Tower Issue #5 2012-2013 by Tower

Tower The Masters School

March 5, 2013

Volume 69, Number 5

The Masters School, 49 Clinton Avenue, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

New sophomores join community through late admissions process

by Tyler Pager Editor-in-Chief

by Teerin Julsawad Features Editor

While most students began their second semester in January, sophomores Luke Meehan and Margaret Dupree were just starting their first. Meehan and Dupree are among a group of 14 students admitted after the admission deadline this year. Admission applications are due in December and February for day and boarding students, respectively, but the several exceptions to these deadlines have raised questions regarding the school’s policy on late admissions. “There has been a tradition at this school that if there is space and available candidates, we would entertain the idea of a mid-year admit,” said Director of Admissions Chris Downs. “However, the school does not promote it because it is a case-by-case basis.” This summer, 12 students were admitted between July and September because the school was

Downs and Schwegel depart after only one year

Photo by Tyler Pager

New sophomores Luke Meehan and Margaret Dupree work on a lab in chemistry together. They were admitted this winter and started attending the school for the second semester.

below its admission target, Downs said. The school was able to enroll two new sophomores in January due to attrition. Three students in the upper school left before December, and an additional two students were expelled before winter break.

As a result, when Meehan’s parents contacted the school and made an inquiry regarding late admissions, they were invited to visit. “After we contacted them, we were asked to send in some information and they agreed to consider

it [the late application],” said Meehan, a former student at Brewster Academy. Dupree, however, left her old school in October and did not plan to attend school in the spring. “Originally I was continued on page 2

Director of Admissions Chris Downs and Director of Business and Finance Christine Schwegel will leave the school this June after only one year of service. Downs and Schwegel are the latest administrators to announce their departure after Head of the Upper School Chris Frost and Dean of Students Priscilla Hindley did so earlier this year. Associate Head of School for Faculty Affairs and Development Adriana Botero said it is merely a coincidence that four administrators are leaving in the same year. “Change is always potentially unsettling,” she said. “I would be concerned if it was a systematic problem. We just need to move forward and find ways of replacing them.” She added that the departures of both Downs and Schewgel, in

particular, are not ideal because they were still in the process of learning about the school, a task that will take their replacements months. “There is a big learning curve and it sets us back a few months,” Botero said. “But, if it wasn’t working for them, then it is the natural path to leave.” Downs spent the last 21 years as the Director of Admission at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut. Schwegel formerly worked as the chief financial officer at a non-for-profit organization servicing children and families. Both Downs and Schwegel declined to comment. Botero said the school has already begun the search for replacements for all four positions. The school is considering both external and internal candidates and Botero hopes to announce the new administrators before spring break.

Immigration reform: Extending the American Dream by Noah Buyon Web Editor-in-Chief

America is, as President Obama recently claimed, “a nation of immigrants.” Even though the most recent census found that just 12.5 percent of the population (~38 million people) is foreign-born, approximately 99.2 percent of all citizens are the direct descendants of non-natives. As it stands, the nation is struggling with this legacy. Current immigration statutes are some of the toughest enacted in American

history. The 2010 Arizona law that lets police single out citizens to question their immigration status continues to be in effect. All this is largely a reaction to the 11.2 million immigrants living in America who have entered the country illegally. Westchester Magazine estimates at least 60,000 of these unauthorized immigrants live and work in our county alone. While a majority of Americans are in support of cracking down on continued unlawful migration, attitudes are decidedly

mixed when it comes to the subject of the residency of those 11.2 million illegal aliens. The reigning policy, which has been lauded by those on the right and enforced by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency, has been one of selective access to visas and strict deportation for unauthorized foreigners. Junior Maria Dubon, an immigrant from Honduras, called the current immigration system unnecessarily restrictive. “I was young when the continued on page 13

Graphic by Noah Buyon

Immigrants have long since been part of the fabric of our county. It is estimated that every three out of 50 residents of Westchester County are immigrants, which is six percent of the population.

Opinion

Features

Sports

Students need more space to park on campus

Examining the progression of civil rights at Masters

Previewing the spring sports teams

Page 5

Photo by Declan Considine

Pages 8 & 9

Public Domain Image

Page 16

Photo by Ken Verral

newsbrief Two Students Score High on AMC, Qualify For AIME On Feb. 5, Masters students participated in the American Math Competition (AMC). Two students, Tao Chen and Yang (Elliot) Liu qualified to the second round, the American Invitational Mathematics Exam (AIME), after scoring above the 95 percentile for their respective age category. In the AMC 12, a qualifying score for the AIME was an 88.5, and Chen scored a 90. In the AMC 10, the score required was above a 108.0, and Liu’s score was 108. The AIME will take place on March 14.

- Lily Herzan

Architecture class added for next year Next year, Foundations in Architecture will be a new class in the Art Department. Offered as a minor class, Foundations in Architecture aims to introduce students to the study of Architecture through different assignments, such as architectural drawing, model building, and visiting sites. Art teacher Stephanie Mestyan will be teaching the class. “I’ve been teaching Art History, and there are many overlaps between the two areas,” she said. “It’s interesting how architecture has an effect on emotions, how the exterior can affect how you interact with others.” Junior Ethan Chan, who hopes to take the Foundations in Architecture class next year said, “I feel it is important for students to have the ability to analyze physical structures to know what makes a successful building.”

TOWER/March 5, 2013

NEWS

Bertrand Sellier becomes Mayor of Pelham Manor by Sofia Linden News Editor

The village of Pelham Manor’s first democratic mayor doubles as senior Cathy Sellier’s father, Bertrand Sellier. He has been elected mayor of Pelham Manor for the next two years. Pelham Manor is a largely Republican town, and even Democrats running for mayor have had to change their registration in order to obtain support. Pelham Manor’s first female mayor, Lorri Gorman, (who served as mayor from 2005-2007) invited Betrand to join the Planning Board. He agreed under the condition that he would not change his registration to Republican. She agreed, and emphasized the Board of Trustees’ desire to abolish this practice of candidates’ altering their parties in order to be elected. According to Westchester County Board of Elections figures, Republicans outnumbered Democrats in Pelham

Manor 1,477 to 1,363 in 2009. In Fall 2012, however, the difference between Democrats and Republicans in Pelham was relatively minute. There were 1,425 Republicans to 1,416 Democrats. “There has been a system called the ladder. People would serve on the planning board, or the zoning board or as the Village Attorney and then they serve as a trustee for eight years before becoming mayor,” Betrand said about the Pelham political system. After serving as a trustee, one can run to become mayor, which is precisely the process Bertrand underwent in order to become elected. Taxes are a crucial issue in Pelham Manor, and Betrand said keeping them as low as the town can is going to be the main project. “In Westchester, the property taxes are very high, and they’re particularly high in Pelham Manor for home owners because there isn’t a lot of commercial development,” he said.

Photo courtesy of The Pelham Weekly

BERTRAND SELLIER (CENTER) WILL BECOME MAYOR of Pelham Manor in April. Bertrand, pictured with Village trustees Raymond Vandenberg (left) and Christopher Winston (right) will be the first Democratic Mayor of Pelham Manor.

Senior Archie King, a Pelham resident and friend of Cathy’s, agreed that the taxes were a main issue, and was happy to know Betrand plans on addressing the problem. King was surprised when he heard Betrand was elected, considering there hadn’t been a democratic mayor in Pelham before. Although King identifies

by Wen-Xuan Ni Sports Editor

English teacher Bob Cornigans is trying to bridge the gap between ethnic groups in China. Last summer, using his own money, Cornigans traveled to China’s Xinjiang province to visit China’s minority ethnic group,

the Uyghur. His primary goal during his stay was to investigate the extent to which the Han, China’s ethnic majority group, stereotypes the Uyghur people. “My foremost aim is to encourage Han Chinese to acquaint themselves with the minority population,” Cornigans said. “Many Han people stereotype

minorities the same way whites stereotype blacks, Latinos and other minorities in America.” His second goal is to introduce native-born American students at Masters to minorities in China. “The school is interested in alternative forms of education, which includes global outreach, so I’m hoping native

Martin Re-appointed Usa Fencing team Captain

- Wen-Xuan Ni

definitely a stereotypical culture in my town, so it will be nice to see something different.” Betrand encourages students interested in politics to get involved. “The best thing to do if you want to get involved in politics is find someone that you really like and respect and volunteer on his or her campaign.”

Cornigans develops program to combat stereotyping in China

- Casey Chon

Francisco Martin has been re-appointed as captain of the USA Fencing National team by the United States Fencing Association for the upcoming Olympic cycle, which will include the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As captain, Martin will accompany the national team to tournaments around the world. In April, he will travel to Croatia for the Cadet/Junior Fencing World Championship. This summer, the team will go to Colombia for the Pan American Fencing Championship and then to Hungary for the Fencing World Championship.

as a moderate Republican, he said, “I know him well and he’s a really nice, smart guy. I think he’ll do a really good job.” Cathy said that even though he will be the first Democratic mayor, he has support from both sides. “I’m proud of him,” she said. “No one really ran against him, but it’s still exciting. There’s

Photo courtesy of Bob Cornigans

English teacher Bob Cornigans travelled to Xinjiang province in western China in an attempt to understand common stereotypes directed toward the Ughur people, an ethnic minority group.

born Americans can get the chance to know minority students from Xinjiang.” Cornigans explained the severity of isolation that Uyghur people are subject to. “When I went there last summer, I told one man that America has a black, minority president,” he said. “I asked if he could imagine a Chinese president who wasn’t Han. He could not.” He explained to Cornigans that minority ethnic groups are not portrayed in mainstream media, television or movies. Due to recent governmental actions to curb stereotypes and prejudice, affirmative action allows some Uyghur students to attend high school and college in more developed cities in the East. However, according to Cornigans, it is nearly impossible for people to obtain jobs in provinces other than their own, as per Chinese law. As a result, virtually all of the students who were given the opportunity to study in the East return to Xinjiang. Cornigans aims to expose the Han people to accurate, unbiased depictions of the Uyghur’s

peoples’ lives, struggles and accomplishments to try and eliminate stereotypes about these people. He explained that many Han people live in Xinjiang alongside the Uyghur minority and hopes to persuade the Han people living in Xinjiang to write about their firsthand experiences with the Uyghur people and explain to a wider audience that the Uyghur are not drastically different from the Han. However, many people still believe in these stereotypes. “People from the west come to big cities like Shanghai and Beijing for schooling, but the stereotype is that a lot of them are untrustworthy and thieves,” junior Patrick Wang said. “They tend to pickpocket phones. Personally I’ve been pickpocketed by one.” Cornigans is also trying to develop an ongoing relationship with a school or two in China to form a direct cross-cultural communication for Masters students. He said, “Masters is seeking substantive ways of reaching out to educate our students in a global sense.”

However, being from Garrison, Dupree knew many current students from her time in Garrison’s elementary school. Sophomore Class Dean Eileen Dieck said that, while late admissions can present a challenge for many, they have occurred before. “This is not the first time students have come midyear,” she said. “It’s not an

ideal situation for the students or the teachers, but sometimes it’s the right thing to do.” Dieck, who is also Dupree’s advisor, believes both students have had little trouble handling the transition. “They seem to be very poised and came with strong academic records,” she said. “I am confident that they’ll do well and get the support they need.”

