SPORTS The Greylock Echo See Page 6 Mt. Greylock RHS Williamstown, Mass. February 3, 2014 fire curtain ruled unsuitable for use 1 in 650: By kelsey hebert fective for proper safety precautions until An Interview the asbestos was removed and the curtain replaced. A fire curtain is used in theatres asa with Mercer precautionary safety measure in case of an on-stage fire. If a fire were to occur, the curtain would drop and hopefully contain Greenwald the fire to one area, allowing the audience members and performers to get out of the By emily kaegi building safely. “The curtain can no longer perform its life safety function of separat- ing the stage from the audience in the event of a fire,” said Card in a January 16 email to the Echo, “I deemed this to be a hazard- ous condition and have directed the school not to use the stage for theatrical purposes until this condition is corrected.” Since the curtain is no longer safe, all theatrical performances must happen else- where. The auditorium may be used for musical concerts, lectures, class meetings Photo courtesy of Aaron Ziemer and other presentations because of the low-risk fire hazard. However, theatrical The Greylock auditorium has been closed to theater productions until the fire curtain is productions are at a high risk for fire be- replaced. cause of the many lights used and highly Editors’ Note: In the course of writing auditorium not up to code and unusable for flammable costumes and props. Since the this story, answers to questions asked by future theatrical productions. school also doesn’t have an overhead sprin- the Echo circulated at a school committee Asbestos, a material that the Common- kler system, the safety risk for performers meeting and were picked up by other local wealth of Massachusetts considers hazard- and audience members is too great to hold news outlets. As this is an ongoing story, ous and toxic, is prevalent throughout the performances. look to the Echo for further information in entire auditorium fire curtain. Tests of the “The basic fire prevention and contain- Photo courtesy of Aaron Ziemer future issues. curtain revealed that an extremely hazard- ment strategy for theaters is to do the fol- ous amount of the friable and carcinogenic lowing: limit combustibles, provide good Many students at Mt. Greylock are in- Just before winter break, building com- material was present, prompting the Mas- ventilation especially in difficult to access volved in a variety of activities. Some missioner Michael Card deemed the as- sachusetts Department of Environmental students seem like they are involved with bestos-filled fire curtain in Mt. Greylock’s Protection (DEP) to order the curtain inef- Continued on Page 2. everything. Freshman Mercer Greenwald is one such student that is very involved in many activities. Mercer is a member of stu- dent council, athlete on the alpine ski team field trip prac- large bleachers decomissioned and a key component of the Orchestra. tices changed Mercer however takes her passion’s out- By matthew kleiner side of Mt. Greylock’s walls. Many people By miranda dils Any student that has attended a Mt. decommissioned this past month. recommended Mercer as a candidate for 1 in 650 so this month we decided to learn This past semester, students embarked Greylock pep rally has probably been sur- “Those bleachers have always been dif- prised by the contrast between the small ficult to open and close,” MacDonald said, about her musical passion and interest in on many field trips to locations beyond the studying German. walls of Mt. Greylock. These trips tested tightly packed side bleachers for seventh “the brackets under the seats do not slide through tenth graders and the massive smoothly, so every time we open them, the the possibility of grouping several together Echo: What instruments do you play? on one day and reevaluated the balance be- half-filled back bleachers for juniors and possibility of an accident increases.” She seniors. Fans attending Mt. Greylock home also made clear that the bleachers have Mercer: I play viola. I am the only one in tween academic time and off-campus en- the orchestra. I also play bass clarinet and deavors. basketball games have also probably been been decommissioned, not condemned by struck by the size of the bleachers in the the building inspector. “It’s a semantics is- clarinet, but viola is my main instrument. Teachers saw a revised procedure in re- Echo: Where did you learn how to play? questing a field trip. Principal Mary Mac- back, some games crowded, other games sue, but if the bleachers were ‘condemned’, less. Principal Mary MacDonald reports that would mean they would have to be re- Mercer: I started in 2nd grade with Ms. Donald said, “The procedure for request- Sanger at Williamstown Elementary ing and arranging [a field trip] has been that these large bleachers had been a source moved,” she points out. “As it is, there is of worry for a long time before they were School. At the end of seventh grade I arranged to limit conflicts and encourage Continued on Page 2. switched to Jimmy Bergin. This year, I’m more advanced notice to faculty.” Field starting to study with Al Ling who is the trips are now referred to as “Field Stud- principal violist in the Berkshire Sympho- ies,” and the new request form includes students assemble 3d printer ny. spaces for departure time, return time and By olivia gravel Echo: I’ve heard that you play with differ- a teacher checklist. ent groups besides the Mt. Greylock Or- As a way of testing a new scheduling One month ago, Mt. Greylock received chestra, could you tell us about that? idea, on one occasion, more than one field its first 3D printer. The printer can print up Mercer: I play with the Empire State Youth study left the Greylock campus at a time. to about 10 centimeters in plastic or wood. Orchestra in Schenectady, NY. Schuyler On December 10, anatomy and biology When digital media instructor, Richard and Taylor Forhaltz-Burbank play as well students made the trek to Hartford, CT to Scullin, received a grant from the Na- and Harrison Dilthey played in the past. visit the “Bodies Revealed” exhibit at the tional Writing Project, he talked to fresh- Echo: How did you discover this group? Connecticut Science Center; two Advanced man Ethan Roach about his interest in 3D Mercer: Well it’s really the only good or- Placement Chemistry classes went to Wil- printing and their conversation convinced chestra around here besides BYSO and liams College for a science lab; and stained Scullin to do further research on the costs places in Boston which are 3 hours away. glass classes traveled to 413 Glassworks in and benefits of a 3D printer. An unassem- Harrison did it and then Schuyler and Tay- Cheshire, MA to look at glass artist Brit- bled 3D printer was ordered and arrived lor did it. tany Gabel’s work. Other field trips also at Mt. Greylock ready to be put together Echo: How often do you play there? happened during that week. by a group of freshmen students including Mercer: We practice on Tuesdays. It’s in MacDonald said the bundling of trips Ethan Roach, Tim and Dan Schiek, Darrien Schenectady so I leave at 5 to be there for was an experiment to try to minimize the Smith and Darren Bonneville. 6:30 and practice ends around 10 and then impact on other classes. Although this may Instead of two axis, X and Y, on a regu- it’s an hour and a half to get home. seem counterintuitive, as a large percent- lar printer, the 3D printer has three axis, X, Echo: Does this group perform at con- age of students were out of the building, Y and Z. They are controlled by a micro- certs? MacDonald said, “It’s hard for a teacher to controller that produces plastic to build a Mercer: Last year, when I was in the sec- keep the momentum of instruction if [the layered object. You can scan an object with ond to top orchestra, we had 4 concerts, 5 teacher] is missing sections of his class.” a smartphone, import it into the program with Play-a-thon. This year we have a lot. This way, the impact on classes may be on a computer and print a copy of that ob- Echo: Do you play at any famous venues? limited to one day, rather than many. Photo courtesy of Harrison Dilthey ject. You could print anything from shoes Continued on Page 2. The printer as it continues to be assembled. Continued on Page 2. Continued on Page 2.

