He Delbarton Courier October 19, 2013 230 Mendham Road - Morristown, NJ - 07960 Vol

Do Video Games Mr. Pieracchini’s Really Cause Vio- Interesting Vaca- lence? tion Page 6 Page 3 The Delbarton Courier October 19, 2013 230 Mendham Road - Morristown, NJ - 07960 Vol. 74, No. 1 Lanschool: An Old Tragedy iOS7 R By: Shan Rizwan ‘17 By: Charlie Niebanck ‘14 On September 18, 2013, Apple released the seventh version Several months ago, as the of its mobile operating system, 2012-13 school year came to a close, popularly known as iOS 7. The sys- the school hallways were awash with tem is compatible with all iPhones rumors of an imminent change in made after 2011 – from the iPhone Delbarton life. Surprisingly, almost 4 up to the current iPhone, – as well every student was single-minded in as the iPad 2, 5th generation iPods, his opinion of the coming institu- and the iPad mini. tion: they all felt contempt. Com- Apple boasts about iOS ments about the change flooded the 7’s many new features like, “Con- elections last spring, and the faculty trol Center, AirDrop for iOS, and warned the candidates to keep their smarter multitasking.” Indeed there remarks tasteful. are certain aspects of iOS 7 that LanSchool, of course, was are useful, but the only noticeable this topic of such controversy last change for most is the creative inter- year. Practically every time a student face. took out his laptop, a complaint Control Center adds the about LanSchool quickly followed. Students often cited LanSchool’s ability to, “have access to remotely “iOS 7 is not ex- use the mouse and keyboard on a selected student’s machine,” among actly what I expected. other features. You would think they Admittedly, the scope of LanSchool’s capabilities was largely could put more actual over exaggerated before any student actually downloaded it, and students improvements in it. typically accepted some of the more download LanSchool. However, Although every student technically There are some nifty farfetched claims as further injus- the anti-LanSchool sentiment has needed to download the program, tices. surprisingly decreased with the pro- few teachers actively use LanSchool. features but otherwise The advent of this school gram’s integration. Obviously, LanSchool has limited it is just another case year marked the actual introduc- The scarcity of teachers applications in a number of math, tion of LanSchool at Delbarton, as implementing LanSchool contrib- science, and term courses, but even of Apple releasing a the administration required every utes greatly to the rise of its repu- new product that only student to both have a laptop and tation among Delbarton students. Continued on page 3 looks prettier” 2014 Yearbook Set to Break Records statistics. Gambetta wants readers -Greg Kacergis ‘15 By: Will Nixon ‘15 that the supply meets the demand come Finals Week. to admire the book and say, “‘Wow, The glossy pages of the Their legacy as editors, however, Continued on page 4 “Archway” yearbook are always a will be more than just a series of most value to iOS 7. In Control thrilling trip down memory lane, Center, the user is able to quickly but how will this year’s Editors- in- have access to a flashlight, calcula- Chief, Ryan Connors ‘14 and Mat- tor, camera, timer, and brightness thew Gambetta ’14, make a differ- settings, all with a single swipe. It ence in the long line of beautiful has a simple design yet serves a books? It is simple: they are out to great purpose. make history. With the exception of Con- When asked what makes this trol Center, Apple put too much yearbook special, they responded emphasis on the appearance of the enthusiastically, “That’s a very big iPhone rather than adding useful question… It will be the largest pro- features. There were by far way duction ever: the most pages ever, more aesthetic changes in iOS 7 the most yearbooks sold.” than were necessary. All the pre-in- Topping last year’s sales stalled apps were given cleaner and numbers will be quite a feat, consid- simpler icons. For the most part, ering the 2013 Archway sold over these apps were also updated. 375 copies—selling out for those The iPhone camera now who neglected to pre-order in the has eight built-in photo filters. As fall. This year, the team is planning on ordering 450 copies to ensure Make sure to preorder your yearbook today! Courtesy of the Archway Staff Continued on page 2 Page The Delbarton Courier 2 The Delbarton Courier Faculty Advisors Mrs. Loveday Mr. Wyatt

Editors-in-Chief Timothy Welman ‘14 Will Agathis ‘14 Greg Kacergis ‘15

Delbarton Life News Opinions Paul Shuler ‘15 Nicholas Serratelli ‘14 Charlie Niebanck ‘14

Arts Visions and Voices Sports Tommy Cusano ‘14 Will Nixon ‘15 Seamus Craugh ‘14

A Letter from the Editors

