December 2024 Index

the index

Poetry Out Loud challenges students to take risks

Lamar Duvernay ’26 competes in the January 2024 Poetry Out Loud finals

At a surface level, reciting a poem from memory in front of a crowd may seem like a burden. But to many, poetry is a priceless form of self-expression—a way to communicate shared experiences or emotions that are a byproduct of human nature. For them, the value of delivering meaningful poems justifies putting oneself in a vulnerable position.

“Poetry is the way that we express grief

and happiness as a society,” English Department Chair Ms. Taylor Smith-Kan said. “Even though it might not often end up in your life as a teenager, it actually does enter into our lives all the time.”

Similarly, Fifth Former Nicholas Zafiriou said, “Poems are often able to capture subtle details about the human experience through their simplicity, but they can also stir up one’s emotions through dramatic

Patriotic student section reflects national trend

To students and administrators alike, the student body’s cheering section at athletic events represents Haverford’s culture of unity and support.

The “student section’s” cheers remind the crowd of these community values: “I want to be in that number/ When the Fords go marching in,” one frequent cheer says. Sometimes, the cheering departs from pride in Haverford’s culture and jeers toward the opposition, transitioning toward a different pride: patriotism.

Repeated “USA! USA!” chants arise, and “The Star-Spangled Banner” spontaneously erupts. The student section features an

American flag alongside its Haverford banner at most games.

But how does American pride become so quickly conflated with school spirit? Shouldn’t “USA!” encapsulate both the Fords and their opponents? In this analogy, has Haverford become the United States and our opponents, with whom we voted five days before EA Day, an alien element—or even an enemy?

con’t. on p. 3

language in a way that prose cannot always achieve.”

Every winter, high school students from around the country spend countless hours practicing and eventually performing poems of their choosing for the Poetry Out Loud competition, advancing first from their schools to the regional, state, and eventually national levels. Competing students are judged not only on their ability to accurately

recite their poem from memory, but also the emotions and feelings they convey using their vocal intonation or body movement.

con’t. on p. 6

Ian Rosenzweig ’25

Matthew Lo ’26

Fans rush the field after the soccer team’s win

2024–2025 Staff

Ian Rosenzweig ’25

Editor-in-Chief

Connor Simpkins ’25

Editor-in-Chief

Elliot Lee ’25

Senior Managing Editor

Milan Varma ’25

Senior Managing Editor

Liam French ’25

Managing Editor

Abdullah Kanchwala ’25

Managing Editor

Tom Saul ’25

Managing Editor

Ajay Chakraborty ’26 News Editor

Ayush Varma ’27 News Editor

Ryan Wang ’26 Features Editor

Matt Lo ’27 Academics Editor

Adam Brown ’27

Neighborhood Editor

Keith DiMarino ’27

Campus Opinions Editor

Peter McConnell ’26

Campus Opinions Editor

Grayson Morgan ’26

Off-Campus Opinions Editor

Michael Bartholdson ’25 Off-Campus Opinions Editor

Luke Ganley ’25 Arts Editor

Quinn Sullivan ’25

Senior Sports Editor

Nate Gill ’26

Junior Sports Editor

Ms. Emily Harnett Faculty Advisor

Mr. Thomas Stambaugh Faculty Advisor

The Index is a student-run publication of the Haverford School that does more than bring news: it provides the diverse perspectives of the Haverford student body. It is an outlet for student writers to take stands on issues they deem important. It chronicles the daily struggles and accomplishments of the Haverford community. The Index also provides a forum for discussion of pertinent issues, such as student culture, academic policy, and Haverford’s place in world affairs. The Index presents new ideas and aspires to influence constructive change.

All opinions and viewpoints expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of The Index or the school. The Index is designed and produced digitally. Photographs may be retouched. Submissions and letters to the editors regarding any and all articles are welcomed at index@haverford.org

The Index, a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, is composed using the applications of Google Suite and Adobe Creative Cloud. Its surveys are conducted via Google Forms and are advertised on email to current Haverford students. Graphic designs are created by Index staff via Canva. Southern Dutchess News prints 200-400 copies of each issue, and its editorial staff distributes them in the Upper School on the day of release. The Index serves the needs of a total school population of 1152 community members, consisting of 952 students and 200 faculty and staff members.

Contact The Index: 450 Lancaster Ave, Haverford, PA 19041 index@haverford.org

Twitter: @Haverford_Index

Instagram: @Haverford_Index Volume 92, No. 4 - Deceber 15, 2024

editorial

Reach out; initiate

Reaching out to check in on friends often seems superfluous. If they need you, they’ll reach out, right? But sometimes, they don’t know quite what to say. Sometimes, they’re just waiting for you to find them.

The end of December is a grind. Midterm-esque assessments appear on the calendar, performing groups work through countless holiday gigs, winter athletes adjust to

new schedules, and Sixth Formers face down early college decisions. Winter continues with long, gloomy days, challenging semester exams, and new classes in February.

As a community, we often stress the importance of vulnerability and, in conjunction, support. Our Reflection series and Peer Counseling program encourage us to share ourselves and listen with care as others share themselves.

It’s easy to retreat into yourself as you manage stress, and it can be hard to share the things that are weighing you down. And so support becomes not about listening to your friend in need, but finding out if he is in need at all. It becomes about initiating. Chances are someone needs to know you’re there for them. Chances are someone doesn’t know how to come to you. So reach out.

Letter from the student body president

Fords,

We made it through the whole year. After this week, 2024 will be in the books. I want us all to look back at this year and ponder on it. Did you meet your expectations? What was good? What was bad? What did Haverford do well? These are all questions that you can ask yourself.

I just want to say that it was a fantastic year. I won’t talk about last school year, but I’ll talk about this one. Our fall sports teams all did very well this past season. This all culminated in our domination during EA Day. And more on EA Day, we had maybe the best turnout of students in DECADES.

That just shows the community we’ve built for this year. I have no doubts it will just get stronger and stronger.

This year, we also had a great fall play performance in Enron. Basketball swept the tournament at the McBride Classic. Robotics are trying for a national title. And so much more incredible stuff has happened that was left unmentioned. Let’s learn from the good and the bad this year, and make 2025 even stronger.

We have one week left of school. I’m not saying you can’t ease up a bit on the gas, but never stop moving. Hitting the brakes when you are cruising on the road to success is not only dangerous for yourself, but those around you.

To finish, I want us to think about what we want 2025 to look like. For Sixth Formers, what do you want the future you, the you that will walk across the stage at gradu-

ation, to look like? What does he do? How did he end his time at Haverford? What legacy did he leave behind?

For Fifth Formers, how will you set yourself up to be the leaders of the school?

Fourth Formers, how will you approach the upperclassmen role?

And Third Formers, what do you want your class image to be through your time in the upper school?

I know the second half of the year can be special, so let’s make it special. I hope you all have an amazing break. Enjoy it and let’s hit the ground running in January!

Happy Holidays, Josh Williams

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

Josh Williams ’25

Patriotic student section, cont. from front page

“I just find the whole thing funny because it’s like the most unoriginal chant,” Dean of Students Mr. Luqman Kolade said. “Our team doesn’t even know we are doing it because it’s just the USA. It’s like we’re not cheering for our team anymore.”

Students, however, find that the chant fits the image and culture they wish to project.

“America is freakin’ cool to high school boys. I can’t give a much better answer than that. Patriotism is awesome.’”

ALEX RHODES ’25

“America is freakin’ cool to high school boys,” Sixth Former Alex Rhodes said. “I can’t give a much better answer than that. Patriotism is awesome.”

While patriotism does not equate with conservatism, recent years have shown a more outwardly patriotic American political right. As far back as 2014, the Pew Research Center reported that conservatives are “more likely” to identify as “often proud to be an American.”

Although “USA” chants were featured

Can

at the Democratic National Convention this summer, they were commonplace at Donald Trump’s rallies throughout the year.

Vocal patriotism at Haverford games reflects an ongoing trend throughout the United States. According to Axios, 26% of men aged 18-24 identify as conservative, compared to 22% as liberal. AP VoteCast said, “More than half of men under 30 supported [Donald] Trump” in the 2024 election.

The political right’s connection to patriotism is not limited to national news. During the contentious lead-up to the 2024 election, Sixth Former Mason Wiegand shared that one student, at a Haverford football game in August, moved around the student section requesting that students he identified as liberals kiss the American flag.

One facet of young men’s recent shift to the right—and, by association, toward patriotic ideals—is their reaction to the political left’s perceived criticism of masculinity.

“Leaning towards some more conservative ideas is partly an attempt to fight against what [young men] feel is a mislabeling of who they are,” Mr. Kolade said. “If society is telling boys that they’re bad for being boys… [they’ll] lean into it… Boys, just in general, always push boundaries.”

While the patriotism of the student section is presumably meant to bring the student body together, political divisiveness may split it apart.

“Being patriotic is definitely a core vir-

tue of Haverford,” Sixth Former Matt Yerger asserted. “Whether anyone likes to admit it or not, even the slightest hint of non-patriotism will probably get you, jokingly or not, labeled as a communist.”

However, Yerger still senses that patriotism is more of a uniting force than anything else.

“It’s an identity that’s easy for us to cling to, especially at games,” he said. “Everyone in the student section, on some level, feels patriotic. I feel pride for our school when we drown out the other student section with chants of ‘USA’ or sing the national anthem so loudly that all you can hear are the off-key voices of 100 other guys.”

Sixth Former Semaj Lee agrees.

“As random and uncorrelated as it may seem, the ‘USA’ chants bring the section together,” Lee said. “No matter how you see this country, 99% of attendees of Haverford are U.S. citizens. It’s a commonality we all share and hence can get behind.”

However, as this broad commonality unites Fords, it also claims that, somehow, until the scoreboard runs out, the Fords are “better Americans” than their opponents.

“A lot of times you’re chanting in opposition to the other side, and then you do the ‘USA’ chant, which in actuality should unite everyone,” Mr. Kolade said. “It’s bizarre.”

To Mr. Kolade, patriotic chants do not directly support the school’s teams. But for many, they are not useless, unoriginal, or in-

drive raises over 10,000 cans

Milan Varma ’25

Service at Haverford is not mandatory, but it is expected. These words can be heard in all corners of the school. From students conducting tours passing by Ms. Loos’ office to talks like Ranvir Gill’s Thanksgiving speech, service is a topic of discussion everywhere.

The can drive is a staple of Haverford’s service events. A three-week-long drive to collect cans for various local organizations, the can drive began during EA Week. Run by the Service Board and Service Learning Director Ms. Jini Loos, the can drive sits at the pinnacle of service with Empty Bowls in sheer scale.

“This year, we raised 10,243 cans for the can drive,” Ms. Loos explained. “The split was around 6,000 from the upper school and

4,000 from the middle and lower schools.”

Students may have heard many reminders about the drive in the past month, but for good reason.

“It’s a lot better than last year,” Service Board Co-president Ranvir Gill said. “Last year, we only raised about 7,000 cans.”

