The Picador Volume 8, Issue 4
A PUBLICATION BY HOLDERNESS STUDENTS FOR THE HOLDERNESS SCHOOL COMMUNITY
November 9, 2012
Supporting Tabor Academy Students: A Humanitarian Effort dents were seen bending down to touch the dirt, amazed that bits recycled tires did not fill the gaps between the blades of grass. One particular student was knocked unconscious from the very smell of the fields, which he later deemed “too fresh.” It is up to the students of Holderness to protect these disoriented guests from harm.
By Lea Rice ’13 This coming Saturday, the students of Holderness School will be asked to reach into the depths of their hearts and welcome a pathetic group of people: Tabor students. They will emerge from their coach buses dazed and confused after their journey north. Sperry’s worn on the wrong feet; Ray Bans worn unrestrained by croakies; pastel colored polo shirts worn with the collars unpopped and the buttons undone. Suffice it to say that they will be in a state of desperation. The task falls to the students of our school to welcome these poor wanderers. The primary obstacle facing these students will be their
unfamiliarity with their surroundings. If a Tabor student approaches you asking where the shoreline is, please direct him/her to the Lower Fields to view the splendor of the Pemigewasset. Once they arrive,
however, they will be confused by the fields that stretch out before them. The Lower Fields lack the shine of the artificial turf to which these students are accustomed. Two years ago, some Tabor stu-
A Scientific Profile of the Seawolf Classification: Fish? Mammal? Confused? Natural Habitat: The clearance section of Vineyard Vines Diet: Scavengers, the lowest on the food chain; rely on saltwater and finger sandwiches for sustenance Migratory Habits: Stray from the sea for one weekend biannually Field Notes: The Seawolf is often called the “fruitfly of the sea” for its poor fighting skills and general lack of purpose. When threatened, the Seawolf has been known to begin to cry just a little bit in an effort to gain pity from its aggressor. In a controversial recent decision, the PETA decided to cut its funding for the protection of the nearly extinct Seawolf, saying ,“It just isn’t really worth it.” Unable to fend for themselves without debit cards and their aquatic environment, it seems that the Seawolf is headed towards extinction as it approaches its upcoming migration north.
It has been reported that some Tabor students debated whether or not to bring their sailboats up for their visit, growing anxious that they might miss a day out on the waves. These students must not be informed that they are many miles from the ocean. They are in a fragile enough state as it is, and this would destroy them. Their best bet may be to try the Frog Pond, but warn them to look out for low-hanging branches that (Continued on page 2)
The Picador Finally, there is the matter of the athletic contests themmight damage the masts of selves. We must be patient with the Tabor students, who it their ships. seems have not been taught the We must not forget the most rules of many of the sports heart-wrenching aspect of they play. They may commit these guests’ lives: they attend fouls against Holderness athTabor. They trudge from class letes, but we must be underto class with this fact hanging standing; they know no other over their heads everyday, and way. If and when a Holderness their self-consciousness will squad is successful on Saturonly increase exponentially day, by all means cheer and when they are visiting us. Each support them. But keep in Tabor student will be faced mind that these are Tabor stuwith a dilemma: they want to dents – they’re delicate. If any support their school, but they Tabor fans or athletes seem to are too ashamed to don the be inconsolable, hand them the Tabor crewnecks that mark most recent Vineyard Vines them as Tabor students. Some catalogue; it is to Tabor stuwill be so conflicted that they dents what therapy is to everymay try to run away from the one else. athletic facilities. An inside source has reported that secu- So please, this Saturday, be rity measures have already nice to the Tabor students. been taken to ensure that TaThey’re going to be a sad, bebor students won't be able to wildered group of prepsters, flee by way of the river. and they need your help. Tabor Students (Continued from page 1)
Overheards By Drew Houx ’14 and Bobby Wassman ’14 You know those moments when you are walking down the path past Niles and Webster or walking through the Dining Hall, and you overhear a snippet of conversation? Sometimes, without knowing the context of the conversation, what you overhear is just plain funny. Below are a collection of quotes overheard throughout campus and compiled by the Picador editors. Enjoy!
Am I the only atheist who still believes in God? Why is it called Powder Puff if there is no powder? No, said the dog. I licked the sauce off the back of it. It's so illegal just to grab someone's baby. Since you’re gonna be 18, will you vote next year? I would sell Vatcher's soul for a pair of Uggs right now. Impeach Sully.
