Tower The Masters School
VOLUME 70, NUMBER 5
49 Clinton Avenue Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. 10522
FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014
tower.mastersny.org
Recent theft and vandalism spark security versus privacy discussion Rajan Cutting Tony Rosenberg Opinion Editor Sports Editor In the wake of violent attacks in schools across America, schools have stepped up efforts to increase security measures. Meanwhile, here at Masters, even with the key card entries installed on all buildings on campus this year, acts of thievery and vandalism occur. Specifically, three school-issued computers were stolen and personal items in the boys’ locker room were vandalized within the last six weeks. These recent cases have forced the community to evaluate how effective our security system is and how easily it is compromised. How do security cameras fit into the equation of keeping the community and their possessions safe? How aware are students that they are video recorded in and outside of buildings on campus? One of the stolen computers belonged to Brian Cheney, history and religion teacher. As far as possible motives go, Cheney said, “The most obvious reason is that there is a lot of money that can be made off of selling these types of electronics.” On a positive note, the school has replaced all three computers that were stolen. However, despite the school’s quick diligence in replacing the computers, it appeared to be outside of the norm. Head of the Upper School Matt Ives said, “These things don’t usually happen in our community.” In an effort to better understand how and where closed circuit video surveillance is used on campus, particularly in relation to these incidents, Tower attempted to interview the Director of Safety and Security Fernando Mejia, the Director of Business and Finance Bob Rooney and Director of Technology Dan Pereira. All three declined to be interviewed for this story. However, Mejia did give a brief statement via email in response to several questions posed. Mejia wrote, “CCTV cameras are set in several points on campus where we consider incidents of intrusion, theft, traffic, vehicles security and other safety issues are more likely to take place. Since we have an open campus and the access to our buildings is not 100%, controlled cameras and video surveillance are very important tools in our effort to keep us safe. The fact that potential intruders know that there are cameras around the school is already a crime deterrent. Some cameras are visible and some are not so visible. There are no cameras in places where personal privacy is an issue like bathrooms or dormitory rooms.” In addition, Head of the Upper School Matt Ives met with reporters twice to go share his insights into the situation. He said security cameras on campus allow the school to open facili-
ties for students use beyond the traditional school hours. He said, “We have a lot of valuable things in the music building that are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.” In regard to weekend use of the facility, Ives said, “We do not have any faculty willing to spend hours in the music building supervising so we decided to put in a few more cameras. The kids know if they misuse any instruments, they are going to get caught so they probably aren’t going to do those things. Because of that we feel comfortable allowing them to use it.” Ives continued by saying that security footage is only reviewed when a violation of some rule becomes evident. For example, Ives explained, the smell of marijuana, a broken piano, a stolen computer or anything else that is clearly wrong would prompt footage review. Junior Shirin Sharma wasn’t even aware security cameras are in place, but she thinks that the school needs more and students should be aware of them. She said, “I would feel safer on campus knowing there were security cameras.” Senior Leigh Grier disagrees. She said, “Masters definitely doesn’t need more cameras. The idea of being watched at a school like this is crazy.” According to districtadministration.com, someone who is videotaped in public has no expectation of privacy. Places in a school where privacy is a reasonable expectation includes bathrooms, locker rooms, dorm rooms and the infirmary. Courts have also decided what an individual knowingly exposes in public will not grant him or her privacy protection. This raises the important question of whether or not the school should post signs to indicate that certain areas are being supervised by camera. Ives believes broadcasting locations of cameras is counterproductive. Security cameras are meant to be a danger deterrent. If people knew where they were, it wouldn’t be so effective. However, he did suggest that if there were a certain place, such as a specific stairwell, where couples liked to have alone time, it would be a good idea to post a sign indicating that video surveillance was in use. At present, Tower was unable to locate any locations with signs on campus indicating video surveillance is in use. In an email correspondence, Rooney said that the security procedures in place must be kept confidential for the community’s safety. “We do take this seriously and work hard to make a safe community and to deter security breaches,” he said. Finally, Ives said, “I do worry, are we creating a Big Brother state where we are always watching students. What does that say about our school? Do we not trust our students?” It remains unclear what role the review of security footage played in the theft and vandalism incidences.
SANG BAE/TOWER
ACADEMIC ROCK STARS Mikelle Sacco, Kristin Tregar, Ronica Bhattacharya, Matt Ives, Vincent Galgano and Judy Murphy rehearse Fleetwood Mac’s “I Don’t Want to Know” for the school’s third annual rock concert, Great Gig in the Sky. This will be the first time that faculty members perform alongside students in the show.
Musical groups organize for annual Great Gig in the Sky Ariel Censor Copy Editor/Managing Editor
This year’s Great Gig in the Sky, a multi-media performance of Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, will take place today, Friday, May 2 and tomorrow, Saturday at 7 p.m. in the theatre and represent a more exclusive slice of talent on campus. The performers will include those in established groups on campus, such as Jazz Band, Dohters and Dobbs 16. Sophomore Maya Bater, a cast member of the show, believes that this change has its benefits, but also its drawbacks. “I believe the reason those in charge of organizing the performance chose to make it like that [almost exclusively using established groups] is because it means more assurance that groups are on track with songs; the teachers know they’ll be ready for the performance,” she said. “However, I do think it’s kind of sad that there weren’t more opportunities for other individual groups to get a song. In the past, it was cool that all these artistic students at Masters could come together and make a whole show rather than just groups that already exist.” The show’s choreographer, Janie Wallace, believes that by including these groups in the performance, a unique opportunity is created for different facets of the community to collaborate. “Great Gig in the Sky showcases these smaller groups
that have been working together,” she said. “It’s really cool to see them all come together for the finale.” All but two of the songs will be performed by pre-existing groups. The last song on the album, “Gold Dust Woman”, features students who signed up that aren’t already part of the previously named groups. In addition, for the first time, a faculty band will croon “I Don’t Want to Know.” Because this is the third Great Gig in the Sky, according to its cast members, the group has become much more organized. “We get to use class time, so we have a lot more time to rehearse,” junior Charlie Woll, who has been in all of the Great Gig in the Sky performances thus far, said. “Last year and even the first year, no one really had their stuff together; it was miracle it all worked out. But this year, we’ve been working on it since we got back from winter break, so we’re really well prepared.” Gilles Pugatch, musical director and director of sound, shared additional changes to this year’s show. “We will be constructing a production that is ambitious from a multi-media standpoint. We will be mixing live feed video with special effects, along with prerecorded stock footage that will be projected on the screen. We will also be introducing intelligent lighting (moving lights) for the first time at Masters.” Pugatch also explained how Rumours was selected. “In addition to being a masterpiece, we wanted to choose a record showcasing the con-
INSIDE THE ISSUE COLLEGE BOARD’S NEW CHANGES TO THE SAT Will the new format be positive or negative for the Class of 2017? PAGE 3
THE DEEP WEB Despite accounting for about 96% of the Internet, many are unaware of its existence. The vast anonymous network contains everything from drugs, guns and assassins to child pornography. PAGES 3 & 4
THE BASEBALL TEAM LOOKING FOR THE COMEBACK SEASON The team discusses nail-biting losses and working hard to bring their record up. PAGE 8
tribution of women to the popular music art form.” He said that at a time when the music business was a heavily male-dominated industry, successful strong women songwriters were a really rare commodity. Another major difference is the change in genre from last year. “Considering it’s pop music rather than dance music or Pink Floyd, it will probably include a lot more involvement from the crowd,” Woll said. This year, to capitalize on audience participation and to link the event back to the school’s water theme, the show will have a special VIP section where members will be able to stand up and be part of the performance. In order to gain admittance to this section, crowd members will have to pay a fee of $10 and wear all white. Proceeds from the VIP tickets will benefit The Water Project to help fund the building of a well in Africa. Even though these changes have affected the way the Great Gig in the Sky has been prepped and rehearsed, Bater believes the energy of the show will be as high as ever. “I’m so excited to get all dressed up and go all out for the show. It’s like being part of a real, live concert with your friends,” she said. “Everyone’s all hyped up and excited to perform with each other. Although I’m a bit nervous, I’m so happy to be a part of this.” Bater isn’t the only one who’s revved up for the show. Pugatch’s final words of advice for concert goers: “Doors are at 6:30. Get here early. It is always sold out.”
