Choate Rosemary Hall 333 Christian Street Wallingford, CT

VOL. CXIII · NO.  FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER ,  THECHOATENEWS.CHOATE.EDU

CONFERENCE SHIFTS, AND STUDENTS CHANGE THEIR HABITS By Claire Yuan ’21 Since classes began, stu- Copy Editor dents have debated the sched- ule revision. Many miss the op- In the frst few weeks of portunity provided by an earlier school, returning students no- Conference block to grab break- ticed a shift in the class sched- fast when it was still relatively ule, most notably that the early in the morning. Alex Nam 30-minute Conference period ’21 said, “We did ask for more now begins at 10:30 a.m., and time during the lunch peri- not roughly an hour earlier, as it od, but if you don’t have early did last year and the year before. lunch, it’s just an awkward 30 This new schedule comes minutes. The placement is very on the heels of the larger awkward compared to last year schedule change made in 2017, when students could get break- when the School lengthened its fast.” Although that option no 45-minute classes to 70 min- longer exists — and students utes. Mr. Deron Chang, Direc- who want to eat breakfast need tor of Curricular Initiatives, to do so before classes be- was a driving force behind this gin at 8:00 a.m. — the School year’s tweaks. “We knew when has agreed to provide bagels we instituted the first iteration throughout the day in both the of a long block schedule that Dining Hall and Lanphier Café. we would need to revisit it,” he The other changes to the said. “You can almost never be daily class schedule include sure about a schedule until you flipping the early and late lunch actually live it.” blocks from the previous year Photo courtesy of David Schamis Some students have spec- and creating a flexible block on Varsity Football's five-year win streak came to an end last week, when the team lost to St. Thomas More 34-9. ulated that the School moved Wednesday for form, Wellness, Conference to later in the adviser, and College Counsel- morning so that students could ing meetings from 10:30 a.m. no longer use the block to ex- to 11:40 a.m. The campus as a John Legend and the Team Behind His Visit tend a sleep-in. Mr. Chang whole seems amenable to these said this assumption isn’t true. relatively small adjustments. By Niki Gummadi ’21 nowned singer-songwriter John Arts Center (PMAC). When the it,” Dr. Curtis said. He and “The primary reason for us “Ultimately, the number Copy Editor Legend will play a free concert PMAC was completed in 1972, other Choate administrators moving Conference was that one goal has to be designing for the Choate community in the the Boston Symphony Orchestra, wondered if the School could it made very little sense for us something that can allow stu- On September 3, during complex’s new auditorium. This featuring pianist Victor Borge, do something similar for the to have a break after only one dents to learn best,” Mr. Chang Convocation, Head of School Dr. performance is the culmination performed on the main stage. opening of Colony Hall. block,” he said. “We want to said. “It may make it a little dif- Alex Curtis announced a series of almost a year of planning, in- Four years later, in 1976, anoth- Soon, Mr. George Colony ’72, avoid a situation in which stu- ficult here and there, but that is of events set to take place during volving people from across the er performer rocked the PMAC Chair of the School’s Board of dents have three consecutive so we can maximize [students’] the frst weekend of October to School and beyond. stage — Bruce Springsteen. Trustees and C.E.O. of Forrest- classes.” The later Conference ability to learn.” celebrate the opening of Ann & The idea of hosting a concert “The students that were er Research, a market-research block may also help alleviate George Colony Hall. One event in Colony Hall has its origins in there, even 40 years later, lunchtime crowding by provid- Claire Yuan may be reached stuck out: on October 3, re- the opening of the Paul Mellon they’re still telling me about See Legend, Page 2 ing a longer early lunch slot. at [email protected]

CHOATE UNVEILS ENHANCED EMERGENCY RESPONSE APP to share their safety status via be found in the entire system. text messaging or the app. “We probably would need to The RAVE Guardian app test [it] a few more times to allows customization — users make sure that it’s working ex- can create their own emer- actly the way that we want [it] gency contacts and set their to,” she said. preferred notification radius Javier Castillo ’20, a pre- — and has six main features, fect in Memorial House, stat- including a call directory and ed that, “I think that we saw a list of emergency procedures. in the lockdown drill last week The entire system is “more us- that the school is ramping up er-friendly and more dynam- the levels of communication ic,” said Director of Communi- to a student to make sure that cations Ms. Alison Cady. each and every one is informed The School acknowledges of the situation; RAVE helps by that, while it is an impressive providing another layer of re- piece of soft- sources.” ware, the RAVE And so, even app comes with as the School be- its shortcomings. The more user- gins to make use Of the four lay- friendly and of a technolog- ers of the emer- dynamic system ically-advanced gency protocol — emergency app, SMS messaging, will accelerate individual prepa- emailing, calling Choate's ration is critical mobile phones, emergency to ensure the and sending response time. safety of all stu- messages to dents. Ms. Cady Graphic by Sesame Gaetsaloe/The Choate News The new RAVE app was introduced to students at the year's first school meeting on September 10. speaker systems said, “The most (or calling class- important thing By JeeHwan Kim ’21 load the RAVE Guardian app, past year for its implementa- inundate the poles of carriers, room phones) — Mitel still that we can do in response Copy Editor one of the components of the tion over the summer. which led the older systems to dictates the speaker systems to a crisis is actually before new system. The impetus for the tran- operate slowly at during peri- aspect. “There are limitations the crisis happens — that’s This year, the School trans- Prior to RAVE Alert, the sition came from the gener- ods of high traffic. to us getting messages to the to be prepared, to review our ferred to a new notification School used the Mitel Mass al slowness of the Mitel Mass Beyond speed, the notifica- far reaches of campus where procedures, understand how system, RAVE Alert, recog- Notification system, more Notification system. “The old tion system offers several other we might not have Wi-Fi signal we’re going to get messages, nizing the importance during commonly known as Blaze- system could take up to nine improvements. The SMS com- or connection,” said Ms. Cady. and practice the drills.” The emergency situations for every Cast. According to Director of minutes to get the message out ponent of the RAVE Alert sys- In the coming years, Mr. Spey- aim, she said, must be to gain member of the Choate com- Information Technology Ser- completely to all the different tem signs up everyone in the er hopes to eventually replace “much more muscle memory munity to not only receive vices Mr. Andrew Speyer, the spaces,” said Mr. Speyer. “We Choate community by default, the phone system with a cloud- and understanding of how we some type of notification but transition process began two wanted something that would unlike the old system, which based system to stop using Mi- should respond.” to take correct action. During years ago, and Choate began get us about three to six min- required an opt-in. RAVE Alert tel completely. the year’s first school meeting, granting funds towards the de- utes.” The RAVE Alert system also facilitates international Moreover, Ms. Cady ac- JeeHwan Kim may be reached students were asked to down- velopment of the program this is cloud-based and does not calling, and allows respondents knowledged that bugs may yet at [email protected]

New Faculty Aboard Walmart and Guns What’s Choate welcomes Is the superstore's new Inside 18 new faculty School gun-sales policy anything News...... 1-2 members to campus. Local News...... 3 BREAKFAST SERVED ALL DAY more than a marketing ploy? Opinions: Campus ...... 4 Opinions: Nation/World ...... 5 DELIVERY AVAILABLE School News • P2 Opinions N/W • P5 Features ...... 6 Arts and Leisure ...... 7 Sports ...... 8

Roman Holiday Read it, then recycle it. The Hill House Diaspora Last summer, the Symphony Students and advisers adjust to Orchestra embarked on a new housing afer the fire. Visuals by Choate Flickr, long-awaited concert tour of Italy. NBC Connecticut, CNN, and (203) 269-9507 Local News • P3 Arts and Leisure • P7 Mr. Phil Ventre. WWW.COLONYDINER.COM

PAGE 2 || THE CHOATE NEWS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER , 

MS. TANISHA CLARK MR. AUSTIN SANCHEZ-MORAN MR. NICK TAGGE Ms. Tanisha Clark, a new assistant athletic trainer, joined A graduate of Rhode Island’s St. George’s School and Virginia’s A new addition to Choate’s Math Department, Mr. Nick Choate this fall after studying anatomy and training preparation George Mason University, and formerly on the faculty of Maine’s Tagge teaches Precalculus and Calculus, Honors. He will be at Colby-Sawyer College, in New London, N.H. In high school, Hebron Academy, new English teacher Mr. Austin Sanchez-Moran coaching Thirds Basketball in the winter and JV Tennis in the Ms. Clark played volleyball, softball, and basketball, and she comes to Choate to teach Introduction to Literature and Ameri- spring. His favorite aspects of teaching include engaging stu- is excited to join a new community where she can witness stu- can Literature and Composition. He lives and advises in Memorial dents in the classroom, solving problems, and talking to people dent-athletes develop. She calls her work both “taxing and re- House, and, in the spring, he will coach Varsity Baseball. Outside of face-to-face. He taught at Kimball Union Academy, in Meriden, warding,” and when she isn’t in the trainers' ofce, she enjoys the classroom, Mr. Sanchez-Moran enjoys traveling, writing poet- N.H., before, but he said that Choate’s amazing facilities and hiking and working out. ry, and playing a variety of sports. people lured him away. — Brian Harder ’23 — Ashley Jiang ’22 — Stephanie Su ’21

MR. NICK SKITKO MR. RYAN STRANGE MS. ASHLEY SINCLAIR Mr. Nick Skitko is a new member of the Admission Office. Set to oversee applications from Georgia, Oklahoma, and Born and raised in Chicago, Ms. Ashley Sinclair, joining Cho- A graduate of the Hill School, a boarding school in Pottstown, Vermont, Mr. Ryan Strange is a new member to Choate’s Ad- ate as the new Director of Global Programs, has long fostered a Penn., Mr. Skitko is excited to return to a boarding school mission Office. Before coming to campus, Mr. Strange worked love for traveling and experiencing new cultures. In fact, she says community after years as an admissions officer at a variety as a maitre d’ at Babbo, a Michelin starred Manhattan restau- that she was “the very frst person in my family to get a passport of colleges and universities, including Duquesne and Carn- rant. There, Strange said, “I learned how to prepare for and and leave the country.” After organizing international programs egie Mellon. He said that “seeing the community on the flip handle difficult situations.” Last summer, he backpacked for colleges, Ms. Sinclair is excited to engage with high-school stu- side as a faculty member” makes him more empathetic to the alone across Europe, from Iceland to Amsterdam for one dents and expand Choate’s study-abroad signature program. In students he works with. Mr. Skitko loves a cappella and is cur- month. With his ability to communicate and propensity for her free time, she enjoys letter-boxing, a kind of treasure hunt in rently pursuing a Master of Liberal Arts degree from Johns new experiences, Mr. Strange is excited to support Choate’s which participants leave each other online clues to the locations Hopkins University. student body. of items hidden in the area. — Victoria Jiang ’22 — Praj Chirathivat ’22 — Siri Palreddy ’20

