ro Vita Winter Session 2012
Mission Statement Rooted in an inspiring natural setting, Berkshire School instills the highest standards of character and citizenship and a commitment to academic, artistic, and athletic excellence. Our community fosters diversity, a dedication to environmental stewardship, and an enduring love for learning.
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Multi-Period & A Period Courses
ulti-Period ourses
students will study the fundamental principles of lighting design, review some recent award-winning lights for inspiration, and then design and construct their own hanging light with everyone working from the same materials.
T H E A R T E X P E R I E N C E : B E Y O N D S L I D E S A N D P L AT E S [A, B, AND C]
GRAPHIC NOVELS
ANDREW D’AMBROSIO AND DONALD ANSELMI
Beginning in the late 1970s, some comic book writers began publishing works that were longer, more complex, and far darker than most comics. This new form, called the graphic novel, quickly rose to prominence with everyday readers, and by the 1990s even many scholars were calling the graphic novel “literature.” In this course, we will explore this distinctive literary form while gaining a basic familiarity with some “classics” of the genre, including The Dark Knight Returns and Watchmen, as well as more contemporary titles, such as Pride of Baghdad and DMZ.
Interested in art in all its forms? Are you excited by the studio and its myriad techniques? Does a class lecture on art leave you wanting more? If so join Mr. Anselmi and Mr. D’Ambrosio in a full day class. You will gain insider access to many of the museums that are just beyond Berkshire’s campus. While the Norman Rockwell Museum, Mass MoCA, and The Clark will be on the week’s schedule, we will also be venturing to museums outside of Berkshire County. The goal of this class is to not only learn about art, but to actually seek it out in all of its forms and fully experience it.
E VA N C L A R Y
W E AV I N G G O N E W I L D ! S T U D E N T S W I L L B E A S K E D T O PAY M U S E U M E N T R A N C E F E E S
BRANDI DAHARI
O F $ 5 - $ 1 0 P E R M U S E U M ( T O TA L ~ $ 2 5 ) .
Isn’t it amazing how cultures around the world and throughout history have each developed weaving into an art form? Explore the history of weaving and its role in history. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to weave, then come and explore weaving on the wilder side! In this course, we will weave with alternative materials like t-shirts and hula hoops, create woven newspaper bags, weave with sticks, grasses and vines, and wire and beads. Of course, you might also try your hand at traditional loom weaving as well. Come learn how this ancient art fits into modern day life and explore this dynamic craft.
PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION OF SPORTS [B AND C] DEVON AND JACKIE O’ROURKE
There will be two components to the course: morning classroom sessions and an afternoon “laboratory” in the form of a structured training program. The classroom component will introduce the students to the physics, chemistry, and biology of their own body systems. Daily readings and homework will be used to learn about major areas related to exercise physiology: cardiovascular training, strength training, injury prevention, nutrition and dietary supplements, and performance enhancing drugs (legal and illegal). Laboratory sessions will take place in the afternoon and will explore applications of each of these areas. The afternoon exercises are strictly regimented, and do not provide students with freedom to complete a routine of their choice.
Culture, Literature and Society ________________________________ ARS POETICA HUGH MCKEEGAN
eriod ourses Arts ________________________________ ARCHITECTURAL MODEL MAKING PA U L B A N E V I C I U S
Fantasize about being an architect? Like to design things? In architectural model making, students will design and construct an original scale-model of a house. Whether it be traditional, modern or totally original, each student will use foam board to construct a detailed structure to take back home to their real house. E V E R Y T H I N G I S I L L U M I N AT E D PIETER MULDER
Ever found yourself in a home, office, store, or other building or space and been struck by a really cool light, one that’s interesting to look at while at the same time provides an effective source of light? In this introductory design course,
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Just as Walt Whitman wrote of himself, “Do I contradict myself? / Very well then, I contradict myself, / (I am large, I contain multitudes.)” so, too, does the art of poetry “contain multitudes.” Poetry is more than garbled syntax, inane rhymes, and archaic vocabulary. In this course, students will explore that most ancient of literary arts, poetry, by composing their own lyrics in a variety of poetic forms. We will read the work of historical and contemporary poets, and discuss the variety of techniques and styles they employ to create an arresting image or a beautiful simile. B E Y O N D T H E W A R : U N D E R S TA N D I N G A F G H A N C U LT U R E MOHIB AMIN ’13 AND ANDREW BOGARDUS
Get a firsthand perspective on Afghan culture, language, food and history as Mohib Amin shares a wealth of knowledge about his home country. Learn to write your name in Arabic; learn to make a traditional kite; and take a taste of Afghan cuisine while exploring the political and practical challenges facing this fascinating country. Mohib’s father, the Governor of Farra Province, will also speak about the issues facing his province and the country as a whole. Students in this class will gain a richer, more detailed understanding of the country that is so often in the news.
