The Devon Dialogue - February 2020

The Devon Dialogue Devon Preparatory School’s prestigious newspaper proudly publishing for over five decades volume XI, issue II | February 2020 | Devon, PA 19333

The College Debate

EIC Swap Day

March for Life See Devon down in the Capital.

Page 4

Devon Varsity Baketball

Three Devon students and three Villa students traded places for the day.

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Is college still worth it? Pat Dean decides.

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Coach Fisher and Chris Patton ‘21 sat down with The Dialogue.

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Ski and Snowboard Club A new extracurricular powerhouse?

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Devon Alumni A former alumn reflects on his role at Devon.

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Faculty Feature: Mr. Roxberry

A Slam Dunk for All!

Starting any new job can be difficult, learning the ropes and meeting new faces can be intimidating. For new faculty member Shane Roxberry, however, his experience in adjusting to Devon Prep’s welcoming environment has been nothing but an overwhelmingly positive experience. Roxberry, who teaches a variety of economic related topics, started working with Devon Prep’s high-school students at the start of the 2019-20 school year.

“My Introduction to Economics is my favorite, because personal finance is something that’ll be used the day you step out into the real world,” Roxberry said.

Roxberry enjoys teaching a variety of courses including AP Macroeconomics, Intro to Economics, and Finance & Business Writing, amongst others. After months of teaching, there was one thing that truly stood out to Roxberry.

“The first time I got thanked after a class is probably what you would expect to hear the most from new teachers,” Roxberry reflected. “The general maturity of the students shows how much they value their holistic education.”

It’s no secret that Devon students are grateful for the opportunities that our school provides. Whether it be in the classroom, on the field, or in the Devon Prep community.

“I truly do feel like I’m a member of the Devon community. Everything from the students to the administration. It can be a lot at first, but once you figure out how things go, the quality of life is second to none,” Roxberry said.

With the school year being more than halfway over, it’s easy to start getting summer fever as the months go by. But for Roxberry, there is still so much time to plan, especially for the start of next year.

“After practicing throughout the beginning of the school year, we’ve just kicked off our six-month long MarketWatch competition,” Roxberry explained. “We had a few preliminary meetings at the end of the first semester, which was good because I got to hear from students I don’t teach such as middle schoolers. About a third of the club is middle schoolers, which is something I’m definitely not used to.”

Middle schoolers and high schoolers working together isn’t a foreign concept at Devon Prep, and Roxberry has some new ideas that will continue to allow all grade levels to work together in a positive classroom environment “I’m definitely someone who thrives a little bit better when there’s a challenge,” Roxberry said. “I kind of subconsciously find myself picking up new things to challenge myself. So although it’s nice to have a year under my belt, I’m definitely going to try and not be complacent. I want to start a Marketing and Management Class to add to the growing business curriculum we have.”

Historically, participation in extracurricular events is not one of Devon Prep’s strong suits. From dances to open mic nights, everyone understands the difficulty that comes with assembling a large number of Devon students outside the classroom without the lure of extra credit or dress down days. However, after the smashing success of Devon Prep’s Phillies night last September, in which fifty students went down to see the team take on the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park, it was difficult to imagine the Devon community outdoing this grand performance in participation.

But on Friday, November 22, when eighty-eight students headed down to South Philadelphia to watch the 76ers take on the Spurs, the dream of widespread student participation came true! Students took advantage of the New City Terrace in Wells Fargo Center, a brand new section which wraps around the arena’s top level fit with fireplaces, leather chairs, and the arena’s first standing-room-only ticket option.

“It was great to see everyone down at the game,” Vice President Luca Miraldi ‘20 said. “It’s always hard to schedule events outside of school that fit everyone’s schedules, so when we successfully bring two full buses of kids together you need to take a second to appreciate the scale of what was accomplished. Although we didn’t have seats, it was nice to watch a good game with friends.”

Although a success in terms of participation in the event, a lesson was learned for future events at Wells Fargo. The Sixers were playing in primetime that Friday against the Spurs, a matchup where the Sixers were in the midst of their 99th consecutive sellout game. Thus, the New City Terrace was jam-packed with young millenials and other young adults out for a night with friends. Unfortunately, with an overflowing standing room and nowhere to go, Devon students struggled to find their place among the crowd to watch the game. Many were disappointed with the way in which the seating and game turned out; however, others took the opportunity to simply spend time with friends. It is not often that a group of eighty-eight Devon students can get together outside the classroom to relax and hang out with one another in a stressfree environment.

Chris Yangello ‘20

Editor-in-Chief Sean O’Reilly ‘20

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Dialogue News

February 2020

Reflections of a Pit Participant Max Fortebuono ‘20

In the world of basketball student sections, few have the ability to truly impact the game and make players on the opposing team tremble. However, Devon Prep’s infamous Pit is one of those elite sections. Although the Pit is commonly seen as a group of unchecked ruffians to opposing parents, this student section is the true embodiment of class unity, sportsmanship, and school spirit.

