The Picador Volume 8, Issue 8
A PUBLICATION BY HOLDERNESS STUDENTS FOR THE HOLDERNESS SCHOOL COMMUNITY
February 8, 2013
What’s Your Poem? Students Compete in National Contest Hagerman, where they recite two poems during a charged As flurries of snow flutter Schoolnight. In past years, around the Holderness campus security teams have been hired in the heart of winter, so too Each English class selects a to help keep crazed fans from do fragments of poetry. Walk “champion,” who competes charging the stage after their by a classroom in Schoolagainst fellow class winners in favorite recitations; who could house, a dinner table in Weld, the semi-final round in Chapel. forget when a few students or a shower in a dorm, and took “Charge of the Light BriFrom there, eight students you’re sure to be serenaded gade” as a littoral call to acmove on to the big stage in with fragments of Frost, bits of Brooks, and even pieces of Poe. Mr. Macomber noted that he could ask any student “What’s your poem?” and receive a title, and maybe a few lines, in answer. By Jake Barton ’13
Out Loud, a national competition in which Holderness has taken part for years.
While the theatrical among us are happier about reciting lines in front of a class, every student (save for a handful of freshmen) must memorize a poem and participate in Poetry
tion? Last year, Salamarie Frasier left fellow competitors spellbound in her wake as she charged through school and regional finals en route to an appearance in the state finals in Concord. While Sala has since graduated, a handful of hopefuls this year have their sights set on that same Concord stage. The school finals will be held on the Friday following Parents' Weekend from 8:30-9:30. The contestants will be Jake Barton, Young Jae Cha, Hannah Durnan, Aidan Kendall, Caroline Mure, Paige Pfenninger, Hannah Slattery, and Stephen Wilk. Press coverage begins at 7:30.
Passion Required: SHT in 2014 Day, Mr. Peck, and Mr. Solberg all did a great deal of reStarting next year, in January search to discover the benefits of 2014, Senior Honors Thesis of having a program such as will become a mandatory Senior Honors Thesis. Mr. course for all seniors at HolDay, for example, researched derness School. the idea while he was on sabbatical at Columbia Univer“It is something that we will sity. He is also responsible for be committing to for at least five years,” said Mr. Durnan, formalizing the process and making Senior Honors Thesis Dean of Academics, when into a class for which students asked about the change. “We believe that students picking a can receive credit. topic for an entire course and Ten years ago Senior Honors working independently will be Thesis was not a course, and beneficial!” seniors had to find time outside of class to complete their Mr. Durnan was not the only teacher who played a key role projects. Under the guidance in the course outline change. (Continued on page 11) Other teachers such as Mr. By Mathew Thomas ’14
The Picador
Poetry Out Loud 2013 Photos and arrangement by Sarah Michel ’14, Dylan Arthaud ’13, and Ms. Magnus ’88
Prayer By Hannah Durnan ’14
If the only prayer you ever said in your whole life is “thank you,” it will be enough. -Meister Eckhart You say thank you like a prayer. Maybe it is one. (Maybe not, maybe you only hear it that way.) You’ve got grass stains on denimed knees – underneath, the skin is red and scuffed; when your mother tells you to wear your Sunday best it hurts to kneel; to pray. Sometimes you’ll forget the Lord’s Prayer. You’ll stop saying it altogether, eventually – the lines fading into the fog of memory; shadowy words flicker just beyond your reach. Then you’ll stop waking up Sunday mornings, around the time the tattoo of green on each knee is scoured away; soap and washcloth scrub dirt like holy water’s said to dilute your sins. Thank you is your prayer now. (It’s enough.) Page 2
Volume 7, Issue 12
Durnan's Top 10 POL Moments 1. Sala rocking the NH Statehouse in the State Championships last year with a serious dose of sass. 2. Emily Starer stepping onto the stage during the school competition and uncorking a massive bloody nose, DQing dramatically. 3. Meredith Peck mismemorizing a cool poem by Louise Gluck and refusing to change, preferring her own version and a loss in the competition. 4. In a year-end meeting, Mr. Houseman calling POL his favorite event of the year. 5. Between rounds in the school contest two years back, Knuckles and Drew Walsh getting called out of the crowd and nailing versions of the poems they had memorized. 6. Danielle Therrien's poem “More Lies” last year. Stunning. 7. Charlie Poulin's rendition of “Charge of the Light Brigade.” Intense. 8. Tori Somerville-Kelso making it to States and then getting thrown out because she is Canadian. Brutal. 9. The first year we had the contest a ripped hockey player named Tasha Rivard recited “Ozymandias;” it was awesome and kind of frightening. 9. Brian Tierney reciting “Invictus” at the top of his lungs as we skied the outer loop during Nordic practice. 10. Sam Macomber reciting Galway Kinnell's “St. Francis and the Sow” in the 90th mile of the Prouty century last summer as he finished the ride with Mr. Mac and me. Page 3
