The Picador: Volume10, Issue 1

Volume 10, Issue 1

Sept. 19th. 2014 A PUBLICATION BY HOLDERNESS STUDENTS FOR THE HOLDERNESS COMMUNITY

Don’t take Simesy too seriously

Turn in your uniform socks

Go out for the dance team Don’t Skip Don’t wait in line in Weld Meals Weld-go scope it out

Don’t text or Snapchat your friends when they’re right next to you Don’t be late

Buy a Watch

Spend time on the Quad while it’s warm

Express Yourself

Use your time well.

There will always be extra time for friends.

Stay Hydrated Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Repeat.

Say Hello on the Path!!! Seriously.

Embrace Your Dorm Parents Cutting the Quad may or may not be the best decision you make.

Go To The Head’s House

Get involved

Don’t be loud in the library Get to know your dorm mates

Advice to New Students

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SUMMER SELFIES

Clockwise from above: Julia Cantin ‘17 at a Red Sox game; Taylor Mavroudis ‘15 next to a baobab tree in Maasai Land, Tanzania; Liesl Magnus ‘17 in Bermuda with her cousins; and Cat McLaughlin ‘17 and Bernadette McLaughlin ‘18 biking in Alaska.

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Clockwise from above: Henry Sheffield ‘16 in Nantucket; AJ Chabot ‘16 and family at the Acropolis; and Jack Herrick ‘15 flying through the Colorado Mountains.

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Outside the Holderness Bubble Responding to “Do You Have the Right?”

By Celia Fleckner ‘15 In a recent op-ed “Do you have the right to recline?” Jeff Jacoby recounts an altercation between two airline passengers on a United flight from Newark to Denver, during which the now infamous “Passenger in Row 12” laid claim to his leg room space by preventing the individual seated directly in front of him from reclining. To do so, the passenger used a gadget—known as the “knee-bender”—that is designed specifically for this purpose. The ensuing dispute rose to such a level that it resulted in an emergency grounding of the plane in Chicago.

Thank you, Mr. Jacoby for the reminder that we should not be viewing the space between the seats of passenger airlines in terms of who has “rights” and who does not.

Although people need to be civil to one another in shared spaces, this custom is getting lost in all this talk over who has a right to a certain area. Furthermore, the reclining seat feature shouldn’t be looked upon as owned, and no one should pay another off for a few more inches of space—unless it involves a higherclass seat. If the passengers do not wish to do so, then they should

politely keep their mouths shut and deal with the trivial annoyances.

Buying a ticket doesn’t ensure passengers the right to act in a discourteous manner.

acquire a finer awareness of their roles as passengers within public settings, and respect the people around them—just as they would in any other public location.

The reclining feature of an airline seat is made to accommodate a passenger, but that doesn’t guarantee the passenger satisfaction. Yes, it’s an inconvenience, but that is something about which a passenger should be aware beforehand. The passenger seated in row 12 only had himself in mind when he used his “Knee-bender” to preserve his legroom. He has no “right” to do so.

Why can’t we agree to act respectfully in a civilized society? People like the passenger in row 12 should

Airlines prohibit passengers from doing many things, such as smoking cigarettes and leaving assigned seats when the seat belt sign is on. We’ve accepted the fact that we have rules on flights. However, not everything can be made into a law; we can’t legislate good behavior. The respect people should give to one another has to come from within. We should all take a step back and, as we’ve been taught since childhood, remember to share kindness with others.

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The Market Basket Effect: Protests in NE

By Julia Thulander ‘16 Over the summer I have been surrounded by the Market Basket boycott. Not only did I see the employees picketing outside the stores asking for support but I also saw people standing together for something that they all believed in.

Although Market Basket is only in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, it was still astounding to me that people were willing to fight for what they believed in. I can’t recall the last time I saw anything in the news about boycotts. I have read about them in history classes and learned how common they were in the past, but to experience one was different.

I drove by the empty parking lots of Market Basket many times these past months, and I saw the employees standing outside with “honk if you support” signs in their hands.

