News and Opinions from the Students of Berkshire School
January 30, 2015
Gulotta Reflects on His Last Trivia Night
“What is James Moore holding in his right hand in his headmaster portrait?” Bill Gulotta asked students on Saturday morning, January 17th. This question set the stage for all new students, who will experience the excitement of Trivia Night and Winter Carnival at Berkshire School for the first time. For faculty member Mr. Gulotta, this question marked the end of a school tradition that he has taken part in for the past 26 years. Trivia Night at Berkshire School began in 1987 and was run by former faculty member, Mark Livsey. Three years later Livsey left Berkshire, and in order for Trivia Night to continue, he needed to be replaced. Gulotta had always loved Trivia Night and set out to build on the tradition. Gulotta shared, “There was a time at Berkshire, when Trivia Night wasn’t cool. Kids wouldn’t participate. The challenge was keeping it going, even if only 15 or 25 kids in total were
By Olivia Good participating. I always felt like I was failing because kids weren’t interested. Now, it is much easier because students are having a good time.” Inspired by the enthusiasm for Trivia Night from the community, Mr. Gulotta has worked hard over the past 26 years developing and creating new questions each year to challenge students. He has made Trivia Night a popular event of Winter Carnival and has added another remarkable tradition to Berkshire School. So what really goes on behind the scenes of Trivia Night? Here’s the inside scoop. Mr. Gulotta receives help from a few other faculty members and students. Mr. Meade is responsible for creating the “Cosmic Riddle.” Dr. Davis is in charge of choosing the songs for music identification. Mr. Gulotta also receives help from his wife, Debbie, who works together with Ms. Romano on answering any calls that come into the radio station. When speaking with Mr. Gulotta, he
spoke highly of Mrs. Ramella, crediting her for the hard work she has put into Trivia Night. He said, “She is the manager, keeps score and coordinates. She is sort of the backbone of Trivia Night.” Students also take part in hosting the radio show, which all of the community will tune into on Trivia Night. This years hosts will be Katie Stonecipher ’15 and Amani Bethea ‘16. As the anticipation of Trivia Night circulates throughout campus, here is one secret that might peak your interest: all of the answers to Trivia Night are held on a document, which is located on Mr. Gulotta’s computer. He also has an envelope that contains documented sources for answers that might be questioned. The where abouts of this envelope are unknown. Don’t get any ideas; cheating is not the way Bears win competitions. So, in Mr. Gulotta’s words, “the most successful team is the team that has the most fun. Don’t cheat and good luck!”
Taking a Trip to Manhattan By Hayden Graham
With the addition of the Berkshire School Arts Center two years ago came the Berkshire Gallery, a dedicated space to display the art of students and local artists. Currently on display is a collection of oil paintings. The show’s full title is Berkshire Hills and Manhattan Streets: Paintings by Kate Knapp. The show consists of 23 different oil paintings depicting different scenes from the Berkshires and the city of Manhattan. The show was curated with the thought of having the viewer take a journey from the grassy fields of rural Berkshire to the concrete and bright light of Manhattan. Kate Knapp, a local artist who works in oil, was joined by members of the Berkshire community as well as residents of the local area for the opening on January 12. “I am interested in expressing my emotions through the visual study of the world around me. Color and light are the most important part of my work,” Ms. Knapp wrote in her description of her show. It is very apparent in her work that these aspects ring true, all of her works are eye catching with the vivid color of the scenery. Photo of the gallery.
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THE GREEN AND GRAY
January 30, 2015
To Be Expected
Response cover by Charlie Hebdo.
Winter Carnival Preview
By Chelsea Leeds The several threats Charlie Hebdo has received in the past for their satirical depictions of the Prophet Muhammad materialized on January 7 when the Kouachi brothers, affiliated with ISIS and a branch of al Qaeda in Yemen, stormed the magazine’s headquarters and killed 12 people. In the religion of Islam it is “haram,” or forbidden, to depict the Holy Prophet Muhammad in any manner. Regardless of Charlie Hebdo’s knowledge of this, they have continued to draw cartoons that make fun of the Prophet. To show how little the magazine was intimidated by the attack, the publisher released its first issue following the attack a week later, plastered with a crying Muhammad, holding a sign reading “I am Charlie” with “All is forgiven” above his head. The response to this cover was mixed. Some rallied to Charlie Hebdo’s side and some questioned their actions, wondering why under already volatile circumstances the publication would release an incredibly provocative piece. The release of the cover has infuriated followers of Islam and resulted in the magazine receiving many violent threats.
