield has held onto significantly more than any other boarding school.

“No one is as committed to sit-down as we are,” said Dean of Students Kevin Kelly. “We hold on to it because of the way it enhances our community.”

Sit-down meals’ most obvious contribution to the community is the venue it provides for students to meet others who they may not encounter in their everyday lives.

“I love sit-down because it gives me a chance to get to know people from other grades who I would not normally sit with,” said Katherine Hioe ’20.

Sit-down allows students and faculty members with different experiences and stories to have the chance to get to know one another over the course of a three- or fourweek rotation, at a total of seven sit-down tables over the course of just one year. Each table can have everyone from ninth-graders to post-graduates, as well as students and faculty members from all over the world.

By having first and second waiters, dish and dessert crews, and a truly amazing kitchen staff, everyone in the community buys into the practice of the sit-down.

“All of us make a contribution which allows the experience to work,” says Mr. Kelly.

While sit-down is a staple of the community by itself, several other traditions have developed from it.

One of these such traditions is singing the Evensong on Sunday nights. While the actual singing of the song has been around for decades, the swaying back and forth together can be traced back to the Class of 2016. These smaller traditions may evolve over time, shaped by the evolution of the

the whole big picture of an entire year,” said Ms. Rivellino-Lyons.

“We don’t have a textbook, [so] we’re pulling sources from a lot of different places.”

Teachers use both primary and secondary sources, including a variety of historians, Crash Course videos, museum visits, and relevant films. The class time is spent evaluating sources in groups, exploring historical events, and making judgements off of these sources.

Ms. Rivellino-Lyons said, “We’re taking some of the time we thought we couldn’t spare [in the AP course] to do many different things.”

Helen Feng ’20, a student currently in the course, made it clear that the class is not only focusing on content, but on concepts as well, saying, “We’re looking at history from an analytical, humanistic perspective.”

“The thematic system is much more effective in teaching students lessons to actually understand the roots of our country, not just dates and wars,” said Kate Landino ’20, another student enrolled currently.

“The lessons we learn widen our perspective on a sociopolitical level and send us into the world with a deeper understanding of bias, society, and anything to do with the origin of America.”

DEERFIELD ACADEMY ARCHIVES

campus. However, the essence of these traditions have embedded themselves deeply into Deerfield’s culture. According to Mr. Kelly, “They will never be dismissed from the fabric of who we are.”

“Part of the energy [at Deerfield] is the community that comes from the sit-down meals here,” he expanded.

New students appreciate the way sit-downs help them meet more people and acclimate to the community, and alums remember the significance of these meals long after they graduate.

The importance of just this one tradition stays with Deerfield students long after their time on campus.

DEERFIELD ACADEMY ARCHIVES

Korean students Mark Chung ’21 and Michelle Zimmerman ’21 brought homeland politics with them when they founded a Liberty in North Korea Rescue Team on campus.

Liberty in North Korea, or LiNK, is a non-profit organization that provides North Korean refugees with shelter, transportation, and resettlement opportunities, as well as basic necessities, to fund their escape from the North Korean regime.

Through student-led Rescue Teams like this one, LiNK hopes to shift the worldwide focus onto the oppressed North Korean citizens and refugees who suffer daily. “Our main goal for LiNK here at Deerfield is educating and advocating for the North Korean issue.” Chung said. “Here in the US, we’re constantly exposed to media illustrating North Korea through its government and militaristic agenda, and we often forget that millions of North Koreans today face poverty and human rights violations.”

As Zimmerman said, the club wants the international community “to put the people living in the country before the politics.”

Over 1,000 North Koreans defect per year, and for good reason. The United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in North Korea found evidence of the regime’s crimes against humanity, including extermination, torture, murder, enslavement, imprisonment, rape, and forced abortion. Without an exit visa, afforded only to diplomats, citizens cannot legally leave North Korea and must flee the country in the night.

The heavily guarded Demilitarized Zone, a border that serves as a buffer between North and South Korea, prevents direct escape to South Korea and instead forces refugees along a 3,000 mile path through China to Thailand.

Moving through China, escapees face other dangers. As North Korea’s closest ally, China

forcibly repatriates all refugees it manages to capture. Extreme punitive measures, such as torture, forced labor, and sexual extortion, await returned defectors in North Korea.

