• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

The Walrus The time has come, the Walrus said, to talk of many things: Of shoes and ships and sealing wax, of cabbages and kings. - Lewis Carroll Vol LXIII, No. 2 St. Sebastian’s School November 2009 Open House Welcomes Unity Day Brings Seb’s Prospective Arrows Community Together By NED KINGSLEY ‘10 The day started in the Church, where ing and acting. He has performed Father Arens offered Mass. This was his one-man show throughout the The St. Sebastian’s School Community just the first step. Sitting in the pews, country, including shows at Yale, came together on Friday, November we listened to the Word of the Lord Cornell, MIT, and a number of other 6th, to participate in the second an- and reflected with Father Arens very well-known institutions nation- nual Unity Day. Unity Day is an unusal on the meaning of unity, diversity, wide. He was the 2008 and 2009 day for a number of reasons: there and togetherness. His passionate AISNE Students of Color Conference are no tests, quizzes, labs, or even any homily helped set the tone for a very Speaker, and now he has performed classes, and the day ordinarily ends successful day of both personal and at St. Sebastian’s, courtesy of MPA. around 11 o’clock in the morning. Yet group reflection. Mr. Tejada’s performance focused on even given the shortened sched- Following the service, we made our the struggles of a young man from ule, the day is both productive and way down to Ward Hall, where we the South Bronx. In particular, he enlightening for those who actively sat in pre-determined groups and was having a hard time accepting engage themselves. The entire day listened to an eloquent and enter- the fact that one of his best friends focuses on open, informative discus- taining presentation by Mr. Steven was leaving the city to go to college. sion, in which both students and Tejada. First, Justin Jones ’10, Presi- In the show, he played the role of faculty gain a greater appreciation dent of Men with Positive Attitudes both characters brilliantly, cleverly for many of the problems that face (MPA) introduced him to us. Mr. Te- turning his lengthy monologues into our community. We acknowledge our jada grew up in the South Bronx, and engaging dialogue that had us both own faults and shortcomings so that attended Wesleyan University where laughing at and sympathetic to the we may move forward with a greater he discovered a passion for acting two young men. understand of ourselves and our and the performing arts. He began These characters are fictional rep- peers. Ultimately, Unity Day brings his career performing various skits in resentations of Mr. Tejeda’s roots in forth the best that this school has his spare time, but within just a few the South Bronx. In his performance, to offer and helps promote a close, years he became so well-known that Continued on page 2 open, and united community. he began to focus wholly on his writ- St. Sebastian’s students lead prospective families on tours throughout the school. BRENDAN ECCLESINE ‘10 hunger that would otherwise bother where a host of Varsity captains and us midway through the Open House. coaches talked about the illustrious On Thursday, October 29th, more Mr. Nunan and Mr. Eaton both main- Arrows. Afterwards, tours returned than 400 people visited St. Sebas- tained order in a potentially hectic to the Birmingham Academic Build- tian's School for the annual Admis- situation by walking down the aisles ing. As they maneuvered their way sions Open House. The evening was and serving food to three or four through the hallways from floor a huge success as evidenced by the students at a time. After everyone to floor, all teachers welcomed large number of prospective students was adequately fed, Mr. Wishart prospective students and their who attended the event. Many thanks made the final preparations with the families with open arms, and several go out to all those in the community help of fellow admissions officers others organized brief presentations who dedicated their time to help Mr. Greg Lynch, Mr. McCann, and Mr. that gave a realistic flavor of the St. craft a well-organized program. It was Cornish. Sebastian’s experience. Beginning at a tremendous start to the Admis- The evening began with campus 6:00, everyone congregated in the sions season that will continue with tours conducted by students in Church for the second part of the student-led tours during the upcom- groups of two to four. Older stu- program. ing months. dents were intentionally paired All St. Sebastian’s students helping St. Sebastian's students and with younger students in order to out with the even lined the edges faculty followed