The Index Eutαxia Swzein Dokei
JANUARY 2013
Volume LXXIV, No. 5
Haverford, Pennsylvania - haverfordindex.com
Sustainability: Haverford’s Library Goes Green
Jack Henderson ‘15 explores the “green” initiatives at Haverford led by Ms. Kirk and Sixth Former Wick Egan, including some projects set to begin in the near future. Jack Henderson ‘15
Haverford has successfully been going green, currently focusing on the recycling of paper. Members of the Sustainability Alliance plan on refining their recycling of paper, and then hopefully moving on to recycling plastic at school in the near future. Haverford built the first LEED Gold certified building in Montgomery County and the school has clearly established its commitment to increasing awareness about sustainability. With this LEED Gold certified building, along with numerous other resources, the school plans to do even more when it comes to sustainability and “environmental stewardship” in the coming years. The Sodexo staff at Haverford has developed and now instituted effective ways of limiting energy consumption, use of toxic chemicals, and the release of greenhouse gases, while also disposing of waste responsibly, and conserving water. The librarians, led by Mrs. Kirk, are working with paper recycling through the school and they share they dream with Upper School math teacher Mr. Walters and the Sustainability Alliance of recycling plastic in the near future. Mrs. Kirk is at the forefront of what
happens with sustainability in the library, although she is too humble to say that. She is passionate about sustainability in her personal life. In fact, she was featured in the Philly Inquirer because she brings her own utensils and napkin for lunch, rather than having to throw away the plastic utensils. Mrs. Kirk is also at the forefront of the Sustainability Alliance with Upper School science teacher Mr. Trocano. She went to an environmental law firm with students to meet engineers and lawyers that helped them see the bigger picture of sustainability. Sixth Formers Wick Egan and Jason Tabas went to a PECO-sponsored Sustainability Day to hear from other schools about what they do for sustainability. Mrs. Kirk is also conscientious about turning off the plasma screens, especially “the one in the lobby across from Mr. Green’s office, as well as the one next to the Admissions office on the 2nd floor.” The librarians also make sure to “power down the computer lab, the Vaio computers in the library, as well as [their] personal desktops nightly.” The Tech Department has looked into recycling electronics including light bulbs (mercury), printer ink, and toners. The librarians collect plastics, left by students or mistakenly thrown in the “only paper”
recycling bins, and bring these plastics over to the school dumpster for plastic during their own free time. Mrs. Kirk has made new signs to be hanged above the recycling bins in order to raise student awareness about what does and does not get thrown out, such as tissues and candy wrappers. While the signs have helped substantially, they are no foolproof; librarians are still picking trash out of the recycling bins. The librarians are, in part, fine with this because they are helping Librarian Ms. Maureen Kirk placing a bottle in the recycling bin. Index Staff the environment, but they ask for and need for disabled adults who cannot get a job in the more student involvement and awareness to mainstream job market and therefore work make a substantial impact on environmental in the recycling center. The librarians also sustainability at school. They also use the recycle the batteries from the wireless mice water from discarded water bottles for the and keyboards, as well as from the remotes and plants in the library to ensure that none flip cameras. is wasted. They use old CDs to import information for new books, and then recycle Continued on Page 4 the CDs to New Hampshire through a program
EA Day Shirt: Then and Now
Check out The Index’s sports updates on each of the winter sports. Sports are profiled on Pages 7-8, and Hockey and Winter Track updates can be found online. If you are interested in contributing to Haverford sports analysis, come to the next writer’s meeting.
Sixth Former Matt Cook throwing the shotput in a recent Winter Track meet. Ms. Patty Morgan
Fourth Former LJ Barlow pinning an opponent in a wrestling match.
Also inside this Issue...
Ms. Dawn Blake
Jack Henderson ‘15 investigates the process by which the EA Day shirt is selected and considers last year’s controversial design. Jack Henderson ‘15
The Upper School creates its own shirt every year to be worn by students on EA Day. This time around, the Upper School took a step back and realized how special this year is; it is Dr. Cox’s last year, and the students decided they were not going to let his last EA Day as Headmaster go by without significant recognition. The shirt fashioned a classic picture of him smiling with an HS Index Staff The front (left) and back (right) of the EA Day 2012 shirt. logo on his chest. The back of the shirt coined the phrase: EA Day shirt last year with an inappropriate “Dr. Cox. He’s a lover, not a fighter, but he reference to underage drinking. They feel fights for what he loves.” disappointed and concerned by the decision to The system that the Upper School accept a shirt with an inappropriate joke about implements for deciding on its EA Day shirt is alcohol that students would wear to represent simple: anyone in the Upper School can design the school. and submit his/her shirt to the Student Council, and, as Fourth Form Class President Nick Continued on Page 4
For his monthly Career Column, Jack Henderson ‘15 profiles the engineering career on Page 3. Haverford offers opportunities to try this career out with the Advanced Lab Cooperative program. Sixth Former Max Schmidt created this graph in the engineering lab he worked in over the summer.
Max Schmidt
Greco states, “The Student Council just picks designs and does a process of elimination. Once we pick the shirt design . . . we have to figure out what stays on the shirt and what doesn’t.” Once the shirt has been chosen, the Student Council orders them in mass supply for the Upper School students. Many teachers and even some students believe this system is too simple, largely because of the incident last year. They are concerned about the system because the Student Council chose to distribute an
Sixth Former DJ Conner in a hockey game. Mr. Jim Roese
Haverford sports coverage on Pages 7-8.
Article Editorial Career Column Sabermetrics DECA Districts Best Bond Films Jazz Band Gentlemen’s Club Honor Council Working? Outdex
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The Index
Editorials
January 2013
Letter from the President Editorial: Publishing Content about Drugs at Haverford Student Body,
I hope everyone enjoyed his winter break thought about his resolutions for the New Year. Over my vacation, I took time to think about first semester, and all that’s to come second semester. I thought about all the assemblies, events, meetings, and moments we had and how each one impacted me in some way. I, also, thought about my letters. Trying to think of something inspiring or intriguing to write, I realized that not many people actually read my letters; and, therefore in this letter I will be writing about something very irrelevant, but entertaining, so if anyone reads this letter, he will be surprised and hopefully motivated to read my other letters that are more important and meaningful. When I thought about what I wanted to say for my speech after winter break, I didn’t want to give another funny and meaningful speech; so, I thought of some alternatives. I thought about doing an interpretive dance, making a funny video, singing a song, doing some improvisation activities, or just standing in the middle of the stage staring into the audience not saying anything. Then, as I was listening to A Tribe Called Quest on my iPod, I rapped along to the song “Can I Kick It?” and realized the originality and epic-ness of a rap in front of the entire upper school. I started the lyrical process as every famous rapper had done in the past; I sat in a chair and stared at a blank wall thinking of what I want to rap about. I decided to rap about first semester and all the highlights as well as the upcoming events for second semester. Recalling all the memorable assemblies and events, I decided to sign Fif-Daddy-Flex and Green-eezy to a one-performance contract deal. It wasn’t easy signing the two baddest rappers in the Main Line. But, through much negotiating with their agent, Ms. Kas-Money, we agreed to a contract guaranteeing them fame and a solid week of seniors doing actual work in the second semester. We began our labor-intensive, eighthour, six days-a-week rehearsals (the last day reserved for rest and DECA reserved the space). It was indeed a difficult feat to achieve. From arguing over lyrical vernacular to fighting over spots in the pasta line, we suffered and gave up a lot, but in the end; it was worth all that spilled pasta and bloody noses. After the ridiculous video that took me a very late night to make (but that’s a whole other story), I stepped out onto the stage with my arms raised high taking in all the off-beat claps from the student body, and the snores from half of the senior class. Then I danced to the podium, and began my “speech”. Pretending to talk about what people thought I was going to talk about, I saw even more seniors sleeping. I also saw some teachers dosing off, along with some freshmen… YES…even freshmen! So, I decided now was the appropriate time to whip out the surprise. I asked the audience if I could kick it. They didn’t understand, so I grabbed some of the audience members’ attentions. I repeated, “Can I kick it?” Some members understood the reference to the A Tribe Called Quest’s
Index Staff
President Michael Green.
lyrical masterpiece, but Mike Green still some were confused. Some answered my questions with the proper response of “yes you can.” As I repeated the question a few more times, everybody caught on (even my mother who was sitting in the back of the auditorium crying because she was so “proud of me”, but really embarrassed from the video). After I grabbed every one’s attention, I began my rap. And, boy, did I rap. Picture Jay-Z, Kanye West, Old Dirty Bastard, Ghostface Killah, Dr. Dre, Lil’ Kim, and Salt-N-Peppa…. then think of the exact opposite, and that’s what I rapped like. But, I enjoyed myself, and I’ve never seen that many people in Centennial Hall have that much fun ever before. And, just when people thought it was over, as a good assembly, we made it great by adding the real Fif-Daddy-Flex. He spit hot fire on the audience as they stood up, shouted, cheered, and even some cried. Finally when people thought it was done, and thought that it couldn’t get any better…it did! The impossible occurred. Green-eezy truly was a killer MC in a Vineyard Vines’s tie. Ladies and Gentlemen, that assembly was a miracle! And it will probably never happen again! But, I am happy to say that even though our group “A Twerk Called Ja” split up immediately after our first performance, we are still working together on other things…like running the school. This was truly an amazing experience and I’d like to thank all those who helped. And, perhaps there is a reunion concert coming up soon… Sincerely, President Mike Green P.S. The majority of this letter is false, but it added some fun to the event. Also, I’d like to thank my cousin for being the inspiration behind our group name.
The Index
2012-2013 Staff
Grayson Sessa, Editor-in-Chief Manav Khandelwal, Editor-in-Chief Erich Prince, Head of Photography Henri Mattila, Copy Editor Fisher Pressman, Business Manager Peter Thompson, News and Features Editor James Shecter, Sports Editor Will Tackett, Columns Editor Amar Patel, Arts Editor Jake Pechet, Opinions Editor Matt Larson & Greg Boyek, Politics Editors Sam Bloch & James Tarte, Outdex Editors Manav Khandelwal, Graphics Editor Graham Gaddes, Website Managerr Mr. Kellen Graham, 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
Editors-in-Chief Manav Khandelwal (left) and Grayson Sessa (right).
