November/December 2014 by Pembroke Hill Voice

The Voice November/December 2014

Fall Play 6

29 Podcast

Contents

November/December 2014

Cole Kiersznowski

Black Friday

A Pembroke hill student’s experience working in the world of pro sports

How to navigate the craziest day of the year

No-Shave November

12 Q&A Getting to know Ms. Jones and Dr. Niermann unmasked in sixteen questions

“And now, thanks to the hipsters, the internet, and teenage boys, No-Shave November has taken on a new meaning. ” p. 20

The inspiration behind Pembroke’s most notorious beards

Above

Pembroke Hill alum Auyon Mukharji and his band, Darlingside.

On the Cover

Matthew Nelson ‘15 and Delaney Northington ‘18 in the PHS production of Tartuffe. Correction: September cover photo credit to Angela Garza.

Buzz

Holidays

Edited by Devon Dietrich and Olive Honan

Close to

Abe Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday.

The heaviest turkey ever raised was 86 pounds.

Black Friday is the busiest day of the year for plumbers.

million turkeys are eaten at Thanksgiving

Test your know-how on some trivia questions.

Nearly

Answers are at the bottom of the page.

of Americans eat turkey at Thanksgiving.

1. According to a poll of Americans nationwide, what is the favorite season?

Enough candy canes are made a year to cover the Earth

2. What are the three Zodiac signs of the fall?

a. Winter b. Spring c. Summer d. Fall

a. Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius b. Leo, Virgo, Libra c. Aquarius, Pisces, Aries

d. Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn

3. A pumpkin is a vegetable. a. True times.

b. False

4. Which of the following is America’s pumpkin capital? a. Parsippany, New York

b. Half Moon Bay, California

c. Benton Harbor, Michigan d. Hagerstown, Maryland 5. The world’s largest pumpkin pie was made in Ohio in 2010 and weighed nearly _____ pounds. a. 75 b. 250 c. 510 d. 3,700 percent of Americans celebrate Christmas.

Americans eat an average of

6. What food was NOT served at the first Thanksgiving? a. Swan b. Lobster c. Potatoes d. Venison 7. What is the meaning of the word “Hanukkah?” a. Re-Dedication b. Gift of Light c. Family Remembrance d. Eight Days of Hope 8. What is the coldest recorded temperature (degrees Fahrenheit) in Kansas City? a. -13 b. -17 c. -19 d. -23 Answers: 1. d, 2. a, 3. b, 4. b, 5. d, 6. c, 7. c, 8. d

pounds of turkey each year.

Sports Qualifiers Lauren Washington Contributor Pembroke Hill’s fall sports this year had many achievements! Boys soccer, boys swimming, girls golf, cross country, volleyball, and tennis teams brought back some serious hardware. Boys soccer, coached by head coach Matt Pritchett and assistant coaches Reed Kroh, Eric Kronberg and Justin Young, had a tremendously strong season. They won the district title and their first match in Sectionals. Anton Nagy ‘15 said, “Even though we played a really tough schedule against good, large schools, we never let our morale drop. We always supported each other and really came together as a team as the season went on. It was an honor to be a part of this team my senior year, and I will miss it so much.” The boys swimming team, coached by Chad Holmes, had an exceptional season. Spencer Schmid ‘17 qualified for the state championships. All swimmers dropped significant amounts of time throughout the season. At the Independent League Championship meet, the team placed 4th. Everyone medalled in at least one event at the ILC Championships. Spencer Schmid related, “I think swimming is a great way to get in shape, and I think it’s a skill everyone should learn.” The girls golf team coached by Andrea Wolfe advanced to State. At Districts, the team won 1st place, and India Gaume ‘18 won 1st in the individual competition. The team got 3rd place at State in Springfield, Missouri. Individually, the whole team performed exceptionally well, and India Gaume ‘18 placed 6th overall. Charlotte Hendricks ‘16 said, “The team hasn’t made it to State as a whole team in a few years, and making it as a team adds a whole new level of competition to the tournament. But as a team, we were super excited because it was the tournament we had prepared for all year. We are all looking forward to next year!” Cross Country’s motto, “Team Love,” makes the team one of the closest at Pembroke Hill. Both the girls and boys teams, coached by Tom Medlock and Steve Kapp, won Districts and competed at State. At Districts, Evan Peterson ‘16 placed 1st, James Parkerson ‘16 placed 3rd, Julia Rosher ‘18 placed 2nd, and Kealy Kornitzer ‘16 placed 3rd. At State, the girls team placed 8th overall. Individually, Rosher finished 17th, and Peterson finished 7th. Peterson set the school record with a time of 16’25”, and Rosher set the freshman school record with a time of 19’58”, which is the 7th fastest in our school’s history at State. As a team, the boys team placed 12th. This year’s girls team is the second best in all of school history. The varsity volleyball team, coached by Lynn O’Toole and Todd Harris, is the Class 3 District Champ. Maya Hill ‘16 said, “It feels amazing to have the District title back at PHS after so long. Every year we’ve worked towards this goal. To finally reach it is amazing. The team was extremely motivated this season. We almost felt as though we had something to prove because we were such a young varsity squad. I think we definitely proved something to those older teams this season. I can’t wait to come back next season for another shot at the State title.” This year, the tennis team also won its first state championship since 2005! Individual finalists include Yurie Heard ‘16, who placed first in the singles competition. Cindy Wang ‘15 and Ellison Rooney ‘16 placed second in their doubles match. The team, coached by Dale Eshelbrenner and Tiffani Pearson, had the honor of being selected as a FOX 4 Team of the Week. The regular season and postseason efforts were a pleasure for all to watch. Congratulations to all the athletes and coaches for their seasons. The PHS community is eager to see the tremendous accomplishments that await our winter and spring sports teams. n

Sports Managers Grace McFee Copy Chief We all know (or should know) the members of our sports teams. They are our friends and our classmates, and we see many of them each week at assembly, when they get up on stage to announce awards won in games and events most of us didn’t attend. However, integral members that form part of the team dynamic, our managers, are often disregarded or mislabeled as unimportant bystanders who only participate for sports credit. They are essential members of any team and often form a crucial link between all the members of a sport because they are beloved by the athletes. The Voice interviewed a selection of these student managers who agreed to attempt to rectify their unfortunate reputations by sharing their thoughts and experiences regarding their teams.

Dakota Van Deursen Manages: The Pembroke Hill School’s Varsity Boys, Varsity Girls, JV Boys, JV Girls, and (sometimes) C Boys Cross Country Teams of Erudition and Justice. Favorite: Getting to track down underclassmen and beat them up for not doing things on time. Workload: How much work do I do? Don’t get me started on the spreadsheets. I’m still drowning in XC homework and the season is over. Just...several hours...every night. Yeah. Best Moment: Tough question, but I think stealing salt shakers from all the restaurants we go to might eke out ahead of all the others. Funniest Stories: Graham ‘18 posing in Devon ‘17’s running shorts. That or none of this year’s senior guys ever getting Varsity letters. Insider Info: It’s not a good idea to run down carpeted hotel hallways in bare feet the night before your state competition.

Grace Vedock Manages: Elena Humphrey and I manage the field hockey team and have a great time hanging out with the people on it. Favorite: It’s nice to be part of a team because you meet so many new people and get to have fun with an amazing group of girls every day, just taking a break from school and homework and stress. Best Part: Not having to run...instead I get to point and laugh at panting, sweaty players as they moan and groan about it. Best Moment: Team dinners, obviously. The food is incredible, not to mention all the fun shenanigans that happen during the dinners. Best Perk: Managing the scoreboard is fun when you get to press the buzzer...you feel very important.

