The Postscript October 29, 2014 The Park School of Baltimore | 2425 Old Court Road, Baltimore, MD 21208 Volume 72.1 Issue No.2 Policing the Brown & White Saturday Juniors avoid controversy in annual celebration festivities by Gillian Branam ‘16 unlike in previous years when erasable marker covered windows, lockers, and postponed Brown and White Day 2014, an event benches. planned by juniors to kick off homecom- However, all the anxiety about this by Ethan Harrison ´18 ing weekend, was not very different from year’s Brown and White Day being a After months of planning a large-scale those of past years. For the Oc- wild party full of inappropriate songs and event for 1,000 people, the Parents’ As- to- ber 10 celebration, slights towards other grades was in vain. sociation had to postpone Saturday in the the junior class de- “It was great. The juniors really came Park because of inclement weather. De- cided on cops and together,” said Julie Rogers, science spite this, activities were still plentiful on robbers as a theme. teacher and co-adviser to the class of the weekend of October 11; they included “It was a pretty close 2016. “The planning process was a little the turf field dedication and homecoming. vote between cops and robbers bit rocky in the beginning, but deadlines With heavy rain in the forecast, the and under the sea,” member of the are very motivational forces, so as it got school made the decision to postpone on Brown and White day committee Cole closer to the deadline the kids got more Thursday October 9, the deadline for noti- Simon ’16 said. and more organized,” she said. fying the 100 vendors and volunteers that After last year’s music “We definitely tried to get a lot of di- the event would be canceled. fiasco, a controversy involving verse opinions,” member of the Brown “O-Go, the company hired to set up the inappropriate song lyrics, this and White day committee Kelsey Curtis carnival rides, would have started packing year’s junior class carefully ’16 said. “[Planning] was definitely a their trucks up and setting up on Thurs- planned their celebration so little harder [than expected]. Getting the day night,” Parents’Association president as to avoid offense. While grade motivated was really tough.” Betsy Berner said. In addition, they would some of the rules were pretty Though changes to Brown and White not have been able to operate the rides in basic, such as no weapons Day were minimal, the Class of 2016 bad weather conditions. and no brutality, some still managed to pull off cops and rob- The PA emphasized the fact that Sat- students and faculty still bers, a controversial theme to begin with, urday in the Park was not canceled but worried that the ju- without offending anyone. “I think the postponed, and is in the process of finding niors would repeat kids did what they were asked to do, and a new date in spring that will not interfere the mistakes of past were just creative, and stayed within the with other activities previously scheduled. years. The juniors were boundaries of what they had,” Rogers “It was unfortunate, but it will be just as photo by H. Block ’15 also not allowed to write on any surfaces, said. good in the spring,” Upper School student body president Adam Lessing ‘15 said. “It was still a weekend of celebrations, Wellness seminars replace AODS but pluck out the carnival,” parent pro- gram coordinator Ellen Small said. by Abel Sapirstein ‘17 during G or X blocks. The change was broken into groups of 15 students each The turf field dedication still created prompted by a desire to talk about overall that would rotate among a variety of pre- the opportunity for the community to get For the first time in 15 years there will wellness—not just substance abuse—all pared seminars. These seminars would together. The event, during which the be no Alcohol and Other Drugs Seminar year long, according to Middle/Upper take place during class meetings. “In years field was dedicated to Coach Lucky Mal- (AODS); instead, members of the class of School counselor Krista Dhruv. “The past, class meetings had a lot of time, lonee ’62 and former director of women’s 2018 will have a series of speakers come only two classes that we taught were sex without much substance,” said Angela athletics Barb Purkey, included members and discuss a broad scope of health topics. and drugs,” Dhruv said. “It really seems Balcita, Upper School English teacher and of the larger community such as Baltimore This differs from years past, in which that we were perpetrating the high school adviser to the class of 2018. “Now I feel County Executive Kevin Kamenetz. ninth graders were required to take AODS stereotype.” like when we meet as a class we have an Aside from the excitement surround- Additionally, “it seemed like the time agenda and things to get done.” ing the dedication and first game on the was a big hurdle,” Dhruv said, “because According to Dhruv, a mix of faculty new field, homecoming also celebrated it took away time that had already been and students chose topics. Last year, a sur- Park’s traditions. “We are about a month consumed by clubs and other activities. vey was sent out to the currentninth grade, into school and students are beginning to The argument for a change was just too asking about topics they felt the school worry about work,” Lessing said. “Home- strong to dispute.” talked about enough and what needed fur- coming is a great way to be with your At the end of last school year, a com- ther discussion. The Wellness Task Force friends in a stress-free environment.” mittee met to find a solution to this prob- also gathered data from teachers and stu- Even with the rain and the delay of the lem. Along with Dhruv, the committee dents. A list of topics was presented to a carnival, the weekend was a success. “The included then Upper School Dean of Stu- set of internal and external professionals postponement of the carnival did not di- dents Traci Wright, chair of the science and roles were delegated. minish the weekend,” Berner said. department and Upper School scheduler So far the response has been largely Bob Carter, Upper School science teacher positive. “It didn’t seem like a waste of Elliot Huntsman, and Director of Athletics time,” Leah Genth ’18 said. “It seemed Robin Lowe. like it provided a good jumping off point The committee decided on several for further questions.” goals for the new freshman seminars. Despite the initial positive feedback, Their primary goal was that by the end of according to Dhruv, at the end of this year the year, ninth graders should have experi- the program will be re-evaluated to ensure photo by M. Weiskopf ‘15 ence with a breadth of health topics and that this has had a positive change on the photo by H. Block ‘15 Krista Dhruv, who has taught a semi- should be conscious that health is always community. Balcita has confidence in the nar on alcohol and other drugs for on the radar. The task force decided on program. “I think that it is going to be use- Bad weather forced postponement over a decade, has helped broaden a new format and time for the freshman ful to them as they go through ninth grade of Saturday in the Park, which would the scope to overall wellness. seminars. The ninth grade class would be and the Upper School,” she said. have coincided with Homecoming. Editorial The Postscript, October 29, 2014 2 Fantasy future

