Vol. LXXXVII, No. 3 DEERFIELD ACADEMY, DEERFIELD, MA 01342
September 4, 2012
Plans to renovate Memorial Arts Building underway
Why the new opening days’ schedule?
By SARAH SUTPHIN Sports Editor
Faculty and students respond By CAROLINE KJORLIEN Features Editor With the help of student feedback last year, a committee of faculty and staff members changed this year’s opening days’ schedule to ease academic and social anxieties students face in their first week of school. “The previous schedule didn’t feel like a ‘shared experience’ for new students,” Dean of Students Amie Creagh said. “Some new students felt connected immediately, while others felt out of the loop. That’s not right. We want each new student to feel equally prepared and connected.” Co-ed corridor teams will rotate around stations in key campus locations on Sunday to learn about Deerfield culture. These activities will replace Dorm Olympics, an inter-dorm competition in activities ranging from sponge relays to boomerang tosses. Science teacher Dennis Cullinane said Dorm Olympics was counterproductive for new students in the first days. “My experience with Dorm Olympics was that we always started as a dorm, but then the returners would flock to their friends when we got down to the field, which really defeated the idea behind the event,” he said. Joseph Delaney Dr. Cullinane continued, “I’m a firm believer in community A construction man cuts grooves into support beams of the Little service, sports and social growth Brown House. Crews built a new roof because the old one rotted, being important components of replaced cracked windows and installed new support beams. the Deerfield experience, but we have to remember that academics leaders,” Ms. Creagh said. Faculty members primarily need to come first.” Another schedule change is support returning from break the addition of Friday classes and five days earlier, and many believe weekend academic orientations it will benefit students in their designed to prepare students for classes later in the term. Students, however, seem to be hesitant to Deerfield’s academic rigor. By MIRANDA “Many faculty felt the opening embrace an early start. MCEVOY “I’m pretty ambivalent about days were off balance: lots of Arts and Entertainment social emphasis and not enough the changes,” Anna Lu ’13 said. Editor academic,” Ms. Creagh said. “It was strange to arrive after the “This is an opportunity to find a returners, but on the other hand, better balance between the two.” it was also nice that everyone else This year’s preseason will be Science teacher Rich Calhoun was already moved in and excited cut down to a single day, which said, “I plan on using the day to to welcome the new students.” some students said created “I do not understand how it is setbacks for varsity teams while have a relaxed conversation to get to know my students and answer going to make things less hectic others said changed Deerfield’s questions rather than holding a when returners arrive the day focus away from sports. before classes begin,” Shanisha more formal class.” With the new opening days schedule, athletic scheduling is “Many faculty felt the opening days were off balance: lots more cramped in recent of social emphasis and not enough academic. This is an years. Preseason, than an opportunity opportunity to find a better balance between the two.” for student athletes to tryout for -Ms. Creagh varsity teams, was two days long Green Key leaders, proctors, Coram ’13 added. in 2011. Hoping for a homeworkpeer counselors and members of “We feel we’ve found a better the Disciplinary and Academic free weekend, Sloan Damon ’13 balance and orientation schedule Honor Committees will discuss said he didn’t believe the change for Deerfield students, new and ethical leadership and how to would “impact his first week of old,” Head of Athletics Chip build cultural understanding school too much.” Davis said. “Athletics are less But Science teacher Ivory Hills distinct. We’ve added class time, on campus in the leadership said, “I trust that we will actively residential time and academic program Tuesday. “This is a new initiative, and seek feedback and evaluate what orientation time while thinning I think it will allow us to be far changes are for the better and the athletic blocks. On a relative more deliberate about what we what additional improvements basis, I think there has been want for and from our named can be made.” realignment.”
The renovation of the Memorial Building, center of campus arts, is expected to start in June, 2013, if the Board of Trustees approves the designs and plans, according to Project Manager and Planner Jeff Galli. “One of the Academy’s goals is to have the building LEED certified,” Mr. Galli said. “As part of this project, the mechanical, electrical and lighting systems will be upgraded.” Renovation plans include a new balcony in the large auditorium to increase seating capacity, a second dance studio and an acting lab. The visual arts department will move from the basement to the first floor with a new art gallery and larger studios with more natural light. The music department will have more practice rooms and a “state-ofthe-art” recital hall geared for small performances, according to Director of Music Daniel Roihl. Theater Director Catriona Hynds said it was hard to teach theater in an open area like the Hilson Gallery. “Rehearsals need to be held in a secure and private space so no one is inhibited,” she said. “I am really looking forward to having this new acting lab for the work we do on a daily basis.” Mr. Roihl said, “I believe these renovations are long overdue, and having newly refurbished and updated facilities for the arts will almost certainly support our ongoing efforts to recruit bright and talented student artists.”
