Devon Dialogue, March 2012 (Vol. 3, Issue 3)

The Devon Dialogue

volume iii, issue iii | march 2012

Devon Preparatory School

proudly publishing for five decades Fr. Nelson Keeps in Touch

The former faculty member details his mission in Colombia. page 2

Varsity Basketball The all-star lineup takes on archrivals old and new, with some help from the PIT. page 6

March for Life

Academic Champions Academic Challenge Team takes home the Chester County Academic Competition championship. page 4

Vast majority of Devon students joins in the annual protest in Washington, D.C. page 2

Devon Helps Mothers in Need

Passing the Torch: Alumni Speak to Seniors

Soham Bharne ’15

The final semester of senior year is a time of reminiscing about the past and contemplating the future. It is also the advent of the next stage of life for seniors and involves a good deal of fearing the unknown as well as worrying about what the next year has in store. It is a tradition at Devon to have former students return to speak to the seniors at this time to assuage fears, answer their questions, and share some advice. Led by Alumni speaking to current seniors, from left: Vince Quintiliani ’11, Ryan Litchert ’11, Chairman of the Devon Prep Board of Harry Crimi ’11, and Alex Sidor ’11 Trustees and President of the Alumni State in the Naval ROTC program while Alex Association, Mr. Barry Mulhern ’72, these informative presentations cover all Sidor is a neuroscience research assistant aspects of life after Devon, from having a and Resident Advisor at the University of roommate in college to choosing a career to Delaware. It was a beneficial experience for starting a family and remaining active in the the seniors to hear about the future from young men whom they have known for a long Devon community.

This year, the seniors were visited by many time and consider colleagues, especially as Devon graduates, each at different stages they will be following in their footsteps in a in their lives. In the first session, Mr. Eric few short months.

In the third session, Class of 1996 graduates ’83 and Mr. Jeff Nowak ’85 spoke about the paths they followed after leaving Devon. Eric Mr. Chris Turner and Dr. Joseph D’Orazio studied computer science at the University of returned to speak about their experiences, Virginia and now manages a company worth especially focusing on the importance of billions of dollars. Jeff studied criminal choosing a career and the possibility of justice at Penn State University and is now graduate-level degrees. Mr. Turner attended a sergeant with the Whitemarsh Township Villanova and Widener Universities before Police Force. Their detailed presentation and becoming an attorney. Dr. D’Orazio attended accompanying slideshow clearly mapped La Salle University, then entered medical out all the stages of their lives after Devon school at Drexel University and now works and showed that with dedication and hard as a physician in medical toxicology.

These sessions were an excellent way to work, you can succeed no matter what path prepare the seniors for what lies ahead. Albert you choose.

In the second session, several members Emhof ’11, said of his experience with last of the Class of 2011—Bob McCarron, Colin year’s presentations, “I didn’t think initially Feeney, Vince Quintiliani, Ryan Litchert, that the tips and hints they gave about the Harry Crimi and Alex Sidor—came to transition to college would help at all, but share advice and stories they wished they they actually really did make the move from had known a year before. Many seniors Devon to Penn State much easier.” Devon remarked how fascinating it was to see how is a college preparatory school, and these different each of their experiences were presentations provided seniors some of the just one semester after graduating Devon. most important advice and knowledge they For example, Ryan Litchert is now at Penn will need in preparation for college next year.

This January, prior to attending the March for Life in Washington, D.C., Devon held its annual Baby Supplies Drive. This fundraiser helps pregnant mothers who have not gotten an abortion, instead courageously choosing to keep their babies. This year, thanks to the generosity of the Devon community, the Nutrition Development Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia received approximately $2500 worth of baby formula, diapers, and donations from the Devon Prep community. This organization will send these items to Catholic Social Services Family Service centers located throughout the Philadelphia area where needy mothers can go for shelter, food, money, and other necessities. After the fundraiser, Headmaster Fr. James Shea ’66 and Mr. Joseph Lewis received a letter from the Nutrition Development Services of the Archdioceses of Philadelphia in appreciation of our donations, explaining how they will

Headmaster Fr. James Shea ’66 stands beside the Baby Drive donations.

help them immensely. Mr. Lewis, one of the teachers in charge of the collection, expressed his gratitude, saying: “Fr. Shea and I want to thank the entire Devon Prep community for all they did in providing for another successful Baby Drive.”

Nate Stauffer ’12, Associate Editor for News

2

An Update on Fr. Nelson

Dialogue News

Russell Emery ’15

Anyone who attended Devon last year knows Fr. Nelson Henao, a former religion teacher and chaplain at Devon who instituted the Friday morning Masses.

This past summer, he returned to his home country, Colombia, for training to become the Provincial’s Assistant. Last year, he was named a formator of seminarians, a priest who accompanies seminarians on their way to priesthood and guides them in spiritual and intellectual matters. Father Fernando Negro, the Provincial, the elected leader of the Piarist province, asked him to take the job as one of his four assistants. Since Fr. Nelson was only recently ordained, he requested time to study, prepare, and gain experience with the Piarist Fathers in Colombia to learn about his job as an Assistant, which will make him responsible for developing programs regarding religious life and the permanent formation of faith.

Father Nelson said that he enjoys being back with his friends and family in Colombia. Just before Christmas, he and fifteen other people visited a small, poor village about two hours from Bogota. Their visit was during the novenas, which are nine days of prayer and devotion to God in order to obtain graces. Father Nelson spent time with the children of the village by talking, playing, and praying with them, celebrating the Mass, and preparing the children for the novena prayers.

Father Nelson wishes the student body of Devon Prep many blessings and would like everyone to know, “I miss you guys.

Remember that you all have so many blessings and to take advantage of that.

