volume MMXIII No. 2
Springside Chestnut Hill Academy
students speak out on Government Shutdown by Samira Baird ’16
Phila, Pennsylvania
HOMECOMING SCHEDULE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25 All Weekend Self-guided tours of the campus, including the restored Epiphany Chapel 1:30 PM 3:30 PM
All-School Pep Rally Vare Field House, Cherokee Campus
3:45 PM
Girls’ V Soccer vs. GA Landreth Field
4:30 PM
Girls’ JV Field Hockey vs. GA Turf 2 Field
Girls’ V Field Hockey vs. GA Turf 2 Field
6:30 PM
11:30 PM, September 30th, Washington DC. Stressful, hurried, and frustrating, for the House, Senate, and White House, are all attempts to prevent the inevitable time bomb from erupting, but to no avail. Just a half-hour later, the government shuts down. It’s 12:01 AM, October 1st. The shutdown is an indirect fault of both Republicans and Democrats, but a direct effect of the Republicans’ attempt to prevent funding of The Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare. The two political parties have taken different approaches to the shutdown. The Democrats call it a shutdown and are quick to point out all the ways in which services are being taken away from American citizens. Some Republicans have referred to the whole situation as a government slimdown, and are quick to point out the government services that we can live without. While the specific reason for the shutdown was a disagreement over funding Obamacare, the shutdown is deep rooted in the biggest political question of the 21st century, a common thread for all of the problems we have encountered thus far: how involved should the government be in the
life of any American citizen? Andy Mutch, a junior, told me that “Obamacare is a socialist idea. It will put us more into debt than we already are.” This puts him at one end of the political spectrum. A sophomore, who asked to remain anonymous, had a different response. She referred specifically to the results of The Affordable Care Act. “As students, we should be thinking about our individual futures. Imagine being denied health care because of a pre-existing condition, or being pushed off your parents’ health care just out of college.” Sophomore Ryan Torie spoke specifically about Pennsylvania Republicans, who are seeking to end the shutdown. “To me, they seem moderate, and I like that— the best of both worlds.” Mikaela Watson, another sophomore, offered a new perspective on the government’s actions. “The people causing the shutdown aren’t the ones being affected by it, and that’s what bothers me.” In an analysis of post-shutdown action (or lack thereof), sophomore Griffin Banks adds that “the loathness between both sides to reach a compromise is quite disheartening.” He also put the shutdown in
October 2013
11:45 AM
Springside Class of 1963 Garden Dedication Sports Pavilion
12:00 PM
Parents Association Homecoming Fair & BBQ Middle School Playground, Willow Grove Campus
12:30 PM
Springside Alumnae Phyllis M. Vare Memorial Luncheon Haber Room, Willow Grove Campus
12:30 PM
Girls’ V Soccer vs. Baldwin Landreth Field
12:45 PM
Boys’ JV Soccer vs. Shipley Talbot Field
CHA Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Dinner 2:30 PM Harris Commons, Willow Grove Campus Saturday, October 26 10:30 AM Girls’ V Field Hockey vs. Baldwin Turf 2 Field 10:30 AM Talbot Field Rededication & 5:00 PM Reception Sports Pavilion
V Football vs. Episcopal Academy Halftime: Maguire Stadium Ceremonial Groundbreaking, CHA/Springside Class of 1978 photo, CHA Athletic Hall of Fame inductees & 1988 Indepen dence League Championship Football Team introduced Landreth Field Alumni Cocktail Party & Barbara Crawford h’75 Art Show – “A Life time of Work: Painter and Teacher” (Immediately following the foot ball game) Works of art by this longtime CHA art teacher will be available for sale. Barbara Crawford Gallery, Willow Grove Campus
11:00 AM
Boys’ V Soccer vs. Shipley Halftime: 1988 Inter-Ac Championship Soccer Team honored Talbot Field
11:00 AM
Girls’ V Volleyball vs. Baldwin followed by JV Volleyball vs. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27 Baldwin Vare Field House 11:30 AM CHA Alumni Soccer Game Talbot Field
an economic context: “The United States is just brushing itself off after the last economic crisis, and if a deal isn’t met, we’re right back in the thick of it.” So what do we take from this shutdown? “It’s a cautionary tale.” says Griffin. “If we can’t put aside pride and lust for our vision of this nation, there will be no nation left to envision.” At the core of the shutdown and the health care debate is a nagging dispute, a persistent question, one that has altered the dialogue of our government for the last few years, if not for several centuries: how involved should the government be in the life of any American citizen?
Editor in Chief: George Calle Junior Editor: Garrison Xian Opinion Editor: Sarrah Schreffler News Editor: Serena McNiff Sports Editor: Joshua Moss Contributers: Jan Alex Samira Baird Rekha Dhillon-Richardson Benjamin Dlin Jordan Fromm Steph Haenn Henry Kelly Emily Kunkel Dean Phillips Alexandra Smilow Elyas Tecle Harrison Tracy Avione Williams Advisors Deidra Lyngard Anthea Waleson
This issue features background on the Egyptian crisis, student views on the U.S. government shutdown, Homecoming dance update, sports news, the importance of the S.A.T., and a preview of the Players’ fall production, Hairspray.