Just like last year, it seems The Index has reprised its role as controversial messenger. Last March, it was the eventual publication of then-Fifth Former Fisher Pressman’s opinion piece about how Haverford could better encourage students to follow the values of Respect, Honesty, and Courage. Again, another important and timely issue has risen — drugs and the school’s disciplinary policy regarding them — that The Index will cover to the fullest extent possible. It is the sincerest hope of the editorial staff that there will be a hard-hitting feature piece on the subject within the next few months by Fifth Former Will Tackett. But because the event bringing attention to drugs is still so urgent, naturally, the newspaper does not wish to bring undeserved and unwanted attention back to the particular students involved in the recent situation. Rather, we want to focus on the community at-large. It is the feeling at The Index that it is just this sort of attention that is needed if there is ever to be open and honest discussion about school policy. Over the past several years, The Index has proven itself capable of guiding school-wide debate for a few weeks each year. We have not forgotten that ability nor do we wish to surrender that responsibility: that is why the editorial staff will make this our primary goal for the rest of the school year. We are happy to announce that Fourth Former Brendan Burns opinion piece on the school’s drug policy has been published on
Brendan Burns
Page 10 in this issue. Instead of taking aim on the students and the events of last month, Burns turns his attention towards the policy and why Haverford’s administration should take a tough stance against illicit drug use. To be clear, that is the short of coverage that The Index desires: not to make an example out a few unfortunate students but to pivot the event into an opportunity for positive cultural change at Haverford. Last year, then-Fifth Former Erich Prince also published a controversial piece regarding the legalization of drugs, another facet of the drugs argument that can be deliberated about. His respectful, well-researched item helped open the minds of many of his readers, something we hope all pieces related to school issues can do. The Index will strive to present opposing views on the subject to ensure that all perspectives are represented equally. Prince’s piece can also be found on philly.com’s opinions section. We encourage all students to read these pieces and debate their individual merits openly and respectfully. We feel it is vital for the student body to prove to itself and the Haverford administration that honest discourse on this matter is the only positive path that the school can take to foster continued improvement in an area where it is necessary. Please, take your roles as action-takers at Haverford seriously. With your help, we can make a serious piece of journalism on drugs at Haverford a reality this year.
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 hsindex@gmail.com. The Index, a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, is composed on Mac OS X, using Adobe InDesign CS5.5. Its surveys are conducted via SurveyMonkey and are advertised on Facebook to current Haverford students. School Publications Company of Neptune, N.J., prints 200-400 copies of each issue, and its editorial staff distributes them in the Upper School on the day of release. The Index serves the needs of a total school population of 1091 community members, consisting of 975 students and 116 faculty members. Contact The Index: 450 Lancaster Ave, Haverford, PA 19041 hsindex@gmail.com http://www.haverfordindex.com/ (610) 642-3020 x. 1222 Volume LXXIV, No. 5 - January 25, 2013
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The Index
January 2013
Columns
Arts Column: Rachmaninoff, A Philly Orchestra Tradition Columnist Greg Boyek ‘14 reviews the Philadelphia Orchestra’s yearly Rachmaninoff celebration.
one of the world’s greatest performers and interpreters of Rachmaninoff’s works. He is the pianist in residence for the Rachmaninoff
Greg Boyek ‘14
The Philadelphia Orchestra performed to a sold-out Kimmel Center during its annual all-Rachmaninoff concert in early December. A Romantic period holdover, his music was flowing and emotional. Some of his contemporaries considered his melodramatic works to be “movie music.” Today, his pieces are regarded as timeless. The virtuosity of the Philadelphia Orchestra and guest pianist Denis Matsuev left no one in doubt. Two of Rachmaninoff’s works were on the program: Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor and Symphony No. 2 in E minor. Rachmaninoff worked with the Philadelphia Orchestra for many of his pieces, writing several expressly for the orchestra. Rachmaninoff himself recorded the debut record of his Third Piano Concerto with the Philadelphia orchestra in 1939. The composer once said that he would “rather perform with The Philadelphia Orchestra than any other orchestra in the world.” Rachmaninoff was a turn-of-the-century Russian composer who emigrated from his homeland as a result of two World Wars and revolutions. Rachmaninoff believed that a composer’s music should be highly personal; he said it “should express the country of his birth, his love affairs, his religion.” Rachmaninoff composed much of the Second
Boyek and the entire audience giving the performers a standing ovation.
Symphony in Dresden, Germany, where he had taken shelter from the political turmoil in Russia. Living in America he composed the Third Piano Concerto, shortly after his first appearance in this country in 1909 at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. Honoring the tradition of Rachmaninoff in Philadelphia was guest conductor Giandrea Noseda, Laureate Conductor of the BBC Philharmonic, and pianist Denis Matsuev. Matsuev, born in Siberia and winner of the People’s Artist of the Russian Federation, is
Ms. Leslie Poor
Foundation. For that position, he has been assigned to record Rachmaninoff’s works on the composer’s piano in Lucerne, Switzerland. Denis Matsuev is a pianist who doesn’t merely touch the keys. The strength and energy of the tall Russian was visibly driven from his shoulders into the piano. From my seat in the first row of the Kimmel Center, I could see him wrestling with the keys as he churned out the concerto. Matsuev does not simply play the keyboard of the piano; he pours his emotions
into the instrument. He approached the piece with aggressive athleticism, snarling as he impacted the piano. Despite his overtly violent playing style, he was able to interpret the more delicate sections of the piece. Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony expresses the composer’s personal style. The music is highly Russian with romantic era influences of Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev. The first movement is cinematic and emotional. The orchestra performed with subtlety and grandeur that brought the listener into the mind of the composer. The second and third movements both feature melodic instrumentation. The lovesong-like third movement is highly lyrical, and likely the most memorable theme from the symphony. In fact, it has been used in popular music as a vocal theme. The second movement also includes brilliant rapid-fire sections which showed off the orchestra’s virtuosity and the conductor’s enthusiasm. The symphony finishes in the dazzling flash of the fourth movement. It reiterates the themes of the symphony and ends joyfully. The Philadelphia Orchestra continues to honor its longstanding relationship with Rachmaninoff in sold-out performances which bring the composer’s music, and with it his personality, to life. With soloists as talented as Denis Matsuev and conductors like Giandrea Noseda, Rachmaninoff’s music can be experienced the way the composer intended it, performed by the orchestra for which he held the highest esteem.
Career Column: The Wide World of Engineering
Fourth Former Jack Henderson explores the requirements to become an engineer and the engineer’s effect on the world. Jack Henderson ‘15
]
Envision a life without pollution concerns or the everlasting world challenge of hunger. Instead, imagine low-cost building materials and life-saving medical equipment that fights global poverty. All of this innovation requires engineering. Engineers prevent disease outbreak, reduce poverty, protect and strengthen our planet, and save lives in very tangible ways. In every corner of the globe there are examples of engineering making a positive impact on everyday life. Automobiles are cleaner, safer, more efficient; medical examinations are more accurate, and computers and cellphones have reached unprecedented levels of speed and productivity. Theodore
teamwork and involves dealing with people like designers, architects, doctors and entrepreneurs. Engineers not only earn much respect because of the importance of their work, but they are also highly paid. Even the baseline salary for an entry-level job is sufficient enough for a reasonable living. A career in Engineering has been more popular than ever recently, and has led to incredible advancements in many areas of life. Douglas Lauffenburger, Department Head of Biological Engineering at MIT believes, “For the very first time, we are creating a generation of engineers who will solve problems of society and develop technologies that are based in molecular life sciences.” Stanford researchers have recently constructed an algorithm that allows for the fastest, most accurate brain-controlled computer cursors A student and a professor in an MIT Biological Engineering lab.
The MIT Bioengineering logo.
Von Karman, Aerospace Engineer explains, “Scientists discover the world that exists; engineers create the world that never was.” Engineers are often out of the office; they work underwater, on land, and in space. Fieldwork is an integral part of engineering. They may design a skyscraper in London or develop new safe drinking-water systems in Africa. Others stay near home, if they choose, working with a nearby hospital or technology company, like IBM, Intel, Boeing, or Motorola. Engineering is the perfect field for a creative, imaginative, independent mind. This particular field delves deeply into creative problem solving on issues never dealt with before. The collaboration with colleagues allows for an interconnectedness that exposes engineers to different, innovative ways of thinking. The ideas and projects of engineers today are fascinating and their talents are stretched to the limits to solve problems previously thought impossible. Engineers are making a difference for the future on the greatest challenges our world faces today. Engineers collaborate with many different kinds of people in various fields of expertise from all over the world. This field takes
mit.edu
to date, particularly intended to aid disabled people to maneuver computer cursors with their thoughts. A team of chemists and engineers at Stanford University have also created plastic skin that is both sensitive to touch and capable of healing itself quickly. This magnificent advancement could lead to smarter, more productive prosthetics and stronger personal electronics that can repair themselves. If all of this sounds interesting to you, you are probably wondering what it takes to become an engineer. First, prepare yourself in high school for rigorous college courses. Haverford offers engineering as a senior elective for both semesters. The fall semester is called “People and Processes.” This course will build the foundation of engineering and what engineers do. Students through real world applications will develop the thinking process that engineers use in their problems. The semester concludes with a project in a business environment, where they must make a product with certain specifications, in accordance with cost and time limitations. The spring semester engineering course is called “Design, Build, and Test,” in which students
use the information they learned in the first semester and apply the knowledge to real world engineering. Previous projects include: “producing bio-diesel from used cooking oil and utilizing it to fuel a re-engineered go-kart, designing and manufacturing Trebuchets to meet specific ballistic goals, and designing, programming, and assembling Sumo Wrestling Robots.” This course values the importance of hands-on engineering experience that is crucial to becoming a good engineer. After high school, you will next need a college degree to put you on your path to becoming an engineer. In a usual four-year engineering program, the first two years are mostly basic calculus and science courses. During these first two years, you will begin to explore the entire idea of engineering and discover which particular specialty of engineering interests you. For the last two years, you will focus more on the particular engineering field of your choice. Biomedical engineers, for example, specialize in the particular study of biology and medicine. They develop technologies related to healthcare, such as medical diagnostic machines, medical instruments, artificial organs, joint replacement parts, and prosthetic devices. Rapid advances in these areas will probably continue throughout your lifetime. It is normal to then go into practical work experience at a local company through
mit.edu
internships and co-ops, all of which are critical to developing a mind for engineering. A degree in engineering does not set in stone your career path. There is plenty of freedom to find the job of your dreams if it changes over the years. Degrees in engineering can still lead to lucrative and enjoyable careers in business, medicine, and law. When being reviewed by employers or graduate schools a degree in engineering indicates a well-versed person with knowledge in interpreting and solving problems with potential for success in many fields of work. *Note: Sources include United States Department of Labor, MIT, Stanford School of Engineering, and the Wall Street Journal.
