EWhat does EA Day mean to you?
A Day stands as the pinnacle of Haverford School athletics, a celebration that epitomizes the school’s fierce historic rivalry with Episcopal Academy. This day of intense competition is one of the most anticipated events of the year, highlighting school pride and unity.
One of the best parts of Inter-Ac competitions are the student fan sections, and EA Day is no exception. For this one day, and in the weeks leading up to it, the entire Haverford community has a shared purpose.
This raises the question: What does EA Day truly mean to the Haverford community?
For many students, EA Day represents a chance to exhibit Haverford’s finest virtues.
“It is a day at Haverford to show our greatness to the community,” Fourth Former Christian Case said.
Sixth Former Elijah Leader echoed this belief, emphasizing EA Day’s importance.
“It’s definitely a very historic rivalry, and with that comes passion. It makes me excit-
ed to carry it on and cheer for the Fords,” Leader said.
Does EA Day showcase the school’s honor, virtues, and brotherhood, or is it simply an expression of a deeply ingrained rivalry?
“EA Day is truly a day of brotherhood, we can unite in a friendly competition as one body and truly feel what it means to be connected under one goal,” Fifth Former Jack Ford said. “As a runner myself, I always love feeling the support of Haverford during EA Day, knowing my brothers have my back.”
Sixth Former Zac Fuscaldo thinks EA Day means something special to Haverford’s “lifers”—students who have been at the school for 13 or 14 years. “It’s my last one,” he said. “It’s a time where all 14 grades of Haverford come together.”
“There’s no week like the week preceding EA Day—the team spirit, the buzz cuts—everything contributes to a sense of belonging,” Sixth Former Michael Laux said. “Nothing encapsulates the Haverford experi-
ence like EA Day, and I’m so excited for it.”
“For me, it’s been the most fun day of the entire school year for the last seven years,” Fifth Former Jack Chisholm said.
“To me, EA Day is the Haverford community at its best,” Fifth Former Caleb Siever said. “Seeing everyone showing out for their brothers is truly what it means to be a Haverford school student.”
Meanwhile, Fifth Former Joseph Kahana reflected on his unique experience as an Orthodox Jew.
“I’ve been at Haverford for twelve years, but I’ve never been able to go to EA Day because of the Jewish Sabbath. I would go if I could, especially since I’ve qualified to run on EA Day.”
Sixth Form cross-country captain Alex Dardarian cherishes the atmosphere of EA Day. “It is one of my favorite days of the year. I love the wacky haircuts, the brotherhood, and the way we come together,” Dardarian said. “A lot of the sports normally don’t get much recognition, but on EA Day,
every sport gets their largest student section.”
But what does EA Day mean to faculty and other members of the community?
“I obviously don’t have the same feelings about EA Day as many of the students, but I enjoy the energy and camaraderie that the day and the whole week bring,” Dean of Students Mr. Luqman Kolade said. “I appreciate how everyone comes together around a singular idea, and while on the surface that idea is beating EA, it’s actually about being and working together.”
“It’s a real show of how strong our community is. The entire school comes out and supports every event, not just football. Being there to see it from the field is a thing of beauty,” Student Body President Joshua Williams ’25 said. “It is a time to take hold and captivate the audience around me. Lastly, it is a time for me as an individual to show myself on a grand stage in front of my brothers and uphold my school’s reputation.”
CHARLIE SCHREIBER ’26
The student section supports the football team against Malvern Prep, October 18, 2024
Ryan Wang ’26 and Ayush Varma ’27
2024–2025 Staff
Ian Rosenzweig ’25
Editor-in-Chief
Connor Simpkins ’25
Editor-in-Chief
Elliot Lee ’25
Senior Managing Editor
Milan Varma ’25
Senior Managing Editor
Liam French ’25
Managing Editor
Abdullah Kanchwala ’25
Managing Editor
Tom Saul ’25
Managing Editor
Ajay Chakraborty ’26 News Editor
Ayush Varma ’27 News Editor
Ryan Wang ’26 Features Editor
Matt Lo ’27 Academics Editor
Adam Brown ’27
Neighborhood Editor
Ryan Hu ’26
Campus Opinions Editor
Peter McConnell ’26
Campus Opinions Editor
Grayson Morgan ’26
Off-Campus Opinions Editor
Michael Bartholdson ’25
Off-Campus Opinions Editor
Luke Ganley ’25 Arts Editor
Quinn Sullivan ’25
Senior Sports Editor
Nate Gill ’26
Junior Sports Editor
Ms. Emily Harnett Faculty Advisor
Mr. Thomas Stambaugh Faculty Advisor
The Index is a student-run publication of the Haverford School that does more than bring news: it provides the diverse perspectives of the Haverford student body. It is an outlet for student writers to take stands on issues they deem important. It chronicles the daily struggles and accomplishments of the Haverford community. The Index also provides a forum for discussion of pertinent issues, such as student culture, academic policy, and Haverford’s place in world affairs. The Index presents new ideas and aspires to influence constructive change.
All opinions and viewpoints expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of The Index or the school. The Index is designed and produced digitally. Photographs may be retouched. Submissions and letters to the editors regarding any and all articles are welcomed at index@haverford.org
The Index, a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, is composed using the applications of Google Suite and Adobe Creative Cloud. Its surveys are conducted via Google Forms and are advertised on email to current Haverford students. Graphic designs are created by Index staff via Canva. Southern Dutchess News prints 200-400 copies of each issue, and its editorial staff distributes them in the Upper School on the day of release. The Index serves the needs of a total school population of 1152 community members, consisting of 952 students and 200 faculty and staff members.
Contact The Index: 450 Lancaster Ave, Haverford, PA 19041 index@haverford.org
Twitter: @Haverford_Index
Instagram: @Haverford_Index Volume 92, No. 3 - November 3, 2024
Embrace the brotherhood for EA Day
As we dive into EA week, Haverford has a unique opportunity to come together and celebrate as a community. The Index encourages everyone to buy in and participate fully. It isn’t just about the themed dress-down days, form competitions, or sports matches.
EA week is a chance to highlight the best parts of our brotherhood.
Each day of EA week builds the anticipation for EA Day. On Saturday, whether
you are cheering in the stands, supporting your friends, or competing on the field, remember that EA Day is a testament to our dedication, support, and community pride. It’s a day where every single member of the community can contribute to the strength and spirit of Haverford.
EA Day comes at a unique time in our country.
While politicians may try to sow division and hate, EA Day is a chance for our
community to become closer. Whether our views align or diverge, we are all members of the Haverford community.
The brotherhood that defines EA Day outweighs any political or ideological differences we may have. Whether this is your first EA Day or your last, make the most of it.
Go Fords.
Letter from the student body president
Gentlemen, EA week is now upon us. What a time to be a Ford.
This will be the Third Form’s first experience with spirit week high school activities, and I can’t wait to see their reactions to the madness.
EA week is important to me not just because of the long-standing rivalry between the two schools, but because of my experience with the week/day. It’s true that I have never been in the student section during EA Day because of being on the field, but even still, I believe that EA Day is the true test of our Haverford brotherhood.
We talk about what it means to support each other all the time, and EA Day is where
it all comes together. Hundreds of people come to support the H that encompasses all of us. We all may not be blood, but we are bound by the H. Even if you aren’t playing a sport, you matter for our success.
As a player, I can tell you that the only thing that keeps me going through tough games is seeing all of you still there to lift me up. This week we have to all be there for each other. High school is the only time you get to do things like spirit week, so cherish the memories you’ll make this week.
Throughout the week, we’ll be competing, form versus form, against each other.
Faculty, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Formers, don’t let your loss to the Sixth Form taint
your experience with the week. We all need to be one come Saturday. I know that with the strength of our student body, we can march right up to enemy territory and seize victory.
Past EA week, another cool event, the fall play, is coming up, so I hope you can find the time to make it. Let’s keep up the good work we’ve been doing for two months. One last thing, it’s getting colder, so sicknesses will be going around. We should all start covering up more, I think we need a sweater…
GO FORDS, Josh Williams
2024-25 Editors-in-Chief Ian Rosenzweig ’25 and Connor Simpkins ’25
Josh Williams ’25
Danish musician visitors reflect on October visit to Philadelphia area
As Haverford said farewell to a week of hosting Tainan First High School’s students, it welcomed a group from Denmark’s Ordrup Gymnasium. The Be Sharp group, hosted by various Notables and Baldwin B-Flat singers, stayed for a week full of cultural exchange, concerts, and bonding experiences in a long-standing exchange between the schools.
The Notables, B-flats, and Be Sharps started the week with an evening rehearsal in Centennial Hall. Each group shared their music in a less formal setting than later concerts, singing two combined pieces: “I Sing Because I’m Happy,” a Notables and B-Flat favorite, and “The Time of My Life,” from
the Be Sharp group.
The following days, all groups performed in two concerts: one at the Wallingford Presbyterian Church and the other in Centennial Hall. Additionally, the Be Sharps performed their music for students during upper school and middle school assemblies.
The Be Sharps showcased an impressive selection for the middle school at Haverford and the lower school at Baldwin.
“It was wild, but in a good way. It was a constant motion, from when they got here until the time that they left. ”
MR. DONALD HOLDREN
“It was wild, but in a good way,” Upper School Music Teacher and Notables Director Mr. Donald Holdren said. “It was a constant motion, from when they got here until the time that they left. We started the week with this big rehearsal of all three groups together, and we rolled right into the concert at Wallingford and then the concert here at Haverford. Honestly, it was one of the fastest weeks I’ve had in a long time—just because there was so high energy and a lot of fun.”
For the Be Sharps, the week of exchange was not only a trip for music but also a broader cultural experience. Many students from Ordrup Gymnasium experienced a unique flavor of American culture.
Ordrup students Alba and Alex shared takeaways from their time here.
“[My favorite part was] probably seeing the schools, and they’re huge,” Alba said. “How much money does it take to go there? [Danish schools] are free.”
Alex discussed a more characteristic memory from the week.
“I
think the campfire we did two nights ago was very nice. I liked getting to know you all and talking.
ALEX THARIN HOLM
”
“I think the campfire we did two nights ago was very nice. I liked getting to know you all and talking,” Alex said.
Mr. Holdren also enjoyed watching everyone meet each other and come together, especially sharing connections through music.
“What made it fun was watching these relationships spontaneously arise between our students and the students from Ordrup, and it’s all built around music,” Mr. Holden said. “As soon as you make music with somebody, you have a relationship with them, and I think that the truth came out with the last week.”
Baldwin and Haverford’s music groups differ from Ordrup’s, and that gave way to unique performances.
