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Vo l u m e CXXXV, Nu m b e r 4 The Pingry School, Martinsville, New Jersey Fe b r u a r y 27 , 2009 Students Speak at MLK Day Assembly By NEHA SRIVASTAVA (V) a certain religion. But at the POCC, Rice realized that his For this year’s Martin Luther parents left him his own type King Day assembly, held on of culture, that of Bob Dylan, Friday, January 16th, 14 students guitar playing, and bonding over spoke about their experiences a shared love of music. at the People of Color Confer- Auriel Dickey shared her ence (POCC) and the Student experience participating in a par- Diversity Leadership Confer- ticular group exercise at the con- ence (SDLC). Organized by Dr. ference. In the activity, students Diana Artis, Assistant Director from around the country stood of Admission and Coordinator on a straight line and answered of Multicultural Outreach, the general questions — relating to reflective presentation addressed race, background, and experi- diversity and the ongoing effort ence — by taking one step for- to embrace it. ward or one step back. After the Students addressed the audi- exercise, Dickey was surprised ence one-by-one, recalling their at how incredibly different each experiences at the conferences person’s goals, characteristics, and sharing their sentiments and and lives were. discoveries. Student speakers Yaadira Brown related an- included seniors Yaadira Brown, other activity in which a group Audrey Li, Auriel Dickey, God- of students held hands in a circle; frey Best, and Maya Artis; ju- those who answered yes to a niors Nick Rice, David Martin, question asked by a proctor en- Myles Davis, Elisse Park, Jasmin tered a circle within the existing Neal, Diamond McClintock, one. Brown said that for the first and Vicky Morgan; as well as time in her life, she was with a sophomores Lakshmi Davey and majority of ambitious, successful Arvin Alaigh. African-Americans. “It was an The POCC occurs yearly and empowering feeling,” she said. is sponsored by the National All students spoke on the Association of Independent common theme of embracing Schools. Its goal is to promote diversity in its different forms. inclusive school communities These include not only race, but and support sanctuaries and net- gender, age, sexual orientation, works for people of color. The socioeconomic status, religion, Mr. Carver ‘77 speaks to students at Career Day. Courtesy of J. Bratek SLDC focuses on self-reflection, political beliefs, and home life. forming allies, promoting social The students stressed that these justice, and building inclusive differences are what make us communities. Schools from special and yet also unite us, giv- Juniors Join Seniors at Annual Career Day across the nation send students ing us strength as a community. sessions. Merrill Lynch. Currently, he sneaking condoms into the to each conference. The student Students also defined diver- By JENN SOONG (V) Mr. Schwartz began by is the CEO of Gordon Broth- factory that produced Barbie speakers had attended the 2006, sity as a process, not an outcome, Initially created in 1999 sharing his own success story. ers Group. bedroom sets. Mr. Schwartz 2007, and 2008 conferences, saying that Dr. Martin Luther by Director of Alumni Rela- He arrived at Pingry in the In addition to recounting also elicited much laughter which took place in Seattle, King’s work is not finished. Da- tions, Jackie Sullivan, Career 10th grade, where he devel- his history, Mr. Schwartz when he recalled taking a Boston, and New Orleans, re- vid Martin ended the assembly Day at Pingry has long been oped skills such as restraint amused the audience with personality test and learning spectively. with a ringing quote by Dr. King: a success. The annual event and teamwork. He went on to some of his earliest experi- that both airline steward and The speakers shared a unique “I have a dream that one day on had been exclusive to se- earn a Bachelor’s Degree in ences in the “business” field. CEO would be suitable career experience. Nick Rice spoke the red hills of Georgia, the sons Economics from the Wharton He talked about merging lawn niors since its creation. This Continued on Page 4 about realizing his own diversity. of former slaves and the sons year, however, juniors were School of the University of mowing services as a boy and At the POCC in New Orleans, of former slave owners will be invited to participate for the Pennsylvania and then re- Rice initially questioned his able to sit down together at the first time. ceived a MBA from Harvard table of brotherhood.” Despite diversity and wished he repre- Students began the day Business School. For years he sented a distinctive culture. He the group’s own diversity, all the Inside The Record listening to key-note speaker, worked in various firms such did not consider his own ethnic speakers agreed that thanks to as Palladin Capital Group, background distinctive, and he Dr. King, such a day had already Mark J. Schwartz ’75, and Nine West Group Inc., and had not been raised to practice arrived. spent the rest of the morn- ing attending various career Junior Parisi Wins Fourth Annual Robert H. LeBow ‘58 Memorial Oratorical Competition the fifth annual Dr. Rob- on a topic of their choice. Parisi (V), and Nick Rice By JULIA NOSOFSKY (V) ert H. LeBow ’58 Memo- The competitors were David (V). On Friday, February 13, rial Oratorical Competition. Martin (V), Albert Magnell The competition, which the Upper School headed On stage, six participants (IV), Courtney Hulse (V), began in 2005, was founded to Hauser auditorium for waited to present speeches Sean Salamon (V), Anthony by William Hetfield ’58 and the Class of 1958 in honor of their classmate, Dr. Robert Lewbow. LeBow, a renowned and respected public speaker, worked for the United States Agency Courtesy of J. Bratek for International Develop- Dr. James Baker addressed environmental sustainability ment, or USAID. Along with in the annual John Hanley Lecture Series. P. 4. his wife, Gail, he traveled to developing countries to Financial Dependence New Album, Old Bruce provide medical aid and ser- Junior Jenny Gorelick discusses Dan Abend (III) reviews Bruce vices to the inhabitants. the impact of the financial crisis on Springsteen’s newest album. P. 7. The contest is open to Pingry students. P. 2. sophomores or juniors. In the State Champions! preliminary round, competi- Citizens of the World tors present their speeches Model UN attended its annual In its second year, winter track to a panel of Pingry faculty, conference at Rutgers University in captures its first state title. P. 8. alumni, and others from the November and discussed issues of outside community, and six global importance P. 5. Sections finalists are chosen. This The New World of College Admissions speech can be anywhere School News...... 1, 4, 5 from four to six minutes Joe Naso (VI) examines the impact Commentary...... 2-3 long and is on a self-chosen of the internet and college-oriented College Feature...... 6 Courtesy of J. Bratek Arts...... 7 Participants and judges of the Oratorical Competition pose after the winners are an- websites on the college process P. 6. nounced. Continued on Page 5 Sports...... 8 3 2 THE PINGRY RECORD COMMENTARY FEBRUARY 27, 2009 THE PINGRY RECORD COMMENTARY FEBRUARY 27, 2009 EDITORIAL The Opportunity to Achieve Greatness do. I simply hold that good Afghanistan, however, of the stimulus bill, “If this Each year, the John Hanly Lecture Series’s carefully By ANDREW WEINSTOCK (VI) governance is man-made, but poses a much different and is going to be bipartisanship, chosen speaker challenges the Pingry community to dis- President Obama has a that the opportunity for great- more difficult task. It seems the country’s screwed.” cuss a thought provoking, and often controversial, global chance that not every presi- ness is created by the country’s as if we are mired in a guer- In the election campaign, issue that affects us all. This year, Dr. James Baker, the dent has: to go down as one circumstances. rilla war, with no end in sight, Obama pledged to change the current Director of the Global Carbon Measurement Pro- of the greatest presidents in Barack Obama enters office a conflict many will compare old politics of Washington, gram, tackled global warming in a speech that garnered American history. The greatest facing urgent circumstances: to Vietnam. Nobody is quite but he failed miserably in his both praise and criticism. While he impressed some with presidents have been among the worst economic crisis sure exactly what the end first major piece of legisla- game is. Obama didn’t cause tion. That cabinet nominees his expertise and fascinating presentation, he bored others the most able commander-in- since the Great Depression, chiefs our country has had, two foreign wars, the growing the economic crisis. He didn’t are dropping like flies makes who saw the topic as too mundane and elementary. but their legacies in history threat of terrorism, a terribly initiate the wars in Iraq and me suspicious of Obama’s But more important than the disagreements Dr. Baker were possible not just because inefficient healthcare system, Afghanistan, or the War on judgment. The president’s inspired, he re-ignited conversations at Pingry on an issue of their abilities, but because and a record level of national Terror. Yet, along with the choice for Treasury Sec- which will only continue to affect our lives. they faced incredibly difficult debt, just to name some of the other challenges he faces, they retary, Timothy Geithner, Consciously and unconsciously, we have all left behind circumstances. most glaring issues. As the will define his legacy. seems to have what I’ll call carbon footprints. From driving to school to traveling George Washington, for current economic crisis has Sometimes I find myself “Paulson’s Disease” – not abroad, our prevalent on-the-go culture seems to neces- example, had to undertake progressed and gotten worse, wondering, what would it knowing when to keep silent sitate our gradual erosion of the environment. Luckily, the task of building a nation, it has become