Hopkins School 986 Forest Road New Haven, CT
Vol LXV, no. 1
www.therazoronline.com
September 7, 2018
Students Perform Much Ado About Nothing
“My favorite part of the play is the fact that I have a serious role, but at the same time, I get to work with it in a very laid-back setting,” said Theobald-Williams. Roy agreed, noting how the cast experimented to create a unique play: “Throughout the rehearsal Student Productions kicked off the 2019-2020 theater season with their adapta- process we have had a ton of fun playing with the scenes and making the show our own.” tion of the classic Shakespeare play, Much Ado About Nothing, on September 6 and 7. During both rehearsals and performance, the cast worked hard to make a The play, written in the sixteenth century by William Shakespeare, follows the militar- sixteenth-century show contemporary and energetic. The actors and director used a ily victorious Don Pedro (Leah Miller ’20) to Messina, Italy with two of his officers: combination of unique characters and abundant comedy to create a relatable producBenedick (Griffin Congdon ’20) and Claudio (Katie Broun ’19). The three men are greet- tion. Elliot Calderone ’22 (Conrad/Messenger) noted how “[the cast] really tried to ed by the governor, Leonato (Gracie Theobald Williams ’20), as well as his daughter, take advantage of all the comedy that Shakespeare had left and sort of go wild with Hero (Lexi Zyskowski ’20), and niece, Beait.” Joey Rebeschi ’21 said that “the cast trice (Elizabeth Roy ’20). In Messina, Don really brought the show to life through Pedro hatches a plan to make Benedick and the energy and sheer fun that they had.” Beatrice fall in love, and, along with ClauDue to renovations in Lovell over dio and Leonato, find themselves entangled the summer, Turner had to consider other in a plot that mixes elements of love, dralocations to perform Much Ado About ma, and comedy as two love stories unfold. Nothing. She ultimately decided that the This year, the summer play is put Thompson amphitheater was the ideal loon by Student Productions (StuPro), a club in cation for the production: “Much Ado takes association with the Hopkins Drama Associplace in the Sicilian Countryside and the ation (HDA). Graley Turner ’20 first decided amphitheater really echoes that, with the to direct a summer play during sophomore stone seats and the grass and Thompson on year: “I originally got the idea for this show all sides. It really feels like you're in the last school year. I've always been interested world of Much Ado; rather than just seein Student Productions and possibly directing a show, you're actually living it. Also, ing, stage managing, or acting in something it's perfect for Shakespeare in the Park!” Lexi Zyskowski '20 student-run. Since Lovell was being renoHowever, most rehearsals took vated this summer, leaving almost no perforplace in Turner’s backyard throughout Student Productions' Much Ado About Nothing is being performed in the Thompson mance space for the show, it looked as if we the summer. Each rehearsal was craftAmphitheater on September 6 and 7. weren't going to have a StuPro show. That's ed around over a dozen different stuwhen Roy and I decided that we wanted to dent schedules so the cast had to take do something with StuPro as rising juniors.” advantage of every time they were toWith director Turner, stage manager Erin Elbogen ’19, costume designer Carly gether. “Rehearsals were really efficient. Because most days we only worked with Slager ’21, and twelve student actors, Much Ado About Nothing is entirely student- a group of five or so, we got through scenes quickly. It was the most fun when the run. The cast articulated that although there have been some difficulties while re- whole cast is there; we have a good time,” said Margaret Toft ’21 (Margaret/Sexton). hearsing, the energy and passion from the group of students makes up for it. “It’s In the two weeks leading up to school and the performance, the cast great because you see that everyone has a lot to learn, and still everyone knows and crew got together to run the whole show. Sam Jenkins ’20 (Don John) dethat the collective passion is going to manifest into something great,” said Miller. scribed the experience of a student-led production as “incredible because of The smaller cast combined with the summer rehearsals have allowed for a lot of the sense of pride we have when we perform it. You think to yourself, ‘Wow. student participation in a more relaxed setting than productions during the school year. We really pulled this all together ourselves,’ and that is a great feeling.” Katherine Takoudes '20 Arts Editor