Emily Beasley Manages: Volleyball team. There were a lot of reasons I started managing the team: I needed sports credit, playing sports sucked, and I didn’t want to do workouts. Why Volleyball?: I picked volleyball because I had more friends on volleyball than most other teams. And the sport is so much fun to watch. Volleyball is so fast paced and strategic that the only time you could be bored is during halftime. Favorite: I was very lucky to have such a great team and such great coaches to stand alongside with. My favorite moments of the season were the bus rides: everyone chills and jokes around and tries not to think about the game ahead to keep their nerves down. Best Part: I came to be so close with so many amazing friends thanks to volleyball, and I wouldn’t trade my memories from the team for anything. Best Stories: I can’t tell you the best stories because then they wouldn’t be as special.... And we’d get in trouble.

t a r t

Gina Pepitone Staff Writer On October 24 and 25, after many weeks of preparation and dedication, students performed in this year’s the fall play, one of the most famous theatrical comedies ever written, Tartuﬀe. The plot is centered around Orgon, the head of a prosperous family, who has taken in Tartuffe, a man who falsely claims to be a holy man. Orgon and his mother are the only ones who believe his façade, but the rest of Orgon's relatives, including his wife and brother-in-law, see right through Tartuffe. Orgon tells his daughter, Mariane, that she will be marrying Tartuffe instead of Valère, her fiancé. Even though she truly loves Valère, Mariane has trouble refusing her father's wishes. Meanwhile, Tartuffe attempts to seduce Orgon's wife, Elmire. She refuses to be anything more than just friends with Tartuffe, staying loyal to her husband. Elmire presents an ultimatum

to Tartuffe: if he will convince Orgon to let Mariane marry Valère, Elmire won't tell Orgon how Tartuffe has been trying to seduce her. Then Damis, Orgon’s son, decides to outright tell Orgon that Tartuffe is trying to steal Elmire's heart, but Orgon refuses to believe him. Orgon instead disinherits Damis and makes Tartuffe the sole heir to Orgon's fortune. Elmire decides that Tartuffe’s secrets must be revealed as quickly as possible. She makes Orgon hide under a table while she "seduces" Tartuffe. Orgon is horrified by what he sees and confronts Tartuffe. After this confrontation, Orgon orders Tartuffe to leave his house, and as he storms off, Tartuffe vows to get back at Orgon. At this point in the play, Orgon realizes how deep of a hole he has dug himself into, for Orgon has already signed over all his possessions to Tartuffe. In addition, the swindler has run off with

Carlie Sherman ‘15 and Amanda Rivard ‘15 play a distressed teenager and a wise maid, respectively. Photo credits to Jon Northington.

some incriminating documents to ruin Orgon's reputation. When all the people in the house begin to panic, they desperately plan their next course of action, but it is too late. Tartuffe shows up, policeman in tow, to arrest Orgon. Even though he has shown Orgon’s illegal documents to the King, the policeman arrests Tartuffe instead. The policeman explains that the wise King could see through Tartuffe's ruse instantly. Orgon is given back his property and absolved of any wrongdoing while Tartuffe is taken away. The plotline of the production proved to be very elaborate, and the script was full of elevated diction and rhyme schemes as well; however, the cast did an impeccable job executing the play. Amanda Rivard ‘15 explains, “The rhyme in the script was hard to work with at first but it got really fun, and everyone found themselves talking in

u f f e rhyme in their everyday speech, which was hilarious.” Many members of the cast have shared fond memories while putting together the production, but one in particular is a favorite among all. During a rehearsal quite near to the show, Ms. Cain could tell that the entire cast’s energy was down and that they were very nervous for the upcoming performance, so she had them act out the entire show. However, instead of reciting their lines, everyone would substitute their dialogue with pure gibberish. “It was absolutely ridiculous, and definitely brought the energy up,” says Spencer Thut ‘16. “Something that seemed completely silly actually turned the mood around, and we all had a good laugh.” Jack Reardon ‘17 also shares, "My favorite Paolo Laskero ‘18 plays a ravishing young man named Valere. Photo credits to Jon Northington. part of Tartuﬀe was that I had somewhere to be every day after school where everyone was working toward something positive.”

“the most remarkable part of the process was how well everyone’s characters fit their actors’ personalities”

Elmire, Elizabeth Lacy ‘15, contrives a plot to show the deceitful nature of Tartuffe, Matthew Nelson ‘15. Photo credits to Jon Northington.

A major part of the show, which helped bring the characters to life, were the incredible costumes. “Our costumes and makeup were also fabulous thanks to Allison Ernst and Caroline Massey,” exclaims Natalee Marola ‘17, who has always had a passion for theater. “I think we had a great cast, and it was so easy to work with everyone.” All of the members of the cast had such a great experience. "I think the most remarkable part of the process was how well everyone's characters fit their actors' personalities,” explains Carlie Sherman ‘15. "It was kind of a running joke throughout rehearsals." Many upperclassmen have expressed how they think Tartuffe was one of the best productions they have ever participated in at Pembroke, and it has set the stage for a successful year for the drama department. n 7

“Learning it Together” to Reduce Stress

Art Credit to Olive Honan ‘17

Emily Dema Managing Editor

It’s pretty much inevitable. At some point, all of us will be confused by homework. Whether it be from staring at a blank computer screen trying to figure out how to start that Macbeth essay, frantically flipping through a history book to study for Ms. Jones’s next test, or trying to remember how to solve a geometry review problem; students can lose a lot of time without easy access to direct homework help at home. However, this year, a small group of upper school students, along with faculty sponsor Mrs. May-Washington, created the “Learning It Together” community (LIT). LIT is a Google+ community that allows students to connect and ask homework questions, which will be answered by other students

in their class, or even by older students that have already taken the class. Many helpful tips have also been posted on the LIT discussion board, which are helpful to read, even if students don’t have specific questions. LIT officers Inkoo Kang, Lizzie Shulman, Megan She, and Daniel Stanley ‘16 played key roles in getting LIT up and running. Kang explains that the officers primarily “monitor the LIT board to decide whether or not a tutor is giving away answers or actually helping someone.” The discussion is primarily between students. However, Mrs. May-Washington and Mr. Bartelli help to monitor the community and deal with the technological side of things Shulman says, “LIT’s aim is to reduce the stress Pembroke students have. Through

Below, a snapshot of the LIT community forum on Google+.

conversations and advice with people who are all in similar situations; we hope LIT can provide universal and comprehensible academic guidance.” When asked about the benefits of joining the LIT community, She reflects, “There’s not going to be an easy Wikipedia page for things like writing a thesis or designing an experiment[...]Getting help from people that have gone through the same situations as you is so much more helpful, especially because students know how particular teachers like things.” For students looking for homework help, Shulman reminds them that the “community is always up and running, though we only have student-moderators specifically checking for posts in the evenings from Sunday to Thursday.” Don’t be hesitant to ask for help from your peers on LIT. Kang explains, “I was actually really surprised at the amount of people who have asked me for help on assignments such as essay revisions but refuse to use the LIT program.” Also, many students may be interested to know that volunteering as a LIT tutor is a way to earn community service hours. Many students have already volunteered to be tutors. Moving forward, LIT hopes to expand into the middle school, which would provide obvious academic benefits for middle school students, as well as allowing a closer connection between the middle and upper school. As a remarkably simple, yet incredibly helpful service, LIT is changing the way students can interact with each other outside of the classroom and providing a way to combat confusion on homework. n

Defining Speech and Debate Shaina Desai Staff Writer The always successful Pembroke Hill Speech and Debate team has yet again proven their excellency so far this year. Because of their diligent work in the classroom, where they meticulously prepare for their competitions, success is evident. In their first few tournaments, students from all four grades manifested merits in a

myriad of categories, such as Lincoln-Douglas Debate, where they debate the philosophical aspect of certain issues, Public Forum Debate, where topics involving foreign or domestic policy are argued, and Policy Debate, where the two teams attempt to affirm or negate a yearlong resolution, with the affirmative team pro-

viding a legislative plan and the negative team providing the disadvantages to said plan., In addition, students also recieved awards in individual events such as original oratory, foreign extemporaneous speaking, and United States extemporaneous speaking. Two records have already been set this year, with Eleanor Pow-

ers ‘17 and Nick Dowling ‘17 as the second duo ever to place from Pembroke Hill, and Olivia Lesley ‘17 as the second person ever to place in the dramatic interpretation category. Also, congratulations to Lizzie Spaeth ‘18, who was a triple breaker (meaning she advanced in three separate events) a task very challenging to accomplish and an extremely rare oc-

currence, especially for a freshman. Both the novice and varsity debate teams continue to work hard as they prepare for upcoming competitions. With several major tournaments remaining before their postseason, we look forward to more success and triumph for the debaters as the school year progresses. n

Debate successes at a recent tournament. Photo credit Ellie Gorny.

Ford Johnson ‘16 preparing for a round.