increasingly have been like to be a citizen and when to speak. On Feb- there are countless ways for us to lessen our harmful while Abraham Lincoln faced apparent that the monetary when Washington or Lincoln ruary 10, he announced his impact on our world by doing more than just recycling secession and the Civil War. policy conducted by the Fed- was president. We study these bank bailout plan, but it was and planting trees. I’m not downplaying the effectiveness Of course one could endlessly eral Reserve will not be able men in textbooks and often more a general set of prin- of those actions; I’m sure all of you have already been debate their legacies, but by to solve the nation’s problems look up to them as mythical ciples. The vagueness of his taught a dizzying number of times about throwing your and large, Washington and alone. heroes beyond reproach. Yet plan subsequently sent stock water bottles into the specially labeled bins, or spending Lincoln are routinely ranked Chairman Ben Bernanke they were real men in real market shares tumbling and a weekend channeling your inner gardening skills. Every in the top two of historical has been working furiously times. I strongly believe the undermined attempts to build little action counts, but how can we expand our influence presidential rankings. The na- and the Fed will be part of American people have the confidence on Wall Street. even more? tion called upon their leader- the solution, but ultimately, chance to live in such a period However, no president can Following in Dr. Baker’s lead, we should first spread ship in times of greatest need, Obama’s administration will today. be judged based on a month awareness about the issue. With knowledge often comes and they answered the call have the greatest responsibil- Am I calling Obama our or two in office. It’s still action, and people need to feel motivated to care before with great skill. ity in restoring the economy savior or calling him the next the presidential honeymoon Washington or Lincoln? Cer- period and I’ll let him keep they will passionately join the movement. Start by talking However, if each of them to prosperity. The crisis is unprecedented, and great lead- tainly not. I wince at those my trust for now. He’s a with your peers and family to listen to their beliefs and were commander-in-chief during great prosperity, I am ership will be required to comparisons. I prefer many charismatic leader I want to share with them your own. Instead of shying away from confident that they would not face it. Republican policies and I even believe in. And if he writes such discussions for fear of offending someone or being be regarded quite as highly In Iraq, the finish line is in voted against Obama. I already the history books like he has ridiculed for your different ideas, jump in and participate. as they are now. And that is sight. Troop withdrawals will have some grievances. The the opportunity to, we will all You may be debating with someone whose views are no slap in the face to them be coming soon and combat stimulus bill underwhelms me. have something in common worlds apart from yours, but be open-minded to the other whatsoever; I revere these operations may be over by the Senator Lindsey Graham said with the American citizen of side and you’ll be surprised at how much you can learn men as nearly all Americans end of 2010. about the Congressional path the 1790s and 1860s. and absorb. Who knows? You just might be so convinc- ing that you’ll significantly sway the other person to your point of view. I have often re-evaluated my stances after debates, but I always emerged with a broader and deeper Popping the Bubble: Preparing for the understanding of the topic, grateful for all that I learned. For many, out of sight is out of mind. And since tan- gible evidence of global warming is difficult to observe Future by Becoming Financially Literate lies for most of our lives. remaining 72% has little lege, soon it’ll be over, and and analyze, it is too often pushed aside as a low-priority By JENNY GORELICK (V) concern. However, as Dr. Baker described, the long-term Of course, the scary thing or no experience actually we’ll be on our own to man- A few days ago I asked effects of melting glaciers and global climate change is that after college, we are handling money. age our money and financial my father how the current cannot be ignored and must be prevented. As citizens of a going to be full-fledged About 41% of the teens situations. Considering the financial crisis would af- members of this society and surveyed consider them- statistics, some of us will be heavily industrialized nation, we have the responsibility to fect our family. He replied the recipients of all of its selves knowledgeable in much more prepared than lead the rest of the world with our actions and policies. We by saying that almost ev- benefits and problems. budgeting money, while others. must support greater developments on alternative energy erything should remain the Which brings me to the only 31% know how to pay Our current economic and foster cleaner energy use. Though we may be long same; however, we had lost second reason. Thinking bills and 26% understand crisis is going to affect all gone before a drastic change such as the Big Chill hits, we many of our investments, about my life as a college how credit card interest and teenagers and adults. It’ll all have a stake in the lives of future generations — our which could have long-term graduate is hazy at best. fees work. These financially make it harder for us to ob- children and our grandchildren. Our society, and not just effects, including prevent- Especially at this school, illiterate teens, like myself, tain scholarships for college particular individuals, has added to global warming, so it ing him from retiring for we spend so much time are ill equipped to become and jobs once we graduate. is up to all of us to alleviate it. the foreseeable future. He focusing on getting into financially independent. Along with all of its hor- Dr. Baker’s objective was not just to inform the students went on to say that it could the nation’s best colleges This will create problems rible effects, however, our about some of the technicalities of climate change, but it be especially problematic and very little time on what for many of us, as we’ll be current situation has given was also to inspire and invigorate them to lead their own if my brothers and I remain comes after. on our own in only a few us at least one benefit. It is discussions about this issue. Whether we agree with him or financially dependent on If you asked me, I short years. The Keybank forcing young adults, like not, Dr. Baker prompted us to think about global warming him, specifically regarding couldn’t honestly tell you and Harris Interactive poll, me, to ask their parents the and to share our different opinions. For me, the success of a whether we begin living on what was wrong with the conducted in 2006, found hard questions. speaker lies in his or her ability to get the audience talking our own after college. economy or exactly how that out of the college stu- Of course, it can be pain- at the end of the presentation, a conclusion that Dr. Baker This shocked me for two credit works or how to dents surveyed, only 20% ful and even terrifying to undeniably achieved. I urge you now to take advantage reasons. First, up until this invest, and I’m not alone. believed that they were contemplate such concrete of your exposure to the many stirring speakers at Pingry: point, I had never really In Charles Schwab’s 2007 “very well prepared” for money issues, but it is bet- debate amongst yourselves about issues that are close to worried about my family’s Teens & Money survey, managing their money on ter to know than to be ig- financial standing. Many your heart. Never be afraid to agree or disagree with others, it was revealed that only campus, while almost one norant so that we won’t be adolescents, myself in- about 28% of the adoles- third (30%) admits that lost and overwhelmed once because that’s how we will ultimately learn. cluded, are very distanced cents surveyed reported that they were “not at all” or we are on our own. Now we Diana Jiang from “real world” problems their parents or guardians “not very well” prepared. have a great opportunity — caused by money and have have taught them about Although it seems far away to pop the bubbles that we been sheltered by our fami- money by giving them “a right now, as most of us are have been living in and to lot of experience budget- consumed with our high actually educate ourselves ing, spending, and saving school lives and the arduous so that we are prepared for Vo l u m e CXXXV it.” That means that the process of getting into col- the years ahead. Nu m b e r 4

Editors in Chief Andrew Sartorius Diana Jiang Managing Editor Photo Editor Jenn Soong Technical Director Rebecca Hamm Calvin Jones Conard Deputy Editors Jenny Gorelick Nick Rice Cartoonist Faculty Advisor Kate Conway Copy Editors Dr. Susan Dineen Shaan Gurnani Amy Gopinathan

