The Hotchkiss Record – January 31, 2019

Vol. CXX, No. 15

The Hotchkiss Record Thursday, January 31, 2019

The Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, CT, 06039

The Country Remembers Dr. King Ha Trang Tran ’22 Contributing Writer

Photo | Jiahua Chen ’20

Ian Gill ’19 attempts to score in the endzone while Nico Petersik ’21 reaches for the disk.

Community Celebrates “Unsung Heroes” Tina Deng ’21 Staff Writer

Do you know who Fannie Lou Hamer was? Last Monday, this question was the title of a workshop in which students learned about Hamer’s work as a civil and women’s rights activist. On Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day, the community celebrated heroes of the Civil Rights Movement whose labors and sacrifices are unsung.

This year, the Black and Hispanic Student Alliance (BaHSA), in conjunction with a faculty planning committee, brought a new structure to the MLK Day program by adding interactive workshops and moving the keynote speaker to the previous evening.

Each year, the BaHSA board chooses the theme of MLK Day inspired by Dr. King’s values. This year, the theme “Unsung Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement” was inspired by Dr. King’s 1964 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, in which he expressed gratitude to the often-overlooked people without whom progress would not have been made.

Last Sunday night, following a performance by the gospel choir, Mr. Nyle Fort, a minister, activist, and scholar, spoke about

current civil rights and justice issues, including mass incarceration and police brutality. BaHSA co-head Scott Shrager ’19 said, “I like his message that people need to be accountable for one another.

Just because you didn’t directly contribute to the problem doesn’t negate your responsibility to fight against it. That [message] touches on universal empathy and how we need to...consider issues through the lens that we are all humans

“Just because you didn’t directly contribute to the problem doesn’t negate your responsibility to fight against it.”

- Scott Shrager ’19

and that something that is affecting a specific group of people is a threat to everybody.”

In previous years, all MLK Day programs took place on one day. However, the program this year continued on Monday with workshops run by students, faculty, and alumni. Twenty-three different workshops, ranging from “Empathy & EFX Creation” to “13th Documentary Screening & Panel Q&A,” were offered. In the latter workshop, participants watched 13th, a documentary exploring the Thirteenth Amendment loophole that allows those convicted of crimes to be deprived of their liberty. The film traces the ways in which racist exploitation of this loophole has resulted in the modern era of mass incarceration. Charlie Comfort ’21, who attended the workshop, said, “The film talks in depth about the sheer exploitation and segregation of minorities because they were simply born that way. It is a big wakeup call for someone like me, who had no experience with any of that and no understanding of the kind of oppression that these people [have] experienced.”

Dr. Rachel Myers, director of diversity and inclusion, said, “I spent some time in the Athlete Activist section, which was completely student-led. ...There is the entertainment piece, the learning, the sharing of something new, the

Exploring the Core’s history and future.

Scoping Out the Science Department Exploring the EFX Lab and new course offerings.

- Isaac Alicea ’20

The day wrapped up with discussions and reflections on the day in advisory groups. Isaac Alicea ’20, board member of BaHSA, said, “MLK Day does an amazing job of teaching us values of love, respect, acceptance, but then, it doesn’t really last very long. We will continue to look for ways to keep [up] the energy we get from MLK Day and make this feeling more sustainable.”

SPORTS | PAGES 7-8

Healthy Motivation or Blunt Discouragement?

Super Bowl Preparation Begins

The Land of the Free, Except for Immigrants Prep Science: Core No More

“We will continue to look for ways to keep [up] the energy we get from MLK Day and make this feeling more sustainable.”

OPINIONS | PAGES 4-5

With legacies on the line, Rams and Patriots prepare for Super Bowl LIII.

Questioning how the school displays the honor roll.

FEATURES | PAGE 3

leaning into the discomfort sometimes, and that’s all the things [the MLK Day program] offers.”

Considering the United State’s treatment of immigrants.

Three Wrestlers Place at Brunswick

ARTS | PAGE 6 Atlantic Brass Quintet Offers Engaging Program

Notable jazz ensemble brings their best to Elfers.

Artist of the Issue: Gwen Slaughter ’19 Chronicling a dancer’s journey.

AJ Caba ’20, Tiki Crider ’20, and Ben Meyers ’19 pin down the competition at their tournament on Saturday, January 19.

The third Monday in January marked the 90th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birth. Dr. King was a humanitarian and leader within the North American Civil Rights Movement, and activists today continue to draw on his example and message. Across the nation, citizens commemorated his achievements and reflected on how to continue Dr. King’s work.

Late Monday morning on January 21, President Donald Trump, accompanied by Vice President Mike Pence, visited the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C. President Trump had faced criticism when a schedule released prior to the visit did not include any public events marking MLK Day. In response, President Trump and Vice President Pence altered the schedule to include the memorial visit, where they honored Dr. King by placing a wreath at the base of his sculpture. Nevertheless, many still criticized the president for not mentioning Dr. King in his brief remarks to reporters, in which he said, “Good morning, everybody. It’s a great day.

A beautiful day. Thank you for being here. Appreciate it.”

In Dr. King’s birthplace of Atlanta, Georgia, the Ebenezer Baptist Church hosted its annual commemorative service with remarks by his daughter, Dr. Bernice King.

She criticized incidents in which she believed the Trump administration had misused her father’s words. She also spoke about comments by Vice President Mike Pence, who quoted Dr. King on CBS’s “Face the Nation” in support of the border wall initiative. She stated, “If we really want to make real the promises of democracy, now is the time...to stop quoting King out of context and misquoting him to suit our own purposes.”

Bernice King also encouraged the audience to act on current-day problems, including the ongoing government shutdown, voter suppression, and the resurgence of white supremacist ideologies. In addition to volunteering as part of the MLK Day of Service, Atlantans participated in parades and walked with the MLK March downtown.

In the streets of Phoenix, Arizona, thousands gathered to honor Dr. King’s legacy. The day began at 9 a.m. with a prayer near Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church. As the crowd processed through the city, the group of hundreds transformed into thousands. Dr. King’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech was played from a golf cart, backed by cheers and applause from the marching masses.

Among the sea of people, one who held a sign reading, “Old white men against bigotry,” was Barry Smith, a retired school teacher. Smith said, “It just feels so good. There are all these wonderful people, and they all see the same thing I see: that our country is going the wrong way, and we’re getting together, and it’s a good vibe.”

At the site of Dr. King’s assassination in Memphis, Tennessee, the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel celebrated and honored Dr. King’s work. “Activities included day-long performances, youth-centered ‘edutainment,’ a health pavilion, and the National Civil Rights Museum experience,” the museum announced. Although Dr. King’s assassination occurred nearly 51 years ago, Martin Luther King Day events throughout the country revealed the activist’s lasting impact on the U.S.

2 | NEWS

THE HOTCHKISS RECORD

Thursday, January 31, 2019

News

Canada Arrests Huawei Executive Reece Yang ’21 & Eric Jin ’22 Staff Writers Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer at Chinese tech giant Huawei and daughter of the company’s founder Ren Zhengfei, was in transit when she was arrested by Canadian officials at Vancouver International Airport on December 1, 2018. Due to a publication ban granted by the courts at Meng’s request, the details of the charges against her have not been released.

The United States is seeking to extradite Meng on charges related to defrauding U.S. financial institutions issued from the Eastern District of New York. A bail hearing was held in the British Columbia’s Supreme Court on December 7, 2018, in which Canadian authorities accused Meng of fraud. They alleged that she had “direct involvement” with Huawei’s business in Iran. Meng was later granted bail of 10 million Canadian dollars by Justice William Ehrcke.

The arrest comes at a time when the U.S. has been investigating Huawei for violating U.S. sanctions on countries such as Cuba, Iran, Syria, and Sudan. The U.S. initially inquired into Huawei’s business practices in 2017. Since then, Huawei’s share of the global smartphone market has continued to grow. Government officials have increasingly expressed security concerns related to Huawei’s products, especially the fear that the Chinese government may be able to access U.S. infrastructure using Huawei’s devices.

The arrest occurred on the same night that President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping dined together in Buenos Aires and agreed to a 90-day truce in the ongoing

trade war between the U.S. and China.