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TOWER/MAY 2, 2014
op-ed
Opinion Tower
EDITORIAL
2013-2014
Editor-in-Chief Teerin Julsawad
Deputy Editor Lucy Price
News Editors
Sofia Linden Rachel Saunders
Opinion Editors Abigail Costigan Rajan Cutting
Features and Arts Editors Sang Bae Wen-Xuan Ni
Assisting Features and Arts Editor YiYi Ouyang
Sports Editor Tyler Jarecki Tony Rosenberg
Managing Editor Ariel Censor
YIYI OUYANG/TOWER
Copy Editor Ariel Censor
Web Content Manager Gabby Davies
Advertising Manager Gabby Davies
Staff Artist YiYi OuYang
Contributing Editor
Hidden security cameras: Acknowledging our right to be trusted with the knowledge of their existence
Matthew Browne
Contributing Writer David Mancione
Distribution Manager Marianna Zapata
Board Manager Wei Wang
Columnists
Henry DuBeau Mary Jac Heuman Angaelica LaPasta Lucy Price Benjamin Sibley
Staff Photographers Bob Cornigans Linkon Duong Gavin Koepke Sam Miller Ken Verral
Contributing Photographers Andrej Chudy Kevin O’Rafferty
Faculty Adviser Ellen Cowhey
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 National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA), Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA), Journalism Education Association (JEA) 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.
Recent thefts and vandalism on campus have stirred debate among the community concerning security issues. At present, many students and faculty alike are still left wondering about the specifics of how security is being handled at school. Could these crimes be solved by reviewing security footage? Are there cameras recording activity in that area? Is that footage regularly reviewed? What is the administration’s overarching philosophy or strategy on where security cameras are situated? When first approached for comment regarding the topic of security cameras and privacy concerns, Director of Safety and Security Fernando Mejia, Director of Business and Finance Bob Rooney and Director of Technology Dan Pereira all declined to be interviewed. All three individuals emphasized the fact that security procedures have to be confidential in order to deter security breaches. Mejia did eventually give a brief written statement via e-mail addressing some of the questions posed, and we did appreciate that feedback. We acknowledge the delicacy of disclosing specific details about security cameras and the like in order to prevent the disclosure of the
“strategic protection information” that was essentially designed to protect us. However, there remains a reluctance to openly engage in discussion with students when it comes to security matters. It has come to our attention that it is not common knowledge that hidden cameras exist throughout campus. In an interview with Head of the Upper School Matt Ives, Tower reporters found out that the music building had multiple hidden cameras in order to ensure the protection of our equipment and facilities. However, as paying members of the community, do we not have the right to know that we are essentially being Big Brother-ed? We fear that the unwillingness to openly discuss the presence of cameras, particularly in an area like the music building where there may be privacy concerns, could ultimately create an atmosphere of distrust. In a way, this lack of transparency mirrors a larger national issue. Our community is being left out of the loop in the very same fashion that Americans have been, in a post-9/11 world, left unaware about the National Security Agency’s (NSA) secret surveillance program that targeted phone calls and
the Internet. It was not until last year when whistleblower Edward Snowden exposed documents that revealed this undisclosed practice. As a community that values and encourages critical questioning and thought, the lack of open discussion contradicts the very foundations of our school. We do recognize the importance of not creating security breaches. However, we believe that there is a clear distinction between knowing the details and whereabouts of these cameras and simply being informed of their presence. We believe that the school should aim to construct a middle ground where there is a healthy balance between keeping security procedures confidential for our own protection and recognizing the fair expectation that we have the right to be trusted with the knowledge of their very existence. We should also ask ourselves the question: To what extent is our right to privacy being breached? Perhaps it is the very public knowledge of the cameras’ existence that will both deter and protect us from theft, vandalism or even violence occurring on campus. If we ourselves are the perpetrators, however, then it is only fitting that we will face the consequences.
