Sentinel december 2012

St. Luke’s School

377 North Wilton Road - New Canaan, CT - 06840 www.digitalsentinel.org

December 2012

From the Oval Locker Jackson Prince Student Body President

Hey! It’s me, the President. And let me tell you something: my heart has grown three sizes this day.

And do you know why? Do you know why my heart tripled in size? It all started this very morning, in the pilot seat of my frost-gilded vehicle.

A few hours past dawn, on my way to school, I encountered a man. And this man, with a speckle in his eye and rosy cheeks up to his eyes, warmed my little heart. I was inspired to roll down my window, and yell “Hello, sir!” as loud possible.

Had I known this man, dressed in a red, eskimo-like outfit with incredibly symmetrical roundness, was a blow-up Santa, I might have thought better of my impulse. But I’m glad I didn’t. I’m glad I reared back in my seat and brought forth the most jovial “hello” I could muster. Because at that moment, I realized: The holidays are upon us.

And so as we collectively converge upon Christmas vacation, my Executive Council and I have agreed upon one goal: make this holiday season the most extravagant one yet. Though I am not legally authorized to publicize all of Student Government’s delight-inducing ideas, I’m compelled to leave, for you, a few tasty little treats.

Meet the New Head of Upper School: Ms. Elizabeth Perry Sebastian Bates Editor in Chief

Last year, the Sentinel reported on Mr. Yavenditti’s decision to leave his position as Head of the Upper School.

At that point, all that was known about the search for his successor is that it would take several months, and that it would involve the faculty, parents, students, and alumni who all have a stake in the success of the Upper School.

Earlier this week, this process finally came to an end.

After running a gauntlet of meetings with Mr. Davis, Mr. Yavenditti, the chairs of the various academic departments, other administrators, as well as with student and parent focus groups, Ms. Elizabeth Perry has been appointed by Mr. Davis as the new Head of the Upper School for the 2013-2014 school year.

A graduate of Swarthmore College and the School of Education at Harvard University, Ms. Perry is well qualified for her new position. She comes to us from The Berkeley Carroll School in New York City, where she has served as Director of Educational Design and Innovation for the past four years.

As Director, Ms. Perry introduced several new exciting programs, such as flipped classrooms and a global education program, which she created in conjunction with the World Leadership School.

Before teaching at Berkeley Carroll, Ms. Perry worked

in Brazil as an International Baccalaureate English teacher. Consequently, Ms. Perry speaks fluent Brazilian Portuguese (as well as French).

“I am very excited to be joining the St. Luke’s community,” said Ms. Perry in a statement to the Sentinel. “During my two-day visit to the school, I had the opportunity to sense the energy and spirit that make St. Luke’s so special. All my interactions with Upper School students--from formal interviews to chatting at the panini press--left me with a strong, positive impression.”

While Ms. Perry prepares herself for the responsibilities of an incoming Head of the Upper School, Mr. Yavenditti is preparing himself as well. After all, Mr. Yavenditti is not leaving St. Like’s; rather, he will be moving into the newly-created position of Director of Studies. As Director of Studies, Mr. Yavenditti will be working with Upper School students, helping to guide them through the complex process of class registration and scheduling. He will also be responsible for helping incoming students and rising ninth graders acclimatize to the rigors of life in the Upper School.

The week before break is an all out bonanza. The China Care Table Tennis Tournament, spanning the likes of munchkin fifth and sixth graders to the most pre-preprofessional upper school Ping-Pong players, is bound to get intense.

And as you quickly tire out from cheering wildly for your beloved table-competitor, concession tables, sponsored by various clubs throughout the week, will do well in revamping such fanfare. Gatorade, water, cookies, dumplings… you name it; they’ve probably got it.

Or maybe you were a competitor in one of the tournament brackets, but you lost unexpectedly and feel that the holidays are not as fantastic and magical as you’ve always hoped. Have no fear! Candy cane grams are here, not only for the candy, but for the love and the cheer!

And if that’s not enough, care to carol this year? Yes, that Friday a host of carolers appear. They’ll have you singing and dancing and making a hoot (and stomping, and howling, and hugging to boot).

In light of these changes in the Administration, the Sentinel is confident that the Upper School will continue to go from strength to strength under the leadership of Ms. Perry.

You see, we here at the Oval Locker realize just how special this time of year can be. We understand all of you who marked your calendars months in advance, waiting patiently for Winter Break to commence. So now that it’s finally here, knocking right at your door.

Let’s go out with a bang! Then come back for some more.

Holiday Features

SLS Hockey

Inside this issue...

MSU in Houston

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December 2012

Multicultural Student Union Takes Houston by Storm Melanie Bow School News Editor

“Almost 17 years later, I see the true beauty of the world and the people in it. Thank you for opening my eyes SDLC.” Many St. Luke’s students were full of questions on December 9th when inspiring statuses, like this one from Sanjana Chintalipudi ’13, swept their Facebook newsfeeds. What is SDLC? Why did it bring about this change in mindset for these few students? And of course, how did someone add over two hundred Facebook friends in one night? Once you learn about the experience however, these powerful changes began to make sense.

