This Month
Global Scholars - Page 5 Global focus remains integral part of classroom Valentine Notes - Page 6 Happy Valentine’s Day! Messages sent to friends and teachers
Scribbler
Vol. 52, No. 5
The Student Newspaper of the Holton-Arms School
Thursday, February 13, 2014
This Month
Sochi Olympics - Page 9 Star female athletes & Opening Ceremonies Swim Team Victorious Page 12 Record-breaking swim team united by team spirit
2014 Dubbed “Year of Reading Women” to Support Female Writers B M G & y
aryam
ilanshah
Sejal Makheja
Female authors are underappreciated in the literary world. This year, writer and artist Joanna Walsh somewhat unintentionally started the “Year of Reading Women” campaign. Similarly, journalists Jonathan Gibbs and Lilit Marcus aimed to reduce some of the literary world’s sexist nature by reading only books by women for the past year. Through the campaign, they aimed to raise awareness of female writers who write excellent novels. Part of the reason women are underappreciated is because of the past social barriers towards female authors. Today, however, women writers still sense gender-related criticism. For example Joanne Rowling went by J.K. Rowling in her Harry Potter series because she felt boys would not read her books if she went by her full fe-
male name. More often, women and girls are open to the idea of reading books by men, yet males are more hesitant to read books written by women. Even recently, Rowling used the pseudonym Robert Galbraith for crime fiction novels because she feared losing readership. The goal of Walsh, Gibbs, and Marcus’ campaign is to get more people reading books by female writers. To do this, they are using the twitter hashtag #readwomen2014 to appeal to the general public. For the last three years, an American organization for women in the literary arts, Vida, studied prominent literary reviews in key publications. The study found that in the last three years, the number of book reviews pertaining to female authors has risen little or stayed the same, hovering around 20-30% of all reviews.
Senior Seminars: Helpful?
By Jasmine Zhu
Senior Seminars aim to provide the graduating class with necessary life skills before leaving Holton’s walls.
Photo Courtesy Holton-Arms
As seniors start their second semester and approach the end of the year, Senior Seminars are increasing. These seminars are sessions outside of school time that focus on specific issues seniors will be facing as they finish their time here at Holton and move on to the next chapter of their life, college. They are a long standing tradition at Holton and there are a myriad of topics that are deemed important for students to understand before they leave the Holton bubble. These topics include financial literacy, nutrition, and various ways to stay safe while on a college campus. The lectures are spread out throughout the year,
starting in the fall and concluding in the spring. Seniors have a wide range of reactions and feelings, ranging from interest to indifference. Marissa Michaels ’14 commented, “I think that senior seminars can be really interesting depending on the topic, especially since we usually talk about topics that we don’t address in school. I think they are a good idea.” However, others are not as satisfied, such as Adia Robinson ’14, who remarked, “I feel like we could use our time more wisely, although some may be interesting. It is inconvenient that teachers assign us homework while the seminars are so late and while many are at Continued Seminars page 3
Photo Courtesy Susannah Bane
The Holton English curriculum includes a variety of novels written by women.
When polled, 65% of Holton students believed that women were well represented in literature. When asked what books they had read by women, many students answered with books that had been a part of their Holton curriculum, such as To Kill a Mockingbird, Their Eyes Were Watching God, and Pride and Prejudice. Popular series also seemed to be ones which students had read,
such as Harry Potter, Twilight, The Mortal Instruments, Divergent, and The Hunger Games. Some classics were also listed, Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre among the few. Others noted books that they had read when they were younger, like Meg Cabot literature and Little House on the Prairie. Despite the history of women being underrepresented in literature, these examples seem to
show the opposite. Some of the most popular book sagas today are written by women. Holton students’ perception of a fair and equal literary playing field probably stems from the wide variety of female authors and heroines students study in school. English Department Chair Ellen Case shared, “The Holton English Department takes its responsibility to acquaint our students with great women writers very seriously. In every grade, our girls read books by and about women.” She then noted the multiple books built into the curriculum at Holton that are by women writers, such as Persepolis, Their Eyes Were Watching God, Wuthering Heights, and Pride & Prejudice. Case also said she believed part of this gender-related imbalContinued Reading page 3
Glen Echo Park Suffers Financial Loss By Clara Ferrari & Rinnie Hewlett
Have you ever been to Glen Echo Park? This popular park is located on the edge of the Potomac River, just south of Bethesda. The park is known for its 1929 carousel, children’s theatre, and art studios that offer summer camps and classes. Many Holton girls know Glen Echo Park well, whether it be the location of a first play or a first carousel ride. During the government shut down in Oct. 2013, all National Parks were closed, including Glen Echo. The park lost over $200,000 due to the canceling of events such as weddings, performances, and classes. The many artists that work out of studios in the park were also forced out of the park. Unlike some government workers who were paid after the shutdown ended, the businesses in Glen Echo were not compensated for their losses. Though Glen Echo is technically run by the National Park Service (NPS), the majority of the programs are run by the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture (GEPPAC), a non-
Glen Echo Park is known for its antique carousel (left) and various art workshops, but during the government shutdown, Glen Echo lost over $200,000. Photo Courtesy Holton-Arms Photo Courtesy Wikimedia Commons
profit organization that books weddings, rents the art studios, and runs theater programs. Glen Echo’s history with the NPS is complicated. The park actually dates back to the late 1880s, and was originally a cultural and educational center. In 1897, Glen Echo became an amusement park with a Ferris wheel, bumper cars, a roller coaster, and a carousel (which remains). However, during the earlier stages of its life Glen Echo was a strictly segregated park. For 11 weeks in the summer of 1960, students from Howard University and residents of the nearby
neighborhood Bannockburn staged sit-ins and protests. Finally, the park became desegregated in the summer of 1961 but then closed down in 1968. In the mid1970s, the NPS intervened and took over the park. When Glen Echo was closed for two and a half weeks during the government shutdown, all the events made possible by GEPPAC had to be canceled. Hundreds of classes planned for the weeks of the government shutdown had to be rescheduled or canceled, and four weddings needed to be relocated at the last minute. Continued Park page 3
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OPINION
February 13, 2014
Body Image Fears Become Debilitating In our Sports section (p. 12), we talk about a new Dove campaign to combat girls’ hesitance to participate in sports because of their non-athletic bodies. In many ways, this seems counter-intuitive. If a girl wants to become slimmer or fitter she must overcome her initial fears of how she looks when working out in order to achieve a healthier body. But what this really shows is how debilitating low self-esteem can be, particularly in regards to body image. Girls will close themselves off to the one thing that might help them the most because of significant hesitations and fears. When Holton girls were asked what they would say to a friend going through this thought process, the support was very reassuring. The replies contained a theme of “loving yourself ” and recognizing that “no one pays as much attention as you think” to how you look. And, of course, we all know this is true. But for some people, this reality is hard to fully accept. Girls’ hatred of how they look is due to a variety of reasons, but is mostly due to the culture we all have fostered. This epidemic is upsetting because it can be debilitating. A cycle of negativity prevents girls from living up to their full potential. At Holton, we both see and talk about the power of unstop-
pable girls. It is awe-inspiring to think about all that girls can achieve when equipped with the right confidence and determination. The Dove study shows what happens when girls’ fears about their bodies become so strong: they cut themselves off, and in doing so put a lid on their potential. At Holton we are lucky to be surrounded by a healthy dialogue surrounding food. The Dining Hall is equipped with nutritious food, and girls unabashedly joke about the hordes of buyers outside the senior lounge during a
bake-sale. But we can all push ourselves to try a little harder to limit the focus many girls’ place on diet and body image. It is often goodnatured, but we can reduce the amount of times we indulge in food and then exclaim “I’m so fat!” Of course, there are negative health connotations with being overweight, but in today’s world, the vague term “fat” often encompasses anything larger than super model thin. Just as though it is now taboo to use “gay” in a derogatory way, we should push ourselves to limit the use of the
word “fat” in disparaging comments. Finally, channel all those suggestions that you said you would say to friends going through a phase of “body hate.” The advice was touching and honest; and, it can be applied to you just as quickly as it can to a friend. On its own, confidence problems associated with body image do not seem to be the most pressing concerns, but the issue is that there is a ripple effect which can prevent girls from achieving their full potential.
