Vol. LXXXVI, No. 2
DEERFIELD ACADEMY, DEERFIELD, MA 01342
Trading Spaces: Dorm Affiliations
By EMILY NG Staff Writer Next year, Scaife and Bewkes will house underclassman girls, Pocumtuck will switch to upperclassman girls, and Dewey and Chapin, a dormitory yet to be built, will be home to underclassman boys. The plan to build a new dormitory was recently approved by the Board of Trustees. It does not yet have a name, but it will, according to current plans, have space for 30 individual rooms and 3 faculty residents, as well as common rooms. Its construction requires that Ashley, a single-entry residence that currently houses eight underclassman girls, two proctors, and one faculty family, be leveled. Also, teachers David Dickinson and Claudia Lyons’ house will be moved. This summer, a temporary dormitory, which is to be called Chapin Hall, will be erected to replace Ashley. “It will be very similar to the structure of the Pocumtuck
dormitory,” explained Director of Facilities Chuck Williams, “except the desks will be similar to the ones in Louis Marx.” In changing dorm assignments, the administration hoped to accommodate the large number of girls in the class of 2013, the result of an unexpectedly high yield and subsequent overenrollment, without forcing students into unwanted doubles or triples. Social considerations were taken into account as well. “We felt like younger girls weren’t thriving in smaller dorms as they would in bigger dorms,” commented Dean of Student Toby Emerson. “Converting Pocumtuck into an upperclassmen girls dormitory is a really great opportunity for the girls to get to know each other better,” commented Wahi Diome ’12. Tabata Viso ’14 disagreed. “I don’t think it is fair for upperclassmen girls to live in Pocumtuck, because the rooms are smaller than on the other upperclassmen halls,” she argued.
Ben Bolotin
Mr. King for Commencement By NINA SHEVZOV-ZEBRUN Staff Writer
Professional musician Eric Stepanian, from Boston, MA, performed at the Greer for the second time this year on April 30.
SYA: Learners Without Borders By RAJA ATLURI Staff Writer
Deerfield’s School Year Abroad program will send a total of nine students overseas for the 2011-2012 school year. According to Associate Academic Dean and SYA coordinator Lydia Hemphill, it was “an unprecedented year for applications.” Victoria Buckman ’13, Abby Cacho ’13, and Flora Donovan ’12 will spend the year in France; Ashley Cortez ’13, Chris Hamlin ’12, Elizabeth Perez ’13, Lazel Pineda ’13, and Sabrina Zaldana ’13 are going to live in Spain; Katya Yudin ’12 will experience her senior year in China. A total-immersion experience, SYA sends students to foreign countries and enrolls them in a local high school while they live with a host family for the duration of the school year. Ms. Hemphill believes
that students are interested in participating in the SYA program because they “have more independence than at Deerfield and achieve various degrees of fluency by the time they come home.” She also feels that creating SYA alumni allows for “a more international student body at Deerfield.” The language department supports the SYA program for the same reasons. The opportunity for practical application of a language enhances both oral skills and general comprehension. Cacho explained, “I wanted to go to SYA because it would give me a global perspective. By going to France, I’m allowing myself to experience life from another point of view. “Taking a year away from everything is a big risk and a scary one,” she continued, “but it allows me to learn a lot about myself as a person and grow significantly.”
May 25, 2011
New Leadership Takes Office By NOLAN BISHOP Staff Writer
Adding candles to the annual Spring Weekend All-School Sing blended a new tradition in with an old one.
Ben Bolotin
Matthew H. King ’77, a deputy assistant director of Homeland Security Investigations, will speak at commencement this year. Director of Alumni Relations Mimi Morsman said that Mr. King, who already met with seniors via Pathways 2011, will explain “why his line of work, while tough, is so meaningful.” After graduating from Wesleyan University and the Columbia School of Law, Mr. King served in the Marine Corps for seven years. During his later tenure under the Special Agent in Charge in San Francisco, Mr. King played a key role in “an
undercover investigation that resulted in the largest seizure of foreign automatic weapons in U.S. history.” Last year, he directed a restoration crew in Haiti after the January earthquake. In searching for the 2011 commencement speaker, Ms. Morsman wanted somebody “with a connection to Deerfield, either as an alumnus or as a parent.” “The commencement speaker provides students with the opportunity to connect with the world beyond the hills,” said Head of School Margarita Curtis. “It reminds graduates that our diplomas are not just tools for self-promotion—they signify a guarantee of a commitment to service and preparation for a life beyond college.”
Daniel Han Student body president Theo Lipsky ’12 (left) and student council chair Charles Jones ’12 (right) are ready to take on their new jobs.
Theo Lipsky ’12 and Charles Jones ’12 will step up next year as student body president and student council chair, respectively. Both are eager to start working immediately. “We already have some ideas in the works,” said Jones of the council’s activity now, after the transition of leadership. The two are beginning their time in office with a proposal to donate the remainder of the council’s annual budget to the Relay for Life. “It’s a really worthy cause, and we are very proud to support it,” said Jones. The decision to donate the money has yet to be voted upon. However, according to Lipsky, “at this late a stage in the term, no one has another plan for the money. The vote has no real opposition to it.” Because budget funds do not carry over between academic years, any money that has not been spent by the end of the year does not go to the council the following year. Another initiative is the “ordering window,” which would allow students to receive food deliveries at the end of study hall. “It’s still in its early stages, but Charles was very enthusiastic about the idea,” said Lipsky of the proposal. Aside from new legislation, the new council also intends to take greater advantage of the technology available to it. “We saw how successful the online election was this year, and we want to continue to use that tool,” said Jones. “One of the changes we hope to implement is the use of email to keep the community informed.” Lipsky agreed and added, “Every time a major piece of legislature comes in front of the council, an email will be sent to the entire student body to notify them. We hope that this will provoke more discussion.” Head of School Margarita Curtis looks forward to the coming year as well. “I think the student council is a good way for me to communicate with the student body as a whole,” said Dr. Curtis. “My hope is that I will also have the opportunity to enhance my relationships with students as individuals. “Through increased accessibility,” Dr. Curtis continued, “I hope the council and I can involve everyone in the important decisions made on campus in a meaningful way.” To learn more, go to: http://danet. deerfield.edu/studentcouncil/
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Walking for a Cure
Widdies: Too Soon?
