the index The student voice since 1888
The Haverford School · Haverford, PA 19041 · April 2021· Volume 88, No. 7 · thsindex.org
Campus colors bloom, under the grounds team’s watchful eye
JEFFREY YANG ‘22
Flowering trees on campus bloom as students walk around campus on a mask break Jeffrey Yang ’22
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looming trees when you look up, blossoming flowers when you look down, and tidy grass, mulch, and plants all around: our campus is simply beautiful. But sometimes we take it for granted, going not far beyond just appreciating the luscious life that adorns our grounds. Yet, behind the curtain, intricately planning ev-
ery aspect of this exhibition is Haverford’s Sodexo grounds team. Grounds Manager Mr. Andrew Stevenson leads this team. Having always liked to spend time outside, Mr. Stevenson jumped at the opportunity for this position. “I’d worked in different facets here for a pretty long time, and then there was a position open in Grounds, and I decided that I
was going to give it a try, and I kind of fell head over heels for it. I love working with plants, and I wanted to learn more about them, so that’s kind of how I ended up [with this position].” His team of three begin planning the plants for the season with a design process. “You want to kind of make sure when you’re designing that there’s going to be
something that pops. So when I go to make a design, I try to look at what flowers or shrubs or perennials might be available to me, and then I try to plant them accordingly,” Mr. Stevenson said. con’t. on p. 6
Ben Fosnocht ’21 adjusts to varsity baseball Jake LaRocca ’22
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Ben Fosnocht ’21 vs. Friends Central on March 16th, 2021
Georgia voting restriction, p. 13
VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Life under lockdown, p. 8
TYLER ZIMMER ’21
NACHIKETHAN SRINIVASAN ’21
ith the pandemic canceling spring sports in 2020, many members of the Class of 2021 missed out on their first opportunity as upperclassmen to play on varsity athletic teams. Among those athletes was current Sixth Former Ben Fosnocht. Fosnocht has played Fords baseball since middle school, but his first chance to play varsity baseball came in his final year on campus. Throughout the first couple of games of the season, Fosnocht admittedly struggled at the plate. That being said, after getting the hang of varsity baseball, Fosnocht immediately improved, putting together multiplehit games against some of the toughest competition in Pennsylvania. “I think it was a mindset thing, and I
Caricaturist, p. 5
COURTESY OF MS. COURTNEY SELL
“I think it was a mindset thing, and I just needed to gain some confidence.” BEN FOSCNOCHT ’21 just needed to gain some confidence. This year has been the first chance I’ve had with varsity at-bats because we only had one game last year. What helped was just getting more comfortable seeing varsity pitching and focusing on not doing too much at the plate,” Fosnocht said. con’t. on p. 20
Theater III* play, p. 15
MR. DARREN HENGST
the index · editorial
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the index 2020–2021 Staff Agustin Aliaga ’21 Editor-in-Chief Matthew Schwartz ’21 Editor-in-Chief Tyler Zimmer ’21 Editor-in-Chief Mitav Nayak ’222 Managing Editor Ryan Rodack ’22 Managing Editor Jeffrey Yang ’22 Managing Editor
April 2021
editorial
Vaccinate, we've made it this far.
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he Index endorsed Joe Biden this past October solely to inform our readers where the three editorsin-chief stand, with no attempt to persuade students one way or the other. This endorsement is different, because it a direct matter of life and death. We urge every reader to get the vaccine, for your safety and for others’. There are a plethora of reasons why people are refusing the vaccine. According to the journal Social Science & Medicine, “Black
people, women, and those with conservative political leanings” are most likely to refuse. Black and conservative students combined make up a large sum of the Haverford student body, so it is vital that each student at least engages with these arguments. Anti-vaccinators point to the imperfect past of vaccine companies, even though the COVID-19 vaccine has passed through three phase trials, each studied by universities and government officials. They point to the “immunity” of vaccine makers that can-
Quinn Luong ’22 News Editor Joey Kauffman ’22 Features Editor Jingyuan Chen ’22 Academics Editor Connor Pinsk ’23 Neighborhood Editor Austin Zhuang ’22 Campus Opinions / Design Editor Michael Tallarida ’21 Off-Campus Opinions Editor Kethan Srinivasan ’21 Arts Editor Jake LaRocca ’22 Sports Editor Ms. Emily Harnett Faculty Advisor Mr. Thomas Stambaugh Faculty Advisor
The Index is a student-run publication of the Haverford School that does more than bring news: it provides the diverse perspectives of the Haverford student body. It is an outlet for student writers to take stands on issues they deem important. It chronicles the daily struggles and accomplishments of the Haverford community. The Index also provides a forum for discussion of pertinent issues, such as student culture, academic policy, and Haverford’s place in world affairs. The Index presents new ideas and aspires to influence constructive change.
INDEX STAFF
not be held liable. This argument is irrational considering every vaccine since 1986 has been legally protected. If you have ever taken a meningitis or tetanus shot—or any other type of vaccine—this argument is flawed and hypocritical. They point to the lack of long-term testing and the six women who experienced blood clots as a possible result of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Do you know what else we lack long term testing for? The coronavirus. The little data we do have suggests that the coronavirus does indeed have severe long-term effects. If you are concerned about six blood clots out of millions of vaccinations, more than 566 thousand deaths, please reconsider. It is time to consider the facts. It is time to consider our community. It is time to consider what we have been working for. We often wondered, how long would this last? This vaccine is why we stayed safe and distant. This vaccine is the reason we all remained hopeful as our lives were turned upsidie down. And now it’s here, and many are still refusing it. We have provided many of the counter arguments to vaccination complaints. But we must admit, there will always be uncertainty and risk. However, we firmly believe that any danger is outweighted ten fold by both the finish line and the danger of being complacent.
2020-21 Editors-In-Chief Matthew Schwartz ‘21, Agustin Aliaga ‘21, and Tyler Zimmer ‘21
All opinions and viewpoints expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of The Index or the school. The Index is designed and produced digitally. Photographs may be retouched. Submissions and letters to the editors regarding any and all articles are welcomed at index@haverford.org. The Index, a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, is composed using the applications of Google Suite and Adobe Creative Cloud. Its surveys are conducted via Google Forms and are advertised on email to current Haverford students. Graphic designs are created by Index staff via Canva. Southern Dutchess News prints 200-400 copies of each issue, and its editorial staff distributes them in the Upper School on the day of release. The Index serves the needs of a total school population of 1152 community members, consisting of 952 students and 200 faculty and staff members. Contact The Index: 450 Lancaster Ave, Haverford, PA 19041 index@haverford.org Twitter: @Haverford_Index Instagram: @Haverford_Index Volume 88, No. 7 - April 21, 2021
The Index is honored to recieve a gold medal from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association for the efforts of the 2019-2020 editorial team
the index · news
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news
April 2021
Sixth Formers unite under senior assassin game Austin Zhuang ’22
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f you have seen Sixth Formers walking through Haverford’s campus with inflatable rings around both their arms, do not judge them too harshly. All they are trying to do is escape a watery defeat.
COMMUNICATIONS
Liam Harkins ‘21 came up with the idea to bring senior assassin to Haverford
Sixth Former Liam Harkins, with some inspiration from other schools, came up with the idea to organize a game that would bring some enjoyment to the end of an unorthodox school year about one or two weeks before spring break. It started immediately after spring break. “I thought that it was important that we got to do something as a class together just because of how weird this year has been,” Harkins said. “They did it two years ago, and I thought it would be fun to have something together.” The rules are simple: to enter, students have to pay ten dollars, and each week, participants receive a target they must get water on in some shape or form, whether it be a water gun or a bucket of water. They must also have video proof of the kill, and the only way a Sixth Former can protect himself is to wear the arm “floaties.” If a participant is hit or fails to hit his target, they are eliminated. The last man standing wins seventy percent of the pot (which is around $500), second wins twenty, and third wins ten. Helping Harkins organize the game and run the logistics is Fifth Former Sam Gerber. He ensures there is no bias in the target selection process, enforces all the rules, and updates the game’s Instagram. “Usually I’ll just sit down at night, send videos throughout the day, and get texts every now and then about rule clarification or questions about the game,” Gerber said. “On Sundays, I have to figure out who’s in, who’s out, and who’s going to [go against] the coming week.” The selection process is completely random, and each person’s target and status is tracked on an Excel spreadsheet. Some restrictions on the game include the time and place that a “kill” can occur. Haverford’s campus (excluding the Red Lot) during school hours is off-limits, and a participant cannot hit someone else at school
An assassin’s tools events, work, practice, or games. Anywhere and anytime else is fair game. Sixth Former Ryan Ngo, who was eliminated by fellow participant Trever Pettibone, shared the commitment he put in to win the grand prize.
“I was definitely putting in money to play the game properly.” RYAN NGO ’21 “I was pretty invested,” Ngo said. “I went out and bought my own water gun, had some range. I even ordered some floaties on Amazon, so I was definitely putting in money to play the game properly.” His two strategies to get a kill were to hit his target after practice and to figure out the target’s class schedule and hit him before or after school, and he claimed that the lat-
INDEX STAFF
ter was a common way many people tried to target others. But not all strategies are considered authorized. Harkins thought everyone would adhere to an unspoken restriction to the game, the use of physical force to get a target, as the gray area emboldened someone to take a rather extreme approach to take someone out. “One kid paid his friend to drag the one kid out of his house and tackle him to the ground and then take his floaties off,” Harkins said. “We didn’t count that, obviously.” Despite the one anomaly, Sixth Formers for the most part are playing respectfully and honestly. On occasion, a participant does not get video proof of a kill, but the target usually admits that he was it and accepts elimination. Everyone is competing against each other for the cash prize, but at the end of the day, the game is supposed to unite the Sixth Form together with some fun and to end the year with a splash.
Robotics takes states after a year’s work...at home Ethan Lee ’24
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he school’s robotics program is one of the most prestigious in the nation. The number 169 has a worldwide reputation for having some of the best VEX Robotics teams in the world. For the past ten years, 169 has won the Eastern Pennsylvania State Championship. This year was no exception. Two 169 teams made finals, and one, 169A, took the win again. Behind every successful tournament, hours of preparation go into engineering, building, and practicing with a robot. Normally, this all takes place at school in Wilson Hall’s ground-floor shop, where the robotics team usually has two “fields” and all of the tools and parts they need to make quality, functional robots. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the robotics team has had to move home this season. Sixth Former Owen Gormley has hosted many teams for building and scrimmaging sessions at his house. “I have a field at my house with parts and an area to build,” Gormley said, “I started working over the summer and have been refining it since.” Third Former Arsh Aggarwal has a similar setup at his house. “The main difference between preparing for States this year and last year is that we have been working at our houses,” Aggarwal stated. “We also spent less time scrimmaging.” In order to follow school guidelines,
masks are worn at all times and social distancing is practiced when possible. Working at home may be the new normal. There have been talks of keeping fields and parts of people’s houses for the upcoming season.
“Personally, I do not think this is a great idea...There is an environment at the shop and a culture that 169 has developed." ARSH AGGARWAL ‘24
But not everyone agrees. “Personally, I do not think this is a great idea,” Aggarwal said, “There is an environment at the shop and a culture that 169 has developed. There is this energy that is important to have.” Working at school is more convenient for everyone, as they do not have to make sure that whoever’s house they are going to is available. The 169 team is still looking forward to future competitions. “We are trying to compete in whatever events we can,” Gormley said, “especially more competitive competitions.”