Feb. 6 marked the official opening of the 2014 Olympic Games, held in Sochi, Russia. The chosen location spurred a storm of controversy among many nations, especially the U.S. Meanwhile, the media has attempted to highlight the problems plaguing the area while ignoring Russia’s attempts to successfully host the Games. Early in February, a hashtag #SochiProblems was created along with the page @SochiProblems, which now has at least 219,000 followers. The public opinion of the Sochi Winter Olympics was tarnished by a fault in the light show during the Opening Ceremonies, and when it became known that Sochi hired as many as 37,000 extra security officials, the media disparaged the Games, caused an uproar of conspiracy theories, and instilled fear into the minds of both the players and the observers. The light malfunction at the Opening Ceremonies (see p. 11)
caused a media storm. The glitch conformed to the general expectation of failure at the Sochi Olympics and spawned a media frenzy of critique and even satire. One such article, entitled “Man Responsible for Olympic Ring Mishap Found Dead in Sochi” declared that a Boris Avdeyev was discovered dead in his hotel room with multiple stab wounds and signs of a struggle. The article also claimed that police were planning to rule the death as accidental and shared a quote from the supposed lead investigator saying, “Accidents tend to happen to people who betray Russia.” Many horrified viewers shared the article and some official news organizations spread the information as fact. The public was surprised to find that the article was not based on fact but rather was published by The Daily Currant, a known satirical website similar to The Onion. Other theories explaining the mishap claimed that the Russian
government intentionally caused the glitch as an insult to the U.S. Theorists believed that each ring represented an Olympic-participating continent and America was meant to be left out. While many are willing to accept the corruption and failure at the core of the Sochi Olympics, commentators suggest that almost universal access to social networking sites has potentially exaggerated the extent of the problems in Russia. While threats of terrorist attacks initially alarmed those attending and watching the Olympic Games, Russia took immediate action to ensure the safety of both the players and observers at Sochi. The Sochi Olympic security team hired around 37,000 police and security officers to take post at the games; banned all liquids, gels, and aerosols from entering planes en route to Sochi; and docked two United States navy ships in the Black Sea, ready to escort away anyone who needed
cover. It is be “the safest place on Earth during the Olympics” said Dmitry Chernyshenko, head of the Olympic Games at Sochi. Meanwhile, the media makes sure to have full coverage of the problems plaguing Sochi. After all, the threat of terrorist attacks proves a better story than Russia’s infinite means of ensuring safety to those involved in the Games. However, the Games in Sochi are not the first time the media attacked security at the Olympics. Host country Britain (2012), and the U.S. in Salt Lake City (2002) and Atlanta (1996) all took precautionary measures because of possible attacks. Although the media encouraged people to fear unlikely outcomes of the Games, these threats and attacks never occurred. The media is even attempting to encourage people to complain about the extra security measures taken this year at
“channel all those suggestions that you said you would say to friends going through a phase of ‘body hate.’”
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2000, 2004, 2007, 2010 Gold Medalist, C.S.P.A. 2001, 2002, 2003, 2009, 2011, 2012,2013 Silver Medalist, C.S.P.A. The Holton-Arms School 7303 River Road Bethesda, MD 20817 301.365.5300 Letters to the Editor and opinion columns are the expressed opinion of the author and not of Scribbler and its editorial board or advisor. Scribbler welcomes letters, which should be e-mailed to the Editor-in-Chief at Susannah.Bane.2014@holton-arms.edu Scribbler cannot publish anonymous letters, or anything deemed libelous, obscene, or in poor taste. Rights are reserved to postpone, edit, or withhold from publication anything that does not meet specifications. The opinions conveyed in Scribbler are not those of the Holton-Arms faculty or administration.
Illustration Courtesy Kimberley Kim
Slow Down the #SochiProblems
Editor-in-Chief..............Susannah Bane Managing Editors................Jennifer Guo
Noori Srivastava
Layout Editors .........Beverly Sihsobhon Carolina Wetzler News Editor..............Anya Lilaoonwala Spread Editor.......................Kate Young Asst. Spread Editor....Elizabeth Harris Features Editor...............Ashley Willard Asst. Features Editor........Julia Andreasen A&E Editor.............Samantha Beaulieu Asst. A&E Editor............Jasmine Zhu Sports Editor............Samantha Beaulieu Cartoonist.........................Kimberly Kim Photography Editors........Amanda West
Carolina Wetzler
Interim Advisor......................Ellen Case
Sochi; however, once at the Games, most people see the added security as a minor inconvenience. Despite harsh and unyielding criticism from journalists and other individuals, the 2014 Winter Olympics do not deserve all of the accusations reported on both social media and news sites. Evidence indicates that a less vocal set of attendees see the Games in a more positive light and are beginning to question the barrage of critique. Next time, before you reach for your phone to tweet a #SochiProblem, remember everything Russia is doing to make sure the Games go as smoothly and as safely as possible.
NEWS
February 13, 2014 From Reading page 1
ance is rooted in the lack of past opportunities for publication. English teacher Melinda Salata referenced the Vida study and said, “I do not know if this disparity results from intentional efforts or whether unconscious bias is at play. Certainly when I was growing up, the publishing world believed that girls would read anything, but boys would only read about boys. Often today, books by women about women get relegated to the ‘Chick Lit’ category—‘chick’ being an old-fashioned sexist term for females. “Certainly, if Jane Austen wrote her masterpiece Pride and Prejudice today, reviewers would refer to it as ‘Chick Lit’ since it focuses on the efforts of the Bennet daughters to find husbands. Of course, the novel is so much more than just that.” She then continued to note the use of pseudonyms, and stated that society did not consider it “proper” for women to write literature. With regards to the school’s incorporation of women in literature she said, “Certainly, here at Holton, we focus on strong female characters in literature and showcase female authors of great works.” When students were asked how they felt about women’s inclusion in the literary circle, one student commented that she “thinks women are not included fairly.” Some thought that the amount of female writers was acceptable for our day and age, while others insisted that writing stronger female characters who do not rely on a male counterpart would aid in boosting women’s prominence in literature. Here are some ways you can raise awareness about the “Year of Reading Women” 1. Tweet using the hashtag #readwomen2014. 2. Read a book by a woman. 3. Spread the word. By making these efforts to raise awareness about the “Year of Reading Women” everyone can increase the representation of women in literature for generations to come. From Glen Echo page 1
Dora Seagall ’16, who took piano lessons at Glen Echo as a child, thought that “it’s somewhat unfair that our government’s lack of agreement [had] an impact on people’s jobs and kids’ activities.” In addition, 16 performances were canceled, adding up to a $50,000 loss. Furthermore, 2,500 students and family members
were unable to see shows. As Michael Bobbitt, the Artistic Director at Glen Echo said, “[those experiences] can’t be made up. They are gone.” As well as the public, the people who worked at Glen Echo were affected greatly by the shutdown. Artists were locked out of their studios, unable to work and collect income for over two weeks. Many class instructors lost money, and all the National Park Rangers who work at Glen Echo were furloughed. For many artists who are the sole providers for their families, losing 16 days of income was not something they could afford. Jordan Fues ’17 commented, “I think that the shutdown could possibly have been handled in a different way, specifically one that wouldn't have put so many people out of work for such a long period of time.” After losing about $200,000, Glen Echo has hosted several fund-raisers, including one at the nearby Irish Inn. For a minimum donation of $25, those who attended received free drinks. By the end of the event, the park had raised over $2,500. Another fundraiser to celebrate Glen Echo’s cultural contribution to Montgomery County occurred on Jan. 24, and the goal was to raise another $5,000. However, Glen Echo still needs to regain thousands of dollars to make up for 16 days of lost revenue, and it is depending on fund-raisers and donations. Students can help by returning to Glen Echo for a picnic or a ride on the carousel, or by visiting the theater to see a professional production. From Seminars Page 1
Landon.” Similarly, Ashley Holder ’14 said that, “Some things that we learn in Senior Seminars are interesting, but I don’t think that forcing seniors to come to lectures is a good method.” What is the objective of these seminars, then? According to 12th Grade Dean Yolanda Keener, “The seminars are to provide somewhat of a transitional curriculum for seniors. As they leave, we want to make sure that they have a good, solid, academic footing but also some of the knowledge and skills that will support them when them leave Holton. One of the goals is to make sure girls know how to make the right choices, whether it’s buying a new car or changing a flat tire.” These choices focus on essential subjects that play an important role in college experiences and aim to equip girls with “real
world experience” before they leave Holton’s walls. Keener explained some of the essential subjects. She said, “Financial literacy is obviously a big one. We want to make sure students are independent and wise about risks, knowing what they are. Date rape is another one. We try to teach students how to act on their choices in an educated way. Nutrition used to be one too, the importance of making healthy choices when busy in college.” Holton is not the only independent school in the area which conducts these informational seminars. Landon also holds lectures to inform its students about such topics. However, Keener explained that “the basic difference is that Landon seminars are made up of speakers. They are part of the Brinkley Lecture Series. Holton is the only school that is invited. Ours is primarily for Holton students, but when we have the date rape seminar, [Upper School Guidance Counselor Annette] Levitine-Woodside has extended an invitation to other schools as well.” Thus, Holton students can benefit from not only Holton-held and organized seminars but also the Landon lectures and speakers. The first Senior Seminar of the year with Landon was about how to be active and informed about politics as young adults. There are always a few changes made to the seminars over the years to make them more useful in the future. Keener said, “Every year we review what seminars actually work based on the feedback we get from seniors. We evaluate them but we try not to change too much because we feel the topics we highlight are very important for seniors. We used to do a selfdefense seminar and that’s the seminar I am currently working on to bring back. It also depends on the individual class, so we want to make the seminars fit that class as well.” Responding to some of the criticism Keener noted, “The challenge is always time and scheduling. Each year we get better at planning everything, but that is always the difficulty.” When questioned whether she believes these seminars are truly beneficial and useful, she responded, “I do think they are helpful. I think that we do have a responsibility as an institution to make sure that we provide opportunities for our young women to have as full an experience as possible when they leave Holton.”