Senior Editors Jake Barton Jeff Hauser Emily Soderberg Dylan Arthaud
In and Out By Kelly DiNapoli ’13 and Maddy Cicoria ’13
In:
Out:
Winning
Tying
Tabor Day
KUA Day
Tackle Football
Flag Football
Dealing with injuries
Icing and stretching
Cutting the Quad
Using the Paths
Hockey season No-shave November (Movember)
Gentlemen
Head's House
Weld
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Personal hygiene
Junior Editors Lea Rice Sarah Michel Faculty Advisors Ms. Magnus Mr. Solberg Mr. Carey Contributing Writers KJ Sanger Fabian Stocek Zihan Guo Iashai Stephens Xajaah Williams-Flores Olivia Leatherwood Zygias Sirvydas Kendra Morse
Libby Aldridge Oliver Lowe Axi Berman Molly Madden Nicole DellaPasqua Drew Houx Bobby Wassman Maddy Cicoria Elizabeth Powell Peter Saunders Jesus Sanchez Caleb Nungesser Ryan Mahar Contact Information Holderness School Chapel Lane P.O. Box 1789 Plymouth, NH 03245 Phone Number: 603.536.1257 Fax: 603.536.1267 Email: info@holderness.org
Volume 7, Issue 12
A Holderness Halloween Photographed by KJ Sanger
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The Picador World News Compiled by Fabian Stocek ’13 and Zihan Guo ’14
Greek Protests Turn Violent Before Vote on Bailout Funding Protesters in Greece have clashed with riot police as MPs prepare to vote on a fresh round of austerity measures to secure the next round of bailout funds. The new policy involves closing Greece's budget deficit, lowering its huge debt burden, and making its economy more competitive. It includes a two-year increase in the retirement age from the current average of 65, as well as salary cuts and labor market reforms including cuts to holiday benefits, notice periods, left-wing opposition party cies are completely catastroand severance pay. Syriza, said: “The bailout poli- phic, outrageously absurd, and Alexis Tsipras, leader of the
an utter failure. “Let's not kid ourselves. The bailouts can no longer be acceptable, not even under the toughest blackmail,” he told the Efimerida Syntakton newspaper. However, the government is confident it will get a slim majority when the vote takes place, the BBC's Mark Lowen in Athens reports. But this level of resistance on the street is a reminder that implementing the measures will be extraordinarily difficult. Source: BBC News
Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov fired by Putin Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed his defense minister after his ministry was caught up in a corruption scandal. Anatoly Serdyukov has been replaced with a former emergencies minister and loyal ally of Mr. Putin, Sergei Shoigu. Russia's top investigative agency is investigating the sale of ministry assets at prices below market value. Mr. Putin said he had removed Mr. Serdyukov to create “conditions for an objective investigation.” Last month, Russian investigators raided the offices of a state-controlled military contractor and began investigating the company amid claims that Page 4
civilian hands. He also forced defense manufacturers to accept lower prices. On the way, our correspondent adds, he made enemies in the armed services. One website with close links to Russia’s intelligence services claimed two weeks ago that when police conducted a dawn raid on a key suspect in the fraud case, Yevgeniya Vasilieva, they found Mr. it had sold assets to commer- in Moscow, says that in the six Serdyukov in her flat; that has cial firms at a loss of nearly years that Mr. Serdyukov was led to speculation he was in an defense minister, he tried to threee bn roubles ($100 m). extra-marital relationship. reform Russia’s outdated Investigative Committee Steve Rosenberg aids: “It is armed forces by cutting costs spokesman Vladimir Markin one of Vladimir Putin's princiand personnel and by boosting said Mr. Serdyukov would be ples of power: if you're inside efficiency. questioned in the probe “if his inner circle and stay loyal, there is a reason” for doing so. Under his reforms, there were he’ll remain loyal to you.” big cuts in army personnel, The BBC's Steve Rosenberg, Source: BBC News and military assets were put in
Volume 7, Issue 12 The Political Page Bulls For President Obama Total Breakdown: The Social Vote By Iashai Stephens ’13 and Xajaah Williams-Flores ’13 At 7:30 in the morning, three mini-buses left Weld to travel down to Concord to see Bill Clinton and Barack Obama speak. As with any other place in New Hampshire, we did not expect to see many people, but then again it was the President of the United States speaking. Actually, more than 14,000 people showed up to the event. We stood in line for about two hours before we were let in. While waiting, we were able to see the sharpshooters on the capitol building and various secret service men.
