April 2025 Index

the index

TFords Track enters the midseason strong

he track team has had a strong season thus far, having competed at three meets already and taking on Penn Wood High School on Saturday, April 19. The word competitive is no joke— the team is the strongest it has been to date, but while the Fords improve, so do their opponents.

Sixth Former Matt Yerger, a veteran on the team, said, “Five years ago, this team

would have dominated the Inter-Ac. Now, we are fighting for third.”

To explore this, we go to Lexicon Timing, the site used to record track times. At the April 9th competition hosted by Springside Chestnut Hill, Haverford’s Fourth Former Chase Cobb took first place in Boys High Jump, followed by Haverford’s Fifth Former Henry Galia and Third Former Nathen Sofish. Galia also placed second in Boys Pole

Latin students put learning into practice in Italy

Over spring break, fifteen Fifth and Sixth Form Latin students went on a ten-day trip to Italy. They spent seven days in the Bay of Naples and three days in Rome. During this memorable trip, students saw multiple famous landmarks, such as the Colosseum, Herculaneum, Pompeii, and three Doric temples at Paestum.

Latin teacher and chaperone Ms. Theodora Naqvi had much to say about the experience.

“We spend four-to-five years teaching students about the history of Ancient Rome. It is one thing to see pictures on paper or a PowerPoint, but going there in person adds

another dimension, such as being under a Roman amphitheater.”

This trip adds invaluable experience to the students’ knowledge of places and sites they have learned about in the classroom, helping them appreciate these places even more.

“There is some productive discomfort with being in a new place, which requires students to be independent and go out of their comfort zone, which is an important life lesson,” Ms. Naqvi said.

cont’d on p. 3

Vault, with third and fourth places also held by Haverford.

The Fords took first and second place in long jump, third through sixth in shot put, first in the 110-meter hurdle, first in the 100 meters, fourth in the 1600 meters, first in the 4x100-meter relay, first in the 300-meter hurdle, first in the 800 meters, first in the 200 meters, and first in the 4x400-meter relay.

These accomplishments are nothing short of exceptional. With so many firstplace spots, track and field is a formidable team.

However, as Yerger echoed, the competition is strong.

cont’d on p. 19

CHARLIE SCHREIBER ’26

J.R. Hawkins ’28 competes in the hurdle event

Will Komada ’28

Milan Varma ’25

IAN ROSENZWEIG ’25

scholars reenact a scene from an ancient taberna in Herculaneum, March

2024–2025 Staff

Ian Rosenzweig ’25

Editor-in-Chief

Connor Simpkins ’25

Editor-in-Chief

Elliot Lee ’25

Senior Managing Editor

Milan Varma ’25

Senior Managing Editor

Liam French ’25

Managing Editor

Abdullah Kanchwala ’25

Managing Editor

Tom Saul ’25

Managing Editor

Ajay Chakraborty ’26 News Editor

Ayush Varma ’27 News Editor

Ryan Wang ’26 Features Editor

Matt Lo ’27 Academics Editor

Adam Brown ’27

Neighborhood Editor

Peter McConnell ’26 Campus Opinions Editor

Keith DiMarino ’27 Campus Opinions Editor

Grayson Morgan ’26

Off-Campus Opinions Editor

Michael Bartholdson ’25 Off-Campus Opinions Editor

Luke Ganley ’25 Arts Editor

Quinn Sullivan ’25

Senior Sports Editor

Nate Gill ’26

Junior Sports Editor

Charlie Schreiber ’26

Photography 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. 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

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Volume 92, No. 7 - April 23, 2025

Your teachers show up, do you?

It’s 8:30, and Centennial Hall’s bells are ringing. Your class has filed into the room, and everyone has taken their regular seats. You’re chatting with a friend, while your table-mate frantically finishes an assignment. Everything is normal, except your teacher’s chair is empty.

The lights in the classroom are on, and a laptop is open on the desk. But this teacher is an attendance stickler, trigger-happy with Veracross’s “Tardy Unexcused” toggle. A late teacher is unimaginable.

The clock ticks to 8:33, and the inevitable occurs. “Y’know, if he’s not here in twelve minutes, we’re allowed to leave,” someone says.

The idea that if a teacher is fifteen minutes late, students are allowed to leave: it’s a “rule” that was recently described as “the most widespread fake news at The Haverford School.” Students have never actually left, because fifteen minutes never pass without a teacher present.

It’s a signal of the dedication of Haver-

ford’s faculty. It’s rare that a class period is designated a free work time, let alone that a teacher doesn’t show.

That’s something to keep in mind. We’re uniquely lucky to have not just six talented and committed professionals assigned to our class blocks, but also entire departments who supplement and support each other.

Be grateful for such a supportive faculty. And give them some grace. Life happens to everyone, and sometimes it takes 15 minutes.

Letter from the student body president

Gents, Believe it or not, there are only around three weeks left of school for Sixth Formers, and a month and a half left for Fifth Formers and underclassmen.

As the weeks go by, the workload will start to let up. For Sixth Formers, it’s going to be hard to keep pace, even though the work is getting lighter.

Sixth Formers, because of the hard work you’ve put in for four years of high school, you deserve a little rest from the grind. How-

ever, don’t let go too much. Letting go completely could result in a harsh pickup when college comes.

Enjoy the time you have left at this school. We Sixth Formers only have but a few days left. Make sure that you’re making every single one count. When graduation comes, I don’t want anybody to have regrets. For Fifth Formers, it’s now your turn. The Sixth Formers have left their mark on the school. We continued to keep the ball rolling so that you guys can push it further next year.

Fifth Formers, you all know what being a Sixth Former means, so what can you do now to turn into the leader you want to be?

Underclassmen, just finish the year strong. It might seem like your time as a Sixth Former is far away, but it comes quicker than you think.

Don’t take anything for granted and strive to be your best self.

Only a few weeks left, let’s make them special.

2024-25 Editors-in-Chief Ian Rosenzweig ’25 and Connor Simpkins ’25

Josh Williams ’25

USC Speak Your Mind represents both performative activism and a legitimate cultural shift

Ian Rosenzweig ’25

“Thank you to ______ for nominating me for the USC Speak Your Mind Challenge. I nominate _____, ______, and ______.” – a direct script recited by teens and young adults before a bucket of ice water is dropped on their heads.

Recordings flooded Instagram stories as the challenge, a conceptual relative of the 2014 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, spread among friend groups, school communities, and around the world.

The challenge, which originated from the University of South Carolina’s Mental Illness Needs Discussion (MIND) club, aims to raise mental health awareness and encourage donations to Active Minds, a leading mental health advocacy group.

“It’s good to spread awareness about mental health,” said Fifth Former Harrison Cross, who participated in the challenge. “[I think that] people who know what it is have agreed that it’s a good cause to support, even if the challenge is a little silly and outdated.”

But are all of the buckets of ice water and social media posts accomplishing anything?

“The cause has been taken completely out of context and turned into a popularity contest,” Fifth Former Tommy Gowen said.

“I think it’s cool that people are willing to put themselves in temporary pain to sort of unite themselves with the cause. But at the end of the day, the challenge is to raise money and awareness, not to give people attention. I would put a lot of money on the fact that no one who has participated in the trend from Haverford has donated any money to the cause.”

While Cross said he did research about the organization behind the challenge, many participants are simply following a trend or fulfilling a nomination.

“I participated because a lot of my friends were doing it. I didn’t research the USC Mind Project,” Third Former Van Hinton said.

Hinton’s experience validates Gowen’s concern: the challenge does not necessarily achieve its stated goal. Beyond that, an act of service becomes a platform for self-promotion.

“I’ve overheard kids bragging that they got nominated by a pretty girl or a cool kid, and I’ve also heard kids talk about how they want their video to be the coolest,” Gowen said.

This performative activism shifts the focus from giving to taking.

The recent release of the hyped-up A Minecraft Movie has been a hit nationwide with people from all age ranges, from young children, to high school students, to parents. However, the movie’s initial success has caused some controversy.

Before A Minecraft Movie’s release, various teasers aired on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. These teasers came from official verified accounts and would often have scenes of Steve (Jack Black) cut out of context.

One of these many teasers was the infamous “Chicken Jockey” scene.

These clips, while meant to foster at-

Sixth Former Henry Pennington found this trip to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“We were able to get a better understanding of what we had been learning in class by actually going to these places in real life. It made everything we had been learning in the classroom seem not so distant,” Pennington said. “You develop a connection with the other students and teachers on the trip, while being surrounded by amazing food and beautiful landmarks.”

Latin teacher Dr. Andrew Fenton, another chaperone, initially advocated for taking this trip.

“This is my fourth Haverford travel-

tention for the movie, gained heavy traction online on these same platforms, but for the wrong reasons.

People on the internet turned these clips into a “meme,” pointing out the ridiculousness and cliché one-liners, and eventually it became a trend to post clips of the movie before the release to the public.

This escalated to the trend of attending the movie and causing a ruckus.

A similar phenomenon occurred in 2022, when it became a trend for large groups of high school boys to attend Minions: The Rise of Gru dressed in formal attire; however, this trend didn’t end nearly as catastrophically as the Minecraft Movie trend did.

study tour in Italy,” Dr. Fenton said. “It’s a natural outgrowth of our program, a chance for guys to put the skills and knowledge they’ve gained in the classroom into practice.”

“Providing authentic language experiences can be more challenging with Latin: while I’m able to do that in the classroom, there’s no substitute for reading Latin graffiti on the walls of Pompeii or going through the account of Caesar’s assassination at the site of his death. So much of our curriculum is based around particular places and historical moments, and getting to experience them first-hand pulls them together,” Dr. Fenton. said.

While the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge raised over $200 million, a fundraising page for Active Minds shows that just over $50,000—a set goal on the page—has been raised in conjunction with the USC MIND initiative. With donations low and no clear goal for policy change or other shifts as a result of mass awareness and demonstrations, some view the challenge as more closely akin to a TikTok dance trend than a demonstration in support of mental health.

“Conversations at school were centered around who did the challenge and not what it stands for,” Hinton said.

Fifth Former Georgios Kanteliotis agrees. “The mental health component is mentioned a significant amount, but not in the right way,” he said. “Students question how it is effective in spreading awareness.”

Although its campaign may not achieve a fundraising goal or inspire serious mental health discussions, the USC Speak Your Mind Challenge represents a cultural shift, especially amongst young men. Mental health is a historical taboo for males who are

taught to “man up” and hide their feelings. Dr. Benita N Chatmon, a researcher publishing in the American Journal of Men’s Health, wrote, “Although both men and women are affected by mental illness, it is oftentimes overlooked in males.” Dr. Chatmon’s study found that in 2020, men still died by suicide at a rate four times higher than women.

The last decade has seen popular culture reject the taboo surrounding mental health struggles, with prominent male athletes like Michael Phelps and Dak Prescott speaking out about their experiences. Haverford, too, has prioritized mental health; the Peer Counseling program and Reflection series encourage vulnerability, self-awareness, and open-minded listening skills.

Even if the USC challenge is not prompting increased awareness, it has seen thousands of young men, including many Haverford students, publicly express support for open discussions about mental health.

If nothing else, the challenge is a touchpoint in the cultural changes and ideological transitions that Generation Z is ushering in.

A Minecraft Movie

The social media teasers inspired substantial numbers of high school students to attend the movie solely for these quotes, and to record videos of themselves shouting out the quotes, throwing popcorn, or even showing a real chicken, solely to post them online for a sliver of internet fame.

This spiraled into the trend to trash movie theaters by throwing popcorn, slushies, drinks, and simply overall making a mess during teased scenes, which has resulted in movie theaters experiencing misbehavior from young high schoolers nationwide.

“I’m all for fun, but this is just ridiculous and immature. It’s gone too far,” Fourth Form President Ray Kresge said.

This trend is not something that has escaped the Haverford community.

According to an anonymous Fourth Form student, a group of Haverford students attended a showing of A Minecraft Movie and had to leave early due to misbehavior.

While the trend seems to have died down, it could potentially set a precedent to “condone” the immature behavior of high school students, begging the question: will there be more trends to attend hyped-up movies, being disrespectful, and posting it online, or will students finally realize the importance of their actions, even when they do not believe it matters?

COURTESY OF CONOR MCDONALD ’25

Harry Koenig ’25 soaks Conor McDonald ’25, April 16, 2025

Taha Obuz ’27

IAN ROSENZWEIG ’25

Henry Pennington ’25 points out features on the Temple to Athena at Paestum, March 25, 2025

Spanish students experience Barcelona

During spring break, Sixth Formers Andrew Borden and Luca Aloi, and Third Formers Oliver Peters Whitaker and Sena Fuma packed their bags and flew to Barcelona, Spain, alongside a group from the Agnes Irwin School. Accompanied by Spanish and Latin teacher Mr. Javier Lluch, the group not only experienced the spectacles of Barcelona but also built lasting ties with their partner school, La Farga. This was the first year for this program.