Athletic Memories
2 The Deerfield Scroll
VOL. LXXXVI, NO. 2
Front Page SARAH WOOLF
MAY 25, 2011
Editor-in-Chief ANNA GONZALES
Opinion/Editorial ELIZABETH WHITTON Features DANIELLE DALTON Arts & Entertainment HADLEY NEWTON Sports CLAIRE HUTCHINS Photo Editor BEN BOLOTIN Video Editor KEVIN TANG
OPINION/EDITORIAL
Layout Editor DANIEL HAN Online Editors
JAKE BARNWELL MARLY MORGUS Online Associate JOHN LEE Editorial Associates CASEY BUTLER SAMMY HIRSHLAND KRISTY HONG
Business Manager SIDNEY HULBURD
Advisors SUZANNE HANNAY & JOHN PALMER STAFF REPORTERS: Charlotte Allen, Delaney Berman, Nolan Bishop, Caitlin Cleary, Charlie Cory, Mae Flato, Ross Gordon, Ritchey Howe, Joshua Kim, Caroline Kjorlien, Stefani Kuo, Maddie Lane, Henry Lewis, Sha Li, Ryan Logie, Mac McDonald, Miranda McEvoy, Jade Moon, Eliza Mott, Tara Murty, Emily Ng, Anna Pettee, Nicky Rault, Carly Reilly, Justin Schlacks, Nina Shevzov-Zebrun, Andrew Slade, Sarah Sutphin, Sharon Tam, Jon Victor, Tabata Viso, Kyle Wellner, Elisabeth Yancey, Hyun Yang, Nicholle Yu STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS: Sarah Cox, William Fox, Lena Mazel, Louisa Schiefflin, Ashley So STAFF VIDEOGRAPHERS: Georgina Hutchins, Anna Lu
The Deerfield Scroll, established in 1925, is the official student newspaper of Deerfield Academy. The Scroll encourages informed discussion of pertinent issues that concern the Academy and the world. Signed letters to the editor that express legitimate opinions are welcomed. We hold the right to edit for brevity. The Scroll is published eight times yearly. Advertising rates provided upon request. Opinion articles with contributors’ names attached represent the views of the respective writers. Opinion articles without names represent the consensus views of the editorial staff.
Finding Value in Tradition Spring Parents’ Weekend was filled with traditional events, such as classes, athletic games, and a variety of artistic performances. Not everything remained the same, however, and perhaps the most noticeable change to the weekend’s events was the Investiture Ceremony that replaced the All-School Sing. With students and alumni holding lit candles as they sang and speeches being made by numerous individuals, the Investiture Ceremony brought formality to the event, making it resemble the formal event that took place during Mr. Boyden’s time. Yet during the Boyden era, students gathered on a regular basis to sing all of the school songs, making the songs a regular part of Deerfield life, instead of just an annual event. Today, students are not nearly as connected to the songs as are the alumni who return each year to participate in the event. While we may want to revive the event, adding solemnity and candles is not necessarily the answer. Perhaps we should start with the songs themselves. Alternate the songs sung at school meeting so that when spring Parents’ Weekend rolls around, there is no need to host rehearsals to learn and instill meaning into the songs. Then, the songs will truly be a part of Deerfield’s traditional culture.
Bin Laden Dead: No Discussion? On Monday, May 2, students gathered around television sets in common rooms and residents’ apartments to witness history. Osama bin Laden, long-time head of al-Qaeda, was killed by US military forces. Students on college campuses everywhere paraded in the streets, waving American flags and celebrating the death of the man who was behind the 9/11 attacks of 2001. Students at Deerfield have remained low key in their reactions. Except for a few feeble rounds of “USA, USA, USA” in the dining hall, the event was largely overlooked. While it is important to remain respectful in our reaction to current events, it is imperative that we, as Deerfield students, take notice of the changes in the world around us.
Thank You, Seniors! Here’s to our seniors, the ones who refused to give up the baba-ba in the cheering song, spoke out against the graffiti, and who perpetrated an exhilarating water balloon ambush. The seniors were unique in diversity and acceptance. They provided a guiding hand for new students from the beginning through the end of their years at Deerfield. Whether it was in a kind smile or a wave across the quad, their warm presence was always felt. We’ll remember their leadership in the dorms, on the fields, and at sit-down tables. The seniors’ hard work and positive attitudes inspired those around them to do their best and carry on the Deerfield traditions with humility and light-heartedness. They were the face of the student body. A senior’s responsibility in any academic community is to lead the students, acting as role models to those in grades below. We are thankful to have learned, played, and grown with their unfaltering support. The class of 2011 was one full of friendly faces that made Deerfield proud. They were certainly worthy.
May 25, 2011
Letter to the Editor I commend you for the editorial on the recent graffiti incident, “Graffiti on the Koch: Shame and Respect,” and for your call to “re-examine our commitment to respecting the beautiful campus and community in which we live.” At your request, I am summarizing my remarks to the community at the April 26 school meeting and explaining my rationale for dismissing the two students involved in this incident. This is the first time in my five years at Deerfield when I have felt compelled to explain a disciplinary decision and to highlight the lessons we can learn from these serious infractions. It is important to remember that the Disciplinary Committee performs two important roles at the Academy: on a pragmatic, transactional level, this group of faculty and students decides on the appropriate disciplinary response to a specific transgression, but on a more profound, significant level, they consider how a mistake or a lapse in judgment can be turned into a learning opportunity for the whole community. This is precisely the reason we announce the outcomes of Disciplinary Committee proceedings at school meetings. These announcements are intended to affirm our school values and to remind us of the expectations we must honor as members of this community. I view these hearings and the subsequent announcements as an invitation to reflect on the purpose of a Deerfield education and as re-centering, morally-grounding opportunities. Two days after the incident, we were able to gather as a community in the dining hall at Sunday sitdown dinner. I was due to launch the reaccreditation process for Loomis Chaffee, but I drove back to our campus so I could address the school in person. As an offense, the graffiti incident represents the very antithesis of what Deerfield stands for, and as such, I felt it was important to send a clear, unequivocal message: this type of behavior cannot and will not be tolerated at the school. The defacement of the Koch Center was a premeditated act with the explicit purpose of discrediting the school on a Second Visit Day and questioning the integrity of the community in which we live, study, and work. Unlike most other student transgressions, this incident had repercussions for the entire community, not only for the individuals involved. Personal anger and frustration should not take precedence over the welfare or reputation of the community. It was this broader impact that, in my view, placed this incident in the most serious disciplinary category. Since Mr. Boyden’s days, the primary purpose of a Deerfield education has focused on the development of character, the affirmation of values that build and sustain community. Trust and honesty rank high on our list. While the enhancement of students’ academic skills and the acquisition of knowledge across a wide array of disciplines are paramount in any educational institution, in the end, all of this learning amounts to nothing if we have not taught you how to be good, honorable people. As a learning community, we believe in civil discourse, in the free and open exchange of ideas. We welcome spirited debate in our classrooms, our dormitories, and every place in between. There are appropriate venues to express our opinions and convictions. Graffiti is not one of them. The anonymous questioning of the school’s integrity, and the accusations without evidence, constitute a direct affront to our institutional identity and our mission. The offensive language against one of our deans also violated one of our core principles: respect. While the deans must make unpopular decisions from time to time, their intent is not to humiliate but to teach, and to uphold our community values. Looking ahead, I do think it is critical to remember that good people can make serious mistakes. My hope, as I said to the two students involved, is that they will view their dismissal as an opportunity to grow and strengthen their character. One of the students has indicated that he would like to share his reflections on this incident with the community, and I have encouraged him to send them to The Scroll. -Margarita Curtis Head of School
