Edition IV
June 2015
Friends Seminary
Photo by Scott Leff
Friends Community Reflects on Death of Freddie Gray By ISA SKIBELI ’18 “Black lives matter. Black lives matter. Black lives matter.” This is the chant, that in recent months, has been heard across America. Thousands of people have gathered, shouting, holding signs, demanding justice for African Americans who are brutally treated and wrongfully arrested by police across the country everyday. On April 12, a man named Freddie Gray was handcuffed and forced into a police van by law enforcement officials in Baltimore, Maryland. Upon the arrival of police officers on Presbury street in the early morning, Gray fled. Police immediately tracked him down and restrained him. Gray lay sprawled on the concrete while officers held him down by the neck with their boots. Gray was taken to the police van, and was not secured by a seatbelt, a violation of police department rules. In videos, Gray can be heard crying out in pain. During his arrest Mr. Gray started to have severe difficulty breathing, and repeatedly requested medical attention, and his asthma inhaler. Both of his requests were denied by officers.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Read on: p.22
“My main reaction to the death of Freddie Gray is frustration, because there is a pattern taking place.
Building for The Future
original construction in 1962. According to the
new. What’s new about it is that a wider swath of the American public is gaining access to it. These
By REBECCA FINLEY ‘16
savings, an institution needs endowment. Friends
The worst part about all this is, it isn’t anything
Friends website, “Just as an individual needs
are problems that communities have contended with for a very long time,” said Triton Mobley, an art teacher at Friends Seminary.
Seminary must maintain its facilities and it must Friends Seminary is one step to closer to redeveloping its campus, after the City’s Landmarks
the New York Quarterly Meeting to approve the
repair and renovate older buildings.” This statement comes from the Friends
project.
Approximately six minutes after being arrested
Preservation Committee approved the school’s
If all goes as planned, the Friends Seminary
Seminary Committee, or Board of Trustees,
and driven away, the van pulled over and officers
plans on Tuesday, May 19, 2015. Weeks
campus will undergo a dramatic renovation in
who works alongside the New York Quarterly
earlier the plan was also approved by the local
the coming years. As of now, the main building
community board. The final hurdle will be for
on 16th Street has not been renovated since its
Continued on p.3
Inside Service Continues Even After The School Closes
The Insight: A Reflection
Friends Community Reacts to The Nepal Earthquake
p.4
p.5
p.12
Moments from All-School Spirit Game
p.20
Continued on next page
Report on Teachers’ Library Duty Backpage
News
2 Continued from Building for The Future
planning on creating a separate entrance for the Upper School, so that [students] can walk into a building that does not feel like the Lower
Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends. The
School… There will be a community space for
Committee includes parents, alumni, and faculty;
the high school kids, which you do not really
today, Hassan Wilson and Christel Johnson are
have now.” Further additions include a Great
a part of this Committee. Our historic school,
Room that will accommodate an entire division,
whose last endeavor was the purchase of the
an update to the annex, up-to-date science labo-
Annex, has long been in need of renovation and
ratories, additional private space for student-fac-
expansion to house its instructional complexes.
ulty meetings, a rooftop garden and greenhouse,
Such is described in Friends’s “Light the Future
a climbing wall and an enlarged fitness center,
Campaign,” which aims to raise endowment
and a “Sky Room” designed by renowned artist
for the renovation: “Over the last few years it
James Turrell. Finally, and perhaps most impor-
has become clear that Friends Seminary needs
tantly, such transformation will render Friends a
more space in order to be able to support a
fully accessible campus.
student body of 750.” The campaign’s executive
As of now, education for all current and
summary details that the townhouses, built in the
prospective Friends students cannot be guaran-
late 1800’s, do not provide appropriate environ-
teed when the school lacks wheelchair access.
ments for a “21st century education and a diverse
Consequently, Lauder announced, “this [reno-
student population.”
vation] is really good for the school and the
As a result, as part of a “campus master plan”
program. It is not just to have fancy buildings
that has been in progress for 10 years, the reno-
or something. A third of our campus isn’t acces-
vation designed by Kliment Halsband Architects,
sible to people. If you have any type of disability,
will add two additional floors to Hunter Hall
or if you have trouble getting around, you can’t
to accommodate the preexisting programs
come to this side of the campus [the H-building].
situated in the Townhouses. Essentially, to create
Making a case for the necessity of the project is
more space, the proposed renovation includes
really important.” Currently, Friends is not acces-
raising the roofs. After this, everything in the
sible because the floors of the townhouses and
Townhouses will be moved to Hunter Hall and
Hunter Hall do not match up evenly. With the
the renovation of the Townhouses will begin.
renovation, they would be internally combined
Construction is estimated to take 36 months
into one accessible building.
beginning in June 2015. There will be inescap-
As a Quaker School, Friends Seminary is
able disruption: noise, parts of the campus that
“guided by the ideals of simplicity.” This is
are closed off, and distractions. However, “Our
a cause of concern for parents, students, and
[the Friends Seminary Committee’s] goal is
faculty while amidst the process of renovation.
to make it as least disruptive as possible” said
In a recent meeting, the Landmarks Preservation
Christel Johnson. Resultingly, Friends plans to
Commission voiced their concerns over the vis-
permit all students to stay on campus throughout
ibility of the renovation in the neighborhood.
Lauder presents the plans to the student body.
the renovation.
Specifically, commissioners and nearby residents
us astray from the Quaker beliefs that our school
The project is designed to facilitate collab-
fear that the new building will look too residen-
was founded upon. However, Friends holds such
orative teaching, and to provide Upper School
tial, and that the stair and elevator bulkhead will
beliefs to the utmost importance, and plans to use
proposed a renovation that includes the restora-
students with dedicated spaces. Such enhance-
be seen from Stuyvesant Park. Lauder assures
them as a guiding principles in the renovation.
tion of the historic facades of the townhouses,
ment will include more and larger classrooms,
that “both of these issues have been worked on
The Quaker testimony of simplicity implies that
and the reuse of as many distinct and historic
and an Upper School Student Commons. In
by the architects, and Landmarks will consider
“a person ought to live a simple life in order to
architectural features as possible. Friends stresses
speaking about the importance of creating more
the project next week.” In an effort to quell some
focus on what is most important and ignore or
it is not undertaking this project to resemble other
classrooms, Principal Bo Lauder posits, “the
of the anxiety, he even visited various neighbor-
play down what is least important.” In Wilson’s
New York City private schools. On this subject,
addition of classrooms will give the school
hood apartments. At the meeting, the Historic
words, “It is not about adding stuff to the school,
Lauder adds, “I don’t care if you are Upper East
space to support a teaching program that is
Districts Council called the proposed renova-
it is about taking the existing space and making
Side, Upper West Side, or downtown… you’ve
much more about collaboration and teaching
tion “gratuitous and insensitive to… the Friends
it work for us. In certain cases, I could argue that
got to have classrooms that are big enough to
across disciplines.” Each academic subject will
Seminary complex as a whole”. In rejecting such,
this is about bringing simplicity. We are trying
have the program to work in. You really want to,
have its own allotted space where an intellectual
it is important to note that, in Lauder’s words,
to make the space fit our program. I think that is
especially a Quaker school that says its inclusive,
foundation will be fostered through instruction
“our project will raise the roof line of Hunter Hall
actually the perfect argument for this renovation.
have a campus that’s accessible to everybody, not
inside and outside the classroom. These class-
by only 16 feet and 8 inches [and]... is really sig-
It is about bringing about simplicity; it is about
just people who can walk five flights of stairs.”
rooms will also alleviate stress during passing
nificant for us to meet the needs of our program.”
making the space work for us. If you look at
Essentially, as a school that has set the pace in
time, and grant more time to learning. Moreover,
In fact, the major issue that has delayed renova-
the stuff we are doing, we are adding classroom
educational innovation for the last 229 years,
with the proposed renovation, “there will be an
tion is “continued negotiations with the Trustees
space to relieve some of the stress from over-
Friends must renovate its campus in order to
identity for the Upper School,” said Christel.
of the New York Quarterly Meeting.” Members
booked classrooms, I think that is simplicity.”
continue to stay true to its unique mission, and
Lauder explained further, stating, “the changes
of the community worry that the project will
Friends Seminary is adamant about staying
will really focus on the Upper School. We are
unnecessarily make the school fancier, and lead
true to its values. As a result, the School has
offer the education for which it is renowned.
News
June 2015
3
Continued from Friends Community Reflects on Death of Freddie Gray Miller, Nero and Lieutenant Rice took Gray and placed him in leg restraints. Gray was then dragged by officers unto the floor of van, and pushed headfirst into the back of the vehicle, according to video footage taken by witnesses at the scene. This is one of three other stops made by police officers while Gray was being transported to the station, the police station. The fourth time the van stopped
Citizens protesting in Eastern Baltimore.
Timorthy Pearson, president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executive - New York Chapter, speaks at Baltimore Panel with art teacher Triton Mobley and NYPD Deputy Chief Terri Tobin.
was to pick up another prisoner, who was put into
assault, misconduct in office, involuntary man-
across the nation who have met the brutal hand of
many others before them. People are protesting for
the adjoining back compartment of the van. When
slaughter and false imprisonment.
some police officers. We have bore witness to their
all the times that police have mistreated them, their
during the entire half hour it took to bring Gray to
this happened, “Mr. Gray was unresponsive on the
Friends Seminary has responded to the events
suffering, and in many cases, their death, over the
friends, and their family members, or for any black
floor,” said Marilyn Mosby, Baltimore state attorney
surrounding Freddie Gray’s death and the deaths
course of the year. Our community is at a critical
man who has experienced police brutality.
and chief prosecutor of the Freddie Gray case.
of the many other young African American men
juncture in which people are beginning to think
Some of the protests in Baltimore have become
“Despite Mr. Gray’s seriously deteriorating
across the nation by holding a panel discussion
about race in ways that demand more response.
violent, as stores windows were smashed, shops
medical condition, no medical assistance was
hosted by Soledad O’Brien, an acclaimed journal-
People in our community are weary of what they
were looted, cars vandalized, and entire buildings
rendered or summoned for Mr. Gray at that time by
ist, as well as sending students to discussions about
take to be a silence, which at times can hinder
set ablaze. “I understand anger, what we’re seeing
any officer,” she added.
race and equality.
us from real engagement. At a Quaker school,
isn’t anger, its the destruction of a community,” said
Although Gray was forcefully arrested, inves-
“The panel discussion facilitated by Soledad
we sometimes have a false sense of arrival, that
Stephanie Rawlings Blake, Mayor of Baltimore. In
tigators have found no evidence of any wrong-
O’Brien was a wonderful educational opportu-
because we have a legacy of social justice and of
an effort to contain the protests and prevent injury or
doing on Gray’s part. After the incident, Police
nity for our students and for our faculty, because
social action, we at times feel like that that legacy
harm, the city of Baltimore implemented a 10 PM to
Commissioner Anthony Batts of Baltimore stated
it allowed us to think about the real lives that are
somehow absolves from having to do anything
5 AM curfew on Tuesday, April 30, for its residents.
that there is “no law against running.” According
impacted by policing tactics that can be abusive and
in the present with respect to social justice,” said
The curfew was lifted on May 3. Demonstrations
to law enforcement present, Gray had been arrested
harmful, and allowed us to think a little bit about
Harris.
have continued in Baltimore, but are now mostly
with the allegation of carrying an illegal switch-
what it might look like to have positive relation-
“The school is working actively against this
blade. The knife carried by Gray was later found to
ships between police officers and citizens,” said
impulse, and that is a challenge. This is an unre-
“We ask that whoever comes to our city, a city
be legal by investigators.
Jason Harris, history teacher at Friends Seminary.
peaceful.
solved tension that we will always face as a Quaker
that we love, a city that we live in, come in peace,”
Gray died tragically in a hospital due to a severed
“In my class, Poverty in the United States, we
school. We will always have the question with us
said Richard Shipley, the stepfather of Gray.
spinal cord, one week after his arrest by police. It is
had a number of discussions around Freddie Gray
of whether our identity as a Quaker school is a
“This city needs to get back to work. The last
unknown how Gray was fatally wounded, though
what he symbolized. We brought in insights from
hindrance or a catalyst for our activity in regards to
thing that Freddie would want is to see the hard-
it is thought that he suffered serious injuries while
the panel which Soledad moderated, and I also
social justice.”
working people of Baltimore lose their jobs and
in the van. A report of Gray’s physical condition
screened her documentary for the class, so that
When asked what he believes is an effective
businesses because of his death. You all know that
conducted by medical examiners show that after
students could have the opportunity to think about
way of educating people about race relations
would totally defeat the purpose of what we are
leaving the van, Gray had a broken neck, which was
what is going on in the world,” Harris added.
between police officers and African American men
trying to work towards. Remember that without
likely caused by being tossed around in the police
“As a community we could be working towards
in the United States, Harris said, “I identify myself
justice there is no peace, but let us have peace and
vehicle and slammed into the front and back of the
letting our voices be heard in a broader way. I defi-
as a culturally and contextually responsive teacher,
the pursuit of justice,” he added.
van. Injuries on Gray’s head also match the shape
nitely feel strongly about the fact that we should
which means that if something is happening in
“What we have seen in Baltimore is racially
of bolts in the van. “I know that when Mr. Gray was
be doing more. How that takes shape is a different
the world, we are going to find a way to adjust the
and economically marginalized people reaching
placed inside that van, he was able to talk, he was
story,” said Mobley.
curriculum so that we can speak to social issues. I
a tipping point, feeling as though they have been
“Meaningful conversations are difficult to have.
want learning for students to be relevant, and I want
forgotten by the nation, they have been exploited
It feels like you are picking at a scab, or a wound that
them to have the analytical tools they need to think
and sidelined. They feel that Freddie Gray repre-
is trying to heal. I understand the delicate balance
critically about what they are seeing in the world. In
sents the last straw of an ongoing assault on their
that one has to take in order to flesh out the ideas
response to the arrest and death of Freddie Gray, we
community,” said Harris.