Newly admitted sophomores stir late admissions debate continued from page 1

applying for the next academic year,” she said. “However, because I was out of school for three months, we asked if there would be any possibility that I could be admitted for the second semester.” Even though both students have missed half the year, they said that they have been

adjusting well to the school. “Except for French, where I am little behind, I am pretty caught up with most of my classes,” Meehan said. Dupree added, “I was at a similar private school prior to Masters so the academic workload is not that different.” While big sophomore projects—such as the Model U.N. simulation in April, seemed

daunting at first—Dupree said her teachers have assisted her in catching up. She also acknowledged the fact that joining midyear poses social challenges. “Sometimes it can be hard because everybody already knows each other,” she said. “But, I have received so much help since I’ve been here, and everybody has been extremely nice and accepting.”

TOWER/March 5, 2013

NEWS

One year later: ACR shifts landscape of after school activities newsbrief In the fall of 2011, the administration instituted the Athletic Credit Requirement (ACR) for the incoming freshmen class, the Class of 2015. The ACR requires students to participate as members of interscholastic teams for three out of six seasons during their freshman and sophomore years; at least one of these seasons must be in ninth grade. Students can also receive credit through Dance Tech II and III, Dance Company and the Winter Musical. In November, Tower conducted a school-wide survey to gather the community’s response to the ACR, one year later. Tower is publishing the results as part of a three-part series. This is the third edition.

by Tyler Pager Editor-in-Chief

Students enrich their educational experiences through the extracurricular programs offered at the school. However, with the implementation of the Athletic Credit Requirement (ACR), the landscape of the school’s student activities has changed. In the third installment of Tower’s investigation of the impact of the ACR, we explore the effect of this requirement on the drama, community service and athletic programs.

Drama While Drama Department Chair M.A. Haskin, who serves on the ACR committee, has observed changes to the drama program since the ACR was instituted, she said that these changes have not had a dramatic impact on the program. “Students were very afraid that there would be fewer students going out for the school plays, but this is not the case,” she said. “We have just as many students and just as many productions.”

In fact, she reported, they have had to cut, on average, five more students from the winter musical than in years past. This year, around 40 students auditioned for Pippin, the winter musical, and the cast has 35 students. “I expected 70 kids to come out for the musical because it offers ACR credit,” Haskin said. “The fact that only 40 kids auditioned this year leads me to believe that the kids coming out really do want to build their skills in musical theater.” The other trend Haskin has noticed is the increase in planning by students regarding when they want to do a play and when they will satisfy the ACR. She said that after the plays and musical are announced, students come to discuss what the shows are about to decide which ones they are most interested in. While the musical counts for ACR credit, plays do not.

Phoenix and DAA Some of the most noticeable effects of the ACR have been on two of the school’s oldest and most prestigious clubs: Phoenix and the Dobbs Athletic Association (DAA), the honorary drama society and athletic association. At the start of the school year, Phoenix passed a constitutional amendment that lowered the number of productions a student must be involved in to be eligible from three to just one. Haskin, who serves as the faculty advisor to Phoenix, said that this constitutional change marked the first time since at least 1966 that a student was eligible for the club after only participating in one show. Co-president of Phoenix

Liam McAuliff said the club had to make the constitutional change in order to make it feasible for underclassmen to get into the club. However, he said the change has made the selection process for new members more subjective. “When we had the three-show requirement, we knew that the students who were eligible were dedicated to theater,” he said. “Now, it’s harder to measure dedication.” DAA has also adjusted its take-on process, as the increase in athletes has resulted in more eligible students for the club. “This year, we had the largest number of eligible students in all my time in the club,” said co-president of DAA Dana Greene. “As a club, we are trying to ensure we are still a group of elite athletes.” Greene added that the implementation of an application process for eligible students has helped with this. “One of the reasons we made the application was to make sure that the people who we were considering showed interest and actually wanted to be in the club,” she said.

Community Service Director of Community Service Amy Atlee has seen a small decline in the number of participants in the community service co-curricular over the past two years. “We have had to cancel a few service placements and that was hard, but we have been able to reorganize the schedule to preserve our partnerships with most agencies in the community,” she said. “From informal interviews,

Two students perform at carnegie hall

Photo by Wen-Xuan Ni

SENIOR HANNAH WEBER fences during a practice this winter. The fencing program has greatly benefited from the ACR, as more students participated this year than ever before.

Senior Andreas Kohl and sophomore Dante Moussapour performed at Carnegie Hall on March 2 with The Larchmont Academy of Music. Kohl played the piano and Moussapour played the saxophone in the featured students solo and ensemble concert. The two were selected by judges from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University and the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester. Moussapour and Kohl performed a mix of classical and jazz pieces. The evening featured Works by RimskyKorsakov, Mozart and others. - Alex Minton

most students report that they are in a sport if they did not come back to community service.” Atlee added, however, that the ACR is not the only factor impacting the program. “There are more cocurricular options out there competing for the same pool of students,” she said. “Another trend that goes along with more co-curricular options is that volunteers now tend to sign-up for one or two days of service versus the entire week.” She said that students are drawn to other co-curricular activities because they fulfill a student’s gym credit, while community service does not. “I recognize the benefits of a stronger athletic program, but the service learning program must also stay strong and vital, as service is a distinguishing feature of our school,” Atlee said. “After all, what is education for if not to cultivate a caring, compassionate and engaged com-

munity of young citizens?”

Masters thesis students The largest impact that present projects

Athletics

Athletic Trainer Ken Verral has observed since the ACR was established is the increase in JV schedules. In the past, field hockey, girls basketball, baseball and both boys and girls lacrosse only had a varsity team. As a result, most of the underclassmen who signed up for these sports had minimal playing time. While the majority of these sports still only have one team, there have been JV-scheduled games for all five sports. These games give the players that do not yet have the skills to play at the varsity level an opportunity to get quality playing time. “I’m looking forward to seeing the direction we are going in,” Verral said. “It’s going to be positive, but it’s going to take time.” The ACR committee still meets to evaluate whether the requirement is meeting its original objectives.

After months of research, the 14-person Masters Thesis class presented their capstone projects at the annual symposia, beginning on Feb. 20. Each member of this senior-only elective drafted and delivered a lecture-style overview of their individual theses. Immediately after the presentations came spirited 20-minute question-andanswer sessions. The symposia came on the heels of the course’s 20-to-25-page investigative paper, which is modeled after the infamous collegiate thesis. Senior Min Woong Choi, a class member whose thesis surveyed the role of the Pope in the Holocaust, said, “Masters Thesis has been a really rewarding way of putting a mark on my time here. I think the whole thesis process encompasses the Masters ethos.” - Noah Buyon

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Debates PROPOSAL time, I would love to try and tricks. I saw some vid- called “Big Mark’s Action TO Eliminate APS

Big Mark’s Action Park comes to Coney Island by Casey Chon Managing Editor

Every kid wants his or her own amusement park. Mark Zientek Jr. ’12 is about to see this dream come true. Big Mark’s Action Park, which will be located on the famed Coney Island, is the result of his father’s 25 years in the amusement park industry. Mark Zientek Sr.’s park is expected to open on Memorial Day. “I did some consulting work on Coney Island last year, and the opportunity came up for a new park, so I took it.” Mark Sr. said. Located in Southern Brooklyn, Coney Island is well known for its amusement parks and seaside resort. Big Mark’s Action park will include hot air balloon rides, skydiving training, zip lines, a

ropes obstacle course and many other attractions. “I will probably be working there all summer,” Mark Jr. said. “If I have

the skydiving ride. It’s this wind-tunnel with no walls and you are floating in the air and can try and do flips

eos of people on that ride, which were pretty cool.” Mark Sr. has established a Facebook page

Photo courtesy of Mark Zientek

MARK ZIENTEK SR.’S new amusement park is expected to open on May 27. His amusement park will be located on Coney Island and will feature many action-packed attractions such as skydiving.

Park” to keep people updated on the progress of the park’s construction. “Believe it or not, all the rides go up really fast,” Mark Sr. said. “It’s about a 45-day process.” The Park has pledged to be a part of the Alliance for Coney, which is, “a sustainable civic body formed in 2012 and dedicated to the continuing transformation of Coney Island into a year-round, world-class recreational destination by the sea,” according to the Alliance’s website. Mark Jr. added, “Of course I am really excited about it, what kid, even if he is almost 20 years old, wouldn’t want his own theme park?” he asked. “I will most likely be able to hook Masters kids up with discounts or something when the park opens.”

Executive Committee discussed a proposal to abolish AP courses in order to stay true to Masters’ pursuit to “…provide a challenging academic environment that encourages critical, creative, and independent habits and a lifelong passion for learning,” according to the school’s mission statement. Proponents of the proposal are concerned by the concept of a standardized test dictating the material covered and methodology utilized in a course, particularly at a school that is based on the Harkness method. Opponents of the proposal are apprehensive about losing a competitive edge in college admissions and maintain that APs do in fact leave room innovation. This proposal was discussed for three weeks. - Abigail Costigan

Op-Ed

TOWER/March 5, 2013

Porn: The degrading nature of a multi-billion dollar industry by Sofia Linden News Editor

80 percent of 15 through 17 year olds have watched hard-core (more explicit) pornography more than once, according to Pushofhope.com, which aims to help people with porn and sex addictions. All porn has the same underlying message: women are inferior. At the same time that high school students begin to explore their understandings of sexual behavior, internet porn is increasingly available to them. They are—unconsciously or not---incorporating the degradation demonstrated in pornography into their own actions. Pornography often portrays a variety of stereotypes regarding women as “sex objects” or “toys” whose purpose is to please men. The lack of respect exhibited in porn can have many effects on society, such as sexual abuse, a disregard

for condom use, and imbalance in sexual pleasure between men and women. One of the most substantial ways women are degraded is the amount of abusive behavior portrayed in porn. On some of the more highly trafficked porn sites one can easily find videos of gang rapes and categories such as “sixteen and abused.” Even for boys who are uninterested in violent behavior, it is not hard to run into such videos while looking for softer porn. Pushofhope.com stated that as people begin to watch more porn, they become desensitized to what they had earlier deemed as disturbing, too violent, or immoral. Soft porn also portrays women as sex objects. Although women are occasionally pleasured in porn, they are only pleasured in order to heighten the viewer’s arousal. The message is clear: women have a higher duty to please men than

men do to please women. There can never be a significant movement toward gender equality if one of the largest industries in the world portrays woman as inferior. In author Frank Riche’s N e w

Yo r k Times Magazine cover article, “Naked Capitalists,” he asserts that the porn industry has topped all the major league sports, in terms of revenue, with pornrelated revenue exceeding $10 billion annually. Adult films have the capacity to skew high school students’ sense of “acceptable” teen sexuality, normalizing violent degrading material and frequent and imper-

An article Tower printed in the last issue entitled “Two juniors expelled for possessing airsoft guns,” stated that two airsoft guns were in the possession of the students who were expelled. However, the students were in possession of three guns, one of which was an airsoft gun and two of which were metal-pellet guns. Tower regrets the error.

Tower 2012-2013

and her three bosses both devalues women in the workforce and endorses objectification and abuse of female colleagues. The argument that women choose to join the in-

light, and the fact that some women participate “willingly” does not stand as a defense for it. Porn is not reality. However, the abuse that can happen on set is real, which enables porn to distort

dustry and therefore it is their fault that they are experiencing abuse is unjustifiable. Just because a woman agrees to be degraded and abused does not make the abuse acceptable. The majority of pornography does not display women in a favorable

one’s view of sexuality, and alter the way people act out sexually in their own lives. The widespread popularity of porn normalizes female degradation and abuse, but you have the power to decide whether or not this is acceptable. Do you want to support this industry?

