The Devon Dialogue volume
VIII, issue I | October 2016
proudly publishing for five decades
Devon Preparatory School
Summer Renovation
Devon’s Chemistry Lab underwent a complete renovation this summer, providing students with a fresh, updated facility. See Page 2
Sprinting Into the School Year The Cross Country Team sees a strong season with pleasantly surprising improvement. See Page 3
Modified Music The Devon Prep music program meets several new directors, each offering different expertise.
New Year, New Faces The Dialogue interveiws several of the new faculty members for the 2016-2107 Academic Year. See PAGES 4-6.
See Page 7
Records in Rio
The Season is up to Par
Matthew Drauschak ’19
Hayden Ludt ’17 and Chris Perullo ’18
A s t he R io 2016 Oly mpics t ook pla ce, t h is su m me r wa s f i l le d w it h excit e me nt. Li ke al l sp or t i ng eve nt s, m a ny p e ople we re e cst at ic for t he Oly mpics. Howeve r, m a ny t h re at s, i nclud i ng t he Zi k a Vi r u s, p oor- sewage syst e m s, a nd a n i nc re a si ng c r i me -r at e, le d some fa mou s at h let e s t o sk ip t h is su m me r’s eve nt. Be cau se of t he la ck of vet e r a n s, m a ny you ng a nd up com i ng at h let e s we re able t o dom i n at e t he play i ng f ield . T he se you ng at h let e s we re not t he on ly new t h i ngs t o t h is su m me r’s Oly mpics. T h re e new eve nt s we re also i nt roduce d , i nclud i ng Rugby, Gol f, a nd K it e su r f i ng. O nce aga i n , t he Un it e d St at e s dom i n at e d t he me d al cou nt , com i ng i n f i r st i n t he Bron ze, Si lve r, a nd Gold , w it h a t ot al of 121 me d als. T hey m a i n ly dom i n at e d Ba sketbal l, Wre stl i ng, Box i ng, Vol leybal l, a nd Sw i m m i ng. T h roug hout t he comp et it ion , t he Un it e d St at e s set m a ny new re cord s. K at ie L e de ck y set re cord s for t he Wome n’s 4 0 0 m a nd 80 0 m Fre e st yle R a ce s, Si mone Bi le s set re cord s i n Wome n’s G y m n a st ics, a nd M ich a el Phelps set t he re cord for t he most a mou nt of gold me d als i nd iv idu al ly won i n h ist or y. De s pit e t he se m ajor a ccompl ish me nt s, t he Un it e d St at e s st i l l h a d some d isapp oi nt me nt s i n t h is ye a r’s Oly mpics. Rya n L o cht e pre su m ably l ie d t o aut hor it ie s about a n a r me d robb e r y, Se re n a Wi l l ia m s lost i n Rou nd 16 of t he Wome n’s I nd iv idu als, a nd Hop e Solo re sp onde d w it h complet ely i n ap propr iat e beh av ior af t e r t he Wome n’s So cce r t e a m wa s el i m i n at e d i n t he Q u a r t e r f i n als. Nonet hele ss, t he Un it e d St at e s wa s st i l l able t o h ave a succe ssf u l Oly mpics, a nd p e ople shou ld look for wa rd t o a br ig ht f ut u re for some of t he se ext r a ord i n a r y you ng at h let e s. Wit h t he p e r for m a nce t h at t hey put on t h is su m me r, t he se newcome r s showe d t hei r abi l it y t o st e p up t o t he plat e a nd comp et e at a much more sk i l le d level. T he se at h let e s w i l l ce r t ai n ly dom i n at e i n t he 2020 Su m me r Oly mpics a nd w i l l be ve r y excit i ng t o wat ch. A l l i n al l, t h is pa st su m me r’s Oly mpics wa s ce r t ai n ly not f lawle ss i n a ny se n se, but it wa s st i l l f i l le d w it h i nt r ig u i ng eve nt s t h at w i l l go dow n i n t he h ist or y book s a s si mply u nb el ievable.
Devon Prep’s Golf Team holds an highest level of his career. impressive 6-3 record with its only Devon looks to carry this success losses being to league powerhouses through the rest of the season and Holy Ghost Prep and New Hope into the next. The team looks Solebury. The Tide played the promising next year, with three league’s best to the very end with returning full-time varsity players: close matches all three times. The Perullo, Donato, and Voorhees. The team is led by Matt Torchiana ’17, Tide will also look for participation who was chosen for 1st team all from underclassmen that had the BAL last year as well as team MVP. opportunity to play in several Matt has been just as exceptional varsity matches this year. The this season as last. He’s finished underclassmen’s improvement was as the lowest score in every single rapid and surely will continue under outing except one, and has served the guidance of Coach Frank Casey. as a leader of the team. Matt experience of four years on varsity, and astounding play are exactly why he is the likely candidate for team MVP for the second straight year. The Tide has also received exceptional play from juniors Bryan Donato, Chris Perullo, and Aidan Voorhees, along with senior Hayden Ludt. First year Varsity players Dan Shannon ’17 and Paul Yoo On the course, Matt Torchiana ’17 makes a hole for the Tide. ’17 have also contributed to the Tide’s success. Although the team as a group has been excellent, Another potential contributor for the unsung hero of the team this next season is current 8th grader year has been Josh Van Oostrom Ryan McCabe. He has worked ’17. Josh has been the catalyst for very hard on his game and has the group of eight and has kept the performed extraordinarily well in wheels turning. Coach Frank Casey, tournaments all over. The team is amidst his 24th year coaching, excited for Ryan to join as he looks commented on Josh’s unexpected to be a major contributor. incredible season: “His efforts and The future looks bright for a perseverance have solidified most young Devon Prep team that hopes team scores, and has given us a to continue the program’s winning chance to upset some very good culture. teams.” Josh, in the middle of his 4th year on varsity, is playing at the
Dialogue News
2
Driving on Sunshine AJ Tiglao ’17
Wit h a skelet on c rew of on ly t h re e a nd a la ck of re sou rce s at h a nd , t he Devon P re p Sola r Ca r Te a m wa s doome d t o d rop out of t he 2016 Sola r Ca r C h al le nge w it hout a f ig ht. T he club fa ce d a se r ie s of u n for t u n at e ci rcu m st a nce s r a ng i ng f rom now for me r me mbe r s w it hd r aw i ng, t o m issi ng t he re qu i re me nt of t h re e ch ap e rone s, t o a n i n a de qu at e a mou nt of f u nd i ng. T he once succe ssf u l t e a m e nde d it s jou r ney before it h a d eve n beg u n. Howeve r, al l wa s not lost; co - capt ai n s Dav id Ha r uch ’17 a nd R i ley McCa r t hy ’17 t ook ch a rge t o rei nv igor at e t he t e a m.
Wit h t he br a nd new ye a r f u l l of be nef icial ch a nge s, t he Sola r Ca r Te a m h a s solve d t wo of it s most ai l i ng proble m s: t he dw i nd l i ng nu mbe r of me mbe r s a nd i n su f f icie nt t i me t o work on t he sola r ca r it sel f. Pe rh aps one of t he be st ch a nge s broug ht t o t he sche du le is t he e mph a sis on m a k i ng clubs a school a ct iv it y, somet h i ng t h at h app e n s du r i ng school a nd not af t e r. T h is h a s i nev it ably broug ht more i nt e re st t owa rd s t he club a nd a n i nc re a se i n pa r t icipat ion. Wit h t he a dd it ion al t i me, it is fa r e a sie r a nd more conve n ie nt for t he se n ior me mbe r s t o t e a ch t hei r
u nde rcla ssme n about t he i n ne r work s of t he ca r. T h i ngs a re look i ng up for t he Devon P re p Sola r Ca r Te a m w it h t he new fou nd supp or t a nd ef for t t o m a ke t h is com i ng 2017 Sola r Ca r C h al le nge h app e n. Co - capt ai n Dav id re m a rke d hop ef u l ly, “ T h a n k s t o t he new sche du le, we now h ave ple nt y of t i me t o work on t he ca r a nd t o a r r a nge f u nd r aisi ng eve nt s so t h at we ca n he a d t o Dal la s a s a comp et it ive t e a m.” T h is t i me, t he t e a m ca n a ct u al ly shoot for t he f i r st pla ce t rophy.
