Tower Issue #1 2018-2019

Tower The Masters School

49 Clinton Avenue Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. 10522

VOLUME 75, NUMBER 1

Editorial From the recent murder of Jamal Khashoggi to rhetoric from the highest levels of the American government which demeans and humiliates the press, the truth and integrity of journalism is under attack. It is paramount we safeguard freedom of speech and challenge those in our nation and abroad who threaten it.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2018

tower.mastersny.org

RIGHT: THE CLAUDIA BOETTCHER Theatre’s four sections no longer fit the entire student body at Morning Meeting. After a brief stint in Strayer Gym, Morning Meeting has returned to the Theatre and freshmen now rotate by advisory group between the Experimental Theater and Claudia Boettcher.

BELOW: FRESHMEN WATCH THE live stream of Morning Meeting from the Fonseca Center space. Some freshmen have reported audio issues, although video quality has improved overall for the triweekly viewing.

EMMA LUIS AND JACOB STRIER / TOWER

Student body separated after return to Theatre Jacob Strier News Design Editor

T

he majority of freshmen will now watch Morning Meeting via live stream in the Experimental Theater due to a lack of seats in the Claudia Boettcher Theatre. After wrestling with several solutions to the overcapacity issue the main Theatre, administrators decided the new solution, in which freshman advisories rotate monthly into the main space, would best preserve the essence and traditions of Morning Meeting.

Last year, after the main Theatre was found to violate the fire code due to many temporary seats not fixed to the floor and too many people in the space, Morning Meeting was moved to Strayer Gym for the remainder of the year. However, Upper School Head Nikki Willis

said she heard from teachers that Strayer was not the proper environment for the meeting. “I saw it while visiting, and it sounded like people were dissatisfied with how the gym affected conduct and how the sense of community eroded due to the change of venue,” she said.

According to Willis, the administration debated a variety of possible solutions over the summer. “We looked at all sorts of options. Is there a way to rotate other grades in and out? This is not going to be a oneyear fix. We could look into other options for the next couple of years, but the plans for expansion are not as quick as we would like,” she said.

Willis said they settled on the new setup to “maintain a sense of connection,” because the majority of upperclassman had experienced Morning Meeting in the Claudia Boettcher Theatre for several years prior.

Dean of Students Peter Newcomb said he was aware the separation may change the original experience, but the new system should bring freshmen as regularly as possible into the main Theatre. “We are trying to stay as close to what Morning Meeting is and has been,” Newcomb said. In order to do so, he and Willis worked closely with administration, operations, the Department of Performing Arts, the Technology Department and other parts of the community to plan and perfect the live stream experience.

Though they experienced stumbling blocks due to audio issues, the video quality has improved overall.

Willis said the solution was the fairest and let upperclassman attend every Morning Meeting, since many hold leadership positions and participate often. “We wanted to be equitable and have a distribution that didn’t feel like punishment,

Masters administration set to reconsider dress philosophy YaSmine PaScal Distribution Manager Two years ago, the previous dress code was adjusted to be an inclusive “dress philosophy,” which, according to the student handbook, is characterized as a policy in which “no specific articles of daywear are prohibited, with the exception of hats and sunglasses during class periods, and blue jeans on Mondays through Thursdays.” Even though the philosophy is relatively new, Dr. Nikki Willis, the new Head of the Upper of School, announced at the first Morning Meeting of the school year on Sept. 4 that there might be a change to the philosophy after Thanksgiving.

This announcement received mixed responses by the Upper School community, though Willis’ main reason for the possible change of the philosophy is based in the concern that students in the Upper School are not dressing appropriately for the learning environment.

The definition of inappropriate dressing differs from person to person. According to sophomore Katherine Sibery, “[Inappropriate dressing] is when your own self-consciousness about what you are wearing becomes distracting to you.”

Sophomores Hannah Reynolds and Kishan Mangru agreed that the majority of students do dress

appropriately; however junior Lina Philizaire said, “Some students don’t dress appropriately and abuse the dress philosophy… so I understand why [Willis] wants to change it.” Other students, like sophomore Jazmine Hudson, believe that students do dress inappropriately, but they alone should be reprimanded, not the entire student body.

Sophomore Class Dean and chemistry teacher Eric Shear said the dress code can be “unintentionally sexist” and that upholding the dress code might be hard depending on the student’s socioeconomic background. “I want it to incorporate the positive changes we’ve made in terms of being more equitable, both socioeconomically and in terms of gender,” Shear said.

Willis addressed some of the concerns of female students shared by Shear, regarding the inadvertent sexism of dress codes. “I don’t know if the dress philosophy undoes years of sexism. I think it’s a really complicated issue and if we want to address [sexism] we should do that, but I don’t think the dress philosophy is the solution,” Willis said.

McCormack dorm parent and English teacher Paul West had a different perspective on the dress philosophy. “Dressing differently for school is a way of reminding yourself you’re there to learn, you’re there to take seriously all the time, money, sweat your parents are putting into your educa-

tion,” West added. “I’m not really in the business of telling students what they can and can’t wear. I’m here to teach, not to be a clothes police; at the same time as an adult in the community it’s up to me to help promote our community standards.”

Many Masters’ students fear that with the change in the dress philosophy, they won’t be able to express themselves as freely and as openly because it would be deemed inappropriate or distracting. Other students have said that the school’s lack of dress code is what makes it unique and adds to the culture of expression.

Willis tried to ease the numerous fears of the students about the possible changes to the philosophy. “I don’t think people should be worried before changes are announced. There will be a long process to discuss and think about any changes. My hope is that people actually remember what their purpose is when coming to school and keep that in mind as they get dressed every day,” Willis said.

For more on

the dress philosophy, turn to page

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FiFty years oF Fashion at masters

which is why we landed on a rotation,” she said. Though it is reportedly working well, the solution is not necessarily permanent and may change in the future depending on the future needs of the school and students.

Freshmen Dean Shelly Kaye said that students and faculty in the Experimental Theater can best hear the presenters at Morning Meeting when they speak directly into the microphone, so the audio can be transmitted better.

Freshman John Lonski said that the audio sometimes cuts out during the Morning Meeting live stream in the Experimental Theater, making it impossible to hear speakers or the announcements of the day.

“I don’t think it’s an ideal situation,” Kaye said, but she noted the freshmen have been focused and pleasant in the Experimental The-

ater so far.

Freshman Patrick Curnin-Shane was in the main Theatre for September, but rotated out recently, joining the other freshmen in the Experimental Theater. “It is useful to be in the main Theatre, and I like to be with the rest of the school.

There’s no way you can get the same experience at Morning Meeting in the Experimental Theater, you can’t cheer: they can’t hear you,” he said.

Curnin-Shane said that the distance between the Fonseca Center and class in Masters Hall is lengthy in the mornings, but he said this solution is preferable to the entire school holding Morning Meeting in Strayer, as they did before. “I think it’s better in the Theatre, it’s bad not to have the whole school there, but Morning Meeting is meant to be there,” he said.

Trump pushes for stricter gender definition female — and only uses genitals to define gender. Gender will be considered unchanging throughout a perStaff Writer son’s life, the document states, and any dispute over gender will be settled through genetic testing.

President Donald Trump’s adminThese changes in the definition of istration is pushing to remove the gender would affect over 1.4 million definition of transgender. After the Americans that don’t identify with Obama administration loosened the the gender that was assigned to them definition of gender to one that re- at birth. Many of these people have lies more on choice, The Department taken to marches, rallies, and the of Health and Human Services, now hashtag #WontBeErased to express headed by Trump their opinions on the nominee and Repubproposed change. lican Alex Azar, is This is not the first trying to define gentime that President der solely by genitals, Trump has tried to and keeping gender restrict transgender i.d constant throughrights. In February out one’s life. of 2017, the Trump This effort to administration rechange the definition moved protections of stemmed from Titransgender students tle IX, banning genthat let them use the der discrimination public restroom of in publicly-funded the gender that they schools. The Departidentified with.

EMMA LUIS/TOWER ment of Health and In July of 2017, Human Services DONALD TRUMP, PICTURED Trump tweeted, “Afwants the govern- HERE in front of a transgender ter consultation with ment to use a more flag, is working to remove the my generals and milexplicit definition of definition of transgender. itary experts, [the gender that is “on a U.S.] will not accept biological basis that is clear, ground- or allow transgender individuals to ed in science, objective and adminis- serve in any capacity in the U.S. Miltrable.” itary.” In October of 2017, Attorney The Department added to this General Jeff Sessions declared that statement in a draft memo saying the 1964 Civil Rights Discrimination that “sex means a person’s status as law “does not encompass discriminamale or female based on immutable tion based on gender identity per se, biological traits identifiable by or be- including transgender status.” The fore birth.” The proposed definition Trump Administration is still cononly uses two genders — male and sidering this redefinition of gender.

Gabriel keller

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NEWS

TOWER/OCTOBER 26, 2018

SAT sparks controversy over recycled tests A speciAl report by Vincent AlbAn, photo And illustrAtions editor

“Compromised” The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) administered on Aug. 25 was the fifteenth time an SAT test has been compromised, discussed on the internet prior to test date, scores delayed before coming out or been cancelled entirely in certain test centers.

“Compromised” is the term The College Board uses to describe exams whose material has leaked. What most students did not know before the test is that the same test had been previously given in Asia, according to Inside Higher Ed, a popular blog about college admissions.

The first test reportedly compromised was the Oct. 5, 2013 SAT. According to Reuters, six of these incidents occurred in 2015 alone. Two of which The College Board, delayed the release of scores and four of which posts on Col-

lege Confidential, a popular college admissions blog, said that “parts of the test had been discussed prior to the test day.”

As scheduled, the scores for the Aug. exam were released on Sept. 7. Rumors circulated as to whether The College Board, would cancel the scores because of the chance of cheating. According to The Washington Post, some parents of students who took the SAT in August have filed a lawsuit against The College Board for its usage of recycled exam questions. The College Board, a registered non-profit, had reported revenue of $750 million dollars in 2014, so why they insist on recycling material for a test that millions of students depend on is unclear.

The Online Opinion According to Reuters article published in 2016, The College Board is quoted saying that it plans to continue recycling test material.

After the first new SAT test was administeredin March 2016, documents of test were released, which were identical to the test students took, as confirmed by students interviewed by Reuters.

Reuters confirmed that the College oard did not cancel testing even after they had been warned by people in Asia that test material that had been administered prior to making its rounds on the internet and in test prep centers. More than two years later, The College Board has not released a statement about changing their policy on recycling exams or canceling exams to stop cheating, stating only that they are heightning test security.

In Sept. 2016, a Chinese website, han.com, released reading passages that were going to be on the ne t recycled SAT test. A Chinese tutor warned The College oard about the reading

passages being released but did not receive a response, so he emailed 36 different top American college admissions offices. An unnamed admissions official at the niversity of irginia responded saying he spoke to College oard officials over the phone. The official said, “They declined to comment.”

Many students in Asia do not use the leaked test material to study and take the test honorably, despite the influence of the cheating culture. “It becomes a problem if someone cheats using the leaked tests and gets a higher score when The Collwege oard compares it to a student who achieves a higher score without using the tests leaked online,” Robert Cornigans, the former SAT Test Coordinator at Masters said.

According to Cornigans, the problem could have easily been avoided had The College oard not recycled an old test.

The Art of Asian Cram Schools Although students in Asia could have easily accessed the leaked documents to prepare for the Aug. 25 test, it is common that students have answer key booklets, referred to in Chinese as a “jijing,” according to a series of articles called “Cheat Sheet” published by Reuters. According to a profile of a Chinese student in the Reuters series, students prepare for the SAT in “cram schools,” as a part of an “industry that systemically exploits security shortcomings in the SAT.” Anticipating recycled tests, the cram school teachers take reading passages and math questions from past tests, solve them, and then give that materials to their students.

Lily Wang, a senior boarding student from China, said, “It is more about personal responsibility if you have a low score, than a really high score. I feel like a college would know there is something involved to create the steep increase in the student’s scores. The fault of the compromised tests and cheating are not

completely on The College Board, but they have the responsibility for creating a competitive application process that relies mainly on a test score, causing students to cheat.” That information comes from many different leaks, having people take the exams and memorizing them, taking photos of the tests, and sometimes even acquiring the physical tests. Wang added, “People pretend to be students taking the tests to gain access to the official test, it is a very common thing and I have heard about it a lot. I get the general feeling that proctors in low guard or that do not care could take photos of the tests to provide the official SAT tests to other students.”

Cram schools are more common in Asia, but they also exist in Asian communities in America. According to Reuters, a cram school located in Shenzhen, China, teaches approximately 40 students a year, each paying around $12,000 to $18,000 US dollars for enrollment. A cram school located in Flushing,

Queens, NYC, a predominantly Asian neighborhood, charges approximately $1,400 US dollars per three hour summer session, which are taught every weekday, according to the New York Times.

