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Inklings June 20, 2014

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GRAPHIC BY JULIA SCHORR ’16

Inside the Issue

Promising Patterns in Art Program

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Athletes of the Year

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NEWS

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June 20, 2014

Vandy or UMich? Students shift college choices ALE BENJAMIN ’15

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n infinite variety of factors attracts seniors to colleges, from warm weather to delicious food to a diverse community.

But every year, certain schools emit what can only be described as a magnetic pull towards Staples, and an extralarge batch of seniors gravitates towards them at full force.

According to the 2013 Senior List, last year these colleges were University of Connecticut (22 students), University of Michigan (nine), Tulane University (nine), Indiana University (nine), and Syracuse University (eight).

The most sought-after colleges nationally are very different. In the fall of 2012, the colleges receiving the most applications were mostly located in the California area, with number one being UCLA at 61,564 applicants, and others outside California including Penn State and St. John’s University. On the other hand, colleges with the lowest acceptance rates were Harvard University and Stanford University, both at around 6% acceptance, according to US News & World Report.

Although some of the schools popular amongst Staples students have retained high enrollment, some radically new trends have emerged amongst the class of 2014.

This year, ten Staples seniors have committed to Vanderbilt University, whereas only one student enrolled the year before, and only four enrolled in 2012.

But what exactly made Vanderbilt such a main attraction for this year’s Staples students?

“I chose to commit to Vanderbilt because of its location and overall feeling of balance. It’s an amazing school academically but also has the school spirit that I wanted,” Brittany Silver ’14, said. Silver believes that other students were similarly enticed by Vanderbilt’s academic reputation, as well as the thrill of Mr. Commodore and lively football games.

Additionally, from the college’s view, Vanderbilt’s stu-

“Although some of the schools popular amongst Staples students have retained high enrollment, some radically new trends have emerged amongst the class of 2014.” dent population last year was comprised of only 6% students from the New England area. A hefty-helping of Staples seniors

may have given a boost to those numbers.

Another school, Duke University, has seen an equally surprising jolt in Staples enrollment this year, with seven students attending, up from four both in 2012 and 2013.

Duke-bound students like Katie Zhou ’14 also had plenty to say about what made Duke shine above other colleges.

“The people [there] are really energetic and passionate,” Zhou said. “The resources that are available to undergraduates at Duke and in the ‘research triangle’ region of North Carolina are really outstanding, especially for a pre-med, which is what I want to pursue.”

With the massive disparities in student body and college preferences every year, it can be difficult to pinpoint the causes of such dramatic fluctuations. Head of guidance Elaine Schwartz emphasizes that her department tries not to let ideas like the “popularity” of a school influence student decisions.

However, Schwartz said that of course countless factors can influence students’ college preferences. She believes that oftentimes the strongest influence can be something as simple as just one student loving a school and coming home to gush about his or her experience to other students.

“It’s similar to getting a recommendation for a good doctor,” Schwartz said. “Students

Haskell Wins Key GRANT SIRLIN ’16

The diffident freshman who stumbled into the cafeteria on his first day at Staples is now nearly unrecognizable.

Four years later, he sauntered across the auditorium stage to receive the most coveted award at Staples.

“This year’s recipient of the Staples Key Award is…” Principal John Dodig briefly paused.

“Will Haskell.”

Haskell fondly remembers his first lunch at Staples, timidly sitting at a freshman table in a sea of rowdy high schoolers, aspiring to do as well as the upperclassmen surrounding him.

“I was so nervous for my first lunch at Staples,” Haskell said. “I ate a pesto chicken sandwich because I had no idea what else to get. All the seniors looked so old and accomplished.”

Now Haskell stands among the accomplished students that he once longed to emulate.

“I can’t believe I’m that senior now, and in some ways I still feel like a freshman,” he said.

The Key Award recognizes students for “superior academic achievement, loyalty to Staples, and achievement and contributions to the Staples community,” Principal John Dodig said.

This award’s importance is marked by that fact it is awarded by all members of the Staples community. Faculty members make initial nominations, and then the recipient is decided by a vote from the graduating senior class.

The other impressive nominees included salutatorian Melissa Beretta and the creator of My Schedule Sharer, Parker Stakoff.

In his speech, Principal Dodig commended Haskell for “maturity beyond his years,” “learning for the sake of learning” and “being an essential part of the Staples High School community.”

Being the president of Staples’ Players, writing a nationally-published Yik Yak article, interning for Jim Himes, and winning four awards at the Annual Awards Presentation are just the dustings of Haskell’s impressive resume.

But despite all of his academic achievements, his fondest memories come from doing what he loves.

Haskell cited Collab as his favorite class at Staples, saying the last few days held some great moments. From deep talks about anything interested, to a creating a end-of-theyear video, he enjoyed those final classes. “Sophomore year was really a time for academic exploration when we all grew really close before entering the pressure cooker of junior and senior year,” he said.

Before Haskell leaves Staples for good, he wants to leave one last piece of advice for the GRAPHIC BY MEGAN ROOT ’15 incoming freshman.

RESEARCH BY ALE BENJAMIN ’15 “Don’t do things for other INFORMATION GATHERED FROM NAVIANCE people, because then you won’t enjoy it and you won’t do well.

Do things that you find exciting.” think: ‘If they’re happy, and I’m similar to them, I must be happy.’”

Schwartz also noted, as many students speculate, that college representatives can largely impact the process.

“We have over 200 college representatives, and wonderful relationships with them,” Schwartz said. “Many of those people read our students’ applications, and it makes a huge difference.”

Whatever the reason, students attending these Staplesheavy schools next year convey mixed feelings about how their college experience will be impacted.

“Honestly, I don’t love the idea of going to school with so many others from Staples,” Silver admitted. “It’s almost like high school is trying to follow me at a time when I’m so ready to be done with it.”

However, others like Jess Riniti ’14 disagree. She will attend University of Delaware, another popular University with seven Staples attendees.

“The school has 16,000 kids, so most likely we’ll never see each other,” she said. “I think it’s great that so many people find it to be the right school for them.”

Duke-committed Nick Vega ’14 takes it even one step further. “It’s a great group of kids going down to Durham. I think it will be relieving to be familiar with some of the faces around campus,” he said.

News Inklings / June 20, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

Students don’t mind the gap AMINA ABDUL-KAREEM ’15

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enior year consists of juggling college applications, schoolwork, GPA stress, and sleep deprivation. Before jumping into hectic college life, some students have decided to recharge with a gap year, a year students take off before enrolling in college.

Mike Moritz ’14, whose older brother influenced him to take a gap year, decided that after his college process, he was going to focus on baseball, traveling, and work.

“I’m taking a gap year basically because I can. I know that doing the stuff I want to do after college is way harder. I don’t have a responsibility to go right to school,” Moritz said. “We’ve been in school for 13 years straight; I think a break is in order.”

Moritz promised his parents he would attend Ithaca College in 2015.

Some students did not originally plan on a gap year, but ended up deferring admission for a year.

Staples alumnus Andi Goodman ’09 took a year off after she found out the college she wanted to go to was overenrolled. The school offered better financial packages as incentives for people to take a gap year.

She worked full time at Barnes & Noble for a year and saved money, instead.

“It did get kind of boring and

GRAPHIC BY MEGAN ROOT ’15

monotonous, but that was also educational, because now I know that I definitely never want to work in retail again,” Goodman said. “And I can recognize how important it is to have a job that you’re really interested in and passionate about, so that going to work day after day is less of a chore.”

Internationally, gap years are very popular. Staples alumnus Aidan Orly ’11 was encouraged to take one by his father’s experience in Israel, where students often take gap years.

“When else would I have the opportunity to take so much time off, with so few other commit-

ments, to do almost anything I wanted?” Orly said.

Orly’s day-to-day life was extremely variable. He did everything from picking watermelons in Australia, to meeting his cousin for lunch in Singapore, to attending a family wedding in Peru.

“There was no such thing as a

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normal day,” Orly said.

Elaine Schwartz, director of guidance, thinks the year after high school is the right time for students to take an academic break, do something meaningful and prepare themselves for their college experience.

“The tradition has always been graduating high school and going to college, but I think now the mindset is that if a student feels they want to experience something different or take advantage of a great opportunity, this a great time in their lives to do that,” Schwartz said.

Liv Kelly ’14 decided on a gap year and signed a modeling contract.

“I don’t know what I want to do with my life...A pro is that [this is] not costing me $50,000 a year for something I’m not sure about,” Kelly said.

Like many students who take gap years, Kelly does not have a set itinerary. At one point she’ll be commuting to Manhattan to meet with her agent and going to casting calls to get bookings.

“I don’t see why I would feel any different at graduation than anyone else. I went through high school just like everybody else and worked to get there; just because I’m not going to college right away doesn’t make me any less worthy or successful than my peers,” Kelly said.

Inklinations:

“I would take trains around Europe.”

—Emma Lupoff ’15

“I’[d] travel around America to see all the sports stadiums.”

—Gabe Leitner ’17

If you were to take a gap year after high school, what would you do?

“I would probably travel somewhere fun.”

—Hannah Simons ’16

“I’d probably backpack southeast Asia.”

—Vidur Nair ’14

INKLINATIIONS BY GRETA BJORNSON ’15

Patty bids Best Buddies goodbye EMMA BERRY ’15 Every year, members of the Staples Best Buddies club say farewell to parting members.

This year, students say an especially sad goodbye to long-time advisor and friend, Patty McQuone.

Some may know her as the smiling face who greets sleepy students as they roll in with questionable excuse notes. Others know McQuone as the woman who turned Best Buddies from a quiet, five-person group into the admired success that it is today.

“Basically my kids are grown, so we’re downsizing, and we have a lot to do. And I just know to give 100 percent to Best Buddies and 100 percent to that, I just don’t have it in me,” McQuone said.

After four years building popularity and respect among the Staples community, McQuone is ready to pass the torch to a new leader. Club members, like Megan Nuzzo ’15, admire McQuone’s dedication to the organization throughout the years.

“Patty puts so much time and love into making the club better for all of us. It’ll definitely be different without Patty next year” Nuzzo said.

Students have always recognized McQuone’s devotion to Best Buddies.

“She was always there for all the officers and the club members and the buddies. She always supported us as a club,” Beth Lester ’13 said.

While McQuone may not be involved with the behind the scenes work, she still plans on maintaining a close relationship with the group. “I’ll be at most, if not all, events,” McQuone said.

During her time as a club coadvisor, along with staff member Deborah Gallon, McQuone and the students have formed bonds and memories that she plans to carry with her after she leaves; her favorite memory being the first annual Best Buddies Ball.

“We just went all out and had a Hollywood theme, and it was just so cool,” she said.

Maddy Rozynek ’14 , like many others, admired Mc-

PHOTO BY JILLIAN KLEINER ’16

READY TO LISTEN Best Buddies club leader Patty McQuone (right) checks in with club member Austin Brouillet ’16 (left) while he draws during a club meetng.

Quone’s passion for the club.

“It’s really special because all the buddies loved to be around her, and would surround her desk ev-

ery morning to talk to her,” Rozynek said.

McQuone’s hard work and love for the cause will be dearly

missed in the coming years. However, this is not her final goodbye.

“There’s no getting rid of me,” she said.

4 News

Inklings / June 20, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

Retirement of veteran teachers brings changes to the tempo CLAIRE LEWIN ’15

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s the day of graduation dawns and seniors get ready to throw their hats in the air and kiss high school goodbye, more vehicles will give up their prized Staples parking stickers than just those of Staples students. The end of the year brings about change for both students and faculty, as many teachers and administrators choose to retire.

Math department chair Frank Corbo will be one of the many leaving Staples come the end of this year. And after 41 years of working in Westport, 38 of which have been at Staples, Corbo’s choice to retire was not an easy one.

“I am still conflicted about it,” Corbo said. “I will miss everything about Staples, and I will miss my colleagues forever. But I realized that I will still be conflicted about it next year, and in five years, and in ten years, and there is still so much that I want to do.”

And after such a long run in Westport, Corbo will surely be missed, especially by the math department where he

worked.

“Everyone loved him, and everyone admired him,” math teacher Robin Hurlbut said. “Mr. Corbo is legendary.

You don’t even need to mention his last name. He’s Frank. He’s just such a huge force. Anything he says, you listen.”

Corbo plans to spend his retirement both in Florida and in Westport. He is eager to vacation not on a school schedule, become a cook, and learn other languages.

Along with Corbo, Staples psychologist of 28 years Carol Taney is choosing to retire at the end of this year to pursue a life a travel and adventure.

“I’ll be doing a lot of traveling,” Taney said. “Italy in October, Hawaii in the spring, and then who knows. It’s a whole new world.”

Like Corbo, Taney found that the choice to retire was not completely clear.

“I have been thinking about it vaguely for a year or so,” Taney said. “You always have mixed feelings about these things because you are leaving something you love.”

K-12 music supervisor and Music Department Chair David Winer is another faculty member who will be retiring, after seven years at Staples. However, while most plan their retirements around beach schedules and plane rides, Winer plans to spend his retirement continuing his true passion: teaching.

“I am not actually retiring to the rocking chair,” Winer said. “I am redirecting my energy into teaching. Some conducting, a little playing, and other musical adventures.”

As Winer leaves the music halls of Staples to pursue other musical ventures, the staff and students at Staples will surely miss his devotion to the arts.

“He was a tireless advocate for the music department,” music teacher Adele Valovich said. “I will miss his dogged defense of the arts.”

Like Winer, Julie Horowitz, a school social worker, is also not retiring to a life of complete relaxation.

“I am going to start my own social work practice in town,” Horowitz said.

“It’ll be mostly about adolescents and

kids transitioning between high school and college and other points in their lives. I love working around parenting issues as well.”

During Horowitz’s 13+ years at Staples, she has served as the coordinator of Open Choice, a program that brings kids from Bridgeport to the Westport school district.

“I’m really going to miss working with the Open Choice families from Bridgeport,” Horowitz said. “I really admire their commitment to getting their child the best education in such a great school system.”

Two teachers in the Special Education department will be retiring, as well.

Carmen Arciola is one of the two.

And since he has been working at Staples since 1975, the choice to retire was not an easy one.

“I’ve been thinking about retirement for the past couple of years,” Arciola said.

“It will really hit me when the end of August rolls around, and I find myself not having to return to Staples.”

And, although Arciola will be leaving Staples, his time spent here will not be forgotten.

“I’m leaving with 35 years of priceless memories,” Arciola said.

Alongside Arciola, special education teacher Andrea Beebe is also anticipating her retirement. While some have elaborate plans for their retirement, Beebe is excited for the simple pleasures that retirement brings.

“The first and most obvious thing I will do is not set my alarm for five a.m.,” Beebe said. “I love to read and have a stack of books waiting for me to open.”

And although late mornings and long books are exciting, Beebe will miss her daily life as a Staples faculty member.

“I have loved working with my students, their parents and all of my colleagues in every department.” Beebe said. “I have learned so much about teaching, working with others and discovering within myself an endless thirst for learning and knowledge.”

GRAPHICS BY MEGAN ROOT ’15

THEY’RE SO CLASSIC (Clockwise from top left) Carol Taney, Andrea Beebe, David Winer, Carmen Arciola, Julie Horowitz, Frank Corbo IT TAKES TWO (Right) Married couple Frank Corbo and Lis Comm walk the Staples halls in 1977.

Students invest in Personal Finance DEANNA HARTOG ’16 Staples students are investing have been investing their time in the personal financial course, which has exploded from the original four sections to an all-time high of twelve in the upcoming school year.

Lenny Klein, a personal finance teacher, explains that the inflation is due to the fact that the curriculum introduces real life skills.

“People understand the importance of what we’re teaching kids,” Klein said. “The world we live in is much more competitive and crazy than it’s ever been, and getting ahead really has more of a premium on it.”

Klein added that the knowledge learned is valued by the parents, community, administration, and most importantly, the students.

“It’s a lot of fun, you learn a lot, and the things you learn are very applicable to life,” Andrew Van Riper ’16 said.

The course covers content such as budgeting and saving, gross pay, net pay, taxes, banking, investing, insurance, credit cards, and borrowing money, which will provide a beginner-level knowledge after leaving high school.

Ruby Steinberg ’14, who completed the course this year, plans to use what she was taught when attending college, purchasing her first house, and when, unfortunately, she must start paying her own bills.

In addition to the current course being offered, an advanced version will be offered starting next year called Financial Decision Making in the Digital Age.

Gertrude Denton, a teacher who will be instructing the course, explains that it will teach students how to how to create, expand,

“The world we live in is much more competitive and crazy than it’s ever been, and getting ahead really has more of a premium on it.”

–Lenny Klein care for, distribute, and protect their own financial assets.

Denton hopes that it will also open students’ eyes to “how goals can change throughout the course of life and how to align financial strategies to meet them.”

The class will focus on integrating technology. Two years ago, the school received a grant from the state of Connecticut to purchase iPads. However, with the new bringyour-own-device (BYOD) movement, the class will seek resources and programs that are accessible from a variety of devices.

Current Staples High School students can look forward to this addition in the next school year.

And for those interested in getting a head start on basic financial skills, personal financial management will continue to be offered.

News Inklings / June 20, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

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6 News

Inklings / June 20, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

Valedictorian crescendos to success CADENCE NEENAN ’15

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t the end of her sophomore year, when Matt Silver ’12 was named valedictorian, Eliza Llewellyn ’14 covered it for the school newspaper.

At the end of her junior year, when Madeline Seidman ’13 was given the title of valedictorian, Llewellyn wrote the article about her, too.

This year, Llewellyn is the one being written about.

While documenting the successes of her predecessors seemed to foreshadow Llewellyn’s title, she was still a little stunned when she was crowned valedictorian.

work and dedication really do pay off.”

“I was triumphant,” Haley Randich ’14 said. “I was really hoping she’d get it because she really deserves it.”

It is this quiet intensity that has characterized Llewellyn’s success at Staples. She has remained unshakably modest despite her “monster GPA” as she likes to call it, successes in tennis, drawing, poetry, newspaper and yearbook. Al-

though she excels in almost every aspect of her life, it is this humility that seems to most greatly define her to those around her.

“I think what separates Eliza is that she doesn’t see herself as being ‘above’ other students,” Rachel Paul ’14 said.