A Period Courses
D U E L I N G D I VA S : TAY L O R S W I F T V S . K AT Y P E R R Y A.J. KOHLHEPP
Pop music fans argue passionately about which diva dominates: Katy? TSwift? Beyonce? Lady Gaga? Of course, the question of dominant divas deals with many elements, not simply the issue of who sings the best songs. Wrapped up in the whole notion of pop diva are issues of musical genre and influences; media coverage and marketing appeals; and self-presentation, both personal and virtual. Pick a diva, dig a little deeper, and you will come to recognize that any given superstar is a complicated construction, tying together her own musical talents and instincts; the commercial interests of a vast web of involved parties; and the wants and needs of an amorphous segment of the national, and international, population. GAME DESIGN JESSE HOWARD
Americans spend more time playing games than just about anyone else in the world. Although video games have become pervasive in the United States, card and board game play is also at an all-time high. Whether it’s a family looking for ways to connect, friends just wanting to hang out, or hobbyists willing to spend lots of time learning strategy, game play has become as commonplace as mealtime in American households. Students will start by learning the basics of what makes a good game using principles from some of the leading game designers in the field. We will play a few games that demonstrate these principles and then proceed to break into design teams. Throughout the week students will conceptualize, design, develop and play-test their original games. T H E L I T E R AT U R E , A R T A N D L I F E S K I L L O F F LY F I S H I N G DAN SKOGLUND AND JOHN WEST
The greatest American short story ever written, Ernest Hemingway’s “Big TwoHearted River,” has at its center the sport of fly fishing. This class will investigate the rich literary and artistic traditions of fly fishing in America, balancing a rigorous reading program and classroom discussion with fly casting instruction. In addition to Hemingway’s masterpiece, Norman Maclean’s A River Runs Through It will be an important part of the class’s work. This course promises to be quite a catch! THE NEXT DR. SEUSS L I N D A B E L L I Z Z I A N D E M I LY W A R N E R
From Grimm’s fairy tales to Dr. Seuss, what books have the ability to captivate a preschooler as well as an adult? How are these stories developed? This class will take a look at books specifically written for preschool children. Students will examine the writing process and how reading these stories can make them come to life. They will then write their own picture book and read it to our youngest students on campus at Undermountain Day Care. S O C I A L M E D I A & M A R K E T I N G I N T H E D I G I TA L A G E LUCIA MULDER AND NINA BJURLIN
Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, Spotify, Tumblr, Flickr, and on and on indefinitely. Accessible, ubiquitous, and ever evolving, social media is the way we communicate today. With 750 million users, if Facebook were a country, it’d be the third largest in the world. No wonder corporations have spent billions of dollars infiltrating the social media scene. In this class students will use social media including blogs, photography, podcasts and video, to produce an online
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marketing campaign for a new client: Pro Vita Winter Session. Beginning with the basic principles of marketing, students will discover how these strategies have been adapted to the social media sphere while gaining firsthand experience crafting a mini marketing campaign designed for the digital age. SPORTS BROADCASTING WILL CRONIN
With great sports teams at Berkshire comes a great responsibility: we must have great broadcasters. This course will explore broadcasting as art and science in an attempt to develop sports broadcasters who will ultimately narrate and analyze our sporting events here on campus. We will delve into broadcasting’s history, in both radio and television, and study the different styles of past sportscasters to craft our own style and voice. We will also work on the chemistry required between play-by-play and color commentators, and the research required for a well-organized, well-scripted, and well-prepared broadcast.
History, Politics and Current Events ________________________________ CHINA: THE ROARING DRAGON LU XU
As the world’s second largest economy, China wields incredible influence in the global marketplace. How did this come to be? Through a study of its history, culture, and political system, students will gain an appreciation and understanding of this country’s storied development. After discussing the issues facing China today and its unique relationship with the United States, students will practice Chinese calligraphy and preparing traditional Chinese food. The class will culminate with student presentations of a research project on a topic of interest. FIVE GREEK HEROES NORM MERRILL
What is a hero? What does it take to become a hero? Achilles, Hercules, Odysseus, Oedipus and Perseus were five of the mightiest Greek heroes, effectively ancient versions of Superman. Each of these heroes offers us a different look at the human condition. In this class we will look not only at their lives and mighty deeds, their loves and their significance in the context of Greek culture, but also at how these iconic figures have influenced western European culture from antiquity. As we discuss these characters, we will examine how they have been represented in art and the impact they have had on other aspects of our culture. JOGA BONITO JON MOODEY
Why has soccer, a simple game of modest origins, become such a dominant and influential force around the globe? By viewing segments of a six-part documentary series called History of Soccer: The Beautiful Game and reading portions of Franklin Foer’s How Soccer Explains the World, participants in this course will explore the history, evolution, and impact of the game of soccer around the globe. Participants will have an opportunity each day to play futsal, a version of soccer in which creativity, improvisation, and technique are emphasized. Made
A Period Courses
popular on the streets of Brazil, futsal gave birth to a new and beautiful style of play, one which Pelé would later coin joga bonito. GET OUT THE VOTE 2012: P R E S I D E N T I A L C A M PA I G N I N G
bombing of Pearl Harbor, The Tuskegee Airmen, and D-Day invasion and the alliance between FDR, Churchill and Stalin. Basic research prior to each day’s film will provide students with the foundation of knowledge to form their own opinion on the factual strength of each film.
J A S O N G A P PA
Students will gain an understanding of the difference in philosophies between the two main political parties in the United States and insight into the 2012 presidential campaigning process. We will begin with a focus on the Republican primary elections and caucuses. We will also look ahead to the general election and explore potential strategies for both Republican and Democratic candidates. Students will then earn hands-on experience campaigning for several of the candidates during the week as a way to start the process of becoming active citizens. THE PROFIT OF NONPROFITS – HOW TO AFFECT GLOBAL CHANGE DANA CHAPIN AND RUTH FISH
Ghandi says, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Nonprofit organizations and microfinance initiatives assist underserved populations as well as support the natural world in which we live. We will take you on a journey to other cultures, exploring their real-world challenges and triumphs through the nonprofit lens. After studying successful management techniques, we will hear from self-starters and philanthropists whose combined ideas and money have saved lives and ecosystems. Finally, students will design their own nonprofit organization. R E M E M B R A N C E O F T H I N G S PA S T PA U L M A C K E N Z I E
The recently opened September 11th memorial in New York City serves as a reminder of the largest loss of life from a foreign attack on American soil. This course will focus on developing a memorial to those members of the Berkshire community who have served and died in conflicts since World War I. The course will include an anthropological and sociological survey of memorials in general as well as a consideration of memorials present on campus. We will meet with Berkshire’s archivist, Twiggs Meyers, to research Berkshire alumni who fought and died in this nation’s wars. Finally, students will design and present proposed Berkshire School war memorials. SPORTS AND POLITICS BRAD D’ARCO
Jesse Owens, Jackie Robinson, Joe Louis, and the Miracle on Ice: What do these major athletic figures and events teach us about the social and political climate of their time? In this course we will examine various periods of U.S. history through the lens of major athletic events. Joe Louis’ victory over the German, Max Schmeling, in a turbulent pre-WWII era; Jesse Owens’ Olympic triumph in Hitler’s 1936 Berlin Olympics; the defeat of the Russians by the U.S. men’s hockey team at the height of the Cold War. These events, and others, provide unique insight into our nation’s history. WORLD WAR II AND THE MOVIES B R I A N S U L L I VA N
Have you ever considered the historical accuracy of what you are watching? This course will examine some of the greatest films about one of the most important times in American history. Movies will focus on events surrounding the
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Math and Science ________________________________ T H E A D O L E S C E N T B R A I N : R I G H T- S I D E V S . L E F T- S I D E KRISTINA SPLAWN
Are you a creative type? Do you relish order and logic? After briefly reviewing the anatomy of an adolescent brain we will compare the neurology of a logical mind and that of a creative mind. By the end of the course you will discover whether you’re a left or right-sided thinker and how you can tap into the opposite side more. The ultimate goal of this class is to learn more about how you think and to determine ways to use this knowledge to contribute to your successes at Berkshire and beyond! ANDROID APPS DAN SPEAR
Mobile apps are becoming more and more relevant with each passing day. Have an interest? Search and you will most likely find numerous apps related to that interest. Not only for fun and games apps are now used in education, medicine, and even public safety. This course will introduce students to the very basics of app development using Google’s App Inventor for Android. The program presents users with a visual representation of their app as they build it, and the programing end is done by snapping bits of code together like puzzle pieces. This is a great way to learn some of the basics of application development, which could then be used to develop more sophisticated programs. Although an Android phone or tablet would be beneficial, it is not necessary because the program has a built-in emulator that can be used to test and debug. CONTINENTS ADRIFT P E T E R Q U I LT Y
The Mountain, towering behind Berkshire Hall, is featured heavily at Berkshire School: on the school seal, in the school song, and in most publications. Why is the mountain where it is? What is Black Rock and where was it formed? Students in this course will study the geology of the surrounding terrain. We will use local rock samples to help us understand the collision of supercontinents that happened over 400 million years ago and the subsequent geologic events which shaped the land beneath our feet. We will explore the countryside for remnants of these massive events and garner an appreciation for the power of nature. M AT H I N T H E A N C I E N T W O R L D TIMOTHY LANCE AND RICHARD GILES
Where did math come from? Before the world of calculators and computers, how did Man compute? We will explore the origins of math, from the most rudimentary number system, through the development of basic operations, to the mathematical conclusions of the ancient Greeks, including constructability. Students will finish the week exploring an ancient mathematical advancement and then present their understanding to the class.