How Can You Submit a Letter to the Editor? 1.) Have an Opinion
2.) Write a 300-word Letter
3.) E-mail it to Tower Editors
4.) Get Published
SANG BAE/TOWER
TOWER/MAY 2, 2014
New SAT change sets grounds for equal opportunity and fairness Sang Bae Features and Arts Editor I’m definitely glad the College Board got their act together and made changes to the SAT. I have a 2230 on the test, I’m Korean and I took this test too many times to count—I know the SAT test inside and out. Though a 2230 isn’t exactly a very impressive score by my ethnic standards, I can attest that the SAT hardly qualifies as an indicator of college aptitude. The College Board repeatedly claimed in the past that the SAT isn’t coachable, and that’s the biggest load of bull I heard from that corporation. According to the National Education Association, only 20% of high school teachers see the SAT or ACT as good indicators of college success. To elaborate, allow me to take the opportunity to break down some of the more important changes made to the SAT: 1. Instead of the normal “SAT words”, the vocabulary definitions on the SAT will be those of words commonly used in college courses. Isn’t the point of the SAT to test your aptitude in college? The SAT had a lot of uselessly complicated words made obsolete by the 21st Century—yes, even in college. It’s often egregiously painful to watch clumps of students prosaically cram a comprehensive compilation of anachronisms, only to forget everything a month later. While only a small percentage of the entire exam explicitly requires an extensive knowledge of terms, questions within the reading passages use these anachronisms to trick students into the wrong answers; it’s often the difference between a 700 and an 800 on any reading section. 2. The essay is now optional. Those who do choose to write one have to read a passage and analyze the ways its author used evidence, reasoning and stylistic elements to build an argument. The idea that a student’s writing capabilities are determined through this essay in 25 minutes should make any English teacher cringe. By forcing students to follow a rigid five paragraph style technique in order to score a higher essay, it stifles any amount of potential analysis, style or creativity expected in a college level paper. It compounds the destructive notion that following the base
expectations of an authority figure is the ideal way to achieve in society. While the College Board isn’t expecting a masterpiece either, the essay prompts don’t lend themselves to the SAT’s expectations, which are to test a student’s ability to make an argument. By allowing students to objectively analyze a text and its logical components, the essay doesn’t demand students to write in a formulaic fashion. The College Board made the correct decision to alter the essay portion to suit its time constraints. 3. The SAT will be scaled back to the old 1600-point system, only counting the top scores of 800 in reading and math. The essay will have a separate score. This will be the SAT’s biggest game changer. Teachers and tutors from cram schools and hagwons typically rely on the writing portion of the SAT for an extra 800 points. With the formulaic nature of the essay portion and the consistently predictable nature of the grammar portions, even those struggling with English can power through the writing portion with an 800. This inflates scores, and often deflates the value of the SAT when students send scores to colleges. 4. Math questions will focus on three areas: linear equations; complex equations or functions; and ratios, percentages and proportional reasoning. Calculators will be permitted on only part of the math section. It’s almost unfair how the TI-89 calculator was never banned from the SAT; it instantly solved virtually every SAT problem with enough skill and practice. Calculatoronly sections may not curb the exploitation of such technology, but it gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their math skills much more fairly. Without topics like probability and related rates, topics often taught during middle school and promptly forgotten, the SAT might concentrate on topics that actually matter in college or even high school such as trigonometric functions and derivatives. Now for those either ecstatic or terrified of these new changes, this will only affect the Class of 2017 and beyond. But for those of us who missed the chance for any of this to affect us, the test neither grows easier nor harder. The entire SAT may be different, but you and I should receive a similar result regardless of which version of the SAT you take.
OP-ED
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College Board’s attempts to change SAT only makes it irrelevant
David Mancione Contributing Writer For years, the College Board has been a prime example of a relevant organization. From the AP program to the SAT, the for-profit College Board has always had very high numbers of students enrolled in its highly lucrative programs and tests. In the spring of 2014, the College Board announced plans to redesign the SAT, citing the need to stay “relevant”. In reality, by changing the SAT, the College Board is making itself redundant and irrelevant, for the sake of profit. It’s easy to determine why the College Board is making the changes. Last year, for the first time, more students nationwide chose to take the competing ACT test than the traditional SAT test—a move that puts the College Board at a disadvantage. Challenging the SAT’s effectiveness at gauging student accomplishment in high school is nothing new. In fact, because of previous criticism, the College Board no longer claims that the SAT is an aptitude or accomplishment test, but rather a standardized admittance test. On the contrary, the ACT claims that its function is to gauge “high school students’ general educational development and their capability to complete college-lev-
el work”. In other words, it’s everything that the SAT isn’t. But that doesn’t make the SAT Reasoning Test irrelevant. It serves as a functional gauge of how well a student could perfect answering a specific set of similar questions, which sounds foolish, but in reality, it serves as a highly useful barometer that is more specific than an IQ test. The New York Times stated that the “changes will make the new SAT more like the ACT”. The notion of emulating a competitor doesn’t make one’s organization more relevant. If anything, it creates redundancy in the marketplace. In all honesty, the College Board made the changes to appease the marketplace that was looking for an easier college-admittance test. The ACT is, to some people, an “easier” test because it tests what you’ve learned in school, not your general ability. But that’s why the ACT was created, as an alternative exam to be acceptable for most, if not all, colleges. Most colleges and universities in America now accept the ACT, so there’s honestly very little reason for the College Board to emulate the ACT—besides their bottom line. It’s clear that the College Board is responding to a market trend, so take part in the anti-trend. Go on Facebook, Twitter and the College Board’s website and let them know what you think about the changes to America’s longest standing admittance test.
SANG BAE & MIA OUYANG/TOWER
COLUMN: AS I SEE IT..