Illustration by Sofia Linden

Correction:

sonal sexual encounters. Any teenager with access to the Internet can easily find

Editors-In-Chief: Johanna M. Costigan and Tyler Pager Web Editor-In-Chief: Noah Buyon News Editors: Lily Herzan and Sofia Linden Opinion Editor: Alex Minton Features and Arts Editors: Teerin Julsawad and Jackie Liu Sports Editors: Abigail Costigan and Wen-Xuan Ni Managing Editor: Casey Chon Photo Editor: Declan Considine Web Content Manager: Kiera Wilson Advertising Designer: Sang Bae Columnists: Max Borowitz, Nick Fleder and Ryan Rosenberg Staff Photographers: Bob Cornigans, Sam Miller, Ken Verral and Eve Wetlaufer Contributing Writers: Daniel Barnett, Emily Barshay, Ariel Censor, Rajan Cutting, Gabby Davies, Gillian Goodman, Tyler Jarecki, Tony Rosenberg, Rachel Saunders and Martin Serrano Faculty Adviser: Ellen Cowhey

The Masters School 49 Clinton Avenue Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 Volume 69, Issue 5

Distribution Process Tower is hand-delivered on the day of publication to the Upper School. 500 copies are printed, and one is put in each faculty member’s mailbox. In addition, a copy is sent to each of our advertisers.

Scholastic Press Affiliations and Letter Policy Tower is an award-winning member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA), Journalist Educators, and Quill and Scroll. E-mail TowerEditors@Mastersny.org to send Letters to the Editor. See the subsequent page for information regarding letters to the editor. Published approximately eight times a year, Tower, the student newspaper of The Masters School, is a public forum, with its Editorial Board making all decisions concerning content. Unsigned editorials express views of the majority of the Editorial Board.

endless categories of porn for fetishes and sexual preferences. There is gay porn and lesbian porn, but the attention on females in pornography featuring both men and women, clearly suggests it is for male audiences. Even titles and plots will suggest the women are inferior and they exist for a man’s sexual pleasure. For instance, a sex tape with the scenario of a female secretary

Protecting the oceans slowly, one tide at a time by Abigail Costigan Sports Editor

The oceans are drowning. They are being damaged and depleted at an alarming rate, but it seems nearly no one cares. For the most part, people do not believe that ocean health is a problem worth prioritizing, but the future of the human race depends on the ocean’s survival. The four major obstacles to ocean health are acidification (which is the effect of increased carbon dioxide emissions) global warming (which melts polar ice caps), pollution and overfishing. All of these factors are caused by humans. Coral reefs, a major habitat that sustains a huge amount of marine diversity, are particularly under major attack from changes in the oceans temperature and acidification. According to Oceana, when the acid levels of the oceans rise, the coral reefs’ ability to build its’ skeleton is severely hindered. This slows down coral reefs’ growing rates. Since corals are constantly being broken down by the organisms that inhabit the reef, a speedy growth rate is crucial to their survival. In Oceana, Dr. Ken Calderia says, “There is at least a reasonable expectation that if current carbon dioxide emission trends continue, corals will not survive this century.” Coral reefs are home to 25 percent of all marine life.

Pollution also takes its toll on the ocean. Right now, we have an island of trash known as “The Great Pacific Garbage Patch” floating around our ocean that kills birds that mistake plastic for food, disrupts ocean ecology by interrupting insect behavior, and could be avoided. It is easy to perceive this issue as distant from our lives, when in fact our lives are reliant on finding a solution. Global warming also affects the oceans. While the planet heats up, ice caps melt. As icecaps melt, they change the chemistry of the water and cause water levels to rise. Algae produces about 80 percent of the planet’s oxygen, according to the Ecology Global Network. If algae is terminated, fighting global warming will be up to 80 percent more difficult. The problem is not fishing; it’s modern fishing techniques. For instance, according to Greenpeace, it is estimated that for every four pounds of fish caught, one pound is considered bycatch and discarded. Bycatch includes healthy fish of other species that could be eaten, underweight fish, sharks, rays, cetaceans, birds and more. Ocean issues are daunting. It may seem there is nothing the average person can do. Science says that the future is bleak, so we ignore the science. But there is an interesting catch, the familiar “But wait! If you act now…” we’re so

accustomed to hearing on infomercials. We have to start prioritizing ocean health. Leslie Reed, teacher of Contemporary Issues in Science, said, “In the future we can expect to have massive and frequent changes in weather, causing drought and food shortages.” In an article published in Outside called “The Touchy-Feely (but Totally Scientific!) Methods of Wallace J. Nichols” Michael Roberts explores the possibility of neurology playing a role in the conservation of oceans. The ocean captivates us all. “Whether it’s a ninetytwo-year-old or a two-yearold, when they come into that blue space, something happens, they grow quiet and calm, but there’s more to it than that,” the article says. Publishing raw data is not working. Wallace Nichols is interested in investigating why we love the ocean so much, and how we can channel that love and spin it to spur conservation efforts. The more we know about oceans, the more awe-inspiring they become. Since oceans are interconnected, everyone, regardless of geographical location, affects the entirety of ocean habitat. No one is exempt from ocean conservation efforts. We are all obliged to protect a facet of the environment that rarely receives the amount of attention it deserves. Reed continued, “Every person matters.”

TOWER/March 5, 2013

Op-Ed

Parking chaos plagues Masters by Declan Considine Photo Editor

Its 7:58 a.m. on a Monday. Everything has gone wrong this morning. Your car was covered in ice, you had to skip breakfast and your foot tentatively nudges the gas pedal. You pull into the student parking lot, and lo-and-behold, it is jam-packed. You circle about trying to find any space large enough to park in, whether it blocks another car in or on the grass. But great minds think alike, and your classmates have occupied all available space. You have to go park down the street. You are late to Morning Meeting. I hope you like Friday night detention. Many day students drive or carpool to school, and being able to park is a necessity. After waking up at ungodly hours after long nights of hard work, student drivers should be able to pull into the school parking lot without competing for spots with other students, faculty or visiting families. Instead, they have

to circle around the lot, contemplate parking on the grass, park down the street and then walk across black ice through bitter wind up to the theater doors only to find them locked. As the year progresses, more and more students will be getting their permits and licenses. More licenses mean more student drivers. By the spring, the lot will be so filled that students will regularly have to park on the street. The parking system has become fairly discombobulated. At the beginning of the year, students were notified that they need to register their vehicles with Ginny Deckelmann, the Assistant to both Head of the Upper School and Dean of Students. Student drivers who bothered to follow through filled out a form, stating their plate number and car model, and were told they would soon receive new parking stickers for the student lot. No stickers ever came, and it has now become a parking lot reserved not for student drivers but for

whomever feels like it. Furthermore, it is forbidden for students to park in lots other than the designated space by the tennis courts, such as the lots behind Strayer Hall and Morris Hall. However, the lot by the tennis courts is not reserved for students, and there are a very limited amount of spots. One solution is to expand the so-called student parking lot, and seeing as drivers already park on the grass, it wouldn’t be an intrusion on previously untouched landscape. Additionally, the requirement of the previously conceived color coded parking passes would prohibit extra unwanted parkers, as well allow the administration to know exactly how many cars need spots on a daily basis. If expansion is not on the table, then limiting parking to senior students is also a viable option. If these problems are not addressed soon, the student parking lot will look like fan parking at Meadowlands before the Giants game. In other words, it will be chaos.

Photo by Declan Considine

BY 7:50 a.m. on many weekday mornings, a good amount of students are forced to park on the streets due to the inadequate amount of parking spaces in the student lot. Most students do not obtain required parking permits, and as a result, the lot is constantly overflowing with vehicles parked in a flurry of directions.

Finding friends via Facebook

Photo courtesy of Paul Bulter / Facebook Engineering Blog

THE ABOVE MAP displays the location and size of Faceboook’s followers around the world. Facebook plays host to over one billion users and its numbers are rapidly growing.

by Kiera Wilson

Web Content Manager

As a second-semester senior with a nearly hospitalizing case of Senioritis, I spend an embarrassing amount of time on the Internet. I could lie and say that I use this incredible resource to take online courses or do “adult things” like research, but I have to be honest – I spend most of that time on Facebook. Sophomore William Street recently wrote a letter to the editor voicing his sentiments about Facebook. While I appreciate his opinions, I have to respectfully disagree. Facebook is one of the most useful creations of our generation. One of the questions raised by Street was: “Would it help my potential Facebook friends discover me if I told them I’m from Alberta, Canada or whether I’m gay or straight?” I think the answer to this question is a resounding “Yes, without a doubt!” Details like this are hard to experience in traditional, faceto-face interactions. It’s rare that people introduce themselves by saying “Hi, I’m Kiera, I’m from Valhalla, New York and I’m straight.” To

have this information, which is not only interesting, but also an important part of one’s identity, laid out for everyone is an incredible tool that forwards social interaction. Another issue raised by Street (and one that’s discussed often) is one of college interaction. Street says, “I’d wager every student with a Facebook here at Masters would say that they wouldn’t act in a college classroom or community activity the way they act on Facebook.” If that’s true, no one is to blame but the student. Facebook isn’t a way to create a new identity – Facebook is a way to highlight your individuality and share it with people you might not be able to otherwise. Facebook provides us with a platform to express ourselves digitally. This is a gift – an opportunity to change the way we interact with friends. I have 1,379 friends on Facebook. Am I best friends with all these people? No, of course not. But these are all people who are or have been relevant to my life in some way. People I went to camp with, students I currently or used to attend

Stars and Stripes with Nick Fleder:

school with, friends I’ve made in passing. I’m glad to have all these people connected with me, because it’s impossible to keep up with 1,379 people on my own. For the people who have upwards of 1,000 friends on Facebook, I say; continue to network yourself, if that’s what you want from the Internet. To those who have less than 300, I say; continue to censor your friends, if that’s what you want from the Internet. No one should tell others how to run their online profiles. Two years ago I attended a summer program at a school in Washington, D.C. I made friends from all over the world – people in different time zones, with conflicting schedules and separate lives. Were it not for Facebook, it would be impossible for me to keep up with them. Of course I don’t talk to all of these people every day – in fact, there are some I haven’t spoken to in years. But having the ability to check up on their lives, to leave them a quick note hoping they’re having a good day, to make sure they’re healthy and happy – that’s an amazing thing.

Maverick, or rebel with a cause?

There is a fine, fine line between a true maverick and an actor of dissent. In the context of the political sphere, a true maverick shows courage by questioning or defying the status quo. I can think of someone like Paul Sadler of Texas, who in 2012, fought for a Senate seat without taking any contributions upwards of $5,000; this in the age where just three Novembers ago, according to Mother Jones, an average victory in Senate elections was priced at $8.4 million dollars. A political actor defined by dissent, on the other hand – like Ted Cruz, the newly minted Senator who beat Sadler – is not necessarily a maverick just because he does not conform. Cruz’s first month and a half in the Senate have been anything but uneventful. As The New York

Times summarized, he was “among the 22 senators who voted against reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act, among the 34 who voted against raising the debt ceiling,” and “among the 36 who opposed a relief package for the regions hit by Hurricane Sandy.” To play to devil’s advocate, one could call him a maverick, and give him the benefit of the doubt: He’s probably making a point that the U.S. has one issue and one issue only – out of control spending – and will make no exception until strides are made to balance the national debt. One might find it hard to still assign Cruz the maverick label, though, when his short record turns to Cabinet-post confirmations. Cruz was one of three to vote no against newly confirmed Secretary of State

John Kerry on the basis of the “long-standing lessthan-vigorous defense of U.S. national security,” despite the Secretary’s three Purple Hearts and two decorations of bravery for his service in the Vietnam War. He took similar issue to another war veteran, Senator Chuck Hagel, who was tapped by the President to be the next Secretary of Defense, questioning whether Hagel “received compensation…from extreme or radical groups” from North Korea and Saudi Arabia for recent speaking engagements. Perhaps we need people like Cruz in our government – people who are unflinching questioners, and thoroughly educated, award winning college debaters who are unafraid of confrontation. But if Cruz can question the qualifications of a veteran

Photo by Lionel Hahn / Abaca Press / MCT

Ted Cruz, U.S. Senate candidate from Texas, speaks at the second day of the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa, FL. Cruz is part of the emergent neoconservative right.

and former chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for Secretary of State, or the loyalty of a former public servant and veteran to his country, then his own motives for an across-the-

board opposition deserve to be scrutinized as well. Who can tell whether he is a maverick guided by the protection of liberty, serving for the betterment of our republic, or a rebel without a cause,

dissenting for the sake of dissension, itching for the national spotlight for nothing but ego? But it is only fair, as thoroughly as he is patting down the system for flaws, that the system pats him down right back.