We’ve come up with a fun little the pressure of having an actual clue game here at Postscript called “De- as to what life will really hold doesn’t scribe Your Life.” The rules of the feel as heavy. game are that an editor of Postscript But, who knows? How can we re- describes to the rest of the staff their ally say, at 17 years old, what the rest ideal future in three minutes or less. of our lives will hold? And if we think There are absolutely no boundaries as we know, how can we be sure? And to what is or is not possible. why do we have to know right now Editor-in-chief Melanie Weiskopf anyway? ‘15 chose to pursue chemistry in col- There is a lot of pressure, particu- lege, and then go on to travel the world larly on seniors, to have a plan. What with Beyoncé. do you plan to major in? Which extra- Arts and Culture editor Nikki curricular activities are you planning Haririan ‘15 described her life as an to be involved in? Which field do you editor-in-chief of her own magazine, plan on going into? If it doesn’t work which launches her into a successful out, do you have a plan B? career that eventually lands her the At a recent assembly, Westheimer role as a Guest Judge on Project Run- Prize recipient Maggie Wulf ‘15 made way. a great point when describing what Features editor Grace Croley ‘15 she learned from her trip walking the opted to go to an Ivy League School El Camino trail in Spain this summer: and then marry Nicki Minaj, whereas “The world we know at Park is really, Features editor Matthew Singer ‘15 really small.” cartoon by Nikita Shtarkman ’16 chose a life as a multi-millionaire She’s right. There are many more lawyer whose privileged daughters careers than there are clubs at this is just one idea of success. don’t have to have it all figured out. become famous for their reality TV school. And there are many more So, to our fellow seniors: Nikki, maybe you will become a show. paths than there are students. We can- There is nothing wrong with hav- judge on Project Runway. After all, They’re all super unrealistic, but not possibly comprehend everything ing a passion, a goal, or a dream. By Tim Gunn didn’t become famous on that’s the fun of the game. There are the world has to offer simply by the all means, keep them coming. But the show until he was in his fifties. So no rules or boundaries. Nothing is years we’ve spent here, as is true of remember that we are young, and no who knows? dictated by an SAT score or Common any institution. Even the notion that in matter how much outside pressure Until the time comes, try playing Application essay. We all know that order to have a happy life you must go there is or how much college applica- the “Describe Your Life” game. No what we’re saying is ridiculous, and so to college and pursue a lucrative career tions may make us think otherwise, we limits. You have three minutes. Go! The Postscript Printing papers costs too The Park Sc hool o f Baltimore 2425 Old Court Road, Baltimore, MD 21208 Tel. 410-339-7070 much time and money Parkschool.net/news/postscript October 29, 2014 by Ben Doyle ‘17 monetary and environmental costs to the Volume 72.1|Issue No. 2 school and to the families. Using physical paper also consumes far Editors-in-Chief “I forgot to print my paper. Can I email more time than its alternative. The time Hannah block, sheridan merrick, melanie weiskopf it to you?” spent printing, retrieving, and handing in “No.” every paper accumulates. One might be News sports Commentary Every student in this school has heard able to dig a moat or do a jigsaw puzzle aerin abrams jack sheehy SOPHIE BAILOWITZ this conversation countless times. To the using this time. Who knows? The teacher daniel moskowitz PETER COULSON great dismay of many, submitting papers ARts and Culture LEAH SMITH wouldn’t be tasked with editing by hand and essays via email, sharing, Dropbox, either, as nearly every word-processing Features Hannah Blau Photography grace croley nikki haririan or any other non-tangible form is gener- program has the ability to add comments Kitty Kouwenhoven matthew singer mollie eisner, asst. ally rejected. I think that teachers should and corrections digitally. This would, in philip Merrick, asst. ross greenberg, asst. Cartoons begin to consider the possibility of accept- turn, ease the student’s tedious task of Sam Himmelrich ing papers online to save time, resources, translating edits from their hard copy to Faculty Adviser Josie Renkwitz money, and space. their digital document. It also eliminates Susan G. Weintraub Nikita Shtarkman Printing papers is excessive and waste- the possibility of losing hard copy drafts School Population: Students—830; Employees—216 ful. A gallon of printer ink can clock in or corrections, which is a major loss of Distributed to Mailboxes of Upper School Students and Employees, at $9,600, which is the price of about six time. Documents accessible from the and Lower and Middle School Students by Faculty Request and a half bottles of 2012 Château Pétrus. internet are both more secure and more Mailed to Current Parents by Letter Perfect Copies Printed—1300 That’s not to mention the toll of printing efficient than the exchange of physical Member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Assn this abhorrently expensive liquid on dead papers. Policies trees–which I was led to believe were my This isn’t to say that printing papers We welcome letters to the editor, unsolicited op-ed pieces, and other contributions. Please friends. The continuation of mass paper should be banned per se, but rather that send work to [email protected]. We reserve the right to edit all submissions for production not only causes deforestation, an alternative should be validated. Park language and length. Submissions are published at the discretion of the Editors. but is responsible for 35% of all municipal needs to take a step into the twenty-first Some material courtesy of American Society of Newspaper Editors/MCT Campus High School solid waste. Accepting a digital alternative century. Things you can touch just aren’t Newspaper Service. to paper would dramatically reduce these cool anymore. Commentary The Postscript, October 29, 2014 3 New admissions ad campaign stands out by Parker Brotman ‘17 website. Instead, space should be means to be a student here. Un- Others, such as, “Someone can e.g. “There’s almost always a used to get people interested in der the logo, the motto printed be into robots and also be a good positive side.” Each of these Whenever anything new your school. Park’s ads do not is not “Learn to think.” as it was outfielder,” show the variety of messages show the wide array comes out of the administration, fall into the open house trap. previously. Rather, it is “Self. interests that are catered to. A of aspects that make us a phe- criticism is abundant amongst Another way in which other Discovered.” While “Learn to third group shares life lessons, nomenal school. the students as they waste no ads blend together is their use think.” is a great motto because time finding every imaginable of buzz words such as “oppor- we don’t just memorize facts, fault in the changes. The new ad tunity,” “empower,” “unique,” we learn how to formulate edu- campaign was no exception. “growth,” “achievement,” and cated ideas and opinions, it is too I purchased the October issue of course, “success.” Any school close to the overused buzz words of Baltimore magazine in order can describe itself with these to be used in the advertisements. to see the ads in context. Towards