Middle School Makes Memories Matthew Sarkees ’22
T hu r sd ay, Se pt e mb e r 16t h m a rke d t he b eg i n n i ng of t he m idd le school’s a n nu al t r ip t o Fre nch Cre ek St at e Pa rk i n Elve r son , PA. St ude nt s go on m a ny t r ips du r i ng t hei r t i me at Devon P re p, but t he ca mpi ng t r ip is t he f i r st ove r n ig ht ex p e r ie nce for m idd le school boys. T h is t r ip h a s be e n a t r a d it ion for m idd le school st ude nt s for t h i r t y ye a r s. “ T he h a rde st pa r t of t h is is t he com m it me nt a nd t he work t h at go e s on beh i nd t he sce ne s, st a r t i ng i n Ju ly ” said M r. Br a z u n a s, t he M idd le School’s cu r re nt d i re ct or. “ We h ave t o sche du le t he bu se s, buy t he food , beg t he t e a che r s t o ch ap e rone, be cau se nobody wa nt s t hei r pa re nt s t o ch ap e rone t he t r ip.” T h is ye a r we we re luck y t o h ave t wo new m idd le school t e a che r s: M s. A m a nd a Je n k s a nd Ms. Sa r a h Ha rou n , joi n u s on t he t r ip w it h vet e r a n s l i ke M r. Eva n s ’08, M r. Aqu i la nt e ’94, a nd M r. Be ot hy ’68. W he n a ske d about how it felt t o be
goi ng on h is 12t h t r ip a nd wh at he e njoye d most , M r. Br a z u n a s sa id “I ju st wa nt e d t o se e t h at t he st ude nt s h a d a good t i me. T h is is sup p ose d t o b e a n e a rly bond i ng ex p e r ie nce, but I love t o se e t he look s of e njoy me nt on ou r st ude nt s’ fa ce s a s t hey h ave a good t i me.” It se e m s t h at eve r yone d id h ave a good t i me on t h is t r ip. W he n seve nt h g r a de r Ja ke Wet h m a n wa s a ske d t o i nd icat e h is favor it e pa r t of t he t r ip, he sa id , “ My favor it e pa r t wa s t he footbal l ga me eve n t houg h none of u s cou ld play qu a r t e r ba ck . But it’s footbal l!” T he boys pa r t icipat e d i n a nu mb e r of a ct iv it ie s on t he t r ip. T he big eve nt wa s Ms. Pica rd’s t wo -hou r scave nge r hu nt. St ude nt s m a de a nu mb e r of u nu su al d iscove r ie s i nclud i ng: Re m i ng t on shog u n shel ls ( ye s, you ca n hu nt i n t he pa rk du r i ng ce r t a i n t i me s of t he ye a r, but not whe n we a re ca mpi ng), t wo a r rows, a nd a wet w ip e pa cket w it h A r abic w r it i ng. O ne pa r t icu la r g roup fou nd sa id a r rows,
one of t he shotg u n shel ls, a nd t he wet w ip e pa cket , le a d i ng t he seve nt h g r a de t o v ict or y i n t he scave nge r hu nt. O t he r eve nt s we re M r. Eva n s’ world-fa mou s wat e r bal loon t oss, M r. Aqu i la nt e’s lege nd a r y f la sh l ig ht t ag, footbal l w it h M r. Saue r, M r. B’s money-f i nd , M r. Con solo’s capt u re t he f lag, a nd t he n ig ht t i me s’more s pa r t y. O ne p oi nt of f ie r y debat e ce nt e re d a rou nd whet he r set t i ng up t he t e nt s or f i nd i ng f i rewood wa s t he h a rde st t a sk . It t ook some g roups t h i r t y m i nut e s t o set up t hei r t e nt s, whe re a s f i nd i ng f i rewood t ook a n hou r for some. Fat he r s A isa a nd She a ’66 said Ma ss before d i n ne r, a nd shor tly af t e r M r. Br a z u n a s wa r ne d eve r yone about r a ccoon s. For t u n at ely none ca me! W he n it wa s al l said a nd done, eve r yone wa s sa d t o le ave; howeve r, bot h ou r pa re nt s a nd t he we eke nd we re wait i ng for u s. A l l i n al l, it wa s a g re at t r ip.
Summer Vaction’s Renovation Stephen Duffy ’17
For t he f i r st t i me i n ye a r s, Devon P re p u nde r we nt a m ajor con st r uct ion proje ct. A new che m ist r y lab wa s i n st al le d ove r t he su m me r. T he f r a mework of t he old lab wa s complet ely d ism a ntle d , a nd re pla ce d w it h a n i mpre ssively up d at e d lab w it h a n a r r ay of new t e ch nolog ie s a nd safet y fe at u re s. M r s. L out rel cou ld not be more ple a se d w it h t he re su lt s of t he re novat ion , a s t he la st re novat ion t o t he lab o ccu r re d i n t he 1980’s. T he proje ct is t he f i r st of m a ny i n Devon P re p’s Capit al Ca mpa ig n. T he Ca mpa ig n is a n ove r al l pla n t o i mprove t he fa ci l it ie s of t he school, i n hop e s t h at Devon w i l l re m ai n a comp et it ive pr ivat e school i n t he a re a a nd re a ch it s opt i mu m e n rol l me nt. T he school fe els t h at it s fa ci l it ie s shou ld ref le ct t he h ig h value of e ducat ion t h at t he school al re a dy prov ide s. Ph a se one of t he proje ct , al re a dy complet e, wa s t he new lab a nd t he i n st al lat ion of new e ne rg y con se r v i ng g y m w i ndows. A lt houg h sm al l now, we m ay b e w it ne ssi ng t he b eg i n n i ng of huge ch a nge t he school — a ch a nge for a new a nd i mprove d Devon P re p.
Devon’s Chemistry Lab, amidst this summer’s renovation. The lab was fully upgraded, featuring many new and helpful technologies.
Dialogue Sports
3
Our First Football Team
Wentzylvania
John Curran ’18 and Jay Wilmer ’18
Chris Muth ’19 and Fred Rullo ’19
A s Devon it e s ret u r ne d t o school af t e r su m me r va cat ion , t hey le a r ne d about a nd a dju st e d t o t he m a ny new ch a nge s i mple me nt e d for t he 2016 2017 school ye a r. A mong t he se ch a nge s we re a nu mb e r of new clubs. O ne of t he most p opu la r a dd it ion s t o t he ext e n sive l ist of clubs is t he Fa nt a sy Footbal l Club, mode r at e d by M r. Saue r. Wit h a me mbe r sh ip of more t h a n for t y st ude nt s, M r. Saue r h a s b e e n bu sy ke e pi ng t r a ck of eve r ybody’s score s we ek by we ek . E a ch st ude nt pick s a qu a r t e r ba ck , t wo r u n n i ng ba ck s, t wo w ide re ceive r s, a t ig ht e nd , a defe n se a nd sp e cial t e a m s u n it , a nd t he n m ay sele ct eit he r a n ext r a re ceive r, r u n n i ng ba ck , or t ig ht e nd . Scor i ng
for of fe n sive playe r s is ba se d on ya rd s gai ne d , t ouchdow n s, a nd t wo p oi nt conve r sion s score d . K icke r s score by conve r t i ng ext r a p oi nt at t e mpt s a nd f ield goals. Defe n se a nd s p e cial t e a m s score by l i m it i ng t he op p osi ng t e a m s’ a mou nt of ya rd s a nd p oi nt s, a nd by forci ng t u r nove r s. Ma ny of t he club’s me mb e r s h ave h a d ex p e r ie nce w it h play i ng Fa nt a sy Footbal l b efore; howeve r, play i ng w it h a hy p ot het ical $20 0 budget t o buy playe r s for one we ek at a t i me t o comp et e aga i n st f r ie nd s i n a school- s p on sore d eve nt is a f i r st for eve r ybody. I f t he succe ss of t he club’s b eg i n n i ng we ek s cont i nue s t h roug hout t he re st of t he ye a r, it w i l l b e a m ai n st ay e a ch Fal l at Devon.
