Students Revive Black History Month

THE March 9, 2017 theP park schoolOSTSCRIPT of baltimore | 2425 old court road, baltimore, md 21208 Volume 74.1 Issue No. 6 Westheimer winners make summer 2017 travel plans by TALIA KOLODKIN ’20 from working with jaguars in Brazil and BELLA PALUMBI ’20 to helping in an orphanage in Ghana. This year, the prize recipients are The Westheimer Prize, created Anna Connors ’19 and Luke Pound by Pat Westheimer ’61 in 2006, al- ’18. lows two Park students to travel All sophomores and juniors who anywhere in the world each summer. would otherwise not have the oppor- Westheimer loved to travel and firmly tunity to spend a month in a foreign believed that it led to a better educa- country are invited to submit a pro- tion. “[Pat Westheimer] recognized posal for the prize. A new require- the importance of travel and how it ment of the prize is the inclusion of opened up people’s minds and made 30 hours of service per week. them more well-rounded, balanced, The proposals are vetted by a com- and able to think from multiple per- mittee of teachers and administrators spectives,” Dean of Students Traci and those that meet the requirements Wright said. are put into a pool. Two proposals are Past winners have traveled all over the world, with trips ranging Westheimer, see p. 3

Gottlieb plans to leave photo by E. Lyght ’17 by ARENAL HAUT ’20 also asked to teach eighth grade lan- BLACK HISTORY MONTH. Members of the Black Female and Male Forums conducted a se- guage arts. ries of talks and actions in February to acknowledge and celebrate Black History Month. Fists Lisa Gottlieb, MS and US Librar- Gottlieb is adored by her students raised in a sign of solidarity and strength, the groups’ success at organizing events this year ian and MS Language Arts teacher, and fellow faculty. Katelyn Mann ’20, stood in contrast to recent years’ relative inactivity during Black History Month. is leaving Park at the end of this year one of Gottlieb’s former language arts to teach English at a public school. students, has nothing but praise. “Lisa “I love Park and it’s been a really was a really inspiring and encourag- STUDENTS REVIVE BLACK HISTORY MONTH remarkable experience being here,” ing teacher who changed the way I she said, one that has “felt right from look at literature,” Mann said. “She the start.” This year, however, she has instilled in me a love for reading Freshmen speak out at assemblies in February realized “it was just time for me to and I will always be grateful.” the lack of representation of people of a bigger, stronger network of black by CICI OSIAS ’19 look elsewhere, honestly, for financial “She was one of the teachers in color, especially African-Americans, families, not just in specific grades, reasons.” my past who has impacted my life the Unlike the past few years, there in the film industry and in comics. but in each division,” Johnson said. She thinks what she will miss most,” said Noam Fox ’20, another of was no shortage of public events for Joseph provided considerable data Additionally, the Black Male and most is the opportunity to be her true Gottlieb’s former students. Black History Month this year. From showing that many people of color Female Forums made statements with self. Though Gottlieb doesn’t know Gottlieb taught students writing assemblies to potlucks, the African- do not have large roles. their clothing. Over the course of a where she’ll be next year, she jokes, skills, how to analyze text meaning- American members of the Park com- At the last assembly in February, week, students wore dashikis (a tra- “I will not miss continually walking fully, and much more, but she has also munity spent the month embracing there were three more presentations ditional West African shirt), nametags around the library asking people to been more than a teacher for Fox, their culture, as well as sharing it with to close the series. Oluwatoni Elewa- with different stereotypes and micro- be quiet!” Mann, and many others. others. Gidado ’18 started off the presenta- agressive expressions, and all-black Gottlieb began working part- “Lisa always has a listening ear The month included a series of tions by speaking about black men outfits for a “blackout” theme. time as the Middle School Librarian and has always been there for me inspirational assemblies. The first who paved the way in the sports Black Female Forum leader Elise in 2009, and eventually added work when I needed any kind of help,” Fox assembly was about famous black world. Lyght ’17 captured a photo of stu- with Upper School students when she said. “She has helped me in countless intellectuals. Freshman Bella John- Ani Burnet ’18 spoke about what dents dressed as famous black figures. started working full time. She was ways and I owe her so many thanks.” son performed the song “Cranes In Nina Simone means to her and per- The portraits were hung up on walls The Sky” by Solange Knowles and formed a breathtaking rendition of around the school. science teacher Maggie Mahmood Simone’s “Blackbird.” Upper School Students celebrated “Soul Food spoke about statistics that highlight- Principal Nancy Dickson detailed the Wednesday,” where everyone brought ed the disparities African Americans life and work of playwright August in soul foods, such as mac and cheese, face in STEM fields. Wilson. greens, and fried chicken. At the next assembly, Lexi Bush- “It all started last year,” Tyler “[This month] was a way for rod ’20 named 10 black role models Johnson ’17 said. “A few of the girls [African-American members of the and then showed examples of the went to the weekly faculty meeting Upper School] to celebrate ourselves, racism and harassment they faced. “I because we were upset that there have fun, feel confident, and look at have role models whom I look up to, wasn’t a [public] acknowledgement our blackness in different ways,” and I look up to them because they’re of Black History Month. This year Johnson said. able to overcome criticism and rac- we decided that we really wanted to Members of the forums hope the ism,” Bushrod said. do something to celebrate.” tradition continues. “Since I’ve been Bella Johnson spoke about cul- The Black Female Forum also in Upper School, this is the most tural appropriation and double stan- held a potluck for all African-Amer- we’ve ever done for Black History dards. Johnson pointed out how a lot ican families within the community. Month,” Tyler Johnson said. of celebrities are eager to “act black,” It was a time for parents to get to Students hope to continue high- photo by N. Blau ’18 but when it comes time to talk about know each other and bond, as well as lighting black figures, which reminds After eight years working in the library, MS/US Librarian Lisa racism, they are silent. play a heated game of Black History us that the representation of African Gottlieb will leave at the end of second semester. Gottlieb At assembly on February 15, Month Jeopardy that pitted students Americans in our history and media has been crucial in helping many students do research. freshman Caitlin Joseph discussed against parents. “We wanted to make matters greatly. INSIDE THE POSTSCRIPT COMMENTARY ARTS & CULTURE Bennett Demsky ’18 responds to the Anton Shtarkman ’20 reviews Boys’ Against school’s ban of Snapchat on campus WiFi. Humanity, a new comic book by juniors The ban aimed to improve network speed. Luke Pound and Josie Renkwitz. PAGE 2 PAGE 7 Editorial // The Postscript March 9, 2017 2 And on a more positive note

In the Upper School hallway, there is a mates who took them. countdown of the days left until the seniors’ last day of school in April. Thao Kahn: The teachers I’ve had here As the number of days gets smaller and have helped me develop into who I am. smaller, we keep realizing that we will I’ve found my voice; I’ve learned that soon be leaving a place that has shaped us the way I participate in class doesn’t always in countless ways. have to be verbal. I don’t have to push and The truth is, we often publish articles shove my way into conversations. I’ve re- that are critical of Park, and we are grate- alized that identifying as Asian-American ful that we have the opportunity to do so. doesn’t discount either my Asian heritage But, at times this has led to a paper that is or my American identity, but rather shows largely focused on the negative aspects of that both have formed me into Thao Kahn. the school. I would not be the person I am today As we approach our final days at Park, without the education I’ve received here. we believe it’s important to share what we do not always write about—how important Although we’ve had disparate experi- this place has been to us. ences, Park formed the people we are, and that unites us. Mollie Eisner: The week leading up to —M.E. and T.K. cartoon by Tyrese Duncan-Moore ’18 class registration is torture. Pro and con lists are splayed