the index The student voice since 1888
The Haverford School · Haverford, PA 19041 · May 2022 · Volume 89, No. 8 · thsindex.org
Community reacts to SCOTUS likely overturn of Roe v. Wade JEFFREY YANG ’22
Max Rosenburger ’22 offers a perspective in Dr. Bridget Gurtler’s History of Science, Sex, and Culture elective Jeffrey Yang ’22
W
hile a conversation may pop up here or there—in a U.S. history lecture, in an English class discussion, or in a brief tangent with a friend—abortion rights are largely left out of students’ daily chats; mostly, you’ll hear students brawl over sports, movies, or music or recount comical weekend events. Now, with the flood of national attention to reproductive rights in recent weeks, have
students felt the water level rise? National conversation reignited after the leak of an initial majority draft indicating that the Supreme Court may overturn Roe v. Wade, which decided in 1973 that abortion rights were protected on a federal level by the Constitution. But beyond the walls of specific classrooms, where the dialogue has
With respect to the abortion issue, would you consider yourself to be pro-choice or pro-life?
con’t on p. 3
26.9% pro-life
73.1%
pro-choice Google Forms poll of 134 student respondents, between May 14-17, 2022
Pole vaulters share supportive community Adiyan Nayak ’22
B
Fisher Bond ’22 vaults in a 64-59 win over EA at home, May 2, 2022
Senior assassin, p. 4
RYAN RODACK ’22
Theater III* play, p. 19
MR. JIM ROESE
JOEY KAUFFMAN ’23
ehind the netting at Sabol Field, members of the track and field team reach new heights every day. In 2022, the Fords’ pole vaulting team is larger than usual, but they remain close. Led by a talented group of Sixth Formers, the team enjoys success in the sport and in each others’ company along the way. Number one on the team is Sixth Former Fisher Bond, who has dealt with an injury. “I’m just trying to meet my [personal record] again,” Bond said. “Last year I had it, and then this year I’ve regressed a little bit. I had problems with my arm.” While Bond returns to form, he is fo-
Ultimate Frisbee, p. 23
JEFFRE YANG ’22
cused on leading the vaulters as they accomplish their goals. “We’re just out here every day, over and over again, keeping the reps up to keep going,” Bond said. “The opening height for most meets is seven feet, so we just try and get everyone over that, every meet that we have.” Fourth Former James Gates is number two for the team, and his love of the sport has grown over his two seasons. “I love pole vault. I could do it all day if I wanted to,” Gates said. “It’s just such a fun sport to me: using a pole to shoot yourself into con’t on p. 21
PIERCE LAVERAN ‘24
Baseball and the Mike Tallarida Scholarship Fund, p. 21
the index · editorial
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the index 2021–2022 Staff Mitav Nayak ’22 Editor-in-Chief Ryan Rodack ’22 Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Yang ’22 Editor-in-Chief Austin Zhuang ’22 Senior Managing Editor Senior Design Editor Jingyuan Chen ’23 Managing Editor Joey Kauffman ’23 Managing Editor Connor Pinsk ’23 Managing Editor Quinn Luong ’22 Senior News Editor
May 2022
editorial Put yourselves out there
I
t is that time of year again, when transitions occur throughout every organization our school has to offer. Whether it be Honor Council, Signet Society, athletic teams, or student-led clubs, Sixth Formers are handing their leadership positions off to the next generation of leaders. For these younger students, the month of May can define the year to come. But, for the Sixth Formers, May is the time to choose the right peers to continue their legacy and that of The Haverford School. Sixth Formers truly care about the students who will follow in their footsteps because of the lasting impact these decisions
will leave on the school. When we return as alumni, we want to feel assured that the future editors-in-chief continue The Index’s standards and that the school’s virtues are upheld by the next set of Honor Council leaders. The same goes for sports captains, club presidents, and any elected position. Sixth Formers’ time to find their role within the Haverford community has come and passed, so we want to relay a message to those hoping to take on leadership roles. We encourage you all to follow your passions while also not being afraid to try new things. You will not know if a position
is meant for you without trying. Courage and vulnerability are the most powerful ways to create change within yourself, and applying for a position is a prime place to test this out by setting yourself up for acceptance or rejection. If you are rejected, you can look at yourself in the mirror and evaluate how you can improve yourself for a better future. And, if you are accepted, then putting yourself out there worked, and you will reap the rewards of your decision. Put yourself out there for a leadership position, because it not only helps you develop, but it also fuels the next generation of students to follow in your footsteps.
Ethan Lee ’24 Assistant News Editor Owen Yu ’23 Features Editor Adiyan Nayak ’24 Academics Editor Ethan Chan ’23 Neighborhood Editor Arsh Aggarwal ’24 Campus Opinions Editor Bowen Deng ’22 Off-Campus Opinions Editor Colin Stewart ’22 Off-Campus Opinions Editor Christopher Schwarting ’24 Arts Editor Jake LaRocca ’22 Sports Editor Pierce Laveran ‘24 Photographery Editor Mr. Thomas Stambaugh Faculty Advisor Ms. Emily Harnett Faculty Advisor
The Index is a student-run publication of the Haverford School that does more than bring news: it provides the diverse perspectives of the Haverford student body. It is an outlet for student writers to take stands on issues they deem important. It chronicles the daily struggles and accomplishments of the Haverford community. The Index also provides a forum for discussion of pertinent issues, such as student culture, academic policy, and Haverford’s place in world affairs. The Index presents new ideas and aspires to influence constructive change. All opinions and viewpoints expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of The Index or the school. The Index is designed and produced digitally. Photographs may be retouched. Submissions and letters to the editors regarding any and all articles are welcomed at index@haverford.org. The Index, a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, is composed using the applications of Google Suite and Adobe Creative Cloud. Its surveys are conducted via Google Forms and are advertised via email to current Haverford students. Graphic designs are created by Index staff via Canva. Southern Dutchess News prints 200-400 copies of each issue, and its editorial staff distributes them in the upper school on the day of release. The Index serves the needs of a total school population of 1160 community members, consisting of 960 students and 200 faculty and staff members. Contact The Index: 450 Lancaster Ave, Haverford, PA 19041 thsindex.org index@haverford.org Twitter: @Haverford_Index Instagram: @Haverford_Index Volume 89, No. 8 - May 19, 2022
2021-22 Editors-in-Chief (from left) Ryan Rodack ’22, Mitav Nayak ’22, and Jeffrey Yang ’22
CONNOR PINSK ‘23
Letter from the student body president Mitav Nayak ‘22
D
ear Fords,
This year has been extraordinary. In my twelve years of school, I don’t think any year compares. While we have faced challenges after years of a disjointed high school experience, I believe we rose up to them well. The Sixth and Fifth Forms did a phenomenal job of stepping into their leadership roles, and the underclassmen acclimated well to an unknown environment. As I mentioned in my speech this week, I would like to remind everyone that this year is not over. Often, some of the best memories can be formed in the last moments of an experience. So I urge you all not to take these last moments for granted. Make the most of every class, practice, rehearsal, assembly, and event you attend. Cherish these final days, because our time together is quickly coming to a close. Although the final weeks provide opportunities for us to create everlasting memories, they are also a time when people slip up or make a mistake. It seems as if every year, something occurs in these final weeks that a person deeply regrets. Do not let this person be you. End the year strong, make good choices, and engage
Mitav Nayak ’22 with the community. As you leave this school in June— whether it is for the summer or for good— leave it on a high note. Be someone who your
COURTESY OF MITAV NAYAK ’22
teachers, classmates, advisors, and coaches remember fondly. Sincerely, Mitav Nayak
the index · news
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May 2022
news
PIERCE LAVERAN ’24
A drone shot of the campus
Community reacts to SCOTUS likely overturn of Roe v. Wade, cont. from the front page also arisen to varying degrees, some students have found the discussion entirely missing in Wilson Hall. Fourth Former Luke Fesnak said, “Minimally, we’ve talked [the leaked draft opinion and abortion rights] in classes, but even then, we’ve beat around the bush. And it’s not mentioned much in private conversations.” Yet Sixth Former Max Rosenberger describes that he has, in fact, heard discussions surrounding the topic in normal conversations. “I’ve pretty much heard it being talked about everywhere in the school. I’m not surprised at the amount of people that have been talking about it, just because of how politically charged the issue is,” Rosenberger said. “People just get bored, so they just want to have some drama in their life, especially with the end of the school year and not too much going on. It’s something to talk about and argue over.” Regardless, Sixth Formers in the history elective, the History of Science, Sex, and Culture report distinct class discussions surrounding reproductive rights. And, in particular, Sixth Former Ben Walt found that these conversations in class have exposed him and others to the dialogue. “There are a ton of kids in that class that aren’t having those discussions at home— and I’m one of them. I don’t really get those types of talks in my household,” Walt said. Furthermore, while the class discussions certainly have not been easy, Walt remembers them as greatly rewarding. “And my parents have always said that it’s so great to hear different parts on the spectrum—different views and different values—for any topic because that’s how you grow as a person,” Walt said. “If you’re not putting yourself in situations where you’re not comfortable, you’re not going to learn. So I feel like I’ve learned so much in that class just from being uncomfortable.” Dr. Bridget Gurtler, who teaches the elective, also acknowledges the interest that her Sixth Formers have shown in under-
standing the current events surrounding reproductive rights. But, specifically in a history class, she has also tried to help her students understand the context of the headlines. “Students, rightfully, had a lot of questions. Starting from a place of curiosity and acknowledging misunderstanding is a great place for growth and allows for coming to a well-educated opinion,” Dr. Gurtler said. “Students have been very interested in Roe v. Wade and its relationship to the 14th amendment and understandings of privacy and what other decisions are based on privacy, like the right to gay marriage, interracial marriage, and access to contraception. They were also interested in what led up to Roe v. Wade, including what the experiences of young women were like in an era where abortion was, for the most part, illegal.” Case-in-point, in the conversations that Fesnak has participated in, he finds that the younger students—perhaps those who have not yet taken U.S. history or been exposed to opportunities such as the Human Relationships seminar or Dr. Gurtler’s aforementioned senior elective—are uninformed or lack care.
“[those who have strong opinions] either dislike it in general [morally] or can’t form a strong opinion based on their knowledge.” LUKE FESNAK ’24 “[Many students in my class] are either indifferent from a lack of knowledge, or being apathetic, or they’re pretty strong about it—[those who have strong opinions] either dislike it in general [morally] or can’t form a strong opinion based on their knowledge,” Fesnak said.
Another struggle in the spaces where this conversation arises is encouraging students to participate. “I feel like there are kids who might not want to express how they truly feel, which is OK and a part of life,” Walt said. “If you have a good relationship with someone, honestly showing who you really are can make you vulnerable in certain places [in terms of the relationship continuing]. I would say that there are a good amount of kids on both sides of the spectrum that don’t speak their truth.” Now, nearing three weeks since POLITICO’s initial leak of the draft opinion, some students have found that the initial fervor (even in the classes where discussion about reproductive rights came up) appears to have passed. “As time passes, the discussion is sort-of waning, simply because there aren’t enough headlines for it,” Rosenberger said. But, interviewees shared the sentiment that men have a role to play in the conversation. Dr. Gurtler said, “Considering that [men] are a part of reproduction, yes, I think that they should [have a voice in the conversation] about abortion, especially since this Superme Court leak points towards the possibility that some men will become fathers when neither they, nor their partners, want to. But, I do not mean that men should have a legal right to decide whether to continue or end a pregnancy, since women’s bodies are the ones that bear a pregnancy and its attendant risks.” Hence, the fact that it takes an unprecedented draft opinion leak and the now very real imminent threat of a half-century old precedent being overturned for there to be a wave of conversation among this largely male population—even more, brief and disparate—presents that reproductive health must be discussed more prevalently on campus. “I don’t think we’re doing enough [to educate students]. I mean, sophomore year we had a health class with Dr. Vanni where
we learned about consent and what’s OK and what’s not, but I think that especially with the abortion talks, it goes way deeper than just protection and sex,” Walt said. Rosenberger, though agreeing with Walt, also identified a challenge in implementing these topics into the curriculum on a wider scale.
“I don’t think kids would engage [in potential classes or seminars] because I think that kids already have their opinions on it—you’re either prolife or pro-choice.” BEN WALT ’22 “I don’t think kids would engage [in potential classes or seminars] because I think that kids already have their opinions on it—you’re either pro-life or pro-choice— and those opinions are formed by the media and your family,” Rosenburger said. “That’s where the issue, I think, lies in this topic: there’s no room for discussion. There are only arguments.” Still, Walt believes that, regardless of the heavily controversial nature of abortion and other current social conflicts, perspectives can shift. “If people go [into discussions] with a hard mindset of whatever they believe is right, I think that it’s not going to end well for whoever it is, and that’s not the way you should go into a discussion,” Walt said. “I will say that was like that in my freshman and sophomore years: I was very set in stone in what I believed in whatever it was. But as I’ve matured and grown, I’ve understood that different views are what makes our society special.”