The Courier is now led by a triumvirate, and with change comes progress. Though learning from experience in past years, we are proud to begin this year with a clean slate, with which we will strive to put our best effort into supplying the news, Delbarton style. No other school has our spirit, so this is no small feat. One needs look no farther than the Wave Rave (WRAVE) mentality that sweeps us all this time of year, though unfortunately the Courier is unable to provide coverage on such an event. We look forward to an exciting year, and you can expect our editions to deliver monthly for you, our readers. Timothy Welman ‘14 Will Agathis ‘14 Greg Kacergis ‘15 Is it Worth Upgrading to iOS7? The Odyssey By: Tommy Cusano ‘14 there is nothing else worth high- there are no drawbacks to installing Continued from page 1 lighting in iOS 7. Overall, it is not a it. If iOS 7 was not free, I would not The Abbey Players’ produc- of now, these new photo effects huge change from iOS 6, but does recommend it, as for the most part tion of The Odyssey promises to are somewhat disappointing as have a few nice features. It is free, so it provides no essential features. deliver the classic story that readers the iPhone’s eight new filters fail have celebrated for centuries while to compare to Instagram’s almost bringing novel theatrical techniques twenty. However, Apple will defi- to Delbarton’s stage. nitely add more in the future. Fur- Mary Zimmerman’s adaptation of thermore, you can now take square Homer’s epic poem breaks boundar- photos, which just so happens to ies, and actors, under the guidance be the most useless add-on in iOS of director Mr. Corica, have begun 7 because you can crop a photo to experimenting with new ways of make it square. telling stories on stage. After taking enhanced The show features about photographs, one will want to take two-dozen young performers from a look at the end result. The “Pho- Delbarton, Villa Walsh, and other tos” application now keeps track of neighboring schools responsible for when and where photos were taken. dozens of roles. Almost every actor This is helpful in locating specific must master at least four characters. photos faster. In fact, the only two students cast in Besides the app updates, the Control Center, and the new design, The sleek new design of iOS 7 Courtesy of www.imore.com Continued on page 4 The Delbarton Courier Page Delbarton Life 3 Are You Sleeping Well? Mr. Pieraccini’s Journeys anxiety and depression. And while tries. By: Ryan McLaughlin ‘15 By: Tim Sienko ‘16 students often pat themselves on However, Prof is not your the back for having the dedication While many members of everyday tourist. He often travels The daily feeling of sleepi- to stay up until 2:00 A.M. to finish the Delbarton community embark to all of the countries by himself ness usually creeps into the Delbar- their homework, research shows that on exotic vacations during summer and tags along with a new group of ton student before 8:15 AM. You high school students who do not break, no one may have had an ex- friends whenever he can. When trav- just thought you would shut your get enough sleep, do not perform as perience quite like English and Ital- elling to Georgia (the country), he eyes for a second and, the next thing well during the school day. So, while ian teacher Mr. “Prof ” Pieraccini. joined up with a local band and they you know, a teacher calling your staying up to revise an essay may Professor Pieraccini has eventually played for a US military name awakens you. Well, you are not get an A+, it will most likely result been travelling ever since he was a base. alone. Today’s American high school in missing most of what is being young child. He was born in Italy When he went to France, students face an epidemic of sleep taught that next morning. and shortly thereafter moved to in a planned event, Prof P played a deprivation, and Delbarton students When asked how often they America. His constantly moving large concert for special needs chil- are not immune from this serious feel tired in school, close to 50% family allowed him to embark on dren. He has ridden camels through problem. percent of Delbarton students said various trips, effectively sparking his the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, According to the National some of the time, and a staggering interest in travelling and adventure. swum in the Dead Sea in Israel and Sleep Foundation, teenagers require 40% said most of the time. Even a With his love for adventure, run with the bulls in Spain. about 9 hours of sleep to perform number of students (6%) reported Prof embarks on enthralling jour- However, Prof P’s experi- at their best each day, but only 8% that they feel tired all of the time. neys each summer. He lives humbly ences are not always as safe as they percent of them are getting it. At And, although most students are on the road, evidenced by his stories are exciting. Throughout his travels Delbarton, the numbers are even not getting nearly enough sleep, the about eating from local supermar- he reports being mugged multiple worse, with less than 2% of stu- good news is that more that 75% kets and sleeping in hostels. In times, which resulted in the loss dents logging nine or more hours of students report that they either addition, Prof has no qualms about of multiple wallets and passports. of sleep during the week. Although have no problem or it only takes spending the night in a train station He recalled one specifically thrill- some may find this number alarm- them 5 or 10 minutes to wake up or airport. ing incident that occurred while he ing, it really should not come as a during the week. However, there are This past summer, Prof P was in Israel. Along with a group of surprise. After all, there are only so those students who need a bit more many hours in a day. We pack our help waking up with 14% reporting days with meetings before school, that they need two alarm clocks and classes during the day, and practices 10% admitting that they need to be and rehearsals well into the evening, dragged