MS. VICTORIA KRIEDER
State champions Arnav Sardesai ’23, Ronan Wood ’23, and Maxim Krieder ’21
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the index · news
April 2021
Fords reflect on virtual Model UN conference Mitav Nayak ’22
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hile it has taken place predominantly in-person, the 2020-2021 school year is, in many ways, a “virtual year.” Teachers have considered digital teaching tools, sports teams have relied on Google Meets for film sessions, and school concerts and plays take place virtually as well. In some cases, students and administrators have found virtual tools valuable and suggested that they continue to use these tools even after the pandemic. In other cases, students have felt that virtual methods have completely replicated the in-person experience. One such experience: Model UN. During the first weekend of spring break, a group of club members attended the General School Model UN Conference virtually, hoping for as authentic of an experience as possible. Although most students found the conference worthwhile, they felt it was different from the traditional in-person experience. “[The virtual conference] made it less of a social space where you didn’t really talk directly to other committee members as much,” Sixth Former Carter McCann said, “and it was more about making speeches and communicating with the whole committee in moderated caucuses.” McCann, a Model UN veteran, has attended in-person conferences throughout high school. During the most recent virtual conference, he was part of a Crisis Committee on the Banana Republic Wars. Although there were positive takeaways from his experience, McCann explained that key aspects of Model UN are lost when face-to-face moments are infeasible. “A lot of Model UN is about social in-
teraction, even in between and outside of committees,” McCann said. “You lose out on all of that virtually.” Fourth Former Owen Yu also found that there were several differences between the in-person and virtual experience, in particular, student motivation. During this conference, he was a part of the Assemblée Nationale committee, examining the Yellow Vest riots and French immigration policies. “A lot of people really didn’t seem to care as much as they would if it was in-person,” Yu said. “There was a small committee at the beginning, with maybe 17 people, but by the end of the second day there were only like 10 people still there.” The change in the environment itself— from the lively bustling conference hall to the peace and quiet of one’s room—contributed toward a change in attention and motivation. “The atmosphere was just very different. It’s hard to pay attention and interact with others when you’re doing Model UN online,” Yu said. “When you’re sitting at home and you’re comfortable, you kind of lose focus. In comparison, if you were at the [in-person] conference, you would have a nice shirt and tie on, and you’d be sitting at a round table constantly talking to people.” Still, students believed the event was well-organized, given the difficulties associated with coordinating a virtual conference. “I think it was still worth it,” McCann said. “We had had interesting conversations about important topics, so in that sense, it still held up as being an effective conference, but there was still a good part of the Model UN experience that was lost.”
Carter McCann ’21 is a member of the 2021 model Model UN team
MITAV NAYAK ’22
The Index would like to congratulate news section editor Quinn Luong for being honored as the recipient of the Princeton Prize in Race Relations for the Philadelphia-Delaware region
RUSSELL YOH '24
the index · features
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features
April 2021
Julius Huang '22 lives simultaneously on two sides of the world
Gary Gao ’21
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hen the clock hits 5:30 a.m., it is finally time to sleep. Every day, when a smudge of yellow appears next to the navy blue in the sky, Fifth Former Julius Huang finishes his day and goes to bed so that he can recharge his mind and prepare for the “next day”—another round of activities on his schedule. Since last March, like several other international students, Huang has been living like this because he faces a major challenge: he lives in Shanghai, China, which is over 7,300 miles away from the Haverford School and has a twelve-hour time difference from the Eastern United States. Normally, Huang sleeps when the sun is about to rise and gets up around 1 p.m. Sleeping during such abnormal times has negative impacts on his well-being. “The first problem is: how do you fall asleep when the sun is rising? The quality of sleep is quite bad… sometimes I need to take some Melatonin [a short-term treatment for insomnia] before sleep,” Huang says. “We cannot disobey the rules of nature. I usually feel more tired after I get up, and it makes me feel like not wanting to do the stuff on my schedule.” When Huang wakes up, it is well after his family members leave for work. Although he gets “what other family members are getting for lunch,” he has to “sit and eat alone,” unable to enjoy the time with family members or friends at school. “[With] the disrupted calendar, the meal just doesn’t taste as good,” Huang says. In the busy afternoon that starts at 2 p.m., Huang mostly dedicates his time to extracurricular activities because he cannot attend the normal meetings and practices. Huang has been playing violin for many years. He loves the instrument, which is why he works hard every day towards becoming
a better violinist by practicing three-to-four hours a day. “The major extracurricular activity I’m doing for school is orchestra,” he says, “but of course there is no way for me to play with other people in the orchestra at the same time.” Fortunately, there are some alternative activities. “The conductor sends out the pieces we are playing for the semester, so that we can practice at home according to the calendar, and we turn in some videos at certain times. Playing with others is fun, and I can learn [by doing it],” Huang says. “Not attending normal practices certainly does have negative impacts on me.” Sports is another issue. Huang was a skilled player on the golf team. “Now, I’m not doing any sports for school. I’m doing some sports on my own. I play golf not quite as often, because I need to make compromises on schedule conflicts. Sometimes [I] maybe only play once every two weeks,” Huang says. “It’s pretty bad for me.”
"It is hard for me to sleep right after school. I just keep doing my homework until in the early morning” JULIUS HUANG ’22 After a long afternoon, at 7:30 p.m., Huang has dinner with his family members. On the dinner table, he and his family talk and savor the meal. “I feel bad about missing other meals with my family; when they are at home I’m mostly in class, so dinner is the only thing I can enjoy with my family,” Huang says.
The caricaturist aims for a portrait Tyler Zimmer ’21
COURTESY OF MS. COURTNEY SELL
Courtney Sell draws at the renowned Diner En Blanc event
Julius Huang's simple midnight meal At 8:45 p.m., it is time to “go to school” for Huang. He logs into Google Meets every day, just like other virtual students, which means he faces the most common challenge for attending online classes. “In the junior year, a lot of classes, especially history, tend to be more conversational,” Huang says. “So it is not that easy for me to participate in discussions.” Huang encounters an internet challenge that never bothers U.S. students. He is not able to access services provided by Google in China without a VPN (Virtual Private Network) connection, which causes “slow internet speed and frequent disconnections” during classes for him. At 12:00 a.m., Huang is able to log off the Meet and eat something, just like his peers in the U.S., but he does not feel excited about having a midnight meal. “I have my midnight meals alone. I have to have some food and some tea to keep myself focused on studying later,” Huang says, “and they are also bad for my health. They make me put on more weight.” 3:00 a.m. marks the end of his night at school. “It is hard for me to sleep right after school. I just keep doing my homework until in the early morning,” Huang says. Eventually, at 5:30 again, he goes to sleep and prepares himself for another 24 hours of
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s Sixth Formers’ inch closer to the next chapter of their lives, many seek mementos. Ms. Courtney Sell delivers on this wish, creating colorful caricatures that highlight more than a wide smile—they tell each student’s story. “I get so personal on these,” Ms. Sell said. “It’s fun because I can be so much more in depth.” This is no ordinary caricature. Each student received a form to fill out his interests, hobbies, and styles. Ms. Sell then followed up with a tenminute Zoom call to discuss the details. “Zoom has been awesome for me. I actually love doing it virtually,” she said. Students expressed the same feeling. The virtual process was smooth, efficient, and provided Ms. Sell with the details she needed to capture each student’s story. “She was really helpful, and I can’t wait to see what she makes,” Sixth Former Jonny Flieder said. This is Courtney’s fourth year drawing our Sixth Formers. She began her career as a professional caricature artist at Dorney Park in Allentown before earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Tyler School of Art at Temple University. Since then, she’s worked for the Philadelphia Zoo and Citizens Bank Park.
JULIUS HUANG ’22
an inverted schedule. Huang, like many other students who go to school internationally, does not choose to have such an abnormal daily life. “The travel ban is still there,” Huang says. The United States government currently forbids the entry of individuals that have been physically present in some countries within fourteen days prior to the arrival. China, Brazil, South Africa, and most countries in Europe are still on that list. Some groups of individuals, such as U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and their immediate family members, are exempted from the rule, but students are not among them. “If I want to return to the U.S., I have to go to another country for fourteen days, and I have to quarantine for another fourteen days after arriving,” Huang says, “It’s difficult to arrange, and I will have to waste a month of time on the trip.” Although the Biden Administration has not yet made any official moves regarding this rule, as the vaccination progress advances globally, Huang and his family see some hope in resuming his education in the U.S. in person. “I wish to go back to school after this pandemic ends,” Huang says, “and I think it is going to be easier to travel the next [school] year.”
Despite her extensive experience working for every type of event imaginable, Ms. Sell admitted that the Sixth Form portraits are some of her most challenging. “I spend a lot of time on these, at least an hour each. I feel like I am drawing your lives.”
"When you get your drawing back, I hope you feel that it is a snapshot of your life.” MS. COURTNEY SELL In order to finish in time, Ms. Sell plans to work over twelve hours each day, working hard for each of the nearly 130 Sixth Formers. To the students awaiting the final product, they should be confident that this memento will beat their expectations. Courtney is Yelp’s Best Caricaturist in Philadelphia. “It’s so rewarding for me to finish a project of this size. When you get your drawing back, I hope you feel that it is a snapshot of your life.”
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the index · features
April 2021
Campus colors bloom cont. from front page
JEFFREY YANG ’22
Vibrant trees flourish overhead as Mitav Nayak ’22, Ryan Rodack ’22 , and Joey Kauffman ’23 walk to class Every season requires different work. a SiteOne out in Aston,” Mr. Stevenson said. plants and general greenery, within the past turns to campus. For example, in the spring, planting seasonal Another important point that the five years, the team is looking to start two “I love it right before and right when flowers and cutting grass are the foci; in the Grounds team must consider is the chemi- big projects soon. One plan currently in the school starts because the campus is looking summer, watering and cutting grass; in the cals used to upkeep the plants. To avoid works will add stone planters to the steps fresh, the campus is looking alive, and our fall, collecting leaves; and in the winter, pre- students, faculty and staff, and even visitors between the lower school and the business projects are done, so we can relax a little. paring for and shoveling snow. from having adverse reactions, such as an office and the area by the café and the din- Then, welcoming all the students and staff “Each season does have its kind of asthma attack, the team uses organic solu- ing hall. back is always exciting for us and seeing their unique challenges that we’ve come to ex- tions where they are needed. Mr. Wisler said, “That area’s kind of reaction being back on campus.” pect,” Mr. Stevenson said. “When we spray plants and so forth, we looking a little bit drab, and we want to Most of the major projects occur over use organic material where it’s necessary, just make sure that we make that pop.” “I love it right bethe summer. because we want all of the students to be safe, Another significant project in the near Haverford’s Sodexo General Manager we want the faculty to be safe, we want any future will be re-turfing fields, and possibly fore and right when Mr. Robert Wisler said, “[Summer is] the of our visitors to be safe,” Mr. Wisler said. making new turf fields around the campus. school starts because best time to do it from a safety perspective, The team faces various challenges "We are looking at new fields: replacing . . . the campus is when students and faculty are not here. And throughout the year. One persistent chal- [the Class of ] ’75 field this year with new looking alive, and so we’re not working around students and lenge is the weather, especially in spring turf, replacing Memorial Field the following faculty and staff.” when the temperature can change drastically year with new turf. And then we’re looking at our projects are done, One of the major projects, but one that day to day as new plants are bedded out. what it would take to spruce up Eagle Field, so we can relax a occurs annually, is mulching. “Weather is always a huge challenge. because it’s always a challenge to spruce that little. ” “Mulch is very expensive, but it also Sometimes you get that random cold snap up. That’s our only natural grass field right only lasts like a week, but it is nice. We need in April and it’ll kill every flower you just now, so we’re kind of deciding whether we MR. ROBERT WISLER to have the moisture of all the roots,” Mr. bought, so, along those lines, we do get kind want to turf