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Volum e 6 4 , Issu e 3
A Student Publication of the Belmont Hill School
Belmont Hill Welcomes Eight New Faculty With the start of the new academic year, The Panel welcomes new students and faculty to our Belmont Hill community. Although these eight additions to the faculty can be found across departments, The Panel staff knows that they all will create lasting impacts on students and their experiences at the school.
Mr. Coppedge By John Paul Champa Panel staff A graduate of Belmont Hill’s class of 1994, Mr. Coppedge returns to campus as the Senior Associate Director of College Counseling. Having grown up in Newton and Brookline, Mr. Coppedge attended Belmont Hill for six years. He remembers the strong academic program but his fondest memories are of the relationship he established with both teachers and friends. After Belmont Hill, Mr. Coppedge attended Colgate University where he majored in International Relations and minored in Spanish, graduating in 1998. He then worked as the Director of Graduate Support and Admissions at the Epiphany school in Dorchester for eight years. Returning to school, Mr. Coppedge received his Masters of Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Then he joined the Tufts University Admissions office as the Associate Director of Admissions, spending much time promoting college access to those in and around the Boston area. Mr. Coppedge spent nine years at Tufts and in considering his next career move, contemplated different options. He had developed a close working relationship with Mrs. Tift and Mrs. Bobo, reading Belmont Hill applications.
Look Inside News pg 2 Best Chinese Food in Boston pg 8-9 Mac vs PC pg 5 Sports pg 10-11 Back Page pg 12
Hearing of Mrs. Tift’s retirement, he knew he wanted to return to Belmont Hill. He was “excited to come back to more of a deliberate community and have more connections, one-to-one with students and families, which at the college level, you don’t have as it is more anonymous.” So far, his experience at Belmont Hill has been exactly what he had hoped for, enjoying the daily interactions working with students. This year, Mr. Coppedge is dedicating most of his time to the college counseling office. Given the complexity of the college admissions process, he hopes to bring a unique and different perspective, having been on the other side of admissions. He looks forward to working with colleges that come to campus, visiting schools, working with students throughout the day, and staying current on all aspects of the college admissions process. He plans on coaching Middle School baseball after the frenzied application season subsides. We are happy to welcome Mr. Coppedge back to Belmont Hill and are thrilled to have such an experienced college counselor on our campus. ☐
Ms. O’Connor By Sebastian Themelis Panel staff After working at the Rivers school for the past three
years, Mrs. O’Connor joins the Belmont Hill community again, having worked as a teacher and coach here over ten years ago. Mrs. O’Connor will be teaching First Form Science, Biology, and Chemistry, as well as coaching the middle school track team in the spring. Mrs. O’Connor has loved the outdoors and animals ever since she was a little kid. She grew up in Manchester, Connecticut, and attended Williams College, where she started as a bio major, but then switched to neuroscience and psychology, as well as joining the pre-med program. After graduating, she worked at Mass General Hospital in Boston, where she helped run a study on a drug
that treats osteoporosis. Working at MGH made her realize she wanted a more exciting and sociable job, where she could work with children or animals. She got both of these things when she moved to New York to work at a boarding school where the kids help take care of the animals at a local zoo. She eventually moved back to Cambridge, and after working at a few schools in the area she found Belmont Hill and started working here in 2002. ”I found my home here at Belmont Hill,” she says. ”I love the rigor balanced with the relationships that students have with the faculty and with each other.” She taught a myriad of science classes and coached varsity cross country and track, until she left the school in 2006 to start a family with her husband. They moved from Cambridge to Southborough, and although she was sad to be out of the city, it gave her an opportunity to be closer to nature. After her children reached an age where her constant supervision was no longer needed, she began to look for teaching positions again, and eventually found her way back to Belmont Hill. We are all glad that Mrs. O’Connor is back at Belmont Hill, and look forward to getting to know her better in the coming months!☐
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Boston’s Chinese By Various Writers Panel Staff
The Mission:
We set out on a quest to find the most authentic Chinese food in Boston. After travelling to Beijing and Xi’an over the summer to
study, our interest in Chinese cuisine peaked. Taking advantage of our proximity to Boston’s renowned restaurant scene, we left home armed with clipboards, grading sheets, and appetites. Over the course of eight months, we visited eight different restaurants in and around Boston, posing as critics and sampling a variety of dishes. In our pursuit, we worked to critique a diverse set of regional cuisines and styles, rang-
ing from Taiwanese to Lanzhou-style noodles to dim sum. Our lengthy expedition recently ended, and we are excited to share our results. continued on page 8
Soccer Team Works for Another Shot at ISL Championship By Matt Bracken Panel staff Coming off a 14-3-2 season, the Belmont Hill soccer team is poised to make another run at the ISL title in the 2016 season. With 14 total returning players and seven returning starters, the 2016 team has a large part of the roster that was so successful last year. The success of last year, which included a second place ISL finish, depended significantly on defending, as Belmont Hill only allowed nine goals in 15 ISL games. With Captain and AllState Center Back Chip Daley graduated, the defensive duties will fall mainly on the two CoCaptains this year, Goalkeeper Chris Kingston and Center Back Robert Williamson. In addition to defense, goalscoring will play a huge role in the success of the soccer team this season. The top two scorers from last year, Evan Ricci (10 goals, 3 assists)
and Robbie Cronin (7 goals, 3 assists) are both returning for their final season at Belmont Hill, and if they can continue
their incredible goalscoring form, they can lead Belmont Hill into the NEPSAC tournament for the second consecutive
year. The soccer team started off with notable wins over A schools Bridgton Academy (60), and Phillips Exeter (2-0), both important wins when it comes to the NEPSAC Class A tournament at the end of the year. Some of the toughest tests this season will come from the ISL defending champions Milton (October 29th), and Lawrence Academy (November 4th), who finished 3rd in the ISL last year. If Belmont Hill soccer can carry over the same intensity and success from last year, they have a very real chance to win the ISL championship, and make a deep postseason run in the NEPSAC tournament. As Captain Robert Williamson said, “I know we have the talent to win the ISL, it’s just a matter of being consistent and showing up and working hard every day of the season.”☐
Belmont HIll NEWS
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Th e Pan el
Changes on the Hill: What’s new on campus this fall? Returning to campus for the commencement of the academic year, this fall boys were greeted by changes in nearly all aspects of school-life. Amidst timehonored traditions that often accompany the start of a new year, from wearing your name tag to finding your seat in chapel, this year Belmont Hill boasts a newlyinstalled kinetic art-sculpture, Wind Orchid; a redesigned weightroom, turf field, and track; and a cohort of new faculty eager to join the Belmont Hill community. The Panel Staff is excited to welcome all those who are new to Belmont Hill this year.