Amherst, MA: Utopian Impulse By BECCA COOLEY Contributing Writer The light changes and the bird chirping begins. This “call” was introduced in large cities to help the blind safely cross the street. I’m on the sidewalk of a small college town in western Massachusetts, where I could probably count the number of blind people on one hand. But that doesn’t matter here. The most important thing is that everyone feels included. Cars in the parking lot sport a variety of bumper stickers: “Hockey Mama for Obama,” “Be a Local Hero, Buy Locally Grown.” Across the street the regular weekend protesters implore passing cars to honk to stop the war. I pass the locally-owned penny-candy store. In the window is a t-shirt which reads “Amherst, where only the ‘h’ is silent.” Here, everyone is encouraged to have an opinion. Utopian societies throughout American history pursued a better life through social, economic, and political experiments outside the mainstream. Utopian impulse and desire for a better way of living is profoundly American. Amherst never planned to form a utopian society. However, this righteous town, with its commitment to social justice, individual liberty, and political activism, is a current, thriving example of American utopian
village culture. To many non-residents, Amherst appears crazy and extreme. The town spends time and energy on idealistic initiatives out of step with mainstream America. Last year, the town voted to send the federal government a letter, stating that they would willingly accept any cleared, released prisoners from Guantanamo Bay as Amherst residents, despite the fact that no prisoners from Guantanamo are allowed to enter the United States. Repeatedly, the town has voted to authorize local voting rights for non-citizen immigrants residing in Amherst. Recently, Amherst amended its human rights bylaw to specifically protect transgender people from discrimination. Apparently the existing bylaw outlawing discrimination by sex, race, ethnicity or sexual preference was not enough. The archives of the Amherst town meetings are a catalog of well-intentioned if impractical motions. Many see these initiatives as a waste of time for a town meeting that should be focused exclusively on immediate concerns. But there is something quintessentially American in both Amherst’s utopian impulse and in the bylaws themselves. Accepting cleared, and therefore wrongly accused, prisoners from Guantanamo Bay exemplifies presumption of innocence. Proposing
voting rights for non-citizens demonstrates an absolute commitment to the 14th amendment and no taxation without representation. Including transgenders in the human rights law shows a fundamental reading of the Declaration of Independence which asserts each citizen’s right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Unlike other utopias, Amherst is not an attempt to pursue “Eden on earth” or an industrial paradise. Its utopian impulse is instead the backbone of America: the belief that government should protect each person’s right to pursue their own destiny. Brook Farm, the Shakers, and the Oneida community were all utopian societies that eventually fell apart. The town of Amherst is not likely to fall apart and disappear, although it could one day adopt more mainstream values. However, Amherst’s utopian beliefs have survived for many decades, absorbing and converting new residents like me. It becomes a way of life to prioritize inclusion, freedom of expression and individual rights. Maybe Amherst is a little nutty, but maybe it is truly that “city on a hill”: a society committed to the personal freedom and inclusion that were a part of the original American dream. This is Becca Cooley’s junior declamation.
THANK YOU, GROUNDS CREW
The Deerfield Scroll
OPINION/EDITORIAL
“Just Smile and Be Friendly”: Freshman Reflection By MEG ELLINGWOOD Contributing Writer “Just smile and be friendly.” I cannot even count how many times I heard these words in my mother’s calm voice during the hour-long drive over the hill. For all she tried, though, her advice did nothing to still the frantic butterflies in my stomach. It was my first day of boarding school, and only two weeks before, my family had moved 600 miles away from the only home I had ever known. I was overwhelmed by the changes. I had not even unpacked my things in Williamstown before school started. When most freshmen had homes to go back to during breaks and weekends, I skipped over Williamstown as a “home” entirely. My cubicle in Mac is more a home to me than my cold room on Moorland Street, with its yellow walls that do little to brighten the space. Here, I have twelve other people on my hall who are all doing the same things as I am: working hard and having fun during what some say will be the best years of our lives. That first day, I was absolutely terrified. I had never been the new kid before, at least not since I was two years old. I had gone to the same all-girls’ school with essentially the same forty kids for twelve years. I had lived within a mile from the house in which I was born. I had no idea how to make new friends. The challenge had just never been presented to me before. I was terrified
at the thought of being one of over a hundred new members of a six-hundred-fifty student community. My graduating class at my old school would have been about fifty girls. Plus, about half of the students here were boys. As far as I was concerned, the male species might as well have been Martians. I had gone to an all-girls’ school for twelve years, played girls’ hockey for six, and apart from twelve school dances, the only contact I had had with boys was with my brothers, which obviously doesn’t count. Going to school with boys for the first time was definitely an interesting experience: the excitement of clapping for couples leaving the Greer juxtaposed with listening to their sometimes-strange opinions in class. I tried my very best to meet people. I made an effort to ask people’s names in the dining hall and Greer, but I know I could have done better. Most times I barely spoke outside the classroom. I was the paradigm “awkward freshman” and, let’s face it, I definitely still am. What I’ve learned from this, though, is that that is just who I am; I am more comfortable in school than in social settings, and I guess I am okay with that. However, my hope is that, during my years at Deerfield, I will begin to shift in my ways. Being friendly never hurt anyone. I have to say, one of the most defining moments in my Deerfield career came right at the beginning. That first day, when I was secretly terrified out of my wits, everyone was just
so welcoming that I could not help but feel as though the jitters would pass. I met my proctors and Green Key, hallmates and those at my sit-down table, and everyone there just seemed so happy. Names went in one ear and out the other, but what stuck were the stories and the smiles. Students exchanged summer tales and laughed, but it immediately became clear that everyone wanted to be at school more than any place they visited over the vacation. Not only that, but everyone in the next few days was constantly asking me how I liked the place so far or whether or not I was settling in okay. Everyone was so welcoming that my worries just started to slip away. I was able to give attention to classes as well as try to get situated in the social scene of Friday Greer nights and the neon-clad Disco. Though I got lost many times in that first week–-I had to ask about five times which building was the Kendall–-there was always a smiling, returning member of the Deerfield community, a veteran who had gone through the same, sometimes-stressful changes that I was going through, willing to give directions and their own warm welcome. That friendly happiness never went away. I hope next year to be one of those helpful smiles on the way to Spanish or the wave across the dining hall. Just smile and be friendly. The butterflies fade, and I feel at home.
