The Picador: Volume10, Issue 3

Volume 10, Issue 3

Oct. 17th. 2014 A PUBLICATION BY HOLDERNESS STUDENTS FOR THE HOLDERNESS COMMUNITY

Dearly Departed Thespians: Unplugged

By Charlotte Freccia ‘15 As Parents’ Weekend approaches, so does one of the most anticipated events of the season--the fall play! This season, Ms. Devine and her band of thespians have put together Dearly Departed, a black comedy about an eccentric southern family that reunites upon the death of their “mean and

surly” patriarch. In order to whet your appetites for this star-studded production, we’ve assembled an A-team of play participants to answer a few questions about their favorite characters, scenes, and more.

Charlotte Freccia: Describe Dearly Departed in one sentence.

Becca Kelly: Simply put, Dearly Departed is a wild ride from start to finish.

Liam O’ Reilly: The most brilliant play ever created.

Jack Brill: No salt, no sugar, no fat, no meat, no dairy, nothing too spicy, and

nothing too heavy.

CF: How has this play been different from the other Holderness productions with which you’ve been involved?

Leah Scaralia: It’s different because it is the first time I have found that I develop a temporary southern accent every time we have rehearsal. I don’t even have any lines.

Aaron Harmatz: I’m actually in it.

Jack Brill: We get to be rednecks.

CF: What has been the most fun part of being in the play?

Becca Kelly: Embodying the character of Marguerite.

Liam O’Reilly: Being a part of the stellar cast that is Hollywood bound.

Charlie Day: Performing in a southern accent. Charles Harker and I have always had a fascination with talking in accents, so when we learned that there was an accent involved in this year’s

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Photo Essay

Do You Remember When?

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The Picador: Volume 10, Issue 3

Outside the Holderness Bubble Paige Pfenninger: Life in Banja Luka, Bosnia

By Paige Pfenninger ‘15 Greetings from Bosnia!

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Paige Pfenninger, and I am currently spending my senior year abroad in Bosnia and Herzegovina as a YES Abroad scholar.

I am living in Banja Luka, which is a city in the northern part of the country and is the capital of the Republika Srpska. Banja Luka is the second larg-

est city with a population of around 200,000 people. Needless to say, life in Banja Luka is very different from life at Holderness School.

many more hours attending classes.

And to compensate for a longer school day, I usually don’t have a lot of homework.

Although I have only been in the country for two months now, I am already starting to adjust to my new surroundings, schedule, and way of life in a foreign country. I am living with a host family, and I attend the Gimnazijia Banja Luka. This school offers two programs for grades 11 and 12: the International Baccalaureate program and the National School Program. I am currently enrolled in the IB program with 18 other students, and I am one of two Americans in the entire school.

(The other American, Alessandra, is another YES Abroad scholar.)

The National School Program runs in two shifts, and students switch shifts every week. The first shift begins at 7:30 AM and ends at 12:35 PM, and the second shift begins at 1:30 PM and ends at 6:35 PM. Students in the National Program take at least 14 subjects at the same time and have two to four 45-minute classes in each subject every week.

My school schedule varies daily. Some days I have to be at school from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, and some days I don’t have to be at school until 11:50 AM, but then I have to stay until 6:30 PM. The IB Program is very similar to the American school system, but I spend

As the days go by, I am learning more and more about the Bosnian culture.

The majority of people who live in the Republika Srpska identify as Serbian, support Serbian sports teams (which made things rather interesting for me during the FIBA World Cup Finals), and if you ask anyone what language they speak, they will reply Serbian, not Bosnian. Bosnian, Serbian, and Croatian are all basically the same language with minor pronunciation and spelling differences, but I am technically learning Serbian.