A & B Period Courses
N AT U R E V S . N U R T U R E : A N I M A L B E H AV I O R JESÚS
IBÁÑEZ
Ample research has shown that animals are rational beings and that they also share with us many other traits that were once thought to be uniquely human, including manufacturing and using tools, having culture, having a sense of self, using complex systems of communication, producing art, and having rich and deep emotional lives. This course will study the interesting behavior of some species of animals, and whether these behaviors are learned or innate. We will learn about music appreciation in animals, complex hunting techniques in chimpanzees, practical sheep behavior, the “emotional” lives of cows, and other intriguing aspects of animal behavior. ODDBALL ENGINEERING A N I TA L O O S E - B R O W N
Using only newspaper, how tall of a tower can you build? Can you construct a bridge using a single piece of paper? Yes, but can your bridge support the weight of 100 pennies? Try your hand at these and other construction projects as we explore the science and math behind the world of structural engineering. OUR STUNNING UNIVERSE C A R L O S B E R R E N D E R O A N D M E R Y T O VA R
Where did the universe come from? What is the universe made of? Are there parallel universes? How do we fit into it all? With the age of the universe estimated to be 13.75 billion years, your lifetime is but a nanosecond in the universe’s history. Students and teachers will ponder these mindboggling and existential questions as we develop a growing awareness of how the vastness of space relates to our relatively limited existence.
explore the linguistic origins of Créole to understand the differences between the Créole spoken in Louisiana and that spoken in Haiti or Cuba. We will then look at the language as a cultural and historical vehicle. From that point on, the immersion begins and only Créole will be spoken using conversation drills and role plays. HAPPINESS 101 E VA N N I E L S E N
What is happiness? Is happiness pleasure? Is it a deeper meaning? How do you attain it? In this course students will explore these questions and more as we develop our own definitions and strategies for making the world a happier place. After reading published works and watching lectures from leading scientists in the field of positive psychology, students will complete a personal plan of action for increasing their own happiness and those around them. A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY PETER KINNE
The Sweat Lodge Ceremony is an adaptation of the sweat bath common to many ethnic cultures found in North and South America, Asia, Eastern and Western Europe, and Africa. Some say it is a tradition that is thousands of years old. The Sweat Lodge is a place of spiritual refuge and mental and physical healing, a place to get answers and guidance by asking spiritual entities, totem helpers, the Creator and Mother Earth for needed wisdom and power. Spend the week learning about the various types of lodges and the rituals involved. The week will culminate with an actual sweat in a Cheyenne Little Boy Lodge. Come delve into the spirit world!
PUSHING LIMITS: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE CHRISTINE FITZGERALD AND JULIA COHAN
Ever marvel in awe at a top-performing athlete and wonder how any human being is physically capable of achieving such a feat? The answer may lie not just in the physical, but also in the mental state of the athlete. In this class, we will study psychology topics relating to athletic performance and competition by taking a close look at empirical research that has been done in this field. We’ll use the research methodology of a current and thought-provoking psychological experiment to investigate our own ability to push ourselves to the limit, as well as study and debate other recent and relevant topics. This course will provide you with introductory knowledge of sports psychology topics, as well as insight into other potential exciting topics in the field. We will also discuss how these concepts can be transferred to your own athletic endeavors.
Personal and Professional Development ________________________________ CRÉOLE IMMERSION JEAN-ERICK JOASSAINT
Haïti, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Guyane française, Sainte-Lucie, Dominique, Île Maurice, Île de la Réunion, Saint Barth, Les Seychelles, and Lousiana: What do these places have in common? The Créole language and culture, of course! There are millions of Créole speakers worldwide, yet only a few colleges and universities in the US teach Créole as a foreign language. In this course we will 5 P R O V I TA W I N T E R S E S S I O N 2 0 1 2
eriod ourses Arts ________________________________ THE ART OF THE MASHUP J O N AT H A N W E I N N E R ‘ 0 8
In simple terms, a mashup is a complex combination of small slices of music spanning different genres and sounds. For example, drums from a Jay-Z song might be combined with a few Elton John piano stabs; different genres are mashed together in harmonic ways that create avant-garde creations. Students will learn how to create their own mashups from scratch using the popular digital audio workstation Pro Tools. After a basic lesson in the software and a few simple exercises, students will create a final project. C R E AT I N G C O M I C S PA U L B A N E V I C I U S
Comic strips have changed since the days of “Calvin and Hobbes” and “Garfield.” Today’s alternative comics, from “Life Is Hell” to “Maakies” to “Underworld,” express uniquely personal and edgy humor. In this class, we will survey the evolution of comic strips from their earliest days to the present, while creating our own multi-paneled strip. In five days, students will create characters and a setting, develop a narrative, and complete a side-splittingly hilarious comic. No drawing skills necessary!