On his own SAT studying, a boarder from China, who asked to remain anonymous for this story for fear of having their scores further compromised said, “I used a private tutor in China. They gave me practice tests that had been given as official SAT tests before. I saw every test from back to 2016 until now. I did not study all of them; I used about five. I did a lot of College Board practice tests as well. I think that I might as well use the old tests if they are on the internet and available, just for practice. I did not know that the tests may get compromised. I did not take it anticipating that the test would later be compromised.”

ACT

Lily Wang /TOWER

THE SAT ADMINISTERED ON Aug. 25 marked the fifteenth time a test has been compromised or discussed on the internet prior to official release of the test. Many of these leaks have occured because The College Board process of recycling test material.

A Sneak Peak The anonymous source mentioned earlier took the Oct. 2017 SAT test at Masters, and the Aug. 2018 SAT test in New York City. “I cannot see my scores anymore, there is no option for the Aug. 25 test anymore on The College Board website.

They have not sent me any emails, I do not know what has happened to them,” the source said.

“I did not know about the leaked documents of the Aug. 25 test, I only realized afterwards that they were available,” the source went on to say.

After the news of the compromised Aug. 25 test circulated the internet, The College Board released a statement to NBC News, saying that the organization was working to “strike a balance between thwarting those seeking an unfair advantage and providing testing opportunities for the vast majority of students who play by the rules…In response to theft and organized cheating, which affects all of high-stakes testing, we have significantly increased our test security efforts and resources.”

In contrast, the American College Testing (ACT), the rival test to the SAT that is not affiliated with a larger nonprofit corporation, canceled its June 2016 test when they received word the night before the planned administration that the test would contain questions and answers previously leaked on the internet.

The ACT company took immediate action in canceling the test, resulting in 5,500 students at 56 test centers in Asia not being able to take the test. All the students who were planning to take the test were refunded their registration fees in the company’s first-ever cancellation of their test in an entire country.

The ACT has now released a new testing option for students outside the United States, a computer-based test. The test will function in the same way as the ACT on paper, except it will cost $150 dollars compared to the $46.00 paper test and $62.50 with the optional essay. Although designed in the interest of protecting test security, this could possibly lead to even more leaking of the ACT test as well as students finding the answers online during test administration.

Cheating and Integrity Lee Dieck, the director of Ethical Leadership and the chairman of the Academic Integrity Task Force, has done research into students cheating in high school and specifically at Masters. According to her research, if a student cheats once, it is more likely they will do so again and if their peers are cheating, they may feel it is justifiable for them to do so. “There are numerous ways for people to cheat and as the internet becomes more sophisticated my hope is to create a culture where we support students so they feel they do not have to cheat. A culture where our students allow themselves to think twice before they cheat is very important,” Dieck said. When Dieck was in high school, she said, her New York State regents exams were cancelled due to theft of the tests, demonstrating

that cheating on standardized tests has always been an issue that the internet has only heightened.

The motivation to cheat on the SAT seems to come from competition for college admissions. Wang said she believes the issues surrounding cheating on the SAT go beyond the test itself. “The SAT in general, I think, is not a good measurement of students’ performance, it is just a way to eliminate students from the application process. The whole vibe of the SAT can lead to competition and unhealthy study,” Wang said.

The University of Chicago set an example this past summer as being one of the first highly selective American colleges to become test optional,. Wang said, “I hope that colleges becoming test optional is a trend because if you can

cheat and get a higher score, it does not truly reflect you. Not all schools should be test optional, but schools should not eliminate students from the application review immediately based on their test scores.”

Masters’ College Counseling Office looks over student’s scores every time they take a test to track their progression, according to Adam Gimple, the Director of College Counseling. “The only circumstance that would impact any Masters students is if any students had a huge leap in scores from any prior testing,” Gimple said. “Masters is decent at trying to cultivate ethical behavior, although I would never say that we are 100% foolproof in saying that no one has ever used any assistance on assessment.”

TOWER/OCTOBER 26, 2018

OP-ED

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OpiniOn

Kavanaugh’s confirmation is disgraceful Students must use their vote Elijah EmEry

DaviD Oks

Sports Design Editor

Lead Magazine Editor

From the vantage point of the 18th month of Donald Trump’s presidency, it seems as if his most successful actions thus far in promoting a conservative agenda are in his nominations to federal courts: he’s appointed dozens of judges, including 26 to the appeal courts and one Supreme Court Justice, Neil Gorsuch. Now, Trump’s second appointment to the Supreme Court has been confirmed: Justice Brett Kavanaugh will fill the seat of Justice Anthony Kennedy.

This confirmation is disgraceful; throughout his hearings, Kavanagh was angry and overly emotional: he did not display the temperment required to serve on the Supreme Court. When sexual assault allegations surfaced against Kavanaugh, (Christine Blasey Ford, who knew Kavenaugh while the two were both in high school, claimed that he tried to sexually assault her at a party, when he was seventeen and she fifteen) he failed to endorse an independent FBI investigation into the accusations. Republicans pushed through his nomination anyway, a blatantly partisan action which will guarantee a generation of reactionary precedent handed down from the nation’s highest court, as conservatives claim a 5-4 majority over their liberal counterparts.

Kavanaugh is not only unfit for the Supreme Court because of his temperament; he also entertains a dangerous,streak of judicial activism.

In Senate Judiciary Committee hearings, Kavanaugh, pressed on the issue of abortion by Democrat Dianne Feinstein, said “As a general proposition, I understand the importance of the precedent set forth in Roe v. Wade.” But precedent is not absolute; just this year, the Supreme Court overturned a 34-year-old precedent on public sector union membership fees—saying the fees were in fact not mandatory—in the Janus de-

As is the case every other November, students nearing 18-years-old are bound to hear that “this election is the most important in our lifetime.” Regardless of whether this particular trite line is accurate, there is no denying that the 2018 midterms have unleashed a wave of interest rarely seen among young Americans.

With the potential of Democratic victory, races in Texas, Georgia, and Florida have captured the imaginations of youthful progressives. At the bastion of liberalism that is Masters, get-out-the-vote efforts are ubiquitous. Masters has already heard several Morning Meeting announcements reminding those of us who will be able to vote on Election Day to register, not to mention the more personal, well-meaning pestering from friends and classmates.

With so much newfound ardor for electioneering, the Masters administration has a good opportunity to show that Masters students are committed to being “forces for good in the world.” Everyone who has heard even flecks of our oft-repeated Mission Statement know that Dobbs is committed to crafting

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOYCE N. BOGHOSIAN

CURRENT SUPREME COURT JUSTICE Brett Kavanaugh at his nomination ceremony with President Trump and retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy in July. The Justice was confirmed this October despite various claims of sexual harassment by women including Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and a week-long investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation into the allegations by Ford and two others. cision. Kavanaugh’s refusal to explicitly support this decision opens the door to its destruction. Kavanaugh’s past dissents on the DC circuit court have argued against abortion rights or in support of anti-abortion laws.

Another potent issue is Kavanaugh’s view on executive privilege.

Kavanaugh worked for attorney Kenneth Starr in his investigation into Bill Clinton during the Monica Lewinsky Scandal, ultimately ending in Clinton’s impeachment and subsequent acquittal. Since this investigation, Kavanaugh has advocated for a law barring the prosecution of sitting presidents for criminal activities, believing impeachment to be the only Constitutional remedy for presidential wrongdoing.

This particular view of Kavanaugh’s is relevant because of the ongoing investigation that has resulted in the indictment of several of the president’s close associates.

This opinion is dangerous; Trump may cite executive privilege if he is asked to provide information to the investigation, and while Bob

Mueller, the leader of the Russia probe, could appeal to the courts to get this information, a Supreme Court with Brett Kavanaugh on it will be considerably less likely to side with Mueller.

So what is to be done? Impeachment is one remedy, but not a good one; unless Ford brings Kavanagh to court over the alleged assault— which is possible since Maryland has no statute of limitations—Kavanagh is set to sit on the court for the rest of his career.

The Supreme Court is regulated by Congress, which, therefore, could pass term limits for justices and/or expand the size of the court, allowing five members to be picked

by Democrats, five to be picked

by Republicans, and five more to be selected by those Justices. The Justices would then rotate to hear cases. With no set court, Justices would select less contentious constitutional questions to answer: the court would return to non-partisanship. To ensure a better court, Americans need to vote for congress-people willing to enact these reforms into office.

ardent and compassionate citizens, the type of people who not only vote in every election but study the issues, investigate the candidates and follow campaign coverage.

Masters would be wise to capitalize on this commitment by identifying students who will be 18 by Election Day and sending them voter registration materials by email.

In fact, with the public information that Masters keeps on its students (such as name and birthdate), the School can even pre-fill parts of the form. This type of proactive effort can go a long way in pushing young people to the polls, especially when those young people are in the throes of a highly stressful college admission process.

Some might reply that it’s none of Masters’ business what its students do in their free time. Participating in or abstaining from politics, these people might think, is a highly personal choice. Masters should not force students to follow politics, let alone vote. However, nudging students to the polls in this non-intrusive way—merely making an important process easier at perhaps the most stressful time in their high school careers— can go a long way, not only in pushing students to the polls today, but in producing civically-minded alumni tomorrow.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

BARACK OBAMA, THE 44TH President, votes at a polling booth during the 2012 election. Especially with the Midterm Elections approaching, the participation of young people in the elections will be crucial in the course of American politics.

Dress codes unfairly target female students sOphia BrOussEt Lead News Editor I distinctly remember the day at my old school my best friend told me she would be changing schools come the end of the year. It was a huge bombshell for me; it was not even something she was planning on. It all happened because of a tiny, silly mistake: forgetting to fasten one button on her white Oxford shirt.

We sat in our math class, only 13-years-old, trying to learn about quadratic equations when our 40-year-old male teacher came to an abrupt pause, looked at my friend, and said, “Cleavage is against our dress code. Put on a hoodie or leave.” It was a hot spring day. She did not have a hoodie nor did anyone else in the class, so she was taken to the principal’s office where her mother was called and told to either pick her up or bring her a change of clothes. The shame my friend felt because of the school’s administration was enough to make her want to leave.

This unfortunate event occurred at the school I attended before Masters, where one too many violations of the dress code could result in a suspension, the same punishment they gave for using drugs on campus. Arriving to Masters my sophomore year, the dress philosophy was a refreshing shift from the strict rules of my old school. It took a big weight off my shoulders; I could wear clothes that I felt confident and comfortable in without fearing disciplinary action.

The dress philosophy, which came into effect only two years ago, is currently under reconsideration.

Concerns have been raised by Head of School Laura Danforth and the new Head of Upper School Nikki Willis that the philosophy, which is supposed to train students to determine what is appropriate themselves, is being abused. Students

sionality. But, shifting back to a strict dress code creates a far more dangerous atmosphere. Dress codes sexualize and foster feelings of shame around young girls’ bodies.

Not only do dress codes target girls; they particularly target girls with ample breasts and hips, things that girls cannot change.

Part of the problem is out of the

looking for women’s clothes that are permissible for colder months is quite easy, the great ordeal lies in buying clothes for spring and early fall. Womens’ clothes from mainstream brands, even those marketed to little girls, are body conscious. From short shorts to skinny jeans to miniskirts, it is difficult for women to shop for some-

SOPHIA BROUSSET/TOWER

SENIOR LEAH MCLELLAND DEMONSTRATES the ‘fingertip test’, a common test previously used at Masters to ensure one’s skirt was of the appropriate length. With Masters’ addition of the Dress Philosophy, this policy was abolished. are presumably wearing clothes that expose their midriffs or show parts of their undergarments, creating an atmosphere of unprofes-

scope of the school administration.

It is the national–and quite western problem–of the type of clothes that are marketed to young girls. While

thing that is stylish, comfortable and in accordance with strict school dress codes. There is nothing wrong with girls truly wanting to embrace

their sexuality and wear revealing clothing; there is a problem, however, when girls are pressured into viewing their bodies as objects of desire. This is only perpetuated by dress codes, which tell young women to cover up because their bodies are distracting. They make normal parts of bodies, like shoulders or midriffs, into taboo and sexual objects that must be covered.

While there is some logic in the argument that dress codes enforce an aura of professionality and academic focus in schools, a dress code only adds adds a layer of stress to the lives of busy students who already have classes, extracurriculars and familial obligations. Their only concern in terms of clothing should be how they feel in their clothing, not whether or not their shorts are mere centimeters above their fingertips.

Clothing is a form of self-expression. Freedom to dress as we please allows us students to convey a message to the world. It is an easy, healthy avenue to explore our identities in a non-permanent way.

There is a relative lack of room for expression available in high school; our classes are mostly chosen for us and our schedules are largely molded around the school day and extracurriculars. It is no wonder the supposed “freshman identity crisis” in which incoming college students, fresh out of high school, realize they have no idea who they are or what to do with the freedom they are now afforded.

The dress philosophy allows for a tiny but important sliver of self-exploration in high school.