This negotiation now faces a crisis, as the tension between the two sides is rapidly escalating. Beijing is likely to pressure the U.S. to release Meng.

If the U.S. declines, efforts made to end the trade war may fail. The White House did not immediately respond when asked if the President was aware of the detention during his dinner with President Xi. The U.S. currently plans to move forward with the extradition, although government officials have not yet provided any evidence of criminal activity.

Harry Li ’20 said, “If you want to arrest other countries’ citizens, according to international law you have to have proof that this person has committed crimes. And if Meng really has, then [extradition] is justified. But I believe that governments can do whatever they want in their own countries.”

Tensions between China and Canada have also increased since Meng’s arrest. On Monday, January 14, the Chinese government sentenced Robert Schellenberg, a Canadian citizen facing accusations of drug smuggling in China, to death. Schellenberg had been detained in China for four years prior to his retrial. Unlike usual trials in China, Schellenberg’s retrial was made public, in what many described as a political move. Carter Moyer ’20 said, “It’s hard to see [the sentencing] as anything less than retribution for Meng’s arrest.”

The political context of the retrial leaves some wondering if Schellenberg will ever receive justice. Professor Donald C. Clarke, a specialist in Chinese law at George Washington University, said, “We should draw the conclusion that the Chinese government very obviously wants us to draw: this is

a political case. Schellenberg’s fate will have nothing to do with his individual guilt or innocence.”

However, according to Edward Guo ’19, the Chinese government has historically been strict in punishing both foreigners and citizens for drug-related crimes. Guo said, “China and drugs are two things that just aren’t compatible. It actually isn’t that strange for people who committed drug-related crimes to be sentenced to death or life in prison.”

For Chinese citizens, the tensions surrounding Huawei have only added to the stress caused by the ongoing trade war. In the past year, China’s economy displayed the slowest growth rate in over three decades. This slowdown has impacted the everyday life of the general public in China. “Some things have gotten more expensive, and it’s unfortunate to see that,” Guo said. “The relationship [between China and the U.S.] makes it tough, even for students. The Chinese government from time to time uses overseas students as a leverage, because [they] are a way that the United States is making money off of China.”

Despite recent talks between President Trump and President Xi, relations between China and the U.S. remain strained. Moyer said, “These developments do give me pause in visiting China. I know I am not going to be arrested should I go over there on an exchange, but [China] is far from [welcoming].”

Last Monday, the U.S. Justice Department officially filed criminal charges against Huawei. The charges accused the company of stealing T-Mobile trade secrets and violating U.S. sanctions on Iran.

From left: Chris Doyle, director of admission at Marist College, Greg Roberts, dean of admission at the University of Virginia, and Peaches Valdes, dean of admission at Hamilton College, share tips with Upper Mids and their parents.

Photo | David Li ’21

Upper Mids Begin College Process Felix Bao ’21 Contributing Writer

As the school year moves into its second half, some Upper Mids are beginning to feel the pressure of the upcoming college application process.

Last weekend, Upper Mid students and their parents gathered for the unofficial start to the college process - the Upper Mid College Forum.

The Forum was a two-day event.

On Friday night at 6:30 p.m., Upper Mids and their parents were addressed by deans of admission from five colleges: Dartmouth College, Hamilton College, Marist College, University of Richmond, and the University of Virginia. On Saturday morning, students and parents then attended a two-and-a-half hour long panel held by the representatives from the five schools. Following the admissions panel were two break-out sessions, in which the Upper Mids participated in student panels led by Seniors, mock admission exercises, and presentations on financial aid, special-interest admissions, and gap year opportunities. After lunch, stu-

dents and parents met with their college advisors.

Mr. Richard Hazelton, director of college advising, hoped that the Forum would give the students a strong start to the college application process. “I think some of the key takeaways for student[s] is that there are a wealth of very strong academic institutions out there,” said Mr. Hazelton, “and that [they] should be really excited about the process, [which] is really about finding a place that fits them.”

The College Office also wants to help the students and their parents embrace the diversity of college institutions available to them. Mr. Hazelton stated, “We are trying to counter the belief that there is only a very small group of elite colleges that the students should aspire to. First of all, the group of elite colleges is a really big group; what we are trying to do at its core is to have the students and the parents keep an open mind and not operate on preconceived ideas and rankings.”

Like many Upper Mids, Zak Billo ’20 attended the Forum hoping to discover something new about the college process. He said, “After listen-

ing to all of the admission officers, I was very surprised by their depth of personality and humanity. My biggest takeaway was that being genuine is the key to a successful application. I am both excited and startled about the vastness of my options.”

Other Upper Mids saw this event as an opportunity to resolve confusion about the college process. Kelly Zuo ’20 said, “I was surprised to hear that for college admissions, essay-reading actually is the most exciting part when reviewing a student’s file. They truly hope students can show them their interesting and human side that differentiates them from just a profile with transcripts.”

Seniors who attended the Forum last year enjoyed and appreciated the program. “The college process is really not as stressful as everyone says it is,” recalled Dylan Kalaydjian ’19.

“I was looking for a good introduction [to the whole application process] and I think I found that in the Upper Mid College Forum. If I could tell the current Upper Mids anything, it would be to start early. You have so much time, so take advantage of it and don’t put it off.”

United States law enforcement officials take “El Chapo” into custody on January 19, 2017.

Photo | Ted Psahos, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

El Chapo Accused of Bribing Mexico’s Ex-President Billy Meneses ’22 Staff Writer

Enrique Peña Nieto, who served as President of Mexico from 2012 to 2018, was recently accused of accepting a $100 million bribe from notorious drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. According to CNN, the allegations come from Alex Cifuentes, former Colombian drug-trafficker and secretary to El Chapo, “as part of a cooperation agreement [Cifuentes] entered [into] with the United States government.”

Cifuentes gave his testimony over the course of three days in Brooklyn, New York, disclosing information about the bribe and many more details about the daily operations of Guzman, the founder of the Sinaloa Cartel. Cifuentes stated that Nieto had initially asked for $250 million, but ultimately agreed to $100 million, in exchange for ending a nationwide manhunt for El Chapo.

Guzman founded his cartel in 1989, and, after the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) learned of the cartel’s activity, was first incarcerated in 1993. Even from his jail cell, however, he continued to run operations by bribing officials in his prison.

In 2001, Guzman escaped from prison by hiding in a laundry cart and avoided law enforcement until a second arrest in 2014. At that point, he had a net worth well over $1 billion, earning him a spot on the Forbes list of the world’s richest people. He escaped prison yet again in 2015, through a mile-long underground tunnel leading from his cell to a nearby house

under construction. El Chapo was recaptured for the last time on January 8, 2016. The following year, he was extradited to the U.S., where he pled not guilty to multiple charges, including the distribution of narcotics, murder, and firearm violations. If convicted, he faces life in prison.

Both Guzman and Nieto have denied the allegations. Nieto’s ex-Chief of Staff released a statement saying, “The declarations of the Colombian drug trafficker [Cifuentes] in New York are false, defamatory and absurd.” According to The Guardian, Brian Cogan, the judge in charge of Guzman’s trial, stated that the jury should rely on existing evidence in the case, rather than recent allegations.

Many believe that relations between Mexico and the U.S. will not shift significantly as a result of the allegations. David Vega ’20, co-head of the Hotchkiss Political Union, said, “I don’t think the allegations will put a major strain [on] the U.S. and Mexico, mostly because I don’t think Trump will care too much about this issue. Nieto’s no longer the president of Mexico; Obrador instead is the president, and I think even if Nieto remained as the president of Mexico...Trump would consider working with him, [since] Mexico is such an important ally.”

Some Mexicans maintain that day-to-day issues in the country are more deserving of attention than news of the allegations. Mexican-American student Aldo Leal ’22 said, “I think it’s because Mexico has many more problems that are more important than just a criminal walking around, like gas [shortage] problems.”

The Return of Sleepovers?

Sander Kuijs ’21 Contributing Writer

Since the beginning of this school year, students have not been allowed to sleep over with friends living in other dorm rooms, as part of a revised interdorming policy. This departure from previous years’ policies, which did permit sleepovers, has been met with much discussion and controversy from students across all grades.

