The Index Eutαxia Swzein Dokei
May 2013
Volume LXXIV, No. 9
Haverford, Pennsylvania - haverfordindex.com
School Surveys: Evaluating Dr. Cox’s Legacy Remember the survey you took in the fall? Brendan Burns ‘15 reviews the results and compares them with 2000, 2004, and 2008 to analyze how the school has progressed under Headmaster Dr. Joseph Cox. Brendan Burns ‘15
Last November, all Haverford employees, the majority of Haverford parents, and 621 Haverford students in fifth grade through Sixth Form participated in a constituent survey that was designed to assess the school’s standing in key areas. The survey, like its three predecessors that were taken in 2000, 2004, and 2008, was conducted by Lookout Management, Inc., an Ontario-based company that specializes in conducting surveys for independent schools and providing accurate reports on constituent satisfaction. Kevin Graham, President of Lookout Management, says that the constituent surveys act as a “report card” that track “many measures of satisfaction and of attitudinal agreement.” But what has been the practical application of this data over the past 13 years? When Dr. Joseph Cox arrived at Haverford as its eighth headmaster in 1998, a gap in the education Haverford provided was apparent. This gap was not academic in nature; rather, it pertained to the social and moral development of students and the health of the Haverford community. Satisfaction with the School was low in key areas regarding communication, sense of community, character development,
and the advisor system. In order to quantify this deficiency and set a benchmark for future progress, Dr. Cox and Haverford leadership contacted Kevin Graham and orchestrated the first constituent survey in 2000. The results confirmed what Dr. Cox suspected: Haverford students and parents were satisfied with the School’s academic curriculum but uniformly felt that Haverford did not invest sufficient effort into educating “the whole boy.” The 2000 survey was used to inform Haverford’s Strategic Plan for the next few years. Dr. Cox says that there was a realization that, “If you’re preparing boys for Harvard, you’re developing academics,” but if Haverford was to prepare boys for life, there needed to be changes made that were extraneous to Haverford’s role as a college preparatory school. Kevin Graham reiterates this, saying that when he “first met Dr. Cox and his team 14 years ago, the plan was to pay more attention to the social, character, and moral development of students, while at the same time, not sacrifice academic rigor.” This focus at the highest governance level at Haverford resulted in multiple immediate changes following the 2000 survey. With the help of Mr. Thomas Lengel, former Upper School Head, a change in the advisor system at
DECA Brings Home World Champion
Alex Sanfilippo ‘16 recaps Haverford DECA’s sterling performance at the international competition, including a world championship for Sixth Former Grayson Sessa. Alex Sanfilippo ‘16
Haverford DECA has always had the reputation of sending dozens of kids to the state and international competitions, and this year was no exception. Fifteen Haverford students finished in the top four in their respective categories at the state competition, and qualified to represent Haverford at the international competition in sunny Anaheim, California, from April twenty-fourth through the twenty-seventh. Eight Sixth Formers (Sam Blitzer, Lucas Elek, Connor Fairman, Jeff Green, Austin Merritt, Aron Morgan, Fisher Pressman, and Grayson Sessa), two Fifth Formers (Graham Gaddes and Alex Zhang), three Fourth Formers (Manav Khandelwal, Jack Henderson, and Jackson Simon), and two Third Formers (Walter Paiva and Alex Sanfilippo) made the 3,000-mile trek across the country to participate in DECA’s International Career Development Conference. After a relaxing “DECA Day,” the competition started in earnest with the grand opening ceremonies Wednesday night. There were 16,000 students gathered in Hall D of the
Also inside this Issue...
Anaheim Convention Center to kick off the competition where students learned about the events in the ensuing days Continued on Page 3
Sessa holding his 1st-place trophy.
Make sure to read Grayson Sessa’s Letter from the Editor on Page 2. An innovative and productive force for The Index, he reflects on his two years as editor-in-chief, both its challenges and successes, including a Gold Medal from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.
DECA Inc.
Haverford was made during the 2000-01 school year. According to Dr. Cox, whereas the advisor system used to be only an “academic relationship” in which an advisor could help advisees choose courses, the advisor system was reconstructed to “involve teachers [to a greater extent] in the lives of boys.” Brendan Burns This chart shows the progession of Haverford under Dr. Cox. began In addition, the schedule exploring the feasibility of instituting an was changed: the community period, which Honor Code in 2000. For an entire school year, had traditionally been slotted at the end of the the IV periodically met at Dr. Cox’s house school day, immediately before after-school to discuss the matter. Dr. Cox estimates that athletics and “didn’t resonate effectively” (as about 60-80% of the form was present at each students often attempted to skip the period such meeting. After gauging what virtues the altogether), was shifted to the middle of the students valued most in their community, an school day. In addition, reflections were put Honor Code was created, and the next year into place for the first time so that students the mechanics of an “Honor Council” were could speak to their peers about profound, discussed. personal issues. And in 2002, Mr. Lengel With these changes having been in effect called the first community awareness meeting. for more than a decade, In order to create a learning environment rooted in morality and character, Dr. Cox Continued on Page 4
Independent Senior Projects: 2013 Edition
Jack Henderson ‘15 explores what Sixth Formers will be engrossed in over the next two weeks, their Senior Project, and some interesting examples. Jack Henderson ‘15
The Senior Independent Project is one of Haverford’s most distinctive co-curricular features. The school has had this system in place for many years, and it has developed into a tradition for the graduating Sixth Form class and a period of time between high school and college where Sixth Formers are allowed an opportunity to experience the real world. The Sixth Formers finished their classes during the week of April 29th and those who were required to take exams took them during the week of May 6th. The beginning of the senior project began on Monday, May 13th. Regarding the time period of the projects, Dean of Students Mr. Mark Fifer explains, “It takes place over a 17-day period from May 13th through June 5th. It is in the expectation that seniors complete 30 hours of work a week on their project.” He added that students’ projects ranged from business, medicine, and law internships to independent academic studies to community service work to working with youth in community sports. The faculty coordinator for senior projects, Mr. Robert Upton, explains the process that the school uses to coordinate the senior project.
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He says, “The seniors make an initial proposal towards the end of January mainly to get them to think about what they might be doing and talk to other people if they are looking to do an internship or work for a community service organization or something else outside of the school, and if so, they need to start getting those wheels in motion.” Mr. Fifer adds, “The rationale for why it’s in place is we want to provide our seniors with some real world experience that is unique to what they have experienced leading up to the senior project. It is also a recognition that by the end of May most students know where they are going to college and know what they are doing next year, and therefore they are in a position where this type of work like experience makes sense for them.” Haverford has the difficult task of deciding what to do with second semester Sixth Formers, most of whom are already into college. It decided that this system allows the rebellious seniors to open their eyes to the world, while the school can still regulate their projects and make sure they are receiving a beneficial education. Continued on Page 5
After several weeks of deliberation, The Index has announced it’s staff for the 2013-2014 school year, which will begin with the upcoming June Issue! You can find the full editorial staff on Page 5.
Article Page Letter from the Editors 2 Career Column 3 VEX Worlds 4 Spring Concert Recap 4 Fords Focus 7 Hardest Sport at Haverford? 9 History Curriculum 10 Constitution Outdated? 11 Outdex 12
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The Index
Editorials
May 2013
Letter from the President Letter from Outgoing Editor-in-Chief
Dear Student Body,
For as far back as I can remember, I’ve been made fun of for my bushy eyebrows. But I have finally realized the significance of them and how they contribute to my personality and who I am. My questioning began in fourth grade, when I decided to try to trim them. Unfortunately, my hand-eye coordination wasn’t as good as it is now (or good at all), and I ended up looking like a puzzle-piece gone wrong. A few years later I tried plucking them with my sisters tweezers, but I decided that it wasn’t worth crying in agony. Finally after nearly having no eyebrow-nerves left, I gave up. Sixth grade was probably the moment when I started receiving much of the torture. People would rub their fingers over their eyebrows when talking to me, or ask me how my “uni” was doing. I didn’t think it was that funny, until I began to accept them. I trained myself to lift them and move them around emphasizing emotions and establishing different facial features. I then began getting involved in theater. To my surprise, my eyebrows not only contributed to my comedic performances, but also helped me earn lead roles in plays. I continued accepting my eyebrows as a part of me, and this allowed me to accept other “flaws” of mine. So when someone asks me why I don’t get them waxed, why I am short, why I am harry, I respond by telling them that these are attributes that allow me to be myself. I have enough content for my “flaws” that I can make fun of myself without feeling upset. I can feel confident in any situation. I can focus on what I want to instead of letting others tell me what to focus on. I’d like to thank all of you for electing me your president and allowing me to feel confident. This year hasn’t been easy, but I am glad that we overcame all adversity and took this school, each other, and ourselves to a higher level. Continue growing in your interests, academics, athletics, passions, and
Index Staff
Mike Green President Michael Green. emotions. We all need to find the “flaws” that separate us from that hideous word: “perfection.” I couldn’t have asked for a more passionate, caring, and unique student body. For the last time, thank you for everything all of you have done for me and…For those of you who don’t know me, and for those of you who do know me, I am Michael Green.
Sincerely, President Michael “Bushy-Eyebrow-ed” Green
Dear Reader, It feels strange to be “signing off” after working with The Index for twenty issues - ever since the end of my Fourth Form year. For about two weeks each month, it felt like the paper was nearly the burden of two classes. But looking back, I can honestly say that I would never trade my time serving Haverford in this capacity for a little extra free-time: working with The Index has been the most stimulating and rewarding of any activity I pursued in Upper School. Of course, this has been because of my fortune in getting to work with some of Haverford’s powerhouses. Tadas Antanavicius ‘12, my co-editor through last year, was so passionate that he would pull frequent all-nighters if it meant sending the paper out on time, and he purchased a whole catalogue of books for editors in addition to the newest version of Indesign. Peter Thompson ‘13, who is closing out his third year as editor of the News & Features section, is a true journalist; every article he produced was completed with the most thorough interviews of any contributor. And of course Fisher Pressman ‘13 who did more to increase Index readership with his writing and work as Opinions editor than anyone else could have. The Index has had its success because it is able to attract people like these to serve on the staff and as writers. Of course, for now two years in a row, we have hit our personal goals of ten issues each year. But recently, The Index has also been the recipient of a lot of love from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. After winning the Silver Medal two years ago, last year’s cache of work was awarded the Gold Medal. Erich Prince ‘13, whose pieces for the paper are rare but always masterpieces, has now won twice for two different but equally powerful opinion pieces. Antanavicius and I wrote an editorial, which was also given an award by the CSPA, defending our decision to publish Pressman’s most controversial opinion piece in March 2012. It may be this type of issue that holds The Index back in the future: opposition from students and administration about what can or
Outgoing editor Grayson Sessa ‘13
Scott Jaster
should be published. A primary goal last year was to draft a mission statement, and we did: a core component was to serve as a facilitator of change from within the school (you can view the full mission statement in the Staff Box below). It has been increasingly hard to hold this role. We published the Pressman piece without the administration censoring it. Yet this year, our articles on drugs, economic inequality, and the list of thefts have also been censored, and in my opinion, quite harshly. My biggest regret as Editor-in-Chief has been failing to defend our most controversial writers adequately when they and their pieces are called onto trial. No doubt, I could have done better on that front this year, but there will be new censorship challenges next year, and I trust the new staff will fight back. I can be happy stepping aside now, knowing that our newspaper is in a group of strong writers and editors. The Class of 2013 has made my time as editor easy - they were always willing to write an article, grab a picture at a sports game, or serve on the editorial team. I hope everyone - readers and contributors alike - got as much out of The Index as I did. Now is the time to pass off the baton, and the Classes of 2014, 2015, 2016 and below are certainly well-prepared to take it and run with it. For one last time - happy reading, Grayson Sessa ‘13, Editor-in-Chief
Movie Column: 42 and the Sports Movie Mentality Otis Baker ‘15 This past month a new sports movie was released telling the story of Jackie Robinson. It was well-made, like any good sports history movie. The old trains were apt for the time period as were the houses and radios. However, that is not what really struck me after seeing the movie. What I realized after seeing the film is that sports movies are not ever really about sports. Well, they are not ever only about sports. In 42, Robinson fights segregation and racism, playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the all-white professional baseball league in 1947. Although Robinson’s focus remains solely on his ability to hit, run, and field, the movie requires the viewer to realize the larger
implications of Robinson’s actions. The movie uses baseball to touch on race and other issues along with incorporating the classic underdog sports story. This is why 42 is such a success. Even though the movie is a historical account, it provides all of the elements of a great sports movie. A great sports movie requires a likable main character or team that the audience will root for. The main character has to be the underdog. 42 passes with flying colors. Robinson and his wife face racism; they are kicked off flights and are cheated by umpires. Robinson’s patience is tested numerous times, but he pulls through the way only a true hero can. Robinson faces the onslaught of racism in baseball by himself. The viewer is rooting for him the whole time to keep pressing on so he can pave the way for
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
other African-Americans in the future. The next thing a great sports movie requires is something the team has to overcome together. For example in the movie, Miracle, the college hockey players from Minnesota and the players from Boston have to put aside their personal vendettas to bond together and compete as a team to beat a more experienced Soviet team for their country. In 42, the Brooklyn Dodgers sign a team petition not to play while Robinson is on the team. But eventually, one by one the players begin to change their opinions. The players realize that Robinson is on the team because he can play baseball. The team begins to come together, and instead of isolating Jackie, his teammates stick up for him in his moments of need. The last thing a great sports movie needs
is the believer. Generally speaking, great sports movie has a driving character behind the underdog. The believer cannot complete the challenge for the underdog but he is there every step of the way training him and motivating him onward. This character is ubiquitous in sports movies. Every underdog story has its Herman Boone or Herb Brooks. 42 has Branch Rickey. Harrison Ford plays Mr. Rickey, the Executive Owner of the Dodgers. He is the one who feels the need to complete the game he loves. He creates the opportunity for Robinson. He brings Robinson onto the team and keeps him focused and confident. Ford does an exceptional job of portraying the eccentric owner who believes so devoutly in Robinson and the dream he embodies.