“If he is breaking a law, then, of course, law
and the heart of the matter. However, as uncomfort-
suspended our regular curriculum for a week and
“Most of the protesters have been non-violent
enforcement needs to step in. However, law
able as all of that is, it should not be a reason to not
tied in the themes of the course I teach, poverty and
and peaceful people trying to raise the conscious-
enforcement’s job to be judge, jury, and execu-
do it, and to scare us away from it,” he continued.
economic exploitation, and talked about Baltimore
ness of the people. There were some who responded
as well as what has been happening in many of our
violently to property or rioted, but my main concern,
urban centers around the US.”
however, is not with the rioters but with a media
upset,” said Jerry Rodriguez, a police commissioner in Baltimore. “And when Mr Gray was taken out of that van he could not talk and he could not breathe.”
tioner. No one should ever have to be in fear of the lives when placed under arrest,” said Mobley.
“We are in the business of educating young people and making them aware of the world of
Six police officers were involved in the arrest
which they are soon to inhabit, and to be leaders of.
As a result of the death and mistreatment of
industrial complex that focuses on the rioting. The
of Freddie Gray, each facing serious charges
With that being said, I think that it should be a part
Freddie Gray, thousands of people in Baltimore
assumption many people have with rioting is that
announced on Friday, May 1 by Ms. Mosby. Officer
of the education, and helping them define what kind
have gathered together to protest. But these aren’t
doing so invalidates the reasons for causing a dis-
Caesar Goodson, the driver of the van, is accused of
of citizen they would like to be,” Mobley added.
just protests for Freddie Gray. People are also pro-
turbance. There has been so much attention in the
manslaughter by vehicle, by both gross negligence
“We began the year thinking about Michael
testing on behalf of many other African-American
news about the rioting that people are not as focused
and criminal negligence. Other charges the officers
Brown in Ferguson and Eric Garner in Staten
men, who have been killed and wrongfully arrested,
as they should be on the issue at hand,” he said.
face include multiple counts of second-degree
Island, and a number of other young people of color
like Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Walter Scott and
News
4
Service Continues Even After The School Closes By SABRINA EDELMAN ‘16 Photos by Olivia Berke
Every night, 365 days a year, fourteen homeless men and women sleep in the common room of Friends Seminary. It is another world at Friends Seminary that few get to see. The homeless population in urban America, is rising at an astronomical rate. In New York, there is over 60,352 people who sleep in homeless shelters every night. The actual homeless population of New York is much higher due to the fact that there are many people who sleep on the street. Numbers like these have not been seen since the Great Depression. One of the reasons for these ever rising numbers is that between 1965 and 1977 more than 100,000 people were released from New York state psychiatric hospitals, approximately 47,000 of these people ended up in the city. In addition, during this time, hundred of cheap single occupancy hotels were shutting down. As of 2013 there were two hundred and thirty six homeless shelters in the city and they house the majority of the city’s homeless population. However, these city shelters are often dangerous and many homeless people feel uncomfortable in them. That is where the Friends Shelter comes in. The Friends Shelter opened in 1983, as a way to help combat the problem of homelessness in the city. It is one of only a few faith based shelters in the city. At first, the shelter received city and state funding, but this has since been revoked. However, the shelter had saved the money raised from the annual Martin Luther King concert, organized by Friends Seminary music teacher Bob Rosen, and was prepared to operate independently. In addition, this meant that the food could now be organic, the
At 7:30 in the evening, the Common Room is transformed into the shelter.
utensils could be recyclable, and everything did not
mental illnesses. The drop-in center is very suc-
one full week at the Friends Shelter and then five
As with all service based organization, both
have to be bought in bulk. These changes not only
cessful and is able to house approximately thirty
days at two other sites. The remaining two days are
Mainchance and the Shelter could always use
helped the shelter become more environmentally
people a month. Sueranna Antoine, the Director
spent sleeping in chairs at the drop-in center.
the public’s help. While donations are certainly
sustainable, but also they helped ensure a better
of Social Services and Respite program at Main
The Shelter is run entirely by volunteers.
great, there are many other ways people can help.
experience for the guests. Additionally, the Shelter
Chance, states that at the Friends Shelter, “the vol-
Anyone 18 and older can sign up but must
Mainchance will happily accept any unused toi-
received an outpouring of support from the Friends
unteers are really really great at helping the clients,
complete a brief, one hour training process. There
letries as well as donations of clothes and other
Seminary community, through donated meals,
beyond just getting a bed.” Friends volunteers have
is a small kitchen off the common room where the
necessities. In addition, volunteers can offer to
increased volunteers, and individual contributions.
helped some of the clients get jobs and housing.
cots are stored and the meals are prepared. Every
teach classes such as yoga or accounting. For those
All the guests come from the Main Chance/
Ms. Antoine even states that “Friends have always
night two volunteers come around seven thirty to
who want to help at the Friends Shelter, but are
Grand Central drop-in center. The Main Chance
been the ultimate advocate for the clients” a quality
set up the cots and prepare dinner. At eight thirty
not yet eighteen, they can still volunteer to bring
which sets them apart from respite sights.
the guests arrive and pillows are handed out and the
dinner to the shelter on the days which school is
drop-in center is located on 32nd between Park and Lexington. It provides many services to its clients
Unfortunately, not all guests can be accom-
food is heated up. At ten, it lights lights out and the
not in session. Everyone can easily help combat the
such as housing, medical, social work, and three
modated every night and many are left to sleep
volunteers move into either room 1 or the hallway
serious problem of homelessness within our very
meals a day. In addition, they work with fifteen
in chairs at the drop-in center. This is especially
to sleep. The lights come back on at six, breakfast
own school community.
respite sites, such as the Friends Shelter, which
true for the women who visit the shelter and have
is served and everything is cleaned up. Slightly
provide beds for their clients. On average, the clients
to rotate on a one week basis. This is because, as
before seven everyone leaves to go about their daily
of the drop-in center stay there for 6-9 months
Ms. Antoine states, “the Friends Shelter is a unique
lives. Most volunteers spend one night a month at
before they get housing, during this time they can
shelter in that they accept both men and women”.
the shelter, but this schedule is highly flexible. In
work on the issues that caused them to become
In fact, only three of their fifteen respite sites accept
addition, The Shelter also receives invaluable help
homeless such as substance abuse problems and
women and the Friends Shelter is the only one to
from the school as the school provides them with a
do so seven days a week.Thus, they will spend
hot dinner, every night that class is in session.
To learn more or to contribute in any way, please visit friendsshelter.org
News
June 2015
Edition I
September 2014
Friends Seminary
Friends Joins Call for Action Now on Climate Change
Welcome
Compiled by ASSOCIATED PRESS and SAMUEL ZIEVECOHEN
New York— On April 23, 1937, The New York Times published an article entitled, “Huge Rallies Mark Student Peace Day.” Among those participating in the anti-war demonstrations were students from Friends Seminary. Seventyseven years later, the school continues to demonstrate its activism in the Climate March on Sunday, September 21. In the spirit of justice and stewardship, 150 members of the community joined the hundreds of thousands of others in what many have called the largest march of its kind. “I was amazed at how many people showed up” exclaimed an exuberant Senior Kira Felsenfeld. “It seemed to be an intersection of families,
Continued on p.4
The new Friends newspaper welcomes you Welcome to The Insight. Remaking something as important as the community’s newspaper can be no careless task, but we are striving to do it. The goals of this paper are to provide a space where every member can express their voice, give readers insight into events and culture applicable to Friends, encourage open communication within our community, and act as a time-capsule for the student body. In the craziness of the world, The
24-Seven 7-Eleven p.2
Teens and Back to School
Insight attempts to objectively filter out the madness from the sanity and the falseness from the truth, and report what remains to the community. Why The Insight? We changed the name from The Oblivion because we felt it is more applicable to the mission of the newspaper. Accompanying the new name, it’s easier for everyone to pick up the paper and read it at their leisure: there are now newspaper dispensers located in the main lobby, the library, the meetinghouse and the annex lobby. You now can give your two cents on articles to be written for the newspaper, anonymously, through article suggestion boxes, which are located next to the newspaper stands. Please feel free to
share your thoughts with us through this medium. Lastly, the paper is planning to release six editions this year. However the content is up to you. Don’t hesitate to bring an idea to the paper, we will edit your article with you until it can be published. We have tried to make it as easy as possible to express your voice to the community. If you have a passion or feel strongly about an issue, or feel as though a topic has been forgotten or unfairly perceived in these pages, we invite you to write for The Insight. This is your paper, and we can all make our publication special.
Edition II
p.2
p.6
Growing Up
Friends Announces New Academic Schedule
p.7
By MAX TEIRSTEIN
By MAX TEIRSTEIN ’17
20th, Abramson returned to Friends to give a lecture on freedom of press and Edward Snowden’s NSA leaks. For her first event, Abramson met with the Law class to discuss freedom of press and the Edward Snowden leaks. During her discussion, Abramson brought up the landmark Supreme Court case New York Times Co. vs United States. The case involved the government’s efforts to
On August 9, 18-year-old Michael Brown was shot dead by white police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri. On December 3rd, a grand jury failed to indict Officer Palenteo, another white NYPD police officer who used the illicit chokehold and killed Eric Garner, a 43-year-old father of six and grandfather of three. On November 22, a 12-year-old African-American boy named Tamir Rice was playing with a toy gun and shot dead on sight by Officer Timothy Loehmann. These three deaths, along with that of Trayvon Martin in 2012, have caused national unrest. There have been protests nationwide, and riots in Ferguson, where Michael Brown was killed. They have also resulted in a push for the end of modern racism that has taken many forms, including racial profiling, microaggression, and police brutality. Friends Seminary responded to these recent events by hosting a Meeting for Worship, providing several “Black Lives Matter” workshops during the recent Day of Concern, and organizing a group to join
Continued on p.7
Continued on p.3
p.4
February 2015
Friends Seminary
Friends Responds to Recent Racial Tensions
Jill Abramson speaks in the Meetinghouse on November 19.
Visiting Scholar Jill Abramson Kicks Off Residency By MAGHNUS MARENECK and co-inteviewed with SAM ZIEVE-COHEN
The Visiting Scholars program invited Jill Abramson, an influential figurehead in journalism and number five on Forbes’ “Powerful Women” list in 2012, to come to Friends Seminary. Abramson, who grew up in New York City, attended Ethical Culture Fieldston School and later received her BA in History and Literature from Harvard in 1976. After graduating, Abramson worked for Time Magazine until 1976, when she left to become the senior reporter in the
STU 15 U
p.9
Edition III
Next fall, the academic faculty is excited to introduce the new eight-day schedule into the lives of the Friends students. There will be a separate schedule for those in Middle School and for those in the Upper School. This new schedule won’t be assigned to the days of the week, like our present schedule, but will revolve around an eight-day cycle in which differently numbered days simply happen to land on days of the week. This means that for the first week of school, Monday through Friday will act as days one through five, and the following Monday to Wednesday will be days six through eight. Then, on Thursday, the schedule will restart with day one. This allows classes to continue without hiccup when there is an elongated weekend or break. Another new addition is the introduction of periods that are an hour and fifteen minutes long. The idea behind this change is to allow teachers to give a lesson without being rushed and to initiate a more hands-on class. This means students can work in groups on projects during class
Continued on p.2
A Summer of Food
December 2014
Friends Seminary
Inside The Mark of the Mets
5
Ebola! A Threat Passed? p.11
Washington bureau of The Wall Street Journal. She was also first woman to become the Washington Bureau Chief, and later the executive editor of the New York Times. Abramson began her residency on November 19th. Her schedule was packed back-to-back from 8:45 to 3:15. Her visit included a visit to Charlie Blank’s Law class, discussions with the 4th and 7th grades, and a Q&A session with the Insight staff. The next day, on November
Inside SAF Reports on Ray Rice Scandal p.14
From Stonewall to Rutheford Place p.13
Teacher Look-Alikes Backpage
Derrick Gay, a leading educational and diversity consultant, opens the Day of Concern with a discussion of identity in the Meetinghouse.