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the index · news
May 2022
Senior assassin unleashes Sixth Form competition Ryan Rodack ’22
S
enior assassin: a staple among graduating classes at many high schools across the United States. A group of 54 Sixth Formers signed up to partake in the game’s Haverford School 2022 edition, which commenced the last week of April. Students are assigned a target that they must “kill” by squirting them with a toy water gun. To eliminate their target, a student must shoot him while he is not touching his safety item. Safety items change from round to round. Ranging from framed portraits of Upper School Dean of Students Mr. Luqman Kolade, a 15-pound dumbbell, and two twelve-packs of Coca-Cola, students can be seen attached to their safety items throughout Wilson Hall. Sixth Former Colin Stewart and Fifth Former Colin Kelly took on the challenge of organizing the game. “I thought it would be fun to be the center of controversy if something happened,” Stewart said. “But, I also enjoyed making the rules, making the game difficult, and making the safety item a fun thing while making it challenging for everyone.” “Originally, I signed up to be the person that decided everybody’s targets,” Kelly said. “Colin Stewart organized the event, but he was also in the game, so he could not be the one deciding everyone’s targets.” Kelly formatted the game to make it more personable and exciting for everyone involved. “I assigned targets so that people would get other people who were their friends, so this often resulted in best friends getting each other,” Kelly said. The first round was filled with many
“I didn’t think the rules for the first round were laid out that well. I heard the targets were not randomized, which I didn’t like,” Sixth Former Sam Tryon said. Tryon is not the only Sixth Former who was unhappy with the game setup. “A lot of seniors come up to me, unhappy with the rules or how things turned out, or just people complaining about the game and being frustrated, but I don’t get offended,” Kelly said. Tryon eventually got out of the game because of the 5-7 day time frame to eliminate one’s target. “I was pressed for time and lost motivation pretty quickly. Nobody got me out, and I didn’t get anybody else out; I just got eliminated because I didn’t get my target out before the deadline,” Tryon said.
All of the remaining students are fully committed to the game. Austin Zhuang ’22 carrying 12-packs of Coca-Cola as his safety item exciting eliminations filled with strategic planning. “I told my target, who just so happened to be one of my close friends, that he left some clothes at my house,” Sixth Former Nick Pante said. “I drove over to his house to drop off the clothes, and when he came outside without his item, I immediately ran out of the car and shot him.” Stewart had a similar encounter.
JINGYUAN CHEN ’23
“I was out with my friends a few weeks ago, and my target, Aidan Boyle, happened to be there. I had my safety item with me, but my water gun was in the car, so I had to run out to get my water gun and then I got Aidan Boyle out,” Stewart said. While many students enjoyed that the targets were fixed so that people were paired with their friends, others were not fond of this tweak.
At this point in the game, only a few students remain. All of the remaining students are fully committed to the game. “I’ve spent too much time on this game, so my attitude is winning or just not playing,” Sixth Former Former John Zhang said. “People have helped me kill other people in the game, so I feel like I’m obligated to continue to hold these dumb items and win the entire game.”
Theater III* students write original comedy-murdermystery play Owen Yu ’23
S
econd String, last year’s Theater III* production, pioneered the beginning of student-written plays for the Theater III* class. Following its success, the current Theater III* students look to write their own unique and ambitious show: a comedy murder mystery. The show, with the tentative title of On Board, revolves around a CEO’s yacht party and the eventual disappearance of one of the party attendees. Along with the intriguing plot, the cast of characters holds some of the show’s most entertaining aspects. “There are some detectives that come in that have their own ‘personal issues,’ and we also have a son who has an IQ of negative five,” Fifth Former Jaiden Shuchman said. “We’ve got a great group of characters that I think people would enjoy.” In addition to developing the characters, the class has also been working on finetuning scenes on stage.
“We’ve been putting them on stage and seeing what happens. It’s pleasing to see.” JAIDEN SHUCHMAN ’23 “We’ve also been blocking some scenes. We’ve been putting them on stage and seeing what happens,” Shuchman said. “It’s pleasing to see, and it also gives us good workshopping advice. It’s like reading your own paper out loud—you see the issues with it, you see the fallacies with it—and I think that doing this has been a good experience
for workshopping our own writing and also working on collaborative writing. Through this process, the class can identify what needs to be added, replaced, and removed from the script. When brainstorming scenes, the class has adopted a unique system that stays true to the lightheartedness of the script. “Usually we have groups go off and write their own scenes,” said Fifth Former Colin Kelly. “I think it’s great because we get all these ideas, and once we come together and revise the ideas, we usually just end up laughing most of the time because of how great and funny the scenes are.” As the Theater III* students continue writing the show, they acknowledge that they have encountered certain difficulties throughout the writing process. “Unfortunately, the schedule with the quarter system has really limited our time working on this project, so we haven’t been able to get as much done as we would’ve liked to,” said Kelly. With a large class and an ambitious idea, a lot of time is needed to develop the intricacies and details within the play. But with a limited time frame due to seniors’ early departure, the class is finding difficulty fully fleshing out the plot. “Because the seniors leave on May 20th, our time is pretty limited,” Kelly said. “And because we have such a big class of sixteen people, we have to have a really big cast in the show, which means that there are a lot of parts to write, a lot of characters to consider, and a lot of plot points to get done.” Furthermore, a significant portion of the class has limited experience with writing a show, which leads to certain aspects of the
Ian Rush ’22 and Thomas Pendergast ’23 practicing for the play production being overlooked. “I feel like the hardest part is that most of us haven’t written a show before, and I feel like we spent too much time setting up the plot, setting up the characters, and revising everything multiple times,” Shuchman said. “Especially in a limited time frame such as this—we weren’t aware of the issues [revising the script multiple times] would cause until pretty recently.” Although the production doesn’t have a finalized performance date yet, the class is working diligently to ensure the show is at the highest quality it can be. In the end, the goal is to produce a show that both the class and audience can enjoy.
JOEY KAUFFMAN ’23
“We are trying to make something that’s entertaining, coherent, and fun for everyone to watch.” COLIN KELLY ’23 “Whether or not we perform an awardwinning show has nothing to do with how much fun we have doing it,” Kelly said. “We’re trying to make something that’s entertaining, coherent, and fun for everyone to watch.”
the index · news
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May 2022
The Cavalry goes to Worlds Owen Yu ’23
B
y the end of March of 2022, the Haverford robotics team, The Cavalry, had already enjoyed an incredible season, earning themselves multiple high finishes in a variety of tournaments. Following this success, team members packed the robotics room throughout the entirety of April to prepare for the final competition of the season: Worlds. From May 5-7, the team competed in the Vex Robotics World Championships in Dallas, Texas. The tournament brought over 800 teams from 36 different countries to compete in the VRC High School division. With five qualified Haverford teams—169A, 169E, 169R, 169Y, and 169Z—The Cavalry looked to test their skills against the world’s best.
“Worlds is always very challenging both mentally and physically. We’re up late every day trying to get these robots ready and trying to get everything working for the competition.” ELIJAH LEE ’22 “Worlds is always very challenging both mentally and physically. We’re up late every day trying to get these robots ready and trying to get everything working for the competition,” Sixth Form 169A team member Elijah Lee said. “Still, Worlds is always a really fun experience, and there’s always a collaborative team aspect that’s there because we’re all together working so hard, so that’s
FIRST NAME ‘2#
Edward Trumpbour ’21 lines up for a shot during a golf match
ARSH AGGARWAL ‘24
Team 169Z fun as well.” Compared to the season’s other competitions, Worlds has an entirely different atmosphere simply because of the large number of participants. Robotics Coach Mr. Will Leech acknowledged the difference in the size of Worlds compared to local tournaments. “The biggest tournament that we would attend in the regular season would contain, at most, locally, maybe eighty robots,” Mr. Leech said. “There were ten times that at Worlds.” In addition to the size of the competition, teams’ mastery and understanding of the game are significantly higher at Worlds.
ARSH AGGARWAL ‘24
Zachary Shah ’23 and Arnav Sardesai ’23 pose in front of their Worlds robot
“At the World Championships, it’s that 0.1% that makes the difference,” Mr. Leech said. “When you get to Worlds, everybody knows exactly the tactics to be the running for the game. You know how to defend yourself, you know what’s important in terms of scoring points.” Knowing the competition they were up against, the team immediately set to work once they arrived in Dallas. “We flew in on Tuesday, got everything shipped over and set up, and rented out a conference room to give us a working space,” Lee said. “Wednesday was a full work day—kind of getting everything working and ready and making sure nothing broke in transit. Thursday was more of the same, but there was also registration and checking into the actual venue.” The tournament formally began on Friday and Saturday. Teams played a total of ten qualification matches on Friday and Saturday morning, which determined their seeding and whether they could move on to the elimination rounds. Although The Cavalry fought valiantly, none of the teams moved on to the elimination rounds. The Cavalry attempted to build intricate and complex robots that could address multiple areas on the field. However, given the time constraints, certain aspects of the robots were simply unable to be tested until matches began. “Things were under-tested, code wasn’t tested, a lot of mechanisms weren’t properly tested, and really that just came down to we kind of ran out of time in the end,” Lee said. Still, the potential for success was evident. With a little more time, team members are confident that they could have performed at much higher levels. “I think, generally, we just, like, almost over-thought our competition,” Fifth Form 169Y team member Zachary Shah said. “Rather than taking the simple route, we kind of wanted to build and go above and beyond. I truly think if we just had one or two more days to prepare, we would’ve done incredible.” While the results may not have been the most desirable, team members enjoyed competing in person on such a grand stage. “This is the first time we’ve had the whole team on the trip, which was fun to see, and it’s the first time in a while because of COVID that we’ve had these kinds of events,” Lee said. “This is one of the biggest tournaments they’ve had yet, and it’s really exciting to see it get back on its feet after two years of hiatus.”
Furthermore, Worlds was more than just a competitive, intense competition. For younger members, the event proved to be both an exciting and valuable learning experience.
“And, now, I sort of know the strategy for preparing for Worlds, so we’ll know how to move forwards.” ZACHARY SHAH ’23 “It was my first time actually going to Worlds in-person because of COVID, so it was really cool to actually be in that kind of space,” Shah said. “It was also just really fun to hang out with all your teammates for a week in Dallas. And, now, I sort of know the strategy for preparing for Worlds, so we’ll know how to move forwards.” Perhaps most importantly, team energy remained high throughout the event. “I don’t think I saw anyone with their heads too low during or after Worlds,” Shah said. “We went out and tried a bunch of food at different restaurants, and just hung out as a team without being too sad about what was happening.” Sending five teams to Worlds, the most teams sent by the Cavalry since 2017, is nothing to look down upon. In the end, the season was successful, and the team’s accomplishments and high team spirit throughout the year bode well for the future of the program.
“I’m hugely proud of our team, and I think they’ve done some fantastic stuff and really stepped up during the season.” MR. WILL LEECH “I’m hugely proud of our team, and I think they’ve done some fantastic stuff and really stepped up during the season,” Coach Leech said. “Of course, I’m super grateful to our seniors. We’re really grateful for everything they’ve accomplished while on the team, and we’re looking forward to what the next class of seniors is going to do in terms of their student leadership.”
the index · features
Page 6
May 2022
features Mock Trial leaders reflect on year Mitav Nayak ’22
T
he Mock Trial season has come to a close, along with the Mock Trial careers of the six graduating Sixth
Formers. The group saw a successful run this year, with the first team winning the Montgomery County District Tournament and finishing as finalists at the PA State Competition. “There were some 250 teams in the state this year and we were one of fourteen to make it that far. At the moment, it might have been stressful, but now I couldn’t be happier with our performance,” Sixth Form Captain Colin Stewart said. The team’s leadership was a large contributing factor to their success. “We had a lot of confidence going in,” Sixth Former Will Rubin said. “It was a team made up of six seniors, so we were all pretty confident with the rules of evidence and just how to kind of navigate the whole thing. I think it went very well.” Younger students were also key to the team’s success. “Although the varsity team [had] six seniors, a few younger guys stepped in as subs,” Stewart said. “Just generally, we have had a few younger kids who picked Mock Trial up quick[ly], and in Mock Trial, every person you can get thinking about and criticizing the case is a plus.” In Mock Trial, the team receives hypothetical cases, which Sixth Former Zach Hoyt described as “complicated puzzles.” These cases are challenging and complex. “As many of our supporting attorneys
have said, these cases are far more difficult than cases they had seen; however, this is also what makes them so fun,” Hoyt said. “It feels great to find a little detail hidden in the case that is detrimental to the other side’s argument and then watch them scramble when you bring it up on cross examination. I think it’s also great that anyone who does Mock Trial comes out with at least a basic understanding of how the law is practiced.” Several aspects drew Rubin to Mock Trial.
