The Blackfriar Chronicle - May 2015

We bid farewell to 7 of Malvern's teachers, and share some parting words from our senior editors.

Sports, academics, recruiting - and the relationship between the three.

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TEACHERS - PAGES 5-7

Concert Culture Character We call each corner of the “Triangle of Success” to improve and help the students make good decisions as concert season comes into full swing.

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SENIORS - PAGES 14-15

BLACKFRIAR Chronicle

The

www.mpfriarslantern.COM

MAY 2015

VOLUME 15, NUMBER 8

Baseball captures Inter-Ac, State championships With high expectations leading into this season, Friars responded with tremendous play.

Patrick Ferraiolo ’17 SPORTS EDITOR eading into this year, the team was fresh off their fourth consecutive Inter-Ac championship. With an unusually high number of returning seniors, the expectation was to win another championship.

“It does not get any easier from year to year, especially when everybody puts a big target on your back,” said Head Coach Freddy Hilliard.

“The effort, energy and focus to win this one specifically was probably the most that we had. The expectation was there for these guys; we won it last year and a lot returned. Also, everybody is trying to knock us off.”

The team entered the championship game on May 12th against Springside Chestnut HIll Academy with a 24-6 record, mentally prepared to grab win number twenty-five.

Team Captain and Lehigh University commit Chris Butera ’15 started for the Friars and pitched six strong innings, giving up only one run while fanning four batters. Despite his strong performance, the team found itself trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the sixth.

Starting a five run rally in the bottom of the sixth, Matt Pantalone ’15 had a two run knock to tie the game, followed by an R.B.I. single by > PAGE 13

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FRIARS CELEBRATE AT SENIOR DAY (L) AND PILED WITH FRIAR LACROSSE AFTER WINNING INTER-AC CHAMPIONSHIP / MALVERN COMMUNICATIONS / M. DALLER

Former friar and pro player Ben Davis joins Phillies broadcast team After spending time in the studio for four years, Ben Davis makes the jump to Phillies color commentator.

Ben Yankelitis ‘16 EDITOR IN CHIEF fter talking with Ben Davis ‘95 for a brief period of time, it is easy to tell the two things he loves most - his family and baseball. It’s clear he was “ecstatic” when he was offered the job many sports fans dream about.

“Nobody loves baseball more than me,” said Davis.

“I could watch it all day long.

You know how some people can do that on a Sunday with every football game all day long? I can’t do that with football. I’ll watch the Eagles and that’s it. But baseball? I’ll watch it all day long. I love talking baseball.”

Davis retired from professional baseball in 2010 after playing for the San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, and Chicago White Sox. “I didn’t know what I was going to do. I didn’t have a college degree. I wanted to still talk about baseball and wanted to see if I could get on camera.”

Davis talked to longtime Temple Owls coach Fran Dunphy, Malvern class of 1966, and Comcast Sports’ Neil Hartman, who

Introduction of specialized classes brings excitement, questions Will the academic community outside of Malvern value project based learning as much as core knowledge courses?

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Ben Yankelitis ’16 EDITOR IN CHIEF ver the past two years Malvern has worked diligently to incorporate project based learning into the curriculum. Students have even had projects in place of a regular final exam in some classes. However, starting next year Malvern will be implementing two completely new classes rooted solely in project-based learning.

The first of the new classes is Social Entrepreneurship.

The class is being developed by Head of School Mr. Christian Talbot along with Theology teacher Mr. Andrew DiDomenico, History teacher Mrs. Harriet Lappas, English Department Leader Mr. Rogai, and Director of Experiential Learning Mr. Aaron Brady.

Talbot describes the class as “a design thinking, entrepreneurship class, meaning it will use the tools of design thinking and the startup approach to entrepreneurship so students can identify a problem, design a solution to the problem, prototype it, and test it in the market.”

The class will also provide “authentic feedback” for students as they will interact with CEOs who started their careers as entrepreneurs, according to Talbot. More goals

O DAVIS & FR. FLYNN AT SEPT. 2014 GOLF OUTING / 1995 MALVERNIAN MALVERN COMMUNICATIONS / MALVERNIAN

got him interviews at Comcast Sportsnet. “I did an audition and trial run. They liked what they saw and I had fun doing it.” Davis began to work as an analyst at CSN and eventually became a cohost of the Phillies pre and post game shows.

In addition to working at CSN at night, Davis worked at 94 WIP, on the WIP Morning Show with Angelo Cataldi. "[When you're a radio host] you gotta know about all four sports and world events. They'll talk about anything at any time," said Davis. > PAGE 10

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April 2015

THE BLACKFRIAR CHRONICLE

EDITORIAL Concert culture character With Concert Season kicking into full swing, the Editorial Board feels a need to address the issue and urge people to action.

Editorial Board

as MDMA, is most commonly sold, however shrooms and other drugs are available.

In the mosh pit, concert-goers often not only engage in drinking and drug use, but the nature of the concert makes them [mosh pit] more open to sexual behavior. Hooking up, feeling up, and the Slang. an area usually exchange of mono are all too common. in front of a stage where As a result of the drug and alcohol use, many students leave people mosh at rock concerts. the concert in a state of impaired judgement. Then, students are left 3 miles away from the train station to get home. Most must MOSH: to engage in a be able to walk to the train. And when they get there, they must form of frenzied, violent dancing; slam-dance. still be able to stand up.

Malvern embraces the strategy of a "Triangle of Success" Dictionary.com - the school, parents, and students communicating effectively to support students' growth. Each of these three parts should improve to help the Malvern student body make smarter choices.

Let’s start with the school. Malvern has begun to take a stance with an email concerning the very real traditions of SophKeg at Edgely and its NOPE drug assembly this Spring, but it must do more. Students should be included in those emails to keep them a part of the discussion. Teachers should engage in informal and casual discussions with their students about their choices outside of school and safe decision-making, despite how difficult it may be. Malvern needs to take a more comprehensive approach in Counseling classes so that students fully understand the physical, legal, and social implications of their decisions. Students even as young as 7th grade should be educated because similar situations start early.

Parents should know their sons will probably face these decisions and most importantly talk with them. Make clear expectations and establish a very open line of communication about even difficult conversations such as this. Events like SpeakUp are a great way for parents to learn about the real challenges, and how to start these difficult discussions. Please allow your kids to continue going to concerts, because good sober and safe fun can be had, and students need to learn to make good decisions in the face of bad ones. Just make sure that you share clear expectations and dialogue.

Brothers, be smart. You know the effects the drugs, alcohol, etc. can have on your life, and you know you don’t need them. These activities don’t make you popular nor do you need to engage in them to be part of your friend group. Are your “friends” really your friends if the only connection you have involves possibly detrimental risks? The last thing we want is to lose one of you and know we didn’t do enough to stop it. There are very real consequences for your actions. Learn from the mistakes of others before you, in turn, are a learning point for someone else. Live your life and decide the type of person you want to be, and most importantly use your head.

A rite of passage is not the right to stupidity. •

MOSH PIT

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veryone has some relation to it, or some opinion on it. Everyone came to our Editorial Board meeting this month with a personal connection or story pertaining to the topic. It is a part of student life that we often see undiscussed or underdiscussed, but it is vital that we have this conversation.

Concerts. Many are fun, enjoyable experiences for teenagers. However, others present options that can be detrimental or even lethal. Many concerts are conducive to underage drinking, drug abuse, sexual contact, and overall risky behavior.

Often times, the lengthy list of poor decisions does not even begin at the concert.

Pre-gaming for a concert at Festival Pier, a common venue of these events, often begins on the train ride down. High school students frequently pass around handles of vodka and fireball, Four Lokos, and joints in anticipation to devolve into an even worse condition for the concert.

When they arrive, if students did not consume enough alcohol or drugs during their pre-game, they are met with an array of opportunities to do so at the concert. People over 21 are usually [pree-geym] given wristbands at the gate. Unfortunately, it is commonplace to drink liquor before for these adults to buy alcohol, walk into the “mosh pit," and pass going to (a party, game, it on to someone underage. or other event): The mosh pit is rarely supervised and is a breeding ground for We pregamed at my house almost all the dangerous behaviors students participate in. Over to save some money. the course of the night in the pit, concert-goers will encounter Dictionary.com college students or adults attempting to sell their drugs out of a little pouch for upwards of $20 per pill. Molly, formally known

PRE-GAME

Are your friends really your friends if the only connection you have involves large risks?

Baltimore: Why it was justified At the core of the riots is something we all need to talk about Jack McClatchy ‘17 Sometimes even video evidence doesn’t solve everything. It WORLD NEWS EDITOR happened with Michael Brown, and even Eric Garner, which was ost know the story of Baltimore: Freddy Gray was caught on video. And now, Freddy Gray’s arrest was caught on killed in police custody, and the video, but protests and riots broke out. resulting protests turned into deadly So what needs to happen is clear and honRiots are the last riots. est communication between the police and the resort for people Don’t get me wrong, the fact that these procitizens they protect. When that open commuwho feel that they tests turned into riots soured the message of the nication doesn’t happen is when events like riots have no voice. protests. do happen.

The story of Freddy Gray is all too familiar I will admit my view is controversial. Riots to those who follow these stories: a young black are breaking the law, justified or not. Still, even If riots achieve man is killed at the hands of police, and the black reflecting back to the Civil Rights Movement, only one thing, it's community rises up in protest that then turns it took rioting from the hands of Malcolm X for that it gets people into riots.

Martin Luther King Jr. to succeed. talking.

Despite the riots, looking at what happens Riots are the last resort for people who feel in the lives of young black men at the hands of that they have no voice. When peaceful protests police across the nation shows that sometimes get nothing done, rioting gets the issue at hand rioting is the only way to get people talking about to the front page of every newspaper and the first the issues at hand. segment of every primetime news show. It gets people talking In a previous story, former News Editor Jake Sorenson said about the issue, and gets a response from legislators. that video evidence changed everything in the context of the If riots achieve only one thing, it’s that it gets people talking. killing of Walter Scott in South Carolina. It was cut and dry, the The only thing we can hope for is that this conversation leads cop did wrong, and there were little to no protests. to something more than just another uneasy calm in American It’s when there isn’t video evidence, and when the police cities. • department is being hushed about the investigation, when people get anxious.

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ILLUSTRATION / J. FAUNCE

THE BLACKFRIAR CHRONICLE

April 2015

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FRIAR LIFE ‘Fiscal Funk’ wins competition, faces copyright concerns Five of Mr. John Ostick’s AP Economics students won first prize in ACDCLeadership’s Music Video Competition, but also an accusation of copyright infringement from SONY Music.

Sixth grade ends academy year with publishing, presentations of learning Students publish a book and prepare for a Gallery Walk presentation of learning to conclude the year.

Joseph Lister ’21 CONTRIBUTOR n Monday, May 11, the 6th Grade’s book on immigration was made available for purchase on Amazon.

“To log into the internet and type in amazon.com, and then type in, Journey to America Through the Eyes of an Immigrant, and see the book show up as if I was going to order any book, was spectacular,” said 6th grade English teacher Mr. James Wasson. “[It was] a very, very proud teacher moment.”

Head of Middle School Mr. Pat Sillup has ordered 70 copies for many people, including family and the members of the Board of Trustees.

The book costs $3.82, and that money goes solely to Amazon.

Another end of the year event for the sixth grade academy is set to happen on Thursday, May 28. The sixth grade is having a Gallery Walk presentation of learning. Sillup said that the 6th Grade Team thought this was “a way to capture the year.”

The students are being given time to prepare for the gallery walk in Mr. Chris DeVido’s science class. “I volunteered my class time,” said DeVido.

“I thought it was way more important to show [the] learning skills from the year, than to do some final exam with multiple choice answers.”

According to Wasson, the team started to plan four or five weeks prior

O SCREENSHOT, FISCAL FUNK

Jimmy Canuso ’17 ARTS EDITOR eniors John Kuyat, Jack Marchesani, Charlie Malone, and Mike Szipszky along with junior Nick Elia used “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson to create a winning music video centered on Macroeconomics - or the performance, structure, behavior, and decision making of the economy rather than individual markets.

“Winning feels great,” said Kuyat. “But I think more importantly is the fact that we can get the message of economics out there and show people that learning can be very fun.”

The contest consisted of over 180 entries. So what made Fiscal Funk the best?

The judges of the contest looked at three main elements: the singing, the video, and the economics content.

“The Fiscal Funk Music Video brought everything all together,” said Jacob Clifford, founder and CEO of ACDCLeadership, in an email interview. “[It has] Extensive Econ content and great singing, and a fun, well-thought-out video. Malvern Prep should be proud.”

ACDCLeadership is an organization founded in 2007 that provides digital resources and hosts camps to educate people about economics in various schools and districts around the country. Once a year they host an economics music video contest. Each school invites students to create music videos for a class grade, then send them in for the competition.

“I started this contest to get students excited about economics,” said Clifford.

“The idea of entering this contest,” said Ostick, “was that it was 3rd quarter, [and] as senior slide starts to creep in, I wanted to give the seniors something to do that was hands on where they would have to be working in teams.

It is something they will be doing later in life.”

Malvern has been doing this contest for four years,

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according to Ostick. The closest they came to winning before Fiscal Funk was coming in third place last year with a video by Zach O'Neill, John Monday, Pearce Hobson, Tommy Ferrari, and Drew Barrar. The videos are supposed to be parodies of popular songs and at the same time have high level econ content.

“When we first started out in the contest, the students usually had good content, which is what I graded them on, but their video quality didn’t match up to other schools in the contest,” said Ostick. “Every year, we got better. And this year, we had a group of performers who were all in the play, so the singing was good. But the quality of the video and the techniques they used were also great.”

“The only problem with being the champion is defending your title next year,” said Clifford.

Unfortunately, with success arose another problem.

On May 14, SONY Music accused the Fiscal Funkers of copyright infringement. SONY said the students did not have authorization for the work that they created based on “Uptown Funk.”

Since the student video was created for educational or parody purposes, it seemed as though SONY would not win the case.

However, Fiscal Funk was taken down from YouTube due to infringement on copyrighted music (Mark Ronson/ Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk”).

SONY Music contacted Malone, who uploaded the video, and gave him options to re-post it without music or have it taken down. They chose to take it down for the time being.

In the following week, Malone corresponded with YouTube and secured that the video was for educational and parody purposes. The video was restored online.

“Sony was thwarted again by the likes of high schoolers,” said Marchesani. •

The

BLACKFRIAR Chronicle

is a monthly student-run publication at Malvern Preparatory School. Its online affiliate is the Friar’s Lantern (www.mpfriarslantern.com).