dear evi... The guerilla Poet revealed! 18 in America Sam Swoap interviews the man behind the art. Evi Mahon suggests how Emily Kaegi writes about to deal with senioritis and See Page 5. the journey that turned a lonely Valentine’s Day. alum Dylan Dethier into Pizza! an author. See Page 5. Our restaurant reviewers take on the frozen foods aisle. See Page 8 See Page 5. The Greylock Echo February 3, 2014

Page 2 NEWS 1 in 650: Mercer Greenwald Continued from Page 1. Mercer: Yeah! We’ve played at Troy Music named Tamara. She’s really really good. hall. This year we are also playing at Car- It’s so cool because wherever you go you negie Hall in New York City. Every four hear classical music. years the group goes on tour, so we play at Echo: So are you trying to become fluent some famous places around the world. before your trip? Echo: Do you have any upcoming con- Mercer: Yeah, I used to understand Ger- certs? man pretty well, but I don’t remember Mercer: If anyone happens to be at Cross- how fluent I actually was before kindergar- gates Mall on Saturday, February 8th we ten. Once I started kindergarten everyone have Play-a-thon where we play to raise spoke English so I stopped understanding money and people throw money at us while German as much as I used to. we play. So if anyone wants to go shopping Echo: Since you already knew German, it would be great if they stopped by. It’s how much easier is it to learn it again? raising money for our next tour which will Mercer: Well, it’s not a questions of how hopefully be in the Netherlands. much I pick back up, it is how easily I pick Echo: I know college is a long way off for it back up. If I didn’t know German before you, but are you thinking about continuing I started kindergarten than it would prob- your music career past high school? ably be a longer process. Mercer rides in horse shows over the summer vacation. Photo courtesy of Mercer Mercer: I actually recently thought about Echo: Besides music what else are you in- Greenwald. getting into a music school. I might not go, volved in? but I want to start preparing for it incase I Mercer: I downhill ski. I also ride horses bleachers decomissioned want to. Maybe I will minor in music or about five times a week. Right now I’m not something. I probably won’t be a perfor- going to a lot of shows, but in the summer, Continued from Page 1. mance major because that would be very that’s all I do. nothing dangerous in them sitting there, bleachers is certainly a loss for both the competitive. Echo: Wow, how do you have time for all pulled in and unused.” team and its fans. “The bleachers were Echo: So besides being a talented musi- of it? For the rest of the year, only basketball packed last year for the playoff games,” he cian, we also heard you are learning Ger- Mercer: Yeah, I don’t really have time for games and graduation will have to adjust recalled, “and we were really lucky to have man in an independent study. Why did you all of it, but I try my best. their seating arrangements to compensate such great fan support.” Thistle is sure that decide to study German? Echo: Anything else you want to add about for the lack of seating space previously of- the additional seats would, as they have Mercer: Well, I’m going abroad second your music or your German? fered by the back bleachers. According to in past years, help the team immensely. semester of next year to Austria. My mom Mercer: Well when I’m in Vienna, I will MacDonald, for both, chairs will be added “It was also a really neat experience for is a German professor and my dad wants not be able to bring my bunny Willy or my to where the bleachers usually slide out to, the fans,” he said. It is clear that the back to go with her on sabbatical so our whole two ducks Elvis and Milly, so I will need and at graduation, the band may be moved bleachers that used to serve as a congre- family is going. I’m going to go to some to find them a temporary and loving (or at up closer to the graduates so that seats can gating point for students will no longer be kind of school there. Hopefully, if my Ger- least a vegetarian) home. extend all the way back. pulled out, ushering in the aura of a major man is good enough, I’ll go to a regular Echo: Finally, if you could create a class at Mt. Greylock basketball coach Bob school event. “But if they’re dangerous, public school. But, I might go to a bilin- Greylock, what would it focus on? Thistle feels the absence of the enormous they’re dangerous,” Thistle stated. xyz gual school where it’s taught in German Mercer: Carpentry, just because it would and English. be cool to be able to do stuff myself. Echo: Isn’t Austria thought of as the capital curtain of Classical Music? Interview has been edited and condensed. Continued from Page 1. Mercer: Yeah! I actually go there every To nominate a student for 1 in 650, contact other year with my mom, so I’ve been the editors at mountgreylockecho@gmail. spaces (e.g. lighting loft), separate the The school committee voted Tuesday, there about 5 times. When I’ve gone there com. xyz stage and auditorium with a fire curtain to January 21 that they would find money I’ve had a few lessons with this woman prevent spread of smoke and combustion, within the budget to replace the curtain provide excellent means of egress, and over the summer. The cost of the project is most importantly, protect the building with approximately $68,000. School Committee a sprinkler system,” said Card. Mt. Grey- members weighed the costs of transporting field trips lock’s 50-year-old auditorium does not the theatre productions elsewhere versus Continued from Page 1. meet some of these basic safety standards. the cost of a new fire curtain and ultimately As this experiment has only happened class time so that the trips don’t become an Theatre members are currently practic- decided it would be best to replace the cur- once, MacDonald said, “we can’t deter- “excuse to miss school.” ing in the Chorus and Band rooms. Winter tain as soon as the means are found. Parts mine whether [it] was a success until we MacDonald agrees with Bell, stating musical director Jeffrey Welch, in conjunc- of the new curtain can be transported into a try it a few more times.” Additionally, this that, “Learning in action can have many tion with Principal Mary MacDonald, is new building if need be, but approximately new set-up could cause problems for stu- benefits,” including making “learning feel working to come up with some way to at $15,000 would be lost in installation and dents who are in several classes that each more relevant and purposeful.” Missing least simulate on-stage rehearsal. “It is go- mechanical structure that is not portable. send out a field trip on one day. Students school comes with a set of issues, however, ing to be very difficult to make the transi- Last year, administration was given must then make decisions regarding mul- and “teachers and administrators have to tion from rehearsal a one year stay of tiple field trips and have the pressure of be thoughtful about planning and schedul- on a flat surface execution by the obligations to certain classes. ing field studies.” xyz without a void in building inspector Biology teacher Larry Bell, who led the front, curtains on that stated the fire trip to Connecticut, helped MacDonald to the side, and differ- “I’m hoping that curtain was not up make the decision to cluster the trips. He The Greylock Echo is the student ent measurements to to code but could be feels that grouping field studies can both newspaper of Mt. Greylock Region- an actual stage,” said this...will finally get used for one year in minimize impact and conflict with other al High School in Williamstown, Welch, “The floor order to do tests and classes and could be a solution to limit Mass. Published monthly during materials, the acous- find a solution. Due voters to realize that disruption to the daily academic schedule. the academic year, each issue is tics and the spacing to lack of financial Bell supports the idea of field studies and are all different from our school is in need excess, the school believes they can be valuable learning ex- developed and edited by a team of where we are prac- was unable to fix periences. The key, he says, is to find “a student writers, photographers, art- ticing now which of some help,” said the problem before balance” between the trips and academic ists, and editors. Any Mt. Greylock could provide dif- the one year came High School student is welcome to ficulties when we MacDonald. to a close. start rehearsing our MacDonald ex- 3d Printer join the Echo staff. singing and dance pressed that this Continued from Page 1. choreography.” problem is yet an- Editor-in-Chief: Zavi Sheldon The winter mu- other event that will to screws and even a face. A USB cord Associate Editor: Caleb Raymond connects the printer to the computer where sical, Guys and Dolls, will be performed play into getting voters of Lanesborough Business Manager: Pearl Sutter at Williams College on the college’s main and Williamstown to approve a feasibil- you load the file and print it or you could load the file onto an SD card instead of Sports: Emily Kaegi stage at the ‘62 Center. Welch recently met ity study for the school. This study would Arts: Kelsey Hebert with the Williams theatre department about allow administration in conjunction with connecting it to the computer. “There are the stage and lighting. The group was open engineers, architects and other building designs that exist on the internet through Opinion: Katelin Marchand to the possibility of students doing the ma- professionals to look at the entire picture Autodesk, Thingiverse and Blender, places Perspective: Evelyn Mahon like that where there are people that have jority of the tech work, like they do at Mt. and decide whether a new school or a reno- Photography: Aaron Ziemer Greylock. “It was very generous of Wil- vation project would be best for our current a design for a coffee cup or the screw or a funny