out of bed. leaving homework and studying to So how do Delbarton stu- be done at night and sometimes into dents make up for lack of sleep? Al- the wee hours of the morning. though coffee, tea and energy drinks So how much do Delbar- can give students a quick boost, ton students sleep? On the bright close to 80% of students do not side, just about 20% of students are make up for sleep loss with caffeine. getting eight hours of sleep, while Instead, they make up those lost sadly, close to 4% of students sleep hours by sleeping in on the week- five hours or even less. The over- ends, when nearly 75% of students whelming majority of students at sleep 9 hours or more. However, the Delbarton need at least two more other 25% of students are still get- hours of sleep per night with 75% ting less than recommended 9 hours of students sleeping only 6 to 7 even on the weekends. hours a night. So how can students get more rest? How serious is not getting Other than performing the impos- enough sleep? Lack of sleep in teens sible and adding more hours to the has been linked to lower levels of day, try to make sleep a priority. This physical growth and brain devel- may be easier said than done, but opment, as well as higher rates of you will feel a lot better if you try. Is LanSchool Bad? been for naught, as most teachers Continued from page 1 have not bothered with the technology.” some History and English courses Climbing the Buddhist temple Borobudur Courtesy of Mr.Pieracchini avoid it altogether. According to Patrick Agnew “All the uproar has traveled to Morocco, among many friends, they attempted to cross the ’16, “Only my English and Spanish been for naught, as most other countries, in what he called border from Israel to Palestine at the teachers use LanSchool, and only teachers have not bothered his most interesting experience of Gaza Strip. Officials thought one of to blank our laptops and show the the summer. He explained how he his travelling partners was Jewish, class their computer screens.” In with the technology.” believes that Arab culture is the which almost caused a huge predica- many classes, teachers do not utilize most unique culture that he’s seen ment. the feature of LanSchool that allow throughout the world. These thrilling events are them to spy on students’ laptop -Sid Balaji ‘14 Morocco was just one stop what keep Prof on the road every screens, and some students don’t of an entire life of travelling. He is summer, looking for new places, even take a class where LanSchool is Ultimately, although the well on his way to his goal of visit- new people, and new adventures. used. regime of LanSchool was made out ing as many countries as he possibly His incredible journey will definitely Sid Balaji ’14 sums up most to be a gross injustice, the reality of can. He has been to almost every continue next summer, when he of the current attitudes toward Lan- its introduction has proved to be, so European country along with a plans to travel throughout South School in saying, “All the uproar has far, largely benign. majority of Asian and African coun- America. Page The Delbarton Courier 4 ARTS The Abbey Players Present: The Odyssey Continued from page 2 sense the initial jumper’s preparatory We were all moving as one unit.” ity to the ground). motions. Another more difficult task The result was a hodgepodge of only one part are Oscar Lopez ’14, “The first few tries did not involved each student walking in actors each navigating their own performing the lead role of Odys- go too well, to put it lightly!” joked their own grid-like pattern—only invisible obstacle course. The activ- seus, and Kate Roland, a junior at John Sciales ’14 with a hearty snort. turning at right angles—along the ity was not built for aesthetic appeal, Villa Walsh and the production’s “But we kept at it and pretty soon stage, gradually becoming attentive however; rather, it intends to build a Athena. it became impossible to tell who to tempo, duration (of each straight set of skills in internal and external While most of Delbarton’s fall started the jump in the first place. path), and levels (height, or proxim- consciousness applicable to each dramas have included somewhat student’s later performances. traditional sets and a realistic style Mr. Corica and the tech crew of presentation, The Odyssey prides also plan to incorporate advanced itself on its minimalist set design. work with lighting into the show. The show spotlights the actors’ abil- For example, the crew intends to use ity to evoke each setting—from the hologram-like projections to capture court of Ithaca to Cyclops’s cave— the ghostlike characters that popu- through movement and expression. late the underworld. In rehearsal, Mr. Corica has Alex Baumann ’15 looks forced the young actors to view forward to the introduction of such performance in completely differ- techniques into the show: “I hope ent ways. One exercise has students that these ‘Lights,’ in the words of in a circle on stage jump as high as Ellie Goulding, turn out to be a possible and land simultaneously. major success!” The key to succeeding at the task Performances of The Od- involves employing “soft focus”— yssey run from November 1st to absorbing all visual stimuli at once November 3rd at the tentative times without honing in on any particular of 7:30 P.M. on Friday and Saturday person or object—and trying to Last year’s fall production, The