June 2017 Issue

the

Dial

The voice of the student body Hackley School, Tarrytown, NY 10591

P.3

P.2 LGBT rights questions bathroom neutrality

Mr. Wirtz reflects on his first year on the Hilltop

P.4 Onye Ohia-Enyia races through recordbooks

June 8, 2017

hsdial.org

Board of Magistrates takes on increased responsibilities in disciplinary discussions

By Amy Chalan

Although the Board of Magistrates has been an integral part of the school for decades as the honor committee of Council, the Board is gaining more responsibility next year, including input on disciplinary matters.

In the upcoming 2017-2018 school year, the administration is enacting new guidelines and procedures for the Board of Magistrates such as creating an application process, dividing the Board and Council, and expanding its membership.

The Board of Magistrates is a joint student and faculty team put in place to recommend consequences in disciplinary cases.

In the past, the group dealt with serious cases including academic dishonesty and disciplinary issues.

These adjustments to the Board’s structure and role were made by Director of Student Life Christopher Arnold, the deans, and the current members of the Board of Magistrates. Mr. Arnold said, “Mrs. Stanek gave the initial proposal for what the shape of the board could look like...We then had some preliminary discussions with different people in the administration such as Mr. Wirtz, because he is the one

who will be receiving the recommendations.” The current members of the Board discussed the most important questions with the faculty advisors regarding applications, decisions made by the committee, and the composition of the Board.

151

A total of students were nominated for the Board of Magistrates this year.

82

of these students applied for the position.

In regard to previous disciplinary cases and the future changes to the procedures, Mr. Arnold said that, “All cases above a certain level will go before the Board. Before, you would expect to go before the Dean’s Committee and the case would be decided by the Dean’s Committee, now it will be decided by the Board.”

Up until this year, the Board of Magistrates was comprised of three members, two alternates, and one clerk, all of whom were also members of Community Council. Starting next school year, the Board will

be made up of three sophomores, three juniors, and six seniors, and around eight faculty members depending on faculty interest.

Upperclassmen and underclassmen have taken interest in the changes and initiative to apply for positions on the board. Junior Ijeoma Nwokorie said, “I think the changes are really cool because giving more responsibility to a set of students is a really good way to get students involved in the community. If we can get a really good level headed group of kids, I think it can work out and be better than it was in the past.”

In order to become a member, students applying must go through an extensive application process after nomination and members will no longer be elected by student vote, but by teacher selection. Mr. Arnold attributes this change to the importance of having trustworthy members of the Board, which will be better selected by teachers instead of by popular vote.

Mr. Arnold says the main motivation for giving the Board of Magistrates more responsibility was because it provides a “more educative process for the community and individuals” regarding discipline.

Illustration by Lei Anne Rabeje Next year, the Board wil play an active role in determining disciplinary consequences and will propose their thoughts to Mr. Wirtz who makes the ultimate decision.

In addition, students on the Board of Magistrates will not be eligible to participate on Community Council.

Although members have been active participants on Council in the past, this change was made to ensure full dedication to the Board’s activities.

Mr. Arnold said, “There will be some outside reading about ethics and confidentiality. The biggest thing we will be doing in the meetings is

going through different case studies and role playing through decisions.”

These significant changes will promote the status of the Board of Magistrates as well as improve the Hackley community. With the application process currently underway, only time will tell if the new structure of the Board of Magistrates will prove effective.

Community Council 2017-18 Officers School-Wide Offices • President: Francesca Docters • Vice President: Michael Mezzacappa • Secretary/Treasurer: Matthew Shalett

Class of 2017 Photos by Benjy Renton From left to right: Juniors Fran Docters, Michael Mezzacappa, and Matt Shalett look to implement new changes through point-based house competitions and activities to foster school spirit next year.