Mission Statement The Blackfriar Chronicle and The Friar’s Lantern are the student-run publications of Malvern Prep. The principal goals of the publications are to provide accurate and relevant information to the Malvern community and to offer a forum for intelligent dialogue on all things Malvern. The reporting for these student publications is conducted thoroughly and edited by student leaders to ensure this accuracy to the best of our ability. In order to fairly provide all points of view, contributions from all members of the Malvern community are welcomed and encouraged through letters of opinion, student reporting, and respectful commentary. mpfriarslantern1@gmail.com / Twitter @friarslantern1 / facebook.com/TheFriarsLantern EDITORS IN CHIEF SECTION EDITORS MAY EDITORIAL BOARD Justice Bennett '16 All editors Friar Life Media & Technology Ben Yankelitis '16 Mike Flanagan '16 Tommy Pero '17 Jack Magargee '18 Jack Walker '18 MANAGING EDITORS Sports Local/World News Print: Jimmy Faunce '16 Mike Droogan '16 Jack McClatchy '17 Online: Chris Bunn '16 Cartoonist Pat Ferraiolo '17 Social Media / Podcast Aaron Salinas '16 INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER Arts TBD Tyler Pizzico '17 Jimmy Canuso '17 Graphic Designer Matt Pichola '16

to the end-of-May event.

DeVido, who claims responsibility for the idea, said that the 6th Grade Academy teachers wanted to have a night where the students could display their learning. “Then we turned [the idea] into what it is now,” said DeVido. “Mr. Buscaglia took this idea and made it sound really great.”

For Sillup and the team, the main question was how to showcase the 6th Grade Academy’s learning.

“There are different routes,” said Sillup. “We could have asked [the students] to do presentations, [or] we could’ve asked to build another product or a project,” he said.

Instead, the Gallery Walk will feature student-created stations on major themes they have worked with throughout the year, according to the Malvern Weekly. Themes include sound waves, sustainable foods, the sustainability of newsprint, storytelling, and the sustainability of Malvern’s cafeteria.

According to Wasson, students are being graded on the process of preparing for the gallery walk, rather than the product. He said, “One of the other things we thought about was, ‘What if a kid can’t make it that night?’”

If this Gallery Walk idea had not come up, DeVido said, “I’d have a final exam.”

It would have been just a normal end to an unusual 6th grade year. •

Campus Hero of the Issue: Mr. Nate Duane Technology support specialist describes what he’s learned at Malvern, and what we might not know about the technology staff.

Desmond Papariello ’18 PODCAST EDITOR e chose Technolog y Support Specialist Mr. Nate Duane as May’s hero of the issue. Mr. Duane is MR. NATE DUANE / D. PAPARIELLO known around campus for his friendly and helpful approach to supporting faculty and students with technology. He weighed in on technology, music, and aspects of his career in our interview.

What is your title and job description?

My title is Technology Support Specialist and my job description is mostly repair of all the information technology on campus. So basically when things break I go and fix it. In more common terms you often hear of IT help desk that have a tier 1, tier 2, tier 3 [system]. They really help fix technology for people. I would be more a Tier 1 and Tier 2. I have been here about a year and a half.

What was your background before Malvern?

Before Malvern I actually worked at Geek Squad, and before that I worked at an IT help desk at West Chester University, where I went to college.

What was your original call to be in IT? It’s kind of hard to say. I remember going to college and not really knowing what I wanted to do. And I slowly started getting into computers and started

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April 2015

THE BLACKFRIAR CHRONICLE

FRIAR LIFE

Changes to SATs promise relevant application Faculty members discuss the possible impact the new SAT will have on students’ education and preparation.

Tyler Pizzico ’17 CHIEF INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER ccording to the College Board, when students open up the SAT booklet in the Spring of 2016, they will encounter something more useful and applicable to actual real-world knowledge.

How will Malvern adapt to upcoming SAT changes to better prepare its students for the exam and increase their chances of getting into the colleges of their dreams?

According to Interim Director of College Counseling and on-site SAT coordinator Ms. Lauren Randle, one of the major reasons why the SAT will be changing is to more closely resemble the ACT. “Things change based on competition,” said Randle. “Everyone used to take the SAT while the ACT was the dark horse, so to say. However, for the last few years, the ACT is actually more popular than the SAT. That of course is a huge money loss for the College Board.”

According to the Washington Post, the ACT surpassed the SAT in total test-takers in the high school class of 2012 and continues to do so.

The report stated that over the past seven years, the declines in SAT test-takers exceeded 20 percent in 19 states, including drops of 59 percent in Michigan, 46 percent in Illinois, 37 percent in Ohio and 25 percent in Tennessee. These are all states where the ACT test is more widely used in the country today.

But the SAT also had declining usage in some states where its presence is greater than the ACTs. In Pennsylvania, SAT usage declined only 2 percent. In New Hampshire it was down 8 percent and in Vermont 14 percent. However, College Board has been quick to realize the shift.

Despite perception of competition, The College Board has gathered data from various surveys and research and have targeted the new test in a specific way to make the changes as worthwhile as possible.

Students will no longer be asked to simply recall the meaning of a word that they could have memorized in an SAT prep class. Test takers will now be required to interpret the meanings of words from the context of the sentences and paragraphs in which they prepare.

There are also major changes to the reading and writing section.

Students will be required to deduce information and support their claims as opposed to simple comprehension.

After reading a passage, students will be asked to support each one of their answers with a quote in the following question.

For the grammar section, students will be assessed on their ability to edit and find mistakes, as they were previously. However, now they must follow along and ensure the information is correct and matches up in a sequence of relating paragraphs.

On their website, College Board

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recognizes that, “this is demanding Math.” Through conducting research, but rewarding work. These are words they believe these three areas most that students will use throughout contribute to college readiness and their lives — in high school, college, future careers in the field as well as and beyond.” draw in connections The essay will now from tangible problems "Things be optional. The focus in the 21st century. change based of the essay section on Making connecon competition... the new SAT will be tions from test quesFor the last very different from the tions to the real world few years, essay on the current is a huge step for the the ACT is SAT. Students will SATs and a main reaactually more now be asked to read son for the change. popular than a passage and explain Instead of test ing the SAT." how the author of the simple knowledge and -Ms. Lauren Randle text establishes an memorization, the new Interim Director of argument to persuade test will now test one’s College Counseling his or her readers. ability to apply knowl“The new essay edge to solve a problem section is designed to support high or answer an in depth question. school students and teachers as they Malvern is preparing its students cultivate close reading, careful analy- this way already by incorporating sis, and clear writing. It will promote project-based learning and by using the practice of reading a wide vari- themes like create or connect to drive ety of arguments and analyzing how the academic year. Malvern’s guidauthors do their work as writers,” the ance counselors believe this will help College Board website states. support students in the change to

Students will now be required to the new SAT. Counselor Ms. Korin apply their literary, writing, and math Folan said, “It can only be beneficial. skills to solve questions with a his- I don’t think it will hinder us at all. tory, science, or social studies context I think the creative thinking atmosby being assessed on phere we are trying to historical documents create here will help "I think if we are and scientific graphs. our students moving doing the job A not her major forward.” that we want change: There will no Due to the new to do, which is longer be penalties for format of the testing, helping students answering questions the old prep classes become better incorrectly. and ways of preparreaders and “I don’t think that ing for this test will better writers, students are aware that have to be modified. everything will they are losing points However, whet her take care of itself." for simply guessing on they will be as effective -Mr. Jay Rogai the SAT,” said Randle. is yet to be determined.

English Department Leader “I think the College “I think [test prep Board is tr y ing to classes] are going to be make it a little more fair for the test just as effective. I think the way that takers and keep the test as straight- we prepare for the test will be very forward as possible with less tricks.” similar to before,” said Folan.

“I think it could result in higher However, it will take some time scores which could also be a reason to learn new strategies to master the behind it,” said Randle. new test. “The main part of preparing Finally, College Board also for the SAT is knowing the stratereports that the new mathematics gies, so I think those will change section “will focus in depth on three some,” said Folan. essential areas of math: Problem Even though Malvern is incorpoSolving and Data Analysis, the Heart rating key elements to accommodate of Algebra, and Passport to Advanced for the changes, teachers are putting

in additional effort.

“Kaplan has come in a few times to meet with our math and english teachers to go over the changes,” said Folan. “I think they will be using that information to help prepare our students better in the classroom.”

“Kaplan is usually the company that runs all the prep classes as well, so we have been doing as much education up front as we can about how the test will look. I also feel that the sample tests students will take we be very helpful in honing in on key aspects as well,” said Folan.

Teachers are aware of the importance of preparing for the SAT. They feel that being privy to the information relevant to their subject on the SAT will help guide them and their students in the direction they must go. However, most feel that the ultimate goal for their classes is preparing their students to succeed in higher level courses.

“The math department works together to create a curriculum that encompasses the skills students need to ultimately succeed in college and in various career paths,” said second-year math teacher Mrs. Diane Giordano. “I focus on the topics that will prepare my students to be successful in higher level math classes.

I am also conscious of the content area that is stressed in the redesigned SAT, so I can use that to help guide

me,” said Giordano.

Some teachers feel as though their teaching style really will not be really be affected by the change to the SAT. Giordano does not anticipate that her teaching style will change for the new test. "I will still have students practice because there is a need to be fluent with certain skills. Fluency is attained with practice," she said.

English Department Leader Mr. Francis Rogai also believes that his teaching style will not change. “I think if we are doing the job that we want to do, which is helping students become better readers and better writers, everything will take care of itself,” said Rogai. “There are certainly additional classes that may benefit students, but if you are truly a good reader, you can comprehend anything the test throws at you.”

Counselors acknowledge that there are some uncertainties about the new test, and how Malvern will help students to prepare for it. “It’s all a work in progress and it is important to stay as flexible as possible through the transition,” said Folan.

For those students who wish to take the old exam, the opportunity will be available up until March.• Sample questions (and answers) reproduced here from www.collegeboard.org are linked at The Friar's Lantern www.mpfriarslantern.com

THE BLACKFRIAR CHRONICLE

April 2015

5

FRIAR LIFE Every spring, the Malvern community is sad to see a few members of the faculty leave. This year we say goodbye to two retiring teachers, Mr. Redican and Mr. Stewart, and five non-returning teachers, Mr. Prosalik, Mr. Mundy, Mrs. Lewis, Mr. Pison, and Mr. Dall. We sent our reporters out to talk with the teachers we will miss next fall.

Malvern says to goodbye to beloved science teacher, Mr. Prosalik.

MR. PROSALIK / J. FAUNCE

Jimmy Faunce ’16 MANAGING EDITOR - PRINT n life, there comes a point where everyone needs to move on and take the next step. That point has come for one of Malvern’s newest faculty members, Mr. Michael Prosalik.

After two years of teaching science here at Malvern Prep, Mr. Prosalik will be moving to São Paulo, Brazil to teach at an American school in São Paulo with his wife, Kristen Prosalik.

The school, called Graded, is an English speaking school, but Prosalik hopes to broaden his horizons while in Brazil. He has been using Rosetta Stone to learn Portuguese for his time there. Mr. Prosalik and his wife plan to become f luent in Spanish and Portuguese. At this new school, he will be teaching Biology, Anatomy, Physiolog y and a Physical and Chemical Science course.

“I’ll really miss the community here.” said Prosalik,, “I have had a lot of great colleagues, and I’ve had a lot of very great students, that I've enjoyed.”

“It’s always the people, I find, that when you move somewhere, that’s the thing that you remember the most.” said Prosalik, “That's what makes Malvern a great community: the people that are here.”

Mr. Kevin Quinn, Head of Malvern's science department, is disappointed about Prosalik's move.

"We think he has been a great addition to the department," said Quinn.

"He has brought a lot to the school and we certainly will miss him."

Quinn notes that Prosalik has a great opportunity ahead in Brazil.

“On one hand I am a little jealous and excited for him, but you know it’s bittersweet like most things in life.”

It is obvious that Mr. Prosalik enjoyed his time here with us and us with him. He has been a great addition to the Malvern community and will be missed tremendously.

Congratulations on this amazing opportunity and good luck Mr. Prosalik. •

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Guidance Counselor Mrs. Colleen Lewis, reflects on her past and shares her plans for the future.

Mike Droogan ’16 SPORTS EDITOR moderator of the Outdoors Club and innovator within the Counseling Department, Mrs. Lewis will be taking her talents to Germantown Academy after five memorable years.

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Why did you decide to come to Malvern?

I saw a job posted that I didn’t think I would get but Ms. Wuetig convinced me to apply for the job at Malvern along with four other places and I got turned down by everyone except Malvern, but I needed a job so I decided to go to Malvern. I actually grew up in the West Chester area and my brothers used to play basketball here in a summer basketball league, so I was used to coming here.

When I was in high school, our cross country championships were here, so Malvern was very much a part of my life even before I got here. I never would’ve guessed that I would end up working here. My grandfather actually coached football here in the 1950’s for one or two seasons. It’s kind of funny because there’s even this historical element of Malvern in my family.

You are the moderator for the Outdoors Club, could you describe your role there and in other roles outside of your job description?

Yeah, one thing I’m disappointed about leaving is that I just started making the plans for the Outdoors Club to become more skills based, meeting weekly to learn tent pitching, fire setting, knot tying, etc. Up to this point it has been an outing club, we go on backpacking trips and ski trips. I also coached middle school track at one point and then there’s a lot of other things I do that aren’t necessarily with kids. I’m on the diversity oversight

committee, and even things like outlining the counseling curriculum.

What did you like best about being here?

The thing I would say about Malvern is that it is a warm, welcoming community. My colleagues are great. The students are awesome. It’s been great working in a single-sex environment, and it it is really different from a co-ed environment, but I really enjoy working with the boys.

we had in our curriculum like drug and alcohol education and even relaxation and mindfulness. I feel like we need to teach kids how to be compassionate and I feel like the counseling curriculum has helped us move in the right direction.

What are your goals for the future?

Like I said, one of the attractions of GA is that it is co-ed. I think in order to stay fresh, you have to make painful moves like the one I’m making now. Working in a co-ed environment will help me to stay dynamic and grow professionally. So I think constantly improving myself professionally is the goal. Long term, I have What are you going to be this pie-in-the-sky dream of moving doing next year and what out West and doing more therapy MRS. LEWIS / M. DROOGAN led up to your decision? stuff like I’ve done before. Whether Well, it was kind of weird. or not that will be realized, I don’t I wasn’t actually looking for a job; I just stumbled know, but I want to keep improving year by year. upon a job opening at Germantown Academy. I will be teaching AP and Academic Psychology. Could you tell us about a memorable experience The role of the counselor is a little different there. you’ve had here at Malvern?

I will be doing more therapeutic psychology. When I’ve made a lot of memories on the Outdoor Club I found the posting I thought, ‘I like working at a trips. I feel like the most memories are made spendboy’s school but it would be nice to work with girls ing time with students in a non-traditional setting, again.’ They do have a better setup for my family. like Outdoor Club trips and service trips and stuff They have a daycare for my little guy. like that. I was actually on a service trip when my dad died, and actually when I had my baby too, and What are you most proud of in your career?

I couldn’t believe the support and how awesome the That’s a good question. I would say definitely the community was. Both were memorable, one sad and counseling department has changed a lot since I’ve one joyful, because of the outreach from the comcome here and I think I’ve helped that happen and munity. Also, on the inaugural backpacking trip, that it has changed in positive ways. The fact that we came home right before Hurricane Sandy hit. we have a counseling curriculum, although there There were a lot of really good memories. • are mixed feelings about it, it helped fill gaps that

Malvern’s Mr. Redican, the man of many jobs, talks his Malvern career and future.