When “a single can of soup can feed a family of four” in some communities, according to Ms. Loos, every single donation Haverford collects makes a tangible difference in the lives of those who receive this food.

What changed the turnout this year? Several factors could have contributed.

“We also had a very generous donation from the student council this year of 1,000 dollars,” Ms. Loos said. “That really helped.”

“We completely changed our approach this year,” Gill said. “We brought on a team of mainly underclassmen to help with the can drive, which really helped push the can

“I feel like those speeches brought more attention to it.”

RANVIR GILL ’26

drive. We used inter-form competitions and made it part of EA Day too.” Gill gave two main speeches centering around the can drive.

effective chants.

“While I think chanting ‘USA’ at opposing student sections is obnoxious and a quintessentially Haverford thing to do,” Yerger said, “I also don’t think our student section would be at the level it is without being unabashedly prideful of who we are as young men, as students, and as citizens of our country.”

“I don’t remember if anyone gave a speech last year or two years ago about the can drive, and I think that says something,” Gill said. “I feel like these speeches brought more attention to it. It’s usually Mr. Kolade, Mr. Leech, or Ms. Loos talking about it.”

The amazing can drive turnout this year bears good omens for the future.

“This year, we’re not running Empty Bowls, since that alternates year to year,” Gill said. “We’re trying to do more events with Inter-Ac schools, we have Toys for Tots coming up, and we are partnering with a local nonprofit by the name of Food4Philly, but right now we’re mainly looking to broaden our horizons to what’s possible for the service board.”

The fan section in the final minutes of the 29-14 football win over EA, November 9, 2024

Tree sale provides experience and unites community

One of the school’s enduring traditions is the annual winter tree sale. Each year, balsam firs are transported to campus from Nova Scotia for students to sell to local customers.

“We started early December. We’re going to end when all the trees are sold; we don’t have any specific time it could end,” Sixth Form Tree Sale Captain Robert Goens said.

Organized by history teachers Mr. Timothy Lengel and Mr. Brian Long, the tree sale is run by ten captains and any Fifth or Sixth Formers who wish to sign up for shifts. Apart from tips, the compensation for working enough hours is one, or potentially two, free tickets for the prom dance in the Spring.

“Last year, I had a lot of fun, made a good amount of money from tips, and got two free prom tickets,” Sixth Form Captain Simon Dombar said. “I think it’s worth it.”

This year, all ten captains are Sixth Formers. A captain’s responsibility is to ensure that everything runs smoothly, from the cash to suppliers and suppliers to the general organization. A captain will always be on site.

“The biggest difference [from last year] is that I’m a captain this year. So that comes with many more responsibilities, like checking the sheets and ensuring everything is

running smoothly,” Dombar said. “I also have a lot more flexibility with my schedule this year. I don’t need to hit a certain amount of hours; I just need to ensure everything is covered.”

The sale, running from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends, is fast and straightforward.

“We’ll have people come buy a tree, we’ll wrap it for them, cut off the stump if we have to, they pay, and then we tie it onto their car,” Goens said .

The hope is to match last year’s success, when trees sold out in only two weeks.

Apart from numbers, however, the stu-

On December 4th, 2024, a gunman opened fire on UnitedHealthcare’s CEO Brian Thompson. He was rushed to a local hospital and pronounced dead just forty-five minutes later.

Five days later, a suspect named Luigi Nicholas Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Mangione’s background may have been a bit surprising: he was the vale-

dictorian of his high school class at The Gilman School, a prestigious all-boys private academy in Baltimore.

According to a document found in his backpack, dubbed his “manifesto,” Mangione killed Thompson because he was disgusted with corporate greed, especially in the healthcare industry.

Mangione wrote, “Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming. A reminder: the US

dents want to maintain the brotherhood fostered in the previous year’s sale.

“[Last year] it was a delightful experience because I got a lot of guidance from the upperclassmen about how to do it, and outside of just selling trees, giving me advice about classes and college applications and stuff like that. I had a lot of fun,” Dombar said.

That camaraderie is the brotherhood students are aiming to replicate this year.

In addition, the tree sale is an excellent way for students to gain experience.

“It helps students get ready for a real job if they don’t have one yet,” Goens said.

“I’m just getting used to how working a shift

really would be: interacting with adults and students, you know, just things you will need later on in life.”

“The tree sale is a good tradition that should continue. It is a chance for us to give back to the community, a way to fund our prom, and an opportunity for students to gain work experience,” Goens said.

“I think it’s a really good tradition,” Dombar said. “People love that we’re doing this to raise money for our prom. On Saturday, I was helping a man who said he worked the tree sale as a student here. And I think it’s a great long-standing tradition, and I’m glad we will continue doing it because we can see people coming back.”

Boys school alumni suspect in CEO assasination in NYC

has the #1 most expensive healthcare system in the world, yet we rank roughly #42 in life expectancy.”

In the healthcare industry, it is not out of the ordinary for executives to receive death threats. Thompson had been receiving death threats for a long time. In the wake of Thompson’s shooting, insurance companies have begun to remove bios of executives from company websites.

The fact that healthcare executives receive death threats is not surprising. They make millions denying coverage to everyday Americans.

The fact that healthcare executives receive death threats is not surprising. They make millions denying coverage to everyday Americans: people who cannot afford their medical bills. While denying thirty-two percent of claims, the industry high, Thompson took home a hefty pay package of twelve million dollars.

Meanwhile, Thompson’s death has sparked significant criticism of the healthcare industry on social media platforms.

Some users have even celebrated the killing.

With The Gilman School having so many similarities to Haverford, the events have elicited reactions throughout the community. How could someone with a background so similar to the students of this school become so radicalized and violent?

“I can understand why someone would want to send a message to the healthcare industry,” said Spanish Teacher Ms. Susana Lambour. “But it is never okay to shoot someone. And the fact that people on social media are celebrating this is the worst part.” Ms. Lambour continues, “It’s scary that [Mangione] is just like you guys. He was valedictorian at Gilman then went to Penn. I don’t want social media to convince you guys that this is okay to do. I could never imagine the people I love, my students, killing somebody.”

Fifth Former Jacob Horwitz echoes Ms. Lambour’s sentiments. “It is kind of crazy imagining someone like us committing a crime of that magnitude.”

Fifth Former James Friel said “Gilman is a school very similar to Haverford, and I cannot imagine anybody in the school being capable of a shooting like this.” Friel went on, saying, “We should be prepared for possibilities we wouldn’t expect. Preventing radicalization, even in rich schools, is important.”

Fifth Former Jonny Wang said, “People are too angry and violent. It’s okay to disagree, but it’s not okay to be violent about it. It’s also scary to think that someone so similar to us is responsible.”

Student Amir Johnson ’25 prepares a tree for sale, December 5, 2024

Luca Aloi ’25

NYC shooting suspect Luigi Mangione

COURTESY OF FBI VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

colin toth ’26 and Ajay Chakraborty ’26

features

Doubt to dedication: Sean Allen’s transformative service

This past summer, Sixth Former Sean Allen worked as a camp counselor at Cobbs Creek, where he also worked to restore the historic Cobbs Creek Golf Course. This process involved running a tractor through the entire course, picking up trash and debris. Allen also serves as a form leader of the Service Board.

Growing up, Allen was no stranger to community service. With grandparents who had been nuns and priests before starting a family and a mother who prioritizes giving back, service was an integral part of the household. For Allen, however, service often felt more like a burden than a calling.

“As the youngest of four kids, I was always dragged along to my siblings’ practices, games, and service events,” Allen said.

“I didn’t understand the point of moving boxes or showing up at drives. I just wanted to play video games and hang out with my friends.”

Allen spent years attending service projects around Philadelphia, addressing food insecurity, mental health, and homelessness. However, he remained disconnected. “My family was frustrated with me,” Allen said.

“I had all these opportunities to help, but I didn’t see the value in it.”

Allen’s perspective began to shift while volunteering at the Overbrook Educational Center where he entered a gym filled with kids—no rules, no guidelines—and spent the next hour and a half playing basketball, soccer, and floor hockey with them.

“That was the first time I had fun doing service,” he said. I wasn’t there to move boxes. I was just there to play, and I felt great afterward.”

The joy of that experience stayed with him, but it wasn’t until he became involved at the Cobbs Creek Educational Center that he truly understood what service meant. He met Jayce, a young boy who struggled with ADHD and frequently caused trouble.

Within minutes of meeting, Allen and Jayce were playing basketball together, laughing with joy.

“That’s when I realized the point of service wasn’t the work itself,” Allen said.

“It was about showing up and connecting with them, helping them feel seen, valued, and supported. Many of these kids live extremely hard lives, and being able to help them was my wake-up call.”

Allen also appreciated his role as a mentor.

“Some of these kids had no parents, people to help shape them,” he said. “I could see how the kids were watching me; they looked at me as a role model. This is what really changed me.”

In the summer of his Fifth Form year, Allen had a big decision to make: he could play in the Water Polo Junior Olympics, a prestigious opportunity, or he could work as a full-time camp counselor at Cobbs Creek. In the end, he turned down the chance to play at the Water Polo Junior Olympics.

This decision confused many, especially given Allen’s athletic siblings, who all played sports at high levels

“Being a full-time camp counselor felt like it had much more meaning,” Allen said.

“The kids at Cobbs Creek already knew me, and when I was introduced as a fulltime counselor, their applause was so loud it caught me off guard.

Allen dedicated himself to working with the campers. Together, they created inside jokes, special dances, and goofy handshakes, building bonds that went far beyond the activities they did together. That summer, he met Ah’zar, an eight-year-old boy who stood out from the other kids.

“He followed me around, participating in every game and craft, becoming one of my closest buddies at the camp,” Allen said. During his time with Ah’zar, Allen noticed something troubling. When Ah’zar got an answer wrong in math class, he would hit

himself with all his might—sometimes so persistently that Allen had to hold him back. One day, after losing a dodge ball game, Ah’zar repeatedly muttered, “I have to die because I failed my team.”

“Hearing that from an eight-year-old was terrifying,” Allen said. “It made me focus all my attention on him immediately.” Unsure of what to do, Allen took Ah’zar for a walk. He shared his own struggles—how he felt overshadowed growing up in a family of high achievers. He also threw in some jokes to lighten up the mood.

“My situation wasn’t the same as his, but I wanted him to know he wasn’t alone,” Allen said. “Ah’zar laughed at all my jokes with a big smile. I considered it a small breakthrough.”

Slowly, Ah’zar started to smile again, and Allen was able to persuade him to talk with the emotional support counselor at the camp. Later, Allen made him a custom nametag covered in bright blue letters and swirls. His reaction was priceless.

“When he put it on, his whole demeanor changed,” Allen said. “He wore it proudly,

Conor McDonald encourages balance

Let me introduce you to Sixth Former Conor McDonald, a core member of the Haverford community, known for his exceptional robotics coding skills and his leadership roles on the Signet Society, Quiz Bowl, Math Club, and the varsity soccer team. He stands out as a one-of-a-kind student who has made an impact during his time here. Like many students, his journey to where he is today is filled with obstacles, lessons, and memories.