words. “Self. Discovered.” balances the the middle of the magazine, The Park ads embrace the fine line between being too cliché there is an article about finding “show, not tell” that English and not being profound enough. the right independent school, in teachers so often speak of and It can be interpreted to mean both which there are approximately show what it means to be a Park that one is discovering one’s self, 30 ads for schools. To be seen in student. Quoting a student saying and that one is discovering things this sea of advertisements, Park’s “Sometimes the most valuable individually rather than being ads needed to stand out, which is perspective is someone else’s,” told. Both of these interpreta- exactly what they did. along with many other valuable tions describe Park accurately The ads for all the other pieces of insight, shows far more in a positive light. schools looked incredibly simi- than an ad saying, for example, Additionally, the statements lar, not just because they are “In our unique school full of op- given by the students have been more foreign to me. About half portunities, we empower our stu- chosen well. Some state lesser- of the ads included dates and dents so they can work towards known facts, such as, “To scale, times for open houses, which is success, achieve their goals, and the Earth is smoother than a bil- merely a waste of space; some- grow.” liard ball.” These convey that we photo courtesty Communications Office one who is interested in a your The success of Park’s ads aren’t just hippies that talk about school is capable of finding out is not based solely in that they how we feel, as some people mis- New ad campaign shows what it means to think like a Park about your open house on your stand out; they represent what it guidedly think; we know things. student. Class debt: exercise in financial responsibility by Isaiah Hug ‘17 option, due to the extra financial burden. “The cost of class specific activities is not Each year, the new ninth graders are covered in the cost of tuition, it is charged excused from classes and instead take a extra to families who are already strapped retreat. The retreat is usually two days [for cash]. Even families with means, they where the freshmen are excused from pay as much to park as they can. Anything their classes and instead take part in day- extra truly is extra,” said Wulf. long activities aimed at student bonding To solve this problem, the way retreats and helping new students assimilate into are organized needs to be altered. Students the school. These retreats are enjoyed by should be able to micro-manage the trip the student body, but, like most things, along side the class advisors. The ninth have mixed reactions among the students. grade’s committee format is perfect. My That being said, one con everyone can grade did not have that same experience, agree on is the resulting debt grades face and while we did have a part in the ac- after their little outing. “We do not have a tual planning of activities, we did not ninth grade trip budget, and our trips are have knowledge the finances. Most of my not included in tuition, so it either means grade’s debt comes from one thing, $700 parents pay, or students fundraise,” said of Subway subs for lunch. Now, those interim principal Traci Wright. subs were a good choice, and everyone So if the school cannot afford the trip, enjoyed them, but no one is enjoying the why have it? One major reason is that hefty $700 bill that came with them. It is there are so many new students entering the opinion of most people that we could the grade with very few connections at have gone without the Subway if it meant Park. $700 less on the bill. cartoon by Josie Renkwitz ‘18 Despite the financial implications, the Cancelling retreats and billing the school administration pushes heavily for pose of fund raising, seems like a bad idea. issue of debt. parents are both not ideal options, so I grades to have retreats. “There is a lot of We discarded most of the ideas because it So how do we go about resolving this propose this: we, as a school, keep the institutional momentum around retreat- seemed necessary to spend as little money issue of crippling debt? One option is to current system. But, it should be policy to ing,” said Kirk Wulf, a 9th grade advisor. as possible,” said Wulf. not have the retreat. But that has its issues. remind the kids that the trip is not funded The class of 2018 had their retreat at Last year, my grade’s retreat left the I liked our retreat, and while we did not by the school, and that they are expected the beginning of the month. It seems that class $2,090 in debt. This came as a do anything over the top, it was still nice to come up with the money. This will en- the freshman class, unlike most grades, surprise at the following class meeting. to spend time with friends and enjoy two courage students to be more involved in will have little to no debt after their re- “Teachers told us nothing of how much days without classes. their own retreats, in a responsible man- treat. The decision process for the activi- was to be spent and that we would have to Another option, other than fundraising, ner. If retreats are planned with financial ties at the retreat “was a matter of money, pay it back eventually,” said Kitt Murphy is to bill the students’ parents. This is an constraints in mind, students begin high and the reason is that, to saddle a group ‘17, unofficial class treasurer. She is one offer that has always been on the table school saddled with debt that will last the of people with almost the sole shared pur- the most vocal people in the grade on the for all the grades, but kids rarely pick this next four years. Features The Postscript, October 29, 2014 4 New faculty roles filled by Simms, Loria by Thao Kahn ‘17 and “As a teacher at an indepen- yesterday, and how we can move Rommel clearly cares about Lindsey Weiskopf ‘18 dent school, you never do just forward.” helping us make our program the one thing, so I was a teacher and Simms feels that the more best it can be,” Sara Lerner ‘15, Kaliq Simms, the new Direc- an adviser to the Asian Aware- voices that are heard, the more co-leader of Habitat for Human- tor of Diversity and Multicultural ness Club, the Black Awareness broad and real the discussion ity, said. Education, was born and raised Club, and our diversity commit- will be. “I definitely think that Other responsibilities include in Baltimore. She spent graduate tee, I was always doing work of any kind of conversation [about coordinating the school-wide school at Harvard, had a fellow- this kind,” she said. “So when diversity] has to start with an Day of Service and working ship in South Korea, and taught a full-time position for diversity open invitation, saying that the with the Lower School students Upper School English at Rye opened up, I was really excited conversation…is open to every- for Viva House, although Loria Country Day School, in New to go for it.” one…and having people know claims that these are not ‘his’ York. Before taking this new “I think when we talk about that when we say diversity, we projects. “I see myself as more position, she was both an Upper diversity in institutions, we’re are taking that in its broadest of the supporter of civic engage- School English teacher and the often talking about…recurring sense,” she said. “And also giv- ment, but that doesn’t sound as Director of Diversity and Equity categories