proctor pulse - sprg #3

May 2013 Journalism

PROCTOR PULSE Countdown To Graduation!!

19:22:19:34 Days.Hours.Minutes.Seconds (as of Sunday May 12th)

MOTHER’S DAY : MAY 12, 2013 Edited by: Michelle Holmes & Kayla Harris

Top ten Mother’s day gifts:

Mother’s day: a time to

as the Greek cult to Cybele,

celebrate and honor your

the Roman festival of Hilaria,

mother. Mother’s day was an

or the Christian Mothering

American invention. It is not

Sunday celebration. Despite

directly descended from the

this, in some countries

many celebrations of mothers

Mother's Day has become

and motherhood that have

synonymous with these older

occurred throughout the world traditions. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ over thousands of years, such

Mother's_Day)

[1]

10. Gardening tools 9. Technology (Apple products: laptop, iphone) 8. Cooking supplies 7. Traveling stuff (Camera) 6. Work supplies (iPad, watch) 5. Clothes 4. Tea Maker, Blu-ray, jewelry 3. Fitness stuff (Lululemon, Nike Fuel Band) 2. Eco friendly stuff 1. J. Crew, Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein (‘trendsetter’ clothing)

GOODBYE, PROCTOR Written by Emmy Snyder

After four four long years, the time to graduate is finally

crazy times. During freshman year, it seems like there is

here.

nothing to lose, and all you can think about is fun. Looking

The journey through Proctor has been extraordinary for

back, the work at Proctor seemed difficult, especially after

many of us. I can’t thank Proctor enough for everything it

completing middle school. In comparison to today,

has had to offer, especially because many

however, it couldn’t be easier than 9th grade.

students have succeeded with the challenges they faced. These experiences have changed us for the better.

While talking with Moriah, I realized that I felt absolutely sure about where I would

I interviewed a couple students who

go in life at that time. However, as you

have taken advantage of so much that

journey through high school, often times

Proctor has to offer. Moriah Keat, a four

the path that you see is far from what you

year senior, looked back at her freshman

actually have a passion for. I asked Moriah

year in comparison to her current senior self. “As

about how her path had changed throughout

a freshman, I was a crazy ball of energy,” Moriah noted.

Proctor. “I've developed passions I never dreamed I'd have,

“After the first year, I had already calmed down and grown

like ski patrolling,”

up a bit.” As a good friend of hers, I also remember those

[2]

“As a freshman, I wanted to spend most of my time in the theater.

remembered as the kid who ran to

Now I'm a member of the National Ski

every class. Now, thanks to the help of

Patrol who works at two mountains.”

a welcoming and accepting community,

Moriah had never thought of doing ski

Jake has been able to open up even

patrol until she tried it during her

more and has become a well known

freshman year. She grew a great

gentleman across campus.

passion for it. This year, she has been

Jake noted, “Differences are

recognized for her excellence in Ski

embraced here, and that fact alone

Patrolling by earning The New

has given me the ability to develop

Hampshire NSP Outstanding Young

myself in a wide variety of ways.” Jake

Adult Patroller Award. Congratulations!

has spent his time at Proctor meeting and making close friends as well as

Proctor has also given students the

getting himself involved in the theatre.

opportunities to connect with the

Throughout his four years at Proctor,

community. One of my close friends,

Jake has become known for his many

Jake Dombroski, has also taken

voices and comedic performances in

advantage of many opportunites that

Proctor’s plays. “The highlight of these

Proctor offers. I remember how Jake

was definitely The Foreigner,

came to Proctor as an intelligent, shy,

(February, 2011), mostly

quiet freshman, most

Jake as he stars in The Foreigner

[3]

Moriah laughed about the closeness of because of the feeling of community it

her ski patrol team: “One time, I was

Of course, while achieving our goals at

provides during the rehearsal process,” walking back to campus from the

Proctor, there will be several regrets

Jake told me. “Theater seems to have

Blackwater while talking to my dad on

that we will have about leaving Proctor.