“The Wake Up Call: Facing the Truth”: Senior Reflection By AUDREY CHO Contributing Writer When someone asks you to write a reflection on the past four years at Deerfield, you can only laugh. What could I possibly write that’s meaningful, that’s a testimony to the four years I’ve spent here? Where do I start— with another truth yet cliché about my eye-opening classes or life-long friendships? No, instead, this is for those who want the truth, that unintelligible truth beneath the intelligible lie. This is for those who have felt misplaced, humiliated, miserable, and simply unhappy— what we are not supposed to feel at our new “home.” I wish I could say I loved Deerfield. But as the previous Op/Ed editor who sought and demanded truth, it’s my turn to present my truth. Let’s start from the beginning. It’s hard to remember small details from freshman year, except the funniest ones such as the time when Rose handlebarred me into the rose bushes in front of the MSB, or when Mrs. Heise called Ted’s voice “sultry,” and we burst into laughter after he looked up the definition in Webster’s. Funny moments intertwine and uplift my memories of freshman year, but frankly it was a time when I felt awkward, estranged, and miserable. My parents taught me to love myself, that I was special. I believed in this, but I wasn’t from Greenwich, CT. I wasn’t white, I was a day student, and I couldn’t dare to stray from J. Crew or Ralph
Lauren. I believed in myself, but I needed to conform. I pretended I loved the Greer nightlife (because clearly everyone else did), and I pretended I loved spending all hours in Ashley instead of cooking dinner with my family. All because I needed to fit in, because I needed to belong. What was wrong with me? Everyone around me was praising us for being the smartest kids, and everyone around me seemed to unite under their love for Deerfield and the motto, “Be worthy of your heritage.” It seemed as if everyone was happy; why couldn’t I be the same? Why did I need to pretend happiness? But it wasn’t just me. I saw my friends, too, frantically order Jack Rogers online, complain about the Greer, and fear walking alone, lest they look like loners. My wake-up call came from the strangest source. My sister, then a senior, told me an “absurd” comment that her music teacher, Mr. Pandolfi, had made. She said he was worried that I, at his lunch table, rarely ate. I laughed with my sister (because everyone in my family knows how much I adore food), but I realized then that the twisting feeling in my stomach during study hall was hunger—hunger for food, hunger for acceptance, but most of all, hunger for happiness. The stress of not being, but trying my hardest to be, the white, preppy, beautiful Deerfield Girl was stopping me from being happy. But sophomore, then junior year came. Little by little, I was happy, not because I fit in, but because I relished the 45 minutes
when The Awakening’s relevancy to today’s double standard hit me, or because I genuinely laughed and sang songs from Glee during Scroll layout. It was the little moments, interspersed throughout the day—whether class discussions or a smile from a stranger—that excited me and inspired me. It was time to let go of that desire to fit in, for perfection, and to enjoy the brief yet blissful moments. So this is for all those who’ve felt scared, out of place, unappreciated, awkward, or any other tumultuous emotion you can feel here at Deerfield. Let’s face the truth: it’s hard to feel as if you always belong here. But what I’ve learned, what I can pass down, is that it’s about each moment, these few, fleeting seconds and minutes when you’re really happy: making friends with that shy boy at the library, gossiping on the way to sixth period with a girl on your crew team, or sharing fro-yo with the boy from Euro class. The way to enjoy Deerfield is to let go of that arduous task of trying to fit in, of trying to always wear pearls and Lilly, or trying to sport the “flow” or high socks. The way to live is to enjoy little bits of laughter each day, and cherish it. According to all of the alumni I have talked to, I will miss Deerfield by the time college rolls around. Well, I’ll be honest: I don’t miss Deerfield yet. But I have a feeling they’re going to be right. Audrey Cho was the 2010-2011 Opinion/Editorial editor of The Deerfield Scroll.
May 25, 2011
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TOP TEN OF THE YEAR 1.
September 9, 2010: Opening of new Greer Store and fitness center
2.
October 18, 2010 : Deerfield reacts to fall weekend scandal in New York
3.
October 28, 2010: Deerfield hosts speaker Paul Loeb
4.
February 15, 2011: Deerfield presents Voices in Conflict theater production
5.
April 8, 2011: Deerfield students protest on wall of Koch Center
6.
January 8, 2011: Jared Loughner opens fire at an Arizona grocery store
7.
February, 2011: Budget crisis almost shuts down federal government
8.
February 11, 2011: Mass protests in Egypt lead to ouster of Hosni Mubarak
9.
April 29, 2011: Kate Middleton and Prince William marry at Westminster Abbey
10.
May 2, 2011: US forces kill Osama bin Laden
USA! USA! USA? By JAN FLASKA Contributing Writer
value and additionally ask this question: Is there any reason to resist the temptation to celebrate Bin Laden’s death? Down what road are we headed if Bin Laden’s death is such an intrinsic, patriotic aphrodisiac? Hey–that felt good! I gotta get me some more of that stuff! If killing him was important enough to hear a call for a national holiday honoring American pride, then are we not moving toward a nationalist position that is more carnal and less human? Let’s not forget that even Nazism had humble roots. Most often, the sudden death of someone influential–-such as Princess Diana, President Kennedy, or Reverend King–invites us to the realization of the magnitude of human potential that has been lost in death. The more recent joyful and public responses we saw in Bin Laden’s death flip the paradigm completely and seemingly present his death as something gained in our collective humanity. Ask your friend, your parents, or your god: Can anything be gained by annihilating human life? Take care not to answer this question quickly: situational ethics are always biased. If the destruction of life results in our personal joy, we need to be wary of what lies ahead for us on our social and spiritual horizon, especially when we recognize that our own country’s weapons of mass destruction are but an impulsive moment away from launch. We need to be wary to not become like them. It is both critical and natural to fear our descent in this regard; if Bin Laden’s life meant nothing to us, and further yet his death meant everything, then we should make sure to tread with caution in our newfound roles of judge and executioner. In this regard, humility and selfreflection should prevail, lest the thrill of the sound of our gavel and the swing of our axe emerge as actions that give happiness, sustenance… and a desire for more.
Several weeks ago, throngs of Americans in New York City and Washington, D.C., came together to celebrate the calculated assassination of a mass-murdering, self-proclaimed jihadist. Immediately, the thought came to me that we are just like them: those in Afghanistan and Iraq, publicly exhibiting limbs and souvenir weapons of killed American soldiers; those in Iran and Pakistan, burning flags and presidential effigies in a collective fervor; and those ethnic citizens rallying outside of their respective countries’ American and British embassies, calling for an end to the war crimes being perpetrated by U.S. officials and forces. For much of the time I have been occupied in following the war journeys on which we have embarked, I have often felt proud of the fact that U.S. citizens have seemingly embraced victory, albeit at great cost, through humility, and in the fleeting expectation that we have only acted with deadly force when no other options were available. As these wars have dragged on, so many images have brought me to realize instead that we are just like them. Was the killing of Bin Laden necessary and justified? Is the world safer in his absence than it was in his presence? These are rhetorical and simple questions. The real quandary that we, adults and adolescents, tucked safely away in this academic, impenetrable kingdom, face is this: Should we publicly celebrate the death of Osama bin Laden? Should we cheer “USA! USA! USA!” in the dining hall and open spaces? Should we pump our fists because we got him? Bring it further, and describe it as it is: Do we love to see our enemies suffer? The hard reality, it seems, is that we Americans, projected on that day to the world in the videos of the joyful chaos we Jan Flaska is the assistant Dean of demonstrated, take genuine joy Students and the Dean of Spiritual in Bin Laden’s death. Rather than be critical of and Ethical Life. Congratulations to that fact, let us accept it at face his family on the birth of Emma Day!