robot widget to print,” says Scullin. Administrative Liaison: Pearl liams to allow us to use their stage and all situation. Sutter of their equipment. I think it is a good op- “I’m hoping this, along with other el- A design can be sent from the internet and portunity, especially for the tech kids who ements of the building that have recently then through the computer to the printer. will get to use very high level equipment,” failed, will finally get voters to realize that The group of students organized each Advisor: Peter Niemeyer said Welch. our school is in need of some help,” said session by assigning who was doing what Printed by Adams Specialty & and what task should be completed by the “I’m very grateful that Jeffrey Welch said MacDonald, “I also hope our theatre pro- Printing that he will do anything he can to make this gram will not suffer because of this set- end of the day. “We’re starting to learn oth- process run smoothly,” said MacDonald in back.” er technology aspects, some other things Mt. Greylock Regional High School that we’ve been doing other than the 3D regards to the “on-the-road” winter musi- Welch encourages all students, faculty 1781 Cold Spring Road cal. She stated that transporting theatre and families to go to the ‘62 Center on Fri- printer is going on to a website called Hour of Code,” says Tim Schiek, “I was playing Williamstown, Mass, members by bus, practicing on a new stage day March 7 or Saturday March 8 to enjoy 01267, USA with different equipment and transporting the theatrical performance. “The kids are with it for a few classes and they do have props and costumes will provide some dif- all committed and the adults are all work- several things about JavaScript and basic ficulties for the students and staff, but she ing hard to make this show the best it can coding.” Students have now begun test Questions? Comments? News tips? believes it is feasible as a short-term solu- be, even with the circumstances,” said printing and hope to try to print screws or Please contact: tion. Welch. xyz bolts, and they are excited to see how their [email protected] first prints come out. xyz The Greylock Echo February 3, 2014 News/arts Page 3 guys and dolls asvab suggests military futures candy cane tradi- By najla nassar By jesse cohen tion sees changes On Wednesday December 11, students to assist in the administration of the exam. By molly wilson As the everlasting wintery days slowly Jessica Casalinova, coordinator of the AS- fade out and the second semester pro- took the ASVAB, or Armed Services Voca- tional Aptitude Battery, an optional exam VAB at Mt. Greylock, reports that the test Over the past few years, the selling of ceeds, the annual spring musical returns. gives students a sense of their strengths candy canes with an attached message has This year, Mt. Greylock will be perform- available to sophomores, juniors and se- niors. Although it is administered by the and weaknesses and some students even become a much anticipated tradition at Mt. ing the romantic comedy Guys and Dolls. discover new talents and opportunities for Greylock. However, with the implemen- It is a musical set in the mythological mid- United States Military, it can be taken by anyone who wishes to take it. The test is a themselves. Approximately twenty-five tation in 2012 of new nutritional laws in twentieth century in New York City where to thirty students from Mt. Greylock take Massachusetts, the sale of these treats had a group of Christian missionaries go to requirement for those who wish to join the military, but is also taken by others who are the ASVAB each year, with twenty-seven to be revised and rethought. Times Square to reform the “evildoers.” students who signed up for this year’s The fundraiser last year was the first to One of these missionaries is the uptight interested in exploring possible career op- portunities based on their skill sets. exam. The majority of the students at Mt. be restricted by the new laws. According mission “doll” Sarah Brown, who falls Greylock who take the exam do so to learn to the Massachusetts Department of Public in love with a high-rolling gambler. The Introduced in 1968 as a requirement for enlistment in the Armed Forces, it has since about possible careers for their future. Health’s revised guidelines, the nutritional gambler, who initially pursues Sarah as In addition to the ASVAB, Mt. Greylock measures apply “to competitive foods and a bet, returns her feelings, falling in love been improved in many areas based on stu- dents’ results as well as a recent initiative offers other career exploration opportuni- beverages sold or provided to students 30 with her. ties for students who may be interested. minutes before the school day until 30 min- Since 1999, history teacher Jeffrey to improve its relevance to careers besides the military. The exam has 8 categories: Guidance counselors meet with juniors to utes after the school day ends.” The guide Welch has been directing the school musi- administer the “Do What You Are Exam,” also forbids the sale of food that would cal. Chorus teacher Kate Caton is the vo- general science, arithmetic reasoning, word knowledge, paragraph comprehension, an online program that tests students’ per- compete with the cafeteria’s business. cal director, band teacher Lyndon Moors sonalities and suggests relevant career pos- The candy cane fundraiser had change directs the pit orchestra, and Anne Marie mathematics knowledge, electronics infor- mation, automotive and shop information, sibilities. There is also a class, available to or risk being forbidden. Last year, the fund- Rodriguez, a Spanish teacher at Lenox seniors, called “Career As Student” that raiser was billed as selling messages with a Memorial Middle and High School, is the and mechanical comprehension. There are also additional sections and tests required , according to the school’s course hand- complimentary candy cane. The messages choreographer. Every year, the directors book, “explores different careers and the and candy canes were handed out during chose the musical by drawing upon the for certain military occupations. The test is not graded in the traditional sense, how- educational background needed in specific the last minutes of the school day. Howev- performance experience of potential cast fields… and how to be successful at the er, the system was not ideal, and the details members. They consider their resources, ever, and merely examines what strengths and weaknesses an individual student has college level,” according to the course of were reconsidered for this year. the talent that might be returning, the types studies. It is taught by Lisa. Mendel. Ju- Principal Mary McDonald, who was of shows that would fit that given cast, and in the different categories. The ASVAB is an entirely multiple- niors also take the Accuplacer exam which present at one of the brainstorming meet- their time frame when picking the show. is the same exam taken for college entry to ings for the fundraiser, observed that the Auditions were held on January 6th and choice exam and lasts approximately three hours. It is free for students as well as for determine which level of math and English situation presented a “good example of 7th, and the cast list was posted the fol- a student will be placed in. xyz compromising with the state laws” and she lowing day. However, auditions were held the schools that administer it. Members of multiple branches of the US Military come was pleased to see how the students han- later than usual this year. “There were a dled the need for creativity. lot of unanswered questions about the The solution to the problem was found status of the show due to the closure of whose fault was it anyway? in selling snowflakes. They were used as a the auditorium to theatrical productions,” vehicle to present the sale in a way that did says director Jeff Welch in answer to the not violate the terms set out in the school’s productions’ auditions delay. Similarly, nutritional standard. Still, the sale was not the issue surrounding the fire curtain quite as popular and the Student Council has affected the production of Guys and had numerous leftover candy canes at the Dolls. The curtain is outdated and needs to end of the holiday period. be replaced according the building code. The solution to this problem came from Rehearsals and production of the musi- Student Council members junior Jake Foe- cal therefore must be held in a different hl and sophomore Ian Culnane, suggested place until the status of the fire curtain re- handing out the candy canes to students at solved. the end of the last day before break, when Guys and Dolls will be performed by the candy canes would normally have been Mt. Greylock on March 7th and 8th at 7 delivered to students who had received p.m. at the ‘62 center at Williams College. them. Because of the guidelines, the candy “This is a great show...a classic. Audi- could not be distributed during school hours ences of all ages will love the show. We and so, though it was a slight stretch of the have a talented and dedicated cast, and rules, McDonald approved their plan. they’ll put on a great performance in any The fundraiser’s details may still be re- venue,” said Welch. This year’s musical vised, but students can still look forward has a spectacular cast, an intriguing plot, to a festive and sweet holiday season next and is destined to be a hit. xyz Mr. Gibson’s World History class held a conference to determine where the blame for year courtesy of the Student Council. xyz World War II should lie. Photo courtesy of Aaron Ziemer. after school art greylock musicians attend western districts opportunity By jacob rossiter By sophie leamon Mt. Greylock is home to many talented is really hard to get into,” she said. Fohrh- on a big stage,” Hirsch added. Art teacher Lisa Mendel is hosting After musicians. For a number of students, the altz described the audition process. Two Hirsch was not the only student who