Since transferring from Haverford Middle School for his Third Form year, McDonald has embraced the challenges of a demanding workload, pushing himself to grow academically, socially, and personally. McDonald reflected on his early involvement in various extracurriculars.

“My

mom basically forced me to join every club possible.”

CONOR MCDONALD ’25

“My mom basically forced me to join every club possible,” McDonald said. “Every year, I dropped the ones I lost interest in, and what I was left with is what defines me to-

day. Looking back, even though I didn’t stick with all of them, having the option to pick one to continue based on the fundamentals I learned was beneficial.”

Outside of school, McDonald is a dedicated member of his Boy Scout troop

Outside of school, McDonald is a dedicated member of his Boy Scout troop, which has played a role in shaping many of his interests and skills.

“A lot of people don’t know that most of the talents and skills I enjoy come from Boy Scouts,” he said. “I really enjoy rock climbing and hiking, and both of those passions stemmed from my experiences in scouting.”

McDonald’s diverse interests and relentless drive to challenge himself both mentally and physically are central to his character. One experience from the summer of his Fourth Form year stands out.

“That summer, I went on a twelve-day backpacking trip in the New Mexico desert. We hiked over 100 miles. It was an incredible experience, and something I never thought I could do,” he said. “Thanks to preparatory

hikes and the support of my eight closest scouts, we managed to finish the hike. We also visited the Great Sand Dunes National Park, home to a 600-foot-high sand dune. The trip pushed me to my limits and showed me what I was capable of.”

McDonald encourages younger students to find a balance between their activities.

“It’s crucial to find a balance between what you enjoy and what you want to achieve. For me, that balance came from finding small moments that bring joy, even

smiling and engaging with other kids more than ever before.”

The next day, Ah’zar made Sean a name tag of his own. It read “Sean” with “GOAT” written underneath of it.

“I was honored. That name tag meant more to me than any sports medal I had ever received. It felt like an Olympic Gold medal,” Allen said.

This change in Ah’zar lasted. In the following days, Ah’zar was lighter, happier, and more like himself than ever before.

“I took more pride in this victory than I ever did in a water polo match,” Allen said.

Although this path that Allen has taken is much different from that of his three siblings, he doesn’t have a single regret.

“I found where I truly belonged—helping these kids feel seen, heard, and valued, just as they were doing the same for me,” Allen said. “Getting involved in community service isn’t just about helping others; it’s about making a real difference and learning about yourself in the process. I hope more people, from seniors to freshmen, give service a shot.”

when you or your parents are pushing you to do something,” he said. “Those small moments are what makes every effort worthwhile.”

He also encourages students to be more open-minded to new things.

“We are always more capable than we realize,” he said “Even if you don’t like something, it’s not the end of the world—just quit and try something else. I’d rather try something and discover it’s not for me than avoid it altogether and regret not knowing what I could have accomplished.”

Ryan Wang ’26

Sean Allen ’25 with campers at Cobbs Creek Foundation’s summer camp

Ayush Varma ’27

Conor McDonald ’25

SEAN ALLEN ’25

academics

The wonderful Mr. Pariano

English teacher Mr. Anthony Pariano has high expectations for all of his students, and rightfully so. His teaching style is a testament to his deep passion for education, his intellectual curiosity, and his commitment to creating an environment that challenges his students to think beyond the “common, casual, and careless reader,” and truly engage with literature on a profound level.

In a recent interview, Mr. Pariano, who had just returned to work from a brief time away due to a family emergency, reflected on his approach to teaching, the impact of his curriculum, and how he connected with his students. While his first day back was emotional, he was eager to share his insights, not just about teaching, but life in general.

At the heart of Mr. Pariano’s teaching philosophy is the extraordinary time and effort he invests in understanding the subject material. For him, teaching is about asking the right questions, not providing all the answers.

“I want to be confident enough in the subject matter that I’m not self-conscious about not knowing everything,” Mr. Pariano said.

This openness allows him to embrace “detours” in the curriculum and encourages dynamic, student-driven discussions and answers.

“I never want to be part of the game that school can sometimes be, where students can only get something correct if they arrive at the answer the teacher is imagining,” Mr. Pariano said. “It ultimately shuts down conversation and limits learning.”

Instead, Mr. Pariano designs questions that allow for diverse perspectives and various student methodologies, ensuring the class is far from a rote exercise in trivia; this can only be done successfully with a vast knowledge of the subject matter.

This flexible approach stems from his own curiosity, which he continues to nurture. He views his classes as interconnected yet unscripted—a place for moments of recognition and understanding to arise organically.

“I have a theoretical understanding, but then I trust that moments of connection will happen,” he said. “There is nothing about the way I construct lessons that’s mindless for me. I’m very much engaged, which is

why I’m always exhausted at the end of the class periods. With these frameworks, I’m giving students room to shape their own learning experiences too. It’s not like a jigsaw puzzle, in that pieces might connect to pieces they didn’t originally fit with.”

The physical setup of Mr. Pariano’s classroom mirrors this balance of structure and freedom. The carefully maintained organization creates a space where students can explore ideas freely while still feeling grounded.

“The classroom looks highly organized so we can be chaotic in our thoughts,” he said. “If the classroom is chaotic and we’re chaotic in our thoughts, English class would just be a big mess!”

Mr. Pariano’s assignments and activities are designed to be dynamic and responsive.

“It’s not about having students do the same thing again and again and again because I say so, but to create scenarios where we hit a point of flow, know we’ve hit it, and build off of that,” he said. “Again, it’s exhausting, but in a good way.”

Mr. Pariano believes expanding and contracting is essential; keeping classes moving is critical for learning, and changing the conditions and how students move within this often static environment is what good teachers do. He credits this method to the influence of his own best teachers and mentors.

Mr. Pariano is also deeply reflective about the role he plays in teaching and the rewards it brings in an interesting way. He

claims that once he becomes conscious of the difference he’s making or the reward that comes with it, then he should pause and change his approach—because that’s“not what it’s about.”

“Maybe you’ll look back on this moment ten years from now and see the value in it. Or maybe you’ll think it’s stupid!”

MR. ANTHONY PARIANO

“It’s not about the fulfillment—I feel fulfilled by having good relationships with people and knowing I’m doing my job to the best of my ability, but I don’t take credit for students’ ideas—I no longer do that in my career,” he said.

Mr. Pariano then acknowledged that some of the most significant moments in teaching are ones he never anticipated.

One such moment happened during his first year of teaching, when he assigned Ezra Pound’s “In a Station of the Metro,” a poem about someone who watches trains pass amongst a crowd looking like “a wet, black bough.” Mr. Pariano asked students to reflect on their own “train stations.”

One student, who had been struggling, defiantly refused to share her thoughts at the time. A decade later, she sent him a letter de-

Poetry Out Loud, cont. from first page

For Haverford, the first round of the Poetry Out Loud competition narrows the pool of contestants from about thirty down to five. These five contestants will compete in an upper school assembly in Centennial Hall a week after winter break. Only one advances to the regional level, where he competes against students from other schools in the area.

While all students here memorize one poem to deliver in their English classes in front of their classmates and teachers, some choose to go above and beyond and memorize two poems to deliver in front of the entire upper school.

“I already had a poem memorized for class, so it was just a matter of [memorizing one more], waking up early, and going to [compete],” said Fifth Former Joseph Kahana, who has competed in the final five. Kahana and Zafiriou were among the finalists in the school’s Poetry Out Loud com-

petition last year, alongside other students such as alumni Reilly Pryma ’24 and James Gates ’24 and Fifth Former Lamar Duvernay. By structuring the competition and mandating memorization, Haverford has enjoyed much success, producing multiple runner-ups at the regional level and even two runner-ups at the state competition.

“Something that Haverford kids are really good at is the memory part.”

MS. TAYLOR SMITH-KAN

“Something that Haverford kids are really good at is the memory part,” Ms. SmithKan said. “The boys here know that they have got to get that poem down, and that is

where other schools are not [as strong].”

Though the memorization aspect of Poetry Out Loud may seem like the biggest challenge, the emotion and theatrics of the performance are also tricky to nail, meaning contestants must choose what to focus on during their recitation.

“I think that I need to convey the emotions of the poem, and some of these poems are fairly complicated, but I want people to understand the gist of them even if they don’t understand all of the words,” Kahana said. “I also think that it’s a way to express my emotions. A couple of years ago when I was doing ‘The Raven,’ I was very nervous, and I took that nervousness and put it into the poem since the protagonist was extraordinarily nervous. I think that really helped me empathize with them and the audience empathize with them.”

Zafiriou echoed this idea.

“Before I recite poetry I always try to

scribing her station in detail and expressing her gratitude for the exercise.

“What I thought was insignificant was huge to her,” Mr. Pariano said. He then turned to me and said, “Maybe you’ll look back on this moment ten years from now and see the value in it. Or maybe you’ll think it’s stupid! Or maybe it’ll be a mix of both.”

Mr. Pariano values building connections with his students while maintaining a healthy professional boundary. “I like getting to know my students, but there needs to be a healthy distance between us,” he said. “That’s another reason why this room is pristine: for you to feel comfortable sharing ideas—but not so comfortable that you feel at home.”

Mr. Pariano’s teaching embodies a rare blend of intellectual rigor, thoughtful reflection, and genuine care for his students’ growth. His dedication to his craft and his willingness to embrace the unpredictable moments of teaching leave a lasting impression and don’t go unnoticed, shaping not just better students or thinkers, but better humans.

Having taught for more than 25 years, Mr. Pariano’s teaching philosophy has solidified. “As lame as it sounds, I just want to create an environment where students can learn and grow,” he stated. “In some ways, what I’m preaching is anti-conventional ‘school,’ and Haverford is a pretty conventional place. But I’m not doing it to be unique. I’m at the point in my career where I just want to be me.”

take a moment and picture myself inside the poem… I try to become whatever I am reciting about, whether it is a character or a description of something,” Zafiriou said. “Last year when I recited ‘The Hollow Men,’ a poem that in part dealt with the gloominess of WWI, I imagined myself as a stumbling, lifeless soldier before launching into the recitation.”

Even though the entire ordeal of Poetry Out Loud is challenging for experienced performers and those trying it for the first time, this difficulty can make Poetry Out Loud worthwhile.

“I understand how hard it is, but a lot of the times, the hard stuff that we do in our lives is actually worth it,” Ms. Smith-Kan said. “Forcing you all to get up and read and memorize a poem is a way of giving you that gift, which I know people don’t often see as a gift, and then you have this thing that you own.”

Tom Saul ’25

Mr. Pariano discusses ballet with his B-period English IV* class, November 1, 2024

neighborhood

The Notables connect with communities through a busy holiday schedule

Haverford students often trudge through December. Three unremitting five-day weeks filled with assessments separate anxious students from Winter Break. For the Notables, these relentless winter weeks are filled with constant performances.

Upper school music teacher and Notables Director Mr. Don Holdren commented on the group’s unique charm, during and outside of the holiday season.

“What I think is special about the Notables at any time is when the group really works together and plays off each other.

