This Month Global Education- Page 2 Students visit Costa Rica, Rwanda, India, and China Movie Review- Page 3 Check out The Fault in Our Stars and If I Stay
S cribbler Vol. 52, No. 2
The Student Newspaper of the Holton-Arms School
This Month Advice to Freshmen- Page 3 Students share how to make the most of the school year U.S. Open- Page 4 Students predict outcome of tennis U.S. Open
September 4, 2014
Bring Your Own Device Program Increases Senior Technology Options by
Ksenia Ovcharenko
In the past, Holton policy has been that students must have a Lenovo laptop rather than other brands of computers such as Macintosh. This year, however, the Information Technology (IT) Department launched a technology trial restricted to the Class of 2015. This temporary Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program allows seniors to choose which brand of computer they would prefer to use at school. Selections are limited to laptops or tablets with full keyboards that are outfitted with Windows 7 or Mac OS 10.6 or higher. The students who opt to bring in a laptop other than the standard Holton Lenovo will not have access to in-house hardware support and therefore will have to get their computers
Johanna Garfinkel ’15 uses a Mac in the Publication Room. [Photo courtesy Ashley Willard] fixed outside of school and pay for repairs themselves. Printers will be set up strictly for the seniors in convenient locations around the school. Seniors will have their own wireless network, and they will be
allowed unfiltered internet access. They will still, however, be expected to abide by the Holton Honor Code and Technology Code of Conduct. This separate network does not have access to the school’s
network drive. Following this trial period, the IT Department will decide if this separate network and printer system will be applicable in the future. According to a recent survey, 65% of the 44 Holton students surveyed believe that the program is a good idea. In contrast, only 3% responded negatively, with the remainder of students neutral. Samantha Beaulieu ’15 approves of the program. She stated, “I think it gives us a little more freedom to explore different technologies and studying methods.” “The program is a good idea because many girls who own a laptop other than the Holton-provided one may prefer using it over the required model,” said Julia Fox ’16. 71% of students surveyed stated that they use their Lenovo
tablet exclusively while the remaining 29% use another laptop brand at home. Those students who use different laptops at home may be more inclined to approve of the idea of using the laptop of their choice at school. After testing this program, Holton will decide whether to apply the BYOD program policies to other upper school students or continue at all. Ashley Willard ’15 stated, “I love the idea that we can use any laptop we want because I think it’s a great practice run for college. “Before the trial, we all used the same laptop, and so we all know how we’ll work with Lenovo for school. This is a great chance for us to test if using a Mac will help us learn more effectively or will encourage us to work differently.”
Ebola Outbreak Engenders Global Fear by
Emma Huther
As the most severe Ebola outbreak on record tears through Western Africa, nearby countries and organizations are taking harsh measures to control the spread of this deadly virus and lower concerns among their citizens. The disease, which has reached Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria, has already claimed over a thousand lives. Organizations such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the European Commission have donated funds and mobilized personnel to prevent the spread of the virus. Other charities and nonprofits have also devoted their energy, time, and resources to aid the infected regions. In mid-March, Patient Zero, a two-year-old boy from a village in Guinea, fell ill. Within several weeks of his death, his and surrounding villages were infected with a deadly and unidentified viral hemorrhagic fever. Many
suspected this virus to be Ebola, later verified by scientists in France and Senegal. Since the identification of this outbreak, national authorities have activated emergency committees in their respective countries to prevent the spread of Ebola. Such organizations have concluded that non-essential travel should halt until the outbreak has been controlled and that those in infected areas should take greater preventative measures. Ibrahima Touré, the country director of the NGO Plan Guinea, said, “The poor living conditions and lack of water and sanitation pose a serious risk that the epidemic escalates into a crisis. People do not think to wash their hands when they do not have enough water to drink.” This deadly virus has affected not only African residents but also aid workers from other countries. American aid workers Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol both contracted Ebola and thus heightened concern