Study, prepare yourselves for adult life, and never forget that the Lord is always with you. Never, ever, feel unworthy of the love and mercy of Jesus, no matter how serious the mistake you have made is. He came and

gave up His life for us sinners. Another thing you need to be able to do is make a difference in the world, and the best way to do that is helping those in need. That’s the biggest blessing a person can have: to be able to help others. That makes out of each of you the men you’re called to be and that’s what makes God happy. Many blessings will come to your lives.” Father Nelson will be coming back to the United States this summer to start his new vocation. The Devon Prep community wishes him the best as he embarks on this exciting new stage in his life.

Students ‘SpeakUp!’ for Change Matt Kramer ’12, Associate Editor for Editorials and Entertainment

Fr. Nelson celebrates Mass outdoors in Colombia.

Marching for Life Will Dokas ’14

Every baby has many firsts, such as a first birthday, first Christmas, and first word. One first that not all babies are privileged enough to have is their first right—the right to life.

The Devon Prep congregation joined in the ranks of the annual March For Life in Washington, D.C.

On January 22, 1973, the Roe v. Wade court case legalized abortion, and has since led to the murder of over fifty million infants. The next year, nearly 20,000 pro-life activists rallied in Washington as a protest and a reminder of the moral atrocity at hand. That number has since grown to over 200,000 proud supporters attending the annual march, and that number continues to rise each year. Hopefully, someday soon the decision will be overturned and there will no longer be the need for an annual march.

On January 23, 184 Devon students, accompanied by faculty chaperones and parents, went to Washington, D.C. for the thirty-ninth annual March for Life. These members of Devon Prep proudly showed their support and marched the famous route along the left side of the Capitol Building to the Supreme Court Building. Several Devon seniors were included in a nationallybroadcast news video showing their support at the march. After reaching their destination, the Devonite protesters regrouped and headed down to Union Station for dinner.

Following dinner, the students boarded their respective buses and headed back to Devon.

Once again, Devon took Washington by storm. With tremendous support from groups like Devon each year, it is very likely that one day soon the pro-life cause will succeed and the lives of millions of children in future generations may finally be saved.

SpeakUp! is an organization devoted to creating an open, non-judgmental forum for teens and parents. It is connected with over 250 schools. There are several different SpeakUp! groups in the Philadelphia area.

Three or four schools are split up into each faction. Devon Prep recently joined The Academy of Notre Dame de Namur, Villa Maria Academy, and Malvern Preparatory School to participate in the local SpeakUp! event. Several Devon Prep students joined representatives from the other participating schools to plan this year’s event, which took place on January 24.

One of the parts of SpeakUp! that is most valued is the awarding of the Jimmy Medal to deserving members of the community. A winner of the Jimmy Medal is a person that directly influences the lives of others. The winner commits time, talent, and effort to supporting others and making the world a better place. There are a few winners of the medal every year. After many nominations from the Devon Prep student body, Mrs. Elizabeth Eshleman, Director of College Planning and Placement, was this year’s recipient. Mrs. Eshleman was the first recipient of the Jimmy Medal from the Devon community since Michael Magnotta ’10 was awarded it in 2010.

In addition to the awarding of the Jimmy Medal, the planning committee and some representatives from SpeakUp! chose an opening speaker for the night. Dr. Matt Bellace, a youth motivational speaker and comedian with a Ph.D. in clinical neuropsychology talked about alternatives to drugs and alcohol. Dr. Bellace’s message promoted living life to the fullest and enjoying every day as if it were the last.

One of the most unique facets to SpeakUp! was the “breakout session.” There were many different breakout sessions in the event. Each planning committee selects different topics for each breakout every year. This year’s topics included: Drugs and Alcohol, Understanding Depression, Sex and Pressure, and Handling Stress. Students attending the event selected the breakout of their choice at registration.

During each breakout, students, teachers, and parents talked about several issues pertaining to the topic. This process proved to bring significant results to the participants.

Many people returned from their breakouts with a different mindset, willing to listen to the points of others and glad that they could participate in a unique event such as this.

SpeakUp! proved to be a wonderful experience once again. With over three hundred students, parents, and teachers in attendance, the breakouts provided a great way to converse about the prevalent issues many teens face. SpeakUp! is seeing rising popularity in the Devon community, and many emerged from this year’s event delighted and eager to earn the Jimmy Medal next year!

Exceptional Acceptances

3

Matt Swatski ’12

Occasionally, the hallway of the upper school becomes filled with students curiously perusing the colored sheets hanging on the bulletin board outside of the College Guidance Office. Each of these colored sheets lists the names of the members of the Class of 2012 and their respective college acceptances.

For each senior, the college acceptances are the culmination of four years of dedication to academics, athletics, and service. The Class of 2012 is proud to announce this impressive list of schools.

The college application process began in August and ended in early February. More than 370 applications were sent by Mrs. Elizabeth Eshleman during this period. Of these, 262 were regular decision or rolling applications, 108 were nonbinding early action applications, and six applications were

binding early-decision agreements. John Damstra will be attending Williams College; John LaPrise will be attending the University of Virginia, where he will be playing baseball; Mac Lockard will be attending Rice University; Ryan O’Shea will be attending Princeton University; Patrick Robbins will be attending Franklin & Marshall College; Nathan Stauffer will be attending the University of Pennsylvania with a full Questbridge Match Scholarship; and Andrew Walsh will be attending Grove City College.

The Class of 2012 has also received acceptances and merit scholarships to the United States Military Academy, the University of Notre Dame, the University of Chicago, a full-tuition scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh, and the Dean’s Scholarship to Drexel University. For the majority of the

senior class, the next two months will be spent waiting for the “big envelopes” from regulardecision application. One senior said this about the college process: “College selection is one of the most important decisions we make as students. Several factors such as tuition, distance from home, and social aspects are the core points in deciding on a college.” The next four years can be the most rewarding and challenging years of a person’s life, and Devon Prep has provided the skills for the Class of 2012 to excel at the collegiate level and beyond.