across my desk, numerous it- erations of potential schedules plastered on I agree with my co-editors in that we, Snapchat ban raises questions the walls. I’m filled with unease, imagining who have been shaped by our individual potential oversights—the wonderful classes experiences at Park, should be grateful for about the purpose of school Wi-Fi I might be missing. all that the school has given us. But I dis- The opportunity to schedule our own agree with the idea that we need to go out of and the visceral reaction I had to the email, classes—practically create our own high our way in this issue to be positive because by BENNETT DEMSKY ’18 left me confused about how I felt about this school curriculum—is unbelievable. Teach- our paper, and our editorials, often highlight new policy. ers design the classes they want to teach, negative aspects of our community. On February 13, Susan Weintraub, the Di- Anyone with a cellphone can still use and students choose the classes they want The reason we publish critical pieces is rector of Library Services and Information Snapchat at school. That’s not the point for to be in. This creates joy in the classroom. not because we like to be contrary, nor is it Technology, emailed the Upper School about me. I’m not criticizing the decision-making I feel at home with notebooks and novels because we do not like Park. In fact, it is a change in technology policy. process in which the student body was not and discussions. I owe my love of learning quite the opposite: we are critical because Effective immediately, Snapchat was consulted, and I’m not saying that Snapchat to the classes I’ve taken that have changed we care about our school, and, as journalists, blocked on school Wi-Fi. The email also con- is stupid either. For me, the issue of the Snap- my perspective on the world—such as Mod- are obliged to focus a lens on ways in which tained the rationale for the decision: “We’re chat ban boils down to one question: What is ern Brazil and American Elections—to the it can and should improve. experiencing so much bandwidth traffic be- the school Wi-Fi for? cause of Snapchat that we thought it would teachers who taught them, and to the class- —J.S. “The purpose of anything that we, the be a good idea to block it so that we can make school, and therefore you and your parents, better use of our on-campus wireless for aca- pay for is to support the academic program at he ostscript demic purposes.” the school,” Weintraub said. “Wi-Fi is a utility T P Students can still access Snapchat by turn- service that everyone has to have good access The Park School of Baltimore ing off the school Wi-Fi and using cellular to. There shouldn’t be any interference in ac-

2425 Old Court Road, Baltimore, MD 21208 data. Kids are also finding shadier ways to cess so that people can do their schoolwork, Tel. 410-339-7070 get around the ban. Virtual private networks, teachers can teach, and administrators can Parkschool.net/news/postscript which enable the user to get through to re- run the school.” March 9, 2017 stricted sites, can be downloaded for free. Weintraub is right. The Wi-Fi exists for Volume 74.1|Issue No. 6 “ Almost everyone has downloaded a VPN school purposes. Snapchat isn’t used for app to get around the Snapchat ban,” an school purposes. It is a recreational app that

Editors-in-Chief anonymous junior said. actually inhibits people trying to do school- Mollie Eisner, Thao Kahn, Jack Sheehy My initial reaction to Weintraub’s email work on Park’s internet. Snapchat showed News Commentary Arts and Culture was extremely negative. The administration up regularly as one of the top three users of Leah Genth Bennett Demsky Catie Turner should have no say in what students do in network bandwidth, and in one ten-second

Ethan Harrison Montana Love Cici Osias, Asst. their free time, so long as they aren’t harm- interval, over 300 sessions of Snapchat were

Abel Sapirstein ing anyone. That is not the school’s job and open. artoons Sports C it infringes on our individual agency as high While, in my opinion, the school Wi-Fi Features Jayme Brodie Spencer Levitt school students. When I first read the email, I doesn’t seem any slower or faster, “block- Lizzie Kane Tyrese Duncan-Moore Zach Stern, Asst. felt that this decision was emblematic of what ing [Snapchat] could make small differences Dakotah Jennifer Josie Renkwitz the administration shouldn’t do. at different times, such as when a teacher is Rachel Miller, Asst. Photography But for some reason, Snapchat gets on my streaming a video,” Weintraub said. Faculty Advisers Noah Blau nerves. Because of this, and in spite of the To be perfectly honest, I don’t think Snap- Jon M. Acheson way I first felt about the new Snapchat policy, chat is all that important. In fact, I don’t think Susan G. Weintraub I’ve been fairly unsympathetic to the plight the Snapchat ban in and of itself is very im- of my fellow students who’ve been coping portant either. What I think is important about School Population: Students—829; Employees—210 with the ban. the Snapchat ban is the question that it raises: Distributed to Mailboxes of Upper School Students and Employees, In assembly several weeks ago, when Up- As students, to what are we entitled? and Lower and Middle School Students by Faculty Request Mailed to Current Parents by Letter Perfect per School Principal Nancy Dickson spoke This isn’t a question that has a right an- Copies Printed—1400 eloquently about August Wilson, she asked swer. But it is a question that we, who are Member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Assn about times when we have felt that the admin- lucky enough to be Park students, ought to istration does not do right by us. When the keep at the forefront of our minds while at Policies student body responded with ringing choruses school, and it is a question that we ought to We welcome letters to the editor, unsolicited op-ed pieces, and other contributions. Please send work to [email protected]. We reserve the right to edit all submissions for language and of “Snapchat,” it upset me. think about before we cry foul when the ad- length. Submissions are published at the discretion of the Editors. Dickson was trying to make a point about ministration blocks Snapchat on the Wi-Fi. the life of August Wilson and the importance This is my attempt at an answer: a stu- The Postscript is a wholly extracurricular publication of the Upper School committed to of standing up to authority, and we were com- dent at Park School is entitled to an educa- publishing truthful, objective, and high-quality content that informs the broader community. Our plaining about having to switch from Wi-Fi to tion that doesn’t compromise their safety or purpose is to hold the school and the administration accountable, and if we make an error, we cellular data in order to send pictures of our well-being. We are entitled to nothing more. ask you to hold us accountable, too. We encourage all members of the community to contribute faces to our friends. This experience, com- We should make sure we aren’t acting as if to the paper by writing letters to the editor. bined with my ambivalence about Snapchat we are. News // The Postscript March 9, 2017 3 Science classes center on study of campus stream

by ABEL SAPIRSTEIN ’17 urban water chemistry.” In Earth, Air, Fire and Water, stu- Moores Branch stream is more dents learned about water chemistry than a picturesque feature of the cam- and then moved to their own research pus. It is a curricular asset that has questions. “It was a natural extension served students from all three divi- that we had this stream right here that sions who have explored, observed, we could go out and test,” Huntsman and studied it for many years. Moores said. “The questions that students are Branch, a small tributary of the Jones asking are things like: does pH level Falls watershed, functioned as drain- [a measure of acidity] vary in differ- age for a nearby residential area for ent regions in the stream? Does it years. With the development of vary with erosion, or turbidity [rela- the Quarry Lake at Greenspring in tive water cloudiness]?” 