The Voice - April, 2015 by Pembroke Hill Voice

The Voice April 2015

Celebrating The Class of 2015

Contents April 2015

6 Senior Art Focus Senior artists comment on their creative career at Pembroke Hill

10 Senior Thespians

Archives Check out the Voice’s new extensive archiving project; turn to page 17 to find out more.

Interviews with the theater veterans of Pembroke

16 KC Fashion Week Pembroke Hill senior reports on the latest trends sweeping the city

Congratulations to our new Editorsin-Chief, Elizabeth Gerson ‘16 and Megan She ‘16. Look forward to their first issue in May.

28 Showcase Flashback We take a trip back to 2011 to revisit the best of Showcase memories

Buzz

April Fools Find the Differences

Great Prank Ideas

April Fool’s Day may be over for this year, but here are some ideas for next year’s pranks:

Find 12 Differences between the photos. Answers on page 34.

1. Cover soap in clear nail polish so it won’t lather 2. Fill donuts with mayonnaise 3. Mix ground peppercorns in with your family’s coffee grind 4. Put plastic wrap underneath the toilet seat 5. Switch salt and sugar 6. Put Nair in the shampoo bottle 7. Unscrew the shower nozzle, put several Life Savers inside, then screw it back on for a sticky, colorful surprise 8. Fill Oreos with toothpaste 9. Switch out Coca Cola with Sprite and soy sauce

Word Search T

R T

Q U

G O A

U X B O E U O H K P R Y W D M W I

F M P N R F O O K

A N P R G J R I K P P

E U

G H

M T

Word Bank: Tease Diffendaffer Fool Prank

A I U

H D S

P D L R

K U H M

Y O

Trickster Fun April Idiot Jokes

Mr. Diffendaffer at Tokyo Disney. Photo Credits to thediffs.com.

SENIOR Laura Hibschman Managing Editor Each April, seniors at Pembroke Hill wrap up their year by presenting their Capstone projects. Capstones are the culmination of a year’s worth of research and hard work. This year, they will be presented on Tuesday, April 28th, and all are invited to come watch! n

Photo Credit to Travin Swan 2014

Seeing Introverts as Leaders by Isabella Pallotto For her Capstone project, Isabella Pallotto ‘15 is researching the effects of introversion and extroversion during early childhood development on leadership. After reading Susan Cain’s book Quiet, which Pallotto says discusses “the unsung benefits of less gregarious leaders in today’s society,” she was drawn to this project because it allowed her to combine many of her interests: psychology, leadership information (which she learned at LAB seminars), and working with children. By interviewing Polly D. Prendergast, the Director of Curriculum at The Berkeley Childhood Development Center, she was able to gain a new perspective into how children play and in what ways play is essential to defining a child’s social personality. Pallotto’s research can teach people to understand their social personality types and use them to make a difference, along with helping parents become better at addressing their children’s developmental needs.

Americans’ Knowledge of Iraq and Its Politics by Adam Bixby

Adam Bixby has focused his Capstone on Iraq, specifically what Americans know about it, why it is important to them, and how they can become more informed about Iraqi politics. Bixby has always been interested in Middle Eastern politics and believes in Iraq’s importance to America in ways such as economic interdependence, diplomatic relations, and regional stability. His research will lead people to look into America’s impact on the Middle East and change how Americans view their interactions with foreign countries like Iraq. Bixby hopes his presentation will influence his audience members to change their views towards foreign cultures, especially reflecting on how the United States should react to other ethnic groups half a world away.

Photo Credit to Finishing School 2008

CAPSTONES The F-Word: The Perception of Feminism In High School by Lucy Miller

In her Capstone, Lucy Miller ‘15 is studying the perception of feminism in high schools. She explains that she came to this topic because of her “interest in the ongoing Women’s Rights Movement and a shocking realization of how many teens understand feminism.” When English teacher Mrs. Taber asked her freshman classes to write down their own, personal definitions of feminism, Miller was really surprised that most of the responses were thoughtful and serious, and she was able to use what these students thought about feminism to expand her research. She believes that the comprehensive education of a movement based on dignity and justice can change teenagers’ perspective on feminism and inspire them to stand up for equal rights, and she strives to use her project to help inform others about the issue to make feminism a more palatable topic for everyone.