“She is very sweet and humble, and she’s a wonderful person to work with in and outside of class.”

Brittany Braswell ’15 agrees. “She received the highest academic achievement for high school and remained cool the entire time,” Braswell said.

Stein even joked that Llewellyn wouldn’t react well to the news coverage.

“If Eliza reads this, she might be mad at me for all the praise,” Stein said, “Let it be known that she is infuriatingly modest.”

“If Eliza reads this, she might be mad at me for all the praise. Let it be known that she is infuriatingly modest.”

—Baxter Stein ’14 “I was definitely surprised and honored to find out – it’s the kind of thing that I would have just automatically believed someone else would get, especially in a grade that has so many smart people,” Llewellyn said.

Yet, it seemed as if Llewellyn was the only one surprised by her achievement.

“When I heard she got it I wasn’t surprised in any way,” Baxter Stein ’14 said.

“I think I felt more content that hard

PHOTO DRAMATIZATION BY MEGAN ROOT ’15

Salutatorian harmonizes school, sports and social life TAYLOR HARRINGTON ’15 Twelve years ago, Melissa Beretta ’14, with purple glasses on her nose and two purple bows in her hair, entered elementary school ready to learn. This year, that same girl, in a pink “Senior Girls” shirt and feathered boa, started her last year with the same love for school.

“From day one, I really, really liked school,” Beretta said after receiving her title as salutatorian.

Beretta has always been highly engaged, her eyes pinned on the teacher, and her hand often raised, according to Daniel Heaphy, Beretta’s AP U.S. History teacher from sophomore year.

“She’s the type of kid who gets into the lesson, the type of kid who wants to get past learning for the grade’s sake and the type of kid that looks at problems from a couple of different angles,” Heaphy said.

Beretta’s friends were always im-

pressed with how well she balanced school and social life.

“Melissa is the hardest worker I know.

She somehow [had] the ability to finish her homework, watch a season of ‘Friday Night Lights,’ go out to dinner with her friends and still be in bed by nine,” Elizabeth Coogan ’14, one of Beretta’s closest friends, said.

Beretta said that because she was so engaged in class, she didn’t need to spend

too much time on homework. She described herself as the student who was always talking in class, asking questions and participating in discussions.

“One of my teachers once told me that some people have to think in order to talk, but I have to talk in order to think,” Beretta said.

Along with her academic achievements, Beretta was also on the varsity tennis team since freshman year. As a senior, she was named one of the two tennis captains, marking her status as a role model for her teammates.

“One of my teachers told me once that some people have to think in order to talk, but I have to talk in order to think.”

—Melissa Beretta ’14 Beretta was also an active board member in the school club Safe Rides, which arranges safe transportation for students on Saturday nights. She said she loved the responsibility involved in the program.

This fall, Beretta will be dressed once again in blue and white at Duke University in North Carolina. Although she is currently undecided, she hopes to major in psychology, corresponding nicely with her love for communicating with people.

Not only will she bring her desire to learn along with her to college, but she will keep her dad’s famous motto in the back of her head: “Do your best; that’s all that anyone can ask.”

PHOTO DRAMATIZATION BY MEGAN ROOT ’15

News Inklings / June 20, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

Congratulations Class of 2014!

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OPINIONS

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June 20, 2014

GRAPHIC BY OLIVIA CROSBY ’15

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here do you picture All for what? To yourself 10 years achieve happiness some day? from now?

Inklings EDITORIAL

Getting that big promotion that you worked so hard for? So hard that you made phone calls on the weekends. So hard that you sent e-mails while you were on “vacation.”

So hard that you traded sleep for spreadsheets.

Why not just make “some day” today?

If you spend too much time working for the future, for the next big thing, you’ll miss what’s right in front of you.

Whether you’re graduating high school or in the audience watching your grandchild, sister, or son graduate, you have to remember to appreciate the little things.

Editors-in-Chief Zoe Brown Bailey Ethier Silver Crown Award for Inklingsnews.com from Columbia Scholastic Press Association 2013

Managing Editors Alexandra Benjamin Caroline Cohen

Silver Crown Award for Newspaper Columbia Scholastic Press Association 2013

Web Managing Editors Nicole DeBlasi Cadence Neenan

Pacemaker from National Scholastic Press Association 2013

Breaking News Managing Editors Andrea Frost Taylor Harrington

All the opinions, news, and features in this paper are those of Staples High School students. Inklings, a curricular and extracurricular publication, has a circulation of 1,800 and is uncensored.

All letters to the editor must be signed.

The editorial board reserves the right not to publish letters and to edit all submissions as it sees fit. The editorial board determines all editorial opinions, which are authored faithfully by the Editorsin-Chief. Inklings reserves the right to not publish advertisements that promote products that could be harmful to student health. The paper is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and the National Scholastic Press Association and supports the Student Press Law Center.

Directors of Social Media Mat Jacowleff Larissa Lieberson Associate Managing Editors Gabrielle Feinsmith Claire Lewin Photo Coordinator Justine Seligson Creative Directors Olivia Crosby Claudia Landowne Katie Settos

•A good hair day

•Having free first period

•Older kids saying hi to you in the hallway

•Having free last period

•A teacher telling you they’re proud of you

•The smell of spring

•No homework on Schoology

•Finding something you lost

•Walking into class to find a sub

•Snow days

•Falling asleep to rain

•Seeing your camp friends outside of camp

•Fridays

•Finding a heads-up penny •Laughing

•Seeing the waiter come around the corner with your food •When your favorite song comes on the radio

News Editors Greta Bjornson Sophia Hampton Deanna Hartog Megan Root Opinions Editors Emma Berry Quinn Hughes Emma Lederer Izzy Ullmann Features Editors Claudia Chen Jackie Cope Jane Levy Margaux MacColl A&E Editors Jessica Gross Sarah Sommer Renee Weisz Emily Wolfe Sports Editors Claire Dinshaw Dylan Donahue Adam Kaplan Fritz Schemel

•Putting on a shirt just out of the dryer •Waking up early and realizing you can go back to sleep

Web News Editors Kaila Finn Daniela Karpenos Web Opinions Editors Julie Bender Michael Mathis Web Features Editors Rachel Treisman Jane Schutte Web A&E Editors Zach McCarthy Blake Rubin Web Sports Editors Talia Hendel Jimmy Ray Stagg Business Manager Kacey Hertan Assistant Business Managers Chase Gornbein Jacquelyn Sussman Web Multimedia Editor Adam Kaufman

•Your dog greeting you at the door Your happiness right now is just as important as your happiness in 10 years.

Advisers Mary Elizabeth Fulco Rebecca Marsick Julia McNamee Lauren Francese 70 North Ave. Westport, CT 06880 Phone: (203) 341–1994 Inklingsnews@gmail.com Decisions of Inklings are made without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability or any other discriminating basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law.

Opinions Inklings / June 20, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

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How I reached the endzone What really matters ELIZA LLEWEYN ’14 t’s 12:30 a.m., and the only thing I’m running on is the throaty, soulful voice of Eric Thomas, the self-named “hip hop preacher” talking about success.

The video showcases running back Giovanni Ruffin pushing through plyometric exercises and throwing a football, accompanied by semi autotuned motivational tonal music. Ever since the beginning of junior year, this video has stayed up with me into the long hours of the night, powering me through exhaustion and imbuing me with the ultimate inspiration: “You have to want to succeed as much as you want to breathe,” Thomas says, and I listen (meanwhile the screen blurs in and out of Ruffin’s weighted crunches).

Eric Thomas preaches for pure tenacity. He asks listeners to imagine gasping for air, challenging them to want to succeed as much as they want to survive an asthma attack. He alludes to 50 Cent and Beyonce, who prioritize success over sleep: “sleep is for those who are broke,” an alleged quote from 50 (Fifty?).

Thomas accuses me and 27 million other listeners of wanting to party or sleep more than succeed, and the accusation ignites me into action: why hit the pillow when integrals, equilibrium expressions, or literary analysis await?

This video was for me what Self Control apps and overbearing parents were for others: it’s a last ditch resort to jettison my inner procrastinator (read: my elemental being). It is my back up plan, a bastion of drive that I reserve for giant tests or those moments of utter non-productivity, at obscene hours of the night when I am so appalled by my own procrastination that I need the inspiration of a disembodied

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GRAPHIC BY OLIVIA CROSBY ’15

voice to check myself. Over time it has gained the weight of a superstition, acquiring an almost mystical power as it has played, without fail, before each major test or assignment of junior or senior year.

What strikes me about the video is its ability to instantly make me focus, but at its core, I don’t necessarily agree with Thomas’s doctrine. Success is an arbitrary, contained outcome, something you can easily glean from a mental health article or

four years of unexpected challenges (aka high school.) But this awareness does not strip the video’s power, whose ratio of emotional chords to fitness footage has helped me find a last ounce of grit to get through the night. As I leave high school, I am setting down my fixation, my practical veneration of the video. I know that its message is imperfect, but there’s something to be said about something that can keep you powered through late nights without tasting like Red Bull.

HANNAH FOLEY ’14 Contrary to the typical image of an angsty teen who hates high school, I couldn’t be more grateful for these past four years and the teachers who have shaped them. While I admit to complaining and whining a bit too dramatically along the way, I owe them for preparing me for the next four years of my life.

Because of them, I can tell you all about how light radiation is absorbed by colored objects and re emitted as infrared radiation, only to be trapped by those dang greenhouse gases. Or how cool it is that the antiderivative of e^x is e^x + C. Or how Joseph Conrad makes a powerful commentary on imperialism in Heart of Darkness, with quotes to back it up.

Every class I’ve taken has taught me something practical.

Spanish has prepared me for a globally connected world, AP Economics has prepared me to think rationally, and AP Environmental has taught me to think about the problems that my generation will have no choice but to face.

But while I’ve been given all of this information, there are very few places to show that I’ve mastered it aside from tests and quizzes. How I score on the 60 multiple choice and three openended questions that are typical of an AP exam is all that really matters.

The problem here lies in the fact that this doesn’t resemble the world that I’ll be entering once I receive my college diploma.

I won’t be making a choice between A, B, or C, I’ll be working with my peers to craft a solution to the task at hand--something I had the privilege of doing on a daily basis in the Inklings newsroom and Good Morning

Staples studio.

I got to learn the ins and outs of Final Cut Pro and Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premier, programs that allowed me to present any given story in an appropriate and aesthetically pleasing manner.

I got to feel the pressures of meeting the deadlines of late night and ensuring that the best product possible was being put on display for the community.

I got to interview amazing people and learned how to deal with those tricky sources who were reluctant to talk.

I got to manage, or juggle, a staff of nearly 90 students for the paper and 20 students for the morning show.

I got to travel to conferences and programs and meet professional journalists who were amazed at the work I was doing.

I got to win awards and get an internship that I never could have dreamed of obtaining.

I got to interact, collaborate, and pick up lessons no textbook could teach. But most importantly, I got to see the real world application of the skills I was learning.

And while those of us who love journalism have Inklings and Good Morning Staples, there are plenty of other outlets for other interests. Those who love music or sports have the radio classes and WWPT 90.3; those who love theater have the acting classes and Players; and those who love science have ASR. Even though each of these classes and organizations may have different end goals, they all teach similar lessons along the way.

Lessons that can’t be taught by a lecture or PowerPoint.

Lessons that made me grateful for these past four years.

“F” is for friends who do stuff together WILL MCDONALD ’14 Four years ago, a group of then-seniors came into my freshman health class to speak to us.

While most of what they said went in one ear and out the other as I daydreamed at my desk, something that one of them mentioned has managed to stick with me: “Just remember that high school is four years long – it’s going to feel like it’s flying by, but don’t underestimate how long that is.”

While it does seem like yesterday that I was a freshman walking these halls for the first time and gawking with fear at every senior guy with a beard, the truth is that I’ve changed immensely since that day (look no further than some of my old profile pictures on Facebook to see just how true that is). The time between that first day of high school and now this final one has been filled with its fair share of highs and lows, of memories I already know I’ll miss for the rest of my life and others that have already begun to fade.

With teachers and classes varying from year to year, the one constant that I’ve found has been my friends. Some of them have been by my side since the days of recess kickball, while others only joined the mix during my time at

Staples. Regardless, all of us enjoy the bond that can only come from sharing the formative moments and milestones that define high school; from the first kisses, to the first girlfriends, to the first ex-girlfriends, to the proms, to the lethel final exams, and the all glory days on the sports fields in between.

No one remembers who the quarterback for the football team, who the head of Inklings was, or even who the valedictorian at Staples was ten years ago. No one except those in that class and their friends. The author Robert Penn Warren once said that there’s no one quite like a friend from your youth, someone who later in life will look at you and see you only as when you were young. While I’m not enough of a Debbie Downer to say that today represents any sort of final farewell, I’m not naive enough either to think that the circumstances of our friendships will ever again be what they once were within the friendly confines of these halls.

I must confess that this graduation does feel a bit like the rug is being snatched out from underneath us just as we are truly starting to gel with each other and get along. It still hasn’t sunk in that there won’t be any more lunches in the cafeteria, where most days

UNCONDITIONAL FRIENDSHIP As school comes to an end, Will McDonald ’14 reminisces with his former co-track captain, Peter Elkind and former co-Inklings editor, Simon Stracher ’14.

PHOTO BY ZOE BROWN ’15

I was able to look around the table and in every single person see a friend looking back at me.

But this transition is supposed to happen. It’s time for us to move

on to college and give the bond I mentioned before a little test in strength. It’s also time for us to move over and make room for a new class of freshman next fall,

because it’s someone else’s turn to enjoy this wonderful place where friendships are made, laughs are shared, and, just maybe, a thing or two is learned.

10 Opinions

Inklings / June 20, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

Opinions Inklings / June 20, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

“Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” RACHEL LABARRE ’14

I

’m a firm believer in fate.

But I’ve learned over the last four years that there isn’t only one road to get you there.

My dad loves to tell the story of how he met my mom.

How fate brought them together.

While I might roll my eyes when I know he is about to launch into the story…again, it has actually impacted my perspective more than I could have imagined.

My dad hadn’t planned on going to UPenn for medical school. In fact, he wanted to stay in Boston/Cambridge after having spent four years there as an undergrad. When he didn’t get into his first choice school, he felt as though his dreams and plans had been disrupted. But once at Penn, not only would his medical career take off, but his entire life, as well. After all, it was there that he met a cute girl studying as an undergraduate. That girl became my mom, and you know how the story goes. My dad speaks about how it was destiny that he ended up at Penn, and teases me about how I wouldn’t have been born otherwise.

But that’s his story. I have one of my own.

When I was a little girl, I would go to every single Staples Players show. As an avid dancer, it was my dream to twirl and tap on that stage next to the fantastic singers and actors that I had idolized as a teenybopper. I thought that being in Staples Players was my fate.

But when freshman year came, I didn’t make the fall musical. I auditioned again and again throughout all of 9th grade, but no matter how many times I practiced my songs or how much I tried to perfect my arabesque, I just wasn’t going to make the cut.

Coincidentally, one of my brother’s friends suggested that I take Intro to Journalism fresh-

man year, and second semester I found myself engrossed in reporting and interviewing. I could have stomped my feet and begged Mr. Roth to give me a part in the ensemble, or I could have even given up and spent my afternoons locked in my room, but instead I decided to follow the new track presented to me: Inklings.

My high school career, and even my life, would not have been and will not be the same without Inklings. Not only has my love and passion for journalism blossomed, but the Inklings newsroom has become a second home and the Inklings team a second family. There is no place I feel more comfortable and no people I would rather be with than the Inklings staff. People question why I would ever volunteer to stay after school until 8 p.m. some nights–I see it not as a burden, but as a blessing. And what was Inklings for me might have been robotics for someone else, or the gymnastics team for another, or culinary club for a different classmate.

So now, as I sit on this sweaty and claustrophobic bleacher at graduation and your hands stick to the inky newspaper pages, we’re all staring fate right in the face. We’re staring our future right in the face.

Some of us might not be going to the college we had always dreamed of, some of us (let’s be honest, all of us) might make some poor decisions over the next four years, and we may wish that we were in the safe confines of Staples at one point or another.

The roadblocks we hit may sometimes seem insurmountable, and there will be times when we find ourselves on a path that we can’t imagine will take us to the place we want to be – when everything will seem out of line and when we will want to give up.

But there is not just one an-

GRAPHIC BY JULIA SCHORR ’16

swer. The path that seems less traveled might just be the path that will lead you to success. If we don’t let the obstacle in front of us deter us, we can discover

something perhaps even greater.

The class of 2014 is being given a blank page. No one knows where fate will lead each of us.

Take note, life without knowledge falls flat KATIE CION ’14

I used to sit in my living room at seven on weeknights and watch my brothers get all the answers right on Jeopardy. Realistically, I was too young to know the emperor at the start of the Pax Romana (Who is Augustus?) or the association based in Lubeck that held its last assembly in 1669 (What is the Hanseatic League?), so I sat in a sort of awestruck sulking stupor.

The competitive streak in me was satisfied by the fact that they were older, and so naturally knew more than my green young self. I was even excited at what I saw as a glimpse of my future, worldlier persona. Clearly, knowledge was a right of passage, and all I had to do was twiddle my thumbs until I, too, was 18 and brilliant.

As I slowly approached that deadline, I was beginning to see some flaws in the plan.

Sure, I knew the Enlightenment didn’t happen in a day– actually I didn’t know anything about the Enlightenment, so that was concerning, for one thing.

But I was doing everything right: my heart was beating, seconds were ticking by, I was definitely getting older, but the wiser part seemed to be lagging behind.

How could I still have no idea which South American country mined the most gem-

GRAPHIC BY OLIVIA CROSBY ’15

quality topaz?

The answer? What is Brazil?

But more pressingly: what is a startling lack of initiative?

My fatal error was to be ignorant enough to think that my ignorance wasn’t an issue.

There is never an appropri-

11

ate level of ignorance. We have grown up in a time where information is criminally easy to come by. One minute I can be reading an article about fashion at Coachella, and then, when my Spanish teacher walks by, I can switch tabs to an online tran-

script of Don Quixote in the original Spanish – or, sorry Señora, the English translation.