“We wanted students who would be good ambassadors for our school when they visited La Farga in Barcelona, and could promote the program when they returned here to Haverford,” Director of Global Studies Mr. Andrew Poolman said.

Students visited many iconic modern architecture landmarks, giving them new insights into the legacy of art and architecture in Barcelona.

“I think the visits to modernist Barcelona buildings, including the Sagrada Familia and Sant Pau Hospital, were a highlight of the trip,” Mr. Lluch said.

Unlike most other exchange trips, which are heavily structured, the Barcelona trip was loose. Borden and Aloi planned many fun excursions with the extra blocks of time they had, making it a dynamic trip.

“We improvised so many of our activities,” Aloi said. “For example, I had decided that I wanted to go to the stadium to watch the Barcelona soccer match the night before, so we organized the whole thing immediate-

ly in one night, which turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip.”

The students also immersed themselves in and enjoyed the Spanish food culture.

“I enjoyed eating many different foods in addition to learning a lot of Spanish. My host family made lots of sandwiches with jamon, lots of croquettes, tapas, and paellas,” Borden said.

The hospitality provided by the host families helped make the trip special, not only giving students a place to stay but also giving them a glimpse of life in Barcelona. Mr. Poolman and Mr. Lluch hope to replicate this when the La Farga students come to Haverford.

“The goal for this trip was twofold,” Mr. Lluch said. “Exchange programs are always about cultural immersion, getting out of one’s comfort zone, and experiencing another culture authentically, as well as providing the same experience for our guests when they visit us.”

To experience Spanish culture fully, the students tried to speak as little English as possible. Students gained insight into ev-

On the morning of March 21, the Notables, the Baldwin B-Flats, and their chaperones landed in Copenhagen, Denmark. Throughout the six-day cultural and musical journey, students engaged in performances, exploration, and cultural exchanges. Not only did the students strengthen their friendships with Baldwin students and grow closer as a group, but they also built lasting connections with their Danish hosts and the students of Ordrup Gymnasium.

“Looking back on the trip, the most

valuable part has got to be the friendships I formed during it. I now have a friend group of Danish kids with whom I text and snap all the time, and if I come back, I’ll have places to stay. The same goes for if any of them ever come here again. If you told me I said this when I was a freshman, I would’ve never believed you, but I am so glad that it happened,” Sixth Former Alex Rhodes said.

The students were given free time to explore the city, where they discovered various landmarks—including a peaceful cemetery that was mistakenly thought to be a

eryday life in Barcelona when visiting the La Farga School and interacting with the students there. Additionally, interacting with different cultures broadened the perspective of the students and helped them see things differently.

“We only know our routine, our perspectives, and our beliefs. Going on this trip and discovering that the world is so different than what we think, really opened our minds,” Aloi said.

“One student told me he felt like a celebrity while he was at the school. They visited several classes and answered what felt like hundreds of questions from the La Farga students,” Mr. Lluch said.

Interacting with the Spanish students highlighted similarities and differences between their daily lives, and also gave them new insight into the way Spanish people think of Americans.

“The local students brought up many American stereotypes, and we can admit that we Americans have stereotypes about other cultures too,” Aloi said. “Going on this trip in a way made us realize the context behind

these stereotypes, and allowed us to understand Spanish and European culture.”

The trip was a success and is likely to continue in the future.

It helped students practice their Spanish skills, build lasting connections with their host families and new friends from the La Farga School, and immerse themselves in the rich Spanish culture.

“My hope with any student travel is that it plants a seed and helps them realize international travel is feasible, fun, and challenging in a way that helps you grow,” Mr. Lluch said.

“If I could do this trip again, which I 100% would do, I would be more open to talking to locals and students at the school,” Aloi said. “One of the best parts was when I had random side conversations with students at the school where we would talk about literally anything.”

“I hope that our students will stay in touch with their host families as well as any other friends they made,” Mr. Lluch said. “Maybe they can stay friends for a long time.”

Denmark opens eyes for Notables

castle—highlighting the beauty of Danish culture. They were also able to experience the difference between our American culture and Danish culture up close and personal, exploring churches, famous canals, and even Hamlet’s castle, Elsinore.

“One thing that surprised me about Denmark was how beautiful the architecture was. Not just the legendary castles, but the ordinary houses as well. The culture of Denmark was also very different.”

HUGH WILLIAMS ’27

“One thing that surprised me about Denmark was how beautiful the architecture was. Not just the legendary castles, but the ordinary houses as well. The culture of Denmark was also very different. For example, in the U.S., we heavily value athletic achievements. However, in Denmark, basically no kids at the Ordrup Gymnasium played a sport,” Fourth Former Hugh Williams said.

Not only did the students explore a magical place, but they also performed multiple concerts. The group performed in sev-

eral castles, including Fredensborg Castle, where they gave an emotional concert in the castle’s church.

Additionally, the students spent a day experiencing Danish education as they attended classes at Ordrup Gymnasium, the school from which students came here to perform for us earlier this school year.

The group also enjoyed local sports by watching soccer matches before concluding their fourth day with another concert.

The trip left a lasting impact on the students. It provided invaluable opportunites for them to share their love of music.

The trip left a lasting impact on the students. It provided invaluable opportunities for them to share their love of music, experience Danish culture, and build meaningful connections. Reflecting on their performances and interactions, the group returned home with a newfound appreciation for the power of music and the beauty of cultural exchange.

“Despite not being a part of the Notables, I was fortunate enough to go to the beautiful country of Denmark. It was an amazing experience, touring around the country and developing close friendships,” Sixth Former Conor McDonald said.

COURTESY OF MR. JAVIER LLUCH

Sena Fumey ’28, Oliver Peters-Whitaker ’28, Luca Aloi ’25, Sr. Lluch, and Andrew Borden ’25 pose in El Parque del Retiro in Madrid

Ryan Wang ’26 and Edward Cheung ’28

The combined groups from Haverford and Baldwin near Helsingør Castle

COURTESY OF MR. DARREN HENGST Sahil Manjeshwar ’28

Sixth Formers approach last day

As the air begins to warm, the days lengthen, flowers start to blossom, and the end of the academic year creeps onto the horizon, the halls feel too big, evoking a sense of emptiness. With the Sixth Formers’ last days approaching, students find themselves experiencing these familiar feelings.

The Sixth Form’s time attending school physically is nearing conclusion, and many Sixth Formers find themselves facing the bitter truth that the end they may or may not have wished for in their youth has finally come upon them, with their last day of classes, the Rosettes Ceremony, and networking events all in their near futures.

Sixth Former Pat Cohen said, “The jokes that we used to make in class—that one day we’ll be having our last first-period statistics class—are starting to become a reality, and in the coming weeks, we’ll have our

last first-period statistics class ever.”

Head of Information Services Ms. Lisa Snyder notes that in these last few months, Sixth Form behavior has taken a turn for the better.

“It seems like they’ve become a very cohesive group of people, with friend groups getting bigger and wider,” Ms. Snyder said. “It starts after spring break, and it just gets stronger and stronger until the end of the year.”

As the end approaches, Sixth Formers often find themselves reminiscing about days passed and the things they’ve taken for granted these past four years.

“I think I’ll miss the little things the most. Things like hallway conversations, hanging out in the library. Although we don’t think of these things, it’ll be weird without them in my life,” Cohen said.

An update on Senior Assassin

The widespread school tradition of Senior Assassin—a game in which participating Sixth Formers are assigned targets and must eliminate them by splashing them with water until just one remains—is a beloved tradition across the country as well as an annual Sixth Form competition. Students are protected while holding various safety items, ranging from Barbie dolls and stuffed animals to dumbbells and water-filled gallon jugs.

“Senior Assassin has become kind of a staple of the senior experience, which I think is really cool,” Sixth Former Finn Kelly said. “I like it a lot because your target can really be anybody in the whole class, so sometimes you might need to go somewhere or do something you might not normally do.”

Senior Assassin also fosters a sense of camaraderie and excitement. “Kids who normally never would are showing up to tennis matches and lacrosse games for the sole reason of assassin,” Kelly said. “I think that’s pretty cool.”

While the majority of students look forward to and cherish the game, faculty members often voice concerns. There have been incidents at other local schools of students’ water guns being mistaken for real guns; just two years ago, SWAT officers arrived at a Shipley School lacrosse game after receiving

With the Sixth Form’s last day of formal classes rapidly approaching on Friday, May 9th, the Rosettes ceremony also nears.

The Rosettes Ceremony is a school assembly where the student body meets in Centennial Hall, with each Form sitting in the seats of the Forms a year ahead of them, with the Fifth Form taking up the seats of the Sixth Formers in the front row.

The ceremony passes the torch from the Sixth Form to the Fifth Form, from one form of leaders to another. It is also where the members of the next year’s Signet Society are announced. The ceremony can be chaotic at times.

“I understand that the ceremony is chaotic, but I’m happy to embrace that chaos because of the meaning and symbolism behind it.”

MR. WILL LEECH

“I understand that the ceremony is chaotic, but I’m happy to embrace that chaos because of the meaning and symbolism behind it,” Sixth Form Dean Mr. Will Leech said.

However, with the end of the Sixth Formers’ time in school comes their entrance into the real world.

One way the school helps to prepare Sixth Form students is through an orchestrated networking event for Sixth Formers on April 25th, organized by Palmer House.

Hosted by previous Haverford alumni, this event aims to help the Sixth Form students practice their networking skills and create useful connections that will help the students in later years, even after they walk through the halls of Haverford for the final time.

The school has been helping the Sixth Formers prepare for the world their entire time, coining the motto “Preparing Boys for Life.”

Dean of Students Mr. Luqman Kolade thinks the school’s efforts prepare the Sixth

Form for their inevitable departure.

“That’s sort of what the senior project is, they get two weeks to do a thing. There’s a level of freedom associated with being a senior, but I think the school does a good job of preparing the seniors, while also still holding them accountable for their actions,” Mr. Kolade said.

Although heaps of stress are associated with the end of the school year, the truth is that students, teachers, and faculty all around the school—Sixth Formers or not— currently face their own challenges, whether with final exams or entering the real world or any other issue that’s weighing down their mind.

Despite these stresses, all can agree that these next few weeks will entail an emptiness in the halls for nearly everyone—an emptiness that seemingly comes back and hits harder year after year, no matter the number of times it recurs.

But we shouldn’t be sorrowful about our upperclass brothers’ departure. We could see this as a celebration of the young men they’ve grown into.

The upperclassmen have finally finished their final chapter of high school, closing the story that we’ve been reading together as a community.

However, with the conclusion of one chapter comes the beginning of a new, empty chapter: one filled with blank pages that only the Sixth Formers can write.

“These [Sixth Form] guys, they really, really keep this community moving—they keep this community alive.”

MR. WILL LEECH

“These (Sixth Form) guys, they really, really keep this community moving—they keep this community alive, and there’s gonna be some big shoes to fill by the rest of the classes to come,” Mr. Leech said.

reports of a student possessing a firearm. The so-called firearm was merely a water gun.

This instance of unwanted consequences for students participating in the game is just one of many. Action News reports that just last year in the suburbs of Chicago, two teenagers pulled water guns on their target at a restaurant, and a man at a nearby table pulled out a real gun in defense. The associated risks and potential harm lead to many administration members questioning whether this seemingly harmless game brings discredit to the Haverford School community.

The short answer, as far as students are concerned, is no.

“There was really nothing too crazy this year,” Sixth Former Jamie Stait said. “Mostly the kids just want to have fun and enjoy the experience, knowing this is really their last fun event together before they go off to college.”

Kelly agrees. “It’s important to remember that it’s all in good fun and for the purpose of community building, not breaking,” Kelly said.

Many faculty members support the game, but suggest strong limitations and regulations to ensure a safe experience for all. For many, Senior Assassin is a memorable experience that is a right—a right that students adamantly defend. Because the ac-

tivity is not school-run but led by students with little oversight of faculty, it is unlikely to be prohibited any time soon. The simplest

solution, as with any activity that imposes a degree of risk, is good decision-making and thoughtful planning.

Grayson Morgan ’26

Taha Obuz ’27

Sixth Formers Jay Rogers, Zack Oswald, and T.J. Romero in a last Big Room work session

CHARLIE SCHREIBER ’26

Amir Johnson ’25 eliminated Dhakir Brinkley ’25 in the Big Room

Finding “Josh”—through theater

For Sixth Former Josh Williams, there was always something to chase and live up to. His two older siblings, Cameron and Gaven, built their reputations as talented track and football players, and Williams tried to make a name for himself.