OP-ED

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TOWER/OCTOBER 26,2018

EDITORIAL

Veritas est in media

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audi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was captured upon entering the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2, where he was subsequently dismembered. During his career he promoted progressive policies within Saudi Arabia and advocated for freedom of speech, forms of activism which were scrutinized by his government and which ultimately contributed to his violent murder. Since the beginning of 2018, 71 journalists and media workers have been killed, some of them murdered deliberately and others killed by crossfire while covering stories. ny environment which threatens freedom of speech and freedom of the press enacts an assault on a pinnacle global human right, as proclaimed in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights set forth by the United Nations: “Everyone has the right to freedom of speech and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” t is vital to remember that a journalist’s job is to tell the truth; when the truth becomes inaccessible and is restricted with the motive of personal or political benefit, each member of the world population loses the fundamental right to equality and dignity, and the agency to exercise individual liberty. A country, leader or organization which denies an individual or group of people their free speech deliberately violates the right to humanity, and actively destroys an integral facet of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. his right is ancient, with its modern basis reaching back to Athenian democracy in the 5th and 6th century before common era, but its inclusion as a prioritized ideal in contemporary revolutions solidifies freedom of

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speech and freedom of the press as foundational principles worth every fight and sacrifice. he siege against freedom of expression demands our immediate attention. As American citizens or residents, the right to free speech is woven into a shared identity which is best respected and celebrated when each of us realizes our responsibility to support the First Amendment. Free speech is being threatened by the highest authoritative figures, including the president, even in a country where journalists are granted this right. Recently, a rise in the number of journalists being mocked, dismissed or having their integrity questioned or credibility diminished decreases not only a journalist’s ability to write honestly, but each human’s ability to think freely, exempt from the chains of censorship or fear of persecution. enying someone the right to use their voice denies an individual their humanity; however, it remains paramount to recognize that hateful speech inspired by racism, homophobia, sexism, xenophobia or classicism, in turn disregards an individual’s humanity and right respect. reedom of expression safeguards democracy and promotes the exchange of ideas and diversity of thought. We as a staff have adopted the motto, “Veritas est en media,” the rough Latin translation for “Truth is in journalism,” as a promise to dedicate our foremost efforts to preserving honesty and encouraging respectful and open discourse within and beyond Masters. e hope that Tower will actively assist each member in this community to find the courage to maintain and celebrate the profound importance of the universal human right to freedom of expression, and challenge those who abuse their authority in this foundational pillar of the human experience.

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editors-iN-Chief alexandra Bentzien eMMa luiS Lead News editor Sophia BrouSSet News desigN editors MorGan BrettSchneider JacoB Strier Lead opiNioN editor JoSeph GoldStein opiNioN desigN editors Sarah FaBer drew Schott Lead features editor aMita khurana features desigN editors annie ruBinSon Michelle wei Lead sports editor Shawn Farhadian sports desigN editors eliJah eMerY loGan Schiciano Lead web editor aNd adobe, aesthetiCs & arts editor tYler conwaY web CoNteNt MaNager Mitch Fink web desigN editor aMina choudhrY web produCtioN MaNager JacoB kriSS soCiaL Media MaNager GaBriel keller Lead MagaziNe editor david okS

Last month in Executive Committee, freshmen Clyde Lederman and Katherine Williams proposed a new rule that will modify the terms used to classify students at Masters. The vote was 11 (yes- with one vote emailed in)-5(abstaining)-3 (no) in favor of the new gender-neutral labels. Names such as “freshman” and “upperclassmen” have been changed to “first years” and “upper-level students,” respectively. However, a revote will occur within the next few weeks since freshmen class representatives had not been selected at the time of the original vote. In this issue, Tower Features Design Editors Annie Rubinson and Michelle Wei exhibit different views regarding this policy, described in the following pieces.

PRO: Bill raises questions CON: Gender-Neutral

and inspires thought Michelle Wei Features Design Editor The past two weeks have been filled with talk around a proposal introduced by freshmen to rename “freshman” to “first years” and “upperclassmen” to “upper-level students” in order to make the term more gender neutral.

Responding to a survey, many Masters students responded negatively. In fact, the proposal turned into a running joke in many social circles. Many heard the proposal and thought it seemed kind of pointless. The legislation clearly will not stop people from using the word “freshmen” simply because they have been told to do so.

Despite popular consensus, these freshmen might be onto something. People will have to

think twice about the lack of gender neutrality in our daily lives.

This purposeful change in the official labeling of students sparked a conversation around gender neutrality and is forcing people to think twice about the history and intent behind words.

People have brought up the argument of the dramatization of the way we use the word “freshman”.

Sure, most do not regard the word “freshman” as a gendered term, however, changing the names make people question the intent it was created with. Nobody will apply such a change to “woman” but the employment of the controversial change spurs helpful conversation and ideas. People may not stop using the word “freshman” anytime soon. However, everytime they say it, they might be reminded that they should think twice about names.

proposal is impractical Annie Rubinson Features Design Editor In order for Executive Committee to make impactful decisions, it is imperative that the proposals submitted outline why and how the authors wish to create change. The Gender Neutral Language Change Bill, proposed by freshmen Clyde Lederman and Katherine Williams, suggests that the Masters administration “[change] the official term for 9th grade students from “freshmen” to “first years” in order to recognize and include the spectrum of gender identities [within the grade].” While this proposal addresses a long-standing, often unnoticed issue within the Masters community, its call to action falls short.

The success of previously-passed executive orders, particularly when they have addressed mistreatment of members of Masters, is dependent on student compliance. For example, the dress philosophy (implemented in 2016) is reliant on students’ active assessments of what is and is not appropriate attire for school. Similarly, a successful transition from ‘freshman’ to ‘first-year’ in student vocabulary would require full student engagement. This is not only unlikely, but also difficult to monitor and regulate.

Upon reading the Gender Neutral Language Change Bill, I anticipated language that would promote a more inclusive social environment for members of the ninth grade class across the gender spectrum. I was especially confused to find that the operative portion of the proposal only requests that the terms ‘freshman’ or ‘freshmen’

not be used in official documents, which would not create any change in the social climate of Masters. If the goal of this bill is to promote a more socially gender-inclusive campus, calling only for administrative change is hardly effective.

The bill refers to this change as “an important step toward a more gender-inclusive campus and a symbol of our inclusivity.” However, there are many other measures to be taken by the administration in order to accomplish this goal.

Masters currently has one designated gender-neutral bathroom on each floor of Masters Hall, and a gender-neutral locker room across from the girls’ locker room in Strayer Hall. Students have continuously requested more gender-neutral bathrooms, as only three of these facilities on a 96-acre campus is highly inconvenient. Adding more of these kinds of bathrooms would be a more proactive way of creating a “more gender-inclusive campus.”

Not to mention, many students are not even aware of the existing ones.

Another path the school could pursue is creating a gender-neutral dormitory. While gender neutral bathrooms and boarding facilities are much bigger steps that would require more time, money and attention, they are also more meaningful and concrete ones.

Had the Gender Neutral Language Change Bill been written in a way that incentivizes students to execute it thoughtfully and consistently, it would certainly promote a small but symbolic change in the social environment at Masters. However, seeing as the proposal no longer includes language that requires student engagement, I do not anticipate an impactful transition.

staff MaNager Maxwell Goldrich staff writers Mitch Fink GaBriel keller david okS aCCuraCy & aCCouNtabiLity aNd advertiseMeNt MaNager YaSMine paScal photos & iLLustratioNs editor vincent alBan staff iLLustrator ziqi wanG CoNtributiNg writer

nora FellaS faCuLty adviser ellen cowheY oNLiNe Media

For more information, follow Tower on the following platforms: Website: Tower.MastersNY.org Facebook: MastersTower Twitter: @MastersTower Instagram: @MastersTower

distributioN proCess

Tower is hand-delivered on the day of publication to the Upper School. 650 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, Letters aNd editoriaL poLiCy Tower is the winner of the Pacemaker Award for Overall Excellence, an award-winning member of the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA), Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA), Journalism Education Association (JEA) and Quill and Scroll. We encourage Letters to the Editor, which can be submitted to the following email address: TowerEditors@MastersNY.org. Published approximately five times a year, Tower, the student newspaper of The Masters School, is a public forum, with its Editorial Board making all decisions concerning content. Commentaries and opinion columns are the expressed opinion of the author and not of Tower and its Editorial Board or its advisers.

Furthermore, the opinions conveyed are not those of The Masters School, faculty, or staff. Unsigned editorials express views of the majority of the Editorial Board.

TOWER/OCTOBER 26, 2018

OP-ED

5

Congratulations

to the 2017-2018 Tower staff on two Columbia Scholastic Press Assosiation Gold Circle awards.

Featured blogs can be found on Tower.MastersNY.org

The PanTher a broad

DESPITE NOT ATTENDING MASTERS ANYMORE, MANU WILL SPECIFICALLY BE COVERING EUROPEAN AFFAIRS IN HIS BLOG, “THE PANTHER ABROAD”. MANU’S UNIQUE EXPERIENCES OF LIVING INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES WILL ALLOW HIM TO OFFER A UNIQUE AND INTERESTING PERSPECTIVE. eManuel adaMIak A red coach bus was spotted on the streets of London during the summer of 2016. Pictures of the bus spread rapidly across the internet, being featured on almost every news outlet in Europe. The controversy surrounding the bus had to do with the ad plastered on the side of the bus: “We send the EU (European Union) £350 million a week [...]” The message alluded to a vote that was going to decide Britain’s future: the British exit from the EU, commonly

referred to as “Brexit.”

After the referendum a few weeks later, Great Britain’s citizens voted to leave the EU. Since then, political chaos has ruled the Brexit negotiations leaving the country divided. So far, these discussions have not resulted in anything fruitful and everyday Britain continues to approach the dangerous Brexit deadline.

It is important to see that Brexit is a problem that the British have gotten themselves into. For-

mer British Prime Minister, David Cameron, did not have to hold a public vote concerning Brexit.

After the vote, which came out against Cameron’s predictions, he resigned and was replaced by Theresa May. May, with the help of Parliament held a snap election.

This caused further divide among British politicians over Brexit and May’s party lost multiple seats.

Brexit is a path chosen by the British and now they have to own up to it. However, people on dif-

MedIa

ferent sides of the issue are still not open to compromise when they should be coming together to find a solution to a past mistake.

Although the EU would most likely impose stricter conditions on Britain, another referendum and the evasion of Brexit would be the best possible step the UK could take to avoid even more chaos that would result if they actually withdrew from the EU.

and InclusIvITy

LANCE’S COLUMN, “MEDIA AND INCLUSIVITY”, WILL COVER RACIAL AND SEXUAL MINORITIES IN VARIOUS FORMS OF ENTERTAINMENT SUCH AS VIDEO GAMES, MOVIES, AND BOOKS. lance leys Movies involving LGBTQ+ people are not a recent development, though they have an interesting history. These films date back to at least 1914, to a film titled “A Florida Enchantment.” The movie detailed the life of a lady who swallowed a seed and became “mannish” and attracted to women. It might have been offensive for the lesbians of today, since the idea that being a lesbian equates one to being more like a man. This is similar to if one said that because someone is gay, they have to be very flamboyant. This film represents an early setting of problematic stereo-

TheIr s Tory

types, .

“The Birdcage,” the highest grossing film in LGBTQ+ movie history, premiered in 1996. It was a remake of a 1978 Franco-Italian film, Le Cage aux Folles by Edouard Molinaro. “The Birdcage” told the story of a gay couple whose son started dating the daughter of a Conservative politician. It is well-regarded in this time period as well, since it brought the drag scene, a staple of LGBTQ+ culture, further into the mainstream.

One of these shows is RuPaul’s Drag Race, a show that is popular with those who are members of the

LGBTQ+ community and those outside of it. The terms “Bye Felicia” and “Shade” are very popular slang that come from drag culture.

Occupying a particular niche in cinematic culture, LGBTQ+ films are taking a turn into mainstream Hollywood. As new movies with characters of varying sexual preference and identity are produced, it is important to learn about the origin and history of this film genre.

Important, too, is learning about the movies that are premiering today. If you tuned into the Oscars in 2017, one of the major events re-

ported was the colossal mix-up for the Best Motion Picture nomination.

That mistake overshadowed the effect the win had.

Moonlight was a movie that defied all odds, facing off against the Oscar bait that was La La Land and many other movies slated to win. It was a beautiful movie that starred two African American bisexuals, which makes its consideration for an Oscar astounding. But on that night when it won Best Motion Picture as well as two other awards, it was a change of pace entirely for the Oscars.

KISHAN’S BLOG, TITLED “THEIR STORY”, WILL PROFILE MASTERS TEACHERS, FACULTY, AND STUDENTS. kIshan Mangru She co-runs our school’s Ethical Leadership program, carries the title of mother and has served our school for over fourteen years. She is is Dr. Eileen Dieck, one of the many friendly faces at The Masters School.

Dieck grew up in Long Island, NY, as the youngest of five children. Although her parents were unable to attain their own college degrees, their strength gave Dieck the ambition to attend medical school and become a physician.

