OCTOBER 2013 THE REVIEW
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FEATURES GROWING TOGETHER
Boys to Men encourages male students to communicate, learn from one another Turk puts plan into motion after years of preparation
go on for years,” Turk said. Turk was pleased by the number of guys at the meeting, their participation and their enthusiasm, which has solidified his goal to make the organization a long-term presence on campus. “It was a great first meeting, and I’m by Ben Shou and Pallavi Krishnarao excited about the rest of the year,” sophoDating advice and fighting techniques more Hunter Kowalski said. are among the topics that Boys to Men Turk introduced the topics that the orgaintends on covering in its incipient year, nization will explore, including confidentialong with more difficult topics such as ality, alcohol, and guilt by association. alcohol abuse and guilt by association. Junior Akshay Jaggi said, “The first meetThe group, started by Upper School ing was entertaining and set up some great physics teacher Erol Turk with the support topics for us to focus on later during the of Headmaster Mark Desjardins, serves as year. I’m most looking forward to getting a forum for guys to discuss their concerns dating advice from the wise and wonderful without judgment. Mr. Turk.” “We’ve tried for several years, but we Jaggi recognizes that Boys to Men has haven’t found a receptive audience. Now much to offer. we have the right “The club won’t combination of just be a forum people and events, on how to pick up so we can put girls,” Jaggi said. “I “One of our big goals, right it together with think it has much enthusiasm,” Turk to offer for guys from the beginning, is to said. who don’t feel soestablish trust.” Though Boys cially adept around to Men has a girls yet.” Erol Turk Junior Peter similar premise to Women Helping Cordill appreciates Empower Each Turk’s understandOther (WHEE), Turk says WHEE is not a ing nature. competitor. Because Boys to Men is geared “I’m looking forward to being able to towards males, it will not deal with the discuss difficult topics with a teacher like same issues nor have the same dynamics. Mr. Turk,” Cordill said. “It is good to “Guys treat each other differently and know you have a teacher who understands have different interactions than those that and can sympathize with some of the situawomen have,” Turk said. “They generally tions teenagers find themselves in.” have to feel safer in order for them to open After describing future agendas, Turk up.” opened the floor to suggestions from the In part as a result of Desjardins’ support, members for discussion topics, which Turk was able to get the group up and included self-defense. running this year. The significance and the values of the “[Turk] has been wanting to do somegroup are truly important to Turk, not just thing like this for a few years, and I wanted its popularity. He wants everyone to learn to lend my full support to him,” Desjarfrom his and other men’s experiences. dins said. “There are too many mistakes in life to Through the dedication of Turk and have to learn all of them first-hand, and Desjardins, the group has received positive there are so many areas where your classfeedback from the community. room teacher is not going to talk about it,” “I know that if we start with some topics Turk said. that are interesting and relevant, people Turk wants to provide an avenue for guys will start to get a good feel. I hope this to communicate with each other and ask becomes something like WHEE which will questions without fear of judgment.
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JAKE NYQUIST
Turk-men-istan After years of planning for the creation of a male-centered support group, Erol Turk led the first meeting of Boys to Men. The group will explore topics such as confidentiality, alcohol and guilt by association.
“One of our big goals, right from the beginning, is to establish trust,” Turk said. The group is directed at all Upper School boys, with the intention to have freshmen learn from upperclassmen and to prevent future problems.
“That’s the problem with experience,” said Turk. “You don’t get it until after the event.” Additional reporting by Rebecca Chen