Holton Happenings
3
Photo Courtesy Cecily Spindel
The victorious It’s Academic team, featuring Kayla Moffett ’14, Megan Horey ’14, and Glenda Smerin ’15, relax after a difficult game on Sat., Feb. 8. The team beat Churchill High School and Annandale High School. The team will play in the semi-finals later this year. -----
Photo Courtesy Blair Greenwald
Varsity Ice Hockey seniors Greer Korengold (left) and Blair Greenwald pose with the trophy won on Fri., Feb. 7 in the State Championship. -----
Photo Courtesy Holton-Arms
Holton celebrated its birthday on Tues., Feb. 11. Girls enjoyed pizza and cupcakes while Hot 99.5 DJ Chris Styles provided musical accompaniment. ----From Fri., Feb. 7-Sat., Feb. 8, Holton swimmers Alexis LeMone ’16, Megan Barpoulis ’15, Emma Raynor ’14, Sally Huizinga ’14, Caroline McTaggart ’15, Isabelle Jubin ’15, and Sydney Mathis ’17 competed in the Metros Swim Meet, which includes all of the area’s top swimmers.
Holton Creates a Class
Community Explores Different Cultures at Mosaic By Ashley Willard
“To me, Mosaic means breaking through the ignorance that we all have built up inside of us and learning more about other cultures,” shared Christina Hogg ’17, capturing one important aspect of Holton-Arms Mosaic, which took place this year on Jan. 30. Every year, members of the Holton-Arms community gather to experience the cultures of the world at Mosaic. Families from a variety of cultural backgrounds supply dishes from their native countries and educate faculty, parents, and students on their traditions, history, and culture. Mosaic provides students with both greater cultural appreciation and a sense of community. Cecily Spindel ’14 shared, “Mosaic is one of the few times when the entire school comes together. It helps build the bonds between the divisions.” “Mosaic just gets better every year,” shared Upper School Director Lisa Pence. She continued, “It’s such a happy event. Even this year, when we have been treated to such good food
every day, my mouth started watering as soon as I came out of the stairwell in the Middle School hallway because the aroma wafting up from the gym was so rich!”
--“Mosaic is a great combination of food and culture.” ---
Victoria Powell ’17 admitted that she found the delicious food and captivating performances to be the most exciting parts of the event. She exclaimed, “Mosaic is a great time for everyone to experience different cultures and have fun with friends!” “Mosaic is a great combination of food and culture,” noted Johanna Garfinkel ’15, sharing Powell’s sentiment. She continued, “I like how people can learn about cultures they wouldn’t otherwise have known about.”
Photos Courtesy Holton-Arms
(From L-R): The Chinese Dragon, led in by the Lower School, begins the Mosaic performances; the India table boasts a variety of Indian cuisine; and cultural performances provide entertainment throughout the night. Garfinkel revealed that the popularity of the Israel table made her “feel really proud” of who she is. She added, “It’s nice to see one’s culture on display and to be able to share it with others.” Many students agreed that experiencing a variety of cultures is essential. Ellie Curie ’15 summarized public opinion, stating, “It’s really important for us to celebrate our own and different cultures, and it is great that Holton provides an opportunity for us to do so through Mosaic.” The event was an almost universal success and drew very
few criticisms. Although Pence noted that “the biggest ‘draws’ should fill the corners so the smaller fish can get some attention too,” she said that she was genuinely delighted by the event. Noelle Dayal ’15, capturing the overall communal sentiment, said, “I think that Mosaic is a very special school event and I hope that the tradition never ends!” Some of the performance highlights included a traditional dance by the Chinese exchange students and a performance of
the “Mosaic Song” from the 3rd graders and seniors. The song contains messages of acceptance and appreciation for other cultures. Performance highlights also included two traditional Indian dances from the Holton seniors who went on a Junior Journey to India this past summer. Spindel, who was part of the Indian dance, said “It was so great to be able to perform what we learned in India in front of the Holton community at an event that is all about accepting other cultures.”
Model U.N. Encourages Global Activism Among Students
By Hannah Maydanik
The Holton-Arms Model United Nations Club will attend the North American Invitational Model United Nations Meet (NAIMUN) from Feb. 13-15 at the Washington Hilton near Dupont Circle. Thousands of students will participate in this meet, but only 24 Holton girls can attend out of the 40 plus who joined Model U.N. Model U.N. is a mock United Nations club that has meetings and debates during the school year. Members attend meets with other students from around the U.S. Ksenia Ovcharenko ’16 said, “I joined the Model United Nations Club because I believed that it would be a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the world in a fun way, while improving my public speaking and leadership skills, and in the end, I was right. “Model U.N. has so many great aspects to it: you learn about contentious current and historic global situations, you work with highly-intellectual students from
Photo Courtesy Holton-Arms
Holton’s Model United Nation’s team poses while at the William & Mary Model U.N. Meet in November. around America, and you gain a points accumulated throughout considerable amount of confi- the year. Points are achieved through consistent attendance, dence in public speaking.” Caroline McDonald ’16 dedication to the club, and exceljoined Model U.N. because she lent work at previous meets. At the NAIMUN meet, stuhas “always been interested in foreign affairs. Model U.N. dents break into smaller groups, seemed like a great way to learn known as committees, where about them and the processes they discuss international issues that organizations, like the United from their country’s point of Nations, go through to try to re- view. Students work with other students, known as delegates, and solve certain issues.” Senior Sammi Stroman pre- make resolutions. Topics at this year’s NAIpared the club for NAIMUN, overseeing committee assign- Holton include weapon control, ments, registration, and meeting adolescent health care, child labor and chemical warfare. planning. Before the meet, each stuThe 24 Holton girls are chosen by a tabulation of NAIMUN dent researches a topic from her
country’s point of view. Outside Non-Government Organizations sometimes give speeches at NAIMUN to encourage delegates and help with real-world application. Model U.N. President Mary Sheers ’14 joined Model U.N. “for a chance to learn debate and public-speaking skills. [She loves] that Model U.N. provides an opportunity for students to meet international students and debate global issues.” Model U.N. helps students understand what is happening in the world and encourages them to think of ways these issues can be resolved. Model U.N. has had two meets earlier this year: HAMUN and WMHSMUN. Holton hosted HAMUN (Holton-Arms Model United Nations Meet) in October and student members ran the meet, which junior Mira Gill oversaw. The College of William & Mary hosted WMHSMUN in November. For many students, WMHSMUN was their favorite meet because it was their first
meet at a different school with many other delegates.