However, student musician Justin Schlacks ’13 said it is ultimately up to admissions officers to decide to admit more arts students. “I feel that the admissions office prefers talented athletes to talented actors, musicians and artists,” he said. “I do not think the current facilities impede my ability to learn and believe the money could probably be spent better elsewhere—recruiting better teachers, improving the dorms or increasing the dining hall budget. Those changes would positively affect everyone on campus, whereas the majority of this renovation will probably benefit less than a third of the community,” Schlacks said. Student artist Clara Galperin ’13 gave a different perspective on the renovation’s significance. “I think the arts is the only aspect of school that really leaves space for pure creativity,” she said. “Developing a talent in that sense can prove incredibly fulfilling, even therapeutic.” Head of School Margarita Curtis said from an educator’s perspective, the arts are a rich outlet for creativity and imagination demanded in the 21st century. “The renovation of the Memorial Building will highlight the importance of music, dance, the visual arts and theatre in a liberal arts education, and ensure that our students enter adulthood and the workplace with the artistic sensibilities that will lead to productive, fulfilling lives,” Dr. Curtis said.
Short preseason with new opening days’ schedule challenges teams, relieves others
Pages 2-3 Features New students FacultyGoogle come TrueImages Love from all overStories country, world
Page 4 Deerfield coaches respond to Penn State scandal
But Varsity water polo captain Sloan Damon ’13 said, “Preseason gives our teams more time to learn to play together, as often the first game of the season is soon after school starts.” The training period also gives teams an edge: time to become competitive against other schools. “I think the short preseason could hurt our team’s performances, especially early in the season,” said Conner Romeyn ’13, who plays varsity soccer. Tri-varsity athlete and captain Mettler Growney ’13 added, “I don’t think this [year’s preseason] is enough time for a team to become acclimated and comfortable playing with each other.” Shorter preseason means the varsity football team no longer meets the minimum number of practices required by NEPSAC for safety and equity, according to Mr. Davis. He said the team will have an optional off-campus camp before school starts, something other teams like boys’ soccer,
Page 4 Boys’ crew wins National’s, Collins takes silver in 8+ at World’s
volleyball and water polo have done in the past. While varsity teams are accommodating the new schedule, some students said preseason was a source of anxiety for non-varsity athletes and supported its de-emphasis. “Preseason creates a subtle superiority vibe among those who attend because it’s exclusive,” Sarah Sutphin ’13 said. “It’s a reminder that varsity athletes receive special treatment.” “This new emphasis on hall cohesion and class bonding within the new opening days’ schedule will make for a smoother reception of new kids into the Deerfield fold,” said Proctor Betsy Alexandre ’13. “If this sacrifices a few athletic practices for the small number of athletes, so be it.” Mr. Davis said, “I don’t believe the opening days’ schedule was designed with any principles of exclusivity. There is a logic and a cadence as to why we build our school population on campus over a three-to-four day rollout.”
