THE FOURCAST THE HOCKADAY SCHOOL ffatUres 09 MAY 22, 2015

Conditions continued from p1 between areas of the brain that ILLUSTRATION BY MADELYN BREWER are normally connected. or letters is a specific form of According to the Ameri- synesthesia called grapheme- can Psychological Association, color synesthesia. Although all one in 2,000 people have some synesthetes do not relate the form of synesthesia; however, same letters or numbers with the number is probably larger the same colors, the association because many individuals are remains constant through an unaware of their condition. individual’s lifetime. In some cases, synesthesia For example, Li always can be beneficial as it is poten- links zero with white, one with tially linked to memory, but Li white outlined by a black bor- pointed out a disadvantage in der, two with bright yellow, regards to her condition. three with light blue, four with “I think it hinders my con- dark green, five with red, six centration,” Li said. “It’s kind of with light green, seven with distracting when I try to focus dark blue, eight with brown on numbers but not the color.” and nine with black. On the other hand, Li said According to Li, these pat- that synesthesia makes math terns developed due to her more entertaining. She doesn’t childhood experiences. mind telling others about her “When I was younger, I al- condition, describing it as “a ways colored numbers in the fun topic to talk about” when same color because I thought introducing herself to others. they looked pretty,” Li said. Additionally, she often Anosmia “I know I like to take things off than anyone else,” Hoang said. to go about her daily life with- played with LEGOs as a child, Last year, sophomore Lau- a lot saltier than a lot of peo- “It just means that you’re differ- out too much difficulty. but it wasn’t until earlier this ren Hoang was diagnosed with ple do,” Hoang said. “I also eat ent, but you’re still equal.” “There will be moments month while working with anosmia, which is defined as things based on texture; I like where I’ll try and put my phone LEGOs for the Science Olympi- the complete loss of smell. crunchy things. Chips don’t re- Stereo Blindness on the table, and I’ll just miss,” ad that Li discovered the simi- “I never really realized I ally taste like anything to me, Freshman Mackenzie Brab- she said. larities between the colors she didn’t have [a sense of smell] but I just like eating chips be- Although wearing glasses sees and the colors of LEGOs. until my parents kept alluding cause of the texture.” ham has been playing tennis for five years. As a member of the and contacts can allow Brab- In Kindergarten, Li at- to things like when we’d pass Since Hoang has no frame ham to get a glimpse of what tended a class in which she by a bakery and nothing would of reference for what it’s like to varsity tennis team, she is well- equipped with the skills nec- it’s like to see in 3D, her con- learned how to use an abacus, change for me,” Hoang said. smell, she doesn’t mind having dition was discovered too late, an ancient calculation tool.This Anosmia has various pos- this condition. Nevertheless, essary to play the sport. How- ever, Brabham lacks stereopsis, and it can’t be fixed completely. was around the same time that sible causes, the most com- some unfavorable aspects asso- Nevertheless, Brabham re- she developed an affinity for mon of which is nasal conges- ciated with anosmia still exist. which allows humans to deter- mine distances between objects mains engaged in the activities LEGOs. Although Li discovered tion from a cold, allergy, sinus “I feel kind of bad knowing she loves. this condition herself during infection or poor air quality. that I’ll never be able to smell and see the world in three di- mensions. While most people “I play tennis, and I grew up freshman year and has not Other causes are head trauma, certain things,” Hoang said. “I and learned to play tennis with been formally diagnosed with injury to the nose and smell read something that said smell see everything in 3D, Brabham’s world is two-dimensional. [stereo blindness],” Brabham synesthesia, she believes that nerves, exposure to toxic chem- is linked to memories a lot, so I said. “It can hurt me a little bit upbringing impacts the devel- icals and use of certain medica- feel kind of bad knowing that I Last year, Brabham went to the eye doctor because she in sports, but it’s not too bad.” opment of this condition. tions. However, Hoang’s anos- probably won’t experience that For Brabham, this two-di- Research indicates that mia is something that she has sort of thing.” couldn’t see the board in class. It was then that she discovered mensional world is completely synesthesia could be related to experienced since birth, and Despite this, Hoang re- normal, although it may seem memory, learning and child- she is unaware of the origin of mains positive and does not al- her condition. “I don’t know how to explain foreign to others. hood development, but accord- her condition. low her condition to interfere “It’s out of the norm,” she ing to Psychology Today, the pri- it to people because it just looks Hoang’s ability to smell is with her day-to-day life. said. “So, it’s kind of cool.” F mary perspective of the cause not the only sense impacted by “Just because you can’t smell, normal to me,” Brabham said. of synesthesia is a mutation her anosmia. This condition you can’t see or you can’t hear, Despite her lack of stereo- scopic vision, Brabham is able Inaara Padani that leads to defective pruning also interferes with her taste. doesn’t mean that you’re worse Managing Editor Alumna Steps in for Anne Hathaway Alumna Jane Beaird is Anne Hathaway’s body double in “The Intern” PHOTO PROVIDED BY JANE BEAIRD t 5:30 a.m. on a cold No- very talented in the arts, espe- pretend that you could do it.” vember day in Brook- cially visual arts and writing.” While on the set of “The lyn, a general hum- Vaughn recalls when Intern,” Beaird memorized drum of noise echoed Beaird gave him an example of her set-up lines instead of Athrough the room as cast mem- her writing, a poem that drew reading them directly from bers rushed around frantically inspiration from a photo from the script, an action that im- to set up