October 2012

October 19, 2012

Volume 84, Issue 4

Police Officer shot by LM graduate Emily Manin

The official student newspaper of Lower Merion High School since 1929

Downer inducted into Hall of Fame

Class of 2015

Officer Bradley Fox of Plymouth Township was shot and killed on September 13 as he chased Andrew C. Thomas on foot through the Schuylkill Trail. Officer Fox became the first Plymouth Township officer killed in the line of duty.

Subsequent to shooting the officer, Thomas, who had a lengthy criminal record and would most likely receive a life sentence, apparently turned the gun on himself. Andrew Thomas, 44, of Bala Cynwyd, was an alumnus of the LM Class of 1986.

In 1999, Thomas’s former girlfriend vanished, and Thomas became a prime suspect. He was in prison for counterfeiting, and was also facing the consequences for forging grocery store gift certificates. According to one of Thomas’s friends, he had promised himself that he would not return to prison.

At around six PM on that fateful autumn day, Thomas proceeded to expand his criminal record with further unlawful conduct. He was driving a stolen Infiniti SUV when he encountered a traffic jam due to a car accident on East Ridge Pike.

According to witnesses,

See SHOOTING, page 2

LM program reaches out to minorities Shreya Dundumalla

Class of 2015 The Minority Achievement Program, better known as MAP, is an organization directed by Dr. Debra Hobbs. This program, offered exclusively at LM, invites Latino, Hispanic, and AFricanAmerican students to participate. A successful offering run by MAP is the Collegiate Lecture Series.

According to Dr. Hobbs, the MAP program is incredibly beneficial to students, helps improve an individual’s GPA, celebrates the expertise of the teachers in the building and looks spectacular on college applications.

But what exactly is the MAP program and its goals? MAP strives to close the achievement gap and appropriately place underrepresented students in challenging academic environments with supports for success. There are two sides to this program: “Sociocultural” and “Cognitive.”

The Sociocultural Program takes place during advisory and has three main goals: developing leadership skills, preparing students for college and helping students become more efficient learners. The program contains many activities that include, but are

See MAP, page 2

Photo courtesy of Efi Narfiolis/Staff

Coach Downer boasts 407 wins, 180 losses, and two state championships in his 22 year career at LM.

Zay Smolar

Class of 2015

On Tuesday, October 9, LM’s Gregg Downer was be inducted into the 11th class of the Montgomery County Coaches Hall of Fame.

With Downer, LM’s former coach, the late Bill Anderson will also be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Together, these two legendary coaches have amassed six state championships and 753 wins, and helped to stimulate high school basketball in eastern Pennsylvania.

Downer began his remarkable career at LM 22 years ago at the age of 26, fresh out of Lynchburg College where he played basketball.

“I started coaching after college at my alma mater Penncrest, I liked working with kids and trying to help them better their lives, and 23 years later I am still doing it,” said Downer.

Since then, he has established himself as one of the most respected high school coaches in the area, shattering Anderson’s record of 346 wins in 2010. Downer has a remarkable record of 407 wins and 180 losses, two state championships, four state title appearances, and ten

state playoff appearances. He was named the 2006 PA coach of the year by the Associated Press, and over 20 of his players have gone on to play Division I, Division II, Division III, and even professional basketball at the highest level.

One of many great aspects of Downer’s coaching career is his interest in many different teams and sports, not just the basketball team.

“He wants everybody to be involved in the school. Whether it’s getting kids to come out to the Dawg Pound or his speech to the girls soccer team last year…he gets involved…he’s a big part of what is going on in the school community,” explained Athletic and Activities Director Don Walsh.

Last winter, hundreds of students piled onto school buses to attend many far away playoff games - and even the state championship, which was over three hours away at Penn State University.

This school-wide, dedication to the LM basketball team epitomizes Downer’s unstoppable connection and unwavering involvement with the school and its student body.

See DOWNER, page 2

School foods drastically downsized Larry Robinson

Class of 2014

Have you noticed the cafeteria’s chicken tender portions getting cut in half? The hoagie sizes getting smaller? The pizzas now being cut into tenths instead of eighths? All of these changes are part of new federal regulations for the entire district’s school lunch system regarding portion size and calorie intake due to the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, ratified in 2010.

LMSD’s Director of Nutritional Services Karen Castaneda explains, “This is the first year of the new regulations under the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act. It is a year of change and transition, and we are working to ensure that we are providing what we need to meet the new regulations. We want to make sure that our students are satisfied and have healthy choices that they can enjoy.”

The act is a part of Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” program to target childhood obesity, and has been issued to all of the nation’s public schools receiving free and reduced lunch funds from the government. In a five to ten year process b e g i n ning this year, portion sizes are limited, calories are reduced, sodium is moderated, and healthy options - such as whole-wheat bread, fruits and vegetables - will become more and more encouraged. For example, while a “meal” ($3.50 lunch) last year only required 3/5 of the basic food groups, now at least

Photo courtesy of Efi Narfiolis/Staff

Students can attribute the downsizing of portions to Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move“ program.

See FOOD, page 3

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October 19, 2012

NEWS

The Merionite

LM grad shoots police officer From SHOOTING, page 1

Thomas swerved into the opposite lane and snagged a Chrysler sedan.

Officer Fox, who had been at the scene of the major car accident, spotted the sedan and decided to trail Thomas, only to find his abandoned SUV on the edge of Ernest Station Road, by the river trail. Officer Fox and his police dog, Nick, took off in search of Thomas. Thomas was hiding above the trail among ungroomed foliage, just out of Fox’s sight.

According to Montgomery County Coroner Walter Hoffman, both men fired; Fox was fatally shot in the head, and Thomas in the chest. It appears that to end his agony and life of crime, Thomas fired a second shot into his own chest, but investigators continue to gather more evidence.

Officer Fox was found and hurried to Montgomery Hospital, where he died shortly after.

As for the police dog, he was grazed by a bullet on the leg, and is recovering well. It appears that

Thomas was working solo. Hoffman confirms that there were “just two people: the officer and the perpetrator. There’s no third party.”

34-year-old Officer Fox had a wife and a young daughter, with a second child on the way.

He was a loving father and a dedicated police officer that loved his country. This was his seventh year as a police officer, after serving as a Marine in Iraq.

Friday, September 14 was a tearful day for all who knew Officer Fox, as they gathered in his home in Gilbertsville to mourn and to collect donations to support his young family.

District Attorney Risa Ferman stated, “There are just no words to express the magnitude of this tragedy for Officer Fox’s family, for his wife, for his beautiful little girl, his law enforcement family and the Plymouth Police Department and the entire Montgomery County law enforcement family and community. When I said to you he was a hero, I meant that.”

Downer inducted into Hall of From Hall of Fame, page 1

Because of Downer’s and Anderson’s combined success as coaches and the LM community’s dedication to athletics, LM has become recognized as one of the top athletic programs in the state.

“We are underscoring two of the great high school athletic programs in the entire state [LM and North Penn] by honoring two inductees from each,” said Selection Committee Chairman Tom Catagnus.

“It reinforces what our coaches are doing with their teams, and that [we are] being recognized for it,” added Walsh.

Not only is this award a great accomplishment for the athletic program, but also it is a huge achievement for the LM community in general. This award signifies that the school and its extracurricular programs are thriving. Walsh added, “And again this [LM and its extracurricular programs] is something being recognized outside of our walls and our community.”

Throughout the years Downer has coached and helped many students, and has worked with and learned from many other coaches. To be inducted into the Hall of Fame each coach must be nominated by others, so this award came as a surprise to Downer.

“It feels good to be inducted; I was not expecting it. So many players and coaches of mine helped to make this honor possible,” Downer explained.

This feeling extends to others, like Don Walsh, who said, “It’s a great feeling to know that one of the coaches who has helped our school and our community so much is able to be honored in this fashion.”

Even after this great achievement for Downer and the community, the LM athletic program’s goals remain pretty much the same.

“As always, we go out there and compete to the best of our ability, and our fans and our players go and uphold sportsmanship,” said Walsh.

With a whole season of basketball just waiting for him, Downer wants to keep coaching as he has in the past. “I just want to have a positive impact on kids and have some fun along the way,” commented Downer.

Achievement Program From MAP, page 1

not limited to: college visits to upper tier schools, student presentation in the Delaware Valley, Minority Student Achievement Consortium, time to meet with administrators to discuss school change, and guest speakers who are highly motivational, like “Kick Off Speaker” of the Collegiate Lecture Series Dr. Derrick Pitts, Chief Astronomer for the Franklin Institute. He is an internationally acclaimed African American astronomer. The other side to MAP is the study in the five subjects: English, History, Math, Science and World Language. The students are then scheduled with a MAP teacher in the appropriate course. This teacher meets with the students to dicuss individual progress in addition to teaching the general curriculum.

The academic program contains the Collegiate Lecture Series, Mentorship Program and Collaborative Challenge Program. The Collegiate Lecture Series trains the learner to listen effectively and take notes in an organized manner.

The Mentorship Program provides tutoring, assistance, access to college, career preparation, role models and support to avoid negative behavior. In the Collaborative Challenge Program, once a cycle students builds up literary skills, go deeper into core content area concepts and improve critical thinking skills.

English teacher Trish Schuller, a leader of one of the teams where the majority of the 9th grade MAP students are placed, said, “I think the MAP program will only grow stronger under Dr. Hobbs. She has a clear vision for where we need to go and how to get us there. I have been part of MAP since it began and I have seen it positively influence students who participate. I think any extra support and attention we can remind teachers to give to students will benefit them.” When interviewed, Dr. Hobbs noted, “My experiences with MAP have been personally and professionally rewarding because I have the unique opportunity to impact the educational journey of marginalized voices.”

Overall, MAP is an excellent program that benefits each and every student that becomes a part of it. Some students that have benefited from the program are past LM graduates Danielle Muse, Selema Hall and Cydni Walker (who got a full four-year scholarship to college). If you are interested in joining, you must have a GPA of at least 2.75 and a score of at least 50 on the Directed Reading Program Test, better known as the DRP Test. Dr. Hobbs can be found in room 331 if you have any further questions.

Salmonella threat in Trader Joe’s peanut butter Julia Bell

Class of 2015

far, no one has died. However, cases from August 30 and earlier may not have been reported because the cause had not yet been discovered.

This was almost a full two months before the recall, so the salmonella could actually be much more widespread than believed.

The CDC compared all patients who were stricken with the illness and traced it back to the peanut butter, thus prompting the recall.

The outbreak traced back to Sunland Inc., the manufacturer, and included various other nut products in addition to peanut butter.

Further investigation prompted Sunland to recall a total of around 240 products. So far, only two cases of salmonella from the spread have been found in Pennsylvania, but Trader Joe’s has recalled it as a precautionary measure.

The only code date of the peanut butter in Trader Joe’s was for September 24, 2013, so the recall, “wasn’t difficult,” said Allen, a Trader Joe’s worker in Ardmore. “No one has reported any cases [of salmonella] in our store to me so far. If you have it in your house you can turn in it for a refund or destroy it, but be careful with it.”

Photo courtesy of Efi Narfiolis Salmonella is generally caused by animal feces accidentally comPeanut Butter sits menacingly on the shelves at Trader Joe’s. ing into contact with food. In this case, the contamination occurred because of “objectionable conditions,” according to Food and Drug Administration. SalmoTrader Joe’s is a popular destination to buy organic food and try free samples, but nella symptoms are usually diarrhea, fever, and cramps. These symptoms usually an unwanted visitor has unfortunately snuck in with the masses of delicious food. go away untreated, so it’s hard to say how many are affected. In extreme, but rare, The store has recently recalled its Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter because cases, salmonella can cause death. of a salmonella threat. Trader Joe’s issued a voluntary recall of the product on So far, the disease hasn’t done that much damage, but Trader Joe’s isn’t out of the September 22, and Sunland Inc., the producer of the peanut butter, recalled it two woods yet; new cases in different areas are still being linked to the tainted peanut days later. According to the Center for Disease Control, there have been a total of butter despite the recall, and Trader Joe’s and Sunland Inc. will have to wait for thirty outbreaks of salmonella with four hospitalizations in 19 different states. So the strain to run its course before moving on from the outbreak.

October 19, 2012

3

The Merionite

Sophomores and Juniors take PSATs Divya Arya

Class of 2015

The importance of the Scholastic Assessment Test, or the SAT, is irrefutable for students nationwide. The SAT is a contributing factor to college admissions and is designed to test knowledge by evaluating how well one knows concepts and thinks analytically. But the PSAT — for freshmen and seniors — is that amazing day for extra sleep. The rest of the school has received mixed answers on the importance of this long, confusing, seemingly pointless test.

The Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test is intended to serve as a practice SAT. It offers a crucial preview of the official test; students have a chance to learn the types of questions and the level of difficulty.

Guidance counselor Bridget Hull said, “The importance of the PSAT is to give students the opportunity to practice the SAT Reasoning test, to become familiar with the types of questions on the exam, the format, et cetera. Usually the more practice a student has the better their performance on the SAT.” Colleges do not look directly at your PSAT score, but they are interested in how well you did. The National Merit Scholarship offers extremely prestigious scholarships, very

valuable to your resume and college tuition, to students who score well on the PSAT. Of the 1.5 million entrants, some 50,000 students with the highest PSAT scores receive Program Recognition. For these 50,000 students, there are several levels of awards, including Program Recognition, Commended Student (top 34,000), Semi-Finalist (top 16,000), Finalist (15,000 selected semi-finalists), and Winners (8,300 selected Finalists). The prizes awarded include many scholarships presented by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and colleges themselves as well as high prestige.

When asked whether students should study for the PSAT, Ms. Hull said, “Whether a student should study for the PSAT? I have mixed feelings about that. If students want to possibly be considered for a National Merit Scholarship in their junior year for college, then I would say study for the PSAT, since that’s the only score that is considered for scholarship, if not, then they don’t necessarily need to study for it.”

Knowing the importance of standardized tests and scores is important for every student, whether they chose to study for the PSAT or not. Either way, October 17 was a big day for our juniors and seniors!

Cafeteria portions slimmed down From CAFETERIA, page 1

one fruit or vegetable is mandatory.

Only standard “meal” items are currently involved in the program, but over time more and more items will be evaluated and regulated in size and ingredients. Though this year they are not affected, next year, the plan calls for a la carte items, such as drinks, to be implemented.