Christian D'Ascenzo ’16 CONTRIBUTER veryone’s favorite substitute teacher, Mr. Joe “Joe Pa” Redican, will be retiring after this year.

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How did you first get started teaching at Malvern?

Well the great people at Malvern Prep. Bill “Gibber” Gibson was the Admissions Director, [and] we were friends. When I got bought out of the Inquirer, fortunately my kids were out of college and everything was paid for so life wasn’t too bad. Gibber said, ‘You have been coaching kids for a long long time, why don’t you think about teaching? We have some openings.’ So I called Jim Stewart and talked to him about the openings and he told me that they were creating a position for a substitute teacher. They also said that they were creating an extended day program - some before and after school stuff and [Malvern] needed someone to do that as well. I said that that was right up my alley and I would like to do both, and it all worked out. It all came because because of the brotherhood, the networking, and the great people that built Malvern: Bill Gibson, Jim Stewart, and Fran Kenney.

So you are retiring at the Duffy who, to me, is one of the greatend of the year? est people I have ever known in my As I have said too many whole life. Father Duffy is someone people people that have who touched everyone he met in some said, ‘oh you are retiring way, shape, or form; he had a magnetism this year.’ I have said that [and] an ability to just relate to people. I I have been retired for the would be remissed if I didn't say somelast nine, ten years because thing about Jim Stewart, who is one of this is not work. I drive on the most humble and best leaders I have this campus everyday to go met. Those guys are just awesome. to work - are you kidding me? It’s a dream. Especially Is there anything else you want to tell MR. REDICAN / M. PICHOLA with the job I have, I get a the Malvern Community? lot of opportunities to meet When I went to Malvern and graduated the kids. That is the tough part to teaching— that the class of 1960, we didn’t have all the banners you want to get to know all the kids. That is why I with unitas, veritas, and caritas or the brotherhood joined the NHS interview team, so I could get to ceremony. As our reunions and our years go on, know the kids that I don't learn a lot about. That is our class has been extremely close and has gotten the greatest job in the world if you want to call it a closer. This is due to the Malvern brotherhood job, [but] it's not a job. which really is there whether you boast about it, write about it, speak about it, or whatever. It is a What is your favorite experience or memory of natural occurrence because of the way the school your time here? has always been managed. When they leave, they Probably one of my favorite teaching memories can’t wait to come back to see the faculty, and every about Malvern is having a lot of opportunities single faculty member is thrilled when a kid walks to share a lot of personal experiences with Father > PAGE 13

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THE BLACKFRIAR CHRONICLE

FRIAR LIFE

Malvern’s Math Department Leader, Mr. Eric Mundy, discusses his future plans.

Tommy Pero ’17 FRIAR LIFE EDITOR fter nine years, Mr. Eric Mundy, who has taught middle school science and every math class except Geometry and Algebra I, is moving on from Malvern to teach at Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy.

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Why did you decide to come to Malvern?

I was teaching in a small Catholic School in Secane, PA called Our Lady of Fatima, which has since closed. I taught there for three years. At the end of my third year, I sent resumes out to probably twenty different private schools in the area. I got some letters back saying they weren’t hiring, Malvern being one of them. So, I took a MR. MUNDY job downtown at a bicycle manufacturing company, and I worked there for literally one year. A week before that year was up, I got a call from Father Flynn. They desperately needed someone to teach Middle School Computer Science. I wasn’t happy at the job that I took in the city. I came up here.

I met Tom Stewart, the science department chair. I met Father Flynn. I interviewed. At the end of that week, I accepted the position. I realized how much I had missed teaching, so it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up to come up here. And I got lucky.

What do you like best about Malvern?

I would have to say that’s a tie between the faculty and the students. I’ve grown to become friends with most of the faculty here. Between faculty and staff, there’s about 80 people, and you

think about if you put 80 people in a big room, I would know everybody’s name and something about their family and what they do here. I don’t think there are a lot of jobs out there where you get to know your co-workers in that context. I’ve been lucky over the last four or five years, I’ve taught students consecutively year-to-year. I’ve gotten to know students. Most teachers, you get a student for a year, then they move on — you never see them again. I’ve had repeat students for several years in a row, and that’s actually been a really rewarding experience because you get to know them for a year and the next year you come in and everyone already knows each other so you can really hit the ground running. You form almost like a friendship with the student beyond that teacher-student relationship Where are you going to teach at next year?

I will be headed to Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia.

/ T. PERO

What factors contributed to your decision to leave?

I actually wasn’t looking to leave Malvern.. The head of school [at Springside-Chestnut Hill] used to teach at Malvern. He was the Math Department Chair before I took over. We really knew how to challenge each other, and we had similar goals and objectives as far as math education was concerned. I have two young daughters. They’re not quite two yet, and Malvern is obviously an all boys school. Springside-Chestnut Hill is co-ed, and so there was an opportunity there to get a position where my daughters would be able to go to school at that school. That was huge. The third factor was that I went to Catholic school [from grade school

through graduate school]. I have nothing against Catholicism or religion, in fact I’ve enjoyed teaching in that setting. But I felt as an educator, professionally I needed to try something different.

Maybe I’ll be completely terrible at that. Maybe I’ll fall flat on my face. I felt at this point in my life that this was a good spot to try something different and see if maybe I’m only good at educating boys at an all-boys private, Catholic school, or if my skills are transferable.

For all future students, could you please describe how to think conceptually?

I like to learn things through storytelling. I’m a terrible memorizer. I didn’t do so well in history because I couldn’t memorize dates and places and names. But, I could always remember the general idea of why did a war develop or how did the landscape of a certain country change over time. I could understand those general themes, but not the specifics. I realized that in mathematics, that would be a positive rather than a negative. What I figured out as a student, is I would understand a minimal amount of material that could get me everything else I needed to know. [Thinking conceptually is] connecting memorized pieces of information and actual stories that build that formula [or to find out] where did that thing come from.

Any last comments?

I’ve absolutely loved my time here. It was probably the hardest decision I’ve had to make in my life up to this point— whether to stay or leave Malvern. While I’m leaving, Malvern has left an indelible mark on me that will never leave. •

Mr. Nick Pison, a freshmen and junior English teacher as well as a lacrosse coach, will be leaving Malvern next year.

Science teacher at Malvern for 27 years, Mr. Tom Stewart, discusses his future and his Malvern experience.

Eric McLaughlin ’18 CONTRIBUTER s the school year is ending, it is time to say goodbye to some Malvern teachers and faculty member who are leaving after the end of this year. One of these people is Mr. Nick Pison. Pison has been at Malvern for three years teaching freshmen Honors English class and junior British Literature.

Mr. Pison has also been a lacrosse coach at Malvern. He is headed to Florida to begin a new journey in his life.

Matt Pichola ’16 GRAPHIC DESIGNER/CONTRIBUTOR t's that time of year again where the Malvern community must say goodbye to some of their greatly loved and appreciated faculty and staff. Mr. Tom Stewart, sophomore Chemistry teacher, has decided to retire after his 27 year long teaching career at Malvern.

Stewart is a greatly appreciated and favored teacher among students at Malvern. Not only was he the Chemistry teacher at Malvern, but he was also thoroughly involved in Envirothon, Robotics, and Christian Service. Despite his plans to continue to be involved with Robotics and Envirothon after his retirement, he will be greatly missed as a teacher.

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Why did you decide to come to Malvern?

I was just coming out of college and I felt that it was a good opportunity.

I also went to St. Augustine's Prep in New Jersey for high school, so I knew the Augustinian values that Malvern offers.

What do you like best about Malvern?

It is a great environment to teach in.

I really like the kids and we have a great faculty that really shows what Malvern is about.

Where are you going to teach next year?

I w il l be teaching at Ransom Everglades in Miami. It is a new opportunity that I am excited for.

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MR. PISON / M. PICHOLA

What are your goals for the future?

I would like to keep teaching and maybe later move to an administrative position, but definitely just trying to keep teaching.

Will you use Membean in the future?

Hopefully, I offered it to the school I will be teaching at but I have not heard back from them yet.

Will you change your beard to cope with the Florida heat?

I might trim it up a little bit, but I am definitely keeping it. •

What were you doing before deciding to come teach at Malvern?

I was teaching at Monsignor Bonner. I was teaching Biology and General Science for nine years.

How long have you been teaching at Malvern? How did you start working at Malvern?

Mr. Tom Maguire, who was living upstairs from where I was living in East Lansdowne, mentioned that there was an opening at Malvern. So at the time, in 1988, I was teaching at Bonner, [but] I applied, and I was accepted.

So, I’ve been here for 27 years.

Is Chemistry the only science you teach or are interested in?

No, I’ve taught Biology and Environmental Science.

What have been your favorite experiences at Malvern since you’ve been here?

The Christian Service projects were dear to my heart.

Moderating Envirothon, Robotics, coaching track and wrestling, and teaching in general.

What is your opinion on Malvern’s gradual switch to 2 1 s t C e n tu r y MR. STEWART / M. PICHOLA learning?

We l l i n m y opinion, it’s not as gradual as one might think - at least from a teacher’s point of view. From my point of view, I like the idea of the hands-on education. In science we always did that anyways. But for me being a veteran and getting to be an old geezer, the technology change for me was a challenge. I guess that’s why I would say it seems like it’s changing pretty fast, whereas for the young teachers it’s like nothing.

Who are some of your favorite people/influences you’ve met at Malvern?

There’s a ton of people. Bruce Kennett who was the wrestling coach here when I first came was a big influence for me. Jim Stewart being the headmaster, and Father Duffy as far as faculty members. A ton of students influenced me in ways unimaginable, and it’s hard to believe students influenced a teacher.

If this isn’t too personal to ask, do you have any plans after your retirement?

Oh yeah! I have a long list, a bucket list. In particular I like the outdoors so I’ll be doing some hiking, and camping.

My wife is retired so we will also be doing some traveling, and we have grandchildren on the way; one on the way and one here already.

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Malvern was a big part of my life for 27 years, and not just in the classroom but everywhere. •

THE BLACKFRIAR CHRONICLE

April 2015

7

FRIAR LIFE Trials and tribulations of the Duffy door

Latin teacher of one short year at Malvern Prep discusses his short, but fulfilling experience at Malvern.

Matt Pichola ’16 CONTRIBUTOR r. Dall, who came into Malvern partially into this year, has had a wonderful experience and relationship with Malvern Prep students, faculty and more. Mr. Dall was offered a job at Malvern after we lost our only Latin teacher shortly into this year.

Mr. Dall had currently been retired but decided to take on another year of teaching Latin. He has been favorited by many students in and out of his class and has made the most of his short Malvern experience.

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How did you begin teaching at Malvern? How was your Malvern experience, despite your short time here?

I came out of retirement to answer Mr. Algeo’s call to teach, and as I look back over the year, I must record my appreciation for the warm welcome of the faculty. I have been equally impressed by the camaraderie of the young men of Malvern. Their drive to excel, collectively and individually, is commendable.

Do you have any plans for next year?

At this writing, my plans for the upcoming year have yet to be focused. On the back burner is to visit the Canadian Rockies and to visit Vancouver. If Mr. Tom Stewart wants to rendezvous in Hailifax, Nova Scotia, I’ll reset the computer.

How was your experience with Malvern’s 21st century learning program, and what is your opinion on it?

My colleagues in the middle school deserve a shout out for their commitment to actuating innovative approaches in teaching. Collaborating and coordinating alone require considerable time. If I may paraphrase Mr. Talbot, we have to be open to creative approaches that can and often do lead to innovative results.

The “Do not use” signs are down, but does the door really work?

Is there anything else you would like to add for our readers?

In my life, I have MR. DALL / M. PICHOLA been blessed to have had numerous teachers who were inspirational. I was in the headmaster’s study at Hill School when Robert Frost said, “We go to school to study teachers” - a remarkable statement considering Frost’s troubled childhood and checkered school experience.

He wasn’t completely right, I feel.

As much as a student may study a teacher, the teacher is studying her/his students.

I see neither a student-centered classroom nor a teachercentered classroom; instead, if I could paint my description, it would be two concentric circles of light - one representing students, the other the teacher - both intersecting at times and at other times not, but both are encircling the subject, in the middle. As the two bands of light intersect, the distinction between teacher and learner is blurred.

There’s the Chinese story of an aged teacher and a young boy sitting beneath a tree on a river bank. The old man is showing the boy how to fish; neither the old man knows he’s the teacher, nor does the boy know that he is the pupil.

We - the Latin legionnaires and I - have on varying levels faced the rigidity of structure to examine ideas, and in the final analysis, we have become better editors of our own self-expression. English and history essays should reflect such self-examination. It is my wish that every young man of Malvern has the confidence - before he is graduated to analyze with confidence and to write and to present with the same confidence. Ave atque Vale! (“Quique sui memores aliquos fecere merendo” Vergil, Bk. VI, I.664) •

Student of the Issue: Jake Hodlofski '18 Jake Hodlofski achieves greatness in and out of the classroom, and on and off the field.

Max McCool ’18 CONTRIBUTOR ake Hodlofski is known as one of the nicest kids in the Freshman class. He is a great athlete who played goalie for the varsity soccer team. Jake also works very hard in the classroom and prides himself on receiving first or second honors each quarter.

J

Where are you from?

I am from West Chester Pennsylvania.

What do you like to do on your free time?

I like to spend time with my family and play soccer.

Tell me a little bit more about your family.

I have a younger brother that goes to Sts. Peter and Paul. He likes to build legos and play soccer. I [also] have an older sister who is a junior at Bishop Shanahan. She is training to be a nurse at Allied Health.

What activities do you participate in here at Malvern?

I was on the freshman basketball team and I played goalie for the varsity soccer team How did you handle the pressure of being a huge part of a varsity sports team as a freshman?

My teammates helped me through it a lot. The seniors were very supportive and made me feel welcomed.

What are you looking forward to this summer?

I am looking forward to going to the beach - [specifically] Ocean City, New Jersey, and playing in soccer tournaments for my club team.

MR. BOHANNON TRIES TO OPEN THE DUFFY DOOR / B. MULLEN

Brendan Mullen ’16 CONTRIBUTOR he Duffy front door has been broken since the first quarter this year. It was finally (almost) fixed this month after months of waiting.

“A few years into the new Duffy building, the door starting having trouble. Since then it has been fixed and repaired on a continuous basis,” said Ms. Jackie White, Arts Department Leader, in an email interview. “It [had] finally reached a point of disrepair.”

According to Head of Maintenance Mr. Bruce Smith, Malvern Glass put a temporary fix on the door when it first had problems. “We thought that was crazy because it’s not that old of a door or building,” said Smith.

Ms. White pointed out that using both doors made the issue worse.

Smith said that a total of three companies have been involved in fixing the door. He explained that for the first year after Duffy was constructed, the building was under warranty, but now Malvern only gives the company who constructed the building an opportunity to propose a fix.

According to Smith, all three companies had differing views on how to replace the door. The best solution would be to get new doors.