“I’ve always loved acting and arguing, for that matter, but there’s never been a point where I’ve had to think on my feet as fast as I have for Mock Trial, especially in the objection battles.” WILL RUBIN ’22 “I’ve always loved acting and arguing, for that matter, but there’s never been a point where I’ve had to think on my feet as fast as I have for Mock Trial, especially in the objection battles,” Rubin said. “When you’re in those, it’s just back and forth. You never really know how the person is going to respond and how confident they are for that matter with the law, so you constantly have
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Haverford’s Mock Trial first team and coaches with the Montgomery County District Tournament trophy to assess and change your strategy. I think my critical thinking skills on the spot have improved so much since I started doing it in tenth grade.” This year’s team was particularly dedicated to improvement, which led to a strong culture of camaraderie and collaboration. “More than anything, I love the practices where everyone is focused and really into it,” Stewart said. “For example, this year we had a practice where we were discussing the possibility of a person being the stabber in our case. Everyone got super passionate about it—at one point we were even acting it all out. It’s those moments that I’ll remem-
ber.”
COMMUNICATIONS
As they graduate and head into college, the Sixth Formers feel the team is in good hands. “We had so many guys who weren’t just doing Mock Trial for the resume or for college, but because they genuinely enjoyed the activity,” Hoyt said. “I believe this natural passion is what led to our success because passion, over anything, always wins the day. I hope that the younger guys in the group could see how passionate the senior leaders were, and they can continue to exert that passion in successful years to come.”
the index · features
Page 7
May 2022
Jeffrey Johnson’s senior project: discovering the past Bowen Deng ’22
T
he graduation project is more than a requirement; it is an opportunity for Sixth Form students to hone their skills outside the classroom and obtain unique experiences unavailable during the regular school year. Some choose internships and community service programs, while others remain on campus for life lessons from various teachers. Others offer their own unique proposal, seeking to conclude their high school career by pursuing a personal interest. For Jeffrey Johnson, the days between May 21 and June 9 offered an opportunity to examine his family history. In March, Johnson—while helping his mother sort family belongings—stumbled upon obituaries and information on family relatives, some dating as far back as the early-nineteenth century. Recalling generations of family stories, he was determined to learn more about his ancestors, specifically, on his mother’s side.
all this information right here.’” While Johnson’s grandfather and mother were born on the Main Line, Johnson’s great-great-grandfather was originally from Sumter, South Carolina, possibly a freedman sometime around the Civil War. His greatgrandfather moved to the Philadelphia area in the 1920s, citing the lack of jobs in Jim Crow South and the better economic opportunities in the Northeast. Information before and after his greatgrandfather’s migration is blurry, and Johnson hopes to find other information along
the way. “Until recently, I never realized how many obituaries we had,” Johnson said. “I plan on going through them all with my mom and making a few calls.” Using the aforementioned obituaries, Johnson will trace his lineage back to South Carolina. During this lengthy project, census data, living relatives, and county officials will also aid his search. Johnson’s main goal is to find out if his great-great-grandfather was enslaved; if he cannot, Johnson could
find information about a potential business he ran. Additionally, Johnson hopes to fill in any holes in his journey, seeking information about any other relatives, including their lives, occupations, and other relevant stories. His research will culminate in a family tree, mapped with all the material and relevant details gathered along the way. “I’m excited to find the truth about these stories,” Johnson said. “So much has been passed down and I want to discover what really happened in the past.”
“There have been a lot of stories about certain events throughout my family’s history, and we have always wondered if they were true.” JEFFREY JOHNSON ’22 “There have been a lot of stories about certain events throughout my family’s history, and we have always wondered if they were true,” Johnson said. “I was thinking, ‘Wow, we could probably find out a lot of stuff with
AUSTIN ZHUANG ’22
Jeffrey Johnson ’22
Damian Ferraro ’22 stresses importance of valuing others through riveting Reflection Ethan Lee ’24
A
pplause roared after The Notables walked onto the stage. But the standing ovation was not for the singing group, but for one of its members, Sixth Former Damian Ferraro, who had just given a Reflection about his late godfather, Mr. Michael Stairs. Ferraro shared a powerful talk about valuing and appreciating your loved ones, using his own experiences to emphasize his point. “Ever since Michael retired, Haverford created an annual concert fund in his honor,” Ferraro said. “It was originally planned
as a way to help kids, like Michael did, pursue their passion for music.” Still, Ferraro wanted to add Michael’s personal touch back into the concerts. “I lived with this guy for nine years of my life, and he basically turned me into the person I am today,” Ferraro said. “He passed on so much to me. And there was so much that he did for me and my family that it would practically be a crime if I did not say anything about him before I graduated from Haverford.” And add a personal touch he did. His
reflection touched and brought tears to both the students and faculty. “After Damian’s reflection, I felt like Michael Stairs was someone I knew on a personal level even though I never got the opportunity to meet him,” Fourth Former Render Ford said. Fifth Former Ethan Chan agrees with Ford’s sentiment. “As someone who also has an affinity for music, Damian’s homage to Mr. Stairs really touched me,” Chan said. “I also lost my former piano instructor not too long ago, so his
reflection definitely spoke to me.” “I thought it was phenomenal,” finance and history teacher Mr. Brian Long said. “I think that Damian really set a standard for what a reflection can be. He used the stage in such a way that I would love to see other students use it and give Reflections of that quality.”
“There was so much that he did for me and my family that it would practically be a crime if I did not say anything about him before I graduated from Haverford.” DAMIAN FERRARO ’24
Damian Ferraro ’22
PIERCE LAVERAN ’24
Dean of Students Mr. Luqman Kolade felt the same way.“I thought it was great. It was really well organized and put together.” Throughout his talk, Ferraro emphasized a theme: valuing others in our daily lives. “We all have powerful adults and people who shape who we are, but I think a lot of kids don’t really think about it that much,” Ferraro said. “And frankly, I didn’t as well until Michael passed away. This is not a really selfish thing for us—we have a lot going on, but Michael passing away made me reflect and think about who I was and why.”
the index · academics
Page 8
May 2022
academics Upcoming IC Day aims to shake up traditional learning Casey Williams ’24
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n Wednesday, May 25, all Third, Fourth, and Fifth Formers will partake in Intellectual Curiosity Day. Students received the opportunity to select one of twenty-four activities. IC Day offerings range from visiting one of the largest proprietary trading firms in the world in Susquehanna International Group (“On The Trading Floor”), to exploring a farm and discovering where all of the food you eat comes from (“A Day on a Farm”). The day offers a completely different form of learning, one that comes without the need for prerequisites, and experiencing the learning hands-on, a term that upper school mathematics teacher and program leader Mr. Nathan Bridge called “experiential learning.” “You’re learning through and by doing the experience,” Mr. Bridge said. “We’re going to go in, and in the process of having that experience, learning happens.”
Are you satisfied with the course options for IC Day 2022? 35.5% No
64.5% Yes
Google Forms poll of 134 student respondents, Between May 14-17, 2022
COURTESY OF MR. ANDREW POOLMAN
Student-made cakes from IC Day 2018 One of the activities from the wide variety of options was “The Sopranos: Masculinity, Crime, and the American Dream.” The late 1990s to early 2000s TV show revolves around Tony Soprano, an Italian-American middle-aged mobster dealing with the expected problems of balancing his criminal and home lives. Although the television series aired over two decades ago, it is currently making a comeback amongst contemporary millennials and teenagers. Students will watch episodes of the series and then engage in discussions about the episodes, their revival, and other guiding ideas. “I think there’s a bigger intellectual and emotional payoff for a lot of them to use English class skills in the context of a really
great TV show like that,” English teacher Ms. Emily Harnett said. Another highlight of the day will be “Understanding 9/11: Authentic Experience in NY.” A group of students will travel to New York City to see the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. The tragedy changed life for everyone, even though students were not yet born when the attacks took place. Intellectual Curiosity day has occurred four or five times, beginning in 2016 from a “small faculty working committee” according to Spanish teacher Mr. Andrew Poolman, who led the program before Mr. Bridge took over. It originated through several teachers working to promote interdisciplinary think-
ing as well as to form connections for the students. The experiential learning idea is designed to get students away from quizzes, tests, and note-taking for a day to focus on fun activities that still promote the core Haverford values. As we approach the end of the 2021-2022 school year, anticipation for the summer is higher than ever, and IC Day may keep students engaged in academic study. “Experiential learning is essential to boys’ education and transformative for our students, in my opinion,” Mr. Poolman said. “It often frames learning in a different way and breaks up the routine of desks, laptops, and traditional classes.
the index · neighborhood
Page 9
May 2022
neighborhood
JOEY KAUFFMAN ’23
Neon lights of Conshohocken’s El Limon beckon the weary traveler
A love letter to El Limon Joey kauffman ’23 & Connor pinsk ’23
A
s we drove through the bustling streets of Conshohocken, it didn’t take long to spot the local treasure that is El Limon. The name of the restaurant, illuminated above the store in neon green and yellow, lured us into a world of tortillas and tamales, burritos and barbacoa, jalapeños and Jarritos. We visited El Limon on a cool Friday night. There were not many issues on our minds until we faced the problem of parking. The crowded streets were anything but welcoming to an SUV, and it seemed like no spot was wide enough. We parked on a neighborhood street lined with homes perched above the Schuylkill River. We stepped into the restaurant, founded in 2010, the Conshohocken location being the first El Limon that spawned a string of the eateries across the Main Line. We seated ourselves and were greeted within minutes by our kind waitress for the evening. After attending monthly Index formatting sessions fueled by copious amounts of El Limon, we knew enough to order two Jarritos, a Mexican soft drink that we first heard about from our Index mentors. The lime and grapefruit Jarritos shot up bubbles as we lifted them to our mouths and took our first look at the menu. Few phrases are as spectacular as “loaded nachos,” so this was a clear choice for a starter. We decided on the barbacoa version, and in a shockingly short amount of time, we found ourselves face to face with a mountain of chips, salsa, guacamole, refried beans, cheese, and jalapenos. We made our way through the nachos, and, relaxed by the laid-back ambiance of the restaurant, started reminiscing. The restaurant was not too loud or distracting, and we were able to enjoy a conversation all the while watching Telemundo, only able to understand the bits and pieces of phrases we
recognized from Spanish class. Indeed, this moment of eating nachos, an American-Mexican classic, and watching Mexican TV with Spanish subtitles may encapsulate the magic that has made El Limon such a success on the Main Line. The restaurant manages to both quell our hunger for greasy, sour-cream-infused Tex Mex while also maintaining its Mexican roots.
The restaurant manages to both quell our hunger for greasy, sour-cream-infused Tex Mex while also maintaining its Mexican roots.
ing stomachs, we placed our orders for the churros and the tres leches. We waited longer than we expected, but the wait was worth it. While “three milks” was a somewhat confusing name for a dessert (Why three? Why not four or five?), we were pleasantly surprised at the sponge cake, which was topped with whipped cream and completely drenched in what we later found out was evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream (tres leches!). The treat wasn’t too sweet, but it also melted in our mouths. The churros were similarly delicious—still warm, and served with a small bowl of ice cream that contrasted with said warmth. The three-course meal ended up totaling under $60, crushing competition like Chipotle and Qdoba, corporate chains that profit off of overpriced guacamole.
We were content for the moment as we strolled off into the beautiful mid-May night.
We love El Limon; you love El Limon; The Index loves El Limon; America loves El Limon. JOEY KAUFFMAN ’23 & CONNOR PINSK ’23 We love El Limon; you love El Limon; The Index loves El Limon; America loves El Limon. Thank you.