The new feminism as inspired by Sheryl Sandberg Lucy Price “In 2013, men and women in America are not truly equal,” Susie, said. “You’re wrong,” I said. “Women can vote, divorce their husbands, own property, hold public office— they have all the same rights and all the same privileges as men.” “The sexism is invisible, but it’s palpable,” she said. I could feel myself getting angrier. I would happily defend women in Afghanistan who cannot leave their homes without male escorts, but I wouldn’t defend women in a democratic country like ours. “Feminism in America is not necessary,” I said before walking away. Now, in 2014, I believe feminism is necessary. I owe this to Sheryl Sandberg. About a month ago, I read Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg, the COO of Facebook. Sandberg focuses particularly on why so many more
men than women hold leadership positions, and why women’s success has stalled in recent years. She concludes that women hold themselves back by not speaking up, raising their hands, sitting at the table or leaning in. Sandberg highlights a number of provocative issues. She describes a case study conducted at Harvard Business School in 2003, now known as the Heidi Howard case. It focused on a real woman, Heidi Roizen, who has succeeded in her entrepreneurial pursuits due to her networking abilities and her outgoing personality. The goal of the study was to examine the perceptions of men and women in the workplace. The case was given to two groups, but in one group, the name Heidi was changed to Howard. Upon reflection, both groups agreed that Heidi and Howard were equally competent. Yet, many claimed they would rather work for Howard, as Heidi
seemed “selfish” and “not the person you would want to work for.” This study supported and gave rise to one of Sandberg’s most poignant points: success and likability are positively correlated for men and negatively correlated for women. People of both genders like women less when they succeed. Perhaps this explains why only 21 of the Fortune 500 CEO’s are female. From the findings, Sandberg also concluded that when a woman focuses on achievement, people discern that she’s acting like a man because she’s not solely focused on pleasing others. No longer is she emotional, nurturing or caring— she doesn’t adhere to the societal norm, and she goes against what others perceive to be her true nature. So, women suppress their goals and strive to be liked rather than disliked. It’s these internal obstacles which hold women back. Case and point: I recently asked a close male friend of mine—we’ll
call him Jon—to compare me and another one of our male friends— we’ll call him Bob—who also happens to be very frank, ambitious and determined. Jon said that while people may consider me direct and headstrong, they’d excuse Bob’s same behavior as “part of his nature.” A few weeks ago, the 8-year seniors went to Doc’s, the head of the middle school, office to take our picture for the yearbook. Right before we took the picture, Doc pointed to the spot on the coach closest to his desk and said, “Lucy, you have to sit on the couch over here.” “Why?” I asked. “Because this is exactly where you told one of your classmates to get a backbone in the 5th grade. Ever since, I can only picture you there,” he said. When I finished Lean In, I wondered whether Doc (or anyone else telling a similar story) would have remembered the story if it had been a boy who told another boy to get a backbone. My favorite point that Sandberg makes is that while gender stereotypes still exist in society, justifications and excuses won’t help the women’s cause. Leaning in, stepping up and engaging actively will. Prior to reading Lean In, I generally disassociated myself from feminism because I felt that feminists blamed their poor situations on men and institutions, rather than considering that they themselves were to blame. I found inspiration in Sandberg. She redefined feminism for me in a way that no longer lamented the
struggles of women nor placed the blame solely on men and institutions. Now, my definition of feminism is one that projects an ideal where men and women equally share the housework, equally hold leadership positions and are compensated equally. Her feminism is one of self-enablement, self-responsibility and self-advocacy. At one point in her book, Sandberg said that women need to empower themselves. In that moment, on that page, I was so deeply motivated by her. I wanted to teach other girls and women to be strong, to be confident, to be passionate. I wanted— and now want—to empower them, to empower us, to empower myself. I want every woman to demand equal pay for the same job a man performs—not earn the current $0.77 to the $1.00. I want women to advocate for an equal congress— not one in which 82% of the seats are held by men. I want women to stay and rise in the workplace—so that the current 14% of executive officers positions currently held by women increases to 50%. In her commencement speech at Barnard College, a highly respected all-women’s college, in 2011, Sandberg asked the graduating seniors: What would you do if you weren’t afraid? She reiterated this question in her book, as she said that women hold themselves back due to fear of failure and fear of judgment. If Sheryl Sandberg asked me, right now, what I would do if I weren’t afraid, I would say that I am a feminist.
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FEATURES and arts
TOWER/MAY 2, 2014
In addition to being “hidden” from search engines and the casual Internet user, the Deep Web, unlike the surface web, is not under constant governmental surveillance because it is difficult to keep track of. Users, while browsing through the Deep Web, can be completely anonymous. This creates a marketplace for drug trafficking, buying and selling illegal weapons and child pornography.
What is in the Deep Web? While it is completely legal to access and surf the Deep Web using the browser TOR, the anonymity that TOR offers has led to an abundance and growth of all kinds of illegal and criminal activity on the Deep Web. The government shut down the “eBay of illegal goods and services” in the Deep Web known as “Silk Road” in October. The mastermind behind Silk Road, Ross Ulbricht, was arrested at the same time.
Who uses the Deep Web? People who use the Deep Web range from drug distributors and buyers to the casual surfer. Journalists and whistleblowers such as Edward Snowden (pictured right) also use TOR and the Deep Web to collect and hide confidential documents and information, and rely on it as a more secure alternative. Following the NSA scandal, many privacy advocates and people who are concerned over governmental surveillance are now using the browser TOR to surf the web anonymously. Additionally, people stay anonymous on the Deep Web despite money transactions through the use of the virtual currency BitCoin. Because the currency is encrypted, people can make transactions anonymously.
Excerpted from The Masters School Acceptable Use Policy: No one may attempt to bypass any security system of the network or use this resource for any illegal manner or purpose. Students may not under any circumstances attempt to circumvent the web filtering provided by The Masters School.
By Teerin Julsawad Editor-in-Chief
Posting on social networking websites, blogs or any other public or private Internet forum that offend and/or cause embarrassment to the school or others are prohibited.
Most people have not heard of the Deep Web. It is not accessible through Google, Yahoo or any search engines. People will not find it on a regular Internet browser, making it a convenient place for illegal practices. However, despite the fact that it is “hidden”, anyone can access it. While surfing on the web, people are mostly surfing on the surface. Unbeknownst to them, there are trillions of pages deep down below the surface they have not, and may not, ever see, yet the dark sides of the Internet, such as the buying and selling of human body parts and child pornography, are just one, easy click away.
If the Internet you know is an iceberg, the surface web represents merely 4% (the visible part of the iceberg) while the Deep Web accounts for everything below the waterline (about 96% of the entire World Wide Web content). The content that people browse through on the Internet everyday, in other words, make up only a small fraction of the world wide web content .
Since then, hundreds of similar black markets and hubs for illegal activities have begun to surface in its place.
5
Designed By YiYi OuYang
the Deep Web
The Deep Web, in simple terms, is part of the Internet that is hidden. Facebook, YouTube and any content on the Internet that can be indexed by a search engine such as Google is part of the surface web. According to a study done at the University of California, Berkeley, the Deep Web, sometimes known as the “Invisible Web”, is roughly 500 times the size of the surface web.
Before it was shut down, an estimated $1 billion worth of goods were sold on Silk Road according to the Los Angeles Times.
FEATURES and arts
Spotlight on Shadowy Network of
Shining a the
What is the Deep Web?
The easily accessible black marketplace contained thousands and thousands of listings for illegal drugs such as cocaine, heroin, MDMA (ecstasy) and many other controlled substances. Additionally, users could also illegally buy human body parts and hire a hitman. One site offered a “hitman for hire” service: $10,000 for an assassination of a “high official” and less for “normal people”.
Surface Web
4% of www content
Deep Web
96% of www content
Accessing the Deep Web Internet users can access the Deep Web via a browser called TOR (The Onion Router) which encrypts traffic. The browser prevents third parties from spying on your location and IP address. Users can find a general list of websites that they can access in the Deep Web at several “hidden Wikis” (a directory of links to Deep Web sites).
possible dangers Scamming: The person, business or vendor who you give any information or funds to is also anonymous, so if they scam you, you cannot prosecute. Prosecution: In the Deep Web, more illegal goods and services are available. However, prosecution in the real world is still highly possible. Malware: Any interaction with any level of internet use offers risk, but Deep Web exploration exposes your computer to more virus dangers.
