8
The Coat of Arms | A&L
November 21, 2013
“Every experience I’ve been able to have in my life.” -Sophomore Ellie Schley
“I am thankful for my family, friends and all of the opportunities they have given me to excel in life.” -Junior Miles Fowler
“For families, friends, the opportunities I’ve gotten to succeed in life, like going to Menlo.” -Senior Gil Kornberg
“For my friends, for my family, for all the opportunities I’ve had and for how blessed I am.” -Sophomore Connor Ryland
“For having the best friends and family that support me in everything I do no matter what.” -Senior Yasi Agah
What are you thankful for?
“For the opportunities given to me by the family and community around me, the safe environment we live in, and good health.” -Senior Josh Lauder
The bucket list: Menlo edition
Following this idea, the anatomy students, mostly seniors with a few juniors, need to create this list, filling it with items that are realistic, sensible, and specific; able to be completed by busy Menlo school students. For example, senior Efe Sarinalbant decided to get his ears pierced, something he would Senior Efe Sarinalbant is an Anatomy student and has written a never have done without bucket list as a portion of his final project. the project. Junior Ashlyn Bachechi-Clark said, Andreas Katsis | Spread Editor talking about the project as a whole, “I think it’s a great experience that will William Ross once said, “Every push people to do stuff they wouldn’t man dies - Not every man really lives.” normally do...It also gives people a Anatomy teacher Todd Hardie introreason to do things that they wanted to duced a new and inventive project to his do but never had a reason to.” Bachechiclass with this same quote. What would Clark said. On her list, Clark looks to: you do if you knew you were going to meet up with a friend that lives in a difdie in the near future with a chronic ferent state, try a new restaurant in San illness? This date is Dec. 9, 2013. Francisco, go to a concert of an artist All your wishes, dreams, and hopes she genuinely likes, and visit a new city. would need to become reality by this Other students have cut their hair day. The challenge presented to all the and have made motions towards skystudents: create and fulfill a bucket list. diving by the Dec. 9 deadline. Many For those of you who do not know, students, both in and out of the anatomy a bucket list is a personal list of desires classes, are striving to accomplish that you want to complete before the each item on their bucket lists. There day you die. This same concept was is no doubt that this project will push made into a film in the Hollywood students to attempt dreams they would blockbuster The Bucket List, starring have never been able to accomplish Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson. without this extra inspiration and drive.
“For the life I’m living, all the ups and downs included, all the people who inspire me, and all of my experiences.” -Junior Yasmine El-Hage
“I’m thankful for Menlo and all of the amazing people that I have met so far this year! -Freshman Lauren Chan
“I’m thankful for my friends who talk to me at weird hours on the phone [...], encourage me to try new exotic foods, call my bluffs, and never let me forget who I am.” - Senior Nicole Crisci
“For being able to be a part of such a supportive and fun community like Menlo.” -Senior Justin Wang
Artistic pursuits assist community Claudia Corrigan | Staff Reporter Although Menlo School promotes most instrumental talent through the Orchestra and Jazz Bands, there are lesser-known artists who deserve recognition not only for their talent but also for their application of it. Freshman Max Gray has played the banjo for about six years. “The [original] idea was my mom’s, but [...] after my first lesson I really started to enjoy it and eventually grew into it,” Gray said. He plays his banjo in the streets of his hometown, Half Moon Bay, in order to raise money for an organization he learned about back in middle school. “A lady named Mary Anne came to my old school and [...] gave a presentation [on an African school she was raising money for.] After the presentation [...] I emailed her [to ask] how I could help,” Gray said. Gray has continued contact with Mary Anne, emailing her and sending her checks for her cause. “Some day it’s my hope to go [to Africa] and meet the kids themselves,” Gray said. Some of Gray’s favorite moments have taken place on Hayes Street because of the diverse community, and, therefore, high interest in his talent and cause. Gray plans to continue his service and possibly use his banjo to complete his PACT project junior year. Similarly, sophomore Ben Werdegar has been playing the guitar since he was twoyears-old. “[After] I saw a homeless man playing outside of Starbucks, I went home and played with my little red plastic guitar and my mom signed me up for lessons,” Werdegar said. Since then, Werdegar has been working on a number of different community service projects. “When I was eight, I started raising money for this project, “Wheelchairs
for Iraqi Kids”, which distributed pediatric wheelchairs to disabled Iraqi children,” Werdegar said. After the troops left Iraq, Werdegar began working with an organization called “Wounded Warriors,” which aids veterans left both mentally and physically disabled after service. Werdegar continues to perform concerts in a number of states in order to raise money, as well as teach a guitar class for veterans in a local Menlo Park hospital. “I see music as a gift, but also as a great way to establish peace and do something for people in need,” Werdegar said. Like Gray, Werdegar is considering his community service through music for a possible PACT, but might also start a completely new project of interest. Both Gray and Werdegar agree Menlo could improve their promotion of community service. Of course there are the forty hour requirements and PACT presentations, but many students participate because they have to, not out of enjoyment. “I think people could definitely branch out more, and not have to stick to certain things that Menlo [offers, like] tutoring or cook[ing] dinners once; you want to do something sustainable and constant,” Werdegar said. Regarding his opinion on Menlo’s community service, Gray said,“The first thing that we need to do is create awareness for [...] cause[s] in general. That will give people ideas to start doing stuff on their own.” Whatever passions drive and motivate students at Menlo, should be applied towards their community service. Following the examples of Gray and Werdegar, students should be able to apply their talents in order to create service that is both enjoyable and rewarding.