The Index
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Ευταξια Σωζειν Δοκει
December 2017
Volume LXXX, No. 4
(L to R) Shiply 9th grader Libby Ronon and Fifth Former Jeffrey Pendergast in the finale of Henry V.
VINCENT SCAUZZO ’20 There are many things that make a play worth watching: a good script, good acting, famous ac-
Haverford, Pennsylvania
MS. DAWN BLAKE
tors, or even a famous playwright. In the case of Henry V, this year’s Fall Play directed by Mr. Darren Hengst, the playwright’s name, Shakespeare, draws an audience to the play. The name is syn-
onymous with drama, humor, and complexity of dialogue. The challenge of delivering Shakespeare is one of the the hardest in theater production. I must congratulate the cast and Mr. Hengst
Losing players is never easy, but it does offer some valuable lessons and opportunities. Rooney believes this situation will only help the team.
As the season g o e s
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for all their effort in this performance. Performing Shakespeare is a sign of great ability and experience, traits that both the production staff and the cast possess. The cast consisted of some returning theater veterans such as Fifth Former Jeffrey Pendergast, Fifth Former Thomas Russell, and Sixth Former Spencer Davis. There were also some new members in the cast, such as Third Formers Kethan Srinivasan and Randy Park. The show also included three female cast members: Libby Ronon from Shipley, Madeleine Mulder from Harriton, and Rachel Bunado from Sacred Heart. Many students participated solely in the dramatic battle scene to learn the art of stage fighting and to wield a broad sword. I have seen some Shakespeare in the past and read some in school, but I had never seen Henry V. One of Shakespeare’s slightly less popular plays compared to Romeo and Juliet or Hamlet, I did not know the plot of Henry V going in. I said to myself before viewing that I would make every effort to listen to and translate the dialogue. But alas, I ended up looking for a summary on SparkNotes during the intermission. I don’t blame the actors’ delivery for my inability to understand the dialogue, but multiple roles by the same people, such as Fourth Former Kwaku Adubofour, did make understanding more difficult. On the other hand, knowing that Pendergast would always be King Henry made his role easier to understand. Thomas Russell’s narration as Captain Fluellen helped plot comprehension; he was the only actor whose different roles worked because of the character variety. cont pg. 15
Hockey hits hard in home-opener MATT MIGNUCCI ’20
Haverford Hockey has recently come off of its first championship in the Independence League since 2009. Last year’s championship team earned 13-4 record. They look forward to following last year with another great season. However, with the absence of a few key seniors, the team must find a new mojo. Fifth Form goalie Carson Rooney said, “The departure of our seniors is definitely going to challenge and affect us as a team, but I am certain that our group of men are up for that challenge.”
Our team chemistry has improved and we are learning how to play with each other. We might have to change our gameplay a little bit, but we are discovering each other’s strengths and weaknesses and that helps us to play as a wellfunctioning team. -Carson Rooney ’19
“It has [already] helped gel us together as one team,” Rooney said. “Our team chemistry has improved and we are learning how to play with each other. We might have to change our gameplay a little bit, but we are discovering each other’s strengths and weaknesses and that helps us to play as a well-functioning team. The absence of our previous seniors does affect us, but it doesn’t affect us negatively and gives our new seniors opportunities to become leaders on this team.” As far as the team’s expectations for following up this remarkable season, Rooney said, “Defending champions and nothing less. As a team, I think there is an implied notion that we want to win it all and that we are very capable of doing so.
on, we will continue to connect as a team and we will also look for our seniors to lead us on the ice, but once we get going there will be no stopping us.” The team’s championship last year was an amazing team effort, but a huge part of their great run was due to the unmatchable student support. Rooney said, “[I was] super proud of the student support last year, especially during the championship game. The student section was so rowdy, and the environment was awesome. The team really appreciates when the support is as high as it was last year, and we would really appreciate it if we could have the same amount of support. We will have a tougher road than we did last year, and support during the regular season games would mean a great amount to the team because we are going to have a great season.”
Bobby Gibson ’18 fights for the puck against Lower Merion last year.
MR. JIM ROESE
SAMUEL TURNER ’18
CAMERON HOORFAR ’17
Robb Soslow ’18 shares a work of art from Montana on pg. 15
Athlete spotlight: Peter Miller ’18 on pg. 11
MR. JIM ROESE
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The Index - Editorial
December 2017
Masculine fears: a common struggle toward equality Harvey Weinstein disgraced. Matt Lauer fired. Donald Trump questioned. An unprecedented movement has empowered women and revealed an unseemly national culture. Coupled with this revolution is the changing boys-school perception of masculinity.
The destruction of powerful men’s careers reflects the uncertainty of our own futures and threaten our own hopes for power.
Workplace mistreatment of women has stripped countless men of their accomplishments, positions and prestige. The #MeToo movement has encouraged women to share their stories of abuse. Throughout history, men have imposed their authority, sometimes through sexual misconduct. Herein arises a familiar fear accompanying every step women take towards equality: female empowerment will loosen men’s grasp on authority. Popular culture has imbued young men with dreams of leading organizations, ruling the country, taking charge, and somehow exerting authority. Within our brotherhood, some
students have adopted this fear. The destruction of powerful men’s careers reflects the uncertainty of our own futures and threaten our own hopes for power. We may be justified in fearing the unknown ahead, but that fear must not translate into a selfish neglect of female abuse, minimizing injustice as “overdramatized” or “petty.” Haverford men are generally inexperienced in academic and professional interactions with women. Lurking inside many of us is a fear that we may accidentally ruin our own careers: one unwanted advanced, one misplaced promotion, one triggering word. Haverford men take pride in their pursuit of becoming men of character.
But, we are more worried about the consequences of the #MeToo movement... on us. Perhaps some women have falsely accused men of sexual misconduct. Perhaps the consequences for some men are too harsh. But fringe cases cannot cycle into a snowballing movement of anti-genderequality, sexist men who are complacent with the actions of sexual miscreants, and cynicism about true female victims. Instead, we should sympathize with the diversity of experience and consider the unintended repercussions of the #MeToo movement. This resulting masculine fear may encroach upon the advancement of women in the workplace.
Maybe the “Human Relationships” seminar should become a mandatory class. Maybe one of the two incoming division heads should be female. As such, the Haverford administration needs to examine its own role in the professional education and integration of men. Maybe the “Human Relationships” seminar should become a mandatory class. Maybe one of the two incoming division heads should be female. There is no war between genders. Brotherhood is not a defense against change. There is and always will be a common struggle of the human race toward equality. 2017-18 Editors-in-Chief (L to R): Samuel Turner ’18, P.J. Rodden ’18, Nick Chimicles ’19
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‘Tis the season to give back BO BRADY ’21
Can Drive Success: 10,011 cans! The Can Drive had extraordinary numbers in this year’s donations. Many helped sort and collect cans for the Annual Can Drive. Winning this year’s competition, a special shoutout is deserved for Ms. Adkins’ and Mr. Keefe’s advisory for huge contributions this year. Upcoming Service Opportunities: Students will send Military Service Members cards thanking them for their commitment. Cards should be submitted to the Service-Learning Center no later than December 11th. Winter coats for the homeless through Project Home can be dropped off in the box outside the Service Learning Center by December 15th. If you have any extra coats , drop them off there. Toys for Tots is now underway. New, unwrapped gifts for children of all ages may be dropped off
in the Toys for Tots boxes around the school. The Notables will hold a concert December 6th at 7:30 P.M. in the Big Room of Wilson Hall. One must provide a new gift for our Toys for Tots Campaign in order to be admitted into the event. MLK Day of Service is coming up on Monday, January 15th. As a part of the Day of Service, collections of gently used books for children may be handed in; they passed on to Cradles for Crayons, public schools, and shelters in Philadelphia. Books can be dropped off in the Lower School Lobby from January 4-12. Donations of gently used clothes for those who are homeless in our region at Life Centers can be dropped off there as well. Sheets, towels, and blankets may also be donated. Drop off is also in the Lower School Lobby from January 4-12. 2017-18 Service Board Presidents (L to R): Jackson Overton-Clark ’19, Will Henderson ’18, David McKay ’18, and Ms. Loos
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The Index’s 2017-2018 Staff
P.J. Rodden ’18, Samuel Turner ’18, Nick Chimicles ’19, Editors-in-Chief Neetish Sharma ’19, News Editor Eusha Hasan ’18, Features Editor Toby Ma ’20, Assistant Features Editor Will Henderson ’18, Opinions Editor John Comai ’18, Opnions Editor Grant Sterman ’18, Politics Editor Robert Esgro ’19, Assistant Politics Editor
Nick Chimicles ’19, Head Web Editor Lleyton Winslow ’20, Head Web Editor Noah Rubien ’20, Web Editor Aditya Sardesai ’20, Web Editor
Gaspard Vadot ’18, Arts Editor Vincent Scauzzo ’20, Assistant Arts Editor Matt LaRocca ’18, Sports Editor Nick Pippis ’19, Assistant Sports Editor Ms. Alicia Evans, Faculty Advisor Bobby Stratts ’18, Staff Photographer Mr. Thomas Stambaugh, Faculty Advisor
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 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. The Index, a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, is composed on Mac OS X, using Adobe InDesign CS 2015. Its surveys are conducted via SurveyMonkey and are advertised on Facebook 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 1091 community members, consisting of 975 students and 116 faculty members. Contact The Index: 450 Lancaster Ave, Haverford, PA 19041 index@haverford.org Twitter: @Haverford_Index http://www.havindex.com/ (610) 642-3020 x. 1222 Volume LXXX, No. 4 - December 13, 2017
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The Index - Features
December 2017
INTEL CHEN ’19
Ms. Hannah Turlish teaches U.S. History* in the Upper School.