MR. SERGIO LOPEZ MR. SAM CHRISTENFELD DR. MIRIAM COHEN New to the language department this year, Mr. Sergio Lo- Mr. Sam Christenfeld joins Choate this fall as a World History Dr. Miriam Cohen, who has traveled to Asia as a doctor and pez is a Spanish instructor teaching Second Year Spanish and teacher, boys’ crew coach, and adviser in Memorial House. Mr. Chris- diver in the Navy, and worked as a community pediatrician in Third Year Spanish, Honors. Before joining Choate’s faculty, tenfeld grew up on a farm (which once housed a pig weighing more Wallingford for more than 20 years, is Choate’s new Medical Mr. Lopez taught political thought and philosophy in Bogotá, than a thousand pounds), started rowing in high school, studied as an Director. She enjoys interacting with the many students who Colombia, his hometown, and volunteered at Cold Spring undergraduate at Harvard College, and earned an A.M. from Brown bring diversity to the community. As Medical Director, Dr. Co- School, in New Haven. There are many reasons that joining University. This is his frst year teaching full-time, and he hopes to hen hopes that “students can feel comfortable coming to the the Choate community excites Mr. Lopez, but he is particu- create a learning environment that encourages students to think for Health Center.” She said, “We are hoping to build a health cen- larly attracted to the independence that teachers have to craft themselves. For the future, Mr. Christenfeld is eager to develop strong, ter where everybody feels comfortable and welcome, no matter their courses and daily lesson plans. lasting bonds with students and faculty. how big or small the problem they have.” — Tigo Ponce de Leon ’22 — Alyssa Jaster ’23 — Joy Bang ’22

MS. JANET DE LEON MS. ARIG ELHAMOULY AVERY FEINGOLD A poetry lover and long-distance runner in her spare time, Ms. Arig Elhamouly, who has worked as a Muslim chaplain for Avery Feingold, a new Algebra II teacher, loves to teach, new English teacher Ms. Janet De Leon comes to Choate from Choate’s Spiritual Life department, has now joined the School’s Lan- mentor students, and be a part of a community. They grew up from American Heritage School, in Delray Beach, Fla. guage Department as a new Arabic teacher. Before coming to Cho- in the Jewish neighborhood of Squirrel Hill in Pittsburgh, PA, Ms. De Leon teaches Composition and Literature and Amer- ate, Ms. Elhamouly taught Arabic at Rollins College in Winter Park, where the synagogue shooting occurred last October, a mere ican Literature and Composition. “I love to hear what student’s Fla., for fve years. She is devoted to the health of her students during four blocks from their childhood home. They attended Dart- frst impressions are to the readings,” she said, “and to see within their learning experience, noting the way those at Spiritual Life “care mouth College and developed a love for playing, watching and the course of the discussion what natural truths prevail.” about the total well-being of the students as a whole person.” Ms. El- later coaching Ultimate Frisbee. They came to Choate after Ms. De Leon lives in Chapel House, and this spring she will help hamouly hopes to enable more students to participate in cultural ex- teaching math for a year at Amistad Academy Charter Middle coach the track team. “I feel like I’ve come home,” she said. Ms. De cursions, taking students on trips into Wallingford and throughout School, in New Haven, specifically for the boarding-school en- Leon hopes to embrace the Choate community, “I am in the dining hall Connecticut to fall in love with the Arabic language and to explore vironment. (Feingold, as students will call their new instructor, and room 113 of the Humanities building. Let's have a conversation!" more about Middle Eastern culture. prefers the third-person plural pronoun.) — Nick Visuthikosol ’22 — Pranav Pendri ’22 — Berk Gokmen ’21

How John Legend's Visit Came to Be Continued from Page 1 According to Erica Vandenbulcke ’20, a “The cost is confdential but is being pro- member of the committee, the Dean of Stu- vided as a gift to the School by Mr. Colony.” company, threw his support behind such an dents Ofce aimed to gather “the opinions of Since securing Mr. Legend, Mr. Courcey event. (The new building is named after Mr. diferent types of people,” and that “they were has been in charge of a committee tasked Colony and his wife, Ann.) “When you vis- ongoing meetings. It wasn’t one pivotal mo- with handling the logistics of the concert. it Mr. Colony’s corporate headquarters, the ment. There were multiple meetings.” Sarah Putting on a major concert is “not necessar- frst thing you see in his lobby are a guitar and McAndrew ’20 said, “We went through each ily a skill set we have here,” he said, so the amp,” said Mr. Dan Courcey ’86, Choate’s Ex- person on the list and we had a discussion School has partnered with concert produc- ecutive Director of Development and Alumni about them.” The conversations centered on er Live Nation, who is handling many of the MS. SMITA SEN Relations. “He’s very much about music.” a small set of questions. Will both faculty and night’s logistics. Ms. Smita Sen is a new addition to Choate’s Arts Depart- Last spring, Mr. Courcey organized a students enjoy the performance? Is the artist “I just hope that students enjoy this ment, where she teaches new media arts classes, such as pho- group of sixth-formers into an artist-selec- well-known and admired? Will such a perfor- and take it with them as they proceed tography and graphic design. Before arriving at Choate, Ms. Sen tion committee. The group, Mr. Courcey mance appropriately honor the new build- through their Choate years,” Mr. Courcey was the Creative Director and Producer of Sen Studio, in New explained, “looked at things like Gov Ball, ing? Of Mr. Legend, McAndrew said, “The said. “It’s not every day we open up a facil- York, where she worked with artists and engineers to create new Coachella, large-scale concerts where most students in the room liked him, and they also ity of this nature. It’s a terrific way to con- media installations combining sculpture, technology, and mu- of the demographics matched the main talked about how their parents liked listening secrate a stage that will benefit the School sic. Working with Choate’s curious and engaged students has so audience for this.” Cost estimates were to him, so we thought that he would be good for generations.” far been a joyful experience for Ms. Sen. She said, “I think that gathered, and before long the group had for the whole Choate community.” the fabric of this community is one of positivity, strength, and a working list of some two dozen poten- When asked about the fee that the Niki Gummadi trust.” Outside of the visual arts studio, she enjoys singing hip- tial artists, inclduing The Killers, Shawn School will pay Mr. Legend for his one-hour may be reached at hop and opera. Mendes, and Alicia Keys. performance, Mr. Courcey’s ofce said, [email protected] — Alexis Lien ’23 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER ,  THE CHOATE NEWS || PAGE 

HILL HOUSE FIRE DISPLACES STUDENTS AND FACULTY By Amanda Li ’21 bers of the Choate community, in- Reporter forming them of the events of the previous night. The extent of the On Monday, July 22, at around damage was still being assessed, 5:30 p.m., lightning struck the roof so no changes to plans for housing of the south end of Hill House, di- during the approaching academic rectly above the apartment of for- year had yet been formalized. mer Hill House adviser Dr. Chris- Fortunately, Choate Summer topher Hogue. The strike ignited a Programs were minimally afected, fre that caused major damage to with the dining hall and SAC re- the Hill House complex. opening on the third day after the The Wallingford Fire Depart- storm. “We did not have to relocate ment arrived on the scene shortly any classroom space or anything after the alarm went of at around like that,” said Ms. Eera Sharma, 6:20 p.m., and with the combined Director of Summer Programs. efort of the Wallingford, Meriden, “We didn’t have to relocate any- Middletown, and North Haven thing for our fnal summer event in Fire Departments, the fre was the Hill House dining hall.” contained by 9:00 p.m., before Knowing that the fre would more extensive damage could oc- afect the housing of Hill House cur. Although the fre was success- students during the academic

fully extinguished, water from the year, Director of Residential Life Photo courtesy of Deron Chang/The Choate News storm, the fretrucks, the sprinkler Mr. Will Morris and Dean of Stu- Afer the fire, former Hill House residents were relocated to other dormitories and faculty homes. system, and a broken pipeline dents Mr. Michael Velez met the damaged the Hill House attic, night of the fre to discuss long- about the possibility of hosting The School notifed the displaced department and could be fully pre- said. “I knew somebody was look- basement, and parts of the main term and short-term housing op- boarding students. students of preliminary rooming pared in the few weeks before the ing out for me.” foor, including the college coun- tions for the displaced students Within the frst week, it became arrangements by August 24. start of the school year. Although Ms. Marcia Landesman, Di- seling ofces. and staf. “Part of the boarding life apparent that the damage done to The housing arrangements the new location moves the depart- rector of College Counseling, said Students living in Hill House at Choate is that we try to fll every Hill House would likely keep the were not easy decisions to make, ment away from the Dean’s Ofce, it would have been impossible while attending Choate Summer room we can, so we don’t have a space closed for around two years. but the School made sure that all it is much closer to Lanphier Center to begin recovering from the fre Programs had moved out of the whole lot of fexibility, especially Quickly, the administration began of the students would be living in and student dorms, keeping it amid without the Facilities Department building the week before, so no stu- with 34 displaced kids,” said Dr. to look for more permanent solu- places that matched Choate’s stan- the frenzy of campus life. and the school’s cleaning service, dent possessions were damaged. Hogue, who helped the deans de- tions to the sudden housing cri- dards of residential life. “None of With the school year now frm- ABM, which together she called No permanent damage was in- vise a new housing scheme. sis. The ultimate solution proved the spaces that we wound up bring- ly underway, most of the relocated “incredibly helpful, supportive, ficted on West Wing and Library. Choate considered creating something of a dormitory chess ing online represented a compro- students and faculty members say and responsive during the reloca- However, both buildings lost pow- temporary dorms to remedy hous- game: the students who were set mise in terms of student safety and that they have become content with tion process.” er and incurred smoke damage. ing shortages after hearing about to live in the all-gender house were livability,” said Mr. Morris. their new living arrangements. “I’m An instrumental part of cam- Fourteen girls and a few summer similar strategies from neighboring moved to Combination House, Mr. Ian Wollman and Ms. An- actually very satisfed,” said Jayden pus for decades, Hill House has program interns were living in the institutions, such as the Loomis opening up 14 spaces in Edsall gela Weston, who were both plan- Khuu ’21. “For me, having accessi- been a home for generations of afected dorms, and they were re- Chafee School. Although this op- House. Eight new triples were cre- ning to live in Hill House for the ble food options has always been students who have created last- located to Homestead for the rest tion was deeply explored, it was ated by converting doubles into ’19-’20 school year, are now living a priority. Now I live in the K.E.C., ing memories and friendships be- of the program. ultimately rejected due to time and triples in Tenney, Clinton Knight, in of-campus housing and advis- which also has pretty good food, tween its walls. “Hill meant a lot The next day, because the air size constraints. “It turns out that and Spencer. Pierce, previously a ing in Bernhard House and West and I spend most of my day out of more to me than just a dorm,” said quality of the afected dorms was it’s very difcult to create a mod- sixth-form girls’ dorm, now hous- Wing, respectively. Dr. Hogue now my room anyway.” Wilson Wang ’19, a former prefect deemed unsafe by the fre depart- ular residence that has student es fve ffth-form boys. A triple was lives on the frst foor of Richardson Will Flamm ’21, who is current- in Hill House who is now studying ment, students and staf were rooms and faculty apartments for created in the KEC in a room pre- House. Many of the students in Hill ly living with Mr. and Mrs. Farrell, bioengineering at UC Berkeley. “It allowed to return to their dorm appropriate supervision and that viously reserved for campus guests. House were originally set to live said, “I’m living with a great family was truly a community and a fam- rooms for a short period of time to has all of the facilities and hookup Mr. Stephen and Mrs. Susan Far- in singles, so Hill House advisers that’s very kind to me and grants ily. I met some of my best friends pack up and move out before the and everything,” said Mr. Morris. rell, two longtime faculty members, and the deans of the Class of 2021 me independence and made an there and cultivated great rela- dorms closed for repair. The administration also con- opened two bedrooms in David formed new groups of roommates. environment for me where I can tionships with some of my co-pre- “I was allowed to go back in and sidered repurposing and redesign- House, their faculty residence. The fre also displaced the col- study and get away from things.” fects and prefectees.” get my car keys and a couple of oth- ing other buildings on campus, Pratt House, in the foors above lege counseling department. After Many members of the Choate Hopefully, after around two er things. I think I grabbed a hard such as the old SAC, but found the Health Center, now houses looking at multiple options, Head community have helped these stu- years of construction, Hill House drive,” said Dr. Hogue. “After that, that they were unable to do so in ten sophomore boys and Mr. Dan of School Dr. Alex Curtis and the dents and faculty members relo- will reassume its role as an iconic I wasn’t allowed to go back in. I still the six weeks between the fre and Proulx, another former Hill House college counseling team decided cate. Khuu, for one, felt particular campus complex. haven’t gone back in.” the start of the fall term. Addition- adviser. All four sixth-formers to move the college counseling of- gratitude to his form dean, Ms. The afternoon after the fre, a ally, as a short-term solution, the who were set to prefect in Hill re- fce to Gables House, which is large Dana Brown. “Just her being there Amanda Li may be reached mass email was sent to all mem- School asked day-student families tained their prefectship in Pratt. enough to ft all the members of the gave me a lot of reassurance,” Khuu at [email protected]