“I didn’t like it when people called me ‘Gaven’s brother’ or ‘Cam’s brother,’” Williams said. “I wanted to be known as ‘Josh’ for who I am and what I can do.”

JOSH WILLIAMS ’25

Over time, jealousy overcame Williams, wishing he had what his older siblings had, feeling overlooked as the youngest.

“I didn’t like it when people called me ‘Gaven’s brother’ or ‘Cam’s brother,’” Williams said. “I wanted to be known as ‘Josh’ for who I am and what I can do. Not miniature versions of them.”

He chased his brothers’ shadows by becoming an athlete himself.

“It was out of spite more than anything else,” he said.

Williams came to Haverford as a Second Former, despite wanting to stay in the Radnor school system. School felt monotonous and forgettable.

“I was in autopilot mode. I’d come to school, go to class, play football, and then go home. I didn’t try to make friends, and I didn’t go to my first Haverford sporting event until my junior year,” Williams said.

This isolation at school took a toll on him.

“I had a lot of outside friends from Radnor, but I started to feel lonely since I spent the majority of my day at Haverford,” Wil-

liams said. “I felt trapped inside this house of resentment I built in my stubbornness to accept the school.”

“Football and theater didn’t exactly go hand in hand. I wasn’t sure how people would perceive it.”

JOSH WILLIAMS ’25

By the end of his Fourth Form year, nothing had changed.

“I didn’t want to be at Haverford, and all I really cared for was getting recruited to play football in college,” Williams said.

Then, he received an email from Chair of the Performing Arts Mr. Darren Hengst, offering Williams a lead role as Chief Bromden in the 2023 fall play, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

“I never expressed interest in doing the school play, and here I was being offered a role in the play without really needing to audition,” Williams said. “It was a big welcome into their community. Mr. Hengst told me they weren’t going to do that play unless I was a part of the cast.”

Still, Williams was skeptical, despite his passion for acting. He was the lead in the fifth-grade school play and also performed in fourth grade. But by middle school, theater was no longer the popular thing to do, and he strayed away from it.

Even at Haverford, where he took theater classes with Mr. Hengst, he kept himself from fulfilling his passion. So, when Mr. Hengst offered him the role, Williams hesitated.

“Football and theater didn’t exactly go hand in hand. I wasn’t sure how people would perceive it,” Williams said. “I didn’t really give him a yes or no answer for a few months. Right before the 2023-2024 school

year started, I finally told my parents about it, and they said that I should do it.”

Williams quickly realized that participating in the school play was much different at Haverford than at co-ed schools.

“I didn’t do the play in middle school at Radnor because of the general feeling that you need to, for a lack of better words, aura-farm, and look cool for the girls,” Williams said. “At Haverford, I quickly realized I didn’t need to worry about that.”

The play kept his schedule busy, with football practice until 6:30 p.m. and play rehearsal until 8:30 p.m. However, it soon became a source of joy.

“Being an actor and an athlete gives me something special that makes me ‘Josh Williams.’ I’d like to think my impact on the school is from doing theater, not from playing football.”

JOSH WILLIAMS ’25

“It was exhausting but filling. It brightened my day after butting heads at football, and really helped keep my mental state together. I love football, but it can really eat your soul and tear you down,” Williams said.

The play also allowed Williams to come out of his shell and join the community.

“When rehearsing scenes of the play I was not a part of, I could just hang out in Centennial Hall with other people,” Williams said. “I got really close with Finn Kelly. He really turned me over, and things spiralled from there. I started talking to people in school more, and that feeling of loneliness

I had for my first two years at the school decayed.”

He had also set a trend for other athletes.

“It’s not really common for sporty people to also do their school play. I broke that standard,” Williams said. “A lot of other football guys also joined the play, like Phillip Okala, Walt Frazier, Brennan Apple, and Riyadh Rolls.”

“If I turned down Mr. Hengst’s offer, there’s no chance I’d be the school president now.”

JOSH WILLIAMS ’25

In a way, Williams’ legacy is not as a football player.

“Being an actor and an athlete gives me something special that makes me ‘Josh Williams.’ I’d like to think my impact on the school is from doing theater, not from playing football,” Williams said. “During a play rehearsal earlier this school year, a student asked me if I knew where I was going to college. He didn’t know I even played football, and that made me grin ear to ear.”

Williams credits the school play to his popularity.

“If I turned down Mr. Hengst’s offer, there’s no chance I’d be the school president now,” he said. “I’m not saying that the school play is the best or only way to become involved with the community, but it was what worked for me. I’m so glad I was ever a part of it.”

He has plans to continue theater in the future.

“I want to pursue a career in football or business, but after I retire, I want to do acting because it has been and will always be a passion of mine.”

Sixth Former Josh Williams in the Big Room.

CHARLIE SCHREIBER ’26

Ryan Wang ’26

From silence to school spirit: Colin Decker

Edward Cheung ’28

Tensions ran high at Malvern Prep’s basketball court on a Tuesday night in February as Fords decked in ’90s-themed attire poured into the bleachers, cheering on the basketball team on their most important game day. The student section roared with support.

At the center of it all was Sixth Former Colin Decker.

Many know Decker as the charismatic, motivational student leader, but his journey didn’t start that way.

Joining the school as a Second Former, Decker was shy and mostly kept to himself.

“It was hard to meet people because of COVID restrictions, and there weren’t many opportunities to get to know people because there were no sports. I was in one classroom the entire day,” Decker said.

High school wasn’t much different at first. Decker kept a low profile, sticking mostly to football and lacrosse. But Sixth Formers stressed the importance of supporting teams and attending events, which helped Decker break out of his shell.

“The seniors that year did a great job of getting kids to sports games,” Decker said. “I was able to meet a lot of people and make new friends.”

Feeling more comfortable, Decker joined the student council and Academic Mentorship Program as a Fourth Former.

“As the student council vice president, I realized I could have a big impact on the community, since people trusted me enough to elect me to a major leadership role in my grade,” Decker said.

Decker’s involvement continued to grow, joining the Signet Society and projecting the loudest voice in the chorus of the Fords’ cheering section.

Those opportunities didn’t just change how he interacted with the school, they also helped him on the field.

“My leadership roles helped me gain confidence in myself,” Decker said. “I don’t get nervous as much, and I can perform well under pressure now.”

Decker takes pride in cheering on other teams, most notably football and basketball. As a Fourth and Fifth Former, he noticed that Haverford’s school spirit was lacking compared to other schools.

“I noticed the football game between

Prep and La Salle had massive student sections from both sides,” Decker said. “I wondered why Haverford couldn’t be like them. I didn’t want us being outdone in school spirit.”

As a Sixth Former, Decker and his friends made a big push.

“I started promoting more school sports events by announcing them in assemblies and hanging up creative flyers for the game for students to see. My goal was to publicize the games to the stuent body and to influence kids who may not typically go,” Decker said.

Decker also put significant effort into promoting school sporting events through social media, informing team group chats.

At the soul of it, Decker tries to promote the importance of brotherhood and support.

“I think attending sporting events is important for the school because it’s a great opportunity to have fun and enjoy the Haver-

ford experience out of school hours,” Decker said. “It’s also a great example of the brotherhood we have in our school by supporting our fellow classmates on the field or court. It’s much more than just watching the sport. It’s about building community and showing athletes support when they need it most.”

As a lacrosse goalie, Decker understands how athletes need fan support.

“I’ve been able to see how beneficial the student section is for an athlete, experiencing it both as a spectator and a competitor. There was a big crowd of students at the lacrosse game against Landon this year who cheered us on and supported us, ultimately helping us win the game,” Decker said.

Decker’s leadership skills have not only helped him gain confidence in himself, but helped others do the same.

“Decker is a leader on and off the field,” Sixth Former Reed Campbell said. “Whether it is helping clean the locker room after practice or keeping the team locked in when

we need to be, he leads by example and has earned respect from the whole team—for much more than his skills as a lacrosse player.”

What started as a step outside his comfort zone has now positively impacted the lives of many Haverford students.

“I think Haverford has a lot more school spirit now, and our school is a lot more united now from freshmen through seniors,” Decker said. “There is more camaraderie.”

Being the spirit leader wasn’t just about trying to get people to show up at Haverford athletic events, but to teach Haverford students how to support one another and build a culture of unity and school spirit.

“I hope that future students will continue to support each other by showing out to events,” Decker said. “The [student cheering section] is a vital part of our school and important to the well-being of our community.”

Malvern

CHARILE SCHREIBER ’26

Colin Decker ’25

Colin Decker ’25 defends the goal in a lacrosse game

academics

Are students thinking about exams yet?

Ben Qu ’28

Summer nears with its warmer weather. As the second semester closes, a key question arises: are students preparing for exams?

Finals start in the last week of May, with Third, Fourth, and Fifth Formers taking exams over the course of a week. Many students likely think of finals as the last thing they’re looking forward to—exams that span over two hours and take days to review, ruining a Memorial Day weekend they could spend relaxing. With just a month left, are students already preparing? And if not, when will they begin?

Third Former Ebiel Febres believes that “studying right now is probably beneficial,”

but won’t study until May comes around.

Final exams are usually regarded as the most important—and stressful—exams of the year. With many courses jam-packed with material, studying for finals can be worrying.

So, is studying right now “worth it”? Given many studying methods, such as the retrieval practices Dr. Pooja Agarwal shared at this year’s Gwinn Lecture, it can be helpful to start early and space out study sessions. This technique could also be incorporated into students’ study sessions by simply asking each other questions. It can also be more difficult to retain that information during

Service Board Notes

Afinals, considering they’re almost a month away.

Another important aspect is preparing a study plan. Knowing when to start studying and what’s essential to focus on is crucial.

Fourth Former Brandyn Luong thinks that “a week or two in preparation is ample time.”

Fourth Former Jayden Thomas disagrees. “I’ll likely start at the beginning of [May],” he said.

Even though everyone may study differently, the strategies introduced this year in seminars, lectures, and classes can still be highly effective.

Can teachers help students? With exam information being posted at least two weeks before, teachers may have classes purely for preparing for the exam.

For some, a good study strategy is to ask questions to the teaching faculty about a specific topic, before or after the exam material is posted.

Finals are probably the most academically challenging feat of the year. It seems that most students haven’t considered these assessments as too important yet, but time can go by quickly. As exams near, students, utilizing different strategies, are all looking to prepare for academic success.

pril holds many opportunities for students to participate in service projects and activities. Although service is not a requirement, it is widely encouraged. Service not only benefits the recipient but also the giver. At the end of the day, your actions determine what kind of person you are and what sort of reputation you will have. Several Service Board opportunities arise in April.

On April 26, students will head to the Agnes Irwin School for a collaborative service event with peers from AIS and Baldwin. It’s a great opportunity to build connections with students from other schools and also help show support and gratitude for those serving in the military. We will be making Paracord Bracelets for Soldiers. To sign up for this event, please get in touch with a member of the service board or Ms. Loos.

The ongoing Form III Birthday Cake Collection will continue until May 9. The Birthday Cake Collection drive is in full swing, collecting baking supplies to create birthday kits for students in need. Donations may be deposited in the collection boxes around the school, handed to Ms. Loos or one of your Student Council members.

For Pete’s Sake Walk is on April 27th. This event supports a local organization that offers support to families battling cancer. This walk, held at Citizens Bank Park, is both a fundraiser and a time for reflection. To create a team or donate for this walk, please contact Ms. Loos.

Additionally, there have been several service opportunities completed this month.

The Annual Blood Drive was held on April 14th in partnership with the American Red Cross. This event saw a good response from students and faculty who came together to support this life-saving cause. Over 80 people signed up, which will go a long way toward helping hospitals in the region provide critical care to patients in need.

The Annual Walk for Water on April 17th gave the second-grade boys an opportunity to develop empathy for children in remote villages who have to carry two gallons of water for three miles a day. Haverford recreates this experience with students walking thirteen laps of the running track. Since 2010, Haverford has raised over $86,000, traveling 180 laps or 45 miles, and H20 For Life has distributed this money to many less fortunate schools globally to fund their water tanks, education, latrines, and other needs.

Participating in service helps others and is personally rewarding. Take some time and get involved.

Jayden Thomas ’27

neighborhood

Astronomy class visits Villanova Observatory

What a peculiar thing space is: infinite, yet tiny in life; the source of everything, but filled with nothing. It teaches us, as it did Einstein, Newton, and Galileo, how small we truly are, but how much we make ourselves matter. This “space” is everything there ever will be; it is everything, all at once, influencing time and boggling the human mind. It has been and will be here forever, truly one of the greatest mysteries to ever exist.

We look up at the sky, the same sky that witnessed the birth of the universe, the for-

mation of stars and galaxies, the rise of humanity… and someday the end of time itself. Here, on a lone rock adrift in the universe, we are incomprehensibly small, yet quietly powerful, unraveling mysteries that define our world. In Room 251 of The Haverford School, a small class is doing exactly that.