From Tuesday December 4th through Saturday December 8th people from all over the country set out for Houston, Texas to attend the annual Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC). Among those students who went were Sheetal Akole ’13, Kamau Burton ’13, Sanjana Chintalipudi ’13, Kai Burton ’14, AJ Bandoo ’14 and Elijah Holyfield ’12. They were chaperoned by teachers Mr. Holyfield, Mrs. Berry, Mrs. Goldberger, Mr. Fung and Mr. Haynie. After a bit of sight seeing and some orientation in the Lone Star State, the eye-opening experience began.

The Conference is run by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) for multicultural students and focuses on building a community, learning to understand yourself and finding supportive allies. It prompts students to think about social justice, tolerance and even self-awareness in their school and community.

SDLC accomplishes this through hosting group sessions with guest speakers who aim to help students to better understand and appreciate the religions, ethnicities and sexual orientations of others.

The Conference organized students into “family groups” and “home groups.” It is was at this time, in these intimate groups, when students started to open up to each other through facilitated, but enlightening conversation.

In regards to the people he met, AJ Bandoo said; “You can make friends almost instantly. Everyone was genuine with their testimonials and it’s a place where you just feel comfortable to share things you wouldn’t normally share.”

Participants were encouraged to share stories of how the given topic of the conversation affected them personally.

The subjects ranged from the effect of gender roles to nature of the preconceived judgments that we often make about others. The goal was to facilitate more personal conversations so that the participants could be comfortable with self-reflection and using their past experiences to help change the way themselves and other view the world.

HILLTOP NEWS It is clear that the students who went to Houston had a truly eye-opening experience. They learned not only about toleration of others, but how to genuinely embrace those who at first may seem to have characteristics irreconcilably different from their own. Although the experience of this conference cannot be replicated, those of us who did not attend can still take to heart the fundamental ideas of leadership that these students have brought back with them.

The Death of Intellectual Curiousity

Editors in Chief Alex Robertson Sebastian Bates

As a student I often find myself faced with two questions by my friends. The first is something along the lines of “Are you smart?” and the second- “Do you get good grades?”

With a little introspection, I have come to understand that there is only a vague correlation between the two answers.

Sports Editor Ben Decatur

Drew Lord Staff Writer

It is only right to think that there should, in fact, be some relation between the two, but many students can attest that in reality, this is false. In my mind, students nowadays have learned to educate themselves not on intellectual ideas, but rather on “how to get a good grade”- an educational epidemic that is sweeping the nation. Many have become so focused on grades, SAT scores and college acceptance that they have left behind the pursuit of knowledge as an intellectual goal in and of itself.

I believe the problem lies embedded in new technological applications emerging in schools around the country.

One application, called PowerSchool (used in New Canaan High School), enables students to see their recent performance on tests, quizzes, homeworks and essays while giving them and up-to-date GPA with the click of a finger on a computer or smartphone. Students have become compulsively obsessed with checking their grades on this application. It is rare to find someone who does not check their performance periodically; in fact, most claim to check their grades in 40-50 minute intervals (on school days).

Why, you may ask, is this a problem? First of all, when students check their grades, all they see is a number. They do not see actual information from a test, quiz, or essay with corrections on it. Eventually, the assignment may be returned in physical form, but students will not be as inclined to check it over or review it with the teacher since they are already aware of their numerical grade.

Another application that is even more widely used and accepted is Naviance. Naviance is a website used by Juniors, Seniors and college counselors to network students with specific universities and, furthermore, to help organize the college process. It allows you to compare your own grades and SAT scores to other students in the area who have applied or been accepted to a particular college of similar interest.

Sounds great, right? As a student, parent or college counselor who wants to weigh chances of acceptance, sure. But as someone attempting to renourish American students with a sense of intellectual curiosity- it is just another obstruction. Although Naviance may be essential from an organizational standpoint, it surely depletes the true purpose of a student as an intellectual thinker.

The Multicultural Student Union sharing a moment The SDLC was more successful this year than any in the past and it looks as if attendance at this conference will become an SLS tradition.

“Hopefully if the school sees that we really did benefit from this conference they’ll be sending more kids to more conferences like this!” said Sanjana when asked to reflect on her experience.

The Sentinel Staff

It angers me that students in America are being victimized by big-named companies (PowerSchool, Naviance, College Board) who claim to be “bettering the student’s academic performance.” As students, we are gradually losing a sense of educational identity. Numbers are continually replacing faces in the world of education, an idea that is catalyzed by such “academic programs” making big money on the stressed student.

Teachers have also become increasingly frustrated with this issue. There is nothing a teacher hates more than walking into class hearing anxious students nagging about

School News Editor Melanie Bow Arts Editor Ian Corbet World News Editor Mac Zech Staff Photographer Julia Muller Staff Writers Tommy Champion Khush Dhaliwal Ann Abbott Freeman Kevin Jahns Maria Juran Grayson Kennedy Drew Lord Jessy Quindlen Will Twomey Josie Williams Scotty Zech Contributing Writers Will Bloomer Jackson Prince Riley Vaske

“when they will get their tests back.” But most educators are beginning to understand this sad reality. They have come to understand that students are only the victims of the new world of education- one that praises the numerical grade over learnedness.

Unfortunately there seems to be no way to protect students from joining the increasing list of others who have ditched the principal morals of education and knowledge.

Like many other students, I have admittedly fallen victim to the list myself, and personally would love to experience a day of education free of pressure and criticism.