Moreover, North Koreans in China often cannot afford to make the final trip out of the country. As a result, refugees must earn money in unregulated, underground industries, which leaves them susceptible to harassment and blackmail by unscrupulous employers. Currently, thousands of North Koreans in China face this problem.

LiNK extracts refugees from desperate lifestyles like this, moving them from China into Thailand. From there, LiNK has resettled 939 North Koreans.

Although most choose to move to South Korea, others stay in southeast Asia or even relocate to the United States.

Currently, the LiNK group here on campus has been working on raising awareness for the North Korean issue. To do its part in this crisis, the Rescue Team at Deerfield holds weekly meetings and plans to organize several events to raise awareness for the refugees. Throughout the next few months, they hope to start larger projects, such as awareness runs, concerts, and guest speakers, such as humans rights activist and public speaker Yeonmi Park, who defected through China in 2007.

They plan on advocating for this issue both through these projects and social media, with the ultimate goal for this year being to expand LiNK within and beyond the Deerfield community, ultimately helping to spark conversations and discussions throughout campus.

They are already fulfilling this goal, as club members’ perception of North Korean politics has already shifted from the regime to its people and the suffering they endure.

Chung said, “Our mission in bringing LiNK to the Deerfield community is to change this narrative, and bring into light the North Korean people themselves.”

14 | Friday, November 9th, 2018

Arts

The Deerfield Scroll

Behind the Scenes: Honoring John Laprade

BRITNEY CHEUNG /DEERFIELD SCROLL

ANGELIQUE ALEXOS Staff Writers

The performance is spectacular.

One by one, Deerfield students enter the stage immaculately dressed and shining with confidence. Their pieces, whether dance or song, are illuminated by colorful, bright lights and speakers that amplify their actions and showcase their talent. The audience smiles, cheers, and, finally, as the curtains come to a close for the last time, the whole auditorium stands on its feet in a roar of applause.

Just a few days later, students peer into the same auditorium on their way to class. The stage is dark.

The speakers and microphones have been safely put away, and the curtains have been carefully folded up for their next use. The transition is seamless, but behind the scenes Production Services Coordinator John Laprade is working hard for the next event.

Born in central Massachusetts, Laprade has lived in the Pioneer Valley for the last 35 years, although he’s only been working at Deerfield for a little over three. The youngest of ten children, Laprade says, “We always had a lot of love and activity in our house...but we always felt that we shared an abundance of the essentials in life.”

After a childhood spent playing in the woods and among the hills of the Valley, Laprade went to University of Massachusetts, Amherst to study Plant and Soil Sciences. However, he quickly shifted towards English and Education and began studying to be a high school English teacher.

Mr. Laprade also began working in the theater department during college. This new interest led to being part of big touring acts in which Laprade built rock stages and continued to develop his technical skills in a range of areas including lighting, audio, production management, and stage rigging.

After spending twenty years helping to build a community at Mount Holyoke College as Director of Student Programs, Laprade came to Deerfield to find a different atmosphere: “I found a wonderful community already built, healthy, and growing.”

However, Laprade’s skills and wealth of knowledge would be vital in continuing to develop this growing community.

Visual and Performing Arts teacher Jennifer Whitcomb expressed that she was excited for Mr. Laprade to be part of Deerfield Academy as soon as she saw his résumé. Having known Laprade previously, Whitcomb knew he would be an excellent addition to the school: “He’s an incredible kind, helpful, and empathetic person. He’s a really wonderful human being.”

At Deerfield, Mr. Whitcomb has worked closely with Laprade on various projects, especially the many dance performances throughout the year. During an interview, Whitcomb stated that Mr. Laprade has “revolutionized” the dance showcases by tightening up transitions and putting in countless hours to prepare lighting cues and program the technical skeleton for each dance in advance so the dancers and choreographers experience less wear and tear.

Not only is Mr. Laprade mindful of the performers, he also takes care of the students running tech, or “techies,” by empowering them with knowledge and skill while also letting them be independent, and even making sure that they’ve eaten dinner.

“He’s a total wizard!” Ms. Whitcomb said. “One of the nicest perfectionists I have ever met in my life. He will go the extra distance to make any event perfect. It’s very rare we come across someone like him.”

As a dancer who has performed and choreographed multiple numbers in previous dance showcases, Quinn Soucy ’19 has also experienced Laprade’s incredible worth ethic and his willingness to share his knowledge with students, particularly in the arts.