College Rankings:

How Important Are They Really? Payscale Ranking: 4 1 Harvey Mudd 2 Caltech 5 3 MIT 21 4 Stanford 5 CO School of Mines 6 Georgia Tech 7 Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

3 4 7 2 1 3 5

7 6

US News Ranking: Princeton 1 Harvard 2 Yale 3 Columbia 4 Stanford 5 UChicago 6 MIT 7

Top 7 Colleges:

Payscale vs. US News Shannon Fang Assistant Editor It’s common knowledge that schools such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, etc., are all ranked among the top five colleges in the United States. They are famously known for always being the best, but the new 2013-2014 Payscale College Salary Reports rank Harvey Mudd College as the best. The two companies rank colleges with exceedingly different criteria. The US News college rankings are based on “assessment by administrators at peer institutions, retention of students, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving, graduation rate performance and, for National Universities and National Liberal Arts Colleges only, high school counselor ratings of colleges” (U.S. News). However, Payscale, an online salary, benefits, and compensation information comapny, 10

ranks colleges based on the alumni’s starting salary, midcareer salary, and the percent of people with a “high job meaning.” Jobs with “higher meaning” have a greater ability to make the world a better place. Therefore, the college mentioned above (Harvey Mudd) is ranked #1 because it is an engineering school where most of the alumni are engineers (and engineers make a quite a bit of money). Schools like Harvard and Stanford are tied for eighth with $119,000 as the average mid-career salary. The ranking that more effectively communicates the reputation of a college is based on each individual’s view of the reason for going to college. College counselor Mr. David Burke believes that “you go to college to broaden your mind.” In that case, the US News results are more significant because they

determine the quality of the school. However, if the point of college is to provide an education to help get someone a well-paying job, then the Payscale report is more meaningful because it determines the “success” of the graduates. Success is in quotation marks because success is different to each person. If being successful is being happy, then the Payscale report is quite significant; having more money correlates to being happier because the individual does not have to worry about paying the bills or putting food on the table. According to the Wall Street Journal’s article “Can Money Buy Happiness?”, if you have a higher income, then you will most likely be happier than those with a lower income. One-hundred percent of people who make over $500k are very happy, while only 83% of people who make $250-500k

are very happy. However, just because you are rich, it also does not mean you are content with your life. Burke “loves the way [US News] does their second, third, fourth quartile because they just alphabetize [the schools].” People focus too much on the numbers; instead of ranking schools and assigning them a position, we should simply group them into tiers instead. In the end, as college counselor Mrs. Tammy Pottenger states: “rankings are a decent starting point for students to begin their college search or to supplement a college search.” How good a college is or how highly it’s ranked on various websites should not affect the decision of where to go or where to apply. Each person is different, so it is more important to choose a college that fits his/her own personality and requirements.n

Talking To Darlingside’s Mandolinist, Violinist, and Vocalist Auyon Mukharji ‘03: Lizzie Whitney Managing Editor Last year, Auyon Mukharji, ‘03, returned to our hallowed halls and played at assembly with his band, Darlingside. This year, he came back to Kansas City for a weekend. Between playing a show at RecordBar and connecting with friends and family back home, he agreed to answer some questions for the Voice. V: What filled your time at school? A: I ran cross-country and played tennis, although I never got particularly good at either. I was generally psyched about science classes, and participated in Science Olympiad, AFS, and student government at different points. As far as my musical background, I grew up playing violin, and I was part of the Kansas City Youth Symphony for my first three years in high school. I joined the choir and participated in the winter

Auyon Mukharji ‘03, second from left.

musical my senior year. V: Did high school help you see music as a potential career? A: It’s hard to say how my high school activities helped me on my path to becoming a musician. I enjoyed reading and writing while in school, but I never really thought that passion would contribute to my final career choice. Both my parents are doctors, and since I was decent at science classes, I always had it in the back of my head that I would either become a scientist, engineer, or doctor. Music was not even on the table. I hated practicing the violin, and I was really only playing in the Youth Symphony because my mother insisted upon it. My mother is a tough woman. V: How did your interests switch to music? A: In college, I ended up singing in an a cappella group where I met Don, Dave, and

Harris (the other guys in Darlingside), and a Jan-term songwriting class got my songwriting juices flowing. Upon graduation, I was fortunate enough to win a scholarship called the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship that allowed me to study folk music in Ireland, Brazil, and Turkey for four months each. It was over the course of that year that I decided to try my hand at a career in music. V: What’s been the best part of your time with Darlingside? A: The best part of being in the band is undoubtedly getting to write and perform music with three of my best friends. We all have different tastes and writing styles, and working together to create a cohesive sound is a difficult but rewarding process. Life as a musician is also a wonderfully multifaceted existence, as we not only write and perform our own music, but also design and run the business side of the band. We recently began working with

a manager and agent, but for most of our five years together, we were doing everything ourselves. It can sometimes be overwhelming, but there is also a unique sense of accomplishment that comes with running a startup business. V: Do you have any advice to offer high schoolers looking to go into music? A: As far as advice for students considering a career in music, I would encourage them to look into liberal arts colleges that might allow them to not only pursue music, but also explore other academic avenues. Musical tastes and artistic direction can often be informed in unexpected ways, and liberal arts colleges are some of the most flexible environments for that kind of growth. Thanks to Auyon for talking with us. You can check out Darlingside’s music on www. darlingside.com, Spotify, or iTunes.n

Q&A

Ms. Jones

Natalie Dameron and Lindsay Luchinsky Staff Writer

Where were you born? A: Chicago, IL

If you could go back in time, when and where would you go? A: I would not go back in time.

What was the model of your first car? A: I still have it. 98 Honda Civic three-door

If you could change your name to anything, what would it be? A: Pass.

10.

What’s your favorite word? A: Zwerg (you did not say it had to be in English).

15.

How much can you bench? A: Your body weight.

16.

Who’s your favorite musician? A: Nneka (currently).

17.

What’s your favorite movie? A: To Sir, with love.

18.

Who’s your least favorite student that you have this year? A: Why would I admit to something like this?

Who’s your favorite Power Ranger? A: Which show? Mighty Morphin, Mega Force, Samurai, SPD, Ninja Storm, Zeo, Dino Thunder, Operation Overdrive, Jungle Fury, or RPM?

If you could have one superpower, what would it be? A: The ability to stop evil.

12.

19.

13.

Who’s your favorite student? A: Obviously, my current ones. How many years have you worked at Pembroke. A: 15. What is your spirit animal? A: Don’t have one. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? A: My macaroni and cheese, ala Martha Stewart.

What’s your favorite color? A: Orange. 12

11.

If you were the mayor of a new city, what would you name it? A: Hogsmead.

14.

What’s your favorite sports team? A: Team USA during the Olympics or World Cup Soccer.

Have you ever been in a life or death situation? A: Not answering this question.

20.

If you could have any other job, what would it be? A: Full time stay-at-home-mom.

21.

Any regrets? A: NEVER.

Q&A

How long have you worked at Pembroke Hill? A: 8 years

Have you always lived in Kansas City? If no, where else have you lived? A: No. Oh, uh, there is exotic Wichita, Kansas. Fort Wayne, Indiana, which is almost as exotic as Wichita. And then for a while I lived in Valparaiso, Indiana. And then there was a stint when I was touring with The Dead where I just kind of lived all over the place. By “The Dead” I mean The Grateful Dead.

Do you have any allergies? A: No.

Why is your hair so pretty? (Courtesy of Mr. Duckworth) A: *brief chuckle* Because it’s not real… it’s a product of Rogaine and a space age polymer synthetic.

What is your opinion on aliens taking over the Earth? A: It’s inevitable.

Favorite movie snack? A: Popcorn. Best book you’ve ever read? A: *strokes chin* Alright I’ll list multiples. Uh...The Crucial Decade: And After, by Eric Goldman, Les Miserables, and Ishmael.

Dr. Niermann

11.

Favorite shirt and tie combination? A: Oh, man. I don’t have one.

Life motto? A: Oh, I’ve got a couple of them. *chuckles* “It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.”

10.

Why do you teach History? A: For the huge paycheck, the fame, and to hang out with Kory Gallagher.

Photo credits: Lindsay Luchinsky and Natalie Dameron

Favorite artist, or band, or genre? A: Oh, man. Again, I’m going to have to list the favorites. I like Van Halen. This is going to sound really cheesy, but I like Bach, and the old group has fallen apart but the Brand New Heavies.

12.

Do you have any pets? A: I do, my children. . . Just kidding, I’ve got a dog.

13.

Funniest experience at Pembroke A: I’ll have to think about that one, maybe the day they renewed my contract.

14.

Best restaurant in Kansas City? A: I think I’ll say Oklahoma Joe’s.

15.

What was your favorite class at Hogwarts? A: Defense of the Dark Arts with Professor Lupin.