2005, and the diversion of the stream This spring, Middle School sci- through the quarry, the composition ence teacher Sarah Howell’s sixth of the watershed has changed. grade class will also be studying photo by N. Blau ’18 This semester, science teacher Moores Branch. Because the science Elliott Huntsman is teaching an Up- curriculum centers on the environ- Moores Branch stream serves as a curricular asset for students from kindergarten through per School science elective—Earth, ment, Howell has been “focusing the Upper School, and falls under state of Maryland wetlands and waterways regulations. Air, Fire, and Water—which focuses class on earth systems and on how on the chemistry of the environment human actions can impact them,” The stream study was a success the tree that manages to grow in the than a century later. using Moores Branch and the Jones she said. with last year’s sixth graders, teach- abandoned lot.” Teachers Howell and Hunts- Falls watershed as test subjects. “It is The annual stream study, which ing students how to correlate mac- Moores Branch has been under man noted that Moores Branch is a really nice that we are in this middle began last year, is over a month long, ro-invertebrate life to water quality observation for some time. Max resource for the whole community, place between the mountains and the and according to Howell, its goal is or how to use an oxygen saturation Lipitz ’17, a student in Huntsman’s and is especially useful for hands-on bay,” Huntsman said. “We’re on the to “try to figure out the quality of the probe. “It’s a great opportunity to be elective, was able to find data from learning. “It’s useful to be able to go edge of a major city before it hits the stream, the potential impacts on the outside and see the world,” Howell 1910 about the alkalinity of the wa- over to the Jones Falls and be able to Jones Falls, which has much exposure stream, and what things we can im- said. “It teaches students to see nature ter, and is currently in the process of see changes happening over a very to urban environments, and have sub- prove.” wherever they are and to appreciate gathering alkalinity data from more short period of time,” Huntsman said. Snapchat eats Westheimer prize recipients embark on exciting trips up too much Westheimer, from p. 1 Connors chose to work with the Umkhumbane Schools Project, which then drawn from the pool by lottery. operates in high schools in townships bandwidth The Westheimer fund generates near the city of Durban. The organi- by MATT WATTS, enough money to provide two trips zation’s website says it is “working IT Systems Administrator each year, and there are generally to improve academic outcomes and a dozen applicants. “Our goal is to enhance access to tertiary [higher] After some investigation, the IT get as many people into the lottery. education in a disadvantaged com- Department discovered that Snap- We’re not saying, ‘Oh no, this isn’t munity full of vitality and promise.” chat was one of the top five most good enough.’ We say, ‘Go back to The Umkhumbane Schools Proj- used and most bandwidth intensive the drawing board,’” Wright said. ect tries to help students attending the applications on campus. Approxi- It is a privilege for Park students high schools in the area to achieve mately 500+ sessions of Snapchat to be entered into the drawing for a their dreams. This is often accom- were open at any given time of day, once-in-a-lifetime trip. Westheimer’s plished through higher education, using the fifth-ranked most amount generosity continues to change the although it is unusual for people from of data in the school. lives of Park students like Connors less urban or wealthy areas to apply The average user may think and Pound. to the country’s universities. photo by T. Kahn ’17 that when their phones/tablets/ This summer, Anna Connors ’19 “I’ll be helping the kids learn Eng- etc. are in standby and Snapchat is will fly to Durban, South Africa, a lish because, for a lot of them, it’s not A map outside Dean of Students Traci Wright’s office shows not actively running, that it is not place she never imagined she’d get their first language,” Connors said. the international travel locations students have experienced. consuming data (or even battery), to visit during her high school years. The first language for many local 2017 Westheimer Prize was an op- zens in Córdoba, Argentina. Pound but that is not the case. Unless the Connors is most looking forward to students is Zulu. portunity to expand his understanding will also be immersed in Spanish, as app is completely closed and not “immersing myself in a different cul- “There’s also a program [that al- of the world’s cultures. “I applied for he will be staying with an Argentinian running in the background, it will ture and getting a different perspec- lows students] to go to the national the Westheimer prize because it was host family. “This project ended lin- continue to consume bandwidth tive,” Connors said. science fair, so I can help kids design an opportunity for me to continue to ing up perfectly,” Pound said. and have a negative effect on the Connors spent weeks researching research projects,” Connors said. expand my sphere of knowledge. You “A lot of [what I will do] depends school’s Internet service. different opportunities abroad. “At Connors first heard about the can learn a lot by seeing more of the on what is going on in Córdoba. They How does a social media app first, I was looking at programs that organization through its founder, a world, and the prize presented that have volunteers in the office all year, make a difference here at school? A were with a group of kids where you woman who used to go to her church possibility.” so sometimes the volunteers will wireless access point is continuous- pay something to an organization, but and now lives in Durban. This famil- Pound also applied for the Wes- participate in a women’s march or ly listening for devices (like cell those were expensive,” she said. iarity made it easier for Connors to theimer Prize in his sophomore year, they’ll go into juvenile detention phones) that require data, and when With quite literally an entire world commit to traveling such a great dis- proposing a trip to Costa Rica, but [center] and do presentations on hu- it “hears” a request, the access of possibilities, Connors decided to tance. “I guess I’m a little bit scared, was not chosen. When searching for man rights,” Pound said. point provides data and transmits narrow her search by focusing on her but since I already know [someone], programs this year, Pound knew he Pound is also “excited to meet the request to that device. A phone interests. She is a member of ISAMR, it is less scary. If I had picked a pro- “wanted to go somewhere where I teenagers from other countries that is constantly asking for data formerly known as Arctic Club, gram where I didn’t know anybody, could be immersed in Spanish. That around the world,” he said. This through Snapchat can potentially which conducts research in Canada. it would be more intimidating,” she was one of the main deciding fac- sentiment is echoed perfectly by the take precedence over an academic Because of ISAMR, Connors has a said. tors. And, I wanted to work in human mission statement of Projects Abroad, device (like class sets of laptops) strong passion for science. “I also Nevertheless, Connors is extreme- rights,” Pound said. which reads: “We believe in the value requesting connection. Just as in wanted to pick a program where I’m ly excited to travel to South Africa. Pound chose to work in the human of cultural exchange between young an actual conversation between two making an impact, and I feel like a Getting to spend a month working rights office of Projects Abroad. He people from different communities; people, it is impossible to listen to lot of the tour programs I looked at to improve the lives of others is an will be working with other teenag- such exchange helps to create a world two people at once. Access points were less focused on doing work,” opportunity afforded to few. ers from around the world on human with greater mutual respect and un- work in much the same way. Connors said. For Luke Pound ’18, winning the rights projects relevant to local citi- derstanding.” Commentary // The Postscript March 9, 2017 4 WHAT IS CONSENT? by LIZZIE KANE ’18

