Wendy Skinner Joins WRA As the New
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The Longest-Running Newspaper In Historic Hudson, Ohio VOLUME CIII WESTERN RESERVE ACADEMY SEPTEMBER 2016 Fresh Faculty Fun Facts World Issues Explored Email Troubles Who’s Better? New additions to WRA Staff tell their Columnists explore various issues in US, Hackers attempted to compromise Darcy ’17 and Alex ’17 examine parent- stories and offer advice. UK, and Brazil. WRA emails, Tech stopped them ing styles in this issue’s Coin. PAGE 9 | NEW FACULTY PAGE 7 | OPINION PAGE 2 | NEWS PAGE 8 | THE COIN Wendy Skinner Joins WRA as Ray Takes Over for Ong as the New Dean of Students Viewpoints Advisor nity’s respect and admiration. If you Olivia Chan ’17 Carson Hawkins ’19 have not picked one up already, you Editor Contributing Writer can grab last year’s volume from Seymour Hall. Ong ’81 cherished The welcoming community For those of you who don’t his time with Viewpoints and passes and the beautiful campus were the know, Viewpoints is Western Re- the “Viewpoints baton” to Douglas deciding factors that led Mrs. Wen- serve Academy’s non-fiction liter- Ray with great joy. dy Skinner to join the Western Re- ary journal which includes senior Ray joined the English de- serve Academy family. Skinner, ar- speeches, student polls, and inde- partment this year. He comes from riving as the Dean of Students and pendently submitted pieces penned Indian Springs School in Birming- a French teacher, has been working by your peers. Some of the return- ham, Alabama. He enjoys making in residential life for most of her ca- ing students may fondly associate his students think creatively. reer. Coming directly from Shady Viewpoints with Mr. Ong’s eccen- Ray is a published writer and Side Academy, she also previously tric speeches in morning meeting; poet, and he has been recognized taught overseas for a short period of others may know it as the book in by many prominent sources such as time. This avid hiker has high hopes which all the funny polls and fan- The Los Angeles Review of Books, for WRA and its potential as she, tastic art by Sandra Spurlock ‘17 New Orleans Review, and the Gay her husband, and their two daugh- reside. However, this fantastic and and Lesbian Review. He authored a ters made the move to campus be- diverse publication contains much collection of poems titled He Will fore the beginning of the year. more than that. Laugh, and he edited The Queer When asked about her favorite For the students of Western South: LGBTQ Writers on the Amer- memory at Reserve so far, it was hard Reserve Academy, this magazine ican South, a finalist for the Lamb- to recall just one. Skinner highlight- is a good way to voice ideas and da Literary Award. His background ed, “My time at Camp Wise with thoughts on a platform that will be and extensive writing experience the Class of 2020 and gatherings at shared with the rest of the commu- will be of great use in Viewpoints. morning meeting” were just a cou- nity. Viewpoints is independently Those who know Ray say that ple of the many memorable events run by a collection of students and he is a devoted and affable individu- she experienced up to this point. a faculty adviser, which allows for a al, and the right man for the job. As She is excited to explore further into direct connection with the student a new faculty member, he decided the school’s unique student life, and Delaney Fowler body. that joining Viewpoints would be she advised, “Soak up as much of Skinner, incoming Dean of Students, smiles on a fall day. For the past ten years, Diccon a fun activity. He looks forward to the experience as you can while Ong ‘81, the distinguished history working with all the students who you're here. I'm still learning about a great addition to this year’s facul- she has in mind for the school will chair, helped run the club, and he will write and draw for Viewpoints, interesting, cool classes, sports, and ty as she brings extensive personal be hard to quantify in the coming successfully encouraged the pub- and is eager to release great content activities here. experience and enthusiasm to her weeks. She has already begun to set- lication of ten volumes. He put in for the enjoyment of the people in Don't shy away from trying work with students. The unique tle into campus routine and to lead many long, hard hours during his our community. Viewpoints and its something new!” Mrs. Skinner is perspective and interesting changes the school as new Dean of Students. time and truly deserves the commu- staff will miss Mr Ong. In Memoriam of Christine Manoli: Community Responses Mrs. Manoli was my unpaid Mrs. Manoli was one of those Mrs. Manoli impacted my life and Mrs. Manoli was always the mom Danny Mylott ’17 therapy. High school students, people who made you feel like she experience at Reserve greatly with to all international students. She Contributing Writer especially at boarding school go knew you, even if you had never her tough love attitude. She might was the one I called for when through so much, and no matter spoken to her. She was ready with seem stern and she would defiant- I was stuck at airport, when I Mrs. Manoli served in our li- what—school, boys, family, a smile the second you walked ly be serious if you were cutting needed transportation, when brary and dean’s office for 24 years, friends, sports, etc—she was al- into her office. I will always class or slacking off, but she loved my student visa needed renewal making our WRA experiences possible ways there to listen to me and give remember her kindness, and I feel everyone. I remember seeing and transfer, when I sought help every day. But words cannot express me advice. I am forever thankful especially lucky to have witnessed her office decorated with dozens during travel. She was always her impact on our lives. Mrs. Man- for her love and friendship. her incredible and sharp humor. of pictures of students over the there and ready. She has always oli was a role model, colleague, wife, Alumna Alumna course of many years. She wanted been an emotional supportive mother, shoulder to cry on, and a the best for everyone at the school person for me and I will truly friend to all. Her laugh was danger- She was my campus mother: she Having Mrs. Manoli around and she wanted everyone to miss her. ously contagious and her smile turned always made sure I got to class always felt like having an extra succeed and I know that she had a Alumna any day into a meaningful one. In on time and even pleasured me mom, someone who loved me big heart. the words of our Reserve communi- with the occasional wake up call. and looked out for me from the Student She would never not make my ty, past and present, here’s what Mrs. I wasn't the most behaved or time I was born, and throughout day brighter. Given 4 years worth Manoli means to us. disciplined student at WRA, but the time I grew up on the campus. "Dean" Manoli was the warmth in of days, it's difficult to put her The prompt asked, “In a few she held no bias towards me for Knowing that Mrs. Manoli was the Dean's Office. Like so many impact into a few words. When words, please describe Mrs. Manoli’s this. She was the best. She made how my parents met, I'm not able of the non-teaching staff she I would show up a little late to impact on your life and/or what she everyone feel the best they've ever to look at them without being made the school run and seemed SPAR she would start, "Jacobson! means to you.” felt. It's as simple as that. grateful for her and remember- to always do it with a smile. What is it this time?" when she Responses continue on to the Alumnus ing the amazing impacts she has Alumnus heard the door but couldn't see bottom of page two, with stories and made in people's lives. me yet. She was hilarious, and more on our website (wra.new/cm). Always a kind, listening ear. Her Alumna Life changing. always managed to make you feel "motherly" demeanor was much Alumna like she was on your side (even Chrissy’s standard of excellence welcomed when I had to adjust She made me feel like I wasn't out when she shouldn't have been on was what I strived to achieve to being away from home, for an of place: that I belonged at WRA. Mrs. Manoli was the best listener. your side). From what I've seen, when working in the Deans extended period of time, for the Alumnus Hours spent in her office were people don't get more wonderful office. There is so much that she first time. some of the most memorable than Mrs. Manoli. did for the school that it is hard Alumna Mrs. Manoli was the heart and of my Reserve experience—so Alumnus to quantify. Her touches were soul of WRA. Her care and un- many words of wisdom and interwoven into the bedrock of Mrs. Manoli infected the campus derstanding of what our students hearty laughs. She will be so More responses continue everyday student life.