All rights reserved. All contents © 2009 The Pingry Record. Printed on recycled paper. Please recycle after use. K. Conway (V) THE PINGRY RECORD COMMENTARY FEBRUARY 27, 2009 3 A “Pertinent Presentation”: Taking Dr. Baker’s Message Seriously By SAM MACKOFF (VI) hopes of further motivating be focused on either dis- one can do individually to purpose of his speech, Dr. of speakers like Dr. Baker and educating the Pingry proving a particular piece help. However, instead of Baker was able to give a and assemblies in general Ever since he became community. of statistical information hearing this message and very interesting and perti- will not be lost due to inap- headmaster in the fall of Dr. Baker succeeded in or fact or using a plethora expressing any genuine nent presentation. Hopefully propriate or rude student 2005, Mr. Conard has en- clearly presenting the sci- of complex terms in one interest in the topic, several the actions of a few students behavior. The purpose of couraged the Pingry com- entific reasoning behind sentence. students were more con- can be forgotten, and Dr. questions asked during as- munity to address the issue environmental change, the In addition, the focus of cerned with showing their Baker’s intended message sembly should not be to of environmental sustain- conservation work that he conversations I heard after own intelligence. Others can now take hold. accuse the speaker or show ability. One of the main has done, and what every- the assembly seemed to be seemed to care more about In the future, I hope off, but to truly inquire for functions of the Green one can do individually more focused on the sup- the humor in an array of that the overall message more information. Group is to convince the to help out. However, the posedly “boring” manner in inappropriate questions or Pingry community that be- assembly was not received which the information was challenges to Dr. Baker. cause environmental change as well as expected by all presented, and Dr. Baker’s The fact is that environ- EDITORIAL is something that affects students, and some of the incorrect estimate of the mental change is a reality, everyone, we all need to student behavior during population of the United and we need to take action On Friday, February 13th, I watched as five juniors and one address these issues on a the assembly clouded the States, an estimate that now. Doing as little as using sophomore participated in the Robert H. LeBow ’58 Memo- personal level by examin- issue. does not relate to his field less paper, turning off lights rial Oratorical Competition, giving engaging and insightful ing personal consumption Although the question of study. and appliances when they speeches on a number of topics ranging from present-day and waste. and answer segment may These proceedings have are not in use, and using less human trafficking to censorship. As a previous participant Mr. Peter Delman, the seem like a normal pro- distorted and confused the plastic water bottles can be in the competition, I was impressed by each competitor’s head faculty advisor of the cedure for any assembly, intended message of the a big help. eloquence and poise in front of the microphone. No matter Green Group, asked Dr. this particular event was assembly. The message was The assembly may not how much time one has spent preparing, it is never an easy James Baker to speak at plagued by a long series of simple: the environment is have been as humorous task standing up and calmly delivering a speech to the entire Pingry for the annual John ill-mannered questions. The rapidly changing, and there or exciting as an SAC as- student body. Hanly Lecture series in majority of them seemed to are many things that every- sembly; however, given the This year’s winner, Anthony Parisi, as well as second and third place finishers, Sean Salomon and Albert Magnell, re- spectively, did a masterful job in gripping the audience with their nuanced views of today’s society. Honor Board Case Study Sadly, I have come to notice that such public speaking is In the interest of getting students to think about the way the Honor Board makes decisions, the Honor Board has asked that becoming less and less common at Pingry. Perhaps spurred on we print an old case, ask everyone to think about it, and eventually reveal the outcome. by the noble goal of achieving hyper-efficiency and stuffing as Therefore, the following is a summary of a 1997 Honor Board case. Keep in mind that in 1997, students could not yet much information into our heads as possible during assembly easily e-mail documents as they can now, and most saved their work on hard disks. Also, the head of the Honor Board back period, the administration has allowed very few spontaneous then was Upper School Head Mr. Adam Rohdie. student announcements this year, instead requiring students to submit announcements by email. In terms of handling information, this email policy is great because we are no longer required to rely on something we THE EVENTS: might have heard during assembly; instead, the information is clearly presented to us in writing ensuring that we’ll never It’s a normal Wednesday—there are people busily scrambling around, and there’s some paper or other due. In AP Class miss another meeting. X, the assignment that’s due is a take home test. Most students place it on the teacher’s desk, but over the weekend when she But at the same time, students are losing valuable opportuni- takes the test home to correct she notices that a few papers are missing. ties to practice public speaking because of this email policy. One of these missing papers belongs to R.R. Some of my favorite, and most hilarious Pingry moments have The next Monday, the teacher asks R where her paper is. R’s response? She says she turned it in. The teacher concedes come from spontaneous announcements. Who could forget that perhaps the paper got lost among the others and returns home to search for it. However, it still doesn’t turn up, and the Ricky Zacharias and Scotty Eckenthal’s many SAC repartees teacher asks R to make another copy of the paper to be turned in the next day. R agrees. Fast forward a day—the paper is still missing. By Friday, a full week and two days after the original due date, R still has from last year or Julian Quintinilla’s speech calling for a boy- not turned anything in. Concerned, the teacher talks to Mr. Rohdie, who meets with R. cott of clothing companies that used sweatshop labor? They R claims that she’s having a lot of technical issues. Examples? Her printer’s not working. But she says that she has the needed no prior consent from the administration; they just went paper on a disk at home. She admits, however, that she only has the first part of the paper done. Mr. Rohdie tells her that he’ll up on stage during morning meeting and began speaking. be on the soccer field by the driveway at five o’clock later that day and asks her to bring him a copy by then, be it the disk or This past weekend, I watched the award-winning “John a hardcopy. R agrees to meet him to hand in the paper later that day. Adams” series by HBO. One of the things that struck me from Despite this agreement, however, R does not turn in her paper. Mr. Rohdie waits on the soccer field until six o’clock that watching Adams (although, to be fair, it was actually an actor, night but eventually leaves with no sign of the paper. After Mr. Rohdie and the teacher discuss the issue, they bring the case Paul Giamatti for a tv film ), was his ability to speak ardently to the Honor Board. yet spontaneously. Standing in front of the members of the Continental Congress, he did not slip into indecision and begin speaking clichés. Instead, he was able to clearly and concisely THE HONOR BOARD HEARING: enunciate his thoughts about the Constitution and the future of the United States. MR. ROHDIE: What I’m really worried about is that she blatantly lied to her teacher at the beginning. She said she turned Would students be capable of replicating a similar feat in her paper when really she hadn’t even completed it. In addition, a similar series of events occurred last year, and this is today, say standing up in front of the school and delivering becoming a continuous problem. their thoughts on the stimulus package or foreign policy? I doubt it. Mr. Rohdie then leaves the room, and R is brought in so that she can tell her side of the story. The standards of public speaking, and, for that matter, speaking in general, have been steadily decreasing the past R: Mr. Rohdie’s story is correct, but I think I can provide more insight on the disk issue. I legitimately lost the disk that had few decades. Influenced heavily by the media and celebrity the paper and other information saved on it. I lost information for college and for other classes, I swear. Despite this, I did put figures, members of this generation have been raised to speak the paper on Mr. Rohdie’s desk by six. It took so long because I had to rewrite it. And my printer wasn’t working again. in vague generalities, when they can even garner the courage to speak at all. Our generation’s poor speaking skills hit home way back in sixth grade: my orchestra conductor would cor- HOW DO YOU THINK THIS CASE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RESOLVED? rect a student every time he or she said “um” when speaking. While, at the time, this was incredibly annoying since my friends and I could only get in a few words at a time before STAY TUNED FOR THE HONOR BOARD DELIBERATION AND RESULT IN THE NEXT being corrected, I was able to see how unconscious my words ISSUE. actually were. I think that good public speaking is as important a part of our education as our studies. Twenty years from now, when we’re out of college and into the real world, what will our employers judge us on: our ability to recall the tenets of Rousseau and Hobbes, or our ability to offer a favorable impression of our- selves and our employers through public speaking? In fact, it’s interesting that the school doesn’t place a greater emphasis on coaching students in public speaking, instead offering it as an optional competition, considering that it will inevitably come to play an important role in our future professions. While I commend the administration for allowing faculty members to speak numerous times throughout this year, I believe this is the wrong message to be sending to students. Instead of giving the impression that faculty members are the only ones capable of speaking and offering advice, the administration should be encouraging students to speak as well. That way, not only will we be hearing voices from our contemporaries, but our generation’s public speaking standards will improve. Hopefully, this would lead to more students becoming interested in speaking. R. Hamm Conard (VI) While this may be the era of the Internet and email, there’s Don’t miss Les Miserables, presented by the Pingry Drama Department! still something to be said (no pun intended) for good public speaking skills as the six Lebow competitors displayed. As a result of the competition, I hope that other students will be Performances Thursday, Feb. 26, 7 PM; Friday, Feb. 27, 7 PM; encouraged to follow in their footsteps.