COMMUNITY HELPS FILL THE VOID AFTER MANY POSSESSIONS LOST By Peter DiNatale ’21 The companies frst sorted To Ms. Levesque, the pro- Copy Editor through the damaged items to de- cess has been eye-opening. “It's termine their salvageability. The amazing how you learn during a Shortly after lightning struck objects that couldn’t be restored crisis like this that there are peo- Hill House this past summer, were thrown away. Those that ple who do these things and have Choate began an intensive resto- had the potential to be restored expertise in areas that I’ve never ration and recovery procedure. were taken to their frms’ facili- really had to think about,” she There were several issues that ties. There, the frms will use a va- said. “You’re grateful in times the School had to address not riety of techniques in hopes of sal- like this.” only because of the fre but also vaging them. “The frms that have While his property is being because of the excessive water been engaged are professionals in restored, Dr. Hogue received do- damage that afected a majority this feld of remediation of prop- nations of furniture, supplies, and of the building’s fles, furniture, erty when a disaster occurs, not small household items from other Graphic by Chandler Littleford/The Choate News electronics, and other items. just a fre,” said Mr. Rick Saltz, faculty members. “It was over- The School ensured that its Choate’s interim C.F.O. whelming at frst but not surpris- students, faculty, and other com- ing in a community like this. A munity members were safe, and number of colleagues said, ‘Hey, then, Dean of Faculty Ms. Katie I lost all my furniture, what do you need?’ I got couches Choate Thanks Firefighters with Brunch Levesque said, it “worked very from the Van Mierlos. I got a bed nity to put names and faces to the I was with the department. I was all of my clothes that By Bianca Rosen ’21 quickly” to assess the damage and from Dr. [Heather] York.” The Staf Reporter fremen and acknowledge their ac- impressed by her ability to have a begin the recovery process. Res- were not in drawers, School also provided fnancial tions. “I think being able to see the meaningful and mature conversa- toration frms were brought to half my shoes, belts, assistance to Dr. Hogue to help During the Hill House fre, local fremen with their families really tion while making me feel at ease.” campus the next day, according ties, all of the clothes replace what he lost. fre departments from Wallingford, makes you remember how these A team of faculty members to Ms. Levesque. The expenses to cover the Meriden, Middletown, and North were real people who made a sac- including Ms. Alison Cady, Di- The most afected areas were you need to look loss of materials and the resto- Haven, all observers agree, acted rifce to help our community,” said rector of Strategic Planning and the faculty housing units, the presentable. ration process were all covered bravely and efectively to save the Laura Kors ’21. Communications, Ms. Brittany college counseling ofces, and Dr. Christopher Hogue by Choate’s insurance company, heart of Choate’s campus. To thank The fremen who attended the Barbaro, Manager of Community the Dean of Faculty’s ofces. Dr. Chubb Insurance. “The expens- the fremen who saved Hill House, brunch heard an enthusiastic wel- Relations, Mr. Edward Garlick, Christopher Hogue, a science es for this work is [sic] being the School hosted a brunch for the come from the Choate community. Community Safety Ofcer and teacher who lived in Hill House at The paper and artwork went handled by the insurance com- fremen, their families, and mem- “Brunch was outstanding, begin- part-time frefghter, and Head the time of the fre, lost many of his through a particularly unique pany for now,” said Mr. Saltz. bers of the Choate community. ning with the kind invitation, great of School Dr. Alex Curtis planned belongings. “I lost all my furniture, recovery process. After the dam- “Once everything is done, we will The brunch, which took place food, and, most importantly, the the brunch. The team wanted to all of my clothes that were not in aged items arrived at the facility, reach a settlement with Chubb Sunday, September 8, in Hill warm reception from everyone,” invite the frefghters’ families drawers, half my shoes, belts, ties, the papers were frozen to lock in Insurance for the rebuilding of House Dining Hall, ran from said Chief Richard Heidgerd of the to campus for a personal event all of the clothes you need to look place the water they contained, Hill House. No one knows this 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Mem- Wallingford Fire Department. after formally thanking the fre presentable,” he said. preventing it from doing further amount yet.” bers of the Wallingford Fire De- The fremen had the chance chiefs at Convocation. “I wanted In order to save the damaged damage. Soon, the company will The administration is hoping partment, who attended with to talk to students and get to the people that I saw with those items, the School hired fve fre perform a sublimation process to to have the recovered items back their families, were able to share know more about the commu- packs, carrying seventy pounds of repair frms. Each frm special- remove the water, and it will fre within the next few weeks. The a meal with the School’s grateful nity. “During the brunch I felt at weight and going into a burning izes in a specifc type of resto- gamma rays at the papers in or- School will then organize those student body. home in your home,” added Chief building, to have someone look ration, including restoration of der to kill any bacteria they may objects in time for the reopening When the lightning struck Hill Heidgerd. “That is a direct result them in the eye and say, ‘Thank artwork, paper, furniture, kitchen harbor. “Choate really hired the of Hill House, in the fall of 2021. House, besides summer program of the welcoming culture that you,’” said Dr. Curtis. supplies, electronics, etc. All fve best when it came to restoring students, few Choate students seems to fourish at Choate. While frms were on site the morning anything that they wanted to re- Peter DiNatale may be reached were on campus to witness the in the omelet line, a student intro- Bianca Rosen may be reached following the fre. store,” said Dr. Hogue. at [email protected] fre. The brunch was an opportu- duced herself and asked how long at [email protected] PAGE 4 || THE CHOATE NEWS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER ,  The ChoaTe News Perspectives on Escalation: Eliminate the Stigma VOL. CXIII TH  MASTHEAD NO. I

Grace Y. Zhang ’20 Derek Z. Ng ’20 Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor

School News Local News Opinions Brandon Zhang ’20 Will Zhu ’20 Ariel Kim ’20 Esther An ’21 Alexandra Alkhayer ’20

Features Arts & Leisure Sports Victoria Esquibies ’20 Deanna Tan ’20 George McCabe ’20

Photography Graphics Layout Ryan Kim ’20 Chandler Littleford ’20 Kiki Kim ’20

Layout Online Business Nico Campbell ’21 Caroline Rispoli ’20 Laura Jiang ’21 Jerry Wang ’20 Nico Campbell ’21 Bella Capuano ’21 Elaine Zhang ’21 Ho Jin Jang ’21 Linda Phan ’22 Amanda Li ’21 Alyssa Jaster ’23 Multimedia Khushi Tyagi ’20 Copy Video Kate Bailey ’21 Matthew Lee ’20 Student Council Peter DiNatale ’21 Liam Podos ’20 Tony Lee ’21 Niki Gummadi ’21 JeeHwan Kim ’21 Social Media Adviser Claire Yuan ’21 Jessica Wu ’22 Mr. Mike Peed Rachel Pittman ’22

Staff Reporters Eliana Kim ’20 Greer Goergen ’21 Calvin Walker ’21 Ethan Luk ’20 India Lacey ’21 Natarsha Yan ’21 Graphic by Chandler Littleford/The Choate News Anjali Mangla ’20 Amanda Li ’21 Allen Zheng ’21 Elizabeth Quinn ’20 Max O’Connor ’21 Tony Zhou ’21 n Thursday, September 5, ffth and sixth formers gathered in small groups to watch Escalation, a 40-minute flm produced by Yolanda Wang ’20 Bianca Rosen ’21 Harry Chen ’22 Bella Capuano ’21 Abby Lu ’22 the One Love Foundation that tells the stark, gripping story of an abusive relationship. Founded in honor of Yeardley Love, Oa 22-year-old college student who was beaten to death by an ex-boyfriend in 2010, the One Love Foundation aims to ensure /choatenews @choatenews @choatenews that no one else will have to endure the horrors that befell Love. The flm begins with an encounter between the two main characters, Paige and Chase. Their relationship progresses quickly — it Email us: [email protected] || Call us: (203) 697-2070 || Find us: thechoatenews.choate.edu initially seems healthy but quickly nosedives into abuse. Chase begins to verbally and physically abuse Paige, and though not explicitly depicted, there are undertones of sexual abuse. Here, two students refect on the movie and its message.