In an interview, Mr. Laprade himself spoke about the exceptional caliber of performances at Deerfield, and his constant awe at the effort students put into their pieces. To showcase this talent, Mr. Laprade works to enhance the student’s vision, a mark of professionalism and understanding which Soucy greatly respects.

“He understands artist and

BRITNEY CHEUNG /DEERFIELD SCROLL

“He can do about anything...he built his own house!

He’s incredibly capable.”

- Samuel Watson what they need in their relationship with him as far as the input that he can give without disrupting an artistic vision,” Soucy remarked.

“He finds a way to give helpful input and be respectful of the arts.”

But Mr. Laprade’s understanding of an artist’s vision goes well beyond being helpful. Soucy observes that he also has an incredible ability to make an abstract vision a reality.

“I came into the dance department not knowing anything about lights, or curtains, or what a cyc was.”

Soucy remembered, “So, for my very first piece, I just wrote things down, and somehow, I don’t know how he does it, he can just make anything you want come to life.”

The secret to Mr. Laprade’s inspiration is simple: the people around him including the Deerfield students and faculty: “...their energy, earnestness, and brilliance...I’m moved by people of conviction everywhere, like the folks who sit in trees to stop old growth logging or take a stand against unjust politics, practices or policies. And by all those people who are portraits in courage as they triumph over adversity and challenges in their lives. There are so many sources of inspiration in the people all around us.”

Production Services Technician Samuel Watson, who began working with Mr. Laprade in August of this year, also marveled at Laprade’s abilities saying, “He can do about anything...he built his own house! He’s incredibly capable.”

Watson remarks that he has learned so much from Laprade, and, when listing some of the jobs they do on a daily basis, Watson also expressed how incredible it is that Laprade did it it all on his own: “He was one guy running the starship enterprise!”

It’s obvious that Laprade has made a great mark on the Deerfield community and beyond. Whether it be a task like sorting out, moving equipment,

communicating with people for events, organizing schedules, or even manning the confetti cannons at Cardi B and Skrillex concerts, Mr. Laprade does it all with sincerity, professionalism, and kindness.

However, while these jobs encompass his title as Production Services Coordinator, Mr. Laprade’s additional abilities to understand students and faculty alike and turn dreams into realities seems more like a magical gift than anything else.

“He’s running this school in a way that enhances all of our experiences here quietly

behind the scenes with very little acknowledgement.”

Ms. Whitcomb added.

Mr. Laprade may be a “total wizard,” a superhero, and the commander of a spaceship working in the lighting booth which Soucy described as a “mysterious place.”

But the only way to find out is to step behind the curtain and meet him in yourself! Artist or not, Mr. Laprade changes the way each and every student sees Deerfield.

Remember, as Soucy remarked right at the beginning of her interview: “Not all heroes wear capes.”

BRITNEY CHEUNG /DEERFIELD SCROLL

Arts

The Deerfield Scroll

Crazy Rich Asians Review ABBY PERSONS & CHRISTINA LI Staff Writers The recent film Crazy Rich Asians, directed by Jon M. Chu and based on a novel by Kevin Kwan, is the first Hollywood film since 1993 to have a full Asian cast and director. As of October 2018, the film has grossed over $230 million worldwide, the highest-grossing romantic comedy in a decade. Set in Singapore, the film follows a young Asian couple, Rachel and Henry, who live in New York.

When Henry invites Rachel home to Singapore for his best friend’s wedding, however, Rachel soon realizes a defining characteristic of Henry’s family: wealth. Thrust into Nick’s uber-affluent family, Rachel faces jealousy from Nick’s sisters, cousins, and, worst of all, his mother, all the while basking in the beautiful Singaporean and Malaysian scenery.

However, as with every movie in Hollywood, Crazy Rich Asians has its fair share of pitfalls. As a film marketed for its diversity,

Christina Li

I watched Crazy Rich Asians a total of three times. Sitting in my seat, gazing up at the breathtaking views of a city not too far from my own, as I took in the flowing Chinese melodies, I fell in love. I felt at home. I knew that the movie I was watching was something special, not just to me, but to the AsianAmerican community as a whole.

For many of us, we’ve grown up in America or moved here, but speak our native tongues with our parents, grandparents, and travel back to our native countries on school breaks. In a sense, we belong to two cultures at once yet belong to none at all. In fact, my mother refers to my generation as the “3rd culture.”