Op-Ed

TOWER/March 5, 2013

Editorial: Substances substituting our social lives “Don’t do drugs.” We’ve all heard it before--either from the D.A.R.E. Lion or our parents’ well-intentioned, constantly concerned mouths. While informing high school students of the hazards of drugs and alcohol is legitimate, regurgitating facts may not be the most effective method by which to steer teenagers away from drug abuse. There is another kind of destruction caused from substance abuse that is usually unacknowledged by lecturing speakers. Frequent drug use can cause teenagers to become dependent on substances in

order to persuade friends to spend time with them. Many high school students seem to be stymied from accomplishing sufficient social development due to the fact that genuine social interactions have been, in many cases, replaced by getting drunk or high. When gatherings, interactions or merely interests in social connections become reliant on substances, the legitimacy of these friendships should be called into question. We are old enough to understand that, while risky, experimentation with drug use and alcohol

consumption can be important facets of adolescent development and are nearly unavoidable. When used in moderation, substances possess the potential to permit teenagers to become assimilated with the social expectations of adulthood. But when usage of drugs and alcohol becomes so commonplace and frequent that their mere existence is the prerequisite to social interaction, there is a problem. When high school social interactions are entirely focused on procuring and abusing substances, teenagers are not learning about realistic or healthy

adult usage of drug and alcohol. They are instead training themselves to be socially stunted, to be dependent on drugs or alcohol in order to have fun or interact with peers. It is popular amongst certain high school students, especially upperclassmen, to spend weekends (or weekdays) using drugs. This is not at all exclusively a Masters issue, but it is certainly a trend that some students at the school are contributing to. The main concern is that once substances become omnipresent in social engagements, we forget what we ever did without them.

We are not even conscious of the fact that attending concerts or sports games, going to the movies, or eating at restaurants or even hanging out at friends’ houses are all activities we can easily do sober. In fact, we can probably do them better sober. Although it is not by any means true across the board, there is an expectation in certain age groups or social circles that most or all “fun” or “worthwhile” social engagements include drugs, alcohol or both. The natural follow-up question to this presumption is, “What are you afraid of? Are you nervous that all

that lies underneath your inebriation is a bored and boring shell of a personality?” We are more than statistics. We are more than our parents worst assumptions. We are more than those stupid teenagers who seem to chronically be on the wrong end of a disapproving glare. We should be acting like it. High school is a time in which we have the opportunity to foster friendships that will last for the majority of our lives. Sacrificing connection in favor of pursuing drugs is not the most effective way to make friendships, and certainly is no way to keep them for life.

by Sang Bae

annoying characters and absurd plot lines to the Star Wars franchise then any sci-fi fan can rationally tolerate. People also can’t stand Batman with nipples on his suit, Spiderman bursting into song on stage or the existence of Scrappy Doo. One might ask why such “minor” changes enrage so many people to no

end. It is the same reason why certain readers despise audio cassettes. We can connect with a fictional character because of the time spent with that character. When a person puts an interpretation to a character that completely differs from our vision and image of the character, we can only react negatively. However, those who

take our demands seriously create masterpieces that we remember fondly. If a director or writer pours all his passion and talent into a single character franchise, one cannot help but fall in love with the finished product. Robert Zemeckis’ movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit exemplifies how taking the nostalgia and

love of cartoons can serve to bring cultural success for decades to come. This movie is the only time Daffy Duck dueled with Donald Duck in a piano fight at a night bar. This movie is the only time a love affair equals a game of patty-cake. The movie is even the only time Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse fell together from

a building, a surreal experience even to this day. Other films utilize the same techniques used in Roger Rabbit, but never matched its brilliance. Ultimately, the movie took the idea of a crossover and reboot and made it gold. So I ask the people of Hollywood to do a better job when they tamper the iconic heroes of our past. We can see the success of The Avengers and the Dark Knight trilogy taking the superhero industry by storm. We experienced the success of a movie like Wreck it Ralph, which is a video game love letter to the soul. All I ask is if future directors, new and old, make a reboot or reinterpretation of our childhoods, they follow the same standards as the original movie, and if they do, I am sure we can bring along a golden era of sequels.

Hollywood nostalgia: The evolution of animation and why simplicity is best Advertisement Designer

Nothing brings me more simultaneous joy and anger than when Hollywood floods the masses with modern interpretations of our childhoods. Our heroes of unimaginable proportions come back on the big screen and Hollywood makes a mint off of ticket sales and merchandising. What could possibly go wrong with such a shining relationship. As profitable as reboots and remakes of childhood movies and TV shows seem to producers, there exists a dangerous line between bringing something new to the table and completely ruining the childhood memories of a million people. For example, George Lucas, in all of his money-grubbing glory, created more unnecessary prequels,

Have an opinion? Write a letter to the editor!

Send a 200-400 word letter to:

TowerEditors@Mastersny.org

Illustration by Sang Bae

Mastering Style:

THE EVOLUTION OF POKEMON: Pikachu in 1995 was a happier, albeit more pixelated, character. The above cartoon from the 2013 version of the game portrays Pikachu as a witty and more devilish character.

Leather Skin

When stretched, linen painting canvases are reserved for the wooden easels in the art room, yet the fashion forward students and teachers around the Masters campus are using leather as a sort of “canvas for the body.” Leather creates a subtle yet sophisticated backdrop for people of all stylistic nature. Students have been experimenting with leather, (or pleather, but who really knows the difference?) and integrating it into their daily wardrobe. Whether it’s a leather biker jacket that undoubtedly belonged to someone who actually rode a motorcycle, or a leather satchel circa 1970, the feel and

texture of the leather will often dictate a made-up story. Throughout the hallways, students are sporting a variety of out-of-the-box leather items. I particularly loved the many leather backpacks I’ve spotted around campus. The more beat up and worn in the better! Nevertheless, the ways in which students are utilizing this newly discovered canvas are inspiring. The techniques involve using leather as a base and dressing it up in a way that outlines one’s personal style, or in some cases, wearing leather in the simplest, most minimalistic manner to make a subtle point (which ironically often says more

than the former). Yet, on the other hand, a leather piece is often a statement amongst muted staple clothing items. An example of leather taking the lead was Beyonce’s striking, black leather leotard at the Superbowl. Embracing leather’s versatility is what makes it so wearable, yet so dramatic. Whether it’s Ryan Gosling’s red, white and black colorblocked motorcycle jacket paired with a hooded sweatshirt in “Blue Valentine” or Ferris Buller’s crème and black one, leather’s adaptability is what makes it a creative risk spotted on figures walking swiftly out of the McKnight Room.

by Ryan Rosenberg

Photos by Ryan Roseberg

TOWER/March 5, 2013

Features

The Social Contract hidden in the shelves: The story behind the outlier by Johanna M. Costigan Editor-in-Chief

“Illegal Aliens: Turning Our Roads into Killing Fields.” “How the Environmental Movement Became a Casualty of Political Correctness and the Leftist Agenda.” “Why Are Illegal Aliens Preying Upon Our Children?” The school currently subscribes to The Social Contract, the publication that published these and more biased assertions masked as headlines, despite the fact that they are far from in line with the philosophical construct of the school. In 2007, an alumna who graduated with the Class of 1937 made $1million donation to Masters utilizing funds from the Colcom Foundation. The alumna made the gift in honor of a childhood friend of hers who has no affiliation with Masters, but who was strongly connected to the Colcom Foundation. Since it is the obligation of all members of the foundation to donate to philanthropic causes, the alumna (who prefers to remain anonymous) asked the Colcom foundation, to which her deceased friend belonged foundation, Colcom, and asked if she could make a donation to Masters in celebration of their friendship. The Colcom Foundation approved her request, under the condition that the funds were to be used exclusively for the betterment of the Pittsburgh Library. Shortly after the donation was made—in 2007--the school received a letter from the Colcom Foundation, in which it was notified of the million dollar donation, and also outlined some of the Foundation’s requests. The letter read: “Although we place no other restrictions on the million dollar grant, the board has asked that I communicate our desire for the library to consider the inclusion of reference and education materials on subjects of primary

interest to the foundation, such as population, environment and immigration.” Since this donation would place an extra $1million dollars in the school’s endowment and generates yearly funds for the library (approximately $30,000 last year) the school was in no position to decline, particularly given the imprecise nature of the Foundation’s request. Further in the letter, the Foundation included a non-required “wish list” of books and periodicals that the letter said it would like the school to “consider purchasing.” Amongst those listed were a variety of moderate and conservative books, as well as a subscription to The Social Contract. Associate Head of School for Institutional Advancement Tim Kane said, “I think we just said, ‘It’s the right thing to do. It’s a dozen books; we should order them.’”

Former history teacher Laura Krier noticed the cover of The Social Contract in the library a few years ago. She was surprised by the content of a number of articles.

the Summer 2012 issue, John Vinson wrote about immigration in a highly critical manner. “Maybe the open-boarder people can come up with some explanation as to how they

“Two of my concerns were: one-- the publication was one of the few conservative periodicals we had, and does not represent mainstream conservatism,” she said. “Two-- because it is such an opinionated source I worried that students might not have the context they needed to understand the perspectives advocated in the articles.” Many of the articles published in The Social Contract reflect an extremely conservative perspective. For example, in

are not disloyal [to America], but the burden of proof is on them. And until they offer it, they merit the suspicion of treason,” Vinson wrote in an article titled, Restrictionists Own the Moral High Ground. He continued, “Extreme and radical are perfect descriptions of what our immigration policy has been for the past forty years.” The main aim of the Colcom Foundation is to grant money towards national organizations that “acknowledge the impact of

“The publication was one of the few conservative periodicals we had, and does not represent mainstream conservatism.”

human population growth on U.S. environmental sustainability, natural resource depletion and land and watershed degradation,” according to its website. Under its “National Interests” page, the Colcom Foundation’s website stated, “The Foundation supports efforts to significantly reduce immigration levels in the U.S., recognizing that population growth in America is fueled primarily by mass immigration.” It is on this issue that the Foundation and the publication most closely correlate. The Social Contract wrote on its website, under the “About Us” the publication listed “immigration issues” as one of the key topics it addresses. The journal explained its interest in immigration more specifically. “In order to best facilitate meeting the highest goals of the American people, one--how many immigrants should we admit? two--who

Photo by Johanna M. Costigan

A HIGHLY CONSERVATIVE AND OPINIONATED QUARTERLY PUBLICATION, The Social Contract may seem out of place amongst the other objective or liberal-leaning newspapers and magazines in the racks of the Pittsburgh Library. But The Social Contract, describes itself as a significantly more objective publication than it really is. According to its website, “We encourage a wide spectrum of opinion as we publish contributions from many vantage points.”

should be admitted? And three-- how can we humanely enforce the rules?” Kane discussed the philosophical undertone of the issue. “What should guide what resources a library provides? Do you defend or strengthen a liberal, progressive mindset? Or do you limit your students’ scope of knowledge?” Though the Colcom Foundation did not explicitly require that the school orders all or any of those publications in order to receive the donation, their generosity was the primary determining factor in the school’s decision to order the books, and the subscription to The Social Contract. Kane and Director of Development Sophia Primps explained the school’s principles regarding donations. They said that the school does not blindly accept donations and comply with donors’ regulations or restrictions on their money. Kane used the example of a donor who was interested in making a $1million dollar contribution to the school to start a football program. “We would say: ‘No, thank you. Let’s talk more about your interest in athletics,’” Kane said. He continued, “People can have restrictions that just aren’t in line with our mission and philosophy, we don’t just take what we get.” Primps and Kane agreed that unrestricted donations are the most powerful form of donation, because they demonstrate faith in the school’s leadership and allow it to contribute funds towards its most essential needs. “A lot of scholarships come from these kinds of gifts,” Primps said. Kane, Primps and librarian Judy Murphy have all come to consensus after recent close consideration, and have decided to end the school’s subscription to The Social Contract. “Subscriptions come and go,” Kane said. “We’ve gone above and beyond our obligation, and now we feel comfortable saying we don’t need to continue with this.”