Because I am learning Serbian, I have to study two alphabets: the Cyrillic alphabet (the Serbian Cyrillic alphabet is similar to the Russian one with some adaptations for a few letters) and the Latin alphabet. The written language in both alphabets is completely phonemic, which means that I can read anything without knowing any of the words. It is really strange seeing the same word written in both alphabets because it looks like two different words, but it pronounced exactly the same. For example: šišmiš (pronounced shish-mish) means bat in Serbian, but in the Cyrillic alphabet, šišmiš is written like this: шишмиш Continued on page 7

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World War E: Human Beings versus Ebola

By AJ Chabot ‘16

Be honest, how many times have you joked about Ebola, or heard one of your friends make the joke? We should probably stop making these jokes… because Ebola has entered the U.S. On September 28, a man by the name of Thomas Duncan in Austin, TX was diagnosed with Ebola after returning from Africa. He died on Wednesday, October 5, after receiving experimental drugs to treat the disease.

The 48 people who came in contact with Duncan before he was quarantined are being examined and tested to make sure they never contracted the disease. Unfortunately, the disease was actually transferred to two nurses caring for the patient due to what the Central for Disease Control is calling, “a breach in protocol.”

Ebola has already killed about 4,447 people out of nearly 8,914 probable cases. An African tradition of kissing dead corpses is a factor in the rapid spread of Ebola, and professionals are now thankfully informing people of the dangers of this tradition.

The Director of Doctors Without Borders named Ebola, “the worst disease in modern history.” The disease is at its worst in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea. Airports have boosted their

Nurse Nancy’s tips For preventing Ebola and other viruses 1. Wash your hands!

2. Boost your immune system by eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, and avoiding sick people (the best you can)!

3. DO NOT SHARE eating utensils or drinking vessels with ANYONE, EVER. 4. Avoid putting your hands in your mouth.

5. WASH YOUR HANDS! screening technology for all passengers returning from western Africa in dire efforts to keep Ebola out of the U.S., and quarantine those who may have contracted it.

The virus first targets and shuts down the immune system, and then causes hemorrhaging. The victim eventually dies from a severe fever, a drop in blood pressure, and multiple-organ failure.

Fruit bats are the natural hosts of Ebola in Africa, which then pass it on to other animals. Humans contract the disease by coming in contact with bodily fluids from infected animals or

people including blood, feces, vomit, semen, breast milk, urine, and possibly saliva. Ebola has no vaccine, and kills up to 70% of the people who contract the disease, causing chaos in small communities and countries.

Along with the U.S., Spain has just seen its first victim: a nurse who was caring for an infected person and had only noticed her symptoms after returning to Spain.

Many of you may be asking if Ebola could reach Holderness. The rhetorical answer is yes, it could, but the realistic answer is no, it will not. The CDC is taking extraordinary measures to quarantine those who are infected and those who have come in contact with anyone who has been infected.

So, you all don’t have anything to worry about—in terms of your own safety. But keep in mind the hundreds of lives Ebola has taken and continues to take every day—and hope that the outbreak is stopped.

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The Picador: Volume 10, Issue 3

SPORTS Cardinal Devil Magic: An October Tradition

By Jack Yanchitis ‘15 It is no secret that in the last fourteen years, the St. Louis Cardinals have been synonymous with October baseball. Since the 2000 season, the Cardinals have recorded thirteen winning seasons, made the playoffs ten times, made the NLCS eight times, won the pennant four times, and won the World Series twice.

While the Yankees are visibly deteriorating as an organization—with the ending of the “Core Four” era of Jeter, Martinez, Rivera, and Posada—they are no longer such a hated organization. Many thought they were too good, but not anymore! In sports, many tend to harbor hatred towards the best teams, such as the Miami Heat; the Cardinals have assumed the same role in Major League Baseball.

And why is it that the Cardinals have been so good? Well, I won’t be the first to say it, but it’s because of what SB Nation writer Lana Berry likes to call, “Cardinal Devil Magic.” While the Cardinals have the top scouting and player development system in the majors to go along with their full cast of great pitching and hitting coaches, there is a supernatural force that has seemingly blessed the team and subsequently cursed the rest of baseball.