Sprinting Into the School Year Matt Fasullo ’17
I n t he f i r st mont h of t he new school ye a r, t he Cross Cou nt r y t e a m ha s al re a dy t u r ne d he a d s a nd de mon st r at e d it s i m me n se p ot e nt ial. Pe n n sylva n ia D ist r ict 1 Si ngle A re ceive d a sha ke up e a rl ie r t h is ye a r whe n t he PI A A a n nou nce d t h at Bice nt e n n ial
The Tide on their mark.
At h let ic L e ag ue p owe rhou se New Hop e Solebu r y wa s promot e d t o PI A A double -A st at u s. T h is lef t a p owe r va cuu m , wh ich le a d Pe n nTr a ck XC.com to proje ct Devon a s t he t h i rd be st t e a m i n D ist r ict 1 si ngle -A. T he re a re t wo i mp or t a nt fa ct s t o con side r about t h is proje ct ion. At t he e nd of la st ye a r, Devon f i n ishe d i n 5t h pla ce at t he Dist r ict C ha mpion sh ips, but a 3rd pla ce f i n ish for t h is ye a r is w it h i n t he t e a m’s sig ht s. T he 3rd pla ce proje ct ion for t h is ye a r wa s det e r m i ne d ba se d on t he rost e r of t he prev iou s ye a r, wh ich fai ls t o a ccou nt for t he f ive f re sh me n t h at we re a dde d t o t he t e a m t h is ye a r. T he Cross Cou nt r y t e a m is b eg i n n i ng t he ye a r w it h a hop ef u l at t it ude not on ly for t h is se a son , but for m a ny se a son s t o come.
T he t e a m is coa che d by t e a che r a nd alu m nu s M r. Dave Eva n s ’08 a s he m a ke s h is ret u r n for h is 5t h coa ch i ng se a son. So fa r, t he t e a m h a s h a d 3 me et s a nd h a s 4 a dd it ion al me et s t o t h is se a son. I n t he se t h re e me et s, t he t e a m h a s h a d ve r y i mpre ssive show i ngs. I n t hei r f i r st r a ce at t he Bu l ldog I nv it at ion al, t he t e a m h a d ve r y i mpre ssive t op 25 f i n ishe s by C h ick Hal l i n a n ’18 a nd Tom my Browe r ’18. At t hei r se cond me et a nd f i r st Bice nt e n n ial At h let ic L e ag ue r a ce, t he t e a m h a d st rong t op 10 f i n ishe s by C h ick Hal l i n a n a nd Capt a i n Mat t Fa su l lo ’17, a nd f i n ishe d i n 2nd pla ce. D u r i ng t he most re ce nt r a ce at t he Pe n nc re st I nv it at ion al, t he t e a m h a d a dd it ion al explosive p e r for m a nce s by C h ick Hal l i n a n a nd Tom my Browe r who bot h f i n ishe d i n t he t op 15 a nd Mat t Fa su l lo who f i n ishe d i n t he t op 20. Be cau se t he m ajor it y of t he t e a m con sist s of f re sh me n , t he re is a n abu nd a nce of p ot e nt ial. T he t e a m shou ld b e proud of t hei r a ccompl ish me nt s a nd hop ef u l for a ch ieve me nt s t h roug hout t he cu r re nt a nd fol low i ng se a son s.
R a nd al l C u n n i ng h a m , Reg g ie W h it e, Donova n McNabb, Te r rel l O we n s, Br ia n Dawk i n s, a nd Br ia n We stbrook a re ju st a few of t he be st Ph i la delph ia E agle s of al l t i me. Some p e ople on t he “ We nt z Wagon” say t h at Ca r son We nt z’s n a me w i l l soon be on t h at l ist. T he fa n s of t he E agle s h ave be e n i n de sp e r at e ne e d of hop e a nd a s always E agle s fa n s a re hopi ng for a Sup e r Bowl v ict or y. I f you a sk a ny E agle s fa n who wat che d t he f i r st t wo ga me s about We nt z’s ca re e r t hey wou ld most l i kely t el l you t h at he w i l l get t he E agle s a Sup e r Bowl v ict or y. We nt z is t he f i r st rook ie QB t o go 2- 0 w it hout t h row i ng a n i nt e rce pt ion si nce 1970. At Nor t h Da kot a St at e, We nt z t h rew for 5,115 ya rd s, w it h 392 pa ss complet ion s out of 612 at t e mpt s a nd 45 t ouchdow n pa sse s. He ca n also hold h is ow n on t he r u sh i ng side of of fe n se. Wit h 1,028 ya rd s a nd 13 r u sh i ng t ouchdow n s. T h is sou nd s ve r y prom isi ng t o al l E agle s fa n s. I f h is N F L ca re e r is a ny whe re close t o t he succe ss of h is col lege ca re e r, t he n t he E agle s w i l l have a br ig ht f ut u re. Some p e ople a re compa r i ng Ca r son We nt z t o Joe Fla cco, Sup e r Bowl X LV I I ch a mpion a nd M V P, be cau se t hey bot h come f rom D iv ision 1 A A ( FCS) schools. A lso We nt z is t he f i r st FCS qu a r t e r ba ck t a ke n i n t he f i r st rou nd si nce Joe Fla cco i n 20 08, m a k i ng h i m t he h ig he st d r af t e d FCS qu a r t e r ba ck i n d r af t h ist or y. Fla cco h i m sel f said , “I f you’re a good footbal l playe r, it doe sn’t m at t e r whe re you playe d at , a nd I t h i n k t h at’s e sp e cial ly t r ue a s a qu a r t e r ba ck ,” refe r r i ng t o We nt z . Fla cco also said , “I f you come i n he re a nd you we re t o be t he f i r st g uy t o w i n a Sup e r Bowl, shoot , he’d be big ge r t h a n Ron ‘Jaws’ Jawor sk i.” L et’s wat ch t he world t u r n i nt o We nt z’s World a nd let’s wat ch Ca r son We nt z br i ng t he Ph i la delph ia E agle s t o t he glor y of a Sup e r Bowl v ict or y. Below: Carson Wentz throwing a pass during the game against the Chicago Bears, which the Eagles won.
4
Dialogue Profile Mr. Consolo Michael Hinke ’18
Devon Dialogue: This is your first full year at Devon, how has your time MC: I would say that the student-teacher relationships are something different, coming from a public school, in which the bigger student here been so far? Mr. Mark Consolo: My time here has been great. I knew the students a little bit from last year and it’s a smaller group so I’m personal with them at a different level and it has been a good experience so far. DD: Before coming to Devon, what other jobs did you have?
body makes it hard to have a good relationship with your teachers. I like that you can personally get to know your teachers. I enjoy being down in the athletic office with the one and only Mr. Fisher and we do our best to try and keep the department in the right direction.
DD: What kinds of qualities do you bring to the table here at Devon?