JOEY KAUFFMAN ’23 & CONNOR PINSK ’23 Our entrees reflected this duality of El Limon. The first entree was the torta, a Mexican dish that few Taco Bell customers would recognize, and the second entree was the burrito, a word that few Americans wouldn’t salivate over. The torta was massive, a full-sized kaiser roll stuffed to the brim with meat, cheese, egg, and other “vegetables,” as we like to call them. The burrito was filled with al pastor— pork roasted on a spit—topped with pineapple, rice, beans, and smothered in chipotle sauce. It didn’t take long for our Herculean Friday-night appetites to be satisfied. Yet, we knew we had to keep going. Dessert was the next frontier. Our options were limited, with only three desserts to choose from; however, with open minds and practically overflow-
Connor Pinsk ’23 enjoying loaded nachos at El Limon
JOEY KAUFFMAN ’23
the index · neighborhood
Page 10
May 2022
Amidst pandemic, Bryn Mawr Film Institute endures Tate Conklin ’24
E
veryone enjoys kicking back and enjoying an entertaining evening in the movie theater with friends or family. In recent times, however, with the spread of COVID-19, all movie theaters were forced to shut down temporarily, and many people began to prefer the practicality of watching movies at home. Located only a couple of minutes away from campus, Bryn Mawr Film Institute has been thriving in its recent years, despite the roadblocks our world and the Institute itself have faced. In addition to its grand appearance, the almost century-old building is deeply rooted in the history of Bryn Mawr. The Institute can teach us a lot about the significance of movie theaters and how their prominence in
“Having to confront all of that [the pandemic] so suddenly and make such a sudden shift was a challenge for our community.” DR. ANDREW DOUGLAS society has grown over the past century. “Having to confront [the pandemic] so suddenly and make such a sudden shift was a challenge for our community,” BMFI’s
Senior Director of Education and Administration Dr. Andrew Douglas said. “In less than two weeks, we had things up and running virtually where we were offering movies, education, discussions, free lessons, and original content.” “We heard from people who participated in our programs from other countries, continents, other time zones,” Dr. Douglas said. The Bryn Mawr Film Institute, previously known as The Seville Theater, has been in the Bryn Mawr community’s spotlight since 1926. The building was inspired by big-city movie palaces, which could be seen through elements such as the ornate ceiling details and the dramatic atrium. Brought to life by William Harold Lee, an architect who designed over 200 theaters, the Institute stood out against all of its surrounding buildings and became a large point of attraction. Lee’s architectural choices encapsulate the old age of Bryn Mawr Film Institute. “In the case of this building, we tend to think of the instances where aesthetics and utility are given equal footing,” Dr. Douglas said. “That doesn’t seem to happen as much anymore in commercial buildings, but it did happen then, and most of, if not all movie theaters in that era, remind us of that.” This early era in the history of movie theaters was not a flourishing time. “The movie industry was not held in high regard in the 1920s by many segments of society. There were some fair reasons and some
The Bryn Mawr Film Institute on Lancaster Avenue
not fair reasons why the movies had that reputation in these times,” Dr. Douglas said. “One of the things that the industry did to combat that was to not just make their movies worth seeing but make their venues a destination unto themself. They were very ornate, often designed in a specific regional or historical style,” Dr. Douglas said. “In most towns, the first public building to be air-conditioned was the movie theater because they wanted people to not just think about what they were going to see; they wanted them to think about the whole expe-
“The fact that there used to be [a movie theater] every couple of miles down Lancaster Avenue tells you something about this area: that it was prosperous.” DR. ANDREW DOUGLAS rience being something special.” “The fact that there used to be [a movie theater] every couple of miles down Lancaster Avenue tells you something about this area: that it was prosperous,” Dr. Douglas said. From the 1950s to the late 20th century,
the Bryn Mawr movie theater began to lose its sparkle. Surrounded by competition from more modern theaters in addition to the loss of many signature elements, like the skylight and the classic marquee, led to a downward trend in audiences. With the help of the community and a strong campaign, the building avoided being converted into a gym in the early 2000s, and the Institute came back stronger than ever. A big reason for Bryn Mawr Film Institute’s success is its large array of movies and genres. “We show a lot of classic movies culturally literate and educated people like you and your peers will have heard of. A lot of those really important and interesting movies we show here,” Dr. Douglas said. “On the other hand, we show new movies as well. We show them in a variety of topics and genres, and I think that for a demographic that might be very comfortable and used to watching things at home on a smaller screen alone, the value and added experience of seeing a movie on the big screen in an auditorium full of people makes a huge difference.” Dr. Douglas emphasized the overall enhancement of the experience while in the thrilling atmosphere of a movie theater. “Even if no one’s saying anything, you feel the energy of the other people, and you feel them reacting as you are, and it enhances the experience,” Dr. Douglas said. “It’s one worth having—otherwise movies wouldn’t have been around for 100 years.”
PIERCE LAVERAN 24
the index · art spread
Page 11
May 2022
art spread
Artist Spotlight: Third Form artist Alistair Wiedmer sells his first NFT Christopher Schwarting ’24
S
ome community members overlook the upper school art studios. While one might spend one’s class time grinding away at an art project in any of the visual pursuits, it’s not often that students dedicate their mornings, evenings, or free periods to working in the studios. Third Former Alistair Wiedmer, however, pursues art in and beyond the studio every single day. Whether it be petting a canvas with a paint-filled brush in hand, sketching away self-made character drawings on blank paper, or exploring the depths of digital illustration, he spends much time pursuing the visual arts. Upon visiting the art rooms, you’ll likely find him brainstorming his next big project. Along with school and sports, art remains among his top commitments. Wiedmer’s most recent projects surround a single goal. “I’ve been trying to create an original character,” Wiedemer said. “I’m trying to create my own unique art style.” Citing visual artists such as Kaws, an American artist and designer well-known for his recognizable characters, for inspiration, Wiedmer has embarked on his exploration. Wiedmer said, “I’m trying to spend every day learning tools that can help me in the future, like Adobe After Effects, which helps with my interest in getting into animation.” To expand this toolkit, Wiedmer plans on moving beyond the staple drawing, painting, and building likely associated with the term “art.” He tries new things.
“I want to create my own name. I want to be able to expand into real life, such as fashion.” ALISTAIR WIEDMER ’25 “I want to branch out into different mediums,” Wiedmer said. “Basically, everything I can. Beyond 2D, [I’ve] been trying 3D— like sculptures—a lot of digital mediums, animation definitely, and I really want to get into clothing.” With so many avenues to follow, Wied-
Alistair Wiedmer ’25 works on a new painting mer connects his work through a common theme he hopes will guide his future, even as a potential career. “I want to create my own name,” he said. “I want to be able to expand into real life, such as fashion. I’m really big into things like streetwear—things that are colorful and make you stand out and that aren’t exactly normal.” With his current focus on 2D character creation, his projects already follow this budding image. For example, in a chain of recent collections, bright schemes add vibrance to individual characterized personas. These have included several projects. Developed with friends, Lunchies Club was a digital line of vegetable characters, each including a portrait of a personified vegetable. Wiedmer also has a new project with 3D modeling or
animation in the works. Much of this commitment was taken on solo, though some work was also divided up with friends. Over time, Weidmer found an interest not only in art’s production side, but also the entrepreneurial side. Harnessing advice from other artists and guides online, he soon found himself putting up his art for sale in the form of an NFT. A NFT (Non-Fungible Token) is a type of unique digital unit on a Blockchain which represents a real-world item. These digitally exchanged units have, very recently, been popularized by the exchange of art. In his Derpy Duckies collection, Wiedmer put some of his pieces up as NFTs. The project, which was a derivative-type collection in which the style of different characters was replicated from another artist to a different animal, sought to create various visual applications similar to that of the famous NFT collection Bored Ape Yacht Club. In time, Wiedmer sold his first NFT from this collection.
“One night I was on my computer and I checked Twitter. Someone messaged me saying [they] loved a Derpy Ducky. It sold.” ALISTAIR WIEDMER ’25
Alistair Wiedmer ’25 chooses paint markers
JEFFREY YANG ’22
“That is the one time I actually sold an NFT. It was out of nowhere,” Wiedmer said. “One night I was on my computer and I checked Twitter. Someone messaged me saying [they] loved a Derpy Ducky. It sold.” Wiedmer remains thankful for this sale,
JEFFREY YANG ’22
as it was his impetus for continuing to combine his artistic talents with publication. He said, “[The sale] lifted me up. It made my drive to do art increase even more.” For artists like Wiedmer, the value of developments such as NFTs is profound. “With NFTs, it’s easier for artists to sell their art and to really profit,” Wiedmer said, “as I don’t hear a lot of stories about regular people going online and finding pictures and paintings and being really interested. Now with NFTs, people cannot only buy artwork because they really like it, but they can also buy it to make a profit off of it. There’s an opportunity to make the money back, for [purchasers] and the artist, too.” It’s here where Wiedmer’s inspiration for the project derives. On a personal level, he wanted to continue pursuing his passion for art, and on a practical level, he also wanted to seek an avenue to help support his family. This transition to NFT projects also marks a change in his artistic journey. “That [first NFT] kickstarted my passion for creating for the public, because before that, I had been creating a lot for myself,” Wiedmer said. “I feel like while I’m still young, now is a good time to start experimenting. It’s trial-and-error over and over again.” It’s that constant commitment to learning, improving, and self-discovery which defines Wiedmer’s artistic process. For others looking to move towards making their art public, Wiedmer has encouraging words. “One thing that I’ve noticed with myself is that I’m scared to put something out there. I get hesitant to share my art to the world. I would say it doesn’t exactly matter how much attention it gets—you just keep on working at it and sharing it,” Wiedmer said. “I stand behind the idea that if you have an idea and you really believe it will work, it will, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
Page 12
the index · art spread
April 2022
art spread Featuring Alistair Wiedmer
Figure 7
ALISTAIR WIEDMER ’25
Inner workings
My world
ALISTAIR WIEDMER ’25
ALISTAIR WIEDMER ’25
Page 13
Imperfect
the index · art spread
ALISTAIR WIEDMER ’25
Defying gravity
Nuggets
April 2022
ALISTAIR WIEDMER ’25
ALISTAIR WIEDMER ’25
Page 14
the index · campus opinions
May 2022
campus opinions Outside lecturers’ return has been positive Ian Rosenzweig ’25
H
averford’s commitment to keeping the student body on campus for in-person learning throughout the pandemic has provided us with the best possible school experience over the past two years. We barely missed a beat transitioning in and out of virtual learning when it was necessary, and at the start of the 20202021 school year, our teachers were on campus, working to adjust their courses to fit the new educational landscape. Despites the invaluable experience Haverford has given us, we’ve missed out on one experience that is not part of a normal school day but that can be the highlight of a day, week, month, or even year: outside speakers and lecturers. Although the absence of speakers may have gone unnoticed by many in the past year, their return in April 2022 took the upper school by storm. Our first in-person speaker, Reverend Bill Golderer of the United Way of Greater Philadelphia, shared his stories, thoughts, and advice at the Cox Leadership Symposium. Just four days later, the Service Board brought in speakers from The Steven Cohen Clinic to discuss veter-
ans’ mental health. This emotional topic, prefaced by personal connections from Sixth Former Colin Stewart, and combined with the horrifying war stories of the two speakers compelled the upper school student body to give a standing ovation. These first two lectures, both of which shared lessons and stories, tasked us with taking action for the good of the world and our futures. For the first time in the school year, we had been given a mission by people outside of our community and an opportunity to better ourselves and the world we inhabit. This is the true beauty of hearing from speakers — they bring us a perspective from the world outside of our school bubble of classes, tests, projects, and essays. They draw us in, make us think from the mindset of someone in a field we may pursue and inspire us to champion an issue that we connect with. They help us understand the world around us and start asking questions as simple yet impactful as, “So, how can I help?” After the first two speakers, the departmental speaker series picked up with the Gwinn Science Lecture on April 14 from
Architect Mr. Eric Fisher ’78 speaks in the lead up to the Alumni Arts Festival
squid biologist Dr. Sarah McAnulty. Her engaging and informative lecture began a sequence of other departmental speaker series including Yale Professor Timothy Snyder, author and former Haverford English teacher Dr. Elias Rodriques, and Haverford alum and architect Mr. Eric Fischer. Once again, these speakers made us question our role in society. Professor Snyder’s lecture about the Russian-Ukrainian War was followed by an extensive questionand-answer session, in which, much like the speakers from the Cohen Clinic, he was asked, “How can we, as high school students, make a difference?” Dr. Rodriques’ stories of the free lunch line and food insecurity in his childhood, all from a man who could easily have been our teacher, connected each of us to the struggles of a life devoid of the privileges that we enjoy. Mr. Fischer’s description of his work and lifestyle brought a fresh perspective into the thought processes of the upper school student body, many of whom have begun to ponder future careers. Each speaker that Haverford brought for us shared one thing in common: they all asked us to look ahead, whether in career
considerations or calling upon us to make a change in the world. Haverford’s reintroduction of in-person speakers has had a great impact on the student body, bringing us fresh perspectives, inspiring challenging thoughts, and compelling us to consider ourselves, our futures, and the world in new ways.
