News and Opinions from the Students of Berkshire School January 29, 2010

Berkshire Leans into Building a Lean-to

By Dakota Richardson ’10

Michael Dalton and his Winter Mountaineering crew are busy building a lean-to on the mountain. The structure will be located below Black Rock at a spot called the Ledges, according to Mr. Dalton. As the new director of the Ritt Kellogg Mountain Program, Mr. Dalton is making a big effort to get the students out of the dorms and on to the moun- tain. Last fall he organized a “Pinnacle to Pinnacle” hike from Black Rock to South Pinnacle, which drew in 15 students and 11 faculty members on a memorable Sunday afternoon. Now Mr. Dalton has turned his attention to the more challenging opportunity of building a lean-to that will be placed near the ropes course. “We once had a longstanding tradition in the past where there were shelters on the mountain, but now there’s only the remains of most of them,” said Mr. Dalton. What got him interested in the idea of building a lean-to? “Working with Backcountry Skills, we built and Mr. Dalton, Hunter Lucey, Long Tran, Lars Robinson, and Craig Alizadeh. restored bridges, which got me excited about doing a more challenging project,” Mr. Dalton said. “I trees on the mountain and then used an ATV to have a pretty good group of kids in Winter bring them down to Gordon Park. There, the group Cool parent: Mountaineering now, so it works out that we can goes to work shredding the bark off the logs. Tommy Albelin spend time building this lean-to.” “The trees we are using are all white pine, and each By Ty Roselli ’10 Mr. Dalton, whose son Sean, a timber framer in tree gives us about three logs. We will probably need Vermont, is assisting in the building of the lean-to, about seven or eight trees to complete the site,” Mr. Sixth-former Adam Albelin’s father, said that the lean-to “will serve as a place for stu- Dalton said. Tommy Albelin, is in his fourth season as dents to stop and hang out at while hiking to Black “I like working with my group and building the an assistant coach for the . Rock or doing the ropes course.” He hopes that the lean-to,” said Long Tran. “It gives me something to And next month, he will make his Olympic shelter will provide another shelter for students on do outside, and the project allows me to enjoy the coaching debut as an assistant coach for the the mountain, similar to the Glen Brook and mountain.” team he played for in the 1998 Olyimpics, Hemlock shelters. He added that the work has been hard with only returning gold-medal winner . Members of his Winter Mountaineering crew four people in the group, “I think it would be better Born in Stockholm, Sweden, Coach include third-formers Craig Alizadeh and Lars with more people, so we didn’t have as much to carry Robinson, fourth-former Hunter Lucey, and fifth- Albelin grew up 30 minutes north in a former Long Tran. So far the group has cut down continued on page 2 town called Akersberga. His hockey career began at the age of seven in a sport called bandy, a form of floor hockey, and at the age of nine he began playing Markayl Moore ’09 Goes Full Speed with his older brother. Coach Albelin went on to play 19 seasons in the NHL with the Ahead for the Musicians Institute New Jersey Devils and . By Min Jung Yoo ‘10 continued on page 5 Cassie Richards ‘11 recently received a call from one of her best friends, Markayl Moore, a musician who graduated from Berkshire last year. “Hey Cassie,” he said. “Can you do me a favor and get your friends to vote for me?” Markayl, who was accepted to the Musicians Institute last year but couldn’t go because he didn’t receive any financial support, is a contestant in the Institute’s Full Ride Scholarship Competition. “Admission is open to anybody who goes online and signs up, but there are four rounds that you have to go through,” Markayl said in a telephone inter- view. “For round one, you must submit one piece of your own and a picture. Then, if you get into the top-ranked musicians after 23 days, you get into round two.” Videos are submitted and the votes con- Tommy Albelin as a player for the Calgary Flames. A soulful Markayl at Berkshire last year continued on page 2 Page 2 THE GREEN AND GRAY January 29, 2010