The Stanford School of Engineering.
stanford.edu
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News
January 2013
The Library Goes Green (cont.) Continued from the Front Page Sustainability: Making a Difference , Wick Egan has led the Sustainability Alliance in the Wednesday morning pick-ups, a system where recyclable paper is collected once a week from students of all ages and transferred into a container in the Lower School parking lot. The Service Board and Lao Shi’s Chinese II have volunteered consistently, but all are welcome to help. Paper Retriever Recycling will make routine pickups, and the school will receive cash based on the weight of the collected paper in return. The money taken in then goes towards the Microfinance Club, which makes modest loans to small companies and individuals all over the world. Haverford has a big campus, and the Sustainability Alliance is looking into getting more bins and increasing student involvement to cover the Palmer House, the athletic building, and Centennial Hall, all of which are being missed because of the lack of additional students and a lack of rolling bins needed to make the process more efficient. All three divisions at Haverford are
promoting sustainability. Librarian Mrs. Krieg gets the Middle School and science teachers Ms. Joloza and Mr. Palmer get the Lower School. Mr. Grossman, Middle School science teacher, uses the window well in his classroom for composting. The librarians will bring all of the organic waste from the library, like fruit peels and coffee beans, twice a week to the Middle School for composting. Even with the great programs currently in place to help the environment at Haverford, the majority of students have not taken the initiative they should be taking to promote sustainability; however, the green thinkers at Haverford have grand plans for the future to change this slow school movement. Compared to other schools, many think that Haverford is not doing what it can and should be doing for the environment. Garrett O’Neill, who works for Sodexo, was blown away when he visited a boarding school last summer, where he saw that they grow their own food for students and faculty. Haverford is in an amazing position to promote awareness of sustainable and eco-friendly living habits, and many believe that Haverford has the responsibility to do everything it can to promote environmental sustainability. Haverford has the chance to move in a
The front of the new sustainable Upper School.
direction of more independence, such as growing food to serve in the dining hall.
EA Day Shirt Controversy Cont. Continued from the Front Page Others at the school feel the shirt conveyed no hidden or inappropriate joke, but was rather a great shirt for students to wear for EA Day. They are understanding of concerns, but still feel the reference was not demeaning or inappropriate. Fourth Former Brendan Burns believes, “Any argument that the slogan was inappropriate is the product of an overly sensitive and stilted attitude and the lack of a sense of humor. A reference to an alcoholic beverage does not constitute a profanity.” Fourth Former Arjun Dravid feels that the alcohol reference “is not that bad.” He thinks that “shirts are meant to be witty and good [and] the shirt does not convey any bad message.” Critics feel that the Student Council has a responsibility to make the shirt original, spirited, and comical, but also appropriate for the people that will wear and see the shirt. Many teachers are upset because they feel the shirt was not suitable for the family event, disrespecting the historic tradition of EA Day. They believe that to make the inappropriate joke was bad enough, but to put it on a shirt that represents the school and is worn by its
Others at the school feel the shirt conveyed no hidden or inappropriate joke. students is disrespecting everything Haverford stands for. The upset teachers and students want either appropriate shirts or a reformation of the system. There has been no change since last year; however, it is clear that this year’s Student Council realized its woes and chose a shirt more suitable for EA Day. The message on the shirt this year was much different and more appropriate for the event. Of the twelve EA Days I have spectated and now participated in, this year’s event had more school spirit and support for all players on both teams than any other I have previously experienced. One reason is that Dr. Cox was in the minds of everyone playing or cheering for Haverford. For Haverfordians, the day was about Dr. Cox, and for Episcopal Academy it was about Mr. Clark. The day highlighted
Main Line Times
Continued on the next page
the rivalry that has grown even further between the two competitive schools, but more importantly, it highlighted the love for the headmasters held by all of the students. The chants over the years for Haverford and Dr. Cox, the ceremony during halftime of the football game for Dr. Cox and Mr. Clark, and the traditional photo of the two holding the Sweater all reveal the lasting effect they have made on the students, parents, faculty, administration, and alumni of their respective schools. The shirt was chosen to represent Dr. Cox and all he has done to improve this already wonderful school. He has left a lasting impact that will remain with Index Staff The controversial EA Day 2011 shirt. Haverford and its students a shirt that they would wear proudly, is a for decades to come. His testament to that exact impact. image, chosen by students to be placed on
Club Spotlight: Sabermetrics Sam Dyer ‘15 delves into one of Haverford’s newest clubs, Sabermetrics, and its math-based approach to sports analysis, especially baseball. Sam Dyer ‘15
Traditionally at Haverford, much of the focus on clubs falls upon the larger and more publicized organizations with a large outreach, including DECA, Robotics, or Mock Trial. These clubs are almost always busy within the community and in other competitions, and they often have great success. However, Haverford also has many smaller, lesser known clubs that deserve equal attention, such as Sabermetrics. Sabermetrics, which was founded last year by Fourth Former Nick Greco, studies sports using often obscure statistics to analyze various different issues connected to players, trades, and awards. Sabermetrics has a strong focus on baseball, but also analyzes football and basketball during the baseball offseason. Says Deepak Bhagat, who graduated last year but was a leader of the young club, “Sabermetrics is really a key part to understanding the importance of the sport of baseball and the importance and impact of the player on his ball club and throughout the season.” Sabermetrics has been very busy so far this year, debating and discussing issues for the end of the 2012 season while preparing for a larger project for the 2013 season, which kicks off in early April. It has recently spent a good deal of time using statistics to discuss the awards given to players at the end of last season. Topics such as the AL MVP race with Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera against Angels
outfielder Mike Trout, the AL Cy Young Award with Rays pitcher David Price against Tigers ace Justin Verlander, and Gold Glove awards at various positions have all been recent topics of discussion. Currently, Sabermetrics is examining offseason trades and free agent signings, and using advanced statistics to determine where the transaction being discussed is “good” or “bad,” and then explaining why. In addition, Sabermetrics is preparing for a larger project in the spring. It hopes to do a mock draft of all MLB players, creating and drafting teams while only seeing the players stats instead of names. The purpose of this is to discover the most overrated and underrated players, as well as to have a practice experience in building a team that goes beyond video games or fantasy baseball. While Sabermetrics has stayed small, it has begun to gain popularity outside the Sophomore class, which makes up a large majority of the club. Says Greco, one of the leaders this year, “Sabermetrics is great because it brings all the aspects of baseball into one. The money, the value (of the players) and obviously the stats.” Sabermetrics hopes to add more members, especially from the Third Form, although upperclassmen leadership is also a priority for the club. Previous and current members have found that the discussions and ideas presented show great
The Sabermetric’s club members.
potential. Mr. Gaudreau, the faculty advisor, says that “the club demonstrates the real world application of mathematics, and shows the correlation between baseball and statistics.” Sabermetrics meets Fridays during clubs, and is led by Mr. Gaudreau and sometimes Mr. Hart. Its student leaders are IV Formers Ryan
Fuscaldo and Nick Greco. All new members are appreciated, and will be able to participate in the spring project. The math is easily doable for students in all Upper School math classes thanks to websites like Baseball-Reference. We hope to see you there!
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News
January 2013
The Library Goes Green (cont.) Continued from the previous page The cafeteria is also a great place to improve sustainability by recycling the large amount of plastics used during meals. The school could institute more education on sustainability by, for instance, discussing a personal initiative on sustainability through possible techniques at home, such as composting, proper recycling, and managing energy consumption. The Sustainability Alliance also intends on increasing their efforts next year by recycling different categories of recyclables, such as plastics. While being cautious about properly recycling these materials, it wants to highlight the importance of recycling and the reason it is worth the time and effort that must be taken to effectively run a program of this importance and influence. Haverford is currently looking into implementing solar energy panels. With a team of faculty, the Sustainability Alliance is researching ways to use the energy outside more effectively. It will also confer with members of sustainability groups at universities to see what programs and initiatives they are using that could be used at Haverford. Promoting green-friendly decisions and awareness should be used as a model for
The LEED certification in the entrance to the Upper School.
Index Staff
people of how to live life in a more sustainable way that is less harmful to the environment. Students have the power to make a difference in the community. Many people believe that students need to be more passionate and engaged about preserving the environment. The students must teach the adults about sustainability; the students must take the initiative. The community needs to embrace sustainability if it is truly passionate about preserving the environment for future generations. The dynamic ideas at the collegiate level are student-run; the students are fired up and get involved in sustainability projects. Mrs. Kirk, the librarians, and the others mentioned do as much as they can, but the students are the only ones that have the power to make a truly substantial difference. There are many students making a positive impact on the environment, but if there were more
The LEED medallion.
Index Staff
awareness throughout the entire student body, the sustainability program at Haverford would benefit tremendously. Numerous opportunities exist for the students to contribute. If they were to ask the adults to pay attention to sustainability, and if they were to lead us into the new era of environmental sustainability, everything would change for the better at Haverford.
DECA District Competition: Haverford Cleans House DECA (Distributive Educational Clubs of America) is a high school and college business competition where students take a test and create a solution to a special case study. With 10’s of categories, there are many directions for students to pursue. Manav Khandelwal ‘15 discusses Haverford’s DECA chapter and its sterling Manav Khandelwal ‘15 Haverford’s DECA chapter, all sixty-three performance in the recent District 8 Conference.
members, visited King of Prussia’s Crowne Plaza on Friday, January 11th for the 20122013 District 8 Conference. Over 400 students from 10 different area schools were in attendance, competing in 25 different events. Four were “principles” events (for new members), seven were team events (two people), and fourteen were individual events. For individual and “principles” events, the top nine in each category qualified for the state competition, and for team events, the top seven qualified. Haverford had at least one participant in each category. As you can see, Haverford was wildly successful. 53 (84.1% of Haverford’s members) qualified for the state conference, one of the highest percentages in all of Pennsylvania for a single school. 15 students came in first in their events, with ten others coming in second or third. The Pennsylvania State Conference, which will be held from February 27 to March 1, will feature the top 30 or so from the above group as Haverford is not able to take all 53 who qualified. The most likely scenario involves people who came in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd going with several outliers to round out the group. Congratulations again to everyone who received awards at districts! Anyone who was not part of DECA this year but hopes to compete next year should check with this year’s leadership to learn the best ways to prepare for the business competition.
Haverford students posing with their trophies and medals.
