Vol. XCII, No. 3
Deerfield, Massachusetts
September 14th, 2017
Welcome to Deerfield: Do it B18!
Doing it B18 is what Deerfield’s school spirit is all about. Whether in the classroom, on the stage, or on the sports field, Deerfield students are always talking about bringing their “A game,” “going big, or going home,” and giving their performance “all they’ve got.” Thus, the cheerleaders, along with the Class of 2018, thought there would be no better slogan for this school year than one which incorporates and further cultivates this energy on campus.
Doing it B18 means more than just getting rowdy and losing our heads at sporting events; it’s a state of mind. A large portion of doing it B18 involves simply showing up, in more ways than one. For example, Deerfield offers amazing opportunities for students to exhibit their talents, such as dance showcases, music concerts, theatrical performances, and sporting events, just to name a few. By both taking advantage of these opportunities and making the
effort to attend these events, we, as a community, are taking pride in our school and in each other. To do it B18 also means to get out of our comfort zones; we have to push ourselves and each other be the best versions of ourselves. We “brought it back” with the Class of 2016. We established our sense of love and community with the Class of 2017’s “Fam17y.” And now, we need to prove that we can not only keep it here and remain a strong family, but that, this year, we can do it B18ger than ever. To the Class of 2018, this is our time. This is our year. To everyone, let’s make every moment count and DO IT B18! Yours, Captain Deerfield and the Cheerleaders
Deerfield Rows to Success Peter Everett Staff Writer
At New England Championships this past May, the Deerfield Academy varsity crew teams showed the competition why they were number one seed. The girls’ first boat placed first over defending champion Winsor School with five seconds to spare, and the boys won their first ever New England team championship. The gold medal finishes meant both the boys’ and girls’ first boats qualified for the 2017 Youth National Rowing Championships in Sarasota, FL, held on June 9. The Deerfield first boat consisted of Bailyn Prichett ’19, Anna Scott ’18, Lily Fauver ’17, and Erika Warren ’18, with Jerilyn Zheng ’19 as the coxswain. The girls’ crew found a winning recipe through a laid-back approach: “We have a real ‘work hard, play hard’ mentality,” rising captain Bailyn Prichett ’19 said. “Off the water, we’re a pretty lighthearted team, always having fun. On the water, we get down to business and finish what we need to get accomplished.” June’s results reflected this chemistry. The girls placed third out of eighteen in their time trial, which qualified them for the semifinals. They were then edged out in the final stretch by Saugatuck with less than a second difference to finish fourth. However, following this semifinal heat, the girls began a winning streak, coming in first place in the B Final and finishing as the seventh fastest boat in the country. In spite of last season’s success, coach Melanie Onufrieff knows there is little margin for error now that the crew has a target on their backs: “Success one year does not guarantee success the next,” she said. “We have a strong returning
group and are welcoming some promising newcomers to the mix as well. We’ve got to believe in ourselves, keep driving each other to be our best, and never get comfortable with where we are.” The boys crew team began competing in Sarasota simultaneously. Throughout the season, the first boat roster consisted of Freddie Johnson ’17, Luca Basile ’17, Will Sanford ’17, Gordon Johnson ’17, and Dani Michaelson ’17 as coxswain. However, at Nationals, postgraduate students are ineligible to compete, so Henry
getting bronze in 2016, we had more to work on. Almost every night I thought about how we could put ourselves in a position to be the best in the country.” The strong bond between the seniors in the first boat and Mr. Washburn made winning Nationals all the more meaningful for both parties: “We talked a lot about doing it for ourselves or doing it for Coach Washburn,” Johnson said. “And to see him on the bank looking so proud was a great feeling.” The key to maintaining last season’s success for both the
Provided by Deerfield Academy In addition to competeing at the youth nationals this summer, Deerfield boys crew travelled to the Henley Regatta in England. Among other successes, the 1V4+ boat became the first high school crew in history to advance beyond day one in the Price Albert Challenge cup.
Lowe ’19 was tasked with filling in at bow seat for Basile. After their success in the time trials, the boys finished first in the semifinal heat and never lost the lead in their final race. Their work resulted in earning the title of the fastest youth boat in the country— Deerfield’s second national title in six years, and the first title under head coach Spencer Washburn. “The feeling was exhilarating,” recalled Freddie Johnson ’17, captain and stroke seat on the first boat. “After
boys’ and girls’ crews’ is enjoying themselves without losing sight of the season’s goal: “I think it’s important to continue balancing hard work while still having fun in such a challenging sport,” said Prichett. Until the spring, the teams can only prepare for the starting horn in April. Coach Onufrieff had a parting piece of advice for all Deerfield teams: “Preparing well, training hard, and putting your team first sets you up for success on the race course, in the classroom, and in life.”
Provided by Michael Wang Michael Wang ’18 is invited onstage to join Kinsey Sicks, a drag a capella group, during the final number of their performance.
Actors without Borders Amelia Chen Staff Writer
Near the end of summer 2017, the cast of Deerfield Academy’s Pinkalicious completed their eight-month-long adventure by performing their play four times in Edinburgh, Scotland at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Aside from performing for international audiences, the cast members also had the chance to explore London and Edinburgh and experience the rich fabric of both cities’ art and culture. Arriving in London on July 29, the cast had ample time to explore the city and all that it offered. They toured the Globe Theater together, participating in an acting workshop while there, and also saw the musical Kinky Boots in the West End. Cast members had the opportunity to visit other scenic spots, such as the Tate Modern, King’s Cross Station, and the British Library. After two days in London, Deerfield’s Pinkalicious hit the road again, and arrived in Edinburgh. Director of Theater Mrs. Catriona Hynds explained, “I went to boarding school in Edinburgh for eight years and so I am very familiar with the city, but even though I left the theater scene in the mid-nineties, I am thrilled to see that it is still such a vibrant, profoundly creative city when it comes to the arts.” The cast observed that Edinburgh was completely plastered with posters and flyers advertising the various productions. Taking full advantage of this wide range of offerings, Deerfield students sprinted from both ends of towns to catch as many as 40 different shows. They witnessed acts ranging from America’s Got Talent’s Tape Face (a mime/ comedy/variety act) to SiX (about Henry VIII’s wives in a female pop band) to Baby Wants Candy (an entirely improvised musical). One of the most notable, however, was Speaking in Tongues. Not only was it “beautifully acted” and “incredible,” their very cast also attended a production of
Deerfield’s Pinkalicious. “That performance of Pinkalicious was my favorite because everyone was so energized knowing that these actors we respected were there, and the show went really well,”recalled Suzy Mazur ’18. The final production of Pinkalicious was another cast favorite. “Nobody messed up, and a Deerfield alum came to see us,” said Abigail Lupi ’18. That show, as described by Lilia Brooker ’19, “…was completely packed. There were tons of young kids sitting on the floor in their dress-up clothes. Their energy is really what helped us put on our best performance.” The Edinburgh trip, according to Mazur, also gave students a glimpse of what life in a professional theatre troupe is like. At each show, “There were several things to which we had to adjust, such as a new venue and different lighting and sound boards and instruments, and we only had one two-hour tech rehearsal in the space to get used to it all!” recounted Mazur. “I learned how to quickly adapt to whatever hurdles were thrown at us in the realm of theater.” Mrs. Hynds remarked, “They inhaled the culture, as was my hope, immersing themselves in every opportunity to see plays. I think they got the very best out of the experience and represented Deerfield Academy magnificently.” “Honestly, it was the best trip I have ever been on,” Brooker vouched. Mazur concluded, “It was worth every penny.”
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