Vol. LXXI, No. 7
February 22, 2020
SYA China Canceled Due to Coronavirus SPS SYA China Student Going to Italy Lynn Lang '22
As of February 24th, more than 79,000 people worldwide have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). 2,600 of those diagnosed have lost their lives. Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses known for their crown-like shape. They cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to severe damages to the respiratory system. In 2003, the SARS-CoV, which is transmitted through both human-to-human and human-to-animal contact, hit many areas of the world and left
thousands dead and severely ill. However, the 2020 coronavirus death toll has surpassed that of SARS with well over a thousand deaths in mainland China just weeks since the first diagnosis. Numbers are still on the rise. On January 30, COVID-19 was deemed by the World Health Organization as “a global threat.” For students on School Year Abroad (SYA) China, the outbreak of the coronavirus brought dispiriting news. MaryGrace Beastrom ’21 was on SYA China this year and had to evacuate
because of the coronavirus. “We had to leave, and they [the SYA program] offered us two choices,” Beastrom says. “You can go back to your home school, or you can continue with SYA, and, in March, go to Italy. So, I’m going to SYA Italy.” The sudden separation of the class of SYA China students from across the world meant they had to say hasty goodbyes. “We have built a really strong connection. Everyone is very close. We go on trips together, and it is really awesome to get close to people like
that. We were all really heartbroken when we had to leave.” It was especially hard to say goodbye to friends who live in China. Beastrom says, “I text my Chinese friends to make sure that they are doing ok. I just feel like we have built a home there.” Beastrom continues, “I really had a connection with my host family. And knowing that they [my host family] don’t have the option to go abroad to avoid the virus like we [SYA students] do and that we might not get to come back this year, is super up-
setting.” The outbreak took place during the Chinese New Year vacation, during which most students and adults take their one--to--threeweek winter break to be with their families during the Spring Festival. SYA students also get a break from the daily routines of their Chinese school (The Second High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University) to explore Chinese culture on their own. Beastrom and her host fam-
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MLK Day at SPS Isabel Maney '21
This past Martin Luther King on calling Cricket. Joseph recalls, Day, St. Paul’s School and “We were upset that NH did New Hampshire honored Dr. not celebrate an MLK holiday Martin Luther King on the 20th and we wanted to make a bold anniversary of New Hampshire statement, so some students declaring MLK Day a state felt that Kelly was co-opting or holiday. Only 30 years ago SPS diluting our message.” students marched to the center Joseph did not consider himself of town to advocate that New to be an activist when he helped Hampshire declare MLK Day a organize the SPS student body state holiday. to march to the New Hampshire When Mr. Ray Joseph ’90, one State House. He just knew that of the organizers of the MLK he “was passionate about an Day march of 1990, and the idea—the importance of an other organizers met with then- MLK holiday—and publicly Rector Kelly Clark, Joseph was willing to advocate for that idea.” ready to march. As he saw it, “We The passion quickly caught on weren’t asking for permission; in the rest of the community as we were giving them [the School the march, which organizers administration] a heads up that viewed as likely to be limited to we were going to walk out of the minority students, quickly Chapel.” Initially, the organizers became a school-wide event. were dismayed when they heard “There was no question that Rector Clark was planning about marching” for Dr. Karen
Traylor-Adolph’92 and her peers. She noted that “adding a few steps toward the greater inter-generational march for justice and equality wasn’t debatable.” Then-Sixth Former Mr. Eric Scalavino ’90 echoed the idea of doing his part. He was quoted in the January 18, 1990 issue of the Pelican saying, “Even if we don’t get results as soon as we hope, at least we have planted our seed.” For the future activists of SPS, Joseph encourages students “never to forget their privileged position of having a megaphone in their hand.” He certainly did not. Note: Dr. Traylor-Adoplh'92 is the student on the top photo holding the "Recognize Equality" sign.
photo from 1990 pelican
Photo by Virginia Lawrence '21
2020-21 Prefects Announced: Page 8
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The Vol. lxxi Editorial Board
Updated Grab and Go Linda Pang '21
Editor in Chief Isabel Maney '21 Layout & Design Editor Nikhil Vootkur '21 Senior Print Editors Alexander Rowley '21 Khuan-yu Hall '21 Copy Editors Victoria Chen'21 Ellie LaVoie'21 Nina Parker '20 Photo & Graphics Editor Isabella Pargiolas '21 Faculty Advisers Ms. Elizabeth Engelhardt Ms. Elizabeth Little contact pelican@sps.edu for comments
Last of Winter & Fall Last Night Service Bristol Fales-Hill '21 Many students were surprised that there was no Last Night Service at the end of the Fall Term. Last Night Service, which used to occur the night before students left for breaks at the end of the term, “was designed to punctuate the closure of the term, celebrate the completion of the final exam/ assessment period, and provide an opportunity for the entire community to give thanks,” said Vice-Rector for Faculty Rev. Michael Spencer. “There is a very significant and longstanding history behind [Last Night Service] as [it] goes back to the founding of the school,” noted Rev. Spencer. One of the staples of the service was the reciting of the Prayer for Holidays, which is also recited on Cricket Holiday. Given the positive message and history of Last Night Service, one might wonder why the school decided to get rid of it.
