The Suffield Bell

Page 1

www.suffieldacademy.org

Esse Quam Videri

The Suffield Bell Volume LXXVIII, NO. 2

Established 1835

December 2012

Suffield Spirit Bolstered by Annual Spirit Week Livy Poulin ’13 create an eye-catching outfit bound to confuse a passerby. Harrison Moore ’14 and Gustaf Lidfeldt ’14 were victorious in their matching suits, ties, and blue hair dye. A student clap-off, an example of the strong sense of student democracy and participation at Suffield Academy, determined the winner. Due to unfortunate timing, students were prevented from enjoying the enthusiastic events of Spirit Week on Tuesday, as all were required to be in full dress code for the all-school photo. The festivities resumed, however, on Wacky-Tacky Wednesday. From morph suits to pig tails to flamboyantly colored wigs, the campus was decked out in mind-boggling outfits. Remarking on the amount of student participation, Emily Ferguson ’14 had this to say: “[Wacky-Tacky Wednesday] was really cool. It seemed like everyone took part this year.” Most students find it difficult not to participate in an experience as jovial as these festivities prove to be. Throwback Thursday brought a time-machine effect to Suffield. Outfits

Photo by Noel Nakamura ’13

Amidst dreary weather, endless school days, and upcoming fall term exams, October 22-27 presented a diamond in the rough: Spirit Week. The point of Spirit Week is, in the words of faculty member Demetrius Toutounas, to “avoid ghosts at all costs.” Although this statement is accurate, beliefs about the purpose of Spirit Week vary. Spirit Week presents six days without blazers, ties, and pocket-less pants. Instead, students can choose to deck out in embarrassingly hilarious outfits. The pressure to create the most unique, theme-fitting outfit of all produces not only a week of no dress code but also a week of heavy competition. Who will the headwaiters announce as the day’s winner? You may find yourself second best in competition, but, no matter the outcome, the week is filled with universal school spirit. Students can’t help but feel pride in Suffield’s exciting tradition, and this year was no exception. According to custom, Monday of Spirit Week was Twin Day. With a best friend, sibling, or look-alike, students attempted to

Winning twins Gustaf Lidfeldt ’14 (left) and Harrison Moore ’14 (right)

imitating the fashion of the 60’s hippies, the 50’s greasers, the 20’s flappers, and even earlier eras gave the Suffield community the essence of wrinkles in time. Teachers and staff laughed at the reminiscent looks that they had once worn and

looks that they remembered their parents wearing. The week ended with two spirit-filled days: Breast Cancer Awareness Day and Suffield Spirit Day. Brewster Dining Hall was an ocean of pink on Friday morning. On this spirit day students

donated $5 to support a search for the cure, demonstrating a strong sense of concern for others that brings pride to the school. Then, on Saturday students dressed in an infinite body of black and orange to perfectly end another, terrific, annual week of spirit.

Student Council Works to Enhance Suffield Experience

Photo by Peter Byrun ’13

Lindsay Hayden ’15

Vice President Cole Hills ’13 (left) and President Paul Metscher ’13 (right)

Student Council President Paul Metscher ’13 and Vice President Cole Hills ’13 have been working with the Student Council to enact their plans to enhance the Suffield Academy experience. Their primary focus has been finding a new fundraising project to replace Dance-a-thon. In addition, Metscher is making it his duty to give the students of Suffield

Academy a voice. He feels that the school works best when everybody’s ideas are heard, and he has acted on his belief with the establishment of Food Committee, SWAT, and Environmental Committee. Each of these newly established committees provides opportunities for student input of ideas. Food Committee has been having

meetings with the kitchen staff to discuss adding more options, especially for vegetarians, and replacing less popular meals in the dining hall. SWAT, or Suffield Weekend Activities Team, has been coming up with new ideas for weekend activities to improve the overall weekend experience. Environmental Committee is still in the process of being

developed; its main goal will be to create ways for the school to be greener and reduce its carbon footprint. As Metscher says, “The best thing about these committees is that anyone can join them.” The committees function in ways that enable any student to express his/her opinion. Likewise, the Student Council is making sure that each student’s voice can be heard as it works on selecting a new fundraising event. Any student who is upset about the cancellation of Dancea-thon and wants to make sure that the replacement is awesome is invited to attend Student Council meetings to express his/her ideas. Another goal of this year’s Student Council is to improve and strengthen the tour guide system. Council members have been actively working with Associate Director of

Admissions Sean Atkins to ensure that tour guides are properly trained to present our school in the best possible way. Ideas for improving the system include having tour guidesin-training shadow veteran tour guides and give mock tours. Making the tour guide process a more selective one would help the school put its best foot forward when trying to attract prospective students. According to Metscher, this year’s Student Council is not just for each class’s elected officials: it is for all students. He believes Student Council meetings are the perfect place for students to express opinions, voice concerns, and initiate change. With new, inclusive ways to participate, Student Council has made it clear that the best way to successfully enrich the Suffield Academy experience is to speak up!


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