Photo Credit to kcochran06 2007

Photo Credit to BU Interactive News 2013

Emergency Medical Care in the Twenty-First Century by Parker Mathews Parker Mathews ‘15 is investigating the effect of recent healthcare legislation, the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”), particularly on emergency rooms in the United States for his Capstone. His interest in healthcare stems from the great amount of time he has spent volunteering and working in Kansas City emergency rooms, mainly St. Luke’s Hospital on the Plaza. Mathews is a certified Emergency Medical Technician and has developed a passion for emergency care over the past few years. He was specifically interested in one statistic he came across during his research: He explains, “The Affordable Care Act and its associated regulations are thousands of pages long. The full text of the ACA contains the word emergency 108 times, and the phrase emergency department six times. This sounds like a lot, until you recognize that the ACA and its regulations contain 11,588,500 words. Sound like the ACA may have overlooked Emergency Rooms a bit? Yeah. I thought so.” In Mathews’s opinion, emergency rooms are too frequently taken advantage of as “an essential right of being an American,” and “[e]veryone expects ERs to be open 24/7, and constantly available to treat illnesses and fix injuries quickly, expertly, and affordably.” He hopes his Capstone will open people’s eyes to how much is expected out of American ERs and teach them to help combat overcrowding and inappropriate use, allowing them to continue to operate and be able to provide care to all of us when we need it. 5

Senior

Caroline Massey

What artist has had the greatest influence on your art? Gregory Crewdson and Sandy Skoglund. Do you have a favorite piece you have worked on this year? A: I worked on photographing hair sculptures I made (out of people hair on their heads), and it was possibly one of the most fun things I’ve ever made. What is the most important thing you have learned this year? Probably that no matter how crazy an idea sounds, you can probably pull it off. What is your art focus? Photography is definitely my favorite medium because I can tell a story with the photos that I wouldn’t have been able to express otherwise. Photography gives the illusion that you’re only glimpsing a brief moment in something that will continue on, and I think that is one of the reasons I like photography. Natalie Dameron, Lindsay Luchinsky, and Sarah Chamberlain Staff Writers

Domenico DiMare

What's been the most rewarding part of being an art focus? Having people ask me about my artistic process, and how I was approached by two people to have my piece put in a museum. Do you plan to continue your art in college or as a career? I’m going to be an engineering major, so I hope to use my creativity and design principles I've learned.

Tammy Lee

What’s been the most rewarding part of being an art focus? Watching people enjoy my artwork as much as I do.

Maura Kessler

What artist has had the greatest influence on your art? I cannot choose just one! I think my art has been influenced by various artists throughout my high school career. Do you plan to continue your art in college or as a career? I do plan on studying art in college. I am going into a BFA (Bachelors of Fine Arts) program where I will get a general art education. Do you have a favorite piece that you have worked on this year? My favorite artwork created this year was a piece in which I took old book pages and cut out the words. I only left certain words to create a new meaning. I then added drawings in behind the cut out pages to enhance the idea within the words.

What kind of art do you have the most fun creating? Drawings!

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in AP Studio? Quantity over quality! It is more important to create a larger quantity of pieces than to create less pieces but at a higher quality. Basically you learn how to make your work by making work...and a lot of it!

Allison Ernst

What is your art focus and why? My art focus this year is 2D-Design. However, last year I focused in Drawing, and that will be what I focus on in college.

Do you plan to continue your art in college or as a career? I’m hoping to minor in fine arts.

What inspires your art? I am, naturally, drawn (pun definitely intended) to the world around me and take into consideration multiple aspects when I create; my art normally is influenced by geometric forms and nature. Do your ideas change as your art takes form or do they stay the same from start to finish? My ideas definitely change and evolve. I often begin a project with a general, vague concept of what I want the end product to look like. As I go on, this concept will get more and more specific during the planning process, and even more so when I physically create. However, this will also vary, as sometimes the end product will be radically different from my initial idea.