Led by the Class of 2020 and monitored only by the devilishly handsome Mr. David Woodward, the Pit can be found stationed in the corner of the south baseline consistently wreaking havoc upon opposing teams’ players during games. Sacred traditions and age-old chants form the backbone of the Pit, and despite the many external changes that have occurred to Devon Prep over the years, the devotion and energy the Pit brings has never faltered.

The Pit cannot plainly be described as a student section that simply makes noise, rather the noise and shananigans they produce truly impacts the game at large. From free throw distractions that cause opponents to lose easy points to forcing bad shots late in games by starting a false countdown, the Pit has been an integral aspect to the Varsity basketball team’s recent success at home. No other student section could successfully ice one of the top players in the nation at the free throw line the same way the Pit did.

Although the Pit can make noise and get rowdy like any other student section, the aspect that separates the Pit from the rest of the Catholic League is its themes. The Pit’s most memorable theme of the year was against Roman Catholic in which students dressed up in jackets and ties with athletic shorts; this was the only way to show that they meant business.

Some even call them “a bunch of leaky faucets” because of their drip.

This season the Pit’s attendance has nearly doubled from previous years. Because of this increase in our school’s athletic energy, the Pit now owns major real estate in the minds of Catholic League basketball players.

“These kids are crazy. I wish our team had fans this rowdy,” an opposing coach, who wished to remain anonymous, remarked.

Some view the Pit as a group of uncivilized hooligans, but some people just aren’t cut out for that kind of high energy lifestyle.

“When opposing fans feel the need to complain about us, it means we have done our part,” Liam Dunfee ‘20 remarked.

At the end of the day, the Pit is not for the faint of heart. It requires a certain type of “Devonite,” a man who is not only a gentleman but a scholar as well, to uphold the sacred traditions and unmatched energy of the Pit.

Courtesy of Aidan Ringewicz ‘20

The Devon Dialogue

A Different Type of Pandemic Dan Boyle ‘20

In recent news, you may have heard about the growing concern for the virulent Coronavirus. Known for its contagious nature, it is causing widespread panic across the world, making it undoubtedly the most popular virus so far in 2020. However, in Devon, Pennsylvania, over 7,000 miles away from China, a different disease is taking its hold, causing unease among school communities. This disease is Senioritis.

Every year, High School Seniors from across the country have to deal with the same illness and Devon Prep is no different, as Senioritis has recently been detected on campus. It is being reported that the disease has allegedly taken ahold of as many as 32 Seniors and the rest of the Class of 2020 appears to be developing symptoms. Senioritis can be identified by its aggressive GPA drop, frequent demerits, and a blatant disregard for the school’s strict dress code. The virus tends to strike those who have just gotten into college.

“Hey it may be a safety, but at least I know I’m going to college!” claims one student.

Teachers have linked this careless and unmotivated attitude to the rising “Junior Slide” sickness, where juniors experience similar, yet milder symptoms.

One teacher, who wished to remain anonymous, remarked on the prevalent symptom of tardiness, saying, “[A Senior] was late for class, claiming he was in the washroom,” he or she said. “I think he was stalling. It’s only January, and these kids are unfortunately already embracing the senior slide. If this is how they’re acting in January, I want to see what’s going to happen in May!” It is widely recognized that Senioritis negatively influences GPA, dress code adherence, and causes terrible puns, but one unforeseen symptom that has been exhibited is wavering school attendance. Students who rarely missed in their underclassmen days are now missing more days than ever.

“It’s a struggle to get up in the morning,” Senior Maximus Fortebuono exclaimed. “Now I’m out here fighting for my attendance, man!”

Unfortunately, the cure for Senioritis remains unknown. However, remedies to prevent such extreme cases include pursuing hobbies, part-time jobs, and participating in sports. To all other Devon students who see these Seniors exhibiting symptoms, remember, the best way to quarantine yourself is to stay motivated and envision your hard work paying off.

College: Is it worth it?

Pat Dean ‘21

College is a major part of the future for many students that attend Devon Prep, evidenced by the “PREP” in the school name. Most of us will head off to college followed by the abyss we call life in the real world. However, the unfortunate fact of the matter is that most of us will unfortunately be dragging a metaphorical metal ball and chain into the big, scary world. The metal ball and chain comes in the form of college debt. Sure, some debts are less painful than others, and some students may be fortunate to have no debt at all. There will even be students who choose not to attend higher levels of education which then entertains a much larger conversation. The question is, why should we go to college in our world today?

College costs a lot these days, especially because it is outpacing inflation, which in itself is extraordinary. Despite this rise in the cost of tuition, young adults have never been more pressured to obtain a degree. This is due to the demand of college degrees in relation to job obtention, and how disadvantaged those without degrees have become. Jobs are getting more complex every year and employers want fully-trained individuals to fill those jobs, and this proof of fully-trained manifests itself in the form of a degree. Furthermore, these more complex jobs have higher salaries than those that only require a high-school diploma.

Speaking of money, the biggest hassle for college students is the cost.