Devon Institutes New Spanish Exchange Program John Damstra ’12

Every two years, Devon Prep participates in an exchange program with students from Stuttgart, Germany. This year, however, is the first year in recent history that Devon has invited a Spanish school to participate in such an exchange program. Eighteen Spanish students and three faculty members will come from Colegio Cristo Rey, a Piarist School in Zaragoza, a province in northeastern Spain.

These students, who are between fourteen and fifteen years of age, have studied English since they were young.

On March 24, the group will arrive and enjoy their first night in the United States by attending a reception and seeing Devon’s production of The Phantom of the Opera. In addition to participating in classes at Devon, the visitors and their student hosts will travel on many day

trips during their stay. These include trips to Lancaster, Hershey, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and New York City. They will also attend events, such as a 76ers basketball game, Devon lacrosse and baseball games, an excursion to the King of Prussia Mall, and a movie night hosted by Devon Prep. This all adds up to a very exciting two weeks before the students will return to Spain on April 7.

Exchange programs such as this offer students an opportunity to experience a different culture and immerse themselves in a new language. Hopefully, the Spanish Exchange Program will enjoy the same level of success achieved by the its German counterpart and begin a new tradition that will be enjoyed by Devon classes in the future.

Nate Stauffer ’12 places his school logo on “the board” after being accepted to the University of Pennsylvania.

Bluegrass Benevolence Antonio Muscarella ’13

While many students in our area were enjoying their Christmas vacations, Devon Prep students were down in Kentucky, helping families in need during the holiday season. Dan Lewis ’12, Dan McGarry ’12, Justin McNabb ’12, Jack Christiansen ’13, Michael McCarthy ’13, Brian Koskinen ’13, and Antonio Muscarella all sacrificed part of their extended Christmas vacation to help less fortunate children have a merry Christmas. Mr. Joseph Lewis, Mr. George Catholic Schools Face Closings Beothy ’68, and Mr. Christopher McNabb ’05 took the students down to St. Martha’s Parish Matt Swatski ’12 On January 6, Philadelphia Archbishop defining a strategic plan reflecting current in Martin, Kentucky, where they stayed at Charles Chaput announced the closing and realities.” Since 1961, when the number the home of Fr. David Powers, a Piarist who merging of four high schools and forty-four of students at Catholic schools peaked at teaches at the local Piarist school.

Students spent four days assisting Fr. Powers elementary schools in the Archdiocese. The 250,000, student population has dropped to in his yearly mission of delivering gifts to the afternoon press conference ended years 68,000. of speculation and rumors as to school For the schools that are affected, the less fortunate children of the area. Each day, closings in Philadelphia. For the thousands necessity of the school closings does not the group headed over to The Piarist School of students, teachers, parents, and alumni lessen the pain. Emergency meetings, to load up trucks with presents then set off to of the affected schools, the sadness and protests, and appeals were held at many of deliver them to the communities in need. The grief could not be contained. Videos of them. On February 17, Archbishop Chaput children’s eyes lit up when they saw bags of students and parents weeping after the announced that ten of the twenty-one presents from Santa, all for them. Aside from announcement filled the Internet and local elementary schools who had appealed would ascertaining that Fr. Powers makes a superb television broadcasts. Unfortunately, the be allowed to stay open. Afterwards, a plan Santa, the students who participated in the school closings are the consequences of the to raise $100 million in five years led to the mission learned first-hand that poverty is plummet in Catholic school enrollment in announcement on February 25 that the four a very real problem that exists even within the last fifty years. high schools to be closed would be allowed our own country, not just in far-flung corners of the world. It is a lesson that Devon Prep Cardinal Justin Rigali appointed the to remain open as well.

Blue Ribbon Commission to “chart the The news was not so kind to many has always striven to impart to its students, future course of Catholic education in the others, however. The sadness as a result of through a host of other projects throughout Archdiocese of Philadelphia.” This highly- the closings was discussed by Archbishop the year.

The students discovered the true meaning qualified team is made up of religious, Chaput in his letter on December 8, 2011 to of Christian charity and compassion and ordained, and lay members of the church the people of Philadelphia. He reassured who have played prominent roles in Catholic Catholics that “The Archdiocese remains brought smiles to the children they visited. education in Philadelphia. The Commission strongly committed to the work of Catholic They were glad to help in making Christmas a analyzed the sustainability of every Catholic education.” His final words echo the faith special time for children who didn’t have very school in the Archdiocese, and hoped to that all Catholics share, “Do not be afraid. much too look forward to on the holiday. They stop the transfer of students from parochial God uses poor clay to create grandeur and returned home to celebrate Christmas with schools to public schools. The Commission beauty. He can certainly use us to renew and their own families, gifted with the knowledge stated that it would “examine current advance the work of the Church—and He that they had helped, at least in some small part, deserving families enjoy theirs. programs at all levels with the objective of will.”

4

Academic Challenge Team Takes Home Championship Adam Swift ’12

As the Academic Challenge Team’s regular season ends, the Tide finds themselves in a familiar position. The JV and Varsity teams have each earned a spot in the playoffs. Both teams extended their seasons in the decisive December match against West Chester East High School and Avon Grove Charter School.