George Sherwood’s Wind Orchid Installed in Academic Quad New Faculty: Mr. Wind Orchid, made by local kinetic sculpture artist George Sherwood, provides a finishing touch to the academic Schneider
quad after the completion of Melvoin Academic Center two years ago. In an all-school meeting dedicated to both By Armin Thomas ‘17 the sculpture and art, Mr. Kaplan remarked: “When I walk through the quad and gaze at the George Sherwood Panel Staff sculpture . . . I see an interest in science, technology, engineering, art, and math. I see a life in education and in New this year, Craig Schneipursuing a craft. I see creativity and I see passion. And most of all, I see something I genuinely like.” Wind Orchid der replaces Mr. Saucedo, who is symbolic of the current revolution in modern art, and Belmont Hill is honored to have it on our campus. ☐ moved back to Texas last year with his family. Teaching AP Physics 1, AP Physics C, and Engineering, so far he has been amazed with the welcoming nature of the Belmont Hill community, quickly forming bonds with many of his students and soliloquizing around impromptu nicknames. Mr. Schneider, however, is much more than a mere physics teacher. He is also an avid outdoorsman and player of soccer, or “proper football”, having played for Trinity College and then played in an IrishAmerican semi-professional soccer league for two years. At Belmont Hill, Mr. Schneider is coaching the JV A Soccer team and replacing Mr. Harder as head coach. Despite the change, the squad still does a lot of calisthenic exercises. “The only way you will be able to beat another team is if you can run faster and work more than they can. That’s why I’m making my guys on JV A run a lot, so we can be better than the other team and pull out a win as “When I walk through the quad...I many times as possible”, he told The see an interest in Science, TechnolPanel. His dedication to keeping his ogy, Art, and Math. I see a life in players in the utmost perfection of education and in persuing a craft. form will certainly pay off as the JV I see creativity and I see passion. A team undoubtedly will rack up And, most of all, I see something I win upon win in the coming season. genuinely like.” Mr. Schneider grew up always knowing that he wanted to be continued on page 3
Mr. Slaughter to spend Fall Semester Teaching in Belmont Hill Music Department When Mr. Patterson departed on his semester-long sabbatical, he left a big pair of shoes to fill; luckily for Belmont Hill, Mr. Dennis Slaughter seems very capable of doing so. Mr. Slaughter is certainly well-travelled; his journey has taken him through doctorate, certificate, master’s, and bachelor’s programs at Northeastern, Harvard, Boston University, and the University of Southern Mississippi. His journey began, however, in Jackson, Mississippi, in his family of five. Any-
one who attended last year’s Spring Concert was lucky enough to witness his first dazzling performance at Belmont Hill. Despite beginning piano studies at a “late” nine, his fascination with the instrument led him to major in piano performance at USM. His involvement in his communities’ musical spheres began with the direction of church music at the age of 12 and continues to this day. After earning his degree, Mr. Slaughter turned his focus to music education; at BH, he teaches the B-Flats and Music Appreciation. In addition to his schooling, Mr. Slaughter is also vastly well-
travelled in his professional affairs. He has been a meritorious educator throughout his professional life, with over twenty years of experience in providing students from ages K-12 and beyond career development guidance. He has held many positions in the academic world, and he has a wealth of experience in the design of training that maximizes individual and group capacity, teambuilding, diversity, and community outreach. After decades of multifaceted work, Mr. Slaughter retired in 2014… until Mr. Patterson sought him out. Mr. Slaughter has three goals for the semester: firstly, he
Belmont Hill NEWS
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Weightroom, Track, & Turf Renovated Over the Summer: Revitalizes the Spaces
By Ishaan Prasad ‘18 Panel Staff
By Austin Kwoun ‘18 Staff Writer
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hopes to help the B-Flats recognize the inner voice that hold audiences rapt; secondly, he wants students of Music Appreciation to see parallels between varying types of music, from canon to world to modern. When Mr. Slaughter took his own sabbatical years ago, he greatly enjoyed the opportunity to renew himself, whereby he reveled in understanding that somebody was “holding things down” at his workplace. His third and final goal is to alleviate the pressure from Mr. Patterson, “to make sure that, while he’s away, he doesn’t have to worry”; I am sure that Mr. Slaughter is up to the task. ☐
By Patrick Connor ‘ 18 Staff Writer
After a summer of nonstop field and fieldhouse improvements, returning boys discovered a redesigned weightroom, returfed varsity football field, and resurfaced track. Designed by Mike Stella, founder and owner of Stella
“Believe in the process, put in your time, and you will find success. And make sure to put away your weights too” Strength and Conditioning, in conjunction with exercise equipment producer Sorinex, the new Cross Fitness Room is one of the most advanced high school weight rooms in New England. The new room has eight racks each with lifting platforms and competition lifting plates emblazoned with the Belmont Hill sextant. Aside from
the typical cardio machines, barbells, and dumbbells, the weight room also features advanced tech such as the Sorinex Jammers, hinged presses especially useful for training football lineman, and the Pit-Shark, a mechanism that incorporates the same muscles and movement as a regular back squat but removes spinal compression by having the weight attach to a belt around the waist. Along with aiding in the design of the new room, Mike
Stella and colleagues Josh Myers tion, MacNicoll said, “All the new and Sam MacNicoll also run the equipment and weights are a great Form IV fitness program, sea- asset to the school as they help to draw in students w h o w o u l d not usually lift or work out.” Myers, resp onsible for the training and cond it i on i ng of athletes in the fall, gave the following advice concerning sonal weightlifting programs, and training: “Believe in the process, work with some varsity sports put in your time, and you will teams to help them achieve their find success. And make sure to peak abilities. On the new addi- put away your weights too.” ☐
New Faculty: Mr. Schneider (Cont.) How to Win an Election: Familiar Ada teacher. When he came to Trin- about Belmont Hill and opened vice from Ancient Rome ity College, he pursued a study in Mr. Schneider’s eyes to the possigeophysics and environmental science and graduated in 2005. Seven years later, he obtained a Masters of Science from the University of New Haven in Environmental Science, Ecology, and Marine Biology, proving himself to be a true scientific polymath. After getting his M.S. he was hired as a chemistry and physics teacher at Malden Catholic High School and befriended our own Mr. Courtney who told him
bilities of joining the Belmont Hill community. Three years later, when Mr. Saucedo left, he learned of the greatness of being a Belmont Hill physics teacher and decided to take the job at Belmont Hill, leading him to where he is now doing what he loves most, teaching physics. We are happy to welcome Mr. Schneider to our campus and look forward to his great contributions he will undoubtedly make to our school. ☐
By Dr. Davis and Latin 3A ‘18 Guest Writers
Last year, in light of the impending presidential election, the students in my Latin 3A class translated an essay entitled Commentariolum Petitionis, loosely translated as “A Little Handbook of Electioneering.” The essay was written by Quintus Tullius Cicero in 65-64 BC for his brother, the more famous Marcus Tullius Cicero, on the eve of his campaign for the consulship of Rome (in 64 B.C.E.).
After translating and discussing the text, the boys reduced their work into an abridged, bulleted translation designed to capture Quintus’ most salient points for you. What follows is the fruit of their labors. You may be su prised to learn just how little has changed in 2080 years! visual artist. As the new teacher of art,
Mr. Debling Joins the Arts Dept. By Gavin Colbert ‘18 Staff Writer
Greeting me with his warm British accent, Mr. Debling, a fresh-faced member of the Belmont Hill faculty, shook my hand as we sat down for an impromptu interview. While growing up in Bristol, England, Mr. Debling always had a certain affinity for theater and the arts. After growing into a seasoned thespian during his high school years, he began mentoring aspiring young actors for the Young Company of the Bristol Old Vic Theater. Beginning with the fall Upper School play “Much Ado About Nothing” he hopes to bring this passion for theater to Belmont Hill, inspiring the next up and coming actors. He told me one of his main goals for this year is to peak interest in the school productions. To interest boys who are typically drawn to sports into exploring what the fantastic Belmont Hill Theater and Arts Programs have to offer. Not only was Mr. Debling a talented performer, he also received stellar grades at Weston College and seized the opportunity to attend Harvard University. There, he received the Louis Sudler Prize in the Arts for his outstanding work as an actor, theatrical and musical director, and
photography, and digital video, he seeks to push these curricula into new, innovative directions that highlight the greatest aspects of our school. Armed with his expansive knowledge of modern technology such as the GoPro and drones, he hopes to highlight the school’s exciting athletic and academic competitions with his eager Form III students. Upon asking what drew him to teaching, he responded, “Kids bring things to the table you would never even imagine.” Looking for a possible future career in America, he heard from a close friend of his from Harvard, none other than our own Mr. Sundel, that there was an opening in the Arts Department here on the hill. The position seemed so fortuitously perfect, that he knew the job was meant for him. After a summer of refocusing while off the grid in Wyoming, Mr. Debling is most certainly ready to take on the challenges ahead of him, with the same flair that has led him to success throughout his life in both England and New England. As our conversation finished, these poignant words of his were left resonating in my mind, “In such a visual world, it is so very important to learn the visual skills that breed creativity, to create compelling images that no machine could ever replicate.” ☐
1. For a candidate, a friend is anyone who shows you goodwill. 2. Win uncommitted voters to your side by doing them favors. 3. Hope will guarantee votes in an election. As for those whom you have inspired with hope -- a zealous and devoted group -- you must make them believe that you will always be there to help them.