That could easily cost up to $10,000, said Smith.

“There was a lot of time in there [before it was fixed],” said Smith.

“I don’t know whether it was just them ordering parts, or communication between Malvern and the people repairing it. And then Malvern Glass drug it out for a while also.”

Throughout the year, Duffy hosts plays, performance, art festivals, and external events. The Duffy Theater can seat 585 people - all of whom had to travel through one door.

Some students thought that the broken door was an eyesore and an inconvenience. “There were a lot of people commenting on [the door],” said Michael Gormley ’16. “It was chaotic and causing problems, and I think it's a bad image on someone who wouldn’t really know Malvern.”

The Duffy Center is the staple point of Malvern Prep’s Arts Program with its state-of-the-art Theater, recording studio, band room, ceramics room, studio art rooms, photography darkroom, graphic design room and a sculpture workshop.

As of our publication date one side of the Duffy door still can not be opened from the outside. Smith noted it’s most likely a latch problem.

“I’ll have to get those door people to come back out,” he said. •

T

JAKE HODLOFSKI / M. MCCOOL

What are you looking forward to and what are your goals in the future of your Malvern career?

I am looking forward to continuing to play soccer and hopefully winning an Inter-Ac Championship. Also, I want to keep good grades and continue to get First Honors each quarter.

What has been your best moment at Malvern?

I think it would have to be making the varsity soccer team.

What was this process like and did you expect to make the team?

We had two-a-day tryouts for about a week, and on the second day, the teams got split up. I was put with the varsity players and I was very relieved because I work so hard at soccer and was nervous to see if I would make the team or not.

What was your favorite moment of the season?

We tied Haverford, our rival, during our last home game under the lights on the turf. That was a special night because all the upperclassman played really well in their last game at home.

If the world was going to end tomorrow, what would you do today?

I would just spend time with my family. •

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April 2015

THE BLACKFRIAR CHRONICLE

SPORTS How big of a role do sports really play in the Malvern admissions process?

Justice Bennett ’16 requirements,” and “maintaining comparable admissions standRuch, Kenney, and McEvoy all noted that Malvern looks EDITOR IN CHIEF ards for all students.” for well-rounded students. “If a student plays the piano and alvern’s incoming Freshman class will be the most Director of Admissions Mr. Sean Kenney, who had not plays sports, sure, that’s going to help him. I think Malvern diverse in the school’s history, and coaches Mr. seen the Inter-Ac constitution prior to the interview, indicated looks for those kind of kids,” said Ruch. “But no, if a kid’s just Aaron Brady (football) and Mr. John McEvoy that standard admissions requirements most likely mean the an athlete… no.” (lacrosse) are also excited for their new players. usual transcripts and recommendations that are part of a stu“Yeah, there are always rumours that some schools have “I feel great about [the incoming class],” said Brady. “We dent’s application. [athletic scholarships], but we have financial aid,” said McEvoy. have some really great families we are adding to the school Kenney noted that Malvern looks at two profiles for student McEvoy believes that a lot of people confuse financial aid and young men that are hungry admissions - academic and with scholarship. He explained that scholarship is merit-based. and excited to be a part of our personal. Academic criteria Malvern has merit-based scholarships that are academic, or "At the end of the day, as long as the program.” includes test scores, grades, test-driven. student is academically qualified, and we “There is a small group of kids and recommendations. For “For our world, wouldn’t it be great if that kid was also a feel like they are going to contribute to the coming in that I think have really the personal profile, he stated 6’6 offensive tackle? But that is not based on anyone’s family community, the fact that they play a certain good potential to be good high that Admissions considers need. For us, ours is based on a family’s demonstrated need, sport will factor in only just sort of confirming school players,” said McEvoy. other questions like, “What which we don’t decide. Someone does it for us,” said McEvoy. that we want that student here."

“There are some good kids that are they involved with? What According to Malvern’s website, the school belongs to the Mr. Sean Kenney I am pleased with. There aren’t are they doing outside the School Scholarship Service through the National Association a lot, but there are some good classroom? How are they con- for Independent Schools (NAIS), which collects financial ones.” tributing to the community?” information from parents and forwards an estimate to schools On Friday, May 15, the school's athletic department The concept of comparable admissions standards for all where students are applying. announced via Twitter (@MPFriars) that 32.5% of the sen- students is more of a grey area.

The website states that approximately 30% of the famiior class will be playing college sports. With college athletic Kenney noted that Malvern has no specific academic cutoff lies who request aid and demonstrate a need receive grants. recruitment becoming more high-stakes for students and for grades or test scores. “We don’t say, ‘You must have a certain Malvern awarded about $2.7 million to 32% of its students in teams, what does it take to form an incoming class that will test score and higher, or a certain GPA and higher.’ We’re 2014, with an average grant of $12,940. "Excellent students be strong on the fields and courts? looking at the bigger picture,” he said. who have a demonstrated need with various talents are considIn the Inter-Ac constitution there are 11 guidelines that Some believe that certain students only gain acceptance ered for grants to enable them to attend Malvern,” according Malvern should follow in terms of recruiting. Athletic Director to Malvern through sports. Malvern Admissions states that to the website, and repayment of financial aid grants is not Mr. Kurt Ruch refers to these guidelines as suggested best this is not the case. required. practices.

“We’re not giving preferential treatment to somebody who “So, who do we give the financial aid to? The [students “These guidelines were set so that none of our schools is deemed an athlete. It’s the same for everybody - athlete, who are] well-rounded and can help Malvern in many ways,” would do the things you hear a lot about right now where, artist,” Kenney said. said McEvoy. [for instance] you’re going to watch a 5th grader, and say we’re “At the end of the day, as long as the student is academiTo get a scholar-athlete into the thick of the admissions going to give you all this money, and we’re going to give you a cally qualified, and we feel like they are going to contribute process, Brady, McEvoy, and Ruch use a multitude of strategies. starting position and such,” said Ruch. to the community, the fact that they play a certain sport will “We go to youth football games, youth basketball games, Ruch notes that the Inter-Ac guidelines were set well over factor in only just sort of confirming that we want that stu- and [through] a lot of word-of-mouth we find these guys inter12 years ago. “We’ve tweaked them a little just to keep them dent here,” said Kenney. “If a ested in Malvern,” said Brady. updated and use the terminology that’s being used, but for the student has played a sport with “We [also] run football camps "The way the colleges work, to get juniors most part, they’re all in place to try to keep us all at the same a Malvern coach prior to applyhere.” and seniors, now you’ve got freshmen and level,” said Ruch. ing to Malvern, it plays a role “During all of our home 8th graders making oral commitments. I hope Guidelines of the Inter-Ac Constitution mention “scholar- only in the sense that we know games we have informational we never have to go to those kind of things." athlete scholarship programs that meet all standard admission who they are.” meetings, almost like a college “Mr. Ruch and I work very visit,” said Brady. “We have a Mr. Kurt Ruch Director of Athletics closely together,” said Kenney. meeting where we have a couAccording to the Inter-Ac Constitution, acceptable McEvoy, who also serves ple of speakers, the admissions recruiting practices/places are manifested by: as A ssociate Di rector of guy, [myself], [and] usually our 1. Encouraging interested student-athletes to contact Admissions, said “Do I use my role as an admissions director Freshman coach....We give a tour of the campus and then they admissions offices for proper procedures in gaining to get a kid in? No, not necessarily.” come watch the game.” admissions to our schools.

“If I advocate for kids, I have kind of become smarter about McEvoy takes a more relaxed approach. “I talk to kids all 2. Recruiting student athletes from K-8 schools with no who I advocate for,” said McEvoy. the time. But... no, I’m not standing there at the gates of the affiliation at the next level.

Another part of the standard admission practices at youth field, saying ‘Hey can I talk to you about Malvern Prep?’”

3. Scholar-Athlete Scholarship programs that meet all Malvern is that the school gives no athletic scholarships.

Ruch, Brady, and McEvoy all have reservations about standard admission requirements.

Malvern’s website states that aid will also be available under recruiting middle school students for athletics.

4. Camps, Clinics, Tournaments, and Open Houses at needs-basis criterion for alumni sons and students with special "The way the colleges work, to get juniors and seniors, your School. extra-curricular skills, but in all cases, students so chosen must now you’ve got freshmen and 8th graders making oral com5. Maintaining comparable admissions standards for all be academically qualified. mitments. I hope we never have to go to those kind of things," students.

According to Ruch, this may be somewhat different at said Ruch. "I want kids to want to come to Malvern for the 6. Establishing a courteous and appropriate line of some of Malvern's peer schools. "Some schools in our league right reasons. It’s an education first." communication with youth league coaches. will have scholarship programs, where an alum has donated Brady who noted he likes to use the word “opportunity” Unacceptable recruiting practices/places are manifested money that would go to a student that fits a certain criteria. rather than recruiting said “I just feel like it sets a bad precedent by: Some schools in our league, they set their bar at a different for that kid and puts them in a situation where he feels like he’s 1. Soliciting students from other League schools. level for a scholarship entrance exam, or for admission into getting recruited and pulled, rather than making a decision on 2. Soliciting student-athletes from other High School the school,” said Ruch. what’s best for me in high school.”

Programs.

Sports are not a major factor in how financial aid is deterMcEvoy said “I feel a little uneasy doing that to a 7th 3. Soliciting student-athletes at events sponsored by mined at Malvern, according to Ruch. “It’s all going to be based grade kid.” other public and private schools. on how they do on the entrance exam, how they do with their Ruch noted that word of mouth may be the best way to 4. Soliciting K-8 students without initially speaking to application, essay, recommendations, the test,” he said. “When continue growing strong athletic programs. “Our hope is that parents or guardians. all that stuff comes together in a file, that calculation is based all of our students are out there loving Malvern so much that 5. Visiting a prospective student-athlete in his home. on what they need for students here.” they’re saying, hey, you’d be great for Malvern,” he said. •

M

Source: Inter-Ac Constitution, May 2013

THE BLACKFRIAR CHRONICLE

April 2015

9

SPORTS

Mills has high hopes for Malvern Sports Medicine Athletic Trainer Mr. Bill Mills shares aspirations to start an institute that would put Malvern at the forefront of high school sports medicine.

Athlete of the Issue: Brady Devereux ‘18 Freshman pitcher and Wake Forest commit Brady Devereux has been an important piece to the success of Malvern baseball this year.

Jimmy Faunce ’16 MANAGING EDITOR PRINT fter playing JV baseball as an eighth g rader, Brady Devereux gained the experience necessary to pitch on the varsity level and thrived as Malvern baseball won its fifth straight Inter-Ac title.

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Where did you go to grade BRADY DEVEREUX / NAME school before you attended BRADY DEVEREUX / P. FERR AIOLO Malvern?

I was at Penn Wood Elementary School and I went to Malvern [for] middle school.

So, you play baseball and basketball, but if you had to choose between the two, which would be your personal favorite and why?

I guess I’d choose baseball because I am good at it and it is a lot easier.

MILLS WORKS WITH EVAN LOTZ '19 IN THE TRAINING ROOM / M. DROOGAN

Michael Droogan ‘16 education in statistics or research.

SPORTS EDITOR “My goal was to get accepted into o other high school in a doctorate program so I can start a the country has what research program here,” said Mills. we plan on doing,” “Mills asked to earn his doctorMills said with a sparate in Physiology,” kle in his eyes. explained Head of A future If you already feel S c hool Ch r ist ia n Sports bloated with informaTalbot, “and I agreed Medicine tion of Malvern’s plans to support that gradResearch for the “21st Century,” uate degree on the Institute could don’t put your fork condition that he be a state of dow n yet because used what he learned the art facility another serving of innothere and applied for building vation is coming right it here to Malvern, up studentup. Malvern is in the ideally in the form lead medical beginning stages of a of a sports medicine databases. plan to build a Medical institute, but also to R e s e a rc h I nst it ute teach courses and run spearheaded by Bill Mills. seminars.”

“The main goal of the Institute,” According to the Malvern webMills explained, “is to give students site, the school offers its employees the opportunity to get ahead in the 100% financial tuition assistance field of medicine, while contributing for approved graduate credits upon to the community.” receipt of an “A” or “B” in the course.

Mills said that when he f irst Mills is now in the research prostarted as a trainer at Malvern 28 gram at Rocky Mountain University years ago, it was commonplace to (RMU) in Utah, where he takes simply tape and treat injuries. All online classes. He plans to graduate rehab was done by outsiders. “I in the next year or two. started rehab here,” Mills explained, Mil ls is specif ica l ly doing “so that students could still feel a part research on concussions and lacrosse. of the team and stay on campus while He noted that there are many studrecovering.” ies on concussions in football and ice In addition to pioneering rehab, hockey, but not as many in lacrosse.

Mills brought in student interns.

He has set up a system where “To get into med school, you have players wear devices that test G to separate yourself from others and forces. G forces are the forces acting do something different,” he said. He on a object as a result of acceleration really enjoyed teaching these stu- or gravity. If a hit reaches a certain dents, so he decided to teach a Sports number their balance will be tested Medicine class here at Malvern. and compared to baseline results.

“It went well for about 10 years, However, this doctorate isn’t just but I just got too busy and had to stop about the education. Mills has also it about 5 years ago, “ he said. built connections with others on his Mr. Mills thought about the dissertation team. Some of these importance of research experience in connections that he hopes to explore college. He wondered, “Why can’t in the future of sports medicine at we do research here?” The issue was, Malvern include the University of Mills didn’t have any higher level North Carolina, Pennsylvania State

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University, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Lankenau Hospital.

Once he gets his doctorate, Mills’ first plan of action is to create a research method class elective for Seniors who are interested into going into either sports medicine or medicine in general.

In concurrence with this class, he would like to build a Sports Medicine Research Institute. It would be a state of the art facility for building up student-lead medical databases.

One diff icu lt y w ith doing research is that an Institutional Review Board (IRB), an approval that human subjects can be used in research, must be obtained before any testing is started. Due to the connections Mills has made at RMU, CHOP has agreed to let Malvern do research under their IRB. A specific facet of the institute that Mills has in mind is to develop a state of the art concussion baseline testing center. Mills described two possibilities for this program. In the first option, it might be funded by grants, and high schools from around the area could visit for free.

The second option would charge a fee to participating schools.

With such ambitious plans, it will take a few years for this institute to come to fruition, but Mills is perfectly fine with that.

“I want to do this,” Mills asserted.

“I want to do this right.”

Something that will come in to effect next year is the pre-screening of heart conditions using EKG’s (Electrocardiogram). Mills originally planned to run a pilot on the rowing team with the Haverford School and the American Heart Association, but the heart association backed out due to the costs induced by the volume of students.

Luckily, Dr. Kowey and Dr.

What does being here at Malvern mean to you?

Well, Malvern means brotherhood and unity and you have to look out for one another.

Do you have anything to say about the baseball team and how great everyone is playing this year after just winning the Inter-ac?

Everyone is really playing well. We are really firing on all cylinders and we are really playing as a team. That is what is getting us most of our wins.

Would you want to play baseball in college? Have you looked at any colleges you would like to attend and maybe play for?