This year marks the fourteenth time science teacher Mr. Jamison Maley and the astronomy class have made a visit to the Villanova Observatory, hosted by Professor Laurence DeWarf. The astronomy class itself covers such topics as stellar astrophysics,

cosmology, quasars and active galaxies, black holes, and LAWKI (life as we know it). The observatory used by the faculty and students at Villanova includes at least two Celestron fourteen-inch telescopes and a PlaneWave Instruments CDK20 20-inch telescope. The students use these telescopes to see distant galaxies thousands of light years away.

“My favorite part of the visit was seeing the telescopes that recorded many of the pictures we saw in class up close,” Sixth Former Zac Fuscaldo said.

These hands-on connections are exactly what Mr. Maley hoped the trip would offer: “The trip is a logical follow-up to Chapter 6, which covers the observational techniques used by astronomers,” Mr. Maley said. “In chapter 6, the students see how astronomers apply methods like photometry, spectroscopy, radio astronomy, and the use of charge-coupled devices (CCDs), in addition to the obligatory discussion of refracting and reflecting telescopes. The trip to Villanova allows the students to see many of these techniques being actively applied in real life”.

For Mr. Maley, this experience echoed his own time in astronomy, when, as a graduate student, he helped to conduct a variability study of the young star cluster IC 348. Professor DeWarf was also an instructor back when Maley was an undergraduate astronomy major. As Maley points out, “Professor DeWarf was always a superb communicator of the sciences, both then and now when he is speaking to my own students”.

The trip to Villanova brought a tangible aspect to a highly theoretical course, bridging the gap between classroom principles

Honeygrow’s homegrown healthy feasts

Why go to a generic chain when there is a better-tasting, healthier alternative that began right here in Philly? Honeygrow, whose slogan, “Honest Eating + Growing Local,” is committed to providing sustainable and healthy food on the go. This sounds great and all, but you’re probably still wondering, “Okay, but how good does it taste?” Excellent as far as fast-casual dining goes.

When you first walk into a Honeygrow, you’ll first hear the sizzling sensations of the chefs working the woks. The interior is clean and minimal, with brushed metal tables and wood paneling. As HG is neither fast food nor a buffet, there are no heat lamps or refrigerators, since all of their food is fresh, local, and made-to-order. Along the counter are a series of touch screens, with customers shuffling in and out after placing their orders. Unlike other fast-food restaurants, the lines are pretty minimal. It has no comparison with a Chick-Fil-A drive-thru.

As for the food options, picky eaters rejoice: Like a Chipotle or a Panera, the menu at HG is fully customizable, allowing you to pick between stir-fry, salad, or a dessert cup that they call “honeybar.” First, you pick your base, protein, veggies, and a choice of one of thirteen sauces. All of these add up to numerous combinations. On top of it all, HG caters to almost every dietary need: gluten-free, paleo, keto, or vegan. Prices vary depending on how many ingredients you add, but expect to pay a base price of around $10-15 for the stir-fry or salad of your dreams.

My personal go-to pick is a rice noodle

stir-fry, topped with steak and bacon, piled with scallions and sesame seeds and smothered in sesame garlic sauce ($16.56). Even if this combo isn’t for you, the menu is like a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure book where you can experiment to your heart’s content. I’ve found my ideal combination, but if you like trying something new every visit, you could probably go a year on the noodle options alone. According to ChatGPT, there are over a trillion meal combinations. Is ChatGPT accurate in its calculation? Maybe not, but the point still stands: it will take you a while before getting anywhere close to trying everything.

Now, some of you might be saying that having a variety of choices gives you a panic attack. HG still has you covered. If you’re scared off by the many options, there are plenty of set meals on the menu, like the Steakhouse Chopped Salad with zesty croutons and a creamy ranch dressing. Plus, if you hate tomatoes, that’s fine. The touch screen ordering system makes it easy to modify and substitute. There’s even a kids menu if you need to drag your little sibling or cousin along with you. Starting at $8, the kids menu lets you create your own stir-fry and salad. If the kid is extra picky, they even have a Garlic Butter + Parm Meal with a side of grapes.

Honeybar desserts are another of the unique things that Honeygrow offers (from $6). In practice, a honeybar is a cup with fresh fruit such as strawberries or banana, garnished with two toppings such as granola or chocolate chips and one of three honeys (buckwheat, wildflower, clover). There’s even

and real-world applications and providing a distinctive impact on students.

“The astronomy class has changed the way I look at how old the universe is.” Fuscaldo said. “Before taking the class, I could not comprehend the connection between speed, distance, and time being related to something that could be infinite, but Mr. Maley has done an incredible job at making such difficult topics easier to understand.”

The Villanova Observatory is located on the fourth floor of the Mendel Science Center, but due to high light pollution from the area nearby, the observatory includes digital technology that can subtract the pollution, so students see the sky clearly.

One of the most special moments of the trip for Mr. Maley was when one of the students in the class collected a free, framed photo of the Eta Carinae star system, a binary system seven and a half thousand light years away. This image was taken by the famous Hubble telescope in 1995 and had just been shown previously in a PowerPoint by Maley. Eta Carinae was once the second brightest star system in the night sky, outshone only by Sirius, a star almost a thousand times closer to Earth.

Students expressed real appreciation for both the trip and Mr. Maley’s teaching.

“I feel so lucky to have taken a class with Mr. Maley after hearing how great his classes were for years,” Fuscaldo said.

Fittingly, the trip came just as astronomers announced a potential signature of life on a distant planet—proof that the universe still has plenty of mysteries waiting to be explored.

maple syrup for New Englanders and vegans. Like everything else Honeygrow offers, everything is entirely customizable for the exact sweet treat you’re craving.

According to Philly Voice, “Some popular honeybars include the traditional fruit and granola; the Cobbler honeybar, made with maple yogurt, apples, streusel crumble and whipped cream; the Apple Pie honeybar, made with roasted apples, streusel crumble, candied pecans, whipped cream and wildflower honey,” and more. So, if you have a sweet tooth, HG provides a healthier alternative to ice cream or frozen yogurt. Well, Honeygrow offers one dessert that’s not so healthy: a “rich” and “decadent” double chocolate brownie, made with Ghirardelli chocolate chips.

Did I mention that Honeygrow was

born and raised in Philly? They were founded in 2012 in Rittenhouse Square.

Justin Rosenberg decided to skip the suit-and-tie life of finance, going to culinary school and starting the restaurant of his dreams while giving people on a plantbased diet like him a chance to eat decently. Today, Honeygrow has expanded to Boston (by Fenway Park of all places, but no one is perfect) and even the heart of Washington, D.C. You can even now buy five of their signature sauces in stores for $5.99 a bottle. For lunch, you have many choices, but Chipotle is from Denver, Panera is from St. Louis, Sweetgreen is from D.C., and Jersey Mike’s is, well, from Jersey. Why go eat with the outsiders when you eat at one of your own? The choice is yours.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Eta Carinae Star System, discussed by the astronomy class

Ayush Varma ’27

Byron Yang ’28

GOOGLE MAPS

Honeygrow in Ardmore

campus opinions

Last summer, on a hot and humid evening in the beginning of August, nine guys from across all four forms joined a Zoom call to discuss Haverford’s virtues and how we experience them in our own lives. This call was not required, there were no faculty advisors or teachers on the call, no obligation to attend. Yet every single Honor Council representative was there, taking time out of their busy summer to connect about a topic each felt was important — our school’s culture.

I understand that the work of the Honor Council is a bit mysterious. I think this stems from the need for confidentiality when it comes to Honor Council hearings. But the Honor Council does more than adjudicate violations of our Honor Code. We also continually educate students about the Honor Code and the school virtues. The Honor Council runs a seminar series for Third Formers and meets with teachers every year to touch base about the culture of the school.

Serving on the Honor Council has taught me powerful lessons and I consider it the most important thing I have done in high school.

I have proudly served on the Haverford School Honor Council since the end of freshman year. The experience has taught me about the complexities of ethics, decisionmaking, and the challenges upholding community standards. Serving on the Honor Council has taught me powerful lessons and I consider it the most important thing I have done in high school.

I have learned that integrity has a lot of nuance. I’ll admit this seems counterintui-

The Honor Council is ours to lose

tive, because, after all, there is a clear “right” and there is a clear “wrong.” Or at least it feels like there should be. But my experience is that every case we hear on the Honor Council has layers. Circumstances, pressures, and intent all matter. Most issues of integrity live within gray areas and the most important tool to respond to those gray areas is empathy. There is no one better to understand what a guy has gone through, what has led to a poor decision, than a peer.

I have learned that “honor” comes in many forms. One way we show honor at Haverford is by serving on an Honor Council hearing jury. When there is a need for an Honor Council hearing, representatives from each form are randomly selected to serve on the jury. Hearings are held early in the morning, before school. Jurors’ responsibilities include showing up, listening to the circumstances of the matter at hand without preconceived judgment, collaborating on an outcome and keeping the matter confidential.

Without fail, guys who serve on juries do just that. The Honor Council gets little to no pushback from jurors. Guys show up and do their job. That is a form of honor and one we should all feel good about.

Coming in front of the Honor Council is a moment of true vulnerability, a place to acknowledge wrongdoing and the desire to make amends. That is no small thing. The fact that guys from across the student body come to sit on juries, take it seriously and uphold confidentiality is powerful. It speaks to the brotherhood we have with one another, that we all want our school community to be a place where, when things go wrong, there are ways to get back on track. It makes me proud to be a Ford.

I have learned that trust is fundamental. At its core the Honor Council is rooted in trust. Students have to trust one another and the process. Teachers and administrators have to trust that students will take matters

seriously, and the Honor Council has to trust that the teachers and administrators will support their judgments.

I recently spent some time at another local high school that is trying to implement a student-led Honor Council. It gave me great insight into what we have at Haverford. The depth of trust this faculty and administration shows in us and our student-led discipline process amazes other schools. Yet, I worry this is something Haverford students take as a given.

The Honor Council and the process of peer-led discipline exist because our community trusts us, students, to lead it, shape it, and protect its purpose. That trust is both a privilege and a responsibility. The Honor Council isn’t just a disciplinary body. It’s a symbol of something deeper: the belief that students can hold each other accountable, with empathy, fairness, and integrity.

I think we should always remember that the Honor Council and a peer-led disciplinary process is ours to lose. This year, the Honor Council has been challenged by a hard question: Does the Honor Council really make a difference, does it really matter? It’s not an easy question, but it’s an important one.

Cheating still happens. Guys still make poor decisions. We still have disciplinary issues. So, if problems persist, what’s the point of a student-led Honor Council? Why continue investing in a system that doesn’t seem to “fix” the problem? Those frustrations are valid. When you care about a system, when you believe in honor, it’s discouraging to see others choose a different path. It can feel like the work doesn’t matter.

But I don’t believe the value of the Honor Council is in eliminating every instance of dishonesty, I believe it’s in standing for a culture that refuses to accept it as the norm. When I say that the Honor Council is ours to lose, I mean that it is we, the students, who have ownership.

Yes, guys still make mistakes. But hav-

ing peers ask the hard questions: What happened? Why did this choice feel like the only option? What can we learn from this? makes a difference in ways that teachers and administrators alone cannot.

When a student is sitting across from his fellow students, it feels different. There’s a shared experience, a mutual understanding, and sometimes, a level of impact that can only come from someone who has walked the same hallways, experienced the same pressures.

When the Honor Council works well, it doesn’t just hand down consequences, it helps every student involved in the process reflect, take ownership, and hopefully make better choices in the future. That’s the long game. That’s the quiet kind of leadership that doesn’t always show up in data, but absolutely shows up in character.

The way I see it, the presence of the Honor Council doesn’t mean we expect perfection. It means we expect effort. We expect guys to care. To try. To be aware. To think twice.

The Honor Council is ours to lose. Let’s not let it go.

Even if not everyone chooses honor every time, the very existence of the Honor Council reminds us that honor is still the standard.

So does it matter? My experience on the Honor Council tells me the answer is yes. Even when it feels like the needle isn’t moving fast enough, it matters. Because the moment we say it doesn’t, we lose it. Not just the Honor Council, but the culture behind it.

The Honor Council is ours to lose. Let’s not let it go.

Connor Simpkins ’25

The Café is known for many things: a mid-morning snack, an after-school hangout, and a place to just sit and chat. But how good, and healthy, is the food within it? What do students actually buy, and what could be added to improve the options of healthy foods?

While many students visit the Café at different times, for the most part, they all buy the same types of food. Pretzels and cookies, for example, are student favorites.

Still, some students disagree on the variety of options available.

