Gryphon Gazette 2012-13, Issue 4

The

Gryphon Gazette

February 2012

News

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The Newspaper of St. George’s Independent School •

Volume XI, Issue IV

Josh Pastner Talks Basketball

Gryphon

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oses are red, violets are blue, and here’s St. George’s news for you!

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, the halls are alive with budding romances and anticipation for all that the season has to offer.

We await secret valentines, heart shaped candy, and Bubba Gorham’s annual, very public, and ever successful matchmaking abilities.

Though for some Valentine’s Day includes curling up with a bowl of Ben and Jerry’s rather than a fancy dinner and movie, embrace this season as a time to show all those who love us so ever much just how much they’re appreciated. After all, in the wise words of Paul, John, George, and Ringo, “All you need is love.”

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Stories Opinion

• New Teachers on the Block Sports

• Josh Pastner Talks Basketball Features

• The Dangers of Social Media

Student Life

• Meet the Cute Couples at SGIS

Lindsey Cayce ’14

J Morgan Harter talks to Josh pastner about Basketball.

J Morgan Harter ’13 Coaches have tough jobs.

From the scrutiny of the media to their short leashes in the athletic department, they are always under a microscope.

With that being said, there is no tougher task in coaching than when you are asked to follow a legend.

Where some names come to mind — Bob Knight, John Thompson, and Dean Smith — others do not, such as Mike Davis, Craig Esherick, and Bill Guthridge. No one knows this dilemma better than Coach

Josh Pastner. at the same time, it’s tough I talked to Coach Pastner to follow a legend like Coach and, at age 35, he is under a Calipari.” Calipari returned lot of pressure.

Memphis to This is his first level of nao one knows ational head-coachpromiing job, which this dilemma bet- nence that makes him one ter than Coach they had not of the youngest experienced head coaches in Josh Pastner. since Dana Division I basKirk and Larry ketball. Go ahead and add Finch. For Pastner to follow to that list, “Following John a coach like that in his first Calipari.” head-coaching job puts him “It’s a great profession to be at a severe disadvantage. in,” Coach Pastner said, “but That being said, he has cer-

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tainly risen to the challenge.

After a shaky first year in which he and his team missed the NCAA tournament, he has steadily improved every single year bringing in tremendous recruiting classes and showing promising signs. However this is Memphis, and people in Memphis only care about recruits if it leads to success like what they saw when Calipari was at the helm.

Cont. on Page 9

The Dangers of Social Media Exams Exemptions: How It Works Virginia Whitsitt ’14 through statuses, pictures, and Meredith Gatlin ’14 tweets. However, one question “Are you sure you want to continually presents itself: how post that online?” It’s a com- much can we really trust our monly asked question in the social media networks? homes of teenagers all across In 2011, former RepresentaAmerica. Amidst the process tive Anthony Weiner stepped of updating your down from Facebook, your his seat in mom and dad mere you sure New York’s ander in to caution ninth conyou about your you want to post g r e s s i o n a l use of social media that online? district after sites. mistakenly While we may posting an roll our eyes and ignore our explicit picture onto his Twitter parents, it is a legitimate con- account. cern. Our generation has become accustomed to documenting nearly our entire lives Cont. on Page 6

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ver since freshman year, we have looked enviously on the senior class as they enjoy the glorious privileges of the senior lounge, off -campus lunches, and short walks every morning from the senior parking lot to the school building. That’s right; I’m talking about the long soughtafter Senior Privileges.

However at the end of every trimester, there seems to be one we envy the most: exam exemptions. During the third trimester if seniors have A’s in their classes, they are exempt from exams. With exam ex-

emptions, seniors are able to end the year on a high note instead of stressing over end-of -the-year exams.

Though St. George’s has many unique qualities, exam exemptions are not one of them. There are other schools that also have a similar process, such as Houston High School. However at Houston the process is a little different.

Seniors are exempt from all three trimesters if they make a 90 or above and have not missed more than two days of school during that trimester.

Cont. on Page 7

February

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St. George’s Independent School

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Happy Limbic System Day

Senior Moments

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SGIS Is an Acronym

Anonymous SGIS is an acronymheavy institution, so much so that it appears we work in our own, odd calculus. SIS, A1, SGC, T1, SGC, B3, X Day, and so forth, all bear this out.

Just as our school has its own language to define its offerings, our fabulous seniors, too, are figuring out how to define the remainder of their time.

True to their unique character, bless their little precious hearts, the Class of 2013 is creating their own “calculus” which appears to be some sort of hybrid of geometry and “Twilight.”

As we consider the implications of “One Tree Hill,” I offer some observations of the New Math taking place amongst

Nathalie Vacheron ’13

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our seniors: • Ketchup + Mug = Awkward reality • Reading + Dark Room = Unusual One • Class of 2013 + A2 = Inspired reading of the “TCU Letter” • Peyton Schelp + Malvolio = No emotion.

Period.

• iPhone + wandering/ return = Joy to behold • Ambient temp in the senior dining room squared = An appliance • TCG + leverage = Scholarship essays do REALLY matter and HAVE to be done • Door to the senior dining room opening in rather than out = Multiple opportunities for learning

Need a

SHOUTOUT?

If you need to advertise any clubs or make any announcements, please e-mail Samer at sistanbouli13@sgis.org!

Newspaper Staff

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Editor-in-Chief

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Nathalie Vacheron

Copy Editors

Regan Hewitt Virginia Whitsitt

Layout Editors

Samer Istanbouli Kayce Hyde

Photo Editors

Alexis Harshbarger Lindsey Cayce

Features Editors

Emily Dickey Dagny Vaughn

Opinion Editor

Ian John

Sports Editor

Jamie Roche

Student Life Editors

Meredith Gatlin Maggie Courtney

Entertainment Editor

Zoe Leake

Advisor

Margaret Robertson

Editorial

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t is February of third grade at Dogwood Elementary School, and eight-year-old Nathalie Vacheron has a carefully constructed and deviously crafted plan. She holds her Disney-themed Valentine’s Day cards from Walgreen’s in her hands, but the one on the bottom is special.

That valentine features the alwayssinging Pocahontas, the confident John Smith, and the sweet-faced, yet scheming raccoon Meeko.

She flits by everyone’s desks, dropping off their valentines and a box of SweeTarts, but when it comes to that bottom valentine in the stack, she’s suddenly nervous.

Finally she plucks up enough courage to drop it onto the desk of the boy she was sure would be her future husband — we’ll just call him J.S.C. for the sake of secrecy — and ran quickly back to her own desk, her heart pounding in her chest.

She’d just done the boldest thing she’d ever done in her life; by giving J.S.C a valentine with both a male and a female on it, she’s jessentially just confessed her love for him. Would he somehow show ardor in return?

Oh, young love. It’s spontaneous, bold, often an emotional rollercoaster, and usually quite rampant on the 14th of February. However, Valentine’s Day isn’t all about the number of Val-O-grams you receive (although we all know from “Mean Girls” that some people take the “gram” system very seriously — you go, Glen Coco). It’s not about skydiving out of a plane to catch your crush’s attention, or sprawling on the ground in the hallway after “tripping” so he or she will finally know you exist. And it’s not about jumping quickly into a relationship just so you can have a special someone for a day that’s technically just

like any other — characterized by 24 hours in length, a sunrise, a sunset, and maybe some precipitation.

Valentine’s Day is actually about properly using your limbic system.

What is the limbic system, you may ask? The limbic system is an arrangement of brain structures that are responsible for your emotions. So, my advice to you this Valentine’s Day is to rein in your limbic system and handle your feelings responsibly.

Keep things simple; instead of impulsively giving a copy of your diary detailing your love for “Joe” to the man himself (let’s keep in mind that Joe wasn’t aware of your existence until now) or perhaps gorging yourself with twenty-seven boxes of chocolate in spontaneous, unwarranted depression, focus on the relationships you have already.

February 14th is the day to use your limbic system to appreciate all of the people around you. We share special relationships with everyone, whether those relationships are romantic or not. In fact, we forget about some of our most important relationships because we take them for granted.

Friends are remarkably supportive people who love you for who you are; think about what your life would be like without them.

Family members are even more supportive — especially parents — and their love for you is unconditional. Raising kids is tough, and your parents have stuck with you through the tantrums, the bad grades, and the days when nothing seems to go right…and of course, the happy days too. Relationships with your teachers and mentors are just as important. The faculty mem-

bers of St. George’s work hard every day to provide a safe, educational, caring environment for the students, and I think we often forget everything they do for us. Last but not least, don’t forget the man upstairs. He loves all of us a lot, and His love is one of the greatest gifts of all. No box of candy hearts or plush pink teddy bear matches up to that kind of present.

So, just remember this Valentine’s Day to be thankful for the relationships you have, and use your limbic system for the power of gratefulness instead of the power of rash actions or superfluous sadness.

Oh, and as for J.S.C., our love story turned out pretty well — or, relatively well. Our homeroom class played freeze tag at recess the next day, and you’ll never guess what happened — J.S.C. unfroze me after a particularly irksome girl in my class tagged me next to the slide, risking being tagged by the same irksome girl herself (she was definitely using the common strategy of “puppy-guarding” her victims).

This act of heroism forever stayed in my heart. I realized later that that instance was probably the climax of our love story, and it was unlikely that I’d ever muster up the courage to interact with him again, but it ended up being okay.

I moved on to other elementary school boys who proposed to me with rubber band rings, gave me nicknames like “Elf” and “French Fry,” and kindly let me borrow their crayons.

Besides, J.S.C. looked like a mouse.

What is the

limbic system...?

And you’ll

never guess what happened.