Perhaps there will eventually dawn a day where the correlation between the questions “Are you smart?” and “Do you get good grades?” does not even matter- a day where students are able to finally reverse the fallout of intellectual curiosity. Until then, we should avoid fueling the fire by employing such technological Trojan horses as PowerSchool.

December 2012

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OPINION As the World Ends Grayson Kennedy Staff Writer In case you haven’t heard, doomsday is scheduled for December 21st, which is only days away. There are two opinions concerning our “day of reckoning:” either this is all going to blow over, or we’re all going to die. Whether we’ll go out by volcano, superwave, or black hole, no one can seem to agree. If the world does come to an end this month, I just hope it happens fast. The longer we drag this out the worse it’s going to get.

If we don’t die on the 21st, we’ll breathe a major sigh of relief. However, surviving will have its downside. We’ll have to go back to our normal, unexciting lives. No zombies. No crumbling cities. No Armageddon “going out of business” sales. Just school, work, etcetera. I have to admit, I’m going to miss the thrill of the end. The tension of our last days will fizzle out to the same corny Christmas cheer we get every year. On the bright side, when I have kids I’m going to force them to watch the movie 2012 and tell them I survived.

But what if it does happen? We’ve all thought of a survival plan some time in our lives. If you want to see the champions of preparation, then watch “Doomsday Preppers” on the History Channel. If you haven’t seen “Doomsday Preppers,” then you’re really missing out.

The show is overflowing with hysterical families, couples, and shut-ins with obviously WAY too much time on their hands. From California to New York, people are taking hoarding to a whole new level by stocking up on enough canned food to feed half of Africa. Though some prepare specifically for different apocalyptic situations than others, they all have the same goal: To survive. Will the thousands of dollars and hours spent be in vain? At this point in time, it’s hard to say. While we may call them crazy now, one day we might be begging at their doorstep.

Apocalypse Now Grayson Kennedy

I, for one, am prepared for any state of emergency. I plan to barricade myself in my room and watch Netflix until I spontaneously combust from a solar flare. If you want to be more than a little proactive, then an underground lair is always a good idea. Be sure to have plenty of food and water (and do NOT forget a can opener).

If 2012 passes over our heads, I’m sure the next end-of the-world prophecy will be just around the corner. So skip your homework and start hoarding now!

Shiver Me Timbers: The Ethics of Online Piracy Tommy Champion Staff Writer

I went to Bermuda last Spring Break on a family vacation.

With only a season away from being “caught up,” I logged on to Netflix to finally finish the three season masterpiece that is known as Arrested Development. After waiting for what seemed like ten minutes for the site to load, I discovered that Netflix and other legal streaming sites don’t work in Bermuda, or anywhere outside of North America. Angry and now entering the preliminary stages of “A.D. withdrawal,” I sought other means to get my fill.

In other words, I Googled, “watch arrested development online for free” and proceeded to peruse the legallyquestionable results. While not overtly illegal, these sites give links to third party websites that host copyrighted content free-for-the-watchin’. My mom, not surprised that her 21st century son had found a way to circumvent the “TV problem,” asked me a question: “Isn’t that stealing?”

I’m not sure how I replied, but I can say I tried most to evade the question. Nonetheless, I soon started to mull the question over for myself: was watching a TV show through a illegal, third party website actually stealing?

It seems that in general, people feel that the word “stealing” connotes the theft of a tangible object. In fact, one Sentinel member, when brainstorming the idea for this article, argued that streaming a copyrighted show or

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year?

Kevin Jahns

even downloading a song was not illegal, or necessarily “wrong,” because someone else had essentially taken it, and then put it online for others’ use. In many ways, he may be right. But who exactly are you stealing from?

According to a recent Sentinel poll, 85% of the 79 who voted has downloaded copyrighted material illegally, 22% of whom download weekly. Nearly 80% said that they illegally download music most frequently; so, in that case, the artist is the one who suffers. And suffer they do: ignoring the fact these artists pour their labor and often their own resources into their albums, the fact is that if you download their music for free, you are taking money away from their paychecks.

Some say that these paychecks are often so large that “one album won’t make a difference.” But these people forget a few things. Firstly, they forget that it is this type of ignorance that breeds internet piracy and thus contributes to such catastrophe’s as Napster in the early 2000s.

Secondly, these people forget about the livelihoods of all

the other people who get paid when an album is sold.

In any case, illegal downloading isn’t just wrong in sense that it isn’t beneficial to others; it is also socially unethical. When you break a law in a democratic country like America, you break society’s ethical parameters.

Regardless of your own personal beliefs, you live in a society that condemns stealing as wrong, and since internet piracy is a form of stealing, it too is wrong.

If, at this point, you are thinking, “Who cares?” then consider this: when you pirate copyrighted material, you don’t just harm others, but yourself. Fines for illegal downloading in America can range as high as $670,000.

Considering this, how can you possibly justify taking the chance of having to pay that fine--regardless of its ethical implications--as a high school student?

My answer is good luck to those who will try.

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December 2012

ARTS Alex Robertson’s Top Ten Albums

of the bygone ‘90s. It’s all much more fun--and, yes, nostalgic--than that, I assure you.

while simultaneously sounding like the happiest band in the world.

