September 1, 200The7 Centipede Page 1 Volume 44 Issue 1 Concord Academy Student Newspaper February 8, 2010 Where’s My A, CA? Faculty Reads Outliers by Michael Ruscak ‘11 schools that pressures teachers to increase fly without understanding what their copilots grades. Math teacher Kem Morehead recalls are telling them. “At Concord we’re very “Good work, great insights: B,” con- that at the school she taught at previously, oblique. An advisor might tell a student -” cludes the comment on the paper you toiled parents pressured the department to put their Laipson switched to a slightly higher pitched over for endless hours. If the paper was so children in advanced classes. When these hypothetical-situation voice – “You know, great, you think, why didn’t you receive an unqualified students started receiving C’s you might want to consider doing XYZ.” A? This experience sounds familiar to most and D’s, Morehead was forced to lower Back in his normal voice he continued, “And Concord Academy students. You might grading standards to fit into the acceptable if you are fluent in Concordese you know that feel as though your assignment had fallen range. She notes that there isn’t that same means ‘Do XYZ.’ But if you come from a victim to one of Concord Academy’s com- pressure at CA, although she is rarely very direct communication style, it takes a batants in the war against grade inflation. forced to give out grades lower than a B-. long time to understand what people mean.” Grade inflation occurs when teach- A different trend though, may have per- Other faculty members took differ- ers award grades higher than those that vaded CA grading. Drew mentions that many ent lessons from the book. Both Health and would have been assigned to work of schools have experienced “grade compres- Wellness teacher Jeff Desjarlais and English the same quality in the past. It is a prob- sion,” though he is not sure what effects it has teacher Sandy Stott were drawn to Gladwell’s lem that has cropped up in the past few had on CA. Grade compression occurs when “10,000 hour rule”. Gladwell explains that decades among many high schools and the percentage of grades in the B+/ A- range to become really good at anything, one must universities across the country. This artifi- increases while the number of grades in the spend 10,000 hours doing it. He believes that cial increase in grades makes the process A/ A+ range and the C/D range falls. Because while some level of innate talent is required of differentiating students more difficult. grades at both ends of the distribution are for success, the reason why some people are Recently, the much higher volume of moving closer to the center, the average GPA just good at something while some people are students applying to colleges has put pres- is not affected and thus grade compression’s by Kate Nussenbaum ‘11 incredible at it is simply because the latter sure on teachers from students, parents, and prevalence is harder to measure. Peltz offers have spent more time perfecting that skill. administrators to reward students with higher a number of explanations for possible grade Rick Hardy mentioned it in his instal- Stott said, “The rule of 10,000 hours grades. Additionally, many teachers seek bet- compression. She believes that increased lation speech, and from that point on, talk struck me in two ways. It struck me that so ter evaluations and do so by assigning higher support for students has played a funda- of the book Outliers has peppered school often at CA we work with talented students grades to students, with the hope of winning mental role. Twenty years ago a student who conversations. It may please students to but you guys are required to have 6-7 courses, their positive feedback. Also responsible for perhaps had the potential to achieve a B+ hear that they are not the only ones with extra-curriculars, sports – you can’t possibly the widespread grade inflation is the fact that might not have had the ability to move course summer reading; all faculty members were put in the amount of time it takes to master once other schools start giving undeserved levels or the access to tutors that he would required to read the New York Times best- something.” He acknowledged that this higher grades, teachers feel that if they hold have today, and thus received a lower grade seller over the summer, and then discuss often frustrates both students and teachers. out and stick with the same grading stan- than he would have with these resources. it at the first faculty meeting of the year. But, he says, students do acquire a mastery dards as the past they are making their own Alternately, a student who might receive an Outliers was not, well, an outli- of something. “By the time you guys get to students appear less hard-working and intel- A+ in a particular course now has the oppor- er; every summer a different book be juniors and seniors, you have put in close ligent. Therefore, many schools jump on the tunity to move up to a more challenging level is chosen for the faculty to read. to 10,000 hours learning how to learn. CA bandwagon and decrease grading standards. where they might not receive as high a grade. “I think one of the things we enjoy as might not have anyone who’s a master vio- So where does Concord Academy fall Don’t worry, neither the fight against faculty members is intellectual exchange linist or a master dancer or a master writer in the scheme of grade inflation? Academic grade inflation or the possible occurrence of with one another,” Dean of Faculty Peter or a master scientist. But it’s going to have Dean John Drew says that Concord Academy grade compression is negatively affecting Laipson explained. “It’s fascinating to have people who, once they decide what to do, has not decreased its grading standards in the your chances at college. The college coun- one of these common reading and thinking have mastered how to learn in those areas.” past thirty years, the time frame in which seling office maintains a close relationship experiences.” He continued, “We always Desjarlais agreed. “People can’t be grade inflation started occurring. German with prospective colleges, who are able to choose a book that reflects in some way really good at something at 15 or 16 or 18 teacher and former dean of faculty Susan Ad- see how CA’s grading distribution compares on our teaching or teaching practices.” and the pressure to do that is just way too ams , who has worked at CA for over 30 years, with that of other high schools and who In Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell ex- much.” His goal is to “frame somehow that recalls that the median GPA of the graduat- understand how demanding CA courses are. amines success through what he deems an you don’t have to know it now, that this ing classes when she taught here in the late Well, maybe the kids here 20 years untraditional lens. Instead of examining the is a moment in time, not the only time.” 1970’s fell between 3.00 and 3.30 (B), which ago had to work just as hard to get a B qualities most successful people have, he He also found relevant Gladwell’s is where it has remained for the most part. on that paper, but the next time you get looks at how different situations, coincidenc- explanation of how growing rice influenced Both college counselor Kate Peltz and an A, give yourself a pat on the back be- es, and strokes of luck enable people to shine. Chinese culture. “The book talks about the Drew agree that one key reason Concord cause it will be well-deserved. A student Laipson said, “There are some lessons American idea of well, you plant stuff, you Academy has resisted grade inflation is the at a school that has become subject to from [the book] that are very provocative water it and you let it grow.” But then it lack of outward competition seen in other grade inflation could not say the same. for a place like this.” He went on to say how compares American farming to the amount Gladwell’s chapter on communication styles of time and effort Chinese rice paddies take. resonated, reminding him of the communica- “Those two approaches, based on the agricul- tion challenges at CA. Gladwell explains how ture of the area merge into the philosophies Green Cup Challenge: an airplane crash could have been avoided had the pilot and copilot communicated better. Laipson said that CA experiences its Continued on page 8... Round Two own airplane crashes, as students attempt to

by Julia Levinson ‘12 electricity usage. Across the country, 183 other schools will be competing to lower their tal Co-Head Kate Nussenbaum ‘10, “CA Tired of losing to other schools in ath- emissions as well. Some of these schools in- in our energy use, we can be noticed by the students can shut lights off, shut computer letic competitions? Don’t worry, not all hope clude Phillips Andover, Brooks School, Deer- judges. In fact, last year CA placed 8th overall screens off, unplug any chargers that are of victory is lost! There is a competition com- field Academy, Belmont Hill School, and the even with this challenge to overcome! This not being used, and reduce the amount of ing to CA that we could win by sheer effort. It Rivers School. Judges at the Green School year, however, we want to do even better. time they spend using electronic devices. is an opportunity Alliance will com- In the Green Cup Challenge, small While we have gotten pretty good at shut- to show all those pare each school’s changes really do make all the difference. ting lights off when we leave rooms, during schools that have bills from last year It all comes down to shutting off lights and the Green Cup Challenge we are going to defeated us on the and the year before unplugging electrical devices. If you are try to instill the mentality that even when soccer fields and in order to deter- leaving an empty bathroom or classroom, you are using a room, a lot of times there is basketball courts mine which school shut off the lights. If you see a charger that’s enough natural sunlight to keep the lights that we have it in was able to make not currently in use, unplug it from the wall. off.” Is it really necessary to have lights us finally to beat the most energy ef- Putting in this minimal effort works towards on in the Stu-Fac if it is a sunny day? The them. No, this is ficient changes. Af- making CA a more green and energy-ef- Environmental Co-Heads do not think so. not a basketball ter analyzing each ficient school while also bringing us one Sadly, there is one logistical ob- tournament or a school’s bills, the step closer towards winning the Challenge. stacle standing in our way of winning. CA’s lacrosse game. judges choose an The Green Cup Challenge is an electricity bills come every three months, This is the Green overall winner. The opportunity both to help the environ- Photo by J.R. Lee ‘12 instead of every month. By the time we Cup Challenge, where we can finally prove question that remains to be answered is ment and win a friendly competition. send in our bills, the results have already to other schools that we are the best, and in this: can CA take first place this year? Hopefully, all the unplugging and down- been announced, which gives us an obvious this case, the most environmentally friendly. Last year, CA reduced its bill by an switching that students do will bring us disadvantage. What can we do about this? From January 25th to February impressive 8%. Hopefully this year we can closer to victory and sustainability. Remem- Hopefully by having outstanding changes 22nd, CA will be working to reduce our do even better. According to Environmen- ber: only you can help us win the GCC! Page 2 News February 8, 2010 Healthcare: Where We Are A Forum for Change and What It Means

Bay-Staters enjoy under “Romney care”. by Talene Bilazarian ‘10 by Lola Ogundipe ‘12 CA community during the “Culture Circle”. Whatever the plan that emerges out Said Kim ‘11 regarding the SDLC activ- Since Obama’s inauguration last Janu- of the two bills, it is going to be expensive. ity, “It was fascinating and powerful to see ary, health care has remained the president’s The question is not how we will pay for it, The Student Leadership Diversity Conference (SDLC) is a multiracial, mul- the honesty and acceptance in one room. It top domestic priority. We thought the is- but rather whether or not it will succeed in really helped us open up to one another.” sue would be resolved by the summer of providing medical care for all Americans. ticultural gathering of high-school student leaders (grades 9-12) from across the country. The SDLC allows many students to 2009. Over those few months filled with There are some controversies that open their minds, and consider the world in a talk of a public option, the political in- stand out in the health care debate, mostly The conference focuses on self-reflection, forming allies, and community building. This different way. Lovelie Tejada ‘10, a member trigue looked to be almost over. But the to do with illegal immigrants and abortion. of SDLC 2008, recounted an eye-opening health care debate has lasted long into the Again according to the CNN Report, “The two-day conference in Denver, Colorado is filled with workshops and activities designed moment when one boy from Paraguay said fall and winter—it still rages even into House bill prohibits any health plan receiv- that he had never met anyone else from his February, 2010. So where are we now? ing federal subsidies from offering coverage to engage teenagers and teach them how to develop cross-cultural communication, country. He started to cry when another girl in As of early this month, both the for abortion. The Senate plan allows states the SDLC introduced herself as Paraguayan. Senate and the House have passed health to choose whether to ban abortion cover- practice expression through arts, and learn networking strategies and principles. This “It was really amazing how someone could care bills. It was a battle in itself to get age in health plans offered in the insurance be comfortable to this point, but now Congress must cre- exchanges. Individuals purchasing plans year the SLDC was joined by the Peo- enough to get so ate a unified bill that they can both ratify through the exchanges would have to pay for emotional in front and present to the President. The two bills abortion coverage out of their own funds.” ple of Color Con- ference (PoCC). 