That wasn’t the part that inspired

me. It was all the cars going by and honking their horns that touched my heart; they really believed in what the picketers were doing. The scene also made me realize that people want to stand up for what they believe in even though you don’t see it as much anymore. I thought the picketers were brave to side with Arthur T. Demoulas and what he stood for—treat your employees well and they will stand by you with respect. It’s nearly the golden rule—treat others as you wish to be treated. Arthur T. earned the respect of the customers by keeping prices low and maintaining confidence in his employees.

ing more than she usually would on groceries. The public believed in Market Basket, but when Market Basket turned its back on the customers, the customers walked away as well.

I was also speaking with my mom about this issue. Although she doesn’t buy many groceries, shopping at Stop and Shop or Hannaford does affect her by ten to twenty dollars a week. Though not much at a time, it builds up after nearly a whole summer of spend-

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Sports 2014 US Tennis Open: An era of Big Men?

By Tommy Chau ’15 When the 2014 US Open ended a week ago, with Marin Cilic claiming his first ever Grand Slam title, many wondered if tennis had been transformed into a sport for big and tall players. Without a doubt, tennis, like any other sport, is witnessing the rise of bigger, taller, and faster athletes. Why is this?

Before going straight into the issue, let’s have a look at history. From the 1970s to 1980s, John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl, Bjorn Borg, Boris Becker, and Mats Wilander dominated the tennis world with a typical body size from 5’10’’ to 6’3’’ and between 150 to 180 pounds. While these figures might sound delinquent for athletes in some sports, they are ideal for tennis players who must rely on speed, acceleration, and footwork in order to employ serve-and-volley tactics. As a result, players over 6’3’’ were considered too tall for the game, and therefore were not expected to claim as many titles as smaller players. Tennis was still considered a sport more suitable for artistic ‘ballerinas’ who did not have to rely on brute strength to win the game.

Tennis has changed dramatically over the past 20 years. While the world occasionally still witnesses some artistic one-handed backhands and unique footwork from legend Roger Federer, with new

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racquet designs and modern training methods, newcomers can employ massive serves to overpower their opponents. When serving, arms act like levers to deliver the ball.

As a result, the taller the player, the more powerful the serve. This new era of tennis has ushered in a huge influx of taller players such as Ivo Karlovic (6’11’’), John Isner (6’10”) and slightly smaller players such as Milos Raonic (6’5’’) and Marin Cilic (6’6’’). These figures are more suitable for basketball and volleyball, but the new game’s tactics allow these giraffes to leverage their strengths in the tennis arena.

Will the tall order stay for a long time?

According to the laws of physics, the taller someone is, the higher the center of gravity he or she has. The concept of center of gravity in sports is important; sports like gymnastics and tennis require athletes to have lower centers of gravity for easier balance. While it is true that more tall players dominate the game of tennis, at some fundamental level, these physical laws cannot be violated. As quoted by Patrick McEnroe, brother of Hall-of-Fame John McEnroe, ‘‘a player who stands between 6’1’’ and 6’4’’ tall is more likely to be more agile in a confined space.” Since the Open Era started in 1969, most of world’s greatest players of all time and ALL of the world’s number one players have been 5’9’’ and 6’4’’. Tall players may have an advantage in some situations, but the legendary status will probably continue to go to only players who are not too tall and not too short.

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Fantasy Football: Waiver-Wire Pickups

By Jack Yanchitis ‘15 Week two in the NFL has unveiled a lot about the top projected players in the league, and unfortunately, many of them were injured. While if you have some of these players on your roster, such as Jamaal Charles and A.J. Green, it is bad news for your team--you probably used valuable top-round picks to get these guys on your team--it is great news for the rest of us in Fantasy Football. The following will be popular waiver-wire pickups heading into week three of the regular season.

1. Knile Davis (RB, Kansas City) Davis has been a standout in terms of backup running backs, and should be considered a must add in all leagues if he is still available.

Davis rushed the ball 22 times for 79 yards and two touchdowns following starting running back Jamaal Charles’ high ankle sprain on his first touch of the game. Davis is only owned in 65% of leagues on ESPN and can be considered a high RB2/low RB1 for week three.

tallying nearly 100 receiving yards against the league’s best defense and defending Super Bowl Champs, the Seattle Seahawks.

Gates has always had a great report with QB Philip Rivers, but really excelled on Sunday. He is currently the most added player on ESPN, but is still only owned in 50% of leagues.

