A Public Forum for News, Opinion, and Creative Thought of The Governor’s Academy

MARCH 6, 2008 VOLUME 49, ISSUE 8

IN THIS ISSUE: A Peak Through the Glass about every article in the JW: “Difficult” is an under- OP/ED by Lindsay Mackay ‘10 Artifical Sugar 2 paper and it looked sort of statement. It was excruciating, Leave No Room for Hatred 2 funny to have my name on but it was also incredibly Jeanette Walls, author of the Letters to the Editor 2-3 top of them all. cathartic. And yes, I was very, Academy’s Common Book for Where Do YOU Stand? 3 very nervous. I wanted to 2008, The Glass Castle, will visit G: What inspired you to throw the manuscript away campus on April 10, 2008. Ms. NEWS write The Glass Castle? What like I’d done very other time Walls’ New York Times Best- Beyond Byfield 4 prompted you to turn from that I tried to write it. A few Selling novel is a fiction-gone- Harvard Model Congress 5 fiction to memoir? weeks before I was scheduled Hate Crimes 5 memoir of her troubled childhood to hand it in to my publisher, I Killing to Control Elephants 6 life. During a school-wide convo- JW: I tried to write my told my husband, John, that I cation she will discuss her novel story on several occasions just couldn’t go through with FEATURES and invite students and faculty when I was younger, but it –that we had to give back Geek Beat: Building Babies 7 members to ask questions. The every time, I’d crank out a the advance. “Too late,” he Colclough Interview7Governor was lucky enough to Photo Credit: http://www.ewitulsa.org/ couple of hundred pages then said. “We’ve already spent it.” Creative Writing 8 correspond with her before she throw them away. There were Natural Selection? 8 comes to campus. myself a reporter, however, quite a few reasons that I felt I G: What advice would you Bob Jaffe Interview 9 and never expected to write finally had to do it, the most give teens who aspire to ‘Making History’ 9 The Governor: When did about myself. compelling one was seeing become writers? Remember When... 12 you know that you wanted to G: What was your first Mom on the street that day, German Play 12 be a writer? published work? asking her what I was sup- JW: Write about what you GDA vs. TGA 13 posed to tell people when know. Even if it’s fiction, stick Jeanette Walls: I fell in JW: I wrote tons of articles they asked me about her, and with the situations and the EVIEWS love with journalism while I R having her tell me to “just tell type of people you know. That Movie: Fool’s Gold 7 was in high school, writing for for the school newspaper, the the truth.” way it rings true to the read- Restaraunt: Agave 9 the student newspaper. I first when I was about thir- ers. And write about things thought, “Wow, maybe I could teen. I churned out stories on G: So it was difficult to that you care about, not what Sports actually get paid for this and everything: sports, news, edi- Bryce’s Banter 10 write the tale? Were you nerv- you think other people will make a living doing what I torials. I actually removed the Lady Govs Prosper 11 ous about publishing it? care about. love most.” I considered bylines when I was the editor because I was writing just Continued on Page 3 BACK PAGE Birthdays 14 Angles of Perception 14 PEM Invites Academy Students to Re-Opening “Auspicious Wishes and by PJ Lin ‘09 Natural Beauty in Korean Art.” Walter Silver, a writer The Peabody Essex for the PEM magazine, says Museum (PEM) in Salem, the gallery “explores the use MA, will offcially reopen its of symbols and natural mate- Korean Art Gallery tonight, rials in Korean aesthetic tradi- March 6, 2008. The PEM invit- tion…PEM’s Korean collec- ed the 14 Korean students of tion, more than a century old, the Academy and Headmaster was the first of its kind in the Marty Doggett to join in the United States and has grown celebration of Korean culture to become one of the most and the reopening of the Photo Courtesy of the Peabody Essex Museum The Korean Art Gallery dedicated to Yu Kil-Chun important in the country.” The gallery. The gallery is dedicat- exhibition also features many ed to Yu Kil-Chun (1856- works from the 17th century 1914), a Korean diplomat, in Korea, Yu returned home acquisitions of the Korean art up to the present, many of scholar, and former student at where he eventually became collections of the Joseon which are on view for the first The Governor’s Academy one of the first “modern” Dynasty (18th century-19th time. This exhibition was who developed a close rela- Korean intellects to be influ- century), which Korean schol- made possible in part by a tionship in the mid-1880s with enced by social Darwinism, a ars deem to be “…best of its grant from the Korean the director of what is now the concept which swept both the kind in the United States.” Foundation of the P.E.M, and PEM. conservative capitalist soci- The panel of collections is also with support from Chosun Yu Kil-Chun came to the eties of the United States and currently the only foreign col- Ilbo news corporation and Yu United States in 1883 with a Korea in the 1800s. Yu contin- lection to be exhibited at the Byung-Duk, grandson of Yu group of intellectuals sent to This issue of The ued to work closely with National Museum in Seoul, Kil-Chun. The National Folk investigate technological Governor is printed on Edward Sylvester Morse, Korea. Museum of Korea has also advances in the United States. director of the Peabody Essex The dedication of the played a large role in support- 30% recycled paper. He remained in the country to Museum, from 1880-1914. Yu gallery recognizes Yu’s efforts ing and facilitating the PEM’s attend the Academy in hopes assisted Morse in creating a at forging cultural connec- Korean gallery. of improving his English and series of lectures on Korean tions between Korea and the then attending Harvard.

culture and reviewed the first United States. The theme is

Because of a political change Send to: Send

Op/Ed THE GOVERNOR 2

Editorial: Leave No Room for

A Public Forum for News, Opinion, and Creative Thought of The Governor’s Academy Hatred MARCH 6, 2008 VOLUME 49, ISSUE 8 Hatred takes many forms. Throughout history and to Editors-in-chief: Layout and Production Editor: Production Advisor: Sean Andrews ‘08 Will Kavanagh ‘09 Ms. Christle Rawlins-Jackson present date, hate has known no boundaries and has contra- Matt Fisch ‘08 dicted our best ideals and principles. To stop it from grow- Anna Perocchi ‘08 News: Staf f Writers: ing, it must be extinguished immediately. The hate-mail inci- Gabriella Riley ‘09 Anna O’Neal ‘09 Managing Editors: Taylor Angles ‘10 dent that occurred last week at St. Paul’s School in NH could Bryce Johnson ‘09 Features: Jon Bird ‘10 happen at any school. The incident was not unlike the hate- Claire Shin ‘08 Jen Tomich ‘08 Lindsay Grant ‘10 ful text messages and radio broadcasts directed at various Jen Tomich ‘08 Lindsay Mackay ‘10 tribal groups that have taken place in recent months in International Affairs: Jen Migliore ‘10 Photography Editors: Claire Shin ‘08 Annie Quigley ‘10 Kenya. Both the messages at St. Paul’s School and in Kenya Julia Blanter ‘09 Kayla Jenson ‘11 serve the same purpose: to hurt and negatively affect others. Carlota Caicedo ‘09 Editorial Advisor: Aboubacar Okeke-Diagne ‘11 Hate mail is never constructive and only provokes fear, inse- Will Kavanagh ‘09 Ms. Judy Klein Katie Reilly ‘11 curity and hostility among the recipients who may feel a need to retaliate. Nothing good comes of hate messages. The only response must be immediate action to stop the hatred with appropriate punishment for the instigators. Editorial: St. Paul’s immediate response to the hurtful messages left no question as to the intent of the school administration. As soon as it was discovered, the incident was reported to the Artifical Sugar: Is It Really Healthy? police; parents and students were informed of the incident; Millions of Americans try to reduce calorie meals and went back for more food. Why is campus security was increased; and it was made clear that consumption by using artificial sweeteners. this? Animals are wired to anticipate lots of such occurrences would not be tolerated. By taking such Packets of Splenda and Equal are found in calories when they consume something sweet rapid action, St. Paul’s demonstrated that their top concern almost every office, home, and Starbucks as a because, normally, sweet foods are often very was the safety and well-being of its students. To protect the means for a “healthier” person, void of those high in calories. When we don’t receive those privacy of its students, the school administration asked its extra calories that real sugar demands. Sales of calories that are anticipated, our puzzled bod- students and faculty not to discuss the incident with these sugar substitutes are rapidly increasing, ies keep looking for more food. In addition, the reporters. This procedure minimized the publicity the senders of this hate-mail received, thereby diminishing the but are they as healthy as the media makes rats that consumed the artificial sugar did not reward of media exposure. Students instead were advised to them seem? New research proves that the body have the metabolic increase that usually comes discuss their concerns within the confines of the school com- is not easily fooled by artificial sweeteners, and after a meal, so they burned fewer calories. munity. therefore, they are no solution to weight loss, Let’s do that math… A larger appetite with a The Kenyan government would be well-served by fol- perhaps helping to explain why, despite an slower metabolism equals what? Weight gain! lowing procedures similar to those taken by St. Paul’s. In overabundance of low-calorie food and bever- So, does this new discovery mean that we fact, had Kenya taken immediate action to flesh out and severely punish those who propagated the initial hate mes- ages, Americans are heavier than ever. Time should welcome excess sugar back into our sages, the hate mail certainly would have been diminished Magazine reported that, in a series of experi- lives heartily? No. Excess sugar can lead to dia- before its effects escalated into bloodshed and displacement ments at Purdue University, rats were fed a betes and weight gain, but it is important to of so many Kenyans from their homes. Instead, the delay in diet containing either sugar substitutes or real remember that if your body is losing sugar one action by the Kenyan government has exacerbated the prob- sugar. The data that was collected presented a way, it may come back in the form of that extra lem. Radio stations that do nothing to screen hate messages rather alarming discovery: the rats that were helping of pie or ice cream that your body from callers have been allowed to continue to operate. The fed artificially sweetened yogurt over a two- needs, and pretty soon, you could find your- government has made little effort to put a halt to hurtful text messages or to find and prosecute the senders of these mes- week period gained more weight and con- self an extra 20 pounds overweight and totally sages. The government must assume control for the mes- sumed more calories that rats that were fed confused as to how you got this way. sages sent to its citizens. yogurt flavored with glucose, a natural form of -A.P. Although true democracy allows for freedom of speech, it sugar, because the rats that were fed using must never be used as an excuse to spread hatred. Kenya, sugar substitutes were often hungry after like St. Paul’s School, must send a clear message: there must be zero tolerance for hatred. -J.T. Letter to the Editor: A Peak Through the Glass Continued from Page 1 Preconceived Notions About Race G: What advice would you give to teens who live with much – imagine telling your eight-year-old troubled family life? by Mr. Albert deGrasse cousin, “My gosh, you’re getting whiter every day!” In the February 2008 edition of The Gryphon, But our perceptions of ourselves become JW: That everyone faces challenges at one point or one writer suggests that “no one really knows more nuanced and sophisticated – and more another, and those of us who face those difficulties earlier why there exists…the minority table,” and goes complicated – as we enter high school. This is an in life are actually sort of lucky, because it prepares us for on to pose a number of questions about the phe- especially difficult time for gay students: their hardships down the road. nomenon, some of which appear rhetorical. In self awareness requires considering facts that are fact, there are a number of adults and students not only new, but also counter to what they may on the campus who can offer reasons as to why have been told they are supposed to be. G: Do you consider writing to be a form of escape for this table, an example of what we call “affinity Similarly, students of color do what comes natu- you? If so, was it always a form of escape for you? groups,” not only does exist, but also ought to rally: they turn to their peers who are exploring exist. the same questions. Hopefully, their common In her book, Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting experience will help them sort through what JW: For me, writing was the opposite of escapism. It Together in the Cafeteria?, Dr. Beverly Daniel they’ve learned, seen, heard, suspected, etc., and was actually more of a confrontation. It was grappling with Tatum insists that adolescents, particularly those arrive at some positive, affirming conclusions the truth, and with my own past. of color, are increasingly inclined to consider race about who they are. Their conversations may not as they are forming their sense of self, more so be explicitly racial, but the undercurrents often than when they were younger. A child’s self view are. That this interaction takes place in high G: Is there anything else you would like to add? might be tied up in any number of things. “I am school is of little surprise – fifth graders aren’t as three years old!” one may exuberantly claim, racially conscious as older students. That it takes JW: I just hope that everyone feels free to ask any ques- usually around a third birthday, or, “I am four place in the dining hall, too, should be expected tions and not worry about embarrassing or upsetting me. feet tall,” says another who is asked to describe – it is one of those places where you can really him/herself. My son Andres can muster little choose your company, albeit for a short while. Also that you and everyone else should feel free to ditch more than, “Andres the little buddy, Papa the big Your sports team is one unit of a coach’s choos- the “Ms. Walls” and call me simply “Jeannette.” buddy.” Like these other markers of age and size, ing, your classes a function of the schedule, the it is mainly a function of what he learns and dorm based on class hears from others. Race doesn’t factor in very and gender. The din- Continued on Page 3