Artists

Angela Garza

What artist has had the greatest influence on your art? The artist that has had the greatest influence on me would most likely be Banksy, among other street artists. Graffiti has always sparked something in me, and I have experimented with that style of writing. I love how Banksy isn't afraid to comment on society and how dysfunctional it is. Do you plan to continue your art in college or as a career? Art will always be a part of my life, even if that means just doodling on a napkin while I wait for my coffee. I am majoring in Architectural Engineering (then going on to get a Master's in Architecture), so I will have a chance to combine my artistic side with my more analytical math/science side. Do you have a favorite piece you’ve worked on this year? My favorite piece of the year, at this point, would have to be the large colored pencil self-portrait I did at the beginning of second semester. That was the first time I had really worked with colored pencil, and although at times the piece was ridiculously frustrating, I am absolutely in love with how it turned out. (I don't have a picture of it at the moment, but I can get a photo for you guys tomorrow if you need it-- it's either hanging up somewhere in centennial or it's in the art room). Currently, this piece is untitled, but off the top of my head, I'm getting a The Sound of Beauty vibe from it. What is the most important thing you have learned in AP Studio Art this year? The most important thing I've learned in AP Studio this year (other than Creek's motto of "push it further"--I couldn't even tell you how many times she says that a week, but it is good advice!) is to just go with the flow of things. Some of my best pieces were actually just happy accidents. I'm trying to think of a recognizable piece that ended up so completely different from my sketches. Take the giant horse I drew last year. My original idea for that was something small, but colorful. Obviously that didn't happen. Even though that piece wasn't created in AP Studio, it still shows at any level to just let your pieces evolve on their own.

What is your art focus and why? A: My art focus for what I'm doing in AP Studio is 2D. That means I can draw, paint, and collage, as well as use photoshop and photography in my portfolio. I have always loved photography; for yearbook, I'll go to a game to get photos, and I'll leave with over 500 photos to sort through. It's just so relaxing, and I love capturing people's emotions.

Sara Doane

Do you plan to continue your art in college or as a career? I plan to major in art history in college, but I most likely won’t continue with visual art in the future. What inspires your art? I’m inspired when I look through photographs I’ve taken; I usually go months without making anything, then one day I’ll start flipping through pictures and get really excited about drawing something all of a sudden. Does your art have a central theme? For AP Studio Art last year, I focused on depicting the people and places that have contributed to who I have become. Outside of my AP Studio “concentration,” I really like to draw people and usually create small drawings in either pencil or carbon erase pen. 7

senior Athletes

Katherine Medlock What sports are you part of? I participate in soccer, cross country, cheer, track, and dance. How long have you been participating in these sports? I have been on cross country for three years, soccer for three years, track for one year, dance for fours years, and cheer for four years.

Ben Davis What sports do you do? I play soccer.

Sam Kramer What sports do you do? I play tennis.

How long have you been participating in this sport? I’ve been playing soccer for about 10 or 12 years.

How long have you been participating in this sport? For about seven years.

What is your favorite thing about this sport? I really enjoy spending time with my team.

What is your favorite thing about this sport? In tennis I can play by myself. I don’t have to rely on others which is nice.

What will you miss the most next year? I am really going to miss my team as a whole.

What will you miss the most next year? There is no pressure in high school. It’s very different in college.

What is your favorite team tradition? I love the soccer sleepovers and cross country overnight trips.

What is your favorite team tradition? I love the team dinners.

What is your favorite team tradition? It would probably be telling the freshman to go get the coaches coffee.

Preston Fleenor What sports do you do? I play golf.

Meredith Dunham What sports do you do? I do cheer and dance team.

How long have you been participating in this sport? For about seven years.

How long have you been participating in these sports? I’ve been doing both since freshman year.

Anne Marie Andrews What sports do you do? I have played field hockey, lacrosse, and basketball. Also I was technically on swim team for a bit.