Community Addresses Identity, Privilege and Power During Day of Concern By SAM ZIEVE-COHEN ’15 In the spring of 2014, Leitzel Schoen, Dean of Co-Curricular Programs, Jason Craige Harris, History Teacher and Director of the Academic Center, and Cynthia Chalker, Director of Diversity, gathered a group of students to discuss what they believed was a novel proposal: a day of discussion and learning for high school students and teachers. “When we first started talking about and conceiving this day, I, as a new person at Friends, didn’t even know that a day like this existed. In the spring we went to an Upper School faculty meeting and presented why we thought this day was important and asked them to give up a day of their classes for it. The faculty were quiet and then they said ‘yeah, sure, that sounds like
The NRA and The War Over Guns p.5
Day of Concern.” Schoen said, adding, “we didn’t even realize the day existed.” Years earlier the Day of Concern was an annual event run by the Senior class in which lecturers were invited to talk to about topics important to the community. While this tradition had ended long before Schoen, Harris, and Chalker began working at the school, they were bringing back something beloved by many former and current community members. After choosing a day in January to hold the event, the group canvassed the views of about 20 students and began a process of choosing topics and speakers. Adorning the wall of their planning space with ideas written on post-its, the student-faculty team spent months pooling
Inside Recycling: Is It Worth It? p.7
Can Resilience Be Taught? p.8
What is The Purpose of Art?
p.10
their collective connections and resources. Schoen, Harris, and Chalker estimate that around 50 invitations were sent to organizations and speakers. The group settled on a list of twenty-three workshops, composed of current faculty and outside speakers. These speakers came from diverse backgrounds and included alumni and faculty. “It was important for us when we were thinking about who we could ask to find people who were experts and could talk about the issues in the third-person but also could offer personal perspective,” remarked Harris. “Having students hear from individuals who were not just educators, but also spend their daily lives
Continued on next page
Teacher New Year’s Resolutions Backpage
We are thankfull for the responses of: Jason Harris, Director of The Academic Center Bram Hubbell, Upper School History Teacher Maria Fahey, Upper School English Teacher Josh Goren, Upper School English Teacher
A Reflection
Triton Mobley, Head of Digital Arts Jesse Pasca, Visual Arts Department Chair
This year, the newspaper changed. It was renamed, redesigned, and became something new.
1. What change could the newspaper bring about in the Friends community?
Eva Townes, Head Receptionist Wendy Wilderotter, Head of Upper School
At the beginning of the year the paper set it’s
Jason
Josh
mission:
The Insight can serve as a unique platform to
I'd like to see the newspaper help its constitu-
Head of School
amplify student voice and therefore student
encies better understand each other. Students,
Nahid Mahmud ’17,
The goals of this paper are to provide a space
concerns. At times, students have felt as
teachers, administrators, parents, alumni and
2015-16 Editor in Chief of The Insight
where every member of the community can
though they don't have a voice, which means,
staff don't always quite understand what par-
Zara Schreiber ’17,
express his or her voice, give readers insight
in my view, that they feel that there aren't many
ticularly matters to the other groups and why.
into events and culture at Friends, encourage
consequential avenues through which they can
Furthermore, the newspaper could help subsets
open communication within our community,
voice their concerns. The newspaper affords
within those constituencies better understand
and act as a time-capsule for the student body.
students a constructive space to deploy their
each other. Ninth graders should be able
finely honed reasoning and writing skills in
to read the paper and better understand the
Did it succeed? Looking back, we asked the
service of the common good. In some sense,
eleventh graders. Male students should learn
community to reflect upon The Insight’s year.
the newspaper is a written form of Meeting for
about what it's like to be a female student. An
Looking forward, we asked the community to
Worship. Students can contemplate and then
English teacher should be able to gain insight
Lucas Prater ’15
offer their vision for what The Insight can and
write a meaningful piece out of that silence.
into the dangerous and mysterious worlds of
Luke Fairbairn ’15
should be in the coming years.
Every student can do it, which speaks to the
the track team, the history department or the
Riley Woolen ’15
democratic nature of The Insight. There should
business office. Ideally, insight would lead to
Jack Thorman ’15
Due to the issue of length, we regret that we
therefore be a place in the paper for social and
empathy.
could not include all responses received.
political commentary and even the airing of grievances from a carefully considered place.
Continued on next page
Bo Lauder,
2015-16 Editor in Chief of The Insight Sam Zieve-Cohen ‘15, 2014-15 Editor in Chief of The Insight Max Teirstein ’17, Writer for The Insight Isa Skibeli ’18, Writer for The Insight
News
6 1. What change could the newspaper bring about in the Friends community?
2. What do you think is successful about the newspaper right now? Bo
Nahid
Lucas
I think the new look: it is more attractive and
Distribution methods have been successful
I like what’s going on right now, the fact that
better organized. One of my complaints in the
with the newspaper stands scattered through-
you’ve chosen [me and Luke] to interview,
Jack
past had been the lack of delineation between
out the school, although more can be done. The
we’re not the usual candidates.
The newspaper certainly has the potential, if
commentary and news.
overall quality of the articles and speed of publication have both been greatly enhanced.
really well thought-out and really well-writ-
Max
ten, to come out with stuff that really makes people think and question the way the school
Riley
is running things.
The design has been so much more impres-
Wendy
sive that it’s caught people’s attention. In my
I think it is moving in a direction that’s really
time at friends it’s never happened that way.
positive, in terms of it becoming a professional
Sam
It’s always been this sort of... joke. It would
piece. In the past the newspaper included a
Eva
I don’t see the paper as actively bringing about
only attract a niche of people. I like the incor-
lot of commentary and opinion as opposed to
I love the newspaper. I love the scope of the
a change as much as being a place for reflec-
poration of ads to support community events. I
recording events. I think of it as an archival
articles: everything from food, to athletics, and
tion, conversation, and deeper exploration of
know [publication] is a difficult process, but I
piece.
everything in between.
ideas. If we can shed more light, give more
think what it needs is a staple out every month.
I am proud of the staff of The Insight this year—there’s a lot of us, more than last year.
information, then I believe we can spark others
Isa
in our community to bring about change.
One of the most successful parts of the newspaper right now is the team dynamic we
Max
have. All of the club members actively partici-
For me, the newspaper has always been about
pate in brainstorming article topics and group
bringing new perspectives and issues to light
discussions. This helps to incorporate every-
within our community. The newspaper is a tool
one’s ideas into the paper, and to diversify the
for the community to become more in tune
content of the newspaper.
with itself and for individuals to speak out about what should be changed.
3. What do you think are the shortcomings of the paper right now? Josh
Wendy
Max
There are still too many segments of the
I think it still has a tendency towards opinion
It is important that picking up an Insight
The incentive to get more voices of the
community that aren’t represented in the paper.
pieces, rather than reporting. I think that’s
becomes
students.
community involved in the paper has not been
getting better because those pieces are fitting
Furthermore, I think that future editions should
properly portrayed to the student body. Many
in on the editorial page or opinion page but I
feature more Op-Eds and surveys from people
students still see the newspaper as a “club
Bo
think it’s really hard for kids to write in a way
outside The Insight staff about the school or
project” belonging only to the members of
Frequency. I think we’d all like to see the paper
that’s not biased.
other issues. This will allow the newspaper to
The Insight rather than a platform for them to
truly fulfill the role of “student forum.”
participate in and voice their own concerns,
more often. I know this is a challenge in terms
Nahid a
regular
habit
to
opinions, and ideas.
of student time and adequate content. I wonder if a more robust online presence between
Riley
issues would work?
I would say lack of frequency, lack of truly gripping articles, and finally lack of clarity about what the actual mission of the newspaper
Sam
is.
This year the paper was too often about production and less about quality. Like most things at a school, the paper is ultimately an educa-
Luke
tional opportunity. We needed to focus more on
I think there’s got to be a better distribution.
learning how to and in turn producing a higher
Because people read it if it’s in their hand, but
quality paper. Journalism involves a slightly
the question is whether they get it.
different kind of writing and thinking than we are used to in our History and English classes.
Continued on next page
News
June 2015
7
What should be the mission of the Friends newspaper? & How could this be achieved? Josh What should the mission be?
Bo What should the mission be?
Nahid What should the mission be?
Max What should the mission be?
A newspaper’s first job should be to enable a
[The mission should be] to make sure
Having the newspaper serve as an open
The Insight should actually provide the
community to self-reflect. Sometimes perform-
students are informed about happenings in the
forum would encourage more members of
students’ insight. It should be a place for the
ing that job involves bringing to light beliefs
community. Through commentary, to make
the community to have their voices heard in
community to address its faults and strengths.
or opinions within the community that weren’t
sure the student voice is heard.
the paper while ensuring the diversity of its
previously known or widely known. While it might be uncomfortable to bear witness
How to achieve this?
to those newly revealed ideas, I believe that
I keep going back to frequency and how the
doing so is almost always productive. If it tells
paper could have a ‘voice’ between issues.
the right range of stories, a newspaper could be
Online columns, maybe news announcements
the locus around which a community of people
on Monday... just thinking out loud...
argues and thinks about who they are and want to be.
How to achieve this? Seek out difference. Look for opinions that might be difficult to hear.
Wendy What should the mission be? I think this is a question that should be worked
content. This way, the newspaper will be able
How to achieve this?
to better serve the student body rather than
I think an online version that was constantly
serving the requirements of the school.
updated with new material would be an
How to achieve this?
exciting addition to the paper that would allow students to express themselves on current
Editors should make sure that the school is kept
topics. Furthermore, there should be a way for
updated on the newspaper and specific forums
people to provide their thoughts and opinions
should be made for feedback. As the paper’s
about the paper that we could implement
following grows, so too will the demand. If the
to make it more relevant. Finally, the paper
student body at Friends is made aware of the
should reach out to students more, maybe over
potential this paper has, maintaining it will be
email, to attract attention, commitment and
both easier and more fruitful.
student opinion.
Maria
Jack
through with the staff and the advisors. It should be something that is reviewed every
Bram What should the mission be?
year and should be a written statement, like “this is what we are.” And then every edition, you should look at the mission and ask: “are
What should the mission be?
What should the mission be?
Students should use the paper as a tool for
we accomplishing that through this edition?”
I think that, like any newspaper, the mission
We need to bring about the world that ought
bringing about the world that ought to be. If
But I think it’s about student voice, definitely.
should be to observe and report, accurately,
to be at Friends Seminary, that’s important
things that might otherwise go unnoticed, unin-
before we can look out and say “let’s change
vestigated, and unspoken about in the Friends
the world.” There’s certainly things you can
Seminary community.
investigate within the school, and you can
students are always afraid of upsetting the powers that be in the school, including myself
How to achieve this?
and other teachers, there will never be change.
One of the things we’ve talked about in years
Embrace the values of the school and use the
past in the newspaper, is having it be less like
paper to push to see those values in place.
a ‘newspaper’ newspaper, and more like the
How to achieve this?
New Yorker, where there can be cartoons, art,
I wonder if combining some of the student pub-
short stories. It’s a combination ... as opposed
lications into something more along the lines of
Publish shorter issues with more frequency.
to having both a lit mag here and a newspaper
the New Yorker or even parts of the New York
Ideally every two weeks would be great, but
here.
Review of Books, might all you to pool energy
How to achieve this?
that may be too ambitious at first. At least
and focus for a publication that comes out at
shoot for one issue per month. As much as
least quarterly or maybe even a little bit more
I appreciate the improvements in terms of design, the higher quality paper, and other stylistic improvements, I would rather see
Sam What should the mission be?
often. You would have more people working on one publication that has different aspects. It would have arts, literature and news stories
more frequent reporting where students really
To be place for students to think inquisitively
in it, and that might also reduce the pressure
voice their concerns.
and ask questions. We aren’t often given a place
of news stories being absolutely timely. I also
to do this with such a broad array of topics.
think kids need more education and instruction
How to achieve this? The school is gifted with some incredible writers and some incredible thinkers. If we can match those two skills together, we can truly create something special.
on what investigative reporting is. I think they need to learn the practice of asking questions, of observing, and of writing in that style.
write about those challenges.