Student A
“ “
I think people should be aware of it. If they do use it, they should use it for legal things. If they just want to leisurely browse through illegal things on the Deep Web, they should take very careful precautions in protecting themselves and their identity. I have considered buying drugs on the Deep Web. I haven’t actually done it because it’s complicated with the currency exchange, and I think it’s much more risky than getting drugs in person because I always know a source and that they are credible from mutual friends. But on the Deep Web, I don’t know anyone who has bought from the Deep Web, so I don’t know it’s reliable or not.
“
On the Deep Web, first of all you need to convert the money that you have to BitCoin. You cannot do that without either a credit card or a PayPal account. A proper BitCoin wallet will ask you the same information as setting up a bank account. There’s a lot of verification necessary, so I don’t think it makes it any easier for younger people for to gain access to illegal things.
Student b
“ “ “
The reason I use Tor is to avoid the blocked Internet pages on the school’s Internet. Most people use Tor to remain anonymous on the web. Tor is the easiest way to give me access to anything via the school’s Internet.
I rarely use Tor for the purpose of remaining anonymous. I’ve only used it to remain anonymous when I make political comments on a political message board, for instance.
Although Tor was not designed to promote illegal activity, people have used it for illegal purposes because it allows us to be completely anonymous on the Internet. So in a way, I think that it has ended up fostering that kind of atmosphere.
4
FEATURES and arts
TOWER/MAY 2, 2014
In addition to being “hidden” from search engines and the casual Internet user, the Deep Web, unlike the surface web, is not under constant governmental surveillance because it is difficult to keep track of. Users, while browsing through the Deep Web, can be completely anonymous. This creates a marketplace for drug trafficking, buying and selling illegal weapons and child pornography.
What is in the Deep Web? While it is completely legal to access and surf the Deep Web using the browser TOR, the anonymity that TOR offers has led to an abundance and growth of all kinds of illegal and criminal activity on the Deep Web. The government shut down the “eBay of illegal goods and services” in the Deep Web known as “Silk Road” in October. The mastermind behind Silk Road, Ross Ulbricht, was arrested at the same time.
Who uses the Deep Web? People who use the Deep Web range from drug distributors and buyers to the casual surfer. Journalists and whistleblowers such as Edward Snowden (pictured right) also use TOR and the Deep Web to collect and hide confidential documents and information, and rely on it as a more secure alternative. Following the NSA scandal, many privacy advocates and people who are concerned over governmental surveillance are now using the browser TOR to surf the web anonymously. Additionally, people stay anonymous on the Deep Web despite money transactions through the use of the virtual currency BitCoin. Because the currency is encrypted, people can make transactions anonymously.
Excerpted from The Masters School Acceptable Use Policy: No one may attempt to bypass any security system of the network or use this resource for any illegal manner or purpose. Students may not under any circumstances attempt to circumvent the web filtering provided by The Masters School.
By Teerin Julsawad Editor-in-Chief
Posting on social networking websites, blogs or any other public or private Internet forum that offend and/or cause embarrassment to the school or others are prohibited.
Most people have not heard of the Deep Web. It is not accessible through Google, Yahoo or any search engines. People will not find it on a regular Internet browser, making it a convenient place for illegal practices. However, despite the fact that it is “hidden”, anyone can access it. While surfing on the web, people are mostly surfing on the surface. Unbeknownst to them, there are trillions of pages deep down below the surface they have not, and may not, ever see, yet the dark sides of the Internet, such as the buying and selling of human body parts and child pornography, are just one, easy click away.
If the Internet you know is an iceberg, the surface web represents merely 4% (the visible part of the iceberg) while the Deep Web accounts for everything below the waterline (about 96% of the entire World Wide Web content). The content that people browse through on the Internet everyday, in other words, make up only a small fraction of the world wide web content .
Since then, hundreds of similar black markets and hubs for illegal activities have begun to surface in its place.
5
Designed By YiYi OuYang
the Deep Web
The Deep Web, in simple terms, is part of the Internet that is hidden. Facebook, YouTube and any content on the Internet that can be indexed by a search engine such as Google is part of the surface web. According to a study done at the University of California, Berkeley, the Deep Web, sometimes known as the “Invisible Web”, is roughly 500 times the size of the surface web.
Before it was shut down, an estimated $1 billion worth of goods were sold on Silk Road according to the Los Angeles Times.
FEATURES and arts
Spotlight on Shadowy Network of
Shining a the
What is the Deep Web?
The easily accessible black marketplace contained thousands and thousands of listings for illegal drugs such as cocaine, heroin, MDMA (ecstasy) and many other controlled substances. Additionally, users could also illegally buy human body parts and hire a hitman. One site offered a “hitman for hire” service: $10,000 for an assassination of a “high official” and less for “normal people”.
Surface Web
4% of www content
Deep Web
96% of www content
Accessing the Deep Web Internet users can access the Deep Web via a browser called TOR (The Onion Router) which encrypts traffic. The browser prevents third parties from spying on your location and IP address. Users can find a general list of websites that they can access in the Deep Web at several “hidden Wikis” (a directory of links to Deep Web sites).
possible dangers Scamming: The person, business or vendor who you give any information or funds to is also anonymous, so if they scam you, you cannot prosecute. Prosecution: In the Deep Web, more illegal goods and services are available. However, prosecution in the real world is still highly possible. Malware: Any interaction with any level of internet use offers risk, but Deep Web exploration exposes your computer to more virus dangers.
Student A
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I think people should be aware of it. If they do use it, they should use it for legal things. If they just want to leisurely browse through illegal things on the Deep Web, they should take very careful precautions in protecting themselves and their identity. I have considered buying drugs on the Deep Web. I haven’t actually done it because it’s complicated with the currency exchange, and I think it’s much more risky than getting drugs in person because I always know a source and that they are credible from mutual friends. But on the Deep Web, I don’t know anyone who has bought from the Deep Web, so I don’t know it’s reliable or not.
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On the Deep Web, first of all you need to convert the money that you have to BitCoin. You cannot do that without either a credit card or a PayPal account. A proper BitCoin wallet will ask you the same information as setting up a bank account. There’s a lot of verification necessary, so I don’t think it makes it any easier for younger people for to gain access to illegal things.
Student b
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The reason I use Tor is to avoid the blocked Internet pages on the school’s Internet. Most people use Tor to remain anonymous on the web. Tor is the easiest way to give me access to anything via the school’s Internet.
I rarely use Tor for the purpose of remaining anonymous. I’ve only used it to remain anonymous when I make political comments on a political message board, for instance.
Although Tor was not designed to promote illegal activity, people have used it for illegal purposes because it allows us to be completely anonymous on the Internet. So in a way, I think that it has ended up fostering that kind of atmosphere.