Crepes on Cedar Street entice patrons to the bustling La Grenadine by Casey Chon Managing Editor

A small, brightly lit space with a checkered floor and a golden ceiling like a picture frame has made its way onto Cedar Street. Known as “the crepe place,” La Grenadine opened in mid-February. Planked wooden chairs lie scattered on the left side, while the kitchen, equipped with two circular crepe making surfaces, is littered with all different kinds of jam, fruit, cheeses and other spreads. Prices are moderate

(one standard crepe is $5.00) and all transactions are conducted on an iPad. The price range is manageable for students, but not as accessible as pizza. Students from Dobbs Ferry and Masters alike stroll in after school, and wait on a somewhat long line for their crepes since there are only two people manning the counter. The entire process of making the crepe is completed in front of the customer’s eyes. Behind the crepe station lies a chalkboard with the menu items, where one can choose

between a dessert crepe or a “meal” crepe. Examples of crepes sucrees, or sweet crepes, include the Citron: with butter, sugar and freshly-squeezed lemon, running at $5.50. The Fruits Frais, with bananas and strawberries, costs $7. Nutella, the hazelnut chocolate spread, is a dollar extra. An example of Crepes Salees, or a savory crepe, is the Saumon Fume, with smoked salmon, dill and crème fraiche, or the poulet, with smoked chicken sausage, spinach and crème fraiche. Both are $8.

All the ingredients were clearly fresh. The crepe itself was soft and warm, although it could have used a more generous amount of filling. The first few bites consist of just the crepe’s skin, but soon enough the flavor of the customer’s chosen crepe emerges. Crepes are served either on a paper plate or in a paper cone, depending on whether the customer chooses to eat there or take the food away. The crepe’s heat travels through the paper cone and to one’s fingers. La Grenadine has

entered the bustling scene of Cedar Street. Although one crepe maybe

insufficient for an entire meal, it may be an ideal treat to sweeten up your day.

Photo by Tyler Pager

LA GRENADINE, a crepe restaurant, recently opened on Cedar Street. Above, a strawberry, banana and Nutella crepe is prepared directly in front of customers by the chef. Students flock to get a bite of the sweet dessert.

TOWER/March 5, 2013

FEATURES

Graphic by Teerin Julsawad

Acceptance of gay rights and sexual preference develops in recent years Seeds of tolerance: The genesis of racial diversity at the school by Johanna M. Costigan with reporting by Kiera Wilson

Editor-in-Chief and Web Content Manager

High school and homosexuality do not often go well together. According to the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, 66 percent of students report using homophobic language. This is particularly troubling considering the fact that at least 5 percent of all high students in America identify as gay or lesbian. “I think that if I were anywhere other than Masters I would not be out,” freshman Robert Cott said. Acceptance of others is in line with the progression of acceptance on a larger scale, beyond the school community. Over the course of the last decade, the topic of gay rights has become part of a national discussion. In 2003, the Supreme Court ruled it was unconstitutional to illegalize sodomy. In the last five years, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was repealed and gay marriage opposition has dropped 20 percent. A large factor in this recent change is President Barack Obama, who publicly announced he was in favor of gay marriage in May 2012.

Photo by Eve Wetlaufer

PHOENIX PRESENTED an excerpt from the play based on the Laramie Project at MLK Day this year. When asked about the existence of a GSA or a group dedicated towards gender equality rights, during his time here, Ethan Carter ‘91, who graduated as Elizabeth Carthaus, said, “No way! Definitely not.” He explained that gay rights or even the existence of homosexuality was not something that was generally discussed.

But before gay rights became an issue at the forefront of national speculation and awareness, it was not addressed within the Masters community nearly as much as it is now. Kim Jordan ‘91 described the absence of dialogue regarding homosexuality during her high school years. “If I had identified as gay at that time, I would have felt like there was no place for my voice,” she said. Jordan spoke about the fact that homosexuality was universally unacknowledged at the time, from her perspective. “Gayness was not part of a national

conversation, at least from a white-girl-from-suburbiaat-an-all-girls’ boarding school lens. I don’t know if any of the faculty were gay or would be allowed to be out”. Nancy Theeman, Head of the Music Department, said that Masters has made an effort to keep up with gay rights developments. “When I came here in 1990, no one was talking about it – it wasn’t even on my radar,” Theeman said. Jordan expressed the absence of gay representation at Masters during her time. She said, “I don’t know if any of the faculty were gay or would be allowed

to be out if they were.” Associate Dean of Students Gillian Crane’s observations regarding gay rights were similar to Theeman’s. Crane, a member of the class of 1992, said, “When I was in high school, there were lesbian couples, but it wasn’t really talked about,” she said. Head of the Upper School Chris Frost explained his appreciation of the accepting nature of Masters, specifically in the realm of sexual preference and orientation. He said, “It’s one of the things that most makes me most proud of our school, and for me it has been that way since Day One.”

the introduction of boys in 1996, women have asserted their position as equals in the school community, but it has been an uphill battle. “I mean there is no comparison,” Dean of Students and Associate Head of School Priscilla Hindley ’66 said about the difference in women’s rights from her time as a student to today. “When I was a student here it was a very closed little world for me.” Jane Rechtman, world religions teacher and dean of the Class of 2013, has noticed a clear progression since she started working at the school in 1975. “There was a woman

working here a long time ago who found out that the male employee who worked under her made more money than she did,” she said. “She was furious, and when she went to the headmaster, he said, ‘Well, he’s going to have a family to support.’ She took it to Equal Employment Opportunity, and sued the school and won. That might have been a watershed decision.” However, Rechtman said that when boys were admitted, girls became more concerned about their appearance and popularity. “Before the boys, there wasn’t a need to look good for

boys,” she said. “In that sense we’ve really regressed. There was no need for popularity, it just didn’t e x ist.”

Though tolerance has always been a cornerstone of the Masters identity, the school has not always been, historically, at the same stage of acceptance that it is at now. Frost related an instance in which students advocated for respectful language in relation to gay rights. “Representatives of the Gay Straight Alliance came to a faculty meeting and talked about how important it is to be aware of the harm the terms that people use can be,” Frost said, regarding the derogatory language directed towards homosexuals. He continued, “They told the faculty, ‘this really hurts and we’re asking for your support.’ I took this to heart.” When a student a number of years ago-- in the context of his relationship with other male friends—used the phrase, “no homo” in a co-chair nomination speech, Frost approached the student and expressed his disapproval. “I let him know that that is just not right,” he said. “I knew him very well. I was his dorm parent.” But Frost could not accept the excuse the student gave for his actions, which was, “I checked it with someone who was gay beforehand and that person said it was all right.” Junior Connor

Linehan, who came out in May of his sophomore year, shared Cott’s sentiment. “What I love about being gay at Masters is that you can have your own friends and your own interests and not feel like you have to be best friends with people who aren’t anything like you just to feel accepted,” Linehan said. Frost taught Matthew Shepard at the American School of Switzerland. Shepard was a gay University of Wyoming student who, targeted because he was gay, was brutally assaulted and murdered near Laramie, Wyoming in 1998. “He was an extraordinary person, amazingly compassionate,” Frost said. Frost recalled an experience he had with Shepard while spelunking in a limestone cave in northern Italy, which he described as “rough going.” “It was not a tourist cave,” he said. Frost explained that in the midst of exploring the cave, one student they were with dislocated her knee. “We had to bring her back the whole way we had come in, and Matt showed such incredible care for her, going way out of his way to ease and reassure her and help in any way he could.”

“Forget about sexual orientation, he was exceptional individual,” Frost said. Jordan recollected the lack of homosexual representation within the context of the school’s curriculum. She recalled studying psychology and English and never reading anything written by a gay author or about the subject of homosexuality. Even when they read a James Baldwin novel in English, the fact that he was gay was never discussed or even mentioned. Jordan found these lapses in representation to be true across the board. “In my senior year, I asked an Asian classmate of mine who her favorite painter was, and she named a bunch of white males, all of whom she was studying for her art class.” Jordan continued, “I remember having this moment of wondering whether I could ask if there was anyone Asian in her art classes, if there was anyone representing her culture as she crafted her talent and skill.” But she said she felt uncomfortable asking that question. “It’s easy for people in the dominant group to say what they want. And it’s hard for those in the subordinate group to get what they need.”

with the times, it has also been a result of the dedication of women in the community. This fall, a new proposal was passed allowing girls to wear pantsuits as well as dresses at graduation. “I think this proposal is great,” junior co-president of Girl’s Association Love ya Sisters (GALS) Olivia Lifflander said. “If that’s what you want to wear then that should be something that the administration allows you to wear, as long as you look respectable. The point is not to put a girl in a dress.” GALS was started this year to provide the community with a safe environment

to talk about the issues that girls face in today’s world. “I think one thing Masters really does have an issue with is slut shaming,” said junior co-president of GALS. Slut shaming is the act of making a woman feel inferior for engaging in sexual behavior that violates gender expectations. “Masters supposedly harbors diversity and an open-minded attitude, but girls are called sluts and whores for their own personal decisions too often for that really to ring true.” Rechtman, however, believes the feminist movement does not exist anymore. “There’s no

question that you are going to be professional women.” Hindley, on the other hand, felt differently. ”I think that [gender equality] is something to be very mindful of, and you have to be mindful of it because you are leaving and you are going to college, and out into the workplace,” she said. “If we presume that this place is 100 percent okay, we would be doing a great disservice to the school.” She added, “Are we there yet? No. We’re not close. We’re closer at a school like this with tolerance and diversity. Is it all right? No, it’s not all right.”