News
8
A WHAPping Change: The End of AP World History at Friends By ABIGAIL PANITZ ‘15 AP World History is one of the first Advanced
Placement
level-courses
She did say, however, that the department
that
is continuing to assess the value of the AP
students take at Friends. The History
exam on eleventh graders who choose to take
Department decided to get rid of the AP World
the course. “Unquestionably, we are in the
History course, often referred to as WHAP;
midst of examining closely how the entire
the Class of 2019 will be the first grade to
History curriculum serves our students’
all take the same non-AP course in the fall.
needs to be able to think, assess, analyze,
The change in the World History curriculum
and write in a historian’s mindset, as we as a
serves as an example, but not a precedent, of
school believe this a necessary (and frankly,
how the curriculum can change at Friends.
potentially engaging and provocative) disci-
The change in curriculum combines the
pline. AP US History is most certainly under
non-AP and the AP-level World History
our microscope -- in part because of its cur-
courses into an advanced class, required of all
riculum and purpose, and in part because of
tenth grade students. Under the direction of
the effect of both the test and the division of
Department Chair Kristen Fairey, discussions
the grade on the students across the board!”
for coursework overhaul began formally this
Stawnychy agrees with Fairey that the
fall; World History teachers Bram Hubbell
change in US curriculum could potentially
and David Bell made the decision and their
be good—a lot of work for him, but still
knowledge and techniques will be used in
good. He urges students and members of
the new curriculum. Students will have the
the community not to see the AP courses
opportunity to self-prepare and take the
as overly restrictive, however.
World History Advanced Placement exam in
do not teach to the exam, although that’s a
May if they so choose.
big misconception as far as the AP in that
He said, “I
The majority of students at Friends
people think you can only teach to the exam.”
graduate having taken at least one AP course;
Stawnychy notes that one way he covers what
as a competitive school, Friends students
he wants to teach is by supplementing AP
routinely score the highest marks of 4 or 5 on
material with outside readings. This forces
the exams taken in mid-May. Supporters and
students to do more work outside of class to
critics of the AP exam alike acknowledge that
prepare for the exam in May, but Stawnychy
labeling a course as “AP” impresses colleges.
thinks this is a good thing.
Hubbell offered the counterargument to
“The benefits of the AP class is that it’s
this opinion: “If there were no AP courses
rigorous and it’s focused on independent
offered at Friends, universities would not be
learning, so it teaches kids a modicum of
able to ask why an applicant from Friends did
self-reliance… you have to make sure that
not take the maximum number of AP courses.
you keep up with the reading,” he added.
Given this situation, students are compelled
History teacher Bram Hubbell has helped make the AP world history tests optional for all students.
to take the maximum number of AP courses
exams are not designed to cultivate critical
across the country and the world. AP courses
overhaul of all AP courses. Stawnychy
that we allow in order to maximize their
thinking or help students become scholars.
do offer many students an incredible oppor-
confirmed this, saying that there has been no
admission chances.
This situation limits
They have fairly rigid and comprehensive
tunity.” Stawnychy also agrees that the cur-
pressure in department or in Upper School
students’ opportunity to explore those courses
curricula which students must internalize,
riculum is helpful nationally, by offering
meetings to change to non-AP format, and any
that excite them.”
and the push to cover all the material often
an advanced option so a mentality of open
other kind of changes are “a couple of years
The school has no plans for a massive
While this is the case, Stefan Stawnychy,
comes at the chance to delve deeply into
enrollment allows students with specific
off” from happening. It is up to the teachers
the instructor for all AP US History classes,
topics. It’s difficult for both students and
interests to pursue their passions at an accel-
to build their coursework. Most teachers are
claimed that the AP is a way to show that the
teachers to explore issues in depth.”
erated pace.
happy with teaching AP courses, and are not
coursework students complete is challeng-
While the AP is not a perfect fit for
After a change in the World History cur-
pressing to make changes. Indeed, while
ing, especially at schools where admissions
Friends sophomores, there is a reason why
riculum, one may wonder about the fate of
the College Board and Advanced Placement
officers highly consider AP scores.
the exam is so strict and confining. Hubbell
the AP US HIstory class. History Department
system are sometimes thought of as restric-
This transformation of the World History
added, “In order to have international norms
Chair Kristen Fairey was quick to put rumors
tive mandates, tests vary for each discipline;
curriculum is seen as a victory for some,
for the tests, the people grading the tests have
at bay, saying “No firm plans are in place to
it is impossible to treat all AP courses the
especially Hubbell, who has helped redesign
little flexibility in the approach to grading…I
change the 11th grade, or U.S. curriculum
same.
the World History exam and has taught the
fully get the point of AP courses for students
away from offering an AP course. Not even a
course for almost ten years. He says, “AP
in radically different educational settings
‘soft’ plan is in place.”
News
Friends Announces Enhanced Partnership with NYU By JACKSON WALD ‘18
9
Ally Week Educates Community About LGBTQ+ Issues By ZARA SCHREIBER ’17 The Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) is focused on
Photo by Scott Leff
June 2015
spreading information on sexual and gender orientations as well as protecting LGBTQ+ rights in school and around the world. The majority of club time is devoted to planning projects focused on spreading awareness. One of the events organized by this club is known as Ally Week: a week dedicated to celebrating the school’s involvement with the LGBTQ+ community. This year the main events of the week consisted of a pledge booth, an assembly, a Fishbowl discussion, and Color Day. The pledge booth ran all day from Monday to Wednesday and consisted of two parts. Participants both pledged to be an ally of the LGBTQ+ community and recorded their colorful handprints with finger paint. The vibrant handprints are now on display in the gallery. The purpose of the booth was to “get people involved and embrace everyone in
suggestions of ways both individuals and communi-
the community” according to Kerry Kline, the GSA
ties can improve life for members of the LGBTQ+
faculty advisor. Temporary tattoos were also given
community.
at the booth with LGBTQ+ rainbow imposed on the letters ‘FS.’
Although
the
academic
partnership
between NYU and Friends Seminary has
Lastly, the Fishbowl event was held after school and attended by approximately thirty
During the assembly, club members demon-
people including teachers, high schoolers, middle
strated how a liberal city such as New York is still
schoolers, and parents. A fishbowl discussion
host to hate crimes. One hate crime mentioned at
involves half of the group sitting in an inner ring
the assembly was that involving Islan Nettles, a
and discussing LGBTQ+ issues while the outer
twenty-one year old transgender woman beaten to
ring writes down questions. Half-way through, the
death in Harlem in 2013 due to her gender identity.
groups switch so that everyone gets a chance to
Her murderer was only charged with a misde-
be heard. The discussion tackled topics including
meanor assault.
heteronormativity, gender binarism, the gender
Another recent incident involved Mark Carson,
spectrum, the human desire for classification,
a gay man, who was walking down the street with
and the treatment of the LGBTQ+ community in
his boyfriend when he was shot in the face by a man
NYC. The school’s acceptance of the LGBTQ+
yelling homophobic slurs. In 2013 alone, there were
community was also discussed at length, and
invited by NYU president John Sexton to
594 reported attacks based on sexual and gender
everyone agreed that overall the school provides a
visit the NYU Abu Dhabi campus.
identity in NYC, which is 26% more than in 2012.
welcoming atmosphere.
been ongoing since 1993, on February 6th,
This is a great opportunity said Lauder,
However, GSA members provided informa-
However, numerous students expressed their
a new partnership was forged by Friends
because “we’ve never had a guarantee that 10
tion on several LGBTQ+ programs that aim to help
beliefs that many high schoolers attending Friends
Principal Bo Lauder and NYU President
students could take classes at NYU before,
improve life for the LGBTQ+ community. The Ali
Seminary are unable to openly be themselves due to
John Sexton. Under the new agreement, ten
so this should open up the possibility for
Forney Center, named after an NYC resident who
peer pressure. They fear that their relationships with
Friends students are guaranteed a spot in the
many more students. I’m especially excited
was shot dead because he was gay and transgen-
their friends may change if they are open about their
NYU’s School of Arts and Sciences with
that our students can take classes that we
der, helps to house some of the 8,000 homeless
sexual or gender identity, so they remain ‘straight
no tuition. This partnership was made only
may not offer, like upper level maths, certain
LGBTQ+ youth in the city. They not only provide
until proven otherwise.’ Even though we are an
now because, according to Lauder “We were
languages and economics, for example.”
free food and medical attention, but they also offer
accepting school, the opinions conveyed during the
having trouble getting students into some
These classes open up new possibilities for
educational opportunities. During the assembly,
Fishbowl indicate that we are still not perfect.
classes without this official recognition. We
Seniors to challenge themselves and work on
GSA members also provided resources for students
GSA aims to improve school wide acceptance
also needed to have a certain number for
harder material.
who want to learn more about different sexual iden-
of the LGBTQ+ community by continuing to
The NYU partnership is a great opportu-
tities, including GALE, the Global Alliance for
spread awareness through its events and continuing
benefits the NYU students as well, because
nity for students who want to challenge them-
LGBT Education. GALE is a learning community
to fight the prejudices that stigmatize the LGBTQ+
Friends Seminary will now be able host
selves and take college courses. Students can
focused on providing education concerning sexual
community. By doing this, it hopes to make it easier
NYU student teachers in its art and language
utilize the Bobst Library, and experience a
and gender identity and is a formal partner of
for people to see that sexual and gender identities do
departments. Also Audrey Reynolds, the
college environment while paying no tuition.
UNESCO. Another resource, GLSEN, the Gay,
not determine a person’s value.
planning purposes.” This partnership also
Friends Seminary college counselor, was
Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, provides
News
10
Friends Seminary Explores Peru By MAX TEIRSTEIN ‘17 Over Spring Break, Friends Seminary teamed up with Envoys, an organization that specializes in educating students through travel, to send eleven students to Peru. Led by Envoys senior counselor Angela Gomez, medic Carlos “Flaco” Hincapié, counselor Ahava SilkeyJones, and Friends language departement’s Eric Quiñones and Micah Morris, the group traversed the southern half of Peru: from Lima, to Cuzco, to Machu Picchu, to the Amazon rainforest. Throughout the trip, students were given the opportunity to connect with Peruvians and learn about Peruvian culture from a local perspective. In Cuzco, students lived with native Peruvian families for five nights, speaking only Spanish. “I loved spending time with my homestay brother” says Mali Axinn, ’17. “He taught me the most about Peruvian life and culture.” Many were struck by the hospitality of these families. Rachel Wolchok ’17, commented “I loved the fact that my mom wanted to take me home and around Cuzco instead of returning me to the group after our family lunch. I really miss her.” She added, “Peruvian people have to be some of the kindest people, even strangers on the street. It’s amazing how different the our society is, and I find myself missing that gentlepower of nature, I couldn’t help but envision a
ness in our huge city.” From hiking to the summit of Machu Picchu
hoard of bulldozers plowing through the trees
to touring the historic churches of Cuzco, the
like dominoes, billowing with smoke and shat-
group learned about the history of Peru by expe-
tering the tranquility of the jungle. That moment
riencing it first-hand. At the Moray ruins in the
is when I really realized the destructive ability
mountains of Peru, students sat in silent meeting
of our species and how much we have to change
in front of the snow-capped peaks, mere feet
to respect our planet like we should.” By bringing the Quaker practice of silent
from ancient Incan ruins. Students also got the chance to interact with
meeting to Peru, students improved on their
locals in the Amazon, planting fruit trees for
ability to live in the moment of the trip and
local farmers in order to give them a crop to
enjoy the country’s beauty as a community. In
sell in the markets of Puerto Maldonado, a town
Machu Picchu, the group sat in silence for a
nearby. By developing such close relationships
half an hour, watching the fog swirl around the
with Peruvian natives and by learning about
Andean peaks.
the history of Peru, students learned the differ-
Zara Schrieber ’17 reflects, “A lot of people
ence between being a tourist and traveller, and
didn’t sign up for the trip because they claimed
became more like the second.
that two weeks was too long of a time commitallowed
ment, but when the trip ended, everyone agreed
students to study humans’ environmental
that they wished it could go on longer. We did
impact. In the Amazon, students hiked and
something fun everyday, and even on the days
canoed from 5 am until 1 pm through the
that were mostly dedicated to travel we still all
rainforest, learning about the animals and
had a great time. The food was amazing, the
ecosystems of the jungle. After a few hours of
Peruvians were super nice, and the whole trip
hiking, students climbed a tower in the center
was awesome.”
Furthermore,
the
Peru
trip
of the forest with a spectacular view. Michael Lowe ’15 remarked, “Though this incredible scene evoked the sense of the sheer
Photos by Mali Axinn
News
11
Friends Students Travel to Nepal By RICHARD OMAR PAYNE ’18 Photos by Deanna Yurchuk
June 2015
On March 13th, our group of Friends Seminary
dancing and drumming, in which we often partici-
students traveled to Nepal to build a school in
pated, followed. We must have looked comical to
partnership with a non profit organization called
our hosts, stumbling over deceptively simple steps
BuildOn.