7. Kendrick Lamar - good kid, m.A.A.d city

3. Julia Holter - Ekstasis

I wish I could place that “7” up there with a question mark; such is the enigmatic force of Kendrick Lamar’s fervidly praised magnum opus. Alas, it cannot be so, but Lamar--perhaps the single greatest rapper alive right now-deserves the spot. His pseudo-concept album limns the experience of growing up in Compton, in all its brutal glory, inventing a virtuosic aesthetic of the grotesque in the process. “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst” may be the best song this year has produced.

Julia Holter’s excellent, cryptic album is apparently all about its own “about”-ness; about the “Boy in the Moon” that lends his title to the third track but also about how the structure and function of the song, like a biological system, are matched; about a Keatsian “negative capability,” of uncertainties and mysteries and how these qualities can sublimate themselves into a fabric of Knowing the Self; finally but also not at all finally about the Hamlet-viaHarold Bloom process of “making yourself a work of art”.

And then it is about being about all that, too.

Alex Robertson Editor in Chief

It’s that time again--the year hasn’t “wrapped up” yet in any meaningful way, but album lists to crown the end of 2012 have been appearing early and with a surprising frequency, and who am I if not the sum of a bunch of numbered opinions? These are my 10 favorite albums of the year.

10. Elle Varner - Perfectly Imperfect

2. Flying Lotus - Until the Quiet Comes

All top-ten album lists must, by design, include a pick tailored toward uncovering a “hidden gem” for those who may have missed it; this is that pick. I mention this not because I want you, the reader, to listen to this album first and foremost out of the whole ten--I want you to listen to all of them!--but rather because what Varner does on her excellent debut is so in tune with the best mainstream pop sensibilities that it’s a shame her album isn’t blasting out of passing Chevrolets all day and all night.

This one took a while: the “post-hip hop” beatmaker FlyLo’s latest album, following the monumental diptych of Los Angeles and Cosmogramma, is also his subtlest.

Gorgeous magic carpet rides of texture and melody like “See Thru To U” and “Only If You Wanna” might not make sense on first listen. But this one may also be his most intriguingly spiritual yet, stuck in that space between the purely ethereal and the muscular, between us here on Earth and those up there in the Heaven FlyLo so casually references with the title of the fourth track. “Me Yesterday// Corded” is also one of his greatest songs ever.

6. Miguel - Kaleidoscope Dream Then, just as with Ms. Rose, the pleasure principle wins out. Lamar may have the hefty philosophy of the streets on his side, but Miguel has the flat-out smoothest single of the year, “Adorn,” on his--and there’s ten more of those.

Wonderfully lucid, strange R&B by a burgeoning master of the form; his three Art Dealer Chic EPs from earlier in the year also come highly recommended.

9. Frankie Rose - Interstellar

5. Beach House - Bloom

Frankie Rose’s second solo album was released without much fanfare, is fairly derivative of a bunch of other albums that have come out recently, and comes in at an incredibly lean 32 minutes. It’s also, however, a delicately fun listen, Rose’s vocals floating lightly atop gorgeous spirals of guitar and automated-seeming drum patterns structured to provide a minimally-yet-maximally pleasant trip across classic dream-pop tropes.

Again: Beach House’s latest LP isn’t particularly “deep” in any sense of the word--in fact, it sounds a lot like their highly-praised Teen Dream from two years ago--but it is on this here album that the dream-pop duo have perfected their languid guitar-organ-and-drum-machine ambiance.

“Wild” is simply ecstatic.

8. INTERNET CLUB - Vanishing Vision

Lonerism is one of those albums that sounds pretty much exactly like another--in this case, The Beatles’s Revolver-without sacrificing its own personal charm. The neopsychedelia presented here is the work not only of great songwriters and great producers, but also of a band forging its own unique aesthetic through the influence of...well, The Beatles, clearly, but there’s something deeper here, too. With “Mind Mischief” and “Why Won’t They Talk to Me?”, Kevin Parker and company sing convincingly about the damaging effects of loneliness (lonerism, if you will)

This one I probably have to explain. As concisely as possible: INTERNET CLUB is the nom de ordinateur of some mysterious fellow who spends his days downloading audio clips of commercials and vintage video games from YouTube and messing with them in Audacity and Ableton Live. Blog critics have taken to calling it “vaporwave,” apparently a sub-sub-genre almost Warholian in its simultaneous rebuff of and delight in the consumer culture

4. Tame Impala - Lonerism

1. Dirty Projectors - Swing Lo Magellan I would gladly give this top spot to just about any of these other nine albums, but it has to go to the album that I spent most of my summer-and-afterwards on. It’s easy to see why: Swing Lo Magellan is simply infectious, a consistently surprising set of twelve songs that only have one thing in common, which is their collective audible joy at the possibilities of pop music. Opening track “Offspring Are Blank” is hip-hop gone rock-and-roll gone Talking Heads; “Just From Chevron” is a gorgeous meditation on death and consumerism; “Irresponsible Tune” sounds like an awesomely warped Elvis Presley ballad. Still-baffling album cover aside, this is the best album of the year.

December 2012

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ARTS Twilight Bites Back Jessy Quindlen Staff Writer

I cringed as I stepped into the theater and tried to navigate a sea of screaming Twilight fans (known as Twihards).