Newly elected officers transition into roles on Council

By Bridget Barsanti

Fran Docters - President Fran’s experience and dedication to council makes her a qualified President. She has served on council since sophomore year as grade representative and clerk. “I’ve seen where we have struggled and thrived in the past and I’m willing to go great measures to provide for the community,” Fran said. She hopes to develop plans to make council run efficiently, and to ensure all members participate fully. “My favorite part of council is working together with the other members of council to achieve the great things we do. Watching the student body have fun at events like snowball and knowing you played a part in the preparation for the event is a really good feeling.” Her biggest goal for next year is to set a good example for those interested in pursuing student government positions.

Michael Mezzacappa - Vice President

Matt Shalett - Secretary/Treasurer

Michael is an experienced council member, who served as grade representative his sophomore and junior years. “The biggest reason to re-run for council was the idea of being on the leadership team of council in my final year on the hilltop, something that I know will be very special,” Michael said. As vice president, he plans on focusing more on the organization and leadership of council, while also continuing his past work by creating new ideas for events and offering changes for pre-existing ones. To improve council, Michael wants to bring the school even closer together. “Incorporating the upper school in school wide functions has been one of my long term goals on council, specifically in a point-based competitive style,” Michael said. He believes this would bring the grades closer together in competition and promote a higher level of support among the students.

Matt is looking forward to deepening his involvement in the Hackley community and collaborating with other students and faculty, as well as utilizing his creativity. “I try my hardest to bring my creativity to every meeting and to make the current project on our agenda the best it can possibly be. As the treasurer that will mainly be by providing funds so the overall quality of our projects will be better,” Matt said. Matt has shown leadership as well as organizational skills through his dedication to the junior community service project with the Pleasantville Cottage School. As stated in his election speech, Matt has many new ideas to improve council and raise money. He wants to put advertisements in playbills, host more raffles, and possibly invest money in banks to generate interest.

• Class President: Ben Moskow • Class Representatives: Ijeoma Nwokorie, Georgia Panitz • Class Agent: Pat Walker

Class of 2018 • Class President: Paul Peruzzi • Class Representatives: Grant Albright, Zaya Gooding • Class Agent: Matt Jean

Class of 2019

• Class President: Ben Marra • Class Representatives: Emily Afriyie, Taylor Robin • Class Agent: Emmy Wenstrup

Boarding Representatives TBD

2 opinion

the

June 8, 2017

Editorial

Dial

Inclusivity and empathy: pillars of a “more perfect” Hackley Hackley ought to implement gender-neutral bathrooms to create a more equitable community

By The Editorial Board

Transgender rights are human study from a LGBTQ+ group by rights and human rights are trans- the name of Stonewall Center at gender rights. For most people, the University of Massachusettsusing a restroom is a nonchalant Amherst, has revealed that over and seemingly trivial activity. Trans- 150 universities have begun using gender individuals, however, are gender-neutral restrooms on their often confronted with the issue respective campuses. of whether they ought to use the Gender-neutral simply refers to bathroom aligning with the gender an entity that can be used by any they were born as, or whether they gender. should use the bathroom aligning The Dial contends that the the with the gender they identify with. topic of gender-neutral bathrooms The Editorial Board believes is an issue of equity. Hackley has it is essential to provided boys convert some of and girls with Hackley’s preexI think [gender neu- adequate restisting girls or boys rooms for those bathrooms into tral bathrooms] are a who identify with great idea, but I’m wor- the particular sex gender-neutral restrooms. We ried about the amount of they were born assert that such money it would take. The as. For students an action will PAC needs a lot of money who were born a lessen the burden different gender individuals in the too. than they idenprocess of transiIngrid Lauerwald tify with, howtioning between ever, the situation one gender to is very different. another feel when deciding which They may not completely identify restroom to use. with either of the gender binaries, Multiple other academic institu- and thus feel uncomfortable using tions, including Ethical Culture either of the corresponding bathFieldston School and Riverdale rooms.