an assembly sched- best provide a diverse perspective of the Church, and prospective ule on Thursday, October 29. Classes of the school. I happened to meet students and their families filled ended at 1:45, and sports practices many seventh-graders with whom I in the pews. Father Arens shared concluded by 4:00. After showering had never spoken prior to the Open an opening prayer with those as- and cleaning up, all athletes helping House, and it was a great opportu- sembled that shed light on the rare out at the Open House made the trek nity to get to know the future of our advantages of a Catholic education. back across the street and gathered school. Tours left in an organized Mr. Wishart then took the podium in the McCullough Room. Mr. Wishart, fashion and first made their way and addressed the logistical aspects Dean of Admission and Financial Aid across the street to the Arts center. of the St. Sebastian’s Open House at St. Seb's, offered some words of "Damn Yankees" was in the midst of before talking about the many Keynote Speaker Steven Tejada inspires his audience to appreciate others through theatre. advice to all volunteers. Joe and Rafi, rehearsal, which enabled prospec- merits of our school. Next, Head- thoughtful as always, served pizza, tive students to get a first-hand feel master Burke worked his magic on drinks, and cookies to help battle any for the drama department. Tours Continued on page 2 St. Sebastian’s students shed like As if the gorilla costumes weren’t as our new athletic trainer, Mr. Sauve. next visited the Athletics building, dogs. The floors were matted with intriguing enough, other students Dressed in sweats and wearing a gorilla hair. The floors looked as if flaunted their own, creative cos- Stony Brook Football emblem on his an animal was beaten to a pulp on tumes. Ryan Coffey for example, chest, he fit the bill. Christian Ven- Seb’s New “Planet of the the ground. The hair floated in the wore short (very short) jean shorts, ditti and a few others were hockey air so that if one were to take a deep a jersey to his belly button, and a players for the day. breath, they would inhale gorilla long black wig, definitely one of the All in all, Halloween ’09 was one of hair. more comical costumes. Playing on the best (and most hectic) Saint Se- Apes” for Halloween The aftermath of the invasion was a different theme, Jim Fitzgerald bastian’s has ever had. Never before had any class dressed up as gorillas By CHRIS MOSES ‘10 Safari leader, Mike Green, captured gate in the parking lot for the next irritating for many. The halls were truly expressed the horror of Hal- the escapade on a video camera. A plan of attack. After taking a short covered in gorilla hair and some loween. St. Sebastian’s had its very and stormed the school. The senior On October 30th, 2009 at 7:30am few unlucky gorillas missed a step respite from the activity, they went physical damage also occurred; un- own Michael Myers for the day, as class apologizes for getting out of an epidemic plagued the student and crumbled into the hard ce- back at it again. Gallivanting back fortunately, some gorillas went too Jim Fitz wore a dark blue jumpsuit, hand and will redress the damage, parking lot. Seniors anxiously awaited ment as their fellow beasts raced into the school, Gorillas stormed into far and accidentally broke a picture a white mask with long brown hair, but overall the day was a blast for Jake O’Malley’s big black suburban on by. Eyesight was little to none classrooms and stole 7th graders. frame. The senior class will certainly while clutching a Styrofoam knife. most. A special thanks goes out to rolling in. Like Santa delivering as the gorillas tried to make their The screaming bananas ran for their offer to buy a new picture frame, and He stunned students with fright as Jake O’Malley and Dave Ruffolo for presents on his sleigh, Jake hauled way into the school. Some gorillas lives as the hungry gorillas chased they are apologetic for letting parts he walked through the halls. Robbie collaborating on the gorilla idea and in forty-five full body suit gorilla cos- went crazy, dancing in the crosswalk them through the halls. Eventually, of the day get out of hand. Donahoe on the other hand, dressed putting it to work. tumes. Seniors tore open the boxes and taunting nearby commuters. the gorillas captured their food; Peck as if it were Christmas morning. The A raucous stampede erupted in and Ebozue were attacked in Miss transformation began. One by one, the main entrance as the gorillas DiBlasi’s first-floor classroom until each senior evolved into a daunting stormed through the halls harassing they ceased their struggle.

Load more

  8

Copy Link