The time was finally here: the fifth and final movie of the popular Twilight phenomenon had arrived. I wasn’t expecting much from the closing movie since I never was a true die-hard fan. Around me, though, girls and boys, teens and adults, excitedly entered the theater in hopes that they would leave with their thirst for vampires and werewolves quenched. They would finally be at peace with the ending of the four-year Twilight Saga.

Although I was skeptical in the beginning, my doubts were quickly assuaged, for Breaking Dawn Part 2 managed to surprise me and fulfill all the hopes of true Twihards everywhere. The 115-minute film mixed romance with intense action and was even interspersed with satisfying humor. From the start, the movie is a brand new twist from its precursors, for now we see the main character, Bella Swan, move away from her awkward teen years and transform into a fierce new-born vampire.

The final movie also introduces many new characters, which includes Bella and Edward’s half mortal, half vampire child, which Bella gives birth to in Breaking Dawn Part 1. Their daughter, Renesmee, is the main catalyst for the profound action that occurs throughout the movie. The beginning of the film focuses on Bella’s new life as a vampire, but this doesn’t last long when news of the battle that is rising reaches the Cullens. From then on, the rest of the movie is all about preparing for the fight, which awaits the vampires.

The epic battle occurs in one of the closing scenes and is filled with action and violence, which reached out to the section of male fans. Due to the number of vampires who come and sacrifice for the cause, the fight included not only the average gore and blood but also of heads being brutally ripped off and bodies being burned, the only way for the vampires of Twilight to die. Throughout the movie there were many “oohs” and “ahhs” as well as tears from fans as their favorite characters were surprisingly killed off.

Our very own Tommy Champion ‘13 had much to say about the end of the popular phenomenon: “I definitely believe that in each movie, as the actors and actresses get older, the acting improves. This movie was one of the best of the series because of its epic, surprise ending.” That shocking twist that Tommy mentions is truly what got everyone in the theater on the edge of their seats. Looking around the theater, I saw all different types of emotions: anger, surprise, and just straight up sadness as people watched characters get killed off as the movie strayed further and further from the truth of the book. Twihards were put at ease when this horrific nightmare they witnessed was merely just a glimpse into the possible future and does not end up coming true. Twihards left the movie pleased and at ease and the only tears shed by fans was for the end of the terrific series, which was loved by many.

The Two Sides to Abraham Lincoln Will Bloomer Contributing Writer

Steven Spielberg’s critically acclaimed Lincoln dominated the box office this Thanksgiving break, raking in a whopping $62 million. When asked why they liked the film, various critics praised Spielberg’s talent in capturing the “small-bore skirmishes of political strategy” and the historical accuracy of the script and storyline. But how on point was Lincoln? How does it compare to the other not so critically acclaimed movies about the sixteenth president’s life? This blockbuster hit only captured the president’s final three months in office, whereas other movies, such as Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, encompass the politician’s entire life. In fact, many are convinced that Spielberg’s predecessors in the genre actually give the world a more complete understanding of what Abraham Lincoln was like.

There are countless accounts describing Lincoln as a young man, all of which describe his famous Herculean strength and prowess with an axe. Quoting one account which talks of Lincoln at age eight, describes him as being, “large of his age, and had an axe put into his hands at once, and from that till within his twenty third year, he was almost constantly holding that most useful instrument...” Other accounts talk about his bookishness and antagonistic but compromising attitude toward adults especially those who owned slaves. Perfectly proving both theories is a popular legend about a wrestling match between Lincoln, at age 23, and Jack Armstrong of New Salem, or “Jack the Russian Bear” in which the two heavyweights battled it out for hours before becoming best friends and eventually legal partners. Lincoln does its best encompasses the fiery, intelligent attitude of the young Abe Lincoln but it’s outmatched by the brilliant Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter.

Disney Buys Lucasfilms Khush Dhaliwal and Maria Juran Staff Writers In case you have been living under a rock or have been as swamped with homework as we have, then you might not be aware of the fact that, as of October 30th of this year, Disney has purchased Lucasfilm, the producer of the classic Star Wars trilogies. When one considers this occurrence, the first image that comes to mind is a doeeyed, animated Darth Vader confessing to all his crimes and begging Luke for forgiveness. However, we must recognize that Disney is not the same animal that it was in the fifties, exclusively producing movies about mice and princesses. As evidenced by the Marvel Avengers franchise and the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy, Walt Disney Studios has evolved into a far more versatile entity in recent years.

So what are Disney’s plans for Lucasfilm, exactly? The studio hopes to release Episode VII by 2015, followed by Episodes VIII and IX in the following 4 to 6 years, thereby completing a third trilogy. Although hardcore Star Wars fans may be skeptical, George Lucas himself (the director of four of the six original Star Wars films) is optimistic about the alliance with Disney. Lucas is looking forward to the franchise being redefined for a new generation of eager fans. "It's now time for me to pass 'Star Wars' on to a new generation of filmmakers. I've always believed that 'Star Wars' could live beyond me, and I thought it was important to set up the transition during my lifetime," Lucas stated.

In Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, a slave-owning vampire kills Lincoln’s parents and, as in reality, Lincoln comes to antagonize slave-owners and the institution of slavery itself…as well as the princes of the night.