B Period Courses
DESIGN TEAM 101: THE ART OF GRAPHIC DESIGN
CARIBBEAN TOUR 2012
ANNA RUBINO CP ’13
JEAN-ERICK JOASSAINT AND A.J. KOHLHEPP
Do you like websites with cool graphics? Ever stopped to consider the graphics on your favorite energy drink can or the logo on a t-shirt?Ever want to design those kinds of things yourself? Explore what it means to be a Professional Graphic Designer/Visual Communicator. You will learn firsthand the way professionals apply design thinking and what it is like to work on a real life design project, generating an original design both solo and in collaboration with a design team. Can’t draw? Not a problem. We’ll create, choose, and organize design elements for a variety of items ranging from t-shirts to a movie website and everything in between!
After an historical overview, we will consider three different linguistic/cultural heritages in the Caribbean: Spanish, French and English. For each island grouping, we will read selected literary texts; listen to an eclectic musical playlist; watch contemporary videos; and interview local residents with personal connections to these various nations. As a culminating project, we will plan a collaborative “Island Festival,” encompassing, music, food and dance of the Caribbean. FOOD FOR THOUGHT STEPHANIE TURNER AND KELLEY BOGARDUS
UPCYCLED ART LINDA D’ARCO
Are you an artist and a “green” thinker? Combine your interests in sustainability with the art world. Many modern artists are making a living by creating art from cast-off materials! Paper, plastic, soda cans, candy wrappers, you name it! We will make a different piece of “upcycled art” each day and take a day trip off campus to a museum or gallery to see some large-scale installation sculptures made from reclaimed materials. Explore inflatable sculptures, woven materials, illuminated art pieces, and installation work. The winner of an in-class creative challenge will see their work come to fruition in Berkshire Hall Atrium.
What do we eat and why? Are we what we eat? This course will examine the impact of our day-to-day food choices on our health and our environment. We will look at the process employed in food production and at the government’s role in agriculture in the United States. How realistic is it to eat locally and buy organically? What are the economic constraints and educational limitations of choosing a “good” meal? Readings from The Omnivore’s Dilemma, screenings from Food Inc., and visits from local food production experts will supplement the course. H A R RY P O T T E R A N D T H E S O R C E R E R S ’ S T O N E BEBE BULLOCK AND STUART MILLER
Culture, Literature and Society ________________________________ BEBOP BERKSHIRE: THE ROOTS OF COOL
Did you know Nicholas Flamel was a real scientist from the 14th century and that the surgeon Ambroise Pare in the 1500’s believed that a unicorn horn would neutralize poisons? Crucio, one of the deadliest curses in JK Rowling’s masterpieces, translates in Latin to “I crucify.” We will look at the connections and relationships that Rowling’s first novel shares with Sir Isaac Newton, Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus, Francis Bacon, and Greek, Latin and Norse mythology. We will investigate the various ideas and topics of magic and science, fear and fate, ethical debate, mythology and the hero’s Journey. Knowledge of the novel Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is essential.
C L I V E D AV I S A N D E D S U R J A N
The scene: it’s NYC in the late 1940s and early 1950s on 52nd Street. Every night the hippest cats on the planet play jazz clubs like The Three Deuces, Jimmy Ryan’s, The Famous Door, Downbeat, The Yacht Club, and Birdland. Can you dig? One of the great American arts, jazz began at the turn of the century, grew into Dixieland, and gained massive appeal as swing. Just as WWII was ending, something extraordinary happened; the music transformed into an introspective, angular, technical and abstract art called bebop, the beginning of modern jazz -- quite literally “the birth of the cool.” This course aims to look at bebop through the seminal figures of Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and John Coltrane, focusing on their art and their careers in music.
T H E S I X T Y- S E C O N D S E D U C T I O N NORM MERRILL AND JAMES HARRIS
How can rhetoric save civilizations and sell products? This course will explore the techniques of persuasion and will culminate in the writing and recording of a one-minute radio commercial. First, we will explore rhetorical techniques of heroes like Winston Churchill and Martin Luther King, Jr. and demons like Adolf Hitler and Joseph McCarthy. We will then apply these techniques to a commercial for an area business (past “clients” have included the Bow Meow Regency kennel and the Sunrise Diner). After visiting the business, teams of students will write and present concepts to the client, then produce the one that is chosen.
BERKSHIRE BY BERKSHIRE JEAN MAHER AND NANCY STEINER CP ’13
T H E M E S F R O M P L AT O ’ S R E P U B L I C
Documentary television producer Nancy Steiner and 6 Berkshire students will create a Pro Vita video—for Berkshire—by Berkshire—by going behind the scenes to reveal what makes Pro Vita great. Interviews, camera angles, lighting, music, and above all, how to report the story best, are all facets of this in-house production video. No prior experience required as we will use one of the most ubiquitous tools in the industry, smartphones, to capture the essence of Pro Vita on film.
C L AY S P L A W N
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A.N. Whitehead famously quipped that the safest general characterization of Western philosophy is that it consists of a “series of footnotes to Plato.” Clearly there is no philosopher in the history of the world whose influence has been greater. Whether as the mouthpiece for his mentor, Socrates, or as an expositor of his own original philosophical system, Plato continues to exercise enormous influence even to this day. We'll delve into Plato's most important and relevant work, The Republic, and examine topics that still hold relevance in 2012.
B Period Courses
History, Politics, and Current Events ________________________________
for persuasive argument make a good host, students will learn that the ability to listen, cede a point, and find common ground is a strength, not a weakness. RELEASE YOUR INNER STYLIST
THE FORGOTTEN WAR
MARTINA MOODEY
R.G. MEADE
In a cross between fashion history and Project Runway, we will explore fashion’s development throughout the ages, what fashion is and who decides what’s fashionable. We will consider ways in which fashion informs our cultural values, history, and aspirations. In addition, we’ll explore our own inner stylist by using set pieces to design a wardrobe and a series of different looks. A trip to a second-hand store may offer some juicy inspiration. We’ll cap the course with our own fashion show.