a way of bringing people together as

the phone when all of the sudden, the

When I asked Jake about his regrets at

little else can, and I've valued that quality of the

Ski Patrol van pulls up behinds me, throws open the door,

program throughout my

he said to me, “I wish I had come to

and a voice yells "Get in

time here.” This

breakfast more and taken advantage

the van!" I just remember

spring, Jake (not

of the invaluable opportunity to eat

saying to my dad, "I'll

typically part of musicals) will be

Proctor, he paused for a second. Then

Edna's waffles!”

talk to you later, I'm Moriah in Ski Patrol

performing as the

getting picked up by

As for Moriah, who went on Ocean

a white van. Bye!"

Classroom in 2011, she told me, “My

Scarecrow in Proctor’s production of The Wizard of Oz. Look for him this May in the Spring Musical!

I want to take a moment to thank the community and faculty for everything they offered me at Proctor. Those notable adults and teachers who have helped students throughout the years will also remain in our memories. Both Jake and Moriah are in agreement that we will miss them as we move on in life. “Proctor's crown jewel is its welcome into a family of sorts, one that I doubt I will ever forget.” Jake observed.

Jake describes the faculty perfectly.

Many Proctor students do not only see them as teachers, but as friends and their second family, too. Moriah says that she would also describe her

biggest regret is not eating a fish's beating heart on Ocean Classroom..”

I chuckled when I heard this.

Wow, incredible! I can’t believe she

Yet, as hilarious and sketchy as it

even had an opportunity to do that. I

sounds, Moriah’s story reveals her

probably would not even think about

passion for patrolling. At the same

trying that.

time, it reveals her relationship with everyone in ski patrol.

I think my biggest regret for my four years at Proctor was not being

I know that I will remember my

able to stay on campus

Proctor experiences.

Edna making Waffles

Whether it was traveling on my own

longer. As a day student, I often had fixed departure

to Costa Rica for

times from campus, so I

the Study Abroad

would not be able to stay

Program or

on campus as long as I

performing with the Jazz Ensemble for the first time, they have all affected me. As my classmates end at Proctor nears, our memories will be the ones to keep for the rest of our lives.

Proctor Ski Patrol group like a family.

[4]

would truly want to.

Looking back at what has been achieved

pushed me to try my best and get all my

over the course of four years, The number

work done.

of experiences and memories are countless. What we, as students, have

I also want to thank any other individuals,

been offered are experiences and

friends, family, acquaintances who I have

memories that may not be offered

met throughout the last four years. You’ve

anywhere else, even in college. As I walk

made me laugh until I fell to the ground,

down the graduation aisle later this month,

you made me cry until there were no more

I hope to keep my memories of Proctor with

tears left, and you’ve made me smile until

me for the rest of my life.

my cheeks ached. Each one of you has helped me become a stronger,

I personally want to thank all of the

independent, and optimistic person. I would

teachers that I have had in the past four

love to keep in contact with teachers,

years of my life at Proctor. Every one of

friends, and Proctor students as I move on

you has affected my life significantly,

to the next chapter of my life.

whether it was because I was challenged to work harder or because I became inspired and motivated. Your encouragement and positive attitudes have

[5]

The Fowler Triple

by Mickey Sweeney

Three senior ladies, Nicole Adee, Devon Webster, and Kiki Torpey have been by each other’s side since the beginning.

Their last term together, fresh off of Mountain Classroom, has put them in a different place in terms of their relationships with one another.

Devon Webster and Nicole Adee’s friendship sparked their freshman year and they realized how much they enjoyed each others company. That spring they chose each other as roommates. They went through a lot of trouble (that should go unsaid) to live in Gulick.

However, after all of this trouble, they ended up hating each other!

“We were too close as friends,” they agreed. Rooming together their final term on campus this year was a thought that never crossed their minds back then...

So here we are, our last spring term at Mother Proctor, graduating in a matter of weeks.