did not, we still were able to catch sight of Bill Clinton with his raspy yet still galvanizing voice. In order to see him, we had to borrow a pair of binoculars from a lady who was physically impaired but had still come out to see him. After every thought Clinton shared, there was a loud uproar from the crowd. When he left the stage, the segue for Obama was the crowd chanting “four more years!”
Obama’s speech was just as amazing as Clinton’s. He had even more difficulty smoothly running through his speech because of the ecstatic crowd who cheered at every pause. We had to climb on the side After we were checked and of the bleachers to catch a allowed into the area, we had glimpse of President Obama to find a good spot to see in action. Finally, we could Obama. We were packed like match his confident and emsardines in a can, but we powering voice to his face. pushed our way to an open He stood there not only pointarea. There we met Darryl ing to the crowd, but also who was a kind secret service pointing to us. His energy, man who appreciated us combined with the energy of enough to say we would be the crowd, created a momenperfect for the secret service. tous feeling. It all became clear that voting for him Our sight was impeded by a handicapped bleacher section, meant taking part in a movement much bigger than ourbut many people climbed up the ten-foot scaffolding and selves. were able to see. Although we
By Olivia Leatherwood ’13 Alienation of voting groups: why did Latinos, gays, and women align with Obama? Exit polls showed that only 45% of female voters voted for Romney. Female voters were forced to choose between fiscal issues and social issues in this election. The GOP lost the female vote because of the extreme abortion views supported by Governor Romney and his competitors in the Republican primaries last year. In order to get through the Republican primary process, Romney took the far right view and stated that he was completely opposed to abortion with the exception of rape and incest and when the life of the mother is in danger. Sometime after he was named the GOP nominee, he softened his view on abortion by stating, “There’s no legislation with regards to abortion that I’m familiar with that would become part of my agenda.” The GOP lost the women’s vote in part because of its position on abortion. The GOP needs to get their act together and decide that abortion is not even going to be an issue anymore
– clinging to this issue is like giving Democrats a freebee. Latinos are a group of voters that the GOP is never going to win if its members continue to insist on the unrealistic goal of deporting all illegal aliens. Dear GOP, wake up and smell the 21st century, a place where there are such things as interracial couples, gay marriage, immigration, and abortion. Allow the states and the judiciary to “do the heavy lifting” on social issues and stick to promoting sound fiscal policy. Voters’ consideration of social issues alone made the outcome of this election possible. The GOP needs to stop giving away votes based on social issues to the Democrats and start getting votes based on fiscal matters, something that needs immediate attention and hasn’t been getting it for many years. Exit polls showed that people who voted for Obama believe Romney would do a better job fixing the economy, yet they still voted for Obama. All the elephants can do now is hope Obama makes some meaningful fiscal reforms ASAP instead of lounging around with Jay-Z and George Clooney. In 2016 we will battle over issues that build and shape future generations and refrain from addressing the ironic government intrusion into Americans’ daily lives.
* This only considers student votes. Each dorm was awarded one Electoral College vote for every four students.
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The Picador School Sports The Captains’ Summaries Boys JV1 Soccer
Rock Climbing
After some struggles in the beginThe rock climbing team has enning of the season, the boys JV1 joyed many weeks of climbing soccer team has been practicing as this season in various locations. hard as they can to win some Our longer days were mostly games. Some well-known quotes spent at Cathedral Ledge in from practice include Coach BiNorth Conway and across from ano yelling, “David, don't be a Echo lake in Franconia. At the hero!” Coach Negroponte saying, top of the climbs, we all enjoyed “Scott, get up your fine;” and looking out onto the mountainTreat Hardy screaming at himself, ous landscapes exploding with “AAAH NO, Treat! NO! Why colorful foliage. During our would you ever that?!” We are shorter days, we climbed the planning to continue our five-game winning streak and make it Rumney Cliffs and looked out onto Tenney Mountain and the to seven by Saturday. It has been a good year for us, but we new windmills. The team started out strong, but after a series are not done yet. Let's go, Boys! of unfortunate events, the team dwindled to four. - Zygias Sirvydas ’13 and Sarah Michel ’14
- The Rock Climbing Team
Varsity Football
Cross Country Running
You say potato; I say football. Besides, a football is like a potato. Potato, football. Axi sometimes catches the potato. Riggs sometimes kicks the potato. If we get enough potatoes into the end zone this Saturday, we might make the playoffs. You say potato; I say football. Potato, playoffs. Go, Bulls.