There’s this electric energy present,” Mr. Holdren said. “It’s fun when you have a group of seventeen guys who are locked in with one another, and who are working for the shared goal: to perform for an audience. When this happens, the sum is so much greater than all of the parts. I think the Notables are especially good at doing that.”

“I prefer the smaller performances, where we’re really close with the audience.”

MR. DONALD HOLDREN

The Notables perform at a variety of different venues: for large audiences, for their peers, and for small, tightly-knit communities. Among the most memorable performances are the modest, charming ones.

“I prefer the smaller performances, where we’re really close with the audience,” Mr. Holdren said. “For example, the performance that we sang [for the Daughters of the American Revolution]. They appreciated it so much.”

The Notables perform so often during the holiday season becasue they provide service to small groups of people who are delighted to hear a group of young men sing holiday songs just a few feet in front of them.

The Notables also embody service.

A Message from the Service Board

Benjamin Qu ’28 and Jayden Thomas ’27

With Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror, students can still contribute to the community in the season of giving. The Service Board and several students have devised multiple ways to help support others.

Recently, Director of Service Learning Ms. Jini Loos shared various winter Service projects and volunteer opportunities, including the winter coat drive. This project runs in collaboration with Project HOME, a local nonprofit supporting Philadelphia’s homeless.

The Service Learning Center also contributes to Toys for Tots, where students can donate unused gifts for children. Collections will end on December 18th. Donating to Toys for Tots is a great opportunity to help the community outside of Haverford and make others’ holidays special.

Fifth Former Ryan Shams leads a

holiday fundraiser for the Philabundance food bank, providing sweets and other items.

After enjoying a delightful winter break, students can lend a hand on Martin Luther King Day, during a day of service where everyone can show up and contribute with lower and middle school students.

Service allows students to empathize with others, create a sense of sharing, and bring self-awareness.

Mahatma Gandhi said it best; “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

This winter season, many students adhere to that quote and find grace in bringing provisions to others.

These acts of kindness may benefit not only the receiver but also the giver. When students give, they extend a hand in a partnership, warming both sides of this act.

“We get to help the service board and we get to help the school with the toy drive for Toys for Tots,” Mr. Holdren said. “Here’s a tangible example of why we’re doing what we’re doing: so we can help to give back.”

“Especially at this time of year, we have a special purpose to do.

MR. DONALD HOLDREN

A classic of the Notables’ holiday routine is the Reunion Concert, which builds and strengthens connections between the current group and previous generations. Mr. Holdren thinks the reunion concert occupies a unique position compared to other performances.

“That concert is unique in that it’s not really a concert for other people. It’s for us, for Haverford, for the Notables; it’s a chance to reconnect with guys from previous years and for them to see how things are going. It’s always great to see them back and to make music with them.”

The purpose of the holiday season is to have fun, and the Notables accomplish precisely that.

“Especially at this time of year,” Mr. Holdren said, “we have a special purpose to do what we do.”

Notables at Winter Concert, December 12, 2024

Adam Brown ’27

campus opinions

Ranking upper school bathrooms

When we discuss the strength of our brotherhood at Haverford, we often overlook the small things that bring us together. Bathrooms are no exception.

We will be judging eight bathrooms in the Wilson and Centennial Halls based on three components: cleanliness, low popularity, and position. These ratings are founded on personal observation and conversations with peers, resulting in a more objective overview of said bathrooms.

Starting off, at the eighth spot, is the first-floor bathroom next to math teachers Mr. Cappo and Mr. Walters’s rooms. It’s okay that this bathroom does not stand out to most community members, because the bathroom’s cleanliness and position are undervalued in almost every way.

This bathroom is used sparingly but is top 5 if only ranked by cleanliness. By being in the relative heart of the school, this bathroom specializes in being a place for quick uses before and after class.

7: The most well-known bathroom in the school on this list is located on the third floor, next to The Big Room.

This bathroom is a “fan favorite” because it provides privacy in the top corner of the school. As this bathroom is used often and is shielded from view in the hallway. However, it is less clean than most bathrooms in the school. Students describe a constant beeping noise, reducing the bathroom’s favorability. However, if one is willing to take the hike, they will find that the position is unique and its usage is high.

6: Next is the second-floor bathroom next to history teachers Mr. Tryon and Mr. Bagbonon’s rooms.

This bathroom is in the middle of everything, but it also only has one stall. While hiding in plain sight, this bathroom is often missed for its underappreciated values.

This bathroom is next to one of the highest-rated water fountains and is a top-tier bathroom in terms of cleanliness. Still, it is underused due to the well-known reputation of the history teachers buckling down on their “use the bathroom before class policy.”

5: when someone asks me to define cleanliness, I respond by either saying “2012 Messi,” or “the second-floor Spanish bathroom.” This could be ranked as the most clean bathroom in the school due to the fact that almost no one uses it.

Keep in mind that this bathroom is next to a virtually nonfunctional water fountain, and this location provides neither privacy nor locational advantage. On the other hand, the cleanliness and low popularity make up for the loss of position.

The 4th ranked bathroom is next to English teachers Ms. Orlandini and Dr. Del Rosario’s classrooms.

Aside from being only one of two bathrooms on the third floor and residing next to a top-tier water fountain, this bathroom has much to offer. This bathroom is very clean and is very convenient for students on the third floor who don’t want to take a relatively long walk.

This bathroom needs to be more used, and its popularity peaks during the small break between classes.

3: One of the most feared but underrated restrooms in the school is the first-floor bathroom next to math teacher Mr. Franz and history teacher Mr. Moore.

Perhaps students fear missing part of Mr. Franz or Mr. Moore’s class time due to

the high work rate these teachers develop. However, while this bathroom may also be hiding in plain sight, it is the cleanest of them all. For students willing to take the risk, using this bathroom can be quite beneficial for a quick stop.

2: The bathroom below music teacher Mr. Holdren’s room in the basement of Centennial is considered “massive” to many, but you know what else is massive?

The amount of times this space is cleaned. This bathroom is shared by the upper and middle schools, but that is irrelevant when it comes to how clean and popular this bathroom is.

This spot has the perfect ratio of low popularity and cleanliness, as nearly no one uses it, and it is one of the cleanest in the entire school.

However, while the restroom is massive, it is in a separate building and requires about a three-minute walk from the middle of Wilson Hall.

For those students who use it, whether in Centennial or not, they will find a peaceful, calming environment.

For the grand finale, number one is the bathroom next to Ball Auditorium on Wilson Hall’s ground floor.

The only downside to this bathroom is that the location could be better. This bathroom’s quality should be known school-wide as this bathroom has more sinks and stalls than any other and is shiny on a daily basis.

This one could be described as the pinnacle of Ford’s bathrooms, as it has the unique balance between cleanliness, low popularity, and position.

In addition, this bathroom is open and not used because few classrooms are nearby. This spacious, aesthetic bathroom allows

students to take their time and reflect on their great experience at Haverford.

A view of the #1 ranked bathroom in the upper school, nestled on the ground floor in front of Ball Auditorium

Ayush varma ’27

ABDULLAH KANCHWALA ’25

Fords basketball provides the best spectator experience

When first coming to Haverford I had no clue how loud and exhilarating Haverford sports can be.

After freezing in the cold and cheering in the gym, I can now confidently address which Haverford sports are the best to watch. When judging, I’m considering weather conditions, how the fans interact with the game, how the game interacts with the attention span of the viewer, and if the viewer can get a proper view of the game.

At Number 5: squash. Squash is a fastpaced game that can get very loud with a small crowd because the solid walls immediately bounce noise. Because the sport is played inside, it is guaranteed to be warm, and the viewer usually has a lot of space and viewpoints to watch the game.

While cheering loudly and being in a heated environment are tempting to the average Haverford sports enthusiast, squash has downsides that make it less appealing.

The first is that spectators must be silent when the players are playing. There is no other rule like this in all of Haverford sports, except golf and tennis.

Squash also involves a 15-to-30-second break between points. This is the time when you are allowed to cheer. This can confuse a newer viewer of the game. Another downside to the average Haverford student is that squash is a somewhat complicated game, and the rules are not well known.

At 4: soccer. Soccer comes with many challenges but can be rewarding to viewers if they commit to watching the whole game.

A major challenge is how long it takes for a team to score. Although when the Fords score it gets the loudest of all sports, it is quickly followed up with another long wait in between goals, making it a hard game to stay focused on.

Another factor that makes soccer hard

to watch is that it is played outside, which can get cold and windy.

It is also hard to get a good view of the field as it is so big, and sometimes people are standing in the way of your view. Soccer fails to engage the viewers enough and comes with colder weather.

Number 3, lacrosse, is similar to soccer but there are a couple of major differences that merit its higher ranking. Lacrosse is a high-paced sport with loads of contact and has low to medium-scoring games.

Lacrosse has just the right amount of goals to keep the viewer engaged—not too much to stray away from the excitement of scoring every minute like squash and not too little to make it feel as if the sport is dragging, like soccer.

Another advantage to the sport is it is played outside in the spring when it is warmer.

Another positive trait of lacrosse—for the viewer—is that it is a very physical sport. There is always something to watch on the field. There are a few downsides to this sport, but the main one is that the game is too technical.

It is hard for a casual lacrosse viewer like me to understand all of the rules.

Number 2: football. Football is an exceptionally fun sport to watch. From the rivalries to the chants to the themes—this sport is a lot of fun if you are in the student section. One of the best things about this sport is, surprisingly, the fan attendance.

Football has one of the best student sections. You could be the shyest person in the world, but as soon as you step into the Haverford football student section, you can let go of that and just have fun.

And you can’t forget the elaborate themes for the games, from White Out to Peaky Blinders.

Another advantage of football is that it provides simple breaks from the action. In

some sports, it can feel as though the game is being played for hours with no breaks. However, for football, it is actually quite the opposite. It takes about 45 seconds to reset and start a new play. And here’s the best part— each play is different.

Rather than just the ball being kicked around in soccer or a long continuous feedpassing game in lacrosse, there are multiple ways you can advance the field and get points in football, making it almost impossible to get bored.

As always, there are cons, the most obvious being the cold weather, and like almost every other sport on our list, it is sometimes hard to view the game fully from the student section.

Football keeps the viewer on the edge of their seats, wondering what will happen next, but like many other sports, it can get cold during night games, and the student section can get so packed it feels like you are going to fall off the bleachers.

The best sport has to check all of my criteria boxes: perfect weather, fun and rowdy fan interactions, and a visually stimulating game for the viewer that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Basketball checks all of these boxes.

Not only is basketball in the warmth of the gym, but the bleachers are situated perfectly next to the game, ensuring everyone has a good view. It is a high-paced game with some of the final scores even going up into the high 70s. This keeps the viewer actively engaged as the game can change the lead within a minute.

To top it all off, you are in an enclosed space that makes your voice heard.

This game is also packed with traditions, including turning away when the opponent’s roster is being read and sitting on the lap of the person above you during halftime. Every little detail makes basketball the best Haverford sport to watch.