“We have a band, so that’s like our ‘advantage,’ I would say. You have a big choir, and you also have choreography. But it’s nice to have a band,” Alex noted.
Mr. Holdren came away from the week with feelings of excitement for the springtime trip to Denmark and an appreciation for the Be Sharp choir, band, and their directors, Birgit Fiig and Morten Noack.
“I was really impressed with their [directors’] dedication to their students and the way that they were able to pull their students together in a really laid-back way,” Mr. Holdren said. “There was a lot of passion in the room. The teachers loved what they were doing, and the students shared that as well.”
Service Board plans multiple events this holiday season
As many students may know, service and support, whether through cleaning up trash or helping those struggling with food insecurity, are integral parts of our school lives. As a result, the Service Board is organizing many projects and events to support those in need, many of which run through November.
The Can Drive, a well-known and longrunning event, runs from November 4-25. It involves collecting donations to support people in need. The school supports various competitions, and the proceeds go to charity. This helps those who need food and other provisions during the Thanksgiving season.
This year, Can Drive organizers aim to raise more cans than last year’s mere 3,000 to benefit people in the Philadelphia and local communities. While some may only be able to bring a few cans, those donations still count and contribute to this year’s goal of 10,000 cans.
It’s the season of giving, too. Other upcoming service opportunities include the Turkey Drive on November 25th and the Coat Drive from December 2-16, providing food and resources to those in need.
Previously, the Service Board has collaborated with various organizations, such as Food4Philly and ProjectHOME, with various students volunteering to provide others with food and shelter. Still, however, some events and fundraisers are lacking in reaching their goals.
Donations for these drives are key for non-profit organizations. They help Haverford’s community thrive and show that Haverford’s value of humility can be reflected by its students’ simple acts of service.
Such events are not limited to the Service Board. Many students should aim to participate in them.
As the 2024-2025 year is coming to a close, students should look out for upcoming service events and lend a hand. This can be through donating cans or simply providing a few dollars for a fundraiser event.
These actions shape the school’s attitude and reputation and should not be undermined, as they show our actions toward others. This year’s Can Drive is a key point in our service.
Don’t forget: the Can Drive runs until the week after Thanksgiving, and the winning advisory earns a dress-down day and a pizza lunch.
COURTESY OF MR. ANDREW POOLMAN
The Ordrup Gymnasium Be Sharps perform at Baldwin
adam brown ’27
Benjamin Qu ’28 and Jayden
Thomas ’27
Students gather to celebrate Diwali
Diwali is one of the most important holidays for the Hindu religion. It is the festival of lights, symbolizing light over dark and good over evil.
Many students practice Hinduism and therefore are celebrate Diwali. For them, there are many great bonding opportunities.
“We spend time with friends and fam-
“We
eat good food, listen to good music, and say prayers to god.”
ily,” Fifth Former Ranvir Gill said. “It is a great bonding experience.”
“We eat good food, listen to good music, and say prayers to god,” Fourth Former Anantivir Othie said. “Diwali celebrations are always a lot of fun.”
“I really value Diwali because I can connect with both my Hindu friends and my family,” Fifth Former Seth Virmani said.
Many students celebrating Diwali observe long-standing traditions.
“Going to temple, eating traditional food, and wearing traditional clothes are all things we do on Diwali,” Gill said. “It is truly a festival when we celebrate the holiday.”
“This year, we went to Milan [Varma ’25]’s house to celebrate Diwali,” Othie said. “I had a lot of fun, and was able to celebrate the holiday with some of my closest friends.”
“I always enjoy spending time with
friends and family,” Virmani said. “I enjoy Diwali because it is a chance to connect.”
Practicing Hinduism is extremely important to all of the students celebrating Diwali.
“At the end of the day, celebrating Diwali is a commitment to Hinduism,” Gill
In recent days homecoming has been all the buzz around campus.
“There has been a build-up to this year’s homecoming. It’s an air of excitement,” Fourth Former Deacon Golderer said. “Haverford homecoming is always the best.”
Some people have asked if the dance can be as good as last year. “Last year’s homecoming was a trendsetter for sure,” Fourth
Former John Hank said.
Fourth Form President Raymond Kresge discussed the Student Council’s plan to make this year’s homecoming, in Golderer’s words, “the best.”
“I think this year’s focus was to replicate the experience of last year’s homecoming,” Kresge said. He also credited Student Body President Josh Williams.
“Josh went out of his way to try to make
said. “Not only are the celebrations fun, but it is also important to actively practice the religion involved.”
“I am a Hindu, and my family practices Hinduism,” Othie said. “Diwali is so important because of the religious implications, where good defeats evil.”
“The religious story behind why we celebrate Diwali is fascinating,” Virmani said. “I strongly recommend looking into it more. This story is one of the reasons I like being Hindu so much.”
Homecoming in review
it as good as last year and maybe even better,” Kresge said.
Other students are also excited to see their peers under circumstances that are different from the norm.
“I look forward to seeing my friends get out of their comfort zone in a much different environment than what school normally is,” Fourth Former Will Mullin said. “I think that is a cool thing to see the whole community bonding and coming together to dance and have fun.”
Another major event is the homecoming football game.
Some students have different views on the November 2 away game against Penn Charter.
“I don’t like the game being away,” Fourth Former Connor Reynolds said. “Penn Charter is 35 minutes from my house!”
Students in traditional Indian wear celebrating Diwali
Students enjoy the homecoming dance, November 2, 2024 MILAN VARMA ‘25
ANANTAVIR OTHIE ’27
Keith DiMarino ’27
Ajay Chakraborty ’26
In sustainability effort, school no longer sells plastic water bottles
Ryan hu ’26
Over the past month, students noticed two big changes in the dining hall—water bottles are no longer for sale, and a new fridge, stocked with fresh food options, has been added.
Reactions from the student body have varied, with some expressing enthusiasm about the new food choices, while others question the decision to stop water bottle sales.
“It doesn’t really impact me because you can still get water from the machine for free.”
JACK CHISHOLM ’26
“It doesn’t really impact me because you can still get water from the machine for free,” Fifth Former Jack Chisholm said. “But I think it’s a good change if it encourages us to bring our own reusable bottles. It’s more eco-friendly, and I can refill my water bottle as often as I want. I also really like the juices in the new fridge.”
The decision to discontinue water bottle sales is part of a larger Sustainability Club initiative to reduce single-use plastics. According to Fifth Form Sustainability Club member Ryan Wang, the change reflects the school’s commitment to sustainability.
“Eliminating disposable water bottles is one small step toward a greener campus,” Wang said. “We’re saving about one hundred plastic water bottles from being thrown out every day.”
Despite the reduction in plastic water bottles, it also brings about a new problem. The absence of plastic water bottles leads to an increase in the use of plastic cups located next to the drink machine in the cafeteria.
Fifth Former Ranvir Gill said, “It’s great to be more sustainable, but I’m not completely sure how this fixes the problem. Not everyone remembers a water bottle every day, and there’s always plastic cups that are available in the cafeteria, which sort of goes against the [idea of] reducing plastic.”
In addition to the water policy, students buzz about the new fridge in the cafeteria, which is stocked with fresh sandwiches, salads, and snacks.
These food options are pre-made and packaged, which allows students and faculty to “grab and go” instead of creating their own salads and wraps. Additionally, the premade aspect may give students incentive to try healthier choices to fuel them through their busy schedules.
“School spirit” from the December 1927 Index
As the school rolls out these changes, opinions are mixed. Still, the administration sees the new policies as positive steps toward
vironment.
a healthier and more sustainable school en-
Mason Wiegand ’25 brings his own water to school
Playing under the radar: Alex Dardarian’s hidden classical guitar talent
When most people think of Alex Dardarian, they picture a track athlete or a proud Armenian. He’s a two-time All-Inter-Ac honoree for cross country who has run the second-fastest 5K mile split time in school
history. He is a member of the Armenian Youth Federation and runs the school’s Armenian Heritage Club. Few know, however, that Dardarian is a classical guitarist, a skill he has quietly honed over the years and is just now beginning to speak about more
openly with others.
Dardarian had his first guitar lesson at the age of seven. At the time, he found the guitar unenjoyable, eventually quitting at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, it was during that year-long break that he discovered that he truly loved the instrument. “I realized that I missed playing the guitar and wanted to take it more seriously,” Dardarian recalled. When he returned to playing, he sought out a new teacher, Behdad Moghaddasi.
Dardarian picked up the classical guitar—a different and less common style of guitar. It is a much more technical version of playing than strumming. It requires longer fingernails to pluck the strings, a necessity he is self-conscious about. “I get embarrassed and end up cutting my nails, which honestly hurts my playing,” he admitted. “My teacher has started lessons talking about the length of my fingernails.”
Classical guitar requires precision, strong hands, and dedication. “Guitar is actually a pretty big burden on your hand. Also, it gets tiring when plucking and moving so quickly, and restringing classical guitars is much more painful compared to restringing other types of guitars,” said Dardarian. “I’d argue guitar is one of the hardest instruments to master.”
He has developed his own practice methods, such as working on pieces backward.
Classical guitar is a core part of Dardarian’s life.
Dardarian even brought his guitar to practice at an Armenian summer camp, despite the challenges that came with it. When he was in Third Form, he performed classical guitar at the Lincoln Center in New York. In his Fifth Form year, he returned to New York once again to perform a duet. Yet, despite his activity and achievements, Dardarian rarely spoke about classical guitar with his peers.
“Cross Country Coach Brian Long was shocked when I told him that I played classi-
cal guitar earlier this season,” said Dardarian. “I realized I never really told people about it.”
“It’s a talent, and I shouldn’t
hide it.”
Dardarian’s friends still joke about how he played guitar at the talent show in sixth grade and got teased for it, but he’s come to ignore them. Recently, he has started sharing this side of himself more openly, even talking about it in Ms. Emily Harnett’s English III class last year.
“I’m learning that classical guitar is not that weird—it’s actually really cool,” he said. “It’s a talent, and I shouldn’t hide it.”
For Dardarian, the classical guitar is a versatile art form that shows off the guitar’s complexity, something that’s often lost in more popular styles like acoustic and electric guitar. “Most people don’t understand the intricacies of classical guitar,” he said. “There are so many things you can do on a guitar other than strumming, and classical guitar explores that.”
This spring, Dardarian has a chance to perform at Carnegie Hall, one of the most famous performance halls in the world. He also plans to finally participate in the school’s talent show this year, something he’s always wanted to do but was too nervous to attempt because of his sixth-grade performance. “I’ve kept saying I’ll do it senior year,” he said. “I know I’m good at classical guitar now.”