This season has been a very memorable one for the Holderness cross country runners. Last Saturday both teams had to work their hardest to secure their spots on Proctor’s difficult course at our Lakes Region Championship meet. But with the infamous trio of Fabian, Rion, and Drew snagging the podium spots, and Charles Harker securing an additional spot in the top 10, the boys were all set. And as for the girls, with Greta
- Anonymous
New England Sports By Axi Berman ’13 New England Patriots: Blowout!!!! After giving up a 50-yard touchdown to the St. Louis Rams on the first drive of the game, Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, and the rest of the Patriots offense scored 45 straight points to dominate the Rams in a game played at Wembley Stadium, across the pond, in England. It was a thing of beauty, watching the high-powered Patriot offense take a metaphorical “dump” on the Rams defense. With this win, the Patriots moved to 5-3, two games ahead of the Jets. Once again, they look like the best team in football, the way it should be. Boston Celtics: The return of the NBA showcased the new-look Boston Celtics against the hated Miami Heat. As usual, the Heat displayed classlessness and referee favoritism. World renowned sell-out, liar and scumbag Ray Allen broke hearts up and down the East Coast. The Celtics played their hardest but were eventually beaten in the last few minutes of the fourth quarter. Looking past the loss, there were plenty of positives that came with the game. Personally, I am confident that when it comes down to it, the Celtics can beat the Heat in a seven-game playoff series. The next chapter in the quest for championship banner #18 has arrived, and this is the year it will happen.
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Volume 7, Issue 12 ing stronger athletes in the process. Come watch us defeat Tabor with unbeatable stick work and speed. GO BULLS!! Kendra Morse ’13 and Libby Aldridge ’13
Mountain Biking Mountain Biking had a strong crew this year. We had a couple of newbies to the team - Perry Craver and Matt Tankersley but they quickly progressed into strong riders. We did not do much competing this year but are always pushing each other to improve. We even got Mr. Sheppe to find air along the way. It has been a super fun year with a great crew. We are all looking forward to taking a trip over to the local Highland Mountain Bike Park in the next week. - Jeff Hauser ’13 Davis and Cayla Penny both having breakthrough performances - coming in 3rd and 4th overall - and with senior runner Marissa Merrill coming in not far behind, the girls team had their championship title in the bag as well. And now with two Lakes Region Championship titles under our belt, the team is more than excited and prepared for NEPSAC’s this Saturday, all thanks to three extraordinary coaches, Coach Casey, Coach Glew, and Coach Stigum. This season these stupendous coaches achieved the ultimate feat of making running ‘fun’ which any athlete should know is no easy task.