What is your favorite thing about this sport? I can always escape everything else in my life when I play and compete.

What is your favorite thing about this sport? I love the team dynamic. Everyone gets really close throughout the seasons.

How long have you been participating in these sports? I have played field hockey and lacrosse all four years, basketball for one year, and I went to a day of swim practice sophomore year.

What will you miss the most next year? I will miss being on the high school team.

What will you miss the most next year? I really am going to miss everyone on my team. Both teams I was on were pretty small, so we all were very close.

What is your favorite thing about this sport? In lacrosse and field hockey there is a lot of team spirit. I really enjoy it.

What is your favorite team tradition? For dance team, on the night of our overnight competition, the team has this really intense talk. It’s hard to describe but it’s something that I always look forward to each season.

What will you miss the most next year? I am really going to miss the atmosphere and the environment.

What is your favorite thing about the sports you have participated in? In cross country, I love our tradition of team love.

What is your favorite team tradition? I like the family dinners.

What is your favorite team tradition? I really love the lacrosse sleepover. It’s a good time.n

DEBATE SENIORS

Michael Rubel

Adam Bixby

Michael Rubel has been in debate for four years, earning three varsity letters. This year, Rubel won two tournaments and was a double breaker in two tournaments. Rubel was successful in all of the events he participated in, which included Public Forum Debate, Lincoln Douglas Debate, and Humorous Interpretation. With an excellent rendition of Nazi Germany, Rubel successfully captured the humorous side of an issue within the United States, while capturing the hearts of many judges and competitors. Rubel also participated in Mock Trial for two years as an attorney and a witness. Michael led the team well as the vice president of the squad, and his legacy as a leader will be with the team for many years to come.

Adam Bixby has been in debate for three successful years. This year, Bixby competed in Policy debate and United States Extemp and will receive his second varsity letter for debate. This season, Bixby won a tournament, was a double-breaker at two tournaments, and made it to finals twice. Bixby also made it to finals at State in United States Extemp. Inspiring teammates, Bixby constantly works to ensure that others are able to meet their full potential and helps his teammates in any way he can. Bixby has also been on the Mock Trial team for two years as an outstanding witness on a team that has made it to state this year and previous years. Furthermore, Bixby was president of the debate squad this year and led many novice and varsity members to become better debaters. He will be missed as the leader of the debate squad. n

Cindy Wang Cindy Wang has been in debate for four years and is an outstanding member of the squad. This year, Wang went to quarters in Public Forum Debate as well as participating in Original Oratory at many tournaments. Captivating judges with her patriotism, Wang inspired many to be proud of their country with her original oratory. Wang also participated in Mock Trial for two years, each year helping the team make it to State and encouraging each individual to do their best. As a fabulous witness, Wang helped other witnesses with essential aspects of their characters, such as how to act and how to stay calm. Wang is an important member of the debate squad and has left a lasting mark on her teammates.

SENIOR

Shaina Desai and Lizzie Shulman Staff Writer and Assistant Editor

Arguably one of the most connected and fulfilling extracurriculars at Pembroke Hill, the Upper School theater department features a mix of students from every grade and a wide variety of personalities and backgrounds. Each school year showcases these students as they work to put together a short student-led production, a fall play, a musical, and a spring play. Though several performing arts teachers help guide the production of each show, the positive environment of the Thespian Lizzie Whitney V: What has been your favorite production? LW: Urinetown was great because it is dark and funny and satirical, while hugely relevant. Everyone had lots of time onstage, even the chorus members, and that led to a closer and more involved cast, which is always a good thing. And it was great to have so many underclassmen in the musical this year!

community would not be possible without leadership from our upperclassmen. This leadership is a colossally important aspect of the program, and this contribution is exhibited when these seniors lead theatrical warm-ups, help bring high energy for shows, and serve as mentors to the younger students. Acting teacher Rachel Cain, whose first year teaching at Pembroke coincided with the seniors’ freshman year, describes her “first graduating class, in many ways,” as one that will be Amanda Rivard V: How has your experience with the Thespian troupe helped you elsewhere in your life? AR: It has definitely made me more comfortable in my own skin. I’m also more confident when trying new things and meeting new people! Michael Rubel V: What is your favorite memory from theater? MR: Probably [dressing in] drag as Thisbe in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It took me a while to get a handle on the “dress and lipstick” thing, but I think that was the first time I really had to go out of my comfort zone and act.

