the
PHARCYDE
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THE BENJAMIN UPPER SCHOOL NEWSPAPER
4875 Grandiflora Road, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, 33418
What’s Inside
August 19, 2014
Volume 36
Harper completes doctoral research in Middle East
news
Meet Benjamin’s newest teachers - pg. 2
opinions
Has political correctness gone too far? - pg. 5
spotlight
MythBusters: High School Edition - pp. 6-7
school life
Students spend summer in China - pg. 9 Photo courtesy Mr. Benjamin Harper
Mr. Harper enjoys dinner with Dr. Jamil Hasanli, a presidential candidate in Azerbaijan.
the scene
BY ANDY WEIR
Helpful resources for new students - pg. 10
{p}sports
Sun-Sentinel recognizes Benajmin athletic program - pg. 12
Co-Editor-in-Chief
Returning from his overseas trip to the Middle East where he sought to complete doctoral research, history teacher Mr. Ben-
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BY ANNELISE HILLMANN
office. - Dr. Peruggia
We have a new Pharblog! Check it out @ www.pharblog.com
The Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) will induct football coach Ron Ream into the Florida Hall of Fame in January. According to the FACA website, criteria for induction into the hall includes “years of coaching tenure in Florida high schools, dedication to the FACA and outstanding coaching accomplishments.” “I was fortunate enough at this school to be an athletic director for 29 years. I have coached football here for 40 years and three at Gardens, so a total of 43 years,” said Coach Ream. “I was also the head baseball coach here for 18 years and coached baseball for a total of 26 years. So, when you start piling all that together, all of a sudden my resume in numbers warranted a second look by the FACA as a possible inductee to the Florida Hall of Fame.” Despite his numerous accomplishments, state titles and district wins, Coach Ream did not think he would win this prestigious award. “If not for Coach Smith, I would never even have submitted my resume if he had not nudged me last December to do so. I didn’t think it would warrant Hall of Fame status,” he said. After more than 40 years of coaching, Coach Ream continues to enjoy the energy level brought to him by his players. “It makes me feel a lot younger than I am. That’s
’’
pediatrician’s
jamin Harper came back with much more. After he was awarded a research grant from the Association for the Study of the Middle East and Africa (ASMEA), Mr. Harper set out to Moscow, Russia, and
Baku, Azerbaijan, to further research the Iranian Crisis of 1946, which involved Azerbaijan, Iran, the Soviet Union, and the United States. The post-World War II crisis centered on aggressive territorial moves made by the Soviet
what keeps driving me. The other thing too is the camaraderie of being with other coaches. I enjoy going to the coaches’ meetings at the conferences. What’s kept me in coaching is those memories, those nostalgic days. I can go back and just about name every kid who played for me on that first undefeated football team back in 1981.” Coach Ream’s biggest sense of accomplishment, however, is not this induction but the gratitude and respect of the students he served. “The kids come back 10, 20, 30 and now 40 years later and say ‘thank you.’ That means so much and is so much a part of the whole coaching thing for me,” he said. “When I look back at my own high school experience and I think about the most influential people in my career, without a doubt, excluding my
parents, it was the coaches. I hope that when I leave a mark on a kid, from my point of view, that that’s been a positive experience.” The area in which Coach Ream certainly overperforms is compassion. “I do care a lot for my kids. I care about their family situations. I try to get to know my players outside the confines of the field.” To gain the respect of his players, Coach Ream works diligently to develop relationships where he is a coach and not a buddy. “Every season is exciting. Every season brings challenges. Every season has those moments when you say ‘golly, we can do this’ or ‘this kid broke his leg, what are we gonna do,’” he said. “That’s all part of coaching. We’re looking forward to this senior group having as good as year as we can have.”v
Union, but it abruptly and quietly ended, leaving many to wonder about how it was resolved.. He began his trip in Moscow, and then he continued on to Baku, Azerbaijan, where he met with a key leader of the nation’s parliamentary body and Presidential candidate, Dr. Jamil Hasanli, potentially the biggest highlight of the trip for Mr. Harper “He was extremely helpful, and I was fortunate enough to dine with him and engage in many pertinent conversations. He’s also quite the public figure there, which made it quite an experience. He treated me to the Azeri national cuisine, which was a great experience as well,” Mr. Harper said. While in Baku, Mr. Harper did have some time to take in a few of the area’s most remarkable sites, such as the famous Flame Towers and Maiden’s Tower and to explore the city’s pristine downtown area. This was yet another highlight for him. “Baku stood out to me the most on my trip. It was a truly
See Harper page 3
Coach Ream invited to Hall of Fame Parking privilege changed Executive Editor
News: 1-3 Opinions: 4-5 Spotlight: 6-7 School Life: 8-9 The Scene: 10 Sports: 11-12
Issue 1
ANNELISE HILLMANN
Coach Ream critiques a player’s stance at practice.
BY VERONICA WEISS Graphics Editor
As of August 19, Benjamin’ has switched to a first come, first serve parking system.. Dean Ball did not grant senior parking privileges because last year’s juniors chose not to follow school policy. In previous years, the School has struggled with underclassmen taking the senior parking spots. “Why did the seniors lose their parking this year? Why don’t you ask the seniors?” Dean of Students Ms. Sue Ball said. “Several times I told the then juniors not to park in the senior spots. And over the course of the year, I had several different juniors park in the senior spots and that caused a lot of issues for me.” Incoming seniors are not pleased with the new parking arrangements. “It’s the worst thing ever. One of the few things I looked forward to was parking somewhere besides the baseball fields,” senior Vincent Pileggi said. “It’s only fair that seniors should be able to park closer just like last year.” In regards to whether or not the senior parking will come back, Ms. Ball said, “Hopefully, it will return for seniors next year. As far as second semester this year, I really can’t answer that definitively.” See Senior Parking page 3
News
UPCOMING
The Pharcyde Check out the latest news @ the new and improved pharblog.com
Meet the New Teachers
E V E N T S Benjamin’s newest teachers introduce themselves August 27: Upper School Back to School Night August 29: First Home Football Game
Mrs.
Mrs.
Cheryl McKenney
Meghan Steiner
Math Teacher
English Teacher
Photo courtesy of Mrs. Cheryl McKenney
September 1: No School on Labor Day September 3: Drake & Lil Wayne Concert at Cruzan Amphitheater September 13: ACT at Benjamin Five Seconds of Summer Concert at Cruzan Amphitheater September 15: Homecoming Week begins September 19: Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Begin
EVENTS
UPCOMING Graphic by Annelise Hillmann
Photo courtesy of Mrs. Meghan Steiner
Q: Where did you grow up most of your childhood? What about Q: Where did you grow up most of your childhood? What about that place did you enjoy most?
that place did you enjoy most?
A:
Growing up in Buffalo, New York was fun in the winter. Sledding and making snowmen were fun activities. In high school, every Friday night was ski club, and it was so much fun. As a teenager, you are fearless. Skiing black diamonds was not a big deal. Now I think twice for fear of breaking something.
A: I grew up in Palm Beach Gardens and North Palm Beach. I loved the friends I made and riding my bike to school with them.
Q: Why did you choose to go into teaching? What about it appeals Q: Why did you choose to go into teaching? What about it appeals to you?
to you?
A:
I really love math and working with teenagers! A perfect combination for a math teaching career.
A: Teaching chose me. My favorite part of teaching is seeing my students discover their strengths.
Q: What do you enjoy most about teaching the subject you do? A: Finding new ways to help a student understand a math topic Q: What do you enjoy most about teaching the subject you do? is fun. I love to come up with different explanations, hands on activities, or science experiments so that students will gain a deeper understanding of the concept.
Q: Do you have any funny stories from the classroom? A: At my former school, not being able to tell the gender of a new
student had me stumped for a week. The curly hair and purse (or was it a European man bag?) led me to believe Luis might actually be Louise. Each day I would ask the student to pronounce their name. I would very slowly say ‘is it Luis’ or ‘Louise’. The student would say ‘yes’. Well that was no help. Finally I had to ask the principal, who didn’t find it funny at all.
Q: What was the most memorable moment from your teaching career so far?
A:
I love when students come back to visit from college and either thank me for teaching them something specific or wish that I was their math teacher in college.
Q: What are your interests outside of school? A: Working out at the gym keeps me busy whether it’s Pilates,
Yoga, Zumba, or strength training. I love riding rollercoasters, kayaking, white water rafting (except when both of my children fell out in a class 5 rapid), and downhill skiing. When I’m not feeling adventurous, reading a book on the beach is so relaxing.
A: I enjoy teaching literature because it helps my students see life from other perspectives, and I think that's important because it develops empathy.
Q: Do you have any funny stories from the classroom? What was the most memorable moment from your teaching career so far?