Dardarian promotes learning an instrument to others. “If you want to play an instrument, just do it. It might be tough at first, but slowly, a passion will develop,” he said. “In thirty years, people will know you by your occupation, but having something else that sets you apart is important.”
A screenshot from a video of Alex Dardarian ’25 playing “Rumba” by Philip John Lee
ryan wang ’26
Alex Dardarian ’25 racing at the Whippets Invitational, September 21, 2024
ALEX DARDARIAN ’25
ALEX DARDARIAN ’25
academics
Students review October’s student-led conferences
James MacColl ’26
Every October, advisors host conferences with students and families.
Discussions range from in-school activities, grades (though nobody likes talking about them), social life, and well-being outside of school.
One of the most special parts of highschool conferences is the concept of student leadership: students create an outline for the meeting, planning discussions where they are responsible for talking about their life as a student. The student can remark on success and reflect on room for improvement while offering suggestions for themselves and allowing the advisor and family members to chime in.
“The environment that this creates is inclusive an productive for both the student and the people listening.”
PETER MCELHONE ’26
“The environment that this creates is inclusive and productive for both the student and the people listening,” Fifth Former Peter McElhone said. “No student likes to show up to a conference and listen to people give them suggestions the entire time. Let the kids talk—they are the ones with all the important information.”
On the surface, it may seem like more work for the students to lead the conference, but many like being in charge. It gives them the freedom to express their opinions in the opening months of the school year and to express some goals for the rest of the year.
“We can shape the discussion to what we want it to be,” Fifth Former Colin Toth said. “If I don’t want to talk about a subject, I can drive the conversation in another direction.”
Screenshot of Mr. Fifer’s “Upper School News“ regarding Student-Led Conferences
If the conferences were directed by faculty, the discussion might go in directions that are unconfortable.
Toth appreciates shaping the conversation in a way that suits the student. If the conferences were directed by faculty, the discussion might go in directions that are un-
comfortable for the students to talk about. With this conference format, the student can bring up those issues and give his opinion first.
“I think studentled conferences are unique and a good addition.”
JACK GRIMLEY ’26
Model UN participants learn key lessons
Matthew Lo ’27
Each of the school’s clubs and activities have aspects that make them stand out. For Model UN, multiple features set it apart. For one, it is built on a unique premise: simulating the United Nations.
“It’s the only activity at Haverford that makes students really tune in on geopolitics, diplomacy, argument skills, and compromise,” said Sixth Former Mason Wiegand. “For any student interested in politics or international relations, they should be doing Model UN.”
Led by Latin teacher Ms. Theodora Naqvi in conjunction with Sixth Formers Ian Rosenzweig, Milan Varma, Mason Wiegand, and Matthew Yerger, Model UN is currently in preparation for their first conference.
Students must work together with other countries to pass a resolution.
“I think student-led conferences are unique and a good addition to Haverford’s curriculum,” Fifth Former Jack Grimley said. “As someone who came from a school where this wasn’t a thing, I think it’s beneficial for the students, teachers, and parents.” Fifth Former Eli Press shares a similar sentiment. “I like the student-led conferences,” he said. “It allows the students to shape the conversation and it helps them connect with their parents and advisors academically.”
“I poured about twelve hours of research into my position over a week.”
MASON WIEGAND ’25
“Before going to [the Cornell University Model UN Conference] in sophomore year, I poured about twelve hours of research into my position over a week,” Wiegand said.
Though Model UN may sound straightforward, conferences can be harrowing considering the degree to which students exercise public speaking.
“Public speaking is, without a doubt, the most valuable skill you’ll gain in Model UN,” Yerger said. “Put simply, if you’re not willing to speak in front of everyone on your
For any given conference, whether it is the monthly internal conferences in Ball Auditorium or the external conferences at the University of Pennsylvania or Cornell University, students must work together with other countries to pass a resolution on a chosen topic. Before doing so, students must conduct thorough research on the issues at hand.
committee, you’ll have a hard time accomplishing what you want.”
Another critical skill is collaboration.
Another critical skill is collaboration. As Wiegand put it, “The biggest thing for me is working with other people. In a committee, delegates will be dropped into a situation where they don’t know anyone, but have to find common ground and form a concise solution. It asks people to think critically and on their feet, which transfers perfectly to the real world.”
While in some ways similar to other activities like Mock Trial or Speech and Debate, especially in terms of emphasis on delivering speeches, Model UN is still distinct.
“It’s a little bit different than Debate or Mock Trial in that there aren’t straightforward winners or losers,” Ms. Naqvi said. “I think it’s a really useful way to think about why other nations have different values and perspectives on issues than [the U.S.] might.”
Through Model UN, student experiences become valuable lessons and memories.
“Nothing beats having sixteen good friends crammed into three hotel rooms and spending four days together,” Yerger said. “Some of my best memories from Haverford involve us goofing around in our rooms after committee sessions.”
“I’d say everyone should give Model UN a shot. It’s not a huge time commitment,” Yerger said. “You might miss a few school days for conferences, but that’s about it. Just show up for one internal conference—if you hate it, no problem. You might surprise yourself by having a good time.”
Dr. Greenblatt brings experience and passion to new role
Connor Simpkins ’25
This academic year, Dr. Pamela Greenblatt transitioned from her position as Head of the Lower School to become the Assistant Head of School for Academics, joining Haverford’s school-wide administrative team. The role was created to ensure alignment in the academic programs across the school’s three divisions.
Dr. Greenblatt explained that the purpose of her new role is “to ensure that the three divisions have one academic vision and that we are aligning the skills, competencies, and characteristics we want students to have when they graduate [from Haverford].”
The academic span of a K-12 school is wide.
The academic span of a K-12 school is wide, but a student’s experiences in lower and middle school impact their upper school experience.
“It’s like building a house. An upper school experience is like the roof on a house. Once there is a roof on the house, it’s ready to be occupied and used [to its fullest]. In this scenario, the lower school experience is the foundation—from the social-emotional skills, math, reading, and writing skills to the beginnings of higher level thinking,” Dr. Greenblatt said.
“If the lower school is setting the foundation, then the middle school needs to build upon that, expanding higher level thinking skills [along with] executive functioning skills, that is, the ability to hold an idea, do something with that idea, pull in-
formation from multiple sources and create something new from it.”
For Dr. Greenblatt, this new role embodies many of the things that interest her most about schools. It also offers her the ability to support faculty. In addition to the academic oversight aspect of the role, Dr. Greenblatt’s new position also encompasses the Dean of Faculty role, formerly held by Ms. Sara Adkins, who retired at the end of last year.
“[The Dean of Faculty role] has a real natural tie into the curriculum and helps to support the instruction being provided to students. There is an inherent connection between the two sides of this role,” Dr. Greenblatt said.
“I think we have an incredible faculty here and it is a privilege to work alongside all of them; this is my eleventh year here, so I know a lot of the faculty already and get to now build upon that.”
Dr. Greenblatt is thoughtful about her role within a school dedicated to the education of boys.
“We can create an environment that’s structured and nurturing in the way that benefits boys and creates opportunities where boys get to be vulnerable,” Dr. Greenblatt said. “And I think that that is so important for boys, especially now, when the world is changing and challenging men in a different way.”
In this era of ever-evolving technology,
there is renewed focus on curriculum and many wonder what the biggest priorities for a school curriculum should be.
“For everything that changes in the world around us, there are some core things that I think [are important]. AI certainly is going to challenge students: it’s going to change industries and the world around us. We’re already seeing that,” Dr. Greenblatt said. “But I think the thing that is really important as the world changes is grounding kids in core virtues. And I think that’s what’s so incredible about Haverford is we have these core virtues and no matter what happens in the world around us if we can embody those we can respond to changes in healthy ways.”
Dr. Pam Greenblatt speaks at a lower school assembly last spring
Students’ favorite after-school snack spots
Rex Riley ’28
After a long day of school, students search for food in the surrounding area. With so many options, which after-school snack place is the best?
Options can be divided into three criteria: location, cost, and most importantly, taste. According to many students, Chipotle is at the forefront of the contenders.
However, the restaurant is far from Haverford Station, which causes most burrito bowl enjoyers to commute home via the Ardmore train station.
“Chipotle is great before getting on the train, but it only works when you have time to kill,” Third Former Danny Deering said.
Another strong contender is Wendy’s,
which is much more accessible, at less than half the distance away from school, and cheaper than Chipotle. The downside is food quality. Most students, especially those coming from sports practices, seek healthier and more substantive meals after school. In this case, Wendy’s burgers and fries are not a great option.
Arguably the strongest contender, which fulfills all three criterias, is our own café.
Another good alternative is Tous les
SEPTA’s modernization plan to affect
As Philadelphia’s population continues to grow, the demand for quick and accessible transportation increases. SEPTA’s Forward Program reflects this change, highlighting multiple goals aimed toward a newer and faster network— an upgrade from the current generation of its widely-used mobile transportation.
A few years ago, multiple SEPTA programs announced plans to improve their systems in regards to accessibility, effortlessness, and predictability. Their modernization plan, a united vision and network coined SEPTA Forward, includes three portions: Project METRO rebuilds and allows for a more seamless urban rail transit, Bus Revolution aims to make bus networks more reliable and accessible, and Reimagining Regional Rail plans to largely revamp the system’s schedule and scope of its large rail network.
These initiatives come as a result of SEPTA’s aging urban and suburban rail systems, which are essential to help people reach their destinations. SEPTA claims that by emphasizing modernization, they can create a more efficient, effective, and safe environment for people to use on a daily basis.
SEPTA's proposed trolley prioritization on road will "reduce overall trip time by nearly 20%."
SEPTA states that this change will do more than just improving their networks and ridership—it’ll allow for economic advance-
ments. SEPTA confirms their investment into more modern transportation will lead to improvements in the economy and the lives of commuters.
An important part of the authority’s various initiatives is the Trolley Modernization Program. With new and improved infrastructure, SEPTA looks to further communication and accessibility to their trolley network.
SEPTA’s proposed trolley prioritization on roads will “reduce overall trip time by nearly 20%.” Unfortunately, the project will take a long time (possibly completing in 2042) and incur more than $1.6 billion in costs.
Another portion of SEPTA’s modernization is improvements to the far-reaching Regional Rail system. Primary goals include predictable, consistent schedules, newer trains, and improved track infrastructure. Additionally, SEPTA wants to become ADA-compliant and have more amenities, but the improvements are predicted to cost over $450 million in continued efforts—on top of renovation and installation prices.
For a quicker and more reliable schedule, SEPTA’s Bus Revolution portion includes partnering with PennDOT and the city to improve infrastructure and allow buses to have traffic-signal priority and dedicated lanes. SEPTA also aims to reduce bus emissions and improve facilities like bus stops and transportation centers.