Allison Ernst V: How has your experience with the Thespian troupe helped you elsewhere in your life? AE: It has helped me gain experience in the field that I intend to make a career in, theatrical costuming. I’ve also had the opportunity to experiment with different crew positions and learn about every aspect that goes into producing a show. V: Has there been anyone in the PHS theater community who has served as a mentor to you? AE: All of the great people, of course, though specifically Mrs. Cain. Long talks with her [have made some of my favorite memories], and she’s opened up so many opportunities for me to gain experience in the real world of theater. She’s one of the best people I know.

Left: Michael Rubel as Dr. Horrible. Right: Amanda Rivard as Dorine.

hard to forget: “They’re one of the most talented groups of students I’ve ever seen. It’s just wild, their size and range. They’re crazy skilled technicians and designers, and they’re incredibly gifted actors. I can’t imagine our theater without them.” We at The Voice interviewed some of our fearless Thespian leaders from the class of 2015, curious about their favorite moments, productions, characters, and lessons learned.n

THESPIANS Matthew Nelson V: What has been your favorite character to play? MN: Jack, from Into the Woods. He was such a silly character, but with so much more to him than people realize. V: Has there been anyone in the PHS theater community who has served as a mentor to you? MN: Mrs. Cain! She has helped me through thick and thin, and she’s taught me everything I know about theater. I don’t think my high school experience would have been nearly as fantastic without her.

Carlie Sherman V: Who has been your favorite character to play? CS: Penny in Urinetown, because I loved her backstory. Also, she was so complex and vocally challenging, but I loved it.

Above: Matthew Nelson as Jack Below: Mrs. Cain and Alex Anderson in London, England

Dakota Van Deursen V: What has been your favorite production? DVD: Mousetrap, by far. All eight of us really got into character. And, to be honest, I’m not sure if we did it for our audiences, our director, or ourselves as much as we did it for the other seven onstage. V: How has your experience with the Thespian troupe helped you elsewhere in your life? DVD: It helped me become more confident with me and how I present myself. Before I got involved with my first show, I was pretty reserved and wasn’t comfortable letting people know who I was. Now, though, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, let’s just say...some things have changed...

Alex Anderson V: Has there been anyone in the PHS theater community who has served as a mentor to you? AA: Getting to know Mrs. Cain through my theater experiences has been great. She’s really been a mentor to me, and she’s one of the best teachers I know at Pembroke.

science olympiad seniors

state

lead team to Above: Members of the Science Olympiad team celebrate their success at the regional competition.

Saurabh Goel Managing Editor The upper school Science Olympiad program at Pembroke Hill has always been extremely successful. Over this Spring Break, the fifteen-member team participated in the regional competition, once again taking the win, in no small part due to the team’s experienced and dedicated seniors, as well as the coach, Mrs. Wells. Of course, every team member spends countless hours preparing for competitions throughout the year. However, the seniors, as leaders of the team, carry the additional responsibility of guiding and mentoring the

younger members. The captains this year, seniors Eric Koch and Domenico DiMare ‘15, have been involved in Science Olympiad since sixth grade. This commitment is evident in their consistently high performance at every level of the contest. Earlier, I asked them to talk about their personal experiences and contributions throughout their many years. Both refused to comment. Perhaps this is just a sign of their modesty; or, maybe they are hiding some dark secrets. We will never know. However, they are not the

only seniors leading the team. Andrea Lu and Dakota Van Deursen ‘15 are also part of the “leadership squad” and are responsible for many events as well. When I asked Lu about her role as a leader, she said she “finally found her life’s purpose organizing competition materials and lifting some of the load off Mrs. Wells.” She claims to also “enjoy the atmosphere” on team trips. The consistent success of the team is due to tens of hours of intense preparation, “particularly the night before the competition,” according to Van Deursen. “We do not shy

away from pulling all-nighters when it comes to Science Olympiad. Our competition is fierce, so we must be fiercer,” he added. As the team heads off to State, everyone must put the final touches and their knowledge and devices; the rest is up to fate. It will, undoubtedly, be extremely difficult to fill the shoes of our seniors next year. In fact, it may be utterly impossible to replace our captains. But, we must carry the torch on into the next year, into the next generation, to infinity and beyond. n 13

