The Insight | June 2015

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