Here is a list of people who earned recognition at the event: Principles Events • Walter Paiva - 1st place, High Role-Play, High Test Score (Principles of Business Management and Administration) • Justin Shah - 2nd place (Principles of Finance) • Alex Sanfilippo - 2nd place (Principles of Marketing) • Teddy Selverian - 5th Place, High Role-Play (Principles of Hospitality and Tourism) • Gabe Newton - 6th place (Principles of Marketing) • Chris Ley - 7th place (Principles of Hospitality and Tourism) Individual Events • Manav Khandelwal - 1st place, High Role-Play, High Test Score (Human Resources Management) • Grayson Sessa - 1st place, High Role Play (Quick Serve Restaurant Management) • Noah Cutler - 1st place, High Role-Play (Food Marketing) • Fisher Pressman - 1st place, High Role-Play (Hotel and Lodging Management) • RJ Meiers - 1st place, High Role-Play (Automotive Services Marketing) • Amar Patel - 1st place (Restaurant and Food Service Management) • Eric Denbin - 2nd place (Business Services Marketing) • Major Tepper - 3rd place, High Test Score (Restaurant and Food Service Management) • Trevor Atkins - 3rd place, High Test Score (Sports and Entertainment Marketing) • Ian Rothweiler - 4th place, High Role-Play (Marketing Management) • Scott Jaster - 4th place, High Test Score (Automotive Services Marketing)
Avery Weiss
• Jack Soslow - 4th place (Accounting Applications) • Tyler Brooks - 4th place (Sports and Entertainment Marketing) • Mark Broderick - 5th place (Accounting Applications) • Gage Bowser - 5th place (Quick Serve Restaurant Management) • Carlo DeMarco - 5th place (Restaurant and Food Service Management) • Miller Joyce - 7th place (Business Services Marketing) • Jason Tabas - 7th place (Hotel and Lodging Management) • Will Means - 7th place (Human Resources Management) • Jonathan Ruth - 8th place (Business Finance) • Pat Somers - 8th place (Marketing Management) • Likuan Wang - 9th place (Retail Merchandising) • Avery Weiss - 9th place (Apparel and Accessories Marketing) Team Events • Lucas Elek & John McMichael - 1st place, High Role-Play (Business Law and Ethics) • Jackson Simon & Jack Henderson - 1st place, High Role-Play (Sports and Entertainment Marketing) • James Shecter & Gerard Hoetzel - 1st place, High Role-Play (Financial Services) • Jack Kling & Connor Fairman - 1st place, High Role-Play (Travel and Tourism) • Connor Atkins & Mason Hall - 2nd place (Financial Services) • Sam Blitzer & Jeff Green - 2nd place (Buyingand Merchandising) • Alex Zhang & Graham Gaddes - 2nd place (Marketing Communications) • Austin Merritt & Aron Morgan - 5th place, High Test Score (Business Law and Ethics) • Louie Brown & Jamie Leyden - 5th place (Hospitality Services) • Ross Tetrault & Ryan Tetrault - 5th place (Marketing Communications) • David Desatnick & Jon White - 6th place (Travel and Tourism) • Logan Atkins & George Hall - 7th place (Buying and Merchandising)
Page 6
The Index
January 2013
Arts Top Bond Films
In recognition of the series’ 50th anniversary, Jackson Simon ‘15 lists his top five Bond films. Jackson Simon ‘15
1. Goldfinger (1964) Goldfinger is considered the best Bond movie by almost all critics, as it catapulted Bond films into a major blockbuster franchise. In this film, 007 tracks down Goldfinger (the man with the Midas touch as chanted in the famous song by Shirley Bassey) and thwarts his plan to contaminate the gold reserve at Fort Knox. Goldfinger is famous because it introduced the classic Bond technology and weapons. For instance, it is the first film where Q shows 007 the high tech Aston Martin; this car later becomes synonymous with Bond. Goldfinger’s intricate and suspenseful plot along with the most reputable Bond girl, Pussy Galore, put this film above any other for it truly put the Bond series on the map. 2. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969) This Bond film is George Lazenby’s first and only film. Many are very surprised at why he did not continue to act in the Bond films, as he was a perfect successor to Sean Connery. In this Bond film, George Lazenby travels to the Swiss alps where he sabotages Blofeld’s masterminded plan to spread deadly viruses around the world. This is certainly the most underrated Bond Film as many critics mourned the loss of Sean Connery as 007; this in turn detracted from George Lazenby’s brilliant performance and many were not able to fully appreciate this movie. This film is famous for its elegant set in the pure white snowy mountains of the Alps; the cinematography of this film was outstanding, as extraordinary ski and ice skating fight scenes were shot. This film is very unique insofar as it is the only film where 007 legitimately falls in love and is married as opposed to his usual one night stands.
In this film 007 saves the world from catastrophic war. In all other Bond films, we only see Blofeld’s arm petting his cat; we first encounter his face in this film as he sits in his desk in his “lair.” We see classic scenes in which with a click of a button, an agent plunges into the depths of piranha-infested waters because he was unsuccessful in terminating 007. In this film we learn that Blofeld is the head of Spectre and has assigned roles and numbers to each of the antagonists of the previous films. This film brings pieces from all other Bond films together. For instance, it is really a continuation of Dr. No’s plan to spark international conflict. Taking advantage of the Cold War time period, Blofeld frames the U.S.A and U.S.S.R for the mysterious loss of each other’s space crafts. In the end, Bond uses his contacts to gather samurai warriors (both modern, using guns,. and ancient, using knives and swords) and invades Blofeld’s high tech station underneath an inactive volcano. 5. Skyfall (2012) James Bond’s most recent thriller incorporates many classic features from the earliest Bond movies while introducing new antagonists and plot developments. Moneypenny finally returns to the Bond saga; at first she is an active operative on the field, but after accidentally shooting Bond off a train, she realizes her true place and she returns to work as the classic desk girl who 007 hits on. Q returns with new and exciting inventions while bringing back the classical Aston Martin and black pistol that fires only from 007’s touch. In this movie, acting is
3. Dr. No (1962) Dr. No was the first Bond film and for this reason, it deserves to be at the top of this list. This film sets the precedent for Bond films to follow. The plot lacks some development and intricacy, yet the film epitomizes launchgram.com A poster for the newest Bond film, Skyfall. and introduces the basic plot that brought to a whole many films would soon follow. new level as Javier Bardem outmatches and Taking place on the terrific and paradisiacal outsmarts any other antagonist including shores of Jamaica, Bond discovers Dr. No’s Blofeld. His psychotic, frightening and plan to interfere with the Cold War space ingenious personality adds to the suspense of race and start international conflict. Along the the movie. Skyfall has the most outstanding way, 007 encounters one of the most beautiful action scenes; the special effects with the Bond women, played by Ursula Andress. subway and the mansion at the end of the Together, the two invade Dr. No’s station and movie were unprecedented. The set designs in set off explosives to devastate Dr. No’s wicked Macao, Shanghai, and the abandoned island ambition. The “hotel rooms” that they stayed were mesmerizing. In the end, Daniel Craig in set a common architectural motif that many challenges Sean Connery’s title as the best Spectre facilities would model in later films. Bond and Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldermort) becomes the new M. 4.You Only Live Twice (1967)
Winter Concert Recap
Sam Dyer ‘15 goes through the performances of the Winter/Christmas concert, Haverford’s biggest fall musical event. Sam Dyer ’15
Katherine K. Davis, and Henry Onorati, as well as “Vive L’ Amour”, a Traditional English Ballad. Like the Centennial Singers, the Glee Club is open to any Upper Schooler who has an interest in singing. They would be followed by a more select group of singers: The Notables. The Notables, arguably the most popular music group at Haverford, are an eighteen man, semi-professional A Capella group directed by Mr. Hightower. The Notables consist of Third Formers Ryan Conway and Sam Keith, Fourth Formers Eric Denbin, George Hall, Mason Hall, Ross Higgins, Will Solmssen, and Michael Somkuti, Fifth Formers Chet Bickhart, Jake Cohen, Eamon Glavin, Toney Goins, Christman Henderer, Haram Lee, and Henry Ortmeyer, and Sixth Formers DJ Conner, Mario Maggio, and Michael Maggio. For this concert, the Notables performed “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” by Mendelssohn, “Good News to Tell” by Don Besig, and “Let it Snow”
On Thursday, December 13th, Haverford had its annual Middle and Upper School concert. The concert, which featured musicians from the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools, was a success as usual. There was a great variety of groups performing, including the Jazz Band, two Orchestra groups, the Notables, Glee Club, and Middle School’s Celebrantes and Centennial Singers. In addition, as there often is at winter concerts, there was a community sing, which helped to spread holiday cheer to the audience. The concert started with the Jazz Ensemble, who played “Freedie Freeloader” by jazz great Miles Davis, “The Jive Samba” by Nat Adderly, and “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” by Josef Zawinul. This concert was the first for new Jazz Director Philip Giangiordano, who began working with the Jazz Band in September. Although the Jazz Band has fewer kids than in past years, the music was still very enjoyable, and provided a solid beginning to the concert. The Jazz band this year features Sixth Formers Joshua Collins, Niticon Davis, Kiran Jagtiani, Colin Meehan, and Peter Thompson, Fifth Formers Will Tacket and Shane Veno, and Fourth Formers Tim Delaney, Ms. Linda Walters The 2012-2013 Notables who performed at the Winter Concert. John Francis, Paul by Jule Styne. Harryhill, Will Hyland, and Ian Riley. As always, the Notables were a high point in After the Jazz band, Mr. Stroud’s the concert, but there was still one group after Centennial Singers and Celebrantes took the them as well. stage. These two choirs, with singers ranging The last group to perform before the from 5th to 8th grades, were the only groups Community Sing was the Advanced String without Upper School performers. The Ensemble, led by Anna Pulaski. The String Centennial Singers, who include every 5th to Ensemble, which consists of Middle Schoolers 8th grader with a desire to sing, performed Stevie Boerner, Robbie Chen, Karl Eckert, “Angel’s Carol” by John Rutter, “Hanukkah Eusha Hasan, and George Rubin, as well as Holiday” by Linda Swears, and 50’s classic Third Former Joon Sun Hong, Fourth Formers “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”. The members Curran Aiyer, Sam Dyer, and Erly Pineda, Fifth of the Celebrantes, which is a select group Formers Christman Henderer, Thomas Walker, of talented Middle School singers, sang and Alexander Zhang, and Sixth Former “Goin’ Home” by Antonin Dvorak, as well as Amar Patel, played three songs to close out arrangements of “Do You Hear What I Hear”, the concert: a movement from “Brandenburg and “Winter Wonderland”. Concerto #3” by Bach, “Pat a Pan” by Bernard These Middle School groups were de la Monnoye, and “Ukrainian Bell Song” by followed by the String Quintet, which Mykola Leontovych. featured Sixth Former Amar Patel and Fifth Finally, the Glee Club, Centennial Singers, and Former Christman Henderer on violin, String Ensemble all participated in an audience Strings Director Anna Pulaski on viola, sing along. Everybody came together to sing and Fourth Former Sam Dyer and Second two holiday classics: “Rock of Ages” and “Joy Former Karl Eckert on cello. They performed to the World”. “Greensleeves”, a traditional holiday carol as Overall, the concert was a resounding their sole piece. success. Many of these groups will perform After the Quintet, the Glee Club took the throughout the year, so I would highly stage for two songs. Under new Upper School recommend you come out and support the Music Director Mark Hightower, the Glee musical representative of the least-appreciated Club and its 40 members performed “The part of Haverford: the Arts. Little Drummer Boy” by Henry Simeone,
What’s Up With Jazz Band? The Jazz Band may be one of the school’s least known but most exciting musical groups. Paul Harryhill ‘15 discusses the recent efforts of Haverford’s modern music group, the Jazz Band. Paul Harryhill ‘15
After losing key seniors from last year, including as the Meehan brothers, Matt Luminais, and Steve Molitor among others, it was hard to think that the 2012-2013 Jazz Band would be up to par. But with the help of new conductor Mr. Phil Giordano, the jazz band has sounded admirably well this year. Sixth Formers Peter Thompson (drums), Niticon Davis (bass), Colin Meehan (trombone), Josh Collins (trumpet) and Kiran Jagtiani (saxophone) provide the leadership and mentorship to the underclassmen who will
inherit the group in the future. Those underclassmen include the talented pianist Will Hyland, who has shown this year that he can be one of the best jazz pianists in the area. Last year’s more rock-oriented setlist under conductor Larry Davidson has been changed to more of a big band setlist due to conductor Mr. Giordano’s decades of experience in that style of music. Recently, in the annual Winter Concert at Centennial Hall, the songs the band performed were Freddie Freeloader, Jive Samba, and Mercy, Mercy, Mercy, all of which incorporate an old
The 2012-2013 Haverford Jazz Band members at rehearsal.
