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Volu m e 6 6 , Issu e 1
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May 4 , 2 0 1 7
A Student Publication of the Belmont Hill School
WEBB REVISITS HILL
Mr. Roger Webb Returns to the Hamilton Chapel He Brought to Belmont Hill in 1963
Photo (left) by Johhn Gillooly and (right) from Harvard Business School
By Ishaan Prasad ‘18 and William McCormack ‘18 Panel Staff The Spark: Mr. Webb’s Chapel Talk On a wet Tuesday afternoon in early April, Mr. Roger Webb spoke to an intimate group of interested community members on the reconstruction of Belmont Hill’s iconic Hamilton Chapel. Into his 80s but still thoughtful, sharp, and vibrant, Webb provided the attending cohort of middle schoolers, upper schoolers, faculty members, and alumni with an anecdotal recollection of the Hamilton Chapel’s assembly. Mr. Webb’s knowledge of the Chapel
is rivaled by none. Speaking on the stage of the Hamilton Chapel, Webb returned to the space that has come to embody his silent, but significant legacy on Belmont Hill. In 1963, it was Roger Webb who identified a wooden chapel in West Thompson, Connecticut that was nearing its destruction; the United States Army Corp of Engineers had purchased an abundance of property in the region and was preparing to demolish structures for the construction of a dam. Contacted by Headmaster Fred Hamilton, Webb, a general contractor with experience relocating historic structures in the Boston area, led a team of five carpenters that disassembled the chapel’s parts in West Thompson, transported them by
truck to Belmont, and reassembled the onceMethodist church in its present location. The School continues to both symbolically and physically revolve around the Hamilton Chapel, roughly equidistant from the Melvoin Academic Center and Jordan Athletic Center. Webb’s detailed retelling of the Chapel’s reconstruction was followed by an exciting trip to the attic of the Hamilton Chapel. Mrs. Hamilton, a faculty member for over twenty years, as well as all the boys present to meet with Mr. Webb, was making her first trip to the attic. A small door nested behind third form seating in the back of the building reveals a thin, steep set of wooden steps that lead to a long attic. Home to the
Chapel’s original wooden podium, a gallery of photos from its 1963 disassembly and reconstruction on Belmont Hill, the structure’s weathervane, and a bird’s-eye view of the JV soccer field, the attic, unknown to most of the student population, was surprisingly well-kept. In the attic, Mr. Webb continued treating students to tales and narratives from his work on the project, pointing out pictures that depicted the community gathering around the Chapel as its two front columns were placed (an event that seemed to mimic the community’s groundbreaking ceremony when construction on the Melvoin Academic Center began in November 2013). continued on Page 8
Belmont Hill Track & Field Starts 2017 Campaign Hot A Year in America blue dominated their competitors in nearly every event. Noticeable performances include Evan Ricci ‘17 in the 110-meter hurdles and Isaiah Collins ‘18 in the 100-meter dash. By no means satisfied with its initial success, the team continued to work diligently toward their next meet, at home against Governor’s Academy, Groton, and Middlesex. When the day of contest came, Belmont Hill again emerged on top, an auspicious sign for a possibly remarkable season. Although the season has just begun, Belmont Hill has its sights set on two championship titles. If all bodes well, the team will add two trophies to the mantelpiece. ☐
By Matt Smith ‘19 Panel Staff After both a second-place finish at ISTAs and an epic victory at Division II NEPSTAs during the 2016 season, the Belmont Hill track team kicked off its 2017 season poised for success. Soon after the end of the 2016-2017 winter sports season, the squad began to prepare for competition through weeks of grueling practice in frigid weather. After a short break to enjoy the first week of March break, the athletes reconvened at Harvard’s indoor track. With only a short time before competition began, the Belmont Hill team worked as hard as ever. At their first meet, the Thayer Relays, their hard work payed off conspicuously, as the boys in
Look Inside The Panel News 6-7 Navy SEAL Skypes with BH
Lt. Commander Dave speaks with students in Dr. Buckley’s Institute of Policy and Poltics Course
McCormack ‘18 Elected President Carter ‘18, I. Prasad ‘18, and Morris ‘18 round out Form VI Senate team. Rockett ‘19, McHugh ‘20, Walker ‘21, and Bittner ‘22 win other presidenctial elections.
Sports 10-11 Jayson Firmin ‘21 Advances in Jr. NBA National Skills Challenge
By Filip Puljiz ‘18 Staff Writer One day in my beautiful Croatian city of Split, my grandma asked me: “Would you like to go to America like Laura?” Laura had spent a year abroad in Ohio and loved the experience. I messaged Laura and she spoke very highly of her time in the US and gave me all the information on how to apply. After a grueling application process full of interviews and essays in English, I learned I had been accepted, and would be attending Belmont Hill School, in Belmont, Massachusetts. After googling the school to find out where I would be living for the next year, I was excited and a little nervous for what lay ahead. continued on Page 2
Arts 4-5 Artists of the Issue: Kingston ‘17 and Folsom ‘17
How Sixth Formers Chris Kingston and Jonny Folsom have used Instagram to showcase their photography
Win at TD Garden leads to Regional finals in Brooklyn
Opinions 2-3 A Closer Look at the Language Requirement Examining requirements for incoming Form III students
Jazz Band Plays at Ryles Jazz Club An evening of good food and even better music in Cambridge, MA.
Belmont Hill Opinions
Pa g e 2
Th e Pan el
Filip in USA: Surviving a New Culture, Language, and School Continued from Front Page After a long waiting time the day had come to travel to America. Mr. Harder and I passed through a long hallway clad with wooden panels at the school, whose exterior reminded me of the school from the film Dead Poets Society. He introduced me to Dr. Melvoin, Mr. Martellini, and my “buddy,” Duncan Grant. I was probably the only student not wearing white trousers and a blue blazer. I was wearing blue trousers and a gray blazer, but I felt most out of place being the only foreigner. Duncan took me to the computer lab, where I used a Mac for the first time. To use it you need to have long hands. Jack Murphy was sitting next to me and I asked him dozens of questions, such as “How do I write the ‘at’ sign?” Since I had somehow lost Duncan, I stuck to Murph
“I spoke Croatian to myself, struggling to find the English words for what I wanted to say. I reassured myself: Filip, they chose you to come, you can survive these ten months!” on the way to Jordan Athletic Center. I did not know how to use the lock, but after much trying, and with Murph’s help, I finally figured it out. Then we went to our photo-taking. I lost Murph there, so I followed people I had seen in the computer lab to a form meeting. There, the first thing that was said was, “Is Filip here?” The situation was repeated in the chapel, in front of the whole school. It was then I felt the weirdest that day, surrounded by hundreds of boys, all staring at me. When I returned to Mr. Harder’s house, I had a hard time reading the schedule and thinking where I will spend the whole school year. I began to have doubts: was this experience really for me? The second day of school came, and it was much like the first day, with more homework than I’d ever had before, all written in a foreign language. The day was a blur of meeting complete strangers who I would end up knowing well. I spoke Croatian to myself, struggling to find the English words for what I wanted to say. I reassured myself: Filip, they chose you to come, you can survive these ten months! I moved in with James Eysenbach’s family, one of four I have lived with.