Love always and eternally grateful for you all, Nathalie Vacheron Editor-in-Chief

The Hot Truth About Global Warming •

Alexis Harshbarger ‘13

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id you know that if you were to poke a hole in Goldstream Lake in Alaska and light a match next to that hole, flames would shoot out from the lake like a blowtorch?

Seems like a magic trick, right? But the scary thing is, that it’s not; this is an incredibly real and serious problem. Layers upon layers of frozen bubbles caught in the thick ice of Alaskan lakes may create a beautiful landscape, but these bubbles are filled with a deadly, incredibly flammable gas: methane.

In Alaska, global warming is causing the permafrost under the lakes to melt, which releases methane gas into the lakes that physically appears as bubbles that get frozen in the ice. Some lakes even have “hot spots” which means that the methane is bubbling so much

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that the ice never forms there.

Liters upon liters of methane are coming out of even the smallest holes every day, and there are hundreds of lakes that release methane all over Alaska.

Why does this matter? It matters because methane is one of the most predominant greenhouse gases. Greenhouses gases are one of the contributors to global warming, so methane being released into the atmosphere is just compounding the problem.

Despite the many doubts regarding global warming, the sad reality is that it’s really happening. Since the Industrial Revolution, we have been contributing to the already existing greenhouse gases at an alarming rate.

Global warming is a serious issue that can change rainfall patterns, causing floods, storms, or droughts. It can melt ice caps

and glaciers that cause floods, raise sea levels, and cause land erosion. Global warming is putting an incredible amount of stress on our environment and ecosystems.

Temperature changes are altering growing seasons and have caused animals to migrate to areas with cooler temperatures. Some species that cannot adapt quickly enough may face extinction.

What are some things you can do to help reduce global warming?

Reduce, reuse, and recycle! These are three super easy and effective ways to fight against global warming. Using less hot water and turning off the lights when you leave a room are also easy things that you can do that save a lot of energy and that can save you money. Probably the most important thing you can do is to encourage others to help the environment and to start taking steps toward protecting our world.

February

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St. George’s Independent School

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Opinion

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Respect New Teachers On The Block ToShow Earn Respect The opinions expressed in this section reflect the views of individual writers and are not necessarily those of the Gryphon Gazette or its staff.

Emily Dickey ‘14

Over the past three years, upper school students and families have seen their fair share of teachers who are relatively new to high school teaching: Mr. Taylor, Mr. Brant, Dr. Robertson, Mr. Slatery, just to name a few. The first three years of teaching are always difficult, and diving into a school like St. George’s presents its own unique set of struggles: adjusting to the frequent special schedule changes, dreading the day they first approach Ms. Sue without their lunch card, the numerous half days for holidays and events that they’ve never heard of, and then they often must deal with the whispers of skepticism from those who can’t help but wonder if a new teacher can meet the kind of expectations parents and students have when they invest in an education at a school like St. George’s, myself included.

However, before we get too ahead of ourselves, it is important to understand what it is about independent schools that is so appealing to this new generation of teachers. Independent schools, because of the significantly high expectations for their teachers, often have encouraging support systems in place in case these new teachers may be a bit wary of their own teaching ability. They also meet with smaller class sizes and more liberty with the curriculum.

Mr. Wilson Taylor, currently teaching his first full year as a tenth-grade English teacher, expressed his gratitude in being able to do just that. “Independent schools in general give teachers more autonomy; I can structure the class around where I want it to go.”

Also, most independent schools, unlike public schools, do not require teacher certification or education degrees, favoring instead degrees in subjects the teacher will be teaching. For prospective teachers just coming out of college, this could make independent schools the more convenient or

more reasonable choice.

If a new teacher were not confident in their ability to control a classroom, their success might be more likely at an independent school, due to the smaller class sizes and a mentor-like relationship between teachers at the school. Mr. J.P. Culley, Associate Head of School, pointed out that the ability to handle a class full of students is “less a function of someone’s age, and more a function of good classroom management techniques.”

Of course, inexperience is something that can sometimes curb the proficiency of a new teacher. No matter how nurturing the environment and how supportive the students, it will always take some getting used to, and because of this, some administrations are leery in hiring a brand new teacher. Mr. Culley has indicated that we are actually very aware of this: “We’re cognizant of it. Someone with very little to no teaching experience presents a different set of worries than someone with 25 years experience.”

He was quick to point out that teachers with 25 years of experience also present challenges. Because, after all, there is no perfect candidate. There are always variables to be considered and weaknesses to be weighed in hiring.

One positive to be considered is the excitement that new teachers bring with them to the classroom. Mr. Wilson Taylor adamantly agreed. “Without denigrating older teachers, of course, I think that I can bring to the classroom a new level of enthusiasm.” Anyone who has had Mr. Taylor as a teacher will agree that his classroom is nothing if not enthusiastic.

At this point, if you still find yourself or your parent worrying about the qualifications of a young teacher, keep in mind that St. George’s is a school that is heavily reliant on its positive relationships with its students. As Mr. Tom Morris points out, “there are times when students may, more quickly, relate to [a

teacher] who is younger.” And our school’s diverse teaching staff ensures that there are plenty of different types of teachers to turn to, young and old, because, after all, it all comes down to the students.

“Anytime you bring a new person into an organization,” Mr. Morris continues, “one of the questions that comes up is what is their level of experience relative to how we can support them.” And that again sheds light on the incredible reinforcement, both formal and informal, that our administration, staff, and students have toward each other. “If we’re doing our job right, professionally, with our teachers, concerns about experience should be mitigated by our commitment to overarching professional development.”

It is easy, as a student, or a parent even, to scoff at the age or the inexperience of a newly hired teacher, particularly at an independent school like St. George’s, where enrollment means a significant financial investment; there will always be something you can find to complain about: “I don’t like the way she teaches” or “She’s too young to teach at a school like this.” However, this monetary aspect of the argument is often taken out of context; tuition and payroll do not necessarily go hand in hand, and the investment in St. George’s is in a total experience, not a single class.

So next time you begin to point your finger at the inexperience of a new teacher; remember, every morning they enter our handsomely carpeted ski lodge of a school to teach with college-grade technology; we owe it to them to remind ourselves that the tuition we pay is not simply funneled into a new teacher’s pockets. That’s just not how it works. And it is always important to keep in mind that no teacher here has gotten their job just on a whim; they earn their spot through an extensive foundation in and passion for their subject matter and a deep connection and commitment to kids; neither of which are a function of age or experience in the classroom.

Alexis Harshbarger ‘13

What Does It Mean To Be Loved?

Kate Sweat ’14

I suppose everyone looks forward to Valentine’s Day to some extent, whether it’s for the traditional values of “love” or merely the abundance of chocolaty delights that begin to appear. As the day goes on, children pass out brightly-colored cards to

their schoolyard crushes, married couples exchange especially loving glances, and one can literally feel the air grow thicker with the heavy breath of true love. It is truly something. But this is also a holiday shrouded in mystery.

Recognizing my standing as an infinite source of wisdom, this newspaper has come to me in search of answers: which is better on this day of love, to be single or taken?

I, as a single lady myself, feel somewhat obliged to side with the former. I admit, the idea of being doted on for an entire day is appealing, and I was never one to turn down a free meal, but I do not feel some overwhelming urge to seek out companionship solely because of the pretense set by a particular date on the calendar.

I have also noticed that this day seems to give a large majority of those who are single the idea that they are allowed to feel sorry for themselves, with masses of people locking themselves in their

rooms to cover their faces with chocolate and tears. To you I say, have some dignity. You are single, and you are proud. You answer to no one.

To be honest, I find Valentine’s Day to be a fairly pointless holiday, even for those in relationships. If you want to share your affections with someone, you should do so regardless of what day it is. It seems ridiculous to me that people feel they need this “one big day” to make a statement about their feelings for a person. In a good relationship, every day should be like Valentine’s as Day — cliché as that may sound.

So, on the question of whether it is better to be single or taken on this day of love, I say neither.

Be happy, regardless of your relationship status. Enjoy all of the assorted chocolates and sappy romances. Go buy yourself some flowers. This Valentine’s Day, celebrate a more unconventional kind of love: a love for yourself.

Maggie Courtney ’14 Around Valentine’s Day, we recognize how much we love the people in our lives and how much they may or may not love us in return. There are respectful teenage relationships and, unfortunately, those that lack the respect that each person involved deserves. The lack of respect reflected in teen relationships is often overlooked, not taken seriously, and most importantly, more real than you think.

When it comes to teens, joking around and being sarcastic often drives their humor, but there is a thin line with what is and is not okay to say to your peers.

Whether you are dating someone or not, it is extremely important to keep in mind that kindness is key. The truth is, whether you think you know people or not, you cannot be certain of what they are going through and how they feel unless you walk in their shoes. Sure, close friends often joke around with each other, but learn to detect the emotions of people. When you get to be close with someone, you learn when he or she is in the mood to joke or when he or she is in need of moral support. React accordingly.

No means no! All boys and girls, listen up. Don’t touch anyone unless they make it clear to you that it’s okay, and when the word “no” is said, it is time to stop immediately.

Keep in mind that leading people on can hurt feelings and lead to unwanted situations. From personal experience, I have found that those who are overly flirty find themselves in the uncomfortable situations. Always be kind and smile, but keep yourself and your friends in check, especially around people you don’t necessarily know as well. When a trusted friend tells you that you are being a little too flirty around someone that you would not want hitting on you, then don’t get upset. Rather, listen to the people who know you best and always be aware of your surroundings when you are out and about with friends.