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. Southern Dutchess News prints 200-400 copies of each issue, and its editorial staff distributes them in the Upper School on the day of release. The Index serves the needs of a total school population of 1091 community members, consisting of 975 students and 116 faculty members. Contact The Index: 450 Lancaster Ave, Haverford, PA 19041 hsindex@gmail.com http://www.haverfordindex.com/ (610) 642-3020 x. 1222 Volume LXXIV, No. 9 - May 16, 2013
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The Index
Columns
Career Column: The Craft of a Lawyer
Jack Henderson ‘15 discovers the “craft of a lawyer” in this latest edition of the popular Career Column. Jack Henderson ‘15 Many fear them, some hate them, but we all need them. Lawyers are some of our finest, our most educated, and our most prestigious. They fight for justice and their client, but the best of the best have spent their entire lives working towards success. There are stories in the news all the time about lawyers and lawsuits. But what is behind the story? What does it take to be a lawyer? What are their day-to-day duties? What makes a law degree one of the most sought after professional degrees? I will discuss and answer these questions among other topics, as I hope to open your eyes to the world of the law and show you why a career in law may be a great fit for you. You must first consider what you value in a career. Is it money? Happiness? Seeing purpose in your life? Time away for family and vacation? You must weigh these factors and the many others as you think about what career is best for you. Lawyers come from every situation and stage of life. Some have known their entire life that they want to be a lawyer. Others go to college and enter the workforce, but realize that they would rather pursue a career in law. Teachers, nurses, accountants, engineers, and every other profession imaginable have people that have moved towards a job in law as a second career. Lawyers come from every background and walk of life. While the background for lawyers may be diverse, a general path must be followed to become a certified lawyer. After graduating high school, you must leave college with a bachelor’s degree, graduate from law school, pass a state bar exam, and find a legal job. As a lawyer there are numerous opportunities that you can pursue with a law degree and training. From being a trial lawyer to entering the business world to becoming a special agent in the government, a law degree opens many doors. There are many legal issues from all aspects of life that require the assistance of a lawyer, such as issues of bankruptcy to criminal law to divorce to environmental law. Lawyers often specialize in a certain legal issue, and so many lawyers have very different day-to-day schedules. However, if you know you want to be a lawyer, or even a specific legal issue that is interesting to you, you can choose more specific studies and training to put you on your path. Your time at Haverford is priceless and it can be what you make of it. Focus in history, English, and language classes. Expose yourself to extracurriculars like Debate or Mock Trial. Find a local law firm and see if they are offering internships. The opportunity is there, but you must seize it yourself. Expose yourself to the world of law now and see if it is right for you. The New York Times and other publications
have featured articles detailing the need for educational reform in law schools. Writers have stated that law schools are graduating students that are not capable of being counselors and performing the basic duties of a lawyer. Instead, law schools have invested much of the class time in discussing theoretical issues with the law. This situation has caused many new law school graduates to be without a job. David Segal of the New York Times writes, “The legal services market has shrunk for three consecutive years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Altogether, the top 250 firms — which hired 27 percent of graduates from the top 50 law schools last year — have lost nearly 10,000 jobs since 2008, according to an April survey by The National Law Journal.” However, with a steep decline, there will be job openings in the next decade, as law firms need people to replace their older members and partners. The ABA Journal has featured a blog from lawyers who write about why they love what they do. The blog reads, “We’ve all seen the downbeat headlines—surveys show as many as half of all lawyers wouldn’t enter the profession if they had it to do over, wouldn’t recommend their children become lawyers, would rather be digging ditches or breaking rocks. As the profession struggles to recover from the Great Recession, it’s certainly not easy being an attorney. But what about the other half of the profession—the half that doesn’t grab the headlines, that finds satisfaction in their jobs? There’s still much to recommend the practice of law, starting with serving clients and the public good. This story [reminds us] why being a lawyer can be an extraordinary calling.” A lawyer from San Francisco wrote on the blog, “I love being a lawyer because I can make a difference in someone’s life. I help people live debt-free. I’ve had clients tell me it’s changed their life for the better, that they can sleep at night and stop fighting with their spouse about money. How awesome is that?” A lawyer from Chicago agrees and says, “Best job in the world: I get paid to read, write, think, talk and argue—all things I would do anyway.” Many lawyers agree that being a lawyer involves helping people who need help. They find their calling in life and they love to do what they do. If you are considering a career in law, I urge you to pursue your interest now. It is never too early to start planning your future and prepare for the bright, exciting future to come. References: ABA Journal, New York Times Jack Henderson ‘15, author of the Career Column, can be reached at jackhend@ haverford.org with any comments, questions, or concerns.
May 2013
Arts Column: History and Science Meet at UPenn
Gregory Boyek ‘14 reviews the “Lord Mosaic” exhibit at the Museum of Archaeology. Gregory Boyek ‘14
At the University of Pennsylvania Museum Of Archeology, the work of conservation is on display in two different ways. The outstandingly well-preserved Lod Mosaic is on temporary exhibition at the museum. Meanwhile, the “Artifact Lab” conservation project is an active demonstration of the science of conservation. The museum’s exhibits demonstrate both the process and the products of conservation. The Lod Mosaic is a special exhibit titled Unearthing a Masterpiece which is headed to the Louvre in Paris on May 12th. The mosaic is a 3rd century C.E. work from Roman Palestine, in a town which is now Lod, Israel. It is thirty feet wide and nearly sixty feet long, making it one of the most spectacularly well-preserved Roman mosaics ever discovered. The colors remain vivid nearly two thousand years after their creation. The artwork is unblemished and depicts life-like animals and fish. While mosaics with hunting motifs or arena battles were quite common in Ancient Rome, the story of the mosaic’s owner is hinted at by the mosaic’s lack of human figures. Many of the animals depicted were not local to Roman Palestine, but would have been found commonly in sporting hunts in Roman arenas. Another clue about the mosaic’s history is offered by its distinctively Western style, common in the Latin world and rare in Palestine. The pattern, geometric rather than natural, is distinctly Roman. This information, combined with the nautical theme on one panel, leads archeologists to deduce that the owner of the house was highly connected in the East-West trade on the Mediterranean. The expense and content of the mosaic suggests that the owner was a merchant who shipped animals for the arena. The mosaic’s modern discovery and preservation is a story as noteworthy as its ancient history. In 1996, highway construction near the major hub of Ben Gurion Airport revealed the mosaic, prompting a rescue excavation. The excavation revealed that the mosaic was far too large to remove in one piece, so it was reburied until 2009. Then, funding was acquired for a massive conservation project. The mosaic was cut into more thirty strips which were then covered in gauze and geotextile. This allowed the mosaic to be rolled up like a carpet. The most challenging aspect of the removal was cutting through the high-quality Roman cement which was as solid as modern concrete. The Lod Mosaic was therefore made relatively portable, allowing it to be removed from its exposed location which was impeding local development and giving it the strength to tour American and European museums.
The University of Pennsylvania Museum recently adapted an exhibit gallery to be used as a conservation lab that could be seen by museum visitors. The Artifact Lab gallery allows for the public to see in action conservation work not unlike what was required to preserve the Lod Mosaic. A large glass panel allows visitors to observe all that goes on within a conservation lab – from microscopes used to analyze fibers for repair to the smell of preserving agents. Conservators open up windows in the glass to answer questions and educate visitors using SMART boards and demonstrations. The lab posts frequently to a blog on the Penn Museum’s website, penn.museum/artifactlab, bringing a digital level of outreach. According to Dr. David Silverman, curator of the Egyptian Section, the Artifact Lab is simultaneously fulfilling two important goals of the Museum: to educate visitors and preserve history. “The whole idea was to include not only what we wanted, but also what we knew the public would be interested
The mosaic in the Penn museum.
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in seeing,” he said in an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer. The artifact lab is engaged in several projects, including a damaged human mummy, a falcon mummy, and sarcophagi. The lab combines ancient history with modern science in order to rehabilitate artifacts which have been damaged by time or as a result of invasive archeology. The team often uses resources made available by the University Hospital. CAT scans, X-rays and polarizedlight microscopes allow the conservators to study the objects without damaging them. Fragile mummies are removed from sarcophagi using a vacuum mattress designed for EMTs. Synthetics such as gore-tex are used to wick away moisture from artifacts. The intersection of modern technology with traditional archeology produces successful conservation work. Often, modern conservators must restore objects damaged by previous human intervention, or exposed due to urban development. The Lod Mosaic is a spectacular result of the application of both science and history to preserve humanity’s cultural heritage.
DECA Triumphant at Internationals (cont.) Continued from the Front Page and had the opportunity listen to Mr. Steve Greenbaum, the CEO of Postnet, one of the fastest-growing companies in the United States. The following day, the competition began. The first part of the competition consists of students taking a 100-question test administered in 90 minutes. The exam is designed to test how well students know important terminology and various other things associated with their categories. On Friday, the content interviews, or “roleplays,” began. This part of the competition is where Haverford students tend to excel. Each
team or individual is presented with a situation and has to think of a solution before presenting his/her ideas to a judge. The situation is based around the category of the team or individual. The categories Haverford students competed in were as follows: Business Law and Ethics Team (Elek-Fairman, Merritt-Morgan); Buying and Merchandising Team (Blitzer-Green); Marketing Communication Team (GaddesZhang); Sports and Entertainment Marketing Team (Henderson-Simon); Hotel and Lodging Management (Pressman); Human Resources Management (Khandelwal); Principles of Business Management and Administration (Paiva); Principles of Marketing (Sanfilippo); Quick Serve Restaurant Management (Sessa). Team and Principles events only have one role-
play while individual events have two. Saturday morning was the “Mini Awards,” where students earned medals like “High Role Play” or “High Test.” Also, students learned if they were finalists in their category and would have another content interview later that day. Three Haverford students earned medals at this ceremony. Gaddes earned a High Test medallion, Pressman received a finalist medallion, and Sessa was awarded a High Test, High Role-Play, and finalist medallion. That evening, competitors who finished in the top ten were called back onto the stage and then the third, second, and first place winners were announced. Haverford students nearly brought down the building when Sessa’s name was called as the first-place winner
in the category of Quick-Serve Restaurant Management. Said Sessa of his final and overall experiences at DECA Internationals: “I felt like my time in DECA came to a poetic close; in my final role play, I was able to bring together all of the things I’ve learned over the past four years. It made winning 1st place all the more fun. It is bittersweet though because this is my last year in DECA, and it will be hard letting go of it.” As Sessa and the rest of the Sixth Formers have experienced the last of their DECA competitions, it will be imperative that rising Fourth and Fifth Formers take control and make sure that Haverford DECA continues its reign as one of the most successful DECA chapters in Pennsylvania.