MC: I was the Auxiliary Programs Director at Westtown for a while, MC: I try to communicate with everybody and try to get across the which is the person who rents out the facilities there to outside groups. information about what is happening each week and each month. I try After that, I was an assistant teacher at Valley Forge Middle School. to bring my experiences from my other jobs and playing lacrosse into the picture with everything, not only in the school but in gym classes DD: Where did you go to college and what did you study while there? as well. I try to relate my experiences with the kids. MC: I went to Neumann University from 2010 to 2013 and I have a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Sports Management. I have a graduate certificate DD: What kinds of things do you like to do in your free time? from Southern New Hampshire University which I got last year. MC: I definitely enjoy summertime, I’m very big on fishing. During the school year I like to stay up to date with all the sports teams, I follow DD: In addition to the work you do at the school, you are also the head the Eagles, Sixers, Flyers and sometimes the Phillies. I officiate coach of the Devon/Delco lacrosse team. How do you think the team basketball and football on the side, and I try to stay in shape. will do this year?
MC: It’s too soon to tell, but from a coach’s standpoint, I’m very excited, DD: Do you have any advice for students for this school year? I think the kids we have put a lot of time and work into practices, MC: I hope that they enjoy every day here at Devon and not take the year especially the seniors. Anything less than making district playoffs for granted. Enjoy every second of it and soak it all in. Staying active would be short of our goal. after school is also very important. DD: What is your favorite part of working at Devon?
Mr. Gavin Brendan Kelly ’19
Devon Dialogue: Where did you go for high school and college and what did you major in?
team, because I play football. I would totally coach. DD: Do you have a favorite class to teach?
Mr. Dylan Gavin: I went to LaSalle for high school and Susquehanna DG: Algebra 2 because it’s the gateway into higher levels of math. University for college. I majored in economics and math and I’m currently at St. Joe’s. DD: What advice would you give to a student in your class? DD: What made you want to become a teacher?
DG: If you’re struggling, come see me for help, I wouldn’t let a kid do poorly if he came to me for help. It shows that he’s working hard.
DG: When I got out of college I couldn’t find an economics job, so I volunteered as a teacher at LaSalle and wanted to stay, even though I DD: What kind of job would you have if you weren’t a teacher? didn’t think I would like it. DG: I’d probably be working some kind of business job...or be President of DD: How is Devon different from other schools you’ve taught at? the United States. DG: Everyone is much friendlier and everyone gets along. On the first day of DD: What kind of stuff do you like doing besides teaching? school people were saying hello to me who I didn’t know. DG: I’m a very avid sports fan, all Philadelphia sports, especially the Flyers. DD: What is your favorite and least favorite thing about Devon? My favorite I also enjoy fishing and the outdoors in general. thing is that it’s easy to get along. My least favorite? We need a football
Mrs. Botta Luca Miraldi ’20
Devon Dialogue: Where are you from?
NB: Honestly, I was ready to get back to the classroom. My kids are in school as well so I just felt the need to share my knowledge and expertise in Mrs. Nicole Botta: I was born and raised in Valley Forge and actually went addition to interacting with students in a new way outside of sports. to Notre Dame Academy for middle and high school. DD: What subject do you teach and where? DD: Where did you go to college? NB: I went to Bucknell to study biology and education and I also got my M. Ed. in sports medicine at Temple NB: I actually don’t have my own room but I teach Organismal Biology University. to freshmen in room 411 and the bio lab along with teaching Sports Physiology to juniors and seniors in room 409. DD: How did your time as a student, especially at Bucknell, help you in assisting students? DD: Do the incoming freshmen look promising? NB: Bucknell is obviously a very challenging school, like Devon, with high NB: Of course! They are energetic and I am excited to teach them this expectations, so I understand the standard I should set for my students. year. I believe a strong scientific foundation is important for these boys throughout the rest of their time in high school and possibly beyond. DD: What previous jobs have you had? DD: What are your outside passions and hobbies? NB: I am the former athletic trainer here at Devon, but before that I taught biology and physiology at the George School, as well as being the NB: I am the coach of Villa Maria’s middle school field hockey team because athletic trainer there. my oldest daughter plays on it, but other than that I love to exercise, do yoga and go to the beach. DD: Why did you decide to go back to teaching?
Dialogue Profile (cont.)
5
Mr. Haas Austine Cozzone ’18 and Charles Hallinan ’18
Devon Dialogue: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
literature is an examination of how our souls cry out during those times. It’s really seeing the depths of people and I think I want to be a part of my students as they discover these, and as they understand the bigger picture of them.
Mr. Peter Haas: So, I live in Philadelphia, and I’m very passionate about the arts and culture in Philadelphia. I’m a member of the Orpheus Club, it’s one of the oldest all male singing groups, it started back in 1872. I am very involved in the arts, I’m a member of several DD: Have you taught at any other schools before you came to Devon? different arts organizations. I’m on the Board of the Young Friends PH: Yes, I taught at Simon Gratz Mastery Charter in Philadelphia and of the Raven Society [Philadelphia Free Library], and of the I taught at Western Reserve Academy in Ohio. One was a boarding [Philadelphia] Art Museum, and I enjoy volunteering on the side. I school and one was a turnaround charter school. I’ve also guest work with Project Home and Habitat for Humanity in their young lectured at Hunter College, Sarah Lawrence College, and the City adults sections to either volunteer or to build houses in Philadelphia. University of New York. So, I’ve done education at the college and My passions are sort of in arts and services, and I run on the side. university level. DD: What was your inspiration for becoming a teacher? DD: Do you have an educational philosophy? PH: I’ve always enjoyed history and English, I’ve always enjoyed studying PH: Everyone can get better. Everyone can improve. The improvement them, talking about and discussing them. For a while after I graduated may be a B to a B+, it could be a B to an A, it could be a D to a C, I thought I wanted to go into non-profit business management, and it depends based on the student and what his own desires are, what for a while I found myself working in economics in New York City he wants to achieve, and why. But, I think that everyone can get and in London. At that time, my roommate was getting his Ph. D in better at what they do, even someone who writes the best paper psychology and he asked me to come in and do a presentation on the in the world can improve even if it’s only a few degrees here or history and cultural context of psychology. And I walked out of those there. I think if I can help someone to identify: “What are your classes with one of the biggest adrenaline highs I’ve ever had and I weaknesses?”, because we all have weaknesses, and, “How do you remember thinking this is what you’re supposed to do. This thing that address those? How specifically can you tailor those so that you get you’ re doing that pays the bills is something you’re willing to do but better, so that you change way that you think?”So, my philosophy you’re not actually passionate about; you’re just interested in economics. is that everyone can get better and that everyone should be able to You love this teaching thing - this is one of those signs from the big guy. do better. It’ s time to switch your focus and get into education. DD: You’re the moderator of the Devon Prep Drama Club, can you tell DD: Were there any other careers you considered? us a little bit about that? PH: Really just the non-profit business management and I worked in a PH: Yes, the Drama Club is going to be a lot of fun this year. We may go hedge fund, and a Fund of Funds for a Swiss bank for a little while, see a show, I think, every six weeks to every two months. Right now so I thought about doing those things, but one of my discoveries was we’re going to see 1812’s “This is the Week That Is” on September that although I like economics, I think it’s interesting, I think it’s 30th, so if you guys don’t have tickets and you want to come we fascinating to see how it shapes the world around us, but I wasn’t still have some available. Other than that, what we will be focusing any good at the day-to-day stuff: the number crunching, working