Lizzie Whitney

Is It Hate Speech or Free speech is a right promised to us, as Americans, by the First Amendment; this we all know to be true. However, the overarching goal of the government is to do good by its citizens. More precisely, to “insure domestic tranquility . . . [and] promote the general welfare.” All these things sound like positive elements of our society. We like to be able to speak our minds, and we like both tranquility and general welfare (in the literal sense of the word, not necessarily just the government program). But what happens when one of these seemingly pleasant characteristics of our community threatens another one? Hate speech creates a political problem, as it could be legally protected by the First Amendment, though it threatens the peace and well-being of the country. Like many times before in this column, we now have to weigh the rights of some against the well-being of many, measure a promised right against a natural right. “Hate speech is speech that offends, threatens, or insults groups, based on race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or other traits,” the American Bar Association tells us. Most people agree it should, at the very least, be discouraged or disregarded. But there’s debate over whether or not the government can do anything to prohibit or punish hate speech. Interestingly, the Supreme Court ruled against “fighting words” in the early part of the 20th century, and as a result, Americans may not speak “words without social value, directed to a specific individual, that would provoke a reasonable member of the group about whom the words are spoken.” In some ways, hate speech and fighting words overlap: they are with-

Photo Credits to Brandon Robbins/Getty Images 14

out social value, and they are inflammatory. The only concrete difference, as per the American Bar Association, is the recipient of the words. While fighting words are directed to one person, hate speech is a broadcasted message of hate for a group of people. So if the sentiment is the same, the intent is the same, and only the audience is different, why does the government treat hate speech and fighting words so differently? I cannot tell someone he (and he alone) is a lazy bum and lousy at his job if there is a reasonable chance of provoking him, even if my accusations are merited. I can, however, make unsubstantiated, blanket statements about, say, the moral corruption, inhumanity, or damnation of an entire race with no legal consequences. It seems odd, doesn’t it? Especially in the Internet age, when any hateful person or impressionable child with a computer or library card has access to the World-Wide Web, we have to be careful about what we allow people to say. It’s easier than ever for these angry people to spread their messages and cause considerable damage. Anyone, but especially children, could suffer from low self-esteem or depression after reading enough words against them. Hate speech can perpetuate animosity between groups and even lead to physical violence. Fighting words, on the other hand, could incite relatively small-scale fisticuffs, and probably no lasting psychological damage. The government has limited free speech in the past to promote the public good. Hate speech is frighteningly similar to the prohibited fighting words, and could have more serious repercussions than could the banned words. It’s time to take action against hate speech. Haters gonna hate, but we don’t have to let them do it out loud.n

Photo Credits to NBC News

Eric Koch

Freedom of Speech? “Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want rain without thunder and lightning.” - Frederick Douglas. For free commerce of thought to exist, all ideas, even those that are radical or malicious, must be permitted. In the modern age, though, more and more people have forgotten the true meaning of free speech. Recently, a movement has begun to eradicate one kind of expression, dubbed “hate speech.” In many private colleges and universities, the code of conduct contains a section restricting offensive words. For example, Emory University’s policy prohibits “discriminatory harassment,” which “includes but is not limited to objectionable epithets, demeaning depictions…[etc].” Universities have always been places of learning, where there exists a free exchange of ideas among many different people. They represent the basic concept of a democracy in which men and women will present their own opinions; through reason, the good will triumph over the evil, and the truth will be found. However, when thought and speech are suppressed, how can we ever seek out the truth? The first hate speech case in a university arose on October 18, 1990. Doug Hann, a student at Brown University, shouted antiblack statements and used the word, ‘nigger.’ When another student pulled down their window and told him to be quiet, Hann said, “What are you, a Jew? What are you, a faggot?” The university found these and subsequent remarks sufficient reason to expel Mr. Hann, and he became the first and only student to be expelled from Brown University. Hann did not initiate violence or issue threats, but the university president neverthe-