Op/Ed THE GOVERNOR 3

Letter to the Gryphon: Where Do YOU Stand? Choosing Your Seat by Gabriella Riley ‘09 by Bryce Johnson ‘09

Readers are invited to send their reasons for being “pro” or “con” to [email protected] for I have loved The Gryphon ever since its publication at the inclusion in the next issue. This issue’s topic is Gay Marriage. Gay Marriage is the marriage between two beginning of the year. I openly welcome the views of my fel- low students on certain topics and those which they covered people of the same gender. It is currently legal in Massachusetts but politicians are debating whether there were very interesting to read. As a member of The Governor should be a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. staff, I do have a few limitations on my topics; so to have some controversial topics in a student publication made me even want to join their staff as well. Unfortunately, due to the hec- Pro: Con: tic life of a high school student, I decided that The Governor Denying the right of marriage to some peo- Many religions consider homosexuality a would be enough. ple is a violation of equal rights. Marriage ben- sin and that marriage should only be between I anticipated the arrival of its second issue, which didn’t efits should be available to all couples, such as a man and a woman. Marriage has always arrive until conveniently on Parents Weekend (or maybe not medical decision-making and joint ownership. been between a man and a woman for cen- so conveniently). The appropriateness of the first article, in Homosexuality is an accepted lifestyle with turies and should not be changed. Gay mar- which one of my fellow students made “a request for a room riage would wreak havoc on the traditional proven biological links and does not hurt soci- for kids to have sex on campus that’s convenient and private,” ety or anyone in particular. Leading psycholo- family and respect for the institution of mar- was definitely questionable. I do not want to get too carried gists have agreed that being raised by a gay riage. It could lead to polygamy or marriage to away on this one other than to espouse that belief that sex and couple does not hurt a child’s welfare. an inanimate object. Finally, gay marriage school simply cannot mix. I can agree with the principles of Adoption agencies are more likely to place a encourages the gay lifestyle, which some peo- physical interaction being apart of the every day life of a child with a married family, even if they are ple find offensive. gay, rather than with a single parent. teenager. I also sympathize with many of the couples on cam- Source: pus that suffer through the restrictions on public displays of http://www.balancedpolitics.org/same_sex_ma affection and all the things that come with a relationship here rriages.htm at the Academy. It is clearly not an ideal place to have a rela- tionship when students spend most of the day in the class, which is then followed by afternoon activities and a massive amount of homework. At the end of the day, maybe getting a Preconceived Notions About Race race does not matter. It certainly does to those quick phone conversation is the best that some can do around who seek to know themselves and their cul- here. Students, however, must be realistic in a sense that Continued from Page 2 ture. teachers/dorm parents/faculty aren’t just going to let you ing hall is the venue because it is most con- Additionally, the references to the “easy” venient. route that students of color take by associating engage in sexual relations whenever it’s convenient. It’s just So the overarching question in The with each other are far from appropriate. By fact and for many of you it is not even an issue, but for many Gryphon is well posed and most welcome – attending a school such as TGA, formerly (?) others it is a very big deal. I just know that this was not an the school that does not consider the topic has disenfranchised students are able to exploit its collective head in the sand and does its uncommon opportunities for advancement. article I wanted my parents, or any other parents, to be look- community a disservice by ignoring questions No one can deny the benefits of an education ing at. of race. But there are elements of the article at the Academy and its impact on future The article I truly wish to respond to was written about a that are not so benign and warrant considera- prospects. But to ignore the inherent difficulty tion. in coming to a school of this ilk is to miss the topic that raised a great deal of distress among multiple mem- The implication that “the back left” is an courage that many have shown just by walk- bers of the Governor’s community. I was obviously unaware obstacle to “mov[ing] on” contradicts accepted ing in the door. For those from urban areas, it of the apparent “walls” that are created by whom you sit with secondary school psychology; to deny an indi- may be their first true experience of being in vidual, or group, the opportunity for self-actu- the minority, and more than a few are anxious at the dining hall. According to a particular student (whom I alization is decidedly un-academic, and runs as Parents Weekend approaches. After watch- do not know because The Gryphon does not print the authors’ counter to the mission of the Academy, as I ing their own steps at every turn, they now names of articles…), the infamous minority table and all of its understand it. And it is not only students of have to worry about how their parents will color who benefit from the formation of affini- fare in this Mars-like landscape. White stu- inhibitors have been “self-segregating” themselves incessant- ty groups. White students have a chance to dents may hope their parents don’t do any- ly throughout the “nostalgia” of The Governor’s Academy. As consider their own feelings about the phenom- thing to ruin their cred, but at least there is the a white day student, who eats at least two meals at school, enon; that “some wouldn’t dare sit there” sug- chance that they will go unnoticed on the cam- gests the need for “some” to come to terms pus. There is nothing “passive” about the sometimes three, and 80 percent of those meals being at this with their own reactions to racism, or discuss minority experience at a boarding school such table, I was extremely frustrated by the contents of this article. feelings of shame or guilt. No one can deny as this, though I doubt that any at the back-left Not all minorities sit at this table, and to refer to this table as that white supremacy has had much to do table are looking for anyone’s “sympathy.” with the evolution of our nation, and that its Moreover, the suggestion that the table exists the “minority table” is simply incorrect. We are the mixing effects are still very much with us. because students of color feel awkward is to pot of friends from all different backgrounds, who wish to We are in fact “miles ahead of where we ignore the poise with which they carry them- simply sit together, as friends, and share a meal together. were years ago,” as the author points out. But selves – when they’re not being silly teens. Edith G. Arrington, Diane M. Hall, and Finally, it seemed strange to have a piece There is no minority table, simply a unique table unlike any Howard C. Stevenson, the authors of an arguing against freedom of assembly followed other that I will refer to as the diversity table exhaustive study, the conclusions of which shortly by one (don’t tase me, bro) champi- In sitting down for lunch today (at the back left table) I sat were published in Independent School oning the freedom of speech guaranteed by Magazine, assert there is a danger in thinking the same constitutional amendment. with a diverse group of friends, who consisted of nine stu- that since we are more alike than different, we Before we ask the students of color to make dents: one English, two African Americans, one Mexican, one should make race less of an issue. To say that (another) “special effort” and “scatter” them- Italian, one French, one Jewish, one Dominican and myself. To there is no need for affinity groups is to dis- selves about the dining hall – and before we count the impact of race in schools. When I try to “break things up,” we should note the my left I saw a group of seven white jocks, all seniors, and all was to become the father of a bi-racial child, I events unfolding at St. Paul’s, where several clearly good friends. Diagonally, a group of girls, half of had to address the lingering “myth of same- black students recently received letters which whom are on the basketball team and the other half those who ness” in my own thinking. It would be utterly allegedly read “Bang Bang…get out of here.” wrong and harmful if I were to perpetuate the No such overt racism has tarnished this cam- cheered them on in their recent win. About two tables for- myth with my child by suggesting his latino pus, but the more covert, unintended mes- ward a good friend of mine was sitting with her group of heritage mattered any less just because I hap- sages of any group’s relative value in this com- Korean friends who are laughing at jokes and speaking in pened to a progressive, open-minded man, or munity compel us to acknowledge that we that he could learn all he needs to know about have farther to go than we realize, and that their native language that they can only speak to each other. it from someone just like me. He must, at some affinity groups are part of the solution, not the Chances are, if I had walked into the other area of the dining point, seek out those who are like him in this problem. hall, I would’ve maybe seen a group of freshman girls con- regard. And so while we should strive for a “society where walls created by skin color do versing about the latest gossip and probably another set of not exist,” as the author justly says, that is far athletic types towards the back. The ironic thing that brings different from saying, quite erroneously, that these groups together is the fact that, Continued on Page 14