Communicating remained exceptionally tough; I didn’t know what to say when the others would talk and many awkward silences ensued. I discovered that I speak Split English, English with the accent of my city, Split. The Scarlet Letter was killing me. Nobody showed me the campus, so the first few days I always asked some random people where I could find my next classroom. After classes each day I ran cross country, which was very painful in the beginning. At the end of one of the first cross country practices, the coaches took our mile time. Since I picked the faster group, I made it on the list to go to the race in Martha’s Vineyard. I looked forward to the trip, and did not know what to expect from my first 5K race. The course was longer than expected. It started on the football field, continued on the macadam, grass and forest path to return to the finish, which was near the start. The gun went off. We all started running.
spot on the other side of the course.” And I finally got out of the woods, seeing the familiar blue and maroon running top. I felt dizzy and my vision went dim few times. I could not wait for the end of the race. I could not think. My only goal was to finish, either crawling or running. Finally, I passed the wood chunks that meant that I was near the finish. I speeded up as much as I could and came into the finish line from where I just fell to the ground. Coach Trautz picked me up and gave me water. My mind was not clear. I just drank water and energy drinks and spoke insanely, until I showered and moved all the traces of an exhausting race off my skin. “Do I need this?” I asked myself, aware that I will be sad on the departure from the USA. I thought: “I don’t want to return to yesterday because I don’t want to re-live it.” But, to be honest, now I really don’t want to return to the beginning. The Eysenbachs took me
mom told me. But I said to myself, “I will fight,” and my Croatian friends told me, “We will pray for you.” I moved to Tim Brown’s family, who volunteered when no one else did. This first change made me mentally ready for other changes. Winter came and once again I had to adjust. Since I come from Mediterranean, I didn’t find the local temperatures appealing. Luckily, I went to visit my parents’ friends in Hollywood, Florida, and escaped the cold winter. I couldn’t believe that I was swimming on Christmas Day, and I started feeling better. Soon after the school restarted, I moved to Gabriel Raffa’s family. I knew them from before, since I have spent a weekend with them when I still lived with the Eysenbachs. I enjoyed that I could play briškula, an Italian card game very popular in Croatia, with my host grandma. They took me to New York for a long weekend. I was very happy. I started feeling like I was really getting used to the US. Then I went to community service trip to Kentucky, on which I got to know some people I wouldn’t usually see at school. I was very glad that I took that trip. I went to a public high school with Mrs. Schmunk’s daughters when I stayed with her family the second week of the spring break. Then I moved again, this time back to where I began, to Mr. Harder’s house. Now I am enjoying my year much more and try not to think about when I have to leave. The countless differences between my school in Croatia and Belmont Hill were not easy to get used to. Transitioning to a totally new schedule and grading system was tough, as was putting up with
“I miss home, but I have started to feel at home here.” Above: Filip Puljiz on his first day at BH. Below: Filip’s school in Split, Croatia. Because of my good starting point I was in the leading group, but soon I realised that I could not keep their pace. My legs started hurting like never before. It was hard to breathe the hot air into my dry mouth. I entered the cooler shady woods. My running battery was about to die, and the race was not even halfway over. “Pass me, I cannot move,” I thought. I said to myself: “Have somebody from the school in my view, although he can be a small
to their holiday house in Maine. I will always remember my first Thanksgiving dinner at Mrs. Eysenbach’s sister’s house in Morristown, New Jersey. They took me on a trip to New York City, which I consider one of highlights of my US trip, and a turning point in my attitude towards spending a year here, which then started to change for better. When the host family change came, I was shocked. “If you think it is too difficult, you can return” my
the strict dress code and a heavier backpack. Croatian classes had as many as twenty eight people, and the lessons were taught on blackboards. The two schools operate in different worlds, and although Mr. Martellini’s class sometimes reminds me of back home, it took me a long time to get a hang of Belmont Hill life. I am very glad that I am here, enjoying my stay more and more everyday and sadly watching my departure date grow nearer. And while I miss home, I have begun to feel at home here. ☐
Analyzing Ever-Increasing Social Media Usage Among Our Generation By Nick Carroll ‘18 Staff Writer Social media is one of the most influential aspects of how young adults interact. According to a 2015 study from the nonprofit group Common Sense Media, teens spend almost 6.5 hours online per day, with almost a third of that time spent on social media. This exponential growth in social media usage affects our generation tremendous-
ly; after all, we are the first ones to be oblivious to the negative aspects. grow up with this ubiquitous technolSocial media is unprecedented ogy. We communicate with friends, in its ease of connecting friends, famikeep in touch with relatives, lies, and strangers. With a few clicks, and create relationships people can connect through popuwith people we’ve never lar apps such as Snapchat or Inmet face-to face. stagram. Social media also We know allows people to quickly t hat connect with others whom they may not see or talk to often, creating an interesting paradigm of what it means to be a “friend” in this online world. We can share whatever moments of our lives we want with friends we see everyday, as well as with others who we might not see daily. Often we know more about someone from their online profile than their “real world” self, for better or for worse. Although social media can be s o - very beneficial, it can also have some c i a l potential negatives. It has become so media is engrained in our society that it can e n j o y a b l e , distract us from real life. Rather than but we may having a conversation in-person, many
people may choose to use social media to hold a conversation. Many things can be lost or misinterpreted in an online interaction. It’s important not to lose the give and take of face-to-face interaction. Paradoxically, social media can also isolate people as they experience a greater sense of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), constantly witnessing the fun experiences of others. Therefore, social media can simultaneously connect and isolate people; an interesting trend to keep an eye on as the growth of social media further progresses. In summary, social media is very useful and enjoyable, but our community should be aware of the negatives as well as the positives that come along with it. As you complete the daily course load here at Belmont Hill, be conscientious about how many pauses you take for the online world that could make your work less efficient and friendships less immediate. And remember, technology and social media is a tool, not an appendage. ☐
Belmont Hill Opinions
May 4, 2017
Pa g e 3
Opposites Repel: Anti-Metal vs. Pro-Metal Debate In this issue of The Panel, we are starting our feature debate between two students in with opposing beliefs. After The Panel is released, a poll will be sent out to assess the student body’s views on the topic at hand. These results will be published in the subsequent issue along with a brand new talking point. So without further ado, we present the first debate--metal music:
Anti-Metal “Music”
By Gavin Colbert ‘18 Panel Staff After conducting a thorough, thirty-second Wikipedia investigation into the convoluted subject matter that is metal music, I came up with this definition: an atrocious, unnatural cacophony of hideous sounds that barely suffices to be placed under the categor y of music. Let me also make one thing clear right from the start: metal music is an absolute abomination and disgrace to all other forms of music. Anyone who likes metal music (see author of article to right) needs to ask a serious question: what poor choices led me to this low point in life? Even Justin Bieber would wince at the supposed music that metal bands create. Even the name of this genre gives listeners a warning: “Hey, this isn’t real music; this is metal!” It’s almost as if someone were rubbing pure metal against metal and somehow managed to jam it through our auditor y apertures. Granted there are some talented men
with fast fingers who play wicked cool riffs on a guitar, but the sound that comes out of that often pompously loud amp is a pure atrocity to the eardrums. I would personally recommend that if anyone ever tells you that they “enjoy metal,” you should immediately run away, for they are nothing but a putrid excuse for a supposedly homo sapien, a wise man. Music is meant to inspire mankind. It is not meant to be a screaming match between heathens with jewelr y and overgrown hair. Beyoncé, Prince, David Bowie, and Tupac inspired generations of kids to dream of better lives and be proud of who they are and where they came from, whereas bands like Metallica and Iron Maiden only catalyze their fan’s rapid loss of friends and increasing reclusivity in the bubble of metal fandom.
“If metal music were a website, it would surely be blocked on Belmont Hill wifi.” In conclusion, if metal music were a website, it would surely be blocked on Belmont Hill wifi. If you see anyone you love showing symptoms of being a metal fan, don’t hesitate to call your local therapist right away. I hope that your speakers may never be tainted by the guttural sound of metal but be free to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of good music. ☐
“What good is art if it doesn’t make you feel something?”