Nevertheless, there are ways to deal with the problem. Recently, students taking a gap year(s) between college and high school has become more and more prevalent. Not going to college immediately can actually be extremely beneficial. Not only will it allow that student to further mature but he will also be able to take advantage of the number of options the real world has to offer. From earning money at a job to internships and countless other programs, all this experience will provide a value that will heavily improve your college experience. However, if you choose to go to college right after high school, that is perfectly fine, too.

College will not only be physically and emotionally taxing but it will be econimcally taxing as well. The best way to be mindful of your money in

college is to pay careful attention to your expenses and get a paying job whenever you can to attempt to minimize your debt. From textbooks to gas to food, everything your parents don’t pay for is on you. Getting a job while in college is the perfect way to help combat these increasing costs. The process of eliminating debt may even begin before you head off to college, as taking AP classes in high school is another great way to get college credit.

Although stocking up on your AP’s sounds like a great way to lower your future college expenses, be mindful that not only are these college-level classes in which the difficulty is designed as such, but these AP’s come with their own economic expenses.

In the long-term, knowing your major ahead of time, picking a major that can lead to jobs that can pay off debt, and picking the right school are three of the best ways to deal with the cost of college and to have a financiallysolvent future.

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February 2020

DP/VMA Swap Day

The Devon Dialogue

Behind Enemy Lines Editor-in-Chief Sean O’Reilly ‘20

Throughout American history, there have been a number of unforgettable war stories of soldiers miraculously surviving behind enemy lines. Although I have never served in the Army, I have my own tale of survival: the day Jack Samms, Kevin Walton, and I were Villa Maria students for a day. Sure, those soldiers completed feats of mental and physical toughness, but have you ever felt the collective gaze of an entire all-girls high school on you for an entire day?

Didn’t think so.

Our story begins with a drive down Lancaster Ave en route to Villa Maria. After several weeks of actively trolling The Villa Voice on social media, we were surprised to have received an invite from the very people we spent much of our time antagonizing. A stench of fear filled our 2015 champagne-frost pearl Honda Accord; however, much like all those soldiers who came before us, we continued on.

When we finally pulled into Villa, the odd looks began before the three of us even stepped foot outside of the car; girls looked at us with confused expressions as we slowly drove by. As Kevin struggled to find parking, we encountered the first difference between our beloved Devon Prep and Villa Maria: the parking lot. At Devon, we are accustomed to a lot that emphasizes freedom of choice and equal opportunity; you see a spot, so you park there. However, Villa’s lot is much more organized in nature with its labeled spaces.

After we parked and walked into the cafeteria, reality set in. We were alone. The boys were nowhere in sight to save us; instead, hundreds of Villa girls stared at us while we tried to make our way through the crowd. After managing to survive the commotion of the breakfast club, we went to homeroom with Mrs. Bowker where we received a rundown of the day that lay before us.

We learned that Villa runs on a two-day block schedule, a foreign concept to those of us ac-

customed to the hustle of an eight period day. We thought that it was different for fundamental classes, such as math and science to only meet on half of the days.

Suddenly, a startling noise commenced the end of homeroom; everyone claimed it was the bell, but Jack and I were unable to believe it. At Devon, a pleasant, satisfying tone begins and ends each class.

However, at Villa, it was much more jarring.

We finally got over the bells and our shock quickly turned to delight, as we were pleasantly surprised by the quality of chairs at Villa. Devon’s Class of 2020 knows all too well the status of desks in our distinguished school, so they would greatly appreciate Villa’s comfortable and durable desks.

Our first class of the day was World Religions with Sister Regina, in which we had an interesting discussion about the Islamic faith. Our training in the History of the Church prepared us well, and Father Javier would have been proud of our contributions to the class discourse.

After first block, we headed to Ms. Harkins’s AP Psychology, by far the most interesting class of the day. We discussed memory tricks, learned about flashbulb memories, watched a “60 Minutes” video

about people with superior autobiographical memories, and Kevin did the Walton family name proud as he dominated his way through the Thanksgivingthemed memory game.

We then headed off to lunch down in the impressive Senior Lounge where we taste-tested every cookie Villa offered. After behaving for much of the morning, Kevin was quickly reprimanded for attempting to wear one of their Kairos bandanas that was hanging on the wall.

Then it was off to Honors Genetics with Mrs. Keglovits where we knocked out a few Punnett squares before we were off to the final block of the day. By this time, the three of us had a good feel for life at Villa Maria, and we found the most contrasting difference between our two schools in note-taking of all places. Notes are king at Devon; with most classes being lecture-based, the constant talk is about who has the best notes. Although many students prefer to use their laptops in class, pen and paper still dominate the halls of Devon Prep. Interestingly, in contrast, every girl at Villa has an iPad on which they do most of their work.