Wielding his weapon of choice, a silver-tipped axe, Lincoln comes to realize that America is being taken over by vampires. Deciding to put an end to slavery (and vampire domination), Lincoln goes through marriage, the Civil War, and the transformation of his own son into a vampire before destroying the vampire menace. Despite this loosely written storyline, actor Benjamin Walker does a great job of creating a Lincoln with erudite poise and also incredible axe wielding capability.

We can only speculate on what this change will mean for Star Wars. However, before we get too judgmental, we must remember that Lucasfilm does not exactly have an untarnished legacy. After all, many fans of the original trilogy were incredibly underwhelmed by Episodes I, II, and III. As fans of such a ubiquitous franchise, we must be able to keep our minds open to all sorts of new adaptations, whether or not they live up to what we remember. Who knows, we may find ourselves being pleasantly surprised.

Despite this, Lincoln, by Steven Spielberg is incredible.

The film exemplifies the political genius of Lincoln and the congressmen during the civil war and illustrates the true workings of our nations law making body. Daniel Day Lewis performs probably his best portrayal of any historical figure in his acting career and Tommy Lee Jones is equally excellent as abolitionist Thaddeus Stevens.

The film stresses the passion Lincoln had for the 13th amendment and the abolition of slavery better than any other biography or history channel documentary. Lincoln will keep your attention for the full two hours without vampires, werewolves Bonds or any other of today’s cliché movie genres.

The staff of the Sentinel, together with the entire St. Luke’s community, would like to express our deepest sympathies to the victims of the Newtown shooting.

We deplore our nation’s growing problem with gun violence.

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December 2012

HOLIDAY FEATURES Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Fireside Chat with Mr. LeBris

What “War on Christmas”?

While the official date of winter’s beginning is December 21st, at St. Luke’s winter really begins after the first snowfall. The first time it snows while school is in session is a special time for many. In this day and age, the first snowfall inevitably leads to ecstatic tweets from snow lovers about their love for the snow, which inevitably leads to non-snow lovers tweeting in anger about the snow lovers tweeting. It’s a vicious cycle.

Josie Williams Staff Writer

Ian Corbet Arts Editor

As the fire flickered, Mr. LeBris sat down at the fireplace giving the interviewer a hard look that said he’d rather be hunched over his desk solving those impossible chemistry problems. Nevertheless, he was willing to answer some of the Sentinel’s most pressing questions about the holiday season, chemistry, and “festive trousers.”

There is no “War on Christmas. It’s as simple as that.

The reporters and writers of Fox News simply made up the term and the issue because without something to be outraged at, the pundits at Fox and Friends age at four times the normal rate.

Ann Abbott Freeman Staff Writer

Obviously, snow is not a new concept. While global warming has warmed recent winters, living in New England, we have all seen snow before. In fact, some people hate snow. It causes accidents, traffic jams, and frozen cars. Many people simply do not enjoy the cold.

Snowball fights strike fear into the hearts of some. One SLS senior, Kaite Breck, hates snow because it gets in the way of her activities like horseback riding or even driving.

Another senior stated that while she hated snow, “I like making snowflakes out of paper, twice as fun, not as cold.”

The Sentinel: Mr. Lebris, you are know as a strict man, what motivates you to be jolly around Christmas time?

Mr LeBris: I’m motivated by the thought of two weeks without students, when I’ll be able to do difficult chem problems without the harassment of children.

Anyone who feels that the “socialist government” that Obama has supposedly created is somehow ruining their holiday experience needs a reality check. The acknowledgement of other people’s beliefs and traditions is not, and never should be considered, an attack on your own. The nuts that are making these claims need to stay out of other people’s business, soak themselves in Worcestershire sauce, wrap themselves in festive paper, and sign themselves from my aunt.

So, then, there is no war on Christmas…but maybe there should be. That is why I would like to take this opportunity to declare war on the entire holiday season.

We as a nation have vested too much power in the hands of Hallmark and the Carpenters and have left ourselves open to un-American and detrimental ideas. First of all, how dare Santa Claus siphon jobs away from American citizens? And what kind of businessmen refuses to allow his employees to explore other career options (why can’t elves be dentists, if that’s what they want to be?). Santa himself should be considered a public enemy. After all, he is allowed to travel into Iranian airspace and deliver “whatever they want for Christmas” (i.e. uranium), while U.S. drones cannot even touch Iran’s border without the threat of being shot down. But enough about Comrade Claus. Instead, let’s talk about the vexation and general annoyance that comes with the bright lights and bitter cold.

There are however, people who are diehard snow lovers.

They are the people who scream in class when they spot the first flurry fluttering from the sky. They are the people who run outside during free periods to sled down the hilltop. Some people love snow. In the words of one snow lover, “Snow brings true joy in an often joyless world.”

Snow is romantic and magical. Beautiful things happen when it snows. White Christmases are many children hope for each year.

“I love the first time you look outside and it looks like a whole different world out there with everything blanketed by the snow. It’s a winter wonderland,” said one SLS student when asked why he loved the snow. Snow brings beautiful possibilities like sledding, drinking hot cocoa, and making snowmen. The SLS community has many skiers as well. Britt Viergever, a captain of the ski-team, when asked why she loved snow said, “My favorite sight is looking out the window and seeing snow because I get to ski!” As another senior put it, “I am just not a hot weather person; I like to bundle up and cuddle.” Let’s all be honest here: snow days are the absolute best.

