February 2014

www.themerionite.org Ardmore, PAPA, 19003 The official of student of Lower High School since 1929 Ardmore, 19003 The official student newspaper Lowernewspaper Merion High SchoolMerion since 1929 February 14, 2014 www.themerionite.org Volume 85, Issue 4 December 19, 2013 Volume 85, Issue 3

Senate Page: Jordan Shub

Maddy McFarland

MLK honored in annual day of service

Class of 2014

This semester, as most LM juniors buckle down to finish out the infamously most challenging academic year of their lives, one student is conspicuously missing. Jordan Shub has moved her learning from the classroom to Washington, D.C., where she will spend the second semester of junior year working in the prestigous Senatorial Page program alongside the nation’s current and future leaders.

The Senate Page program is only open to high school juniors who are at least 16 years of age.

The unique program houses students from all 50 states, each sponsored by a specific senator.

Shub’s sponsor is Harry Reid, the senior Democratic senator from Nevada and the majority leader of the Senate. The pages mainly deliver correspondence and legislative material between senators or to the desk and prepare the Senate chamber for sessions.

The pages live in dorms on Senate grounds and attend the United States Senate Page School.

School begins early in the morning, around 5:30 a.m. and ends before the Senate meets at noon.

If the Senate runs late, homework and class can be cancelled for the next day. The workload is immense for the Senate pages, who are the best and brightest of their states, and psychologists are on call in case the pages become overwhelmed, a service which many reportedly use. However, the pages are paid for their work and enjoy weekend trips and excursions. Although each page has a sponsor, the pages work for all the senators, and Shub reported that she will most likely be on first-name basis with all of the senators by the end of the program.

However, Shub can divulge little information.

All of the pages sign nondisclosure contracts due to the classified and important nature of their work. In fact, Shub can only use her phone on weekends when she signs out of the dorms and can only gain wireless connection in cafés. She can use her computer during the school week only in the case of cancelled work and school the following morning because of a late Senate workday.

In these brief uses of technology, Shub has connected with friends from LM and given them unbelievable anecdotes.

“One hour before the State of the Union, Jordan was in Joe Biden’s office,” explained friend and fellow junior Tori Klevan. Klevan continued, “I miss Jordan a lot and I wish she were still here at LM but I know she’s taking advantage of an amazing opportunity and I’m really jealous of all

See PAGE, page 3

Photo courtesy of LMSD.org

From left to right: Sam Haut, ‘16, Tyson Nguyen, ‘16, Sam Wheeler, ‘15 (Harriton), Lucinda Eisenstien, ‘16, and Hannah Wheeler, ‘17 (Harriton) decorate bags for Treats for Troops at the annual Day of Service.

Lisa Gardner

Class of 2015 On January 17, the Monday before Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Lower Merion School District held its annual Day of Service in the LMHS cafeteria. The event welcomed students, parents, and community members to celebrate MLK’s spirit of giving through multiple service projects and activities.

As Bala Cynwyd’s advanced choir and jazz band performed, guests could peruse the many tables hosting a multitude of projects. One of these projects was “Heat the Feet, Warm the Heart,” a Bala Cynwyd Middle School initiative to donate socks to families either for parents to wear, or sock puppets for children to play with. These socks will be given to one of Philadelphia’s many homeless shelters. With this season’s extreme cold, they will be greatly appreciated.

Another project, Cradles to Crayons, involved eight schools in LMSD who collected clothes and then sorted them by size at the event. The 12-year-old organization operates in both Boston and Philadelphia to provide clothes, shoes, books, toys, and other essential items to children. The items collected by LMSD will be donated to families living in the area.

LM’s own BuildOn chapter also made an appearance to support the Trek Team’s trip to Nepal this year. Their fundraising efforts thus far have amounted to $73,000, only $20,000 short of their goal. This money will fund the Trek Team’s efforts to build a primary school in a struggling community. Junior Carly Hoffman, a member of the Trek Team to Nepal, said that she is “interested to learn about the differences between the two communities, and to appreciate what I have here. The entire experience should be a really big eye-opener and I am eager for the road ahead.” The students are extremely excited to embark on this adventure to help those in need.

Another LM student striving to make a change is junior Emily Manin. Over the summer, she traveled to Peru to build a greenhouse for children who did not have access to healthy food. When she returned from her trip, she decided to continue working with the organization that supported her while she was there. Manin says of the organization MySmallHelp, “It’s an amazing group of people dedicated to relieving poverty in both Peru and Nepal. I am honored to have participated in this amazing experience and I am continuing to support it today.” At her booth on MLK Day of Service, Manin sold handcrafts made by children in Peru to raise money for MySmallHelp.

Harriton High School’s HSA spearheaded a Treats for Troops collection project. Coordinator Amy Fox shares, “By the end of the day, LMSD decorated and packaged 126 goodie bags for the troops.” The bags will be mailed to the troops, along with a Treats for Troops project carried out by Bala Cynwyd Middle School.

The Dream Flag Project, a new initiative started at the Agnes Irwin School, may be the activity most connected to Martin Luther King Jr.’s philosophy. It encourages students to write about their wishes and display them for people to see. LM’s BuildOn chapter will be bringing the flags made at the event with them to Nepal.

This year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration was very successful, allowing students and community members to reflect on MLK’s legacy. One seventh-grade student’s dream flag read, “I dream of a world where people would not judge others by how they look or what they wear.” This wish does not seem far away from Martin Luther King Jr.’s own dream. Through service days like this one, LMSD can continue to promote MLK’s powerful message.

February 14, 2014

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NEWS

The Merionite

Remembering Welsh Valley’s Mr. Marrone

Mr. Todd Marrone, an Art and Gifted “Whenever I had a bad day, Mr. MarE ducat ion t eacher at Welsh Va l ley, rone would put on a Fishheads song to passed away suddenly on December 26, cheer me up. He even let us vote on his 2013. Mr. Marrone was part of the Welsh son and daughter’s names. He made us Valley staff for 16 years and a profes- a part of his family.” Another fellow jusional “guerilla artist.” Mr. Marrone’s nior, Drew Michie, explained that, “Mr. website, http://www.toddmarrone.com/ Marrone was an inspiration for everyone. shows his creative works of art, including For students, teachers, and parents. His works of art that still hang on the exterior classroom had a welcoming feeling that of Philadelphia buildings. He believed let you escape your troubles and worries. that a work of art does not only belong When I was dealing with bits of depresto its maker, but is instead a dialogue sion in seventh grade, he was always there held “within an aesthetic ecosystem.” Mr. to guide me through rough times and Marrone developed an interest in art at helped me to become a better person. He a very young wasn’t just an art a ge. He wa s teacher; he was influenced by a f r iend to a ll, com ic books who always had and video a bright smile on ga mes, a nd his face.” started to sell A t a T E D xhis artwork at Talk at LM two 15 years old. years ago, MarHe attended rone closed with Kutztown t he message, University and “You are not just majored in Art students. You are Education. debaters, you are While attendphilosophers, you ing Kutztown, a re wr iters, you “Helping Hands” by Todd Marrone Mr. Mar rone realare filmmakers. Don’t ized that he enjoyed teaching children you dare use youth as an excuse to not when he was student teaching, and went do something.” on to be an educator at Welsh Valley.

Mr. Marrone was beloved and the loss Several cur rent LM st udents who will be felt by his family, colleagues, called Mr. Marrone their teacher when and students. The local community has they went to Welsh Valley reflected on decided to help the Marrone family in their time with him. Reminiscing with a their time of need and has already dosmile, junior Eric Goldberg reminisced, nated over 24,000 dollars.

—Danny Avershal, ‘15 and Bradley Kaplan, ‘17

Divya Arya

Snow days lengthen school year

Rebecca Tauber

Class of 2016

The unprecedented amount of snow days that has hit LM this year have extended the school year. Each year, every school must have 180 school days, with two extra days factored into the schedule.

However, when those days are already missed the district must find another way to fit them into the school year. With six snow days already in the schedule, three additional days have been added onto the end of the school year, pushing the final date back to June 18.

The in-service day on March 7 has been reduced to a half day and officials say that spring break will be next on the chopping block.

Many students have begun checking Tim Rybnik’s eBoard, the place where the BCMS Gifted Education teacher and formal naval meteorologist posts his predictions on the chance of a snow day, delay, or early dismissal. Everyone has been there—staying up late or getting woken up early to hear that liberating automated phone call declaring either a two-hour delay or a snow day. However, at what cost do we have snow days?

Superintendent Dr. McGinley explained that decisions regarding snow days are made “after consultation with the Director of Operations for the School District… the police department, and township staff and the inspection of roads to determine if school buses and students traveling in cars or on foot can be expected to arrive safely at school.” Because 180 instructional days are required per school year, the school district sets aside two days for potential snow days or other emergencies.

Senior Ellie Rand said that she is “all for lots of snow because we graduate June 11, no matter what. Even in previous years I found that extra unexpected days off in the winter are worth another day of school in the spring.” When it comes to benefits of snow, those extra few hours of sleep due to delays and days off can be invaluable. Sophomore Alex Stern explained how she likes having a break from waking up at the crack of dawn during the year, because even if it means adding a day or two at the end of the year, we still have all summer to sleep in.

On the other hand, senior Jeffery Katz mused, “Snow days are nice and all but they make it harder to get back into the rhythm of school, especially after winter break.” Sophomore Lizzy Friedman agreed, “I would rather have as long of a summer as possible because having a snow day now will not benefit us in the future.”

In particular, the snow day on January 22nd, during midterm

See SNOW DAYS, page 3

Mr. LM prepares for its 5th annual competition Class of 2015

Mr. Lower Merion, the renowned annual pageant, is approaching quickly as contestants, choreographers, and sponsors hurry to make this hilarious yet charitable event as perfect as possible. Mr. LM, scheduled for 7 p.m. on February 27, is “essentially a pageant where the focus is on having fun and showing school spirit,” said physics teacher Nora Christman, Mr. LM’s hardworking sponsor.

Mr. LM pulls contestants from across the multitude of activities at LM, and this year’s event features a swimmer, member of Players, a Syrian activist, and many others.

Christman notes that, “While most of the audience comes to the event for a specific person, they enjoy all the performances from people of other talents.” The combination of the contestants’ differences adds a unique element of diversity and amusement to the already comical event.

Currently in its fifth year, Mr. LM has always been a senior class fundraiser since it began in 2010. The Class of 2010 had gotten the idea from Mr. Harriton (who knew

Photo by Joanna Odorisio/Staff

Will Rosenbaum, ‘14, shoots an arrow over an unsuspecting atrium.

Harriton started it first?) and asked Christman to sponser the event, who had participated in a similar Mr. OP (Orchard Park High School in western New York) at her high school, to choreograph the dances, and she later sponsored the event to promote its continuation. Throughout the years, Mr. LM has retained its initial structure of Question & Answer, catwalk, talent performances, and hip hop and partner dances.