Yes I would, and I am actually verbally committed to Wake Forest to play for them. There were actually a lot of things that really factored into that. One of them being the academic standpoint and not just baseball. I made that decision on December 27, 2014.

Would you say being so active in the sports at Malvern has affected you academically?

Not really. You do just work a little bit harder academically when you are in season. It is also easier to get your work done when you have to manage your time better.

How do your coaches prepare you for a big game, especially towards the end of the season?

Well, they know that not everybody is the same, and that everybody has to work as a team. The practices can be pretty rigorous, which helps prepare us really well.

So who on the team gets everyone pumped up for the big games?

Well really everybody does, but the captains do put a lot of effort into it. The captains [Mark Gentilotti, Chris Butera, and Brendan Inglis] really keep everybody together. They are all seniors so they know that it is their last year here, so they really get everybody fired up, knowing that this is the last thing they have to play for.

Outside of the sports, what is your favorite thing about Malvern and what do you enjoy the most?

I enjoy everything really. There is not really anything here that I do not love. • McGeehan, cardiologists at Lankenau Hospital who also work with many students, have agreed to take on this project, according to Mills.

Although Mills has some steps in place for next year, and high hopes for a Sports Medicine Institute in the future, Talbot emphasizes that these plans are still in the discussion phase.

"When Malvern has a big project that they would like to plan for, a strategic insight council - an assorted combination of trustees and non-trustees - is brought in to talk about the logistics of these plans," said Talbot. "This council is the signaling of the start of a project really getting the ball rolling."

To put some perspective on the uncertainty of future plans in Sports Medicine, Talbot noted that the strategic insight council has not been formed yet.

However, Mills is hopeful. "These are dreams," said Mills. "But realistic dreams." •

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April 2015

THE BLACKFRIAR CHRONICLE

MEDIA and TechNOLOGY REVIEW: Avengers introduces new villain, groundwork for future films A Review of the 2015 Blockbuster film Avengers: Age of Ultron

This month, we will be switching it up a little bit. Because it’s that time of year again, we will be giving you a top list of graduation anthems.

Desmond Papariello ’18, Colin Price ’18 PODCAST EDITOR, REPORTER 10. Miley Cyrus - The Climb Miley captures all the struggles and “ups” and “downs” of life.

9. Bon Jovi - Livin on a Prayer High school is such a great time in your life when you are truly “livin’ on a prayer.”

8. Chumbawamba - Tubthumping Who’s gonna keep you down? Not high school. See ya!

7. Matchbox Twenty - How Far We've Come How far have you come since freshmen year? I bet you have grown a little in height. Maybe not. We don’t know. Still a great jam though.

6. Simple Minds- Don't You (Forget About Me) We hope you make your lasting mark on your school because the last thing you want to be is forgotten!

5. Third Eye Blind - Graduate The title is all you need to know that this is a great graduation song. This song is one of Third Eye Blind’s best and has all the great components of a Third Eye Blind song, including great acoustic guitar and great lyrics. > BEN DAVIS, 1 While working these two jobs, Davis also worked for Comcast Spectacor arranging events in the premium suites at the Wells Fargo Center. These jobs consumed a lot of Davis’s time. “If I had a pre and post game [show], I would be in by nine in the morning and wouldn't be getting home til 11:30,” said Davis.

“There were a lot of things my wife and I wanted to do over the past four years, we just haven’t had the chance because of my schedule,” said Davis. However, as the Phillies commentator Davis’s schedule has now been cleared up. He no longer works in the winter and this season he is commentating 81 of the 162 games (75 on TV, 6 on radio).

Davis and his wife have four kids, ages 9, 7, 6, and 8 months. Davis now is attending more of his oldest son’s baseball games and gets to be more active in their lives while home. “It’s a little bit more rewarding,” said Davis.

Road trips can be tough on him and his family, though. “I miss them and they miss me,” he said. Davis FaceTimes his family to keep in touch

4. Green Day - Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) Green Day at its best. Billie Joe Armstrong wishes that you had the time of your life. Feel free to listen to just about the most well known “good-bye” song.

3. Five for Fighting - 100 Years Five for Fighting goes through the years of a man’s life talking about how he’s feeling at each stage. Some might call this song a “tear-jerker.”

2. John Mayer - No Such Thing Welcome to the real world is right!

We hope school prepared you well because the real world is a more challenging!

1. Cast of 'Rent' - Seasons Of Love 525,600 minutes in a year? That doesn’t sound right. Make the most of it.

And a 1+: Avicii- Levels Malvern’s anthem - enough said. •

while he is away. He is grateful for his wife who “is on her toes all day long,” supporting their children.

Even with all the changes to his life the new job has brought, Davis loves it. His typical work day for a 7 PM game begins with a morning workout, lunch, a shower and shave.

He then arrives at the stadium in time for Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg’s 4PM talk in the dugout.

During batting practice Davis will try to talk to whomever is available, players or coaches. For example, while in Miami recently, Davis spent time talking to former teammate Ichiro Suzuki.

After batting practice, Davis goes up to the booth where he reads scouting reports, eats dinner with his partners, then films the opener that is played at the beginning of the broadcast at 6:05. Leading up to 7, Davis preps any notes or statistics that could prove useful during the game.

During the game broadcast, Davis likes to keep the conversation natural. He initiates conversation from his observations and the flow of the game. He is passionate,

Anthony Del Vescovo ’16 CONTRIBUTOR irector Joss Whedon, King of the Nerds, returns to us again with another great Avengers movie.

The cast of the first Avengers movie reprises their roles as the Avengers in this second installment in the Marvel’s Avengers Franchise. Following the destruction of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the discovery that Hydra was S.H.I.E.L.D., the Avengers search for Loki’s Scepter in Avengers: Age of Ultron.

With the discovery of Baron von Strucker’s fortress, Iron Man penetrates the fortress, and he retrieves the scepter, but before he grabs the scepter, the Scarlet Witch makes his worst fears come true. Following these events, Tony Stark, Iron Man, creates Ultron, an A.I. meant for peacekeeping, but he believes human extinction is the key to peace. The Avengers must fight Ultron to destroy him and save the World.

Whedon has created a sequel to the first Avengers and Captain America The Winter Soldier. The film lasting 2 hours and 21 minutes is action-packed. Jimmy Faunce ‘16 said, “there was a ton of explosion and action.”

The film continues the Marvel Cinematic Franchise, and creates a background for many of the upcoming Marvel movies such as Captain America: Civil War, Black Panther, and Avengers: Infinity War Parts 1 and 2. These additions made me really happy because I did not know the premise of either Black Panther or SLASHFILM.COM Captain America: Civil War. After seeing the movie, I was really hyped for the four new movies.

Ultron is the key to the success of the new Avengers film. I was a fan of Loki because of his connection to Thanos, and I was worried that Producer Kevin Feige would not be able to tie Ultron with the Infinity Stone hunt. My worries were relieved when I saw Ultron. Ultron represents an omniscient villain with no actual flaw, where Loki lacked conviction. Ultron created a real challenge for the Avengers and a great foe in this film. Without a doubt, he is the best villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Feige and Whedon also put one new incredible character into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Vision. Next to Ultron, this character was the other great part of the movie. The Vision has the power of the mind stone and its abilities. He has super strength and flying capabilities. Any scene that The Vision entered was awesome. He was either using his forehead beam to eliminate Ultron’s minions or tearing apart other minions of Ultron. The Vision was a great addition to the Avengers and, next to Thor, the most powerful Avenger.

I think the most unrecognized person in the entire production of this film was Andy Serkis. He played Ulysses Klaw and also did all of the interface (CGI) effects for the movie. The CGI in the film was amazing. The effects were incredible but not to a point where they were overdone. The visual effects in this movie were great, and Andy Serkis and his studio deserves a real round of applause.

Lastly, the plot. The plot for the film was good. I believe that it was missing some details. I understand that they do not want to repeat the first film, but the movie lacked any team assemblement like the first Avengers. Instead, they made the Avengers individually recover from the Scarlet Witch. I was not a fan of that whatsoever, because there was no epic scene like the one from the first movie. Outside of the lack of assemblement, the plot was pretty good.

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Finally, my actual review: CGI & Effects: 10/10 Plot 7/10 One-Liners 10/10 • Action 10/10 Characters 9/10 knowledgeable, and ready to discuss any topic, whether it be the average of a batter when he has two strikes on him, the way a hitter holds his bat, or how the grain of the bat can make a bat “better.”

The experience has been “a smooth transition” for Davis. He understands he will continue to get better as he works more. He looks for ward to work ing more with “great guys” such as Tom McCarthy, Matt Stairs, Gregg Murphy, Mike Schmidt, and all the producers and assistants.

Davis was a star athlete at Malvern thriving in baseball and basketball. During his senior year Davis had a batting average of 514 and was named the 1995 USA Today All USA High School Baseball Player of the Year. He was drafted in the first round, number two overall to the San Diego Padres and signed a contract $1.3 million signing bonus.

Besides the national recognition for baseball, Davis was also named Inter-Ac MVP for basketball in his senior season. He notably competed on the court against Lower Merion's Kobe Bryant At a high point of his career, Davis is still gracious and appreciative of his time at Malvern.

“Honestly, it would be a sin to single out one teacher. Every teacher I had was phenomenal,” said Davis. “They made impressions on me though the way they taught and through the things I learned,” said Davis. “They weren't teaching just to teach. They wanted us to learn.”

One of the only classes in which Davis earned a B was Mr. McGuire’s class. “I enjoyed his class tremendously. It was tough for me because he was so detail oriented, but it helped me learn more,” he said.

Although he might not have given him an A, Mr. McGuire

had nothing but praise for Davis.

McGuire remembered Davis as “a meticulous student with excellent handwriting,” and described Davis’s character as “top notch.”

“His faith is very strong and [he] has a great heart. Baseball is his passion but it was never a case of ‘I’m gonna do this at all costs and step on people.’ He is just such a solid person,” said McGuire.

On a recent trip to New York for a road series, it finally hit Davis. The team stayed at the New York Palace.

“I got my hotel key and entered my room and it was just beautiful,” said Davis. “I dropped my bags down and looked up and said ‘Dear Lord, please help me to never lose this job.’”

Catch Ben on the Phil lies broadcasts on Comcast Sportsnet or NBC10 and on the radio on 94 WIP. •

THE BLACKFRIAR CHRONICLE

April 2015

NEWS

FRIAR LIFE Human Resources at Malvern Equal Opportunity Policy It has been and will continue to be the policy of Malvern Preparatory School to be fair and impartial in all of its relations with its employees and applicants for employment and to make all employment related decisions without discrimination based on race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

This policy applies to recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, and all other personnel actions and conditions of employment such as compensation, benefits, layoffs, and reinstatements, training, tuition assistance,and disciplinary measures. Decisions regarding employment and promotion will be based solely only upon valid job-related factors.

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Source: Malvern Preparatory School Employee Handbook

hile this text has been part of Malvern’s Employee Handbook since before she was hired, the new head of Human Resources, Ms. Neha Morrison, has brought about new changes for prospective employees.

Morrison began her role at Malvern this February. One of her first jobs was to develop some procedures for streamlining the school’s hiring process.

“I helped with developing a job application template,” Ms. Morrison said.

“It’s part of a whole new streamlined process for a hiring manager. If a spot needs to be filled, we have some standards in place, such as a better means of communication with the Business Office over matters of budget.”

“I’ve also tried to fill up some voids left in the Employee Handbook,” she said.

“My day-to-day work is helping the human element of the school,” she said.

“Whether that means employee relations or questions about compensation or benefits, I’m here for the employees.”

-Jack McClatchy ’17 > CAMPUS HERO, 3 to enjoy what I could do with them.

After messing around with them for a little, something clicked.

Do you have a preference between Mac or Windows?

If you had asked me that question 5 years ago I would say windows without a doubt, but as I use both systems more I realize that they are machines.

Some are better at doing tasks than others. So overall I don’t really have a preference.

What are some of your hobbies?

Mostly PC gaming. That takes up most of my time outside of here. I’ll read, and that's about it.

How have you grown in your profession since being at Malvern?

Being here at Malvern has taught me a lot about the personal side of IT. There is of course working with computers and fixing them, but their are also people behind the machines, and being here has really taught me how to work with that side of IT. Any specific music that you enjoy?

I listen to a lot of electronic music, and beyond that I do like a little classical music now and then, and some rap.

What doesn't Malvern know about the IT department?

When we get a notice that something goes wrong, we do try our best to fix everything as best we can, but sometimes we cannot. If we get an issue like the printer in the LC where everything is wrong and nothing is coming out, we understand and we plan to fix it right away, but sometimes we are in the middle of something that is more important than that. So, we have to take care of that first.

If you had to cut off one of your limbs which one would you cut off?

Probably my leg. I couldn’t live without my hands. •

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> SPECIALIZED CLASSES, 1

Supreme Court to rule on same-sex marriage The fight for marriage equality may end in June if the highest court rules in favor.

Jack McClatchy ’17 NEWS EDITOR ame-sex couples have had an uphill battle for marriage equality since 2004 when Massachusetts first legalized same-sex marriage, but now the fight could be over once and for all.

There are two sets of arguments under debate at the Supreme Court.

The first set focuses on same-sex marriage bans in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee. At debate is whether states must allow same-sex marriage.

The second set of arguments considers whether a state that has a same-sex marriage ban must recognize a same-sex marriage performed legally outside of state borders.

A decision requiring states to allow their own same sex couples to marry would resolve the issues at stake in both arguments. A “yes” from the Court would mean legalization nationwide, which is what makes it such a big deal, said Mrs. Beverly Gordon, Social Sciences Department Leader.

“Before the federal government makes a determination on something through the Supreme Court, states have the ability to weigh in on that issue,” said Gordon. “Once the federal government weighs in on it, states lose some of that power and autonomy.”

On the other side there is Justice Antonin Scalia, who asked if gay marriage existed at all before being legalized in the Netherlands in 2001. With Scalia

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stands Justice Samuel Alito asking if gay marriage were to be legalized, if polyamorous marriages would have to be legalized through the same logic, according to the New York Times.

The effects of this ruling from the Supreme Court may be felt here at Malvern. An anti-discrimination policy for employment published on Malvern’s website states that Malvern cannot discriminate based on sexual orientation.

“Every employee has the right to a non-discriminatory workforce and workplace,” said Ms. Neha Morrison, Malvern’s newly-hired Human Resources Director. “This policy at Malvern is standard-fare for workplaces today.”

What this means is that if there is an employee or prospective employee at Malvern who is either homosexual or married to a same-sex partner, Malvern will not discriminate in hiring or salary based based solely on their sexuality.

“As far as the policy goes,” Morrison went on to say, “it has been here since before I was hired.

[Discrimination] is just something that Malvern doesn’t believe in.”

A federal judge struck down a ruling banning same-sex marriage in Pennsylvania in May 2014.