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The Deerfield Scroll
CONGRATULATIO
CLASS OF 2011 MA AMERICAN UNIVERSITY Kyle Kager Ana Turco-Rivas
AMHERST COLLEGE W. Emmett Knowlton Samuel Tingley BATES COLLEGE Mary Banalagay Charlotte Blais Matthew DeNunzio Mac Jackson
BOSTON UNIVERSITY Robin Lauw BOWDOIN COLLEGE Matthew Almario Kendall Carpenter Charlotte McLaughry Mary Rockett Molly Rose Elisabeth Strayer Eliot Taft BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY Kyle Brenner BROWN UNIVERSITY Tara Avril-Tucker Tanner Larson William Swindell BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY Shannon Fuentes Rachel Gibson Paul Kapinos Olivia Koufakis George Trees CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY Jerome Froelich Gunn Herabat Justin Wong COLBY COLLEGE Alexander Berner Kayla Erf Gabe Salzer Jacqueline Tavella COLGATE UNIVERSITY Campbell Johnson Susanna Kvam COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON George Wheatley COLORADO COLLEGE Miles Griffis COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY Nastassia Adkins CONNECTICUT COLLEGE Blake Alessandroni Stephen Sousa Steven Victor Blake Wieczorek CORNELL UNIVERSITY Samuel Belcher Donnelly Carroll Julia Dolan John Hogan Alexandre Langlois Rose Pember DARTMOUTH COLLEGE Margaret Allyn Julien Blanchet Alexandra Gray Adam Hull Nash Larmoyeux Michael Muller Yu Jin Nam Robert Osgood DAVIDSON COLLEGE Lucille Boswell Marston Morte DUKE UNIVERSITY Carly Field Mollie Laverack Courtney Murray Curtis Oh EMORY UNIVERSITY Alfonso Velasco
FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY Brian Browne GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY Rebecca Gallaway GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY Hannah Broadhurst Charles Giannini Phillip Hah Charlotte Kirsten Daniel Litke Dylan McDermott John O’Donnell Palmer Quamme Lindsey Shea Jong Won Yang GETTYSBURG COLLEGE Phoebe Burr GRINNELL COLLEGE Vernon Jackson
HAMILTON COLLEGE Casey Collins Matthew McDonald Malcolm Phelan William Robbins Gabriella Sanes HARVARD UNIVERSITY Sergio Morales Eleanor Parker Latoya Stewart
HOBART & WILLIAM SMITH COLLEGES Mia Fowler Tatiana Soto INDIANA UNIVERSITY Sarah Hemaida LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY Elizabeth Barry
MIDDLEBURY Stephen Ale Noah Bak Katlyn C Alexander C Leanne Co Charlotte D Katherine D Yianni Gr Michael Hu Logan Mo Jamal Pi Samuel Red
MOREHOUSE Gaelen LeMel
MOUNT HOLYOK Tyannis C NEW YORK UN Sean Bar Julian Gon Morgan S Hae Ri Y
ONS, CLASS OF 2011!
May 25, 2011 5
ATRICULATIONS
Y COLLEGE exandre kker Casey Chapin onway Dewey Dewey rupen uebsch obley iper dmond
COLLEGE lle-Brown
KE COLLEGE Carter
NIVERSITY rnett nzalez Slottje Yoon
TUFTS UNIVERSITY Sonja Holmberg (SMFA) Tahlib Owens Jem Wilner UNION COLLEGE Shenae Lundberg UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIABERKELEY Jennifer Chu Justin Kwok UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO Frederica Rockwood UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE Clare Malfitano UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN Virginia Gray UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI Zachary Boynton UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINACHAPEL HILL James Bitter UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME Anne Wenzel UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA Ariel Beauregard-Breton Woo Sung Kim UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND Kelsey Janik Raul Tavares UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER Jonathan Tam UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO Chandler Cain UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Brandon Chang Rebecca Levy Deidre Yiu UNIVERSITY OF ST. ANDREWSSCOTLAND Victoria Hollo Hope Walker
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY Richard Beaumont POMONA COLLEGE Aaron Cyr-Mutty PRINCETON UNIVERSITY Casilda Aresti Alexandra Dewey Edward Fashole-Luke Sarah Kasoff Grace Murphy PROVIDENCE COLLEGE Devin Joyce PURDUE UNIVERSITY Miles Evans RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN Elizabeth Gregory SIENA COLLEGE Blake Burkhart SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY Lucas Smith
ST. ANSELM COLLEGE Alexa Napolitan ST. LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY Jacqueline Colt STANFORD UNIVERSITY Megan Cai Elvis Ikwa Nap Hong Leung Caitlin Murphy Bryant Seaman Gustav Wellin SWARTHMORE COLLEGE Hayat Abu Samra Peera Songkunnatham SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY Hannah Dancer TRINITY COLLEGE Cole Carpenter William Henry Timothy Shea
UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT David Haviland UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA Keeling Brown Emory Buck Anne Eldred David Fleishman Edward Growney Alannah Nisbet William Wall VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY Katherine Fitzsimons Robert Long Mackenzie Swirbul VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY Blair Scott Seth Stegelmann WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY Rosemary Straut WELLESLEY COLLEGE Estelle Kim Seayoung Kim Eunice Lee WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY Katherine Binswanger Alida Blundon Karon Hawkins WILLIAMS COLLEGE Lani Wilson YALE UNIVERSITY Kathryn Kaelin Nina Kempner Jez Marston Anne Mosley Andrew Sutphin Alexander Ward
FEATURES
6 The Deerfield Scroll
College Admissions: Keep Calm & Carry On By CASEY BUTLER Editorial Associate
As the class of 2011 graduates, it is easy to see how they are all happily looking forward to college. Yet this fall many of these same seniors were filled with anxiety and stress because of the college admissions process. Looking back, what do they wish they had known about the college admissions process? “I wish that, as a freshman, I knew that those grades count as much as they do,” said Kendall Carpenter ’11, who will go to Bowdoin College in the fall. “They count just as much as your grades sophomore, junior and senior year, since we don’t use weighted GPAs at DA.” Future Princeton student Hallie Dewey ’11 said, “Start early. Try to get a lot done before your senior year so you can focus on choosing which schools you like best. It is a ton of work, so try to spread it out.” Latoya Stewart ’11 agreed, and had some simple advice for everyone. “Don’t bother applying to schools you don’t like, and get things done during the summer: I wish I had done more during the summer, like my essays. I
wish I knew where I was going to apply before senior year started.” Charlotte Blais ’11, who will attend Bates College, exclaimed, “No one prepared me for this, but senior fall is even harder than junior year! You are needed often for meetings and unexpected responsibilities, so stay organized and do not over-commit yourself.” The seniors had specific advice for juniors in terms of stress management. Dewey said, “You don’t need to freak out about it! Underclassmen think that everything is about getting into college, but it’s not! No matter what, you will end up somewhere great!” Sidney Cech ’12, as a junior just entering the college process, added, “Be sure to take advantage of your free time freshman and sophomore year. You don’t realize how valuable it is until it’s gone! Thinking about it now, my grades could have been better, and I wish I’d gone out for The Scroll, or debate or another club. I wish I had used the time to try new things instead of just going back to my room to work.” As a senior looking back, Dewey said, “Don’t forget to make the most of your time at DA, because it goes so fast!”
Visit Scroll Online to see how Grounds Crew maintains campus!