Country School, have created Without a safe or welcoming engender-neutral bathrooms. vironment, transgender students or They have become more prevalent family members may be subject to on college campuses as well; a recent undue stress and anxiety, as well as

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the

Dial staff

Hackley School 293 Benedict Ave.Tarrytown, NY (914) 631-0128 june 8, 2017 Vol. 119, No. 8 hsdial.org Editors-in-Chief

Online Editor Technical Editor

Lei Anne Rabeje, Olivia Weinberg Alexi Sandhu Cosima Boettner

Section Editors

News Bailey Griffen, Matt Traum Opinion Bridget Barsanti, William Goldsmith Arts Georgia Panitz Feature Pat Walker Lifestyles Amy Chalan, Natalie Sukhman Politics Raghav Chopra Science & Tech Cory Gorczycki Sports LiliAnna Khosrowshahi, Cole Wyman Advisers Michael Bass, Anne Budlong

Policy Opinions expressed in staff editorials reflect the majority view of The Dial Editorial Board. Opinions expressed in signed articles are those of the author and do not represent the views of Hackley School, its administration or its staff. The Dial invites and encourages its readers to write letters to the editor or submit contributions. Contact us at dial@hackleyschool.org. We reserve the right to edit any submission for clarity and brevity, and to correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation when necessary. We refuse to publish submissions which are unsigned, libelous, or plagiarized.

Four hundred copies of each issue are distributed among the High School student body of about four hundred students and the faculty and staff.

Illustration by Bridget Barsanti and William Goldsmith

other microaggressions that exclude them from the community. Such students have not been provided any sort of alternative restroom by Hackley.

There ought to be a functioning bathroom existing at Hackley for these individuals, just as there are bathrooms for students who are not members of the trans community.

Failure to provide our community with a gender-neutral restroom does not reflect Hackley’s core beliefs of inclusivity and open-mindedness.

We ought to foster a feeling of community for all students.

As of now, the school lacks any official policy mandating bathroom usage by either gender identity or biological sex. Any issue pertaining to bathroom usage thus would likely be carried out on a case-by-case basis, but such a solution still presents problems for closeted students, for

whom using a gendered bathroom may pose a problem.

If gender neutral bathrooms were to be implemented, they ought to exist in multiple, accessible places campus-wide, rather than as a singular facility. This is for two primary reasons: the insurance of anonymity and easy access for students. If a singular gender neutral facility were to be created, it would likely single out its users, as if advertising their gender nonconformity or gender transition. This is particularly problematic for students who may not be open about their transition, either feeling uncomfortable or unprepared to publicise their shifted gender.

By providing several gender neutral bathrooms, however, this problem would be alleviated, by allowing usage of said facilities by all students, not simply those who may not be gender conforming.

Secondly, having these facilities across the school would allow greater accessibility for students, not forcing them to run across the school to find the single bathroom they feel comfortable in. Such a large scale change would likely necessitate the repurposing of currently gender specific facilities to gender neutral, as creating entirely new facilities would be unfeasible.

Sophomore Ingrid Lauerwald commented, “I think [gender neutral bathrooms] are a great idea, but I’m worried about the amount of money it would take. The PAC needs a lot of money too.”

While we acknowledge that logistical and economic issues pertaining to the creation of a select number of gender-neutral bathrooms on campus may exist, administrators ought to begin discussing how to better address the issue of genderneutrality at the very least.

A letter from the Disabled Advocates Organization To the Hackley community: Ableism is a theory that means discrimination against people with disabilities, or less abled than what we would deem healthy. This theory led to the creation of a handicap club on campus called the Disabilities Advocates Organization, who seeks to spread education to the middle and lower schools, move vehicles out of handicap spots, and launch new projects next year, such as providing special physical education for disabled students across the county, and reforming the health curriculum.

Ableism devalues bodies and minds deemed by the medical community as deviant, abnormal, or defective. Words such as “retarded” are hurtful and have negative connotations, as it connects a word that means mental illness with a stupid action, perpetuating negative stereotypes. Ableism is far too frequent on Hackley’s campus today in the forms of language, the misuse of handicap parking, and the layout of our buildings.

The meaning behind words that could be heard in everyday life actually have negative underlying meanings. For example, the word “dumb” refers to deaf people, or people that cannot speak.