ver the past few months, the topics of sexual Oassault and rape culture have been ubiquitous throughout Park and in the broader community. A boy at The Friends School of Baltimore was charged “I think consent is obvious; you know it when you hear it. “I think that consent is an active yes every single time you are last month with sexually assaulting three different stu- It is given in a clear way of letting someone know. It needs to having sexual intercourse with someone, and you should never dents. Boys at Gilman recently brought a sex doll be obvious; if you are confused or unsure, it is not consent.” be under the influence of a drug or alcohol.” into school, interacted sexually with it, threw the doll —Max Kahn ’17, Gilman School —Maddie ’17, Roland Park Country School around, and did not comprehend the undertones of rape culture that they promoted. All of this was captured on video by the boys themselves, and the video was “Well, definitely they would have to agree to it, and I think if “I guess I’d say [consent is] either outspoken or non-verbal later posted on Facebook by a Bryn Mawr student. they’re too drunk, even if they say yes, then I still think that is agreements to something that requires agreement.” The video subsequently appeared on local television not okay; but if one person doesn’t want to do it then it shouldn’t —Josh Blibaum ’18, Boys’ Latin happen. Also I really think drinking is a big factor. Even if they newscasts. Because of this, I decided to reach out to say it’s okay, if they are drunk, then it is very questionable, so high schoolers from the independent schools in the area those are boundaries that shouldn’t be crossed.” (Park included) and ask them about one aspect of rape “I mean when I think of consent I usually read body language. —Evan Barbour ’18, Loyola Blakefield culture: what is your definition of consent? There was ambiguity and uncertainty in a few of If I am doing something she doesn’t want me to do, she just kind the definitions, but overall, people seemed to have a of pushes my hand away, and I’ll be like alright I won’t do it, “Consent is an enthusiastic and conscious yes.” good grasp on what consent is and what it isn’t. Even but if she doesn’t really stop me then I feel like she is okay with —Hannah Saiontz ’19, McDonogh though people seem to understand the concept, the it. That’s how I kind of see consent.” lack of consent is just one part of rape culture, which —Anonymous Male ’18, McDonogh is complex in and of itself. Students demonstrated that “Well, I guess I’m not in the business of crafting a personal they know what consent is, but do they follow their “We have actually talked a ton about this at Bryn Mawr. Our definition, I can only go by what the professionals and sexual own definitions? whole junior retreat was about sexual consent. And I’d say it’s educators and stuff have said. But I think the thing that every- While I only interviewed 23 students from nine of an agreement between both partners before any sexual act that body has to strive for is like consistent verbal confirmation, the independent schools in the area, the majority of they both give permission to do so and that both are willing to which is obviously impractical, but I would say the definition those students’ definitions lined up. The question that participate in the act instead of just one person forcing the other you should go by, if you can, is a verbal yes. Obviously, we’ve arises from these particular results is this: how can we to, whether that’s verbal or communicated through some other all heard educators talk about all the difficulties with that, but I (the student body) and educators better eradicate rape means. That’s what we have talked a lot about at school.” think you have to be optimistic, and hope that that’s what it’ll culture so that we can reduce the number of sexual as- —Sarah Cahn ’18, Bryn Mawr be for everyone all the time.” saults and rapes in our community and beyond? —Josh Brooks ’17, Friends School

“So I think the definition of consent is when both parties agree to do something. If one “I think the basic definition is just both people have to say yes, and they have to be person objects to it and then the other person is okay with it [then it’s not consensual], sober. If say [for example] during something that somebody has agreed to, they withdraw and I think it definitely needs to be established in any relationship.” consent, then I think that is totally legitimate, and that you both have to stop then.” —Bria Dorsey ’18, Park School —Ansel Montgomery ’17, Park School Let’s focus on diversity of opinion

by ELI ASDOURIAN ’18 care very much about diversity of If we’re going to build a diverse Diversity is a common theme at opinion, even if we say we do. Hav- community where our ideas get chal- Park. In the Upper School, we have ing “all voices” should mean all opin- lenged, we should actually look at multiple affinity groups that provide ions, instead of all affinity groups. how intellectually diverse we are. a space for minorities to talk about All opinions as a mode of inclu- The first ideas we should hear are the issues that specifically affect their sion would truly help everyone get the unpopular ones. communities. Diversity is a frequent heard. An Asian kid, or a Black kid, When two people disagree, both topic in English classes, assemblies, or a Hispanic kid could speak their have the chance to modify their opin- clubs, hallway conversations, and mind without having to feel like they ion and understand more about each most recently, a series of presenta- must represent their ethnic group. other. When two people agree and a tions from students and teachers Gay and transgender people would third person sits in a corner afraid to during the Black History Month. not have to feel like they must rep- speak, all of them get polarized, none Whether or not it’s actually doing a resent the LGBT community when of them learn. And, if they finally do good job, Park is definitely trying to they speak either. The more diverse speak, it will be more volatile—de- be more inclusive. we get, and the more different our fending from the authority of their The theory goes that a commu- backgrounds become, the harder it’s identity as opposed to the merits of nity can’t thrive unless all voices are going to be to understand one another. the argument. heard. I’m inclined to agree, but I The only way to cut through that con- The more people who honestly want to present a different definition fusion is to have everyone speak for and openly speak their minds here at of the phrase “all voices.” Right now, the one person they’re truly qualified Park, the smarter and more educated for most people at Park, all voices to speak for: themself. we will be. They shouldn’t have to means all genders, all races, all reli- Many mainstream political and speak as a member of a tribe. And, gions, etc. I find this troubling. social perspectives in America are when they speak, they should be giv- We’ve started to care more about virtually nonexistent at Park. Gun- en the benefit of the doubt that they’re someone’s skin color or gender when owners, social conservatives, devout- a good person. We should hear views they speak than their actual opinion. ly religious people, and Trump sup- that make us feel uncomfortable, When we start our comments with porters exist here, but they’re few and even ones that offend us. If we avoid ‘As a straight white male…’ or, ‘As far between, and we don’t hear their people we don’t understand, we move a person of color,’ it splits us into un- opinions often. We are not a quiet towards conformity, not diversity. necessary tribes. We are saying we school full of un-opinionated robots. I agree with the main message of care immensely about the outermost We are loud and argumentative. It diversity: everyone deserves a seat at visible differences among people, and should, therefore, be more alarming the table, so let’s always be aware of the more hidden ones—what people when opinions held by over a third who we’re keeping out. think and believe—have lost impor- of the country are never brought up After all, what’s the point of “all tance. By beginning with identity in conversation. We’re turning away voices” being heard if we all speak cartoon by Josie Renkwitz ’18 claims, we may be saying we don’t people whether we realize it or not. in unison? Features // The Postscript March 9, 2017 5 An Archer, but not the one from The Lord of the Rings What’s one thing you could live without? by THAO KAHN ’17 Puts hand to face. Repeats question. In terms Although this is Upper School English and of (throws up hand)…in terms of life? Paus- Spanish teacher Archer Davis’s first year, she es. Stares out window. I feel like I live with- has really enjoyed her transition to Park. I sat out many things. Stares up at ceiling. Shrugs. down with her to discuss laser tag, makeup, That’s such a weird question. Makeup. I hate and pantuflas. makeup. I think it sets up a weird hierarchy, and having been on job interviews with my hat’s your favorite word in English male significant other, it sets up a really hor- Wand Spanish? Why? rible gendered false expectation in the job market. Also, I am lazy and I like sleeping in. Ooh man! I can do the Spanish one really And makeup takes away from that. Laughs. easily because that’s the beginning of the Plays with bracelets. Purses lips. Stares at year activity. Pantuflas means slippers, which me. Laughs. is both very fun to say and I like the idea of slippers. So it sounds right in that strange On a scale of -23 to ½, what’s your favorite onomatopoeic way. English would be harder seasoning? though, because I haven’t put much thought into that. Mellifluous is pleasant, and comes Favorite seasoning? Well, see favorite implies from the words for honey and flow. Hard to a higher number. So at ½ would be cumin. explain I guess. Laughs. Signs the a-okay I put it in everything. It’s got this half-spice symbol. It’s my current favorite English word half-smokiness thing that was just all over I guess. the place growing up in L.A. It’s not overtly spicy. Why did you