on in the club is both the appreciation of acting, we’ll show some with Excel, stuff like that. I remember thinking you have a passion, video clips and things like that, and analyze one monologue done but you don’t have the skill set. Okay, there is nothing wrong with two different ways. “What choices did people make here? What that, you can teach economics, there are other things you can do choices did they make there? What do you think was more realistic? with economics, but if you’re not that good at the day-to-day, and What wasn’t realistic?” We’ll be doing scenes and work individually you’re not that interested in the day-to-day, just walk away from it. with the students, use a monologue to help people refine their own There’s plenty of other things you can do. acting techniques, their own acting career, and we’ll try to push the DD: What do you consider to be the most enjoyable part of your job, boundaries in terms of what we can actually achieve in terms of and, on the contrary, the most difficult? theater this year. Of course, we’ll be working with the stage crew and the various other professional shows that are put on, but that’s PH: [Laughs] I really like the interaction with the students. We have what the club will be focusing on this year. some excellent students here. I like helping people to grow and to develop, and I enjoy showing them the beauty that is in English, that DD: Is there any particular subject in English and history that you teach is in history, that is in the theatre. The most difficult thing about this here that you are particularly fond of? job...I do have a long commute; I come from Philadelphia every day PH: I really enjoy Victorian Imperialism, that’s late 1800s and early and that’s a decent amount of time. But I think the most difficult 1900s, when you see the various European nations going out and thing is grading and grading fairly. I think that students put a great conquering swaths of the globe. I think that’s interesting because deal of time into their tests, quizzes, and papers. And it’s incumbent it does connect with various cultures around the world and it still on me to really make sure that my own grading policies, and the sticks with the same thematic ideas that have been playing around way that I do judge these papers, is fair and above board. I don’t and developing in the late 1800s. It’s interesting when you do a want to pull the rug out from someone, I don’t want to say that deep-dive into European culture but also into various other cultures something’s on a test or quiz and change that up at the last minute and see how they connect in the first, truly worldwide network. and have that be the reason a student doesn’t do well, I don’t think That was also the time when you see the telegraph being invented, that’s fair or respectful of their time. I want the way that I operate the steam boat, and things like this, so you really find the modern with grades to be as above board and transparent as possible. I don’t world being created during that century. I think it’s interesting know if that’s difficult so much as just time-consuming in terms of watching parallels between that time and our time and how you making it fair. see one age of history evolve into another. It’s also slightly more DD: What impact do you want to have on your students? optimistic because it’s before all the World Wars had started. PH: Well obviously I’d love for some of them to become history or DD: And finally, Philadelphia Eagles: Over or under seven wins this English teachers someday, that would be a wonderful compliment, season? but I want them to walk out of my history or English classes with PH: [Sighs] Oh come on, Lord, help us out here. [Laughs] I’m really a greater understanding of the complexity and the beauty of those hoping they go over seven. I’ve told all of my students that every subjects. History is literally the story of us as a species, why we’ve day after the Eagles lose a game, they can expect a pop quiz. They done what we’ve done, how we’ve changed, how we’ve evolved, may not get one, but they can expect one, so I think that most of my what actions we’ve taken, what’s going on in our heads, and students are hoping that the Eagles go above seven, too.
6
Mrs. Baracco Frank Byrd ’18, Deputy Editor-in-Chief
Devon D ialog ue: M r s. Ba r a cco, wh at cla sse s a re you t e a ch i ng t h is ye a r?
do h i k i ng or f i nd some t r a i ls. I l i ke n at u re, a nd I love ca mpi ng.
M r s. Er i n Ba r a cco: I t e a ch 7t h g r a de Spa n ish I, a nd I t e a ch h ig h scho ol Spa n ish I, I I, I I I, a nd A P.
DD: W h at i nt e re st s you ab out t he Spa n ish la ng u age or cu lt u re?
DD: How long h ave you be e n a t e a che r?
EB: W he n I wa s i n col lege, I we nt t o t he Un ive r sit y of M ia m i, t he re we re a lot of L at i nos. It wa sn’t i n it ial ly my m ajor, but I wa s a rou nd it a nd I b e ca me re al ly i nt e re st e d i n it. I’ve always love d cu lt u re s , so I st ud ie d , a s a n u nde rg r a d , I nt e r n at ion al Relat ion s a nd Pol it ical Scie nce. I love it , I l i ke t he way t he la ng u age sou nd s , I l i ke t he d ive r sit y of al l Spa n ish cu lt u re s , I l i ke t r avel i ng t h roug hout t he H ispa n ic world . Eve r si nce I wa s a k id , whe n I wa s i n 6t h g r a de whe n I st a r t e d la ng u age, it ju st ca me e a sy t o me. It wa s a n at u r al pa ssion.
EB: T h is w i l l be my 9 t h ye a r. DD: Have you h a d a ny ot he r t e a ch i ng jobs before t h is one?
EB: Ye s, I worke d at We st C he st e r Un ive r sit y wh i le re ceiv i ng my m a st e r’s a s a n a dju nct Spa n ish profe ssor, a nd t he n whe n I move d t o Li m a , Pe r u , I worke d at L a s Ca su a r i n a s I nt e r n at ion al Col lege. I wa s t he Engl ish de pa r t me nt ch a i r, a nd I t aug ht Engl ish a s a se cond la ng u age. I wa s also t he i nt e r n at ion al exch a nge coord i n at or. I worke d DD: How doe s l iv i ng a nd t e a ch i ng he re compa re t o l iv i ng t he re for eig ht ye a r s. a nd t e a ch i ng i n Li m a , Pe r u? DD: W h at m a de you wa nt t o pu r sue a ca re e r i n t e a ch i ng? EB: Liv i ng i n Pe r u wa s wonde r f u l ex p e r ie nce, my hu sba nd EB: You b oys, a nd al l of my st ude nt s , a re goi ng t o help me wa s f rom Pe r u a nd my ch i ld re n we re b or n t he re, so st ay you ng. T h at’s pa r t of t he re a son , I t h i n k t e a ch i ng is we’re du al cit i z e n s. We’re re al ly a bicu lt u r al fa m i ly. re al ly ref re sh i ng. I’m not a n of f ice -t y p e p e r son , a nd I’m It’s a ve r y d i f fe re nt cou nt r y, obv iou sly t he re’s a lot of not re al ly i nt o nu mbe r s, t h at’s why I chose la ng u age s. I p ove r t y... But whe n you get pa st t h at , t he re’s so much t h i n k it’s f u n , I t h i n k t e a ch i ng is re al ly f u n. It’s re al ly be aut y t o t he cu lt u re, t he fo o d is a m a z i ng a nd t he p e ople b e e n a ble ssi ng. I l i ke t he so cial a sp e ct , I l i ke get t i ng a re wonde r f u l. I t h i n k t hey h ave a re al ly go o d outlo ok t o wal k a rou nd , a nd I l i ke le a r n i ng new t h i ngs. I always on l i fe, t h at it’s not ju st work a nd st udy, but it’s ab out le a r n f rom my st ude nt s. f u n a nd doi ng t h i ngs so cial ly. L ot s of pa r t ie s a nd gett oget he r s, Pe r uv ia n s a re ve r y so cial... T he st ude nt s we re DD: W h at do you do i n you r f re e t i me? Do you h ave a ny also d i f fe re nt. Not i n a p osit ive way, not i n a negat ive hobbie s? way - ju st d i f fe re nt. I t h i n k t h at you b oys t a ke you r work EB: A lot of my f re e t i me is w it h my l it tle k id s. Lia m is 6 a nd much more se r iou sly, I t h i n k t hey t o ok it a l it tle le ss Em m a is 4. My f re e t i me is t a k i ng t he m t o so cce r, bal let , se r iou sly but at t he e nd of t he d ay e ducat ion is e ducat ion. a nd ba sic hou sework . W h ich , I neve r t houg ht I’d say t h is, h a s b e come my way t o de - st re ss. W he n I cle a n , t h at’s my DD: W h at a re you r f i r st i mpre ssion s of D evon P re p? mome nt , I’m alone. I f I h a d more t i me, I wou ld love t o EB: You boys i mpre ss me, I’m ju st a m a z e d how fo cu se d you b e able t o get ba ck t o t he g y m. I’d l i ke t o do spi n n i ng boys a re. Eve r yone’s b e e n re al ly welcom i ng, a nd I love or cycl i ng, a nd I re al ly love h i k i ng. I ju st move d t o t he t he fa ct t h at whe n I g ive homework eve r yone do e s it a nd a re a i n Ju ne, a nd si nce it wa s a n i nt e r n at ion al move I h a nd s it i n. Eve r yone’s ve r y fo cu se d , but at t he sa me t i me h ave n’t h a d a lot of f re e t i me. It’s be e n mov i ng, new job, I t h i n k I wou ld l i ke t o se e, e s p e cial ly i n my cla ssro om , get t i ng t he k id s set tle d . But whe n I fe el l i ke t h i ngs a re le a r n i ng bei ng t a ke n se r iou sly but i n a f u n way. cal m i ng dow n , I’d l i ke t o f i nd some fa r m s whe re I cou ld
Mrs. Dokas Tommy Brower ’18, Deputy Editor-in-Chief
Devon D ialog ue: W h at subje ct s do you t e a ch at D evon?
t e a ch i ng or a met hod t h at you t h i n k is pa r t icu la rly helpf u l?