Dominate the Day: Jordan Sebastian’s Legacy
players and coaches, to current Division 1 college players.” ic drills: “We broke the kids up by position and helped Incoming Athletic Department Associate and them work on fundamentals key to success at the posicousin of Jordan Sebastian Dante Brito commented, tions they play. I helped coach the Wide Receivers and Dominate the Day is a nonprofit foundation es- “This was a beautiful camp on a perfect day. This was Defensive Backs, the same positions I played in high tablished in honor of Hopkins alumnus and faculty mem- the best thing that I have been a part of and can not wait school when Jordan Sebastian was my positional coach.” Six awards were presented: Offensive MVP, Deber Jordan Sebastian ’11, who passed away last October. until we make it bigger and better in years to come.” Brito had discussed such a program fensive MVP, Overall MVP, Relentless, Coach’s Choice, Sebastian’s family with Sebastian: “We wanted to have a fi- and Dominator, which was given to the athlete who discreated the founnancially friendly camp with wonderful played many of the positive qualities Sebastian had. dation in order to coaching to better develop young men/ Current football captain Owen Sherman ’19 said, remember Sebaswoman who wanted to get better at the “I think the camp was a great way for Coach Sebastian’s tian’s legacy and sport that provided so many opportunities legacy to live on and a great way to honor his memory. to instill his valfor us; so to see that come to fruition was We all know how much he loved football and how pasues in local youth. simply marvelous. I know he would have sionate he was about coaching, but he was also passionThis summer, the been so proud.” ate in helping us players foundation ran a The camp was learning what it means football camp at free for all sevto be a man. I think this Hopkins on July camp is a great way for Dominate the Day Foundation enty of the mid21. Varsity Football dle school aged players to both improve Coach Tim Phipps A DTD athlete at practice. Visit students who attheir game physically but explained, “The dominatethedayfoundation.com for more photos. tended. Many of also improve themselves, camp was a one-day just as Coach always football camp designed to teach kids skills and to offer the campers were from New Hapushed us to do so.” them a look into what a football combine looks like.” ven and the surrounding area, but DeMaio believes that Multiple people helped the camp come to frui- came from areas as far as Hartford, the camp successfully tion. Head of School Kai Bynum and Chief Financial Of- Windsor, and Massachusetts. The athletes learned honored Jordan Sebasficer David Baxter were heavily involved in getting the tian: “The day was an camp going. Brito, Phipps, and Director of Athletics Roc- new techniques, practiced multiDominate the Day Foundation amazing tribute in honor co DeMaio all were involved in running the camp, with ple drills, and competed in scrimAthletes take a knee on Parr Field. of Jordan. The amount aid from the athletic trainers. Many coaches from multiple mage matches. Phipps stated, of support, love and schools across the state volunteered as well as Hopkins “Each kid had a chance to be tested alumni Spencer Lockhart ’18, Doug Wardlaw ’17, and in the 40 yard dash, 3 cone wheel and the broad jump. At the community was amazing. This idea was his vision and I Will Bagnall ’12 provided additional guidance. According end of the camp, the players were split up into teams and was so pleased that we are able to make his wish come true to Lockhart ’18, “There was a great array of coaches from competed in a linemen challenge and 7 on 7 competition.” and honor his memory in this way. I look forward to this Lockhart ’18 helped with the position-specif- event becoming an annual celebration of Jordan’s legacy.” all different levels of the game, from former high-school Anushree Vashist ’21 Assistant Sports Editor
New Faculty Profiles Inside See Features Pages 2 and 3
Welcome to The Hill!
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September 7, 2018
Features
The Razor welcomes new faculty and staff to Hopkins. Here are some personal introductions and tidbits. Be sure to give them a warm welcome!