A: There are so many it's hard to choose. One memorable moment
was when I met Dan Marino because he was touring the campus and came into my classroom. I was so surprised that I was at a loss for words for the first time in my life. I'm sure I made an odd impression on him! Embarrassing!
Q:
What are your interests outside of school? Do you have any hobbies, enjoy any sports, or like doing certain activities?
A:
I love soccer! I played semi pro and even into my forties I played competitively. I especially loved playing in the Tropical Soccer League in Stuart. I also love playing with my sons, who are 9 and 6.
Q: How long have you been teaching? Q: How long have you been teaching? A: 9 years. A: I've been teaching off and on since I was 22, so almost 20 years. Q: What about coming to Benjamin excites you most? What are Q: What about coming to Benjamin excites you most? What are you looking forward to? you looking forward to? A: I searched long and hard for a school that excelled at academics, but had a small community feel. Everyone I have met from the office staff, teachers, and administration has been professional, A: I'm excited because it feels like I'm coming home. I graduated welcoming, and very accessible. I am looking forward to my first year at Benjamin.
from Benjamin, and I taught sophomore and junior literature on the other campus for 8 years.
Upper School student body biggest in school history BY ROBERT CHARLES Staff Writer
This year the Upper School body will be the largest ever, the Admissions office is reporting now. Talking about the incoming freshman class, Director of Admissions Mrs. Mary Lou Primm said, “As of August 1, we have 116 students enrolled to be a part of this year’s freshman class. Out of the 116 stu-
dents, 39 students are new to the school and the remaining 77 are returning Benjamin students who went through our middle school.” At press time the student body tops out at 438 students, the largest upper school body yet. Commenting on the impact of the larger number of students, Mr. Baucom said, “It is important for us to be able to retain the characteristics that
make The Benjamin School such a special place to be. I am not concerned about the ability of our faculty and students to maintain the close personal ties that they have always enjoyed. We are careful to make sure that we don’t grow beyond our ability to serve students effectively in and out of the classroom and if the trend of increased enrollment continues we will also plan accordingly.” With the largest number
of students ever, the School is determined to continue to provide quality personal education and still hold true to its values. Commenting on this, Director of Student Services Dr. Amy Taylor said, “Although we have a lot more students than past years, it should not alter any of the values that we think are important. We have hired additional faculty, so class size will remain what it has always been and class
management should never be compromised as the school adheres to the core value of respect, teacher to student, student to teacher and student to student.” Commenting on the future of the growth of the school Mr. Baucom said, “We hold a prominent position in the region and we are attracting many great new students and families that will continue to grow and better our population.” v
The Pharcyde
August 19, 2014
News
Page 3
Briger property construction already underway Harper BY KATHLEEN WALSH Online Editor
The construction of an underground pipeline on the south-side of Grandiflora Road marks the first step of a 682 acre housing construction project east of the school that is being build to the dismay of preservationists and approval of Benjamin school officials. Earlier this year the Cotleur & Hearing Group, a prominent Palm Beach construction company, brought its plans to be approved by the Palm Beach City Council, causing discontent among residents and council members alike. The 2,700 family homes and 450,00 sq. ft. town center are currently being planned for
the 682 acre Briger property according to the South Florida Business Journal. This prospect is leading some school administrators to wonder if this will attract prospective students to the school. Some are hopeful that the added housing units will bring potential students to the school. “New construction is a normal part of life for everyone in most communities. If the new project results in an impressive new housing development, then we may actually benefit from added exposure and potential new families moving close to the school” Mr. Latta Baucom, Head of Upper School, said. Others are concerned that the first phase of the construc-
tion project will cause traffic congestion and noise pollution in the surrounding area, despite the Cotleur’s assurance that work south of Grandiflora will be concluded before the school year starts. At this point, the School’s administrators are confident that it will all work out. “Jim Adle [Maintenance Director for the Upper School] and I met with the foreman last week, who promised that construction will be done by the time school starts,” CFO Mr. Frank Cavaliero said. However controversy over the Coutler’s purchase of the 682 acre tract of undeveloped Briger land stems not only from traffic congestion but from the concern of preser-
vationists who claim that the property is one of the last undeveloped pieces of land in the Palm Beach County area. The property was purchased by the Coutler group in 2004, according to the Palm Beach City Council, and was originally supposed to be an expansion of the Scripps Biomedical center. One Palm Beach resident and Muskogee tribe member, Bobbie C. Billie opposed the development of the Briger property citing the Council’s disregard for preserving the natural landscape. While opinions may be mixed, even heated, regarding the development of the Briger property, the developers appear to have the approval they need to move forward.v
ANNELISE HILLMANN Before construction on the 682 acre Briger property can begin, an underground pipeline beneath Grandiflora Road must be completed.
Loveland steps in to fill math vacancy BY ANDY WEIR Co-Editor-in-Chief
Following former Math Department Chair Mrs. Alicia Gram’s unanticipated departure, Mr. David Loveland has joined the Benjamin faculty. Mr. Loveland will take on all of Mrs. Gram’s classes, including Honors Precalculus, AP Calculus BC & Multivariable Equations, and AP Statistics, but will not assume her position as department chair. A graduate from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York, Mr. Loveland has truly traveled the world, teaching everywhere from Africa to Brazil. He began his career as an engineer for several years after graduating from college but soon joined the Peace Corp, which sent him to the small country of Malawi where he taught math for two years to native children who lived without electricity. There, he faced numerous challenges, going so far as to have to build his house himself. When his time in the Peace Corp came to an end, he returned to the United States where he earned his master’s degree in education through a Peace Corp fellowship. It was there that he reaffirmed his desire to be a teacher, so he set off to teach on a Native American reservation in Northern Arizona for a number of years. His next stop, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, would become truly important to him. There, he met his wife. In what is perhaps one of his shorter moves, he made the less than 300 mile journey to San Paulo before briefly returning to Florida to teach for a year at St.
Andrews. Before he knew it though, he was back abroad; this time to Angola teaching at an international school. After three years there, he returned to Florida to teach at Benjamin. Interestingly enough, Mr. Loveland views his worldwide teaching experience as something that can help him as he begins his time at Benjamin. “It doesn’t matter where kids are from. They could be the poorest in the world, they could be some of the wealthiest kids in the world; kids are the same. They have the same concerns, the same worries, the same things make them happy; the same things motivate them, and as a teacher, I try to tap into that,” Mr. Loveland said.
Having taught so many kids, he still manages to find much joy in encouraging students and seeing them realize they can do it. Commenting on that, he said, “As a teacher, I just love that “ahha” moment when they get what they’re supposed to be getting and feel good about it…I try to create a classroom that encourages that.” Creating a classroom environment that does that is not easy though. Mr. Loveland uses stories and encouragement to make students feel safe and comfortable. He says this also helps generate student interest in classes that may not always be perceived as the most exciting. Also part of his personality is his extracurricular interests, which certainly extend beyond
travel. Relating to his love for Brazil, he loves the water from surfing to swimming. The water was one of many reasons that Florida appealed to him. When he’s not out catching a wave though, he does enjoy a good book or cycling. In fact, he once spent a year dedicated to cycling. He also recently became a father and currently has two kids. With that in mind, Mr. Loveland is looking forward to the new school year and the new job ahead of him. Right now, he has one word in mind though. “Confidence. It’s all about confidence, as a teacher, as a student. Anytime in life, it’s important to have confidence and I hope to convey that message to my students every day,” he concluded. v
SNAPSHOT: Benjamin Hall
returns
From Harper Returns page 1
unique city, with a beautiful downtown area on the Caspian Sea and an ever present and rich history,” Mr. Harper said. That said, the primary purpose behind the trip was, of course, the research. By visiting national archives, state libraries, and foreign ministries, he was able to gather and organize his research about the Crisis. The research collected at these sites all went towards his doctoral dissertation, which is now near completion. Perhaps most difficult for Mr. Harper was some of his research in Russia though. Accessing all of the desired material sometimes proved to be difficult for him. Commenting on this difficulty, Mr. Harper said, “Russia is notoriously difficult to work in in a research capacity, and that certainly proved true for me. [It was] extremely bureaucratic.” But Mr. Harper’s trip came at a very unique time. This summer’s crash of a Malaysian Airlines airplane further increased the already significant tensions between the United States and Russia. “The current conflicts in the Middle East, and in Russia, dominated the news cycles while I was there. I did not experience any personal security issues, but was well aware of potential risks…There were a few moments and situations that I was in that made me think twice, but overall, I found the people in both Moscow and Baku to be kind and hospitable,” he said. Oddly enough, Mr. Harper is hoping to use his findings to solve similar international issues in the future. “In the international relations field, this is called conflict resolution. I want to see what was done then that successfully avoided military confrontation,” Mr. Harper said. Back home now, he is eagerly preparing to present his findings at the ASMEA annual conference in Washington, DC in October and November where he will sit as part of an academic panel and possibly publish his work in the organization’s journal, The Journal of the Middle East and Africa. In the meantime though, Mr. Harper continues to look back at his time in the Middle East. Although he certainly gathered a significant amount of research, what stands out most to him is the experience itself. v
Senior parking From Senior Parking page 1
Scan QR Code for Live Benjamin Hall Webcam Photo courtesy of The Benjamin School
Benjamin Hall construction continues with an expected opening in the winter.