We ended our day in AP American Government with Mrs. Bowker where we attempted to earn the class extra credit by getting a perfect score on their quiz. After an intense twenty minutes of fighting over the correct answers in a different room, we came up short by earning an eight out of ten. Our knowledge about retrospective and prospective voting only got us so far, as the Motor Voter Act of 1993 killed our chance. We then witnessed the most intense class debate of our lives, as girls fought tooth and nail for quiz credit as if their lives depended on it.

Our day at Villa came to an unfortunate end, and through our short stay as honorary Hurricanes we gained a greater appreciation for the high caliber schools that we are fortunate to attend.

Into the Wild

The Villa Voice Editors- in-Chief Raquel Lacusky ‘20, Alivia Orvieto ‘20, and Hannah Rosenberger ‘20 There is only one way to prepare to embark on a journey of attending an all-boys school for a day: a newspaper sleepover. To say we were excited to attend Devon Preparatory School the next morning would be a terrible understatement. Think little kids on Christmas Eve, but instead of coping with the inability to sleep by reading “The Night Before Christmas,” we, your Editors-in-Chief, stayed up editing articles until 11:30pm.

Pulling in one after another (Raquel, unable to understand Devon’s loop driveway system, driving towards opposing traffic), we were lucky enough to find three empty parking spaces right next to each other. “How can this be?” we thought. We were hesitant; we didn’t want the humiliation of being called out over the PA system for parking in someone else’s spot. Turns out we worried for nothing. Unlike at Villa, students are free to park wherever they want when they arrive at school.

Walking through the doors, we were faced by the blank stares of a massive group of freshman boys. It didn’t take long for the boys to pull out their phones to fix their hair and send whispers to their fellow ninth graders.

Next came a friendly welcome from Mrs. Desch and Noah Wolter, who would be one of our hosts for the day. We received paper copies of our schedules for the day, for which we were very grateful because even after having it explained to us at least three times, we were still unsure how the Devon schedule worked. Something about eight day cycles and... dropped periods? Don’t ask us. #blockforlife.

Our class schedule started off with AP Literature with Mr. Sheehan, where we were able to save a couple of guys from having to play the female roles in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” Alivia’s performance as Queen Gertrude was absolutely stellar but sadly cut short by the sweetest sounding bell we have ever heard. The bell to signal the change of class sounded more like a peaceful wind chime than a blaring

buzzer. Not going to lie, we were kind of into it.

After second period Organic Chemistry with our other host, Pat McCann, we were then able to live vicariously through Noah and be a part of the student council. We attended a meeting which was held during their advising period, which was at 9:40am, instead of our usual 2:16pm.

Before our fourth period tour with Mrs. Desch, we stopped at one of the only women’s bathrooms, where we took five to dish on all of our thoughts on the day so far (most significantly, how strange it was to have tiny people (i.e. the middle schoolers) storming the halls alongside us seniors). During the tour, we saw the intricate details of the architecture of the mansion and met more friendly administrators. And we were quite amused when, walking through a classroom of middle schoolers, an awestruck eighth grader looked up at us with an audible “Whoa.”

The squad decided to be adventurous and split up for fifth period. Alivia went to AP French with Madame Dokas while Hannah and Raquel took on a heated debate in the AP Spanish room with Senora Dudurich, where we did our best to make Señora Medina proud.

Lunch was next, where we tried Devon’s famous chocolate chip cookie. It’s a very good contender for

better cookie, but you may just have to spend a day at Devon and try it yourself for the final verdict. Our fries, on the other hand, knock Devon’s out of the park. No debate necessary.

After a Catholic Social Theory class discussion on cloning, we sat alongside our next host, Rob Burdick, in AP Physics II absolutely wallowing in confusion.

We only completed one and a half problems, not because we were off task but because of the rapid flow of the class on an eight period schedule (and, you know, because the entire white board was filled with numbers). Once again, #blockforlife.

The biggest difference between our two schools, at the end of the day, seemed to be the attitudes of the students. We theorized that girls tend to stress out a little more than boys do, and we were proven right by our experience at Devon Prep.

The school overall had a laid-back atmosphere. Students were free to park wherever they wanted. They were able to come to class a few minutes late if they were finishing up tests. They were not required to sign out to their advising period location. The sound of the class bell was soothing. Long story short, everything just seemed relaxed.

One of the biggest similarities between our two schools, though, proved to be how comfortable students were in class, with lots of participation.

Students at Devon felt comfortable discussing controversial subjects with teachers, asking questions when they were confused, and working well with their peers. We can assume that it is the same-sex classroom environment that allows students to participate so confidently in class.

At the end of the day, even though we had a blast, we are glad to be back at our home sweet home, Villa Maria Academy High School. While we will miss the cookies and the beautiful sounding bell, it would be weird if people kept fixing their hair every time we walked into class.

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February 2020

Dialogue News

‘Tis the Season for Singing Michael DeGeorge ‘25

On Thursday, December 19, the sixth and seventh grades headed over to Dunwoody Village in Newtown Square with the girls from Sacred Heart to add a little joy to the resident’s holiday season. Together the students sang for the senior community members, going from room to room and spreading their holiday spirit. By simply singing a tune, the students were able to brighten up every resident’s day. The people at Dunwoody Village were so happy! One of the residents at Dunwoody Village shared a quote from the famous poet, Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” And the sixth and seventh graders in association with Sacred Heart Academy surely left an unforgettable impact on those residents at Dunwoody Village.