Student Body Co-Presidents Daniel Pai ’19 and Caitlin Reilly ’19 recently hosted an open StuFac meeting to gather students’ perspectives on the current policy. Reilly said, “Many students have come up to me and said that sleepovers were one of the main ways they made friends. I have also heard proctors living in lowerclass dorms voice concern about being denied a space to hang out with their friends, the overwhelming majority of [whom] live in upperclass dorms.”

Brian Wong ’19, a proctor in Garland, expressed disappointment with the current sleepover policy, saying, “[Sleepovers] were a crucial part of my Hotchkiss experience. In fact, a lot of the most valuable moments I had with my friends came during sleepovers.” The current poli-

cy, Wong said, “inhibits close friendships.”

Some students wonder why the policy changed. Pai said, “For many students, sleepovers were a great bonding experience, and had always been an integral part of Hotchkiss life. The main issue is that none of us students know why sleepovers were removed this year, since there’s never been an issue with them before — at least, not that we are aware of.”

Due to overwhelming student interest in reinstating sleepovers, Pai and Reilly plan to further discuss the issue with the administration. Describing potential next steps, Reilly said, “Our plan is to speak to the heads of each dorm and see what their issues are with sleepovers. This way, we can develop a proposal that addresses any possible counterarguments and satisfies the needs of everyone.”

Pai and Reilly hope to achieve a change in the policy by the end of the school year. Reilly said, “We’re optimistic, because the school administration appears to be open to a compromise. We know it’s going to be a challenge and that we ultimately can’t control the administration’s decision, but we are willing to put in the work that is required. We’re hoping for the best.”

Thursday, January 31, 2019

THE HOTCHKISS RECORD

FEATURES | 3

Features

Sizing Up Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics This week, the Features Editors explored opportunities in the study of science, both nationally and at school. The section also investigated changes to the science department, such as the the creation of a new first-year science course and ways to get involved in the Class of 2017 EFX Lab.

Prep Science: Core No More

STEM by the Numbers

Meghana Annamaneni ’21 Staff Writer Prior to their arrival on campus, incoming students anticipate their new courses, teachers, and classmates. Science is among the subjects that all students are required to take.

However, not all science students will share the same experience as, in the past decade, the Science Department has adjusted the Prep and Lower Middle science requirements three times.

Before 2014, Preps and Lower Mids enrolled in a required two-year program. During their first year, the course covered physics and chemistry, the following year, chemistry and biology. The science department changed to a one-year program, the Prep Science Core, in 2014. The switch allowed students to take a greater number of science classes according to individual interest after the Prep year.

The Prep Science Core focuses on introducing students to chemistry, biology, and physics with a focus on lab skills. For example, the Core teaches skills like titration, dimensional analysis, and lab safety. Throughout the year, Preps engage in labs and discussions that provide them with a foundation designed to help them pinpoint the future science classes they would like to take. Ms. Eileen Sullivan, head of the science department and instructor in chemistry, said, “The hope with the Prep Science Core [was] that the skills taught throughout the year prepare students for future science classes, because all of the skills are utilized in various aspects of other sciences.”

“[Physics] is helpful for [freshmen’s] mindset for future science classes, because it mixes the relationship between the physical world and math.”

Graphic | Tina Guo ’19 and Simone Straus ’21

Scoping Out the Science Department

Staff Writer Sydney Goldstein ’22 sat down for interviews with Mr. Paul Oberto, director of the Class of 2017 EFX Lab and instructor in chemistry, and Mr. Tovi Spero, instructor in physics, to get a glimpse of what is happening in the science department and ways to get involved in the EFX Lab.

- Mr. Pierre Yoo, instructor in chemistry Beginning in 2019-2020, the science department has decided to change the Prep Science Core program to a Physics 150 class for all incoming Preps. This year, the department implemented one trial Physics 150 class, which has been successful in many respects. Ms. Sullivan said, “Students are continuing to learn the same skills, but through the content of physics, which will help them adapt to their next science class.”

There will continue to be flexibility in what science classes students can select after the Prep year. However, because physics traditionally leads into chemistry, and then biology, the hope is that there will be a clearer route outlining which science classes students take during their time at Hotchkiss. Mr. Pierre Yoo, instructor in chemistry, said, “I used to teach physics to freshmen, and I thought it was helpful for their mindset for future science classes, because it mixes the relationship between the physical world and math.”

Students might find themselves questioning whether they should pursue any higher levels of Physics after taking the subject as Preps; however, Physics 150 will help the process by allowing Preps to evaluate their interest in the discipline. The switch to Physics 150 will also give Preps a foundation in a common branch of science, and prepare them for the transition to classes such as chemistry and biology. Lucy Bulley ’21, said, “I think students will enjoy the Physics 150 class, because it has a more specific focus rather than being [solely] a skills-based class.”

Mr. Paul Oberto What would you like to see changed in the school’s science program?

I would like to see our upper-level electives have more of a focus on independent research. We have a couple [of] courses [based around research], but I think it would be a nice unifying theme for our upper-level courses to move in a more independent-research-based direction. [This does not apply to] high-level technical classes, but there are ways for a course to be independent-project oriented at the appropriate level.

What sparked the creation of the Class of 2017’s EFX Lab? A lot of [the original motive] came from prospective students and parents, as well as a recognition by our faculty of a gap in our physical space and also [in] our program around engineering, robotics, coding [and] STEMtype courses that many of our peer schools have. We did not really have as many avenues for our students to pursue [those interests], not only in the curriculum, but also in the co-curriculum. We felt like [not having a space like the EFX Lab] was a gap in our program [so that our students were] lacking the set of skills not just desirable for college or the workforce, but also which engage [them] in valuable types of thinking and problem-solving.

Which classes use the EFX Lab? In the fall, our astronomy class uses the EFX Lab...for a lot of computer, design, and fabrication work. We are piloting [a] new physics-focused Prep Science course which meets in the lab, and our two engineering electives, fall and spring, meet in there in addition to the fall and winter co-curricular programs [in Robotics].

Without being a part of a class or co-curricular that uses the EFX Lab, how can students use it during their own time?

They can do a lot. Students can do a lot of building, making, [and] prototyping on a small and a larger scale. Students can [make their ideas happen] with the use of laser-cutters, traditional hand-tools, and woodworking skills.

For something like electronics or robotics, you can build up parts as well.

Cartoon | Charlie Knight ’20

Mr. Tovi Spero

Over the next few years, do you anticipate science classes being added to or removed from the course catalog?

The science course catalog may change quite a bit in the next couple of years. Hotchkiss is moving to a Physics-first model, where all Preps take physics. This will phase out the current Prep Core class. Beyond that, additional courses, especially electives, [may be] added, but those conversations are ongoing.

Do you believe students and faculty will adapt to change in the program quickly?

I think that the Science Department is excited by a change in curriculum, and I’m sure the student body will adjust instantly, since new Preps will have this curriculum as their default going forward.

How can students involve themselves in science outside the classroom?

Great ways to get involved with STE(A)M (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) outside of the classroom would be to sign up for the EFX/Robotics co-curricular. Beyond robots, many students decide on an engineering design project for the term and are guided through the use of hand tools, power tools, 3D printers, our industrial laser cutter, and more. Projects are largely self-directed and can encompass art, technology, and whatever else tickles your fancy.

How are students becoming involved with the EFX Lab? Some classes have done maker projects in the EFX lab, such as catapults for math, instruments for AP Physics 2, and Arduino circuits for AP Physics 1. Students have also used the space for engineering classes and independent projects.

Are there any ways in which students who do not take classes in the lab can use it in the future?

If you have an idea for a project, come by! We have several teachers involved with the EFX lab space – including myself, Mr. Golini, and Mr. Oberto, who runs the space.

THE HOTCHKISS RECORD

4 | OPINIONS

Opinions

Thursday, January 31, 2019

The Honor Roll: Healthy Motivation or Blunt Discouragement?