This senior year has been a big year for these three girls (including me). All of us loved our Mountain Classroom experience.

The whole winter term the three were side by side, traveling the country in a Proctor mini bus with ten students and two instructors, studying the country and land, the stars, and the wilderness of America. They carry with them some of the Mountain Classroom mindset and traditions.

“We have modified a version of an evening meeting every night. Living in such a drama free environment on Mountain made it easy to come back to a room where we knew how to handle ourselves. We knew to bring the right amount of stuff to make it work,” explains [6]

Devon. “Living together all term brought us closer,[made us] more compatible, and [we] understand each others needs.” The three girls shared and experienced so much together: traveling across our great nation, adventuring down the Rio Grande, exploring the Mission Creek Preserve, and leaving their mark in the Southwest has bonded them in a special way.

I asked the girls about the room. The room in Fowler is supposed to be a double, but the girls transformed it into a triple.

How has it worked? It is a tight squeeze! Kiki has given up having her own desk to make more room for everyone else (an unselfish quality most likely learned on the road). Also, Justin Pasculano graciously reupholstered a futon during Project Period and offered it to the triple.

“The futon is a lifesaver,“ says Nicole, “it’s where people can come in and sit down which helps keep them off our beds and actually keeps our room neater and more organized.” The girls also noted that if the room becomes too messy on a specific persons side, they confront the person and get the problem solved. “A trait we developed on Mountain.” observes Kiki. Overall, these three senior girls have matured together and understand each other on another level.

Devon, Nicole, and Kiki are enjoying their last few weeks on campus together. Soon they will be getting their diplomas and moving on out into the world. If you see one of these girls around campus, stop and look them deep into the eyes and say hello.

They will appreciate it!

Ross Young: Man of Mystery

By Odaine Franlyn

You have heard all about Ross Young and the rumors going around about him. It’s incredible what you will hear about this man. A navy seal and being a part of the seal team six, having multiple black belts, serving in the army and also chasing down and catching three kids he caught smoking in the woods. Realistically, it could all be true.

Ross was born in Melrose, Massachusetts and was raised in Ipswich. Ross studied a lot of karate. He explained, “I never really got into any other sports because I was always at the dojo [karate gym], most days I would go right there after school. I think I started when I was eleven or twelve years old.” Ross did karate and he also participated in cross country running. I workout and train with Ross now and if there is one thing I can say about him, it is that he can get after it with any workout: the man is a walking machine.

After years of doing karate, Ross had achieved his goals of becoming a black belt, but not just one Ross had earned multiple black belts when he was in his twenties. After college, Ross’ first job was a substitute Spanish teacher. He got the job from a lady who had heard him speak fluently. The lady asked if he wanted a job and Ross said “Of course” and took the offer in a heartbeat.

Ross is now here at Proctor Academy and seems to be happy about it. Ross mentioned that “I teach Spanish and am the Department Head of the World Language Department. I am the Cross Country Coach and I teach/coach the Self-Defense activity in the winter. Like most folks here, I'm an advisor and while I used to live in a dorm, I'm still a surrogate dorm parent.”

Now if you have been going here for some time now I am sure that you have heard numerous rumors about Ross Young. There were rumors such as him serving in the military, being on the special tactics force, even some Navy seal team six rumors and even some CIA rumors.

I asked Ross myself about this and he said none of those rumors were true, but what is true is that Ross is familiar with that type of lifestyle.

He said this with a smirk on his face and now it is hard to believe whether it’s true or not. Ross did tell me a story of catching kids smoking cigarettes in the woods.

While running, he found three teens smoking and told them not to move and they all made a run for it. Ross quietly recounted, “They all scattered in three different directions, but ... I was up for the chase.” He said he caught the first one which was real easy because the kid lost his flip flops and was going nowhere after that. He said the second kid was far but eventually he caught up to him too. The last kid Ross mentioned was hauling across a field for dear life, but by the time he reached the hill to go up to the dorm which is now Peabody, he was all out of air and couldn’t make it to the top.