The reigning Mr. LM has always served as a judge the following year on the judging panel that has representatives from each class as well as faculty members.

The event, over the years, has developed significantly.

A theme was added, which last year was “The Perfect 10,” featuring ten contestants comparing their perfect outfits, perfect dates, perfect talents, and more. In 2012, the event started an online voting element for five minutes at the end of the show, when audience members could use a phone to vote for their favorite contestant as many times as possible. This year it will also have a paper ballot in the program. As of 2013, contestants have been competing to benefit a charity of their choice and the senior class makes a donation to the charity of the winning contestant.

While the field of contestants is limited to juniors and seniors, the event is not exclusively male, and “we welcome girl applications and almost had one girl last year,” explained Christman. To participate, there is an application and interview process that narrows the number down to nine or ten people. Memorable talent acts from past years from Christman’s top three favorites include Alex Thames ’11 playing Guitar Hero, Geremiah Edness ’12 making a milkshake, and Robert Walker ’13, reigning Mr. LM champion returning to judge the event, dancing.

This year’s valiant contestants are Will Rosenbaum ’15, Max Miller-Golub ‘14, Ariel Wyner ‘14, Ralph Goniea ‘14, Mike Forster ‘14, Jack Weinrieb ‘14, Noah Ackerman ‘14, Robbie Warshaw ‘14, and Mahmoud

Photo by Joanna Odorisio/Staff

Jack Weinreib, ‘15, shows off in the LM pool.

Hallak ‘14. Contestants participate for various reasons, from “My mom wanted me to” (Will Rosenbaum) to “The fame” (Max Miller-Golub). The audience can expect to see instrumental and vocal performances, poetry, musical numbers from popular movies, comedy, and more. Rosenbaum provided a sneak peek to his performance, stating “I bought a $200 harmonica for $40 and I’m buying a $60 harmonica for $40.” Christman guiltily said, “I might be biased because they are students of mine but Will’s and Ariel’s are both very good, prepared, and not to be missed.” Intriguing.

This year’s theme is “King of the Gods” in which each contestant is a Greek God fitting to his personality and has to compete for the throne of Mount Olympus. This theme will be woven through the entire event, beginning with Joanna Odorisio’s (’14) introductory movie and tied into Lila Murphy’s (’14) choreography. Support the senior class charity fundraiser on February 27 by attending this carefully crafted, entertaining event!

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February 14, 2014

The Merionite

School calendar altered by snow days From SNOW, page 2

the end of the tunnel when things get really busy.” week, fell at either an ideal or dreadful time, de- When it comes to missing teaching time, Mr. Capkin pending on how you look at it. On one hand, that extra doesn’t sweat it. He said, “I can always adjust and day may have been perfect for students who were adapt my lessons to review or introduce topics at supposed to have two different points in the midterms that day, or just year. I’m fortunate that felt unprepared. On the I have that flexibility flipside, it dragged the as a language teacher.”

English midterm through Meanwhile, teachthe weekend and onto ers of Keystone subMonday. Junior Hanna jects such as Biology or Edelson said, “A snow math may worry about day in the middle of midfitting all the necessary terms was worse than a units in by the end of normal snow day because the year for testing. it basically ruined Junior Biology teacher Ms. Formal being at the end O’Conor agreed that, of the semester. I had to “If there are a lot of

Photo by Galen McMullen/Staff think about the English snow days it can beLMSD has added four extra days of school so far. midterm instead and didn’t come stressful, but it get a nice weekend off.” all works out eventually.”

Teachers have mixed opinions about snow days Although more snow days would mean and how they will affect the schedule as well. Span- a d d i n g e v e n m o r e d a y s o n t o t h e s c h e d ish teacher Sean Capkin thinks, “Having a few days ule at the end of the year, we cannot control off during the year is helpful—they are a light at the weather, so sit back, relax, and let it snow.

Junior Shub becomes Senate Page From PAGE, page 1

the experience that she’s getting in Washington.”

Shub’s new friends in the program are mostly Southern and offer interesting diversity from LM—she is the first Jewish person that many other Pages have met, different from our reportedly 40% Jewish school.

Another friend of Shub, junior Adrienne Rose, expressed her excitement: “It’s going to be such a great experience for her and I know she’s really excited about the whole program, especially because she’s very interested in politics and I know she’ll get a lot out of it!”

Shub’s AP United States History teacher, Chad Henneberry, is also thrilled for her. “I’m excited for Jordan to have the opportunity to explore the inner workings of our government more than she could from the confines of her desk. Set 8 will be watching for her on CSPAN-2.”

Shub has been spotted on CSPAN already, along with other Senate Pages. “It’s insane. It’s the coolest thing I’ve ever done and probably will ever do,” confessed Shub.

LM students may argue that fact, especially after Shub appeared on the front page of the New York Times in September of 2012, photographed at the Democratic National Convention. In 2012, Shub’s uncle married Vice President Joe Biden’s daughter, Ashley, and her family attended the Convention with their extended family. Biden introduced Shub to the Page program and has been supportive of her while in Washington.

Jordan’s work is only beginning and she has exciting months ahead of her. Perhaps junior Paige Johnson summed it up best: “We really miss her but she seems so happy. Jordan is doing big things in DC and we all know this is just the beginning for her.”

LM musicians make district ensembles Emma House

Class of 2015

Practicing to perfection certainly paid off for a number of LM’s talented musicians, as they were accepted into the District Band, Orchestra and Chorus, prestigious groups composed of the most musically accomplished high school students in the area.

This musical honor exemplifies tireless rehearsal and distinguished ability. Of 117 auditioning musicians from high schools around the area, only 40 made the cut. “This is a chance to play professional level repertoire in a very demanding setting,” said Jessica Villante, a music director here at LM. The district level ensembles undergo an intensive eight hours of rehearsal on each of the two days to perfect the arrangements for their performances. The expectation is that each student can flawlessly perform every note.

Seniors Zach Spector, Larry Robinson, and Raymond Jiang, and sophomores Grant Wei, Kyle Michie, Justin Guo, and John Della Franco were the students admitted to District Orchestra. District Band members include juniors Charlie Johnson and Tyler Spector, and seniors Jeremy Katz and Larry Robinson. Sophomore Anna Meyer was the sole District Chorus member. Senior Larry Robinson won seats in both District Band and District Orchestra.

“The auditions were postponed on 2 different occasions which made it difficult to practice and prepare. However, it all paid off when I found out I had accomplished my goals,” says Robinson.

Auditioning students were tasked to prepare an excerpt of a designated solo selection for the session. They were also required to demonstrate their skill by playing numerous major scales, also assigned ahead of time.

Concluding the audition, each student was handed a piece of music, allowed 45 seconds for

overview, and subsequently challenged to sight read the piece without pause. Whether a singer or instrumentalist, the intense pressure from the rigor of the audition would soon payoff upon acceptance.

Students within each ensemble receive a selection of music, which resembles pieces performed by elite music organizations such as the Philadelphia Orchestra. The students then practice and learn the complex array of notes and sophisticated rhythms individually, readying their part for the whole ensemble rehearsal. The musicians will stay overnight in nearby hotels, being summoned at 8 a.m., and dismissed around 4 p.m. on each of the two days.

Knowing that these two days are extremely strenuous, Villante remarks, “We are tremendously proud of our students who are participating in District Orchestra, Band and Chorus. It’s a lot of hard work but a truly great experience.”

Every year, district ensembles welcome an esteemed guest conductor, either from the United States or from overseas, who mentors the students and expands their musical intellect and ability.

Music Teacher Aaron Datsko, one of the band directors at LM, says that this aspect of the program is worthwhile because, “The students could not work with [the conductors] otherwise.” This year, composer Mark Camphouse will be the guest conductor for District Band, and the ensemble will play a number of his original compositions.

The greatly anticipated concert, is held the Saturday following the two-day rehearsal. It is a fantastic demonstration of this talented culmination of students and their musical achievements.

District Orchestra took place on Saturday January 25, at Pennsbury High School in Fairless Hills, PA. District Band was held on February 8, at Upper Moreland High School in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.

NEWS

NEWS IN BRIEF

Bryn Mawr honors LM aviation alumnus Anderson On March 13, Bryn Mawr College is holding a ceremony recognizing Charles Alfred Anderson, a chief flight instructor of the Tuskegee Airman.

Although he spent most of his time teaching in Alabama, where he earned the nickname of, “Father of Black Aviation”, Chief Anderson grew up in Bryn Mawr and is also associated with Lower Merion High School, where he went to school before he left after ninth grade to pursue his fascination in aviation. He excelled in his instruction of the Red Tails, even while facing racial prejudice. In the post-war years, Chief Anderson had two sons and continued to train both African-American and white pilots before he passed away in 1996. Anderson will be remembered on a stamp that the postal service has agreed to issue, commemorating the Tuskegee Airmen and Chief Charles Alfred Anderson.

—Margo Urheim, ‘16

LM alumna Krause nominated to U.S. Court of Appeals Cheryl Ann Krause, class of 1985, was nominated by President Barack Obama to the United States Court of Appeals for the third circuit. She will serve Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the Virgin Islands.

Krause works as a partner for the Philadelphia office of Dechert LLP and a guest lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Krause was an assistant United States Attortney for the Southern District of New York and law clerk for Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and Stanford Law School.

President Obama said, “Cheryl Ann Krause has displayed exceptional dedication to the legal profession through her work and I am honored to nominate her to serve the American people as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals. She will be a diligent, judicious and esteemed addition to the Third Circuit bench.”

—Maddy McFarland, ‘14

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February 14, 2014

The Merionite

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February 14, 2014

The Merionite

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL/LETTERS

Try not to try

LM is a special place because “it’s cool to be smart here.” As a student body, we are proud of our classmates’ accomplishments, “liking” their college-announcement Facebook statuses and chanting “Harvard! Harvard!” as our school president walks into basketball games. Contrary to this thought, however, it’s only cool to be smart if a person is effortlessly intelligent and succeeds without working hard. Fellow students criticize others who study, leading to a culture of study-related lies.

“How much did you study?” is a common question at LM, and one that is symbolic of a growing problem. It is often masked as a conversation starter, but its intention is darker. By establishing a base against a classmate’s study time, we guard ourselves against possible failure. If the classmate responds that she studied for multiple hours, than the questioner (who studied less) can defend her bad grade with the classic line “Well I didn’t study” or the even worse, “Why did [insert class scapegoat here] study so much?” But if the student who asked the question does better than the answerer, than the questioner is characterized as an effortlessly intelligent hero and the prototypical “cool smart kid.” And how is the student characterized who, for whatever reason, studied a lot and still did poorly? Well, she must be stupid.