that field,” Mr. Wisler said. Wisler said. of mystery box challenges. But we’re getting Regardless of how the landscaping looks For larger-scale landscaping projects, a lot better at handling it,” Mr. Stevenson in the future, one thing will always be cerBut both Mr. Stevenson and Mr. Wisler the Grounds team must get approval from said. tain: spring will signal the rebirth of color- are excited for people to enjoy their hard an aesthetics committee, which is composed Another unwavering challenge is the filled, vivacious grounds. For this reason, work, which mainly occurs when the comof a group of managers at Haverford. While budget, but money is more predictable than spring is Mr. Stevenson’s favorite season in munity is not watching. Mr. Stevenson does not recall having needed the weather. regards to landscaping. Mr. Wisler said, “We’re always excited to undergo this process yet, he does try to “It’s a balancing act of making sure the “Winter is such a drag, and then when to share with the students because this is keep the Haverford spirit in mind when de- campus looks nice and, at the same time, en- you kind of get back and everything kind of what we do for a living, and we love doing signing. suring that the cost is kept within budget,” pops and comes back to life all at once, espe- it.” He said, “I don’t think I’ve done any- Mr. Wisler said. “If I had an endless budget, cially here between the cherry blossom trees “I sometimes wonder if anyone noticthing large-scale enough that I had to have this [school] would be like being somewhere that we have out front and the daffodils that es,” Mr. Stevenson said, “so it is nice to see approval from the committee, but I think down on a tropical island, but unfortunate- come in,” Mr. Stevenson said. some interest.” one of the rules that I do try to follow is ly we can’t do that. But the school has no For Mr. Wisler, spring is equally as exwhen I do put flowers and I try to make sure problem in spending money on the grounds citing as autumn, when the community rethat they’re the school colors.” where it makes sense, and then my job is to make sure we stay within that budget.” Still, the concern most unique to Haverford is, in itself, the fact that we are a school. “. . . When I do put Mr. Stevenson said, “Working at a flowers and I try to school you don’t really know what to expect. make sure that they’re There might be kids out playing in the quad the school colors.” and the ball gets away from them, destroying a plant. It happens, it’s part of working at a MR. ANDREW school.” STEVENSON For Mr. Stevenson, one more personal challenge comes with managing the grounds: Mr. Stevenson then buys the plants he he must keep track of all the plants on camhas chosen from two different stores, de- pus. pending on the type he is looking for. “When I was getting started in the man“When I get the flowers that you’ll ager’s position, I had to learn all of that stuff generally see in the island beds or in the really fast [where and what each was] because planters around campus, I go to Thaddeo’s before it was just like ‘oh that tree over by Greenhouse, which is actually not far from Virtue Village,’” he said. here [in Havertown], but when I have to go While there have not been major JEFFREY YANG ’22 a little larger and I get shrubs or trees, I go to changes in school landscaping, in terms of Landscaping around in front of the lower school
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the index · features
April 2021
After a 391-day hiatus, Jeffrey Johnson ‘22 returns to learn in-person Ryan Rodack ’22
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any students’ first day back to in-person learning was Wednesday, September 9, a 181-day gap since the first day of the coronavirus shutdown. However, Fifth Former Jeffrey Johnson’s break from in-person learning lasted an astonishing 391 days. For various reasons, including state quarantine guidelines, a long commute, and coronavirus precautions, the Delaware native chose to learn virtually for the first three quarters of the
“At times, it was a challenge not to be able to rely on your classmates in class as much as normal.” JEFFREY JOHNSON ’22 school year. With many of his friends and classmates back at school, Johnson had a tough time adjusting to learning at home while seeing his classmates collaborate in person. “At times, it was a challenge not to be able to rely on your classmates in class as
much as normal,” Johnson said. “I got used to being isolated towards the end, especially in the third quarter. It was a challenge making sure I was on the same page as everyone else.” Apart from the troubles he had collaborating with classmates, Johnson experienced technical difficulties, making virtual learning a frustrating experience at times. “One of the big problems was making sure I could hear everybody and the teacher well,” Johnson said. “Sometimes, even though you’re on the call and it seems like you’re hearing everything fine, there are points where classes became a bit inaudible, and I couldn’t hear everything effectively. Sometimes I could hear the big points of a certain subject but I couldn’t hear all the details…That hurt me in some classes where maybe I didn’t get every detail down or couldn’t understand every detail.” In terms of his teachers’ efforts at including him in-class activities, Johnson thought they did an admirable job, under the circumstances. “At first it was a little rocky, but as it went on, the experience started to get better and better,” Johnson said. “It’s very hard for the teachers to balance the time they spend making sure everyone is getting proper at-
Jeffrey Johnson ‘22 at work in Virtue Village
tention at home and at school. Sometimes it could’ve been balanced a little better, but overall it wasn’t that bad.” After spending over a year learning from home, Johnson decided to return to school for the beginning of quarter four. Johnson said, “I wanted to come back and get into a better routine overall. Sometimes, with online school, I was staying in the house too much, and I wanted to get out more. Some days I did feel like doing online
RYAN RODACK ’22
school, but after a while I just kind of felt like I wanted to go to school.” In comparison to his virtual experience, Johnson’s first couple of weeks of learning in person have improved the quality of his learning. “I get to interact with teachers better. I have a better understanding of some of the topics, especially in my Spanish class. It was tough online trying to communicate with my teacher in Spanish,” Johnson said. “From
Attacking each day with enthusiasm: Mr. Keith Czarny Bernie Rodgers ’21
DR. MIKE NANCE
Mr. Keith Czarny coaching in 79-73 win over Malvern Prep on February 3, 2021
“2
4.1 seconds” shone brightly across McBride Court. The Fords led their rivals, the Malvern Prep Friars, 77-71, as Sixth Former Chris Sims stepped up to the free throw line. It was the first game of the season for the Fords––a rather peculiar one due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent restrictions on play. In a game that is typically filled with rambunctious student sections and tons of school spirit, the gym was eerily empty. Only the occasional cheering of the supportive families of Sixth Form parents filled the gym. Sims knocked down both free throws to seal the game for the Fords. The Fords’ sideline glistened with excitement. They had just taken down the reigning Inter-Ac champions 79-73 in a hard-fought battle. Perhaps unnoticed amidst the unfamiliar situation, a surprising face led the team to their first victory. Head Coach Bernie Rogers was forced to miss the game due to COVID contact-tracing, resulting in longtime assistant Mr. Keith Czarny stepping in and leading the Fords to the start of their season. “It was a lot of fun being the head coach
for the Malvern game. I’ve been playing for or coaching with Coach Rogers for the past seventeen years, and we talk pretty much every day, especially during basketball season, so I have a pretty good grasp on how he coaches and what plays to run in different scenarios,” Mr. Czarny said.
“I just always worked my hardest, and did the little things that don’t show up on the stat sheet.” MR. KEITH CZARNY Mr. Czarny has been learning the game of basketball for a while. He grew up in Northeast Philadelphia and played basketball throughout grade school and high school. In 2007, Mr. Czarny was a key contributor to the Archbishop Ryan basketball team, and was named an honorable mention of the AllPhiladelphia Catholic League team, one of the best high school basketball leagues in the country.
“I was never the star player or anything when I played. I just always worked my hardest, and did the little things that don’t show up on the stat sheet,” Mr. Czarny said. Mr. Czarny is also a devoted Philadelphia 76ers fan. Whether he is attending the game or watching from home, Mr. Czarny is as vocal about the Sixers as anyone else. “I’m just not sure why we didn’t give up Ben Simmons for James Harden. Harden and Embiid are the two best players in the NBA,” Mr. Czarny said. “It would have been unstoppable.” Beyond basketball, there is much more to Mr. Czarny’s life. At home, watching him win his first game as a head coach, was Mr. Czarny’s wife Ellen, and his two-year-old daughter, Penelope, or “Penny.” “My family means the world to me. It was great being able to have the games livestreamed this year. My wife, who is pregnant, and my two-year-old daughter were able to watch the game on YouTube on our TV at our house,” Mr. Czarny said. Mr. Czarny is excited to extend his family soon, as he already shares a special bond with Penny. “I have a video of Penny on my phone from the game. She pointed to the screen and said, ‘That’s my daddy.’ It’s moments like that, that I’ll never forget,” Mr. Czarny said. Along with a new addition coming with Ellen’s pregnancy, Mr. Czarny also turned a page in his professional life. This past summer, Mr. Czarny started his job at Haverford as the Associate Director of Marketing and Communications and the Social Media and Content Manager. “I handle the school’s social media accounts. I set up and schedule any of the email blasts that go out to external constituents. And I also gather stories and pictures for the website and the Haverford School Today magazine,” Mr. Czarny said. Despite being a part of the basketball program for the past six years, this is Mr. Czarny’s first full-time job with the school. Although it’s been a difficult year with the
ongoing pandemic, Mr. Czarny has certainly enjoyed his experience so far. “I think the MarComm department has done a terrific job of making me feel welcome in such a challenging and different school environment this year,” Mr. Czarny said. One of the most challenging aspects of this year is getting to know the people around campus. Mr. Czarny’s schedule is limited, and it is hard for him to get a true sense of the campus in an unusual year. He remains eager, however, and hopes to continue to grow more comfortable here. “I am excited for the opportunity when things open back up and go back to normal, and we can have lunch with different people in the dining hall,” Mr. Czarny said Mr. Czarny has mentored and served as a role model for many basketball players, and he hopes to create even more relationships outside of basketball. Mr. Czarny approaches each day the same way, with enthusiasm. “One of my favorite quotes is ‘To attack each day with enthusiasm,’” Mr. Czarny said, “and I try to make sure I incorporate that into my lifestyle.”
COURTESY OF MR. KEITH CZARNY
Penny, Ellen, and Mr. Keith Czarny
the index · Features
Page 8
April 2021
Life under lockdown away from home Nachikethan Srinivasan ’21
B
huvana Srinivasan can often be seen with her headphones on, talking down the line through the little volume toggle on the right-hand cord. Whether she is just walking around, at the stove, or over her dinner, there isn’t a single day in which you don’t see her talking for one hour straight. This time, however, she’s waiting a bit. She watches over her phone at dinner, her Whatsapp screen open. “Must be because of the jet lag,” she said. “After eighteen months, she finally gets to go back home and yet she still suffers from the effects.” That woman would be her aunt, Radha Venkatesh. The 68-year-old math teacher and grandmother of three was meant to visit her relatives for six months before returning to her home at Shyamala Gardens, a small apartment complex in the west end of Chennai, India. Instead, that stay lasted for another year, and what was meant to be a visit to care for the grandkids became a quarantine limbo. Mrs. Srinivasan checks back into her Whatsapp messages before finding a reply from Radha Chitti (a respectful family term for “aunt”). The responses were brief: “Ok, what should I do? Shall I do video call?” The timestamp read 8:07 p.m., or in Chitti’s case, 5:30 in the morning. By 9 p.m., a link to a Zoom conference pops into the Whatsapp chat. Mrs. Srinivasan plops down in the worn-out swivel chair behind the grandiose wooden desk in the study as she pastes the Zoom link into her browser. The waiting room screen appears for ages before the figure of a tall, bespectacled woman appears in the video frame, lit up slightly by the LED tube light hanging on her wall. She bellows into her microphone despite Mrs. Srinivasan telling her she heard her clearly. “My jet lag has gotten worse, dear,” she croaked in her native Tamil. “You only got back just a few days ago, that is normal,” Mrs. Srinivasan said.
The pair began to look back on the past year since her return ticket home got canceled. “I remember Emirates canceled my tickets for the 19th, I think it was?” Radha Chitti slowly attempted to recall the details of what kept her from going back. “They announced the Texas emergency, yes?” Mrs. Srinivasan asked. “Yes, yes,” Chitti responded promptly,
“There was no improvment in the situation, so I could not do anything but extend my stay for another six months.” RADHA CHITTI
“then India announced on the 24th.” Indian prime minister Narendra Modi ordered a nationwide lockdown in March, giving less than four hours notice before suspending all transport services and leaving Chitti stranded with her relatives in Austin, Texas. “I was reluctant to extend my stay, you know? Since I missed my sweet home,” she said of Shyamala Gardens. “But the closing of airspace left me with no choice except to stay back.” At this point her year-long limbo began. As Radha Chitti was an Indian national stranded in a foreign country, she was legally required to register for an extension of stay (EOS) to prevent any complications with immigration officers amid the pandemic. “For six months, I extended my stay, I think until September 11th,” Chitti said. Mrs. Srinivasan leans to her left side and whispers, “She was staying in Austin with Ajith.” Ajith is Mrs. Srinivasan’s cousin; Radha
SHANTANU DUTTA VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS.