Devon entered sitting in a tie for sixth place in varsity, and holding fourth place in JV. West Chester East held second place

began with Jim Stoddard’s well-known possibly want to hear. But nothing could “Ready ... Go!” and the teams began work on prepare anyone for the crazy match that a math question involving sequences. Hugh would happen in early January. was the first on the buzz, but unfortunately The varsity match would feature the teams answered incorrectly, leading to five points ranked first, fourth, and seventh in Chester for West Chester East. Matt’s knowledge County. The JV had to face the top team, of world capitals got Devon even on the Downingtown East High School, as well as an next question. Matt and Hugh closed the underachieving Bayard Rustin High School tossup round with one correct answer each, team. The team arrived at Rustin shortly keeping pace with West Chester East. The before the match was to begin, with several score after one round members of the team feeling nauseous. was Devon: 30, West Devon knew before the match that varsity Chester East: 30, and would need 125 points to maintain at least Avon Grove Charter: the fourth seed, which likely would mean a 10.

This match favorable matchup with Great Valley High seemed to be headed School in the semifinals. It was also known down the same that JV would need 50 points to guarantee thrilling path as the a spot in the playoffs. Varsity used Adam previous JV match.

Swift, Mac Lockard, Dan Lewis, and Conrad In preparation for Damstra to start the match. Adam and Dan the second round, responded with correct answers on the next the team realized two tossups. However, no more points would the popularity and go to Devon in that tossup round. The fanfare success of putting round brought something unexpected. A both Damstra question was asked to Devon regarding brothers in the an aquatic mammal related to the weasel. match, and tried a Players on Devon’s team knew the answer similar thing on JV, was “otter.” So did an audience member, who putting Owen Phelan felt the need to shout this out. The question Varsity ACT’s starting lineup, from left to right: ’14 in along with his was replaced, the crowd given a stern Dan Lewis, Mac Lockard, Adam Swift, Conrad Damstra brother and the JV warning, and Devon incorrectly answered in Varsity, and was just five points behind co-captains. Matt Bonner got the scoring the replacement. Aside from the crowd Devon’s JV, in a fifth place tie. Devon’s team started in the second round, getting another issues, the first round went with no surprise, entered to thunderous applause, Quizmaster geography question, as well as a question as county-leading Rustin led, leaving Devon Jim Stoddard read the rules, and all the about a famous American landmark. He and Downingtown East fighting for second teams sent up their starting four to begin the would later get a third tossup, again in in the match. match. Devon had Adam Swift, Mac Lockard the History/Geography category which he The second round brought simply ’12, Dan Lewis ’12, and Antonio Muscarella dominates every match. Overall, the second a Damstra switch, with John entering ’13. West Chester East got on the board first, tossup round was lower scoring than the the match. Devon struggled with overly but Devon’s knowledge of Shakespeare’s first. West Chester East did not get a single aggressive buzzing in the second tossup Antony and Cleopatra, the city of Lexington, tossup right and fell 15 points behind Devon round. However, Mac Lockard’s knowledge Kentucky, and the mammalian order Cetacea after two rounds. put them ahead. Following the tossups, The JV third round Devon held a 25-20 lead over West Chester had both Phelan East, with Avon Grove Charter unable to brothers go out and score. The fanfare round allowed Devon to Nick Ragsdale ’12 maintain a one question advantage. and Clayton Wilcox The second round involved a change in the ’13 enter. No team got Devon lineup. John Damstra ’12 and Conrad the first three tossups Damstra ’12 entered for Antonio and Mac. correct, but West The team did not disappoint that round, Chester East soon correctly answering the first three tossups. took over. They got Overall, the varsity team correctly answered every other tossup 18 tossups, resulting in 90 points. And, to that round except end that tossup round, Avon Grove Charter one, a world history used the final potpourri tossup to finally get tossup which Matt a correct answer. All of Devon’s players knew correctly answered. that they had won by the time it was their Devon matched turn to do fanfare. But they also knew that West Chester East the school record was within their reach. A on fanfare again, Junior Varsity ACT’s starting lineup, from left to right: perfect fanfare would break the record. They leading to a tough Nate Stauffer, Ryan O’Shea, Matt Bonner, Tom Seykora got the first question right. Then the second, loss. West Chester and the third, and the fourth. However, that East had 95 points, Devon had 85, and Avon of word origins put Devon in good position would be all the scoring Varsity would do Grove Charter had 35. Matt Bonner’s 9 correct for second behind Rustin. However, the team that day. The final score was Devon: 150, West answers led the team; Ryan O’Shea finished was on pace to fall to the sixth seed, which Chester East: 120, and Avon Grove Charter: with five correct. would mean a rematch with Rustin in the 40. Adam Swift led Devon with 21 questions At this point, varsity had reached fourth semifinals. Then, Downingtown East made answered correctly. Conrad contributed four, place, while JV fell to sixth, barely holding a their move. A perfect fanfare round placed and Lockard and Lewis added three apiece. playoff spot. With each team going against them barely ahead of Devon. Devon again After the excitement of the varsity match, the top team in their division in January, went for minimal switching going into the the JV teams took the stage. Matt Bonner ’12, preparations were intense. The team heard third round. Antonio Muscarella entered for Ryan O’Shea ’12, Hugh Phelan ’12, and Tom more questions about obscure books and Dan Lewis. Realizing that a rematch with Seykora ’13 were Devon’s starters. The match biological processes than anyone could Rustin was not the best scenario, Adam and

ACT Showcase

Generous Gents Give at Blood Drive

continued from page 4

Sean Melvin ’13

Mac discussed a strategy shift. The focus would be preventing Rustin from scoring. If Rustin was held below 100 points, Conestoga High School would earn the top seed and be one of Devon’s opponents in the semifinals.

This score prevention would be achieved by buzzing in late on any question that Rustin still could, and wasting as much of the clock as possible. Devon got another pair of tossups, but, more importantly, Rustin only had 80 points going into the fanfare. Downingtown East put the match out of reach with another impressive fanfare round, putting them at 115 points. Then Rustin went. Rustin went three for six in the fanfare, making them finish at 95 points. Conestoga would be the top seed and play Devon in semifinals. Devon finished the match with 80 points.