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The Index
Arts
May 2013
Spring Concert: Muscopia, Haverford Shine Again Sam Dyer ‘15 recaps what was yet anonther memorable Spring Concert, featuring Musicopia and all of Haverford’s many talented musicians. Sam Dyer ‘15
Once again, Haverford’s Middle and Upper School performing groups put on a solid spring concert that pleased both students and parents alike. As they have done in recent spring concerts, the Advanced String Orchestra opened the concert by combining with Musicopia, a non-profit organization that brings educational music enrichment programs to schools and communities throughout the Delaware Valley. After music director Anna Pulaski led the Haverford strings through the movie soundtrack from Slum dog Millionaire by A.R. Rahman with the Baldwin Orchestra, Musicopia demonstrated their talent through an arrangement of various Lady Gaga songs titled Lady Gaga Fugue. Finally, the three groups came together on stage and played two pieces: Palladio by Karl Jenkins and Alice in Wonderland by Danny Elfman. After the string groups left the stage, Middle School’s Centennial Singers, led by Mr. John Stroud, performed three songs: March and Chorus (From The Conspirators) by Schubert, Nine Hundred Miles arranged by Phillip Silvey, and the Coldplay song Fix You. Soloists for Fix You included Second Formers Karl Eckert on keyboard, Parker Henderer on guitar, Christopher Williams on bass, and Sixth Former Peter Thompson on the drums. Mr. Stroud and the Celebrantes would remain on stage after the Centennial Singers, performing three songs on their own: That Lonesome Road by James Taylor, Ride the
Chariot arranged by Beatrice and Max Krone, and Just the Way You Are by pop singer Bruno Mars. Soloists included Duncan Joyce for That Lonesome Road, Yeshwin Sankuratri and Duncan Joyce for Ride the Chariot, and Aditya Bhise for Just the Way You Are. Once the two Middle School choral groups finished their admirably performed pieces, the Jazz Band took the stage for five songs of their own. Led by director Mr. Phil Giordano, the Jazz band played All The Blues Fit To Print by Andy Clark, Bossa Fuego by Rodger Pemberton, Cute by Neil Hefti, A Child Is Born by Thad Jones, and Get It On, arranged by Paul Gennings. Bossa Fuego featured Sixth Form trombonist Colin Meehan, while Cute featured Thompson on the drums. In addition, A Child is Born featured Sixth Former Josh Collins on trumpet with Fourth Former Will Hyland on piano while Get It On featured Fifth Form guitarist Will Tackett. The Haverford String Quintet took the stage after the Jazz band’s harmonious tunes. The Quintet, which features Sixth Former Amar Patel on first violin, Fifth Formers Christman Henderer and Alex Zhang on second violin and piano, respectively, and cellists Fourth Former Sam Dyer and Second Former Karl Eckert along with instructor Ms. Anna Pulaski on viola, played three pieces: the Scherzo from the Trout Quintet by Schubert, Rolling in the Deep by Adele, and Danny Boy by Harry Alshin. The group specially dedicated Danny Boy to Dr. Joseph Cox in honor of the great work he has done for Haverford.
The Jazz Band performing its first piece during the concert.
Lastly, the two Upper School Choirs took the stage, and as they often are, Mr. Mark Hightower’s Notables were the favorite act of the night. They performed five songs: Steal Away by Brazeal Dennard, Loch LomondScottish Air by Ralph Vaughan Williams, De Animals A-Comin’ arranged by Marshall Bartholomew, Down by the Sally Gardens, arranged by former Haverford Music teacher Michael Stairs, and Africa by Dave Paich and Jeff Pocaro. Fifth Former Christman Henderer was the soloist for Loch Lomond while Fourth Former Will Solmssen soloed in Down by the Sally Gardens. The Notables then joined the Glee Club on
Mr. Jordan Hayman
stage, performing two songs: Vive L’Amour, a traditional English Ballad arranged by Alice Parker and Robert Shaw, and Battle Hymn of the Republic by William Steefe. The best part of the concert, however, was when the Glee Club, Centennial Singers, and Advanced String Orchestra combined for a grand rendition of Baba Yetu by Christopher Tin. Baba Yetu, which is a Swahili translation of The Lord’s Prayer, featured Fifth Formers Chet Bickhart and Ibrahim Bey along with Second Former Drew Weiss as soloists. It was a fitting finale for a concert that featured a wide range of talents, both vocal and instrumental.
Robotics Posts Successful Showing at VEX Worlds Jonathan Paras ‘14 The 2012-2013 VEX Robotics Competition season has finally come to an astounding close with the International VEX Championships in Anaheim, California. We reported on VEX’s Sack Attack and gave team updates in earlier issues, but for those who were not able to read those articles, here is a recap. The challenge for the past season has been a game known as Sack Attack. It is played on a 12 x 12 foot field that is coated with foam tiles. Each team is split between blue and red and the field is divided down the middle by a row of 15 inch troughs. The scoring elements for the game are the green and gold ½ bean bags interspersed throughout the field. The objective of the game is to have the most of your teams colored sacks in your colored trough at the end of the 2:00 match. Each robot must be within an 18 x 18 x 18 inch cube at the start of the match, but may expand to any size during gameplay. Haverford, under the numerical designation 169, set an international record before we
even arrived at the competition. Of the 7,700 Vex teams worldwide, from countries as far away as China and Australia, Haverford sent 9 Vex teams to the World Championship, an astounding 1% of the total teams there. By this metric, Haverford has the most successful robotics program in the world in terms of total teams qualified and sent to compete internationally. The Upper School portion of the team had one sub-team in each of the five divisions. In an interview with Fourth Former Tim Delaney, who was on Team 169C in the Engineering Division, I asked him to describe his experience: “I feel that each year VEX is getting more and more creative with the game designs regarding height and design restrictions that forces creativity and uniqueness to designs as opposed to everyone making virtually exact copies of one another. It was, in my experience, a fantastically high scoring game that allowed for less ties and much more excitement after matches as to whether you won or not. Our team built several different types of robots, but the one we stayed
with in the end and took to the World Championship had a tank drive train with 4 motors attached to the four back wheels, a 4 motor tower to lift up to 18 bean bags at a time, and a 2 motor intake that consisted of a bottom rolling tread and a top roller of sprockets and high strength chain.” Truly, the team saw success with Jonathan Paras ‘14, Evan Kuritzkes ‘13, and Sam Shaw ‘16 celebrate their win. Mr. Chuck Glick all but one of world, going on to place 4th in the our teams competing in elimination brackets round robin divisional playoffs. Truly, it was within their 80+ team divisions. Even more a momentous and successful event for all of astounding, team 169A moved forward to Team 169 and, by extension, the Haverford clinch their division championship in a hard community. fought battle against teams from around the Continued on Page 5
School Survey Data: How Has Haverford Grown? (cont.) Continued from the Front Page it is now possible to examine whether Haverford truly has progressed in these key areas under Dr. Cox. And has it? If the 2012 survey is any indication, the answer is a resounding “yes.” Of the 619 students sampled, 320 (51.7%) rated “general satisfaction” with Haverford as “very high.” The survey returned an average rating of 4.4 (out of 5) for overall satisfaction among students. Not only is this figure significantly higher than the average of 3.9 from the 2000 survey, but also represents a new high in this statistic among the more than 300 independent schools for whom Lookout Management has conducted constituent surveys. Average general satisfaction among parents reached 4.5, tying the all-time high among independent schools (and according to Kevin Graham, this figure has been equalled by only one other school). A more focused, specific look at the data reveals even more dramatic changes. Students’ agreement with the statement, “I look forward to coming to school each day,” measured on a scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly
agree), has risen from 3.0 in 2000 to 3.5 in 2012. The average among independent schools – 3.2. Agreement with the statement, “I am proud to tell people that I attend Haverford” has risen from 3.8 in 2000 to 4.5 in 2012, with 65% of students strongly agreeing with the expression. This also represents a new high among measured independent schools. Students reported an average agreement of 4.2 with the statement, “At Haverford, we strive to prepare each student for life by developing his full potential” with respect to character – up from 3.6 in 2000. Students also rated the “sense of community” at Haverford at 4.1, compared to 3.4 in 2000. Other high ratings were reported for “quality of education” (4.6), “interscholastic athletics” (4.4), and “availability of technology resources” (4.4). And students that agreed with the statement: “I am physically safe while at the School” outnumbered those who disagreed by a ratio of 50.6 to 1. The results of the 2012 survey are also a testament to the success of the revised advisor system: the advisor system received a rating of 4.2 in last year’s survey, compared to 3.4 in
2000. Ratings for “quality of communications” and “quantity of communications” with advisors have seen similar increases. Perhaps the most indicative data of the successes of Dr. Cox’s tenure as headmaster are the correlations that cannot be shown. According to Lookout Management’s Survey of Findings document for the 2012 survey, “there is no meaningful association between reported overall satisfaction and being a higher academic performer,” and “no issues of concern were identified” in comparisons of students based on either tenure with the School or travel time from home to Haverford. Finally, according to Kevin Graham, “no loss in measure of academic rigor has been observed” as increased effort was put into developing social aspects of the school. “It’s not a zero sum game here, where one gain is offset by another loss. The pie can get bigger.” Naturally, there are several specific areas of future improvement that need to be addressed. Only 44.8% of students agreed or strongly agreed that their teachers are sensitive to their workload in other classes. Both multiracial and international students reported lower
scores pertaining to “sense of community” and other measures. Dr. Cox notes that, although above the national average, faculty satisfaction with the School is not as high as student or parent satisfaction (especially among new faculty). Lookout Management’s Summary of Findings reveals that parents’ “comfort with the financial obligations of enrollment” has decreased – 56% of parent respondents rate the current level of tuition as “too high.” However, these shortcomings do not detract from the accomplishments of Dr. Cox and the Haverford administration. “If the students are satisfied and feel like they are being served well, that is the most important thing,” Dr. Cox says. The latest survey proves that students have become more satisfied with Haverford during Dr. Cox’s tenure. Kevin Graham attests to this progress: “…Haverford’s experience over the years that I’ve worked with Dr. Cox and his team displays as strong a commitment as any other to studying the results from this work in an unending effort to become a better school in the eyes of constituents. My hat comes off in salute to this continuing effort.”
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The Index
News
May 2013
The Complete Guide to Studying for Final Exams First set of final exams? Third? Whether in Third or Fifth Form, Matt Larson ‘14 has you covered in this thorough guide to studying for the biggest exams of the year.
They’re coming… That’s right, exams are right around the corner. Starting May 30, Form III-V exams will run through June 4 and be returned on “Judgment Day,” June 6. While everyone wants to keep these make or break one and a half to two hour tests out of their minds, they cannot deny that it is important to do well. But the distractions are endless. After a seemingly perpetual cold, warm weather has come back into the Philadelphia region. The major league baseball season is in full swing, as are the basketball and hockey playoffs. With plenty of distractions, it can be extremely hard to study for the obligatory chemistry or English exam. Luckily, no one in the upper school is new to the experience. Interviews with a few students revealed that many Haverford students prepare for exams in similar ways. Fifth Former Graham Gaddes explains that students should “make a study guide where [they] list all the possible topics that could be on the exam… [and] ensure [that they] know each one.” Third Former Drew Sterman thinks that students should “get organized… and make folders categorizing old tests, quizzes, homeworks, and study guides [to create] a rotation schedule similar to the exam schedule.” From Fourth Former Jordan Siegal’s experience, it is best to “organize your information…[because] studying for an
exam without having your notes organized makes life a lot harder.” It could simply be coincidence, but it appears as though there is a central message to most students’ thought processes: get organized. Learning Specialist Mr. Stephen Cloran from the Learning Center has his own ideas about what are the best methods to prepare for exams. “The most important task one can do to study for exams is to create a study schedule,” he explains, giving a similar answer to the ones given by the other students. Those in the Learning Center find that “if a person invests time and energy in creating an agenda, they will follow through better” in their study time and work. Teachers have been asked to give students a class study guide at least two weeks before exams begin, which is when Mr. Cloran says that studying should shift into high gear. “On average, students should study eight hours for each exam,” but there will be differences depending on the level of difficulty of the class or a student’s needs. As noted earlier, it can be hard for students to study when the weather improves or after doing so for a few days straight, so Mr. Cloran recommends that students “schedule
Continued from the Front Page Mr. Upton continues, “When they come back from spring break, their final proposal is due, and that lays out specifically what they plan on doing for this period of time. The proposal then goes to a committee of faculty members. In most cases they are approved or sent back for a rewrite for more detail or maybe improving grammar. Hopefully, all of that gets done in the first few weeks of April, and then they are all set to go.” Sixth Former John McMichael, who is shadowing an oncologist at Jefferson Hospital for his senior project, has had a positive experience with the system. McMichael explains, “I did one draft of my proposal and sent it in, and it was accepted the first go-around. I have friends who have done up to 6 drafts of their proposals and are very frustrated with the system. I think the review of the proposals and the relative hardness is appropriate and necessary. Haverford strives to prepare boys for life, and it is crucial that our seniors are doing something worthwhile and learning during their senior project periods. I think it is a good thing that senior projects are a graduation requirement.” Mr. Upton reports that most of the projects are internships. He says, “There are a couple of guys working for the Phillies on an internship. The Phillies have actually established a regular, ongoing internship program for high
school students. There are also a number of folks working in different medical fields with different physicians. Some people are working within financial institutions. There are also a number of people doing an independent study on writing and poetry.” While many students support the system of senior projects, many have concerns and criticisms that they hope the school addresses. McMichael continues, “A few criticisms I may have would be about payment during our projects. If seniors were allowed to be paid during their projects, it may push them to look for more competitive internships or to put more effort into their projects. I think payment should be allowed. Another point is that the school does not provide too much guidance about senior projects. If there were some prime examples of projects in the past that they gave us, maybe it would jump-start some kids’ ideas.” Students who are serious about having a beneficial senior project wish that the period of time for their projects was longer than the 17 days the school currently allows. McMichael agrees, “One thing I wanted to do was potentially go overseas for a service opportunity or go to Maine for research (where I worked for the summer), but I found that I would not have nearly enough time to complete anything significant.” Regarding this issue, Mr. Upton says, “There is constantly a discussion about what
Matt Larson ‘14
time to exercise, play games, and do other [activities].” The time allotted to these comes back to the importance of a schedule, for students need to decide how much time they can afford to spend doing things other than studying. One recommendation is to visit the Learning Center, where all of the counselors are “ready, willing, and able” to help create a study schedule. Mr. Cloran as well as Ms. Barbara Baroody and Ms. Katharine Hudson can all work to give students a head start for exam prep. Also, follow their Twitter page @ ELCExamPrep. So, if you’re a student who is
unorganized or unmotivated to start working on exams, know that it is only a matter of a few weeks before they begin. Now is not the time for sitting around and procrastinating; rather, know that the grade in the class, your GPA, and potential college admittance, could be at stake. No pressure! Seriously though, make sure to create a schedule, allot the appropriate times for studying, and do the best you can. Whatever the end result might be, keep a positive attitude. After all, they’re coming.