Keith dimarino ’27

Harry Koenig ’25 stands in front of the student section, December 7, 2024

Photography spotlight: through the eyes of Unnav Sharma

“The Orange Ray”

“Hanuman Doka”

“Late Night Diner”

“Umbrella”

“Smoke Break”

off-campus opinions

Twelve years ago this month, the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, claimed the lives of 20 children and six educators. I was in kindergarten at the time and have no memory of the event.

About a year later, as a first grader in public school, I experienced my first (and only) “active shooter lock-down drill.” That’s what I remember my teacher calling it. I don’t know if there was a more politically correct, less frightening official name.

One day before the drill, my teacher explained the procedure: classroom doors would be locked, lights turned off. I don’t know what happened in the classroom during the drill, though, because I had gone to the water fountain right before it started.

When I returned to my classroom, the door was locked, and I could not get inside. My teacher saw me in the hall, and when she came to get me, she somehow locked us both out of the classroom, all my classmates inside, without their teacher.

She rattled the classroom door, but it would not unlock.

With the alarm echoing in the hallway, my teacher grabbed my hand and ran us to the gym, which was across from our classroom. By the time we got to that door, she was crying, clearly shaken and upset. I don’t remember being scared that day, but I re-

Ajay Chakraborty ’26

In the 2024 presidential election, President-elect Donald Trump significantly gained support across every demographic group. However, one group that stood out, with a 15% swing towards Trump, was young men.

One of the biggest factors in this shift has been the rise of right-leaning masculine figures. YouTubers The Nelk Boys, streamer Adin Ross, comedian Theo Von, and podcaster Joe Rogan are several examples.

Social media has made it easy for young men to receive these messages. Unlike traditional legacy media, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Twitch, and YouTube are geared toward younger generations.

The Joe Rogan Experience is one of the most popular podcasts in the world, with much of its content geared towards men. Often, guests advocate conservative viewpoints, although the podcast itself is not officially partisan in any way.

Trump appeared on the podcast ten days before the election to advocate for his campaign. Trump and Rogan talked for over three hours and amassed nearly 50 million views on YouTube.

The legacy of Sandy Hook

member my teacher was, even though it was only a drill.

It was a long time before I appreciated why.

After Sandy Hook, there were calls to end school shootings. “Enough is enough,” parents, teachers, administrators, educators, and even some politicians cried. But as I reflect on the last twelve years of my education, it’s clear that the real legacy of Sandy Hook is indifference.

Sandy Hook made national headlines. Today, school shooting incidents aren’t even guaranteed to make it beyond local news. In early December the shooting of UnitedHealthCare’s CEO dominated the news, but the shooting of two kindergarteners at a school in Northern California didn’t move beyond local reporting.

In twelve years, when it comes to school gun violence, we have moved from national shock and outrage to resigned indifference.

Data is hard to find. How many school shootings have there been in the last twelve years? It depends on whom you ask. It depends on how you define a school shooting.

The K12 School Shooting Database is a privately run, open-source data collection site that documents when a gun is fired, brandished, or a bullet hits school property. The site has been tracking data since the 2018 school shooting in Parkland, Florida,

and has compiled data dating back to the 1970s.

Since 2012, the year Sandy Hook happened, school shootings have increased. According to the K12 School Shooting Database, there were 20 school shootings in 2012; there were 349 in 2023. A seventeenfold increase and yet school violence was not even a discussion point in this year’s presidential election.

The school shooting crisis has become a battleground for political ideologies. Growing up in the shadow of Sandy Hook, the debate about gun control has felt like a never ending tug-of-war between advocates for stronger regulations and those defending Second Amendment rights.

As I move toward the end of my high

school career, all I feel about this topic is disgust.

The lack of practical solutions or interventions since Sandy Hook reveals an abject dereliction of duty from our political leaders—on both sides of the aisle.

The tragedy of Sandy Hook, which shocked the nation, no longer carries the same weight. Now events are quickly forgotten in a news cycle dominated by other crises. Calls for action barely rise above a murmur.

I am privileged to attend a school where I feel safe.

But the truth is, school safety shouldn’t be a privilege, but a right for every student in this country.

The impact of young men and the 2024 presidential election

Many clips from this episode of The Joe Rogan Experience were posted to TikTok and YouTube Shorts, places where young men frequently consume content.

Similarly, in late August Trump appeared on This Past Weekend with comedian Theo Von. Many men, especially young men, are interested in comedy. Therefore, they are interested in Von’s thoughts and opinions.

Von and Trump talked about various topics, including the most viral conversation about drugs. Once again, several clips were taken of these moments and turned into short-form content.

Trump also appeared with streamer Adin Ross, who has a large following of young men. They danced together, and Ross gave the candidate a brand new Trumpthemed Tesla Cybertruck.

YouTube pranksters the Nelk Boys also have a primary audience of young men. Recently, they have begun to focus more on generating right-wing content. They met up with Trump and joked around together on a private plane.

Nowadays, convincing people with

rhetoric and debate may not be very effective. Campaigns must begin to focus on appealing to the emotions, interests, and role models of the voting bases they wish to sway.

Another major factor in this shift of young men to the right is the inability of many of them to relate to Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris.

Harris has broken many gender barriers, being the first female Vice President in the history of the nation. Still, it may be difficult for young men to see this as an accomplishment, especially when the other option is a stereotypically masculine man with support from many of their role models.

At a school such as Haverford, it is easy to understand how young men think. Clearly, many students support the Presidentelect.

“I personally relate more to Trump than I do to Harris,” Fourth Former Taha Obuz said. “I shouldn’t be expected to support someone who I cannot draw any personal connection to.”

“I think at an all-boys school, it comes down to one thing: Trump is a man,” Joseph Kahana said. “For many people who get their

information from social media, it comes down to the relatability. Unfortunately for Harris, young men cannot relate to her.”

Connor Simpkins ’25

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Sandy Hook School entrance sign

arts

Building music and communities: the journeys of Tom Saul and Alex Rhodes

Benas Antanavicius ’27

At the age of six, Sixth Former Alex Rhodes began his music career. He first learned piano from his older sister’s piano teacher, but to his surprise, she claimed that he was “unteachable.” Undeterred, Rhodes decided to teach himself the piano.

“I taught myself by practicing songs I heard in the car that I couldn’t get out of my head until I recreated them,” Rhodes said.

Sixth Former Tom Saul went through a similar experience. He began taking piano lessons at just four years old. Unlike Rhodes, Saul continued for about three years before quitting lessons, learning to play songs by ear instead.

For Rhodes, his ability to recreate music he heard helped him develop relative pitch. He kept playing the piano, cycling through new teachers, and switching once they would make him play classical music.

“I managed to make it through four years of lessons without one classical song besides ‘Für Elise,’” Rhodes said. That Beethoven piece made it through because, according to Rhodes, “‘Für Elise is dope.” He preferred playing and composing his own pop songs, which was “unusual for most young pianists.”

At age ten, Rhodes began driving to South Philadelphia to a Russian couple, the Kalendars, for lessons. “This was where I was first introduced to jazz,” he said. Practicing jazz with the Kalendars taught Rhodes how to make songs using a method that he still practices today.

Unbeknownst to Rhodes, Mr. Kalendar had been preparing him to play at the Philadelphia Clef Club School of Jazz. “After about a year and a half or two years of lessons, I went to the school and attended a summer camp they held and was placed into the worst sections.”

Despite this, he persevered and attempted to learn whatever he could.

During those two weeks, Rhodes acquired new skills, such as playing in a group and the basics of improvisation. He continued to go to the school on Saturdays and camps in the summer for the next five years and met many other musicians, like Saul.

Saul continued his career after quitting his piano lessons by taking on the drums. [...] He has been playing for nine years now.

Saul continued his career after quitting his piano lessons by taking on the drums. He started by taking lessons at age nine and has been playing for nine years now. Also, he recently decided to learn and produce music on digital audio workstations like Logic Pro X and Ableton. He spent many years listening to and learning how to make music, especially electronic dance music, which he has listened to since he was about four. Music had always been a big part of his life. He has used his talents to jam with Rhodes and play in the rock band. Rhodes, on the other hand, continued playing at the Clef Club on weekends.

“The club turned me into the musician I am today,” Rhodes said. On a bigger scale, it taught him all about blues ballads, reggae songs, and gospel aspects. “Most importantly, it taught me to feel what I was playing.”

Rhodes’s love for music grew, and he began to jam over his own chord progressions. His passion for making music led him to try

new instruments, including bass, drums, and most notably, the guitar.

Much like the piano, Rhodes tried to

“Music has given me a way to express myself and my emotions.”

ALEX RHODES ’25

teach himself guitar.

“I remember four years ago, I wasn’t even trying to play the guitar, but just trying to get it to make a sound. It sounds ridiculous but it’s true.”

He was only able to play the open strings. Then, he took a year-long break from playing until his Third Form year where he began to teach himself chords.

“It didn’t come as naturally as the piano for the first year, so I did have to practice things, but I basically got it down over the course of junior year,” Rhodes said. “Today, I have the same freedom to recreate whatever I can think of in my head on the guitar that I have on the keys.”

Guitar and piano have been extremely helpful to him through many difficult times.

Guitar and piano have been extremely helpful to him through many difficult times.

“Music has given me a way to express myself and my emotions,” Rhodes said.

Rhodes and Saul recently started the Music Production Club, where they help people find their musical passion and make music that they enjoy. The club started out with about 30 members but has since fizzled down to about ten core members.

Rhodes and Saul also recently played at The Jazz & Rock Band Winter Concert. Their band also includes Sixth Former Avery Jones and Fifth Former James MacColl. Although they are a young band and do not have a lot of practice, Rhodes was proud of how they did.

“I hope to make multiple singles, extended plays, or an album.”

TOM SAUL ’25

“Everyone seemed to enjoy it,” Rhodes said. “I’m proud of how we played, and I’m excited to see what our talented band can become.”

Saul has made plans for his senior project. “I plan to go to Las Vegas to live with my uncle Jonathan Shecter for a couple of weeks and produce music,” he said.

Shecter owns a big company in the music industry. Saul hopes to learn about the ins and outs of the company and the business side of it, as well as the usage of music in public spaces such as restaurants and casinos.

“I hope to make multiple singles, extended plays, or an album,” Saul said. This experience will introduce him to the professional world of music and the many possibilities of what he could do after finishing his education.

Tom Saul (right) and Alex Rhodes’ (center) rock band Cabana performs at the Upper School Winter Jazz and Rock Concert

Taxi Driver reflects urban isolation

“The days go on with regularity over and over, one day indistinguishable from the next, a long continuous chain,” says Travis Bickle, the title character in Martin Scorsese’s 1976 magnum opus, Taxi Driver. Travis (Robert De Niro) is a Vietnam War veteran struggling to reinstate himself into American society following the anti-war sentiment that permeated the nation.

Although Taxi Driver was released 48 years ago, the film still resonates with men today, especially those who are in high-pressure academic situations like the students at Haverford.