Called “the forgotten war” by some, this course will focus on the Pacific Theater of World War II. Noted by author Hugh Ambrose for its “savage fighting, racial hatred, and a challenging natural environment unlike anything seen on the European front,” we will examine the concept of the “good war,” the rules of war, and how the Pacific Theater was portrayed on the home front. We will study sections of the historically accurate HBO miniseries The Pacific and read excerpts from several firsthand accounts to initiate our discussions.
T H E S TA R W A R S L E G A C Y THE MYTH OF LINCOLN
K E VA N B O W L E R A N D M I K E B J U R L I N
LINDA BELLIZZI
The Star Wars saga is the third highest grossing film series ever. What began in 1977 as a simple tale of good versus evil eventually became a world-wide phenomenon. The idea for these movies was conceived by George Lucas in the 1970s, a time of political upheaval and social unrest related to high oil prices, the Vietnam War, drug use, and the Nixon resignation. This class will study Star Wars: Episodes IV, V, and VI and compare the movies to themes found in literature, mythology, religion, politics and history.
More than any other figure in American history, the sixteenth President continues to provide the U.S. with cultural nourishment for our folklore and history. Whether we hear his words in the heartwarming recital of the Gettysburg Address by five-year-olds in Kindergarten Cop or notice his image in one of Dallas Mavericks' DeShawn Stephenson’s myriad tattoos, Abraham Lincoln is still with us today, almost 150 years after his assassination. We’ll explore the man and the myth, both in the 1860’s and in 2011. H E A LT H C A R E F O R A L L ? U.S. AND HAITI
MODEL CLINICS IN THE
JAMES SINKOFF CP’13
Healthcare is a hot topic in American politics and will play a major role in the 2012 presidential election. How should people get their medical care? Who should pay for it? These questions and others will be considered in the context of a model of Free Health Clinics. Led by James Sinkoff, students will delve into the history and current status of health clinics in the U.S. In addition, the class will consider efforts led by doctors such as Paul Farmer to replicate this clinic model in struggling areas like Haiti. Can what works for Americans help Haitians too? Join this course and help determine the answer. THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BADGE B I L L G U L O T TA
Each of us may have to depend on a firefighter or police officer in a moment of crisis in our life. What goes through the emergency responder’s mind in a moment of crisis? This course will introduce you to the training and psyche of these brave professionals. A graduate of Framingham State Police Academy and the Baltimore Police Academy, Mr. Gulotta will present an overview of the skills necessary to become an officer. After initial training, you will explore reallife emergency situations and will undoubtedly renew your appreciation for the great service emergency responders provide our communities.
Math and Science ________________________________ L E A R N I N G T H R O U G H P L AY: A N E X P L O R AT I O N O F CHILD DEVELOPMENT S Y LV I A G A P PA
Berkshire’s campus is home to a vast and ever-expanding number of kids. How do they learn? What are they capable of at different ages? Students in this class will learn about child care and development with a focus on child interaction through play. They will learn developmental milestones in the areas of speech and language, fine and gross motor skills, socialization, and play. They will observe children and be expected to create developmentally appropriate activities for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children. Led by a Berkshire mom, this class promises to be a joy for participants and subjects alike. MAKE A ROBOT KURT SCHLEUNES
Robots are everywhere. They make cars; they vacuum the floor; they are capable of complex tasks such as communicating verbally with humans. In this course you will use Lego’s advanced robotic hardware and software kit, MindStorms, to construct and program a small humanoid robot. By the end of the course, this robot will be able to navigate an unknown room on its own.
P O L I T I C A L TA L K R A D I O I N A N E L E C T I O N Y E A R BOB WITKOWSKI ‘66
Under the guidance of a former talk radio host, students will learn the gentle art of facilitating hard-edged political discussion on air. They will offer their own opinion on a selected subject, discuss with a panel of ‘experts’ (other students) and conduct actual live interviews with selected guests, such as current authors, pundits, or politicians. Whoever is the host for a particular show will be expected to know his/her chosen subject thoroughly and be able to hold his/her own against all opposition. While a strong foundation in facts and a passion 7 P R O V I TA W I N T E R S E S S I O N 2 0 1 2
MAP IT! MANDY MORGAN
Have you ever hiked up to Black Rock and wondered about your elevation gain? Students in this class will learn about topography firsthand by cooperatively creating a large three-dimensional topographic map of Berkshire School to be prominently displayed in the new math and science center. In addition to constructing a scaled map, students will explore the history of cartography and
B & C Period Courses
the role maps have played in human exploration. READING THE FORESTED LANDSCAPE M I K E D A LT O N
Students will use Tom Wessels’ Reading the Forested Landscape to consider the changes that have occurred to Berkshire School’s woodlot over the centuries. Each day course participants will head into the field to make observations and look for signs that are indicative of previous land-use practices. Homework assignments each evening include reading selected passages by Wessels and organizing field notes and photographs from the previous day’s field work. Students will need to have warm clothes and appropriate footwear for forays into the forest. RUBE GOLDBERG JOHN WEST
Defined as a comically involved, complicated invention, laboriously contrived to perform a simple operation, Rube Goldberg contraptions satirize the numerous machines around us. This class will make the simple complex and the mundane exciting as students work collaboratively to physically create a machine that will perform an easy task in as many steps as possible.
Personal and Professional Development ________________________________
What makes something morally right or wrong? Is stealing food to feed a starving child ethical? Have you ever wondered what makes a good person? The aim of this course is to hone your ethical awareness and try your hand at debating the large and small moral conundrums of the day. MONEY STUDY CYNTHIA TRIPP
Just like the word ‘sex’, the word ‘money’ has an aura surrounding it; everyone is interested in finding out more, but few want to talk about it. This course seeks to provide a framework to understand basic banking, budgeting, debt and investments in the context of the current economic climate. These issues will be addressed throughout the course by reading and discussing articles taken from national journals. How can we as consumers avoid being seduced by seemingly endless opportunities to spend money? And, moreover, how can we make intelligent choices that will support the lifestyles we desire in this complicated, post-financial crisis economy? THE ROAD TO THE TOP: ENTREPRENEURIAL SUCCESS JOE GEIGER ‘56
The course will present a group of fundamental tenets for success as an entrepreneur in the world of business and life in general. Using real-life examples, we will trace the major stages for developing a business; topics will include finding business opportunities, growing a business, marketing a business, and buying and selling a business. By the end of the week the students will have a dozen practical tenets for life and business designed to address very specific problems that all people, particularly over-achievers, face in their journey through life.