Varsity Field Hockey This year's team has been a HUGE success. Many members were new and quite young, but we've become a family. Watch out, field hockey has just turned into something a little bit more serious than just a social team. Taking wins by the many, we've got something to be seriously proud of. With some new stars this year (Lily Vittum, Allie Solms, Allie Renzi, and Morgan Bayreuther) we've been taking goals by the many. Stay tuned to see if we make the play-offs and where we stand in the Lakes Region. Also, a shout out to our fans who have been coming to our games. We love it, and we be representin' y'all. Let's go, Big Blue Bulls! Beat Babor! MUCH LOVE, - The Field Hockey Team
Varsity Boys Soccer
Bulls varsity soccer had a good year. We racked up the ties (tying the NEP- Emily Soderberg SAC record), and ‘13 had some great wins including JV Field Hockey KUA, Vermont, This season the army and New Hampof girls on the JV ton. We played for field hockey team glory, we played started our season for victory, but with a big win most importantly, against Brewster. Although the number of players on our team we played for the dwindled, we still managed to play well and play strong boys. through all of our games. Even though we haven't won them all, we are confident that we could beat all of our opponents in - Oliver Lowe ’13 a six-mile run up Mount Prospect while doing Indian sprints and cheering. We always find ways to keep the intense practices fun and exciting, while still honing our skills and becom-
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The Picador The Opinion Page: Is Holderness School Feminist? son that a girl dressed in a sexist; however, some posters youthful, professional manner hanging in the guys' dorms While I am no feminist, I do should have to change because may be. I will admit that some believe in equality. It is true she does not look like a man in posters are degrading to that women in this modern day women, but the posters of half a coat and tie. should be able to have equal naked men in the girls' dorms opportunities and be treated Dress code always has been are degrading to men. While the same as men. Yes, human and will continue to be an isDavid Beckham is still hangnature shows that there are sue, but a new feminist issue ing on girls' walls all over drastic differences between arose when upperclassmen campus, Kate Upton has been these two sexes, physically girls played Powder Puff Footripped down by faculty memand mentally, but these differ- ball last weekend. If female bers without notice. To take ences should not diminish op- students want to participate in down posters without permisportunities or be looked upon a sport they do not normally sion or warning is wrong and as weaknesses. While in many play, why shouldn’t they be an invasion of personal priways I agree with feminist allowed? Allie Renzi wanted ideas, lately they have been “Over-thinking [Powder Puff] is wrong, and forced upon Holderness students. Is Holderness adopting teachers need to realize that girls want to play in a a feminist viewpoint? sport where they can have fun doing something Anonymous
One way of viewing Holderness’ new feministic ideals is by taking a look at the changes in the girls' dress code. This new dress code states that dresses and skirts must brush the knees and v-neck shirts and skinny pants are not allowed. The dress code for the past four years on the girls' side has gotten out of hand, and teachers believe that these rules will fix our “clubbing style” and make us more sophisticated and professional. But when girls cannot wear pants to class without getting a late, or wear inappropriate outfits and have to change, there does not seem to be any middle ground. The fact is the faculty want girls to dress the way the guys do - without form-fitting or revealing clothes, all looking the same. While students understand the teachers' concern for girls' sexuality and inappropriateness, there is no reaPage 8
now in COS meetings. Meetings that are meant to bring informative news to the student body have now become single-sex meetings that turn students against each other. We understand that there are different issues that should be addressed to males and females at different times, but we don’t understand why teachers are using these issues to push us apart. We like to be a unit, and that is how our school defines itself on a coeducational basis.
Student leaders are elected for every dorm, and there is close to an equal number of girls and boys. Guys do not always different, and that is all.” obtain the presidential titles as seen in years past, and that speaks numbers for the school; vacy. Posters are not hurting to use Powder Puff to raise anyone; they should be able to students like being co-ed and money for the Susan G. Korespect each other. Teachers be posted as long as they are man cause, a cancer research not in view of people who take think that males do not respect organization, and she was the females, and that may be offense. criticized by the faculty for it. true in some cases, but in genPowder Puff, posters, and eral the girls think that the To have female faculty, as dress code may seem like minguys respect them here. well as some male faculty, call iscule issues on a big scale, Powder Puff sexist is an ignoGirls have the same opportunibut they add up to the overrant and stubborn belief. They arching problem of female and ties as guys do, and faculty are can argue that it is sexist for male separation at Holderness making the issue inside Holgirls to dress up and play in School. We all know that Hol- derness a bigger issue than it front of the male student body, derness provides an unlimited needs to be. By forcing us to but that is not the ideology of amount of time to do work and be separate, they are creating the girls. If guys want to have issues which just aren’t there. socialize with friends…but a Powder Puff game of field why do teachers try to prevent With the recent events at the hockey that is supported by relationships? Part of going to school last spring, students the faculty, they should supa co-ed school is that genders understand why this issue has port females playing football. are intermixed in the environ- become so pressing, but we Over-thinking the game is also think that this society is ment, and Holderness does a wrong, and teachers need to more equal and respectable satisfactory job at that. realize that girls want to play than outside the Holderness in a sport where they can have Girls and guys can interact in bubble. Men can, and should, fun doing something different, class and at dinner but hanging come out of their man boxes out one-on-one has become and that is all. more at school, but women nonexistent. Students are sepaalso need to step outside their Powder Puff is not lingerie rated in sports, dorms, and football at Holderness nor is it feministic boxes too.