3,000 strangers” are different, and each is incredibly com- On illegal immigration, “The said Tejada. Kim plicated. The house bill alone is 2,000 House bill mandates insurance coverage M a r i e M y e r s , Head of Admis- adds, “I met a lot pages...let’s hope it was double-sided. for illegal immigrants and allows illegal of young people The extension of health care pro- immigrants to enroll in the public option sions, and Laura Twitchell, Admad- who were dedicat- gramming seeks to cover all Americans. But and to buy private coverage in the national ed activists from both plans go about this very differently. Ac- insurance exchange, but prohibits govern- jaja House Affili- ate attended, as did other indepen- cording to a CNN Health Care report: “The ment subsidies for such private coverage. dent schools who House bill creates a public option, which The Senate plan exempts illegal immi- our very own Tif- fany Nova ‘11 and worked to bring is a government-funded, government-run grants from the health coverage mandate, awareness about health care option, similar to Medicare. The and prohibits illegal immigrants from Scarlett Kim ‘11. W h e n d i v e r s i t y. ” I n public option would be a part of an insur- participating in the insurance exchanges.” bringing so many ance exchange available to people without These issues are the cause of asked why the SDLC was appeal- students together coverage or unable to afford private cover- many controversies, but the two plans from independent age. The Senate bill does not create a public remain united on the issue of manda- ing to her, Nova ‘11 responded “I schools in the area, option. Instead, it allows nonprofit private tory health care. The two bills both re- SLDC provides insurers to offer coverage with approval of quire all Americans to buy insurance. have always been interested in diver- Photo Courtesy of Bruce Duggan ‘12 an opportunity Office of Personnel Management, which One thing can be sure; the political for teenagers to meet oversees the federal employees’ health plan.” theatre is far from over. The race to provide sity issues concerning race and ethnicity. I other students who are Under the House and Sen- health care for all Americans soldiers on. With interested in the same issues, which in turn ate plans, the estimated cost of reform the newly elected Senator Scott Brown vow- thought it was a cool idea that kids my age all over the country were gathering with the works towards building a strong community would range from 800 billion to 1 tril- ing to be the 41st vote against the plan, the of student activists. Jen Cardillo, a member lion dollars, making this the biggest ex- fate of the bill seems as unsure as ever. There same mindset to talk about the same issues. So I thought I would join them.” Kim ‘11 of the Community Equity team, said, “I have pansion of health care since Medicare. is still much more work to be done; it was dif- heard many students and adults talk about The question of how the American ficult enough for the two houses to agree on says, “watching the movie ‘Saving Faces’ helped me to ponder what it means to belong advances that they have made in their own people will respond to the plan places ad- their own bills, now they must combine their sense of identity, investment in community ditional pressures on both bodies. Some two very different versions into one which in two minority groups. I wondered whether there is a proper way to express myself.” membership and leadership, growth in confi- people will claim that it costs too much, can be explained to the American people. It dence, and forging of important connections that “Obama care” is simply too much has taken us through summer, fall, and half Not only does the conference provide an open and secure environment in which to with peers at other schools. Many students government. Many advocate a state con- of winter, and we can be sure that the health have come back to realize that CA’s affinity trolled plan-much like the health care plan care debate will not be over any time soon. explore issues of diversity, but it also pro- vides a number of workshops for further groups and C&E programs mean more op- exploration. Tiffany reports that there were portunities for conversations about equity, so many workshops offered that it became discrimination, identity, and diversity than The Stu-Fac’s New Look difficult to choose which to attend. “There are possible at some other schools.” A lot of was one workshop where we all held hands us take for granted our C&E programs and by Adam Pfander ‘13 The new food code states that hot food in one line. The facilitators would ask ques- the open affinity groups designed for students must be kept at temperatures above 140oF, tions about race, socio-economic status, etc. of color. Nova explains, “I met some kids On January 5th, as students sat down to and cold food must be kept lower than 41oF. and if anything was true you would have to from other schools which didn’t even have their first meal back at CA, a new Stu-Fac ca- It also added “leafy greens” to the cold food step forward. It was interesting to see the affinity groups. That made me proud that we tered to them. It was clear that the kitchen had category. This new code is far stricter than the most privileged always in the front and the have a school that celebrates diversity and undergone renovations- but what remains of old standard, and made the revamp necessary. “underprivileged” behind them.” A similar things like C&E for the whole community.” the old Stu-Fac, and what has been replaced? Even under the old, more relaxed activity was performed in Daysha Edewi’s The SDLC has been a great experience for The salad bar, counters, and main code, the machinery had trouble meeting “Got Privilege” workshop on MLK Day, past students, and will continue to provide an service line are all new. The kitchen also requirements. That is not to say food was and is typically participated in by the entire excellent forum for openness and acceptance. received an updated paint job, although the ever dangerous or undercooked. Still, the old equipment within it remained the same. service apparatus could not keep foods at the The reason for the changes was not right temperatures, frustrating many kitchen death warrant. When it did become appar- lieve it to function better than the old one. completely routine. In fact, the equipment workers. With an undertone of exasperation, ent that the old machinery would have to Cindy Do ‘10 said, “a great improvement. was re- the kitch- be replaced, Don Kingman took action. Everything’s cold, or hot, like it’s supposed p l a c e d en staff Spending nearly $100,000, which he had to be, and all the food just seems fresher.” because describes budgeted earlier for this very purpose, he It did, however, come as a bit of a i t w a s the effec- placed the orders for the new equipment. shock. Most were not expecting such a dra- u n a b l e tiveness Barring a serious issue, Don said that this matic change to the one place used most often to meet o f t h e new equipment would remain part of the at CA. During that first meal back on January n e w p r e v i - Stu-Fac for the next fifteen years at least. 5th, so many students were looking around h e a l t h ous ma- First to arrive was the salad bar, which with either puzzled or fascinated expressions s t a n - chinery. was prepped and installed over Thanksgiv- that hardly any meals were being eaten. d a r d s . “ S o m e ing break. Next came the cabinets, service But now that the dust has settled, D o n t h i n g s line, and the kitchen’s new paint. Work- everyone can look at the new face of the K i n g - weren’t ing tirelessly, and coming in almost every Stu-Fac with pride. The stalwart, seem- m a n working day over the break, Operations managed ingly tireless operations staff may now rest cited the p r o p - to complete the renovations on schedule. with knowledge of a job well done. The a d o p - Photo Courtesy of Malu Malhotra‘10 erly,” re- When the Stu-Fac finally reopened its doors administration can relax and stop fretting tion of the FDA’s marked one frustrated to students, it was completely ready for use. about whether or not their food service is up new Food Code as the primary motive. worker, “They couldn’t hold food at the right And what do the students think? The to snuff. And the students, who receive the “A new health code came through that set temperatures. They were just outdated.” general reaction has been predominately true benefit of these renovations, have yet the temperature standards higher,” Don This combination of malfunction and positive. They like the new set up and be- another reason to be proud of their school. said. “Our equipment couldn’t keep up.” tougher standards signed the old equipment’s February 8, 2010 Writing the Feature Article Page 3

by Kate Nussenbaum ‘11 feature article. Along with my five other Deep Recovery cracks in the rock, to which he or she clips classmates, I picked a topic of my choos- the rope. This process, called “protecting” Rick Hardy began the year not only ing, went out and interviewed a wide range or “placing pro,” thereby safeguards against as the newly installed Head of School, but of subjects, and with the help of individual a long fall – a climber will only fall twice also as a teacher. He taught a new English conferences and peer editing ultimately the distance they are above their last piece minor, Writing the Feature Article. Hardy crafted a final piece. of protection, normally five or ten feet. created and taught the course at Milton, Published below are brief summaries Finished with the pitch, Broxson had and decided to introduce it to CA students of and excerpts from each of the six pieces. only one thing left to do to finish the route: as well. The course involved tackling the To read the complete articles, please con- anchor himself to the cliff by tying to a tree, daunting task of writing a 4,000-word tact the writers. and allow Pat to climb up. “I remember... standing on the ledge and yelling down to Farmers Markets and Local Farming: A Fruitful Future? Pat that I needed just a little bit more rope to reach [the tree],” says Broxson calmly. “Right But better than what exactly? The after I yelled at him – I don’t know if I was consumer is no doubt referring to the lo- stretching up to get the oak branch and I lost cal farmers’ nemesis: the supermarket, my balance, or a little bit of rock crumbled, whose shelves of produce rival the UN in by Scott Berkley ‘12 or tension was on the rope – I really have terms of geographic diversity. In one gro- no idea what happened, but I was falling.” cery store one might find raspberries from “Deep Recovery “ is a collection of sto- “There was not a cell in my body California, pineapples from Costa Rica, and ries about mountain climbers recovering from that thought that I was going to survive that bananas from Ecuador. Even some of the life-threatening injuries to return to their sport. fall,” says Broxson of the sudden shock of pumpkins and apples, both of which can After a day and a half of enjoyable flying through the air. He hit a ledge 75 feet be grown throughout the fall in Massachu- climbing, Broxson was leading the last down and bounced into the air. When the setts, come from hundreds of miles away. pitch of the route. When climbing, the lead rope came taut, he had fallen 200 feet.... by Kate Nussenbaum ‘11 The sheer number of farmers markets climber places small pieces of metal in small would indicate that eating locally is a grow- My article explores the challenges ing phenomenon, that consumers are leav- The Staff of the Lion: local farmers are facing as well the ef- ing behind their shopping carts and shining fects of buying local produce on the envi- tiled floors in favor of the local produce and Senator Kennedy’s Regional Office ronment, the economy, and one’s health. homier atmosphere of the markets. Through- “There’s a crispness,” Shaun Porofino, out the summer and fall Massachusetts hosts a farmer at the family-owned and operated just under 200 weekly markets, including me in. Stacks of paper and books are piled Millbrook Farm in Concord, tells me, and over 30 in Middlesex County alone. Judy all around her desk, obscuring my vision of he’s not referring to the weather. Standing be- Dore, the coordinator of the Newton Mar- her. She is on the phone and I wait for her to hind a table laden with fruits and vegetables ket, proudly states that the market draws finish the conversation. As she sets down the Porofino continues describing the freshness around one thousand visitors every Tuesday. headset, a staffer peeks in the door, saying of the produce at the market, explaining, “The But Porofino remains unconvinced “I’m just going to leave this for you to read. produce is picked either the night before or that buying local is a growing trend, or I need to get them out today.” Souliotis nods. that morning. It’s healthier and more flavor- at least, he does not believe that it is a Souliotis is a large, older woman ful.” A consumer overhears us and eagerly trend growing rapidly enough to pre- with radiantly tan skin and a lilac suit. She chimes in, “The taste is so much better!” serve local farming into the future... leads me down the hall to the Senator’s of- fice, so that we might speak privately for Steady Sisters: Why Young Women Today a few minutes. Along the way, an issues Choose Women’s Colleges – Or Don’t staffer stops her. “Do you have a moment, by Kendall Tucker ‘10 Barbs?” She says that she will speak with lumbia. You will meet plenty of men.” him in a few moments and then leads me “No, I know, it’s not that, it’s not My article profiles different mem- through an oak door into the largest room even just about guys, I just really can’t see bers of Kennedy’s