I heard the question with a not-small dose of pleasure mixed with a large amount of trepidation for...you know: Here we go again. Surely you can all understand the risks of writing an article that tries to explain what, as the lovely student requestor put it, “it is like to be a woman here at Haverford.” Straightaway, an important point must be made: I understand that there are only about 55 of us (teaching faculty, with half of them in the Lower School) in a sea of approximately 1200 males, but in no way am I able to speak for “the women of Haverford,” just as no one boy can represent the “experience of a black student at Haverford” and just as how we should avoid making blanket statements like, say, “People in Alabama believe X.” The women here are all vastly different people, and we have unique experiences when coming to work each day. I hope we all love our jobs. I do: this is a fantastic place to work, in some ways the best work environment I have ever been in. The students are good people who I look forward to seeing every day (well, almost every day; I will admit that the day before spring break is a painful slog), and the history department is the best group of humans I have ever had the privilege to work with. Almost every day is fulfilling and devoid of issues that trouble my sleeping hours. But there are days that make me feel cloudy and dark. I suspect that some, or perhaps many, of my female colleagues will say they they feel zero workplace discrimination. They most likely do not think much about the percentage of each day that they spend as the only woman in the room. I understand that my subject matter (United States History) and the way I conceptualize the course (pointed attention paid to marginalized groups) elevate my chances of hearing students say sexist remarks in a discussion. I will also add that I read more and think more about this issue than most, so I am likely to be more dialed in to what is “going on” than others. After over 25 years of studying and writing about feminism, I know what I am talking about, even if I cannot gener-
DAVID BUNN ’17
alize what Haverford is “like” for women. With an untold number of moments in my teen and adult life being a conscious receptor of sexism and misogyny — in forms ranging from subtle to physically terrifying — I feel pretty confident about what it means to be a woman in the world, and how that translates into being at Haverford for me, Ms. Hannah B. Turlish. To any colleagues who think that I am “overly sensitive” or “misreading the school” or “being too hard on boys just being boys,” I encourage you to honor, or at least understand, the anger and fatigue that many women of my generation feel right now, and how the current social climate can make Haverford a
pretty exhausting place at times. I was born in 1970. Yes, I am 47 years old. I am the age of your parents, or a little older; while there are legions of me in New York City, down here I am an “older mom” with a son in kindergarten, not high school. Coming of age in the 1970s was, in some ways, a magical time to be a girl since it was the decade of “Free to Be You And Me,” Our Bodies, Ourselves, and the highest percentage of gender-neutral toy manufacturing in modern history. My parents told me that my sister and I could be anyone, and in a doublePh.D. household like mine, I believed it. And then I went to high school. And then I was one of two girls in BC Calculus. And then I grit my teeth and said nothing when creepy Mr. K rubbed my shoulders in class (“He does that to all the girls,” a friend said with an eyeroll, perhaps to reassure me that his creepiness was spread out in equal amounts). And then a Speedo swimsuit salesman tested the “right fit” of my suit by pulling at it in strategic places. And then I had some truly terrifying walks in the dark to morning practice in college. And then I was ogled a number of times as a waitress. And then I was labeled as too blunt, too ambitious, too loud. And then I was interrupted in faculty meetings. But what are the hard days like for me with you, the Haverford students, not the adults? As I have already written, most of the time it is terrific. I love this place. About ninety percent of the time it is the same as teaching at a coed or all-girls school, but that other ten percent tends to make me feel like I have been plopped down on a faraway alien planet. Some things that I never saw at Spence (an all-girls school in Manhattan), like having students who just “take it all in” without writing class notes or boys tilting in their chairs to the point of capsizing, are completely benign and really rather endearing. But other examples range from dispiriting to, well, things that keep me up at night. The often aggressive feelings about guns, the widespread lack of care for civilian drone strike victims and Syrian refugees, and, most notably for this article, a strongly resistant stance against women who come forward with their stories of harassment and assault — there are times when I feel truly alone, and angry. Family members and close friends of mine have been raped, one so brutally that she has suffered significant health problems ever since; one was on a university campus long enough ago that there was no one to report the incident to. Rest assured that your self-confident statements that women make up assault stories out of embarrassment for drinking too much, or for fame or fortune when the accused is a prominent man in Hollywood or politics do not sit well with me. Nor should they
with any of you, if you really thought about it and viewed women as worth believing. Two other issues that come to mind might seem minor, but to me they speak to the larger issue of men not taking women seriously. One that I have noticed more this year than before is the weird difficulty some boys have in referring to grown women as “women.” In one class, for example, a student referred to Ruth Bader Ginsburg as a “girl.” Not only is Justice Ginsburg 84 years old, she is also one of the most powerful and important people serving this country today. It was interesting seeing the student acknowledge his frequent difficulty using the term “woman.” To me it makes perfect sense in the larger context; women in this country are denigrated and systematically put down in any number of ways, and the use of “girl” corroborates this reality. As a parallel example, think of how whites once used the term “boy” when addressing grown black men. The second issue is consistently challenging for many students, year after year — my use of the title Ms. just cannot seem to get through, even to adult colleagues, for that matter. I am not Mrs. I prefer to use the marital-status-neutral title, the equivalent of the title all boys and men have. I also did not change my last name when I got married. The reasons I have for these decisions seem so simple to understand, but it never fails to befuddle a bunch of boys each year. I am willing to keep explaining, but I cannot help wonder why this basic thing is such a stumper. To end, I cannot do any better than quoting writer Lindy West, my hero and guiding spirit in feminist thought. Calling her that has made my personal life — my relationships with some of the men in my life — at times bumpy and difficult. She does not hold back and is hard for a lot of men (and women) to handle. She is what I wish I could be, a famous writer of bestselling books and columns in The New York Times and The Guardian. As she wrote in the Times, so memorably one year ago after the presidential election, “We, as a culture, do not take women seriously on a profound level. We do not believe women. We do not trust women. We do not like women. I understand that many men cannot see it, and plenty more do not care. I know that many men will read this and laugh, or become defensive, or call me hysterical, or worse, and that’s fine. I am used to it. It doesn’t make me wrong.” If I cannot be Lindy West, perhaps my work at Haverford can do a little something to change this reality. It will, after all, have to start with men taking women seriously, and that hoped-for future is up to you.
Until the 1980s, female members of the community worked only in Primary School or administrative assistant positions - 1955 Haligoluk.
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The Index - Features
December 2017
PHOTO COURTESY OF INDEX STAFF
Often seen walking the floors of the Upper School, hard at work or in the community room, or enjoying a few rounds of ping pong, his vibrant attitude is contagious, and his constant dedication to his work warms Haverford hearts. He is Mr. Chris Domboski, a man of virtue who embraces his unique role in preparing boys for life. Before coming to Haverford four years ago, Chester County native Mr. Domboski worked for Upper Darby High School and Sisters of Mercy Girl’s School in Lower Merion. Since then, he has worked in every building with every head of office and with the HSPA to execute everything, from the Spring Fling to graduation ceremonies. Mr. Domboski feels that the most important part of his job is “getting the areas ready for when we
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Mr. Chris Domboski has worked at Haverford for four years.
YESHWIN SANKURATRI ‘20
have events so that everything looks great and people [can] appreciate their surroundings and The Haverford School in the process. Really my end all is that everyone has a good time,” said Mr. Domboski. Every day he comes into work with the goal to put a smile on everyone’s face. “My motivation comes from seeing the joy in others eyes from the job that I did, whether it be in you guys, your parents, or the staff, no matter the size of the event.” Outside of home and Haverford, Mr. Domboski has many hobbies: he loves to dance hip-hop, bake, cook, make abstract art, watch movies and listen to music. He has a natural inquisition and zest for life. “I also love going into the city and just going
around and seeing stuff, looking around — I’m very inquisitive, so I love to just take step back from life and hang out.” Mr. Domboski appreciates the Haverford community for welcoming and accepting him. “When I first came here, my perception was one of an outsider looking in. Now I feel like I am apart of the community, so my perception changed. I can remember coming by here when I was younger and feeling like I would never fit in with a bunch of prep kids. But now that I have worked here almost four years, I can’t imagine working anywhere else.” Mr. Domboski will now see off his fourth graduating class at the end of this school year. But this year will be different. Those graduating this school year were Third Formers when he first
came to Haverford. His message to them is the following: “Just don’t rush to be adults, guys. Take your time and do things that you have fun with in your youth because you are going to hit a wall at some point in your future. You will, inevitably, come to a realization of life, and everything becomes much more serious. Don’t go out and party all the time, but just be… kids.” With faculty and staff members like Mr. Domboski, who perform their jobs with passion, Haverford gains something intangible: a brotherhood is born. With Haverford providing the platform, great people can shine. Mr. Domboski shines because of his character, dedication, and determination to bring joy to the people around him.
Sixth Formers closing out fall semester EUSHA HASAN ‘18 As the first semester winds down, Sixth Formers sigh in relief: first quarter grades are set and January 1 college applications are due in just a few weeks. Sixth Formers now look back at the seemingly-countless hours of schoolwork, college essays, and life balancing that has accompanied their transition from high school to college. The difficulty of the Sixth Form year stems from having to juggle so many obligations all at once. Sixth Former Satch Baker said, “I’ve had soccer, along with duties for my clubs and very hard classes, with applications on top of that.” The college process almost doubles the workload for Sixth Formers in the first semester. It all starts with standardized testing, which usually dominates Fifth Form year. Over the summer, most Sixth Formers begin their college search with a cross-country tour to visit institutions that pique their interest. After abbreviating their college lists, Sixth Formers spend the next few months in the most grueling stage: filling out applications and writing supplements. What makes college essays difficult is having to reflect on all four years of high school. “My biggest challenge this semester was writing college essays,” Sixth Former Zach Mattiola said. “I am applying to a decent amount of schools,
and many of them have multiple long essays. It has taken up the majority of my work load.” Each student has reacted uniquely to the huge leap from junior to senior year, when students are finally left to their own devices. Sixth Former Matt Baumholtz tackled the change with a laissez faire attitude. “I try and focus on the things I can control: relationships and work, not the decisions made by college admission committees,” Baumholtz said. Others confronted the change with a calculated, almost-obsessive approach to achieving the best outcome possible post-graduation. “I am constantly thinking about ways to write essays, whether I will be accepted to a school or not, and what schools I should apply to. The Common Application website is constantly open on my laptop,” Mattiola said. Throughout the college process, students developed their own approaches to managing stress. “What helps me cope is trying as much as I can to spend free time with friends instead of being alone and letting my mind have the room to wander and stress about the future,” Sixth Former Payton Hollway said. Mattiola takes a different approach to managing his college stress.“I think the thing that has
(L to R) Sixth Formers Charlie Cordisco, Chase McCollum, and Justin Meyer work and discuss homework in the library.
helped me cope with stress is video games,” he said. “Being able to just take 2-4 hours out of my day and just tune out the rest of the world is really invaluable.” While reflecting back on their high school careers, the Sixth Formers still debate one crucial question: Was junior year or senior year more difficult? Sixth Former Will Yoh said, “Junior year is definitely tough, and it helps prepare you for senior year, but [the] first couple months of senior year are very tough. The combination of challenging courses [and] college visits along with essays on top of sports is a lot. It is hard to get a lot of sleep as well.”
Get started on your application as soon as you possibly can. I started and finished my applications relatively early, and it created a lot of free time for me. Don’t wait until the week an application is due to start writing. -Zach Mattiola ’18
Christian Arakelian ’18 reads Hamlet in the library before school.