Cole kiersznowski ‘15 Interns with royals and chiefs

Photo Credits to Lisa Hibschman and Cole Kiersznowski

Laura Hibschman Managing Editor For many, dreams are experiences that are saved for later in life. But for Cole Kiersznowski ‘15, the dream of working in sports has already become a reality. A few years back, Kiersnowski and his father won a dinner for two with Chiefs announcer Mitch Holthus and other Chiefs personnel at the Pembroke Hill Awesome Auction. While sitting next to each other at dinner, Kiersnowski and Holthus clicked, forming a connection that gave Kiersnowski the opportunity to start making pre-game college basketball prep-packets for Holthus’s ESPN games. Since that job worked out well, Holthus invited Kiersnowski to work for him at the Chiefs’ summer training camp. During training camp scrimmages, Kiersnowski keeps a variety of statistics and depth charts for Holthus and the PR staff. Before and after practice, he conducts interviews with players and coaches to get quotes for the writers of kcchiefs.com. He also works most of the home games in the radio booth, serving as their main statistics keeper. Having spent a lot of time at the Chiefs’ facility, Kiersnowski has come to know the public relations staff very well, which has provided him with more opportunities to work with the organization. His relationship with the Chiefs has really taken off in his past two years. Kiersnowski has not only worked for the Chiefs, but also for another local team that has received a lot of attention in recent months: the Kansas City Royals. Between having a good family friend with connec-

tions to the organization and knowing some of their community relations staff members, Kiersnowski was able to score an internship in both media and community relations. His actual responsibilities vary considerably; this year he worked from May until late July and again during the postseason. With media relations, Kiersnowski helped prepare pre-game notes for the media and managers and then helped with player requests for interviews during clubhouse availability. During the games, he spent most of his time on baseballreference. com, looking up unique facts on the game. He, along with another media relations intern, was responsible for making the postgame notes for the media, so he collected interesting facts and information relating to what the media would later write about. During the playoffs, Kiersnowski worked solely for media relations and helped a lot with pre- and post-game interviews and notes. When working with the community relations department, he would usually work at a public event, such as the unveiling of a new public baseball field or a Royals blood drive. He also helped with pre-game programs for special groups, often bringing people down on to the field before games to meet players and watch batting practice. Kiersnowski has been a Chiefs and Royals fan for his entire life, so he has thoroughly enjoyed developing a relationship with the teams. His entire experience has been incredibly rewarding, from the excitement of working behind the scenes of a professional sporting event to the expansive

knowledge he has gained from his various jobs. In his own words, “It has been amazing to develop relationships with the players and coaches, but also just going to work at Arrowhead and Kauffman is incredible in and of itself, and being involved in such a community as a high schooler is very gratifying.” He also enjoys being able to work with math and statistics in both jobs, bringing subjects he likes into such a fantastic environment. Kiersnowski wants to work in sports for a career, so these experiences have seemingly endless benefits. Not only does the experience look good on a resume, but also it has taught him a lot about the business side of professional sports. “Sports are truly a business first, but as a fan you don’t see that too much,” he says, “Working in an organization, I’ve learned about media and public relations, how a team presents itself in the public eye, and how it financially operates.” One unexpected twist in his experience has been the Royals’ post-season success. Being a part of a time when the Royals made the playoffs for the first time in our lives was truly amazing because it took the city by storm, and being on the “inside” was special and something Kiersnowski says he will always remember. He also found it interesting to be around the players during that time to see how they responded to the pressure and feel their excitement at the team’s success. Overall, Kiersnowski is honored to have had this experience and looks forward to the prospects it will bring him in the future.n

Kiersnowski meets with members of the staff.

Royals players are interviewd by the organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s media staff.

Kiersnowski takes statistics on the sidelines during the Chiefsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; summer training camp.

BREAKING

BREAKING AWAY Boasting approximately eighty percent participation, sports teams occupy a huge presence in the lives of Pembroke Hill students. However, unbeknownst to many, a large group of Pembroke Hill faculty members have taken up competitive cycling and triathlons in their free time.

Keeping fit and healthy in America today has become more and more of a challenge, with an eyeboggling amount of fatty foods lining grocery store shelves and jam-packed schedules that are barely leaving enough time for exercise. But, those challenges arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t as daunting as they seen, especially for Middle School principal Dr. Susan Leonard and Upper School math teacher Mrs. Tammy Pottenger, who participate in triathlons. According to USA Triathlon, triathlon participation has been increasing steadily in the past twenty years. The same can be said for cycling, a sport in which Upper School choir director Mr. Joel Diffendaffer, Head of Security Mr. Kevin Tempel, and eighth grade World Cultures teacher Mrs. Cori Culp all avidly compete. According to USA Cycling, the past six years have seen a 48% increase in the number of licensed racers and a 50% increase in the number of USA Cycling sanctioned events. The Voice had the opportunity to catch up with a few of Pembrokeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cycling and triathlon-competing faculty members and ask a few questions about their hobbies. 16

V: How long have you been doing triathlons and/or cycling competitively, and what got you started? Mr. Tempel: I started cycling the first time as a college athlete, my junior year, but gave it up to pursue a career in law enforcement. I held a pro card in boxing for MMA at the age of 42 and began using the bicycle to get in shape for fights. Soon, I became better at cycling than fighting because of the age challenge, so I entered a few races five years ago. Now I race all summer long in both CAT4 races and in statewide age group races. Mrs. Culp: I have been competing in competitive cycling for over ten years. I got started with a few triathlons but didn’t like the dirty part of lake swimming. Cycling really took off for me when my husband started cycling because he was training for the MS150. He signed up for the MS150 because his 29-year old little sister was diagnosed with MS in 2004. Dr. Leonard: I attended the WIN for KC luncheon in 2008 and I was really inspired by their message. The organization’s mission is to empower young women through sports, and sports were definitely important in my life so it’s a compelling cause to me personally. I did my first Triathlon that July, and I’ve done it every year since. Mr. Diffendaffer: I began cycling seriously while I was in high school in western Nebraska. There weren’t a lot of sanctioned races in the middle of the high plains, but there were several local races that ranged from time trials to road races each year. My first serious ride was a 100 mile trek with a friend and the pastor of

my church when I was in seventh or eighth grade. Our pastor was riding the first leg of a journey from Nebraska to California to raise money for the people of Haiti. I tagged along and miraculously survived my first century ride! That got me hooked. Movies such as Breaking Away and American Fliers motivated me and my friends to train and keep riding. It was also great for my knees and kept me in good shape for football and track. I have been a dedicated cyclist since I was thirteen. V: How often do you train, and what do you do to train? Mr. Diffendaffer: Training is seasonal with most of my miles earned during the spring and summer months. Spring Break always kicks off the cycling season for me as I battle wind, rain, and some snow to get outside and ride. During the summer, my goal is to ride between 150 and 200 miles per week. Once the school year begins, the mileage decreases significantly as I mix in boxing for cross training and maintain fitness on the bike through a combination of riding outside and on the bike trainer in my basement. Mr. Tempel: I train everyday that it is not raining in the spring, summer and fall. An average ride is 35-40 miles during the week and 60-80 miles a day on the weekends when there is not a race. Training consists of hill repeats, intervals, and tempo riding. Mrs. Culp: I do a lot of cross training throughout the fall and winter with yoga, spin classes, running, and boot camps. I really start committing to the bike in the early spring by riding 50-70 miles on the weekend and increasing my interval training on my spin workouts. V: What are some competitions you compete in? Mr. Tempel: I compete as a CAT4 in USA cycling events in Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa. I competed in the Missouri Senior games this past summer to qualify for the Senior Games Nationals next July in St. Paul, Minnesota. I will compete in two time trial events and two road race events. Mrs. Pottenger: I have done three triathlons. All were mini ones and the first time I did it as a team and just did the running part. I NEVER swam competitively as a kid so that was a real challenge for me. I did two mini triathlons, one in 2010 and one in 2013.

Head of Security Kevin Tempel cycling in a race.