While some of these words have been reappropriated by society, it is still just as bad and continues negative connections towards those with a disability. These different word usages give offensive meanings towards disabled people. If you’ve ever heard someone say something like “That’s retarded!”, don’t push it aside. Even if you believe that the person does not mean offense or if you don’t know them, still educate them on the roots of the words. This is critical as without an increase in education, there will be no way for us to move forward as a community.

Awareness is important to end the blindness to ableism. Here’s a list of words that may seem

harmless but are actually ableist: deaf, dumb, blind, idiot, moron, imbecile, crazy, insane, retard, lunatic, psycho, spaz, cripple.

While the people using these words may not believe them to be harmful or offensive, they are. For a community claiming to be inclusive, we need to broaden our vision to this particular issue and rid our community of this derogatory language. These words are far too prevalent in Hackley’s classrooms and hallways, as reported by disabled and non-disabled persons. The use of these words sends a message to disabled students that they are not welcome.

Furthermore, on campus, we have a huge problem with people parking in handicapped spots without a tag. Let us make this clear: these spots are not for you while you pick-up your child and they are not for you to use when there is no other parking. The spots with blue lines in the middle are not extra spots, they are designated spaces for handicapped people who may need more space getting out.

The club has been taking note of who has been parking in the spots and seeing if they did it legally. What we found, was 22/48 (46%) times someone parked in the spot, they did so legally, meaning with a valid tag. The rate of non-handicapped people parking in spots specifically designated for handicapped people is terrible as it makes handicapped students, teachers, visitors, and families park a distance they may not be able to walk.

As a solution, as we recognize that students do not cause most of this problem, tell your parents that under no circumstances, even if they are there for five minutes, can they park in handicap parking spots. If you see someone else you do not

know, do not be afraid to knock on their window and politely tell them why it is problematic.

Furthermore, there are not a lot of venues for handicapped students to travel around the school with the lack of elevators. To avoid stairs and get to the next floor, a disabled student would have to walk to the library elevator and then go up to the next floor. When your friend is injured or disabled, make sure to be aware of the lack of accessibility, and try and accompany them on their detours to ensure that your friend feels included.

The new health and wellness center also poses new problems for disabled or injured persons.

There are two main entrances to the new center.

The main entrance requires climbing multiple staircases, and the second, behind the center, requires navigating a rocky, dirt path road, making it unsuitable for handicapped students. The third requires walking around the center up the main drive up to Pickert Field. This hurts handicapped students as it would require that student to take the least direct route, not only by excluding them from their friends, but also by making it a harder walk. Furthermore, the main viewing center for the basketball court is up a flight of stairs, making it inaccessible for disabled individuals.

As a school that promotes community, friendship, and equity, we need to be more aware when making decisions about what to say, where to park, or where you’re going. Together, we can change the culture on this campus to create a more inclusive and united community for all persons.

Sincerely, The Disability Advocates Organization, Philip Bonanno ‘19, Robert Patterson ‘19, Katherine Gonick ‘19, Evangeline Coffinas ‘19, and Karina Bridger ‘19

the

Dial

feature 3

June 8, 2017

Mr. Wirtz reflects on his first year on the Hilltop Many voices in the community will contribute to shaping the school’s strategic planning process

By Olivia Weinberg and Lei Anne Rabeje

The Hilltop is buzzing with new changes for the upcoming school year; from the unveiling of the Johnson Health and Wellness Center to the new makerspace, there is much to look forward to. However, the largest change to take place this year has been the addition of the New Head of School, Michael Wirtz. Mr. Wirtz ends a successful first school year on the Hilltop and is already looking forward to the future of Hackley School.

Though the position of Head of School is demanding and involves countless meetings with faculty, staff, and Trustee members, Mr. Wirtz does his best to be present in the community and in his children’s lives.

“My typical day starts with breakfast with my kids and then I walk with Charlie to school and take Frances home,” described Mr. Wirtz. “Afterwards, it is often filled with meetings with parents and teachers. I started going to classes lately to get a feel for what is happening.”