The Deerfield Scroll
Sarah Dancer ’16 Amanda Deskavich ’16 Dominic Dimitroff ’16 Ezekiel Emerson ’16 Caleb Friends ’16 Lucas Galperin ’16 Samantha Habel ’16 Andrew Hollander ’16 Lauren Ilsley ’16 Gavin Kennedy ’16 Elizabeth Klink ’16 Hunter Luber ’16 Caleb Owens ’16 Lyric Perot ’16 Andrew Rapoza ’16 Dante A. Sacco ’16 Dane Scott ’16 Chloe Sweet ’16 Maia Taylor ’16 John Tsandilas ’16 Robert Wadman ’16 Maggie Yin ’16
NEW STUDENTS
CANADA: Joseph French ’13 Madeleine Genereux ’15 Louis-Philippe Page ’15 Zahra Rawji ’15 Taylor Morash ’16
NORWAY: Anne Rodahl ’14
VIRGIN ISLANDS: Destine James ’16
MEXICO: Nicolas Williamson ’15
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Christian Wolter ’13 Ryan Wolter ’15 Karle Erf ’16 Andrew Hadley ’16 MICHIGAN: Ahmed Iftikhar ’13
RHODE ISLAND: Justin Finan ’13 Wills McMahon ’14
NEW JERSEY: Gregory Froelich ’13 Thomas Thurston ’13 Charles Brahaney ’15 Margaret Chappell ’15 Kevin Doyle ’15 Liam Morris ’15 Ahoefa Abita ’16 Alexandra Roberts ’16 Elizabeth Stankovits ’16 Brianna Thorbourne ’16 MARYLAND: David Lackner ’14 Brooke Horowitch ’16 VIRGINIA: James Reichert ’16 NORTH CAROLINA: David Hamilton ’16 William Hamilton ’16 Rufus Shamberger ’16
FLORIDA: Serena Ainslie ’16 Alexander Cohlan ’16
BULGARIA: Georgi Dumanov ’14 GERMANY: Beatrix Madersbacher Eide ’14
EGYPT: Sam Khalifa ’14
KENYA: David Mwakima ’13
THAILAND: Chaowat Kajornrattana ’13 Napat Sertthin ’15
BOTSWANA: Katlo Gasewagae ’13 COLUMBIA: Maria Andrea Piedrahita di Terlizzi ’15 Lorenzo Munoz ’16
NEW YORK: Liam Kennedy ’13 Lucas Walsh ’13 Nicole Jones ’14 Caroline Wagner ’14 Olivia Davis ’15 Jacob Kahler ’15 Matthew Kane ’15 Matthew Morrow ’15 Ju Hyung Park ’15 Tyreak Richardson ’15 Binger Shangguan ’15 Kofi Adu ’16 Nigel Andrews ’16 Ago Asante ’16 Philip Bowers ’16 Dominique Burgess ’16 Charles Carpenter ’16 Tatiana Dash ’16 Margaret Downes ’16 Elliot Gilbert ’16 Ileana Glyptis ’16 Katherine Heaney ’16 Isabel Hutchins ’16 Kaity Jia ’16 John Kilgallon ’16 Steven Lillis ’16 Sophie Michaels ’16 Daniel Pryor ’16 Adriana Sanes ’16 Felix Schliermann ’16 Emma Siefert ’16 Miles Smachlo ’16 Cecilia Swenson ’16 Mikaela Wellner ’16
KOREA: Jason Han ’15 Yuri Lee ’15 Hae June Lee ’16 Julian Lee ’15
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Adeolu Faniran ’14
BERMUDA: Christopher Doherty ’16
MAINE: Charles Gerrity ’13
PENNSYLVANIA: Tyler Earley ’13 Alexandra Patrylak ’15
RUSSIAN FEDERATION: Andrew Prosikhin ’13
ITALY: Hugo Marsans ’14
VERMONT: Madison Lyford ’15 Brendan O’Connell ’16
3
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: Lejla Custo ’14
UNITED KINGDOM: Katherine Palmer ’16
JAMAICA: Keren Alfred ’14
September 4, 2012
RWANDA: Ian Kagame ’15 Brian Kagame ’16
CHINA: Zibo Gao ’15 Chunbin Leng ’15 Haidun Liu ’15 Shaun Wang ’15 Kevin Chen ’16 Darren Ho ’16 Christie Jok ’16 Samantha Kuo ’16 Renbo Tu ’16 Yingni Wang ’16 Mitchell Wong ’16 Justin Xiang ’16
INDONESIA: Yasmine Deswandhy ’16
Quick Count: 164 new students from 29 U.S. states + 42 new international students from 21 countries 206 new students total Total Deerfield students: 633 Boarding: 556 Day: 77
2 The Deerfield Scroll
NEW STUDENTS
September 4, 2012
New students from far and near: Welcome to
MASSACHUSETTS: Colton Dana ’13 John Dillon ’13 John Finigan ’13 Andrew Shediac ’13 William Smith ’13 Rachel Brooks ’14 Kyle Burns ’14 Cullen Geary ’14 Victoria Wetherby ’14 Madison Baker ’15 William Blauvelt ’15 Daniel Bolotin ’15 Youchen Liu ’15 Catherine Livingston ’15 Phoebe Morss ’15 Meghan Mozea ’15 Olivia Pivirotto ’15 Joseph Redfearn ’15 Henry Sanford ’15 Anna Berger ’16 Anne Blasberg ’16 Benjamin Collins ’16