During her time in high school

and college, she became involved in musical theatrics. She attended and performed in a number coffee houses and musicals at her school. Jumping ahead through the years, Dieck faced one of the toughest decisions of her life. As a physician, her profession included explaining and teaching others in the field. She soon realized that she enjoyed the educating and instructing aspects of her job more than her actual job. Dieck eventually became fixed on becoming an instructor. Despite the enormous change of course, Dieck

knew it was the right one.

Now, Dieck is a mother and considers her children to be her most rewarding accomplishment in life. Some of her favorite hobbies include playing tennis and reading. Dieck prefers fictional books such as The Poisonwood Bible

by Barbara Kingsolver. She finds the humor and adventure in these books to be refreshing from the leadership books she reads for her job at Masters.

Dieck finds inspiration in a quote from Robert Kennedy, an American politician, who said that everyone’s

small actions “build up a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” She believes that everyone has the ability to make huge impacts through seemingly insignificant actions, like being kind and respectful.

In the future, Dieck hopes to visit countries she has never explored. For now, she is thrilled to be a part of the Masters community and work with all of the students who continue to bring her joy every day.

The InTernaTIonalIsT CONTINUING HER COLUMN, “THE INTERNATIONALIST”, FROM LAST YEAR, CASEY WILL WRITE ABOUT INTERNATIONAL EVENTS THAT ARE NORMALLY NOT COVERED EXTENSIVELY BY AMERICAN NEWS OUTLETS casey lI Two Reuters journalists, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, were tried and sentenced to seven years in prison under the Official Secrets Act of Myanmar on Sept. 3 . The two were working on an investigation into the massacre of Rohingya Muslims by the Myanmar military and local militant Buddhists.

Although Rohingya Muslims lived in Myanmar for generations, many still consider them illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.

An investigation mandated by the United Nations revealed evidence

that suggests the military committed mass rape and ethnic cleansing of the minority with “genocidal intent” and forced 700,000 Muslims to flee. Myanmar officials rejected the findings. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo met with a policeman who provided them with photographs of bodies, mass graves and assault rifles taken during a military operation targeting Rohingya Muslims. When they were handed a copy of a state newspaper from the policeman, a group of men in civilian clothing arrested them.

The judge ruled that the two intended to harm the country by sharing its secrets; however, during the prosecution, a witness confessed that the newspaper had been published before the arrest, and police confessed that the journalists were “set up.” The Myanmar government spokesman claimed that the court was independent and followed due process. Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who had been under house arrest under the former military government for 15 years and the de facto leader of

The s cheuer s cooP

BUSTER WILL WRITE FOR THE TOWER ONLINE FOR THIS YEAR. HIS BLOG, “THE SCHEUER SCOOP”, WILL INFORM READERS ABOUT POLITICAL ISSUES HE BELIEVES GO OVERLOOKED AND UNNOTICED BY MOST. ThoMas “busTer” scheuer Many of us Democrats at Masters are so focused on “hot button issues” of gun control, abortion, and LGBTQ+ rights that we genuinely do not understand the fundamental aspects of politics. Don’t get me wrong, those issues are all important and all have their place in the political discourse of today. However, I’ve never heard a peer talk about how most Democrats AND Republicans approved the 716 billion dollar military budget in an 85 yes to 10 nay

vote. This is the largest budget since during the Iraq War. For some reason, that’s not a pressing issue in today’s political conversation, and that could be the reason why Democrats and Hillary Clinton lost the last election. Clinton’s campaign was directly focused on LGBTQ+/women’s rights, and she lost miserably in the rust belt and in other swing states. Donald Trump ran on a populist-right platform of saving the middle class, creating

jobs and making the forgotten man known again. Regardless of his success in keeping his promises, Trump won working-class yAmerica. To take back those votes, I believe Democrats should run on more worker-oriented policies.

Some have different ideas as to how to succeed, though. Gabriel Keller, a junior who co-runs a popular feminist/activism page on instagram (@quality._.equality), said “I think the Democrats should run

on a platform of helping people who have been recently disenfranchised, like victims of sexual violence.” This strategy definitely helped Hillary win the primary. But it is my firm belief that the Democrats, as the people meant to speak for the disenfranchised, need to also speak for the whites in Ohio working low-paying factory jobs. If Democrats fight for ALL of these struggling groups, we can get their vote, and help marginalized victims of society.

Myanmar, claimed that the journalists were only jailed for handling official secrets.

The sentence is yet another step by the government to conceal the Rohingya persecution, simultaneously jeopardizing freedom of press and foreshadowing that there cannot be a true democracy in Myanmar. In an age where censorship is prevalent and journalism is constantly under attack, it is vital to protect journalists and free speech.

Boarding community transforms for future

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FEATURES AND ARTS

Masters rolls out five day boarding program for next fall Morgan brettschneiDer News Design Editor

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eginning in the fall of 2019, boarding students at Masters will have the option of living on campus for either five or seven days a week. With this change, Masters will follow in the footsteps of prep schools such as The Harvey School and Hackley School that provide two boarding options opposed to just seven day. Ever since its emergence, the boarding program at Masters has allowed students from all over the United States and the world to live at school for seven days a week and take part in various weekend activities. his new five-day boarding option was created for a variety of reasons. Working on the implementation of the new program, Head of School Laura Danforth said, “We have had to try and figure out ways to make the boarding program financially sustainable. It is one that no other school in the area has. They can’t say that they have kids from thirty different countries.

They can’t say they that they are as diverse as we are and we never want to lose that.” mma Katznelson, Director of Enrollment Management said, “I think the decision to create five-day boarding stems from knowing that there are some current students who are already using the seven-day program as a five-day program and also knowing that there are families that say, “Masters is the school for us but we just can’t figure out how to get to work and our other kids to school if we have to drive that far everyday.”

According to Katznelson, parents have expressed excitement in

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anticipation of the new program.

“I have heard from some parents that they are a divorced family and that the child was going between the two households during one week so they are kind of excited about the idea that the children doesn’t have to go back and forth and they can switch households on the weekend,” Katznelson said. any other boarding schools all across the U.S. have also had to make various changes in order to maintain financial stability as well. An article published in The Atlantic in 2015 called “The Decline of Private Education” by Jon Marcus revealed that enrollment numbers have plummeted for many independent boarding schools across the country. The article also mentioned that much of this decline has occured because of increased tuition rates and the appeal of charter schools, which are free to families. As a result, schools have had to create new tactics in order to raise enrollment numbers and maintain their boarding programs, a similar issue that Masters is currently facing. “I go home almost every weekend so it doesn’t really make sense for me to pay more,” said junior Jaelyn Felton, who plans to be a five-day boarder next year, “Especially during my freshman year, I felt like I missing out on birthday parties, dinners and special events so I went home a lot.” The addition of five-day boarding would combat this feeling of missing out that many students experience while at boarding school. ccording to Danforth, fiveday only dorms may be constructed to separate the seven-day and five-day boarding students. “What I don’t want are roomates where one is five day and one is seven day. Depending

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on the numbers, there could be two five day dorms. We might have different floors to start off. It all depends on how many applications we get,” said Danforth. tudents who will remain seven-day boarders next year have expressed concerns about this new system. Sophomore international student Anastasiia Gorobets said, “At first I thought this change wouldn’t affect me, but now seeing the campus completely empty and abandoned on weekends, it kind of affects me.”

With the creation of the five day boarding option, she anticipates this trend continuing. hompson Dorm senior proctor Vittorio Stropoli said, “I don’t know how the five-day boarders are going to integrate with the seven-day borders. The five-day borders are not going to do any of the community weekends where you are required to participate in team-bonding activities,” he said.

We are going to offer as much as we can to continue to make seven day boarding appealing. My goal is to have the five day boarders and day students thinking “I want that” or “I want to be a part of those activities” Ed Gormley, the student activities coordinator, said. Gormley also mentioned possibility of several activities such as college visits and even trips to Philadelphia and Washington D.C. for seven-day borders.

The heart of every admissions decision is what is best for the child and we think about that in committee all the time. If that five-day program is something that would be really good for lots of children, then we will have reached our goal,” Katznelson said.

Renovations improve boarding program

Drew Opinion Design Editor

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his past summer, in a project spearheaded by individuals such as Head of School Laura Danforth and Chief Financial Officer Ed Biddle, Masters renovated the girls’ dormitories, Cole, Ford and McCormack, as part of a decade-long, school-wide campaign to improve its facilities. The upgrades, including radiant heat flooring and new bathrooms, are the latest additions to Masters’ revitalized boarding program, especially as the new 5-day boarding option commences in the Fall of 2019. fter a matching challenge resulted in $2 million of donations to improve the boarding facilities, the administration decided that a portion of the money raised would go towards renovations in the girls’ dormitories. Various maintenance issues included bathroom leaks and a sprinkler leak in McCormack. o redesign the bathrooms, Masters hired the Steve Tilly Firm, with architect Claudia Mules planning the renovations to resemble Columbia University’s dormitory washrooms. In the bathrooms, contractors implemented radiant heat flooring for efficient energy use.

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ditionally, the bathrooms were constructed up to American Disability Act (ADA) standards, according to Biddle. Biddle further described how the new bathrooms were designed to have more free spaces to accommodate disabled individuals, causing a reduction in the number of showers and sinks and the elimination of rarely-used bathtubs.

It is a significant investment to build up to ADA standards, but it is the right way to proceed,” Biddle said. owever, Cole and Ford currently do not abide by ADA accessibility standards for injured students who use crutches or a wheelchair because these dormitories have no elevators or lifts. As a result, female boarders needing increased accessibility sometimes temporarily live in McCormack, since it has an elevator. To ensure those injured can stay in their own dormitories in the future, Biddle said the administration plans to construct ADA accessible lifts in Cole and Ford’s entrance areas within the next two years. s well as renovations to the bathrooms and the addition of radiant heat flooring, more restorations were made throughout the girls’ dorms. Kitchens and common rooms received new flooring, while each common room obtained new blinds, coffee tables, pillows and matching slipcovers for couches.

When the construction concluded in August, the total cost of the renovations was roughly $850,000, leaving about $1.15 million for future development. ccording to Biddle, a multi-year plan is currently in motion to upgrade the Hill House dorms, Thompson,

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The Thompson Dorm and Strong Dorm, the boys’ dorms at Masters, (Thompson Dorm bathroom pictured above) will be renovated in the near future. According to Dena Torino, the director of Residental Life, the renovations will attract potential new boarders for the five- and seven-day boarding programs.

“

The current girls dorms renovations include improved common rooms and completely renovated bathrooms. Pictured above is the McCormack Dorm, one of the three girls dorms.

During the renovations this summer, the bathrooms were renovated in the style of those in the dorms at Columbia University in the City of New York.

The Thompson Dorm common room, pictured to the right. The Thompson Dorm, Strong Dorm, and Cushing Dorm (CityTerm) will be upgraded over mutliple years with improvents including mechnical overhauls and bathroom upgrades.

Photos left to right: Michelle Wei, Michelle Wei, Vincent Alban, Vincent Alban.

Background Map Photo: Peter Gisolfi Associates

Strong and Cushing, the dormitory housing CityTerm students.

The improvements will include mechanical overhauls, bathroom upgrades and the replacement of every window in each dorm, totalling 362, with each window costing nearly $1,500. t the end of school meeting for faculty last year, the 5-day boarding program was announced, creating momentum to reevaluate dormitories and assess if renovations were necessary.

However, before then, McCormack Dorm Director and Director of Aquatics Susan Greally said she was briefed last spring by Biddle and Head of School Laura Danforth regarding restorations of the girls’ dorms, a project she believes has “lifted the spirits” of Masters’ female boarding population. A “point of pride for the administration,” Greally said that the upgrades, including the future projects in the male dorms, will make the school a more appealing boarding option for potential students.

These renovations are certainly not going to hurt, especially since not upgrading [the dorms] may have hurt us in the past.

People will now be attracted to the dorms and it will keep them near if they are thinking about Masters for boarding,” Greally said. ean of Residential Life Dena Torino said that she thinks the renovations may help attract more students for both the 5-and7-day boarding programs in the future, especially as the dormitories are showcased on upcoming campus tours to prospective families this year.

Nicer [boarding] facilities will positively impact the way people feel about the school while they walk through the campus,” Torino said. urthermore, she hopes that departing seniors in Thompson and Strong, who will graduate before their dorms’ respective renovations, will “know we as a school are committed to our boarding program.”

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Boarding community transforms for future

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FEATURES AND ARTS

Masters rolls out five day boarding program for next fall Morgan brettschneiDer News Design Editor

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eginning in the fall of 2019, boarding students at Masters will have the option of living on campus for either five or seven days a week. With this change, Masters will follow in the footsteps of prep schools such as The Harvey School and Hackley School that provide two boarding options opposed to just seven day. Ever since its emergence, the boarding program at Masters has allowed students from all over the United States and the world to live at school for seven days a week and take part in various weekend activities. his new five-day boarding option was created for a variety of reasons. Working on the implementation of the new program, Head of School Laura Danforth said, “We have had to try and figure out ways to make the boarding program financially sustainable. It is one that no other school in the area has. They can’t say that they have kids from thirty different countries.