By Natarsha Yan ’21 again that those victims were real By Alex Ruan ’21 Still, the flm’s production val- Opinions Staf Writer people. They were sons and daugh- Opinions Writer ue could be improved. Multiple LET INTERNATIONAL ters, sisters and brothers — they unrealistic events derailed atten- he shattering of glass. could be anyone around us. After he flm efectively deliv- tion to less important details, de- STUDENT MENTORS Blood on the foor. She watching the flm, our group was ers its message, exam- tracting from the flm’s credibility. Tcollapses. He walks able to have an honest discussion Tining the patterns of an One notable example occurs when away, cold and detached. in which we refected upon the abusive relationship. During their Chase hits Paige with the fat side MENTOR BETTER As the fnal scenes of the flm many nuances and central issues second encounter, Chase is seen of a blender, splitting open her blurred across the screen, a heavy presented in the movie. We talked waiting for Paige holding fowers, forehead in a gush of blood. During By Tony Zhou ’21 made responsible for one new silence settled over the room. The about how prevalent abusive rela- presumably on the same day he the discussion following the movie, Opinions Staf Writer family simultaneously by as- intensifcation of verbal abuse and tionships are, and how they afect met her. Though the moment feels many students in my group seemed signing mentors to specific psychological manipulation to the not just the people in them but also romantic at frst glance, I soon de- to fxate on that unrealistic detail — remember my frst day locations, such as the library tragic murder of Paige left an impact their friends and family. We also tected the oddness of the scene. the blunt side of the blender could at Choate, of course. Two and dorms. Consequently, each on me long after the flm ended. I discussed how we could individual- Paige and Chase had met only that not have been able to make the cut Iyears ago, I walked into mentor would receive a similar was struck by the precariousness ly become more aware of the warn- morning and barely spoken to one that was depicted. St. John Hall and was immediate- workload and contribute to the and potential volatility of relation- ing signs that can quickly heighten another. In rushing up to her, it More importantly, the way in ly greeted by a group of friendly program equally. Also, new stu- ships, and began feeling almost ner- into full-scale abuse, and how, as a seemed as if he was “claiming” her. which the School presented the students wearing blue shirts, who dents would get to know more vous about romantic relationships society, we should learn to recog- There are other red fags peppered flm hindered its impact. By de- I later found out were Interna- upperclassmen and hear multi- in general. The flm illustrates the nize such dangers, too. throughout the movie, including claring the outcome and warning tional Student Mentors. One of ple perspectives on campus life. delicate balance between a loving There is still a stigma sur- the couple’s frst sexual encounter, students about the upcoming vio- them led me to my dorm, helped The two-day pre-orienta- relationship and an abusive one. rounding issues such as domestic which occurs when they are both lence, we knew to look for small de- organize my room, and patient- tion program had a full sched- In the flm, what seems to be violence, making it difcult for intoxicated; Paige seems uncom- tails that we otherwise could have ly answered all of my questions. ule — that is, for the incoming the start of a sweet and innocent people not only to identify these fortable throughout. These details missed. One of the biggest goals of Even though most of the memo- students. Most mentors were relationship quickly spirals into dangers, but also to seek help when paint Chase as a controlling and the activity was to help students ries from my frst month at Cho- not required to attend events something sinister. Actions that needed. Victims should not feel potentially abusive person, but, understand how easy it would be ate have since faded, I can readily beyond registration. During may seem afectionate become a ashamed to tell people about sit- sadly, these details are easy to miss, to miss signs of an unhealthy re- recall my encounter with the In- a conversation I had with a deadly form of physical and psy- uations that they have no control as in real life. lationship. Students were actively ternational Student Mentors. Re- couple of new international chological manipulation. And al- over; victim-blaming remains far The flm also shows the impor- searching for these signs from the alizing how much they infuenced students following pre-orien- though we, as the audience, are too prevalent an issue and unless tance of bystanders through Paige frst viewing, making the goal im- me, I wanted to create similar tation, I learned that many of able to quickly identify the warning we actively work to change that and Chase’s friends,who each re- possible to fulfll. In future show- experiences for new international them wished there were more signs, it is easy to see how Paige and people will never get the help that act diferently to their relationship. ings of the flm, it would be more students — so, last spring, I ap- opportunities to meet and bond Chase’s friends are more inclined to they need. Conversations about Paige’s friends pick up on a few wor- valuable for students if they were plied to become an International with new people. The ice cream dismiss and downplay the abusive domestic violence or sexual assault risome details and begin to ques- not made aware of the outcome Student Mentor. party on August 31 certainly signals. The disparity in reactions should become commonplace, so tion Paige about her relationship. and asked to search for signs after I was accepted, and then, created such an opportunity, between the audience and those that everyone feels comfortable Chase’s friends, however, choose to an initial viewing. during pre-orientation this fall, and adding more purely social involved in the situation demon- addressing them. I hope that in the ignore every red fag they see: When Escalation opened many eyes I began to recognize some of the activities like this one to the strates the inability of most people future we will be able to talk more they witness Chase screaming at to the signs of an unhealthy re- program’s fallbacks. Despite pre-orientation schedule would to perceive the dangers around plainly about such issues, both as a Paige, demanding to know where lationship and ultimately got its the abundance of mentors, help decrease new students’ them. Too often, it’s outsiders who school and within our home com- she is, they laugh it of; when Chase message across. Choate’s eforts in these students weren’t able to stress about being in a foreign, have the clearest insight. munities. Giving these issues the enters a violent ft of rage, they de- providing a better understanding provide their mentees with the often overwhelmingly large I thought the ending of the flm, attention they deserve could very cide to forgive him and forget the in- of healthy relationships have been full extent of their knowledge community like Choate. in which image after image of the well mean saving a life — or many. cident. By contrasting these groups efective, and they should continue. and resources. St. John Hall Still, the international student victims of domestic violence fash of friends, the flm shows how by- was more chaotic than wel- mentorship program has un- across the screen, was especially Natarsha Yan is a fifh-former standers should and shouldn’t react Alex Ruan is a fifh-former coming when new students ar- doubtedly eased the transition of poignant and powerful. With that from Shanghai. She may be when they notice suspicious events from Andover, Mass. He may be rived, as registration for men- many new international students. sequence, we are reminded once reached at [email protected] in a friend’s relationship. reached at [email protected] tors and new students occured And even though an International at the same time; mentors and Student Mentor’s responsibility is mentees could barely find each to help the new students, the expe- other in the crowded building. rience has been equally rewarding What's to Like — and Not to Like — Even though families were of- for me. As I walked down Chris- ten greeted warmly by all of the tian Street explaining my per- About School Meeting's Assigned Seats mentors, a single mentor took spectives on diferent aspects of By Jay Zhou ’21 formers in the balcony, fourth- of time. School meeting consis- Moreover, for students like over only one assigned family, life at Choate, I realized I was part Opinions Writer and fifth-formers in the back tently ran over. me, whose last name falls near preventing further connections of a continuing cycle: the cycle of and on the sides of the orches- Though the new system the end of the alphabet, assigned between that family and other receiving advice from my own used to text my friends tra, and sixth-formers up front. of assigned seating has elim- seating forces one to sit in the far- mentors around campus. mentor, passing on advice to new "Wya" back when Within each section, students inated many of my concerns, thest row for an entire school year. To resolve these issues, the students, and someday having the I school meetings were are arranged in alphabetical I am nonetheless hesitant to Though I often don't mind sitting tasks of international mentors same advice passed to future new held, at least for us non-third- order by last name. support the change fully. One in the very back, I also wouldn’t should be divided up even fur- students and their mentees. formers, in the Paul Mellon Assigned seating eliminates purpose for establishing as- mind the chance, every so often, ther. In contrast to the current Arts Center. (For the adults in several concerns I’ve long felt signed seating appears to be to sit near the stage. (Fingers situation, in which a single Tony Zhou is a fifh-former our community, that’s “Where when walking into the PMAC in to promote community, ask- crossed for John Legend.) mentor stays with one family from Haining, China. you at?”) Racing from class, I’d recent years. My frantic text mes- ing that students interact with To be sure, I’m pleased that for the entire first afternoon, He may be reached at hoped that they would save me sages notwithstanding, I have those classmates outside of the process of taking our seats multiple mentors should be [email protected] a seat. Who doesn’t want to sit always sensed the need to arrive their regular social groups. But has been made more efficient, with their friends? at school meeting fve or even assigned seats, which won’t but the School might consider Still, many times the chosen ten minutes early so that I could, change until the beginning of randomizing our seat assign- row flled up quickly, and I was without question, sit next to my the next academic year, does ments, and perhaps changing forced to sit with people I didn't friends. More than once, I’ve run not exactly achieve this pur- them, say, every term. I ac- know particularly well. In those into confict with others saving pose. When school meeting knowledge that the Dean of moments, I felt uncomfortable empty seats for their friends. proceeded without assigned Students Office might not be and wished I had arrived earlier. In addition, too often the seating, there were, in fact, thrilled by the prospect of one In my opinion, the new pol- rows filled in only unevenly, more opportunities for stu- more arduous task — there are, icy of assigned seating during with gaps in the middle, so that dents to meet new people. after all, more than eight hun- school meeting has not only students not in the initial wave Sure, I tried desperately to sit dred names to sort— but such eliminated the concern of com- of arrivals would be forced to with my friends, and yet it was regular regroupings would not peting for seats, but also acceler- knock knees or otherwise an- nearly impossible to sit with only promote fairness but also ated the seating process, allow- noy their classmates as they the same people in the same build community. ing the meeting to begin on time. squeezed into those center seat in school meeting after The new school meeting seats. Getting the entire stu- school meeting. Students were, Jay Zhou is a fifh-former from seat assignments are divid- dent body seated and ready for indeed, constantly breaking Shanghai. He may be reached ed into four sections: third- the meeting to begin took a lot out of their friend group. at [email protected] FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER ,  THE CHOATE NEWS || PAGE 5