We need to change the way we think about studying. First, some are more efficient studiers than others. We must stop pretending that if our classmates “studied for like, um, 20 minutes max—haha” and found a test “really not that bad, like, don’t worry, really” that they, too, can only study for 20 minutes. Study habits, concentration, and yes, intelligence, are important factors that render this “study-time comparison” useless. Second, we should not have to be ashamed of studying. For a school that takes pride in strong work ethic and good grades, it’s surprising how pejorative we can be. Everyone studies at LM, but different students need to spend different amounts of time studying. We should not only celebrate the students to whom the material comes easily, but also celebrate the students who struggle with difficult material yet overcome their struggles with ceaseless studying. We cannot continue to blame those who study and label others as “overachievers” instead of calling ourselves “underachievers.” LM students often ask, “Nobody is studying for this quiz, right?” implying that if someone is studying, then they are doing something wrong. We all deserve to work as much as we want to without other students accusing us of “purposely screwing everyone over.”

If we want more students to succeed, then we need to change our tone. Our current fight against studying is holding students back.

Unsigned editorial on this page reflects the general opinion of student editors, not the views of individuals.

The Merionite

The official student newspaper of Lower Merion High School since 1929 245 E. Montgomery Ave. Ardmore, PA 19003 www.themerionite.org Editors-in-Chief

Ilana Nathans, ’14 Robbie Warshaw, ’14

Managing Editor

Andrew Scolnic, ’14

News Editors

Op-Ed Editors

Features Editors

Copy Editors

Julia Bell, ’15 Ma’ayan Doron, ’14 Maddy McFarland,’14 David Bloom, ’14 Moriah Kofsky, ’14 Zay Smolar, ’15 Divya Arya, ’15 Tori Klevan, ’15 Madelyn Schaeffer, ’15 Alison Epstein, ’14 Anna Skillings, ’15

Sports Editors Duranya Freeman, ’14 Mitchell Gladstone, ’15 Larry Robinson, ’14 Arts & Julia Carstens, ’15 Entertainment Emily Morris, ’15 Editors Photo Editor Galen McMullen, ’14 Layout Editor Joanna Odorisio, ’14 Web Editor Olivia Johnston, ’16 Business Noah Ackerman, ’14 Managers Leo Galbraith-Paul, ’14 Advisor Mr. Chad Henneberry Business Advisor Mr. Sean Flynn

The editors believe all facts presented in the newspaper to be accurate. The paper acknowledges that mistakes are possible and welcomes questions as to accuracy. Inquiries regarding accuracy should be directed to the editors of the paper. Editors can be contacted via e-mail at merionite@gmail.com or in Room 200A. To represent all viewpoints in the school community, The Merionite welcomes all letters to the editor. Letters can be sent via e-mail or dropped off outside the Merionite office. The Merionite reserves the right to edit letters to the editor for length or clarity.

Letter to the Editor

To the anonymous author of “Why I Drink” (Dec, 2013), I do not drink. To me, there’s nothing fun in incapacitating my mental functions. My idea of a good time is nothing like what you stated in your article the Merionite’s last edition. I’m not going to impede on anyone else’s preferred setting; if that’s how you get your kicks, so be it. But a more disconcerting part of your article demands a re-examination.

Throughout my years at LM, something has become dreadfully apparent to me. This something is an acceptance of a specific “high-school experience” that so many others in this school seem to have. Coming into high school, you’re told various things by your peers, a massive flow of information to be processed and analyzed.

However, it seems as if certain ideas circumvent thoughtful analysis, namely that throwing your mind away at parties is a necessary part of the “high-school experience.” I see in this paragraph what I see all around this school; mindless acceptance and justification of a foolish idea.

I took issue with and decided to write a response to this article not because of my negative judgment of what you were doing, but because of your justification of your habit. I have no real problem with alcohol use, as long as the reasons are, well, reasonable. You could have said “I drink because I want to” and ended it there, and I wouldn’t have batted an eye. But in ascribing the want to drink to societal pressure exposes the flaw I see in this age group. We are much too complacent, much too ready to give into group-think. It troubles me that people will bend so easily, without allowing themselves the time or space to consider what they are doing. I once heard a kid say “every time I’m with him, he makes me drink,” and I couldn’t help but laugh. People need to be reminded that they make their decisions, not their peers or their environments. Don’t allow others to force their preconceived notions into your mind. Look at a situation, intelligently assess it, and make your own choices. You’ll be better off.

Sincerely, Jacob Fusco, ‘14

February 14, 2014

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OPINIONS

The Merionite Dear Merionite Editors, When I read “Lowering Standards for Higher Classes” by Ishya Verma, I was reminded of my own experience at LM and how useful the AP courses I took were, not only in my experience at LM, but also in preparing me for college. One of Verma’s first assertions is that “Uninterested students should stick to other classes for which they will have to do less work for a subject they don’t like.” I could not agree with this more. If you are trying to “get through” a particular class without investing a lot of effort, then do not take said class at the AP level.

Though I concur with Verma that students who are not willing to take on the responsibility of an AP class should not take them, I disagree with her notion that AP classes should only be for elite students. Take her issue with when “the teacher often has to slow their teaching pace in class to explain a concept to a small group of unprepared kids, which is inconvenient for everyone who took the class to avoid this.” This is simply an unfounded fear. Across the five AP courses I took at LM, I cannot remember more than a handful of times when a teacher had to spend an undue amount of time on a particular topic. Rather, most questions I heard actually enhanced my educational experience. Generally, the kids who tried the hardest, regardless of whether or not they were experts in that particular field of study, tended to not only get the most out of the AP program, but would also ask questions and create discussions that added to the classroom experience of their peers.

I consider myself living proof that AP courses aren’t just for the Type A student. While I wasn’t a bad student at LM, I wasn’t exactly making a push for Valedictorian either. But I found AP courses in subjects that interested me enough to put the work in. While I generally did fairly well in these courses, I certainly struggled through long hours and late nights to achieve these results. I hated all of the hard work I put in at the time, but absolutely nothing prepared me better for college than taking these AP classes that pushed me to be the best student I could.

AP courses really are the closest thing you can get to a college course in high school, and, since roughly 95% of LM Seniors end up in college, I’d say that 31% of them taking AP Courses is by no means too high.

In general, I agree with Verma that LM students who participate in the AP program need to make sure they are willing to commit the necessary time and are doing it for the right reasons. However, we need to make sure that the AP program is not just an intellectual country club for the academically elite, but rather a way for all interested and committed students to better themselves and prepare for college. The fact of the matter is that LM is a public high school, and sometimes that means sitting through classes where other kids are a bit behind.

This goes for AP courses, too, as long as the student is willing to put in the work.

Yours truly, Danny Kane ‘12

It’s a dawg eat dawg pound The Dawg Pound has been a stable, supportive group of LM students for the past 16 years. While there is a loud Dawg Pound

state champion team can win games without the benefit of negative attacks on their opponents. Our players should be able to win games because of hard work and determination along with a supportive fan base—a fan base that is above insulting the other team.

We are good at this and we know it, but even before this era of the Dawg Pound and Kobe, we were able to win state championships and plenty of games. Even though none of the members of the current student body remembers a time when all the cheers at LM Basketball games were positive, many teachers and community members who atat the boys’ basketball games, not all of the tend basketball games do. We need to take student section’s cheers and actions support responsibility to change the tone of the Dawg the sportsmanship on which LM generally Pound’s cheers and to make the games have a prides itself. To begin each game, the Dawg more positive and encouraging atmosphere, Pound turns its back on the players from the especially when we are hosting the games opposing team. This in our gym. As an athlete action is a blatant myself, I know that I would act of disrespect. never want to compete in an Cheering the Aces environment where I would on at a basketball be prone to being attacked, game—especially embarrassed, and unwelwhen you are in the comed by the host school.

Dawg Pound— Is winning a high school can be a lot of basketball game worth fun. However, not sending a player from the all of our cheers opposing team home feelare always ones ing humiliated? that everyone in There is also a culture the Dawg Pound among sports fans, espefeels comfortcially in Philadelphia, to able screaming. be mean and aggressive Art by Galen McMullen/Staff Provocative taunts toward their opponents. such as “winning team, losing team” and While we have grown up in this culture, “you let the whole team down” are especially growing up in a culture does not mean that problematic. These taunts echoing through we, the next generation of Philadelphians, the gym are personal attacks on players, should continue it. Our actions really do afor disrespectful of the team’s efforts and fect more than we realize. Many elementary are essentially bullying. If you don’t shout and middle school students attend our games these cheers or turn your back, you feel out and look up to us, and the cheers are not ones of place and can even be subjected to verbal that we would want kids anywhere from 3-13 abuse from fellow classmates, simply for years old to see. We should not be teaching not going with the flow. This peer pressure those children to hate, but rather we should makes people feel like they have to cheer and be setting a good example for them. The join in on the over-the-top taunting toward attitudes and bad feelings generated during the opposing teams and their fans. games have also contributed to a few postThe peer pressure to join along with the game parking lot fights. These fights have taunting makes many feel uncomfortable led to police arriving at games, all stemming coming to the games, but students unfor- from the actions of our student body. tunately feel like they have to join in to There is a very fine line between supavoid being singled out by their peers. By porting your team and being flat out rude screaming these chants and taunts, we try to and hostile. As a student body, we should get into the heads of our opposition, attempt- try and change the ways of the Dawg ing to get them off their game in order for Pound to make our games more inviting and our own players to win. I am sure that our positive to all.

Class of 2015

Letter to the Editor

Yael Dormont

Open minds, open campus

Class of 2015

Have you ever been en route to class and noticed one of your friends knocking on one of the schools side doors? You definitely do not want to be that jerk who walks right by, but you also do not want to get in trouble for opening any door that isn’t the main entrance. This situation is common and happens when students leave campus.

After midterms of sophomore year, the majority of students—if not all—long for closed campus privilege; free periods. Who can blame them? They were mocked by study halls, where a classroom of students sat in silence under a teacher’s supervision. Alas, replacing a study hall with a free period is the most freedom any student can expect to obtain, as specified by the school board’s policy that restricts students to a closed campus. According to Principal Hughes, “LM has always been a closed campus.” The closed campus privilege does not confine students to a classroom, yet only permits them to go to the nurse, cafeteria, atrium, library or Help Center without getting into trouble. Although this may seem fine for freshmen, it restrainins upperclassmen.

With LM’s rotating schedule, some students have super lunches or back-to-back frees. This non-instructional time would be the perfect opportunity to go home or get food from a local eatery.

In addition, since many students participate in extra-curricular activities, they have limited free time after school. A student could utilize this time to run errands or even attend a doctor’s appointment. Older students, who drive to school, have use of a car for efficient transportation.