Are you satisfied with the outside speakers who have given assembly talks this year? 27.5% No
72.5% Yes
Google Forms poll of 134 student respondents, Between May 14-17, 2022
INDEX STAFF
the index · off campus opinions
Page 15
May 2022
off campus opinions An attack on the republic: Roe v. Wade’s likely overturn signals danger to more than abortion Bowen Deng ’22
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n Monday, May 2, at 8:32 p.m, POLITICO released a bombshell. The agency claimed to have obtained a leaked draft opinion from the Supreme Court, showing that at least five of the nine justices had voted to overturn Roe v. Wade — a 1973 landmark case affirming the right to abortion — in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022). While this is a leak and the Court’s decision could change prior to the ruling’s official release, Roe v. Wade is likely to be overturned. Social media was in a frenzy, reacting to the leaked decision and attempting to gauge the leak’s legitimacy. Scrolling through the majority opinion, however, I had no doubts that the draft was real, and just a day later, Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed the leak’s legitimacy. While some were in shock, the decision came as no surprise to those who closely follow the Supreme Court. The Court is currently composed of six originalists (those who consider the original intent and/or understanding of the Constitution by the Founding Fathers) versus three living constitutionalists (those who consider the Constitution through the current cultural and social context). Chief Justice Roberts has been a moderate “swing vote” during his time on the bench, siding with the Court’s living constitutionalist wing more often than his originalist and textualist counterparts. Following the appointment of Justice Amy Coney Barrett, he has increasingly found himself in the minority.. Few doubted that, after Barrett’s appointment, Roe would be weakened; however, the Court’s leaked draft went further, overruling both Roe and Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992), another important precedent in relation to abortion, placing the future of reproductive rights in jeopardy. In light of recent events, this article seeks to provide context to Roe and the controversial topic of abortion. It also seeks to inform what post-Roe America could look like. While I provide my own analysis and opinions, readers are encouraged to use this
A protestor at a May 2, 2022 rally at the Supreme Court article to inspire further research and reach their own conclusion. The history teachers at Haverford are an amazing place to start; a conversation with Dr. Gurtler, Mr. Lengel, or Ms. Turlish would help in a greater understanding of abortion throughout American history. The Warren Court forged the path to Roe To truly understand Roe, one must begin two decades prior with the Warren Court. President Eisenhower appointed Earl Warren — then the Republican governor of California — as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in 1953, wanting a strong leader who would be moderate in his judicial approach. Warren certainly was the former, yet anything but the latter; his broad, living interpretation of the Constitution sought to
Do you think abortion should be (1) legal under any circumstances, (2) legal only under certain circumstances, or (3) illegal under all circumstances? (question language borrowed from The Gallup Poll)
44.4% (1)
50% 5.6%
(2)
(3)
Google Forms poll of 134 student respondents, Between May 14-17, 2022
address inequality and injustice in mid-20th century America. The Warren Court’s renown would come from its usage of the 14th Amendment’s Due Process Clause to expand the rights of American citizens. The Due Process Clause prevents states from depriving American citizens of the fundamental rights of “life, liberty, and property.” Substantive due process — the principle that allows the courts to protect unenumerated rights from government interference — would be the basis for some of the Warren Court’s rulings:Brown v. Board of Education (1954) ( segregated schools are unconstitutional), Griswold v. Connecticut (1965) (banning contraceptives is unconstitutional), and Loving v. Virginia (1967) (right to interracial marriage). Even after his retirement as Chief Justice in 1969, Warren’s living constitutional interpretation and usage of the Due Process Clause continued to impact the Supreme Court during the 70s. Roe v. Wade: Background and Ruling Prior to Roe, almost every single state banned abortion with few exceptions. Women still obtained illegal abortions with the risk of death when performed improperly. With the Civil Rights and anti-war protests of the 60s, abortion and reproductive rights became a centerpiece of second-wave feminism. New York, Hawaii, Washington D.C., Alaska, and Washington state would eventually legalize abortion in the early stages of pregnancy. Some women would travel to these states to seek safe and legal abortion; however, the vast majority simply could not afford the expenses. Roe v. Wade (like many other rulings of the prior Warren Court) applied a living interpretation of the 14th Amendment’s
MIKI JORDAN VIA FLICKR
Due Process clause, considering the social context of 1970s America in its final ruling. In a 7-2 decision, the Supreme Court nullified a Texas law that banned abortion unless it was performed to save the mother’s life; Justice Henry Blackmun, writing for the majority, stated that the Constitution guaranteed the “right of privacy … founded in the Fourteenth Amendment’s concept of personal liberty” which protected the right to an abortion. Acknowledging the need to balance personal privacy against a state’s interests in protecting potential life, the Court established the trimester framework: in the first trimester of pregnancy, the state could not regulate or prohibit abortion. In the second trimester, the state could begin regulating abortion, and in the third trimester, the state could begin prohibiting abortion unless the mother’s life was at risk. Roe’s Backlash & Inevitable Decline Taking up the case, all nine Justices on the Burger Court knew they were treading on a controversial topic; the majority opinion even acknowledged the complicated factors that formed differing opinions of abortion. In recognizing abortion as a constitutional right, however, Roe inflamed the anti-abortion movement; opposition to Roe usually stems from perceived judicial overreach, religious conflicts, or perception of when life begins. In the decades after the ruling, state legislatures passed restrictions on abortions that either circumvented Roe or disregarded it. A changing, more originalist Supreme Court rejected most abortion-related hearings, while the ones that were heard resulted in partial restrictions on Roe’s trimester framework. In 1992, Roe faced its greatest challenge
Page 16
the index · off campus opinions
May 2022
Roe v. Wade’s overturning cont. from p. 15
LEGOKTM VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Abortion protests following the leaked ruling in NYC, May 3, 2022 when Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania sued Bob Casey Sr. — then governer of Pennsylvania — after he signed a series of abortion restrictions. Ultimately, the Supreme Court partially upheld and partially overturned Roe in a 5-4 ruling in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, upholding most of Pennsylvania’s abortion restrictions while simultaneously striking down the trimester framework; the Court replaced it with a “fetal viability” standard, preventing regulation of abortion prior to 24 weeks of pregnancy. Challenges to abortion have only become more common. States have enacted 108 abortion restrictions in 2021, more than any other year since the Roe v. Wade decision. Abortion has turned into a political issue, with the majority of Democratic politicians supporting it and the majority of Republican politicians against the procedure. Alito’s Ruling Finally, we come to Dobbs v. Jackson’s Women’s Health Organization. In 2018, Mississippi banned abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy with only medical and fetal abnormality exceptions. The state’s only abor-
tion clinic sued, and the case made its way to the Supreme Court. I will not provide a full analysis of Justice Samuel Alito’s leaked majority opinion, as that would be too time-consuming. Rather, I will offer a very brief summary and a brief analysis. For those who wish to read the full ruling, you will have no trouble finding it online. “We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled. The Constitution makes no references to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision, including the Due Process Clause.” Alito repudiates Roe using originalist and historical analysis; his argument lies in the belief that Roe and Casey were judicial overreach. The issue of abortion had no basis, as the Constitution did not use the term “abortion” and the necessary standard for protection under the Due Process Clause, as laid out in Washington v Glucksberg (1997), was not met. America’s Future This ruling comes at a time when many states are heavily restricting abortion access. In fact, thirteen states (all controlled by Re-
publicans) are set to ban all forms of abortion immediately upon Roe’s official overturning, while five others have pre-Roe anti-abortion legislation that could be revived. During a time when many other countries are expanding abortion access, America will be limiting it, turning back the clock on reproductive rights for five decades. Roe is set to be officially overturned come June, and, by the end of the summer, Republican-controlled states will likely enact complete abortion bans, while Democraticcontrolled states will enshrine the right to abortion into their state laws and expand access. A fragmented nation will only become more divided, and abortion is likely to be a central issue in the 2022 midterms. Abortions, legal and illegal, will continue, and those most impacted will be poor and working class women, who have neither the time nor money to travel out of state for legal abortions. Moreover, Alito’s wording is harsh, and his strict interpretation of the 14th Amendment and insistence on a strict historical basis for unenumerated rights opens the door for many other challenges to Civil Rights related issues. While Alito explicitly differenti-
ated abortion from other potentially related issues, one could very much apply his logic to Griswold v. Connecticut, as Roe v. Wade employed similar reasoning. Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), a recent case that recognized the right to same-sex marriage, could logically be challenged, as it relies on the same living interpretation of the Due Process Clause that lead to Roe. In fact, three of the Court’s current originalists — Roberts, Thomas, and Alito himself — dissented on Obergefell, arguing that each state’s electorate should be able to decide on the issue. Why you (as men) should care about abortion rights As young, Haverford men, we may not fully understand the complex perspectives of abortion. Still, we are taught to be compassionate, critical thinkers. The benefits of legal and safe abortion do not apply to just women; the ability to terminate an unwanted or accidental pregnancy benefits both partners in a relationship, alleviating any potential costs that come with an unwanted child. Moreover, as American citizens, we should care about the rights of all, no matter their direct impact on us.
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the index · off campus opinions
May 2022
Roe v. Wade: a tale of upsetting checks and balances Colin Stewart ‘22
I
got a text from a classmate. “Check out what a little birdy just dropped on my desk,” he said. A rough draft of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022) followed. All homework plans went out the window (Sorry, Mr. Tryon, Ms. Cleffi, and Mr. Maley). I spent that evening reading the entirety of the 98-page decision while intermittently surfing the web for articles, flipping through similarly passionate yet ideologically opposite news channels, and responding to the onslaught of texts that attacked my phone. I was and still am morally split on abortion, but, as a constitutional matter, I believe the Court got it right. This article seeks to cover a few different topics. First, I will explain the opinion, particularly in relation to the cases it overturns, and what I think about it. Second, I will respond to the critiques of Justice Alito’s opinion. Finally, I will talk about the leak and its impact. A common tie that you will find in Roe v. Wade (1973), Casey v. Planned Parenthood (1992), the Dobbs’s leak, and the reaction to the leak is one of upsetting checks and balances. While abortion is an important issue, this article neither discusses abortion as a moral issue or opines on the morality of abortion. “We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled.” Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022) In no ambiguous terms, the majority made their stance clear: Roe and Casey are bad jurisprudence. Justice Alito, one of six originalists on the Court, used two general standards for his analysis. The first is quite obvious: “Is there any explicit mention of abortion in the Constitution?” The second is if the right to an abortion is protected by the Due Process Clause. This clause offers two forms of protection: substantive due process and procedural due process, the former being the one in question. The standard for substantive due process protection is as follows: the right must be “deeply rooted in the Nation’s history and tradition” and “implicit in the concept of ordered liberty.” Washington v.