Ski and Snowboard Shreds Again Alexander Hardie ‘20

After a year of great times, shredding, and ripping up the Poconos, the Devon Prep Ski and Snowboard Club plans to continue their success. However Mother Nature has tried to rain on the parade. Last year, the club had two trips planned, but the first trip to Blue Mountain was rained out. Just like last year, Mother Nature has prevented the club from partaking in their first trip of the year, this time to Camelback Mountain. Freak weather patterns bringing unseasonably warm air to our area caused a great amount of snow to melt in the Poconos, making conditions less than ideal for the scheduled trip.

Despite this, the club has still found great success, and it is safe to say that the Ski and Snowboard Club has become a staple at Devon, spreading the ski culture throughout our well-respected school. Whether you have never skied before or you have skied big mountains out west, you fit perfectly in this club. The Ski and Snowboard Club has a second trip planned on February 1 to Blue Mountain, attempting to find the redemption that has unjustly been withheld by the weather. And after a well-oiled trip to Elk Mountain last year, the club has high expectations for this trip. At season’s end, the Devon Prep community will see a change in leadership as President Alex Hardie will pass the torch down to the next grom after fearlessly leading the club to great success through the past two years. The future is bright for this young club and everyone is excited to see where this dynasty will go.

The Devon Dialogue

Devon Marches for Life Editor-in-Chief Sean O’Reilly ‘20

On January 22, 1974, Nellie Gray and a group of thirty pro-life leaders successfully organized the first March for Life on the West Steps of the United States Capitol building with over 20,000 supporters in attendance. Gray originally intended the march to be a one-time event, designed with the hope that the Supreme Court would reverse the Roe v. Wade decision from the previous year. The decision officially decriminalized abortion throughout the United States, much to the dismay of Gray and many other pro-life advocates. Forty-six years and the same number of marches later, it is apparent that Gray’s initial hope has not been fulfilled; however, this will not stop the cause. And Devon Prep is proud to be among those fighting for life by attending the peaceful protest.

Led by Father Shea, Devon has attended the march every year since 1993, and despite the usual harsh winter weather of the northeastern United States, the event has only been cancelled three times. The 2020 March for Life was no different, as over 160 students, three coach buses, and a number of faculty members headed south to Washington D.C. to join the approximated 100,000 other pro-life advocates, a large number of which are younger teenagers, an optimistic sign for the Pro-life cause.

Although the March for Life has become tradition at Devon, this year’s march saw a number of changes, the most notable of which was the attendance of President Donald J. Trump. President Trump became the first president in U.S. history to attend the March, and Devon students saw the effects as they were forced to handle increased security and larger crowds. Students were able to catch the tailend of the President’s address before the mile march from the National Mall to the Supreme Court building. Fortunately, no students got lost during the march, in large part due to the new, matching, neon-green beanies Mr. Gentile ordered for the school. After the march, the group wrapped up their stay in the Capital with a quick stop at Union Station before their long drive home.

Although the trip was over for most students, Mr. Price and a number of other students remained behind in Baltimore to attend the annual Pro-Life Summit.

“The Pro-Life Movement has made a very powerful change recently,” Jake Lorenz ‘21 reflected. “The movement has shifted from very old-fashioned to a lot more modern and focused on women’s health, which is undoubtedly a good thing, regardless of political affiliation.”

The conclusion of the Pro-Life Summit ended another successful year for the pro-life cause at Devon Prep.

Memes: A Waste of Time or the Future?

Morgan Unruh ‘20

To many boomers, out of touch millennials, and uncultured zoomers, memes may seem like a pointless waste of time. While this is true for many memes, others have undoubtedly impacted the landscape of western culture and society.

For those who do not already know, memes are humorous images, videos, or pieces of texts that are copied with slight variations and spread rapidly throughout the internet. Because of their widespread use and beloved status among younger generations, it is necessary to acknowledge their role in today’s world.

Memes fill the role that many other forms of communication cannot; memes can effectively target important issues and tackle difficult topics of discussion in a way that a normal dialogue could not. From climate change to gun control to politics, anything that’s important probably has a meme for it.

One such example deals with the role of assault weapons in our country. In the wake of the El Paso shooting, singer Jason Isbell tweeted, “If you’re on here arguing the definition of ‘assault weapon’ today you are part of the problem. You know what an assault weapon is, and you know you don’t need one.”

“Legit question for rural Americans,” Twitter user William McNabb of Arkansas responded. “How do I kill the 30-50 feral hogs that run into my yard within 3-5 mins while my small kids play?”