“This is a new program that has a large effect on many people,” said Cafeteria Complex Manager Brian Watts. “There is going to be a learning curve for the decision makers [politicians]; revisions will be made in the future.”

Many LM students are slowly but surely realizing these drastic changes. However, in spite of a letter sent home to each LMSD family this summer, hardly anybody is aware of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act itself and its implications. Students are beginning to formulate opinions.

“Up until now I never knew why the portions were smaller,” said junior Tyler Metz, “but now that I know, I am enraged that I don’t get to eat as much for this reason. Everyone should be well-fed, and that doesn’t mean we should have less food.”

Talia Siegler, also a junior, remarked, “I’ve noticed that the portion sizes in our cafeteria have gotten smaller and although I’ve never heard of this act, I support what they’re doing strongly because it teaches kids about portion sizes and values our nutrition and health.”

The act is stirring controversy across the nation, including Republican antagonism, student protests and even a viral YouTube parody changing the words to the song “We Are Young” by the popular musical group FUN into “We Are Hungry.” Adversaries claim that the act fails to account for varying activity levels, dietary requirements and growth among students of a given age. A common argument is that students cannot pay attention due to overwhelming hunger.

“Because I don’t get enough food anymore during lunch, in my afternoon classes I’m

always hungry and I can’t focus,” said junior Adam Holtz.

Another argument against the smaller food portions this year is that athletes need to take in more calories to perform at a high level after school. Many LM athletes report keeping snacks for practice.

Junior Billy Buckman, a member of the LM football team, commented, “[Our] team doesn’t get out of practice until seven p.m. and we need enough energy to get us through it.

The smaller portions that are now in the cafeteria aren’t cutting it.

Now I have to buy two of everything for lunch in order to hold me over.”

Despite the criticism, the nutrition personnel keep a positive outlook for the school and district.

“It is in the best interest in the health and well-being of our children,” affirmed Castaneda. “Our goal is to ensure that our students are well-fed, and feel that there are several healthy options that meet their needs in the cafeteria.”

Watts agreed, “It is in the best interest in the children, to learn how to eat healthy portion sizes for the rest of their lives.”

As students come to realize the measures behind the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, perhaps they may also begin to show support.

“The act seems like a good idea to try and counter childhood obesity in school,” said senior Jess Shander. “Although the portions are smaller, I think it’s just enough food to energize students to get through the rest of their classes.”

Regardless, it is inevitable that the new Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act will have a monumental impact on student life in the cafeteria.

For more information, you can search “Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act” online, or even email Castaneda at castank@lmsd.org.

“We would love to have input from our students if there are menu items that [you] would like us to provide,” she says.

In spite of a letter sent home to each LMSD family this summer, hardly anybody is aware of the Healthy HungerFree Kids Act itself and its implications.

NEWS

NEWS IN BRIEF Whole Foods expansion planned for 2015 The news of a new Whole Foods supermarket has every environmentalist, vegetarian, and health-nut brimming with excitement. Its location, around the corner from the current Whole Foods on Wynnewood Road, will be furnished with new technologies and café areas. Customers will not only be able to shop for groceries, but also to sit down and enjoy a hearty meal. At three times the size of the current store, the new building will take up a whopping 45,000 square feet. The new Whole Foods will host weekly farmer’s markets in the parking lot, hoping to promote local farmers and build community. Half of this parking lot will be located under the store, equipped with “cartolators” elevators for carrying customers’ full carts from the upper level. The target opening of the new Whole Foods supermarket is summer or fall of 2015. So to all of you organiclovers out there, get your recyclable supermarket bags out. The new Whole Foods is almost here!

—Talia Siegler, ‘14

Narberth Avenue Bridge Closed for Maintanence The Narberth Avenue Bridge was expected to reopen in early October after a closing of around six weeks. During this time, the bridge could only be used by pedestrians walking on the road in the center of the bridge. The bridge was inspected and repaired, as it was last autumn, as part of a build-up to construction that is anticipated to begin in January 2014.

P ro j e c t Eng i n e e r Jo h n Fi t z s i m m o n s re p o r ted finding both floor beams with holes and b e a m s w i t h m a j o r s e c t i o n l o s s, w h i c h m a n y Na r b s c a n b e l i e v e g i v e n t h e c o n s t a n t c re a king and moving of these beams in recent years.

Th e b r i dg e wa s e x p e c t e d t o re o p e n f o r t h e fourteen-month interlude between this repair and the full construction that will start in 2014 to help the stores of Narberth. The borough is very concerned about this; there is a sign on the south side of the Narberth Avenue Bridge to remind drivers that all Narberth stores remain open for business.

The 2014 construction is being meticulously planned during this period as well. A temporary pedestrian bridge is to be twenty feet west of the current, 110-year-old bridge during the first period of the construction. The new bridge will have larger sidewalks than the last, around six feet wide, which although more unattractive, will be more safe than the old sidewalks.

LM students and residents are encouraged to continue shopping in Narberth, but should plan alternative routes for driving while the bridge will be periodically closed.

—Maddy McFarland, ‘14

Recent robberies scare residents On Thursday, September 20 the LM Police Department renewed a call for all residences to immediately report any suspicious activity going on around them due to multiple burglaries in one neighborhood on the same day.

On September 13 burglars broke into three different Bala Cynwyd homes throughout the day. A h ou s e a c ro s s t h e s t re e t f ro m s o p h o m o re Da i sy Diamond was robbed around midday as well.

The retired couple living in this house was away on vacation at the time. By the time the police had been called and showed up the robbers were gone. They have still not been caught. “ T h e c o u p l e t u r n e d o u t t o b e f i n e. T h a n kfully nothing was taken of sentimental value, just some jewelry and things like that. I’m sure they’re pretty freaked out though,” said Diamond.

There was also an attempted break in at a fourth home in the area. In the same week, three other neighborhoods were also robbed, including Penn Wynne, Haverford, and Merion Station. The LMPD wishes all residents of LM to keep a close eye out for more strange activities.

—Maddie Schaeffer, ‘15

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October 19, 2012

The Merionite

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL/LETTERS

Freeing up our frees

Shouldn’t high school be preparing us for our post-scholastic years and the inherent freedoms associated with adulthood? Rather than being treated as mature 17 and 18-year-olds who have earned the right to campus privileges, we are being treated to an over-glorified elementary school recess period. Seniors are forced to “sign-in” to the cafeteria, hoarded into the library and atrium, and restricted from leaving the campus. A full complement of campus aides and over a hundred cameras ensure that we stay within our carefully penned boundaries. Not only is the basis of this policy flawed; but also it negates the meaning of the word, “free.”

One of the arguments against an open campus is the idea that it would be a disruption to the security of the school. This problem has already been solved in that we have only one school entrance during the day. The fact that all exiting and entering students leave through one door easily solves whatever qualms there are with security. Why not even put in a “security-desk” at the front to ensure that no real threats enter the school?

Another argument against open campus is that the school would be held responsible for anything that might go wrong while a student is off campus. That is a reasonable concern considering how prone to lawsuits our community is.

An easy solution to this potentially sticky legal area is having all students who wish to leave campus (and their guardians) sign a liability release waiver.

LM needs to acknowledge that Chipotle and Wawa bound students are already escaping the supposed “airtight” security. The school is currently liable should anything happen to these students. This is because LM is current responsible for ensuring that students remain on site. As such, it would be more practical for the administration to abandon its failed effort to keep all students on campus.

Most LM students are destined for college or the workforce in the near future, yet we have been made to live within the confines of a policy that is built for juveniles. The “free-less free” upsets us, the students who should be able to use our time however we wish; it upsets the administration, who have to discipline kids for a misguided rule; it upsets the librarians and campus aides who have effectively become babysitters of adults. An open campus would solve this situation, and make all parties involved much happier.

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

The Merionite Editors-in-Chief

Aviva Mann, ’13 Rebecca McCarthy, ’13

Managing Editor

Margaret Meehan, ‘13

Content Manager

Noah Levick, ’13

News Editors

Ma’ayan Doron, ’14 Maddy McFarland,’14 Haorui Sun,’14

Op-Ed Editors

Itai Barsade, ’13 Duranya Freeman, ’14 Andrew Scolnic, ’14

Features Editors

Ilana Nathans, ’14 Nicole Wang, ’13 Robbie Warshaw, ’14

Copy Editors

Darby Marx, ’13 Jane Urheim, ’13

Sports Editors James Johnston, ‘13 Sigmund Lilian, ’13 Blayne Yudis, ’13 Arts & Kara Boutselis, ’13 Entertainment Moriah Kofsky, ’14 Editors Photo Editor Efi Narliotis, ’13 Layout Editor Robert Zhou, ’13 Web Editor Kei Nakagawa, ’13 Business Haydn Hornstein-Platt, ’13 Managers Daoud Schelling, ’13 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

Dear Editor, I am very intrigued by Divya Arya’s current piece, (ed. in the Op-Ed section)“Sustain Aid: Obtain Peace.” While I recognize her thought process and understand her arguments, I strongly disagree with the idea that America should be a piggy bank for every country in the world to take pieces of. Rather, I feel that our country should be more of a venture capital firm, investing only in countries that can be partners in advancing our goals.

There is a lot of debate around America’s foreign aid program–and rightfully so. Some argue that with our country in such dire financial straits, we should not issue any financial aid at all. Others would like to see the program greatly scaled back.

I’m not sure either of those solutions would work, but I do think that we should re-examine whether or not our country should support regimes that do not further our interests. In Ms. Arya’s article, she rhetorically asks, “How can we keep supporting Middle Eastern countries when they are storming our embassies and killing our people over an uninformed video?” To me, the answer to this question is self-explanatory. While Ms. Arya goes on to lament about how people have died to fight for freedom from oppressive regimes, she misses the ugly yet vital point: Why should the United States care? If our interests were at stake and we saw regimes in Libya and Egypt as a threat to our security, and the security of our allies in the European Union and Israel, then, perhaps, aid would be warranted. But the truth is–stop here if you wish to live in some sort of world completely devoid of gray areas–an oppressive dictatorship is not always the worst thing for a country. It is no business of ours to be meddling in another country’s internal affairs unless it directly affects our interests. If we did that, what is the UN for? Why don’t we let the whole world decide what is right and what is wrong? More pertinently, why should we ever support a country that assassinates American diplomats? We should replace foreign aid to Libya and all other countries that do not at least respect our nation with Non Governmental Organizations that would eliminate the government from the process and ensure that the donations go directly from people to people.

Another part of Ms. Arya’s piece that is lost on me is her idea that “America needs to support these fledgling governments so that they may grow to prosper… the people of these nations hunger for democracy and continue to fight for it, but they simply do not have the means.” Why do we need to do this? What’s in it for us? Why can’t NGO’s, which are inherently focused on non-governmental policy, handle these problems? We have absolutely no business dealing with radicals, period. As a government, we simply cannot make sure our financial resources are being used effectively and that they do not end up in the wrong hands. Need we look any further than Osama bin Laden, whose military training was paid for by Operation Cyclone? This was an attempt for America to support rebels against the “oppressive” Democratic Republic of Afghanistan, which had support from the Soviets. The consequences were dire, and we have no reason to believe a similar situation couldn’t happen again. Our government cannot be this reckless in distributing our foreign aid. Lastly, Ms. Arya’s attempt to connect these struggles to the American Revolution are simply futile. While we could not have achieved freedom from Britain without help of France, comparing foreign policy in the 18th Century to foreign policy in 2012 is useless. The advances in technology, strategy, technique and communication make the over 200 year difference between our struggle with a government thousands of miles away and the present-day drama in the Middle East simply incomparable.

I appreciate the opportunity to write and stay involved in the paper and school that meant so much to me over the last 4 years of my life.

Best, Danny Kane Class of 2012

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October 23, 2012

OPINIONS

The Merionite

Question of the Month

What is the most embarrassing costume you’ve ever worn on Halloween?

A hobo selling fish on a stick.

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Sofia Barrett, ‘15

In fifth grade I decided to be George W. Bush, and I got one of those scary masks and a clown nose and wore boxers.

Needless to say it was a little uncomfortable walking around the track during the Cynwyd Halloween parade in that attire.

Kara Boutselis, ‘13

When I was two years old I was a bumble bee for Halloween. Apparently when I looked in the mirror I burst into tear. My mom spent hours explaining that I was the bee, and it was nothing to be afraid of... but I never understood and I ended up wearing an old pumpkin costume.

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I was really into wolves as a kid, so for three consecutive years in elementary school I was a werewolf. But each year I would also wear a clip-on bow-tie with my costume so people would know I was a classy wolf and not a savage.

Joanna Odorisio, ‘14

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Short shorts, a soccer jersey, and a fake mustache.

Will Rosenbaum, ‘15 King Achashverosh.

Brock Ladenheim, ‘13

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I was a washing machine and Darby was a laundry basket... but that was more like the most AWESOME Halloween costume.

Julia Spandorfer, ‘13

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In 5th grade I was the Pillsbury DoughI was a Chinese policeman boy for Halloween...everybody kept trying for four straight years... I looked to poke my stomach. it up, and yes, it was specifically Allison Rothschild, ‘13 a Chinese uniform.

Segev Yarden, ‘13

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Obi Wan Kenobi…Five years straight.

Steven Hoffman, ‘14

I dressed up as a pumpkin wearing an orange wig and ran around the streets.

Adam Freedman, ‘15

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College (not so) confidential: anxiety plagues seniors

The next time somebody asks me where I want to go to college I’m going to Class of 2013

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When I was about 5 years old my parents bought me a pumpkin costume. The only problem was that I lost the hat and the black felt face pieces fell off so I was just a walking orange ball I once dressed up as a taxidermied deer Jenny Tsai, ‘14 head. I strapped a real pair of antlers to my head and wore a plaque around my neck. I In the 7th grade my friends thought I looked really good, but I think a lot and I were the Teletubbies, of people were offended. complete with stomach TV’s Dan Clark, ‘13 and antennas.

I was toast.

Efi Narliotis, ‘13 In fifth grade my friends Jess Hoffman, ‘13 and I were characters from Napoleon Dynamite. I was All Arts by Galen McMullen French Toast and Pedro, Margaret Meehan was Grapes with Natalie.