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TOWER/may 2, 2014
FEATURES AND ARTS
Ireland Project reaches out to another culture Ariel Censor Copy Editor/Managing Editor In a spacious, well-lit room at a school located within the largest town in South Dublin, Irish students were exposed to Harkness for the first time. The students, some in college, were amazed as Masters students simulated what seemed to them just an everyday occurrence. Interacting with students from the area was one of the many activities the Ireland Project students participated in on their trip to Dublin over this past spring break. Students completed a series of acting workshops with 16 teens from the Tallaght School, the local high school in the area. “It was an incredible trip overall, but my favorite part was hanging out with the kids that we worked with [from the Tallaght School] there,” Christian Wiemer, junior and member of the Ireland Project, said. “It was a bonding experience with the people I came to Ireland with, but I also got to meet new people.” Before the trip, the students had been working on interviewing members of the Masters community as part of their script-writing process in preparation for their May 10 performance. “The Irish type of theater we’re doing, devised theater, where you write your own script, kind of uses drama as research,” Kristin Tregar, science teacher and director of the Ireland Project, said. “In this project, we’re taking what we know here through the interviews and looking at it through an Irish lens. The piece is very much about our
community, but the way we present it is the Irish part of the project.” Tregar said that the trip was necessary as the project was initially created for the purpose of working with Irish students. “I think having that face-to-face time and exposure to different processes was really valuable,” Tregar said. “I felt good about going into the workshops there and seeing the common thread between our two projects. Because the project is so abstract, I think it was nice for the students to see another group going through something similar.” Zach Oscar, senior and member of the Ireland Project, agreed. “From interacting with the other group, we learned about our own strengths and weaknesses,” Oscar said. He continued, “We found that we were very text-oriented, we’re good at working with what our characters say, while they [students from the Tallaght project] were very good at turning concepts and themes into different forms of physicality. From that, we’re trying to increase the amount of physicality in our work.” During the trip, the group recorded footage working with the Tallaght School students and will use it as part of their performance. In addition to this aspect, Wiemer said the experience improved the members’ chemistry. “The trip has brought us together a lot more, so I think we’ll definitely have a better performance as a result,” he said. Tregar said that the trip helped to clarify aspects of the type of theater used in the project that had been confusing for Ireland Project members, helping them to have a stronger performance in the future. “The type of work that we’re
KEVIN O’RAFFERTY
MEMBERS OF THE IRELAND PROJECT traveled to Ireland for eight days over spring break and participated in workshops with students from the Tallaght School. doing is different than the type of theater that’s typically done here; it’s called devised theater, which means you write your own script,” she said. “It’s contains a part of the actors that regular, script-based theater doesn’t.” She continued, “It can feel really random, because when you’re starting, you don’t know where you’re
going. You kind of have to see where you are once you get there.” Tregar said that the abstract process can be overwhelming for students, but believes that the discomfort will benefit the group in the long run. “I’ve been really sensitive to hearing from the students who are working on this project: ‘But we
don’t know what it’s going to look like, but we don’t know what we’re doing,’” Tregar said. “My answer to that has been: ‘Yes’. Yes, that can be uncomfortable, but I need them to sit with that discomfort and trust that I’m going to get them where they need to go. I don’t know where that is, but I know that it exists and we’ll get there.”
COLUMN: HIPSTER NONSENSE
The experimental vaporwaves of a possible utopia bring the perfect soundtrack for the next millennium Mary Jac Heuman Three years ago, James Ferraro released the album Far Side Virtual, 45 minutes of short tracks crafted to evoke images of 1980s corporate training videos and squeaky-clean airport lounges. Ferraro’s subtly sarcastic, utopian works contributed to the growing “vaporwave” genre, a largely Internet-based movement usually consisting of similarly kitschy, self-aware remixes of late-80s pop. This March, Ferraro contributed reworked excerpts from Far Side Virtual to the MOMA PS1, which can be heard in the elevators and telephone lines of the contemporary art institution. You can also visit the PS1 website (http://momaps1. org/interactive/james_ferraro/) which features an interactive player that allows the listener to stream the songs alongside pictures of panAsian food and global weather forecasts. He dubs the project 100%, speaking to 21st century globalization, describing it as “fake, ethno-ambiguous, New Age, plastic and readymade.” The songs have names like “Saint Prius” and “Dream Sushi,” retaining the same satirical absurdity that has characterized Ferraro’s previous projects. But what’s surprising is how good the music is: Ferraro’s original album was initially so obscure, so dripping with irony that it felt more like the SimCity soundtrack than something you’d actually put
on your iPod. 100%, by comparison, is far more accessible, precisely because it begins to abandon 80s nostalgia in favor of a more polished, contemporary futurism. Simply put, it’s more relevant, and sometimes downright fun. Ferraro still succeeds in maintaining a sinister quality, to the same effect of Brave New World: a consumerist utopia, united by advanced technology. But there are glitches, malfunctions; moments when you realize that maybe not everyone is as happy as they think they are. These are all on purpose, as Ferraro describes: “100%…highlight[s] moments when such systems fail or malfunction, interrupting the flow of communication and capital.” In one track, an artificial voice repeats the words “super-high definition rainforest” over and over again. In another, the same droid proclaims, “I am Whole Foods.” Some have a polished, shimmering synthetic quality, while others sound like your computer being put through a grinder. Ferraro’s compositions sound entirely artificial and superficial, on one level absurd, on another, thought provoking. In putting music into the elevators and phone systems of the MOMA, he emphasizes the ever-closer relationship between humans and technology. 100% is the perfect soundtrack to a millennium of excess, luxury and programmed paradise.
ANDREJ CHUDY
ARIEL CENSOR/TOWER
DANCERS JENA GOLDMAN ‘14 AND CAMPBELL IVES ‘18 practice their routines for the May 6 show. Along with the students, the guest choreographers will also perform some of their pieces.