--“Model U.N. helps students understand what is happening in the world.” ---
During the upcoming meet, spread out over the long weekend, Holton students will remain downtown and spend the majority of their weekend debating topics in lengthy committee sessions, the discussions broken up by meal breaks to re-group with friends. However, students will also have time to hear from prominent speakers from NGOs, talk with Georgetown University students (who run the meet), and attend a delegate dance.
ss Global of Gl bal Sch lars Focus Found in Classroom By Carlin Pappas
Over the past few years, Holton has expanded its focus on global issues in the classroom. Many disciplines taught at Holton have global goals, such as the foreign language and history classes. However, three courses in particular, AP Environmental Science (APES), “What is Religion?,” and Global Perspectives, have a strong global focus incorporated into the curriculum. Each class is under a different branch of study, but their objectives circle back Photo Courtesy Cecily Spindel to raising students’ cultural IQs and Teacher Elizabeth Buko leads a discussion in global competence. “What is Religion?” APES is a very popular AP taken at Holton. Senior Keara Scalan is core concepts of the main religions a student in one of the APES class- of the world: Hinduism, Buddhism, es. She shared, “In class, we study Sikhism, Islam, Judaism, and Christihumans’ impact on their environ- anity. We learn the history, traditions, ment, and discuss sustainability and and culture associated with them. energy use. Global focus is a huge “Global focus is really important part of the class since we study local in this class because we learn about and global environments.” being more accepting and aware of Through environmental stud- religious differences found all around ies, students are prepared to face the us.” The idea of tolerance embodies world’s climate issues and formulate the vision of the course. creative solutions to coping with Holton’s Global Education proglobal warming, natural disasters, gram began nine years ago. Since and many other pressing issues. then, many girls have embarked on Ashley Morefield ’14 is a student journeys to India, Senegal, Rwanin Elizabeth Buko’s “What is Reli- da, and Costa Rica. Two years ago, gion?” course. When asked to talk Holton ushered in a Global Perspecabout the class Morefield said, “In tives course to prepare the future ‘What is Religion?’ we focus on the travelers. Melissa Brown, head of the
Across the Globe
Global Ed Destinations & their Focus
-Rwanda: Travelers study government & women’s roles in society in the capital of Kigali & the rural village of Gashora. -Costa Rica: Students observe the relationship between citizens and their environment. -Senegal: Travelers examine education & women’s roles. -India: Girls note the role of religion in government & daily life. -France & Spain: Separate immersion trips to study language and culture. -China: In its first year, students will observe the role of education in China’s rich & lengthy history.
Global Education program, strives to educate her students on the eight millennium goals created by the United Nations and how they can be applied to the future host countries. Through exploring the most pressing economic, religious, environmental, and cultural issues she hopes to “educate and inspire her students to take something they are really passionate about and make a positive influence in communities around the world.” The Global Perspectives course allows students to make connections among their academic disciplines and synthesize their knowledge orally through conversations, and also privately through journaling. The Global Perspectives class is required in order to participate in a “Junior Journey” to one of the aforementioned countries. The dynamic and exciting units of the course allow students to be well prepared global citizens when they go abroad in the summer. Together APES, “What is Religion?,” and Global Perspectives exemplify Holton’s mission of cultivating the unique potential of young women through the “education not only of the mind, but of the soul and spirit.” Through these courses, Holton girls are able to become globally competent and accepting of differences encountered around the world.
Millennium Development Goals
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are used in the many classes with a global focus (see left). The eight goals were established by the United Nations to better the quality of life for everyone around the world.
Global Scholar Distinction Applauds Dedication
By Maddie Krips & Cecily Spindel
A new program in Upper School offers students involved in Global Education an opportunity for recognition. The Global Scholars program recognizes, upon graduation, seniors who have fulfilled certain criteria. The list includes travelling on a Junior Journey, having a Senior Project focused on a Millennium Development Goal, and taking the Global Perspectives Course, to name a few requirements. This will be the first year that Global Scholars are announced. Requirements focus on the Millennium Development Goals and Globalization. For example, the Senior Project requirement allows students to apply what they have learned in the Global Perspectives course to real world situations. Students who are interested in becoming a Global Scholar should begin planning early, as some requirements cannot be completed in senior year. These include signing up at the end of
10th grade for the Global Perspectives class. Lizi King ’16 would like to become a Global Scholar because she wants “to have more knowledge about cultures from other countries.” Similarly, sophomore Hannah Maydanik says that she wants to receive the award because she “likes to travel and experience other cultures.” Many seniors are excited for this new award. Sammi Stroman ’14 is looking forward to becoming a Global Scholar because she wants “to be recognized for her dedication to global studies.” Emma Raynor ’14 shared, “having spent the majority of my life overseas, I know that having a focus on global communities is important.” However, other seniors are not pursuing Global Scholars. Some do not see the value of receiving a new award on graduation. Only 30 students are applicants this year despite over half of the Class of 2014 traveling on a Global Education trip this past summer. Tori Buchanan ’14 will not be pursuing it “because she wants to spend her senior project time
completing a project which she finds more self-fulfilling.” The program is still fairly unknown throughout the school. For example, sophomore Ashley Nobi is “unaware of the requirements that [she] must fulfill,” but is interested in learning more. Director of Global Education Melissa Brown believes that Global Scholars will gain followers through the “students, the department chairs, and itself. Underclassmen will see that Global Scholars is about making connections and becoming a competent communicator and citizen.” Dr. Lara Wulff, Chair of the History Department, sees the Global Scholars program as a “culmination of the philosophy that [Holton] has been articulating for many years.” Brown is excited for the program to “get kids thinking about their careers and how their careers fit into the global picture.” The Global Scholars program bolsters the Global Education department, and many are excited to see how the program will evolve in the future.
Dear Holton,
Happy Vale Dear Mama Wulff, You’re a better leader than Bismarck. Xoxo, Wulff Pack
Dear HASwim Are you the black line? Cause I’ve been staring at you all day. Love, tus capitanos
Dear BZB, We’re still obsessed with that wagon you’re draggin’, always remember to not be a slug, and love us forever and ever. -Captains 2 & 3
Dear Mrs. Keener, Thank you for everything. xoxo, 2014
Dear Hallie, This is the last Valentine’s Day we’ll have together. I LOVE YOU & I’ll miss you next year. P.S.: You’ll always be the coxswain in my head in 2Ks. Love, Claire Mrs. Takis, Roses are red, Violets are blue, Stats is so, so hard, But we still love you! -Your AP Stats class
My loveliest Susan, I don’t believe in the zodiac, but it seems to me that you are compatible with a certain Leo. With all my love, Leonardo Di Caprio (P.S. There’s a double meaning in my message) To Sydney Mathis: “The All Knowing” ;) Happy Valentine’s Day! From: Erin
Six of ’15. Walking one by one until faces seen Came six of the class of twenty-fifteen How could I know; How could I tell I’d love these girls; Our group would gel Already the calendar is showing ’14 I can’t miss a minute of my 6 of ’15 Lisa-Anne Barrow; Kate Feinerman too These are MY girls and love them I do! Carly and Rachel and Ysa, you three The greatest advisees; just perfect for me See me laughing, holding my bones?? No worries, it’s me and Emily Jones My oh My I am very keen HVD to 6 of ’15
entine’s Day! Love, The Scribbler Staff To Ashley Morefield: Happy Valentine’s day! I love you, baby! If nothing else gets to you today, know that "ya look gooood." -Randy Dear CecilyKnock, knock. Who’s there? You. You who? Yoo Hoo- Big summer blowout! Love, Ashley
To: Maryam Gilanshah 'Impish or Admirable?' From: Erin Davis
Amy, Roses are red, Violets are blue, Good luck with surgery, WE LOVE YOU!