Brendon Stallaert ’22

Contributing Writer

The honor roll is arguably the most sought-after academic achievement at Hotchkiss. Every semester, the honor roll is posted on a bulletin board outside the Dean’s Wing as well as on the Hotchkiss website. This practice has sparked controversy on whether the honor roll helps or hinders students’ continued performance throughout the year. Some argue that the it motivates students who aren’t included to perform at a higher level, while others say that the exclusion discourages students from trying as hard in classes. In order to honor students’ achievements, but not foster embarrassment, I recommend we stop posting the honor roll outside the Dean’s Wing and post it only on the website.

Many students argue that the honor roll should be posted outside the Dean’s Wing, because it offers a high bar to which all can aspire.

They state that, for students not on the honor roll, passing it daily will inspire them to work harder, so they can see their names on the bulletin board. Also, supporters argue, posting the honor roll creates respect among peers. By seeing a friend’s name on the honor roll, it creates a deeper sense of admiration in the community. Andrew Preis ‘22, says “Personally, I’m driven by seeing other people’s names on the honor roll, as it pushes me to do better and excel in my classes.”

While there are many people in favor of the honor roll being posted, others argue that it is discouraging and embarrassing to those who aren’t included. Chase Vermeulen ‘22 says, “The honor roll reminds people who are trying their hardest that there are other people achieving higher grades, even though [they] could be putting in the same effort. That’s incredibly discouraging for some kids and doesn’t motivate them to continue with their goals for the second semester.” Other students are unhappy that the honor roll is posted on a bulletin board in the main hallway. Additionally, others argue that the honor roll puts only some students on a pedestal and implies that these are the only valued students.

“Honor roll is a great measure of excellence for academics at Hotchkiss” I think that the honor roll is a great way for students to display their achievements and a great way to bond the community by creating respect for others. At the same time, I see how other students could feel excluded and undervalued by the list, therefore, a compromise should be reached. Instead of posting the honor roll outside the Dean’s Wing and on the website, I suggest that the honor roll is only posted on the website. This change will not force students to look at the honor roll if they don’t want to, but if there are students who are curious, then they can find it online.

Also, students who make the honor roll will still have their achievements displayed to students and community members who are interested in reading the list. Honor roll is a great measure of excellence for academics at Hotchkiss which should be maintained without insulting students who may not be on it.

Cartoon | Tina Guo ’19

Speaker Pelosi Holds All the Cards Carter Moyer ’20

Staff Writer

Until recently, the government was shut down for over a month. During that time, over 800,000 federal government employees missed not one, but two, paychecks. These employees have families to support, groceries to buy, mortgages and credit card bills to pay; their health insurance was even put on hold. CareerBuilder reports that 78% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, and federal employees are no exception. With most of them already going through their savings following the first missed paycheck, they were soon out of options. There were no more expenses left to cut, and the few banks and businesses who understood their situations were outliers. What’s worse is that many of these furloughed employees were called back to work without compensation, so finding a second job was off the table.

“I find no moral issue with a partial wall being built, but I do find issue with Trump shutting down the government whenever Congress does not agree with him.”

Prior to the shutdown, Democrats and Republicans in the Senate unanimously passed a continuing resolution that would have continued to fund the government. Senators had been told prior to passing the bill that the President would support it once it reached his desk. The Republican-controlled House then added on $5.7 billion in border-wall funding, a measure that would never get the 60 votes necessary for it to pass in the Senate once more.

In addition, President Trump reneged on his end of the deal, saying that he would no longer support the continuing resolution. Instead, he insisted that he would not reopen the government unless he got the $5.7 billion dollars in wall-funding stipulated in the House’s bill. Immediately afterward, Congress went into recess, and we were stuck in political purgatory for over a month thereafter.

Since Speaker Pelosi and the Democrats assumed power in the House, they have been passing spending bills, both for the broader government and piecemeal. In practice, they were passing continuing resolutions in order to open the government so that Democrats and Republicans could debate how to best pursue border security without placing innocent Americans in the crossfire. The Senate, however, had not been allowed to vote on any of the bills passed by the House, thanks to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who said he would not put any bill up to a vote unless it received the President’s endorsement. In theory, it was a clever tactic to protect Republican lawmakers, but it was feckless and disgusting.

The American people wanted the shutdown to end, and they knew squarely where to place the blame. The New York Times reported that over 55% of Americans do not want a wall to be built, and over 57% blamed President Trump or Congressional Republicans for the shutdown, compared to 34% placing blame on the Democrats.

Leader McConnell could have put up the bill(s) to pass at any time with enough votes to overrule a Presidential veto, demonstrating that Congress is a co-equal branch of government and that the executive branch cannot take the entire government hostage whenever it so wishes. However, he did not do so, and the shutdown continued.

In days leading up to the reopening of the government on January 25, the President offered a new proposal: he would extend DACA protections for three years - the same protections his administration revoked - if the Democrats would fund the wall. Speaker Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer rightly called this offer out as a hostage negotiation. The President was using the future of millions of

hard-working, honest Americans - and their children, who, through no fault of their own, were brought illegally into America - as a bargaining chip to get funding for a wall that the majority of Americans do not want to pay for, funding he was unable to secure even when his party held control of both chambers of Congress. In the end, it was clear that Speaker Pelosi, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, congressional Democrats, and yes, a fair number of congressional Republicans wanted to find a solution that did not involve funding the wall. The President and the spineless Senate Majority Leader, however, did not, placing funding for an unwanted wall over the well-being of more than 800,000 federal employees and their families.

“The President and the spineless Senate Majority Leader [continued] to place funding for an unwanted wall over the security of more than 800,000 federal employees and their families.”

I find no moral issue with a partial wall being built, but I do find issue with Trump being able to shut down the government whenever Congress does not agree with him. Time and again congressional Democrats and Republicans put proposals on the table that paired wall funding with DACA protections, and each time President Trump rejected them. If the Democrats are going to compromise on the wall and they very well may have to in order to ensure the government remains open - they need demand in exchange

concessions such as rolling back the administration’s zero-tolerance policies for asylum seekers, giving those who seek asylum public defenders to represent them in immigration courts, giving Dreamers permanent legal status, and increasing the number of judges who oversee the nation’s backlogged immigration court system (over 700,000 cases have yet to be decided, and that number exceeds what judges can handle).

Speaker Pelosi rightfully said that a full-on immigration policy debate can be only held when the government is fully funded, and she, along with the broader Democratic leadership, knows that we will only come to an equitable agreement on how to end the humanitarian immigration crisis when it is comprehensive.

And in the end, perhaps the President came to understand that. His poll numbers were tanking, and he wasn’t any closer to getting funding for a wall over a month in than he had been when the shutdown started. The cracks began to show when the President yielded to Speaker Pelosi’s decision to postpone the State of the Union address until after the shutdown had ended and when he began proposing the half-baked compromise of temporary DACA protections. Reports are coming out of the administration saying that White House staffers felt as though the past month was wasted, and it’s clear that the President’s shutdown has done him zero favors.

When LaGuardia had to be shut down last Friday, the President knew continuing down this path could only end in disaster.

However, the real victims of the shutdown are the federal employees and contractors - the former will receive back pay, a small consolation for the past month’s maelstrom, but the latter lost an entire month’s salary that they will never get back, all for a Presidential power trip. Now, right now, the government is funded for only two more weeks, and if a deal is not reached before then, we may very well enter a shutdown once again. I’m admittedly thankful the President came to his senses in the end, and I wish both parties success in the forthcoming negotiations. Until then, however, Speaker Pelosi holds all the cards.

Thursday, January 31, 2019

THE HOTCHKISS RECORD

OPINIONS | 5

Trump and the Irony of Troop Withdrawal Cyrus Farmaian ’21 Contributing Writer

Photo | Kim Kyung Hoon, Reuters

The Land of the Free, Except for Immigrants Billy Meneses ’22 Contributing Writer Twin girls in diapers, Chelia and Saira Meza, and their mother, Maria, desperately run from tear gas thrown at them from the United States side of the border. Kim Kyung Hoon, reporter for the international news agency Reuters, took this picture at the border wall in Tijuana separating Mexico and the U.S. It highlights just one of the many difficulties migrants have faced during their journey to the border.