Contrary to assumptions about unhealthy relationships, friends, family, and those within the lives of the people in the relationship itself, can also be greatly affected. Have you ever seen a boy say something mean to a friend and watch them just take it? It’s extremely difficult to watch, but it is your responsibility to stick up for them and support them in a much-needed confrontation. This can be tricky to do, especially if a friend comes to you with information about someone treating him or her poorly, while asking you not to tell anyone.

Depending on the severity, you need to take action for your friends best interest. If you believe that someone is in physical danger, then tell a trusted adult or parent. This may be the harder choice, but it is the better one in the end. However, if it is not this severe but someone is upset about something said or done to them, then tell that person they deserve more and should demand respect. People should not be forced to do something that they don’t want to do, be told something that suggests that they are less than anyone else, or shunned for looking out after the well being of their friends.

Love is what Valentine’s Day is about and everyone should fill their hearts with it and treat others as they would want to be treated.

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February

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St. George’s Independent School •

Entertainment

Televison: Interpreting Humor in the Moment Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming • • Courtney Harshbarger ’15 Theater Events With so many new television sode around one main joke, and ing out and doing stupid things shows coming out each week, if it got boring there was nothing totally unrelated to what was going on in the sitcoms are fighting to keep their to keep people watchworld. Now, ratings up. Websites like Netflix ing. One entire episode lthough it by making refand Hulu are making it harder for of “Seinfeld” is based shows to keep a high number of on waiting for a table at was a revolution- erences to society, new shows live viewers. Producers have to a restaurant. Although find ways to get people to watch it was a revolutionary ary show, it does can keep our their shows live or risk losing show, it does not com- not compare with interest. pare with newer sitcoms. newer sitcoms.

For many funding.

Obviously modern years sitcoms The only way to hold on to have been viewers is to keep them con- shows are doing somestantly entertained. It used to be thing right, because we have lost keeping the balance between the funny enough to watch guys hit- the need for “laugh tracks” to tell varying types of shows. Without them, the world of television ting each other in the head with us exactly when to be amused.

One whole epi- could easily be consumed by random objects for sode of “Frasier” the increasingly inferior realityan hour, but modern he only way to is just about Frasi- television shows. Hopefully this shows are all about er’s fear of death, sudden improvement of an aldialogue. If the dia- hold on to viewwhich was hilari- ready excellent genre of televilogue is not funny ers is to keep them ous but eventu- sion will help some of the hilarienough, it is only too constantly ally the joke got ous yet underrated shows of the easy to switch chanold. In a recent day get more viewers. nels and forget about entertained. episode of “Parks Starting with the age of sitthe show altogether.

Newer shows are also growing and Recreation”, characters had coms in the ‘90s, comedy shows more complex. There are always to deal with a scandal-hungry have been getting funnier each at least two different storylines go- media, a lost mini-horse, and a year. As writers continue to find ing on at the same time, so if one Native American burial ground out what really makes people gets stale the other can get view- curse during a carnival. The extra laugh, the shows are significanters laughing again. In one episode conflicts in new shows easily set ly improving. While I believe that modern-day sitcoms are the of “The Office,” a fight between them up for more laughs.

New shows also include a lot funniest, I would definitely sugtwo characters was becoming annoying but the episode was saved more pop culture references than gest watching some older ones by switching over to Michael’s older ones did. These references such as “Seinfeld” or “Frasier,” hilarious homemade action film: make shows seem a lot more per- even if only to laugh at their “Threat Level Midnight.” Old sonal and realistic. Old sitcoms low-quality camera work and television shows based each epi- were mainly about people hang- sometimes amateur acting.

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Collierville Campus “13” — May 2-4; High School Musical Germantown Campus Rain Forest Presentation — March 7; Third Grade “Circus Play” — March 7; Junior Kindergarten “Animal Play” — March 27; First Grade Spring Program — April 18; Pre-Kindergarten Mother’s Day Chapel — May 10; Fifth Grade Mother’s Day Treat — May 10; Senior Kindergarten Germantown and Memphis Campus Lower School Talent Show — February 21 Memphis Musical — March 21; Second Grade Tennessee Play — May 16; Fourth Grade

Les Misérables: A New Take

Brittany Correia ’14 Years pass and Cosette beVictor Hugo’s classic nov- comes a beautiful young womel, which was turned into an an. She catches the eye of stuequally legendary musical dur- dent revolutionary Marius ing the 1980s, has finally hit the Pontmercy which leads to a love big screen. The story of “Les triangle of sorts between CoMisérables,” set in post-revolu- sette, Marius, and a girl from the tionary France, follows the life of streets, Eponine. The lives of all Jean Valjean, Prisoner 24601, on the characters soon become enhis road to redemptwined with the fate tion. Throughout his of the student revoirector Tom lution led by Enjoljourney, Valjean is constantly pursued Hooper required ras and their fight at by police officer and the barricades. the cast to sing primary antagonist, Since “Les MiInspector Javert. Af- the film live... sérables” has been ter 19 years in prison extremely successand a life-changing encounter ful on stage and features many with a kind bishop, Valjean be- high profile actors, the pre-recomes a new man and turns to lease hype was through the roof. a life of good. The story takes a Director Tom Hooper required turn when Valjean decides to un- the cast to sing the film live, as officially adopt a factory-work- opposed to recording each song er-turned-prostitute’s daughter, in a studio. This turned out to Cosette. be a huge success. Despite the

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triumphs of the live singing, Tom Hooper’s filming style on the whole bothered me quite a bit, especially during the songs “Bring Him Home” and “Stars.”

I found myself staring at Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe’s pores a lot more than I wanted to, and kept wishing for the cameras to back up so I could see the brilliant sets and costumes made for the film.

As a fan of the story and musical for my entire life, I thought that Hooper’s adaptation was quite beautiful. When junior John Hankes was asked about his feelings toward the movie, he replied that they were too great to be described with words.

As for the inclusion of the new song “Suddenly” though, my praise is not so high. It was a song that did not advance the plot and, as junior Calla Micha-

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lak puts it, “It really brought out a slightly creepy element of Cossette and Valjean’s relationship.” I also thought that Hugh Jackman’s version of “Bring Him Home” was not where it needed to be. Jackman played the role of Valjean with great emotion and overall, I thought he did a marvelous job, but he quite simply did not have the vocal range to pull off this typically moving song. In contrast, Anne Hathaway, Eddie Redmayne, and Samantha Barks might be my new favorite actors for their respective characters.

As a complete Les Misérables nerd, I can honestly say that their performances are some of the best that I have ever heard. And yes, while the movie is quite long and almost completely sung, it tells a moving story that will bring most audiences to tears.

February

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St. George’s Independent School •

From Confusion to Love: Delirium Book Review

Meredith Gatlin ’14 Imagine a world without love. In Lauren Oliver’s New York Times bestseller “Delirium,” Oliver creates a though-provoking world, where love is seen as a disease. In this book, many people see how love has caused war, death, and destruction. To rid the world of these problems, the characters decided to cure the world of love.

The cure is menially invasive surgery that cures the mind of love. The story is written about the

95-day period before the main character, Lena, will be “cured.” Lena soon discovers that the society that she lives in is not at all what it seems.

Although “Delirium” probably falls under the love-story category, it has something for everybody. It has romance, action, and discusses topics that everyone can relate to. It sheds light onto the idea of pain and joy, and how we’d only merely exist if we lived a life without love.

While “Delirium” covers a variety of themes, the most interesting part of the book was Oliver’s ending. The story really climaxed toward the end, and it makes you want to read even more. “Delirium” is the first part of a wonderful trilogy that really ties together.

I also read the “Delirium” sequel, “Pandemonium”, and once again, the ending really leaves you hanging. Reading both books makes me beyond excited for the final installment, “Requiem,” which comes out in March 2013.

I do not want to give away anything, but I promise that this is a book series that you should definitely consider reading. I certainly enjoyed the first two and cannot wait to read the last book of this fantastic trilogy!

11 Cheesiest Love Songs Regan Hewitt ’14

With the full disclosure that I love these songs and mean no offense to anyone:

Song & Artist “You’re The Inspiration” cago

Cheesiest Qoute —

Chi- “I wanna have you near me sayin’: no one needs you more than I need you”

“Never Gonna Give You Up” — Rick Astley “Islands in The Stream” — Dolly Parton and Kenny Rodgers “Can’t Fight This Feeling” — REO Speedwagon “Careless Whisper” — George Michael “Beautiful Soul” — Jesse McCartney “Forever And Ever, Amen” — Randy Travis

The entire chorus of this song “Tender love is blind, It requires a dedication, all this love we feel, Needs no conversation” “You’re a candle in the wind, on a cold dark winter’s night” “Guilty feet have got no rhythm” Once again, the whole chorus

“As long as old men sit and talk about the weather, as long as old women sit and talk about old men” “Time After Time” — Cyndi Lau- “If you’re lost you can look and per you will find me… if you fall, I will catch you I’ll be waiting” “I long to see the sunlight in “Hello” — Lionel Richie your hair, and tell you time and time again how much I care, Sometimes I feel my heart will overflow” “Although loneliness has al“As Long As You Love Me”— Backstreet Boys ways been a friend of mine, I’m leavin’ my life in your hands” “No chocolate-covered candy “I Just Called To Say I Love hearts to give away” You” — Stevie Wonder

Entertainment 5

Inexpensive Memphis •

Zoe Leake ’14 Every weekend is just like the last: if you are with your friends, you are looking for something cheap to do. Let us be honest, being a socialite is expensive business in this day and age. Well, here is a list of things to do in the tri-Memphis area that are between free and ten dollars for the finest of penny pinchers: • Southland Park Gaming and Racing in West Memphis, AR. You have to go in through a different entrance that does not pass through the casino.