Fifth Former Aidan Chiang, who usually goes for a cookie, thinks that the food selection is adequate. “They’re not bad,” Chiang said. He mentioned that the Café has “good variety.”

The Café primarily serves candy, and the few “healthy” items advertised aren’t too apetizing.

Fourth Former Ray Kresge, usually opting for a milkshake or cookie, shares a similar opinion. “I think they’re fine,” Kresge said. “I just go in and get something I know.”

Although the Café satisfies many students’ preferences, some think that there could be healthier options.

Fourth Former Oliver Andrewson, who usually buys an Ice Energy drink or Core Power, said that the options were “pretty limited [and] not the healthiest.”

The Café primarily serves candy, and the few “healthy” items advertised aren’t too

The Café needs healthier options

appetizing.

“There should be more savory options,” Third Former Kent Foo said. “They have stuff that nobody ever gets.”

Fourth Former Brayden Holland said, “There are some parts that are healthy, but the majority isn’t.”

What can be done to improve the quality and variety of food in the Café? A few students have ideas.

Holland suggests adding fresh smoothies to the Café. Fourth Former Thomas Lentz expressed that there should be more breakfast options, as many students rely on the Café for breakfast and aren’t given much choice.

Third Former Edward Cheung thinks the few current smoothie options are not freshly made and don’t offer much incentive, tucked away with the milkshakes.

Cheung says there should be “something you can eat without thinking about that is also healthy.” He suggested carrots and hummus, which the Café used to carry.

Perhaps the removal of a “healthy” option from the Café suggests that Haverford students do not value eating healthy as much as they should. However, adding healthy options to the Café is easier than it may seem.

Placing dining hall options in the Café may be the exact solution the Café needs.

Cheung proposes adding fresh fruit, something that already exists in the dining hall during lunch.

The fruit not eaten at lunch could simply be brought over into the Café and put in the little basket that sits on the counter. Other options from the dining hall, like yogurt and miniature cereal boxes, would also be easy to implement.

In a school where physical fitness mat-

The official lunch power rankings

One of the perks of being a Ford is the diverse food we are offered in the more than 5,000-squarefoot dining hall. Still, service can be unpredictable: sometimes it takes up half of a lunch block to simply get the food; other times a student might not find any options they like. When students resort to bagels, the bagels sell out.

Today, instead of looking at the wide range of options, I will remind students of the often-overlooked greatness of our lunches by ranking the most outstanding lunches this school has to offer.

I rank these lunches based on three categories: customization, accessibility, and taste.

A Friday specialty starts off my list strong at number 7. Chicken and rice de-

serve more credit than it gets. Particularly, the BBQ chicken, while strong and flavorful, is a dish best served with plain rice to calm the taste buds. This meal comes with exceptional customization, as you may choose from four different types of chicken. The line for this meal is notably longer than the pizza line, and the sauces can cause a mess, but the taste makes up for those cons. Additionally, when the plain white rice runs out, the latter option is not nearly as suitable as the former.

Another underrated dish sitting at number 6 on my list is the meatball sub. The melted cheese and meatballs with supreme tomato sauce blend perfectly. The biggest con with this side is the customization, as you can only choose whether you want cheese or not. It is a messy meal, but that does not take away from the top-tier taste.

The chicken parmesan sandwich, celebrating 75 years since its birth in New York, is 5th on my list. The chicken, bun, tomato sauce, and cheese make for a tasty lunch. This sandwich is relatively clean and usually does not have a lengthy line, adding to the reasons why it is rated highly on my list.

Bao buns are always a superb choice, securing slot 4 in my list. They are messy, and the lines can be long, but all good meals come with cons. The cleanliness is optimal,

and when paired with the great taste, bao buns deserve to have a long line.

Arguably the greatest lunch option Haverford has ever seen, its rank atop countless others, consistently standing out on the lunch menu every month, is the blackjack chicken sandwich.

The Italian chicken sandwich is the most balanced of all meals. It is ranked third. This is due to the exceptional cleanliness this food offers. The ability to take this sandwich when in a hurry is superb due to both the cleanliness and the short lines. The taste, while simple, is also premium.

The Gyro bar, “the Mona Lisa,” due to its pleasing appearance, is the second-finest lunch Haverford has to offer. The customization is second to none, having the options of tomato, ranch, lettuce, onions, and more. Despite the messy meal, the taste and the short wait time make up for that con. The

ters

Even for a snack, the current options of candy, chocolate cookies, muffins, and energy drinks are not healthy for athletes and non-athletes alike.

Placing dining hall options in the

may be the exact solution the

gyro bar is a top-tier choice overall. Arguably the greatest lunch option Haverford has ever seen, its rank atop countless others, consistently standing out on the lunch menu every month, is the blackjack chicken sandwich. Customization is like no other, as you have multiple sauces to choose from, such as spicy mayo, BBQ sauce, and chipotle ranch. Additionally, the numerous add-ons, including tomato, lettuce, cheese, and more, make this sandwich all the better. The wait for this masterpiece is undeniable—but the sandwich is worth every second. The BBQ sauce, lettuce, chicken, and cheese paired together make a meal like no other.

Pizza and blackjack chicken should see more action in the lunch menu.

Additionally, the poll sent out by Sixth Former Alexander Matuch at the beginning of the academic year proves that the students’ favorite lunch is tied between bao buns and blackjack chicken, while pizza and blackjack chicken should see more action in the lunch menu.

Ayush Varma ’27

so much, the current Café options just don’t cut it.

Café

Café needs.

Adam Brown ’27

Less-than-healthy snacks at the Café CHARLIE SCHREIBER

off-campus opinions

President Donald Trump’s announcement of new tariffs has led to intense debate across both the political and economic spectrum. Critics have raised alarms about the increasing prices and trade tensions.

However, a compelling case can be made that tariffs could act as a planned tool for revitalizing American industry, strengthening national security, and reasserting economic sovereignty.

Trump’s tariff plan is rooted in one core

In late March, Ashton Hall hit the internet by storm with the release of his morning routine video: “Day 191 of the morning routine that changed my life (3:50am to 9:30 am).” If you’ve watched it, you’re probably familiar with his Spartan lifestyle—ice plunges, banana peel facials, constant running—you name it. Or maybe his Saratoga spring water.

Ashton Hall is not your average influencer. The former running back-turned-online personal coach has built a following with motivational content, flashy routines and a commitment to fitness that goes beyond the camera—it’s a way of life.

“Fitness is more than the ‘look’ . . . it’s a lifestyle,” Hall claims, championing the idea that physical fitness builds self-confidence and fuels energy. Before his path to fame on social media, he quit his 9-to-5 to pursue online coaching promoted through social media. It wasn’t just about quitting a job; rather, he embraced an unconventional path that required his time and dedication.

While his advice sounds liberating, it raises the question: how practical is it to trade stability for chance?

After learning more about Ashton Hall, you’re probably wondering, “Does he really live like this, or is this just satire?”

With personal assistants managing

Trump’s new tariffs are a win for the U.S.

concept: America first, in jobs and factories. By imposing higher tariffs on imported goods, particularly from countries such as China, Trump aims to create a more level playing field for U.S. businesses that have long struggled to compete with subsidized foreign products.

When domestic companies are forced into head-to-head battles with foreign manufacturers that exploit lax labor laws or receive heavy government backing, it’s not a fair fight. Tariffs help correct such imbalance by making said imports more expensive, encouraging businesses and consumers to “buy American.”

There is some historical precedent for this approach. Protectionist policies encouraged early industrial strength in the United States. Planned tariffs helped nurture key industries during the early American Industrial Age, as similar tactics are currently being used by global competitors such as China and India.

Trump’s policies do follow a long-standing tradition of using tariffs to support domestic growth.

Another key benefit of tariffs is strengthening national security. The COVID-19 pandemic, plus geopolitical tensions, have shown the dangers of over-reliance on external supply chains.

This is especially true throughout vital sectors, like pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and rare earth minerals.

Ashton

Trump’s tariff plan seeks to bring nearly all important production back onto American soil, reducing overall dependency upon potentially hostile nations and making the U.S. economy quite resilient during times of crisis.

Furthermore, these tariffs could be of long-term benefit for American workers. Manufacturing jobs provide consistently stable, well-compensated employment and form the basis of many communities.

Through incentivizing companies to invest in domestic production, Trump’s tariffs can help reverse decades of industrial decline and bring opportunity back into areas that

have been left behind through globalization.

Tariffs aren’t perfect; they might cause prices to rise briefly and affect trade payback. However, they present a daring path if viewed within a long-term economic plan. In place of chasing cheap goods, as well as outsourcing, Trump’s tariff plan challenges the U.S. to bet on itself again.

Within a rapidly changing global economy, America must decide whether to compete or concede.

Trump’s new tariffs are a clear signal that he believes in American industry and he is willing to fight for it.

is a temporary sensation

nearly every aspect of his life—preparing his meals, handing him his (apparently unsponsored) Saratoga spring water, and even delivering him a towel after swimming—it’s hard not to think that his routine is staged. The way he conveniently has a camera propped for his three morning facials only adds to the skepticism. Yet, there’s also an undeniable appeal to his routine, which is oddly inspiring.

But here’s the bigger question: is he just an Andrew Tate clone?

Not necessarily. While Tate’s routine is more measured—starting his day with two liters of water, followed by a 45-minute workout and two cups of coffee—Tate describes his day as work-oriented. “I spend every waking second on my laptop running the empire.” His rise to fame is attributed to his motivational content, exclusivity, and controversial strategies like “Hustler’s University.”

In contrast, Hall leans heavily into indulgence, as you can tell in his Saratoga water rituals. Could he become the next Andrew Tate? Probably not. His reliance on reposting similar content is likely to lead him into obscurity, much like many influencers targeted towards Generation Z and Millennials.

Whether you see Ashton Hall as a lifestyle influencer or as the Saratoga spring

water ambassador, there’s no denying that he has an ability to command attention. His morning routine exposes a harsh reality about our digital era: content today is driven by spectacle, amplified by algorithms that fa-

vor views over authenticity.

Like many influencers, Ashton Hall’s relevance is fleeting.

His moment of fame may vanish as quickly as it came.

Brandyn Luong ’27

Hall

Ajay Chakraborty ’26

President Donald Trump signs an Executive Order on the Administration’s tariff plans, April 2, 2025

The United States-China tariff war is a strain on the global economy.

On March 3, 2025, President Trump signed into effect a 20% tariff on goods from China, marking the beginning of an intense trade conflict between the world’s two largest economies. Almost immediately, the S&P fell 1.8%, and within the first week, the Trump administration imposed additional tarrifs on Canada and Mexico. This back-and-forth exchange between the U.S. and China has already had major implications on global markets and threatens trade stability.

This tariff war, which escalated rapidly, pits the United States and China against each other.

China responded with reciprocal tariffs, and on April 4 announced a 34% tariff on all U.S. imports. In response, President Trump countered by raising tariffs on Chinese goods to 84%, effective April 9, and then announced an unprecedented 125% tariff on China by April 10. China matched the US with the same 125% rate, leaving both nations locked in a costly trade war.

The U.S. economic impact has been severe. By early April, the U.S. dollar had lost over 5% of its value against both the euro and the pound, raising concerns about potential higher interest rates on the already ballooning U.S. federal debt. Small businesses in China have been hit the hardest, with many struggling to offload excess inventory. One Chinese factory owner commented, “The trade war has already started. Soon,

Trump’s new tariffs threaten the global economy

A Chinese container ship

all manufacturing businesses, especially the small ones, will face bankruptcy. This is not an exaggeration; it’s the reality.”

Adding to the complexity is the U.S. approach to category-specific tariffs. While electronics—particularly smartphones, laptops and TVs—have been exempted from the reciprocal tariffs, ongoing Section 232 investigations could introduce tariffs on pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and critical minerals. Semiconductors, vital to both consumer markets and national security, are under particular scrutiny. This inconsistency in tariff policies is creating uncertainty for manufacturers and complicating global sup-

ply chains.

In the U.S., low-income earners are disproportionately affected by rising costs, as they spend a larger share of their income on consumption. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro criticized the tariffs. “We can’t grow bananas here in Pennsylvania—they’ve got to come from somewhere,” Shapiro said. “And those bananas that have been coming from Central America, for no reason, cost a whole lot more for consumers in the market.”

His remarks highlight the pressure felt by everyday Americans.

California, the nation’s largest importer of electronics, faces over $170 billion in ex-

pected import taxes, with nearly every state expected to incur at least $1 billion in added costs.. The World Trade Organization forecasts a decline in global trade this year, driven by the effects of the ongoing tariff war. This conflict is more than just a trade dispute; it is a back-and-forth conflict with far-reaching consequences. While the goal may be to protect domestic industries, consumer prices are on the rise, and manufacturing sectors are strained. As businesses worldwide grapple with the uncertainty of the global economy, the question remains: how long can this trade war continue?