After the top varsity team fell at home, the disruptive crowd cleared out and the JV match began. Devon’s starters were Matt Bonner, Ryan O’Shea, Tom Seykora, and Nate Stauffer ’12. It was very close through the first round. Ryan got a physics question, and Nate correctly answered the final two tossups to put all teams at 15 after the first set of tossups. The match remained close after the fanfare. Downingtown East led with 35, Rustin had 30, and Devon had 25. Nate, Ryan, and Matt all earned playing time in the next round, and James O’Shea ’14 went up for his first time. The second set of tossups was also indicative of the even level of competition.

Matt, Nate, and the Ryan O’Shea each got one. Following the fanfare round, ten points separated the teams still, however the order had changed. Rustin’s 65 led the pack, with Devon at 60 and Downingtown East at 55.

Both Devon and Downingtown seemed like they would challenge Rustin’s lead. Owen Phelan replaced James O’Shea for Devon, and the third round began. Rustin took the first two tossups, but then the literature question brought excitement to Devon’s team. A question arose about James Fenimore Cooper’s excellent work The Last of the Mohicans. This book has quite a reputation in practice, and Matt Bonner snagged the question for an easy five points. Shockingly absent from the tossups was Downingtown East, who did not score at all in the third round. Ryan O’Shea amazingly answered a question about the length of a sunspot cycle, ending the match with 90 points. Rustin won, with 105. Nate Stauffer’s seven correct answers led the team.

Both Devon teams advanced to the semifinals. JV won the fifth seed, but lost Conestoga and Unionville High School in their match. The Varsity Academic Challenge Team moved on and, led by captains Adam Swift and Mac Lockard, and their coach Mr. Paul Sanborn, won the Chester County Academic Competiton Championship on March 1. In addition to winning the title and representing Chester County in the state-wide competition. The team was awarded a $2,000 grand prize. The final score was Devon Prep 140, West Chester East 120 and Great Valley 75.

The Tide will now represent Chester County in the Pennsylvania Academic Competition in Harrisburg on May 4.

5

The nineteenth annual Devon Prep Red Cross Blood Drive was held on February 16, 2012.

Students, parents, teachers, and faculty members were asked to donate blood for those in need.

This year the Red Cross has a declared a “blood drought” due to winter complications. Red Cross volunteers and several members of the Christian Action Program transformed the Devon gym into a donating center.

At the end of the day, the Red Cross and the members of CAP helped collect over forty pints of Kevin Fulmer ’13 talks to Ian McConnell ’13 as he donates during the blood drive. blood. Many donors were able to donate through a process called the Senss ’12. The Red Cross was grateful for double red blood cell donation, which collects the donations and was surprised by the many more blood cells than usual. These helpfulness of the volunteers. Nate Stauffer ’12 red blood cells are very important in blood described the true meaning of the blood drive transfusions when the blood is most needed. in a few words: “The blood drive is a great way “Students who donate blood are doing to help someone in need.” a great deed for the community,” said Ben

Mock Trial Conrad Damstra ’12

The Devon Prep Mock Trial Team, after months of preparation and endless practice, competed in the Chester County Mock Trial competition in February. The team won their first two trials on February 6 and 7, against Malvern Preparatory School and Unionville High School, respectively. The case title is “Wisawe Chapter of Friends of Bog Turtles vs.

Zenopharma Inc.” On February 6, Devon represented the plaintiff, the Friends of Bog Turtles, a group led by high school environmentalist Skylar Cohen. On February 7, Devon represented the defendant, Zenopharma Inc., a pharmaceutical company which manufactures an effective surgical adhesive called “Suturestick” created using the algae found in Wisawe, the fictional town where the case is located. The team’s mix of believable witnesses and effective objections contributed largely to these wins. “We were really dynamic,” said Scott Whittemore ’12, “Everyone on the team gave one hundred and ten percent, and I think the jury realized how polished and professional we were.”

The 2012 Mock Trial case involves a balance between preserving the environment and promoting economic development. It revolves around the expansion of a quarry undertaken

by Zenopharma, Inc. in order to harvest more algae and produce more Suturestick. Skylar Cohen claims to have found a bog turtle, an endangered species, near the quarry. If this is true, the expansion would encroach on a critical bog turtle habitat, which is unlawful under the Endangered Species Act. The plaintiff also claims that the expansion would cause potentially harmful quarry water to mix with the town aquifer, potentially causing health risks for the community. Zenopharma claims that Skylar Cohen planted the bog turtle on the property, as none were found during two independent environmental impact assessments of the area. They also argue that the public interest in economic

activity caused by Zenopharma favors the expansion, even if it means the destruction of a bog turtle habitat. The facts in the case are complicated, and eliciting them in a way that is coherent and easily understood by a jury is crucial to putting on an effective case.

The Devon Prep mock trial team is led by attorneys Joe Geiger ’12, Hugh Phelan ’12, and John Damstra ’12, representing the plaintiff.

Conrad Damstra, Owen Phelan ’14, and Joe Geiger represent the defendant. The team has seen the return of veteran witnesses Mac Lockard ’12 and Scott Whittemore, as well as new members Alex Teplyakov ’12 and Joe Haruch ’13. Both Hugh and Owen Phelan also perform as witnesses. The team is coached by Mr. Michael Collins ’68. Mock-attorney John Damstra commented during the contest, “Our lawyers are intelligent, know the rules, and have a well-defined case theory. Our witnesses play their parts with extreme tenacity. It has been great working with this team so far and I look forward to continue to improve going forward in the competition.”