A police officer in Chennai, India uses a helmet shaped like a coronavirus to dissuade city residents from traveling outside Chitti was staying at his home in Austin temple and the prayers chanted on the TV in during her time in the country. “It gave me the background as she would look out to the the opportunity to spend more time with dusk covering the skyline. “There was no improvement in the situmy family and grandchildren, thank God,” ation, so I could not do anything but extend Chitti said. But even with the kids to keep her my stay for another six months,” Chitti said. “And the rest?” Mrs. Srinivasan asked company, September came in a flash, and the her, quizzingly. horizon was still yet to be in sight. “Oho… the rest was very rough,” she By September, cases in India were at their peak following the easing of lockdown responded. The next six months would culminate restrictions to revive the economy. “There was no improvement in the situation, so I into her final trial: a Texas winter. Austin saw had no choice but to extend my stay for an- one of the most sudden and severe winter storms in mid-February, leaving millions of other six months,” Chitti said. She remembered missing her home homes without power and others submerged in Chennai, her frequent trips to the local in freezing waters. Radha Chitti’s homestay was one of them. With a storm on this scale, Chitti knew she was in for something far worse than the torrid rains in her home country. “I had to manage through the lack of water, electricity, and the freezing temperatures,” Chitti explained. “By the grace of God, we were able to manage through bottled water and meager groceries that we had gotten at the last minute.” Their conversation began to trail off as they continued to deepen their bond. “Every day, it has been like this,” Mrs. Srinivasan whispered again. “We have always talked to each other every day. We talk about each other and the people in our lives. We talk about the world around us, as it is. We talk about what we’ve missed over the years. And even when there is nothing, we still talk. We help each other seek normalcy in a new type of world, and she really needed this.” She leans back toward the computer as she asks about how her Chitti felt all this time. “You know, not once, did I bother worrying about myself,” she said. “The last few months have left me very thoughtful. Every day, I was only thinking about the kids, or offering prayers when I could.” As she spoke, a wide grin slowly overtook her face. “I hope to spread love and kindness to everyone around us, and most importantly, to do it with a sweet smile.” A chuckle escaped Mrs. Srinivasan as she heard those words. “Don’t you already do that?” she asked. With the months having flown by and having finally reunited with her humble apartment overlooking the streets, Radha Chitti keeps looking forward. Her thoughts are ever so strong for mankind, even if it means forCOURTESY OF NACHIKETHAN SRINIVASAN ‘21 getting about her own troubles. Ms. Radha Venkatesh posing in the sun outside her home in Chennai, India, December 2018
the index · academics
Page 9
April 2021
academics Students re-acclimate to fourth-quarter classes after a two-month hiatus Owen yu ’23
T
he final quarter has arrived, and students are hard at work trying to finish the year strong. Yet students must transition into the fourth quarter without most knowledge from their previous classes’ curriculum. Throughout this, students have undergone varying experiences. Especially with spring break in between quarters three and four, some students have
noticed difficulties adjusting to their new content. Fourth Former Matthew Feigenberg has specifically struggled with recalling some crucial Latin content. “I forgot a lot of vocab and grammar,” Feigenberg said. “With upcoming quizzes on newer vocabulary and grammar, it’s definitely stacking on to stuff that I need to know.” For others, like Third Former Ethan Lee, the transition has run more smoothly.
“Both physics and English had a really natural break between them, so jumping back in didn’t feel too bad,” Lee said. Fourth Former Arnav Sardesai feels similarly. “I’d say we’re getting back into the groove of things,” Sardesai said. “I don’t feel like I’m being pushed into the deep end.” Nonetheless, overall knowledge about a course has certainly reduced. To compensate for this, teachers have given review days during the beginning of the quarter. “In chemistry we spent about half a week reviewing, and our Chinese teacher also spent two or three days reviewing,” Sardesai said.
“In all my classes, we spent about twenty minutes or so reviewing." MATTHEW FEIGENBERG ’23
Mr. Nathan Bridge’s fourth-quarter PreCalculus* course
OWEN YU ’23
Feigenberg has also experienced in-class reviews, yet his were noticeably shorter. “In all my classes, we spent about twenty minutes or so reviewing, but then we just got into new material,” Feigenberg said. Other factors have contributed to transitioning as well. For Lee, his class experienced a change in teachers.
OWEN YU ’23
Zachary Shah ’23 works at his desk
“Mr. Maley has to teach two sections of astronomy, so my section switched to Mr. Meyers,” Lee said. Still, Lee feels that changing teachers has not affected the curriculum. “The course remains the same; it’s just a different person presenting,” Lee said. “It’s not too big of a difference.” Regardless of students’ individual classes, an overall loss of knowledge has made this quarter feel unique. “It felt like a new school year,” Lee said. “We’ve only recently started to pick [the pace] back up again.”
Interested in the news? Have strong opinions about events on campus? Look for an upcoming email to find out how you can write for The Index!
the index · neighborhood
Page 10
April 2021
neighborhood
Green Engine sits on Haverford Station Road, a block from the campus’s eastern edge
JOEY KAUFFMAN ‘23
Green Engine Coffee: a form of humanism Joey Kauffman ’23
W
hen I walk into Green Engine, a coffee shop that also happens to be the closest foodand-drink establishment to campus, the first thing I notice is the smell: an arrangement of coffee aromas so deep that it could have only been forged over years of coffee-making. “When you make coffee in a building for years, like all day every day, it develops, like, a patina,” Green Engine owner Zachary Morris says. Morris, who previously worked in the wine industry, was attracted to coffee less because of the taste of the drink and more because of the smell. “Aroma forms indelible sensory memories,” Morris says. Whereas taste is divided into five neat categories—salty, sweet, sour, bitter, and umami—each invoking a rational response from your brain, smell is less logical; they are often stored in our memories and cause emotional responses. “Smell is entirely emotional. I love that,” Morris says. After selling a business “totally unrelated to food and beverage hospitality” in 2015, Morris brought his self-proclaimed “obsession with aroma” to the forefront with Green Engine, which opened the same year. “A coffee shop was a way to sort of open up my thoughts about what a food and beverage retail business should be to the public and test it out in, to me, what is a really lovely small town that is Haverford,” Morris says. Another reason for opening Green Engine was that Morris, who studied anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania, saw a connection between his studies—where he learned that things that seem simple are often more complex than we know—and the experience of owning a coffee shop. “If you take a cup of coffee, there’s the agro-economy behind it, there’s the culture of people that produce and grow it, there’s the culture of people that consume it,” Morris said. “Money, society, it’s just like the whole thing is much more complex once you dig beneath the surface, and, I really, I dig that.” Once he started Green Engine, Morris believed it was important to treat his employees right—to pay them a livable wage,
not to micromanage, and to practice what he calls “humanism.” “A humanist believes in people to do the right thing,” Morris says. “I really do believe that people are good, so when I meet a new person, I’m curious about them and the good they can do, the good relationship we can have.” This belief in humanity, in the good that we can all achieve, is somehow palpable in Green Engine. One feels that the employees really want to be there. And, that’s because they do. “It’s one of the few jobs I have had that let me grow as an employee,” says Blake Melvin, who has worked at Green Engine since the store opened six years ago. “It just wasn’t like, ‘Alright, here, you come and work through this, here is your cash.’” Morris cares about his employees as humans. I told him that I interviewed a barista, Blake Melvin, and Morris replied, “Blake’s like a family member to me at this point. He knows my children, he’s welcome in my life for as long as he wants to stay. He’s a great
Green Engine’s interior
guy.” It was not only surprising to hear that, but also heartwarming. Indeed, the word “heartwarming” may embody Green Engine best. At Green Engine, one is at home with a community. History teacher Mr. Brian Long—who extols the virtues of the “exquisite” cinnamon brioche at Green Engine and says he’s Green Engine’s number-one fan—says that part of the coffee shop’s greatness comes from “friendly staff that knows your name.” He added, “One of the guys in there gave me a Christmas card when I went in there. When he left [stopped working there], he gave me another card.” So it was an easy decision for Mr. Long to support Green Engine when the pandemic hit, forcing the café to close for two and a half months. “When they did reopen, we went almost every day, initially, to just help them get some business,” Mr. Long said. “We were buying anything; my wife’s got a Green Engine Coffee sweatshirt now.”
Business like Mr. Long’s has certainly helped the shop, which had to furlough its employees during the first phase of the pandemic. As they rebounded, Morris decided not to go after “ancillary means of revenue,” opting instead to stick with what they knew. “Just do it, and do it on a smaller scale” was Morris’s business model coming back from the pandemic. To this day, Green Engine continues to have shorter hours and does not offer indoor dining. “I want more people to be vaccinated,” Morris says. “What if my building becomes a place, you know, that spreads COVID? I don’t want that.” But no matter the shortened hours, Green Engine is surviving through the pandemic. The café will continue to nourish the Haverford community and, hopefully, bring us closer together as people. “It [eating and drinking] really is designed to sort of put us at ease, even with strangers,” Morris says. “Break bread together. I think every language has a version of that—we’ll break bread together—right? A form of humanism.”
JOEY KAUFFMAN ‘23
Page 11
the index · neighborhood
April 2021
Locals flock to Ardmore's Jeannie's Deli Mike King ’21
S
ixth Former Ethan Pollack drives down Lancaster Avenue, making a right onto Ardmore Avenue and a quick left to arrive at Jeannie’s Deli, located next to a small dry cleaner. Pollack drives this same route every Saturday morning to get breakfast at around 11 a.m. Pollack parks across and along the side of Cricket Avenue, a street with few spots because of the bustle of Jeannie’s and the dry cleaners. Waiting for his turn, he looks both ways and crosses towards the deli’s entrance. The door looks as if it had been there ever since the place was built. It creaks when it opens, and slams shut behind him. The beverage fridge is on the left wall, where Pollack grabs the half-and-half Snapple he buys every time. Walking up to the counter, Pollack sees a familiar face, Jeannie herself. She takes his order of a bacon egg and cheese on a bagel and a crumb-top muffin, cut in half with butter in the middle. Pollack sits down, enjoys his meal, and carries on with his Saturday. “This place is just a part of my life now. I come every week, three times a week, and the food and service are always amazing,” says regular Jack Lyon.
Jeannie's stands as the cornerstone of Ardmore delis. Jeannie’s has been operating the same way for years, with a limited online footprint and a small kitchen to make a wonderful selection of breakfast and lunch food. The small deli brings an old-fashioned feel to Ardmore, a town that is rapidly modernizing. Many customers, including Pollack, come to Jeannie’s Deli to get away from the fast pace of our modern world and sit down to socialize and enjoy a delicious breakfast. Others, such as those working nearby, will stop into Jeannie’s for a hearty lunch before returning to their jobs. Walking into Jeannie’s, the chip selection on your right reminds you of a classic deli, but what really makes Jeannie’s special is the chatter amongst workers, family members, and friends. “You gotta try this roast beef sandwich,
INDEX STAFF
Jeannie's Deli, on the corner of Athens and Cricket Avenues, Ardmore one of the best I’ve ever had,” says one customer to another. “They do something special here.” The orders come out and the conversations flow. It’s not just a one-generation deli. “My dad brought me to Jeannie’s the first time I ever came,” Pollack says. “It was after an Ardmore basketball game when we were both hungry. It was around lunchtime, so I ordered a cheesesteak. Being able to have
great food and spend time with family is just a great feeling that Jeannie’s provides.” Like Pollack, about half the customers that arrive on a Saturday morning are father and son or wife and husband. The deli tends to fill up after morning activities around 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., after a neighborhood baseball game or a morning meeting. Jeannie’s stands as the cornerstone of Ardmore delis. While waiting for your meal, you can see exactly what is going on in the kitchen.
The smell of food prepared right in front of you enriches the spring air that creeps in through the small cracks in the door. Jeannie’s deli hopes that you will find time to make the drive to Cricket Avenue on a Saturday morning. Pollack says, “I just can’t not come to Jeannie’s.”
Paoli's gem - Our Deli & Meats Restaurant
Geordy Holmes ’21
A
n older gentleman sits wearing a red Phillies hat slightly ripped at the brim, a buttoned-down shirt with a blue-and-white pattern, and heavily worn white New Balance shoes. He licks his left index finger as he flips to the next page of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Bifocal glasses dangle from his nose and come close to tapping his day’s second cup of coffee. His eyes lift for only one thing— waitress Courtney gliding through the room she has navigated for over sixteen years to deliver his decaf. Nothing is said, and the only sound heard over the crackling of eggs are conversations from the other booths as the hot coffee flows into the white mug.