Mr. Diffendaffer: As a new parent, I don’t race as much as I did when I was

younger. However, I often do a time trial in my hometown each summer. It is a short but steep race against the clock up the Scottsbluff National Monument. Each cyclist ascends nearly 1000 feet. The pitch is steep and challenging at 8% or so! Most of the riding I do now focuses on riding for charities. My favorite yearly ride is the MS Bike Ride. We ride over 100 miles to raise money for the National MS Society. During the past seven or eight years, I have participated with the Cutters team (a tribute to Breaking Away) along with many faculty members and parents at Pembroke Hill. V: What is your favorite part about cycling or triathlons? Mrs. Culp: I like to do it with my husband and family and I enjoy the meditative qualities of going on long solo bike rides. The connections to nature and the mountains is also an important part of my motivation. Dr. Leonard: I love the Triathlon because it’s all women of all ages, and it’s a day of empowerment. Everyone cheers for everyone else, and I get a real sense of accomplishment. I particularly love to see mother/daughter pairs (ie. Polly & Isabella Kramer). I try to beat my best times and when I do -- that is really fun. Mr. Tempel: My favorite thing about competitive cycling is the constant challenge by your peers and the testing of your abilities and preparations against the others. Crits are like racing Nascar on a bike at 25 mph. V: Finally, any tips you have to offer to beginners? Dr. Leonard: You gotta start somewhere. People sometimes set out with big goals like “I’m going to do an Ironman!” and it can be overwhelming. Just try new (and old) things and see where it takes you. I despised running when I played soccer in high school, but now it’s a time I cherish in the mornings. I like to set goals for myself and accomplish them one at a time and I like to do something that scares me a little, too. Mrs. Culp: Just start riding, you don’t need a great bike. Just start riding an hour at a time and ALWAYS wear a helmet (ok and those padded pants, they really help!) Mr. Diffendaffer: Wear a helmet (injuries happen), use sunscreen, know the saddle sores will eventually go away, find routes that inspire you, and always obey traffic law. Drivers will notice and get angry!n

The Annual Purge Black Friday Edition

By Tammy Lee and Christine Zheng Staff Writer and Contributor You know that Gucci wallet you’ve been eying since last July? The $500 one? Yeah, I don’t think so. Luckily, Black Friday is the night where the sinners come out to purge their wallets and parents’ credit cards. Just replace the machine guns and axes with black AMEX cards and gold Visas, and you’ve got The Annual Purge: Black Friday Edition. It was 1 AM when we left to go on our sinners rampage, and the streets of the oh-so-exciting Kansas City were jam packed with people. Of course, the ideal destination for this purge -- where people basically slaughter each other over handbags, video games, and high-tech smoothie blenders -- was Oak Park Mall. Right when we walked in, there was a herd of shoppers snatching everything they could get their hands on. Original perfume sets priced at $99.99 were now marked down to $37.99 (and really, who can resist a deal like that?). That BioShock Infinite (Complete Edition: PS3 Retail) was now attainable, and no longer did I have to play Far Cry 3 and Modern Combat 5: Blackout. Loser. With the money I have been saving from work, I had no shame in purchasing these irresistible deals; thus, that Gucci wallet I had been longing for months became mine in a matter of seconds. However, it’s not merely the cheap purchases

that make Black Friday glorious; it’s the very experience of the masses of people crowded together, tackling each other, and stuffing junk into their carts in materialistic bliss that makes it remarkable. For most girls (like ourselves), the ideal shopping experience is buying clothes, accessories, and cosmetics marked cheaper than their actual value. Retail therapy is the best therapy. Not only did we both touch the softest jacket ever created (thank you, Topshop), but we also made a few friends along the way. It started out like this: I had been eyeing this velvet maxi skirt for a few minutes while perusing Nordstrom. I did not know another girl was likewise. Like in those cliche chick-flick movies, we simultaneously walked toward that skirt only to grab each others hands instead. We definitely exchanged some scowls, but sometimes you just have to let go in a situation like that. I had already snagged a cashmere dress from earlier, so I let her have it. We then exchanged a few laughs and went on our merry way to purgation glory. Now, onto the Black Friday experience for boys. Our platonic male friend was dying to check out the sales at Gamestop and Bose, and we were pretty curious too. All the video games were marked down 42%, and Bose headphones were cheaper than

ever. I think you can infer the outcome of our visit. After we had our fair share of Oak Park’s Black Friday rampage, we decided to move to the beautiful Walmart, where all your dreams come true. Upon entering this playground, children were replaced by Jedis who held $2 lightsabers in their hands and wore masks that whispered, “come to the dark side.” Such “playgrounds” can get rowdy, so we were not surprised to see a few security guards patrolling the area. This is the Black Friday purge. Perhaps the most exciting find for all of us, as cheesy as it sounds, was

“The most exciting finds... were the friendships and bonds established”

the friendships and bonds established on this cold, chaotic night. Really, in the midst of this shopping frenzy, there is no time for animosity or hostility. Sure you’ve got some crazies here and there fighting over a marked down kitchen knife set or plasma screen TV, but you realize that in the end these items are merely items, whereas these people are so much more. Black Friday: The Purge, you have been good to us, and we thank you for all you have done; although our wallets (specifically my new Gucci wallet) may be empty, our hearts are filled with glee. n

The masses lining up for Black Friday shopping. 18

Showing Thanks on Thanksgiving

By Kate Kramer Contributor For many students, Thanksgiving is viewed as the opening act to the Holiday Show, designed to set the stage for December festivities. In the rush toward finals and winter break, the spirit of Thanksgiving is lost in the whirlwind of the end of the semester. Thanksgiving is increasingly viewed as a hypocritical holiday, and many write the holiday off as the concoction of a commercialist society. As we learned in elementary school when we made our construction paper handprint turkeys, this particular holiday celebrates the idealized, (and probably metaphorical) feast shared between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans. Thanksgiving showcases the connection between the two cultures upon which the American identity was constructed, but the glowing shades of friendship that paint the holiday are not historically accurate. Although there was a brief period of peace,

the massacre of the Native Americans isn’t exactly something to be thankful for. The origin of the holiday makes the occasion appear to be celebrating a fabricated lie. The commercialism of Thanksgiving is another questionably ironic component of the holiday. America has become defined by consumption, and Black Friday casts a shadow on the gratitude that is supposed to mark Thanksgiving.

we’re grateful for, things we may take for granted during the grind of the rest of the year. Pass time with family, or take action by giving back to the community. In Kansas City alone, there are many ways to show your appreciation. For example, St. Jude’s Give Thanks Walk takes place November 22 in the Kansas City Power and Light District. You, not society or history, must define the nature of Thanksgiving through your actions. n

“The commercialism of Thanksgiving is another ironic component of the holiday.” Between these two cynical views of Thanksgiving, it can be difficult to remember the merits of the holiday. Instead of focusing on consumerism or its mythical origins, Thanksgiving should simply be a day to step back and reflect on the things

Photo Credits to Flickr Creative Commons

Lizzie Whitney

Eric Koch

Debating No-Shave November

Clean Shaven

Pro-Beard

Every year, men and boys partake in the now-traditional No-Shave November. When it began in 2009, this event was a month-long fundraiser against cancer, as people donated the money saved on shaving in the month of November. It was a fun way to raise awareness of cancer patients who lose their hair due to chemotherapy, and it gave people a way to donate to the cause, regardless of age or gender. In 2013, the American Cancer Society joined No-Shave November to ensure the money it raises every year is properly distributed and well spent. This is all very nice. If NoShave November were to continue as it was originally intented, I would be heartless for arguing against it. But what started as a way to raise cancer awareness has mutated into a very hairy mess. In recent years, facial hair has made a comeback in a big way. The Internet spreads photos of beard and mustache constests held around the world (see www.worldbeardchampionships.com, if you don’t believe me). Tumblr and Pinterest, among other websites, have plenty of photos of flower beards available if you feel so inclined, and one Tumblr user made a page dedicated to his Will It Beard Project, for which he put things into his beard to see if they’d stick. And let’s not forget the hipsters. They’re probably the ones to blame for this whole furry thing. And now, thanks to the hipsters, the internet, and teenage boys, No-Shave November has taken on a new meaning. Rather than a united effort against cancer, it has become a united effort among males against the poor, forgotten, and probably rusting razor. It’s little more than a convenient excuse to ditch the razor for a month as males either grow their beards successfully in peace or fuss to each other about how poorly their effort is going. So let’s either choose to use this fresh facial hair to fight cancer or end the pseudo-participation. This has the potential to be a great tradition, but we’ve got to turn it around. n