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Baumholtz said, “Junior year was harder because there was more work with no light at the end of the tunnel. “[During] [s]enior year, there are deadlines with college applications, a definitive end to the work. And the school understands we have essays, so they don’t put too much work on [us].” The Sixth Form, after enduring months of stress, wanted to impart wisdom to the Class of 2019. “Try to spend as much time as you can doing things YOU enjoy,” Holloway said. “Don’t spend all of your time with extracurriculars you don’t like or strictly academic assignments just because people say it will get you into college.” Mattiola offered college-oriented advice for avoiding unnecessary headaches during the first semester. “Get started on your application as soon as you possibly can,” Mattiola said. “I started and finished my applications relatively early, and it created a lot of free time for me. Don’t wait until the week an application is due to start writing.” Although the first semester has challenged the Sixth Formers in a completely unique way, they have grown wiser for it. Not only has it allowed them to evaluate “what [their] time at Haverford has meant,” as Baumholtz said, but has also given future Sixth Formers the opportunity to learn from the mistakes of their predecessors.
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FRANKLIN DAI ’21 Table tennis is an important part of our community, but what if it was suddenly taken away? A few weeks before winter break, the community room was a popular place to play ping pong, until students destroyed a wooden coffee table. As a result, Upper School Head Mr. Matthew Green confiscated the ping pong tables. Third Former Michael Tallarida said, “I do personally believe it is unfair, but I understand the consequences [Mr. Green] took towards it. I believe we should get a second chance.” Many Third Formers have complained that,
The Index - News
FRANKLIN DAI ’21
The community room presently lays empty, without any form of student entertainment.
because of a few students, the entire school would get punished. It was as if the actual ping pong table itself crashed down with the wooden table the students broke. “I don’t think they were trying to break the table, [they were] just leaning on it and unaware of what was going to happen if they kept leaning on it,” said Third Former Kieran Bradley, a witness to the event. Mistakes happen. Does the entire school deserve to be punished due to some students’ unintended mistakes? This was not the straw that broke the camel’s back, it was just one event that happened without warning to an already unstable
table.
It doesn’t really matter, but it has definitely taken a big part of the community away. It takes the community part of the community room.” -Cyril Leahy ’21 “It doesn’t really matter, but it has definitely taken a big part of the community away,” Third
December 2017
Former Cyril Leahy said. “It takes the community part of the community room.” Earlier in the year, much of the Third Form bonded over ping pong, with some friendly competition during free periods and before and after school. Many enjoyed the friendly competitions. Some students think there is not much to look forward to before or after school. Without the ping pong tables, few students choose to spend time in the community room. “It takes away the whole point of this room,” Leahy said.
Theft lockdown causes concern BEN FOSNOCHT ’21 Lockers click as Haverford athletes grudgingly enter two separate codes into the locks on their athletic lockers. After a serious assembly led by Athletic Director Mr. John Nostrant on Monday, November 27 regarding the major theft problem at Haverford, the athletic administration now expects students to attach a second lock to their personal athletics locker, on top of the one built into the locker. While some students are angered by this inconvenience, most understand the value of the extra protection against theft. The shock, however, comes from the realization of the damage to the Haverford brotherhood. “When you go to a school like this one, you don’t expect your things to get stolen,” Third Former Chase Cohen said.
I wish there was an environment of more trust where people wouldn’t steal things in the locker room. But because there are the few people that are sort of ruining the dynamic for us, we have to protect our things ourselves rather than trusting in the Haverford brotherhood. -Payton Hollway ’18 The majority of athletes used to leave their bags out on the floor during sports because many students forgot their locker combination, or even which locker belonged to them. Unfortunately, this seemingly convenient strategy led to stolen sports equipment. The extra lock stands as a possible solution to this problem. The “Brotherhood,” while present in athletics and
school, seemingly dissipates in certain areas.
As long as the people put their bags in the lockers instead of outside [of them], that it will solve it. -Pearse Glavin ’20 “I wish there was an environment of more trust where people wouldn’t steal things in the locker room,” Sixth Former Payton Hollway said. “But because there are the few people that are sort of ruining the dynamic for us, we have to protect our things ourselves rather than trusting in the Haverford brotherhood.” Students understand what the locker room has come to. No student wants to believe their items will be stolen, but an extra lock ensures the safety of their possessions. And while some students are unhappy with the provided solution, they have not come up with any better ideas. Third former George Lanchoney said, “It’s a shame that it has come to this, but I really think that it is necessary.” The source of the problem continues to be the loose bags in the locker room. While the convenience makes leaving bags out easy, the hassle of an extra lock may be worth the security of an athlete’s items. “As long as the people put their bags in the lockers instead of outside [of them], that it will solve it,” Fourth Former Pearse Glavin said. “I think it will solve both problems, just because they are cracking down on stuff on the ground, and then they are also putting an extra lock on [the locker], which people won’t be able to open.” BEN FOSNOCHT ’21
A secure locker on the ground floor of Wilson Hall.
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The Index - News
December 2017
Without sweater, students cold RYAN NGO ’21 The bare trophy case is still a strikingly unfamiliar sight for students walking by on the first floor of Wilson Hall. It leaves a harsh reminder to everyone of the loss on EA Day this year, and the student body now looks forward to the leaders next year. Rather than breaking under the pressure, the Fifth Formers are motivated and eager to reclaim the sweater next year. “Heading into the next EA Day,” Jason Chen, varsity Water Polo goalie said, “I think one of the most important things to do is to avoid dwelling on what happened this year.” Despite the fact that the water polo team defeated the Churchmen by a large margin on EA Day, they still receive the same amount of pressure to prepare for next year as the other teams. Incoming leaders next year, including Chen, who played a key role in the victory, will lead the team in the same direction as this year. He faces a new challenge, however, that will include motivating his teammates with a different goal in mind: vengeance. “Since it’s the first time that the golf team has lost EA day ever, it stings a little more. It’s different (to have to reclaim the sweater), but it’s great motivation for us rising seniors to work even harder,” varsity golfer David Hurly said. The golf team is an example of how unexpected results can occur at any time. They were the fan favorite coming into EA Day, with a nearly perfect
record under their belt. Ever since the addition of golf to EA Day in 2011, Haverford has never lost. Their loss will definitely leave a bruise and serve as an impetus for the increase work volume. Cross Country runner Khalil Bland said, “To be honest, it feels very strange. For most of my time here at Haverford I’ve only felt the feeling of protecting the sweater, and never chasing it. As a future leader, I plan to inspire the younger runners to push themselves mentally to win these tight races, such as the one we lost on EA Day.” The cross-country race was extremely tight. It came down to each second of the runners’ finishing times. Both teams were similar in depth and talent. The football team has very similar talent to Episcopal. The football Fords experienced a rather difficult regular season, ending with a record of 1-9. Despite the record, Haverford fans still expect a high-level performance from the team, which will be carried by its future leaders. “It definitely motivates us to know we can get the sweater back on our home field our senior year. That would be a very special way to finish our careers.” Starting varsity quarterback Ben Gerber, said. “I think the big thing for us next year is that most of our starters are returning. We were an inexperienced team this year, but a season of getting familiar with each other will allow us to yield a different result next season.”
We’ll see you next November, Sweater!
Big schedule change is right around the corner
WILL STAMBAUGH ‘27
REED HALPERT ’21 A school schedule can bring its students to complete boredom, but the school is formulating ways to create a schedule designed for the benefits of its students. After fifteen years of the current rotating schedule, the administration is working on a new schedule to implement next school year, designed for longer classes with more engaging lessons. The new schedule increases class periods, so classes can
dive deeper into material than they would have with the old schedule. English Department Chair Mr. Tom Stambaugh said, “We had things we were trying to do that our current schedule isn’t allowing us to do.” The schedule now sets up so every class meets four-to-five days a week, usually for 45 minutes and once for 80 minutes. The new schedule’s goal helps increase the amount of flexibility, as well as
The new schedule may vary class duration for different departments.
helping to delve deeper into the lesson plan for the day, so students gain a better understanding of the material. Fewer classes may mean less stress for students. “Above all, [a new schedule will provide] a lot more flexibility, facetime, and hopefully we can reduce your stress level. It should be beneficial to everybody,” said Spanish teacher Ms. Brooke Kenna.
REED HALPERT ’21
It seems as though most teachers are excited for the change, but some students have a different opinion. Some will benefit from the new schedule, because they will able to gain a deeper understanding of the material, so they can apply extra knowledge to tests and quizzes, while some students struggle with an 80-minute period. The idea of the new schedule benefits those who prefer a longer block, but teachers and administration are hoping it aids everyone. Still, some students tend to lose focus, and gradually become less interested in the topic at hand. Third Former A.J. Sanford said, “It’s not so much that I get tired, it’s that I start to lose interest.” Some students resist change, arguing they will not be able to learn as much in longer blocks. Schools around the world are making changes to fit the ideal needs of a student due to social media, news, and other sources have jabbed at the school system and attempted to protest it. Finland has become a prime example of a great system, with shorter days, and less homework, but there is not a system that makes everyone happy. Along with Sanford, others are content with the schedule now, and go about their day with little difficulty. The new schedule might present problems for students, because they need a change of scenery to reset. “I think it would be less beneficial because you learn more in a day,” Third Former Mac Zeller said. “You learn a lot more in a lot more classes.”
Page 7
The Index - News
December 2017
An interview with Mr. Green ADITYA SARDESAI ’20
MATTHEW SCHWARTZ ’21
Administration hopes drug survey clears the air
REED HALPERT ’21
JACK BALLENGER ’20 On the Monday following EA Week, the administration presented Upper Schoolers with a drug-and-alcohol use survey. Taking approximately thirty minutes, the indepth survey aimed to acquire knowledge about students’ exposure, use, and thoughts regarding drugs and alcohol. According to Dean of Students Mr. Mark Fifer, the aim of the survey was to collect data of actual use of drugs and alcohol in the school, student feelings about substance abuse, and to update the school’s health and wellness program. Mr. Fifer said the survey’s data from previous years has been published and is not confidential and also explained the anonymity of the survey. He mentioned that it is run by FCD (Freedom
from Chemical Dependency), a well-known organization. He elaborated that the login codes are randomly generated, and they are thrown away after the survey is completed by the student. Discarding the code results in the student not being able to be traced. Mr. Fifer clearly supports the survey, but students have a variety of opinions. A number of students stated that they believed the survey was useful in some way or another. “I can see why it would be useful for the school and the faculty to gage [student drug and alcohol use],” said Sixth Former Robert Manganaro. A few stated that they did not think the survey was useful. “Maybe some kids because of the anonymity answered questions incorrectly or un-
faithfully and that possibly affected the accuracy and neutrality of that test,” stated Fourth Former Yan Graf. The students also all said that they were honest in the survey. However, some stated that they believed others were dishonest in the survey. Students have different stances on the survey that the school conducts, and it is important that students express their honest opinions regarding improvements and modifications of the survey for the benefit of our community. Hopefully, the survey will lead to the mitigation of drug and alcohol use among the students. Alleviating this issue will require hard work from students and teachers but will be worth the time and effort.