Guest choreographers enrich Dance Company’s spring concert Ariel Censor Copy Editor/Managing Editor Dancers are standing at attention, listening very carefully to the precise instructions of a choreographer who seems to know exactly what each dancer should do and when they should do it. This is the typical atmosphere of a Dance Company practice as they prepare for their May 6 spring concert. Unlike the fall concert, which focused on student choreography, this performance showcases three guest choreographers: Jessica DiMauro, artistic director and choreographer of DiMauro Dance Company, Lilliana Morales, founder and director of the Spanish American Dance Arts Company and Lars Rosagar. The dancers will participate in modern, flamenco, musical theater and ballet pieces. Jade Sutton, a junior and member of Dance Company, believes that by working with guest choreographers, she has improved as a dancer. “The choreographers have years of experi-
ence, so their expertise is really helpful in rehearsal,” Sutton said. “Also, every teacher has their own style, so getting a wide variety of styles is really beneficial to your development as a dancer.” Julia Borges, a senior and member of Dance Company, agreed. “Especially if you’re planning on pursuing dance as a career, working on pieces with guest artists helps you to learn etiquette,” she said. “They also help you to learn about a professional environment. They move very quickly and have very high standards; it prepares us for the challenges professional dancers face. I consider it an honor and a privilege to be able to work with these accomplished professionals.” Although students will perform almost all of the pieces, the choreographers themselves will perform solo pieces at the concert. “The dancers need time to change clothes and breathe between pieces,” Rotella said. “In the past, I’ve done in-betweens like slideshows, but this year some of the choreographers will perform solos. I wanted the dancers
to have a chance to see their guests in action. When you see a seasoned dancer perform, you learn so much about artistry and not just the technique.” In comparison to last year’s spring concert, the pieces will be much larger, averaging about 12 dancers in each. “Choreographers have full say about casting. In the past some have used as few as three dancers,” Rotella said. “I think it really speaks to the competence of this year’s company that the choreographers are casting so many of our dancers to be in their pieces.” Despite slight changes in the spring concert over the years, Rotella’s goals for each performance have remained similar. “My goal for the spring is to provide the students with a really high-level, professional experience, which is why we bring in guest artists from the city,” she said. “I really want to challenge the dancers as performers, technicians and artists as well as provide a performance that will entertain, touch and inspire our audience.”
TOWER/MAY 2, 2014
SPORTS
COLUMN: SIBLEY ON SPORTS
New York Yankees’ success depends on Japanese phenom Masahiro Tanaka Ben Sibley The fate of the 2014 New York Yankees rests heavy on the shoulders of 25-year-old Japanese phenom Masahiro Tanaka. After a fairly mediocre year in which the 27-time World Champion New York Yankees finished with an 85-77 record and saw their fierce rivals the Boston Red Sox win the World Series, the Bronx Bombers are looking for a bounce back year. Major changes were made after the disappointing 2013 season. The very reliable Andy Pettitte, who finished with a respectable 3.74 earned run average (ERA) last year, retired and so did the greatest closer of all time, Mariano Rivera. Additionally, one of the league’s most productive batters, Robinson Cano, took his .314 batting average, 27 home runs and 107 RBI’s to the Seattle Mariners. The Yankees compensated for these losses by acquiring a speedy center fielder in Jacoby Ellsbury, a reliable catcher in Brian McCann, a solid bat in Carlos Beltran and, most important of all, Masahiro Tanaka. This season, Tanaka is the key to the Yankees’ success. The pitching rotation is the lifeblood of a successful team. At face value, the Yankees rotation seems solid, but in reality it is flawed. The ace of the pitching staff, CC Sabathia, is no ace. As his velocity continues to drop, so does his performance on the mound. Last year, Sabathia’s play was similar to that of the Yankees, mediocre at best. His 4.78 ERA is not nearly good enough and in his two starts this year, Sabathia has posted an alarming 5.19 ERA. Next in the rotation is the 39-year-old Hiroki Kuroda. Last year with the Yankees, Kuroda was solid, but his age caught up with him as the season progressed and by years end he looked tired. Even if the Yanks monitor him to ensure that they can maximize his talents, they would be lucky if he keeps his ERA at the 3.31 clip it was at last year. Ivan Nova, who was supposed to be the team’s third starter, is injured and will likely need
season-ending Tommy John surgery. Due to his injury, the Yankees were forced to call up Vidal Nuno from the minor leagues. As a rookie, Nuno’s fate is very up in the air. So far, the rotation is unimpressive but that’s where Tanaka comes into play. Tanaka could make this pedestrian rotation into a powerhouse. In 2013, when he played for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in Japan, he had an astounding 1.27 ERA and 24 wins paired with 0 losses. If Tanaka can replicate what he did in Japan, the pressure on Sabathia and Kuroda would be greatly decreased and the Yanks would finally regain that all important ace pitcher. So far, in four highly publicized games, Tanaka has three wins, no losses and a 2.15 ERA. If Tanaka can live up to the 22.1 million dollars he’s owed in 2014, the Yankees should remain relevant in the extremely competitive AL East.
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Girls’ lacrosse finds new goalie Rajan Cutting Opinion Editor Out with the old, in with the new: girls’ varsity lacrosse picked up a new goalie. Senior Casey Chon, star goalie since her freshmen year, recently quit the team. Freshman Samantha Russoff quickly stepped up to replace Chon. Russoff had her first game days after. The team lost that game against Chesire Academy, a school which has a reputation for their prominent athletics. According to Russoff, some of the girls had been recruited to play lacrosse at Stanford, a good Division 1 program.
Russoff remains optimistic about the season. “We can only get better and I know we will,” she said. Assistant coach and science teacher Eric Shear is happy with Russoff’s current progress. “Sam is really awesome, she stepped up when we needed her and she is really excited about getting better,” Shear said. Other than Russoff, a good portion of the team came into the season with little to no experience. Starting sophomore Carla Vollomer said, “This was my first year playing lacrosse, and at first I was extremely nervous since I didn’t know anything about the sport.”
As the season progresses, the team has shown improvement. Senior and captain Jackie Lee said, “Practices were a little tough in the beginning but now if you watch us you wouldn’t be able to tell some of these girls are new to the sport, they are all such amazing additions to the team.” Shear added, “The team is very young and therefore has a lot of work to do in order to get where we want to be, however we have already made huge strides this season which paid off in our first win!” He continued, “We will get better because we now have players who want to get better.”