become a teacher? Has anything surprised you about teaching Stares around room. Sighs. It was something at Park? I wanted to do as long as I could remember. Ever since I wanted to stop being things like Sighs. Puts hand to face. Stares at wall. I a space-ballerina, that was it. Teaching has would say the freedom. People really respect been the obvious choice for me for a very each other’s craft and each other’s time, and long time. I was really excited to find that, everything is very collaborative, between when I started doing it, I was good at it. It both my students and me, and my colleagues was a huge relief. Laughs. Throws up hands. and me. I’ve never felt pressured to do any- It’s all I got. thing a certain way. Taps fingers on knee. photo by N. Blau ’18 If you were an object found in a Park If you could go duckpin bowling with any New Spanish teacher Archer Davis recently added Howard Berkowitz’s English language classroom, what would you be famous person, who would it be and why? 9 class to her schedule. In her interview, she talks about her desire to bowl and why? duckpins with Oscar Wilde. Recrosses legs. First I’d have to pick some- Stares around room. Purses lips. Probably a one who’s really bad at bowling because I’m Laughs. Plays with bracelets. want to do right now? Uh, laser tag. Always castanet, which are the clicky-things flamenco just a disaster. I’m going to say Oscar Wilde, laser tag. I once had an opportunity to play la- dancers use, because they are fun and also because we would have a delightful time; the Laser tag, teaching Spanish, or lemon lime ser tag with the cast of The Lord of the Rings: kind of sharp and noisy and concrete. They’re beer would flow, and there wouldn’t be any soda? The Fellowship of the Ring. Like the real cast. very tactile. Mimes holding something. I like romantic pressure. Laughs. Shrugs. Laughs I’m not going to elaborate more on that. But that. Am I overthinking this? and shrugs again. I’m really bad at bowling. Crosses hands together. In terms of what do I it was a great time. Nods. Sophomores create new version of

US literary magazine:Hitchcock first coined the name for McGuffin with a more critical eye. “It’s casual, by CICI OSIAS ’19 his movie The 39 Steps, produced in but I think people can get a lot out of 1935. In the film, some passengers it,” Cohn said. “You get a lot of dif- The fall/winter edition of Park’s on a train question another passenger ferent perspectives on things, which literary magazine, the first such pub- about what is in his large, somewhat is important as a writer,” lication in two years, was distributed strange-looking package, to which he Although the club’s faculty advis- at the end of January. explains that it contains a “MacGuf- ers, Kirk Wulf and Angela Balcita, are “We decided to take things into fin,” or a device used to catch tigers both Upper School English teachers, our own hands and revive the maga- in the Scottish Highlands. this year’s edition of the magazine zine because I think it’s an important When the passengers inform him was really driven by the student edi- part of the Park community to have a that no tigers reside in the Scottish tors. “Rachel and Ben have done just space for students to share their writ- Highlands, the man replies, “Well about everything; Angela and I have ing made outside of class,” co-editor then, this must not be a MacGuffin.” been there just as support,” Wulf said. Ben Cohn ’19 said. Though the majority of the works The style of the pieces in this McGuffin, edited by sophomores in McGuffinwere submitted by soph- year’s literary magazine is a little Rachel Miller and Cohn, is adorned omores, the magazine is open to all different from that of years past. “Ev- with black and white photos to ac- Upper School students. ery iteration of the literary magazine company the short stories and poems, Contributors to the magazine, takes the imprint or the feeling of the which were all submitted by students. as well as those who enjoy writing, social group that has made it,” Wulf The title of the magazine was in- meet every week to do creative writ- said. “There’s a kindness and playful- spired by the literary device, a Mc- ing exercises and peer-edit the works ness, and a lack of interest in being Guffin, often found in cinema and in submitted. ‘edgy’ or ‘emo;’ a willingness to be mysteries. A McGuffin (sometimes “Each week we look over about kids, but thoughtful, creative kids.” spelled MacGuffin or Maguffin) is three pieces, and we split into groups The literary magazine provides a a motivator—a goal, an object, or a where we critique the writing and space for students to both enjoy the character—that is pursued by the pro- help each other improve their work,” community and improve their writ- photo by N. Blau ’18 tagonist to advance the plot, although club member Kim Fox ’19 said. ing skills. Sophomores B. Cohn and R. Miller took the lead in bringing most McGuffins have no major im- Peer-editing allows for the writers “I like that we can joke around and back a dormant Upper School literary magazine. This first portance to the story. to have their work critiqued, but also hang out, but also enjoy each other’s publication of McGuffin features nearly two dozen student Inspired by an old tale, Alfred to learn how to look at others’ work writing,” Fox said. authors and artists. Features // The Postscript March 9, 2017 6

Seniorby RACHEL MILLER creates ’19 rican American independent high school females. study on meditationally and ironic to us, but stress we found another This turned into a full-year course way to take the measurements that Independent studies give stu- that includes the effects of yoga as actually [measures] vibrations instead dents the opportunity to explore their well. of images,” she said. identity in different ways. For Tyler “The idea behind the project is to This semester, Johnson will con- Johnson ’17, it was her passion for find an effective mechanism to cope tinue to collect data on the effective- science and her role as a female Af- with stress,” Johnson said. “Stress ness of yoga on HRV, and work on rican-American teenager that led her is a common factor and often corre- writing up the data collected, analyz- to take an independent study this year. lated to the progression of many of ing it in relation to the current theories “[This focuses on] the two pieces the diseases most prevalent in African in the field. of my identity that mean the most Americans, which also have the worst Asha Johnson ’19 was the first to me: I am an African-American outcomes. If people can find effective subject in the yoga trials. “It was in- female, and also [I have a] passion ways [to cope with stress when they teresting. I learned a lot about myself, for medicine. This [project] is a com- are young], it will be more impactful and it was a good experience! Now, bination of the two, so it is the best and [you] will be able to shape your I know that yoga can help me with of both worlds, and it is something I overall health status.” stress and school,” Asha Johnson hope I am able to do as I become a The research for this demograph- said. professional,” Johnson said. ic is limited. “I chose to center the During the final two weeks of the Johnson has always been inter- project around African-American course, Johnson wants to present her ested in science, so last summer, she females because when I was doing findings. “[I hope to] do a community worked as an intern in a lab at Johns background [research], there wasn’t outreach project, and figure out actual Hopkins University that was doing anything about that demographic,” ways of integrating the results from a study on Parkinson’s disease. Her she said. “It’s been difficult… trying the studies into practical, everyday choices for classes in school represent to find sources that support what I am photo by N. Blau ’18 life situations.” this as well: Biomedical Research doing, but it is also sort of novel in Johnson, who wants to go into the Senior T. Johnson combined her experiences in science electives Methods, taught by Upper School that sense as well.” medical field and also pursue a PhD and an interest in medicine to create an independent study on science teachers Carla Guarraia and After weeks of reviewing re- has been learning from Guarraia, who meditation and stress. Julie Rogers, and Guarraia’s Risk search, as well as formulating plans holds one in Molecular Genetics. Factors of Cardiovascular Disease for her own trials, Johnson put her Johnson began to analyze her own Guarraia commented on this from “I never understood why it took and Diabetes class. hypothesis into action by recruiting data, and compared it to that of cur- a different perspective: “It’s research, so long for people to get a PhD, and As one of only two juniors in last African-American female students at rent scientists. The data collected