Chelia and Saira Meza are just two the of the 2,300 children and 7,000 immigrants who make up the caravan arriving at the border in November. How can we deny so many desperate people a chance at a life without fear? I would never have thought that the U.S. would be a contributor to the violence that many of these migrants have faced - violence that has prompted them to seek refuge in a country that is supposed to have open arms. The Statue of Liberty proclaims, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free / Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, / I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

When I first saw the striking photo, I immediately thought of a recent statement President Donald Trump made in a press conference: “Anybody throwing stones, rocks - like they did to Mexico and the Mexican military, Mexican police…we will consider [the stone as] a firearm.” This statement came in response to the migrants who had been throwing rocks at the San Ysidro border crossing in early November, protesting the long wait

times for asylum, as well as their current, substandard living conditions in Mexico.

While I do not condone violence in any way, I firmly disagree with Trump when he equates rifles with rocks, especially when military personnel can easily overpower any efforts from the migrants to fight back.

After intense criticism, he clarified his statements, saying that he never specifically said military personnel should shoot, but the insinuation was enough for me to understand the message that he was propagating. Yet fire cannot be fought with fire, just as violence cannot be fought with violence.

Over 7,000 immigrants on this treacherous journey have risked dehydration and hunger, especially since many traveled without being able to afford meals for their families. They came from Central American countries such as Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, fleeing gang violence and economic instability in hopes of better lives for themselves and their children. The Meza family, for one, are fleeing violence in Honduras, a country with a murder rate 800% higher than the U.S. For many of the migrants, their only way to live to see another day is to join this caravan.

Maria Meza has said that she was not trying to illegally cross the border but was attempting to get to the border so that she could use her opportunity to apply for asylum legally, something that all refugees are entitled to do under protections established by the United Nations. By refusing to even hear her appeal, we are denying her basic human rights and those of thousands of other immigrants.

EDITORIAL

Announcing the CXXI Record Board We want to thank all students and faculty who have and continue to contribute to each print issue as well as the digital side of The Record. We also would love to thank all those who submitted applications and presented themselves during interviews during the application process. The time, effort, and constant communication you have expressed towards the board is beyond appreciated by all of us. Although we expanded the size of the entire board due to the implementation of the online platform, choosing from a collective bunch of strong applicants was no easy task. For the young contributors, keep on working hard because next year will come around quickly and your effort and consistency throughout will not be dismissed.

The Hotchkiss Record President Nicholas Lorentzen ’20

Editors-in-Chief Charlie Knight ’20, Maura Thompson ’20,

Jiahua Chen ’20

News Editors Meghana Annamaneni ’21 and Reece Yang ’21 Features Editors Lucy Haswell ’20 and Tamsin Nottage ’20 Opinions Editors Carter Moyer ’20 and Lily Yang ’21

Arts & leisure Editors Tina Deng ’21 and John Shin ’20 Sports Editors Connie Cao ’21, Cyrus Farman-Farmaian ’21, and

Lucas Mastrodomenico ’20

Photography Editors David Li ’21 and Jerry Sheng ’20 Layout Editors I Lok U ’20 and Annie Xu ’22

Distribution Managers Arhan Chhabra ’22 and Yuka Masumura ’21 Digital Content Editors Ally Fertig ’20, Alex McLane ’20, and Digital Media Coordinators Digital Sports Editors Digital Media Editor Social Media Manager

Kavi Sarna ’21 Justin Choi ’20 and Jerry Sheng ’20 Nick Hsu ’20 and Toby Pouler ’20 Jeffrey Zhai ’20 Julia Willett ’20

The U.S. should not be contributing to their fear, but helping alleviate the worries they face. The U.S. should provide clothes, food, and shelter for migrants and commit to fixing our faulty, overwhelmed immigration system. Since 2017, the Immigration Court backlog has increased by 49%, with more than 700,000 cases “pending.” Many of these cases have been “pending” for over five years. The focus has to be on helping immigrants achieve a permanent status in this country that allows them to live out of harm’s way and putting money into things like the wall or increased border patrol officers will not help them find a home in this country. Our nation has to prioritize a systematic and organized process for asylum-seekers to seek a status of residency in this country as quickly as possible.

This country is built by immigrants and will continue to benefit from the people we admit and allow to expand our economy and society.

The U.S. has ample resources to assist people, and we cannot go back on the values on which this country was built.

In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson wrote, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Turning our backs on the foundational values of this country is fundamentally un-American. These immigrants have just as much a right to live as we do, and the current administration has the power to influence the outcome of this situation and keep America great, as it has always been.

On Wednesday, December 19, President Trump announced his plan to evacuate the nearly 2,000 United States troops stationed in Syria, saying, “We have won against ISIS.” This abrupt announcement rattled allies such as Britain and Israel, who have been working closely with U.S. troops to battle the terrorist organization. President Trump later modified his initial statement, dropping his insistence on an immediate withdrawal and saying instead that he would allow the troops to “finish their mission.” While we wait to see when troops will be brought home, we can acknowledge that this change in position represents yet another instance when the President has made a rash decision and then changed his stance after consultation with aides. Indeed, the evidence suggests that the President’s confident dismissal of ISIS is not supported by evidence; therefore, troops must remain in Syria until the ISIS “caliphate” is completely eradicated.

After the recent attack in Manbij, a city that has seen nearly all sides of the war in Syria, the President’s claims seem especially dubious. On January 16, 2019, an ISIS suicide bomber in Manbij killed 19 people, including four Americans, the sixth attack claimed by ISIS in the past month. President Trump’s statements have also been discredited by the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Syrian-led force that is working with the U.S. to eliminate ISIS in Syria. Much of the SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces) focus has been on a group of towns on the banks of the Euphrates River in Eastern Syria, which are still controlled by ISIS and have resisted American and SDF joint efforts for years. Just in that area, there are estimated to be anywhere from two to eight thousand ISIS fighters. SDF leadership stated, “The war against [the] Islamic State has not ended, and the group has not been defeated.”

Without U.S. aid, the SDF will undoubtedly fall to the Islamic State, which will then likely continue expanding control throughout the country.

Less than two weeks prior to President Trump’s announcement, Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also directly contradicted the president’s position. In a statement, Dunford stated that 35,000 local troops would be needed to prevent resurgence of ISIS in Syria and that American forces still had a long way to go in assisting them. If the President follows through with an immediate withdrawal, the few properly trained Syrian forces will be overrun.

Removing American troops from Syria in haste will leave a power vacuum that would likely be filled by countries hostile to our interests or dissolve into violent chaos. Russian president Vladimir Putin openly support the withdrawal, suggesting he may intend to extend Russian influence into the region.

A sudden withdrawal is also likely spark conflict between the Israel and Iran. Iran has already deployed forces in the war-torn area and is expected to add more if we depart.

On January 21, the Israeli military confirmed an air strike on Iranian forces stationed in Syria. With tension between Israel and Iran already at an all-time high, if American forces leave the area, there the potential for catastrophic conflict between the two nations increases drastically.

It is important that the Trump administration continue to take ISIS seriously and that the President worry less about his pride and more about devising a concrete plan on how to eradicate ISIS as quickly as possible. If we cannot eradicate cells in a city like Manbij, over which we believed we had firm control, how can we even imagine to do so in other cities throughout the country? Before a complete withdrawal, it is important that we help build up positive cultural changes in Syria. Syria has been ravaged by terrible war for years, and if only a fraction of our troops stationed there could focus on building schools, mosques, and other cultural amenities, they would be doing great good. Although it is unlikely it is that President Trump would approve an idea like this one, a program such as this could be exponentially beneficial to the country after our departure.