The change has proven beneficial for some though. “It’s better for [underclassmen] because we can now come a little later and still get pretyy good parking spots and not walk such a long distance to get to our lockers,” junior Lyndsey Peckham said. Ms. Ball concluded, “For me, the bigger issue is, students aren’t doing the right thing when nobody’s looking. Why can’t they just follow a simple rule? “ v
Opinions
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Editorials
The opinion of The Pharcyde
The Truth, the Whole Truth and Nothing But the Truth The administration’s heavy hand in censoring The Pharcyde must be lifted soon. For the first issue of every new school year, The Pharcyde usually uses its editorial to convey its mission to readers, as well as what they may expect to find within the pages of subsequent issues. The annual introductory article will state something along the lines of “The Pharcyde’s goal is to report on the necessary and the interesting, the praiseworthy and the unsatisfactory, the light-hearted and the thoughtprovoking in an attempt to foster an open dialogue within our school.” However, this year, the editorial board cannot write such an article genuinely and expect to fulfill those promises due to the likelihood of intervention by members of the administration. The Pharcyde fully understands that some issues exist within a school that are simply not appropriate for a high school newspaper to cover, such as scandals or the personal lives of faculty and staff. The Pharcyde also believes itself to be above having gossip columns or reporting anything as fact without verification of such. This paper has certainly stayed within these acceptable bounds. As many readers will note, a great percentage of the articles within this newspaper are complementary pieces about new policies, faculty members, athletic teams, or individual student accomplishments, as the staff is fond of its School. Yet, it appears some members of the administration wish that all the paper produces should be fluff. Articles and headlines within the newspaper have been repeatedly censored in recent years in order to paint the school in a more positive light. Administrators have told some writers that certain pieces of information and quotations must be included for an article to be deemed acceptable for printing, even though the piece was already balanced in terms of opinions offered.
On the other hand, the powers that be have also urged writers not to include information. One example of such actions occurred last year when a writer was asked not to include information from a legal proceeding relevant to the covered topic. The writer of said article claimed that not only did he feel that the censorship was unjust, but also that the part that was censored contained information of which The school community ought to have been aware. For many writers, opinion articles show their true voices and where productive discussions can start. Judging by past actions, however, the administration feels differently. Administrators have, in the past, removed critical articles before they could be printed, and while actions were taken to improve the things of which the articles were critical, journalistic privilege was nonetheless compromised. Therefore, The Pharcyde finds itself at a crossroads in that it aims to do thorough and worthwhile reporting, but is also hesitant to do so, due to the likelihood of censorship. Although this newspaper is wary of turning into a simple promotional pamphlet for The Benjamin School, it has no legal grounds by which to oppose such a transformation. The Supreme Court case of Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier found that student newspapers that were not established independently from a school are granted a lower level of protection by the First Amendment. Writers have made note of the loathsome qualities of censorship time and time again for centuries, and thus this editorial board has no need to repeat them here. Instead, the staff poses the question of whether or not the administration is fulfilling The Benjamin School’s mission and guiding principles.
On its website, the School states that its “primary responsibility is to address its students’ academic needs while developing and supporting their interest in and passion for the arts...”. Journalism is an art form for which all members of The Pharcyde staff share a passion. By stating what can and what cannot be written, The school has not only failed to support good journalism but also sucked it of the creativity and freedom that make it such a beautiful medium for expression. The School further states that it “strives for excellence in everything it does so that its students are well prepared for college and beyond.” This newspaper may differ from the administration in that it believes that a school of excellence not only allows criticism, but rather encourages it so the institution as a whole can improve and proceed to a level even beyond excellence. Finally, the guiding principles of the School include the statement that it aims to “prepare its students to be... fearless learners.” In this regard, Benjamin has certainly failed. How can this School claim to encourage fearless learners if oftentimes, when students aim to be fearless through their writings, their articles are dismissed or made tamer? This does not foster fearlessness, but rather citizens that are willing to conform to what higher powers expect. In fact, it stifles fearfulness. Thus, The Pharcyde would like to ask administrators to, when altering articles this year, contemplate whether or not the censored information is worth straying from the mission statement and guiding principles for. In a few cases, it may be. But this newspaper guarantees that the vast majority of the time, it will not.
Letter to the Editor Adviser to The Pharcyde Mr. Ken Didsbury responds to the editorial claims. I am writing this letter in response to the editorial written in this issue. For the sake of balance I believe it is important to provide another perspective. When the writer makes the case that administrators inappropriately censor the paper, it is important to note of whom he is speaking. Mr. Baucom and I read every piece. Occasionally Mr. Goldberg will also offer his reaction to the pieces. We have the responsibility for ensuring that the work in The Pharcyde reflects the best interests of the School, and I would contend we have done more than most to protect the paper from intrusion during that process. The very fact that this editorial is included in this issue speaks to that fact. In room 149 a banner has been in place over the whiteboard that reads “You have a voice. How will
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Founded in 1980 as The Spectator August 19, 2014 March 8, 2013 The Benjamin School 4875 Road TheGrandiflora Benjamin School Palm Beach Florida 4875Gardens, Grandiflora Road33418 Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33418 Contact Info Phone: 561-472-3485 Contact Info Fax: 561-691-8823 Phone: 561-472-3485 Fax: 561-691-8823 Advisor: Mr. Ken Didsbury kendall.didsbury@thebenjaminschool.org Advisor: Mr. Ken Didsbury kendall.didsbury@thebenjaminschool.org Editors-in-Chief: Ben Greenspan benjamin.greenspan15@thebenjaminschool.org Co-Editor-in-Chief: Lauren Bernick Andy Weir lauren.bernick13@thebenjaminschool.org andy.weir15@thebenjaminschool.org Co-Editor-in-Chief: Ben Germano Executive Editor: Annelise Hillmann ben.germano13@thebenjaminschool.org annelise.hillmann16@thebenjaminschool.org
you use it?” I put it there to be a challenge and a caution. I want the staff of The Pharcyde to find their voices and write about things that are important to them. As the writer of the editorial stated well, we want students to be fearless learners, and as much as possible we protect their courage. At the same time, I warn the students that they have to be careful how they use their voice. Not everything needs to be shouted from the mountain top. The conversation about what is appropriate journalism will continue long after this paper has been put in the recycle bin. I look forward to that challenge. Vigorous discussion sharpens the mind and clarifies ideas, but at times investigative journalism takes very detailed research and very precise writing, sometimes more than the exigencies of a deadline al-
Editorial Board Editorial Board
Mission MissionStatement Statement
The The Pharcyde Pharcyde isis aa student student newspaper newspaperproduced producedtotofoster foster an open dialogue about an open dialogue about toptopics that relate to The Benjamin ics that relate to The Benjamin School. The issues that appear School. The issues that appear throughout throughoutour ourpages pagesmay maybe be light-hearted light-hearted oror serious, serious, but but regardless regardless we we aim aim toto reflect reflect the thediversity diversityofofopinion opinionwithin within our school that we value so deeply.
BenLauren Greenspan Co-Editor-in-Chief Bernick Co-Editor-in-Chief Andy Weir Co-Editor-in-Chief Ben Germano Co-Editor-in-Chief Annelise ExecutiveEditor Editor EmilyHillmann Dunkel Graphics Gretchen Photography Editor Casey Sousa Pearce Managing Editor Katie Walsh Online Editor Ben Greenspan Copy Editor Michael Sports Editor Sam Mullery Greenspan Online Editor Fiona Schor Managing EditorEditor Dean Sandquist Sports Veronica Weiss Graphics Editor Staff Writers Madeleine Dalton Copy Editor
Lexi Cass, Averill Healey, Rachel Smith, Riley Burke, Jerrie James, Juliette Mercadante,Staff AshlynWriters Sendler, Paige Sode, Michael Robert Charles, Dave Robinson, Robert Feruggia Mullery, Andy Weir, Caterina Breuer, Niki Hendi, Annelise Hillmann, Bella Ross, Kathleen Walsh
Staff Artists
Annelise Hillmann Illustrator
low. Several times I have stopped an article from being published because we have not done all we can to make an article the very best. Our track record in regional and national competitions is a testimony to the success of that approach. Our staff consistently demonstrate their fearlessness and the power of their voice when they win those awards. I am proud of them. But that pride is tempered by an on-going commitment to do the best I can to balance the needs of the students with the needs of the School. As I said, I look forward to the challenge of ensuring that both needs are met. Mr. Ken Didsbury Adviser to The Pharcyde
Membership The Pharcyde is a member of the Florida SchoMembership lastic Press Association, American Scholastic The Pharcyde is a Columbia member ofScholastic the FloridaPress SchoPress Association, lastic Press and Association, American Scholastic Association the National Scholastic Press Press Association, Columbia Scholastic Press Asscociation. Association and the National Scholastic Press
Advertisements The price of a full page ad is $200.00/ issue. The price of a half page ad is $120.00/ issue.