did and research just never works out eas- then I understood why,” Johnson said year’s Risk Factors class, Johnson Park to participate. During October not support her hypothesis. Contrary ily. We have some [ideas] we believe with a laugh. was able to explore the idea of heart and November, she collected data to what she had anticipated, stress are really reasonable about why it “It’s definitely given me perspec- rate variability (HRV) more after the on the effects of meditation on the levels were not lowered following didn’t work.” tive in terms of how difficult things seniors left for their senior projects. HRVs of five students spanning all meditation sessions. Technical challenges led to tim- can get,” Johnson said. “But also, This led her to create an independent four grades. “Carla and I just sat there and ing issues, as the heart rate monitor how, if you’re really invested in your study. “What’s unique is that we can said ‘I don’t understand why it didn’t was not able to collect the data. “The research, and your ideas, it doesn’t Guarraia, who is also a yoga in- look at the high school population, work’...then we tried pulling out the monitors we used in class [which are feel like work. Even though we’ve structor, teamed up with Johnson to and we can look at African-American other variables, and trying to make linked to a cell phone application] experienced some difficulty, it’s create a semester-long study on the girls in a way that other scientists just sense of [the results] and we still actually don’t measure through dark something that I am really passion- effects of meditation on stress in Af- don’t,” Guarraia said. [did’t understand],” Johnson said. skin,” Guarraia said. “That was re- ate about, so I have enjoyed it.” HISTORY OF THE FIRST-NAME BASIS by MAEVE THISTLE ’19 It was at this time that Park edu- self as Mr. Jacoby and that was it.” Park was one of the first schools cators had their own round table dis- When students first enter an en- to teach progressively. There are in- cussion to evaluate the use of student vironment where the student-teacher formal aspects to the way we learn time. As documented in The First 75 relationship is defined as a partner- here, and we promote the innate drive Years: A Reflection of Park School ship, it has the potential to make them young people have to explore the from 1912 to 1987, teachers rethought feel uncomfortable and disrespectful. unexplored. But was Park always so the importance of projects and activi- “It is harder to navigate an informal informal and culturally progressive? ties, lest they intrude on the academic environment,” Jacoby said. “If there For instance, did teachers always go achievements of the students, and aren’t rules, it can be unwelcoming by first names? even questioned the importance of because you [the new student] don’t I chatted with Julie Schwait ’68 on May Day! know what the rules are.” the phone to find the answers to some It is evident that after the war But Asher Baraban’19, who is of those questions. Schwait was both ended in 1975, more teachers went new at Park this year, disagrees: “I a student at the school and an adult by their first names. “At some point think you’re reading into it too much. employee, working in the develop- someone said to me that Middle I don’t feel like I’m a friend to my ment and communications offices. School teachers decided it was okay teacher. Park is just an informal During her time as a student in the to call them by their first names be- school.” late ’50s and ’60s, Schwait remem- cause it made kids feel more comfort- Freedom for teachers to let stu- bers all teachers going by Mr. or Mrs., able with them,” Schwait said. dents call them by their first names is with the exception of three: “It was Today, formal titles remain few an example of how progressive ideals always Mr. or Mrs. Always! Except and far between in the Upper School. manifest in Park culture: “It’s about cartoon by Jayme Brodie ’17 for JR [Jack Ramey], Brooks [Lakin], Most teachers go by their first names being comfortable with that person. and Commander Karfgin,” Schwait but there are teachers who go by their Then you feel more comfortable to places that are still so formal because there to listen and help. said. From her perspective, the switch last names too. Of course, there may talk to them,” Matthew Hudes ’19 formality is a false way to create re- But names are names, and the to using the first name came with a be no link between formality and the said. spect,” Schwait said. strength of a relationship does not natural current events. “There was notion of didactic hierarchical sys- Referring to a teacher by their first The respect Park teachers and solely depend on which one is used. never an edict that came down that tems of learning. name also writes a new script for the students have for one another comes “There are some teachers that I’ve said you can call Upper School teach- History teacher Daniel Jacoby teacher-student partnership. Tomás from getting to know each other over felt very close to that I referred to by ers by their first names. That never is anything but a proponent of hi- Quintero ’19 came to Park in ninth time; it is not the result of simple their full title and there were other happened because we’ve never been erarchy. Jacoby taught in Israel, grade from Sudbrook Middle School, age difference. During the school’s ones that I called by their first name good at rules and we’ve never been Finland, and the Czech and Slovak where prefacing an adult’s name with 105-year journey to discover what it but that I didn’t feel particularly close that well organized,” Schwait said. Federated Republic before he came a title was a rule: “We were told to say means to be a progressive educational to,” Jacoby said. The Vietnam War, and protests to Park 14 years ago. In that time, “yes, Sir” and “yes, Ma’am.” I felt setting, it has adopted a less formal Here at Park, the real strength of against it, tested relationships be- he experienced varying formalities like I could talk to them but it was option for how people address each the student-teacher relationship is the tween young people and many adults in each school. “In Israel the words very limited,” Quintero said. other. Today, students are encouraged school’s unprejudiced approach to in the country. Park’s devotion to were more formal but the relation- It is also a reminder that author- to approach their teachers with their new ideas and changing philosophies, its progressive ideologies was also ships were less formal,” Jacoby said, ity at Park is earned and respect is questions and tribulations under the and the way in which we address our tested. “When I came here I introduced my- shared: “I’m shocked that there are assumption that their teachers are teachers is a microcosm of that ideal. Arts & Culture // The Postscript March 9, 2017 7 Pound & Renkwitz create Park-inspired comic book Isaac. Not only are the group of including several game references, by ANTON SHTARKMAN ’20 teenagers (real- life characters that and athough I did not fully understand we meet every day in the hallway) them, they were a nice touch. Fur- Do you love the Legend of Zelda? funny, they are also developed very thermore, the duo is thinking about Are you a fan of games like Dun- well. There is also a perfect balance having someone make theme music geons and Dragons? Do you think between scenes of action and of nor- on their blog. It is impressive how the that you’re a nerd? If so, then stop mal school life. While it is enjoyable two of them collectively play with reading this article and go get your- to read how Luke and Josie slice and written word, visual art, and music. self a copy of Boys Against Human- dice through thousands of monsters, The visual aspect of the comic ity. This newly released comic book it is just as much fun to see how they book is as important as the writing, is a technical triumph written by Luke go about their day. For example, because it is extremely crucial to its Pound ’18 and illustrated by Josie there is a memorable section where likeability. I am happy to report that Renkwitz ’18. the students discuss a Shakespearean Renkwitz did an amazing job with In the first issue we are introduced sonnet in an English classroom. her graphic work. If you read The to Luke, a “self- educated thespian, In their next issue, the authors Postscript, you may know that she musician and Zelda enthusiast” and look in the future—the kids have to is an active cartoonist—here, her ex- Josie, a “hammer-wielding martial tackle becoming adults and heading pertise helps elevate the entire experi- artist.” They attend Parkville Combat off to college. ence of reading. Since her drawings Preparatory (obviously a reference Pound does a wonderful job en- are so colorful and lively, it seemed to Park), where they have to battle gaging his audience with his style of as though they were popping off the monsters and, as the author says, writing— it’s intelligent with a snip- page – immersing me in the story. “make lots of nerdy jokes.” The rest pet of levity. It is remarkable how he In conclusion, since the physi- of the cast is full of different perso- deals with many recent topics such cal copies of the book have been nas who have their own backstories, as politics (Addison’s “key differ- sold out, I strongly recommend ev- cover art by J. Renkwitz ’18 and traits—there is a wide range, ences from Donald Trump include eryone to go and read the first issue Boys Against Humanity, written by Luke Pound ’18 and illus- from the suit-wearing Addison, the age, legitimate business skills and and the first part of the second is- trated by Josie Renkwitz ’18, focuses on a group of teenagers crochet-fanatic Charlotte, the “meme decent morality”) and stereotypes sue at boysagainsthumanity.tumblr. battling monsters while attending high school. lord” Ben, to the martial arts-loving (Starbucks’ “white girl” label), while com. You will not be disappointed. EUROPEAN FILMS EXAMINE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS

by BEN COHN ’19 job, downsizing an oil company. in squalid yards. The divide between ror, and throw another towel over her After seeing how stressed his old and new Europe is clear, and the head so they can dry her hair. What would you do for your daughter is, Winnifried decides to gap isn’t getting any smaller. As the two teenagers dry her off, child? That’s the question that foreign loosen her up by dressing up as Toni Toni Erdmann is not a flashy mov- laughing together as they do so, Ju- filmsToni Erdmann and Julieta both Erdmann, and becoming her life ie. The cinematography is straight- lieta’s face is completely obscured. ask, although both find very different coach, clad in those very same teeth forward, and director Maren Ade When the towel finally comes off, ways of posing it. Erdmann from Ger- and wig. He follows her everywhere, lets scenes move at a naturalistic, but she’s now the older actress we’ve many and Julieta from Spain, have screwing up every business meeting. brisk pace. But most importantly, her been seeing in the first timeline of the similar takes on modern European Maybe Ines does have to loosen script is phenomenal. It’s often hard film. This change is breath-taking, as parenthood. They both seem to say: up. Despite being the most knowl- to tell whether you should laugh or the audience sees Julieta’s pain physi- ‘it sucks.’ edgeable person in the room, she cry, and that kind of messy confusion cally age her. “I know this will anger the femi- is often overlooked because she’s a is exactly the point. Few directors are as accomplished nist in you,” Gerald (Thomas Loibl) woman. Ines’s business acumen sur- Toni Erdmann is most interested as Pedro Almodóvar. Julieta is his says, but Ines (Sandra Hüller) inter- prises the many men she comes into in those times when you both love 20th feature film, and it proves that rupts him. “If I were a feminist, I contact with, even the ones she knows and hate someone, and what it means he still has some tricks up his sleeve. wouldn’t put up with men like you,” intimately. when that person is your father. Hül- Starring Emma Suarez and Adriana she says with the charm of a joke, but But in the circle of pain that char- ler and Simonischek have chemistry Ugarte as older and younger versions acters create, Ines is not blameless. the frown on her face is more telling that is both brutal and sweet, a re- of the protagonist, Julieta is adapted courtesy thefilmstage.com than the words that leave her lips. While she takes her job seriously, lationship that has developed after from three short stories by Canadian In Julieta, two actresses play At 162 minutes, this comedy is she is unsettlingly comfortable firing years of painful misunderstandings. author Alice Munro, all centering on the title character at different already an unlikely affair, but throw people, a quality that disturbs Win- Julieta lays in her tub, apathetic the titular woman. ages. in serious exploration of a fraught fa- nifried deeply. after weeks of crying. She stares Moving back and forth from her scene are so spectacular because they ther-daughter relationship, workplace In one scene, she looks out the at the ceiling, or past the ceiling, 20s to her 50s, Julieta begins with are so deeply-felt and slower-paced. sexism, and destructive aspects of window of her hotel. On one side, at something we’ll never see. Her the story of her daughter’s disappear- At times, Almodóvar seems like globalization, and it’s nothing short there is a sleek new highway, with daughter and daughter’s friend run ance. Through flashbacks, we learn he’s directing a thriller, and those of miraculous that Toni Erdmann a freshly painted fence; on the other in, pull her out of the tub, and wrap how the baby was conceived, and are the scenes that have the least exists. side are small, rundown houses. Kids her up in a maroon towel. They sit later the circumstances of her disap- strength. When Almodóvar lets the The film opens with delivery of and grandparents play with chickens her down on a stool in front of a mir- pearance, but for most of the film, scenes live at their own speed, the a package. Winnifried (Peter Simo- we’re left in the dark. It’s the story result is a sumptuous melodrama with nischek), a tall man in his mid-60s of Julieta’s life, the reasons why she emotional impact. opens the door and tells the delivery can’t move on from the loss of her Thankfully, the times when man that the box is for his brother, daughter. Almodóvar speeds through a scene even insinuating that it may contain In another director’s hands, Ju- too quickly are few, and the rest of the a bomb. “Toni! There’s a package for lieta could have been a basic sob movie feels like Munro’s stories in you,” Winnifried yells, but there’s no fest. It’s often incredibly sad, but Al- the best way, they are lived-in, small response. He goes into the back of the modóvar’s penchant for richly-hued but strong, and heartbreaking. house, has a short argument and re- drama, pulsing with vitality, makes While Toni Erdmann is a better turns to the door wearing a navy robe, Julieta so much more than a series film, both it andJulieta are not to be white underwear, a shoulder-length of depressing events. missed. It is hard to imagine that such black wig, and fake teeth. Almodóvar, however, often robs different films would have similar Winnifried loves dressing up. His Julieta of its power through his direc- things to say about parenthood. daughter Ines is the exact opposite. tion. Almodóvar says that he wanted Their explorations of child-par- She’s serious and no nonsense. Win- Julieta to be a straight drama, no ent relationships are strong, both in nifried worries that she’s working too courtesy cineman.com comedy, no melodrama. But the their messiness and in their emotional much, so he follows her to Bucharest, German actress Sandra Hüller plays a business executive who movie is at its best when emotions are complexity. They say that family is where she’s living for the year for her confronts her eccentric father in the comedy Toni Erdmann. heightened. Moments like the bathtub hard, but ultimately rewarding. Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Sports Permit #1262 Baltimore, MD The Postscript March 9, 2017 Brenna Nation takes over softball program COMMON by OLIVIER KNOPP ’19 hard, they listen to what I have to say, they always want to learn, they ask questions, and they Since Park reinstated the Girls’ Varsity Soft- stay after practice,” she said. “It’s exactly what I ball team in 2014, the Bruins have had three wanted as my first coaching job: a team willing SPENCE consecutive losing seasons, including a 3-4, to do what they need to do to win.” IAAM C Conference finish last year. The athlet- Since Park’s Softball program is going ic department decided it was time for a change. through a so-called rebuilding period, it is im- Unpredictability... Brenna Nation, who just finished her career portant to go over the basics, especially during by SPENCER LEVITT ’18 as a pitcher on the University of Maryland Soft- the preseason. “[Nation] insists on reviewing Every sports fan knows that ball team, will be taking over as head coach. In the fundamentals, which are important for both March denotes March Mad- addition to her extensive playing experience, new and returning players,” Bunmi Osias ’17 ness — the label for the Na- she has worked for 5 Star Athletics, a softball said. “She runs a tight ship, so we make the most tional Collegiate Athletic As- camp that teaches softball at all levels, and out of our practices and I feel like I’ve improved sociation (NCAA) Men’s teaches its instructors how to coach. a lot, two weeks into the season.” and Women’s Basketball