The Hotchkiss Record President Editors-in-Chief

News Editors Features Editors Opinions Editors Arts & leisure Editors Sports Editors Photography Editors Graphics Editors Design Editor Faculty Advisors

Priyanka Kumar ’19 Zoe Bank ’19, Harry Alexander Roepers ’19, and Gregoria Serretta Fiorentino ’19 Amanda Hill ’19 and Hannah Liu ’19 Liz Koobatian ’19 and Tamsin Nottage ’20 Justin Choi ’20 and Gemma Tung ’19 Diana Reiss ’19 and John Shin ’20 Britney Douglas ’19, Charlie Knight ’20, and Maura Thompson ’20 Jiahua Chen ’20 and Jerry Sheng ’20 Tina Guo ’19 and Amy Wang ’19 Nicholas Lorentzen ’20 Ann Villano and Emma Wynn

Staff Writers Deb Adeyemi ’20, Meghana Annamaneni ’21, Mame Balde ’20, Tina Deng ’20, Cyrus Farman-Farmaian ’21, Stephanie Ge ’22, Sydney Goldstein ’22, Lucy Haswell ’20, Nick Hsu ’20, Carter Moyer ’20, Claire Wang ’21, Yitong Wu ’20, Reece Yang ’21, David Vega ’20, Yuki Zhang ’22 Staff Cartoonists Nicole Morikawa ’21, Carolyn Ren ’19, Cathy Wang ’19 Staff Photographer Edward Guo ’19, David Li ’21 School population: Students, 613; Faculty, 124. Distribution: 1000 papers are printed. Free papers are distributed on campus. Subscriptions mailed first-class are available at an annual cost of $25.

Scholastic press affiliations: CSPA, NSPA. 11 Interlaken Road, Lakeville, CT 06039

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6 | ARTS

THE HOTCHKISS RECORD

Arts & Leisure

Thursday, January 31, 2019

Students Perform at Second Annual Carnegie Hall Event Stephanie Ge ’22 Staff Writer

Shane Kim ’20 performs “Scene de Ballet” by Charles Auguste de Beriot at Carnegie Hall last January.

Atlantic Brass Quintet Offers Engaging Program Claire Wang ’21 Staff Writer Last Friday, the critically acclaimed Atlantic Brass Quintet performed in Elfers Hall, showcasing pieces vastly different in style, from Baroque to contemporary.

The Atlantic Brass Quintet was founded in 1985 by tubist John Manning, who was later joined by Thomas Bergeron and Tim Leopold on trumpets, Seth Orgel on French horn, and Tim Albright on trombone. Atlantic Brass is one of the most internationally celebrated brass chamber ensembles. In 1992, the Quintet won the “Premier Prix” at the International Brass Competition of Narbonne, France, establishing the company’s preeminence.

Atlantic Brass is known for playing a broad range of styles from over five centuries of music. Mr. Fabio Witkowski, director of the visual and performing arts department, said, “Brass quintets are a very famous formation, equivalent to string quartets or choruses. One thing Atlantic Brass does very well is that they blend different styles; they play pieces by Bach, but then they also do some very contempo-

Photo | Wendy Carlson

rary American arrangements and Eastern Europe folk music. That is very unique.”

Prior performers in Elfers have included pianist Leonel Morales, the Emerson String Quartet, and many more. The tradition of inviting musicians to play at the school not only allows students to be inspired by master musicians but also encourages members of the community to develop an interest in new types of music. Mr. Witkowski said, “I think in any concert, [musicians in our community] will get inspired by people playing so well, so they will want to challenge themselves and practice. This time, the brass students took classes with these amazing professionals. I think these concerts are opportunities for people who already like this type of music to come and enjoy, and for people who aren’t familiar with it to come and expand their interest, and knowledge.”

The quintet opened with a Bach French Suite, which was originally written for piano. They then transitioned to American contemporary pieces such as “Declamatory Ascent.” This song is a commentary on the divisive political climate in America. The group finished with three movements of Eastern Europe folk and Balkan dance music.

Jack Shrewsbury ’21, a piano student, said, “I’ve never been a big fan of jazz or brass compositions, but I like how this group turned the Bach piece into a more modernized arrangement.”

The Atlantic Brass Quintet re-

The new year started off on a high note for the music program, with a performance in one of the world’s most renowned concert venues. Twenty-one music students performed in Carnegie Hall in New York City last Monday. Founded in 1891, the hall has showcased musical talent in multiple genres, from popular to classical.

For Victoria Chen ’21, Weill Hall at Carnegie is an unfamiliar venue, “When I play my piece,” she said, “I need to clear my mind and think of nothing. To be honest, even thinking about the music and what notes are coming up distracts me.”

Chen described the sensation of stepping onto a new stage as “a unique feeling that never really disappears,” and also commented

on the rich history of the concert hall. “Some of the most high-level pianists perform in these spaces,” she noted, “and to be performing where they performed is really special.”

“Some of the most high-level pianists preform in these spaces, and to be performing where they performed is really special.”

- Victoria Chen ’21 The tradition of Carnegie Hall recitals for Hotchkiss students is relatively new. Students first performed in the world-famous venue in January 2018. Since last year, the number of performers going

The Atlantic Brass Quintet performed in Elfers Hall last Friday.

ceived a standing ovation after their performance. French horn student, Rachel Mokriski ’21 said, “The performers were all very passionate

and conveyed their emotions to the audience. They taught me in the master class that notes on the page don’t matter as much [as] playing

to Carnegie has increased by about one third, from 16 to 21 students.

Though extensive practice seems a sure means to prevent nervousness, the multiple intricacies of a piece can nevertheless give a musician the jitters. In the weeks leading up to the concert, Ricky Shi ’22 said his biggest challenge was the sheer number of small details that needed attention in his long and intricate piano piece. He commented, “I want to use my skills to deliver music to the audience and make [it] sounds good [despite my nervousness].”

For Dr. Gisele Witkowski, instructor in piano, the heart of the concert lies in its ability to bring people together through music.

Hard work and many run-throughs culminate in a two-hour performance. She said, “It is so rewarding when you are really well prepared and [come determined to] perform your best.”

Photo | Tina Deng ’21

with a group of people. Your specific part doesn’t matter. You want the group as a whole to sound as enjoyable as possible.”

Artist of the Issue: Gwen Slaughter ’19 Isabel Su ’22 Contributing Writer

ercise. I [also] felt like I was good at it. I loved the combination of having an art and a sport at the same time.

pieces where I felt as exhausted. I just genuinely felt so proud when I did that.

Gwen Slaughter ’19, a dedicated member of the Hotchkiss Dance Company, is currently pursuing an independent study in dance.

Mrs. Alice Sarkissian-Wolf, who taught dance at Hotchkiss for 26 years, said, “[Gwen] has been such a delightful student. [She] completely understands the work ethic, the commitment, and the drive it takes to dance. She has also been a mentor to many of her classmates, because of her dedication, focus, strong skills, and energy.”

Is there a specific dancer who inspires you?

Sylvie Guillem. She was a principal dancer at the Paris Opera Ballet. [However,] she wasn’t just good at ballet, she could do contemporary and modern. She could execute everything perfectly. Everything had so much emotion and meaning to it.

[There’s] also Gelsey Kirkland. She’s a ballet dancer. I trained with her for a summer, and she was incredible.

What is a challenge you’ve faced as a dancer?

I think that, especially with ballet, you’re told you’re supposed to look a certain way. You’re supposed to be so skinny, and so flexible, and all these things. Especially when I was a kid and I only did ballet, I never had that body type. I was never as thin and as flexible, but I would argue I was stronger, because I had more muscle mass. I think this is a struggle for every dancer: trying to love your own body when you’re told that you’re supposed to conform [to] some[one] else’s.

When and why did you start dancing?

I started dancing when I was around 2, [when] I didn’t really know what I was doing. I was just messing around, because a lot of moms put their little girls in dance classes. I stayed with it, because my mom was a dancer. She danced up until she was 18 and almost professionally. It was really nice having a mentor in that, and I just really loved [dance], because it was an opportunity to ex-

What’s a memorable moment you’ve had dancing at Hotchkiss?

When I was a Lower Mid, one of the Seniors, Jenny Lu ’17, choreographed a whole show as an independent study. She took anyone who volunteered to dance in it, but it was people who were experienced. I was the only lowerclass student because it was such a time commitment. [We rehearsed] a lot for a full year, but the end-of-the-year show was just incredible. It was so physically demanding. I’ve never danced so many

Do you think you’ll continue to dance after graduating?