School Art every Tuesday for Middle and annual “Massachusetts Music Educator’s judges critique the students’ performance attended the Senior district division of the High schoolers. So far, the students have Association Western District Festival” based off of a scoring rubric. One judge is festival. Both Taylor and Schulyer Fohrh- made picture frames using a variety of ma- is an opportunity to showcase that talent. in charge of scoring the musician’s scales, altz attended, the seventh year for both. terials including shells, sequins and but- Hosted at UMASS Amherst, the festival is while the other judges the sight reading. Taylor plays first principal cello, and Schu- tons. The next two Tuesdays, the students a great way to pursue musical passion. The two judges later combine the scores lyer plays assistant principal bass. Mercer will get the opportunity to work on person- Eric Hirsch, one of the school’s finest and decide whether a student is eligible to Greenwald also attended for the third time al projects with glass before they begin to trumpet players and member of the festi- participate in the performance. this year. plan for the project. val’s senior district division, praised the Hirsch recalls his trumpet piece as be- Many Greylock students also partici- They have spent time studying mosa- challenging nature of the auditions. “The ing particularly challenging this year, but pated in Junior Districts. While the Senior ic patterning and intend to plan a mosaic pieces they have you perform are quite described the experience as both rewarding division only admitted four students from project for the school, a project which Ms. challenging” Hirsch remarked, “You really and enjoyable. Fohrhaltz also praised the Mt. Greylock, the Junior division wel- Mendel is leaving up to the members. have to prepare, meaning you can’t just festival for other reasons. “Friendships are comed five members from the orchestra, There are brand new iridized glasses in show up and expect to get in.” This was made at these festivals...It really is a com- one member from the chorus, and every several colors meant for the collaborative Hirsch’s second year attending. fort zone for students, because all of them member from the band who auditioned. piece, and Mendel has purchased brand Orchestra teacher Ouisa Fohrhaltz con- share a love for music.” The Junior District concert will be held in new red and black glass to be used around firmed Hirsch’s sentiment. “[The festival] “It’s also a great opportunity to perform March. xyz the school. All the new supplies for After School Art are purchased through a grant from the Pittsfield College Club, a founda- administration rules against christmas carols tion that awards Middle and High School teachers in Berkshire County money for in- By aaron kleiner novative and educational projects. Last December, during middle and high and possibly ‘Deck the Halls,’ the rest of faiths to a majority of Christmas carols is Seventh and eighth grade members Chloe school lunches in the week before break, it the songs were all non-secular.” MacDon- almost worse.” This means that Moors will Hughes, Morgan Nottke, Kristen Aliberti, may have seemed that something was miss- ald also stated that, “recognizing the sepa- have to add some secular carols, such as Kelly Egan and Madison Vandeurzen spend ing. The cafeteria lacked some of the usual ration of church and state, as well as the ‘White Christmas’ or ‘Frosty the Snow- their Tuesday afternoons in E502 working holiday spirit. It turns out that something plurality of the community, the songs were man.’ Moors reported that he was a bit closely with Mendel. Especially for the was missing. This year, the high school too heavily biased on Christmas.” surprised by the decision, saying, “My first Middle School, with enrichment no longer brass ensemble couldn’t play Christmas In the future, however, there will be impression was that the songs were quite offering art, After School Art students get carols at lunch, a tradition that has been other options for the brass ensemble to diverse, however when I looked at the list to work on personal projects and receive going for many years. play carols. To be able to perform next again, I realized that the almost every song instruction. For any grade and any ability, The primary reason for the adminis- year, band teacher Lyndon Moors, the di- was religious. Band directors have had it After School Art is an opportunity to try tration’s decision was the non-secularity rector of the ensemble, must change the easy for many years because there are no your hand at glass, mosaics, and design, of the carols. According to principal Mary repertoire of the songs to at least 40% sec- words in the brass ensemble carols, but this even if you have never taken art, couldn’t MacDonald, “the carols were a great idea. ular, meaning he must either add songs or year a line was crossed.” In future years, he fit an art class into your schedules, or just However, they were exclusively Christmas change them. However, MacDonald also said he will arrange secular holiday tunes want to try something new. xyz carols. With the exception of ‘Jingle Bells’ stated that, “adding a few songs from other to play with the Christmas carols. xyz The Greylock Echo February 3, 2014 Page 4 opinion Editor’s Note: The views expressed in opinion pieces do not reflect the collective views of this newspaper, but of the individual authors. 2013: The Year in Pop Culture the top ten The best movies albums By nate taskin By will walter make more movies. 10. Pearl Jam Lightning Bolt When I first listened to Lightning Bolt, it Inside Llewyn Davis sounded like Eddie Vedder had started to The Coens are at their Coeniest here, lose his voice, but this album has started and there’s never anything wrong with to grow on me. Mike McCready’s guitar that. Particularly like Barton Fink, Llew- playing has only gotten better, and Matt yn Davis tells the tale of an artist utterly Cameron sounds like he turned back the stripped of romanticism or glory. The film clock to the Soundgarden days. could have taken the “poor, poor misunder- stood artistic genius” route (Incidentally, 9. Queens of the Stone Age ...Like Clock- those movies are typically by artists who work fancy themselves geniuses, go figure.), but The best part of ...Like Clockwork is the Llewyn Davis isn’t misunderstood at all. work of lead guitarist Josh Homme. His Played soulfully, profoundly pitiful by the riffs make the entire album worth listening excellent Oscar Isaac, Llewyn is a selfish, to and bring a Texas Rock, ZZ Top feel. self-destructive leech who manipulates the good intentions of his loved ones. In the 8. Jay Z Magna Carta Holy Grail greatest of all tragedies, he is not a genius. Jay Z is back, and though Magna Carta At its heart, Llewyn Davis is an equal parts Holy Grail is not his best album, he cer- funny and sad reminder of mediocrity. tainly makes an impression. The rhythm is sublime, and while he opens up by mak- NO ing Nirvana references on “Holy Grail,” Movies matching the smart political (Kurt Cobain/ I did it to myself”) MCHG A scene from 12 Years a Slave, which stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Lupita commentary and acerbic wit of NO are is vintage Jay Z. Nyong’o and Brad Pitt. about as rare as a UFO sighting. The plot is disarming in its cynical absurdity: Set in 7. Lorde Pure Heroin 2013 has concluded and, as is tradition the past imagines our present and responds Pinochet-era Chile, an adman is tasked with Her first album is one of the top grossing of movie critics, I must go over the past with fear and anxiety. rallying support for an anti-Pinochet plebi- debut albums this decade and rightfully year and name my favorite films. Here are scite. In the end, he finds himself selling deserves all of its accolades. At just 17 my favorites of 2013. Not the greatest. Not Her anti-totalitarianism as if it’s a soda. After years of age, the New Zelander may de- the objectively best. Just the six movies My favorite film of the year is- basi all, rehashing the dictatorship’s atrocities velop into one of the top performers of her that I enjoyed the most (and didn’t already cally… a romantic comedy. Granted, it’s a just bums people out, so why not go posi- era. review. Sorry World’s End.) romantic comedy with an incredibly fresh tive? A cynical and frightening portrayal of and provocative twist: in the not-too-dis- politics as a vicious pinwheel, NO offers 6. Arcade Fire Reflektor 12 Years a Slave tant future, a sad-sack writer falls for his the chance to laugh at a world without a On Reflektor, the Montreal-based indie Easily one of the most unrelentingly operating system, lovingly cooing into the sense of humor. And yes, it’s foreign, guys. pop group accomplishes what no musi- brutal movies in recent memory, the admi- speaker of his smart phone. The object of Stop being lazy. cians since The Talking Heads and Da- rably true story of Solomon Northup never his affection is a literal object. If the Turing vid Bowie have;they manage to combine slips into cheap sentimentality (there are test states that a machine can only become Pacific Rim glam rock and dance music into a popular no “GIVE US FREE!” scenes here) or lazy a true artificial intelligence if interaction There’s nothing wrong with just being fusion. demonization, though there certainly ex- with it becomes indistinguishable from hu- awesome. I always cringed whenever I ists much unrepentant cruelty on display. man conversation, then as we delve deeper read of reviews of Pacific Rim stating that 5. Daft Punk Random Access Memories Director Steve McQueen unflinchingly and into the relationship Theodore (played by it “knew how dumb it was.” Wrong. The In a year ruled by techno music, the duo unapologetically examines the multi-facet- Joaquin Phoenix, who seems to secrete movie excels because it is blissfully lack- that calls themselves Daft Punk ruled ed evil surrounding slavery. What makes longing