The Picador World News Compiled by Fabian Stocek ’13 and Zihan Guo ’14
Richard III: The Mystery of the King and the Car Parking Lot Leicester, England (CNN) -The line snakes around the block, hundreds of people wrapped up against the chill. The crowd waits patiently as a sensibly-dressed, middle-aged woman wanders along the queue, handing out flyers and apologizing for the delay. “He's been waiting hundreds of years,” says one woman, gesturing towards the archway up ahead with a smile. “It won't kill us to hang on for half an hour.”
When Edward IV died unexpectedly in 1483, he was succeeded by his 12-year-old son, Edward V, with Richard as his protector. Within weeks, however, parliament had declared the boy illegitimate, and installed Richard as king in his place.
Michael Ibsen a direct descendent of Richard III’s sister uses an oral swab to give researchers a DNA sample.
months and on Monday a team of scientists announced that Mitochondrial DNA extracted from the bones was matched to Michael Ibsen, a Canadian cabinetmaker and direct deFlash-forward to last August scendant of Richard III's sister, when a skeleton was discovAnne of York, and a second ered buried among the remains distant relative, who wishes to of what was once the city's remain anonymous. Greyfriars friary. The body was found in a roughly-hewn Who was Richard III? grave, which experts say was Richard III was the last PlanThe history books explain that too small for the body, forcing tagenet king of England, and in August 1485, Richard - the it to be squeezed in to an unthe last English king to die in last English king to die in bat- usual position. battle. tle - rode out from Leicester, Its feet had been lost at some in central England, to the Bat“Shakespeare paints a picture point in the intervening five tle of Bosworth Field. There of Richard as a scheming, centuries, but the rest of the he met his end; his body was plotting villain, always aiming bones were in good condition, returned to the city days later, for the throne. But if that was which archaeologists and hisignominiously lashed to a the case, why didn't he kill the torians say was incredibly king?” says historian John packhorse. lucky, given how close later Ashdown Hill, author of “The building work came to them -While other monarchs might Last Days of Richard III.” brick foundations ran alonghave been granted all the pomp and ceremony of a state side part of the trench, within “That would have been the funeral, as a defeated warrior, inches of the body. easiest way, but he served his Richard was accorded no such brother loyally for over 20 Investigators from the Univerregal treatment. Instead his years.” sity of Leicester have been naked remains were put on examining the remains for “He” is Richard III, one of the most famous kings of England, remembered by school children and Shakespeare aficionados alike as a notorious villain, hunchbacked and hateful, accused of killing his own nephews, the “Princes in the Tower,” to usurp the throne, and whose whereabouts were, until recently, a complete mystery.
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Edward and his brother were held in the Tower of London, and later disappeared. Richard has long been blamed for their murder.
display to prove to his supporters and opponents alike that he really was dead, before being hastily buried in a nearby church.
The excavated skeleton tells the story of Richard III’s bloody and brutal ending. While the curve of his spine is the result of scoliosis, the cracks in his skull are the result of several blows he received to the head during his last battle. Other slices in his bones indicate he was stabbed multiple times after death.
Volume 7, Issue 12 School Sports ers can actually dribble the ball. In the past there were Jason Nunez ’14 kids who didn’t know the difThe Holderness JV2 boys bas- ference between a foul shot ketball team is beginning one and a three-pointer.” of its best seasons thus far, With a loaded roster of deterthanks to the experience and mined athletes, from the beskill sets of each returning ginning of each game, it seems player. almost inevitable that this Coach Flinders, who is leading squad is going to earn another the team for a second year in a victory.
