Griffin Review 2021-2022

Griffin Review Church Farm School's Arts and Literature Magazine 2nd Edition Published May 2022

Griffin Review Team Brandon Le '23 Daniel Eafa '23 Akinkunmi Peter-Koyi '23 Dylan Lumumba '24 Amado Rosendo '23 Fazeel Khalid '22 Jonathan Lee '23 Alain Huerta-Salas '23 Fayi Nshanji '24 Angel Asiamah '24 David Alfaro '23

Graphic Design and Technical Support Brandon Le '23

Faculty Advisor Mr. Fulmer

Special thanks to Ms. Claypoole, Ms. McDermott, Ms. Schmidt and all of the members of the CFS community that supported us in this venture.

Front Cover Art Provided by Che Darden '22 Back Cover Art Provided by Daniel Eafa '23

DEDICATION Mr. Warfel

"Mr. Warfel joined the CFS community in 2014, and since then has had a great influence on the scholars. He began his time here as Freshman Grade Level Chair and English teacher, but recently became the Dean of Residential Life. During his time here, Mr. Warfel has helped the freshmen class become prepared for their journey here and has acted as a helping hand. Due to his tremendous impact on the community, we would like to dedicate the second edition of the Griffin Review to Mr. Warfel. We wish him the best with his new position and know the CFS experience will be extraordinary for years to come."

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LETTER FROM THE STAFF

6

BROTHERHOOD - DYLAN JONES '23

7

WINTER PHOTO CONTEST

8-9

INTERVIEW - MIKE LENAU '08

10-11

CAMPFIRE STORIES

12

DEATH LOOP - SHYEEM YOUNG-CORNELL '24

13

EXCITMENT - OSAHON BELO-OSAGIE '23

14

CFS ART SHOW

15-18

INTERVIEW - BART BRONK '96

19-20

LEAN ON ME BY JAYDEN SARKODIE '24

21

NO MORE THAN 100FT OF WHIMSY BY DAVID MADRIZ '22

22

BLACK MEDICAL BY DYLAN LUMUMBA '24

23

RHYTHMICALLY SINKING BY DAVID MADRIZ '22

24

BELOW THE SURFACE BY GAEL ZAMBRANA '23

25

STRUNG UP BY FATE TO BE UNCHAINED BY THE WAVES

BY KAZEMBE ANGLIN '22

26

LONGWOOD GARDENS PICTURES

27-29

THROWBACK SUBMISSIONS

30-31

POETRY BY UKASHAH SHABAZZ '15

32

A CROWS LAMENT BY AMADU JALLOH '25

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Letter From The Staff The journey to create the new and improved Griffin Review was ambitious. Members of the Church Farm community, as well as some new additions, were reunited for the first time in nearly three years. No one seemed to know anyone. The underclassmen had no connections with the upperclassmen at first, but this quickly changed thanks to the culture of Church Farm School, and it was almost as if nothing had happened. COVID cases were among the challenges the school initially faced. Unfortunately, there were many of these cases earlier in the year, but after several months, the campus was COVID-free, and students were able to resume some of their old privileges, such as ordering food and off-campus trips.

The Griffin Review team would like to thank all members of the community who contributed to the magazine in any way, whether it was by submitting essays, photographs, poems, competing in the contests or even just spreading the word to get more submissions.

Working on this magazine and collaborating with community members was an honor. The process of creating this magazine was incredible, as it was inspired by our theme of "Reunion." We saw a lot of new and familiar faces around campus, and it was great to see everyone so ecstatic to see each other again.

Sincerely, The Griffin Review Staff

6

Brotherhood Dylan Jones '23 Today I call to you A piece of life's greatest gift Side by side, through thick, through strand My brother, oh brother, give your worries to the land The land that accompanies you The land you admire so true For your character will blossom In the face of sin Side by side, through thick, through thin My brother, oh brother, keep your head shining high No matter skin, No matter ability, No matter identity Your soul will still rise Together we rise Together we fall Side by side, through adversity, through it all My brother, oh brother, extend your hand I am YOU, YOU are ME, WE are ONE Together we stand

7

Winter Photo Contest Winners

1st Place: Jonathan Lee '23

2nd Place: Alain Huerta-Salas '23

8

Winter Photo Contest Honorable Mentions

Honorable Mention: Mr. Justin Peake

Honorable Mention: Dr. Nicole Campbell

9

Interview With Mike Lenau '08 What was your most memorable moment at CFS? The Maroon and Grey day stood out for me. It was always a big outdoor day where you competed. There was a pie contest, races and foot races. It was always a fun time because we didn’t have to go to classes and we were outside in the summer just playing in the pool. We had such a good time being with friends. That’s what I remember and I loved it.