Why is the district reluctant to open the campus? The biggest obstacle to an open campus policy seems to be the liability issue. And a common fear of parents is that kids are presumably “unsafe” if they are not on school grounds during school hours. However, since some students

Laurel Yaros

abuse the rules and leave campus anyway, making a mockery of the rules, there is already exposure to liability. If students are unsafe getting in the car to grab lunch during a free at 11:15 on a Tuesday, are they any less vulnerable when they’re out and about at the same time on a Sunday?

Furthermore, critics of an open campus privilege argue that students could misuse their time or even abuse it. This freedom, however, is no different from the spare time students utilize during the weekends and after school hours. Yet having this freedom echoes the college class experience, which is not far away for upperclassmen.

With the solution I have in mind, parents would be responsible for the students; the school district would actually be safer and ultimately not liable. My proposal is simply to allow those eligible upperclassmen, whose parents sign a waiver each year, the privilege of an open campus.

This way, the student is responsible for his or her whereabouts and is given the opportunity to both assume personal responsibility and develop self-discipline. If parents do not trust their kids, they should not sign the waiver, and their children would not have the privilege. Administrators could even require that students sign in and sign out as they come and go. The terms of agreement could also implement attendance requirements, such that if a student is tardy or altogether cuts class the privilege would be suspended or even revoked.

Campus privilege is a privilege and therefore should be earned and subject to revocation.

Perhaps eligibility would be also based on academic achievement and student conduct. By maintaining a certain GPA, for example, students would prove that they highly prioritize academics.

This would serve as a positive incentive for upperclassmen to keep working hard throughout the year—even through the sometimes debilitating case of “senioritis.”

I am a proponent of the open campus privilege because I believe there are students who have demonstrated they can handle the responsibility that it entails. The open campus privilege would allow me, and many of my peers, to make the most efficient use of our time and would provide us with a much sought after sense of freedom.

7

February 14, 2014

OPINIONS

The Merionite

Q: “How do I lose my virginity? I’m a senior and just cannot seem to get my V card confiscated..”

A: First, let me assist you with a short definition. Confiscate: take a possession as a penalty and give it to the public treasury. For me, this is a perfect analogy to why you absolutely should NOT lose your “V-card.” The aforementioned is something sacred, not something you want snatched from you and donated to public use. As soon as it gets out to your classmates that your VC has been, as you so eloquently put it, “confiscated,” you will immediately become an item donated to public use. Hopefully you don’t need a breakdown of what that means. And if the rest of your senior class members are throwing themselves about as easily as you seem to be, no wonder only five of you have prom dates. Stay classy ;)

Q: “How do I get a certain angelvoiced senior boy to love me? *sigh*” A: Take your lover to a shooting range to show off your shootin’ skillz. In addition to showing off your bestial and untamed side, this location will foster a rousing conversation about gun control.

Talking politics is essential for digging into the core of your potential lover and therefore an essential topic of conversation for the first date. If you’re not a talker, bring your concubine to a movie theater. Here, there will be no pressure to talk which will allow you to instead seduce said lover by slowly sucking on your straw and staring into their eyes.

And last but not least, take your lover to the club. Face down, butt up, that’s the way we like to have intellectual conversations!

Q: “Do you think a boy and a girl can be ‘just friends’? The ageless conundrum of ‘When Harry Met Sally.’

From my own observation, it doesn’t seem to be true.”

A: If they have known each other since their moms did prenatal yoga together or live down the street, they can be just friends. If they just hang out in school and have literally no chemistry in their texts about chemistry, they can be just friends. If they are both in committed relationships with other people and are not secretly starring in a reality tv show, they can be just friends.

Anything else, though, and one of them will inevitably become attracted to the other. I agree with said movie: “As Harry puts it, men and women can never be friends because ‘the sex part always gets in the way.’”

Put your aces up for everyone

Class of 2014

There is nothing more exciting than a Dawg Pound out in full force. It’s exciting to watch LM compete, to yell at the opposing team, to hold up our hands in the shape of an ace as our team puts points up on the board. I assume it is also exciting as a player to know that your whole school supports you, to look up and see a sea of bright yellow cheering you on. This, however, is something neither I nor many of our athletes get the chance to experience in our high school careers.

At LM there is an extreme bias toward the boys’ basketball team. All year we hype up basketball season, and when we finally reach that high point, the incessant posts in the Aces Nation Facebook group will not allow anyone to forget that this is our time to show Aces pride.

Occasionally, there will be a Dawg Pound at a boys’ soccer or ice hockey game, and let’s not forget the Radnor game for boys’ football. Still, these sports don’t get nearly as much press as boys’ basketball. Even the USA Today article written about the Dawg Pound specifically points out that we only occasionally support other teams.

Girls’ sports are lucky if they get even ten student spectators, a number that would horrify the spirit heads if it were a boys’ basketball game. Girls’ basketball especially gets the short end of the stick; even for double headers, where both teams play in a row, most people plan to show up only for the boys game, leaving the girls without a fan section. We may consider ourselves a “basketball school” but we aren’t even that—we’re a boys’ basketball school.

If we can clear our schedules and make the 45 minute drive to every single away basketball game, why can’t we also take a minute out of our day to walk to the natatorium to just once watch our very own state-ranked Carolyn Howard dive or to the track to see Brianna Conner compete in the long jump, the event that took her to states last year? There are so many sports at this school that deserve just as much press as basketball, other kids who work just as hard as our basketball players, and they deserve a Dawg Pound as well.

The boys’ soccer team made it into the playoffs this season, without nearly as much hype behind their games as there is around basketball. Our Swim and Dive team is better than ever, and two boys and five girls are in the running to make it to the swimming District Championship, while Howard will likely go all the way to states for diving again this year. Jon Perlman qualified for states in cross-country this year, and both the boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams had strong showings in the Central League. Last year our girls’ outdoor track and field team had a 4x4 relay that broke the record they had set the year before, sent girls to districts in multiple events, and sent Conner to states. The Ultimate Frisbee teams did unbelievably well last year too, with the boys’ team winning cities and the girls’ team winning states. And our talents exceed even the boundaries of athletics, with nationally placing science and engineering

Arielle Anderer

clubs and a stellar arts program. With so many talented teams and groups, why is the only focus on boys’ basketball?

I don’t think that we should lessen our enthusiasm for basketball in any way; I simply think we should allow our school spirit to spread from the KBG to Arnold Field, to the natatorium, to the Auditorium, to the Haverford ice rink, to anywhere LM students are competing. We shouldn’t limit ourselves to being “a basketball school” because we’re more than that. We are a lacrosse school, a wrestling school, a field hockey school. We are an acting school, a singing school, a jazz school. We are a Technology Student Association school, a Robotics school, a Science Olympiad school. We are a newspaper school, a mock trial school, a Best Buddies school. There are so many things that make LM a great place to be—we shouldn’t limit ourselves.

Make it your goal in whatever is left of this school year and the rest of your time at LM to help spread the school spirit to different teams. Everyone deserves to be cheered on by a Dawg Pound, so let’s go to at least one girls’ ice hockey game, at least one Players show, at least one boys’ tennis match.

It’s the least we can do for each other; we all want the support of our school behind us when we go up against our rivals, whether it is for the state basketball title or just for the pride of a win over Harriton. So let’s prove that Aces Nation stands behind all of the Aces—not just 15 of them.

In a survey, the Merionite asked LM students which events they have attended. 199 students answered this survey.

8

9

February 14, 2014

VALENTINES

The Merionite Dear David Bloom, Keep up the good work!

-Mr. Reed

Dear Brett, You are a fantastic officer and a great person.

Keep up the great work!

-Mr. Reed

I’ll never let you go Jack.

-Andrea Barnes Dear Will Rosenbaum, You can do an experiment in my beaker With love, Dear Grant, Back-up prom Your secret admirer date?

Love, Lily (from your chem class)

Dear Mr. Schwartz, It’s been a pleasure sharing a name with you. It’s a shame that I didn’t get you as a teacher this year.

Tommy Tunes, Yours tru- Babe, you are my world. Let me perc you, my dear!

-Melana

Dr. Pratt, Haters are my motivators.

-flygirl29 Jon Adams, Even a tsunami couldn’t break us apart :) Love, Naomi Watts

Lily Eisner You are the best!!! <3 - Lily Eisner

Dear Everyone, JOIN BUILDON!!!

Mr. Reed

You’re still my favorite iguana.

-Eleanor Abbott

Dear Maddie Dressler, My eternal love for you will burn with the force of my crazy legs on the dancefloor. Prom? <3 -Matt Glanzberg

Jule Brown, Come thru. <3 -Beth Anne

JuleIts real.

to Hi Everyone, buildOn is a great club that helps deserving people.

Consider joining!

Mr. Reed

Emily, Run away to Finland with me.

Love, Remy

To my Set 7 American Government class: Give yourselves a round of applause!

Love, Mr. Laubach

Larry, I still like you - Julia Barr

Eddie, Please stop the looks in math class, we’re very flattered, but we don’t like you like that.

Dear Ray, I think you are so cool and special and I love living with you.

Love your favorite STEP brother ;) Zay

To Natalie Alonzo, You are the cutest person I have ever met. I stare at you in the halls every single day and watch you walk away from me. I think I’m in love.

Love , Ethan Steinberg.

Divya, Babe, you make my heart sink like lead.

-Tyler Spector

Dear Daniel Buckman, Thanks for cordially kicking me out of your house to listen to some Skril_Lex. I hear that music is a real head banger. #1mf With Love, Georgia Peaches

Dear Noah Ackerman, GOT milk? <3

Hanna, Thanks so much for your work with buildOn!! We really appreciate it.

-Mr. Reed

Eddy, OH eddy you, you got what I need But you say you’re just my friend But you say you’re just my friend Don’t get any smart ideas -Tyler

Dear Sara Clark, You Leonardo DiCaptured my heart.

-Your redneck

My dear Liv King, You are so gorgeous and you make me so happy when I see your smile. <3

Dear Adrian, Maybe next time.

-Michaela

Ollie, Stop looking at Jordyn in english class - Julia Barr

Dr. Pratt, If love is an onion, surely by now my breath reeks of my affection for you. One day I shall make my love public and we will ride off into the sunset together. One day.

Y-our Set 1 Admirer

Robbie, Don’t ruin a good thing -Alison+Larry

To Jordyn Ehrich: You will be forever in my heart. I will miss you next year.

Love, Max Dearest Hannah, Sexy can I, just pardon my manners.

Girl how you shake it, got a TYLER like (oh) It’s a Kodak moment, let me go and get my camera All I wanna know is, sexy can I? Love ya, Tyler

Jared, Maybe next time it will work...

Jess Hoffman

Tori and Divya, Let us “feature” it to the world that you are the bestest features editors.

Love, Maddie

Will Levin, Try not to lose to Jacob -FTB

Will Levin, Multipliers don’t count...