McNabb of course raises an important issue: how will gun owners defend their small children without an assault weapon in their possession? This meme, despite the many directions that millenial and zoomer meme lords have run with it, does tackle the important topic of gun laws and control. Are there legitimate reasons that homeowners would need an assault rifle in their possession or are we being stubborn? Do we need to create a distinction between certain kinds of guns that can be in the possession of homeowners? Should the laws change based on experience, criminal record, and mental health? This is just one example of countless other memes addressing societal issues in a way never seen before.

Many companies have seen this shift and have begun creating memes to advertise towards younger audiences. Organizations such as Slim Jim, Denny’s, and Wendy’s are known for their entertaining Twitter feeds and social media accounts. And with the ever increasing short attention spans, good memes hold just the right amount of information and humor to be memorable and effective; with this in mind it is hard not to argue that memes are not only the future of communication but marketing as well.

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Dialogue News

February 2020

The Devon Dialogue

An Interview with Chris Patton ‘21 and Coach Fisher Paul Grycewicz ‘21

Devon Prep’s basketball team has had a very impressive season thus far, starting off with a 7-9 record. There is an obvious improvement in not only team chemistry but in game play, as well. The Devon basketball program has not seen a team as thrilling as this one in a number of years. Fronted

by Nick Crowe ‘20, Eamonn Walsh ‘21, and Chris Patton ‘21, the team leadership is excellent this year. Every player on the team has contributed to the team’s success whether on the court or not.

Coach Fisher (CF) and Chris Patton ‘21 (CP) sat down with me (PG) and expressed their thoughts about the team and the season so far.

PG: What has been the biggest factor in your break-out season?

CP: The biggest factor for the start of this season has definitely been all the hard work I put in over the off-season by myself and with the team and it is all beginning to pay off.

PG: How has the team chemistry changed this year?

CP: Our team chemistry is stronger than ever in my eyes; we are a family and it has played an important role in our success so far which will hopefully continue.

PG: What are your goals for this year?

CP: My main goal for this year is to grow and get better as a team and as an individual. Another goal I have for the team this season is to make the PCL playoffs.

PG: What has been your favorite part about playing this year?

CP: My favorite part about playing this year has been playing the game. I love the sport as well as the camaraderie that comes with it which is unforgettable. I can’t forget about the Pit – the support they show is amazing and the home games would

not be the same without them.

PG: Is there anyone on the team that can beat you in a 3-point contest?

CP: I’m not sure, I haven’t really thought about that; I guess we’ll have to find that out. *Popular opinion thinks that Vaughn Brogan can beat him but the contest has yet to happen*

PG: What has been the biggest surprise to you so far this season?

CF: The biggest surprise to me is how much better the team got overall, especially against non-league opponents. Another surprise to me is the final result of the Bonner game. Due to some factors, we didn’t have the game we would have liked, but I would like to play them again. The result would definitely be different.

PG: Did your first year in the PCL help you make progress for this year?

Changing Lives Zachary Fedyck ‘21

SpeakUp! is a nonprofit public charity dedicated “to changing lives one conversation at a time.” Founded in 2000 by Martie Gillin, SpeakUp! is the product of a mom honoring one of her dying son’s last wishes. Gillin’s son died of AIDS in 1992 at the age of 30, but before he passed he asked for her to help break the silence of his taboo disease. Gillin honored her son and began doing HIV/AIDS awareness talks in schools, but through her journey she realized a recurring theme: teens struggled to talk about difficult subjects with adults. So she founded SpeakUp!. Dedicated to helping teens develop supportive relationships with the adults in their lives, SpeakUp! enables teens to talk openly, honestly, and without judgment about difficult topics and reach out for support within their homes and schools. No matter what the topic is – drugs, alcohol, depression, anxiety, stress, suicide, social media, or relationships – nothing is out of the sphere of discussion.

Since 2007-08 academic school year, Devon Prep has been proud to be partnered with SpeakUp!, and this year marks a watershed moment in the history of this fruitful partnership. This is the first year where Devon has a middle school chapter of SpeakUp!, allowing for Devon Prep’s youngest minds to engage in difficult conversations. The high school event, in coordination with Villa Maria Academy, Notre Dame de Namur, and Malvern Prep, was held on Tuesday, January 28 at Malvern Prep where a productive discussion including members from all schools was held. The middle school event, together with Sacred Heart Academy and Holy Child at Rosemont, was held on Thursday, February 6 at Holy Child at Rosemont. If you have any questions, please see Mrs. Kelly Brightwell or any of the members of SpeakUp!’s leadership team.

Other details are posted on the posters around Devon’s campus. The SpeakUp! leadership team hopes to see you at the next event!

CF: Absolutely. Playing against the best competition around helps develop the team as a whole as well as the individual players, even though it doesn’t show in the final results all the time.

PG: What is different this year from any other year you’ve coached at Devon?

CF: The overall enthusiasm for the sport at the school and within the team. We’ve never had home games like the games against Roman and Germantown Academy. The enthusiasm that is seen from the players, fans, and coaches is unlike any other year.

PG: Did you expect to start off as strong as you have this year?

CF: I never necessarily thought about it. As a program, we don’t focus on wins and losses. We focus on the development as a team to continue to grow in the future.