B E Y O N D TA P E A N D I C E BRIAN LEWTON AND MARC WYSOCKI
Want to know what athletic trainers really do? This course will give students a better appreciation of how athletic trainers diagnose injuries, establish rehabilitation programs and handle emergency situations on the playing fields. Get to know the educational background and courses required of athletic trainers while getting hands-on experience with all the modalities (whirlpools and electric stimulation units), as well as emergency and rehabilitation equipment.
eriod ourses
THE BIG CHEESE E VA N C L A R Y
If the stinking, gooey wonders of spoiling milk equate to your idea of gastronomic bliss, then this is the class for you. We will not only sample literally dozens of cheeses but also visit local cheesemongers and cheesemakers as well as make our own fresh cheese. By examining the biological processes which make cheese possible, we will master the techniques of purchasing, serving, and storing it. Become an aficionado in the history and international political intrigue—really—of this strange, delectable food. (Not for the lactose intolerant.)
A C O U S T I C G U I TA R F O L K B L U E S RICHARD GILES
Students will be introduced to the iconic artists behind North American regional folk blues through the life and playing styles of Huddie Ledbetter, better known as Lead Belly, and Sonny Terry. We will study their specific techniques and learn to copy their energetic blues-style with our own instruments. Students will need an acoustic guitar for each class. THE ART OF CARD DEALING
E T H I C S A N D Y O U : D O E S I T M AT T E R I N T O D AY ’ S S O C I E T Y ? LY N E T T E P R E S C O T T ’ 8 1 , C P ’ 1 4
A 70 year-old Nobel Prize-winning physicist and a 19 year-old electrician are brought to an emergency room with critical injuries following a car crash in a remote rural town. In both cases, without immediate surgery, the patient will die. The small hospital has one surgeon and one operating room. Who receives the life-saving surgery? How do we make such challenging decisions?
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DARY DUNHAM
What can one do with a pack of cards? Learn the intricacies of Texas Hold ’em, Omaha, Cribbage, Hearts, and Oh, Hell. These are lifelong skills sure to serve you well if ever stranded in a snowy cabin in the mountains. Did you know that President Clinton loves Oh, Hell, as does Oscar de la Renta? Harry Truman loved poker. Learn the rules and grasp the nuances of five important card games. You will walk away with an appreciation of the amazing range of what a deck of cards can do for entertainment and social gatherings.
C Period Courses
THE ART OF DJ’ING
CHESS OPENINGS AND END GAMES
J O N AT H A N W E I N N E R ‘ 0 8
KURT SCHLEUNES
Renowned DJ's command high fees, play massive festivals and shows, and now garner similar attention to famous bands. Students will learn a brief history of DJ’ing and its pivotal role in developing modern hip hop in the South Bronx and house music in Chicago. Next, through hands on lessons, students will learn the fundamentals of how to DJ. After learning several different styles and techniques, students will break into smaller groups to work on a developing their own signature style.
This course is open to students who are already familiar with the basic moves in chess. We will study famous sequences of opening moves such as the Ruy Lopez and the Sicilian. We will also work on end games—the final moves of a game which occur when one player has an advantage. Boards and pieces will be provided. In addition, time will be allotted for students to play games with one another for speed and to determine Berkshire’s Grandmaster.
T H E A R T O F J AV E L I N T H R O W I N G
COOKING WITH FIRE
B R I A N S U L L I VA N A N D J U L I A C O H A N
MICHAEL RAMELLA AND KRISTOPHER FOLEY
Perhaps the most technical yet overlooked event in track & field, javelin throwing combines ancient war weaponry with modern sport. We will cover the history of the event, including the design of the implement, the rules and records, and world class javelin throwers of the past and present. The majority of our time will be spent learning how to actually throw a javelin – everything from the grip, the approach, and the throw itself. Find out if there is a javelin thrower inside of you!
Do you like to cheat death? Do you want to impress your friends and family? Do you just like to chow down? In 5 short days, we’ll teach you the tricks and secrets of what it takes to produce great food. We’ll explore and make everything from roast chicken, to cookies, to pizza, and more! Taught by two chefs who have worked in restaurants and hotels, love to play practical jokes, and try their hardest not to curse like pirates, this is not for the faint of heart. This will be a class you can most definitely sink your teeth into!
B L A D E S O F G L O RY
T H E C U LT U R E O F T E A
D A N D R I S C O L L A N D S Y LV I A G A P PA
C H E N G - C H I A W U A N D C L I V E D AV I S
Have you always wanted to glide effortlessly across the ice? Come learn the basics of ice-skating from the head boys and girls varsity hockey coaches. Designed for students with no prior skating experience, student will learn how to start, stop, turn, and most importantly, have fun on the ice. Come learn how to navigate your way around the rink in the Jack!
This course examines the importance of tea in Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Thai, and English culture. We will focus on one culture per day, discussing tea selection, brewing, aroma, and tasting of tea. We will supplement the lecture and demonstrations with readings, videos and other materials. Tea will be made each day and a trip to Harney & Sons Tea Company in Millerton, NY will cap off the week.
B U I L D Y O U R O W N B AT J A S O N G A P PA
D I S C O V E R I N G T H E M O U N TA I N
Swing batter, swing! Starting with a block of ash wood, students will visit a wood turner and use a lathe to shape their block into a bat of their own design. We’ll center the bat, sand the handle, determine its center of balance, and stamp it. By the end of the course, students should have a functional bat that they can take to batting practice this spring.
K E VA N B O W L E R A N D E VA N N I E L S E N
B U M P, S E T, S P I K E ! HUGH MCKEEGAN AND R.G. MEADE
In this male-only course, students will be introduced to the basic rules, skills, and tactics of volleyball. The class will be focused on learning to play volleyball, through a variety of drills and mini-games, culminating with a complete match on the final day of the course. C H E A P, E A S Y & TA S T Y: H E A LT H Y C O L L E G E C O O K I N G TIMOTHY LANCE
Soon enough, all Berkshire students will be responsible for feeding themselves. All too often, the college diet consists mostly of Ramen noodles, pizza and chicken wings. While tasty, these food sources have little to no nutritional value, are not cost effective and are of no benefit to the future of the planet. This course will cover smart food shopping and creating meals that are easy, tasty and nutritious.