General The Pharcyde, the Upper School newspaper of The price of a quarter page ad is $90.00/ General issue. The Benjamin School, is published six times a The Pharcyde, the Upper School newspaper of year. The Benjamin School, is published six times a The price of a business card ad is year. The Pharcyde is distributed to every student and $50.00/issue. faculty member and is availalbe in the Upper The Pharcyde is distributed to every student and School office. Each issue is mailed to every Up- If you or anyone you know would like to faculty member and is availalbe in the Upper place an advertisement in The Pharcyde, per School family’s home address. School office. Each issue is mailed to every Upper please contact Jerrie James at School family’s home address. The Pharcyde encourages submission of Letters jerrie.james14@thebenjaminschool.org. to the Editor. Send your feedback, criticism, The Pharcyde encourages submission of Letters or outside opinions in 150 words or fewer to to the Editor. Send your feedback, criticism, or casey.pearce14@thebenjaminschool.org. The outside opinions in 150 words or fewer to ben. Pharcyde reserves the right to edit all letters for germano13@thebenjaminschool.org. The Pharlength, grammar, and clarity.
The opinion articles in this paper are the opinion of the writer or the majority opinion of The Pharcyde Editorial Board. They are not the opinion of The Benjamin School or our advertisers.
Opinions
The Pharcyde
August 19, 2014
Page 5
Give Credit Where It Is Due
v Students who take summer courses outside of Benjamin should still receive credit. Andy Weir Co-Editor-in-Chief The sun was out, the waves were rolling in, and the mercury on the thermometer was at its highest. It was summertime, and while many were at the beach or on vacation, a select few were hard at work in the classroom. At Benjamin, many of these students are being denied true recognition for their efforts. Every summer, students from around the world, including Benjamin students, travel to various colleges and universities in the United States to live, eat, and attend classes there for anywhere from two weeks to two months. In the process, they spend thousands of dollars getting to the college and countless hours working once they are there. Ideally, most return home with a passing grade that can be used towards their school’s graduation requirements. Unfortunately, students who return to Benjamin are told that those credits will, in fact, not be honored and cannot be used towards the School’s demanding graduation requirements. These complicated requirements can definitely make it difficult for students to also take full advantage of classes that directly interest them, which is why some students wish to use pre-collegiate summer programs to satisfy some of the less-interesting requirements freeing up space for more interesting electives, but the School’s apparent inflexibility prevents students from being proactive through such actions. Considering the School offers well over 100 classes,
I have personally found quite a few classes that I would love to have taken just out of curiosity or interest but simply cannot due to the requirements. I would have loved to be able to take a summer class at a college to free up the necessary room for just one of these exciting classes. That said, these requirements are in place to ensure that all students take balanced academic schedules, which is certainly reasonable, and with only so many hours in the day, it is hard for the School to make sure students do take vigourous and balanced schedules while also allowing them to take classes, not being used to meet an academic requirement, that just seem fun or interesting to them. The ideal solution to this issue seems to be these precollegiate summer courses then, so long as they pass and evaluation and meet pre-arranged guidelines set forward by the School. If the School were to actually recognize these courses, students could take a class purely to meet graduation requirements over the summer and then use that opening in their school schedule to take a class that they are curious about, providing some relief from other typical and sometimes unexciting classes. A little more liberty in choosing his or her classes might serve as an excellent reward for a student who spent time over his or her summer vacation studying at a university and representing the School well. Benjamin’s wide variety of classes is incredibly unique . In fact, most of these summer programs do not offer classes dedicated to the history of Florida and the Caribbean or to studying Middle Eastern culture and history but Benjamin does. The School does seem okay with some students tak-
ing summer courses though, so long as these summer courses are earned through Benjamin summer classes, each offered for an additional fee. These classes are taught by Benjamin faculty, so from the School’s perspective, a quality education is absolutely guaranteed, While it seems apparent that a summer class at Stanford University should be at least of the same quality and vigor as one at Benjamin, some have raised concerns over the amount of work demanded from lesserknown programs. What is there to keep students from “gaming the system” and getting away with doing less work. This is why the School should adopt some form of an evaluation system for these programs. With such a system, a Benjamin administrator would thoroughly research a student’s specific summer program and speak with the class’s professor and the program’s director as well as review the coursework. After a thorough review, a student could use a passing grade in one of these courses to earn a credit or at least half of one. An evaluative system would both ensure the legitimacy of these courses and reward students for extra work during the summer. Of course, this resolution would come with a tradeoff. Students would need to agree to a minimum number of required courses to take each semester set forth by the School. This would ensure that a senior does not end up with six or seven study halls. Ultimately, students who take the initiative to surpass expectations and spend some of their summer studying at a Benjamin-approved program should receive proper credit for their hard work. In doing so, the School might actually encourage some other students to give up a little beach or vacation time in exchange for some academic enrichment.
Political Correctness Has Gone Too Far
v People need to seriously reconsider what it truly means to be “offended.” Kathleen Walsh Online Editor Who could believe the extent to which political correctness has proliferated? For example, some Santa Claus impersonators in Sydney, Australia are now banned from saying “ho, ho, ho,” on the off chance a “feminist” decided to get lawsuit happy during the holiday season. Political correctness even took form in a Washington elementary school, where the school mandated that “Easter Eggs” be called “Spring Spheres” according to dailymail.co, which in all honesty, probably didn’t fool the school children in the slightest. While it was highly improbable that Jolly Old Saint Nick’s catch phrase or colorful eggs might ruffle a few sensitive feathers, it hardly seems necessary.
However, probably the most shockingly hilarious case of political over correctness, took place across the pond in the UK when a job recruitment officer’s ad for “hardworking” workers, was deemed offensive to lazy people, according to the dailymail.com. It feels as if the world has scared itself into thinking that even lazy people, a demographic that really cannot even be accounted for, is now in danger of stigmatization.
One can almost characterize today’s media as being on a witch hunt; everyone looks to point a finger at someone else so they are not the one to seem racist or insensitive to polar bears. Leprechauns are an offensive stereotype, meat is now an irresponsible food, and if a person is flatulent, he/she is ruining the ozone layer. A slip of the tongue can suddenly create a storm of racial and social ambiguity if the right word is not properly used. Instead of dealing with true issues facing our world today like gay rights or the fair treatment of women under the law, we are worrying about the right words to use to describe Easter Eggs so as to not offend anyone. To be frank, I find it more offensive that instead of focusing on actual race relation issues, such as the stigmatization of immigrants, we spend time wondering if Dora The Explorer is somehow racist. The world seems to have lost its rationality at the moment, when it comes to deciphering what is offensive and what is not, I can only hope that people regain their senses before they start burning books that are deemed “politically incorrect.”
One can almost characterize today’s media as being on a witch hunt; everyone looks to point a finger at someone else so they aren’t the one to seem racist or insensitive to polar bears.
While I may be all for equal rights for all genders, religions, races, and sexualities, I draw the line at the “lazy demographic.
Disagree? Have your voice heard.
{P} Write a letter to the editor! Send your thoughts, in 150 words or fewer, to benjamin.greenspan15@thebenjaminschool.org or andy.weir15@thebenjaminschool.org. All contributions are welcome.
Sp
Page 6 The Pharcyde
August 19, 2014
r worst u o y e r a s r e “Teach enemies.”
t you” is out to ge any o h w r e h c a pical “te In fact, m The stereoty rize students at TBS. few of their o does not terr me close friends with a community o c e b small students f Benjamin’s see [his] students o se u a c e b nts to instructors o teacher wa cts to be challenging, N “ t. n e m n o envir subje y y want their tts said. “An fail. Yes, the ossible,” senior Alec Ba y p ith work, m but never im r felt overwhelmed w elp me out. h ve time I’ve e more than willing to s that high ie re it teachers we nd all the responsibil re to express ta They unders have, and they make su it you ‘got nts dm school stude sign of weakness to a hers are real a c a t e o T that it’s n a need help. d n a ’ d a e h ething that r in over you le of compassion, som h a difficult ab ced wit people, cap rget when fa fo ts n e d u st lot of situation.”