Despite the daunting tasks accompanying the position of Head of School, Mr. Wirtz sees his involvement and participation in the Hackley community as a few of his biggest successes. From attending Lower School performances, watching sports games, and attending the UNITY end-of-year barbeque meeting, Mr. Wirtz leaves his first year having formed solid relationships with all the students. Bujana Mulosmani, a senior and a leader of UNITY appreciated Mr. Wirtz’s attendance at the end of year barbeque and various other club meetings.

“Mr. Wirtz stops by a lot of different club events. It shows that he takes an interest in the students and what they are doing without being asked. He also invites the boarders over for dinner sometimes or will stop in to say hi, which is very cool,” said Bujana.

Photo by Olivia Weinberg Head of School Mike Wirtz discusses his experience after a year on campus, recalling his favorite moments, from Convocation to attending lower school performances.

His strong presence on campus attending student or club events has not gone unnoticed by the Hackley community.

“Mr. Wirtz is very vocal around campus. He is very much aware of what the student body wants and is generally involved in student life. He is super friendly and always greets me around school,” said senior Jordan Patrick.

In addition to his daily routine of parent, teacher, and Trustee conferences, Mr. Wirtz hosted a Q&A panel for the Hilltop series, which was initiated by the Hackley Parent Association.

In it, he answered questions about a variety of topics concerning the school ranging from gender neutral bathrooms to diversity issues on campus. Junior Connor Larson, who was in attendance, noted that, “to have that level of student involvement from the headmaster directly was really neat.”

Community events like Convocation provide a break in Mr. Wirtz’s schedule and a way to connect with the Hackley community on a more personal level.

“Convocation was very memorable for me– having the whole community together

and being able to share a book that I really enjoy,” recalled Mr. Wirtz. “My parents were also there which was amazing. I will always remember that.”

While the opening of the Johnson Health and Wellness Center will introduce many changes to the campus next year, many students look forward to the unveiling of the new makerspace. The makerspace will allow students and faculty from all three branches of the science division to combine creativity with the ease of constructing different designs through 3D printing and woodworking. Its strategic placement in room S111 in the Saperstein building will allow for its easy access for lower, middle, and upper school members and will serve as yet another creative outlet for many students.

Regarding the future of the school, Mr. Wirtz looks forward to the strategic planning process next year, where “students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and trustees will start to think about the future of the school.”

This collaborative process will involve many different voices, “but none of the changes are going to feel drastic or radical. Rather it seeks to strengthen the academic program, the areas that we want to explore as a school, the things that we think are important for students, not only in preparing for college, but beyond college, like the life habits and skills that we want them to develop.”

As summer break approaches, Mr. Wirtz and the Administration is already projecting and planning for next year’s term. For graduating seniors and the incoming freshmen, Mr. Wirtz offered a piece of advice, which he heard from an alumni speaker during the UNITY barbecue, “Do something that you are comfortable with and that you know, and then do something that pushes you out of your comfort zone.”

Hackley Model UN Club hosts its first conference

Aurora Straus races her way through high school in hopes of being a role model to young girls

By Raghav Chopra

While most high school students learn to drive a regular car and navigate the suburban streets, senior Aurora Straus has perfected the art of driving a racecar and races professionally at tracks all over the country. Aurora Straus is a talented musician, distinguished scholar, and an avid racer. She competes in a racing series called the Continental Tire Sportscar Challenge, which consists of ten races at tracks ranging from Watkins Glen in upstate New York, to Daytona in Florida, and Laguna Seca in California.

Aurora experienced her first taste of racing at 13 years old. Her dad wanted her to develop safe defensive driving skills— not so she would become a racer, but to be safer on the roads.

She said she was “skeptical to say the least, but to his surprise, I quickly fell in love with [racing]. I love the control you have over the car, the physics involved in pushing it to its limit, and the rush that comes with having other racers side by side with you.”