Abraham Kirby-Galen
Where did you grow up? I grew up in a town called Arlington outside of Boston, Massachusetts. What is your academic background? I attended high school at Gann Academy, The New Jewish High School of Greater Boston, and I attended college at Williams College where I double majored in Math and Arabic Studies. What are you teaching/coaching/advising this year? I will be teaching Enriched Geometry and Algebra II, and advising ninth grade. I will also be helping out with the technical aspects of the theater performances this year. What was your favorite experience as a student? As a student, I enjoyed studying foreign languages. Learning a new language is humbling and frustrating at times, but it is also a lot of fun. Speaking other languages has opened up doors for me to learn about cultures and personal narratives that I would not have otherwise had the opportunity to experience. What particular tidbit should we know about you? I’ve just returned to the United States after teaching math for two years at a school in Jordan. I loved living and traveling in the Middle East. My goal for this year is to improve my culinary skills so that I can recreate some of my favorite Middle Eastern dishes. I get hungry just thinking about it! Do you have a pet? Growing up, I had a beloved guinea pig named Diego Rivera (we called him Diego or Diggy for short). I have great memories of taking care of Diego and watching him play. But all my life, I’ve always wanted a dog, and I’m going to adopt one very soon! Abraham Kirby-Galen
Keri Matthews
Where did you grow up? I grew up in WoodKeri Matthews bridge and was lucky enough to attend Hopkins School; or Hopkins Grammar Day Prospect Hill School, as it was then called. I have many fond memories of specific teachers at Hopkins, but the nature of the Hopkins environment and instillment of the love of learning has been the second greatest influence (after my parents) on who I am today. What is your academic background? After Hopkins, I graduated from Tufts University with a major in clinical psychology. I then moved back to Connecticut, got married and decided to restart my education with a master’s degree in Computer Science. For the past seventeen years, I have been working as a computer science professor at Sacred Heart University. Now, I am thrilled to be returning ‘home’ to teach at Hopkins. What are you teaching/coaching/advising this year? This year I will be teaching Computer Science, Math, Web Design, working in Academic Support and will be working on some new computer science initiatives (including the Junior School Coding Club). What particular tidbit should we know about you? In the winter, I spend every spare moment possible on the ski slopes. I would like to believe I can still hold my own on the mountain, but my daughter, Sydney ’23, can easily beat me in any race and my son, Logan, can gracefully land tricks I wouldn’t even consider attempting. In the summer, I work on home improvement projects. Cabinet building is my favorite, but I also enjoy electrical work, sheetrocking and various other projects.
Nathaniel Peters ’14
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Cheshire, CT. What is your academic background? I graduated from Hopkins in 2014 and Swarthmore College in 2018 with a major in Astrophysics. What are you teaching/coaching/advising this year? I’m teaching three sections of AP Physics I, assistant coaching Junior School Boys Basketball, and working with Junior School Quiz Bowl and the Robotics club. Are you a sports fan? Sport? Team? Participant in? I’m a New York Yankees fan, which is usually pretty happy, and a Phoenix Suns fan, which is almost always miserable. I’ve also been involved with basketball, softball, baseball, frisbee, and soccer teams in my life. Tell us about a book, film, television program, performance, etc. that has impacted you and why? Every time I’ve interacted with Shakespeare’s The Tempest has been really interesting. I’ve portrayed Ariel and Prospero, seen it performed twice, and read it a handful of times. Every time, something different comes out of it for me. Just about every character can be portrayed sympathetically or cynically, which gives directors a really interesting space to play with when creating their production. Do you have a pet? I don’t have any pets, but I hang out with my parents’ dogs (a golden retriever and a medium-sized mutt) whenever I can. Nathaniel Peters
Hannah Solis-Cohen
Where did you grow up? I was born and raised on the Upper West Side of New York City. I lived there until I went to boarding school in eleventh grade. What is your academic background? I graduated the University of Virginia in 2016 where I earned a B.A. in History. What are you teaching/coaching/advising this year? I will be teaching two sections of Atlantic Communities I and coaching the Rowing team. I will also be co-advising with Richard Thornburgh. What particular tidbit should we know about you? Every summer I travel up to my childhood summer camp, Songadeewin of Keewaydin, a wilderness tripping camp just outside of Middlebury, Vermont. My favorite camp pastimes are leading girls on canoeing trips through parts of Northeast Quebec and Ontario, and teaching them how to sail and whitewater kayak. Are you a sports fan? Sport? Team? Participant in? I was a four year member of the UVA varsity rowing team as well as a two year member of the United States Junior National Team. My favorite sports to watch are rowing, cross country skiing, and college basketball. I live to cheer on the Hoos in every sport. Do you have a pet? I have two labs Mabel and Millie. Even though they are sisters, they could not be more different. You can often see Mabel sitting in the front yard smelling the flowers and chewing on sticks, while Millie is out on a run with me or chasing after squirrels and other woodland creatures. Despite their vastly different energy levels, their favorite foods are both carrots and watermelon.
