The WALRUS The time has come, the Walrus said, to talk of many things: Of shoes and ships and sealing wax, of cabbages and kings. - Lewis Carroll Vol LXIX No. 6 St. Sebastian’s School April 2016 4th Quarter/Final Exam Advice finish the entire school year strong. once exams do arrive and the school By Sam Cullen ‘17 Moving on to a more specific year begins to close, time manage- Spring Break has come and note, the fourth quarter can feel a lot ment is one of the most important gone, and the sun now remains in the more rushed and chaotic than other aspects of finishing the year. Making sky until 7PM. And so, students and quarters. Luckily, our school didn’t a study schedule that balances with faculty throughout St. Sebastian’s have a lot of snow days this year, so all your extracurriculars and athletics have started to ask the annual ques- we aren’t racing against the clock to can be difficult, but if you proportion tion of “Where has the school year make up on missed days, but most your time for studying well, you’ll gone?” Yes, we are now barreling classes do become squeezed for time be just fine sitting for your exam that towards that period of oblivion and at the end of the year. After break, the day. digression known as “summer.” But workload tends to pick up as classes Despite all this advice for before we all become too caught up work to cover all the material with finishing up the year strong, even if in the daydreams of sleep, sunshine time to review for finals, but consis- you don’t end the year on the high and snow-cones, we have to face the tent effort and caution will make the note you were seeking, the best part Mike Calabro’16 addresses admitted students, sharing how St. inevitable “grind” of fourth quar- course load for the fourth quarter a lot about the summer, besides the care- ter and final exams (gasp!). And Sebastian’s has made him a man of “courage, honor and wisdom.” less hectic. And when you inevitably free lifestyle, amazing weather, and for those of you new to this school feel overwhelmed with work, think leisure activities, is that you know community, or those of you who about the three-month long rest period there will be another year to start Admitted Students Night have forgotten what it feels like to do following this mere 2-month long fresh and rebound. With the excep- homework while the sun is still out, quarter, and everything will eventually tion of the seniors, who are literally By David Korzeniowski ‘16 captain of the Harvard Crimson ten- take note. work out. taking their final exams in early nis team. In addition, a current parent Now, don’t get me wrong, SENIOR EDITOR Despite the difficulties of April, the vast majority of students Mrs. McKenzie spoke about St. the coming spring weather is amaz- the academic year, I can’t emphasize here will be back next year, along Recently at St. Sebastians Sebastian’s from her point of view. ing and quite literally a miracle in enough the approach of the daunt- with another new grade of students. was an event all current students All four speeches were fantastic. I comparison to the dark days of win- ing final exams. Yes, they are long, So, don’t lose your sanity when it remember well: Admitted Students have no doubt that countless students ter, but the sun can also be an issue difficult and panic-worthy. But finals comes to exams, either. With the Night. I’m sure each and every one and parents in the audience were sold when it comes to academics. It is in- are doable, in fact, every student at St. enormous resources and help avail- of us can remember at least bits and by what the speakers had to say. To credibly easy to tell yourself that you Sebastian’s student has to get through able at our school from teacher to pieces from both this event and the put icing on the cake, the best public need to “take advantage of the warm finals, so if you personally can’t stand advisors to all your helpful peers, ev- open house. For prospective students, speaker in history, Mr. Burke, deliv- weather” after winter, and then go finals, at least that pain will enjoy erything will work out fine so long as these are a couple of major ways that ered his speech to end the night. He outside for a while at the end of the company. In all seriousness, final you put in at least some effort to help they and their parents can get a taste ensured that every student that came day. Still, while fresh air and relax- exams are not that awful, with a little yourself. But seeing that you have of St. Sebastian’s. As always, this to St. Sebastian’s would be known ation are essential to everyone’s well- practice and review, final exams are made it this far in the school-year, I year’s Admitted Students Night failed and loved. As a senior who heard the being, don’t let this influence you as actually quite easy. Unlike most other highly doubt anybody at our school to disappoint. same thing from him six years ago, I a student. The sun and warm weather tests, you’ve already prepared and doesn’t want to put in the effort to After the sea of small, blue- can assure you that he was not lying. aren’t going anywhere any time soon, been tested on all the material in final succeed. So, in effect, congrats! You blazered kids and their parents made Many of these admitted so don’t let the weather inadvertently exams. In fact, you already know will eventually make it through the their way into the church, our Assis- students have also been touring the become an excuse from academic all the problems on exam. In reality, fourth quarter and final exams. And tant Headmaster Mr. Nerbonne wel- school the past couple weeks. They work. Now, while you might say that final exams are more about “mind if all else fails, you can count on the comed the students and their families, follow around kids in the grade that this is obvious, I can tell you that it is organization” and review prepara- fact that from June to September, and Father Arens led the group in they’re entering to get a taste for the easy to lose academic focus as both tion than learning. And while I know you’ll have time to sit by the pool or prayer. Next, one of our most talented school and the community. A lot of the social and physical environment most of you won’t follow this advice, beach and do whatever you choose singers, Will Evans ‘17, sang a won- these kids know that they’re coming begins to turn towards the summer. due to the far-off nature of finals, a (within legal limits), or you could derful song the help of Mr. Grohman. to St. Sebastian’s, but some don’t as But this quarter is the last quarter, slow trickling of review well before explore your individual passions and Then came the speeches. I still of yet. So, if you see any new kids it is the only thing you can control the exam will go a long way towards further your individual potentials. remember the speeches that I heard at touring the school, be sure to engage and the only thing that matters at this reducing your stress, and improving But honestly, in the middle of July, both the Open House and Admitted with them. Ask them where they’re point, so it’s incredibly important to your scores, at the end of May. Now, either option is acceptable. Students Night. For most prospective from, what sports they play, etc. I can students and families, this the part assure you that this will only help of the night that impresses them the their view of the school. most. To hear praise of St. Sebas- Overall, admitted stu- tian’s from current students as well as dents night was a huge success, alumni makes the greatness of Sebs for St. Sebastian’s once again real for them. This year’s speakers impressed. Thank you to all the were Gabriel Twohig ‘21 and Mike students and teachers who made Calabro ‘16. The alumnus that spoke this night rewarding for our visi- tors on campus. was Connor Haughey ‘12, current Certamen Night En- tertains, As Always round had 20 normal questions for The end of the year is fast approaching, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to slack off. Get ready to grind, By Rafael Twohig ‘19 each match. Alongside each of these st build a fort of books like this kid, crush it during exam week, and earn your summer vacation. On Thursday March 31 , Latin stu- set questions were two bonus ques- dents in grades 9-12 participated in tions a team would earn if they gave the competitive and fun Certamen the correct answer to the set ques- night. Leading up to the trivia of tion. The competing student who Senior Service Starting Up Certamen night, the competitors were simultaneously slapped his hand on treated to snacks. After eating, each his desk while raising his hand was a great opportunity for St.