• Graceland Too — a recreation of Graceland gone rogue in Holy Springs, Miss. Perfect for a small road trip and a great laugh!

• Seeing the ducks at the Peabody. After that, head down to Beale to see the Beale Street Flippers showing off their awesome moves. If you are not ready to leave after all of that fun, head in to A. Schwab’s store on Beale for some interesting, cheap shopping and people observing.

• Bartlett Movie Theatre’s twodollar movies.

• Orpheum Classic Movie Series — seven-dollar tickets.

• Playhouse on the Square and Circuit Playhouse “pay what you can” night.

• Free days at the Pink Palace, National Civil Rights Museum, Fire Museum, Lichterman Nature Center, Brooks Museum of Art, and Dixon Gallery and Gardens.

• National Ornamental Metal Museum — four-dollar tickets for students age five through eighteen.

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• Free days at the Memphis Zoo • Fishing at Jake Lake here on campus, bring your own poles, but bait can be found naturally in the surrounding area.

• Local parks, like Tom Lee Park downtown, Cameron Brown Park, Johnson Park, Shelby Farms, and W.C. Johnson Park are great for a walk or a game of Frisbee.

• The Greenline!

• Of course, Jerry’s Snow Cones.

• The Goodwill store in Collierville is always stocked to the brim, and never features the same clothing items twice.

• The Book Depot on Germantown Road in Germantown is a great place to buy cheap preowned books, while selling your old ones at the same time.

• Mensi’s Dairy Bar just off the Collierville Square is a great pace for a delicious burger and milkshake, with prices to rival McDonald’s.

• If you are in town during July, the Collierville Square has “concert on the square” every Thursday night in July. There is no admission cost, and local food trucks sell delicious frozen lemonades, corndogs, funnel cakes, and more.

• The best for last: the last Friday night of every month on South Main in Memphis is Trolley Night from six to ten. All of the galleries are open and free to enjoy, with live music, free food, and an awesome atmosphere for all to enjoy!

It is my hope that this list with help with your social schedule and the weight of your pockets at the same time. May the prices be ever to your liking!

Mac Miller Hoax

Virginia Whitsitt ’14

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alcom James McCormick, better known as Mac Miller, was supposedly scheduled to play at the nightclub City Hall in Cordova, Tennessee on January 26th. It was a very well-advertised event and all of his Memphis fans were thrilled that they would finally get to see the rapper from Pittsburg perform live. Excitement arose hearing Mac Miller, on the radio, expressing how excited he was to come to Memphis, and hearing about the hype that City Hall was putting out. However, all of the excitement came to an abrupt halt when rumors spread that the concert tickets were fake.

When the manager of City Hall was asked about it, he simply said the concert was cancelled.

When fans tweeted Miller about the disappointing cancellation, he responded, “To my Memphis fans: I was never booked to play Memphis tomorrow night. I recently found out about this fake show and I’m very upset about it.” Unfortunately, the damage had already been done

and some eight hundred Memphians were scammed out of their money. Beyond that, most fans were emotionally hurt and angry.

However, don’t blame City Hall.

Premier Talent, a booking agency located in Chicago, scammed the nightclub into thinking the concert was a finalized date. Fans weren’t the only ones financially hurt; the club spent thousands in equipment and advertising for a concert that was never actually scheduled. When City Hall’s manager offered to pay $35,000 to fly Miller to Memphis and back to Los Angeles, the artist declined.

Junior Jack Dunavant said, “It was a big scam, and it hurt all of us deeply,” and a scam it was.

Hundreds of fans cancelled their credit cards in fear of theft. However, City Hall assures all of its customers that “they will get a full refund.” When asked about his experience, junior Tyler Lourens summed up the whole debacle by saying, “It was kind of a low blow. People these days can’t keep their promises.”

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February

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St. George’s Independent School

Teachers: Who Are They?

Dagny Vaughn ‘14

Teachers. We see them everyday, text them study questions, even develop inside jokes with them, but do we actually know them? I sat down with five of our best and brightest to gain some insight into the mysterious lives they lead.

1. Who were you in high school?

Mr. Slatery—I was a boy and a St. George’s Alumnus. I was the shy kid who learned how to spread his wings on the dance floor in high school and found his calling playing non-traditional southern sports like hockey and lacrosse.

Mrs. Culley—I was the ballet dancer, very academic, salutatorian out of thirty-two.

Ms. Vasil—I was the kid whose parents allowed her to hang out and listen to bands on Beale Street on Wednesday nights. I also spent many evenings at Prince Mongo’s Dance Club.

Mr. Adcock—I was a newspaper editor who wanted to hear every type of music possible, and who found his friends doing so.

Mr. A. Miller—I was captain of the Track and Field team, President of the Student Art Club, and pretty much the loud guy at all the sporting events.

2. Who are you now?

Mr. Slatery—I am a well-traveled young sprite still in tune with the joys and idiosyncrasies of young people.

Mrs. Culley—I’m a mom, teacher, and cook.

Ms. Vasil—A genius.

Mr. Adcock—I am pretty much the same person, except now I’m married and have a daughter, a beard, and a cat named Friend.

Mr. A. Miller—Artist in Residence, former coach of the track team, and the loud guy at all the sporting events.

3. Most embarrassing moment?

Mr. Slatery—I once had an embarrassing moment just to see what it felt like, but I’ve since forgotten what it was…

Mrs. Culley—I fell through the trap door while I was working tech for a play in college.

Ms. Vasil—I am poised and distinguished in every movement I make. I do not get embarrassed.

Mr. Adcock—I taught an entire class period with my fly down. And no one said anything.

Mr. A. Miller—I had a conversation with this lady who I thought was somebody else, and she went along with it. I didn’t realize it until I got home. I thought she was someone I went to high school with, but she was actually one of my former students.

4. When and where was your first kiss?

Mr. Slatery—Still waiting for that special someone…

Mrs. Culley—I worked at Opryland USA in high school, which was really exciting because I went to an all-girls

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high school, and I actually got to see boys there. His name was Kippy.

Ms. Vasil—I was in third grade and his name was Chad. He had red hair and everybody in the class knew I had a crush on him. It was in the classroom too.

Mr. Adcock—I was thirteen at a party in my friend Jeff’s basement.

Mr. A. Miller—I was twelve years old and at a sports camp behind the gym door with a girl named Renee Woodyard.

5. Dream tattoo?

Mr. Slatery—An image of my parents’ puppy Maddie. She’s a Shih Tzu. Mrs. Culley—A ladybug or butterfly.

Ms. Vasil—A flaming sacred heart in the middle of a palm with eyes on the fingertips.

Mr. Adcock—The Swanson Pyramid of Greatness on my fist.

Mr. A. Miller—None.

6. Favorite musician?

Mr. Slatery—John Butler Trio.

Mrs. Culley—Miles Davis.

Ms. Vasil—Bruce Springsteen.

Mr. Adock—Wilco.

Mr. A. Miller—Prince.

7. Most memorable obsession?

Mr. Slatery—The band Nirvana.

Mrs. Culley—I was pretty obsessed with shoes in my 20’s.

Ms. Vasil—Ze Frank.

Mr. Adock—Dave Matthews Band from the years 1998 to 2005.

Mr. A. Miller—A girl named Sonya Johnson.

8. High school or college?

Mr. Slatery—College. Blue sky, Rocky Mountain High, Colorado College, never gonna die.

Mrs. Culley—COLLEGE. No doubt.

Ever.

Ms. Vasil—College.

Mr. Adcock—College. University of Illinois.

Mr. A. Miller—High school because I didn’t feel as much pressure.

9. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

Mr. Slatery—Photographic memory.

Mrs. Culley—I would still be dancing, and I would own a chocolate shop.

Ms. Vasil—I would stop procrastinating.

Mr. Adock—I would catch the pen every time.

Mr. A. Miller—Less procrastination.

10. Most valuable piece of advice to everybody at St. George’s?

Mr. Slatery—“Unplug” by way of Brendan Gorham.

Mrs. Culley—Invest more time in your friends than someone you want to date.

Ms. Vasil—Learn how to take a compliment.

Mr. Adock—Think.

Mr. A. Miller—Enjoy every single second of your life, because you will not get it back.

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Features

The Dangers of Social Media

Continued From Page 1 Later that year, the concept of updates and pictures. However, Snapchat was born. This app al- Facebook isn’t always used for its lows impermanent pictures to be intended purpose. Cyber bullysent from one cell phone to an- ing is an epidemic that has grown other. The sender simply takes a worldwide. In Manassas, Virginpicture, sets a timer, and sends it ia one student could potentially to their friend. When received, the face a year in prison for creating picture disappears after the timer a Facebook page targeting girls expires. Snapchat is often used to of whom she was not fond. This send silly pictures between friends page was subject to extreme scruin innocent fun, but many parents tiny by Stonewall Jackson High are skeptical School, as well as the vicof Snapchat. tims and their families. verything about They argue Even potential job offers that this app someone’s life can can be affected by what was inspired be documented. is on an applicant’s Faceby a scandal, book page. and the app’s true use is to pro- This site is not only a home for tect those who wish to send ex- crimes, but can also prove them plicit photos. The app warns in as well. After posting pictures of its Terms and Conditions that the a girl in an indecent situation, two app is suggested for children of football stars from Steubenville, twelve and over as a warning for Ohio, were charged with sexual “mild sexual content or nudity.” harassment and are facing further Snapchat creators have been very charges. The pictures that were vague about how “safe” this app posted further incriminated the is to use. On one hand, they say young men, but how unfortunate that they are trying to protect is it for such pictures to be posted; their users by notifying the send- especially when they can never er after a picture is screen-shotted, truly be taken away. not that it truly matters after the Everything ranging from an expicture has been saved. However, plicit picture, to a whiney status, they also have come out and said to a poorly edited post can ruin that Snapchat “isn’t about priva- job opportunities. Everything cy.” While this app can be used about one’s life can be documentin good fun, its intended purpose ed forever, posted for the world to may inspire different actions. see. Facebook can be used in court On April 12, 2012, Facebook as evidence that someone has purchased the commonly used committed a crime, and it can be “online photo-sharing and social a deal-breaker during an applicanetworking service,” Instagram. tion process.