It's not glamorous, but it makes me happy. COURTNEY In between Glitter & Polish Nail Spa and NuPrint Solutions offices, lies a hidden gem in Paoli, Pennsylvania: Our Deli &
Meats Restaurant. With a Dunkin Donuts only 100 feet away, and a Nudy’s Cafe within walking distance, one might ask, “Why would anyone want to eat at a place that only has eight parking spots?” Maybe the smells of fresh lunch meat, maybe the big cow out front, or possibly even the two tables outside—but the answer is quality. The quality of food, prices, and most importantly, the quality of people. “It’s not glamorous, but it makes me happy,” Courtney said. “There are a lot of different people that make this place special,” Courtney added. “I just wish you could be here to interview Ed.” Ed Shanaughy was the co-owner of Our Deli & Meats and initially renovated the building over sixty years ago. Before working at Acme Markets for nineteen years, Ed spent his time in the Navy. After time at Acme and in the Navy, he decided to go to work with a long-time friend, Robert Lennen. This was the birth of Our Deli & Meats. Employees miss the kindness and devotion that Ed brought to work but carry on his legacy nonetheless. Most customers are older folks, specifically older men. Some bring families, others bring grandchildren, some sit with friends,
but all seem as though this is not their first visit. The top of the menu reads, “Nothing gets
Our Deli & Meats’ exterior
your day off to a better start than a delicious breakfast. And don’t forget we have the best coffee in Paoli.”
MITAV NAYAK ’22
the index · campus opinions
Page 12
April 2021
campus opinions Livestream assemblies drying up Austin Zhuang ’22
A
s I am eating my lunch, a chorus of groans fills the room: my advisor just reminded us of the assembly scheduled for today. Mr. Kolade’s face fills the SMARTboard, and he begins his weekly set of reminders and announcements. Without fail, there is some mention of parking mixed with critiques of people stealing other advisories’ lunches and students with noses not under masks. The occasional club or service announcement breaks up the monotony, but otherwise, the same topics rear their head in different forms. My intention is not to criticize the con-
tent of these livestreams; every announcement and reminder has some importance, but there are better ways to disseminate the information. Students have seen more than enough people talking on screens to last a lifetime. Email is the obvious alternative, but those that check their inbox regularly are in the minority. A solution is to send the information to advisors and ask them to relay the information to their students. This forces those who don’t check their email to listen to the announcements, and for the advisories that sometimes don’t tune in, it saves them the time and effort needed to log in, enter the Google livestream, and withstand the laments of negative students. Virtual assemblies also fail to serve their purpose of helping the school and its people build connections. The pandemic has taken a serious toll on the school’s sense of community. Full upper-school gatherings in Centennial Hall seem like a distant past, the atmosphere a
distant memory, and the small talk before the start a sound for sore ears. They were (most of the time) something I looked forward to. I would get to catch up with friends before it started and on occasion hear a great reflection or a fantastic speaker, and the floor was always open for someone to stand up and make an announcement. But all this has been reduced to a mere framework. The scheduled announcements are all still there, but it has lost the more unstructured time to share events around school or feel the sensation of all students and faculty together in one space. The latter is obviously impossible to do safely now, and the livestreams only serve as a reminder of the past when both were possible. The desire to retain a sense of normalcy is great, but all it does is show this year has been anything but normal. I look forward to the day we can all meet in Centennial; until that day, seeing another face on a screen that updates us on the school’s happenings will continue to annoy us.
INDEX STAFF
Students in advisory watching Randall Drain ’01 speak about the school’s efforts to create a safe, inclusive community in an earlyDecember assembly
Start language learning in lower school
Joey Kauffman ’23
A
s a pre-K through twelfth-grade institution, Haverford has the opportunity to start teaching a subject near the very beginning of one’s education—when the student more resembles a blank sheet of paper than anything close to a “critical thinker”—and follow that subject through, each year increasing the student’s understanding until he finally reaches the upper grades of high school and, having nearly mastered that subject, can begin to truly explore its depths. Haverford does this for pretty much every subject other than language. I myself have been a student at Haverford since pre-K and have only recently realized how much valuable time Haverford has neglected through its policy of waiting to teach languages—Chinese, Spanish, and
JEFFREY YANG ’22
Dr. Andrew Fenton teaching in Virtue Village, April 16, 2021
Latin in our case—in middle school. It’s as if Haverford functions as two separate institutions, with lower school completely distinct from the middle and upper schools. Those of us who started in the beginning—kids who can barely remember a time before they went here—have seen this disjointedness in action: we learned to read and write in one language, then suddenly reached middle school and were expected to add another to that equation. There was a seven-year gap between the time when I came to Haverford, and the time when my classmates and I began what used to be called the (excellent) “Prima Lingua” class in sixth grade. Not only are these seven years—from age four to eleven—a long period of time to learn any subject, but they have also been proven to be part of the most important period in one’s life for acquiring language. In 2018, Time Magazine reported on a study from researchers at Boston College, Harvard, and MIT, saying that “it’s ‘nearly impossible’ for language learners to reach native-level fluency if they start learning a second tongue after age 10.” This doesn’t mean that language learning after age ten—the only kind that Haverford offers—is useless. It just means that our students will never reach the upper levels of proficiency in the current model. Teachers from the language department, who all have extensive knowledge on the subject, know this fact. “I think everyone—all upper school, middle school teachers, administration, everyone—would agree that studying languag-
es younger helps development and helps to move along the language journey younger, earlier, and is better for the brain,” Language Department Chair Mr. Andrew Poolman said. Mr. Javier Lluch, who not only teaches Spanish but also went through the process of learning English as his third language—after Spanish and Catalan—agreed on the broad benefits of bringing language learning to the lower school and added another point: “They would be more accustomed to speaking in another language, period,” Mr. Lluch said. “It doesn’t even have to be anything that we offer here. They could go and learn, I don’t know, Greek, or something, and they would be more comfortable with the act of speaking a second language.” Mr. Lluch added, “Most of the world is bilingual.” So, if the language department agrees on the clear merits of a lower school language program, why hasn’t it happened yet? The answer is that building a lower school language program is simply a challenging task. The Language Department “has considered a number of different programs,” Mr. Poolman said. “We’ve thought about this and discussed it for a number of years and the challenges that we always run into are time and resources, but we will continue to look for ways to make a language program work for our younger students." “The hardest part is scheduling it,” Mr. Lluch said. “It’s very difficult to make time in the day to put in one more thing. Everyone’s like, ‘alright, we’re going to have lan-
guage; what needs to go?’ So that has been the most difficult conversation.” Mr. Lluch added that the next most difficult conversation was the enrollment: “The lower school is pretty small. If we had more students, then we could hire more teachers, which would give us more choice.” Talking to Mr. Poolman and Mr. Lluch, I saw that the language department is doing a lot to create a good lower school language program; they want to create a program that is thoughtful and doesn’t just teach “the same thing for five or six years,” as Mr. Lluch said.
So, this opinion is directed towards those who hold power at Haverford. Know that many students would enjoy the experience of entering the school as baby-faced, monolingual four-year olds and exiting as men who speak fluent Spanish or Chinese (sorry Latin), knowing that our language skills had developed just as thoroughly as the academic skills that we had started learning in lower school. According to Time Magazine, I will never speak Spanish at nativelevel fluency, but it’s your decision whether the future will.
Page 13
the index · off-campus opinions
April 2021
off-campus opinions Georgia’s voter suppression bill is a shameful GOP power grab Bowen Deng ‘22
R
egardless of your political stance, the 2020 election should be viewed as a celebration of American democracy. Despite the circumstances of the pandemic, the election saw the highest voter turnout in over a hundred years thanks to the expansion of mail-in voting; 66% of eligible voters cast their ballots, with over 158 million total votes cast. Despite the various conspiracy theories of a stolen election, this election was considered the most secure in history by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Georgia was a prime example of election integrity last November. After Biden narrowly edged out Trump in the Peach State, Georgia election officials recounted and recertified its ballots two more times. Each recount only affirmed the fact that there was no significant evidence of voter fraud. Biden became the first Democrat to win Georgia since Bill Clinton in 1992. The state’s Senate elections (and their subsequent runoffs) in which Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock triumphed were also unremarkably safe.
Put bluntly, the claim of election interference in lines is absurd. And yet, this reassurance was not enough for the state of Georgia. On March 25, the Georgia state legislature controlled by Republicans signed into law a significant overhaul of Georgia’s election rules. According to Governor Brian Kemp, the goal of the bill is to “ensure elections in Georgia are secure, fair, and accessible.” Even before examining the contents, the reasoning for this bill is questionable. The Georgia GOP themselves know that
the election process in their state was safe; their two recounts and recertifications of the state’s ballots after the election did not produce any significant changes in results. Officials even held multiple press conferences in the weeks following the election to dispute Trump’s election lies; it is simply not true to suggest that the recent elections in Georgia were not secure or fair. If one were to dive into the contents of the herculean 98-page bill, they would soon discover that the guise of election security and accessibility is a blatant lie to cover up a more dishonest ulterior motive. Firstly, the bill makes it a crime to hand out food and water to Georgian voters waiting in line. Advocates for the bill insist that this particular provision will prevent lastminute influence on voters before they cast a ballot. Rightfully so, this provision has received the most attention and scrutiny. Put bluntly, the claim of election interference in lines is absurd; common sense says that a voter will not change their mind at the last minute simply because they were handed a bottle of water—a basic necessity—by someone while waiting in line to vote. It is already illegal to wear anything political in or near a voting line. In addition, long lines are a problem in the Peach State, most notably in Atlanta and its surrounding cities and suburbs. During the June primaries, some Fulton County voters had to wait two hours in sweltering heat. On the first day of early voting in October, Cobb County voters had to wait over five hours to cast their ballots. It is crystal clear which voters will be most affected by this provision. Chances are, those living in less populated, rural counties—which often vote Republican—will not have to wait hours upon hours to vote, unlike those in the more populated urban
and suburban counties of Georgia, which are often Democratic strongholds. Put simply, not allowing handouts of food and water does nothing to make elections in Georgia more secure or more accessible. In fact, it will only discourage voting in the more populated areas of Georgia.
How does lowering the time frame in which an absentee ballot can be requested curtail voter fraud, or make voting more accessible? Though this section of the bill has received the most coverage, there are other, more outrageous sections that seem to be floating to the side, most notably changes to absentee ballots. The period in which absentee ballots can be requested has been drastically reduced from six months before an election to three. Voter IDs are required in absentee ballots with strict rules. The amount of allowed drop boxes has been drastically reduced, and all drop boxes must be placed indoors. The absentee ballot change simply does not make sense. How does lowering the time frame in which an absentee ballot can be requested curtail voter fraud, or make voting more accessible? It goes without saying that this will make voting less accessible. As for voter IDs, this is unnecessary. When you register to vote, your information is verified and kept on record. There is simply no need for repeated proof of the legitimacy of a voter. Then, there is the drop box change. The
GEORGIA NATIONAL GUARD VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Brian Kemp takes the oath of office becoming the 83rd Governor of the state of Georgia Jan. 14, 2019
bill will limit drop boxes to one per early voting site or one per 100,000 registered voters. In the 2020 election, there were 94 drop boxes in the counties of metropolitan Atlanta (Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb, Gwinnett). This law would reduce them to 23 drop boxes total. Furthermore, forcing drop boxes to be kept indoors will limit them to business-hour use instead of 24-hour access outdoors—again, another change that makes voting harder and less accessible for the average Atlanta citizen. The vast majority of citizens simply cannot afford to stand in line for hours upon end during working hours, and limiting hours in which ballots can be dropped off will make voting for these individuals even harder. Finally, there are the changes to the runoff system. The length of runoff campaigns has been significantly reduced from nine weeks to four, and early voting in runoffs has been significantly reduced from two to three weeks before the runoff to a single week. Again, this does not make sense in the context of trying to make Georgia’s elections more accessible.
Common sense says that a voter will not change their mind at the last minute simply because they were handed a bottle of water. Still, certain aspects of the bill do expand the window to vote: weekend early voting has been expanded, with two Saturdays required (alongside the option for two Sundays) instead of just one Saturday. Yet, this does not make up for the other changes that limit voting. Ultimately, these provisions paint a clear picture of this bill: it is a panicked, reactionary response by the state Republicans to the state flipping blue at both the presidential and senatorial level. Instead of re-evaluating their platform, the Georgia GOP is trying to make it harder to vote. This bill is not an attempt to increase election security or decrease (nonexistent) voter fraud or make voting more fair. No, it is a flagrant attempt by the Georgia GOP to disenfranchise voters indirectly. It is not an attempt to replicate the massive turnout from 2020. No, it is an attempt to decrease turnout to benefit the Republican party’s future chances in Georgia rather than helping their own constituents. The bill clearly targets the more populated, blue areas of Georgia, and seeks to restrict, not expand, their access and ease of voting under the guise of election security, which was not a significant issue in the past election. If the Georgia GOP truly wished to increase voter accessibility, they would be increasing polling places and drop boxes (thus, decreasing the long lines in the Atlanta area) and expanding mail-in voting alongside early voting rather than decreasing the amount of time to request an absentee ballot and limiting drop boxes.