Volume 7, Issue 12 Introducing the New Faculty This fall there are countless new faces on campus, including many new faculty and staff. This section of the paper during the fall will be dedicated to introducing the new faculty and staff and helping you get to know them outside the classroom and beyond the playing fields. If there is anyone in particular that you would like to see featured, please let someone on the Picador staff know!
Mr. Nick Laurence ES: Being at Holderness, where sports are a requirement, the athletic trainer must have a very demanding job. What has it been like for you so far? NL: It’s been busy, but I think the fall, no matter where you are, is going to be busy.
Mr. Erik Thatcher ’08 ES: How has it been being back at Holderness again? It’s cool. I grew up as a fac-brat, so being part of a boarding school community is like being back in the normal for me. ES: What was your Holderness experience like?
I was a day student. I had just moved to the area. I was here for three years. I was used to the boarding school life; I had previNL: When I was in high school, I got injured a few times and ously attended to Brewster and Wyoming Seminary in Pennsylended up in the trainer’s office often. I loved the fast-paced and vania, and I spent summers at the Wolfeboro Summer School. interesting environment where the athletic trainer had to know ES: What has changed the most since you went to school everything and was always doing something. I realized I could here? never do a job where I would have to sit behind a desk. I also It hasn’t really been that long, but the only really big change is knew I would need to be able to go outside. that Mr. Ford isn’t here this year. It just feels different without ES: What is your favorite sport? him yelling at you from across the Quad. He’s just a very noNL: I play an Irish sport called hurling which I really enjoy ticeable character in the Holderness community. playing and watching. But from a training point of view, my ES: What was your favorite subject in school? favorite sports are hockey and lacrosse. Environmental Science. ES: What is hurling and how did you get into it? ES: What have you been helping Mr. Pettitt out with? NL: Hurling is the national sport of Ireland. It’s a mix of lacrosse and field hockey but without pads, so you can kind of hit His GIS and his Environmental Science classes. I've just been people a little bit. I heard about it over the course of my life and helping out with the labs out in the field and with class discusthought it would be a cool sport to try. I love it. sions. ES: How did you get into athletic training?
ES: How is life in lower Webster?
ES: What sports did you do at Holderness?
NL: It’s good. I have a good neighbor upstairs. The boys are
I bounced around a fair amount. Cycling was my main sport. I
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The Picador Entertainment In Mr. Lockwood’s Black Music class, students are asked to write reviews of record albums, both past and present. Although we do not have space to include their full -length essays, below are excerpts from several album reviews. Enjoy! Kanye West: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
most mature and best work; some say Kirk fuses transparency with musical brilliance. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Its 16 songs ultimately chroniFantasy is an intricate web cle the inner struggle of all woven with connections bebelievers and convince them to tween each and every song. fully yield to God’s perfect Listening to it is similar to will in every area of life. Made watching a movie about Kanye in 2007, this album lives on West’s values, opinions, and like it was released at a local beliefs. He plants deeper Best Buy last night. I am not a meanings left and right in this big fan of this type of music, seemingly simple but truthbut this CD will really bless fully highly complicated alyour ears and life. bum. He even went as far as to construct a visual accompani- - Jesus Sanchez ’13 ment for all of the songs, excluding “Power”, in a movie format that provides his portrayal of how all the songs can be intertwined; however, it seems that you could interpret the connections in many different ways. So much is left to be interpreted by the listener; one could spend days at a time trying to decipher the overall deeper meaning and still be Stevie Wonder: Talking Book unsuccessful. This enigmatic collection of songs seems so What’s not to like? Okay, closely relatable yet is just out maybe there’s some supersaturated love lyrics and a couof grasp. ple languid chord progressions - Pete Saunders '13 that resemble elevator music, Kirk Franklin: The Fight of but Stevie Wonder’s Talking Book is vibrant in its dreamimy Life ness. Even his most clichéd Gospel music has never been lines are delivered sincerely, my cup of tea, until I heard and a controlled burst of soul this type of gospel. The Fight speaks with eager intention. Of of My Life is no ordinary gosWonder’s 24 albums created pel record. Kirk Franklin exwithin just 43 years, this colerts excellence and creates lection not only introduces lyrics that grab hold of all assome of his all-time classic pects of life. It makes you songs but also includes sincere wonder what to believe in and love songs that are often question your life so far. This beaten to death by many other album is said to be Kirk’s Page 10