Dearest Adia, Cecily, & Maddie – I miss you terribly! Don’t you know Caesar is an overrated windbag? Come back to me, and I will forever charm you with my smooth dactylic hexameter. Love, Vergil
Dear Mr. Sneathen, Note that I am not asking you for a rec, and I hope this doesn't put you over the edge, but I think you're in the top ten teachers I've ever had. From your brolive pants to that perfect purple sweater, your style is on point and your teaching skills succeeded in preparing me for the terrifying world of calculus. I think I speak for all of your students when I say I'm going to miss you a ton when I'm off at college. DON'T WORRY I'LL STILL TERRORIZE YOU WHEN I'M VISITING. -Maya
Sarah ChristnerYou are a fantastic person that shines from within like a radioactive panda and you don't need a boy to complete you! -Christina Hogg Hi Lilo! I love you girl, can’t wait for the next 3 years with you. From Stitch
To Ms. Petersen’s Honors Physics Students:
Happy Valentine’s Day! Love, Ms. Petersen Hi, Nirupie! Love you girl. Love, Annelise King
Dearest Karsyn, I am SHERlocked under your spell! Happy Valentine’s Day! -Sherlock Holmes a.k.a. Benedict Cumberbatch
Sejal! Happy Valentine’s Day, bae! Love, Annelise King
Dear Mr. Duan, Silver dichromate is red, Copper nitrate is blue. We love AP Chem, And Emma loves you! From, Sky, Emma, & Claudia
Dear Mr. Sneathen, It’s your life, but we’re glad we’re in it. Love, The Back Row Seniors
Mr. DeJohnOur love for you has no limit! -3rd Period Calc Mr. Wilson, Sorry this can’t be in the form of a Voicethread, but thanks for everything! -Consortium Art History Jordan FuesYou’re the greatest friend I could ever ask for. -Christina Hogg P.S. We will find walruses and it will be perfect.
Julia AndreasenWill you be my valentine? Love, the EGF (Chris Klarides)
Dear Ms. Gajendragadkar, Our class is better than a Bernini sculpture. This valentine is our form of devotion. If you were a cathedral, we’d donate a buttress to you. Please be the loyal dog to our Venus of Urbino. Love, 2nd Period P.S.: Cuirass
Sochi Olympics Women Athletes Represent Key Members of the U.S. Olympic Team By Erin Davis
This year, 230 athletes on the U.S. Olympic team headed to Sochi, Russia. The roster included 105 women and 125 men. These 105 women are key players at the 2014 Winter Olympics and reveal the results of dedicated practice and preparation. The following American star Olympic athletes are just a snapshot of the undeniable “girl power” at this year’s Olympics. American Ice Hockey player Hillary Knight was 20-years-old at the 2010 Vancouver Games, making her the youngest team member at the time. In Vancouver, the American women had to settle for silver, losing their final game to their rival Canada. Knight said the players have not forgotten that feeling, and in the build-up to the Olympics told CBS News, “It wasn’t a great feeling and it is still a feeling that haunts a bunch of us today.” If the U.S. team advances, they will play in the final on Thu., Feb. 20. After failing to crack the top 10 in any World Cup race for many years, Julia Mancuso, an American Olympic skier, became the fastest skier at the World Cup downhill training and won two consecutive top 10 results in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Mancuso has recently drawn attention for being an aggressive opponent, particularly on the Olympic stage. Mancuso won a bronze medal in the super-combined on Mon., Feb. 10. At only 18-years-old, there
is no doubt that American Mikaela Shiffrin was the best slalom skier in the Women’s World Cup, proven by her second World Cup win in a row leading up to the Olympics. Shiffrin made her first appearance at the World Cup in 2011, two days before her 16th birthday. Then, less than a month later, Shiffrin was crowned U.S. Slalom Champion, the youngest in U.S. history to win a national title. “It’s nice to sing my National Anthem a couple of races before the Olympics,” Shiffrin said after her World Cup slalom victory in Flachau, Austria. “Hopefully I can sing it again in Sochi.” If Shiffrin wins in Sochi, she will be the youngest American alpine skier to win gold ever. Shiffrin skies on Feb. 18 and 21. Not too long ago, Hannah Kearney said she had the “best
full-time job in the world” as a U.S. Mogul Skier. Kearney dominated the World Cup circuit after winning the World Championships last year. Kearney worked endlessly to recoup and enhance her form. After a concussion, a serious knee injury, broken ribs, and a bruised liver, she said she felt “fantastic” in the run-up to the Olympics, thanks to her rehabilitation. “I want to stand in that start gate and have full confidence that I’m going to lay down a good run,” Kearney said before the Games, “and for me that comes from knowing that I did exactly 1,022 jumps into a pool this summer to practice.” In Russia, the 27-year-old from Vermont won a bronze medal, disappointed to not add another gold to her collection. Less than a month before the Sochi Games, figure skater Ashley Wagner had what was called “a tearful little wimp out on the ice” during the U.S. Nationals. In spite of two teeth chattering falls and inadequate landing of two of her triple jumps, Wagner headed to Sochi anyway. It was a controversial decision, but Wagner, 22, made the team based on her overall achievements, including a fifth place finish at the world championships and a bronze medal at the Grand Prix Final. The two-time U.S. champion swore that she would be a very different skater in Sochi. On Feb. 8, Wagner skated well in the team event and hopes to earn an individual gold later next week.
for medal-winners. Unfortunately for the medalists, these compensations can have taxes as high as 39.6% (as is the case in the U.S.), but many of the awards are still significant. Host country Russia will offer $113,000 for gold, $71,000 for silver, and $42,000 for bronze. The U.S. offers a more modest sum with a gold medal winner awarded $25,000, a silver medalist $15,000, and a bronze winner $15,000. Some of the smallest and lowest represented countries
offer the highest awards. For example, Azerbaijan promises $510,000 for gold, $255,000 for silver, and $130,000 for bronze. Though it is thought highly unlikely that an Azerbaijan native will medal, that may in fact be a relief, based on the steep monetary awards. Some prominent countries, such as the United Kingdom, offer no prize money while others offer rewards in the form of cars or other extravagant gifts. As these awards are deemed “prize money,” they
Photo Courtesy Wikimedia Commons
American figure skater Ashley Wagner made the Olympic team despite finishing fourth in the U.S. Nationals.
Opening Ceremonies Celebrate Russia’s History By Emily King & Ksenia Ovcharenko
Photo Courtesy Wikimedia Commons
The Opening Ceremonies concluded with the lighting of the flame from the Olympic Torch. The artistic and exciting Opening Ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics took place in Sochi, Russia on Feb. 7. The stadium used in the Opening Ceremonies was custombuilt and will only be used for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Before the ceremony started, a dreaming Russian girl recited the Russian Cyrillic alphabet and important values and words that correspond with the each letter. The last letter in the Russian alphabet looks like a backwards capital R, and was used to state the final word: Russia. When the recital of the alphabet was finished, the Olympic rings appeared. However, the fifth circle did not open and remained closed. The Russian musical performances that were later performed starred classic Russian music with modern lyrics. To a musical background, each Olympic team proudly walked through the stadium donning unique outfits and their country flag. The U.S. outfits were designed by Ralph Lauren and were a long sweater outfitted with red, white, and blue, as well as the colorful Olympic rings.
After each team walked through the stadium, they sat down to watch a symbolic show of Russia’s past. Many of the athletes were seen talking “selfies” and pictures of fans to post on various social media sites such as instagram and twitter during the event. The following show went through all of Russia’s history, including a red, industrial-like interpretation of Stalinist Russia. The performance also accentuated older Russian history with a beautiful re-enactment of a scene from War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. One of the later dances was astonishingly choreographed with blue lit ballerinas that resembled flowing jellyfish. After the various performances, the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, announced the start of the 2014 Winter Olympics, which was followed by fireworks and cheering. The Russian Police Choir then performed “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk. The show ended with a firebird-inspired torch that lit a row of flame jets, symbolizing the start of the Olympics.
