The
Devon Dialogue
grandparents’ special edition volume iii, issue 1 supplement | november 2011 Devon Preparatory School
Seniors Receive National Recognition for Academic Prowess
Nate Stauffer ’12, Associate Editor for News Following in the footsteps of previous graduating classes, members of the Class of 2012 were honored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and the College Board for their performances on the PSAT and AP exams. Six seniors— Ryan Fulmer, Ryan O’Shea, Hugh Phelan, Nate Stauffer, Adam Swift, and Alex Teplyakov—were named National Merit Semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and four—John Damstra, Sean Gillin, Mac Lockard, and Nick Ragsdale— were named Commended Students. Meanwhile, more than a third of the seniors were named AP Scholars by the College Board. Eleven of them—Conrad Damstra, John Damstra, Joe Geiger, Dan Lewis, Mac Lockard, Ryan O’Shea, Hugh Phelan, Matt Swatski, Adam Swift, Alex Teplyakov, and Chase Weber—were given the high honor of being named AP Scholars with Distinction. Four—Ryan Fulmer, Roshan Patel, Nick Ragsdale, and Nate Stauffer—were named AP Scholars with Honor; three others—Matt Bonner, Nick van Schaijik, and Connell White—were named AP Scholars. Congratulations to all of the honored seniors; as Headmaster Fr. James Shea ’66 would say, they are all truly gentlemen and scholars.
gentlemen and scholars Six seniors were named Semifinalists for the National Merit Scholarship; four additional were Commended.
Features
Come One; Come All
Homeroom Showdown
Devon’s annual Open House succeeds yet again.
Middle School Spirit Day contests go down to the wire.
Political Scholars Speak with Robert Gates Matt Swatski ’12 Eight Devon Prep seniors recently had the opportunity to meet the former United States Secretary of Defense, Dr. Robert Gates. For the members of the AP United States Government and Politics class of Mr. Michael Collins ’68, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Devon was one of the only high schools invited by the National Constitution Center to attend a question-and-answer session with the former Secretary, only hours before he was to receive the prestigious Liberty Medal. When they arrived at the Constitution Center, five Devon seniors were asked to sit on stage with Dr. Gates and Constitution Center President David Eisner. These seniors were the only high school students on the stage. For the next ninety minutes, audience members asked Dr. Gates questions ranging from strategies in Iraq and Afghanistan to the trials of running immense bureaucracies. “This was a very candid atmosphere,” Conrad Damstra ’12 said. “Robert Gates was a key figure in the United States government, and his insights on various issues were both entertaining and enlightening.” continued on page 2
Robert Gates continued from page 1
The dialogue began with Mr. Eisner asking Dr. Gates about his experiences serving Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Dr. Gates remarked upon how little the military philosophies differed between the two. This shocked many members of the audience, given the significant differences in political rhetoric between Presidents Bush and Obama. The conversation then continued on to the topic of the future of the military. Dr. Gates suggested that the United States military should not expend all its energies on expensive, high-technology projects such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, but instead focus on preparation for a “range of conflicts.” Later in the session, the theme shifted toward the relationship among the people, the press, and the military. Dr. Gates believed that most embedded reporters present an inaccurate view of the war and the military: “The problem, though, with an embedded reporter is that it’s like watching the war through a soda straw. They get a very limited perspective.” However, he later remarked, “Congress and the press are the surest guarantees of American liberty; don’t think of them as the enemy. To do so is self-defeating.” Dr. Gates concluded the segment with an opinion on the then-upcoming United Nations vote on the statehood of Palestine. He theorized that the vote
only deters the cause of peace because the Palestinian National Authority cannot control its own territory. After Dr. Gates finished speaking, all the Devon students had the privilege to shake his hand and pose for a picture with the former Defense Secretary. For these students who have studied American history, it was exhilarating to meet such a significant political figure. John Damstra ’12 remarked, “We had an incredible opportunity to engage in a discussion with one of the most influential policy makers of the past decade. This was a great experience that not many high school students can claim to have had.” Hopefully, these future leaders can take the knowledge they gained from this experience and use it to follow in the Secretary’s footsteps.
The AP US Government and Politics class with former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates
Fighting Sleep, Helping Others Kevin Fulmer ’13 From the night of October 14 into the morning after, students of Devon Prep valiantly staved off the urge to sleep. Why, one might ask? The 122 boys were participating in Devon’s annual Up For A Cause. Over the course of the night, they were able to raise $23,280 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This admirable event was made possible by members of the Christian Action Program and their moderator, Mrs. Elizabeth Eshleman. As the students filed into the gym, they brought with them high spirits and mounds of food, more than enough to last them the entire night. They instantly took to basketball and board games. Some of the excited participants were careful to ration their energy sparingly over the twelve hours. However, it proved to be a challenge doing so, especially with all the competitive tournaments taking place. Such tournaments included three-on-three basketball, soccer, handball, and the much anticipated
grade-versus-grade dodgeball. During the games, speakers pumped upbeat music into the gym to keep up the adrenaline levels. The night would not have been complete without special visits from various guests. Fr. James Shea ’66, Fr. Javier Renteria, Mr. Steven Lukens, Mrs. Laura Mondon and even some returning graduates stopped by, joining chaperones Mr. Larry Iezzi and Ms. Barbara Medina. To top the night—now morning—off, a variety of gift cards were raffled away to the sleepy students. With the money raised and a large number of students giving up their time and sleep, it was a good night spent for a better cause. Mrs. Eshleman stated, “It’s great that a majority of the kids participate each year and help others. I’m really proud of them for doing it every year.” Overall, Up For A Cause was, as usual, a grand success.