by Jackie Liu Features Editor

Stand in the center of the dining hall and watch the people who pass you by. There are Chinese, Korean, Mexican, German, Australian and AfricanAmerican students and faculty all around you. However, this was not always the case. In fact, the school only became so accepting in relatively recent years. Between 1955 and 1968, the African-American Civil Rights Movement caught the nation’s attention. Prior to this time, it was not uncommon for high schools to be predominantly filled with students who were the same race and came from the same background and community. Masters was no exception. Christine Scott, Senior Associate Director of College Counseling and Academic Affairs, recalled the time back in the 1950s and 60s when whites and African Americans rarely went to the same schools. In 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional, but the first high

school to integrate blacks and whites was Central High School in Arkansas in 1957. “The question to ask about back then is why didn’t people of color come to independent schools?” Scott said. “It’s not because schools didn’t want them but because rich colored people were in a very narrow network. Everyone knew each other and information flowed through word of mouth.” Programs which still exist today, such as ABC (A Better Chance), created lists of high schools and colleges that were known to be welcoming to African American children and families. Parents found no need to send their children to schools that were not on the list. In the ‘60s, even colleges limited the variety of students that could attend their schools. Princeton University and Dartmouth College were some of the last colleges to begin accepting African Americans. The first African American student, Carolyn Alston, arrived at Masters in September of 1965; Alston joined her sophomore year through ABC. Two other minority

Exploring feminism as school changes with the times by Lily Herzan News Editor

In the days of Eliza B. Masters, girls at the school were answering to a severely more stringent set of institutional rules to obey and a significantly less empowering societal construct to work within. Even in the 1940s, according to the school handbook, girls could not wear makeup to school, or leave to go into New York City by themselves. Today, while women’s rights have drastically improved at the school, many do not believe equality has been achieved. Since

Public Domain Image

She feels that with the introduction of the boys, girls have a newfound need to form cliques. While much of this positive change has come along

Public Domain Image

MALCOM X WAS an icon of the civil rights movement. His daughter, Ilyasah Shabazz, attended Masters for her freshman and sophomore years. She is the author of Growing Up X and is a motivational speaker.

students arrived through the same program—Josephine Youpee, a Sioux American Indian, and Maria Viera. Their expected arrival stirred up fear and uncertainty in the community. An old Tower article ran the December before they came to Masters said, of potential ABC students, “Though possessing the mental capacity and leadership potential, these high school students are distinct academic risks to Dobbs… They will put an additional financial burden on the school. They will present problems which the school cannot foresee. Dobbs, as well as every other school involved, could easily be filled at any time with students of assured promise.” Despite these apprehensions, both Alston and Viera graduated in 1968 and Alston went on to attend Cornell University. Now, 40 years later, she is the Vice President and General Consel of The Coalition for Government Procurement. Alston described her arrival here as “a huge cultural change from two different perspectives. One was the racial of course. The other was the socioeconomic side. My family was working class and most of the kids at the Masters school were from families that were very wealthy.” “I guess I was an unknown quantity,” Alston said. “It was kind of isolating for me as a student.” “It was uncomfortable to be a minority because I was so young at the time. The dances—I didn’t go to many of them because it was not a comfortable situation,” she said. During the 1960s, there were no African American teachers present and the only ones around were those who worked as laborers such as the cooking staff. “Almost everyone had roommates but I did not,” she continued. “I think they were avoiding the racial problem and they

Photo courtesy of Masterpieces 1968

CAROLYN ALSTON ‘68 was the first African-American student at Masters. However, they were students of color prior to Alston, as the school had an international exchange program. Kim Jordan ‘91, said there were no non-white faculty members on staff even while she was here.

were a bit unsure of how families would accept that.” However, the student body itself was welcoming to its new members. “Actually, I never had any problems with the girls but there were some parents that were not comfortable with it,” Alston said. Then, in her senior year, on April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. “If I put myself in the place of the teacher, I’m sure they didn’t know how to handle it on a personal level since at that time we had a couple of AfricanAmerican students at that time and the teachers’ first response was to arrange for us to participate in local activities that were commemorations,” Alston said. “They closed the school when commemorations were going on and I thought that was a good way to handle the situation.” Now, Masters has become a place where a

variety of ethnic groups are well-represented throughout the campus. Earlier this year, the school held its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day two-day celebration where the history of racism, stereotypes and fighting for what is right was recognized, honored and learned from. Senior Miquael Williams said that currently, “Even though stereotypes are fairly norms here they aren’t nearly as prevalent as at other places and for the most part people aren’t separated into groups based on wealth or sports and the majority isn’t split based on what color you are. I think it’s a place that really does encourage you to be yourself and try new things and such.” Students from countries all over the world come to Masters with the expectation of a welcoming community. Scott said, “America has become a much kinder place.”

TOWER/March 5, 2013

FEATURES

Graphic by Teerin Julsawad

Acceptance of gay rights and sexual preference develops in recent years Seeds of tolerance: The genesis of racial diversity at the school by Johanna M. Costigan with reporting by Kiera Wilson

Editor-in-Chief and Web Content Manager

Photo by Eve Wetlaufer

boys,” she said. “In that sense we’ve really regressed. There was no need for popularity, it just didn’t e x ist.”

by Jackie Liu Features Editor

Exploring feminism as school changes with the times by Lily Herzan News Editor

Public Domain Image

She feels that with the introduction of the boys, girls have a newfound need to form cliques. While much of this positive change has come along

Public Domain Image

Photo courtesy of Masterpieces 1968

TOWER/March 5, 2013

Arts

Aided by melodies and guitar strings, Lauren Reiner looks to her musical future by Teerin Julsawad Features Editor

She began to write lyrics in seventh grade and recorded her songs for the first time in eighth grade. She has been singing for as long as she can remember and has never stopped. Performing regularly at school events, from Musical Mondays to coffee houses to concerts, it is no doubt that junior Lauren Reiner has what it takes. This year, she was selected by a voice coach to take part in an audition for the NBC reality talent show The Voice. She auditioned with Sara Bareilles’ “Love Song.” While Reiner was not called back for the show, she admits it was a good learning experience and looks forward to trying again next year. A songwriter, Reiner pens her own music and releases it on social networking websites, such as Tumblr, where she has gained a following. Her song, “Translucent,” has

over 25,000 plays. She finds her drive through the praise she receives from her followers each day.

“To hear that people like my music, it’s the best feeling in the whole world,” she said.

This summer, Reiner plans to attend Berklee College of Music for several weeks; however,

she has no plans to attend music school, as she wants to study math and science in college.

Photo by Tyler Pager

KNOWN THROUGHOUT campus for her smiling demeanor and beautiful voice, Lauren Reiner strums along on her trusty guitar. From writing songs to singing covers, she is always busy. Her YouTube channel, laurengaylemusic, features videos of her singing songs such as her original “Translucent” and a cover of Katy Perry’s “Fireworks”.

“I’m not planning to major in music in college because I want to have a plan B, and I really do like math and science,” she said. Despite this, Reiner’s ultimate dream is to become a professional artist. “Singing is my passion and I’m still going to be doing it,” she said. Music teacher Gilles Pugatch, who works with Reiner in the swing band, immediately recognized Reiner’s natural talent as a musician. “We all noticed from the beginning how talented she is as a songwriter, performer and interpreter,” he said. “She has an innate musical feel, solid phrasing and good emotional delivery.” The band performed one of Reiner’s original songs, “Autumn Always Comes Back,” at Rocktoberbest this past fall. “It was a lot of fun to work on her song and arrange it for the ensemble that we had,” he said. “I think she’s got a lot of potential as a songwriter.”

New York Historical Society hosts A Pippin life as told by Gillian exhibit on New York during WWII by Lily Herzan News Editor

“WWII & NYC,” a revealing and comprehensive exhibition at the New York Historical Society, makes a convincing case that New York City reached its pinnacle as the “center of the world” sometime during the Second World War. This illuminating exhibit guides visitors through the economic, social and cultural implications of the war on the city, and the city on the American effort in the war. A piece of a cyclotron – a machine that scientists built to smash atoms and create the atomic bomb – is the first object a visitor encounters at the exhibition. The cyclotron was part of the “Manhattan Project” – a program that brought allied scientists together in New York from around the world in order to build the bomb that they hoped would end the war. The story of the cyclotron is told in a video – an oral

history narrated by a soldier who worked on the project. Throughout the exhibition, videos and recordings are used to effectively tell the stories of the people and the places in New York City that were affected by the war. New York became a haven of defense, and its harbor was crucial to the protection of the United States. An interactive lighted map of the harbor illustrates the many ways the port of New York was essential to the war effort. Push one button and discover the strategic manufacturing centers in the harbor. Another button illustrates the complex web of defense in the harbor, which included nets to deter enemy submarines. One of the most interesting aspects of the exhibition is its examination of the ways that the war effected social and cultural facets of the city. All aspects of the city were involved in the war effort. For example, Katz’s delicatessen ran a program that offered to

“senda salami” to the Jewish boys in the army so that they could keep kosher. Rumor had it that some of those salamis ended up as ammunition against the Germans when supplies ran short. The Museum of Modern Art ran a poster design contest that attracted submissions from over 10,000 artists. Rationing of all sorts of materials meant that people had to be especially resourceful. Brassieres were given a “declaration of essentiality” because, it was argued, “Americans needed their working women and working women needed their bras.” This exhibition comes alive because of its reliance on videos and oral histories of individuals remembering their wartime in New York. The original footage from the time and personal stories are really what makes this an important show. “WWII and NYC” is at the New York Historical Society until May 27. Student admission is $10.

Photo courtesy of The New York Historical Society

With objects ranging from prewar protest pamphlets to murals of troopships, the new exhibition “WWII & NYC” elaborates on New York’s role in WWII from propaganda, ship building, and the infamous Manhattan Project.

Photo by Tyler Pager

PIPPIN, THE WINTER MUSICAL, is directed by M.A. with dance director Janie Wallace and musical director Katie Meadows. The cast rehearsed for two months before performing at the Claudia Boettcher Theatre on March 1 and 2 to a full house.

by Gillian Goodman Contributing Writer

We’ve been rehearsing Pippin for around two months now, and I think somewhere between sliding down a fireman’s pole and tap dancing around dead bodies I’ve forgotten what Pippin is actually about. It’s easy to get distracted: sometimes Pippin seems more like a fever dream than a high school play. But Pippin is about more than sequins and jazz hands. There are moments in rehearsal when I get chills, and moments where I feel afraid. There is something hauntingly familiar in watching a young man stumble through his life, desperately searching for truth and meaning. We are all in high school, and

none of us are immune to those late-night existential crises. We’ve all looked at our parents, drowning in taxes and laundry, and thought, “Not me. I’m doing something big. I’m going somewhere.” But that slight edge of panic when it’s 3 a.m. and you don’t know who you are or where you’re going or what your purpose is, that’s what Pippin is about. Pippin makes us ask, what if? What if this is it? What if there is nothing more than taxes and laundry? So we look for fulfillment in our perfect grades, in our varsity sports and in the hand holding our own. We tell ourselves that our parents will be proud of us, that colleges will accept us and then we’ll be

happy. I’m guilty of it myself. It’s a lot easier, I think, to pretend you have all the answers. No one wants to admit they’re lost, and no one wants to think about the possibility that this is it. That’s where the Leading Player creeps in, whispering that there is something more, something completely fulfilling. The Leading Player and her Troupe sing gently of perfection, of fulfillment, of a Grand Finale: a perfect last act. And it’s that universal desire that scares me the most; we all want to be remembered, and we all know that no one remembers the ordinary people. The Leading Player knows that we are all as lost as Pippin is. And don’t we all want to go out with a bang?

TOWER/March 5, 2013

Arts

Janie Wallace pirouettes into the dance studio by Alex Minton Op-Ed Editor

Two kicks, a ball change and a whole lot of creative energy usher in a fresh face to the Dance and Drama department’s creative team. New part time teacher Janie Wallace teaches weekly dance technique classes and helped direct the fall play, Throne of Blood. She is currently choreographing the winter musical, Pippin. This is Wallace’s first time teaching as most of her work has taken place on and off stage performing and directing. Wallace cowrites original musicals, some of which have been produced. She has also performed in the company of the Gypsy and Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat National Tours and holds a long list of directorial credits. Wallace was in Albany directing a production of Hair last year when a friend forwarded her the job description for the Masters position. Following a Skype interview, she led a test class for dance students on campus in June. “I kind of fell into directing” Wallace said. “I like it better than performing; you get to create something and be a part of the big picture.”