The 2013 Upper School final exam schedule.
Ms. Sara Adkins
Senior Projects 2013 (cont.)
VEX Worlds (cont.) Continued from Page 5 But just as this event has heralded the end of the season, more growth is on the horizon for the team. Speaking on this in a quick discussion was team mentor Mr. Thomas Charles Glick. When asked what he thought were the big takeaways of the event, Mr. Glick responded that “This past season the teams and students became much more self reliant. Interteam teaching has not only made us smarter, but stronger as well. It has allowed for team 169 to quickly rise to the premiere program of Pennsylvania and one of the strongest in the world, which is evident in our results at worlds these past 3 years. We have had two division wins, two Mentors of the Year Awards, and one Teacher of the Year.” In further discussion on the team’s future, Mr. Glick said, “The future
of the robotics team at Haverford lies in our continued efforts to expand the after school program to the younger boys here at The Haverford School. The lower school robotics after school program along with the Middle and Upper School robotics teams is going to allow for the younger gentlemen of THS to explore and expand their interests within not only robotics, but science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.” It is sure to be an exciting year coming up, and we at the team would like to give our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Cox and the Haverford Community who have supported us on yearlong journey. There are many interesting things in the works for the team that is both for Vex and beyond, but until then, keep on thinking, dreaming, and building.
makes the most sense in terms of period of time. I am not sure we would extend that period of time because the spring semester is already a little short, so I am not sure we want to shorten that any more. But I think if there was a concerted discussion between Jefferson University Hospital, where John McMichael will be interning. Jefferson.com be a students and faculty, as to why need things should change, it might be viable.” to change the schedule, so that may be a Mr. Upton and other faculty members often rationale one way or another.” consider the current system and will make This difficult issue with second semester any improvements that they deem will benefit seniors is one that the school has tried to the students and the school’s function. Mr. address. Some feel that the system should Upton says, “There is always discussion about be expanded, while others feel it should be whether this period should be modified or even completely eliminated. It is clear that the eliminated perhaps. The rationale originally faculty coordinators are staying on top of the for having this period of time was that a large situation and will make any changes they number of Sixth Formers were taking AP believe will improve the system in place, but exams, and so it was disruptive to a normal the school believes the 17-day period for senior academic schedule anyway. With a lot fewer projects is the best option to deal with the issue folks taking AP exams, there really would not of second semester Sixth Formers.
Congrats Will Tackett ‘14!
The Index is excited to announce it’s next Editorin-Chief, William Tackett ‘14! The rigorous selection process unfolded over several weeks, and we here at The Index are convinced we have found the right man for the job. Section Editors for the 2013-2014 school year will be announced in the June Graduation Issue.
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The Index
May 2013
Sports Fords Focus: Examining Recruitment of Star Basketball Trio Manav Khandelwal ‘15 updates you on the recruitment of three Haverford basketball stars who are having exciting and successful Spring seasons. Manav Khandelwal ‘15
His dad played college basketball at Temple and won a national championship in high school. It’s fair to say Fourth Form guard Levan “Shawn” Alston has basketball “in his blood.” But that’s not what made him the 2012-2013 Inter-Ac MVP as voted by his opposing coaches. It’s his natural leadership skills and impeccable work ethic. Haverford basketball was, if we are having a candid conversation, the Inter-Ac’s basement dweller for nearly a decade at the start of the 2000s. Up until about 2011, when Alston, Fifth Former Eric Anderson, and Fourth Former Sean Lloyd joined the Varsity team, Haverford was always Episcopal Academy’s baby brother on the hardwood. That’s all changed. Despite playing in a very tough league last season, Fords basketball achieved a 17-9 record (6-4 in the Inter-Ac, good for 2nd). Many of their losses were forgivable, coming against the likes of Class-A state champions Vaux Cougars and PAISAA state champions Germantown Academy Patriots (x3). This rejuvenation has been led by Alston, who won Inter-Ac co-MVP this season after
leading the league with 16.3 points and 6.4 assists per game. He also shot 43.9% from the field and 85.9% from the free-throw line, impressive clips for a guy who led Haverford’s fast-paced offense. Anderson and Lloyd also had seasons worth noting. Anderson, an athletic, 6’6” wingman who started at small forward for much of the season, averaged 12.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game. Despite being ineligible during the Inter-Ac’s regular season due to league transfer rules, Lloyd still made his presence felt averaging 14.3 points per game during the regular season and then shutting down Westtown sharpshooter Jared Nickens ’14 in the first round of the PAISAA championship. Their success has continued into the Spring season. Alston is playing for the AAU powerhouse Team Final. It features such players as TreVaughn Wilkerson and Manny Taylor (Roman Catholic), Ahmad Gilbert (Constitution), Tyus Battle (Gill St. Bernard’s), and Lamarr Kimble (Neumann-Goretti), some of the top 16-and-under players in the city. A rising Fifth Former, Alston has just burst onto the recruiting scene as of late, garnering a lot of national interest due to his brilliant play.
He has received interest–since he’s a Fourth Former, he still cannot speak directly to colleges, so his AAU and Haverford coaches can speak directly to the schools–from a long list of schools that include Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio State, Temple (his dad’s alma mater), Providence, Xavier, Harvard, and Yale. Of the schools he’s looked at, a select few have stood out. “Temple is where my dad went, I’ve been a fan my whole life. Michigan
and Kentucky are two high-level programs with high-level coaches. Michigan almost won a championship this year, Kentucky won 2 years ago; both are winning programs.” That last bit is important, at least to Alston, who says, “Right now, all options are open, but I’d like to attend a school that can compete for a national championship.” Continued on Page 9
Anderson, Alston, and Lloyd before an early-season game.
Mr. Tim Stay
Tennis Wins Outright Inter-Ac Title, 47th Straight Match Jackson Simon ‘15
After a nerve-racking start to the season due in part to several injuries and ailments, Fords tennis has turned this year’s campaign into another impressive one, continuing a winning streak started two years ago. For the first time in school history, the Fords captured first place at the Northeast/ Mid-Atlantic (NEMA) Invitational tournament, which brings together the best tennis programs on the East Coast. All three singles spots were occupied by the Lieb Trio, Sixth Former Jordan, Fourth Former Zach, and Fourth Former Ben, all of whom reached the final round of their separate sixteen-player field. Fourth Formers Andrew Gushner and Nathan Kidambi came in third in their respective first doubles draw. In second doubles, Fifth Former Naryan Rustgi and Sixth Former James Shecter switched on and off to reach the final with Sixth Former James Tarte. After falling short of the championship last year, it was even more rewarding to finally hold Haverford’s first NEMA trophy. The biggest opposing threat in the Inter-Ac has been Episcopal Academy. In both matches against EA, Haverford has won decisively, 6-1 and 5-2. Zach Lieb dominated Episcopal’s No. 1 Max Kane, giving up just 1 game in 4 sets of tennis. James Shecter and James Tarte took complete control of their match as well, as they won 6-3, 6-3. Over the course of three seasons, the team has won 47 consecutive matches, breaking Lower Merion’s record of 46 consecutive wins, a streak which Haverford had actually ended five years ago. This Haverford team has swept its opponents 7-0 in fourteen of its
twenty head-to-head matches this year. With regards to individual matches, the team has won 94 individual matches while losing just 11. In the past two years, the team has won 228 individual matches on aggregate while losing just 16. With regards to sets, this adds up to roughly 434 sets won by Haverford against 26 sets won by its opponents. Finally, the individual game statistic has Haverford triumphing by approximately 2,639 to 956 games. These statistics attest to the team’s absolute dominance. The best news of all is that Haverford’s tennis team is only getting better. After coming off a back injury due to swimming, Fifth Former John Zipf has made a miraculous comeback in which he won
some key doubles matches against Episcopal Sixth Former James Tarte. Academy and Lower Merion Mr. Jim Roese . While his “slurve” serve drags opponents out wide beyond the boundaries of the court, his instincts at net and aggressive tendencies allow him and his partners to pounce on their
opponents with high speed overheads. Zach Lieb has stepped up to the No. 1 singles position and has beaten some very tough opponents including La Salle’s Christian Lutschaunig. Zach’s strategy comprises of two key components: patience and highpercentage aggression. Zach has been playing the game his whole life and understands that most matches are won by hitting just one more shot back in than your opponent. He tends to dominate long rallies as he wears down his opponents. At this point comes the second component of his successful strategy: high percentage aggression. After gaining control of a rally, Zach has the ability to pound the ball from anywhere on the court with superb precision. Ben Lieb has been undefeated at No. 2 singles with tough wins against La Salle’s Peter Dewitt and Lower Merion’s Thomas Vernier. This success can be explained by the development of his serve which has acted as a weapon and threat to opponents as opposed to previous years in which his serve merely started the point. Jordan, completing his 5th season on the team and 2nd second as captain, has shown tremendous leadership along with Shecter and Tarte. It will be tough to say goodbye to these three captains because they carried the team all year round. Of leaving the team at the end of the year, Shecter said, “It’s tough for all of the captains that our final season is coming to an end so quickly. My four years on the team were so special not just because of our success on the court, but because of the camaraderie and friendship we had off the court. Our historic streak is still going, and we know we are one of the top teams in the state and maybe even
the country. It’s truly an honor to have been a member of the most successful tennis team in the history of Haverford and the InterAc. Many thanks to Coach Fink and Coach Gottlieb, to the team - my second family - and to the legendary Dr. Cox.” Captain Shecter will end his Haverford tennis career undefeated as will Tarte who will additionally always remember the match in which he clinched the 4-3 win against Lawrenceville, saving the team’s winning streak and season. The two are doubles phenoms. From Shecter’s serve to Tarte’s impeccable touch at net, this team has been untouchable at No. 2 doubles. Additionally, Kidambi has shown off his doubles skills by blasting first serves, forehand returns, and driving volleys down the middle. Gushner complements him nicely with consistency and quick hands at net. Rustgi has continued to show his doubles dominance with his long reach, fast serve, and finesse at net. Whether he plays with Zipf or Fourth Former Jackson Simon, his doubles experience helps close out the match in pressure situations. The future of Fords tennis lies with Third Former Drew Clark who has shown remarkable doubles skill. Clark and Fifth Former George Avetian have had an impressive season at 4th doubles; at one point, they had won 42 straight games. After recently “getting the nod,” Fifth Former Will Pierce and Fourth Former Gage Bowser have proven themselves to be the best alternates in the Inter-Ac. Coaches Antonio Fink and Mark Gottlieb Gottlieb have done a terrific job of uniting the team and helping singles players develop a strong doubles game as well.
for two years. I know what it takes to train and get positive results. Hopefully I can get it done at Bucknell like I did on the team here.” The first step in becoming a tennis player is to set a goal. The second step is to work as hard as you can and maximize every opportunity to achieve this goal. Jordan has always dreamed of making the NCAA tournament, a goal that now seems possible in the near future. Bucknell is Mr. Jim Roese Sixth Form captain Jordan Lieb. usually neckand-neck with Army, Navy, and Lehigh, so
anyone can win the Patriot League tournament, automatically advancing to the tournament. Bucknell has some strong recruits coming in next year, so it’s definitely possible for them to go to NCAA’s. Lieb can be classified as an aggressive baseliner; he tends to dictate play with his forehand similarly to his twin brothers, Fourth Formers Ben and Zach. One thing Jordan can work on is his serve: “To get to the next level I need to get more speed on my first serve and work on its consistency.” Improving the serve will be a key to his success at Bucknell. Regarding his dedication to the game, Jordan’s younger brother Zach said, “He is a great role model in both the game of tennis and life. I wish him the best of luck for the rest of his tennis career. He is a great athlete and an even harder worker.” Jordan will be missed in the Haverford community, yet we wish him best of luck in his collegiate endeavors.