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April 2021
Social media responsible for dividing Americans, especially teens Jacob Stacey ’21
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ocial media is the monster we never saw coming. According to Mayo Clinic, “97% of people from ages 13-17 use some form of social media.” Many platforms, such as Snapchat, favored by 34% of teens, Tik Tok, favored by 29% of teens, and Instagram, favored by 25% of teens, have something different to offer, engrossing its users with pictures, videos, and tweets. Unfortunately, social media also divides our country. People hide behind screens to write harsh and controversial comments to aggravate those who may disagree.
People hide behind screens to write harsh and controversial commens to aggravate those who may disagree. Along with comments that are meant to divide people, comments and posts get directed towards individuals with the intent of hurting and demeaning others. Social media allows users to let out emotions they would never release face to face with someone, only cowardly saying it behind the safety of their screen.
RYAN RODACK ‘22
Student scrolls through Instagram Many posts on platforms such as Tik Tok and Instagram break out into fights in the comment section. These arguments are unhealthy and unproductive. Although some of these disputes are sparked by controversial ideas, some are generated through what many view as the oversensitive Generation-Z community. Recently, Gen-Z has been notorious for their responses to videos and posts regarding politics or controversial jokes about race and sex. Many of the comments are solely commented or posted to try and hurt others. Other generations call Gen-Z rude and
sensitive because of their handling of sexist, racist, and cruel comments online, when instead of being kind to others, they put themselves first and only escalate the problem. Many simple solutions to social media fights and the division of our country are possible. One easy fix can be to keep scrolling through your social media feed and ignore the issue or topic that upsets you. Instead of instigating hate on posts and comments, people can just scroll past and ignore the problem, creating more peace and less negativity. Another solution is to have a civilized, educated conversation or debate.
Social media hostility further divides the younger generation of our country, but if people had conversations using facts and listening to others, the disease plaguing our country might start to subside. The Gen-Z community and users of social media need to understand how to respect others’ opinions and educate themselves to have constructed debates with people, without causing more division amongst Americans. Respecting and understanding others are the first steps to a more united country.
ball player. “Millions of student-athletes devote their sweat, blood and tears to sports. Some play football and basketball; others swim, run cross-country, play soccer or compete as gymnasts. Only a fraction of them generate money for their schools. We must ensure that the N.C.A.A. is able to preserve its commitment to all of them,” McDavis
said.
Don’t pay college athletes intense competition of the college level separates it from the professional level and draws attention from American viewers. According to Statista, the 2019 NCAA basketball tournament averaged 10.5 million viewers per game throughout the whole tournament. On the other hand, according to the Sports Business Journal, the 2019 NBA Playoffs averaged only 3.95 million viewers per game. Bernie Rogers ’21
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or years, the question has stood at the forefront of many heated debates: “Should college athletes be paid?” Many coaches, analysts, and student athletes have advocated for college athletes to receive salaries. The answer is not so simple. When athletes receive scholarship offers to play Division-I sports, their benefits are typically generous. For four years, these athletes have access to free education, free books, free meals, free room and board, free transportation, and other unique perks. According to CNN Money, on average, it will cost a student who attends a public college $56,840 over four years while a student attending a private college will spend $104,400. Over the same period, some scholarship athletes will spend $0 on their college education. Moreover, college sports are imbued with passion because the players are competing for themselves rather than for a paycheck. If these athletes were paid, the level of play, commitment, and entertainment of these sports would drastically decrease. The
A glaring pay gap between different schools, sports, and even between male and female sports, would create even more problems for the NCAA. Division-I athletes are already amongst some of the most privileged people in the country. They don’t need to be paid.
Americans clearly enjoy college sports, and paying college athletes could completely alter that. Americans clearly enjoy college sports, and paying college athletes could completely alter that. Other challenges with paying college athletes involve tight budgets. Some schools do not have enough money to sustain paying athletes. This could result in schools cutting less popular sports, which would not be fair to athletes who have worked just as hard as others. Recruiting would simply become a bidding war, and the talent gap between the larger and smaller schools would become even bigger. “A recent N.C.A.A. study determined that only about 20 of the 1,000 or so college sports programs in the nation were profitable,” said Cody McDavis, a New York Times writer and former Division-I basket-
DR. MIKE NANCE
Christian Ray ’19 in action against St. Paul's. Ray now plays for Division I LaSalle
the index · arts
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April 2021
arts
Theater III* students writing their own masked play Adiyan Nayak ’24
MR. DARREN HENGST
Theater students work on writing a play on the Centennial Hall stage
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tudents have always known Theater III* as a course of ambition and excellence. Each year, ten to twelve of Haverford’s most skilled students develop a theater company and select a play to produce. Of course, this has been no ordinary year. The COVID-19 pandemic has put the majority of clubs and organizations on hold or at least severely hampered their abilities. For the earlier part of this year, it appeared that Theater III* would be another of the virus’ casualties. “I definitely didn’t [think we’d be able to produce a play],” Sixth Former Drew Loughnane said. “We weren’t going to have a show because we couldn’t have an audience, and we weren’t going to be able to have people
on the stage at the same time without their masks.” The group was allowed to perform if they followed the social distancing protocols, but they felt that the masks would damage the story. Theater III* teacher Mr. Darren Hengst did not want the students to wear masks that would serve no purpose in the play. “I’m not really interested in doing a show where we just add masks for no reason,” Mr. Hengst said. “I want masks to be a part of the world in the play.” However, the class struggled to find a play that included masks for a narrative purpose. Loughnane said, “We couldn’t really find a play that had a reason to wear masks.
So that’s when we came up with the idea to write our own play.” With a new process, the group turned what could have been a year of disappointment into one of fresh opportunities. “This is something that I’ve wanted to do for a while,” Mr. Hengst said. “To keep trying to find specific shows for just ten or twelve people that highlight everyone and their strengths is really difficult. We have a great group of senior leaders that really pushed to write this play.” The class utilized the longer blocks to create new strategies during their production. “We hash out plotlines and characters every day,” Mr. Hengst said. “If we get stuck on something, we actually just improv the scene. That process really has helped them come up with new ideas and keep things fresh.” The students have exercised teamwork to work towards their performance, which is approaching in just a few weeks. “It’s been a really collaborative process,” Sixth Former Trevor Pettibone said. “It’s not easy to write and produce an entire play, and our show date is in less than a month, so it’s good that we’re all working together. Obviously, some discord’s good, but there’s never been anyone who’s refused to play ball if the rest of the group thinks something is a good idea.” As for the play itself, the final product will feel like a proper production. “We’ve been working really hard,” Loughnane said. “We’ve been using music and lighting and other aspects of video and
projection so we can get as close to a real play as possible.” Since the school cannot gather for assemblies, the class has turned to virtual platforms for advertisement. Pettibone said, “We’ve made an Instagram account called Second String Production to promote our play. For the next few weeks, we’re going to post updates to garner some excitement. We think that digital outreach at this time is a really effective and safe way to get our message across.” The Theater III* class has overcome adversity all year and is eager to perform.
“The boys are going to perform it live in Centennial Hall, and we’re going to stream it to the community as well, so there’ll be a way for everybody to watch.” MR. DARREN HENGST “We’re going to have two shows, on May 12th and 13th,” Mr. Hengst said. “The boys are going to perform it live in Centennial Hall, and we’re going to stream it to the community as well, so there’ll be a way for everybody to watch.”
Friday releases worth it for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Conner Pinsk ’23
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he Falcon and the Winter Soldier is action, teamwork, and violence. In other words, it is pure Marvel. Premiering March 19, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier takes place just six months after half of the world returned from The Blip in Avengers: Endgame. We follow Bucky Barnes (The Winter Soldier) and Sam Wilson (Falcon) as they fight those who get in their way in pursuit of stopping a terrorist organization. Not only do they fight others, but the tension between the two characters can make the show quite funny. Along with Sam (Anthony Mackie) and
Bucky (Sebastian Stan), we meet a new character named John Walker, who has taken the mantle of Captain America after Steve Rogers’ death in Avengers: Endgame. While the character is not particularly lovable, the actor who plays him, Wyatt Russell, does a phenomenal job. There are subtle things that he does to personify his character, but when it all comes together, his acting is believable. Before I began watching The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, I decided to rewatch Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War, two movies that give a lot of screen time to both Bucky and Sam. I wanted to remember what the characters were like before jumping in, and Disney+ has stayed true to the characters from the previous movies. Aside from the characters, the fighting scenes are just as good as those in the previous movies. Contrasting the mystery and the confusion that surrounded WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is straightforward. It gives more screen time to Marvel characters that we all love. Similar to WandaVision, and most likely other Marvel TV shows coming soon, episodes of this show are only made available for people to watch once a week, with a new episode appearing every Friday. While I was skeptical about this method of release with The Mandolorian and almost stopped watching WandaVision because of it, I have grown to appreciate these Friday releases. Not only does it let my anticipation grow, but it gives me more time to think about the episode as well.
The biggest issue with not only The Falcon and the Winter Soldier but WandaVision is that non-Marvel fans can’t just jump into these shows. If you haven’t seen all or most of the marvel movies that tie into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, then you will be completely lost when it comes to this storyline. That being said, I do not think that Marvel should make these shows more firsttime viewer-friendly because then the shows might not focus on the more important things. Still, I feel for those who would like
to watch The Falcon and the Winter Soldier but haven’t seen the 20 or so films that comprise the MCU. If you like Marvel, you will love this show. If you have never seen a Marvel production, this is not the way to try it. Only four of the six episodes of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier have been released as of this writing, but I have no doubt that the final episodes will close this excellent series nicely and put a stamp on another one of Marvel’s impressive creations.
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Sebastian Stan and Anthony Mackie speaking at the 2019 San Diego Comic Con for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
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April 2021
Oscars Best Picture predictions Matthew Schwartz ’21
LIBRESHOT.COM VIA CREATIVE COMMON LICENSE
Oscar statuette handed out on the night of the ceremony
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ne year after the shortest awards season in Oscar history, we have now experienced the other end of the spectrum, with the 2021 ceremony not occurring until Sunday, April 25. Unlike other award shows that have relied on hosts to entertain their viewers without any inperson audience, the Oscars are once again going forth with no host, with each category introduced by last year’s winner. Furthermore, the organizers of the event have already announced that they will not allow any virtual acceptance speeches and expect all nominees to be in attendance. A few of those nominees, eight, in particular, are hoping to hear their name called for the most significant award of the night: Best Picture. Following are reviews of those eight films. If you want more riveting reviews be sure to follow @mainlinemoviereviews on Instagram. MINIMAL SPOILERS AHEAD ——
The Father
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s the most recent of all movies nominated this year, Florian Zeller’s directorial debut hasn’t had many opportunities to flaunt its incredibly rich and moving tale of a father (Anthony Hopkins) suffering from dementia who is cared for by his loving daughter (Olivia Coleman). Those who have seen it are treated to a mind-bending story where each previous scene contradicts the next and you begin to question what has really happened and what is simply your mind filling in the purposeful gaps left by Zeller’s meticulous script. The result is an accurate portrayal of dementia and it certainly takes the viewer along for the ride.
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mental gymnastics as were originally intended. Second perhaps only to Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, The Father’s two leads, Coleman and Hopkins bring their characters to life wonderfully. Specifically, Hopkins gives by far his best performance yet, no doubt aided by his personal experience with aging and beginning to question what role he has left to play in society. It remains to be seen who will walk away with Best Actor, but a late win on his home turf at the BAFTAs have kindled new momentum for Hopkins where he faces off against the favorite, Chadwick Boseman, for his performance in the previously mentioned Ma Rainey. The Father surprised many with six nominations this year and looks to have chances in both Best Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay, but faces tough competition from fellow best picture nominee, Nomadland. ——
Trial of the Chicago 7
Hopkins gives by far his best performance yet, no doubt aided by his personal experience. However, having not seen Zeller’s play of the same name from which this movie was adapted, I couldn’t help but conceive that the impact on myself would have been greater in a theater. While I enjoyed and felt moved by how scenes were shot, remaining in one room during the entirety of the story and slowly seeing the scenery around me change, similar to what occurs in the movie, would have led to a more surreal experience than what I received from my screen, where the changing locations and camera angles removed me from going through the same
rom the crafty mind of Aaron Sorkin and the backing of Netflix comes a politically savvy courtdrama that has as much to say about current society as it does about events that took place 53 years ago. In typical Sorkin fashion, the dialogue here is extremely fast-paced, jumping both from character to character and idea to idea. Such a style would likely be too overwhelming without the likes of Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Mark Rylance making up key parts of a skillful acting ensemble. The only time this becomes a problem is with the editing of the film, which features a lot of quick cuts and flashbacks that are confusing when trying to piece together where these moments fit in the whole story.