Previously, since 1996, the state’s Defense of Marriage Act had defined marriage as being between a man and a woman. •

a vocation or career in engineering and outcomes will be released later, might look like.” however the main goal, Talbot said, “The goal,” said Quinn, “is to help is to “identify, design, prototype, test, distinguish between the different and iterate.” fields of engineering. We as a school “We hope this is a transfor- would rather have students have a mational learning experience, not sense of what those fields means only because of the nature of the before going to college, rather than project but because they will get to finding out as a sophomore in college go in front of real experts who are that they don’t like [engineering].” highly successful entrepreneurs,” said Engineering will be a part of Talbot. the science department and will A c c ord i n g be weighted as an to Ta l b ot , S o c i a l honors level course.

"Colleges want to AD FOR SUMMER SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP COURSE Entrepreneurship will A c c ord i n g to t he MR. TALBOT'S BLOG - TEACHING-EXCELLENCE.BLOGSPOT.COM see students have be a part of the Social course catalog, the a curriculum that Studies department, as Engineering class is specialized classes. he wanted to study science in college. demonstrates it will include discusavailable to seniors “The colleges want to be the ones “We always advise students to max the core subjects sions of economics and only through an appli- to instruct students in specific areas,” out of the core subject first, then take - math, science, will also have a social cation process. said Randle. She visited Georgia these classes in addition.” english, social impact. The class will Engineering class Tech, a top engineering school and However, Randle noted that for studies, and foreign be weighted as an honapplicant Matt Heisler was informed that they would only students who are opting to study language." ors level course, and ‘16 wants to take the want students taking the engineer- Liberal Arts in college, or who have -Ms. Lauren Randle will be available to any course so he can find ing class if it was in addition to their other interests, “There’s still room to Interim Director of student. out how he likes engi- main honors and AP classes. take on additional subjects.”

College Counseling Talbot said there neering. To fit engi“Colleges do not view special“These electives are great options will be a maximum of neering into his busy ized classes as a negative. However, for most students,” said Randle.

25 students enrolled in the class - 5 senior schedule, which includes AP they would never advise students to Quinn believes whether or not a students in a team, one team matched Physics Electricity & Magnetism, take the specialized class in place of specialized class is right for a student to each teacher. He stated that if Heisler decided to a solid subject,” Randle should be evaluated “case by case.” “I "The colleges more than 25 students enroll into drop Spanish from said. “Colleges want would not say AP Physics is better want students the class, preferential treatment will his schedule despite to see students have a than engineering or engineering is who studied really be given to those students with less suggestions from his curriculum that dem- better than AP Physics,” Quinn said, diverse experiences rigorous classes. counselor to continue onstrates the core sub- “It’s more, ‘what’s more appropriate in the classroom, As of publication date, no infor- taking Spanish. jects - math, science, for a given student at a given time?” not one very specific mation has yet been shared with the “I don't want to english, social studies, Talbot believes that it is imporexperience." student body about how to enroll in take Spanish,” Heisler and foreign language. tant for students to take some selfthe Social Entrepreneurship class, said, “so I can have We always advise stu- direction in their learning. “It’s more -Mr. Christian Talbot nor has it been listed in the course more room for these dents to stick to those important for a student to choose the catalog. classes and I am also core subjects.” learning pathways that represent what The other new specialized class is not i nt e r e s t e d i n Randle said that it he is truly interested in, as opposed to a new Engineering class that hopes language.” can be tricky when students choose playing a game in which he’s trying to to offer interested students a chance Interim Director of College one of the specialized classes over a figure out what [colleges] want from to explore the field of engineering. Counseling Ms. Lauren Randle core subject. She said that if a stu- you,” said Talbot. “The colleges want Mr. Quinn, Head of the Science has visited about 10-15 colleges this dent took Engineering in place of students who studied really diverse Department, calls the class “an spring, and asked college admis- Physics, Chemistry, or Biology, that experiences in the classroom, not one opportunity for students to see what sions officers how they view these could potentially cause a problem if very specific experience.” •

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April 2015

THE BLACKFRIAR CHRONICLE

ARTS Jazz Improv students produce and record their own songs

Scargall achieving his passion

Even with only six (now five) students, Honors Jazz Improv is recording their original songs like professionals in the music studios.

Jack Magargee ’18 was a big deal. I was the first one MEDIA AND TECH EDITOR from my grade school to go to a place ohn Scargall. Most probably like Malvern. I loved it.” know him, but for those who “For me personally, it’s just the don’t, he is a Malvern alum who values that I live by: to give back to is currently enjoying success in a sing- the people that have helped me. I love ing/songwriting career. coming back here because I have time At Malvern, Scargall participated and I can,” said Scargall. in the musicals, men’s chorus, and Last summer “That Wind ’s liturgical music. But he always had Always Gonna Blow” got airplay on a passion for business too. local radio. 93.7 WSTW was the first Sca rga l l graduated from to play his music, and now he’s on six M i l lersv i l le Universit y. A f ter FM stations.

Millersville, he got “ It ’s insane to a job in procurement even hear the Malvern "For me personally, financial analysis for chorus sing my stuff it’s just the values B o ei n g. H is work because I was in that that I live by: to helped to analyze the chorus and I sung give back to the cost of the products famous songs and people that have for Boeing. He had just to know that my helped me." that job for about six song is on that list is -John Scargall months until he reallike, ‘wow, this is aweDon't miss this month's ized that “music is [his] some,’” said Scargall. podcast with thing” and pursued his Due to his recent John Scargall! passion. success, John has mpfriarslantern.com Scargall’s passion accumu lated quite has really payed off for the reputation around him. His song “That Wind’s Always campus. Some students even call him Gonna Blow” has had regional suc- a “Malvern legend.” cess, and John has an album coming “It’s crazy because when I was out sometime this year. His live per- here I knew everyone, but now I don’t forming career has also been in full know anyone, yet everyone knows spin recently. Currently he is per- who I am,” Scargall said. forming at NASCAR events up and Scargall has been very successdown the east coast. ful as a musician who has not yet Scargall most recently performed officially released any songs. He has at Malvern during the Studenta total of 0 songs on Amazon and Faculty basketball game. “You know, iTunes right now. However, he will I love coming back to this school,” he be officially releasing an album in the said. “Just being here when I was here very near future. “It’s been awesome

Sean Ward ’17 done in one class, so that other stuCONTRIBUTOR dents can use the studios and the class hanks to the longer classes as a whole can move on to another from the new block sched- project. But as DiCicco explained, ule this year, the Honors Jazz “the most challenging process is getEnsemble class, under Mr. Emanuel ting the recording down in one try, Del Pizzo, is trying a new project to to make the song the best it can be.” experience what it is like to be a proStudents also had to deal with fessional musician. other issues while recording their Earlier this school year, Del songs. Scheduling the recordings Pizzo came up with an idea while he was an issue because of students’ busy was thinking of how to prepare his school schedules and AP exams. students for college music classes and The recordings are the result of potential careers in music. This idea all of the hard work and dedication was a project in which his students, to learning Jazz that the students using the jazz skills they learned learned all year. For the recordings, all year, would create the students produced their own music and their own song using record it in the Duffy chords, melodies, and The recordings music studios. improvisation tactics really did simulate “A huge part of my they studied all year. the professional learning,” Del Pizzo “Jazz is the recording process, explained, “has always A merican classica l as students been recording, listenmusic,” explained Del experienced ing back, and trying to Pizzo. “It has an aspect many of the same make it perfect.” of improv in it, and issues recording Del Pizzo purbased on the melodies that professional posely made indethe performer is supmusicians have. p endenc e a l a r g e posed to interpret the part of the project, music in his or her own because he believes that learning way, on the spot without preparation.” how to make your own decisions is This aspect of creativity that goes an extremely important characteristic along with jazz allows the student to for musicians. This independence was make the song his own and learn to well received by the students, as each make quick, spontaneous decisions. student had a chance to record and This creativity is highlighted in the play the song that they want. recorded songs during the musician's Students feel that the project has solos that they perform for the first really simulated a career in music. time while the tape is running.

Bass player Rob DiCicco ’16 said, “Musicians make up their own “the recording process has made interpretation of a song as it is going me feel like a professional musician, for their solo,” said Del Pizzo. In a and Mr. Del Pizzo has given us real typical song the musicians play the world experience that a recording melody of the song a couple of times, artist would experience in the music then a solo based on their interpretaindustry.” tion of the melody, and then go back The recordings really did simulate to the melody. the professional recording process, The musicians and the Malvern as students experienced many of the community alike are excited to hear same issues recording that profes- the final product of the Jazz Improv sional musicians have. recordings.

Students prepare the studio to “I’m excited to hear what the record. “They have to set up all of Improv players come up with for the microphones, get a sound check their solos in their song recordings,” on everything, and do a couple of said jazz ensemble piano player Brett practice runs before they even start Mastrangelo ’17. “It will give me recording,” said Del Pizzo. inspiration for my own playing.”• The goal is to get the recording

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JAZZ STUDIO / S. VAN OMMER AN

John Scargall ‘08 has had remarkable success in his musical career so far.

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JOHN SCARGALL / SELFIE

already and we haven’t even done the official thing yet,” he said.

Scargall has either written or cowritten every song on his upcoming album. Most of his melodies are written by Christian O’Connor, a fellow Malvern grad. Scargall appreciates the opportunity he has to convey his beliefs in the messages of his pieces.

He has given several presentations in “Creative Writing” classes at Malvern related to his songwriting work.

Finally, Scargall offered some advice and inspiration to all Friarspast and current. “You don’t always have to be in a cubicle,” he said. “I want to show people to follow their passion. You don’t have to sacrifice your love for it if you really do love it.” • For the extended version of this story, please visit mpfriarslantern.com.

Shrek the Musical Jr. a strong showing for Malvern Theatre Society Malvern Middle School Theatre Society’s Shrek Jr. had some minor faults, but some major applause.

Tommy White ‘17 CONTRIBUTER hrek the Musical Jr, which opened on May 15 with a cast of middle school students from Malvern Prep, Villa Maria Academy, and The Academy of Notre Dame, was an overall good performance.

This show is about an abandoned ogre named Shrek who isn’t good with people. He builds a house in the swamp and grew up in solitude. One day, a bunch of characters from fairy tales were sent to live on his land by Lord Farquaad, who ruled over the Kingdom of Duloc.

Shrek, angry, decides to go to Farquaad to get his land back all for himself.

Along the way to the main city, he encounters a donkey. Of course, he is named Donkey. Donkey ends up showing Shrek the way to Duloc to repay him for helping Donkey to get away from some guards. When Shrek and Farquaad meet, Farquaad says that he will get his land back if he rescues the princess from the tallest tower that was guarded by dragon. Shrek, determined to get his land back accepts the challenge.

The princess to whom they are referring is princess Fiona. She was locked in the tower ever since she was seven, awaiting the arrival of a prince who would take her for his bride. She is very surprised when Shrek comes and sees that he is an ogre. Before he takes her back to

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Farquaad, they get to know each other and they realize that they love each other. But they are very different people. They have an argument about love just before Farquaad comes to retrieve his wife.

This show sends a very good message. You should not love someone because of who they are physically and what they look like. You should love someone because of who they are as a person. This message is one that everyone could probably benefit from.

In terms of casting, the characters were ideal. Jacob Springer was the perfect candidate to play Shrek, and Molly Sorensen did a fantastic job as Fiona.

All in all, it was a good solid performance with the perfect message. There we few minor faults, and the singing could have been louder, but the message was so good that the flaws can be ignored. •

THE BLACKFRIAR CHRONICLE

April 2015

13

FRIAR LIFE

NEWS African migrants make Immigration Debate more complicated The recent influx of African migrants into Europe has led to a crisis among European nations regarding how to deal with them.

Ethan Rowley ’18 CONTRIBUTOR outhern Europe has been slammed with an influx of African refugees, and conflicting opinions have placed migrants in political limbo.

Recent unrest in Africa has caused a large exodus to Europe due to increased conflicts in countries like Senegal, Eritrea, Syria, and Somalia, according to various media sources.

In 2014, Italy alone rescued 170,000 migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea by boat to Europe, a 277 percent increase from 2013. A total of 280,000 illegal border crossings were discovered in 2014 throughout the EU, said Frontex, the EU’s border control agency.

Europe is not the only place flooded with migrants: Israel recently deported a large portion of the 50,000 migrants living there to Rwanda in return for economic benefits, according to the Guardian, a newspaper based in the UK. The problem is that Europe has nowhere for these immigrants to go. Once they reach European shores, European nations have nowhere to put them. The Wall Street Journal quoted António Guterres, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, saying “Europe is a continent of asylum. But the problem is that the European asylum system is very dysfunctional,” Many migrants do not even make it to Europe, with many being captured and held in North African countries like Libya, where they may be held for months on end by the local authorities, said Reuters.

“If you are looking to prevent immigration, then you need to look at the push factors, like civil war and

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food insecurity,” said Mr. Burke, a 9th grade Global Perspectives teacher. “People see other immigrants who have left Africa for Europe and built a better life for themselves, and they want to do the same. It’s all about pushpull factors.”

One of the main reasons Africa has been left so unstable is its European colonial past. When many European nations left the continent and the indigenous peoples to govern themselves, this led to many weak and unstable governments. The results were not always good.

While refugees from Syria receive much more attention in the media and from the European Union, these African migrants are different: they are not escaping civil war but seeking a better life.

While this certainly cannot be said about some African nations, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan, where there are civil wars, most of these migrants escape poverty and inequality.

Other examples of some of these “push factors” are civil war and unrest, most notably the Islamic insurgencies in Nigeria and Somalia, which are fighting the groups Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab, the later of which has been associated with Al-Qaeda, according to NBC .

Fr. Thomas Meehan, 9th grade theology teacher, believes that the immigrants should be welcomed regardless of the country's’ space. “After his death, Jesus appeared to Peter and said ‘when the door knocks, leave the door open to all’.”

"That's the religious aspect. Now the social aspect is, can these countries maintain the people coming in?” said Meehan. •

Devastation in Nepal On April 25 and May 12, two deadly earthquakes ravaged the nation of Nepal killing nearly 9,000 and leaving the poor, mountainous country in tatters.

Daniel Malloy ’18 contributor right now, giving $10 million to Nepal.

CONTRIBUTOR “People working and being productive is very imporocal markets were just beginning to open. Signs tant for the success of an economy,” said Ostick. “Now, of ordinary life returning to Nepal after the initial when you have an earthquake, that is set back dramati7.8 magnitude quake two and a half cally. Financial aid is essential to get people weeks earlier were rudely interrupted by a things like food and water which can help Getting money brutal second tremor. to get people working again.” to people who Two earthquakes in less than three So, what can Malvern do to help? need it in a weeks left this rural nation of 28 million “Malvern could do quite a few things to destroyed and with little hope. Not only help," said Rohan Jhunjhunwala, '18. “One foreign nation has the earthquake itself destroyed many of them could be a Dress Down Day. We is much harder buildings and villages, but landslides occur could collect the cash from another dress than people often which does plenty of more damage. down day or use past funds to assist in the may think.

Nepal is a country with a low income rebuilding efforts. We could also start a economy, ranking 145th out of 187th on the social media trend.”

Human Development Index.