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belmont hill news
BELMONT HILL OPINION
Th e Pan el
How to Win an Mr. Cofield Joins Belmont Hill Latin Dept. dents to continue to kindle the friend- age of 56.3 his freshman year remains Election (Cont.) By William McCormack ‘18 7. Recognize the difference between Panel Staff the useful and useless men in any organization. It will save you from Mr. Cofield towers over his investing your time and resources Form I Latin Alpha students. Helping to with people who will be of little help explain the difference between the ablato you. tive and dative cases at X Block extra help one Monday, Mr. Cofield jumps between 8. Pay special attention to businessmen the whiteboard and his student’s Jenney and wealthy citizens. textbooks. Administering extra help is a 9. Voters will judge you on what sort of skill he’s clearly mastered. Though almost double their height, Cofield stoops to the crowd you draw. level of their desks, presenting himself as 10. If you make people believe that you an easygoing, relatable equal. His young trust them as friends, you will in- Form I advisees and students, just weeks crease the chances that they will re- into their Belmont Hill careers, never hesitate to ask Mr. Cofield questions ciprocate the trust. about the first declension or last week’s 11. You desperately need to learn the art quiz. Some even ask for help with their of flattery - a disgraceful thing in fantasy football teams. Full of anecdotes normal life but essential when you and stories, Mr. Cofield offers his advice. are running for office. A candidate Already so comfortable within must be a chameleon, adapting to his new environment on the Hill, Mr. each person he meets, changing his Cofield’s days as a student in Bostonexpression and speech as necessary. area independent schools certainly aid his seamless transition. Growing up in 12. Promise everything to anyone, un- Wellesley before moving to Brookline less some clear obligation prevents his senior year of high school, he atyou. But only live up to those prom- tended Tenacre for elementary school ises that benefit you. before entering Roxbury Latin in 7th 13. Stick to generalities and tell each grade. Although it pains me to write constituency what it wants to hear. positively about a rival institution, Mr. Cofield’s insistence on the importance of his regimented RL education merits 14. As regards the masses, be its inclusion in the article. In Roxbury, sure to put on a good show. Cofield was challenged by an incredible 15. Remind them of what scoundrels faculty and benefitted from relationships your opponents are and smear them with so many good friends. His percepat every opportunity with the crimes, tion of the current Belmont Hill atmosexual scandals, and corruption they sphere reminds him a lot of the “RL of have brought on themselves. old” and his 2003 graduating class, filled with well-rounded boys who managed 16. You don’t have to actually bring your to excel in many facets of school life. opponents to trial on corruption Still in touch with good friends from charges, just let them know you are RL, he urges current Belmont Hill stuwilling to do so. Fear is more useful than actual litigation. ☐
ships and connections they make even after graduation. One of his best friends from both Tenacre and Roxbury Latin, Quincy Carroll, actually taught Chinese
at Belmont Hill about five years ago. Now a writer, Carroll recently published his first novel, Up to the Countryside and Down to the Mountains, a book which both Cofield and I have read. Mr. Cofield proved to be a gifted athlete at Roxbury Latin. Even after vomiting his first day as a lacrosse goalie due to an unfortunately placed shot, Mr. Cofield went on to play for six years, in addition to playing football for four. Basketball, however, was always his main sport. Continuing on to play Division I at William and Mary, Cofield was the Colonial Athletic Association’s Rookie of the Year in the 2003-2004 season, an accolade later garnered by current Celtic R.J. Hunter. A stellar field goal percent-
the fifth best in the program’s 80-year history. Although Cofield worked relentlessly to secure a spot in the NCAA tournament for William and Mary, he was never able. In fact, no one has ever been. Much to Cofield’s chagrin, William and Mary remains one of five original tier Division I programs to never have been invited to the famous March ball. Cofield, a college basketball enthusiast who would skip work Thursday and Friday during both big weeks of the March Madness tournament, doesn’t even root for William and Mary anymore. Still a Men’s League player, he finds himself attracted to good basketball, rather than a devotion to one team. Graduating with more than 1,000 points to his name, a major in sociology, and a minor in classics, Mr.Cofield entered “the very boring world of insurance.” Though he spent almost ten years selling life insurance, as one might guess from his description of the industry, he abhorred his job. Forced to travel often to the West Coast with work that was “unnecessarily stressful,” Cofield began searching for an occupation in which he would be able to make a tangible, positive impact on the world. Belmont Hill was where he turned. Having already helped coach Varsity Basketball with Mr. Murphy for five years (during his first year Mr. Cofield coached now teacher Mr. Glor), Mr. Cofield had enjoyed the taste of Belmont Hill life he was supplied. Receiving a call from Mr. Murphy about an opening last fall, he was immediately excited. A tour and interview confirmed his high hopes. Through his first weeks, Mr. Cofield “couldn’t be happier.” Having found a school environment centered around community and family, he hopes he’ll continue to love teaching and coaching for many years. ☐
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson - Excerpts from Students Bennett Morris ‘18 Prompt: Stevenson continuously underscores the need for hope in the work that he does. Which of the people he describes and the stories he tells gives you some hope as you read about the difficult cases, the injustice, and the unfairness that Stevenson conveys?
While reading Just Mercy, I would become confused at some of the situations that arose from Mr. Stevenson’s pursuits: How could people be this sadistic? How could racism be so rampant, 150 years after the Civil War? How could America, which most people associate with freedom, be the harbor of so much oppression? I think a main reason is because it is easy to dismiss prisoners and their struggles; they are separated from us after all. But there is hope. Everyone in the book, the inmates, officers, and whole communities, has demonstrated his or her ability to show mercy. People just have to be informed. That is why I have even more hope after reading this book: the more people read it, the more people are informed, and the more hope there is for every wrongfully prosecuted individual in America. Bradley Hart ‘17, Form VI That was my first loss of a family member and that was the first time I felt a little bit broken. I am lucky to have known my great grandmother, because most people will not ever get to know theirs. I realized that family is important, and I spend as much time with my family as possible. Kevin Logan ‘22, Form I Marsha Colby was a young woman that had been wrongly convicted and later proven innocent by Stevenson. Marsha Colby gave me hope when she said she wanted to do what had been done for her.
She says, “I am lucky, I got help that most women can’t get . . . I hope we can do more to help more people”(Stevenson 241). I am really glad that there are people who want to stop the criminal injustice of our nation. I am hopeful because she is a witness of the cruelties of the prisons for women and know that she do her best for our country. It is amazing that she is so dedicated to this work and does not take the help she was given for granted. Joe Romney ‘20, Form III Stevenson’s masterpiece not only speaks to the physical injustices suffered by many today, but also serves to highlight rays of hope and optimism that shine through these injustices. Although Henry and the guard seem at first to be opposites, with one man behind bars and the other policing said bars, the two share a connection in their ability to overcome the obstacles they have had to face. With Henry, we see steadfastness and faith persist through the terror of death row. With the guard, we see a man who confronts the demons of his past and is able to eclipse them. This strength through the trials and challenges serves, ultimately, as the greatest cause for hope in the entire narrative. From this exhibition of strength, I can find hope that I, myself, can be greater than my darkest moment. I can find hope that I will persevere through any hardships. Most importantly, after reading and analyzing these two stories, I believe that in my time of greatest need, I will have the ability to hope. Patrick Connor ‘18, Form V
To be honest, I seldom thought of and often skirted the subject of the death penalty and the idea of prisoners on death row. I tended not to regard the idea of people on death row with much sympathy, justifying this by regarding the inherent gulf between our respective lives and by imagining what they must have done to reach such a place, condemned to death as they are. Now, having read Just Mercy, I see a different aspect of the situation: I realize that the best possible answer to their plight is the best answer for mine, albeit in vastly different situations. I am indisputably reliant on hope in any and all aspects of my life, and it is that same hope that keeps death row convicts fighting for their tomorrow; such is the connection between all people in any sort of struggle. This notion has made me realize that I do indeed have a sort of emotional bond to the people on death row, a humane association that I was born into and can not and will not dismiss until I leave this life. The power of Just Mercy is in its capacity not only to provide hope, but also in its ability to change its readers’ hearts, just as it did mine. Austin Kwoun ‘18, Form V For more excerpts, visit The Panel Online.
Travels to China for Summer (SYA) By Bennett Morris ‘18 Staff Writer
Situated directly across from Beijing Normal University, School Year Abroad (SYA) prides itself on a close proximity to central Beijing and a metro system ready to take students anywhere near and around the city. I spent six weeks of my summer studying on the top floor of one of China’s most prestigious high schools, High School #2. Nervous I would dislike the food, live awkwardly in tight quarters with my host family, and fear half my summer would be lost, these worries soon waned as I immersed myself in the Chinese culture. While I was drilled and tested constantly during the five classes on my schedule, four of which were taught in Chinese, I was able to explore the city, its neighboring towns, night markets, and attend exciting Chinese soccer games. When reflecting on my experience, I am grateful for the opportunity to study abroad and for the new friends I have made. After I returned to the states, all the activities I did paled into comparison to the six weeks “lost” during my time in China. While studying abroad is not for everyone and is somewhat not taken advantage of in the Belmont Hill community, I am a strong advocate for it as I was able to move up in Chinese, explore an amazing city, and meet some great kids. ☐
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Opposites Attract: PC vs. Mac By Robbie Warming and Philip Bailey Panel Staff
In this issue, we continue a tradition of good-hearted debate between two Belmont Hill V Formers, Phil Bailey and Robbie Warming. They will satirically argue views completely contrary to their true beliefs. We are proud to present: “Opposites Attract.”
Team PC PCs are cer t ain ly t he b est computer opt ion for t he B elmont Hi l l student. PCs, un li ke Macs, prov ide inf inite opt ions for l aptops, t ablets, and desktops. Want a gaming computer? We got t hat (A lienware Are a 51). Want a computer to just do s cho ol work? We got t hat (D el l L at itude 15 3000). Want a st ate- of- t he- ar t s e arch eng ine? Umm, we have Bing? But enoug h of t he hyp erb ole. PC users are a l l ab out t he te chnic a lit ies. On average, PCs of fer 3.45 t imes as mu ch R A M (rand om- a ccess memor y) as Macs. And Macs don’t of fer anyt hing more t han t wo terabyte hard dr ives. And Macs’ pro cess ors on ly have four cores. And Macs just don’t have t he p or ts t hat a mo der n d ay consumer ne e ds. My PC has
a DVD dr ive, a f loppy disk dr ive, a t ap e slot, and a teleg ram re ceiver s o I ne ver ne e d to wor r y ab out missing out on my mu lt ime di a. PCs are g re at for students b e c aus e t he y of fer b ot h e conomic a l and accept able choices for t heir te chnolog ic a l ne e ds. PCs st ar t at $99 and end at $799, b e c aus e anyone w it h more t han $800 isn’t to o che ap to buy a Mac. Micros of t Windows is b ot h innovat ive and reli able. It’s b e en t hir t y ye ars since Windows 1.0 was rele as e d, and we at Micros of t are proud of such a s ound and stor ie d found at ion. Wit h w hat we’ve le ar ne d in t he p ast, we w i l l b e able to cont inue to e volve t he Windows op erat ing system to f it t he ne e ds of stu dents and c ustomers e ver y w here.