News THE GOVERNOR 4

BEYONDLocal and International BYFIELD News

Written and compiled by Jen Tomich ‘08 Sources: New York Times, Reuters and Boston Globe

“Devil Toad” Fossil Uncovered Local Student Hits it Big at Casino

Paleontologists, working in Madagascar, uncovered the fossils Shana Kelley, a student at Bunker Hill Community College in of a bowling-ball- size frog. The amphibian, thought to have Boston, won't have any trouble paying her tuition. The 21- year- lived at the time dinosaurs roamed the earth, had heavy armor, old from Somerville won $3.5 million at the “Wheel of Fortune” weighed 10 pounds and was 16 inches long. It had a wide mouth slot machine at Mohegan Sun Casino on February 17 after put- and powerful jaws and teeth. Scientists have named the frog, ting a total of $100 into the machine. Kelley had played at the Beelzebufo, which comes from Beelzebub, the Greek word for same machine at the Connecticut casino on a previous occasion devil and bufo, Latin for toad. and won $500. But when she won on Sunday, she couldn't The bones seem to indicate that the frog was closely related to normal -sized frogs called Ceratophrys that can be found living believe her eyes. “I asked the guy next to me if it said thousands today in South America. Ceratophyrs, which are popular as pets, or millions and he said, 'Hon, that's millions,” Kelley explained. are also called pacman frogs because of their huge mouths. “And I screamed. I had probably about 20 people around me, Beelzebufo had a similar sized mouth. “This frog, if it has the clapping and screaming.” same habits as its living relatives in South America was quite As for how she plans to spend her winnings, Kelley said she voracious,” claims paleontologist David Krause, who led the dis- would like a baby blue Cadillac Escalade and a house. “I want covery. “It's even conceivable that it could have taken down everything: big windows, a garage, a picket fence, everything,” some hatchling dinosaurs.” she declared. But she has enlisted the help of a financial planner What is confusing to scientists is how Beelzebufo can be relat- and attorney and is careful to point out that, “I want to do the ed to frogs that live half way around the globe. Conventional right thing and save it all and not blow it all.” theory regarding continental drift indicate that what is now Madagascar would have been separated long ago by ocean from South America during the time of Beelzebufo's reign. Krause notes that frogs don't survive for very long in salt water, so he thinks that the discovery of the frog's bones may provide evi- Something's Fishy dence that a land bridge connected the land masses at that time. German scientists launched seventy-two fish into space on February 21 to determine if they could find some answers as to the DVD Saves a Life cause of motion sickness. The cichlids, a fish the size of a thumb- Barry McRoy is still alive and nail, were launched into space for a total of 10 minutes, and their well thanks to a DVD he was carry- behavior was videoed as they ing in his pocket. The Colleton swam around weightlessly in County, South Carolina Fire and small aquariums. “They were Rescue Director was leaving a happy,” observed Professor Waffle House restaurant just as two Reinhard Hilbig, who was in men, fighting over a gun, ran in. charge of the project. “I think they The gun went off and the stray bul- want to have another flight.” Hilbig and his team will study let hit one of the men and shattered the video to see if the fish swam in a window before striking McRoy. circles, which is what they do He did not even realize he had when they experience motion been hit until he noticed a bullet sickness. Because the mechanisms hole in his jacket, the shattered DVD case and a piece of the bul- for motion sickness are the same in humans as they are in fish, it let. “I was saved by a DVD,” he exclaimed. “How lucky can you is hoped that the experiment will help explain why motion sick- ness occurs in some humans but not in others. get?” The DVD, which contained a recording of a TV show about fire extinguishers, was a gift from an employee.

Bigger Burger

Hungry for a burger? A “Big Mac” pales in comparison to the Toilet Seats that Support “Absolutely Ridiculous Burger” created at Mallie's Sports Bar and Grill, a Detroit-area restaurant. The owner believes he has A community theater group in Royal Oak, Michigan has found broken the world record for the “largest hamburger commercial- a creative way to “flush out” money for its latest fundraising ly available.” The 134-pound burger took 12 hours of preparation plans. The group will be putting on a production of “Urinetown: and was served Saturday at Mallie's Sports Bar and Grill. The Musical” next month and the directors and cast thought it Flipping the burger required three men who used two steel would be off-beat and fun to auction off toilet seats as a fundrais- sheets. The burger, which consisted of beef, bacon and cheese, er. “Urinetown: The Musical” features a play where people are was served on a 50-pound bun. forced to pay to use the bathroom. According to The Detroit Free It will take a few weeks to determine if, indeed, Mallie's burg- Press, the toilet seats are intricately decorated and will be auc- er outweighed the previous record-holder, a 123-pound burger tioned March 20 to raise money for Stagecrafters. To top it off, the made last year by Denny's Beer Barrel Pub, of Clearfield, Pa. For toilet seats were given names. Some of these names include: those wishing to order a Mallie's Absolutely Ridiculous Burger, “Bottom of the 9th,” for one with Detroit Tiger stripes, and “Royal it sells for $350 and requires 24 hours' notice. Flush,” for one with playing cards. Development Director Lesley Phillips comments that most of the seats are functional.

News THE GOVERNOR 5

Students Represent Academy at Harvard Model Congress lege: restroom” to even hide out in the bathroom. by Ariel Shapiro ‘09 The debate was before me, often becoming violent as Harvard Model Congress is a simulation of the legisla- argumentative personalities clashed, but still a gen- tive branch, as well as of parts of the executive and judi- uine exchange of legitimate and thoughtful ideas. cial branches of the United States Federal Government. Fast-paced, a combination of persuasion, political Various lobbyists and journalists also participate. maneuvering, ideology, and logistics, the political Students participating in the Congress are assigned the debate of around 50 high school students is fairly role of an actual member of Congress, and must vote on Photo Credit: www.harvardmodelcongress.org similar to those of actual congressmen. It includes bills as their role would. Each member is a part of an actu- Students participating in an activity at HMC plenty of personalities vulnerable to caricature, but al congressional committee and works to write legislation sidering this issue in a manner which is uncompli- the great thing about American democracy is that it on issues pertaining to that committee. Those bills then go mentary to the delegates. Many ask their neighbors is colorful and very much about personal style and on either to the full House or Senate, and if they pass, they if they can motion to remove the speaker. Some individual beliefs. Indeed, it is our right as then move to the other, as they would in the real Congress. express themselves by drawing designs on their vot- Americans to express ourselves in our laws. The Ten o’clock on Thursday night and I am mired in ing placards. Others engage in illicit text-messaging message that night, as I listened to endless back and the third hour of a three-hour debate on cell phone in the back row. A few might be asleep. forth on the issue, is that we must get around the safety, as a member of the House Committee on Still, the democratic process goes on. Does the speeches and figure out what we really want our Transportation and Infrastructure. The representa- federal government have the right to dictate what laws to say. tive known as GA-11 (representing Georgia’s 11th one can or cannot do in one’s private car? Or is the The House Committee on Transportation and congressional district) takes the stand to make his car under federal jurisdiction because it drives on Infrastructure passed a bill prohibiting hand held approximately tenth speech of the evening. There a public road? Would a ban on cell phones be cell phones while driving, by a small margin, with are whispers that he is only a freshman, although his enforceable? Is there enough evidence to prove that all the Republican representatives (myself included) vocabulary and tone of voice are those of a 40-year- cell phones are a significant cause of car accidents? opposing the bill. The bill passed the entire House old. Yet again he voices his opinion that a federal These were the questions on the table and it was and the Senate as well, before being vetoed by the ban on hand held cell phones used while driving is my responsibility to address them. There was no president during the closing ceremonies. That’s ridiculous and unconstitutional. He expresses escape; one had to call for a ‘point of personal privi- democracy. amazement that the federal government is even con-