Students Relay For A Cause By CARLY REILLY Staff Writer
The United States has seen a slow but steady increase in cancer victims, the number of mortalities rising annually until 2010’s peak of over 1,500,000 deaths.1 As the numbers mount, researchers push harder to find the much sought-after cure—the elusive remedy that seems to make its way into every conversation about what America’s future generation must accomplish. As the nation’s youth gear up for the challenge, many kids are starting the awareness-raising process early—young children joining parents and friends in the popular Relay for Life fundraiser. On Friday, May 20, Deerfield Academy hosted its own Mini-Relay for Life from 4 to 9 p.m. out on the track. Prior to the event, Claire Hutchins ’12 planned ways to aid the affair. “It’s such a great cause,” said Hutchins, who, alongside co-captain Andrew Slade ’12, formed the team “Chutch and Slade Fight Cancer.” Their group of about 16 students hoped to raise $1,000 by the advent of the relay. Their fundraising method included helping curb the 10 p.m. 1 American Cancer Society :: Information and Resources for Cancer: Breast, Colon, Prostate, Lung and Other Forms. Web. 15 May 2011. <http:// www.cancer.org>.
hunger pangs by selling baked goods at curfew to halls across campus. Only a few nights of vending took place, but the group got off to a great start, raising $240 in a single week. “It’s cool to see people so happy to give money to charity,” noted Hutchins. “We’ve had lots of kids telling us to ‘keep the change.’” But Hutchins’ role extended beyond that of fundraiser and race participator. Having experienced the tragedy of losing her mother to breast cancer when she was seven years old, Hutchins was asked to speak at the race about her experiences. “I’m not bitter about it,” she assured. “It’s just something that has been a part of my life for a while now, and it means I take special pride in this cause.” Slade too spoke at the event, describing his father’s continuing battle with cancer. From someone who was previously uninvolved in the cause, Slade noted the turnaround in his participation. “Last year I wasn’t even involved in the Relay for Life, but this year I’m on a committee, starting a team, and really feel like I’m contributing.” For those who took little part in this year’s Relay, or wish to continue helping with the cause, there’s still hope for next year. To learn more about how to get involved in the larger campaign against cancer, visit the American Cancer Society’s website at www. cancer.org and be sure to stay tuned for announcements about future opportunities on campus.
May 25, 2011
2010-2011 By the Numbers
Visit Scroll Online for facts about ITS and the library. Facts compiled by Caroline Kjorlien.
Prom Dresses: A Statement of Self By MIRANDA McEVOY Staff Writer
Louisa Schiefflin
Draping fabrics sweep across the grass as light laughter and murmurs echo over the quad while people begin to make their way into the dining hall. The night has finally arrived: it’s senior prom. Prom is a highly-anticipated event, and at the heart of the planning and excitement is the search for the “perfect” prom dress. Dress shopping is both an exciting and hectic period of time. Searching for a dress can be stressful; it can, however, also be highly rewarding. While most girls bought their dresses from stores, some chose to don the vintage and used dresses. Lydie Blundon ’11 bought her dress from eBay. Blundon explained, “I didn’t want to wear a standard dress
that everyone else would have. It’s from last season, and I’m into recycling. I just think it’s better to buy things second hand. It really seemed unique to me.” With a multitude of sequins arranged in a colorful pattern on a cocktail length dress, Blundon’s is not the typical prom gown. When asked through an anonymous poll, more senior girls preferred a long dress to a shorter one. The more “classicprom” style of dress was certainly in favor this year. Long trains, no straps, and soothing shades of blue were the most popular among senior girls. Ellie Parker ’11 chose a dress that was both timeless as well as one-of-a-kind. She said, “I was helping my grandmother clean out her closet and jokingly tried a couple [dresses] on, and this one fit shockingly well, considering I’m four inches taller
than she is. It’s 65-years-old, hand-made Italian linen.” Floor length, vintage, and delicate straps completed with minimal accessories are her preference. While traditional, Parker’s choice certainly stands out; a dress that is hand-made in Italy is not something you normally see worn to prom. Some might see finding a dress as trivial, even inconsequential. But, as Courtney Murray ’11 explained, “Besides junior prom, you wouldn’t have had a chance to get such an elaborate dress for such an important occasion, and I think your choice in dress separates you from other people.” Sometimes, dressing up and wearing the perfect dress is what makes all the difference on prom night. Murray reflected, “Your dress defines your style in terms of who you are.”
Not Only the Seniors Say Goodbye
By NICHOLLE YU Staff Writer
Every year faculty members leave to further their academic studies, pursue other interests, or retire. This year Deerfield bids farewell to some great teachers and staff, among them science teachers Mark Acton and Steve Anderson, Associate Director of Admissions Benjamin Hamilton, math teacher Joel Jacob, fine arts teacher and theater director John Reese, and science teacher Lauren Veit. Deerfield marks not only some of the greatest years in a student’s life, but it also has a profound impact on the adults who live and work here. Mr. Reese, who came here when Deerfield was still an all-boys’ school, was inspired by the number of boys who opened up to theater. He reflected, “I had the expectation that boys would be reserved, but it was just the opposite. I learned that your expectation could be completely misguided. I was taken back by the willingness of students to take risks in their work.” Mr. Jacob came here to teach and, along the way, became ensconced in the community. He
commented, “The friendships I developed make me a better teacher. I’ll miss hanging out in the math department, whether it’s doing a crossword puzzle with Mr. Keller and Mr. Dancer or discussing my classes with Mrs. Latham and Mr. Barnes.” Deerfield has also helped some teachers find their direction in life. Mr. Hamilton explained he “gained a little humility living here amongst so many talented people. Deerfield helped me find my professional path. I started off on Wall Street, but once I landed here I realized my professional calling was the school world.” Other than his admissions expertise, Mr. Hamilton admitted that “Deerfield has taught me how to bake a mean cookie. My first batch was like eating salt cakes. Now the boys rave about them.” Students say that there is more to Deerfield than what happens in the classroom. Mr. Anderson, or Steve, as he is affectionately known, agreed: “Deerfield has taught me the importance of every aspect of the community. It’s not just the teachers and the students, but a really happy and vibrant place like Deerfield has so many staff
and townspeople. There’s just connectivity here.” Ms. Veit lived in the Pocumtuck Valley for only a year, but said that “this place has taught me a lot about what a genuine community really is. In all the communities I’ve ever been a part of, this has been the best in terms of people helping each other and people watching out for each other.” Looking ahead, everyone hopes to bring some part of Deerfield with him or her in the future. Head of School Margarita Curtis remarked, “What I hope they take away from Deerfield are the relationships they have developed here with fellow faculty members and students whose lives they have affected in a pretty special way. I thank them for what they have done here.” Reflecting on his past few years, Dr. Acton commented, “I’ve really enjoyed getting to see all sides of my students, whether it’s in the dorm, out in the athletic fields or during sit down meal. I’ve seen the hidden parts of students that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise. I’ll miss the easy and close relationships with students because we spend so much time together.”
The Deerfield Scroll
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Envisioned Words:
May 25, 2011
7
Authors on Campus
By STEFANI KUO and JADE MOON Staff Writers
Despite their busy schedules, several members of the Deerfield community miraculously find the time not merely to read literature, but to write and translate novels. New member of the English department Gina Apostol is the author of three novels, including The Revolution According to Raymundo Mata, winner of the 2010 Philippine National Book Award. Ms. Apostol has found herself a new mystery. Her current book is “a story about a filmmaker and a mystery writer.” She explained that these characters are placed in the context of a 1901 massacre in the Philippines. In addition to her creativity,
time management is also crucial. “I had a deadline for novel revisions once, and I ended up actually doing some revisions when on duty at the Greer store,” Ms. Apostol confessed. As a self-described novelist rather than a poet, Ms. Apostol says that she doesn’t rely on inspiration for her ideas. “I’m doomed to keep writing it. I’m stuck with the topic I choose for five to ten years. Inspiration is not for novelists.” Another writer on campus, Laird Ellis, husband of French teacher Francoise Ellis, describes his latest work as “a vision that creates itself.” Mr. Ellis first imagined his novel many years ago and is still developing it. “A book about an adopted orphan, my novel is separated into four movements, each
having its own tempo or tempos: Adagio, Allegro, Vivacé, and Presto and Gravé respectively,” explained Mr. Ellis. The novel revolves around humanity and the unknowable nature of the universe and of divinity. Meanwhile, French teacher and advisor to the campus literary magazine Albany Road Andrea Moorhead just finished translating Elise Turcotte’s Sombre Menagerie for Guernica Editions. She commented, “Writing builds on writing, not on mental musings.” Ms. Moorhead works on her own writing but also focuses on translations, as “translation is a way to keep my mind sharp, to reexamine language closely.” As these authors “re-examine language,” they bring literature to the forefront of faculty life and activity on campus.