that the disease will spread even further. “I think that a lot of people were frightened when the infected Americans were brought home because we do not fully understand this disease and do not have proven methods of preventing or reversing its effects,” explained Ellie Currie ’15. “This unfamiliarity sparked the fear of a potential outbreak here in America.” There is currently no cure for the Ebola virus, and many experimental treatments available have still not been approved by the FDA as they are still in early stages of testing. The FDA has only sanctioned two drugs to treat Ebola: ZMapp and TKM-Ebola. The lack of availability of these drugs has provoked a great deal of controversy throughout Africa. Many argued that these experimental drugs should have been made more widely available in Africa on a humanitarian basis. Others have cautioned that making unproven experimental
Health workers prepare Ebola victims for transport. [Photo courtesy news. nationalpost.com] drugs available on a larger scale and hotels have lost business, would be unethical. and the closure of schools, mar“It is so sad that the people kets, banks, and stores has conof western Africa are now living tributed to economic decline in fear of contracting the Ebola throughout Africa. Susan Darvirus,” stated Adriana Torresvishi ’15 remarked, “I think that Plaza ’15. “I really hope somethe most recent outbreak has one finds a cure and relieves shown the importance of havthese people of this awful dising strong disease control and ease.” the need to improve health care The effects of this recent in developing nations.” outbreak have stretched beyond continued on page 2 disease control issues. Airlines
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NEWS
Global Education Program Challenges Students to “Investigate their World Both Inside and Outside of the Classroom” by
Maryam Gilanshah
“I want Holton students to investigate their world both inside and outside of the classroom through the lenses of language, culture, art, environment, economics, and political systems,” remarked Melissa Brown, Director of Global Education. She continued, “Our girls’ ability to communicate effectively, empathize with others, think strategically, problem solve in collaboration with others, and take appropriate and responsible action for good will determine their success in the future.” Global Education trips, offered each summer to students after their freshman or junior year, allow students to apply their knowledge outside of the classroom and immerse themselves in another culture. Rising sophomores recieve the opportunity to travel to France or Spain,
September 4, 2014
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The Holton-Arms School 7303 River Road Bethesda, MD 20817 www.holton-arms.edu 301.365.5300 Letters to the Editor and opinion columns are the expressed opinion of the author and not of The Scribbler and its editorial board or advisor. The Scribbler welcomes letters, which should be e-mailed to the Editors-in-Chief at: Samantha.Beaulieu.2015@holton-arms.edu or Ashley.Willard.2015@holton-arms.edu
Students build a storage shed for a local elementary school in Costa Rica. [Photo courtesy Anne Marie Huntington] velopment, and focus on women’s issues make it a compelling option. Acknowledging safety risks, Holton consulted with security experts before deciding to send students to Rwanda.
garding education, the sheer size of China makes the country interesting to examine. Brown felt that the timing of these trips makes them more meaningful for rising seniors, who have a strong background of knowledge and will have another year at Holton to “process their learning and begin to use it as a tool.” She concluded, “These experiences should awaken the desire for students to take their learning forward after they return from their journeys in their academic classes and their service to the community.” In this vein, Jacqualine Asuquo ’15 exclaimed, “I loved everything about the experience. The girls we met were fabulous, and I was surprised to find just how similar we actually are. It was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
The 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 The Scribbler are not those of the Holton-Arms faculty or administration.