As a community that often struggles with identity, we don’t commonly find stories that we can relate to in the media. In fact, many of the Asians that I grew up watching on American TV were all portrayed in the same light: nerdy, shy, weird or quiet. It seemed we only ever fit into an archetype, a norm. And as I watched a movie with a group of incredibly nuanced groups of Asians – ones that were desirable,

“I felt like a part of my story was finally being told in America.”

- Christina Li ‘20 the storyline presents a less-thanholistic view of Asian culture by mainly portraying Chinese-Singaporeans, thus failing to shed light on the many other ethnic groups that make up Singapore. It’s nonetheless still a huge step in terms of diversity in the film industry, one that hopefully will herald many, many more to come.

passionate, funny, sassy, vulnerable, human – I felt like a part of my story was finally being told in America. It filled me with pride.

Abby Persons

For as long as I can remember, I have been in love with the idea of love. The fairytale. The magic.

Crazy Rich Asians embodied every aspect of that dream. The lavish life, with the extravagant parties, and a life seemingly untouched by even a whisper of suffering. However, Crazy Rich Asians is much more than a simple fairytale: while getting lost in the magic, one begins to realize it is not all parties and palaces.

As a child growing up in a rural town in America, I feel as if I was only ever told a single story of Asia. I listened as adults around me spoke of impoverished parts of China, mentioning pollution, poverty, and illness. Asia was an untouchable, foreign land to me.

Though I have since realized my faults in drinking up the words of that single story, Crazy Rich Asians allows for younger children to avoid having that singular point of view and to realize the more nuanced and more complex nature of not only Chinese but all cultures.

Not every individual living in Asia has a breathtaking mansion as the Youngs do, and the continent, obviously, is not home to only crazy rich people. But Crazy Rich Asians was meant to showcase the scenery, the fashion, the love, the fantasy of it all; it was not meant to show the lows of life in Singapore. Crazy Rich Asians, like all films, has weaknesses it must address. But it’s taking a step forward. After the success of this film, I hope many more like it will be created.

I know this film meant more than any words c o u l d express to some people.

MADELINE LEE /DEERFIELD SCROLL

Keiji Shinohara Opens Exhibition HELEN MAK Staff Writer

On September 23, the exhibition “Whispers of the Infinite” by Keiji Shinohara had its opening in the von Auersperg Art Gallery. Marking the first art exhibition this school year, the gallery invited the Deerfield community to catch a glimpse of the 18 monotypes and 8 woodcuts as well as talk with the artist.

Keiji Shinohara was born and raised in Osaka, Japan. After he stopped pursuing Physics in college, he earned an apprenticeship for 10 years in Ukiyo-e, a traditional Japanese woodblock printing style.

His master, Keiichiro Uesugi, a renowned printmaker, guided him until 1985 when he became a Master Printmaker himself and moved to the United States. For 22 years, he has been teaching at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut.

His unique artworks combine Ukiyo-e with techniques from contemporary western printmaking to convey his feelings and emotions.

Both students who have and haven’t joined the art program shared positive reactions during the opening. Fall art exemption students, in particular, were given a chance to meet Mr. Shinohara and discuss his background and artwork.

Mr. Shinohara started the discussion by expressing, “When I first came to Deerfield, my first thought was: Why don’t they have printmaker?”

He carried on to tell the his-

tory of printmaking and how he became passionate about it.

“Woodcutting is a one time chance,” Mr Shinohara explained about his methods, “it takes about 3 months and has a 9-step process, so you can get bored of it.

That’s why there’s so many monotypes [in the gallery]. They’re easy to make so it took me a month and a half to make all 18.”

Beaubien described, “His technique demonstrates his incredible patience and determination since printmaking can often be a bit unpredictable- especially with his monotypes.”

In regards to his technique, Natsumi Shindo ‘20 stated, “In Japan, students learn how to print using Ukiyo-e style, so I do know how difficult it is to actually carve and print all the colors with accuracy!”

Mr. Shinohara gains his sources of inspirations from everyday life and recalls them from his memory.

He commented, “Recently I’ve been driving back and forth on the [Interstate] 91, and I see so many things that might be on my next piece!”

Emphasizing on how he translates his feelings of a memory to an abstract picture, Mr. Shinohara explained, “When I start a piece I ask myself: What elements do I need to describe what I’m feeling.”

As for his technique with color he described, “I start drawing an image in black and white before I start seperating the color. I don’t know what specific color an area will be, but I know that a certain area won’t be the same as another. The colors then come to be like a chain reaction.”