By Brooks Kiley With Winter Carnival right around the corner, dorms have begun preparing for the various events that begin Jan. 30. The theme for this year, decided by the prefects, is music genres, which offers many opportunities for the dorms to show their creativity. Each dorm has selected a genre with the list being: Eipper - Jazz, Allen - Country, Buck - Hip Hop, DeWindt - Rock, CGR R&B, Godman – Pop, MacMillan - Disney, Spurr/Senior House - Disco, Stanley - Electronic Dance Music, Day - International. After Mr. Gulotta’s first trivia question was announced at Saturday morning meeting, January 17, the current standings are: Stanley - 100 points, DeWindt - 90 points, CGR - 80 points, Spurr - 70 points, Day - 60 points, Allen - 50 points, Buck - 40 points, Godman - 30 points, Eipper - 20 points, Mac - 10 points. Several suggestions have been made by students in efforts to improve this years’ Winter Carnival. Lexi Merison, a senior of Spurr, recommended a trophy that would be awarded to the winner, “It would give us (the dorms) more incentive to win.” With much anticipation around Winter Carnival, there are questions that loom in the air, which dorm will have the best skit? Will DeWindt continue their three-year win The boys of Eipper preform on ice for Winter Carnival 2014 streak? Who will be crowned champion?
According to the New York Times: “Before the new edition was even released, one of Egypt’s top Islamic authorities had warned Charlie Hebdo against publishing more cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad…. Dar al-Ifta, which is in charge of issuing religious edicts, called the planned cover an “unjustified provocation” for millions of Muslims who respect and love their prophet and warned the cartoon would likely spark a new wave of hatred.” In a CBS/AP newsreport, Pope Francis even weighed in on the magazine’s latest cover, “In theory we can say a violent reaction to an offense or provocation isn’t a good thing ... In theory we can say that we have the freedom to express ourselves. But we are human. And there is prudence, which is a virtue of human coexistence.” These reactions are to be expected, and meanwhile Charlie Hebdo is trying to make themselves look like the victims. It is understood that they are in the business to make money and sell magazines, but continuing to defile one’s religion is crossing the line.
THE GREEN AND GRAY
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January 30, 2015
Tanzania in Berkshire Hall By Olivia Silverman
Students on their way to class in Berkshire Hall have noticed the array of beautiful photos of wild animals, African scenery, and culture. Will Perekslis ‘17 is the photographer of these amazing photographs. During a recent interview, Perekslis gave a great amount of detailed information about his trip to Tanzania, Africa. His trip took place last year over Christmas break with his family. Before taking off for Tanzania, Perekslis and his family each had to receive seven vaccines, as well as malaria pills to be taken while in Africa. The main area in Africa he explored was the Serengeti. The entire trip was safari-based as the family travelled from camp to camp. Most of the camps that Perekslis and his family slept in were wooden huts, but at the end of the trip they stayed in a house on a plantation. One of Perekslis’ most exciting, yet fearful moments of the trip, was when he, his family, and their guide were crossing over a river to get to the final campsite. On this day, the river was very high, and the bridge was very flimsy. Perekslis says that he was scared of the, “Alligator and hippopotamus infested waters”. He also was surprised to know that there were people in the Berkshire County area involved with the work being done in Africa. All of the photos placed around the second floor of Berkshire Hall were taken in the Serengeti region, which lies in Northern Tanzania. Will took the pictures while traveling to different camps and going on safaris using his Canon camera. Perekslis claims that the amount and diversity of the wild animals was dependent on the camp. Perekslis travelled in a hot air-balloon over a herd of Wildebeests, and saw many lions, hippopotami, giraffes, and cheetahs, which are displayed in his photos. He was asked to choose which photograph of his was his favorite, and he said his top choice was the African woman on the grindstone. Perekslis took this photograph while in a village of craftsmen who made their living through melting metals. Perekslis hopes to travel to the African region again at a point in his life, and continues to take part in photography at Berkshire.
Gallery by Perekslis.