Editors-in-Chief . . . . . . . . . Samantha Beaulieu Ashley Willard Layout Editors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anjali Berdia Lana Levin Ksenia Ovcharenko Carlin Pappas News Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Erin Davis Assistant News. . . . . . . . Maryam Gilanshah Spread Editor.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emma Huther Features Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maya Das Sports Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cameron Lee A&E Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sejal Makeheja Assistant A&E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emily King Photography Editors. . . . . . . . . Amanda West Erin Davis
Girls pose with members of the community in Rwanda. [Photo courtesy Katie Taylor]
Cartoonist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kimberly Kim
and, after completing a Global Studies course, rising seniors may visit either India, Rwanda, Costa Rica, or China. The four “Junior Journeys” target pertinent topics such as environmental conservation, religion, and women’s issues. The Global Education Committee, comprised of faculty from all three Holton divisions, established the immersion trips to both Costa Rica and India. Brown explained that Costa Rica was selected because it “is leading the effort in environmental conservation and preservation and political mediation in Latin America” and is a great choice for “budding environmental scientists and Spanish learners.” “The trip taught me the importance of biodiversity and sustainability,” said Maeve Hickey ’15, who participated in the Costa Rica immersion trip this summer. Due to the country’s recent national development and its diversity, both in language and religion, India drew students with passion for the arts and government. While Senegal was previously offered, the 2013 turmoil in Mali ultimately resulted in the replacement of this trip with one to Rwanda, a change that occurred for the 2014 summer. Although Rwanda has been afflicted with turmoil in the past, its resilience, de-
Advisor.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maggie Spak
Those who travel to Rwanda collaborate with others who are working on Millennium Development’s goals for the country, including “combating HIV/ AIDS” and “eradicating extreme hunger and poverty.” After visiting a genocide memorial in Rwanda, Elisabeth Bragale ’15 reflected, “It was really hard to go through.” She explained that signs of the 1994 genocide were still very apparent. China was added this year as a potential destination, with a focus on education and immersion for those students taking Mandarin as their foreign language. Re-
continued from
Eliza Smith ’15 and Kate Squier ’15 model saris in India. [Photo courtesy Sophie Gharai]
Girls stand atop the Great Wall of China. [Photo courtesy Annie Smith]
Ebola Outbreak
Many health officials who have devoted their energies to restricting the outbreak argue that although the virus itself causes enough reason to worry, another pressing problem is the stress placed on an already underdeveloped health system. Dr. Manpreet Singh, a global development expert, argued, “Health systems in West Africa are severely overstretched under normal conditions, let alone during a major outbreak like this. To put this into perspective: Massachusetts General Hospital has over 2,000 physicians, whereas, at the most recent count Liberia had only 261 doctors providing health care for the whole country.” This virus may not have spread so far and claimed so many lives had the healthcare systems in Western Africa been supplied with more resources and personnel. Fortunately, attempts to prevent the spread of Ebola continue, and health officials involved are hopeful a cure will be found soon and the epidemic will abate. [Source: http://africacenter. org/2014/08/media-review-for-august-15-2014/]
September 4, 2014
Holton Hosts “Out of this World” Themed Creative Summer by
Cameron Lee
On June 23rd, dozens of balloons in the shapes of aliens, stars, planets, and spaceships hung from the ceiling of Holton-Arms. Hundreds of boys and girls ages three and a half through thirteen poured through the halls, ready for this year’s “Out of This World” themed Creative Summer. Holton’s annual summer camp is in its 41st year. During the camp’s two threeweek sessions, Holton opened its doors to 1,330 campers, who had the chance to experience the worlds of dance, drama, visual arts, sports, swimming, outdoor exploration, academics, computers, and more. The camp was separated into two main programs, Creative Kids and Creative Campers. Children ages three through seven participated in Creative Kids, where they were encouraged to explore arts and crafts, singing, and sports all while enjoying a variety of entertainment including puppet shows, storytelling, and magic shows. Creative Campers, ages seven through thirteen, got the chance to select their own classes based on their individual interests.
period. She noted, “Seeing my campers do their final dances with all their costumes and lighting was probably the best part of my job. It was really exciting to see it all come together!” Hunter is not the only Holton girl to experience Creative Summer. Of the forty Holton upper school students surveyed, sixteen said they had, at some point, been campers at Creative Summer. Mya Harris ’16 reflected, “Creative Summer gave me the chance to engage in exciting activities, learn new skills, and meet new people. Creative Summer taught me how to be fearless and confident.”