Deb. Maddy

Aviva Mann, ‘13 Mcfarland, ‘14

“

I was a Panda.

Jackie Hao, ‘14

” “ “ ”

I wore a traditional Chinese hat with a built in ponytail.

Tony Gu, ‘14

”

Erm, I dunno but maybe a batman costume from when I was in pre-school. :P Aaron Li, ‘15

A Goth version of Belle from “Beauty and the Beast.

Adrienne Rose, ‘15

“

“

”“

I was Darth Vader two years in a row in 3rd and 4th grade. A lot of people thought I was a boy... awkward.

Emma Gogarnoiu, ‘15

“

“

I cut a big piece of cardboard into a Ushape and then spray painted it to look like a magnet (red tips and silver). Then I glued little yellow pom-poms to it--and I was a chick magnet. Yes, in 7th grade I was getting allllllll the ladies come Halloween time.

Andy Scolnic, ‘14

Maddie McComb

scream. I realize the hypocrisy of this statement—I’m as guilty as anyone of talking about college too much. I’ve never gone a day without asking people where they’re applying Early Decision, whether they’ve finished their Penn State application, or if they think the teacher strike is going to affect the recommendations. It’s gotten to the point where I have

anxiety about other people’s decisions.

While I am obsessed—I’m merely one of many.

I was surprised when I found out people at other s c h o o l s d o n ’t face this same problem. They still have applications, the stress of too many AP classes, and the nearly impossible task of trying to balance school and a semblance of a social life; they just don’t talk about it. They don’t compare their personal statements like my Biology class did a couple of weeks ago. They don’t try to compile a list of every student applying to the University of Pennsylva-

nia Early Decision and then try to figure out who has the best shot. As I’m writing this article my friend is telling me her list of colleges and asking whether she has enough safety schools.

On one hand, this normalizes the process and reassures seniors that we are all experiencing the same crushing pressure. On the other hand, it takes the already hyper-competitive process and puts it on over-drive, the mania of my classmates feeding my own obsessive tendencies. The misguided belief that we can strategize, game the system, and figure out that four other people are ap-

The misguided belief that we can strategize, game the system...it isn’t healthy. It isn’t helpful.

plying to Michigan Early and they all have better SATs scores but I’m the president of six clubs and have a perfect GPA therefore I have the best chance but one of my classmates is a legacy and another is getting recruited — it isn’t healthy. It isn’t helpful. Sadly, this crazed logic is discussed in hushed tones in the library almost every day at LM. None of this will matter in the long run. They will tell us we’ll all get in somewhere; next year we will all go off to college and be absurdly happy.

But for now, we’re smothered. I’m not naïve enough to believe that one Op-Ed will reverse the way our school community approaches the college process.

I’m simply calling upon my fellow seniors to chill out—if students at other schools can survive without obsessing, so can we.

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October 19, 2012

OPINIONS

The Merionite Candy, costumes, and culture

Arman Hassan

Although Halloween practices like “trick-ortreating” have originated in countries besides America, there are still other countries that aren’t so familiar with the holiday. I myself came from a culture with a baffled background of Halloween.

I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Down South, there is a heavy sense of holiday spirit for Halloween. I used to go to a Catholic school (even though I’m not Catholic) where Halloween was a time of festivity in the classroom.

Parties were thrown in class, little Halloweenthemed toys were handed out, and we would all dine upon some beautifully crafted Halloween-themed pastries. All the time, I was so confused. What was all of this?

What was this “trick-or-treating” that all the kids spoke of?

To compound my cultural confusion, I was brought up with Bangladeshi cultural views by my two Bangladeshi parents.

Bangladesh is one of the few countries that doesn’t practice almost any of the same holiday traditions known in America. We don’t really celebrate Christmas, since a majority of our population is Muslim. We don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day, since such lovey-dovey fervor is shunned in our culture. We don’t celebrate any of the American patriotic holidays—President’s Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day—they don’t apply for traditional Bangladeshis. We hardly celebrate anything, albeit there are groups of Americanized Bangladeshi families that do celebrate some of these holidays. But Halloween is almost unknown to traditional Bangladeshis, and that’s the view my parents were imparted with. That’s probably one of the reasons I didn’t go trick-or-treating as a kid. My parents didn’t know what “trick-or-treating” was, and probably thought it was dangerous to let a kid go out alone at night on the streets of New Orleans. They were never truly against Halloween—they just simply didn’t know what it was. We would just turn off our lights, or leave a bucket of candy outside to satisfy the masses.

Then I moved to Lower Merion at the tender age of 7. That’s when the whole acculturation process began in terms of Halloween. I first trick-or-treated in the third grade. I was not dressed in any costume and my dad drove me between the individual houses. I didn’t know we had to dress in costume. I decided that next year Halloween ought to be better. The following year, I watched The Fairly OddParents Halloween special, the Jimmy Neutron Halloween special, and practically every other Halloween special in the month of October. When the 31st rolled by, I dressed as a vampire and went with my sister and her friends. I was starting to get the hang of Halloween. At this point, the Cynwyd Elementary Halloween Parade seemed to be one of the most awesome and righteous events of the year. In the fifth grade, I dressed as a vampire again…and again almost every year until ninth grade. Finally ninth grade came, and I went with a bunch of friends. I was a Halloween master by that point— and I knew I had to find a posse of friends to maximize the amount of candy I’d get.

I just put on a mask—because a costume would weigh me down—and began the most intense reign of trickor-treating ever. I struggled to carry trash bags worth of candy as we, the glorious trick-or-treat warriors, reaped the spoils of victory all night long.

Then came tenth grade— this was the first year that homework began to get in the way of trick-ortreating. I just wore jeans and a t-shirt, and went out for three hours on a sub-par candy run telling confused parents and grandparents, “I’m a gangster!” if they asked.

Nevertheless, no matter how old I got, the fervor of the holiday never left me. I was still watching The Fairly OddParents special and Halloween specials from a plethora of other, newer shows. I realized that even though I started off in a cultural gap for the holiday, I gradually got accustomed to it. I even grew to love it, and it has become my favorite holiday!

Halloween is great for all ages. Kids can trickor-treat, teens can go to Halloween-themed parties, and adults can watch scary movies and have a spirited holiday in the comfort of their own homes.

This year, I still plan on watching all the television Halloween specials at the end of the month. I still plan on having the Halloween spirit running through my body. Maybe this year I’ll retire my “hunter-gatherer” ways and stay at home to watch a movie while handing out candy to the generations of trick-or-treaters younger than me. The perplexity between my cultures eventually transformed into a love for a new set of practices. Being a Bangladeshi may initially have confused me. However, once I began to indulge in the customs of Halloween, I saw how to overcome that barrier and truly enjoy a holiday that’s enjoyable for everyone.

On Friday, September 28, the Obama administration announced to Congress their intention of giving Egypt’s new government, under the leadership of President Mohamed

determined extremists. Right now, people in these countries are fighting and dying for democracy and liberty. Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia succeeded with Western help, but just barely. The Egyptian military took control of the country directly after Hosni Mubarak, the overthrown dictator. Only recently did President Morsi take power from the military after a democratic presidential election.

Should America abandon its promises to these faltering democracies ensuring a much higher probability that this will happen in Tunisia, Libya, and other successful revolutions?

Many support the continuance of AmeriMorsi, former leader of the Muslim Brother- can financial aid in the Middle East. The hood, an emergency cash transfer of $450 recent riots have shown the challenges of tranmillion for essential economic and military sition from revolution to thriving democracy. aid. This money is a portion of the $1 bil- Think of our own nation’s struggle after the lion Obama pledged American Revolution to give to Egypt’s new to form the Constitudemocracy. As soon as tion! It took fifteen this objective was anyears for the Constitunounced to Congress, tion to be developed, furious debate explodeven without relied, led by Kay Granger, giously determined (Rep, R-Texas) chairextremists, exposing woman of the House modern technology, appropriations Suband the rousing efcommittee Overseeing fects of social media.

Foreign Aid. America needs to supGranger unfortuport these fledgling All art by Galen McMullen nately announced that governments so that she would use her position to block the they may grow to prosper among all the crucial distribution of the $450 million. “I threats of fanaticism. The truth is that the am not convinced of the urgent need for this people of these nations hunger for democracy assistance and I cannot support it at this time,” and continue to fight for it, but they simply she said. She also stated that the American do not have the means to fight a powerful, relationship with Egypt “has never been under wealthy regime. The West can, and should, more scrutiny” than it is now with the recent provide these means. America has always election of President Morsi. stood for supporting democratic governments Granger’s remarks denying the pressing in other countries, especially in the Middle need for assistance overlook the urgency Eastern region. How can the effects of one in Egypt and the rest of the Middle East. video dissuade America from all that it has America’s partnership with the Middle East is already invested? It is wrong and immoral essential to the success of the rising democra- to let the actions of one extremist group stop cies and in fact America itself. Cutting off aid America from providing support for people to Middle Eastern countries hovering around dying for their cause. the poverty line with floundering governRepresentative Granger and others’ disments is not only irresponsible considering comfort with the idea of supporting countries that America has interests in Middle Eastern that have a consistent explosive anger against oil reserves, as well as human rights, liberty, America is comprehensible. But the effects of and democracy. and reasons behind the Arab Spring contradict Much of the debate regarding this emer- this. If Libyans, the “Arab Spring Success gency transfer has been inspired by the Story,” have succeeded and elected liberal, recent protests in the Middle East from the secular representatives under former Profesanti-Islamic movie trailer. Many are ask- sor of Political Science at the University of ing: “How can we keep supporting Middle Pittsburgh Mahmoud Jibril, why shouldn’t Eastern countries when they are storming the other Middle Eastern countries succeed our embassies and killing our people over an like this? America must make these dreams uninformed, insensitive video?” It is under- a reality through supporting these countries standable that America is nervous about the with economic and military aid. The uprisdanger and direction of the Middle East ex- ings and deaths caused by one video show tremists from these recent riots. Withdrawing the volatility of this region. America cannot from the scene, however, would simply push allow this to discourage them from the aim Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, and other countries of democracy, America’s founding principle, further toward the well-funded and religiously which is truly possible with our aid.

Class of 2015

Class of 2014

Halloween, or “All Hallow’s Eve,” is a holiday observed throughout many countries in the world and is iconic for its customs.

Sustain aid: obtain peace

Divya Arya

Playing dirty in politics

Class of 2013

Even from the perspective of a seventeen-year-old, the political strategies on behalf of both parties appear immature. The election is straying further and further away from policies; rather they are focusing on unrelated topics such as Obama being referred to as a Muslim, or Romney being a Mormon. These topics should be irrelevant in voting for a candidate, but in today’s society, people are more focused on the likability of the candidate than their legitimacy.

I believe that this year’s presidential debates will prove to be superfluous. Ideally, we should have already known the information necessary to vote for a particular candidate beforehand.

So, the ability for Obama or Romney to appear more palatable as a frontrunner while standing in front of a camera should be moot in terms of the election, yet emphasis on these trivialities continues. In November 2011, Rick Perry made that unfortunate faux pas when he forgot which governmental agencies he wanted to eliminate. While this misstep may have seemed comical to those viewing at the time, Rick Perry’s popularity nosedived after that segment, and may have cost him the Republican nomination.

Jacob Scharf

This typified a classic, yet silly blunder during one of this season’s debates. Apparently, while speaking at a public forum is an essential part of the president’s job, being swarmed by welcomed inquiries may unwittingly lead to an impromptu slipup or in best cases, a misinterpreted result. While the media thoroughly digested and expounded on each tidbit of these exhortations, in all practicality it was redundant and unnecessary to have these debates from a voting perspective. Whether or not someone can present a celebrity appearance should not be important to the public. The fact remains that before these debates we know their policies, and we know their public speaking skills, so what good do they do?

A campaign is nothing but constant complaining. The words that each candidate spews sound almost childish. It’s hard to picture that one of these two candidates will be taking office in January after listening to them complain with this “he said, she said” attitude. During the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, politicians and even some celebrities came to speak about their nominee. Both national conventions were riddled with personal stories that were very inspiring yet completely irrelevant to their nominee’s ability to lead this nation.

Each stands with their particular designer wardrobe, their careful diction, their stories about their individual hardships. Each tells that they tried hard to succeed. That is what we need to know. Debates offer us another unneeded addition to our already corrupt election. They distract people from the policies and cause them to focus on likability rather than durability.

October 19, 2012

The Merionite

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October 19, 2012

ELECTION 2012

The Merionite

Rebecca McCarthy

Class of 2013

In this special feature, we hope to further educate our readers with regard to the upcoming presidential election. We have spoken with several students who either strongly identify with a particular party or have gotten involved in politics in another way; we have polled a sample of the LM student body; we have interviewed a political science professor; and we have compiled information setting forth the views of both major presidential candidates with regard to a number of the “big issues” prevalent in the United States today.

Mitt Romney Paul Ryan

LM, as many of us know, has rather liberal political tendencies. Obviously not everyone has liberal beliefs, but we want to remind readers that The Merionite does not endorse either political party. Rather, we would like to offer an overview of LM’s political ideology and display our results and findings. We encourage everyone to make their political decisions based on personal values, independent research, and increased awareness, not peer pressure.

Above all, we encourage everyone to be educated on the issues and vote if you are eligible. Your involvement in the political process has the ability to seriously impact our future as we become leaders of the next generation.

On The Issues

The following information was compiled from Governor Romney and President Obama’s respective websites. This chart is intended to briefly educate the student body on some of the chief issues going into this election.

Barack Obama Joe Biden

Health Care

Obama passed the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), which provides 45 million people with access to health benefits. He believes that there should be a national healthcare plan.

He is pro-life and wants the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Women’s Rights

He is pro-choice. Obamacare requires insurance companies to include birth control as a covered benefit, many without co-pays and deductibles. He also supports equal pay for equal work and passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.

He believes that marriage should only be between a man and a woman. He wants to preserve “traditional marriage.”

Gay Marriage

He plans on creating jobs through energy independence, business deregulation, tax reform, and expanded foreign trade and “cracking down on China.”

Jobs

He wants to continue his current policies that have saved the US auto industry and revived the manufacturing industry. He proposes eliminating tax breaks for outsourcing jobs in order to incentivize American companies to hire American workers.