JV2 Boys Basketball
row, is proud of this group of guys. “We have a little bit better skill set this year,” Flinders explained. “Some of the play-
Haroon Rahimi is credited for much of the team’s success this season. The 5’6” junior guard’s constant, tenacious defense keeps his team active and poised to make easy baskets during transitions.
game against rival school Tilton. “We support each other a lot and give each other confidence,” said Haroon. “And we just listen to Coach.”
players, and when asked who has contributed most to the team’s success, Kinney referred to it as being “an overall team effort.”
Although a humble group, they still have killer instincts. JV2 has just been dominating games with blow-out scores in the first halves of the games. Vocal leader and floor general, Jack Kinney, has helped his team stay focused and play at its highest level this season; his leadership on and off the floor is key to his team’s success.
The group is loaded with other different weapons including Taichi Okada, who missed the last game due to illness, and the team’s leading scorer Chapin Leatherwood, who has just been on an absolute tear this season and has averaged 12.5 points per contest. Leatherwood’s scoring ability is vital for this program, especially as the year goes on and the team is forced to play more in the half-court setting.
Kinney, the 5'7" point guard, is averaging 12.5 points per Rahimi’s progress in the game game and fared well in his last of basketball has been tremengo-around with Tilton. Kinney dous. He had never touched a says, “We’ve won many of our basketball ball until last seagames this season by a signifison, yet you wouldn't know cant margin, and we have even that now watching him play. been able to hold back on the Haroon is a great weapon on pressure in the first half.” this squad, averaging seven Kinney also credited Coach points per contest. Flinders with distributing playI had time to sit and speak ing time equally amongst the with Haroon after their last of the most fearsome he-men ever to ski the Hendel loop. By Jake Barton ’13 Just behind is the Tu-Tu crew, captained by Ms. Disney and Nordies are a rare breed of superhuman and magical crea- Tyrol, who strike fear into the ture. Not only do we ski down hearts of their Lakes Region competitors with their bright hills at lightning-fast speeds, we ski back up! I guess we just garb. In last are the E-Cuppers, didn’t get the memo about the led by world-champion Vincent Guo who is breaking rewhole “chair lift” thing. cords (and hearts) all over the Our team is split up into three carnival circuit. groups who compete for supremacy from day to day. Cur- When they're not airborne during mandatory jumping time at rently on top is the F-Troop, led by Mr. Durnan, comprised practice, Nordies can be found
Nordic Skiing
This JV2 squad is a scrappy group that can pour it on with the scoring, averaging just about 58 points per contest. With stats like this it seems inevitable that they will have a fantastic season.
with Klister on their hands, racing to the sauna on Thursday nights. And though it won’t be included in the Shoutouts this week KN and JS started a budding Nordic romance in Stowe. Look out for the Nordic team on February 13th, 20th, and 22nd when they crush St. Paul’s at the NEPSAC and Lakes Region Championship races.
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The Picador
Out Back: Creating Better Students and a Better School By Stephen Wilk ’14 Since students begin their time at Holderness with Orientation Hikes, shouldn’t they end their time at Holderness with Out Back? That is the way it used to be. It wasn’t until the school began to realize the results that came from Out Back that they decided to move the program to junior year; they found that students returned to campus stronger-willed, more disciplined, more resilient, and tougher. The problem with having the students go on Out Back during senior year was that the better students from which the school could benefit only remained on campus for a short period of time (from April to graduation). Moving the program to students’ junior year meant that the school could benefit from having better students/people in the community for another school year. One might say that it is a more selfish approach, taking away what could be considered a victory lap for students, but it is an approach that makes sense. Many of the students who grow and learn from their Out Back experiences go on to become the leaders of the school their senior year.