Just ask the 2011 Texas Rangers what

they think of the Cardinals’ supernatural luck. Down three games to two in the 2011 World Series, the St. Louis Cardinals rallied from two runs down twice in Game 6; both times, the Rangers needed only one more strike to win their first World Series. With two outs, two strikes, and two men on in the bottom of the ninth inning, Neftali Feliz faced relative unknown in Cardi-

game! Right? It had to be! Wrong…

Yadier Molina belted a go-ahead home run on the next Cardinal at bat in the top of the ninth, propelling the Cardinals into the World Series—which they wound up winning in five games against the Detroit Tigers. The Mets haven’t made the playoffs since.

nals’ David Freese,. “It was destined to be,” the whole nation thought watching that game – a Texas team would get its first World Series win. Freese crushed a 98MPH fastball off the right field fence, tying the game and sending it into extra innings. Freese would later hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 11th, after the Rangers went up two in the top of the 10th and blew their lead with only one needed strike – yet again – to win. The Cardinals took that World Series at home in Game 7. The Rangers haven’t made the playoffs since.

To pad this theory with more examples from 2014, the Cardinals have scored 17 of their 23 runs (73.9%) this postseason off of home runs (Through Sunday, October 12). Compare that to their regular season stat of 161 of their 619 runs (26%) coming off of home runs. The Cardinals were the league’s worst home-run-hitting team in regular season, but in postseason they have blasted some of the league’s best pitchers for multiple home runs.

As a Cardinals fan with a Mets fan as a father, watching Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS was quite the spectacle. The game was tied 1-1 in the top of the eighth when Scott Rolen of the Cards belted a fly ball into deep left, but it was caught in a wall-leaping effort by Endy Chavez in what many consider to be the greatest postseason catch. Ever.

It was destiny for the Mets to win that

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Plagued with injuries and poor performing All-Stars, the Cardinals sat 6.5 games out of first in their division on July 1 of this year. Many thought that they finally wouldn’t have to hear about the Cards and their “Best Fans in Baseball” thing, or the smugness of how the Cardinals “play the right way” for just one October. Nope. The Cards won their division by a two-game margin, while owning a +16 run differential, which is comparable to most .500 teams in baseball, or 141 less than that of the league leader, the Oakland A’s.

In addition, third baseman Matt Carpenter nearly single-handedly propelled the Cardinals past the LA Dodgers in the NLDS, hitting three home runs in five games. Carpenter had eight home runs in 158 games played this season, and four in seven postseason games thus far in these playoffs.

The Cardinals sit in prime position yet again. Cardinals Devil Magic is real, and I hope it never goes away.

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Angel Di Maria: Manchester United’s Revival?

By Tommy Chau ‘15 At the beginning of 2014-15 Premier League season, Manchester United was facing a difficult start due to its lack of a world-class playmakers on the midfield line. However, things have changed since the arrival of the new Argentine attacking midfielder, Angel Di Maria. Not only did the Red Devils climb up to the top four on the table, but they were also displaying a newer, more exquisite facet of play. Indeed, the Premier League’s most expensive player in history is on his way to prove that Manchester United’s 60 million pounds were worth every penny.

Before August 26, not many earnest Manchester United fans were hoping to grab Real Madrid’s key player, especially after the Galacticos just won the UEFA Champions League and received a large amount of money to pay for the squad.

Since the arrival of Angel Di Maria, Louis Van Gaal has employed the diamond formation, in which the playmaker has the decisive role in controlling the tempo of the game and can execute deadly passes to the two strikers up front. The results are staggering. In all of Di Maria’s five games, Manchester United scored 11 goals and completely dominated the field.

Not only did the strikers become more prolific, but the midfielders also started passing better under Di Maria’s leadership with 90% passing accuracy. While these numbers are ephemeral, they are important in highlighting the significant importance of having Di Maria on the team.

The season has been rolling for only two months, so it is a little bit too early to tell whether or not Manchester United will make it to the top of the table. After the international break, the team has to battle against the top contenders including Chelsea and Manchester City—both of which will be true tests for the Man United’s quality.

Fans should be optimistic. With the stellar performance that Di Maria has delivered so far, the revival of Manchester United as one of the greatest European soccer powerhouses of all time is possible.

But as of 4:00PM (British Summer Time) that day, nearly every soccer fan in the world was ecstatic to find out that Angel Di Maria made a surprise move to Manchester United, who had a disastrous season with a 7th place finish and therefore could not get a ticket in the following Champions League season.