What values from Church Farm are still with you today?

I would say a sense of community and working with others, and I don’t think I realized it. We were at CFS, and we were living within a group of 12 to 16 people, and that’s not what a lot of people do. Every day you’re kind of learning how to interact and work as a group because you cannot make selfish decisions when you’re sharing a space with someone. I felt that gave me a huge headstart when I went to college and when we had to do group work. Then later when I went into the workplace where I had to function on a team of 10 engineers who all worked together. I had always felt I was ahead of the curve as far as working with a group of people and creating a bond, getting along and essentially living together. We live together in a real sense at CFS, but you have to live together on a team, project, or group in a figurative sense. I thought that CFS gave me a leg up and made me figure it out, which made me adapt quicker than my peers.

If you could tell your younger self anything about the opportunities in CFS, what would it be?

General advice, really enjoy the time you have with friends. The best part about CFS is it brings people from all over together. But one of the negatives is that after CFS, everyone spreads out again. You can go years without seeing some of your friends. One of my best friends was my roommate, and he went back to Korea after he graduated from college. I’ve only seen him three times in the past 10 years, and it was a huge bummer. So enjoy the time you have with your buds while also trying to balance out trying to get the best education at CFS.

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Interview With Mike Lenau '08 What profession do you do? What did you like about it? Is there anything that you disliked about it?

I went to school to become a mechanical engineer. A lot of people have heard about it, but really when you get an engineering degree what you're learning is how to solve problems.

They give you tools, which are normally equations, to solve different problems whether its statics or dynamics. Then over four years I become a really good problem solver, so I left college and I think a lot of other people and I were unsure about what we wanted to do with our degree because there is a huge variety of disciplines we can get into. So I got a job at a chemical company called Air Products, and what they did was a vocational program and it was so cool. I recommend it for everyone who can get into a vocational program at a college because they didn’t say you were doing x for the rest of your life, instead, they gave x job for one year, and then you’re going to pick another job the next year. So over three years, I did three jobs and they allowed me to move all over the U.S. to do different jobs, and they paid to move me. I thought I wanted to be a machinery engineer, and now I’m helping a project manager deliver a 3 million dollar purification system with an engineering team. I really liked it, I got the sense of community I wanted and was part of a big team, and I was talking to five or six different engineers every day. While some engineers if you’re only focusing on one path, you might not interact with other people, so I had a very social job and I really loved it.

When did you learn computer science?

I took one class in college but I honestly learned it all on the job. That first job in that vocational program, we were in a big room of guys and they were really good at teaching me.

To be honest, in this profession, technology changes every day and I learn every day because of it.

Do you have any advice for students who want to work in your field?

I would say interest in STEM is all you need. I was not the best in math or in science, but I was very interested in those subjects. I really enjoyed them although there were a lot of people who did better than me in those classes. What helps you in the industry and the real world is passion. If you can get through the school and you will excel in the field because of your passion.

Have you visited the school in recent years? If so, how has the school changed aesthetically?

I recently visited for the Ringing of the Chimes this winter. My wife and I received an invitation and she’s never been to see one, and we thought it would really cool to go. It was a really good time and it brought back a lot of memories of my buddies who were different characters in the play.

Interview By Amado Rosendo, Alain Huerta, David Alfaro

11

In order to commemorate the return of the Griffin Review, we created a scary story contest at the beginning of the year, just in time for the spooky season. However, with the theme of brotherhood and reunion in mind, we dubbed the contest "Campfire Stories," in order to highlight the return to Church Farm.