Saturday, Feb 28th, 2 & 7 PM —Andrew Sartorius 4 THE PINGRY RECORD SCHOOL NEWS FEBRUARY 27, 2009 Professional Alumni Share Experiences In his three sessions, for Continued From Page 1 example, Ryan “learned about the 360-degree brand man- options for him. Despite the agement circle for advertis- lighthearted manner of these ing, the basics of a product stories, Mr. Schwartz also of- design business, and how fered some serious words of the media—especially pub- advice. He said that an impor- lishing—goes about its busi- tant goal is “not to not make ness.” His favorite moment mistakes but not to make the was listening to artist, Harry same mistake twice.” Like- Allen ‘82, discuss product wise, he urged students to and interior design. take initiative, find a passion, By diversifying their ses- expect surprises, and give sion choices, students also back to the community, while gained insight into their own never compromising their career interests. Auriel Dick- ethics or fearing failure. ey (VI) was “swayed more to Overall, the key-note business than medicine.” Li speaker was well received. learned that “media, especial- Audrey Li (VI) liked how ly advertising, appeals to her Mr. Schwartz emphasized much more strongly now.” Courtesy of J. Bratek “that you could change the After listening to Mr. Steven direction of your career if Lipper ‘79, Tanvi Gupta (V) you were really unsatisfied.” “could see herself doing what Dr. D. James Baker’s Presentation on Phil Ryan (V) enjoyed “how he described in the Finance he related the present to our section.” Likewise, Claeson impending future and made a Dillon (V) said the Finance Environmental Sustainability Incites Debate nice transition into thinking speakers “gave him a good By ANISHA MOHIN (IV) & Al Gore on “An Inconve- (such as the fabled North- ing are faced with a unique about careers.” Vicky Lee idea about how the industry TYLER GUMP (IV) nient Truth.” west Passage), which will problem: the necessity of in- (V) also “liked the scented works and what sorts of peo- The ninth annual John Dr. Baker spoke on cli- expand trade. creasing emissions to adapt candle, laser pointer/flash- ple are most successful.” Hanly Lecture Series on mate change and global Dr. Baker argued that to new standards of living. light, and clock” that Mr. Yamini Nabar (V) thought Ethics and Morality took warming. His most impor- we can, in fact, reverse the “As populations grow,” Schwartz provided in student that including juniors in Ca- place on Friday, February tant message was that global negative effects of climate he said, “they want a higher gift-bags. reer Day this year was per- 6. This lecture series was warming is real and already change and protect our plan- standard of living. We have After the opening speech, fect because “juniors are established in 1999 to honor impacting our world today. et. The key question facing to find a way to increase the students attended three con- just starting to think about former Headmaster John The global mean tempera- scientists today, Dr. Baker standard of living without secutive career sessions of majors and Career Day can Hanly, who was respcted ture is rising, global sea explained, has to do with raising emissions.” The their choice. Available op- definitely give them insight for his firm morals and eth- levels are rising, and the how this seemingly irrevers- Clinton Foundation hopes tions included Advertising/ into various careers.” Rachel ics. This year’s speaker was Northern Hemisphere Snow ible climate change can be to preserve the forest while Marketing; Visual and Per- Adeleye (VI) thought that “it Dr. D. James Baker, Ph.D, Cover is starting to decline. reversed. For Dr. Baker, the dealing with the Earth’s forming Arts; Media, Ap- may also help affect juniors’ currently Director of the But how will these changes answer lies in planting trees, climate program. plied Science; Psychological college choices.” Global Carbon Measure- affect our world? he asked. which absorb carbon diox- The Global Carbon Mea- Services; Finance and Asset In general, Career Day was For one thing, in the Arctic, ide, a major cause of global surement Program, which Management; Medicine; Pub- both informative and interest- ment Program of the Wil- liam J. Clinton Foundation. as ice melts, polar bears warming. “Each tree,” he Dr. D. James Baker heads, lic Service; Entrepreneurship; ing. Students were able to will become increasingly said, “stores 70 pounds of aims to use satellites to mea- Law; and Sports Manage- broaden their horizons and Previously Dr. Baker had served as the Administrator endangered. Yet there are carbon per year. Over its sure the total forest coverage ment. Each group was led by realize, as Anita Ganti (VI) conceivable benefits, too: lifetime, a tree will store one of an area. These satellites two or three Pingry alumni did, that “people may find of NOAA during the Clin- more warming will lead to ton of carbon. Each person, will also show where illegal who work in that specific themselves walking down ton administration, and had more warm water sea routes meanwhile, is responsible logging is happening. The field. different paths.” been a scientific advisor for for 20 tons of carbon emis- purpose of the Global Car- sions annually.” bon Measurement program Showing a graph of the is to eventually reduce our Second Annual Dramafest Amuses Audience total United States carbon carbon footprint. Finally, Dr. a student director and student tion a lot of leeway and room also found that the characters By KATE DREYFUSS (V) emissions, Dr. Baker point- Baker stressed that we, as actors, typically rehearses dur- for experimentation.” However, were very deep, something that ed out that 17.4% of carbon individuals, are not useless Continuing a new tradition ing CP for about 45 minutes at the process of putting on a com- Bonadies said is “hard to find in emissions come from for- in the fight against climate started last year by Mr. Al Ro- least once a week on their own pletely student run production a short play.” mano, Head of the Drama De- and is responsible for all props came with some challenges. Jenny Gorelick (V), Lillie estry. “By planting 20 trees change. partment, this year’s Dramafest and costumes necessary for Gelman said, “Because there Ricciardi (V), and Julia Dowl- per person,” Baker said, Overall, many students took place on Friday, February their short play or scene. Other are no faculty members, there ing (IV) directed and performed “one can greatly reduce considered the assembly 19 and Saturday, February 20 than approving the scripts, are only self-set deadlines a scene from “Laundry and one’s carbon footprint.” a success as it instigated in the Attic Theater. Mr. Romano only enters the which are sometimes hard to Bourbon” by James McLure. Dr. Baker explained that discussion and debate about Dramafest is different from process to offer feedback to stick to!” Set in Texas, the scene is about organizations like the Green very important issues. “Dr. other Pingry Drama produc- each group in dress rehearsals Bonadies and Lipper di- best friends Hattie, played by Belt Movement in Kenya are Baker came across as very tions in that it is completely that take place as Dramafest rected and performed a scene Ricciardi, and Elizabeth, played helping this cause by plant- well informed on his sub- student run, led by a committee approaches. called “Nightswim” by Julia by Gorelick, who are passing ing trees on private land, ject and gave the Pingry of seniors loosely headed by “One great thing about Dra- Jordan, about two teenagers time by gossiping about their including farms, and school Community some valuable Maggie Bonadies and Cath- mafest is the variety of scenes,” considering going skinny dip- life in a small town. Dowling’s and church grounds. insights on the country’s erine Lipper. Once a group Bonadies said. “You see the ping in the middle of the night character, Amy Lee whom Dr. Baker also discussed most pressing of issues,” of students finds a script they serious, the funny, the absurd, who reminisce about the hu- neither Hattie nor Elizabeth the involvement of eth- Ned Adriance (VI) said. would like to perform, they the classic, and even a student- miliating experience they had can stand, pays them a visit ics in our mission to stop Thomas Schermerhorn (IV) bring it to Bonadies and Lip- written piece.” Sam Gelman during their previous escapade. and informs them that Roy, global warming. Whereas agreed, “I thought he was a (III) agreed, adding that the Bonadies and Lipper were Elizabeth’s husband, has been per, who in turn show it to Mr. the Clinton Foundation be- really good speaker with an Romano, Dramafest’s faculty student run aspect of Dramafest drawn to the scene because seen with other women around lieves the best way to stop important message.” Bran- advisor, for final approval. as well as the variety of scenes they not only were able to play town. Each group, which includes “gives everyone in the produc- girls their own age, but they Directed by Hannah Gold- global warming might be don Brier (V) also found Dr. stein (VI), Gelman, and Ryan to plant trees, it concedes Baker’s presentation engag- Campbell (III) performed “The that undeveloped nations ing as it “offered legitimate, Game Plan” by Peter Sagal, need to cut down trees for hard evidence as opposed to about employees Mark (played labor, warmth, shelter, and the rumors which are often by Campbell) and Paul (played export. circulated.” by Gelman) at an employee For example, Guyana’s Still, some students were training camp. Mark and Paul population is largely desti- not completely satisfied by are playing a game whose tute, and about three-quar- the assembly, and there was objective is to, as Gelman put ters of its land is forested. a wide range of opinions re- it, “get the other guy to cross While China has offered to garding the issues brought up the line.” buy and cut down Guyana’s by Dr. Baker throughout the Gelman enjoyed “The Game forests, offering the Guya- community. “Unfortunately, Plan” because of the similarity nese government money it environmental issues have he drew between the play and needs, deforestation proj- been made way too political his experiences on the freshman ects like this one will cause and have lost a lot of sci- retreat at Camp Bryn Mawr. He noted, “I was convinced global carbon emissions to entific value and thought,” throughout Bryn Mawr that rise. said Albert Magnell (IV). most of the activities we did In countries