Athlete of the Issue: Sixth Former Jordan Lieb Jackson Simon ‘15
Sixth Former and tennis captain Jordan Lieb started playing the game at the ripe, young age of four. Lieb, who uses Head and Nike apparel as a Ford, will be sporting the Adidas logo next year when he plays for the Bison of Bucknell. His highest ranking in the nation was 187, when he was recruited to play for Bucknell. He played his first competitive tournament at the age of 9. One could say tennis runs through his blood; it is simply in his genes. His grandfather played in Russia, his dad played at the collegiate level at NYU, his cousin currently plays at Boston University, he was recruited to play for Bucknell, and his twin brothers are also likely to compete at the collegiate level. Jordan has played on Haverford’s varsity team since 8th grade. In his first year, he started at one doubles with Tyler Josephs. Of entering the Upper School team as a Second Former, Jordan stated, “The team took me in with open arms.” The senior leadership was
comforting, which in turn inspired Jordan to do the same when he became captain in his Fifth Form year. This season has been his 5th and final season as a Ford and “he has loved every minute of it.” According to Jordan, “The records are awesome but what I’m going to miss the most is the family that the tennis team has become over the last few years.” Under the leadership of Sixth Form Captains Lieb, James Tarte and James Shecter along with former captain Dan Brennan ‘12, the team has been transformed from a conglomeration of separate tennis players competing individually to a united squad of 15 brothers all of whom treat each other with utmost respect and love. Jordan has learned so much from the team and coaches over the course of his 5 years on the team. Lieb says, “What I think I can bring to Bucknell is my experience of playing many different roles on the team here. I’ve been the 8th grader, the freshmen, and the captain
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The Index
Sports
May 2013
Lacrosse’s Roller-Coaster Year Ends With Rout over EA Joseph Raymond ‘14 recaps Haverford Lacrosse’s 2013 season, one that failed to produce an Inter-Ac title but included wins over 3rd-ranked Salisbury and EA. Joseph Raymond ‘14
Unlike previous years, this year Fords Lacrosse has been considered an underdog in both its non-league and league matchups. After dropping three straight games to Maryland powerhouses St. Paul’s, Gilman, and Loyola Blakefield, critics started doubting Haverford as a top program. Much to their surprise, the Fords were able to bounce back and win eight straight games, including a win over 3rdranked Salisbury (CT), and after several weeks of being unranked they jumped up to number twelve in the country. Unfortunately, backto-back losses to Malvern Prep and Episcopal Academy snapped the Fords’ win streak, with a loss to La Salle one week later being the decisive blow to their top ten chances. With the regular season now over, the young Fords head into the postseason as a battle tested team with the expectation to win the Inter-Ac invitational. With a 12-7 record on the season and a 6-3 Inter-Ac record, the road to the Inter-Ac Invitational finals will not be an easy one. Up to this point, the Fords have been carried by their offense with an almost brand new defense being their vulnerability. Offensively the only returning starter for the Fords is Sixth Form attackman Gavin McBride, while the defense only returns Sixth Form goalie Jake Landman. As for the midfield, no starters were returned, but guys with experience like Sixth Former Timmy Brooks and Fifth Former Peter Blynn have stepped up. Joining McBride on the attack line are “fan-favorite” Sixth Former Reilly Hupfeldt and Fourth Former Grant Ament.
Fifth Former Connor Keating, Sixth Former Harry Rosenberg, and Fourth Former Noah Lejman join Landman on defense, while Fourth Former Drew Supinski joins Brooks and Blynn on the midfield with Fourth Former Colin Bosak taking on the face off duties. Other players earning significant playing time are Sixth Former Kerry Kynett, Fifth Former Jeff Odiorne, Fourth Former Phil Poquie, and Third Formers Dox Aitken, Tommy McNamara, and Brendan O’Neill. For the most part, inexperience has been the team’s biggest weakness this year, but with a plethora of D-1 talent, they definitely are capable of playing with the best teams in the country. The duo of Hupfeldt and McBride has been the focal point of the offense so far, while Keating and Landman have anchored the defense. The impressive play of middies Brooks, Supinski, and Blynn cannot be counted out either as they have combined for a total of exactly 100 points so far. After a loss to Malvern Prep on May 7th, the Fords goal of winning the Inter-Ac was destroyed. However after going down 9-8 to Episcopal in overtime earlier in the year, Haverford was able to avenge themselves in an 11-6 which cost Episcopal their first Inter-Ac championship in 15 years. The real challenge for Haverford will be winning the Inter-Ac invitational; if they win on Wednesday May 15th against SCHA they will most likely take on Episcopal in the semi-finals, and then Malvern in the finals. The Fords have proved they can beat Episcopal, but in order to beat Malvern, the Inter-Ac champs, they must bring their A-game.
From a player’s perspective, it was come to us and play within our system we will unanimous that the team’s goal was to finish be successful.” out the season with wins against EA and Head coach John Nostrant agrees with his Malvern and win a share of the Inter-Ac, players’ evaluations of the team, saying, “Lack with them also adding the goal to win the of experience has been our biggest weakness Inter-Ac Invitational and redeem last years this year. Over the past two years Haverford loss to Episcopal. While they lost out on the has graduated over thirty starters, and for the Inter-Ac championship, they can still win the first time in a while the Fords are now playing Invitational. Senior co-captain Gavin McBride with a team with little varsity experience. also added extra input on this years team Some players who have done a great job filling commenting “Earlier in the season our youth the holes left behind by graduated players are and poor decision making were our biggest Connor Keating, Harry Rosenberg, Connor faults with, but since then we have grown Black, Drew Supinski, Timmy Brooks, Peter up and our now playing smarter and more Blynn, Reilly Hupfeldt, and Gavin McBride. patient.” When asked about what players have Keating and Rosenberg have done a good job stepped up this year McBride noted, “Connor being the anchors of a young defense, Gavin Keating has done a great job filling the shoes McBride and Reilly have done a good job with of the Bailey brothers, Connor Black has been the offense and also as captains, and Black, solid at LSM replacing Paxton Moore, and Blynn, Supinski, and Brooks have also played Peter Blynn has been a solid replacement for tough for us all year.” Coach Nostrant also Sam Rohr and Will McNamara.” noted that if the team wants to make a deep run Junior Brendan Burke also commented, in the Inter-Ac Invitational, they will have to “On offense, Grant Ament has stepped in and improve on faceoffs and close defense. done a fantastic job using his nifty moves to feed and score goals. Kip Taviano, and Jeffrey Odiorne have also contributed to the offense’s success. On midfield Peter Blynn, Drew Supinski, Phil Poquie, Tommy McNamara, and Connor Black have played real well, while Connor Keating, Harry Rosenberg, Noah Lejman, and Sam Denious have been a big help on defense.” When asked what the team can improve on as the season comes to an end McBride says, “For the final games of the season decision making will either make or break the season. If we are smart we will do well”, while Burke says, “We are always working to get better in every aspect of the game everyday we play. We can improve in every part of the game including face-offs, time of possession, clearing the ball, and Fords Varsity Lacrosse Photography Drew Supinski ‘15 (#19) celebrates a goal versus Malvern. team defense. As long as we let the game
Baseball Ends Season Strong, Looks Forward to States Kenny Fitzpatrick ‘16 recaps baseball’s strong finish and discusses their expectations for the end of the season. Kenny Fitzpatrick ‘16
The season thus far for the Fords baseball squad could easily be classified as a “roller coaster.” They have had their share of good and bad games throughout the year. Standing at 16-9 (6-2 in the Inter-Ac) with three games remaining on the schedule, the team looks to end the season on a strong note. Highlights of the season include the team’s beating on Episcopal 10-0 which included a no-hitter from Sixth Form ace Pat Valentine and a hard fought 5-4 win over Germantown Academy. Following the remaining regular season games the squad will enter the PAISAA tournament with high hopes. Many teams may underestimate the Fords due to the fact that their record may not reflect their actual ability. Despite this, they will most definitely have high hopes entering the playoffs and will look to make a run. After starting the season of with a .500 record at 3-3, the Fords headed down to Tampa, Florida to get a crack at some better competition and at the same time have a good time during their annual Spring trip. While in Tampa, the team lost three of four. Although
not the best result, they played some of the best schools from around the country who would prepare them well for the local Pennsylvania teams. The Fords went on to win four of their next five games, including a walk-off win against Archbishop Wood on a home run by Sixth Former Drew Field. The lone loss came at the hands of Germantown Academy, who ousted the Fords 8-7. The Fords had bases loaded in the bottom of the 7th with one out but failed to bring any more across the plate. They rebounded from that loss with a 19-2 beat-down of the Glen Mills School. Following this, the Fords slipped up with three tough losses, including a 26-0 loss to Archbishop Carroll and an 11-2 loss to the Malvern Prep Friars. The team, however, have not lost in eight games and are feeling hot with a few statement wins including a 5-2 win over Conestoga and an 8-4 win over the Inter Ac-leading Friars. The Fords’ most recent game was played at home against EA where they cruised, 5-1. Expect them to remain hot for the remaining three games as they are set to face Penn Charter, Devon Prep and Upper Dublin.
When Third Form catcher James McConnon was asked about his thoughts on the season and his hopes going into the last segment of the season, he responded, “Our season has been up and down but recently we’ve been playing really well and one of the main reasons is we trust each other now. The seniors have done a great job of leading us this year. I am excited for the final stretch. We are still in the championship hunt not only for the Inter-Ac but for the state. We have been playing very good baseball these past weeks and if we keep it up only good results will come.” If the Fords can continue this hot streak of theirs and are able to win out, they will have a shot at the Inter-Ac title. That said, the squad will also need some outside help in the form of another team taking down the Friars. This year the roster, as always, is comprised heavily of upperclassmen. That being, this year the Fords have rostered more underclassmen than usual, especially the three Third Formers: McConnon; Frank Cresta (third base); and finally Ben Tracy (pitcher and shortstop). The defense is lead by their main gang of pitchers, Sixth Formers Pat Valentine, Matt Galetta, and Steven Fitzgerald and Fifth Former Connor Burke. On the offensive side of the ball, the team has received contributions from almost every
Sixth Form first baseman Jack Aarmstrong gets an out in a game.
Ms. Kathy Heupler
player. Some of the Fords’ leaders behind the plate thus far have been McGowan (who is currently hitting a scorching-hot .413), Galetta, Fitzgerald, and leadoff man Fifth Former Chris Sukonik. When asked about the season, Fitzgerald said, “I think this year’s team is very special. We didn’t get off to the start that we all hoped we would, but we have been picking up the slack recently and we’re getting hot at the right time. While our record might not indicate that we’re one of the best teams in the area, I think that we are. The team this year has been the closest team I have been on in my Haverford baseball career. Our program has been great for the last four years, and this year has been my favorite by far. We are a very good team and we have a lot of fun playing together.”
Coach Bob Castell Reaches Milestone, Win No. 300 Steven Fitzgerald ‘13 commemorates Coach Bob Castell’s 300th win as baseball’s head coach, a career that spans several Inter-Ac titles and a state championship. Steven Fitzgerald ‘13
On Wednesday, April 24, Coach Bob Castell reached a milestone that many coaches strive for but never achieve. In his 20th season leading the Fords on the diamond, Coach Castell won his 300th game. It was a sunny day, and the stands were especially full of friends, family and Haverford students and faculty. The Fords Varsity baseball team had just won their game, beating Upper Darby 7-1, when Coach noticed that his players began celebrating the win a little more than usual. The thing is, he hadn’t realized he had reached just won his 300th game. The special thing about Coach Castell is that he does not care about personal statistics; all that matters is how the team performs together. After hearing about his
great accomplishment, Coach said to the team, “Let’s get 301 on Saturday.” After the game, players, coaches and parents all showed their gratitude to Coach Castell for his dedication and success. Pictures were taken, and he was presented with a card and a Fords jersey with his name and the number 300 on the back to commemorate the day. Coach Castell, like many other coaches at Haverford, is also a teacher at school. He teaches physical education to lower school and middle school students and is always seen walking around campus with a smile on his face. During baseball season, Coach spends a ton of time at the field; he is the last one to leave every day. He constantly is giving feedback and tips to his players to help them
improve. He knows what he is talking about. Coach Castell was a great ballplayer in high school as well. He was three-sport athlete at Haverford High School, and went on to play baseball at West Chester University. Coach is always anticipating the different situations his players may face, and during practice and games he provides his players with the coaching they need to win against any team on any day. Personally, I have played for Coach Castell since freshman year. During all four seasons, the Varsity Baseball team has bonded together to
play our best and to represent Haverford well. I am happy to have had the opportunity to play for Coach Castell and to be a part of the team that helped him achieve this milestone. Congratulations Coach!