Both Aurora’s favorite and least favorite aspect about racing is the culture. As a woman, she feels underestimated and disrespected at times.

“I’ve had to earn respect on the track, even though this same respect is assumed for other male competitors. However, this culture is also one of the main reasons I’m determined to stay in the sport for as long as I can.”

One major part of racing culture that inspires Aurora is being a role

ranging from minor threats such The Hackley Model UN Club as computer worms to the massive is hosting its first conference, data dumps, like Wikileaks.

The JCC will simulate the CuHackMUN, on Saturday June 4.

Model United Nations, or MUN, ban Missile Crisis of 1961, with is a simulated version of the UN one committee for the USA and General Assembly or GA, which another for the USSR. The two debates and passes resolutions committees will try to resolve the regarding issues relevant to the heightened tensions of the Cuban international committee. Issues Revolution and Cold War while range from women’s equality averting the imminent threat of nuclear war. to the threat of Junior and club global warming. leader Connor LarModel UN builds invaluEach delegate son said, “Model represents a spe- able skills in negotiating, UN builds invalucific nation, and public speaking, diplomakes that na- macy, and the Hack- able skills in negotiating, public tion’s opinions MUN conference we’re speaking, and diand interests plomacy, and the hosting will provide a heard in resolugreat opportunity ... for HackMUN contions.

Concurrent- anyone interested to get ference we’re hosting will provide a l y, h i s t o r i c a l , involved. great opportunity or Joint Crisis Committees Connor Larson within a supportive environment for (JCC) face hisanyone interested torical issues, to get involved.” such as the American Revolution Prior to the actual committee, or September 11 attacks, repredelegates are required to write a senting individuals of prominence short position paper, which disfrom that time period, and seeking cusses the background of the issue to rewrite history. Their results may follow reality similarly, or at hand, and the delegates’ country divert on a wholly different path. or person’s opinions and interests Hosted by, Juniors Christina for the outcome of the committee.

This conference is designed for Wang, Alex Wenstrup, and Connor Larson, the secretariat of the novices, and welcomes both those club, among a large array of staff, with prior experience, and those HackMUN will have two commit- who are doing MUN for the first tees. One committee will be a GA time. The event will run from 8:45 and the other a JCC. The GA will a.m. to 3:45 p.m, and applications debate the issue of cybersecurity, can be filled out and submitted at as it pertains to nations globally, https://hackmun.org/.

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By Natalie Sukhman

Photo courtesy of Aurora Straus Aurora Straus plans to take a gap year before attending Harvard University to focus on racing and cultivating relationships with sponsors and companies.

model and breaking stereotypes around women who race.

“I love talking to little girls that come to the track specifically to see my car, and grasp that they, too, might upend stereotypes, and maybe eventually take my place.”

Aurora wants to continue pursuing racing, and plans to take a gap year before continuing her studies at Harvard University.

Aurora said, “My racing career has picked up a lot of momentum as of this year, so a large reason for taking a gap year is to dedicate more time to it. Racing doesn’t just require travelling to the races - it also requires relationships with sponsors.

Cultivating relationships with companies, and convincing them that paying your racing costs is a good idea for them is a tedious process.”

By taking a little bit of time off, Aurora will allow herself some

breathing room to develop those relationships, practice more, focus on the sport and gain some clarity about what she wants to do in the future.

While Aurora is passionate about racing, it is a large time commitment and she has had to make some sacrifices.

Aurora often finds time to squeeze in schoolwork on flights and when traveling to and from races, and tries to teach herself any material in advance in order not to fall behind.

She feels she has “definitely compromised things that I’ve planned on doing the last few years, whether that be making it to every Coffeehouse, writing my own music, performing outside of Hackley, or going out with my friends.”

On the racetrack, in the classroom, or on stage, Aurora Straus is a force to be reckoned with.

4 sports

Racing through the record books Unreserverd effort results in Onye’s NY State record in the 400 meter

By Matt Traum

Arms pumping, legs pushing Onyedikachi Ohia-Enyia (Onye) is falling behind the pack. He hears his coaches and teammates urging him on and he knows he can’t let them down. Approaching the final turn he starts gaining speed and he passes runner after runner, He wins!