They can’t say they that they are as diverse as we are and we never want to lose that.” mma Katznelson, Director of Enrollment Management said, “I think the decision to create five-day boarding stems from knowing that there are some current students who are already using the seven-day program as a five-day program and also knowing that there are families that say, “Masters is the school for us but we just can’t figure out how to get to work and our other kids to school if we have to drive that far everyday.”

According to Katznelson, parents have expressed excitement in

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anticipation of the new program.

“I have heard from some parents that they are a divorced family and that the child was going between the two households during one week so they are kind of excited about the idea that the children doesn’t have to go back and forth and they can switch households on the weekend,” Katznelson said. any other boarding schools all across the U.S. have also had to make various changes in order to maintain financial stability as well. An article published in The Atlantic in 2015 called “The Decline of Private Education” by Jon Marcus revealed that enrollment numbers have plummeted for many independent boarding schools across the country. The article also mentioned that much of this decline has occured because of increased tuition rates and the appeal of charter schools, which are free to families. As a result, schools have had to create new tactics in order to raise enrollment numbers and maintain their boarding programs, a similar issue that Masters is currently facing. “I go home almost every weekend so it doesn’t really make sense for me to pay more,” said junior Jaelyn Felton, who plans to be a five-day boarder next year, “Especially during my freshman year, I felt like I missing out on birthday parties, dinners and special events so I went home a lot.” The addition of five-day boarding would combat this feeling of missing out that many students experience while at boarding school. ccording to Danforth, fiveday only dorms may be constructed to separate the seven-day and five-day boarding students. “What I don’t want are roomates where one is five day and one is seven day. Depending

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on the numbers, there could be two five day dorms. We might have different floors to start off. It all depends on how many applications we get,” said Danforth. tudents who will remain seven-day boarders next year have expressed concerns about this new system. Sophomore international student Anastasiia Gorobets said, “At first I thought this change wouldn’t affect me, but now seeing the campus completely empty and abandoned on weekends, it kind of affects me.”

With the creation of the five day boarding option, she anticipates this trend continuing. hompson Dorm senior proctor Vittorio Stropoli said, “I don’t know how the five-day boarders are going to integrate with the seven-day borders. The five-day borders are not going to do any of the community weekends where you are required to participate in team-bonding activities,” he said.

We are going to offer as much as we can to continue to make seven day boarding appealing. My goal is to have the five day boarders and day students thinking “I want that” or “I want to be a part of those activities” Ed Gormley, the student activities coordinator, said. Gormley also mentioned possibility of several activities such as college visits and even trips to Philadelphia and Washington D.C. for seven-day borders.

The heart of every admissions decision is what is best for the child and we think about that in committee all the time. If that five-day program is something that would be really good for lots of children, then we will have reached our goal,” Katznelson said.

Renovations improve boarding program

Drew Opinion Design Editor

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his past summer, in a project spearheaded by individuals such as Head of School Laura Danforth and Chief Financial Officer Ed Biddle, Masters renovated the girls’ dormitories, Cole, Ford and McCormack, as part of a decade-long, school-wide campaign to improve its facilities. The upgrades, including radiant heat flooring and new bathrooms, are the latest additions to Masters’ revitalized boarding program, especially as the new 5-day boarding option commences in the Fall of 2019. fter a matching challenge resulted in $2 million of donations to improve the boarding facilities, the administration decided that a portion of the money raised would go towards renovations in the girls’ dormitories. Various maintenance issues included bathroom leaks and a sprinkler leak in McCormack. o redesign the bathrooms, Masters hired the Steve Tilly Firm, with architect Claudia Mules planning the renovations to resemble Columbia University’s dormitory washrooms. In the bathrooms, contractors implemented radiant heat flooring for efficient energy use.

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ditionally, the bathrooms were constructed up to American Disability Act (ADA) standards, according to Biddle. Biddle further described how the new bathrooms were designed to have more free spaces to accommodate disabled individuals, causing a reduction in the number of showers and sinks and the elimination of rarely-used bathtubs.

It is a significant investment to build up to ADA standards, but it is the right way to proceed,” Biddle said. owever, Cole and Ford currently do not abide by ADA accessibility standards for injured students who use crutches or a wheelchair because these dormitories have no elevators or lifts. As a result, female boarders needing increased accessibility sometimes temporarily live in McCormack, since it has an elevator. To ensure those injured can stay in their own dormitories in the future, Biddle said the administration plans to construct ADA accessible lifts in Cole and Ford’s entrance areas within the next two years. s well as renovations to the bathrooms and the addition of radiant heat flooring, more restorations were made throughout the girls’ dorms. Kitchens and common rooms received new flooring, while each common room obtained new blinds, coffee tables, pillows and matching slipcovers for couches.

When the construction concluded in August, the total cost of the renovations was roughly $850,000, leaving about $1.15 million for future development. ccording to Biddle, a multi-year plan is currently in motion to upgrade the Hill House dorms, Thompson,

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The Thompson Dorm and Strong Dorm, the boys’ dorms at Masters, (Thompson Dorm bathroom pictured above) will be renovated in the near future. According to Dena Torino, the director of Residental Life, the renovations will attract potential new boarders for the five- and seven-day boarding programs.

“

The current girls dorms renovations include improved common rooms and completely renovated bathrooms. Pictured above is the McCormack Dorm, one of the three girls dorms.

During the renovations this summer, the bathrooms were renovated in the style of those in the dorms at Columbia University in the City of New York.

The Thompson Dorm common room, pictured to the right. The Thompson Dorm, Strong Dorm, and Cushing Dorm (CityTerm) will be upgraded over mutliple years with improvents including mechnical overhauls and bathroom upgrades.

Photos left to right: Michelle Wei, Michelle Wei, Vincent Alban, Vincent Alban.

Background Map Photo: Peter Gisolfi Associates

Strong and Cushing, the dormitory housing CityTerm students.

The improvements will include mechanical overhauls, bathroom upgrades and the replacement of every window in each dorm, totalling 362, with each window costing nearly $1,500. t the end of school meeting for faculty last year, the 5-day boarding program was announced, creating momentum to reevaluate dormitories and assess if renovations were necessary.

However, before then, McCormack Dorm Director and Director of Aquatics Susan Greally said she was briefed last spring by Biddle and Head of School Laura Danforth regarding restorations of the girls’ dorms, a project she believes has “lifted the spirits” of Masters’ female boarding population. A “point of pride for the administration,” Greally said that the upgrades, including the future projects in the male dorms, will make the school a more appealing boarding option for potential students.

These renovations are certainly not going to hurt, especially since not upgrading [the dorms] may have hurt us in the past.

People will now be attracted to the dorms and it will keep them near if they are thinking about Masters for boarding,” Greally said. ean of Residential Life Dena Torino said that she thinks the renovations may help attract more students for both the 5-and7-day boarding programs in the future, especially as the dormitories are showcased on upcoming campus tours to prospective families this year.

Nicer [boarding] facilities will positively impact the way people feel about the school while they walk through the campus,” Torino said. urthermore, she hopes that departing seniors in Thompson and Strong, who will graduate before their dorms’ respective renovations, will “know we as a school are committed to our boarding program.”

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FEATURES AND ARTS

TOWER/OCTOBER 26. 2018

Features & arts

Fifty Years of Fashion at Masters: A Reflection Annie Rubinson Features Design Editor

Upper School Head Dr. Nikki Willis addressed the Masters community for the first time on the firt day of school. In her opening remarks, Willis drew attention to the current state of the Masters dress code: the ‘Dress Philosophy’. The Philosophy is described

by The Masters School website as “[allowing] a range of styles as long as the clothing worn does not detract from our educational mission.” Still adjusting to the open-endedness of this statement, Willis announced that in November, it will be re-evaluated. With possible change on the horizon, Masters reflects upon the evolution of the dress code.

In the early ages of Masters, students and faculty abided by a far stricter dress code than today.

Even in 1968, nearly a century after the school was founded, the all-girl student body can be seen wearing uniforms in their class yearbook photos. These outfits included high socks, black blazers embroidered with the Masters crest, blouses and sweaters, and Masters ties.

While many girls continued to wear collared blouses and plaid skirts, the dress code became progressively lenient. Ten years later, seventies fashion trends began to integrate turtleneck sweaters and flared pants into the Masters students’ wardrobes; according to alumna Alyson Grossman (‘88), the dress code in the 1980’s was quite similar to the one in place today: “There really wasn’t much of a dress code because we wouldn’t have to worry about distracting the opposite sex,” she said. Grossman specified that “you were basically told to dress respectfully.”

She added that there were very few people who pushed the limits of what ‘dressing respectfully’ entailed, a perspective shared by many current Masters students on the dress philosophy.

Grossman reflects upon the teachers’ attitudes toward the loose dress code in 1988: “Most of the teachers wanted to get the most out of their students,” she said. “Maybe they appreciated the student that slept a little bit longer and was more present in class

ANNIE RUBINSON/TOWER

MASTERS YEARBOOKS SHOWCASE CHANGING dress codes and fashion trends over fifty years at Masters (1968 to 2018). On the first day of the 2018-2019 school year, new Head of School Dr. Nikki Willis announced that the current dress philosophy will be re-evaluated in November, halfway through its third year. than the kid who got up an hour earlier to put more makeup on.”

In 1996, Matt Ives, former Upper School Head and current history teacher, began his career at Masters. At this time, the school had just welcomed its first co-ed class – and, unlike recent times, the dress code was much more restrictive for male students. “Boys were expected to wear collared shirts that were buttoned and tucked in,” Ives said. He added that all forms of denim were prohibited (in addition to traditional blue jeans), and that boys were not allowed facial hair.

Ives reiterated that until the dress philosophy was proposed, most changes were driven by students’ desires to keep up with

fashion trends, as can be seen through the fluctuating severity of the dress codes enforced during the last five decades. For example, by 2008, the administration deemed colored jeans a school-appropriate clothing choice; by 2011, students were allowed to wear hooded sweatshirts. However, Ives reported that by this point, many students felt it was the girls’ wardrobes that had become unfairly restricted – there were several rules that regulated skirt and sleeve lengths, while the only strict requirement that remained for boys was to wear collared shirts.

“When a teacher dress-codes a student, they’re saying that what they’re wearing is distracting to

other students, and that’s their fault,” alumna Sarah Scheuer, ‘18, said. As a sophomore at Masters, Scheuer was troubled by the gender bias embedded in the 2011 dress code. With a goal to eliminate this unfairness, she began collecting signatures for a petition to create an alternative system.

By the end of her sophomore year, in 2016, Scheuer, among other students, successfully crafted a singular broad statement to replace the dress code, that would allow students to express themselves through a wider range of clothing (permitted it doesn’t contain any discriminatory language). This statement was passed by Executive Committee

and approved by administration as the Dress Philosophy, and was implemented in the beginning of the 2016-2017 school year.

In a survey sent out to the Masters community following Willis’s announcement, many participants expressed that the most admirable part of the dress philosophy was the initiative taken by students in order to implement it.

Still passionate about the dress philosophy, Scheuer hopes that students will continue to advocate for themselves during the upcoming re-evaluation of the dress philosophy.

For more information about the students’ responses to this potential change in school policy, visit tower.mastersny.org.

Weather Station Celebrates One-Year MAxwell GoldRich Staff Manager

MAXWELL GOLDRICH/TOWER

THE ONE-YEAR OLD weather station stands atop Morris Hall’s roof. The weather station was funded by Goldman Sachs Gives. Students can access the weather station report from an app called WeatherBug.

August marked the one-year anniversary of the installation of the weather station, an instrument which broadcasts the local weather conditions to the tri-state area and sits atop Masters’ Morris Hall. The installation was headed by the Director of Innovation, Engineering and Computer Science, John Chiodo. After a year of use, some members of the community are conflicted as to whether the weather station’s addition has paid off.

The weather station, also called the weathervane, was originally envisioned as a game-changer to the grounds and maintenance departments, for its function in enhancing conveniences for these departments based upon weather events, especially in the winter. During the snow season and extreme weather occurrences, the weather station is meant to inform Masters students on what safety precautions to take. The station includes multiple HD cameras and sensors that predict precipitation data and solutions as well as influence delays and cancellations.

However, advanced technology comes with a price. The station cost approximately $20,000 and was funded by Goldman Sachs Gives, a program

that is initiated by employee-submitted proposals Using an app titled WeatherBug, the weather station reports these conditions remotely, and allows any student and staff members in and out of the Masters community to check our local weather forecast. “The WeatherBug app gets a direct feed from the [Masters] weather station including temperature, wind gusts, wind direction, and lightning strikes,” Chiodo said. He also mentioned that this station has performed “incredibly,” and has enhanced safety for the students and faculty. Alex Orlebeke from the tech department agrees with this claim. “It [the weather station] has been working just fine, and we [the tech department] make sure the station is all plugged in and running.”