To compensate for his inability to sleep, Travis assumes a job as a night-shift taxi driver in the bustling streets of 1970s New York City. To cope with his chronic insomnia and loneliness, he frequents adult film theaters and maintains a private journal to document his daily interactions, observations, and radical solutions to fixing urban decay. In one of his most memorable lines, Travis writes: “Someday a real rain will come and wash all this scum off the streets.”

Aligning with the dark, complex characters of a Fyodor Dostoevsky novel, Travis’ ideas presented in his journal entries contain a cynical perspective on life. He primarily highlights the agonizing, perpetual cycle of the days getting longer paired with the years getting shorter, alluding to his exhaustion with his tedious life. His cynical views reflect not only his personal disillusionment but also his detachment from society.

As his cycle of mundanity and discontentment continues, Travis further strays away from the public, leading him to complete isolation.

“Loneliness has followed me my whole life. Everywhere. In bars, in cars, sidewalks, stores, everywhere. There’s no escape. I’m God’s Lonely Man,” Travis says in a voiceover sequence after an altercation with an unnamed passenger.

Travis asserts that the sensation of loneliness has been his companion throughout his life. Travis is the embodiment of the disconnected and isolated individual, the character who is often depicted in films, works

of literature, paintings, and other mediums of art.

What sets Travis apart from the traditional “lonely character” is the film’s urban setting. Isolation can be distinguished between two variants: physical isolation, where one is physically separated from others by distance; and mental isolation, where one is psychologically separated from others, even in the physical presence of people.

Despite his physical presence in bars, stores, and other social settings, he remains emotionally adrift from those surrounding him.

Travis experiences the latter, as the aforementioned line describes his alienation when he is present at social gatherings and larger crowds. Despite his physical presence in bars, stores, and other social settings, he remains emotionally adrift from those surrounding him. He is unable to hold meaningful conversations.

Although Travis is surrounded by the busy New York City streets, he still feels alienated from those around him. He always observes the environment and pedestrians crossing the roads, and he takes note of his observations into his journal. Despite his inspection of the city streets, he deliberately maintains his distance from the action, never engaging with the environment nor its inhabitants. He is physically present, but mentally adrift.

Similar to Taxi Driver, American artist Edward Hopper also explores the paradox of isolation in an urban environment. In his acclaimed 1942 painting, Nighthawks, Hopper sets the scene in a classic New York diner late at night where four characters are depicted: a man and woman seemingly in a relationship; a separate man with his back facing the audience; and a bartender glancing into the abyss of the vacant streets.

Even in the presence of other people, the painting’s characters are disconnected from each other. The assumed couple are sitting by each other, but they do not converse. Additionally, their fingers are separated, devoid of any contact. In Nighthawks, Hopper sought to portray the paradox of urban iso-

lation by showing us a group of individuals in the same space falling prey to absolute silence.

Scorsese implements this “Hopperesque” concept in Travis, as he frequents public spaces but ultimately falls prey to his alienation and disconnection from other people.

Travis’ detachment from an urban setting reflects how teens can sometimes feel isolated, even in a large school environment. In comparison to Travis, students might encounter a sense of mental seclusion in busy environments, where the emphasis on achieving success restricts opportunities for genuine relationships or self-identity. Furthermore, students could experience feelings of isolation when dealing with personal issues but are hesitant to open up due to the fear of being judged or misunderstood.

For young men who may feel pressure to embody a certain role, a lost sense of purpose will only undermine their aspirations.

When everyone appears to be managing easily or adhering to societal expectations, it is simple for students to believe they are the only ones facing challenges or feeling like they don’t belong. Similar to Travis and his mundane routines, many students who feel trapped in a seemingly perpetual loop of studying for exams, preparing for class discussions, and taking notes in class may express a sense of purposelessness, especially when certain students feel as if their individual interests and aspirations are not valued in an academically-driven setting.

For young men who may feel pressure to embody a certain role, a lost sense of purpose will only undermine their aspirations. This repetition of mundane activities in school makes it easy for students to disconnect from their peers if the school does not provide that sense of purpose. The themes of isolation and purposelessness in Taxi Driver, no matter how old the film is, will continue to stay relevant and serve as a critique of today’s society.

Unnav Sharma ’25

DANIEL CAPILLA VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

COLUMBIA

Graffiti of Robert de Niro as TaxiDriver’s Travis Bickle in Malaga, Spain

TaxiDriver’s

Wicked: a movie without meaning

Four hundred and fifty-seven million dollars. That is how much money the new live-action recreation of Wicked has accumulated as of December 9th, 2024. Along with its profit, Wicked has garnered a massive fanbase of all ages from around the world. But, despite its success, Wicked serves a greater purpose in the modern-day Sisyphean cycle of movie production.

It—and every other inadequate liveaction remake—is part of a steady decline in popular film, which exists purely to support a market of profit and stable franchises over originality and creativity.

As with all other live actions, Wicked includes a strong group of established actors to gain the everyday viewer’s interest: Cynthia Erivo, who played Elphaba, previously appeared in a dozen movies and starred as Celie Harris in Broadway’s The Color Purple Ariana Grande needs no introduction. Additionally, Michelle Yeoh, who played Madame Morrible, won the 2023 Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for Everything, Everywhere, All at Once, a marvel of modern film creation.

guy” who is revealed to be the villain.

The movie itself is a mediocre adaptation of a long-established franchise. Watching Wicked, I appreciated only a few details, most notably the beautifully sung finale of “Defying Gravity.”

I easily could have slept through everything else.

Wicked is tainted by its attempts at humor; it tries to supplement its underwhelming, reused narrative with repeated, exhausted tropes. The overuse of the name “Shiz” University was blatantly annoying: it was exaggerated purely to gain a laugh but was superseded by its obscene number of uses.

The stereotypes were irritating as well: the aloof blonde G(a)linda, the handsome love interest who becomes the hero, the wicked (pun intended) parents, the gay best friend who thinks the handsome savior is

All of these stereotypes contribute to a pleasant movie experience when utilized in moderation. Still, their unremitting use just makes Wicked a worse version of its Broadway original and an even worse adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, a long-established novel with a clear end.

A clear end is the main feature that all bad modern live-action recreations share: it is their downfall.

Consider for a moment how memorable all the movies made from pre-existing, thoughtfully resolved franchises have been.

Moana 2 turned a beautifully-concluded story into a cash grab, much like Frozen 2. On the contrary, the Five Nights at Freddy’s movie added a wealth of story to a constantly expanding timeline rather than solely restating one story over and over again.

Much like FNAF, Wicked’s Broadway release provided an original take on the famous novel The Wizard of Oz, but its movie form is only a rehash; Wicked, as a movie, does not

provide any new information to its franchise. Wicked fails as a movie for the same reason The Mario Movie is so forgettable; The Mario Movie attempts to tell a new story of a timeline that has already been retold to exhaustion.

Many details of Wicked were plain weak. I was most dissatisfied with the message included on Dr. Dillamond’s blackboard: “Animals should be seen and not heard.” While this detail is equivalent to the Broadway original, it still made an impression on me as a severely lacking threat to a powerful story detail.

Wicked concerns a race threatened by eradication under a corrupt authority; to include such a simple quote is to treat the viewer as if they cannot understand complicated pieces of the story by themselves.

Yes, Wicked is enjoyed by all ages. Yes, all ages should be able to understand the base plot of a given movie. However, a theme as heavy as genocide—upon humans or animals—deserves more detail than that given to a child’s explanation.

As a viewer, I felt as if the whole storyline of Wicked was being presented to me as if I were a toddler.

“So why does Wicked exist?” one may ask. “If it fails as a movie, why is it so successful?” A wise man once said, “Money makes the world go round.” Money is, in fact, what makes Wicked go round as well. More specifically, return on investment, or ROI, is the driving factor of modern live-action recreations. To ensure a stable ROI, studios prefer to utilize an existing, well-known franchise instead of risking their investment on an original idea.

This is the driving force behind why major studios rarely push out niche films: niche films do not guarantee ROI. Moviegoers will come across an advertisement for a new sequel or recreation; they will watch the film; by the time another recreation comes, they have forgotten the mediocrity of the previous one, proving it to be a monetary success.

I write this not to dismiss the opinions of Wicked fans but to provide a unique view on the state of many films today.

If you truly enjoy watching live-action recreations to relive a sentimental memory or purely for entertainment, never stop that; never take away what makes you happy. However, I would like to send out a call for action: watch more indie films. Pay closer attention to the details in a movie, the minuscule labors of love that make works of art special. Much of mass-produced pop culture is missing that spark that makes it memorable, the spark that makes it meaningful. So, find that spark. Find meaning in the movies you watch, the music you listen to, the literature you read, and most importantly, the life you live.

cute, the “good

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WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

The film and musical posters for Wicked

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo at the LA premiere of Wicked , November 9, 2024

The movie itself is a mediocre adaptation of a long-established franchise

Winter Concerts spread holiday spirit

Sitting in Centennial Hall, awaiting the Middle and Upper School Winter Concert, musicians and audience members listened to some familiar carols and observed the beauty of the spectacularly lit stage.

The concert kicked off with the Fantastic Fords, directed by lower school music teacher Mrs. Valerie Case, playing “Glorious Things,” “Louie Louie,” “Jingle Jive,” and “World Holiday Celebration.”

“[I am] over

“[I am] over the moon with how the Fantastic Fords performed,” Mrs. Case said.

“They put so much effort and heart into it.”

According to Mrs. Case, the group began preparing for the concert in early September.

“[I] tried to challenge the boys who excel on their instrument and try to provide parts that are attainable for the boys who are newer to their instrument,” Mrs. Case said. First Former George Taylor, a Fantastic Ford percussionist, said, “[The performance] went well, and sounded good.”

Next up was the Sixth-Grade String Ensemble, directed by Ms. Beth Dzwil. The ensemble played the “Prelude to Te Deum

Laudamus,” “Air” from Water Music and, of course, “Jingle Bell Rock!” Although it consisted of only four students, the ensemble was incredibly strong considering its size.

The Upper School String Ensemble, directed by Ms. June Bender, came up next, showing off their skills through “A Northern Song,” “Waltz No. 2” from Dimitri Shostakovich’s Suite for Variety Stage Orchestra, and the wonderful holiday carol “Lo! How A Rose E’er Blooming.”

The Haverford Boys Choir was next to perform with the songs “Alleluia, Mister Santa,” and “Jingle Bells.” Director and middle school music teacher John Stroud expressed his support for the boys. “The Centennial Singers and the Haverford Boys Choir worked on repertoire at a higher level than you would find in most middle school programs,” Mr. Stroud said.

Mr. Jean Francois Proulx accompanied the choir on piano.

According to Mr. Stroud, “Mr. and Mrs. Case hand off guys from Treble Choir who are passionate and ready to take it to the next level. In turn… [I] help my guys achieve the highest level of their capabilities for the hand-off to Mr. Holdren in the upper school.”

Mr. Stroud seemed very proud of the choir’s performance. “My guys have never let me down when we finally step in front of a crowd.”