Layout by Annelise Hillmann, text by
“There’s a m usical numb er around ever y corner.” As the gene ration hooke
d on High S students ma chool Music y be shocke al, d that Vaness Zac Efron d a Hudgens an on’t go to B d enjamin - n before every or do they si class. It’s te n g mpting to c head in the hant “getch game” at o a ne of the in showdowns, te but at no ti nse B-Ball me will peo with their c ple be danc afeteria tray ing s. (We don cafeteria.) H ’t even hav owever, sen e a ior Agne Nu does run thro maviciute tr ugh Benjam u ly in’s halls sin “I actually d ging showtu id run aroun nes. d and sing m of Frosty the y own rendit Giant Snow ion man. I try to for appearan control myse ce’s sake, bu lf t sometimes The music m I can’t help oves me.” B it. ut really, no t everyone’s musically in as clined as Ag ne.
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er nts to b e that o bad if y from Clueless who ha ne “los ou are d er s no car. ti year wit Do not ” hout a l ll in the end feel of ice Howeve r, it is tr nse, and you h your sophomo a ue that re ve frien have lic am ds en single s ses and cars. B ajority of uppe who do. tud y rc her own ent in the clas senior year, alm lassmen sd o persona cerned, l car. A rives to schoo st every showin l l s i o n his or , to tho gu ride wit se who h pimpe p to school wi a r e contho dbel som eone as out rims will n ut a shiny luxu ot ry “ not gua rantee t uncool.” Drivin automatically hat oth l a g a fancy er stude car doe nts will no one s b likes a s how-off e swooning; .
7 Most Unrealistic High School Movies & Shows
1.
This myth is absolutely t what’s more, the rigor of tr nis just as much,” Admi Counseling Mrs. Linda o want to see students wh in and do their very best will take easy classes to one of the deciding facto neglecting your grades senior year. So watch i rule your life! AP and h specifically so that a bad This one is
“Popularity is everything.”
On Wednesdays many female students may don their celebratory pink in honor of the timeless 2004 movie Mean Girls - but “the Plastics” of North Shore High School don’t really exist at Benjamin. Mean Girls fanatics may find themselves confused that Regina George doesn’t command the halls as the Queen Bee. “Contrary to popular belief, high school is nothing like what you see in the movie. While it’s true that not everyone can be friends, I think that the whole concept of severely outlined and nicknamed cliques is not something that actually reigns at a real high school. Everyone isn’t out to get you,” senior Lillian Lesser, Mean Girls aficionado, said. Perhaps this is because Benjamin’s culture rounds out students, so that they can relate to most of their peers. Whatever the secret is to Benjamin’s dearth of drama - it’s so fetch!
2.
Project X
“GPA is im
High School Musical
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Page 7 August 19, 2014
y Veronica Weiss & Annelise Hillmann
mportant.”
d true. “GPA counts - an ts the student’s classes coun ge rative Assistant to Colle es eg Twitchell said. “Coll cts o take challenging subje o n them over someone wh be o get that A.” GPA can n; ors of a college applicatio ek cre may leave you up a it it carefully, but don’t let ted honors classes are weigh dly. d grade won’t sting too ba s definitely true.
“You must take as many APs as possible.”
“Quality over quantity” is one of the most important pieces of advice that teachers and other guidance figures will give in regard to decidin g to take an AP class. “When college admissions officers look at an application, they’re certainly not looking for you to be taking every AP class availab le. It’s really dependent on the student and wh at makes sense within the context of your curriculum ,” said college counselor Mr. Jeffrey Wong. “Colleg es want to see that you’ve balanced your curriculum . It’s not so much a numbers thing as much as looking at the overall qualitative picture.”
“Prom is life.”
yo e prom royalty. Senior Ki Prom may be life for th e prom committee her juVigliotti, a member of th t, what you make of it. Bu is m ro “P id, sa ar, ye or ni friends to enjoy the little having a good group of e especially because we liv , nt rta po im ry ve is gs thin cuy or weekend can be do in a time where every da rProm isn’t the most impo mented with a picture. om s savor the moment. Pr tant thing. We must alway at courage everyone to go is unique, and I would en of ays a defining moment least once. But, it isn’t alw oem m erished high school high school.” Not all ch one glamorous night. ries revolve around that
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“High sch ool is the best four years of y It’s not ne our life.” w to hear a parent ta was “on
lk e of their favorite m ing about how hig the “best h school emories” fou or how it A student’ r years of their lif e v en e s experie nce durin .” But, is that reall was he or she g the y true? ma [than high kes of it. “My one next four years is what y school], a nd I expe ear at college was life to be ct much, b better. Bu etter if no t th do anyth ing in hig at’s largely becau t most, of my se I didn’ h active pro t really bably enjo school. I think p e o y p alumnus e le d it w m ho or from the Class of 2 e,” said Michael F were yet stude ishman, 0 1 nts are s 3. High s till able c h o “The nice o l is stressful, to en thing abo ut high sc joy their teenage hool is yo years. to be irre uh sponsible ,” said Fis ave more time hman.
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sch cum to p Contrary d last years of high easons: 1) GPA is y an eral r your abilit v t e c s e r ff a fo their first y y a ll ss m hers cademica in one cla class, teac it e c y n n portant a a a m il r fa if you ur perfo ecause tive, 2) yo ther classes. Also, dvanced classes, b rucial a o oc to get into ble to place you in Senior year is als rades. . a y g be not read ing their e in may not ’r a u t o in y a rih m thoug ded senio students a e e r e d s e seems as to h t e s, who lik s come down with scores. r to college iling any senio m h tolerate fa g u ’t o n o w Alth s e g tis, colle
jewels gold
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School Life
Student Stories + Teacher Features
The Pharcyde DID YOU KNOW?:
Every year, 1,000 letters arrive in Jerusalem addressed to God. - www.theguardian.com
Alums find themselves in epicenter of Israel-Gaza conflict BY BEN GREENSPAN Co-Editor in Chief
Jake Reitman, class of 2013, stayed in the ocean when he heard the sirens in Tel Aviv. After hearing them about 20 times during his month and half in Israel this summer, he said, the incoming-missile warnings became so commonplace that he did not feel the urgency to run to a bunker. The rising tensions and violence in the Israel-Palestine conflict can feel rather foreign to many in the United States, but for Reitman and Liam Fine ‘13, who each traveled separately, the fledgling war was very much a reality. Fine visited Israel from June 8th to the 18th as part of the Birthright program, which offers free-ten day trips to Israel for Jewish adults ages 1826. “I’ve always wanted to go on Birthright, and I wanted to make sure I went with friends; this year, four of my best friends from college wanted to go too, so it worked out perfectly,” Fine said. “As far as being afraid of traveling to Israel, there’s never really a good time to visit, because it’s such a conflicted area. The possible dangers were on my mind, but it definitely wasn’t going to stop me from going.” During his trip, Fine’s group spent three of its ten days in Jerusalem. On the second day there, Fine and his group participated in an activity during which they walked with their eyes closed through the Old City of Jerusalem. “The activity was supposed to culminate at this overview where you see the Western Wall. And while you’re walking, you feel the cobblestone streets, you hear the people speaking Hebrew, and you just experience it all,” he said. “And all of a sudden, we hear 50 or so really rapid gunshots, and our security guard, who at one point worked as an undercover agent for the Israeli government, actually seemed pretty terrified and had us run to a building for cover.” As Fine heard it from his tour guide, a group of Palestinians in the West Bank had been throwing rocks over the Western Wall at praying Jews and the police force responded by shooting bean bags and stun grenades at the assailants. Recalling the incident, Fine said, “It was crazy to me. If something like that were to happen in Times Square, there would be pandemonium; but in Israel, no one batted an eye. I mean, we were only in the building for a minute and then five minutes later we were at the Western Wall.” Four days after Fine arrived in Israel, three Israeli
Photo courtesy of Jake Reitman
During his trip to Israel, Jake Reitman ‘13 visited the Western Wall, where, just days before, Liam Fine ‘13 heard gunshots.
teenage boys were kidnapped supposedly by two men who are known to be members of Hamas, the ruling Islamic organization in Palestine. “When I was there, I wasn’t really thinking much of it. I had no idea it would turn into what it did. It was just really sad. They were trying to get home and they were kidnapped by terrorists,” Fine said. “Even so, I didn’t really sense any animosity between the Palestinians and the Israelis at the time. Besides the incident at the Western Wall, everyone seemed to be getting along.” Reitman traveled on a different Birthright trip which began on June 20th; however, he chose to stay until July 26th in order to take a class at Tel Aviv University. “While I was in Israel, and I heard everyone talking about the boys, I found that Israelis aren’t really anti-Arab because more than a million people in Israel are Arab,” Reitman said.