Open Arms, Open House John Damstra ’12 Each year, around the first week of October, Devon has its annual Open House. During this event, many of Devon’s finest give tours to prospective students and their families. This year’s event was highly successful for many reasons. More than one hundred prospective students attended the Open House and took tours. As Devon’s Director of Admissions, Mr. Patrick Parsons, said, “One positive aspect was that many of the prospective students were either fifth or eighth graders, which is important because these students are the ones most likely to enroll.” Among the many highlights of the Open House were two spirited information sessions with speakers such as faculty members Mr. Mark Aquilante ’94, Mr. Barry Brazunas, our headmaster Fr. James Shea ’66 and assistant headmaster Mr. Larry Iezzi, Mrs. Kathryn Kampman and alumnus Mr. Michael Dokas ’08. All of the speakers passionately and succinctly summarized the reasons why a Devon Prep education is so special, such as small class sizes, the Catholic environment, and a supportive network of peers. Another exciting aspect of the event was the activity tables in the gymnasium. Students were impressed by the scope of the extracurricular activities offered at Devon on display, from the new Solar Car Club and Environmental Society to mainstays such as the Devon Theater Society and The Devon Dialogue. Another first this year was the inclusion of an activities fair the following day, where current Devon students had the ability to explore the clubs the same way prospective students did. Ultimately, the Open House is more than just a simple sales pitch. Every year many students and graduates volunteer, not because they have to, but because they really are excited about the unique community and experience Devon has to offer. This enthusiasm, coupled with informative and lively presentations by the faculty, always leads to an impressive event, and this year’s was no exception.
Will Culbertson ’14 represents the Chess Club during the Open House.
Tidal Wave of Generosity Landon Farnsworth ’15 Joe Bilotti ’14 Every year, Devon Prep holds its long-standing Harvest Tide Food Drive before Thanksgiving, and this year was no exception. Devon collected food for St. Elizabeth’s Community Center in North Philadelphia. Devon’s own Christian Action Program ran the drive, collecting canned goods, other non-perishable food, and frozen turkeys. The whole school worked tirelessly to ensure that the families in North Philadelphia will be able to enjoy a wholesome Thanksgiving dinner with their families. In past years, the drive has been extremely successful. Last year, the school was able to donate more than five thousand canned goods and fifty turkeys to St. Elizabeth’s. In these difficult economic times, it is increasingly challenging for needy families to enjoy traditional Thanksgiving dinners. It is a testament to the generosity of the entire Devon family that the school has donated so charitably for so many years.
Fighting for Bragging Rights Max van Schaijik ’16
Devon Journalists Honored in Candlelight Ceremony Conrad Damstra ’12
Finally, after three postponements, the day that the whole Middle School had been looking forward to had come. Devon Prep’s Middle School Spirit Day was an action-packed event with some very surprising outcomes. Spirit Day has always been one of the highlights of the Devon Middle School experience, but this year’s event proved exceptional even by those lofty standards. It had it all: suspense, disappointment, jubilation, and the overcoming of class rivalries between the competing teams. Notable performances included Josh Lee ’16, who valiantly stuffed his face with doughnuts until he’d clinched the doughnut-eating victory for the second year in a row, and 6A, which achieved first place in football for the first time in Devon’s history, and another eighth grader, who courageously continued playing kickball, winning four points for his homeroom, even after suffering a severe injury to his arm. These were the stand-outs, but they were by no means the only people who deserve praise. Everybody put his best on the field. The most heart-warming story of the day came during the tug-of-war matches. The score was set in such a way that in the final round between 8B and 7B, 8B had no hope of winning overall, but their tug-of-war victory would actually secure the overall victory for 8A. There is a deep-rooted and long lasting rivalry between the two eighth grade homerooms, so most people assumed that 8B would lose on purpose, so that the 7B would win the Field Day trophy. Instead, they pulled through— literally—and ended up running the victory lap with 8A. Despite the fact that they had placed third, 8B was given just as much credit to the overall victory as 8A, and all grudges were forgotten in the general glow of Devon sports glory. The entire Middle School thanks Mr. Barry Brazunas and Mr. Mark Aquilante ’94 for their monumental organizational efforts.
Promising members of the Devon Prep newspaper staff attended the induction to the Devon Preparatory School Chapter of the Quill and Scroll International Honor Society for High School Journalists on November 17, 2011. This is the second year that the Devon Prep Chapter recognized the achievements of the exemplary journalists of The Devon Dialogue. The Quill and Scroll Society was founded in 1926 at the University of Iowa and currently has chapters in all fifty states and in forty-five countries around the globe. To qualify for the Devon Chapter of the Quill and Scroll Society, students must have at least a 3.50 grade point average for the last two semesters and must have contributed a minimum of two articles to The Devon Dialogue over the past year. The induction included a candle-lighting ceremony which illuminated the core values of The Quill and Scroll Society: truth, learning, leadership, loyalty, initiative, integrity, judgment, and friendship. Senior inductees were given honor cords that they will wear during Commencement on June 2, 2012. John Damstra ’12 said, “I am glad to be part of Quill and Scroll. It means a lot to be included in this echelon of student journalists.” The society is an important young chapter in the Devon Prep community, and the induction was a huge success. The Dialogue congratulates all of the inductees. Editorial Board 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 Special thanks to Fr. Shea for his tireless assistance and guidance