The team competed in the county semifinals against Bishop Shanahan High School on February 21. Devon represented the plaintiff, and the team’s persistent objections contributed strongly to the win. On February 23, Devon Prep competed against Villa Maria Academy in the Chester County Finals.

Unfortunately, Devon lost in a close match.

Even though the season is over, the team will remember the lessons learned in Mock Trial.

“I’ve learned so much through Mock Trial. The most important things are public speaking and approaching a problem through many different ways,” said John Damstra, “I’d like to thank all of the coaches and Devon alumni, especially Brandon Mitchell ’08, for putting in a lot of time and caring about the team.”

Building upon the strong base of juniors formed in this year’s competition, the team looks to compete once again next season.

6

Basketball Brings Back a Banner Sam Nardi ’12, Associate Editor for Sports

When the season began, the Varsity Basketball team was already down a player.

With Kyle Koehler ’12 injured, the Tide would have to play hard and smart basketball to continue their winning tradition. To make matters worse, guard Matt Burke ’12 injured his wrist, just five games into the season in a loss to Lower Moreland. The Tide continued to struggle, going 10-12. Even though the record stands just under .500, they hope to go deep into the playoffs. The team has worked hard to improve, and it paid off in a three-game winning streak near the end of the season. A

Dialogue Sports

Ultimate Frisbee Prepares for a Strong Season Roshan Patel ’12, Assistant Photography Editor Adam Swift ’12

After placing seventh in the 2008 UPA Pennsylvania State Championship tournament, Devon Prep’s Ultimate Frisbee team had been relatively stagnant—until last spring. The team made an unprecedented comeback and managed to place fifth in the Philadelphia City Championship tournament on May 21, 2011.

This year’s captains, Adam Swift and Roshan Patel, plan to raise the Ultimate Frisbee Team to the next level. During the fall, weekly practices were held at Wilson Farm Park to help new members hone their skills. Ten freshmen joined the team this year. The new curriculum and lineup showed positive results during the games.

After playing against Methacton’s and Cheltenham’s varsity teams, and Radnor’s junior varsity team, Devon ended the season with an impressive 2–1 record. Mr. Joseph Lewis, the team moderator, sees a bright future for the spring season, “They’re a

young team, considering that this is another rebuilding year, but I see that there is a lot of potential. The boys have had a few setbacks, but win or lose there is definitely a great spirit on the team. As the season continues, I sense that they will improve significantly.”

The team expects to attend the Philadelphia City Championship, Pittsburgh Steel City Classic, and USA Ultimate Pennsylvania State Championship tournaments. With the spring season quickly approaching, students are more prepared than ever to reestablish Devon Prep’s prominence in the Ultimate world. The team has added a coach, Dan O’Hara, for the spring. Coach O’Hara played for the past three years on York College’s team, and brings valuable experience to Devon.

High school students interested in playing for this year’s Ultimate Frisbee team can join anytime during the season. You can join now by talking to Roshan Patel or Adam Swift.

Parting Shots: Devon Lacrosse Matt Burke ’12 awaits a pass from Michael Giampietro ’13.

Ben Senss ’12

In its second season playing at YSC Sports, team has been given a chance to achieve loss in the final minute to league opponent the Devon Prep Winter Lacrosse Team was great things. Coach Shaw is a graduate of Springfield Township (Montgomery County) rolling. Every Sunday at YSC Sports Complex Wagner College, where he played defensive High School really sent a message to the in Wayne, the protruding aroma of sweat midfield. The Wagner Seahawks were led to players. With motivational speeches from and blood came from teams battling for their victory by his stellar play and knowledge. His Coach Ryan Washington, the team focused chance to be called the best. Among these knowledge has brought a new philosophy hard on becoming more of a team and less teams was the always fierce Devon Prep. to the team that has helped them learn the individualistic. With a change in mentality They may not have been the best there, but game and gain a greater appreciation for the at practice and at game time, the team’s they always came ready to play and refused sport.

Even though the winter season is over, energy rose almost immediately. With the to go out without a fight. The Tide was led to players more excited to play, the games’ victory by their returning seniors Pat Robbins the team continues to practice and work opening minutes were electric, with Devon ’12, Ben Senss, Matt Magnotta ’12, Michael out to prepare for the upcoming spring outscoring their opponents 34–20 in total in Varricchio ’12, and Matt Swatski ’12. With season. Coach Shaw has high hopes for the the first quarters of the previous two games. the outstanding goal scoring of Pat, who had spring season. With their new schedule, the The reserves have become much more thirty-six goals in six games, and the great team is looking for a rebound season and active, assisting their on-court teammates goal saving by their goalie, Ben, the team is expecting to be the first lacrosse team to and showing a great amount of energy—led was led to four wins against tough teams reach district playoffs. With the wisdom of mostly by John Kane ’13 and Sam Nardi. With such as Archbishop Carroll High School and new leadership and the determination of two red-hot and fired-up juniors, Michael Upper Merion Area High School. Under the this year’s team, this season looks to be one Giampietro and John Kane, the Tide will be new leadership of Coach Colin Shaw, the of the best on record at Devon. under good leadership next season.

Getting Rowdy: The PIT’s Incredible Year On February 29, the varsity team faced Springfield-Montco once more in the Kevin Fulmer ’13 District 1 Class AA Championship, hosted The bleachers rocked violently back and “Every time I miss a shot or mess up The PIT at Upper Merion Area High School. In the midst of their senior retreat, the entire Class forth as a deafening roar filled the gym. This gets me right back in the game with their of 2012 attended the game. This massive is characteristic of practically every Devon rowdy cheers.” The PIT proudly proclaims PIT cheered the team on to a 55–50 victory. Prep varsity basketball game. The deafening that they serve as the sixth man on the court, Several players gave stellar performances roar is produced by Devon’s loyal and and much to their credit, most of the varsity in the championship, including John Kane intimidating student section, known as “The players agree.