like Haiti, Nevertheless, as Adriance were pointless. Lo and be- local people use trees for pointed out “whether you hold, here was my chance for firewood, which provide agree with Dr. Baker or not, revenge!” their only source of warmth. the Pingry Community must These scenes plus many oth- Therefore, Dr. Baker ex- always be looking for ways ers made this year’s Dramafest plained, countries that hope to limit its impact on the Eliza Ricciardi (VI) and Ned Adriance (VI) perform in Dramafest. R. Hamm Conard (VI) another memorable success. to raise their standard of liv- environment.” THE PINGRY RECORD SCHOOL NEWS FEBRUARY 27, 2009 5 Model U.N. Attends Rutgers Conference Students Compete in to Experience International Politics Speech Contest has jumped from $692 per pared for the first committee ment, including a dance, ka- By SHAAN GURNANI (IV) Continued From Page 1 previous difficulties and em- person in 2006 to $1,754 session that began at 8 PM raoke, rock band, and an a- brace a new world order. From November 20 to per person in 2007. and lasted for three and a capella group performance. topic, generally an infor- Fourth to present was the 23, The Model United Like the UN, the confer- half hours. During this ses- Roberts especially enjoyed mative and contemplative Sean Salamon. Focusing Nations (MUN) Club par- ence is divided into general sion, the delegates made this part of the trip because th issue. In the final round, on the negative effects of ticipated in the 17 annual and advanced committees introductions, selected the “seeing groups dressed in after the six finalists present censorship, specifically the Rutgers University confer- that cover different topics. first topic, and began de- theme was a lot of fun, and to the students and faculty, censorship of profanity, ence held at the Hyatt Re- The general committees bate. getting dressed in a theme a panel of judges selects a Salamon discussed how it is gency hotel in New Bruns- deal with traditional UN After breakfast the next of our own was even more second runner-up, a first illogical to ban words, con- wick, New Jersey. MUN is topics and problems such morning, the well-rested entertaining!” Dowling also runner-up, and a winner. sidering their meanings and a simulation of the United as the uses of outer space, delegates participated in loved the activities because David Martin began with perceptions are constantly Nations where students act “they were a lot of fun and a nuclear proliferation and committee sessions for the a speech on the existence changing. He cited works of as delegates representing entire day, breaking only good break” from commit- conflicts, and economic of human trafficking and a Shakespeare in which curse various countries. Dr. James problems. Advanced com- for lunch and dinner. The tee sessions. new form of slavery, pros- words were used casually. Murray, history teacher, de- mittees look more closely at first topic was thoroughly On Sunday, students fin- titution. He sought to raise He ended by stressing that partment chair, and advisor historical and contemporary debated, and then countries ished discussing their issues awareness about the wide- there are no bad words, to MUN, feels that MUN is issues, such as the Korean with mutual ideas formed and attended debriefing “only bad ideas.” useful because “it is impor- Conflict and the UN Charter resolutions. These resolu- sessions. spread practice of selling Anthony Parisi spoke tant for students to be aware Convention of 2008. tions, which explained and Overall, the trip was a people as sex slaves, assert- about the negative results of what is going on in and Weeks before the con- offered solutions to specific great experience for ev- ing that though it was most around the world.” ference began, students problems, were then debat- eryone who participated. common in Southeast Asia, of the demanding college To prepare for the confer- researched their commit- ed. Ultimately, the delegates Roberts especially enjoyed human trafficking existed application process on stu- ence, each school is assigned tee’s topics, their country’s cast their votes according to it because “you have so as close as Paterson, New dents. He stated that stu- one or two countries, and history, their country’s posi- their country’s stance and much freedom, learn about Jersey. Finally, he urged the dents today forget what is this year, Pingry students tions on the topics, and pos- policy, as well as the specif- world issues, and hang out Pingry students and faculty truly important to them, represented Turkey and sible solutions to the topics. ics of the resolution. with friends all at once.” to “value human life” and and in turn forget their “in- Nigeria. Because of the geo- These ideas were organized On Saturday, delegates Dowling enjoyed “meeting stand up against human ner self-reliance,” referring graphic, political, and social into position papers that submitted resolutions for new people from across the trafficking, quoting famous to transcendentalist Ralph differences between Turkey each delegate wrote for each the second topic. After country while also spending figures, such as Dr. Martin Waldo Emerson. He advo- and Nigeria, students faced of the committee topics. many hours in the commit- time with my friends.” Luther King, Jr. cated the reevaluation of various challenges. The two Delegates then represented tee room, there was at least Dr. Murray felt that it was Albert Magnell, the sec- one’s values, condemning countries differ in natural their countries either indi- one resolution passed for a successful conference for ond finalist, opened with a the replacement of words resources, economic sizes, vidually or in pairs. each topic. Although the Pingry. “While we did not reference to the 2008 Sum- like “freedom” and “joy” manufactured products, This year, Pingry sent 38 committee sessions “can be win any awards,” he said, mer Olympics slogan, “One with words like “torture” government systems, and students, many of whom had hard to get through at times, “everyone had a great time World, One Dream.” He and “competition” when population sizes. previously been to a MUN they were enjoyable when and learned something about declared this phrase invalid, today’s students think about While Turkey is a devel- conference. Dr. Murray was they discussed interesting world affairs as well.” commenting that while there college. oped and stable country, “encouraged by the degree topics,” said Colleen Rob- Now that RUMUN is is, indeed, one world, there Nick Rice, the final pre- Nigeria is trying to break of interest in MUN this year erts (IV). completed, the students are is not one dream, but rather senter, warned of the down- away from its history of because it suggests that Julia Dowling (IV) looking forward to upcom- many dreams. He continued fall of today’s music and violence and develop a there is a lot of interest in agreed, saying, “[the com- ing conferences. Pingry by emphasizing the impor- stressed the importance of safer and more prosperous the community regarding mittee sessions] were pro- will attend the 8th Annual tance of the diversity of helping save it. He pas- nation by stimulating eco- international affairs.” The ductive, and my commit- Boston Invitational Model goals among people in the sionately urged the student nomic growth. According to trip was chaperoned by Dr. tee, [International Labor United Nations Conference, world today. body to “go out” and find the Economist Intelligence Murray, the club advisor, Organization], came up with hosted by Boston Univer- Following Magnell, unknown bands, rather than Unit and the World Bank, and history teachers, Mr. some great resolutions to sity. It will take place in the Courtney Hulse introduced just reverting back to bands Nigerian GDP at purchas- Matthew Horesta, and Mr. the problems we faced.” art facilities of the Boston the theme of rebuilding the of previous decades. He ing power parity has nearly Lee Hadbavny. Finally, on Saturday Park Plaza Hotel, during world “from the ground up.” disapproved of the system doubled from $170.7 billion After arriving at the Hel- night, delegates were able the weekend of February Using a hot dog stand in the of mass media music nowa- in 2005 to 292.6 billion in drich Hotel, students settled to relax and have fun. There 27, 2009. Students, ready Pentagon as a metaphor for days. 2007. The GDP per head into their rooms and pre- was a variety of entertain- to start writing position the past — when the Cold The judges chose Magnell papers and preparing for War era Soviet Union falsely as the second runner-up, the conference, will soon be deemed a similar hot dog Salamon as the first runner- receiving their country del- stand a threat — she encour- up, and Parisi as the winner, egations and committees. aged our nation to move past who received a cash prize. Jay Winston Makes Television Appearance on ABC Show to film the unsuspecting would not take illegal mon- By MAX DECHIARA (V) civilians who encounter the ey, Mr. Winston’s patience On January 6, Mr. Jay scenes. In this particular wore thin. “My insides were Winston was featured on instance, “What Would You boiling,” he said, “I certainly ABC’s “What Would You Do?” placed an employee wasn’t looking to pick a Do?” when he decided to and two Hispanic customers fight, but I was looking to stand up to a racist bagel in a bagel store in Linden, do the right thing.” store employee. NJ. The worker was directed As he became more impas- “What Would You Do?” to disrespect and refuse to sioned, Mr. Winston stood creates various ethical di- serve the two Mexicans up and began to aggressively dispute with the employee. Students attend the Delegate Boogie. S. Neibart (IV) lemmas and then proceeds while the makers of the show secretly watched to see Mr. Winston even offered how the other customers in to pay for the two Hispan- the store would react to the ics, but the employee would Once Again, Student Government Succeeds blatant racism. still not serve them. Before Mr. Winston was sitting at the debate could continue, a table enjoying a bagel and John Quiñones, the host of in Organizing an Entertaining Evening coffee when he noticed the the program, came out of girls ask the boys, adding stopped and neither did the everyone was having a good By ALLI DADOURIS (V) the back room to reveal that another level of excitement interaction take place. After fun. “It was really fun to time.” The energy level was it was all a setup. On Saturday, January