JONNY SONNENFELD ‘20 remarked that there are “a lot of less cool guys, raging testosterone, and an inherent need to be unkind.” A sophomore at the Agnes Irwin School told me she believes Haverford students are “really dedicated to their athletics and supportive of their friends on and off the field.” By contrast, a student from Malvern Preparatory School said that he and his classmates “strongly despise Haverford students in general” and also added that Haverford boys have “an arrogant attitude and no respect.” Finally, he said the only thing that really would offend any of us: “The
What is your favorite memory of Haverford? I would say that would have to be watching my son graduate in 2016, his graduation year, when I read my excerpt from The Brothers Karamazov at the passing of the rosettes. That was especially moving for me because I had the opportunity to learn and teach alongside my son. Another great memory was a pretty famous one. A boy [Aditya Bhise ’16] was in ninth grade, and he got up in the talent show and sang “Hey Jude.” It was a bit awkward, and then the kids pulled out their phones and started to do this [wave it up above their head like it was a lighter].
What will you miss the most about Haverford? I think I’ll miss the general energy and jocularity of the student body and the faculty. There is kind of a boisterous joyful voice in the halls. I’ll certainly miss the vibe of the place.
How other schools perceive us Haverford School students have a reputation among the youth of the Main Line. Whether based on fact or not, everyone has an opinion about us; generally, I had assumed this opinion was negative and that all other schools held negative feelings about us. A sophomore from the Shipley School, along with his classmates, remarked, “Haverford students are nice guys who are fun to hang out with.” A student at the Friends’ Central School said, “My classmates and I believe that many Haverford students are really nice guys.” However, he also
Falmouth Academy in Massachusetts will receive a new Head of School next year: Mr. Matt Green. In his nine years at Haverford, Mr. Green has been an inspirational and caring leader.
rapping skills at Haverford are mediocre.” An Episcopal Academy sophomore told me that she and her classmates believe that, “around EA/AIS/Haverford Day, we all get a little aggressive” but “everybody that I know who goes to Haverford is always kind and well mannered to me.” However, the school the strongest opinions came from Baldwin, with several students eager to respond. One student explained, “Haverford boys, in my experience, are known to be closed minded and egotistical.”
What will you not miss? I’m not sure this is unique to Haverford or if it is a function of the modern age, but, the parts of my position I find least inspiring are transactional moments: the idea of, “I go to Haverford just so I can go to a certain college” and the accompanying stress level for students for whom that expectation has been internalized over the years. That notion of seeing them upset, stressed out, tired, or doing something that they do not want to do because of how outcome-oriented this school can be.
What made you decide to leave Haverford? I love Haverford; it’s been a fantastic nine years. I am a native New Englander, so the move brings me closer to home. For the most part, I am like many of the students at Haverford; that is that I constantly want to challenge and push myself and put myself in uncomfortable situations, so the idea of being Head of School at another school brings some new challenges for me. Haverford is at a point where I can look back with some degree of satisfaction and say that I am proud of what I have accomplished and what I’ve done, and see my changes. The school is a reflection of my priorities and my values. I’m not sure what else new I have to offer, and it’s probably good for the school to have a new set of eyes. I think that it is really important that people keep growing, changing, and challenging themselves.
Haverford is at a point where I can look back with some degree of satisfaction and say that I am proud of what I have accomplished and what I’ve done, and be proud of my accomplishments, and see my changes. -Mr. Matt Green Haverford students cheering on basketball during jorts night in 2013.
MS. DAWN BLAKE
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The Index - Opinions
December 2017
leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things; he is the one who gets the people to do the greatest things.” With Mr. Green, that has certainly been true: Haverford has produced a world-class robotics program, national-champion athletic teams, one of the first Mindfulness courses for high school students in the world, awardwinning student publications, and developed partnerships with schools on almost every continent. So, while Haverford should certainly search for a capable new leader, no single person defines the whole community; he simply helps us grow as a community.
It will certainly be difficult to replace somebody like Mr. Green. But, with the input of students, faculty members, parents, and alumni, we can find somebody almost as influential — somebody who can poke fun at himself, somebody who understands the needs of those around him, somebody who can shed a tear while reading his favorite quotation to over four-hundred people, and above all, somebody who understands that, “Respect from boys is hard-earned, but once you have attained it, you can expect them to run through a wall for you.”
Can Mr. Green be replaced? WILLIAM HENDERSON ’18 An adroit wordsmith, a quirky sense of humor, and an accomplished intellectual — combine all of these qualities and more, and you get Haverford’s Upper School head for the past nine years. Sadly, however, Mr. Green will be leaving his post at Haverford this summer as he transitions into a new role as the head of Falmouth Academy in Massachusetts. So, as we say goodbye to Mr. Green, it calls into question the qualities for which we will look in our new leader, and in particular, how to replace somebody who has had such a far-reaching impact. There is no particular type of person that should be the new head. After all, the current one teaches a Utopian literature class, competes in an annual wing-eating contest, is an avid fan of Project Runway, and coaches basketball. There are, however, several qualities the next head should have. First, an ideal Upper School head does not look down on the people he leads; instead, he is one of those people, and he simply leads from within. The head must involve himself in every aspect of the school. He must make himself vulnerable but not a spectacle, confident but not pretentious, and engaged but not inattentive. He must possess the capacity to lead adults but maintain the accessibility to lead his students. In what was Mr. Green’s most impactful speech,
GASPARD VADOT ’18
he told us what is most important is that, “your story must matter to me, and my story ought to matter to you, and if they matter enough, they will become our shared story, and maybe then we’ll change history.” It was then that I realized a job title — even a marriage title for that matter — does not have to mean anything. Arbitrary dichotomization based on social or employment rank means almost nothing. At Haverford, the proverbial “most important” people open themselves to the proverbial “less important” people, and the head of the Upper School plays a critical role in setting that tone. The most important quality the new head must have is to embrace every pillar of Haverford’s community. At its core, this school is a place that prepares students for a future that will be different from the past, and as such, the next head must be able to adapt for that future. Whether it is embracing new technological integration in the classroom, calling for change when he believes it to be necessary, or accepting change when people ask for it, the Upper School head needs to encourage adaptation to new environments. Just as Mr. Green has helped integrate new teaching methods, more helpful classroom technology, a modernized schedule, and redesigned portions of the building itself, the new head needs to be equally as responsive without overstepping the need for such change. Reagan once eloquently stated, “The greatest
Do students care enough about service?
According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, more Americans volunteer each year with organizations in their communities and sometimes abroad. Yet, in my time at Haverford, the overarching feeling is that fewer people attend community service events. Our community service system relies on students volunteering because they care about the cause. When people stop caring about a cause in particular, or simply about service in general, problems arise. Unfortunately, Haverford has to deal with that exact problem: too many of the students here simply do not care enough about community service. This year, my Sixth Form year at Haverford, we collected fewer turkeys and made fewer lunches at our PB&J event in collaboration with EA and AIS than we did in previous years. This combination
of low numbers might be an unfortunate coincidence, a slight dip in our performance, which is overall a positive improvement. I struggle to believe that though, as I have noticed that fewer and fewer people attend service events. Too many times I have attended a community service event to find that, other than the few Service Board students who were told to come, fewer than a half-dozen Haverford boys showed up. I would comfortably defend the idea that the majority of students here at Haverford are fortunate enough to live in a world where getting clean water and a place to sleep is not something they have ever had worry about. Most students have never gone a whole day without eating a meal and been forced to go to sleep on an empty stomach and no promise of food in the morning either. We are extremely fortunate for that, and for the education we get here. But it is imperative that
The Upper School Office will soon house a new Head of Upper School.
we remember that we are not living the life of the average American. There is injustice in the world. There is poverty, disease, hunger. These are problems that the national and global population will have to deal with for many more years to come. Students at Haverford may not have the tools to solve world poverty, but Haverford does provide students with the opportunity to at least help fight these injustices on a local level. Yet, more and more students do not take advantage of these opportunities. I would hope that those students that I never see at service events volunteer on their own time, with entities separate from the school community, but something tells me that is a rather idealistic view of the student body. Volunteering attendance is down and donations are low. I think Haverford is aware of the problems our community faces because they are getting the education through assemblies, student announcements, poster boards and guest speakers. During the Service Assembly at the beginning of the year, the Service Board clearly states its mission along with an explanation of the problems at hand, ranging from cancer to homelessness. So the education is there, which is why I conclude that most of the school community just does not care enough to do anything about it, a conclusion that is strongly supported by the
Barrett Spragg ‘19, Luke Kania ‘19 and Benji Banarach ’18 at this fall’s Buddy Walk.
MS. JINI LOOS
INDEX STAFF
snickers coming from the crowd as Service Board members take the stage to discuss the monstrosity of the problem that is hunger in our community. Naturally, this means we need to fundamentally change the way we view service as a school. What can I do as a member of the Service Board, what can we do as a community, to create interest and increase participation for these events? I would like to discard this school-wide lack of enthusiasm for service as a mistake from the Service Board in terms of advertising and promotion of these events, but I doubt that would really justify all of our shortcomings relative to other years. Agnes Irwin has a community service requirement of 40 hours over the course of all of high school. That is ten hours a year, which is a relatively large number compared to the 0 hours that Haverford requires. Despite 40 hours over four years not being a huge requirement, there still tends to be more Agnes Irwin students than Haverford students at community service events. I realize that it should not be a competition, but considering Agnes Irwin is a smaller school than Haverford in terms of enrollment, I think there is a problem with that statistic. Community service should not be something forced upon the student body by the school, but at this point, volunteer participation is not enough to get people to donate their time. The truth is that a service hour requirement would not be as restrictive as people think, since there are so many diverse opportunities for service events, and the Service Board is always open to new ideas from students for service events that they would want to participate in or create. I previously said that community service should not be a competition, but if you ask one of the twelve students (ten of whom were seniors) who attended PB&J club a little under a month ago, they can testify that a competition might be exactly what we need. Episcopal had nearly ten times more students there because it was part of their form competitions for EA week. Without their energetic participation, it is highly unlikely that we would have made the number of lunches that we ended up making. I do not know where this indifference to service in a large part of the student body comes from, and I do not know how to fight it. Awareness is important: we need to be aware of events, and we need to be aware of the fact that we must create a massive cultural shift in our community in regards to service, outreach, and helping others. I think the best solution would be to give a servicehour requirement, although I do appreciate that the students at this school have numerous other time commitments. I do not expect any of our lives to be so overwhelming that we can not give one or two hours a week to help out somebody in need.