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Designed for outdoor novices and experts, this course revives Berkshire’s Mountain Passport Program. Originally created by the Ritt Kellogg Mountain Program as a guide to aid students exploring the mountain, the passport will lead us to South Pinnacle, Black Rock, the Appalachian Trail, the Telephone Trail, and the Reservoir, all in an effort to visit as many different and perhaps undiscovered sites on the mountain as possible. You should have sturdy hiking boots for this course. E L E M E N TA R Y S C H O O L G A M E S STUART MILLER AND JASPER TURNER
Come let us take you back to the days before Facebook and video chat when the highlight of the day was the recess game of SPUD or freeze tag. You’re never too old for a game of Four Square or Dodgeball. Mastering these skills is not only necessary for success on the playground, it will also serve you well in life. FÚTBOL JESÚS
Y
TA PA S
IBÁÑEZ
Futbol and tapas are two of the most ingrained Spanish traditions and though Americans aren’t always aware, the two go hand-in-hand in Spain. Students will take a look at the lively atmosphere surrounding soccer matches by recreating the experience at Berkshire. Before viewing some of the best European matches in recent memory, we will prepare a typical tapas recipe to be consumed during the game. Come ready to cook, eat, and cheer!
C Period Courses
GAMES! GAMES! GAMES!
PA D D L E T E N N I S
BRANDI DAHARI
MICHAEL BJURLIN AND ANDREA BOWLER
Do you have some good memories of playing Candyland and Chutes and Ladders with your family and friends? Learn about a variety of award-winning family, strategy, cooperative and party games like Dominion, First Hand, Pueblo, Messages, Modern Art and Bohnanza. You’re guaranteed to play amazing games you’ve never heard of before but that you will never want to forget.
Ever driven through a country club or sports complex and seen a shrunken tennis court surround by chicken wire? Well, that mini-court is home to a fantastic sport called paddle tennis. Played for over a century, the game is adapted from tennis though it features a different ball, hard racquets, a smaller court, and a lower net. All of these factors combine to create a fast and reaction-based game. Join us as we travel to surrounding schools to play for an hour each afternoon.
IT’S TO DYE FOR! AMANDA MORGAN AND MAURA MACKENZIE
P H Y S I C S O F TA B L E T E N N I S
Have you ever noticed Ms. Morgan’s carefully decorated lab coat? In this afternoon class, we will explore several different techniques for tie-dying shirts and other articles of clothing. We will also experiment with other dye art forms such as Batiking, Shibori, and Hausa. Students will have to provide their own articles of clothing to dye or purchase one for minimal cost.
DAN SPEAR
K N I T T I N G F O R E V E RY O N E A N I TA L O O S E - B R O W N
Enjoy the camaraderie of hanging out with yarn, needles and other like-minded souls. If you know how to knit, you can help others learn. If you don’t know how to knit, you’ll find out it’s not all that tough. We’ll knit a baby blanket composed of individual squares and then donate it to a local organization.
Matthew Syed’s popular book Bounce highlights the author’s quest for greatness on the World Table Tennis circuit. He attributes his skill not to talent but to practice and knowledge. This course will take an in-depth look at the physics involved in table tennis. Each day a different aspect of the game, such as speed, spin, serves, returns, and offense will be studied from a physics standpoint. After discussing the physical concepts, the students will be given the opportunity to practice what they have learned by challenging one another on the table. Who knows, you may be honing your skills to become the next great Table Tennis champion! P L A N N I N G A M E D I E VA L S I E G E M I K E D A LT O N
LEARN TO COOK AUTHENTIC CHINESE FOOD LU XU
Did you know American Chinese restaurants are opening branches in China as a foreign food? If you’ve never been to China, you haven’t experienced Chinese food. Learn how to prepare and cook authentic food from Northern China including fried rice, bun, wonton, and dumplings. Beyond enjoying our daily feast together, you’ll get the opportunity to try your hand at some traditional Chinese cooking methods.
Have you ever heard of a trebuchet? Participants in this course will learn about ancient weapons of war by constructing their very own tabletop medieval siege weapon. Participants will use scaled, dimensional lumber to construct a trebuchet, catapult, ballista, or invention of their own design. Some modeling and carpentry skills are helpful but not necessary but a desire to lay siege to all models everywhere is a must. A Q U I LT S A M P L E R SUE DELMOLINO IVES
M A G I C : T H E G AT H E R I N G J E S S E H O W A R D A N D N I C O L A S FA S A N O
Magic is a collectible card game created by Seattle mathematics professor Richard Garfield in 1993. With approximately six million players worldwide in over seventy countries, Magic has become the world’s most played trading card game. The premise of the game is straight-forward: play cards that represent spells, tricks, creatures and artifacts to get your opponent’s life total down to zero before getting killed yourself. The catch? Each player designs his/her own deck from the thousands of cards that have been printed through the years. The course will cover the basics of this complex and multi-layered game and culminate in a tournament. M Y S PA C E : W H AT I T M E A N S T O B E A L O C A L PETER KINNE
Hit the road and meet some of our neighbors, all natives of the Berkshires: three police chiefs who grew up locally; two fire chiefs who help protect our homes and schools; several local business people working as lawyers and bankers; and the proprietors of the Sunrise Diner and other local establishments. What is it about this area that made them choose to stay? Do you feel the same way about your hometown? What do you sacrifice when you go, and when you stay?