Lean-to continued from page 1

A classic Adirondack lean-to or work on, but it’s always exciting and Mr. Dalton is a lot of fun.” “My son is a builder, and he’s pretty good at stuff like this, so he’ll come and show us how to assemble it,” said Mr. Dalton. Hunter Lucey debarks a log. Bark holds in moisture, leading to rot. The lean-to is an exact replica of an original Adirondack lean-to. Mr. Dalton and his group will be learning the techniques required to construct the Markayl Moore lean-to, including coping, where the logs are shaved continued from page 1 to fit like a glove over each other at the corners. The project will call upon the entire student body tinue until the semifinals, where the top 10 vote get- melodic.” this spring. Students can earn a tee shirt, as in the ters perform live shows in Hollywood. The judges “There is even a Facebook group made by Max Pinnacle-to-Pinnacle hike, by helping pull the logs selected by MI will make the final decision. Babigian, and more than 250 members are support- up the mountain. More than 500 candidates are competing for the ing Markayl,” says Cassie. “It seems as if a lot of “In reality, I’d like to have this be a weekend proj- grand prize of full tuition to MI and a scholarship of people actually go into the Web site to vote for him ect, where in April we get a lot of volunteers and on $10,000. First and second runners-up will receive full every day.” Saturday we all work on getting the lean-to built on or partial tuition as well. MI’s undergraduate tuition The winner will be announced on February 23, site, and then on Sunday have a barbecue,” said Mr. is $ 21,000, and 1,225 students are currently and Esther says his chances may be slim. “He hasn’t Dalton. enrolled. Famous alumni include American Idol sea- been listed in the top-ranked artists yet. If it were Mr. Dalton’s is to complete the lean-to by son 7 finalist Brooke White and Paul Gilbert, gui- just a question of talent, he would have a better shot Alumni Weekend in May, but says “this all depends tarist from Racer X and Mr. Big. than just about anyone else, but there’s a voting on my sugaring season, which may go well into “Markayl’s always been passionate about his component, too. Markayl comes from a small spring. I’ll also lose my work force during spring music,” says Esther Fraser ’09, a good friend of school. I really want it for him, but I’ve only got one break, so it will be tough.” Markayl. “His radio show on WBSL with Zachary vote a day.” He said the lean-to will sleep six to eight people Bitzonis, Bass and Guitar, was awesome.” Markayl says he is keeping himself busy with comfortably, and can have many practical uses for Since the age of nine, Markayl has been in love with music, family, and friends and is looking for a work the school. music. When he was in high school in Los Angeles, he or a band that will help him out. His musical tastes “I’d like to see the lean-to become an overnight played the trombone in the band for a year. When he are all over the board: He can listen to anything, stay activity for an advisor and his students, or came to Berkshire, he borrowed a bass from a friend and whether it’s Mozart or Tupac. He says it just has to groups like that. The Backcountry skills and Winter since then, he has been playing the bass guitar. have some sort of groove that he likes, something he Mountaineering can both use the shelter to stay “Berkshire did develop the performance part of my says that can change an emotion. overnight on the mountain. music career. I played in the talent show, jazz show, “All I can do is put up music and hope people “The general idea for the lean-to has been to pro- and I also opened for musicals.” vote for me. If I win, I win. If I lose, at least I put mote the mountain, and I hope that we can get a lot Cheng-Chia Wu, who taught Markayl music theo- my stuff for people to see.” of support from the students, but either way it ry, says, “Although bass alone is usually harmonic, To vote for Markayl, visit the MI website and sign up should be a fun experience.” Markayl has the talent and passion to make it very as a fan. Votes are limited to only one vote per day.

The dorm with no prefect By Malcolm McCain ’10 Published monthly, with special editions at the whim of the staff. In the fall of 2008 Senior House became a girls’ dormitory for the first time. It also made history in another fashion: it became the only dorm on campus with no prefect. In fact, the last prefect to reside in Senior Staff Reporters Adam Albelin ‘10 House was Justin Holmes ’08. Joel Halpern ’10 While Senior House has no prefect, all other dorms have at least one, and a few of them have two: Eipper (Colin Ryan MacDonald ’10 Puth and Will Hearty), Crispin- Gordon- Rose (Aurelie Humes and Whitney Colbert), and Godman (Lindsay Malcolm McCain ’10 Harnett and Alex Colbert). Even the day students have two prefects, Meredith Fulco and Xiao Rui Gao. Andrew McCarthy ’10 CGR, Godman and Eipper are good candidates to have two prefects, as these dorms have freshmen, Colin Puth ’10 Dakota Richardson ’10 although De Windt also has freshmen but only one prefect. According to De Windt prefect Chris Wickham, Ty Roselli ’10 who can intimidate the freshmen when need be, “the lack of a prefect allows the senior girls to be better pre- Karina Srb ’10 pared for taking on the responsibilities that college life entails.” Keith Veronesi ’10 Bill Clough, assistant head of school and in charge of residential life, offered a similar explanation. Jacob Weiner ’10 “There really isn’t a reason for Senior House not to have a prefect, other than because it comprises six sen- Min Jung Yoo ’10 iors who at this point can control themselves and are fully capable to make the right decisions for themselves Sports Editor without one of them being higher up than the other five.” Keith Veronesi ’10 According to Chris, the prefect’s job ranges from keeping order in the dorm and assisting dorm parents with tasks such as check- in and dorm meetings to sitting on the disciplinary committees. Fashion Editor Some say Senior House is not appealing because it isolates its inhabitants from the rest of campus, not to Lizzie Steiner ’10 mention the countless steps leading up to it. The benefits, however, are slightly larger rooms and being able to live with a close knit group of friends. Staff Photographer “It’s nice to be a senior not being controlled by another senior,” says Senior House resident Marjorie Dakota Richardson ’10 Simpson. “It’s different not having a prefect. But at the same time, with only six of us, it would be weird to have one person viewed as ‘better’ than the rest. I like it the way it is.” Faculty Advisor Dorm head Stephanie Turner agrees that “it’s hard toi have a prefect when you have only six girls,” adding Mr. Harris that “what we miss by not having a prefect is some of the campus stuff, like Dorm Wars.” Senior House will join forces with Spurr Dormitory in the Winter Carnival competition this weekend. Page 3 THE GREEN AND GRAY January 29, 2010 The Mysterious Mrs. Spear