Hate Crimes Range Across the Globe The St. Paul hate-mail incident mirrors hatred Another message sent to many Kikuyus read, “We by Jen Tomich ‘08 elsewhere in the world most notably, perhaps, with say no more innocent kikuyu blood will be Bigotry reared its ugly head at St. Paul’s School the hate-mail and speeches that have been recently shed…For justice, compile a list of all luos and kale- in Concord, NH on February 19 in the form of hate occurring in Kenya. Since the tribal disputes over os (a derogatory name for the Kalenjin ethnic group) mail. Threatening letters, targeting all of the school’s the December 27 presidential poll, ethnic clashes you know at work, your estate, anywhere in African American students, arrived in several stu- among the Kikayu, Luo, Luhya and Kalenjin tribes Nairobi, plus where and how their children go to dents’ on-campus mailboxes. The letters were sent have caused the deaths of close to 1,000 lives. school. We will give you number to text this info.” through the US Postal Service and were postmarked Another 300,000 people have been displaced from Members of tribal groups have been depicted as from nearby Manchester, NH. Each of the targeted their homes and villages and forced to live in camps. worthless animals by opposing tribes. “When we students received a copy of his own photo from the Many sleep on the bare ground or in old prison begin to dehumanize other Kenyans and depict school’s facebook with the words “bang, bang get buildings and are dependent on government securi- them as animals, it’s easy to take a machete and hack out of here” written underneath. “The faculty, staff, ty to keep them safe. them to death,” said human rights officer of the and I are deeply saddened by this affront to our The hate-messages have come mainly over the state-funded Kenya National Commission on community,” wrote St. Paul’s Rector Bill Matthews radio, through emails, or in cell phone text mes- Human Rights, Linda Ochiel. in a Feb. 20 letter to the school community. “It is an sages. Most people in Kenya have access to a radio, The ethnic hate has hurt Kenya’s exports, most outrage, and while only some were threatened and although both English and Swahili mainstream notably its cut-flower business. Kenyan flowers, directly, we have all been wounded by this. I shared radio has been praised for being fair in their report- which make up a quarter of Europe’s cut-flower with your children this evening that, unfortunately, ing, vernacular radio broadcasts are of utmost con- imports brings in about $220 million to Kenya each there is hatred in our world. Some of that hatred cern. “The call-in shows are the most notorious,” year and is surpassed only by tea exports as the arrived on our doorstep today. I am confident, how- said Caesar Handa, chief executive of Strategic most important foreign exchange earner. Although ever, that the loving and supportive qualities of this Research, the company contracted by the UN most flower farms are owned by foreigners, it is the community are stronger than that hatred, and will Development Programme to monitor the media cov- farms’ multi-ethnic workforce that is creating the prevail.” erage surrounding the recent presidential elections. turmoil. “If security will be offered to us after these Campus security, including a police detail, has “There’s been a lot of hate speech, sometimes thinly particular clashes are over, OK, I will go back to my been stepped up because of the incident. Students veiled. The vernacular radio stations have perfected job. But right now, I can’t,” he remarked. “I could have been encouraged to speak of the situation with the art. You hear cases of ‘Let’s reclaim our land. be killed at any moment.” their teachers and advisors but have been instructed Let’s reclaim our birthright’. Let’s claim our land U.S. Secretary of State Condolezza Rice traveled not to speak to the media about the episode. The means you want to evict people (other ethnic com- to Kenya on February 18 to deliver a message from Concord Police Department is investigating the case munities) from the place.” Many are concerned President Bush asking that violence stop and and is seeking to identify all victims. that when such messages are broadcast over the air- democracy resume. Kanya’s Information Minister Hateful incidents have affected other New waves, they gain legitimacy. “Hate speech is con- Samuel Poghiso stated that a task force would be England high school campuses in recent months. tributing in a big way to get people to take action as established to identify and prosecute those who had Shortly after the start of this school year, a black a result of the anger they have been feeling individ- fueled the ethnic violence. “Unless we deal with the female student from Phillips Exeter Academy in ually,” notes Handa. actual situation, Poghiso said, “the messages will Exeter, NH found a racist comment scraped into her Text messages spreading hate have become com- not stop. Unless neighbor begins to go back to dormitory room door and, the following week, the monplace in Kenya. One, received by 27-year old neighbor and say: ‘I am sorry’ and the other one faces of six black students on a campus poster were Joyce Mandela, read, “If your neighbor is a Kikuyu, says the same, you can’t stop what is going on.” defaced at Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, just kick him or her out of the house. No one is Information for this article was gathered from The Connecticut. going to ask you anything.” Mandela said that she Australian (2/14/08), IPPmedia (1/26/08), BBC News has received four similar messages since Dec, 27. (2/14/08) www.mg.za (2/19/08), and boston.com (3/1/08)

News THE GOVERNOR 6 International News: Killing to Control Elephants

areas.” Furthermore, a national park by Claire Shin ‘08 or private reserve will only be allowed Despite words of protest, the South to cull with the approval of the author- African government finally announced ities and an elephant management on February 25, 2008 that it would specialist so that these new regulations reverse a 1995 ban on killing elephants can be carried out under a strict condi- in order to control their booming pop- tion. Rob Little, conservation director ulation. Thus, tourism boycotts and at WWF in South Africa, welcomed the court action to fight the move have announcement, saying “all available started as well. options must be available to control Nonetheless, Environment Minister the elephant population here and con- Marthinus van Schalkwyk revealed serve the biodiversity of the national his firm decision to carry out this new parks.” regulation. “Culling will only be On the other hand, there are also allowed as a last option and under people who criticize the new policy as very strict conditions,” he said. “Our unnecessary and inhumane. Michele simple reality is that elephant popula- Pickover of Animal Rights Africa said tion density has risen so much in some there was no specific proof that the southern African countries that there Photo Credit: http://www.philcherner.com/ killing of elephants was necessary or is concern about impacts on the land- Two elephants whose lives may be in jeopardy now. effective in controlling its population. scape, the viability of other species In fact, after a total of 14,562 elephants and the livelihoods and safety of peo- were slaughtered in South Africa ple living within elephant ranges.” than 14,500 elephants from 1967 to grass, leaves and twigs, destroying between 1967 and 1994, many ele- said van Schalkwyk. He also 1995, yet its population has increased biodiversity. They, moreover, have phants were traumatized by the announced that “the government is to more than 20,000 from 8,000 since come into conflicts with people as a killings and some even became aggres- prohibiting the capture of wild ele- then as the international pressure led result of the competition for land. sive. Moreover, she also said the latest phants for commercial purposes” in to a ban on killing them. Moreover, if These measures reflect a govern- research proved that elephants have a order to protect them from a fast- unchecked, it will keep increasing to ment’s attempt to manage the needs of sense of self-awareness and cognitive growing industry in elephant-back 34,000 by 2020 because of the absence both elephants and people by killing powers that place them in a special safaris. Furthermore, he said, “the of natural predators of mature animals some of unnecessary elephants category together with great apes, dol- government is drawing up regulations (yet elephant populations in other humanely. This will be effective from phins and humans. “How much like to govern treatment of the country’s countries are, in fact, so low that they May 1 and it states that “killing must us do elephants have to be before 120 captive elephants since his depart- are classed as “vulnerable” worldwide be through quick and humane meth- killing them becomes murder? ment has received numerous com- and trade in ivory has been banned ods and rifle with minimum caliber of Elephants are being treated as com- plaints about cruel training practices since 1989.) Elephants require great 0.375, and used along with other modities by the government and game including the use of electric prodders.” tracts of land to roam in order to get measures such as contraception by managers,” Pickover said. South Africa slaughtered more their daily diet of about 660 pounds of injection and moving elephants to new

KENYA RELIEF! FOR(September RENTthrough May) PERFECT HOME AWAY Help a group of nearly 900 people who FROM HOME are living in a church for protection from the ethnic and political violence! Governor’s Academy family seeks to rent 3 bedroom/2 bath fully furnished Please donate any of these items: and equipped Newburyport condo with blankets, sheets, and sleeping bags private patio/garden. Ten minutes from clothes* and shoes school, near highway and supermarket. (These items should be clean and either new or gently-used) Gas fireplace, washer/dryer, offstreet parking for 2 cars. soap, laundry detergent, shampoo toothbrushes, and toothpaste plastic plates and cups $1850/month includes utilities. Will consider sale. Call Cathy Eaton (617) 943-6112 or email *While any clothes would be greatly appreciated, try to keep in mind that Kenya is right on the equator and has a warm to hot climate year round; [email protected] even at night, it doesn't get much below 60. So, most heavy winter clothing might be too hot. Photo Credit: http://www.blissites.com/