and heartache from his pores) and ing in self-awareness. Nobody makes a them all. Headlined by radio epic “Get Michael Fassbender’s sociopathic slaveo- Samantha (huskily voiced Scarlett Johans- winky aside at its premise, no one groans Lucky,” you just want to “Lose Yourself wner, for example, so vile is that his de- son) we feel uneasy with the questions it when somebody named Stacker Pendecost to Dance.” spicableness is thoroughly entrenched and provokes. If Samantha’s a computer, does tells people to “GET TO THE SHATTER- rooted into a system held as the norm. Like- that mean their relationship is false? But if DOME!!!” It is nothing but a beacon of 4. Drake Nothing Was The Same wise, the slaves are not all stock victims. their relationship is false, how is Ted’s hap- sincerity. Guillermo Del Toro is no dum- While Nothing Was The Same may not They each have different strategies for sur- piness so genuine? But can that form of love my. He lovingly injects his film with slick, be considered Drake’s best album (that vival and, in turn, have different breaking be genuine? Isn’t Samantha literally made pulpy, neon beauty as tribute to a bygone award goes to Take Care), it certainly is points. Chiwetel Ejiofor is dynamite in his for Ted? Samantha expresses desires, feel- genre. (Though apparently its special ef- fun to listen to. Jay Z makes a surprise vis- performance, portraying a man suspended ings and inhibitions. Are those even real? fects couldn’t measure up to The Lone it in “Poundcake,” but while the music is between two universes: too “black” to fit And even if they are not, does that invali- Ranger. Nice going, Academy.) Even with a little more pop-y, Drake steals the show into white society, too “white” (meaning, date Ted’s feelings? Isn’t Ted technically that said, it still manages to triumph in again. in this context, too educated) to feel one still alone? If one can fall in love with a story. The characters may be born out of with his fellow slaves. He’s a man always fake human, what in the world is love any- archetype, yet humanized to the point that 3. The Arctic Monkeys AM in-between, and his only means of surviv- way? Like all great science fiction, Her’s they subvert cliche. If one could take off Indie rock thrived in 2013. Arcade Fire ing is to stay forever on tiptoe, perfectly beauty lies in what it says about today, try- the snob hat for a moment, then maybe one (mentioned above) and The Strokes both balanced, and tragically, perfectly stuck. ing live in the here and now, dealing with could recognize the innate beauty of robots had big album successes, but it was the Because Northup fits no easy category, isolation in a technological era where one punching giant monsters. xyz Arctic Monkeys that blew the competi- he remains, first and foremost, a human is never really alone. Spike Jonze needs to tion away. Lead singer and guitarist Alex being, which is ultimately the film’s final Turner made this album a success thanks message. to his wicked riffs and Dan Auerbach’s sounding wails. Yes, it sounds similar to Computer Chess the Black Keys’ El Camino, but with the One of the most original and downright, help of drummer Matt Helders’ nasty fills, wonderfully bizarrest films of the last few The Arctic Monkeys made the resounding years, Computer Chess sets itself up with AM their own. an exquisitely sophisticated narrative. It opens as a mockumentary, transforms into 2. Kanye West Yeezus a comedy, and concludes as an avant-garde Kanye West continues to set the standard science-fiction film. The passive-aggres- in the rap world. With intriguing lyrics, a sive relationships and awkwardness of fast pace and worthy feature artists (the “mumblecore” director Andrew Bujalski’s up-and-coming Frank Ocean, for exam- earlier movies are present and accounted ple), Yeezus is easily the rap/hip hop al- for, but they’ve been shifted into an angry bum of the year. chimera that’s one part The Shining, one part Thomas Pynchon and one part Monty 1. Vampire Weekend Modern Vampires of Python. One scene entails computer nerds the City collide with a cult-like group of swingers at What Vampire Weekend did on Modern a hotel, while various suspicious characters Vampires of the City deserves credit. They (who may or may not be working for the made the best alternative pop album of U.S. government… I think?) watch from 2013 (and maybe best all-around album), afar. Self-absorption is pitted against con- while inventing a completely different nectedness and base urges against technol- sound. Gone are the bush league lyrical ogy. Like Holy Motors last year, not much references and the peppy rhythms. Instead, can be said about Computer Chess without lead singer Ezra Koenig and Co. created ruining the experience, partly because its the most beautiful album they ever have, unapologetic weirdness makes itself so dif- threaded with killer stutter step beats (see ficult to discuss in the first place. The -re “Finger Back”) and epic riffs. xyz sult feels disturbingly like a creation myth, The Greylock Echo February 3, 2014 feature Page 5 Editor’s Note: The views expressed in opinion pieces do not reflect the collective views of this newspaper, but of the individual authors. The Greenhouse The Guerilla Poet: Eric Forsberg By josie verter By sam swoap

Ever wonder why Mt. Greylock has a ally caught. greenhouse? It is a hand-me-down from Williams College. In 2000, Williams Col- Echo: How would you put them up? lege renovated their Science Center, re- Forsberg: At any time during the day if moved the greenhouse and offered it (in I saw one missing, I would head back to deconstructed form), to Mt. Greylock. my office and go grab another. I would put Biology and Anatomy teacher Larry Bell some tape on it and hide it under my sweat- re-constructed it and got it up and running, er or whatever I happened to be wearing. I along with other members of the Greylock would look around and make sure no one community. He even developed a course was looking, and then put it up against the that would use the greenhouse, called wall. I would try and put extras up during “School Grounds.” the day, but other people were taking them The goal of the greenhouse project was down. It became sort of a cat-and-mouse to bring agricultural ideas taught in sci- game. ence classes into practice so students could “learn by doing.” Experiential education Echo: What was your response to people became popular in the 1980s and is based taking them down? on the idea that people learn best through Forsberg: At first I was a little bit annoyed. hands-on experience and through reflection But as I said before, art is to elicit a reac- on their experience. Think about it: if you tion. So this reaction, although this was want to learn to bake a soufflé, would you negative, was not inappropriate. So I just read a book about how to do it, or would let it go. After a while, it just became a you just follow the recipe and experiment? game. Research has shown that people learn more Photo courtesy of Aaron Ziemer Photo courtesy of Peter Niemeyer from concrete experience than by reading Echo: They were put up in patterns the last or listening to a lecture about it. After keeping the school in suspense happen if I put them up. I’m not much of an time around. Was there any significance to Most classes at Mt. Greylock are taught for a few months, our Guerilla Poet has artist, but I do know art is about reaction, those patterns? in a traditional style in which students are agreed to be unmasked. We sat down with not the piece itself. Forsberg: There was no significance at all. more passive recipients of information paraprofessional Eric Forsberg to talk It was completely random. from the teacher. The greenhouse, if it had about what he has been up to. Echo: When were you putting up these been integrated into science classes, would pieces? Echo: There has been a strong positive have provided an opportunity for active, Echo: What was your inspiration for this? Forsberg: I started in late November, some- reaction from the students. What are your hands-on learning to supplement class Forsberg: In the teacher workroom, there time after Thanksgiving. thoughts on this? time. The idea was that students would were a whole stack of books that were going Forsberg: I thought it was awesome, if a work in the greenhouse and also visit local to be thrown away by the library. Among Echo: Were you ever caught doing it? bit unexpected. There was a very broad farms to investigate the potential for gar- these books was an Ed Ruscha book with Forsberg: I was never actually caught. At spectrum of responses, so it achieved the dening to be used as a tool for teaching in modern art inside of it. I thought it would the beginning I decided to only put them up intended goal. So many people had an the science classrooms. The hope was that have been a shame if it was thrown away, during school hours, to add to the thrill. I opinion. It elicited a response which I had in later years science students would take so I rescued it. I wanted to see what would was kind of surprised that I was never actu- hoped to generate. xyz more initiative in the growing process and even design and plant gardens on school grounds. Bell envisioned that the project would teach students responsibility and dear evi... that they would develop a sense of owner- By evi mahon ship over the greenhouse. Despite these high hopes and lofty goals, Dear Evi, withdraw acceptance letters when students’ Dear Dateless, the greenhouse is just being used for stor- I got into college and sent in my mid- grades drop too low), but take the second First of all, I’d take a marathon of Star age. It holds materials for clubs and after year report, but now I find that I’m not semester slump to learn about something Wars over a date any day of the week, but school activities and is currently not be- interested in school any more. I never interesting. Get a decent grade in English, that’s just me. Even though you might think