Pro-Metal Music
By David Paine ‘18 Staff Writer Apparently, this article is supposed to be funny, but I didn’t really get that memo until a bit later. At least it is some consolation that the article to your left isn’t funny either. On to what makes metal so unique as an art form... Metal is a niche genre, with an extremely devoted and loyal community that is incredibly serious about music. However, although absolutely nothing is compelling you or anyone else to enjoy metal, you should also not be making proclamations about its validity from a position of complete ignorance. Metal has often been called “music for musicians,” and I believe that is true to some degree. Firstly, this appears in the pure, simple difficulty of playing any of the compositions, which are typically fast, virtuosic, and demanding, requiring significant dexterity and years of dedication and practice. This phe-
nomenon also manifests itself in a more nuanced way: compositional complexity. Metal draws directly upon its varied influences of classical music and jazz for its intricate time signature changes, key changes, polyrhythm, atypical harmony and dissonance, unconventional theory usage, and symphonic/operatic movement based song structure. Part of the fun of enjoying metal is being fully involved in that story and in that nuance, and finding something different on every listen through an album. The issue here is that the average listener simply doesn’t want this, which is absolutely fine - most people would rather sacrifice musicianship and nuance for familiarity and ease. Metal is an acquired taste, and they are indeed off-putting. Today, metal is to music what Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring was in 1913 - a transcendent form of musical expression that is, at the current time, simply beyond what most people either care to listen to or care to understand. Most importantly, metal music can capture a visceral response to emotion in incredible and unique ways. Being understood and understanding yourself is a cathartic feeling, and that is a feeling that metal music can bring you. I have personally found metal therapeutic in that getting lost within an album can get you through some rough patches. It is comforting to know that somebody else feels the way that you do, and, strangely, it is also comforting to know that, perhaps, somebody is worse off than you are. All of the characteristics and nuances and intricacies and complexities that make the genre entertaining are important, but they are far less significant than the feelings the music can evoke. That emotional response is the entire purpose of art, and that emotional response is what makes metal so beautiful. What good is art if it doesn’t make you feel something? ☐
A Closer Look at the School’s Language Requirement By Charlie Booth ‘19 Panel Staff Whether he likes it or not, every student at Belmont Hill must take a language at least through level three. There are certainly many benefits to this rule. Communication enables us to better understand and connect with the people around us and learning a modern language allows you to effectively communicate with many more people from around the world. Good communication skills allow you to resolve differences, come to agreements and foster lasting relationships. The requirement allows students to fully immerse themselves in the culture and language of another country or, in the case of Latin, an empire. Mrs. Montanaro, as the head of the language department, believes strongly in the importance of learning a modern language. According to Mrs. Montanaro, “the US is the most monolingual country,” and so it is important to learn another language if we are to compete...and connect with foreigners. In a world where globalization continues to rise and the country becomes progressively more diverse, it has never been more important to be comfortable with a second language. I agree with Mrs. Montanaro that there is value to learning mul-
tiple languages at a high level, but my only concern is the experience of the incoming 9th graders. When I asked Mrs. Montanaro if she had any advice for new freshmen with little to no language experience, she replied that they should “go with what they enjoy or have some connection to; it depends on what they’re interested in. A modern language is something that you
will use the rest of your life, whether in the business, travel, family or social arena.” This is great advice if they are interested in modern languages, but it does not apply to students interested in Latin. While modern languages may be valuable, they are not for everyone, and many new third formers wish they could take an introductory Latin class. This is a course the school should
Ms. Montanaro and Joshua Fairman ‘19 reviewing homework in the Language Lab
consider if they find enough interest. The language requirement is a great way to introduce students who may be initially hesitant to an important skill, but it can also complicate schedules, especially for kids who come to Belmont Hill in ninth grade or later, possibly interfering with their ability to take classes they are passionate about. ☐
Belmont Hill Arts
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Th e Pan el
Ryles Jazz Club (2017):
An Exciting Night of Jazz, Blues, and Funk 1970s series Fat Albert, the audience found themselves tapping their feet to a wide variety of music. For the musicians, Ryles is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about On a rainy April Friday, the Belmont the process of playing a “real gig.” WorkHill Jazz Ensemble and Combo travelled ing with the club’s sound technicians, the to Ryles Jazz Club in Cambridge, MA for boys have the opportunity to learn more an evening of good food and even better music. An annual tradition for both “Working with the club’s sound groups, Ryles is a culmination of more technicians, the boys have the than six months of practices and perforopportunity to learn more about mances. Indeed, as the penultimate event what goes on behind the scenes to of the year for the two bands, the night doubled as a poignant farewell performake sure the performance runs mance for the seniors, Scott Jackson ‘17, smoothly.” Marshall Knight ‘17, Armin Thomas ‘17, J.P. Champa ‘17, Brian Tanabe ‘17 (in absentia), and Mack Perry ‘17 (in absentia). about what goes on behind the scenes to Amidst their enthralling, excitement-filled make sure the performance runs smoothly. This year was jam-packed with gigs sets, the boys mingled with their friends, family and teachers, providing a rare for both groups – besides their performoment of relaxation and ease during a mances at the in-school concerts throughmonth often filled to the brim with home- out the year, the boys had the pleasure of work, tests, and busy sports schedules. performing at the open house, the admitAs the oldest jazz club in Cambridge ted students night, the Algonquin Club, (and second oldest in the Greater Boston and the recent “Evening with the Headarea), Ryles is truly a unique venue to master.” While there is just one more “ofperform in. Featuring a mixture of blues, ficial” performance left in their schedule, jazz, R&B, world beat, and Latin music the Spring Concert (Sunday, May 7th), throughout the week, the Belmont Hill the bands now look forward to polishboys did no disservice to this great diver- ing their repertoire and recording some sity of genres: indeed, from the Miles Da- of their favorites to cap off the end of an vis’ modal jazz classic, So What, to Tell Me excellent year for Belmont Hill Jazz. ☐ A Bedtime Story, a classic theme from the By Ishaan Prasad ‘18 Panel Staff
Pre-Game Varsity Lacrosse Playlist
More Life Review By Ugo Anuonyemere ‘18 and Massimo Aufiero ‘18 Staff Writers “And More Chune for your headtop so watch how you speak on my name you know?” After the numerous delays and teases over the last few months, we were starting to lose hope that this album would ever be released, but the wait just might have been worth it. Drake continues the strong Jamaican influence seen on VIEWS, with songs such as Blem and Madiba Riddim. Additionally, he seems to have adopted the British grime style on More Life, including features from Giggs and Skepta. He began to pursue this genre with his remix of Dave’s “Wanna Know” last September, and we are glad that he continued with it. Drizzy has been called a “culture vulture” by many for his use of others’ styles, but in our opinion, as long as he’s making good music, it doesn’t matter. In fact, we believe it’s simply good business. The bigger the fan base, the more money he makes. Generally, we prefer songs where Drake raps over hard-hitting beats as opposed to his vulnerable, emotional songs on which he only sings. While the latter are certainly his forte, for us they can be a toss-up; some are great, chill vibes while others are not. On More Life, Drake does a great job managing both. Our
favorites of the first category are “Free Smoke,” “No Long Talk,” “Can’t Have Everything,” and “KMT” (even though he definitely bit XXXTENTACION’s flow for this). As for the second category, we still particularly enjoyed “Passionfruit,” “Blem,” and “Teenage Fever,” while the rest were decent, but not necessarily standouts. His lineup of features is also quite remarkable. In addition to the aforementioned British rappers - Sampha, Giggs, and Skepta - More Life includes the likes of Kanye West, Travis Scott, Quavo, Young Thug, and 2 Chainz. One of the best collaborations on the album, “Glow,” featuring Kanye West, brings together two of our generation’s best rappers. However, the best features were actually Young Thug and Travis Scott. Thug’s verse on “Sacrifices” easily outshined Drake and 2 Chainz, and he delivered a warm, light, buoyant chorus on “Ice Melts.” We’re pretty biased towards Travis, but he undeniably murdered his verse on “Portland.” We get chills from the line: “No, I did not sign with Jay, but I still send a Tidal wave. Yeah, I might just go get the fade buy the du-rag and just tie the waves.” Ultimately, the best song the entire album might the final one, “Do not Disturb,” in
which Drake gives listeners an inside look at his life since his last album, VIEWS, and discusses a variety of topics that include his rap feuds and his romantic relationships. Listeners can truly hear the “tension and the urgency” in his voice, perhaps due to the fact that it’s his last chance to get rid of any last thoughts and
Executive Editor Arnav Prasad ‘18 Arts Editor Austin Kwoun ‘18 Sports Editor Thomas McEvoy ‘19 Photo Editors Duncan Grant ‘18 Donovan Payne ‘18 Back Page Editors Lawson Morris ‘19 Leighton Dolan ‘19
burdens. More Life did not sport a single bad song; our biggest complaint with the album would have to be Drake’s unbalanced ratio of singing to rapping, but at this point it’s hard for him to reconcile his two contrasting fanbases as he continues to cater towards both. ☐
Editors-in-Chief Ishaan Prasad ‘18 William McCormack ‘18
Faculty Advisors David Hegarty Juliette Zener
Copy Editor John Markis ‘18 Richie Kendall ‘19
News Editor Charlie Donahue ‘19
Assistant Editors Chetan Shukla ‘20 Jack Weldon ‘20 Nick Daley ‘19 Charlie Booth ‘19 Matt Goguen ‘19
Opinion Editor Gavin Colbert ‘18 Online Editor Matt Smith ‘19 Graphics Editor Bennett Morris ‘18
The Panel, founded in 1953, is the official school newspaper of the Belmont Hill and Winsor schools. The Panel is the voice of the student body. We publish articles that are of consequence to the students, as well as the school communities. The views expressed in The Panel belong solely to the authors and editors and do not necessarily represent the student body, faculty or administration of either school. Any comment about the content should be addressed directly to the editors. The Panel encourages responsible opinion in the form of Letters to the Editor. We reserve the right to edit all submissions for length and content. Copyright 2013 The Panel. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission of the Editor-in-Chief. Published by the Belmont Printing Co., Belmont, MA 02478.