Tempest Courtesy of Ms. Fiddes and 2:00 P.M. on Sunday. What to expect from the 2014 Yearbook to- do lists, and plenty of Photo- senior Editors- in- Chief, Ryan air- conditioned cubbyhole off- Continued from page 1 shopped memes, their office on the Connors and Matthew Gambetta. limits to all those students not on third floor of Trinity is a publisher’s Their challenges lay ahead of them, Archway’s staff, Gambetta managed that was a design masterpiece, these heaven. but they are certainly equipped to to sneak in one final dig: “The Cou- people really knew what they were All of these tools fit well overcome old successes with greater rier doesn’t have its own room.” No, doing.’” into the arsenal of the two new, ones. Before this reporter left the Matt, it does not. In fact, both Connors and Gambetta felt that the yearbook editors often went unrecognized. Gambetta went so far as to declare that the Archway was, “the most im- portant publication this school can offer, and yes, that’s slander about the Courier.” He neglected, however, to slander the school’s other literary magazine: the Delta. Getting their staff to be produc- tive and getting the “stupid seniors to take their senior page pictures” aside, the room in which they work frees them to mock-up any design their right-side brain can lay out. Featuring a gleaming new iMac, obsessive-compulsively organized Here is a sneak preview of the 2014 Archway. Courtesy of the Archway Staff Creative Writing with Mrs. Brown studied it throughout college and own voices. ent genres that offer the opportunity By: Connor Moran ‘15 says she is eager to teach the class. What is her philosophy for for personalization. “Any student She enjoys it because she believes the class? She believes that in the who wants to open his mind can This year, Delbarton English that seniors, at this point in their fast-paced world we live in, creative find pleasure in creative writing.” teacher Mrs. Brown started her first schooling, are very trained in Eng- writing is more valuable than ever. Lastly, I asked her if she had year teaching Creative Writing, an lish, and the elective offers the Time to stop and to reflect and dig any advice for any aspiring creative elective offered to seniors, at Del- opportunity to stray from the norm into yourself is essential. Creative writers, who are not taking her class, barton. The elective, which started and play around with the language. writing is the perfect medium in or who hope to take it in the future. out as relatively unpopular and She hopes to help students discover which one can do just that. It forces “First, read as much as possible,” taught only by Mr. Carr, has grown genres they normally thought they the students to slow down, look she responded, “and read a diverse throughout the years. I interviewed would not enjoy. She wants students inside themselves, and explore their array.” She believes it essential to Mrs. Brown about the class and her to be emotionally engaged in their minds. keep an open mind about every goals for the year. writing and to utilize their imagi- She believes creative writing book and genre. “Second, just write. Mrs. Brown has always been nation. In this way, she hopes her can appeal to all different types of Don’t make excuses. Find time to sit interested in creative writing; she students will find and define their students. There are so many differ- down and write.” The Delbarton Courier Page NEWS 5 Broken Peace in Nairobi, Kenya Now, the proxy has moved to larger terrorists allowed all of the children terrorist attack commenced this past By: Rushi Patel ‘14 scale attacks. to leave. In addition, one terror- Saturday around noon when gun- On September 23, 2013, The terrorists were com- ist told a four-year old British boy shots and explosions began in the the lives of hundreds of Kenyans mitted to attacking only Kenyan or named Elliot, “Please forgive me, mall. This attack was deadly: Sara changed forever. Somali based American Non-Islamic adults. Prior we are not monsters,” after Elliot Head, a witness, recounted that the terrorist group Al-Shabaab, an Al to the attack the terrorists escorted told the terrorist, “You’re a very supermarket’s floor was stained with Qaeda terrorist proxy, attacked the every Muslim from the mall. Fur- bad man.” However, actions speak blood. The action eventually ended luxurious Westgate Shopping Mall in thermore, during the attack, the louder than words. Particularly, the on Tuesday but left 68 people, 61 of Nairobi over a 4-day period. There them civilians, dead. were approximately 10-15 attackers: Currently, US intelligence 3 from the US, two from Somalia, and the Kenyan government have one from the UK, Canada, Finland, undertaken an operation to locate and Kenya, and the rest were un- the escaped terrorists and find identified. those responsible. These efforts Following the onset, the ter- have resulted in the Kenyan forces rorist group took responsibility via detaining a British national. How- Twitter and stated their motivation ever, there is no clear link between through the message, “When justice the national and the terrorist attack. is denied, it must be enforced.” Par- Thus, the search continues and the ticularly, the terrorists are referring Kenyan leader proclaimed that they to the Kenyan attacks against Al- will not stop and that, “these cow- Shabaab in 2011. Al Shabaab initially ards will meet justice, as will