The dialogue is extremely fast-paced jumping both from character to character and idea to idea. The plot itself will be a mixed bag for most. Much of the movie takes place inside of a courtroom that feels overdramatized and often cheesy, but I enjoyed the back and forth between the lawyers, witnesses, and judge. When the story is taken outside of the courthouse and into the streets of Chicago, there is a lot more action and excitement leaving not as much reliance on Sorkin’s script. Before Trial, Sorkin has only directed one other film, so his inexperience and lack of specific style is noticeable when watching. There isn’t a concise method to the storytelling. It seems as if Sorkin himself wasn’t sure how to approach the subject from a visual standpoint. In contempt of its shortcomings, the incredible performances, and solid writing make for a movie that certainly deserves its six Oscar nominations. Its best chance to win comes in the screenplay category where it must go head to head with Promising Young Woman. For Best Picture, it will face an uphill battle after Sorkin did not receive a nomination for Best Director, typically important criteria in order to win. ——
Judas and the Black Messiah
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ontrary to popular thought, Judas and the Black Messiah has less to do with the Black Panther Party and more to do with the relationship between two of its most important members during the late 1960s. Director Shaka King delivers a direct
and focused screenplay that hits all the right notes in terms of action and drama. The plot itself is incredibly interesting and important for anyone curious about 20thcentury American politics and culture. It is filled with ups and downs that truly keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Instead of portraying characters as heroes and villains, which King could easily have fallen back upon, he instead paints a nuanced picture that gives insight into why events took place and the complicated feelings behind what occurred. Bill O’Neill (Lakieth Stanfield) is a layered human caught between the FBI and his personal beliefs. Across the screen from him is the ever-talented Daniel Kaluuya as Fred Hampton, the leader of the national Black Panther Party. Kaluuya gives a powerful performance, showing a man who strongly believes in his cause and refuses to let the fear of death get in the way of progress.
WARNER BROS. PICTURES
While Stanfield and Kaluuya are spectacular in this film, it wasn’t until afterward that I learned the people they portray were 17 and 20 years old respectively. Using actors of the same age would have been even more compelling than it already was. Such a change would also better demonstrate the extremity of actions by the FBI during that time. Judas and the Black Messiah had one of the largest surprises of all Oscar nominations when both Stanfield and Kaluuya were nominated for Best Supporting Actor even though Stanfield is clearly the lead actor in the film. Even still, Kaluuya has won every precursor to the Oscars and looks to finally win after losing out in 2018 when nominated for Get Out. Beyond the acting category, Judas is unlikely to win another award but should hold its head up high as one of the more important and timely films this year. ——
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Mank
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nother year and another attempt at Oscar glory for Netflix, which has churned out films during the pandemic in hopes of striking gold. This time it is acclaimed director David Fincher with an ode to one of the greatest movies in cinematic history. Mank follows the life of Herman J. Mankiewicz as he races, and struggles, to finish the script for the movie Citizen Kane. The film captures Hollywood of the 1930s, weaving in Mankiewicz’s interactions with those who influenced his script, such as dinner parties at William Randolph Hearst’s (Charles Dance) private castle or Marion Davies (Amanda Seyfried), the rumored illegitimate daughter of Hearst. At the heart of it all is Mankiewicz himself (Gary Oldman), who oddly enough, is 20 years older than the real Mank was when writing the movie. The peculiarities don’t stop there as the writing itself is often smug and leads into a rather exaggerated performance by Oldman, especially compared to those around him, who seem much more rooted in reality.
lence to the comfort of commotion parallels Ruben’s transition from agitation to acceptance and finally advancement. The work of Riz Ahmed as Ruben and Paul Raci as his mentor, Joe, should be applauded. They both bring nuance to their roles, making them feel real and relatable even if they aren’t always communicating through voice. Ahmed’s unsettled visage gives insight into the deep pain being experienced by his character and gives weight to his performance. Raci has one speech later in the film discussing how being deaf is not a handicap and, as the son of deaf parents in real life, it is clear the personal depths from which he draws his feelings for that powerful moment. Six nominations and an all-but-guaran-
Sound is as much of a character in this film as any of its actors
NETFLIX
Clocking in at thirteen minutes over two hours, the movie drags on for longer than it needs, leaving me oftentimes confused about why certain scenes are included and subsequently bored by the overall story. The saving grace here is that Mank is a technical feat, much like the 1941 film it styles itself on. Black and white is often a risky choice for modern movies, but the choice brings this film together and helps cast a nostalgic look upon each moment. Flashbacks and editing in the style of Citizen Kane adds some much-needed excitement to my viewing experience. Leading the field thanks to a whopping ten nominations, including Best Director, Actor, and Supporting Actress, Mank hopes to avoid the fate of technically savvy Netflix movies before it such as The Irishman and win at least one award, which it is likely to do in the production design category. ——
AMAZON STUDIOS
teed win for Best Sound await Sound of Metal at this year’s Oscars. Along with that, they also have nominations for their two actors, original screenplay, and film editing. Notably, Riz Ahmed’s nomination is important as the first Muslim Best Actor nominee. Though the movie is based on a somber topic, it handles itself beautifully and is more inspirational than anything else. It surely deserves its place as a top film out of everything released this year. ——
Promising Young Women
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ubverting the expectations of the typical rape-revenge film, Emerald Fennell’s directorial debut, Promising Young Woman brings an original and contemporary perspective to one of Hollywood’s more forgotten genres. Cassandra, played by Carey Mulligan,
Sound of Metal
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ombining classic Oscar subject matter, like the story of an artist and one dealing with a disability, Sound of Metal is a look into what happens when a heavy-metal drummer is upended by the sudden loss of his hearing. As would be expected based on the synopsis and title, sound is as much of a character in this film as any of its actors. The sound work conducted on this film is some of the best I’ve ever heard and allows the film to thrive by bringing the audience into Ruben’s life and allowing us to experience hearing loss. Scenes are performed where we, like Ruben, can’t interpret the characters who are speaking, and, just as Ruben’s ability to use sign language increases, so does our ability to understand those around him. The movie’s technical blend between the frustration of si-
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April 2021
spends much of the film seeking revenge on men who take advantage of vulnerable women. Her actions stem from a traumatic experience with her friend during medical school that caused them both to drop out. Though her character has a fairly consistent mindset and goal, Mulligan brings depth and sensitivity to a role that might otherwise have been perceived as dry if not for her performance. Her co-star Bo Burnham sprinkles his comedy chops throughout the movie to endear himself to the audience and lull us into a sense of trust. Fennell's decision to cast the men who hurt Cassandra as people who have previously engrained themselves in society as seemingly nice guys is a clever and effective turn of events. From Sam Richardson (Richard on VEEP), Christopher Mintz-Plasse (McLovin on Superbad), and Max Greenfield (Schmidt on New Girl), we as an audience are forced to reconsider our assumptions, pushing forward the film’s message. None of these pieces would work without the pacing of editor Frédéric Thoraval and writing from Fennell. The action starts immediately and doesn’t let up. While the constant movement at times prevents scenes from truly resonating with the audience, it is all in service to set up a thrilling finale that is sure to be at odds with what many had expected or hoped to see. Mulligan remains the slight favorite for
Mulligan brings depth and sensitivity to a role that might otherwise have been perceived as dry if not for her work. Best Actress, but similar to years past, the race is still a toss-up. For Best Picture, Promising Young Women has gained some lastminute hype due to a win at the BAFTAs, but it’s unlikely to be of any help against the other top contenders. This movie is expected to get some hardware in the Best Original Screenplay category. Finally, although she is unlikely to win, Fennell’s nomination for Best Director is a historic moment as the fifth woman ever nominated in the category along with her counterpart Chloé Zhao. ——
Minari
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ersonal story films have become a welcome addition to the Oscars in recent years. Lee Isaac Chung’s Minari fits that category perfectly: detailing his own childhood experience moving to a small town in Arkansas during the 1980s as one of few Korean families in the area. It is a tender tale that certainly takes its time to engross itself with each character, connecting us to their motivations, desires, and personalities. The plot isn’t extreme. There’s no enormous overarching conflict or wide array of characters. For the majority of the film, we only interact with the same five members of a family, no more and no less. In a chaotic year, many have found themselves reveling in the quiet of this film and appreciating its subtlety. To be honest, the ending left me a bit lacking inside. I was hoping for more of a conclusion or deeper exploration, but I can see where others have found a profound beauty in the story, even if I did not. Building off a stream of recent successes, Steven Yeun once again shows off his versatility as the patriarch of the family. But, the real stars to me were eight-year-old Alan Kim and Yuh-Jung Youn as his grandmother. The unique bond their characters shared lent itself to blending comedy and drama to portray the struggle of adjusting to a new culture while holding onto heritage.
A24
While this film won’t be for everyone, it is definitely worth watching. The assimilation of Yeun’s character into both Arkansas and his family provides interesting dynamics and heartfelt conversations. After controversy at previous award
In a chaotic year, many have found themselves reveling in the quiet of this film and appreciating its subtlety. shows for being sequestered into solely the foreign-language category, Minari is nominated for Best Picture and has one of the best chances to win behind the front runner Nomadland. Steven Yeun’s nomination is historic as the first Asian-American to ever be nominated for Best Actor and his co-star Yuh-Jung Youn looks likely to win for Best Supporting Actress. In total, Minari enters the night with six nominations. ——
Nomadland
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n unlikely frontrunner, Nomadland has ingrained itself as an unfiltered glimpse into the world of modern-day American nomads, uprooted by the Great Recession, who travel in packs across the West and live in vans. Unlike the other movies nominated for
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Best Picture, Nomadland is far from being about one person but is instead about an entire lifestyle.
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the index · arts
Page 18 Director Chloé Zhao masters the art of the meaningful pause during this film, which includes many moments of quiet. Sights and sounds are crucial pieces of the story, and Zhao gives time to reflect on how they build the larger environment. The main character Fern, played patiently and thoughtfully by Francis McDormand, is simply a vehicle used to enter this
haven for the nomads. Many of the characters featured prominently in the movie are not even true actors, but instead, real nomads that were a part of Jessica Bruder’s book, which served as Zhao’s inspiration. These interactions give an extreme sense of genuineness and their stories are easily the most interesting of everything that happens. Zhao makes these people feel like credible and experienced actors, especially when they have to work alongside one of the industry’s best in McDormand. Outside of the real nomads, this film doesn’t have a lot of forward-moving plot. There are a few conflicts Fern faces, but with the movie focusing so much on her community, I didn’t feel as connected to these dilemmas when they arose. Overall, this is an artistic film in every sense of the word. The cinematography is stunning, and the acting feels so real. If there was one movie I would predict to win Best Picture, it is Nomadland. Chloé Zhao is also up for three other awards: Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing, and finally, Best Director, where she is all but a lock. McDormand is nominated for Best Actress and has a real chance to win.Joshua Richards is nearly guaranteed to win for cinematography. Nomadland has a chance to clean up at
April 2021
the Oscars this year so even if it isn’t the most exciting film, I would have to recommend people watch while it’s still free on Hulu.
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—— hough the theaters haven’t been open this year, films have still been coming out. I’m hopeful that
this new era of releases directly to streaming services will allow people the opportunity to experience films they otherwise would not have. For those interested in seeing how these films perform, don’t forget to tune in. April 25 at 8:00 p.m. EST on ABC.