He gave the art students advice when he said, “I don’t plan anything from the beginning, so you don’t have to know everything when you start.”

Coming from Japan, Shindo shared her thoughts on the significance of this exhibition by saying, “It would be a great opportunity to introduce the community to a completely new and unique style of art and a chance for students to get a glimpse of Japanese art and its history.”

The Visual Arts Teachers encourage everyone to visit the exhibition.

Friday, November 9th, 2018 | 15

Artist of the Issue: Alexia Baker ABBY PERSONS Staff Writer

For Alexia Baker ’19, dance has always been a part of her life. She was first introduced to dance at the age of three, beginning with ballet lessons. Throughout her childhood, Baker faced the challenge of frequently moving houses and being unable to consistently take classes.

Despite these setbacks, she still found her own way to express her passion for her art by spending time in a dance studio, listening to music, or choreographing pieces with her sister and performing for her family.

Throughout all these years, dancing for others has grown to be a significant part of Baker’s life.

“I love the feeling during and after performances. Once I’m on stage, I just start dancing.

I don’t think about who’s watching or what else is going on on stage,” described Baker.

She added, “Performing, auditioning, even dancing in class – it’s a show, all the time.”

In addition to the excitement of performing, dance also provides Baker with a certain calmness.

“Dance really helps me clear my head. When I’m dancing, I don’t have to think about anything.

It’s a stress reliever. There’s just so much freedom with what you can do. For me, dance is like meditating in a way,” said Baker.

At Deerfield, Baker is one of the rare dancers to start in Dance I and pass through all of the levels into the highest level, Dance Tutorial, during her four years here. She is a well-rounded dancer in all genres, though she considers hip hop and jazz to be her favorites.

Deerfield’s dance program and its open environment both played an important role in Baker’s decision to come to this school.

“On my revisit day, I peeked into the studio and they were doing ballet. Ms. Whitcomb asked me if I wanted to join them even though I had no dance clothes and I wasn’t ready to dance. That was one of the things that made me come here. I didn’t come prepared to dance and she just let me join,” recalled Baker.

Her time at this school has brought her numerous new experiences as both a dancer and a choreographer. Despite having

choreographed pieces before, her freshman year winter showcase was the first time she put one of her self-choreographed pieces on stage.

Deerfield has also introduced her to a unique choreographing process using the advanced technology on campus. “As a choreographer, you literally put the piece together from the choreo to the stage. You want lights, you want silhouettes, when the light changes. It’s really a process that I don’t get to do anywhere else,” explained Baker.

I listen to the dynamics of the music and think about how I want the lighting to change and make the choreography look even cooler.

Often times when we rehearse pieces in the studio, there are always some points of chores that don’t click for me until I do it on stage.

It brings the choreography to life.

“Overall, I’ve learned from the dancers and choreographers here.

Being a part of this program has also helped me with musicality and knowing I don’t always have to count, as well as how to feel the music and make movements work when there are no counts,” added Baker.

For the upcoming student choreography showcase, Baker will be choreographing the MLK day dance piece, to be performed by the Advanced Dance Ensemble.

The piece will be set to the song “Glory” by John Legend and will be contemporary, posing the challenge for Baker of maintaining emotion even during the rap sections.

“It’s about freedom, rising up through hardships, breaking social constructs, and being the race that you are made to be,” elaborated Baker.

When asked what kind of dancer she is, Dance Program Director Jennifer Whitcomb simply states,“Fierce. She’s a strong dancer.

Even though she’s a true leader and a role model, she never seeks the limelight. She’s very humble and unassuming about her abilities, which makes me appreciate her even more. If there’s something that’s better for the greater good than for her, she’ll always prefer that.”

In the future, although Baker does not plan on majoring or minoring in dance, she wants to continue to find ways to participate in dance and continue doing what she has always loved to do.

“His technique demonstrates his incredible patience and determination, since printmaking can be often a bit unpredictable especially with his monotypes.”

- Maddie Beaubien ‘19 BRITNEY CHEUNG /DEERFIELD SCROLL

The Deerfield Scroll

Friday, November 9th, 2018 | 16

Buzz

Introducing the Deerfield Doorknobs!