-Your English class

To my classes: Happy Valentine’s Day! Love, Your Fav Teacher (Mr. Laubach)

Audrey, 2nd chance to go get some ice cream? (we won’t bring Larry along this time) Dave Baer

Duranya, You’re the best senior ever. Thanks for a great season of sports.

From, Emily Harnett Your Sophomore Clique You are swell silly dumpling!

Happy Valentines Day LDB -Sam Gamberg

Marielle, Shelby, and Callie ;) - Fez, Kopen, and Dezz

Dear Mira Franzel, Happy Valentine’s Day to the best girl in town!!! Have a great day!

Philip.

Maddie and Tori, I am “featuring” our love to the world. We are Mormons.

Love, Divya

Evan Hassman, We love you. But actually.

-The LM girls swim team Maddie and Divya, You guys are the greatest “feature” in my life.

Love, Tori

Thank Zay for this, but will you be my Valentine, Noa? -Jule

10

February 14, 2014

The Merionite

Formalgram

FEATURES

LM juniors traveled to the cafeteria on a stormy night to take pictures, dance, and eat delicious homemade cupcakes made by their own Hanna Edelson at the Winter Formal. Students waited years to have the privilege of attending a formal dance and the long anticipated night proved to be worth the wait. The event featured a “Night out on the town” theme and a killer DJ Wesley Walker, who actually took your requests. While girls curled their hair and decked themselves out in glitter, guys were busy trying to match their ties to their date’s dresses and find the perfect pocket square. Features editors attended the dance and noticed the amazing dancers, dresses, suits, and more. Here are the anxiously awaited results of the Formal Superlative Competition!

- Madelyn Schaeffer ‘15

Texting and “tryna”

- Brett Rapkin-Citrenbaum ‘15 Roses are red, violets are blue, I’m so alone, what should I do? According to WikiAnswers.com, only 30% of teenagers have a serious boyfriend or girlfriend. If this is true here at LM that means there are over 800 students who are alone on Valentine’s Day! So, to those 840-some students, here are some things that may lift your spirits during this Valentine’s season.

You Are an Independent (Wo)man who don’t need no (Wo)man: Who needs a significant other? The best person to share a romantic dinner and cuddle by the fire with is...you!

Appreciating yourself is extremely important. I suggest writing yourself a love letter, preparing a nice dinner for one, getting all dressed up, and enjoying your own company! No cell phone, no laptop, no books, just your very own winning personality to hang out with. Not only will this give you a change to get to know yourself better, but you will also have a fun, relaxing evening doing what you want to do, and not catering to the needs of a significant other. This Valentine’s Day, make it all about you.

Mushy Gushy Things Are Gross: Let’s be honest, PDA, whispers of love, and other couple-y things are absolutely disgusting. As a single person, you don’t have to be involved with these things!

This means you will not be shunned for holding hands or even worse, kissing, in the hallway, (side note: this is actually horrifying and makes us single people sad so please consider putting an end to it), but rather, you can bond with other single people by complaining and being repulsed together! Not only will the avoidance of these actions make you a better person, it’s a great way to make friends!

Mo’ Dates, Less Money…?: That’s right!

Whether it’s buying them food, presents or something romantic, couples are always spending money on each other! The best way to save money is to be single. By being alone, you’re helping your wallet stay nice and full. And any money you do spend is on yourself, not on your significant other. So rather than waste money on a bunch of flowers

that will probably just wilt away in the back of a closet, you can buy yourself a new video game or dress or just go crazy at the candy store! The important thing is you will be very content with a full shopping cart and a full wallet!

Your Date, Your Decision: As stated earlier, when you are in a relationship, you have to compromise. But when you are on a date with yourself, you make all the decisions. What you’re eating for dinner, what attire is appropriate, what movie you’ll watch, etc. Being single means no anniversary gifts, no paying for your date’s meal, no pretending to like something you hate, and of course, no Valentine’s Day expectations! So slip on a comfy pair of sweats and throw your hair into a bun because it’s Valentine’s Day, and whatever you do it up to you.

February 15 Awaits You: Every single persons’ favorite holiday—February 15, when the delicious and comically large heart shaped boxes of fancy chocolates go on sale.

This Valentine’s Day, don’t think about the existential crisis running through your mind about dying alone. Instead, consider the extremely discounted sweets you can gorge on while watching a cheesy movie about true love. While you’re alone on Valentine’s Day, remember that you are going to get delectable candy for a much more reasonable price than those couples out there! So when you compare… who’s the real winner here?

The moral of the story is simple, being single on Valentine’s Day can be rough. There is no denying the endless reminders of your never-ending singleness to be found in every crevice of the country on February 14. Luckily, there are many other single teenagers out there, and you also have yourself! Consider yourself lucky to have a day dedicated to the love of the person of your choosing.

Whether that be a boyfriend, girlfriend, best friend, or yourself, remember that the importance behind Valentine’s Day is found when we learn to appreciate those we love (also the sale on chocolate the next day is very important).

Art by Madelyn Schaeffer\Staff

Don’t know if he’s for real? Not sure if you have plans for V-day? Can’t quite tell if she’s “tryna” be your Valentine? The Merionite is here to be your love guru.

Whether you can’t tell if he likes you or you’re tryna hit on her yourself, hopefully this saves your Valentine’s Day! - Features Staff

From Saint Valentine’s ...a happy V-day!

We all celebrate Valentine’s Day in one way or another.

But how did these traditions start?

Long ago in a land far away (Third Century Rome) lived the great Saint Valentinus of the Catholic Church. There are many supposed legends of St. Valentinus – also known as St. Valentine – but the most common is as follows.

Emperor Claudius II declared that single men were better soldiers than those with wives and children, so he outlawed marriage for younger men. St. Valentine was not going to stand for this and proceeded to marry young couples in secret. When Emperor Claudius II discovered these secret weddings, he sent St. Valentine to his death.

Before his death, while St. Valentine was in jail, he helped himself and other prisoners escape the harsh Roman prisons. But while in the prison, he fell in love with a girl that came to visit him frequently, possibly the jailor’s daughter. They often exchanged messages and before his death his last one to her was signed “From Your Valentine,” which is where we get the expression that’s still used today.

The truth behind Valentine’s Day may not be the most romantic and sappy love story, but it exhibits St. Valentine’s sympathy and courage.

There isn’t much evidence proving the relationship between the legend of St. Valentine and the date on which the holiday falls, but it is said to fall within the Pagan celebration Lupercalia, the festival of the Roman God of agriculture Faunus. It is a three-day long celebration from Febuary 13 to 15, which is why Valentine’s Day is on February 14. However, it wasn’t until the Fifth Century that Pope Galasius declared Valentine’s Day a holiday.

Valentine’s Day is celebrated globally, and each culture has many different traditions. Now that you know the official legend of St. Valentine, you can impress your date with your knowledge. Happy Valentine’s Day! - Emma Shapiro ‘15

11

February 14, 2014

FEATURES

The Merionite

Since many LM students attended middle school at Bala Cynwyd rather than Welsh Valley, many are unaware of the true pleasure it was to have known and to have learned from Mr. Todd Marrone.

On December 26, 2013, the Welsh Valley art teacher died suddenly at the age of 39. He left behind his wife, Healther, two children, Rocco and Matilda, and many students, friends, and family who loved him dearly. Mr. Marrone had a tremendous impact on everyone he knew, especially his beloved students. It was clear he was passionate about art and teaching, and his enthusiasm was contagious. In the words of one of Mr. Marrone’s close friends, Jeff Lyons, “Everyone that walked through his door felt valued, felt safe, and felt the freedom to express themselves.” Mr. Marrone had no trouble expressing himself as well. If you have ever taken art classes, you have probably found that art teachers tend to be a little on the quirky, alternative side; Mr. Marrone was no exception. Russ Stark, another friend of Marrone, stated, “I think he was chiefly interested in challenging limits. The limits that we place on ourselves, the limits other people place on us and the limits that potentially misguided tradition places on us.” This infused passion led Mr. Marrone to challenge a limit familiar to all high school students: the current education system. On Mr. Marrone’s website, toddmarrone.com, he published a five-part piece on education. There, he outlines the problems within our current system, a proposal for an alternate classroom, and other supplements including student perspectives. Below, we have visually outlined Mr. Marrone’s proposal, which he believes could revolutionize the classroom.

- Emily Manin ‘15

WHAT’S WRONG WITH OUR CURRENT EDUCATION SYSTEM? The education system we abide by today had barely changed since the system revised during the Industrial Revolution. That system was designed to train students to become factory workers or soldiers. Therefore, our current education system’s foundation is practically ancient, failing to meet today’s modern needs and “represents a horrendous defecit of preparing young people for the future.”

HOW OUR CURRENT SYSTEM DEALS WITH QUESTIONS AND CHALLENGES Q: My daughter loves art and wants to be an artist, what are you doing to nurture that?

A: Cutting the art program because it’s not easy to test art objectively

Q: My son is a great musician and he’s really passionate about it but he really dislikes math. What can we do to help him?

A: We can give him more math so he improves his standardized test scores. If that doesn’t work, we’ll have to take him out of music all together; that will make him successful.

Q: My daughter has trouble focusing in class because the subject doesn’t interest her.

A: Medicate

her.

Q: My son hates school.

A: His scores are fine,

we don’t see a big problem

Art by Maddie Schaeffer

With an 11:1 student-to-teacher ratio and application selected students, Mr. Marrone’s ideal classroom curriculum plan is as follows:

PHASE ONE GOAL: 100% of students will score a 90% or above on all curriculum-aligned, text book supplied unit assessments HOW: Students will have access to the “core” curriculum textbooks, handout packets etc, as well as laptop computers with internet access. Students will then choose how they would like to achieve the goal.

NEXT: As a group, students will exhibit a practical understanding of the curriculur information in a way they deem most appropriate. This will be evaluated by instructors in tandem with ANY stakeholders who are interested in joining the evaluation panel.

PHASE TWO “Existential, group-selected learning experiences beyond the confines of the classroom and school campus. This could include exploratory trips to cultural, industrial, educational, profession and/or natural locations, solving real world problems and/or passionately pursuing a group determined goal.

HOW THE PROPOSED SYSTEM DEALS WITH QUESTIONS AND CHALLENGES Q: In phase one, what happens if one or two kids can’t pass the test(s)?

A: We, as a group, will use our resources to solve that problem. We thrive as a pack or not at all.

Q: What about grades?

A: Grades are abstract, extrinsic motivators. Success isn’t a letter on a piece of paper, success is deciding symbiotic, mutually beneficial solutions to problems and achieving authentic goals.

Q: How will students be accountable in phase two experiences?

A: At the end of each day, students will post a reflection of the day’s events and what it meant to them and their learning. They are “responsible for information” in the traditional sense and they are responsible for what the information or experience means to them.

Q: This sounds like a dream come true, what are the drawbacks?

A: Kids won’t look forward to weekends as much.