of diversity [such as ing people ways to speak private- good,” Loria said. “I’m support- Education at Roland Park Coun- race and gender], but diversity ly, through email or scheduling a ing student and teacher groups as try School. isn’t just limited to those cat- meeting one-on-one if you don’t they go out into the community.” In prior years, diversity and egories,” she said. “I hope we feel comfortable talking in big photo by M. Lipitz ‘17 The Service Learning pro- community work were a single will continue to honor the com- groups.” Rommel Loria gram emphasizes meaningful job held by Carol Kinne, who plexities of diversity, not just to “I think the more I do this experiences over mindless work, died last March. When asked keep banging our heads against work, the more I realize that di- ris King and Dia Clark, faculty and the new position aims to sup- about the change, Patti Por- the wall over the same topics, versity is infinite,” she said. at Park and leaders of the Black port this goal. “Rommel uses our carelli, Dean of Students, quoted but talk about those topics: how Male Forum, organize the annual progressive philosophy to culti- the 2012 Strategic Plan, which they look today, how they looked Black Male Forum Leadership vate endless opportunities that states that “advancing the role English teacher Rommel Lo- Institution. are more meaningful than going of a school-wide diversity co- ria has moved into a new job: Di- “[Loria] has helped me to put to pick up trash somewhere,” ordinator as a full partner with rector of Civic Engagement and the Leadership Institute on and King said. The Park philosophy students, parents, faculty, and Service Learning. Loria taught make connections with the city asserts that learning through ex- administrators” is a key goal.” full-time in Middle School start- for our high schoolers, and so I perience is a valuable asset, as “Simms…has jumped right into ing in 2011 and continues with am seeing right away how his po- “[t]he academic process offers the job…and has already started one section of eighth grade Eng- sition is important,” said King, young people a dynamic view great conversations,” Porcarelli lish, but he’s excited about his a first-year kindergarten teacher. of the nature of knowledge and said. new role. Loria is also the new faculty the experiences of learning, and Simms sees her transition “I think that the way we en- advisor for the Habitat for Hu- supports their efforts to construct from a focus on English to a fo- gage in the community and the manity club in the Upper School, life-affirming meaning.” cus of diversity as natural, be- way we challenge ourselves is replacing the club’s previous Ultimately, Loria wants to cause she was drawn towards really important,” Loria said. The advisor, Marla Hollandsworth. bring service learning to as many universal themes such as multi- development of the position is After last year’s completion one people, groups, and clubs as pos- culturalism in the literature that intended to make it easier for of the club’s long term projects, sible. “I’m supporting teachers she taught. “Even as an English teachers and students to partici- building ten houses in ten years, as they try to integrate service teacher, I was fascinated with pate in service and social action Habitat is now partnering with learning into what they normally diversity and equity issues, but inside and outside of the Park the Build-A-Block Foundation. do in the classroom,” Loria said. mostly [with] how they played community: during school, after “Rommel buys us donuts ev- “My biggest goal is to connect out in text,” Simms said. “so it photo by K. Kouwenhoven ‘15 school and on the weekends. Ear- ery Thursday for our early morn- as many classes as I can to the was kind of a natural for me.” Kaliq Simms lier this year, Loria helped Ter- ing meetings. But all jokes aside, community.” There’s no place like home–or advisory my advisees, and trying to create Warren’s advisory could be seen sory puts a unique twist on the this year as Dean of Students, by Dakotah Jennifer ‘18 a sense of family,” she said, but in the hallway playing an Italian system: instead of just bringing and consequently, her advisory and Philip Merrick ‘15 “the challenge is having the indi- lawn game called bocce, which in one snack, members of this ad- has moved into Wright’s old of- vidual, one on one time.” At the they received from the seniors visory bring in two. According fice. The spacious and cozy two- What is an advisory? At Park, end of every year, Wright goes last year. In addition, one of War- to Adam Lessing ’15, an Asdou- room office features two tables it’s home away from home. Ad- all out for a “Senior Brunch” ren’s advisees has always wanted rian advisee, one of the snacks and a closet full of food and visory is a 40-minute block on with her departing seniors; she a dwarf pig, which has inspired is always something normal that utensils. According to Porcarel- Thursdays when students can said that she wants freshmen an array of pig related games like everyone will like. The second li’s advisee, Ayjah Maggett ’17, talk with advisors about their to be excited to be seniors and “Pass the pigs” and “Pig Jacks.” has to be “the craziest, weirdest- this room is ideal for advisory. classes or any problems they have a brunch of their own. As Recently they also tried out Cat- sounding thing you can find at “[Other advisories] have a room, might be having at school. It’s another fun end-of-year activity, egories, a game in which you find the grocery store.” A few years but this is the room,” she said. also a time to hang out and have Wright’s advisory played laser words for any given theme, such ago, Jim Burba ’11 brought in “We’re talking about getting a a bit of free time between blocks. tag with science teacher Julie as TV shows or movies. In this a “radioactive” chicken dip that couch,” she added. In or out of Every advisory has its own per- Rogers’ advisory as a challenge. relaxed environment, members was so popular it became a year- the new office, Porcarelli’s ad- sonality, traditions, and idiosyn- “We had pizza and t-shirts,” can get along with ease. “If they ly tradition. “Everything about it visory feels like one big, happy crasies. Wright said. “It was really fun.” got along better it would be al- looks absolutely horrifying and family. “We’re just a weird ad- most like a sitcom,” Warren said. disgusting,” Lessing said, “but visory that somehow gets along Adviser and Interim Upper it’s one of the most delicious and works well together,” said School principal Traci Wright History teacher Peter War- things you’ll ever eat.” Valentina Gheorghiu ’15, another says that the small group time on ren’s advisory is filled with fun Most advisories organize a advisee. “We’re all really differ- Thursdays is just right and there and games that give his advisees snack to be brought in by one ent, but we don’t let those things is no more time needed. “[My fun and relaxation during their person every week, but math Patti Porcarelli has stepped affect how we hang out and who favorite part is] getting to know stressful week. In recent weeks, teacher Tony Asdourian’s advi- up into Traci Wright’s usual role we talk to in advisory.” Arts & Culture The Postscript, October 29, 2014 5 Pirates prepares to invade Meyerhoff Theater by Hannah Blau ‘15 cal before. Jordyn Seidman ’15, who plays With such a hard-working and diverse- The cast is working hard on their individ- one of the daughters, Isabel, will make ly experienced cast, Pirates will be a joy ual parts and on forming a tight ensemble This year’s cast of the fall production her debut performance on the Meyerhoff to watch. The show is a classic, after all, unit for whom, come November, the hard is busy preparing for the opening night stage. “As a newcomer, I’m surprised at featuring celebrated songs such as “I Am work will pay off. of a classic piece of theater: Pirates of how much time you’re asked to commit,” the Very Model of a Modern Major Gener- Pirates of Penzance opens with a pre- Penazance, the most well-known operetta Seidman said. al” (If you don’t know it, you might have view performance Nov. 19 from 3:30 to by Gilbert and Sullivan. Pirates will also use the help of stu- heard of “The Elements Song” by Tom 6:00. Regular performances will be Nov. The plot centers on Frederic (Ian Simon dents from all different parts of the school. Lehrer, which is set to the same tune). 20, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., Nov. 21, 8:00 to ’15), a young man living as an indentured The policemen are made up of sixth and This production of Pirates proves that 11:00, and Nov. 22, 2:00-5:00 and 8:00 to servant to a gang of pirates. When Fred- seventh graders and the pirates themselves the experience or grade level of any given 11:00. Tickets go on sale early November eric is released from servitude, he travels are primarily members of the Boys’ Cross cast member doesn’t ultimately matter. from the US office. with his nanny, Ruth (Isabel Ingram ’15), Country team. “In some ways we are rely- to Penzance, a town in Cornwall where ing more on [the actors’] natural abilities they find several beautiful girls, one of than their having developed skills,” drama whom he falls in love with. department chair and director Peter King The cast has been working hard to said. However, these fresh actors have a tackle the more traditional, opera-style good deal of natural ability. “They have songs in the show. Olivia Sellman ’16, been highly focused and right on top of who plays the female lead, Mabel, is more everything,” King said. than ready to take on the role. “I got really Despite the fact that the roles in Pirates excited because the type of music in the of Penzance are filled by students from all show is the type of music that I’m study- different grades and experience levels, “it ing,” Sellman said. seems a lot less separated by grade when “The music is catchy, silly, lovely, high we come into rehearsal,” Connor Moore and low, slow and fast, and occasionally ’17, who plays Major General Stanley, has people singing at incredibly fast tem- said. “Everyone is working really hard.” pos,” musical director Adele Dinerstein Outside expertise will help bring the said. “Though composed some time ago, show to life. David Jennings, who just the lyrics hold up as comments on con- played the Pirate King at Toby’s Dinner photo by M. Lipitz ’17 temporary society,” she said. Theatre, is teaching the dances. Erica Frederic (I. Simon ’15) serenades four of the young women he discovers in Singing alongside some of the clas- Rome ’89, who has worked on several Penzance, a town in Cornwall. Left to right: C. Derrick ‘16, C. Knobloch ‘16, sically trained actors are students who Gilbert and Sullivan productions around M. Piper ‘17, A. Maggett ‘17. have never performed in a formal musi- the country, will play second keyboard. MTV’s Faking It exceeds (low ) expectations show’s subpar writing and act- by Catie Turner ‘17 ing make it somewhat of a guilty pleasure for me. Nonetheless, the fact that it can also be a LBPQ When I first heard the tagline girl’s story is something of an- for Faking It, I was unimpressed. achievement. I never had faith in MTV, but Amy Raudenfeld, the hope- to develop a show about two lessly pining member of the fake straight teenage girls pretending couple, is the one beacon of re- to be a couple for, of all things, demption for the show. Although popularity seemed both offensive most of the acting on Faking It and distasteful. The setting of leaves something to be desired, this show seems very unrealistic Amy (played by Rita Volk) is hi- to me; high-school wherein gay- larious and heartbreaking. Volk ness was praised and harassment is able to portray a girl in a seri- of any kind was not an object. ous situation while still keeping These inaccuracies made me the show’s tone light. question the developers of the Besides Volk’s character, show. Did they know what, say, there are a number of other trees looked like? Were they ca- well-crafted characters. Lauren pable of basic arithmetic? Cooper (Bailey Buntain), Amy’s But the thing with Faking It is stepsister, is an uproariously fun- that the “faking” only goes one ny queen bee while also being way. That is, one half of the so- photo courtesy hollywoodreporter.com a very vulnerable teenager with called pretend couple is actually deep insecurities. Shane Harvey in love with the other half. After Faking It features Liam Booker (Gregg Sulkin), Karma Ashcroft (Katie Stevens),and Amy (Michael Willett) is a happily gay I realized this, it took me about Raudenfeld (Rita Volk). high-schooler, who provides re- five minutes before I reached originally thought, I admit that inely hurt by the prospect of a the show, they don’t completely spectful comic relief. the decision that I would mara- Faking It is still far from great. prominent network supporting a ruin it. Faking It does a good job Faking It is definitely not for thon the entire show, and most For one thing, the very premise show with a premise like that of of portraying non-straight female everyone. It’s frivolous and only certainly enjoy it. I like seeing of the show is disturbing. How- Faking It. Since Faking It is a sexualities. They are able to do occasionally laugh-out-loud fun- a representation of non-straight ever, looking back, it’s obvious show on MTV, it is only natural this without being overtly sexu- ny. Regardless, I find this show to people and I like horrible, ang- to me that it was a marketing that some of the jokes fall flat al. The show does acknowledge be quite enjoyable. Even though sty adolescent dramas. Faking It gimmick. In our world, women and, at times, stereotypes are re- homophobia’s existence. How- it is a bit of a guilty pleasure, the promises both. are often times objectified, thus lied on for cheap laughs. ever, the issue remains periph- show has a powerful message of Although it is better than I causing some people to be genu- Although these flaws hinder eral throughout the series. The love and friendship. 