“It’s not even that the Israelis are really anti-Palestinian, they’re just anti-Hamas, antiradicalist Muslims.” On June 30th, the three kidnapped boys were found dead near the town of Hebron. Reitman recalls hearing the news. “Everyone in my Birthright group got the BBC or CNN news alerts on their phones at like the same time, and my first reaction was just, ‘Oh, sh*t. There’s going to be a war.’ You knew something was going to happen, and it was going to be dramatic,” he said. Since the discovery of the three boys’ bodies, Israel and Palestine have exchanged heavy rocket and artillery fire, leading to the deaths of hundreds of civilians and servicemen. During his next 26 days in Israel, Reitman became accustomed to hearing the missilesirens. “Somedays I would hear none, other days I would hear five. The first time I heard
a siren, I was on a bus and it stopped in the middle of the street and I ran to a shelter in the kitchen of a frozen yogurt shop,” he said. “As far as the Israelis, they were pretty calm when they heard the sirens. Everyone there has been in the military so they have a lot faith in the military. After the siren goes off, life continues as normal.” Reitman continued, “The Israelis’ calmness definitely put me at ease. This one night I was in a restaurant, and the waitress came over. She came over and told us where the bomb shelter was and if we needed anything to just come get her. And because of those kinds of things, the Iron Dome [air-defense system employed by Israel], and the fact that not a lot of citizens in Israel were actually killed, I never really feared for my life or felt like I was in danger.” When he was swimming in the ocean and did not seek shelter, Reitman actually saw
the Iron Dome intercept a missile. “It looks like a plane with one of those jet streams is going really quickly, and that’s the missile. And then there’s another one behind it or from the side that hits the first one, and that’s the Iron Dome. It looks like a firework and there’s a big boom when it happens,” Reitman said. Looking back on his time in Israel, Fine considers it eerie to see what the place he just left has become. “I watch the news everyday and I’ll see Wolf Blitzer standing in the middle of Jerusalem in a war zone,” he said. “And I’ll think, ‘I was just there.’ I mean I can’t imagine being woken up multiple times in the night to run for a shelter, not knowing if you’re going to make it.” For Reitman, who did run to shelters, his visit to Israel was not tarnished. He said, “All things considered, I’m definitely happy I went on the v trip. I would do it again.”
August 19, 2014
School Life
The Pharcyde
Page 9
Ni-hao to China: juniors take language course in tongue’s homeland BY ANNELISE HILLMANN Executive Editor
This July, juniors Caterina Breuer and Derek Packer spent four weeks in an intensive Mandarin program in China. The trip, organized by Summer Discovery, included about twenty students from all around the world. At Shanghai Jiao Tong University, one of the oldest and most selective universities in China, Breuer and Packer studied intensive Mandarin for three weeks. Both of them chose the course which offered both morning and afternoon classes of complete language immersion. “My program was very similar to Mrs. Cohen’s classroom, because we did speaking, reading, listening and writing in Pinyin and simplified characters,” Breuer said. Despite the advertised rigor of the program, both Packer and Breuer found the classes manageable. “We were surrounded by kids from Turkey, Nicaragua, New York, who all had varying levels of Chinese,” Breuer said. “I’ve only studied Chinese for one year, and I felt perfectly comfortable speaking with people who have studied for five years. It really shows how amazing the Chinese program at our school is and how talented Mrs. Cohen is.” But Breuer and Packer’s trip was not just hard work. Although the classes were tough, living arrangements were not -- with both staying in rooms at the four-star Tianping Hotel, located in the heart of Shanghai’s French Concession. The two had the unique opportunity of exploring Shanghai and practicing Mandarin through a multitude of field trips to museums, train stations, and food markets. “In Shanghai, we went to the Pearl Tower. Being afraid of heights, I was daunted walking the Sky Walk. But I didn’t even pass out, although I came close,” Packer said. Breuer’s favorite part of Shanghai was the chance to put her Chinese skills to the test. “It’s such a great experience being in China and speaking with the locals. I love bargaining and just practicing the language,” she said. Interacting with Chinese people opened Packer’s eyes to the dangerous realities of a different country. “Acid
Breuer and Packer would walk around Shanghai (above) after classes, visiting museums, markets, and stores, all the while utilizing skills they had learned in class. Packer (left) was able to convince a police officer to “arrest” him for a photo-op. Photos
rain burns. I almost got hit by a car thrice. And buses don’t care if they hit you, because they are protected by the government,” he said. “The toilets are mostly holes in the ground that flush. I have seen little kids squat and pee in the road. In public bathrooms, the ones
courtesy of Derek Packer
with the ‘squatty potties,’ they didn’t have toilet paper. You have to bring toilet paper everywhere. I couldn’t drink the sink water or even brush my teeth.” With all that he saw, Packer discovered that China was very different from what he expected. “The experi-
ence of being in China has always been a dream of mine. Surprisingly I didn’t like Shanghai that much. Don’t even get me started with the pollution,” he said. “There was one day I couldn’t see the blue sky. My app told me that the conditions outside were ‘unhealthy.’ Even worse the government recommended us not to go outside that day.” Although Shanghai was not to Packer’s taste, Guangzhou, the capital and largest city of Guangdong province, caught his eye specifically. “I fell in love with Guangzhou and could see myself living there one day,” he said. “We visited a green tea farm there. The view was spectacular. After a tour, they took us to a tea room and shared their finest tea with us. That was my highlight of the trip.” After a long day of classes at the university and travel around the city, Breuer and Packer frequently found themselves hustling out into the night again for a variety of fun activities. “One of the famous pastimes in China is karaoke. I was very excited to go to my first karaoke bar. I can finally check that off my bucket list,” Packer said. Additionally, Breuer and Packer opted to spend another week in Beijing. There, the two toured the Forbidden City and hiked up the Great Wall. “Visiting the Great Wall has always been one of my goals,” Packer said. “Anyone will tell you how obsessed I was with it when I was little. I always thought that I would be visiting China later in life, but having this opportunity was very liberating. When you see the Great Wall, surely the architecture is beautiful, but the view is just breathtaking.” From the spectacular sights to the lack of hygiene, Breuer and Packer’s trip gave them experiences they will never forget. “Coming from the US to China can do two things for people. It can either make them extremely homesick or really open their eyes,” Breuer said. “The first week I was here I remember feeling so alone, trapped, and overwhelmed..After a while though, I noticed myself assimilating into the culture. Now, I really feel a part of Chinese culture and love it so much more. It gives me so much motivation to pursue the language beyond the classroom and into the real world.” v
Discussion disconnect: parents, teens have trouble communicating BY ANNELISE HILLMANN Executive Editor
Despite the lightning-fast speed of today’s communication age, it seems that teens and parents are now having even more trouble understanding one another due to differing vocabulary and ideology. But what do these prevalent translation issues look like? An anonymous student said, “Sometimes my mom thinks she’s ‘hip’ and tries to talk like a teenager. It ends up not being things people actually say. I usually have to tell her to stop. Commonly, she says ‘holla’ as a greeting.” Junior Conor Brannum discovered a distinct barrier when trying to express comedy in the presence of his parents. “They misunderstand my jokes a lot. I
think parents do have a different sense of humor than we do,” he said. “My brother and I will make fun of each other, and our parents will think that we are trying to hurt each other’s feelings, not just messing with each other.” However, some students’ parents have come to understand teen lingo without the use of Urban Dictionary. “I’m really lucky that my parents and I have good communication. I can tell either of my parents anything because they are more like friends than strict adults,” junior Shayna Pradetto said. “I’m so similar to each of my parents that I think it allows a good relationship between them and me. Both of my parents are ‘in the loop’ about new words, phrases, etc., but some I have to explain. Some words like ‘hook up’ also meant different things when they were growing up.”
But, below the surface of teen-parent communication, differing perspectives create greater friction around the dinner table. One example of this, explains junior Caterina Breuer, is the recent paradigm shift in college admissions. “In 2014, it’s a lot harder for a teen to get into a college that someone ten years ago got into. It’s just hard for parents to fully comprehend what we have to do in order to succeed, when they didn’t have to go through the exact same thing we do. They’ve definitely had hardships, just not the same as ours. Ergo, it’s impossible for them to completely relate to us,” she said. Breuer also believes that, because of the completely different experiences of the Millennials and the Baby Boomers, teen drama seems minuscule to parents while
Lost in Translation by Annelise Hillmann
Graphic by Annelise Hillmann
earth shattering to teens. “No matter how sensitive someone is, everyone has a breaking point. It all depends on the circumstances of your childhood. If your parents were immigrants like mine, fighting their way through thousands of people to get into this country, then their breaking point could be very different from ours,” she said. “Kids our age living in the comfort of Palm Beach County haven’t experienced the same things our parents have. So when we cry over a B on a test, they can never understand why.” In order for teen-parent relationships to work, senior Lillian Lesser believes that both parties must really attempt to meet in the middle. “It’s really just a listening thing. Sometimes, I have issues, and I feel like my parents aren’t listening,” Lesser said. “When people do not understand each other, they simply stop trying.” Mrs. Cynthia Vigliotti, mother of senior Kiyo Vigliotti, believes that interaction is a continuous process that should not be simply resumed when convenient. She said, “Communication does not begin when the child is a teen. It is a continuation of understanding between parent and child that should be transparent, non-judgmental, but consistent.” v
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The Arts
Man in the mirror: Whimsical Walsh offers advice to insecure students The first thought upon entering high school in most teenager’s minds is “will they like me?” Whether we choose to admit it or not, most of us teens are insecure. Maybe it is because puberty is the most awkwardlooking time for anyone, or maybe it is because teens tend to be the meanest and cruelest demographic known to man.