Team Mac Hi, I’m a Mac, and I’m cooler than you because of it. We at Apple pride ourselves at being the best re-inventors out there. We rehashed the tablet, the phone, and even the watch. Our sleek and sexy design makes up for what we lack in real power, but that’s not an issue (did I mention that we’re pretty?). Macs represent change. In the computer world, we need real leadership. We need a system that will be bold and not care what others say. I’ll be frank: PCs are ruining this country. I think the big problem this country has is being PC. I’ve been challenged by so many people and I don’t, frankly, have time for total PC. And to be honest with you, this country doesn’t have time, either. You know, it really doesn’t matter what the media writes as long as you’ve got a young and beautiful piece of silicon. Look, I could go on all day about how Macs offer more than PCs;
we are more stylish, more aluminum, more good-looking, more thin, more attractive, more beautiful, and more gorgeous. Instead, I will simply tell you how awful it is to be PC. The elite PCs will tell you that you’re deplorable for using a Mac. Well, guess what? We’re going to march right into Silicon Valley and tell security to “get ‘em outta here!” Man, I’d like to punch a PC in the face. Our country isn’t what it used to be, folks. Crime. Violence. ISIS. Internet Explorer being renamed “Microsoft Edge,” even though it’s just as bad as Explorer. It’s a mess! And do you really think buying a Crooked PC is going to be the solution? No. People don’t want PC; people want action. People want to Make America Mac Again. And let me tell you, we’re gonna do it, and we’re gonna do it yuge.
Belmont hill arts
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BH Band Spotlight: Andrew Kaneb: Fiddling Violinist Jazz Band By Augustus Lamb ‘17 Panel staff
By Armin Thomas ‘17 Panel staff
For Scott Jackson, Marshall Knight, and the rest of Jazz Band, B Block is a pleasure. They do not have a free block, but instead, they play jazz music together. Scott plays the drums, and Marshall plays the alto-saxophone. But, the two make up only a portion of Jazz Band. They are accompanied by four trumpets, a piano, and an effervescent vibraphone. With this ensemble, Jazz Band has a broad range of available material to practice, learn, and understand. They play everything from smooth ballads to upbeat, funk-style pieces. And this year, their repertoire will grow to an even greater extent once they combine forces with the Jazz Combo time to time, in an effort to create a more balanced ensemble capable of playing even larger pieces. Another enjoyable part of Jazz Band is the spontaneity within the genre itself. Scott calls jazz a “one of a kind genre” in that is it “more complex than other genres, such as pop, because you always have to be thinking when you’re playing.” Marshall loves to think on his feet too. “I always strive to get better at playing, because it’s hard and takes a lot of practice to get comfortable improvising, but that’s one of the things that makes it great,” he stated. The art of improvisation and the variety of pieces available to play heavily contribute to the excitement of playing jazz music. However, what really allows Jazz Band to thrive is the relaxed and encouraging culture that the people within it foster. Marshall explains that “it’s such an easygoing environment. Everyone has such a good time doing what they love.” Scott emphasizes, “People may think ‘Oh man it takes away your free block, that sucks’, but it is absolutely worth it. We have such a great group of guys. I love to play music, and it’s a really great break in the day to come jam out for 40 minutes in between classes.” The two also encourage anyone to join Jazz Band. “We’d love to see more people stepping out of their comfort zone and try playing music more,” Marshall exclaimed, “You aren’t going to be an outcast if you’re new and not as good as everyone. There’s a pretty wide range of ability, enough that if someone wanted to try an instrument and join the band, that they will feel comfortable to do so.” The band would be happy to have you. Our Jazz Band is a pleasant representation of the arts that are overshadowed by the athletic culture of Belmont Hill. They perform many times throughout the year, both at school chapels and their own concerts. I have no doubt that they will play beautifully and have fun while doing so. ☐
Walking into the music building, you will see familiar faces gracing its halls. Often seen in the music building, one of the most recognizable artists/musicians at Belmont Hill is Andrew Kaneb of the Sixth Form. Kaneb has been a mainstay of the musical world at Belmont Hill for many years, and is, inspired by his favorite composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, known to be a demon fiddler on his violin. “People say I’m a demon fiddler, but to me, it’s all about my craft”, he said. His true devotion to the art of violin playing has earned him the position of vice-president of the Orchestra and co-president of the Belmont Hill Chamber Society, and he is also a frequent performer at Belmont Hill Coffee House events in solo acts and as part of the country band. Kaneb has played the violin for eleven years now, and studies under the tutelage of Joshua Peckins at the New England Conservatory Preparatory School in Boston. He is a member of the conservatory’s flagship youth orchestra, the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (YPO), which will tour Norway in the summer of 2017. Last year, he played in NEC’s Youth Symphony and played in a concert at Symphony Hall. In addition to orchestral playing, he enjoys chamber music, having co-founded the Brandenburg Trio at Belmont Hill under the Chamber Society. He is also a member of radio show From the Top’s Center for the Development of Arts Leaders (CDAL), where he will participate in a musical residency teaching at the Conservatory Lab Charter School. These accomplishments make Kaneb a towering figure in the classical music world both at Belmont Hill and outside. As a senior, Andrew is looking to the future and hopes to pursue music at some level in college. “This is my last year here at Belmont Hill, so I really want to make it count for something and leave a good legacy at Belmont Hill”, Andrew told The Panel. With his talents, leadership abilities, and good work ethic, it is certain that his wish will come true in the coming year. ☐
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Preview to fall play: Much Ado About Nothing By John Markis ‘18 Panel staff As another year at Belmont Hill begins, the community’s thespians continue their hard work, this time on Shakespeare’s legendary romantic comedy, Much Ado about Nothing. This season’s first production travels a number of uncharted territories, including the hosting of cast members from outside of Belmont Hill, Winsor, and Dana Hall. “Being a romantic comedy, Much Ado is a sort of breath of fresh air for the theater department, especially after a year of heavier productions along the lines of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Macbeth,” says frontman Owen Pickette (who will portray Claudio).
Despite a general feeling of excitement regarding the production, auditions yielded few prospective performers. However, the production will receive a boost in the form of 2 talented actresses from Belmont High School, Haley Brown (to play Hero) and Olivia Pierce (cast as Margaret). Furthermore, veterans of the stage like Theo Why (who will be our Don Pedro) aren’t sweating the minimal turnout; Why believes that the “pure talent” of the incumbent group and that of their guest actresses “can weather any storm and thrive.” As a fan of and a believer in the Belmont Hill theater department, I am confident that he is correct and cannot wait to see Much Ado. With its combination of a strong cast and what promises to be some dynamic directing by Ms. Robison and Mr. Debling, it is primed to be a hit among Belmont Hill’s theater fans when it graces the Kraft Theater stage at 7:00 PM on Friday, November 18th, and Saturday, November 19th. ☐
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Wordsmith and Literary Master Mooney Joins the Belmont Hill English Dept. By William McCormack ‘18 Panel Staff Poised and thoughtful during our interview one Tuesday afternoon in mid-September, Mr. Mooney quickly impressed me with the depth and range of his vocabulary. Always taking time to carefully craft responses to my questions, Mr. Mooney spoke eloquently and with great precision. Both his affinity with the English language and his calculated delivery soon reminded me of Dr. Fast, my wise English 4 teacher. During our conversation, Mooney even quoted William Faulkner, arguably Doc’s favorite author, further meriting this comparison, one to be envied by any young English teacher, reader, or thinker. Mr. Mooney’s passion for English and the Humanities clearly accounts for the size of his lexicon. Since growing up on New York City’s Upper West Side, he has displayed talent in English and History. Attending Hunter College Elementary and then Hunter College High School, a highly competitive test-in school in Manhattan which he proudly proclaims to be the “second best 7-12 school in the country,” Mr. Mooney fell in love with a community in which he could challenge himself and effectively explore his academic interests. Peers, friends, teachers, and the Hunter network which he has maintained have proved invaluable for Mooney, an experience that I’m sure parallels many Belmont Hill graduates’ feelings about their alma mater. Maybe his most impressive experi-
Panel Staff
violin. Top right: Cast of a 1993 film version Below right: Jazz Band performs.