When Facebook wrote the new The risk users take in this reTerms of Service, there spect may be was one major change rivacy is dead, too great per made that could potentialthe cost that and social media is ly put their users at risk. may be paid.

The owners of Instagram holding the How much smoking gun.” now have the right to give trust can we photos and screen names invest into to advertising companies social media without the consent of the user. sites and their creators? How subUnfortunately, these terms were ject are we to fake profiles? How written in such a way that no le- easily can we misinterpret a post gal action can sincerely be taken. made? Do we really know whom There are no “opt-out” settings we’re “friends” with? Why is our that accompany Instagram, unlike personal information being put other social media sites. While out for commercial use? For all of putting Instagram accounts on these reasons, we must ask ourprivate may protect users from In- selves: how much privacy do we sta-stalkers, they’re not safe from really have? Most importantly, the advertising companies. If af- how much are we willing to take? ter January 19, 2013, they decide It’s important to remember the to delete their Instagram account, real-life repercussions of what we there is no protecting pictures that may be posting online. Next time have previously been posted, nor a parent makes you think twice will it protect personal informa- about posting something ontion used during the signup pro- line, remember the words of Pete cess.

Cashmore: “Privacy is dead, and Facebook is a great place to re- social media is holding the smokconnect with friends and post ing gun.”

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February

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Features 7

Usually when people think of their typical vision of war, they picture guns, bombs, camo-clad soldiers, and airplanes. What they don’t picture, though, are tweets. Of course war has evolved over the centuries, but according to CNN, social media has about become the biggest change to warfare in over twenty years.

Not only does it reveal graphic details to the general public, but it also calls into question the nature of material that is allowed to be posted on open sites such as Twitter and YouTube. These days, it’s not just news reports and distant photos of explosions. People are now able to see horrifying pictures of war devastation boasted about on groups’ accounts, and threats sent to opposing sides in a twitter-fight type fashion.

On November 15th, this new type of war of words was brought into the spotlight when the Israel Defense Force (IDF) live tweeted a strike that killed a Hamas leader. If public exposure of violent conflict wasn’t enough, the group also followed the tweet with an ominous warning to the Hamas, which was responded to with an equally as threatening response from the Hamas military wing. Groups such as these also posts updates on attacks and targeted leaders.

Sites like Twitter and Google are now put in a difficult position of

determining whether to allow this material to be posted. In the past, YouTube has also struggled with this issue, as a site that does not allow “graphic or gratuitous violence.”

They have, though, made exceptions for videos involving news-worthy topics. Twitter and Google, however, stand as companies promoting free speech and non-editorialized information. If the IDF and Al Qassam Brigades pages were censored, what would be next?

Not only does this call into question the appropriateness of material posted, but also the way such posts portray the topic of war. What used to be thought of as a serious tragedy is now being reduced to the level of twitter sub-tweets, making the issue seem less grave and more “highschool drama.” Somehow, a hashtagged message just doesn’t seem that important.

Some disagree, though, and believe that allowing such groups to reveal the graphics of conflicts allows the public to more vividly grasp the truth of what happens. On the IDF twitter page alone, one can easily view images of bombed buildings, burnt cars, fleeing children, and other devastation with nonchalant messages attached. According to CNN, such images can be seen on many such pages, along with even more graphic pictures of causalities.

St. George’s Independent School

The Absolutely True Story of the Valentine’s Day Chapel Virginia Whitsitt ‘14

Bubba Gorham is a part of the “Holy We could hear a contemporary arrangement of Roller’s Motorcycle Club,” founded by our Taylor Swift and Jay-Z, or we could hear somevery own school president, Mr. Bill Taylor. thing as classic as Frank Sinatra and Journey.

Mr. Brendan Gorham says that Bubba con- When asked if Mr. Gorham could elaborate, he siders himself “a rebel with a good cause,” simply responded with, “Who knows?” and shows his continuous love for people in We must respect Bubba’s love for Valentine’s his work as the HRMC Chaplain. Every year, Day. He mentioned to Mr. Gorham that his Bubba comes to St. George’s to enthrall the ideal date would be, “watching a pig wrestling students in the wonders and splendor of Val- tournament, riding his hog up and down the entine’s Day. freeway at one mile per hour over the speed While this reporter was unable to get an limit, and snuggling on the couch watching all appointment with Bubba, I was able to have seasons of the “Gilmore Girls.” a sit-down with the second His advice best thing — his cousin. for the boys When asked how Bubba on this romanmakes the decision on who tic holiday is Mr. and Mrs. Valentine will to remember be, Mr. Gorham explained that “love that Bubba hears rumors is beautiful, about the love lives of the and beauty is students and faculty from love.” To the Mr. Ferguson and several girls, he said other administrators and “If ya ever faculty members. When got a guy who asked about any infordoesn’t treat mation on who the lucky you right, call couple will be this year, Mr. Bubba.” FinalGorham simply said, “It’s ly, Bubba Gora faculty couple, and they ham’s words don’t know that they’re of wisdom Alexis Harshbarger ‘13 meant for each other… end simply yet.” with “Work hard, rock hard, live long, and love Mr. Gorham did give us the inside scoop lots.” on what we can expect from Bubba this year.

I must tell you, in hearing this farIf you weren’t aware, Bubba is the “voice and fetched story; I was a little skeptical of its vapower” behind the HRMC band “The Tone lidity. However, Mr. Gorham assured me that Rangers.” We can expect to see the whole he was giving the full truth and nothing but. band; those members being other cousins “That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it,” he of the faculty and students in St. George’s. said.

Continued from page 1

A War of Words Dagny Vaughn ‘14

Exam Exemptions: How It Works

During the last trimester, freshmen, sophomores, and juniors can also be exempted from exams if they have a 90 or above for their grades. Houston junior Kendall Jackson says, “I think it is really cool how I can be exempt from exams; I just wish I could be exempted all three trimesters.” Briarcrest also does exam exemptions, but it only applies to the seniors that make A’s during the second semester. ECS does the same thing during

the second semester when seniors can be exempted from exams if they have a B or higher in their classes.

You have to admit that Houston’s exam exemption process is a good one. More students will make better grades because they really want to be exempted from exams. St. George’s senior Nathalie Vacheron says, “I understand the reasoning behind the exam exemptions policy at St. George’s, but for someone who

takes AP classes, I still have to take my exams in May; so the policy doesn’t really apply to me, which is unfortunate.”

Vacheron has a point, because it is frustrating that the only trimester you could be exempted from exams, you have to take AP exams. Perhaps St. George’s should consider the possibility of letting seniors be exempted all three trimesters, or at least the last two trimesters.

Over The Edge? The Fiscal Cliff

Ian John ‘13

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he fiscal cliff is essentially a balancing act. In the last few years, our economy has been in a slump carried by the burdens of debt and the inability of progress. Yet as our country stared at the fear of facing another “Greece fiasco,” our leaders seemingly quibbled over the country’s needs against their own political agenda. Compromise and bipartisanship seemed to have no meaning in congress. So why did it take so long for them to put together a deal that prevented America from defaulting?

A country’s fiscal health is measured by its overall governmental budget. When the country’s balance of GDP over its losses is a net gain, it’s called a surplus. However, when the country’s balance is negative, it’s called a deficit. Uncontrolled debt coupled with reduced tax revenue from promised spending cuts as well as a lack of economic growth usually leads to a nice heaping size of deficit.

Simply put, our government needs more money to function, but they can’t afford to

keep borrowing for it (a.k.a. “increasing enue is to raise taxes on the wealthiest brackthe debt ceiling”). So in order to do this, et. However, the top bracket starting from Democrats suggested that we should get rid households making $250,000 and above of many of the tax is about 2.8 milcuts like the Holilion, and houseday Pay-Roll tax holds making cuts proposed by above $1,000,000 President Obama in is about 368,000.

2010. By doing this, This is a sharp dethe government crease in people would see an obvicompared to the ous increase in tax latter solution. So revenue. The probRepublicans arlem? Getting rid of gue, “How long this tax cut would could this small mean a 125 million percentage of people would see people possibly a decrease in their run the governpaycheck.

With ment for?” There people receiving still needs to be Alexis Harshbarger ‘13 more less money, there revenue will be less people spending. With less mon- from somewhere else. ey being spent, there becomes less monetary This balancing act of increasing tax revflow and more room for a potential econom- enue without constricting the economy has ic recession. been the core problem of this Fiscal Cliff, So the alternative way to increase tax rev- leading to such a deadlock in Congress. So

when we say on January 1, 2013 the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 avoided the Fiscal Cliff, what do we really mean? For the most part, the tax increases were avoided, reducing the “fiscal squeeze” on the GDP by one percent instead of the predicted five percent loss. This act also maintained the higher rates for the wealthier bracket while severely lowering the Bush tax cuts that were extended in 2010. Although this act may have prevented us from falling over the fiscal edge, it still doesn’t deal with intricate complexities of entitlements due to pensions and health care, (which is said to double its predicted cost from the GDP over the next 25 years) as well as deal with the hideous tax codes that have lead to one trillion dollars of deductions each year.