According to Rev. Spencer, the decision was made to facilitate students’ travel home.“[W]e could support students returning earlier in the day and also allow the buses transporting students to leave on Saturday afternoon rather than Sunday morning,” he said. This change benefits the students by allowing them to get home a little earlier, thus giving them a few more hours of vacation. Although Last Night Service at the end of each term will undoubtedly be missed, it’s difficult to turn down more time off from school. Additionally, Rev. Spencer commented that its removal will perhaps make the end-of-year Last Night Service all the more celebratory. So, mark your calendars for the month of June, when Last Night Service will make its epic return.
February 22, 2020
By Alex Li '21 The Grab and Go lunch located in the Friedman Community Center has become an increasingly popular option for students and faculty who are unable to go to the Upper for lunch. Beginning in Winter Term this year, there have been some significant changes made to update Grab and Go. According to Grab and Go manager Mr. Bradley Labarre, the system was updated “from a ‘Build-YourOwn’ buffet style to a literal ‘Grab and Go’ concept’.” After the recent changes, there has been much positive feedback and the “prep numbers have increased by at least 30% since we began this process” according to Mr. Labarre. Grab and Go now “offers a wholesome, filling, and balanced meal with optional fresh whole fruit, chips and chocolate chip cookies.” With these changes, says Mr. Labarre, “My team and I intended to make this a convenient lunch option to help with the limited amount of time everyone has for lunch.” The ultimate goal behind making these updates was to “offer a more sanitary way of acquiring lunch.” Specifically, “with the food in individual containers, there is now no need to grab bread out of community bags or touch tongs that could possibly spread the common cold or flu virus.” Mr. Labarre explained some details and data behind the making of these Grab and Go lunches. For instance, “with the current
container program we are using, it takes a total of 32-36 labor hours to make enough food for the short time the Grab and Go is open each day.” During this time, “there are up to 6 hardworking staff members working on building the sandwiches and salads, filling portion cups and wax bags, and maintaining the station to ensure a consistent program for everyone.” According to Mr. Labarre, “This labor of love is very important to our staff, and we want to make sure we are making the best food we can for those that love to enjoy it.” So far, the program has received positive feedback and the goal of making Grab and Go an easier option for students and faculty with limited time has been met. One of the major concerns that the community has is the increasing amount of plastic containers being used. The current plastic containers used for the sandwiches and salads are from a company called Greenware. According to the Greenware website, they are made from “bipolymer derived from plants… and certified to be 100% compostable in actively managed municipal or industrial facilities.” For now, these containers are the best compostable alternative for the Grab and Go plastic usages. However, Mr. Labarre says that in the coming weeks, an even better version of Grab and Go with the Ozzi system will be implemented. In this system, “each person will have access to a reusable flatware.” Once you are done eating, “you just place the empty container into one of the beautiful Ozzi machines, and it will get picked up, washed and reused,” says Mr. Labarre. Since each container can be used over 300 times before it needs to be replaced, the Ozzi system will lessen the
environmental footprint of the new Grab and Go system . Still, there are concerns among the student body about the current sustainability of Grab and Go. Mr. Nick Babladelis, faculty adviser to Eco-Action, shares his perspective on the environmental aspect of the updated Grab and Go system. Although the containers we are using currently are “not the best option, the overall footprint of one of these is better than a plastic container,” says Mr. Babladelis. When choosing the containers, Food Service consulted with Mr. Babladelis. Together they picked an option that is more environmentally friendly than fossil-based containers. However, the environmental concerns and the cost were difficult to balance. According to Mr. Babladelis, “There is a real cost to the disposable containers, choosing to use better disposable containers costs more than the fossil fuel plastic.” The enviormental impact of Grab and Go does not only lie on the containers used. Mr. Babladelis suggests that “we need to be conscious of the food choices that we make” and see the waste that are being made as a result. He thinks it is crucial for students and faculty to be conscious of the waste that goes into making the Grab and Go meals and to pay attention to each decision made regarding food choices. Going forward, Mr. Babladelis says, “Making reusable materials the easy choice is where we need to be.”