He wants tax cuts for the wealthy and middle class, including certain deductions, and the cuttin of entitlement programs in order to raise revenue and reduce the deficit. He also proposes to cut the corporate tax rate from 35 to 25 percent.

Taxes

Obama wants to cut taxes for the middle class and raise taxes on the richest 1 percent (those making in excess of $1 million annually) as well as cut tax breaks for oil companies that outsource. He will not cut entitlement programs (i.e. Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security).

Romney wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act and believes that healthcare should be decided by the states. As the governor of Massachusetts, he enacted a popular and successful statewide health program, known as Romneycare.

He will cap federal spending at 20 percent of the GDP (gross domestic product) by 2016, cut programs that he believes the U.S. cannot afford (Obamacare, public radio/TV) and transfer certain federal programs to the states.

He favors the US taking a more active role in Middle Eastern intervention. He is pro-Israel.

He wants to have international fair trade and therefore is more willing to confront countries like China for breaking that fair trade policy.

Art by Aviva Mann/Staff

He favors local education reform rather than federal money being sent directly to school districts. He supports merit-based pay for teachers. He also would like to see new types of vocational learning opportunities for students.

He discourages illegal immigration by completing a high-tech fence to enhance border security between the US and Mexico. He wants to grant permanent residency to every foreign student who graduates from a US university with a math, science, or engineering degree. He also wants to increase the country quotas for immigration.

He plans to facilitate private sector energy creation. He also wants to open new offshore areas of energy drilling, and supports the Keystone pipeline. He wants states to lead onshore energy development.

Debt &

Deficit Foreign Affairs Education Immigration

Energy

He supports marriage for same-sex couples. He repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Through Obamacare, he will reduce the deficit. He also plans to use the framework of the Simpson-Bowles recommendations and create a balanced approach of increasing revenues as well as finding ways to cut spending.

He has pursued a policy that puts increased value on working collaboratively with other nations to deal with international issues. He will continue to help fund Israel’s security and has imposed sanctions on the Iranian regime for its nuclear build-up.

He wants to invest in community colleges and career-training programs. He supports making college more affordable and has capped student loan repayments at ten percent of income.

He believes in and pushes the DREAM Act, which would allow children who came to the US illegally (by their parents) to attain citizenship through military service or higher education. He wants to allow undocumented families to stay in the country while they begin the legal immigration process.

He is a proponent of increasing fuel efficiency standards for automobiles as a way to save oil. He also supports the safe development of natural gas, US domestic oil production and clean energy investments.

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October 19, 2012

The Merionite

Politically involved: local campainging

We read about the super PACs and the millions of dollars in campaign contributions. We see the TV ads flash across our screens, the polished videos and speeches of smiling candidates and carefully crafted rhetoric. But despite all the money and glitz, the real engine of a campaign is the grassroots organization of volunteers.

Personal contact with voters over the phone or at their doors really does matter, and campaigns realize that. Local offices, directors, and countless volunteer titles created for those looking to get involved dot the Pennsylvania and battleground states around the country this Fall—an operation the scale of which is hard to imagine.

Though I had volunteered inconsistently with various campaigns over the last few years with my parents, starting about a year ago in my role as a Lower Merion campus organizer, I have had the opportunity to observe the amazing organizational structure of the local Obama campaign. In a battleground state like Pennsylvania, the campaign divides the state into districts and identifies key regions to focus funding. Initially, Lower Merion was lumped together with all of Montgomery County out of a campaign office in Norristown. As the campaign grew, and volunteers came out in force in our area, Ardmore became the center of its own campaign district including Lower Merion and next door in Haverford Township. Though not originally slated for a campaign office (because our area was viewed as safer than other districts), volunteers in our area believed in the importance of an office, and through donations and some urging, the office was opened at the corner of Anderson and Lancaster Avenues

ELECTION 2012

Talking to a poli-sci expert,

Mary Ellen Balchunis of La Salle University

in Ardmore in June.

A.Mann, R. McCarthy In order to draw together the broad coalition Class of 2013 they need to win the state, the Obama campaign focuses on organizing different demoMary Ellen Balchunis is a political science graphic groups— professor at LaSalle University. She identifies one of them being with the Democratic Party and served as a delus, high-schoolers. egate at this year’s convention. Although this High School Stuaffiliation is present, we spoke with Professor dents for Barack Balchunis and focused on bipartisan topics, Obama (HSSFBO) general trends, and her specific observations seeks to establish this campaign season. She first described chapters and organizers a new political trend: “across the country at High Schools around we’re seeing more students register as indethe state to get students, pendents. Maybe one third of people today.” even if they cannot yet She believes that this is because people are vote, involved in the podisillusioned by the bickering in today’s “dolitical process. In addition nothing Congress.” Balchunis adds, “I think to providing opportunities you guys [young people] are used to instant for phone-banks and messaging—quick responses—and when door-to-door campaignyou see Congress not moving I think that also ing, the main goal of high turns you off.” In concession, however, she school organizers is to register as many seadds, “I should tell you, though, that I still niors as possible for the election. Whether think the two-party system is strong.” you are a Fellow (committed volunteer), or We next inquired about current hotjust taking a Saturday to make some calls, button issues. She responded that the most volunteering is fun. The people you meet important topics are “…definitely jobs. The and the stories you hear make economy is big.” Specifically for women, up for any slammed she emphasized the concern for reprodoors or hung-up ductive rights, as well as equal pay calls. A grassfor equal work. These acts are acroots campaign is a slow slog, but a rewarding one—much like American Democracy. The organization is a large and incredibly complex apparatus, but your contributions do matter, especially if victory comes at the Art by Efi Narliotis/Staff ballot box.

Andrew Paquier

complishments of the Obama administration that are often overlooked as the public is hit over the head with the auto bailout and Bin Laden’s death. Meanwhile, Republicans have championed in presenting their economic stance. Romney has also demonstrated his leadership skills well. We continued to discuss how women may be the deciding factor in this election—not only do they make up the majority of the population, but they also have also shown higher voter turnout.

Shifting the discussion to media presence in politics, we recognize that biased sources indirectly shape our views. By only tuning in to one publication or news channel, we limit ourselves to one viewpoint. In order to obtain a balanced perspective, Balchunis recommends watching ABC with George Stephanopolis and Meet the Press. Meet the Press presents liberal, moderate, and conservative views with guests ranging across the political spectrum. Balchunis confirms that Fox presents a conservative slant while MSNBC leans liberal. For political programming without commentary, watch C-SPAN and PBS. Further, print publications can be biased, as well. For example, The Wall Street Journal and The Weekly Standard gravitate right and The New York Times and The Atlantic gravitate left. Balchunis presents an interesting idea: watch the debates and immediately pick a winner without watching post-debate analysis.

Ultimately, Balchunis reminds us of the importance of using your vote: “If you don’t vote, you let somebody else decide your future.” It is important to realize that so many people fought for our suffrage. By voting, we are following through with their original aspirations that date centuries back. We are part of a lucky global contingency that is able to have such a strong say in our government; so do your research, decide what’s important to you, and make your voice heard.

Straying from the two-party system

Independents finding a political balance

The saying “a lesser of two evils” has never been more appropriate for any election than for the upcoming one. The liberals continue to support a tired President Obama, only in the hopes that a Republican will not win, and the conservatives merely support a figurehead who has become a talking box for their radical views. Bipartisanship has become the name of the game in this presidential election and it leaves independent voters with nowhere to go. Being an independent voter, I am registered with no affiliation. The only downside is that I cannot vote in the primaries; however, in this election, the biggest downside is that there is no one on the ballot that remotely fulfills my criteria. My political views are pretty conservative, although I will always support liberals socially, and that leaves me with no suitable candidate. Unfortunately, our political process revolves around an unchangeable two-party system stemming back to our Founding Fathers.

Until multiple parties can effectively be introduced into the public arena, and the electoral college finally considers voting for an independent (H. Ross Perot, anyone?), the independent voter will always be stuck between two worlds, forced to compromise certain beliefs in order to utilize the constitutional right to vote.

Haley Sav

Keeping an open mind as a Libertarian

With the presidential election drawing near, many LM students have found themselves drawn or even dragged into to the political discussion. Whether it’s in history class, during lunch, or even on Facebook, students eagerly share their own political views as well as attack those of their peers.

While such devoted interest and active participation should be commended, I cannot help but feel something is not right. Of all the debates and discussions I have witnessed or been a part of, I can barely recall a single concession or a hint of open-mindedness.

Discussions like these feel purposeless, because no matter what is discussed, few take away different perspectives or positions.

This lack of impartiality in the atmosphere is ironic because while many criticize the government for its failure to compromise, the critics are no better themselves when it comes to keeping an open mind.

While every individual is fundamentally entitled to his or her own opinion, I think it is essential for these opinions to be based on reason and logic and not bias. It is impossible for a 17-year-old to know everything about the economy; in fact, it’s even impossible for a professional economist to know everything about the economy. So in the meantime, don’t be so hard on yourself and realize it’s okay to accept others’ views and perspectives. So before you spew an assortment of insults at Romney’s trickle-down approach, understand its history and meaning. Before you blast the Obama Administration, educate yourself on what he has done. And before you label Ron Paul “silly” at the very least be informed of his positions on important issues.

I was asked to write this article primarily due to my Libertarian views, so I think it is necessary now to insert a brief political opinion: the Libertarian philosophy is primarily based on the premise of securing an individual’s freedoms and minimizing the government’s power. Libertarians are commonly classified as “socially liberal” and “economically conservative.” Although I classify myself as a Libertarian, my opinions are not fixed. After almost 18 years of living, I have yet to acquire the expertise to predict the viability of Obamacare in the long run. While I have my own opinions and sufficient reasoning to back up my opinions, I am aware I could actually be completely wrong.

In short, staying an informed individual as well as appreciating the views of others enables us to think critically about our society, making us better citizens.

Nicole Wang

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October 19, 2012

ELECTION 2012

The Merionite What is the most important issue to you with respect to the upcoming election?

Letter from a Democrat in Pennylvania

Do you support same-sex marriage?

What is your stance on abortion?

Who/what influences your political beliefs the most?

Do you believe that there should be higher tax rates on wealthier Americans?

Fellow Students, To put it simply, I was raised to be a Democrat. Parents seem to be a pretty common decider of political views, but I promise you that the dinner table isn’t the only arena in which I have researched politics. In my case, my parents taught me that people should have equal rights and that education is the most fundamental privilege. Growing up with both the luxury of a great education and exposure to inequities did nothing but convince me of the importance of these beliefs. If education is successful, a nation will be successful. Sure, it sounds like a generalization, but what political statement doesn’t?

If all people receive a strong education that enables them to work up to their greatest potential, we would have a nation of smart individuals ready to improve the world around them. To put it broadly and bluntly, Republicans want to cut funding for education. I am not saying that Haydn Horstein-Platt Republicans hate progress and education, but the ideas within the Republican platform lean away from government funding for schools. Wealthier adults tend to focus more heavily on education due to the resources that accompany wealth. Imagine if these adults all had to send their children to public schools. I’d bet that the parents living at The Rittenhouse wouldn’t be too pleased with the local high school options, and would be likely to do something about it. Discussing my reasoning for why public schools are more moral and less corrupt than private schools would take up an entire editorial, so come find me for a debate.

As a woman, I believe that we have a right to choose exactly what we do with our bodies.

We should have access (from whoever provides any form of medication) to protection against pregnancy regardless of the beliefs of others. If you think every woman who uses birth control is going to hell, you’re going to have much more room in heaven than you had imagined. I also think that if a woman wants an abortion, she should have access to one. Only the mother knows whether or not she has the resources and time to provide a good life for a child. Just to throw in one more point of contention, gay people have the right to get married. Many voters, due to the importance of economic and foreign policy, put social issues on the back burner, but in my opinion we need a body of informed and equal citizens before we can fix the bigger issues. Let’s take this one step at a time. In the words of Macklemore: “No freedom until we’re equal, damn right I support it.” Tackle educational funding before we tackle the deficit. Take on inequities within our own fifty states before we take on inequalities in the Middle East.

Love, Your favorite Birkenstock-wearing, Whole Foods-shopping Liberal, Haydn Hornstein-Platt

Conservative Conviction

Do you want to see the US to have more, less, or the same involvement in the Middle East?

Get to know your senator: Bob Casey Carly Shapiro

Class of 2014

This summer I worked for Senator Bob Casey as an intern. I answered phone calls and sorted, registered, and deposited campaign checks. Bob Casey is one of two U.S. senators (Pat Toomey is the Jr. Senator) for Pennsylvania and is up for reelection this November. He is running against Republican, Tom Smith.

It is important to know who represents your state in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. These leaders can be reached by letter or phone—making them more available to the public than the president is. Knowing about our representatives and senators is important because they are the ones voting for or against today’s issues.

Senator Casey was one of the first senators to consider Graphics by Robert Zhou

a tax that would encourage employers to hire workers.

Soon after, a similar idea called the HIRE Act tax credit was signed into a law and an estimated 8.1 million workers were hired from this bill.

Senator Bob Casey is pro-life, and opposes funding for embryotic stem-cell research, which is surprising to most people because he is a Democrat. He has stated that he would support overturning Roe v. Wade with an exception for rape, incest, and saving the life of the mother.

He strongly supports same-sex marriage as has voted for the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010. Additionally, Casey has voted in favor of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), and opposes school vouchers. To see a full list of his stances on issues such as foreign policy, energy, and his participation in senate committees, visit http:// www.casey.senate.gov.

Who do you think is going to win the 2012 presidential election?

How well-versed do you consider yourself in politics?

I am a Republican… hear me roar! I believe in the power of America. I now in my heart that the only way to set this great country back on the path to prosperity is to ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to succeed. However, I am quite certain that I have a slightly different definition of “opportunity” than some of my bleeding-heart, liberal friends. Unlike my acquaintances, I believe that economic opportunity is the result of healthy, steady job creation by the private sector. I also believe that the federal government’s vice grip around the throats of job creators in this country is not the way to inspire them to hire more employees. We should be working towards creating an environment that makes innovators want to start businesses, hire employees, and keep those jobs domestic—instead of creating a state of government dependency.