belmont hill News ence at Hunter, in 7th grade Mooney was taught English by Lin-Manuel Miranda, now famed Hamilton creator, playwright, rapper, and MacArthur genius. Lin-Manuel Miranda also attended Hunter College High School. Being a big Hamilton fan, this fact actually initially drew me to interview Mooney. Mr. Mooney revealed to me later in the interview that he decided he wanted to be a teacher at the age of 13, which would have made him a 7th grader or rising 8th grader, having just completed a year of English with legendary Lin-Manuel Miranda... I find the chronological correlation too strong to be a mere coincidence. Given his undeniable ability with rap, rhyme, and the English language, I reason that Lin also likely began the cultivation of Mooney’s vocabulary. Fortunately catching him in the only year he taught at Hunter, Mooney was impacted by Miranda’s charisma, commitment, and emphasis on the power of free writing. With his English 1, English 3, and American Literature students, Mooney continues to
stress the need to welcome the inevitable messiness of the writing process. He often oversees in-class writing exercises in which students are encouraged to write freely. By harnessing a flow of ideas and thoughts before editing and rephrasing, writers can use their original, unabridged thoughts to initiate the drafting process. Following twelve years at urban Hunter College Elementary and High, transitioning to secluded Kenyon College, a small liberal arts school in Ohio which Mr. DiResta also attended, was not necessarily easy. Mr. Mooney remembers anxiously calling his mother on his first night at Kenyon when he heard howling outside his dorm. At Kenyon, Mooney majored in English and American Studies and also played varsity football. Drawing on his college experience, he currently coaches 4th football and will also coach Middle School baseball in the Spring. Finding a job at Savannah Country Day School immediately after graduation, Mr. Mooney wasted no time in achieving his goal to become a teacher, taking on responsibilities in the English and His-
tory Departments. In Georgia, Mooney also involved himself in the community and diversity program, which he will help guide and advise at Belmont Hill. Drawn to Boston’s academic atmosphere, the stellar reputations of its high schools, and its proximity to his parents and home in Manhattan, after four years of scorching summer heat Mr. Mooney began searching for a job at one of Boston’s private schools, schools he feels often develop students that are incredibly well-rounded. Finding a dynamic faculty and a “much more accepting, inclusive community than I ever would have expected at an all-boys school,” one that “the students set and faculty help foster,” Mr. Mooney was excited by the prospect of teaching on the Hill. His first few weeks have affirmed high expectations. Studying for his Masters in English at the Middlebury Bread Loaf School over the summers, Mr. Mooney continues to be both a student and teacher, thus possessing a unique ability to empathize with Belmont Hill’s student body. In addition to working with SAFE (Students Actively Fostering Equality), coaching football, and coaching baseball, he will assist the middle school literary magazine and advise the newly founded short story club. To conclude our interview, Mr. Mooney emphasized his satisfaction in the education sector: “I feel incredibly fortunate that I’ve gotten into teaching.” Convinced of his desire to remain teaching English and mastering vocabulary, Mr. Mooney’s presence will be appreciated at Belmont Hill now and for years to come. ☐
Mr. Glor ‘11 Joins Science Department William McCormack ‘18 travels to China sizes are: “What make Belmont Hill the place By Peter Flaherty ‘17 for Summer Under NSLI-Y Scholarship that it is. The relationships that you guys
Below: Andrew Kaneb shreds on the
of Much Ado About Nothing
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Executive Editor Mack Perry ‘17
Arts Editor Augustus Lamb ‘17 Sports Editor Evan Ricci ‘17 Photo Editor Duncan Grant ‘18
Editors-in-Chief Jason Fischman ‘17 Bennett Rush ‘17 Copy Editors John Paul Champa ‘17 John Markis ‘18
Faculty Advisors David Hegarty Juliette Zener
News Editor Assistant Editors Ishaan Prasad ‘18 Matthew Bracken ’17 William McCormack ‘18 Opinion Editor Phillip Bailey ‘17 Robbie Warming ‘17 Armin Thomas ‘17 Back Page Editor Seamus Clair ‘17 Matt O’Leary ‘17
Online Editor Arnav Prasad ‘18 Matthew Smith ‘19
Graphics Editor Lawson Morris ‘19 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 2015 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. Printed by Belmont Printing Company, Belmont, MA 02478.
have with your teachers here are unmatched.” Mr. Glor ‘11 was a jack of all trades An assistant coach for the Varsity during his six years at Belmont Hill; he won Football team, Mr. Glor loves working along10 varsity letters including 3 in football, 3 side Coach Butler, his former defensive coach. in basketball, and 4 in golf. He graduated He added: “It’s a lot of fun going from a sevas a member of the Magna Cum Laude So- enth grade classroom, and then going down ciety, and then went on to play football for to the football field with the Upper Schoolers. four years at Georgetown. Now, he finds It helps me to get to know a wide spectrum himself back at the school which gave him of boys.” With a couple of Division 1 bound “the best six years” football players on of his entire life. Belmont Hill’s team He says that people “The biggest lesson I have learned already, Mr. Glor says, usually come up through my time at Belmont Hill “I think I bring someto him and ask if thing new to the table. is to always be prepared” it’s “weird” being I try to bring lots of back, to which he energy to practice, replies, “No, not at all.” He is a Form I Sci- and the boys seem to be receptive to that. Havence Teacher during the academic day, and ing played at the college level, I try to share “tries to mix in a little humor to keep ev- the little tips that I learned after high school.” eryone on their toes.” However, his favorite “The biggest lesson I have learned through part of teaching, although he’s been back my time at Belmont Hill and as a collegiate for only been two weeks, has been “getting athlete,” Mr. Glor says, “is to always be preto know each boy individually, because pared. Whether that be for teaching a class each one is a little bit different than the oth- or coaching, you have to be ready. It is er.” Mr. Glor also said that the small class simple, but it definitely goes a long way.” ☐
By William McCormack ‘18 Panel Staff This past summer, with the U.S. State Department’s NSLI-Y (National Security Language Initiative for Youth) program, I travelled and studied in Xi’an, China for six weeks. On my incredible 42-day trip, I made great new friends, exponentially improved my Chinese, and effectively found an international home, that of my host family’s. Maybe most importantly, I discovered the best bowl of beef noodles in the world at a small Halal noodle shop in The NSLI-Y program provides merit-based scholarships for American high school students with valid citizenship to study less commonly learned languages abroad. These seven languages, Arabic, Mandarin (Chinese), Hindi, Korean, Tajiki (Persian), Russian, and Turkish, are all considered crucial to future American interests and security concerns. By paying for students to familiarize themselves to language and culture in these countries, the State Department uses its NSLI-Y program to foster a form of grassroots international diplomacy. Find out more about the program and the application process at www.nsliforyouth.org. Joining nineteen other American high schoolers from all over the country
Left: Will and his host family at an American restaurant. Along with his host parents, Will had a 14-year-oldhost brother. Right: Playing cards with kids at the Sun Village Orphanage outside of Xi’an.
(and one even from an American naval base on Japan), I lived with a caring host family in the Qujiang neighborhood of Xi’an, a city in central China home to the famous Terracotta Warriors, the start of the Silk Road, and the ancient capital for ten dynasties. Living for six weeks in this city, rich in history, culture, and spicy Shaanxi cuisine, proved to be a great opportunity for exploration and adventure. From Monday to Friday, all 20 American students attended Chinese language class at the Qujiang No. 1 Middle School, where all of our host siblings also had class. Our group of 20 was split up into three classes based on skill level, and in the afternoon we would reconvene for lunch and culture class, in which we would learn about Chinese traditional dress, calligraphy, food, films, music, and art on a weekly schedule. On Fridays and some Thursdays, we’d also visit a cultural/historical site in the city. After class, my new friends and I would usually grab a snack near school and explore if we had time or head to the school gym to play basketball or nong qiu, a Chinese combination of volleyball and soccer (and a sport that unfortunately claimed one of my arms). This year’s NSLI-Y application deadline for 2017 summer programs and 2017-2018 academic year programs is October 27. Don’t miss out. ☐
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Belmont Hill Opinion
5. Hong Kong Eatery (Chinatown) Date Visited: 3/24/16
Rubric:
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Restaurants were given numerical scores based solely on their food. To formulate this rating, at each venue, three dishes were ordered and judged. Our baseline was the pan-fried pork dumplings, a dish most Chinese restaurants readily serve. Two additional specialty items were purchased at each eatery to further contribute to a rating, which we have coined the HBW Factor, derived from the first letters of our first names. Any individual dish had the capability to score 100. With scoring divided into five categories of twenty, specialty dishes were graded on their flavor, authenticity, appearance, texture, and quality. Pan-fried pork dumplings, on the other hand, were graded on the flavor of their beef and dough, appearance, authenticity, and craftsmanship (e.g. the skill with which the delicate dumpling was wrapped). In our search, decor, service, and price, while still important aspects of any dining establishment, were considered secondary. For each of these categories, restaurants were either given a ✓, ✓- , or ✓+ .