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February 22, 2020
Fifth Form Reps. Make the Case for Fifth Form Wifi Ella Richards '23
By Alex Li '21 The Fifth Form representatives, Margaret Pirozzolo ’21 and Seth McKenzie ‘21, have been trying to extend the WiFi hours for the Fifth Form. The Fifth Form, like the Third and Fourth Forms, has WiFi from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m., when it turns off for everyone but the Sixth Form. Many Fifth Formers argue that the amount of homework they receive is not proportionate to the time they are given. Pirozzolo and McKenzie have spoken with Rector Kathy Giles, the Heads of House and other members of the community on this subject. There are adults who support and adults who oppose extending WiFi hours for Fifth Formers. On one hand, it’s argued that Fifth Formers just don’t have enough time to finish their homework before midnight. On the other hand, some think extending the WiFi hours could harm student sleep and that the current shut off time creates more of an incentive for students to finish their homework early. Responses from students have varied on their general homework time, some saying they’re pretty good at finishing before midnight and some saying
they never do. Pirozzolo says, “If it’s your first time staying up past midnight…,” implying that it is inevitable for students to do so at some point during the year. Another issue is personal time. A student may start their homework later in order to take time with friends or for themselves. Balance can be elusive here, and for some Fifth Formers, that is a main motivation behind extended WiFi hours. Kaitlyn Bergeron’ 21 says, “People should have time to do both [homework and personal time] without worrying about the other.” Extended hours would provide more homework time, and as a result, more personal time. Time management is one of the biggest reasons students don’t finish their homework before midnight. Mrs. Kate Daniels, Director of Academic Support, says, “One of the things that I talk about with students ... is that there are just some times where we just have to make sacrifices because of a particular assessment or assignment.” She also notes that there is always time for socializing later in the week, and it is important to prioritize the things that are
more time sensitive. Mrs. Daniels additionally reminds students that for the days where “the stars align” and there is too much work to finish, teachers are here to help. “Kids can certainly talk to teachers and their advisor and have the teacher consider what the student is feeling, and work with that student to potentially extend a deadline.” According to some Fifth Formers, the extended hours are not just about homework load overall, but an equity issue at St. Paul’s School. Sixth Formers, of course, have all-night WiFi, and can share their password with their underform friends. Those younger students with personal hotspots have a way to keep working past midnight. Part of the thought put in by the representatives is that extended WiFi will correct the inequality created by those who have a way to work past midnight and those who don’t. Pirrozolo says, “I think it’ll create more of a balance between students. Because kids who can’t afford a hotspot and people who don’t have the social standing to ask a senior for WiFi can still get their work done any
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P.3
The Plan that Masters Our Campus Eva Ye '21
Just one month ago, a questionnaire was sent to the community, collecting opinions on popular spaces and possible improvements for certain areas to adjust the St. Paul’s School current Master Plan. The SPS Master Plan was first established in 2009 by the Board of Trustees and later revised in 2013. It is currently managed by the architectural, urban planning, and engineering firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. While the foundational ideas of the Master Plan stay the same, the managing firm develops new projects every year. The firm works closely with the SPS administration to modernise the School while preserving the campus’s character. To better reflect student opinions in the current community, the two managers and the school administrators attended a Student Council Meeting, discussing with them possible improvements that the student body would hope for. In addition, the management team has communicated frequently with sports teams, Food Services and the Food Committee, interfaith groups, and Eco-Action. The management group for the Master Plan has now received a large number of suggestions, and some renovations are already being planned. Many teams hope to expand the indoor practice space and develop more practice locations. Theater and dance students hope that Memorial Hall will be renovated to improve the quality of stage performances, emphasizing problems with its current noisy and slanted
wooden floor and limited lights. Students also asked to add soundproof walls to the music practice rooms. Setting the Chapel as the centerpiece of the campus, the Master Plan aims to preserve and strengthen the characteristics of the campus, combining architecture with the landscape and ensuring every building is efficiently used and is within walkable distance. Architects Mr. Douglas Voigt and Ms. Jennifer Skowlund, the managers of the Master Plan, find great importance in the power of the School’s natural landscape, from the meadows to the woods to the ponds. The management team carefully selects the location of roads and buildings so people can appreciate the landscape while moving around campus. Under the guidance of the Master Plan and help from Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the School’s campus has undergone numerous changes over the past two years, including the addition of the Crumpacker Gallery and the new locations for the Bookstore and the Post Office. The Master Plan has guided the evolution of SPS since 2009. Now, with student suggestions and upcoming projects, it will continue to shape SPS while maintaining its natural landscape and its character, and most importantly, meeting the needs of the faculty, staff, and students.