To me, it’s obvious that taxing corporations and small businesses to death and leading them to outsource employment opportunities is not helpful in achieving economic growth. Yes, I know that most LM students have little to no sympathy for corporations or business, but they should! Although extensive federal regulations on industry may not directly effect our lives as high school students, think about how different your views might be ten years down the line when you are out of high school and trying to start up businesses and garner success in the private sector, only to realize that the regulatory policies you blindly supported years before are the same policies that are stunting the growth of your business.

For example, let’s examine Obamacare: I do feel that there are many great benefits to this piece of legislation, such as allowing students to stay on their parent’s health insurance plans until age 26 and preventing insurance companies from refusing coverage based on pre-existing conditions. But it would be reckless not to also consider the negative aspects of this legislation. Less frequently discussed by my peers are the oodles of new or higher taxes that will go into effect to support Obamacare. Among these downsides is a hike in the Medicare payroll tax and a new four percent tax on money earned in the stock market. These taxes not only Gio Hudock-Alston affect individuals, but also businesses, which can’t hire as many new employees because they have to cover all of their new tax expenses.

I guess my point is that everyone, no matter how young or old they may be, should view policy-making and government in general with an eye towards the future.

Remember that sugarcoated legislation that sounds too sweet to be true probably is. In conclusion, please don’t discount Republicans as a bunch of gun-toting, close-minded, gay-bashing one-percenters.

Instead, let’s all try to keep the economy in mind, and work together to get America back on track.

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October 19, 2012

FEATURES

The Merionite

Twix or Treats

Tricks or Tweets

Photo by Efi Narliotis/Staff

Wawa’s delicious“Pumpkin Donuts” with chocolate frosting and festive orange and yellow sprinkles.

Pumpkin spice coffee from Mugshots Coffeehouse and Café is sure to be a warming treat in the chilly fall months.

Pumpkin sprinkles ready to top delicious pumpkin spiced cupakes at the popular store Cupcakes Gourmet.

Ardmore Station Café presents thier bestselling pumpkin french toast shown here with a side of bacon and sliced bananas.

Photo by Efi Narliotis/Staff

(Left) Trader Joes displays their beloved Pumkin Butter, a popular spread for the fall season. Pumkin Butter is the perfect addition to any bread or muffin!

(Right) Wawa’s Turkey Gobbler is back! A hoagie roll with turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce, the Gobbler is sure to rival the traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

October 29 -

RADNOR WEEK

Photo by Aviva Mann/Staff

Idea and tweets courtesy of @ToriKlevan’15

Photo by Sophia Salganicoff

Photo by Efi Narliotis/Staff

As the season changes from summer to fall, so do the local foods.

Local shop owners clearly tailor their products towards customers’ increased desire for pumpkin flavored and Halloween colored products.

Photo courtesy of Wawa.com

- November 3

On Saturday, November 3, the Lower Merion Aces will take on the Radnor Red Raiders in the 116th meeting of their annual football game. The rivalry, which is the longest continuous public high school football rivalry in the country, inspires some of the most intensely spirited moments of the academic year, and the days preceding the great rumble, called Radnor Week, are full of absolute madness. From Powderpuff and Hallway Wars to spirit days and lunchtime contests, the weeks culminates in a Friday Pep Rally complete with everyone’s favorite tradition: the Shake Your Booty dance (freshmen: don’t worry, we’ll teach you). The game itself is chaotic, the peak of school spirit, and the athletic highlight of the year (an incredible fact considering the chaos that is the subsequent basketball season). Ultimately, Lower Merion shows it’s true colors during Radnor Week, and comes together in a way that sets the stage for every other amazing sport and activity that follows. -by Radnor Committee Heads

Photos courtesy of Enchiridion

MONDAY Everyone will be wearing USA themed outfits, so break out the stars and stripes for the first day of Radnor Week!

Tuesday

WEDNESDAY Happy Halloween!

Students should wear costumes and enjoy their half-day.

Thursday

FRIDAY Wear all black for the best day of the year and cheer on the Aces the next day as they take on the Raiders.

BEAT RADNOR!

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October 19, 2012

FEATURES

The Merionite Mr. Chad Henneberry Social Studies Department A ten-pound Brown Bess .75 caliber muzzle-loaded smoothbore flintlock musket, musket tools, baldric, bayonet and scabbard; neck stock, utility pouch, pick and whisk, ax with leather sheath, frizzen cover and belt; canteen and sling, sidebox and black leather belly box, three flints, twenty-six black-powder paper cartridges.

On a recent Saturday morning, I find myself standing on the worn cobblestones of Germantown Avenue in Mt. Airy, the strange gear listed above strapped to my chest. A regiment of opposing colonial soldiers marching towards me, I listen for the gruff commands of Sergeant MacGruber.

“Steady, men! Front Rank- Prime and Load!” I lift the musket to the priming position, holding it steady as I remove a paper cartridge from the sidebox on my right hip. “Handle Cartridge!” I raise the cartridge to my teeth, bite the paper and tear it open. Black gunpowder dust coats my gums. I spit the top of the cartridge out. “Prime!” I pull the hammer back to half-cock, pour a small bit of powder in the priming pan. “Too much or not enough?” I wonder. I snap the frizzen (steel plate) closed to trap the powder. “About!” I lower the butt of the muzzle to my left calf, and pour the rest of the black powder down the bore. I’m ready now, my flintlock clasped in my hands, anxious for the command to fire…

As a teacher of American history, I had often sought out opportunities to visit Revolutionary-era monuments and observe re-enactment battles such as this one, the 235th anniversary of the Battle of Germantown. This was a key strategic fight between Washington’s colonial forces and the British army who had taken control of Philadelphia in the fall of 1777. For the past few years, attending the re-enactment has been a great way for my APUSH students to earn some extra credit. This year I mentioned the battle to my set five class. “It’s a bunch

Kei Nakagawa

Class of 2013

Nearly every aspect of our lives involves technology in one form or another, so we might as well learn to use it efficiently, especially because we’re given school laptops. Here are some tricks I’ve picked up that I feel are worthy of sharing.

Take full advantage of Google Cloud First of all, what is Cloud? Essentially, it’s a network of servers and computers that give you your own personal content, regardless of how you access it. All of the information is hosted online, so you get the same material even if you use different computers. Examples most people are familiar with include gmail and google docs. But there’s so much more you can do: Google Cloud Print: google.com/cloudprint/learn Google Cloud Print allows you to print to virtually any printer in the world, as long as you’re given permission to access it. It saves a couple minutes if you’re sick of emailing yourself documents, opening them on your home computer, and printing there.

Google Play: play.google.com With Google Play, you can upload your entire music library online and access it using your google account. Although you’ll need to install a music manager on a non-school computer, you can listen to all of your songs on any computer. And, if your hard drive happens to crash, your collection will be safe and ready for download at any time.

Google Reader: google.com/reader If you find yourself constantly checking a group of different websites for the latest posts, Google Reader can aggregate all of their new content for you. Think of it like twitter except, instead of following people, you follow websites.

Use multiple gmail accounts at once Gmail has included a fantastic functionality where you can auto-forward your gmail to another account, as well as send email from different accounts without having to log in to them. You really don’t want to miss out on all of the emails you’re going to get on the new school emails! A tutorial is posted on themerionite.org if you’re interested.

of old guys who like dressing up in costumes and firing guns, but I think you will really enjoy it,” I promised.

Sophomore Emily MorPvt. Henneberry (center) receiving orders. ris spoke up: “My dad is a re-enactor in that battle.” I smiled awkwardly, hoping I didn’t offend her! Three days later, to my surprise, I received an email from Rob Morris, a.k.a. Lieutenant MacKinnon of the 2nd Battalion, 84th Regiment of Foot, Royal Highlanders, inviting me to come out and join in the battle as an actor, not just an observer. A few weekends later, I met up with Morris and another member of the Regiment, Ryan Ott, for some new recruit training at the Welsh Fair at nearby Harriton House.

Here, on the grounds of a colonial-era estate where slaves once toiled in tobacco fields, I received my first exposure to His Majesty’s “Manual of Drill and Commonly Practiced Manoevers.” Morris explained how to properly carry a musket, how to charge with a bayonet and how to march in formation. I learned that the 84th was a key British regiment in the Revolutionary War, involved in offensive action up and down the east coast.

Consisting of Scottish soldiers, the Royal Highlanders did not wear the “typical” long-tailed red-coat, or lobsterback, uniform of British regulars, but a blue wool bonnet and a shorter red wool coat with blue facings on the shoulders. I was also issued a white shirt, waistcoat, and trousers. Black leather handcrafted buckled shoes completed the outfit. A Scottish kilt was worn on

Keyboard Shortcuts Whether it’s using alt+delete to erase whole words at a time, or using alt+tab to switch between applications, using keyboard shortcuts can make typing easier and quicker. There are countless lists of them online, so pick a couple and implement them! f.lux While this application isn’t available on our school laptops (yet!) it’s a tool that changes the color temperature of your display depending on the time of day, reducing eyestrain from that blue computer glow. It’s especially helpful for those late-night Webassign sessions. sleepyti.me Based on sleep cycles, it tells you either when to go to sleep or when to wake up so you feel refreshed in the morning. Waking up in the middle of a sleep cycle leaves you feeling tired and groggy, so try this out as an alternative to developing a coffee dependence. khanacademy.org A library of free educational videos about everything from organic chemistry to US history. tvtropes.org On this site you can investigate common conventions used in movies, TV, literature, etc. whosampled.com Find out connections in modern music; (e.g.

Kanye West’s “Stronger” includes a sample of “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” by Daft Punk, which itself samples “Cola Bottle Baby” by Edwin Birdsong).

Photo by Mac Melman

some occasions, but sadly, not for the Battle of Germantown. I was told to practice the drill and report the next Saturday morning to Cliveden House, the site of the historic battle.

The rebels, now just thirty yards away, raised their muskets to their shoulders and a flare of fire and white smoke streaked forth.

My heart jumped—I hadn’t expected that to be so loud. MacGruber’s gruff commands now: “Front Rank- Make Ready!” I raise my musket straight up before my face and pull the lock back to full cock with my right hand. “Present!” I bring the butt of the musket to my right shoulder, lower the muzzle and sight the barrel at the enemy. Direct aiming is not really necessary, as muskets were notoriously inaccurate, even at this distance. “Fire!” roars MacGruber, and as I pull the trigger, the flint snaps down on the steel frisson, sparks shoot up, and with a crack and a flash the musket discharges…

Later on, covered in soot and eating lunch in camp, Sergeant MacGruber, Private Ott, Lt. MacKinnon (Morris) and I trade tales of firing down on the Continentals from the windows of Cliveden until our ammunition ran out and the muskets were scorching hot in our hands. No longer a green recruit, I was a comrade-in-arms now, and completely hooked on the hobby. Hope to see you on the weekend of November 10th at the battle of Ft. Mifflin!

Photos courtesy of Mr. Chad Henneberry

Lt. MacKinnon (Rob Morris, at left) orders a volley fired.

Shreyra Dundumalla Class of 2015 Every LM student has an iPhone and/or some other Apple product. When the new iOS6 update came out on September 19, that was all anyone was talking about. The new update included over 200 new features. First, the new app Passbook, allows users to store boarding passes, tickets, and coupons. The update focuses not only on the frequent flier, but also on the frequent-Facebooker. For Photo by Kyra Kwak those of who are constantly social networking, Apple has made transferring data from your phone to Facebook significantly easier. You can now share pictures and links directly from webpages and integrate contact information and events from Facebook directly to your iPhone.

When receiving an unwanted phone call, you can decline and instantly reply with a text message or set a callback reminder. If you’re in the middle of class, it’s best to use the new “do-not-disturb” feature, which prohibits any incoming calls and notifications.

One of the most anticipated new features is the Siri update. Siri, the cornerstone of iOS5, was met with lackluster excitement over its only adequate voice recognition. But with iOS6, Siri is available in 13 different languages complete with a new sports feature that allows you to find scores, schedules, upcoming games, team standings, and specific player statistics for five different sports.

Additionally, A new movie feature lets you find show times, locations, movie reviews and trailers. Aside from the Siri update, another notable change can be found in the Maps application. Apple took a risk and decided to stop using Google Maps. Instead, it created its own system. Although there are many glitches, the new Maps app has shown potential. Flyover, a feature of this new app, allows you to see cities and landmarks from the air and the extremely useful turn-byturn navigation allows you to receive spoken directions while walking or driving to an intended destination. With regard to thenew camera, you can take professional pictures, with Panorama, which is found on the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5. Panorama is a great way to take pictures of landscapes and groups that are too large for the normal frame. Many of the other classic apps have been remodled, as well. Prominent iPhone apps such as Music, iBookstore, iTunes, Safari, and the App Store have received a completely new layout with different color schemes.

Siri has answered “Where’s the nearest gas station,” and “Am I free next Saturday?” with ease. The only question Apple has left us unanswered is, “What’s next?”

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October 19th, 2012

The Merionite

Club Spotlight: World Affairs Club Henry Gao

Class of 2015

If you are looking for a truly fantastic club to join, look no further! World Affairs Club is the place to be. World Affairs Club is an extremely interesting and rewarding club where various affairs of the world are discussed and debated over. In the past, we have discussed topics Photo by Efi Narliotis/Staff ranging from the Iran-Israel nuclear Last year’s World Affairs Club at the U.S. State Department crisis, to the land disputes of China and Japan, to the partake in various field trips throughout Presidential Election. The club invites the year to enhance the club experience. anyone to participate and share his or her For example, last year we visited the State opinions. World Affairs Club encourages Department in Washington D.C. as well a friendly environment where participants as Temple University to participate in a attend to learn about global events as mock G20. This year we plan to visit the well as share their thoughts. There are United Nations Headquarters in NYC as no consequences for having a minority well as participate in a Model U.N. Conopinion and every thought is treated with ference. The club is truly a worthwhile respect (so there’s no need to be shy, we experience and we encourage anyone love everyone!) The club meets every interested to come and attend! The next other Tuesday after school and ends before meeting will be held after school, Tuesday, 4:30 p.m. in time for the late bus. We also October 23 in Mrs. Knight’s room (331).

Teacher Feature: Mr. Grace Describe yourself at age 17:

At age 17, in the fall of my senior year, I was busy applying to college. I knew I wanted to go to UPenn. I imagined I would study history and politics, earn a Ph.D. and also teach in college. I also auditioned for the musical and I ended up playing the part of Mr. Burt Bratt in How to Succeed in Business. I had some fun things to do at age 17 that I continue to have fun doing today at age 57. Wow, I can’t believe it’s been forty years!