Members of the Haverford community who used SEPTA before its recent modernization have had different reactions to the company’s recent changes.
Physics Teacher Mr. Jamison Maley, who used to ride SEPTA before getting a car,
Jours bakery, which offers both pastries and coffee for students getting off the train early in the morning, along with sandwiches and smoothies for those waiting to return home in the afternoon. Furthermore, its location is near-perfect, situated directly on the street connected to Haverford Station. The only downside is the price; Tous les Jour is more expensive than Wendy’s, but still less pricey than Chipotle. It could be the perfect middle ground.
student commuters
described the system as “consistently inconsistent,” with transportation being unprecedentedly late or early.
Haverford students report that SEPTA has benefits, yet they also note the need for improvements in reliability and usability.
Sixth Former Davin Schulson said that SEPTA provides an “easy commute,” but that newer vehicles “make changes that aren’t really needed.”
Third Former Sebastian Tall had a different opinion, noting “comfier seats” on buses.
Haverford students report that SEPTA has benefits, yet they also note the need for improvements in reliability and usability.
SEPTA’s Modernization plan faces adversity in fulfilling its goals. Whether the proposed changes make a rider’s experience any better is yet to be determined.
Ben Qu ’28
Students return via SEPTA train from last May’s Intellectual Curiosity
Students’ second-favorite food spot, Chipotle in Ardmore
ASPENSMONSTER VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
campus opinions
Driving down Lancaster Ave on EA Day, outside eyes see Spencer Stadium packed with passionate Fords chanting till exhaustion, hundreds of successful alumni gathering as one, and D-Icaliber athletes dominating the field.
This outside spectator might wonder why the entire student body looks like they just got shipped off to boot camp.
Zooming into the stands further, this outside spectator might wonder why the entire student body looks like they just got shipped off to boot camp.
Fast-forward to Fourth Form, and I’m sitting in the locker room watching clumps of my hair fall to the ground.
When I was a Third Former, I thought getting my hair cut for EA Day was the stupidest thing ever.
One of the biggest upsides to The Haverford School is our modern campus. The enclosed box on Lancaster Ave is in a great position: next to Suburban Square, the Main Line, and other hot spots.
Consequently, it is small enough so no one gets lost (unlike at EA), and everyone has closer friend groups because they see each other so often.
The campus truly has whatever you need, whenever you need it.
This campus is home to the greatest brotherhood the Inter-Ac has ever seen. Classrooms are the key parts of the campus and enhance our brotherhood, they are the places we spend half our day in and that ignites us in certain topics. But what is the best classroom on campus?
Let’s rank them.
Ranking the classrooms will be based on key factors: view, positioning, tools. The top-five classrooms are presented below.
Without further ado, let’s dig in.
Classroom rank #5: Ms. Turlish’s classroom in the library. This room’s windows provide a great view of the library and Sabol Field field. This room has good tools, useful for Ms. Turlish’s class and others. Also, this
Embrace the EA Day haircut tradition
No one was going to touch my hair. I saw upperclassmen show up to school with mohawks, buzzcuts, dyes, and massive H’s shaved into the sides of their head. What would my parents think? How would I show myself at Thanksgiving dinner? What would my non-Haverford friends think of me?
I look in the mirror and let out a sigh of resignation for my new haircut, but with a smile on my face.
I wondered why they took pride in looking dumb. EA Day was only one day, so why mess up your hair for the next three months?
Fast-forward to Fourth Form, and I’m watching clumps of my hair fall to the ground. I no longer see this tradition as stupid; now I see it as a moment between classmates that helps build bonds deeper than blood.
I’m laughing. I look in the mirror and let out a sigh of resignation for my new haircut, but with a smile on my face. At that moment, I might’ve been the first brown kid to have a mullet.
I’ll never forget Fifth Form, showing up to the breakfast table and seeing all my friends look like thumbs. I couldn’t miss out, so, after school, I got zero-guarded to the dome.
My wacky, terrible haircuts will always be something I remember fondly when I look through my November camera roll. Yes, it’s three-to-four months of looking like an idiot, yet the memories of the haircuts and EA Day are priceless.
To all the underclassmen, buy into the community and have fun with it. Happy EA Day, everyone!
What’s the best classroom?
classroom is also a great place to have meetings for club meetings.
Negatives include that this classroom is right next to many students studying and hanging out in the library, so it can be slightly distracting. Also, the closest bathroom and water fountain are far away.
Classroom rank #4: Dr. Del Rosario’s room, also known as Doctor D’s room. This room is on the third floor, indicating it is a pain to get to, especially coming from any parking lot or the café. However, the view is one of the best in the school. The view includes the new, modern middle school, but you get a birds-eye view of students walking by.
This classroom is next to one of the premier water fountains, and has a nearby bathroom that is not used very often. The blazing sun makes this room quite stuffy sometimes, but the blinds help with that. This room’s negative is that there isn’t much to the classroom’s tools: two whiteboards, a smartboard, and some desks.
An often overlooked prospect of these classrooms is chair positioning. Here, the chairs shape a U-facing the smart board, optimizing class discussions and teaching through the smart board and whiteboards.
Classroom rank #3: The Franz/Moore rooms. These are similar, so I will consider them the same. These classrooms only have a view of the green lot. The strength of these rooms is positioning: they are outside the best water fountain in the school and have a bathroom right next door.
These classrooms are also accessible, on the first floor next to the staircase and door next to the green lot. Finally, Mr. Moore’s room has a couch, and Mr. Franz’s room has three whiteboards.
Classroom rank #2: The woodworking space. This space has a great view; it’s surrounded by glass, and on one side you can see Centennial Hall, where students walk by. The all-glass view also helps the sunlight shine. The light does not directly hit the students, but fills the classroom with warmth.
This room stand right next to an exit near Centennial, between the green and red lots. The closest water fountain is not too far away, but according to Fourth Former Ezra Walters, “the water is warm and has a metallic, mineral taste to it.”
Here’s where this room excels: the tools. The woodshop tools can help students with anything they need for their project. This includes top of the line materials such as laser
cutters, bandsaws, and handsaws.
Classroom rank #1: The most elegant, useful, and biggest classroom is the Mr. Holdren’s music Room. The view might be the best in the entire school, as the huge windows at the back of the classroom display the entirety of Memorial Field. This is especially good when you are in that classroom after 3:00 p.m. because you can see varsity baseball and soccer practice and games.
This room, while separate from the rest of the school, has a water fountain right outside the classroom. Yes, the water that is produced from that fountain is debatable, but at least it’s a short distance from the room.
This classroom is easily accessible when coming from the café or Centennial, has built-in speakers, two white boards, a smart board, and instruments: the grand piano, electric piano, the electric drum set, and the classical electric guitars hanging up on the side of this classroom make up for the poor positioning.
The two drawbacks here are the desks, which are attached to the chairs, making it tight and clunky. The bathroom is also a long walk away.
But hey, nothing is perfect.
Finn French ’27 sports a fresh cut for EA Day 2023
Ayush Varma ’27
Abdullah Kanchwalla ’25
On August 15, 2024, the announcement came: no more cell phone use or access during the school day. Student texts and Snapchats went wild.
The purpose behind this drastic change, which was thoughtfully explained in an email from Head of Upper School Mr. Mark Fifer, was to encourage students to be “fully present and engaged in pursuit of their academic, extracurricular, and social-emotional growth.”
“I thought it would be a really bad change and [it would] feel disorienting not to have my phone.”
TOMMY GOWEN ’26
Most would agree that access to the internet or communication for non-academic purposes during the school day is undoubtedly distracting. Learning is best achieved in a distraction-free environment.
Grief comes in stages. After the initial denial, anger and depression over the loss of
The most important study space in the upper school is the Durham Community Room. A majority of students use this as their primary study space.
Another good study area is the second floor of the Severinghaus Library. This is the area to get work done, because there is no noise allowed, which means that it is a quiet place for you to chill and get work done.
Is the cell phone policy working?
the emotional-support phone, the clever student settled on acceptance, calmly realizing: it isn’t so bad.
Moreover, as in most things in life, people adapt to a given new norm.
“The kids who appreciate the break from all of it will take advantage of the new normal, and the kids who don’t, wont.”
COLIN TOTH ’26
Fifth Former Tommy Gowen agrees. “I thought it would be a really bad change and [it would] feel disorienting not to have my phone,” Gowen says, “but a few days in, I really didn’t think about it or mind at all.”
The question remains, what has really changed in the dramatic shift back to the olden days, before the advent of the cell phone?
Perhaps not that much.
Students are still able to text on their Apple watches and laptops, so, if a student has the desire, the distraction is still there.
“I think when it comes down to it, stu-
dents won’t be using their Apple watches or computers in the same way as they’ve used their cell phones,” Fifth Former Colin Toth says. “The kids who appreciate the break from all of it will take advantage of the new normal, and the kids who don’t, won’t.”
What seems to cause a bigger stir is the funny little Yondr pouch.
One doesn’t use a pouch to throw a phone in a bag or briefcase, so what’s the real purpose? The pouch presumably acts as a barrier for temping eyes, coming fully equipped with a lock.
The phone goes into the pouch at 8:30 a.m. (9:00 a.m. on Wednesday) and comes out at 3:15 p.m. sharp.
Students can be seen pouring out of the doors of Wilson Hall, heads down and typing madly on their Yondr released phones.
“[The Yonder pouch] does seem excessive, although protective of the phone banging around in a book bag of books and computers. I’m not sure why the rule can’t simply be ‘no cell phones,’” James MacColl says. “If a student wants to violate this rule in a bathroom or whatever, whether it’s in a pouch or not, really won’t make a difference.”
Another questionable feature of the pouch is that a student is required to have it to be marked “present” in class.
Ironically, the school doesn’t want to disengage the student from their school tasks and sense of community, but substitutes old
The best campus study spaces
Other study spaces on campus are inferior to both the library and the Community Room.
For example, the Big Room is essentially just the Community Room but without as many people and most importantly, without the ping-pong table. Ping Pong allows for more interactions and the ability to sprout new relationships that might result in deep lasting friendship.
As a Third Former, I met many of the guys who are still my closest friends in the Community Room. Also, most of the friends I’ve made who are not in my grade I’ve met through playing ping pong. It is a great space at school—just not for studying.
The other two main study spaces are the pods and the first floor of the library. The pods are a nice place to study, but, because people walk around chatting, there can be distractions.
The first floor of the library has a niche. The tables provide a good space for group projects or assignments. Other than that, the Community Room is the better option if you want to chat with other people while you are working.
For studying for something important, the best study space is definitely the second floor of the library. You get a distraction-free space, so the only thing that you can focus on is the task that you have to do.