PG: Do you have anything to say to the Pit or the student body?

CF: Thank you! I know there are many other things that people could be doing on Saturday nights, but the support from the student body doesn’t go unnoticed. It means a lot that the students support our basketball program.

The next home game for the Tide is on February 7 against West Catholic. It could potentially be a winnable game that could give Devon Prep another win in the Catholic League. The Tide are looking to continue their impressive performances throughout the rest of the season and aspire to make it to the Catholic League playoffs in only their second year in the league. The Pit needs to continue to show up, the players need to continue to work hard, and the coaches need to keep teaching and motivating the players in order to make this happen. ROLL TIDE!

Current Events: The Situation in Iran Jake Lorenz ‘21

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During President Obama’s Administration, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, now known as the Iranian Nuclear Deal, ceased the production of nuclear technology and explosives in Iran, with financial assistance from the United States and other global super-powers.

President Trump pulled out of the Iran deal in 2018, promising a better plan that was more favorable to the national interest.

On Friday, December 27th, thirty rockets were launched towards an Iraqi military base, resulting in the death of an American, and the injury of four others.

Then, the United States launched airstrikes that killed twenty-four militia soldiers, backed by the Iranian theocracy, in Iraq and Syria.

In response to the airstrike, the U.S. Embassy was sieged by an Iranianbacked militia. This resulted in the imprisonment of American diplomats and the burning of U.S. territory in Baghdad, Iraq.

Major General, Qassim Suleimani, is the most powerful military general in the sovereign state of Iran, who has been known to support and train extremist military groups all over the Middle East. He was very close to the Supreme Leader of Iran and was the head of Iranian intelligence.

On Friday, January 4th, an American unmanned drone launched missiles that struck two cars in Baghdad, Iraq, carrying the Major General and other Iranian officials. Iraq was not made aware of the attack prior to the assassination, despite their absolute power. This was the first time the United States Military has officially assassinated a foreign official since WWII in Japan.

Iraq’s Parliament voted 170-0 to expel American military presence from their state. The bill was drafted by the Prime Minister himself.

Iranian leadership and citizens were in outrage due to the assassination, and crowds in Tehran shouted, “Death to America!” Iran backed out of the JCPOA, which is the Iranian Nuclear Deal. This led to international pressure, but President Trump insisted that Iran will never possess nuclear weapons, and imposed sanctions upon the country.

In response, Iran shot more than twenty missiles at United States Military Bases in Iraq, resulting in zero Iraqi or American casualties, while Iranian news stated that eighty American soldiers were killed. They later recanted that figure.

That was universally known as the conclusion of the conflict, although there is still strong international pressure.

6

Dialogue News

February 2020

The Devon Dialogue

Alumni Spotlight: Profe Schwarz Editors- in-Chief Sean O’Reilly ‘20 and Jack Samms ‘20

Known for its rigorous academic curriculum and intense holistic education, Devon Prep is proud to bolster this hard earned reputation; however, through the heaps of homework and loads of physics quizzes, often overlooked is the caliber of men that Devon produces. Devon does not simply form a respected institution for learning, rather the people that form this endearing, quaint culture make Devon the unique community that it is. One such well-respected member of the community is William Schwarz ‘09, now simply known as “Profe”.

Profe Schwarz is a Devonite through and through; not only is he a member of the Seven Year Club but he now teaches Spanish at a number of levels at Devon while remaining extremely active in the alumni program. Although Profe Schwarz is back at Devon teaching students Spanish, he never really expected it to turn out this way.

“I didn’t plan it like this,” Profe Schwarz explained.

“I never thought I would be that alum who comes back to teach. I guess maybe nobody does.”

There is certainly still a stigma that surrounds the idea of coming back to teach at your alma mater, especially at Devon. A place in which students often joke in the cafeteria at lunch, trying to predict which among them is going to be that guy, back at Devon in a number of years teaching the next generation. However, Profe Schwarz has instead accepted his role as a positive and has used it to introduce his former classmates back to Devon.

“The guys love coming back,” he explained.

Profe Schwarz’s role in being a major catalyst in introducing the old graduating classes back to Devon started as soon as he got his job here three years ago.

“As soon as I got the job, my buddy started texting me saying, ‘Hey, get a key to the gym. Get a key to the gym,’” Profe explained. “Then when I started coaching middle school, I got a key to the gym. So that’s a great way to bring guys back and show them the changes. You know, the new gym. [Former graduates are like,] ‘Oh wow, that’s really cool.’, ‘Oh wow, we’re really in the Catholic League.’,

‘Oh wow, we’ve won some games in the Catholic League?’

And it’s like this step up. Maybe not everybody had a great experience while they were here but they see how things have improved and evolved. And everyone loves coming back. You guys will experience that soon enough. You know to relive glory days, that type of thing.”