May 4, 2017
Belmont Hill Arts
Pa g e 5
Artists of the Issue: Jonny Folsom ‘17 & Chris Kingston ‘17 Instagram’s Newest Artistic Duo By Lawson Morris ‘19 Panel Staff Instagram has grown exponentially over the last seven years. The social media platform started from zero in 2010 and by 2012 it was valued at $1 billion by Mark Zuckerberg. Today, the company is worth over $50 billion. Instagram has become a major way to share pictures and videos with friends across the internet. The app has become a hub for social gathering, where people can log on to see friend’s photos and take a peek into their lives. In addition, Instagram has become a great platform for artists, as they can portray their portfolios across the web. Many famous photographers and videographers have turned
to Instagram to increase their following and show the world their ability. Two students at Belmont Hill have found their passions in the realm of Instagram art. Chris Kingston and Jonny Folsom have each found different pockets of Instagram stardom and continue to “wow” on the platform. Jonny Folsom was gifted a Canon camera and a GoPro a few years ago and has been making stunning content ever since. He has found a passion in low exposure photography and continues to impress his followers. His remarkable pictures are quite amazing for his limited experience. Last spring, Chris Kingston was
loaned a videography drone by his parents to take real estate video for upscale housing. Despite his beginnings with real estate companies, he has also utilized the drone to facilitate a different form of artistry. Many have called him an editing pro; he uses impressive technology in the Adobe Creative Cloud to manipulate video with the help of peer and good friend Folsom. Over the last year, Jonny and Chris have become close friends thanks to their artistic collaboration. After posting new material, they are often bombarded with questions from their baffled classmates. Kingston cherishes the experience. He said, “I think it
has been really cool to find a passion outside of school and sports. My parents are amazed by my ability to edit photos and videos and change them in the ways that I want. I am very glad for the friends I have found along the way. Jonny and I really became closer through our photography passion, and I really look forward to pushing the limits with him in the future.” ☐ To check out their work, follow the duo on Instagram: Kingston: @jc_kingston Folsom: @jonnyfolsom
Belmont Hill NEWS
Pa g e 6
Th e Pan el
April 1 - Party with a Purpose
April 22 - Walsh '18 Wins Chinese Speech Contest
On Saturday, April 1st, Belmont Hill hosted its first Party with a Purpose and Dance Marathon. Led by a Thomas Ryan '19, Maahin Gulati '18, and a planning committee which included students and faculty from various schools, the event handily surpassed its goal of $20,000, donating over $33,000 to Boston Children's Hospital. More importantly, everyone who attended truly enjoyed the event. Congrats to all involved!
Coleman Walsh '18 competed in "Chinese Bridge" national Chinese speech contest for high school students and won the first place in the intermediate level on Saturday, April 22. Congrats to Coleman!
April 24 - Food Emporium
On Monday, April 24, Mr. Gagne and kitchen staff served a unique buffet style tasting of various grains and food items. The staff also welcomed a dietitian to help shed light on the nutritional benefits of these new foods versus other options. Thank you to the BH Dining Services for a great event!
April 27 - Jack Trompetter, Holocaust Survivor, Speaks to Community
Holocaust survivor Jack Trompetter spoke with Form III Facing History students and other interested members of the community. All those who attended greatly appreciated his words. Thank you to Mr. Trompetter for speaking at this event!
April 28 - PIN Event Features Belmont Hill Community Service Groups
April 29 - Ricci '17 Breaks School Record
Belmont Hill recently hosted an event for the Parents Independent School Network where Belmont Hill students presented work on their community service projects along with students from Beaver Country Day School and Concord Academy. Thank you to all the organizers and congrats to the student presenters!
Sixth Former Evan Ricci '17 broke a School record for the 110-meter hurdles, finishing with a time of 14.9 seconds.
May 2 - Dr. Daley P '17 '19, Harvard Med. School Dean, Speaks in Chapel
Dr. Daley, Dean of Harvard Medical School, treated the community to an insightful talk on Tuesday, May 2. Thank you for such a riveting Chapel!
May 4 - Art Gallery Opening
A new exhibit by painter Sallie Strand was put on display in the Landau Gallery on April 17th. Entitled "The Mark of Movement," the display will remain in the Landau Gallery until May 19th. A reception is being held today. Check it out!
May 7 - Spring Concert
On May 7th, Belmont Hill will hosting its annual Spring Concert in the Chapel. Good luck and congrats to Mr. Fiori, Mr. Patterson, and their various musical groups for an excellent year of great music!
Andrew Berg ‘18 Makes a Difference at Radio Perkins By John Markis ‘18 Panel Staff As an institution, Belmont Hill encourages all students to both enter unfamiliar situations and aid those in need; Andrew Berg ‘18 has epitomized each of these school missions through his commitment to the Perkins School for the Blind. Every Monday night since August, regardless of the conditions, Andrew has travelled to Watertown, where he connects with a twenty-six year old blind man named Ibi Khalil, to produce a radio show. An outstanding rower, he does not volunteer for ulterior motives; his desire to help this man remains genuine, even after nine months. While ninety minutes with a quasi-stranger may seem intimidating to some, any awkwardness between the two melted away in their first encounter and they have developed a great relationship. Andrew greets Ibi, whose parents must accompany him everywhere due to his blindness and moderate cognitive disabilities, in the Perkins parking lot; a stark reminder of the lack of independence he possesses. Whereas Belmont Hill upperclassmen complain about the strictures which bind them to campus for entire days, this man cannot venture out of his home without supervision. During the show, the two play mu-
sic, debate topics, and take calls from listeners. Belmont Hill students who listen regularly report that the rapport between the two grows with each presentation, perhaps one reason why audience size has increased dramatically over the past few months. Within the radio booth, Andrew allows the tensions of the week to slip away; he escapes the pressures of eleventh grade in this oasis. Although his partner Ibi cannot see, his spectacular memory, combined with his breadth of knowledge about current events impresses all who know him. His sense of touch is similarly marvelous, and he can distinguish between Andrew’s different clothing from week to week. In conversation, Andrew describes wondrous images, painting a glimpse of the masterpiece of Earth. In turn, Ibi provides him with a glimpse into his daily routine, unintentionally reminding him how much he overcomes. Andrew leaves each week with an
“Belmont Hill students who listen regularly report that the rapport between the two grows with each presentation, perhaps one reason why audience size has increased dramatically over the past few months.”