The Centennial Singers joined the Haverford Boys Choir and sang “Chanukah Medley,” “Go Tell It On The Mountain,” and “Choral Suite” from The Polar Express, with

ovie musicals seem to have become a staple in American cinema, from West Side Story to La La Land to les misé and How to Succeed in

Fifth Grader Benny Pollard on the solo. “We begin preparing for the Winter Concert the second Monday of the school year,” Mr. Stroud said. “It takes a lot of dedication for our performers to reach the level of excellence we always strive to achieve.”

People often say that EA Day isn’t the first week of November for every Haverford student. For the actors and technicians, the fall musical is their EA Day; for the singers and musicians, the Winter Concert is theirs.

The Glee Club and Notables closed out the evening. The Glee Club performed “Ad Astra,” with Fourth Former Kevin Chan accompanying on the piano, and “Measure Me, Sky!” along with the upbeat “A DooWop Christmas With You,” with soloist Fourth Former Mookie Dombar.

The Notables ended the evening with three songs, “Little Saint Nick,” “I’ll Be

Home for Christmas,” and “Movie Medley.”

Notables member Sixth Former Zac Fuscaldo said, “[I was] very pleased with our performance. In Glee Club, we had never done an a cappella song, and in Notables, we worked really hard to prepare the “Movie Medley,” making sure that the music still sounded good while all of the theatrics were happening.”

“It’s not the journey, but the destination that’s the best part,” Mr. Stroud said. “The concert itself is always great, but singing together throughout the year and sharing our common passion as brothers of Haverford is really what it is all about.”

What makes movie adaptations of musicals popular?

enjoy movies like Oppenheimer and Star Wars.

Disney’s musical production started in 1937 with the movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs; since then, Disney has produced dozens of musicals through animation, live-action, and on the stage.

To really say what makes a movie musical popular, we first need to think about the impact of what is maybe the most influential studio in the production of movie musicals: Disney.

Disney’s musical production started in 1937 with the movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs; since then, Disney has produced dozens of musicals through animation, live-action, and on the stage. Disney has also taken stage musicals and turned them into movies like Newsies and Into the Woods

through the screen that can’t be done on the stage.

For example, at the end of Wicked’s movie adaptation, Elphaba literally flies, which can’t easily be achieved on stage. But, through the use of visual effects, movies add an extra layer of majesty to seeing a live musical.

People also enjoy sharing a show that they might have seen as a child

People also enjoy sharing a show that they might have seen as a child that is no longer on Broadway or in local theaters, going to see it in movie theaters with their own kids.

Finally, movie musicals are so popular because of how they make people feel when they go to see them in theaters; for some, it’s the feeling of childhood. For others, it allows them the freedom to dream and to imagine, and for others still, it allows them the opportunity to see a show that they might not have been able to see otherwise.

Business Without Really Trying, and most recently, Wicked. We have to think about what makes movie musicals so popular and how the audience enjoys them in different ways from how they

These movie musicals have been so popular because people love seeing the story on stage, and they love the convenience of seeing it on the silver screen. A lot can be done

Notables at Winter Concert, December 12, 2024

Peter McConnell ’26

The Wicked Musical at the Omaha Orpheum theater WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Ezra Walters ’26

the moon with how the Fantastic Fords performed.”

MRS. VALERIE CASE

An anthem to childhood trauma

Luke ganley ’25

As a child, you look up to few people more than your older siblings. When I was little, my sister would tell me to hop, and I’d jump as high as I could to impress her. While we’ve grown into pretty different people, I still look to her for guidance and support. In Greer’s latest music video, audio_77, the group’s vocalist, Josiah Ziegler, sings about what it’s like to watch an older sibling escape an abusive household, leaving you behind.

In the video, Ziegler is surrounded by toys from the late ’90s and early 2000s, providing some context for the song.

In the video, Ziegler is surrounded by toys from the late ’90s and early 2000s, providing some context for the song. Considering the band’s members are all in their early to mid-twenties, the toys featured in the video are from their own childhoods. Ziegler sings about an experience through the lens of a child.

In the first verse, Ziegler sings about how hard life is getting, “Tired and shaking/ Close my eyes and wonder why/ The light gets colder.” This verse provides the lead-up to the next verse in which he pleads, “Take me with you/ Open up the door and hold/ The light in clear view.”

This line is especially powerful because it refers to the previous verse where Ziegler sings, “the light gets colder,” commenting

on the light of life and the joy of living as a child. But, in saying, “Open up the door and hold/ The light in clear view,” he also refers to the age-old saying: “there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Ziegler pleads for his sibling to take him with them, guiding him to happiness and freedom from his toxic household.

The refrain repeats, “Every time I close the door at night/ Part of me is on the other side.”

These lines speak to the closeness of the sibling and the narrator, presumably Ziegler. He sings that without his sibling, he doesn’t feel complete.

This part of the song is even sung in a manner reminiscent of a wail.

In the outro, he repeats, “Please don’t get up to leave,” leaving the listener with a feeling of guilt. This part of the song is even sung in a manner reminiscent of a wail, reinforcing the idea that the listener is being begged to stay.

To Greer, this short music video seems to have served as a simple preview of the release due on January 16th, but the song is much more than that.

It is a heartbreaking tale of childhood abuse and the impossible decisions that children are forced to make in dire situations.

It’s an anthem to childhood trauma, and it’s something you should listen to right now.

A student views Greer’s “audio_77” video

sports

Swimming and diving look to rebuild the culture

The humidity is the first thing that hits you when you step into the pool. It’s a warm blanket that envelops, providing relief from winter’s plague of cold and dry air. The relief is short-lived, soon replaced with chlorine, sweat, and sore muscles.

On the whiteboard, a set is written: “10x100 Freestyle, best average.” The warmup begins and afterward, the grind to beat Inter-Ac rivals Germantown Academy, Malvern Prep, Penn Charter, and Episcopal Academy.

The

Eagles are winning, but what’s wrong?

The Philadelphia Eagles have been blazing hot, currently on a ninegame win streak. They are atop the NFC East division, leading the Commanders by four games. Despite their recent success, the team has its difficulties on the inside, though.

Last Monday, Eagles veteran defensive end Brandon Graham told ESPN he took his comments about teammates Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown too far during a radio appearance. Graham ironically emphasized the importance of hashing things out internally rather than through the media during his weekly radio show on 94 WIP. That’s when he suggested Hurts and Brown aren’t tight like they once were.

“The person that’s complaining needs to be accountable,” Graham said. “I don’t know the whole story, but I know that [Hurts] is trying and [Brown] could be a little better with how he responds to things. They were friends before this, but things have changed,

This year, the Fords look to win big at Easterns and maintain their aquatic excellence in the Inter-Ac league. On Tuesday, December 10th, the team took on Germantown Academy on the Patriots’ home turf. While the Fords performed well, GA prevailed by a score of 96.5-90.5. Still, the Fords took home valuable lessons.

Two years ago, Haverford was set to win the dual meet against GA until GA’s coach successfully petitioned meet officials to disqualify the Fords’ 400 relay win, the final event of the meet. The disqualification, due

and I understand that because life happens. But it’s the business side, that we have to make sure the personal doesn’t get in the way of the business.”

This is all in response to Brown’s tense postgame comments, in which Brown said “passing” was what the offense needs to improve on and that “there’s not too much conversation” between him and Hurts during the game.

“I made a mistake and I assumed that it was something that it wasn’t,” Graham told ESPN. “I just want to win so bad that I don’t just want to use the media when we need to talk about something and we can fix the problem ourselves. I didn’t add to it in a good light, so that’s my bad. I just assumed, and it made me out to look even worse because I had it all wrong and now people are going to run with that part. I really just want to win, man, and I want brothers to be able to just hash it out.”

A.J. Brown remained untargeted until late in the second quarter. Although, as his nickname suggests, “Always Open,” & he was wide open on multiple occasions for what could have been explosive plays, the ball didn’t go his way. Asked what was missing in the passing game, fellow wide receiver DeVonta Smith said, “Being on the same page.”

The reason the passing game has been neglected is that the Eagles have relied heavily on MVP contender Saquon Barkley and a ground game that ranks No. 1 in rushing attempts (473) and yards (190.5 per game). The flip side is that they are dead last in pass-

to excessive celebration and unsportsmanlike conduct, occurred when a Haverford swimmer, celebrating his leg of the race, fell off a lane line and into another lane while swimmers were still actively competing.

While the disqualification was technically correct, it was seen by many as a cheap way to win, especially given that GA swimmers often celebrated in similar fashion and the celebration did not impact any swimmers competing. The disqualification cost the Fords the meet win and the Inter-Ac Championship that year.

Last year the Haverford v. GA dual meet resulted in a tie.

The outcome of the last two duel meets has only amplified the ongoing rivalry against Germantown Academy, so emotions were heightened heading into this first duel meet of the season.

Despite their loss, many Fords took home individual victories. The team had a strong start, winning the first event, the 200 medley relay. This was followed by Fifth Former Jack Grimley winning the 200 freestyle and Sixth Former Zach Oswald placing first in the 200 IM and the 100 butterfly. Sixth Form co-captain Cameron Smith won the 100 backstroke while Grimley had another great race, taking first in the 500 freestyle.

“GA had swimmers who placed second and third, so while we won events, GA earned more points,” Smith said.

In diving, Sixth Form captain William Suter led the team in a close matchup.

“While we didn’t get the result we wanted, losing by only a couple of points, I’d say we are in a great place, both physically and mentally,” Smith said.

This year the team was required to read the book, Don’t Believe Everything You Think, by Joseph Nguyen, about the power of mindset in enabling one’s body to perform at its best. A strong mindset is the theme for the team this year. Coming out of this meet, it is clear the team’s goal-oriented focus has improved tremendously.

“It was sad losing to GA, but I have hopes that this season can be one of the best ever. The takeaway from tonight is to turn all of our negative energy from this loss into useful motivation,” Smith said.

Haverford will next take on Malvern on December 17th before moving on to meets against Penn Charter and Episcopal Academy in the new year.

ing attempts (328) and have not established much of a rhythm through the air.

With so many things going right for the Eagles this season, Graham said his intent was to ensure the team was handling its business the right way.

“I wasn’t trying to be divisive. I just didn’t want us to use the media in a bad way,” Graham said. “And that starts with me too. I can’t do that, either. If I’ve got something, I’ve got to go to the people too, instead of just feeding it like I did.”

Zack Oswald ’25 in action last winter

liam french ’25

Haverford students pose before an Eagles game

quinn sullivan ’25

Fords wrestling: a new era on the mats

For the 2024 season, the Fords wrestling team has undergone a coaching change.

New head coach, alum Chris Kober ’17, wrestled and then coached at Campbell University in North Carolina. This fall, Mr. Kober was appointed as head coach and director of the wrestling program.

Under his leadership, the team has begun to see success early into the season. The Fords recently faced off against Westtown, resulting in a 44-21 win.

In early December, the varsity roster traveled to a tournament in Pottstown, mentally and physically prepared due to Coach Kober’s intense practices.

All three of the wrestling team’s captains set the tone. Sixth Form captains Quinn Sullivan and Zach Moua finished in fourth place and Fifth Form captain Ian Thomas placed third. Thomas went 4-1 with two tech falls, one pin, and a major decision.