4. Bobby Rainey (RB, Tampa Bay) Rainey stole the spotlight last year, as Doug Martin was injured late in the season and has seemingly done so yet again. With Martin out for this past Sunday’s game, Rainey rushed for 144 yards and totaled another 30 yards through the air against one of the league’s better defenses in the St. Louis Rams. Although Martin may not be active for their

week three matchup, they do play Thursday night against the league’s worst rushing defense, the Atlanta Falcons. Having a Thursday night matchup means less time for Martin to recover before the game. Rainey is currently only owned in 6% of the leagues on ESPN. Side Note: The Indianapolis Colts are playing the Jaguars this week; expect a big week from the Colts defense against the worst offense in the league this weekend.

2. Delanie Walker (TE, Tennessee) Walker has scored the fourth most points of all TE’s through two weeks, though he is still available in 30% of leagues. With touchdowns in the first two weeks and a monstrous game this past Sunday, Walker has showed that Jake Locker will continue to look for him when Locker is in trouble. Walker is a favorable addition to your team, especially if you are in desperate need of a point scoring Tight End. 3. Antonio Gates (TE, San Diego) Gates posted an outrageous week two, scoring three touchdowns and The Picador: Volume 10, Issue 1

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Humans of Holderness Paul Sampson: Have You Seen His Backpack?

By AJ Chabot ‘16

AC: What is your favorite piece of clothing?

Paul’s room is the neatest Holderness room I have ever seen. His books are stacked neatly on his desk, his bed is always made, and his clothes are hung up. I stared at his side of his room in disbelief when I met him for his interview.

But all he can talk about is his roommate’s side—which is typical of most Holderness rooms.

PS: My “Do the Right Thing” sweatshirt; it has the school colors and honor code on it.

AC: How did you learn about Holderness?

PS: There’s a program back in Nigeria called MTN Football Scholars. We have to combine soccer and academics together to come to schools in the United States.

AJ Chabot: What is the biggest difference between Holderness and your hometown?

Paul Sampson: The environment and temperature are very different.

And there’s so much love here.

Back in Nigeria you may walk on a path, and no one will greet you; they may know you, but they won’t say hi. Everyone here says hi. And everybody tries his/her best to try to know your name; back home no one really cares.

AC: What is the name of your hometown?

PS: Lagos AC: When is your birthday?

PS: March 17, 1997 AC: Would you rather be able to speak every language or talk to animals? Why? PS: Speak every language because I would look crazy if I started talking to animals. If I could speak every language, I would be able to speak with everyone, no matter where they are from. The most important thing is for people to understand you.

AC: What things do you not like to do?

AC: How many siblings do you have?

PS: One younger brother, one younger sister, and one older brother. My older brother is in master’s school in New York.

AC: What do you find strangest about Holderness?

PS: Anytime I walk on the pathway, someone tells me they love my backpack. I can’t even count; I could walk down the path right now and in 50 seconds someone would say, “I love your backpack.”

AC: What sports do you think you will play this winter and spring?

PS: Winter: basketball. If basketball doesn’t work I’ll ski. Spring: cycling.

AC: Who is your favorite soccer player?

PS: Christiano Ronaldo

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PS: I don’t like the idea of students doing pantry while other students are having fun and getting to know new people during sit-down dinner—which is special and not every day.

AC: What’s your spirit animal?

PS: The Dogs at Holderness, not dogs in Nigeria. Dogs at Holderness are very friendly to people.

AC: Why is a tennis ball fuzzy?

PS: It’s just the way it’s made, maybe to make it somehow different from other balls.

AC: What is your favorite subject at Holderness?

PS: I’m not that good at it because I’ve never done it before, but probably Spanish. Learning a new language—you’re going to laugh a lot—it’s really exciting.

AC: Do you have a hidden talent?

PS: Almost nobody knows that I can sing.

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Jeremy Stubbs: The Man With the Music

By Charlotte Freccia ‘15

Outing Club.

Charlotte Freccia: Tell me about your early life. Where did you go to high school?

CF: Where are you living? Do you like living on campus?

JS: I am living in Upper Webster, and I am loving the dorm life experience.