Saratoga water in the Café represents a new age of marketing

Afew weeks ago, a familiar blue bottle appeared in the Café… and disappeared just as fast. When word got out that the Café started selling Saratoga water, students flocked there faster than they would during a Wednesday ASB. Possibly influenced by TikTok star Ashton Hall, it seems as though Sodexo wanted to profit from the trend as well.

The Saratoga water trend centers around Ashton Hall’s morning routine, which is characterized by absurd wake-up times, face dunking into bowls of ice water, and rubbing banana peels on his body, each time with a glistening bottle of Saratoga in the frame. These videos have garnered millions of views, leading to a significant spike in Saratoga’s popularity and even a brief increase in the stock price of Primo Brands, Saratoga’s parent company.

It’s incredible that this new age of marketing is so clear to see through Saratoga’s campaign. Companies now recognize the power of social media platforms and have started collaborating with influencers to promote their products discreetly.

Influencers play a pivotal role in shaping consumer behavior. Brand deals have been around for a long time—what makes Ashton Hall different is how it’s done. Though Hall does not name the endorsement, Saratoga water is a norm in every one of his videos, so much so that he is considered the face of the brand. There is no proof to say that Hall’s videos were part of a paid partnership, yet the impact on Saratoga’s brand visibility is undeniable.

Similarly, the Instagram persona known as the Gstaad Guy has done the same thing for the Italian luxury clothing brand Loro Piana. Through his satirical portrayals of the ultra-wealthy, the Gstaad guy has managed to both mock and promote the lifestyles associated with Loro Piana by “bullying up.” His collaboration with Loro Piana has led to the fastest-selling product in the brand’s history, the Loro Piana Summer Walks loafer. I even have a navy blue pair myself. The brand has skyrocketed in popularity over the past two years, demonstrating the effectiveness of these new, unconventional partnerships with influencers.

Consumption as a whole is becoming increasingly influenced by social media trends and personalities. Choices from the beverages we drink to the brands we wear now seem to be primarily dictated by Instagram and TikTok and shaped by the content we consume online.

As companies continue to leverage influencers in this new age of marketing, we must recognize the subtle ways in which our choices and personalities are influenced by the digital content with which we frequently engage.

Abdullah Kanchwala ’25

Saratoga water in the Café

CHARLIE SCHREIBER ’26

Brandyn Luong ’27

The twenty-first century has brought some of the greatest technological advancements in human history, which should give us greater opportunities. But we are squandering our advancements by wasting countless hours mindlessly scrolling through the internet.

As short-form video platforms, like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts surface, a new term has emerged among younger internet users: “brain rot.” It’s not a terminal illness or a formal psychological term, but rather a term describing the hazy feeling that can follow hours of consuming fast, often chaotic, low-effort content online.

The term has become especially prevalent among Gen Z, who have grown up immersed in the hyper-connected, hyper-visual world of social media. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels offer endless streams of short-form videos, many optimized for quick laughs, shock value, or instant gratification. The result, some users say, is not just distraction—but a numbing of critical thought, attention span, and even a sense of time.

Brain rot terms such as “skibidi” or “gyatt” can pollute the youths’ vocabulary. A new term that has recently surfaced on social media is “chicken jockey,” which originates from the new Minecraft movie. Kids have now started screaming this phrase in movie theaters when the line comes on screen and throwing popcorn all over the theater, which promotes bad behavior and a bad influence to any viewers that see these videos.

Brain rot memes are a testament to the creativity and humor that emerge from the depths of internet culture. They thrive on

Brain rot is wasting Gen Z’s potential

randomness, absurdity, and a shared understanding of online in-jokes, making them a unique and entertaining aspect of digital communication. AI-generated memes are now becoming a trend across the internet

by taking an image of an animal and distorting them in various ways to make the image more humorous, like giving a shark legs or turning an alligator into a plane.

Overall, Gen Z is wasting their po-

tential, indulging in brain rot and doom scrolling instead of using their resources and exploring the world around them for a productive use of their time.

Music recommendations from The Index

Selena Gomez, whom the average high school student first met as the vampire daughter Mavis from Hotel Transylvania, released her 4th studio album, I Said I Love You First, in collaboration with her fiancé, producer Benny Blanco. On this genre-hopscotching collaboration, which attempts to tell the love story of Blanco and Gomez, Track 8, “Bluest Flame,” is the most volatile and seductively hypnotic song she has released yet. With help from co-writer CharliXCX, Gomez takes on hyperpop. Now, the nonstop chorus of “going all night” and “touchin’ in the summer rain” finds itself embraced by a new community: PC Music group followers.

A lone maiden stands in a field—her dress blowing with the wind that used to run through her hair, astride the horse of her lover. Now, she sits in the kitchen of the house they once christened together, looking at the antlers on the wall and asking god why soft leather and blue jeans brought out the worst in her. On the lead single for her upcoming country album, Lana Del Ray, who refers to herself as a lonely “cowgirl,” laments holding Icarus’s hand, only for him to fly away. To where? She doesn’t know. “You can’t chase a ghost when it’s gone.”

The past is inescapable. No matter how far one runs it, the past always leaves its mark. Addison Rae escapes from the Louisiana bayou to the black sand beaches of Iceland, riding atop an Icelandic pony and wearing a childish hot-pink wig and matching hot pink boots. In “Headphones On,” Rae pays homage to the corded headphones she wore as a child to soothe the pain of her parents divorce, singing, “Wish my mom and dad could have been in love.” No longer a child, she sings, “Guess I gotta accept the pain.” Rae grows by facing the truth and accepting it—the past is the past: unchangeable.

Cruising like Tom Petty in a ’97 Chevy and hot on the tail of last summer’s hit “I Had Some Help,” Morgan Wallen invites rapperturned-country-star Post Malone to return the favor for his upcoming album, I’m The Problem. Over a cool-blue guitar intro, Wallen spits out the insults of a past lover. “A redneck rambler, lost-cause gambler,” he sings. The words don’t bother him, maintaining his cool on the track. “There’s a lot of reasons I ain’t Jesus,” Wallen and Malone sing, in an unforgiving lament. They won’t be walking on water to repair this relationship.

Macklin Sullivan ’28

A distracted Elliot Lee ’25 wastes his time watching brain rot instead of studying

Liam French ’25

voices

Political polarization: let’s agree to disagree

Throughout my life, I have always found ways to build relationships with people who have differing opinions. Whether it’s political, social, or even something as small as a debate over whether LeBron James or Michael Jordan is a better basketball player.

These debates, however, have never interfered with my relationships. And in my youth, I never saw them interfere with the relationships of anyone I knew. I always thought people just agreed to disagree.

This was until the election of 2020. The terms “snowflake” versus “racist” were thrown around like never before. This was my first year at Haverford, and I was a bit of an outcast when it came to my political views—as I didn’t really have any. At the same time, others had very strong ones.

My family believed that political and religious views were meant to be decided independently and without unfair influence.

My family believed that political and religious views were meant to be decided independently and without unfair influence.

Yet I did know that whatever opinions I did have were not going to alter relationships with people close to me. Quickly, I learned that other people didn’t feel the same way.

Two current Haverford students I will not name ended their relationship in a single in-class discussion.

Student One and Student Two had been friends since elementary school. However, their political views differed drastically. Student One aligned more with the views of Democrats while Student Two aligned more with the views of Republicans.

And unless you live under a rock, or you are simply in denial, you know that people who lie on opposite sides of the spectrum typically mix like oil and water.

According to New York Times columnist Bret Stephens, “Our disagreements may frequently hoarsen our voices, but they rarely sharpen our thinking, much less change our minds.” We are rarely able to change people’s minds, let alone mix with their ideas.

Both called one another stupid, said awful things about the political group they supported, and made generalizations about the groups they claimed.

Yet the students quickly grew angry toward one another when the topic of the Joe Biden and Donald Trump presidential race was brought up. Within seconds of the conversation starting, the term “racist” flew out of Student One’s mouth, and the term “snowflake” flew out of Student Two’s mouth. Both called one another stupid, said awful things about the political group they supported, and made generalizations about the groups they claimed.

Throughout the following days, the anger faded, but not completely settled. The two students who once ate lunch together no longer even played at recess together. No apologies were made, and no willingness to be the bigger person was shown. It appeared as though the two had hated each other. And while I cannot speak on behalf of their current relationship, I can speak about what I observed throughout that eighth-grade year.

I observed two individuals who originally spent the entirety of their days together devolve into a relationship where they no longer spoke.

I observed two individuals who were not entirely educated on the topics they spoke of and let feelings without facts alter the way they viewed each other.

I observed two individuals who let the media manipulate their feelings into hating one another.

The truth of the matter is that the media is capable of many things. It can bring people together, make people laugh, make people sad, and make people mad.

But its most powerful capability is its ability to tear people apart.

Millions of people obtain information from multiple news networks that provide information supporting their sides of the political spectrum. It is well-known that CNN and Fox provide information on the same topics, yet they lean toward favoring a certain political party.

There is a blatant divide between Americans who watch opposing news sources.

Typically, the news network someone has on in the morning before they go to work will give you a good sense of what ideas they agree with. While this is not necessarily problematic, the issues that need to be addressed stem from this idea.

There is a blatant divide between Americans who watch opposing news sources. The words filled with hatred directed toward one another come in all forms.

You see this hateful divide between sixteen-year-olds on Instagram comment sections who obtain their information from TikTok and between 48-year-old dads in Facebook arguments.

Nothing is ever gained from these debates or arguments. No opinion is ever swayed, and it is extremely rare to see a peaceful argument that comes to a conclu-

sion that lets people agree to disagree.

Most of these opinions or arguments are formed blindly, without open minds. According to philosopher and writer Meagan Kohler from Public Square Magazine, when we absorb “a stranger’s thoughts in this manner, without reprieve or mediation, we risk being programmed rather than simply being informed.” We struggle to formulate our own opinions and then let the opinions of others tear us apart.

However, this problem is much less common in real life than through social media. When this problem play out in real life, arguments most commonly stem from an argument over some form of media output.

When respectful individuals with open minds and personal opinions are capable of engaging in civil discourse, a common ground is often found.

In The Haverford School Assembly, a group of high school boys with a variety of drastically different political views were capable of crafting made-up laws and coming to agreements on whether they should pass or not to benefit our society as a whole.

While the students were by no means experts on every aspect of each law that they debated, they were open-minded and informed properly.

This is more than the majority of the media can say.

The students did their own individual research and informed themselves on very important topics in our society today. They were forced to research using unbiased sources and advised not to use sources such as CNN or Fox as backbones for their arguments.

Despite many drastically different political views, they were able to come to conclusions together to help benefit the imaginary country with the imaginary law they were passing.

This exercise was the embodiment of everything that could be right in society today but is not because of the social divides we allow the media to create.

Nick Krakovitz ’25

Nick Krakovitz ’25

A reflection on Reflection

Milan Varma ’25

Iam sure that any Haverford community member who has given a Reflection will share this same sentiment—they hope that the broader community takes a moment to reflect on the speakers’ words, their meaning, and how they apply to everyone’s own life.

With that in mind, I’d like to reflect on and reiterate the powerful message that Mr. Darren Hengst shared with the Haverford community this past week.

One, availability is the best ability; two, be your authentic self; and three, your audition goes beyond the stage.

On Thursday, April 18th, Mr. Hengst took the Centennial stage, a stage he takes often, though in quite a different context. Mr. Hengst provided insights from his own life experiences in acting and auditioning, spanning multiple decades. Mr. Hengst provided three main messages: one, availability is the best ability; two, be your authentic self; and three, your audition goes beyond the stage. I hope he forgives me if I paraphrase. I don’t write this to reiterate his message—only he can put it best.

Still, his talk got me thinking.

There is a growing sense at Haverford— especially among the Sixth Form class and as the weather gets warmer—that some core school tenets are optional: being early to class, being in dress, locking your phone, to name a few. It’s easy to find these habits trivial in the grand scheme of our lives. However, if there’s one thing I took away from Mr. Hengst’s reflection, it’s that they’re not.

Those choices you make, no matter how small they seem, define you. They define your reputation in this community. There are those who have made it their identity to show up at every part of Haverford—not just their sports or for their friends—for the

things that make this community unique.

In Mr. Hengst’s words, availability is the best ability. Mr. Hengst shared that he would not be where he is today without showing up on time. As they say, early is on time, and on time is late. It’s different for everyone, but the relationships you have with the people here, especially your teachers, matter the most. And for those educators who have gone through countless years and types of students, they always appreciate someone who shows up ready to learn. Is that not what school is for?