awareness of his own good health. “Ibi ex- mend [this process] highly enough.” ☐ periences far more adversity in his life than I do in mine,” he says, and he continues to be amazed at the seemingly endless joy his co-host exhibits. Even while inundated with hardship, Ibi appreciates even the simplest
“Ultimately, while he may appear to perform a favor for Ibi, the opposite could not be more true: “[Helping him] has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and I cannot recommend[this process] highly enough.” gestures of kindness, and he does not quit. Andrew has adopted this mindset in his own life and recalls Ibi’s dedication if he needs personal motivation. As his teammate on the cross country team, I can say with decisiveness that Andrew worked the hardest during important races, culminating in his personal victory at the ISL championship over more than two hundred other runners. Ultimately, while he may appear to perform a favor for Ibi, the opposite could not be more true: “[Helping him] has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and I cannot recom-
Andrew Berg, Ibi Khalil, and Brendan Pulsifer ‘16 at Radio Perkins
Belmont Hill NEWS
May 4, 2017
William McCormack ‘18 Elected School President By Charlie Donahue ‘19 Panel Staff Earlier in April, William McCormack ‘18 was elected by his peers in the Fifth Form to serve as School President starting in the fall. Immensely qualified for this position, Will has served in the Senate for all of his years at Belmont Hill: as Vice President in Forms I and II and as President since Form III. While his work in the Senate eats up many hours, he still makes time for a plethora of other commitments. He is an Editor-in-Chief of both The Panel and The Podium, involved in Belmont Hill’s Chinese Club and a selfproclaimed “varsity basketball superfan,” a testament to his enthusiasm for the school. In looking to next year Will has a number of goals, which he is beginning a discussion about now. Reforming the school’s technology policies and systems sits on the top of his docket. “I look forward to leading the Senate in an effort to continue to increase the dialogue between administrators and students around technology at Belmont Hill. Priorities related to technology next year will revolve around improving student printing, investigating options to improve the wifi, and continue to question the philosophy of blocking sites on school networks.” Will and his fellow Senate members also hope to formally implement the assessment pledge which was initiated last fall. This pledge, signed at the end of tests and quizzes, is designed to reduce the peer pressure students feel to discuss test material with friends. Always looking to learn more about the world, he aims to increase the number and overall diversity of speakers brought to Belmont Hill. Other items on his agenda include, “implementing a program in which students can contribute to Belmont Hill’s official social media accounts, improving advertisement of extracurriculars on the Belmont Hill website, and reevaluating policies for the boarding program by inviting a formally selected boarding representative to Senate meetings.” When I sat down with him, Will also spoke about the role he hopes to see the Senate play on campus, saying, “I hope the School continues to be a place where student opinion and voice are valued and acted upon. I appreciate the fact that faculty members and administrators at Belmont Hill are very willing to entertain student opinion; I’m excited to cement this important culture throughout next year.” Finally, he aims to be a strong leader with a good vision for the school during what will be a year marked by both continuity and preparation for tre-
mendous transition. Will says, “As next year is Dr. Melvoin’s last, we in the Senate hope to guide the student body through the beginning of an important transition period. The process of both celebrating and reevaluating the past will be almost as important as pondering the School’s future.” While these goals are no small undertaking, Will’s experience in the
“I appreciate the fact that faculty members and administrators at Belmont Hill are very willing to entertain student opinion; I’m excited to cement this important culture throughout next year.” Senate has prepared him well. In his time at Belmont Hill he has worked to organize countless class trips and events. In addition, he and his fellow Senate members have fostered changes in school policy that stemmed from Senate discussions, including changing the midyear exam schedule from after to before Winter Break and securing student representation on the Academic Technology Committee. With this experience under his belt, Will is uniquely capable of implementing his ambitious agenda. Alongside Vice President Jake Carter ‘18, Senators Bennett Morris ‘18 and Ishaan Prasad ‘18, as well as all the other Senate members, we wish him well for a good and productive year! ☐
A Message from the BH Dining Hall Answer the following question correctly and enter to win one dozen freshly baked Belmont Hill chocolate chip cookies to bring home. (Drop answers with form and name in the dining hall's comment box)
Photo by Adam Richins
How many chocolate chip cookies do we bake every day for Milk and Cookies?
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Belmont Hill Revamps Courses By Bennett Morris ‘18 Panel Staff As we begin the wrap-up of Belmont Hill’s 94th school year and think about next year, for all students but those in Form VI, this involves course selection. Belmont Hill already offers a myriad of elective course offerings during Junior and Senior year, something to which all lower classmen should look forward. This year the school added a few new classes to its tried and true curriculum. First, Politics in Practice, spearheaded by Dr. Buckley (whose Ph.D. is in political science), will be taught as a combination inquiry and history course. Throughout the semester, students will be challenged to analyze current political developments, ranging from local to international issues, with the opportunity to apply this knowledge in a weekly off-campus internship. A few of the Massachusetts-focused projects tackled by this year’s Politics in Practice class include human trafficking, the opioid crisis, and progress made towards bolstering our use of green energy. In the future, Dr. Buckley hopes the course will mirror the ASR program while limiting the internship to just one Spring semester so as to afford students more freedom. A completely new course that may be offered next year, depending on the level of interest, is It’s Debatable: Argument, Persuasion, and Rhetoric, taught by Dr. Tift. The course will give students an understanding of how “we create ourselves through the words we use” and aims to help students become more deliberate and persuasive speakers. Beyond studying rhetorical texts, the course also lends itself to public speaking practice; Dr. Tift looks forward to hosting formal debates, Socratic circles, and perhaps even a fishbowl - all forms of communication that concentrate and improve communication skills. On the course description, Dr. Tift noted, “I feel like this can hopefully support and help
grow the public speaking opportunities with Woodbury’s, Poetry Fest, and being in theater to give curricular support and expand some of these activities and get that to be more of the Belmont Hill experience; Being able to use your voice and learn how to make rhetoric accomplish things for you.” Near and dear to the hearts of many, the beloved World Issues course has been given a facelift this past year - exclusively studying the Middle East in the first quarter and China in the second, rather than South Africa, China, and India. Next year howev-
“Dr. Buckley hopes the course will mirror the ASR program while limiting the internship to just one Spring semester so as to afford students more freedom.” er, the course’s name will be changed to The Middle East and China. Looking farther forward, Theater Perspectives is a course that Belmont Hill will offer for the 20182019 academic year. Taught by Ms. Robison and targeting theater buffs, the course details the history of drama through three significant periods: Greek, Shakespearean, and modern. Revolves around the work of many famous playwrights, the course will surely have dramatic flair! Whether you are choosing classes in the near future or are a few years away from Upper School, you should definitely get excited for and take advantage of the great variety of courses offered on the Hill.☐
Navy SEAL Talks with Students By Cole Nagahama ‘17 Staff Writer On Thursday, April 6th, Dr. Buckley’s Institute of Policy and Politics inquiry course, along with a number of other Middle and Upper School classes, had the chance to Skype a friend and former classmate of Mr. George. Introduced to us as “Lt. Commander Dave” (for personal and safety reasons), he was kind enough to spend the long block answering an array of student questions ranging from his opinion on the current military operations in the Middle East to logistical questions such as “how did you cast your ballot while across seas in the recent election?” and “what did it take to become a Navy Seal?” Lt. Commander Dave graduated from Brown with Mr. George and retired from commission around 6 years ago, but remains as a reserve officer, which is why he is currently stationed in Baghdad. When asked about his current mission in Baghdad, the Lt. Commander took the time to explain the process of training local forces by providing basic military training and advising. Commander Dave also explained the importance of ensuring that the Iraqi military had the capabilities to fight ISIS without the help of the US or the UN coalition that was currently stationed in the region. When asked about the local opinion
of the US he mentioned how although most locals understand that the US is there to help and are mostly grateful for their work, some politicians have grown increasingly critical of the United States’ presence in their country. Towards the end of the talk the Lt. Commander offered some of his own opinions on the recent presidential election explaining that he believed Russia to be the number one threat to the US and its democracy based on the cyber attacks that occurred during the race. Additionally, he offered insight into how the US military changes under new presidential administrations, explaining that ultimately their mission does not deviate very much from president to president as it usually takes a year or two for a new commander-inchief to cement his own foreign policy. Ultimately, the Lt. Commander offered a new and unique perspective on current events in the Middle East. Thanks to Mr. George for organizing this amazing opportunity for students to talk to an active military officer on the ground experiencing these events firsthand. ☐
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belmont hill news
Th e Pan el