Chinese zodiac and green plants filled the Dumpling Cafe’s interior, but poor service and a relatively hefty price ($39 for only three dishes) detracted from the overall appearance. Decor: ✓ (Plants and statues) Service: ✓- (Unfriendly) Price: ✓/✓- ($39 for three items, including tip)
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7. Qingdao Garden (Cambridge) Date Visited: 9/9/16
After a long Friday at school, we headed over to this self-acclaimed eatery in Cambridge. Nestled between similar looking storefronts, we luckily spotted Qingdao Garden’s grandiose sign hanging off its side. Inside, we were met by a friendly staff who immediately seated us, in part because it was not particularly crowded. We were distracted by the restaurant’s simplistic white walls and tiles, something that compliments the authenticity nicely. We decided to order lamb cumin and pork with pickled cabbage along with the pork pan-fried dumplings, our usual baseline. After a long, friendly conversation with the restaurant’s boss (all in Chinese), we dug into the two specialty dishes, the lamb and pork. Feelings were mutual - both dishes were rich in authenticity but fell short in appearance and quality. We became excited as they delivered our dumplings, but once we tried to pick them up with our chopsticks, the dough fell apart, revealing an gamy, unappetizing ball of grisly pork. Unfortunately, this relegated the score given to Qingdao Garden, which eventually received an extremely poor dumpling score of 11.2. Its lamb cumin and pork just barely salvage its overall score from the lonely range of the 60s. Decor: ✓ (Very simple, featured some skyline pictures of China, but stuck to white walls and tiles for the most part) Service: ✓+ (Friendly staff that continually checked up on us throughout the meal) Price: ✓- ($45 for three people, tip included)
73.5
6. New Shanghai (Chinatown) Date Visited: 1/17/16
8. Dumpling Cafe (Chinatown) Date Visited: 1/23/16
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High expectations for the Dumpling Cafe deteriorated from the moment we entered the restaurant. Online, critics rave about the Dumpling Cafe for its late-night scene, praising the establishment as a hub for midnight dumpling snacks. Hoping to experience the Dumpling Cafe at its best, we waited until 11:30pm on a Saturday night to review this restaurant. Yet, when we arrived at the restaurant on that cold January night, the perfect night for hot, piping tea and crispy, pan-fried dumplings, we found essentially no one at Dumpling Cafe. The atmosphere was dead and depressing, a mood that accurately foreshadowed the restaurant’s food and review. Given the restaurant’s purported dumpling speciality, we bought an order of chicken dumplings in addition to the baseline order of pan-fried pork dumplings. Both the chicken and pork lacked in quality, and we all agreed that the filling to dough ratio was far too high. Dumpling Cafe’s best dish, according to our scoring, was their beef with broccoli, doused with a variety of vegetables. Although the vegetables were tasty, the beef ’s flavor score was harmed by too much pepper, resulting in a meager 73 for the overall dish. One undeniable highlight was the restaurant’s white rice. Although simple, white rice is often more difficult to master than one would expect. Their white rice, soft and consistent, received especially high marks from one guest critic. The restaurant featured an attractive statue with a horse from the
2. Peach Farm (Chinatown) Date Visited: 3/24/16
87.7
Located in the heart of Chinatown, Peach Farm specializes in a variety of seafood dishes and clearly values the quality of its ingredients. Upon entering the restaurant, you walk through a narrow passage, surrounded on each side by long fish tanks with crabs, fish, and shrimp. Servers and attendants would often rush over to these tanks to retrieve some of their contents, bringing naive seafood to the kitchen for an inevitable death. Peach Farm’s ingredients, therefore, were the freshest we encountered. The two specialty dishes we ordered, a jumbo shrimp with mixed vegetables and a stir-fried seafood platter, both excelled in quality and texture, receiving two stellar 18.5s and 19s each. Specifically, on the stir-fried seafood platter, the trout’s consistency was impressive, yielding a crisp, white fish which would gently fragment upon the first bite. Both specialty dishes were doused with vegetables of seemingly all types, including carrots, snap peas, baby corn, and water chestnuts. Vegetables, like their protein counterparts, were of high quality and cooked well. Even better than the seafood-vegetable combinations was the pan-fried pork dumplings. Given an individual dish score of 90.5, second best for any pan-fried pork dumpling and third best out of all 24 total dishes we sampled, the dough on Peach Farm’s pan-fried pork dumplings was simply delectable. Crafted well and with 20-point beef, Peach Farm’s pan-fried dumplings cemented its high score. Fish tanks, friendly service, and a cozy dining area below ground only add to the experience. Decor: ✓ (Relatively simple, but with an amazing fish tank) Service: ✓ (Brisk, efficient, knowledgeable, but not very sociable) Price: ✓- ($45.50 for two, excluding tip. Seafood is very expensive…)
77.8
4. Hei La Moon (Chinatown) Date Visited: 1/17/16
First, let’s establish that dim sum is a small Chinese dish, usually a dumpling, containing various fillings. Similar to Spanish tapas, dim sum can be eaten as snacks or combined and eaten as a full meal. With its tremendous size, Hei La Moon left a lasting impression. Situated on the East outskirt of Chinatown, Hei La Moon featured the most impressive decor we witnessed, adorning a cavernous, single-room space where diners eat. Waitresses, many of them old Chinese ladies, exuberate authenticity with their dialected Mandarin, shouting, and hospitable smiles. They stroll around with large, portable burners and carts, which contain several small plates of dim sum. Plus, with extraordinary pricing, its meager score of 77.8 undervalues the dining experience at Hei La Moon, exposing faults in our grading system. Featuring an abundance of scrumptious dough, their pan-fried pork dumplings were one of the best we sampled, achieving an individual score of 88.5. Hei La Moon’s shrimp dumplings were only mediocre. Crafted skillfully, the dumplings were relatively authentic, but the shrimp’s crunchy texture was unpleasant and accordingly hurt its score. Finally, the spare ribs were also mediocre, but underscored. Engulfed in oily fat, their quality and appearance suffered on our scale. An appearance score of 6 out of 20, far below, may have been harsh. Yet, packed with addicting flavor (19 out of 20), we guiltily ate an entire platter. Decor: ✓+ (Two spacious levels adorned with striking reds and golds) Service: ✓- (Servers were easily flustered and relatively unhelpful with allergies) Price: ✓+ (Only $15 for three plates)
87.2
Dumplings from Shanghai Gate via morethanjustdimsum.blogspot.com
1. Shanghai Gate (Allston) Date Visited: 2/15/16
89.7
Based on the HBW (Henry-Bennett-William) factor, our homemade grading rubric, we proudly unveil Boston’s best Chinese restaurant: Shanghai Gate in Allston. Shanghai Gate’s dumplings were the driving force behind its victory. The baseline pan-fried pork dumplings were the best of any restaurant and second best dish of the total twenty-four, second only to Shanghai Gate’s own steamed pork soup dumplings, a specialty dish that earned an incredible score of 95. Craftsmanship and appearance on both the dumplings received perfect 20s, while dough, authenticity, flavor, and texture all scored above 17.5. The second speciality dish, beef with broccoli, featured a dark sauce that, combined with broccoli, created unbeatable flavor. While the beef was not of great quality and tasted sour when mixed with the dark sauce, it proved sufficient enough to keep the dish’s score above 80. Dark wooden tables, subtle lanterns, and an expansive mural on the restaurant’s back wall made Shanghai Gate both cozy and enticing on the snowy February night we visited. A modest bill further enhances the experience, cementing the restaurant’s accolade and high recommendation. Decor: ✓+ (Simple, with aesthetic contrasts of dark tables and lanterns) Service: ✓ (No complaints, but nothing worth extraordinary praise) Price: ✓ ($26.90 for two people and three dishes, not including tip)
Conclusion:
To be completely honest, Peach Farm may deserve to be the best Chinese restaurant in Boston. Our grading system is certainly flawed, and ratings are arbitrarily Opened in September 2015 and devoted to their namesake, the cozy assigned at times. There’s not a large difference between a 14 and a 17, for example. restaurant gracefully transports traditional Chinese noodles from Lanzhou, China to a One could argue that numbers never lie, but we feel too great a reliance on our numermore urban setting in the middle of Boston University’s campus. Before you have the ical data has cheated Peach Farm of victory. Plus, Shanghai Gate happens to be critic chance to choose from their a la carte offering, every table receives complimentary tea William McCormack’s local Chinese restaurant and a popular “Takeout Thursday” and a front-row seat to watch the noodles being made. And while the promise of live option for his family, which leads to innate bias. Finally, it may be no coincidence that entertainment drew us through the front door, on the night we visited Live Noodles, we harsh critic Henry Wyett did not eat at Shanghai Gate, leaving scores to be decided by sat staring at an empty workstation with no noodle master present. Naturally, we took ad- the easier, more forgiving duo of Bennett and William. With this controversy in mind, vantage of being at a gustatory noodle shop and ordered two specialty dishes of shredded we urge you to visit these restaurants and decide for yourselves. Let us know what pork steamed noodles and spicy lamb hand-pulled flat noodles in addition to the soup you think! (mccormackwi@belmonthill.org, morrisbe@belmonthill.org, and wyetthe@ pork dumplings—pan-fried pork dumplings are not served at Live Noodles. The lamb belmonthill.org) bathed in the noodles was rich in seasoning and particularly redolent of chuan’r, a popular Chinese dish of seasoned and skewered meat. Unfortunately, the pork in the other noodle dish was skunky, but luckily was compensated for this shortfall in the tremendous seasoning and flavor of the hand-pulled noodles. Something more familiar, the soup pork 1. Steamed Pork Bun Soup Dumplings (95) - Shanghai Gate, Allston 2. Pan-Fried Pork Dumplings (92) - Shanghai Gate, Allston dumplings exceeded our expectations. However, as a forewarning, the soup is scolding 3. Pan-Fried Pork Dumplings (90.5) - Peach Farm, Chinatown when it arrives so we do suggest you give it a few minutes to cool down. Live Noodles’s 4. Soup Pork Dumplings (90) - Live Noodles, Brookline diverse menu, refreshing, modern feel, and youthful social scene rightfully reserve the 5. Pan-Fried Pork Dumplings (89) - Hong Kong Eatery, Chinatown restaurant a spot in our top three. Decor: ✓+ (modern, cool lights; nice logo; pictures on the wall; very close to the beautiful 5. Hand-Pulled Flat Noodle with Spicy Lamb (89) - Live Noodles, Brookline 7. Pan-Fried Pork Dumplings (88.5) - Hei La Moon, Chinatown Charles River) 8. Shredded Pork with Peking Sauce (88) - New Shanghai, Chinatown Service: ✓+ (Friendly, helpful, young) 9. Jumbo Shrimp with Mixed Vegetables (86.5) - Peach Farm, Chinatown Price: ✓ ($35 for three dishes fit for two people, including tax and excluding tip) 10. Stir-Fried Seafood (86) - Peach Farm, Chinatown