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When asked about the timing of Out Back, junior Celeste Holland said, “Out Back should remain a program for juniors because once you get to know the people you are with, you still have the next year to share with them.” Holland also mentioned that having seniors around for another year to talk about their experiences builds up a lot of hype for the program. When Senior Philippe Johannson was asked about his experience, he said that his experience built character and made him more resilient in bad situations. He also said that he became a better person in the community after experiencing Out Back. The program not only benefits students; teachers also learn when they participate in Out Back. The faculty who are planning to go on Out Back for the first time this year include Mr. Evan Rosenstein, Mr. Nick Laurence, Ms. Kelly Hood, Mrs. Kelsey Philpot, Mr. George Negroponte, and a few others. Mr. George Negroponte, a graduate of Bowdoin and Phillips Exeter Academy is looking forward to March. Negroponte, no stranger to the wilderness, nearly reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (the highest peak in Africa) over Christmas break. When asked about Out Back, Negroponte said, “If I get the opportunity to do solo, I think I’ll really
find out how I function in general living.” Out Back has been a tradition at Holderness for many years and will continue for many more to come. Whether or not it will be a program for juniors or seniors is unknown, though it is likely that it will remain during junior year. But no matter what year students participate, it will remain a program that teaches leadership skills and tests students’ ability to endure and work together.
Volume 7, Issue 12 Special Program Memories What better way to prepare for Special Programs than reflect on our previous experiences? Read , remember, and learn!
Project Outreach
Artward Bound
Hope Heffernan: When we woke up one morning, Maggie Peake was in her down jacket in her sleeping bag because the window was left open that night.
Sarah Garrett: Improv.
Anna Stanley: I remember Will Tessier getting a bloody nose because Anna hit him in the face by accident. Sookie Liddle: I remember walking into Victoria's Secret and watching Ollie and Garrett get kicked out by a store clerk. Elizabeth Powell: Playing Yahtzee. Hailee Grisham: All of us discovering the playground when we arrived in Philly.
Elizabeth Powell: Watching Ms. Kietzman dance on stage.
Out Back Jake Barton: I will never forget our first river crossing on OB. While almost everyone in my group was sensible and took off his/her boots as we were told, Axi, true woodsman that he is, refused and tried to waterproof his. A length of p-cord later, Axi waded into the flow with his boot cuffs synched tight, laughing at the rest of us drying our feet on the other side. I don’t think he had dry boots for the rest of the trip.
Jeff Hauser: It’s hard to pinpoint one memory from Out Back, a trip that was filled with interesting and awesome experiences the whole time. One memory that I will always laugh at is Sarah Michel: Working with the children in the homeless shel- when we decided to hike Mt. Carrigan on the most foggy day ter on PO was definitely the best part of my Special Program of our trip, knowing that we may not get a view. As a group we experiences so far. had decided that we needed to claim a 4,000-footer at one point Megan Shenton: One day in the butterfly room at the shelter in along the trip, so we went for it. And, after four hours of winding up the side of the mountain we reached the peak and the Philadelphia, we were all playing with the kids. I was on my look out tower; we were above the clouds. hands and knees playing monster with one of the kids when more and more kids joined in. Eventually I had about 15 kids Ms. Magnus: When I went on Out Back, Mr. Kendall was my jumping on me, scratching and hitting and screaming “GET leader. The worst day of the trip was the first. It was snowing THE MONSTER!” While this was happening, four other kids big, soggy flakes and all of us were completely inexperienced stood on the side and laughed as I struggled in pain. in cooking over a campfire. We didn't use enough water to boil our noodles and they ended up sticking together in one gluey mass. I remember crawling into my sleeping bag that night thinking that there was no way I was going to be able to survive the next ten days. The best day of my experience was after solo when we summited White Face on a completely clear day. We sat for hours on the rock face looking out over the mountains. Caroline Mure: When all the girls did the Tiger Song from The Hangover for the PO talent show.