Another Reason to Win: Countries Offer Prize Money for Medalists By Susannah Bane
Olympians dream of the day when they might one day stand on the podium. They strive for the weight of a medal around their necks and a bouquet of flowers clutched in their hands. But besides the satisfaction and pride, what do the Olympic medal-winners actually win? For some athletes, these earn quite a bit. The Sochi gold medal itself is worth $566 but many countries, including the United States, offer financial awards
are taxable in some of the countries. Of course, even the athletes who come from countries that do not offer any rewards will often still end up making money through sponsorships and special performances after the Olympic Games. Pierre de Coubertin (18961925), the founder of the International Olympic Committee, made it clear that he did not want there to be any prize money for the athletes. Due to this restriction, the awards are given by countries’ respective
Olympic committees. Despite de Coubertin’s pleas for a money-free prize, the money can often be put to good use. The athletes have spent significant sums on coaches, training, and transportation fees for family and friends. Though the athletes achieve individual praise when stepping onto the podium, they are ultimately representing their country so many countries feel justified in offering the money as a sign of respect and gratitude.
FEATURES 10 TAP Serves Community Through Music Lip Sync Provides Opportunity for Fun February 13, 2014
While Uniting Grades
By Clare Specht
Teen Angel Project, or TAP, has discovered a new way to engage in community service: through song and dance. Middle schoolers and high schoolers work together to bring joy to communities in need through their musical talents. They have performed at a wide variety of venues, from homeless shelters to military rehab facilities. Between the middle school and high school ensembles there are 44 performers who strive to make an impact by turning the focus from a single performer to a group of artists. Holton junior Gabriela Schulman and senior Kayla Chernof are dedicated members of TAP. Francesca Winch decided to found the non-profit on Jun. 3, 2012. The idea came to her when she had a dream about teenagers helping people through music. The name of the group is inspired by the “Teen Angel” in the musical Grease. This angel gives advice to Frenchie, a beauty school drop-out, through a song in a dream, similar to the experience of Winch. The Artistic Directors of TAP and its middle school counterpart TAPjr, audition new artists every year. They look for both talent and empathy when choosing whom to accept into the ensemble. Because the teens interact
By Anya Lilaoonwala
Photo Courtesy Evie Chamberlain Photo Courtesy Write Ideas
Photo Courtesy Holton-Arms
Seniors dance together during their finale of Avicii’s “Don’t Wake Me Up.”
with their audiences, it is important that the students are passionate about the mission of TAP. As TAP is a non-profit organization, events are funded by dues paid by members and a large number of individual donors. The group also puts on an annual gala fund-raiser called Wings! In addition to this concert, the boys and girls perform from September to June at venues such as the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and the National Mall. Schulman said she enjoys how TAP gives back to the community. Winch is the mother of one of Schulman’s best friends, whom Shulman spent lots of time singing with prior to the founding of TAP. Schulman believes TAP has helped her grow as a performer and finds that “bringing a smile to people’s faces is something that
makes me feel like I am on top of the world and can conquer anything. Helping these people forget their hardships and pains for just a moment really shows you how a little act can go a long way.” Chernof has been involved with TAP for two years. She said, “My favorite part has been all the positive feedback we have gotten from various audiences for whom we’ve performed. At our last performance, I spoke with one of the women in the audience, and she said that she wanted to come up and dance with us! She told me how much our performance meant to her and how people her age really need young people in their lives to make them smile.” If you are interested in joining TAP or TAPjr, you can attend auditions on May 17. You can also earn community service hours by participating.
Every two years, Holton’s Upper School participates in Lip Sync, a time when girls take a break from school work to take part in some healthy creativity and grade bonding. This year, Lip Sync was on Mon., Feb. 3. 9th Grade Dean Chris Lynch and 11th Grade Dean Shay Squeglia took the stage to introduce each of the grades. The freshman class chose the theme of High School Musical. Some of the girls wore pink to represent the character Sharpay, while others dressed in basketball uniforms. The 10th grade decided on the theme of Miley Cyrus. The sophomores danced to songs from Miley’s “Hoedown Throwdown” and her more recent hit, “Wrecking Ball.” Some had blonde Hannah Montana wigs while others wore clothing similar to that of the pop star. The junior class selected the
When I was at Holton, I had a C+ in senior English. I didn’t work very hard, I read, and I was somewhat of a party girl when I was in later high school years. I was shallow, I think, but probably had intellectual depth. I didn’t think of careers. I thought of boys and books. [Laughs]. JA: How has Holton changed from your first year of teaching to now? SA: First, students have a great deal more to say about how their time at Holton is spent. Also, there are more extra-curricular opportunities for girls. When I was here it was classes and then a few clubs, but now girls have the opportunity to pursue many other interests. The kind of enforced manners when I first started teaching at Holton is also different from now. When I came into a classroom all the girls would stand up next to their desks and say “Good morning, Mrs. Alexander.” JA: That’s nice. SA: Yes, but I feel that since we now have little of the en-
forced “you will do this,” that girls have more of an opportunity to respond with natural courtesy. And, I think that Holton girls do. It feels sincere to me. In terms of the students, I do not think girls are a whole lot different. [Laughs]. JA: Was Landon your brother school back then? SA: Oh no, I mean Landon and Holton have always had social interactions but the cross registration started in the midlate 70s. I was part of that initial arrangement, and one year we did it in Junior English. I had seven Holton girls and seven Landon boys in my class. I had a pretty good relationship with a couple of them who I’m still in touch with. But I was much aware of the differences in how we taught in the two schools. JA: If you could spend a few days doing something, what would you do? SA: My husband and I travel a great deal, and I would continue to travel. I would finish the book that I have been trying to
write for about a year. JA: I didn’t know you were writing a book. SA: Oh, I’ve written a couple of books, and I’m writing one on three months my husband and I spent in Europe. I have written a sequel to Pride & Prejudice, and after I finish subbing I will be looking for a publisher. JA: What piece of advice has stuck with you? SA: I tend to be an impatient person and I like things the way I think they should be done. Mrs. Breedlove said to me one day, “Sally, decide how you want things to go, and then make them go that way.” What she meant was that I was frequently too abrupt and pushy with people. She meant you have to work with people and I think it was one of the best pieces of advice I ever had. And it is so simple! JA: Who is your role model, and why? Well certainly here at Holton Mrs. Breedlove. She believed that her job was to set an environment where teachers could teach and
TAP member Kayla Chernof ’14 shares a poignant moment with an audience member during her most recent performance.
theme of Justin Timberlake. They rocked the “Suit and Tie” look and even performed songs from JT’s ’N Sync days. Not only were the juniors dancing, but they also included some gymnastics during their routine. The seniors chose the theme of “Dreams.” They choreographed routines to songs such as “Wide Awake,” “Dream Girls,” and “Wake Me Up.” The seniors even included Landon senior Walter Spak in their performance. In the final number, seniors came together wearing their “Worst Nightmare” tank tops. Senior Sydney Poretsky said, “I thought Lip Sync was amazing this year! I loved each grade’s theme. I think the seniors’ theme was definitely the most unique, but I liked the juniors’ song selections also. Justin Timberlake is the love of my life, so I was jamming out the whole time the juniors were on stage.”
students could learn. A simple kind of thing. So she celebrated everybody, both the students and faculty. JA: Frivolous question: What has been your favorite fashion trend over the years? SA: Gosh, Julia, something I care so little about. My least favorite fashion trend was when we wore long, pencil, thin, slim skirts and socks that came almost to the hem of the skirt. Seeing those pictures I thought, what for? But, I guess I liked the mini skirt era because girls could show off their pretty legs. JA: What was your proudest moment? I was very proud when I was the first faculty member asked to be the speaker at graduation. I had been teaching those seniors so it meant a lot to me. JA: What makes you laugh the most? SA: Genuine good humor, without any tint of the sardonic. JA: Do you have a guilty pleasure? SA: Not anymore. [Laughs].