6 The Postscript Arts & Culture October 29, 2014 Local artist creates Ray Lewis statue at M&T by Ilana Miller ‘18 Kail spent four years at MICA could create his signature pose. ed to capture Lewis’s energetic a gift and I think it’s what you taking different art classes, but he The sculpture took 11 months to performance on and off the field, do with it that counts,” Kail said. only took one year of sculpture. create and weighs 1,200 lbs. of and his outgoing personality. “To do anything great, you If you have been to the Ra- When he graduated, he pursued bronze. However, when Lewis came to have to have a lot of passion vens Stadium recently, you’ve graphic design for 35 years with “I relate it to a kid on Christ- Kail’s studio, Kail says he was and commitment for whatever it seen the new Ray Lewis statue at sculpture work on the side. mas morning,” Kail said of reserved, friendly, and quiet. is and pay attention to a lot of the entrance. The statue not only When he was only 18, Kail Lewis’s reaction to his sculpture. “[It was hard to]capture both meticulous details.” Kail’s final adds symbolism to the stadium, sculpted a football player figu- “His eyes got really big and he personalities with a sculpture,” word of advice for budding art- but is also a token of one of the rine and showed it to a vendor was just totally amazed, astound- Kail said. ists was the following: “If you Ravens’ most valuable players at the Baltimore Colts Stadium. ed with the details.” “You’ve got to consider this have the dream, pursue it, espe- in its 18-year history. So, who’s The football team saw it, loved it, Kail explained how he want- —talent comes pretty cheap, it’s cially if you enjoy it.” behind it all? Who created this and offered to sell them for five piece of art? The answer is the dollars each behind the counter. local sculptor Fred Kail. The demand rose, and he began Fred Kail always loved art to make figurines for more foot- class as a kid; he knew he had ball teams along the East Coast a talent from a young age. Kail every weekend on his mother’s mostly painted and drew. “I al- kitchen table. He soon became ways won blue ribbons for my widely known as the sports watercolors at the county fair,” sculptor. he said. Kail was first introduced At the 2013 funeral for Art to sculpting when he took a ce- Donovan (a former Baltimore ramics class in high school. Ex- Colt player) the president of the cited, he constructed an elabo- Ravens told Kail that he wanted rate piece out of clay—only to him to make a sculpture of Ray find out that it had blown up Lewis. Kail was surprised, but in the kiln and taken everyone agreed. else’s pieces with it. Kail created three sculptures He didn’t give up art after of Ray Lewis in different poses. that, but he put a sculpting career He invited Lewis to his studio on hold. His teacher encouraged and asked him which one he photos courtesy I. Miller ‘18 him to pursue a career in art, and liked the best. Lewis told him Sculptor Fred Kail holds a design of Lewis’ roaring head. Kail’s model of ex-Raven’s player got him a scholarship to MICA. that he was the only sculptor who Ray Lewis shows him doing his trademark “squirrel dance.” Novak’s One More Thing merges serious with funny by Brett Diamond ‘15 Though most short stories Such stories in Novak’s mas- rious. In contrast, Plato devised easy understanding. Each story within his book consist of witty terpiece offer an interpretation his “theory of forms” which per- flies by without ever becoming humor, Novak’s writing also of- of the modern world and how tained to a society without nega- boring. Unlike most books, his Pop culture ordinarily strug- fers a plethora of valuable morals it should be dealt with. Within tive exploitation. Novak on the stories are meant for the tales gles in combining comedy and that are hard to find nowadays. In his interpretations, Novak trans- other hand deals with exploited themselves, not for literary ge- philosophy. B.J. Novak, a writer one of my favorite stories titled forms himself from a comedy realms of society that currently nius. Each can be read as eas- for the American television “Dark Matter,” he tells the tale writer to a modern philosopher. lack in interpretation. ily as listening to a friend tell show, The Office, has perfected of a man at a planetarium who His ideas and concepts seem al- However, One More Thing the story of their day, or even this combination in his debut col- struggles to comprehend the an- most accidentally funny. Due to should not only be looked at as hearing someone’s thoughts on lection of short stories, One More swers to his deepest questions his stories’ satirical form, they a philosophical journal, but as an idea. The book conveys the Thing, with the use of satirical while simultaneously texting his merely make fun of the modern a simple read and a refreshing honest, humorous, and intellec- humor to convey conventions of friends about the party he wasn’t world as aspects of current so- break from common literature. tual thoughts of a young author, the modern world. invited to the previous night. ciety can be difficult to keep se- Novak crafts his writings for B.J. Novak. Punk band Joyce Manor releases longest album to date by Max Morrison ‘16 Hungover Again. When I say they have more of an edge than “End of the Summer” is a “Thanks for showing me / small, I do mean small. Really, your average pop-punk band. highlight, with a groovy bass Around last night / Hope you The first week of October really small. Nineteen minutes Formed in 2008, Joyce Manor line and bright, scintillating gui- don’t think I don’t care.” was an exciting time for music divided up between 10 tracks is has, for its entire six-year career, tar riffs. This song also features Always simple, some lyrics enthusiasts, with the release of not just short, it is each-track-is- consisted of Barry Johnson as shouted harmonies, a staple of may sound silly but they are Flying Lotus’s electronic, jazz- an-average-of-one-minute-fifty- main vocalist and guitarist, Matt many Joyce Manor songs shared genuinely heartfelt, such as in fusion album You’re Dead!; a four-seconds-short. Ebert as bassist and backup vo- between Johnson and Ebert. “Heart Tattoo.” “I want a heart Weezer comeback album (their Of course, this is punk, and calist, Chase Knobbe as lead gui- “Victoria” encapsulates what tattoo / I want it to hurt really bad first decent album in the past compared to the lengths of their tarist, and Kurt Walcher as drum- Joyce Manor does best: it’s up- / That’s how I’ll know / I know 10 years) entitled Everything previous two albums, this is mer. The album, as short as it is, beat and simple, with the trium- it’s real / A real tattoo.” Will Be Alright in the End; and their longest album yet, so these is filled to the brim with energy. phant chant, “Vic-tor-ia!” as its Compared to their first two al- Ghost King’s debut album, the short songs are somewhat to be Never Hungover Again starts hook. bums, Never Hungover Again is solo project of Park School’s expected. with a bang, with anthem-like In terms of lyrics, there’s not less rough, and more refined. But very own Daniel Neiman ‘17. Despite the sparse amount opener “Christmas Card.” Ham- much to be found beyond the that’s all right because it allows All albums came out came out of content they’ve released, mering guitars, pounding drums, surface. Songwriter Johnson Joyce Manor to demonstrate their October 7. Joyce Manor made a name for and a sweet vocal melody belted tends to just pick a person close profound ability to write great, Let’s rewind, however, to July themselves with their energetic, on top set a lively tone that per- to him, usually a love interest, catchy hooks. Never Hungover 22, and look at a small gem by catchy, and, of course, short ma- sists throughout the rest of the and then write about them, such Again is tireless, straightforward, punk band Joyce Manor, Never terial. They’re not hardcore, but nine songs. as in “Falling in Love Again.” and an overall fun punk album. Sports The Postscript, October 29, 2014 7 Fall teams wrap up season by Jack Sheehy ’17 Boys’ Varsity Soccer: With an overall record of 6-7-1, the team sits in fourth place in B-Conference with a confer- ence record of 6-5-1. So far, the highlight