their retaliated via grenade attacks and accomplices and patrons wherever explosions that claimed few lives. Kenya security personale take position Courtesy of www.salon.com they are.” Federal Reserve Decreases Bond-Buying real estate prices plummeting, the the economy. Lower interest rates monthly. By: Nicholas Serratelli ‘14 government felt it had to intervene, allow people to borrow money for The stock market actually Recently, there have been which is another topic for debate. a business, loan, mortgage, etc., at moved down over the summer when talks of the Federal Reserve slowing The solution the government came very low rates. Bernanke talked about lowering its $85 billion a month bond-buying up with was to bail out some of the Since the beginning of the amount of bonds the Fed buys each program. bigger firms that it felt were too big program (named quantitative easing month. To many, it was acceptable For those of you who don’t to fail. However, the Federal Reserve or QE), the economy has improved, for the Fed to lower the quantitative know much about what’s going on came up with something of its own but slowly. The job market is still in easing, even if only by $5 billion. with the economy, a global recession to restart to whole economy: it be- dangerous waters, but unemploy- Because the market adjusted in an- started about five or six years ago. gan to buy billions of dollars worth ment is slowly decreasing. ticipation of Bernanke announcing This recession, labeled the Great of bonds, consequently lowering There have been talks of a slowdown in bond buying, stocks Recession, began with the downfall interest rates. lowering the $85 billion monthly likely wouldn’t have dropped that of huge investment banks such as A basic principle in fi- bond-buying program by $5 billion much more, if at all. Lehman Brothers. The collapse of nance and economics is that when to $15 billion. These talks turned In the next few months, these banks marked the transition of the price of a bond – essentially a out to be mere speculation, proven there will be more news regarding the global economy into a state of purchased I.O.U that accumulates on September 18 when Ben Ber- what the Federal Reserve will do. recession. interest (and money) for the buyer nanke, the Fed chairman, announced It will be interesting to see how the With the median household – goes up, interest rates go down. that the Federal Reserve reviewed Fed will act in the coming months income lowering, unemployment Ultimately, the Federal Reserve low- all economic indicators and decided as it continues its efforts to help the reaching extremely high levels, and ered interest rates to help jumpstart to keep buying $85 billion in bonds, economy improve. Snowden’s Revelation action on October 26, 2001. The used on domestic targets without a or not this security is warranted will By: Liam Gannon ‘16 Patriot Act was put into place for warrant. Around the world, PRISM not be resolved quickly. There is a counterterrorism purposes. The has been used mainly for anti-ter- choice between personal safety and Though 9/11 happened actual tactics enacted by the Patriot rorism purposes, and the utilization national safety, and the latter seems over twelve years ago, its effect has Act were not known for eleven and of the program has been concen- to be the winner in the eyes of the indeed been present: in our hearts, a half years until Snowden released trated in the Middle East. However, US government. our minds, our...smartphones? them. “Boundless Informant,” a technol- There is no way to exactly This past May, former NSA Snowden released the infor- ogy that provides the summary of know how much surveillance is ac- employee Edward Snowden exposed mation regarding the court order the amount of surveillance, shows a tive on our technology. In addition, the National Security Agency’s for Verizon to turn over all of its few problems. the large rise in technology in the tactics that impinge on privacy both call records to the US government. The Middle Eastern coun- last half-century certainly gives the within the United States and around While the concept of wiretapping tries are all labeled with red or government an advantage over citi- the world. by the government has been evident orange; the actual validity of the zens. The average American life has Snowden has been called a for some time, this news is sure to surveillance on suspected terrorists been left unscathed by the NSA but patriot and traitor, and has been a make any American question his or is unknown, but the information its presence will undoubtedly make recipient of excessive praise as well her liberties. received is most likely well worth many American citizens feel violated as criticism, but the main lesson to Moreover, Snowden released it. Whereas most of the countries by their own government. be learned is that citizens have been the existence and tactics of PRISM. around the world are labeled with If any observation can be investigated by their own govern- This program collects worldwide green, the U. S. is labeled with yel- made from all of this, it is that the ment – for quite a while now – with Internet communication data, based low, along with Russia, Germany, line between liberty and big brother the aid of the Patriot Act. on demands made to Internet com- and China. politics in America is growing thin- The Patriot Act was put into