Features THE GOVERNOR 7 Geek Beat: Building a ‘Better’ Baby

crop yields and reduced use of pesticides, which also by Anna O’Neal ‘09 contributes to the improved health of farmers.” In Imagine sitting down with your new husband or short, the GM food is helping. wife, flipping through the pages of a mail order cat- So how does this relate to picking babies out of a alogue and browsing, no, not for furniture or kitchen catalogue? There are ethical questions raised with appliances, but for the face and talents of the child babies from catalogues as well. It may be in the you would like to have. It seems strange and futur- future that more money could buy you a better child, istic, but the thing is, it’s not all that far away. Science and where is the fairness in that? It may also be that is getting close, and has already begun, with huge everyone would end up with similar, attractive fea- efforts like the Human Genome Project and others, tures, narrowing the gene pool considerably, and to isolate the specific spots on the chromosomes for making it very hard to have a healthy child. On the eye color, hair color, intelligence, athleticism and cre- flip side, genetic therapies can pinpoint the places on ativity. So is there a world where you will be able to a chromosome where something might go wrong shop for your baby from a catalogue? Probably not and edit it slightly to allow the babies to be healthy. Unfortunately, if you allowed only the disease erad- any time soon because there are too many ethical Photo Credit: http://nanopedia.case.edu/ questions involved with that particular branch of ication, but not the looks and talent editing, you science. But there are other reasons we may want to newly altered (and harder to kill) weeds. The same might face a world of underground “baby-editors” experiment with genetic engineering. Already genet- sorts of problems occur when scientists think of lying in wait to modify your child to be the star ath- ically modified food or GMF has proved beneficial ways to extend life or meat quality in cattle. What if lete, if you had enough cash on hand. And we don’t to people who don’t get enough nutrition in their the new “super-breed” were to break out of its pen want that either. It is a very fine line between benefit diets because they cannot afford premium quality and run rampaging through the world, destroying and hindrance, and a very scary but very real ques- food. GM rice has been patented and introduced in everything in its path simply because we altered its tion. We can already alter the genes of plants to make some countries where the majority of the population genome to allow it to do so? That would certainly be people healthier and more stable. So how far away is subsists on a purely rice diet. The benefits and the bad. The risks would seem to discourage the use of the alteration of human genes? Not very. We must be risks must be carefully considered, however. such techniques. However, the benefits are already aware of the scientific advances around us every GM food, modified not only to provide better being trumpeted. Carl Pray, an agriculture and eco- day, and weigh carefully the benefits and negative nutrients but also to extend growing periods and be nomics professor at Rutgers University said, “Farm effects. It is also important to keep an eye on politics, resistant to crop failure and many poisons, can seem surveys of randomly selected farm households that especially with the elections coming up next year, scary because of the chance that it may infiltrate are cultivating the insect-resistant GM rice varieties where issues like these are hashed out a lot. Science other populations. Escaping from the farm where it demonstrate that when compared with households is al around us and it is important to watch it as it is controlled, the plant may intermingle with wild cultivating non-GM rice, small and poor farm house- develops. variations and cause an unwanted abundance of holds benefit from adopting GM rice by both higher Movie Review: Colclough Joins Academy ‘Fool’s Gold’ experience in a different country. only has he convinced Mr. Honeycutt by Katie Reilly ‘11 and his daughter, Gemma, to join the hunt, but he has roped Tess back in G: How do you like it so far? Headed to the movie theaters this for yet another adventure. RC: I am enjoying my time here so weekend? If so, you might want to To make the story more interest- check out Fool’s Gold, directed by far... ing, there is an antagonistic character Andy Tennant, who also directed known as Big Bunny from whom Ben Hitch and Sweet Home Alabama. Fool’s has borrowed a great deal of money G: How do you find the classes at Gold is a romantic comedy with in order to fund his hunt. After being TGA in comparison to the ones in enough adventure thrown in to make unable to pay back him back, Ben England? a winning combination. Photo Credit: facebook.com finds himself not only searching for The movie revolves around Ben Rob Colclough, Incognito RC: Mr Nelson quizzes us once to treasure, but running for his life. and Tess Finnegan. Tess, played by often.. If the plot line does not interest Kate Hudson, is working on a yacht you, the scenery certainly will. Fool’s owned by billionaire Nigel Honeycutt, Staff Report Gold, which was filmed in Queensland, G: What do you miss most about played by Donald Sutherland. Ben, Australia, is filled with breathtaking England? played by Matthew McConaughey, For the past eight years, The views of crystal clear waters and has no “real” job other than to search RC: The drinking age over here is white, sandy beaches. Governor’s Academy has hosted an for an ancient treasure that was lost slightly steep. Fool’s Gold will leave you enter- over 300 years ago when ships carry- English exchange student for the last tained throughout its run time of 95 ing treasure from Spanish royalty minutes. Kate Hudson and Matthew semester of his/her senior year. The G: Interesting Fact about yourself?? sailed into a hurricane and were McConaughey also co-starred in the RC: I'm miserable at Call of Duty 4. never found again. Governor posed a few questions to this 2003 hit movie How to Lose A Guy in The movie begins with both Ben Ten Days. The duo was successful year’s new student, Rob Colclough. and Tess arriving in Key West for one then in creating chemistry on screen What Rob didn’t tell us is that he plays purpose: their divorce. Once the ,and they have done it once again. Governor: Where in England are a mean saxophone, went to a boarding divorce is taken care of, Tess climbs back on the yacht and prepares to you from? school back in England, plans to visit New leave for a new destination free of Rob Colclough: I live in the middle Orleans to help rebuild the city and enjoys Ben and the careless lifestyle he OUT 8OF GOVS 10 of Cambridge in England. snowboarding. upholds. Through a series of comical events, Ben ends up on the yacht G: Why did you decide to come to right alongside her. Before long, he America? has shared the story of the ancient treasure with Mr. Honeycutt and not RC: For a different educational

Features THE GOVERNOR 8

‘Come Fly with Me’

by Sean Andrews ‘08 peller aircraft pulled up, I was more tor directed me to sit on the ledge of than a bit astonished. There was one the door and dangle my feet out the “I jumped out of an airplane from seat for the pilot and a tiny amount of plane. He then secured me tightly to 14,000 feet today,” was the way I space on the floor for a few other peo- his chest, his dead weight on my back began an e-mail to my mom one day ple to squeeze in, with all our skydiv- giving me a gentle push from behind. last July. I was writing from an inter- ing gear strapped to our backs. We rolled out and began barreling net café at a small hotel in Nadi, one of My apprehension gradually faded toward the ground. The pit in my the largest towns in Fiji. I was a tad Photo taken by Sean Andrews before jumping out of the plane as the plane made its climb. I kept stomach lasted for about two or three reluctant to tell my worrying mother reminding myself of all the ordinary seconds, and then it was gone. I began that, 8,000 miles away from home, the introduced to the man who would be things that I do on a regular basis, to feel like I was floating. The wind rush of adrenaline that I experienced my instructor for the day. “This is my such as driving, that have much tore at my face, pulling the skin back while skydiving was one of the high- first time taking someone else with greater odds of being fatal than sky- and evaporating all the moisture from lights of my trip to Fiji and Australia. me,” he said. “But I read the manual diving. The view of Fiji from overhead my mouth. I spread my arms and legs The day began with a 6:00 a.m. last night, and I think I understand was breathtaking and surreal, as if it and locked my head in place. I may or wakeup. As I finished my breakfast how it works.” Too anxious to detect was waiting to be photographed for may not have been screaming, but and loaded my stuff into the van, the sarcasm, my heart dropped as I the next issue of Condé Nast Traveler. regardless, the wind was too powerful countless questions consumed my struggled to accept the fact that I was After 20 minutes or so, the pilot lev- to hear anything, especially from the thoughts: What if the parachute does- about to embark on one of the most eled off at 14,000 feet. Shortly, he vocal chords of a human. The free fall n't open?...Will being strapped to daring ventures of my life with a first- began the countdown. “Three miles!” supposedly lasted for 60 seconds, but some guy's chest be kind of awk- time instructor. I couldn't think of he shouted. Next came the two-mile up in the air I had truly become obliv- ward?...Am I going to feel the pit in how to respond to a statement like warning, and then the one-mile. ious to the passage of time. At last, my my stomach the whole way that. That's when he chimed in and When he said “One-half mile!” the instructor pulled the string to deploy down?...What if a buckle comes loose said, “Just kidding. I've been an door swung open, and I felt the cold the parachute. I still don't know and I slip out? instructor for 30 years.” air rush into the cabin. I peered out the whether his struggle to open it for a While I continued to ponder these This put me at ease as we boarded door to get a look at the scenery few seconds was reality or simply a questions, I kept telling myself not to the aircraft. I had pictured a jumbo jet below. There were a few scattered figment of my imagination. When he be nervous. When I arrived at the air- with a huge sliding door, just like in clouds, but I could clearly see the did manage to fully open it, he said, port, I was fitted for a jumpsuit and the movies. When a small single-pro- ground 14,000 feet down. My instruc- “Welcome to my office, Sean.”

Creative Writing: Natural Selection? Out There

ing bodies, identical and shadowy, to lided with a cliff, meeting an awful end. by Annie Quigley ‘10 by Kayla Jenson ‘11 your own place behind the refuge of As a result, he left a crater in the cliff the towering black wing. Dark, The red light glows from some- “The inferior (disadvantaged) mem- approximately three feet deep. Talk where vague. You pace: back and everything seems larger than life: the bers of the same species would gradu- about taking risks. forth, back and forth. Peering at the curtains that reach upwards so you ribbon of light beneath the heavy vel- can’t see the top, the floor that ally die out, leaving only the superior Finally, in 2005 Molly and her hus- vet curtain, you wonder how many spreads out like an endless sea of (advantaged) members of the species.” band Todd were staying at a motel potential; unknown and terrifying are behind that wall of velvet, how Everyone has heard Darwin’s Theory when Molly walked right onto the open many are out there. Someone taps and exhilarating. of Evolution, but here is a new twist. roofed porch and called to her hus- you on the shoul- A hush comes der, hugs you, over whatever is It’s called the Darwin Awards, an honor band, “Watch to see what I can still do.” whispers a good out there as, with a given each year to someone who helps Intending to show off the gymnastics luck and contin- rush, that wall of the human species by inadvertently skills she honed in childhood, she ran ues on in her own velvet disappears eliminating him or herself from the to the railing to do a handstand and little jittery, happy and everything is world. These comic awards are given world. out in the open. sadly flew over the other side crashing Glancing The hush is broken every year to someone who has into the patio nearly 15 feet under her. around, you feel by deafening yells, achieved the most ridiculous way to These odd awards are truly a muddled mix of distant and take his life. “stranger than fiction”; one couldn’t in strange. It’s as if names and calls, In 2001, one of the awards went to a his wildest dreams think any of this up. you’re far away http://www.cesp.org.uk/Curtain.jpg indistinguishable from everything, and inexhaustible. 19-year old student in Quebec who, All of these short stories serve as a but also right there in that moment, Suddenly, a fresh wave of nerves hits, while trying to shake a soda can from a reminder that reality can be more coupled with a giddy excitement and feeling every twinge, every move- vending machine, caused the appliance ridiculous than what we could ever ment, every wave of nerves. the terrible feeling that downing two to fall on himself and squeeze him to dream. Somehow you can’t hear anything bottles of water was really a very bad over the loud pounding in your chest. idea. death. Another hysterical award was You worry that you won’t be able to Then, hurriedly and quietly, given to a former member of the Air Go to: http://DarwinAwards.com/dar- hear the music, you’ll be on the someone behind you whispers “This Force living in Arizona who attached a win/darwin2005-10.html for more absurd wrong count, it’ll mess everything is it. This is what we live for.” Jet Assisted Take-Off (JETO), usually stories to think about. up… someone tells you to take deep Suddenly, you burst through some used to give large military airplanes an breaths. wall of revelation and into the bubble http://www.darwins-theory-of-evolu- Suddenly the lights are out and a of hot, bright, open space… extra boost at take off, to his 1967 tion.com/ hurried call of “places” spreads its ...and you realize that it is. Chevy Impala. In the end, he was going way around the stage, like a conta- between 250 and 300 mph and after gious cough or a rumor or a warning. being airborne for several seconds, col- You find yourself moving past rush-