of the season has been an overtime win at Boys’ Latin September 17. The team also played the inaugural game on Park’s new turf field, tying Boys’ Latin 1-1. Boys’ JV Soccer: JV cur- rently sits atop B-Conference with a record of 7-2-1. The only two losses came to Severn and Friends. The highlight of the season so far has been the Bruins’ 3-2 win at Several, which currently sits in second photo by M. Lipitz ‘17 place. Head of School Dan Paradis (center), and members of the Board of Trustees and the student athletic council cut the ribbon at the Girls’ Varsity Soccer: official opening of Kelly Field’s new turf surface dedicated to former Girls’ Athletic Director Barb Purkey (second from left) and Lucky Girls’ Varsity soccer is tied Mallonee ’62 (third from left). An all-school celebration October 10 coincided with Brown and White Day. with St. Timothy’s for third place in C-Conference with a conference record of 6-3-0 and Turf field dedicated to influential an overall record of 8-5-0. The Bruins are riding a three game win streak. Playoffs began Oc- coaches Mallonee ’62 and Purkey tober 28. Girls’ Varsity Field Hock- her. An alumna called out from athletes to practice on the same Ideally, I would love to play on by Bennett Demsky ’18 ey: Girls’ Varsity has a confer- the audience, “I still have mine!” surface that they will primarily grass for everything, because I’m ence record of 0-8-2 and they Though Kalvar’s mother was play on. “We will be able to more just old.” currently sit in eleventh place With the unveiling of an As- a recipient of Purkey’s leader- effectively prepare for our inter- However, Mallonee can also in B-Conference. The Bruins’ troturf surface on Kelly Field, ship, Kalvar himself has expe- scholastic competitions in certain see the advantages, and is proud lone victory came October 9 Park has now joined the ranks rienced Mallonee first-hand on sports as a result of practicing on to be a dedicatee of the turf. “The against Oldfields when they of 15 NFL teams, three MLB the Boys’ Varsity Soccer team. similar surfaces that are in place turf field is a statement that says won 3-2. They played their teams, and thousands of high “His toughness and love for the at our opposing schools,” Clark that we value athletics and that first playoff game October 24 schools and colleges through- game of soccer make me want said. we want to be competitive with at Seton Keough. out America. The October 10 to play the best I can to win,” “With turf, you don’t have other schools,” he said. “When Boys’ Varsity Cross Coun- ribbon-cutting was an all-school he said. “Every time I take the any ‘bad hops’ anymore,” Mal- I think about all the people that try: Boys’ Cross Country oc- event that also included alumni field, I think about what Mr. Mal lonee said. “This is very true in I’ve worked with, and their cupies fifth place in B-Confer- and parents attending. has said to us about the pride and lacrosse, where when a goalie respect for me, and that they ence with a record of 9-4. They Though the field will still be honor we should feel when play- will go to save a shot, and the wanted to show me some sort will participate in the MIAA known as Kelly Field, the turf ing for Park.” ball will bounce in a random di- of honor, I’m very humbled and Boys’ Cross Country Champi- addition was dedicated to former The turf is a game-changer rection after hitting a mud spot.” honored that they would show onship at Oregon Ridge No- coach and physical education in many different ways. For Perhaps ironically, Mallonee en- me that tribute,” Mallonee said. vember 5. teacher Barb Purkey and current one, unlike grass, turf dries very joys these challenges. “To me, “I’m very proud, and very hon- Girls’ Varsity Cross Coun- coach and Middle School Social quickly. This means that even in bad spots are part of the game… ored, and very humbled.” try: Girls’Cross Country is Studies teacher Lucky Mallonee bad weather conditions, teams tied for sixth place in C-Con- ‘62, who is in his forty-eighth will be able to practice and play ference with St. Vincent Pal- year teaching at Park. on a field that isn’t a muddy lotti. They have a conference Though Purkey retired in swamp. “In the past, if a team record of 2-7and an overall re- 2007, her legacy lives on. “While that had an upcoming game re- cord of 5-12. They are going to I obviously didn’t play for Barb,” ally needed to have a practice, compete in the IAAM Girls’ co-leader of Bruin Athletic and the fields were in bad shape, Cross Country Championship Council Alex Kalvar ‘15 said, they would be forced to practice on October 29. “she coached my mom in hockey indoors or risk practicing outside Girls’ Tennis: Girls’ Tennis and lacrosse, and my mom has to the detriment of the fields, and finished the regular season tied wonderful memories of Barb’s quality of practice,” Dia Clark with Notre Dame Prep for sixth inspiring leadership.” ‘06, current Assistant Athletic place in A-Conference. The In his dedication speech, Director and former Park stu- Bruins owned a 3-6 conference Head of School Dan Paradis dent-athlete, said. record and a 5-6 overall record. mentioned Purkey’s old tradi- Additionally, many of the They entered the IAAM cham- tion of giving stuffed bears to her schools that Park plays against photo by M. Lipitz ‘17 pionships October 21 riding a athletes, and that the bears grew have turf fields, so having one The Middle School band, led by music teacher Maeve Royce, wel- comed visitors, students, and employees to the turf field dedica- two match win streak. larger the longer they played for on campus will allow student tion. Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Sports Permit #1262 The Postscript, October 29, 2014 Baltimore, MD Page 8 NFL preserves brand, not future This Just-in by Jack Sheehy ‘17, Harry Levine the rate at which the general population cer awareness-themed NFL merchandise, ‘18, and Spencer Levit ‘18 develops these same diseases. This report what is lost in all the pink is who exactly Aristotle and Mr. Mal was given to the federal judge presiding is profiting. This year the National Football League over a lawsuit that many former players According to multiple sources, some by Justin Wyda ’15 and its 32 member clubs will earn approx- filed against the league. small portion of the sales of pink NFL imately $9 billion in revenue. They make The settlement that came as a result of merchandise goes to the American Cancer Having played many seasons for a point of seeming generous, charitable, this lawsuit forced the NFL to pay $760 Society, but most of the proceeds end up legendary coach Lucky Mal- and responsible, as evidenced by the pink million to cover the medical costs for getting funneled back to the league and lonee, I have heard many of towels in players’ waistbands, the pink former players. However, according to its teams. The NFL is using an important his pre-game, halftime and ribbons all over the field, and the slew of a Time magazine article, the judge who cause to generate the sales of additional post-game speeches. new rules designed to protect players from oversaw the case “expressed concern that merchandise. My personal favorite severe head injuries. the funds might not be sufficient to cover All of these efforts to seem generous, was when Mr. Mal But in reality, they’re often not as gen- the estimated 6,000 former players who charitable, and responsible are more about addressed the varsity erous as they