These days, feminism is all the rage. A whole month is dedicated to women’s history (granted that’s because the other eleven are reserved for men), and there’s probably even a movement to add a “wo” before “mankind.” However, this obsession with women’s pride often makes us forget those of an equally important gender- males. This month marks a time of remembrance, a period of renewal, when male self-esteem is reinforced. No-Shave November is a one month period during which guys let facial hair grow free. According to the American Cancer Society, No-Shave November raises awareness about the struggles of cancer patients “by embracing our hair.” Participants are encouraged to use the money that would usually be spent on shaving and grooming products to donate to cancer research funds. Okay, so No-Shave November isn’t officially about male pride, but it’s still an important part. The event has evolved beyond a means of raising awareness about cancer. This month-long test of perseverance has become a way for men to make a hairy statement that we’re proud of our sex. Each of these thirty days without a razor reminds us to reflect on our masculinity, and make sure that we don’t lose it. Nowadays, we live in a culture of emasculation. For a man, pain used to come handin-hand with life, and overcoming it proved our strength and resolve. If someone insulted your honor, you’d resolve the conflict with fists, not words. Feelings were as locked away as Guantanamo Bay detainees, not poured out in drum circles. The trend towards femininity will only weaken us, and make us unprepared for the trials of tomorrow (ask Kid Cudi). Live independently. Be strong. Be a man. Next time November rolls around, grow out a beard and make a statement. Support cancer patients - and your manliness. Who knows, maybe you’ll find an awesome new style in the process. n

Q&A mR. rOMICK Q: What has been the reaction to your participation in No-Shave November? The reactions so far to the mustache have been mixed. Mostly my wife and other women don’t seem to like it very much but men can appreciate the bravado and masculinity it adds to my face. It’s been a transformative experience for me and probably the whole school. Q: Who is your facial hair Doppelganger? That’s easy, it’s Cary Elwes from The Princess Bride. The character of Wesley. He’s definitely my physical and psychological double when it comes to mustaches.

mR. gRIFFITHS Q: How do you groom your beard? I did buy a shaver, a beard trimmer, that has lots of extensions, I have no idea how many extensions there are for it. Yeah, so, I bought that so I can go through and keep everything the same length. I looked up on beards.org the proper beard line and things like that so I can shave underneath that. Q: Have you found things randomly stuck in your beard? No, but I definitely do say that eating and drinking, water can get stuck in your mustache and things like that. I can definitely say that food is harder to eat. I can’t eat ice cream cones without it being all over my beard.

wILLIAM GHEORGITA Q: What will you miss about your beard when you shave it? Who said anything about shaving it? Q: Does your beard have a name? It’s too majestic to be confined to a name...but I think if you boiled it down, it’d be closest to ‘Mufasa.’

Q: What is your favorite part about having facial hair? It distinguishes the men from the boys. Q: Why did you choose to participate in No-Shave November? I enjoy not having to shave.

DAKOTA VAN

DEURSEN 21

What’s your favorite Thanksgiving food? Abby Prichett ‘17:

Jada Large ‘17:

Pumpkin bread from my mom!

Sweet potato pie because it is just really good.

Dakota

Inkoo Kang ‘16:

Van Deursen ‘15:

Turkey because it is meat, and I love meat!

Mashed potatoes because they were the first food I ever ate!

Rebecca Kessler ‘18:

Alexis Haley ‘16:

Honey-glazed ham because it is honeyglazed ham.

Mashed potatoes! My grandma has a special recipe.

Schen Ong ‘17:

Pecan pie because my uncle makes a really good one! 22

Robert Sullivan ‘18: Turkey. It is our family tradition!

That’s What She Said Words of Wisdom From Megan She ‘16

With the turning of the calendars to our dear month November come cups of poinsettia red, capped with lids of snowy white, wrapped in a band of deadautumn-leaf brown cardboard, grasped in the gloved hands of the cold and the thirsty. The outbreak of the red Starbucks cups comes around once again, dotting the grey wintry landscape with specks of warm happiness, holiday cheer, and American capitalism. The notorious coffee-shop chain Starbucks sees a rise in sales every year during the holiday season, with holiday and coffee enthusiasts cashing in on the holiday drink menu while they can during these months. Profit during this time increases an average of 10% from the normal year.

This year’s beverage lineup includes the classic Gingerbread Latte, Peppermint Mocha, and Creme Brulee Latte, and returning due to popular demand, the drink of the holidays past, present, and future, the Eggnog Latte. Starbucks will also be releasing the newest drink in 5 years this season: the Chestnut Praline Latte. But what makes Starbucks so marketable? The caffeine-dependent, fast-paced society of America is the perfect environment for caffeine dealers like Starbucks to thrive. Coffee is so intrinsically embedded in the way Americans go about their lives. Coffee before work, coffee during work, coffee after work. Now, high school students especially indulge in the caffeinated concoctions. In the last 30 years, caffeine consumption by high school

Photo Credits to PinkBow and Jamie Dacyczyn

students has increased by 70%. If you look in any of our school’s trash cans at any given time, you are bound to find empty coffee cups inside. Coffee is beyond accessible in the United States. When you walk down the street, you are sure to hit at least a few coffee shops, and of those shops, a large majority of them are Starbucks. Both delicious and effective, coffee is the perfect companion to the American lifestyle. Starbucks not only capitalizes on the most animalistic needs of the American people, but they do it with such capability that I really don’t mind it. The marketing schemes of the holiday season bring a sense of comforting tradition during this time of the year; it’s a part of American tradition, and I love it. n

UnBiased Reviews With Burke

My Top Five Personal Favorite (W)rap Albums

Just a note: as a pale white boy from suburban Kansas City, I’m hardly the authority on rap music. So just to clarify, this list is by no means objective. I’m in no way saying these five albums are the greatest rap albums ever made. It’s just my opinion. The purpose of this article (and this entire column) is to share my opinion with, like, the five people reading this right now in hopes that they’ll give these albums a listen. Enjoy! ...Or don’t. I don’t care. I’m not your mom. 5. De La Soul-3 Feet High and Rising Like the Beastie Boys’ Paul’s Boutique, also released at the tail-end of the '80s, this album drastically changed how hip hop used sampling. Producer Prince Paul used pretty much everything from James Brown to Johnny Cash to Schoolhouse Rock to lay the ground for some of the best rapping on any album ever. This album is definitely a rarity; no fake ghetto posturing, no ridiculously outlandish talk about drugs and sex, and hardly any language at all. Basically, it’s an album made solely by three really nice guys and their equally nice producer with only one goal in mind: to create a fantastic and overall fun album to listen to. Best Tracks: “Magic Number,” “Change in Speak,” “Jenifa Taught Me,” “Eye Know,” “Potholes in My Lawn,” “Plug Tunin” 4. Mos Def-Black on Both Sides Mos Def manages to pull off what Rage Against the Machine and Immortal Technique could never do: make an album that is politically charged and has something to say without coming off as preachy. On this album, Mos manages to cover everything: racism, poverty, technology, state surveillance, white people’s plagiarism of black music, and, above all, the overall state of hip-hop at the turn of the millenium. Perhaps the two best songs on the entire album are its opener and closer, “Hip Hop” and “Mathematics.” The former is all fun and games, with Mos merely flexing his amazing abilities to mold and shape words to his will, while the latter takes on a more serious tone, focusing on the government’s tendency to merely coldly view people as statistics, rather than human beings. Though it came out in 1999, it still feels just as relevant today. Best Tracks: “Hip Hop,” “Miss Fat Booty,” “Do It Now,” “Brooklyn,” “Mista N*****,” “Mathematics” 3. GZA/The Genius-Liquid Swords It was kind of a toss up between this and Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx for the obligatory “Wu-Tang Slot,” on this list. Everyone knows that 36 Chambers is the objective best, but in terms of personal preference I gotta go with this one. Why? Because Wu producer RZA really manages make this album sound like something that’s just emerged from a dark, dank basement in the middle of New York. He was probably able to achieve this because it was an album made in a dark, dank basement in the middle of New York. Seriously, this album sounds dark, which matches GZA’s harrowing doomsday lyrics perfectly. And GZA can rap. There was a study this year that proved that GZA has the second most expansive vocabulary of any rapper in the game (besides Aesop Rock, who mostly raps in nonsensical non-sequiturs anyway), and it definitely shows on this album. It’s just the best. Best Tracks: “Liquid Swords,” “Duel of the Iron Mic,” “Gold,” “4th Chamber,” “Swordsmen,” “I Gotcha Back” 2. Madvillain (MF DOOM and Madlib)-Madvillainy While making this list, I really considered putting this at number one. Of all the albums on this list, this one is the most “perfect,” with not a bad track in sight. Most of its greatness derives from its concept alone: MF DOOM and Madlib making an album together. It was a match made in heaven, two incredibly skilled and prolific rappers/producers team up to make an album about the subject they each know best: villainy. MF DOOM took over the rapping, and Madlib took over the production. The result established both as unstoppable powerhouses in each of their respective fields; underground hip hop finally had its day. There are so many great songs on this album that if I spent the proper amount of time talking about half of them, this section would be three pages long. I’ll just end on this: listen to Madvillainy. Best Tracks: “Accordion,” “Meat Grinder,” “America’s Most Blunted,” “Curls,” “Operation: Lifesaver,” “Fancy Clown,” “All Caps” 1. Cannibal Ox-The Cold Vein Ok, even though The Cold Vein isn’t perfect like Madvillainy (there are a couple of tracks I’m not too fond of), I still like it more. Why? You know how I said that Liquid Swords sounds like it’s coming straight out a dark, dank basement in the middle of New York? Well, The Cold Vein sounds like it’s coming straight out a dark, dank basement in the middle of New York FROM THE FUTURE! They paint a vivid picture of the ghetto in post-9/11 New York as a cold post-apocalyptic wasteland where mercy is nonexistent, a neverending and inescapable maze (or series of veins!). This specific soundscape is achieved by El-P, the album’s producer. El-P is essentially the 21st century’s response to RZA, especially because RZA hasn’t done anything worthwhile in like 10 years. El-P’s epic beats complement Vast and Mega’s genius lyrics perfectly, and in almost all of the songs the two complement and elevate each other in spectacular ways. Take, for instance, “The F Word:” the beat isn’t anything special, just your standard awesome El-P synths, but Vast’s lyrics of being “friendzoned” (that’s what the accursed “f” stands for) take the song one step further. Conversely, the album’s closer, “Pigeon,” possibly the greatest finisher to any album ever, is about ten times more awesome than it already would be by the beat, which sounds akin to the sky coming apart. In any case, The Cold Vein is not only my favorite rap album, but my second or third favorite album in any genre. Do yourself a favor and give it a listen. You won’t regret it. Best Tracks: “Iron Galaxy,” “A B-Boy’s Alpha,” “Straight Off the D.I.C.,” “Vein,” “Stress Rap,” “Ridiculoid,” “Painkillers,” “Pigeon” n