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February 22, 2020
Did You Know SPS Owns Art by the Legendary Sculptor Alexander Calder? Jackie Chen '22
from sps.edu Every day, St. Paul’s School community members unknowingly stroll past a work of art created by one of the most innovative and renowned American sculptors, Alexander Calder, whom the Smithsonian dubs “America’s Most Beloved Sculptor.” Slightly tucked away from unsuspecting passerby, this stabile (sculpture and mobile combination) is a hidden treasure belonging to the Permanent Collection, which houses a range of highquality artistic works given to or purchased by the School. But this artwork should not be overlooked or unnoticed; not only is this stabile highly valuable, the story behind its arrival at Millville—and Calder’s own story—is also intertwined with SPS history. The stabile, created in 1968, during a time when Calder began producing more monumental sculptures, is titled Iguana. Sitting on a threelegged metal base with mobilelike pieces on top, the Iguana currently resides in the little courtyard at Friedman Community Center, right outside of the Deans’ Offices. This
stabile is significant because it combines the elements of having a stable base with a mobile attached. Calder was a leading pioneer in kinetic sculpture and mobile innovation. A leading art auction site describes him as “[having] changed the course of modern art by developing an innovative method of sculpting, bending, and twisting wire to create three-dimensional ‘drawings in space.’” His creations are treasured and sought-after, too. His mobile Lily of Force fetched 18.5 million dollars at Christie’s, making it the most expensive hanging mobile ever sold. Calder’s work is also displayed all over major cities and leading museums. With the Iguana, SPS owns a beautiful masterpiece created by a groundbreaker in the world of modern art. The Iguana is a gift, given to SPS in memory of Nicholas Gagarin ‘66. Gagarin was artistic and a writer; he wrote the sonnet read aloud in chapel annually every Memorial Day. He passed away during his sophomore year at Harvard, and his parents bought the Iguana from a Parisian gallery
to donate to the School as a memorial for him. (The Resting Moon, a moon-face sculpture in the woods, is also a memorial to Gagarin.) The Iguana was originally placed on the lawn of the academic quad, between what now exists as the Lindsay Building and the Fine Arts Building. “This piece is meant to be outside and move around in the wind,” explains Mr. Colin Callahan, head of the Art Department. “The difficulty is that the wind is too powerful.” Since the stabile is partially a mobile, with pieces that can move and spin in air currents, the mobile part of the Iguana would spin around and fall off outdoors due to the wind. This was dangerous both to the work of art and to anyone standing near who could be hit. The Iguana was then moved in front of what was Hargate at that time.“I decided to put it on a pea stone gravel base,” Mr. Callahan continues, “but it just kept going too fast, banging around and into itself. It could hurt somebody or hurt itself. In the spring of 2006, I said let’s move it down to the courtyard [next to the Deans’ Offices] so it gets less wind. It is not the best place for it since it is such an obscure area.” Indeed, while placing the stabile in the courtyard is the best place in terms of minimizing wind strength, the stabile is more hidden and not fully on display to the SPS community. Mr. Callahan has given a lot of thought, however, to other possible spaces to safely showcase this precious work of art. He
considered putting the Iguana on the balcony of the Fine Arts Building and even had the stabile shipped over, but the wind was too high yet again. “I bought an anemometer and spent a month walking around school testing wind speeds,” Mr. Callahan recalls. He concluded from his experiment that “the only place to put [the stabile] is either indoors or in [the courtyard.]” Rector Kathy Giles and Mr. Callahan are considering displaying the Iguana inside Memorial Hall once the building is renovated in the future, but a lobby of adequate size would need to be designed in order to hold the large stabile. Mr. Callahan is also thinking of giving the artwork a pedestal to stand on or placing light around it to give the stabile a feel of being displayed professionally like a painting in Crumpacker. As of now, this Iguana basks in the outdoors in its little courtyard. In 2006, the courtyard was destroyed by the flood which damaged Hargate. Luckily, “when we went there to look, there [the Iguana] was on its side in the water … it was completely safe. It didn’t get wrecked,” Mr. Callahan notes. Careful protection is required for a very expensive piece of art such as this stabile. It was restored once sometime between 2002 and 2003. The mobile part of the stabile, prone to movement, is removed off the sculpture base and stored each winter, as snow will hurt it if left outdoors. The Iguana is not the only piece of Calder’s art that SPS
owns. SPS also has a small mobile, unnamed, currently hanging indoors in the Crumpacker Gallery. This mobile was also a gift to the School, selected on a trip to Alexander Calder’s studio in Connecticut with former SPS art teacher Mr. Bill Abbé from the Form of 1957 in their Sixth Form year. Mr. Abbé had taken his students down to Calder’s studio because he was a friend of Calder’s; the two of them got together in the summers, and both had a similar approach to art. Calder himself was present that day to show the SPS students his work, and the art students played in Calder’s studio, putting things together. The students raised money and bought one of Calder’s mobiles as a class gift to the School. Next time you walk the hill between Friedman and the Bookstore, stop and take a look at the valuable work of art only a few feet away. Visit Crumpacker during a few minutes of free time and appreciate what it has to offer. By taking the time to observe these treasures of the School, who knows what you’ll see? Mr. Callahan also offers a fun fact: “You can see [Calder’s] signature welded on the [Iguana’s] base … it’s like a C and an A on it.” So go and take a look at this piece of art—worked by the hands of a famous, revolutionary modern sculptor— and see if you can spot where he left his name.