3. Live Noodles (Brookline) Date Visited: 2/15/16
Top Ten Individual Dishes:
bostonmagazine.com
The Final Rankings:
Meats hanging in the window at Hong Kong Eatery (5) in Chinatown
New Shanghai, known for a menu heavily influenced by northern China, was the first restaurant we visited. Accordingly, its low score may partially be a result of our naiveté. Also, since New Shanghai does not offer pan-fried pork dumplings, we were forced to order steamed pork dumplings, which may sacrifice the precise validity of its score. In addition to the steamed pork dumplings, we ordered beef lo mein and shredded pork with peking sauce. The greasy lo mein disappointed; we even hypothesized the noodles were store-bought. Conversely, New Shanghai’s shredded pork with peking sauce was certainly a hit, earning an individual score of 87.5. Quite authentic, the dish was beautifully simple. Our taste buds were pleasantly shocked by the remarkable flavor contained within the seemingly modest meal. Decor: ✓ Service: ✓+ (Great with allergies) Price: ✓ (~$10 per person)
Hong Kong Eatery specializes in Cantonese cuisine, which originates from Guangdong Province just north of Hong Kong. Before details are provided on what we ordered, we’ll reveal a potential area of experimental error. Having eaten at Peach Farm (ranked second) just before, where we foolishly decided to eat plates of six panfried pork dumplings each, our dining experience at Hong Kong Eatery was plagued by already full stomachs. While plenty of food was boxed and taken home to siblings, trying to consume nine dumplings, in addition to masses of seafood, pork, and chicken within a span of one hour was quite the challenge. We were very adventurous at Hong Kong Eatery and were met with laughs and giggles from our server, who was undoubtedly intrigued by three American teenagers sitting down to order , pig ear, in Chinese. Ordering pig ear was an impulsive decision, but its authenticity was unmatched. Hong Kong Eatery uniquely features a butcher in the window who slices and prepares dead animals hanging upside down in the window. Therefore, after ordering, a Chinese butcher sliced off the ear of a cooked, slaughtered pig. Wielding an enormous knife, he sliced the full ear into thin strips. The pig ear looked disturbing, earning an appearance rating of 8 out of 20. Plus, its texture score suffered, as most of the thin strips were composed of greasy, fatty, burnt skin. However, the little pork contained within this entanglement of upsetting skin tasted incredible. The excitement around consuming pork ear, a true delicacy, may have also driven up ratings. Pan-fried pork dumplings at the Hong Kong Eatery tasted almost exactly like the ones at Peach Farm. Like at Peach Farm, these “Peking Ravioli,” as they are dubbed on the restaurant’s menu, earned perfect scores for beef and dough. Hong Kong Eatery’s chicken skewers disappointed. Largely inauthentic, they looked exactly like breaded, American chicken and clearly did not fit within the constraints of typical Chinese cuisine. Decor: ✓+ (Chinese pop music plays, historical pictures of China decorate the walls, and dead meats hang in the window) Service: ✓ (Limited English abilities and a little unresponsive, but generally pleasant) Price: ✓+ ($20 for two people, not including tip)
Livenoodles.com
By William McCormack ‘18, Bennett Morris ‘18, and Henry Wyett ‘18 Panel Staff
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NFL Season Predictions By Leighton Dolan Panel Staff AFC East 1: New England Patriots (12-4) An Angry Tom Brady and a strong defense will make the Pats hard to beat. Roger Goodell’s recurring nightmare of handing Brady his fifth Lombardi trophy might just come true. 2: New York Jets (9-7) 3: Buffalo Bills (7-9) 4: Miami Dolphins (6-10) AFC West 1: Denver Broncos (11-5) The defense will be dominant, but will have to work hard to make up for inexperienced quarterback Trevor Siemian. 2: Oakland Raiders (8-8) 3: Kansas City Chiefs (8-8) 4: San Diego Chargers (5-11) AFC North 1: Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5) With one of the NFL’s best offenses, the Steelers could do some damage if they can stay healthy. 2: Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) 3: Baltimore Ravens (7-9) 4: Cleveland Browns (2-14) AFC South 1: Houston Texans (9-7) Former Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler and ex-Dolphins running back Lamar Miller should improve the offense and do at least enough to reach the playoffs. 2: Indianapolis Colts (9-7) 3: Jacksonville Jaguars (7-9) 4: Tennessee Titans (4-12) NFC East 1: New York Giants (9-7) The Giants spent a lot on their defense in free agency this summer, and with Odell Beckham Jr. continuing to dominate, the Giants could make the postseason for the first time since 2011. 2: Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) 3: Dallas Cowboys (8-8) 4: Washington Redskins (6-10) NFC West 1: Arizona Cardinals (12-4) With star power everywhere you look and a pass rush improved by former Patriot Chandler Jones, the Cardinals are serious super bowl contenders. 2: Seattle Seahawks (10-6)
3: San Francisco 49ers (7-9) 4: Los Angeles Rams (5-11)
By Matthew Smith Panel Staff The sun beats down on the barren, dusty trail. More than one hundred runners, drenched in sweat and clad in sharp, glistening spikes, race across the five kilometer course, a combination of both a series of small, sandy hills and the fabled woodchips which mark the final sprint. This is the Martha’s Vineyard Invitational, the Belmont Hill Cross Country Team’s first race of the season. Despite a few runners being injured early in the season, including John Pappo, a junior and captain, Belmont Hill finished fifth. The day featured many notable performances, such as those of both Quin McGaugh, who finished third overall, and Jack Daley, who finished sixteenth in his first XC race. Making Belmont Hill history, James Donahue, the firstever seventh grader to make varsity cross country, also ran. Proud
history, James Donahue, the first-ever seventh grader to make varsity cross country, also ran. Proud of the team’s performance, Andrew Kaneb, a senior and captain, is confident they can find victory as the season progresses. “This is the strongest team I’ve been on in my three years running cross country,” he remarked, “and I think that, if we stay healthy, we have the opportunity to make a lot of noise in the ISL this year.” And with so much talent, it is hard not to share the same enthusiasm about this team. It will take exceptional focus, hard work, dedication, and even a little luck for Belmont Hill to be successful in the two championship races, ISL’s and New England’s, which are only a month away. Not only will Belmont Hill be pitted against tough competition, but the athletes will also be a bit tired from the many races prior. Nevertheless, the season looks bright and, with the support of the rest of the school, these runners should have a great season. The Belmont Hill Cross Country Team hopes to see you at their next home race.ut in a lot of work over the summer, with Captains Matt Armstrong and William Weiter holding practices throughout the summer and boys running in the Dartmouth Running Camp in August. With this preseason training, the team was prepared for their first race, the Martha’s Vineyard Invitational. Belmont Hill came third out of 21 teams in the varsity race, led by sophomore John Pappo, who came in third. Other notable finishes were Quin McGaugh who came in 19th and Cam Hall in 20th. More importantly, the JV team came in second. Before the season officially started, the team also ran the Jog Your Memory 5K charity run for Alzheimer’s. This was a great opportunity to have the whole team get a 5K under their belt and support the local community. The season opened up with a race against Middlesex, Governors, and Lawrence at the team’s new course in Rock Meadow on September 26th. The Varsity team had a close race with Middlesex falling by only one point; however, Middlesex is perennially a strong competitor and this result was better than past years. Varsity beat Governors and Lawrence. JV had a great first race, with boys placing 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, and 8th. Hopefully the success from the beginning of this season will continue for the rest of it.☐
Photo courtesy of Guy Nagahama
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Football Works to Rebound