LILIA BROOKER Staff Writer

MADELINE LEE/DEERFIELD SCROLL

A new club on campus aims to create a place for even the most

tone-deaf, screechy, or simply musically incompetent students to participate in an a capella singing group. Essentially, this club hopes to form a group of students who are afraid to, or simply have not given the opportunity to, unleash their inner-Beyonces. The Deerfield Doorknobs, hopes to become a haven for students who are either too shy or perhaps too overly confident in their singing abilities.

Caroline Carpenter ’19 and Amanda Brooks ’19 founded the Doorknobs this year. The idea came about over a conversation at the Greer during their junior year.

They both sought the enjoyment of being in an a capella group, but thought they were not good enough singers to audition for any

of the existing groups on campus.

Brooks is on the SYA year-abroad program in Italy until January 2019, but she hopes that the club will flourish under the wise guidance of her co-founder Caroline Carpenter.

Carpenter explained that this “bad-singing club” was inspired by fond Deerfield memories: “Some of my favorite memories at Deerfield so far have just been singing with my friends, so I thought that this would be a good way to carry that on.”

When asked why the name of the club was the Deerfield Doorknobs, Carpenter responeded, “Honestly, there isn’t a deeper meaning to the name. It was just the first thought that came to our

Club Spotlight: Shriv At the Riv JAE WON MOON Associate Editor

“Meet at the Horse’s Head at 6:30 am!” The leaders of Shriv at the Riv make that announcement every Friday at sit-down lunch.

New students may be wondering what “Shriv at the Riv” even means. Unlike some students who sleep until they’ve hit snooze at least 10 times, the participants of Shriv at the Riv look forward to waking up at nright and early at 6:30 in the morning to start their day by taking a dip in the Deerfield River.

Though it may seem like a long standing Deerfield tradition, surprisingly, Shriv at the Riv’s history only goes back as far as 2017 when Ollie Hollo ’18 and Jack Brown ’18 started the club. Austin Philie ’19 recalled that Hollo and Brown believed that the club would “bring people together ” to just have fun.

The club meets every Friday morning in front of the Horse’s Head. Rain or shine students, wrapped around in towels, usually wearing athletic apparel, and maybe even winter coats, will huddle in front of the Athletic center. From there, once all the participants are present, students, lead by the leaders of Shriv by the Riv, will walk down to the Deerfield River to take a dip in the River or

maybe even swim. After the morning refresher, students hurry back to their rooms to get ready for their classes.

Some people may be baffled by the fact that some students wouldbe willing to sacrifice their precious hours of sleep for an artic-cold morning swim. However, Philie reminds his peers to look at

the “bigger picture.”

“The purpose of the club is not about waking up and going in the water but it’s about the cool experience with some of your best friends, friends for life. It’s a great memory that you can make with your friends at Deerfield doing something crazy and fun,” said Philie.

The Deerfield River holds a special place in every Deerfield student’s heart. Philie described the early morning scene as something one simply cannot see during broad daylight. Mimi Pastor ’19 reiterated these sentiments as she

said, “It is amazing to see the fog rising on the clouds as the sun is rising. It’s extremely serene.”

Philie explained that the name “Shriv at the Riv” was acutually intended to be “Shiver at the River.” However, with time, students adoped the title “Shriv at the Riv,” because it was simply easier and quicker to say; it has stuck with the club ever since.

There has been a lot of positive support from the faculty for Shriv at the Riv. Mr. Kelly along with the Deerfield Security officers make sure that the Deerfield River is not too high nor too cold for the students to take participate in “Shriving.”

Mr. Kelly makes announcements HENRY LOWE at sit-down meals or sends emails to the student body to update them on security of the club.

Aidan Philie ’20 encouraged new students to come join by mentioning, “If you want to have an experience, come out to the Shriv at the Riv. You will want to come again.”

Although this club is fairly new, Shriv at the Riv has proven to establish itself as a prominent tradition at Deerfield Academy. This Friday, think about taking time off your morning to head down to the River for a morning dip!

minds.”

Carpenter further explained that randomness of the namer einforced the laid-back and happy environment that the club hopes to establish.

Carpenter and Brook hope to make the club accessible to everyone who is interested in having a good time or maybe even improving their singing. “It’s a way for anyone and everyone to come out, sing, and just have fun, no matter your talent,” Carpenter said.

Brooks commented that the Doorknobs provide a rare and much needed opportunity to celebrate everyone’s level of talent.

“The main goal is really to let people have fun and feel comfortable NOT being talented, which is

a rare feeling at Deerfield,” said Brooks. “We will just be performing songs that people suggest or songs that are incredibly difficult to sing so that the performance can have a funny aspect.”