Campers practice dance moves for the Carnival. [Photo courtesy HoltonArms] Over the course of the two According to Creative Sumsessions, Hunter helped chomer Director Susan Spingler, reograph ten different dances. this year Holton offered over Hunter said that her favorite one hundred diverse courses part of Creative Summer was including tap dance, improvisathe Carnival, the last day of the tion, archery, doll-making, bassession when all the campers ketry, photography, and creative got to showcase what they had publishing. Some of the most learned within the three-week popular activities were cooking, cake decorating, archery, crochet, glurch and slime, spy adventures, pottery, robotics, and yoga. This summer, nineteen Holton upper school students and graduates worked as counselors in training (CITs). Meghan Hunter ’17 served as a dance CIT and said, “I taught hip-hop all day. It was so fun because dancing is what I love to do, and it was awesome to get to teach the campers how to do Counselors dress up for the “Out of this World” theme. [Photo courtesy what I love doing!” Holton-Arms]
The Fault in Our Stars and If I Stay: Comparison of Similarly Themed Films by
Lana Levin
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
zel’s heart and captivate the typical teenage girl. Wouldn’t we all want our own Augustus Waters to teach us to live each minute to the fullest and embrace the unknown? The audience truly falls in love with Gus when he sacrifices his own wish from the Make a Wish Foundation to make possible Hazel’s dream of traveling to Amsterdam to meet her favorite author. Augustus and Hazel’s connection captivates all audiences. Unfortunately, the hopeful joy
If your eyes don’t water a touch or your heart doesn’t skip a beat while watching The Fault in Our Stars or If I Stay, you’re colder than the Arctic. The Fault in Our Stars, directed by Josh Boone, is a film adaptation of John Green’s novel The Fault in Our Stars. Both the movie and the book chronicle the life of Hazel Grace Lancaster (played by Shailene Woodley). Immediately, the audience learns of Hazel’s struggle with terminal cancer, and the stage is set for a heart-gripping and tear-jerking film. Soon the focus moves from solely Hazel to the boy all the girls will swoon over, Augustus Waters (played by Ansel Elgort). After cancer support group one day, Hazel and Gus strike up a conversation, and thus begins a love story with an expiration date. Augustus’s charm and metThe Fault in Our Stars came to theaters aphors, adding to the rom-com on June 6. [Photo courtesy imdb. effect of this film, win over Hacom]
of the film takes a sharp turn to heartbreak. The Fault in Our Stars effectively manipulates the audience to feel the characters’ love and pain. While easy to sympathize with, the characters are not relatable for the audience. Released on August 22, If I Stay aims to accomplish what The Fault in Our Stars set out to do and more. Chloe Grace Moretez plays Mia Hall, a young piano prodigy involved in a deadly car crash that leaves her in a coma. While unconscious, Mia faces the decision of whether to remain in the coma or to wake up and return to her life. Through a series of flashbacks, Mia tries to decide whether it is better to live or die. Let’s not forget the most important component of a romance-comedy-drama: the teenage heartthrob. In If I Stay, Adam (Jamie Blackley) fills this role. Adam, a fiery rock musician, complicates Mia’s decision. The simplicity and vulnera-
Mia faces the decision of whether it is better for her to live or die. [Photo courtesy imdb.com] bility of If I Stay makes the film more relatable than The Fault in Our Stars. Hands down it’s easier for a teenage girl to imagine herself in a car crash than in a hospital bed diseased with cancer. Although the on-screen connection between Woodley and Elgort overpowers that of Moretez and Blackley, Moretez’s raw and credible performance wins If I Stay the award for the strongest dying-girl adaptation from a book drama of 2014.