Jeremy Stubbs: I grew up in Oklahoma City. I went to a private Episcopal day school from pre-K through 12th grade. In a lot of ways Holderness reminds me of Casady School. I went to daily chapel from grade one through 12. In high school I had to wear slacks and a button-down shirt and a tie and sport coat everyday.

CF: One thing you’ve become known for is playing music--often at top volume--as your students enter class. What is your favorite Pandora station?

CF: Where did you go to college?

JS: I went to Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK on a full academic scholarship.

CF: When did you become interested in teaching?

JS: Eighth grade was the first time I said out loud that I wanted to be a teacher and seriously meant it. I pursued that goal from eighth grade until now, always open to finding AC: What is your greatest strength?

PS: My greatest strength is my smile. Even when I am upset, I just smile and it won’t look like I am upset.

AC: What is something you think everyone should know about your country?

PS: Ebola sucks. It’s so bad, the worst virus ever.

AC: What do you miss about your home?

PS: My mama; miss my mom so much. Pretty sure she’s missing me right now too.

something else if it changed but it never did.

CF: What are you teaching at Holderness? Are you coaching?

JS: This year I’m teaching AP Statistics, Computer Science, and Finite Math. I am also an assistant for the boys cross-country running team. In the spring I’m helping revive the old AC: Holidays? Do you celebrate different ones?

PS: July 12, a patriotic man of Nigeria was killed, and the first of October is Nigerian Independence Day. AC: Anything else you want to tell the school?

PS: I love Holderness. It’s one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in my life. I don’t even care about the winter. I’ll deal with the cold. I love cold; back in Nigeria it’s way to hot!

Paul has stayed true to one of his answers; he actually doesn’t stop smiling. Paul thinks it’s hilarious

JS: Trying to pick a favorite Pandora station is like trying to pick a favorite Larry dessert; I love them all. I feel like the more you love music, the more music you love.

I’m a very big Phish fan, and I also love bluegrass.

CF: What’s the best cuisine you’ve sampled at Weld?

JS: I don’t know if this speaks to how good the food is in Weld or how bad my memory is, but the best food I had in Weld was the last meal I ate. that so many people say hi to him, and compliment him on his backpack. “It’s weird, but I love it,” he said. So make sure you say hi to Paul on the path, and compliment his backpack, or else he will think there is something wrong with you, and will ask you if you’re okay.

And don’t pressure him into singing; he says eventually he’ll show us…

Now you have something more to talk about with Paul than his cool backpack!

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Opinion Bike Helmets: Only State Law for 40%

By Parker Densmore ‘15 There are always several new rules in the student handbook each year.

Usually the changes are minor and go largely unnoticed. This year, however, the new bike helmet rule has had students and faculty alike shaking their heads in frustration.

There have been so many different facts, rumors, and complaints surrounding the new rule it’s hard to know what is accurate. Clarification is necessary.

The main reason this rule has been put into effect is that wearing bike helmets has recently become a New Hampshire state law. According to RSA 265: 144, “No person less than 16 years of age may operate or ride upon a bicycle on a public way unless he or she wears protective headgear of a type approved by the commissioner of health and human services” (www.nh.gov).

Considering the referenced age, this law is only relevant to about

40% of the school. In other words, most juniors, seniors, and all faculty would be in compliance with the law without wearing a helmet. This brings up a question: Is it okay to enforce such a rule for half of the school? Let’s consider dress code; half of the student population is allowed to just wear a button-down shirt and pants, while the other half must also wear a blazer, tie, belt, and socks. But this is not an article about the dress code.

In another comparison, what would happen if Holderness School followed the New Hampshire law that prohibits tobacco use? If all people 17 and older do not have to wear helmets, then would it follow that people 18 and older could use tobacco on campus? Not so fast. New Hampshire law prohibits tobacco use on public and private school land. Additionally, unlike bikes, it is impossible to use tobacco without hurting yourself.

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Besides the legal side of the rule, we must consider the pros and cons of its effectiveness at Holderness. First, it is safer. Falling onto to the pavement at any speed hurts, and wearing a helmet has the potential of making the injury much less severe.

Second, the issue of bike borrowing has been significantly reduced at this point. While this may mean nothing to the people without wheels on campus, it has been a problem in the past, and the new helmet rule has created a deterrent for would-be bike borrowers.