Initially we weren’t completely sure
in the dances and struggling to keep time with our
of what experiences would await us, but we were
hosts in drumming. Even through all of the initial
excited to find out.
embarrassment, it was nice to be included in such
Our journey started by visiting an existing
activities.
school that BuildOn had established in a small
At the end of the ceremony, in pairs or triplets,
village called Likma, where teachers and students
and without chaperones, we went home with our
greeted us and placed honorific garlands on our
host families. In our interactions with our host
necks and red dye (“tikka”) on our foreheads. We
families, one of the biggest hindrances to com-
were astonished and humbled that this community
munication was the language barrier. Most of our
had found us ordinary New York students worthy
host families spoke little to no English, and the
of such a thoughtful reception. For a short interval,
guidebook we received was almost no help. When
we had no words for the experience except “This is
I showed the Tharu guidebook to my family, they
so unreal”, ”‘Wow”, and “Is this really happening
only recognized a few stray words in their own
right now?”.
language. Thankfully, games like Jenga that we
We sat in on a few classes. One class was
brought from the States helped to break the tension
comprised solely of adult females, who had been
that comes from being in a room of people who
learning about discrimination against women.
can’t communicate. Over time, we began to become
When asked what they liked about learning, one
more comfortable with our families. Soon, it was
woman passionately declared that she was grateful
an ordinary occurrence to see us playing Go Fish,
that people she bought goods from could no longer
or learning how to hand wash laundry, or just lying
cheat her. At that moment I saw what a welcome
down in a field with our host brothers.
gift education was to them. I also thought how
When we were not spending quality time
lucky we were to have that gift, and wondered if we
with our host families, we would either be at the
shouldn’t complain less.
worksite or participating in “cultural workshops”.
Another class was comprised of preschool age
Worksite chores included reinforcing support rods,
children. They played blocks with us as we tested
carrying rocks and water, sifting sand, and even
their knowledge of the ABCs. This was enjoyable,
helping to mix cement! Our interactions with the
even though the children seemed reserved in our
the community members were memorable because
presence. The next class, affectionately named “The
they did not treat us differently from the experi-
Wild Class” by the trip leaders, was energetic, fun-
enced workers. For example, when mixing cement,
loving, playful, and perhaps a little rambunctious.
we would get the same load as everyone else and
Unlike the previous class, these children were not
there were never any indications that we were weak
wary of us and were happy to let us teach them the
or inexperienced. The cultural workshops included:
Hokey Pokey, sing Nepalese songs and even do the
fishing with the villagers, visiting the temple of the
chicken dance.
monkey god, to interviewing a midwife!
After the school visit, we went to Damauliya,
After four days in the village, the villagers
where we helped to build a school with the inhab-
prepared a short closing ceremony for us. Our
itants of the village. When we arrived, we were
families dressed us in traditional Nepalese garb.
greeted by what seemed like the whole village.
Once again, we were given tikka and garlands.
To our astonishment, the villagers had not only
The villagers thanked us for our help, and we in
assembled to meet us, but also treated us to a mini
turn thanked our host families for their hospital-
parade complete with dancers and waving flags.
ity, humour, and fun. We attempted to teach the
We positioned ourselves in the middle of the pro-
villagers the Macarena. It debuted to mixed results
cession to the watching eyes of the villagers. This
because most of the villagers were shy about
was one of the many occurrences over the trip that
dancing (perhaps because they feared being embar-
showed me how valuable this school was to our
rassed in front of the other villagers), but later some
hosts. We were seated in chairs facing the villagers
of the families privately asked some of us to teach
and after being given garlands and anointed with
it to them. That day we also performed the Friends
tikka, we introduced ourselves to the villagers with
Alma Mater for the village to show our love for
Nepalese names. A three hour ground-breaking
Friends and to join in the excitement for their new
ceremony filled with speeches and ceremonial
school.
News
12
Friends Community Reacts to Nepal Earthquake By NAHID MAHMUD ’17 With the recent experience of Friends’ service-learning trip to Nepal still prevalent in the minds of those who embarked on the journey this past Spring Break, the Friends community has actively sought funding to aid relief efforts in Nepal in light of the devastating earthquake. A student-organized fundraiser at Friends held a week after the events of the quake sold donated Asian jewelry while a group of young artists in Matt Schee’s first grade class made paintings to be sold at the Friends Auction. Proceeds from these events were sent directly to Nepal. Friends Foodies has also seen success in fundraising efforts with a “grilling extravaganza” held on May 20th, and funds raised by studentAbove is a temple that was demolished by the earthquake.
organized bake sales have contributed greatly to school efforts as well. Much of this funding will
“I was sitting at the table with my mom
provide field-hands and families with medical
and my initial reaction was, that’s scary,” says
supplies, food, and clothing but will also
Jack Thorman ’15. “Less than a month ago, we
provide doctors with necessary materials like
were just there. I recently watched a video of
aspirin, paper, and pens due to their inability to
the quake happen in the exact spot I was in and
accurately diagnose patients because of a lack
I remember seeing a temple that I had climbed
of proper equipment.
just crumbled.”
According to Leitzel Schoen, Dean of
On April 25th, 2015, an earthquake with a
Co-Curricular Programs and a leader on the
moment magnitude of 8.1 hit Nepal. A major
Nepal trip, “Friends’ mission is not to raise
aftershock (recorded to be 7.3 in magnitude)
funds for other organizations but rather educate
hit only days later on May 12th. Considered to
the community about ways to give back and
be the worst natural disaster in Nepal since the
encourage students to take part in efforts to aid
Damauliya hosted Friends students and taught
On the topic of communication with host
earthquake in 1934, the earthquake took more
the Nepalese people.” The Insight recently sat
them about Nepalese culture. “Even though it’s
families, Schoen explained, “Communication
than 8,000 lives, injured more than 19,000
down with Schoen to discuss her experiences
only two weeks, you really get a sense of the
and other infrastructure have been compromised
people, and destroyed thousands of homes and
of hearing the news about the earthquake and
community and the people,” says Thorman,
by the quake. Our village also has no electric-
villages across the Nepalese countryside and the
taking part in relief efforts.
“especially in the village we stayed in. A lot of
ity to begin with, so this will not be easy in the
adjoining areas of India, China, and Bangladesh.
“When the earthquake struck, I was actually
people would often say they would rather live in
weeks ahead. I feel for these families as they
Thousands have been left homeless, churches
at a Global Education Benchmarks Group
Kathmandu than the village because the village
have to wait to get word of loved ones.”
and schools have been reduced to rubble, and
gathering with other educators from across the
is “poor.” Even if that was the case, you really
When reflecting on when she first heard
several temples and cultural landmarks are no
country to discuss best practices with regard to
felt this sense of unity in this small, live-off-
the news about quake, Schoen recollects the
longer recognizable. The poorer communities
global education. Tom Silverman, the Global
the-land community that was missing in other
response she witnessed during the buildOn
in Nepal were hit hardest due to their lack of
Chapters Manager for buildOn, our field partners
places.”
meeting. “Needless to say, when word passed
basic infrastructure, emergency relief funding,
in Nepal, was also in attendance. Together, we
According to Schoen, Friends has reached
through the crowd, people’s cell phones and
and domestic aid. Recent reports have indicated
immediately began reaching out to buildOn’s
out to the host families. “We have communi-
devices popped out as the audience’s attention
sharp increases in rural death tolls and rates of
headquarters in Nepal to inquire about their
cated with the village and while they have been
moved from the speaker to the images of the
human trafficking, especially those of female
local staff and families. As sporadic reports
spared the direct devastation of the earthquake,
devastation. This is a group committed to global
survivors, in the Nepalese slums.
came in throughout the next two days, Tom
many are trying to get word to family members
education and the importance of connecting
“Mostly what I felt since the quake is a more
and I would find each other at the conference
who lived in areas that did receive the brunt of
students to real-world immersion experiences.
personal connection than say someone reading
and motion with a thumbs up across the room.
the quake and its aftershocks.”
This lively group-participants at the conference
about it. When you hear about these huge
Thankfully, the buildOn staff and the villagers,
“From what I saw in Kathmandu,” Thorman
are full of stories from the far corners of the
natural disasters in some place far away, you
with whom we lived just weeks earlier, were not
continued, “A lot of it did honestly feel like a
earth-but in that moment, all were silent. The
feel bad but it’s not very personalized because
touched by the earthquake. In fact, the very next
big slum. People were wearing masks; it was
only fitting response was to band together and in
you don’t know a lot about the people, the
day, villagers showed up at the school work site,
hard to breathe with the area being so dense
that unity of silence hold our Nepalese brothers
culture, the community. But I did. I was there
where we helped lay the foundation, to continue
and overpopulated. From what I saw, a lot of
and sisters in the light.”
for two weeks. I was in Kathmandu interacting
their quest to have a school for their children.”
the buildings looked unfinished which is why
with these people,” says Thorman.
During the trip, families from the village of
hearing the news of the quake really scared me.”
June 2015
News
13
10,839 Klicks of Separation: What Does Supporting The Troops Mean For You? ─ Op-Ed ─
By CAMILO DURR ‘18
New York City is 10,839 kilometers
Friends Seniors, working with the AFYA foundation, help pack supplies for Nepal.
and adjusting to civilian life.
from our Armed Services in Afghanistan,
The more the military becomes foreign to
but it’s not only the distance that separates
us, this force that is constantly being used
us from our military. In March, President
overseas, the more we alienate ourselves
Obama announced that US military forces
from the people fighting in the military,
will continue to remain in Afghanistan,
people just like us, from the same neighbor-
at the same time as we pass the 70th
hoods and small towns.
Anniversary of victory in Europe during
Triton Mobley’s, Upper and Middle
World War Two. “As a country, America has
School art teacher, brother served in the
been at war nonstop for the past 13 years.
First Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and
As a public, it has not. A total of about 2.5
was wounded by an IED while fighting in the
million Americans, roughly three-quarters
War on Terror.
of 1 percent, served in Iraq or Afghanistan
The Insight spoke to him about his
at any point in the post-9/11 years, many of
brother returning home after years in the
them more than once” says James Fallows
military, and how it affected him and his
points in the Atlantic Magazine article “The
family and his brother’s experience coming
Tragedy of the American Military.” At the
home to a country that barely acknowledged
same time, we, the public, have become
his fighting overseas.
more and more detached from our military
“My brother has been in the military his
and the war they’re fighting for us. Fallows
entire life, he went right after high school, so
also argues that the “respect” we show our
from the time he graduated when he was 18
military today is a form of alienation. He
he left for the military. He spent his entire
argued on the HBO show Real Time with
career in the military, he did 22 years and he
Bill Maher, that a lot of soldiers don’t want
just recently retired this past December and
to just hear “thank you” and be able to board
now he’s home for good.” Before Vietnam, if
first on airplanes. Fallows says that if you
the US was at war, every street corner would
really support the troops, do more than say
be filled with propaganda urging Americans
thank you. Donate to the Wounded Warrior trust or volunteer to help soldiers returning
Continued on p.15
Op-Ed
14
Poaching and The Ivory Trade
tusks. Separate studies showed that 70% of Chinese people assumed they grew back like fingernails. Myths, including one that elephants’
─ Op-Ed ─
tusks fall out naturally, are also propagated and
By ISABEL CLEMENTS ’17
widely accepted. Efforts to pulverize the poaching trade are
Poaching: we’ve all heard this term used,
According to the World Wildlife Fund, when
as much continuous as they are contagious. In
and predominantly associate it with criminal
the ban against the trade was enacted in 1990,
November of 2013, The Obama administra-
behavior. This is because poaching belongs
it caused the disintegration of some of the
tion destroyed the US reserve of elephant tusks,
to a category of worldwide crises that, though
major ivory markets. Consequently, a number
which included 6 tons of raw ivory, to send a
outlawed, remain active and widely unmoni-
of countries in Africa experienced a steep
message to the world. In African countries
tored. Sadly, the quality makes an issue easier
decline in illegal killing, mostly in areas where
with larger elephant populations, anti-poaching
to dismiss. If poaching is illegal, why should
elephants were sufficiently protected. While this
patrols have been hired. Their responsibilities
it be a problem, or more specifically, our
allowed some elephant populations to recover,
include removing wire snares laid by elephant
problem? Fact is, we still lose tens of thousands
poaching continues to be a significant problem in
poachers, and identifying the locations of
of elephants a year on the African continent to
countries where wildlife management programs
poachers as well as other people found engaging
this particular type of wildlife crime. And at
are continually under-funded. Because of this,
themselves in illegal activities likely to cause
the current rate of poaching, elephants could be
unregulated domestic ivory markets continue to
negative impacts on wildlife or wildlife habitats.
extinct in ten years.
thrive in a number of states, many in which only
What can you do to help stop the killing of
A poached elephant is killed solely to facili-
extremely small numbers of their own elephants
elephants? You can make a difference by vol-
tate the removal process of the elephant’s tusks.
subsist. These markets sustain the illegal inter-
unteering your time to action-oriented organi-
Poachers are generally armed with guns, most
national trade, which in Africa is valued at $17
zations working on the front line of the anti-
commonly the AK47 model in East Africa.
billion a year and continues to grow.
poaching war, like the Tsavo Trust, a Kenyan
These criminals locate elephant herds from heli-
Raw ivory is now worth $2,100 per kilogram
non-profit organization working towards con-
copters, targeting their prey from above. Ground
compared to a mere $750 per kilo in 2010,
servation of wildlife,. Furthemore, you can
poachers have been known to use a variety of
according to reports from wildlife organiza-
lobby your government to prioritize the fight
weapons, these including machetes, spears and
tion Save the Elephants. Most of the demand
against wildlife crime. Most importantly, avoid
watermelons spiked with the poison cyanide.
for ivory is centered in China, where 70% of
purchasing ivory and inform others why they
After the demand for ivory soared in the
acquired ivory is shipped. Curiously, a recent
shouldn’t; Share information on the issue as
early 1970s, poaching was largely responsible
study cited by The Times in the UK found that
widely as possible. The ultimate solution to this
for reducing the African elephant population
less than a third of Chinese people surveyed
problem is education, specifically revelation of
from 3-5 million to about 470,000 - 690,000.
knew that elephants are slaughtered for their
the brutality of the trade.