staff and explores in the office. As we sit down around a small myself at a women’s school. I just can’t.” how they contributed to his relationship coffee table, I take a moment to look around. “ I c a n . ” with his constituents, and to his legacy. Sitting in this world renowned I chip in, and the faces at the dinner ta- ...The receptionist buzzes me office I can hardly believe that the “Lion ble turn towards me. Here at Concord Acade- through the door and I am overwhelmed by of the Senate” is gone. His desk sits gran- my, a private day-boarding high school about the silence of this previously loud and crowd- diose and enormous above a royal blue sixteen miles west of Boston, the more usual ed office. Intern desks sit empty in the central carpet. Drapes with the senatorial eagle crest topics of homework, pop culture, and who’s- room and I nod to some staffers flitting about. loop across windows overlooking Boston dating-whom, have been dominated by talks I walk to the office at the end of the hall. and the ocean beyond. An antique street by Daphne Kim ‘10 of college and the uncertain future. I speak The door is open, but I knock nonetheless. lamp from his mother’s childhood hangs enthusiastically about how I believe that Barbara Souliotis, the late Senator above his desk and multitudes of trophies My article examines the reasons society still direly needs more opportunities Edward M. Kennedy’s chief of staff, calls and awards decorate the bookshelves... behind young women’s decisions to at- for women and how women’s colleges can tend or not attend a women’s college. empower, inspire, and change women’s lives. The Case for Zoos: “I took Barnard off my list.” The listeners nod their heads, even my friend The Obstacles Zoos Must Face in the Struggle for Support “ W h a t ? ” who just renounced Barnard. Then she adds, “ W h y ? ” “That’s really great. But it’s just not for me.” “I really can’t see my - holding tightly on to the back of her young What does that mean? What daughter’s bright pink T-shirt, stained with self at a women’s school.” makes women’s colleges a fit for “Ok, but you know that Bar- the chocolate ice cream that she had pur- someone, whereas for someone else chased earlier that day from the Safari Grill. nard isn’t really a women’s school. it may seem completely unappealing? It’s in Manhattan and right next to Co- “This is one of our favorite places to visit. It’s a great place to bring her, because it’s Textures, Colors & Shades of Grey not an overwhelming walk and she loves had put up a new piece, one highly abstract seeing all the animals,” she said gesturing to and curious that didn’t fit in with the others. her daughter. This much was apparent from It was crazy. Fat chunks of paint bulged the girl’s wide eyed stare and gaping mouth, from its surface and a vast array of colors pushed up against the thick pane of safety clashed together to form something really glass separating her from Bubba and Smokey, out-there. The critics moved in on it, raised the two black bears at the Stone Zoo. Roy, their glasses and puzzled over it. They all by Tess Mellin ‘12 like many others, lives nearby and finds the wanted to know about this new work. This is Stone Zoo to be the perfect afternoon activ- when the good doctor decided to play a game ity for her and her young daughter. It is My article centers around the is- and asked his friends to name the artist. They no surprise then, that many residents were sues zoos face in society today, espe- named various modern artists with whom distressed to discover the shocking news cially with regard to finding funding. by Andrew Zarins ‘11 they were familiar but no guess was correct. about the possible fate of their beloved zoo. ... Iggy is one of the many wild animals How could this be? Then Dr. Kursis asked On July 10th, a Boston Globe that now reside at the Stone Zoo in Stoneham, One evening in the mid 1990’s Dr. Ar- which picture of the lot was worth the most. headline read, “Cash-strapped Boston Zoo Massachusetts. Though she moved to this new nolds Kursis invited a group of friends to his The group agreed that the abstract painting May be Forced to Close Doors, Euthanize exhibit at the beginning of the summer, by Stockholm flat. It was a casual gathering at trumped the others and was probably the Animals.” After 104 years of sometimes- July many feared that she, as well as the other which the assorted horn rimmed- intellectu- most valuable. Dr. Kursis then revealed the interrupted operation, the Stone Zoo was residents, would be left with nowhere to live. als drank cognac, criticized opera, debated artist: his own six-year old grandson, my faced with the prospect of closing yet again, “We were so upset when we found Tolstoy, and most importantly, discussed the brother. Silence gripped the room. The night due to a lack of operating funds. Much out that the zoo might have to close,” doctor’s canvasses. Arnolds’ walls were filled didn’t go on much longer and the men all of the public had one question – Why? ... exclaimed Bridgett Roy of Stoneham, with large and fabulous paintings of the 19th filed out leaving Dr. Kursis, my grandfather Massachusetts. She stood with one hand and 20th centuries. That night, Dr. Kursis satisfied and chuckling in his apartment... Page 4 Features Februaru 8, 2010 Building with Blocks: Exams Reexamined Scheduling at CA by Dan Weiner ‘11 by Dan Weiner ‘11 to Drew, is that students who have exams beginning on Thursday will have the eve- The creation of academic schedules When a typical CA student thinks of nings earlier in the week to prepare for these at CA is a remarkable process. Among the winter exams, he or she is often reminded tests. With the expectation that students will hundreds of students, faculty and courses, of a mental marathon of seemingly end- have already started their exam preparation it is no wonder that Deborah Gray, sched- less preparation and stressful testing. Next in the preceding weeks, Drew believes “this uler and mathematics teacher, describes the December, however, winter exams will be change does not add or subtract study time.” system as being as challenging as “solving divided by a weekend. Due to the design Yet another benefit to the change a huge sudoku puzzle of a dozen interlinked of the calendar, the administration decided in exam scheduling is increased time grids.” However, many people take their that exams will begin on Thursday, De- between Thanksgiving break and winter schedules for granted. After submitting their cember 16th. After an exam on Friday, stu- exams. According to Drew, the stretch can course registrations in the spring, students dents will have the weekend to prepare for “end up feeling like one extended crunch do not see their schedules until they appear exams on Monday and Tuesday. Boarders period.” By increasing the number of school in their registration folders many months will depart on Wednesday, December 22nd. days between the return from Thanksgiv- later. Accordingly, many do not consider the While this change may at first seem ing break and the start of exams, some of intricacy of designing schedules for every quite revolutionary, it is by no means unprec- this academic fervor should be alleviated. student and teacher at a school like CA. edented. As recently as 2000, exams were One of the most anticipated benefits By the time advisors and advisees divided by a weekend. In fact, that year there of the change is the effect of the weekend in meet in the late spring to discuss course were exams offered on Saturday and Sunday; between the blocks of exams. Drew points out Angel With Candlestick, Michelangelo. that many students, especially underclassmen selection, the scheduling process has been Photo Courtesy of Ms. Gray and students selected one of the two days based underway for many months. Each year, the upon preference. Sue Sauer, Registrar, recalls with four or five exams, are “completely out Google Images of gas by the time they get to the last couple procedure begins in late January, when the though there are computerized elements to that exam schedule as a “tough one”. John days of tests.” The weekend will present stu- departments start compiling their course of- the procedure, it is one dominated by hu- Drew, Academic Dean, hopes that students dents with an opportu- ferings for the following year. After students man input. Nevertheless, she is especially do not worry about such nity to, in the words of submit their requests, the lottery process grateful for the technological backing hav- a radical exam schedule English teacher Ayres occurs in early June. Many components ing witnessed the process with its absence. because, he says, “I don’t Stiles-Hall, “recharge are still completed by hand: Ms. Gray fac- When Ms. Gray began at CA in 1977 think we’ll be doing that their batteries.” Nick tors in elements ranging from preference as a math teacher, the assignment of classes again any time soon.” Phillips ‘11 thinks, points to seniority in determining which was completed manually. She recalls that The motivation “the weekend will give students will be selected for which courses. schedules were created by organizing slips of for the change to the winter extra energy for final The heart of the scheduling process, paper that contained student course requests. 2010 exam schedule lies in exams. I always felt described by Ms. Gray as the “solving phase”, Ms. Gray became the scheduler in 1981. The the calendar. Drew explains exhausted by the time lasts from mid-June through early August. next year, Bill Adams, mathematics teacher, that if the exam schedule we got to the fourth or This “phase” begins with a computerized adapted a commercial scheduling program from last year had been fifth exam in just three evaluation of the block conflicts between for the school’s needs. Ms. Gray left CA in employed this December, days.” Furthermore, the various courses using software called 1983 and returned ten years later. Until 1994, exams would finish as early th Drew notes that when QSchedule. Paul Quimby, CA class of 2008, the department heads had created the master as December 15 . Such exams are not divided designed this program during the summer timetable of classes before registration. That an early release would by a weekend, the de- after his sophomore year. While previously changed in 1994 with the introduction of Mac magnify the discrepancy partments in the last this aspect of the solving stage was com- School, a software program that allowed between the length of the few slots see “a real pleted manually, the efficiency of QSchedule students’ course selections, not a previously fall and spring semesters. drop-off in exam per- has shortened the solving process by weeks. determined timetable, to be the impetus for As currently constituted, formance,” a trend After using Quimby’s program, scheduling. While Ms. Gray assisted the the fall semester is ap- Photo Courtesy of Jenny Jeong ‘10 that he hopes this Ms. Gray begins the intensive process of scheduling process from 1994 to 1996, proximately three weeks change will mitigate. However, the effect manually evaluating the schedules. Intricate she became fully involved the next year. shorter than the spring semester. The change of the weekend is not perceived by all as grids are displayed on rectangular sheets of One of the reasons that the solving to the exam schedule will “certainly help beneficial. Izzy Mattoon ‘13 believes that paper the size of small tables. In a recent process is so time-intensive is the sheer even out the time difference between fall and the weekend will “make it hard to concen- presentation, Ms. Gray encapsulated this scope of course offerings at CA. According spring term”, according to science teacher trate on exams,” a valid point as there are component of the scheduling process using to Academic Dean John Drew, CA “offers Joan Kaufmann. Along the same lines, Sean many parties and family reunions during this the following Michelangelo quote: “I saw many more elective courses in all depart- Pathawinthranond ‘12 adds, “by balancing weekend and the days before the holiday. the angel in the marble and carved until I set ments than any other school our size.” Con- out the fall and the spring semesters, teach- A potential downside to the change him free.” Similarly, with this visual repre- sequently, Ms. Gray believes that the most ers will not have to rush as much to reach lies in the reduction of time for seniors to sentation of the schedule in its preliminary challenging aspect of the whole process is the requirements according to the syllabus.” complete their college applications. Since phase, Ms. Gray eliminates combinations “making sure all students are assigned to Mark Engerman, math teacher, points out many colleges have a January 1st deadline of courses and blocks that do not fit until core courses while minimizing conflicts that the change will be quite beneficial as for regular decision, this change in exam the remaining elements work well together. among the electives.” Even though there “many math classes are supposed to cover scheduling will reduce the time for seniors to The solving stage normally fin- are inevitable scheduling disappointments, the same topics in the fall and spring semes- work on applications over break. However, ishes around the first or second week of Mr. Drew believes that “in the end, the sys- ters, and it can be very challenging fitting Drew does not think this will be a major August. According to Ms. Gray, even tem works out pretty well for everybody.” everything into the shorter fall semester.” While he acknowledges that this change will issue, as there remains one week between st not dramatically alter the imbalance between the holiday and the January 1 deadline. semesters, he believes that “every bit helps”. Drew also points out that many schools The Monday through Wednesday have application deadlines later in January Mid-Year Q&A with before exams will serve a variety of pur- which would alleviate some of the pres- poses for different CA students. Drew says sure created by the reduced