panies. PRISM, however, cannot be The debate between whether ner and thinner. Page The Delbarton Courier 6 OpinionS Do Video Games Cause Violence? Yes, They Do No, They Do Not By: Seamus Craugh ‘14 such as the shooters involved at By: Greg Kacergis ‘15 yet throughout my and my friends’ the aforementioned sites, extremely consumption of this kind of media Every year, innocent civil- vulnerable to the savagery of today’s I have killed countless we have not the slightest inclina- ians are ruthlessly slaughtered in impressionable video games. What’s creatures on my computer, mostly tion to take such actions in real life. coldblood by video games such as worse than an impressionable young creations of fantasy, like caricatures Neither blades nor bullets entice us Grand Theft Auto and Call of Duty. man being taught how to murder of humans that portray them as to violence of any sort. And I’m not talking about cyber through video games? A psychopath mindless beings of evil or one- You could make a point that civilians, but real life people. Okay, being taught how to murder through dimensional nobodies. I will admit we are imbued with some sense of maybe that statement is a tad mis- video games. to that. This is often accompanied morality that conflicts with what we leading and exaggerated, but there Friends and roommates by eating breakfast, chatting with see on the screen, and so prevents actually is an undeniable correlation of the Navy Yard shooter, Aaron a friend, or listening to whatever us from turning it into reality. But between video game playing and vi- Alexis, claimed that he would play music I am in the mood for, which I would argue that there is no such olence. Let’s look at the facts. Each shooter games like GTA and Call is usually something somewhat conflict. We simply recognize what of the killers involved in the Sandy of Duty for 16 hours a day. Alexis mellow. It may seem odd to have an is on the screen as on the screen, Hook elementary, Aurora, Colo- would return from an 8-hour shift at air of nonchalance at this time, but where it has no applicable value to rado Movie Theater, Columbine reality. Fantasy has always had that and Navy Yard shootings immersed element, and video games are no themselves into virtual worlds of different than the books and shows depravity and extreme violence. that have crafted rich environments If we focus on Grand Theft that, indeed, contain violence.

“Let’s look at the “They are a form of facts. Each of the kill- media; though inter- ers involved in the activity brings a cer- Sandy Hook elemen- tain closeness to the tary, Aurora, Colo- action that most gam- rado Movie Theater, ers do not get from Columbine and Navy other forms, there is Yard shootings im- conceptually no dif- mersed themselves ference. If one seeks into virtual worlds of violence, they will find depravity and extreme it. ” violence.”

Auto, particularly the most recent They are a form of media; GTA, it becomes easier to believe though interactivity brings a cer- that these video games have desen- tain closeness to the action that sitizing effects on our young people. most gamers do not get from other In the trailer for GTA V (Grand forms, there is conceptually no dif- Theft Auto V), viewers are intro- ference. If one seeks violence, they duced to the “heroes” of the game, will find it, be it in their games, their all of whom are merciless, murder- books, or, for lack of a medium, the ing crime-lords. A few seconds later unhealthy mind that gives a more these “heroes” can be seen stomp- concrete form to such thoughts. ing the foot of a dead body into a Illustrated by Timothy Welman ‘14 Such violence cannot satisfy. The toilet, mowing down innocent civil- work, disregard sleep, and play video I feel no great guilt from watching people on the screen are comprised ians with machine guns, and abus- games for the remaining 16 hours pixels die. Is that a problem? of codes, not cells. No true killer’s ing women and children, all while of his day. That is, until he was lucky Graphics have improved; relief can be attained by killing one; screaming expletives. enough to be fired, freeing up some our shooters aren’t Goldeneyes any no matter how much they may seem Now, I can say with confi- time on his schedule for other hob- more, and in more than one way– like humans, they only take that dence that the children of our so- bies, like sleeping and eating. After though that point can be saved for shape. ciety would be emotionally affected putting in so many consecutive another day. Realistic violence pops Humans do have a shadow by these graphic images. Further- hours of cyber-murder, it wouldn’t out of the screen. Dead Space 2’s of a dark side, and it is fine to en- more, the effects are even more be unlikely that Alexis lost his grasp advertisement slogan was “Your tertain its fancies on the screen. In serious on teens still struggling on reality. Maybe he thought he was Mom Hates This.” She probably any rational being that is where they through their formative years. Even just going to get bonus points for did. Games like Saints Row have stay, where they have little effect on worse, recent studies have shown the butchering of innocent pedes- the moral depravity to make Miley actions taken with real people in real that the male brain has not finished trians, just as his video games had Cyrus feel like her career leaves situations. Daydreams never had to developing