However, getting money to people who “In an impoverished nation like Nepal, their infra- need it in a foreign nation is much harder than people structure is very poor already,” said Mr. John Ostick, AP may think.

Economics teacher. “After an earthquake of this mag“You have to have somebody who you know is responnitude, the ability to produce goods and services which sible when you are sending money to places like this to gives them economic value is reduced dramatically. An receive the money and get it to the people in need,” said earthquake, even more, destroys those valuable resources.”

Mr. Larry Legner, Director of Christian Service. “In New Both earthquakes hit right around Kathmandu, the Orleans, we had a problem like this when people were just capital of Nepal. The largest city in the nation has been taking what people were donating and it was never getting reduced to rubble. Temples and towers were completely to the people in need.” destroyed.The Nepali government stated that over 300,000 Legner said that a service trip to Nepal is always a posbuildings were destroyed as of May 15th, with an addi- sibility, but trips are difficult to set up in unstable nations tional 270,000 damaged. like this.

To rebuild it may take an extremely long time - longer “I’m always willing to look at new sites as a possibility,” than a nation like Japan in 2011 which already had a good Legner said. “It just has to be a site where I can guarantee infrastructure and could support itself. safety and the security of everyone going. If somebody “It was going to take a long time even before an earth- wanted to come up [to me] and say here’s an organization quake or natural disaster for an impoverished nation like or that he has family there, [then] I’d be glad to talk to Nepal to be self-sustaining,” said Ostick. “This earthquake them about it.” • set that time period back much further.”

Nepal was already heavily reliant on foreign aid to even function, and for people to survive that aid must be increased dramatically. The United States is the highest

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Aaron Salinas '16 > REDICAN, 5 in and is like, ‘hey how are you doing?’ The brotherhood is real and it doesn't have to be on banners. The values are real. As students in school you may truly not understand them but when you get into the world, you truly understand.

The best thing about the Malvern community is the family-oriented, valuedriven society that we are.

How did you get into coaching?

I got into coaching my senior year at Malvern. I helped some guys with CYO basketball ever since then. I have coached at every level except for collegiate.

I coached football at Bonner for ten years. I've been involved in coaching for about 55 years. It’s kinda funny actually Gibber called me and asked if I ever thought about teaching. One of the coaches at Bonner used to say that we aren't coaches we are teachers, and I have always believed that. I told Gibber and Stew in my interview that I had been teaching for 35 years. When they heard this they asked where, the simple answer for me was “on the court and the field.” Stew whom was also a coach said “I agree”.

What do you plan to do in your retirement?

Well I have nine grandchildren, and I have three kids spread out so I will be spending some time traveling to see them. As for my wife and me, I am trying to convince her to take some time off in the winter from taking care of the grandkids. I would like to go to Palm Springs California for at least two weeks— maybe a month. Then down to Florida, maybe Naples, to see some of our friends down there. Immediate travel, though, is at the end of July with my future son-in-law and a couple of other guys [who] are going on a golf trip to Scotland. We will be playing St. Andrews which is the original golf course, right after the British Open so that should be fun! • > BASEBALL, 1 Butera to take a 3-2 lead.

Tim Quinn ’15 tacked on two more runs in insurance to give closer Billy Corcoran ’19 a 5-2 lead. He would end up getting the save with two strikeouts.

With that victory, the Friars won their fifth straight Inter-Ac championship - the longest streak in the history of the program.

“We gave all 110% the whole entire time, and we all supported each other; not only in this game in particular, but throughout the long season,” said Matt Daller ’17. “This championship shows that Malvern is always going to be the team everyone wants to beat. We all feel very proud to be able to put on the Malvern uniform and represent our Malvern community.”

Then a week later, on May 23, Malvern accomplished another amazing feat. They won the State Championship for the PAISSA. First, they won the semifinals 2-0 over Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy with the strong pitching performance of freshman Brady Devereux. He pitched six scoreless innings, and with RBI doubles from Abate and Koniecki, Corcoran got the easy save.

Later, they beat the Perkiomen School 7-2 to capture their third state title in four years. The Friars finished the season with a 22-2 record in the last 24 games.

The Malvern Friars exceeded expectations as they are now the first Inter-Ac baseball champions to repeat as Independent School State Champions, according to the team’s Twitter account. •

Thanks to all of our sources and supporters during the 2014-2015 school year!

Please visit the newly launched Friar's Lantern www.mpfriarslantern.com

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April 2015

THE BLACKFRIAR CHRONICLE

SENIOR FAREWELLS

We invited our graduating editors to each write a column sharing some parting thoughts with the Malvern community. The Blackfriar Chronicle staff is deeply grateful for our seniors' contributions to the publication throughout their involvement. You will always have a seat in the newsroom and a donut on reserve. Good luck + much caritas!

Love, even when you don’t understand This is the single most difficult assignment of my Malvern career.

For those brothers lucky enough to still go to this school, use every opportunity you are given to fall in love with something. I’ve never regretted loving, but I regret not loving. hroughout my time here, I have built engines, a You only understand the things you love, with one exception. solar cooker, and a galvanic cell powered stylus.

The reason why this is so difficult to write (20+ attempts over 6 days) is the same reason why I have given four presentations in room 202 in there is an exception to the rule. My paper on Neil Young and Jesus was actually pretty easy - both front of Mr. Roper and a bunch of teenage boys I call preached a life after death. Building that engine wasn’t too hard either - it was all about getting my brothers on Dylan Thomas, The Crusades, The Anglo- compression. And my Roper presentations - there are countless books comparing Lysistrata to Saxon Chronicle, and Lysistrata. Just last modern feminism in comedy. week, I was up at 3:00 AM writing the These assignments were easy because they have answers. It is actually possible A senior is going last 10 pages of a 10 page philosophy paper to make a stirling engine. It is impossible to write something to conclude my time at off to a big comparing Neil Young’s Hey Hey, My My Malvern. Malvern is as incomprehensible as it is wonderful. You only understand farm with lots of to the teachings of Jesus. the things you love, with one exception. You can never understand Malvern Prep, banjos, vintage None of these were even a fraction as but you can love it.

Toyotas, and challenging as this. Writing something I will soon matriculate as a 4th class cadet at The Citadel, The Military College screaming where to conclude my Malvern career is very of South Carolina and enter the South Carolina Corps of Cadets. During a visit he and other difficult. to Charleston, I asked a cadet how difficult it is for him to meet up with his high libertarians will Everyone at this school knows me as someone with unfailing opinions and school friends, given the restricted ability to leave the grounds of the college. He have space to run beliefs of stronger conviction than the torque of a vintage Land Cruiser. For those laughed at my question and told me that cadets never hang out with high school around and play. of you playing at home, add to your list (just under Toyota > Jeep) that it is imposfriends, despite him having gone to high school in Charleston. “They were friends; After one last sible to truly understand something if you don’t love it. There is only one exception. we are brothers,” he said to me. column.

Just keep reading, it will make sense soon.

I looked back in Malvern alumni records and found no reference to anyone Last year, Mr. Liga was careless enough to let me touch a guitar while in attending The Citadel. I will be carrying the experiences of my high school to a Camden. Over the next 6 months, I learned to play guitar and banjo and I built new place. While previous cadets began with “They were friends,” I will be the around 5 guitars, banjos, and hybrid stringed instruments with the help of Mr. very first to begin with “They are brothers.”

Liga and Mr. Muntz.

Hemingway once wrote, “If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then A few years ago, Mr. Sillup had me give a presentation on Stirling engines. Making one out wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.” of 2 soda cans (yes, sugared soda) and foil tape made me see the majesty of the design. Just last I will never have to say goodbye to my Alma Mater. month, I completed one made from actually machined parts.

I will never have to write anything to conclude my Malvern career.

Captain Boyce taught me about alloys in my sophomore year. That summer, I melted more lead I will never leave Malvern Prep. and other various metals in my backyard than a 19th century plumber. (Don’t worry, I was very Instead, I will quote Jim Croce ’61: safe). A few dozen propane tanks and about 20 alloys later, I started to see immense application “If I could save time in a bottle to such a wonderfully fun activity. I learned about metals and alloying by loving to do something.

The first thing that I’d like to do Looking back on it all, from a sugared drinks petition to catching fish by hand in the Philippines, Is to save every day until eternity passes away I learned the most from the things I loved. If I didn’t love metalworking, I would never have fully Just to spend them with you.” • learned what an interstitial alloy is. I would have only memorized the definition.

Matthew Lanetti ’15 EDITOR IN CHIEF, 2014-2015

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Farewell to Underclassmen

Don’t Blink

It’s the end of an era, and it could not have come any sooner.

Carpe Malvernum: Seizing Malvern and everything in it

Jake Sorensen ‘15 WORLD NEWS EDITOR 2013-2015

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ell guys, it's finally happening. Some of the paper’s senior reporters are about to move into the big newspaper in the sky (otherwise known as college). This paper has been a significant part of my entire Malvern career, through both its joyous highs and its incomprehensibly frustrating lows. I've learned a lot from being on the paper.

I remember how the BFC was the first year I joined it; a humble little paper with dozens of reporters, with only one editor. I'll be the first to admit it; I kind of miss it. It was when I pretty much only wrote commentary on news items, like I did with Occupy Wall Street. The freedom I

had in expressing my opinion was what drew me to the paper. But by the following year, when the paper we all know and love just began to form, I knew that getting the facts to my fellow friars would make me stay with it.

It's kind of funny, you know.

That was a big shift for me to going from composing prose to reporting news. It might be a change of pace for any of you novice reporters, too.

Writing a good article is easier said than done; being efficient with wording, carefully distinguishing between the facts and thoughts surrounding a story, or even sticking to using words below an 8th grade reading level. It will be difficult to adjust to no matter what, but I'm more than sure that anyone willing to put the time in it will master it without a doubt.

Another not-so-easy task of each of you reporters is to become a reporter in the eyes of your readers.

Professionalism is the key to it all, and honestly, as someone who would spend days writing wacky pun filled headlines, it certainly sucked having to get mature for the drop. You don't want some teacher you scheduled an interview with to not take you seriously, since that means they won't give the material you need for the best article you could make. On the

other hand, it's important to try and be friendly with whoever you're interviewing so that follow-up interviews aren't as awkward or hard to schedule. I don't think anyone would enjoy being simply used a quote factory.

It's nice seeing how the paper has grown over the years. It's clearly become a better tool for vocalizing the thoughts of Malvern’s community. From the various polls and surveys we put out to the comments on the blog articles, I don't think anyone would doubt that Malvernians have something to say. I'm even more happy to see how reviews are becoming a bigger thing, both in the Arts and Media sections. I think that giving the students of Malvern a chance to share their opinions on new movies and music is one of the best opportunities we offer for our fellow students.

I hope that the paper continues to improve and be recognized by both Malvern and readers beyond it as the voice of hundreds of high schoolers (and maybe even middle schoolers in the near future!) I'm more than confident that our new Editors and Chief will lead this paper as well as this year's team, and I also believe that our new reporters will be just as ready. This paper has a bright future ahead, but it will only get there if the people of Malvern want it to. •

Michael E. McCarthy ’15 MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY EDITOR 2014-2015 he great tragedy of life is the crystal clarity of hindsight.

When I first stepped foot on the grounds of 418 South Warren Avenue, I was as an 8th grade prospective football recruit. I came to Malvern partially because I knew a couple of players in the grade above me, and partially due to my godmother’s constant effusive praise for her son’s experience there.

I never thought I would be anything more than a Malvern football player during my four years.

I distinctly remember on this visit a conversation I had with a senior who told me about how he came to Malvern to play basketball, but ended up as a passionate and successful potter who even decided to go to college for his artistic talents.

He told me to not be afraid to branch out and try new things, to not pigeonhole myself to one thing.

I didn’t listen. At least, it didn’t sink in right away.

I spent well over half of my days at Malvern in a sort of grey slumber.

I didn’t do what I wanted to do because of a sort of self-imposed peer pressure. I didn’t go out for the musical until my senior year, and it turned out to be one of the most impactful and life changing experiences of my high school years. I didn’t join Mr. Liga’s liturgical music until my final year because I thought I couldn’t sing. I even joined the Blackfriar Chronicle only after a healthy amount of prodding from Ms. Wuetig.

The thing is, once you go for it, you realize how accepting your classmates are and how outright intrigued and happy for you they are that you are trying something new for yourself.

What is so special about Malvern is that you CAN do almost anything

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THE BLACKFRIAR CHRONICLE

April 2015

15

SENIOR FAREWELLS

To a friar The sentimental ramblings of a nostalgic senior who thinks he’s learned something (but might not have, I don’t know). Read at your own risk.

Jack Marchesani ’15 EDITOR IN CHIEF, 2014-2015

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’ve come a long way. Four years is a lot of time. A lot changes. You become a very different person.

It’s funny. One of my best friends recently said “We have to refer to ‘New Jack’ and ‘Old Jack ’ like they’re two different people.”

If anyone remembers freshman year me (and I know my friends do, because they won’t let me live it down), I was a different young man. Roughly the shape of a human meatball, I faced the normal problems of a 9th grader. School. Family. Fitting in.

Missing freshman football equipment day and being referred to as ‘no pads’ for the first few months of school. I did a good job of amplifying all that by isolating myself and doing nothing but studying in an attempt to overcompensate.

And I know. I know. There’s tons of freshman and sophomores and even juniors who face those same problems at Malvern.

And that is most definitely part of it. Growing up is about hitting these walls and overcoming.

I saw a tweet recently: “I wish I could tell my freshman year self that things would work out just fine.”

And while I think emotional tweeting is ridiculous and a desperate waste of your time, that did speak to me a little bit.

For so long, I sought stability. Stability from my tumultuous home life. Stability in my mind, which bounced back and forth between different ideals so often. Stability at school, which for so long felt like the enemy.

That tweet is true. I wish I could tell myself it’d be ok. Better than okay. It’d be damn good. And not because it feels good, but because you know it will with time. But I can’t. Lanetti hasn’t built a time machine (yet). Plus, I already grew up. Sort of.

The best I can do is give some advice to any friar struggling with being a man at Malvern. Which is all of them. And, believe me, I don’t intend to generalize problems.

Frankly, I wouldn’t change anything about my experience.

My struggles have taught me everything I know about myself.

But I do know that you won’t really listen to this advice, because my intended reader is, by nature, pretty thick headed. So, the most this can do is serve as an “I Told You So.” Dear Freshman Jack, First of all, take a breath. I spent so much time getting worked up and caught up in the moment. Take a breath.

Whatever else you’re doing can wait. That’s an idea for life in general. I so often got washed away in the tides of the current moment that I couldn’t see big picture. And don’t tell me that that’s a part of growing up. Being a nervous wreck is not okay, because it’s preventable. Being a nervous wreck is the opposite of understanding that it’ll all workout. That was a big issue for me freshman year, and that’s what I mean when I say I’ve learned from my mistakes.

That brings me to my next point. It’s not necessarily proven, but it hasn't failed yet. It does work out. It might not be today.