Johnson's Suspension of Parliament WALMART'S NEW GUN POLICY Contradicts Democratic Values By India Lacey ’21 deadline (for the third time) if ly, the shutdown is timed, so that IS NOT WHAT IT SEEMS Staf Reporter he doesn’t reach an agreement when they do return to session, by October 19. Johnson retali- the nation will be days away from “Blow for Bojo as bro Jo go ated by claiming that, if the bill a Brexit vote, and representatives goes,” proclaimed last Friday’s passed, he would trigger a gener- will inevitably bend to pressure headline story of London’s Eve- al election, hoping to stack Par- and sign on to Johnson’s plan to ning Standard. This tongue twister liament full of pro-Brexiters who avoid economic collapse. perfectly summed up the ridicule of would back his bill. England remains a key player this past week’s Brexit antics. This has signifcant cultural on the global stage, and a promi- Boris Johnson, the new Prime impacts on the foundations of de- nent Western nation forcing itself Minister of England, surrendered mocracy. Can a nation be demo- into democratic decay has global his majority in Parliament after cratic if its leader limits the power ramifcations. This includes ef- losing the support of 21 members of opposing elected ofcials? Can fects as far-reaching as today’s of his own party, as well as los- that same nation be democratic two dominating superpowers: the ing support from his brother, Jo when its leader, unsuccessful in United States and China. Democ- Johnson, who resigned (inspiring limiting the power of his political racy could lose much of its legiti- Photo courtesy of USA Today the Evening Standard’s wit). opponents, removes them from macy, and power dynamics could Afer the August 6 shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, people pay their respects outside the store. His standing in Parliament ofce entirely, replacing them with shift signifcantly toward China, began its decline when John- those who support him? which, if it happens too rapidly, By Alex Aronov ’22 In 1993, only after bad press and .223 caliber rounds, as well son asked the Queen to shut Perhaps most signifcant is could lead to confict. Opinions Writer and after many other retailers had as end handgun sales in their down Parliament until the that Johnson was elected on the Although voters may not have already gotten rid of their weapon stores nationwide. In a report, Brexit vote. Despite what he promise to conclude Brexit with had thoughts of global power dy- Since the tragic mass shoot- stock, Walmart took handguns of Walmart estimated this change may claim, this is a preemptive a divisive plan that Parliament namics in mind on election day, ing at a Walmart in El Paso, its shelves, but shotguns and rifes in policy would have dramatic move clearly designed to pre- would readily agree to. He later the fate of the United Kingdom Texas, on August 3, the big-box were still available to buy. In 2006, effects on business, stating that vent any member from drafting promised that if Parliament didn’t certainly loomed above, and elect- discount retailer has all but ex- Walmart made a more drastic the company’s share of ammu- a bill that might stop him get- agree, he would leave the Europe- ing a candidate relying on a radi- ploited the tragedy. change: they pulled all weapons nition sales in the U.S. would be ting the Brexit deal he wants. an Union without a formal deal by cal do-or-die policy before he had As politicians struggle to create from two-thirds of their stores, cit- more than halved. The highest court in Scotland the end of October, a choice many even assumed ofce seems rash. change in gun legislation, various ing the decision as a means to make In reality, this change would has established its stance on the warn could plunge the country So why did the United King- corporations have taken on the re- their stores safer and to address the only cause a decline of $200 mil- situation: Parliament is designed into an economic crisis. dom do it? The nation was in a sponsibility to try to push change growing problem of gun violence. lion in frearm revenue, and when to represent the nation, so John- The political left is willing to state of panic; it voted to leave toward common sense gun control. This policy did not last long, compared to a yearly revenue of son’s moving to block his political avoid Johnson’s threat of a No- the E.U. well over three years ago, Walmart has joined the bandwag- though. In 2009, after the reces- $514 billion, and this 0.03% loss opposition (and thus, his account- Deal Brexit at all costs. It’s the and many capable, moderate pol- on, ending the sale of certain kinds sion hit, Walmart returned shot- will likely be made up by the pos- ability) is a clear violation of his reason the Labour party isn’t sup- iticians have already tried (and of ammunition, and restricting guns and rifes to all stores. Such a itive press Walmart is receiving allotted powers. The issue will be porting a general election — they failed) to resolve Brexit. So, with the practice of open carry in their decision clearly went against their as a result of the policy shift. The taken to English courts, which, want to ensure that No-Deal can’t seemingly no other option, the stores. Despite fanfare from the previous statements and blatant- end of handgun sales won’t even one hopes, will force Parliament happen before they’re possibly nation voted for the radical with media and outspoken praise from ly disregarded the “community afect most Americans. Alaska is back into session. forced to leave ofce. a bold promise — a choice the na- many politicians, Walmart is not safety” they hoped to create. In the only state where Walmart still However, even if the full force However, the true threat tion is already beginning to regret. doing much of anything, and it the years since, even after over- sells handguns. of British democracy is brought Johnson poses is the continued seems that the company may, in all Walmart sales recovered, guns And so this story becomes an back in session, they will struggle shut-down of Parliament. If John- India Lacey is a fifh- the end, beneft from the situation. have stayed in stock, with Walmart old one. Waiting for a super cor- to keep Johnson in check. The La- son’s request is allowed, then the former from Washington, Looking at Walmart’s complex only insisting after the 2018 Park- poration like Walmart to establish bour Party has drafted a bill forc- representatives will have no way D.C. She may be reached and convoluted history with fre- land shooting that it had “taken an common sense gun control will get ing Johnson to extend the Brexit to check his power. Additional- at [email protected] arms, it’s hard not to question the opportunity to review [its] policy us nowhere. If we are to really cre- corporation’s intentions. In 1962, on frearm sales.” ate change, we must advocate for Walmart’s frst branch opened After the shooting in El ourselves rather than fall into the in Arizona, selling clothes and Paso, Walmart promised a ma- hands of big business. Is the Left Falling Complacent to the toys alongside frearms. For thir- jor revision to its firearms pol- ty years, everything from a small, icy — but this change is insig- Alex Aronov is a fourth- Familiarity of Joe Biden? handheld pistol to a .50 caliber rife nificant. In a press conference former from Wilmette, was readily available for purchase on September 3, Walmart said Ill. He may be reached at in all of 3,000 Walmart locations. it would stop selling 5.56mm [email protected]

ENTRENCHED VICTIM-BLAMING CULTURE ENABLES SEXUAL PREDATORS By Stephanie Chen ’23 chose not to immediately re- simply because their teacher is Opinions Writer port the crime to authorities. It their teacher. often takes years, and too many Second, children must also In 2016, Larry Nassar was victims, to reach the critical be taught the full extent of what arrested on charges of sexual mass that encourages victims to rape is at a young age. Too many abuse and possession of child step forward and tell their sto- rape victims are children, be- pornography. This was after 30 ries. This is because narratives cause without a full sexual edu- years of working as the athlet- of male sexual entitlement are cation, they are easy to prey on. ics trainer for the US Women's still pervasive. For the victims, Children need to be taught that National Gymnastics Team, 19 these narratives make it seem rape can happen anywhere, that as the athletic physician at Mich- as if being raped was their own rapists can be anyone, and that in igan State University (MSU), 24 fault, that they dressed too lib- a sexual assault case, it is the per-

Photo courtesy of Vox as an alleged sexual abuser, dam- erally and were “asking for it.” petrator, not the victim, that has At the September 15 debate, former Vice President Joe Biden insisted, "I'm for Barack." aging the lives of 150 gymnasts. These narratives make victims committed a shameful crime. But this wasn’t just an in- feel disgusting and ashamed Last, since changing narra- By Kate Bailey ’21 bate featuring all ten major candi- election, not just Biden. A July poll dividual, stand-alone case of instead of disgusted and angry. tives is a long process, schools Copy Editor dates, has been arguably subpar, by Public Policy Polling further sexual misconduct. This was like Michigan State need to often falling back on the work of demonstrated this: soccer mega- simply a reflection of the many implement better systems and The 2020 Democratic prima- his former boss, President Barack star Megan Rapinoe beat Trump, ways in which our institutions We live in a society checks against sexual abusers. ry race is now in full swing, and Obama, rather than bringing forth 42% to 41%. have systematically failed to that makes it much Even though Nassar was ulti- among the exceptionally large feld his own ideas for the future. Many So, if other candidates hypo- protect our students. more convenient for mately given a life sentence, of presidential hopefuls, one con- question the way he avoids criti- thetically perform just as well as We live in a society that and MSU was fined a record sistently pulls ahead: Joe Biden. cism of his controversial decisions Biden, what does “electability” makes it much more conve- universities to keep $4.5 million for failure to han- The former vice president has a lot as a senator, such as his support for even mean? The truth is that this nient for universities to keep the middle-aged, dle the situation, all these mea- going for him in this race — and a the Iraq War and 1994 crime bill. fantastical X factor of electability the middle-aged, white molest- white molester on sures were reactive at best. No lot going against him, if you ask So why does this seemingly is no more than some combination er on the payroll than to report the payroll than to amount of jail-time or mon- his opponents — but the reason lacking candidate win every poll by of name recognition, ideological a crime against a young woman ey can take away a traumatic, for his overwhelming popularity upward of 10 percentage points? moderacy, and historical precedent and risk tarnishing a carefully report a crime against haunting experience. always goes back to his apparent His wife, Dr. Jill Biden, put this (that is, old white men). crafted reputation. a young woman. Colleges must implement “electability.” conundrum well: “Yes, your can- However, this defnition of This is the result of two stricter proactive background This term, thrown around didate might be better on, I don’t electability has been proven to be main factors. First, our soci- checks on all job applicants and by political pundits and casual know, healthcare, than Joe is, but unsuccessful in past elections: can- ety has given too much influ- Not only do victim-blaming more efective monitoring sys- viewers alike, seems straight- you’ve got to look at who’s going to didates who have been talked up as ence to its powerful members. accounts of sexual abuse de- tems that require doors to be forward: it’s a measure of a win this election.” Few people rally electable during the primaries have For centuries, we have been ter victims from speaking up, open and hands to be visible candidate’s ability to beat in- behind Biden for his political plat- lost during the general election. telling children that to speak they also often deter schools during medical consultations. cumbent President Donald J. form; instead, they’re settling for Hillary Clinton, for example, was a up against an adult — parent, from addressing allegations Furthermore, schools must make Trump P’00, a Republican, in the candidate that they believe is secure yet dull candidate that failed teacher, school athletic train- and empower perpetrators. it much easier for victims to re- the general election. Indeed, just vanilla enough to be electable. to excite her own party. In the end, er — is to question authority Untrained school administra- port a crime. In every college and many believe that Biden is the However, if “electability” really she lost to Trump, a candidate that and thus to question the fun- tors’ first reaction to hearing a school, there should be trained only candidate that can defeat only concerns who can beat Trump, fred up the Republican Party. Re- damental structures of soci- complaint about sexual assault committees in charge of handling Trump. However, electability is then why don’t we apply the term cent, initially promising candidates ety. It is for this reason that can be much like the victim’s — all sexual abuse cases. These com- not all that it’s said to be. Rather to other candidates? Looking at like John McCain and John Kerry children are often shocked into they choose to cover up instead mittees should follow protocols than being a legitimate indica- the race from a statistical per- have met similar fates in the gener- silence when they experience of speak up, contributing to the that favor the victims and suspect tor of electoral success, it’s sim- spective, it’d be factually incorrect al election. something as jarring as sexual culture of silence. the perpetrators instead of the ply a tactic used to support can- to say Biden is the sole electable So, I beg you: champion the abuse, because the very deci- Fortunately, there is no other way around, because asking didates who seek to maintain candidate. According to polls by candidate that you would actual- sion to speak up about abuse better place to change society’s a victim brave enough to step for- the status quo, as Biden aims The Washington Post and ABC ly want to see in the Oval Ofce, from a respected authority mindsets than in schools. Two ward for “proof of their assault” to. To see success in the 2020 News, in a hypothetical head-to- whether it’s for his or her views on seems unnatural. things must be changed about only furthers rape culture. election, Democrats need to head matchup with Trump, Biden the environment or the economy. Second, our patriarchal rape the way we teach sexual abuse, Additionally, there must be rally behind a candidate whom beats Trump with 54% of the vote If that candidate is Biden, then by culture shames victims and fa- in both primary education and immediacy in solutions. An ac- they’re enthusiastic about, not — mere percentage points of the all means support him. But if not, vors perpetrators. If we look universities. First, it must be cused predator should never be one who fits the conventional scores of other frontrunners, such don’t feel obligated to settle — it’s at any sexual abuse scandal in taught that authorities are not allowed to continue to interact definition of “electable.” as Senators Bernie Sanders (53%) never successful in the end. recent years, we’ll find that in always right. We must teach with students. Right now, Biden isn’t ener- and Elizabeth Warren (51%). a large majority of them, be it values like respect as some- gizing the democratic base, and, Trump is in a vulnerable posi- Kate Bailey is a fifh- Jerry Sandusky at Penn State or thing to be given to actions and Stephanie Chen is a third- frankly, he’s not trying to. His per- tion right now. That’s something former from Charlotte, NC. Harvey Weinstein at Miramax not to people. Children should former from Shanghai. formance in rallies and debates, any Democratic candidate could She may be reached at (who has denied the allegations respect teachers for the edu- She may be reached at including last week’s televised de- take advantage of in the general [email protected] against him), most victims cation they are providing, not [email protected] PAGE  || THE CHOATE NEWS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER , 