The Director of Masters Athletics, Kevin Versen, has a different perspective about the weather station.

“For athletic purposes, we do not use the weather station for practices and games because it isn’t as convenient as other weather sources.” Versen also mentioned that its most crucial feature is the ability to track lightning, and as of right now, the station has not been able to do that very well.

One year later, the Masters community has yet to captailize on all the data the weather station, with its 24hour footage and forecasts, has been able to generate.

JACOB KRISS/TOWER

THE CAR PLATE ON a rusty, old car on Clinton Avenue reads “Cheap 52”. The story behind the car is a still mystery. Junior Thomas “Buster” Scheuer is interested in purchasing the car.

Cheap 52: Behind the Band JAcob KRiss Web Production Manager

The rusting blue vintage car nicknamed “Cheap 52” after its license plate has resided on Clinton Avenue for an unknown duration of time. This ancient-looking automobile has captured the attention of everyone in the Masters community: “The car’s antiquity makes me think of the past and feel a sense of nostalgia,” senior Kendra Cooper-Smith said. Despite the common interest towards this car in our community, the basic question still remains, “Whose car is it and why is it for sale?” Due to Cheap 52’s mysterious appearance, the attention it attracts has resulted not only in a band at Masters being named after it, but also the band’s interest in possibly acquiring the car for a quoted $3,000.

Junior Thomas Scheuer says that the car has been around Masters since he first enrolled in 2013. Scheuer also recalls his initial reaction to the car: “It probably wasn’t the best idea for me to sit on the car’s hood, but since seventh grade I had pictured that as my album cover with the band name Cheap 52.”

Despite not having a license, Scheuer has contacted the owner to discuss the condition and price of the vehicle.

“I’m surprised that it functions like a normal car. Last time I checked, the floor of the car was so rusted and broken away, you could actually see the street looking down into it, and I’ve seen rats just chilling on the seats.” Although Cheap 52 has seen better days, Scheuer as well as many other members of the Masters community hope to one day see it as something more than a forgotten piece of history.

TOWER/OCTOBER 26, 2018

FEATURES AND ARTS

Deresiewicz Sparks Conversation About Political Correctness Culture

defend themselves,” he said.

In his speech to students on October 4, Deresiewicz told students that it is News Design Editor fine to express their viewpoints, liberal or otherwise, but they should have idehe essayist, academic and ology and information to back it up. author William Deresiewicz Senior Daniel Jaffe addressed Masvisited Masters on October ters students on Monday morning in 3 and 4 to speak with students about his senior speech, “Recently, in one of the culture of political correctness, the my classes we discussed whether or not flaws of the modern education system teachers should try to directly influence and the importance of true ideological students as to how they feel about poexchange. litical issues. This discussion stemmed His visit sparked debate across camfrom Mr. Deresiewicz’ conversation pus on the nature of discussion and with the faculty.” dissent in the classroom. This camJaffe said in an interview that some pus-wide discussion stemmed from faculty insert their political opinions in Deresiewicz’ speeches, in which he dethe classroom. “Some teachers make it cried a system in which students are part of their curriculum, like if a history told to think one way and are unable to teacher wants to teach one side of hisdefend themselves in tory which they think arguments or express is important to learn,” alternate viewpoints. he said. Though Jaffe Senior Daneal SenPolitically, many of the colleges are just as hodoes not feel as though derovich agreed with mogenous many of the workplaces are just as he is personally being Deresiewicz’ points, homogenous, and you end up with the liberal silenced, he noted that and said that classelite ideological bubble which is the problem to “over ten” students have room discussions at approached him with begin.

Masters can often be gratitude for raising one-sided. “I think at the issue in his senior Masters people care - BILL DERESIEWICZ speech. too much about offendDeresiewicz thinks ing someone else to the that the presence of point where it inhibits discussion-based, Harkdiscussion because people are afraid,” since we go to this school is discrediting ness style learning helps with the issue he said. people who come from different back- of stifled discussion, but does not comIn an interview with Tower, Dere- grounds,” Mayorga said. pletely resolve it. “Your whole educasiewicz said students do not develop the In Deresiewicz’ experience as both tional model is built on people having need to defend their own opinions when a professor at Yale and a lecturer at open and honest debate. From what learning in an ideological bubble like campuses across the country, he said people have told me about political corthat of many private high schools. “Po- liberal students are often not equipped rectness, though, most people feel like litically, many of the colleges are just as with the skills necessary to defend they cannot say what they want to say. homogenous, many of the workplaces themselves in arguments. “A liberal It’s not just the conservative students are just as homogenous, and you end up and conservative college student get who are being shut down,” he said. with the liberal elite ideological bubble into an argument and the conservative Mayorga agreed that some students which is the problem to begin with. The really knows their arguments well, has feel silenced by the Harkness Method, danger is not that you’re going to face a all these facts and figures, and the lib- but said it occurs on both the left and world different from this one, it’s pre- eral doesn’t have any of that. The lib- right sides of the political spectrum. cisely that you’re not,” he said. eral just knows that they are right. It “Being too liberal or too politically corThough he said many institutions, isn’t that the conservative is right, their rect is seen as a joke, and people on the like Masters, appear to be diverse, they facts and figures could be challenged. other side of the spectrum feel silenced are ideologically similar. “You have The liberal does not have them at their too, and I fear that. With ground rules a large number of affluent white and fingertips because they’ve never had to of humanity and respect we can have

Jacob Strier

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Asian students, and a small number of low-income students, generally students of color. Both of those communities tend to share liberal politics. What you’re leaving out is the entire other half of the country. Because of the demographic diversity, you have little political or ideological diversity,” he said.

Deresiewicz also said in his speech that college is not the be-all end-all for many students, and students in preparatory schools like Masters already have an advantage.

Senior Victoria Mayorga disagreed.

“At a college preparatory school, a lot of kids get a lot of tutors and extra help because of their privilege. He is saying, ‘you’re in this school, you’re fine.’ But not everyone here is in the top one percent. Him saying that we are all fine

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VINCENT ALBAN/TOWERˆ

STUDENTS RESPONDED TO BILL Dersiewicz’s speech with an array of opinions.

Deresiewicz discussed how political correctness culture affects dicussions at a school-wide meeting on Oct. 3. He also had a separate conversation with faculty. conversations,” she said.

According to Mayorga, Deresiewicz’ visit undermined the politically correct atmosphere which Masters has been trying to build. “Sometimes people can be too PC, but I think it’s just courtesy.

That should be encouraged by Masters.

Him coming here and making it out to be a joke is disrespecting the environment we are creating. It offended me.

It was deteriorating what we had been working so hard to build these past few

years,” she said.

Though Mayorga does think it is important to bring ideologically diverse speakers to campus, she thinks the school should carefully consider who.

“I hope Masters promotes a large diversity of opinion but in a way that is considerate of all feelings and identities and is respectful. I hope they bring speakers who encourage others to be careful with their words and actions,” Mayorga said.

Willis, new Upper School Head, settles into Masters Shawn Farhadian Sports Lead Editor

SHAWN FARHADIAN/TOWER

MASTERS WELCOMES NEW UPPER School Head Dr. Nikki Willis. She said she mainly looks forward to meeting new students.

With years of experience in the field of education, in addition to holding a love for teaching and learning, Dr. Nikki Willis is navigating through her first days as Masters’ new Head of the Upper School and English Department Chair. Willis, a former English teacher at The Taft School, Hackley School and Concord Carlisle-Regional High School in Concord, Mass., is bringing her expertise in the classroom into an administrative role this year.

“Schools have always been really important to me. School is my home,” Willis said. “I love the classroom, and I always want to be a part of a community that makes students love learning.”

Willis is facing the rewards and challenges of her new role that does not rest, with student and faculty meetings filling her daily schedule. However, she is also getting to know the school community better and is embracing the learn-

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more dedicated, smart people in the community.”

Through multiple meetings with faculty, especially with former Head of Upper School Matt Ives and Head of School Laura Danforth, Willis is learning about her

I love the classroom, and I always want to be a part of a community that makes students love learning.

- DR. NIKKI WILLIS

ing that comes with adapting to new surroundings.

“Things have been great over the past few weeks, but it has been busy,” Willis said. “My schedule varies every day, but I am lucky when I get to meet with students. I still want to get to know and meet

job while getting to know the lives and stories of the Masters community.

“Mr. Ives and I met in July and talked for hours, with him answering all of my questions, but seeing the school come to life has only given me more questions to ask.

Likewise, Ms. Danforth is always available to talk and has been a great resource,” she said. “She recommended that I meet with every faculty member for 30 minutes, just to get to know them, and those conversations have been well worth the time,” Willis said.

A large responsibility of Willis’ job entails constant communication with co-chairs Elijah Emery and Rachel Aideyan; the three discuss various responsibilities, including student life, academics and more.

“Dr. Willis is such an amazing person. She has been so helpful and positive and keeps it real all the time,” Aideyan said. “She has so many great ideas that I believe will move Masters in a positive direction.”

“It has been a fun transition, and I am still learning a lot, but I am grateful for the generosity and kindness shown by students and faculty,” Willis said.

Thorn Tackles Administrative Duty JoSeph GoldStein Lead Op-Ed Editor

After teaching Latin at Masters for three years, Sara Thorn took on the new role of Associate Head of Upper School at the beginning of the school year. The title and the work that goes along with it entails a plethora of administrative duties to her new position.

She was offered the job by Laura Danforth, Head of School, who presented it as an opportunity to, with Dr. Willis, “setting the academic policy for the school.” Their main objective right now is ensuring that all assignments are posted online a week before they are due. Thorn and Dr. Willis are prepared to “set new

policies as needed as the year goes on” with a focus on how students are put into Advanced Placement courses later in the year.

The former registrar and occupant of Thorn’s office, Emily Zocchi, returned to the language department and is picking up the Latin classes which Thorn taught for the past few years.

Thorn’s job requires a lot of “puzzle--solving” and “various behindthe-scenes tasks that help the school run smoothly.” “I really enjoy working with schedules. I like to make sure that everything is running as smoothly as possible and this is a way for me to do that,” Thorn said.

One of the aspects of scheduling that she is working to improve are the special schedules that Masters implements on days like Halloween and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Thorn’s new responsibilities will

JOSEPH GOLDSTEIN/TOWER

SARA THORN IS THE new Associate Head of Upper School. Her new administrative position entails different duties. While she no longer teaches Latin in the Upper School, Thorn still teaches Latin class in the middle school. continue to occupy her during the summer as well. While students are away, she will prepare schedules for the 2019-2020 school year.

Thorn misses teaching and her interactions with students; however,

she is still working in the classroom, teaching a Middle School Latin class.

“I think it’s important for administrators to still have time in the classroom with the students cause we’re here to educate the students,” Thorn

said. Despite this philosophy, she did not express intentions of switching back to the classroom any time soon.

She recognizes the significance of her work.“What I’m doing now is important for the school,” she said.

TOWER/OCTOBER 26, 2018

SPORTS

Player safety from fans requires stringency Sports Opinion Analysis Drew Schott Opinion Design Editor

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uring a Sunday Night Football matchup on Oct. 14, 16.2 million people watched the New England Patriots upset the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs 43-40 at their home field, Gillette Stadium, in Foxborough, MA. However, after the game’s conclusion, analysts found, among the various highlights, that one moment was highly controversial.

With three minutes left in the fourth quarter, Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill raced 75 yards to the end zone to tie the game at 40. As he ran towards a stadium barrier to slow his momentum, Hill was harassed by various Patriots fans, who gave him the middle finger, and one even doused him with beer.

These actions were met with little consequence, as the only individual penalized was the beer-throwing fan, a 21 year-old Mansfield, Massachusetts resident who received a lifetime ban from the stadium by the Patriots. As the fans who hounded Hill exhib-

it why the rowdy nature of certain supporters must be prohibited, it remains whether the National Football League (NFL) has done enough to ensure player safety.

Despite Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid telling Hill that unruly Patriots fans “come with the territory,” the receiver, and any player who is harassed by fans, must be protected. Hill, if he works with the NFL Players Association, a union that can file grievances against the NFL on behalf of any player, will put pressure on Commissioner Roger Goodell to create future League policy that punishes disorderly fan conduct.

Even though the Patriots have their own policy for activity inside Gillette Stadium that condemns obscene gestures and excessive behavior, a set of rules is not enough for New England or the NFL’s other 31 franchises to eliminate disturbing fans. To remedy this issue, banning the sale of alcohol can create an enthusiastic, yet non-combative stadium environment. There is currently no ban on NFL venues selling alcohol. However, according to an article by The New York Times, when the Patriots stopped selling beer at Sullivan Stadium in the 1980’s, arrest rates at games dropped from 30-40 people to five, exhibiting how the elimination of

BROOK WARD/FLICKR

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS WIDE receiver Tyreek Hill dives for a ball in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hill was greeted with inappropriate gestures and doused with beer by New England Patriots fans in a game at Gillete Stadium earlier this month, actions which were subject to a lot of criticism following the incident.

alcohol may lead to more civil behavior.

