The Student newspaper serving the Avon Old Farms community The Avon Record NEWS AND OPINION SENIOR PROFILES CLOSING REMARKS Students opinions about Terri Schiavo The Class of 2005 Editor’s reflect and Fox broadcasting 36was well represented 8 Volume LXXVII, Issue 1 Friday, May 27, 2005 Colossal Construction to Enhance AOF Community: A Journey Furthering Theodate Pope Riddle’s Masterpiece Never BY BEN KIMMERLE ‘07 much more than piles of dirt now, the will also house a post office and stu- Center will also be the hub for the new sports facility will be an amazing dent lounge, while providing ample music department. An entire floor Forgotten As anyone walking through cam- supplement to Avon’s already stellar space to situate the Hawk’s Nest. With will be dedicated to music, both BY PETER THEIS ’06 pus can attest, there are many exciting athletic program. Housed in the new an expansive downstairs section for chorale and instrumental perform- things happening at Avon. The school gym will be many state of the art facil- games and hanging out, the Hawk’s ance. This article is dedicated to the people of has already begun the construction of ities. Some of the highlights include a Nest will find a permanent roost at the The other side of campus con- Rio Guayas and the twelve incredible peo- the $24 million student center and three-basketball-court complex, which completion of the construction. Mrs. tains changes of its own. Next door to ple who made this trip an amazing jour- athletic complex and hopes to have can be converted to a 60,000 sq-ft. Doyle re-assures that, "The food will the maintenance facilities will be the ney. things operational by the beginning of field space, seven new squash courts, not change, only the facilities." She new digital art and woodworking the 2006-2007 school year. This com- updated weightlifting/aerobic centers, also gives hope to those afternoon building. This building will allow stu- It was the end of March, on a cool plex will also contain a performing arts and an innovative wrestling "arena," hunger pains, saying, "There is a pos- dents to both participate in an updat- cloudy day in Quito, Ecuador. Nine center. All together these three facili- which will be dual-meet capable. Mr. sibility that the Hawk’s Nest will be ed wood crafting environment will adventurous students from Avon Old ties comprise the largest single build- Peter Deckers ’90, the Varsity Squash open after lunch." WAOF is also mak- brand new tools and take one of the Farms School and three guides had just ing project since the school’s opening Coach, says, "The squash courts, as ing a comeback; the student-run radio new digital arts courses that will be finished an amazing 17 day voyage in 1927. with the whole facility, will be the top station has not been active in many available beginning in the fall of 2005. through the majestic mountains and The biggest building in the in our [Founders] league. Our new years but will have its own space to With all the new changes hap- the beautiful beaches of Ecuador. school’s new construction plan, the courts will be a great asset to the team make a comeback in the new complex. pening at Avon, there are many rea- Building a day care center in the coastal athletic complex with field house and and will put an emphasis on the The new construction will also sons to be excited for the future of the town of Rio Guayas, spending time student center, is already in the works. expanding program." include The Pierpont Performing Arts school. Unfortunately for those in the with natives in the mountain town of Construction began the day after stu- In addition to the sporting Center, containing a brand new 500- junior and senior classes, the construc- Otavalo, and gliding through the mys- dents left for this year’s spring break. aspect, a new student center will be seat auditorium/concert hall to act as tion will not be completed until the terious and mirky water of the Amazon First, workers took down trees, then a part of this building. There are rooms the center for Avon’s performing arts. fall of 2006, but future Avonians will were the three main parts to the trip. fence was erected to encompass the allotted solely for school-club use, so While offering a new stage for plays, be able to enjoy fully these new build- The trip started on March 8th as digging that is still going on today. many clubs will finally have a perma- musicals, or speakers that Avon may ings, appreciating and enjoying the the nine students gathered at Sam Although it may not look like nent meeting spot. The