Every year, we are subject to the vexation of having to encounter those possessed with the Christmas Spirit.

Whether it’s the Salvation Army volunteers, the incessant carolers, or that ghost that keeps trying to strangle me with chains, anyone who dedicates their entire December to Christmas goes onto my naughty list. The luminous lights distract drivers, the gift-givers guilt good-intentioned grandparents, and the eggnog always seems to find its way into the hands (and stomach) of some three year old. Even with Michael Buble’s valiant effort to bring some joy into my heart during the Christmas season, the horrors of mistletoe and fruitcake make me want to go into hibernation.

Snow lovers and haters may never see eye to eye but that is what is so great about America. We have the freedom to disagree with one another.

S: LeBris, what is the true meaning of Christmas?

ALB: Christmas is the the “mass of Christ”. Jesus Christ is the true meaning of Christmas, but it is now filled with cheap and futile things except, of course, for festive clothing.

S: Mr. Lebris, what exactly is up with your seasonal trousers?

ALB: The candy canes on them remind me of my another two favorite holiday flavors: methylsalicate and euganol.

S: Anything else?

In all seriousness, though: the claims that allowing equal representations of all cultures and religions is somehow taking away from the sanctity of Christmas have to stop.

Any outrage over a Rhode Island governor’s decision to call the state’s annual decorated evergreen a “Holiday Tree” is completely unfounded (tell me again when Christians patented trees?). People who turn the holiday season into a bitter, antagonistic rivalry between religions should be grouped together with the re-gifters and the Secret-Santa-exposers of the world.

Top of the Hilltop Movie: The Hobbit

ALB: My pants remind me that the true meaning Christmas is in fact chemistry, and that they should rename it as ‘Chemistrymas’

Sport: Hockey

S: Do you have any advice for aspiring festive pants wearers?

Drink: Peppermint Mocha

ALB: Do. Not. Wear. The. Same. Pants. As. Me. On. The. Same. Day.

College: Columbia

YouTube Video: “Hey Ben” Event: Batesmas Game: Tetris Wars Word: Hashtag

December 2012

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HOLIDAY FEATURES The Sentinel 2012 Holiday Gift Guide With the holiday season already upon us, the Sentinel is proud to make these gift recommendations for the special people in your life.

Random Kid of the Month

For Brother:

For Mom:

Is your little brother tired of watching 3D movies in that irritating third dimension? Then buy him the 3D-to2D glasses and return the film to its crystal-clear twodimensional glory.

For Sister:

Q: What is your full name?

A: Gabriel Elliot Royce Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: In my free time I just like to hang out with my friends. I also do martial arts, and I used to also do theater outside of school but now I only participate in in-school productions.

Q: You were in this year’s production of Dracula, did you enjoy it?

A:Yeah it was a lot of fun and I had even more fun when the teachers weren’t around. It was really great to get to know everyone on the cast.

Q: What is one thing no one knows about you?

A: When I was a kid I used to pretend I was possessed and that I could see dead people, to freak my parents out.

A sequel to the classic Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker has been called “unique,” “in a class by itself,” and “intended for mature audiences.” This book is great for reading on the beach- or anywhere in public!

Crocs. These fluffy fashion statements will make her the most desirable girl in school.

For a Friend:

For Dad:

Q: What is your favorite book and why?

A: Into the Wild. It is my favorite because although it might sound cheesy, it’s a “think about your life” kind of book and I like those types of books.

Q: Is it true that you are thinking about going to France for your senior year? If so why?

A: Yes I am. I am French so I think that would be really cool to get to spend a year there.

Q: Can you tell the story about your swords in China?

A:We were going through this small village in China and we I really wanted to find somewhere to buy a sword because at the time I was really interested in weapons. I came across this small store and found this really crazy and cool sword. At the airport I caused quite a commotion as security searched my bag and found the sword. Although my tour guide said that she could have the sword smuggled onto the plane I refused and my sword was confiscated by security.

Not sure what to get your best friend (or, for that matter, you worst enemy)? No problem! Get them a gift cardspecifically, a Raymour and Flanigan gift card. With such a gift card, your friends will be able to furnish their lockers with only the finest leather coaches and teak-wood tables.

For a Significant Other:

Top 10: Rejected Holiday Gifts 10. SLS Hockey Season Tickets 9. Remains of Mr. Lord’s Beard 8. Headship of the Upper School 7. Gary the Gato 6. All-expenses paid trip to Vista

What could be a better gift for an SLS dad than No Apology, Mitt Romney’s “personal and dynamically argued” tome? Not only will your dad learn about one of the most influential politicians of last month’s news cycle, but he will also always have ready access to some excellent bedtime reading. Buy your copy now- we hear they’re going for 47% off.

5. “My Stories” by Robert Powis 4. Model UN Sexy Calendar Whether for a boyfriend or a girlfriend, no gift can compare with the pure romantic power of Michael Buble’s Christmas Album. His crooning voice is sure to earn you a kiss under the mistletoe.

3. Prom Date with Sebastian Bates 2. Invitation to Mr Schacht’s Guild 1. Copy of the Sentinel

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December 2012

SPORTS Strong Start for SLS Hockey Ben Decatur Sports Editor

Boys’ Basketball Going Strong Will Twomey Staff Writer

It’s that time a year again when St. Luke’s students After a tough season last year, Boys’ Varsity hit the ice. Now more mature, confident, and dressing Basketball is looking great! nineteen players instead of nine, the team feels that they will improve dramatically this year.