until the mid-twenties. rewarded him for the same exact something to be desired. That is, be pretty, so long as they stayed in This leaves young male figures, actions over and over again. to her, and not her admirers. And the mind. The Delbarton Courier Page VISIONS AND VOICES 7 The Crucifixion in Madrid By: Aidan McLaughlin ‘17 on his knees. He fainted. When he Cam was walking through woke, Cam was kneeling in front of the Prado, praising the masterpieces Jesus on the Cross! He fell back in that hung before him. There was shock and rolled right into the feet an ear-shattering screech, and then of a group of Roman soldiers. They the loudspeaker came on. “The jeered at Jesus but didn’t seem to museum will be closing now. Please notice the teenage boy lying prone make way to the exit. Thank you!” a at their feet. Cam got up and imme- peppy young woman piped into the diately lightning struck. Jesus called mic. Cam stayed behind to get one out “Father forgive them, they know last look at a portrait before he left. not what they do!” (Luke 23:34) His flight back to Vancouver was Cam woke in a puddle of sweat in the next day. Cam started towards his hotel bedroom. The time was the exit, but just as he got to the 10:17 A.M. He was going to be late door…it locked. The boy pounded for his flight. Cam zipped to the air- on the door, but it was to no avail. port and went home thinking he had Cam stepped back and examined had one crazy dream. Yet no one his surroundings. He walked up to a working at the Prado could explain picture of Jesus pinned to the Cross the young man in Nike apparel, (Francisco de Zurbaran). Suddenly, kneeling at the foot of the Crucifix the world spun and Cam landed Courtesy of www.dailypainters.com in the portrait of Christ. Miscellaneous Poems by Nate Osemeha ‘15

Departure: jersey, Destination: greatness Ok, come mi chiamo? I don’t mean to sound heinous, I’m allergic to Parlo Italiano con professore Del Guercio fakeness Mamma mia, lei parla? It all just makes me wonda I don’t mean to sound famous, but there’s no way the things we’d do for a dolla. else to say this In the age of pre-Madonna’s where education is I’m sicker than pneumonia, and my words are just key and not having it is a problem contagious …Maybe nursery rhymes can solve ‘em like I hope this don’t sound like a cliché or something Jack and Jill went up the hill to look for work I can’t hear the criticism, are they saying something and pay their bills and when they went they came But in exchange for nothing, across, an old tyrant who was their boss, now I’ll paint you a good picture; I’ll tell you a good should they go and pay their dues? They’ll never story, the pain and the glory know you snooze you lose, but then they met Peter But honestly Piper promised to pay for their retirement, even The truth hurts now and I’m sorry for my hon- though he makes millions Jack and Jill raise debts esty, I never needed Homer ‘cause I wrote my own to ceilings, Piper wins, tax convicts ‘em, another odyssey victim of the system to ease the stress they’re pop- Redoubtably forget what you should or what they ping pills, this life’s a mess kill or be killed, now think you ought to be, no Achilles heel, now I’m should we blame Jack or Jill because they came up done with Greek mythology the hill?

Illustrated by Timothy Welman ‘14 Page The Delbarton Courier 8 SPORTS Preview on the Varsity Football Oplinger, who was an integral part ing the complex schemes of defen- a kickoff for a touchdown against By: Brandon Gaceta ‘17 of the offense’s big play ability last sive coordinator Mike Beach. Paramus Catholic in the football year. The offense also features a Matt Oplinger ’14 and Ian team’s home opener. Two weeks into the start of stable of running backs, includ- Lodge ‘15 are rangy, hard-hitting The coaching staff returns the regular season the Delbarton ing senior Robert Arancio ‘14, who safeties that have helped this formi- with some slight changes, as Dan Green Wave varsity football team alternates between tailback and dable defense cause several turn- Desplaines moves to defensive is looking as strong as ever. With fullback, filling Jamie White’s shoes overs already this season. backs coach while new outside nineteen returning seniors, this is as the featured back. Guiseppe Andrew Papantonis, the linebackers and special teams coach an experienced group that has been Bevacqua ’14 steps in at quarterback freshman cornerback, is starting op- Dennis Mikula provides contagious tested numerous times in both the for the graduated Michael Bicknese, posite senior Daniel Murphy, while energy and great enthusiasm for the playoffs and the regular season. and has shown off his accuracy and senior JJ McBride and junior Matt game. Head coach Brian Bowers is Having faced teams like mobility in the pocket in the past Mandelbaum rotate in as well. back at it again after receiving the Paramus Catholic and St. Joe’s of two games. Special teams, headed by Coach of the Year award last year Montvale (in a scrimmage), this The defense, led by senior coaches Dennis Mikula and Dan and leads the offense while defen- team is no stranger to the high level linebackers Michael Parowski ‘14, Desplaines, is a talented bunch, fea- sive coordinator Mike Beach returns at which the top New Jersey high Aaron Slodowitz ‘14, Conor Mackie turing Andrew Papantonis back as to coach his impenetrable defensive school football teams