GD: Fre nch I w it h seve nt h g r a de. T hey a re st i l l so you ng, but you ca n re al ly se e t hei r e nt hu sia sm a nd t hey’re M r s. G abr iela Dok a s: I t e a ch Fre nch. GD: I u se a sp e ct s of Tot al Physical u n af r a id t o m a ke m ist a ke s. I re al ly Re sp on se t o get st ude nt s le a r n i ng, l i ke ju st se ei ng t he e nt hu sia sm t hey DD: W h at m a de you con side r look i ng at t h is wa s develop e d i n t he Seve nt ie s. h ave. D evon t o t e a ch? K id s le a r n bet t e r whe n t hey’re sp e a k i ng a nd p e ople le a r n bet t e r DD: W h at is t he b e st pa r t ab out you r GD: My hu sba nd we nt he re. I h ave a whe n t hey a re re p e at i ng t he sa me job? W h at do you l i ke most ab out ve r y p osit ive exp e r ie nce of D evon t h i ng eve r y d ay. b ei ng a t e a che r? t h roug h h i m. I we nt t o Aca de my of Not re Da me. I bel ieve st rongly i n DD: W h at about t e a ch i ng m a de you GD: I re al ly l i ke goi ng home a nd com i ng si ng le - sex e ducat ion; a nd so, I wa s de cide up on e ducat ion a s you r up w it h somet h i ng new eve r y we ek lo ok i ng for eit he r a si ngle - sex or ca re e r pat h? for eve r y cla ss. I love whe n st ude nt s Cat hol ic school t o t e a ch at. get it- whet he r it’s cou nt i ng t o t e n GD: Te a ch i ng is u n ique be cau se it is a n or u si ng a n a dva nce d ve r b prop e rly! DD: How long h ave you be e n t e a ch i ng? a ct ive profe ssion bot h i n t he m i nd a nd wh at you’re doi ng. You get t o DD: Do you h ave a ny big pla n s for t he GD: T h is is a ct u al ly my f i r st ye a r. I t h i n k up new le sson s eve r y d ay, it Fre nch prog r a m at D evon , s uch a s worke d i n publ ish i ng for a couple is re al ly va r ie d . I re al ly love t he a n Exch a nge P rog r a m or Fre nch ye a r s af t e r g r a du at i ng a nd t he n we nt la ng u age a nd hop e eve r yone else cu lt u r al t r ips? ba ck t o scho ol i nt e nd i ng t o t e a ch. ca n. GD: I a m pla n n i ng on get t i ng i nvolve d DD: W h at is you r e ducat ion al DD: W h at p e r son al st re ng t h s of you r s i n t he Nat ion al Fre nch we ek i n ba ckg rou nd? do you bel ieve t o be most helpf u l Nove mb e r a nd t he A ACF Fre nch GD: I we nt t o Not re Da me a nd t he n w it h t e a ch i ng? cont e st wh ich some of t he se n ior s N Y U whe re I g r a du at e d w it h BA m ig ht k now ab out. I wou ld also l i ke i n Fre nch. I a m cu r re ntly get t i ng GD: I t h i n k t h at my pa ssion for t he t o do a s u m me r t r ip t o Fr a nce. subje ct m a ke s it more e njoyable for my Ma st e r s f rom We st C he st e r i n t he st ude nt s. DD: W h at k i nd of hobbie s a nd a ct iv it ie s Fre nch la ng u age a nd cu lt u re. do you e njoy e ngag i ng i n out side of DD: W h at is you r t e a ch i ng ph i losophy? DD: How d id you be come i nvolve d i n school? t he subje ct s you a re t e a ch i ng? GD: I t r y t o get st ude nt s t o sp e a k GD: I a m ve r y i nt o f it ne ss a nd r u n n i ng; a s much a s p ossible, sp e a k i ng is GD: Wel l, I g rew up sp e a k i ng Fre nch I also l i ke t o re a d i n Eng l ish a nd si nce my mom is f lue nt i n m a ny re al ly i mp or t a nt. You ca n look at Fre nch. la ng u age s - Fre nch is one of t he m. b o ok s a s much a s you wa nt; u n le ss I t he n h a d a d ist i nct a dva nt age DD: Is t he re a ny t h i ng t h at we h ave not you’re pr a ct ici ng t he la ng u age, you be cau se I g rew up sp e a k i ng it. t ouche d on t h at you wa nt t he D evon dont get much out of it. You don’t com mu n it y t o k now ab out you? re me mb e r it a s wel l be cau se you DD: W h at is t he c r a z ie st / most fo cu s on g r a m m a r. i nt e re st i ng cla ssroom exp e r ie nce GD: I a m ju st re al ly excit e d t o b e he re. you h ave h a d a s a t e a che r? DD: Do you h ave a u n ique approa ch t o
7
All Over Allentown Grant Kowalewski ’17, John DePalo ’17, Thomas Hang ’17
As the summer was raging on and thousands of people were on vacation, some of our own students were taking time out of their vacations to help others. Working as a part of the Catholic Heart Workcamp, Devonites of all grade levels traveled to Allentown, Pennsylvania to the parish of St. Joseph the Worker. The students included Dylan Smoot ’20, Graham Misko ’19, Grant Kowalewski, Thomas Hang, Jack Marquis ’17, Willson Camp ’17, Paul Yoo ’17, Tyler Keough ’17, and Brandon Smoot ’17. The students helped many different people and
organizations around Allentown. Some boys went to help out on a farm. Here they built a substantial fence to protect the crops from deer and other animals. They also harvested plants, cleared a path for a Stations of the Cross, and organized equipment in a shed. Grant went to a hospital and organized a room full of documents that the hospital needed sorted and re-filed. Additionally, the group at the hospital moved furniture and televisions throughout the hospital to make more room for patients and to open up a whole new MRI room. Dylan and Graham went to a convent
to renovate the building. They helped paint a beautiful mural that is on display for all to see at the building’s entrance. They also cleaned the facility which was in dire need of refurbishment. “The service that these students put forth and the time they gave to these people was invaluable,” said one of the families there. Although these young men did not travel anywhere exotic like Haiti or Africa, they were able to make a significant impact on the lives of people right here in our own community.