At the end of the day, we still have long way ahead of us if we want to help the economy get back on its feet. The Fiscal Cliff, for the most part, may have been avoided, but there are other threats that loom over the fiscal horizon. We as a country need to get our act to together, because this fiscal cliff was just one hurtle for this economic rebuild.

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February

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St. George’s Independent School

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Sports

Tide Rolls Over Irish: National Championship

Girls’ Lacrosse Embraces Season of Changes •

Mary Kathryn Phillips ’13

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National Championship Pre-Game at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida

Natalie Proctor ‘14

The pre-game celebrations started as early as Thursday the week before in Miami. There were beach parties, concerts, VIP events, and tailgates all celebrating the Irish or the Tide. Taxi services and hotels were busy all week tending to game goers, while it was nearly impossible to get reservations anywhere.

The day of the game, traffic was unbearable. Tons of names in football attended the game, such as former players Greg McElroy, Trent Richardson, and Mark Ingram along with Heisman winner Johnny Manziel. The Zac Brown Band kicked the game off by singing the National Anthem.

History was made as Nick Saban’s crystal dynasty continued at the 2013 BCS National Championship game. Number one Notre Dame fell to number two Alabama 42-14 in the highly anticipated matchup held in Miami, Florida. With my family being Alabama fans, I was fortunate enough to attend the game and experience it for myself.

The Fighting Irish were eager for the title as this was the first time they had been in the championship since 1993, while this was Alabama’s third year

Jamie Roche ’13

Natalie proctor ‘14

straight to defend the title. While everyone expected the Crimson Tide to come out strong, I am not sure anyone expected how powerful their force would be.

With all of the growing anticipation and media coverage in the weeks before the game, no one was expecting such a blowout. Emotions were high before the game with chants echoing throughout the stadium for each team, only creating more excitement.

Within the first three minutes, Alabama’s running back, Eddie Lacey, ran 20 yards for the first touchdown of the game. After that, the team could not be stopped, only leaving room for Notre Dame to score two touchdowns. Wide receiver Amari Cooper also added to the lead, catching a 34-yard pass from quarterback AJ McCarron in the third quarter.

The Irish also got on the board in the third quarter making the score 35-7. By the middle of the fourth quarter, nearly all of the Notre Dame fans had left.

After the victory, the unofficial theme song for the Tide, “Sweet Home Alabama” filled the stadium and fans shouted the classic rammer-jammer cheer.

After this win, it is safe to say Saban’s Tide will continue to dominate the SEC for a long time.

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here is a very bright outlook for the 2013 Gryphons’ varsity girls’ lacrosse team. The 2012 team made it to the Elite 8 in post season play but unfortunately then lost to Hutchison. However, 2013 is a new year and there is much excitement about the upcoming season. The program has grown under the leadership of our second-year and returning coaches, Head Coach Dan Patterson and Assistant Coach Steve Sawicki.

The team is very excited about adding two new coaches to the staff this year. Ms. Jennifer Taylor and Ms. Alexis Sweda, both members of the St. George’s faculty and staff, will help coach the team this year.

Coach Taylor played lacrosse at Kenyon College and Coach Sweda played for Birmingham Southern College. The team is excited to have these two experienced college players helping to coach the team this year.

Also, St. George’s first women’s lacrosse college signee, Rachael Smith, will be helping lead the Gryphons to a successful 2013 season. When asked her thoughts about the 2013 season, Smith was feeling confident. “We have a very athletic group of girls on the team this year, so I am excited and feeling confident about our upcoming season.” Smith, along with many girls on the team, braved torrential rains to participate in an intense pre-season camp put on by Skywalkers.

The team will begin practice at the end of January to prepare for their season opener on March 1st. The team will kick off their season by participating in the Collierville Round Robin Tournament. The team will travel the first weekend in April to Atlanta, Georgia to participate in the Dogwood Classic Tournament.

April will also be the month when St.George’s will host two of our local rivals. The team will play Briarcrest on April 9th and Hutchison on April 18th. Postseason play will begin with the TGLA Sweet 16 which will take place on Friday, May 3rd. The team is excited and feels more prepared than ever to begin this season.

Winter Sports Update

As the second trimester flies by and the season begins to turn from winter into spring, the Gryphon winter athletics are impressing people all around Memphis. The boys’ basketball team has kept up its impressive start by dominating their recent conference opponents and boosting their record to 18-5.

They have shown up in all their important games, such as the win against MUS early in the season, the tough road comeback win against USJ, and the stellar upset at an away game against ECS. While they are continuing to see success in the early part of the season, they are also facing some adversity with all of the injuries through the beginning of the year.

This adversity is hopefully going to be able to help the players in the longrun and bring them closer together as they near the playoffs.

This team is starting to look better and better as they move throughout the year and it should be fun watching them take on some of the best teams in and around Memphis during the latter part of the season.

The girls’ basketball team is playing

just as impressively as the boys’ team by jumping up to a 16-5 record while shocking people with their high scoring offense; they scored 91 points during a game in late November. Both the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams look to continue their success in these next couple of weeks and hopefully have a good turnout during their playoff games in midFebruary.

Throughout the winter, the Gryphon swimming team has been training hard for both county and state. Both the boys’ and girls’ teams finished in the top five for the majority of their meets during the season. They have been practicing for several meets which are scattered over every couple of weeks throughout the winter. Some of their main competitors this season have been the home-school swimming team and the Collierville swimming team, with the St. George’s girls’ team taking first at the county meet. It should be interesting to see how the Gryphon swimmers perform during their State competition.

The Gryphon wrestling team really stepped up this season. Through the leadership of seniors Brendan Horton, Collin Brown, and Jack Babb, the wres-

Gryphon boys’ basketball team huddles during game at ECS.

tling team made State this season. They were able to accomplish this feat by sweeping Fayette with three wins against them, as well as beating Briarcrest in the last match of the regular season. This has surely been a competitive and successful

Kara Miller ’13

season for this team, which consists of three seniors and the rest being underclassmen. These wrestlers really excelled this season and we can look to the future for more exciting and competitive seasons from the several underclassmen.

February

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St. George’s Independent School

Josh Pastner Talks Basketball Continued from page 1

At the beginning of this year, with newcomers like Shaq Goodwin and Geron Johnson, Memphis fans had hope of something they did not see in Pastner’s first three seasons: a NCAA Tournament win. In the first few games of the season, those hopes started to fade away. After losses to at the time unranked VCU and Minnesota, Memphis fans were weary of another eight to twelve seed in the NCAA Tournament by way of a conference championship. After the loss to Minnesota though, Junior Guard Joe Jackson shifted his play into another gear.

“Joe didn’t play well against VCU and really didn’t play well the first six minutes versus Minnesota, so I benched him,” Pastner said. “Since then, he’s been on a tear.”

A tear is absolutely right. Jackson is averaging a career best 14 points per game and shooting 55% from the field, also a career best.

He has career best numbers in assists, rebounds and steals. Jackson and company have gone 16-1 since those back-to-back losses.

As Pastner puts it, “this team goes in the direction of our guard play, and it certainly shows in those two losses.” That third loss of the season in this 16-1 stretch is especially troubling to Pastner, though. His team being up seventeen at one point and being up seven at half, makes the 87-78 loss to highly-ranked Louisville that much harder to bear.

As far as the newcomers go, Shaq Goodwin is finally starting to live up to his highly recruited potential. Coach Pastner has said from day one, “I’ve always thought Shaq Goodwin would be playing his best basketball come January, and that is certainly clear to everyone now.”

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As for Geron Johnson, Pastner calls him the epitome of an energy player. “Geron is very, very intense.

I mean, he’s always 100 miles per hour. But he drags people with him, even in practice, due to his intensity.” Standing at only 6 foot 3 inches tall, Johnson is one of the Tigers best rebounders, as Coach Pastner emphasizes guard rebounding more and more as the season wears on.

Easily the most popular player on this team is senior forward, D.J. Stephens. Stephens is a guy that will not lead your team in points; he is not going to be a star, but Tiger Nation loves him because of the way he plays. Pastner says about Stephens, “Memphis is a Blue Collar town. Tiger Nation loves guys that play with that mentality. D.J. is a guy that is just going to go out there, and give everything he has and carry people with him.”

When I asked Pastner about Stephens going forward, he said, “D.J. is going to go down as one of the most greatest Tigers ever. That includes Penny Hardaway, Andre Turner, Keith Lee, Elliot Perry, Derrick Rose. All of them.” That’s a bold statement, but very high praise coming from your head coach.

All these things add up to the most promising season of Pastner’s young career. Memphis has started conference play on a roll and, unless something drastic happens, do not look for that roll to slow down.

I would not be surprised to see Memphis get another higher seed because of the nature of their wins and losses. However, the way this Tigers team is playing is different from every other team Pastner has coached. The chemistry seems to be there, and the energy is better than ever. It’s hard to predict how far a team will go in the tournament, but come March, I do not expect for Coach Josh Pastner’s team to be another one and done.

As the football season winds down and people start to reminisce on his or her team’s season long gone, college basketball is starting to heat up, and it is looking a lot more complicated than the football season ever has.

The Kentucky Wildcats, who won last year’s championship, are struggling to find their identity and are not even ranked anymore because of the massive presence of freshmen in their starting lineup.

Instead, preseason No. 4 Duke and preseason No. 1 Indiana have been battling at or around the No. 1 ranking for most of the season. Despite the small number of teams taking over the No. 1 ranking throughout the season, there really has not been a team that can honestly be the favorite for the championship. There are some clear outlying teams such as Duke, Michigan, Kansas, Syracuse, and Florida, but none of these teams has been dominant. It should be interesting to see if any one of these teams can step it up during their respective conference

Sports

Spring into the New Season

Nathalie Vacheron ’13

As the winter skies clear and the sun begins to peek out of the clouds once more, spring sports at St. George’s are already in full swing. Though for some the season hasn’t officially started, athletes can be seen filing in and out of the workout rooms as well as jogging around campus or on the track for preseason conditioning.