There is so much to know, to read, to watch, to eat, to experience and no way to ever take it all in. And yet, aren’t we better for every new thing we learn? Have

Or is it the other way around?

What opportunities will we seize to lead us to our fate?

you ever felt that?

After reading the great American novel (What is The Great Gatsby?) or learning about what’s happening in the Mideast (What is the Arab-Israeli conflict but we also would have accepted the aftermath of an Egyptian revolution, the Syrian civil war, gross human rights violations, economic turmoil or more sweepingly “What isn’t happening in the Middle East?”), don’t you feel just a little bit better about yourself?

Though the pursuit of knowledge is inevitably a failing endeavor, isn’t it a good feeling to be failing just a little bit less?

We are fast approaching a time in our lives when willing, and even flaunted, ignorance will become very uncool. When it will be decidedly lame to admit that we “don’t like reading” or “don’t follow the news.”

We can never be satisfied by how much we know. We ought always to be searching so that our inherent curiosity might balance our inherent arrogance.

To always have interesting conversations at dinner parties. To be the friend who can recommend a good book and a good bar. To come out of college at least sounding smarter so our parents can feel better about dropping that 200k.

And most of all to always own our siblings at Jeopardy.

12 Opinions

Inklings / June 20, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

Hendel’s sister What it’s like to see your brother in the halls TALIA HENDEL ’16 t started in Long Lots Elementary School, where in Sept. of 2003, I involuntarily received the nickname “Hendel’s Sister” by my second grade brother’s friends.

From kindergarten to third grade, I grew accustomed to hearing “Hey, it’s Hendel’s sister, hi Hendel’s sister!” to which I would respond with an eye roll and say “I do have a name, ya know.” It seemed like with all of the multiplication and Egyptian history they were learning, there was no space - not even a crevice - in their brains to learn my name.

Over nine years of school, I experienced two different types of responses to informing my teachers on the first day of school (many of whom my brother had) that I was Aaron Hendel’s sister: 1. (Long pause) Oh… that’s nice (to which I would explain I was nothing like him) 2. (Genuine happiness) How great! I just loved having Aaron in my class! (to which I would say “...really?”)

He was the class clown, I was the suck-up. Yet, we’ve always had two similarities: our love for sports and competitiveness. Naturally when it comes to one-on-one basketball or grades in the school year, it’s cutthroat competition.

I also discovered that he had told all of his teachers that he had a younger brother - which

I

Dear Ella,

he does not. Needless to say, they were quite confused to meet me and hear that no, he does not have a younger brother.

But, up until high school, a friendly shout-out by his friends and some overlapping teachers was the extent of our school relationship. Parents of my brother’s

“I do have a name, ya know.” friends would tell me how close we’d be in high school and how our friends would all hang out together. Call me crazy, but I was skeptical. All I knew was that he would want no part of me in his social life, and as a nosy younger sister, I couldn’t really blame him.

Little did I know, my sophomore year, we would be in the same Advanced Journalism class: a dream of mine, a nightmare of his.

I would finally get to know how my brother socially interacted, see into his personal life, and hear all of the juicy gossip he talked about with his friends.

Being a fairly private guy, I guess it’s understandable that he begged my mom to call the school and get me the hell out of that class.

To his dismay, I was staying.

The beginning of the year was full of good-natured (sometimes not so much) sibling ban-

ter being yelled across the room to each other. It was especially funny seeing my friends nervous to ask him, their editor (the big scary senior), about an article.

I guess this was why people were surprised when I told them we were actually pretty close at home - both figuratively and literally. Asking my editor for tips on my article about the crazy winter blizzard we were having in April was as simple as yelling across the hall from my bedroom.

Once, while on crutches, I passed him in the hallway. I noticed the mischievous glint in his eyes and half-smile smirk.

Squinting my eyes in scrutiny, I nervously watched him. Just when I thought I’d misjudged the tell-tail signs of a brotherly attack, he took one of my crutches and casually walked away.

But he always balanced out his brotherly taunting with a kindhearted action. For the two months that I was on crutches, he acted as my butler, valet, and servant - to an extent. After school, I received door-to-door service.

At home, he would bring me ice, food, laptop charger, drinks, blankets, you name it. If I needed him, he was there.

Even though he knows the quickest ways to get on my nerves, I’ll miss having him just a few desks, or a room, away.

Who knows, maybe his college will be on my list - after all, I can’t be “Hendel’s sister” without Hendel.

GRAPHIC BY AUDREY SEO ’16

A senior tells her sister what freshman year will bring SOPHIE DE BRUIJN ’14 While it is surreal that today is my graduation day, what is even more astonishing to me is that next year you will be a freshman at Staples. In a couple of months, you’ll put on an outfit that you agonized over (not yet realizing the daunting fact that there will be 720 more outfits to plan before you receive your own diploma), Mom, teary-eyed, will drop you off at the side door and you’ll proudly strut in, tote bag by your side, until you finally realize that it is entirely impractical to bear the weight of all your books on one shoulder and concede one fashion statement for the pragmatism of a Jansport backpack.

There will be classes you love, classes you hate and classes you love to hate. Language Arts will become English, your core subjects won’t be conveniently located in the same hallway and midterms will actually mean something. As the work gets harder the ratio of milk to coffee in your Starbucks beverage of choice will decline and you’ll learn that going to sleep at 10:00 p.m. is a gift from heaven above, not a punishment.

Junior year, when you start to drive (God help us all), you will learn that in order to get to school on time you’ll have to leave the house at exactly 6:57 a.m. or you’ll be sitting in traffic on North Avenue for the better part of your morning. You’ll learn that if you want to get an iced coffee before class, you’ll

have to leave at 6:25 to make it to Dunkin Donuts and back on time, and shortly after, you’ll learn that no cup of Joe is worth those sacrificed 32 minutes you could have spent under the covers.

There will be boys you like and boys who like you and, for the fi rst time in your life, boys who actually look the same age as you. There will be a Staples Girls Class of 2018 Facebook

“But, people will also hurt you.” group riddled with incessant polls and passive aggressive comments that make you question the sanity of those around you. There will be promposals and photo groups and after party stress. There will be senior girls blowing whistles in your face, showering you with silly spray and dragging feather boas across the off-beige tiled floors.

You’ll meet creative, engaging, and insanely intelligent people. People who will inspire you and impress you inside and outside of the classroom. But, people will also hurt you. You can’t put a geofence around the atmosphere of animosity and competitiveness that pervades day to day life here. And it kills me that I’ll be practically on the Canadian border instead of five minutes away when I need to explain to you that these people who will go out of their way to hurt you mean nothing. To remind you that for every person

who makes you dread going to school every day, there are two who are made happier by your presence. To encourage you to fall in love with the people you meet, because when you’re having your fi rst nervous breakdown over your impending Honors Biology fi nal, or over the Season 29 fi nale of Survivor, I won’t be there, but they will be.

There is so much you’ll have to figure out for yourself, but there is one piece of advice I wish I could go back and tell myself before my fi rst day at Staples. I don’t know what Granny’s last words to you were, but the last thing she said to me was, “Always try to have as much fun as possible in life. That is what is most important.” Since she left us in March, I have been doing my best to honor her message.

Granted, I was in a pretty good position to embark on this goal to enjoy life more as a second semester senior. However, as you start your high school career, I hope you take these words to heart. Work hard, study hard, learn hard: but never forget that these four years shouldn’t just be a purgatory before you start your adult life. Your time here shouldn’t just be something you’re powering through to get to the fi nish line, although at times, it will feel that way.

Make your mark, so that when it’s your graduation day you can honestly say that you are leaving Staples a better place than you found it in August of 2014. Make Granny, dad, mom, and me proud. Make it count.

GRAPHIC BY AUDREY SEO ’16

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FEATURES June 20, 2014

Michele Beaudoin looks to leap from ABCs to MD GRACE MCCARTHY ’16

I

t was 10:00 on a school night.

Michele Beaudoin ’14 had just finished her homework and had switched to watching “House” on Netflix. There was a light, tentative knock on her door, and her dad popped his head around. He asked to come in, and as he did, Beaudoin caught a glimpse of a small white envelope grasped between his fingers.

He handed it to Beaudoin, and her eyes shot to the five blue letters stamped on the stark white paper: UCONN. Three weeks ago, Beaudoin had gone for an interview at UCONN for the Combined Program in Medicine. She was told at the interview she would be contacted by email, so she had been checking her emails “every five seconds.” Disappointment surged through her head as she looked at the small envelope, knowing small often meant rejection.

As she ripped open the envelope and pulled out the enclosed letter, her face turned from despair to delight. “It is a distinct pleasure to inform you that the Admissions Committee of the School of Medicine has voted to accept you as a student in the Combined Program in Medicine,” the letter read.

“I started crying, my whole family started crying and my dad

was growing up.

“I know what it’s like when doctors treat you really well, and I know what it’s like when doctors don’t treat you very well” she said.

When Beaudoin was little, she was put in a clinical trial for peanut allergies and described it as “the absolute worst experience.” However, she also recalls fond memories with her great asthma doctor. “He explained things to my mom when she was scared out of her mind in a way that was helpful but not demeaning,” she said.

Beaudoin’s mom convinced her to consider becoming a doctor due to her childhood being constantly in the medical scene; however, what really encouraged her to pursue her dream was attending an EMT class at Bridgeport Hospital during her sophomore year.

Leading up to the class ,she was nervous to think someone’s life could be put in her hands, but when she arrived at the hospital for the first time, she felt right at home. “When I was working on the ambulance I loved the patient contact and

put on the song ‘Happy,’ and we all danced around the house,” she said.

The Combined Program in Medicine at UCONN received over 800 applications but in previous years has only accepted about 15 people into the program.

At the program, Beaudoin will complete four years of undergrad which consists of basic pre-med training. After she graduates from UCONN undergraduate, she will then complete four years of medical school, and then will graduate from medical school. Following that, she hopes to go on to her residency. She is currently unsure what she wants to specialize in.

Beaudoin is considering surgery but is aware she has plenty of time to figure it out.

“It fascinates me that what’s going on under the surface can be radically different from what’s going on outside.”

She was also accepted into the Albany Medical College at Union College; however, she chose UCONN for its unity and collaboration among students.

Beaudoin has wanted to be a doctor since she was a little girl.

She is highly allergic to peanuts, has asthma and acid reflux and so was constantly surrounded by doctors and medicine when she

really making a difference, so I just knew I wanted to be a doctor,” she said.

She recalls a time early in her EMT training when a patient came to the hospital from a motorcycle accident.

“I got to watch as a doctor stitched up this huge laceration on the back of the patient’s head.

I was absolutely enchanted, and I knew that this is what I had to do with my life.”

Beaudoin has two close family friends who are both in the medical field, who have supported and encouraged her passion for medicine.

“Their love for it and seeing them always be a part of it really inspired me.”

These friends were constantly at her bedside anytime there was a medical issue.

Beaudoin learned that “it is always better to be the person that knows something, than to be like my mother who was always frantic when it came to medical emergencies.”

Theron Kissinger, Beaudoin’s AP Calculus teacher said, “She is going to make such a good doctor because she always has a smile on her face. She is going to have an incredible bedside manner, which is what a lot of doctors nowadays don’t have.”

He applauded her success saying, “It doesn’t surprise me one bit; this is right up her alley.”

GRAPHIC BY JULIA KAPLOWITZ ’16

Some students stick to the beat, others change tempo ANDREA FROST ’15

What do you want to be when you grow up?

This is a question many face at a young age and don’t realize that, one day, they will actually have to decide. While for some, the answer has been simple and the same all along. For others, the

DRAWING BY NOELLE ADLER ’15

road has been a little bumpier.

Across the senior class, there are three types of people you will meet regarding this question.

The first type of person is someone like Jess Riniti ’14, someone who has had her heart set on what she wanted to be since a little girl.

In kindergarten, Riniti was inspired by her teacher’s abil-

ity to transform an educational classroom into a warm and welcoming environment that truly helped the students learn. In class she was given an activity where she had to write about what she wanted to be when she was older.

Riniti said that at that moment, it “just clicked” as she realized she wanted to be teacher.

“I absolutely love helping

kids,” Riniti said. “Nothing is better than seeing the looks on their faces when they finally understand a new concept.”

Since that young age of five, it has been clear to Riniti that elementary education is the path she wanted to pursue.

The second type of person is someone like Maddy Rozynek ’14, someone who changed her mind.

When people asked Rozynek what she wanted to be when she grew up, the answer was not as clear-cut for her as it was for Riniti. While Rozynek is a vital member of Staples Players, at the beginning of her high school career, she didn’t think musical theater would be the college major for her.

Her love of theater originally drove Rozynek chose to audition for musical theater schools. But, due to all the anxiety and stress attached to auditions, she realized she did not want to have to constantly handle that lifestyle as an actress. Rozynek ultimately decided to follow in her parent’s footsteps, both of whom were involved in radio, and pursue communications instead.

“I grew up listening to the talk show hosts and jammin’ to different songs, and think I would rather use my theatre in another way. For example, maybe being either a talk show host or a producer,” Rozynek said.

The third type of person is

someone like Charlie Jersey ’14, someone who is still not sure.

“Maybe engineer, maybe venture capitalist, maybe research scientist,” Jersey said.

“But after a while, say, when I’m 60, I’d like to become a professor. That much I do know. Jersey has not yet decided on his career because he is “99 percent positive” that the courses he takes in college will change his thinking on life. The only thing that he is sure of is that he wants to go into science, a field he has been interested in since a young age. To prepare himself for this, he spent his time at Staples taking many of the advanced science and math classes offered. Overall, he has taken six science classes and five math classes.

Like Jersey, both Riniti and Rozynek have utilized the resources offered at Staples to help prepare them for their career.

Riniti took advantage of her internship as she is working with her kindergarten teacher, the one who inspired her to become a teacher.

“I want to get as much practice and field experience as possible because I learn best from experience,” Riniti said.

Like Rozynek and Jersey, Riniti has big dreams, big plans, and a big future ahead for her after high school graduation; she will do anything it takes to succeed and turn the ideas and goals in her mind into reality.

14

Features Inklings /June 20, 2014/ inklingsnews.com PHOTO BY JULIA KAPLOWITZ ’16

Teachers sing praise for students JACKIE COPE ’15

HARD AT WORK: Assistant principal Richard Franzis and grade level assistant Jesse McCray for the senior class both spent all four years with the senior class, and have forged strong relationships with some students.

“Takin’ care of business”

The seniors’ AP and grade level assistant get the job done CLAUDIA LANDOWNE ’15

C

ompared to the 18 years parents spend raising their children, the four an assistant principal and grade level assistant commit to a class of students at Staples may seem paltry.

This year marks the first time Richard Franzis will see off a class he has followed though all four years of high school. Since Franzis took the 2006-2007 year to serve in Iraq, he has never gone through a full four-year cycle until now.

“The neat thing was to watch the kids grow up over four years,” Franzis said. “It was like watching time lapse-photography...almost a time warp.”

The senior class is glad for the continuity as well.

“Instead of seeing a different [assistant Principal] every year who treats us as very indifferent

people since we just move on, it gives both him and us the ability to make a relationship,” Jake Reiser ’14 said.

Grade level assistant Jesse McCray has a different perspective.

While this is only McCray’s second time spending all four years with a class, he has had the opporutnity to forge strong relationships with many students due to his working at town summer camps and coaching multiple sports teams at Staples.

McCray said he has known some of the students since they were in fifth grade. “I feel really invested in what they do.”

Even through the tougher duties an assistant principal and grade level assistant must perform, Franzis and McCray have maintained a relationship of mutual respect with Staples stu-

dents.

“When I first got here, we had some pretty crazy kids being kids,” McCray said, “but I think this is a group of kids that have been really focused on what they want to do with their future, and they didn’t really get involved in any of the petty antics or pranks.”

“We don’t throw people out of the family when they make a mistake,” Franzis said. “Kids have made some serious mistakes and have made some exceptional comebacks.”

Seniors acknowledge the genuine interest in the success of Staples students.

“The AP office is filled with people who truly care about Staples,” Amanda Mezoff ’14 said.

“Mr. Franzis is an essential part of it.”

Franzis, too, sees his ultimate purpose, and the best part

of seeing students off after four years, as making a positive impact on a large proportion of the 460 students he is responsible for.

“You hope in some way... that their encounters with me, although they may have been difficult at times, were not what I would call unpleasant,” Franzis said. “That they walked away thinking that they were treated fairly when they were in some tough binds and that we looked out for their best interests in the end of the day.”

McCray echoed this sentiment. “The last day of school, that got kind of hairy,” he said with a laugh, “but I think, for the most part, they really have been a great group that we never really had issues with. It was fun just seeing them all four years at Staples High School... It’s been a pleasure to be around them.”

Anna Violette swings to success LARISSA LIEBERSON ’15

She’s more than your typical gymnast.

Yes, she’s only two levels away from being elite, but her talents include more than just roundoffs, layouts and uprises.

Anna Violette ’14 can, and definitely has, done it all. She was the captain of the girls’ gymnastics team, a member of the 1000 point club as a junior and was named most valuable player both her freshman and senior years.

“She always tries 100 percent in competitions, and she performs better under pressure, which is key to being a successful gymnast,” Violette’s coach, Kelsey Martin said.

Violette recalls when, last year, her ability to succeed under pressure was beneficial.

“I was so nervous for my beam routine at FCIACs because I thought I was going to fall,” Violette said. “But I pulled through by staying calm and focused, and I stuck the routine.”

Somehow, she manages to balance her musical and artistic talents at the same time.

“One summer when I was twelve, my mom sent me to a music camp and I unwillingly went,” Violette said. “I fell in love with it and went back for four more

PHOTO BY LIANA SONENCLAR ’14

SETTING THE BAR HIGH: Girls’ gymnastics team captain Anna Violette ’14 performs her routine on the bars at the FCIAC Gymnastics championships at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014. The team came in fifth place.

years.”

Once she realized her love for music, she combined her dazzling voice with her long-time piano skills to be featured in videos on YouTube which showcased her immense musical abilities.

“After being surrounded by music all day at camp, I was able to feed off of the creativity and start to define myself not only as a musician, but as an artist,” Vio-

lette said.

And there’s more.