CONNECTICUT: Matthew Brophy ’13 Damien Vega ’13 Henry Cobbs ’15 Emily Mahan ’15 Penelope McKeefry ’15 Clifton York ’15 David Darling ’16 Caroline Fett ’16 Elizabeth Growney ’16 Hill Kelley ’16 Healy Knight ’16 Emerson Logie ’16 Nina McGowan ’16 Camille Moeckel ’16 Courtney Morgan ’16 Elizabeth Swindell ’16 Emily Yue ’16
IDAHO: Claire Goss ’13 Victoria Castellano-Wood ’16
MINNESOTA: Jacob Meyer ’14
WISCONSIN: Hailey Nuthals ’14 Madeline Moon ’16
OHIO: Sicily Kiesel ’15
CALIFORNIA: Matthew Ching ’14 Molly Hunt ’14 Sarah Jinich ’15 Shelton Rogers ’15 Brandon Wu ’15 Oliver Fair ’16 Kaitlyn Fitzsimmons ’16 Emerson Garnett ’16 Robert Gerber ’16 Philip Goss ’16 Kathleen Gray ’16 Gwyneth Hochhausler ’16 Tia Jonsson ’16 Margaret Kidder ’16 Finlay McInerney ’16 Courtney Spagna ’16 Kent Yamamoto ’16
IOWA: Ethan Brand-LaBarge ’16
UTAH: Fisher Louis ’16 COLORADO: Ann Bronfman ’15
ILLINOIS: Edward Bowen ’13 William von Weise ’15 John Fornengo ’16 Anthony Jonikas ’16
KENTUCKY: Ballard Brown ’16 ARIZONA: Chad Cramer ’16
LOUISIANA: Raymond Germany ’13
TEXAS: Bethany Patterson ’15 Megan Retana ’15 Shane Beard ’16 Cindy Lopez ’16
ALABAMA: Eugene Thagard ’15
4 The Deerfield Scroll
BACK PAGE
September 4, 2012
The Penn State scandal: Deerfield coaches find teachable moments
VOL. LXXXVII, NO. 3
September 4, 2012
Editor-in-Chief KRISTY HONG Front Page CASEY BUTLER
Graphics TATUM MCINERNEY
Opinion/Editorial SAMMY HIRSHLAND
Online JOHN LEE
Arts and Entertainment MIRANDA MCEVOY
Online Associate DAVE KIM
Features CAROLINE KJORLIEN
Editorial Associates CHARLOTTE ALLEN COLE HORTON TARA MURTY EMILY NG JON VICTOR
Sports SARAH SUTPHIN Photography ASHLEY SO
Advisers SUZANNE HANNAY & JOHN PALMER
Memorial Building renovation will represent shift in campus culture The renovation of the Memorial Building will signify a leap for the arts. The Scroll editorial board supports the renovation for the changes —a new concert hall, acting lab, and second dance studio to name a few—but also for the implications of where Deerfield is heading: an inclusionary community, where all student interests are equally recognized and supported. The new building will represent how the arts are gaining traction and attention. Students who only experience the arts through performances at school meetings or showcases may soon find the arts as a more tangible footprint in their lives.
The renovation will also stress the importance of building a balanced community. There is a push-and-pull between athletics and the arts, a tension we believe the renovation will not furtherize by seemingly benefiting student musicians, artists, dancers and actors only. The renovation will benefit the entire community. It is more than an emphasis of the arts at the expense of sports or anything else, but a testament to our wellrounded student body, our ability to celebrate our differences and learn from them, and our willingness to relate Deerfield culture to that of the eclectic 21st century.
By SAMMY HIRSHLAND Opinion/Editorial Editor The Penn State scandal, and the heated debates, trials, and publicity that ensued after uncovering former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky’s long-term molestation of young boys, has influenced some Deerfield coaches’ approaches to their sport. “We have learned a lot about ethics from the Penn State case,” varsity girls’ swimming coach Sonja O’Donnell said. “It makes me wonder about all those coaches of legend and what must have been swept under rugs to achieve that sort of stature.” She added, “If anything it [the scandal] confirms my commitment to ethical leadership and to the exhausting process of growing ethical leaders. This process involves knowing my team and fostering a climate of open communication and trust.” Ms. O’Donnell said this meant leading discussions on the effect of advertising media on body image and the misuse of social media with her student athletes.