By Colin Puth ’10

Spear received her Master’s Degree in Literary Education from Mount Saint Mary’s College in Newburgh, N.Y., and worked as a substitute teacher for an elementary school in the Hudson Valley. Mr. Spear taught science at St. Andrews School in Boca Raton, Fla., last year. Mrs. Spear says she hopes to continue teaching elementary school, and is looking forward to seeing what teaching opportunities may be available in the Berkshire’s. When asked about dorm life, both Mr. and Mrs. Spears responded enthusiastically. “The boys have been excellent so far this year,” Mrs. Spears said. “They have been respectful of them- selves and each other so much that we sometimes for- get our apartment is connected to a house full of teenagers.” The Spears live in Stanley Dormitory with their dog, June, who Mr. Spear calls “a mutt of mostly unknown origin who came off a truck from Tennessee.”

Beth Spear

Dan Spear, Berkshire’s new astronomy and AP allowing her to get to know the school. physics teacher, arrived at Berkshire last fall without “Everyone I’ve met has been very welcoming, a ring on his finger. However, that soon changed. which has made me feel like part of the community”. On September 26, Mr. Spear married his fiancé, The Spears managed to duck away for a weekend Elizabeth Howell, at the Millbrook Winery in near- during the first few weeks of school with just enough by Millbrook, N.Y. time for Mr. Spear to return to grade assignments on “I met Mr. Spear in 2001, in the first few weeks Sunday night. Though it left no time for a proper of college,” says Mrs. Spear, whose nickname is honeymoon, the Spears were able to make up for it Beth. “We have been together since then.” by going on a cruise over Thanksgiving break. The new Mrs. Spear is one of only few spouses of Though this is the first year Mr. and Mrs. Spear a Berkshire faculty member who do not work at have lived on a boarding school campus, they are no Berkshire. But she says this has put no restraint on strangers to the educational life. Last summer Mrs. Beth and Dan Spear on their wedding day last September.

Merritt shows merit in art studio By Adam Albelin ’10

Fourth-former Eli Merritt has a side to him not seen on the lacrosse field: avid sculptor. “I started sculpting when I was a kid,” says Eli, who says he was influenced by his par- ent’s skill of blowing glass. In fact, sculpting has become a hobby in the Merritt house- hold—“my whole family does it.” “ Eli is very mature as an artist,” says Linda D’Arco, Eli’s teacher in studio art. “He is willing to break his own art down and rebuild his earlier pieces.” Mrs. D’Arco adds that “Eli is really fun to work with. He is not scared to start something that is unhindered.” Eli says he has made “a lot more pieces than I can remember.” His favorite sculpture that he has created here at Berkshire is titled, “Bubblegum sculpture.” Eli says this sculp- ture was the one that he put the most passion into. “I am big into making human body figures and faces, and being completely abstract is fun and different,” Eli says . Mrs. D’Arco hopes Eli “will work towards advanced sculpture, and possibly art school for college study. He works a lot on his own over the summer, and it would be great for him to be an apprentice.” Eli’s take on the matter is somewhat different. “I don’t know if I will do it at school, but I will do it for fun.”