‘artists.’ His world may be constrained to four senses, but his simple, emotional expressions speak more honestly than many people who are able to see but are fooled by visual deceptions. - Caleb Nungesser ’13
more like a few good friends playing together, rather than a nonet in a New York City basement apartment (where the album was actually recorded). The sound is compressed into a concentrated ball of warmth and combined with a relaxed mood, giving the collection a unique feel. - Ryan Mahar ’13 Junior Wells and Buddy Guys: Hoodoo Man Blues
Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool
As a disclaimer, I think chitterlings are gross, but Junior Wells and Buddy Guy made me enjoy them a little more. Emerging from basically nobodies - except for in Chicago - Buddy Guy and Junior Wells recorded their first studio album Hoodoo Man Blues in 1965. Hoodoo refers to African-American folk magic. Although the album is officially categorized as Chicago Blues, it mixes all types of music genres, past and present. The album is probably one of the greatest and most diverse blues albums of all time. And though the song “Chitlin Con Carne” changed my view of chitterlings, I will still refuse to eat them. In the song, I could feel the energy from Wells playing the harmonica. If one wants to listen to someone who really knows how to play and keep an audience mesmerized by the harmonica, Junior Wells is the guy.
By naming his album Birth of the Cool, Miles Davis was already on his way to creating a set of songs that would define a new style of music: cool jazz. This album is the epitome of smooth rhythms and sophisticated melodies. Defining the West Coast Jazz Movement, this album explores innovative musical ideas never before seen in the world of jazz. The nonet, which pulled musicians from the Thornhill Orchestra, oddly included a French horn in its ranks. But leading the six horns, baritone sax, piano, bass, and drums is Miles Davis himself, who with a calm yet passionate demeanor electrifies the performance with audacious solos. Listening to the album, one finds it hard to believe that - Iashai Stephens ’13 there are nine musicians collaborating on it. It sounds
Volume 7, Issue 12 Horoscopes By Molly Madden ’13 and Nicole DellaPasqua ’13 Aries (March 21 - April 19): It’s been difficult to motivate yourself lately, and you’ve been working so hard, you think you deserve a break. Unfortunately, you have so many commitments and responsibilities that there is no time for a break. Rather than worrying about what you cannot control, start being productive today; you’ll get your well -earned break soon!
Libra (September 23 - October 22): Things are going well Cancer (June 21 - July 22): It for you this month! Keep beseems as though everyone is ing awesome, Libra; the stars asking for your advice lately. are in your favor. Share your How could they not, Cancer?! good luck with your peers by You’re such a shining example keeping up your positive attiof all that is good. When it tude; your luck will naturally gets to be overwhelming, just spread to all those around you. try and remember that it’s a compliment that people are Scorpio (October 23 - Noasking for your advice. If they vember 21): The start of this didn’t see something great in month has cleared away your you, they wouldn’t be asking! stress and frustration, but don't let down your guard yet! This Taurus (April 20 - May 20): Leo (July 23 - August 22) : You’ve been feeling extra month is filled with surprises, You may be feeling under the but only if you are willing to spicy this month! Keep up your bold attitude all the way weather or sad this week, and wait. Be patient and keep through Tabor Day, and you’re your luck may only get worse working; you will be resure to beat all the competition at the end of the week. The warded. odds will be in your favor, (like there is any, right?). however, around the 15th, and Sagittarius (November 22 December 21): Your math Gemini (May 21 - June 20): you will see the tables turn. You may be feeling trapped in class has been troubling you Virgo (August 23 - Septem- lately. Numbers are confusing, the Holderness bubble, and ber 22): You’ve been feeling aren’t they? Don’t fret; help is you may be feeling like you need to get out. Find a way to anxious about that messy always there for those who ask enjoy yourself before Thanks- room, haven’t you? Before for it. Try going to an extra you leave for Thanksgiving giving with the end-of-thehelp session soon! break, get out the vacuum and season games and the Tabor Capricorn (December 22 Day bonfire; your break from get rid of all that anxiety! A January 19): You want to clear floor is a clear mind. the bubble will come before you know it.