Glucksberg (1997). The originalist-living constitutionalist schism is not found in the first question– there is no dispute: the Consitution does not explicitly mention abortion–or in the type of due process protection aborition is protected by. The two diverge in whether abortion meets the standard for substantive due process. Living constitutionalist ardently stand by Roe; originalists repudiate their reasoning. Roe argues that the first abortion laws emerged at the turn of the nineteenth century. In the seven-justice majority opinion, Justice Harry Blackmun follows a quasi-history, finding that, as abortion laws initially emerged, distinctions were made based on the circumstance and, that up until the few decades preceding Roe, abortion had largely been accepted under certain circumstances. Along with this, the Court used precedent under the 1st, 4th, 5th, 9th, and 14th Amendments to argue that there is an inherent right to privacy in the Constitution, though not explicit, which is “broad enough to encompass a woman’s decision whether or not to terminate her pregnancy.” Roe v. Wade (1973) So, Roe created a trimester-based viability framework that balances a woman’s right to privacy and the states’ interest in protecting “potential life” to substantiate the “ordered liberty” requirement. Thus, while Roe does not give absolute abortion rights, it argues that the right to abortion is both enshrined in history and tradition and necessary to ordered liberty. While Casey overturned the trimester framework and replaced the strict scrutiny standard of review established in Roe, it upheld Roe’s central holding: that aborition is protected by the Due Process Clause. Originalists take issue with both conclusions reached in Roe. Justice Alito argues that not only is neither standard met in Roe but that the 1973 case is lax in its jurisprudence: “Roe was ‘not constitutional law’ at all and gave almost no sense of an obligation to try to be,” and “its messages seemed to be that the abortion right could be found somewhere in the Constitution and that specifying its exact location was not of paramount importance.” Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s
STEVE PETTEWAY VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Official 2007 portrait of U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Alito
Health Organization (2022) [original emphasis] First, he traces back the history of statues outlawing abortions to the 13th century, half a millennium before Roe first finds it. The majority opinion then follows the more accurate of the histories: while abortions before the first sign of life were never explicitly illegal, some abortions laws included limited exceptions, and few states either allowed or had no legislation governing abortion, American historyand tradition is aggressively anti-abortion. In fact, at the time of Roe’s deciding, 30 states explicitly outlawed abortion at all stages, no state constitutional provision or federal court had recognized any constitutional protection for abortion, and, up until 1968– only five years before Roe–there was no written assertion that the Court could find that argued abortion is a protected right. As far as the ordered liberty standard for the substantive due process protection, Justice Alito argues that Casey–which, for these purposes, can be treated as merely an extension of Roe–violates the checks and balances relationship between the states and federal government. Casey’s argument that the right to abortion satisfies the ordered liberty requirement–the concept that personal liberty and state’s interests must be balanced–is as follows: “At the heart of liberty is the right to define one’s own concept of existence, of meaning, of the universe, and of the mystery of human life.” Casey v. Planned Parenthood (1992)
The American Constitution is inherently constructed to to evolve with the times but rather to enshrine permanently the values upon which the country was founded. Justice Alito then points out Casey’s inherent flaw: not only are individuals not allowed to act absolutely on their concept of existence, meaning, and so on but the fact that each person’s concept of these ideas varies so wildly lends the question of abortion to a legislative body, not a court. I agree wholeheartedly with Justice Alito’s reasoning. Roe and Casey are, perhaps, the most prominent examples of judicial activism. The justices, under the veil of living constitutionalism, decided based on personal policy preferences, providing a quasi-history and self-defeating concept of ordered liberty to substantiate their decision. Roe and Casey embody the larger criticism of living constitutionalism. The American Constitution is inherently constructed not to evolve with the times but rather to enshrine permanently the values upon which the country was founded. Thus, the Constitution created a process designed to provide that necessary societal progression: the legislative branch that can make laws and amend the Constitution. Originalists argue that it is the legislative body’s responsibility to account for the current social and cultural contexts, not the judiciary’s. By overturning Roe, and therefore Casey, the Court is not taking a policy stance as it did in Roe and Casey—which was a policy decision determining when a state’s interests begin to take priority over a woman’s. What the Court did do was return each
state’s right to decide its laws considering the social and cultural context within each state. By nature, it is ironic that the largest criticism of the draft opinion has been that it is undemocratic or authoritarian. In fact, by its very nature, the Court has taken power out of the hands of the few, nine justices, and returned it to the roughly 245 million Americans of age to vote. As follows is a similar critique: the Court did not represent the wider public opinion in its decision. Those who say this fail to understand that the Court is meant to be insulated from public opinion, a point that will be further developed later in this article. It would be awfully disastrous if the scholarly task of interpreting the Constitution was put into the hands of the people, the vast majority of which have never read the Constitution in whole. There is a reason the public elects representatives in the form of legislators and executors and does not elect the federal judiciary. In fact, it is obvious in checks and balances system that the opinion of Americans should play no role in the federal judiciary’s decisions. Finally, and I do not understand how this concept is a difficult one, the very desire for something to be a right is not in and of itself a reason for its constitutionality. As much as one might want universal healthcare, universal housing, and, yes, abortion to be gaurenteed rights under the Constitution, they are not unless Congress and the President amend it. While some critiques rely on forcing an electoral mindset onto the judiciary, others have operated within the legal world to criticize Justice Alito’s scathing repudiation. The first is stare decisis: a legal principle that asserts that cases should be decided according to precedent in most circumstances. If stare decisis were to be adhered to in the absolute like many are calling for, we must also say goodbye to Brown v. Board of Education (1954) or Skinner v. Oklahoma (1942) to name a few, the former outlawing segregation and the latter outlawing forced sterilization as a punitive measure. In fact, Justice Alito in a footnote gives twenty-five different examples of the Court overturning past precedent like Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857), and Koramatsu v. United States (1944), and replacing it with a new interpretation. The fact that many a progressive is arguing for strictly adhering to the past as opposed to constant change aimed at perfecting the statute book is, to me, crazy. Others have looked to Justice Alito’s elicitation of 13th century treatises as a reason why the Court is broken; “just another conservative originalist trying to drag America back to the past” some might say. Not only is this opinion uninformed but, quite frankly, hilarious. The standard for substantive due process protection requires that the Court look for a “deeply rooted … history and tradition.” Washington v. Glucksberg (1997) This means that not only is it necessary to prove this history and tradition to overturn Roe but it was necessary when Roe was decided. In other words, Roe looked back to the past even farther than Justice Alito did. All the way back to Ancient Persia. Lastly, some have stated that this decision, if it ultimately comes to fruition, would put other Due Process Clause cases at risk of overturning as Dobbs would provide a basis upon which to do it. This critique is con’t on p. 18
Page 18 one explicitly mentioned by Justice Alito: “The abortion right is also critically different from any other right that this Court has held to fall within the Fourteenth Amendment’s protection of ‘liberty’,” and “Roe’s defenders characterize the aborition right as similar to rights recognized in past decisions involving matters such as intimate sexual relations, contraception, and marriage, but abortion is fundamentally different.” For example, Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) and Loving v. Virginia (1967), both cases that protect marital rights under the Due Process Clause–the former same sex and the latter interracial–have wildly different analyses of their “deeply rooted” history and tradition than that of an abortion case. To say that by overturning Roe and Casey puts all Due Process Clauses cases at risk for overturning is to ignore the many considerations that go into deciding whether the standard for substantive due process protection is met. Many of these criticizers would also support the nationwide protests against the Dobbs decision. These protests not only upset the checks and balances and are, in some cases, illegal, but were likely the intended result of the leaker. There are two possibilities that I see for the leak, both of which intentionally upset the checks and balances and intend to illicit illegal protests. I know “illegal protests” is a controversail statement (to understate it) but stick with me. The first possibility is a liberal leak. Their intention would be to leverage public opinion against the justices to get them to switch their vote and rile the Democrat voter base to counteract the slaughter that many pollsters on both sides of political spectrum have predicted for the 2022 midterms. The second is a conservative leak. Their intention would be to solidify the current vote, knowing that if any change in the tally were to happen it would be attrib-
the index · off-campus opinions uted to the public pressure put on justices, therefore calling the legitimacy of the decision into question. It does not matter for these purposes what aisle of the political specturm the leak is on; both would have leaked the document to elicit public outcry from the pro-choice sect. The public outcry that unavoidably came was ruthless, and continues to be. Nationwide, protests have erupted locally and nationally. These are the problem but they are not the problem. While these protests should not be happening in the first place, they lack a personal connection; they are people the justices do not know protesting hundreds if not thousands of miles from D.C.. The protests that I take problem with are the ones outside the homes of the originalist justices, namely Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito. By going to the house of the justices, the protesters introduce a level of threat that is very real for the justices, especially when many of their houses now have round-the-clock police barricades. Considering the new level of threat introduced, 18 U.S. Code § 1503 (a)(3)- “Influencing or injuring officer or juror generally” also takes issues with these protesters actions: “Whoever corruptly, or by threats or force … endeavors to influence, intimidate, … any … officer in or of any court of the United States … in the discharge of his duty … shall be punished [with] … imprisonment not more than 10 years.” It is hardly a stretch to say that protesters separated from the justices’ houses by armed police officers do not pose some sort of threat and do not in any way seek to influence or intimidate their decisions. Come June, who knows. This article could all be for nought. I could be writing an article that argues for the dissenting opinion in Dobbs. I guess we will have to wait. But the true takeaway from this arti-
May 2022
LORIE SHAULL VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
“This body in not a political battlefield” sign at a Stop Abortion Bans Rally in St. Paul, Minnesota, May 21, 2019 cle is not substantive due process of 13th in the political and legal context through century treatises; it is the broader context which they view issues. Rather than frusthrough which one must start considering trating over a decision they do not like, one legal and political issues: checks and bal- might realize their place within the broader ances. When one looks to the checks and structure; one might realize the proper and balances created by the Constitution–the improper ways of obtaining governmental constitutional interpretation based on change; one might discover a path to being checks and balances is structuralism–they not only a better citizen but a better thinker will, hopefully, find a sense of clarity with- and, thus, a better human being.
Biden’s collapse with young voters signifies something bigger Charlie Keidel ’24
A
pproaching the midterm elections in November, President Joe Biden faces a big problem. He is losing the support of younger voters, a group that turned out huge for him and his party in the 2020 Presidential Election. Entering the Oval Office, Biden’s approval rating among young Americans was at 60%. A year and a half later, that support has dwindled: only 38% of young Americans stated that they approve of the job that he is doing. To put this in perspective, only about 18% of young Americans describe themselves as Republicans; young voters are overwhelmingly progressive. This led to the Democratic Party’s recent shift left, with the likes of Senators Cory Booker, Dick Durbin and many others shifting leftwards to attempt to accommodate for this large voting base the Democratic party desperately wants to hold onto. Consequently, President Biden’s declining support among younger voters will have consequences in nationwide elections as a whole. Young voters have to be compelled to vote. In 2020, the storm of racial injustice, the pandemic, and a general disapproval of President Trump created enough unrest to drive young voters out to vote, and they did in a big way, with President Joe Biden win-
ning the most votes of any presidential candidate ever. Now that President Biden is in office, young voters feel like he isn’t living up to his lofty, progressive campaign promises that drove them out to vote in the first place. This isn’t to say the President hasn’t done anything: he’s passed bipartisan infrastructure and COVID relief bills, committed to combating climate change, and pulled all U.S. troops out of Afghanistan. Young voters to the left of President Biden lack pragmatism, as many fail to recognize that not only is it a struggle to pass progressive legislation, but not every state is a liberal paradise. A lot of Democratic Senators in swing states and even red states such as West Virginia’s Joe Manchin, Arizona’s Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly, and Montana’s Jon Tester can’t support the same progressive policies that Massachusetts’ Elizabeth Warren and Vermont’s Bernie Sanders can. The former have to worry about upcoming electoral challenges, and not falling out of favor in their more conservative states. The two groups are operating on a completely different playing field. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Pramila Jayapal, and Jerry Nadler don’t have to worry about how progressive and intolerable to the greater American populace the policies they put forward are because they are guaranteed to retain their seats. Therefore, they set an
unrealistic and unreachable standard of politically progressive purity that Democratic politicians like Joe Biden, cannot uphold. This is not to blame Ocasio-Cortez, Jayapal, and Nadler though. Young voters must recognize that what their local progressive representatives advocate for is a lot of the time not politically feasible at the national level. This doesn’t mean
that change cannot be instituted, just that compromise is a fundamental part of the American government and frustration that Joe Biden can’t just ram through progressive legislation is quite unfounded. Change is important, and young voters must be forward thinking in their approach every time Election Day rolls around.
THE WHITE HOUSE VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
President Joe Biden speaks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on March 30, 2022
the index · arts
Page 19
May 2022
arts
The Notables sing, with organist Rudy Lucente, a peer of Mr. Stairs’, sitting center stage
JOEY KAUFFMAN ’23
Michael Stairs Memorial Concert breaks precedent Joey Kauffman ’23
T
he Michael Stairs Memorial Concert, an endowed series of musical performances and lectures aiming to commemorate and honor 25-year faculty member Mr. Stairs, took on a different form this year. Rather than have a musician lead a “master class,” the performance was more closely centered around remembering and celebrating Mr. Stairs, a mentor to many at Haverford and a world-class musician who passed away in 2018. Damian Ferraro ’22, Mr. Stairs’ godson, organized the concert because of a close bond he had with Mr. Stairs, as he welcomed Ferraro’s family into his home for the first nine years of Ferraro’s life. “Ever since he passed away, I kind of knew in the back of my mind that before I graduated high school at Haverford I needed to do something for him,” Ferraro said. The Michael Stairs Concert series was established shortly before Mr. Stairs passed away. A group of alumni and parents had wanted to create a concert series in Mr. Stairs’ name. After three rounds of fundraising, they hit the threshold necessary to establish the concert series months before Mr. Stairs passed. “[The fund for the concert] got up and over $100,000, and it established this endowed fund that generates a few thousand dollars a year, if not several thousands of dollars a year, to hold an annual concert,” Director of Development Jeff Day said. The push to raise money was led by
a diverse group of people who knew Mr. Stairs, including Dr. Andrew Helber ’12, a former Notable who went on to study music at Princeton University. “There were dozens of people who ended up donating different amounts to endow, including alumni, parents of alumni, and even people who weren’t even related to Haverford,” Dr. Helber said. Mr. Stairs developed bonds with students that would continue throughout college and beyond. Dr. Helber even said that Mr. Stairs would visit him as an undergraduate at Princeton around five times a year, given that Mr. Stairs’ alma mater, Westminster Choir College, is also located in Princeton, New Jersey. “Michael inspired countless boys during his years of service with his humility, natural joy and sense of humor, and his love for musical expression. He was a dear friend to all of us, and he instilled a lifetime of appreciation for music in generations of Haverford graduates. His legacy will live on,” Kevin Madden ’98 wrote in an email. When the concert series was established, Mr. Stairs was alive to see the impact he had on the Haverford community. “[Mr. Stairs] said it was one of his proudest moments of his career receiving a call from Dr. Nagl to be told this news [of the concert series],” Dr. Helber wrote in an email. David Kim, the concertmaster of The Philadelphia Orchestra, performed at the
The Orchestra performs on May 5, 2022
JOEY KAUFFMAN’23
first Memorial Concert in 2019. The pandemic interrupted the annual series, with a virtual performance in 2021 by Broadway singer Brandon Michael Nase. This year’s concert was both a return to an in-person, largely unmasked performance and a departure from past performances. The traditional programming of a masterclass led by a musician like David Kim was made harder to accomplish because of the pandemic. “This year, Mr. [Darren] Hengst had actually gone out to one or two potentials [performers for the concert], but they couldn’t set a date. And then COVID was still a thing for some performers,” Mr. Day said. Concurrently, Ferraro had been planning for over a year and a half to host a performance in honor of Mr. Stairs. Ferraro enjoyed the Stairs Memorial Concerts of the past, but he wanted to create a performance that informed the audience more about who Mr. Stairs was. “I think David Kim’s performance was awesome. I thought it was great. But I think the one thing that was missing from the assembly… but no one actually knew who Michael was; nobody saw a photo of him or a video of him talking, and they didn’t actually feel like they related to him because they didn’t get to see his face,” Ferraro said. Mr. Hengst, The Grace and Mahlon Buck Chair in Performing Arts, and Mr. Day agreed that Ferraro’s concert with the Notables, the Church of the Redeemer Choir, and the Haverford Orchestra should be the official Memorial Concert. “So we were like, ‘This is a win-win,’” Mr. Day said. “It was a success. It was great. For all the right reasons, that was the right thing for it to be, the Michael Stairs Memorial Concert in 2022. Going forward, next year, I think we’re planning and hoping and preparing for and really, for all intents and purposes, we’re going to do our regular programming. Next year, there’ll be another performer.” While Ferraro’s concert was only recognized as the official Michael Stairs Memorial Concert weeks before the performance, Ferraro had started organizing for the concert nearly a year and a half prior. Ferraro worked with Ms. Loos, Mr. Hightower, Mr. Hengst, and Ms. Latimer to sort out the details of the concert. Ferraro wanted the proceeds from the concert to support a non-profit. “Kids that are really involved and parents that love this idea and love the fact that their kids are getting master classes can donate to an organization to make sure that
kids in underserved areas in Philadelphia and areas that don’t have the same proper musical resources get those materials,” Ferraro said. Play on Philly, the original non-profit for the event, pulled out around a month before the show. However, the over $300 that was raised from the show ended up going to the non-profit Musicopia, which has longlasting ties to Haverford and aims to provide children with music resources. In all, the concert was a celebration of all aspects of Mr. Stairs, with the Notables performing songs arranged by Mr. Stairs and multiple speakers who knew Mr. Stairs giving remarks.