Teacher Feature: Focus on Cherished Holton English Teacher Sally Alexander By Julia Andreasen
JA: What did you aspire to be when you were a teenager? Did you always want to be a teacher? SA: No, I never had any interest in teaching at all. I was married when I was 19, and that was not uncommon for girls of my generation. I knew that English was what I wanted to study, but then my first husband was killed in an automobile accident when I had two small children. Miss Brown [from Holton] called me into her office and said, “I want you to teach next year.” I had never thought of teaching until that day. Now teaching has become one of the most wonderful aspects of my life. I love teaching. I think that I was not a career oriented young person. I was much younger than my older sisters and my mother gave me the gift of leaving me alone and letting me read. I mean I had friends, I had a social life, but I was a very lazy student in high school.
February 13, 2014
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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Despite Complicated Scheduling, Landon Pizzeria da Marco Offers a One-Acts Deemed “Best Yet” Delicious Variety of Italian Cuisine By Ashley Holder
Landon premiered its annual One-Act Play Festival on Feb. 2. Eight plays were featured in the performance, with four Holton students directing and about 20 students acting. Senior Clare Specht chose to direct instead of act because, as she said, “I’ve been acting in Holton and Landon plays, but I always wondered what it would be like to be on the other side.” Freshman Christina Hogg said that she decided to audition because she “wanted to get a taste of theater before school work got more insane.” However, she acknowledged that auditioning was no easy task, explaining, “Going into a room with two seniors, especially two boys, was kind of terrifying, but afterwards I felt a lot more confident and I was glad I did it.” Auditions were first held in December, and the directors were initially worried because only about 10 people showed up. Weather conditions delayed the second auditions until after Winter Break. Though more actors showed up at the January auditions, the directors then faced a new problem: they only had three weeks until the show. Director Noel Abdala-Arata ’14 admitted, “I was very worried about the tight time constraints. In the past, we’ve had about two months for rehearsal, and I doubted that we could pull together a show in three weeks.” Director and senior Kayla Chernof also disliked the shortened rehearsal schedule, but for
By Kate Young
Photo Courtesy Kayla Chernof
Senior Kayla Chernof (center) poses with her One-Acts cast after a successful performance. another reason. “I wish I had gotten more time to bond with my cast,” she said. “During rehearsal, we always had to be working in preparation for the show, and we never really just hung out like I did with my cast in past years.” When tech week started five days before the performance, most actors still had to look at their scripts and the directors had not yet figured out blocking, costumes, or props. During the final week of rehearsals, directors and actors were dubious of the performance quality, and worried the scenes would not come together. Specht recalled, “The night before the show we had rehearsal and one of my main actors knew almost none of his lines. I literally went home that night and prayed for a miracle.” It seems as if Specht’s
prayers were answered. The plays were a hit, frequently inspiring belly-shaking laughter and claps from the audience. Even glitches couldn’t derail the show. During Actor’s Nightmare, directed by Landon senior Stephen Bauer, an actor missed her entrance, forcing those on stage to improv the final scene. Sammi Stroman ’14, who was one of those stranded on stage, said, “I was terrified once I realized I’d have to make up my lines, but everyone I talked to after the show said they couldn’t tell at all.” Holton Drama Director Elizabeth Zitelli stated that, “It was the best night of OneActs I have seen here. The plays were all solidly performed with great comic timing and poise.” No matter which play was the audience favorite, one thing is for sure: next year’s shows have a lot to live up to.
Pizzeria da Marco is a quiet, family-friendly Italian bistro on Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda, perfect for a weekend dinner. Their advertised specialty, traditional. Neopolitan pizzas, are cooked in a classic (900 °F) wood oven, visible to diners as soon as they walk in the door. The tastefully decorated interior features dark, wooden tables covered with spotless white tablecloths. Once seated, customers choose from an array of Italian appetizers to start-- Affettati Misti (prosciutto, Italian salami, mortadella, hot soppressata, focaccia) and Antipasto Italiano (proscuitto, parmesan, gorgonzola dolce, olives, roasted peppers, and roasted tomatoes), to name a couple. I, however, highly recommend the Focaccia (pizza crust with rosemary, garlic, fresh oregano, and olive oil). It was the perfect start to an even more delicious meal to follow. When we had finished our appetizers, our friendly waiter came to clear the plates and take our entree orders. For the main course, Pizzeria da Marco offers many different options for a range of preferences. For meat lovers, I recommend the Solo Carne pizza, a combination of tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, sausage, pepperoni, salami, basil, and parmesan cheese on their delicious crust. For those that like pizza but not meat, Pizzeria da Marco has many choices. The Margherita D.O.P. is the equivalent of an
American “cheese,” as is the very similar Margherita Classica. I ordered the Margherita D.O.P., and highly recommend it. Other good options are the Capricciosa (tomato sauce, basil fresh mozzarella, parmesan ham, mushrooms, artichokes, and black olives), and the Salame (tomato sauce, basil, fresh mozzarella, onions, goat cheese, parmesan, and hot soppressata). For those that don’t like pizza, Pizzeria da Marco has an extensive salad menu. The Orange Salad (fresh arugula, oranges, fennel, and red onions with extra virgin olive oil) and Mediterranean Salad (mixed baby greens, Mediterranean tuna, black olives, capers, tomatoes, mozzarella in a balsamic vinaigrette) are both good options. If you are not too stuffed already from the delicious pizzas and appetizers, Pizzeria da Marco offers four simple desserts. They are Tiramisu, Mezza Luna di Nutella (nutella filled calzone), Budino al Caramello (salted caramel budino) and Gelato della Casa (homemade gelato). I tried the Budino al Caramello. I do recommend it, although it was quite rich. Overall, Pizzeria da Marco is great for families or for groups of friends. It serves delicious food, and is in a great location with parking across the street. There are many options nearby for coffee or dessert. For more information visit PizzadaMarco.com
Annual Orchesis Concert Demonstrates Blending of Arts & Athletics By Lana Levin
Everyone knows Holton’s sports teams. The hype and spirit in regards to athletic teams such as swimming and lacrosse makes them well known around the school. Yet Holton’s dance program, Orchesis, is often out of that spotlight. Once a year, the Holton community gets the privilege to witness the dancers’ hard work and skill as they create magic on the stage. On Thurs., Feb. 6, Orchesis performed an abbreviated version of their performance for the Middle and Upper School communities. Then, on Fri., Feb. 7, Orchesis performed a full concert, complete with all choreographed dances. Orchesis runs during the fall and winter and is made up of students chosen during a
Photo Courtesy Susannah Bane
Orchesis members dance to the group piece choreographed by guest choreographer Aysha Upchurch. competitive audition process in This piece featured all 16 dancthe spring. Students may opt to ers and allowed time for harmouse the credits obtained from nious group movement as well Orchesis to fulfill an arts or as individual spotlights. sports requirement. Students then viewed a vaAt this year’s concert, there riety of student-choregraphed was a mix of student-choreo- pieces, including senior Lindsay graphed and professional danc- Covington’s dance entitled “Tug es. of War,” which was performed During the in-school as- to Alicia Key’s song “Fallen.” sembly, audience members Next, Orchesis memfirst saw Roney’s dance entitled bers performed senior Claire “Calm Amongst the Chaos.” Moore’s “Transitions,” featur-
ing a variety of physical and musical transitions, and senior Drue Foster’s passionate dance called “Nothing But You.” Skyler Ford ’14 then introduced her poignant dance entitled “Dedicated To.” The song was inspired by her mother and her aunt who are both cancer survivors. Ford left the title open-ended so viewers could dedicate the piece to whomever they chose. For a change of tempo, senior Alyssa Landow previewed her cabaret-inspired dance, “A Little Party.” The in-school preview ended with almost the entire troupe performing a piece by guest choreographer Aysha Upchurch. Upchurch’s piece was described as an Afro-Latin Jazz Fusion and had a vibrant and rhythmic pace. Any full-time member of Or-
chesis who has also taken the semester long “Dance Choreography” class, is eligible to create a dance. The student choreographed dances often are based on the mood the choreographer wants to set and inspired by different aspects of her life. Some believe Orchesis gets overlooked, as it is the only non-competitive sport offered at Holton. When asked as to whether she feels that Orchesis is under appreciated, junior Anne Marie Huntington replied, “I’d say no because it’s like a link between the two activities.” Orchesis is not only a group of girls who dance together, but also a supportive team, just like any other sport. Senior Madeleine Hyde shared, “I love Orchesis because it’s like a little family.”