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Death Loop By: Shyheem Young-Cornell '24 Erica walked alone on the night of Halloween. She had already finished her trick or treating and decided to call it a day. She had finally reached the alleyway that she had always been scared of. Quickly walking past it she caught a glance of someone. Standing over a corpse panting heavily. The figure quickly turned around staring intently at her. It was Blake, someone who’d been in a couple of her classes. He quickly got up and sprinted towards her. “Help! He’s gonna kill me!” Erica screamed running away from a knife wielding Blake.

“I just need answers!” Blake furiously runs after her. She tried desperately to duck and cover behind buildings. But he was always behind her. Before she knew it, she was in the same alley where they started, the corpse missing.

Blake had rushed towards her, going to stab her with the knife. She fell back, barely missing the blade. Accidentally tripping Blake. He had been dazed by the fall, barely able to hold on to the knife. With his last bit of strength he hopped up and attacked her. With all her strength she grappled with Blake, finally sinking the knife into his chest. She stood over his body. Panting heavily.

Behind her she could hear footsteps. She quickly turned around staring intently at a dark figure. She didn’t know who it was but could only think it was something evil. She quickly got up and sprinted towards it.

“Help! She’s gonna kill me!” Blake screamed. Running away from a knife wielding Erica.

13

Excitement By: Osahon Belo-Osagie '24 My friend, Excitement, was destined to bring happiness, The waves shimmering and glistening, The seagulls singing and dancing, I clapped and twirled around the sandy shores, Filled with rapture, In a blink of an eye, Excitement bursts into Exhilaration.

However, everything swiftly overturned.

Darkness overshadowed Exhilaration, And Excitement passed away, Tears fell from the waves and sky, The seagulls flew away, With terror in their eyes.

I trembled and shook, In an instant, Darkness evolved to Woe. However, everything swiftly overturned, Excitement came back from the grave, And outshone Woe, Confused, I wondered, What if the darkness returned?

But my gut knew my friend, Excitement, would prevail.

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Rafael Arellano '24

Sebastian Vega '24

CFS ART SHOW Brandon Le '23

"Looking left cuz you're never right/Looking right because you left/Looking up because you let me down/Looking down because I can never look up to you."

- Angel Asiamah getting bored

15

Emmanuel Fowler '25

Amin Branch '25

Visual Symmetry Ibrahim Sow '25

Anthony Espinoza '25

16

12

Michael Boanoh '23

Sidney Gouin '24

Portraits Saladin Al-Mahi '24

Osahon Belo-Osaige '24

17

Andre Anyimah '23

Nasim Richardson '24

Ceramic Arts Jose Sotelo '23

Mohamed Sow '23

18

Interview With Bart Bronk '96 What was your most memorable moment at CFS? Commencement … where you kneel down on the chapel rail and the Headmaster and Chaplain individually bless each of you and send you off into the world. I remember sitting there with 26 guys and remembering everything you all have been through during your time at Church Farm was really emotional.

What values from Church Farm are still with you today?

I think the most important value that Church Farm implemented for me 31 years ago was discipline. I was a kid with a lot of talent but not a real idea of how to execute and use that talent.

Self-discipline and the ability to manage my own world, make decisions, be independent, have personal agency and then having at that point a largely male faculty in those days hold me accountable for my talent I’d say personal discipline and accountability were the two biggest values I took away. Then the third, I think you mentioned it, was brotherhood. To live, collaborate with and experience joy with other boys from all over the country was a magical experience that couldn’t be replicated in my local school. Coming together with different brothers and learning to get along, building those relationships in a boarding setting, are the most important friendships I’ve ever made.

If you could tell your younger self anything about the opportunities in CFS, what would it be?

I would say to cherish every moment. My six years went by really fast and for the first few years, I didn’t know if I was in the right place …

I might have missed some memories early on because of that but when I was sitting there in the chapel that is when I knew my time in CFS was over. I’ll never live life as simply as I did when I was there… If I could watch a movie of all my experiences I would because the memories were all so great and it was such a special time in my life. Try to be present at the moment but also have that distance to say “this is pretty cool, this is something that is going to be with me forever."

19

Interview With Bart Bronk '96 What profession do you do? What did you like about it? Is there anything that you disliked about it?