Violette is taking her interest in fashion design to a new level next year by majoring in Art and Design at the University of Michigan, with her end goal being to create a mens’ streetwear line.

“She is one of the most talented girls I know,” Rachel Lieberman ’14, who has worked with Violette, said.

With passion in her eyes, Violette said, “It’s all about finding your own rhythm and beat.”

Violette is the definition of an all-rounder. Even though she’s already perfected her cartwheels, concerts and sketches, there’s no stopping her.

“Dream big because, if you settle for less, then you’re never going to be able to achieve what you deserve,” Violette said.

On June 20, 2014, in matching cap and gown, Staples’ seniors will march solemnly to “Pomp and Circumstance,” shake hands with Principal Dodig, smile a wistful smile, and graduate from high school.

Behind them stand their teachers, some of whom have known the graduates since their freshman year, what feels like centuries ago. As they leave, teachers are left with memories of the seniors in math, history, science and English class, courses that seemed like a mundane routine at the time but now will never happen again.

Antonio Coccoli, an environmental teacher, really enjoyed his seniors. Every year, Environmental goes on a camping trip, for three days and a few nights. Coccoli calls the experience one of his fondest memories. “It was phenomenal.

They are such a great bunch of kids,” Coccoli says. He cites hiking the Appalachian trail as a beautiful experience, and a great chance for his students to bond.

While Coccoli remembers his students from their outdoor adventures, radio and film teacher Michael Zito remembers his students inside, electricity fully functional. Zito will remember his senior class as collectively gifted, humble students unaware of their own incredible talent.

“We just finished our final films, and there’s so many senior filmmakers whose names I wouldn’t be surprised to see roll on Hollywood film credits,” Zito says.

In particular, Zito notes that Jack Craymer ’14 was an extremely talented filmmaker.

“He did a film you could see on television, and you wouldn’t have a single clue a high schooler made it,” Zito says. “It was about love. It was visually so stunning.”

In the radio department, Zito praises Wyatt Davis ’14, whom he has known since he was an eighth grader, visiting Staples in preparation for his freshman year.

“Wyatt has cerebral palsy, he has no use of his arms or legs, and he’s been on radio at Staples for four years. I’ve been doing this for 40 years, and teaching him has been the most remarkable experience. I’ve learned so much from teaching Wyatt.”

Maggie Gomez, a calculus honors teacher, echoes Zito’s and Coccoli’s warm memories.

She notes that every year, the graduating seniors have bright kids, “but this year especially, the senior class was very academically strong, which was great for me as a teacher.”

In Gomez’s math class, “Everyone was very quirky, and they all had such different personalities,” Gomez says. Sitting next to Gomez, Max Wimer ’15 laughs along, agreeing with his teacher’s sentiments. Quirky and big personalities seems like an apt description.

“They definitely made for some interesting class time,” Gomez says.

15

Features

Inklings / June 20, 2014/ inklingsnews.com

“I hope you had the time of your life” Families move on from Westport Schools KACEY HERTAN ’16

J

ack Greenwald ’14 still remembers the first time he visited Staples as a third grader for a soccer tournament and was stunned by the massive size

of the cafeteria. Now Greenwald, who has come to realize the cafeteria is rather small, will be the

third and last Greenwald brother to graduate.

Greenwald is among many other youngest siblings who are graduating this year.

M a n y families,

GRAPHIC BY SOPHIA HAMPTON ‘15

like the Cions, Violettes, and Greenwalds, have had children in the Westport Public School System for 20 years or more.

“It’s bittersweet. I know a lot of kids like me and their families are moving away and changing things up. My parents are starting to look at different places they could go, so it’s very weird, but it’s also time,” Anna Violette ’14, who will be the last of her three siblings to graduate this year, said.

Families explained that each of their children had different experiences at Staples because of their varying interests and personalities, but all found their own niches. “[My siblings and I] all did different things, whether it was clubs, sports or what have you.

We all found success and enjoyment in different things at Staples because there are so many great opportunities,” Greenwald said.

“It’s just great that Staples has something for everyone,” Tom Greenwald, father of Jack, Joe ’13, and Charlie ’12, said.

Some family members, like Violette, are sad to see their connection to Staples severed.

“I think I’ll definitely miss it, I’ve always felt a connection to Staples since my oldest brother

started playing baseball and I’d go watch him, but I also think it’s something to look fondly back on,” Violette said.

“We all found success and enjoyment in different things at Staples,” –Jack Greenwald ’14 Other students who will be the last of their family to graduate from Staples haven’t even considered leaving Staples behind. “I hadn’t really thought about that before now. It’s weird to be the last one I guess,” Ben Cion ’14, who will be the fourth Cion brother to graduate with his twin sister Katie Cion ’14 this year, said.

Being the last child to graduate is also very exciting for the youngest children since they can finally get revenge for sitting through many long graduation ceremonies. “It will be nice to know that [my siblings are] sitting in the hot auditorium waiting for my name to be called this time,” Greenwald said with a laugh.

16

Features Inklings / June 20, 2014/ inklingsnews.com

“The times they are a-changin’”

Arena, paninis, Collab Staples mix mixes it up RACHEL TREISMAN ’15

G

GRA

PHI

C BY

luten-free muffins, ZumZu ba in gym, and sophosop mores taking AP clas classes.

These are only a few of the aacademic and social changes that have taken Staples by storm in recent years.

Whether it’s eliminat eliminating courses or revamping the caf cafeteria, the administration has re revolutionized students’ day-today-to-day lives by making a series of important changes.

The first of these was the cancellation of Arena, the process through which wh students chose their desired class, teacher, and period by signing up at different tables tables. “[My sis sister] Emily did it going her into sophomore yyear in 2010,” M Megan Nuzzo ‘15 said. “She ssaid she always alw saw stude students crying when w they didn’t did get what tthey wanted and that literally liter nothing ggood came out of Arena.”

While the elimination of Arena took the fate of stude students’ ou of schedules out han their own hands, beli many believe the new system is more efficient.

“Sometimes I wish we were able to teach choose which teachers we want,” Nuzzo ssaid.

“But no matter what, you always end up with a ppositive experience.”

The school environment has also benefitted from Advan Advanced Placement courses allowing enrollment from students in m multiple grades.

Classes turn out not to be so segregated by grade le level U because courses like AP U.S.

JUL

IA S

CHO

History are now open to sophomores, underclassmen may take accelerated math, and AP Lit and Lang are open to juniors and seniors alike. “The distinct grade sections of the cafeteria no longer have the power they did back when we were freshmen,” Steven Sobel ‘14 said.

A less-welcomed change was the cancellation of Collab, the interdisciplinary course between US History Honors and English 2 Honors.

Social studies teacher Cathy Schager said she was told the class was cancelled due to a lack of enrollment, but the students she taught really enjoyed it.

“I loved teaching the course,” Schager said. “Students created pretty incredible stuff and conducted all sorts of impressive research and interviews.”

Students who took Collab consider themselves fortunate to have been part of such a unique class.

“Collab was an interesting class as it allowed for the type off critical thinking and discussion that is becoming more and more valued in modern education,” Sobel said.

Another change was the implementation of standard-based grading in certain classes.

“I’ve never had standardbased grading, but I’ve heard that it makes it really hard to do well in class because if you do badly on even one test it’s hard to catch up,” Jenna Bernard ’14 said.

Bernard believes that these negative changes are balanced out by other recent improvements at school, even small tweaks like the introduction of gluten-free foods in the cafeteria.

“I think it’s great that people have worked so hard to make changes in the caf, and I think it’s an example of how Staples is becoming more accommodating,” Bernard said.

While changes around school haven’t always been met with positive reactions, students say, for the most part, Staples has been transformed for the better.

Plus, according to Sobel, the sandwich line has gotten more efficient.

RR ‘

16

TRENDSETTER: Over the course of the class of 2014’s four years at Staples, many trends have come and gone in both social media and right here in Westport.

17

Features

Inklings / June 20, 2014/ inklingsnews.com

Students swap Webkinz for Snapchat

“You’ve got a friend” BELLA GOLLOMP ’15

H

ere’s how it starts: Make new friends, but keep the old -- an old saying but a very familiar one that was often recited to Jordyn Patterson ’14, and Jessica Haroun ’14, in their kindergarten class.

The nursery rhyme has stuck with the two for as long as they can remember, and in just a few short months, that is exactly what they will have to do: make new friends as they enter college but keep the one “gold” friendship that has lasted throughout all of these years.

“I remember after our first ballet class when we were just four years old, Jordyn telling her mom that she and I were going to be best friends,” Haroun said.

“It’s funny how she knew right then and there.”

At the end of second grade, Patterson had moved to London, which was a hard time for both of them.

“We practically did everything together, so it was definitely a weird transition from having play dates every Tuesday to only seeing each other over the holidays,” Patterson said.

They made it work, though.

Over the six years they lived apart (before Patterson had moved back to the States) they wrote countless amounts of handwritten notes, emails, sent packages back and forth, and never failed to keep their connection strong.

“As for staying in touch next year, college will be a breeze,” Haroun said. “We’ve gotten pretty used to only seeing each other over the holidays. We did it once and we can most definitely do it again.”

Like Patterson and Haroun, Annie Raifaisen ’14 , Lauren Raifaisen ’14, and Emily Korn ’14 have been friends for over a decade.

The trio met through their mothers, who realized that they had incredibly similar families.

The families practically mirror each other: -four daughters -older sisters who are best friends -same breed of dog (Wheaten Terrier) -mothers with the same

name (Sheri) -birthdays a day apart (June 4th and June 5th) -father’s names that rhyme (Barry and Gary) The list goes on.

“Because of our families being so close, we get to spend even more time with each other than just normal friends would,” Raifaisen said.“It’s reassuring to know that even without us next year, they will still be close.”

From dance class, to sports, to days spent roaming the city, to endless times out to dinner and sleepovers, they could never get enough of each other.

“We’ve been inseparable since we were little girls,” Korn said. “My uncle, still to this day thinks that they’re my only two friends-that’s how often we’re together.”

They have already booked their flights to visit each other during the school year next year.

For Thomas Bonner ’14, and Kelly Gore ’14, their first interaction was on the school bus when they were in the first grade.

Bonner and Gore shyly sat across from each other.

“I always sat in the same bus seat every day, the one that had the word ‘poo’ graffitied on it in sharpie,” Gore said. “It amused me at the time, I guess, at least enough for me to refuse to sit elsewhere.”

Bonner simply did not understand why Gore wouldn’t give up her special seat, so he asked her and she responded with a sassy, “I don’t know!”

The two fought over the “poo” seat for the rest of the year, but the feuding led to friendship-eventually.

“Kelly is a part of my family.

I just simply wouldn’t be who I am today if I didn’t have her by my side throughout all of these years,” Bonner said. “We currently live a minute’s drive away from each other. I can hardly imagine a plane ride away.”

They are both confident in their friendship lasting not only through college, but a lifetime, for they both help define who each other are today.

A circle is round, it has no end, that’s how long I want to be your friend -That’s how it ends.

JANE LEVY ’16

A

moment of silence, please, for the days in which young middle school students huddled over desktop Dells, nurturing penguins and animals, delved into the world of asking anonymous questions via Formspring, and made their Facebook statuses “Like for a TBH” and posted on each and every Facebook wall of the one hundred friends who liked it.

These middle schoolers blossomed into the seniors of 2014, who now send embarrassing selfies for no more than 10 seconds on Snapchat, spend time choosing the perfect filter for their Granola Bar yogurt parfait on Instagram, and hashtag with no end on Twitter. #PolarPlunge #Throwback #Swerve #LOL #TomBrady #MileyCyrus #ThriftShop #Word As they graduate from Staples, the seniors reflect on how Webkinz turned into Snapchat and Formspring became Instagram and their overall experiences with the ever-changing world of social media.

A Webkinz addict in the day, Elizabeth Coogan ’14 spent hours on end redesigning her house, interacting with other players, and dominating a treasure hunt game with her beloved pigs and puppies. “I vividly remember the day when I found my last gem and completed the decorations for the crown which was the final prize,” Coogan recalled. The crown had empty spaces for as many as 20 jewels, she said. “It took forever.”

As it’s not exactly socially acceptable to pile an array of fourteen stuffed animals on her bed anymore, Coogan’s Webkinz have retired to the basement and the jewels are all a fleeting memory.

Coogan now spends her time scrolling through her Instagram

feed and chatting on Facebook, and though she longs to care for her lions and tigers, she appreciates the freedom of speech that stems from the new social media. On Webkinz, interaction was limited to a prewritten phrase like “hey what’s up!” Coogan recalled. Now, students fingertips tap at the speed of light, communicating and expressing ideas on Facebook and Twitter.

Frequent Facebook and Snapchat user Maddy Rozynek ’14 reminisces about the time when social media was “only about playing games and maybe sending chain emails to friends” and how now as a senior, “it’s about who will have the cutest Instagram to TBT (Throw-back Thursday) or whose tweet is the funniest.” Rozynek can’t contain her laughter upon reading tweets by fellow senior Katelyn Farnen ’14; on April 17, Farnen tweeted: “I’d give an arm and two legs to be able to read my formspring from middle school just one last time” and got 29 favorites.

Although he’s not as into social media as Coogan and Rozynek, Robby Vallone ’14 noted that Facebook’s popularity has diminished as other forms of social media have emerged. Not usually swooped up in the vortex of social media, Vallone was blown away by Staples students’ use of Yik Yak and Gaggle. “It will definitely be one of my biggest memories of social media at Staples,” he said.

In middle school and early high school, all people knew was that their friends were sitting behind a screen. Coogan recognizes how Facebook, Snapchat and many other social media forums allow a person to physically see where people are and what they’re doing. “We are just much more aware of the lives and events of others because of the new social media.”

GRAPHICS BY JULIA SCHORR ’16 AND SOPHIA HAMPTON ’15 GRAPHIC BY CLAUDIA CHEN ’16 AND INFORMATION BY KAILA FINN ’16

18 A&E Brrrring on the cellular memories June 20, 2014

DANIELA KARPENOS ’15

T

hey are evolving. Natural selection has eliminated the weak―the slow, the boring, the outdated.

Cell phones aren’t what they used to be.

They have adapted in shape, size, and, most importantly, purpose. Although cell phones were initially meant for talking, that seems to be the least important function nowadays.

According to a study conducted by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, the average cell phone call has declined to 2.3 minutes―the shortest it has been since the 1990s.

Blair Gould ’15 said she rarely uses the once-revered calling feature on her cell phone.

“I only really talk on the phone when I call my parents to

ask for something,” Gould said.

Similarly, Lauren Davis ’17 prefers text messaging to talking on the phone because it’s “easier and faster.”

This rings true for most teens (no pun intended).

In the same Pew Internet and American Life study, it was found that the average teen sends over 2,000 text messages a month.

Even so, phones are no longer merely a tool of verbal communication. In addition to texting, teens and adults use their cell phones for snapping photos, listening to music, surfing the web, and updating social media―all the functions of a compact computer rather than of a telephone.

Eryn Lorberbaum ’14 noticed that this multimedia explosion began with the Blackberry

smartphone. It was first released in the late 1990s, which is not-socoincidentally when the average American’s call duration began to decrease. Although the Blackberry was originally intended for businessmen and women in need of 24/7 access to emails, many teens jumped at the opportunity, too.

With this shift in use, many cell phone companies have been unable to keep up while others have clawed their way to the top.

As in natural selection, the survival of a cell phone depends on the success of certain technological qualities. Advancements that prove to be popular―such as front-facing cameras and touch screens―are then reproduced in newer, sleeker models.

Conversely, cell phones with undesirable or useless qualities

fail to survive on the market and therefore die off.

And what sits comfortably at the top of the food chain?

The iPhone.

The iPhone has practically eliminated all other competition. It has preyed on the flimsy flip phones from the early 2000s, pushing them to near extinction.

“Back when everyone had flip phones, it was cool if someone could even take pictures,” Steven Sobel ’14 said.

Similarly, Riley Thrush ’17 recalls her first phone: a hot pink Razor.

“I thought it was literally the coolest phone ever,” Thrush said.

“I remember a lot of girls had them back then, but now they are so outdated.”

The brilliant range of color and vast selection of apps on the

iPhone surpasses the capabilities of prehistoric flip phones. Its high-resolution screen, multitouch screen, high-definition camera, and sleek display make it all the more difficult to resist.

“I’m pretty sure I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have an iPhone,” Thrush remarked.

In fact, Lorberbaum has noticed that currently a vast majority of middle schoolers, and even elementary schoolers, have been getting their own cell phones.

“I personally don’t think they should have them,” Lorberbaum said. “When I was younger, my friends and I would run around outside, play on the swings, go to the beach, play board games.

Now we have everything available to us in the palm of our hands―literally―and kids just have their eyes glued to a screen.”

Games that flew through Staples WILL DUMKE ’16

GRAPHIC BY SOPHIA HAMPTON ‘15

Seniors hit high notes JUSTINE SELIGSON ’15 It’s a Saturday morning.

Dan Shapiro ’14 is on the train heading into the city to attend his weekly Juilliard Pre-College Program.

The following day, he heads to Norwalk to take part in practice of the Youth Symphony.

Each school day of that week he has band class. Between all these different group sessions, he finds three hours every day to independently practice his classical music.

“I really just love playing the French horn,” Shapiro said.

“Even when it’s the boring, gritty work.”

And as a result of his intense effort, Shapiro will be furthering his passion with an approaching education at the Manhattan School of Music.

He is one of several members of the Staples class of 2014 who will be pursuing music in college.

According to Nicholas Mariconda, director of the band program at Staples, five of his students will be doing just that.

With 461 graduating seniors, this number is tiny, for accep-

tance to an undergraduate music program is very selective.

For the Oberlin College Conservatory, musicians must compete with their peers for the maximum of 600 seats available.

Typically for the application process, prospective students visit the school and perform a selected song for a jury, as well as submit a professional recording of their playing.

“The students have to love music,” Mariconda said. “They have to be willing to practice hours to get good at their instruments.”

While many musicians have already been placed in their desired program, others will go through the process upon commencing their freshman year.

Sam Adelmann ’14 is an example. During his first semester at Tulane University, he will have to perform in a variety of voice auditions in order to enter his desired musical theatre program.