Photo Credits to CNN

Photo Credits to ABC News

less upheld the verdict. While private universities can at least legally institute hate speech codes, public universities are guided by the Constitution. When the University of Michigan tried to implement hate speech policy in 1988, the code was struck down eighteen months later after a challenge from the ACLU. The ACLU has successfully challenged similar policies at the Universities of Connecticut and Wisconsin. The ACLU suggests that “the best way to combat hate speech on campus is through an educational approach that includes counterspeech…and real -- not superficial -- institutional change.” Unfortunately, much like Robin Thicke, public universities are beginning to see blurred lines-- in this case, between what is constitutionally acceptable and what is not. In March, members of the University of Oklahoma’s SAE chapter started a racist chant on a bus. Shortly after a video of the chant was posted online, two of the students involved were expelled. This time, despite outcries from a few free speech advocates, no lawsuit has been initiated, setting dangerous precedent for future cases. Suppression of opinion only leads to unilateral thought, dictated by those who rule. Relying on answers found while such thought exists is as nonsensical as relying on data accumulated from a lab experiment where measures were taken so as to ensure only one outcome. To us, some ideas are outlandish, evil, and destructive, but we must recognize that, if we want to preserve our liberty, we must allow such views to be held. If you see someone spouting bigoted remarks, go ahead and hate his guts, but, by all means, never let anyone take away his right to do so.n

Photo Credits to Breit Bart 15

Kansas City Fashion Week Tammy Lee ‘15 discovers how Kansas City lives up to its moniker, “Paris of the Plains”

Tammy Lee Staff Writer Kansas City Fashion Week (KCFW)––much like the more well-known New York Fashion Week (NYFW) or Paris Fashion Week (PFW)––occurs twice a year at Union Station for a fall/winter and spring/summer season. The glitz and the glamour you would expect at a fashion show was there, but if you’re comparing KCFW to NYFW or PFW, you might want to tone it down a bit. Kansas City isn’t considered to be or seen as a “fashion district,” but they truly are trying hard to become a well-known one (in the Midwest at least). After entering through the large black curtains, you will be handed a program, constantly be told to check out the sponsors of KCFW, buy drink tickets, and take pictures on the red carpet. When the sun sets and the lights go down inside Union Station, you’ll see the spotlights shining on the stark white runway with photographers at the end waiting for each model to make their way down to pose for their thirty seconds of fame. You’ll see the bloggers, magazine editors, and

television anchors sitting in the front two rows alongside other people considered prominent in the fashion industry. What you don’t see are the casting calls for the designers, the models, and even the volunteers. You don’t see each designer frantically trying to create fifteen or more pieces for their collection that will be shown in four or five months. And you don’t see the people running the show behind the scenes at 8AM when they show up to make sure each sponsor booth is set up, to make sure the hundreds of chairs are in perfect alignment, and to allow each designer a run through of their line. Merely an hour before the show started, the area would be filled with at least sixty people running around in sports attire cleaning the runway to make sure it’s spotless or on the phone asking why a sponsor hasn’t showed up yet to set up their booth. If you walked behind the second curtain to go backstage, you’ll find about sixty more people: models getting their hair and makeup done or designers sewing a hem on their dress to fit the model. But ten minutes before doors open,

evening gowns have been put on, sponsors are patiently sitting at their booths, models have been dressed with hair and makeup finished, and quick stations prepared backstage. Everything you see is the end result of months of preparation for the three nights KCFW occurs on. There was a point when I volunteered where I wondered why the people hwo run the fashion show and the designers who participate in it go through all the fuss of being in the show. Was the work, the money, and the time put into the show really worth it in the end? The answer is yes. The show is not only for the public to enjoy and for the models and designers to gain exposure, but more importantly, it’s for those two or three poses each model hits for a few seconds at the end of the runway. The maybe five photographers who are allowed in the photography pit quickly snap a dozen pictures in hope that a few out of the hundreds of pictures they took that night will be the photograph that launched a thousand credit cards. Each designer is dependent upon the pictures taken at the end of the runway because those pictures dictate the public’s opinion for the next season; they determine what styles end up in stores the following season, and ultimately, what you might end up wearing for the next year. n