Tallying up points this week for Dorm Wars were, from left, third-formers Olivia Mason, Maddie Bricken and Haddie Waldron. Eli Merritt and his “Bubblegum sculpture.” Page 4 THE GREEN AND GRAY January 29, 2010 Opinion Jordan, Getting ready for the real world here we come! By Ryan MacDonald ’10 For more on those lucky few to visit Jordan in March, visit www.berkshireschool.org The main goal of going to high school is to pre- Schools that offer a variation to the internship pro- pare us for college. College then prepares us for life. gram include Holderness, Tabor, and Choate, But is high school really getting us ready for college? according to Mr. Newman. Is it getting us ready for life? Last year at Ridgefield High School, post graduate Some would argue that it’s not. Instead of having Jake Hyatt interned at his local middle school as a seniors sit in class slacking off as many do in the gym teacher. He would go everyday from 7 to 3 and spring, some schools provide an internship program help teach gym. Although this isn’t the career choice for their seniors. Berkshire has thought about Jake will pursue later in his life, he says, “This was a implementing this program. In fact, David valuable learning experience because I got to see how Newman is currently head of a committee looking the real world works.” into the possibility of Berkshire having its own Having gone through a senior year already, I believe internship program. that a senior internship program would be a great idea. “The program would be offered as a way to pur- It would prevent “senioritis” and would vastly improve sue interests students might have in college and the skills students need in the real world—not to men- beyond.” Mr. Newman said. “The reason we don’t tion that it would also be a lot of fun. have this program in place is because of our loca- tion.” He noted that the Berkshires don’t provide enough opportunities for an internship program to be run. In order for the program to work students would have to go farther away to find opportunities for their internship. Instead of strictly an internship program, Berkshire has looked into a combination of a senior internship and independent study program. The only thing delaying this program is figuring out a way to not have the program affect the other pro- grams like art, sports, and others.

POINT-COUNTERPOINT: Switzerland’s Ban on Minarets

Last November, over fifty-seven percent of Swiss voters voted to ban the con- struction of new minarets, tall structures built on mosques that allow clerics to issue calls to prayer. A New York Times reporter writes, “The ban has propelled the coun- try to the forefront of a European debate on how far countries should go to assimi- late Muslim immigrants and Islamic culture.” Students in Mr. Kalin’s Modern World History class join the discussion.

For the Ban: Against the Ban: Kienan Brownrigg ‘12 and Hank Hoover ‘12 Elizabeth Benedict ‘12 and Jenny Simmons ’12

The main reason why this ban is reasonable and appropriate is because it will Switzerland, known for its tolerance, has decided to ban the building of increase the level of safety brought to the Swiss people. The Swiss all want to feel minarets on mosques. This vote has shocked the rest of the world and also hurt safe while living in their country and the immense attraction that the minarets the Muslim population in Switzerland. Minarets are part of the religion of Islam bring to their country makes citizens feel vulnerable. Islamic terrorist groups because the towers are used as a way to pray five times a day. This ban violates have previous planned attacks in Switzerland. The terrifying detail is that some freedom of religion and should not become policy. of these attacks are coming from the radical Muslims living inside the borders of Before the harmful ban of the minarets, Switzerland was known as country that Switzerland. In 2006, there were 12 arrests in one month of a group of terrorists held religious tolerance and acceptance. However, the aftermath of the country’s who were supposedly collaborating to shoot down an Israeli airline flying from selfish actions have shown unwelcoming message towards the Muslims. A Muslim Geneva. in Switzerland expresses his feelings toward the matter as he says, “Most painful In addition to the safety risks, Switzerland must respond to its democratic for us in not the minaret bam, but the symbol sent by this vote…” This shows laws. Over 57% of the people voted to ban the minarets and 22 of 26 cantons, their feelings of rejection in their own land. or member states, agreed to this. Because this ban received the majority of the Many Swiss citizens do not believe this law should have been passed. Think votes the law will be passed, therefore making it an addition to the constitution. about the way the ban makes Muslims feels. Basically the Swiss government is Although the Swiss are known for their tolerance towards religion, they must proclaiming that it does not want Muslims to practice their religion and does not govern based on what the majority of the people want. want them in Switzerland. A couple of weeks ago, vandals threw stones and a pot What must be understood throughout this predicament is that this is not a of paint at the Geneva main mosque, showing outward hostility towards matter of the Islamic faith being rejected or judged, but strictly a matter of safety Muslims. Also, recent campaign posters in Switzerland show a Swiss flag sprout- for the Swiss who fear radical terrorism. Mosques can still be built and this law ing missile shaped minarets alongside a woman dressed in a niqab. Not only is does not require all minarets to be terminated, but just prevents further con- this law banning minarets but also it is segregating the religion of Islam. This ban struction of them. People are not trying to force a decrease in the Muslim popu- should not be upheld. lation by supporting the ban, but only trying to prevent further attacks. Page 5 THE GREEN AND GRAY January 29, 2010 Sports Mr. Kinne Returns to the Boys’ Basketball Team