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The Picador Thank You, Parents! While the faculty and students make up the heart and soul of Holderness School, we would be no where without the dedication and support of our parents. Their words of advice, their care packages, and their cheers from the bleachers help us all to do our best and finish strong! Last week, we asked students if they wanted to thank their parents. Below are just some of the many responses we received. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for the wonderful opportunity you have given me. I am so appreciative of everything you guys do for me. Love, Sookie
Thanks, Mom and Dad. Love, Dylan
SHOUT OUT TO MOM AND PETER! LOVE YOU <3 - Maddy Cicoria
Ma and Pops, You are the golden stallions leading my moral chariot to the finish line of education. This one's for you, Andrew Clark Houx
Hey, Cath! Thanks for staying the best mom ever, even from 900 miles away! Your support always sweetens my day. Love you! Char
Mom and Dad, Thanks for sacrificing so much to help me succeed. - Drew Hodson
Mom & Dad, Thanks for always believing in me and giving me support each day. Luv you. xoxo Anna
Mom and Dad, Thank you for making food for me when I come home at night. - Hannah Slattery
Mom and Dad, My love for you guys means so much more in life than the grades you're going to hear about tomorrow! Thank you! Love, Cookie Dough <3 - Morgan
Thanks, Mom and Dad, for everything you do. - Joe Casey
Hi Mom and Eric, Thanks so much for all you do! You guys are the best. xo, Mags
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Mom and Dad, You're the coolest! Thank you for sending me here. - Lea Rice
Volume 7, Issue 12 Introducing the New Faculty: Andrew Herring By Jonathan Swidrak ’14 This year we have a lot of new faculty! How much do you know about them? Mr. Herring is the assistant to Mr. Macomber and you always see him when you go in and grab an apple or candy during break!
JS: Where were you before you took your job at Holderness? AH: I was in the Army for four years. I spent my first year in Fort Benning, Georgia for training. For the next three years I was stationed in Baumholder, Germany. I was a rifle platoon leader, mortar platoon leader, and headquarters company executive officer. I did a lot of planning and resourcing for training and deployment. JS: What was your final rank in the military? AH: My final rank in the Army was Captain. It took three years to earn that rank which is pretty standard throughout the Army. JS: What made you go into the military? AH: I always played soldier and wanted to be a leader. I have also always had a call to do national service. I did ROTC, which paid for college and allowed me to earn a commission. JS: What did you major in in College? AH: I majored in Peace, War, and Defense. It is basically a history and political science degree combined. I also minored in Russian. At the time, everybody else was focusing on Arabic. I was interested in Afghanistan and Central Asia and a good language to learn was Russian. JS: What did you do over your summers in college? AH: I worked for my uncle for a few summers, and I raced triathlons. I went to Ft. Lewis, WA for a five-week training and evaluation exercise after my junior year, and then I did an internship at an intelligence facility in Virginia that summer. For the internship I worked at the National Ground Intelligence Center in Charlottesville, Virginia as a Russian linguist. I knew from that experience that I didn’t want to be an analyst. JS: Why the Army and not the Marines, Navy, or Air Force? AH: I always wanted to be a soldier, and I am a big student of history. I was commissioned in the infantry but would have gone into military intelligence if I had stayed in.
JS: Is the prep school life different? Or have you experienced it before? AH: I went to Saint Mark’s but it was bigger. It is different in ways but the whole prep school atmosphere is the same. There is a lot more ski culture here and the campus is more spread out. Saint Mark’s campus is basically limited to one giant building. JS: What made you come to Holderness? AH: I made the decision to transition from the Army because I was able to accomplish everything I wanted to do as an officer in four years. Holderness felt like a good fit because I wanted to be at an independent high school and my family and I really enjoy it here. JS: Do you miss what you did before? AH: Living in Europe and traveling was cool. I worked with great people and learned a lot, but I wanted to work in a school and wanted to see my family more. It was hard being so far away. JS: What do you like to do in your off time? AH: I like to hike, ride my bike, read, garden, and cook. Right now my wife, puppy, and I are trying to get to know New Hampshire and make a home. I got back from Afghanistan in February, moved from Germany to the States in May, got married in July, and moved up here in August. JS: Did you play any sports in high school? AH: I ran cross country, wrestled, and played lacrosse. I thought about wrestling in college but ended up racing triathlons and running long distance instead. JS: Are you enjoying the New Hampshire area compared to where you used to live? AH: We are getting used to the winters, and we like the change of having snow on the ground all the time and having mild summers. I am originally from Wilmington, NC, so we have much shorter winters. JS: Would you like to do anything new once you settle down? AH: I would love to be more involved with the school.