I find myself lagging behind in my own life at times. Choosing to scroll for another five minutes instead of leaving for a com-

mitment early—those five minutes matter. Don’t believe me? Ask a teacher. At the very least, those people would encourage you not to take pride in lateness, being out of dress, or dodging any rule, and to instead choose meaningful learning and relationships over a few more moments of trivial carelessness. If there’s one thing I believe the community should take away from this year’s Reflection program, it’s that there is so much to reflect on. While Mr. Hengst’s Reflection had a significant impact on my own identity, another Reflection may have the same effect on you. If so, reflect on that meaning. Reflect on what is important to you—and don’t discount the little things.

A letter from an alumnus: “Beyond admissions: finding purpose in a prestige-obsessed world”

I’ve been thinking about this a lot recently - and Lucas’s tragic passing is a powerful catalyst for reflection. I cannot imagine the pain his family is going through, and my heart goes out to them. Even as someone who never knew Lucas, I feel a sense of loss. The world has lost a person with the potential to do great things. What happened to Lucas reveals something we don’t talk about enough: the dangerous mythology surrounding elite institutions. Getting into a top school isn’t a validation of your worth — it is merely evidence that you understand the game. You, likely with the help of parents and counselors, learned to navigate college admissions with a magic thing called “extracurricular activities.” You somehow convince some strangers in a small room completely isolated from the main campus, who have zero interactions with the actual student body, within 15 minutes that you are the perfect fit to their esteemed institutions; and you, along with thousands of other lucky applicants who receive an offer letter, will make the statistics of their incoming class look spectacular on paper.

On the flip side, let’s say you are a driven builder who built an AI startup with $1M ARR in your junior year of high school. Impressive, but they just admitted someone with $1.1M yesterday. Sorry, no spot for you. But don’t worry, you’ll be “waitlisted.” And for some unknown magical reason that the admission officers still could not figure out, if that kid chooses Stanford over CMU, you will be admitted to the “#1 Computer Science School in the World” according to rankings put together by a bunch of other

folks who got their degree in journalism and work at a media company called “US News” or “Forbes.”

College doesn’t define who you are. The name is at most a conversation starter at the driest dinner party filled with older people who nod approvingly at your school’s prestige and assure you of a bright future.

My core message is simpler: Do what interests you.

We live because we want to do great things. What matters isn’t where you go, but what you do with the opportunity. College gives you the chance to meet people and encounter new ideas before the rest of the world. The guy in Crocs sitting next to you in your theoretical computer science class might share his crazy startup ideas on a sleepy Wednesday afternoon — two years before Bay-Area-Big-Name-Investors and seven years before the IPO. A good school gives you more resources — but only if you have the dream to do something. The name on your diploma won’t build the next great company or solve climate change - your ambitions and work will.

Having the “right dream” is extremely difficult. We don’t start anything from scratch — if so, please go ahead and buy some aluminum and copper and iron to make a phone before you read this essay. Instead, we build on others’ work. We learn and understand their designs, recognize the fundamental flaws, and then improve upon

them. Occasionally, we completely overwrite what they had initially, and then we have something groundbreaking.

This is why engineers often dislike talking to business majors. I’ve been pitched random ideas by business majors countless times, and surprisingly or unsurprisingly, these ideas almost always relate to “social networking.” Dating apps and next-gen Facebook clones are the recurring themes. My theory is that networking dominates business students’ lives — it’s the center of their universe. So naturally, they dream of designing new social apps. But what makes their ideas unique? Usually, nothing.

This approach is exactly what you should avoid. A young college student sits alone in their dorm, thinking in darkness (both literally and metaphorically), without understanding the underlying mechanisms of the existing players, yet hoping to outcompete tech giants flush with talent. This approach is fundamentally flawed. If you are truly passionate about designing the next-gen dating app, consider this: make a 3D reconstructed interactive model of users and allow them to virtually interact before deciding to swipe left or right with a VR headset. How does that sound? Pretty cool, but technologically challenging. And that’s precisely why you need to learn.

Great ideas typically emerge from academia — the first computer, ENIAC, was designed and built by two people at Penn with a US Army grant. The first Internet message traveled from UCLA to Stanford, originating from the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network funded by the US Department of Defense. Self-driving began

with a DARPA grant to CMU. The pattern is clear: academia is the birthplace of worldchanging technologies, which entrepreneurs later transform into business with the financial support from investors. If you want to do something meaningful, join a research lab that fascinates you. A good university will offer more resources for this than almost anywhere else.

This essay might read like advice for startup founders. But my core message is simpler: do what genuinely interests you. College provides resources to help you explore your passions better than most places in the world. If making money is what truly excites you — pursue it wholeheartedly. I have a close friend joining a prominent hedge fund who’s genuinely passionate about wealth: his eyes bulge and saliva forms at the corners of his mouth when discussing investing. He writes trading algorithms for sports betting; most recently, he discovered a design flaw in a particular sport that I shall not name here and made a good amount of money off that. Did he celebrate? He did not, and he put all that profit into the next bet. And anecdotally, we made a fortune arbitraging among different sites in the 2024 presidential election. You can tell immediately that wealth is his singular focus. I neither endorse nor condemn this — it’s his interest, and who am I to judge? If you want to become a great painter, spend more time painting. If you want to become a great hacker, spend more time hacking. Focus on your passion obsessively, and everything else will follow.

Mr. Darren Hengst speaks before the How to Succeed dress rehearsal, March 6, 2025

Shibo Zhou ’22

Fords win Malvern’s Battle of the Bands

Matt Lo ’27

While most competitions against other schools are athletic, a handful of Haverford students recently competed in an entirely different arena against other Inter-Ac schools. Hosted on April 12th at Malvern Prep’s Duffy Art Center, the First Annual Friar Nation Battle of the Bands presented a clash of musical prowess.

Two of Haverford’s student bands,The AfFORDables and Cabana, received recognition for their hard work and musical ability.

“‘I Shot the Sheriff’—by far it’s the best one. That’s my favorite song...”

JAMES MACCOLL ’26

From the AfFORDables, Fourth Former Alex Scharpf received Best Vocal Performance, backed by Third Former Cliff Wang and Fourth Formers Topher Jodz, Thomas Lentz, and Perry Gilbert.

Similarly, Cabana, composed of Fifth Former James MacColl and Sixth Formers Alex Rhodes, Avery Jones, and Tom Saul, received the Best Overall Band award.

Originally, however, the musicians were unsure whether they would even attend the event.

Sixth Former Tom Saul said, “There was a period of time where we weren’t gonna do it…But then Mr. Struve, who leads a couple

of the Haverford Rock bands, emailed us saying that we should do it and that we had a good shot at winning.”

“I convinced the rest of the band that we should do it, so we practiced starting two days before the Battle of the Bands. We decided to do the same set from the Winter Concert, so it wouldn’t be that hard to get it all back,” Saul said.

“Everything was just chill. We were all cheering each other on.”

ADAM BROWN ’27

Even with the setbacks going into and during the event, the Haverford musicians were able to deliver their performances with style.

“We have pretty good chemistry… I think our band is unique in that we don’t always follow a specific structure,” Saul said. “We just go and play on the fly and feel it out.”

“‘I Shot the Sheriff’—by far it’s the best one. That’s my favorite song in general, and I feel like that was the song we executed the best,” MacColl said.

Rhodes highlighted his favorite moment from the event.

“While they were setting up the sound, a bunch of us, ‘cause we’re musicians, just hopped on the instruments and started play-

ing,” Rhodes said. “We just started jamming, and we’d never met these guys before. It was a really cool experience.”

Fans also noted the event’s uniqueness.

“Contrary to sports games between Haverford and Malvern,” Fourth Former Adam Brown said, “everything was just chill. We were all cheering each other on.”

Ultimately, performers and spectators alike agreed on the value of the event.

According to Sixth Former Alex Rhodes, this is a tradition that should continue.

“I think that this should be a widespread Inter-Ac thing because it is a really unique opportunity for musicians to actually show what they do and maybe win at something,” Rhodes said.

Grammy-nominated Dr. James Jordan conducts singers

Singing in the Centennial Hall Music Room, members of the Notables, Glee Club, and Centennial Singers heard the advice of Grammy-nominated Conductor Dr. James Jordan as he guest conducted Motzart’s Te Deum in preparation for the Spring Concert.

Singing a Mozart piece is not easy—but students improved while Dr. Jordan worked through it.

Dr. Jordan is here for the Michael Stairs Concert, according to Notables and Glee Club Director Mr. Donald Holdren. Mr. Holdren explained that Dr. Jordan is not only someone who will “interest the students,” but he is “one of the preeminent choral conductors of our time.”

“I wanted to bring in someone who had a different perspective on choral singing,” Mr. Holdren said. He said that in addition to being a phenomenal musician, Dr. Jordan is an accomplished teacher.

“When you bring someone of that caliber in, you want to be super prepared.”

MR. DONALD HOLDREN

“One of the great things that I am constantly hearing about Michael Stairs was that he was a very accomplished musician, but he was also a master teacher,” Mr. Holdren said. “The relationship with his students was such an important part of who he was and what

he did.”

At the start of the rehearsal, Mr. Holdren was nervous. “When you bring someone of that caliber in, you want to be super prepared.” Mr. Holdren didn’t want to waste his time. “We were able to get past the basics of notes and rhythms and really talk about expression and articulation”—qualities crucial to the production of the piece.

Fourth Former Alex Scharpf said, “Te Deum has really improved and started to harden and really get in there.”

Scharpf was expecting that “Dr. Jordan… would do all these weird vocal exercises and whatnot to improve our technique.”

“No one has the right to take your dream away from you... if you learn to listen you will have a good life. ”

DR.

JAMES JORDAN

At

explained how difficult of a world we live in. Often students worry about not being able to pursue their dream. Dr. Jordan said, “No one has the right to take your dream away from you.”

He also emphasized the importance of listening—something that singers in a choir are collectively learning how to do. “If you learn to listen, you will have a good life,” said Dr. Jordan.

The Michael Stairs Concert will be held in part with the Haverford Spring Concert on Wednesday, April 30th at 7:30 p.m. with Dr. Jordan conducting middle and upper school singers in the Te Deum

MR. TIMOTHY MACCOLL

Cabana plays at The Battle of the Bands, April 12, 2025

Scharf said, “What he did was perfect.”

the end of the rehearsal, Dr. Jordan

Dr. James Jordan rehearses with the Glee Club, April 8, 2025

Peter McConnell ’26

Lacrosse team prizes cohesion as late-season tests near

Sullivan ’25

The lacrosse team has long been a national powerhouse, and this spring, the Fords are once again making their presence felt with a deep roster of talent, currently sitting at 7-3 and ranked fourteenth in the nation by USA Lacrosse. Opening the season, the team picked up notable wins over Loyola Blakefield, ranked 15th in the nation, as well as the Landon School, currently ranked 16th, in an 11-10 overtime thriller.

Under the guidance of head coach Mr. Brendan Dawson, now in his seventh season, Haverford is not only reasserting itself as a top-tier program in the Inter-Academic League but also continuing its reputation and legacy that stretches nationwide.

Known for its grueling schedule and commitment to underclass development, the team has become a proving ground for elite athletes, and this year is no different.

What defines this team isn’t just its individual talent. It’s the quiet, deliberate cohesion of the team: players moving with purpose, the sideline locked in, and a coaching staff that balances intensity with encouragement. The result is a squad that’s competitive and composed, even under the spotlight of national attention.

Sixth Form defenseman Charlie Halpert, who will play for the University of Virginia next year, speaks to the teams cohesiveness and brotherhood.

“In

terms of cohesiveness, the biggest thing I notice is how close our team is off the field.”

CHARLIE HALPERT ’25

“In terms of cohesiveness, the biggest thing I notice is how close our team is off the field. It’s easier to trust and play with guys who are also your best friends off the field,” Halpert said.

That sense of cohesion, the intangible

thread that binds teammates beyond the stat sheet, shows up not just in how the Fords play, but in how they prepare. This season, after a few slow starts, the team took a hard look at its pregame rhythm and made a subtle but deliberate change. It wasn’t about reinventing the wheel, just fine-tuning the edges.

“One thing I guess I could touch on is some changes we’ve made to our warmup. In the past, we walked out 30 minutes before game time, fully padded up and ready to go. To open the season this year, we weren’t starting the game the way we wanted to. So we changed our warmup to where we would come out onto the field 45 minutes before game time, in our sticks and gloves, to get our legs warm and our sticks tuned up. We head back into the locker room after that and then walk out again fifteen minutes before game time, fully padded and ready to go. I’ve liked this change, and I think we’ve seen it’s helped us play better to start the game,” Halpert said.