“I’m not concerned [about getting accepted] because the musical theatre program is not based on accepting a certain number of students,” Adelmann said. “It’s based on accepting students who they feel are ready.”

These students had better be ready.

According to Staples orchestra director Adele Valovich, the competition in an undergraduate music program is harsh.

“They will have to adjust from an environment where they are the best among a smaller pool of talent to a much, much larger pool of talent where they may not necessarily be the best,” Valovich explained.

“They will have to step it up,” Mariconda said, which he explained causes some students to realize that being a professional musician is not their future.

For the ones who do stay in this track, though, they tend to realize that music really is their passion. Mariconda cited alumnus Harry Zec ’13 who through his jazz career at Berklee College of Music, has learned that “the competition has made him want to pursue it even more.”

Students interviewed understand the big, competitive worlds in which they are entering and realize that this is one (difficult) step closer to their goals of professional music.

“I like the challenge,” Adelmann said.

GRAPHIC BY EMILY WOLFE ’15

As seniors graduate high school in the most technological era to date, many look back on what techy trends have come and gone over their four years: specifically, which chart-topping Apps have entertained, bothered, and distracted them.

2010-2011: One of the games that still entertains students appeared. Staples was filled with victorious cheers and defeated sighs when Angry Birds quickly filled every iDevice. Soon, classrooms changed from quiet learning environments to arenas of birds flying and chirping as they collided with wooden structures.

“I remember when Angry Birds first came around; everyone was buying the game and playing it all the time,” Casey Denton ’14 said.

2011-2012: Students were often seen with their heads bowed and fingers flicking as this 2011 game ran into Staples. Jackson Ullman ’14 was one of the many students who found himself glued to the app. “Temple Run was one of those games that was really made well,” Jackson Ullman ’14 said. “It was always entertaining.”

2012-2013: One of the most popular multiplayer games that sped through Staples, Bike Race brought all students together in a competitive race against one another and the clock. “Bike Race was and is still a great way to pass time,” said Jansen Van Arsdale ’14, “It is always fun to get a new high score.”

2013-2014: As the game Flappy Bird flew into almost every student’s mobile device, the school was filled with flapping wings followed by outbursts of anger brought on by crushed dreams and defeat. This app, while very competitive and entertaining, was quickly replaced by the more relaxing game 2048, which involved math and strategy. “2048 was a great, math involved game that was a great way to get through class,” Ian Hubbel ’16 said.

As the seniors move on to bigger and better things, apps will move right along with them.

A&E Inklings / June 20, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

Butter not wear Butter JANE SCHUTTE ’16

F

rom sixth to twelfth grade, the apparel has changed even more than the people dressed in it.

This year’s senior class, like all who came before them, has a story to tell based on its unique and distinctive clothing choices.

Back in the realm of Coleytown and Bedford Middle Schools, fashion such as Juicy track suits, Justice (never to be referred to as Limited Too) tank tops, Butter Sweatshirts, which you butter not wear anymore, and knee-high chestnut Uggs strut down the halls.

These Vogue-worthy outfits then, can now be found in a musty, aged corner of a Goodwill nearby, rotting along with lunch table cliques and animal farmthemed Silly Bands.

Luckily, regretable fashion choices make good stories.

Dustyn Levenson ’14, for example, said, “My most embarrassing outfit choice is definitely my persistent sporting of the infamous sugar lips.� While most people grew out of this trend after middle school, Levenson said, “I can’t seem to shake off my love for the undershirts.�

Emily Stanford ’14 adds, “In fifth grade, I would only wear camouflage sweatpants‌ that was really bad.â€?

Other fads such as Abercrombie jeans, Wishlist crop tops and Bat Mitzvah sweatshirts have metamorphosed into Lululemon workout wear, Forever

VII graphic tees, and college sweatshirts.

Nevertheless, no matter how old people get, some things never change. “I remember when leggings were first becoming popular around 2008-2009, and I loved them then, and love them now,�

Levenson said.

But every once in a while you get someone like, Emily Ressler ’14, who goes against the wave pool and marches to the beat of her own couture drum. “I mainly wear what is most comfortable and I rarely shop,� she said.

With a little bit more of a hypocritical point of view, seniors checked out the current middle schoolers questionable choices with a bit of a surmising eye.

Stanford said, “A lot of middle schoolers wear shirts as dresses which is interesting‌â€?

Levenson agreed, saying that exposing midriff with a small crop top is a tad inappropriate for school dress code, “yet every girl is wearing it and seems to have no qualms going to school with an exposed stomach.�

After looking at the past and looking at their futures full of college, careers, and opportunities, seniors realize there will likely be mistakes to come.

Levenson said, “I imagine in four years, high schoolers will look back at my outfit choices and think I look heinous, particularly on the days when I am trying to look good.�

19

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20 A&E

Inklings / June 20, 2014/ inklingsnews.com

Staples showcased in snapshots

LIANA SONENCLAR ’14

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS (Top row from left) Seniors Terena Koteka-Wiki ’14, Olivia Kelly ’14, and Katie Burke ’14 celebrate their last day of school; Colleen Migliarese makes one of her famous, wait-worthy paninis; band teacher Nicholas Mariconda conducts student musicians at a Candlelight concert rehearsal; radio host Justin Gallanty ’14 announces a play-by-play WWPT broadcast at a varsity basketball game. (Center) Student fans celebrate the victory of the Staples boys’ volleyball team at the FCIAC championship. (Bottom row from left) Principal John Dodig and Senior Class Assistant Principal Richard Franzis bid goodbye on the seniors’ last day of school; Katie Zhou ’14 demonstrates her musical talent on the violin at a Candlelight rehearsal in December; Tyler Jent ’13 lifts Maddy Rozynek ’14 during a Players rehearsal of “Oklahoma!” last year; Gene Tsai ’14 hoists Justin Donlon ’14 during the boys cross country pep rally routine.

A&E Inklings / June 20, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

21

Seniors turn the radio dial through time MICHAEL MATHIS ’15

W

hen a majority of the class of 2014 emerged from the womb in 1996, the Macarena was dominating the airwaves as the Billboard Charts #1 performing single. The song inspired a new wave of bar-mitzvah dances and awkward sways.

When one looks up the words “Macarena Wedding” on YouTube, there are over 25,900 results.

“I don’t think any current pop song could rival something like the Macarena,” Emily Ressler ’14 said.

But others are willing to throw a few names into the ring: “Turn Down for What,” “Low” and “Drunk in Love,” to name a few.

“Those will be playing at our weddings,” Sylvie Lexow ’14 said.

As the senior class prepares to leave childhood in scrapbooks, many students are looking back and wondering whether the pop music of today will hold up.

Although the Macarena was voted VH1’s “#1 Greatest OneHit Wonder” in 2002, Lexow remains confident that the radio play of her generation will be remembered just as well. When asked why, she offered a simple answer.

“Probably because of the twerking,” she said.

With songs like “We Can’t Stop” and “Blurred Lines” focusing on subjects such as drugs and

GRAPHIC BY JESSICA GROSS ’15 AND EMILY WOLFE WOLF ’15

sex while sitting atop the Billboard Hot 100 Charts, Christopher McKinney ’14 believes that this vulgarity is what keeps some music popular today, and will allow it to stand the test of time.

“I don’t believe that vulgar music is popular, I believe that music becomes popular because it is vulgar,” he said in a Facebook message.

However, some can’t be

bothered to listen to the music of today, much less classify it as iconic.

“My car is set to the classic rock station and that’s a majority of what I listen to so I’m happy with that,” Samuel Adelman ’14 said.

“95.9 The Fox,” dubbed as “Fairfield County’s Only Classic Rock Station,” has a total of 2,840 likes on its Facebook page.

Meanwhile, the page for pop-music station “106.1 BLI” has garnered 51,083 likes.

Nonetheless, students like McKinney believe that the idea of any future generations having iconic songs is no longer relevant, citing platforms such as Sirius XM Radio, which allow users to pick and choose whatever songs they want rather than be subjected to repetitive radio airplay airplay.

“I always find myself satisfied,” McKinney said.

At the end of 2013, the “Hollywood Reporter” reported that Sirius XM radio currently has over 25.6 million subscribers worldwide.

But, through it all, Lexow still has some restraint.

“Personally, I hope they won’t be playing at my wedding,” she joked.

Seniors refuse to “Let It Go” Classic kids’ movies frozen in time BAILEY ETHIER ’15

GRAPHIC BY JULIA SCHORR ’16

Children C once ventured to Blockbuster, now a lost monuBlo ment me of American culture, to enjoy jo their favorite films: “Beauty and the Beast,” “Finding Nemo” and “Shrek.”

But then America made great technological achievegre ments, me and a trip to Blockbuster was wa replaced by signing into Netfliix.

While technology may have grown up, some seniors haven’t g –at – least in terms of their movie preferences.

Daniel Kaseff ’14 first saw Disney’s “The Lion King” when he was nine years old.

“It contained a sense of adventure and magic that appealed to my younger self,” Kaseff said.

“The Lion King” won two Academy Awards in 1994 for best original score and best original song for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” It was the highest-grossing animated movie of all time, until “Toy Story 3” and

“Frozen” passed it. However, “The Lion King” remains the highest-grossing hand-drawn film of all time and the 19thhighest-grossing film ever.

Kasseff’s favorite scene in “The Lion King” is the movie’s opening one, where Simba is held

by Rafiki and shown to the kingdom while the song “The Circle of Life” is played.

“The Lion King is a classic.

You can’t not watch that over and over again. It doesn’t matter how old you get, classics are classics.”

Ariana Sherman ’14 is another senior who still loves her favorite childhood movies.

Sherman enjoys watching some of her favorite Disney princess movies with her 4-yearold sister, including classics like “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves” and “Aladdin.”

However, what she enjoys about the movies has changed as she’s grown up.

“Now I appreciate the cleverness and wittiness of characters whereas before I just liked a

cute plot with songs and talking animals,” Sherman said.

Taylor Jacobs ’14 also remains faithful to the children’s movie genre. However Jacobs has come to enjoy more recently released children’s films.

“My favorite movie right now is ‘Despicable Me 2,’ so obviously not much has changed because I am still a little kid,” Taylor Jacobs ’14 said.

“Despicable Me 2,” starring Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig, is 21st on the list of highest-grossing films and was nominated for two Academy Awards.

“It’s just an all around feel good movie,” Jacobs said. “It’s perfect for all ages which I think makes it so great, because there are jokes for everyone to understand.”

So next year, when seniors log into their Netflix accounts to avoid studying for their college exams, don’t be surprised if instead of watching “Breaking Bad” some are watching “Monsters Inc.”

22

A&E Inklings / June 21, 2013 / inklingsnews.com

Program preps students pursuing art

SENIORS’ PORTFOLIOS DEMONSTRATE DEDICATION AND DETAIL Clockwise from top left: Alice McDonald’s mixed media painting, Megan Foreman’s oil pastel piece, Alice McDonald’s charcoal portrait, Alice McDonald’s RISD submission drawing, and Megan Foreman’s acryllic painting titled “Masked Milk.”

ZOE BROWN ’15

T

hey spent long weeks, long hours, long nights working on projects.

They cleaned clay that was caked under their fingernails, stained their pants with paint, used up all the space on their hard drive.

But the hard work and devotion of some Staples art students and the art department has clearly paid off. Many of these students will be delving deeper into the study of their passion as they go on to pursue art in college.

These artists say that much of their everlasting love of art stemmed from the support of their art teachers.

Megan Foreman ’14, who enjoys painting above all other art forms and will be studying next year at the University of Michigan’s Art and Design School, said her favorite part of the art program at Staples was the teachers.

“They were so motivating and encouraging and always had positive things to say,” Foreman said. Whenever Foreman felt frustrated with the difficulty of Photoshop and Illustrator, her art teacher Carla Eichler would encourage her to practice.

Another student most values a different aspect of the Staples art community. Chris Copeland ’14, who will be attending the Art School within Carnegie Mellon University next year, loves the variety of people that make up the art classes.

“Almost a ‘Breakfast Club’ type thing, ya know? It’s this mish mosh of different kinds of people, a clash of personalities,” Copeland said.

Art teacher Camille Eskell values the fact that a majority of her students are repeats, allowing the teachers and students to form strong relationships that carry into the high morale of the classroom.

“We get to know the students better, especially if we have them semester after semester, which happens a lot,” Eskell said.

Staples’ seven art teachers offer 30 different art classes, ranging from Mural Painting to Design and Technology.

Craig Gelman ’14, who will be attending University of Utah for graphic design, has taken six art classes throughout his Staples career and says he learned a different useful skill in each one.

Design and Tech taught him to make art on the computer. Water

color taught him how to understand coloring and shading. Silkscreen taught him to make logos and place them on t-shirts. Gelman hopes these skills will help him to one day design graphics for ski, snowboard or skateboard companies.

Alice McDonald ’14 took eight art classes during her time at Staples, and said she wishes she had taken even more. McDonald said she owes her confidence in her artwork to the variety of art classes offered here.

McDonald, who will be attending the Rhode Island School of Design in the fall, is nervous but still looking forward to next year.

“It’ll be both intimidating and exciting to be working next to such incredibly talented people, but it’s important to not let that intimidation affect your own creativity,” McDonald said.

Many art students, including Copeland, aspire to acquire a career involving creativity. “The hope is to have a creative job involving art,” Copeland said. “It’s scary for me to think about having a job that’s not creative, so I’m going to work my hardest to try and make that happen.”

McDonald believes that con-

tinuing with art in college is different than anything else because it’s hard to have a definite answer to anything.

“Only you know when your work is truly finished,” McDonald said.

Eskell agrees that pursuing art in college can be difficult, and even more difficult than when she went, she said. With the crazy advancements in technology that this century has seen, especially with the web, Eskell believes that students have even more choice in the art world.

“Everything is visual. Everything. These students have more opportunities to use their talents in a variety of ways,” she said.

That’s why Eskell tries to

prepare her students for what’s ahead.

“I don’t play around with them. I give my advanced kids a college experience as best as I can,” she said.

For example, Eskell has her students interpret writing pieces such as Dante’s Inferno, a booklong poem, and portray a part of the poem through art.

Despite the long hours that these students have clocked into and will continue to clock into their art, their passion is still clear.

“I’ve actually heard that people [in college] just sleep in the studio rooms overnight,” McDonald said. “But I know that at the end of the day, there’s nothing I’d rather do than pursue art.”

A&E Inklings / June 21, 2013 / inklingsnews.com

Dig for Dea ls!

22 ND ANNUAL

Really Big Summer

BOOK SALE July 19-22 Jesup Green & inside the Library

Unbelievable values on books, music and more!

Saturday & Sunday, July 19 & July 20: 9-6 Monday, July 21: 9-6 (everything half-price) Tuesday, July 22: 9-1 (free day - donations welcome)

Over 80,000 items to dig for !

Congratulations to the

Class of 2014

23

Congratulations to

24 Senior List

Inklings / June 20, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

Verity Abel Duke University

Camilla Broccolo University of Vermont

Michael Abrams Boston University

Keleigh Brockman Santa Barbara City College

Samuel Adelmann Tulane University

Carley Brockwell University of Rhode Island

Jose Alanis ITESM Campus Monterrey

Julian Brooks Savannah College of Art and Design

Thomas Aldrich Fordham University Zoey Altis Southern Connecticut State University Zachary Altschuler University of Utah

Roscoe Brown Syracuse University Andreas Bru High School in Norway

Wyatt Davis Gap year then Gateway Community College Sophie de Bruijn Bowdoin College Veronica DeFelice University of Rhode Island Christopher Denton Emerson College Kristen Dionne University of New Hampsire Justin Donlon Fordham University

Luke Foreman Washington Univ. in St. Louis

Ian Grimes Duke University

Cecilia Kiker Carnegie Mellon University

Megan Foreman University of Michigan

Ruben Guardado University of Southern California

Valerie Kirsch Goucher College

Meghan Fox Northwestern University Sarah Fox University of Pennsylvania Robert Francis Salem State University Nathan Francis University of Connecticut Alexander Frawley University of New Hampshire

Kelly Gurahian University of Rhode Island

Adam Kleinberg University of Vermont

Michelle Gurevich University of Michigan

Sasha Kobylinski California Polytechnic State University

Greer Hardy Muhlenberg College

Caroline Koenig Fordham University

Connor Hardy Marist College

George Kokkalis University of Hartford

Jessica Haroun Washington University in St. Louis

Victor Kolbin Pennsylvania State University

Christoph Bub University of WisconsinMadison

Haleigh Donovan College of Charelston

Christine Amacker University of Southern California

Ryan Bukovsky Philadelphia University

Nicholas Drbal Fairfield University

Marla Friedson University of Massachusetts Amherst

Caitlin Hartmann Bryant University

Emily Korn University of Michigan

John Andrews George Washington

Katherine Burke Florida State University

Sarah Dublin Brandeis University

Katherine Friend Northeastern University

William Haskell Georgetown University

Grace Kosner Tulane University

Evan Angelastro Fashion Institute of Technology Photography Program

Jeffrey Burns University of North Carolina Wilmington

Adam Dulsky Williams College

Rebecca Furth Barnard College

Grant Heller Michigan State University

Terena Koteka-Wiki Auckland University of Technology

Jessica Araujo Eastern Connecticut State University

MacKinley Byrd Advanced Individual Training, National Guard then University of Bridgeport

Sydney Dymant University of Michigan

Justin Gallanty Brandeis University

Aaron Hendel University of Southern California

Justin Krakoff Tufts University

Julia Eisman Emory University

Erin Gandelman Sarah Lawrence College

Madison Hill Chapman University

Justin Krause The New School

Isabelle Caccamise University of Michigan

Peter Elkind Middlebury College

Blake Garland-Tirado Syracuse University

Caitlin Hoberman Emory University

Elizabeth Camche Tulane University

Samuel Ellinwood Amherst College

Ellie Gavin Franklin and Marshall College

Jocelyn Krim University of California Santa Cruz

Aldi Canaj Loyola University Maryland

William Englehart Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Robert Gazerro Gateway Community College