Ross said, “I guess his lungs gave up on him.” I started laughing and so did he. I guess there are some things most people won’t ever know about Ross Young, but he is a great guy, hard working, and full of mystery.

I salute this man.

[7]

SENIORITIS

I still don’t open one. I manage to find every distraction possible. !

Each day seems to drag on.

A Sunday night at Proctor. The I sit in class and it feels as though clock reads 7:39 PM. I push the small piles of clothes to the side of the clock on the wall doesn’t change. By the time the day is my couch and sit down. I sit back done, it is all a blur. The days are on my couch and plop my feet up long and everything seems to blend on the small coffee table resting in together. I fall into the same daily the middle of my room. Laundry, shoes and miscellaneous objects are pattern. The morning comes. I wake up, usually later rather than scattered around my room. The earlier. I haven’t been to breakfast trash needs to be taken out. I can’t in ages. I lack the motivation to get remember the last time I up early. My alarm rings at 7 am, vacuumed. and I snooze it until 7:45. !

I open the macbook I’ve !

The past few weeks have had since freshman year and look been extremely difficult. Senior at my podium for the third time spring has been getting the best today, secretly wishing that all my assignments would just disappear. and worst of me. I’ve always heard of senioritis and knew that kids My podium tells me that I have homework for journalism, modern always complained of it, but I don’t think anyone can fully understand foreign policy, AP lit and APES. I what it is until their senior year reread each assignment several rolls around. times, then I sit and stare at my !

I was lucky enough to end computer screen for about four my college process really early. I minutes. applied early decision and found !

I occasionally check my out where I was going by the end facebook newsfeed. I open my of November. After that, I went off email and see that I have 189 campus on Mountain Classroom. unread emails, many of them When I returned in the spring, I resulting from my time away was shocked at how little during winter Mountain motivation I had to do school Classroom. I scroll to see if work. I currently have about a anything important jumps out at month left of high school, but I’m me, and then I leave the page.

When I check again in five minutes, finding it extremely hard to get through the days.

I have 190 emails. !

The hardest part of the term, for me, would be my class schedule. Unlike some of my peers, I maintained a rigorous schedule including two AP classes and several other major courses. These classes require a lot of time and effort which I have been lacking for a while. !

by Nicole Adee

[8]

!

My senior spring has brought along a whole new set of challenges. At the end of the day the only real motivation I have comes from my mom and college next year. I hear the voice inside my head motivating me to finish strong. At the same time, I am mentally checked out, ready to graduate and move on. !

So what can heal this epidemic of senioritis? I believe that we do need to learn to deal with the many challenges thrown at us when we aren’t ready for them, but when an issue like this is affecting so many people, we need action. How can we motivate seniors more in their final few weeks of high school? Is the answer a longer senior project? Is it offering more easy electives just for seniors? This epidemic is affecting seniors everywhere..if only I had the motivation to address the situation.

LESSONS AND MEMORIES FROM 400 FEET

The top shack at the summit of Proctor Ski Area is packed. Suddenly, the radio’s distinct crackle interrupts the light atmosphere, sending a hush over the room. Moments after, the light banter has been replaced by the sound of ski boots tramping across the floor. Captains communicate their plans while someone pulls a toboggan out. Within minutes, the top shack is nearly empty and the only sounds are the stereo and the radio voices giving details of the accident.

This is a common scenario at at any patrol, but Proctor is different. Most of these patrollers are high school students.