Decreasing alcohol consumption at games can only benefit the NFL because it has the possibility to reduce supporters’ chances of acting improperly. Even though this ban may not have a direct correlation on halting behaviors, such as giving players the middle finger, the decision would clearly send a message that the NFL is trying to make its stadium environments as fair and as safe as possible for athletes to perform in. As a result, Goodell should designate an alcohol ban on the NFL that is league-wide and gives franchises no agency on deciding whether to distribute alcoholic products.

It is incredibly difficult to ensure the 21-year-old resident from Mansfield is forever banned from Gillette Stadium because 67,000 fans attend each Patriots home game. To truly dole out an effective punishment, the franchise should continue to work with local law enforcement in order to prosecute the man on charges of disorderly conduct and throwing an object at a sporting event. It is likely the fan will make a deal with prosecutors to avoid jail time after his visit at Wrentham District Court, but it shouldn’t be ignored that he violated Massachusetts law. By engaging in disruptive behavior and heaving his beer cup at Hill, it can be inferred that the security teams at Gillette Stadium, and possibly other NFL venues, are weak in upholding proper conduct of fans. If the fan is prosecuted, as recommended

by Hill’s agent Drew Rosenhaus,, or even identified and condemned by name, the NFL will not only exemplify its commitment to uphold rightful stadium conduct, but also, catalyze the creation of more stringent security measures to remove drunk and disorderly fans.

The NFL will not be able to stop every rowdy fan from entering one of its 31 stadiums across the country; however, it is critical that when thousands of supporters gather to watch a football game, whether it is a preseason matchup or the Super Bowl, there is a precedent of how they shall behave in order to ensure a fair environment for players to perform is created.

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NBA kicks off new season with a bang Shawn FarhaDian Lead Sports Editor

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he official start of the 201819 NBA season, which is set to turn heads, draw cheers, and attract viewers from across the world, kicked off with wild opening games this month. The Boston Celtics hosted the Philadelphia 76ers to open a nationally televised doubleheader that also featured an intense matchup between the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder and the Golden State Warriors, the league’s defending champions for the past two seasons.

Both the Celtics and Warriors won their games at home, and are also the favorites to make this year’s Finals.

This season, moreover, is set to be one of the most controversial years in league history―the Warriors’ “superteam” starting lineup, featuring five different All-Stars, is already being dubbed as the most talented basketball dynasty of all time, ranking ahead of Michael Jordan’s 1990s Chicago Bulls. For the past few seasons, the Warriors have consistently been listed as the odds-on favorite to become champions, and have done so three out of the past four years.

“I’m feeling excited,” senior and Warriors fan Jackson Stanich said. “I think a lot of teams have gotten a lot better, but I also think a lot of people forget that there are still 82 games in the regular season, and health is still a factor.”

Meanwhile, NBA superstar LeBron James left his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, for a second time in order to join the storied Los Angeles Lakers franchise, the NBA’s Eastern Conference is almost desolate, leaving Boston to become its new powerhouse team, with players such as Gordon Hayward, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, and Kyrie Irving―a New York area native.

“I’ve been waiting to see the Celtics play. I think that they have an amazing lineup and an amazing team,” senior and avid basketball fan

KEITH ALLISON/FLICKR

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS’ GUARD Stephen Curry takes a shot. Curry’s team is a heavy favorite to make the NBA Finals this season.

Abdoul Bah said. “I fully expect them to reach the finals this year.”

Locally, the New York Knicks won their home opener 126-107 against a young, rebuilding Atlanta Hawks team in an impressive fashion on Oct. 17, with bright spots shining through rookies Kevin Knox and Allonzo Trier in the absence of the Knicks’ star player, Kristaps Porzingis, due to injury. One breakaway dunk from Trier, who went undrafted this past June, made national highlight reels the following morning. “I put a lot of time in and worked really hard, so I had to come in and play with effort, play with energy and be a spark,” Trier said in a postgame interview.

The Brooklyn Nets narrowly lost their first game of the season against the Detroit Pistons 103-100, although their weaknesses showed, including their shooting percentages and rebounding attempts, there were some highlights; second-year center Jarrett Allen had an emphatic block on one of the NBA’s most skilled forwards, Blake Griffin, and guard Spencer Dinwiddie finished with 23 points off the bench.

Although the Knicks and Nets are longshots to even make the playoffs this year, it will be a chance for them to rebuild their young rosters ahead of a 2019 offseason set to include big spending sprees on marquee free agents. As for the rest of the league, their goals will be focused on stopping the Warriors from completing another successful title run.

Historic franchises clash in epic World Series battle Shawn FarhaDian Lead Sports Editor

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fter a thrilling postseason filled with diving catches, impressive home runs, and superhuman throws, the 2018 World Series is featuring two of the most storied franchises in baseball: the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles

Dodgers.

This is the first time that the two teams have met in the Fall Classic since 1916, back when the Dodgers were known as the Brooklyn Robins and featured current Hall of Famers Rube Marquard, Zack Wheat and Casey Stengel. Meanwhile, the Red Sox’s roster included Babe Ruth, a star who could play multiple positions and is often considered to be

the greatest player in the history of the sport. Ruth would pitch thirteen scoreless innings in Game 2 of the series en route to winning Boston’s fourth overall championship.

Circumstances were much different 102 years ago than now―there were only sixteen professional teams at the time and there was no formal postseason tournament―but the competition is still equally as in-

tense, as both of this year’s finalists made strong runs to reach this pinnacle.

The Red Sox, led by five 2018 AllStars and first year manager Alex Cora, finished the year as baseball’s most successful team, winning 108 regular season games, a franchise record. The team led the MLB in nearly every major statistical batting category, and eliminated a young New

York Yankees squad and the defending-champion Houston Astros in the postseason on their way to their fourteenth American League championship. Boston is looking to win their fourth title since 2004 and has homefield advantage in the World Series.

The Dodgers are one of baseball’s biggest surprises this year, making their second straight trip to the final stage after coming up short in Game 7 of last year’s series. The team suffered early, going 16-26 to begin the year, but soon went on a 76-45 hot streak to win their sixth straight National League West division championship. The Dodgers have won six World Series titles in their combined 135 seasons in Brooklyn and Los Angeles.

Eyes are set on superstars J.D. Martinez and Mookie Betts of the Red Sox and Manny Machado and Matt Kemp of the Dodgers in what is sure to be an offensive shootout, in addition to quality pitching from Boston’s Chris Sale and Los Angeles’ Clayton Kershaw.

Game 3 of the World Series will be nationally televised on Friday, followed by Game 4 set to kick off on Saturday.

ARTURO PA RDAVILA III/FLICKR

LOGAN SCHICIANO/TOWER

DESPITE A ROUGHT OUTING in Game 1, giving up five runs in an 8-4 loss to the Red Sox, Clayton Kershaw (above) has shown his dominace this postseason, pitching a 2.37 ERA in 19 innings prior to the World Series, according to MLB.com.

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FEATURES AND ARTS

TOWER/OCTOBER 26, 2018

Sophomore super-chefs wow Masters DaviD Oks Lead Magazine Editor Few schools can say they’re home to some of the best young chefs in America. Yet Masters can boast not one, but two cullinary prodigies who have competed in some of the toughest arenas of the cooking world.

Sophomores Aidan Friedson and Elizabeth Oakes are both proud alumni of cooking-based reality shows. For Friedson, the show in question was Chopped Junior, on which he was featured three times.

He first landed on the national radar in December 2015, making his debut TV appearance as a contestant on the show. Pitted against three other young chefs, Friedson wowed judges—including homemaking mogul Martha Stewart—with his cooking chops. He returned in 2017, winning a returning-champions round, only to lose out in “Champions: Grand Finale.”

Friedson exhibited extraordinary cullinary creativity on the show. In his triumphant returning-champions round, Friedson, with only 30 minutes on the clock, worked with a luscious array of flavorful ingredients—crab claws, red finger chiles, pomelo, and Parker House bread rolls—to pull off an appetizing meal that impressed the judges enough to hand him a victory.

Friedson’s time on Chopped Junior wasn’t just a good way to show off his talent, however. “On the show I learned how to persevere through tough challenges and make something great from notthe-best situations,” he said.

Friedson said his experiences on television “opened doors in the cullinary world.” He was a line chef at the popular Red Rooster restaurant in Harlem, New York, a “On the show I learned how to persevere through tough challenges and make something great.”

- AIDAN FRIEDSON, ‘21 full seven years younger than the youngest adult there. He cooked for The New York Times, exhibiting his burger-making skills in a video they produced. “It taught me a lot about corporate cooking,” he said.

Despite his precocious success in the food world, what drives Friedson isn’t accolodates: it’s the craft.

“I love to cook because I get to put my creativity and love into everything I make,” he said. He’s particularly fond of American fusion, which he cited as his favorite cuisine.

“I’ve been cooking since I was three, and it’s become like a second sense of mine,” he said. With deep passion and years of experience,

his skills are hard to match.

And yet there’s a challenger for unrivaled cooking supremacy at Masters: Friedson’s fellow sophomore Elizabeth Oakes. Oakes, who also appeared on Chopped Junior and was a guest on Beat Bobby Flay, is a Dobbs Ferry resident who’s been passionate about cooking since the age of five, when she saw an episode of Chopped. With a specialty in seafood (she described “pan-seared scallops over lardons and cucumber with balsamic vinaigrette” as one of her signature dishes to Westchester Magazine in May 2017), Oakes is a near-expert in the culinary world. She considers Thomas Keller of Per Se, the prestigious New York eatery, her favorite chef.

Oakes didn’t start cooking until she was eight. “I did always have an interest in the kitchen and helped out from time to time,” she said. But it was only when she went to a cooking camp over the summer that her passion for food was born. “I love cooking because I love food,” she said. “I feel like I have an appreciation now that I didn’t have before I started cooking. I love putting flavors together and creating new dishes.”

Years of practice brought her to the point that she was able to compete among the most elite young chefs in America on Chopped Junior. Being on the show “was an experience I’ll never forget,” she said.

COURTESY OF ELIZABETH OAKES

NEW SOPHOMORE ELIZABETH OAKES showcased one of her many signature seafood dishes “pan-seared scallops over lardons and cucumber with balsamic vinaigrette”, to Westchester Magazine in May 2017.

“All of the crew members and the judges and everyone that you don’t get to see on camera puts so much into the production and they’re all incredible to work with.”

“Cooking is one of the things that makes me who I am,” Oakes said. “When someone tastes my food and they smile, it makes me so happy,” she added.

For now, at least, Oakes isn’t sure she wants to be a professional chef. “I’m not actually sure what I

want to be when I grow up, though being a chef is something I’ve definitely thought about.”

No matter what Friedson and Oakes ultimately decide to do, it’s clear that Masters can claim something few schools can: two national-level chefs in one grade. And if the School ever decides to have its own Iron Chef—well, it’s anyone’s guess.

DoPA creates new opportunities with Musical Revue Michelle Wei Features Design Editor

The Department of Performing Arts is introducing Masters’ first ever musical revue, or cabaret, program this year.

Like past years, there will still be a fall play, winter musical, Spring Shorts, and Phoenix Presents, aside from the new musical revue. The winter musical, Fiddler on the Roof, will occur concurrently with the revue. However, this new program is meant to provide more options for students, according to Jennifer Carnevale, the chair of the Department of Performing Arts.

First suggested at a faculty meeting, the Department took into consideration different factors that might affect how beneficial the musical revue would be. In recent years, the musical has had an overflow of interest from students. The Department even contemplated cutting students from the program.

This shows in last year’s musical, Spring Awakening where the Department tried to include as many students as they could, resulting in a cast of 47 students.

With such a large cast, however, problems arose in different areas, like in costuming. Still, the Department felt that cutting so many students was wrong because if students wanted to improve their performing, they deserved a space to do it. The Department also con-

Requirement will also be accounted for in the revue.

George Croom will be the director of the musical revue program.

Croom is a private voice lesson instructor and is in his second year of teaching the musical theater workshop at Masters. Outside of Masters, Croom has extensive experience with directing musical workshops at Clocktower Players, Irvington’s resident theater company.

Junior Chelsea Hall said, “I’m looking forward to working with Mr. Croom. He brings out the best in me and really pushes me to be the best I can be.”

The choreographer of the revue will be Jason Reiff, who is in his first year of being a full time faculty member, teaching drama and dance in the middle school. Reiff will also be choreographing the winter musical. Amanda Labonte will be the technical director for both the musical and the musical revue, and Julianne Cunningham will be the costumer for both productions as well.