While safety, trust, and the law are very strong arguments for enforcing the bike helmet law, there is a major negative to consider: the culture at Holderness. It may not always be first on everyone’s mind, but there is definitely a wheel culture here at school. Bikes, scooters, and longboards have always been a part of the school. They have been the subjects of photos and unique vehicles—remember the two-seated bikes and “frankenbikes”? If this new rule continues, it may soon involve scooters and boards as well, and at that point, will there be any culture left?

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Advice for New Students: Ponder Your Identity

By Seo Jung Kim ‘15

I was sitting in Sasha’s room with friends, and Hannah randomly asked us, “Do you have any advice for new students? It’s for The Picador.” Since I was busy eating chips and laughing with friends, I casually said, “I don’t know.” However, since that time, Hannah’s question has lingered in my mind. I have been thinking, “If I could go back to 9th grade, what would I do differently?

My answer is, “I would try and find more time to think about myself.”

Yes. It is a corny response, but if you actually try to think about who you are, it is very difficult to get an answer. The more you ponder your identity, the more you get perplexed, and the confusion makes you give up and not think about yourself. Then unfortunately, you

Overheards

decide to follow others and do not find your own path.

I am not saying there is something wrong with following popular culture. I just hope you have time to think about who you are and what you want to do. For example, don’t just buy certain kinds of clothes because everyone else has them.

Don’t go to dance parties because most of your friends go to dance parties. Don’t lose your distinct character because of others.

Before you take an action, please think about who you are and what your actions say about you.

Even though you know what you want to do, taking a different path from the general population requires an enormous amount of courage. Honestly, no one wants to leave a warm and cozy room to go to a dark and scary desert. Howev-

Collected by Parker Densmore ‘15 Please email pdensmore@holderness.org if you hear anything that you think should be shared.

Please do not cut the Quad while giving a tour...

Why is it called “summer work” when everyone does it when they are back at school?

My O-Hike group hiked five miles short of my OB group.

I needed my down coat for that last cook out.

I think college prep should count as one of my classes.

Rats, someone stole my helmet.

It is possible for one to barter at Snack Bar?

er, if there is support, stepping out from a comfortable zone is actually doable and enjoyable.

For instance, before I came to Holderness, I was very shy. I was nervous when I had to discuss or debate with my classmates, but I became a completely different person at Holderness. Since Holderness was a supportive community, I could transform myself into a very confident person. If my friends had not encouraged me, I would not have been able to break out of my shell.

So what advice would I give to a new ninth grader? Please support your friends when they have the courage to try new things. Do not judge them or say they are “weird” or “abnormal.” Instead support them in being people who are willing to walk the road less traveled.

The Playlist

By Charlotte Freccia ‘15 Just because you’re back in school doesn’t mean summer has to end.

This one-of-a-kind playlist of laidback, ambient songs has something for everyone and will have you reminiscing about those endless summer days.

1. Weekend//Smith Westerns 2. Heavy Feet//Local Natives 3. Boom Clap//Charli XCX 4. Tongue Tied//Grouplove 5. Days Are Gone//Haim 6. Tennis Court//Lorde 7. Hero//Family of the Year 9. Can I Kick It?//A Tribe Called Quest 10. West Coast//Lana Del Rey 11. Night Sky//CHVRCHES 12. Big Poppa//Notorious B.I.G. 13. Who Knows Who Cares//Local Natives

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Celebrity Look Alikes

Shoutouts

By Lilly Vittum ‘15 and Claire Caputi ‘15 TM & TR = I like JR & HS = Rowing his way into her heart KB & JM = New Face, New flame PD & RH = Perhaps Holderness’s future Weld Hall Supervisors?

GC: Sweet Drone JS: Shout out to this new, super cool math teacher for leading his first Super Sunday station!

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Senior Editors Tommy Chau Parker Densmore Charlotte Freccia Charles Harker Jack Yanchitis Junior Editors Maggie Barton AJ Chabot Faculty Advisors Ms. Magnus Mr. Herring Contributing Writers Celia Fleckner Seo Jung Kim Julia Thulander

Contact Information Holderness School Chapel Lane P.O. Box 1879 Plymouth, NH 03245 Phone Number: 603.536.1257 Email: info@holderness.org