to the dance. get dressed up and see ev- especially high on the dance he listened to the attendant Mr. Winston was relieved 24, Upper School students As Snowball began, eryone outside of school,” floor: people did not stop tell the two customers that that the entire encounter was were invited to get together students entered the front said Paige Farley (V). She dancing the entire night. they were illegal immigrants and attend Snowball, the lobby and were immedi- added, “We usually see each “Well, after a lot of plan- and that they should go back a hoax. “The situation was so school’s annual winter semi ately greeted by loud music other in a really stressful ning from the members of to Taco Bell, it became too realistic,” said Mr. Winston. formal. It was a night filled and familiar faces. After environment, so it was nice student government, I think much for Mr. Winston to “It really had a major effect with dinner, dancing, and checking in their coats, the to just be able to talk with everything went well,” said handle. on me.” much photography. attendees were signed in by my classmates about things Colleen Roberts (IV). “Ev- As a non-confrontational Raised in a very tolerant After a week of with stu- student government mem- other than school.” eryone who attended had a person, Mr. Winston simply environment, he was always dent government announce- bers. Even faculty chaper- Thomas Schermerhorn good time, which is what we asked the employee what taught to treat everyone ments and paper snowflake ones like history teacher (IV) commended the stu- want,” she added. Overall, the problem was, but this equally. As a professional decorations hanging around Mr. Theodore Corvino ’94 dent government for a job in the two years since its tranquil mood did not last for opera singer, Mr. Winston the school, the dance was and math teacher Mr. Fred- well done. “I thought it inception Snowball has long. When the man behind hopes that if he ever per- held at the Martinsville Inn. erik Hedengrin made it into was a lot of fun,” he said. been a great success: it was the counter began to com- forms in a foreign country, Unlike the other dances the a couple pictures them- He observed that “everyone a great way for all grades plain that “they” were taking he will be able to rely on the school hosts, Snowball is selves. had a really high intensity to come together and have jobs away from people in the same kindness of strangers Sadie Hawkins style: the The camera flashes never level, and you could tell a great time. United States and that he to help him get around. 6 THE PINGRY RECORD COLLEGE FEATURE FEBRUARY 27, 2009 Seniors Sound Off on the College Process Will Affirmative Action Become Obsolete in College Admissions? Law School, that race was a into oblivion. In the next few By ANDREW SARTORIUS (IV) factor that could be consid- years, as applications to elite A few weeks ago, as part ered in college applications, schools continue to increase of a Civil Rights chapter, my and that creating diversity and acceptance rates conse- AP Government class exam- on campus was a compelling quently decrease, many will ined affirmative action. Now, state interest. look for a scapegoat on which for many years, I had been But when was the last time to blame the arbitrary nature hearing about affirmative ac- you heard affirmative action of the college process. I be- tion, but, until recently it had mentioned in a mainstream lieve that because affirmative remained an abstract idea to media news report? I cer- action is so controversial, it be forever interpreted and re- tainly haven’t heard it men- is poised to become such a interpreted by the courts and tioned recently. In fact, in the scapegoat. Courtesy of collegeconfidential.com bickered about by the politi- buildup to the 2008 election, Most nearly all the friends cians. As well as studying the it was only mentioned spar- I talked to supported affir- Civil Rights chapter in AP ingly, with both candidates mative action in the college Gov, another event occurred preferring to stay away from admissions process. How- College Confidential: Helpful this year which brought me race issues and focus more ever, instead of focusing on into close quarters with af- on pressing policy issues. race-related affirmative ac- firmative action and piqued Barack Obama’s concrete tion, many of them spoke of Tool or Misleading Distraction? my interest in it: I applied to policy on affirmative action the need for socio-economic By JOE NASO (VI) threads are the heart of and college admissions college. has remained vague, but he affirmative action. the website. It is the one chances can easily agitate a For those of you who don’t certainly knows his stance “I think in today’s world Depending on who you place that I know of where college applicant. After all, know, affirmative action is on the issue. Speaking during we need more affirmative ask, College Confidential, a perhaps some of the most online forum users do not the process of using race the 2008 campaign, Obama action in college admissions website which offers college intelligent students in the make admissions decisions; or ethnicity as a factor in echoed the Supreme Court’s based on socio-economic application advice to high country lose all sense of admissions officers do. admissions to promote equal rulings in “Grutter” and “Bol- considerations rather than school students among other reality. The topics discussed On the positive side, opportunity and diversity on linger,” saying, “I still be- racial considerations,” said things, is either the great- include all things relating however, the popularity of college campuses. Obviously, lieve in affirmative action Ned Adriance (VI). est thing since sliced bread to college, but inevitably, College Confidential shows like most issues involving as a means of overcoming Alex Salz (VI) agreed, “We or simply a meeting place there are more than enough there is more to the site both historic and potentially need more affirmative action race, it is a longstanding sen- for obsessive-compulsive discussions relating to a than this stress-inducing sitive issue. There are legiti- current discrimination, but I based on social and economic seniors who are destined student’s chances at accep- sense of the competition. mate arguments both for and think that it can’t be a quota classes. I believe we should for depravity if they do not tance at a given school. against affirmative action: system and it can’t be some- be giving people from these What College Confidential proponents have called it a thing that is simply applied classes a bump, whether by get into “Insert Prestigious This is perhaps the most can offer is a place where necessary remedy to repair without looking at the whole increasing funding for them Name Here” University. alarming part of College overworked and stressed the rampant racial discrimi- person, whether that person is or looking at them differently “I find College Confiden- Confidential. The stress out students can boost their nation of our nation’s past, black, or white, or Hispanic, when applying.” tial to be a site that shows associated with the col- morale. Instead of only while critics have decried male or female.” “We should be giving those me more about the kids I lege process is completely hearing how terrible the the disappearance of the In light of the election of who are less fortunate than us might find at college, rather different than the typical college admissions process merit system in the college Obama as the United States’ with fewer resources an equal than information about the stress of high school life, really is, students can be admissions process in favor first black president, I sus- opportunity. That way, every- college I like” says Zach but instead of providing op- comforted discovering that of judging applicants by their pect the issue of affirma- one can potentially benefit,” Ring (VI). The site brings portunities to reduce stress other people are in the same skin color or ethnicity. tive action will resurface in said Brooke Conti (VI). together an eclectic mix and calm students, the site situation they are. Back in 2003, affirmative the coming years. Critics Whether affirmative ac- of people from all over the seems to only augment the As Jack Muller (VI) says, action assumed national im- of affirmative action will tion will continue to focus world, but there is no ques- intense competition. “I’ve never really been a portance when the Supreme use Obama’s presidency as on race or instead move into tion that College Confiden- I find it hard to believe fan of College Confidential, Court ruled on two cases evidence that affirmative ac- the realm of socio-economics tial attracts a certain type of that seeing the résumés but I check it out just to see tion is no longer needed for remains to be seen. How- concerning the University individual: one who has his of so many students with what’s out there.” of Michigan. The first case, minorities to succeed, while ever, speaking in 2003 in the or her heart set on a certain inflated grades, near-per- There is no denying that “Grutter v Bollinger,” struck proponents will counter that “Grutter” decision, Justice school and will do anything fect SAT/ACT scores, and down a points system for affirmative action needs to Sandra Day O’Connor ex- the college admissions pro- undergraduate admissions remain in existence in order pressed her wishes that in to get accepted. countless extracurricular cess is difficult and tedious. that awarded extra points to continue the success of 25 years, “the use of racial In case you have yet to activities is positive for The entire process has be- to minority applicants. That minorities. preferences [and affirmative truly explore all that Col- the average student. And come a topic taboo in polite same day, however, the Court Similarly, I believe that af- action] will no longer be nec- lege Confidential has to I think that knowing how conversation among seniors. ruled in “Gratz v. Bollinger,” firmative action in the college essary to further the interest offer, it is a safe bet that strangers feel about another At least College Confiden- a case involving Michigan’s process will not fade quietly approved today.” the “College Discussion” individual’s scores, grades, tial is a site where students, applicants, or parents can take information and use it however they’d like to. The Arbitrary Hypocrisy of College Admissions Whether they choose to be- officers to build classes that