Roger Webb Revisits Hamilton Chapel Fifty-Four Years After Moving It To Belmont Continued from Page 1 Learning More: Our Interview with Mr. Webb Webb’s visit in early April sparked our interest in his unique connection to the school’s history. After connecting with him through email, we set up a time to speak with him and found ourselves enjoying a 40-minute conversation with Mr. Webb on the phone a week later. A graduate of Harvard College in 1958 and the Business School in 1961, Webb spent his first few months after school managing money for Liberty Mutual, a Boston-based insurance services group. “However,” Webb explained, “within a year-and-a-half, I realized that I wasn’t particularly happy where I was working – I wanted to find something on my own terms, something that would be more exciting than just investing money.” Amidst galvanizing Cold War fears and tensions, Mr. Webb entered the workforce as the federal government continued to push for new nationwide public works and infrastructure projects. In 1962, six years after Eisenhower signed the colossal Federal Highway Act, Boston was a city undergoing dramatic change. Under Mayor John F. Collins, explained Mr. Webb, “the character of the city was transformed, and, in many cases, lost by the clearance of dozens of these city blocks.” With much of the city destined to be razed to make room for the sprawling urban infrastructure, Mr. Webb found his next business opportunity. Founding R.A.R.E. Enterprises (Restorers of Antique Real Estate), Webb began relocating these condemned buildings. After moving nearly half a dozen buildings in Cambridge and Belmont (including Belmont Hill’s Chapel in 1963), Webb amassed a reputation of excellence and was asked to relocate nearly 30 buildings in Long Island. Following his time in New York, Mr. Webb returned to Boston in 1965, landing himself a major contract with Mayor Collins and the newly founded Boston Redevelopment Authority. “By the time I returned to Boston,” Mr. Webb remarked, “the conscience of the city and the nation had realized that you have to leave some history behind – you can’t just tear it all down.” Founding the American Heritage Foundation, Mr. Webb thus sparked the preservation movement in Boston, spearheading the redevelopment of Quincy Market in 1966 and Old City Hall in 1968. As a result of these endeavors, Mr. Webb has been nationally recognized for his “influence on the development of the historic preservation movement in Boston and Massachusetts.” A recipient of the National Preservation Honor Award in 1990, Mr. Webb has also been awarded two lifetime achievement awards in preservation efforts: receiving his first in 1998 from the MA Historical Commission and second from the Boston Preservation Alliance in 2003. The Search Continues: A Trip to the Archives Following our insightful conversation with Mr. Webb, we couldn’t wait to unravel more of our Chapel’s history. Taking advantage of a free afternoon, we visited the Alumni House to see if the school’s Archives would provide any answers. Upon finding the section of the archives reserved for The Panel, we pulled out a large, broadsheet-sized book containing all the volumes from 1960 to 1964. After spending nearly half-an-hour thumbing through the issues and marvelling at the formality and eloquence of the publication’s prose (as well as some great action shots of Mr. Martin ‘65), we came across several articles about the Chapel and its construction. * * * The 1960s were undoubtedly a time of profound change for the young Belmont Hill School. As Headmaster Roger F. Duncan explains in The Story of Belmont Hill School: 1923-1973, a fascinating account detailing the school’s first fifty years: “The decade (1960-1971) brought
to Belmont Hill a sense of maturity which in the rush of its adolescence it had never developed.” With the school striving to ensure the best facilities for its students, the decade heralded a surge of new buildings on campus. Nevertheless, these changes on campus did not come about easily: unanticipated costs often forced the school to think deeply about its priorities on campus. Early in 1963, boys were provided much-needed space for lockers and gyms with the construction of new athletic facilities. While the Executive Committee had also voted that same year to build a new boathouse just upstream from Eliot Bridge, after witnessing the mounting costs of the gym project, they decided to shelve the boathouse endeavors (for the moment). Nevertheless, even with a Committee adamantly against starting any new construction projects on campus, Headmaster Charles F. Hamilton was keen to find a space that could accommodate his entire 300-person school. “Eyeing with interest the Concord Academy chapel, a small church originally built in New Hampshire, disassembled, and transported…[to their] school grounds,” Mr. Hamilton enlisted Mr. Roger Webb to spearhead a similar project for Belmont Hill. After several false starts in the search, the duo found their perfect candidate in West Thompson, Connecticut. After securing the financial support of individual Executive Committee members – Mr. Stephen Mugar and Dr. George Lynch – Mr. Hamilton persuaded the Committee to authorize the project on July 11, 1963, securing the Chapel’s place on Belmont Hill’s campus. The 125-year-old chapel, reported by The Panel in September 1963 to have been “constructed before the advent of mass-produced nails,” was thus disassembled into nearly 10,000 moving pieces and transported to Belmont. With the help of a group of Belmont Hill boys, Mr. Webb and his crew spent the summer and fall of 1963 reconstructing the building, which was completed early in the winter of 1963. Reconstruction was no simple task, as Mr. Webb had to recreate much of the interior work – like the plaster flowers in the corners of the ceilings – from scratch. Adding to the musicality of the building, the Claflin’s grand piano – originally meant for the old Shaler Chapel – was moved to the new Hamilton Chapel and Mr. Richard Bennett, the music teacher at the time, gifted the school an 1863 Odell Tracker Organ that he found in the Pilgrim Congregational Church in Harwichport. Finally, the basement was finished with a selection of panels as well as a screen and projector booth. With the construction of the Chapel, Mr. Hamilton’s hopes for a truly “united” school were finally met. No longer having to give two duplicate talks – one for the Middle School and one for the Upper School – the Chapel also promoted a contemplative attitude, as overcrowding was now a non-issue. Indeed, the Hamilton Chapel provided the foundation of maturity and thoughtfulness that would come to define the school in the coming years. Setting the Tone: Retrospection and Celebration Related to second former Nicholas Hebard ‘21, Webb has recently been able to compare his knowledge of Belmont Hill in the 1960s to his present-day perception of the School. To Webb, Belmont Hill’s core principles, in addition to its general layout, have remained the same over the past fifty years: “As I come back and look at the School fifty years later...it doesn’t feel like a different school, it doesn’t
Roger Webb during his revisit to the Hamilton Chapel in April.
Mr. Webb’s talk also included a trip to the Chapel Attic (pictured above)
1960s clippings from The Panel regarding the reconstruction of the Hamilton Chapel on Belmont Hill’s campus feel like a different campus. As I walk around and look at the student body, it still is very intelligent, organized, and purposeful. It still is a very purposeful School, and of course I’ve known it for fifty years now, it’s still a very impressive School.” Webb’s comparison provides a testament to the continuing strength of Belmont Hill’s guiding principles; however, simultaneously, his quote fails to comment on the modernization and innovation the School has undergone; the marriage of tradition and change have defined Belmont Hill’s history. Exploring the history of the Hamilton Chapel, we found great enjoyment in linking Belmont Hill’s past to its present. Sorting through older editions of The Panel, examining old photographs and documents, and discussing 1960s Belmont Hill with Mr. Webb all provided parallels to our current-day experiences, joys, and challenges at Belmont Hill. As we set the tone for Volume 66 of The Panel in the
95th year of the School’s existence, we hope this year will be one of retrospection and celebration. The Panel intends to include excerpts from older editions and articles this volume, providing the student body with an accessible means to investigate the nature of the Belmont Hill experience from 1923 until 2017. Additionally, with Dr. Melvoin’s announced retirement, we at The Panel hope to lead the school through the beginning of an important transition period. The process of both celebrating and reevaluating the past will be almost as important as pondering the future. ☐
May 4, 2017
BELMONT HILL Sp orts
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Belmont Hill Varsity Scoreboard TEAM
Track
RECORD
TEAM MVPS
10-0
Jamie Feinberg ‘17 Evan Ricci ‘17 Alex Czarnecki ‘17
4-0
Bobby Jahrling ‘17 Henry Thomas ‘18 Andrew Berg ‘18
Baseball
7-1
Robbie Cronin ‘17 Sam Roher ‘18 Devin O’Donovan ‘17
Tennis
7-1
Jack Ablon ‘17 Danny Tsyvin ‘18
Golf
9-1
Oisin Treanor ‘18 Maahin Gulati ‘18
Lacrosse
6-2
Christian O’Neill ‘17 Danny Hincks ‘18 Zach Geddes ‘17
Sailing
3-3
Jack Murphy ‘18 Stephen Pellegrino ‘19
Crew
Athlete of the Issue: Jack Ablon ‘17 By Tommy Smith ‘19 Staff Writer Jack Ablon ‘17 has made tremendous strides over his tennis career. At a young age, Ablon decided that he wanted to play tennis at a high level, so he made the decision to join an exclusive club program. Ablon has worked to perfect his game, and his effort has resulted in an impressive record at Belmont Hill. In his fifth year on the team, Ablon has played both singles and doubles every year, and he has earned ISL All-League awards in
four out of his five seasons. As a junior, Ablon was a key part of the team’s ISL championship run; he hopes to lead this year’s new team, which has lost four starters from last year, on its own path to success. Ablon noted that defeating Roxbury Latin along with a strong BB&N team was “instrumental for the tennis program,” as those teams have dominated Belmont Hill previously. Ablon has achieved his dream and goal of playing tennis collegiately, as he will continue his success at Colgate University, where he aspires to be a four-year singles and doubles starter.☐
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Belmont Hill Sp orts
Th e Pan el
Jayson Firmin ‘21 Advances in Jr. NBA Skills Challenge
Lynch Returns
U-13 competitor, was required to attend a practice session at the Celtics training facility. Playing under the guidance of, and often with, Celtics small forward Jaylen Brown, finalists enjoyed a chance
By John gaudian ‘19 Staff Writer
By William McCormack ‘18 Panel Staff Second former Jayson Firmin ‘21, though primarily a soccer player, has played basketball since age four and attends the 3-point Foundation each summer. The 3-point Foundation, a camp affiliated with the Jr. NBA, serves as an introductory pool for the Jr. NBA’s annual National Skills Challenge. After attending camp for four weeks last July, Jayson was invited to participate in the local round for the Jr. NBA competition. Beginning at the Celtics practice facility in Waltham, MA, the local competition pitted Boston-area youth against each other in a skill contest that ranked competitors on their ability to complete basketball drills related to three-point shooting, mid-range shooting, freethrow shooting, dribbling, and passing. Jayson, participating in the Under-13 Boys division, emerged as one of the top competitors in his category, and was thus given the chance to move on to the finals for the local round. Held at halftime of the Boston Celtics game versus the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday, January 21st, the local finals required more preparation than the relatively relaxed round that preceded it. In late December, Jayson, in addition to finalists for the U-11 round and his
Above: Jayson Firmin ‘21 (center) competes at the Regional Finals in New York City for the Jr. NBA’s National Skill Challenge.