CHOATIES LOVE UBER  BUT IS THE COMPANY WILLING TO ENFORCE ITS OWN RULES TO KEEP THEM SAFE? By Richard Chen ’22 be at least 18 years of age to Reporter have an Uber account and re- quest rides. Anyone under 18 Every weekend at Choate, must be accompanied by some- after five long days of quiz- one 18 years of age or older on zes, tests, and sports practic- any ride. As a driver-partner, es, dozens of students head to you should decline the ride re- restaurants and movie theaters quest if you believe the person in town to relax. With only a requesting the ride is under small percentage of day stu- 18.” However, many students dents able to drive and rules have never been asked their against boarding students age when entering an Uber having cars on campus, the driver’s car. In fact, there is lit- demand for transportation is tle incentive for drivers to ask huge. The main provider for what age students are. If the such transportation? A compa- driver declines a ride because ny that hires complete strang- of a rider’s age, the transac- ers — namely, Uber. tion is cancelled and the driver With a net worth of more doesn’t make any money. than $5 billion, Uber is an Some students believe that entirely consumer-driven ser- drivers are suspicious about vice provider that benefits the the age of their riders, but the most from people who don’t drivers don’t actually cancel the have cars — the most abundant ride or ask to see an ID. “One source of such people being time me and a group of friends highschool and college stu- were in an Uber driving back dents. The only requirements and the woman driving the car for being an Uber driver are told all of us to sit in the back that one must be older than 21 and not beside her,” recalled years of age, complete a back- Ryan Lee ’22. This, combined ground check, have a valid with the carefree attitudes of driver’s license and social se- some Choate students, ensures Graphic by Stella Dubin/The Choate News curity number, and have access the survival of Uber as a busi- Choate students, the majority of whom are minors, use Uber even though the company says riders must be older than 18. to a four door vehicle. With ness on Choate’s campus. many Choate students using Uber provides invaluable With rides further into Wall- focus on what matters most.” tative measures such as alarms of campus and into town may Uber as often as three times service to Choate students, ingford costing as little as Even though the company and alerts that allow the driver override the concern of safety for a week, it’s important to ask and as students have ex- seven dollars, this transporta- claims the app is a secure op- and rider to easily report mis- many students, potentially lead- whether or not these require- pressed, there is a constant tion service is the most logical tion for riders, it is not uncom- conduct. By adding more safety ing to dangerous situations. Cho- ments are sufficient to keep the need for its services. “I most- option for students who don’t mon to hear stories on the news precautions like these, Uber may ate students should keep an eye service safe. ly use Uber to travel back and have parents nearby or access about people being assaulted become a better and more acces- out for malicious behaviour from This issue becomes even forth from restaurants and to a more expensive private by Uber drivers. According to sible option for customers. their drivers, but it is improbable more apparent in light of the movie theaters on the week- transportation option. CNN, 103 Uber drivers were Choate’s Student Handbook that students will stop using the 15-year old girl who, returning ends,” said Elton Zheng ’22. According to Uber’s web- accused of sexual assault or states, “The School discourages app. After all, with Uber being from a party in Atlantic Beach, “Last year during spring term, site, “The Uber experience abuse in 2018. the use of Uber and other ride- such an essential part of a stu- New York, was kidnapped and I also used Uber to travel back was built with safety in mind. Taxi cabs, in contrast to Uber, sharing frms and advises fami- dent’s daily life, it would be hard nearly assaulted by her driver. and forth between tennis prac- Through incident prevention are easier to regulate because the lies to check their terms of agree- to imagine a Choate experience (She eventually escaped from tices off campus.” tools, insurance coverage, and company owns both the vehi- ment before arranging rides or without it. the car when the driver stopped Access to Uber’s services technology that keeps you cle and the gasoline. With Uber, allowing their children to use for gas.) According to Uber’s does not seem to be an issue connected, we’re dedicated to independent drivers own both. such services.” However, the Richard Chen may be reached own regulations, “A rider must for many students at Choate. helping you move safely and Some taxi cabs also have preven- constant need to get somewhere at [email protected]

By Bianca Rosen ’21 What’s your cofee order? A Tour of Campus Staf Reporter I have never had a cup of cofee in my life. I can’t have cafeine. Mr. David Loeb has worked at Imagine me with cafeine! By Khal Bashawaty '21 Choate for thirty-fve years. What language do you wish In the classroom, he navigates you could speak? the literary world, teaching In- Ancient Greek, so I could read The Check our troduction to Literature and Odyssey in the original form. various senior electives. His What superpower would you Facebook page passion for teaching makes like to have? /choatenews and our classes engaging, and his love I’d like to be able to, instead of Instagram account of the material resonates with sleeping, grade papers at night. his students. Mr. Loeb is also When did you begin play- @choatenews this an adviser to fourth- and ffth- ing volleyball? afernoon for the form girls in McCook House, My senior year of high school, a and he has lead Girls’ Varsity bunch of guys asked me to start answers to this Volleyball to more than one a team with them. There wasn’t week’s crossword! New England Championship. volleyball in our county, but the girls’ coach took a day and What was your frst job? taught us the rules. We entered Down I was an artist’s assistant. There the state tournament as a wild was a sculptor in town who card team with mismatched 1. “____ pinch of salt...” (2 words) made his art out of acrylic T-shirts instead of jerseys. I’ve 2. Rip and aluminum rods, and I sort of loved it ever since then. 3. Type of painting would break them into pieces What word do you always 4. It has proof depending on what length he misspell? 5. Sound system needed for his art. I missed “raspberry” in a spelling 6. Most prized possession What is your favorite song? bee in the seventh grade, and 7. Gumbo ingredient “Penny Lane ” by The Beatles. I’ve never quite gotten over it. 8. Column to the right of halogens What is something you What are some of your pet 9. Go to classes with, as a revisiter can't live without? peeves? 10. Pearl Harbor, e.g. My family, Shakespeare, and my I don’t like it when boys in the 11. Some hot drinks dog, Jeeves. gym cut across the volleyball 12. Military commanders, for short What do you think is the best court while I’m coaching. Ev- 13. Positive votes in Congress dining hall food? erybody knows that about me. 24. Defeats, slangily This is going to date me, but they I’ve been known to go over and Across 26. Parking section used to make deviled eggs pick them up and carry them 27. Bigger than med. about 20 years ago. of the court. 1. Holder of the earth 37. “Colloquially, ...” 28. Playwright ___-Manuel Miranda Did you always know you What is your favorite Shake- 6. Pro's opposite 39. Latin for “art” 30. That girl wanted to be a teacher? speare play? 9. Not frm 40. Sufx with lion 31. Winter theatre show, for short No, but everyone around me who It depends. To watch, to perform, 14. Passed out cards 42. Common PC fle extension 34. ___-Mex cuisine knew me knew I was going to teach — they are all difer- 15. Flying takedown, for short 43. Roast V.I.Ps 37. Where Odysseus was, to Penelope to be a teacher. I didn’t know ent. For the sake of argument, 16. New employee 45. Word with microwave or worm 38. Village People hit that, but my family did, appar- I’d probably say The Tempest. 17. Tango, e.g. 47. Animal rescue group 41. Wee bit ently. My parents knew I was What’s it like teaching both 18. Sphere 49. Crazy person 44. Round Table locale always going to be in school, freshmen and seniors? 19. Statefarm or Nationwide, perhaps 52. Playground response to “You are so!” 46. SEC Rival living from September to May. The seniors make the freshmen 20. Passion 56. Had unpaid bills 48. Detectives for hire, for short What is your best advice to seem very charming, and the 21. ___-mart 57. Dollar parts 49. Cash, slangily Choate students? freshmen make the seniors 22. It can be Special Academic 61. To ____ their own 50. Atrocious Don’t be afraid to do the things seem very grown up. Often, I 23. Charlie of “Two and a Half Men” 62. Matured 51. “That's sick!” that you love. Being happy is a get to teach somebody on their 25. Online borrowing 64. “___ Whiz!” 53. Indian breads choice here. frst day of Choate and on their 27. “Mama Said Knock You Out” rapper 65. Recall 54. Creator of an ancient razor What is your favorite class last day. That’s fun — to be 29. Accompaniments 66. Certain stringed instruments 55. When repeated, consoling words memory? there at the beginning and at 32. Iranian currency 67. Famous Bruin Bobby 58. John Legend's four awards (abbr.) There was a time when my seniors the end of the journey. 33. Allow to fght 68. Submarine locator 59. Roman emperor surprised me by performing 35. Document showing that Choate owns 69. Without backup 60. Fall, e.g a scene from Hamlet in the Bianca Rosen may be reached what is in the circled letters 70. Jerry's foe 63. Opposite of WNW Chapel. That was pretty neat. at [email protected] 36. Econ. stat 71. Response to “Who's there?” 65. Meas. of pressure FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER ,  THE CHOATE NEWS || PAGE 7