“We just thought it would be fitting to go up there and sing a few songs that were arranged by him, just because I feel like his legacy is so musical, and it was about bringing people together through music.” CALEB CAVAZOS ’22 “We just thought it would be fitting to go up there and sing a few songs that were arranged by him, just because I feel like his legacy is so musical, and it was about bringing people together through music, so it seemed like the best way to remember him would be to bring his music back to life,” Caleb Cavazos, a close friend of Ferraro’s, a Notable, and a viola player in the Haverford Orchestra, said. Mr. Mark Hightower, who assumed the position as Director of the Notables after Mr. Stairs, was happy about the concert’s results. “I just thought that [all of the speakers] had their own unique perspective. And whether it was a little funnier or a little more serious or more emotional, it really all came together as a beautiful tapestry. And I thought the music was well done and really supported Michael Stairs’s legacy in that capacity,” Mr. Hightower said. “I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag, so there are certainly some really exciting guest musicians that we are hoping to invite [for next year’s concert].”
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the index · arts
May 2022
Three Notables receive honors at Tri-County Youth Festival Kevin Li ’25
M
embers of the Notables dominated the voice category of the Tri-County Youth Festival, a prestigious competition for high school-aged musicians in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Participants compete in various categories such as piano, ensemble, strings, and winds. The Notables had the most success in senior voice during the April auditioning period. Fifth Formers Roch Parayre and Harvey Pennington and Sixth Former Charles Witmer were among those recognized. “I thought that it was really cool, you know, that we had three [members] in the top three,” said Pennington, who received an honorable mention for senior voice.
to music in their childhood and have been singing ever since. Parayre was entranced by music from a very young age: “I wanted to play [piano] ever since I was three. I think my mom put me in lessons when I was five,” Parayre said, who placed first in the competition. It is no surprise the three Notables all
found success. Whether they are honing their vocal skills on their own, singing with the Notables, or working with their private singing coaches, these three spend a large chunk of time singing. “I sing several times a week with the Notables at concerts and at practices. I take weekly voice lessons, and I sort of sing at
home frequently,” Parayre said. Besides all having a great voice, they all participated in this competition for one common reason. “I found out about it from my voice teacher, [and] she thought it would be a good thing for me to try out,” Pennington said.
“I wanted to play [piano] ever since I was three.” ROCH PARAYRE ’23 The singers’ success at the Tri-County Youth Festival speaks for itself. Parayre, Pennington, and Witmer were among many other participants judged by professional judges. They competed for monetary awards and a possible chance to participate in the live winners’ recital, taking place June 4 at West Chester University. All three Notables placed in the top three in the senior voice category, an impressive achievement. “It was pretty cool to see, considering that we’re going up against males and females,” Pennington said. Females typically develop their voices a lot earlier than boys, making the Fords’ success even more impressive. Most of them had their first exposure
The Notables perform at the Michael Stiars Memorial Concert on May 5, 2022
JOEY KAUFFMAN ’23
Betsy & Irv challenges tropes with athlete’s positive example Connor Simpkins ’25
I
t is not often that we hear stories of male athletes doing the right thing. The media relishes telling stories of an athlete’s downfall. From Lance Armstrong to Aaron Hernandez to Henry Ruggs, tales of athletes making poor choices make up common news stories. But Betsy & Irv, a new documentary short film released by ESPN in April, presents a different story and shows what can happen when an athlete uses his status and power for good. Betsy & Irv tells the story of Betsy Sailor, who, in 1978, was a 21-year-old senior at Penn State. Sailor was sexually assaulted by a
A promo for the film, “Betsy & Irv”
member of the Penn State football team. The film describes the violent assault and how it impacted Sailor, going into detail about her perpetrator’s arrest and the ensuing trial. But the assault at the hands of a Penn State football player is not the film’s central narrative. The story is about another player on the team: Irv Pankey. Pankey was sitting in the courtroom along with several other Penn State Football team members the day Sailor testified about her rape. Pankey and the other team members were there to support their teammate, the accused rapist Todd Hodne. But
something shifted for Pankey as he listened to Sailor testify. “She was bold enough to stand and get up there and speak on her behalf at a time where, on any college campus, women weren’t reporting rapes,” Pankey says in Betsy & Irv. Pankey decided he had to do something to help Sailor. A few days after she testified, he walked over to her dorm room, knocked on her door, and when she opened it, he held out his hand. He said, “My name is Irv Pankey, and I just wanted to let you know that I was in the courtroom and I listened to what you had to say, and I believe every word you
COURTESY OF ESPN+
said.” The film describes what unfolded after that encounter. Pankey did more than tell Sailor that he believed her—he also made sure that, for the rest of her time at Penn State, he was by her side. He invited her to parties, included her in football events, and made sure that she knew what happened to her was not a “football thing. It was a Todd thing.” Pankey said, “She would have been a pariah. She got a Penn State football player in trouble. I had to go get her. I don’t know why…I just knew she needed someone to say she would be ok.” Sailor describes her amazement at Pankey’s kindness. His protection “gave me a bit of freedom that I wouldn’t have had otherwise.” Instead of being vilified for naming a Penn State football player, Pankey made sure Sailor was shown respect by the other players on the team. Todd Hodne was eventually found guilty of raping Betsy Sailor. Between the time of his conviction and the start of his jail sentence, he assaulted six more women. He spent the remainder of his life in prison. Betsy graduated from Penn State and moved on with her life. Irv Pankey was the 50th pick in the 1980 NFL draft. He played 13 seasons in the league, eleven with the Los Angeles Rams, and two with the Indianapolis Colts. A short 15 minutes in length, Betsy & Irv shows the very best of what an athlete can be; it shows how a star athlete can use his power and privilege to change someone’s life for the better.
the index · sports
Page 21
May 2022
sports Baseball focuses on the road ahead Austin Zhuang ’22
A
s a tough season comes to a close, the baseball team has its sights on a solid performance in the com-
ing weeks. Players have pushed through countless injuries and illnesses, with starters and backups out for large parts of the year. The spaces in the roster left the team in a tough spot to win close games. “As a team, it’s been very up and down,” Sixth Form Captain Ryan Reed said. “We’ve had to fight through a lot of exterior stuff and had to just roll with the punches. A lot
of guys had to play positions they didn’t think that they would have to.” Despite the challenges that left the team depleted, coaches see the adversity as positive. “Things can be a distraction: scoreboard can be a distraction, fans can be a distraction,” Pitching Coach Mike Palombo said. “That stuff can be a distraction from being the best version of yourself, and that’s what we ask, ultimately, every day.” The experience received from tough losses also benefits the team as a whole.
“We actually have seven guys playing who have not had Inter-Ac experience before, so the extreme positive this year is that we return almost everybody, and they’re gaining invaluable experience,” Coach Palombo said. “They might be losing the close games right now, but now they know going into next year, well, here’s what I got to do to win those games.” While next year is promising for the team, players want to see success in the last games of the year. After a close game against Episcopal Academy finally going their way, they
hope to maintain their performance for the state championship tournament. “We’re trying to win all the games,” Fifth Former Jaiden Shuchman said. “We’re no longer playing for the best team in the conference, but … we’re trying to do our best and end the season on a high note so we can go into the PAISAA [Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association] tournament with some momentum.” Besides focusing on the season ahead, the team has also supported the Mike Tallarida Scholarship Fund, made in honor of the father of Michael Tallarida ’21.
“All of our families have been involved in setting up the day [honoring Mike], making donations.” COACH PALOMBO
Mark Quatrani ’23 hits the ball in a game against the Hill School, May 11, 2022
MR. JIM ROESE
“All of our families have been involved in setting up the day [honoring Mike], making donations,” Coach Palombo said. “Everyone here, all the seniors, I know their parents work hard at making sure it’s gonna be a really nice day and, obviously, getting as many people out as possible.” With another good win behind them and so much to look forward to, the players and coaches are ready to keep climbing. “The one thing that I think everyone here has taken away, and the credit I really give to the players, is that they’ve taken a lot of hits off the chin, and they’ve learned that in life that’s how it goes, you’re gonna get hit in the chin a lot,” Coach Palombo said. “And they’ve sprung back up, and they’re just ready for the next challenge.”
Pole vautlers, cont. from the front page the air over a target. That’s really fun, really awesome, and also dangerous.” Gates has also enjoyed seeing the new additions to the team. “This year we have an influx of seniors who have some natural talent,” Gates said. “Last year we didn’t have as big of a team, so it’s really nice to be able to be working with more people. The team is growing, and it’s really nice to see.” One of the new Sixth Formers is John Zhang, who enjoys the sport, largely because of the team’s culture. “It’s been a fun experience,” Zhang said. “It’s a really friendly team, and that’s what makes it so enjoyable. A lot of people on the team improved this year, and that’s always something that’s good to see.” Zhang also feels that the supportive culture extends to other schools. “My favorite part of pole vault is the meets, going out and competing against pole vaulters from all around the greater Philadelphia area,” Zhang said. “I think it’s such a friendly community and such a supportive community. Although there’s competition, everyone’s always looking out for each other.” The sport is all about pushing the limits individually, and the Fords look to continue doing just that. “It’s more against yourself than it is against other people,” Bond said. “It’s about how good you can become and how far you can push yourself.”
James Gates ’24 bringing his poles to practice
PIERCE LAVERAN ’24
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May 2022
Lacrosse reflects and prepares for Inter-Ac tournament Ethan Chan ’23
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ith the final stretch of the season approaching, the Fords’ lacrosse team is preparing for the Inter-Ac tournament. After a series of impressive performances this season, the Fords gained valuable experience against other top-ranked teams. “The season started with our non-league games, the majority of which were against top-25 teams in the nation,” Sixth Former Sam Gerber said. “Coach Dawson schedules these games to prepare us for the competitive Inter-Ac schedule later in the spring. Our goal is to play our best lacrosse in May, and we feel that we are beginning to do so.” Similarly, pressure is nothing new for them. Their unique way of facing it helps contribute to the continued success of the team. “Coach Dawson has preached the mentality of ‘no big games’ all year. This means treating every game the same no matter the opponent. We will continue to have this mindset heading into our final games of the season,” Gerber said. Gerber wants to aid the team in its endeavors. “My personal goal was to do everything I can to put our team in a position to reach its goals. I want to make sure we walk off the field of our final game knowing we left everything on the turf,” Gerber said. While Fords’ lacrosse has proven itself time and time again as a formidable program, the team identity is something that changes. “With every new season comes a new team with its own identity,” Gerber said. “At the beginning of the spring, we consistently sent the message to our team that we needed to find our identity and that it wouldn’t necessarily be the same as previous teams. I can confidently say that we did find our own identity, which is a team that does all the aspects of lacrosse that don’t require skill very
PIERCE LAVERAN ’24
Teddy Malone ’22 looks to find a gap in EA’s defense in a 14-8 win, May 13, 2022 well: getting ground balls, riding the ball back, and giving our best effort in practice and in games.”