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From creating postcard quilts - quilts you can send through the mail - to making heirloom bedding, this is an art students can practice throughout their lives. During this course, students will learn a brief history of quilting as an American tradition as well as a method of artistic expression. We will study quilting techniques including patchwork and appliqué, and students will create a 12” x 20” quilt using Berkshire School designs and colors. SWISH…BASKETBALL 101 WILL CRONIN
Conceived in the mind of a teacher and given first life in a phys-ed class, basketball’s roots took hold right here in the high schools of western Massachusetts. In this course, we will explore the history of this unique game—its rules, its players, its eras—as well as learn its fundamentals, from the basic skills of dribbling and shooting to the basic offensive and defensive concepts that give rise to the game’s image as “poetry in motion.” This course is geared toward helping those students with a rudimentary grasp of basketball, or no grasp at all, to develop their knowledge and appreciation of Dr. Naismith’s brilliant game. W H E N R A D I O R U L E D T H E A I R W AV E S B I L L G U L O T TA A N D J A M E S H A R R I S
Prior to TV, history was heard. FDR’s fireside chats, Winston Churchill’s rousing WW2 speeches, the Hindenburg disaster, and Pearl Harbor were all con-
C Period Courses & Excursions
veyed through airwaves and the medium of radio. We will study famous radio transmissions in history and then choose an historical broadcast to recreate in the studios of WBSL. THE OTHER WINTER GAMES CHRISTINE FITZGERALD AND RUTHIE FISH
Throughout history snow and ice have provided a setting for the creation of games and competitions. All started with a group of people looking for a way to enjoy what winter has to offer. We will take advantage of the winter season under the Mountain by exploring and participating in the plethora of games rooted in different traditions including the snow snake, igloo construction, and the biathlon. All, however, will share the common theme of winter. W E L C O M E T O T H E N AV Y, S H I P M AT E ! WIL SMITH
Ever wondered if you could survive military basic training? Are you ready for PT (Physical Training)? Yes…Yes Sir! Drill Sergeant Wil Smith will lead a rigorous sampling of Navy boot camp for the duration of the week that will include naval history, physical training, rank and ratings, surface warfare, and naval aviation. In addition Mr. Smith will share some personal anecdotes about his experience in the US Navy. YOGA: FROM WARRIOR ONE TO DOWNWARD DOG S T E P H A N I E T U R N E R , L I N D A D ’ A R C O , A N D K AT E B A N K S
Local yoga teacher and Kirpalu certified Kate Banks will lead an introduction to the practice of yoga. Each day will focus on a different part of the body or yogic philosophy including breath, gaze, mindfulness, and meditation. The classes will be physically challenging but appropriate for beginners and experienced yogis alike. Ommmmmmm! ZUMBA DANCE M E R Y T O VA R A N D C A R L O S B E R R E N D E R O
Zumba Dance is an exhilarating experience! The program combines Latin and international music with dance in an effort to make exercise fun. Salsa and merengue your way to fitness and have a great time in the process. Zumba fanatics achieve long-term benefits in an hour of calorie-burning, body-energizing, awe-inspiring movements meant to engage and captivate for life!
xcursions Enrollment for these courses will be determined prior to the normal Pro Vita registration period. A P PA L A C H I A N T R A I L C R E W N AT H A N I E L B L A U S S A N D L I S S A M C G O V E R N
Imagine participating in an endeavor that over two million people from all over the world do on some part of a 2,172 mile stretch of trail in America each year—hike the Appalachian Trail. In addition to hiking portions of one of America’s most popular trails, participants will perform trail maintenance, live and sleep in tents along the trail, make meals together and experience a special connection to one of America’s most precious resources. L I F E I N A M O N TA N A R I V E R VA L L E Y BILL BULLOCK AND ELIZABETH RENEHAN
Experience firsthand Western ranching and come face-to-face with buffalo at Ted Turner’s Bison ranch. Observe the interplay between endangered species, tourism, and the development of the land for livestock and agriculture through the National Resource Defense Council. Follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark’s famous expedition and learn more about Big Sky country’s history with a visit to a local museum. Cap it all off with a visit to Yellowstone National Park. Strap on your spurs and experience the Wild West from a unique perspective as we explore the Ruby Valley of southern Montana. FLIGHT TRAINING IN FLORIDA MICHAEL LEE AND PEGGY LOEFFLER
Up, up and away! Students on this trip will attend a fully credentialed and FAA-certified flight school based in Winter Haven, Florida. They will undergo initial flight training for Private Pilot and will complete approximately 8 to 10 hours of flight training and 15 hours of rigorous ground school training during the week. The group will be accompanied and supervised by Berkshire's Aviation Science Program Coordinator, Commercial Pilot, and Flight Instructor Michael Lee and Chief Flight Instructor from Great Barrington Airport, Peggy Loeffler LIFE AS A PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER IN MALI ANNA ROMANO
Through a unique Berkshire connection to a current Peace Corps volunteer, students will travel to a remote village in southern Mali. While there, students will interact with local villagers as well as Peace Corps volunteers, learn about the Peace Corps’ mission and development work in the surrounding area, and experience firsthand a very different lifestyle from our own. In addition, students will explore the myriad of Peace Corps projects occurring in nearby towns. Students will develop relationships with fellow teenagers a world away and gain a greater appreciation of the world they inhabit.
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Evening Events
vening vents A C A P E L L A PA L O O Z A – 2 / 2 6 / 1 2
Featuring Yale’s Spizzwinks and RPI’s Rensselyrics alongside Berkshire’s own Greensleeves and Ursa Minor, the Berkshire community will be treated to a funfilled evening of song and humor in Allen Theater. Keep an eye out for the newly-minted Berkshire Pro Vita Hymn. JAZZ CAFE – 2/27/12
Celebrating Berkshire’s very own bebop artists, Jazz Café highlights students’ rehearsed and improvisational jam sessions from Dr. Davis’s Jazz Band. In addition, the group is complemented by a variety of independent student acts showcasing the breadth of musical talent on campus. GUEST LECTURE SERIES – 2/28/12 WORK OF 1000
Described as a one-woman warrior, Marion Stoddart is a recipient of a United Nations award and was a driving force behind the Massachusetts Clean Air and Water Act. Stoddart’s Work of 1000 documentary examines her campaign to clean up one of the most polluted rivers in America and the impact one individual’s efforts can have on a community. After screening the film, Stoddart will reflect on how an ordinary person can do extraordinary things despite incredible impediments. I N T E R N AT I O N A L N I G H T – 2 / 2 9 / 1 2
International Night is an opportunity for Berkshire’s over 80 international students to showcase the culture, food and traditions of their homeland. After a special dinner followed by an all-school assembly, groups of students representing over 20 different countries will share their backgrounds and customs with our domestic students and increase awareness of the many different cultures that make up our community. GUEST LECTURE SERIES – 3/1/12 E AT W E L L C A F E
Oscar-nominated actor Chris Sarandon, known for his roles in The Princess Bride, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Dog Day Afternoon, and Fright Night, will speak about his experience growing up in a small town in rural West Virginia. He will share his life’s path, from learning to cook in his dad’s restaurant and performing as a drummer for the Teen Tones to life as a father, grandfather, and professional actor.
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