vacation time details need to be worked out about the final before the New Year. While there is vaca- Rick Hardy weeks, but most likely no new work will tion time lost before the New Year, school th be introduced during the last few days of does not reopen until January 11 , 2011. by Marisa Kager ‘13 Learning the community, the culture classes. Danny Kliger ‘11 thinks, “it is a very While there are many perceived – students’ names! Not to mention parents sensible change to have the definite switch benefits associated with placing a weekend and alums; that’s been a lot of fun, too, but it’s over from new material and assignments to in the middle of exams, students should not What have you enjoyed most in been a lot to learn in a short period of time! review for finals, which the new schedule become accustomed to such a schedule. In your first six months? would provide.” In order to help students December 2011, winter exams will revert What goals do you have for prepare for exams, there will be no after back to the “traditional” schedule and will Listening to chapel the remainder of the school year? school activities, such as sports, during this not be broken up by a weekend. Never- talks, talking with students final three-day stretch. The idea, according theless, next winter’s exams, for many, at lunch or in the hallways As I said in my chapel talk, will be a welcome change. or on the sidelines; watch- staying in the moment, making What is your favorite CA tradition? ing students sing, act, dance, the most of the days ahead of us, were reading [Book 23 of] the Odyssey, where play, laugh – and appreciat- Odysseus is reunited with Penelope. It was a finishing the school year well. The hug line at chapels is ing their senses of humor. very warm day for fall, 60 degrees, and I had pretty cool. Such a simple, genu- Humor here is really, really the window open. I asked the class, “How W h a t s u r p r i s e d ine expression of warmth and support. smart – and I like that a lot. you most about CA? do you think Odysseus and Penelope would feel when reunited?” Nobody answered. Just What was the funniest teach- W h a t a r e s o m e then, a car drove by with the radio on; the T h e c o m b i n a t i o n ing moment you remember? of the biggest challenges you’ve faced of intensity and genuine warmth; they song, “When a ma-a-a-an loves a woman,” since becoming Head of School? was playing. Everyone started laughing! make for a unique community, I think. I was teaching eighth grade, and we February 8, 2010 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Page 5 MLK Day Recap Coming Full Circle

though I knew that was not true. There was by Kris Kim ‘12 the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, said it would by Daphne Kim ‘10 have been sad if he was not able to be on the no question – of course, of course I would On January 20, Concord Academy service trip that day. “These kids, although “What?” was the first word I said in date a girl. I went through shame and guilt opened the celebration of Martin Luther they lost one of their senses, were very cre- disbelief when back in December someone and confusion and a whirlwind of emotions King Day with an inspirational speech from ative,” said Sid, “and interpreters working told me that there would be no all-school because of what I had done that January day. Massachusetts State Representative Byron there were very committed. I am glad that culture circle this year at MLK day. I had Finally, I truly empathized with why Rushing. Rushing, a popular advocate of there was such a variety of helping hands.” looked forward to finishing my last MLK the change was made. I was glad that the human and civil rights, asked the community Despite the overall success of the day at CA with a sense of support among C&E team spared some students of that how it fits in the legacies of Martin Luther MLK day, some students were not glad everyone that I love. More specifically, I had pain; of course a school should care for King and civil rights movement. “Of all the that the traditional “culture circle” had been excited about the idea of coming out. I students’ safety, first and foremost. But did MLK days I was here at CA for, many key- strayed from its usual focus and scope. was sick of trying to slip in my bisexuality that solve everything? Without the all-school note speakers talked about themselves, and Christine Wu ’11 and Lena Lax ’11 both into conversations, correcting people when culture circle, there would still be suffer- their achievements,” said Anna Morton ’11. attended the “culture circle” workshop and they assume otherwise, et cetera, et cetera. ing LGBTQ students. There would still be “But Mr. Rushing’s talk actually related to said the outcome was unsatisfactory. “The I had looked forward to the day – my last students struggling with personal history, Martin Luther King, and how his achieve- past culture circles provided us with a safe MLK day at CA – where I could share a part family history. Plus, the culture circle served ments affected the world. It really changed zone, and usually gave incentive for GSA of myself with the school that I love, with no as discomfort that may prove beneficial. my perspectives of Martin Luther King.” members to ‘come out’”, said Lena. “The more awkward explanations or silly excuses. Because my feelings had been so stirred After the opening address, the questions were based on experiences, not Later, someone else clarified to me after the culture circle, I knew that my bi- students headed off to workshops hosted who you are as an individual.” “Also, the that the culture circle was not entirely sexuality was not a phase but a fundamental by both teachers and students. The wide limited participation did not provide the gone but offered in an optional workshop, part of me that had been oppressed. I was range of workshops, from “The Last Days safe system required, which made students capped at fifty, rather than a mandatory angry, and slowly I realized I was so upset of King” to “The Vagina Monologues,” feel vulnerable,” Christine Wu ‘11 added on. all-school activity. Questions involving because I wanted to come out so badly. Rep- were designed to focus on identity and the Most students wanted the return of sexual orientation, cancer, alcoholism and resentative Byron Rushing told us on MLK diversity of the CA community. “It was the “big cultural circle”. Rachel Carr ‘10 other “intense” issues were to be taken out. day to “be dangerous;” the biggest stigma interesting how boys and girls thought remarked, “It seemed more communal as I could not help but feel something around C&E programs is that they do not different from each other and asked dif- the whole school. This is the only time the had been taken away from me, the incred- provoke people enough. The culture circle ferent questions,” said Halsey Hutchinson whole school gets together and looks at ible connection and solidarity that I felt provoked people; the mere fact that chang- ‘13, who attended “The Gender Maze”. each other.” Anna Bang ‘11 said, “I feel with hundreds of other people as I stood ing its format caused dramatic discussions Some students chose to participate like having a small group of people did in the gym with them. Upset, I spoke to proves how successful a tradition it was. in various service trips, which allowed them not help us to challenge the assumptions members of the Community & Equity team I do not believe the changed format to partake in the process of improving dif- or stereotypes that we have about each to try and understand the reasons behind the of the culture circle served as an effective ferent communities. Sid Assawaworrarit other.” Whether or not the all-school culture changes. They informed me that students replacement of the original one. I participated ‘10, who attended Horace Mann School for circle will make a return remains unknown. had visited counseling services because of in one of the 50-people workshops, without the culture circle. Some students came out the questions deemed “too intense”. Neither in the culture circle and later realized that the small number of people nor the lightness they were not ready to deal with the conse- of the questions helped me feel solidarity or quences of being “out”; some students were support. There were things about me that I not ready to come out, and felt dishonest wanted to share, share with people that I am and guilty after “lying” in the culture circle. not close enough to talk to on a regular basis. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one The follow-up discussion did not strengthen feeling emotional by the change. I talked the connections we had made; in the original to my friends involved in the Gay/Straight culture circle, the most powerful part had Alliance who felt that the change took away been the end, where hundreds of students something important from CA’s LGBT and faculty would leave the gym in silence, community. Others said that they loved the having shared themselves in body and spirit. culture circle and it would be impossible to If there were whispers, if there were names get rid of or change something every time floating around, they were voices of support someone got hurt by it. I felt myself more and congratulation, not mockery. “I’m so and more stirred up after every heated lunch- happy for A, that was really brave of him.” “I table debate, and I wrote a very long email didn’t know B was bi, but that’s awesome.” when Jen Cardillo emailed the GSA confer- For me, the struggle of those students ence to ask for opinions about the change. cannot be blamed on the culture circle, but For me, the original culture circle en- only on our society, where unfortunately, gendered in students a sense of responsibility LGBT persons are discriminated against every day. We must blame the society where CA History Teacher Peter Sun Leads a and self-representation. When one chooses to Keynote Speaker Byron Rushing. step into the circle, one is sharing a fact about brutal hate crimes happen and people are Photo Courtesy of Emma Starr ‘12 Discussion forced to stay in the closet for their own Photo Courtesy of the CA Website oneself without apology or clarification. It is not meant to be a moment of exploration or safety. Perhaps even CA lacks support for experiment, but rather definition and deci- those students – out students, not-ready- sion. If students wish to come out, in the to-be-out students, questioning students, culture circle or outside, they need to realize who need people to talk to. I remember that they may encounter feedback, positive or being stuck and confused, especially as a negative. That is a personal journey like many freshman, on whom to confide in; I was other choices that a student must make. CA, fortunate enough to have a friend whose even with its excellent support system for kindness and patience gave me the courage students, cannot take care of students in every to accept my feelings as real. Others may aspect of their life. If someone feels dishonest not be. Others may need an older student about lying about their sexual orientation in or an adult who can offer seasoned advice. the culture circle, that is not pain caused by Jeff Desjarlais and I finished our con- the culture circle. That is called being in the versation with no clear conclusion other than closet. I believed that taking away the chance that students need a safer place to come out, to come out from willing LGBTQ members and that students need a stronger support did not solve the issues of those who were system, especially from adults. I love the not ready to; it only silenced more people. culture circle; I love the idea that an entire But my views became more compli- school can gather in one space and physically cated when I spoke directly to Jeff Desjarlais feel each other’s presence, connect with each from counseling services. After listening other in silence and acceptance. So, can we to his experience advising the students make the culture circle a safer place to come that had been scarred by the culture circle, out – not even just for LGBTQ students, I remembered my own two years in the but for everyone who ever hesitated before culture circle where I had lied. Sophomore deciding whether or not to share something year, there was no category for “question- personal in the circle? The burden should ing,” and I claimed that I was heterosexual. not be just on counseling services, the C&E Junior year, the “questioning” category team, the GSA, or a few individuals; the appeared, and I stepped in, happy at the burden should be on all of us, trying every sight of so many people who were or had day to accept each other without requir- gone through the same experience. But I ing explanations, trying to empathize with each other before making assumptions. The faces of MLK Day 2010. Photos Courtesy of the CA Website. also had stepped in for “heterosexual” al- Page 6 Arts February 8, 2010 TV Show Transforms Frosh Project Recap by Stella Park ‘10 gether.” Brock explains the additional stages: “My project got vetoed the first time, but then CA Geeks to Gleeks On January 23rd, the class of 2013 the second time David Gammons approved successfully carried out its first perform- of it.” Brock says that the play initially had ing arts debut with Frosh Project 9. Written some inappropriate jokes, such as chang- come to life with hilarious bits of dialogue by Kate Nussenbaum ‘11 and directed by upperclassmen, the theme ing Pocahontas’ name into “Poca hot-a**,” and downright heartwarming moments. “Dynamic Duos” was played out using which had to be taken out to keep the play Fox’s newest hit has all the ingre- Take Finn in Quinn’s bathroom for pairs ranging from Lewis and Clark to Mac rated “G.” Despite all the difficulties, Brock dients of a failed TV show: stereotypical example. Finn is the leading male of both the and PC. As David R. Gammons says, each is happy with how her play turned out. She high school characters, painfully unrealistic Glee club and the football team, and Quinn group took the theme slightly differently