Dante Brito Jr.
Where did you grow up? I grew up right here in New Dante Brito Jr. Haven, CT. What is your academic background? For high school I went to that school in Hamden with the Hornets as their mascot. I completed my Bachelor of Arts from Stonehill College, just outside of Boston. What are you teaching/coaching/advising this year? I will be coaching Varsity Football in the Fall and Varsity Basketball in the Winter. I will also be working in the Athletic Department, with Equity and Community, and assisting with Pathfinder. Who or what has inspired you most in life, and why? This is a very simple answer for me: my mother. She is the ultimate rags to riches story. She went from being a single mother high school dropout on welfare to a owning her own business with a college graduate as a son. She inspires me daily because I know what she had to get through to make it where she is at and I do not take that lightly. My mother had to make many sacrifices in order for me to have a chance at a better life and not end up like so many of my childhood friends. To live through the struggle with someone and to make it out stronger than you went in, you can understand why she is my inspiration. Are you a sports fan? Sport? Team? Participant in? I love football and basketball. I played football in college and I support the Tennessee Titans. Ed Reed is my favorite football player and Allen Iverson is my favorite basketball player with Dwayne Wade coming in second on that list. Fun fact: I graduated high school thirty points shy of one thousand, still haunts me to this day. Tell us about a book, film, television program, performance, etc. that has impacted you and why? The Color of Water by James Mcbride, and Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates are both are very powerful and influential. I would highly recommend these books to any and everyone because there is something that can be learned to help us all better connect with each other and be hypersensitive of others’ struggles.
Attention Hilltoppers!
Do you have a story you always wanted to share? A topic that you are passionate about? If so, writing for Voices is a way to offer a perspective, experience, or opinion to the Hopkins community. If you are interested in contributing a piece to appear in a future issue of the Razor, please email Sara Chung (schung19@students.hopkins.edu) or Saira Munshani (smunshani20@students.hopkins.edu) Saira Munshani
September 7, 2018
Features
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R.C. Sayler
Jessie Ramos-Willey
Where did you grow up? I spent my childhood in Alta Loma, CA (a Los Angeles suburb) and my formative years in Greenville, IL (a rural, farming community). What is your academic background? I earned my BA in Art from Greenville College, and my MFA in Sculpture from Rhode Island School of Design. What are you teaching/coaching/advising this R.C Sayler year? I am excited to be teaching Woodworking and Art courses at Hopkins. Who or what has inspired you most in life, and why? Back in high school, I got involved with leading youth activities and building things. I coached two soccer teams, and helped my father build a house. In college, I learned more about making things, and I was a skateboarding camp counselor. When my kids were born, I coached soccer and baseball, and worked towards putting together a portfolio for graduate school. After RISD, I taught some college courses, and build houses and cabinets. It was upon reflection that I discovered my interests were in playing and learning and making, and sharing these activities with others! Do you have a pet? Tell us about it! Before moving back to New England, I had a black cat, named Finn, that would wait for me after work. He would jump in my lap and nuzzle my chin and then climb on my shoulders and stretch out across my neck. We shared food and drink (mine, not his!), played tag, and cuddled. He was a dear sweet friend. Are you a sports fan? Sport? Team? Participant in? Since grad school I have become a Sox & Pats fan, but I cannot watch too often because I get emotionally attached to the outcomes of the game.
Where did you grow up? I was born in Puerto Rico but grew up in New York City. What is your academic background? BA from Wesleyan University, MS in Counseling from CCSU [Central Connecticut State University]. What are you teaching/coaching/advising this year? College Counseling/ninth grade adviser. What was your favorite experience as a student? Study Abroad - I studied in England and traveled throughout Europe when I wasn’t in class. While I was in Scotland, I spotted Nelson Mandela leaving his hotel. I thought that was pretty cool. What particular tidbit (hobbies? life experiences? 15 minutes of fame?) should we know about you? Although I grew up in a city, I definitely feel more comfortable in the country. I moved to a rural area in CT so that Jessie Ramos-Willey I could have a large garden. Initially, I used it as a way to entice my children to eat more vegetables and it worked! We now grow enough that we can have fresh vegetables all summer. Do you have a pet? Tell us about it! I have two dogs that are both rescues. Meadow (Black lab/Coon Hound mix) loves people and sometimes tries to push me across the street to say hi to strangers. Riley (Japanese Chin) is socially awkward. He loves his family but it very afraid of strangers.