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(also pronounced shish-mish). As you can imagine, learning Serbian is one of my biggest challenges this year!

As I write this article, everyone is talking about the results of the recent elections in Bosnia. The current president of Republika Srpska was reelected, and many people are not happy about this outcome. The country has three presidents—one Croatian, one Bosnian, and one Serbian (these are all ethnic groups, not nationalities)—and they all

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serve together for a four-year period.

Unfortunately, each president has veto power, so nothing really gets done in the country, because it is very difficult to appease all three ethnic groups, and all three presidents, at the same time.

I look forward to sending you more news from Bosnia. I hope you all enjoy your Parents’ Weekend!

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Humans of Holderness Jini Rae Sparkman: On Basketball and Local Food - The White Mountain burger at Foster’s Boiler Room - The basil fried rice at Thai Smile - The balboa at Biederman’s - The goat cheese and garlic or the cheeseburger chowder at 6 Burner Bistro - The everything bagel at Beyond the Bean - The buffalo chicken nachos at the Panther Pub - The affogato at the Italian Farmhouse Food is life.

What is your favorite Weld meal?

Dessert?

I finally experienced the sizzling salad, and it was definitely worth the wait. I would hoard congo bars in my dorm room if I was a student here.

What has it been like working at Plymouth State and then coming to work here at Holderness?

ask for any better dorm kids than the girls in Pichette. Oh, the things I have learned in such a short time!

Teenagers in both high school and college are at a point in their lives when they are challenging everything, and I think that it is okay. I encourage it. It is exciting to see students questioning their world, because it means that they are trying to figure it out. It means that they are active participants in their lives rather than passive parts of a society. A little rebellion is a sign of an active mind.

What did you do while working/ studying at PSU?

I left the university level because I wanted to be able to work more with students. Most college students come to class and then leave. You don’t really see them. I also missed coaching and working with students outside the classroom. At Holderness there is definitely more direct contact with young people. Did I mention coaching? I love coaching. My father coached, and my brother is a coach. Being a dorm parent is entirely new to me, but I couldn’t

I am very proud to have come from the English Department and Women’s Studies Department at Plymouth State. I had the opportunity to work with and be influenced by some of the greatest thinkers I have ever known; the Athletic Director at PSU was an important mentor in my professional development. All of them taught me to challenge the world while caring about it. My wife is the Associate Athletic Director at PSU, and we are both very proud Panther alumni. I could spend hours talking about Plymouth State.

Do you have a favorite restaurant in the Plymouth area, if so, why?

I like food. All food. I can’t narrow it down to one restaurant, but I can tell you about my favorite foods at a few of the best dining places in town.

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What is your favorite sport to coach and why?

I love coaching. Coaching is teaching in action. It is taking all the lessons that we need to learn about life and applying them in sport. I have had an amazing fall working with girls’ JV soccer team, which is one of my first loves. I get up early on the weekends to watch European soccer before the NFL starts. But at the end of the day, my heart, my passion, and my commitment have always been with basketball.

There is something about being in the gym, sweat pouring off your face, pushing your body and mind to new limits that is incomparable to anything else. Basketball is heart. Anybody can play basketball, but not everyone can be a basketball player. A true baller wants to be in the gym, feel the ball in his/her hands, and compete. He/She will get up early to run, stay late to repeat the same shot, over and over, and never accept anything but their best.

Basketball is all in, all the time. I could

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Lenny Thompson: More Than Just a Mailman Meet Lenny Thomson: casually known as the campus mailman. Each day, during lunch, he greets the faces of eager students, hoping for a care package, some new shoes, or maybe even a college acceptance letter. Always smiling and eager to help, Lenny does more for our campus than just organize and deliver mail.

when the mailroom gets swamped?

housekeeping when needed.

LT: The mailroom gets the most swamped at the start of the school year, the end of the school year, and on some of the holidays.

CH: If you could change something about the mail process at school, what would it be?

Charles Harker: How long have you been working at Holderness?