Ben Bolotin
Grace Murphy ’11 leapt at the Spring Dance Showcase. Murphy choreographed Jai Ho after dance teacher Stephanie Shumway introduced her to the song from the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack. Murphy researched traditional Indian dance, hoping to “accurately reflect the music,” she explained. “The Indian influences appeared in recurring details and small gestures, but the meat of the dance was jazz and hip-hop.” Murphy also performed a piece entitled Vienna with her twin sister Caitlin Murphy ’11. Caitlin explained, “We picked the song ‘Vienna’ by Billy Joel together, because we always used to listen to the song in my dad’s car. It reminds us of childhood.” To read the full article by Tabata Viso, go to The Scroll online.
Anticipating Merwin: The Shadow of Sirius Review By ELIZA MOTT Book Reviewer
W. S. Merwin, in his most recent collection of poetry, The Shadow of Sirius, admits, “I have only what I remember.” The 2010 Poet Laureate of the United States and winner of the 2009 Pulitzer Prize weaves moments and memories to create a series of luminous poems. Merwin’s style is succinct. He abandons all punctuation and superfluous details in order to create a crisp, intimate image in each poem. A master of light and darkness, Merwin details both “the unbroken sound of pure darkness / that went on all the time under everything,” and “the light / in the unspoken morning.” He creates smoldering bronze sunlight and lengthening shadows, as well as “leaves… taking to themselves / the colors of sunlight / to keep them” and “a window kindl[ing] like a first star.” He contemplates the meaning and beauty of remembering, remarking that “what we see comes again to us in secret” and calling on the reader to “see how the past is not finished / here in
the present / it is awake the whole time / never waiting.” His lucid writing illustrates past events in the present tense, emphasizing the continuity of time. Merwin cherishes memory, saying: “I touch the day / I taste the light / I remember.” Merwin also approaches aging and death with a clear-headed wisdom. He admits to his own “black dog” which leads him “carefully up the blind stairs” into loss of memory and the end of life. And he describes how “age seems to be without substance at any time.” He recognizes how his past composes him as a person, but how this person is the same for all time, recalling “the lucent days / from which now I am made.” Next October, Merwin will be featured as an Academy Event speaker. Thanks to the Academy Events Committee, Merwin will arrive at Deerfield on Wednesday, October 12. There will be a dinner that evening, followed by an hourlong reading of his poetry. On Thursday, from 11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m., an informal question and answer session will take place with interested students, faculty and staff.
William Fox Mary Cherna ’12 looked on as her co-host Nolan Doyle ’12 cracked a joke at the Widdies on May 14.
Lights, Camera, Action! Widdies 2011 By SHARON TAM Staff Writer The annual student film festival and awards ceremony, the Widdies, was hosted by Mary Cherna ’12 and Nolan Doyle ’12 on the evening of May 14. Antonio Andreas ’11 blew viewers away with his video Welcome to the Machine, a film that included “nasty betrayal” and “brutal murder.” Andreas won the “Best Director” award, and Welcome to the Machine won the awards for Best Cinematography and Best Picture. Aaron Cyr-Mutty ’11 played an intense role in this film and won the Best Actor award. Another popular video of the night was D.A. Punk’d, made by four students, David Buoymaster ’13, Adam Ellison ’13, Madyn Field ’13, and Dave Keith ’13. In the video, Ted Growney ’11, Alex Ward ’11, Dashiell Schulte ’13, Ben Turner ’13, Teddy Wackerman ’13, and Sidney Hulburd ’14 were invited to take part in a phony admissions video and asked rather unorthodox questions. The resulting film captured the award for Best Comedy. Ted Growney ’11 won the award for Most Angry During an Interview, and Teddy Wackerman won the Best Quote of the
night: “There is no one best memory. Every memory is just remembered.” The award for Best Short went to Dave Keith ’13, for his production of The Most Interesting Man, starring history teacher Michael Silipo in a beer commercial. The award for Best Action Film went to 007 Boyden Lane directed by Nicky Rault ’13. “There was a wide variety of films, but Rault’s action adventure was my favorite,” said Josh Reed ’13. “It was a really fun experience making a video with so many of my friends,” Rault said, commenting on the success of his video. “So many people dedicated so much time into the making of this video—not for a grade or for any credit—but just to be great friends.” In addition, Maksat Kalymgazinov ’12 won the award for Best Villain in 007 Boyden Lane. When asked about his favorite film, Woodson Miles commented, “Definitely 007. Maksat certainly deserved the Best Villain award that he received.” “I really enjoyed that night,” said Ashley So ’13. “There was a great variety of videos, with the perfect mixture of intensity, comedy, and artistic creativity.”
A Glimpse at the Costumes of the Upcoming Spring Play: She Strives for the Sumptuous
By DELANEY BERMAN Staff Writer
This spring’s play She Stoops to Conquer unfolds in a country manor in late eighteenthcentury England, a setting that demands luxury to the point of frivolity. The cast satisfies that demand with exquisite execution of language and action, but the lavish costumes selected by Emily Dunn, the talented designer who creates costumes for productions at Smith College, capture the spotlight. “The women are really in charge in this play,” Director of Theater John Reese explained. Anyone seeing the costumes knows this statement makes quite a bit of sense. The popular fashions of the eighteenth century emphasize the power of the feminine physique. Ms. Dunn made sure that the ladies of the play follow such trends, dressing in lots of layers despite the springtime heat. The layering begins with a lacy corset, strung tightly in the back to create a flattering small waist. Next comes the bustle: tie-on padding around the hips to help support the train of the gown and add that fashionable period curviness. After these undergarments have created the sought-after silhouette, each
character slips into a petticoat, and then an outer jewel-toned lacy gown. The male costumes are almost as lacy, and just as fabulous. On the bottom, the men will sport classic eighteenth-century britches: cropped pants made of rich velvets and corduroys embellished with pleats and shiny buttons. On top, they layer flouncy shirts with intricate lacy collars and sleeves under vests and coats made of opulent jacquard fabrics. These incredible ensembles will then be topped off with the dramatic style of make-up used by actors in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. All of the characters will decorate their faces with playing card symbols pertinent to their
circumstances. For example, the young lovers will sport hearts. The older characters will also create milky complexions with white powder and define wrinkles with black charcoal. Then, of course, come the wigs. The men and women will all wear different variations of stacked curls and dramatic cuts appropriate to their individual social statuses. Twenty-seven years ago, Mr. Reese began his Deerfield career with a production of She Stoops to Conquer, ushering in an era of splendor, elegance, and success for Deerfield’s theater department. If the costumes prove anything, She Stoops to Conquer seems like a fitting way to bid farewell to Mr. Reese.