Coach Castell posing with the team and his commemorative jersey. Ms. Dawn Blake
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The Index
Opinions
may 2013
Which Sport Is Hardest at Haverford? Students Debate Swimming Crew Sam Dyer ‘15 While almost every sport at Haverford requires a great deal of commitment and hard work to succeed, some sports require extra effort in order to meet expectations. Swimming is definitely one of those sports. Although many sports are physically demanding, none is more so than swimming on a daily basis. In addition, few sports require the full-year training that elite swimmers must do if they want to win at the high school level and beyond. Of all the teams at Haverford, the swim team always has one of the toughest, if not the
a second come meet day. This lack of reward for incredibly hard work is what makes swimming more mentally challenging than other physically demanding sports, such as football or crew. Another reason swimming is the most difficult sport at Haverford is the year-long work it requires to succeed during the winter season. Almost every swimmer on the team, regardless of ability, is in the pool during the summer months, and the higher-level swimmers are working during the spring, which is considered non-swimming season. In addition, many swimmers train in the fall, which requires some to compete in both fall
Fifth Former Alexander Heldring makes a butterfly turn.
toughest practice, day in and day out. Every single practice is a measure of pure strength, which can easily wear on any swimmer, regardless of experience. No other sport at Haverford is as much a test of sheer physical brawn. Swim practices usually exceed two hours, almost all of which is spent on various sets that help swimmers gain strength for meets. In addition, the swim team has lifts with Coach Matt Rosko after practice three days a week. From Monday to Saturday, swimmers endure countless laps of freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly (easily the hardest) often with little or no immediate reward. For the highest-level swimmers, it can take hours of intense practice just to lose a few tenths of
By combining the supreme athlete with an emotional rollercoaster of a sport, lacrosse is everything but easy. Lacrosse is played with three midfielders who run up and down the field playing defense, clearing the ball, and shooting for the win. The three attackmen are on the offensive side, trained to have the most eloquent shot and stick work, to get by some of the biggest players on the other team, the defense. The defensemen carry around a “long pole” that is twice the size of a regular lacrosse stick, utilized for giving the defensemen around six feet of comfort between he and the other player. Other than the three skilled positions, the hardest job on the field is goalie. The goalie has the power to change the mindset of the team. When all four of these positions meet in a head-to-head matchup, the synthesis is the hardest sport played on two feet. Physically, the game is nonstop. From the time the face-off occurs until the end of the game, the sport does not stop moving. The game is meant for only real athletes that have the mentality to keep playing for forty-eight minutes of game time play and to have to run all over the field in either plundering for the ball or taking the ball to the net. Other than the stamina aspect needed to endure in a long game, the sport is also very dangerous and only the toughest can play. Peter Blynn, starting Midfielder for the Haverford lacrosse team claims, “Aspects of lacrosse make it
Many people underestimate how difficult it is to be a rower at Haverford. There are numerous articles written about rowing that stress the time and dedication it takes to participate in the sport. Many people write about the sheer physical exertion it takes to row. According to an article from ESPN, “Elite rowers fire off at sprint speed – 53 strokes per minute. With 95 pounds of force on the blade end, each stroke is a weightlifter’s power clean. Rowers cross their anaerobic threshold with that first stroke. Then there are 225 more to the finish line.” Rowing can be compared to running, a physically exhausting sport where you repeat a motion for an extended period of time. A successful rower has strength in the upper body as well as the lower body. This is important to consider in the ongoing debate about which sport at Haverford is the most demanding. Crew is very different from other sports at
Mr. Jim Roese
swim practices and water polo, which almost every member of the swim team plays as well. This full-year commitment to swimming separates swimmers from many other athletes, who often have a “down season” when they aren’t competing or training specifically for their sport. All in all, swimming is the most difficult because it is one of the most physically challenging sports, and it can take hours of laborious, boring work just to make small improvements. Swimming’s year round commitment and often repetitive practices make it one of the more mentally challenging sports as well. No other sport at Haverford can match swimming’s combination of physical difficulty and mental toughness.
Lacrosse Justin Chermol ‘14
Jordan Siegal ‘15
the hardest sport around. Unlike basketball or soccer, defending is largely 1 on 1 but the player on offense has a ton of room to work with making running with him and keeping him in front of you harder than any other sport. Aspects of lacrosse make it the hardest sport around. Unlike basketball or soccer, defending is largely 1 on 1 but the player on offense has a ton of room to work with making running with him and keeping him in front of you harder than any other sport. Also, throwback middies run up and down and can be caught on the field for longer than 5 minutes at a time playing multiple offensive ad defensive possessions.” Blynn claims how lacrosse is an all around sport where you have to be athletically diverse in skill level to be suited for the game. Shots can be fired up to 100 miles per hour in high school lacrosse and could therefore make it perilous to be standing in front of. Also, lacrosse players, like hockey players, are known for their big hits. A “pop” from a play to player can cause the team to get very pumped up for the game. Mentally, lacrosse easily takes the win as being the hardest sport at Haverford. Kip Taviano, Senior attackmen for the Haverford School Lacrosse Team says, “Haverford lacrosse is one of the hardest sports because you constantly have to push yourself to be the best. There is so much competition and everyone is at such a high level that you can never have an off day; you always have to be at the top of your game. That is why I think we were so strong the last couple of years, because
Two Haverford boats on the Schuykill River.
Haverford. While other sports have one main season and then train other seasons, crew has two seasons of racing, and the third season is dedicated to training which entails running, lifting, and erging. This season is during the long, cold winter, which is absolute hell for anyone who has ever done it. This training not only focuses on strength but precision. The most dreaded thing one can do in rowing is a 2k on the erg, which is 2000 meters. A 2k is absolute pain where one pushes their limits in endurance and strength. For athletes wishing to row in college, a fast 2k is key to getting into a top school. After a 2k there is an absolute loss of all senses. The rower there was always competition and no one felt safe with the spot they were in. I think now we kind of strayed away from pushing one another, but competition is always around it.” Similar to Kip, Connor Keating, junior Defensemen remarks that the game is non-stop which can effect the mental play of a certain person on the field: “With the pace of the game it is difficult to stay mentally focused. One minute you may be up two goals and the next down four so it’s all about staying in the moment.” Mental play is the most important aspect when a team is down by one with little time on the clock and can cause a team to need to come together. Lacrosse is the kind of sport that needs the teams mentality to be in check the whole entire game, or else the team will loose. To conclude, lacrosse is the hardest sport to play because of the physical and mental aspects. Grant Ament, Sophomore attackmen brings up all areas of the game: “Lacrosse has the mixture of both physical and mental toughness. To start, lacrosse is considered to be the fastest game on two feet. I think it is a combination of speed, quickness, endurance, and coordination. The mental part of lacrosse, however, separates the good players from the great players. This is one of the reasons that lacrosse is difficult. It is considered easy to throw, catch and run.
cannot feel any part of his body and usually drops to the ground gasping for air, exhausted and in sheer pain. Some rowers have vomited all over the erg while doing a 2k and still finished the piece. Anaerobic illness sets in almost immediately. The screen on the erg monitors how hard one is pulling, so it is very competitive. Most dedicated rowers at Haverford only get around one month of break from the sport. Practices for school start late August, and go through the fall. Winter training follows, and then comes spring. If a boat makes it to Scholastic Nationals or Youth Nationals, the season might not end until the middle of June. During spring crew season, it is encouraged for members on the team to lift or erg Tuesday and Thursday morning before school. At the end of June, a Haverford summer program starts, where Haverford rowers will train everyday. In the morning rowers will run, lift, and erg, and in the afternoon there is a water practice for three hours. While the summer program is not mandatory, many kids do it stay fit and get stronger in the summer. The summer program ends late July, with a few weeks to take off from the sport. Obviously, the time commitment makes it difficult for rowers to pursue other sports. Rowing truly pushes you to the limit. Why do it, one may ask? It is a team of brothers, a true team sport in Ann Glavin every way. In the midst of the delirium of air hunger and exhaustion, there is an exhilaration one feels when crossing that finish line. The boat, however, finishes as one. There is nothing selfish about crew. After all those grueling work outs, the glory is for all. The rhythmic splash of the water and the crank of the oar in a good race makes it all worth it. With a dedicated and hardworking team, Haverford crew wins many medals. But is not the medals that make the sport an obsession. As Gerry Cardinale, Haverford ‘85 and former rower said, “ In a very basic sense, it (rowing) is a way of life, for how you answer your doubts and face your limits on the river is indicative of the way you approach your life off the river”.
Fords Varsity Lacrosse Photography However it is difficult to know where to be at the right time as well as moving the ball at the right time. Lacrosse is also difficult because it is always a fight. In sports like track or swimming the best runners or swimmers always win. In lacrosse any team can come out on top. There is no doubt in my mind that lacrosse is the hardest sport to play no matter what anyone says to persuade me otherwise.”
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The Index
Opinions
may 2013
Haverford’s History Curriculum: Needs More Balance the Scientific and Industrial revolutions, Enlightenment Ideas, and the World Wars of the Early 20th century. Many of the same topics are covered previously in the history curriculum in 8th grade (possibly the most important example is the repetition of European colonialism in all three years of World History). Haverford students agree, although not overwhelmingly: of 52 Haverford freshmen and sophomores polled in an online survey conducted through SurveyMonkey, 48% of respondents agreed that “material is often repeated” and the “focus on World History is excessive” (38.5% said that the progression of material is “welldesigned”). Mr. Rory Hart, who teachers both Ancient World and Modern World history, believes that the focus on “World History” is not only deserved, but also underemphasized: Mr. Hart believes that “we might be covering too little,” stressing the importance of “encouraging young men to see themselves and their experiences as one part of a much greater globe” and developing historical empathy when learning about different cultures. History Department Chair Ms. Hannah Turlish agrees that the “World History focus is completely appropriate.” On the other hand, Ms. Turlish states that the History Department is currently discussing how to “improve the scope and sequence of courses, striving to eliminate content overlap whenever possible”– which will hopefully streamline the what is (at times) an amorphous course progression. Another issue is that the current system omits critical portions of “World History.” The fact that the textbook upon which the entire World History curriculum is based, Ways of the World by Robert W. Strayer, almost entirely omits Sanjay Naryanan ‘14
European and Classical history would not be such an issue if this material–the Middle Ages and Renaissance period history of Europe, and Greek and Roman history–was covered in a reasonable level of detail at some other point in the Haverford curriculum. Instead, this material is nowhere to be found in either Strayer’s textbook or Haverford’s syllabus in either the Middle or Upper schools. The result is that students learn more about Islamic mysticism and the Songhay Empire than the Ancient and Modern civilizations upon which Western thought is based–European and Classical history. It is impossible to understand foreign peoples without having a knowledge of their culture and history. But it is similarly difficult to understand foreign schools of thought before first understanding one’s own. This is not a defense of unabashed Eurocentrism, but Haverford must recognize that pursuing a high standard of global awareness must not come at the expense of understanding the roots of our own culture, which is neglected in the current history curriculum. Whether we like it or not, Europe controlled the globe for the better part of five centuries and completely omitting its history is a revisionist mistake, especially because Europe’s history is closely entwined with our own. And unless there is present a basic understanding of European history and culture, how can we expect to properly evaluate the excesses of European colonialism that are heavily emphasized in the World History classes? The History Department should consider adding a dedicated European History class to its offerings, even if only as a senior elective. Although Global history should not be viewed through a Eurocentric lens, Europe is still part of that Globe, and this should be reflected in the curriculum. Ms. Turlish disagrees, stating that, as the History Department already offers a European Dictators elective, there is not “a need for another Eurocentric offering.” Likewise, Mr.
Hart says that, if a European history class were to be offered, he would “insist that it be part of a portfolio of other elective choices that cover the other regions of the world.” However, adding a European history class does not mean that the history curriculum will become unbalanced. If the History Department were to offer a Chinese history class, on the basis that it is an understudied topic at Haverford and has incredible relevance to the future as China (with a population well over 1 billion) becomes a superpower, would that then make the history curriculum excessively “Sinocentric?” It would not. In the same way, offering a European history elective would not unbalance the curriculum, and would not be unprecedented, either: Episcopal Academy currently maintains a year-long AP European History offering for seniors. In Robert W. Strayer’s preface to Ways of the World, he claims that “the great virtue of world history lies in its inclusiveness, for it allows us to see the world and to see it whole.” However, Ways of the World, written by an expert on African and Soviet history, will not fulfill that purpose alone for Haverford students as it contains practically no dedicated information on European or Classical history. This may prevent students in history classes that adhere strongly to this textbook from developing a truly well-rounded knowledge of history. Instead of evaluating the curriculum based on whether it is Eurocentric, Americentric, or Asia-centric, course offerings should be evaluated based on what specific fields of study are consequential to Haverford students; the assumption should not be made that “Global awareness” means that all fields of study are equally important. If we truly believe that it is more important for Upper School students to understand the intricacies of Mohism than, for example, the democratic concepts pioneered in Ancient Greece, then we will have misappropriated Haverford students’ valuable time.