If you want to chat with friends, then the Community Room should be your choice.
Most of the time, studying is your time to focus on your work and to get stuff done. The best study space therefore has to be the second floor of the library, as you are able to have the most focus without any distractions.
school methods of attendance taking —traditionally noted by said student being present in their seat in the classroom—with a Yondr pouch?
And for the student who decides that it’s simply not worth all the Yondr hoopla to even bring the phone to school, the Yondr pouch must follow them, even if the phone does not?
So if a teacher sees a student sitting in his chair, books out and ready to learn, are they not there because their Yondr pouch isn’t?
Apparently not.
Students can be seen scurrying into the upper school office with their bright red lateslips, because, despite their timely presence in school, the pouch was not.
Much like the high school experience depicted in movies, where the irresponsible teen is required to carry around an unbroken egg all day to demonstrate responsibility, per Mr. Fifer’s email, students must “carry their Yondr pouch to and from school each day and are responsible for their pouch at all times.”
While the lack of distraction from technology and group chats has been helpful to most students, it will be interesting to see whether the Yondr pouch, or just the student, is required to attend class for the 20252026 school year.
Grayson Morgan ’26
Jonny Wang ’26
off-campus opinions
Ajay Chakraborty ’26
The United States has become one of the most politically polarized countries in the world. With election day on November 5th, 2024, the field is ripe for the country to become even more divided. Therefore, we must acknowledge the critical bipartisan issues that affect this nation.
The first is a complete disdain for violence, especially political violence. Unfortunately, we live in a time where politically motivated physical attacks are more prevalent than ever.
On October 28, 2022, Paul Pelosi, husband of Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, was brutally attacked due to his wife’s political ideologies.
More recently, on July 13, 2024, President Donald Trump was shot in the ear by a sniper during a campaign rally in Butler,
Nick Canuso ’28
Philadelphia sports teams have not been living up to what most fans expect from them.
First, we have the disappointing Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies started off their season strong, and almost everyone thought that they would have a high chance of making it all the way to the World Series. At the season’s end, the Phillies were the top seed in the National League East, defeating the reigning Atlanta Braves, who had won the division six times in a row.
The Sixers’ start to the season has been not at all what any of the fans wanted.
This was a huge accomplishment for the team, and I know that it brought a lot of joy to the school community.
Going into the first round of the playoffs against the New York Mets, the team felt confident, and fans thought that they were going to win this battle. Turns out, that was not the case. The Phillies went cold and ended up losing in four games.
The Phillies dress-down day that Haverford students were looking forward to suddenly turned into a day of shock—just one day after the tragic loss. All we can do now is just hope for next year, and try to stay positive, although I know that will be hard to do for most fans.
Second, we have the injured and annoying Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers’ start
What issues remain important no matter who wins the election?
Pennsylvania.
“Political violence is inexcusable,” said Fifth Former Ranvir Gill. “People need to calm down and learn to settle their differences with debate.”
“It’s wild that we live in a world where people disagree so much that they are willing to resort to violence,” said Fourth Former Anantivir Othie. “People need to focus on finding common ground sometimes.”
The second is contempt for bigotry. American society today should not be discriminatory against any group of people, no matter race, religion, gender, sexuality, or anything else.
On May 25, 2020, a Black man named George Floyd suffered a horrific death after a police officer sat on his back for almost nine minutes. Many regarded this as an act of racial prejudice by law enforcement.
“People should learn to move beyond the things discriminated against,” said Gill. “There is no reason for hate against any group in America.”
“In 2024, it is difficult to think that systematic bigotry exists in America,” said Othie.
The last is a care for American pride and American values.
Whether or not people within the country agree or disagree with various actions taken by the country, people still need a fundamental sense of pride for our country to function properly.
“I am an American, and I believe we are the best country,” said Gill. “I think for America to function, we all need to believe we are the best.”
“I think people should treat things such as the flag respectfully,” said Othie. “This is
Philly sports are a disappointment
to the season has been not at all what any of the fans wanted. Having two out of our three stars—Joel Embiid and Paul George— injured and sitting out of the first couple of games is not ideal.
The limited information given to the people about when Embiid and George are coming back is frustrating to the fans who are watching at home. How can you root for a team that has “star” players show up to the games 45 minutes before tipoff?
It is even more frustrating for the fans and Haverford community members who buy tickets to these games to go to see one of the best players in the world and find out that he isn’t even touching the floor.
During the first games of the season, the fans were scared that their Eagles were going to fall back[...]
To add to Embiid missing the first couple of games, we now know that he won’t be playing in any of the second games in the back-to-backs. Does this sound like another second-round exit for the Sixers? To me, it sure does
Third, we have the improving Philadelphia Eagles. During the first games of the season, the fans were scared that their Eagles were going to fall back into the team we witnessed at the end of last season. Turns out, the bye week could not have come at a better time.
Coming out of the bye week, the Eagles turned into a new team, becoming a run-first team, using the strengths of newly acquired running back Saquon Barkley. Our franchise quarterback Jalen Hurts has cut down his passing attempts and stopped turning the ball over, which has led to a three-game winning streak for the team.
Even though we are the only team left in the NFL yet to score in the first quarter, the offense is starting to show the talent that they have and is currently on a three-game winning streak. Many students and teachers are fans of the team and look forward to a long playoff run. We will rally together as a school and community to support this team, hopefully, all the way to another Super Bowl win.
A popular debate I have with my family and friends is which of our four professional sports franchises will be the next to win our
not an issue of political divisions, but national unity.”
city a world championship.
In my opinion, the Phillies have the best shot to win. Their lineup is filled with many all-star caliber players, but some are getting up in age, so their window is closing.
My second-choice prediction is the Eagles. Even though it was not looking good going into the bye week, the team has rallied around coach Nick Sirianni, and is ready to go on a Super Bowl run.
Third, I’ll go with the Sixers because, after everything, they still have on the roster one of the best players in the world: Joel Embiid. Additionally, the Sixers now have bigtime free agent Paul George to go along with our budding superstar Tyrese Maxey. This team is ready to win.
Finally, I’ll put the Flyers fourth only because they are still a very young team that is just learning how to win, but the future looks bright.
Recent concerts mark busy fall
Milan Varma ’25
High-spirited competition marks the long-standing EA Day tradition, both on and off campus. However, the arts, a so-called “oak” or pillar of Haverford, also undertake projects and showcases leading up to and during EA week.
Some of these showcases include the recent Fords Fall Rock Contest and the Music Exchange Concerts.
These performances are the culmination of hard work and dedication. Musical performers—especially elite groups such as the Notables—deal with long practice hours, late nights, and successive concerts. In the sports-centered enthusiasm of EA week, it’s easy to lose sight and appreciation of the various other disciplines working hard at Haverford—athletes, artists, musicians, performers, and many more.
The Music Exchange Program Concerts—held on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings of October 22 and 23—were one such show of musical skill.
The concerts, dubbed the “Danish Invasion Concerts” by the Notables, consisted of the Haverford Notables, the Baldwin BFlats, and visiting student musicians from Ordrup Gymnasium in Copenhagen, Denmark.
“On Tuesday night, we were at Wallingford Presbyterian Church,” Upper School Music Teacher and Notables Director Mr. Donald Holdren explained. “They have a really nice space there. Acoustically it’s really live, and the audience is really close to the performers. You get this real sense of giveand-take from the audience who are chairdancing along, and you get a ton of energy
“The boys and girls have been so nice and welcoming. I think it was easy to form good friendships. They are amazing.”
ALEX HOLM ’27
from that.”
At Haverford on Wednesday evening, the crowd buzzed with excitement. Centennial Hall was filled with students, who received a taste of the performance during
assembly that week, and others, looking to support the outstanding student musicians. The environment was a complete switch for the performers.
“Wednesday night, when we came [to Haverford], it’s a different space. We had lighting effects, and we had a smoke effect going on,” Mr. Holdren said. “Special thanks to Vic, Dex, and Mr. Hengst for pulling all of those things off.”
“The concert was absolutely fantastic,” Notables Co-President and Sixth Former Finn Kelly said. “The week has honestly been so much fun, and I think the concerts really bring us together.”
The night was full of excitement, as the audience was treated to a variety of songs from the groups.
“We have these two songs that we sing as a full group with the Danes and Baldwin. They help bring us all together across diverse cultures,” Kelly said.
Collaboration is never easy, and it is especially important when singing, where pitch, timing, and tone matter so much.
“I think one of the most important things about singing on a stage is being connected to each other and being able to be uniform,” Baldwin Senior and B-Flat Anya Okechukwu said. “In some cases, it’s kind of difficult to connect with everyone, but obviously this week is helping us get to know each other and that helps us get better.”
The groups have worked hard over the past few weeks to deliver their best work to eager audiences at Haverford and beyond.
“We’ve been preparing songs for a few weeks before the students from Ordrup arrive. Once they got here, we’ve been booked every night,” Kelly said. “On Monday night we had a rehearsal with all three groups, Tuesday night we had a concert, and Wednesday was supposed to be our big concert, and I think it turned out great. We definitely improved across the week.”
Perhaps the hardest role to play in this performance was by the Danish students. Having traveled eight hours to Philadelphia only a week prior and immediately immersing themselves in American culture, the students from Ordrup persevered through difficult changes and brought their “A-game” nonetheless.
“When I was little, I used to watch music videos on YouTube, and they really caught my eye,” Ordrup Senior and singer
Alexander Tharin Holm said. “So I started doing piano and when I started high school, I joined a choir to learn how to sing.”
Coming from Denmark and meeting peers provides unique insight into how similar we all can be as a species.
“The boys and girls have been so nice and welcoming. I think it was easy to form good friendships. They are amazing,” Holm said.
Holm performed a solo during the song “Pompeii” by Bastille and “Funeral” by Lucas Graham, providing a clear window for the audience to the dedication and talent of the Ordrup group.
“We practice one-to-two hours a week back home,” Holm said. “It took me a couple of weeks to learn my songs and my solo.
“The Macroband is a really tight-knit group of six guys. We’re all able to gel together well.”
RAYMOND KRESGE ’27
It was awesome.”
The Baldwin School B-Flats were no exception to the trend of perseverance and hard work culminating in this week of concerts.
“The B-Flats have practice during the day every B day for 70 minutes. That’s where we practice our own repertoire,” Baldwin Senior and B-Flat Daria Scharpf said. “We’ve only had a very short time to practice our joint repertoire—around two hours.”
“We start in August and September on a retreat, where we get to bond a little bit and get to know ourselves more,” Baldwin Senior and B-Flat Amelia Skawinski said.