Christopher Engongoro Coastal Carolina University

Craig Gelman University of Utah

Seth Eugley Lehigh University

Dayna Gelman Syracuse University

Chloe Evans University of South Carolina

Cole Gendels Union College

Sara Banbury Tufts University Casey Bang Boston College Deanna Baris Tufts University Carolyn Barr Drexel University

Alex Caplan Indiana University

Ian Barsanti Rhode Island School of Design

Crystal Castagnazzi University of Miami

Lily Barsanti American University

Ryder Chasin Northwestern University

Michele Beaudoin University of Connecticut

Jason Chaskin University of Illinois

John Bell Curry College

Katherine Cion Princeton University

Meredith Bemus Endicott College

Benjamin Cion Syracuse University

Melissa Beretta Duke University

Christian Clark New York University

Brooke Berlin Bucknell University

Jack Cody University of Pennsylvania

Jenna Bernard Cornell University

Chase Colasurdo Stonehill College

Harold Bjornson Boston University

Elizabeth Colwell Miami University of Ohio

Jonathan Blansfield Northwestern University Peter Blevins Texas Christian University Remy Bonett Indiana University

Elizabeth Coogan Wake Forest University Christopher Copeland Carnegie Mellon University Lydia Costello Roger Williams University

Thomas Bonner Texas Christian University

Joseph Cozzi Champlain College

Daniel Boyce University of Connecticut

Michael Cozzi Gateway Community College

Amelia Brackett Cornell University

Jack Craymer Chapman University

Peter Bradshaw Santa Clara University

Sydney Crossfield Miami University of Ohio

Claudine Brantley Parsons The New School for Design

Tyler Crowder Hobart and William Smith Colleges

David Breen Rochester Institute of Technology

Taylor Cusa Coastal Carolina University Rick Daily Santa Barbara City College

Troy Fantini University of Boulder Colorado

Natasja George University of Delaware Robert Gershowitz Emory University

Katelyn Farnen Pennsylvania State University

Robert Giannone University of Connecticut

Alex Fasciolo Carnige Mellon University

Michael Gifford Colorado School of Mines

Cassondra Feldman Tufts University

Foster Goldberg Lehigh University

Andrew Felman University of Michigan

Todd Goldstein Pennsylvania State University

Abbey Fernandez Vanderbilt University Jessica Fields Lafayette College Tyler Finley Indiana University Valerie Fitton Boston College Dylan Flood Norwalk Community College Andrew Floyd University of Pittsburgh Devon Foggio University of Rochester Hannah Foley New York University Kaitlin Fontaine Gap year Tristan Forbes Dickinson College

Rachel Goldstein Sienna College Beatrice Gomes Carnegie Mellon University David Gordon University of Connecticut Kelly Gore Boston University

Sebastian Hood George Washington University Meredith Hood Boston University Ethan Horne Norwalk Community College Amanda Horowitz Marist College Jennifer Hotch Loyola University Maryland Ian Hubbell University of Southern California Brielle Hutchison Oberlin College George Ingber University of Virginia Taylor Jacobs College of Charleston Robert Jacowleff Wake Forest University Charles Jersey Williams College Alec Johnson Auburn University William Johnson Trinity College Noah Johnson Carnegie Mellon University Olivia Kalb Bucknell University

Nikolai Krogenes Notteroy High School in Norway Mrinal Kumar Yale University Rachel Labarre Vanderbilt University Peter Lagerloef University of Massachusetts Amherst Timothy LaHiff Syracuse University Matthew Lane Roger Williams University Jeremy Langham Vanderbilt University Myelle Lansat Syracuse University Madison Lavoie University of Rhode Island Gabrielle LeBlanc Boston College Charles Leonard Union College Patrick Lesch Dartmouth College Dustyn Levenson University of Rochester Jonah Levine Laboratory Institute of Marketing College

Gabriel Grand Pennsylvania State University

Max Kantor Colorado College

Kathryn Green Baylor University

Jason Karlen New York University

Daniel Greenberg Franklin & Marshall College

Daniel Kaseff George Washington University

Benjamin Greenspan Syracuse University

David Katz New York University

Aaron Greenspun University of Vermont

Christina Kennedy University of Scranton

Joshua Lindsey-Noble Gap year then Elizabethtown College

Edward Greenwald Elon University

Lindsay Kiedaisch George Mason University

Eliza Llewellyn Harvard University

Sylvie Lexow College of Charleston Max Liben University of WisconsinMadison Rachel Lieberman University of Texas at Austin Kathryn Lieder Boston College

o the Class of 2014 Victoria Loiacono Southern New Hampshire University

Kirk Melhuish Rensselar Polytechnic Institute

Eric Pan University of California, Berkeley

Meghan Lonergan Pennsylvania State University

Ethan Mellin Vanderbilt University

Eryn Lorberbaum Muhlenberg College Alexandra Lubin University of Rochester Rowan MacColl Rhode Island School of Design Melony Malkin University of Michigan Maya Mandell University of Maryland College Park Melissa Mann Centre College Spencer Manners George Washington University Sebastian Manzo Pennsylvania State University Alex Mapley McGill University

Riatan Ufomaduh University of Connecticut

Evelyn Papstein Towson University

Emma Rhoads Parsons The New School for Design

Kelsey Shockey Fairfield University

Jackson Ullmann Vanderbilt University

William Mennie University of Arizona

Jordyn Patterson Barnard College

Jessica Riniti University of Deleware

Brittany Silver Vanderbilt University

Robert Vallone Manhattan College

Talia Meyer-Bosse Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Bryant Patterson James Madison University

Caroline Ritter Arcadia University

James Sinclair University of Rhode Island

Jansen van Arsdale University of Connecticut

Rachel Paul University of California, Los Angeles

Henri Rizack Tulane University

Carly Singer Curry College

Nicholas Vega Duke University

Adam Skolnick Tulane University

Anna Violette University of Michigan

Luci Slater Pennsylvania State University

Jackson Vogt Drexel University

Amanda Mezoff Brown University Emma Mikesh University of Mississippi

Anna Petterson Duke University

Georgea Mitas Quinnipiac University

Charlotte Piekara Bucknell University

Connor Mitnick Georgia Institute of Technology Anais Mitra University of Miami William Moeller University of Nevada, Las Vegas Christopher Mombello Middlebury College Jeffrey Monahan Columbia University

Jordan Marks Gettysburg College

Michael Moritz Gap year then Ithaca College

Isak Marquardt Lundellska High School in Sweden

Emma Moskovitz Middlebury College

Jack Massie University of Michigan Rachael Mazzone Hobart and William Smith Colleges Connor McCann Rhode Island School of Design

Emma Muro Chapman University Sage Murray University of Arizona Lauren Mushro Boston College Hannah Myers Tulane University Victoria Nachman Loyola University New Orleans Vidur Nair Fordham University

Christine McCarthy Gap Year then Tulane University

Nathan Nandagopal University of Connecticut

Madison McCartin New York University

Steven Nelson Norwalk Community College

Sophia McConnell Villanova University

Samuel Neufeld Tulane University

William McDonald Colgate University

Austin Nicklas Coastal Carolina University

Alice McDonald Rhode Island School of Design

Willie Nolan Gettysburg College

Jake McGibney Community College in Dallas, Texas Marie McHugh Universidade Estácio de Sá Christopher McKinney University of Vermont J.P. McNicholas Wake Forest University Cara McNiff Elon University Elizabeth McVaney University of Rhode Island Grace Meehan Texas Tech University

25

Cooper Shippee University of Arizona

Ming Montgomery University of Connecticut

Matthew Marshall Gap year

Inklings / June 20, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

Katie Reynolds Vanderbilt University

Tyler Marks University of Southern California

Andrew Marriott Vanderbilt University

Senior List

Claire Noyer Gap year then Bucknell University Caroline O'Brien University of Mississippi

Isabelle Pieper Connecticut College Zachary Polin University of South Carolina Joshua Popkin Bucknell University Bryan Porter Bowdoin College Jessica Pressman University of Delaware Thomas Price Syracuse University Donald Prior West Virginia University

Noella Robb-Jumpp Central Connecticut State University Nathaniel Rosen Franklin and Marshall College Josh Rosenberg Roger Williams University Caroline Rossi Fordham University Sarah Rountree University of Georgia Charlotte Rowland Vanderbilt University Madison Rozynek Elon University James Rubin University of Oregon Ryan Ruggiano Loyola University Maryland

Natalie Pulvino University of Colorado Boulder

Khaliq Sanda Duke University

Mary Purcell University of Vermont

Jacob Santo University of Connecticut

Brian Quagliariello Xavier University

Farheen Sarfaraz Brooklyn College

Claire Quigley Trinity College

Brian Saunders Northwestern University

Chloe Quigley Savannah College of Art and Design – Atlanta

Tyler Scanlin Lehigh University

Elijah Sloat Ursinus College Kathryn Smith Georgetown University Emily Smith Union College Halie Smith Tufts University Kevin Smith Miami University Kellen Smithson University of Michigan

Matt Walton The New School Danlei Wang New York University Isabella Warburg Elon University Nicholas Ward Trinity College Spencer Warner Gap year Sage Watterworth College of Charleston

Emily Smolka Indiana University

Connor Weiler Pennsylvania State University

Steven Sobel Princeton University

Gregory Weiner Ithaca College

Alec Solder Carnegie Melon University

Grayson Weir University of Mississippi

Charles Sonenclar Tufts University

Rayna Weiser Northwestern University

Liana Sonenclar University of Chicago

Matthew Weisgerber Washington State University

Olivia Sosnoski Pursuing a modeling career

Eliza Weiss American University

Jeremy Staffa University of Rochester

Darryle Wiggins University of Connecticut

Alyson Rackson Colgate University

Knox Schieffelin Southern Methodist University

Parker Stakoff University of Pennsylvania

Christopher Wilk University of Michigan

Annie Raifaisen Tulane University

Warren Schorr Dartmouth College

Emily Stanford University of Delaware

Brendan Willigan University of New Hampshire

Lauren Raifaisen Syracuse University

Timothy Schroeder University of Delaware

Carly Steckel Cornell University

Ian Rainey University of Michigan

Joseph Schulman University of Delaware

Baxter Stein University of Chicago

Sarah Rakin Connecticut College

Jack Scott University of Michigan

Griffin Stein Goucher College

Haley Randich University of Michigan

Dana Segal McGill University

Ruby Steinberg University of Delaware

Gabrielle Raskin University of Colorado Boulder

Lea Sellon Dickinson College

Nicholas Stern Brown University

Joshua Sesmer Binghamton University

Simon Stracher Amherst College

Christopher Severini Gettysburg College

Amanda Streiter Tulane University

Yousef Shahin Clark University

Drew Tassel Indiana University

Daniel Shapiro Manhattan School of Music

Alexandra Tergis University of Hartford

Eliza Shaw Trinity College

Alison Thomson Northeastern University

Timothy Shea College of Charleston

Gene Tsai University of Alabama

Ariana Sherman John Hopkins University

Charlotte Tyminski University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Samuel Reach University of Michigan Jack Reardon Syracuse University

Molly O'Shea New York University

Andreas Refvik Westmont College in Santa Barbara

Hans Olrik Connecticut College

Jake Reiner Northwestern University

Faye Osgood Wake Forest University

Tomas Reinhardt University of Maryland

William Overton Gettysburg College

Zachary Reiser Boston University

Jonathan Pacilio Trinity College

Jacob Reiser Boston University Emily Ressler Georgetown University

Benjamin Shey University of Miami

Diamonde Ufomaduh University of Delaware

Nicholas Wingate Chapman University John Wisniewski Tulane University Amy Wong Clark University Julia Woods Pennsylvania State University Kevin Xiang Lehigh University Eliza Yass Vanderbilt University Caroline Zapfel University of Hartford Alanna Zavoico University of Connecticut Katherine Zhou Duke University Eric Zurmuehle Hamilton College

Not all members of the class of 2014. Some seniors asked to not be included or did not respond to multiple attempts to reach them or members of their families.

26 Degree List Thank You Staples Teachers...

Inklings / June 20, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

ADMINISTRATION John Dodig Principal Southern Conn. State Univ., B.A. Fairfield Univ., M.A. Southern Conn. State Univ., 6th Year James Farnen Assistant Principal Dept. Chair, Media Central Conn. State Univ., B.A. Sacred Heart Univ., M.A. Southern Conn. State Univ., 6th Year Richard A. Franzis Assistant Principal Dept. Chair, Library and Computer Science Southern Connecticut State Univ., B.S.; M.S.,6th Year Martin Lisevick Athletic Director Central Conn. State Univ., B..S. Univ. of New England, M.S. Southern Conn. State Univ., 6th Year Patrick Micinilio Assistant Principal Dept.. Chair, Family Consumer Science, Tech. Ed. Univ. of Conn., B.A. Univ. of Bridgeport, M.A. Southern Conn. State Univ., 6th Year Karyn Morgan Assistant Principal Dept. Chair, Fine Arts, Performing Arts, Academic Support Southern Conn. State Univ., B.S.; 6th Year Fairfield Univ., M.A. DEPARTMENT CHAIRS Frank Corbo 6-12 Coordinator for Mathematics Fairfield Univ., A.B., M.A. Southern Conn. State Univ., 6th Year James D’Amico 6-12 Coordinator, Social Studies Univ. of Conn., B.A.; M.A. Univ. of Conn., 6th Year Lorraine DiNapoli Dept. Chair, Special Education Central Conn. State Univ., B.S. Univ. of Central Florida, M.A. Southern Conn. State Univ., M.S.;C.A.S. David Gusitsch K-12 Coordinator, Physical Education & Health Central Conn. State Univ., B.S. Western Illinois Univ., M.S. Sacred Heart Univ., 6th Year Julie Heller Dept. Chair, English Bennington College, M.F.A. Union College, M.A.T. Cameron Univ., M.A. Michael Rizzo Dept. Chair, ESOL Fairfield Univ., M.A. Univ. of Connecticut, 6th year A.J. Scheetz 6-12 Coordinator, Science Lake Superior State Univ., B.S. Univ. of Colorado, M.S.; Ph.D.

Elaine Schwartz Dept. Chair, Guidance Syracuse Univ., B.A. Teachers College, Columbia Univ., M.A.; Ed.M. David Winer Dept. Chair, Music New England Conservatory of Music, B.M Univ. of Connecticut, M.M. Univ. of Hartford, 6th Year Maria Zachery Dept. Chair, World Language Fairfield Univ., B.A. Columbia Univ., Teachers’ College, M.A. Southern Conn. State Univ., 6th Year ACADEMIC SUPPORT Francine Sinay Eastern Connecticut State Univ., B.A. Univ. of Bridgeport, M.S. ATHLETICS Gaetana Deiso Springfield College, B.S.

Christina W. Richardson Northwestern Univ., B.S. Western Conn. State Univ., M.A.

Barbara Robbins LIBRARY/ MEDIA Fairfield Univ., B.A. James P. Honeycutt Western Conn. State Univ., M.S, Fairfield Univ., B.A.; M.A.; C.A.S. Sacred Heart Univ., 6th Year Colin Neenan Williams College, B.A. Meghan Scheck Univ. of Maryland, M.L.S. Colby College, B.A. Middlebury College, M.A. Robin Stiles Grove City College, B.A. Kristin Schulz Southern Conn. State Univ., College of the Holy Cross, B.A. M.L.S. Fairfield Univ., M.A. Michael Zito Delbert Shortliffe Southern Conn. State Univ., B.A. Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Fairfield Univ., M.A. Hill, B.A. Colgate Univ., M.T. MATHEMATICS Stacey Delmhorst Lindsay Spose Southern Connecticut State Univ. of Connecticut, B.A. Univ., B.S. Univ. of New Haven, M.S. Univ. of Connecticut, M.S. Holly Sulzycki Indiana Univ., B.S. Southern Connecticut State Univ., M.S.

ENGLISH Jesse Bauks Univ. of Conn., B.A. Fairfield Univ., M.A.

Cody Thomas New York University, B.A. University of Connecticut, M.A.

Heather Colletti-Houde Fairfield Univ., B.A. Western Conn. State Univ., M.S.

Brian Tippy Yale Univ., B.A. Middlebury College, M.A.

Anne Lutz Fernandez Brown Univ., B.A. Boston College, M.A. Mary Elizabeth Fulco Univ. of Mary Washington, B.A. Southern Connecticut State Univ., M.A. Kimberly Herzog Bucknell Univ., B.A. Univ. of Conn., M.A. Southern Conn. State Univ., Sixth Year Elizabeth Koperwhats Fairfield Univ., B.A.; M.A. Rebecca Marsick Tufts University, B.A. Tufts University, M.A.T. Bank Street College of Education, M.Ed. Julia McNamee Williams College, B.A.; Univ. of Massachusetts, M.A. Alex Miller Southern Connecticut State Univ., B.S. Fordham, M.A.; M. Phil.

Amanda Morgan The Univ. of Chicago, B.A. American Univ., M.A. Susan O’Hara Tufts Univ., B.A. Rutgers Univ., M.A. Columbia Univ., Teachers’ College Ed.M. Elizabeth Olbrych Conn. College, B.A. Univ. of New Hampshire, M.S.T. Fairfield Univ., C.A.S. Dan Palheiredo Keene State College, B.A. Westfield State University, M.A.

Tracy Wright Ohio State Univ., B.S.; M.Ed

Elizabeth Triggs Yale Univ., B.A.

Gertrude Denton Univ. of South Florida, B.A. New York Univ. M.B.A. Ann Didelot St. Joseph’s Univ., B.S. Univ. of Bridgeport, M.S. Dana Dolyak Southern Connecticut State Univ., B.S.; M.S. Anthony Mike Forgette Univ. of New Haven, M. Ed.

Karen Thomas Mount Holyoke College, B.A. Univ. of New Hampsire, M.S.T. Southern Conn. State Univ., Sixth Year William Walsh Univ. of Conn., B.A. Fairfield Univ., M.Ed. John Wetzel Dickinson College, B.S. Sacred Heart Univ., M.A.; M.S. Sarah White Univ. of Virginia, B.A.; M.T. Sacred Heart Univ., 6th Year Bill Wilkes Southern Conn. State Univ., B.S. Western Conn. State Univ., M.A. MUSIC Candi Innaco P/T Univ. of Dayton, B.M.E. Kansas State Univ., M.M. Nicholas G. Mariconda Univ. of Bridgeport, B.S.; M.S. Carrie Mascaro Ithaca College School of Music B.M., M.M. Southern Conn. State Univ. 6th Year Luke Rosenberg Western Michigan Univ., B.M. Adele Cutrali Valovich Western Conn. State Univ., B.M.E. Eastman School of Music, M.M. Southern Conn. State Univ., 6th Year

Gus Young Bard College, B.A. Univ. of Maine, M.A.T.