Modified Music Ben Lubker ’17
Posit ive ch a nge s abou nde d he re at Devon i n t he 2016 -2017 school ye a r, i nclud i ng new developme nt s i n t he mu sic de pa r t me nt. T h re e new p e r son al it ie s a re now a dd i ng e nt hu sia sm a nd e ne rg y t o C hor al Tide, Ja z z Ba nd , a nd t he Spr i ng Mu sical. M r. Pet e r Ha a s, ou r new d r a m a d i re ct or, w i l l ove r se e t he Spr i ng Mu sical: “ Bye, Bye Bi rd ie.” M r. Ha a s is also ou r D r a m a Club’s fe a rle ss le a de r who h a s orga n i ze d t he f i r st of t he club’s m a ny f ield t r ips t o come. O n Fr id ay, Se pt e mb e r 23, t he club we nt t o Ce nt e r Cit y t o se e “ T h is Is t he We ek T h at Is,” a r ivet i ng of f-Broa dway come dy. T he D r a m a Club a i m s t o e n h a nce a nd ref i ne a ct i ng sk i l ls not on ly for beg i n n i ng a ct or s but also for t hose
w it h more ex p e r ie nce. I n a dd it ion , t he club w i l l promot e pa r t icipat ion i n t he Fal l D r a m a a nd Spr i ng Mu sical - t wo i n st it ut ion s t h at a re seve rely u nde r ap pre ciat e d . M r. Ha a s’s ext e n sive t he at e r ba ckg rou nd m a ke s h i m t he p e r fe ct comple me nt t o t he t he at e r prog r a m at Devon. D r. R a ndy Nava r re is t he d i re ct or of t he Ja z z Ba nd wh ich me et s t w ice a we ek a nd w i l l g ive va r iou s p e r for m a nce s du r i ng t he school ye a r. D r. Nava r re is a n a ccompl ishe d sa xophon ist a nd is h ig h ly- ex p e r ie nce d i n developi ng i n st r u me nt al mu sic prog r a m s. T he p ol icy of a ca de m ic c re d it for Ja z z Ba nd pa r t icipa nt s h a s b e e n rei n st at e d . M r s. Ma r ie A nde r son w i l l d i re ct t he C hor al Tide chor u s g roup t h is
ye a r wh ich is op e n t o al l st ude nt s i nt e re st e d i n si ng i ng. Pa r t icipa nt s w i l l bot h develop sel f- e st e e m a nd st age pre se nce. M r s. A nde r son is also le a d i ng t he Mu sic M i n ist r y. O u r Fr id ay Ma sse s w i l l be nef it f rom t he Mu sic M i n ist r y’s new pie ce s, br i ng i ng a much-ne e de d v ibr a ncy t o ou r se r v ice s. Bot h vo cal ist s a nd i n st r u me nt al ist s a re welcome, a nd pa r t icipa nt s i n Mu sic M i n ist r y w i l l re ceive se r v ice hou r s. Fi n al ly, M r s. A nde r son w i l l t r ai n a nd a ct a s vo cal coa ch for t he st ude nt s who pa r t icipat e i n t h is ye a r’s Spr i ng Mu sical. M r s. A nde r son is a n a ccompl ishe d pia n ist a nd h a s ext e n sive exp e r ie nce i n vo cal t r ai n i ng. L ook out for t he developi ng Devon a cap el la g roup, op e n t o exp e r ie nce d si nge r s such a s for me r R ip Tide me mbe r s.
Dialogue Editorials A Flag For All Chris Rufo ’18
‘Tis t he se a son: a t i me of excit e me nt , e nt e r t ai n me nt , comp et it ion , a nd cont rove r sy. It’s t he footbal l se a son. A nd t h is ye a r, cont rove r sy is p e rh aps more prom i ne nt t h a n eve r. A s m a ny of u s a re wel l awa re, t he re h a s be e n a re ce nt prot e st of seve r al footbal l playe r s who ref u se t o honor t he f lag i n a cu st om a r y m a n ne r by k ne el i ng dow n du r i ng t he pre -ga me n at ion al a nt he m ce re mony. T h is h a s cau se d a g re at uproa r i n t he footbal l com mu n it y, a s wel l a s t h roug hout t he n at ion a s a whole. I n re sp on se t o t h is, a nd t o preve nt it f rom h app e n i ng on t he col leg iat e level, Ad m i r al Wi l l ia m H. McR ave n , C h a ncel lor of t he Un ive r sit y of Texa s Syst e m a nd for me r Nav y Se al, issue d a me mor a ndu m t o at h let ic d i re ct or s a nd pre side nt s at t he Un ive r sit y of Texa s Syst e m. He si mply a ske d playe r s a nd coa che s al i ke t o “ fa ce t he f lag a nd pla ce t hei r h a nd ove r t hei r he a r t a s a sig n of re sp e ct t o t he n at ion.” He a ck nowle dge d t h at t hose who foug ht for ou r cou nt r y we re f ig ht i ng for t he
f re e dom of sp e e ch a nd expre ssion. To e st abl ish h is p oi nt , he st at e s: “T hose that believe the f lag represents oppre ssion shou ld re me mbe r al l t he A me r ica n s who foug ht t o el i m i n at e bigot r y, r a cism , sex ism , i mp e r ial ism , com mu n ism , a nd t e r ror ism. T he f lag rode w it h t he Bu f falo Sold ie r s of t he 9 t h , 10 t h , 24t h a nd 25 Caval r y a nd I n fa nt r y Reg i me nt s. It wa s ca r r ie d by t he su f f r ag ist s dow n t he st re et s of New York Cit y. It f lew w it h t he Tu skege e A i r me n of W W I I. It wa s pla nt e d i n t he f ield s whe re Ce sa r C h avez sp oke. It m a rche d w it h Ma r t i n Lut he r K i ng Jr. It ro cket e d i nt o spa ce on t he shou lde r pat che s of wome n , gay, H ispa n ic, A sia n a nd A f r ica n A me r ica n a st ron aut s. Tod ay, it wave s h ig h ove r t he W h it e Hou se. It is a f lag for eve r yone, of eve r y color, of eve r y r a ce, of eve r y c re e d , a nd eve r y or ie nt at ion , but t he pr iv i lege of l iv i ng u nde r t h is f lag doe s not come w it hout cost. Nor shou ld it come w it hout re sp e ct.”
T he se he a r t felt word s a ch ieve d u n it y a mong t he Un ive r sit y of Texa s footbal l t e a m , a s al l of t he playe r s, before t he op e n i ng ga me, fa ce d t he f lag w it h t hei r h a nd s ove r t hei r he a r t s. Ad m i r al McR ave n r aise s a good p oi nt wh ich we, a s a so ciet y, shou ld con side r whe n pre se nt e d w it h t h is cont rove r sy. He f u r t he r a ck nowle dge d i n h is let t e r t h at “ t he f lag doe s not i mply t h at t he re publ ic for wh ich it st a nd s is p e r fe ct.” T he f lag g ive s t hose who k ne el t he f re e dom a nd t he r ig ht t o ca r r y out t hei r prot e st s. Pe rh aps wh at t he se prot e st e r s ne e d is a re m i nde r of t he h ist or y beh i nd t he f lag a nd t he m i l l ion s of p e ople who h ave d ie d defe nd i ng it i n orde r t o el i m i n at e prejud ice a nd i nju st ice. T h is cont rove r sy exp ose s a ne e d for e ducat ion on wh at t he f lag re pre se nt s, but also a nd e qu al ly a s i mp or t a nt , a n u nde r st a nd i ng of t hose who fe el op pre sse d a nd m isre pre se nt e d . Be cau se af t e r al l, t he A me r ica n f lag f l ie s for e a ch a nd eve r y A me r ica n.