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SPORTS
Dove Campaign Reveals How Body Insecurities Hurt Girls’ Participation in Sports By Erin Davis
A study conducted by the brand Dove found that six out of 10 girls between the ages of 10 to 17 will quit sports due to body image insecurities. These girls are missing out on valuable skills they could use in all aspects of their lives. To prevent girls from dropping out, and to show them their full potential, Dove launched a new campaign entitled Girls Unstoppable to spark conversations among moms, mentors, and girls on body image issues before is too late. New Dove research found that many girls believe moms and mentors have a powerful influence on how they feel about themselves. Dove is also welcoming girls and women to reveal their own “unstoppable” stories through social networks using the hashtag #girlsunstoppable to inspire girls to pursue the activities they love. In Canada, Dove has launched a striking billboard campaign which reveals the sport-quitting statistics. When Holton girls where asked to fill out a survey regarding sports and body insecurities, the results were varied. Out of 100 Upper School students polled, many voiced feelings of significant discomfort stemming from physical appearance in relation to a sport.
Swim Team Wins Double Titles; “Most Successful” in Team History By Elizabeth Harris
Photo Courtesy Susannah Bane
Machines at rest. Some girls are dropping out of sports because of body-related insecurities.
Some girls worried about not being “skinny” or “fit enough” to wear track or volleyball spandex, while other students strongly disliked having to wear their bathing suits around the pool deck. Some girls also worried about being “too small” compared to other athletic girls who participate in the same sport. More muscular girls worried that their increased muscle mass was unattractive and “masculine” when compared to the bodies of non-athletes. When asked if they believed that the media played a role in girls’ insecurities, many said yes. However, Maryam Gilanshah ’17 said, “I feel that media could play a role in girls’ insecurities if the girl was so inclined to be influenced by the media.” Though many of the girls did
admit to feeling insecure from time to time, everyone stated that she would never quit a sport due to her appearance-related insecurities. Many of them understood the redeeming qualities of sports such as the physical activity, the team bonding, and the critical thinking practice. When girls were asked what they would say to one of their friends or classmates if she was thinking of quitting a sport due to physical insecurities, the responses were unanimously supportive. Elizabeth Harris ’14 said, “Confidence is key above everything. If you love the sport you do and you have a real passion for it, nothing should stop you from participating.”
February 13, 2014
Jan. 24 was a cold day outside, but inside the Holton pool the heat and energy was at an all-time high. The swimming ISL Championship is an anticipated event for more than just the swim team; parents, teachers, and friends all came out to support HASwim as they successfully took back the ISL title. The Holton swimmers showed up earlier in the day to eat lunch together and decorate the pool area with their sailor theme, featuring the tag line “This is our ship.” Each swimmer was equipped with a personalized hat and ribbon to help carry on the Holton tradition of being the most spirited team on the pool deck. Co-captain Sally Huizinga ’14 played a big part in organizing the event. Huizinga shared, “Our spirit has always been a big contributing factor to our success, so we wanted to involve everyone on the team.” Though Holton maintained the lead, the most anticipated event was near the end when two of the area’s top swimmers took to the pool. The 200 free relay featured Holton junior Caroline McTaggart and Stone Ridge junior Katie Ledecky.
Holton and Stone Ridge were neck to neck in the last leg of the relay, but McTaggart out-touched Ledecky by .8, a 50 that got the entire pool to their feet. “Our team, in my 11 years of coaching, has always been excited about the ISL Championship. This year was no different. “It is a privilege to be back on top of such a fine league, but most importantly, I am happy for our seniors, who get to finish their careers as ISL champions,” Coach Graham Westerberg commented. Holton finished with 267 points, Stone Ridge with 180 points, and Sidwell Friends with 158 points. HASwim took on another championship meet on the first weekend in February, WMPSSDL’s. Repeating their theme of “America,” Holton’s spirit helped them win for the second year in a row with 310 points. Stone Ridge finished second with 244 points, and St. John’s was third with 200 points. These past two wins make the 2013-14 swim team the most successful in school history. Holton basketball have their ISL Championship starting on Feb. 21, Indoor Track will attend the Hoxton Invitational Meet on Feb. 15 and Ice Hockey will play in the WIHLMA Championship on the same day.
Does the Punishment Fit the Crime? Steroid Penalties Polarize Fans
By Samantha Beaulieu
In order to increase muscle mass and strength, many athletes have resorted to the use of anabolic steroids, despite the inherent physical and psychological risks. Due to these risks along with the unfair physical advantage, steroids have been banned from most sports; however, more and more athletes are discovered using the drugs. The penalties for such activities range from awards being taken away, as in the case of biker Lance Armstrong, to being suspended from the sport, as in the case of New York Yankees thirdbaseman Alex Rodriguez. Lance Armstrong was stripped of seven Tour de France titles and banned from cycling after confessing to taking testosterone, cortisone, human growth hormone, erythropoietin, and other injected steroids. However, controversy surrounds Armstrong’s doping incident, as 20 out of the 21 podium finishers from 1999 to 2005 have all tested positive for anabolic
Photos Courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Lance Armstrong (left) and Alex Rodriguez face penalties for steroid use.
steroids, the sole clean rider being Fernando Escartin, who came in third place in 1999. Ashley Willard ’15 disagrees with Armstrong’s punishment and stated, “I think that although his use of steroids gave Armstrong an unfair advantage, I don't think that his awards should have been taken away. Not all of his wins were necessarily related to drug use and he worked incredibly hard to achieve everything that he did. “I don’t think that his use of performance-enhancing drugs set a good example and so he should be punished for his actions, but not in the manner that occurred. Athletes who take steroids should
be punished, but once they’ve recovered...the feats they accomplish should be duly rewarded.” However, a few, like Dora Segall ’16, agree that Armstrong deserves to have his awards taken away. Segall declared, “I don’t think players who use steroids should ever receive awards. Steroids are a form of cheating and are very unhealthy, and rewarding their use would be encouraging it. It’s not fair to people who work hard to get into a healthy, natural physical condition.” In the late 2013 season, Rodriguez was caught using corticosteroids to help him recover from an injury he suffered earlier in the
season. These steroids increased his strength and allowed him to play on an injury not fully healed, giving him an unfair advantage over the other players. Upon his conviction of using these steroids, Rodriguez was suspended for 211 games, a number later reduced to 162 games, which will prevent him from playing the entirety of the 2014 regular and post-season games. Other players convicted of using different forms of steroids, like the retired Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, are punished in a different way; they are kept out of the Hall of Fame. Bonds, who owns the career high home run record, and Clemens, who won a record seven Cy Young awards for pitching, only appeared on 36.2% and 37.6%, respectively, of the Hall of Fame ballots on Jan. 8, 2014. In order to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, a player has to have played for at least 10 years in the major leagues, been retired for at least five, and have their name written in on at least 75% of the ballots.
Although these two men in particular have made many contributions to the sport, they are denied induction due to their connections with steroids. Katie Babbit ’17 agrees with the punishments against Rodriguez, Bonds, and Clemens. She stated, “No inductions into the Hall of Fame, reduced playing time, and sponsorships being taken away are fair when someone is caught using steroids because they are not only cheating into their success but the punishment will discourage other athletes from taking steroids due to that risk.” Whether for building muscle strength or for reducing injury recovery time, many athletes have been punished for the use of anabolic steroids because it gives them an unfair advantage over other players and has many physical and psychological health risks. While some believe their punishments are unfair and negate their hard work, others believe that the punishments are just and will discourage other players from taking said steroids.