I’m the head of school at an independent school in Michigan called University Liggett School. I’ve been the head of school for five years and have been at the school for nine years. I love it for all the reasons I love Church Farm. The ability independent schools have to build relationships with students to grow incredible young people that are going to shape the world couldn’t be a better job. I love working with teachers and thinking about the best ways to impart knowledge, learning and skill growth. It’s great human work but also challenging, especially the last two years because of covid. My first three years as headmaster were awesome and I told myself “I want to do this for the rest of my life, this is the work I was built to do." I’m starting to feel those emotions come back after these last two years with covid.

What’s something you would like to tell to the students here that you weren’t able to do?

My biggest advice is to get involved and try everything. I think one of the mistakes someone makes when going to Church Farm is going in with an identity but the beauty of a small school is that people need to try new things … If you’re in a small school then do it all because you never know what you are going to discover about yourself and then carry that to college. You are going to get to a school where most kids are going to be different than you but don’t discount yourself.

How was your experience at Church Farm School?

It was transformative… It was hard for the first three years (7th, 8th, and 9th grade). If you asked me when I was 11, 12 or 13 I would have said “this place is tough”... Right away I had academic success and it became my identity and it had never been my identity until I came to CFS. I was known as a scholar and it was a brand new identity that I could live in. Then 10th, 11th and 12th grade were the best experiences of my life. I just had great experiences and so much fun staying on campus on the weekends. At that point, all the people you grew up with from middle school were now your brothers that had your back. I felt super prepared for college when I went to the University of Pennsylvania, so my experience at CFS was truly inspirational. I think back to the first three years and they had to be hard because the first years are what change you.

Have you visited the school in recent years? If so, how has the school changed aesthetically?

I came back just before the pandemic for the National Association of Independent Schools Conference which was held in Philadelphia in February of 2020. It was nice to see the new facility and familiar faces.

Interview By Amado Rosendo, Alain Huerta, David Alfaro

20

Lean On Me by Jayden Sarkodie '24

"I got the idea from listening to the song "Lean on Me” made by an American singer-songwriter and musician named Bill Withers. "Lean on Me" means to give someone a helping hand no matter what troubles they are going through. I drew the black fist because it represents strength and how the Black community will overcome any problems and roadblocks. That is why I then added what was supposed to be a black doctor helping up a black woman. The plants are Wild Dagga which is an African traditional medicine used for sicknesses such as fevers, headaches and malaria."

21

No More Than 100ft Of Whimsy

By David Madriz '22 Morris Avenue stretched on for over three miles, it’s paved roads jutting its way through various types of establishments. Gas stations, convenience stores, and even a university all joined as one at Morris Avenue. There was an infinite amount of miniscule interactions between hundreds of human beings along the magnitude of the street otherwise thought of as an unimportant method of making one’s way to the highway. For those who lived in the town, a trip down Morris Avenue (simply called Morris by the locals), was commonplace for an alarming amount of daily activities. Leaving school? Head down Morris on the way home. Driving somewhere to get lunch? Drive down Morris; it’s a straight shot to the Mark Twain diner. Do you want to drive to another state for college?

You have to drive on Morris at least once on your trip there.

Unless you find yourself on the street alone at 3:12 am; it is nigh impossible to be near Morris without hearing at least a car or another soul pass by you. The sound of cars accompanied by horns berated ears and the subtle slap of wind struck the faces of pedestrians as they made their way down the pavement at varying speeds. People often did not have the time to pay attention to their surroundings on the way to their destinations, whether their method of transportation being in a vehicle or on foot. Like a school of fish, civilians’ gather beside the central lane of asphalt, strutting up and down on each respective side. Footwear clomps on the sidewalks, the sound pouring like rain. Observing the crowd, their heads hang low as if the buckles on their loafers and their shoelaces are as important as their destinations. Those who find themselves staring ahead on Morris are those who have nowhere in specific to be.

Inexperienced people with all the time in their small, tightly protected, bubble to spend; teenagers. The only people who could find any interest in the monotonous path that lead to anywhere put effort into swiveling their heads, surveying the three mile area for anything of interest.