By Keith Veronesi

Peter Kinne’s back in charge of the boys’ varsity basketball. And he competes and brings an abun- dance of experience to a team filled with promising, young players. Coach Kinne succeeds David Newman as head coach of the Bears, whose one-lost record last year was 10-14. Coach Kinne led the Berkshire Bears from 1993 to 2004. During that time, he says, Berkshire chal- lenged and competed every year for a New England championship as a member of the New England Class B Prep School Basketball League. “It feels great to be back” says Mr. Kinne, who says his biggest challenge is returning the team to the prominence it had a decade ago. From 2004 to 2009, Mr. Kinne coached girls’ varsity basketball, which included his daughter Sarah Kinne ’08. Mr. Kinne says that the game has changed since he last coached the boy’s team. “There is a lot of parity now, and no more ‘gimme’ games anymore.” He also feels that the league as a whole has improved. Mr. Kinne says he enjoys coaching in a high-pace atmosphere, which is brought every game the Bears compete in. “Mr. Kinne knows a lot about the game of bas- ketball,” says five-year player and team captain Klayton Johnson. “When he coaches it’s not only about basketball, but also about life lessons that will Coach Peter Kinne barks out directions, while Coach Kalin looks on. help us succeed beyond the sport.” coaching other than the win-loss record. He enjoys “Mr. Kinne is a great mentor for the young guys the different relationships that a coach and player as and who offers a ton of experience,” says returning compared to a teacher and student. His coaching assistant coach Michael Kalin, who says that with a philosophy is to “instill life skills for kids,” and he group of young talent lead by experienced seniors, enjoys helping young adults with problems that the Bears seem to be headed in the right direction. cause stress and adversity. “Our vision is to aggressively recruit across the Mr. Kinne is determined to bring back the promi- Northeast and hope to build a program that will nence the basketball team once had, and with the compete with the top teams in the league,” says help of Mr. Kalin and their passion for the game, Coach Kalin. Coach Kinne and Coach Kalin both the Bears seem to be right on track. At press-time, say it will take time to do so. the Bears’ record was 2-9, but they still have time Mr. Kinne says he values many other aspects of to turn the season around.

Cool Parent continued from page 1 How does it feel to be coaching the Swedish Olympic TWINS! team? I am the assistant coach. The head coach is Bengt- Åke Gustafsson, who played for Washington Capitals, and the other assistant is Mattias Norström, who played for the L.A Kings. It feels good that Bengt-åke has faith in me. It’s also a great honor to represent your country in the Olympics. And all the best players from all different countries will be there competing for the gold.

Do you think you will have any advantages coaching Coach Albelin (far right) as assistant coach for the the Olympic team due to your own experience on the New Jersey Devils. 1998 Swedish Olympic team? I think it might help. I remember that as a player Will you be coaching any of your current or former in ‘98 when we competed in Nagano, it was hard to Devils players on the Olympic team? concentrate on your own event with so many other Johnny Oduya is on the Devils and he will be at events going on at the same time. You eat at the the Olympics with me. He is a defenseman. dining hall and the other teams are at the table next to you—the speed skaters are preparing for their Have you ever traveled to Vancouver? events at one table, the curlers for theirs at another. I have been in Vancouver quite a few times for So I think knowing that will make it easier for me hockey and also on vacation. It is a great town locat- to focus, and I will try to pass that knowledge to the ed right on the water, and the mountains are very first-time Olympians on our team. close too. It is very beautiful.

How do you feel about Sweden’s chances of repeating Will your son Adam be joining you for the trip? gold? Adam is not going as far as I know. He has hockey It is going to be very difficult to win, but I think at Berkshire and has to finish this year strong. So I we have an outside chance to win if everybody plays think taking a week off from school would not be the up to their potential and we stay injury-free. best thing for him. Page 6 THE GREEN AND GRAY January 29, 2010 Back in the saddle again By Dary Dunham, guest columnist