Jennifer Giudice (P/T) Univ. of Nebraska at Omaha, B.S.; M.S. Southern Conn. State Univ., 6th year

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES Cecily Gans Johnson & Wales Univ., B.S.; M.A.T.

Margaret Gomez Union College, B.S. Fairfield Univ., M.S.

PHYSICAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION

Caroline James Fairfield Univ., B.S. Univ. of Bridgeport, M.S.

Maureen Cadden Univ. College Dublin, B.S. Univ. of Bridgeport, M.S.

Alan Jolley Rutgers Univ., B.A. Wesleyan Univ., M.A.T.; 6th Year

Michael Caetano Southern Conn. State Univ., B.S., M.S., Sixth Year

Theron Kissinger Univ. of New Mexico, B.S. Univ. of Bridgeport, M.Ed.

Colin Devine Southern Conn State Univ., B.S.

Linda McClary Fordham Univ., M.S.W. SUNY at Cortland, B.A. Alison Milwe–Grace Univ. of Mass, Amherst, B.S. Fairfield Univ., M.A. ICE- Manhattan, Culinary Degrees Laura Wendt Pine Manor College, B.A. FINE ARTS Carla Eichler Univ. of Conn., B.F.A. Southern Connecticut State Univ., M.S. Camille Eskell Queens College/CUNY B.F.A.; M.F.A. Janet Garstka Carnegie Mellon Univ., B.F.A. Illinois Institute of Technology, M.S. Jaclyn Jeselnik Quinnipiac Univ., B.S. College of New Rochelle, M.A. Jonathan Nast Gettysburg College, B.A. Southern Conn. State Univ., M.S. Angela Simpson Skidmore College, B.S. Southern Conn. State Univ., M.S. Sacred Heart Univ., 092

Leonard Klein Univ. of Conn., B.S. Sacred Heart Univ., M.A. Jessica Levy Quinnipiac Univ., B.S., M.A. Kerrigan Warnock Springfield College, B.S. Univ. of New Haven M.A. Robert Papp Sacred Heart Univ., M.A. Dartmouth College., B.A. Nicole Pendolphi Fairfield Univ., B.S.; M.A. Robin Sacilotto Univ. of Connecticut, B.S.; M.A. Sacred Heart Univ., 6th Year Rebecca Stern Boston College, B.A. Columbia Univ. Teacher’s College, M.A.

Greg Winters P/T Western Conn. State Univ. B.S.; M.S.

Jeff Doornweerd Springfield College, B.A. Sacred Heart Univ., M.A. Southern Connecticut State Univ., 6th Year Cari Moore Central Connecticut State Univ., B.S. Marcellino Petroccio Southern Conn. State Univ., B.S. Nicole Ross Ithaca College, B.S. Kelly Shamas Southern Connecticut State Univ., B.A.; M.S. Christopher Shamas Univ. of Maryland, College Park, B.S. Fairfield Univ., M.A. Sacred Heart Univ., 6th Year

27 We Could Not Have Done It Without You! Degree List

Inklings / June 20, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

Janet Zamary Springfield College, B.A., M.S. PUPIL SERVICES Sandra Dressler Berman Queens College of the City Univ. of New York, B.A. Fordham Univ., M.S.W. Mary Bernhardt Univ. of Rhode Island, B.A. Univ. of Bridgeport, M.S.; C.A.S. Tom Brown Ohio Wesleyan Univ., B.A. Univ. of Connecticut, M.A. Victoria Capozzi Southern Conn. State Univ., B.S.; M.S. Jennifer Currie Univ. of Delaware, B.A. Central Connecticut State Univ.

M.S. Alycia Dadd University of Delware, B.A. Teachers College Columbia Univ., Ed.M.

Bethann Balazsi Southampton College, B.S. Southern Connecticut State Univ., M.S. Southern Connecticut State Univ.

6th Year Antonio Coccoli Sacred Heart Univ., B.S.; M.A.T.

Lauren Francese Fairfield Univ., B.A. Sacred Heart Univ., M.A.T; C.A.S 6th Year

Andrea Beebe Univ. of Calif., Los Angeles, B.A. Fairfield Univ., M.A.

Sara Gifford Southern Conn. State Univ., B.S.

Ashley Gayanilo Univ., of Virginia, B.A. Sacred Heart Univ., M.A.

Karen DeFelice-During Providence College, B.A. Fairfield Univ., M.A.; M.F.T.

Dana Gilland Univ. of Vermont, B.A. Western New England College School of Law, J.D. Univ. of Bridgeport, Sixth Year

Deirdre Dempsey Univ. of Conn., BA Columbia Univ., M.S.

William Jones Union College, B.S.; M.S. Joel Kabak Queens College, City Univ. of New York, B.A. Yale Univ. School of Medicine, M.D.

Joanne Klouda NYU - Polytechnic Institute, B.S. M.I.T., M.S.

Julia Horowitz Bowdoin College, B.A. Univ. of Michigan, M.P.H. Columbia Univ., M.S.W.

Alexandra Krubski Univ. of Conn., B.A. Sacred Heart Univ., M.A.T. Michael J. Vieira Lazaroff San Francisco State Univ., B.A. Dominick Messina Manhattan College, B.S. Stony Brook Univ., M.S.

William Plunkett Colgate Univ., B.A. Harvard Univ., Ed.M., C.A.S.

Nicholas Morgan Villanova Univ., B.S. M.I.T., Ph.D.

Deborah Slocum Wesleyan Univ., B.A. London School of Economics, M.S.C. Fairfield Univ., M.A.

Michele Morse Fairfield Univ., B.S. Fordham Univ., Ph.D.

Tom Viviano New York Univ., B.A. Fordham Univ., Ph.D. P.J. Washenko Univ. of Massachusetts, B.A. Southern Conn State., Univ., M.S. SCIENCE Michael Aitkenhead State Univ. of New York, Syracuse, B.S. Pennsylvania State Univ., M.A. Robert Andrew Cornell Univ. B.A., M.A., Ph.D.

Carmen J. Arciola, III Assumption College, B.A. Fairfield Univ., M.A.

Cecilia Duffy Providence College, B.A. Wesleyan Univ., M.A. Southern Ct State Univ., 6th Year

Denise Honeycutt Southern Conn. State Univ., B.A.; M.S. Fairfield Univ., C.A.S.

Carol D. Taney College of New Rochelle, B.A.; M.S.; 6th yr.

Rita Appel City Univ. of N.Y. Brooklyn College, B.A.; M.S.

SOCIAL STUDIES Carol Avery Indiana Univ., B.A. Southern Conn. Univ., M.S.; M.A.

Christine Kaszanek Univ. of New Hampshire, B.S.; M.A.T.

Christine M. Talerico Univ. of Conn., B.S. Central Conn. State Univ., M.S.

Humphrey Wong Univ. of Illinois, Ph.D. Univ. of California, Berkeley, B.A. Harvard Univ., M.P.A.

SPECIAL EDUCATION Rebecca Anderson-Furlong Syracuse Univ., B.S. Fairfield Univ., M.A.

Maura Delaney Quinnipiac Univ., B.S., M.A. Nathaniel Dewey Grove City College B.S. Fairfield Univ., M.A.T.

Leslie Hammer Univ. of California, Berkeley, B.A. Fairfield Univ., M.A.

Edward Huydic Southern Conn. State Univ., B.S. Columbia Teachers College, M.A.; 6th Year Wesleyan Univ., C.A.S.

Heather Wirkus Marist College, B.S. Southern Conn. Univ., M.S.

Howard David Rollison Maine Maritime Academy, B.S. Kristin Scott Univ. of Conn. B.S., M.A. David M. Scrofani Fairfield Univ., B.S. M.A. Karen Thompson Western Conn. State Univ., B.S. Flavio Tinoco Maharishi Univ. of Management, B.S.; M.S. Univ. of Iowa, Ph.D.

Katherine Goulian Cornell Univ., B.A. Columbia Univ., M.A. Daniel Heaphy Univ. of Conn. , M.A. Sheila Hirai Kenyon College, B.S. Boston College, M. Ed. Suzanne Kammerman Union College, B.A. Universiteit van Amsterdam, M.A. Chi–Ann Lin Univ. of Conn., B.A.; M.A. Danielle McRedmond Univ. of Conn., B.A.; M.A. John Miller Ohio Wesleyan Univ., B.A. Univ. of Cincinnati, College of Law, J.D. Sacred Heart Univ., M.A.T. Eric Mongirdas Penn State Univ., B.A. Simmons College., MA Harvard Univ.., MA Sara Pinchback State Univ. of New York, Geneseo, Hunter College, M.A. Rob Rogers Sonoma State Univ., B.A. Northern Arizona Univ., M.A. Catherine Schager Johns Hopkins Univ., B.A. Teachers College, Columbia Univ., M.A.

Serena Tirado Emory Univ., B.S. Fairfield Univ., M.A.

Jonathan Shepro Boston Univ., B.S. Univ. of Bridgeport, M.A. Sacred Heart Univ., M.A.L.

Carrie Veigas Conn. College, B.A. Boston College, M. Ed

Jeanne Stevens Marquette Univ., B.A. Northern Illinois Univ., M. Ed.

Trema Voytek Southern Conn. State Univ., B.A.; M.S. Sacred Heart Univ., 6th year

David Willick Michigan State Univ., B.A.

Brooke Barrington Syracuse Univ., B.S. Fairfield Univ., M.A.

Diann Drenosky Univ. of Conn., B.A. Southern Conn. State Univ., M.S. Johanna Driscoll Lesley College, B.S. Sharon Halstead Connecticut State College, B.A. Southern Connecticut Univ., M.S. Fairfield Univ., 6th Year Heidi Howden Southern Conn. State Univ. B.A.; M.A Marylou Huisking Ladycliff College, B.A. Fairfield Univ., M.A. Southern Conn. State Univ., 6th Year Sally Joyce Southern Conn. State Univ., B.A., M.S. Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners & Educators Aimee Lorenti Southern Conn. State Univ., B.S. Sacred Heart Univ., M.S. Jennifer Lynch Fairfield Univ., B.A.; M.A.

THEATER David Roth The Theatre School at Depaul Univ., B.F.A. Southern Oregon Univ., M.A. Southern Conn. State Univ. 6th Year WORLD LANGUAGE Horacio Ballesteros Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, B.A. Fairfield Univ., M.A. Joseph Barahona Southern Conn State Univ., B.A., M.A. Olivier Blanchardon Central Conn. State Univ., B.A. Fairfield Univ., M.A., 6th Year Natalie Clay Univ. of Montpellier, France, B.A; M.A. Louisa D’Amore Univ., of Delaware, B.A. Ana Catalina DeLuca Fairfield Univ., M.A. Christopher Fray Conn. College, B.A. Sacred Heart Univ., M.A.T. Eamon Griffin Middlebury College, B.A., M.A. Csilla Giaume Eotvos Lorand Univ, B.A. Fairfield Univ., M.A. Jennifer Huettner Univ. of Virginia, M.Ed. Denison Univ., B.A. Donna Kenny Univ. of Iowa, B.A. Univ. of New Haven, M.B.A. Carol Kochefko Fairfield Univ., B.A.; M.A. Enia Noonan Univ. of Conn.. B.A. Universidad de Sevilla, Espana Fairfield Univ., M.A. Susan Pels Tufts Univ., B.A. Univ. of Texas (Austin), M.B.A. Univ. of Texas (Austin), M.A.

Karla Masiello Univ. of Conn., B.S.; M.A.

Renee Torres Sacred Heart Univ., B.A. Univ. of Conn., M.A.

Tom Owen Ohio Univ., B.S.

Priscilla Wentworth Fairfield Univ., B.A.

Marjory Palmer Calif. State Univ., Chico, B.S. Fairfield Univ., M.A., C.A.S.

Kemen Zabala Univ. of Conn., B.A., M.A

Sara Prior Wheelock College, B.A. Southern Conn. State Univ., M.A.

NURSES Suzanne Bookbinder Brooklyn College, B.S. New York Univ., M.A.

Sarah Stanley Diane Bosch Central Conn. State Univ., B.S Hartwick College, B.S.N., NCSN Southern Conn. State Univ., M.A. Elizabeth Russ TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION Univ. of New Hampshire, B.S.N. Michael Sansur Univ. of Maryland, College Park, B.S. Univ. of Bridgeport, M.S. Southern Conn. State Univ., 6th Year, 7th year

28 Sports

Inklings / June 20, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

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29

June 20, 2014

Ben Cion has a passion for football (the European kind) JACK ZELDES ’16 Being cut from a beloved sport can be a traumatic experience. However, this was not case for Ben Cion ‘14. When he was cut from the soccer team his sophomore year, he could’ve given up on the game. Instead, his passion for the game has only increased.

Two years after being cut the Staples Soccer team, Cion is more involved with the game than ever before. He not only referees for children’s teams and plays in rec leagues across the town, but he also became the live tweeter for the varsity team this past fall.

Head Coach Dan Woog approached Cion before the season and asked if he wanted a job highlighting key parts of each game on the team’s Twitter page.

Cion agreed and joined the team as its first ever live tweeter. He attended almost all of the games, and while he described it as “stressful” at some points, he enjoyed his experience as he got to watch the game he enjoyed the most. @StaplesSoccer1 Pravder just scored maybe the best goal I’ve ever seen. It was incredible. Left footed half volley into the top corner Like most soccer fans, Cion loves watching the Barclays Premier League and in particular his favorite team, Liverpool FC. Based in Merseyside, England, with a rich history and remarkable fans, the team is so exciting that Cion makes it a point to rarely miss a game.

The most memorable moment of this campaign occurred in a game in April. “It pains me

as a Liverpool fan to say this,” Cion says now. In a hard-fought, defensive, 0-0 match, the Liverpool captain made a small but ultimately fatal move that opened the door for Chelsea through its Senegalese striker. “Steven Gerrard slipping, allowing Demba ba to put Chelsea 1-0 up and ultimately take the title from Liverpool’s hands. It was heartbreaking.” @bencion33 I really like Valon Berisha as a signing, He’s young talented cheap and a cm. Good business. #LFC It’s scenes like these that Cion loves. Sports fans should give English soccer a shot, he said. “It’s not just the sport; it’s the culture -- the way people kind of argue,” Cion reflected. It becomes such a passion that it’s hard to distinguish the club from the fans -- fans are so excited, and the players feed off of it. “When referring to Liverpool, I say we,” Cion explained.

However, being in America and loving an English football team comes at a price. Because of the time difference, Cion often wakes up as early as 7:30 AM on Saturdays to watch his favorite team play. In the end, though, Cion finds the sacrfice to be worth it.

“One pass leads to another leads to another and then a goal, on some level it’s beautiful,” said Cion. @Staplessoccer1 As a freshman I dreamed of winning the state title as a member of staples soccer. I now proudly say goodbye as the live tweeter. To everyone who supported the team this season and followed this account. A program is nothing without the fans.

PHOTO BY RACHEL MORRISON ’16

QUICK FINGERS AND FEET: Ben Cion ’14 poses on Loeffler Field while combining his love for soccer and social media. His twitter @StaplesSoccer1 has 160 followers waiting in anticipation to hear his game commentry and recap.

Lights ignite Homecoming night PHOTO BY JIMMY RAY STAGG ’16

RUNNING WILD: Wide Receiver Will Johnson ’14 takes a punt return to the end zone during the Homecoming game against Wilton for the Wreckers first home touchdown of the 2013 season

ELIZA YASS ’14 Our freshman, sophomore and junior homecomings had taken place in the morning or on a weeknight. They were exciting games, but there was a slight dark cloud over the games due to the student body’s awareness that the less-than-desirable time of the game was a consequence for past years’ slipups.

In 2009, various seniors had attended their Homecoming game inebriated, resulting in various girls sent to the hospital for treatment.

This game resulted in the change of Homecoming times for the future to either weeknight or early morning weekend games. How is everyone supposed to get lively and excited at ten a.m? Or even worse, after a long day of school or work? Motorcade doesn’t exactly have the same effect on the town when half of Westport is still sleeping.

Finally, after four years of waiting and demonstrating top behavior, we had earned a weekend nighttime Homecoming.

Everything about the night was wonderful.

We decorated the cars with blue and white streamers and made it down to Compo to greet

the rest of the students just as the sun was setting. Upon arriving at the beach, I could instantly tell that my peers were fired up and ready to get to the game. I will never forget the image of looking behind me, down South Compo at all the cars lined up, overstuffed with blue and white clad students screaming and dancing in their cars while the pink sun set in the background.

Being a cheerleader on this night and getting to watch my peers cheer and chant from the track is something I will keep with me forever. Looking out at a crowd of parents, teachers and students alike, united in a sea of navy blue and white made me so proud and grateful to be a part of the Staples community. Everyone, no matter what age or friend group, was able to come together on Homecoming and bond through a common goal. The excitement radiating from the bleachers was palpable.

Football players turned around to shout to the crowd, and the crowd responded with more excitement. Although it was pitch black everywhere else, the field and the people were illuminated by the massive, glowing, fluorescent lights. The lights had an unparalleled effect on the crowd.

Their glow added to the already luminous excitement of the game and transformed the Staples football field into an arena filled with eager Westporters ready to watch the battle of the year.

“Everyone was way more excited at Homecoming than they were at the day games. The crowd was bigger, and there was way more excitement,” Andrew Felman ’14, Staples Superfan, said.

In the weeks leading up to the game, teachers and administration had repeatedly reminded students to make good decisions when Friday, September 20 rolled around.

“I remember leaving my math class that Friday and my teacher trying to yell after us as everyone was walking out the door to remind us to be safe and have a fun night. I was so excited, and I really was hoping everything went smoothly,” Lauren Raifaisen ’14 said. “I mean our grade is kind of crazy.”