Full Version:

22

Black Medical by Dylan Lumumba '24

"I was inspired by the racial inequality in America which innately affects the health system. In this piece, you will notice the common health care symbol. The snakes on the image were sacred to the Greeks, who used them in healing rituals, and two black lives matter fists are chained.

Healthcare disparities affect many African Americans, resulting in limited access to healthcare, underutilization of health services, poor quality of care, and inadequate health insurance coverage."

23

Rhythmically Sinking

By David Madriz '22

How are you so lovely yet so scary?

Sands ebb and flow in a rhythmic fashion.

I hold few grains, wishing I could cash in.

Pristine glass contains you and shines glary.

After days it seems arbitrary.

A handful of loose grains breeds compassion.

Spectating lives, my face is left ashen.

Pages flip in my mind; a library.

A paralyzing figure engulfs me.

Minutes to hours, hours to days, days to years ...

Frustratingly slow yet scarily fast.

Writhing, I find myself her internee.

Sand leaks fast, my face now sullied with tears.

Glass shatters, shards now caressed at long last.

Continue...

24

Below the Surface

By Gael Zambrana '23 A rock is tossed into the ocean water, and the ripples begin to spread as the splash occurs The ripples follow one after another almost endlessly until they have gone far out of sight.

In the water are various different things, some inanimate and others alive But within the many different types of creatures below the surface, not all are bound to survive.

FARMERS

The fish swim in schools The sharks swim in shivers The sharks strive in the ocean But they will not survive in a river.

They have their role as a predator Yet they are also prey to other creatures, including their own kind.

Though all creatures wish to be equal, There is always a superior race.

The whales look after themselves, without much worry of survival Even the dolphins and turtles who must look out for themselves and keep away from predators Pay no mind to the smaller creatures who are not as fortunate, such as the plankton, the jellyfish, and the shrimp that live in fear, searching for an escape.

The way of the ocean, no matter the intent, is to be selfish.

If a shark sees another shark weakened, bleeding or hurt, It will eat that shark.

If a whale sees this shark successfully catching prey, it will eat the shark too.

Some will even eat sea turtles Which are defenseless against a large shark The cycle repeats itself forever.

The water keeps all of these creatures in the same space No matter how poorly they act towards each other.

They have no choice but to play the game And participate in the never ending cycle of life.

Although it is all one community, do the creatures really care for each other?

Are they all of good intent, or will they come after the smaller and weaker as soon as they find out it benefits them?

Through the curtains and below the surface, the truth is they want what they think is best.

Rather, they want what they think is best for themselves.

25

Strung Up by Fate to be Unchained by the Waves

By Kazembe Okera-Anglin '22 What the f*** Mom, let me live. I'm 13 now.” Josiah pushed away from his mother who barely understood her youngest son. Whenever she showed glimpses of affection, although it was on a rare occasion, Josiah rejected it.

To him, her hugs felt abnormally tight and restraining. Was it fear that he was sensing from his mother? Her fear that she would lose her son without a close eye being kept on him? Maybe it was. The invisible chains held by his mother were latched on his ankles and wrists and tightened when he wanted to leave the house. The outside was hell to her. She had been robbed many times, and the same thing happening to her son was an idea she dreaded.

Vigorous words were her only option to stop her son from making her nightmare a reality. Regardless of the attempt Josiah could still hear the difference between love and worry with every word she uttered to him.

Never did it sound like love, just anger.

“Josiah, NO!” said his mother while she got closer for another hug. Slowly he kept backing up further and further away from his mother. Tears slowly fell from his brown eyes onto his high cheekbones, as he slowly stepped back from his mother. He bumped into his door, which was his only sanctuary. A place where he had some sort of peace.

Continue...