On The Same Team: ─ Op-Ed ─
The Benefits of Empowering Women in The Workplace
By RACHEL HODES ’17 Following closely the movement for gen-
experiences are useful for different purposes
der-equal pay in the U.S. is the fight for paid
within industry. For example, a children’s
maternity leave. Currently, federal law mandates
toy company looking to invent a new product
that a minimum of 12 weeks of unpaid leave per
would be better off receiving counsel from an
year must be offered to women when they give
employee with children than an employee who
birth.
does not have children. However, in order to
This law; however, is conditional. The
have these parents as a part of the workforce,
company the woman works at must be large
companies need more generous maternity leave
enough (50 people or more) and she must have
policies. Having open maternity leave policies
worked there for at least 12 months. Compared
attracts talented workers who are concerned
to some states, California has expanded rather
about being able to take enough time off in case
generously on federal law. In order to receive
of pregnancy. To retain this diversity of employees with
healthy development of their newborn(s).
maternity leave, women in workplaces with at
ample leave policies. To put conditions in the
least five employees are entitled to up to four
United States into perspective, Germany offers
In addition to promoting healthy family
and without children, companies must take ini-
months of leave, no matter how long they have
a minimum of 42 weeks of paid leave and 120
rearing, allowing women to decide how time
tiative themselves to offer more paid maternity
worked at the company. They may also collect
unpaid. Germany’s policy shows how lacking
they will take off to raise their children also
leave. Enacting a federal law that mandates a
state disability payments up to $490 a week
the United States’ is. With such a conditional
benefits the workforce.
certain amount of paid maternity leave is too
for up to two months, depending on income.
maternal leave policy, mothers in the U.S. do
However, many other countries have more
not have enough devoted time to guarantee the
Diversity
increases
the
strengths
of
companies because people with different
Continued on p.16
June 2015
Op-Ed
15
Continued from 10,839 Klicks of Separation to buy war bonds and reminding them “Loose lips might sink ships”. But strong opposition of the Vietnam War turned into strong opposition of the soldiers fighting it. Soldiers that returned to the US on stretchers with their legs blown off were spat on and pelted with tomatoes. These soldiers had returned from years fighting in jungles and had to adjust to civilian life, one of the hardest things they would have to face, now had to deal with attacks from the people they
CARE strives to highlight the diversity in our community, as well as in the world. We discuss oppression in all of its forms and work together to bring awareness to the larger community. We hope to continue to bring the Friends community to action in the fight for social justice.
were fighting for. Criticism of the military, for many, became hate of the soldiers. In many instances criticism of the war in Iraq turned into criticism of soldiers. In Mobley’s opinion, “It’s more nuanced than that, in some instances people are critical of the war and of the soldiers and there are people who are critical of the war and not of the soldiers. There are soldiers, and my brother was one of those soldiers who had that gung-ho mentality, ‘they threw the first stone, let’s throw stones back’, which he and I have argued about to this day. He’s had moments of awareness where he has noticed if you ask question about what you’re doing on the battlefield, it might just be enough to take your eye off the ball. To question it may be an ill-fitted split second decision that may cost you your life, or the life of your comrades. Having an understanding of their involvement is a bare minimum for any soldier. It would be nice to know as supporters of our troops that they know why they formed that thought instead to buying it because someone told them. My brother still believes it was a
Service Committee and explained the stand
honor the military but you shouldn’t dishonor
for the sacrifice they’re making for our
justified conflict, and becomes upset when
they take and have taken as Quakers against
it either.”
freedom and safety. Former Congressman
anyone questions that.”
war. “ They really began doing work during
Even if you don’t honor the military, you
Allen West once said, “We must never forget
But following The First Gulf War and
the First World War, where it served as a
should acknowledge what the soldiers are
why we have, and why we need our military.
the War in Iraq and Afghanistan, a new
vehicle for Quakers who couldn’t serve in
doing. The reason we become more and more
Our armed forces exist solely to ensure our
form of treating the military also arose.
the military do to conscientious objection
alienated from our military is because we
nation is safe, so that each and every one of
Now, any sort of criticism of the army was
work and then after the war it was involved
don’t acknowledge and know what they’re
us can sleep soundly at night, knowing we
deemed “un-American”. The two sides you
in relief work for the many hungry.” From
doing and have done overseas. We have all
have ‘guardians at the gate’.”
could take were full support of any action
Frisch’s point of view, “Criticizing the
been lucky enough not to have to fight for
the military took, or labelling all soldiers as
military and criticizing the soldiers, are two
our freedom and democracy. The denial of
“murderers”. We should be able to criticize
different things from the Quaker point of
human rights all over the world illustrates
our military as we would any other part of
view, which wouldn’t attack the person, they
out how we take the four freedoms; freedom
our government, we can criticize the soldiers
would attack the systems that lead to mili-
of speech, freedom of worship, freedom
as well, be we must also have respect for
tarism. Quakers tend to make a distinction
from want, freedom from fear for granted. As
what they’re doing overseas, whether we
from the soldier and the military institution.
students who go to a Quaker school we need
support their actions or not. Our school has a
We should be really clear about separat-
to understand how even if we are anti-war
long history of anti-war protest and fighting
ing the people from the programs, we don’t
in all aspects, we must make sure that we
against military expansion. Upper School
want to be anti a person, we want to be anti
aren’t anti the soldiers fighting. A quality
Math teacher Ben Frisch has worked with the
the policy. If you’re anti-war in all circum-
always taught at Friends, and by all Quakers,
Quaker organization The American Friends
stances, a complete pacifist, you shouldn’t
is respect, and we must respect the soldiers
Op-Ed
16 Continued from On The Same Team lengthy a process and will have too many complications, and is difficult for small companies.
The Dangers of Teenage Drug Addiction
This is because a federal law may make small
─ Op-Ed ─
companies more apprehensive about promoting
By ISA SKIBELI ’18
or hiring women who may become pregnant into high positions, and some companies would
Drug usage among teenagers in New York City
not have the resources to function if they were
is becoming a larger and more pressing issue every
required to pay for maternity leave.
year, which begs the question: why are students
Paid maternity leave is just one component of
turning to drugs during adolescence? The Insight
employing more women. To provide a positive
spoke to the guidance team at Friends to address this
and welcoming work environment, it is equally
question.
important that companies not only encourage
When asked why she believes students take
childbirth, but also ensure women can choose
drugs, Betsy Peyton, the Friends nurse, responded,
to whether to have children. However, this
“Some of it has to do with wanting to improve grades,
Samantha Meltzer, Director of Student Services,
benefit can easily be taken the wrong way. A
while some of it is recreational. Students imagine it is
said, “Sometimes, when you become an adolescent,
few companies have taken the initiative to allow
going to be fun, when, in reality, we know that kids
you begin to experiment with a lot of different things.
Various studies have been conducted which
employees more options in terms of family
can have lots of fun in other ways. For schools in
Things related to your friendships, your personal
show that taking marijuana can hamper teenagers’
rearing. Both Facebook and Google offer to pay
New York City, I think that drugs can also be a status
identity, and sometimes risk-taking or testing-of-
ability to remember things, problem solve, and think
to freeze the eggs of female employees. This
symbol for someone who has the ability to get these
boundaries can play into that, and for some, that may
clearly, which can negatively impact the grades and
benefit created a lot of backlash, as many believe
illegal substances.”
include experimenting with substances."
test scores of students. A research project directed by
these companies are suggesting women should forgo child rearing to pursue their careers. Sabrina Parsons, a contributor at Business Insider, says that the offer to freeze women’s
have used marijuana in the last year.
other things, so if you don’t know exactly what you’re smoking, you can have a really bad experience,” she explained.
Peyton added, “Some kids are psychologically
Meltzer also pointed out that taking drugs can
Harvard and Northwestern University took a close
fragile and take drugs out of a need for escape.
develop more socially or casually, if a student spends
look the brains of 40 people, whose ages ranged from
They are self-medicating and taking the drugs out of
time with friends who use drugs. She added, “Some
18 to 25. Half of them had never taken marijuana,
depression.”
teens take drugs as a way to fit in or to not be left out.
while the other half reported regularly using the drug
eggs “seems almost like a joke.” She suggests
Lila Margulies, Friends Seminary guidance
For some, it can be more of a risk than for others. I do
anywhere from one to six years. Researchers discov-
that the policy will scare women away from
counselor said, “In my experience, if a student is
not think that all teenagers are necessarily aware that
ered that the form, density and size of the nucleus
having children, and make them feel that they
using drugs or alcohol in a way that is concerning to
that may be the case, and what their risk factors are
accumbens, a sector of the brain specifically pertain-
must either choose career of family. However,
me, there is usually an underlying reason behind it.
individually. For example, if someone has a history
ing to motivation and decision making. “The fact that
according to The New York Times, Facebook
They might be feeling anxious or depressed, or they
of substance abuse in their family, they might be
we can see these structural effects in the brain could
offers four months of paid leave to both mothers
could be dealing with a crisis, and they try to mask
more predisposed to developing a problem or a habit
indicate that the effects of THC are longer lasting
and fathers, including same sex couples. They
those feelings with alcohol or drugs, because then
than someone who does not.”
than we previously thought,” said Dr. Jodi Gilman, a
are also offered $4,000 for each child, whether
maybe they won’t have to think about it.”
Teenage addiction or use of marijuana today
psychology teacher at Harvard Medical School.
they are born or adopted. At Google, pregnant
Margulies points out that the regular use of
has become much more harmful in the past two
Adults who have used marijuana as teenagers
women are offered 22 weeks of paid maternity
substances can become habit-forming or addictive
decades or so. Currently, marijuana is cultivated in
often experience the damaging long term impacts
leave and fathers get seven. This policy also
pretty quickly. “Some kids are super stressed about
a way which makes the drug much stronger than in
of their juvenile drug habits later in life. People
extends to same sex couples. Childbirth option-
school or other parts of life and go home and smoke
the past. Marijuana samples inspected by the Food
taking marijuana as students are far more likely to
neutral companies like Google and Facebook
marijuana or drink regularly. The intention may be to
and Drug Administration found that levels of THC,
have intelligence, fertility, respiratory, and immune
could be more attractive to potential mothers,
feel better in the moment, but with regular use, they
the main component of marijuana, has gone up by
problems when they become older. A scientific
fathers, and same sex couples. These companies
can easily develop a dependence on that substance,”
9.25 percent over the course of 18 years. In 1995,
report conducted in 2012 by Duke University studied
support many different choices people could
she stated.
the amount of THC in the drug was 3.75 percent,
people born in New Zealand in the early 1970s.
make in terms of family building. Instead of
“My goal is to support people and to help them
but it grew to 13 percent in 2013. As marijuana
Researchers took IQ tests of these people at 13 years
scaring women away from working at these
be healthy. If someone tells me that they are using
becomes more potent, the nationwide annual number
of age, and interviewed them as teenagers to find out
companies, the freedom provided by offering
in a way that I think is becoming a big problem in
of emergency hospitalizations involving the drug
if they had become marijuana users. Researchers
various benefits like these appeal to talented
their life, I want to get support for them. Sometimes
have increased exponentially, from 66,000 in 2004
then conducted another set of IQ tests when the
female employees.
they will just meet with me, but sometimes it means
to 129,000 in 2011. Nora D. Volkow, director of the
participants turned 38. The study discovered that teenagers who became addicted to marijuana prior to
In both the instances of Google and
connecting them with a substance abuse counselor;
National Institute on Drug Abuse, said that, “It can
Facebook, one can see successful self-initiated
someone who can work with them on answering the
only be explained by the fact that current marijuana
turning 18 and continued to use the drug later in life
family policies that benefit both parents and the
question of ‘how are you making the decision to use
has higher potency associated with much greater risk
were found to have lost an average of eight IQ points
companies offering them. The accepting attitude
this much?’,” she said.
for adverse effects.” Medical professionals worry that
by the age of 38.
towards women, as a result of these policies, encourages them to work at these companies.