Features THE GOVERNOR 9

‘Making History’ Alum Speaks Out for Hungry

who struggle daily against hunger. Now, by Lindsey Grant ‘10 Mr. Jaffe is performing in a one-person show portraying clients of a food bank to make people more sensitive to the issue of hunger in our country and world. The Governor was able to interview Mr. Jaffe about his work and his life.

The Governor: What is your rela- tionship with the Rhode Island Food Bank? Bob Jaffe: I was a Board member at the Rhode Island Community Food Bank for eight years (1990-1998) and Photo Credit: http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2006/330/935724_20061127_screen003.jpg A screenshot from ’Making History: The Calm & The Storm’ Photo Courtesy of Mr. Jaffe was Vice President of the Board for much of that time. playing the game in order to give feed- Mr. Bob Jaffe, Governor Dummer by Aboubacar Okeke-Diagne ‘11 back to the company. Class of 1970, spoke to the senior class on G: What do you think it is impor- The venture is a new teaching Muzzy Lane, a company in March 4 about his experiences as an advo- tant for students at the Academy to opportunity for Mr. Werner, but explor- Newburyport, recently e – mailed cate for services for the hungry and poor. know about the issues of homeless- ing new opportunities is nothing new to History Department Chair Mr. Peter After graduating from GDA, Mr. Jaffe ness and hunger? the Academy teacher. After graduating Werner to ask if the school wanted to majored in drama at Brandeis University from Groton, Mr. Werner went to Yale BJ: Hunger is not always related to buy their new video game, “Making and became a professional stage manager where he majored in Economics and homelessness. That is a common and History: The Calm and the Storm.” Mr. in New York for many years. He returned took a lot of Religious Studies courses. unfortunate misconception. Many of Werner told the company representa- to Massachusetts to run his family’s busi- Afterwards, he worked on Wall Street the people who are hungry are work- tive that the Academy is not able to fit ness; later, he became an arts consultant, from 1981 – 92. He traded Fixed Income ing people who can’t make ends meet. this game into its classes, but he asked if before returning to the theater as an actor. securities including bonds. Knowing One of the reasons that we called the there was another possibility. Could he Mr. Jaffe has been very involved in the from his personal experience that play But for the Grace... was to convey work out a deal with this relatively new Rhode Island Food Bank helping people boarding schools were a good environ- Continued on Page 13 company to have students become ment for him, Mr. Werner went to work interns for the company and give feed- at Williston Northampton School. Then back that can be used to improve the he went to graduate school at Wesleyan game? The answer was “yes.” University before coming to The Restaurant Review: The prospect has captured the inter- Governor’s Academy. Mr. Werner cur- est of many students, including some rently teaches comparative religion and with very little gaming experience. economics. At the Academy, he also has More than 20 students, from all grade Agave taught Freshmen History, U.S. History, levels, have attended the initial and American Society, a course about meetings. “This internship program is by Gabriella Riley ‘09 the struggle toward equality for African very rich; it lets kids learn about the Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, diplomatic, military, and economic his- gays, lesbians and women. tory of WWII, product development, marketing, and filmmaking, while playing a game,” says Mr. Werner. The students are currently

http://static.flickr.com/93/255852104_44618d5559.jpg Dear Advisors...

When looking for good Mexican food, the place to be is Agavé, a Mexican Dear Advisors, My friend seems to be quite "down-in-the-dumps" lately. What is the best way bistro in Newburyport. Known for its eclectic charm and delicious chips, Agavé to distinguish between just a sad feeling and true depression? -Worried is a favorite of many Governor’s Academy students. With three floors of dining, Dear Worried, Agavé always offers something new. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the Part of life is feeling "down" at times. This is an important thing to under- chefs become creative and prepare imaginative specials. For the less adventur- stand about life and we all need to find ways to cope with those moments or days in our lives that challenge our moods. Everybody has moods and ous, Agavé offers both Tex-Mex food and the more traditional Mexican. For din- some people are more impacted by them than others. If your friend seems sad or withdrawn the first thing to do is to ask him/her what is happening ner, Agavé offers, among other things, carne asada plato, which is grilled steak in his/her life that causes these feelings and find out if there is anything you can do to help or be supportive. Sometimes having a trustworthy friend to with beans, rice and flour tortillas. There are also enchiladas, carnitas, the clas- talk to is very helpful and can cause a person's mood to change or shift. If sic burrito, tacos and fajitas. A typical chef special is the mariscos del caribe, your friend expresses concern about his/her mood, it is important to guide her/him toward a professional who can help identify the signs and symp- which consists of lime glazed blackened shrimp, scallops, peppers and onions, toms of depression and make the proper referral for help. True depression is a serious illness that affects many people and there are specific ways to diag- served on a bed of coconut rice and mushrooms, topped with a honey-lime nose it. It is important to talk with someone about your mood if it lasts for more than two weeks at a time and brings up feelings that worry you or glaze and dressed with a unique homemade mango salsa. Sounds delicioso! your friends. So while we all get "depressed" at times, it is wise to know the difference between a specific mood and a serious depression. It may be important to talk with someone at home about your concerns. You can also talk with a Peer Advisor or contact Ms. Ruhl in the Counseling Office. There Price Range: $12-25 is always help available and hopefully people will feel comfortable asking Hours: Daily 11:30 am to 10:00 pm for what they need.

Sports THE GOVERNOR 10

Hot Topics Around the NBA

these teams are going, a 48 Krazy Kobe Bryant Resilient Rockets win team may possibly be on Did anyone hear that Kobe Losing a player due to the outside looking in on the Bryant had an avulsion in the injury can be a setback for any playoff picture. At the same pinky finger of his shooting team in the NBA, but losing time, a team in the Eastern hand a couple weeks ago? It a 7'6” Center with double- Conference with a win total in has become very clear that double caliber play day in and the high 30's may also make it everyone heard about that day out can cripple a team. into the playoffs because of except Kobe Bryant himself. Yao Ming has been a super- the far inferior play in com- Instead of opting for surgery star ever since entering the www.alley-hoops.net parison to the West. All the and possibly missing the rest NBA in 2002 and also the fran- East has been doing is helping of the regular season, Bryant chise player of the Houston the West anyways. The bril- taped up the finger in hopes Rockets. He, along with The Wonderful West liant trade of Pau Gasol to the to lead his excelling Lakers guard Tracy McGrady, have The story of the year has Lakers resulted in a frenzy of team into the playoffs. His been the leaders of a Rockets clearly been the outstanding, questionable acquisitions for play has shown no flaws, and team that always seems to www.fans.blazers.com competitive play of the teams who simply wanted to each emphatic dunk that he sneak into the playoff or bare- do something for the sake of lays down is a reassurance to ly miss them all together. This Western Conference. The Baffling Brandon Roy doing it. The competitive all those who questioned him, year, a more competitive West is by far the cream of the The play of sophomore nature of this conference is that he is all right. He is Western Conference meant crop when it comes to the guard Brandon Roy never very clear throughout every meshing well with his new better play was needed from NBA right now, and never in ceases to amaze his fans and single game and at this stage teammate Pau Gasol, and the these two stars. Houston has the history of basketball has viewers. Last year's “Rookie of the season, anything can return of Andrew Bynum will moved around the playoff there been this type of confer- of the Year” has literally put happen. Every game counts, certainly be an upgrade to a picture throughout the year, ence dominance. There are the Portland Trailblazers on and hopefully, for the sake of team that is already at the top but has always remained in it nine teams in the west that are his back and led them out of David Stern and all the fans of of the Western Conference due to the stellar performance separated by a mere five the depths of the Western the East, maybe some of those standings. If he continues of the Rockets team. Then, games and at the pace that Conference (that is now occu- teams will start to drop off. playing the way he has, he is the Rockets received a big pied by Minnesota and bound to be the favorite for blow when Yao shut down for Seattle). With first round the leagues most valuable the season due to a stress frac- draft choice, Greg Oden, out player award. The thing ture in his left foot. Amongst AP NCAA Men’s for the season due to a knee that's more shocking than his a 12-game winning streak at injury, things were certainly performance, however, is the the time and prime to make Basketball Top 25 not optimistic for Trailblazer fact that in his 11-year career, the playoffs, the morale of the 1. Tennessee (26-3) fans. Roy changed all this for he has never won the award. Rockets franchise, players, the better and has now 2. Memphis (28-1) and fans suddenly became become one of the more excit- 3. North Carolina (27-2) much less confident. The ing players to watch in the Rockets, however, have perse- 4. UCLA (26-3) NBA. He plays excellent vered through and have con- defense, puts up stats in near- 5. Texas (24-5) tinued to win. Their win last ly every category, and makes 6. Kansas (26-3) Friday over the Memphis everyone on his young team Grizzlies gave them an NBA 7. Duke (25-3) better. His team, probably, season high 14-game win will miss the playoffs this sea- 8. Stanford (24-4) streak and the team appear to son due the excellent Western 9. Xavier (25-4) be unshaken by this loss. conference, but with a healthy Only time and record will tell 10. Wisconsin (24-4) Greg Oden and a 2008 lottery whether this resilient Rockets pick on the way, the 2008-09 11. Georgetown (24-4) team will be able to overcome season is looking pretty good. 12. Indiana (24-5) an injury that may keep them 13. Louisville (24-6) out of the playoffs again. www.si.com 14. Butler (27-3) 15. Connecticut (23-6) 16. Purdue (23-6) 17. Notre Dame (22-6) 18. Vanderbilt (24-5) Mid-Season NBA Awards MVP: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers 19. Michigan State (23-6) Coach of the Year: Byron Scott, New Orleans Hornets 20. Drake (25-4) Rookie of the Year: Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks 21. Marquette (21-7) Sixth Man*: Manu Ginobli, San Antonio Spurs 22. Washington State (22-7) Surprise Team: New Orleans Hornets 23. Kent State (23-6) Biggest Disappointment: Chicago Bulls Luckiest Player Alive: Keith Van Horn, New Jersey Nets 24. Gonzaga (23-6) NBA Finals: TBD** 25. Saint Mary’s (24-5) *Ratings according to the rankings of the *More like best sixth man in the history of the NBA. Wow. Associated Press of Monday Mar. 3, 2008 **At this point, predicting the results of the NBA Finals is way too daunting of a task.