In response to the scandal, varsity girls’ and boys’ water polo coach Mark Scandling said, “I hope I will continue to value the same standards and perspective I’ve held whether my teams have been winning or losing.” The NCAA punished the
“Anytime an institution acts on fear, it is bound to make the wrong decisions.” -Ms. O’Donnell Penn State football program with a four-year restriction on postseason games and a 60 million dollar fine. The act angered some people who said the ruling has hurt students and athletes unrelated to the scandal. Ms. O’Donnell said the issue of whom to blame is more complicated than it seems. “The fans, the parents, the schools, the coaches across the country might be deemed responsible for propagating an unhealthy culture for the pleasure of participating, of profiting and of winning,” she said. “I think the problems occur when a sense of privilege begins to guide the athletes and coaches,”
Mr. Scandling said. “When they feel their special talents deserve special rules or exceptions, the problems arise.” Varsity boys’ cross-country and track coach Michael Schloat said it is society, not sport, that perpetuates such scandals. “I don’t think sports inherently have a darker side,” Mr. Schloat said. “What we see that we don’t like, such as gambling and abuse, are symptoms of different problems in society.” Mr. Scandling related Penn State to Deerfield, and how it similarly looked to protect its reputation. “But I don’t believe that effort requires unethical behavior,” he said. “Deerfield is not immune yet as a much smaller and thus more intimate community,” Ms. O’Donnell said. “I would like to think that we would all be inspired to do the right thing in face of criminal activity, and that would include reporting such behavior and demanding of those in charge to act responsibly with that information. Anytime an institution acts on fear, it is bound to make the wrong decisions.”
New faculty facebook: teachers strike a pose
Boys’ crew takes National’s, Collins wins silver at World’s By CASEY BUTLER Front Page Editor For the second year in a row, the boys’ varsity crew team placed at the Junior National championships. But this year they surpassed last year’s bronze metal and took gold on June 12. “Everyone knew it was going to be a war of attrition between the Big Green and the Belmont Hill boat,” said Tee Johnson ’69, who attended the championship. “For the entire length of the course, it was a close race. All teams were well ahead of their previous best time[s], but the last 300 yards was the nail-biter. Deerfield ended up just strokingthrough Belmont Hills’ pace to finish less than one half-second ahead and clinch the title with a best time of 6:40.967.” The boat was lead by boys’ head coach Wayne Berger ’84, who spent all season training champions Henry Bird ’12, Brad Hakes ’12, Brad Plunkett ’12, Rich Caputo ’14 and coxswain Grant Louis ’14.
lay on the beds and I called the entire race so they could know exactly what was going to happen that afternoon. The rest is a blur.” Looking to build on the wins are the new boys’ captains Warner Brown ’13, Conner Romeyn ’13 and Teddy Romeyn ’13. “I would love to end my career at Deerfield with a National Championship like Hakes, Bird and Plunkett,” Teddy Romeyn said. “I hope this win will give us a sense of urgency to compete for a New England title and a national championship next year. Considering the great success of our novice boats [that won the lower boat championships], this team has a bright future.” However, winning National’s was only the beginning of the summer for Deerfield rowers. Plunkett, Caputo and Claire Collins ’15, as well as Mr. Berger, were selected to represent the United States Junior National Rowing team at the World Championships in Plovidiv, Bulgaria. Collins, who only began rowing in March, won a silver in the Junior Women’s 8+.
“The bar is set high for next year’s team, but as Mr. Berger told us repeatedly this season, ‘pressure is a privilege.’” -Grant Louis ’14 “The win didn’t just happen. We worked hard all season and put in the hours to be a winning team, and we wouldn’t have been able to do it without Mr. Berger,” Louis said. “The boat’s performance was amazing at the championship. Everyone was focused both on and off the water to try to win a gold medal.” He continued, “We visualized the race as a group. The rowers
“Being on the National Team is lots of fun, but lots of hard work,” she said. “I love the team though. All the girls are great.” Louis added, “The bar is set high for next year’s team, but as Mr. Berger told us repeatedly this season, ‘pressure is a privilege.’ I am excited to try to defend our silver at New England’s and the National Championships with next year’s rowers.”
Peter Nilsson Left to right, top to bottom: Mary Ross (Science), David Miller (Global Studies Director), Antonio Lopez-Piña (Spanish), Chad Smith (Philosophy and Religion), Eve Goldenberg (English), Kevin Kelly (Assistant Dean of Students), Johnathan Chittuluru (Science), Amanda Zranchev (Science), Casey Kelsey (Science), Kip Dooley (English), Crystal Nilsson (Dance), Paul Secker (Math)