8
The Scheme of ’16 Hayden Ludt ’17 and Chris Perullo ’18
T he re a re 318 m i l l ion p e ople i n t he Un it e d St at e s; howeve r, roug h ly 241 m i l l ion a re able t o vot e. I n 2012 , on ly 53.6% of t he el ig ible vot e r s prefor me d t hei r civ ic dut y of vot i ng. T h is ye a r st at ist icia n s pre d ict a 25% i nc re a se i n vot e r t u r nout. Wit h t he f i r st t wo pre side nt ial debat e s al re a dy complet e d , A me r ica n s a re wait i ng e age rly for Ele ct ion Day on Tue sd ay, Nove mbe r 8. Ma ny exp e r t s h ave said t h at t h is ele ct ion is t he most i mp or t a nt ele ct ion si nce t he 1940 s. Bot h f ront r u n ne r s h ave be e n i n t he me d ia’s f r a me of fo cu s for ye a r s before t hey a n nou nce d t hei r r u n n i ng. H i l la r y Cl i nt on h a s set a re cord nu mbe r of p ol it ical h ig h s a nd lows du r i ng he r pre side nt ial ca mpaig n. Howeve r, she is p e r seve r i ng a nd f i nd s he r sel f i n a r a ce t h at is he r s t o lose. Un for t u n at ely for H i l la r y, i n t he la st few we ek s issue s h ave a r ise n conce r n i ng he r he alt h a nd he r abi l it y t o p e r for m u nde r pre ssu re. Don ald Tr u mp h a s be e n fa ci ng proble m s of h is ow n. For exa mple, he is not or iou s for let t i ng h is word s re pre se nt exa ctly wh at he is t h i n k i ng, wh ich for some is a bre at h of f re sh ai r f rom Wa sh i ng t on. Howeve r, p e ople a re of fe nde d a nd conce r ne d w it h h is abi l it y t o re m ai n cal m a nd p e a cef u l u nde r st re ss. I n re ce nt we ek s, h is ca mpaig n h a s help e d h i m st ay on t r a ck a nd more i mp or t a ntly on sc r ipt. Cor re sp ond i ngly, h is p ol l nu mbe r s h ave ref le ct e d t he re ce nt ch a nge s t o h is ca mpaig n. Wit h Ele ct ion Day d r aw i ng close, p e ople a re wonde r i ng wh at m a ke s t he ca nd id at e s d i f fe re nt. Don ald Tr u mp ne e d s t o st a nd f i r m i n h is mode r at ely con se r vat ive v iew p oi nt s a nd avoid m a k i ng news he a d l i ne s for h is i n fa mou s negat ive re m a rk s a nd expl icit la ng u age i n orde r t o m ai nt ai n h is vot i ng ba se a nd gai n t he vot e s of blue - col la r worke r s. H i l la r y Cl i nt on on t he ot he r h a nd mu st st op t he conve r sat ion about he r pa st sca nd als a nd prove t o t he A me r ica n p e ople t h at she is t r u st wor t hy. Wit h t he ele ct ion i n le ss t h a n t wo mont h s, a nd debat e s al re a dy u nde r way, wh at ca n we exp e ct t he ca nd id at e s t o st a nd up for? T he issue of abor t ion is one t h at h a s d iv ide d ou r cou nt r y si nce t he Roe vs. Wa de de cision. Don ald Tr u mp h a s said i n 2011 t h at he ch a nge d h is v iews f rom pro - choice t o pro -
l i fe af t e r w it ne ssi ng abor t ion cl i n ics a nd h av i ng a p e r son al relat ion sh ip w it h re cipie nt s who reg ret t hei r de cision. Tr u mp now supp or t s t he def u nd i ng of Pla n ne d Pa re nt hood a nd wa nt s t o el i m i n at e abor t ion s. H i l la r y Cl i nt on h a s a much d i f fe re nt v iew. She supp or t s pro - choice pr i nciple s, such a s ke e pi ng abor t ion legal, a nd h a s beg u n u she r i ng i n a new m i nd set for wome n. G u n cont rol is a not he r t opic t h at h a s be e n app e a r i ng i n t he news more a nd more, reg ret t ably due t o a n i nc re a se d nu mbe r of shoot i ngs a nd t e r ror ist at t a ck s. Don ald Tr u mp h a s be e n e ndor se d by t he N R A ( Nat ion al R i f le A sso ciat ion) a nd wa nt s t o m a ke conce ale d- ca r r y p e r m it s legal a nd e a si ly a cce ssible i n al l 50 st at e s. H i l la r y Cl i nt on approa che s t he issue f rom a d i f fe re nt p oi nt of v iew. She t h i n k s t he gove r n me nt shou ld reg ist e r a nd t r a ck al l g u n ow ne r s a nd g u n t r a n sa ct ion s. Cl i nt on also supp or t s t he newly p opu la r bi l l t o m a ke t he sale a nd u sage of a ssau lt r i f le s i l legal. Eve r yone k nows Don ald’s st a nce on i m m ig r at ion t h roug h h is fa mou s “ Bu i ld a wal l” approa ch , but H i l la r y’s v iews d i f fe r f rom Tr u mp’s v iews i n i n nu me r able ways a nd t h is m ay be t he big ge st d isag re e me nt bet we e n t he t wo ca nd id at e s. Cl i nt on wa nt s t o m a ke a cle a r a nd e a sy pat h t o cit i ze n sh ip for al l i l legal i m m ig r a nt s, e sp e cial ly for t he 11 m i l l ion i l legals al re a dy l iv i ng i n t he Un it e d St at e s. Howeve r, Don ald Tr u mp is st rongly opp ose d t o let t i ng t hose who h ave e nt e re d t he US i l legal ly re m ai n he re. H is wel l-k now n wal l ide a m ay be a l it tle ext re me eve n for h i m , but h is st a nce on i m m ig r at ion isn’t ch a ng i ng soon. It is a sca r y a nd d i f f icu lt t i me for ou r cou nt r y. T h a n k f u l ly m a ny of u s at Devon ca n not be bla me d for t he out come be cau se we ca n not vot e, but we w i l l h ave t o l ive t h roug h 4 ye a r s of eit he r H i l la r y Cl i nt on or Don ald Tr u mp. Pe n n sylva n ia , sp e ci f ical ly t he subu rba n cou nt ie s su r rou nd i ng Ph i la delph ia , w i l l play a n ext re mely i mp or t a nt pa r t i n t he out come of t h is ele ct ion , a nd it is ext re mely i mp or t a nt t h at eve r ybody vot e s. We on ly hop e t h at we w i l l come out of t h is ele ct ion a s one n at ion , no longe r d iv ide d .
Supplying the Summer Brandon Hoang ’18 and Jacob Pabia ’18
Over the summer, Devon Prep’s Christian Action Program (CAP) gathered over 5000 school supplies to give to underprivileged children in North Philadelphia. Devon students accumulated an array of school supplies, including notebooks, pens, crayons, pencils, folders, backpacks, erasers, and other necessary items for school. These school supplies were donated to Mrs. Helen “Grandmom” Brown of St. Elizabeth’s Community Center by CAP members Luke Farnsworth ’17, Jack Marquis ’17, Thomas Hang ’17, Brandon Hoang ’18, and Jack Eshleman ’21 on August 17. This event was also attended by Mrs. Eshleman and the new CAP moderators, Mr. Consolo and Mr. Gavin. Mrs. Brown distributed the school supplies
during St. Elizabeth’s Community Block Party. Thanks to the Devon Prep community, dozens of school children now have access to much needed school supplies, which will help them in the classroom for the upcoming school year. Brandon Hoang, CAP Vice President, says: “Delivering 5000 school supplies to St. Elizabeth’s made me very joyful knowing that all the supplies would be distributed to needy children in North Philly. Hopefully next year we can gather more than 5000 school supplies. The best part is Grandmom’s hugs because they are so heart-warming. You can’ t leave without giving Grandmom a great big hug.”
Editorial Board
© 2016 Devon Prep
Editor-in-Chief: Ben Rufo ’17 Co-Deputy Editors-in-Chief: Michael Bonfiglio ’17 Frank Byrd ’18 Tommy Brower ’18 Faculty Moderator: Mr. Lawrence Theuer All photos, unless otherwise noted, taken by newspaper staff or Ms. Rose Lombardo, for Devon Preparatory School. Special thanks to Fr. Shea for his tireless assistance and guidance.