I don’t think I will as much as I have in the past, but I think dance is such an important thing, because it doesn’t have to be you just taking a class. You can dance with friends [or] you can choreograph something. I think it’s something that I’m good at and love doing; I think it’s something I’ll always have.

Slaughter prepares to execute a dance combination. Photo | Gwen Slaughter ’19

Sports

Thursday, October 4, 2018

THE HOTCHKISS RECORD

SPORTS | 7

Mystery Donor Brings Crew to School Connie Cao ’21 Staff Writer This Spring, sailing won’t be the only team navigating open waters: the school will have its very first rowing team. After years of student requests, an alum eager to finance the program worked with Associate Head of School Dr. Merrilee Mardon and Co-directors of Athletics Ms. Robin Chandler and Mr. Danny Smith to make this dream a reality.

The school is currently seeking coaches and determining where the team will practice. Because Lake Wononscopomuc is already used by the sailing team and is too short for a crew team, the administration has been searching for other options. It has been talking with both the Berkshire School and Salisbury School, who row on Long Pond and the Twin Lakes, respectively. Chandler said, “The challenges [we are facing] are all the details, details, details.

Lots of unanswered questions that we are currently working on now.”

However, the school does not see these as major obstacles pre-

venting the team’s introduction in the Spring. Mardon said, “We’re excited to be in the position to think about solutions rather than just focusing on the barriers. We are handling these [challenges] by being flexible in our thinking. I am

“The training will require team members who are dedicated.

Rowing is a demanding but immensely rewarding sport.”

- Dr. Merrilee Mardon

Associate Head of School

really excited to see where we go.”

To begin, the school will purchase three four-person boats and ten indoor rowing machines.

The number of boats and crew’s demanding nature will limit the number of students who can join the team. Chandler estimates that the team will have anywhere between 15 and 20 members, but both she and Mardon emphasized that nothing is set in stone. Mardon said, “I think we need to be flexible about the number [of students] on the team - the training will require team members who are dedicated. Rowing is a demanding but immensely rewarding sport.”

Although the schedule is unsure, the team hopes to compete against nearby private and public schools and possibly some club teams.

Many students are eager to try the sport and possibly discover a newfound passion for rowing. Ben Kinnear ’20 said, “I want to join the crew teavm because I was part of CRF (Chicago Rowing Foundation) before I came to Hotchkiss.

My love for Hotchkiss trumped my love for crew, but now I can have both!”

Cartoon | Yuka Masamura ’21

Three Wrestlers Place at Brunswick Yitong Wu ’20 Staff Writer The freezing winter snow did not cool off the determination of the Varsity Wrestling team. On January 19, the team competed at the Brunswick Tournament and received three top recognitions.

The team placed tenth amongst 16 participating schools.

Individually, AJ Caba ’20 placed fourth at 138 pounds, Tiki Crider ’20 placed fourth at 140 pounds, and Ben Meyers ’19 placed third at 195 pounds.

The wrestling team started this season with a roster that is double the size of last year’s. Fifteen new players joined the team this year, many of whom had not previously wrestled but were interested in trying the sport. There are seven female wrestlers on the team this year, which breaks the record of three or four in the previous ten years. Einar Bratthall ’20, a new member of the Varsity team, said, “If my teammates were [not] so welcoming and passionate, I would not [have] thought of trying out the sport.”

This increase in size and diversity on the team makes for higher-quality practices. Co-captain Nick Adams ’19 said, “Having a lot more people in the practice room adds more energy and ex-

citement to the atmosphere. It also helps while training with different partners, because each wrestler has their own style and techniques.”

After every tournament, meet, and practice, the team reflects on its performance. Head Coach Cooper Puls said, “I’m really proud of how hard these kids are working during practices.

They don’t take mental days off.

Of the 22 practices we’ve had so far, I believe 20 of them were fantastic, and I’m happy to see the great progress each individual has been making.”

At the same time, the team faces the challenge that there are many members who are new to the sport. Without the advantage of having several years of experience, these young wrestlers need to learn many skills before going into competitions.

Recent meets have demonstrated the value of the new wrestlers. After losing to both Suffield and Loomis-Chaffee last year, the team emerged victorious against both on Wednesday, January 24.

This past Saturday, it earned victories against Choate, Deerfield, and Canterbury.

The team will continue to improve as new players grow more experienced. Its next home meet is scheduled for Wednesday, February 6 against Salisbury.

Tiki Crider ’20 breaks down an opponent.

Photos | Edward Guo ’19

Olivia King ’19 performs a back 1 and 1/2 twister in Hixon Pool.

Photo | Nicholas Lorentzen ’20

Athlete of the Issue: Olivia King ’19 Mame Balde ’20 Staff Writer

Olivia King ’19 is a three-year Senior and co-captain of the Girls Varsity Swimming and Diving Team. Eden Oostenink ’20 said, “Olivia has not only contributed some of the highest scores we’ve seen in a long time, but also helped every single one of her teammates be the best they can possibly be.

She never stops trying to get better, and she doesn’t care how many times she smacks the water, so long as she eventually gets it right.”

Why did you start diving?

I actually started diving because I was a gymnast for 12 years of my life, and then I got injured. I could no longer take the impact on my body from gymnastics, so I quit and I switched to diving. Switching to diving was really great for me, because it was all of the parts of gymnastics that I loved without the really bad impact.

What is your favorite part about diving at Hotchkiss?

I think it’s when my friends come to watch me dive and say, “You were so good! How do you do that?” It makes me realize how unique diving is and how amazing an opportunity it is to be able do it at a high school level like this.

What are diving practices like?

At typical diving practices, we do about fifteen minutes of dry-land training before we get into the water. A lot of that is basic strength and conditioning, a lot of stretching, and getting your muscles warmed up. Then we do about ten minutes of basics, like front [and]

back approaches. We try to get the most basic things down so that we can build up to harder dives and so that the harder dives look better. If it’s a week before a big meet, we’ll normally write out a list of six dives we are going to do at that meet, and from there it’s just repetition - working on making those six dives as good as we can. Numbers are super-important in diving, because a lot of diving is just muscle memory, so you have to keep doing it over and over again until your muscles know what to do.

What do you do to help you accomplish a difficult dive?

My thought process is a little different [from] a lot of other divers because of doing gymnastics for so long. I have absolutely no fear of getting hurt.

When I’m gearing up to do a new dive, I normally just say, if I try and throw this as hard as I can and I make it, I can go from there and make it cleaner. I’m always the kid [who] throws the hardest dive they think they can do, and then I work from there.

What are some of your hopes for the diving team this year?

I just want us all to go to Founders and New Englands, and we’re already doing very well. Meera Kasturi ’22 has already broken two records. I just want the team to keep growing and developing.

Describe your best diving experience.

My best [experience] was probably winning Founders last year. As a diver, I’m very uptight, and I get very, very nervous easily. Throughout the competition, I was head-to-head with a girl from Choate. Every single dive it would

either be me a couple of points in front of her or her a couple points in front of me. Coming into the last round, I knew that I had to just give it my all and put everything out there. Once I got out of the water, I realized that I had won Founders!

Do you have any unique pre-game traditions?

I’m super superstitious, so I have to wear the same pair of nasty, old, white, beat up, Vans to every meet.

Also, I wear this Patagonia [sweater] I got during my Lower Mid year that has a bunch of wave patterns on it. I [always] have to put the little towel that we use to dry off in-between dives on a specific spot on the board before I get up to do a dive. There are a lot of weird things that a lot of people wouldn’t notice but are so important to me.

How has the team changed since you first started diving here?

A lot of what diving at Hotchkiss was [when I arrived was] a sport that kids had never done [before], and they just wanted to try out for fun. However, after I came, we got Meera as another recruit, and [now] we’re pretty often having recruits come to [watch our] practice[s]. We’ve definitely gotten way better as a program over the past couple of years, which is really cool to see.

Are you going to continue diving in college?

I am diving in college. I was contacted recently by the coach [of Washington University in St. Louis] and she told me, “We’d love to offer you a spot on the team for next year!” That was really amazing.