He checks his time, 48.66 the fastest time in New York State!

Last year after starting slowly, which he jokingly attributes in part to feeling heavy after a lunch consisting of two cups of ramen noodles, he comes from behind to win his heat at the prestigious Louck Games. Onye ran the 400m in 48.66 which was the fastest time in New York State that year. His time was beaten in the very next heat.

Onye wound up finishing fourth in the meet, but was still happy to do so well as a sophomore.

Onye would gain back his record next year, a race he did not expect to win because the runners in lane 4 and 5 were ranked faster than he was. Onye has had surprising success like his one of his inspirations, Wayde van Niekerk. At the Rio Olympics Van Niekerk was not favored and surprised many when he broke the 400m world record despite a poor starting position. Van Niekerk was the first man to win the Olympics or World Championships from Lane 8.

Onye said “I am inspired by Wayde van Niekerk who is exactly

the

June 8, 2017

Photo by Benjy Renton Onye is inspired by Wayde van Niekerk who pushes him to break his personal records at big meets.

my height and my weight. Some people have told me that I am too skinny and too weak and so even though he isn’t the most buff or tallest guy he was the South African flag bearer, and demonstrated people of our size can be great athletes.”

Even after an impressive sopho-

more season, Onye took nothing for granted and trained hard to improve his time. Between August and the start of the winter track season, Onye ran six days of the week at the track for around two hours a day.

Other times he will do a combination of distances. After running,

Onye would go to the weight room where he would focuses on leg and core strength. His training has paid off with his greatly improved times.

Amin Mustafa who runs with Onye on his relays was not that surprised when Onye’s ran his 47.75 second 400m, New York’s fastest time, despite poor weather. Amin said, “We had been working so hard over the summer and during winter track that he earned it, it was only a matter of time. Before, he was a hard worker but he took it to a new level. He is the only person on the team who I can confidently says runs faster than me. Not only am I not surprised but that is not the fastest he is going to go.”

Onye loves how track is not only a competition against the other runners but a competition against himself.

“For me setting a PR (personal record) is more satisfying than winning any medal or shirt because I know I am improving and getting faster and it shows in my time. You could win a medal at any meet and could stay at the same time the whole year,” he said.

One thing that Onye attributes his success towards his goal is his enjoyment of the sport. He said, “I love running. It’s the best feeling in the world for me after completing a hard workout and just dying on the track breathing heavily. I feel so free on the track like all my problems in the world have just disappeared and for those 20 or 40 seconds I feel unbeatable.”

Dial

Onye’s PRs Event

55 meter

Result

6.90 seconds

Event

100 meter

Result

11.64 seconds

Event

200 meter

Result

21.95 seconds

Event

300 meter*

Result

34.69 seconds

Event

400 meter

Result

47.75 seconds**

Event

400m hurdle

Result

59.7 seconds

Event

600m*

Result

122.53 seconds

Event

800 meter

Result

2m 6 seconds

Event

Mile

Result

5m 9 seconds

Event

High Jump

Result

5’6’’

Event

Long Jump

Result

8’2’’

* School Record **NY State Record 2017

Juniors take on team leadership roles for 2017-2018

By Georgia Panitz

Photo by Benjy Renton Junior Laura Walter-McNeill looks forward to providing leadership on next year’s track team.

As the spring sports season winds down and seniors graduate, teams are already revving up for next year’s sports seasons. Many graduating seniors guided this year’s sports teams teams to great success. The current juniors are preparing to use their experience to play leadership roles in the 2017-2018 school year.

For the fall season, the football team is looking to repeat as Metropolitan Independent Football League (MIFL) champions with leadership from current junior Will Waterhouse. Last season, Waterhouse averaged 80.5 rushing yards per game and helped lead Hackley to an undefeated season with seven total wins. “Next year we have a lot of returning players that will help contribute to next years season and hopefully keep the two year winning streak alive,” said Waterhouse.