I find something everyday at Berkshire that makes Teaching again after a five-year hiatus reminds me me smile, and often laugh. I am very happy to have of why I chose education in the first place. My joined the green and gray community. sophomore English class lifts my spirits – you can Beginning with my thirty-minute commute from even ask Mrs. Dunham about my mood when I Sharon, Conn., I look forward to my work day here. return from school. I learn something new each day. The drive itself is an unhurried journey north on I revel in their humor, wisdom, and eagerness to Route 41 past houses, farms, fields, a pond or two, expand their minds. If only they could “catch!” and the eastern ridge line of the Taconic Range. The balance of my day is spent in the college My full professional odyssey has been spent in the counseling office. Here a new world has opened up realm of independent schools – with Berkshire my for me. The personal stories I have learned from my seventh stop (Ithaca?). I’ve done just about all there group have been inspiring and provocative. These is to do: teach, coach, run a dorm, chair a depart- private moments and the connections we have make ment, lead a division (upper school), raise money, this part of my job a valuable experience for me. and head a school (three of them). During my This winter my afternoons are punctuated by the tenure at Indian Mountain School I sat on the thwack of squash balls ricocheting about the court Berkshire Advisory Board and was member of two along with the much too prominent metallic colli- search committees, the one that found Mr. Piatelli sion of ball with the tin. C Squad Squash is an exu- and then the one that pried Mr. Maher from that berant and athletic bunch. They are learning how to other school. I knew Berkshire well from the out- combat one another in a gentlemanly manner and side. Now, here I am on the inside, and thoroughly to treat my atrophying talents with respect and enjoying myself. grace. One transition that was initially awkward for me to make was in realizing that after twenty-one years of being in charge, of running the show, making Berkshire + 1 speeches, directing morning meetings, welcoming by Jacob Weiner ’10 each student by name with a handshake, setting the vision, and stopping the buck, I don’t do that any- Ah, second semester! The air is colder, dinner starts earlier, and of course there are usually a few more. There are fine, competent and qualified peo- new students who manage to find their way under the mountain. ple to do that, instead. Last year, three new students came in mid-year: John Lieblich ‘11, Jessica Powell ‘11, and Brian When my friends ask me what is Berkshire like, I Ferrell ‘12. But this year Berkshire welcomed only one, third-former Sam Cabot. Sam is the first day reply that I am proud to be a Bear. Every day I am student in a number of years to enter mid-year, according to Director of Admission Andrew witness to students doing great things—at assem- Bogardus. blies, concerts, and athletic events—and to faculty Sam Cabot—no relation to the cheese company of the same name—comes to us from Pittsfield, and coaches sharing their knowledge and prowess. 45 minutes away. Last fall he was a day student at rival school Williston- Northampton, which he Berkshire brandishes its pride without hubris. calls “a good school very similar to Berkshire.” The main difference between the two, according to Students care about each other and tend this place Sam, is “Berkshire is nestled in the mountains, and Williston is in the center of Easthampton. Also, maturely as if it were theirs. I have wonderful col- food also is better here.” leagues, and Berkshire thrives under great leadership. So why the switch? Why not apply to Berkshire in the first place? It is a happy school. That’s what I tell my envious “I originally applied to Williston because my uncle had attended there and he wanted me to be pals. his legacy,” Sam said. “I came here because of Mr. Schleunes and the Math Science research team. But a vestige of my old self surfaces now and Williston has nothing like that.” again. There is an irksome detail. This extraordinary, Sam added that he is “most interested in astronomy, and so the observatory was a major draw.” beautiful campus would stand out even more if it When informed that his main draw was currently under repair, Sam remained optimistic. “I did not weren’t for the countless splotches of chewing gum know that the telescope was not functional, but I hope they fix it soon so we can all start using it.” ground into the walkway. When asked about if Berkshire is more difficult than Williston, Sam sat pensively before answer- ing. “It is not that it is more difficult, but it allows more opportunities, especially in the math and science department which is what I am most interested in.” Sam takes boat building for a winter sport and in the spring he will play golf. Sam plans on Berkshire’s boarding next year. He also hopes to increase his work load by trying to take BC calculus and AP Chemistry as a sophomore. beloved Haitian His favorite part of Berkshire is the people. “Since the day I toured here everyone has been so friendly, and that is also a big part of why I decided to come.” Former mid-year enrollee Brian Ferrell offers Sam this advice: “Just get involved with things and you will be fine. All you have to do is make an effort.”