When did you know you wanted to become a teacher?

I definitely had great teachers in my life and I began thinking about the possibility of teaching at age 17. But I didn’t know what I wanted to do for the rest of my life until I came to LM. I would say without question that the coolest thing I learned about myself was how sure I wanted to be a teacher when I came to LM after I had already been teaching for 23 years at another school. It was teaching at LM that confirmed my suspicion.

I know that I will continue to find genuine joy in what I get to do everyday with a population of high school kids.

Photo by Efi Narliotis/Staff

FEATURES

Talk political to me: Buzzwords to know this campaign season

Maddie McComb

Class of 2013

Dodd-Frank Act – Also known as the Consumer Protection Act, this act brought upon sweeping changes to financial regulation. It created the Consumer Protection Agency, which was headed for a time by Massachusetts Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren. It is generally disliked by Republicans and seen as a necessary measure by Democrats. It passed in 2009 with little bipartisan support under a democratic Congress.

Bowles-Simpson Plan – President Obama’s commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform proposed this deficit reduction plan, which included cuts to entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare, increasing tax revenue via closing tax loopholes and introducing a gasoline tax and a 15% cut to the defense budget. It did not ever become a formal proposal. Democrats disliked its cuts to social safety nets such as Social Security.

Ryan Budget – Proposed by chairman of the House Budget Committee and now Republican candidate for Vice President Representative Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, this federal budge proposal included reorganizing Medicare and Medicaid, repealing ObamaCare, and making cuts to defense. His plan, on principle, proposed no tax increases. It passed in the House of Representatives but failed in the Senate, largely along party lines.

Debt ceiling – The US Congress must vote every year to raise the debt ceiling, which gives the legislative branch the authority to pay back debts already incurred. Congressional disputes about the debt ceiling led to Standard and Poor’s downgrading the credit rating of the United States.

Lower Merion’s Fall Sale!

On October 27 from 12-4 p.m. on Arnold Field, the junior class will be holding a Fall Fair with a plethora of vendors selling anything from homemade foods to locally written published books, the fair will have something for everyone! Bring your friends, family, and even young children--the Junior Class will be selling pumpkins to decorate for kids just in time for Halloween! If you have any questions- feel free to contact us at LMFallFair@gmail.com!

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October 19, 2012

The Merionite

Aces of The Arts Robert Walker - Class of 2013

Photo by Kara Boutselis/Staff How are you involved in the arts at school?

I have been taking art classes since freshman year, and have been enrolled in the honors program since sophomore year. This year I am taking Art 3 Honors. Also, for the first time this year I am dancing for Lower Merion Dance Team.

How have you grown and what have you learned from this activity?

I have taken a lot out of the art classes throughout the years.

All of the teachers are great and all have become some of my favorites in the school. But the class itself has allowed me to expand on my skills in the arts and made me begin to look at things differently and more critically than I used to. And even though I haven’t had any performances yet for the dance team, I have still had a great time at practices and have met new people, which is always good.

What song are you most likely to sing in the shower?

The song that I am most likely to sing in the shower is “Adorn”

by Miguel. It’s sooo catchy and I don’t need to know all the words to sound like I know the song.

Aliza Schweitzer - Class of 2014

Photo courtesy of Aliza Schweitzer What arts do you usually participate in?

I am in Players, Aces Angels, and am taking ceramics.

How have you grown and what have you learned from this activity?

Being in Players gives me an opportunity to meet new people and try new things. It can be big commitment, but it’s totally worth it. I was assistant stage manager for Dracula, and it was a priceless experience. Being in Aces Angels is amazing because I get to learn a completely different type of music than I do in any other activity. Also, I get to hang out with Mr. Hunnex, and life doesn’t get any better than that. Last year Angels was such a close group of girls and I can’t wait for this year to be just as awesome! Ceramics provides me with a break from the normal stressful school day.

What song are you most likely to sing in the shower?

Depends what I was just listening to, but probably something from the play, Book of Mormon.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Is “Shophouse” the next Chipotle?

Kara Boutselis/Staff

Class of 2013

Love Southeast Asian food? Love Chipotle? Well, you’re in for a treat! Chipotle founder Steve Ells has begun work on his next healthy chain restaurant, called ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen.

Roughly a year ago, the first ShopHouse debuted in DuPont Circle in Washington DC. Ells has already started expanding the soon-to-be chain to another DC location. If the restaurant proves to be as successful as Chipotle, I am sure LM will soon see a ShopHouse in our area. Although ShopHouse clearly specializes in a different type of food, it operates basically the same as Chipotle. Inspired by food from Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam, first, you choose between a bowl and banh mi, which is essentially a meat-filled sandwich, and then decide between rice, noodles, or salad, meat or tofu, vegetables, sauces, garnishes, and crispy toppings; the possibilities are endless. ShopHouse has the same industrial aesthetic appeal as Chipotle, and even the menu layout is the same. What is interesting about Ells is that his passion was never necessarily the burrito or the banh mi; it was the idea of creating healthy, affordable fast-food options for Americans. Unlike most other chains, Chipotle, and now ShopHouse, cook with only the freshest ingredients. Ells’s integrity with regard to his restaurants shows that he cares; “We decided long ago that we didn’t want Chipotle’s success to be tied to the exploitation of animals, farmers, or the environment, but the engagement of our customers.” He has been known to pay out of pocket for fresher ingredients in order to avoid raising the prices for his customers. With over 1300 Chipotle locations in the US and around the world, will ShopHouse reach the same level of success? Only time will tell. Until then, keep your eye out for any sign of Ells in the Philadelphia area, or head down to the nation’s capital to see what all the excitement is about.

Spotlight on bands of the Aces

Aine Dougherty

Class of 2015

There are countless activities out there for high school kids to be passionate about, and playing music is high on the list. LM is home to quite a few up-and-coming bands, including 13 Lines and Brundle Fly. But students are not the only ones rocking out; LM’s very own Mr. Flynn is a member of the band Suicide Squirrel. To get some more information on these great groups, I spoke with sophomore Nik Rajagopal, of 13 Lines, senior Josh Salzer of Brundle Fly, and social studies teacher Mr. Flynn of Suicide Squirrel.

Q: Who are the members of your band and what instruments do they play?

NR: I am lead vocal and play rhythm guitar. Jae Hoon Choi of Radnor High School is on lead guitar and secondary vocals. Senior Adam Tuttle plays the drums and junior Ron Borisovsky is on bass.

JS: Besides myself on guitar, there is senior Taj Reilly on the drums, LM graduate Jeremy Lordan on bass, and sophomore Jennie Simonson on guitar. We all sing sometimes, but Jeremy is the primary singer.

Mr. F: Five guys—friends from law school, and friends of friends. We have a drummer, bass player and lead guitarist. My law school friend and I play all the other instruments—guitars, keyboards and percussion.

Q: How did you come up with the name of your band?

NR: A couple of years ago, Jae (the current lead guitarist), some old members and I were sitting at a table writing down ideas for a band name. Our bassist counted the lines of names on the piece of paper. It just happened to be 13 Lines. The name apparently has a lot of different meanings, but ours isn’t related to any of those.

JS: It’s from an old horror movie called The Fly, which unfortunately I haven’t seen.

Mr. F: Three years ago, on October 10, 2009, the nameless band members were driving to a rehearsal and we nearly ran over a dozen squirrels darting into the street. It looked like a suicide pact.

Q: What kind of music does your band play?

NR: Our music right now is like pop-punk with a metal twist. I guess it would be classified as hard rock.

We try to avoid genre stereotypes.

JS: Our musical style is a mix of many styles but under the broad category of alternative rock. We’re pretty grungy, metal, indie-- awesome.

Mr. F: Rodent Rock.

Q: What is your favorite band or who is your favorite guitarist?

NR: As a band collectively, I think our favorite band is Avenged Sevenfold. Our other influences include Killswitch Engage, Sum 41, blink-182, Atreyu, Iron Maiden, and Finch.

JS: My favorite bands include Pearl Jam, the Velvet Underground, and the Pixies. My favorite guitarist is Jimmy Page…I mean Jennie, of course ;) Mr. F: Hot Tuna and their guitarist Jorma Kaukonen.

Q: Where do you get the inspiration to write your songs?

NR: Most of our songs are lyrically vague and relevant to all of our band members in different ways, but the inspiration behind most of our songs is just life in general and things that happen. We don’t really have a specific topic that we like to write about.

JS: Inspiration for our songs comes from everything and everywhere. Jeremy wrote a hit song about a trip to New Jersey, I’ve written about a junkyard, and Jennie has written about a tidal wave.

Mr. F: Politics and relationships (each both good and bad).

Q: What are you most looking forward to?

NR: We’re really excited to be putting out an EP called Read Between the Lines, which is like a half-album with five songs on it.

JS: We’re looking forward to recording more and continuing to play as many shows as possible. We would love for lots of people to keep coming out to our shows.

Mr. F: The new album Doomsday Clock is in final production and will hit iTunes sometime before the election. It has a harder edge than the first record, Watch Out. Q: When is your next show?

NR: We don’t have anything coming up right now, but like us on Facebook (13 Lines) to keep up with our show schedule, and check out our Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/13LinesOfficial JS: Our next show is Thursday, November 1 at Milkboy in Ardmore. Check Brundle Fly out on Facebook and Twitter!

Mr. F: Like The Beatles after their show at Candlestick Park in 1966, Suicide Squirrel has put touring on hold—until after the school year anyway.

Art

1. Robin Weiner ‘13, enrolled in AP Art 2. Gabrielle Constantine ‘13, enrolled in AP Art 1.

Art by Robin Weiner

2.

Art by Gabrielle Constantine

16

October 19, 2012

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT LM Players presents Godspell The Merionite

Julia Haines

Class of 2014

As one of the photographers for Players production of Godspell, I’ve concentrated more on the visuals of the production rather than, well, what the show is actually about. So before writing this article, I talked to the director and president of Players, Molly Weilbacher, as well as several actors in the production about what makes Godspell so unique.

Godspell is a re-interpretation of the Gospel of Matthew, a series of parables taking place in Central Park in the early 1970s. But make no mistake; this is a show about love, not religion. The 70’s were a time when millions of different people were fighting for their own respective causes. Naturally, each character in the show is a different 70s stereotype; the protestor, flower child, feminist, school kid, bad boyyou name it. This diverse group of people is united by one man– Jesus, played by senior John Clark– and become a community.

So what kind of show is this?

Well, it certainly seems like a lively one. If you pass by the black box on any given afternoon, you can

usually hear the sounds of actors rehearsing: loud harmonies, lots of crashes, handclaps, enthusiastic yelling, and a whole lot of energy.

And that’s only the beginning. The set for this production is sure to impress. The stage will be transformed into a miniature version of Central Park, complete with a groovy show orchestra jamming out onstage. Also, each character will embody a different aspect of the 70s, so expect a lot of psychedelic costumes.

The amazing visuals won’t be the only thing giving you good vibes! I conversed with some of Godspell’s actors to see why they think people should come to the show. Josh Harper, who plays Judas, said, “There is so much dancing and utter excitement to the point of exhaustion. You all should come see the play because every member of each crew has worked so hard to ensure the best entertainment possible. Plus I’m Joshua Harper and you cannot NOT come to see me.... Like c’mon,” Sophomore Kate Eldridge explained, “The show Godspell is mainly about the formation of a community, and how a broad range of people learn

In review: The Cabin in the Woods Evan Bowen-Gaddy

Class of 2013

If you have seen the trailer for Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard’s The Cabin in the Woods, I’m sure you think you have it all figured out: A few college students go out for a fun weekend at their cabin, something spooky goes down, and suddenly at least all but one are dead. You got it! Well… sort of.

At least that is how it was advertised. What the viewer sees in the trailer is about a quarter of what the film actually is. I bought the film expecting a bad horror to kill a couple hours, and what I got was a satirical horror, wrapped in a sci-fi, wrapped in a dark comedy, all topped off with a symbolic cherry of philosophical questions. I will attempt to write this review without giving too much away.

The film begins not with the trailer’s protagonists, but with two men working in an office setting, cracking dark jokes, wandering through white halls on a golf cart. It is only after this scene that we are introduced to our classic five college students—a shy girl, a handsome geek, a stoner, a jock, and his impure girlfriend—all going out for a weekend at a lake house.

I loved this beginning. Had I been at the cinema, I would’ve checked my ticket stub to make sure I was in the right theater. The fascinating part is that this initial confusion manages to last throughout the whole movie. We have become so programmed to the film industry’s regurgitation of bad horror films that any movie that dares to poke even its toe out of the norm manages to be a shock.

Ranging from hilarious to plain disturbing, the film not only stayed consistently surprising, but intriguing. The acting ranged from wonderfully subtle to wonderfully campy depending on the scene. It was almost like watching multiple films at once.

Sometimes too disturbing for me and sometimes too silly for me, the movie was hyperbolic and different. I wouldn’t recommend watching it if you are looking for an easy film to tune out to, but I would recommend it to anyone who is willing to give something new a try, because I can guarantee that you have never seen a movie like this one.

to love and appreciate each other.

This mirrors the feeling of Players.

There are so many different people that participate in these shows who all come together and make something amazing. Somewhere in that beautiful process we all manage to knit together a community that supports and loves each other.”

Junior Dylan Dagenies stated, “It’ll be really, really fun to perform and to watch, ‘cause the cast has this awesometastic chemistry, and we’re powering through songs and skits and monologues on maximum energy for basically the whole show.

Also, costumes and scenery and lighting are really outdoing themselves this time, so the whole package is just going to be incredible.

It’s one big sugar rush. Oh, and I heard there’d be this fun little highpitched bushy-headed dork singing ‘We Beseech Thee,’ so everybody should probably come see that.”

Weilbacher sums it up with, “This show is about life itself.”

Whether you’re a wannabe hippie, supporting a friend, or just looking to have a fun time, check out the LM Players production of Godspell November 15, 16, and 17 at 7 PM!