should be or as they could may suffer from brain disorders.” the NFL’s brand than about the causes soccer team in 2012 be even though it may seem as if they are. Here, the NFL neglected to address the themselves. That is what Commissioner before a big game against St. Paul’s. It’s all about preserving their own image. serious health needs of its former players. Roger Goodell and the NFL are banking They had us outmatched. On paper we Yes, the league made helmet-to-helmet They had to be forced, in a settlement, on. had no shot. But, as most of you know, contact on a defenseless receiver illegal, to provide money to help cover the cost the game of soccer is not played on pa- and yes, running backs may no longer lead of medical bills, and even then, a judge per. In fact, this year we finally play it with their heads. On the field, the NFL didn’t believe that the amount provided on turf. Anyway, in Mr. Mal’s speech is making rules like those to protect cur- was enough. prior to that game, he quoted Aristotle, rent players from severe head injuries, but Every October, the NFL celebrates providing us with our secret recipe to when it comes to those retired players who Breast Cancer Awareness Month by victory. He told us we only needed to sustained many head injuries over time, decorating the stadiums in pink, decking prove once again that, “the whole is the league has failed to pay its dues. out players in pink gear, and selling pink greater than the sum of its parts.” According to a recent report by the merchandise. The NFL deserves credit for The 2014 Orioles’ season was a NFL and the NFL Players Association, raising awareness about a serious disease Chris Zuppa/Tampa Bay Times/MCT quintessential example of Aristotle’s 30 percent of NFL players will develop and for encouraging direct contributions Tampa Bay Buccaneers players wore words. There are teams in the league, Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia to the American Cancer Society. However, pink as a part of breast cancer aware- such as the Yankees and the Tigers, who at some point in their lives. This is twice when it comes to sale of the breast can- ness on Sunday, October 14, 2012. are popularly regarded as more talent- ed and who have higher payrolls, yet the Orioles have outperformed them. Manager Buck Showalter has been ‘Clinchmas’ brings joy to O’s fans masterful at getting the most out of his players, and making sure the team is by Zach Charles ‘16 two runs in the first two innings, Jimenez career season, hitting for 108 RBIs and buckled down and retired the last 10 bat- an AL-best 40 home runs. emphasized over individual players. The Orioles had enjoyed an outstand- ters he faced and the always-mighty Ori- In the American League Division se- The team endured season-ending in- ing year, and on Tuesday, September 16 ole offense put eight runs on the board ries, the Orioles put their offense on full juries to crucial players, most notably all they needed was one more win to and their top-notch bullpen pitched four display against the much hailed Detroit Manny Machado and Matt Wieters, and clinch a playoff berth. shutout innings. In that game, which has Tigers bullpen, winning the series deci- Chris Davis was suspended. While the Backed by the most powerful offense since been dubbed “Clinchmas,” the un- sively with a sweep. talent of the individual players we put in the majors, a sure-handed defense, one likely hero, Jimenez, would get the win. But the O’s ran into trouble against on the field everyday day may be lesser, of the strongest starting rotations, the best In his start that night, Jimenez was not the Kansas City Royals in the American the “whole” of the team hasn’t taken bullpen in the business, and the greatest the first Oriole to become an unlikely hero League Championship series. It wasn’t a hit. In the ALDS, the Orioles faced fans in the game, the Orioles had their in the 2014 season. In fact, heading into until they faced a ball-club that looked the last three Cy Young Award winners sights set on the American League East the year, the Orioles were projected by much like their own that the Orioles strug- and the two-time reigning MVP Miguel division title, something that hadn’t re- many pundits to finish third or fourth in gled, getting swept in four games. Cabrera. But the O’s, without players sided in Baltimore since 1997. their division and only five out of the 40 But perhaps it is only fitting that the who have that kind of hardware, swept That night, the whole city was holding plus ESPN MLB experts picked the Ori- team that would beat the Orioles was them in three games, again demonstrat- its breath. Why, you might ask? The magic oles to make the playoffs. the Royals. The Orioles and the Royals ing that Aristotle knows sports. number of needed victories was one, and Expectations were low, but under the were very similar throughout the regular At Park, we can learn from the magi- Ubaldo Jimenez was named the starter for guidance of Manager-of-the-Year candi- season; both had incredible bullpens, ex- cal run of our beloved Birds. While I’m that game. Despite a big four-year, $50 date Buck Showalter, the Orioles didn’t cellent defense, similarly poor forecasts not suggesting that Park baseball can million contract, Jimenez had been, to put blink. Despite suffering key injuries, with to begin the season, and many unlikely beat three Cy Young Award winners and it simply, wild and inconsistent, with an catcher Matt Wieters and third baseman heroes. However, the Orioles and Royals a two-time MVP, the message remains unimpressive 4-9 record. He had also al- Manny Machado going down with season were different in one big way. While the the same. Just as Mr. Mal pointed out in lowed more walks than almost anyone in ending injuries, the O’s plowed on. Orioles hit an unbelievably high 211 home 2012, if we follow the Orioles’ example the league, despite having not made a start Unexpected players stepped up. The runs in the regular season, the Royals hit of stressing team over the individual, since August 16, a full month prior to his catching duo of Caleb Joseph and Nick an unbelievably low 95 homeruns. then maybe it can also translate into start that night. Hundley, neither of whom was on the And for this reason the pundits all success for our athletic teams. As I said All of Baltimore was biting its nails, opening day roster, became an integral jumped on the Orioles bandwagon for the in my last column on Park’s athletic waiting to see how Jimenez would fare in part of the team, and the combo of Ryan ALCS, but the Royals reminded the base- idenity, we may not have as much raw his comeback start. The beginning of the Flaherty, Chris Davis, and Jimmy Paredes ball world that “experts” are just people talent as other schools, but now, the game had Oriole fans everywhere shak- filled some big shoes left over at third base who look at trends, while unlikely heroes Orioles have provided us with a blue- ing their heads. It appeared that the same by Machado. At the plate, Nelson Cruz, actually make a difference, and that the print for success. If our sports teams can erratic, walk-happy Jimenez had shown who had been labeled by many as old and only way to know who is going to win a mirror this model and those two great up. But after allowing four walks and “washed-up” prior to the season, had a game, is to play it. philosophers, Aristotle and Coach Mal, then Park sports will Strive On.