26

Longwood Gardens Mohammed Sow '23

Enmanuel Matos-Reyes '22

Ethan Wilson '24

Alex Polanco ' 22

27

DJ Guerrero '22

Larry Paul ' 23

Tahmid Ahmed ' 22

Thomas Pierre Louis '24

Jesse Waedzi '22

28

Daniel Eafa '23

Michael Oke '24

Daniel Larue '22

Shyeem Young Cornell '24

Kaleb Hammond '23

29

Throwback Submissions Works from past Griffins and Faculty

Friends Earl Cadwell '05

I will be there Chuck Watterson, former faculty

Written with a pen, sealed with a kiss If you are my friend, please answer me this Are we friends, or are we not You told me once, but I forgot So tell me now, and tell me true So I can say I'm here for you Of all the friends I've ever met You're the one I won't forget And if I die before you do I'll go to heaven and wait for you I'll give the angels back their wings And risk the loss of everything There isn't a thing I wouldn't do To have a friend just like you

The contest is over And you still feel the surge But glad to be done I am there The agony, the pain, The running, the insecurity; The victories, the defeats I am there "Refuse to lose" Still rings in your mind As you move on I am there Years go by You've nothing, but memories Life goes on and I am there In that time When you feel you can't Reach back, and remember I am there Each new challenge Will make you cry out But, you'll have the assurance Because…

30

Throwback Submission A Final Word to My CFS Brothers Rock Ward '13

Ah the arduous process commencesPrepare yourself youth for you will be tested!

Wipe the sweat from your brow and ready yourself What you will face? Ah if only you knewThe knowledge thrust upon you soon enough, for this confrontation is inevitable, Juniors!

Equipped yourself with the necessitiesElaborate words to decorate a supplement, intriguing enough to woo your assessor Recollect all your achievements and exaggerate the latter.

The more the merrier, Anything to make your "resume" fatter Make a guest star appearance on campusInterview or tour anything to make an impression Will your face and whit be remembered?Ah, that is the question!

You remain a number on paper if you don't take action Don't let their priorities fool youSAT's aren't merely a small fraction Tired already? But you've only begun You want to lose the race seconds after the sound of the gun?!

Faster! Hurry! Can't you see your deadlines approaching?!

Amazing how quickly your senior year zeal evaporates With the impending speed of college applications encroaching Let's assume you've emerged from the dark depths, A victorious hero in the face of certain death?

Accepted! Yay! Hoorah! Congrats you've done it, A college education ☺ WAIT! This much money to fund it?

Who would have seen this coming? Not even a pundit!

Ah, don't be so surprisedDid you think it'd be that easy? Easy peezy lemon squeezy?

Ah, naïve youth, your Senior forewarns, The college process would be simply silly to adorn!

31

Poetry by Ukashah Shabazz '15 Shoe Poem I was your sock And you were my shoe The laces, Days In our lives To never Undo Alas I was too thin Leaving the ankle callous You were too wide Cavernous as a bin Never again To be worn You’ve added to my fibers Along with my scorn

Silence Silence is a flower with no color or shade An ignorant human, forgetting why it was made A young child forced to behave Silence is a virtue Silence is sought after Silence can hurt you Silence can kill laughter Don’t stay silent Be defiant Only then, can you grow Because the world is something That we never truly know

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A Crows Lament

By Amadu Jalloh '25 Flow away to the rust-colored skies Flow away and find the blood-soaked canvas Freedom was so Apparently hard to find.

Grimacing as the hair of a thousand lines Untwines like the snake on a morning rise.

Scales giving a lustrous shine To no place, for freedom is not confined to the cement and brick, The politics and ticks, the sweet promise of clarity That just ‘Oh so happened to miss.’

It simply flows away like the wind.

Fear is the razor that made us back away.

The plague of modern-day, malice drains away To the ichor-rich skies, from whence freedom, once came.

The infamous Crow cries to a shattered moon, hope lies in wait with its famished groom With dreams tossed aside in a mirage of a peace we cannot achieve That borders the end line in my fantasy.

Disillusioned with the false flag operation Of a dream of peace for the second generation, That will be a great raze or new day for Our ’Oh so great dream of a Nation.’

Chivalry is dead, and apparently and so is honesty Past philosophy now turned into hatreds incarnate of animosity.

All hail the biggest dictators of days.

Human Prejudice, and clouded dismay.

Malice taunts you, with its sick plays Only to realize too late freedoms a two-way street You’re free to show ideals But so is unsworn hatred, and un-sainted outrages.

Murders are now returning in A flourishing fervor, To sing a song of misery and shivery, For a Crows, Lament is the new song Not of freedom but, Truth.

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