Devon’s varsity has recovered from a shaky and Michael Giampietro, who scored all PIT.” PIT Captains this year are Rich Gallo the team’s points in the second quarter, and ’12, Dave Welsh ’12, Nick van Schaijik ’12, and start, especially with the return of big man Steve Kohlbrenner, whose intense play in the Mike Varricchio ’12. Several characters have Kyle “The Koehler Express” Koehler ’12. The second half gave Devon a lead they would become a staple in The Pit, such as the Gorilla, one thing that has remained constant during the banana man, the Train Conductors, and the team’s season is The PIT and its diehard never relinquish. members. Often times once a student attends Steve was named to the First Team All- the Blue Man. At each game, thirty to fifty students a basketball game, he wants to go to every Bicentennial League; Kyle Koehler was named to the Second Team; and Michael start their basketball team’s adrenaline game. The PIT is a great way to blow off stress Giampietro received an honorable mention. pumping with the traditional “I Believe” from school and all students are encouraged A special thanks to Spence Latran ’12 and the chant. Throughout the game they keep up the to support their school. The PIT anxiously always-dedicated PIT for supporting their intensity, especially going wild when “Scuba” looks forward to another season, challenging Steve Kohlbrenner ’12 drops a long three. John any team to enter under the roof of Devon and team throughout this season. Roll Tide!

Kane ’13 commented on The PIT after a game, not leave whimpering in defeat.

Dialogue Editorials

7

Republican Primaries Update

The World-wide War

Antonio Muscarella ’13

Ryan O’Shea ’12, Editor-in-Chief

The 2012 Republican presidential primaries have been some of the most turbulent and tumultuous primary elections in quite some time. Despite the tensions, no clear winner has emerged. Support for different Republican candidates has fluctuated constantly throughout the states. The “early states,” which hold their primaries in the month of January, were highly contested, and the results in each

of Rick Perry, who dropped out of the race two days before the election. Gingrich went on to win the South Carolina primary, receiving over 40% of the vote.

Romney asserted his front-runner status with wins in Florida, Maine, Nevada, Michigan, and Arizona in February and early March. Rick Santorum surprised all with three wins in one day, in Missouri, Minnesota, and Colorado.

The eight original Republican presidential candidates at one of their numerous debates

state varied significantly.

Super Tuesday, a series of ten primaries that The 2012 Iowa Caucus, held on January 3, was tends to have great influence on the outcome a key struggle for all candidates. In the weeks of the Republican nomination, took place prior to the caucus, popular support fluctuated on March 6 this year. This Tuesday, however, significantly. Former Massachusetts Governor was anything but decisive. Mitt Romney took Mitt Romney appeared to be the early front home six states during the day, and Santorum runner. Candidates Bachmann, Perry, and managed to win three. Gingrich took the Cain briefly enjoyed frontrunner status before remaining contest. Despite his seeming lead, eventually dropping out.

Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, and Newt Gingrich became the leaders in the Iowa polls in the weeks leading up to the caucus, yet none of the three candidates managed to hold a steady lead. Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, managed to wage a successful campaign and experienced steady popularity in the lead up to the caucus.

Santorum went on to astonish political analysts when he won, after a The two front-runners heading into March, recount, the Iowa Caucus Gov. Mitt Romney (left) and Sen. Rick Santorum (right) by just 54 votes.

Santorum’s unexpected win in Iowa was Mitt Romney’s victories were narrow at best. counterbalanced by Mitt Romney’s resounding He remains the frontrunner, but his lead is not victory in New Hampshire. Romney had as solid coming out of Super Tuesday as one benefitted from consistent popularity in New can assume he would have liked.

Hampshire, unlike in Iowa, and pulled off a win With the first three Republican primary in that state’s primary, receiving 39% of the vote. elections producing three different winners, Ron Paul and Jon Huntsman finished behind the possibility of the Republican presidential Romney in second and third, respectively. nomination shifts precariously from candidate Huntsman’s disappointing performance in a to candidate, with no clear cut winner as of state he expected to win led to his withdrawal yet. The frontrunners Romney, Santorum, from the race. With Romney’s win in New Gingrich, and Paul all could theoretically take Hampshire, many Americans expected the state. The coming state primaries will likely him to win the nomination and become the seal the fate of the Republican presidential Republican presidential candidate. However, nomination in this widely contested, free-forNewt Gingrich waged a successful campaign all series of primary elections. in South Carolina, even gaining the support

On January 18, 2012, the world awoke to an unprecedented online protest. Dozens of the most widely-used websites, including Wikipedia, Google, Mozilla, Tumblr, Craigslist, Reddit, and Wired Magazine, had “blacked out” to show their joint opposition to two anti-piracy laws that threatened to bring authoritarian censorship to the American Internet. The demonstration did not go unnoticed, forcing mainstream media outlets to cover a story they had attempted to avoid for months and galvanizing once-weak resistance to the bills in Congress.

The protest came just before a vote on two controversial pieces of legislation in the United States Congress. The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act (PIPA) are two nearly identical versions of the same proposed law, in the House and Senate, respectively. The bills, sponsored almost entirely by proponents of the entertainment industry, aim to prevent copyright infringement by targeting foreignbased websites dedicated to piracy and the sale of counterfeit goods. The problem has perturbed the industry for years, as these sites are outside of the jurisdiction of United States law enforcement. The motive of the bills is honorable enough, but the sweeping new powers they grant the government to combat these websites and the ambiguous language used to describe these powers set a vastly dangerous precedent—one disturbing enough to incite opposition from some of the most influential Internet companies in the world.