MUSIC

justin bieber’s

under the mistletoe Mikayla Ferguson Staff Writer What an album. The best thing I can say about Justin’s work is...it’s creative, maybe. At least he stuck with a Christmas music theme. Kind of. The incorporation of Sean Kingston, Taylor Swift, The Band Perry, and Usher were great, but Boyz II Men was the icing on the fruit cake. There were a ton of other featured artists on this album, almost an unnecessary amount. I can honestly say that Justin and Busta Rhymes butchered “Drummer Boy” to the point where I don’t even think I can listen to the original version. I would probably never recommend this to my friends or family, but I would recommend this for my thirteen year old cousin, Sarina. n

Concert Review

The 1975

Bella Barnes Staff Writer The 1975 had an electric concert. Their slightly pop/R&B/80’s vibe creates a unique sound comparable to a mixture of their influences, such as The Cure, Michael Jackson, and Pink Floyd. The band’s success since their first self-titled album has been exciting for followers all around the world. The importance of visual aestheticism to The 1975 rings true in everything they do. Monochromatic clothes in hues of black, white, and the occasional floral print are the staples in the wardrobe of the 5-member band. The of mysticism that shrouds this band from Manchester, UK, was evident at their concert on Sunday, November 9th, at the Uptown Theatre. After opening acts, Cruisr and Young Rising Sons played their sets, temperatures in

Book Review

We Were Liars

the pit reached over 90 degrees because the fans, so enthralled by the music, refused to spread out. The lights dimmed almost inconspicuously, creating a surreal atmosphere in the theatre. Fifteen minutes of excruciating suspense went by until The 1975’s signature rectangle began to glow in the middle of the stage. Attendees raved as the band opened with their hit “The City.” The band’s enthusiasm and genuine love for the music they create was evident, as lead singer Matty Healy danced like he was floating in the clouds. Favorites of the night included: “M.O.N.E.Y.” “Girls” and “She Way Out.” John Waugh, a lifelong friend of Matty’s, was also introduced as the newest member of the band. The melodic tones of his saxophone made the single, “Heart Out”, one of the best songs of the night. The 1975 also played older tunes like “fallingforyou,” “You” and “So Far (It’s Alright).” Frontman Matty’s heartfelt

“Me” was also a highlight of the show. For its performance, he asked for all phones to be put away, s o

that the audience could truly focus on living in the moment and not be preoccupied with trying to merely capture it. The show ended with an encore of hits like “Robbers” and their single “Chocolate.” The experience was incredible and something I will not be forgetting anytime soon. n Photo credit 2014 Carissa Thrush, Flickr Creative Commons.

Game Time with JMac and Nelly

Hoenn Returns

Matthew Nelson and Jason Macmillan Columnists

Olive Honan Assistant Editor We Were Liars by E. Lockhart has only one fault: once you read it, you can’t tell anyone else why they should read it. It’s a novel about the grossly rich and beautiful Sinclair family as they take perfect vacations on a their private island at Martha’s Vineyard and fight over who will inherit the grandparents’ money. It involves four teenagers and their summer love that revives itself year after year. It is a lie. The real story of Cadence Sinclair and her elite family is told subtly between sentences; after suffering an accident that she cannot recall, Cadence returns to the island, to her family, to her friends, to her lies. As a reader you will struggle to understand why no one will tell Cadence what happened to her, and if I say one more word, it will be one too many. n

Pokémon is among some of the greatest series of videogames, and Ruby and Sapphire are among the best the series has to offer. They transformed the series into what it is today, and brought along some of the best Pokémon the series has seen thus far. Some of the greatest additions Ruby and Sapphire brought were the in-game cutscenes, as well as a plot that gave the game some depth. While many spent countless hours on their Gameboy Advance exploring the vast world that was the Hoenn Region, you don’t need to dig up your old Gameboy to enjoy Hoenn again. Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire is coming to 3ds, bringing with it the exciting ad-

ventures of the Hoenn region, as well as some exciting new features. One of the new features is that the entire Hoenn region is redone to be styled like Pokémon X and Y’s 3D world. Another addition is that there are new Mega Evolutions for Pokémon such as Metagross, Pidgeot, Slowbro, and Latios/Latias, as well as the Hoenn Starters. There are also some things that were exclusive to Ruby and Sapphire that are also making a return, like the secret bases and Pokémon contests. The game was released on November 21st, so clear up your weekend and go have some hardcore nostalgia with Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.n Sapphire.

KC Crawl

Urban Mining

Elizabeth Gerson, Bella Foote, Christine Zheng Columnists

For employees at Urban Mining, the word “vintage” does not simply take on a skin-deep meaning. It denotes nostalgia, history, memories, and experiences deeply and intricately woven into the lives of our predecessors; thus, each and every eclectic trinket for sale carries with it a proud sense of the past. Urban Mining, located on 3923 Main Street, is Kansas City’s premier antique market (and originator of the much beloved KC tradition, First Fridays), and boasts vast collections of furniture, textiles, decor, lighting, art, and whimsical treasures from the mid-century and industrial era. The store itself is only open to the public one weekend a month, which heightened the already-intense anticipation we possessed upon walking through the doors into the shop. However, calling Urban Mining a meager ‘shop’ may be an understatement, for we were whisked away into a different time and place the moment we set foot inside. Urban Mining transcends the typi-

cal stereotypes associated with antiquedealers. Opposed to the dusty, mothballscented store one typically imagines when thinking of an antique shop, the 10,000 square-foot building is filled floor to ceiling with knickknacks and baubles of various eras, each carrying a different story or piece of history. The building itself is divided into forty different sections to accommodate about forty different antique vendors, each with their own personal style or touch. One minute, we found ourselves standing in a 60’s-style kitchen setup, and the next, we perused through a country-western living room. Regardless, we were hypnotized by the neverending collection of curios. On the surface, it may seem as though Urban Mining’s unorthodox strategy of remaining closed for the majority of the month may seem disadvantageous for business, but the time during this temporary off-season is essential to the success of the market. Susan Hartnett, Urban Mining’s devoted owner, tells us that while the shop

is closed she and Urban Mining’s team of passionate and motivated vendors are out “canvassing the country for cool, vintage, and industrial items to provide for the customers.” They visit estate sales, auctions, and even knock on doors to find meaningful, authentic goods to prepare for sale. The market’s limited opportunity for purchasing is also effective in establishing a cultlike following for the company; loyal fans are subject to the often wonderfully tortuous anticipation that goes hand-in-hand with each month’s opening. Every show is different, which helps to create a mysterious facade. Check out Urban Mining’s website and discover when Urban Mining plans to open its doors to the public next. If you are looking for a unique piece of furniture, room decor, or a fantastic way to spend your weekend getting lost in treasures filled with stories and memories from times past, pay Urban Mining a visit. We promise you will not regret it. n