In the end, the evening was a success. Staples beat Wilton 14-7, and the night was a perfect final Homecoming for the class of 2014. Football captain Jack Massie sums it up perfectly.

“The game and the night were absolutely amazing.”

30 Sports

Inklings / June 20, 2014 / inklingsnews.com

“Getcha’ head in the game” Athletes of the Year

For Tyler Scanlin, dedication pays off JENNA MCNICHOLAS ’15

W

hile Tyler Scanlin has always appreciated the invincible feeling of propelling herself around the deep blue rubber track, she truly fell in love with running and the endless possibilities it presented at the New England’s championships in 2014. Scanlin beat her personal record in the 600-meter indoor event. This success only made her more determined to excel.

“At the end, I felt like I could have gone faster,” Scanlin ’14 said, “It made me feel like I had no limits.”

This drive and commitment to track has not only made Scanlin a two season captain for track, but it has also won her the honor of being the Female Athlete of the Year.

Driven, encouraging and enthusiastic are amongst the many positive qualities teammates and coaches used to sum up what makes Scanlin such a gifted athlete.

“Tyler Scanlin is really the core of our team,” teammate Olivia Wiener ’15 said. “She’s a tremendous athlete, but that doesn’t even sum it up.”

Underclassmen Brynly Marsh ’16 commented on Scanlin’s ability to inspire everyone around her. “She’s always there to push you, even during our hardest workouts,” Marsh ’16 said. “She’s very driven.”

Scanlin was the captain for both the indoor and outdoor track team this year. A three-year soccer player, Scanlin decided to focus on track her senior year and do

cross-country in the fall. Scanlin retired her worn-out soccer cleats and made a full commitment to running track.

This decision was fueled by her intent to be a collegiate athlete. Throughout her junior year ,Scanlin was intrigued by the crisp white recruitment letters with her name printed on the front.

Determined to get recruited to the best possible academic school, Scanlin strived to be a standout track-athlete and student. With this determination, Scanlin has broken numerous school records, which include the outdoor 800-meter record, and the indoor 600-meter record, 4x400, 4x200, 4x240, the spring medley relay (SMR), and distance medley relay (DMR). Her school honors include being a scholar athlete and the recipient of the Block S Award.

In only this year, Scanlin was awarded the honor of All-FCIAC, All-State, AllNew England, and All-American.

“Whenever [Scanlin] gets back a personal record, she can’t wait for the next week, so she can beat it,” Marsh said.

Scanlin trains six days a week and, needless to say, her hard work paid off.

Scanlin committed to attend Lehigh University this fall where she will continue to run track.

“When you watch her run, you know she’s giving it everything she’s got. It’s truly inspiring to watch, and not just for the underclassmen. She inspires everyone on the team,” Wiener said.

PHOTO BY ERIN MUNLEY ’16

BREAKING RECORDS: During the 800 meter race at Danbury High School, Tyler Scanlin ’14, second from right, sprinted at blazing speeds and finished in 2nd place. Scanlin broke the school record for this event with a time of 2:13.

“You raise me up” Athletes gain lessons on the field SARAH ELLMAN ’15 It was at an awards event when cheerleading captain, Emma Mikesh’14, lost her temper and got into a disagreement with another individual. It was her coach, Avery Watson that ultimately taught her that the best way to deal with the situation would be to leave the jealousy and apologize. “Avery is honestly like a big sister to me, and to the rest of the team. She has taught me a bunch on minimal life lessons, such as presenting myself with proper composure and courtesy at awards event,” Mikesh said.

One lesson that football captain, Jack Massie’14, has learned from his coaches is to always give 100% effort in what he does and that improving on the sport he loves sometimes requires participation in things he doesn’t. “Lifting and running 4 times

a week over the summer definitely wasn’t fun, but by the time the season came, we all were able to see how all that work paid off,” Massie said.

Similarly, swimming captain, Verity Abel’14 said she has learned that, when it comes to success, and self-motivation are key. Abel’s coach has taught her that in order to strive in swimming she needs to be mature enough to want success. “Success doesn’t come easily and part of being strong at something is learning to make sacrifices,” Abel said.

Additionally, athletes such as tennis captain, Melissa Beretta’14 have realized through the years that it is vital to be able to work well with others in order to achieve a common goal. “My coach Paco Fabian taught me that, in life, you are going to remember the big things, the exciting things, and the team wins above any

PHOTO BY JIMMY RAY STAGG ’16

EYES SET FOR SCORING: Two-sport captain Patrick Lesch ’14 is a force for the Wreckers.

Lesch led the football team in rushing yards and helped take the lacrosse team all the way to playoffs.

For Patrick Lesch, speed and determination win out the team. Varsity coach Paul McNulty ofJIMMY RAY STAGG ’16

Football and lacrosse. Two of the most physically demanding high school sports. These two sports have come to dominate Staples, with one student dominating both. Patrick Lesch ’14 was named the Male Athlete of the Year, a captain and star on both the football and lacrosse teams.

“Being athlete of the year means a lot to me. Staples has so many great athletes who are deserving of this award so it is an honor to be chosen for this,” Lesch said.

In the fall, Lesch,is #25, a powerful running back with pure speed and agility.

In his junior year, Lesch rushed for 716 yards on 46 carries and scored 9 touchdowns.

However, in early May 2013, Lesch was hurt and had surgery on his hip for a torn labrum (cartilage that protects the hip joint). He was out for all of his junior lacrosse season, but, according to Coach Marce Petroccio, “he worked his tail off to get himself back in shape.”

After only four and a half months, Lesch was back on the football field, stronger than ever. Now, an astounding 1011 yards and 14 touchdowns later, Lesch has finished his last season with Staples football.

In the spring, Lesch is #14, a fearsome foe with the ability to play both short-stick defensive middle, as well as a vicious attacker. As a sophomore, Lesch had 46 ground ball pick-ups, the second most on

individual triumph or placement,” Beretta said. On the court, Beretta gives her individual matches her all, constantly hoping for a Wreckers win, not just a Beretta win.

Baseball player, Sam Ellinwood’14 said Coach McFarland has been a huge help in teaching him how to be an effective leader. Ellinwood explained that he doesn’t consider himself naturally outgoing, so directing others as captain came as a challenge for him. “Coach McFarland has taught me that I can lead by example”

“All of my coaches have been more than mentors to me; they’ve been friends, heroes and people I look up to” -Jack Greenwald ’14

ten gave Lesch, then a sophomore, the task of guarding the opposition’s best player, and, as McNulty put it, “He’d beat the kid and get the ball. It happened all the time.”

Although prominent in both football and lacrosse, Lesch committed to Dartmouth in the spring of his junior year to play lacrosse. His younger sister, Kate Lesch ’16 couldn’t be prouder. “I am excited to see what Patrick accomplishes both on and off the field at Dartmouth.

One aspect of his athleticism that is impossible to miss is his blinding speed.

Michael Reale ’16 could only describe Lesch as being “way too fast.” Petroccio even went as far to say that Lesch has “another gear when it comes to running.” “[During] his junior year against Warde,” Petroccio recalled, “he made seven guys miss and ended up scoring a seventy-yard touchdown.”

Another part of Lesch’s game that can’t be overlooked is his pure determination. When asked to describe Lesch in three words, McNulty chose “Leader, perseverance, and loyalty.” Going on, McNulty said, “Through two seasons of injuries and rehab, he never missed a practice, a team event, a team meeting or a game.”

This trait came up in a conversation with Petroccio, who was impressed with Lesch’s “one-hundred percent commitment to everything he does.”

“He just epitomizes what the meaning of student-athlete really is,” Petroccio said.

“He was a pleasure to coach and watch.”

Ellinwood said. Not only has this helped Ellinwood as a baseball captain, but he has also found it beneficial in life.

Another lesson that has been grasped on the Staples field is the lesson of respect and kindness. Field hockey player, Valerie Fitton’14 said that one of the most important things she plans to take off the turf with her is to constantly treat people with warmth. Fitton explained how coach Kristin Schulz is always well mannered, “even to opponents and bad refs,” Fitton said. “It makes her such an approachable person and coach.”

When it comes down to it, the most important thing about high school sports is not the numbers on the scoreboard, but the lessons that come with the time spent with coaches trying to get those numbers on the scoreboard.

“All of my coaches have been more than mentors to me; they’ve been friends, heroes and people I look up to, and I could never repay them for all they have done for me,” football player and lacrosse captain Jack Greenwald’14 said.

Sports Inklings /June 20, 2014 / inklingsnews.

Seniors recall Wrecker wins

5 grand slam moments that lead the last 4 years

JANE LEVY ’16

BOBBY JACOWLEFF ’14

T

hey’ve watched the ball grace the net, seen runners dash across the finish line, cheered on the players running up and down the field, and screamed the “I BELIEVE” chant loud enough to shatter eardrums.

As the 2014 senior superfans are leaving Staples sports behind, they reminisce about their favorite Sports-Center worthy hits, spikes, catches, passes, and goals that occurred during their Staples careers.

Volleyball stars Todd Goldstein ’14 and Amelia Brackett ’14 will always cherish their teams’ successes at the FCIAC and State levels as their greatest sports achievements and moments in the past four years.

In the spring of 2013, Staples boys volleyball earned the FCIAC and State championship titles, “I’ve never been part of a group of guys that had so much fun trying to complete one goal.

Also having so many kids come out and support us was one of the coolest things I’ve been a part of,” Goldstein said. “We did it, thanks to the fans.” SBVB also took home the FCIAC championship of 2014.

Girls’ volleyball captain Brackett actually sobbed after the team’s huge win over Greenwich in the state semi-finals. “I was so happy,” Brackett said. “It was literally everything I had worked for all season, and I felt so accomplished and proud of my

”

team.

Field hockey captain and avid Staples sports fan Elizabeth Coogan ’14, will never forget the

“It’s a great way for students to bond over a common goal, seeing their high school be successful while having fun at the same time.”

-Elizabeth Coogan ’14 state championship football game in the fall of 2011.

“Although Staples didn’t win, it was such an amazing experience as a fan because the championship took place at the UConn football stadium,” Coogan said. “The entire football game seemed so intense and professional. I can only imagine what it felt like for the actual players.”

As for the field hockey team, beating Darien in the semi-finals to advance to the 2011 FCIAC championship was Coogan’s most memorable moment on the

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5

The 2013 season was full of ups and downs for the Staples Wreckers football program. However, the biggest victory of the entire season came on November 1, as the Wreckers upset Trumbull, which sat atop of the FCIAC and State standings at the time. In a shoot-out where both offenses were firing on all cylinder, neither defense could come up with a stop.

Down 42-35 with 1:25 minutes left, the Wrecker’s defense had a critical stop and gave their offense the ball on their 30 yard line. At this point, Jack Massie ’14 led a drive down the field that culminated a touchdown pass to Will Johnson ’14 with just 25 seconds left. This forced the first overtime game for the Wreckers in the last four years.

Riding the momentum from the end of the game, Jack Greenwald ’14 ran in a touchdown to kick off overtime, and then Jake Melnick ’15 made the game-winning tackle on the three yard line: a play that sent the players on the bench, coaches, and fans in the stands all running onto the field to celebrate.

f ield.

“There w a s some crazy statistic that Darien hadn’t lost a game in like 103 games or something, so it felt incredible to beat them,” she said.

Coogan can still recall the intensity that raced through the warm fall air at dusk that night. “When we scored our last goal, right before the clock ran out, we all rushed onto the field. It was the coolest feeling ever!”

Basketball player Andrew Felman ‘14 never felt as happy on the court as when “David Katz ran off my screen and got a pass from Jake Melnick. We were down by 3 and David hit the 3-pointer and got fouled. He then made the free throw to give us a 1-point lead with 15 seconds left. We held on for the victory,” he said.

After attending and participating in many sporting events throughout her high school experience, Coogan shares her impression of Staples sports as a whole: “From Friday night football games under the lights in the fall, to sunny girls lacrosse games in the spring, students are always looking for fun sporting events to watch. It’s a great way for students to bond over a common goal; seeing their high school be successful while having fun at the same time.”

4

The 2013 Staples Girls Volleyball team was nothing short of fantastic throughout the 2013 season. They coasted through the regular season with only one loss to the Greenwich Cardinals. This penciled them in as the number two seed for the FCIAC tournament, where they met Greenwich once again. And again, in a thrilling fifth set, the Wreckers came up just short. Next for the Lady Wreckers was the state tournament. After cruising through the first three rounds, Staples was once again matched up with their kryptonite, Greenwich, in the semi-finals. Staples came out strong and dominated the first set. They faltered in the second and narrowly lost, but rebounded and won the third. Needing to win just one more set to clinch a berth into the state finals, fans felt the tension clearly in the air as the fourth set began. The Wreckers answered the bell and were victorious and the overflowing student section mobbed the court in celebration.

Recreational Basketball in Staples is a big deal to a lot of people. Not much could pry these ‘athletes’ at away from their own games.

But, on Februra Februrary 8, 2013, the basketball game between Westh Westhill and Staples did. Westhill came into the ggame as an overwhelming favorite.

Undefeated and leading the FCIAC, as the Undefe Wreck Wreckers were just 9-6 and fighting for a play playoff spot. However, this game was tightly contested the whole way. Westightl thill would jump ahead, and the Staples would fight right back. Led by 23 point points and tenacious defense from Peter Ranko Rankowitz ’13, the Wreckers were down

3

GRAPHIC BY DYLAN DONAHUE ’15

by just one point with under a minute left. At this time James Frusciante ’13 rattled home a jump shot to put the Wreckers up one. After a missed game winner

by Westhill, the fans, and almost the entirety of Rec Basketball, stormed the court and mobbed the players.

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The 2011 Staples Wreckers Baseball team was nothing short of dominant. They finished the regular season with 18 wins and just five losses behind All FCIAC players Mikey Scott ’11, Brendan Bernstein ’11, Rob Gau ’11, Mike McGowan ’11, and Bryan Terzian ’12. Rob Gau took the bump for the Wreckers as they faced off against Danbury. He proceeded to put on a performance that will live in Staples baseball legacy. Just two days after firing a complete game shutout against New Canaan in the quarter finals, Gau once again went the distance. He reached down and threw the 102 pitches that were needed for the win.

“Rob lives in the weight room, and there’s probably not another kid in the state who can do what he did on two days’ rest,” Staples coach Jack McFarland said. The offense was inspired by the gutsy performance and scored four runs, all with two outs, in the fifth, and took the lead. The game ended on a beautifully turned double play by the Wreckers, and they captured their third FCIAC championship in four years.

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The 2013 Staples Boys Volleyball team was one of the best teams Staples has ever had. After losing the first game of the regular season in 2013, the Wreckers proceeded to show everyone just how good they were by winning the next 21 games in a row, en route to a State and FCIAC championship. Perhaps the most dominant volleyball team Staples has ever assembled, the 2013 Wreckers took down Ridgefield in the FCIAC championship in front of a boisterous crowd, and then defeated Ridgefield once again in the state semifinals to face Glastonbury in the championship game. Glastonbury won the important game one and looked to have all the momentum. However, the Wreckers weathered the adversity and won game two to even the score at 1-1.

Outside hitter Johnny Denowitz ’14 played the game of his career, diving for countless saves and also racking up the kills. He led the Wreckers to a game three and four win, and thus a state championship. That made them the only Staples team to win a state championship in the 2013 calendar year.

We asked the seniors a question: If they could change one thing about themselves to make them better at their sport, what would it be? Here’s what Staples senior athletes said.

STAYING IN GREAT SHAPE NICK WARD ’14 Between my junior and senior season, both Coach P and I realized that if I wanted to be at the top of my game, I should lose some weight, so with his help I dropped to about 280-285. Staying in great shape, even for a lineman, is crucial for the game of football.

FOOTBALL

BEING INJURED IS FRUSTRATING BECAUSE YOU FEEL USELESS. ELIZABETH COOGAN ’14 My junior year, the day before my field hockey team’s first scrimmage of the season, I broke my arm. I couldn’t have felt more stupid. There was no cool injury story about diving to score a game-winning goal. Instead my clumsy feet got tangled and I ended up in a sling for three weeks.

Being injured is frustrating because you feel useless. If you had asked me a year ago what I would have changed about my years of playing sports at Staples, it would have been that stupid tumble.

But now, I could not have more opposite feelings. When I was injured I saw the other side of it; I got to see the coaches’ hushed discussions and game commentary and the cheering that takes place on the bench. I learned more about field hockey than I ever thought possible.

FIELD HOCKEY

AND THINK “I CAN WIN TODAY” MELISSA BERRETA’14 If I had been able to walk on the court against those girls and think “I can win today,” not just “Let’s see how long I can stay on the court,” I might have pulled out one or two more wins over my years at Staples.

TENNIS

I WOULDN’T TRADE MY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS TEAM

ANNIE RAIFAISEN ’14

There is one thing that would have made me a better cheerleader during my time at Staples; but I don’t regret it.

The only thing that kept my cheerleading experience from being a lot more focused, intense, and serious was my teammates.

However, because of these girls, and later boy, my four years as a varsity cheerleader were quite the opposite: thrilling, humorous and, of course cheerful.

But honestly, I wouldn’t trade my experience with this team for any trophy out there.

CHEERLEADING

I ACCEPT NOT BEING A STUD. STEVEN SOBEL

’14

Obviously, I could look back on my athletic career and want to change a lot.

It’d be pretty cool to be 6 inches taller.

Thirty more pounds of muscle would help.

Being the fastest kid on the soccer field sounds great. Throw in some nice endurance, and I could be an athletic stud.

But I have none of these things.

And though these attributes would get me all the “Athlete of the Week” honors I could ever want, I am not too sentimental about that.

So when I’m asked what I would improve in order to have a better athletic career at Staples, I’d say not much. I accept not being a stud. I accept that I am not going to college for a sport. I accept my mediocre “athletic prowess.” Maybe I’d just take a little more time to appreciate what I had. Being through with high school sports, leaving the kids I’ve played with all my life, and moving on toward a new stage in my life is a little scary. I’m just happy to have had the experiences with soccer and track (and obviously Rec Basketball) that I did.

SOCCER AND TRACK

GRAPHIC BY JULIA SCHORR ’16