to elicit advice from a young NBA standout on not only the mechanics of their basketball game, but also the mental skills that accompany playing in front of a large crowd. On the night of the final, Jayson and his fellow U-13 competitor received similarly valuable advice from
Miles Brown, who serves as a brand ambassador for the Jr. NBA and plays Jack Johnson on ABC’s Black-ish. Hanging out with Jayson before the game, Miles Brown, also known as “Baby Boogaloo” for his run to the semi-finals on the fifth season of America’s Got Talent, spoke to the finalists about managing nerves and performing under pressure. Jayson would end up winning the local round, celebrating his success with Miles Brown and Celtics guard Demetrius Jackson at half court. His victory resulted in a trip to Brooklyn last March for the regional round of the Jr. NBA National Skills Challenge. Facing skilled local winners from various localities in New England and the MidAtlantic, Jayson wasn’t able to win regionals; however, a strong performance at regionals may potentially bestow him an at-large spot in the national finals. National finals for the Skill Challenge will be held from June 21st to June 23rd at the NBA Draft in New York. Finalists win an all-expenses paid trip to NYC, gift bags, exclusive time with NBA players, legends, and draftees, and a ticket to the 2017 NBA Draft. As regional competitions in ten other American hubs conclude in early May, Jayson will receive an update on his competition status in the coming weeks. ☐
The last time the world saw Marshawn Lynch on a football field, he was tackled by Dont’a Hightower at the one-yard line in Glendale, AZ. Two plays later, Lynch’s team had lost possession, following perhaps the most memorable sports play New England has ever seen. One would think Lynch would be anxious to get his revenge. However, the following season, hampered by chronic back injuries, Lynch decided to hang up his cleats. Since his retirement, Lynch has found time to both build homes in Haiti and do community service for kids in his hometown, Oakland. Following the departure of Latavius Murray, the Oakland Raiders have reportedly inquired as to the availability of the bludgeoning hometown hero, but it is not yet known whether the Seahawks, who still own Lynch’s contract rights, will agree to a trade. Talks between Lynch, the Seahawks, and the Raiders have recently stalled, but the looming NFL draft will likely reignite conversation. In addition, the Raiders plan on moving to Las Vegas for the 2019 season. However, the location change is unlikely to affect Lynch’s upcoming decisions, as he will probably not remain in the NFL for more than a year. Finally, Lynch, an infamous media rebel, has yet to make any public comments about the situation, but reportedly remains interested in his hometown team. ☐
Tennis Aspires for Strong Record By Nicholas Daley ‘19 Panel Staff
Jayson (far left) practices with Celtics forward Jaylen Brown and three other finalists in the local Jr. NBA championship.
Ethics in Sports By Thomas McEvoy ‘19 Panel Staff Ethics, perhaps the most undervalued of qualities throughout recent history, is defined as the set of moral principles that regulate one’s behavior. Furthermore, ethics is not limited to any one part of the human experience, and the significance of ethics shows itself in a wide array of areas, including the world of sports. All the sporting world was held captive in the early months of 2014 as news began to break regarding Ray Rice’s abhorrent actions towards his then-fiancée. Rice has since been cut from the Ravens’ roster and remains without NFL employment. Despite efforts of reconciliation, Rice remains both stigmatized and haunted by one of the most public cases of athlete domestic violence. Rice is not alone, however, in his actions, as the NFL holds a rich history of domestic violence and assault allegations amongst its athletes. This past season, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver and return specialist Tyreek Hill burst onto the NFL stage as one of the league’s most electrifying and exciting players. However,
Hill’s rise to stardom took place without the vast majority of his fans knowing that he strangled and assaulted his pregnant girlfriend in December 2014. Hill remains an active member of the Chief ’s roster and is in line to make over two million dollars before his current contract expires. Why the stark contrast? Were Hill’s actions not every bit as heinous as Rice’s? Can we bring ourselves to delight in the successes of Hill, a man with such a troubled past? What role must second
Celtics’s Snapchat Features Firmin ‘21 that is domestic violence. Fortunately, both Dr. Melvoin’s ethics class and our time as students at Belmont Hill have allowed us all to learn the moral obligations and responsibilities of men growing up in today’s society. ☐
Above: Rice, former Ravens RB. ousted from position after domestic abuse scandal
chances and forgiveness play in domestic violence within the world of sports? Each of these questions have perplexed the media, the sporting world at large, and everyday fans; we all struggle to cope with and manage the complex, sensitive, and crucially significant issue
“What role must second chances and forgiveness play in domestic violence within the world of sports?”
The varsity tennis team has high expectations for the 2017 season. Last year, the team went undefeated in ISL play on their way to a league championship, advancing to the finals of the New England Tournament before losing to powerhouse Hopkins Academy. After losing first singles player Ben Leibowitz and starters Charlie Danziger and Nico Valette, the reigning champions are looking to old contributors and young new faces to make an impact. Captains Jack Ablon ‘17, who will play Division I tennis next year at Colgate University, and Owen Greenwood ‘17 lead the team in the season that they have nicknamed the Road to Repeat. Belmont Hill also returns number three player Danny Tsyvin ‘18 and expects significant contributions from middle schoolers Andrew Lee ‘20, Matt Drucker ‘20, Aaron Belluck ‘21, and Jarrett Chen ‘22. The team boasts strong depth, as all ten players are capable of playing in the everchanging six person starting lineup. Defending their title will not be easy; perennial rivals Roxbury Latin and BB&N are once again dangerous, and Belmont Hill already suffered a tough loss to RL in their second game. The team has since bounced back and will surely be in contention for another title and a deep run into the New England Tournament. ☐
Belmont Hill Sp orts
May 4, 2017
Tru Entrepreneur By Matthew Goguen ‘19 Panel Staff In the modern world of athletics, protein drinks are the top source for athletes to both gain muscle and acquire energy before the big workout or game. Jack McNamara ‘09, the JV tennis coach, created TruEnergy to find an alternative energy source from athletes. Especially in hockey, which McNamara played professionally, he realized the market of energy drinks, “There was always some sort of energy supplement in the locker room. It was Sobe, then Monster, Red Bull, and Rockstar. In high school, the C4, and coffee in Europe. When I came back and decided to hang up the skates, I wanted to create something healthier and more functional.” Although McNamara’s company has become quite popular, selling in retail stores across New England, the beginning of the journey seemed hopeless. Before TruEnergy, Jack was living in the backroom of a CrossFit Gym. Desperate for money after returning from European hockey, McNamara worked as a babysitter and coached tennis on the side, which wasn’t a sufficient income. His dream was to create something that would change the world. He believed TruEnergy can accomplish that. Starting out, Jack said multiple obstacles stood in his way: “The biggest problems I faced were probably to forgo the typical 9-5 job, meaning not getting a salary, working insane hours, and living without assur-
ance of capitalizing and turning it into something. I’m essentially betting the last two years that this will be a success. Everything is for sweat equity and not for cash. I haven’t been paid a salary in two years.” Describing himself as the sixteenth seed in a March Madness bracket, McNamara worked hours on end to fulfil his dream. His main product is a Citrus Mango sport shop, which is a healthy alternative to athletes. McNamara now has athletes sponsoring his company, such as classmate NHL goaltender Mike Condon ‘09. Jack’s plan for the future is to expand his company to more supplement stores such as GNC. He also has a new flavor, Pomegranate Lime, which is currently being tested by students at Bentley University. As McNamara still finds joy in coaching JV Tennis, he is nothing but excited for the future and what it holds for TruEnergy. ☐
Varsity Sailing Hits the Water By Michael Wade ‘19 Staff Writer The Belmont Hill sailing team is looking forward to a challenging season in 2017. The twelve-man team is composed of nine veteran Belmont Hill sailors, with the addition of three First Formers. This year the team is primarily focused on three-on-three team racing, practicing against Winchester High School on the Mystic Lakes nearly every day to hone their skills. The team hopes to qualify for the Mark, the regional team racing championship, where they can compete against other top schools in New England. The team will compete as far away as Castine, Maine. Led by captains Jack Murphy ‘18 and Jacob Whitney ‘17, the team is looking to make up for a second-place finish last year during the Massachusetts Stage Championship on the Charles River.