Annie Kane ’20, a new member of the club, loves that the extent of her singing abilities will be appreciated regardless of her talent (or lack thereof). “I love singing and dancing, but I can’t physically do any of that. To have the opportunity to just be with friends and have fun with songs is such a good idea,” she elaborated.

The Doorknobs hope to make their debut performance sometime soon. Look out for their first performance, hopefully, at school meeting or at KFC!

Surviving Exam Week MASON ZHAO Staff Writer

MADELINE LEE/ DEERFIELD SCROLL

1. Call home Call home to discuss plans for the break or simply to update your loved ones on how you’re about to ace every final. You may prioritize staring at a book for hours, but that occasional call to your parents or siblings may be the perfectmid-day pick-me-up you never knew you needed.

2. Have an existential crisis, and wonder the true meaning of life My personal favorite: Instead of memorizing Bernoulli’s equation or tracking the Kondratieff wave for the past three centuries, attempt to solve the question that has been haunting humanity forever: What is the true meaning of life? Be warned: this tip may be as efficient as the others, hence use this as a last resort.

3. Find your song Rap, pop, country, classical, or whatever you like to listen to, music will make studying a little more bearable, and you might be able to squeeze a dance party break in the mix.

4. Buy caffeine The Greer and the Koch café report that coffee consumption triples during finals weeks. Let’s try, to quadruple that number.

Essentially, during finals week, Deerfield Academy runs on Acrylamide, caffeine, 2-ethylphenol, and quinic acid. (Dr. Thomas, notice me!) If coffee isn’t your thing, tea is always an option.

5. Converse about things unrelated to exams Do not fall into the trap of taking a “break” from studying but then talking to your friends about your exam. Your conversations with friends should serve as a distraction from studying. Stay away from conversations about any exams!

6. Forget about calories Exam feeds are worth missing 15 minutes of grueling studying.

Indulge yourself with pancakes, chicken tenders, and other snacks.

If you’re lucky, you might get to hear Punisa Lekovic sing the US national anthem.

7. SLEEP Do not pull an all-nighter! You will not be able to concentrate if you don’t ge any sleep the night before your exam. Studies have shown that sleep has proven to increase test-taking skills. Try to get at least eight hours a night. It will pay off!

Although you should always strive to do your best, a single exam is not going to make your break your life. Happy exam week and happy studying (but hopefully not too much)!

MADELINE LEE/ DEERFIELD SCROLL

VICTORIA HANSEN Staff Writer

What’s your pet peeve?

People who chew loudly.

Do you have any weird talents?

Oh so many, but if I have to choose one, I have really stretchy skin. You can shine a light through my neck!

Who is your inspiration?

Favorite Deerfield Meal?

Bulgogi Tofu.

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

Ben and Jerry’s Non-Dairy Coconut Seven Layer Bar. Specific, right?

Three things you’d bring with you to a deserted island?​ A piano, a blow dryer, and a copy of Celine Dion’s “All By Myself.”

Patti LuPone.

Least favorite color?

Khaki. I know it’s more of a fabric, but I really absolutely loathe khaki.

What would the title of your autobiography be?

I actually wrote an autobiographical cabaret last year and it was called Spilled: Ben Grimm Tell All, because I’m a bit of a gossip girl.

What is your spirit animal?

A greyhound.

What is your favorite season?

What would your superpower be?

Because I have stretchy skin and long arms I’ve always dreamed of being Mr. Fantastic from The Fantastic Four.

Summer because any I can wear shorts.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Ideally, on Broadway!

On a scale from 1 to 10 how excited are you about life right now?

8 probably, I’ve been more revved, but I’m pretty revved right now.

What is one of your embarrassing memories?

When I was in high school, we had an evacuation drill. It was 1,300 kids standing in a single file line for two hours, and about five minutes in, I realized that I had to pee so badly.

After basically crying for two hours because I was trying to hold it in, I finally apprached the superintndent of the school, who was surrounded by armed police officers, and I said, ”If I don’t go to the bathroom now, I am going to wet myself.” I had to be escorted by an armed guard to a bathroom, where the guard had to stand outside of the stall the entire time.

They had to hold the buses for me because they finally evacutaed during the four minutes I was away.

Coffee or Tea? Tea always.

MADELINE LEE/ DEERFIELD SCROLL