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February 22, 2020
P.5
New Hampshire Primary Rocco Burdge '22
Photo by Jack Light '20 Every four years, during the presidential cycle, New Hampshire voters head to the polls to cast their vote. Because New Hampshire is the first primary state, candidates have been trying to appeal to voters since last February by hosting events like town halls or rallies. On February 11, New Hampshire residents, including St.Paul’s School faculty and even some students, placed their votes. This election cycle, the New Hampshire primary carried more weight than in recent years. Iowa, per usual, was the first state to hold a cau-
cus. However, this year during the caucuses, a digital app failed to work, causing massive delays in reporting the election results. Election officials also had trouble reporting the results through the back-up system. The results were not released until days after the caucuses, and even then, there were found to be inconsistencies in how delegates were assigned to each candidate. The delay of the results and the uncertainty of their accuracy took away from the importance that is usually placed on the results of the Iowa caucus, giving the
New Hampshire primary re- Carolina Primary, March 3 Term Practical Politics class is Super Tuesday. Fourteen were also heavily involved sults more weight. Vermont Senator Bernie Sand- states all across the United in the primary. In this class, ers won the New Hampshire States will have their primaries. students canvassed and had primary with 25.7%, the equiv- SPS students and faculty have presentations on candidates, alent to four thousand votes. been involved in the 2020 immersing themselves in the Former South Bend, Indiana presidential race over the past 2020 election. On primary day, the class Mayor Pete Buttigieg closely several months. Students have attended ral- was in Concord all day volfollowed Sanders with 24.4% of the votes. Minnesota Sena- lies and town halls where they unteering for the campaign tor Amy Klobuchar’s 19.8% met the candidates in person of their choice. Jack Light ‘20, of the votes was a surprising and even took pictures with who volunteered for the Biden victory for her campaign. The them. Two weeks ago, a group campaign, said that when he other front-tier candidates, of students attended an event “returned from canvassing for Massachusetts Senator Eliza- with former Vice President Joe Biden, the campaign headbeth Warren and former Vice Biden. Jackie Chen ‘22 said, quarters were completely shut President Joe Biden, each won “Attending the rally provided a down.” Before New Hampcloser look at the policies and shire voted, the Biden camless than 10% of the votes. President Donald Trump personality of Biden.” After paign was informed that their won a crushing 85.6% in the the event, Chen also said Biden support was dropping. This resulted in former Vice President Rebublican Primary. He was shook hands and took a picture followed by former governor of with the students in group and Biden leaving New Hampshire Massachusetts Bill Weld, who the faculty chaperone, Practi- early and heading to South cal Politics teacher and adviser Carolina, where he is expected polled at 9.1%. The deciding factor in which to the Young Democrats Ms. to do well. The New Hampshire pricandidate will represent the Christine Carter. That same party is determined by the night, another group of stu- mary election is over, so the number of delegates they re- dents attended the Pete Butti- candidates will not be visiting ceive, which is determined by gieg rally in Concord. Sabrina as much. However, this might the number of votes a candi- Bergin ‘22 said “Seeing him in change if New Hampshire date gets in a state’s counties. person allowed us to really see turns out to be a swing state, meaning that one half of the Currently, Mayor Buttigieg him as a candidate.” Even though the majority state supports one party verleads the delegate total for the Democratic Party with 22 of the events were for Demo- sus the other half. During the delegates, followed by Sena- cratic Party, President Trump 2016 General Election, New tor Sanders at 21 delegates. made an appearance in Man- Hampshire was considered President Trump has won the chester on February 10. Gordy one of the key swing states that majority of the Republican del- Morris '22, who attended the could determine the win of the presidency. Therefore former egates available, giving him a rally, mentioned that he was impressed by the amount of presidents, vice presidents, and total of 61 delegates. Even though Senator Sand- people who showed up. “Over- influential members of both parties campaigned heavily in ers and President Trump won all the energy and vibe was New Hampshire, they did not very positive and strong,” he New Hampshire during the win their party's nomination. said. As the General Election fall of 2016. If this occurs again, The nomination for the presi- nears, President Trump, along New Hampshire will be flooddency is still far away. The up- with Vice President Mike ed once more with politicians coming primaries in Nevada Pence, will most likely be vis- campaigning for the presidenand South Carolina will allow iting New Hampshire during cy. for a group of more diverse vot- the late summer and fall of this ers to vote in the primaries. Fol- year. Students taking the Winter lowing the Nevada and South
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SYA China Canceled Due to Coronavirus Lynn Lang '22
continued from page 1 ily were planning to go to Jiangsu Province to be with her host mother’s family for the Chinese New Year. “After that we were going to travel to AnHui,” she says, “but we had to cancel everything because of corona and because of the risk of traveling.” Not only was traveling inadvisable, but city dwellers were also advised against so much as stepping out of their residences. “In those three or four days [before Beastrom left China], I was allowed probably 45 minutes outside a day to walk around and get some exercise,” Beastrom recalls. “Walking around the city was really sad because the entire city is just desolate. There was no one there. It was just so different from what it usually was, and we were used to seeing people everywhere. There was this security guard that I had talked to everyday who was no longer there.” This is the case for most Chinese families in recent weeks. According to various news outlets, in Wuhan, the city where the coronavirus was first diagnosed, streets that were previously bustling with vendors and commuters alike are now deserted as people start to work and study from home. Wendy Sun ’22 is a Chinese student from Hangzhou. Her parents and grandparents recently had to be quarantined after returning to Hangzhou from a different province. She says, “Even though the provinces that they came from are not areas that are hit by the coronavirus, they were required to carry out a 14-day quarantine in their homes.” For many city dwellers, it is safer to be home than to be out and especially now that face masks are out of stock in most stores and pharmacies.