Josh Collins
time big band feel that Mr. Giordano specializes in. Now with those songs mastered, the Jazz Band looks to the Spring concert and will add a considerable amount of pieces to the setlist. Hope you all come out and support us throughout the year!
Page 7
The Index
Sports
January 2013
Madden vs. NBA 2K vs. FIFA: Which Sports Game is Best? Madden NBA 2k Curran Browning ‘15 John Madden is one of the most well known individuals associated with the game of football. He is not only a former Super Bowl-winning NFL coach, a former professional NFL player, a former NFL commentator, and a current Pro Football Hall-of-Famer, he is also the name behind one of the most successful video game franchises in history. Madden NFL is the second highest-selling video game franchise developed by EA Sports behind FIFA. Though it trails FIFA in global sales, it dominates in the North American arena by frequently tripling and quadrupling its rival’s net earnings. And even without the fan base across Europe and other overseas locations, it still manages to come up short by just a fraction of FIFA’s total sales. But it’s not just the sheer size of America and its football-loving population that makes Madden such a popular and well selling game. Madden is immersive, intense, and pure fun. In 1988 when the first John Madden Football was released, it had been in production 4 years prior to John Madden’s endorsement, this being due to the fact that he wanted it to be as realistic as possible. Even in 1993 after Electronic Arts was given the rights to the names of actual NFL players and teams and John Madden Football became Madden NFL, the series remained faithful to its core value of realism that had made it so successful up to that point. Today the realism found in Madden NFL is unparalleled. The game comes preloaded
with the rosters of NFL teams and player stats that were current at the time of release. And with a solid internet connection, as the actual NFL changes, your game updates
The front cover of Madden 2013.
madden2013.blogspot.com
constantly. Besides the fact that Madden holds nearly every football player and team stat, one also has the choice to develop their own. “Superstar” is a game mode within Madden that allows the player to create their own NFL recruit or take control of an already existing player. There’s also franchise mode, a game mode that allows the player to manage his own team. One has the ability to draft their players, determine their contracts, fire or hire coaches, run training camps, and any other elements pertaining to the general manager. In other words, Madden NFL is not only one of the greatest football games around, it’s one of the best video games around. There is no other sports experience attainable through video games quite like Madden.
Wrestling Moving Beyond Rocky Start Louie Brown ‘15
Fords wrestling got off to a rocky start this year against Glen Mills – suffering a loss mainly due to three forfeits, but with an overall stable performance. However, the Fords managed to take advantage of the loss and focus on practice, barely squeaking out a win over St. Joe’s Prep, tying 36-36 in terms of the score but winning more matches overall and therefore taking the victory. A stellar performance by sophomore Ben Quan kept the score even, leading to the eventual win. Although they have only had two dual meets, the Fords have participated in four
other tournaments, including the New Hope Solesbury where they placed 5th with a second place finish by senior and captain Vince Bellwoar, and a first place finish by junior and captain Nick Gallo. Sophomore L.J. Barlow also competed at the Walsh Iron Man Tournament and the Beast of the East Tournament, two of the most prestigious tournaments on the East coast. The Fords hope to make a splash with the home Inter-Ac opener against Penn Charter, followed by meets against Chestnut Hill Academy and Episcopal Academy, as well as at the Buckley Duals. Make sure to come out to the exciting wrestling meets in the near future, especially if you have not seen one yet.
Austin Krell ‘15 I do not play enough Madden or FIFA to compare the three, but I play more than enough NBA 2K to know that it is by far the best sports game in the country if not the whole world. Statistics show that NBA 2K sells much more than Madden and FIFA. There are a few reasons that make 2K more popular: First reason: The recent addition of classic players and teams. As of the last three or four editions of NBA 2K, gamers can play with legends such as Michael Jordan, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Larry Bird, and many others. This makes 2K more popular because people of our generations, who never saw Jordan or players like him, purchase the game to get an idea of what the legends are like. This feature also makes people of that generation (who are gamers) play the game. This addition lures in children, young adults, and adults. Second reason: Maintaining a franchise. This option was built into the “Game Mode” choices a while ago. But it improves every year. Now“The Franchise” allows gamers to sign, trade, and extend contracts and release players. One can improve rosters, change teams (literally change to a different team if he so wishes), and fire management. Also, gamers get to play real schedule games, of course. This feature gives NBA 2K more popularity because it gives gamers and NBA fans a taste of what running an NBA team is like. Third reason: Improvement of teams. We saw LeBron James “take his talents to South Beach” a few years ago. The fact that players change teams makes NBA 2K popular because rosters are modified and gamers want to play with the best players and teams. Fourth reason: My Player. The ability to create and raise your own player was a recent
The front cover of NBA2K 2013.
jobsnhire.com
addition to the 2K series. But, man, it is awesome. Gamers are able to get creative and create their very own player. The player goes to the NBA (if he is good enough) and has a career. It is basically your very own detailed account of the life of an NBA player and the opportunity to see yourself in the NBA. This new ability has played a gigantic role in the flourishing of NBA 2K. NBA 2K is my favorite game. In fact, I broke my Xbox because I played 2K so much. The above reasons are what make this game my favorite, as well as a worldwide favorite and a best-seller. I had no interest in basketball before I got NBA 2K9 for Christmas a few years ago, and I have had basketball on my mind ever since. If you are a sports gamer, you must try this game.
Fifa Jackson Simon ’15 FIFA is an extremely popular video game that is appreciated by those all around the world. On the online head to head mode, people come together from across the globe to compete in this thrilling game. Competing as their beloved football club, users finally have the opportunity to be out on the playing field. FIFA has different game modes for everyone, whether it is a quick game, a training session, or playing in career mode. The best part about FIFA is that everyone plays. Personally, playing FIFA is the first thing I do with my friends when they come over to my house. FIFA raises everyone’s emotions and the up-beat tempo of the play adds to the suspense. Throughout the game, we have our
ups and downs either when we grunt or moan after a penalty kick ricochet or spring up out of our seat and scream “gooooooaaaal!!!!.” In FIFA, the user has complete control for his players; he can tackle, throw, punt, dive for a save, juggle the ball, make a chip shot, cross, and juke the opponent. FIFA 13 gives its users an unprecedented level of customization when it comes to game settings, line-ups and formations, music, create your own tournaments, career and manager mode, and the replay theater. The replay theater allows users to upload their most remarkable goals and share them with the whole world. From its extremely accurate portrayal of stadiums and players to its precise, definitive, and realistic style of play, FIFA surpasses all other sports video games.
Swimming Team Breaking Records, Taking Names George Hall ’15 discusses the incredible performances of this year’s swimming and diving team, including the many records that have fallen. George Hall ’15
In the swim team’s first meet of the season, the 2012-13 group showed their potential. Against Lower Merion on December 7th, Haverford not only dominated the meet (winning 102-71), but broke two records in the doing. Senior Captain Jimmy Jameson and Freshman Matt Haigh both broke records in their individual events. First, Haigh, who specializes in long distances, broke the 500 free record in 3:50.80. He beat Matt Luminais’ previous record from the 2011-2012 season. Then Jimmy Jameson broke Connor O’Prey’s 100 fly record. He swam it in 52.47 seconds, edging out Connor’s 58.86 seconds from last year. Haverford opened up the Inter-Ac schedule strongly, with an opening meet win against GA, a swimming powerhouse. This is only
the second time Haverford has done this since 1941. Next the Fords took on EA, where they reached an easy victory. Senior captain Jimmy Jameson, the team’s most accomplished swimmer, thinks they can continue to build off of last year’s success: “Last year our team placed third at our Championship meet, an impressive feat considering Haverford had never placed above 6th. This was a team dominated by seniors and in their wake, we were left wondering what this year’s team can do. Knowing that is going to be tough to live up to last year, my fellow captains and I have really stressed the importance of every swimmer. It isn’t always about the first place finisher, often it is the third and fourth place finish that gets some key points. With this idea in mind kids have really stepped up their training to fill the holes left by the graduated seniors. As long as the team
keeps practicing and performing like they have been, there is no reason we can’t rival the team from last year.” Looking ahead, Haverford will take on the remainder of the Inter-Ac, and look to improve their record before the culmination of the season at Easterns when they look to rival last year’s 3rd place finish.
Check haverfordindex. com for Hockey and Winter Track Updates Jameson, who has broken pool records this season.