FASHIONWith the Romicks

The Romicks discuss the difference between French and American style choices

MRS. ROMICK Burgers instead of baguettes. “Football” instead of rugby. Cars instead of public transport. Worryingly-orange snack foods instead of tiny tarts. Moving to the very centre of the United States from the South West corner of France has come with challenges, rewards and the inevitable complete and utter confusion when faced with some aspects of everyday life here. Somewhere between the excited bewilderment I experience in the snack aisle of the supermarket and the mild bemusement I feel when attempting to convert temperatures into something comprehensible come my interactions with fashion here in the States. Once past the initial communication issues (misunderstandings frequently occur with the words “pants” and “jumper”), there still remains the unspoken code of style that I am only just beginning to

Yoga Pants

It has taken me months to realise that yoga pants in the coffee shop, the supermarket or the bookshop, do not mean that everyone in Kansas City is a yoga aficionado who somehow manages to work out without smudging an ounce of makeup, or having even one hair fly out of place. Instead, it seems that the impetus behind this trend is simply comfort and not, as I initially imagined, to be ready for an impromptu yoga session that might take place in the frozen foods aisle. You can understand my misgivings as in Bordeaux when I dared to venture out of the house in my European, yoga pant equivalent, I was stared at as though I were wearing something more appropriate for a Miley Cyrus stage show. Comfort is certainly secondary to aesthetics in everyday French style. n

MR. ROMICK There is no question that spending several years in Europe, and France especially, has molded the contours of my stylistic sensibilities. There are many ways our surroundings might shape the way we style ourselves, but French cities in a particular seem to lend themselves particularly well to raising style awareness. The daily act of walking around the center of a large, French city like Bordeaux necessarily presents every passerby with a type of visual showcase for trends and fashion choices apparent in shop windows and on style-savvy men and women in the streets. Through a slow process of gradual adaptation, urged by a desire to no longer draw attention to myself whilst popping out for a jug of milk, I became more and more conscience of my style choices the longer I lived amongst the Frenchies. I’m grateful for having had that experience, yet there are some elements of French fashion that my Midwestern roots simply cannot abide. n

The Speedo Yes, I realize this reference is cliché. No, not all French men wear the speedo. However, the proportion of men who do is far higher than I’d expected. In fact, there is institutional, government support for this bathing suit in all public pools. Regular swim trunks or board shorts are actually forbidden in public pools. Imagine my shock the first time I wanted to swim laps at one of the many, publicly-provided lap pools one can find in Bordeaux and many other French cities. “What’s that sir? You have no tightly-fitting swimsuit?” Above, a French sign outlawing board shorts. Photo credit Flickr creative commons.

The Voice Podcast

Take a listen to the our new monthly podcast, brought to you by Spencer Thut â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;16. This month, we focus on academic dishonesty at the school. Soundcloud.com/PHSVoice 29

1. Tiger mascot in the back is missing 2. Evan Peterson’s ‘16 number on his shorts has changed from 36 to 26 3. Blonde girl’s earwarmer has changed from black to gray 4. Number 357’s knee braces are gone 5. Picture on the poster has been changed to a Taylor Swift picture 6. Waldo’s chillin’ in the background in the second photo

Find five diﬀerences between the photos. Answers, upside down, are below.

Puzzles

Find the Diﬀerences

Puzzles

Crossword

ACROSS

4 Appropriately, this English teacher has a senior semester elective entitled “Gothic Literature: A Study of Fear.” 6 The particularly punny title of this year’s musical. 8 Soon, the tyranny of pumpkin spice will end, giving

way to this favorite holiday favor.

DOWN

1 Rebecca Black’s favorite female teacher at Pembroke Hill. 2 Mr. Lips’s wrist tattoo. 3 Grammy-winning group of which a certain PHS choir

teacher used to be a member.

12 Expect this to start off each day in Ms. McIntyre’s

5 In Back to the Future II, this teen drove into the futuristic year of 2015.

14 This PHS accompanist and his wife are expecting a baby in March.

7 This piece of facial hair is third-wheeling Mr. and Mrs. Romick’s relationship.

freshman biology class.

15 Asian Club is adopting this animal. 16 The preferred woodland creature of Mr. Laible. 17 Advisors recently discussed the possibility of replacing

9 Mr. Christian’s annual life-consuming and often outrageous Janterm class.

18 Throwing these in the winter is strictly prohibited on

11 Already championed by Mr. Medlock, a school-wide ____

19 Anyone in Mr. Duckworth’s classes could name this

the advisory system with four of these. campus.

Australian slang term for “made a mistake.”

10 First name of Rosher, fastest freshman girl in Pembroke’s cross country history. would attempt to combat academic dishonesty.

“Respect your ____,” says the t-shirt senior athletes receive as a rite of passage.

Letter

from the

Editors

Readers,

Around this time of year, some of you may be SAD: suffering from seasonal affective disorder. It’s cold outside, the days are short, and people tend to be unhappier. The fear of finals eclipses any joy that might be experienced at the prospect of Christmas carols or Secret Santa exchanges. The cold is the harbinger of stress, often coinciding with the familiar end-of-semester exhaustion. There’s no doubt it’s difficult to maintain a positive attitude as the semester winds down and the pressure cranks up, but don’t forget to enjoy yourself along the way. That usually seems impossible amid Tostevin-worthy exams and last-minute assignments, but you’ve only got a few high school winters. By no means is this new advice, but don’t try to simply get through this season. Allocate some time to throw snowballs, watch Elf, or drink hot cocoa with your friends. Maybe hold some of those aptly-named “study parties.” Don’t let exam or college application stress be the sole memory of this winter twenty years from now, or even next year. With that in mind, happy holidays. Paige and Michael

The Voice The Official News Publication of the Pembroke Hill School

The Voice is published monthly by the students of the Pembroke Hill School during the academic year to inform the Pembroke Hill Community about pertaining events and news. The paper is an open forum, distributed to the students, faculty, parents, alumni, and other members of the Pembroke Hill community. All decisions concerning grammar, layout, content, and photography are made solely by the editors themselves. As an open forum, The Voice encourages its readers to submit Letters to the Editors. The editors reserve the right to not publish letters. The Voice also accepts advertising and like articles. The editors reserve the right to not publish advertisements. Like us on Facebook at The Pembroke Hill Voice and follow us on Twitter at PHSVoice. Find us online at phsvoice.com. The Voice is YOUR publication. Please read responsibly.

Whispers

News Blurbs Around School

lizzie spaeth ‘18... broke to finals in three debate events in one tournament preston fleenor ‘15... signed to play golf for the university of missouri on november 18th. anton nagy ‘15... won the john t. jackson ‘99 soccer trophy. evan peterson ‘16... is now the fastest cross country runner in pembroke hill history with his school-record setting time at state. ben wang ‘16... is representing pembroke hill as a candidate for governor at the youth in government session. aware club... is sponsoring the kc santa run where people from all around the city run a 5k dressed in their favorite santa costumes.

Copy Chief Grace McFee

Editors-in-Chief Paige Pepitone and Michael Rubel

Staff Writers Bella Barnes Managing Editors Emily Beasley Feature – Cindy Wang Copy Editors Student Life – Megan She Sarah Chamberlain Emily Cohen Natalie Dameron Sports – Emily Dema Gunjan Gaur Shaina Desai Arts – Elizabeth Gerson Shannon Fang Mickey Ferguson MS – Laura Hibschman Mikey Geduldig Opinion – Lizzie Whitney Web Designer Grace Green Off-Campus – Saurabh Goel Cormac Chester Jillian Jetmore Tammy Lee Assistant Editors Business Managers Ellie Miller Davis Brooks Cormac Chester Vishesh Patel Devon Dietrich Grace McFee Gina Pepitone Olive Honan Daniel Stark Lizzie Shulman Photo Editor Julianne Waters Christine Zheng Cormac Chester Columnists Matt Burke – “Biased Opinions with Burke” Devon Dietrich & Olive Honan – “The Buzz” Elizabeth Gerson, Bella Foote, & Christine Zheng –KC Crawl” Eric Koch and Lizzie Whitney – “Calvin and Hobbes” Megan She – “That’s What She Said” Faculty Sponsors Dr. Matt Clothier Mr. Joel Causey

Finals Order: Language, Social Studies, English, Science, Math