ing used to grow plants. According to Mr. thought I’d get senioritis because I really but experiment with that baklava recipe dates with mildly attractive acquaintances Bell, a greenhouse requires a serious time do like to learn. How do I get through the you’ve always wanted to try. You’ve been are where the party is at, once you’re stuck commitment and daily tending of plants. next semester? accepted into college because you’re inter- at dinner with an absolute terror, you’ll “A course would be needed in order for Accepted and Apathetic esting and motivated. All you need to do to repent. So instead of sitting in your room the greenhouse to be maintained,” he said. stop the lethargy is shift the focus from a watching Star Wars and crying into a tub Unfortunately the plan never came into ac- Dear Accepted, seven hour school day to experimental and of Ben and Jerry’s alone, sit in your room tion given the full schedules of the teachers As an upstanding member of the Mt. experiential learning. watching Star Wars and crying into a tub who expressed interest. Greylock Community, I would advise to of Ben and Jerry’s with friends! They say The un-green greenhouse is a sad re- you continue being diligent in your stud- Dear Evi, companionship is the best cure for loneli- minder that the “School Ground” project ies and try your hardest in all subjects. All of my friends have dates for Val- ness (I don’t know if they actually say that, never got off the ground. It would have Luckily, I’m not an upstanding member of entine’s day, and I’m stuck at home mara- it sounds vaguely science-y), and a room brought these progressive educational anything, so we can skip that jargon. In all thoning Star Wars. What can I do to stop full of like-minded friends pigging out on ideas to Mt. Greylock and would have en- seriousness though, you do have to keep feeling lonely? food and sci-fi sounds like a great way to riched our curriculum. xyz up in school (colleges have been known to Dateless and Depressed spend Valentine’s Day. xyz The Perfect Frozen Pizza? By hannah fein and anya sheldon Ah, frozen pizza. So convenient, so colorful vegetables. We would critique Afterward, we agreed that this low-budget, an explosion of bell pepper...and so did the cheap-- what’s not to love? these options in three areas: convenience, classic option was charming, if only a little second bite. And third. Really, the pizza’s Well, for one thing, it’s usually not too healthfulness and taste. dull. Convenience: 10/10--Cheapest option flavor never changed or fluctuated with dif- healthy. Because the pizza already has We were slightly alarmed after remov- and quickest to make. Healthfulness: 4/10- ferent bites. It was like each of the vegeta- been prepared and needs to last in its fro- ing the pizzas from their boxes. Their hard, -no extra nutrients, just cheese, sauce, and bles’ unique flavors had bled together into zen state for a significant period of time, plastic-looking facades looked nothing like dough. Taste: 6/10--boring, but not bad. one underlying mono-veg-- but despite it can usually be found stuffed with pre- the photos on the containers, but really, do Our next dish was a BBQ chicken pizza, this, the crust’s delicate, yet crispy texture servatives, additives and chemicals. The they ever? We could only hope for the best featuring a doughy crust, a thick layer of was spot-on and a pleasant surprise. Even process of freezing and cooking also strips as we placed these suspicious-looking piz- barbeque sauce and sprinkles of chicken, though the pizza’s flavor did not hold our it of many nutrients found in the tomato zas in the oven. onion and cheese. After one bite, our taste attention with every bite like we had hoped, sauce, veggie toppings and other ingre- Once the pizzas had cooked for their re- buds were overwhelmed by the strength the veggies added something different to a dients. Another con of consuming frozen spective times (cheese took 12 min., vege- of the barbeque. Despite the variety of classic dish and provided an extra oomph pizza? Sometimes it doesn’t taste great. table took 14 min., BBQ took 18 min.), we toppings, the tangy barbecue flavor was that we liked. Convenience: 7/10--right in The manufacturers of these lower-quality eagerly began to cut them up. Dividing into all-encompassing and eliminated all other the middle of the three on cooking time products, however, can still easily succeed only a few slices, each pizza served about tastes. The continual bursts of flavor, how- and cost. Healthfulness: 7/10--veggies add thanks to America’s craving of salt and fat. three people. For a large gathering like the ever, nicely contrasted the previous pizza. considerably to nutritional value. Taste: Amid the unhealthy, mediocre pizzas out one we were hosting, multiple pizzas were Overall, we were pleased, although we 6/10--mono-veggie flavor. there, though, we had faith that we could the way to go. would have enjoyed this option more if it When the points were totaled in the end, find a perfect frozen pizza. We began with the cheese pizza. Judging had tasted a tad more like pizza and a tad we found ourselves with a tie. Cheese and After embarking upon a trip to the local by its plain appearance and impressively less like BBQ sauce. Convenience: 5/10-- veggie were neck and neck with 20 points, grocery store, we gathered some friends low cost, we admit we were not expecting longest cooking time and most expensive. while BBQ had 16. For all we knew, and returned home with three boxes. The a culinary miracle. It turned out we were Healthfulness: 4/10--lots of fat, sugar, and though, any of them could have been victo- first was the cheapest full-size pizza in mostly right-- the taste was mildly bland sodium. Taste: 7/10 rious. As long as it’s in moderation, frozen the store-- Tony’s Original Crust Cheese and certainly could have benefitted from The vegetable pizza was the most aes- pizza serves as a perfect meal for anything Pizza. Second was the BBQ chicken flavor herbs or a richer sauce. Once we applied a thetically pleasing of the bunch, with a from a gathering of friends to a late night from California Pizza Kitchen. Our third generous serving of oregano, however, the myriad of red, yellow and green veggies. study session, and we hope our insight into hopeful contender was Ristorante’s Pizza pizza’s flavor was greatly improved, and Topped with bell and banana peppers, to- the ups and downs of this delicacy can help Vegetale, a thin crust pizza brimming with the steaming slices quickly disappeared. matoes and onions, the first bite tasted like in your future selections. xyz The Greylock Echo February 3, 2014 Page 6 sports An Interview with Evan Gurek By ian culnane like jumps, half-pipes, boxes Evan: For the past few summers, I have dells? and rails. Through his own been out to Oregon to ski on Mt. Hood, a Evan: I definitely want to stay in shape, drive and talent, he has excelled glacier that has snow year round. My coach work hard in school and skiing and trying at his sport and even made the has been professional skier Max Goram to make nationals in USASA, which is the cover of freestyle skiing web- who I am pretty tight with and has helped most prestigious skiing competitions in the site, newschoolers.com, mul- me improve a ton. On the East Coast, I ski US. I want to do more competitions in gen- tiple times. You won’t see Evan with my dad every weekend, because he did eral and thats what I’m going to Windells around the halls for some time the same things when he was younger. He for. because he is spending second makes me improve my skiing all around. semester at Windells Academy When I ski with friends, we all push each Echo: What made you decide to go? to further improve his freestyle other to learn new tricks and constantly im- Evan: I had thought about it for a few years abilities. Before he left, we sat prove. now, and I hadn’t really had the opportu- down with Evan to talk about nity until this year. Jeff Curry, the head of how he spends his winter. Echo: So where are you going for next se- the Academy, is pretty good friends with mester? my dad. My dad told him that I had been Echo: What winter sport do you Evan: Next semester, I am heading off to looking into it. Jeff said there weren’t too do and can you tell us about it? Windells Academy in Oregon. Windells is many students up there this time of the year Evan: In the winter I freestyle a summer camp, but also a intensive train- and told my dad that I should come up for ski. When I go skiing I spend ing ski school, focusing on both skiing and a semester. the majority of my time in the school work. You have the best coaches in terrain park, hitting jumps, rails the world training you every day. On cam- Echo: Why did you choose freestyle ski- and boxes, learning and perfect- pus, they have trampolines, multiple skate ing? ing tricks. parks, dry slope ski runs and many other Evan: It’s what I love. Like it’s my drug. things to improve your skiing and let you It’s where I can be myself and be with the Echo: How do you train for have fun. people I love. Im surrounded by people Freestyle skiing? Echo: What would school be like? How who actually know what I’m talking about Evan: First off you have to be in will you keep up with school work? and share the same passion as me. People Photos courtesy of Evan Gurek shape, so I usually hit the gym Evan: If you don’t do all your school work who can pump me up before I go try a sick everyday. This helps me to do you can’t go on the hill, so obviously trick. It’s an amazing environment. The Junior Evan Gurek spends his winter tricks and stay away from injury. Also, I go school work is my first priority and a nec- people I ski with on the mountain are my on many east coast ski mountains freestyle skiing almost every day of the week where essary at Windells. It will be interesting to second family. To me, nothing is more sat- skiing. Freestyle skiing is a sport where I spend 95% of my time in the park. try all online classes. isfying. xyz competitors ski down a mountain and show off different tricks and routines on features Echo: Who are your skiing mentors? Echo: What are your focuses for Win-