“If you can address the problem, you might not have the urge to drink or smoke that much.”
with the increase in potency, it may become easier for teens to become dependent on the drug.
Regardless of the form by which it is consumed, marijuana will have harmful impacts on teenage
Companies such as Google and Facebook can
According to studies, the most commonly used
Peyton says she is concerned because the potency
users. Furthermore, studies have found that ingesting
reap the benefits of having a diverse employee
drug among high school students is marijuana. A
of marijuana has tripled in the last twenty years. “The
marijuana by mixing it into food and drinks is far
pool in their workforce, while women can feel
survey conducted by the National Institute on Drug
potency also depends on where you are getting the
more dangerous than smoking it, which is something
supported and safe in their decisions regarding
Abuse found that, in the United States, 35.1 percent
drugs from. Unfortunately, sometimes the marijuana
childbirth.
of 10th graders and 37.3 percent of 12th graders
can be grown with toxic chemicals or laced with
Continued on next page
Op-Ed
June 2015 Continued from The Dangers of Teenage Drug Addiction
17
school students in the New York City private school
more in order to get the same effects. Over time, it
drug abuse is by considering not just the effects on
community. Many of them involved prescription
can lead to overdosage, which can result in death.
your own body, but also the world wide ripple effect
drugs and the combination of those drugs with other
Without Adderall, addicted teenagers can fall
of damage that you cause. Who is suffering for you to
many teens do not know. Controlling how much of
substances,” said Margulies. “It doesn’t take a lot.
into a deep depression. They can also have thoughts
have that joint? Who is a slave laborer, whose towns
the drug you take is much more difficult when it is
Somebody could be drinking and take one pill to help
of suicide and develop anxiety, sleeplessness, and a
are ridden with violence? The drug trade is very
in food. After smoking marijuana, one will begin
fall asleep, and they don’t wake up.”
severe lack of energy.
dangerous and it suppresses people’s lives.”
to feel the effects almost immediately. On the other
“There have been situations where I believe
“The availability of more dangerous drugs
Peyton further believes that the school should
hand, eating marijuana takes much longer to get
that students have saved the lives of their friends by
concerns me,” said Peyton. “If you have a dishonest
support students who struggle with addiction. When
the high, because it has to be digested. The slower
coming forward and talking about someone who they
or troubled actor among a group of students with
talking about students about drug abuse, Margulies
effects of edible marijuana can cause students to take
are worried about. There have been times when a kid
ADHD, it makes it easy for kids to have access to
adds, “Usually my conversations with students are
much more than they ordinarily would have because
was in a really bad state and a friend of theirs came
those pills. Taking Adderall becomes an honesty
confidential and don’t include families, but if I am
they are not getting the effects they are looking for
and said, ‘this is what is going on, and you really need
issue, where you are giving yourself an unfair
worried about a student’s safety, then I do have to
immediately.
to know about it,” Margulies continued.
advantage and hurting your body at the same time.
contact their parents, but I will let the student know
Powerful drugs, of course, are not taken by
To take any medication that you don’t need and
first. The school should address drug usage in a supportive way, rather than in a disciplinary way, if
But marijuana is only part of the growing drug
teenagers only for recreational purposes. The use
that you don’t qualify for is ultimately toxic to your
Although it is highly unlikely that marijuana
of amphetamine drugs is present in schools all
body. And, by taking the medication, you are giving
the student hasn’t broken any school rules. When
will be the cause of overdose or death in teenagers,
over the United States. Studies conducted by the
yourself the idea that ‘I couldn't succeed without
a student is regularly using drugs, there is often an
it can serve as a gateway drug for teens to start taking
National Institute on Drug Abuse in 2014 found that
this crutch,’ and that kind of message hurts your self
underlying problem, and we need to help them rather
stronger and more dangerous substances. Often, high
7.6 percent of 10th graders and 8.1 percent of 12th
esteem.”
than punish them.” Meltzer claims that her instinct
schoolers don’t have to go farther than their own
graders have used amphetamine drugs in the past
When asked what leads students take adderall,
home to find what they’re looking for. Students have
year. The study also found that 4.6 percent of 10th
Meltzer said, “For those who have started taking
started taking prescription medications, painkillers,
graders and 6.8 percent of 12th graders in 2014 had
adderall recreationally, and seen any kind of benefit
Meltzer continued, “Prevention and education are
and sleeping pills that commonly contain hydroco-
used Adderall, a type of amphetamine often called
from taking the medication and experienced it in a
the most important things that schools can provide.
done, oxycodone, methadone, and other strong medi-
“the study drug” used to treat ADHD narcolepsy and
positive way, or for those who are motivated to do
Education is important because when you are more
cations from their parent’s cabinets.
depression in the past year.
well or feel pressure to do well and find that they did
informed of what is out there and what could happen,
problem among teens.
is to offer support and connect struggling students to resources.
Even more life-threatening is taking different
High school students use amphetamines as
do better when they used it, it could certainly increase
you may make more informed choices as to whether
doses of various medications at the same time. Kids
academic performance enhancers. Adderall stimu-
usage or make students want to continue using the
or not you should try something,” she said.
don’t know what effect the drugs will have, whether
lates the body and the mind by giving people energy
medication.”
the medications are stimulants or tranquilizers, how
and focus, which allows them work quickly and effi-
Peyton explained that marijuana and alcohol, as
10th graders, stated, “I make an effort in my health
much they are taking, or how strong the drugs are.
ciently, as well as concentrate and stay awake for long
well as “MDMA (molly), cocaine and heroin,” are
class to have open conversations about the risks of
Consuming pills randomly or mixing them together
periods of time. With Adderall, students can learn
some of the most widely used drugs among teenagers
certain drugs. I have brought alumni in who went to
test materials rapidly or stay up all night working on
in New York City.
the school who have talked to the students about their
is very risky, and can have unpredictable outcomes.
Margulies, who teaches Health and Wellness to
“If you are grabbing some pills from your
projects, while still being able to ace exams the next
“MDMA is one of those drugs where you often
profound and life-altering drug experiences. I think
parent’s medicine cabinet, you don’t know what is
day. Ambitious students who feel overwhelmed by
don’t get a second chance. Kids die and go into
that having a real person’s story can help you realize
going on inside your body, and if you are on other
their workload often resort to Adderall.
cardiac arrest during their first episode of taking
that ‘oh, that person did not intend to get to the place
But there are many downsides to Adderall.
molly. You have kids with so much promise and so
that they did, and maybe I could be down that path,’” she said.
medication as well, it can have an immediate adverse
According to Meltzer, it is a dangerous drug for
much potential making these really stupid mistakes
Every year, and increasingly more so, there are
students to whom it is not prescribed. Just one pill
that can end up impacting their whole lives,” Peyton
multiple overdoses resulting in hospitalizations and
can lead to addiction, and, within a short span of time,
added.
deaths of high school students in New York City and
teenagers can become completely dependent. Once
Peyton also pointed out the ethical aspects of
across the United States.
their bodies are accustomed to an Adderall dosage,
buying drugs. “One of the ways that I think kids
they develop a tolerance for it and need to start taking
could have more awareness for and care more about
effect,” said Margulies.
“This fall, there were several deaths of high
You Are What You Eat So Let’s Know What We’re Eating ─ Op-Ed ─
By MORGAN CARMEN ’17 We have officially entered into the new age
cannot exist naturally or even as a result of tra-
of genetic modification; an age in which we can
ditional selective breeding techniques. A stag-
make crops cold, weed, and drought resistant.
gering 80% of all packaged goods one may find
Beginning in the 1980s, corporations such as
in a United States grocery store has been geneti-
Monsanto have been experimenting with and
cally modified, yet the average consumer is not
producing genetically modified crops.
able to pinpoint exactly which goods are geneti-
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms whose genetic material has been altered so that they display characteristics that
cally engineered.
Continued on next page
These 9 common GMOs show up in 80% of the processed foods in the US.
As a final thought, Margulies added, “I wish that there was a way to promote the coolness of not doing drugs, because it is really smart and cool to be clearheaded in high school.”
Op-Ed
18 Continued from You Are What You Eat So Let’s Know What We’re Eating Unlike the sixty-four countries that require products containing GMOs to be labeled as Kingdom, Brazil, and Syria, the United States does not. The United States is often noted for the freedoms it affords to its citizens in comparison to other nations; however, those who live in the United States are deprived of their right to know what is in their food. It is imperative to understand that whether genetically modified crops are beneficial or detrimental has no bearing on the right of consumers to know what they are buying and eating. The labeling debate is a typical David and Goliath scenario in which big business, consisting of Monsanto, Nestle, and other corporations producing genetically modified crops, is fighting small-scale, non-profit organizations, organic farmers, and individuals in favor of labeling. Monsanto argues that the prices of their goods will increase with the addition of labels that state “this product contains bioengineered ingredients.” Yet studies conducted by Emory University School of Law and the Consumers Union clearly show that there would be little to no price increase as a result of GMO labeling. Monsanto also contends that consumers,
Email us: insight@friendsseminary.org
such, including China, Russia, the United
Your Ad Here
upon seeing GMO labels, will be hesitant to purchase their products, as many will not know what “bioengineered” means. This is an illegitimate justification for the lack of GMO labeling, as it is analogous to saying “if you knew what was in this product you would not buy it.” Antagonists of GMO labeling also contend that since there is no definitive proof that bioengineered foods are dangerous to public health, there is no reason to label them. Yet if a product
bioengineered foods is that they do not have to
and thus should be labeled to describe the dif-
the difference.” Therefore, according to FDA
were unsafe to consume, there would be no
be labelled if the nutritional content is similar.
ference. Genetically modified seeds are also
regulations as well as the United States Patent
reason to label it, for the hazardous product
Yet a closer look at FDA law reveals that it tech-
patented, meaning they must be novel inven-
Office, genetically modified foods should be
would be banned.
nically requires GMO labeling. In 1992, the
tions that substantially differ from existing
labeled in the United States.
Product labels do not solely exist to warn
FDA published the “Statement of Policy: Food
products.
Since GMOs have been patented,
The absence of GMO labeling may be espe-
a consumer about the dangers of ingesting the
Derived from New Plant Varieties,” which high-
they have been deemed unique and proprietary;
cially problematic for those with dietary restric-
product; rather they exist to notify a consumer
lights the way in which companies are required
therefore, according to the United States Patent
tions such as vegetarians or vegans. If a tomato,
if any aspect of the product is not substantially
to label bioengineered foods. It states that “If
Office, a genetically engineered tomato seed is
a product which is normally vegetarian, has
equivalent to what one might expect.
For
a bioengineered food is significantly different
“significantly different” from a non-genetically
been altered so that it contains fish genes and
example, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
from its traditional counterpart such that the
engineered tomato seed. In order for the bioen-
proteins, is it still a vegetarian product? If veg-
requires juice made from concentrate to have a
common or usual name no longer adequately
gineered tomato seed to be patented, it cannot
etarians are unwittingly consuming non-vege-
label stating that it was “made from concen-
describes the new food, the name must be
be displayed as “a tomato seed,” as tomato seeds
tarian organisms, they may not be adhering to
trate.” Juice made from concentrate has not
changed to describe the difference.”
are not novel inventions. Rather, it must be
their vegetarian diet as they wished.
been proven to cause harm to the health of
The first genetically modified organism to
described as a “genetically engineered tomato
For more information on bioengineered
consumers, but since juice is not normally made
become commercially accessible was a tomato
seed” in order to be recognized as different. In
foods and how to support labeling measures,visit
from concentrate, and it is not “substantially
containing fish genes and proteins for cold resis-
compliance with the FDA’s protocol for bio-
justlabelit.org.
equivalent” to juice not made from concentrate,
tance. Due to the fact that the tomato’s DNA was
engineered foods, since the “common or usual
it must be labeled.
no longer 100% that of a tomato, it is “signifi-
name no longer adequately describes the new
cantly different from its traditional counterpart”
food, the name must be changed to describe
Current FDA policy on the labeling of
Sports
June 2015
19
Season Wrap Up
Varsity Baseball ACIS Championship
By RICK MORTENSON ’16 As the air becomes a little less brisk and the sun
and has won each game in convincing fashion,
shines a little brighter, we take a look back at the
with some games tallying scores of 16-6, 30-5,
winter sports season and all the accomplishments
and more of the like. The team finished with a
and accolades that came with it.
record of 5-8. Last but certainly not least is the tennis team,
While most sports only span a single season, the
consisting of (returning) team captain Jacob
track team is in it for the long run (pun intended). The winter team broke an absurd 8 school
Plotell as well as Julian Berard, Akhil Madan,
records this year. The team’s commitment to
Jason Liebmann, and Tom Jensen. After a tough
excellence played a large role in their on-the-track
2014 campaign, they’ve been look ingto rebound
success, with players practicing in temperatures
with the large majority of the core returning as
rivaling those of the previous ice age. Among
well as with an influx of new talent, including
those who broke records were Felix Parker in the
Evan Lieberman, Alex Jensen, and Chi Ossé.