In the face of the novel corona- break but was forced to cancel virus, decisions were made for all due to health concerns caused by schools, both public and private, the coronavirus outbreak back to make a hasty response to pro- home. Ashley Zhou ’23, an SPS tect students, faculty, and staff. student also from Beijing, reveals “My host sister goes to a different to the Pelican that, “I wanted to school,” Beastrom says. “She go home to have some good Chigoes to a more private interna- nese food, but I will have to be tional school.” That school’s origi- quarantined for 14 days which nal winter vacation, which was set means I will miss the start of to end on February 17, has been Spring Term.” The coronavirus extended for the time being. outbreak in China might also be For students preparing for high having an impact on travel plans school and college entrance of students in neighboring counexams, which are in about four tries. Henry Kim ’22, a student months, there is no time to lose. from Seoul, South Korea, says: “Materials and homework are “I need to return home to see my going to be sent to their homes” dog, but there is a possibility that Beastrom says, “And they [Chi- I won’t be able to do so because of nese students] will have to do the virus outbreak.” that and it’s just like homework.” For students unable to travel According to friends of SPS stu- home for spring break, Envoys, a dents in China, some Chinese travel organization that St. Paul’s schools struggle to conduct on- School has used to organize offline courses, since a lot of teenag- campus programs in past years, ers in public schools do not yet has developed two program use computers. Some classes are options. The programs can be even conducted in group chats combined so a student is able to through social media platforms participate in a program for the like WeChat and QQ , which are duration of spring break. The widely used in China. The will first program brings students to for students to study, despite the Boston and then New York City, coronavirus outbreak, remains visiting Harvard University, the strong. Freedom Trail, Wall Street, and To curb the spread of the coro- many more landmarks along navirus across the world—and the way. The second program due to that ban on the entrance of focuses on environmental stewpersonnel traveling to and from ardship. Students will travel with China into the U.S.—many air- Envoys staff members to Arizona lines such as American Airlines and visit National Parks such as and Delta Airlines have decided the Grand Canyon and Saguaro to cut off air routes going to and while doing their part to remove from the Asian country. As a re- invasive plant species and assistsult, many SPS students from ing National Park Rangers in China find themselves obliged their weekly projects. to stay in the U.S. instead of Specialists predict that the outheading home for spring break. break of COVID-19 will peak Chris Shia ’23, a Chinese stu- within the next one to three dent originally from Beijing who months, making it safer for incurrently lives near Boston, tells ternational students to spend the the Pelican that he made plans summer in their home countries. to travel to Shanghai over spring
February 22, 2020
The Winter Term Pep Rally Margaret MacMillan '21
from instagram: @stpaulsschoolnh On January 30, 2020, St. Paul’s School held its first ever Winter Pep Rally leading up to a Girls Varsity Basketball game the following night. Winter and Spring Term athletes have expressed a desire for an event like the Fall Term Bonfire night to recognize their talent and efforts. The Student Council (StudCo) responded by holding a Winter Pep Rally in the Athletic and Fitness Center during the House Meeting block. Leading up to this event, StudCo organized a spirit week, with themes for each day of the week designed to get students excited for the night game to come. The week began with Pajama Day, followed by Twin Day, Wacky Wednesday, a white out with club scarves, a red out on the day of the big game, and finally, Denim Day. Dress code was relaxed, allowing for pajamas and sweatpants, which some students fully took advantage of. Skyler Sharfman ‘23, a Third Former in Kitt III, said, “I wore sweatpants to class on Pajama Day, and it made me so happy [to] be chill and comfortable during class.” Another girl said that on Twin Day, “I twinned with my roommate and—dang—she
looked good, which must mean that I looked fabulous.” Christofer Robles ‘20, the Student Council President, commented, “Spirit week has, and continues to be, a great way to raise school spirit and tangibly see our sense of community. Of course, this spirit week was unfortunately affected by the number of students that were sick and the overall lethargy of an SPS Winter Term, however, we wouldn’t have changed a thing and were excited to hype up the Girls Varsity Basketball game.” On Thursday, all students showed their spirit, with varsity teams creating special performances that they performed in front of the School. This excitement was augmented by a faculty and student shootoff, showing off their basketball skills, and the Pelican mascot conducted the crowd. Robles added, on behalf of StudCo, “We hope that with the Winter Pep Rally, we have started a new tradition and that it will continue to be made even better by StudCo in the years to come!”