“It’s a really good use of stuVINCENT ALBAN/TOWER dent time and it contributes sigSENIOR AND JUNIOR JAKE Hoffman (left) and Nora Fellas (right) rehearse for the fall play, Museum, which will premiere on nificantly to musical theater edFriday, October 26 and be performed again on Saturday, October 27. Both will be participating in the Winter Musical Season. ucation and the program. It’s a sidered students who may have less The musical revue will directly to give everyone who might want a worthwhile endeavor. The revue time to commit to the musical, for replace the winter play and will be solo exactly that. The flexible script is just a different experience, not a number of reasons. For example, showcased the first weekend of Feb- will be built around students to less than the musical; it’s equally some students, especially seniors, ruary. The revue differs from the showcase their individual strengths valuable as an experience,” Carchoose to study at a music conser- musical because it allows space for and focus more on the music. Some nevale said. Carnevale hopes that vatory elsewhere. The musical re- the music selections to be more tai- acting scenes might be added to tie students will stay open to the new vue would allow those students to lored to the students participating the songs together but it will de- program and recognize the signifiparticipate in school production, as in it, to get the practice they want. pend on the interest and song selec- cance of the revue. well as practice outside of school.

The nature of the revue is meant tion. Additionally, Athletic Credit

Dance company presents ‘visual advocacy’ NOra Fellas Contributing Writer

VINCENT ALBAN/TOWER

MASTERS DANCE COMPANY STUDENTS Katherine Sibery, Katherine Sharon, and Amita Khurana prepare their costumes for their upcoming performances on November 9 and 10. The show centers around the school-wide theme this year, advocacy.

Dance is advocacy. Take it from Dance Company director, Shell Benjamin, who said that their first performance of the year is centered around the school-wide theme of advocacy–but it’s about more than just shining a light, it’s about being doers.

“Dancing is like being an advocate. It’s not just a mindset–it’s a practice,” Victoria Mayorga, a senior, and a new Dance Company member, said. The performance features choreography in six different styles, including the newto-Masters, Dancehall, popular in Grenada.

Each of the featured pieces focuses on a different social justice issue; including gun violence, LGBTQ+ rights, and Puerto Rico. Mayorga explained, “It’s not about the issues just being sad — it’s about empowering, and teaching people how to be an advocate and the styles that were chosen really express that.”

She added, “These styles show all sides: the pain, emotions, and empowerment of being an advocate.”

The dancers have been training since before the start of the school year in preparation for this performance. They began during pre-season with auditions and have been collaborating with their choreographers and learning intricate movements for the last few months, so they hope they get a large audience.

Even though their work is challenging, the dancers feel it is worth it because, as Mayorga put it, “It makes you feel like it’s not high school -- like it’s a serious thing.

The process is so worth it, it doesn’t matter the outcome.”

Throughout the process, the dancers have worked with choreographers from all over the world, including Karen Ng, a hip-hop instructor from Hong Kong, and Caitlin Trainor, a Barnard College Lecturer. They have also worked with two of Masters’ own: Benjamin, and Celeste Rivera, an alumna.

“Each choreographer has a personal story inspiring their piece,” sophomore and second-year Dance

Company member Kate Sibery said. Benjamin also encouraged her students to find a personal story to focus on while they dance.

Sibery also notes that, while the theme of advocacy is a huge part of what makes this performance special, students should also come just to support their peers. “When you have sports teams, or actors, who have been preparing for months, you support them. So even if dance is not something that you typically enjoy, just come to support us.”

Sibery said that, given the poignant theme, everyone in the audience should interpret the dances differently. She added, “Even if you find one small movement in a piece that you really connected with, that’s enough.” Finally, Mayorga reflected that this process has been particularly special for her because it brings “visual advocacy.” She added, “That’s hard to find unless you’re going to a protest, but here, it’s brought to Masters’ doorstep.”

Performances will be taking place on November 8, at 4:00 p.m., and at 7:00 p.m. on Oct 9 and 10.

SportS

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SPORTS

TOWER/OCTOBER 26, 2018

Young athletes rise to the occasion this fall Girls’ Varsity Tennis swings into action

Underclassmen storm the pitch

Shawn Farhadian

Logan Schiciano

Lead Sports Editor

Sports Design Editor

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ith more young talent and stronger chemistry, Masters’ Girls’ Varsity Tennis has been winning matches and experiencing success as of late, building off of momentum from their recent contests. The team’s positive outcomes are more evident this season than in years past, as these signs are pointing towards an upward trend of growth for the program.

“This season been an improvement from last year,” senior co-captain Katie Accetta said. “I think that the team has really come together.”

Led by Accetta and senior co-captain Emily Auslander, as well as head coaches and Upper School teachers Greg Lesser and William Roberts, the team has won two of its last five matches. Both of these victories came with big help from younger players, as freshman Kira Ratan (number one singles player) and sophomores Eliza Abady, Sophie Grand, and Anastasiia Gorobets all contributed to the team’s respective 5-0 and 5-2 wins.

“This year has especially brought a lot of excitement,” Lesser said. “It’s really exciting to see these new players who are already pretty strong, because in a year or two, with a little more matchplay experience, people will be able to see that the team will be a lot stronger.”

Abady, who plays second singles, noted that her role on the varsity team as a sophomore was initially surprising, but she has since felt more comfortable due to help from Lesser,

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VINCENT ALBAN/TOWER

FRESHMAN KIRA RATAN PREPARES to strike an incoming tennis ball. Masters’ Girls Varsity Tennis has seen success with the help of its underclassmen members.

Roberts, Auslander, and Accetta. ing to an end, the program’s success “I wasn’t expecting to be this high is just beginning, as the team looks in the lineup as a sophomore, but I towards the future of the program feel like I’m used to it now because with the departure of senior team the team has been really supportive,” veterans Auslander, Accetta, Morgan Abady said. “I think that Emily, Ka- Brettschneider, and Charlotte Bentie, and the coaches are really helping son at the end of this year. us all improve.”

“Our last couple of matches will Auslander had high praise for the be against teams that we’ve played team and its future as well, acknowl- already, so it’ll be interesting to see edging that its underclassmen, such how the team does in comparison to as Abady, have been crucial to the the first time we played them, even if team’s success. “It’s so great seeing you’re not winning the match,” Lessour young talent succeed and play er said. “Hopefully we will have some really well, as that’s been a real focal more winnable matches and finish point of the program over the past the season more comfortable playing couple of years,” Auslander said. matches and on a strong note.”

Although the fall season is com-

Cross Country continues strong run Mitch Fink Web Content Editor

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oming off a 2017 season with lots of young talent, the Masters’ cross country team has now become a formidable FAA opponent. The Panthers are without star runner Junior Sabian Grier due to injury, but with consistency, Masters has solidified fourth place in the FAA standings going into championships, right behind local rival Rye Country Day School.

Junior runner Max Levy said, “We’ve made improvements since last season, even though we lost our number one runner [Grier] to injury.” The loss of Grier is clear-

ly a major setback, but according to Levy, the Panthers have still found ways to improve. “This year we have less distractions, and we’re working harder together as a team.” Levy said.

It seems to be a new era for Masters’ Cross Country, and their meet finishes are certainly reflecting that. In the Storm King Invitational Meet on Saturday, Oct. 18, Sophomore Brenna Hazen came first in the girls race, and Schiciano and Junior Mike VanDemark both placed in the top ten on the boys’ side. In an FAA meet the following week, Schiciano placed in the top ten and followed that up by winning the New York Military Academy Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 20, where he team

also finished first overall.

Senior Emma Goodman, the captain of the girls’ team, has been impressed by the younger runners, “A lot of them have never run before, yet they’ve shown more commitment and determination than I ever had as an underclassman, and it’s been very impressive to see them improve.” Goodman, who has run Cross Country during all four years of high school, plans to complete her senior year by running Indoor Track and Track and Field, making her a 12 season varsity athlete.

With the end-of-season championship meets right around the corner, the team as a whole looks to finish strong with the momentum behind them.

he fall season is in full force and the Boys’ Varsity Soccer team can be spotted practicing on Greene Field, grinding through practices and competing in games with regularity. The 22 boys on the roster have been growing together through the ups and downs of the season.

The team has not lost a league game in the Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA) by more than one goal all season, as they’ve gone 2-3-1 in league play thus far, most recently defeating Hamden Hall Country Day School 2-1. Considering how young the team is, the results are certainly respectable.

There are nine underclassmen on the squad this season, which is an unexpectedly high number for the program―last year, there was not a single freshman that began the season on the team, according to Coach Brendan Barrios. Moreover, there are only six returning players.

With this many spots up for grabs, sophomores Grayham Church, Julian Dennis, Dominic Florian, Reed Gilmore, Nicolas (Nico) Masseroli and Mariano Russo, and freshmen Kyle Benson, Wonjun Lee, and Daniel Medina all seized the opportunity to join the team.

Barrios had high praise for the young varsity studs: “These players are very technically talented and tactically aware of where they need to be.

Now, the best thing to help them become more comfortable at this level is game experience.”

According to Barrios, many of these younger players have matured playing at a high level for local clubs, such as Eastern FC, owned by Masters’ Boys Varsity Soccer Head Coach Ray Franklin. Medina, a club player him-

self, scored the game winning goal in the Hamden Hall win.

This young team is filling the shoes of arguably the most successful class in the history of the program. In its past four years, the team has won two FAA Championships and have made it to the league finals three times. In addition, they went to the New York Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) semi-finals last year and made it to the New England Private Schools Athletic Conference (NEPSAC) final two years ago.

Barrios looks to his seniors, specifically captains Ben McGowan, Noel Gorodetsky and Jacob Vietorisz, to be role models for the younger players, as many of them were part of the program’s recent achievements. “They know what the expectations are and the culture that we present. They know what it takes to work hard and how to set an example for the younger players.”

Jesse Wexler, one of the seniors on the team, expressed his enthusiasm about getting to share the field with the underclassmen, but also explained that they’ve had to adapt their playing style accordingly. “When you’re younger, especially in soccer, you tend to be more selfish in the game. Something we’re really working on, which I as a senior have to lead us towards, is sharing the ball a lot. Since we have mostly underclassman, we have a smaller team in terms of height, which means we have to connect and play like a symbiotic machine.”

“If we can add more depth to the foundation of underclassman that we have, we can really get back to the high levels of success in the coming years,” Barrios said. He feels that he as a coach has a responsibility to help them obtain this success. “As a new batch of players comes through, it’s another opportunity to start again and help them grow, see them through their journey, and hopefully be a ‘power for good’ in their life as well.”

VINCENT ALBAN/TOWER

SOPHOMORE GRAYAM CHURCH FAKES out an opponent at a game against Trevor Day. Boys’ Varsity Soccer has featured lots of underclassmen talent this season.

Girls’ Varsity Soccer succeeds despite injuries, fueled by young talent Logan Schiciano Sports Design Editor

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egardless of talent, high school sports programs must eventually face the reality that star players are not going

VINCENT ALBAN/TOWER

GIRL’S VARSITY SOCCER CAPTAIN JJ Marquez dribbles the ball.. Though she was injured during the season, the team has relied on a foundation of underclassmen to move forward.

to be on the team for more than four years. However, Masters’ Girls’ Varsity Soccer team is building a foundation that will grow in the years to come. Out of the 24 girls on the roster, two-thirds are underclassmen.

Freshman Ava Ledermann, a forward, was part of Masters’ successful Middle School program, and feels a strong bond with the players on varsity. “It’s been different than some of my other experiences with soccer teams because we’re all so close and it’s like a family,” she said.

These players, who already have years of experience, have improved the team’s results. For a team that was blanked in the win column a season ago, they have already notched three wins and a tie this year, and the underclassmen have played a big part. One of the most notable performances to this point was Ledermann’s hat trick on Oct. 10, which fueled a 6-1 defeat of the Calhoun School.

Head coach Hernando Santamaria also mentioned Stephanie Sanchez, a freshman and sophomore Grace Falci, along with other key additions whom have greatly impacted the team’s success.

There’s been a lot to be excited about thus far, but the adversity this team has faced should also be noted. Injuries have plagued many key players, most notably senior star JJ Marquez, who went down with an MCL injury in a game during Family Weekend.

“JJ was our captain and the one who kept the team together. At first when she was gone, it kind of felt a little loose and wild, but others have stepped up and we’ve been able to keep it together and still work hard,” Ledermann said.

Sophomore Francesca Mann pointed out that despite Marquez not being able to play, she’s still very much involved: “She brings a lot of spirit to the team even though she’s not playing.

She’s always screaming on the bench

and always cheering for us.”

Mann, the team’s starting goalie, suffered an injury herself. She broke her pinky in a game against Greens Farms Academy on Oct. 1, and was sidelined for a couple of weeks. During her leave, however, freshman Isabella Shinkar filled the void and received high praise from Coach Santamaria.

“She’s been pretty smooth in goal, which has helped ease the pain of not having Francesca,” Santamaria said.

Despite the injuries, the future looks promising with all the up and coming players, though Coach Santamaria understands the importance of keeping everything in perspective. “While it would certainly be nice to bring an FAA [Fairchester Athletic Association] Championship to the school, I think my biggest accomplishment is being able to achieve that longevity, where we can be good and competitive for years, and where we can help the girls’ side keep growing,” he said.