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Sports
8
tower/MAY 2, 2014
SPORTS
Varsity baseball sprints towards a comeback season Sang Bae Features and Arts Editor Things weren’t looking good for the varsity baseball team’s first game of the season with the score at 0-4. The Long Island Lutherans managed to steal and drive their way into a four point lead with only two innings left in the game. The Panthers’ one chance at scoring from a double base inning was immediately lost by a controversial call from the umpire. It was the top of the sixth inning. Junior Cormac Walsh struck out after hitting a ground ball deep into second base. Two outs left. Matt Bosshart walked to first base after a full count: two strikes and four balls. Coach Max McKenna stared deeply into home plate as Alex George stepped out to bat. The chances of scoring were slim at that point. The moment for a comeback struck hard. George cracked a fly ball deep into second base. The center-fielder sprinted away, but he missed his chance. Bosshart ran to second base in time. The tides began to turn. The Lutherans called timeout to find their replacement pitcher, a speckled boy with a hunched posture and an unsteady throw. The Panthers’ spirits skyrocketed as the pitcher walked Sam Schwartz. The bases were loaded with two chances left to strike out. The replacement pitcher walked three players as the cheers from the dugout grew louder. The Lutherans called back their starting pitcher, but the damage was already done. The bottom of the sixth inning began with the score tied 4-4. But Rivas of the Long Island Lutherans stole his way into third in a heartbeat. Things instantly turned the worse for the Panthers as he makes his way to home plate; the score stands 4-5. George managed to pitch his way to the final inning. Top of the seventh: the Panthers’ last shot on making the score even again. The team tried to slam the ball in one last stand. Bosshart struck out after hitting a ball towards the pitcher mound. One strike. George struck out after a faulty call from the ump. Two strikes. The last shot at bat rest-
ed on Samuel Schwartz. He stepped up to plate, grinding his shoes at the ground vigorously. He looked at the pitcher dead in the eye. With a full count of two strikes and three balls, Schwartz hit a ground ball to first base, but the game was over as the first base man struck him for the final strike. The game still stood 4-5. Despite the loss, the Panthers did not fall on bad morale. Rather than berate his team for its mistakes afterwards, McKenna instead praised their efforts into making such a strong comeback late into the game. Despite high hopes for a strong first victory, McKenna was simply proud that the Panthers managed to give the Lutherans a run for their money. And despite the controversial calls and mistakes made on the field, McKenna appreciated the team’s ability to overcome these obstacles and not dwell on the past. “I’m really proud of how the guys played, and I’m really excited about the prospect of moving forward,” McKenna said. “I think we dealt with adversity very well; if we had an error in the field, then Alex George came back to pick us up, throwing another ground ball so we can get out of the inning.” The coach continued, “Or when those calls happened, it was something we came back from saying ‘so what? Let’s control what we can control and move forward.’” That’s probably the most important factor to winning in baseball: morale. In the words of Brian Cheney, assistant coach of the team: “Anything can happen in baseball, and that’s why it’s so exciting”. McKenna expressed the importance of having this mindset when playing in games by establishing a positive team culture. “Baseball is a game of failure,” McKenna said. “The best hitters in the world fail seven out of ten times, so it’s not about succeeding every time. It’s about controlling what you can control and moving forward. So a positive team culture means if you make an error on the field or if you strike out with a runner on the third, you don’t get down on yourself and you don’t get down on your team-
SANG BAE/TOWER
VARSITY BASEBALL HEAD COACH Maxfield McKenna talks to players, Matthew Bosshart ‘15 and Alex George ‘14, during a game against Long Island Lutheran High School. Despite their efforts, the game ended in a 5-4 loss. The vasity baseball team has a home game against Browning School at 4 p.m. today on Clarke Field. mates either. You pick yourself up and you pick your teammates up.” While it may seem redundant to re-affirm the team’s ability to look out for one another, a lack of synergy in the past plagued the baseball team in previous years. Though far past the days when the team once lost an entire match by over 20 points, Bosshart, who played baseball last year, had a comparably negative experience with that of this season. “There was definitely
a lot of tension and a lot of arguing between players last year,” Bosshart said. “The team chemistry this year is so much better. Everyone wants to get better. Everyone wants to win. And everyone wants to do their best to make the team better.” Bosshart continued, “When we [used to] have team lunches, there was always arguing and no collaborating on how the team could get better. It was always just ‘what someone else did wrong’. It was out on the field too.
After games, in games, before games, there was always arguments.” With an overwhelming 11-0 victory against The New York Military Academy during its second game, a 6-10 loss after a close third match with two extra innings and two back-to-back solo home runs from Schwartz and Maglich and despite a 0-13 loss against Hackley during the fourth match, the baseball team certainly has the chance for a historic turnabout.
Lack of demand and interest prompted cancellation of team spring break trips to Orlando’s Disney World Rachel Saunders News Editor In spring, when the ice is finally melting and classes let out for break, many athletes begin to pack their bags for Florida, where they train
for sports at Disney World, Orlando. However, this year, track and field, girls’ and boys’ lacrosse, softball, baseball and tennis experienced New York’s cold weather on campus instead. “There wasn’t enough interest by the kids and parents,” said Director of Athletics Kevin Versen. The girls’
lacrosse team’s decision to trade a good coach for Florida was “the final decider” for all the teams. He said, “It was either we find a coach that can go to spring training down in Florida or find the best coach we can find and when we had a team meeting in the fall, it was 100% towards finding the best coach we could find.”
On campus, the weather was un“It would have been nice, but they usually cold for spring, and many [the Dining Hall staff] get time off practices took place inside the gym, too,” Verral said. “To me, it’s embarweight room or House of Sports. rassing that we’re having students “We have guidelines through New come in here to practice and lunch York State, so when the temperature wasn’t provided.” The only school hit, which it did hit, a couple of bor- building open at that time was Strayderline temperatures, they just prac- er Hall, and with three hours beticed inside,” said Athletic Trainer tween practices, teams found themKenneth Verral. selves splitting up where in Florida At 19 degrees to 10 degrees coach- there were more opportunities for es are to move team bonding. their practic“The first es to a time day we offered To me, it’s embarrassing that that is a little up the dorms we’re having students come bit warmer or and some of the in here to practice and lunch shorten pracgirls went to wasn’t provided. tice time. On the dorms, then warmer days, a lot of people teams would went home and -Kenneth Verral use the gym, it definitely affields, turf or fected the team track when it wasn’t covered in snow. aspect because everyone was doing “There were some days where it their own thing and there was no was either too cold to go outside or it place where we could all be togethwas raining, so that conflicted a little er,” French-Majersky said. and it’s a spring sport so it’s nice to Nevertheless, both Versen and be out in the warm weather,” said se- French-Majersky believe that nior and captain of the girls’ varsity on-campus training had its benefits lacrosse team Cassie French-Majer- as well. “You go home to your own sky. house, your mom cooks you dinner In addition, the school failed to at night, you have your own beds,” provide food for the athletes and, Versen said. unlike during fall pre-season, the “I think more people were able to Dining Hall staff was released for go, it was closer to home and it was spring break while athletes were easier for people rather than going still practicing on campus. Students away, and we want to have as many had to walk into town or order in people as possible during spring daily. training,” French-Majersky said.
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SANG BAE/TOWER
JUNIOR JULIA BROWN runs towards a ball in a game against John F. Kennedy Catholic High School on April 16. The girls’ varsity lacrosse team will play Green Farms Academy at 4:30 p.m. today on the turf field.