LT: Other jobs include working for Gordon Research in the summer and

CH: Besides working in the mailroom, what other jobs, if any, do you have on campus?

LT: I would like to have more room to receive packages, more space in the mail room, and possibly a more modern way to notify students that they have packages (via email).

LennyThompson: I’ve worked here since 1995.

CH: How many of your sons/daughters have graduated from here?

LT: Four sons, one daughter (so far).

CH: What is your favorite part about being the campus mailman? Least favorite part?

LT: Interacting with students is my favorite part of being the Holderness mailman—keeps me feeling youngish.

Getting behind in my work is my least favorite part of the job.

CH: Is there a certain time of year Continued from page 8

run lines all day. Basketball has always been a place that I go to just be me, and I am very much looking forward to coaching others to new heights and unimagined greatness.

If you could have any job in the world (besides working at Holderness, of course) what would it be?

I honestly believe that teaching is by far the most impactful work done in this world. You must be passionate and truly care in order to be a teacher. But, because you are forcing me to choose, if I had to take any other job in the world, I would probably be a lawyer for a non-profit foundation. Social justice work is the most important work being

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done in the United States and worldwide.

Who is your favorite professional athlete and why?

Old School: David Robinson, aka “The Admiral.” If you have never heard of him, look him up. He was an NBA player and one of the greatest centers to ever play the game. I admire the way that he carried himself. He never talked trash. He let his game speak for him, and it spoke pretty loud: 10 AllStar appearances, 2 NBA Championships, 1 MVP, 2 Olympic gold medals, and a Hall of Fame induction. I actually still have his rookie card.

but in college, she had to make a decision. She had to decide if she wanted to be a good athlete or a great one. She realized that showing up to practice and scrimmaging would never make her great. In that moment she decided that she was going to work harder than she ever had. In case you haven’t seen her stats: Abby Wambach has scored 170 international goals. That is more than any other woman or man in history. Everything in life is a choice.

Choose to go hard.

Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in Texas and New Mexico. Go COWBOYS!

New School: Abby Wambach. Abby Wambach was always a good athlete,

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In the Community Tips for Surviving Parent-Teacher Conferences

By Parker Densmore ’15 Whether your grades are Stanfordworthy or not, parent-teacher conferences can be tough for anyone. With all conferences there are three major parts: the preparation, the execution, and the aftershock. All three are equally important and must be kept in mind throughout this upcoming twenty-four hour period.

Preparation is all about eating wellbalanced meals, staying hydrated, and getting a good night sleep. You must be as alert as possible in order to deal with unexpected surprises. An extra coffee at breakfast may also assist you later on when an escape route is needed.

Besides the physical training, it is also important to prepare yourself mentally.

You need to remember specific details about the subject, especially if the Continued from page 1

play, we were ecstatic.

CF: What is the best part about playing your character?

Becca Kelly: I get to channel my inner mean girl without any hard feelings.

Liam O’Reilly: I get to beat up Charlie Day and Kai Lin. Charlie Day: My character, Royce, is a drunken bum. This has been a different experience, yet a fun one because I can experiment with the role.

CF: Which character, besides your own, is your favorite?

Leah Scaralia: My favorite character is Marguerite. I have reason to believe that Becca may have been Marguerite in a past life. You’ll see what I mean when you watch the show.

Aaron Harmatz: Brill is the king of southern accents and lifestyle. He just embodies Junior.

teacher asks you to “please elaborate on what you’ve been doing, for your parents.” You should also talk to your parents before entering the meeting so not everything they learn comes as a surprise.

While you may not have Father Weymouth’s poker face, it is important for you to remain calm and composed throughout the ordeal. Keep an open mind, and remember that the whole point of the conference is to improve you as a student. Also remember that while you may have six conferences max over the two days, the majority of your teachers have thirty or forty to complete—which is about how many you will have throughout your entire time here. They are stressed too, and both of you will leave the conference on a better note if you listen to one another.

Jack Brill: They’re all great. Delightful gets to eat a lot of food on stage. That makes me kind of jealous.

CF: If you could cast any celebrity in your role, who would it be?

Liam O’Reilly: Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson, because it would be hilarious to see him try to do a southern accent.