The possibilites are literally infinite.”

I’m sold, now what?

“Encourage district decision makers to pilot the program I’ve outlined. We are 100% confident in the power of young people to immediately begin to achieve their goals and are willing to set the table for, and act as catalysts in, their ultimate success. Advocate.”

- Mr. Todd Marrone

12

February 14, 2014

The Merionite

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The other courtside view Cameron Pollack

Class of 2014 Photographing for an event, team, concert, or club is always a privilege, but shooting for Aces Basketball is an experience unlike any other. There are mundane aspects, much like any photography job: I will come home late from a given game and know I have at least 200 photos to edit, if not more. I have shot in what many may consider the most repulsively-lit gymnasiums in the country. However menial the photographic processes involved may be, I can think of none of my other photographic endeavors as being more dynamic or consistently high-energy. Throughout each and every game I’ve attended, I can feel the energy of the room ebbing and flowing, both on the court and in the Dawg Pound. I can remember how my hands shook as I filmed the state quarterfinals game against Harrisburg, and the sheer volume of the cheers when Rondae Jefferson missed a wide open dunk at the state final last March. I remember how adrenaline-charged I was on the way back to the gym from Hershey, and how surreal I felt when the season finally ended. I had lost a crucial reason to pick up my camera, and that frightened me immensely. As the games begin and end, and as the seasons come and go, I can only wonder whether my dabbling in sport photography will continue after I graduate.

A crucial part of what has made shooting for the Aces squad so enjoyable game after game is the raw zeal that the players and Dawg Pound always deliver, game after game. I greatly hope that my college’s student fan section, the Lynah Faithful, will deliver as the Dawg Pound has. But regardless of how I use my photography skills as an undergrad, I have discovered Photo by Cameron Pollack that I will perpetually bleed maroon and white.

Maestro takes the stage Emily Morris

Class of 2015 Every year since 1990, Tom Elliott and the LM Orchestra have presented the Maestro the Lion concert series for elementary school children from over 15 local schools. For two weeks each February, droves of youngsters fill the LM auditorium while Maestro the Lion (played this year by sophomore Jeff Katz and voiced by junior Jordan Askey) “high-fives,” hugs, and welcomes them to an hour of exciting music and art performances.

This show began as an effort to inspire a love of classical music in children, and since then has grown to incorporate areas of literature, visual art, and even science. In 2005, Elizabeth Sher began writing illustrated Maestro the Lion stories whose plots have shaped the concert itself in recent years.

Children are encouraged to read the books before coming to the concert so that when they arrive, they are already familiar with Maestro and his orchestra of forest friends. To date, over 6,000 students have seen the concert, and just three years ago, a Maestro benefit concert raised over $5000 for Japanese Tsunami disaster victims.

Senior Cameron Pollack will be directing for the second year in a row, and many more LMHS students are involved in the production, inside the orchestra and beyond. This year’s theme is Hector Berlioz’s Fantastic Symphony, which will be accompanied by a number of live performers on stage.

Fantastic as always, Maestro is sure to be a hit this year, and of course, an inspiration to as many children as it reaches.

Student Photography

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Photo tak n, Have Vineyard Vineyard.

Martha’s

Sara Martone Class of 2014

Photo taken at a fair in New Hampshire.

Photo Courtesy of maestrothelion.org

Jennie Sim onson Class of 20 15 Photo

take New York C n in ity, New York.

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February 14, 2014

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The Merionite

Have no fear, the funds are here!

Emma Ungar

The theater program also appreciates its endorsement from the administration. The money supplied by the school provides LM’s Players, the student run performing arts group the ability to pay for performing rights of its plays and coaches to assist in the their overall production. In spite of the fact that Players receives a suitable amount of funding, the members choose to raise more money to expand the number of coaches involved, thus elevating the quality of the production. Typically, students in Players earn more money by holding bake sales, poster sales, and clothing sales. In addition, Players sells snacks and candy during intermission on performance nights.

Mr. Grace, the faculty advisor of Players, explains, “We don’t raise money because we don’t have enough. We choose to raise extra money because everyone in the organization sets a standard of excellence to reach. I think we reach it.” It’s fair to say that while the provided funding creates a noteworthy theater program, the additional money allows the students to excel. The excellence commonly associated with LM undoubtedly extends to the programs of art education, which the administration funds to the best of its ability.

Besides the financial support contributed to the music and arts, the administration shows its reverence for the arts with all the student artwork that fills the hallways and the announcements to the community about upcoming shows. As long as the constant funding of the arts program continues, so will the rich quality of LM’s artistic culture.

Class of 2016 It’s definitely hard to miss the many announcements and Facebook posts LMers make to advertise their upcoming fundraisers. Among the most popular are bake sales, car washes, and even pancake breakfasts. This money is then funneled into banquets, clothing orders, supplies, and equipment. Such means are not necessary, however, for LM’s art and music programs—they receive funding directly from the administration. These programs have the appropriate funding to stretch its students far beyond their preexisting abilities.

Studies show that students who participate in programs that stress artistic expression tend to score significantly higher on the SAT’s than those students who neglect to take an artistic elective. According to the U.S. Department of Education, by participating in the areas of art and music, students gain a stronger appreciation of the natural world surrounding them. On the 2011 SAT’s, LM’s students achieved a total average score of 1748, with a 584 on the verbal section, a 588 on the math section, and a 575 on the writing section. Out of the 163 schools in Southeastern Pennsylvania, LM ranked third, just behind Conestoga High School and Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School. Part of LM’s success could be contributed to its programs for art.

LM’s visual art department offers its students a wide variety of courses, ranging from metal arts, to drawing and painting, to AP art. But with the huge range of art courses comes an equally large price of purchasing the appropriate supplies. Nevertheless, the sufficient budget allows for these kinds of purchases. Ceramics teacher Mr. Loue shares his and the other art teachers’ excitement in “investigating 3-D printing and more advanced computer design applications,” noting the added expense that comes with this new pursuit. Although the administration allots the art department an adequate amount of money, these more expensive courses could still take a toll on the budget. All in all, the art department feels strongly supported by the administration in its funds and educational goals.

The magic of LM Players

Marisa Finklestein

Class of 2014

How often can you say that you’ve run a committee responsible for the funds of an organization while still being the star of a show? In Players, anything is possible. 100 students make up this organization each year; every one of those students is taking a chance on what Players has to offer. No matter how you start in Players, you almost never end up where you planned.

It is part of the Players mission statement to provide a safe, artistic, and enjoyable environment where any student can explore any aspect of theater.

The students who lead Players work hard to ensure that newer members are gaining the theatrical skills they sought as they joined the organization. The collaboration between students with 12 shows of experience and those with none is a huge part of what defines Players.

Beyond the opportunities to practice skills in any realm of theater, students have the chance to develop interests on larger scales. As a board member, some students take an interest in the management side of the organization—which parts of Players work towards its success and which parts do

Aces of the Arts How do you participate in the Arts at LM?

Haines Julia f 2014 o s s a Cl

“40 Day Dream” by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes. -Julia Quick! What’s your best joke?!?

What did 0 say to 8? I like your belt! -Julia to c

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At LM I participate in the arts by taking part in Players. I was in “Drood” earlier this year and now I am acting in “Macbeth.” I also take 9th Grade Art Honors and participate in Photography Club. -Sam

I have been involved with Players since freshman year, and am costumes crewhead for “Macbeth.” I have always taken art classes, and this year I’m in Art 3 Honors and AP Art. I also dance! This December, I played Clara in my ballet company’s production of “The Nutcracker.” -Julia

If you could dance to any song right now, what would it be?

Pho

not? How can we fix problems? Other student leaders find a passion in teaching others how to use equipment or find hidden talents.

Every high school student knows that grades and teachers can be unfair.

We all deserve to have a place where we are guaranteed fairness. The most important and defining aspect of Players is the trust the students have in each other. Players is student run, meaning there are some students who Graphic by Joanna Odorisio\Staff are chosen to maintain order throughout the production. The executive board of Players chooses the students who run each production and always make these decisions with the best interests of Players in mind. This means seniority never rules in any decisions, which shows how trusting the students are of each other. Sometimes sophomores lead crews of juniors and seniors. Other times, freshmen explain the specifics of handling microphones on stage to a group actors. Without the trust and fairness students have built and maintained, Players would not function.

Players is so much more than a theater organization. It is a community of trusting, caring, and dedicated people who collaborate to put on amazing shows. At one point in his or her Players career, every student finds his or her calling and comes to truly appreciate how much this organization offers.

Players teaches people to never take chances for granted; you never know where you’ll end up if you don’t try it first.

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Sam G amber g Class of 201 7

What is your favorite band/musician?

My favorite band is definitely Coldplay but Vampire Weekend and Alt-J are close seconds.-Sam

If you could perform in any show right now, as any part, what would it be and who?

Since you did say ANY part I would be Eliza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady” because that lady has so much brilliance in her, it’s crazy. -Sam

What do you do if you’re stuck inside an elephant? You run around in its stomach until you’re all pooped out..-Sam

“Mad Men.” I would play all the characters.

-Julia

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Will Rieke

February 14, 2014

SPORTS The Merionite Aces find spark after New Castle heartbreaker

Class of 2016 Up three points with just 30 seconds remaining in double overtime, the Aces were poised to top the undefeated New Castle Red Hurricane and stretch their winning streak to seven games.

With the Dawg Pound on its feet and ready to rush the floor, New Castle stormed down the court and found senior guard Drew Allen open in the corner. Allen drained the three and drew a foul, completing the devastating four-point play that put New Castle up by one. Allen’s clutch play secured their sweet revenge for the Red Hurricanes against an Aces team that took them out in last year’s state semifinal matchup.

In the first half, LM took advantage of New Castle’s tight man-to-man defense by having forwards senior Justin McFadden and junior Jule Brown handle the ball; the pair combined for 35 points during the game. Junior guard Corey Sherman struggled to get open shots as New Castle’s defensive philosophy limited the Aces’ three-point specialist.

Early in the fourth quarter, junior Nick Jones hit a big three to give the Aces the lead at 45-43. The two teams battled back-andforth throughout the quarter and dazzling Aces’ plays, like Jule Brown’s spinning lay-up, kept LM within striking distance. With the two teams tied on New Castle’s final possession, McFadden stepped in front of Red Hurricane senior Malik Hooker to draw a textbook charge and the game was headed for overtime.

But perhaps the devastating loss was just what the team needed.