Still, cohesion doesn’t arrive overnight. It’s forged through adversity, and for a team as young and reshuffled as this year’s Fords, the early part of the season was as much about learning who they were as it was about chasing wins.

Halpert acknowledges that finding an identity has been the biggest challenge so far.

Halpert acknowledges that finding an identity has been the biggest challenge so far, but also the most rewarding part of the journey. Sixth Former Gavin Cooper, who recently flipped his commitment from Duke to Army, said, “We are a young team and we’re a completely new team from last year.”

“As the season has been going along, we have been growing, and we have been showing that no matter what the score is, we’re going to continue to fight until the very last second, which is something that I’m proud of us for,” Cooper said. “The challenge is that, since we’re a young team, the beginning of the season might be a little hard, but the growth that we’re experiencing is something special and something that I’m looking forward to seeing pay off throughout the rest of the season.”

Halpert is excited by the growth he has seen in the younger guys on the team.

Tennis dominates season’s early weeks

James MacColl ’26

Fords’ tennis is off to a noteworthy start. The boys are 4-0 to start the season, which will keep them in contention for another state’s appearance if this winning trend continues.

Fifth Former Kaiser Zhao has had multiple grueling matches, each lasting until sunset. Luckily, he has gone undefeated in these matches, helping the team maintain its current undefeated record.

On Wednesday, April 9th, Ford’s tennis rematched last year’s PAISAA final against Germantown Friends Central. The match was expected to be close, but the Fords dominated, prevailing in a match score of 6-1.

“All of the matches were very close. That said, the stronger team is always able to close out matches when they are tight, and that’s what we did,” Fifth Former Jonah Grunes said.

Tennis is all about consistency in the final games of the match, and the Fords executed when it mattered most.

The Fords have been putting in countless hours of training this past month. Practices have been structured around matchplay

rather than drilling, preparing the boys for regularly occurring matches as the season progresses.

“With the little amount of time we have during the season, the best thing I can do as a coach is to make practices emulate match day,” Coach Tracy Tooke said. “There is no time to work on fine details during the season, which is why I spend so much time helping everyone work on their ability to compete rather than their ability to make ten shots out of ten as opposed to nine shots out of ten.”

The Fords’ next few weeks are busy. On Thursday, April 24th, Zhao, Sixth Former Phineas Manogue, and Fifth Former Drew Carassco will participate in the annual InterAc Singles Tournament. The team won the singles tournament last year and hopes to win once again.

The following day, the Fords’ doubles teams will play in the annual doubles tournament. The boys will carry their winning momentum into these tough matches. Directly after the tournaments, Fords’ Tennis plays a tough stretch of Inter-Ac matches

against Malvern Prep (Away), Germantown Academy (Home), and Episcopal Academy (Away).

The rest of the season is packed with

“Now here we are in mid-April, and we have sophomores who are stepping up and playing like they are seniors,” Halpert said. “It’s really just been super inspiring to see.”

According to Halpert, leadership has played a role, particularly Sixth Former Colin Decker, the team’s starting goalkeeper.

“Colin is so poised in the cage and makes our job as a defense so much easier. He’s made some absolutely ridiculous saves this season,” Halpert said.

With the team finding its rhythm, the focus now shifts to what lies ahead. For Halpert and his teammates, the goals are clear.

“Our goal is to win the Inter-Ac. We want to build off of each day of practice and each game we play so that we feel like we’re making a step in the right direction every day. Following the Inter-Ac season, we want to win the last game in May and hopefully win a PAISAA championship. Lastly, we want to be as nationally competitive as possible,” Halpert said.

And now, with the final stretch of the season approaching, the Fords look ready.

They’ve found their footing, leaned into their identity, and, more importantly, believe they’re capable of seeing it through.

difficult matches. However, the momentum is right where it needs to be—in the hands of the Fords.

Quinn

CHARLIE SCHREIBER ’26

Kellen Garner ’25 drives upfield in an 11-10 win over Landon, March 15, 2025

Kaiser Zhao ’26 returns a shot in a 6-1 win over Wissahickon, March 17, 2025

Fords Track, cont’d from front page

“Throughout the season, we have been getting mentally and physically stronger,” Goins said. “The running conditions haven’t been great, but as a team, we’ve been working hard in the weight room and on the track. At this time of year, we look to be extremely focused as the important meets approach us.”

In order to build momentum in the midseason, energy must be high at all times.

“During meets and practice, the focus of the team is to be inclusive and engaged. We make sure the entire team is connected in a way that will help us get better,” Goins said.

This season has not been without challenges—one of the biggest, according to Goins, has been the weather. “It has been hard to run our best when it’s cold or windy, so we look forward to our performances in nice weather.”

As the season continues in full swing, the team is set up for even more success. The team members, their hard work, as well as the dedication of Coach James Hawkins have been instrumental in the formation of this close-knit team and their achievements. As they look to the future, the goals are clear.

“Some of our goals are to have a successful Penn Relays and medal as a team in the Inter-act and PAISSA Championships,” Goins said.

Diamond Fords grow from early difficulties

The baseball team has powered its way to a 5-6 record thus far in the 2025 season. Although its record might not be stellar, there is a reason. The program has gone through a coaching change. Led by new head coach Jack McCann, alongside assistant coaches Dylan Brittle, Dillom Armstrong, Richard Prisanzana, and Jack McCann’s father, Jack McCann, the entire staff has shifted.

Head Coach Jack McCann played four years of Division-III baseball at the US Merchant Marine Academy, graduating in 2022. He coaches the Ascent Athlete Baseball Organization. He was hired to coach Fords’ baseball this fall.

According to Sixth Form captain Kevin Li, the team culture has shifted as well.

“It’s a little different. However, every-

“We must approach with resilience. We will not win every game. we need to make sure we bounce back and learn.”

KEVIN

one loves [Coach McCann]. Even though we have a new coach, the team feels like home, and it feels right. Lots of stuff carried over, though. Competing at a high level. Baseball is always just baseball,” Li said.

To foster team connections, the team has done several events together, including dinners and bowling. Coach McCann even

held a team barbecue.

“We are a lot closer. A big thing for the team is to be really supportive and positive. Put a smile on your face, because if you’re negative, that energy is going to pass off,” said Li.

Coach McCann explained his coaching philosophy.

“I believe in the development of the whole athlete, not just the baseball player. Success isn’t measured solely by a win-loss record, but also by the type of people who graduate from the program. We will make difficult practices that force uncomfortable situations onto the athlete, so they are forced to grow,” Coach McCann said.

After a tough start to the season, the team is on the rise.

“As a team, we started a bit slow. We are getting into Inter-Ac playing. We are preparing for it very well. I think we have a chance to do very well,” Li said.

Sixth Former Zac Fuscaldo agrees. “Not all games are a reflection of record. Trending upward. Hitting pitching. Perfect timing. We barely lost to Penn Charter 5-3.”

Coach McCann highlights the bright spots of the early challenges. “We are playing a lot of young guys, there are lots of contributions. Fifth Former Jaiden Riviera has five runs. We are also getting a great senior campaign from Sixth Former Patrick White. Third Former Owen Murphy is great from the mound,” Coach McCann said.

Looking at the rest of the competition, Li believes that Fords can go toe to toe with any of them.

“The Inter-Ac is always very strong. Malvern is pretty strong this year. They are the best team according to others. [But] we have had a chance two years in a row. We beat them in the state final three years ago. People make them seem like a David and

Goliath story, when it’s actually more level,” Li said.

Fuscaldo adds another team to the danger list, “Penn Charter is really good. I still think we can beat anyone,” Fuscaldo said.

The attention now centers on the final stretch and the playoffs.

“We are continuing to work day after

day. We are working to build a culture of hard-working young men who want to get better every single day,” Coach McCann said.

“We must approach with resilience,” Li said. “We will not win every game. We need to make sure we bounce back and learn from it, and we need to make sure it is in the past.”

Kevin Li ’25 eyes the fence

CHARLIE SCHREIBER ’26

Nate Gill ‘26

Chase Cobb ’27 participates in the High Jump

LI ’25

Ultimate Frisbee prioritizes growth

Despite a 1-2 start, the ultimate Frisbee team feels positive about the future. Led by coaches Dr. Andrew Fenton, Mr. Jeremy Fus, and Ms. Theodora Naqvi, the team blends seasoned players with enthusiastic newcomers, fostering growth and camaraderie on and off the field.

The season began with some early struggles, as noted by team captain Sixth Former Aaron Bonaparte, who has emerged as a standout leader.

“Our season started off a bit rocky, but we’re definitely heading in the right direction. It took us some time to find our rhythm, especially with so many new players joining the team this year,” Bonaparte said.

The influx of Third Formers and firsttime players, including standout Third Former Beno Goldstein, has brought fresh energy to the squad. Players like Sixth Form captain Ali Sial, who has played all four years, and veterans Fourth Former Ezra Walters, and Fifth Formers Jay Tyson and Thomas Nye are also making their mark.

Coach Fenton emphasized the team’s growth. “We have a couple of younger players who have never played before but are starting to come together,” Coach Fenton said.

He highlighted Bonaparte’s journey as a prime example of ultimate’s unique appeal.

“Aaron really started his sophomore year and wasn’t into it at first,” Coach Fenton said. “He got bit by the bug and is now very, very good. He’s a team leader. That’s one of

the things that makes ultimate distinctive— lots of people start in high school and can become very good. It’s not like other sports where you have to start earlier.”

Coach Fenton then shared his coaching philosophy.

“It’s an extension of my teaching philosophy,” he said. “Lots of learning and growth as well as lots of fun.”

Coach Naqvi extrapolated upon the team philosophy.

“One of the big challenges is making the leap from individual skills. How well an individual can throw, catch, or defend. Implementing team-wide strategies. That is the goal of drills. Specific drills where you practice the way you move and how to receive

catches. Not getting in the way. Also victory at any cost,” Coach Naqvi said.

The team is gearing up for a few more games. Coach Naqvi sees a bright spot in the opponents themselves.

“We have three or four more games, and a couple are with teams we have played before. We can compare our performance with our earlier performance. We can actually see how much we have grown. The weather will be warm. I am really optimistic,” Coach Naqvi said.

Bonaparte gave a more focused look into the back half of the season and the problems the team faces.

“As we move into the second half of the season, our training will become more

focused,” Bonaparte said. “We’ve played enough games to identify our weaknesses, and we’ll concentrate on those areas until we see improvement during competitions. Offensively, we move the disc downfield with ease, but we often choke near the end zone. On defense, we’ve struggled to defend deep cutters on the opposing team.”

As a result, they have dedicated most of their practice time to end-zone drills and deep-cut exercises. If they remain consistent and communicative, Bonaparte is confident that “Fords Frizz” will have a successful remainder of the season.

“We are just training. Just practice every day. And the love of the game,” Coach Fenton said.

Crew earns high standings in Manny Flicks

The crew team has returned to establish its influence. Taking home several medals in the fall season, the team looks forward to achieving more in the upcoming key championship events.

With five Manny Flick races behind them, Haverford Crew remains a dominant force. In the varsity and JV boats, the team was able to bring home first, second, and third place standings, an outstanding record. Maintaining first and second-place finishes, the Frosh/Novice team also demonstrates strong potential.

Captain Eddie Grant said the Flicks are “a test to see us putting it all together.”

Grant coxes the Varsity Four, which has remained in the top two since Manny Flick 1. “We’re really just out there to see effort… some boats have stumbled, we’ve had to deal with a lot of sickness, especially in the top boats. But, you know, we found the rhythm the last couple of weeks,” Grant said.

“The team has shown a lot of positive progress over the regular season.”

COACH JONATHAN STEPHANIK

The team has gone through some rough weather in the past few weeks as well, including rough water conditions, but that has not deterred its daily practices.

“The team has shown a lot of positive progress over the regular season,” Head Coach Jonathan Stephanik said. “We have

seen growth and improvement across the board with the team, which has shown we have good depth from many of the classes on the team.”

With on-land erg scores quickly improving, the team is looking to transition the skill onto the river, sizing up the potential to keep ahead of other teams.

“Each year, our goal as a program is to

put all athletes in a position for success at City Championships,” Coach Stephanik said.

With noteworthy performance in previous seasons, the crew team has been preparing for City Championship and Stotesbury Regatta for the entire spring season.

As training increases, Coach Stephanik maintains that the “process and training plan

should cater to having a lot of boats in a position to win medals… Goals are different for each boat class, but overall, we hope to see as many boats as possible on the medals dock this spring.”

The Crew team isn’t here just to play— it’s here to establish a legacy and influence among the rowing community. It’s positioned to do so now more than ever.

Aaron Bonaparte ’25 makes a grab in a 12-15 loss to Friends’ Central

Ben Qu ’28

Charlie Gord ’25 leaves the Conshohocken boathouse last April

Nate Gill ‘26