student center host, the Pierpont Performing Arts wonderful structures for years to come. O’Brien’s house for an informal "Packing Party". The students were: Rob Boschen, ’06, Dan Butts, ’06, Sam O’Brien, ’06, Mike Cessarzo, ’06, Dan Harris, ’08, Roy Hubbard, ’06, Brendan Reed, ’06, Kyle Rougeout, ’06, and Peter Theis, ’06. Eager and excited of what lay ahead of them, the students listened closely to the advice of guide leader, Avon alum and former teacher Travis Merritt, ’93. Also, at the meeting were the group’s translator Sarah Swartz and the nurse Greg Melitski. The next morning the students woke up around 9:30 to begin the journey down to Ecuador. A generous PHOTOS BY HWI-YOON CHEONG, ‘05 Mr. Dubois drove the toaster to the Left, The new Athletic Complex/Student Center is sure to lift student life to the next level..Right,Ground Breaking Ceremony during Alumni Weekend. Newark Airport as the group waited to Not even the poor weather could dampen spirits. board the flight. The flight down was anything but enjoyable, but knowing how our lives would change forever made it worth the while. Finally, arriv- “It is Written in the Deed of Trust...” ing the next morning around one BY JACKSON HOWARD ‘05 of time. They have come in a variety of Saturday, which gives us a full weekend back surgery, or when Mr. LaRocque o’clock, the trip officially began. Once forms, too. Mr. LaRocque surprised and extra time to prepare for our ath- snuck in the message during a prayer, stepping outside, the warm South Headmaster’s Holidays have been everyone in the Adams Theatre two letic events, the actual delivery is also saying, "…We ask this for thy mercy’s American climate greeted the group as a part of Avonian tradition for a hand- years ago when he asked, "At which diverse. On a Friday this past winter sake… on this Founder’s Day. Amen." they immediately began to perspire. ful of years now, and Founder’s Day play was Lincoln assassinated?" on the Mr. LaRocque asked if we knew why A few confused and silent seconds fol- Boarding a small bus the group slept (the annual day off given each spring) anniversary of the event. Chatter filled Mr. Gardner was not at morning meet- lowed that unexpected broadcast, with over night at a convent in the city of has been with us since 1927. Many a the room as the student body failed to ing but was sleeping. He told us that each of the students soon raising his Guaquiyl. Winged Beaver have avoided their come up with My American Cousin. JTG must have mistaken today for head and celebrating with his friends. A Waking up early the next morn- homework in hopes that the next day Headmaster’s Days have also been Saturday, which he then announced as few years ago, Mr. LaRocque called a ing the students enjoyed a small tradi- would be a glorious one of relaxation "faked," as many students like to think. Headmaster’s Day. Students enjoyed select few people on a Sunday evening, tional breakfast of bread and ham pre- (and likely more procrastination). When Headmaster LaRocque talks this anecdote and celebrated as they instructing them to call a few more, pared by the caretakers of the convent. Four-year boy Archie Preissman calls about the importance of aspiration and planned their free Saturday. Themes creating a huge chain of callers. That morning was taken up by a two them "the best thing about Avon." perseverance and illustrates it with an have been popular lately, too. In the late Eventually, each gentleman received a hour bus ride to Rio Guayas. Within These highly sought after days anecdote, most Avonians think of it as nineties, Key Day was the name of a telephone call from his advisor to hear this community lie houses provided at have more history than one might a sure sign of an announcement to day off, in celebration of the school the splendiferous news: Monday would a reasonable rates for the inhabitants. think. Traditionally, the Headmaster come. When "Let’s have a good day" receiving full financial control from the be a Headmaster’s Day. This marked The days in Rio Guayas consisted announces the day off once per season enters their ears, however, most stu- Board of Directors. Mr. Dan Seiden the first time that Mr. LaRocque of waking up to the sound of roosters at and usually on that actual day. In recent dents can only sit in shock. ’00 says he remembers Key Day being announced a day off ahead of time, nine in the morning then laboring hard years, we students have often been These holidays come in many "a beautiful day." which served as a refreshing surprise to in the warm Ecuadorian climate.