In the first extra session, both defenses picked up the pressure and offense was at a premium. New Castle, how- The Aces gave their best performance of the season, leaving all they had on the floor for 40-plus minutes. ever, was able to pull ahead by four with Since the game, they have a newfound just under 30 seconds remaining. Folconfidence, winning seven straight lowing a gorgeous lay-up by McFadgames (at press time) and finding den, New Castle’s star guard and their themselves at a respectable 16-6. The best shooter Anthony Richards went to Aces exploited a newfound strength: line looking to ice the game, but missed their front line featuring McFadden the front end of the one-and-one. Brown and Brown. These two players have a proceeded to run the floor, scoring unique combination of size and speed through tight traffic, and after another that make them difficult for anyone to charge, this time taken by Sherman, the defend. In addition, their inside presDawg Pound was rocking and the game ence causes the defense to collapse was headed to a second OT. and creates wide-open shots from the The Aces seemed to finally break outside. The more touches Brown and loose in the second extended period; McFadden get, the better the Aces’ a spectacular up-and-under by junior Photos courtesy of Aces Hoops chances are to win. guard Steve Pendleton put the Aces Guard Corey Sherman (#11) rises above LM boys’ Basketball started the seaup four with just a minute to play. New New Castle’s Robert Natale for a shot. son by losing five of seven games. Since Castle then drew within three after making the slow start, their only loss has come at the hands of New one of two from the charity stripe; then came a Castle. If this high-level play continues, neither District 1 nor class costly Aces turnover, and New Castle’s Drew Allen, as we AAAA should take LM lightly as the postseason looms near. know, did the rest. In a matter of seconds, the squad from across the state had won their revenge.

LM Swim & Dive: “We Feel Good”

Noah Blodget & Duranya Freeman time didn’t even make it into the program,

Class of 2014 and as a result, this year’s qualifying times For swimmers, every day is a workout. have been made even faster.

There’s no getting out of the pool for a break Everyone on the team brings something a or stopping in the middle of a rep. All you little different to the deck. Talented distance can do is hang on with your fellow lane swimmers Anderer and junior Ailish Doughmates and hope to make it through the set. erty have both made consideration times in Though difficult practices aid in the team’s the 200 and 500 freestyle. Sophomore Sarah camaraderie, the fact that boys and girls Silberg is seconds away from the auto in swim together—something no other Lower the 200 IM and 100 butterfly, and freshman Merion sport can say—that is the driving Grace McKeon has come very close in both force behind the team’s unity. Each swimmer the 50 and 100 m freestyle events. Peng, a is co-coached by girls’ coach Katie Fitzger- strong and exemplary leader, is one of the ald and boys’ most diverse swimcoach Paul Spemers on the team, icher. These facas she is proficient tors combine to in all four strokes make the teams without a set spenot the boys’ or cialty. Freeman, who girls’ team, but runs cross–country the LM swim and outdoor track, team. swims alongside Every time McKeon in sprint you step into the freestyle. Ochroch, a natatorium, you Photo by Joanna Odorisio/staff very vocal swimmer, can feel the encan be heard from Senior captain Archie Millar shines in the thusiasm, led by across the natatorium 200-meter individual medley. captains Kathleen with her encouraging Peng, Arielle Anderer, Duranya Freeman, cheers.

Leah Ochroch, Robbie Warshaw, Archie The boys’ squad is led by what Speicher Millar, Tristan McConnell, and Gabriel calls the “dream team”—a senior foursome Perez-Lopez. The girls’ cheer is highlighted made up of all four captains. McConnell by a hip thrust towards the opposing team recently qualified for districts in the 100 m after a senior screams, “We feel good!” a breaststroke, and Warshaw will compete at tradition started when the current seniors Centrals in the same event. Millar swims were freshmen. The boys have a cult-like a variety of events and will have many to mantra: the infamous Calvin Coolidge. One choose from for Centrals. Freshman Max member stands on deck, while below in Roling has also had a big impact, coming the pool, his teammates huddle in a circle, within seconds of a district cut in two events swaying and murmuring the name of our and consistently coming first in several 30th president. At the end of the chant, the league meets. Junior Gus Daly is another member on deck will fall backwards into diverse swimmer, dominating not only in the waiting arms of his team members. The backstroke, but in butterfly and freestyle secret of Calvin Coolidge is one of the most as well. sacred traditions between the boys, revealed And we can’t forget about diving. Bronze only when they are seniors. state medalist Carolyn Howard is a top On meet day, every swimmer has three competitor, going undefeated in the Central goals: place high, swim a personal best, and League after overcoming a serious injury qualify for Centrals or Districts. In 2012, the this summer. Expect this junior to return to PIAA changed the qualification standards for the state competition.

Districts. Now, only 42 swimmers can swim Girls’ swim captain Anderer has a special each event. There are two times to aim for: request for the LM student body: “Come on the “Auto” cut, which guarantees a spot, and out to watch your Aces make a splash this the “Consideration” time, which means you Valentine’s Day Weekend during Central will be considered if not enough swimmers League Championships, our most exciting made the auto cut. However, nothing is set meet of the season!” in stone. Last year, some who made the “A”

Eric Goldberg

Ball for all

Class of 2015 LM is without a doubt a basketball school, but since the chances of making the Aces boys’ varsity basketball squad are pretty slim, the school has created the next best thing: intramurals. Intramurals gives those who aren’t on the varsity squad a chance to play basketball at LM. Starting in 1997, each winter every student has been given the opportunity to play on a basketball team at LM, and intramurals, which are run by history teacher Peter Dawson, have been a huge success. There are two leagues: the Pro League, full of high intensity, and the Rec League, for the players who are looking to have a good time, yet tough enough to not get embarrassed. Intramurals are an assemblage of around ten teams in each league, and each team has a captain who puts together their team of six to eight players. Every team gets to select their own jersey color, and each player gets to choose their own number. Every year, teams come up with funny or clever team names, however, Dawson tries to keep them G-rated because, “people can get offended.”

Dawson is in his 18th season as intramural commissioner. He typically referees the games along with Spanish teacher, Sean Capkin, who is now in his third season. For those who do not know these teachers, they are complete opposites. Capkin is laid back and quiet, while Dawson certainly makes his presence felt with emphatic, colorful calls, using many adverbs like, “#22 with the ‘obvious’ foul” or “#15 with the ‘solid’ push.”

I had the chance to sit down with both of them and although Capkin agreed with me, Dawson did not have any comment on his colorful calls. However, he did say, “I don’t anticipate, I react. Reffing is hard [and] I let the game decide who wins, not the reffing.”

According to Capkin, “Mr. Dawson likes to ‘T’ people up [when reffing]” (give out technical fouls). There are usually only three to four regular season games for each team because of the scheduling conflicts of the Downs Gym, since Dawson has to work the intramural season around the schedules of the five other LM

basketball teams.

There is generally a lot of skill on the court during intramural games and in turn, I considered what it would be like to pit the Aces boys’ junior varsity squad against an intramural allstar team, selected by Capkin and Dawson.

Capkin was all for it, commenting “I would love that!” I did not get an opportunity to sit down with JV head coach Will Carter, although

Photo by Larry Robinson/staff This year’s team jerseys sport a stylish logo.

I found Coach Downer and had a chance to propose the idea to him. Coach Downer was happy to see students playing basketball, and he was very impressed with the job that Dawson has done setting up the intramural league.

Downer thinks an all-star intramural team vs. the JV squad would be a great idea, and if the students would show support and watch the game, he would absolutely consider it.

Dawson’s prediction for this winter’s champion is Team OTF with players like Asim Robinson and Malik Ward. My prediction, on the other hand, is Shift Team, featuring a starting five who all played for the JV team last year. Says Juice-ity player David Bloom, “If you have never been to an intramural game, you should consider coming out. You will be surprised at how fun these games can be, and the players would appreciate the support.”

The excitement in LM intramural basketball continues to grow, and expect many more great seasons of high-quality competition.

2014 Intramural Standings (as of 2/4) Pro League

Rec League Black (2-0) OFT (2-0) Juice-ity (2-1) Blue Dream (1-1) Shift Team (1-1) Hi-Rollers (1-1) SharksonLeen (0-1) Dynasty (0-2) Honey Badgers (0-2)

Tropics (2-0) Toe Nails (2-0) Night Squirrels (1-1) ACES (0-2) Freshman (0-1) Warriors (0-1)

15

February 14, 2014

The Merionite Controversy haunts 2014 Winter Olmypics

Andrew McKinney

him at all on issues like gay rights,” says Marc Bennetts, Class of 2015 the author of Kicking the Kremlin, and an expert on Russian When it was announced that the 2014 Winter Olympics politics. “A rift with the West only makes him look stronger would be held in Sochi, Russia, many stared at their televisions at home,” Bennetts added. in confusion. Why were they so stunned?

Additionally, the menacing risk of violence from Sochi’s For one thing, it was the site of the games. The International bordering, impatient North Caucasus section may instigate Olympic Committee perplexed many fans with its decision to al- a great amount of tension and fear during the games. It is low the Black Sea resort town of Sochi to host Russia’s first-ever a severe apprehension that people both attending and comOlympic Games. Questions have circulated about the Games’ peting in the Games must be aware of. Chechen insurgent overwhelming $51 billion cost, the most in Olympic history and head Doku Umarov has advocated his Islamist units in the a price tag that, to date, has quadrupled adjacent North Caucasus Russia’s original evaluation. to focus on the Olympic Beyond the country’s financial isGames and instigate all sues, the competitors’ achievements the bloodshed they can. may be minimized by remonstrations The Olympics, as quoted regarding Russia’s latest anti-gay legisby Umarov, are happenlation. Russia triggered worldwide aning “on the bones of our ger last year when it approved a ruling ancestors, on the bones of outlawing “gay propaganda,” a commany, many dead Musprehensive phrase for any conduct that encourages homosexual- lims buried on the territory of our land on the Black Sea.” ity; the law carries a punishment of 15 days in prison. The bill As evidence that this risk is not futile, two males from the extended common demands for the boycott of the games due North Caucasus region recently masterminded fatal bombto its location, and while the IOC claims it is, “fully satisfied” ings in December throughout the town of Volgograd, which is that the regulation does not infringe upon the Olympic agree- the northeastern access to Sochi, and ultimately took 32 innoment, President Barack Obama still proclaimed that he would cent lives. As a result of these actions, Putin has arranged for not be appearing in Sochi. The president did, however, select two more than 30,000 police and central department troops to be openly homosexual former athletes and activists, tennis star Bil- placed within Sochi, in arguably the largest safety procedure lie Jean King and USA women’s hockey player Caitlin Cahow, in Olympic history. to attend in his place. Everyone will be watching to see how the The Russian president, firm on making the Sochi games police force and the International Olympic Committee react to successful, has already allocated a large budget to encourage anti-gay protests during the Olympics, especially a scheduled the idea that Russia’s tired, post-Soviet image in the world gay-pride demonstration in Sochi during the opening day of the will be revitalized. “Every leader has a mega-project,” said Olympic games.

Alexander Gentelev, director of a Sochi film, Putin’s Games.