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The Picador Horoscopes Compiled by Sarah Michel from know-your-daily-horoscopes.blogspot.com Capricorn (December 22 January 19): If your ship starts to go down, try not to bring anyone down with you. Emotional strain may cause minor health concerns. You have an outgoing personality, but sometimes you keep it hidden. Use your heightened charm to your advantage. Aquarius (January 20 - February 18): Avoid worrying about why things are happening to you. Focus instead on what is within your control. Try to sketch for the long-term. It is a good time to start a new romantic relationship.
ers. You should always be striving for improvement. Do not put off an important discussion. Virgo (August 23 - September 22): This week may be moderately hectic for you. A number of deadlines are fast approaching and you may have fallen too far behind. You will have to share your quandary with those around you. Libra (September 23 - October 23):
Somebody may take offense to your actions, but it is the only way to get what you want. Your enthusiasm is infectious today, so use it to inspire the troops. This is a day of learnPisces (February 19 - March you with your daily duties. Gemini (May 21 - June 21): ing and a day of experience. 20): While deciding today's activiThe development you achieve Remember the good times you Head out with your friends this ties, be supple and responsive today will help you in the fuhave had in the long-ago, but evening and light the town on to your family's desires. Disture. try not to dwell on them. It is fire. Do not let anyone feel left putes at home may be difficult time for you to move on. out or inaccessible. It is time Scorpio (October 24 - Noto avoid today. Try to stay Someone may be trying to to get your financial situation vember 21): peaceful and be careful of twirl your words around in stabilized. An odd job opporwhat you say. Do what you If you want to succeed, you order to make you look bad. tunity may be the answer you can to keep the state of affairs will have to wedge out all of There may be a chance for have been looking for. from getting out of control. the distractions. Take the time romance this evening. to expand your circle of Aries (March 21 - April 19): Taurus (April 20 - May 20): friends. It is also time to head Cancer (June 22 - July 22): Individuals with different Now is a great time for a vacaout on your own and face the You are in need of some furviewpoints will begin helping tion. Be open to an inspiration challenges. Struggle for sucther help, and your classmates which can most successfully cess, but do not fear failure. are willing to come to your help you to increase your fiaid. You may feel like you can Sagittarius (November 22 nancial income. If you are intake on the world today, but December 21): volved in a serious relationavoid becoming too arrogant. ship, put more trust into what Do not start anything new until You must decide what you can your partner says. You may you have completed your curhandle and what you cannot. have to turn to a friend for rent projects. Letting go of helpful advice this week. Pro- Leo (July 23 - August 22): your own agenda may give gress towards your goal with you the freedom you seek. Try not to get offended by an open mind, but try to narcounsel given to you by othrow your focus. Page 10
Volume 7, Issue 12 Overheards
In and Out
Stepper Hall ’13 and Mike Finnegan ’13
By Kelly DiNapoli ’13
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!
Is that hair in your mouth?
He looks like a middle-aged woman from the back.
You're just a mainstream product of modern society.
I just love the smell of Easy Mac in the morning.
What's that mirror called?
I checked this out weeks ago for a bit of light reading.
We have to move its paw. Come on, push!
SHT (Continued from page 1)
of Mr. Day, however, the program became a semester course and requires students to conduct research, participate in an experience outside of school, and present what they have learned to the community.
of those folks who was leaning towards Colloquium instead.”
Colloquium is the program in which seniors enroll during Special Programs if they are not participating in Senior Honors Thesis. Colloquium students spend ten days during Special Programs studying, researching, and discussing a And next year, the program topic. Past Colloquium topics will become mandatory. How have included Bridge Engidoes that sit with the students? neering, French Cuisine, and When junior Jason Nunez was American Cinema. Colloasked how he feels about bequium has also been a program ing a part of the first class to in which juniors could enroll be required to enroll in the when they were sick, injured, course, he said, “In some ways or just simply didn't think they it's not so bad, but at the same had what it took to stay in the time it's always nice to have woods for Out Back. options. Maybe it's not for For current Senior Gordie everyone. What I mean is that Borek, Senior Honors Thesis I personally would have was not for him, and he chose signed up for Senior Honors Colloquium. “I feel more comThesis regardless, but I would fortable writing a final paper be a little angered if I was one
In:
Out:
McDonald's
Taco Bell
Montreal
Money
College decisions
Pride
Nutella and pretzels
Chips and salsa
Emmett
Warner
Shout Outs By Elizabeth Powell ’13 and Morgan Bayreuther ’14 RE: We miss you! Hope you get better soon! TM + RB = A dynamic duo on and off the ice. LW + JT = Double dates with roommates? JH + ES = Have fun on the slopes, you two! POL Finalists = Congratulations for making it this far and good luck next Friday!