Students Advise Underclassmen by
Emily King
Freshly sharpened pencils, blank notebooks, and empty binders fill our backpacks as we enter the first few weeks. The start to a new school year can be not only challenging and stressful but also exciting and full of opportunity. Following advice can help us stay optimistic and keep on track. Olivia Thomas ’16 advised, “Don’t get behind in your work. Have a positive outlook.” Early organization can benefit you for the whole year. Whether you label tabs in your binders, keep folders for important papers, or clear a drawer in your desk at home, every bit of this preparation will help you in the long run. Gabriella Shulman ’15 agreed, saying, “I think the most important and hardest thing is to get organized and then stay organized throughout the year. You’ll be thankful you know where everything is when it comes time for exams.” Exams can be a very stressful time, but if your materials are in order from the start of school, you will have a much easier and successful time preparing. In addition, high school is a great time to expand your horizons. Mary Sheers ’14, a recent Holton graduate, said, “I suggest trying something new – a play, a sports team, a club. Go out of your comfort zone and experience new things, and you might find a new passion.” Even if you decide you don’t like the sport or club, it’s better to push yourself and try something different than to stay in your comfort zone and never know what you could have experienced. Another piece of advice for the school year is to begin with clear purpose. Mya Harris ’16 suggested, “When beginning the school year, it is important to set goals for yourself. Setting goals for yourself helps you as a student to stay organized and motivated.” Whether you set a goal to achieve a certain grade, aim to reduce your mile time, or create a study plan for tests, you will be more successful and find yourself more motivated during the year.
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SPORTS
World Cup Attracts American Viewership by
Carlin Pappas
Few events garner as much attention as the World Cup, which took place in Brazil this summer. Thousands of eyes were glued to the TV as Clint Dempsey scored 29 seconds into USA’s World Cup opener versus Ghana, Luis Suarez bit Giorgio Chiellini of Italy (earning him a four-month ban from competition), and Germany annihilated Brazil in a humilating 7-1 win.. Despite the general opinion that soccer is “un-American,” Americans were among the top viewers of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Many believe the rise in viewership correlates with the stellar performance of the USA team in this year’s games. Johanna Garfinkel ’15 agreed, saying, “The U.S. got much farther than I expected this year.” Ashley Willard ’15 noted, “I was surprised by the high levels of excitement and interest in this year’s FIFA World Cup.” The success of the U.S. team was doubted after they were placed in Group G, nicknamed the “Group of Death” because of the powerful, competitive teams—Ghana, Germany, and Portugal. The U.S. came in strong, however, with a 2-1 defeat of Ghana in the first round. Despite a tie with Portugal in the second round and a loss to Germany in the third, the U.S. team still advanced to the round
September 4, 2014
Preseason Unifies Fall Athletes by
The German team celebrates its victory in the 2014 World Cup. [Photo courtesy worldcup.usatoday.com] of 16. In a neck-and-neck game with Belgium, top players such as Dempsey, Tim Howard, and Michael Bradley fought valiantly. Despite their efforts and a goal from USA substitute Julian Green, the final score remained 2-1. Hopes of an American comeback were dashed when the U.S. couldn’t retaliate in the single minute of overtime. There was large support for the World Cup from Holton girls. When asked if they watched the games, 90% of 77 survey participants answered yes. 20% of students considered themselves fútbol fanatics, 70% identified as fair-weather fans, and the remaining 10% said they did not care for sports. “After the USA and Costa Rica, who I had been rooting for since I spent two weeks there this summer, lost, I began seriously rooting for Germany,” shared Garfinkel. She contin-
ued, “I feel a connection to the country, and I know that the government that’s in place now is trying so hard to rid Germany of the stigma the Nazis gave it in the mid-1900s. “The most exciting part for me was the Germany-Brazil game, where Germany scored five goals within eighteen minutes of each other in the first half. I was so happy I couldn’t stop smiling!” Most of the girls said their favorite team to watch in these games was the USA while Brazil, Germany, and Argentina were tied for second. By a slim margin, a majority wished Argentina had beaten Germany. Could that have had anything to do with Argentinian heartthrob and forward Lionel Messi? Regardless of the final, official winner, all the countries played their hearts out and gave the world something to look forward to this summer.