THE HOTCHKISS RECORD

4 | OPINIONS

Thursday, January 31, 2019

Boys Varsity Basketball Season Begins with a Bang Toby Pouler ’20 Staff Writer

Xavier Wilson ’19 shoots a jumpshot.

Photos | Edward Guo ’19

The Boys Varsity Basketball team has started the season with an impressive record of 11-3, including an undefeated 5-0 record at home.

Thanks to a combination of experienced returners and impactful new players, the team has enjoyed one of its best openings in recent years.

Heavy recruitment caused every starting lineup in last year’s team to consist of at least four firstyear Hotchkiss players. Although the team ended the season last year with a successful 15-9 record, it had a slow start to the season, perhaps due to a lack of chemistry between members who were just beginning to learn how to play with each other.

This year’s team has exhibited a strong combination of team chemistry and explosive individual playmaking that has excited fans.

Three-year team member Elijah Stone ’20 said, “This year, we’ve stepped up a lot in terms of resilience. Every team has bad games, but this year we’ve bounced back with a lot of energy instead of letting ourselves get complacent.”

The energy and spirit have been a huge factor for the team thus far; herds of blue supporters have been more than happy to con-

tribute when the team suits up at home. The packed court sides explode with energy every time Miles Brewster ’20 slams the ball into the hoop, Kyle Jenkins ’20 nails a key three-pointer, or Xavier Wilson ’19 muscles through defenders for an and-one.

“As a team, we play as one; all I [have] to do [is] fit in. [The] talented and smart players around me [make that very] easy.”

- Xavier Wilson ’19 Part of the reason for the strong team chemistry is the seamless integration of new impact players. Wilson, a first-year player and starter, said, “As a team, we play as

one family; all I [have] to do [is] fit in. [The] talented and smart players around me [make that very] easy.”

This support, both from within the team itself and from its fans, has given the team an edge that Head Coach Yassine Talhaoui emphasizes as they continue to improve. However, even with recent successes, he notes that the team has yet to reach its peak.

Coach Talhaoui said, “The goal is to play our best basketball in late February, not now. I’m trying to make sure we don’t get too excited about the recent success, because there is a lot more growth to be done.”

As the winter weeks fly by and the Boys Varsity Basketball team continues to deliver winning performances, students cannot help but join in the excitement that fills Fowle during every home game.

The team is striving not only for immediate success but also seeks to create a sustainable program made up of players who follow the philosophy of the coaches.

Four out of the five starters will be returning next year, which bodes well for the team’s future. With much of the talented team set to return, along with the likely introduction of new players, fans can expect competitive match-ups for years to come.

Girls JV Squash Bounces Back Lucy Haswell ’20 Staff Writer Last Wednesday, Girls JV Squash traveled to the Berkshire School and returned with a clean sweep of 7-0. The team had a rocky beginning to the season, losing its first four games when many players were sick with the flu. The team has made a comeback, however, winning two of its past three games.

The team has a largely new roster this year, with many of the more experienced players joining the Varsity team. Roughly half of the current players are either new to the team or lower class students. Lucy Bulley ’21 said, “Our team is a lot younger this year, which I think makes us closer.

Last season was basically half seniors and half preps. This season, it feels like we’re all learning and playing together, and the age gap between the few seniors and underclassmen is less noticeable.”

As a result, the team has evolved to fit the dynamic of the new group. Co-captain Ashton Welch ’19 said, “We have developed well as a new team rather than trying to fit a few new people into an old routine.”

Despite the rough start, the team looks poised to turn the season around. It has won three of its last four matches, including dominating victories at Berkshire and Loomis Chaffee, winning 7-0 and 6-1 respectively. Head Coach Lisa Brown expressed pride in her team’s ability to rebound from a tough start. She said, “It has been great to see the girls rise to the occasion; they have fought [to win] many 5-set matches, which has been amazing to watch.”

Coach Brown has been working individually with newer players to improve their skills and teach them new strategies for each match. Whether it be rails, drop shots, serve returns, or boasts, the team works hard to overcome weaknesses and im-

prove skills. Welch said, “It’s really helpful that [Coach Brown] chooses a theme for each practice, so each skill is really ground into our mind and muscles.”

“While difficult, it has been great to see the girls rise to the occasion; they have fought [to win] many 5-set matches, which has been amazing to watch.”

- Head Coach Lisa Brown

These practice techniques pay off in the matches, too. After the match against Berkshire, Welch said, “We were really impressed with the implementation of a lot of skills we have worked on.”

The team has a particularly strong dynamic this year in comparison with past years. Coach Brown said, “The group has really come together, and it’s clear that they enjoy spending time with one another on and off the court. It makes a big difference, as everyone is so supportive of one another on all levels. There is a real bond within this group, which makes practice and matches a lot of fun.”

With growing team chemistry and a healthy roster, the rest of the season looks promising for the Girls JV Squash team. Bulley said, “Our record might not be perfect right now, but I think everyone’s really been playing really well this season. It’s been hard with all the injuries; we’ve all had to play a couple or even sometimes three spots up the ladder. But we’ve [all] been having fun and improving, [because we] want squash to be a nice breather in [our] day instead of a source of stress.”

The Girls JV Squash team’s next home match is scheduled for February 6 at 4:00, when it will face Choate Rosemary Hall.

Ashton Welch ’19 winds up for a forehand rail.

Photos | Edward Guo

Graphic | Nicholas Lorentzen Students were asked what team they would root for in this year’s Superbowl. The survey received 150 responses, with 78 students choosing the Patriots and 72 for the Rams.

Superbowl LIII Pits Rams Against Patriots Lucas Mastrodomenico ’20 Staff Writer On February 3, 2002, the young backup-turned-starting-quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots triumphed over regular season MVP Kurt Warner and the Rams on football’s biggest stage.

Seventeen years after that Super Bowl victory, Brady will have to recreate the win that started it all, in order to earn his sixth Lombardi trophy and break the record for most championships for a single player.

Though both of the Rams and Patriots were highly seeded at the outset of the playoffs, their paths to the Super Bowl were anything but smooth. For the first time in NFL history, both the AFC and NFC championship games were decided in overtime. Both games also resulted in a fair share of controversy. In the NFC Championship, the New Orleans Saints were situated 13 yards away from the end zone with 1:49 left on the clock when a pass to Saints receiver Tommylee Lewis fell incomplete.

Before Lewis had the chance to go for the ball, however, he was knocked to the ground by Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman in a clear-cut case of defensive-pass interference.

Had a call been made against him, the Saints would have likely won the game pending a short field goal.

The no-call gave the Rams a chance to score and tie the game before the end of regulation and eventually win in overtime, thanks to a 57-yard field goal from Greg Zuerlein.

The AFC championship contained late-game heroics from both quarterbacks. With less than a minute remaining in regulation, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Ma-

homes led the Chiefs into field-goal range, tying the game at 31. Nevertheless, Tom Brady and the Patriots scored on their first drive, dashing the Chiefs’ Super Bowl hopes. In a game where both offenses were scoring at will, some objected to the fact that the Chiefs had no opportunity to respond due to the overtime rules.

As the school gears up for Super Bowl Sunday, football fans across campus are preparing for what looks to be an instant classic. For Patriots fans, this championship is more than just a trophy: a sixth Super Bowl would prove the doubters wrong and tie the team with the Pittsburgh Steelers for most Super Bowl victories by a single franchise. Patriots fan Jack Kempczinski ’20 said, “If the Patriots win the Super Bowl it will prove to the entire NFL that the greatest football team of all time is still here and they are still the champions.”

The Rams, however, led by visionary Head Coach Sean McVay, pose as a formidable threat. McVay, at age 31, is younger than many current players - ten years younger than Brady. Quarterback Jared Goff and running back Todd Gurley headline an explosive offense, while defensive tackle Aaron Donald has the capability to control the line of scrimmage.

Fans without a team to root for often pick a side. Perhaps unsurprisingly, many fans not previously committed to either team are rooting for the Rams, opting to cheer for the underdog. Even in Lakeville, which is usually considered Patriot country, the campus is split nearly even on which team to support. Fifty-two percent of the 150 students and faculty surveyed said they will root for the Patriots, while 48 percent said they will root for the Rams.