Shortly after the January 12 earthquake in Haiti, foreign language head and French teacher Jean Erick Joassaint told a journalism class of his despair and hopes for his native land, once called The Pearl of the Islands. Mr. Joassaint, whose brother and sister and nephews and nieces survived but who lost his best friend, fled the country in 1980 with his wife, Marie, "because I dared to criticize gov- ernment corruption and inequality." He said that when he learned of the devastation, he said to himself, "I am going to teach and keep my sadness inside of me." To read about the Berkshire community's response to Haiti, visit the school's Web page: www.berkshireschool.org Page 7 THE GREEN AND GRAY January 29, 2010

The Look Amanda Lees is a sixth-former from Salisbury, Conn. by Lizzy Steiner ’10 , special fashion correspondent

What are you wearing? How would you describe your style? An amazing fur hat, tweed blazer, skinny jeans, and my England scarf. It took me a long time to grow into my style. I think it’s when I see something I think that nobody could pull off and I buy it and see if I can pull it off. My point of fashion is kind of everything. If you say that What are your favorite stores? you can pull something off, you can pull it off. Just buy something, wear Thrift stores and garbage dumpsters. I also borrow a lot of clothes from my it, and be serious about it. mom and dad. What do you like about fashion? Who are your fashion icons? Fashion is another way to express yourself. David Bowie is my fashion idol. Tupac (Thug Life, with a “y”). Also, I really endorse the whole “old-fashioned” look. My favorite style consists of simple floral dresses that have that “I-just-woke-up-in-a-field” look. I also like the Any last words? I have to go to class. mod look.

Do you have great style? Do you wear outlandish attire? If so, email [email protected] to be featured in next month’s edition of “The Look”!

Senior Slump Has Begun By Joel Halpern ’10

With senior spring right around the corner, there although I received my acceptance letter right when I wait-listed and have to wait longer before they know are already some seniors who get to enjoy the most got back from break.” where they are going. George Martinez ’09 said, “I lavish benefit of being accepted early to a college: Natalia Anderson, attending Dickinson College never did enter a slump, I was put on waiting list, so the senior slump. According to Cheryl Geerhold, next year, says she entered her slump moments after I didn’t hear back until late in the spring.” director of college counseling, the class of 2010 she received her letter. To see where the class of 2010 will be attending already has at least 25 students into college, 6 of “I found out Tuesday morning, right before my math school next year, check out the list on the bulletin whom were admitted early decision. exam which I had failed to study for in hopes I would board outside of the college office. Knowing where one will attend school next year end up being accepted. In the two finals I took after can be a huge relief, but can also cause seniors to go hearing the news, I received a D- and an F.” into an academic slump. Although it may feel that the pressure is off and “We can never put a number on it,” said Ms. that you can start slacking off, your colleges are still Geerhold. “There are some seniors who will do their watching. Even though it is very hard to have a col- best ever this quarter, but that is a small percentage. lege withdraw its acceptance, it is still possible for the We need to keep reminding them that colleges are school to punish you, according to Ms. Geerhold. watching and that final transcripts do get sent out.” “I have seen students have to go to the college to David Newman, sixth form dean, said that “you explain, and I’ve seen students have to write letter of should finish off strong for two reasons: it gives apology.” momentum for college, and allows you to be proud For most schools, students who receive a D or of how you finished your last quarter at Berkshire.” below will be in some sort of trouble with their col- Senior slump can hit a senior at any point this lege, and for some schools a C and below, but as Ms. year—before you get you acceptance, right when you Geerhold said, “If you’re going to that kind of col- get accepted or after your acceptance. For Jake lege, then you are not going into a slump.” Goldberg, a future freshman at Brown University, his For those lucky 25 students, life at Berkshire may Not likely to slump are Lizzy Steiner and Shannon slump came earlier. be very nice now. The students accepted early begin Nelson, who crossed their fingers to get into “I entered my slump during the second quarter, their senior spring now. Some unlucky students are Wesleyan University--and did. Page 8 THE GREEN AND GRAY January 29, 2010 Berkshire Goes to the Movies