Erin Davis
As summer began to wind down, players took to the field and the court for rigorous training to build skills and teamwork for the fall. Preseason marked the end of summer for Holton’s 160 fall athletes, who returned to campus on August 18 for tryouts and practices. “Preseason is a great experience at Holton,” commented tennis player Arianna Spirtos ’15. “It’s good to get to know your teammates and the team lineup before the season starts.” 65 of the students participating in a fall sport this year are incoming freshmen. For them, preseason was their first real high school experience. According to Assistant Athletic Director, Graham Westerberg, “[Preseason] allows student athletes the time they need to prepare for a full season. It gives teams two weeks to bond and work out the kinks before competitions officially begins the first week of school. It is a great way to ease back into the year.” Of the 87 preseason athletes surveyed, 45% were either fairly or extremely excited, 14% were not looking forward to the experience at all, and the remainder were relatively neutral on the subject. Some of those students who were not looking forward to pre-
season explained their responses by stating that preseason made the summer feel too short or that trying out for a sport was stressful. Students who decided not to participate in preseason explained that either they were simply not athletes or that they would rather wait until the winter and fall seasons to incorporate the demands of playing a sport into their busy school schedules. Another option for participation in sports is managing a team.
Claire Evans ’18 serves in a tennis match against Wootton High School during preseason. [Photo courtesy Amanda West] Overall, students had positive opinions on preseason. Tennis player Amanda West ’16 exclaimed, “Preseason is fun and prepares us athletes to do our best out on the field or court. I like to get ready to win!”
Tensions over Tennis Rivalries Mount as the 2014 U.S. Open Approaches by
Sejal Makheja
Calling all tennis fans! It’s that time of year for the U.S. Open. The U.S. Open is a Grand Slam tournament that attracts many professionals such as Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic. This year, the U.S. Open takes place from August 25th to September 8th. One of the most well-known rivalries in tennis history is that of Federer, seventeen-time Grand Slam champion from Switzerland, and his opponent Nadal, fourteen-time Grand Slam champion winner from Spain. Federer holds the record for the number of Grand Slam titles with Nadal just behind him; however, Nadal has won twenty-three total matches against Federer, whereas Federer has only won ten.
Tennis player Maya Das ’17 remarked, “I’m a Federer fan, so whenever they play, I want Federer to win. “A lot of people argue that he needs to beat Nadal to be considered the greatest player of all time, but I disagree because he has already accomplished so much.” It’s no secret that Federer has been trying to win a Grand Slam since Wimbledon 2012. At Wimbledon 2014, he lost to Djokovic in the finals with a tough match into the fifth set. Federer won’t yield until he secures one more Grand Slam title. “The U.S. Open should be great this year. There’s a lot of tough competition, so it will be interesting to watch,” said Arianna Spirtos ’15. She continued, “I think that Nadal and Federer are two tough competitors, and whenever they play, it’s always close, but per-
sonally, I’m a huge Nadal fan.” Many say that Nadal is the only thing preventing Federer from winning the U.S. Open; however, his sprained wrist will keep Nadal out of the U.S. Open this year. Thus, a match between Federer and Djokovic in the final is likely, just as at Wimbledon earlier this year. Nadal will be only the fourth returning champion to sit out of the tournament in forty-five years. The men aren’t the only players impressing the crowd. Eugenie Bouchard, the only player to have made it all the way to the semifinals in the French Open, Wimbledon, and the Australian Open, is currently seeded in the top ten. At just twenty years old, she is poised to become the youngest U.S. Open winner since 19-year-old Maria Sharapova in 2006.
Ana Ivanovic, a twenty-sixyear-old player for Serbia, will participate in the 10th U.S. Open of her career. Ivanovic has a powerful serve that could make her a threat to her opponents. Another player to watch is the Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova, who just won her second
Wimbledon championship. Her ranking as of August 19th is number four in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). Amanda West ’16 shared, “My favorite player is Kvitova because she has a very powerful serve. I think that she will do very well this year.”
Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic hope to face off in this year’s finals. [Photo courtesy rogerfedererfans.com]