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The Index - Opinions
December 2017
We are The Sweater SAMUEL TURNER ’18 November strikes, and I don my #800000 and #ffb300 — or as many know them, maroon and gold. I dust off my uncle’s Haverford School Swimming varsity jacket. The words “Brian Englander ’90” adorn the jacket in crisp gold lettering. I am reminded of old man Travis Hudson giving his son’s leather jacket to Wolverine. This memento bonds me in blood and sweat to Brian and to all Fords past and present. And such is the tradition of Spirit Week. Day one, the Sixth Formers won Trivia and stormed the stage together. I would storm the stage with such a fine group of men in both triumph and in defeat. Day two, the Sixth Formers fell in the semifinals of Dodgeball. We stormed the stage together the day before, and on day two, we left Dodgeball together. Day three, Liam James rickrolled the crowd, and we ran onto stage, singing along as a class. Let’s dance. Day four, the student body witnessed the last of Miska Abrahams and Mr. Green’s wing-eating campaigns. But, Haverford men will always eat wings in front of each other; we make ourselves vulnerable and are our truest selves together. After golf fell valiantly fell to EA, I tried to remember where The Sweater lied in Wilson Hall, when I saw it last, and whether it may have a new home this year. I didn’t realize that The Sweater warmed Wilson Hall since my third grade year, I scolded myself for not having appreciated it more, and I wondered if I would ever see The Sweater again as a student. Then came Saturday. Not the day EA won the sweater, but rather the day I saw my brothers fight. I arrived on EA’s campus not as an athlete, but with a colorless box of colored newspapers. Distributing The Index humbles me with pride — pride that I imagine was coursing through the veins of every athlete that day. When I handed out The Index to EA students, some accepted and then dropped it (perhaps unable to understand its depth), others respectfully passed (preferring their own “newspaper”), and yet others did a little trash-talking (and I asked them to speak up). But behind me, next to me, and around me were a community of Fords. Cheering on Haverford were Mr. Keefe and
Mr. Stambaugh, who have helped me through Smurflore and grammatical crises. Clasping the soccer ball was Bobby Stratts, with whom I saw my first Harlem Globetrotters game. Inspiring the fan section was Joe Dignazio, who I sit across from in physics class every day. Swimming across the pool was Ryan Sanfilippo, who debated alongside me in the World War I Trials. In every Ford that day I saw an honest and striving man, uniting for a cause bigger than themselves. Such are the moments and people I will always cherish. Critics will claim that every school has this culture, or at least that every private school has this culture, or at the very least that every private allboys school has this culture. That may be so, but cheering, chanting, and breaking bleachers makes unique an inapplicable term. In the last few minutes of the football game, we all knew that we would be the first Sixth Form class in ten years to lose The Sweater. That stings. It stings today, and it will still sting 30 years later. But what I will eventually forget is the score of the football game. And soon I will also forget what sports we lost. And one day I may even forget whether or not we won. All I will remember is the glory of cheering with my brothers.
When I returned to school on Monday and empathized with despondent peers, I realized that we never lost The Sweater -- because we are The Sweater. We are that something important, dear, and precious to each other. When I returned to school on Monday and empathized with despondent peers, I realized that we never lost The Sweater -- because we are The Sweater. We are that something important, dear, and precious to each other. I went straight to the glass case outside Dr.
Please sign here
ALEX EADS ’20
The trophy case outside of Dr. Nagl’s office missing the sweater for the first time in ten years.
Nagl’s office. Like discovering your parents aren’t perfect, I realized Haverford isn’t perfect either, but we find true perfection in imperfection. The bigger they are, the harder they fall, but the harder they fall, the bigger they must be to rise again. EA Day is a rivalry: The Sweater should be exchanged. With doubts about EA’s competence as
Is Haverford “soft” for giving fewer exams?
TYLER ZIMMER ‘20 The first thing that students rush to do when an assessment is placed on their desks is to write their name. Therefore, the first thing that teachers do when they sit down to grade our work is read the name because it is at the top. There are two types of questions on assessments given to students. Questions with one unambiguous answer are the first kind and consist of fill in the blanks, multiple choices, and math problems. Bias towards students could not affect the scores and results of these answers. Therefore, when the answers to questions on assessments are unambiguous, students should be required to write their names to make it easier for the teacher. On the other hand, sometimes assessments have writing aspects to test the student’s knowledge and expand upon it using their judgment, opinions, and writing skills. Examples of these types of tests could be short-answer questions or in-class essays. Students can create a reputation for themselves if they have a trend or history of a certain score or ability. This could impact the teacher’s predetermined range of outcomes for the individual. For example, English and History argumentative essays can be viewed many ways depending on the interpretation that the teacher has on the student’s style. If they know who wrote the essay, and know that their previous essays have been written with lackluster effort, then they may have a set notion
our rivals and without an EA Day shirt this year, Haverford will only benefit from this prickly jolt. What I will remember from EA Day is my wingeating brothers, supporting each other every step of the way, in the best of times and in the worst of times.
OBAIDA ELAMIN ‘20 that the current essay will be subpar. This could affect the grade in two ways. If the essay is better than the student’s usual, the teacher could give him a higher grade than he should have received. The other case is that the teacher connects the students to poor writing and gives a poor grade even if the essay is better than usual. Instead, teachers should not require the student to submit the assessment with their name on it to create a more even playing field and have the students collect their work after it has been graded.
I actually go out of my way to ensure the name does not create bias. For example, I will grade the last part of an essay first or cover the name prior to grading. Haverford School students are lucky to have great teachers who care about our education. One of our teachers stated, “I actually go out of my way to ensure the name does not create bias. For example, I will grade the last part of an essay first or cover the name prior to grading.” Unfortunately, this does not happen everywhere so not everyone has the same, fair learning experience that we do.
“The fewer exams the better,” said Fourth Former Johnny Sonnenfeld. This year, the administration decided to change the way exams are scheduled. Instead of every course and elective having an exam both semesters, it either has a midterm or a final — except for math, which has both. The decision was part of the new series of changes happening to our curriculum including a schedule change, which includes fewer but longer classes. The middle school tried this out this past week and is asking its student body how it feels about the new system. Haverford is not too soft for giving fewer exams. Many European countries receive a lot of praise for their systems that have fewer exams and work better. Many studies show that exams are not as necessary for some subjects, and projects are more efficient for others. Finland’s system only requires students to take one exam at the age of 16. Its high school graduation rate is 93% and its college acceptance rate is 66%. Math has both a final and a midterm because it usually requires more repetition and solidification. The new exam schedule is taking pressure and weight off of a lot of people’s backs, and some members of the student body are unsure about the new change. “I like the fact that our exams account for less of our grade,” said Fourth Former Aditya Sardesai. This is good for some people because they may not perform as well in an exam
environment. Therefore, doing poorly on an exam does not hurt their grade as much, but the exams still have enough significance that performing well comes with its benefits. After returning from winter break, students have until the end of January (when the semester ends) to “redeem” their grade. Some students are confused why some classes have midterms and not finals but not vice versa. Most students consider Spanish a cumulative class and think that it should have a final but not a midterm. Most people think it is fair that math has both a final and a midterm since it builds on previous topics learned and knowing previous topics is essential to progression.
Many students dislike the fact that we lost a full week of winter break and do not know if it is worth fewer exams. Many students dislike the fact that we lost a full week of winter break and do not know if it is worth fewer exams. This change does not show that Haverford is soft, and, generally, it seems to sit well with the student body This is just the first institution to make the Upper School better, more efficient, and more effective in teaching.
Page 10
The Index - Sports
December 2017
Miller reflects on his final season DANIEL CHOW ’20
For the second year in a row, Sixth Form squash captain Peter Miller will be playing for Team USA’s junior squash team. Miller will participate in multiple elite international tournaments. For him, representing the country last year was a major accomplishment, and this year he hopes to take it to the next level. “It had always been a goal of mine,” Miller said. “Now that I am playing again for Team USA this year, I am very excited to prove myself at the British Open. It is a great group of very strong players and some close friends, and I am looking forward to how I do in the upcoming competitions.” Apart from the US National team, Miller also plays a key role for the school’s own prestigious squash team, placing number one on the ladder. His exceptional athleticism, work ethic, and leadership make him a valuable asset to the program and also earned him the role of captain. Last year, as part of their victory at the U.S. High School Team Squash Championships, the largest squash tournament in the world, Miller won a crucial game in the finals and defeated longtime friend and rival Max Finkelstein. “It was one of the longest matches I have ever played. I remember the long-ending rally that I won the match on. After a minute of running around the court diving and just barely getting to balls, I put in a drop shot and saw Max desperately dive to get it but hit the tin. I looked back at all my teammates jumping around with excitement, and I threw my glasses and racket down and ran out of the court and celebrated with them,” Miller said. Under the instruction of coach Mr. Asad Khan, Miller, and captains Samuel Turner and Grant Sterman hope to lead Haverford to another national championship victory. In addition to these accolades, Miller also has received first team
All Inter-Ac and first team All MASA — two years in a row. Aside from his team accomplishments, Miller is achieving success on his own. Currently ranked fifth in the nation for the U19-age division,
Miller competes in various solo tournaments and, due to his high rank, the elite Junior Champion Tour events. Recently, Miller’s numerous honors caught the eye of The University of Virginia, a Division I university and Miller’s university of
choice. “I am very excited about playing squash for The University of Virginia,” Miller said. “It is truly a dream come true: playing for the college that I have been wanting to go to since middle school.”
Peter Miller ’18 lines up for a drive during the 2017 MASA Championship against Springside Chestnut Hill Academy.