says, “People said it was pretty funny at the relationship drama, all set in a school called is his pregnant cheerleader’s girlfriend. Finn and came up with “entertaining spins.” The end. It was a successful Frosh Project for all “McKinley High” (Freaks and Geeks any- was over at Quinn’s house for dinner, and was participants expressed various thoughts and the trouble we went through. Well worth it.” one?). But “Glee” has appealed to both the planning to inform her parents of their daugh- reflections, yet the common ground was that Xiomara Contreras, another member nation’s and Concord Academy’s hearts, or ter’s pregnancy. Anxious, he went to the it was a valuable experience for everyone. of class of 2013, notes that Frosh Project For the director Gammons, this Frosh was a good way to get to know others: “I Project was special in that, as a new experi- got to meet new people, freshmen that I ment, students teched and performed all 13 didn’t get to hang out as much, and I also of the 10-minute plays in one day. “While got to meet the upperclassmen.” By be- exhausting for the organizers,” says Gam- ing in Frosh Project, the freshmen class mons, “this created a great sense of mo- got a chance to get involved in the school, mentum and excitement for the evening’s mingle with the older students, and introduce marathon of drama...the electricity in the themselves officially as a class. All but six room was crackling.” To Gammons, the freshmen were involved in Frosh Project, most important feature that made Frosh which reflects a significant participation rate. Project 9 successful was that, “each play Frosh Project was also a good outlet managed to feature the talents of the whole of joy and goofiness within the school’s cast, not just the central dynamic duo.” serious atmosphere. Liza Comart, a senior Bona Chang, a freshmen boarder and Frosh Project director, says, “My frosh who acted in the play Lewis and Clark: The were all willing to be really silly and ridicu- Untold Story, talks about her first impres- lous...putting gel in their hair or wearing a sion of Frosh Project and how it changed as Christmas tree costume.” In a school where she got more involved in the production: “It many of us work and strive to our limits, was pretty good! In the beginning though, and especially in a gloomy time of the year, I thought it was really boring because I felt something like Frosh Project is essential to like we were spending a lot of time doing keep our morale high. “I think it was really nothing, but then things got better once nice to get involved in CA that didn’t have to we actually started writing our scripts and be super serious,” Comart elaborates, “And practicing...and that’s when everything it was okay if things didn’t go perfectly or changed and I began to like the experience. smoothly, and we were able to have fun Also, people in my group were pretty close with it. I think that really showed in our to me, so I had more fun with it later on.” play. It was just sort of goofy and our ac- Photo Courtesy of Google Images Chang’s experience illustrates that although tors were trying not too hard, because they some may have started off with hesitation all knew that it was a very relaxed atmo- in the beginning, Frosh Project quickly sphere... and I saw that in other plays, too.” rather, their ears. Ryan Murphy’s newest cre- bathroom to call his friend for advice. “I gotta turned into an enjoyable activity through In many ways, the class of 2013 ation has evaded being the next show to get go,” he said after quickly getting the reassur- which their class bond started to take shape. Frosh Project was a great accomplishment. the axe with one simple ingredient: music. ance he needed. “They’ll think I’m pooping!” The class of 2013’s Frosh Project Gammons points out that “Frosh Project 9 Murphy has danced onto a truth Or take Brittany, the dumb cheerleader, took effort and time. Ashley Brock, one of celebrated Concord Academy’s unique sense so obvious, it’s a wonder no other TV show during Glee Club rehearsal. “What’s a ballad?” the directors of the play that Chang was in, of humor, wacky individualism, and tre- stumbled upon it first. Broadway compos- The teacher asks. “A male duck,” she quickly describes Frosh Project as “pretty eventful.” mendous spirit of community.” Some of our ers discovered long ago that a terrible plot responds, with the beautifully clueless expres- She comments on how hard it was to finalize school’s inside jokes such as the “dip snap” could be forgiven if it was masked by fan- sion that’s permanently plastered on her face. their script: “We had to write the script over were frequent themes and brought out laugh- tastic music, and Murphy simply transferred Even the gay character Kurt’s coming and over again. Every time we met, it got ter and cheers. “I think I’ll remember it,” says this entertainment principle to the screen out to his dad managed to pass over cliché changed. With the exception of the first cou- Contreras, “senior year, I’ll be funny and be with one minor change. He knew that the and into heartwarming. Turns out his gruff, ple of meetings, everyone started working to- like, I was stupid when I was a freshman.” show’s target audience would not accept oafish father is a deeply loving parent after all. the spontaneous bursts into song that drive Even while they didn’t snag any musicals, but instead developed a plot that golden globes themselves, the actors and would allow musical performances to in- actresses are what make the music and the tertwine logically into the show. The series writing shine. Two actresses in particular centers around a high school Glee club, and are almost as vital to the show as the music: thus its performances and rehearsals are the Lea Michele and Jane Lynch. It’s not sur- perfect venues for the characters to sing. prising that Michele’s voice sounds like that At least once a week during lunch, of a Broadway star; she is a Broadway star, the conversation inevitably turns towards most recently performing as the lead in the Glee. But never do discussions revolve original Broadway cast of “Spring Awaken- around who is going to end up with who, ing.” She can sing anything from Rihanna or how tense it was when the club went to to Charlie Chaplin, but is truly phenomenal sectionals; instead students almost always when belting showtunes. She gives Idina break into song, giddily screaming “Don’t Menzel and Barbara Streisand runs for their Stop Believin’” or “Defying Gravity.” money with her renditions of “Defying The music is the linchpin of the show, Gravity” and “Don’t Rain on My Parade.” but as the Glee kids sing, the show is “roll- On the flip side, Jane Lynch makes ing, rolling” due to more than its soundtrack. those purely dramatic moments of the show The writing, while not as quick as worth watching. She is the villainous rival “Gilmore Girls” or as playful as “30 Rock,” of the Glee club, the head coach of the manages to deliver the cringe-worthy plot school’s cheer squad, and the script awards painlessly. The writers seem to have tuned her countless moments of biting dialogue. “You think this is hard? Try filling your in to the fact that their audience is intelligent Photo Courtesy of David R. Gammons enough to appreciate a show that mocks own cavity, that’s hard!” She snaps in the itself. Thus the characters who piloted as pilot. Her delivery of each line is perfect. boring stereotypes evolved into interest- She redefines what it means to “love to ing stereotypes; the star of the club is still hate.” And as she puts it, it’s “delicious.” overbearing and obnoxious, the football If Concord Academy has anything to player with a secret passion for singing is say about it, Glee’s Golden Globe win is just please recycle still sweetly oblivious, the gay soprano is the beginning. Teachers and students alike still flamboyant, and the cheerleader’s side- gleefully gab about the series’ magic, and kick is still dumb as a rock. But the writers bemoan the long wait for its April return. the centipede have managed to make these stereotypes February 8, 2010 Sports Page 7 January Athletics Highlights Wrestling 101 match. In the first period, both wrestlers start been dominating the competition this season. from a neutral position: standing up and fac- by Ryan Hussey ‘13 The team is undefeated in races through by Dan Mansuri ‘11 ing one another. The wrestlers grapple and January 22. Many newcomers have been CA winter sports teams are off to a Most people in the CA community jockey for good position. When one wrestler placing along with veteran team members. promising start. One of the most exciting have some vague knowledge of “that room gets a good hold, they will try to take down The boy’s team skied especially well in moments for the squash team was their off the SHAC classroom,” but few have the other person. Take downs are awarded the January 22 slalom race. Stephen Sarno game against Portsmouth Abbey. Portsmouth ventured inside, and even fewer understand with two point. From there, the “top” wres- ’11 had the fastest individual time by over teams are always competitive, so CA’s squad the sport played within. Wrestling is a sport tler, who just scored a take down, attempts two seconds, a large margin of victory in was particularly excited to face talented op- of pure competition, one man vs. one man. to push his opponent onto his back. The bot- the sport. Coach John McGarry said, “ ponents. In the heat of the battle Johanna Today, many people misunderstand wrestling tom man, who was just taken down, fights to [Sarno] obliterated the field by more than Douglas ’10 was locked on the squash court because of its distortion in leagues like WWE get off the mat and return to neutral, which two seconds for the commanding victory.” for over an hour. After playing several con- and UFC. In earns him one point. If the bottom man can Peter Benson ’11 was a close third, and Peter secutive games (parts of a full squash match) high school, “switch,” James ‘12 took fourth. On the girls’ side, without any water breaks, she was saved by the sport is and flip the every racer earned a place, led by Hadley a locksmith who had to remove the door still played top man Allen ’12. Allen skied to a third place finish, handle. The team won by a sweeping final in the pure onto his with Captain Alexandra Urban ’10 a close score of 5-2. Charlotte Weiner ’13 said, “... f o r m t h a t back, he fourth. Several other teams have celebrated everyone on the team played great games, has existed earns three early successes. After being demoted to club and we had some really exciting victories... for centuries. points. If status, boy’s squash has compiled a record it was great to see how all the individual E v e r he man- of 3-1 through January 27. Captain Walker members of the team came together.” The s i n c e t h e ages a pin, Nordin ’10 says, “Although we no longer girls squash team rode its momentum to wins dawn of man, f o r c i n g attain the illustrious ‘varsity’ status, the team against Dana Hall (5-2) and St. Marks (6-1). m a n h a s h i s o p - has been having one of its best seasons yet.” The alpine ski racing team has also wrestled. In ponent’s its most prim- shoulder itive form, blades to A Classic Tradition wrestling is a the mat, t h e t o p youth leagues. The majority began playing sport to show w r e s t l e r by Nick Phillips ‘11 hockey on frozen ponds or backyard rinks. dominance Photo Courtesy of Dan Sanford immediately The Winter Classic was created to and power over On New Year’s Day, 38,122 fans packed earns the vic- showcase hockey as it was originally played a fellow com- into Fenway Park, ready for an exciting game tory, regardless of the time or period. – on a frozen rink in the bitter cold. The 2010 petitor. Early humans fought endlessly for in Boston’s favorite ballpark. But the match But none of these rules really penetrate game did not disappoint. Two of the league’s authority over food and reproduction. Over up did not include the Boston Red Sox, or any the wrestler’s psyche as he walks onto the oldest and most storied franchises converged time, wrestling has become the quintessential other baseball team. The diamond had been mat. The rational, intellectual, and reasoning in America’s most historic ballpark for the sport of pure struggle – the only thing stop- transformed into a hockey rink, specially aspects of your mind leave you. The wrestler afternoon’s contest. With the temperature ping your opponent is you: your willpower, prepared for the 2010 NHL Winter Classic. is left with his perception, reaction, and above below freezing, players warmed up in winter your strength, your determination. Winning For decades, Americans have celebrat- all, primal instinct. Pain is a necessary evil hats while fans threw snowballs in the stands. a wrestling match is a display of brute force ed winter holidays with family, friends, food, for wrestlers, but it must be ignored for a suc- Both teams played with high intensity from and power that, throughout history, has been and football. The NFL plays two games each cessful performance. Alex Milona ‘11 says, the start, leading to a scoreless first period. At synonymous with a man’s personal worth. Thanksgiving, and many high schools play “wrestling is the art of pain and control.” 