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P.7
Fifth Form Reps. Make the Case for Fifth Form Wifi
February 22, 2020
Interview: Ethan Stiefel Audrey Biles '22
Ella Richards '23
Photo By Eric Wolfram
By Alex Li '21 continued from page 3 day of the week.” Sleep has remained a front runner for those against extended hours. For some it takes precedent over the ongoing discussion between time management, workload, equity, and inclusion. The worry is, if Fifth Formers have extended WiFi, many will be staying up past midnight. Mrs. Daniels, while saying she does understand many students already stay up past midnight, believes the extended hours will only make things worse. Sleep is very important for all people, but teenagers especially. The National Sleep Foundation says teenagers should get eight to ten hours of sleep, and not doing so can hinder a teenager’s ability to “learn, listen, concentrate and solve problems.” Getting less sleep also makes you more vulnerable to illness, which is very important at a residential school. Faculty and students alike believe a big issue with homework, and by extension,
sleep, has to do with time management. But some say WiFi restrictions do little to help that. Pirozzolo says, “I think the real issue with sleep stems from time management, and making good choices with your time. I don’t think restricting the WiFi is necessarily accomplishing that. The reality of the situation is, most kids in Fifth Form go to sleep after midnight, and most kids are getting less than eight hours of sleep a night, and the WiFi hasn’t done anything to stop that. So, it’s not—we can see that it’s not—a solution to the problem.” The matter of WiFi hours is a complicated one and will not be solved overnight. In this issue time management, sleep, equality and a healthy work and play balance are all being considered.
The St. Paul’s School Ballet I was dancing professionally in a Company was fortunate enough ballet company.” to host ballet superstar Mr. Ethan By the age of 16, when most Stiefel this January. Stiefel was were stumbling through high here to choreograph a new ballet school, Mr. Stiefel was dancing for the Ballet Company, but he full time at New York City Ballet, also made himself busy by shar- one of the best ballet companies ing his experiences, both in and in the world. Despite his young outside of the studio. One of his age, he lived alone in an apartmost memorable days on cam- ment in Hell’s Kitchen and had to pus was when he spoke to the grow up quickly. His life revolved entire School in Chapel, where around ballet, and traditional he talked about his experiences at schooling was no longer an opthe prison where his dad worked, tion. He continued his education pursuing passions, and the ben- at the Professional Children’s efits of being a little “crazy.” School in New York, an academic Mr. Stiefel, a native of Madison, school where passionate students Wisconsin, took his first dance in disciplines such as dance, muclass at the age of eight. His sis- sic, or theatre attend for flexible ter took ballet lessons, and after school hours. spending weeks watching her Mr. Stiefel has danced for balclasses, he decided to try danc- let companies in North America, ing. He was enticed by the perfor- Asia, Europe, and South America, mance element of dance, but also but New York City is his home. the physicality that is required of “New York City is unique, and you any great dancer. feed off of that energy,” he says. At the age of only 14, he was He credits much of his inspiraoffered a scholarship to train at tion for his works to NYC but the School of American Ballet in also recognizes that each place he New York City, one of the best has visited has something special ballet schools in the nation. He to offer. was inspired by the accomplished His jobs affords him the opdancers surrounding him and portunity to travel the world, as began to realize what a life in the many ballet companies go on inballet studio might look like. It ternational tours to reach a vast was at this point, he says, that he array of audiences: “I’ve always knew his passion would be his ca- savored the fact that what I’ve enreer: “I thought, you know what, joyed doing has given me the opI’ve been enjoying ballet, I’m portunity to see the world, meet showing some promise, but now so many different people, and be I’m gonna really buckle down. I able to grow as a professional and had a renewed commitment. I as a person.” felt inspired. And two years later Steifel believes that the most
monumental moment of his career was being promoted to Principal Dancer at the age of 23. This is the highest position in a ballet company, and it is awarded to the most skilled and qualified dancers. “There’s a certain sense of achievement,” Mr. Stiefel says, “but you also feel the gravity of the situation in terms of the responsibility, because now that you’ve received this acknowledgement, which gives you a lot of confidence, you also realize that you need to deliver to the highest level.” Mr. Stiefel has also pursued many passions outside of dance, which includes acting the role of Cooper Nielson in the 2000 hit movie Center Stage, as well as a cameo appearance in an episode of Gossip Girl. This year, Center Stage turned 20. In 2015, writer Hillary Busis called it “the greatest dance movie ever made” in Entertainment Weekly. Mr. Stiefel comments“[Center Stage] introduced my work and certainly the art form to any number of people who wouldn’t necessarily have been exposed to it before. It was life changing in any number of ways.” Mr. Steifel credits much of his success to being 100% authentic, and encouraged this line of thinking during his two weeks on campus, not only to Ballet Company dancers, but to the entire student body. “I don’t think ballet, or life, would be interesting to anybody if we all did it the same way. An honest performance is going to resonate and reach so many people in a powerful way, and it’s going to be original, and it’s going to be authentic. It’s yours, in terms of what you want to say with it.”