Most likely, some of you garnered a basic understanding of the act of sparring through rough housing with younger or older siblings. However, only a select assemblage of athletes truly knows what it means to wrestle competitively for The Haverford School. On the surface, the sport is simple: pin the opponent. If not a pin, simply score more points than he does. However, to achieve this objective, a wrestler must have more than just brute strength to muscle around his opponent. How does physical ability compare to psychological strength when on the mat? A typical wrestling match consists of three periods of two-minute rounds; only six minutes total to prove who is the better wrestler between two athletes of similar weight. The majority of matches are not determined by who is the bigger bully, but rather by who can overcome the ever-present fear of defeat and pain that accompanies a match, and use both his physique and skillset to prevail. Imagine a stuffy, brightly lit basketball court in an unfamiliar school with wrestling mats rolled out and taped down, providing an overwhelming arena-like atmosphere. A wrestler gradually begins pacing back and forth, doing calisthenics, and practicing basic moves with a partner, then by himself. He
glances across the mat to locate his opponent, and spies an individual who looks as if he could possibly be related to Neanderthals. This is what one could expect a few minutes prior to stepping out to do battle. The wrestler now must calmly recall his coach’s teachings from the grueling days leading up to the meet, and settle the tempest of emotions swelling in his chest. He must crush the apprehension of bodily pain, and dispel any thought in his mind that tells him he is not big or skilled enough to take on his opponent. These moments leading up to an anticipated match can truly be the most nerve-wracking experience in athletics. The wrestler’s weight class is now up, and he steps out onto the mat, shakes hands with his opponent, and prepares to wrestle. Before any more match dynamics are explained, it is necessary to understand the process that culminates in an actual match. Starting in midNovember, wrestling practices at Haverford begin promptly at 3:45 with a ten minute round of sprinting the staircase from the wrestling room down two floors to the ground and up again. Following a warm-up sequence is a rigorous drilling session in which the essentials of wrestling are imbued in eager athletes. It is in these practices where the true nature of wrestling is revealed. In some sports, contact is a natural aspect of the game, and is usually accounted for with necessary pads,
helmets, etc. Anyone who has ever wrestled became immediately aware of the glaring lack of these amenities. At every practice, every day, wrestlers put their bodies on the chopping block in the constant struggle to gain the upper hand. Haverford wrestling practices, like those of other sports, stress the importance of honing skills and tactics through rigorous repetition with emphasis on improvement. Here is where wrestling diverges from other sports. Wrestling is 100% full contact for every second of the match, and not just normal “rough bumping and shoving” contact, but rather “repeatedly landing on the thin mat with the full weight of another athlete” contact. This sport requires an intense amount of bodily discomfort that is different from the usual post-workout muscle soreness. Not only is the wrestler’s body required to lift, push, drag and respond to the demands required to hit successful moves, but it must also bear the punishment of being bent, bruised, pummeled and cut. For example, where a wrestling takedown and a football tackle differ is in the time immediately afterwards. In a tackle, the receiver is slammed into and forcibly brought to the ground, and play resumes after the mound of players is dismantled. However, in wrestling, the takedown is only a fraction of the play, normally followed by a brutal struggle of the two wrestlers to gain control. Personally,
I received two split lips, six bloody noses, multiple facial cuts and a sublocated kneecap (the kneecap slides out of place then back again). Many fellow teammates also suffered such afflictions in greater quantities and intensity, but they powered through them with steel determination to overcome the temporary discomfort. Aside from the aches and mental stresses of wrestling, the time commitment also adds to the difficulty of this sport. Very rarely would one see a wrestler spryly bound down the stairs, overflowing with energy following practice. After practice, the skies are dark, and for the student-athlete, there is much homework to be done. The long duration of the practices require careful time regimentation by the athlete, as well as the need to sleep and rest up for the next day of wrestling. Additionally, in the height of the season, wrestlers can expect to forfeit their Saturdays for either tournaments or more livematch practices until the end of the season. Even Winter Break contains hours of practice each day; during any break from school, one can expect a practice. Wrestling as a sport requires long hours of devotion to ensure that those who represent Haverford have an inexhaustible array of winning moves. It is the mental fortitude, severe physical toil, and pure dedication that make it the most demanding sport at Haverford.
Continued from Page 8 He’s even received offers to play collegiate basketball at both Penn and Penn State already. Of the opportunity to play at Penn, he says, “It’s a chance to get a great education along with an awesome athletic career.” Anderson, the most senior of the three, is also the closest to making his final decision. His recruiting picture is more in focus than the other two; he has a total of seven offers, from Princeton, Yale, Columbia, Brown, Fairfield, Holy Cross, and Lafayette. He is also getting interest from Harvard, Penn, Notre Dame, and Rice. His AAU team is the Jersey Shore Warriors, whose roster also includes guys like Sean O’Brien (Penn Charter), Dominique Uhl (Pt. Pleasant Beach), Kyle Thompson (St. Joe’s Prep), and Justin McFadden (Lower Merion). Of where his heart lies, Anderson
commented, “There is not one school in particular that has stood out from the rest. I plan on getting out on some visits but as of right now I’m just enjoying the recruiting process and grateful for the interest schools have shown in me.” Lloyd is a member of the AAU squad Team Philly, sponsored by NBA guard Kyle Lowry. Other notable team members include Raheem Liggins (Constitution), Basil Thompson (Math Civics & Sciences), and Rashann London (Roman Catholic). Although only a Fourth Former, Lloyd already has received a lot of interest from schools including Georgetown, Syracuse, Miami, Villanova, Virginia, Saint Joseph’s, Penn State, Delaware, Temple, Xavier, and Albany. Of those schools, Lloyd says, “Miami
and Syracuse are definitely my dream schools.” Miami, which advanced all the way to the Sweet Sixteen this year after winning both the ACC regular season and tournament championships, would be a good fit for Lloyd; they play a man-toman defense and like to play an up-tempo style that Lloyd fit in well with at Haverford. Overall, it’s clear that Haverford’s current roster is brimming with talent. Obviously, Alston posing with his parents, Inter-Ac MVP trophy, and Haverford’s Coach’s Award.Ms. Dawn Blake we have these three sure-fire and Cornell after a strong start to the summer, Division-I recruits in Anderson, and Fifth Formers Peter Blynn and Brendan Alston, and Lloyd, but when you throw in Burke, you have a roster that will be the Interplayers like Fourth Former Derek Mountain, Ac favorites heading into next year. who is receiving interest from Rice, Colgate,
Brendan Burns ‘15 In an increasingly globalized world, there exists an extreme level of pressure in both higher and secondary education in the United States to teach students history from a globalized perspective. Haverford even lists “global readiness” for its students as a priority in its strategic vision. This focus has manifested itself in the history curriculum. Haverford students now learn “world history” for three consecutive years–in an eighth grade “World Cultures” class, during freshman year, “Ancient World History,” and during sophomore year, “Modern World History.” Accompanying this focus on a global perspective has been an effort to eliminate traces of eurocentrism from the curriculum. Possibly in the name of maintaining an unbiased curriculum, pre-1750 European history and European history unrelated to colonialism have been removed from the syllabus. Third Form Ancient World History classes focus on the transition from Paleolithic to Agricultural and Pastoral societies, Eastern religions and philosophies, and the history of monotheistic religions. Fourth Form Modern World History classes focus on the Mongols, Colonization and European Imperialism,
Mr. Kevin Tryon teaching a MWH class.
Wrestling: Hardest Sport at Haverford? (from Page 8) Chris Boerner ‘14
Fords Focus: Basketball Stars’ Recruitment (cont.)
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The Index
Politics
May 2013
Why Expanded Background Checks Are A Farce Brendan Burns ‘15 defends the Senate vote not to proceed with “universal background checks,” claiming that they would not yield significant improvement. Brendan Burns ‘15
In December of last year, arguably the most horrific of all crimes was committed in Newtown, Connecticut. Unlike previous mass shootings at Columbine, Virginia Tech, Aurora, and Tucson, the victims of the shootings were young schoolchildren. Immediately after the shooting, attention was focused sharply on the United States’ gun laws and their possible role in facilitating the rampage. Celebrities spoke out against gun violence and the lack of legislation that supposedly makes it possible for these tragedies to occur. CNN host Piers Morgan dedicated weeks of coverage to the debate. The consensus was clear: gun laws are not strict enough to prevent these massacres. Politicians began to discuss measures that could be included in a bill to modify current gun laws. Connecticut and New York tightened gun legislation at a state level. After appointing Vice President Joe Biden to lead a research commission on the issue, Barack Obama signed 23 executive orders intended to reduce gun violence. Diane Feinstein, the Senior Democratic Senator from California, reintroduced a modified version of the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban (which expired in 2004), which would ban specific categories of semiautomatic “assault weapons”. However, the bill received little support, as both Republicans and Democrats in rural states were bound by their ties to the powerful NRA. Eventually, desperate to seize the opportunity presented by the emotional outpouring following the Newtown shooting, Democrats revised their goal from broadsweeping “gun reform” to simply pushing through Congress one statute: universal background checks. Who could find such a law unreasonable? Expanding an existing law (the 1993 Brady Act) to mandate background
checks in all cases, even at “private sales”, which would close the so-called “gun show loophole” was easily the most palatable of the gun control motions suggested by liberal media and politicians. It was even endorsed by a bipartisan coalition of two senators: Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Republican Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, both of whom held an “A” rating from the NRA. However, the motion to proceed with universal background checks failed in the senate, with only 56 of the necessary 60 senators voting for it. The media reaction to this was explosive. There was an immediate call to punish those politicians who voted against the bill. Barack Obama, surrounded by Gabrielle Giffords and parents of Newtown children, blasted the politicians who “blocked common-sense reforms”, scolded the gun lobby for “spreading untruths” about the legislation, and called it a “pretty shameful day for Washington”. However, the biggest untruth was the notion that expanding background checks would have the slightest impact on gun violence, and would serve to do anything else than to maintain the guise of supposed political responsibility. One of the statistics most frequently quoted by Obama and other advocates of “universal background checks” has been the statistic that 40 percent of all gun purchases do not involve a background check. This statistic comes from a 1994 survey that was reported in the 1997 study “Guns in America: National Survey on Private Ownership and Use of Firearms”. The actual figure reported in this survey was that 36 percent of transfers occurred outside of background checks. This is a very loose definition, which includes sales as well as gifts, trades, and inheritances. The same study reveals that, of the 36 percent of transfers for
which a background check was not conducted, State inmates possessing a gun…80% [buy] 17 percent were not sales, and 27 percent from family, friends, a street buy, or an illegal were outside of “normal retail channels”. This source”. means that so-called “universal” background This data reveals that “universal checks would only extend to, at most, an background checks” would have, at best, a additional 9% of firearm transactions. marginal effect in preventing gun crime and However, for the sake of argument, the notion that much-maligned gun shows let’s assume that implementing universal are a source for illegal guns is patently false. background checks would ensure that every Instead, the background checks legislation acts gun transfer conducted in the United States as a feel-good solution that will not have any was accompanied with a background check. significant effect in curbing gun violence in the Would this actually have any effect in reducing United States. gun crime as a whole? U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) statistics indicate otherwise. A DOJ survey of inmates in both state and correctional facilities designed to study the patterns of firearm use by offenders revealed Senators Toomey and Manchin unveiling the legislation. thedailybeast.com that, of all the firearms used by offenders, 39.2% came from “street/illegal One of the reasons for this is that the US’s sources”, 39.6% came from friends or family, problem with gun crime is mostly due to an and 8.3% were purchased in retail stores (with epidemic of gang violence and, to a lesser background checks in place). The percentage extent, drug violence. Preventing widespread of “crime guns” obtained at gun shows, gun violence and preventing mass rampages frequently cited as an unregulated source of like the one that occurred in Newtown require firearms for criminals: 0.7%. This suggests different solutions. If politicians earnestly want that: 1) background checks in general are not to prevent a large percentage of the more than always an efficient mechanism of preventing 10,000 firearm homicides that will happen in potential criminals from obtaining firearms, 2013, they will move beyond self-righteous as 8.3% of gun offenders still managed to proposals such as this one and conduct purchase firearms from retail sources, and 2) meaningful research on effective police gun shows are not a major source of illegal techniques and mental health. Until then, it firearms. Instead, the DOJ reports that, “among will not be the NRA that is spreading untruths.