It is not that Russian president Vladimir Putin will succumb to “For Putin it is the Olympics.” These games look to be very the disapproval he faces—in Russia, exposed disdain of homo- eventful, for not just the athletes’ achievements, but also the sexuality is still familiar. “Nothing the West says can influence tensions surrounding homosexuality and terrorism in Russia.

Geoffrey Kao

SPORTS

American Star Watch

J.R. Celski, short track skating

Celski left Vancouver in 2010 with two bronze medals and has been passed the torch from the retired Apolo Ohno as America’s fastest short track skater.

Celski will have his best opportunity at medals in the 1000m and 1500m.

Kelly Clark, snowboarding In her fourth Olympic appearance, Clark looks poised to add a third medal to her 2002 gold and 2010 bronze. At 30, Clark continues to shine, making the top of the podium at the World Cup at Copper Mountain in December 2013.

Steven Holcomb, bobsled Although struggling with an eye condition that left him almost blind, veteran Holcomb led the ‘Night Train’ to gold in Vancouver. Now, he’s back to pilot the ‘Night Train Squared’ in Sochi.

Julia Mancuso, alpine skiing Earning the 2006 giant slalom gold and 2010 silver in downhill and combined, Mancuso returns as the best American after superstar Lindsey Vonn dropped out for knee surgery.

Shaun White, snowboarding Arguably the most prominent American figure in this Olympics, the “Flying Tomato” will return to defend his back-to-back halfpipe gold.

Indoor track heats up after icy winter

Class of 2015 Although overshadowed by other winter sports, both girls’ and boys’ indoor track has enjoyed a quiet season of success. Senior captains David Bloom, Noah Shandelman, and Daniel Thames lead the boys’ squad, which has had a plethora of runners’ better personal records this season, including seniors Thames and Ian Diamond and sophomore Eli Shandelman. Junior Jonathan Perlman has already qualified for the state meet in the 3000m and the Meet of Champions in the mile.

Junior Frankie Tran medaled in Photo courtesy of the 60-yard dash and has come Jacob Van Houten, ‘13 Senior Ethan Timm rounds the extremely close several times

in other meets. Youth resonates throughout the team, with freshmen Josh Wren and David Mei showing potential for the future.

Perlman credits the boys success to increased focus and added strength work, noting, “We’ve really been more successful these last couple of years, but this year, the intensity has been something new, and something I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. Our added strength work certainly has also paid off.” Sprinting has improved this season, a credit to Coach Rowley, who was brought in before the season to coach the sprinters. The boys practice every day, rain or shine.

Intermingled between their neighborhood runs and track workouts are lifting sessions for the sprinters, during which they work on all parts of the body— arms, legs, and core.

The girls’ team is headed by its own senior cap-

tains: Hannah Schwartz, Brianna Conner, Morgan Buck, and Maddy McFarland. Conner has absolutely dominated the long jump and qualified for the Meet of Champs in the Aces’ first meet of the season. Vanessa Poe and McFarland have set personal records in the shot put and mile, respectively.

Junior Yael Dormont completed one of most thrilling races of the season, coming back from behind to pass a girl 10m ahead of her with just 20m to go. Like the boys’ team, the girls’ squad is heavily infused with youth. Sophomores Poe, Abby Ritterband, Amelia Carpenter, and Emma Ungar are just a few of the members that promise continued success.

Participation in girls’ track has increased over the past year and last season was the first that the Aces started attending meets in large numbers.

With determination and intense practices, the Aces continue to succeed. Talented youth on both teams seems to be a harbinger of continued improvement for Aces indoor track.

turn at Lehigh University

Freshman Grace McKeon

Sports Played: Swimming.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? To live underwater or fly.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?My pre-meet rituals are to watch Missy Franklin videos because she is my biggest inspiration.

Also, listening to music before a race really pumps me up (preferably Twenty One Pilots).

What is your favorite TV show?

The Big Bang Theory

Sophomore Maria King

Sports Played: Cross-country, indoor track, outdoor track.

What is your favorite type of candy?

Snickers.

What is the biggest misconception about your sport? That cross country or track is entirely an individual sport but really we are all a team and are always supporting each other.

What is your favorite part about Valentine’s Day? All the chocolate and candy!

Junior Senior Corey Sherman Tristan McConnell Sports Played: Basketball.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? I would want to travel through time to witness some of the past’s most historic events.

Do you have any pre-game rituals? I always put on my left shoe before my right.

What is your favorite TV show? Law and Order: SVU.

Sports Played: Swimming.

What is your favorite type of candy? Skittles.

What is the biggest misconception about your sport? That our hair turns green from being in the pool so much.

What is your favorite part about Valentine’s Day? Eating candy with Joanna Odorisio.

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February 14, 2014

SPORTS Aces Alumni: an interview with Jordan Wolf The Merionite

Jordan Wolf ‘10 stands alone in the LM record books as the most prolific player in Aces lacrosse history. Wolf broke nearly every record set by John Christmas and, following his senior season, he accepted a scholarship to play at Duke University. Heading into his final season at Duke, Wolf sat to reflect on his time at Duke and his lacrosse future.

Mitchell Gladstone ‘15: After so many hard years of work through club and high school lacrosse, and then two seasons at Duke in which you failed to capture the title, how rewarding was it to finally win the NCAA Championship at the end of last season, both as an individual and as a teammate?

Jordan Wolf ‘10: There are no words to describe winning the National Championship especially winning it in Philadelphia. Being able to celebrate with your teammates and seeing all your hard work pay off will be something I remember forever.

MG: With all of the personal accolades from first team preseason all-ACC this year, to second team all-America last season, to being a potential Tewaaraton award finalist at the end of this season, what helps you stay focused on team goals?

JW: I think after winning one championship you just get hungrier and want to win another. Our team as well as I have only one goal and that is to repeat.

MG: While the Dawg Pound at LM is great, Duke certainly has some of the most passionate fans in all of college sports. How do the fans compare and what impact do they have from your perspective as a player?

JW: In regards to basketball, both cheering sections are similar. The Cameron Crazies as well as the Dawg Pound are extremely loyal and enthusiastic. Lacrosse fans at Duke are far less significant providing

4:32

State championship qualifier Jonathan Perlman’s best indoor mile time

20

Number of swimmers & divers that have qualified for the Central League Championships

energy and support during our games. But I will never forget the energy and dedication that the Dawg Pound continues to embody each year (especially being a part of it my senior year at LM).

MG: Can you describe the impact that Head Coach John Danowski and the rest of the Duke coaching staff has had on your growth as a player since you got to Duke four years ago?

JW: I owe the Duke coaching staff the world in regards to my lacrosse but more importantly as a person. They have always challenged me to be the best I can be on and off the field.

MG: I know you were drafted 2nd overall in the 2014 Major League Lacrosse Draft by the Rochester Rattlers, but do you have any other plans for your future after you graduate from Duke in June?

JW: I have accepted a job at BNP Paribas in New York City which will allow me to play professional lacrosse on the weekends. I am very excited by both opportunies.

MG: Between playing three sports in high school and now into your fourth year at Duke, I’m sure you’ve had some exhilarating moments as a player. What was your favorite single moment and why?

JW: As I previously stated, there was no better moment in my entire athletic career than winning the National championship.

It is something I will remember forever and hopefully something we can do again this season.

At left: Jordan Wolf celebrates winning the 2013 NCAA Division I Lacrosse Championships. Right: Wolf ‘10 cradles the ball as a senior for the Aces.

46

Years that Mrs. Hoopes has been the girls’ track coach at LM

Photos courtesy of PhillyLacrosse.com

13

Finish position for the HLM boys’ squash team at Nationals

There’s no place like home:

Daniel Wilson

Does home-field advantage really make a difference?

Class of 2016 In every sport, at almost every level, teams are constantly fighting for top seeds during the regular season. Some might ask, “Why does it matter if the game is played under the same rules with the same teams and the same sport?” But anyone who has ever played sports or been to a sporting event held in a raucous environment knows that location and home-field advantage is everything.

For instance, during the 2013 Aces Basketball State Championship run, thanks to their second seed in the District 1 playoffs, LM got to play its first three district contests where it is most comfortable in the confines of the Kobe Bryant Gymnasium. The Dawg Pound provides a one-of-a-kind crowd advantage on a consistent basis, which also affects the game. Very often, you hear members of the basketball team say how encouraging and motivating it is to play in front of hundreds of their classmates cheering them on. Fan support makes an unbelievable difference, not only at LM, but also in many different sports across the world.

Fan-made atmospheres can change the course of any competition, immediately improving the morale and energy of the home team.

The most relatable home-field or court advantages come from college student sections across the country.

Many times when a college game is on TV, it’s easy to hear college kids screaming the same cheers as those of our Dawg Pound, such as “I Believe!” Duke University is home to its famous Cameron Crazies, an intensely passionate crew of basketball fans who are known for being loud and getting in the faces of any opponent that dares to step onto the floor of their arena. Any team playing in front of its noisy and faithful fans always seems to enjoy itself more, and its motivation to keep playing for its fans is off the charts.

Although they may not be rowdy college students, professional sports fans provide serious cheering as well. For example, the Seattle Seahawkss’ wildly zealous fan base is known as the 12th Man. Over the past two seasons, the Seahawks have gone 17-1 when they play in front of their home crowd, and in just the second season under quarterback Russell Wilson,

the 12th Man carried them all the way to New York City and victory in Super Bowl XLVIII on February 2 over the Denver Broncos. At their home stadium, CenturyLink Field, earlier this season, Seahawks fans set a Guinness World Record for noise at a sporting event with an ear-piercing 137.6 decibels of sound. During the same game after a fumble recovery, the 12th Man “registered about a magnitude 1 or 2 earthquake,” according to seismologists in the Seattle area.

Anyone who attends professional events here in Philadelphia knows that the Philly faithful provides tremendous support for their home teams. Lincoln Financial Field can hold over 68,000 screaming Eagles fans. On numerous occasions, the Phillies have thanked the fans for turning Citizens Bank Park into one of the best atmospheres in all of Major League Baseball. Of course, the Sixers and Flyers aren’t to be left out either, because whenever a big play or goal happens, the Wells Fargo Center rocks and there is an electric atmosphere throughout the building. Believe it or not, the smallest ounce of support from the home crowd can help the home team come out victorious. Even Las Vegas oddsmakers take home field into account; in almost every NFL game, the home team is given an automatic 3-point advantage on the betting line.

We, the fans, really can make an impact on any sporting event. I’m Art by Galen McMullen/Staff sure the LM basketball players can attest to what a good feeling it is to have the Dawg Pound screaming at the top of its lungs, its members giving every last thing they have to help them win. Be it against an undefeated, top-ranked opponent on the ropes at home or in a gym full of opposing fans far away from home, it has to be comforting as a player to know that your fans have your back. So, the next time you question whether you want to go to a LM game, remember that your presence truly