The Picador Volume 8, Issue 11
A PUBLICATION BY HOLDERNESS STUDENTS FOR THE HOLDERNESS SCHOOL COMMUNITY
April 26, 2013
Scores of Thespians Take to the Stage for Legally Blonde her actors’ and actresses’ antics and created a fun but proThe process began while snow Leading the cast are Elizabeth ductive atmosphere at rehearsdrifts were still piled high Powell (Elle), Emily Soderals. Music Director Will (and against the walls of Hagerman. berg (Paulette), Molly Madden for a short period, Sam) kept Through the winter and into (Vivienne), Pete Saunders singers’ vocal chords in shape the spring, this year’s cast in- (Warner), Aidan Kendall and in tune, while choreogravested blood, sweat, and yes, (Emmett), and Axi Berman pher Lisa created awesome tears into the show, working (Callahan). The list doesn’t routines. The set is beautiful, hard to memorize their lines stop there, though. Scores of and stage crew can often be and learn their dances. And as other actors pack the program, found racing around to ensure the snow banks disappeared making for an energetic group that that doesn’t change. and the grass began to grow on on stage. the Quad, the musical develFor some seniors, this musical Ms. Devine has, as always, oped steadily into a great will bring an end to their long been amazingly patient with show. Legally Blonde is sure careers in Holderness theater. By Jake Barton ’13
not to disappoint.
Molly Madden has had a leading role in all of her shows, and Elena Bird has been a force in every musical since freshman year. Who could forget Axi’s character from last year? Aidan has acted forever, at least in the town of Holderness. Behind the scenes, Steve has become a pro at the lights, and KJ and Dan have worked tirelessly on stage crew for every (Continued on page 2)
Happy Earth Day? Has Passion to Save the Earth Faltered? By Emily Soderberg ’13 Earth Day, celebrated every year on April 22, started in 1970 when people were living lives of environmentally-ignorant luxury, driving Lincoln Continentals and guzzling gasoline at $0.36 per gallon with no guilt. Earth Earth Day, 1970, Philadelphia Day sparked the beginning of the green movement. People all over the world, flower chil- at Walmart? dren and hippies alike, gathThe flame of Earth Day that ered together to celebrate and burned bright in the 70s and raise awareness of the environ- 80s has dimmed. Why? How ment. People led huge prodoes one revamp a holiday that tests, rallies, and parties at is supposed to be dedicated to over ten thousand schools. For anti-consumerism, especially 20 years it was a huge way to at a time when every popular bring people together and holiday is commercialized? spread passion for protecting Valentine’s Day = chocolates. the environment. Christmas = presents. Easter = candy. There is no way to get So what has Earth Day bearound this trend of consumercome? A day celebrated by ism in the society we live in! getting 10% off of purchases Without a commercialized
Earth Day, 2013, Pakistan
reputation, Earth Day will struggle to remain a worldwide event. The importance of the day, that was once so popular, has been overshadowed by spontaneous events in a world that lives in the moment and has a difficult time looking into what is coming down the road. On April 22, 1970, all Congress members took the day off to speak at Earth Day events around the country.
After the start of the movement, they also soon passed the Clean Air Act of 1970, the Clean Water Act of 1972, and the Endangered Species Act of 1973. They also created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Why can't the celebration of Earth Day create the same impact now? One could blame the government, but that is just too easy. The drive that once came along with Earth Day no longer exists. Earth Day has evolved, for better or worse, but so have we. Perhaps we don’t need Earth Day to be what it used to be; our country's air is a lot cleaner with the help of the EPA. Our country also has a new mindset: Earth Day does(Continued on page 2)