Bears Take Model United Nations
By Emily Czajkowski From January 15 to 18, Berkshire’s Model few times I was able to relax and address the UN club members traveled to Columbia committee confidently.” University in New York City for a conferMembers of the club participated in a ence, debating against other Model UN variety of committees and each of the group clubs. were able to participate in drafting and Model UN conferences offer a constant debating directives within their respective debate among delegates who offer their committees. opinions on a variety of issues; this conferMueller also shared her favorite part of ence concentrates on “crisis” issues, both the whole experience at the conference, “My fictional and factual, from the past, present favorite part was attending my first crisis or future. conference and being able to keep up with Participants included seniors Arwen the rest of the delegates despite my inexperiNeski and Katie Soper along with juniors ence. I also enjoyed being immersed for four Daniel Beyer, Ehan Keator, Ivey Mueller, Sa- days in an intense debate in the middle of mantha Reagan, Brian Yu and Yuze Zhang. NYC.” Mueller, a second year member of BerkThe Model UN team has one more trip shire’s club, explained more of what Model together this year; they hope to travel in the UN conferences are about, “You wanted spring and to Dartmouth College for a conyour country to be successful in the outference. come of the crisis so it was a competition in In addition to enjoying the conference as terms of that.” a whole, Mueller had some important takeMueller described her feelings about aways from the debate, “I took away a lot of preparation and participation going into the experience and confidence that I have the conference: “I was excited for weeks leading ability to compete in a rigorous, competiup to the conference. I hadn’t really been tive environment. I was also happy to make nervous until I was sitting in committee great friends and memories.” about to speak. Once I stood up and spoke a Many students are hesitant to join new
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THE GREEN AND GRAY
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A Day of Learning at Yale By Molly Crabtree
On January 23, students from Mr. Perkins’ Advanced Economics class traveled to Yale University to learn about the fundamentals of starting a business. The class listened to, and interacted with, four different speakers, all of which were entrepreneurs. Among these speakers were Amanda Rinderle and Jonas Clark, the founders of Tuckerman & Co, an organic and ecofriendly clothing line. Riderle and Clark offered insight on approaches to take when developing a successful startup business. Clark frequently referenced Lean Startup by Eric Reis, a book the economic class is currently reading. By relating startup tactics to the familiar business methods, students were able to understand Clarks’ solution to a successful company: exposing a product to the market quickly, regardless of its imperfections. This allows the entrepreneurs to gather information about the product and market before the product is finalized. After their lunch break, students met with Kalani Rosell, a graduate student at Yale
who shared his passions of entrepreneurship. Subsequently, Rosell was a judge for the Berkshire Sabin Prize in 2014 and is intended to be a judge for the 2015 Berkshire Sabin Prize. Students were given the opportunity to ask Rosell why certain products failed to meet the judges’ standards in last years Sabin Prize competition. Some students used this criticism constructively and immediately started fixing business plans. Students felt that talking with successful entrepreneurs was helpful, offering them an insight on how to handle and manage a business. “I thought today was really helpful, especially meeting with Amanda and Jonas from Tuckerman & Co. They took our ideas and helped us expand on our customer basis,” said Ana Alveregna. Ana’s disscussion of the effectiveness of this trip reiterates the importance it plays for the Advanced Economics students when preparing for the Sabin Prize this spring.
January 30, 2015
Green and Gray Points Review
By Lexi Merison After being in the lead for almost all of first semester, the Green team has fallen to the Gray team. As the two teams continue to compete against one another, the Green team needs to work hard to make a comeback. The current score 375 points for the Gray team and 322 for the Green team. Following Berkshire Idol, bears can look forward to a number of Green and Gray events in the upcoming months. This February, in honor of Valentines Day, the Green and Gray Ball will be held on February 14. Infamous last year for its dance off between Mr. Quinn and Mr. Anselmi, rumor has it that the dance off may be an annual event. To earn points, students should dress in their color to earn points as tye dance through the decades as a community. Also in February, Green and Gray captains will be organizing the annual Last Bear Standing. There will be more information presented at a further date, but as students chase each other around campus, be sure to play fair and report progress. So get excited to participate in these upcoming events and keep your eyes open for ways to earn points for your team!
Bears Take Model United Nations continued from page 3
Advanced Economics class poses at Yale
Looking Ahead: Buy Candy Grams from Philanthropy for Your Valentine
clubs on campus and Mueller was a part of those students up until last year when she decided to join Model UN. “Last year I walked into (my dorm) CGR to check in when there was a Model UN meeting going on. I sat down with a couple of the kids and they ended up convincing me to sign up to go to Cornell with them in a couple weeks. Having no idea what Model UN even was I didn’t really know what I was getting into. I was really happy with my choice to join again this year,” Mueller explained. Berkshire’s Model UN club has been successful in the conferences they have attended thus far and are looking to continue that success as they travel to their next conference.