Humans of Lower Merion

Rebecca Lebow

Class of 2014

students and to also let them see the other side of the As an avid photographer myself, I’m always up- students they see walking through the halls every day. to-date with the latest photography trends. Between To really spotlight the interesting students (and faculty) Instagram, Tumblr, thisiscolossal.com and Humans of that most may overlook normally. Kids in our school New York (HONY), I spend most of my time looking at are more than just students.” Cameron said that he “got photographs and not doing homework. For those of you a notification from one girl who shared a picture saying who do not know, HONY was created by a man named that she felt like a celebrity. [He] thought that was an Brandon Stanton who had to create a photographic awesome moment, and [he] thought it was insane that census of NYC. Currently, he takes photographs just [they] could do something like that.” As a fellow phoabout every day and tographer, I was interested includes a little quote to see if Cameron’s picor short story about tures are raw or touched up. the person photoHe said, “I use Photoshop graphed. Three of our Lightroom for editing white very own LM students balance, contrast, sharpdecided to create their ness, and stuff like that. My own HONY, which decision between black and was dubbed Humans white and color comes from of Lower Merion, or a workability standpoint— HOLM for short. Juif I work with a shot for niors Andy Scolnic more than ten minutes and and Benji Pollock I can’t get it to look the Photo courtesy of Cameron Pollack way I want in color, I gencame up with the idea together. Benji said that he “always erally switch to black and Pollack captures LMers in mid air wanted to make a Humans of Philly, white and work in that setting for but figured it would be impractia while.” They would all like the cal” so when Andy came to him with the idea, Benji support of the school. The trio promises that “the more “hopped on.” They knew that fellow junior Cameron the students like/share the photos and posts, the better Pollack was an experienced photographer, so they pro- everything will get!” If you want to know more, go to posed the idea to him, and he loved it. When asked their Facebook page, facebook.com/HUMANSOFLM, about their objectives, Andy said: “It’s to entertain our or talk to Andy, Benji, or Cameron.

Art

1. Marina Forster ‘13, enrolled in Multimedia and 3D Art 2. Haorui Sun ‘14, enrolled in Studio Art 3. Andrea Schuster ‘13, enrolled in Art 3H 1.

Art by Marina Forster

2.

Art by Haorui Sun

3.

Art by Andrea Schuster

17

October 19, 2012

SPORTS

The Merionite

Bynum brings big expectations Mitchell Gladstone Class of 2015

69% percent from the field in the 76ers’ 13 playoff games and if he were to carry With a dramatic Game 7 loss to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference a similar percentage into this season, he would be another threat on an already Semifinals of last season’s playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers’ season came to an potent team. Joining them will be newly-acquired sharpshooters Nick Young, abrupt close. It did not conclude, however, without a postseason run that left Dorrell Wright, and Jason Richardson, along with returning big men Thaddeus some hope in the team’s loyal fans. It had not been since the 2000-2001 season Young and Lavoy Allen. Nonetheless, Andrew Bynum will be the focal point of that the 76ers had such a successful postseason run, havthis team. Bynum, 24, of Plainsboro, NJ, has already ing won seven playoff games against two of the top four reached the NBA’s mountaintop, winning two chamseeds in the Eastern Conference. Under the leadership pionship rings with the Lakers alongside LM alum of coach Doug Collins, the organization and its growKobe Bryant. If Andrew Bynum can establish himself ing number of passionate fans began to realize that their as the post presence that the 76ers have sorely lacked team had a legitimate chance to become a perennial NBA for many previous seasons and produce similar stats contender. However, a big move still had to be made to as as he did last year (18.9 points and 11.8 rebounds take that step into consistent contention. per game), the team should experience an immediate On August 9, when All-Star center Dwight Howard transformation, and hopefully big-time success. was sent to the Los Angeles Lakers in a four-way trade, The excitement of having a viable contender in shockwaves were felt all across the Philadelphia area as the Eastern Conference and potentially the NBA has the 76ers acquired an All-Star center of their own. The brought major excitement to the city and it has spread seven-foot, 285-pound Andrew Bynum was sent from the to the halls of LM. Sophomore Josh Dion, a 76ers Lakers to the 76ers as a part of this trade. Huge describes season ticket holder, commented: “I think [Bynum] not only the impact of the acquisition, but also the statis going to help the 76ers guard some of the league’s ure of the player acquired. As a part of the deal, the 76ers top centers, such as Dwight Howard. Also, he will sent small forward Andre Iguodala to the Denver Nugmake them a better overall team and provide them gets, in addition to draft picks and other players to the with the big man they’ve needed.” Bynum, with his Orlando Magic. At the introductory press conference six career average of almost one and a half blocks per days later, Bynum told over one thousand crazed fans at game, will be a surefire defensive force in the paint the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, “I’m Art by Jared Oriel at the Wells Fargo Center. Aaron Jaffe, also a sophreally leaning towards making this omore and a longtime 76ers fan, [Philadelphia] my home.” Bynum’s says: “I was relieved to hear that 4-year, $58 million contract expires at we finally got our big man, and I the end of this season and he is lookbelieve he has the potential to carry ing to sign a maximum contract to remain this team to at least the second round in Philadelphia for years to come. While of the playoffs.”

“Okay. Even great teams getting great acquisitions take a year or two to meld their play on the court is yet to be seen, The bar for this season has been together. I’d like to see the emergence of Jrue Holiday as a star and then maybe one thing has been established about this set quite high and a mere return trip they’ll sneak into the playoffs.”

Philadelphia basketball club: the 76ers to the postseason just will not cut it. are back in business and they have plans Philly fans are intense and they de“They will probably receive a six, seven, or eight playoff to completely take this city by storm. mand success. After this past offseaspot in the East, then either bow out in the first round or fight Without either Allen Iverson or Andre son’s moves, success is expected from and make the second due to improbable luck, like last year.

Iguodala on the roster this season, the this new-look ballclub and Collins No championship is possible. They just don’t have the talent.”

76ers’ roster will lack an A.I. for the first will settle for nothing less. With the time in seventeen seasons. Even with the hope of a bright future and success on flurry of offseason moves made by the the horizon, the 76ers kick off their “They will make the Eastern Conference front office, they have maintained their 50th season on Halloween night, as “Better than last year.”

Finals at the least.” young core that is looking to build on last they take on the Denver Nuggets and season’s success. Jrue Holiday should former 76ers small forward Andre Igcontinue to emerge as a potential top-ten uodala.

“Is that a trick question? They have KWAME BROWN!” point guard in the NBA. Playing alongside Passionate. Intense. Proud. The Holiday will also be Evan Turner. Turner, 2012-2013 Philadelphia 76ers will the franchise’s number two overall pick truly put their motto on display and in the 2010 NBA Draft, had multiple eyethe noise coming from South Philly opening performances in the 2012 postthis season will be heard all around season, making him a key piece to this the City of Brotherly Love. season’s puzzle. He shot

Aces Nation forcasts Sixers’ chances

LM Crew: The agony and the ecstasy

Alex Hatza Class of 2013 Someday you may find yourself asking: “Why would I ever choose to join the crew team?” If you asked me, I would respond: “Because rowing is okay.” My rough estimate is that such an answer would most likely entice zero people. However, the dumbfounded look and the “So why do you waste all your time doing it?” response leads me to a mildly more interesting answer; “Because I love it. And you would too.” Allow me to explain. Rowing is okay. It is also great and wonderful, horrifying and excruciating, satisfying and exhilarating, and, from time to time, just abhorrent.

That’s not important though; those are just adjectives. I love rowing because there is nothing else quite like it. It is a spectacular sport, and so much more. It has the rush and speed of running, the teamwork of basketball, all the pain and agony of football (except it’s all self-inflicted), and the hard work and dedication that every sport requires. The feeling of the wind and waves battering you on a rough day as you fight to pull your oars through the tumultuous water around you is unparalleled. When I walked onto the LM Crew team my freshman year it was not long before I knew that I had found an activity that I would enjoy for the rest of my life.

Now that’s all very exciting, but why should you join the team?

The truth is, you probably shouldn’t. Rowing is an immense commitment, and it is more than just the time that it takes up. Starting December 1, the team

meets every weeknight to either lift weights or use rowing machines (“ergs”). The team continues like this for three months in order to get in shape for the season, which begins in early March. Ergs are a little less than torture, and if you join the team, you will learn to love them. The thing about ergs is that you have to push yourself. You aren’t catching a ball or shooting a jump shot, nobody knows if you are trying your hardest except you. When you are on the water, you are in a battle against yourself, trying only to convince your body to keep moving and not to give up just yet.

Not many people have the intrepidity to push themselves through the self-inflicted pain of a hard erg workout or a week of practice on a rough and unforgiving river, but if you think you do have it, there is no better place for you than the crew team. If you can take the pain and you are willing to work hard and dedicate yourself, the sport is incredibly rewarding and fun at times. If you think you are up to the challenge, come out for the team this year.

Photo courtsey of LM Crew Assoication Find any member of the team and they will be happy to give you more inforSenior Alex Hatza pushes through the pain. mation on the specifics of rowing.

18

October 19, 2012

SPORTS Field Hockey caps off historic season The Merionite

Ricky Figelman

Class of 2013

This year’s field hockey season is one for the ages.

Undefeated in non-league play, they are off to a strong 8-4 start having already quadrupled their win total from the past two years. Lead by senior captains Sophie Arnold, Lindsey Grabell, Alessandra Patrizio, and Julia Spandorfer, these Aces are a force to be reckoned with. Currently ranked fifth in the Central League, they started the season on a three game winning streak and overcame a “slew of injuries” to get back to their winning ways. Plagued by concussions, stress fractures, and illness, they currently are sitting on a comfortable four-game winning streak with high hopes to make the playoffs. It will be the first time in recent memory that LM Field Hockey will make the playoffs. They are led

Photo Courtsey of Efi Narliotis/Staff Junior Gigi Grimes clears the ball upfield.

on offense by senior Patrizio, while junior Gigi Grimes and Sophie Arnold anchor a defense with a great goal differential. In their past three games, the Aces have outscored the opposition by a total of 16 to 2, and look

“Our team has definitely connected this year and we hope to make it to playoffs!”

-Senior Lindsey Grabell to continue their dominance into the final five games of the regular season. Of those five games, three of them come against formidable Central League foes, including Conestoga, Radnor, and Haverford. Though the Aces have a 3-4 Central League record, they almost topped number one ranked powerhouse Strath Haven, losing a heart wrencher by a score of 4-3.

The team continues to make a name for itself in one of the most competitive leagues in the state. Senior Lindsey Grabell commented, “Our team has definitely connected this year and we hope to make it to playoffs!”

Sophie Arnold remembers “this team [is] the best we’ve fielded, with a large part of that due to thefreshmen who really stepped up.” The freshmen cannot take all the credit, however. The upper-classmen are really working hard to make this season more successful than in years past. It is the first time in eight years that field

Photo Courtsey of Efi Narliotis/Staff Senior Julia Spandorfer attacks the opponents’ net. hockey has had a winning record through the first twothirds of the season, and barring an epic collapse, that winning record will still be in place at the end of the season. According to Julia Spandorfer, the team is “really proud of freshmen who are stepping up to make a big impact,” and is “working really well together as a unit.” The playoffs loom in the distance for the Aces, an appropriate goal for the current iteration of the team.

For now, however, the Aces must focus on the present and finish strong, especially against their central league foes in the upcoming games.

LM Volleyball spikes the competition

together more as a team this year than I’ve seen in my last four years of LM volleyball.

We’ve worked really hard but we’ve also Volleyball is a game of agility, strength, definitely made time to bond, and it shows and heart. The girls team and boys team both in our playing. The support of the team is devote their mindset and bodies in order overwhelming this year.” to win. It takes more than just one player Volleyball, like many sports, teaches lesto get the job done, though. Senior Nadia sons about discipline and determination both Klincewicz, a middle (front) for the girls on and off the court. Coaches Dan and Lauren Varsity squad says: “Each of our players is Perri teach the team exactly that. “They want phenomenal at what she does, and when it us to come out of this with life lessons,” all comes together on the court, we come out claims Klincewicz. She adds, “As a senior as a really strong team.”

I want this season to be about teaching the The girls team, coached by Dan and younger members not only volleyball, but Lauren Perri, is currently 4-7 after recently leadership and teamwork.” The leadership sweeping Harriton three sets to none. There’s from seniors goes a long way in volleyball. more to the sport than just a record, though.

They lead by example through the preseason, It is necessary to learn how each position all the drills, and the entire season (and postworks in order to play one. You need to know season with enough experience). what each player’s responsibilities are before The fast-paced game can turn around you can work as a team. It is also imperative in just a split second. The given time for a that you understand where you need to be in blocker to react to a hit mere inches away any given scenario. Klincewicz continues: from her face is equivalent to the time an “Volleyball is the least selfish sport out there.

NHL goalie has to save a slap shot ten feet The second you make the game about you away. If you blink you’ll struggle to regain is the second your team starts losing.” If a a read on the ball. With the frustration that player does not do her job, or help another first comes with learning a sport so intense player out when necessary, consider it a comes a big reward. “I think the best part point stolen. The girls team makes sure this about volleyball is that moment when you is avoided by constantly sticking together finally get what you’ve been practicing for as a team, no matter the current score. Their months!” Klincewicz exclaims. “There’s enthusiasm on the court is something seen no better feeling then the split second after in few other sports. From the classic “I Bethe perfect block or putting down a hard lieve” chant to their own chants consisting kill.” In only her second year of playing, of yelling, stomping, and clapping, the team Klincewicz had the third most blocks in the will do and yell anything they can to keep Central League. their teammates focused on winning. Senior Among the many underappreciated sports setter Sophie Koorhan agrees: “When we get at LM is girls volleyball. No matter the outPhoto courtsey of Lifetouch Photography and Enchirdion down, it really shows and sometimes we get come, the games are very exciting to spectate.

Taylor Cruz (‘14) goes up for a shot. stuck. But we’ve worked really hard as a team to pick each “It gets really intense and fun when we have long volleys. Also, other up and keep the energy strong.” The four-year LM it’s really fun to watch too! More fans should come out and Girls Volleyball veteran continues, “We’ve really come show their support! Spread the love,” says Koorhan.