4:42 into the second period, the Flyers netted Wrestling has played a part in mythol- their football archrivals in an annual “Turkey The CA wrestling team is excelling this the game’s first goal. For 33 more minutes, ogy ever since people could first begin to tell Game.” New Years belongs to College Foot- year under the coaching of Matt Bloom, who the sqauds skated in deadlock, leaving the stories. In ancient Greek mythology, during ball; the Rose Bowl headlines a plethora of is undoubtedly the most intimidating member score at 1-0. Miraculously, with just over the ascension of Zeus and the overthrowing exciting competitions. In recent years, other of the squad. Senior captains Dylan Awalt- two minutes of the titans, the conflict culminated in a major sports Conley, David Do, and Jeremy Owades have remaining in wrestling match between Zeus and Cro- h a v e t r i e d helped the team’s eight new wrestlers settle r e g u l a t i o n nos for the right to lord over the universe. s h o w c a s i n g into the sport and make considerable progress time, Mark Genesis, the first Book of the Bible, tells their games on in their first year with playing the sport. Un- Recchi tipped the story of Jacob wrestling a mysterious holidays. For der their careful guidance, the team has made a b e a u t i - figure in the night. The next morning, an several years, significant strides, and excelled in its match- ful shot past angel tells Jacob, “You have wrestled with the NBA has es. Recently, the team lost a match to Middle- Philadelphia God and with men, and have prevailed.” promoted its sex by two points, but would have won had it goalie Mi- For this, Jacob is given a new name, Israel. Christmas Day not been forced to forfeit because of weight chael Leigh- For a contest with so much historical matchups. The class restrictions. They beat Chapel Hill ton. Neither weight, the rules are fairly simple. The goal more interest- handily, and defeated Landmark, a team that team scored of wrestling is to get the opposing wrestler’s ing addition beat CA last season. The team is quite likely in the final shoulder blades on the mat. Every move that came just over the hardest working on campus, and their m i n u t e s , a wrestler makes is in pursuit of this “pin.” t h r e e y e a r s perseverance is already paying dividends. sending the There are three two-minute periods in a a g o , w h e n Photo Courtesy of Google Images t h e N H L a n - game into sudden nounced its first Winter Classic. death overtime. The Unlike the NBA’s Christmas contests, Flyers barely missed a quality scoring CA’s College Jocks chance in the first minute that was turned the Winter Classic is more than an NHL game sports is the intensity. The level of play away by Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas. by Josh Suneby ‘11 that happens to be played on January 1. The is higher, and the commitment is greater, On the very next play, Patrice Bergeron league collaborates with an MLB or NFL but they agreed that the energy and effort brought the puck up ice and flipped a soft Who says CA kids aren’t athletic? The franchise to build a unique, outdoor ice rink. required by college teams was the most wrist shot on goal. Marco Sturm rushed to class of 2009 alone boasts seven athletes play- The first Classic was played in upstate New marked difference. They spoke about the net for a tip-in score to win the game. ing intercollegiate sports in their freshman York at the Buffalo Bills football stadium, be- practices starting weeks before vacation Fenway Park erupted in the wild cheering year. Four are playing the sport they played tween Buffalo in Pittsburgh. Wrigley Field, is over, year round training programs, and that used to shake the original Boston Gar- at CA, but two are rowing crew, a sport that legendary home of the Chicago Cubs, hosted grueling workouts. Lamy wakes up at 4:15 den back when the Bruins ruled the NHL is not offered here at CA. Hannah Kaemmer, the 2009 game between Chicago and Detroit. each morning for practice, but still says, with the likes of Bobby Orr and Cam Neely. Jake Dockterman and Bonnie Cao are play- For 2010, the league chose Fenway Park to “Deciding to row was one of the best deci- While the Winter Classic is still ob- ing squash at Williams, Harvard, and Bow- stage a matchup between two old rivals – the sions I’ve made... I really can’t complain.” scure compared to the century-old Rose doin, respectively; Eric Benvenuti is playing Boston Bruins and the Philadelphia Flyers. Edelstein puts it more bluntly: “We’re meant Bowl, it is sure to become another beloved basketball at Hamilton. Jen Lamy is rowing In 2004-05, a lockout shut down the to experience the maximum amount of American tradition. The Classic is an ex- at Wellesley, Eric Edelstein at Dartmouth. NHL for a season, as players and league of- pain we can every day.” Cao says that her citing, new setting for young players, and Before college, these athletes had ficials squabbled over player salaries. The coach assumes that his players will make a brings back nostalgia for older fans that varied experiences in sports. For Lamy, league returned to action in 2005-06, re- serious commitment to squash. She says, grew up playing on frozen ponds in their crew is the first athletic team she has par- vamped rules to create a faster, more exciting “the coach has higher expectations... the younger years. Already, cities are lining up ticipated in. Edelstein, on the other hand, style of play. They hoped more fans would players have to take responsibility for their to host the 2011 game. New York hopes to was a co-captain of CA’s cross-country buy seats and watch games on TV, boosting own performance in the drills and games.” freeze over Yankee Stadium, perhaps only and tennis teams. Benvenuti was the only the league’s revenue. Four years later, the Kaemmer has a more balanced view, saying to keep pace with their Bostonian rivals. official recruit, but Cao and Kaemmer changes appear to have worked, but the “New “playing a sport is a serious commitment, but Minnesota has some of the most dedicated both had contact with coaches during the NHL” has its critics. While league finances it’s not like selling your soul.” Institutional hockey fans in the nation, and wants to hold college application process. Dockterman, are important, many say that the NHL has support is another difference between sports the Classic at Target Field, home of the Min- Lamy, and Edelstein were all walk-ons. become too far removed from the roots of at CA and at college. Dockterman says, nesota Twins. The NHL’s Canadian teams All the athletes agreed that the greatest its game. Many of the league’s stars did not distinction between Concord and College “More money, attention, pride, and time grow up playing for elite club teams with expressed desire to play a Classic across the private arenas, or even in loosely organized border in 2011. Whichever venue is selected, the game is sure to be an instant classic. Continued on page 8... Page 8 February 8, 2010 Snowskating: The Story of a Concord’s College Athletes, Unique Community Continued from page 7

by Scott Berkley ‘12 and stopping in the deep crust of the field. type of schools I looked at.” Benvenuti But snowskating is more than just explains that money plays a role as well: “The Dartmouth Rowing Club pulls in sev- recommends diligent preparation: “Hit the His face set with steely determination, free-period entertainment, more than just an weights. Hard. Don’t think because you’re Tim Chamberlin pushes off down the icy on-campus substitute for snowboarding, and eral million a year in Alumni contributions.” The athletes offer a range of advice an All-Star in the EIL means you will be slope. His green jacket contrasts against the more than just an off-season diversion for an all-star on your Division III team.” Jen, white snow as he gains speed and launches those who might longboard in the warmer to CA kids about athletics in the college application process. “The earlier you start who never played team sports at CA, encour- off a jump. With balance and precision, he months. In fact, all of the participants are ages all current and former CA students to lands lightly on a rail, his black snowskate bonded in a deeper way than might otherwise talking to the coach, the better,” explains Cao. Kaemmer expands on the benefits consider college sports. “There aren’t many perpendicular to the ice-coated feature. Now be expected of a group of CA students. When reasons not to get involved in athletics in is the moment of decision. He could lose his asked his favorite part of snowskating, Tyler of early connections, saying, “Talking to coaches really helped me understand the some way. Being on a team has given me balance and composure and smack hard into Baldwin responded, “I love how snowskating some of the closest friends I’ve ever had.” the snow in defeat. But instead, he flips his brings people together...I feel accepted here.” role of sports and the teams at the different board up and off the Just minutes before, rail, schussing down Tyler took his turn the remaining snow on the communal slope with grace, snowskate (origi- Outliers, jumping away from nally manufactured his board’s edge. by Burton Snow- A cheer rises from boards and bought Continued from page 1 the crowd perched by Hadley Allen) The Snowskate. Photo Courtesy of at the top of the hill. only to crash down heather.unit-e.com Office, Alison Tomlin found par- “Pulling off on the icy, snowless days early in the year. “He used one team!” ticularly relevant lessons about success and Douglas’s list of complaints grew. tricks, it’s just the best feeling,” Tim com- section directly following the rail’s end. opportunity Outliers. “It’s made me more ments later, cheeks still flushed with pride Obviously, flashy tricks and recogni- “And it was sexist, every example was cognizant of making sure I do what I can male, with the exception of his mother.” on this early January day. Indeed, he seems tion are not as important to Tyler as feeling to help students find unique opportunities to have mastered the delicate and popular art like a part of this small but dedicated com- “Oh and Cleopatra,” Manzella added, and take advantage of them.” She explained though the additional example did noth- of snowskating, which combines the jumps, munity. But his is not an isolated case; other the chapter about the opportunities several tricks, and terrain-park features of snow- participants echoed the sentiment. Quinn ing to quell her dislike. “There’s no ac- famous computer programmers found that knowledgement of hard-working women. boarding with the balance of skateboarding. named his favorite part of snowskating as enabled their success reinforced her belief The snowskate itself is an odd piece of “the cheering after someone falls.” And There’s no acknowledgement that men in life-changing experiences. “Whether it’s are expected to succeed and provide and equipment, slightly like a skateboard deck Tim, in a burst of universal love brought on helping a student go visit a college that they with a ski on the bottom. Quinn Sweeny, a by stomping yet another run, stated, “I like therefore resources are put behind them.” are not really sure they like, or encouraging a Manzella did locate a lesson within the similarly inclined sophomore who spends a you” to no one in particular. Indeed, although student to apply for a scholarship, you never few hours each day honing his skills on the these kids might be intensely longboarding book, though probably not the one Gladwell know what seemingly small opportunity is was hoping she would find. “I thought it re- hill down to the Upper Field, says of Tim, or intensely studying in the warmer months, going to change someone’s life,” she says. “[He’s] the B+ team, and all of us here are they are brought together by a love of shred- lated to the C&E team in that it raised a lot Not all faculty members found of issues about stereotypes and how you can the B team.” Tim pulls off trick after trick, ding New England ice, exhilarating jumps, Gladwell’s words meaningful throughout the sailing effortlessly into the runout zone and a strange sort of winter skateboard. package one. The whole thing about Asians fall semester. When I mentioned Outliers to being hard-working because they come from Deanna Douglas and Stephanie Manzella, both rice-growing cultures bothered me. He didn’t emitted a sound like a cat hacking up a hairball. even acknowledge that Chinese people don’t “I hated it,” Douglas said. grow rice everywhere, they grow wheat!” Top Ten Ways to Beat “I hated it too.” Manzella agreed. Perhaps Douglas and Manzella will be “He took one idea and re - happier with the book choice next summer, peated it ad nauseum,” Douglas said. when faculty members once again embark on the February Blues “He would make one large claim based a shared reading experience that will hope- on one piece of anecdotal evidence,” Manzel- fully reinforce the value of their own work la added, citing his theory about the natural and reward them with a new perspective. advantage given to hockey players with birth- feet and say, “I am so glad I wore Smartwool by Kate Nussenbaum ‘11 socks today. My feet are so warm.” I encour- 1. Fleece. Fleece is the best, age you to share this fantastic experience. whether it be fleece pants or a cuddly Note: Do not actually speak aloud to your feet. Did You Know? snuggie. It’s soft and it keeps you super Comments should be made in your head only. warm. Note: wearing fleece pants under- 6. Go see Bat Boy! What could be neath a snuggie may cause overheating. better than a black comedy about a half-boy Collected by Charlotte Weiner ‘13 2. Celebrate February 15. What is spe- half-bat set to great music? Answer: Nothing cial about this day you ask? It’s the day after (except maybe smartwool socks.) Go see it. Valentine’s day. Why is that day so great? 7. Think of how much you are learn- Answer: Stores decide, “oh, Valentine’s day ing throughout one month of continuous is over, candy must not taste good anymore.” school. Pause in the middle of February Tyler Rost ’13 is a certified radio DJ? False. Candy still tastes good and it goes on and make a list of everything you know sale, so it tastes extra good. Plus, buying that you didn’t know at the beginning of Librarian Martha Kennedy has climbed all 48 peaks your crush a box of chocolate the day after the month. Though your friends may mer- over 4,000 feet in New Hampshire? Valentine’s day is the perfect way to make a cilessly mock you for such a plunge into subtle statement. It says “I like you, but not nerdhood, remember that learning is cool enough to buy you full-priced candy, so I’m and in February, you are doing a lot of it. Jack Moldave ’11 used to have blonde hair when still kind of hard to get if you’re into that.” 8. Get excited for Groundhog Day he grew up in California? 3. Get psyched for Museum Day! I on February 2. I do not really understand am not totally sure what Museum day is be- Groundhog Day. Why we let a groundhog de- Language teacher Sarah Gore learned to ride termine the start of spring is beyond the scope cause it only happens once every four years a bicycle after her children? - clue number one that it is special. But here of my knowledge* *Not anymore, thanks is what I do know. Everyone gets to miss Wikipedia. But regardless of the holiday’s a class, and see a cool museum. Win-win. roots or implications, the opportunity to Yong Murray ’13 played Liszt’s Consolation No. 6 4. Participate in the Green Cup Chal- watch a furry rodent on TV should be relished. at Carnegie Hall when he was 11 years old? lenge! You may not actually find this 9. Watch the super bowl! If you like football, then this one is a no-brainer. fun, but even if turning off lights does Erinn Geyer ’12 climbed the 14,179-foot Mt. Shasta not invoke the kind of euphoria you were If you don’t like football, like 98% of hoping for, you can take pride in the CA’s population (sorry football club), over the summer? fact that you are helping to save power. then enjoy the excuse to stuff your face 5. Smartwool socks. Smartwool socks with chili and watch good commercials. Math teacher Tim Seston is a children’s entertainer have just enough wool to keep you warm, and 10. Remember that Feb- who spends time outside of CA telling stories at ruary is National Pet Dental Health just enough synthetic fabrics to not be itchy. libraries, schools, museums, and at birthday parties? Sometimes during class, I look down at my Month. Can you say great theme party? February 8, 2010 Opinions Page 9 Gap Year: Worth It? Thoreau’s Retort