NL: I went to college with some kids that went to Holgood too, a little rambunctious derness, and I’ve worked with at times, but I think that’s to some Holderness grads. Before this I worked at St. be expected. Sebastian’s School, a day ES: How do you think you school outside of Boston, have lived up to the high where the headmaster had standards set by Coach previously worked at HolderNadeau? ness. I had met Jeff [Nadeau] NL: He set the bar high, but before too. hopefully I can build upon what he has established here. Nick Laurence (Continued from page 9)
ES: How did you hear about Holderness?
demonstrate your ability to work well with others, but you will probably run out of patience today before you accomplish your task. Naturally, you can't fix everything all on your own, and you will need to learn to work with others. Donate a Thanksgiving dinner or volunteer at a soup kitchen during break, and you may find a new level of patience you never knew existed. Aquarius (January 20 - February 18): The cold is coming, and you’re not ready! Get ready to bundle up by pulling out those old winter coats and perhaps a Snuggie. Maybe, if you’re lucky, a cuddle buddy will also be on the way. Pisces (February 19 - March 20): The odds are in your favor! Take a chance on something this month; you can’t fail. Don’t get too ahead of yourself, though, luck only lasts so long…
both work in the science department. They are just did it all three years. I did rock friends. climbing for two year, and in the winters I did a different thing every winter. Erik Thatcher (Continued from page 9)
ES: How has coaching the rock climbing team been this year? Awesome. Just awesome. Please Note: Mr. Thatcher and Ms. Disney are NOT dating, nor are they married. They both coach rock-climbing and Page 11
The Picador
A Letter from the Editor Dear School, This past Friday during the student-only assembly, there were many topics raised, some worthwhile, and others, well, not so much. There was one topic, however, that seemed to resurface several times: absences. Just this year the school put in place the rule that if a student receives six paybacks during one season, he/she will be faced with some type of disciplinary action. In the handbook, it does not say where that number came from; rather it says that disciplinary meetings will result from “continued or chronic absences.” The word chronic is defined as having a particularly bad habit. I would beg to differ that six absences constitutes a “particularly bad habit.” During the course of one week a student is responsible for up to 51 commitments. In the course of the fall there are ten weeks, so in total there are 510 commitments, in just one season, for which a student is responsible. These commitments include classes, chapels, dinners, jobs, and sports. Let’s pause for a minute here: six absences out of 510 commitments, and a student is faced with a discipline meeting? Most disciplinary actions result in notifying colleges. After doing the math, missing a mere 0.0125% of commitments will result in trouble. I would like to suggest that maybe the school take a more positive approach and recognize that a student has made 99% of their commitments. I thought prep schools were supposed to highlight a student’s best work for college, not hinder the process. Holderness School is by definition a preparatory boarding school. And by definition a preparatory school is a private school that prepares students for college. Most colleges will not keep track of daily attendance in classes. When students are paying x-amount of money for each class, it is to their advantage to go. Attending class will ultimately set up a student to do well in a class, and it is his/her responsibility to realize that. This is not to say that there should not be a punishment for missed classes, because it is important for Holderness to help students establish good habits. Along this line, another one of Holderness’ important values is respect for the community, and I do believe that showing up for classes is not only valuable to the individual, but also shows respect for teachers. Commitments like sit-down dinners, jobs, and chapel are another matter. There is no way to make up work lost like there is when missing a class. Holderness depends on community-based programs and absences should not be excusable. That being said, alarm clocks do fail to ring and students do sleep through their alarms. But should these minor mistakes really result in conversations with college admission officers? To avoid situations like these where a few mishaps result in a D.C., there should be a way to work off absences. Payback is easy, everyone knows that, and you can do it half asleep. So Payback is not a way to delete absences, but it is a good form of immediate punishment. Sunday work, however, could be used to erase absences from a student's record. If a student has several absences, he/she should have the ability to clear his/her record. No student wants to dedicate part of a day off to do school chores. But, it could be a feasible option for losing one or two absences. So please, on behalf of the student body, let us come to an agreement that is fair for everybody. One that not only acknowledges the need to attend commitments but one that also acknowledges that 0.0125% of missed classes is a small slip-up to have to have a conversation with the Disciplinary Committee. Thanks for reading, Jeff Hauser ’13