Lena Mazel Gabriela Espinosa ’12 tried on her corset during a rehearsal with fellow actors Meghana Vunnamadala ’12 and Sean Barnett ’11.
SPORTS
8 The Deerfield Scroll
May 25, 2010
SENIOR ATHLETE MEMORIES Profiles complied by Charlie Cory, Sammy Hirshland, and Claire Hutchins Photographs by Ben Bolotin, Lena Mazel, and Daniel Han
Girls’ 4x400 Strides Forth
Yianni Grupen Middlebury College Football and Basketball “My favorite DA sports memory was when our students rushed onto the varsity field after we beat Avon 27-6 in the seniors’ last football game on Jim Smith Field.”
Jimmy Bitter University of North Carolina Lacrosse “When we defeated the favored Choate team in basketball. The entire school was packed in the gym, and at the final buzzer, all the fans stormed the court.”
Ellie Parker Harvard University Crew “Rowing from the finish at New England’s last spring after a nail-biter finish and hearing confirmation that our undefeated boat had beaten Groton for gold.”
Hallie Dewey Princeton University Squash “When we beat Greenwich Academy to win New England’s. It was the most exciting series of matches, and I couldn’t have asked for a better team to be a part of.”
Shenae Lundberg Union College Ice Hockey “Tying Choate and then hearing from some girls on their team that they had an 8 a.m. skating practice the next morning with sprints.”
Hunter Huebsch Middlebury College Soccer “When we came back from 3-1 down against Andover my junior year. Then we beat them 4-3 with 20 seconds left in the game.”
Ariel Beauregard-Breton University of Pennsylvania Cross Country and Track “I will forever remember how awesome the cross-country team was. They made every practice enjoyable, through rain or shine!”
Andrew Sutphin Yale University Football “Beating Hotchkiss in football during overtime for the first time in years. It was nice to go out on top. I teared up after the game.”
Rhys Louis: the Man, the Myth, the Cyclist By SAMMY HIRSHLAND Editorial Associate
It isn’t often that a varsity sport at Deerfield can be summarized with a single name, one that epitomizes the drive, speed, and intensity true to its definition. As a new sophomore last year, Rhys Louis ’12 set astronomical standards for the spring’s varsity cycling team. Although Louis captained the mountain biking team at Eaglebrook School for two years, he didn’t start road biking until the summer before he came to Deerfield. The transition from dirt to pavement was no problem for him. “It’s a natural progression, and things just sort of clicked for me,” Louis commented. “The first race I entered, I won,” he remembered. “It was fun, it was awesome… I remember looking at the speedometer on my bike and
breaking the speed limit across the finish line.” Only a junior, Louis is already the captain of Deerfield’s varsity team, and although winning and captaining may look easy for him, a deeper look reveals that hard work has been a huge part of his success. He does most of his riding during the summer, in addition to attending a bike mechanic school in order to help his teammates keep their bikes in working condition. His work during the summer proves to be a challenge, yet Louis maintains a positive attitude that allows him to stay motivated and ready to compete. “When I’m at home I typically race against people who ride all year round… It’s fun to go and get destroyed because it gives you motivation to [train]. [At Deerfield], it’s really me and two other guys from the opposing teams in competition,” Louis admitted.
Louis destroyed the final climb on Kill Mountain Road at the New England Road Cycling Championships on May 11, 2011.
During the season, his work as captain is just as challenging, if not more so than his off-season training. “He works hard,” said head coach Rich Calhoun. “His responsibility during practice, essentially, is almost equal to that of an assistant coach.” Not only does he fix bikes in the summer and help his teammates with their technique, but he also leads by example and is, by his accumulated points, the
A Leader In Our Midst By ANDREW SLADE Staff Writer
Although no longer playing on the 3rds lacrosse field, Cole Carpenter ’11 has had the incredible opportunity to make a greater impact on Deerfield’s athletics. The Scroll sat down with Carpenter to discuss his role as a student coach on his former team, and how he gives back to the community. Scroll: What role do you play on the 3rds lacrosse team? Carpenter: I’m the assistant coach and I focus heavily on helping out the defense, but really I just try to do whatever is needed. Scroll: How did you get to be an assistant coach? Carpenter: Well, I helped out the team last year while going through rehab on my knee and this year Coach Davis needed an extra coach. He asked me and I couldn’t turn down the opportunity. Scroll: What have you learned? Carpenter: Coaching doesn’t take a great depth of knowledge but more an attention to detail and ability to connect to your players. I know how to
communicate with them and I think that’s indeterminately valuable. Working with other people and being a leader translates to everything. Scroll: What was it like to transition from being an athlete to being a coach? Carpenter: It was a new feeling, kind of strange at first. I try to make sure I’m as trustworthy as possible and helpful wherever the other coaches need it. Scroll: What unique aspect do you contribute to the team? Carpenter: I’m very focused on details and I like to do my coaching mostly through oneon-one situations. I like to go up to a player and tell them where I think they need to make an adjustment. I get a little time to focus on them individually because I think that sticks more. According to Carpenter, it makes a difference when students see their peer coaches in the hallway, in the Greer, or at the river. The ancient Greeks had a meaning for the word arete, or excellence, which was the act of living up to one’s fullest potential. Carpenter believes that’s what sports here are teaching us.
champion of the league. So, after all of this success with cycling, what’s next? Louis expressed his desire to get an exemption with two of his teammates next fall for a sport called “cyclo-cross” in order to continue their training in an entirely different milieu. “It’s basically a bunch of idiots riding around in the woods with [mountain bike tires] on road bikes. It’s fun, it’s crazy.” Just like Louis!
By SARAH SUTPHIN Staff Writer
This spring, thanks to a handful of exceptional longdistance runners and sprinters, the girls’ varsity track and field team expects to place unprecedentedly high at the New England Championship meet, as a record-breaking 4x400 relay team should add to the collective victories of the program. A consistently triumphant aspect of the Deerfield track program is its 4x400 relay. During the track and field season of 2010, team members Elizabeth Tubridy ’10, Shelbi Kilcollins ’12, Carley Porter ’12, and Tatum McInerney ’13 not only broke Deerfield’s record in the 4x400, but also dominated their competition. Their success qualified this year’s incredible team (Kerry Krause ’12, Carley Porter ’12, Connie Rhodes ’12, and Tatum McInerney ’13) for the distinguished Penn Relays, held on April 28. “It’s supposed to be the biggest track meet in the world. Olympic, college, and high school athletes all compete,” explained McInerney. The Deerfield girls attended only the first day of events. When asked about their results, McInerney provided a fervent response: “It was an amazing experience. Obviously it was really nerve-wracking, but also so much fun. We placed third, but the time we got at our following meet would have made us win. However, we did our best.” The time from their following meet broke the Deerfield school record (a record set by the 2010 team). When summarizing the performance of this year’s girls’ track team as a whole, McInerney stated, “We’ve come a long way. I think we’re getting better and better.” As for the championship meet, captain Victoria Serra ’12 predicted: “Ariel [BeauregardBreton ’11] will obviously get first in something, Rose [Fisher ’13] will do really well in the 3000 meter, Devinne [Cullinane ’14] will do really well, and Tatum will definitely place in the 800 meter.”