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February 22, 2020
The Quest for More Words Chris Shia '22
Could you write an entire novel in a month? This November, writers from all over the world tried to write their first draft of a novel within the month as part of NaNoWriMo, or the National Novel Writing Month. Started in 1999 by a group of friends, the challenge brought the first drafts of novels like Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen and The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern into existence. For the competition, older writers set a goal of 50,000 words, and younger writers can choose between 20,000-50,000 words. To
complete a goal of 50,000 words, one would have to write 1,667 words daily -- the equivalent to writing a three-page Humanities paper every single day. This demanding task brought with it stress, but some of the writers still enjoyed this challenge. Amala Jenkins-Culver ‘23, said, “It was really difficult. There were moments when it wasn’t enjoyable to write...but at the end, it’s really satisfying to look at all that you’d written.” This year, at St Paul’s School, with the advising of new Humanities Department faculty member
Mrs. Elizabeth Little, students and faculty alike took on this challenge. A group of 37 community members began this grand undertaking. From quirky autobiographies to dystopian novels, in total, the writers wrote 108,772 words, 11% of the total goal word count between all of them. Writers had to plan out how they would achieve their word count. One writer, Faith Onyechere ‘20, who is writing a novel for her ISP, said, “I really wanted to get to the word count because I knew it was going to be such a good base for me going to the beginning of
Winter Term and Winter Break and the rest of the writing process. I liked to overcompensate...It was a little stressful, but looking back, it was very helpful…” Of course, not everyone made it to the end of this difficult task. Still, writing tens of thousands of words in 30 days is impressive, and many writers learned a lot more about themselves as writers through this process. Emily Barker ‘20, one of the challengers, said, “I realized that I was a lot more capable than I thought... and it’s okay to not write when it’s not coming to you because there
Interview: New Dean of Students, Mrs. Ellinwood Bristol Fales-Hill '21
Edited for clarity and concision. Bristol Fales-Hill: First of all, congratulations on the new position, it’s a very big deal. Mrs. Suzanne Ellinwood: Thank you. What is the biggest difference between your previous position and your new position as the Dean of Students? That’s a really good question. I’ve worked very closely with Mr. Marsh and Dr. Ferns, but I think that I was shielded from some of the bigger issues or the thornier issues [when I was Associate Dean]. In my new role, I’m the one that has to deal with the thornier issues, which I’m happy to do—but sometimes there are some difficult conversations that a Dean has to have either with a student or their parents. That is sometimes harder than I thought it was going to be. How would you describe a typical day as the Dean of Students?
The best part of my job is that every day is different. I really enjoy teaching LinC. I enjoy working with students. I enjoy putting together the weekend memo. I like talking to a lot of different people. I like that there’s a lot of variety. But a typical day is really working to support all of our students, and I try to keep the big picture or the big goal in mind, and that is making sure that every student here feels like this is their school. So all of the programming we do, and even the fun events, are designed around: How do we bring more people in? How do we make people feel comfortable and like they can be their authentic selves, and what can we do to make that happen? What is the hardest part about being the Dean of Students? I would say the hardest part is giving people bad news. Do you find that students treat you differently now that you are
the Dean of Students or has it not really changed? Well, that’s a good question. I was in Admissions before, and when I first came over [to the Dean's Office], [current] students knew me as someone who worked in admission. So I was [only] scary to the new students. And every year, there have been more and more students who don’t know me as a Head of House and don’t know me as anything other than a dean. There’s a bigger difference from being in Admissions to being here than from being an Associate Dean to being the Dean of Students. What is one thing you wish students knew about the Dean of Students position? The [first] thing I wish people knew is that no one in the Dean of Students office takes any pleasure in discipline and no one in the Dean of Students office, not me, not anyone, is out to get anybody.
are times when...you’re going to fly, and that balance was nice to find.” The writers all took away new ideas and new techniques, and learned more about themselves as writers through this tough challenge. Cranking out so many words within these thirty days was not an easy task, but many pushed through and loved the experience. Next year, this challenge will begin anew, and it will, again, be time to write a novel in a month.
2020-21 Prefects Announced Boys' Houses
I think that sometimes, like today, we had the Head of House lunch meeting in Lindsay and for some reason we were all in the office so Mr. Gregston, Ms. Harris, Mr. Arndt and I all walked out the back and walked behind the Rectory to get to Lindsay. And there was a student coming towards and saw the four of us together and I thought he was going to just faint. So I think when the four of us are together it feels like “the deans are on the move!” The [second] thing, it’s sort of related, everyone here cares a lot about our students and supporting them in every way we can. But more personally, what I wish people knew about me [is that] I really like teenagers, I really do.
Armour: Blair Belford, Dubby Ugha, Matthew Yuan Drury: Beau Briggs, Kash Oseni Foster: Kam Oseni, Owen Sweet Kitt I: William Desrosiers, Thomas Leonard Manville: Brennan Hoppa, Connor Rogers Middle: Owen Stadheim, Will Thayer Nash: Thomas Etchart, Will Shiber North: Rishi Basu, Seth McKenzie Simpson: Mason Cheney, Alexander Rowley
Girls' Houses Brewster: Shreya Kavuru, Margaret Pirozzolo Center: MG Beastrom, Annie Zhou Con20: Victoria Chen, Bristol Fales-Hill, Maya Maloney Ford: Margaret MacMillan, Stephanie Park Kehaya: Sophia Joerger, Ellie LaVoie, Kaylynn Wilson Kitt II: Hannah Deng, Lauren Legler Kitt III: Grace Bassi, Piper Drebes Warren: Nina Bohan, Ryan Boone Wing: Jessica Lee, Arianna Morataya