Stay tuned for more profiles next issue!
Opinions/Editorials
Moral Crisis at the Border Connor Hartigan ’19 Op/Ed Editor I have to give the Trump administration credit for one impressive achievement. They always manage, like world-class limbo dancers, to crawl under whatever bar of expectations I have set for them, no matter how low. Their immorality endows them with the endless ability to sink lower into the morass of malice, making concepts like “kindness” and “empathy”, to say nothing of “rationality,” seem positively quaint. Since the end of May, when the story of family separation and “zero tolerance” immigration policy broke nationally, I’ve spent much of my time following the news from our southwestern border. In a distressing change from the stances of previous administrations, the Trump administration declared that it would launch full criminal proceedings against every person who entered the U.S. without proper authorization and detain them for the duration of their cases. No “catch-and-release” and certainly no amnesty. Even worse, families who crossed the border together were forcibly separated, and their children were scattered to unfamiliar detention facilities, housed with complete strangers in horrifying conditions. You may remember the most salient imag-
es: the calls for “security” and “toughness” from rightwing circles; the recordings of little children begging to see their parents; the photo of the wailing little girl, overcome by abject terror; the mural in a holding center in Brownsville, Texas, bearing a giant portrait of
John Moore A father and his son embrace after eventually being reunited.
Trump, with the chillingly militaristic phrase “sometimes by losing a battle you find a way to win the war.” These places are not “summer camps,” as one
desperate Immigration and Customs Enforcement official claimed. ICE agents abused a 6-year-old girl in a facility in Arizona, subsequently forcing her to sign a statement accepting that it was her responsibility to avoid potential threats. When doctors are actually allowed into detention facilities, they return with reports that the children are bearing respiratory diseases, infected with lice, and traumatized. Make no mistake: the blame for this inhumane horror lies at Trump’s feet, despite nonsensical attempts by the conservative fringes to pin responsibility on President Obama, who has been out of office for twenty months. “Zero tolerance” is Trump’s moral disaster. This whole presidency has been terrible — from Trump’s unnatural warmth with Russia and probable obstruction of justice in the case of election interference, to his moves to gut the EPA and the National Park system, to his assault on the free press — but, from a moral standpoint, this is the worst thing he’s done. The administration is even flouting constitutional checks and balances in order to perpetuate its policy. Hundreds of children remain separated from their families, more than a month after a court deadline to reunite them expired. Remember when we were at rock bottom? We’re straining our eyes to look up there now. If we cannot agree that abusing vulnerable children in this way is wrong, where is the soul of our nation?
Editor-in-Chief: Theodore Tellides Managing Editor: Katie Broun News.......................................................................................Sarah Roberts, JR Stauff, Zoe Kim, Julia Kosinski Features..............................................Izzy Lopez-Kalapir, Connor Pignatello, Lily Meyers, Veronica Yarovinsky Op/Ed..........................................................................................Connor Hartigan, Saloni Jain, Simon Bazelon Sports....................................................................Audrey Braun, Alex Hughes, Teddy Glover, Anushree Vashist Arts..........................................................................................Ellie Doolittle, Katherine Takoudes, Leah Miller Voices........................................................................................Sarah Chung, Saira Munchani, George Kosinski Editor-at-Large...........................Olivia Capasso, Elena Savas, Noah Schmeisser, Ziggy Gleason, Casey Gleason Cartoonists................................................................................................Melody Parker, Arthur Masiukiewicz Webmaster.................................................................................................Nina Barandiaran, Arushi Srivastava Business Managers...........................................................................................Caitlyn Chow, Sophia Fitzsimonds Faculty Advisors..................................................Jenny Nicolelli, Elizabeth Gleason, Sorrel Westbrook-Wilson The Razor’s Edge reflects the opinion of 4/5 of the editorial board and will not be signed. The Razor welcomes letters to the editor but reserves the right to decide which letters to publish, and to edit letters for space reasons. Unsigned letters will not be published, but names may be withheld on request. Letters are subject to the same libel laws as articles. The views expressed in letters are not necessarily those of the editorial board.