PRESTO! SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA'S SUMMER TOUR ACROSS ITALY By Rachel Pittman ’22 our sign, thought it would be worth Copy Editor their time, and came of their own will. From my seat I could see some On June 11, 2019, the day after people smiling or nodding to the the 2018 to 2019 school year came music. It was truly a blessing to be to a close, members of the Choate able to play for such a musically in- Symphony Orchestra were buzzing clined audience.” with excitement as they prepared Oboe player Supriya Chang to fy to Italy for a concert tour. ’21 said, “Especially in Rome, The 11 days of culture, art, and it made me super proud to be a music had been anticipated for musician just because the people nearly a year, after an earlier tour, were so accepting and loving to- scheduled for the 2017 to 2018 wards us. As soon as we walked school year, was cancelled due to out of the venue, the audience funding difculties. who left before us saw us on the Co-principal violinist Eliana street and clapped for us — it was Kim ’20 said, “After [a frst] inter- so genuinely heartfelt.” national tour got cancelled, it dis- Kim had a particularly unique appointed and frustrated me a lot, experience with the audiences. especially because it was one of the “I went outside to spread the main goals of my four-year Choate word that Choate Orchestra is career. I think this tour defnitely going to be performing. I got to Photo courtesy of Cathryn Stout made up for that.” perform in the streets to bring For eleven days last June, the Choate Orchestra performed in iconic cathedrals in Rome, Florence, and Cremona. Students in Orchestra began in some people. I think that was to prepare their repertoire last fall, the most memorable part of the Trevi Fountain and many others, Wallingford,” he said. “For me, as a much tighter bond as a group. times, but I think, during the or- studying masterworks by famous concert itself.” we could truly understand what an artist, I always think that visual From exploring ancient Roman chestra trip, I’ve gotten to know Italian musicians and pieces in- The Orchestra performed in the composer was trying to con- art and the humanities feed into cities to almost missing a con- people, underclassman espe- spired by Italian culture, including iconic cathedrals in Rome, Flor- vey through his music. I would my playing. I think each art form necting fight in Frankfurt, every cially, more personally.” Rossini’s La gazza Ladra, Vivaldi’s ence, and Cremona. “Performing say our best rendition of that inspires the other. Our getting to moment was one shared togeth- After her experiences in Italy Four Seasons, Summer Concerto, in cathedrals is always a great ex- piece was in Rome!” visit all of these places inspires us er. Fu said, “Now, as some of us with her musical colleagues, Chang Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4 perience because the acoustics Experiencing other forms of to play better.” graduate and some of us make said, “Coming back and seeing Op. 90, IV. Saltarello, Verdi’s Aida, are always phenomenal and you Italian art provided further inspi- The musicians even had the the decision to leave Orchestra, those people again makes me a lot Marcia Trionfale, Respighi’s Fon- feel this spiritual calm and energy ration for the members of the or- opportunity to watch a perfor- the group may never get together more excited for this year because tane di Roma, and Tchaikovsky’s whenever you play in such beauti- chestra. Chang said, “the Vatican mance by string group Interpreti again, but we all share this one I’m closer with the group.” Piano Concerto No. 1. ful locations,” said Luk. City was the most breathtaking Veneziani, who, for their encore, magical experience of seeing, Luk believes an orchestra’s Ethan Luk ’20 said, “I was re- Beyond performances, the mu- — all the diferent rooms with the performed the same Vivaldi Four exploring, and witnessing the solidarity enhances its playing. ally surprised by how receptive the sicians had the opportunity to ex- ceilings painted, the maps on the Seasons, Summer Concerto that unique culture of Italy and being “I think we should do more of audience was in Italy and surprised perience Italian culture during vis- walls, and the sculptures. As well Choate’s Symphony Orchestra a part of that lively culture.” that [socialization] in the reg- that they enjoyed our interpreta- its to Rome, Assisi, Siena, Florence, as being able to share our type played in its concerts. “It was One of Kim’s favorite memo- ular schedule, too, because tions, because a lot of the pieces are Pisa, Cremona, Milan, and Venice. of art with them, we were able to amazing. The intensity, the dy- ries is the many delicious Italian there’s a lot of chamber and en- iconic pieces in the Italian classi- Italy’s rich history in the arts and learn about their culture.” namic, the chemistry between meals shared with her musical semble playing in the orchestra. cal music canon. To hear approval humanities inspired many of Cho- Luk also enjoyed Rome’s Vat- all of the players — it was such a colleagues, as they allowed her In order to have a strong ensem- and getting standing ovations was ate’s musicians to better under- ican. “Overall the entire trip was diference between what we did to become closer with those ble, you must know who you’re something really, really humbling stand the music they were playing. so culturally enriching. I espe- because they were so much better, she was already friends with playing with well in order to de- and encouraging.” “Back at Choate, Fountains of cially enjoyed visiting the Vatican but it makes you want to aspire to and learn more about those she velop chemistry.” Claire Fu ’22 was also touched Rome was just another song we museums because the work there be at that level,” said Luk. weren’t. “Even before the trip, I by the receptive audiences. “Almost had to play” said Fu. “But after is divine and otherworldly. The Over the course of the 11 days knew most of the orchestra peo- Rachel Pittman may be reached every member in the audience saw seeing the historical sites of the Sistine Chapel you can’t see in in Italy, the musicians formed ple and talked with them a few at [email protected]

Photos courtesy of Phil Ventre Beyond the concert halls, Symphony Orchestra musicians and faculty chaperones enjoyed ample time to explore Italy.

Lexim Music's One Million Views HERE'S A CLUE the music more organic. “In some of Sim’s songs. “What- By Tony Lee ’21 performance,” said Yasemin lot of comedy that is only por- By Bianca Rosen ’21 class, maybe I’ll have a random ever mood I’m in, I’ll listen to Staf Reporter Cobanoglu ’21, who plays the trayed with actions. I’m pretty Staf Reporter idea,” Sim said. “Sometimes, music with the same kind of young brothel owner Miss Scar- excited to see how they pan out.” I’ll pull out my phone and re- feeling,” Sim said. He makes A scream echoes through let. “Clue is the play, and while In particular, Joseph not- Lucas Sim ’20 released his cord something real quick if music as a way to destress and the night. A house buzzing with it’s very much a comedy, it has a ed that his character, Colonel song “Cliff’s Edge” featuring I’m walking down the path, escape from the present. “It’s noise falls silent with a gasp murder involved, so it defnitely Mustard, is the comedic relief Riha in September of 2018, and and then I’ll go back to my nice to put on headphones and and a cry of horror — there has has a more mature theme and of the show. “He is a dimwit. As it has since appeared on mul- room and try to play with it.” turn the volume all the way up, been a murder! A body lies on more mature language.” a colonel, he’s a proud man and tiple media and musical plat- absolutely blasting it and for- the ground, surrounded by six Cobanoglu described her proud of his military status. I’d forms, including Spotify and "It's nice to put on getting about everything else,” weapons marked by six sets of character as a sly seductress say he kind of took on the role YouTube, where it generated he said. “That’s kind of like the fingerprints. Who is the mur- that “uses her femme fatale of a leader fgure, even though more than a million views. Sim headphones and stuff I’m trying to make.” derer? Someone knows. Most character to her advantage to he’s arguably the worst charac- created the basic demo, which turn the volume all Sim hopes his music can do not. manipulate others.” ter to be the leader.” To Joseph, he later sent to vocalist Riha. help people through challeng- This term’s play, Clue: On The show is heavily defned the irony of the least compe- Together, they wrote the lyrics the way, absolutely ing times because that’s the Stage, adapted by David Abbi- by the unique characteristics of tent character taking leadership and recorded it before distrib- blasting it and kind of influence music has on nanti, invites the audience to the six murder suspects. “Each adds to his comedic efect. uting the finished product. forgetting about him. He hopes to relate to his solve a murder mystery unfold- of the six main characters have As Joseph said, at frst Sim is relatively new to mu- audiences, so his music typi- ing onstage. their signature thing: mine glance, Clue seems like a sim- sic production. He started out everything else..." cally leans to the melancholy. Clue, based on the iconic as Miss. Scarlet is smoking a ple comedy with a suspense- by watching YouTube videos on Lucas Sim '20 To give this effect, he weaves board game, is a goofy comedy cigarette, Professor Plum’s is ful twist. But the actions of the producing and practiced by rec- aka Lexim Music acoustics into the electronic mixed with a puzzling mystery checking himself out, Colonel six suspects follow a common reating other artists’ songs be- elements. case. The play revolves around Mustard’s is being a clumsy old theme that shows the audience fore working on his own demos. To get an idea of the kind of Sim hopes to continue six eccentric characters, each military dude,” Cobanoglu said. the dangers of acting only in Producing was always in the back sound he’s trying to create, Sim producing. At the moment, of which has elusive secrets and “Everyone has traits that defne self-interest. of his mind, but the act of creat- starts on the piano. He polishes he’s working on five different dark pasts that mark them as them, and we repeat them a lot, “Clue pretty easily explains ing something seemed daunting. the music on his computer, with songs, which he’s trying to suspects for the murder of busi- so the audience should defnite- the principle of selfshness,” Jo- This remained the case until the a program called Ableton Live. get featured on Trap Nation, nessman Mr. Boddy. The cast ly look out for that.” seph says. “Each character acts winter of Sim’s sophomore year Using the program, he can draw a music channel network. Sim ranges from femme fatale Miss Kai Joseph ’21, who will only selfshly, and it’s pretty when something clicked. in different notes, build chords, hopes to continue collaborat- Scarlet to egotistic Mr. Plum to be playing Colonel Mustard, evident that their selfshness is Making music is a lot of and add drums. In conjoinment ing with other artists on his religious Mrs. Peacock. agreed that each character con- a major contributor to why the trial and error, and inspira- with the computer program, pieces and has taken to reach- Alongside Clue, students tributes to the show’s overall murder happened.” tion often hits when one leasts Sim also uses an electric and ing out to them. The artists will also deliver another per- atmosphere. “Every character Performances for Clue: On expect it. Sim rarely sits down acoustic guitar. From there, he he’s in contact with are people formance: Putnam County is comedic. Everyone has fuid, Stage will take place on the Paul with the intent of “making plays around with different pat- that Sim listened to and was Spelling Bee. “This fall has exaggerated movements and Mellon Arts Center Main Stage something” because it he feels terns, arranging them so they inspired by. the spelling bee as the musi- exaggerated voice lines,” Jo- from November 14 to 16. that act is too full of pressure. complement the other sounds. cal, which will kind of replicate seph said. “Also, the transition Instead, he lets his thoughts “Cliff’s Edge” has a darker Bianca Rosen may be reached The Wizard of Oz (last year’s segments in between the scenes Tony Lee may be reached flow naturally, aiming to make theme to it that trademarks at [email protected] play) as this term’s more cheery packed with dialogues contain a at [email protected] THE CHOATE NEWS