Thomas was excited about the gamechanging attitude of the team.

“I left it all on the mat,” Thomas said. “We have some real gritty guys and a lot of opportunity.”

In the last three years, the team has had three different head coaches, exposing the team to several philosophies and coaching styles, breeding diverse styles among the

wrestlers. Still, the team appears to have transitioned well to Coach Kober’s program.

“I think the transition has been smooth,” Moua said. “With the same assistant coaches here, there is a sense of familiarity, but Coach Kober has quickly built strong relationships with the wrestlers.”

As more wrestling meets arrive, Coach ober has been having the team train rigorously.

As more wrestling meets arrive, Coach Kober has been having the team train rigorously. He emphasizes mental toughness and being the most conditioned man on the mat.

“Getting pinned is a choice, so push yourself to the limit,” Coach Kober said. He means business in the wrestling room. It is apparent that he cares deeply about the team and for each wrestler.

“Whether it’s teaching new techniques pushing us to the limits or dedicating time outside of our regular practice,” Moua said, “Coach Kober is fully committed to helping his wrestlers reach their full potential.”

Winter track warms up for new season

“We are using the virtue of Humility to prepare for the season,” Coach James Hawkins said. “It is not how good you are or how fast you are, it’s about being humble and building connections with the team.”

Coming off of a strong season where they broke several school records, the winter track and field team is ready to run.

“We have changed the approach. We have some new kids, and it will take them a little more time to adjust to the pace of the season. However, our philosophy has remained the same. We must remember the virtues,” Coach Hawkins said.

The captains this year comprise Sixth Former Alex Dardarian for long distance, Fifth Former Ahijah Goins for middle distance, and Fourth Former Charlie Beifeld for sprint. Dardarian explained one of the changes.

“The team is preparing for the season by working hard on the track and in the weight room,” Dardarian said. “We are spending much more time in the weight room, working out for an extra hour every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.”

“As a team, we have been preparing extremely well for this upcoming season. I’ve seen progress in every athlete, and we’re only about four to five weeks into the season,” added Goins.

A major change will make team members’ lives much easier this year. Four of the meets that have historically been held in New York are now moving to the new track at The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Goins believes this change will have an effect on how the team runs.

“The new track at Penn will save the extreme tiredness of traveling to New York early in the morning and leaving late at night. The closer facility will help us to be at our best considering the fact that we will have more energy entering the meet,” Goins said. The team has a few new members including, Third Former J.R. Hawkins, who is nationally ranked in the 100, 110, and 60-meter hurdles.

“He’s a phenomenal athlete,” Coach

Hawkins said, “He’s competing with the seniors as a freshman.”

The core of the team remains the same.

“We have some great seniors. It’s bittersweet that it is their last winter track season.

Once we go into the spring season, it will be their last season,” Coach Hawkins said.

“Especially Alex Dardarian, he has been a captain for the last three years, spring and winter. He has been a rock for the team. On and off the track. He has led by example in the classroom as well as on the track.”

Coach Hawkins then turned his praise to rapidly improving Sixth Former.

“Matt Yerger just had a great cross-country season,” Coach Hawkins said, “and he will have a great track season.”

Matthew Yerger broke 21 minutes this season and came close to breaking 20 in the 5K race.

There are high expectations for this team. “We have a really really strong team. After last spring, breaking the 4x800 and 4x400 school records, doing great at PAISAA, and making it to the School Indoor Championships, I expect that we will do well,” Coach Hawkins said.

“I think the team will do great this year,” Goins said. “We have some new faces that I see being great in the program. And the ones who are returning athletes look even better. I have high expectations for how we will perform in meets this year.”

Students wonder, are the 76ers still contenders?

The Philadelphia 76ers season has not started off the way that they had hoped. The team is currently sitting with a record of 7 wins to a staggering 15 losses.

Over the offseason, the 76ers made huge splashes in free agency by adding former Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George. They also signed/drafted other names like Jared McCain, Andre Drummond, and Caleb Martin.

All these signings were supposed to turn the team from pretenders to contenders, but that is yet to happen.

Outside of some flashes from McCain, the team has played poorly. This is primarily due to Joel Embiid and Paul George not being healthy and on the court. This slow start has still enraged fans at Haverford.

“I think that the team is playing badly, but the coach is doing a great job developing our young guys like Jared McCain,” Third Former Matt Rocheleau said.

Despite the poor performance, are the 76ers still contenders? As of a week or two ago, both Embiid and George are back on the court.

While George has struggled so far

at times in his stint with the team, he has shown flashes of the All-Star he once was.

These performances are highlighted by a 29-point game against the Charlotte Hornets on December 3rd.

As for the former MVP Embiid, fans have grown angry with his performance this season.

Embiid’s preseason announcement that he would no longer play in back-to-back games disappointed and frustrated fans.

“If Embiid doesn’t play more than half the season, it’s time to part ways with him,” Third Former Nick Canuso said.

When on the floor Embiid is performing well, as seen by his 33 points in the December 8th game, but he has missed most of the season thus far.

Despite these controversies, a bright spot glimmers in the 76ers’ future. Going into the season, many thought that McCain was not going to work out in the NBA, as he was taken 16th overall in what was generally considered a historically poor draft class.

But McCain has defied expectations so far. In November he averaged almost 20 points per game, which is incredible from an athlete in the first month of his career. In

December he is averaging only 14.2 points a game, so the final verdict on McCain remains to be seen.

The 76ers’ guard Tyrese Maxey is the best player so far this season. He has averaged a great 24 points a game.

Both Maxey and McCain bring a youthful skill of slashing to the basket and gaining points under the rim. Maxey has also devel-

oped in his three-point shooting, with an average of 38% from beyond the line.

So it’s fair to say that despite a bad record at the quarter mark, the 76ers’ playoff hopes are still very much alive.

As for the NBA Championship, we will just have to wait and see what happens.

ACTIVE IMAGE MEDIA

Ahijah Goins ’26 finishes a relay at a PTFCA meet at Lehigh, February 9, 2024

Nate Gill ’26

Rex Riley ’28

Matt Hoban ’26 pins his oponent in last year’s Buckley Duels, January 13, 2024

HENRY VANDIVER ‘26

Henry Vandiver ’26

Fords Hockey looks to continue Inter-Ac success

Quinn Sullivan ’25

High school hockey is always a pleasure to watch—the atmosphere, the energy on the ice, and the battling between the players bring warmth to the winter.

Following a successful 2023-2024 season and earning the crown of the Inter-Ac Hockey League (IHL) against longtime rival Episcopal Academy, the team looks to con-

This year, the Fords moved up from the IHL to the ICSHL, a more competitive league where most of the area’s prep and catholic schools play.

tinue its improvement this season.

With last year’s success in the back of the team’s mind, the guys look to replicate it this year in their new league. This year, the Fords moved up from the IHL to the ICSHL, a more competitive league where most of the area’s prep and Catholic schools play. So far, things have looked good for the Fords with bright moments that give a good insight into the team’s future, like the first goal of the season coming from Third Former Henry Cagliuso via a pass from Sixth Form captain Ryan Wai.

Wai expressed his excitement and determination for the season.

“I think now as a senior I am looking forward to pushing this program to the next level. Obviously, every year comes with big changes, and this year we’re in a new league with tougher competition and more eyes on us,” Wai said. “I’m trying to lead by example and take what I’ve learned from previous

captains and really help push this program forward.”

His sentiments capture the ethos of many high school hockey teams, where experienced players take on the responsibility of leadership on and off the ice, striving to leave the program better than they found it. Preparation for success at this level starts well before game day.

Players focus on all aspects of their craft, from skating fundamentals to game-day strategies critical for maintaining an edge in high-level competition.

Players focus on all aspects of their craft, from skating fundamentals to game-day strategies critical for maintaining an edge in high-level competition.

As a forward, we work a lot on passing and creating open space. Then we work on special teams for 15-20 minutes and finish off with hard skating.”

RYAN WAI ’25

“We start off with skating and full teamwork. Then we do more position-specific work,” Wai said. “As a forward, we work a

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lot on passing and creating open space. Then we work on special teams for 15-20 minutes and finish off with hard skating.”

This structured training mirrors the focus of any serious hockey program, emphasizing the balance between skill work, situational

play, and physical endurance. With a combination of young talent, experienced leadership, and an elevated league, the Fords aim to continue proving themselves as a team capable of thriving under tougher competition.

Fords basketball in hopes to win an Inter-Ac title

Last season the basketball team had a successful season, finishing with a 6-4 record in the Inter-Ac, earning them second place in the league. One of the standout players from the previous season was Fourth Former Silas Graham, who was first-team all-league and an All-American player in the Third Form class.

“Physically on the court, I felt a little bit behind at first. I felt like guys were just faster and in much better shape than me”

MANNY BUTTS ’26

This season, Fifth Former Manny Butts and Sixth Former Duke Cloran are both back, having missed last season due to torn ACLs.

“Physically on the court, I felt a little bit behind at first. I felt like guys were just faster and in much better shape than me,” Butts said. “As we continued throughout early practices and scrimmages I learned it was just a matter of getting used to putting my body through what it was used to prior to the injury. Now I feel like I can keep up with my teammates and compete to the best

of my abilities with them.” Cloran had a similar response.

“On the court, I feel great, my first couple of times playing I didn’t feel as good and was out of shape but each time I play I feel I’m getting better and I feel one hundred percent,” he said.

Players are determined to win an Inter-Ac title and have aspirations to have a strong performance in the PAISAA tournament

Both players are determined to win an Inter-Ac title and have aspirations to have a strong performance in the PAISAA tournament at the end of the basketball season.

The Inter-Ac appears to be extremely competitive this year, especially last year’s champions Penn Charter who have three returning senior starters who are all committed to Division-I programs. The Three players include: Kai Shinholster, committed to the University of Minnesota, Jake West, committed to Northwestern University, and last year’s Inter-Ac MVP Mathew Gilhool, committed to Lousiana State University. As well as Germantown Academy which also bolsters a strong roster, and Malvern Prep. Although outsiders believe that Penn Char-

ter is the overwhelming favorite to win the league, Coach Rogers remains optimistic.

“Penn Charter is really talented, with three high-profile players, but if we keep on building from our positive off-season, we believe that we have the ability to beat anybody,” he asserted.

The Fords will play Penn Charter in the Inter-Ac opener on January 9th, 2025, on the Fords’ home court, and is anticipated as a must-watch game. Despite the talent that

Penn Charter possesses, The Fords basketball team plays with great chemistry in an unselfish manner that has led the team to great success. This success is seen as they began the season with a 7-0 start, including an impressive victory over the Hill School to win the McBride Classic tournament. With the momentum on their side, a future Inter-Ac title seems to be very possible.

K.J. Carson ’25 looks to the hoop in 58-38 win over GA, January 17, 2024

MIKE NANCE

Jay rogers ‘25

Michael DiPalma

eyes

puck in a 4-3 overtime win in the IHL Championship win over EA, February