The Razor, an open forum publication, is published monthly during the school year by students of Hopkins School, 986 Forest Road, New Haven, CT 06515. Phone (203) 397-1001 ext. 271 • Email: jnicolelli@hopkins.edu
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Hopkins Summer
September 7, 2018
Hopkins Hosts Summer Academic Programs Although some students took classes over the summer, others taught their own classes in the Summer Pathfinder program held at Hopkins. The purpose of the Although many students used their time off for Pathfinder summer school is to prepare students from traveling, eating, and sleeping, some kids found themselves New Haven public schools to apply to independent high on Hopkins campus during their summer vacation. Along schools. Robert Toulange ’20, who was once a Pathfinder with the Havre Soccer Camp, Squash Camp and Pathfinder, student himself and is now a teacher, has been involved Hopkins School hosted a total of seventeen academic sumin the program for four years. Toulange described what it mer courses for grades seven through twelve this past sumwas like taking on a teaching role in the classroom: “I was mer. These programs were available to all students who were really excited to become a teacher. It was my first time looking to explore new courses during the summer. taking this role and I quickly found out that it took Several rising eleventh graders attended the a lot of preparation, patience, and responsibility.” Comprehensive SAT Review Course to prepare for the Julia Tellides ’20 shared her enthusiasm for the inupcoming year. This three week program was open to tensive five week program: “I really enjoyed working sophomores through seniors. During this time, stuwith the kids. They were so much fun to be around dents were able to prepare for both the Math and Verand they were hilarious.”Although the responsibilibal sections of “the scary exam known as the SAT,” as ties for the two new teachers grew, both Tellides and stated by Madelena Kombo ’20. She emphasized that Toulange found that getting to know the students “through practice tests, videos, review and conversawas far more rewarding. After spending many hours tion,” they were able to “learn different techniques a day with their students, “growing close to the kids to properly conquer the not-so-daunting exam.” became rather easy.” Toulange reflected on his time Along with the SAT prep course, Hopkins teaching in Pathfinder: “The program exceeded all offered academic courses, most popular of which were my expectations. Not only did I have an upper hand Atlantic Communities II and III. During this time, the but I learned what it meant to work hard, as a student normal half-year ACIII class and full-year ACII class and as a teacher. I also built many relationships with were condensed into intensive 6-week courses. For At the end of the summer, Pathfinder parents attended a "Share Fair" high- teachers and students that I still have to this day.” lighting the student work in Mike Calderone's Theater class. Katherine Takoudes ’20 and William Randazzo ’20, Katherine Takoudes reflected on her time on ACIII was their first summer course at Hopkins. Like Randazzo, Takoudes, and Smyth all emphasized that the The Hill this summer: "Although summer school was Takoudes and Randazzo, many rising sophomores and ju- “engaging teaching style,” the fun class environment, and an intense six weeks of studying, I still managed to have niors opt to take the summer history course with the plans the “fascinating topics and time period” of the curriculum some fun this summer and I look forward to junior year." of filling out their history requirement during summer, made the ACIII summer course feel “a lot less like school.” Zoe Kim '20 Assistant News Editor
allowing them to double up on other classes during the academic year. Owen Smyth ’20 described how a condensed course can be beneficial: “Being able to tackle entire units within the span of a day or two was incredibly helpful to [my] comprehension.” Although all three rising juniors found the homework to be “a little much at times,” including thirty plus pages of Give Me Liberty reading a night, all three students praised ACIII teacher David DeNaples for engaging them in class and making the course “feel alive and extremely relevant to today’s society.”