play. ‘14, and Josef Johnson ’14, is stout returner for both the kickoff return scheme, which limited opponents to On the offensive side of against the run, and has shown its and punt return units. This excit- average less than twenty points per the ball, they have tight end Matt ability to get to the quarterback us- ing freshman has already returned game last year. Can the New Jersey Devils Make a Recovery this Season? it was no wonder when the team that they would try to abide by the If the team wants to be suc- By: Will Agathis ‘14 missed the playoffs both in 2010 first option, which used to be the cessful, secondary depth at forward Making the playoffs used to (missing American superstar Zach root of their great successes in the (Zubrus, Henrique, Zajac) must step be a small feat for the New Jersey Parise) and, after losing Parise, in 1990s. Signing talent like Michael up and find some sort of rhythm. Devils. As a result of making the 2012. What was the problem? How Ryder, Jaromir Jagr, Damien Brun- Meanwhile, the defense needs to playoffs in fourteen consecutive come one superstar could not carry ner, and Ryane Clowe will help to find its collective identity. The seasons, the players knew how much the load? replenish a team that was barren of Devils defense used to be notorious effort was needed, and provided It appears that there are two firepower in July. for preventing shots on the goalies. just enough to find their way into ways to be successful in the NHL But as of now, the Devils Nowadays, the goalies face an aver- the playoffs. However, everything nowadays. The first option would play has been, to put it mildly, un- age of 27 shots a game, three more changed in 2009 when the Devils require a great number of mid-level derwhelming. Mainstays like Dainius than last year’s rate. spent their entire offseason trying talents, effectively providing depth. Zubrus, Adam Henrique, and Travis The Devils have to turn to re-sign their Russian goal-scorer, The second option, which the Zajac are having trouble finding the their season around: that much is Ilya Kovalchuk, simultaneously Devils tried from 2008-2011, was to back of the net, while the defense— obvious. The real question is when. losing players that made up their build a team off of a few stars, with namely Peter Harrold, Adam Lars- And with the New Jersey’s offensive foundation. less emphasis on depth and a greater son, and Bryce Salvador—have had and defensive woes still affecting its At that point, the Devils had focus on firepower. trouble making their presences felt play, hopefully that day soon comes two superstars, a couple of solid In this past offseason, high- on defense. The Devils have held when the team realizes that it is players, and, primarily, a hodge- lighted by the loss of Kovalchuk the lead in four of their games this flirting with a dangerous territory, podge of utility players. Therefore, and Clarkson, the Devils decided season, yet lost all of them. irrelevance. Is Fantasy Football More Than a Fad? By: Brandon Gaceta ‘17 players. Fans can draft a combina- most points. In the last week of the ter play it safe and start Alex Smith Fantasy football has taken tion of quarterbacks, running backs, season, there is a league champion- instead, who would have a good the NFL fan-base by storm ever wide receivers, tight ends, and a ship where the top two teams play matchup against a bad Jacksonville since CBSSports introduced it in defense and special teams, and a each other for bragging rights and Jaguars team. It is very exciting to 1997. Other companies such as kicker. sometimes money. feel like part of an actual team, ESPN, Yahoo, and the NFL created During the regular season, As a fantasy football user managing actual players and starting their own fantasy football websites the stats of each player are tracked, myself, I have to say that it was defi- or benching them on your fantasy soon after. Nowadays, there are over which are converted into points for nitely a time consuming and exciting team based on how they are do- 15 million fans playing fantasy foot- each fan’s team. Every week, two hobby. Would Peyton Manning be ing in real life. In these new fantasy ball, and it is the NFL’s best market- fans have their teams face off in able to put up big numbers against football websites, there are features ing tool. a contest of who can rack up the the vaunted Ravens defense? I bet- where you can see the projected But what makes fantasy stats of each player as well as the football so appealing? It is a sure bet overall projected points of your that every fan has a different opin- team based on who you have start- ion of what a team should be doing, ing at the moment. There are even whether it is to start the rookie analysts just for fantasy football that quarterback or trade the star line- give you inside looks at how players backer. Fantasy football allows these are doing and who may be someone fans to take a team into their own you want to trade for or bench each hands, giving them the power of a week. real NFL general manager. Fantasy football has taken Fans are in organized leagues that over the NFL fan base with its they can either create or join on the exciting inside look at the NFL, and website, and each league has its own should be a staple of the league for draft from a pool of all current NFL Who will you draft? Courtesy of www.michaelshuemaker.com years to come.