Ellie Arnold is poised to be an instrumental part of next year’s varsity field hockey as the team says goodbye to five seniors. During

Arnold’s career, the field hockey team has been 18-0 in league games and they were Ivy League champions in 2014, 2015, and 2016. As a midfielder, Arnold has scored a career total of 16 goals, 7 assists, and 39 total points, and her experience winning championships and playing in tight games will be instrumental for next years team.

Boys varsity swimming is looking to repeat as Ivy Preparatory League champions after winning last year’s championship by a 58 point margin and total of 409 points. Liam Bogart helped secure the team’s victory after winning the men’s 200 individual medley in a time of 1:56.77, and racing the fastest leg of the winning 400 freestyle relay, which set a new league and school record. Bogart alone scored 38 out of a possible 40 points, and contributed to two of the teams’ successful relays which scored 74 points.

Fencing is looking to have a strong showing in 2018 and Hanna Mark’s success last year

will set her up to contribute to next year’s team. In girls saber, Hanna won 93% out of her total season’s bouts. She was the Ivy Prep League champion with a season total of 135 touches scored and only 54 received. Hanna is excited about the impact that The Walter Johnson Health and Wellness Center will have on the fencing team, “I think the new room will definitely help bring great exposure for fencing to the Hackley community.”

On the track, juniors Laura Walter-McNeill and Caroline Stevenson have posted strong times this past season. At the Ivy Preperatory League Championships, Laura placed third in the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 1 minute and 14 seconds, fourth in the long jump in a distace of 14 feet 9 inches, and eighth in the 100 meter hurdles in 18.53 seconds. Stevenson ran the 800 in a time of 2:27.52 finishing fourth. Both her and Laura are looking to play a big role next year as the track team graduates a large number of strong athletes.

“I respect you, you respect me”: Ron Marchesi impacts student athletes’ lives

By Cole Wyman

other sources for help. He also sees Ron Marchesi, a long standing a significant drop in kids’ disciHackley coach, embodies the old say- pline and respect than they have ing, “tough love”. His love for kids had in the past.

Despite feeling kids today have it drives him to return year after year to easier than they did in his day, Marcoach middle school soccer, middle chesi still grows unforgettable bonds and upper school wrestling, and JV softball. Coach Marchesi makes with many of his athletes. Marchesi sure to teach his athletes discipline makes sure to have comedic relationand respect, two virtues he learned ships with all of his athletes.

Sophomore Ismene Germanakos, to value most after serving in the sister of two former wrestlers, United States Marines. recalled Marchesi giving canMarchesi was an outstanding noli to her brother George after athlete in high school. Though every wrestling match. “I treat he focused on wrestling, he also participated in soccer, baseball and [my athletes] like my own kids, I bring lunch and snacks for them”, other sports. He recalls teaching Marchesi said. “They’re my friend. himself how to play these sports I’m their friend.” and finds kids today have it easier Marchesi has coached for over with more access to coaches and 40 years, the last two decades of

which he has spent at Hackley. He came to to campus after hearing about how great the school was from his son and throughout his over two decade career, he still appreciates how great Hackley’s students are.

“Coach Marchesi is able to connect with kids of many different age groups, seniors respect him just as much as 6th graders” sophomore Jason Mark said. Jason also praised Coach Marchesi for being able to give good constructive criticism and being able to find a balance between tough love and being “super supportive.”

Marchesi’s reputation at Hackley is one of the best despite only being a coach of a few high school teams. His tough, but compassion-

Photo by Georgia Panitz Coach Marchesi makes himself available during lunch to offer entertaining stories and motivational advice to athletes and colleagues.

ate, and funny personality define his interactions with his students and faculty alike. Anyone who stops by his lunch table will enjoy a good conversation, and maybe even a taste of an Arthur Avenue

delicacy.

Coach attributes his long coaching career to a simple attribute: “I must be doing something right, I love my [athletes] it’s all about having fun.”