Concert Choir Tours Spain and Portugal
cert Choir, some students who joined Tour Choir did not sing with the choir during the school year. Connor Hartigan ’19 said, “As someone who doesn’t Five days after summer break began, students do Concert Choir year-round, I thought I might be in the Hopkins Tour Choir convened to leave for their a bit of an outsider, but the regulars took us eight trip to Portugal and Spain from June 11 to June 20. newbies in, and treated us like full comrades.” Hartigan reflected on how the choir adjusted There, they performed with local choirs across the two countries while exploring cities in between concerts. The to singing as an unfamiliar group: “Our first concert, Tour Choir goes on a trip every other year and includes in Lisbon, was done well, but there were a few spots students from rising freshmen to graduating seniors. where our sound could have been more coherent. By While the list of songs performed in each con- the time of our fourth concert, in Granada, we had cert varied, the choir came with ten songs prepared. fixed all of that and we had a unified, soaring sound.” The choir The Tour Choir also bonded and practiced pieces to improved their sing with the host synergy by choirs of each conspending time cert. One of the fatogether outside vorite songs of the of concerts. The group was an Irish choir spent days folk song, “Loch together tourLomond”. Meggie ing cities, eating Czepiel ’20 loved dinners, riding singing it “beon the tour bus, cause the nostalgic and performing tone works so well in concerts. Czwith the melody epiel said, “getand [she] loves ting to know the way it builds.” each other betKenny Lu ’19 addThe Tour Choir poses while hiking at El Caminito del Ray in central Spain. ter helped us feel ed, “Listening to more confident Sam Jenkins ’19 solo on ‘Loch Lomond’ was always a pleasure.” and united when we sang.” One of the choir’s favorite At every concert, the Tour Choir collaborated places to visit was the Mezquita de Cordoba. Lu explained with a local choir. Both choirs would perform a set of why it was his favorite stop: “Our tour guide pointed out songs on their own, and then would sing a set of songs a lot of small details in the building while explaining the together. Leah Miller ’20 said, “It was a special treat to be history, and it was a genuinely engaging experience.” Another standout moment in the trip was El able to sing their pieces alongside [other choirs]; for me, that was the most culturally immersive part of the tour.” Caminito del Rey, a walking path that follows a gorge in The Tour Choir’s performances improved Malaga. Prairie Resch ’21 enjoyed the path: “the scale and from the send-off concert to the final performance in the beauty made it an unforgettable experience for me.” Madrid. Czepiel commented on the progression: “I Schroth also loved the trail, saying it “was staggeringly think our sound improved over the course of the trip beautiful - worth waking up before dawn to get there.” The Hopkins Tour Choir’s Trip to Portugal as we got more comfortable with not only the music, but also singing in such resonant spaces.” Tour Choir and Spain was an opportunity for students to gain conDirector Erika Schroth agreed: “If you could hear our cert experience while becoming closer with the people send-off concert the day before we left (which already they performed with through exploring new places. sounded good) and our final performance in Madrid, Reflecting on the trip, Hartigan said that he “formed you would definitely notice the increased expression, a lot of fond memories on this trip that [he will] have unity of sound, and energized musicianship on display.” with him for quite a while, and it would be hard to While most students were part of Con- think of better people to share the experience with.” Lilly Meyers ’20 Assistant Features Editor
Hopkins in Guatemala
Julia Kosinski ’21 Assistant News Editor On August 5, a group of ten students and two chaperones traveled to Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, where they spent ten days volunteering at a local elementary school and gaining insight into Guatemalan culture. At the school, Hopkins students painted classrooms and murals and taught the local students English. Ava Pfannenbecker ’21 recalled her time spent with local children, “I loved playing with the kids at recess. Even though I was continuously pelted with plastic soccer balls, recess was never ending fun filled with laughter and new friendships.” Reflecting on “how much privilege we have here in the United States,” JJ Drummond ’22 stated, “All the kids I talked to and played with were the happiest little kids I’ve ever seen. They don’t need materialistic things to make them happy.” Hopkins students also had the opportunity to visit museums, watch demonstrations, and even test their dancing skills at a Salsa class. Jason Chung ’21 commented,“My favorite activities were zip lining across the forest valley and
Susan Bennitt Hopkins students and chaperones pose in front of a mural of a turtle that they painted at a school in Guatemala.
driving up a huge mountain to get to hot springs because it allowed us to see and appreciate the entirety of Guatemala.” Pfannenbecker further reflected: “most nights we got to come together as a group to discuss our experiences from the day, which always revealed new questions and ideas.” Ben Levine ’19 recounted a memorable excursion: “We also took a hike during a rainstorm up to Lake Chicabal. We had a really sketchy ride in a pickup truck that made fake bull noises and the lake was just beautiful once we finally reached it.” Experiencing Guatemalan culture and visiting local landmarks provided each student with unique perspectives and memories. Drummond recalled, “I got to try a lot of new things and get out of my comfort zone. I also got to meet a lot of new people from Hopkins whom I probably wouldn’t have met.”