scenes for actors and Hurricane Katrina. pressed the crew. practice their lines. Behind the “She wrote a poem about a Beaird stood in for Anne scenes, Jane Beaird ‘06 got her famous photo that had circu- Hathaway in the film while oth- nails done and changed into lated around,” Vaughn said. “It er actors were practicing their another actress’ costume— was very interesting to see how lines or setting up the scenes. Anne Hathaway’s. viewing a piece of visual art in- However, Beaird’s role Beaird earned the part of spired her to create a piece of mainly came into play when Anne Hathaway’s body dou- literary art.” the camera was focused on ble in the movie, ”The Intern,” After Beaird graduated a an important text message which will be released on Sept. from Hockaday and started that Anne Hathaway was send- 25 in theaters across the nation. college at Wake Forest Univer- ing. During these scenes, the It wasn’t until Beaird’s sity, she was selected as an in- camera zoomed up on Beaird’s friend, Wesley, called her about tern for a prestigious program hands, rather than Hathaway’s. a casting call for the film that called Washington Very Special During filming days, Beaird was introduced to act-  Arts in Washington, D.C. dur- Beaird also helped lead actor ing. “They were looking for body PRACTICING FOR THE PART Alumna Jane Beaird rehearses lines for ing her sophomore year. Robert DeNiro practice his doubles for Anne Hathaway’s “The Intern” in a holding area backstage. The program aimed to lines and had the opportunity role, and my friend recommend- helped people with special to chat with Anne Hathaway ed trying out because of my re- evaluated her and many other Beaird’s interest in the arts needs using art, and it invited between scenes. semblance to Anne,” Beaird said. girls who were also trying out. has remained steady through- various artists from New York Beaird and Hathaway have Since she was young, Beaird All of the girls audition- out her life. Beaird said that AP University to present their become friends through their has been compared to Anne ing were asked to wait in the Studio Art teacher Juliette Mc- work to interns. work together. “Anne is a lovely Hathaway countless times. “It’s lobby after Anne Hathaway Cullough was one of the people It was there that Beaird re- person and very serious about something that’s basically fol- spoke to them. who influenced her the most alized that New York was the her work, and working with her lowed me my entire life,” she said. “The moment when one of while she was at Hockaday. place for her and decided to on the movie was an incredible After “The Princess Dia- the assistant directors pointed “Mrs. McCullough empha- transfer to NYU. experience,” Beaird said. ries” came out in 2001, strangers at me was absolutely incred- sized that you don’t just have After she graduated from Beaird’s talent and hard approached Beaird, mistakenly ible,” Beaird said. “It felt like a to be one type of artist,” Beaird NYU, Beaird took up several jobs work on “The Intern” have also thinking that she was actress dream come true.” said. “There are many different within the city: first as a studio helped her acquire roles on Anne Hathaway. After Beaird received the types of creativity that can be assistant for an artist, then as a the sets of “Forever” and “Law Beaird decided to audition good news, she went back to found within any industry.” fashion designer at Parson’s and and Order,” in which Beaird to be a photo double and stand- work for the afternoon but could To this day, McCullough ap- finally as an assistant sweater has met personalities such as in for Anne Hathaway. hardly contain her excitement. preciates Beaird’s intelligence designer at the department Kathy Griffin and Clive Owen. “I eventually plucked up my Later that night, Beaird and good-natured personality. store chain Lord and Taylor. Currently, Beaird is con- courage and decided to try out called her mother to share the “Janie always took every- Beaird then found her way tinuing to maintain her in- because many people say that I good news. thing on with such a willing- to acting through “The Intern.” terests in the arts, including look a lot like her,” Beaird said. “After I received the part, ness. There wasn’t just one Her job as a body double and painting and sewing. She is also After a preliminary audi- I called my mom to let her thing that she liked or enjoyed,” stand-in, however, wasn’t com- working on a show called “The tion that consisted of reading know, and she screamed on the she said. pletely perfect. Nick” with Ky Zilmax and plans Anne Hathaway’s lines, Beaird phone,” Beaird said. Beaird’s teachers from Beaird had to make sac- to continue her acting career. received a call back to try out to Although Beaird has al- her time at Hockaday, includ- rifices, both personally and Beaird believes that Hock- be Hathaway’s body double. ways been interested in the arts, ing her advisor, Kyle Vaughn, professionally. “Being a body aday had a strong influence on Body doubles are cho- her foray into the acting world fondly remember witnessing double is a full time job,” Beaird her success with “The Intern.” sen based on criteria such as happened relatively recently. these same character traits said. “I had to quit my other job.” “In acting, it’s important to an actress’ hair color, waist “I didn’t think that I was within teenage Beaird: talent, On the other hand, Beaird have good relationships with size and whether or not she going to go into acting while humility, kindness. believes that she has gained many the film crew and a positive is professional around high- I was in high school,” Beaird Kyle Vaughn was Beaird’s new skills from the experience. attitude,” Beaird said. “I think profile celebrities. said. “I thought that I would be advisor in Upper School. “She “The director, Nancy My- Hockaday really prepares you was one of the kindest and Beaird was taken into a a teacher and a full-time art- ers, had us act out the scenes,” for that.” F room where casting director ist who lived in New York and brightest kids I’ve ever worked Beaird said. “It was like being Eshani Kishore Billy Dowad and Hathaway dabbled in the creative arts.” with,” Vaughn said. “She was thrown in a fire. You had to Staff Writer