“One thing that’s great about Haverford School lacrosse is that we expect everyone to contribute, including underclassmen” SAM GERBER ’22
Another facet of Haverford’s achievements is the sense of unity that the team shares. “One thing that’s great about Haverford School lacrosse is that we expect everyone to contribute, including underclassmen. Whether you are scoring goals, running scout team, or getting excited for your teammates, everyone in our program plays a role in our team’s success. This has a ripple effect and is one of the reasons Haverford lacrosse has such a strong history; when the younger guys become leaders of the team they will expect the same from their peers and their underclassmen,” Gerber said. This transition of leadership is inevitable but the next generation of leaders are
prepared. “When it comes to a passing-of-thetorch moment, I don’t really see one other than after our last game of the season. The seniors, certainly the captains, have led this team all season and everyone on the team looks up to them,” Fifth Former Wills Burt said. “The juniors know that this is their time to listen and learn and do everything in their power to come out victorious at the end of the season. When it comes to the point where it is time to pass the torch to us, we will be ready because of everything we have learned from the seniors. Our goal is to win the championship at the end of May. I couldn’t think of a better group to lead us to this goal which hasn’t been accomplished since 2017.”
“As leaders, our goal is always to leave this program better than we found it and we are still working to do so as we head into the final stretch of this season.” SAM GERBER ’22
Wills Burt ’23 switches the field in the May 13 win over EA
PIERCE LAVERAN ’24
For senior leaders such as Gerber, these last games are bittersweet. Nonetheless, they continue to reflect on their tenure on the team and improve. “I’m very proud of how this team has overcome adversity throughout the season,” Gerber said. “We’ve had tough losses and games we wish we could have back, but it’s the way that these guys responded to adversity that [I] and the rest of the seniors are proud of. As leaders, our goal is always to leave this program better than we found it, and we are still working to do so as we head into the final stretch of this season.” The culmination of the team’s hard work has brought them far through thick and thin this season. Despite challenges, forming a new identity, and other factors, one thing remains the same for Fords’ lacrosse. “Our team goals remain the same every year: compete at the national level and most importantly win an Inter-Ac championship,” Gerber said. “We have put ourselves in a position to do the latter and now we just have to go out and execute.”
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May 2022
Ultimate Frisbee celebrates brotherhood, team spirit Christopher Schwarting ’24
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ucked away in Eagle Field with discs sailing through the air, the ultimate frisbee team has been making great strides through the spring. Despite a novice-dominated roster and skilled opponents, camaraderie and fun complement a team that rose to challenges and developed foundational skills. This year’s ultimate team is different from last year’s. “Last year was a very senior-dominated team. We had a bunch of seniors, some juniors, and some sophomores and freshmen,” Fifth Former Kiran Mistry said. “This year, we have a much bigger breadth. We don’t have many seniors, but a lot of sophomores, and a good number of juniors and freshmen.” Mistry, alongside Fifth Former Matthew Franz, is co-captain of the ultimate frisbee squad this year. Because of the large pool of new players, this year has been about introducing the game and developing skills. “This has been a building year,” Mistry said. “We are basically getting everyone out of being able to throw, being able to catch, and being able to play on the field.” Coaches Dr. Andrew Fenton, Mr. Samuel Walters, and Teacher Louie Brown have observed the team rising to the challenge. “We only have three or four guys returning back to our squad, so we only have three experienced players,” Coach Fenton said. “That being said, the team has been learning a lot, they are very athletic, and they have learned a huge amount. I have seen and
remarked on how much improvement they have shown.” Because much of the team is new to the sport, games have posed some challenges. “There are still a lot of things to learn,” Mistry said. “We are 1-3.” The regular season is by a Cities Tournament with schools around the region. What can also pose a challenge to developing frisbee skills is that there are simply not many frisbee tournaments and game opportunities. For the division the ultimate frisbee team plays, COVID has ravaged potential opponents’ programs. “Some of those teams have just disappeared—the teams that we have historically played against. I am hoping that they will come back, [and] I am hoping that they will be able to find a place either in that division or in another game,” Coach Fenton said. “We can hopefully build a culture of ultimate like some of these other sports [at Haverford].” However, despite this year’s lighter schedule and game struggles, the team’s brotherhood has held true.
“They play with heart and they play with love... just out there having fun.” DR. ANDREW FENTON
COURTESY OF PRANAV DIXIT ’22
The ultimate frisbee team after competing in the City Championships on May 14, 2022 “One of the things I love about this them. It’s about wanting everyone to have team this year is that they have a huge fun,” he said. amount of heart. They play with heart and And for Coach Brown, this fun, mututhey play with love. And I want to see that,” ally respectful culture has been the backbone Coach Fenton remarked. “It’s a team that is of the team’s positivity and progress this year. just out there having fun.” “I think playing sports and the sports Mistry agrees. He believes it’s in the cul- culture can be very contentious and overture of ultimate teams, both at and outside focused on winning, which is important,” of Haverford. Coach Brown said, “but it made me really, “The biggest part about [ultimate] fris- really proud just to see the team being really bee that is different from other sports is that wholesome and working really hard for each it’s [not only] a team sport, but it becomes other for the love of the game. That was the a collective sport. You want to see the other highlight for me so far.” team do well. You do not want to humiliate
Blazers on, crew team rolls forward Ethan Lee ’24
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uring the fall and spring months, Sixth Formers sporting colorful maroon and gold jackets can be spotted in the hallways of Wilson Hall. These blazers are the property of the crew team and are deemed the Henley Regatta Blazers.
“I hope that there is some sort of pride in wearing the blazers and that it helps our team members stand out,” Stephanik said. This attitude towards the blazer is echoed by members of the varsity boats. “Personally, wearing the blazer is special because we’re continuing a tradition that’s been around long before our year and will be around long after we graduate,” Sixth Former and varsity quad member Wells Benson said. Sixth Former Wyatt Johnson, also a member of the varsity quad, echoed this sentiment.
“The more the jackets stands out, the more you will be remembered over there.” JAIDEN SHUCHMAN ’23 “The blazers all revolve around the Henley Royal Regatta in England,” head crew coach Jonathan Stephanik said. “Each team that goes has almost a branding. Each jacket is a little bit different. The more the jacket stands out and is different, the more you will be remembered over there.” The Henley Royal Regatta is one of the largest races in the world. Held on the River Thames, it takes place over five days annually and sees thousands of spectators and both school and professional rowers. The Regatta is also part of something known as the English social season, a tradition that evolved in England during the early eighteenth century. The English social season is a posh couple of months in the spring and summer where people hold events like races and dinner parties. A strict dress code is enforced at many of these events, and The Henley Royal Regatta is no exception. “There are grounds at the Regatta where you need to make sure that you are dressed appropriately,” Coach Stepanik said. “You can’t wear tennis shoes. You have to be wearing a coat and tie with dress shoes and slacks. “There is one rule about it: if you are
“I take tremendous pride in wearing the Henly blazer. It’s a unique tradition to be a part of.” WYATT JOHNSON ’22
A Fords Four competes against EA on May 14, 2022 wearing the blazer, you cannot wear shorts,” Stephanik stated. The blazer uses the traditional Haverford colors, maroon and vegas gold, along with a modified athletics logo. “It has a custom rowing logo for the Henley specifically just to differentiate things,” Coach Stephanik said. “The lining is also custom with our oars. There are the original oars from the 50s with a single blade, and the more recent blades with the hatchet shape and the H on it.” The blazer was first designed in 2017, as this was the first year that Haverford re-
COURTESY OF @EA1785_ROWING ON TWITTER
turned to the regatta in over 20 years. “The goal is to go back to England every three-to-five years,” Coach Stephanik said. “We were supposed to go last year but the pandemic ruined our plans.” In the fall season, Sixth Form rowers had the privilege to wear the blazers, and in the spring season, the two varsity boats—the varsity quad and the varsity four—get to wear the blazers. “Instead of guys getting to buy and keep the blazer, we went with the English tradition where the boats would pass down the blazer year to year,” Coach Stephanik said.
“I take tremendous pride in wearing the Henley blazer,” Johnson said. “It’s a unique tradition to be a part of.” Although the season is coming to a close, there are still a few major races left for the crew team. The Stotesbury Cup Regatta, the rescheduled City Championships, and, for the boats that qualify, Nationals are near. “It has been a fun season so far and we look to continue our success in the most important races of the season through the end of Spring,” Johnson said. “I’m really looking forward to these upcoming races because it’s everything we’ve worked for the past four years of rowing,” Benson said. “It’s our chance to leave a lasting impact on the team and really become champions.”
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May 2022
Tennis bids farewell to Coach Fink, earns another Inter-Ac title ian rosenzweig ’25
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his season, Haverford Varsity Tennis secured its twelfth consecutive Inter-Ac title. The team closed out its Inter-Ac season with a high-stakes match against Germantown Academy, a team with whom Haverford tennis has consistently battled. Challenging moments like these manifest in all areas of team tennis. Fifth Former Jay Crowther, the team’s top player, says that these pressure moments are what the team prepares for most. “We train hard and focus on physical conditioning a lot, and Coach [Antonio] Fink ensures that the fundamental facets of our games are ready for the big pressure moments, but [...] where we stand alone and truly excel above all others is in the unparalleled team spirit we have,” Crowther said. To get through these tough matches, Crowther relies on his teammates and the positive dynamic that the team has developed this season. “The adrenaline from my teammates losing their voices for me in hopes [that] I can clinch a [deciding match tie-break] is a truly unmatched feeling,” Crowther said. Sixth Former co-captain Damian Ferraro agrees that the camaraderie among the whole team is a major factor in their success. “The chemistry for the team [this year] is unparalleled to any other team we’ve had,” Ferrao said. “We’ve had some very late matches, but nobody ever leaves [...] when everyone’s surrounding you, it’s this amazing mentality and environment where it feels like everyone’s supporting you, [...] that’s what makes this team so successful. Everyone’s willing to reach out [to] each other.” Ferraro’s comment on the mentality that team support brings speaks to a major part of success in tennis: grit, mental toughness, and positivity. As a sport that is both physically and mentally demanding, tennis requires training in both disciplines. Not only does a player’s body need to be prepared to endure matches that can last over two hours, but his mind needs to remain calm, focused, and positive. While Crowther commented on Coach Fink’s ensuring that his players’ technique is sound and ready for pressure moments, Ferraro says that Coach Fink supports the team’s mental game as well.
ETHAN CHAN ‘23 CCOMMUNCATIONS
Jay Crowther ’23 in the heat of a match
“I was in a match and Mr. Fink said to me, ‘It looks like you’re playing really tight. Just let it rip. Trust your shot.’ Immediately after that, I didn’t think about my shot but I played it naturally. When you enjoy the sport for what it is instead of thinking about the result, that’s when you end up becoming the most successful,” Ferraro said.
“[Coach Fink] knows how to work us hard and get us in the right mindset for every game, but I think the more important thing he’s done is help us grow as people,” JAY CROWTHER ‘23 In his fourteen years as Haverford Varsity Tennis’s Head Coach, Coach Fink has
won twelve consecutive Inter-Ac titles, including this year’s. He believes in the power of physical fitness to bring a team to victory. “Fitness is the key element in the preseason that prepares us for the season. Adverse weather conditions are turned into a positive by making use of the gym to work on muscle memory, conditioning, and strength. If you are physically fit, you are mentally fit [...] Competition is the reward for the athlete’s hard work in practice. We’ve won more close matches this season than ever before. Our stamina has been instrumental in edging other teams in very close matches,” Coach Fink said. In addition to his adept coaching of both his players’ physical and mental games, Coach Fink helps his players grow off of the courts. “[Coach Fink] knows how to work us hard and get us in the right mindset for every game, but I think the more important thing he’s done is help us grow as people,” Crowther said. “He’s changed my life in the classroom and on the courts. He’s taught
The tennis team poses at the Baldwin courts for a team photo on March 16. Coach Fink stands back right.
me priceless lessons on how to be a better person, how to be more honorable and gracious, and the importance of self-belief, all of which are values that I now live by and strive to instill in others.” Coach Fink’s commitment to each of his team members not only helps them reach Inter-Ac championships but also reach their full potential as students and people overall. Crowther believes that the entire team can attest to Coach Fink’s wisdom and positivity. While Coach Fink has certainly not run out of steam, the 2022 season is his last. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, dedication, and positivity that will be greatly missed by the team, as well as unmatched results. The team sealed the season with a 13-1 record and won its 12th consecutive Inter-Ac title. “It’s been tough for the team knowing this is his final year as our coach, so we’re hoping to give back to him a final gift for everything he’s done for us,” Crowther said.
COURTESY OF COMMUNCATIONS