MR. JIM ROESE
What will it take to repeat last year’s squash success? P.J. RODDEN ’18 The vibrancy and life of the squash courts are buzzing once again. In the showcase just a few steps from the courts, the Justi Cup serves as a reminder of the success and talent that the program has accumulated. Last year, after a triumphant run to first place, the Fords beat their biggest rival, The Brunswick School, to earn the title 2017 High-School Champions. Months of trust, preparation, and immense dedication went into winning the Justi Cup, and the Fords are not ready to give up their title this year. After featuring one of the best high-school squash lineups in the country, the team has grad-
uated three core players from last year’s team. “The Class of 2017 was an integral aspect of the incredible season the squash team had this past year,” said Captain Grant Sterman. “Duncan Joyce, Will Glaser, and Bill Wu were members of the national championship-winning team. All of last years seniors have left a significant impact on our team and we will do our best to continue their legacy this upcoming season. Reflecting Sterman’s optimism, the team’s new lineup has shown confidence that they can repeat last year’s results. The leadership of Head Coach Asad Khan and the presence of Sixth Formers Samuel Turner, Peter Miller, and Grant Sterman have set the tone for the season. Wanting to bring back similar suc-
cess that the alumni have left, the captains are aware of the challenges that they will face during the season. This year, however, the season is off to a sluggish start. With the core lineup not in place, injuries have plagued the team. Sterman, who had a tremendous impact last year, will not be able to play until late January, causing a significant setback in the lineup. Expected to play in the number-two spot, the rest of the team will now move up one spot to fill his void. Sterman’s absence will test how the Fords can respond and compete with other teams in their current condition. On December 2, the varsity squad spent the day in Greenwich, Connecticut, to play Brunswick, the team the Fords beat in the finals of last
Grant Sterman ’18 takes on a rival from Springside Chestnut Hill Academy last year.
MR. JIM ROESE
year’s national championship. The highly anticipated matchup proved to be a crippling loss, an 8-1 defeat. Despite the scoreline, the Fords remain optimistic given the timing of the match and the setbacks already within the team. With the wounds still fresh, the Fords will be able to amend their mistakes from the match in Connecticut and focus on what needs to be done so that they have the opportunity to face Brunswick again at Nationals. Competing against arguably the best team in the country in front of their home crowd, the Fords have been exposed to the intensity, competitiveness, and high pressured environments at such an early point in the season. Leading up to Nationals, the Fords will benefit from their Inter-Ac schedule and use each match to become more comfortable on the court and ultimately grow stronger as a team. The lack of any comparable skill from the local schools will set the Fords up for possibly another M.A.S.A championship and an Inter-Ac title. For Haverford Squash, the team can only grow stronger after their first loss to Brunswick. In just two months, the Fords will take center stage at Nationals held in Philadelphia to prove their talent against teams across the country. Between then, enough time will allow each player to hone their skills and become the best player they can possibly be. The maroon typhoon is just beginning to take shape and ready to unleash its power and unveil the immeasurable talent of Haverford Squash. “Losing to Brunswick in that fashion makes us hungry for Nationals,” Turner said. “If we want to contend for the national title again, we’re going to have to put in the work. I believe in everyone on the team and that, with a huge home crowd behind us, we’ll keep the Justi Cup at Haverford this year.”
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The Index - Sports
December 2017
Nelson nets big expectations BO BRADY ’20 Fords basketball netted a 20-4 overall record and a 6-2 Inter-Ac record last year, though this was not enough for Fifth Former Jameer Nelson. “Nelson is a great player with all-around skill,” says teammate Kharon Randolph. “The energy on the court, defensively, he’s everywhere. He’s very athletic. It’s like a different-level athletic. Three plays in a row, you’ll watch him grab a rebound, catch a crazy pass, [and] lay it up.” This type of athleticism and effort is all over the court this year for the Fords. Nelson hopes to use his athleticism and skill to bring the Fords the Inter-Ac title. Some things will have to change
this year. “Losing, we never want to lose the Inter-Ac again,” Nelson said. “We never want to experience that feeling again.” Nelson and his teammates certainly have the skill and determination to win. “[There is a] 100% chance of dominance this year, without a doubt,” Nelson said. The sharpshooter worked extremely hard in the offseason, working out in the weight room and taking shots in the gym. Still, he’s trying to improve his game, especially, “Finishing close to the rim and working on my left hand.”
Hoopsters aim high MATT MIGNUCCI ’20 Usually, the hardest part about starting a new season at the high school level is dealing with the loss of last season’s seniors. With Haverford’s basketball team, that isn’t a problem. After an impressive 19-7 season last year (7-3 Inter-Ac) with a team consisting of just Fourth Formers and Fifth Formers, the Fords are excited about this upcoming season. “I believe we gel really well as a team,” Sixth Former Kharon Randolph said. “I’ve been here with two coaches and three completely different
teams [in terms of ] the style of play and talent. This is definitely the team that I think knows each other the most. We all love to play with each other and with a year under our belt with each other, it can only get better. We are looking forward to having another successful season.” Though the Fords had a great season last year, considering their amount of coaching and playing experience compared to their opponents, the season still did not end exactly how they had hoped.
Jameer Nelson ’20 driving in against Shipley last year.
My message to the student body is that we haven’t won a championship since 1999. I think it would be great [...] to see an Inter-Ac champion in basketball. The only way to make this possible is to have everyone’s support from the beginning to end. -Kharon Randolph ’18
The fan section cheers on basketball versus Penn Charter last year.
MR. JIM ROESE
“We realize if we fix a couple of mistakes we made in those three of the last five games of the Inter-Ac, we are champions. We understand that,” Randolph said. “The way things ended last year has only fueled and motivated us as a whole. Last year, we were young. Now, we are stronger and better with the same exact team. Our expectations are very high. We have a really
MR. JIM ROESE
tough schedule prior to the Inter-Ac which will prepare us for that. Our expectations are to win those ten games. That’s what is important for us, but we have a great team that can also win more. Our mentality is next rep, next play, next practice, next game. We have to stay in the moment. We also have to stay level-headed, don’t get too high, or too low.” Other than the coaches and players, a key component to all of Haverford’s sports teams success is because of our unmatched student body. Randolph has been a part of the student body for four years now. “My message to the student body is that we haven’t won a championship since 1999. I think it would be great for the classes of ‘18, ‘19, ‘20, and ‘21 to see an Inter-Ac champion in basketball,” Randolph said. “The only way to make this possible is to have everyone’s support from the beginning to end. It goes a long way. I know you guys are expecting big things from us, but we are also expecting things from you.”
McCollum wrestles with future Grapplers hungry for EA TOBY MA ’20
NICK PIPPIS ’19
Sixth Former Chase McCollum looks forward to what the wrestling season has to offer. As a wrestler for twelve years and now captain of the wrestling team, McCollum hopes that he can repeat the success of the 2016-2017 season. Last year, wrestling head coach Mr. Greg Hagel led the team to victories against Germantown Academy, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, and the Episcopal Academy, as well as a good showing at the Buckley Duals.
undaunted by the extra challenge when the
Our team goal is to place top three at the PAISAA championships. -Chase McCollum ’18
team eventually competes. As a senior c a p t a i n , McCollum will “step up” into a greater leadership role, guiding the team into what will certainly be many future victories. “Our team is not naturally as gifted, so we’re going to need to outwork every opponent,” said McCollum.
At the 2017 PAISAA Wrestling State Championships, the Fords placed fourth. Individually, McCollum placed third at the tournament, but this year he is working to go beyond in his athletic achievement. “My personal goal is to place at the National Prep Championships,” said McCollum, “and our team goal is to place top three at the PAISAA championships. I am expecting to have a good year with the all the extra work I’ve put in.” Since McCollum was a captain of the team last season as well, he is slightly worried about the overall skill of Haverford wrestlers, but he is
Wrestling is back. The team is ramping up for yet another successful season for the 2017 year. Many team members are optimistic about their potential for success this season. The first real test will be the upcoming “Beast of the East” Wr e s t l i n g tournament, one of the top wrestling tournaments in the country. Usually, three or four of the team’s top players will be sent out to represent Haverford. If they manage to come out successful in the tournament, it would be a great way for the team to start o f f MR. JIM ROESE the season, giving the Fords the Chase McCollum ’18 momentum they need going into wrestling against GA the bulk of their intense season. last year. Despite all the potential for the team this year, they still face a few challenges, one of which is the Fords’ young roster. Although this means great things for the
wrestling program’s future, it raises question of the team’s success this year. In addition, the Fords’ success in the Inter-Ac this year is also a question. Many express some concern towards Malvern Prep, a Philadelphiaarea wrestling juggernaut. Malvern wrestling is currently ranked within the top five in the country.
Although Malvern is a bit of a powerhouse, I suspect that we should be successful against every other team in the Inter-Ac. -Michael Clymer ’18 Despite all the uncertainty, Sixth Former Michael Clymer had many positive things to say about the upcoming Inter-Ac season. “Although Malvern is a bit of a powerhouse, I suspect that we should be successful against every other team in the Inter-Ac,” Clymer said. Another big question is how successful the Fords will be against their rivals Episcopal Academy. “We are going to whack ‘em,” Clymer said.
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Rumain leads on the ice JONNY SONNENFELD ’20 Coming off of a league championship-winning season, the Fords puck team hope to keep last year’s momentum. Sixth Form captain Grey Rumain will play a major role in this team’s success. Rumain came to Haverford as a Third Former after having already played six years of hockey. Starting in 2007, Rumain immediately knew that it was the right sport for him. He said his favorite part of Haverford is “the relationships [he has] been able to build over the last four years.” “My finest moment playing hockey at Haverford was definitely last year in the championship game,” Rumain said. “I think that that was one of the most exciting experiences of my life. Just the overall atmosphere and the journey to get there was just incredible, and we did it with a good group of guys.” Rumain’s success on the rink did not come instantly. Rather, it took ten years of hockey for him to become what he is today. Many people find it challenging to balance the school’s rigorous academics with exceptional athletic demands. Rumain said, “It is definitely rough for me while hockey is going on. Haverford does a nice job of balancing sports and academics and realizing that there are student-athletes and that athletics is a big part of their lives.” “We lost a lot of good Sixth Formers,” Rumain said, “but I don’t think that will dictate the way we play this year. [The team] right now is looking pretty spectacular.” The Fords have started their season with a close preseason loss to St. Mark’s School, but they are on an upward trajectory tying their second preseason game. Rumain, along with many other seniors, is coping with his final year and his last hockey season. “It is pretty rough,” Rumain said. “It has dawned on me a couple of times and every time I realize it, I know I need to make the best of it while I can, hanging out with the guys that I am with — my friends and my brothers — and trying to make it a great season and enjoy every second of it.