their drive to acquire more material goods, by Katie Simon ‘10 her. “I know where I want to take my future and I feel that gap years are more for if you by Sandy Stott more square footage? And then there is the idea of “passionately expatriat[ing] himself.” need to discover something about yourself.” Dear Emily, Here, I think, we agree. If home doesn’t Since I was seven years old, I have From going to school in France for You misapprehend me. known that at some point around the con- a year to recording an album to volunteering suit, find one that does; reimagine yourself and your relations; become, perhaps, a clusion of high school and the beginning of in Haiti, CA seniors presented a variety of po- Your recent letter to the fine student one-person revolution. It does, however, college, I wanted to take time off from the tential gap year plans when asked. But many publication at the academy that bears for- strike me that one sets out on this course of “real world” and do something a little crazy. of them pointed out that while they knew ward both the name of my brother’s and discovery as an individual, that faith in the After travelling around the world with my they could ask their college counselors about my first school and some of my ideals for seed of self is not misplaced, whereas faith family in second grade, I dreamed about do- gap year options, gap years were not often an uncommon education wraps the body in the wisdom and entertainment of society ing it again, but on my own. As I grew up, I brought up in conversations. Jeremy Owades of my reputation in the same tired chains seems a grim predictor of the commonplace. became familiar with the concept of a “gap elaborated: “It’s a surprise that CA advertises of complaint: Henry was no hermit; Henry I hope my letter eases some of the year,” and realized that I would probably semester away programs so much sophomore went to town for dinner; Henry was mis- color of choler that made you write, “I’m still take one to travel after my senior year of year, and I haven’t been presented with any anthropic; in short, Henry was a hypocrite. livid about the fact that Thoreau doesn’t men- high school. But as my high school career gap year programs.” Several students I talked A few thoughts from the beyond: tion in Walden that his sparse woodland diet concludes, I came to realize that while the to felt sure that they wanted to go directly My time at Walden was cast, both in practice was supplemented by dinners at the tables concept of a gap year has been entrenched to college, but many of these students also and in writing, as an experiment in living, of friends... He did need his social world, in my mind for over a decade, my peers admitted that they had not researched or not, as you imply, in retreat from it. My and he was dependent on others.” Livid? might have different perceptions of the been exposed to many gap year options. hope, common enough, was to understand the Calm thyself. concept. Was a gap year just for me, or did While there are still several months necessities of life Of course I my classmates have similar plans? I started left to think about post-CA plans, I feel that and prune away dined some in asking around, and while there were varied awareness of gap year options could only the superfluous; town -- I was opinions about the role of a gap year, what help students plan their academic and profes- in that way I invited; I ac- type of person takes one, and how somebody sional futures. Friends and acquaintances of hoped to awaken knowledge my can look into the option, I came to a few con- mine who have taken gap years are quick to myself to life’s dependence clusions about gap years in relation to CA. list the positive impacts of their experiences fullness, to its re- on others in Several students, while unsure of on their lives. Gap years can provide a break ality, and I hoped pursuit of my their personal plans, recognized the benefits from the traditional routine, allowing individ- that my example independence. of taking a gap year. “I’ve been in the formal uals to reflect on their desired path and select might incite ques- Early in my education system for the past thirteen years a future profession or lifestyle that best suits tions from my book, I wrote, and almost everybody I know just goes mid- their needs and goals. While they can serve as town’s citizens “It is difficult dle school, high school, college. It’s sort of deserved breaks from intense academic and and my kinfolk, to begin with- an expectation of society. The experience you extracurricular commitments, by looking into who seemed to out borrowing, get in a gap year could be more valuable than a gap year as an active option rather than a me enslaved by Photo Courtesy of Sandy Stott but perhaps it what you get in a classroom,” said Jeremy lack of plans, would-be college students can the tired routine is the most generous Owades ‘10. Other students cited burnout, a explore their interests and build toward their of their lives as farmers and merchants -- course thus to permit your fellow men desire to try something new or to pursue a futures. I don’t believe that gap years are for round after round of what some of you call to have an interest in your enterprise.” passion, as factors in gap year decisions. Jo- everybody, but personally, I am planning the “same old same old.” I also cast myself Yes, I went to the woods to live hanna Douglas ‘10, on the other hand, decid- for the next few years with an open mind. as Chanticleer precisely because he lived in deliberately, at a little distance from the hub ed that a gap year was not the best choice for the “barnyard,” near neighbor to the woods. and bub of town, but I also went there so that I You cite, as counterexample, the could see clearly the value and infinite extent estimable Henry James, who also, if I recall of my relations. I went to escape the poverty The Legend of correctly from this great distance, left home of days driven by social routine, and at the to discover himself, albeit in the thickets of pond (which from my vantage point still European society. In your letter you draw gazes back as earth’s eye) I found the smile “Senior Spring” comparison between me and some of my in a pine and the laughter of a loon. My fam- that last application, hung out with my fam- fellow transcendentalists and Mr. James: by Dee Smith ‘10 ily, my society, grew larger there not smaller. ily and hometown friends, then headed back “They were rural and spiritual; he was urban A final thought about your fi- First semester of senior year was a to CA with weight lifted off my shoulders. and materialistic. They were committed to nal thought: “The New Englanders may whirlwind of writing papers, doing projects, I had gotten past the obstacle that was col- being deliberate Americans; he passionately always irritate me, but I guess I will al- and of course, applying to college. When we lege and was heading toward what I thought expatriated himself.” A query: how has the ways be one of them.” Welcome Home. weren’t reading books for history, we filled was the legendary ‘senior spring.’ Little did urban and materialistic focus worked out? out applications and scheduled college inter- I know that the legend was only half true. Have people reached finally some content- Yours in eternity, views. There were many points throughout Now in the second semester of my ment in their material lives? Have they found the semester during which it was impossible senior year, I see that I do, in fact, have that they no longer labor under a mistake in D a v i d ( y o u c a n c a l l not to hear someone talk about the college work that needs to be done. Finishing my process both inside and outside of class, es- college applications did not mean finishing pecially during those dreaded crunch weeks. the school year. I learned this lesson the first As one might guess, it is tough trying to week back and since have taken the neces- What is Interfaith Club? sary steps to recalibrate my brain to focus on is never a right or wrong response, and the juggle everything at once. But, with a lot of by Charlotte Kugler ‘10 support from the college counseling office school. After talking with various seniors, only tension between participants that I have I found that others observed has always been playful and light- and my family, I I have been one of the co-heads of have had the same hearted rather than inimical. If portrayed vi- got through it. Hav- CA’s Interfaith Forum since last year. We experience. Even sually, our discussions would often look like a ing understanding don’t meet very regularly, but when we do so, many agree tree – we start with a central question or topic teachers who were meet, about a dozen people show up and we that this semester and from there, we branch off into related willing to push back discuss our individual spiritualities and world is much easier to areas and varying viewpoints, yet all are usu- due dates and give religions in general. Some of the regular par- deal with than the ally connected to the theme of the meeting. extensions when ticipants in the group are Buddhist, Jewish, previous. Already One of the themes that often surfac- needed was useful Christian, atheistic, agnostic, and pantheistic. having met most of es is that of the necessity for mutual respect as well. It helped for I have found that I fit into the Interfaith the school require- between followers of different spirituali- those who wanted to group better than I would in some of the other ments for course ties or lack of spirituality. I believe that an do their best on both clubs because the people who attend are simi- credits, many se- individual’s belief system, and the evolution their college essays lar to me – meaning not that they share my niors were able of that belief system through questioning, and their academics. beliefs, but that they enjoy having philosoph- to choose classes learning, and life experience, is the most As a senior, I appre- ical discussions and sharing their thoughts. that they were uniquely appropriate worldview for that ciated their gener- While not all clubs at CA have as strong an Photo Courtesy of Alison Merrill ‘09 truly interested in, individual, and not necessarily for someone osity and worked intellectual orientation, this club attracts oth- which makes for a real “love of learning.” else. Therefore I value the willingness dis- hard to make sure it did not seem unwarrant- er students who, like me, are looking to learn With the stress of applying to college played by Interfaith Forum participants to ed, completing my assignments in a way that more about themselves and others, and to gone from the minds of Concord Academy share and understand many points of view. showed my willingness to do well in the class. connect with each other in a substantive way. seniors, we can now focus on the anticipa- I think that groups like the Inter- As winter break brought the semester The discussions we have tend not to tion of warm days and senior privileges. faith Forum at CA allow students to learn to a close, I was excited to finally relax and be very structured in nature. Usually one of Seniors can be excited for the real ‘senior through conversations with each other about spend some much needed time with the fam- the co-heads (myself, Ben Weissmann ’10, spring,’ in which we can break out our the variety of people’s beliefs, and more ily and I did just that...at least for the first or Bronwyn Murray-Bozeman ’10) will pose shorts and lawn chairs, and listen to music about what they believe as well. In this week. I realized that I still had some college a question about a general aspect of religion. on the quad or at Walden Pond. All the and in similar ways, students will approach applications to finish and a few calls to make. From there, each person’s response to that blood, sweat, and tears the class of 2010 has adulthood with a peaceful and interested, It was not the way I envisioned I would spend broader topic will be more specific and reflec- had these past four years have finally paid instead of confrontational, attitude towards the rest of my break, but I figured it would be tive of their own beliefs. In this group, there worth it come second semester. So I finished off, and we’re all too ready to celebrate. theological issues and views in the world.