boys’ basketball boys’ nordic By nyein soe by eric hirsch The Mount Greylock boys’ basketball mentioned, “We’ll be happy just to make we would have to have an amazing sea- The Nordic Ski Team consistently has team has not had their ideal start to the 2013- Western Mass since we’re still unsure of son.” Thistle agrees, “The primary goal is the most members of any sport offered 14 season with a 4-5 record, which include whether we will qualify. Actually, win- to qualify for playoffs and then make it as at Mt. Greylock. As one would presume, losses to Wahconah, Lee, Pittsfield, Turn- ning the whole thing is currently out of the far as possible… we’re going to take it one year after year, the program sports many er’s Falls, and Hoosac Valley in the open- question. The field is really competitive so game and try our best.” xyz talented seniors. However, regardless of ing game. Despite the slow start, the team the previous year’s senior class, the Nordic remains optimistic. According to junior Ski team looks to do the same thing every guard Taylor Carlough, “We just happened year: reload. And reload is what they have to lose [the initial games] because we had down in 2014. The Mounties have cruised a pretty difficult schedule due to challeng- past their opponents in the first three races ing opponents. Though, the second half of of the season. the season is supposed to get easier.” Many In the first race of the season at Notch- team members, including head coach Rob- view, junior Jake Foehl crossed the finish ert Thistle, also attribute the losses to the line in 26:07 which was fast enough for the amount of travelling involved. In fact, four first victory of his varsity career. Sopho- of the five losses occurred at away games, more Ian Culnane, junior Will Nolan, and but given that the majority of the upcoming sophomore Matt Wiseman came in the games will take place at home, the Mount- next three places respectively. Although ies have a good chance to pull ahead in the the weather conditions made for a slow win-loss record. When asked about what race, the Mounties’ relentless preparation he thinks of the beginning of the season, allowed them to pull through in the end. Thistle said, “We’re not completely satis- Will Nolan took race number two at fied with the current record, but its not like Mohawk High School. Once again the we are playing badly. The team gives their Mounties claimed most of the top finish- all in every game and that is what really ers as Culnane finished second and Foehl matters.” came in third. Foehl came out on top in the As for goals for this season, the team, third race of the season at Berkshire East, like in every other year, is keen on mak- Photo courtesy of Ian Culnane with Nolan and Wiseman finishing sec- ing the Western Mass playoffs. To qualify, ond and third. “On any given day, anyone they have to win ten games in the regu- Cole Jackson shoots a free throw at a recent home game. of our top four could win the race,” said lar season. Junior point guard Eric Hirsh Foehl. The top four are so close in ability, that they will push each other to work that much harder. Especially since they are all eyeing a spot on the coveted Eastern High Trouble at the Olympics Schools Ski team. Only twenty four boys from Massachusetts qualify for the team, By katelin marchand which competes against the rest of New The 2014 Winter Olympics will soon be- there was a trolley explosion that started a there be soldiers in Sochi there will also be England. gin in Sochi, Russia, lasting from February string of terrorist attacks, which aren’t nec- patrol boats in the Black Sea and drones at Although the skiers that cross the line 7 until February 23. Over 2500 Olympians essarily linked. The attacks on December the ready. All phone communication in the first get all the attention, it is actually the will gather in the Olympic park to partici- 29 and 30 took place at a train station in city will be collected and monitored. next few skiers that win the races for the pate in activities from speed skating to bob- Volgograd. These three attacks specifi- Besides the security fears there have been team. Luckily for Greylock, the second sleighing. As the world assembles to watch cally heightened fears of possible terrorist other controversies that have shrouded the pack is not too far back. Seniors Caleb this joyous event, there is a great concern attacks on the Olympic games because of Olympic games in a dark cloud. Human Raymond and Derek Wood and juniors about security. Because of the large num- how close they were together in time. rights issues, specifically gay marriage, Tom Schoorlemmer, Jake Kobrin and Jo- ber of people that attend the games and are Another factor that has led to fears is have arisen as a concern. Ever since this seph Gais would likely be top skiers most concentrated in one area, terrorism is a con- that Chechen terrorist, Doku Umarov, has past summer, when Russia passed legisla- other schools in the league. Also, do not cern for both the host country, which has to already publicly announced that he wishes tion to prevent gay “propaganda,” the rights sleep on the possible emergence of cross protect all those involved, and the partici- to disrupt the Olympic games. Although in of openly gay athletes from other countries country running sensation junior Carter pants, who could be targets. After several the past Umarov has claimed responsibility have been a topic of discussion between Stripp. terrorist attacks in late December and early for “successful” terrorist attacks, neither he international leaders and have gained the The tremendous depth of the squad will January, the Russian hosts ramped up secu- nor any other specific terrorist group has media’s attention. Putin recently stated that give the team a shot for another state title. rity; they have employed over 30,000 sol- claimed responsibility for the recent at- gay athletes will be safe in Russia, as long They will not let any obstacles provided by diers and policemen to protect the city of tacks. Russian president Vladimir Putin as they “leave children alone.” Although the weather slow them down. “The weath- Sochi and its perimeter. The security of the was forced to drastically increase security his comments were meant to be reassuring, er deals us the hand, and we just have to games has received a lot of media cover- in and around Sochi. Putin also person- they have only sparked more controversy. work with whatever mother nature throws our way,” said Foehl. So far, so good for age due to these numerous terrorist attacks ally inspected Olympic grounds, and then, As the Olympics quickly approach, hope- xyz that took place in Russia on December 27, in an attempt to subdue fears, went skiing fully Russia can resolve all humanitarian the Mounties. 29, and 30. In Pyatigorsk, on December 27, in Sochi to prove its safety. Not only will and security issues. xyz The Greylock Echo February 3, 2014

sports Page 7 wrestling By sam kobrin The wrestling team has been peasant- Hynes. Top-notch physical fitness is one ly surprised this season as they progress of the areas that separates Greylock from in another powerhouse year. The co-op the competition. This edge helps the team team, led by Wresting Hall of Fame in- overpower opponents on the mat. Hoosac ductee coach Miro, has battled their way wrestler and senior captain Travis Hilchey to a record of 21-5. Greylock eighth grader has accumulated over 100 pins in his career Jude Rorke has emerged as a key part of and continues to be an anchor for the team. the team and was ranked in the top three Other wrestlers such as Ben Hynes and Cj last year for Western Mass in his weight Lille continue to play a major part in the class. Sophomore Ray Malone is a secret teams success. Devin Pelletier has become weapon for the greylock team. “He’s a real a rising star on the team wresting off cap- wild card on the mat,” states Sophomore tain CJ Lillie. Ben Hynes said “he’s rarely Ben Hynes “he’ll be falling behind in a pinned because of his undefeatable spirit.” match and the get a pin seconds before the Superior coaching, training, and athletes match is over.” The wrestling team also help the wrestling teams dominate on the welcomed many new members that have mat. They look forward to a successful sea- “learned real fast and filled in the places son ahead. xyz of graduated teammates very nicely,” said Photo Courtesy of Iberkshires.com. A Mt. Greylock wrestler gains the upper hand on an opponent. girls’ nordic hockey co-op girls’ basketball By lucy barrett By cal filson By gray kaegi Mount Greylock girls’ Nordic ski team the season paid off.” The Mounties have a If you are unfamiliar with Berkshire The girls’ basketball team has had a is off to a great start, winning its first four positive outlook on the rest of the season, County hockey, don’t feel alone. The one great start to the season and looks to stay league races. as of January 24th. Sopho- hoping for some snow and to keep the win- thing you need to know is that Mt. Grey- successful as it progresses. The team has more Grace Smith has come in first for ning streak alive. lock hockey players actually play for the had key victories against skilled teams like the Mounties in all three skate races and Although the winter’s weather has been Wahconah Warriors. This Wahconah team Monument and Drury and a thrilling win finished third in the one classical race. far from ideal for the ski team, it has clear- is a co-op consisting of players from Mc- over Wahconah, taking the lead by one The team’s other top skiers include senior ly not affected its success. The weather Cann Technical School, St. Joseph’s, Wah- point with 2.6 seconds left on the clock. Zavi Sheldon, junior Christina Butcher, is very inconsistent, but the team is