haverford.org
Page 8
The Index
January 2013
Sports
In-Depth Look at This Season’s Winning Basketball Squad Devin Wilkins ‘15 and Logan Atkins ‘15 Haverford basketball is off to a solid start this season, sitting at 13-5 for the season and 4-1 in the Inter-Ac. After a sizzling 8-1 start, the Fords cooled off with two straight losses leading into conference play, but several big wins against Inter-Ac rivals have them back in form. Here is a player-by-player breakdown of the 2012-2013 Fords: Brendan Burke (Form V) #3: Even though he isn’t burning up the stat sheet, Burke is a key part of the Fords success. As the sixth man, Burke usually comes off the bench to give the forwards a rest. Burke is also a very capable wing player. This task isn’t as easy as it seems. Burke usually ends up guarding players four or five inches taller than him, as he did against Archbishop Ryan. Burke has handled his role well, though; using his agility and athleticism, he is able to slip his way in between bigger players to come up with key rebounds for the Fords. Eric Anderson (Form V) #5: Anderson is bound for Division I basketball. You can tell that by watching him play. However, you wouldn’t know that if you talked with him in the hallway. Anderson is the definition of a “Gentle Giant,” towering over students in the hallways, yet most would describe Anderson as quiet or shy. Despite his softspokenness, Anderson is the team’s leading rebounder (averaging 8 per game). Anderson rebounds with tenacity and determination, never allowing the ball to be torn from his grasp. Anderson is also the team’s third leading scorer, averaging 11.7 points per game. Derek Mountain (Form IV) #33: Mountain grew up around sports. His dad is Jameer Nelson’s agent, and his two older brothers played hockey. His passion for sports is on display every day. Mountain will be a key player in the Fords’ Inter-Ac success this year. His ability to take and make shots in key situations will definitely benefit the team this year, as evidenced by his put-back gamewinner against Malvern on January 8th. Chris Morgan* (Form VI) #11: Morgan is a freak athlete. You could tell if you watched him play football this fall. That athleticism is
helping him earn time this year on the court. tightest of spaces. a major contributor What he lacks in finesse Morgan makes up James Tarte* (Form VI) #12: In to the Ford’s for in speed and quickness. Those qualities Tarte’s senior season, he has proven success as he makes help him out on the defensive end of the floor, that he not only has the ability to everyone better by where he can guard a team’s fastest player or play good minutes and contribute his defensive play. a team’s strongest player, and he can at a huge level to the Fords, but He forces everyone also sky up and snatch rebounds also has played a leadership around him to play away from opponents. role that has made the at a higher level by Sean Lloyd (Form IV) #4: team much better. Tarte is constantly playing Lloyd, a transfer from Franklin often all over the floor, with energy. Learning Center, has made a getting rebounds, Reilly Hupfeldt major impact for the Fords so taking charges, and (Form VI) #22: far. Through the first five games knocking down Hupfeldt has a huge he is averaging 16 points, 5.7 shots. Tarte is impact on the Fords rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.7 often the one team with his ability steals and 1.5 blocks per talking to the to constantly keep Sixth Former James Tarte. Mr. Tim Stay game. Lloyd truly does a team during Alston, Anderson, little bit of everything. halftime and after and Tarte on their toes by winning shooting But his impact isn’t just games and is always drills and knocking down shots in shell drill on the statsheet, Lloyd trying to get everyone and rep games. Hupfeldt’s shot is what some makes the biggest impact involved in anything that would say as “buttery,” and when the starters with his energy. He’s everywhere the team does. are playing the “White Team,” Hupfeldt is on the court: down low scrapping Sema’j Reed (Form VI) often asked to play as the best shooter of the for rebounds with the bigs, on the #32: Reed is a walking doubleother team. Hupfeldt also provides a light floor diving for loose balls and he’s double at 6’7’’. Reed is one of humor that always seems to get a laugh out of especially productive on defense, the most consistent players on everyone. establishing a role as a lockdown this years team, as he is always Peter Blynn (Form V) #24: Blynn, in his defender. there to score on offense and get Junior season, has had major contributions to Shawn Alston (Form IV) tons of rebounds on the defensive his team and will continue to help everybody #10: Alston has been the key end. Reed is always there to improve. Blynn’s athleticism has allowed him to the Fords success this get a layup, no matter what the to guard just about all of the the Fords team, year. He made the transition situation is. He is also a versatile which is very important in getting everyone from shooting guard to point player, as he can face you up, ready for games. Blynn’s ability to pressure guard and leads the team in knock down a 15 footer, and the ball for long periods of time during assists, with 5.2 per game. also practice gives everyone a feel for how some Alston can contribute to the can back you down. of the Inter-Ac will play defense. Blynn is offense by getting his shot Reed is a leader on additionally a large presence in games, as he anytime he wants, using and off the court, is always the one jumping out of his seat and his length and athleticism. and he continues shouting encouragement to the rest of the team. However, Alston’s biggest to have one of his Trevor Atkins (Form VI) #20: In Atkins’ contribution to the team is best seasons as a senior season, he has provided plenty to his leadership and patience. Ford. the Fords basketball team. His nickname, Alston’s meticulous Gerard Hoeltzel (Form “Cheese,” is quite suiting as he is often smiling dissection of defenders VI) #21: As a lanky 6’4” senior which is huge as the team gets into situations opens up the floor for center, Hoeltzel has plenty where they have to overcome adversity. Atkins the other feature players to offer to this years Ford’s is a scrappy, 6’2” forward who is constantly on the team, and with basketball team. Hoeltzel’s main going at everybody on the team, making his passing ability and sport is crew, but he is quite everyone better. Atkins often guards Reed and Fifth Former Eric court vision Alston has capable of holding his own on the Anderson during practices and makes them Anderson taking a free no trouble finding his court, especially when he faces up better by his tough defensive play. throw. Mr. Tim Stay teammates, even in the with Reed everyday. Hoeltzel is Note: * indicates co-captain.
Squash Team on Pace for Truly Historic Season Jack Henderson ‘15 discusses Haverford squash’s incredible depth this season and how it will ultimately contribute to a successful season. Jack Henderson ‘15
As the squash team gets underway with their long season, they have already played matches against some teams in the area. The coaches have been working with the team every day to refine their skills and condition their bodies, in order to peak at the end of the season when the big matches and tournaments come around, MASA and Nationals, this year held in Hartford, Connecticut, in early February. The team is incredibly deep this year, and with high expectations for these tournaments the Sixth Form captains, Drew Field, Jason Shein, and Josh Collins, will not let the team get distracted from their goal. Every day the team will be fighting for a spot on the roster to represent their school on the biggest stage in February. The Junior Varsity team is undefeated thus far, having trounced the teams of Shipley, Lawrenceville, and Penn Charter. They also had a match against SCHA on December 11th. The Varsity team (4-1) has also done very well with wins against Shipley, Conestoga, Penn Charter, and Malvern by wide margins. Their only two losses came to CHA and the formidable Churchmen. Practice and some matches have been going on for a while now, but this is a unique season because of the early midterms and winter break this year. This new schedule caused many of the important matches to be moved back to later in the season after break. During midterms the team held no official
practice, besides some challenge matches to decide positions on the team ladder. Over winter break there was practice for the entire team because of important matches right after break against Episcopal, Lawrenceville, and SCHA. The team held their annual Tournament of Champions and Alumni Match, during which players who have graduated can come back and challenge players on the current roster. The team also volunteered for an inner city program called Squash Smarts, which combines the sport of squash
Fifth Former Dylan Henderson in a squash match. Mr. Jim Roese
with academic tutoring and mentoring of less fortunate, urban children to develop self-esteem and discipline through academic, athletic, and personal achievement. Although the goal for the team was to teach the inner-city kids about the sport of squash, the team believes they learned as much from the kids as the kids learned from the team. It is only natural to sometimes take things for granted. This program has helped the team learn to occasionally take a step back and appreciate the wonderful opportunity we all have by being at Haverford. Because of everything that has been given to them, the team believes deeply that it is important to give back to the community. The team also scheduled a new match this year against archrival The Brunswick School from Greenwich, Connecticut for the Varsity, JV, and Middle School teams. The squash team had always played Brunswick at Nationals, but never during the regular season. With the new winter break schedule, both teams were available for the match, and hopefully, this match will continue to be played for years to come. On the last day of break the Varsity team played Poly Prep from Brooklyn, New York. Coming out of winter break the team looks to remain strong. There is no doubt that Haverford will look to avenge their EA loss at Nationals. Josh Collins believes, “We have the deepest team we’ve ever had at Haverford, which is definitely saying something for a
The Squash team gathering during a mtach.
Mr. Jim Roese
historically strong program.” Augmented by the fact that our rivals, including EA, are less deep than in the past, expectations are incredibly high this year. “Winning national titles for [our Varsity and JV] teams this year is definitely a real possibility.” While EA has a more experienced team, after this year they will lose many of their top players. Haverford, however, only loses two of their top twelve. A national title is still very possible this year, but the team will have many opportunities in the coming years with a young core of players, including Sean Hughes, Thomas Walker, Ian Rothweiler, and Jay Losty. With a very young group of players Haverford has a bright future for the squash team with achievable expectations of national titles in the next few years.
Page 9
The Index
Sports
January 2013
State of the State(‘s Sports): How Are the Philly Teams? Thomas Gravina ‘16 checks in with each of the professional Philadelphia sports teams and profiles their season and looks forward. Thomas Gravina ‘16
Washington D.C., Denver, Miami, Detroit, Phoenix, New York City, Boston, Chicago, and Philadelphia. Those are a list of the cities across the United States that play host to professional sports teams in all four major leagues: Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Football League, and the National Hockey League. For years we Philadelphians have normally referenced our four sports teams with pride and reverence. The Phillies have earned the affectionate nickname, the Phightin’ Phils’ due to their recent dominance in the game. They have a star-studded pitching staff that includes three of the most prolific names in baseball, and a payroll that annually competes with the heavyweights of the game: the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. The Eagles are arguably Philadelphia’s most scrutinized but loved franchise. According to the NFL’s official website, over the past ten years the Eagles have compiled a record of 103 wins and 64 losses, with a 62% winpercentage. The Flyers are a hockey club steeped in intense pride and history, dating back to
The Flyers date back to the Broad Street Bullies.
the Broad Street Bullies’ of the 1970s. An argument can be made that the Flyers are in the top three American hockey franchises of all time; right alongside the likes of the Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Lastly, we have the Sixers, who have a resume filled with Hall of Fame players such as Wilt Chamberlain, Julius Erving, Moses Malone, and Charles Barkley. They have been the bottom dwellers in Philadelphia sports since Allen Iverson almost led them to the 2001 championship, but were a mainstay in the
70’s and the 80’s. These examples are why we are extremely spoiled when it comes to our athletics in Philadelphia, but there is a catch. The problem with these examples are that they are mostly based on events that have occurred in the past 10-30 years, rather than in the present. If this article was titled, “A History of Philadelphia Sports,” then those examples would be prime evidence of a sporting dominance. Unfortunately, we are supposed to be talking about the present, and while those memories loom large in our minds, perhaps too large, we need to asses our four sports teams with a realistic, impartial point of view. The Phillies are a team with questions that need to be answered. An uncharacteristically poor 2011/12 season has cast a shadow on previous years of success. Their payroll is a hot debate point as well. Two years ago, when their core of players were in their prime, a huge payroll was nothing more than an ingredient to success. Now, with Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, and Roy Halladay all creeping up around 35 years of age and showing a significant decline in play and health, the question is evident on every Phillies fan’s mind: do those players have enough left in the tank to warrant such huge yearly wages? Anything can happen in sports, we have seen Derek Jeter have a career year at the age of 38, but more fans are starting to think to themselves that maybe this team needs a dose of fresh blood. There are no such questions about the Eagles. Many people have tried to delude themselves with the idea that if Nick Foles had been inserted as a started earlier in the year, maybe they could be in the playoff race thesportsbank.net now. Another thought is if Jim Washburn and his now infamous Wide 9 scheme had been dumped before Juan Castillo’s dismissal, then the defense would have magically performed up to their supposed “talent level.” These fans are showing admirable displays of loyalty, but we cannot forget the atrocity of the past season because a rookie third round draft pick had one good game. The Eagles are in need of a makeover, not only in the personnel of the team, but also the coaching staff. Andy Reid was a very respected coach, but the painful truth is that his methods have run long past their expiration
date.
Reid in the gear of his new team, the Kansas City Chiefs.