Cyprus and Europe: A Warning for the United States Matt Larson ‘14 advises Americans to be wary of the recent financial crisis in Cyprus, saying it could have wider global ramifications than you might think. Matt Larson ‘14
The United States of America. Made up of 50 states as well as an array of territories. Home to more than 310,000,000 people. Cyprus. An island nation in the Mediterranean. Home to a little more than 1,000,000 people. Who would have thought that such a little country could cause so much concern in such a big one? For those who don’t know, Cyprus was recently hit with a financial crisis with roots dating back to a similar situation in Greece in 2011. The European Union engineered a bailout for Greece that included components that would force a 50% write down in Greek government bonds (actual write downs came close to 75%). Guess who held a good many of the bonds? The cash rich banks of Cyprus (NYT). So, like any other financially insolvent European country, Cyprus asked for a bailout from the European Union in mid 2012(Al Jazeera). Problem was, Cyprus is known for being the “Cayman Islands” of the European, specifically Russian, elite. The European Union didn’t want to spend too much money on a country they viewed as “creat[ing] many of its own problems” and therefore decided to try something new to “save” it (NYT). Under the terms of the 10 billion dollar bailout, citizens of Cyprus with less than 100,000 Euros in their accounts would pay a tax of 6.75%. Those with sums over that threshold would pay 9.9% in tax (BBC). Needless to say, it was shot down, but the Cypriot president finally agreed to have a new plan: the Laiki bank would be closed and all uninsured
deposits of over 100,000 Euros would be lost (the other insured and uninsured funds would either be frozen or transferred to another bank) (Eurogroup). It could be supposed that, like many other bailouts, the chapter on Cyprus will be closed for now. So why should you care? Because of the dangers that the financial crisis (of which the European Union is still suffering from) pose, not just in Cyprus, but around the world. You see, when there are crises like those in Cyprus and the European Union (especially in Greece and places like Italy, Ireland or Spain), the government loses the trust of its people. This has already occurred somewhat in the United States – look no further than those that do not vote in elections for this very reason. However, this is a problem that is far more exemplified (and dangerous) in Europe. Have you heard of the Golden Dawn party? They are a group of Nazis who have a special dislike for immigrants and pose a threat to every free society. Most often, they use intimidation and fear to get what they want, which is eerily similar to the 1920s-1940s fascist states in Europe. So how did this NeoNazi party get eighteen seats in the Greek parliament last year and have 11.5% support among the general Greek population? How do these Nazis have enough support to open offices in Germany, Australia, and the United States (Guardian UK)? It is simple: the bungling and foolishness of the right, left, and center leaning political parties. The seventeen countries that use the Euro are still in a recession and their economies will continue to contract; overall productivity has been falling since 2007 (Yahoo). This type of climate and culture results in extreme parties becoming
more powerful; it happened in the Weimar Republic (Germany post World War I) and it can happen again. While there is nothing to suggest that extreme and dangerous parties can stage a Hitler – or Mussolinilike takeover online.wsj.com of European Protestors against austerity in Cyprus governments, it is still even vote for the Nazis if the party worth noting the anger in Europe. If you were was not outlawed. In Hungary, the Jobbik a Cypriot and 10% of your life savings were party, an anti-semitic and racist organization, almost taken away, would you trust the banks holds 47 of the 386 parliamentary seats that have promised to “protect your money”? (UK Telegraph). To any rational person, this No. When they were closed, protesters amount is an outrage. Similar head scratching marched the streets and demanded their cash occurs with the polls that say that 22% of back (which they did not receive). Bailouts Ukrainians expressed that Stalin, the man who may work to solve short term issues, but there committed genocide against their people, was is a deeper problem at work: they don’t fix the a good leader (Kyiv International Institute of European economies. Spain, after receiving Sociology). However, if one looks beyond the 40 billion dollars in loans from the European polls and the current state of Europe, it’s not Union to jump start its economy, still has an hard to understand why; hateful parties prey unemployment rate of 26% (Yahoo). If United on the unhappy and unemployed. Now, do States citizens think that it is hard enough to not assume that I am saying that a fascist or find work in a country that has unemployment communist takeover of Europe is imminent; of a bit less than eight percent, try one where nor am I saying that most of the people in a quarter of the workforce is out of a job. Guess what’s happening over there – anger and Europe support them. That is ludicrous. bitterness towards the major democratic parties However, this recession should serve as a warning that evil totalitarian forces are still is beginning to reach a high point. The Golden Dawn is already present, no doubt exacerbating active and still need to be stopped. The United States needs to see what is happening before its the problems. own eyes in the European countries. In Austria, 42% of the polled population Those who do not learn from history are said that “not everything was that bad under doomed to repeat it. Hitler” (Huffington Post). In fact, they would
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Politics
may 2013
Are the U.S.’s New Immigration Policies All Good? A critic of America’s new, more stringent immigration policy, Harry Bellwoar ‘15 discusses why limiting immigration is bad for the US. Harry Bellwoar ‘15
Recently, congress has been discussing a new bill that would change the way America deals with immigration. This reform will decide how much money will go into protecting the border, including the number of officers that will patrol it, and how much more money will be spent on the fence running the border. Many people may say this is a good thing for America, and they will often times mention the fact that illegal immigrants steal American jobs. However, this is rarely true. With the amount of background checks that businesses do on potential employees, and the fines they receive for employing illegal immigrants, it is very hard for them to get a well paying job that Americans have grown accustom to. Oftentimes, illegal immigrants do jobs that are off the books and they are what most American would not consider doing for a living. However, the new bill currently in congress could change all of this and more, and it could affect us more than we think. America was founded on the idea that it would accept all religions, races, and nationalities. Back when there was a large rush to come to America, many people traveled through Ellis Island. And while Ellis Island is no longer in commission, many people still want to come to the United States. However,
succeed, they often find under the radar jobs to start making a living. This is a large reason why the immigration problem is not prevalent in PA, but is in states like Texas, Arizona, and California. All of these states and more are on or close to the Mexican border, and present an easy location for illegal immigrants to reside. The process to become a citizen of the United States is long and difficult. The most common way to become a legal immigrant of the United States is for family reunification. This is when a current US citizen is able to obtain a visa for an immediate or close family member. There are few restrictions with this process, and they are easy to comply with. Another common way to become a legal US citizen is by obtaining an employment or school visa. This can be very easy for some people, but it can also be very hard for others. The more valuable the field you work in or plan to work in is, and the more powerful the sponsor you have can make obtaining one of these visas very easy. However, as the skill required for your field of work goes down, it can become increasingly hard to obtain a visa. The United States also has programs for refugees to obtain visas and become US citizens. The term refugees has a strict definition when it comes to immigration, and it is when there is an inability to return home because of a “well-founded fear of persecution” due to race, membership in a
A protestor against amnesty for illegal immigrants.
too much immigration can hurt the United States, and when people are not legally accepted as American citizens, they try to find other ways to get into the country. The most common way for this to happen is by coming across the Mexican-United States border. This is very dangerous and very difficult, but when people
theworld.org
social group, political opinion, religion, or national origin. The amount and frequency of visas handed out for this also depend on the degree of risk these refugees face. Although many visas are handed out yearly, there are still many people who do not receive
them. Some will enter America without the have had to arrive before 2012 to obtain this knowledge of the government, and they right, but the hundred plus thousand that have become illegal immigrants. Illegal immigrants come later could remain hidden. To help verify can live for years without trouble, but some dates and backgrounds of immigrants, the are caught, and there are many different government is offering amnesty to companies courses of action that judges and police can who have employed illegal immigrants. These take. Often times the immigrants are simply companies information could help make the deported, however, if they are sentenced to process to become a citizen much easier. imprisonment, they cannot be sent home until Many would think that a change in our their time is up. There are many exceptions immigration policy would have little affect to this rule, but this is the general case. on us because we are so far north. However, Sometimes, illegal immigrants are even forced there could be minor effects felt all over to pay fines for their actions, but it all depends the country. Immigration could obviously on what the crime was and what a judge affect the population in the United States; the decides is fair. Another common question is Census Bureau estimates the US population what happens to illegal immigrants if they need could grow to a much higher number in medical attention? Hospitals are not allowed 2050 with immigration then it would with no to deny people basic medical needs and they immigration. Also the US economy could be would have to help the immigrant. However, the immigrant would then be put into custody, and the cost of the operation would be settled according to certain county laws. The reason immigration has been such an important topic on the news recently is because of a new A U.S. Border Patrol agent monitoring the border. commons.wikimedia.com bill that is trying to be passed in congress. The bill would change many of the ways that largely affected by any influx in immigrants, America deals with immigration, especially but it may not be as bad as some people claim. illegal immigration. A huge stepping off point With immigrant workers, prices for goods in this bill is how much money will be put can go down, due to less cost to produce the into immigration. This is mainly focused on goods, and this can help the US economy how expensive it will be to patrol the Mexican overall. Also, immigrants rarely steal jobs border, and even add more fencing. However, from working Americans; they do jobs that that is to stop any more illegal immigrants would not be here if they had not been here. from entering the United States, but there are Crime is another thing that concerns many still many already here. The new bill will offer people when it comes to immigrants. However, a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million recent studies have shown that native-born undocumented immigrants through a 13-year men are more likely to end up incarcerated process that requires workers to pay a fine and then immigrants. Also immigrants face the fear back taxes, as well as pass a background check. of being deported for more serious crimes, so The background checks will focus mainly on they are less likely to become career criminals. criminal backgrounds, and there will also be In the end, the new bill could affect everyone a push for an online system that verifies the but not in the way we may think. It could legal status of immigrants. One problem that actually help the United States economy, and comes from this plan is that immigrants would even educate the next generation.
Is The Constitution Outdated? Reflecting on Akhil Amar In light of Akhil Amar’s talk late last month about the US constitution, Drew Sterman ‘16 discusses whether the document, created in 1787, still applies today. Drew Sterman ‘16
In the recent assembly that featured Professor Akhil Reed Amar, a constitutional law professor at Yale Law School, the idea of an “unwritten constitution” was consistently referenced to. He said that it is an unwritten, tacit code that influences one’s opinions in everyday life; what is right, what is wrong, and simply the moral principles that we lead our lives by. Moreover, our written Constitution does not mention all of the rules, rights, principles and procedures that actually govern modern day America. Many unwritten laws are not actually in the original constitution nor its amendments. This leads to a crucial question: Is the constitution an outdated document? Let us take a trip more than two hundred years into the past, when, in a time before the Constitution, there were the Articles of Confederation, a “working document” for the government which lacked centralization and regulations. The recently created United States were struggling to survive, so the nation’s brightest men gathered to create a new set of laws for this newly independent country. The Constitution, written in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787, was intended to give rights and regulations to the government as well as the citizens of America in order to keep them honest and law-abiding. Its intentions when
written were to keep or prevent the citizens, government, or any foreigners from taking over capital and executive control of this piece of land that we call the United States of America. There has been an abundance of debate in the nation’s capital as of late over how to interpret this 226-year old document. The second amendment, which implies the right to bear arms, has been especially hotly contested. With the number of mass murders by everyday civilians over the past several years, this has become quite the controversial debate. The reason the second amendment was instituted was so that citizens would have the ability to defend themselves in case of a threat, at the time, that would have meant a foreign invasion. However, in 1787 guns and firearms were much less accurate and did not have the magazine capacity to fire 30 bullets in a short span of time. Breech-loading weapons, guns that could operate with a clip or a magazine, were not militarized until the late 19th century. Therefore, it was much harder to commit mass murder in 1787. And it is much easier to access firearms nowadays, with some even being created through 3D printers. Arguments can be made for both sides of the debate. People who believe that the constitution is the backbone of American society and is still relevant will say that the
Pages from Professor Amar’s book America’s Constitution.
fundamental rights of American citizens should not change. There is a reason, however, the government has amended the constitution over the last 200-plus years: to let the laws evolve along with society. People who say that the constitution is an outdated document will say that the true nature of the document has been lost in translation. They will say times have changed too drastically, and that the document cannot relate to today’s average American citizen. The very men who wrote the constitution were slave-owners, freedom fighters. Personally, I believe that constitution is in
Ms. Dawn Blake
some parts an outdated document. Some of the contents, although they make sense in an 18th century context, are neither applicable nor relevant to a 21st-century society. The same people who wrote these very rights were people who would not be happy with the way America is now. They lived in a patriarchal, caucasiandominated society in which empires controlled significant percentages of the world. Society was much more different two-hundred and twenty six years ago.The constitution may be the backbone and spine of American society, but currently it is paralyzing the government in terms of controversy.
Page 12
The Index
May 2013
Outdex Recently at The Haverford School... Noah Cutler ‘14, Terry Rossi ‘14, Manav Khandelwal ‘15
As Seen on Twitter: When I'm a father, the only way my daughter would be allowed to a concert would be in a full body sweatsuit I remember when I thought Tim Tebow was good... #regrets #YouWillNotBeTakenSeriouslyIf you use a rolling backpack #RealTalk #ThingsICantLiveWithout Food, water, and air just handed in a 5 page paper, had a vocab quiz, and now we have another 2 page paper due....all for english class....stop So much hype about pinkberry honestly it's just frozen yogurt I just got a "k" from Cameron Miller #justgotreal Why are Swedish people so good at stuff. It's amazing KIDZ BOP BE LIKE : I'M ON THAT GOOD MILK AND APPLESAUCE
twitter.com
Scott Jaster finally got his wish in the Latin department.
15: the average number of standing ovations we give in assemblies per month.
Juniors, only months away from being only months away from graduation, have already began their senioritis fit. Jon Paras, in an act of blatant spite and rebellion, stated that he "turned in an English essay that was 4 3/4 pages long... the minimum was 5."
Lucas Elek will be attending Williams College. Apparently Middlebury wasn't liberal enough.
There is now a Brendan Burke-shaped imprint on Episcopal’s lacrosse field.
Noah Cutler
Day 13: I have gained their trust. They suspect nothing.
Stewart Denious will be attending Middlebury this fall.
Noah Cutler
Rudy Miller actually left school to star in a full-length film remake of Magnum P.I.
Index Staff