One of five patrols in the New Hampshire region to offer a young adult patrol program, Proctor Ski Area offers a great environment for

Larry Ballin has been the Patrol Director for Proctor’S Ski Patrol since

students to learn the basics of patrolling. Since its founding, Proctor

2001, and a member of the National Ski Patrol since 1988. In twelve years,

Academy Ski Patrol has taught many students first aid, toboggan, and ski

he has seen many changes, both in the patrol and in students. Ballin

skills. Many returned year after year, others did one year and decided it

recalls, “Ski patrollers were used for everything from loading lifts to

wasn’t for them. Nearly everyone took away some important life

running the snack bar to doing all kinds of labor activities that

lessons.

benefited the ski area...There was a dedicated group of

George Emeny remembers the Proctor Ski Patrol’s

patrollers, but it was really more of a work group than a

program when he came to Andover around 1955. “They

patrol group.” The program has changed a lot for the

just sort of skied,” he said, adding that they didn’t

better according to Ballin. “I think we act more as a

even have a toboggan. That all changed when George

professional ski patrol as opposed to a community

began working with the program. He had patrolled

service.”

through college and was already a member of the

National Ski Patrol. George remembers working with

Ski patrol has many benefits, both to the ski

area and the individual patroller. “Its always fun to take

the students on medical skills through the Red Cross’s

a patroller...and either get them through the OEC

Advanced First Aid, and later the early Emergency Medical

(Outdoor Emergency Care) program or even just get them

Technician (EMT) program. Training, he recalled, was “very

an introduction to ski patrolling that will lead them to doing it in

thorough and fun.” The first sleds the patrol purchased were just regular

a different time frame.” Continued Ballin, “Its a real unique program.

toboggans, but over the years, the sleds were upgraded until they finally

There are hardly any others like it in the country, so it’s great marketing for

had “good regular patrol sleds.” In these days, sprained ankles and knees

the school, especially when we have a successful patroller or two. It kind

were most common. Injured skiers were evacuated from the hill, then

of fits with the motto of Proctor we’ve all grown up with, Live to Learn,

transported to the Health Center, and ultimately the hospital if needed.

Learn to Live. It’s great experiential learning. It’s very unique.”

Times have certainly changed, but some similarities remain.

[9]

Larry understands that for some students, ski

remembers Johnson. “This trail was not open

patrol isn’t just fun and games. Patrolling

very often due to no snowmaking and terrain

presents many challenges. The biggest?

issues (it desperately needs to meet dynamite),”

“Managing time, and getting respect from other

students...and also giving them [patrolers] the

was a fun slow winding trail when it was open.

confidence to go ahead and use the skills they

This is where we usually would ski the ‘New

have.” If there is anything that hasn’t changed

England Powder’ for one day till Gary packed it

about Proctor Academy Ski Area, it is building

down and groomed it to make the snow last

confidence by patrolling.

longer.” Other students recall creating their own

Even though Proctor is almost constantly

Patroler Chris Sanborn ‘97 recalls, “[It

glades and trails through the woods between

changing, some things at the Proctor Ski Area

trails. In addition to changes to the trails

haven’t. There are still three trails, although Race

themselves, there has been a huge change in

(Burden) Trail and Middle (Blackwater) Trail have

the amount of people using them. According to

had some modifications. Says Heide Johnson,

Larry Ballin, “Our number of days on the hill has

former patrol director, “The middle trail was the

doubled. The amount of...outside business we

most fun when it had enough snow; the top was

do at the ski area has probably grown tenfold.”

too narrow and often didn't hold snow well, but

In addition, in the last decade, a handle tow was

past that, there was an island of trees in the

added on the last slope on Race Trail, just below

middle with a little cliff jump. Lots of fun, but

Coach’s Knoll. Prior to that, skiers had to skate

only with lots of natural snow!” Snowmaking

over the nordic trails to the T-Bar. Although the

was added to Middle Trail in the summer of

trails and lifts have changed, their spirit remains

1996, and the cliff was blasted out in in the

unchanged.

summer of 2010 so the trail could be

FIRST AID

Much of the patrol equipment hasn’t

homogolyzed by FIS (International Ski

changed either. Quick splints, cravats, and SAM

Federation). Doc’s Run, however, remains

splints remain integral to patrol skills. “I

unchanged. “Doc's trail was schizophrenic - flat,

remember my favorite splint that we used was a

then steep, then flat, then steep, then flat,”

quick splint. It was two pieces of plywood,

Outdoor Emergency Care Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) is the first aid course offered by the National Ski Patrol. The course is about 80-100 hours, and nearly equivalent to and EMTBasic course. OEC requires one refresher a year. In addition, the New Hampshire region offers training days for young adult patrollers at ski areas around the state.