Page 10 The Back Page February 8, 2010 The Centipede Happy Days by Kate Nussenbaum ‘11 we might write in our comments. “A few plac- Concord Academy es need improvements. Overall grade: D.” 166 Main Street, Concord, MA 01742 A couple of weeks ago, I was sitting in Here is a confession: I am completely the upper Stu-Fac when Morgan Mead walked infatuated with this school. Though sometimes by, brownie in hand, and a smile on his face. “I I feel like a bit of a black sheep, it’s worth Arts Editor: Cindy Do ‘10 just think it’s incredible,” he said, “that every it, because my love of CA makes me happy Sports Editor: Nick Phillips ‘11 day after school there is a plate of brownies to go to school every day. It’s not wrong to out and anyone who wants can just take one!” imagine an ideal school and constantly hope Features Editor: Sometimes being happy with CA feels that our qualms will one day find a resolution. Kate Nussenbaum ’11 like wearing Crocs if you are over the age But if you remember that the vast majority of Co-News Editors: of 10 – socially unacceptable. And while the time, CA is a pretty gosh-darn incredible Suah Lee ’10 and Tessa Mellin ’12 February is one of the hardest months in school to attend, perhaps you too will face which to appreciate CA, a growing disen- February with excitement rather than dread. Co-Opinions Editor: chantment with the school seems to have Think like Morgan Mead. Remember Talene Bilazarian ‘10 and Stella Park ‘10 pervaded the minds of all upperclassmen that plate of brownies does not appear at every school. Think about the free candy Associate Editor: during the other months of the year as well. CA is not perfect. Everyone has sprinkled throughout the school. (Freshmen, Dan Weiner ’11 experienced one of those moments, take note: It’s not just in David Rost’s office.) Photo Editor: or one of those days, when CA seems Think about the raw honesty of chapels, think Jenny Jeong ’10 like the worst possible place to be. about the freedom we have to leave campus, Layout Editor: “I have two tests tomor - think about Jamie Morris-Kliment volunteer- ing to get pied in the face. Think about how Becca Imrich ‘10 row and kitchen duty tonight.” “Ring begs are go - easy it is to just email your teacher when you Co-Managing Editors: ing to suck. Stupid hazing rules.” have a problem. Think about the humor that Walker Nordin ‘10 and Daphne Kim ‘10 “All my friends got DC’ed, seeps into every announcement, every class, every conversation. Think about the fact that Executive Editor: the administration needs to chill out.” “My love life is the pits.” every day you get to go to a place where peo- Aliza Rosen ’10 These problems are real, and they ple actually want to learn, where the concept Faculty Advisor: are not insignificant. We kvetch and we of disruptive behavior destroying a class does not exist, and where compassion and respect Emily Coit ‘98 moan, providing ourselves with a sense of communal suffering, and often, that are so present that they are taken for granted. The Centipede is the official student newspaper of Concord Academy. The sense of community is quite therapeutic. Add this major assignment to your paper welcomes comments from its readers in the form of Letters to the Edi- But these moments of misery can blind February calendar: find something about tor. No anonymous letters will be printed. The Centipede reserves the right us to all the positive aspects of our school. We CA that makes you happy, even if it is as small as the daily plate of free brownies. to edit all articles for length and content. are grading CA on an unreasonable curve we ingrain in each other’s minds. “Great school,” Youth in Philanthropy: Come See Bat Boy! Andrew Murray ‘11, and Grace Blewer ‘11, by Walker Nordin ‘10 promises a spectacular and graphically grip- Doing Research to ping performance that will bring audiences This winter, Concord Academy The- to both gleeful hysterics and gushing tears. ater took a departure from the ordinary. Opens February 19-20, tickets on sale soon! Do Good Although the fall mainstage production, Macbeth, followed a more traditional Shake- CASA faculty advisor, is leading YIP this spearean plotline, the winter will bear wit- by Esme Valette ‘12 year. She explained, “the process of deciding ness to a more novel production. Bat Boy, a who gets the grants is one that is long and whimsical yet touching musical based on a A few years ago, an anonymous donor hard, because it’s awarded by consensus, book by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming, endowed a $10,000 fund to every school not by vote. That means people talk through will steal the stage. The premise is quite as in Concord in support of the Youth in Phi- both their intuitive and unconscious criteria strange and exciting as it sounds. A descrip- lanthropy program. This donated money, and their logical ones, sometimes unearth- tion posted on CA General last year reads, as well as another $1,000 raised by the ing more assumptions in the discussion.” “When a half-bat, half-boy is discovered members of Youth in Philanthropy (YIP) at Though this program is one devoted to in a cave in Hope Falls, West Virginia, the each school, provides the funding for each learning how to help others and community town is thrown into upheaval as it confronts program. So what exactly is YIP? It’s a CA service, this year the Youth in Philanthropy what it cannot easily understand. Bat Boy: program devoted to teaching its members program isn’t as popular as in past years; only The Musical transcends its campy premise about philanthropy by showing them how to six students signed up. One possible reason and evolves into a touching parable about work as a team to identify and to fund worthy for this lack of participation could be the forgiveness and acceptance.” The cast, led beneficiaries. Throughout the year, the YIP differing schedule from last year’s program. by James Wyrwicz ‘12, Aliza Rosen ‘10, Photo Courtesy of Google Images student members collectively decide upon a This year the program runs in two time slots single nonprofit organization in the Metro- instead of one, making it more difficult for West area to fund. Having to make this deci- people to fit into their schedules. The low sion is a very large responsibility, especially attendance is certainly not a result of a lack HELP ME RHONDA! for high school students. Even though many of a satisfying and interesting program of- nonprofit organizations are trustworthy and fered by YIP, however. Ally Chung ‘12, one devoted to worthy causes, it is a tough choice of youth in philanthropy’s members, points The Centipede’s new advice column for YIP members to select the winning group. out that YIP offers her something hard to find During the five months preced- as a boarder: the opportunity to get involved Q: I have started to really like this girl, ing YIP’s big decision, the members meet but I used to date one of her best friends. I real- A: If you like him, and you think he in community service. As an international likes you, then definitely go for it. It’s senior every week to absorb and discuss the basics student striving to support local charities, ly want to tell her how I feel, but I am not sure of philanthropy. This conversation gives if this is a good idea. HELP ME RHONDA! spring! You shouldn’t worry about what peo- this course provides a great opportunity for ple thing, and if they are truly your friends they students an understanding that helps guide her. Erinn Geyer ‘11, another YIP member, them in their efforts and decision making A: Even if she likes you, if it is one will be happy for you and your new relation- saw this program as an opportunity “to learn ship. Plus the senior guys play with nerf guns. process. By May, the student members how to work as a team and to give money to of her best friends there’s most likely no will have learned how to read and fulfill chance she would sacrifice that relation- a different deserving organizations.” Erinn Q: I was out of school for four days grants, how to read budgets of nonprofit went on to describe a long list of things she ship for you. It is probably hard for you, organizations, and how specific nonprofit but it would be worse if you put her in the because I was sick. Before I was sick this has already learned from YIP. For example, boy and I were really vibing, but when I came organizations in the Metro-West area work. the group has already started to explore position where she would have to choose During the beginning of the process between you. You can always talk to your back, even though he told me he missed me, many of the problems in our area, such as he was all over this other girl. I don’t want to the students cut down the eight to ten grants homelessness and a lack of education. Like ex about it if it is that important to you. they initially received to approximately four seem desperate to him, but I really felt some Ally and Erinn, many CA students are eager sort of connection. HELP ME RHONDA! final organization options. After they have to find ways to efficiently and effectively Q: I’m a senior girl who has a pretty thoroughly read the grant proposals the massive crush on a sophomore boy. I help others. Youth in Philanthropy offers A: In your words you two were “vibing”, students visit the four potential organiza- CA students a chance to develop and express think he is so much more interesting than tions and verify the claims the organization any of the senior guys, but I feel like so there must have been some attraction there. their philanthropic sides, as they look beyond Attraction doesn’t simply fall away over four has made in their grant proposals. Elizabeth themselves to reach out to those in need. everyone would judge me if I acted on Bedell, head of the English department and these feelings. HELP ME RHONDA! days. If he likes you then he’ll come to you.