Unlike the Phillies, where another season will determine the fate of the manager and players, the Eagles have run out of time. As expected, Reid will be coaching next season away from Philadelphia: at Kansas City. Although the Eagles were able to ultimately hire Oregon’s Chip Kelly, finding a new coach has been such a challenge that some pundits argue Eagles’ head coach is not as attractive a job as it once was. The Flyers are perhaps the best Philadelphia team on paper right now. There is a solid mix of young and old on the rosterl. The locker room was a problem until Paul Holmgren pulled a genius trade that shipped Jeff Carter and Mike Richards out of town. The issue with them right now is that the team has never had a chance to get off paper and onto the ice. Hockey embodies the perfect Philadelphia sport and it is truly a shame that we are missing a the majority of the season because of a disagreement over money. The Sixers’ season has been a roller coaster for the fans, the players, and the coach. Their big trade for seven foot center Andrew Bynum was completed amid intense fan fare. People who had long given up hope of a star coming to Philadelphia for basketball were on their
soletron.com
feet singing the praises of the Sixers new owners and general manager. Since Bynum’s first press conference in front of 2,000 people at the National Constitution Center, it has been a confusing downward spiral. Bynum was supposed to be recovered from knee surgery by opening night, but his return date had been delayed continually. Finally, last week Bynum himself spoke about the his extended leave of absence. His tone of voice was somber, “I have an issue with my knees,” Bynum said. “We’re trying to resolve it. There’s really nothing to do. There’s no surgical procedures that would help or are safe to do at the moment.” I don’t want to say the Lakers sold the Sixers on damaged goods, because the Sixers have said multiple times that their qualified team doctors had checked out Bynum before the completion of the trade, but it certainly seems as if the Lakers didn’t think twice about swapping Bynum for Dwight Howard. If Bynum cannot get back onto the court fully healthy, the Sixers are going to rethink their entire plan for the future. I would love to go back to the times when all was peaceful in the Philadelphia sports landscape, but we must live in the present and unfortunately, in the present it is not the best time to be a Philadelphia sports fan.
Gentlemen’s Club Stronger than Ever as It Enters Maturity Drew Field ‘13, a Sixth Former deeply involved with the Gentlemen’s Club, explains what students can expect in the student section this year. Drew Field ‘13
Entering its fourth year in existence at Haverford, The Gentlemen’s Club is looking to improve upon its already impressive results from past years. This student section has become the clearest example of Haverford’s exceptional school spirit. Known mostly for its creative and hilarious theme nights during the basketball season, The Gentlemen’s Club comes out to games and matches for all of the different athletic teams. This year’s club wants to see higher-turnout for all of the games with even greater consistency. A lack of school spirit and support for classmates should be the exception rather than the rule at Haverford. Ultimately, the goal of this organization is to bring the student body together and create a more cohesive community. Led by Haverford’s professional sports fan Sam Bloch, and other Sixth Formers, including Steve Fitzgerald, Garrett Grubb, and Drew Field, along with Fourth Form basketball manager Major Tepper, the basketball games will become the place to be for students,
especially during the theme nights on Fridays. The best way to increase turnout at the games and create an overall more enjoyable experience for the fans is to come up with unique and clever traditions along with the themes. While the costume assignments are not entirely set yet, Haverford students have enjoyed things like Christmas Sweater night among others and can look forward to Jewish Heritage night, Bathrobe night, Jorts night, Animal night, and 80s night.. The leaders of The Gentlemen’s Club have also decided on a few more traditions that should be incorporated into all of the games, specifically trying to use music more during the games. Between the first and second quarter, a song will be played related to the theme night, between the third and fourth quarter “Jump Around” will be played, and songs like “Hey Baby” and “You Got What I Need” will also be incorporated into the games at the appropriate times. With unprecedented student support, it should be a great season for The Gentlemen’s Club.
The Gentlemen’s Club at this year’s season opener against Shipley.
Fieldhouse Phanatic
Page 10
The Index
January 2013
Opinions
Brendan Burns: Preserve School’s Current Drug Policy Brendan Burns ‘15 defends the school’s disciplinary policy regarding students caught using marijuana during the school day. Brendan Burns ‘15
In light of the recent issues regarding a violation of the school’s ban on substances, some might think that it is time to revisit and rewrite the school’s policy on drugs. Students were suspended from school for 10 days (and received multiple other punishments) for using marijuana, a substance medically far less dangerous than alcohol (which is arguably a much greater problem for the school and its students) and which is becoming legal (to a
of moral foundations within the school community is also emphasized. That’s why we have an honor code, student-run honor council, peer mentorship programs, reflections during our community periods, honor day, the Thanksgiving assembly–the list goes on. The phrase, “a community based on respect, honesty and courage” sounds overused and beaten-to-death, because it is, but in their everyday interactions with non-Haverford students, one realizes that this phrase really has meaning. The standards of sportsmanship are higher at Haverford than elsewhere (one specific school comes to mind at which this is not the case), teacher-student interaction is more amicable, and the community is more accepting. The problem with the use of drugs, especially during school hours, is that it directly undermines the integrity of the community that Haverford strives to build. Not that those who use marijuana recreationally are the culprits; the prevalent culture supporting the use of marijuana is something that Haverford must steer its students clear from. This is not because marijuana is medically addictive, or emotionally damaging; these criteria present only arguable reasons for the enforcement of the current drug policy. The reason that Haverford must enforce its
The reason that Haverford must enforce its policy on the use of drugs is that it would be hypocritical not to do so. certain extent) in several states. Why should a student’s college transcript be tainted by his decision to recreationally smoke marijuana? What’s the big deal, you ask? The Haverford School maintains a priority of educating “the whole boy”: the availability of excellent academic, athletic, and artistic programs is important, but the building
In this regard, Haverford’s policy is lenient in a good way...they are severely reprimanded, but then given a second chance, with outside help, to avoid future mistakes.
is why the current drug enforcement policy at Haverford should be kept the same–with enough force to deter students from violating it, and with provisions in place to help those who have violated the policy recover and learn from their mistakes. In this regard, Haverford’s policy is lenient in a good way: instead of simply dismissing students who violate the banned substances policy, they are severely reprimanded, but then given a second chance, with outside help, to avoid future mistakes. In this way, Haverford fulfills its purpose to fully educate each student that passes through the school. To preserve this, the current drug policy should be preserved.
policy on the use of drugs is that it would be hypocritical not to do so. No institution rooted in respect should encourage acts that hurt the school’s reputation by lessening reasonable punishments for these acts, and no school whose principles are based on honesty should make the penalty for breaking the law during school hours less severe than other offenses that have the same effect on the school’s integrity–plagiarism, stealing, bullying, and others. The use of drugs during school hours stands with these other offenses as actions that weaken the credibility of Haverford’s honor code and blur the lines between the standards of conduct at Haverford and other schools. In plain words, Haverford would not be what it is if it was known wesleying.org Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper ‘70 signed legalized marijuana into as a school of “potheads.” This law after a November 2012 referendum.
Are Student Leadership Organizations Doing Their Job? Student Council Honor Council Jack Henderson ‘15 Haverford provides many opportunities for students to take a leadership role in the community, offering a wide selection of extracurricular programs that help students develop leadership skills. One of these programs is the Student Council, an elected body of students from each form in the Upper School that helps organize community events and deal with important issues regarding student life. The Student Council is an organization that virtually all schools use as a way to connect students to the teachers and administration. The Student Council at Haverford is no different. The council is led by Mr. Mark Fifer and three representatives from each form, one of whom is the form president, and addresses important student life issues and informs the student body of the various issues at hand. Sixth Former Mike Green is this year’s Student Body President and has facilitated many Student Council projects, including the EA Day shirt, chocolate fountain, and the longawaited student lounge. The Student Council has many responsibilities, such as organizing community events and spreading information to the student body. Most of the students feel positively about the Student Council because unlike in recent years they have made the desires of the students – the student lounge – a reality. However, while this year’s Student Council has been able to introduce the lounge chairs and foosball tables in the community room, the elected body of students has been more hidden than in recent years. The Student Council has been much less accessible and many students feel that they no longer have a prominent say in what happens at Haverford. The Student Council is normally used as the voice of the students, able to inform the students of upcoming extracurricular events. However, there have been few times when the Student Council has made this opportunity available for students when they are all together. There have been very few speeches by the Student Council and some students felt uninformed about various school events. Every representative on the Student Council should be easily accessible, should listen to
what the students have to say, and should relay the message back to the council and address the situation. As John Maxwell states, “Earn the right to be heard by listening to others. Seek to understand a situation before making judgments about it.” The Student Council must listen to what the students want, whether they have any new ideas or they just want their form or Upper School to know. While they have successfully run many projects over the first semester, I seldom felt like the voice of the students was well advocated for by the Student Council this first semester I loved the EA Day shirt, chocolate fountain, and especially the student lounge. However, I have not felt the council’s vocal presence and leadership that I experienced last year. The Student Council must strive to become the vocal leaders of the Upper School that they were elected to be, because they did the student body a disservice during the first semester. The Student Council must be a place for change, a council that represents the views of the students, so that the teachers and administration can recognize and address the situation. The members of
Otherwise, there is no place for the Student Council. the Student Council must be ambassadors, communicating the feelings of the students. Otherwise, there is no place for the Student Council for Haverford. The Student Council still plans to organize many events in the second semester, most importantly the dance, which the Student Council relies upon for much of its funding towards other events. I hope that this article brings change to the Student Council only in the student body’s accessibility to the council. Otherwise, I wish for the Student Council to continue what they have done for their successful events and projects into the second half of the school year.
Manav Khandelwal ‘15 “We will strive to build a community based on respect, honesty, and courage.” That is the mission of the Haverford Honor Code, a code by which all members of the school community abide by when they sign a large poster brought to every advisory early in the school year. While it’s hard to deny that Haverford has certainly lived up to the values of “respect,” “honesty,” and “courage,” can that improvement rationally be attributed to the Honor Council, which represents and enforces the Honor Code, and its members?
The Haverford Walk of Virtues.
This isn’t a probe into the virtue of the council’s members, who are some of Haverford’s best, but a probe into the effectiveness of an Honor Council that has become more of a “disciplinary body,” as the school terms it on its official website, than a group of young men who in addition to defining punishments are true leaders and role models. Its intentions are well placed, but the council’s impact needs to be more farreaching than the occasional trial. Something as simple as honor council members taking an active role and enforcing their values without formal trials – on a student-to-student, classroom-to-classroom basis – would go a long way in continuing to promote honesty, respect, and courage while maintaining the group’s standing in the community. While some of that may be happening, more is necessary. Honor council members need to be
honor council members whether they’re in a trial or in a classroom. Moreover, the question of whether students deserve a say in their peers’ punishments, or even whether they should be privy to such proceedings, is still relevant. As someone who has had the privilege of being on a trial jury before, I can say that it is untrue to claim that “students understand each others’ situations better than teachers, hands down,” as many at Haverford proclaim. In fact, each student’s unique circumstances presents a bias that teachers don’t possess. Teachers deal with a variety of students on a yearly, even daily, basis, meaning they understand what different students are going through. Some say that it is better to excuse yourself from a trial if you know the perpetrator well, but this may not be true; people on the jury who have no connection with the student at question, no background knowledge on what he is going through, should, in theory, not have a say in his punishment. In addition, should a select group of students be privy to the transgressions and subsequent punishments of their peers? The Honor Council prides itself on Index Staff confidentiality, but many students feel that their actions are the ‘problem’ of administrators and faculty, not students. Haverford has always stressed that students should not focus on the transgressions and the students who committed them, but on the lessons that can be learned. That is what the Character Mentorship Program, a student body that has worked wonders in conjunction with the Honor Council, is for. I do not believe that the Honor Code is bad. In fact, the values it encourages are represented by its creator, Dr. Cox, a man who has made this school one of the best in the nation, both in terms of success and in terms of community. What I do not believe in, however, is the current state of the Honor Council, which gives students, who are not as sympathetic as teachers, the right to exact punishments that could seriously affect their peers’ academic careers.