600m (1:31.04) and the 1000m (2:55.48), adding
The entire team also receives an opportunity to
to his already whopping 9 school records, and
his first ACIS tournament championship in their
learn from the best every day, as coach David
Miles Donnelly in the high jump (5'6"), about the
home gym of FSG (Friends Seminary Garden).
Caldwell, the former 170th ranked player in the
size of a small horse or average size woman.
In the water, the Friends swim team swam very
world, provides instruction and mentorship.
On the girls’ side, records were broken with
well, with Callum Bayle-Spence and Dylan Pryor
The team has won tough, hard-fought matches
Fatima Mbaye in the 55m dash (8.16 seconds)
placing very highly in the ACIS championship and
against SIA, Berkley Carroll, Grace Church, and
and the 200m (29.24 sec), Ale Rizzo in the 55m
the girls team finishing in the top 3.
Columbia, with Sam Edison, Akhil Madan, Jason
Hurdles (10.70 sec), and the girls 4x200 (Ashley
However, in the spring sports season teams
Thompson, Fatima Mbaye, Ale Rizzo, Mali Axinn
venture out into lush fields and rolling courses as
in 1:55.91). Coaches Jennifer Melaragno, Chris
they compete for the coveted ACIS championship.
Krow, and Erin Mumford are confident this success
The golf team, led by Louisiana golf legend
can continue into the Spring Season with captains
Wiggens King, contains the most ‘athletic’
Felix Parker, Mali Axin, Miles Donnelly, and
student athletes Friends has to offer and looks
Atticus Wakefield leading the way. In Penn Relays,
to build off last year’s ACIS championship after
the largest high school track meet in the country
losing zero players to graduation. One can see
occurring at Franklin Field at the University of
golfers riding around school campus in golf carts,
Pennsylvania, the team was very successful. The
yelling “fore!” every time they drop a pencil, or
girls 4x100 and 4x400 teams both broke school
experiencing back and hip trouble. So far, the
records as they rewrote history and blazed past the
team is undefeated, with victories coming against
competition. The boys team finished in the top 300
Staten Island, Lawrence Woodmere, and Dwight
at penn against over 20,000 athletes and registered
among a slew of others, and have already clinched
very respectable placements. The team’s ACIS
a regular season championship. Now, they are
Liebmann, Evan Lieberman, Julian Berard, and
championships occur May ninth as they look to
vying for the league tournament championship
Jacob Plotell playing exceptionally. The team
cap off their season with a league title.
and more success in state competitions.
finished with a record of 6-3, and captured the
The basketball and swimming teams also
In case you have been sleeping in meeting for
wrapped up their seasons this past February. The
announcements and have yet to hear any of the
Season after season, year after year, Friends
highlight of the men’s varsity basketball season
baseball team’s riveting announcements, they too
Seminary is filled with athletic accomplishments
was an exciting sweep of Friends Seminary
play in the spring and have had a solid year thus
and excitement
rival the Packer Pelicans, where our team really
far. With a high speed pitching cast including
question is, will you be there to witness it?
“packed” it in and played solid defensive games.
Remy Porsella, Riley Woollen, and Nick White,
Consider supporting one of these teams after
However, the team lost in the quarterfinals of ACIS
opposing batters are hard pressed to record any
school by hopping on the team bus and joining
in a heartbreaker to SIA at Middleofnowhereville,
sort of offense when playing the Owls. The team
them as they strive to bring home an ACIS, and
Staten Island. However, the team is stacked with
has played its rivals Leman Prep and Dwight and
maybe even state, championship.
young talent and has a very promising future for
have split with Leman and beat Dwight in a triad
seasons to come.
of thrilling games. The team finished the season
The
women’s
varsity
basketball
team
experienced much success throughout the year
with a record of 9-8, and they won the ACIS championship.
and emerged victorious in their first playoff game
The softball team also plays in the Spring and
against LREI before losing in the semi-finals. The
has had an astounding year so far. Led by team
biggest success on the hardwood, however, was
captain Kyra Beneforte and juniors Dana Franco
that of the boys junior varsity basketball team, in
and India Woolmington, the team has yet to lose
which coach Adam Cash and his team captured
ACIS championship.
across the board. The only
20
Sports
Moments from All-School Spirit Game Refereed by Eitan Darwish ‘17 and Jovan Cook ‘14, the spirit game was a spectacle. Not only was the basketball game fun in itself, but the community was able to really enjoy students and teachers from across the school interacting in a semi-competitive setting.
June 2015
Arts & Culture
21
How Do You Spell Refreshing? By RILEY WOOLLEN ’15 I got out on “mizzle.” I didn’t know how to
hushed tones, teaching me, intimidating me, and
spell it and if you asked me now what the word
making me laugh. They were, in that moment,
meant, I still couldn’t quite tell you (a word of
six zany, socially inept spellers. Boy, did I
the wise: asking the judges to use the word in a
believe them.
sentence helps as much as asking the homeless
Although the actors played off of each
for apartment rental advice; you’re going to
other well, I most “felt” their characters when
the wrong place). I was contestant #2, and as
they had a monologue (often in the form of
I stood at the microphone in Putnam County
song). For example, when Leaf, played by Max
High School’s Gymnasium with 7 bloodthirsty
Teirstein, sang his “I’m Not That Smart,” a
competitors staring at me from behind and 150
song whose message is right in the name, I felt
audience members staring at me from in front, I
the most charmed by him and his unbelievable
thought: “This is sort-of strange.”
stupidity. When you have as wacky characters
Perhaps this is too cryptic an intro, and those
as you do in “Spelling Bee,” it is imperative that
who were not able to attend Friends Seminary’s
the audience not only understands the characters
production of the comedy-musical “The 25th
as zany, but as sincere as well. Sincerity makes
Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” will
actions funnier.
have no idea what I am talking about. If this is
Because the show is a comedy, so heavily
the case then I’m sorry. I’m sorry because you
reliant on one-liners and satirical bits, it only
may have momentarily been lost, and I’m sorry
makes sense that the jokes wouldn’t have a
because you missed a good show. The musical,
100% success rate. Comedy, after all, is hard.
which showed the weekend of the 12th of April
In the musical, there were a few moments
only, was something fresh. Its consistent, out-
when I felt, almost viscerally, a joke miss its
rageous energy coupled with its comparatively
mark, leaving a not-so-funny feeling in the
edgy material (viz. how do you spell “Jihad?”
theatre. Such a moment came when Logainne
and a meditation on the ever-so-real struggle
Schwartzandgrubenierre, played by Elizabeth
of man versus his erection) made the show
Ely, made a seemingly random dig at Friends
memorable and, much like Chip Tolentino’s
Seminary’s adopting a new schedule come 2016
“lower-case p,” very conspicuous.
(don’t be thrown by this however, Ely gave a
The play opens in a high school gymnasium
strong overall performance as a hyper-Hilary
and, as we are introduced to our eight main
Clinton-esque character). Also, there were two
characters (two of which are the judges and
songs that I felt the director, Steve Borowka,
the rest contestants), we learn that the contes-
could have cut, or at least shortened, for the sake
tants are fighting to win 1st prize in the Putnam
of the show’s length.
County Annual Spelling Bee. We also come
As a final note, I want to commend the
to learn that each contestant is wacky in his or
production for pulling off the few poignant
her own regard (ranging from an obsessive to a
moments of the play. Although each of the six
wanna-be jock). Three audience members then
competitors is different in how he or she or she
get called on stage and, as subplots come to rise
presents himself or herself, all six are united
and contestants to come to sit down, we get a
by two features: they are clueless socially, and
solid 90-minute production full of well-earned
they are incredibly driven. As the play unfolds,
laughs.
it becomes evident that winning The Bee is con-
For the sake of communal harmony, I do not
sidered to be of highest importance and that the
want to single out any actor’s performance over
six are willing to do anything to realize their
another’s. Fortunately this effort also aligns
ambition. Shown sub-stories of tiger-parenting
with the truth. I’m not being the overly senti-
and sabotaged love (question: girl or trophy?)
mental middle school tennis coach giving the
the audience picks up on what I can only imagine
end-of-the-season speech when I say that every
to be the playwright’s motif: is it a good thing to
actor gave energy to this play. Without such,
be merit-driven in absolute? Or does it only lead
the production simply wouldn’t have worked.
to the accession of something as mundane as a
When I was called onstage to participate almost
hunk of shiny metal on the shelf?
all spellers, deep in character, spoke to me in
Photos by Scott Leff
Arts & Culture
22
Backpage
June 2015
23
Cipher
Report on Teachers’ Library Duty
By RACHEL HODES ‘18
This is a basic substitution cipher, where letters of the cipher text are substituted for specific letters in the plain text. Those who solve it can send the solution to:
By EITAN DARWISH ’17
The Library is a silent place where students
SUE BEYERSDORF
can come to do work. Aside from Constance,
‘Hey!’ is the classic indicator that you are doing something seriously wrong. It will often be
other upper school teachers give their precious
followed by a ‘stop smiling like that’ or ‘no; no.’ Sue is especially on her toes with large groups
time to enforce the Library rules. Each
of kids. She will tell them to do work rather than to socialize, and to split up. She will kick you
teacher, from Chris Doire to Sue Beyersdorf,
out of the Library. When asked about her pet peeves, Sue said “I could give a list of like 900
has distinct pet peeves when on duty.
of them.” Stay quiet and out of large groups to minimize your chances of getting kicked out.
insight@friendsseminary.org The first three to email us will have their names featured in The Insight. Good luck!
Otherwise, beware!
JOSH GOREN I would not call Josh intimidating on duty, but he uses other methods to enforce quiet work time. With Josh, it’s personal if you are breaking conduct. Josh will say that he personally feels offended when and if a student is being disruptive. This sneaky tactic is simply Josh’s way of making the student feel guilty, and behave. After all, who wants to offend Josh?
CHRIS DOIRE Chris has a relaxed countenance in the library whether with his beard or without it. Don’t
BEN FRISCH
be fooled, however; stay seated when in the
What can really get Ben going is
Library under his watch. Chris’ main pet
talking. When he is on duty, students are
peeve is when students are standing. He will
strongly urged not to talk. He reminds
ask you nicely to sit if you are hanging about,
us all so sweetly that you can feel your
but roaming around the Library aimlessly or
throat vibrate when talking, yet there
standing over a friend are big no-no’s. Find a
is no vibration when whispering. "I
seat... and don’t forget to return your laptops.
enjoy doing library duty.” He says, “I feel compelled to teach our wonderful students how to whisper!" So be careful, don’t talk with Ben on duty… or else.
“DWV K HKPF VJG DGUV VJKPIU K FQ, K FQ YJGP K’O VTAKPI VQ CXQKF FQKPI UQOGVJKPI GNUG K’O UWRRQUGF VQ DG FQKPI. AQW MPQY, AQW’TG YQTMKPI QP UQOGVJKPI. AQW IGV DWIIGF, QT AQW NQUG AQWT GPVJWUKCUO QT UQOGVJKPI. UQ AQW VWTP VQ UQOGVJKPI GNUG YKVJ CP CDUQNWVG XGPIGCPEG.” ― PQTVQP LWUVGT
Last Edition’s Winners
1. Chris Doire 2. Will Cohen 3. Zara Schreiber
24
Backpage
Senior Studio Gallery Visit Jesse Pasca and Daphne Taylor led the Senior Studio class on a trip to the Chelsea Galleries. These trips, which occur throughout the year, expose students to artwork displayed in the City.
SUDOKU 7 6 7 2 9 6
1
3 5 8 4 1
7 3 8 6 2 5
2 1
3 4 7 5 9
8
Writers Abigail Panitz ’15 Camilo Durr ’18 Daniel Cooper ’15 Eitan Darwish ’17 Isa Skibeli ’18 Isabel Clements ’17 Jackson Wald ’18 Max Teirstein ’17 Morgan Carmen ’17 Nahid Mahmud ’17 Nicolette Schneiderman ’17 Zara Schreiber ’17 Rachel Hodes ’17 Rebecca Finley ’16 Richard Mortenson ’16 Richard Omar Payne ’18 Sabrina Edelman ’16
Chief Editors Maghnus Mareneck ’15 Samuel Zieve-Cohen ’15
Designers David Perry ’15 Adrian Moore’17 Peter de Lande Long ’16 Benjamin Wong ’16
Advisors John Galayda Deanna Yurchuk