The problem with the bills is, of course, in the execution of the stated goals. These new laws would target rogue websites in four ways. The first involves forcing all American Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to redirect all users who try to access a site accused of infringement, effectively blocking Americans from accessing the site. The second step involves forcing money transfer systems like PayPal to cease all payments to the business operating the website. It also requires all advertising networks to halt the display of advertisements on the maligned website. The third strategy would command all American content aggregators—including Google, Yahoo, message boards, and virtually every other website—to censor out all links to the website in question. The final proposal would heighten penalties for certain forms of online copyright infringement, up to five years in prison. To put that into perspective, a person convicted of posting a Michael Jackson song to YouTube would have to serve a year in prison longer than the doctor who killed Michael Jackson.

Contrary to the fundamental judicial continued on page 8

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The World-wide War continued from page 8

values of this country, these new bills exercise a “shoot first; ask questions later” methodology. Through the four steps mentioned above, the government would have the power to obliterate the business of any website targeted. But the underlying problem is that it assumes the guilt of these foreign websites first, punishes them severely—and most likely fatally, and only then is it up to the site itself to prove innocence. If a site is wrongly accused and is subjected to SOPA/PIPA’s wrath, it can challenge the ruling, but it cannot sue the company that requested it be censored. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and all the other intellectual property organizations lobbying for these bills would be allowed to exercise draconian vigilante justice over the Internet without the slightest risk of accountability.

entertainment industry, want. They are so focused on ending piracy that sacrificing liberty in the process seems to them completely worthwhile. Keep in mind that these are the same organizations that supported making the VCR and cassette tapes illegal.

SOPA and PIPA have drawn opposition from across the technology industry and from growing numbers of ordinary citizens. Countless open letters have been authored to Congress, including one from the CEOs of the fourteen largest Internet companies, one from a consortium of Internet engineers pointing out the vast security concerns the censorship would produce, and one from a group of prominent musicians who realized the bills’ dangers. Even the Obama administration has come out against the bills in their current form. The January 18 “blackout” protest was merely the culmination of months of outrage expressed on the Internet from companies and people alike. It was significant, though, because it drew attention to the issue, something that had not been done effectively beforehand— after all, who owns the news media?

For now, at least, it seems a victory may have been won by the bills’ opponents. Unfortunately, even if these two bills are stopped, it will only be a matter of time before the same provisions are slipped into another bill without the same widespread opposition. After all, PIPA was a rehash of a defeated 2010 bill called COICA. Hopefully, however, representatives and senators across the country will have learned from this event and will scrutinize future attempts at Internet censorship more closely.

Demonstrators took to the streets of New York City on January 18 to support the protest online.

This aspect of the bills is dangerous enough, for the first time imposing censorship over the Internet in the United States and erecting an American counterpart to China’s infamous “Great Firewall.” Even ignoring the enormous threat to free speech posed

by SOPA and PIPA, the ambiguity of the provisions of the legislation reveals that their potential targets go far beyond the “rogue” foreign sites it claims to defend against. Section 103 of SOPA describes an infringing website as one that presents itself as “offering goods or services in a manner that engages in, enables, or facilitates” copyright infringement, sale of counterfeit goods, etc. Because of the vagueness of this language, any American-operated website could fall under the jurisdiction of this legislation. If Google happens to return a search result that links to a website that engages in piracy, Google could be considered “facilitating” piracy and thus fall under the full weight of SOPA. That means theoretically, any American site could be fully censored, have its funding cut, and lose all revenues just because a user posted a shady link in a comment.

Another part of the same section of SOPA actually makes illegal the act of even attempting to make it difficult for law enforcement to determine whether or not a site is in violation of copyright. As Salman Khan of the renowned Khan Academy pointed out in his video breakdown of the legislation, the real-world analogy of this provision would make it a crime to close one’s own door, because closing a door helps conceal what might be illegal activity; even if no such activity is occuring, it would still be a crime. A completely legitimate site could be punished for simply taking actions to avoid the appearance that it had been functioning illegally. It is mindboggling that a piece of legislation could be written with such recklessness.

These massive loopholes obviously undermine the entire framework of the Internet, which relies on the fact that websites are not fully responsible for the actions of their users. No site with user-generated content, like YouTube, Tumblr, Facebook, Google, or Flickr can operate without this protection afforded by the Digital Millenium Copyright Act of 1998. Yet, this is exactly what the bill’s supporters, namely the RIAA, MPAA, and other proponents of the

The message on Wikipedia.org on the day of the SOPA blackout

There is no question that the illegal acquisition of copyrighted material is a problem that needs to be addressed. But it would be pleasant to see the entertainment industry at least consider the possibility that declining sales might just be because of deteriorating product quality or outdated business models, not the lack of draconian anti-piracy laws that threaten to undermine one of the nation’s few growing economic sectors.

The scheduled January votes on SOPA and PIPA were called off in the wake of the protest, and the legislation has been put on hold until a suitable compromise can be reached among all parties involved.

Similar legislation, however, has appeared in countries throughout the world, including C-11 in Canada and an international treaty, ACTA, secretly signed by the US and thirty other countries, revealed

by Wikileaks.

Editorial Board

© 2011–2012 Devon Prep

Editor-in-Chief: Ryan O’Shea ’12 Deputy Editor-in-Chief: Joe Geiger ’12 Photography Editor: Mac Lockard ’12 Faculty Moderators: Mr. Larry Theuer Mrs. Elizabeth Eshleman Assistant Photography Editor: Roshan Patel ’12 Associate Editor for News: Nate Stauffer ’12 Associate Editor for Editorials & Entertainment: Matt Kramer ’12 Associate Editor for Sports: Sam Nardi ’12 Associate Editor for Interviews & Polls: Nick van Schaijik ’12 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