Varsity track hopes to jumpstart its season with a new batch of talented sprinters, jumpers, throwers, and distance runners to join its pre-existing pool of talent. Strength comes in numbers, so the track team anticipates having an even bigger and better team than last year. Senior Kara Miller is a runner to keep an eye on, as she has a potential to qualify for state in the 400 or 800 meter races. The track team will be led by Head Coach Ms. Tiffany Alden as well as Mr. Skip Miller, Mr. Aaron Hayden, Mr. Mark Newman, and Mr. Eric Still.

The varsity lacrosse teams for 2013 are already looking toward a thrilling season. Coach Ned Foster will lead the boys’ varsity team through eleven games, beginning February 22nd. As for the girls’ team, two valuable senior leaders (Christie Zettler and Catherine Lang) from the Class of 2012 have graduated, but Coach Dan Patterson has confidence that the 2013 season will be an exciting and successful one. Players have been working independently throughout the year at various camps and clinics, and one player, senior Rachael Smith, has even signed with the University of Vermont for Division I lacrosse. Smith is the first Gryphon athlete to play lacrosse at a collegiate Division I level. Over twenty varsity games are scheduled for this season, and Coach Patterson is optimistic that the team will make it to the finals of the tournament this May. “Andy’s Army,” the notoriously enthusiastic fan base for the varsity baseball team, should expect a plethora of action-packed games this season. Coach Buzz Walthall, first year head coach, states that he is “looking forward to a gritty, competitive group that loves to

Is it March Yet?

Jamie Roche ‘13

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schedules and come out as the favorites heading into the NCAA tournament in mid-March.

There should be some very competitive conference games throughout the winter. Several games in both the Big Ten and Big East conferences should be thrilling considering that these two conferences make up nine of the top 25 teams in the nation. Some of these exciting games include No. 3 Michigan taking on No. 1 Indiana at home on March 10th, and No. 9 Syracuse taking on No. 11 Louisville at home on March 2nd. You can never forget about the classic rivalry games coming up throughout the season as well. These games include No. 4 Duke taking on North Carolina at home on February 13th and away on March 9th, and No. 9 Syracuse taking on Georgetown at home on February 23rd and away on March 9th.

The main thing that people have to understand about college basketball and the NCAA tournament is that anybody can win. There have been several underdogs and Cinderella stories throughout the NCAA tournament

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play hard every day.” He is proud of the hard work that both the veterans of the team and the youngest members of the team have put in already during the off-season. Don’t forget to drop by the field to watch the softball team compete this spring season as well.

The softball team is led by Coach Mary Reed, and the season begins March 19.

Varsity boys’ soccer will kick off the season with great senior leadership.

Seven seniors graduated last year, but Coach Tony Whicker has high hopes that the team chemistry will remain positive and energetic. The varsity boys’ soccer team hopes to become repeat regional champions as well as make it to state. Last year, the team unfortunately lost after making it to the top four teams, but still finished with a great season record of 15-5-1.

Senior Nicholas Sims lead the team last season with 26 goals and 25 assists, contributing to a team total of 77 goals with only 25 goals scored on the Gryphons. Some of the best games to watch this year will take place in April at home against teams including Christian Brothers High School, University School of Jackson, Memphis University School, Houston High School, St. Benedict at Auburndale, and White Station High School.

After an impressive season for the boys’ and girls’ teams last year, brothers Mark and Ronnie Bran, Head Coaches, have high expectations for varsity tennis this year. The girls’ varsity tennis players finished their season as regional champions and finished runner-ups at the state tournament. They have a superb chance to repeat as regional champions and even defeat longtime rival Knoxville Webb on the road toward a second state championship.

Each team has a lot to bring to the table come the third trimester. Hard work and talent will pay off for the Gryphons for every spring sport, so make sure and come out to support them when their seasons start!

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history in the last several years.

Some of these stories include the historic Butler run to the National Championship in 2010 only to lose to champion Duke on a missed last second shot. 2011 was an even more exciting year with No. 8 seed Butler and No. 11 seed VCU both making the final four with Butler losing another championship to Connecticut.

The NCAA tournament is known for the several upsets and overall exciting nature surrounding the tournament play. These electrifying upsets and last-second wins are why they call it March Madness. This season should prove worthy enough for the name with so many exciting teams yet to make a name for themselves this season. Teams to look out for from the typical “Big Six” conferences include, Gonzaga, Butler, VCU, Creighton, and Wyoming. The combination of talented teams from the “Big Six” conferences and the underrated play of those from the “mid-major” conferences should combine for a very thrilling month of March.

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February

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St. George’s Independent School

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Student Life

SGGO! Experience the Great Outdoors Connecting Athletes to Christianity •

St. George’s students explore antoher day in the wilderness.

Julia Spinolo ‘15

After riding in a van for a few hours, you arrive in a dark field bordered by woods and mountains.

A small stream trickles nearby, and the moon illuminates the sky. You look up and see stars, much brighter and clearer than you have ever seen them. Somehow, you and your tent mates set the tent up, crawl into sleeping bags, and settle in for a cold night.

Skip forward about eight hours, and the sun has finally started to come up over the mountains.

Your fingers and toes are completely numb and you just can’t seem to get warm, no matter how many layers of clothing you pull on. Breakfast is made, everyone packs up, and you start moving on the mountain trail. You chat happily with the people around you as you hike up and down the trail. Even though you don’t know everyone on the trip very well, you start to become friends as

Preston Vihlen ‘15

you get to know each other. The trails are strenuous at some parts, but the gorgeous scenery around you makes it all worthwhile. When you stop to catch your breath, you look to the left and see a rushing river below you. Mountains covered with trees rise up in front of you, and the sky has never looked bluer.

Later in the day, you must brave a river crossing. The frigid, rapidly moving water looks daunting, but with the help and encouragement of the people around you, you successfully make it across the river without falling in. Everyone congratulates you on what a great job you did, and your group carries on down the trail. The next few days fly by, complete with sitting around a pitiful campfire, singing to Mr. Slatery so he will wake up, and accomplishing things you never thought you’d be capable of. The memories of the 2013 SGGO! Ozarks trip will stay with you forever.

Lindsey Cayce ‘14

Regan Hewitt ‘14

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Lindsey Cayce ‘14

The second graders at the Germantown campus study dinosaurs in correspondence with their reading unit. These students worked together to paint a classroom mural depicting the various theories for dinosaur extinction. In addition to this mural, each student was asked to build a “create-your-own” dinosaur, including information such as extinction, eating habits, and where this dinosaur lived. This unit of study culminates with Dino Day, a fun day dedicated to the study and exploration of dinosaur-influenced crafts and dinosaur-shaped foods.

Lindsey Cayce ‘14

Everyone receives the crazy emails once a month about some gathering called FCA with donuts, orange juice, games, and a devotional. It sounds appealing, until you read that it occurs at 7:15 in the morning.

What you don’t know is just what you are missing.

FCA, short for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, is a worldwide organization whose sole mission is to serve communities by encouraging people to make a difference for Christ. The FCA website states that their “relationships will demonstrate steadfast commitment to Jesus Christ and his Word through integrity, serving, teamwork, and excellence.” Since it was founded in 1952, FCA has spread so that it now operates in countless high schools and universities across the United States and other countries around the world. Needless to say, we are extremely fortunate to have such a strong FCA base in Memphis and in our own school.

Coach Brent Hill says that “FCA is one of the best organizations I can think of that can connect the student body to Christianity.” A typical morning at FCA here at St. George’s basically consists of food, friends, fun, and faith. There are always delicious breakfast treats for everyone to enjoy and a fun game before sitting down for a devotional. This year, we have had the privilege of having a guest speaker at every meeting including own Coach Ben Todd and the assistant baseball coach at the university of Memphis, Coach Fred Corral.

In Coach Hill’s opinion, “FCA is not just a club, it is a part of the school.” Senior Matt Thomson made FCA headlines by winning the Bull Bramlett award this past December. This award is given to a high school player in the Memphis area who has demonstrated excellence on the football field, as well as godliness and integrity off the field. It goes without saying that this organization is making a difference in our community, and that we should all take full advantage of the monthly devotions that we are so blessed to have!

February

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St. George’s Independent School

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Student Life

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Sharptop Cove, A Young Life Getaway

students is that God wants to have a rela- amazing things for high school stutionship with you and how it should be the dents all around the country. most important relationship in our lives. Mr. McCutcheon took God’s word and helped apply it to our lives and explain the mercy and grace God shows us everyday. After he finished speaking, everyone went back to their cabins and had “cabin time.” This gives campers an opportunity to really dig deep into the message and discover things about themselves and about God. Club and Cabin time can truly be life changing.

Lindsey Cayce ‘14 While many will agree that club is the best part of camp, Young Life camps offer even Young Life is a national organizamore. All their facilities were well kept and tion whose purpose is to help teenvery nice, their food was delicious, and they agers build relationships with God. Jim Rayburn in Gainesville, Texas offered many fun activities during free time.

Young Life did a good job allowing for a lot founded Young Life in 1936. Over the of free time for campers to do whatever they course of the years it spread all over wished. The camp had a giant swing, basket- America with Young Life clubs formball courts, baseball fields, volleyball courts, ing at schools everywhere, including a zip-line into the lake, a game room, and Memphis.