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Whatever the cause may be, it’s pretty darn evident that some teens would sacrifice a small goat to look like Miranda Kerr or Cara Delevigne. While not everyone is prepared to go as far as sacrificial rituals, most people want to change at least one part of their body-whether it be their “pizza-face” acne, their “crooked” nose, or their “bal-
looning” weight. The fact is that no one is truly born with an outright sense of self-confidence, unless, of course, you’re Justin Bieber (but I’m sure that boy has his own demons hiding in his abnormally large quiff. (See Napoleonic Complex)). I’m sure even those girls strutting the catwalk, at one point, looked in the mirror and didn’t exactly like what they saw staring back. Perhaps the best example of insecurity gone beserk would be Palm Beach Gardens’ blooming population of oversurgeried, plastic-looking, botox-injected, middle-aged women who continue to terrify children with their emotionless clown faces. Those women were evidently insecure about themselves, but, sadly, one cannot simply fill up self-confidence with silicone injections. The truth of the matter is that even the most beautiful person has at some point or another looked in the mirror and simply said “ew.” Even Megan Fox grew up thinking she was ugly, and now she’s every teenage boy’s fantasy and every teenage girl’s worst nightmare. Take it from someone who had a self-confidence level of zero for the majority of her life; it takes a lot of work to become self-assured. “But wait,” I imagine ev-
ery single teenager in the world collectively tweeting. “Katie just doesn’t get me. I have problems that she cannot even begin to fathom. I’m just too hardcore, #angst.” Yeah, well, it simply does not do any good to sit around dwelling on those problems
“The truth of the matter is that even the most beautiful person has at some point or another looked in the mirror and simply said ‘ew.’ Even Megan Fox grew up thinking she was ugly...”
KATHLEEN WALSH Columnist
and to let them consume all the parts of you that are good. I have found that the most insecure people can come off as the most proud and mean. It is in people’s nature to try and overcompensate for the things they lack, whether it be with enhanced boobs or a very large yellow Hummer (if you know what I mean
*nudge, nudge, wink, wink.*) Unfortunately, plenty of those kind of people stalk around high schools across America, waiting silently to give some poor kid a wedgie. Just know that that kid is probably just as insecure as the “poin-dexter” he is shaking down, except he is externalizing his self-hatred, instead of internalizing it. That wedgie is in actuality hurting the bully (pause to apprecitate this moment of deepness). So, to the freshmen who are walking into high school for the first time, a time that will undoubtedly be the most insecure period of anyone’s life, listen to the advice I wish someone gave me the moment I reluctantly got out of the car: “You aren’t going to be the prettiest, the skinniest, the smartest, or the coolest person here. Heck, you might end up at the bottom of the food chain, but you are a person. A person who is capable of doing great things and stupid things. You’ll figure yourself out, so don’t sweat it. Everyone here isn’t that big of a deal. Give yourself a break. Take a deep breath. Eat a cookie. Let yourself sob every once in awhile; I’ll supply the tissues. It is going to be one heck of a ride. But as long as you know that it is OK to mess up a little or even a lot, you will be just fine.” To the girls and boys who just can’t seem to get over the “imperfections” they see in the mirror, break it. v
Where to turn? A guide to helpful resources for new students
BY MADELEINE DALTON Copy Editor
All incoming students, regardless of whether they are rising freshmen or transferring senior can find help from a variety of resources on campus. Head of the Upper School Mr. Latta Baucom had this advice for new students. He said, “It’s perfectly normal to be nervous. I want to remind all our freshmen that they are very well prepared academically to be successful in the Upper School.” He added, “The rigor and workload in the Upper School
may seem a little tougher, but that is also to be expected. They have had good teachers and have developed all the right skills necessary.” Talking about students’ extracurricular options, Mr. Baucom said, “I would encourage all freshmen to get involved in sports and clubs and other activities as soon as possible. Freshmen should try new things. There are so many options and new opportunities available in the Upper School,” Mr. Baucom said. “I think if students come in with the right attitudes and with the determination to work hard and be diligent in
their studies that they will really enjoy their time in class,.” Nurse Mrs. Mary Beth Donaldson is also known to lend a helping hand to any student who seeks her advice or counseling. “Every student can come to me at anytime or anyplace. My door is always open for them for anything they want,” Mrs. Donaldson said. Students can also see Director of Student Services Dr. Amy Taylor about any scheduling concerns they have or just to talk. Besides speaking to members of the front office, students can also contact their advisers for any
questions or concerns they may have. English teacher Mr. Simon Behan, who is a freshman advisor this year, said, “I think the adviser’s role is to really act as freshmen’s first line of defense. You know, they’re in new terrain, low on the totem pole, so sometimes they have questions about how things work or they just need a little guidance. They can go to advisers also for just basic questions about scheduling, studying, or if they’re having a little trouble finding their niche or group. We’re there to help.” Speaking about adjusting to high school, Mr. Baucom
said, “I think another challenge that some freshmen face is that, in the Upper School, we expect a higher level of independence and ownership. By that I mean that as students mature they need to ‘own’ their education experience,” he said. “Ultimately, it is the student who bears the responsibility to manage his/ her academic life. . Working together in partnership with the teachers, coaches, and staff will really benefit all students and make for a great experience in the Upper School.” v
Back to School Blockbusters
Graphic by Annelise Hillmann
If I Stay
Expendables 3
The Giver
Released: Aug. 22 Rated: PG-13
Released: Aug. 15 Rated: PG-13
Released: Aug. 15 Rated: PG-13
After a car crash kills her entire family, Mia lies in a coma, the sole survivor. In an out-of-body experience, Mia views the world from limbo. But so much has changed since the accident that she now has a choice: to live or to die.
In the last of the Expendables trilogy, an all star cast take down Conrad Stonebanks, a traitor to the Expendables team who now wants revenge. This action-packed thrill ride includes Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham and Harrison Ford.
Based on the bestselling novel by Lois Lowry, The Giver describes the perfect society where humans no longer feel emotion or have choice. Brenton Thwaites plays a boy who is chosen to learn the truth about human nature from a mysterious old man called The Giver.
{P}Sports
The Pharcyde SHOUTOUT:
To Mrs. Meghan Steiner for returning after a ten-year hiatus
Lady Bucs duo commit to play Division I lacrosse
BY MICHAEL MULLERY Sports Editor
This past July, two lady Bucs, senior Maria Dattolo and junior Riley Johnston, committed to play lacrosse at Tufts and Northwestern, respectively. Dattolo, a varsity starter for the Bucs since her 8th grade year, received interest from multiple Division I schools. She said, “I received a scholarship offer to Jacksonville University, an offer from Davidson College, and the U.S. Naval Academy. I also had extreme interest from Yale University, Boston University, Colgate, and Amherst, among other small colleges.” However, Tufts, a New England Small College Athletic Conference school, ultimately won out. She explained, “I hadn’t really thought of Tufts until my coach, Sarah Burlingame, told me about the program. Once I started looking into Tufts, I realized it had everything I was looking for. It was recently ranked #25 in the country for universities by Forbes, so academically it was what I wanted. It’s also located right outside of Boston, which is my favorite city, so it gave me the perfect balance of being a city school with a gorgeous
Photo courtesy of Riley Johnston
Junior Riley Johnston (right) will play lacrosse in the Big Ten at Northwestern University.
campus.” Committing prior to her senior year has taken a weight off of Dattolo’s shoulders. She said, “It is such a relief to know where I’m going to college. It will definitely make senior year a lot easier without the applications. I have gone through so much stress and pressure from the recruiting process, it has been
like having an extra class on top of managing schoolwork since freshman year.” Johnston, who, like Dattolo, has been a starter on the varsity team since 8th grade, committed to Big Ten powerhouse Northwestern on July 8th. The Wildcats have had a chokehold on women’s lacrosse for the past decade like no other team
in college sports, winning seven of the last ten national championships and posting a record of 201 wins and just 19 losses in that span. Johnston explained her decision to become a Wildcat. She said, “I decided on Northwestern for many reasons. First was the coaching staff; Kelly Hiller, who is the head coach at
NU, is a legendary coach. She is so positive in her coaching style and just knows so much about the game of lacrosse. I know playing for her will be awesome, and I am so excited that I get the opportunity to play for a coach who has won seven out of the last ten national championships. The other aspect that made me choose NU was the academics. Northwestern is one of the top academically ranked schools in the nation, and it was so important to me to both play on one of the best Division I lacrosse teams, but also to get a great education.” Johnston spoke of other schools that she had considered. She said, ”I received interest from several other schools besides Northwestern. I had a weekend visit at UNC, spoke often to coaches at Yale, Stanford, UVA, Notre Dame, Elon, and Duke among others. But none of the other schools had a top five lacrosse program, great coaches, top academics, and a great location like Northwestern did.” Johnston summarized by saying, “The recruiting process is pretty stressful so I am glad that it is over, and that now I can just focus on getting better at the sport that I love.” v
New coaches lead Dazzler and Diamondette dance teams BY ANNELISE HILLMANN Executive Editor
This year, middle school teacher Mrs. Rachel Rudner and former-Dazzler Morgan Brannon will jointly coach the Dazzlers Varsity Dance Team and the Diamondettes JV Dance Team. Language teacher Mrs. Kimberley Jurawan will also assist in coaching the JV team.