After the concert, the groups burst into song once more—this time celebrating a member’s birthday. For the many musicianathletes, this was a perfect segue into end-ofseason athletic competitions.
The musical exchange concerts were not the only ones heard in the weeks leading up to EA week. The Fords Fall Rock Contest— HAVERROCKfest—was a “collection of different Haverford school bands performing their songs in the amphitheater,” Fourth
Form Macroband member Ray Kresge said.
The Macroband played various songs, including “Fine by Me” by Andy Grammer and “Feel Again” by One Republic.
“It was a lot of the songs we did last year,” Kresge said. “It was really cool to be able to improve and add more different techniques and things and really perfect the songs. It was nice to see the culmination of a lot of hard work we’ve been putting in.”
For the Macroband, this concert was a first in some ways.
“This was our first HaverRock concert, so I was obviously nervous but very satisfied with how it all went,” Kresge said.
Like with the Notables, B-Flats, and Ordrup students, connection is key when it comes to creating a cohesive performance.
The Macroband is a really tight-knit group of six guys,” Kresge said. “We’re all able to gel together well. We meet every Friday from 6:30-7:30 and are led by Kyle Struve, Head of the Conservatory.”
The band’s ties go beyond the stage and Conservatory.
“These guys were the first group of people to welcome me at Haverford,” Kresge said. “They were a big gateway to a lot of success I’ve been able to cultivate here at Haverford. I’m very fortunate to have met these people and to have been given these opportunities.”
“For me, it’s something I get to do and where I can express a part of myself I love with my good friends,” Fourth Form Macroband singer Mookie Dombar said.
As a lead singer, it is often easy to succumb to the pressures of watchful eyes and audiences.
“I don’t think it’s necessarily more pressure than anyone else. We’re all just kind of doing our thing,” Dombar said. “I can get really hard on myself because I can very easily tell when I mess up. But I think it’s just my job to make sure that I keep moving forward.”
In the midst of EA athletic excellence, it is easy to lose sight of the various moving pieces that define this community.
We must keep in mind the people behind the scenes, the students who may not be showcased this week but continue to work hard, all while giving athletes the recognition they deserve.
The Ordrup Gymnasium B Sharps, the Baldwin B Flats, and the Haveford Notables perform “The Time Of My Life”
Have fans gone too far?
Celebrities have grown inseparable from contemporary life. One can no longer spend a day without hearing about a recent celebrity scandal or an iconic performance. Because of the public’s obsession with celebrities and celebrity culture, celebrity mistreatment has become a common theme. Whether it’s paparazzi harassment, a fan interaction gone sour, or even something as horrible as a celebrity murder, it seems the life of a celebrity is just getting worse.
Why do we even follow celebrities? Why do we care so much?
A 2015 article by Chris and Amy Rungpaka Hackley suggests that celebrities fill humans’ inherent need for myth and legend. Perhaps the West’s “scientific yet alienating world” has led to a lack of traditional ritual and spiritual practices, leaving a gap
that needs to be filled.
We all know that a substantial amount of money is pumped into advertising celebrities and the mundane goings-on of their lives. Because of increasing obsession with celebrities, negative interactions have been increasing and, therefore, celebrity pushback has been increasing.
In Tyler, The Creator’s latest single, “Noid,” the artist describes feelings of paranoia that come with fame. In the first verse, Tyler states he “can’t even buy a home in private/ Home invasions got [his] brothers dyin’.” In this line, he’s referring to the common occurrence of celebrity homes being leaked or advertised on social media. He also references the murder of Pop Smoke in a home invasion. It’s possible this murder makes Tyler feels so unsafe in his home: “Triple checkin’ if I locked the door/ I know
every creak that’s in the floor.”
But how common is it really that celebrities are intentionally killed by fans?
On December 8th, 1980, John Lennon was killed by a Beatles fan. This fan, who had become obsessive over J. D. Salinger’s novel The Catcher in the Rye, felt the need to punish Lennon for his hypocrisy in saying that a) the Beatles were “more popular than Jesus” and b) he didn’t believe in God or Jesus.
“If Selena would say, ‘Jump!’, [Saldívar] would jump three times.”
Selena Quintanilla was killed by her fan-club president Yolanda Saldívar in 1995. The murderer was described as being so obsessed with Selena that “If Selena would say, ‘Jump!’, [Saldívar] would jump three times.” Regardless of this obsession, Saldívar killed Selena after a rash decision caused by a financial dispute.
1980s actress Rebecca Schaeffer was killed by a stalker. Having stalked Schaeffer for three years prior to the murder, Robert John Bardo had seen Schaeffer in the film Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills, in which she is seen in bed with another actor. Bardo then made it his mission to kill Schaeffer. He paid a private investigator $250 to find Schaeffer’s address, purchased a .357 handgun, and arrived at her home. When Schaeffer asked that he leave and not return, Bardo had breakfast at a local diner. After his meal, he returned to Schaeffer’s home and shot her in the chest at pointblank range.
It is even more common that celebrities receive more benign stalkers or crazed fans.
In Billie Eilish’s song, “THE DINER,” which appeared on her most recent album, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, she recalls her experience with stalking.
Taking the point of view of the stalker, Eilish states in the chorus, “I waited on the corner ‘til I saw the sitter leave/ Was easy getting over and I landed on my feet/ I came in through the kitchen lookin’ for something to eat/ I left a calling card so they would know that it was me.”
Here, Eilish refers to the time her stalker broke into her family home. She continues to sing about the time when a different stalker wrote her a series of letters. While this is
the most recent song discussing her stalkers, it is not the first. Eilish’s songs NDA and Getting Older also discuss her relationship with stalking.
Chappell Roan has recently been receiving backlash for what one might consider normal boundaries for a person. Because she is a celebrity, people seem to believe that she has somehow “asked” for the harassment.
In an Instagram post, Roan clarified, “I’ve been in too many non-consensual physical and social interactions, and I just need to lay it out and remind you: women don’t owe you sh**. I chose this career path because I love music and art and honoring my inner child. I do not accept harassment of any kind because I chose this path, nor do I deserve it.”
In an interview with The Guardian, Roan said, “I’m very turned off by the celebrity of it all. Some girls have been in this so long that they’re used to that, but I’m not that girl.”
Although people do feel a need to put celebrities on a pedestal, they are humans, too They are deserving of respect and a healthy work life.
Roan continues to try and set healthy boundaries by taking mental health breaks. Because one of these breaks interfered with her shows at All Things Go Music Festival, fans grew upset.
The break was viewed as selfish, with some fans saying things like “She wouldn’t have survived in the 2000s” and “She’s not supposed to be in the spotlight.”
Although people do feel a need to put celebrities on a pedestal, they are humans, too. They are deserving of respect and a healthy work life.
Additionally, their experiences should never be ridiculed or taken lightly, especially when there is such a history of violence between celebrities and their fans.
Should a celebrity experience a mental health emergency and feel that they can’t slow down or ask for help, it could lead to disastrous consequences, even drug misuse or suicide.
Luke Ganley ’25
Billie Eilish performs at a concert, 2022
SUSAN M DUNN VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
John Lennon Strawberry Field Central Park
sports
Community
Ffor EA Day 2024
or over a century, the rivalry between Episcopal Academy and The Haverford School has been at the forefront of both schools’ cultures. Every year, this rivalry culminates in EA/Haverford Day, a showdown in the five primary fall sports: football, soccer, cross country, golf, and water polo.
This year, EA Day will take place on Saturday, November 9th.
Over the past few years, Haverford has grown accustomed to a certain schedule: golf on Friday, and the rest of the sports on Saturday. However, there is a major change this year. Golf will now be played on Saturday.
“The move to golf on Saturday was EA’s call,” Director of Athletics Mr. Michael Murphy said. “They are the home team and get to decide when contests are played.”
The primary reason for this shift was to put more focus on the girls’ competitions between Agnes Irwin and EA. They compete on Friday, and Haverford, EA, and Agnes Ir-
win believe it is fairer for that exhibition to get equally focused attention.
“EA wants, deservedly, the attention of their community on the girls’ competitions,” said Mr. Murphy. “We respect that decision.”
Golf will kick off EA Day at 10 a.m. Those matches will take place at Waynesborough Country Club. From there, the rest of the competitions will take place at EA’s campus in Newtown Square.
Cross country will start at 12:30 p.m., water polo will start at 1 p.m., soccer will start at 2 p.m., and football will start at 4 p.m. With golf being on Saturday, competitions will go on until later in the day.
“As a result of golf being played in the morning, we decided to back up the start times of other events, so community members who want to can attend the golf match,” Mr. Murphy said. “EA has lights, so playing some of the contests later in the day is not an issue.”
In addition to the competitions, the Haverford School Parents’ Association (HSPA) will host a pancake breakfast beforehand. It will be in Haverford’s Dining Hall at 8 a.m.
The rivalry with EA is fundamental for school culture in many ways.
“EA Day is about rallying two school communities around a storied rivalry and engaging in competition grounded in mutual respect,” Head of Upper School Mr. Mark Fifer said. “It is a fantastic rally point that brings the community together in meaningful ways.”
“The rivalry,” Mr. Murphy said, “respects and honors the tradition of two storied institutions competing as they have done for a very long time. It is one of the oldest rivalries in the state.”
“Having a week where we all unite to show that we are better than another talented school is nice,” Fifth Former James Friel said. “It helps make Haverford great.”
“The rivalry with EA helps make everyone feel truly at home in the school,” Fifth Former Ranvir Gill said. “We all come together to support the guys on the field, and attending the events is something I look forward to every year.”
“The great thing about every rivalry is no matter what social circle or clique you run in, you can relate to others,” said Fourth Former Anantivir Othie. “It is always fun to go to the games with my friends, but it is also great to make new connections with other people.”
Many community members look forward to EA week.
“My favorite part begins on Friday evening with an alumni event that we hold here on campus,” Mr. Murphy said. “So many alumni return to campus to talk about the upcoming contests, revel in stories and memories from the past, and get a chance to catch up and reunite.”
“My favorite part of EA Day is the leadup to it,” Mr. Fifer said. “I love the energy and enthusiasm that comes from the various form-level competitions.”
“This is my first year on a team playing during EA Day,” Friel said. “It is something I am very excited about, and I can already feel the support from the community.”
“For me, every part about EA week is exciting,” Gill said. “We get dress-down days for the entire week and have an opportunity to spend quality time with friends in the student sections during the games.”
“Going to EA Day is always fun, enjoyable, and relaxing,” Othie said. “It is great to see guys I know give their all on the field, and it is even better to see them win. For guys who have never been to EA Day before, I always recommend for them to go to the games.”