Sports THE GOVERNOR 11

Lady Govs Prosper in Playoff Season

Girls Basketball Finishes Strongly their first NEPSAC playoff game. The Academy’s girls basketball by Abby Wallman ‘10 On Wednesday, February 27, program has a long tradition of in front of a large crowd at home, success, previously winning con- The Governor's Academy the Governors played a great secutive Class B New England girls varsity basketball team has game on both the offensive and Championships in 2001 and had a memorable season, to say defensive end to take a victory 2002, and completing an unde- the least. Starting off the ISL sea- over Portsmouth Abbey 55-40. feated season in the ISL. son with a win against This advanced them to the semi- Winter season at The Middlesex, and continuing on to finals against Rivers, once again Governor’s Academy can be win the next eight games, includ- at home. The Governors previ- long and drawn out but the girls ing a tournament championship ously beat Rivers earlier in the have worked hard and progres- at Kingswood Oxford over the season 48-31. One of the most sively improved, while having holiday break, the Govs were the notable aspects of the Governors’ fun and learning to work as a team to beat. Their first loss came victory over Rivers included team more and more everyday. Photos by Ms. Finch with a hard fought battle against holding their top-scorer Littman- The Govs carry seven seniors, Worcester Academy, who final- Quinn well below her game three juniors, three sophomores, ized their season seeded number average in points and assists. and one freshman. Having pri- two in Class A. They lost again to After beating Rivers in the semi- marily upperclassmen, the Govs New Hampton School, won finals, the Lady Govs traveled to are a veteran team who have against Phillips Exeter Academy, Nobles for the New England been in similar championship sit- and lost again to St. George's Championship, which they lost uations before. The team works School by a devastating two to Suffield Academy. together, relying on everyone to points. They won their next four The Independent School pull down rebounds, box out, games and ended their season League, better known as the ISL, and score in the clutch. with two losses against Noble & is an extremely competitive Basketball is a sport where team- Greenough and Kimball Union league. Class B, where the work and dedication are Academy, both close games. The Governors find themselves, absolutely necessary, and no team ended their season with a includes school such as Rivers, matter the outcome of their sea- 10-2 record in the ISL and a 14-5 Cushing, Groton, Pomfret, son, the Govs have definitely overall record. Seeded number Lawrence and Suffield. During shown that this year. two going into the New the season, the team beat schools Englands, the Governors had a like Groton, Buckingham, promising outlook ahead to play Browne & Nichols, Milton, St. Portsmouth Abbey at home in Mark's, and Lawrence Academy.

Congratulations Volleyball for Placing

Forward Alex Carpenter #19 Forward Kate Leary #2 2nd in the NEPSAC Tournament! Congratulations Girls Hockey! The team beat Middlesex 3 to 2 in double overtime on Sunday March 2. Freshman Alex Carpenter was named Most Valuable Player. Freshman Kate Leary scored the winning goal in sudden death overtime.

Photos Courtesy of David Bryson, P’08

Mary Morrissey ‘10 Goalie Jillian Conway #30 Captain Abbey Karin #16 and team cele- brate first goal in the semis against Groton

Features THE GOVERNOR 12

Remember When...

by Jen Migliore ‘10 G: What do you miss most about the “old days?” The Governor’s Academy, a school L: Definitely the FRENCH FRIES. which prides itself on tradition, and being They were delicious! And for away “the oldest boarding school in America,” is games we got Hood Ice Teas that were under constant pressure to revitalize itself unbelievable! But other than that I each and every day. But has our school don’t really miss much. I enjoyed my really changed over the past decades, or are time while I was there, but I don’t miss we still the same school? The Governor got it that much that I want to relive it. It the chance to sit down with two people was good while it lasted. who know this school inside and out to dis- cuss the differences in the atmosphere on G: So, do you feel the dining hall campus today from when they were here in back then was better? the past: Raymond Long ‘96, a die-hard L: That’s a tough one. We used to math teacher, and JV girls basketball and have ego waffles for breakfast but now football coach and Shawn T. Markey ’93, we have much better bagels, but I assistant to the dean of students, college think I’d give the dining hall back then counselor, and football and baseball coach. a slight edge. Governor: What were the big Photo by Julia Blanter ‘09 G: Who was your favorite teacher? issues both on and off campus that Mr. Markey and Mr. Long relive the good ol’ days. L: Doctor Bradley. were important at the time? Mr. Markey: I would have to say G: What do you miss most about G: Did you think that you would G: Do you think that students are the Gulf War, the initial one. the “old days?” come back to TGA [to teach]? M: Simpler weekends. Every M: No, I didn’t think I would come smarter now? L: Okay, I’m going to give you the G: Where there any major differ- weekend the three boys’ dorms, back, but I’m glad I did. real answer. I think that students now ences in policies, such as dress code? Ingham, Perkins, Eames, would have are as smart but I also think the stu- M: Well, attendance is much inter-dorm competitions. We would G: Have you noticed any major dif- dents nowadays are lazier than when I stricter now. We have the technology get together to play “pick-up” games, ferences concerning policies from was here. I feel that students nowa- to keep track of where students are. like football, baseball, basketball. when you were her and now? days expect to be spoon-fed the Back in the day there was a lot of hand During the week we would even Mr. Long: No, everything is pretty answer, when back then we worked written notes that usually got lost. The design our plays that we would use much the same. The dress code is the for our answers. dress code is pretty much the same. for the “Mud-Bowl.” Now, you kids same, just maybe a little tweak here Not much has changed, just little have so many different things to do – and there but nothing major. G: Do you think it is an advantage things that weren’t an issue when I you can see a comedian or go to the to teach at the school you went to? was here, like internet and computer student center or Mansion House, and G: What where the most popular L: Yes, definitely! Because I know a policies. you can even take trips into sports when you were here? lot of the excuses that students use for Newburyport and Boston. L: Pretty much the same except not doing their homework, not going G: What were the most popular when I was here, we were really good to class, etc. and I know which ones sports? G: Do you think there is a better at Boy’s Soccer and the Basketball are real and which ones are not, M: Pretty much the same as they caliber of students now? team made New Englands. I guess because my friends and I probably are now; football, lacrosse, and hockey. M: Yes, most definitely. There is a hockey, lax, and football were pretty used them once in our career at GDA. much higher caliber of student that popular as well. I don’t think as many G: Did you play baseball for the comes here nowadays. It amazes me people played lacrosse, but we were G: Did you think that you would academy? how smart you kids are. Back in the still really good. come back? M: Yes, I did. I had a lot of fun day, GDA was more of a second L: Yes, I hoped to come back! I am especially since Mr. Moonves was my chance school. There was a good G: What sports did you play dur- living the dream that I always wished coach. amount of students that were not ing your career at the Academy? asked back every year; the turnover L: Freshman year, I played 3rd boys for! G: Who was your favorite teacher, was much higher. Now rarely anyone soccer, and then I played varsity foot- that currently teaches here now? gets asked not to come back - maybe ball for the rest of my years here. I also M: If I had to pick, I’d say Mr. only one or two people. played varsity basketball, and varsity Karin. track.