Photo illustration by Jackie Liu

New Media Corp duo prepares to showcase film by Sang Bae Ad Designer

Photo by Alex Minton

JANIE WALLACE leaps into her role in the school’s Drama Department with enthusiasm and grace. In just one season, she has already ushered in a wave of creative change and looks forward to what is to come.

She is particularly experienced with directing children, having directed and choreographed youth productions of Legally Blonde, and Fame Jr., at the Helen Hayes Youth Theater in Nyack ,starring five- to seven-year-olds. “I particularly enjoy working with students and kids” Wallace said. “Professionals work hard but often become jaded after a while. Kids and students are always eager and energetic.” Sophomore Rory Maglich likened Wallace’s description of a child’s energy

level to her own work. “Janie is incredibly enthusiastic when it comes to choreography” he said, “She is always excited to educate students through movement, and her storytelling in dance is creative.” Wallace is pleased with the work she has been able to do at the school and is excited about what is next. “I have been very impressed with the students here,” she said. “They are engaged on a different level and create a fun and professional environment that is really nice to work in.”

It all started with a friendship. Seniors Raleigh Capozzalo and Chris George, friends since middle school, write, direct and edit films as a team. This spring, the two are entering the Westchester County Future Filmmaker’s Film Festival to showcase a film they have produced with their company, the New Media Corp. “We wanted to see how our work would be received in the real world outside the Masters community, and to test what we could achieve,” George said. They selected their most recent film, txt., to be showcased in the competition because it has a more complex story line and structure than their other films. George described it as, “gritty and serious. It’s our strongest film.” He explained the premise of their film. “txt. is

a suspense thriller based around the new age of cyber-stalking and identity theft. Revolving around two high school kids named Kate and Jordan, an unfortunate turn of fate sends an unpleasant situation spiraling into a disaster,” George said. Emphasizing strong character development and the use of visible text in lieu of verbal dialogue, their film txt. attempts to convey the theme of suspense in a fifteen-minute short film. “It’s a long time in the making,” Capozzalo said. “We started last October while studying suspense films. [Vincent] Galgano, Chris and I watched “Sherlock” and were intrigued by the idea of text on the screens.” Alongside other films by Westchester high school students, txt. will be screened at The Picture House, a theater that is described on its website as “Westchester’s

nonprofit alternative to commercial multiplex theaters.” The screening will take place on April 27. The two are a true team. Though they work together closely, they do play to their individual strengths. While George does the bulk of the writing and Capozzalo serves as the primary editor during their process, Capozzalo certainly edits George’s writing and George contributes substantial input during the editing process, particularly if they are working under a tight deadline. “We do have specialties, but those get thrown out the window under deadline,” he said. Both Capozzalo and George are considering film as a potential career path, but are primarily exploring alternate fields. Capozzalo is particularly interested in engineering, while George is most intrigued by business. George said, “I love film, but business is my career.”

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TOWER/March 5, 2013 Continuations

Versen pumps up athletic program continued from page 16

Photo by Eve Wetlaufer

RAY EMANUEL SR. SHARED his experience about emigrating from Jamaica at this year’s MLK Day Celebration. The U.S.’s immigration policies have generated much controversy due to their selectivity.

Legislating immigration in D.C. continued from page 1

process was going on, but I do remember my parents spending so much money, taking a lot of trips to the capital and [going through] a lot of interviews,” she said. “It wasn’t easy.” A recent bipartisan proposal has challenged these conventions. The legislative scheme, which seeks “comprehensive reform” of America’s existent immigration system, has been praised by President Obama and his rival from the 2008 campaign, Arizona senator John McCain. The proposed legislation includes a “tough but fair path to citizenship” for unauthorized immigrants living in America-- making it a successor to the dead-inthe-water DREAM act. In addition, the plan promises

more overarching reforms for admitting immigrant workers and increased oversight of U.S. borders. A Feb. 6 poll conducted by The Washington Post and CBS indicated that 49 percent of Americans approve of the proposal in its entirety, with larger majorities supporting individual measures like the pathway to citizenship and stricter border controls. Despite receiving bipartisan support, the plan is widely seen as being slightly left-leaning. As such, it has drawn fire from more conservative Republicans. Interestingly, the left has likewise entertained criticisms--notably, Obama refrained from a formal endorsement of the plan owing to the fact that did not include provisions for equalizing the visa process

for

same-sex couples. Many at Masters see the proposal as cause to celebrate, albeit cautiously. Fernando Mejia, Director of Facilities and an immigrant from Colombia himself, said, “I think that what President Obama is doing is OK [on the issue of immigration] but it’s not far enough-- I think what he’s proposing is still a little bit shy. There are a lot of people waiting on the legal side of things… whose cases are waiting for 10, 12 years, even once a decision has been made; that should be revised.” Dubon echoed his sentiments, saying, “I’m a big supporter of these proposals not just because they give opportunities to people that deserve them, but also because they give the country a push to progress.”

our athletes who feel supported and appreciated.” Versen also wants to ensure that each student athlete has the opportunity to partake in games. As a result, he has put an emphasis on scheduling both varsity and junior varsity level games for sports that only have a varsity team. “You want kids to learn from their experiences on the field, in practices and from their coaches and teammates,” he said. Senior and varsity baseball player Dazian Lizardo spoke to Versen’s knowledgeable and helpful nature. “When I have a question, he’s always there

Photo by Tyler Pager

KEVIN VERSEN PLANS on adjusting athletic schedules to make the athletic program more accessible to students. For next year, he arranged for the girls’ varsity soccer and volleyball teams to play a tournament in Pittsburgh.

with a correct and specific answer for me,” he said. “He takes the time out of his day to be of any assistance.” Kammrath added, “Our

DAA Dodgeball:

main focus is helping athletes work to their goals and full potential. Mr. Versen understands this and is helping shape the future of our athletic program.”

Photo by Ellen Cowhey

Seniors Archie King and Julia Yankelowitz participated in the DAA dodgeball tournament on February 27. The final four teams will compete on March 6 for the championship.

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TOWER/March 5, 2013

Sports

Wade strengthens weight room co-curricular Girls’ tennis starts fresh worked together to try to training and the third is to an hour-and-a-half and with a new coach by Gabby Davies really revamp the program for boarding students. meets five days a week. C W ontributing

riter

While many students prefer to be part of a sports team, some would rather exercise independently. Weight room instructor Chris Wade helps students to craft individualized work-out routines. “Mr. Versen and I have

and make it more meaningful for students,” he said. “It is an opportunity for students to get an education as well as a workout.” Weight room is made up of three sessions. The first session is for day students, the second is for sport-specific

“In the first and third sessions, people can work for their own fitness goals and we give them some sort of help towards that,” Wade said. “The second session is more focused, longer and more intense,” he said. It runs from an hour

This past winter, over 60 kids enrolled in weight room. Wade said, “Enrollment has gone up significantly. I think what’s happening is we are getting greater participation in physical education which is terrific.”

Taking my talents to Tower:

A lex R odriguez by Max Borowitz

Alex Rodriguez should receive a lifetime ban from baseball. Earlier in his career, Rodriguez was known to have used performance enhancing drugs, which likely played a major role in his becoming one of the greatest baseball players on the planet. When he was implicated, ‘A-Rod,” as he is known, was reasonably classy about it. Lacking the dramatic flair for lying that shameless cheaters like Raphael Palmeiro, Barry Bonds

should be banned from baseball

and Roger Clemens had, A-Rod managed to largely avoid the ritualized public shaming of cheaters that became so prevalent over the last decade. But now, after so many baseball fans believed that their beloved sport was finally clean of performance enhancing drugs, the new “deer antler spray” steroid ring has shown us just how dirty baseball still is. Within “deer antler spray” is a substance that regulates human growth called IGF-1. It has been used to inflate muscles for years, and is banned by most major sports leagues. Once again, despite claiming that he did not do drugs, Rodriguez has been implicated in the deer antler scandal.

Baseball’s rules for punishing steroid users are considered fairly draconian, yet I do not think it is enough. Steroid users need to be banned from the game, and it should start with the most arrogant and

hubristic of them all, Rodriguez. Baseball desperately needs to clean up its image, and I cannot think of a better place to start than to prove to fans like me who fear that baseball does not care about cleaning itself up.

Photo by Doug Duran/Contra Costa Times/MCT

New York Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez hits a single in the sixth inning of the Yankees’ game against the Oakland Athletics.

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Photo by Ken Verral

SENIOR EVAN ZHANG hits a backhand return in a varsity doubles match. Zhang and Lily Herzan are the team captains for this year and the team’s new coach is Paige Lawrence.

by Daniel Barnett Contributing Writer

Girls’ tennis is ready to begin the season and take on the challenges ahead of them with a new coach. When Paul Fontana, who coached the team for the past three years, resigned in early February, Paige Lawrence was hired to replace him. Lawrence, who grew up in Texas and has been coaching tennis for eight years, was an elite college tennis player. “I played college tennis and was a four time all-American at Amherst,” she said. Lawrence created a coaching technique called

“power performance” that focuses on mental toughness, which is a large part of competitive tennis. “While we will all miss Paul, we are excited to welcome a new coach,” said senior cocaptain Lily Herzan. For the upcoming season, senior co-captain Evan Zhang wants to the team to focus on maintaining composure. “Emotional stability is the most important part of tennis,” she said. “In tennis, there is no time limit. Staying in a calm mental state while losing is the most important aspect of the game. You just don’t know how and where the game will go.”

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TOWER/March 5, 2013

Sports

Welcome to the boys club: Teachers battle in fantasy football league by Johanna M. Costigan Editor-in-Chief

Everyone wants the first pick. When the fantasy football draft starts at the beginning of the season, many current and former Masters faculty members race to claim the best players in the National Football League. “Much like real football, our fantasy league embraces the tenets of violence, exclusion and degradation,” Technical Theatre Director Jeff Carnevale said. Math teacher and member of the fantasy football

league Michael Comerford explained the investment in football the league ignites in members. “When you’re watching the game, you have a rooting interest in a game that you might not care about otherwise,” he said. The game is powered by Yahoo. The website uses a formula that includes all the players’ statistics and then predicts the outcome of any given game utilizing this formula. While the games played online are separate from those played by teams in the NFL, players’ statistics

are updated along with every game, which can increase or decrease a league member’s potential to win. The league composed of Masters faculty members was created by Technology Director Bhavin Patel two years ago, but Comerford has been playing fantasy football for seven years. Patel explained that most of the members are part of other leagues and have been playing independently for years as well. His motivation behind starting a Masters-based fantasy football league

was the fact that it gives people from different departments who may not normally interact a reason to get to know each other. Associate Director for College Counseling Art McCann described fantasy football as an essential facet of athletic and social stimulation. About fantasy football, McCann said, “Live it. Breathe it.” “It’s a strategy game,” McCann continued. “The ‘thinking man’s’ approach to sports.” Carnevale explained the appeal the league has for

him. He said, “What could be more humiliating then having your team decimated by ‘that theatre guy who knows nothing about football’? My strategy this year was to auto draft, go 0-6, be in last place, and then go on a huge winning streak. Is there anything better then seeing Mr. McCann cry?” Although he appreciates the bonding and fun the league fosters, Patel’s favorite part of fantasy football is being able to boast about his successes amongst fellow footballloving faculty members.