NFC North 1: Green Bay Packers (10-6) By Jeff Eaton and Henry Wyett The passing game should improve with the Staff Writers return of Jordy Nelson, and it is never a good idea to The varsity football team kicked count Aaron Rodgers out. off their season with scrimmages over 2: Minnesota Vikings (9-7) the past two weekends against Middle3: Detroit Lions (7-9) sex Academy and Milton Academy. Led 4: Chicago Bears (5-11) by senior captains Zach Geddes, Ray Hunt, Nate Miller, and Peter Tamasi, the NFC South team looks to bounce back this year af1: Carolina Panthers (12-4) ter a difficult one-win season last year. The Panthers come into the season off of a Following multiple weeks of Super Bowl loss with much of the same team, but without cornerback Josh Norman, their secondary long and grueling preseason practices, the team squared off against could become a problem. Middlesex in its first contest of the 2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) new season. In the scrimmage, Bel3: Atlanta Falcons (9-7) mont Hill came out flying, putting 4: New Orleans Saints (7-9) up strong numbers against a historically weak Middlesex team. The team did not fare so well in the second Playoff Predictions: scrimmage against a tougher Milton team. Putting up one touchdown to AFC Wild Card: Milton’s four, the offense struggled Colts (6) OVER Broncos (3) to gain momentum against Milton’s Texans (4) OVER Bengals (5) stout secondary and sturdy defensive line. In spite of the score, the team NFC Wild Card: looked and played generally well, esPackers (3) OVER Vikings (6) pecially against a top-tier Milton team. Seahawks (5) OVER Giants (4) Following a difficult 3821 loss to New Hampton in last AFC Divisional Round: year’s season opener, Coach ButPatriots (1) OVER Texans (4) ler and company made the two-hour Steelers (2) OVER Colts (6) trip to New Hampshire in hopes of avenging last year’s loss and setNFC Divisional Round: ting the tone for the entire season. Panthers (1) OVER Seahawks (5) Despite some key players Cardinals (2) OVER Packers (3) hobbled by injuries, the team’s captains remain confident that this season AFC Championship Game: will be different from the last one. “I Patriots (1) OVER Steelers (2) feel we have a much-improved team from last year,” says senior captain NFC Championship Game: and quarterback Zach Geddes. “We’re Cardinals (2) OVER Panthers (1) looking to rebound and make Belmont Hill Football great again.” With Super Bowl: a core of proven veterans and promisPatriots (1) OVER Cardinals (2) ing freshman and sophomores, Geddes’s team is positioned to perform outstandingly on both sides of the ball. Season Awards: The tone was set, and the team MVP: Tom Brady made a statement with its 48-13 win OPOY: Antonio Brown over New Hampton in their seaDPOY: JJ Watt son opener. The team will return OROY: Sterling Shepard home for its home opener in a rivalDROY: Leonard Floyd ry game against BB&N on October 1. Coach of the Year: Bruce Arians Pappo, a junior and captain, Belmont Hill finished fifth. The day featured many notable performances, such as those of both Quin McGaugh, of the team’s performance, Andrew who finished third overall, and Jack Kaneb, a senior and captain, is Daley, who finished sixteenth in his confident they can find victory as first XC race. Making Belmont Hill the season progresses. “This is the strongest team I’ve been on in my three years running cross country,” he remarked, “and I think that, if we stay healthy, we have the opportunity to make a lot of noise in the ISL this year.” And with so much talent, it is hard not to share the same enthusiasm about this team. It will take exceptional focus, hard work, dedication, and even a little luck for Belmont Hill to be successful in the two championship races, ISL’s and New England’s, which are only a month away. Not only will Belmont Hill be pitted against tough competition, but the athletes will also be a bit tired from the many races prior. Nevertheless, the season looks bright and, with the support of the rest of the school, tehse runners should have a great season. The Belmont Hill Cross Country Team hopes to see you at their next home race.
High Hopes for XC
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Mike DiSanto ‘08 races in Rio By Robbie Warming Panel Staff In the shadow of Christ the Redeemer, alumnus Mike DiSanto ‘08 and the US Men’s Eight rocketed down the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. The water was surprisingly calm compared to previous days and a slight tailwind carried the six Olympic crews down the 2000 meter course. Every boat pushed themselves to the absolute limit. This was the A Final, and the winners would be crowned Olympic champions. Before they had lined up for the medal race, the US Eight endured
a grueling week of elite racing against familiar faces. They came in fourth in heats which sent them to the repechage just a couple days later. There, they finished first, earning them a place in the A Final. Looking across from Lane 5, the US crew saw New Zealand to their left and Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, and Poland to their right. Great Britain flew out of the start and built a lead that they would ultimately hold onto to claim the gold. The US
Eight was in the thick of it the entire way and battled with the Polish boat in the sprint. The Americans ended up coming in fourth, less than three seconds off the bronze-winning Dutch and just 0.39 seconds ahead of the Poles. Germany captured silver. As would any competitive athlete, Mike DiSanto expressed some frustration in not making the podium, but ultimately, the boat left everything out on the water. The Eight was the highest finisher out of all the American men’s crews, and DiSanto joins the exclusive “Olympian Club” at Belmont Hill. His name will forever
be enshrined in the Jordan Athletic Center. In addition to his success on the water, Mike is looking to rally the Oxford University Boat Club this spring in the famed Boat Race. He will lead OUBC as President and continue his graduate studies in Psychiatry at the University. Some of his Olympic competitors will now be teammates as they train to take down the Light Blues of Cambridge. Though the Olympic flame may be extinguished in Rio, Mike DiSanto is approaching training with increased vigor. This will not be the last time we see him in elite rowing.
DiSanto in the 6 seat- three from the right
Athlete of the Issue: Cam Hall ‘17 By John Markis Panel Staff
Even while many of his teammates groan and gripe about hard workouts, Cam always comes to practice, regardless of the day’s events, with a smile on his face. His relentless positivity infects the rest of the team and leads to much more enjoyable experiences.
As the sound of heavy breathing and the solid pounding of feet on rubber filled the air, the members of Belmont Hill Track looked on in amazement. Cam Hall ‘17, having not warmed up prior In track, Cam has run a vato his 400m dash, achieved a new riety of events; while Cam persepersonal best and qualified for vered through the brutal 1500m, an the 4x400m team under immense event which combines both sprints pressure. While Cam’s God-given and endurance, in his earlier years, talent had played a role in his he has transitioned to perhaps an accomplishment, his ever-present determination and grit carried him to even harder test of true speed: the 800m. A testament to his versatilnew heights. ity, Cam’s ability to work wherevCam began his career at er the team requires him has givthe Meadowbrook School, where en the squad much-needed depth; he dominated his adolescent peers in a sport where injuries seem to in cross country, cultivating in an occur as often as sprinters bolt outstanding finish at the Roxbury through each lap, one cannot unLatin Jamboree. After a two-year derstate this luxury. Looking ahead stint as Meadowbrook’s captain, to the spring, Cam has a phenomCam attained his goal of making enal chance to break the School’s varsity in both cross country and 800m record. Even without these track upon acceptance to Belmont accolades, Cam would retain his Hill under the tutelage of both his By Robbie Warming status as a valued member of Belolder brother Alex, an alumnus of Panel Staff mont Hill Track and Cross Country; the School (2014) and two-time A chill in the air and boats through his pure love for sport and varsity cross country captain, and leadership qualities, he epitomiz- churning the Charles can only mean Coach Trautz. Cam has displayed all es the ideal Belmont Hill athlete. one thing: the Head of the Charles is of the best qualities of a Belmont approaching. Hill distance Entering its runner, 52nd year appearing of racing, at nearly all the regatta races and welcomes practices, rowers from serving as de around the facto captain world to in stretching race down a exercises, winding, and and teaching oftentimes the younger perilous, members three-mile on the team course between from his Boston and experiences. The Head of The Charles Regatta is a time-honored tradition for the sport of rowing.
Crew prepares for upcoming Head Of The Charles
Cambridge. Over 11,000 athletes will participate in the largest two-day regatta in rowing. Fourteen Belmont Hill rowers will compete on the second day of racing. In the eight, Henry Vettel will cox teammates William Ryan, Andrew Berg, Sean Mannion, Eric Whitehead, Spenser Nuzzo, Jackson Stone, Luke O’Hare, and Jack Vander Vort. In the four, coxswain Ryan Williams will guide his boat stroked by Henry Thomas, who is followed by Robbie Warming and Bobby Jahrling. Patrick Shea will take bow. Coach Richards will also race in the Cambridge Boat Club’s Senior Masters Four on Saturday. On the weekend of October 22nd, these members of the Belmont Hill community will attempt to make history. Everyone is welcome to stop by the Belmont Hill-Winsor Boathouse to cheer our boats on, sip on some hot chocolate, and take in the sights.
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LOOK ALIKES
Mr. English
Mr. Negron
EDITORS’ NOTE: This is a rare Melvoin. It only appears 1 in every 1,000 chapels. Cut it out and keep it in a safe space.
Stretched Out Seth Rogen
French Artist and Social Activist JR
Civil War General Peter Knowlton
Jonah Wyett
Archibald Asparagus
FROM THE DESK OF MR. TAHAN The Belmont Hill athletic department, with the approval of the school senate, has decided it’s time for the school to take up a nickname. Here are the finalists: 1. The Fighting Melvoins (pictured left) 2. The Wind Orchids 3. The Family-Style Lunches 4. The White Jeep Wranglers (@juniors) 5. The Ethics Please send your responses to Mr. Smith via e-mail. We look forward to a great new nickname for our boys!
That’s all folks!