mak- conah and Mt. Greylock. Players from Mt. The starting five-- senior Mackenzie Fly- sophomores Smith, Sophie Gerry, Greta ing adjustments. From dry land workouts Greylock make up only a fraction of this nn, junior Lucy Barrett, sophomore Arian- Savitsky, Ellie Williams and Holly Fisher to skiing around the bottom of Jiminy at team as there are only two students that na Walden and freshman Jenna Benzinger as well as freshman Niku Darafshi and 8th seven in the morning, the girls are work- play: junior Dan Flynn and freshman Kyle and Sarah Stripp-- have all performed well, grader Abby Wiseman. ing very hard to prepare the best they can. Bazonski. Both Flynn and Bazonski are getting the wins they need. Smith is finding her toughest competition Their work has paid off as the season has long-time hockey players originating from But what exactly about this team is help- from Mohawk’s Allison Lull and Lenox’s progressed, with the race results showing the prestigious Berkshire Bruins youth ing them toward success? When asked, Josie Marshall; they consistently join her that they are clearly the county’s dominant hockey establishment. In years past, when Lucy Barrett stated, “Our team has great in the top three spots. She noted that, “It’s team. As the season winds down, they are the Hennessy League was still in place, Mt. chemistry off the court which translates to always a great feeling knowing all of your looking to the state race on February 11th Greylock hockey players played for St. Jo- great chemistry on the court. Also, we have hard work in the weeks before and during and working to ensure a good result. xyz seph’s, along with others from McCann a very athletic team, which helps our sec- High School. ond half when we run the floor and make Berkshire County hockey made one ma- the other team tired.” Another key aspect swimming jor change for this season. After last year, of the team could be their depth of players. the long-running Hennessy League was Take for example the starting five. There is By jake kobrin discontinued. MIAA hockey regulations a player from each high school class which state that for a league to exist, it must have gives the team experience and new young The Greylock co-op swim team’s season state meet as well.” Although there may at least four teams. In Berkshire County has been going swimmingly. “Our biggest be only seven swimmers walking through players with bright futures ahead of them. there are only three teams this year, mean- As the team gets closer and closer to the competition in the county is Monument the halls of Greylock, when combined ing there is no Berkshire County League. Mountain,” said junior Julia Whitney, “and with eleven swimmers from Drury and six postseason, the question of making West- Nine games into the season, the Warriors ern Mass gets thrown into the air. The girls’ we’ve already beat them by ten points.” swimmers from Hoosac, they are a force to are 3-5-1 with key wins coming against Mt. With no losses so far and their hardest op- be reckoned with. basketball team has not been to the West- Everett, Amherst and Taconic. The Wahco- ern Mass tournament in 4 years. However ponent in the county behind them, it looks Whitney says that her favorite part of nah hockey team has potential for success. like Greylock swimming could swim away the team is “how the team is made up of this team is different than the teams in the However, the junior winger Flynn made it past years. Last year the team went 6-13, with another undefeated season in the so many different schools. You get to clear that “we won’t be successful until we county. meet new people every year.” When asked but already, barely ten games into the sea- start playing like a team. There’s no doubt son, this year’s team is doing tremendously But many of the girls are looking past whether they still like to play sharks and that we have the talent. Then, and only then the county meets. “As a team, our goal is minnows in the pool, Whitney said that the well. This is a team that has the drive to get will be playing to our true potential.” them far. They want to get to that Western to do exceptionally well in the western team prefers a tougher game. “We always Mountie hockey players competed in the Mass meet,” Whitney said, “but as you can look forward to water polo days.” “Sadly,” Mass tournament, and if they continue with playoffs with St. Joseph’s and they hope the season they have been having, there is tell, our team is pretty small, so it is really said swimmer Elizabeth Bernardy, “we make it there again with their new team. important to place well individually in the only get a few of those a season.” xyz no doubt that they will be there ready to go xyz for a Western Mass title. xyz alpine skiing By benni mccomish Mount Greylock only has nine skiers who are members of the alpine ski team. In the regular sea- son, they compete in eight races at Bosquet Ski Resort throughout January and February. They be- gan the season with an 0-2 record. Key members of the boy’s team include junior Sam Kobrin, se- nior Niko Santore, junior Andrew Rickus, senior captain Ryan Kuhn, and junior Ross Burnham. The boys and girls Alpine ski have the the sec- ond least amount of varsity athletes for a sport at Mount Greylock. Mecer Greenwald and Miranda Voller are the sole skiers for the girls team. To have a varsity alpine ski team you have to have at least 6 skiers competing in races. “The boys team is officially a varsity team, while the girls are not because of the lack of skiers,” said Ath- letic Director Ms. von Holtz, “The girls won’t be able to ski in states because they are an individual team. Not having enough skiers is very common in Berkshire County so we aren’t the only ones.” Schools in Berkshire county that have alpine ski teams include Pittsfield High School, Taconic, St. Joe, Wahconah and Monument Mountain. Although mother nature hasn’t been provid- ing very much snow this winter for skiers, Kuhn is focusing on the positive. “So far the season has been great. We have been able to practice more Photo courtesy of Mercer Greenwald than other schools because Jiminy had good cov- erage, while Bosque couldn’t really hold.” Hope- Mercer Greenwald, one of two female skiers, com- fully with this advantage, the alpine ski team is petes in a slalom league race. ready for success on the slopes this season. xyz The Greylock Echo February 3, 2014 Page 8 sports/etc. 18 in America: Dylan Dethier By emily kaegi the PGA tour. However, Dethier’s journey stuff is very flattering and so exciting.” wasn’t just about the golf. He set out to find Since his trip, Dethier has not gone himself and grow up before returning to his back to visit many of stops along his road hometown to go to Williams College. trip. However, he still keeps in touch with At Greylock, Dethier was the top golfer many of the people he met. “It’s exciting for the high school team and placed 3rd to realize that you can have an effect on at States his senior year. Since he was ac- someone’s life even after just spending a cepted to Williams College, he decided few days with them.” he needed to leave town and learn how to Readers see Dylan grow up throughout make new friends and take care of himself the novel. “I’m a golfer so I appreciated in new environments. all he had to say about the great courses he Along his trip, Dethier networked and played and how well or badly he played. I connected with many different people. can relate to that, but the book was about With the help of friends and family, he so much more than just golf and that’s why managed to find warm houses to stay in. I think I liked it so much,” said junior Jake He reached out to many golf clubs, and by Foehl. the middle of the journey, famous courses While golf is prevalent, the reader doesn’t were sending him invites. need to know anything about it to enjoy the Dethier kept a blog for the entire trip book. Dethier portrays different elements documenting where he had been. A loyal from his trip with a unique voice. He does following built up. “I think the idea of not shy away from expressing the doubts an enthusiastic kid on a journey to see he experienced or the truth behind some of America really appealed to a wide range his thinking. He also finds a way to capture of people,” said Dethier. “Whether they the different spirits of America, showing were jealous of the freedom or the youth what a diverse country we live in. or just the ability to wake up every day and Rumors fly around whether the novel After Dylan Dethier graduated from Mt. where to sleep, how to eat and how to play be able to go anywhere.” With encourage- might be adapted into a film. One such ru- Greylockin 2009, he didn’t go straight to golf for free. Dethier spent many nights ment, he decided to write a book while still mor includes Josh Hutcherson playing De- college. Instead, he set off on a year-long sleeping in the back of his car with an axe in college. thier. While Dethier said he hasn’t reached road trip across the US to play golf in all 48 and sneaking into hotels to eat the conti- Dethier published 18 in America with out to Hutcherson, movie talks are in early continental states. Dethier started the trip nental breakfasts. Scribner Publishing. “I told myself that all I stages. with his Subaru (named “Subi”) packed His trip would inspire envy in any avid could do was write something that I would Dethier’s book is a great read for any- with clothes and food and less than $5,000. golfer. He teed off on many different cours- be proud of,” he said. “Everything else-- one. His journey is truly inspiring and he Without much of a plan, Dethier spent the es: from broken down greens in the Mid- the positive reaction, the good reviews, the encourages all people to take a chance at first couple months trying to figure out west to some of the most famous courses of fact that people are actually buying it--that trying something new. xyz crossword

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