St. George’s has a Young Life club other things for kids to do. Many St. George’s and a Wyld Life Club. Young Life is campers rode the zip line straight into the freezing cold lake, which was fun to do and where high school students meet eveven better to watch. We were blessed with ery Monday night for club, where amazing weather this weekend, which made they play games, sing songs, and hear a short devotion on Christ. Wyld camp even more fun.

Everyone who went had a great time, and Life is for middle school and is at the many wish they were still there. I encourage log cabin by Target on Forest Hill. everyone to come to Young Life on Monday It happens the first Saturday of evnights! Also, there will be a weeklong camp ery month. I suggest participating in this summer in Arizona for those who could Young Life or Wyld Life because it is not make it to the weekend camp or for those really fun! who want to go back. Young Life is doing

All About Young Life

CAmille Brantley Younglife students across Memphis come together to enjoy Sharptop.

Shelby Sims ‘14 Over Martin Luther King weekend, around thirty St. George’s students went to Sharptop Cove. Sharptop Cove is a Young Life camp in Jasper, Georgia. There were around 400 students from all over Memphis along with students from Atlanta. During this weekend camp, all students go to club twice a day. During club, everyone dances and sings. There were also skits from staff members, and people were selected from all around to play games.

Afterwards, everyone would settle down and listen to the speaker, Russell McCutcheon.

McCutcheon worked as a Younglife leader for several years before moving to Memphis.

He now works for Fellowship Memphis, a non-denominational church with multiple locations around the city.

Young Life’s main message to high school

MLK Day at St. George’s Keeps King’s Autism Speaks Students Lead an Legacy Alive with Lessons and Service MLK Day Lesson

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During the Martin Luther King Jr. Day lessons, Seniors Samer Istanbuli and Ehi Ike gave a presentation on autism and how it affects everyday life. Diagnosis of autism is increasing in the United States, and it is vital for everyone to understand the spectrum.

Autism is a developmental disorder that appears in the first three years of life. It affects the normal development of social and communication skills in the brain.

More than likely, you will come into contact with someone with autism, and you need to know how to interact. There is no known cause or cure, and donations through Autism Speaks are helping fund research. Help find a cure for autism.

Francesca Healy ‘16

Every year on January 21, we commemorate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King was one of the most famous civil rights activist in America’s history, who left behind a great legacy. St. George’s honors Dr. King’s legacy and his message with an all school chapel and lessons for students. These lessons discuss discrimination in the modern world.

This year, the topics of these lessons included autism, justice in Dr. Seuss classics, the theater of the oppressed, the anatomy of the protest song, animation and social justice, and cyber-bullying. Each class is unique and brings a new perspective to students about

dilemmas we face in the modern world. Every student picked their choices and participated in these activities.

Each lesson gave students insight into the problems in the world around them and helped them engineer solutions.

On Monday, January 21, Dr. King’s birthday, St. George’s offered its students multiple service opportunities to help them get involved and make a difference in their community.

This day is called MLK Day On, because even though students have the day off, they should be spending it doing service to spread Dr. King’s legacy.

Mr. Brendan Gorham orga-

nizes these activities and wonderful service opportunities.

Some of these activities include mural painting, trailblazing at SGIS and Shelby farms, and cleaning Memphis. The volunteers spent Monday working together to bring Dr. King’s message to others.

Through these activities, St. George’s aims to inform students about their society and teach them how to make a difference.

Although there is only one day set aside to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., St. George’s students should try to get involved in more service opportunities throughout the year besides MLK day.

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February

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St. George’s Independent School

Student Life

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Day Meet the Cute Couples at SGIS Valentine’s Dream Dates Emily Dickey ‘14

Catie Wilcheck and Joesph Rasche ‘14

Do you like Valentine’s Day? Catie: “No, I hate Valentine’s Day.” Joseph: “It depends on if it’s a good one.”

What is your favorite thing to do… just the two of you?

Both: “Hang out with Betty.”

What are your plans for Valentine’s Day? Joseph: “It’s a surprise!”

What’s the perfect Valentine’s Day Gift?

Joseph: “A robe” Catie: “Yeah, a matching robe.”

What did you do last Valentine’s Day? Catie: “Well, our last Valentine’s Day

So what are your favorite Valentine’s presents that you have gotten each other?

Mrs. Culley: “We don’t get each other anything. We’re kind of ‘bah humbug’ valentines.”

Mr. Culley: “We just don’t give presents. Every day with Mary Culley is Valentine’s Day.” Mrs. Culley: “It was our cat’s birthday for a while. It’s like a hallmark day; like grandparents day.”

Mr. Culley: “But it’s important to respect your elders. They do it in China.”

How did you two meet?

Mr. Culley: “In college.”

Mrs. Culley: “In school.”

Mr. Culley: “Well the first time I bumped into Mary, I was completely taken aback by her blue eyes.”

Mrs. Culley: “My friend and I needed I ride.”

Mr. Culley: “So I gave her a ride. Then I saw her at a ‘social gathering’ and be-

gan dancing with her, and she turned around and ran away.”

Mrs. Culley: “Yes, then I elbowed him and ran away.”

Mr. Culley: “Then I asked her to a formal dance and she said yes. I asked her out over voicemail.”

Mrs. Culley: “No you didn’t! Wait… yes you did.”

Mr. Culley: “You must be getting old.”

Mrs. Culley: “Look at my hair…”

What makes a great couple a great couple?

Mrs. Culley: “Depends.”

Mr. Culley: “Is that your answer?”

Mrs. Culley: “You have to be able to get along and compromise and not always be right and be different and not always need the other person.”

Mr. Culley: “Do you have any more clichés you’d like to throw out? I have to say two things: 1. Being able to be independent together .

Alec Feinstone and Caroline Sowell ‘13

How long have you been together?

Both: “Two years.”

What’s the best present ever for Valentine’s Day? Alec: “You gave me a belt that doesn’t even fit anymore.”

Caroline: “Well, excuse me. You gave me a manicure one time I haven’t used.

He gave me a pearl bracelet once.”

What’s your song?

Both: “’Little Moments’ by Brad Paisley.”

What makes you a good couple?

Alec: “We don’t try to be the perfect couple.”

way in eighth grade…”

Joseph: “…but we broke up on Super Bowl Sunday.”

What if you break up before Valentine’s Day? Joseph: “Just sit at home… or still use the reservations — don’t wanna let them go to waste” Catie: “I’ll probably watch ‘The Notebook.’”

Any last words?

Joseph: “Valentine’s Day is gonna be a pretty monumental day in our relationship.”

Catie: “Wait if we break up before then, you’re not gonna publish this... right?”

Dagny Vaugn ‘14

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Kate Sweat ‘14—Panda Bear or Scarlet Johansson Emily Dickey ‘14—Bill Clinton Samer Istanbouli ‘13—Ariana Grande John Michael Clouiter ‘13—Kurt Vonnegurt Regan Hewitt ‘14—Eddie Redmayne Michael Kutteh ‘14—my pet frog Caroline Cannon ‘15—Michael’s… pet frog Casey Schneider ‘14—Johnny Depp Pearson Robbins ‘13—Sylvia Plath Clark Sawyers ‘14—Messi Harmony Riley ‘13—the eleventh Doctor Andrea Benavides ‘13—Jake Gyllenhaal Kara Miller ‘13—Channing Tatum Chandler Head ‘13—Austin Ames from “A Cinderella Story” Mary Henley Green ‘13—Nathan Scott Amanda Fitzpatrick ‘13—Ryan Reynolds Mary Kathryn Phillips ‘13—Aaron Carter Andrew Grissom ‘14—Carrie Underwood Richard Kuehn ‘16—Miley Cyrus Mary and J.P. Culley Jake Moore ‘16—Mila Kunis 2. I don’t believe you find the perfect love, Chris DiNicolantonio ‘15—Evanna but you create it. You gotta keep it fresh.” Lynch Mrs. Culley: “No one is perfect for you.” Luke Robbins ‘15—Frank Ocean or Ewan McGregor Julia Spinolo ‘15—He Who Shall Not Be Named Anna Weaver ‘15—Daniel Craig aka What was the last date you went on?

James Bond Both: “Corey Smith concert.”

Virginia Barron ‘16—Ryan Gosling What are your plans for Valentine’s Sydney Lanyon ‘16—Tim Riggins Day? Brittany Correia ‘14—Jean Valjean Alec: “That’s like three weeks from 24601 now.”

James Houston ‘17—Rihanna Caroline: “We go to dinner every year, Cassidy Ohlweim ‘17—Jason Mraz like Jim’s Place or Styx.”

What would be the perfect Valentine’s Palmer Whittington ‘19—Justin Day gift?

Bieber Caroline: “I can’t say because it would Mary Miller Goldberg ‘19— Liam be mean. Actually, a million dollars.”

Payne Alec: “I don’t know, like dinner and Daniel Quesada ‘18—Miss Alabama then like surprise tickets to something Bart Mueller ‘18—Meghan Fox like a concert. That’d be pretty cool.”

Pre-Bowl Poll Predicts Lights Out For ‘49ers

Jamie Roche ‘13 Photos: Ian John ‘13

The Ravens. They have a better defensive structure than the 49ers and defense wins games.

The Ravens. Because that is what Patrick Clark said.

The Ravens. Ray Lewis.

Michael Kutteh ‘14 Kara Miller ’13

Kylan Davis ‘19

Wil McMillian ‘13

I think the Ravens are going to win.

But that’s just because I am going for the underdogs.

The Ravens because Ray Lewis is going to retire with another Super Bowl ring.

The Ravens will win by two touchdowns because God is on Ray Lewis’s side.

Marshall Sullivan ‘15

Kenneth Thomas ‘17