Many Fords signed last year’s EA Day banner
rallies
Ajay Chakraborty ’26
Heads of School Mr. Tyler Casertano and Dr. Benjamin Locke with the sweater, EA Day 2023
Football team prepares for EA Day’s final matchup
Quinn Sullivan ’25
Football is the fifth and final event on EA Day. Often, it’s the game where the winner takes all, and the sweater’s fate is decided.
Fords Football is ready for the challenge. Over the past two weeks, the Fords have picked up big wins, beating an undefeated Springside Chestnut Hill team 28-21 and beating Penn Charter for homecoming 17-13. They currently sit at 6-3.
The Fords, looking to win the season and keep the sweater, have been putting in
the work over the past weeks to prepare for the EA Day showdown.
Fifth Form quarterback Zach Faragalli offered some inside strategy for the upcoming game. “[We] definitely watch a lot of films and take advantage of team periods during the week,” Faragalli said. “Our scout team does a great job of giving us the best look possible for what we are going up against.”
The team’s schedule for the week involves starting hard early in the week and
finishing with a walk-through and a team dinner, to add some final touches and get some time away from football before game day.
“After that team dinner, [it’s] just time to take care of business,” Faragalli said. “Defensively, having an idea of who their guys are and what kind of coverages they like to be in based on what personal or formation we are going to be in [is an advantage].”
Faragalli, who has faced a torn labrum and ACL in back-to-back seasons, is excited
to be back at the helm.
“It’s definitely been a very long and tough journey—a lot of hard days and a lot of doubt throughout the whole process,” Faragalli said. “But I am generally grateful to go through what I did. A lot of great guys like [Sixth Form wide receivers Nicholas Krakovitz and Jude McClave, Sixth Form offensive lineman Thomas Barr, and Fifth Form wide receiver and safety Matt Jones] made it all worth it. Those guys had me through it all and so did a lot of other guys.”
“Now, seeing where I am after about seventeen months of fighting major injuries, it doesn’t even feel real. I’m blessed to be in this position and have the guys around me to help me and the team be successful.”
For the Sixth Formers, EA Day is more than just another game—it’s the culmination of years of dedication, resilience, and team pride. As the team’s leaders, they understand how much this tradition means, especially for those who’ve battled through injuries, setbacks, and the demands of a high-stakes season.
The senior team members know they’re playing for more than just themselves—EA Day represents the bond they’ve built with their teammates and the legacy they’ll leave behind. With the entire school standing behind them, there’s a sense of pride and responsibility that goes far beyond the scoreboard.
“EA Day is very special. It’s the one day when the entire student body comes together in support of their brothers,” Barr said. “Being able to compete in the games and feel the support of the brotherhood is truly something special.”
Student Body President and football team captain Josh Williams ’25 shared a similar sentiment. “It’s a real show of how strong our community is,” Williams said. “The entire school comes out and supports every event, not just football. Being there to see it from the field is a thing of beauty.”
CHARLIE SCHRIEBER ’26
Players stand for the national anthem
Zach Faragalli ’26 outruns a GA player in a 40-26 win, October 10, 2024
Golf swings through the opposition in preparation for EA
After a tough start to the season, the golf team has been, in the words of Head Coach Mr. Stephen Cloran, “extraordinary.”
“Great leadership, improved play on the course. Everything came together. We accomplished some extraordinary things,” Coach Cloran said.
Coming off of last season, the team roster remained largely unchanged. “We lost three seniors so the team remained almost the same,” Coach Cloran said.
Still, one thing has changed for Haverford Golf this year: the team’s mindset. At the beginning of the season, a motivational speaker addressed the team. He explained the concept of the “Challenge Circle”: in the innermost ring is the challenge. In the next ring is fear, then, anger, and then, defeat. The goal is to mentally stay in the innermost circle.
“We’re not always going to hit great. Don’t have to be great with every shot. Don’t let one shot hurt you.”
MR. STEPHEN CLORAN
“We have been able to stay in the right mindset through the ups and downs of our rounds. Personally, staying ‘inside the challenge circle’ has allowed me to bring a higher level of focus to competitions,” Sixth Form co-captain Harrison Brown said.
Water polo gears up to take down EA
Michael
T’25 and Tom Saul ’25
he eight-time Inter-Ac champion Fords Water Polo looks to continue their dominance as EA Day quickly approaches. The team’s coach, Kevin Van Such, has been incredibly successful since taking over as head coach in 2012 from his position as assistant coach.
During his tenure, Coach Van Such has led the team to a 70-23 record in the InterAc (179-76 overall), and won five consecutive league titles from 2018 to 2023, while producing seven All-Americans in the process.
“For
the last six years, we have made the Eastern Finals. You can’t play down to your opponent.”
HENRY PENNINGTON ’25
As the fall season closes amidst this legacy of historic success, the water polo team continues to strive for more. This weekend, they became Eastern champions, defeating The Hill School 10-8. Fords Water Polo had high expectations for the Eastern Prep Championships after winning it twice: in
2019 and 2023. Sixth Former Henry Pennington, a senior leader of the team, explained how they approached tournament
“When we’re in the finals every year, we always show the best level of performance, which is miles above every other team around,” Pennington said. “At the end of the day, we have better players and better team chemistry. You can’t play down to your opponent.”
The team is geared to have a strong performance at EA Day, which is nothing new. After reflecting on past EA days, Pennington noted that his fondest memory is jumping into the pool during his Third Form year, silencing the crowd of Episcopal supporters. Although the game is at EA this year, Haverford Water Polo is not afraid to go into enemy territory.
Their day starts early on Haverford’s campus.
Afterwards, they take a team bus to EA. Coach Sean Hansen gives an energetic speech, encouraging the guys that they are the better team. “We need to show up and execute!”
Pennington credits the team’s past EA Day success to excellent team culture and superior athletes. “We’re going to play our game, and they can’t match it,” Pennington said. Haverford should expect nothing less.
by only four strokes.
Already on a two-game winning streak, the golfers then cleaned their next five matches, powering through The Union League, an EA-hosted Inter-Ac Play, Hill School, another Inter-Ac Play, and then Holy Ghost, before falling narrowly to Malvern. This led them to a 5-1 Inter-Ac Record, the best by far. Along the way, Haverford set the InterAc score record.
“Not just one player is performing well – everyone has been extroardinary.”
MR. STEPHEN CLORAN
In their penultimate match of the season, the team came ready to the PAISAA tournament at Radnor.
Continuing their streak of dominance, they bulldozed to a win, with Fifth Former Sean Curran coming in first, Hoban in second, and Fifth Former Will Forman tying for third.
Curran took home the championship with an impressive 67 strokes.
“The ‘challenge circle’ is really good for when you aren’t having a bad day but are just two or three over par. It helps me keep myself in contention,” Sixth Former co-captain J.P. Hoban.
The second mental tool that Coach Cloran has implemented is categorizing types of shots. “We talked about four types of shots: great, good, good enough, and bad shots. We want to flush the bad shots and erase it from our mind,” Coach Cloran said. “We’re not always going to hit great. Don’t have to be great with every shot. Don’t let one shot hurt you.”
This season, the team’s cohesiveness and the application of a new mindset has paid off. The team reversed the results of the second Inter-Ac play, taking first. They then battled through St. Joe’s twice, Conestoga, and barely lost to Springside Chestnut Hill
“Not just one player is performing well—everyone has been extraordinary,” Coach Cloran said. “But Sean Curran… has been a little bit more than extraordinary. Sean Curran had the lowest scoring average in the league, most wins, and won MVP.” Now, the team turns its focus to EA Day. Despite their 5-1 record, Haverford recognizes that Episcopal Academy will be a strong foe.
“We are all looking forward to EA Day, and we are very confident in our chances of winning. Despite this confidence, we know that EA has a very strong team,” Hoban said. “We need to play our best golf in order to win.”
“We have had the mindset that if we don’t win EA Day all of our previous accomplishments go away,” Hoban said. “I can confidently say that we are all locked in and ready to play our best golf.”
Bartholdson
Nate Gill ’26
Sean Curran ’26 at the Bert Linton Golf Tournament, October 22, 2024
Cross country prepares to enter EA’s lion’s den
Liam French ’25
The clock projected in the top right-hand corner of the smartboard reads 3:15 p.m. The academic day is over, and the athletic one begins. Most students pack up, grab their bags at the rounders, and head to the locker room. The route buzzes with guys catching up with friends at the end of a long day, ready to take on the sweat on the field, track, or court that awaits.
If you’re a cross-country runner, you walk through the double doors and change with your teammates in the second row of lockers: the square pod on the left and the longer pod on the right. Make sure to go to the bathroom—you can’t battle today’s chili-in-a-bread-bowl during a tempo run at Haverford College, or be stranded on the infamous Rose Lane in need of a toilet.
“[They] are not subject to the Geneva Convention, outlawing group punishment.”
MR. TIMOTHY LENGEL
Be warned: if you’re not on the turf underneath the scoreboard by 3:30, you’re late, and will receive gifts at the end of practice. For not wearing an acceptable watch or forgetting your water bottle, you will also receive gifts. Congratulations! You must complete 100 pushups, and the penalty grows by 10 for each week after preseason. So, by now, you’re faced with about 200 pushups. But don’t worry, you can always deposit the pushups you don’t complete in “The Bank of Long”—it’s only a 30% interest rate, com-
pounded daily.
Willys Silvers ’23 deposited in “The Bank of Long” one pushup at the beginning of preseason. By EA Day, he had accumulated 2.8661455519 x 109 pushups. Do the math: that’s a lot. So show up with a water bottle, your watch, and laced-up shoes, and you’ll be merrily on your way.
This year marks a record-low number of team push-ups, or “Lengel-shups” as they are called. Cross-Country Coach Mr. Timothy Lengel has a hard time counting. This character flaw is often self-exploited to the dismay of the athletes trembling on the ground before him, their bodies glazed with sweat because “[They] are not subject to the Geneva Convention, outlawing group punishment,” as Coach Lengel says.
This Saturday, November 9th, the team will enter the lion’s den that is the Episcopal’s EA-Day cross-country course. It’s so tough that the team doesn’t even train on it, preferring the easier “Liseter,” the housing development next to the EA campus. The course is uphill, there are countless hills, the finish is essentially 400 meters straight uphill, and the course is so confusing a Third Former always gets lost.
“This race means the world to me as I look to earn the respect of the Haverford community and give it all I have, one last time.”
JAY ROGERS ’25
“That was me. I was that freshman,” Fourth Former Keith DiMarino said.
“If I am being honest, I will be relieved to be done with the course,” Yerger said. “I think it’s the hardest one we run all season.”