Page 11
The Index
Opinions
January 2013
The State of Government: Is the 2-Party System Flawed? Yes, Change it No, It Is Ideal In this humorous political opinion piece, Brendan Burns ‘15 explains why America must move on past the current two-party system.
Jonathan Paras ‘14 admits that both parties inspire some negative emotions but argues that it is still preferable to a multi-party or single-party system.
The state of the US government is pathetic. At the moment of this writing, America’s politicians, are engaged in negotiations to determine how to handle the fiscal cliff situation, in short: they are trying to find a solution to repeal tax increases and spending cuts that were put into place to improve our terrible fiscal situation, but that must be repealed or they will erase the slow progress of the US economy, which is growing at the speed of molasses after five years of trillions of dollars of deficit spending by both parties and the Federal Reserve to boost the economy. Why are we in this mess? The simple answer is that in this day and age, our government has failed us. Before we examine this, let’s do a quick analysis of each of our two wonderful political parties: Republican Party: Supported by middle school graduates and corporate tycoons, who, of course, have nothing but the country’s best interest in mind. Believes that American liberty can be preserved by enforcing American supremacy overseas at the expense of the US taxpayer. Does not acknowledge that there is more than one gender. Opposes any limitations whatsoever on Wall Street banks that derive their income from destroying the livelihood of the American people and the global economy.
Two-party systems are an important part to the American political system. The Democrats and Republicans engender hate and love, respect and contempt; however, they are ultimately the way to go versus a multi-party system or a single party system. The American political system ought first to be looked at as a whole. It is undisputedly full of many different beliefs and factions, whether they call themselves a Republican or a Democrat. To better understand the actual success of the current system, the flaws of a single party or a multi party system should be discussed. A single party system has been tried many times, often forced upon a country by the ruling party that dominates its politics. Whether it is in fascist Germany or the Soviet Conservative Union, a single party system The House District results in the 2012 election. orangejuiceblog.com usually results in a totalitarian regime with a suppression Party (Center-Right) (bbc.com). As a matter of speech for the people and the ability to of fact, not only does a multi-party system dislodge it becomes moot simply because the cause this type of coerced cooperation, but opposition is legally, not allowed. A more it runs the risk of allowing a party to assume recent and ongoing example is the People’s more power in relation to the percentage of its Republic of China. It interestingly calls itself supporters. Returning to a previous example, a Republic, and yet out of the entire election for the People’s Congress, all 2,987 seats went the Nazi’s, having received only 33% of the popular vote in the election of 1933, managed solely to the Communist to dominate German politics and seize control Party of China. This Congress then proceeded of the operation of the government through backroom deals among the smaller political to elect all higher level parties (Strayer). Can this be thought of as the officials from the preferable arrangement? Head of There is State to also the claim that it can be done
Brendan Burns ‘15
Democratic Party: Supported by parasitic public sector unions and populist drones everywhere. Pretends to want to cut the deficit but is strangely attracted to spending heaps of money. Wants a tax code resembling a slice of swiss cheese. Has a radical wing obsessed with the misuse of Christianity for political gain and the drinking of tea. Still looking for Obama’s birth certificate. Democratic Party:
The Republican mascot.
Supported by parasitic public sector unions and populist drones everywhere. Too much government is not enough. If there’s a problem, spend money to fix it. If the economy is sluggish, spend more money. If the economy is still sluggish, spend more money. If Joe Biden opens his mouth one more time, spend more money. Pass the bill so that we can find out what’s in it, so we can spend more money. Pretends to regulate Wall Street banks and directs the American people’s hatred of failed policy at the rich, who obviously don’t pay their fair share. Does not even pretend to want to cut the deficit. Shamelessly uses the support of Hollywood celebrities to distract and sway the American people. Sarcastic joking aside, America’s two main political parties have fostered a culture
of dishonesty in Washington. The only time anything gets done is when either party has a majority in both houses of Congress and the Presidency. And with both parties moving to their ideological extremes, what is getting done no longer represents the consensus of the American People. Neither party is willing to cut spending in any meaningful way. Neither party is willing to cut their ties with Wall Street–members of both parties voted for TARP, legislation that bailed out the banks that had destroyed the US economy, thus giving US taxpayer money to the banks that had hurt so many US taxpayers. No Wall Street executives were prosecuted for fraud, and none went to jail. Neither party even made a mention of the monetizing of debt taking place during the entire 2012 election cycle - this in itself is the subject of a different article. Neither party will distance itself from its respective polarized set of social policies. Altogether, both parties seem all too happy to completely ignore the
Republican Party: Supported by middle school graduates and corporate tycoons. reality of many of the current issues. Both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney resorted to lies during the 2012 election campaign to sway the American people. After each of the three Presidential Debates, fact-checking websites had field days breaking down all the false claims. That a standing US President and a challenger for the highest office in the land– both very well educated people, with a combined 3 degrees from Harvard and 1 from Columbia, blatantly lie to the American people without any semblance of shame or honor is in itself horrible. The reason for all this is that the current two-party system fosters a political climate in which each party has to outbid the other for the support of the American people. The reason that this has become so much more destructive in recent times is the Citizens United decision by SCOTUS (Supreme Court), which upheld unlimited donor spending on political advertising. Today, who will win office is who has the most money to spend to project that he or she will spend more than his/her competitor. And ultimately, politicians (they used to be called statesmen) get nothing done. Even worse, to favor the political ideology of any other party or group will earn you a strange look. In the current political environment, libertarianism of any fireandreamitchell.com form is labeled as crazy and impractical. People seem to want an irresponsible government to make their decisions for them. George Washington once said that there should be no political parties. Today, the two parties only battle to maintain power instead of fulfilling their original purpose of representing the American people. So what needs to change? Some say terms for congressmen and congresswomen need to be lengthened so the Congress can focus on doing the right thing instead of worrying about being elected and doing the bidding of the corporate elite, who now own many of the mechanisms of government. Some say that limitations must be put on campaign spending. Either way, major changes must be made to the current government.
Jonathan Paras ‘14
to its multi-party system that a whole other emergency election had to be held in June of 2012 to decide the fate of the Greek austerity measures (Mega). The government of the United Kingdom often finds itself in a similar situation. The current prime minister, David Cameron, even stated early in his term of office that it would be rather difficult, and that they would have to balance a line because of the shakiness of the coalition between the Liberal Democrats (Centrist) and England’s
directors of foreign affairs. Excluding the blatant disregard for the concept of having other political parties, China’s human rights record ought to speak volumes about the effectiveness of a single party system in protecting the rights of its constituents. The Democratic mascot. citypages.com The converse is that the United without political parties and that legislators States should have a multi-party system. could run on their own merit, but this was One need only look at countries like Greece tried by the founding fathers and specifically and the United Kingdom to see the issues mentioned in George Washington’s farewell with this. It is often assumed that a two party address at the end of his presidency. Political system disallows the expression of other parties will always form whenever there is political philosophies but this is false. There free choice, regardless of whether they are are certainly liberals who oppose massive official in name or not. Free choice ought government oversight of the economy just not to be eliminated, for this is the entire as there are conservatives who are pro purpose of democracy. While it does seem gay rights. The party itself ends up being deadlocked and heated at the Capitol, it is a moderate blend of its different microworth mentioning the good that comes from constituencies, which has the added benefit the cooperation between the parties. The two of protecting the United States from a too party system in its own right works well to radicalist approach to a form of government. defend the most moderate outcome based upon In Greece , however, there are active fascist the general opinions of its constituency. While and communist movements that threaten in a utopian society, there is always a better the stability of the Greek government due way, in practicality, these better ways have heavily to the lack of a politically stable either resulted in hostile dictatorships or even two party system. This dysfunctionality more radical factions in control of the political has even prolonged the debates over fiscal system. Ultimately, there is a reason the United and monetary policy thus furthering the States has remained staunch two-party system depression in Greece due to the inordinate even without the force of legislation, and that amount of time it takes to pass legislation. is its ability to lead, levy, and legislate. The debt debate in Greece got so bad due
Page 12
The Index
January 2013
Outdex Recently at The Haverford School... Sam Bloch ‘13, Noah Cutler ‘14, James Tarte ‘13, Jonathan Paras ‘14, Mike Green ‘13, Manav Khandelwal ‘15, Major Tepper ‘15, and Jake Mullin ‘13
According to fashion mogul Sixth Former Jeff Green, “stripes and then another stripe and forces” are “in” this winter. Sophomores have the best school spirit. It’s funny because it’s not true. Sixth Former Connor Fairman will be releasing his debut album this upcoming week titled “Sounds of Puberty.” Dr. Gottlieb’s newest reading material, a book by liberal professor Paul Krugman, is missing. Sixth Former Stewart Denious is considered to be the prime suspect. DECA won so many awards that they decided to melt their trophies and make a bronze suit for Jason Graham for the modeling competition. From January 14th-18th, the school’s wifi was down for maintenance. As a result, 20 desks were flipped, talks of riot echoed through the halls, and productivity went up a whopping 500%.
Graphic by Noah Cutler
Mr. Kolade has been accused of sock theft. Security camera footage has been retrieved and has proven Mr. Kolade was in fact at the scene of the crime.
Manti Te’o, running back for Notre Dame and Heisman Trophy runner-up, was the victim of an internet hoax, in which he was tricked into an online relationship with a woman that never existed. The culprit of this bizarre story has been found out and Mr. Frock sincerely apologizes for toying with Te’o’s emotions. Specials from Jonathan Paras: Fife Dawg and Green Money have announced a mixtape dropping at the end of the month. Facebook is now introducing physiological therapy to all of its users. Apart from asking users “How they are doing?” They will also send messages such as “Get off and enjoy your life” or “Stop stalking peoples photos; you need help.” The Thunderdome is such a good student section #StuffNobodySays. Their best cheer was when they all yelled, “UOAOUAHUOAHUHUDHCUHSUCHSHHCSDJKDKDSCLKSDMLKCMSKD” in unison. Perfectly in sync. What does the Thunderdome and Manti Te’o’s girlfriend have in common? “Technically” the Thunderdome exists.
Noah Cutler
Noah Cutler
Mr. Ressler, who happens to teach woodshop this year, has claimed to have built his “masterpiece” that will soon launch him into art stardom.
Lucas Elek’s DECA “battle plan” for his role play was found containing this method that earned him and John McMichael a first place spot in districts.