Lax Keeps Pace in ISL Standings As Christian O’Neill ‘17 sprinted around the left side of the crease, fourteen years of inability rested on his shoulders. Belmont Hill, despite being the winningest boys’ lacrosse program in the ISL, had failed to beat Governor’s Academy on its home field since 2003. As O’Neill rolled to the inside of his towering defenseman, he had a clear lane to the cage and, with a crafty stick fake, he caused the goalie to jump, leaving the low corner open for him to bury those fourteen years of defeat. O’Neill scored again before midfielder Joe Goguen ‘19 added a second quarter tally to give BH a 3-0 lead going into half. The lead remained due to stellar defense, especially by junior goalie Danny Hincks, who made save after save, flustering the Red Dogs’ offense until the third quarter. Governor’s rattled off two goals before Will Stonestreet ‘17 answered with an difficult shot to the bottom left corner. Belmont Hill went on a 4-1 run to finish the game and end the curse of our home
The sailing team has been on the water since March break, participating in four team races already. After two losses at Saint George’s, the team is looking to improve their overall racing record. Coaches Zamore and Orlov are also looking forward to help the team both progress and learn the intricacies of team racing. The coaches’ collaboration with the Winchester sailing team has allowed the team to both race against their boats and practice sailing with larger fleets, thereby helping to develop racing strategies. While it is difficult to watch a regatta, it is worth the trip to the boat club. ☐
Crew Starts Strong By Richard Kendall ‘19 Panel Staff
By Brian Antonelli ‘18 Staff Weiter
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field. This early test for Belmont Hill was a key victory on the road to an ISL Title. As faceoff midfielder Mike Armstrong ‘17 said, “It’s fun. I enjoy it.” That quote sums up the mentality of this year’s team: play fast and hard. As Coach Sullivan always says, “We are going to go out there, and it’s going to be a track meet and a fist fight.” Coming off three ISL championships in four years, this year’s senior class has big shoes to fill, but they have exhibited tremendous leadership and poise on and off the field. So far, the team is 6-1 in league play and looking forward to taking on huge opponents in Nobles and Rivers. Expectations for the season are high, and despite a close loss to St. Sebastian’s, the team is off to a strong start. ☐
After a week of both brutal March practices and rigorous training throughout the month of April, the crew season has finally begun. Thus far, the weather has been wholly uncooperative, and the team has fought through wretched conditions. Despite this adversity, the team started off the year in mid-March with the feared 2000-meter ergometer test; the results stacked up well against the 2014 New England championship team’s times. During this opening test, Bobby Jahrling ‘17 captured the all-time school record from Alexander Richards ‘14, pulling a 6:12.1. Jahrling then broke his own record for the 1500-meter erg test with a time of 4:32.5. Alongside Jahrling, Berg ‘18, Mannion ‘18, and Thomas ‘18 round out the first boat, coxed by Williams. The second boat, coxed by Vettel ‘18 and stroked by Shea ‘17, includes Warming ‘17, Nuzzo ‘18, and Stone ‘19. The third boat consists of coxswain Digumarthi ‘21, Vallis ‘19, Glauninger ‘19, Whitehead ‘18, and Danziger ‘19. Lastly, the fourth boat, coxed by John ‘22 and stroked by Ryan ‘17, consists of Vander Vort ‘19, Wilkins ‘18, and O’Hare ‘18. Needless to say, the team, led by captains Ryan, Shea, and Jahrling, enjoys enviable depth. The team has begun the season on a high note, nearly sweeping Choate Rosemary Hall across the board. From late April to early May, Belmont Hill will race five times. Looking ahead to the end of the season, the team hopes to repeat last year’s victory at NEIRAs, the New England Interscholastic Rowing Association championships. Through all the hard work, late practices, trying pieces, and blistered hands, Belmont Hill expects to be a top contender at this regatta, a perennial favorite for the rowers and coxswains. ☐
Golf Hopes to Maintain Early Momentum By Jared Stier ‘18 Panel Staff Coming off a 6-9-2 season record and a 5th place finish in the ISL, the Belmont Hill golf team is looking to rebound after last year’s middling season. With the addition of two new prospects, Connor Willett ‘21 and Charlie Donahue ‘20, the team is hoping new blood will prove beneficial. So far, under the leadership of Oisin Treanor ‘18, the golf team has gotten off to a quick start. With victories against Phillips Andover, Choate Rosemary Hall, and a tight 4-3 win against Milton Academy at Hoosic Golf Course, in which the match came down to several clutch puts by Marshall Knight ‘17, Treanor, and Jack Bell ‘18, the team seemed to be hitting its stride. However, despite defeating Lawrence Academy in a 7-0 blowout, the team was disappointed when they suffered a painful 4-3 loss to BB&N, the defending ISL Kingman Tournament Champions and ISL title runner-ups, the same day, marking the team’s first loss of the season. With an overall record of 4-1 and an ISL record of 3-1, the team is in the race for the top spot in the ISL and has put itself in a solid position to begin the season. The team will look to maintain momentum heading into a busy week, in which they will face off against both Rivers at Nashawtuc Golf Club and St. Sebastian’s at Charles River Country Club. Additionally, the team will play two tri-matches: with Brooks and Dexter at Putterham Meadows Golf Club and Middlesex and Nobles at Belmont Country Club. Although there is still much golf to be played, the team hopes their start to the season will be indicative of future success. With an attitude of redemption, the Belmont Hill golf team has the ISL title in its sights. ☐
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L ast L o ok
COMPETENCE. COMMITMENT. COURAGE. COMPASSION. CHARACTER.
Th e Pan el
The Back Page | About The Editors Lawson Morris (left) Leighton Dolan (Right)
Name: Leighton Dolan Nickname: Lay Hometown: Belmont (Dirty Side) Favorite Sports Team: New York Jets Favorite Beverage: Belmont Hill Milk One Wish: Make America Great Again Role Model: Mike Piazza ‘19 Celebrity Crush: Bill McManus Favorite Song: Whippin’ Excursion by Giggs
Name: Lawson Morris Nickname: Callen’s Brother Hometown: Needham Favorite Sports Team: Las Vegas Golden Knights Favorite Beverage: Moxie One Wish: Be Pulled on Stage with R Kelly Role Model: Beans from Even Stevens Celebrity Crush: Miley Cirus (Hannah Montana) Favorite Song: Pump it up by Danzel
Dr. Melvoin Retirement Plans
Guess the Teacher
• Climb Kili one more time • Build the house he has talked about every year, starting with a strong foundation • Volunteer for Kanye 2020 Campaign • Start a non-partisan speaking series supporting Democratic candidates • Lead segway tours around Chi-Raq • Create a propaganda campaign for the theater program • Move to Mar-A-Lago • Open first pecan puffery
1. Sullivan, 2. McAlpin, 3. Curran