“We really want to create a ‘one school,’ meaning that there’s a stepping stone from the middle school to the JV to the Varsity team. And we want a positive experience for all the dancers.” MRS. RACHEL RUDNER Dance Coach
Mrs. Rudner has had a long history with The school that reaches back to when she attended Benjamin. “Most dancers usually take classes outside of school, but I danced solely at Benjamin when I went here. Then I went on to UF where I was a dance major. Morgan also went on to UF and was on their dance team. I’ve been teaching at Benjamin for five years now, and I coach the middle school
Photo courtesy of Lillian Lesser
Mrs. Jurawan is anxious for the Diamondettes’ (above) season to begin. “I would like to foster cohesion, a sense of camaraderie amongst the girls, and a greater sense of confidence in their skills,” she said.
dance ensemble,” Mrs. Rudner said. Like Mrs. Rudner, Mrs. Jurawan originally was interested in the dance department even when she first began teaching language at Benjamin. “When I was interviewing, I was asked about my coaching interests, and my main athletic focus had
always been dance,” she said. “From the start, I’ve danced every year in the Variety Show, so my current involvement with the Diamondettes evolved naturally.” Describing her goals for both dance teams this year, Mrs. Rudner said, “It’s neat that we can come back and do this. We really want to create
a ‘one school,’ meaning that there’s a stepping stone from the middle school to the JV to the Varsity team. And we want a positive experience for all the dancers. We hope to help the girls get a passion for dance, because that’s what it’s all about.” On the same note, Mrs. Jurawan added, “I would like
to foster cohesion, a sense of camaraderie amongst the girls, and a greater sense of confidence in their skills. Above all, I want them to enjoy the experience and grow to love expression through dance even more than they already do.” Both Mrs. Rudner and Mrs. Jurawan hope to build close bonds around a common passion among the dance teams. “We’re really excited and motivated to keep up the tradition of dance team at Benjamin,” Mrs. Rudner said. JV Team Captain sophomore Katherine Garcia, like Mrs. Jurawan, has high hopes for the Diamondettes this year. “I am really looking forward to be able to target our skills and to work on taking our weaknesses and turning them into strengths. I am really excited about being captain, and I really want to take this team to the next level,” Garcia said. Building on that enthusiasm, Mrs. Jurawan said, “We are fortunate to have such a strong performing arts program, and I am very happy that I get to be part of that environment.” She continued, “The new Benjamin Hall will make the experience that much more fulfilling for the dancers. It truly is an exciting time for all of the arts.” v
The Pharcyde
August 19, 2014
{P}Sports
Page 12
King James’ betrayal forgiven: students accept LeBron’s decision BY MICHAEL MULLERY Sports Editor
LeBron James recently shook up the entire landscape of the NBA for the second time in the past four years by taking his talents back home to Euclid Beach, catching some Heat faithful off guard in the process.
“I’m not mad at LeBron for leaving, because he gave us the best four years any fan can ask for. He is just trying to make people happy, and he already succeeded in doing that for us as Miami fans. Now he wants to do it for the people from where he grew up.” BRANDON MACKLES senior
In order to avoid the massive amounts of criticism he received last free agency, James, instead of having an awkwardly lengthy special at the Boys
and Girls Club in Connecticut, opted to write out a masterly crafted P.R. friendly essay explaining his decision to return to Cleveland. The essay was received with resounding approval across the league, except, of course, from Miami fans; but should Heat fans really be mad? As in, burning James’ jerseys mad? Senior Brandon Mackles does not seem to be holding any grudges against James. He explained, “I’m not mad at LeBron for leaving, because he gave us the best four years any fan can ask for. He is just trying to make people happy, and he already succeeded in doing that for us as Miami fans. Now he wants to do it for the people where he grew up; besides, I always thought he would return home and Heat fans should have been expecting it.
Athletic program selected as best in Palm Beach County by Sun-Sentinel BY MICHAEL MULLERY Sports Editor
The Bucs were recently awarded the Sun Sentinel AllSports Award for Palm Beach County (Classes 5A-4A-3A2A-1A) for the first time in ten years, and the eighth time in school history. The award, created in 1985, recognizes the school with the best athletic program in the county based on a number of different factors. Athletic Director, Mr. Ryan Smith explained the criteria by saying, “Every school is given a set number of points for the number of teams they field. Another important part of the process is the overall record in each sport the school competes in, along with district runners-up and district championships won, with additional points awarded for advancing in state playoffs and those points increasing. the farther a team advances.” He continued, “The points are then tallied, and the award is given to the school with the most total points.” The Buccaneers have won the award numerous times, including a seven year stretch from 1997-2003 which saw Benjamin win the prestigious award four times. But the St. Andrews Scots have held the title of best small school athletics program in the area for
the past eight years. However, Benjamin has experienced an athletic resurgence recently, winning the Sun Sentinel Most Improved Athletic Program in 2011 for classes’ 3A-1A, a year in which 17 of 23 teams enjoyed winning records. Mr. Smith spoke about how much the recognition meant to the school as a whole when he said, “It is an outstanding achievement, as we were going up against every school in Palm Beach County in the classes 5A1A. Palm Beach County is one of the largest counties in the state, and has a large number of schools. In addition, St. Andrews has won it the last eight years. So being the first school in eight years to win the award besides them is incredible.” Winning the award was greatly aided by the success of the boys and girls lacrosse teams, who both won district titles and made deep playoff runs this season, with the boys team finishing second in the state. The girls volleyball, golf, soccer, tennis, and track and field teams also all won district titles last year, in part due to the strong senior class of 2014 that featured 17 out of 90 students signing to play collegiate sports this upcoming year. Mr. Smith concluded, “Winning this award is a great credit to our student-athletes (specifically seniors), and coaches.”v
Junior Logan Manos
shares a similar view. He said, “I’m not mad at LeBron for leaving. You can’t blame him for wanting to go back to his hometown. Those people are his family.
I’m glad that we had the best player in the world come play for our city and win us championships.” Throughout the 2009-10 season, before James, Miami had the 15th highest attendance in the NBA, with 17,730 fans coming to each home game on average. This number jumped by over 2,000 fans the following season as a result of the forming of the Big 3, and positioned American Airlines Arena as the 5th busiest arena in the NBA. Losing the best basketball player on the planet may cause some so-called bandwagon fans to lose interest in the team, and could result in a dip in attendance as Miami will no longer be the league’s “it’”team, but Mackles remains loyal to the Heat through it all. He said, “I’ve been a Heat fan since before the 2006 championship, and Dwayne Wade has always been my favorite player, so I will definitely be going to as many games this year as I did last year, even though they don’t have LeBron.” Manos, like many basketball fans, considers LeBron to be one
of his favorite players; however, his love for his hometown team is stronger than it is for his favorite player. He said, “Honestly I’m going to be both a Cavs fan (because LeBron is definitely my favorite player) and a Heat fan. The Heat is still my favorite team though, and I don’t want to see Cleveland win a championship.”
“Honestly I’m going to be both a Cavs fan (because LeBron is definitely my favorite player) and a Heat fan. The Heat is still my favorite team though, and I don’t want to see Cleveland win a championship.” LOGAN MANOS junior He continued, “I would love it if the Heat won another title, but I feel like we’d only have a chance if we got someone like Eric Bledsoe or Greg Monroe, or even both. Loul Deng, Wade, and Bosh may get it done, but the chances are slim.” v Pencil Illustrtion by Annelise Hillmann
SNAPSHOT: Pre-Season Practice
ANNELISE HILLMANN
The football team prepares for the upcoming season at summer training. Graphics by Annelise Hillmann
LAST SEASON
BY THE NUMBERS
15
2
FHSAA State Playoff Teams
Regional Champions
1
6
State Runner-up
District Champions
1 Regional
Runner-up
HOW WILL THE BUCS DO THIS SEASON?