in danger almost brings you to tears. At the final game Kat’s Eye View a little black boy who wants to hear the game fakes Katherine Smyth ’10 reviews Invictus picking up trash by a white stadium guard’s car to lis- ten to the radio. At first he is shooed away as a pest, It’s the small things in big stories that but slowly the guards start to enjoy the boy’s compa- make them truly beautiful, and that is ny, and soon he is listening alongside them. It is the why this movie gets such high marks small things that demonstrate how rugby united the from me. It’s the simple smiles or even country. looks of disappointment from the maid Toward the end of the game Pienaar gives his men a that warms your heart. If you watch pep talk. As the crowds in the stand are going wild, he closely you realize how Francois Pienaar, turns to his teammates as they huddle together and the black maid, and her family change as says, “You hear that? That’s your country, listen to President Nelson Mandela changes all of your country.” The pep speech made chills run down South Africa. my spine. And as the Cup is won, one black and one The movie opens with a heart wrench- white hand hold it up to the sky. ing news report of the convinced terror- The cast was excellent. Morgan Freeman, though ist, Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman), he could have worked on his accent a little more, being released from the prison he had was perfect for the role of Nelson Mandela. Not been in for many years. The next scene only is he an amazing actor who is easy to love, but focuses on a road, with a school on either he also looked the part of a man who could lead side. On the left side black children are the country. Damon was able to portray perfectly playing soccer in ragged clothing, while his character’s tough attitude and driven personali- on the right side boys are playing rugby ty perfectly. His character never complained about in their clean, matching jerseys. the work he was given but took it to his heart to After Nelson Mandela was elected pres- work hard and win. Even some of the smaller ident by the black people of South Africa, actors in the movie had a personality in mind. the first black president after apartheid, Mandela’s caretaker seemed as though she loved the country is still segregated, and the him; although that relationship was never tension between blacks and whites is addressed, you couldn’t help but see it in the shown by every actor. Jason Tshabalala actress’s eyes. (Tony Kgoroge) is the head of the guard service that Africa, the blacks for any other team. He decided to use I give the movie two thumbs up. The actors’ ded- watches over the president to make sure that he is the team to connect the country in a common cause. ication gave the story the power it so strongly safe from any danger. When he is put in charge of He invites Francois Pienaar, the captain of the South deserved. white guards as well as black guards, and the two African Springboks, to tea, and their relationship begins colors were forced to work together, each actor was to grow. The two of them manage to work together in a able to portray a hatred for one another that slowly way that brings the country together. Pienaar says when diminishes by the end of the movie. Tony Kgoroge he wants to lead his men, he leads by example. Mandela was able to portray every emotion that the head of then uses Pienaar’s advice to make his country want to guards had to show. You could tell, not only by the watch the rugby matches and as the Sprinboks begin to words that he said but also by the way he said them, win, everyone in South Africa, black and white, begins that he cared for Mandela and his cause more then to watch and follow the team as it starts to advance to anything else. He was loyal to him and would do the World Cup. anything that he said. The small things have true power. When a plane starts As Mandela gained power he began going to rugby to make its descent down toward the crowded stadium, games and he realized that not all of South Africa was the fear you feel is tremendous. The combination of the cheering for their team: the whites rooted for South sound and the realization of the sheer number of people

Puth in the Booth themselves in their home decide to head south to see Road focuses on how people continue their lives Colin Puth ’10 reviews The Road what kind of refuge they can find. after what is truly the end of the world. Throughout What struck me most about this movie was just the film the man deals with both outer and personal When Cormac McCarthy’s best selling novel The how powerful the tone really was. Watching this issues. He spends each day searching for hope, confi- Road was adapted into a film, one could guess it to father and son try to survive in a man-eat-man world dent that there really is something out there, while be a dark movie. However, the bleakness of the film (literally) was so captivating that I really did feel like I at the same time trying to figure out if life was not version caused a colleague of mine to turn to me was looking at the end of mankind, a forgotten plan- meant to go on after such an event. As The Road twenty minutes in and say, “It’s like this movie was et left with no rules. progresses, each scene feels more isolated, each con- made with no ounce of happiness.” What I appreciated so much about The Road was versation sounds more hopeless, and each stranger His comment was not too far-fetched. When sitting that it was not a story of what happened when the appears to be more hostile than the one before. The down for this movie, you have to be prepared for a world ended, but what happened after. Unlike 2012, Road shows a functioning nation gone mad, where hundred minutes of complete misery and desperation, The Day After Tomorrow, or other blockbusters where once-civilized human beings have turned into ani- where everything is wrong, and nothing will get better. CGI explosions are the bulk of the experience, The mals, doing whatever they can to survive. However, this film maintains such Though heavy, the film was power and beauty that I was able to incredibly moving and climbed watch it in amazement, thoroughly to my top ten films of 2009 entertained and always waiting to about ten minutes after I walked see what happened next. out of the theater. There have The Road is set in futuristic been few times when a film has America, during a post-apocalyptic had to pull me in, but with The time period where, after a series of Road, there was no struggle; I disasters, almost all of mankind was there. With a troubling plot has been eliminated. However, and at times very disturbing those who are survived are left on images, The Road is certainly not the barren planet with literally a light flick to watch with nothing, having to take matters in friends. However, its cinematic to their own hands in order to beauty and incredible plot make live. The film focuses on a man The Road a movie one should (Viggo Mortenson) and his son, not miss. who after many years sheltering