Many of Devon’s former graduates are welcomed back to the school through Profe Schwarz and the alumni pick-up games he helps organize every week in Devon’s gym. Profe Schwarz is in the unique position of simultaneously introducing current students to the school while also welcoming former graduates back to Devon. Because of his experiences at Devon both as a student and a teacher, this makes Profe Schwarz an invaluable resource for Devon students.

“I would say enjoy your time here,” Profe Schwarz advised to current students. “As stressful as whatever might seem, it’s not the real world yet, which is awesome. Take advantage of your time. Take advantage of having an end point to your stresses. You have to work hard for physics, but you take the exam, and you sort of brush it off and you’re on to the next thing. For me, personally, being someone who went from the Seven Year Club, my best friends to this day are guys that I have known since middle school. So enjoy those friendships, and when you look around and you are thirty years old, it’s probably going to be those Devon guys versus those college guys.”

Profe Schwarz also had a word of advice to the Class of 2020, who are set to become the next group of Devon alumni this June.

“Start thinking about what you want to do for a career,” Profe said. “College is fun, so go and enjoy yourself for your four years, obviously. But keep an eye on the future.”

Profe Schwarz admits that Devon has been an indispensable aspect in his development as a man, not only in his social interactions but in his professional career as well.

Interestingly, it was another member of the Devon com-

Poetry Corner: Jesse Owens Chris Supplee ‘21

It’s the only thing I excel at.

Running.

I run, and run, and run.

Sometimes I wish this track was larger.

That there wasn’t such a gap between I and those who should be beside me.

But there is.

It’s always been that way.

I’ve always been the fastest, but for what.

What’s it worth when there are no accolades, no trophies, nor any records to show for it.

I’m just running.

Though I never tire, I feel exhausted.

My legs are light, yet they bleed.

I am calm, yet I can’t breathe.

I keep running, and running, and running, Until I collapse.

I want to collapse.

I want to stop, but I cannot.

Why do I run?

Am I being chased?

No. Am I chasing?

No. For nothing lies before, behind, or beside me, But myself, As it has been, and forever will be, So long as I keep running.

munity, former classmate Mr. David Evans ‘08, who helped Profe Schwarz find a job here at Devon before Profe Schwarz moved back home after spending some time in Ecuador.

And with his former middle school basketball coach now the Director of Student Affairs, Mr. Mark Aquilante ‘94, Profe Schwarz’s return to Devon was finalized.

“I happened to reach out to Mr. Evans who I had gone to school with because he had sent me a message about t-shirts, Devon Prep t-shirts,” Profe said. “I was like, ‘Hey, any chance there are any posting available?’ And he was like, ‘Actually, we just extended the foreign language program into the middle school.’ . . . One thing led to another and they hired me.”

Profe Schwarz is a prime example of the power of the Devon community, as his story is one of being welcomed back to Devon through the prior connections he made here to now actively using his position to do the same; reaching out to other fellow alumni to welcome them back to Devon, the great school that had a fundamental role in forming them.

The Devon community is one of outreach and communication, and this can only continue if alumni such as Profe Schwarz continue their work.

Winter Tunes

Ian Fabris ‘25 and Ian McKnight ‘21 On Friday, December 13 students from Devon and nearby schools gathered at Open Mic Night where they had the opportunity to demonstrate not only their musical passion but their talent as well. Hosted by the Arts Student Council, the event hosted over thirty students who got to listen to what each of the musicians had worked hard to practice and perform.

“Open mic night has been great because it’s not very often you get to see your fellow classmates express themselves in a way you never would during the school day,” President of Arts Student Council Noah Wolter ‘20 said.

The event featured music such as jazz, rock, pop, and rap, and saw tremendous performances by Morgan Unruh ‘20, Noah Mathew ‘22, Chris Suplee ‘21, and Jackson Kelly ‘21. It was great to see all of the hard work that was put into the music, and we hope to see many of the same musicians return for the next Open Mic Night!

The Devon Dialogue Mission Statement

As Devon Preparatory School’s prestigious newspaper, proudly publishing for over five decades, The Devon Dialogue works to accurately inform the Devon student body on the wide array of happenings that occur within the Devon community. Through our commitment to creating innovative, entertaining content that conveys truthful, pertinent information, we offer Devon students the unique opportunity to express themselves by showcasing their literary and artistic gifts to the rest of the Devon community.

Editors-in-Chief Sean O’Reilly ‘20 Jack Samms ‘20

Assistant Editors Faculty Moderator Jake Lorenz ‘21 Mrs. Samantha Desch Ian McKnight ‘21 Zachary Fedyck ‘21

Joining The Dialogue’s Staff

The Devon Dialogue strongly believes that our strength as an organization lies in our diversity of thought. As such, all students of Devon Preparatory School, both middle school students and high school students, are welcome to join The Dialogue’s staff as contributors. Please contact Sean O’Reilly ‘20, Jack Samms ‘20, and Mrs. Samantha Desch for more information.

All photos, unless otherwise noted, are taken by Aidan Ringewicz ‘20 or Ms. Danielle Domarasky, for the sole use of the Devon Preparatory School and its constituents.

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