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A rising Olivia Rodrigo solidifies drive in music, and the community Christopher Schwarting '24
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averford students have a strong connection to music. Whether it be center stage in a musical, in rehearsal with a choir, or jamming out with friends, music culture has always found its way into our community. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world of music has continued to listen, and more importantly, produce, moving into 2021 with passion. With such a move comes the entrance of this year’s newest and most promising artists. That includes the rising singer Olivia Rodrigo. For many, the name may not sound familiar. The Disney+ and Disney Channel actress found success in her pursuits on the television show, Bizaardvark, and the streamed series, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. However, with two new singles released, you will likely recognize her singing. Her debut independent from Disney, “Drivers License,” launched with widespread fanfare in January. Dominating Amazon, Apple Music, and Spotify charts, the song quickly cruised to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and blew up in the world of TikTok. “Drivers License,” most notably, has been noted for its sentimental theme and
presentation. Third Former Russell Yoh said, “I instantly liked the song, which I think is because of the emotional vibe it has. I’ve also always appreciated the gradual build that the instrumental of the song has from beginning to end.”
“Her music really speaks to people through [the] lyrics, largely due to her fantastic storytelling.” CHASE NELSON ’24 Composed of a slow ballad with a restrained vocal, Rodrigo’s song details the feeling of heartache, using her newly earned driver’s license as a symbol for a past relationship. Her vocals, amplified through a predominantly light keyboard instrumental, have resonated with a large audience. “Her music really speaks to people through [the] lyrics, largely due to her fantastic storytelling,” Third Former Chase Nelson said. This storytelling is evidenced through the narrative element that encompasses Rodrigo’s singing. Beginning with, “I got my driver’s license last week…,” she describes a story embodying her emotions. Her composition embodies its key emotion not only through its lyrics but through its rich and mixed vocals. “‘Cause you were so excited for me to finally drive up to your house./ But today I drove through the suburbs, crying 'cause you weren’t around.” Heartbreak is a subject rarely discussed by the traditional teenager, though that relatable quality proves important for its reception, even in spaces where such discourse is uncommon. “Mostly Oliva Rodrigo’s music is [aimed] towards teenage problems such as heartache,” Third Former Chase Shatzman said. “However, adults can find hope and happiness within her songs as well.” Building upon the success of her first song, Rodrigo released her second single, “Deja Vu.” Receiving a boosted public ap-
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Olivia Rodrigo on a red carpet for the D23 Expo pearance, the song now joins “Drivers Li- of Rodrigo’s first completed debut album, many look on with excitement. cense” on the Billboard Hot 100 List. Shatzman said, “From her new music to Matching the lighter and emotional her older music [with Disney], fans are ready ambiance of her debut title, “Deja Vu,” conto hear a new album.” tinues her relatability through references Many have added Rodrigo to their playto the television show Glee, the California lists, too. coastline, ice cream, and Billy Joel. It builds “Although she doesn’t have many songs upon her past works, too, adding a loosened out yet, I do listen to Olivia’s music,” Yoh vocal structure and sound. said. “‘Deja Vu’ was surprising to me because While there is an overwhelmingly posiof how different it sounded compared to her tive reception for Olivia Rodrigo’s music and previous song,” Yoh said. “It made me exthe optimism for her future, some disagree cited to see what she creates next.” with the hubbub surrounding her debut. And there is more to come from the Some suggest it lacks originality. now-well-established singer. The remainder “I’ve heard ‘Drivers License’ a couple of her album Sour, from which “Drivers Liof times and I really don’t see why everyone cense” and “Deja Vu” come, is expected to be loves it so much,” Third Former Jai Bonaparreleased on May 21, 2021. te said. “It’s kind of boring to me.” As anticipation builds for the reception
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sports
the index · sports
April 2021
JEFFREY YANG ‘22
A face off in a preseason scrimmage against Gilman School
Michael Bozzi ’21 adds leadership to lax program Bowen Deng ’22
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he clock hits 2:45 p.m. While most students are packing up, wiping down their desks, and heading home, Sixth Former Michael Bozzi remains seated, working on his homework or chatting with his friends to pass the 30-minute window. When 3:15 rolls around, Michael is off to the locker room to change into his lacrosse gear and grab his stick—the less time he spends in there, the sooner practice can get started. After warmup and position drills, the players continue into 4-on-4 drills and eventually move to work across the full field. Having played lacrosse since Form I, Bozzi is no stranger to the dedication and work ethic required to succeed on the field. His time on the varsity lacrosse team during his first three high school years has given him valuable experience applicable not just during matches, but also during practices. As a senior captain, Bozzi strives to set an example for the younger players by giving it
his all during practice, working with them to elevate their game. “Giving 100 percent every single time on the field and showing the younger kids what it’s like to be on the Haverford lacrosse team is something that I think about every day,” Bozzi said. “Sometimes what the younger kids lack is just a little bit of confidence, and the senior captains alongside Coach Dawson try to build that up and hopefully push their game through the ceiling.” In addition to his increased importance within the team, Bozzi’s playstyle caters to the team’s needs. As a midfielder, Bozzi adapts to both offense and defense. “He’s a fast player,” Assistant Coach Mr. Jeremy Hart said. “Whether it’s dodging or defending guys, he plays angles really well and refuses to lose. If we need a short-stick defensive mid to go in, or if we need someone to do the nitty gritty, he’s someone who can do that.” “If we ask him [Bozzi] to focus specifi-
cally on offense, he can score a lot of goals. If we ask him to focus on defense, he can be a great defensive player,” Head Coach Mr. Brendan Dawson said. “He’s selfless and does what the team needs and what the coaches ask of him.” In Coach Dawson’s eyes, Bozzi’s selflessness makes him an exceptional leader and player. Still, Bozzi remains humble and is not worried about being a star. “The ‘whatever it takes’ mentality means sacrificing something that the players individually want, and Michael has never hesitated to do that. He’s a guy who understands that it is a really important part of being a teammate and a captain,” Coach Dawson said. In addition, he never gets complacent, maintaining a strong work ethic both on and off the field. “He’s one of the most humble guys I know. He walks the walk and talks the talk,” Coach Hart said. “He has expectations of
guys and doesn’t let himself not live up to the expectations he sets for others.” Going into competitions, Bozzi keeps a calm mindset in contrast to the stereotypical, pumped-up pregame routine: “I don’t listen to any hyped-up music prior to the actual game. Instead, I stay calm and try not to get too much in my head. We always have a gameplan, and I know if we stick to that, we’re going to be in a good spot.” It is clear that the midfielder has been— and will continue to be during his final year—a vital part to the lacrosse program, and this is reflected in the team’s current record. After starting the season with a loss, the Fords have bounced back and won four games in a row. They began Inter-Ac play with a 6-4 victory over Germantown Academy, getting their league schedule started on the right track. As of April 18, the team stands at 6-1.
Fords tennis performs, despite inconvieniences Agustin Aliaga ’21
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ne of the hidden gems of Haverford athletics is its tennis team, which has been able to sustain success for a vast reign of Inter-Ac superiority, winning ten consecutive titles. This year the team seeks to continue its success even with inconvenient restrictions in place. Among other things, the team has had to practice at Baldwin for two years now due to the presence of Virtue Village, the mobile classrooms that reside on the tennis courts. However, team members recognize the sport’s unique ability to be played almost as normal regardless of this year’s health protocols. Fifth Former Adamya Aggarwal said, “Luckily for us, not too much has changed in our practices and matches except for the required mask and the additional effort to stay socially distant.” “We continue to practice social distancing, mask-wearing, and keeping a six-foot distance from one another during practice and matches,” Sixth Former Max Ferracci said. Given that the team has grown accustomed to playing a little further from home than usual and has adjusted quickly to restrictions, it is no surprise that it has gotten
off to the usual and expected dominant start. “The team has started off the season strong at 3-0,” said Sixth Form Captain Patrick Bottin. “All of our matches so far have been decisive wins.” Perhaps a reason for the team’s record in a congested and irregular season is the coaching philosophy revolving around fitness. “Physical fitness generates mental toughness needed to prevail in contested matches,” Head Coach Mr. Antonio Fink said. “Fitness has been the key to our success for more than a decade. Everybody knows how to play. Our focus is to develop endurance, core strength, and a quicker first step.” His players tend to agree, and more importantly see these results. “As Coach Fink always says, the reason we are always the most successful team of the Inter-Ac is because we are the fittest. If we can stay physically tough, we can stay mentally tough because we know we can outlast our opponents,” Aggarwal said. “When we do fitness, it is preparing us for longer and more intense matches,” Ferracci said, “so in that final set, we can be the team that is more ready for the moment.” Morale is even more important in a season where social interaction among the team is difficult to promote.
Aggarwal said, “At these matches, the team spirit is through the roof. When players are done [with] their matches, they don’t leave; they loudly cheer on their teammates who are still playing.” While Coach Fink noted that there is not exactly a formal Inter-Ac title to compete
Jay Crowther ’23 prepares to serve
for this year as of yet, the team is confident in its superiority. “If our team continues to practices hard and work more than the other teams in the Inter-Ac,” Ferracci said, “I truly think we can win ourselves an eleventh straight Inter-Ac title.”
DAMIAN FERRARO '22
the index · sports
Page 20
April 2021
Baseball, cont. from front page On April 13, the team played its first Inter-Ac game in almost two years. Fosnocht was a big factor in the 5-3 win over Germantown Academy, batting 2-for-3 with multiple tremendous plays in the field. Among his two big hits was a three-run home run in the sixth inning, providing the Fords with some breathing room to finish out the win. “I just remember seeing the ball go over the fence and screaming a lot. I wasn’t really thinking that much. I basically sprinted around the bases to see my teammates at home. It was a really great feeling,” Fosnocht said. “I don’t hit a lot of home runs, so it was awesome to be able to help the team in a way that’s unusual for me.”
“I don’t need to be the guy to get four hits per game. I just need to know my role and do what I can do to help.” BEN FOSNOCHT ’21 Following the Inter-Ac victory, Fosnocht is still hungry for more. For Fosnocht, the win against GA was just one of many big moments that is yet to come for the Dia-
mond Fords. “My main goal is to win the Inter-Ac,” Fosnocht said. “That’s a common goal that we all share. For me, my personal goals overlap with what we want to accomplish as a team. I’ll be the first one to admit that I’m not the most talented player on this team. I don’t need to be the guy to get four hits per game. I just need to know my role and do what I can do to help.” Fosnocht’s teammates only see his positive impact. Sixth Former Grayson Walker, who has been playing with Fosnocht for years, knows exactly what Fosnocht brings to the table. “He’s the leader of the outfield,” Walker said. “He’s someone who’s always there ready to grind and make his teammates better. Whether it’s before the game making sure he and his teammates get in a proper warm-up or getting focussed during the game, Benny is constantly dialed in and ready to go.” As the season progresses, Fosnocht is someone to keep an eye on. Even if his impact does not show up on the stat sheet sometimes, Fosnocht’s impact is irreplaceable. Fifth Former Will Ferris knows Fosnocht is always ready on game day. “He’ll always keep our heads up and bring the energy,” Ferris said.
Eric Genther ’21 hits vs. Germantown on April 13, 2021
JEFFREY YANG ’22
TYLER ZIMMER ’21
Ryan Reed ’22 pitches vs. Friends Central on March 16, 2021
Should fans be allowed at sporting events? Kethan Kalra ’24
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Fans watch varsity lacrosse vs. Gilman School
JEFFREY YANG ’22
he last year has been incredibly hard for billions, tearing up the very foundations of society and sending the global economy into a downward spiral. The results have been catastrophic for those in the entertainment and food industry. Hundreds of thousands of loyal fans across the country are all asking the same question; what next? With vaccinations rolling out on a global front it seems that we could see full capacity very soon, with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stating, “We expect to have full stadiums in the upcoming season.” Additionally, with the Major League Baseball season starting up, the Texas Rangers’ stadium season opener attracted 40,000 fans, a record high since early March of 2020. Former Jack Cimino said, “I see nothing wrong with outdoor events if fans are vaccinated, socially distancing and outdoors with masks.” On the contrary, Third Former Holden Smith expressed his concerns with unvac-
cinated people mixing in with vaccinated crowds. “If everyone is vaccinated it would not be a problem, but if there are any unvaccinated people it would not work,” Smith said. However, both of them agreed that the situation should be taken on a week-to-week basis and social distancing and mask wearing is an essential part of limiting transmission.