The Fords will have to give it their all if they want to stand a chance against their “Date with Destiny,” as Mr Lengel calls it.
Sixth Former Jay Rogers has been running since Third Form and knows just how important this race is.
“This race means the world to me as I look to earn the respect of the Haverford community and give it all I have, one last
“It will be weird knowing that EA Day
will be my last race. I don’t think the emotions have fully sunk in for me. But I am mostly excited to run with my friends and brothers one last time and leave it all out there,” said Yerger, who has been running cross country since he was a Fourth Former.
“We had really great leadership and I want to commend the captains for their hard work and other senior leaders for taking the underclassmen under their wing.”
MS. BARBARA LEDFORD
Many runners look forward to the race because it’s the only race that draws a student fan section.
“While there will be some nervous emotions, they will be outweighed by the excitement the race entails,” Fourth Former Ray Kresge said.
“This team always feels tight-knit, and there’s no one who isn’t supported by other runners,” Sixth Former Kai Degenhart said. “Cross country is a sport where we work hard and love each other, just as the coaches say before every race.”
“EA Day is by far the most fun race of the year for a couple of reasons. Not only do we finally have a student section,” Fourth Former Lucas Crutchlow said, “but the environment just makes it feel so much bigger.”
As the season ends, Coach Barbara Ledford notes the impact of the team’s Sixth Formers.
“This was probably one of my favorite seasons of cross country. We had really great leadership and I want to commend the captains for their hard work and other senior leaders for taking the underclassmen under their wing.”
Whether the Fords win or lose EA Day doesn’t matter.
The race symbolizes 59 years of interscholastic sportsmanship, one that builds the brotherhood we cherish here.
DR. HEATHER FRENCH DR. HEATHER FRENCH
Jay Rogers ’25 in his final kick at the Belmont Plateau against SCH and GA, September 24, 2024
The cross country team huddles before a race, September 10, 2024
A new era for Haverford athletics: the inaugural livestreaming events
Jayden Thomas ’27
In a groundbreaking move that marks a significant shift in school athletic spectating platforms, the school livestreamed varsity soccer and varsity football victories against Springside Chestnut Hill for the first time, showcasing the power of modern technology and setting a new standard for how the community can engage with school athletics.
The streaming platform, Hudl and Blueframe Production Truck, equipped with high-definition sports-filming technology, ensured a seamless viewing experience. Smooth video, real-time statistics, and interactive features let fans immerse themselves in the action like never before. Fourth Formers Connor Reynolds, Quinn Gallagher, and Jayden Thomas did the filming and served as producers as well.
“Live streaming will provide Haver-
ford with a unique creative way to promote Haverford Athletics and help others interested in videography and video production,” alumnus Chris Hupfeldt ’11 said.
The first live streams received positive feedback from viewers, showing the potential of live streaming as the future of school sports broadcasting.
With advancements in technology and increasing demand for flexible viewing options, live streaming is poised to become a
staple in our athletic calendar.
With the right technology, commitment, and enthusiasm, live streaming can offer an unparalleled viewing experience for the Fords.
Home games will be live streamed on Hudl, where all home games will be livestreamed.
Next year, imagine live-streaming EA Day to friends and family across the country and the world.
EA
Day football: the cherry on top
Football on EA Day. Everyone loves the autumn breeze and leaves falling with a hint of sweat and eye black.
This is it.
The season finale.
It is a privilege to play in one of the most exciting rivalries, which dates back to the late 1800s. Since I watched our team from the sideline my Third Form year, I couldn’t wait to be out there to represent the maroon and gold.
All the eyes on me wearing the uniform makes me proud to be a Ford. I’ve been here since kindergarten, and I’ve been to every football game that we’ve played against EA. We’ve had some big-time moments occur and others, not so much.
To get this opportunity to play against rivals in front of friends, family, and other relatives makes me realize how blessed I am to go to this school. I appreciate everything this school has done for me.
Although having the game away is going to be mentally challenging, I love these moments too: to get to go over their place and raise the sweater and possibly the InterAc trophy—the cherry on top.
Everything would be worth it.
Beat EA. Roll Fords.
Kwamen Waters ’25 in the Fords’ game against Malvern Prep, October 18, 2024
A screenshot of the Hudl livestream’s highlights video depicting a goal by Anthony Costa ’26
Kwamen Waters ’25
Soccer locks in to face EA
The varsity soccer team has not lost a home Inter-Ac league game in three years. This statistic, while a testament to the team’s consistently strong roster, cannot be attributed to one or even a few standout performers. Rather, it results from a culture of teamwork, unity, and excellence.
“We lost a lot of key players, and this year the lineup changed a lot,” Sixth Former Harry Koenig said. “Still, one of our strongest attributes on the field is working as a team. We don’t have any one star player.”
The team graduated sixteen players last year. Head Coach Keith Cappo said that acclimating new players to the varsity level was a focus this season. “You have to revisit things that we’ve been able to build for the last two years with a large group of seniors,” Coach Cappo said. “You have to evolve with the new players.”
Beyond skill and strategy, one of the key qualities the team concentrates on is brotherhood. The team extends beyond Memorial Field and outside of the fall season’s weekday practices.
“Being with the program helped me create friendships and bonds that are today very important to me,” Sixth Form captain Luca Aloi said.
A consistent routine brings the team together to facilitate those connections. Each night before home games, the players gather for dinner. Each morning before games, they meet for breakfast and to discuss their plans and strategies.
This procedure extends the team beyond the field. “It brings [the players] into focus, and they have time to go through the game plan and my thoughts,” Coach Cappo said.
Before first period begins, throughout the school day, leading up to their walk onto the field accompanied by Guns N’ Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle,” the team is united by preparation, drive, and concentration. Together, the team’s resolve strengthens.
While their staggering record in home league games will not be at play for this year’s EA Day, the Fords are prepared for EA’s atmosphere. “We know what to expect,” Coach Cappo said. “It’s going to be my second time at EA, and it will be a lot of our guys’ first time playing there. Now that I know what to expect, I’ll be able to prepare them a little bit more.”
The game is an opportunity to realize a
mindset the team has been practicing. “We have to go there and control what we can control,” Coach Cappo said. “We can’t control how the fans are, we can’t control how the refs are, we can’t control how the other team approaches it. We can just control what we do and how we prepare for it.”
Aloi thinks mentality is key. “The crucial component in our preparation is our mindset,” he said. “We already know our tactics, so we just have to keep practicing them. Talent only takes you so far, but mentality is what separates the good from the great.”
For a second season in a row, the InterAc league title is dependent on the Fords’ EA Day matchup. With a third consecutive title
and the Sweater on the line, mindset remains the team’s focus. “The team is not thinking about EA Day as EA Day and the Sweater,” Aloi said. “We think of it as another Inter-Ac game to win the league.”
Finishing their season with the state tournament, Inter-Ac championship, and EA Day in the span of one week, the team continues to rely on its commitment and brotherhood.
“When bad moments come, this group trusts the coaches and gets to work in silence; everyone takes accountability, and no one claims to ‘know best,’” Aloi said. “We just trust the coaches and each other to climb out of hard moments.”
Crew looks to cement its legacy next spring
“This season’s been all about cementing a legacy,” Sixth Form captain Michael Bartholdson said.
Coming off the national championships at the varsity and JV levels last spring season, the team continues to push the limits of their achievements. This fall season, crew is training to compete—and win—on the national stage.
The Head of the Charles Regatta, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is the world’s largest three-day rowing event.
“[Head of the Charles] is widely regarded as one of the most enjoyable regattas,” Fourth Former Benas Antanavicius said. “It’s an international regatta with teams from the [United Kingdom] and even Ukraine. Only the best teams come here.”
The team sent two boats to compete in separate categories for sweeping and sculling. Sixth Form captain Noah Kanefsky, Sixth Former Grey Benson, Bartholdson, and Antanavicius competed in the Men’s Youth Four sweeping event, coxed by Sixth Form captain Eddie Grant.
Sixth Formers Ben Erskine, Quinn Sullivan, Charlie Gord, and Fifth Former Henry Biddison competed in the Men’s Youth Coxed Quad sculling event, coxed by Sixth Former Miguel Duska.
“It’s one of the few opportunities we have at Haverford to race at the club level,” Bartholdson said. “It’s a much higher level of competition. It’s a good way for our top boats to test their speed against the best in the world.”
Their mentality when preparing for the regatta is starkly different compared to last year.
“Last year we entered the regatta with
almost no expectations of success and left with an impressive result,” Bartholdson said. “This year, we had a ton of expectations for ourselves.”
Antanavicius agrees. “We really were looking to medal or get a top five finish.”
On race day, the Men’s Youth Four hit the water to chase a medal.
“It was super memorable when we were all getting ready to race, and [the boats] all left the dock,” Antanavicius said.
The Men’s Youth Four encountered adversity on the water.
“Even though we were all rowing hard, I think our biggest problem was that we weren’t rowing well,” Antanavicius said.
The Men’s Youth Four placed fourteenth out of 90 entries, an impressive result against stiff competition. Still, Bartholdson was disappointed with the result.
“Even while having four seasoned, elite rowers and a masterful coxswain in the four, we didn’t perform as expected,” Bartholdson said. “Leaving the regatta, it definitely felt like we got small when the moment got big.”
Despite the challenges, their placement still stands as a stark achievement for their legacy. The Men’s Youth Coxed Quad placed ninth out of 50 entries, also performing against elite competition.
“We still produced the most impressive and successful result in Haverford history,” Bartholdson said.
But beyond the accolades and numbers of their season, the team is also looking to create a legacy through the team’s culture.
“The team dinners on the trip to the regatta are always a highlight of my year,” Bartholdson said. “It’s a great time to bond with teammates, coaches, and also just to reflect on the hard work we’ve been putting in.”
Although the crew team’s fall season comes to a close with the smaller Hidden
River Chase, the hard work, or the team’s focus on achieving something great, does not stop during the winter.
“We already have our eyes set on the Stotesbury Regatta in the spring,” Bartholdson said.
The Stotesbury Cup is the largest high school regatta in the nation, in which the entire team races.
Haverford Crew has a history of winning at Stotesbury - the team has won gold medals in a multitude of events and one trophy is named after the legendary late coach Jim Barker.
“If we want to win, we need to work,” Bartholdson said. “The message right now is that the work done in the winter produces the results in the spring.”
Preston Swei ’25 and Conor McDonald ’25 celebrate after a goal against Penn Charter, October 1, 2024
Elliot lee ’25
Crew captains Eddie Grant ’25, Noah Kanefsky ’25, Michael Bartholdson ’25, and Grey Benson ’25
’25
Ian Rosenzweig ‘25