The Index - Sports
December 2017
Scheuritzel to train all winter
EUSHA HASAN ’18
Sixth Former Tim Scheuritzel has been one of the top rowers on the Haverford crew team for several years. In the four years he has been rowing, Scheuritzel has won several regattas, both for Haverford and for the Conshohocken Rowing Center summer program, which draws rowers from local rowing teams. He has also rowed at some of the most prestigious regattas in the world, such as the Royal Canadian Henley and the Royal Henley Regatta in Henley, England. Since he started rowing his Third Form year, he has rowed in several different boats. “I’ve also been in some pretty successful doubles and quads during the summer seasons the past few years,” Scheuritzel said. “Aside from that, I rowed in a pretty gnarly four at City Championships my sophomore year. We took second place after only a week of rowing together.” Another memorable boat was the eight that rowed at the Henley Royal Regatta this past
summer. The team worked hard to prepare. “We dealt with a fair amount of pressure to perform and execute. We recognized the prestige of HRR and the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity it presented, so we all wanted to just get on the river, pull hard, and get the win,” Scheuritzel said. Unfortunately, the Haverford eight lost to Deerfield Academy in the qualifying race for semifinals. Still, the trip created some good memories. “I’ll always cherish the bonds I built during both Henley Prep and in England,” Scheuritzel said. “The experiences with the guys and the relationships formed will definitely stick with me.” For Scheuritzel, the most successful boat was a double that he rowed over the summer for the Conshohocken Rowing Center in 2016. He rowed with another rower from Malvern Prep. “We won all the local Philly races pretty easily. Our first real challenge came at Club Nationals, where we placed 2nd by a second or two,” Scheuritzel said. “The highlight of that boat, and
probably my rowing career thus far, was winning Canadian Henley.” Scheuritzel notes that the team had a successful fall season. “We rowed a quad and four and did well at every regatta. The four came in second at both Navy Day and Head of the Schuylkill, while the quad also placed at both regattas. I also rowed a 2x at Head of the Schuylkill with Thomas Russell, which we won,” Scheuritzel said. Outside of school, Scheuritzel uses his erg to improve his condition. He also says that he loves running. Scheuritzel will Princeton University next year. Over the winter, Scheuritzel hopes to get his two-thousand-meter time to around 6:25. He expects the team will work hard through the winter and will get in the best shape for the spring season. “We’ll be a problem for the competition later this year,” Scheuritzel said.
MR. JIM ROESE
Tim Scheuritzel ’18 (center) pulling hard at the 2017 Stotesberry Regatta.
Boratto barrels beyond expectations GASPARD VADOT ’18 Olympic-trial qualifier, the holder of ten school records, and five-time Easterns Prep champion, Alex Boratto is the school’s most accomplished swimmer in history. He began swimming for Haverford in seventh
grade. Led by Boratto, Haverford’s program has grown tremendously in the past several years. “My favorite moment,” Boratto said, “was winning the Inter-Ac for the first time ever in school history.” Last season, the team captured their first Inter-Ac championship in sixty-seven years over
Alex Boratto ’18 will swim for Stanford University next year.
MR. JIM ROESE
Malvern. In that meet, Boratto won two key individual races, the 200-meter freestyle, and 100-meter freestyle, both in record time. The Fords also placed second at the Eastern Preps Swimming Championships. Boratto placed first in two individual events, the 200-yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke. Despite his many successes at Haverford, Boratto still is not completely satisfied. In his sixth and final season, Boratto believes he and the team still have more to achieve. “This year I want to win the Inter-Ac again for the second year in a row and place higher than we did as a team last year for Easterns,” Boratto said. Led by Boratto, the Swimming and Diving Team is due for a very successful season. Despite losing key Sixth Formers from last season, the team makes up for it with a strong Third Form class. Both Episcopal and Malvern boast extremely strong teams. The team will rely on Boratto’s leadership and work ethic more than ever to propel them to another league title. To help Haverford repeat as Inter-Ac champions and place higher at Easterns, Boratto recognizes that he must continue to work hard in practice and push his teammates. He credits his father for his work ethic and his ability to motivate others. “The person who has had the biggest influence on my career is my dad,” Boratto said. “He is the one who has been with me from the start, pushing me to new levels and making sure that I always do my best.” Like other competitive swimmers, Boratto stresses the importance of training in the morning. Every morning during the school year, Boratto is training. He believes that morning practices are important supplements to his afternoon practices. “My dad is also the one who has been getting up at 5 a.m. every morning with me to drive me to practice even when I really didn’t want to go,” said Boratto.
Aquamen prep for season RYAN LAROCCA ’20 Last year, the Haverford School swimming and diving team did something it has never done under head coach Sean Hansen: win an Inter-Ac championship. The 2016-2017 Chlorine Fords finished undefeated with a record of 6-0 (5-0 Inter-Ac), and the Fords look once again to win the Inter-Ac championship. They return strong with Sixth Formers Alex Boratto, John Nelligan, T.J. Brooks, and Matthew LaRocca. In addition, Fifth Former J.R. Leitz and Fourth Formers Brian Brennan, Antonio Octaviano, and Zach Sumner will strengthen the team. Last year, the Fords lost some valuable competitors to graduation. The addition of some new divers from all forms, and some Third Form swimmers should fill the void. Third Formers Jack Deppen and Pierre Koenig look to make a name for themselves as the top swimmers in their class. LaRocca said, “We have some strong freshmen like Jack and Pierre who will be a huge difference this year and in the future.” To once again win the Inter-Ac title, the Fords need to win some essential meets this season. Two of the most difficult will be against Episcopal Academy and Malvern. Both teams have strong incoming freshman classes. Nelligan said, “Both have very good divers and some fast swimmers.” With the help of the new freshmen class and more experienced divers, the Fords can finish undefeated once again. Their first league meet, against Germantown Academy, is on January 5. In this meet, the Fords hope to assert dominance and win.
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The Index - Politics
December 2017
Democrats gain in elections YAN GRAF ’20
While flying somewhat under the radar, the recent off-year elections held in states across the country have caused many people to make bold predictions about the political mood of the country. Gubernatorial races were held in New Jersey and Virginia, as well as countless local and state assembly elections across the country, including even in our own area. In Delaware, Montgomery, and Chester County, voters went to the polls to elect local positions like Sheriff and County Board members. Democrats had a good showing one year after the disastrous 2016 elections, winning both the New Jersey and Virginia Gubernatorial races, unseating Republicans in the process. Several leading Democrats contend that the victories are a symptom of a “blue wave”— a reaction to the low approval ratings Donald Trump has endured for the first year of his presidency. Supposedly, this blue wave will carry Democrats to even greater victories in the more important 2018 elections, where a third of all senate seats are up for grabs. But is there really a “blue wave” forming in our nation? Do the recent Democratic victories spell doom for the Republicans in 2018? Or, are these nothing but exaggerated interpretations of minor victories due to the opposition party being in power? The answer lies somewhere in between. While these local elections may be technical defeats for the Republicans, they do not necessarily mean that Democrats will win big in 2018. However, these elections do show weaknesses in the Republican stronghold, and that the Trump-train can be beat. The gubernatorial races were the most significant of the local elections. In New Jersey, voters decided whether they want a Republican
YAN GRAF ’20 With the Trump Administration well into its first year, big changes in all industries are inevitable. The automotive industry in particular can expect much change, especially with the President’s focus on keeping jobs in the hands of Americans and building more products domestically. This year, however, with a rapidly growing economy and the technology industry ever expanding, innovations in the automotive industry have skyrocketed. There have been many advancements in safety, autonomous, and alternative intelligence technology throughout
or Democrat to replace Chris Christie, who is in his bumpy, final term as governor. Phil Murphy, the Democratic candidate, handily defeated republican Kim Guadagno. New Jersey is a solidly blue state, having voted Blue in the past three presidential elections. Having a Republican governor like Chris Christie in the state is more of an exception than the norm. Phil Murphy also did not beat Kim Guadagno by a particularly big margin, with the split roughly being 60-40. The more important gubernatorial races were in Virginia, which pitted moderate Ralph Northam against Trump-lite Ed Gillespie. Ed Gillespie had similar positions to Trump on key issues like Confederate statues and the NFL controversy and used similar tactics in his campaign. This race was almost a replay of the election last year, where a moderate Democrat competed against a populist Trump-like Republican. However, this time the Democrats have clinched this state with a big margin, partly due to the lack of third-party candidates. This is especially important due to Virginia being an important battleground state, with many saying this is a sign of things to come. However, this election displays both parties’ strengths and weaknesses. In reality, Democrats won relatively unimpressive victories in the two states that they have won for years. Other elections had no significant results either, with House Democrats and House Republicans both holding five seats in California, Montana, Utah, Georgia, Kansas and South Carolina. These victories do not signify a “blue wave” at all, especially considering it being a historical trend for the opposition party to gain power while their opponents hold the White House.
Republican Ed Gillespie lost a recent Senate election in Virginia.
Tesla has popularized the sleek electric car as consumers benefit from tax rebate.
the year. One area that is making the most advancement is the alternative fuel region, specifically the area that deals with electric cars. With Tesla having started production of a new model and announced two more, the idea that electricity will take over as the main form of propulsion is very likely. However, the world has yet to adjust around the electric car. They are very complicated to make, the cars are still expensive, and charging stations are not ubiquitous, though the numbers are improving. Because of these circumstances, car companies offer a 5,000-to-7,500 dollar tax credit to anyone who buys any electric car. This system has been
in place for some years now, but with the new Republican tax plan on its way, the Administration plans to remove the credit. This credit benefits the consumer and the car company because the consumer has to pay less and the car company, in theory, sells more vehicles because the added tax credit makes the models cheaper. Now, without the tax credit, the electric car market will change. The tax credit was a selling point for electric cars, and if it is removed, they will be more difficult to sell. With Tesla and Chevrolet selling electric cars around the 35-thousand-dollar mark, that credit becomes a much bigger discount, taking about 20 percent
GAGE SKIDMORE VIA WIKIMEDIA
WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
off of the list price. With the credit removed, suddenly, the price of a new electric car is out of many more people’s budget. If the electric car is the future, as Mr. Elon Musk seems to think, and therefore everyone is going to drive an electric car, then is the government supposed to give 7,500 dollars to every American who buys one? Imagine if everyone who drives an internal combustion-powered car received 7,500 dollars back when they bought it. It makes sense that at some point, the credit for buying an electric car would go away. The removal of the tax credit was inevitable; now, electric car makers need to sell their cars as the vehicle of the future.