Similarly, Comerford said, “My favorite part about it is following the players and how they do and making trades as well as being able to rub it into people’s faces when I beat them.” McCann described the masculine aspect of the game. “It’s also a great way for guys to keep in touch,” he said. “Fantasy football is a way for guys to feel connected without getting all touchy-feely.” Carnevale continued, “Fantasy football is really nothing more than dungeons and dragons for jocks.”

New coach slated to lead boys’ varsity tennis team McKenna steps in to by Tyler Jarecki Contributing Writer

Change is in the works for this year’s boys’ varsity tennis team. Though the majority of the team is comprised of returning players, the team has a new head coach, Carl McDonald. McDonald, who coached the junior varsity team last year, will bring a new philosophy to this year’s team. He is very focused on the team’s physical fitness because tennis players need to be able to stay on the court for long periods of time. “My philosophy is that no players should go out there and lose because they are out of shape,” McDonald said. McDonald has given the players a ‘workout sheet’ so

they can train during the off season with Chris Wade, the weight room instructor. McDonald has also offered the players the opportunity to train with him at Mercy College with some college students. Senior captain Tyler Pager is optimistic about the season because of the team’s new coach and the strong returning players “Coach McDonald had a lot of success with the junior varsity team last year so I’m excited to work with him,” he said. “While the roster hasn’t been finalized yet, we already have a strong core group of players returning from last year.” McDonald added, “We are a team. We either win together or lose together.”

lead baseball team by Tony Rosenberg Contributing Writer

Photo by Ken Verral

JUN HYUK CHOI RETURNS the ball during a tennis match last year. Carl McDonald replaced Jon Lee as the team’s head coach.

In his first season as the head coach, Maxfield McKenna is focused on building the boys’ varsity baseball team’s identity. “We are going to have to build a team culture, a team atmosphere,” he said. “We have to build the identity of the team and make it understood that this is our team, and this is how we play the game.” McKenna added, “I have been working on skill segments to work on during practices and drills. And again, we are focused on how we approach the game, here’s

how we play baseball.” Senior Dazian Lizardo said the team will miss former Head Coach Ray Lacen, but he is excited to work with McKenna. “Losing Lacen was definitely a deficit to the team because we all had a bond with him,” he said. “But Coach McKenna is fresh out of college baseball, so he will bring more to the table than Lacen did.” McKenna was a pitcher for Amherst College’s baseball team. The baseball program will also have a JV team this year, which will give younger players the opportunity to develop their skills.

Golf heads to South Carolina with high expectations for this season by Martin Serrano Contributing Writer

Despite the sports’ youth at the school, founder and coach of the golf program Art McCann has high expectations for the season. “This year we expect to establish our golf team as a legitimate collection of talented golfers who are capable of competing against, and defeating, other varsity golf teams,” he said. “We are also excited about increasing our depth of talented players as well as expanding our facilities

usage to include more days on the golf course.” Over spring break, the team will go to South Carolina. McCann said that this trip will be a great experience and advantage for the team, considering the fact that most schools don’t have the same opportunity to prepare in such an ideal location. Co-captains Bennett Saltzman and Erin Kopf are very excited about starting their second season. “After a year of developing talent, we’re turning into a more cohesive

team,” Saltzman said. “That, along with a strong team dynamic, will contribute to success. It’s hard to set goals beforehand, but hopefully we’ll have a winning record and a year-end tournament. More importantly, we hope to have fun. It’s a great group of guys, and Dana.” Kopf added, “Golf is both an individual and a team sport. It’s individual because you compete for yourself, and as a team we work on a point system. We have fun on the course, but we take it seriously.”

Photo by Wen-Xuan Ni

(L-R) SENIORS SEAN COFFEY, DANA GREENE, ANDREAS KOHL AND DECLAN CONSIDINE are an integral part of the golf team. For spring training this year, the golf team is headed to South Carolina.

Girls lacrosse gets an early start by Rajan Cutting Contributing Writer

After the graduation of six powerful seniors, the girls on the varsity lacrosse team have big shoes to fill for the upcoming season. “Last year we graduated our seniors, who happened to be some of our strong players,” Head Coach Courtney Destafano said. Senior co-captains Jessica Hella and Julia Yankelowitz organized captains practices at the end of February to get a head start on the season and work on fundamental skills. “We wanted to

motivate girls to get into shape and practice stick work,” Hella said. Yankelowitz added, “Losing our seniors will take some adjusting to, but I think we’ll be alright. Finding a new dynamic and coping with the loss and players that we’ve depended upon in the past will be a challenge.” Yankelowitz also said that the team will not have as many freshman this year. “Last year, because of the athletic requirement, we had a lot of freshman on the team, but this year we don’t have as many trying out,” she said. “There

was also supposed to be a junior varsity team, but that’s probably not going to happen anymore.” Junior Jackie Lee is playing lacrosse for her second year now. “Everyone seems to be excited for the season,” she said. Lee addressed another challenge for the team. She said, “One thing that could hurt is how in shape we are, especially for those of us who didn’t do a winter sport.” Hella added, “We want to improve on working together and supporting each other at every practice and every game.”

tower/March 5, 2013

SPORTS

Softball aims to reclaim 2011 FAA title Boys’ lacrosse team by Ariel Censor Contributing Writer

Girls’ varsity softball has a reputation to live up to this season. In 2011, the team won the first softball banner in the school’s history

by winning the Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA) Championship. With the return of many players and Coach Mikelle Sacco, the team has high expectations. “If they come together as a team and learn the

basics, we can beat any team,” said Sacco, who last coached the team two years ago. “We don’t need to do anything fancy; we just need to be consistent.” Junior captain Chelsea Strong is optimistic that the

Photo by Bob Cornigans

JUNIOR CLAUDIA LAMBERTY slides into second base in a varsity girls’ softball game this year. With the return of Mikelle Sacco as their coach, the girls have high expectations for the upcoming season.

new players will be able to fill the shoes of last year’s seniors: Marissa Diaz, Izzy Shaida and Esme Faneuff. “We’ve seen most people play and we’re really excited,” she said. “They are really good.” As captain, one of Strong’s goals, for the season is to improve the team’s attitude. “We get down on ourselves really easily,” she said. “Not that we give up, but we get disappointed when a game is going badly. Hopefully I can improve that.” Sacco also hopes to lighten things up as well. “I want the team to have fun and to learn the basics, skills and the love of the game,” she said. By the end of the spring, the varsity softball team hopes to add another banner to the wall in the gym.

Versen pumps up athletics program by Alex Minton Op-Ed Editor

The creation of the Athletic Credit Requirement (ACR) and the construction of the Greene Family Field and the Community Athletics and Arts Center (CAAC) began a new phase in the school’s athletic program. The new Director of Athletics and Physical Education, Kevin Versen, will play a major role in shaping the program’s future.

This summer, Versen left his job as athletic director at Lake Forest Academy in Lake Forest, Il after spending the last 12 years there. In his first six months at Masters, Versen has focused on making athletics more accessible to students. “I want to make it easier, more fun and more creative for kids to participate in athletics,” Versen said. “Active minds need active bodies.” He has also worked to limit conflicts between

athletics and academics. Therefore, he has tried to schedule away games with a longer travel time on the weekends. In addition, he has moved home games later in the afternoon so it is easier for students and parents to watch. Associate Director for Athletic Development Matt Kammrath said Versen’s experience will greatly benefit the school’s athletic program. “Mr. Versen is coming from a high level program so

he can assess exactly what ours needs,” he said. “From the outside looking in he will find ways to really bolster our athletic program.” Kammrath added that Versen has been able to cultivate a more engaged and enthusiastic vibe at sporting events and practices. “We now have concession stands and half time shows at our games,” he said. “More students are coming to support

Basketball

League Standings Boys Varsity Boys Foil: 1st Place Girls Foil: 1st Place Boys Epee: 2nd Place Girls Epee: 2nd Place Boys Sabre: 1st Place Girls Sabre: 1st Place

13-9 3rd in the FAA #1 seed in NYSAIS Tournament

Girls Varsity

12-6 Team Tournament 5th in the FAA Boys Foil: 1st Place Girls Foil: 2nd Place Boys Junior Varsity Boys Epee: 2nd Place 14-8 Girls Epee: 2nd Place Boys Sabre: 1st Place Girls Sabre: 1st Place

Indoor Track and Field New Records

Girls

55M Dash (7.85) K. Whittington-Cooper’15 600M Dash (1:54.67) C. Parkus’16 1000M Run (3:48.76) C. Guarin’14 1600M Run (6:14.40) E. Robinson’14 Long Jump (13’5.25) L. Hughes’13 Triple Jump (23’6.00) L. Hughes’13 Shot Put (22’09.50) E. Fortuna’16 4X400M Relay (4:50.91) J. Munnings ‘16 C. Parkus ‘16 M. Chua ‘16 B. Al-Mulla ‘13

Photo by Ken Verral

Senior Phil Golodetz BATTLES for the ball against Hamden Hall last spring. Golodetz is one of the team’s captain for this year.

by Emily Barshay

Contributing Writer

Boys’ varsity lacrosse is still playing the numbers game. For the past few years, the roster has gotten smaller each season and this year Assistant Coach Tim Custer said the team has around only 20 players. The small roster is problematic for the team because the teams that it competes against usually have up to 35 players. “Since we don’t have as many substitutes as other teams, the guys that we do have are going to have to be in good shape,” Custer said. Players have already started physically preparing themselves for the season by practicing together this winter.

Senior captain Graydon Cook is also worried about the ongoing trend of dwindling numbers. He explained that four years ago there were thirty-something kids, the following year there were around 26 and last year around 21. “During my freshman year, we really had difficulty with a large team because playing time and practice schedules got messed up because we had so many different rotations of players,” he said. “I think we’ll have a good team dynamic this year, but I don’t know how well we’ll perform.” Custer and Cook agree that this team dynamic will form during the spring break training trip.

continued on page 13

Winter Sports Records and Highlights

Fencing

fights for players

Boys

1000M Dash (2:42.63) R. Canada’14 1600M Run (4:45.00) R. Canada’14 3200M Run (10:42.07) C. Brakey’16 4X200M Relay (1:40.53) R. Goethals ‘13 R. Emanuel ‘14 R. Canada ‘14 B. Guven ‘13 4X400M Relay (3:53.58) R. Emanuel ‘14 A. Arroyave ‘13 R. Canada ‘14 B. Guven ‘13 4X800M Relay (9:28.06) R. Canada ‘14 J. McLeod ‘15 M. Donovan ‘16 C. Brakey’16

Spring track gains students from ACR by Rachel Saunders Contributing Writer

All kids run. But few continue to pursue the sport competitively. The spring track team is preparing for an exciting season in their second season as a team. The team will also be in a formal league this year unlike last year were they just tried to sign up for as many meets as possible. Track Head Coach Vincent Galgano and Assistant Coach Tim Weir will coach the spring track team after working together in the winter with the indoor track team. In the winter, the boys’ and girls’ teams combined had around 40 members, and Weir is hoping to have 50 or more in the spring.

“Since it is my first year, I don’t know the difference from years’ past, but the ACR has definitely helped get kids out,” he said. “Most people are inexperienced anyway; it’s not a sport that you grow up playing.” A lot of the new members are freshman, which Weir sees as a major asset. “Freshmen are really key for building a program especially one notable freshman like Chris Brakey who has already broken a five minute mile this year…so the sky is the limit for him,” he said. Senior Dylan Etzel ran spring track last year and is looking forward to the upcoming spring season. He said, “The team really grew together, and the level of support was increasingly present.”