The boys had a game last week away at GFA, losing 75-60. But don’t let the score fool you, the The relatively new squad faced off against the boys played incredibly well. The team led by Sean Canterbury School and Bethel High School in the Cullinane ’14 were hustling, passing well, and first scrimmages of the year. Their first official game playing great offense, much improved from last is Monday, December 10, 2012 against Rye Country season. GFA played exceptionally well, leading the Day School at the Sono Ice House.

Storm for the entire game.

Led by Coach Gammill, the Storm showed their strength losing a nail-biter, 9-8 to a tough Canterbury team. Coach Gammill was proud of the effort of the team and the advancement they showed.

“Our team is much deeper this year. We had skill players last year, but they were young” he said. “We are still young, but we have three strong lines that can all help us win.”

Noah Daniel ’15 was especially thrilled with the Storm’s effort. “I really like how we played in our first scrimmage against Canterbury,” he said, “If it wasn’t for a few unfortunate goals scored by Canterbury, we The players don’t seem discouraged, and have would have won.” immediately set their sights on the game Monday against Hopkins. When asked how he felt the The Storm came up short in their second scrimmage, team played against GFA, Ami Lakoju ’14 told the losing to Bethel High School by a low score of 4-1. Sentinel, “I felt like we played really well. Our Yet, the Storm players kept their heads high, as they defense was a little shaky, but we never gave up.” felt they improved from their last game.

Many other players have noted that the team has improved since the GFA game, and have promised When asked how he felt the team played star left- we’ll get to see this Monday. winger Carter Bergeron ’14 responded, “It was overall a great game. We didn’t come out as strong as The Storm has a rich history with Hopkins. They we would have like to but they were a skilled team. played them last year twice, losing both times. In I like what I saw, especially since it was only our both of those games, the Storm held fast, only second scrimmage of the year.” losing by a few points in each game. The team has improved over the offseason, and continues In the first two scrimmages, Tyler Klein ’15 showed to improve every day. Specifically, they’ve his prowess, leading the team with three goals. Clay been working on team communication, keeping D’Alessandro ’15, Justin Kramer ’14, Christian possession, and shot selection.

Duncan ’14, and new addition Gillis Frechette all scored a goal each.

Bryan Latorraca told the Sentinel, “I feel good about the game; we’re all expecting a win.” The Noah Daniel has been strong in net and Robert Powis confidence will prove crucial in the game on ’14 has been an inspiration. Not knowing if he would Monday, and will hopefully result in a win for the be able to play hockey again due to health reasons, Storm. Junior Captain Sean Cullinane voiced his Powis has returned and been a strong asset to the confidence when interviewed by the Sentinel, saying team. Justin Kramer ’14 and Clay D’Alessandro have that he and the rest of the team deserve the win on been a physical presence, leading the team in hits.

Monday.

St. Luke’s will have one more scrimmage on December 5th before their first game of the season on Monday, December 10th. As the NHL still struggles to reach a deal and end the lockout, students are encouraged to support the team and fill the “pucksized” void in their hearts.

GVB Shoots for a Winning Season

Drew Lord Staff Writer As frost and snow begin to coat the grass fields on the Hilltop, students rush to the gymnasium bleachers to cheer on their favorite winter sport: Girls’ Varsity Basketball. The Girls’ Varsity Basketball team is returning from a championed 2012 season in hopes of having a great season.

Even with the loss of four seniors, the team is surely in for an exciting year.

The Storm have already started their season off on a relatively good note. The girls played a tight game against the Trinity School of New York City on December 3rd, but unfortunately could not come up with a win.

However, the skills displayed in their first game seemed very promising. “We have a ton of newcomers that will bring great contributions to our team,” Co-Captain Tunde Johnson ‘14 told The Sentinel, “It was so exciting to see them play so well in our first game.” The girls, did, however, win their second game of the season versus Greenwich Academy.

One newcomer, Sydney Lowrey ‘17, scored 29 points in the Trinity game. This outstanding performance in the first game of the season has given the Storm much-needed confidence, after losing so many of their top-playing seniors.

The girls have a tough season ahead of them. In order to grasp a solid position in the FAA’s they need to win games against their toughest rivals: King, Holy Child and Sacred Heart. \

Assistant coach David Parsons believes these wins are possible with some dedication and hard work, “our two seniors are exceptional leaders,” he said, “I know they will carry our team to success.”

(If not for the hockey, at least go to a game to check out the new locker rooms. It has been rumored there are flat screen TVs.)

The Storm are ready for Hopkins this Monday, so come out and support them in the Carey Gymnasium! If you can’t make the game, you can always listen to the calling of the game live on 91.9, WSLX. Hope to see you there!

But team spirit will surely not be an issue on this new team. “We all know each other very well” Johnson said, “as the season continues we’ll continue to give each other gifts, hold team dinners, and plan other events to boost morale.”

The captains agree that continued support from the St. Luke’s community is essential to a prosperous season. “It’s going to be a thrilling and exciting season,” Johnson said, “so support from our peers will mean the world to us.”