Her experience as a pitcher caught the eye Not only is Nation qualified for the head Tournaments. More of Girls’ Athletic Director Robin Lowe. “Hav- coaching position, but Lowe also believes she specifically, March provides fans the op- ing someone like Montana [Love ’18] who’s a will transition seamlessly into the Park com- portunity to fill out their treasured brackets, strong pitcher, it makes it very important to have munity. “Philosophically, she coaches just how a form of sports betting, making predictions a [pitching] coach to move us along.” we want our coaches to coach,” Lowe said. “She as to who will take home the tournament photo by N. Blau ’18 Nation is certainly excited to be coaching at really believes in the whole child, and making trophy. Former UMD pitcher Brenna Nation Park. “When I first met Robin I was impressed sure that we’re working on teaching leader- The act of filling out a bracket has be- is in her third week of coaching Park by all she had to tell me, and I was impressed ship skills, using softball to teach life lessons, come the symbol of March Madness, where softball. by the facilities and by the team; the girls work and helping young women gain confidence in everyone attempts to do the impossible by themselves.” predicting each matchup successfully. The “My goal as a coach is just to make my play- odds for completing a perfect bracket? One ers better,” Nation said. “I don’t really have a John White to coach Boys’ Tennis in 9,223,372,036,854,775,808; there has set goal as to how we are going to do standings- by ZACH STERN ’19 never officially been a perfect NCAA tour- then to Arizona, and back to Maryland. wise; I don’t really look at softball as wins and nament bracket. Last year, Park tennis doubled its combined Coach White has also spent time working losses. I think if you practice hard and you go Unpredictability is what the NCAA tour- win total from each of the three seasons prior. as a high school English teacher, a corrections out every day and you work yourself, then the nament is all about, and what keeps the fans The team played its first season down in the B officer, a hospital counselor, and even as a psy- wins will come.” coming back. We know a little bit about un- conference and saw tremendous benefits: fin- chologist for the U.S. Army. In recent years, he Lowe has a hopeful outlook for this season, predictability at Park. ishing at 6-1 and in second place. This season, has picked up the sport of golf, giving lessons but she understands that there is still work to do. You’ve heard this before: we don’t tend the team would hope to build on last year’s in it, as well as in lacrosse, tennis, and even “Our expectations are to continue to build the to think of ourselves as an athletic power- successes, and deliver Park its fifth confer- guitar. He has published several podcasts and program and to be proud of the product we’re house. In fact, our athletics have often been ence championship of the school year. The man eBooks on sports psychology and instruction. putting out,” she said. “We have a talented and a topic to joke about. In the February 14 is- brought in to help get the team over the hump Needless to say, Park’s new tennis coach has committed group of young women, and I think sue of Postscript, Will Tucker wrote about is John White. never felt the need to stay on just one path. Brenna will find a way to challenge them.” how other schools perceive Park sports in his After being an All-American lacrosse mid- White learned of the Boys’ Tennis opening Nation has high hopes for this season, but article “Bruins working to dispel stigma.” fielder at Loyola University, White moved out while working with Girls’ Varsity Tennis in she is also thinking about the end goal of putting Our four championships this fall were west in his twenties and developed a passion the fall of 2016. Unsurprisingly, his approach Bruins softball back on the map. “I definitely certainly a step in the right direction, but we for tennis. White quickly developed a mastery to coaching is about being adaptable. “Start would like to reinstate Park into the softball have not yet rid ourselves of the stigma. As of both playing and teaching the game. White where you are, use what you have, do what you world and, you know, get things moving and a result, there is always a certain amount of has now taught tennis over the last forty years. can, and don’t let what you can’t do interfere make us a team where they see our name on unpredictability when it comes to our athletic He has taught across the country, too. White with what you can,” he said in an interview the schedule and they know it is going to be a successes — whether that unpredictability is started in California, then went to Maryland, with The Lutherville Patch. tough game,” Nation said. inside or outside of our own school. Conse- quently, when we play teams who are histori- cally superior to us, we sometimes lose faith Sophomores working to bring back golf team and accept the contest as an inevitable loss. “Ideally, I would like as many people as pos- The Florida Gulf Coast (FGCU) Eagles by IAN GREENBERG ’19 sible to join, but to start a competitive team, embodied unpredictability during the 2013 we need around six or seven fully committed NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament. In After an MIAA C Conference champion- players,” Millin said. the round of 64, as a 15 seed, the Eagles took ship victory in 2001 and a 9-2-1 finish in 2002, Millin explained that there are about three down the second seed Georgetown. This was Park’s Boys’ Varsity Golf team seemed to be students who are fully pledged to join golf team literally March Madness because, as Dana on the upswing. The graduation of five seniors, practices, but this season the group will not be O’Neil of ESPN put it, “the old money of however – including the team’s founder and able to compete with other schools in the area. Georgetown [was] turned out by the nouveau star player, Rob MacDonald ’02 – left the Bru- “[For] this year, the team is going to be like a riche of Southwest Florida.” ins’ golf program shorthanded and caused it practice squad. We hope to have a full competi- The Eagles became the first team ever to to disband. tive varsity team next season [2018], where kids enter the tournament as a 15 seed and ad- In recent years, the athletic department has would receive sports credits for their participa- vance to the Sweet 16. Although their run been able to provide a large variety of sports tion on the team,” Baraban said. ended against Florida in the Sweet 16, the for participation on campus every year, but one According to Boys’ Athletic Director Dia Eagles will remain an exemplar of ‘the Cin- notable exception has been golf. While Ian Si- Clark ’06, in order for the golf team to be able derella story.’ mon ’15, who is now a member of the NCAA to play competitively with other schools in the Only 0.95% of ESPN brackets had pre- Division III golf team at Muhlenberg College, region, the team must “be acknowledged by dicted the Eagles reaching the Sweet 16. The pursued the sport seriously while at Park, and the Athletic department as a club or an official team, however, never lost faith in its ability. extracurricular golf activities have been offered varsity team.” Brett Comer, a member of the 2013 team, in the past, Park has not been able to field a Clark further explained that teams must said in an interview, “[Before the George- competitive squad in several years due to a lack prove that they can develop into lasting pro- photo from The Postscript archives town game] we really started believing [in of interest. grams before they are officially recognized and our team].” Unpredictability favors the faith- Rob MacDonald ’02 tees off in a Bru- Asher Baraban ’19, Wills Millin ’19, and a funded by the department. “A team would need ful. few other students are hoping to work together to demonstrate sustainability at a competitive ins golf match in spring 2002. Here, we know what it feels like to be the to change that. “I really love playing golf. I try level, beyond just a trial season, at which point one interested in honing their skills, getting out underdog. The Eagles had a stigma as well; to play every day that I can, and I want to start they could apply for admission into one of our on the links, and having fun. Looking ahead to it was even their first time in the tournament. a team at Park,” Baraban said. leagues,” he said. the future, Baraban and Millin are anticipating But, FGCU maintained faith in itself — for Baraban and Millin, however, will need In its early stages, the Park School golf team the club’s transformation into a sustainable and that reason, it’s imperative that the Bruins more athletes to build a sustainable program. is shaping up to be a recreational club for any- competitive varsity team. do the same.