are makes a student special—or at By IAN MARTIN-KATZ (VI) or the performance of football admissions officers have been lieve everything they read is teams. in vain. Furthermore, Schwartz highly diverse and balanced. least that makes him a good fit for up to them. I personally take How do the people most the school.” Eileen Roach (VI) As 2008 came to a close, It is shocking that some ad- cites the lack of studies that cor- a look through the forums affected by these decisions— disagrees. “There are so many seniors rushed to finalize their missions officers would use relate ranking during the admis- for the schools to which I applications and send them out such factors to evaluate a stu- sions process to students’ success seniors—feel about the situation? well-qualified applicants that a “I don’t think the college process degree of randomness is unavoid- am applying. But I always to colleges across the country. dent. However, the vast majority during and after college. take anything that’s written The solution, Schwartz says, is is arbitrary,” Matt Fechter (VI) able,” she said. She believes that These applications represented would not, instead carefully as- on College Confidential the transcripts, extracurricular sessing all aspects of applicants’ a special lottery system. Schools said. He added, “It’s about how in many cases “there’s no rhyme with a grain of salt. I sug- activities, recommendations, transcripts before forming deci- will take all applicants who are hard you work. And colleges or reason to who gets accepted and interviews that students had sions. So the problem remains qualified to attend and throw can always find something that or rejected.” gest you do the same. meticulously compiled and com- that sheer statistics have created them into a pool. From this pool, pleted throughout high school. a degree of arbitrariness in the schools will make random picks But was it worth the trouble? college process. to decide acceptances and rejec- Substantial increases in the In an op-ed for the “Los An- tions. Students still must achieve volume of college applicants geles Times,” psychologist Barry high levels of excellence to enter have slashed admit rates. As Schwartz, who has written books the pool; they will not, however, a result, thousands of highly about decision-making, claims fret over arbitrary details that qualified students will receive that the college process creates can distinguish them from other rejection letters every spring. unhealthy competition. Stu- applicants. Schwartz says that his Critics say that this wild com- dents take classes for the wrong system is no more random than petition has spawned a process reasons, parents worry about the current one, but reduces stress that is arbitrary. They claim that where their children will attend and makes room for genuine institutions market themselves to elementary school, and this anxi- intellectual curiosity by recog- students who have no chance of ety leads to depression and drug nizing that the college process is being accepted and that admis- abuse. The irony is that “students inherently arbitrary. sions officers base their decisions trying to get into the best college, He admits, though, that his on random factors. and colleges trying to admit the plan has problems. How would The Daily Beast, an online best students are both on a fool’s colleges treat “special cases,” news portal, issued a report errand,” Schwartz said. such as athletes, legacies, and that quotes several admissions Schwartz describes a point— minority students? Under the cur- officers who confess to having the “flat maximum”—at which rent system, admissions officers done just that. One from the Ivy so many students are so well can utilize vast applicant pools to League says that he rejected all qualified that colleges simply cater to the needs of their institu- candidates from a city in which cannot make accurate distinc- tions. A school can easily find an he got food poisoning; others say tions between them. The deci- oboist for its orchestra or a runner that their decisions resulted from sions thus fall to arbitrary factors for its track team. Ideally, this ar- personal similarities to students and the efforts of students and ray of choices allows admissions K. Conway (V) THE PINGRY RECORD ARTS FEBRUARY 27, 2009 7 Bright and Splashy Colors for Spring seem insignificant, they By MAI-LEE PICARD (III) can make or break a great While winter might seem outfit. When choosing an as though it will never end, accessory it is important spring is right around the to choose something bold, corner. That means it’s bright, and dazzling. Ac- time to trade in those bulky cessories should stand out sweaters for light cotton and and make a statement, not those dark grays, browns, blend into the background. and blacks for eye-popping Funky necklaces made from purples, yellows, pinks, and brightly colored stones can blues. give any outfit a chic look. Dresses this spring should Big pendants can excite a be light, flowing, and flow- solid colored T-shirt and ery. Try putting a striped T- long chains in vibrantly shirt underneath and a thick hued stones give a splash of belt around the waist to get individuality. a high-end, south-of-France Knee-length, billowing look. Add a pair of sandals skirts are made for spring. and the look is complete! Pick one in a light colored Also, light and airy seer- solid and match it with an sucker prints on jackets, exciting pattern to get a look vests, dresses, and bags that mixes girly with punk. create a more nautical In addition, flirty flapper look. Add a thin dark blue dresses with swinging tas- scarf tied around the neck, sels are great for an evening and you’re ready to hit the party and stand out on a Couresty of blog.pennlive.com beach! dance floor. Animal prints give a wild, Nail polish, although exotic flair to any outfit. it may seem unimportant, Bruce Springsteen Returns With New Dresses make a statement, completes a great outfit. but hats, bags, or shorts This spring, go for light or- give a splash of excitement. anges, pinks, or lilacs. Even Album and Super Bowl Halftime Show Even the little things can though the traditional bal- group’s talents instead of passed away last year after Barack Obama, and most no- By DAN ABEND (III) make someone look twice lerina pink polish is great, an eclectic collection. The battling cancer. tably, his recent, youth-like and notice you, so don’t orange, yellow, and lilac performance at the Super Bruce Springsteen’s 16th album concludes with “The Bruce has displayed re- be afraid to branch out of are individual and fun too. Bowl XLIII Halftime Show. studio album, “Working on a Last Carnival,” a sequel to newed energy in “Working your comfort zone and wear Don’t be scared to try some- It is clear that “Working Dream,” is one that longtime his 1973 hit “Wild Billy’s on a Dream” by performing something exciting. Solids thing new and go out on a on a Dream” is an album that fans of “The Boss” have Circus Story” as well as a in mainstream events such as are great, but prints say look limb because it’s always pleases both Springsteen as been waiting for. Ever since tribute to E Street Band or- The Golden Globe Awards, at me! better to stand out than to well as his fans. the early nineties, Bruce’s al- ganist Danny Federici who the Inauguration of President While accessories may blend into the background. bums have been less focused on the energetic passion and storytelling lyrics of his ear- Gallery Exhibition Displays Faculty Artwork lier songs. The long ballads of his youth had great suc- cess, accounting for much of From Both Martinsville and Short Hills Campuses his fame, but his later ones or circular paintings, com- with other mediums, Ms. in length. Whereas much with Current Events.” Of- By TANVI GUPTA (V) simply did not have the same posed of a combination of Svedman’s work has been of his past work consisted ten, Times photos serve as an appeal and seemed to use This year’s Faculty Art recycled glazed clay and done with the use of water of grids, in which painting inspiration for Mr. Delman. melodies as just background Show is outstanding for its glass. colors. Because water colors was the medium through He has clearly been able to noise. However, with the variety, themes, and tal- Both Ms. Stockwell are difficult to control, Ms. which Mr. Boyd displayed capture and emphasize the help of producer Brendan ent. Pingry art teachers Ms. and Ms. Lear-Svedman’s Svedman often let them lead more politically charged power of these photos in his O’Brien, Springsteen began Lindsay Baydin, Mr. Rich work involve nature. Ms. the way in her paintings, a ideas, this series is more paintings. to return back to his early, Freiwald, Ms. Margaretta Stockwell’s “Water Works” very different approach than abstract — more focused “The Pulaski Skyway” is retro-rock roots with his Lear-Svedman, Ms. Lau- presents the environmental that of Ms. Baydin’s dry on the materials utilized a different painting in that 2007 album “Magic.” Work- rinda Stockwell, Mr. Peter themes of water and with brush technique. for art making. The pieces it is of a stagnant structure ing with O’Brien again, as Delman, and Mr. Miles Boyd its large size, “suggest[s] Mr. Boyd’s work is part are about civilizations and in Jersey City. Mr. Delman well as the E Street Band, were all major participants the shifting currents of a of the series “Obliterated: people being replaced. is “interested in industrial Bruce continues to return in producing a mélange of large body of water.” In moving ahead, falling be- Like Mr. Boyd’s work, fringe areas” and describes to his original style of mu- painting, metalwork, pho- fact, a much larger version hind.” The series consists Mr. Delman’s paintings are “The Pulaski Skyway” as sic from “Working on a tography, and clay. of “Water Works” is cur- of metalwork with painted also thought-provoking. His “very physical ‘impasto’… Dream.” The work of Lower School rently on display at Rut- designs. Many of the smaller “Making Sense of It All” [and] similar to the surface The album begins with art teacher Ms. Baydin, in- gers University. While Ms. pieces hanging in the gal- is based on a “New York in Lindsay Baydin’s work.” the long (over eight min- cluding “Family Dynamic,” Stockwell’s installation is lery are studies for much Times” article and is part of The inspiring Faculty Art utes) track “Outlaw Pete,” a is based on her childhood a mixture of photography larger works, 10 to 15 feet a