Aaron Harmatz: For me, it would have to be Matthew Mcconaughey, because he’d be like, “All right, all right, all right, Norval.”

Becca Kelly: Jane Lynch.

While the longer 10-minute conference time may seem daunting, you should take advantage of it. You will now have more time to have a meaningful conversation. You and your teacher will have a clear understanding about what needs to be improved, and your parents will know how they can support you.

The time following the conference can be the toughest of the three. While holding it together throughout the encounter with the teacher, your parents may become much more vivid with their thoughts once alone with you.

It may be challenging, but you must remember that your parents care about you and want you to succeed. Rather than getting emotional, you must remain calm and reassure your parents by telling them how you will improve.

Leah Scaralia: My favorite scene is quite obviously Act 2, Scene 2. I have seen this show a hundred times, but I have never gotten tired of this scene, which features Dave and Aaron as an ancient couple. If you can’t hear what Aaron is saying because I’m laughing too loud, I apologize. Don’t glare at me, though-- just watch Dave and you will be laughing, too, soon enough.

CF: Which is your favorite scene?

Charlie Day: I have two favorite scenes.

One is when Charles, Chris Sargent, and Jack G. describe how they “want to go.” My second favorite is when Aaron Harmatz explains the daily struggle of tending to Dave, to Virginia.

Becca Kelly: I’m a huge fan of the Norval and Veda scene. It’s an art, really.

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Welcome, Families and Friends! Thanks for coming Dear Mom and Dad, Thank you for providing me the ability to get the best education I can.

Love, Will Dear Mom and Dad, Thanks for all the support! I would not be here without it!

Love, Luke Dear Mom, Thank you for supporting me this entire year. Between the late nights and early mornings, I would never have been able to accomplish so much without you.

Giuliana

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To Momeroni and Daderoni, Sorry for AP US. Thanks for birthing me.

Love, Ron2g Mom and Dad, While you are busy teaching, counseling, and advising the rest of the school, you somehow find time to be the best parents in the world.

Thank you for that.

Love, Maggie

Dear Mom and Dad, Thank you for all the support at the beginning of the year when I was having a tough time. Also, I promise my grades are good.

Thanks, Aldie Dear Mom and Dad, Thank you for helping me prepare for high school and for studying with me.

Mom & Dad, So thankful for all you do. Love you!

Claire Hey Mom & Dad! Thanks for making the long drive to see me! Love you guys like crazy!

Anna

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Weekly Playlist

Compiled By Parker Densmore ‘15 and Charles Harker ‘15

Overheards

Compiled By Parker Densmore ‘15

This week’s playlist is for the car ride home with Mom and Dad. Sing along if the spirit moves you.

I just bought a goat simulator for $6.

Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac

My watch is too loud.

Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepsen

I am taking the PSATs three days after the regular SATs.

September - Earth, Wind & Fire Jammin’ - Bob Marley Talk a Walk - Passion Pit Love Me Again - John Newman American Pie - Don McLean

They should put eggnog in Weld.

That was the best Head’s Day ever.

I hope nothing grows in my room over Parents’ Weekend.

How many pumpkin spice lattes will my student ID get me?

Animal - Miike Snow Kids - MGMT Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen Wagon Wheel - Old Crow Medicine Show Send Me on My Way - Rusted Root Stayin’ Alive - the Bee Gees More Than a Feeling - Boston

Shoutouts JT & SR = So fun, so new!

ET & AL = Tearing her way into his heart ES & HS = Rather dashing SG & PS = 5th time’s a charm!

Shout out to CF and SP for having their birthdays on the same day and joint hosting a date night!!!

Senior Editors Youngjae Cha Tommy Chau Parker Densmore Charlotte Freccia Charles Harker Jack Yanchitis Junior Editors Maggie Barton AJ Chabot Layout and Design Moti Jiang Keying Yang

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Faculty Advisors Ms. Magnus Mr. Herring Contact Information Holderness School Chapel Lane P.O. Box 1879 Plymouth, NH 03245 Phone Number: 603.536.1257 Email: info@holderness.org

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