Josh Metzman

Class of 2013

19

October 19, 2012

SPORTS

The Merionite Sigmund Lilian

Lady Aces overcome various injuries

Xing Out The Competition Class of 2013

As winter closes in on the LM community, the end of the fall sports season is at hand. This year LM has fielded several highly competitive teams ranging from boys soccer to field hockey. Yet two of LM’s more competitive teams are rarely the focus of the student body’s attention. Both the boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams have had highly successful seasons.

The 2012 season has seen the girls’ team accomplish many of their early season goals. According to senior captain Jane Urheim, “our goal for this season was to grow and develop as a team.” The girls team has clearly done this as they have had some stellar performance from girls’ of all grades including: freshman Margo Urheim, junior Anna Kirschner, junior Izzy Reginato, and sophomores Julia Bell and Daisy Diamond. Sophomore Quinn Harrigan has had an amazing 2012 season and has become the number two runner on the LM team, even though this is her first year running cross country! According to senior Morgan Berman, junior Duranya Freeman has been another standout runner. Berman raved, “Duranya worked very hard over the summer and came ready to take the place of our top graduated seniors. She’s always been the leader on the course and sets a great example for the other girls.” Yet like any high-school sport, girls’ cross country is more than just individual achievement, it’s also about pushing your fellow runners to the limit of their abilities. Senior Talia Lieberman further explains, “Cross country is all about working together and using your teammates to push yourself as much as you can. We don’t compete against each other, we compete for each other, and that’s something pretty special about the sport.”

Photo courtesy of Lifetouch Photography With the all important Central League Championships approaching rapidly, the girls, according to senior MorSenior Lani Lafferty rushes gan Berman, “have a great chance to do well and will continue to toward the finish line. show the Central League teams that we are a team to watch.”

The boys’ team has continued its dominance on the trail. After racking up a sensational overall record of 50-13 prior to the 2012 season, it should come to no surprise that the main goal for the boys team was to “uphold the high standards of the team,” according to senior Itai Barsade. The boys’ team has clearly reached their goal with an eye-catching record of 8-3. The team has been driven by awe-inspiring performances from Senior Xavier Cachon, who, in the words of Senior Jacob Van Houten, has “consistently lead our team week to week and always shows strong times and efforts.” Van Houten also raved about Sophomore Jonathan Perlman and Juniors Daniel Thames and Noah Shandelman, who have also “risen to the occasion filling up some of our top varsity spots.” However, the 2012 boys’ team needed more than just great runners to have a good season. They needed team bonding. Without bonding, no team can be successful or achieve an 8-3 record. The boys team clearly has bonded over the course of the season. Barsade elaborates, “We [the team] are a really tight group of guys who genuinely enjoy each other’s company. From the camping trip during the summer to post-race cool downs, there is a generally happy and close vibe surrounding the team.” With a team as close knit as the boys’ cross country team, no goal is unreachable. The boys have one last chance to leave their mark on the season at the Photo courtesy of Lifetouch Photography Central League Championships. There, they have an excellent chance to prove to the rest of the world that Daniel Thames (‘14) in full flight.

LM cross-country is a team to be feared.

Both the girls’ and boys’ cross-country teams have accomplished their early season goals. By reaching these goals, both LM cross-country teams have proved that they are formidable in 2012.

Freshman

Tommy Tice

Sophomore

Will Rosenbaum

nately those two loses didn’t hurt us too much. We put the losses behind us and Class of 2015 focused on correcting our mistakes and The Lower Merion Girls’ varsity getting healthy.”

The girls have not been without their soccer team shocked many last year fair share of injuries this season. Alwhen they went from being the 28th ready, they have seen injuries to senior seed in the 28-team district tournament Kiersten Daly, freshman Olivia “Liv” to making the state playoffs. In the proTevis, senior Moira Petrie, and sophocess they stunned West Chester Henmore Tori Klevan.

“A few unlucky inderson, Neshaminy and finally Bishop juries are making it [achieving the goal Shanahan.This was the first time that of being as good or better than last year] any LMGS team had reached the state difficult, but tournament. we’re doing The 2012 everything we Aces are can to recuperplaying this ate and keep season with our heads up.” the hopes of The team has reaching and battled through surpassing the injuries. their previAfter losing ous goal. two physi“To surpass cally demandlast year’s ing games to team, we Radnor and need to start Conestoga working as the Lady Aces a team on the Photo courtesy of Samara Kitnick would turn around field earlier in the and earn an away tie season.” Says SophMoira Petrie (‘14) splits at Haverford and then a omore Tori Klevan. three Strath Haven defenders. big win against Upper “We have a lot of Darby at home. individual talent This year’s team sees a lot of talent that would be unstoppable if we put from underclassmen.

They have four it together on the field.” Going into the freshmen: Mo McConnel, Abby Ritseason a main goal according to Klevan terband, Olivia Tevis and Louisa Ebby. was to be “as good if not better than last “Going into preseason, I just wanted to year.”

The first four games were a dream show that I could work hard and keep start. In those four matches the Lady up,” explains freshman starter Abby RitAces beat: Notre Dame, Perkiomen terband. As the season progressed RitValley, Little Flower and Coatesville. terband’s goals shifted when she found However, the Lady Aces would drop herself on the field. She explained how the next two to central league rivals: she wished to work hard every game Radnor and Conestoga. In the match and also expressed her desire to imagainst Conestoga, the injured LM prove over the next four years.

The regular season ends October squad lost 6-0. “We knew that Radnor 19th, as the Lady Aces take on Nazaand Conestoga were going to be two reth Academy away. Hopefully by that of our hardest opponents,” says junior time the girls will be on their way back goalkeeper Danielle Baer, “so fortuto the state tournament.

Junior

Thanasis Narliotis Eli Cohen

How did you get involved in your sport?

I got involved with football in 6th grade. I thought it would be fun.

What is the hardest part of your sport?

The hardest part about playing football is coming back from a big loss and being ready mentally for the next game.

If you could go to one place in the world, where would it be?

If I could go anywhere in the world it would be Jackson Hole, Wyoming because I have always wanted to ride the back country there.

How did you get involved in your sport?

I started playing ultimate frisbee at camp and eventually found out about the school team and I joined.

What is the hardest part of your sport?

Staying in shape. Although we run in practices we only have practice three or four times a week.

What is your favorite weekend activity?

On the weekends I like to longboard and hang out with my friends.

Senior Alessandra Patrizio

How did you get involved in your sport?

I played some pick up soccer games with my older brother before high school began and I started to really like the sport.

What is the hardest part of your sport?

I think that the hardest part of the soccer season is getting through the first week of preseason.

What is your favorite weekend activity?

My favorite things to do on the weekends are play FIFA Ultimate Team and hang out with my friends.

How did you get involved in your sport?

I became involved in field hockey the moment I left the womb.

What is the hardest part of your sport?

Aside from looking at Gigi’s face everyday, the hardest part of field hockey is that no one respects it as a real sport.

If you could go to one place in the world, where would it be?

I would travel back to my home town in Italy.

20

October 19, 2012

SPORTS

The Merionite

Photo courtesy of Juan Munoz The boy’s soccer team jubilantly celebrates its thrilling 1-0 overtime victory over Harriton, converging around winning goal scorer Gian-Luca Hail ‘15.

Noah Levick

Aces rush past Rams

Boys’ Soccer kicks the competition

Class of 2013

As the hardy Dawg Pound stoically stood, surprised at the innocent rain that had rapidly transformed into a deluge, the Aces and injured senior goalie Connor Yu kept fighting deep into the second half of their matchup against rival Harriton in a battle that seemed fated to end scoreless.

From senior midfielder Greg Levy’s long throw in overtime, sophomore center back Gian-Luca Hail slotted the ball into the net with his left foot under Harriton’s keeper Sam Blumenthal, following a frantic struggle in the box. The LM bench then sprinted ecstatically onto the field. But many of the Aces, like senior co-captains Matt Lindheim and Marc Abi-Khattar, eventually lay down on the turf, exhausted from the draining preceding two hours of dramatic soccer.

The humid, muggy atmosphere as the teams warmed up proved emblematic of the hotly contested match that followed. While Aces Coach Nicholas Severini appeared confident as he listened to music on the sideline, Rams Coach Biff Sturla stared out at the pitch, hoping that his squad could replicate their 2-1 victory over LM last season. Harriton returned several key players from that game, including a strong senior group led by Franklin and Marshall commit Gabe Boni and midfield stalwarts Steven Posner, Justin Ayoama, and Kevin Lawson. The Aces lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation anchored by formidable junior David Baer as Hail’s partner at center back and senior Trevor Yu and junior Dan Buckman as holding midfielders against Harriton’s 4-4-2, which included Justin Ayoama’s sophomore brother Jansen in the midfield. LM started well, controlling territory and earning several early corner kicks. According to junior winger Eli Cohen, “we [LM] had our game plan set from the beginning of the game and we executed it very well with high pressure and smart play.”

The Aces were creating chances and comfortably dealing with potential threats from the Rams.

However, Connor Yu, who wore a boot on his injured left ankle during the school day, had to work especially hard to maintain this appearance of ease. Yu says he was, “really anxious playing because it was my first game back and I still wasn’t 100%.” One vulnerable occasion for Yu and the LM defense came in the 17th minute, when Justin Ayoama wriggled free of LM junior right back Tyler Robinson and whipped a perfectly placed cross into the box. As Yu watched Boni approach the ball, poised to strike for the game’s opening goal, he recalled “last year’s game when they scored their first goal. It was pretty much the same thing.” Yu lunged helplessly as Boni directed his shot at the gaping net. Both fan bases gasped as a high, resounding tone echoed across the pitch- the ball had hit the crossbar, and Harriton had missed a golden opportunity to score against the run of play.

Instead of getting frustrated, the Rams seemed buoyed by their great chance, as they earned more possession and several promising free kicks on the edge of LM’s box late in the first half.

Superintendent Christopher McGinley also arrived in the latter stages of the first half to take in the intense action (and as many LM students noted, watched the action from the LM side of the stands).

Both LM and Harriton started the second half using the exact formations they had started the game with. Just nine minutes in, LM hit the same crossbar that Boni had struck in the first half. From a Levy long throw, Hail’s contested header reached the Harriton goal with nearly pinpoint precision.

Yet Hail was evidently not destined to score until crunch time, and the Aces continued scrapping defensively and making frequent forays forward offensively without the cushion of a lead. Shortly after the rains decided to come down in earnest in the 63rd minute, LM almost suffered a devastating loss. After making a save low to his near post, Yu rushed out to corral the ball. In the process, he collided awkwardly with Boni and stayed on the ground for a few minutes afterwards in pain.

Rosenbaum entered to the cheers of the crowd, but in just two minutes Yu was fit to return. With about ten minutes to play, the rain abruptly stopped. Fittingly, LM suddenly had a slew of scoring chances. Junior midfielder Eli Cohen made a number of swift darting runs. Sophomore sub Evan Wolf dribbled down the right flank in the 76th minute and fired a quick snapshot, forcing Blumenthal to stretch to parry the ball away at his near post. Two minutes later, Lindheim almost latched onto a long ball but Blumenthal was again up to the task, sliding to squash the opportunity. Soon after, the referee blew the whistle, shrilly signaling the end of full time. Both teams stretched their tired legs and strategized for the first of two ten minute overtime periods. A “Golden Goal” would either send the Rams home happy or launch the Aces and their home crowd into a frenzy.

After the nine minutes of overtime, a tie appeared more likely than ever. Lindheim managed a shot from the edge of the box in the seventh minute of overtime, but wasn’t able to test the keeper.

Yet the Aces kept pressing, and as Levy lined up for one of his patented long throws with the final seconds of overtime ticking down, the LM coaches and players were still convinced that they could win. Severini “thought it was an opportunity to score; we were creating chances all game in play and set pieces.” Severini shouted to the Aces, “six yard box!” instructing his squad to move close to the goal to pressure Blumenthal and the Harriton defense. The players obliged, and Levy launched the ball into the crowded box. Hail’s goal left the Harriton players shaking their heads, as the Rams left with nothing to show for their valiant effort. The Aces remained undefeated in front of their spirited home fans, since, in the words of Severini, “eleven guys played out of their minds.”

A. Koch/W. Rieke

Class of 2016 The LM boys’ varsity soccer team is off to a strong start this season, with a respectable 8-3-1 record so far. The team has been consistent throughout all their games thus far, but with especially strong matches against Radnor and Strath Haven. Coach Nicholas Severini says: “The team is excited for all games, especially Central League Champs. The players are all striving to make district playoffs.“ Coach Severini added that the team has made huge strides and improved immensely from last year, and he is very impressed with the high level of play from junior Eli Cohen, junior Tyler Robinson, sophomore Gian-Luca Hail, sophomore Evan Wolf, senior Brian Roberts, senior Craig Markman, sophomore Will Rosenbaum, senior Jesse Denenberg, and senior Greg Levy. For instance, Hail’s goal in overtime propelled the Aces past Harriton in a crucial win.

Junior David Baer realizes that Severini has,”pushed the team all season towards making the playoffs,” in the Central League. The team is confident that they will be able to match up with other playoff teams just fine. Wolf, a right midfielder, was mildly surprised about the team’s success. He says that “this team has definitely exceeded our expectations so far, being a top team in the Central League and being in a position to make the playoffs.” He feels that the reason for their success

Photo courtesy of Efi Narliotis/Staff David Baer ‘14 jukes past a defender as Tyler Robinson ‘14 looks on. has been “their strong communication in games.”

Midfielders Baer, Wolf, and Daniel Buckman all agree on the fact that captains Connor Yu, Matt Lindheim, and Mark-Abi-Khattar have been some of the most important players on the team so far. These players have shown quality leadership on and off the field, giving 100 percent all of the time, always performing at the highest level.

Going into the season, the team lacked a great deal of game experience compared to other teams in the Central League. Knowing this, many first-year varsity players on the team have stepped up to the challenge and helped the team fight through adversity. Buckman states that the improvements of the first-year players and veterans on the team are the result of “a great work ethic during practice, and how everyone on the team is beginning to understand their role.” Throughout the year both sides of the ball have been vital. The defense, lead by goalie Connor Yu, has shut down many high-scoring teams. The offense has found multiple ways to score, with many different players finding the back of the net. The team is looking forward to the rest of the season and continuing to play with the momentum that they are playing with as of right now. As for the students and fans of Aces soccer: We hope and wish for the best of luck to the boys’ varsity team.