German Classes Practice ‘Magic’ Soup’s On by Jon Bird ‘10 by Zoe Mackay ‘11

German teacher John Seufert selects a play every year for competition in the German Play Festival held at Mount Holyoke College Theater Festival in April. The school has participated in the festival for about 20 years. “It's a won- derful way to finish up the year,” says Mr. Seufert. ”It's a new language experi- ence and the kids really enjoy it. Most years we usually choose a German fairy tale. But this year, the kids wanted to try something different." They chose Harry Potter: The Sorcerer's Stone. The Accelerated Third/Fourth year students have written a script including several scenes from the German movie version Harry Potter: Der Stein der Weisen . Photo Courtesy of the Art Department

The cast: (students from German 3/4 Accelerated, seniors from German 3 The Governor’s Academy annual Soup’s On charity event raised $3,400 over and 4/5 German and the school's German exchange student) Parents Weekend in February. The hard work and dedication that went into this project was reflected in the results. Three hundred of the 340 bowls and mugs Aunt Petunia: Gabby Bissell; Uncle Vernon: Christian Watson; Cousin that were made were sold. “The event went very well and very smoothly,” said Dudley: Corey Lyons; Harry Potter: Kerk Soursourian; Ron Weasley: George ceramics teacher Mrs. Irina Okula. Credit should be given to Hunter Archibald Dorsey; Hagrid: Zach Burke; Hermione: Molly Connors; Drako Malfoy: Mike and Betsy Warren who chaired the event, as well as Eric Dunstan and Dan Arrigo; Harry's Mother: Nina Wiesheu; Harry's Father: Tim Gwynne; Voldemort: Spillane who shadowed them. For the second year in a row two large bowls, Colin Doggett; Spirit narrator: Nina Wiesheu; Dumbledore: Caroline Cushman; one signed by the junior class and one by the senior class, were created and then Professor Snape: Hunter Archibald; Progessor McGonagle: Decia Splaine; and raffled off. The winner has yet to be announced. The proceeds from Soup’s On Professor Quirrell: Peter Leary . will go to the Cape Ann Food Pantry.

Features THE GOVERNOR 13

Vast Majority Chooses Old Name for Diplomas

Class of 2007 Class of 2008

Staff Report

When the class of 2008 graduates from the the name, have the option of having GDA on their Academy in late May this year, nearly the entire diploma instead of GDA. class will be holding diplomas with the name This is the second year that seniors have had to Governor Dummer Academy instead of The choose which of the two school names they want Governor’s Academy. on their diplomas in the spring. A supermajority of The Board of Trustees voted to change the the class of 2007 opted to have “Dummer” on their name of Governor Dummer Academy to The diplomas. “We came to GDA as freshmen,” one Governor’s Academy in December of 2005 amid 2007 graduate stated, “we should leave the same concerns that “Dummer” was discouraging school.” While many agreed with this sentiment, a prospective students outside of the local area from group of graduates chose to have The Governor’s applying. The decision sparked immediate resist- Academy on their diploma because they would be ance from students and alumni, and attracted the first class to graduate with that name. media attention from around the country. Graduates of the class of 2009 will be the final Although the school now operates under its new class with the option of having “Dummer” on moniker, The Governor’s Academy, students who their diplomas. were enrolled when “Dummer” was still alive in

Bob Jaffe 35,000 children and 12,000 senior sage, but the discussion began a very active, as were other students, in Continued from Page 9 adults. All this in a state of less than process where we decided that we protesting that war and organizing the idea that any of us could find our- one million people in total population. needed to tell the actual stories of efforts to make our voices heard. We selves in a situation where we are in I see Rhode Island as a microcosm of those who live with hunger as part of needed to do what we could, even need of food. We are not as far away the rest of the country. their lives. It took three years, keep- from our “cloistered” environment to from hunger as we may think. Upon ing this idea alive, to actually start contribute to the larger effort in the G: seeing the play, some audience mem- I understand that you perform a doing the work of creating the play, country to effect change. It’s exciting bers came up to me afterwards and one-person play where you portray but Bernie and I never gave up on the to me today to watch the enthusiasm said, “I have supported the Food Bank several different characters who are concept. Once we decided to get seri- and energy that is going into the cur- for many years and thought that I clients of food banks. How did this ous about the project, Bernie went rent election. understood the issue. This play gave come about? about raising the money (being careful BJ: G: me a whole new understanding.” About five years ago, I was per- not to conflict with any donations that What do you think are the best Hunger is a problem that can be forming a one-person play Off- would go to the Food Bank for its core ways to make students who go to solved. And it is a problem that Broadway in New York called “... and purpose), and I contacted my good school far from a city and are divorced should be solved. then you go on. An Anthology of the friend and accomplished playwright, from most social problems more aware Works of SAMUEL BECKETT.” The David Eliet to ask if he would be inter- and involved in issues that affect less G: What are the most disturbing anthology depicts the “journey” of ested in writing and directing the play. privileged people? facts and figures about people who Samuel Beckett’s archetypal character David immediately said “Yes,” and BJ: Involvement in the community, need to use a food pantry? - rootless, ungrounded except in his began, with Bernie, to conduct the regardless of where, is essential. BJ: From our research, we found own connection to reality. Bernie over 100 interviews that informed the Being involved becomes a habit, even that most of the people who visit food Beaudreau, the Executive Director of development of the characters. if that involvement is local and makes pantries are working women (over 60 the RI Community Food Bank, came to an impact in a focused circle. Once percent in Rhode Island). In addition see the play with Rosie Connors, the G: Students today seem to be very the habit is formed, however, it will to that, many food pantries can only be Director of Development. aware of the political process and the translate to the broader environments open during working hours, because Afterwards, we went out to have upcoming elections. Was that true that you all will pursue in college and they are run in large part by volun- something to eat and Bernie said “Can when you were a student here? in life beyond. The important thing is teers, an unfortunate irony. Rhode we use that play to sensitize people to BJ: Absolutely. When I was at the developing the sensitivity and the Island has the second largest percent- the issues related to hunger?” I didn’t Academy (at that time Governor desire to be involved. It is not charity, age of people living in poverty in New feel that Samuel Beckett’s works Dummer Academy), we were in the it is part of life. England - 114,000 people, including would be appropriate for that mes- middle of the Vietnam War. I was

The Back Page THE GOVERNOR 14

Happy Birthday! in March to: Seniors Juniors Sophomores Freshmen Tommy Hines 3/2/89 Chad Darcy 3/25/90 Milee Lyoo 3/23/91 Charlie Suominen 3/3/92 Sumner Webster 3/3/89 Maddie Durgin 3/3/91 Molly Connors 3/2/92 Will Rice 3/9/92 Andy Somerville 3/23/89 Bryce Johnson 3/7/91 Kaitlyn Barnett 3/11/92 Gianni Frattaroli 3/12/92 Liana Conway 3/3/90 Anna O’Neal 3/8/91 Jon Bird 3/14/92 Amanda Pease 3/6/93 Ali Hoffman 3/5/90 Abbey Karin 3/14/91 KC Walley 3/16/92 Hannah Rochman 3/10/93 John Diamond 3/10/90 Ryan Leavitt 3/19/91 Andrew Dagres 3/19/92 Tim Angell 3/13/93 Michelle Perez 3/13/90 Jamie Hansen 3/20/91 Luke Montoni 3/22/92 Sarah Weichselbaum 3/25/93 Aleks Siegel 3/15/90 Max Caron 3/21/91 Conor Helfrich 3/27/93 Mike Arrigo 3/20/90 Abigail Collins 3/25/91 Cheng-Wei Chang 3/28/93 Katharine Brine 3/27/91 Cort Wadman 3/30/93 Jon Getz 3/31/91 Elsie Ennin 3/19/94

Angles of Perception

Choosing Your Seat honestly say that this writer is doing To all current and incoming fresh- Gryphon staff as well, I cordially Continued from Page 3 no good by saying that “those kids men, sit wherever you feel the most send you an invitation on behalf of they’re all friends. The reason you should make a special effort to scat- comfortable. At such a young stage the diversity table to sit with us for sit with certain people at lunch is ter themselves around the dining of a high school career, it is impor- at least one meal. (I say the staff, because they are your friends; the hall,” when in reality this doesn’t tant to make honest, trustworthy simply because the views of this people you love talking to and need to occur. friends whom you will be spending publication reflect the views of the spending time with. Personally, my In conclusion, I extend a decree to the next few years of your life with. entire staff.) Usually, people don’t schedule is hectic, so in many cases my entire fellowship of Govs. For During the early months at the need to give invitations to sit down this is my only opportunity to see any whom wish to sit at the “self- Academy, making many new friends at a certain table, but it has become these people during my day. None segregating” minority table, simply and finding your fit can be the most very clear from this recent article of the other aforementioned groups walk the few extra steps to the back challenging part. In some cases there that some students feel that they are criticized for their seating of the dining hall and sit down. are multiple groups of people that need permission to sit at a certain arrangements, but because of the Everyone is quite friendly and as I you like to spend time with and it table. As obscure and outrageous as label that is placed upon this table mentioned above, we got just about can be very difficult to sit with all of that may sound, it does exist, but I makes it an easy target for remarks every type of background at all three them at once. If it just so happens am now officially squashing all of such as those of this particular meals. There is never an awkward that they have the same skin color, this. Our society at the Academy is writer. I mean seriously, since when silence among us, nor a meal that well then hopefully you won’t feel one of the best in New England, and has a dining hall needed to be “polit- goes without incessant laughter and verbally mistreated when an upper- if you feel that assimilating to this ically correct?” There is so much hilarity. Each student at the school classmen suggests that you sit with diverse and life changing experience need for political correctness in has the freedom to sit wherever they other people, whom you may not is making your life a little awkward every aspect of our lives, that we want, and this apparent fear of the know, simply just to balance things and maybe too much of a hassle, should be enjoying the times in diversity table is simply unneces- out. then hopefully these sentiments will which we have no restrictions. I can sary. Then finally, to the writer and the help to ease your fears.