than presenting a semesterlong project. I weighed both options, and for me, Colloquium worked out better in terms of my spring schedule.” Unfortunately, next year, Colloquium will no longer be offered. “Not everyone supports the decision that we are about to commit to, and it will be tough on teachers who have taught Colloquium in the past,” explained Mr. Durnan.
“These teachers will have to adjust and potentially teach Senior Honors Thesis instead.” The adjustments next year will be many, but ultimately, the new requirements will give seniors the freedom to pursue an intellectual passion and graduate with the skills they need for college. So get ready, juniors, to pursue your passions and embrace the independent study model!
The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise man grows it under his feet. - James Oppenheim
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The Picador
Whether it is because we look forward to seeing our parents or just crave a long weekend off campus, we all look forward to Parents’ Weekend. It is a chance to share what we have learned with our families and a chance to recharge our batteries before Special Programs. Below are some of our thoughts on Parents’ Weekends both past and present. 1.During Parents’ Weekend, what do you always make sure 3.What suggestions do you have for students whose parents to do? are not coming? What should they do? Sarah: I always make sure to catch up on sleep and all the good TV shows; I also get my nails done! Emily: Things that I can't do on campus! Like burning candles and going outside after 10:30! Jake: Eat all my meals in Weld, regardless of whether they're serving food or not. Jeff: Make sure I am not doing homework from 8-10 at night or during any point in the break. I always try to catch up on sleep and make sure to eat some good home-cooked meals. Dylan: I learn at least one new song on the recorder. Lea: Get some sleep and see my dog. 2. What is the most embarrassing moment/memorable moment with your parents during Parents' Weekends throughout your years at Holderness? Sarah: The most embarrassing moment with my parents is when my mom forces me to link arms with her while walking across campus. Emily: There are literally too many embarrassing moments with my mom and dad. It's impossible to pick just one! Jake: Since every weekend is Parents' Weekend for me, I have had quite a few. And no, Dad, I have not seen Coach Nadeau today, yesterday, or any other day for the past five months. Jeff: Well, I'm sure there have been plenty of embarrassing moments along the way, but none that I can remember. My favorite moment has to be this past Fall's Parents' Weekend when I hiked up to the Outdoor Chapel with my parents and dog to show them some of the hidden specials of Holderness. Dylan: Matt Michaud thought my mother was his, and gave her a hug from behind. Nobody was not embarrassed. Lea: I can't really think of a super memorable moment, but during Parents' Weekend my freshman year the Western Civ. conferences were backed up by an hour and forty minutes.
Sarah: Make sure that you still get out and about; it's always fun to meet some of your friends’ parents! Also, make sure to go see some games! Emily: Be thankful... there will be no embarrassing moments and no awkward parent-teacher conferences for you! (But maybe give your mom and dad a call just to say hi anyways.) Jake: If your parents aren't coming, use that time to get caught up on the things that you've wanted (or needed) to do, but haven't had the time to! Start a book. Clean. Rest. Jeff: Go hike Mt. Prospect. It's right up the road and it's got a great view. Dylan: Surprise all the students who return from Parents' Weekend with festive decorations. Or, if there are enough of you, try playing life-size chess. Lea: They could probably pretend they have parents here that are always just “grabbing coffee.”
Senior Editors Jake Barton Jeff Hauser Emily Soderberg Dylan Arthaud Junior Editors Lea Rice Sarah Michel Faculty Advisors Ms. Magnus Mr. Solberg Mr. Carey Contributing Writers Mathew Thomas Fabian Stocek
Zihan Guo Steven Wilk Jonathan Swidrak Stepper Hall Mike Finnegan Elizabeth Powell Morgan Bayreuther Kelly DiNapoli 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