series called “Keeping Up Show is a must-see! Western tale with everything memories. After spending from passionate verses to some time at an art school harmonica interludes to a in New York, Ms. Baydin closing guitar solo. It dem- missed her days by a Min- onstrates to the listener that nesota lake with her family. Springsteen has once again She found old film from found the right combination the time and used a dry of lyricism and melody that brush technique on a rough brought him his early fame. canvas to capture the fuzzi- Bonus track, “The Wres- ness of the images on film. tler,” which was featured “Family Dynamic” depicts in the critically acclaimed Ms. Baydin’s siblings at the movie of the same name, lake. Her bright colors and “fuzzy” technique make her displays this same scheme paintings eye-catching and showing both Springsteen’s unique. lyrical prowess and emotion Mr. Freiwald uses clay inflicting musical intervals. to comment on social and The album also contains political issues. He describes a wide variety of tracks, his work as “subtle satire in ranging from bluesy songs the form of garish jests.” (“Good Eye”) to energetic Mr. Freiwald’s work in the tunes reminiscent of his gallery shares the theme of eighties hits about love (“My falling. His work consists of Lucky Day”). golden parachutes, the little Bruce Springsteen and the men of Wall Street, and fall- E Street Band put enough ing nations, representing an enthusiasm into each song interesting and extraordinary so that each track displays viewpoint. His other pieces the diverse range of the include beautiful “tondos,” Ms. Lisa Fung-Kee-Fung admires Mr. Peter Delman’s work. Courtesy of P. Delman Page

V8o l u m e CXXXV, Nu m b e r 4 SpThe Pingry o School, Martinsville r, New t Jersey S Fe b r u a r y 27, 2009 Ski Teams Mount State Title Challenges By BLAKE VESSA (V) Girls’ Boys’ The girls’ team has been Although the boys’ team working hard to reclaim its took second in states last title as the state champions for year, they hope, like the the third consecutive year. Al- girls, to step things up and though they had a shaky start bring home the state title. in their first race, they won Having lost one of their their second race and seek to strongest skiers and captain, continue their success. One of the strongest racers, Sam Mackoff (VI), to an Brooke Conti (VI), recognizes injury, this season has been that the girls’ performance did difficult. However, Sam not match their highest abili- Grabel (VI), Matt Ford (VI), ties in their first slalom race, Alex Lieberman (IV), Matt but notes that they “did well Damstrom (IV), and Garrett in our second slalom race.” Hiscano (IV) are determined She adds, “We are looking to take home gold medals. forward to finishing the season Also like the girls, while strong.” the boys did not perform Captain Danielle Lashley as well as expected in the (VI) says, “The girls’ team is first few races, they have definitely looking to defend improved as the season has our title from last year. We progressed. had a lot of new kids join the E. Gilbert (V) According to Lashley, team this year, and they’ve “The boys are in a great po- all turned out to be great ski- sition to finish with a strong ers.” Winter Track Captures First State Title Speaking for the whole and successful season.” have been broken at nearly ev- Schuchinsky, and Laforgia also Hopefully, the boys will By MARY KATE MARTINSON he pass St. Patrick’s Lawrence team, Conti says, “We all love Brown in the miraculous last 10 ery meet. Captain Thomas has set new school records this follow the girls’ example (IV) broken and re-broken the school season. Bowers aced the 400 to be on the mountain to sup- meters of the race, but his vic- port each other and cheer on from the past two years and Throughout this frigid, snowy, tory also secured the State title record for shot put every meet in 51.83; Schuchinsky sizzled finally take first in states. this season (his current record the track in the mile and 800 our teammates” whether they and icy winter, one team, wear- for the boys. The 4x400 relay The boys are ready to finish is 43 feet). He said, “We have in 4:28.14 and 2:01.2 respec- win or lose. Looking forward ing countless layers, mismatched team of Dan Schuchinsky (VI), to the few remaining races, the first, and there is a strong gloves, and colorful hats, has Matt Laforgia (VI), Matt Rybak a good team. We have a lot of tively; and Laforgia flew in seniors and they have contrib- the two-mile with a time of girls hope to once again bring possibility that this could be tirelessly practiced outside every (VI), and Bowers cranked out a home a box of trophies. their year. day. Who are these diehards? 3:37.76 mile together. uted well.” 9:55.8. Nwaoduh, Tarantino, —None other than the winter Individual scorers included Not only have the seniors and Danielle Cosentino (V) set track team. Eric Blau (VI) could Bowers, who won the 400 in shined this season, but many new school records for the girls. not have summed up the work 51.83, a school record, and juniors and sophomores have Nwaoduh tore up the track in the Boys’ Hockey Seeks ethic and attitude of winter track placed 4th in the 55 in 6.91; had their time in the spotlight 300 in 45.10, Tarantino ran the better than when he solemnly Grant Thomas (VI), who placed as well. At the Colonial Hills mile in 5:26.91, and Cosentino stated, “We breed champions.” second in the shot put at 43 feet, a Conference Championship, Lee broke last year’s triple jump broke the conference record for record with 31’ 1 ½”. First Mennen Cup The icy track and limb-numb- school record; Schuchinsky, who to compete with perennial ing weather hasn’t stopped any won both the 1600 in 4:28.14, the 1600 with a time of 5:43.87. With records broken, com- By BRANDON BRIER (V) Olivia Tarantino (IV) broke the petition smashed, and expecta- powerhouses Morristown- of these athletes yet. Hurdles a school record, and the 800 As the winter season Beard and Randolph in the and sprint coach Mr. Tim Grant in 2:03.49; Laforgia, who took conference record for the 3200 tions met, these athletes hope to with a time of 11:48.40, stealing continue their successes at the comes to a close, the boys’ conference tournament to reported, “Throughout a very 2nd in both the 1600 in 4:29.71 Varsity Hockey team, led cold winter, the team continues the victory from Emily Naranjo upcoming Prep Championships. win the Mennen Cup. and the 3200 in 10:09.41; and by captains Conor Starr to burn up the track and throw of Montclair Kimberly Academy Mr. Bob Aromando, the distance The team, which enjoyed Andrew Sartorius (VI), who took (VI) and Ryan Kiska (V), exceptionally well.” 3rd in the 800 in 2:07.30 and 4th who won the title over Tarantino and throwing coach, is looking an impressive run in the This is only the second year in the 3200 in 10:25.16. last year. The boys’ team was forward to the penultimate meet. is looking to win the Men- Somerset County tourna- that winter track has been an Team scorers for the girls pleased to come within one point He said, “I am very happy with nen Cup for the first time in ment, has had a successful official team; nevertheless, the were Terdoo Nwaoduh (V), who of taking the conference title the team this season. We have school history. After an im- season. After crushing Ber- boys won states. The highlight of placed 5th in the 400 in 1:03.67, with only five participants at the been plagued with sub-freezing pressive season in the Men- nards and narrowly defeat- the February 13 meet was Car- and Louisa Lee (V), who took meet. Thomas explained, “With temperatures, but the team has nen conference, the second ing Montgomery, the boys lton Bowers’s (VI) anchor leg 5th in the 1600 in 5:34.66. such a small team, that is really shown up every day to run or most difficult division in lost to Ridge High School, impressive.” throw outside.” in the 4x400 relay: not only did Furthermore, school records the state, the team is ready the reigning Public A cham- For the boys, Bowers, Just wait until it gets warm. pions, 3-2, in the county finals. Nonetheless, Kiska believes that the team “is Athletic Hall of Fame Flashback: Charlie Stillitano ‘77 hungrier for the Mennen Cup” and has been “playing By GIANCARLO RIOTTO (VI) harder” since the defeat. Although the team has Mr. Charlie Stillitano ‘77 is described in his Pingry Athletic Hall of recently suffered some Fame induction plaque as being a “legendary” soccer player who was disappointing losses to nearly “uncontainable” on the field. As a four-year varsity player, Mr. Mendham and Jefferson, Stillitano shattered Pingry’s then existing records for all-time goals the team’s impressive wins scored (scoring 38 during his career) and for single-season goals earlier this season against scored (he netted an incredible 24 in 1976). The senior captain of a both Morristown-Beard and formidable 1976 squad, Mr. Stillitano garnered first team all-state and Randolph have left them first team all Union County honors throughout the course of his career. optimistic. While at Pingry, he was also a terrific baseball player, earning While winning the con- three varsity letters for his contributions during the spring. Mr. ference championship will Stillitano continued his soccer career at Princeton University, be no easy task, Kiska where he was a team captain and three-time All Ivy-League selec- believes that “by working tion; he also played on the United States under-19 national squad. hard every day, treating Mr. Stillitano would inevitably make a career out of the game every game as our last, he loved, spending several years as the general manager of the and giving 100% every Major League Soccer Club the New Jersey Metrostars (now the game and every shift,” the Red Bulls). He founded and currently chairs Championsworld team can “achieve what has LLC Sports Marketing, a company specializing in soccer promo- never been done in Pingry tions, and deals with some of the world’s most talented and visible history.” “We want to win soccer stars. He remains active at Pingry and was instrumental this not just for ourselves, in the building of the Miller Bugliari World Cup Soccer field. but for Coach Magadini Mr. Stillitano was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998 and was as well,” Kiska explained. also a member of the 1974 Hall of Fame soccer team. Behind a solid defense that allows less than two goals per game, such an accom- Courtesy of Bluebook ‘77 plishment is well within reach.