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The Index - Arts
December 2017
A Philly story: Meek Mill NEETISH SHARMA ’19
On November 6, 2017, Philly native and highprofile rapper Robert Rihmeek Williams, better known as Meek Mill, was sentenced to two-tofour years in state prison. He popped a wheelie on his dirt bike and got into a fight, thereby violating his probation from a 2008 gun and drug case. The rapper had been on probation for nearly a decade after being convicted on gun and drug charges at 21. In the days following his sentencing, the trending hashtag #FreeMeek became a rallying cry for his followers. On November 13, Colin Kaepernick tweeted that Meek’s case shows the urgent need for criminal justice reform. That same day, Rick Ross and local basketball legend Julius Erving led a protest demanding his sentence be overturned. Several Philadelphia-based lawyers handling the case did, in fact, mention that Meek’s sentence seemed “excessive.” Others, noted that no defense attorney would be surprised to see a judge “come down on” someone like Meek who has violated
the terms of his probation five times in the last six years. The ten-years-long probation, overseen by Judge Genece Brinkley, has engendered a polarizing battleground of opinions, one that has shown its true colors in the place where it all started: the City of Brotherly Love. Waves of people aired their grievances by petitioning city council and Judge Brinkley. In fact, members of the Haverford student body have raised their voices in regards to what some may view as a flaw in the justice system. Fifth Former Khalil Bland recently released a petition for Williams’ release, which many have signed already. “At first, I made my decision because everybody was doing it, so I said I was going to do it; however, other people saw it as a good thing [...] The issue seems much more serious to me considering the details,” said Bland. “I don’t necessarily believe that he should have gotten that long of a sentence because, in my opinion, riding
your dirt bike doesn’t warrant two to four years [...] I would understand if he was committing crimes today, but he hasn’t been doing any of that — having such a long term is unnecessary.” Others lie on the opposing side of the spectrum. Some believe Meek received due punishment after violating his probation numerous times and that he should not receive any sort of special treatment simply for being a high-profile rapper. The controversy boils down to the idea that black people in Philadelphia receive harsh sentences without any benefits of probation or an established legal team. Some may have to rely on public defendants who have too many clients. This conundrum strikes deep into the heart of racial tensions not only here at Haverford but also within our justice system. About 3.8 million Americans were on probation in 2015, according to the latest federal data. Only half of those were released from probation that year. A report by the Urban Institute found
that African Americans, 13 percent of the U.S. population, accounted for 30 percent of adults on probation. African Americans are also more likely to get their probation revoked, leading to prison time or other punishments. Some say that race plays a role in the courtroom and that many African Americans are unjustly incarcerated every day. The situation goes much further beyond Meek. The situation has sparked a reminder regarding how race is treated here at Haverford. It is important for our student body to understand how race is represented and perceived on all fronts, including the justice system. Let Meek’s case serve as a hallmark for understanding the increasingly complex intersection of our current justice system and underlying prejudices in our society.
Meek Mill’s recent incarceration has sparked recent debate about injustice in the justice system.
INDEX STAFF
Ed King, king of ceramics MATTHEW BAUMHOLTZ ’18 You may have seen Sixth Former Ed King around in the hallways, but not many have ventured down to the ground floor to see him throw. I’m not talking about his baseball pitching talent; I’m talking about his love for ceramics. King flirted with art as a child, often drawing through his elementary and middle school days. From drawing sprang his passion for ceramics. He loves to build, to figure out a problem, to create. He often uses stoneware — a natural gray material. “I am pretty eclectic,” King said. “I make whatever I feel like making in that particular day or week. I have made pieces ranging from life-size, realistic hand sculptures to three-foot-tall, handbuilt fountains. From fine vases to your utilitarian cup or mug.” King has specific goals in mind with his finished products. He said, “I make my pieces with the intention of wanting people to pick them up and inspect them. If I can make people guess how
I did something or admire the feeling in their hand, I think I’ve accomplished my job.” King brings clay to life on the wheel. He puts a lot of thought into his pieces. He’s “constantly experimenting new techniques, [...] always watching YouTube videos and reading ceramic forums that detail new or dated strategies for different effects or forms,” said King. King has pondered the future of his ceramics skills. He said, “I would really like to pull together a specific style where people can go, ‘that’s an Ed King piece.’ I think, though, it’s less about people recognizing my work and more about being able to hone my skills and perfect my craft. My relationship with art will always be prevalent as I intend to move towards engineering, where I will be making things and drawing, but, in terms of truly making art, I still see myself devoting time to work. It’s a great way to relieve stress and one of my favorite things to do.” When he is not playing football or lacrosse, Ed King ’18 spends time in the ceramics room.
ED KING ’18
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The Index - Arts
December 2017
A knife in my clothing: a Montana reflection ROBB SOSLOW ’18
Painters, writers, actors, and photographers from local schools visit Montana every year to engage in their craft.
I woke up; I was cold. It was dark, I did not know where I was, but I could hear someone snoring faintly nearby. My body told me it was the wee hours of the morning. I was fumbling for a light when I heard the soft creaking of someone walking on a wooden floor. I froze. With a sudden and simultaneous flick of a light switch and the rude blaring of a phone alarm, I knew where I was. There was a friend of mine, still sleeping through the noise, and there was his father, who permanently seemed, although this morning it was apt, to have an impatient look stamped on his face. He glared at the two of us and pointed at his wrist. I checked the time: 4:00am. Waking up my friend, I went to double-check if I was properly packed. I opened my bag, a cross between a duffel and a backpack, easy to either check for the flight or carry on the plane. The clothes inside—longsleeves and t-shirts, sweaters and hoodies, shorts and long pants— neatly packed where they ought to be. Assured of our preparedness, we packed ourselves into his car, his father waiting inside of it. We reversed out of his driveway. The car took its time warming up, and I shivered, sinking low into the seat. I had forgotten a coat. I wasn’t going to bring it up now. As we pulled on to the highway, the trees above cleared. The dawn sky was nearly dark, a pool of black with a quiet
touch of blue, which lightened as it approached its jagged horizon line. We arrived at the airport, my friend said his goodbyes, and we joined the group, most faces muted with sleepiness, and boarded the plane. As we took off, I watched the dawn recede, quiet like the early morning steps on a wooden floor. The first thing I noticed when I stepped outside of the Bozeman airport was the chill. For the second time, I cursed myself for forgetting to pack a coat. A ride in a coach bus came and went, most of the group comatose, as I stared out into the unfamiliar Western landscape. Dirt rose and fell in giant hills without warning. The territory was built in layers of plateaus, as if God had stacked plates. It felt like a lonely land, and it was: more cows grazed here than humans. When we arrived at a park for lunch, it felt even more so, the breeze tossing the newly fallen leaves around, tinting everything a melancholic, dull orange. A group of us crested over a nearby hill, and there, where the dirt had been seemingly torn away from its roots, was a river of gray, round stones. One could’ve spelled out “Welcome to Montana” with them, but that would’ve been redundant. As we stepped onto that river, something strange happened to me. Our steps pushed the stones around, grinding them together like cogs. My body felt like a near stranger to me. My
CAMERON HOORFAR ’17
body had all the similar features it had possessed a minute prior, but something was off. A few moments later, I placed the feeling. I was relaxed. Wobbling around on those untrustworthy stones, I had found myself more calm than I had been in months. After a time, we returned to the coach bus and went to our final destination. It was dark when we arrived, which I felt was apt, given that we left home in darkness as well. We bedded down on the floor, a deep rug for comfort, for the night. The morning came with the Montana cold. The cold is sent down by the omnipresent mountains, which seemed to forever ring me while I was there, and rose out of the ground. I learned in that dawn, which spread out, glorious, celebratory, in the biggest sky I had ever seen, that the cold will slip into your clothing and stay there if you’re not careful. So I bundled up the following day, wearing all the clothing I had brought, but the cold was still there in some of the layers. I was in Montana to write, and the cold helped. We would read our pieces to another and gauge the reactions of our teachers. I’m good with faces: I could see when a line landed in the right spot, I could read the wrinkles in most of their faces when it was wrong. I could even hear the creak of wooden chairs, or old bones, when they were hit
with something uncomfortable. After feedback, they’d send us out into the world to write, to be inspired, and return. On one such occasion, I looked out into the landscape, which stretched out into eternity, picked a spot, and walked. I walked in a single direction for an hour until I came upon a plain that went on for miles. I sat looking out into what seemed like infinity. In that infinity, I realized that most people were not as cold as I was. That cold, sharp edge had long been slicing into me and spilling my blood on the page. In addition to forgetting a coat, I had neglected to bring a hat, gloves, or even a heavy fleece. I returned to my teachers and wrote. The morning we left was spectacular. We rattled and shook, children on a flatbed truck. Meanwhile, the sun burned. It was a dawn that split that big night sky in half. It seemed celebratory, pinks and violets and reds that gave us a much different goodbye than what had been our welcome. On the faces of our group, I saw the wistfulness I knew well, saw for the first time that the cold had slipped into their clothes as well, and that it was something they called loneliness. I didn’t sit at the window on the flight home. I said my goodbyes. When I got home, I opened my laptop and opened a blank document. Patiently, quietly, I waited for the cold.
Going into any Shakespeare play, I would highly recommend researching the plot so that the viewer can then enjoy the production. One of the most climactic scenes, the battle between the British and French, included many fighters who signed up only for that scene. The sheer quantity of actors and the sound of metal on metal added excitement. The use of strobe lighting made the scene more unpredictable and dramatic, though perhaps at the cost of a mild headache. During the strobe battle of the Friday night showing (Nov. 17), lead Jeffrey Pendergast’s sword broke. The blade dropped to the ground, and he stopped for a moment, seeming unsure. Then, he picked up the blade and looked to his opponent, Fourth Former Tommy White, ready to continue fighting. A couple of swings from both actors passed and Pendergast looked to his right to see Fourth Former Jack Sanfilippo offering his functioning sword. They switched in the darkness between the strobes and the scene carried on smoothly. I congratulate all actors who were
involved in this improvised, on-the-spot scenario. This showed their ability to react.
Henry V, cont.
The cast of Henry V preparing for a stage fight in dress rehearsal.
MS. DAWN BLAKE
With difficult plot and dialogue and a solid performance from all members of the cast, I would call the play a success; I just wish I knew what happened. The experienced actors shone brightly; their experience as actors for the school was evident, and their presence added to the quality of the show. As Mr. Hengst said, it is always a high point in a theater director’s career when he or she directs Shakespeare. I applaud him and the cast for taking on the daunting challenge. With difficult plot and dialogue and a solid performance from all members of the cast, I would call the play a success; I just wish I knew what happened.
Page 16
The Index - Arts
December 2017
MS. BARBARA VAN CLEVE
WILL RHODES ’18
MYLES SCOTT ’18
TROY GIBBS-BROWN ’18
MYLES SCOTT ’18