Proctor Ski Patrollers practice toboggan handling at a region training day

[10]

S&T

that had soft foam on the inside and two

Academy Ski Patrol isn’t necessarily the

sandwich. You would just put the splint on and

patrolling experience, some say it is the lessons

cinch down the straps and it was good to go,”

they took away. Larry Ballin believes, “It gives

says Scott Kidder ‘00. He adds that, “...we got

them an opportunity to have a skill set under

the vacuum splints which worked well inside,

their belt when they leave Proctor that they can

but if they were cold, they were so stiff that you

immediately turn into a marketable commodity.”

couldn't make them form around anything.”

Many patrollers deviated from the standard list

Emergency Care (OEC) is a useful skill to have

of supplies in their aid belt. Some were simple

out in the world. I can act as a first responder at

such as, “A pen,” recalls Sam Brown ’10, “I did

accidents off the mountain and deal with injuries

a lot of paperwork,” or Ben Chaffee’s “Duct

in my workplace.” “I learned a LOT about improv

tape...you can do anything with duct tape and a

bandages and just making it work even if you

little ingenuity.” Others kept more unique things.

don't have the right tools,” reflects Kidder. “I

Scott Kidder ‘00 remembers, “...a trick that my

currently work as an Athletic Trainer and when

Mom taught me from when she used to patrol at

people see me backboard someone, you can tell

Ragged Mountain was to have a baby diaper

I used to do it on mountains.” Sam Brown ‘10

with you because they made good absorbent

made a list of lessons he learned. “[G]ood

dressings and you also had a plastic barrier if

communication skills with patients, how to

you didn't have time to get your gloves on yet,”

operate under stress, exceeding expectations,

He adds, “because we worked at night, [I

working in a timely manner, [and] putting out a

carried] a flare just in case the power ever went

good image.” Most patrollers would agree that

out.” Most students recall having all the

the lessons they learned are extremely pertinent

equipment necessary to take care of any

in the working world.

possible injury, or at least to improvise a splint.

Ski and Toboggan Ski and toboggan are two integral skills in ski patrolling. Proctor Academy Ski Patrol uses the basic Cascade Toboggan model. This features a fiberglass sled with two metal handles at the front, and long metal skegs on the bottom. A chain under the sled functions as a brake, though another patroller can stabilize the sled with a tail rope as needed

Ultimately, the importance of Proctor

straps that held the halves together like a

Ski Patrol 2009-2010

[11]

Says Myles Cheston ‘12, “Outdoor

Responsibility Left: Proctor Academy Ski Patrollers are in charge of the handle tow operation. Below: Ali Mitchell ’10 receives her Outdoor Emergency Care certification (with a big smile!)

Proctor Academy Ski Patrol has been around for over sixty years, and it doesn’t seem to be leaving anytime soon. In fact, in “It’s a lifelong skill.” claims Larry Ballin. As long as Proctor

the past five years, four students have completed the

hits the slopes of Proctor Ski Area, Proctor Academy Ski

Outdoor Emergency Care course to become members of the National Ski Patrol. After spending so much time at Proctor Ski Area, they are not walking away empty handed. These students will be well equipped to handle whatever life throws at them. The skills and

“It’s a lifelong skill.” ~Larry Ballin

Patrol will be in business changing the live of every one of their members.

By Moriah Keat

memories these students gain will last longer than their patrolling days.

BY THE NUMBERS

OEC

TOBOGGANS

Number of OEC Technicians in the past 5 years

Number of toboggans in use

Age of the average member of NSP

Age of the average PASP patroller

5

5

50

16

[12]

AGE

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]