VOL. CXIII • NO. I FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER , 

FIELD Varsity Teams Bring Energy, Sailing Standout Styron Enthusiasm to Fall Season Wins Champs REPORT By Allen Zheng '21 co-captains Polemeni-Hegarty proved to be dangerous in the Staf Reporter and Beau Luther ’20, who are final third. However, this year’s both projected to have big sea- team also added an enormous Varsity Saturday Games Girls’ Cross Country sons. Also, quarterback Shane amount of talent and depth, After winning the Founders Baldwin ’21 will be handed the including postgraduate goal- League Championship last sea- reins of the offense once again- keeper Taylor Vecchione ’20. son, this year’s Girls’ Varsity after an incredibly successful “We have more depth than I Cross Country team will look sophomore campaign. think I’ve ever seen in my four Field Hockey (0-4) to build on last season’s suc- Varsity Field Hockey years at Choate,” said captain falls to Tabor, 0-7 cess. “We have some strong re- Despite a difcult season Cici Curran ’20. “Considering turners this season, but we are last year, Varsity Field Hockey the new competition brought also very lucky to have prom- will try to bounce back this sea- in by the new players, I see our Photo courtesy of Tommy Styron ising new runners,” said Betsy son. Led by co-captains Brooke team as more competitive and Tommy Styron '20 of Hamden, CT leans back to steer his sailboat. Overstrum ’20. “We lost a key Wise ’20 and Gina Driscoll ’20, hardworking than ever.” Girls’ group of seniors last year, but this year’s team has the experi- Varsity Soccer has the potential By Priam Alataris '22 the Northeast and Miami ev- there is no doubt that our new ence necessary to produce many for another playoff run. and Sam Anastasio ’23 ery few weekends,” said Styron. runners are going to step up. It positive results, and new junior Boys’ Varsity Water Polo Reporters The two typically sailed out of certainly is a bubbly group of Ashley Lensch ’21 will add talent Boys’ Varsity Water Polo Stamford, Miami, and wherever Football (0-1) girls, which makes for a fun en- and skill to the team. “Some of has gotten off to a strong start Tommy Styron ’20, a senior the World Championships took falls to St. Thomas, 9-34 vironment.” This year’s team our goals for the season are to be this season, defeating Deerfield from Hamden, recently won the place, though they didn’t lim- will again be competitive for a strong competitor against oth- in overtime despite losing to U19 U.S. Youth Sailing Cham- it their training to the United a Founders League title, and er teams,” said Wise. “We’re also them during the previous two pionships, which took place at States. They spent two weeks it hopes for high placement at aiming to have a record of at seasons. The team also returns Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club in training in the Netherlands New England’s. least .500, especially coming of a strong, core group of players Beach Haven, NJ. and another two weeks sailing Boys’ Cross Country of a difcult season last year.” that includes co-captains Hi- Styron won the event with in Argentina, hoping to ready Boys’ Varsity Cross Country Varsity Field Hockey certainly lal Zoberi ’20, George McCabe his partner Hayden Earl, a ju- themselves for different waters. ended on a disappointing note has the potential to contend for ’20, and Derek Son ’20. In his nior from Middletown, R.I., This rigorous training program last season, placing ninth at a spot in the NEPSAC Class A second year, Jack Sun ’21 will though the pair have sailed paid off during the sailing reg- Boys’ Soccer (0-0-2) New England’s. However, this Playofs this season. also likely make a key differ- together for only a year. The ular season, when the duo won ties Brunswick, 2-2 year’s team is motivated to im- Boys’ Varsity Soccer ence with his goal-scoring two sailed together in a youth 9 of 14 races, with a dozen top- prove on that result. Despite Despite losing many key ability. “This year we are very developmental boat called the five finishes. losing five seniors, Boys’ Var- pieces to graduation, Boys’ Var- motivated,” said Son. “Unfor- “29er,” a smaller version form Styron’s love for sailing be- sity Cross Country will feature sity Soccer features a team that tunately, we are on the small- of the boat used in the Olym- gan when he was fve years old, a strong group of new runners. is once again primed for a play- er side, but we make up for it pics, the “49er.” at his grandmother’s house in “Since the start of the season, off run. With a midfield com- with our speed and shrewd- Unlike other sports that have Martha’s Vineyard. “My grand- new runners Devin Seli ’20 and prised of Stephen Antogiovanni ness.” Despite only winning qualifying races and games, Sty- mother’s property and the sail- Tilden Jackson ’21 have been '20, Kamal Ibrahim '20, and four games last season, the ron and Earl had to apply to par- ing club are incredibly close to great additions to the team,” Temi Agunloye '21, Boys’ Var- boys’ early success will give the ticipate in the championships. each other and are only separat- Girls’ Soccer (1-0) said co-captain Alex Coletti sity Soccer will have no trouble team momentum for a run in “It was an invitational event, so ed by a hedge,” said Styron, who beats Exeter, 4-0 ’20. “Both had a great race in controlling the game. New goal- the New England Playoffs. we had to submit a resume pri- visited every summer. New Haven a couple of weeks keeper Gunnar Lucuk ’22 has Girls’ Varsity Volleyball or to the event with results from Although the sport is an ago, and I’m looking forward also been a welcome addition to Girls’ Varsity Volleyball previous championships and important part of his life, Sty- to seeing how they can produce the team and made multiple key returns many key players, in- high-level national champion- ron said that apart from the for us during the season.” saves against Brunswick and cluding co-captains Ally Chad- ships,” said Styron. immediate next step, he is un- Varsity Football Buckingham Browne & Nich- ha '20 and Kiki Kim '20. This The championships spanned sure of his future with sailing. After the team’s first loss in ols in recent weeks. “The team year’s team is also incredibly four days of constant sailing, re- “Sailing in college is the most five years, to St. Thomas More, this season is pretty character- deep, and all players are like- quiring Styron and Earl to main- obvious future sailing plan for this year’s Varsity Football istic of Choate — hardworking ly to contribute throughout tain their intensity and focus. me. I don’t know if I will begin Girls' Volleyball (2-0) faces adversity and challeng- and smart,” said co-captain the season, especially some “In these races, there is a series an Olympic campaign in the fu- beats Kent, 3-0 es uncommon in prior years. Sam Curtis ’20. “We also have new talent that has been add- of 30- to 45-minute races,” said ture, but college is the next step Still, the team looks to defend a good mix of personalities on ed to the team. “Someone to Styron. “There are about 12 to for now,” he said. its NEPSAC title for a possible the team that really makes the watch on the court is Maddy 18 races over the course of the Styron and his teammate sixth time in a row. However, group special, so I’m looking Estenson ’21 in the offense this championships. Whoever has the plan to compete in the Euro co-captain Cameron Poleme- forward to a fun season with year,” said Kim. “She’s a new lowest total score from those rac- Circuit next summer. Styron ni-Hegarty ’20 is unfazed by the awesome guys.” recruit that we’ve been excited es will win the championship.” is also looking forward to his added pressure. “My goals for Girls’ Varsity Soccer for since spring term, and she’s After both sailers experi- final season at Choate, this the team this year are to play as After a stellar season last been looking great in practice.” mented with different partners, spring when he will hope to a unit so that we can perform to fall, featuring eleven wins and a Girls’ Varsity Volleyball is in the two decided to sail together lead the team to a successful Water Polo (1-1) our highest potential,” he said. NEPSAC Class A playoff berth, an excellent position to beat one day and developed instant finish at the Connecticut State beats Deerfield, 9-8 (OT) “The win streak has never real- Girls’ Varsity Soccer looks to Deerfield on Deerfield Day and chemistry with each other. To Sailing Championships. ly been a concern for us. All we build upon last year’s success. take home another NEPSAC prepare for the race, Styron and have cared about with regards The program returns attackers Class A championship. Earl spent the summer of 2018 Priam Alataris and Sam to goals is playing as hard as Abbi Adler ’20, Sam Brown ’20, together in a boat. “Essential- Anastasio may be reached at we can and playing as a team.” Julia Gottschalk ’20, and Juli- Allen Zheng may be reached ly, we spent a year or so back [email protected] and This year’s team will be led by anne Sekula ’20 who have all at [email protected] and forth between training in at [email protected]

Water Polo (1-1) falls to Williston, 13-4 M AGUIRE NORTH: WHERE THE GRASS WASN ' T GREEN ER, A N D MUCH WETTER

J.V. Saturday Games

Boys’ Soccer (2-0) beats Salisbury, 1-0

Girls’ Soccer (1-0-1) ties Exeter, 0-0 Photos by Nina Hashmi/The Choate News The School chose to replace sod with artificial turf because of consistent and severe flooding.

By Rachel Pittman ’22 issue by installing a turf feld on The process to install the feld was, Soccer, although JV teams may Girls’ Varsity Soccer co-cap- Thirds Saturday Games Copy Editor Maguire North. according to Mr. Roney Eford, Di- play on it when scheduling al- tain CiCi Curran ’20 said, “I think “A lot of water runof would rector of Athletics, “a process that lows. “There will be cases were it’s made our playing quicker and Until this year, Boys’ and Girls’ go into Gunpowder Creek, the involved many planning stages some of our JV teams might play cleaner. As our coach says, there’s Varsity Soccer played their games Girls’ Varsity [Soccer] feld, and with multiple people. Facilities on there given the weather,” said no excuse for making bad passes or on the grass felds known as Ma- Wilkins, a practice feld by the worked with the project manag- Mr. Dennehy, “but we’re going to having bad touches on such a per- Boys' Soccer (1-1) guire Field North and Gunpowder rin,” said Mr. Pat Dennehy, As- er on site, daily, to complete each have that as a campus feld, just fect surface. It’s helped us clean up beats Salisbury, 2-0 Creek Field. Last year, as well as in sociate Director of Athletics. “So, stage of the project.” for Choate.” (Teams otherwise our play even more, and I think it’s previous years, players and coach- we saw an increase in moisture, Mr. Eford added, “It was excit- unconnected to the School often helped with confdence.” es were constantly battling the du- and we spent [a lot of time] mov- ing to see how the turf went from use its other athletic facilities.) Boys’ Varsity Soccer co-captain rability of their own feld, and each ing felds for practices, canceling piles of dirt to a fnished project in Perhaps unsurprisingly, mem- Sam Curtis ’20 agreed. “I think time it rained, the feld fooded and practices, shifting games, cancel- a short time frame.” bers of Girls’ and Boys’ Varsity both the girls and boys team will took a long time to drain. If teams ing some games.” The turf feld includes updat- Soccer fnd the feld much nicer play a faster, cleaner game,” he tried to play through the rain, their While the Administration has ed drainage systems that allow than their previous ones. Most said. “That’s what the turf allows cleats tore up the muddy ground. contemplated building a new turf water to drain much more quickly agree that the turf emulates grass for — quicker, smoother play.” When the feld dried again, it was feld for some years, last year’s than from a traditional grass feld. well, helping make the transition Girls' Volleyball (1-0) bumpy and uneven. Over the sum- particularly rainy fall made the The new feld will be restricted to between the two surfaces easier for Rachel Pittman may be reached beats Greenwich, 3-1 mer, the School addressed this project feel more urgent than ever. use by Girls’ and Boys’ Varsity the teams. at [email protected]