Tomorrow. Next month. Hell, it might not be in high school. It might not even be in this life. But at some point in the future, things will not suck as much as they do in this moment, if you you want here. Very few schools have the variety of activities that our Malvern does. We have not only a stellar athletics program, but one that encourages participation in multiple sports.

We also have a fantastic and storied theater program, a world class arts center with a plethora of awesome teachers in a variety of artistic fields, a strong and up-and-coming newspaper (*pats self on the back*), and much more.

Malvern is not a jock school. Malvern is not a crazy academics only intensive school. Malvern prides itself on forming well-rounded students who are far from single-minded.

People ask us seniors often, “If you could go back, would you do it again?”

My answer is always the same. Yes. Emphatically yes. I

happen to be in a particularly sucky moment. Things might even be tolerable. Enjoyable even! That would be such a ridiculous idea for me to hear as a freshman or sophomore because I hated my life so much. Which was dumb. My life is/was pretty great, I just wasn't looking in the right places.

And oh look. A nice transition into my next point. Writing devices! Things in your life will hold you back. People in your life will hold you back. You have got to fight with all your strength to focus on the things that build you up. It's hard. Failure and self pity are so attractive, because they allow you to go with the tide.

They allow you to be the victim. I spent so much time feeling sorry for myself, but it's a choice you make to "always look on the bright side of life" that gets you away from that. Malvern is part of the bright side of life. I chose for two years to hate Malvern and my life wasn't great. I spent the last two years loving it, and I became the man I am today.

Straying from the existential, I have to show a little bit of love to my fellow nerds. Schoolwork is a tricky subject. It can be a shortcoming. Whether you work too hard or don’t work hard enough, you fall short in some way or another early on. I worked too hard. Way too hard. I was only motivated by college, and the words “college preparatory school” to me, meant “Princeton acceptance machine.” I got denied from Princeton. I’m proud of that though. It shows that after four years, I am a lot more human than I was. If you’re only motivation is to escape, then you’re doing it wrong. Trust me, building friendships and loving others is so much more important than getting a 104% on Mrs. Geider’s Freshman Bio, Biochem test. People will resent you for it. I don’t encourage that. Enjoy these next four years with the people around you. I envy the time you have left.

Be thankful. Malvern is such a magical place, but only because of the people around you. I had so many members of the Classes of 2014 and 2015 look out for me for so long, and I got such fulfilling relationships from that. Mr. Roper basically made sure I didn’t join the Peace Corps after senior year out of stress, and pushed me to go to college. Father Flynn loves you more than you know. Those are just examples. There’s so many people on this campus that do so much for us, students and teachers alike. Thank ‘em.

Hmm what else. Oh. As bad as it gets, it's worse for someone else. You'll figure that out in a very acute way here at Malvern.

And there's nothing you can do to fix that. You can improve yourself though. 1. Complain less. I speak from experience. People don't want to hear your complaints, especially when they’ve got their own burdens. 2. Reach out. Oh, this is so important. There are so many people who just need a hand to pull them up. Be that hand. So many high school students just need a friend, and need to keep a friend. Would it kill you to let the nerdy kid hangout with you on a Friday night? I’m serious. He might open up and be pretty fun (this is supposed to be a reference to me opening up and being cool, but you might not think I'm cool so I get that).

On the homefront, love your family. I’ve fallen short in that area. My parents split and weren’t the most caring people. I was angry. I’m still angry. But I understand. Now, leaving for college in less than 3 months, I am plagued with guilt that I haven’t given them enough time. Forgive your parents for what you think they’ve done. They are human. They were 14, 15, 16, 17 once too.

That’s a mature way of looking at it, but you’ll get there.

Best advice I can give? Forgive yourself. I am the textbook definition of self-loathing. Students hold themselves to such high standards. Teenage boys hold themselves to such high standards.

I hold myself to such high standards. When I fell short, I would spiral into a pit of despair and self hatred. This applies to academics, athletics, the arts, and social life. would never choose a different high school. Malvern is what made me who I am. It gave me the tools to fashion myself into exactly what kind of man I want to be.

However, you can’t use the tools if you don’t know where they are.

Don’t make the same mistake I did. Don’t be afraid to try something new if you think it may interest you. It may turn into a life changing experience. Don’t hesitate, don’t blink, just go for it.

Nothing is more satisfying than being yourself, unafraid and confident. And honestly, there is no one who is more respected by his peers than a man who does this.

You think poetry is pretty cool and you think you may be

In the past few months I had a falling out with a lot of friends. Because of various reasons, they walked out of my life.

I sunk lower than I ever could have imagined. I wasn’t myself.

I turned to some darker outlets to try and avoid the feeling of abandonment.

I had to focus with all my strength on the good that I’d done, rather than the bad in order to pull myself out. I forgave my friends for walking out of my life, but I also forgave myself for setting myself up for it to happen in the first place. I let go.

And I think God wanted that to happen to me so that I could learn a little bit about myself and the people I was friends with.

The thing was, those that walked out of my life were my friends.

Those that stayed were my true brothers.

Brother. That's a funny word. Say it 100x and it starts to lose it's meaning. Embody 100x, embody it 1000x. It never loses its meaning. What does being a brother mean? It's a lot more than being a lacrosse-playing, Vineyard Vines-wearing, Edgely-going, Natty-drinking Malvern student. Being a brother is about sacrifice. That's the way I see it. A brother is one who sacrifices for his fellow brother. Brotherhood is sacrifice for the common good. It is giving up something, whether it's your pride, what you want, or even your reputation, because you are sworn to work for the betterment of your brother. I gave up a girl I thought I loved for the sake of a brother. I gave up my reputation because I thought that I was doing what was right for a fellow brother, and I lost friends over it. I understood that. Being called to brotherhood is a challenge.

Someone said in a group text I was once in that there is "no social contract to brotherhood." What a false statement. Damn right there's a social contract to brotherhood. You have a duty in the four years at Malvern and every year beyond that. Go beyond what you think is "cool," and "acceptable" and fight for the sake of those around you. It won't be easy. I've failed at it so many times. And I think it's hard because often times there's no recognition for brotherhood. We’re rewarded for mob-mentality and acting within the pack, which, especially in the early years of high school, is often in the trend of being an ass.

Stand by your brothers at their lowest. Stand by your brothers when they hurt you. Stand by your brothers when you think you hate them. That is putting their needs before your own. As much as you might not believe it, every member of the class needs every other member of the class. Everyone fills a role. Everyone sacrifices a little bit of themselves for everyone else. Sacrifice is the greatest gift we can give. Human beings are by our very nature self-centered, but as long as in your heart you can love your neighbor like you love yourself, then you're upholding the name of brotherhood and the name of Malvern prep.

Take my advice with a grain of salt. If you found this potentially narcissistic banter a bit pretentious, well good. I’m a bit pretentious. If only one person reads this and gets a little inspired, then the days I spent mulling over this were well worth it. If not, crap.

Closing words. At my core, I believe 3 things. (1) It will all work out. (2) We are on this Earth to help our fellow man (a’la brotherhood). (3) Destiny is very real. Brothers, you were born to be a member of the Malvern Prep community. It was willed at the beginning of time. Hand selected. That’s how I see it at least. This whole thing? This whole idea of truth, unity, and love as your duty? It’s important. Act like it.

Until the wheels come off, Malvern, Jack Marchesani •

interested in trying your hand at it? Go to a Young Poets Club meeting.

Do those international rugby games on ESPN 2 excite you?

Talk to Mr. Boccuti, he would be more than happy to tell you about his experience.

To quote the late Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society, “The powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?”

Malvern, what will your verse be? •

16

April 2015

THE BLACKFRIAR CHRONICLE

PARTING PERSPECTIVES How far the average Malvern student walks and the weight he carries It’s no secret that Malvern students have to walk from class to class everyday, and those small walks add up.

Tommy Pero ’17 FRIAR LIFE EDITOR n one word, Mike Bradley ’17 described Malvern’s Campus as, “big.” Regardless of what Malvern students think about the size of the campus, they still have to walk around it everyday. But exactly how far?

According to Malvern’s website, the campus is a total of 103 acres. Comparatively, Georgetown University’s campus is 104 acres, according to their websites.

Additionally, the borough of malvern has a total of 768 acres, according to Director of Finance and Facilities Mr. Ted Caniglia. This means Malvern Prep is 13.4% of the entire borough of Malvern.

However, not all of the acreage is where the academic buildings are, or where a student would walk over the course of a normal school day.

Even accounting only for the distance between buildings, Malvern's campus still stretches larger than some area schools.

West Chester East is .14 miles across at its widest part. The Haverford School is .13 miles from the two furthest buildings.

Comparatively, Malvern’s campus is about a quarter of a mile miles across the widest part of the ring road.

Something different about Malvern’s campus that separates it from some other schools is that there are multiple buildings and they are spaced out. Malvern students can walk anywhere from .02 to .1 miles getting from one class to another.

Throughout an entire day, those hundredths and tenths of miles add up.

Through an eight day cycle on the current schedule, the distance a student walks every day at school was monitored.

Overall, the student followed a standard sophomore schedule regarding location; theology, language, history, and english classes in Carney, a science in Sullivan, an arts class in Duffy,

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a math class in Tolentine, and study hall mostly in Stuart.

The average distance across the eight day cycle was 2.235 miles per day.

The eight day high was 3.81, while the low was 1.7 miles.

Additionally, the average flights of stairs climbed over the same cycle was 10 flights. One flight of stairs is defined as an elevation gain of 10 feet through steps.

While Malvern students are walking just under two and a quarter miles and 10 flights of stairs a day, they are often doing it while carrying a heavy backpack.

Backpacks range in style as much as they do in weight— from a freshmen in a Swiss Army bag carrying all his books, to a senior with a backpack that looks like Yoda carrying only a copy book.

To find out how much the average backpack ways, we weighed 40 backpacks, 10 from each of the Upper School grades.

The average backpack weight for the freshman was 19.96 pounds, for sophomores was 24.05 pounds, for juniors was 19.24 pounds, and for seniors was 18.57 pounds.

The average across all four grades was 20.445 pounds. The heaviest backpack came from a sophomore weighing in at 35.9 pounds. Naturally, the low came in from the senior with the Yoda backpack which was only 3.9 pounds.

The infamous Norton Anthology of British Literature used for Honors British Literature, weighed in at 4.2 pounds, justifying

ILLUSTRATION / M. PICHOLA

its nickname: “The Brick”. Just that single book weighs more than the lightest backpack measured. Thanks to the Honors British Literature teacher, Mr. Roper, Malvern juniors can get stronger mentally and physically.

However, there could be a risk to carrying around a backpack weighing twenty or more pounds everyday. School Nurse Mrs. Catherine McGettigan stressed that a backpack that is too heavy can cause physical problems. She said, “from the Demorse hospital: ‘most doctors and physical therapists recommend that kids carry no more than 10 to 15 percent of their body weight.’”

If this 15% proportion is to be followed, the weight of the average student should not be below approximately 135 pounds. •

SAVI is memorable, unifying experience This April, six sophomores went on a nationwide retreat to gain a better understanding of the Augustinian Values of Unitas, Veritas, and Caritas.

Ryan Franks ’17 REPORTER AVI (Student Augustinian Values Institute) is an annual retreat attended by Malvern Prep students along with eight other Augustinian schools in North America.

Six sophomores are selected based on leadership qualities to attend the institute. The purpose is to improve their understanding of the Augustinian core values of truth, and unity and love and help raise awareness of these on the Malvern Prep campus.

Participating in SAVI connects the Malvern Prep students with a network of Augustinian students throughout North America.

The Augustinian Schools that attended this year’s retreat in Ojai, California were Austin Catholic, Cascia Hall, Providence MALVERN SAVI MEMBERS & NEW FRIENDS IN OJAI Catholic, St. Augustine High School St. Augustine Prep, St. Rita of Cascia, Villanova College, Villanova Prep, types of love: storge or affection, agape which is and Malvern Prep.

"God-love" or unconditional love, philia or brothI assumed that all The six sophomore representatives this year erly love, and eros or romance. of the schools were from Malvern were Alex Reber, Patrick Ferraiolo, After each speech, schools gathered in groups going to be quite Cullen Robinson, Matt Daller, Nate Albergo, and and talked about how this individual value of unisimilar to Malvern, me, Ryan Franks. tas, veritas, or caritas was lived out at their school. but not identical.

Throughout the trip, the SAVI members Then the schools would take turns presenting on I soon found out participated in presentations on the three core what they discussed. differently.

Augustinian values. On Friday morning, we At the SAVI retreat, we had a chance to live received a talk on veritas or truth by a dean and out these values. basketball coach at Villanova Prep. Truth, he explained, has three On Saturday afternoon, the SAVI members had a chance parts: truth to yourself, truth to others, and truth to the world. to show our love through service. Half of the SAVI members Later that day, at Ventura Beach, we were given a second talk boarded a bus headed to the beach for cleanup, and the other on unitas or unity. This time by a Villanova Prep swim coach. His to an orchard in Ojai. I spent my time picking grapefruits and speech centered around a quote by Russell Westbrook, winner oranges for a food share organization. This organization helps of the NBA scoring title. He explained how winning a personal feeds families all across California, which is especially useful award was a lot less fun than winning something as a team and in their long drought. The other group of students cleaned the collective achievement. No one remembers what they did alone, beach, showing their love for the environment. however they do remember what they do when it is with many The trip was full of opportunities to live out truth. We met members. for Mass every morning at 8 AM in Villanova’s chapel. This was On Saturday, an Augustinian volunteer spoke to us about the a wonderful chance to seek the truth in the gospel and scripture. last value - caritas or love. The speech was summed up by four Throughout the time spent together, we were given a chance

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to learn more about the other schools and our similarities. We exchanged knowledge and ideas that we could possibly bring back and use at our own schools.

We experienced unitas all throughout the trip. The SAVI members spent time together at the beach, communal prayer and Mass, doing service, at a lake and on a hike. We also spent a lot of time bonding at night, because we slept in classrooms with about 15 students. From swimming in the pool to playing pick-up basketball or just talking around the campfire, we truly got to know each other and develop long-lasting relationships.

When I first learned I was going on SAVI, I did not exactly know what to expect. I assumed that all of the schools were going to be quite similar to Malvern, but not identical. I soon found out differently.

After arriving at Villanova’s campus and watching each school’s introduction videos, it was clear that each school was unique. Some of the school's campuses resembled Episcopal Academy in size and grandeur. Others were smaller than Malvern, or embedded in cities. Some schools were co-ed and one was even all girls!

From this wonderful experience I learned many things about St. Augustine and our fellow Augustinian schools. There were many ideas that I would like to bring back to Malvern that the other schools had as traditions.

First, a few of the schools hugged each other during the sign of peace at mass. Second, MORP, which is just prom backwards sounded like a fun idea for underclassmen who can not attend prom. Lastly, a special suit jacket that only seniors could wear to symbolize their leadership positions at Malvern. This would be accompanied by a ceremony in which the seniors would pass down these jackets down to the upcoming seniors for the following year.

SAVI was one of the best and most memorable experiences of my life. This event has opened me up to so much knowledge which could not have been attained without making the trip. As Augustine said, “the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” •