Photo credits to Tammy Lee

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Teacher of the Month: Mr. Griffiths

This month, The Voice interviewed Mr. Griffiths, a man who is much more than “White and Nerdy” of research scientist. Something in computer programming would definitely be an option too, since I minored in computer science. Q: At this point, where do you see yourself thirty years from now? A: Thinking about that is pre�y difficult right now since I’m not even thirty years old, but my dream would be to still be here teaching and enjoying it if the kids are still enthusiastic about it. I’d like to one day be mentioned in the same sentence as Bob Hicks; he’s been a real role model for me, and he taught here for thirty-nine years. Q: What do you think contributes most to effective learning? A: People have to want to be there. If you’re not having fun with it, you’re not going to learn. Learning for the sake of learning, and enjoying it at the same time, is what makes the difference.

Mr. Griffiths teaching Calculus. Axel Shum Tech Editor

At first glance, Mr. Griffiths migh appear to be an average math teacher, but there’s more to him than meets the eye. As The Voice found out, Mr. Griffiths enjoys playing video games and reading fantasy novels. In the interview, Mr. Griffiths talks about his hobbies, future plans, and the things students do that annoy him most. Q: What is something about you that would surprise most people? A: I don’t do math in my spare time… o�en. I can beat Mike Tyson on Mike Tyson’s Punchout. Actually, I could easily beat him when I was like 8

years old. In fact, I’m probably one of the best NES players of all time. Q: What is your favorite book? A: The Lord of the Rings. I like fantasy stuﬀ, and sometimes when I’m bored, I’ll start reading it, and a�er about 50 pages it’s like, “okay well now I have to read the whole thing again.” Q: What would you most likely have done had you not become a math teacher? A: I would probably do something in science, maybe I’d be a biologist or geneticist. I might be some sort

Q: What is your preferred math topic? A: I really like geometry in terms of thinking through the proofs and working problems, but with teaching, I like to teach calculus. In calculus you get to dive in to heavier material concept-wise. I’ve never been a big number cruncher; I don’t like to just plug numbers into a formula. I actually didn’t like math that much in high school. I took AP Calculus my senior year, and I took Calculus II as a freshman in college thinking that I would be finished with math. Then I was oﬀered a math scholarship by

one of my professors. I was pre�y surprised, but he thought I had a lot of skill. So I started taking some upper level math courses and I really enjoyed it. Q: What is the most annoying mistake people make in your classes? A: There isn’t really any one mistake, but it’s frustrating when a student repeatedly makes the same mistakes. You shouldn’t be afraid of making mistakes, but learn from them. Q: Do you have a mathematician? If so, who?

favorite

A: Well, aside from my esteemed colleagues, I’m o�en impressed when I read about some mathematician’s work, but I wouldn’t say I am most impressed with any particular individual. I do have a favorite math story. When Gauss was seven years old, his elementary school teacher asked him to sum the numbers from one through one hundred and he immediately knew the answer is 5,050. He saw that one could easily make fi�y pairs of numbers that summed to 101 (by pairing 1 with 100, 2 with 99, 3 with 98, etc.) and simply multiplied 50 by 101. That is an example of pure thinking, and it’s such an elegant proof. When I heard that story I had one of those Keanu Reeves moments from The Matrix, “woah.” Q: And the one we’ve all been waiting for: Darth Vader vs. Saruman. A: Well, Vader takes Saruman, but Sauron takes the Emperor.

Let the College Process Begin!

Junior Hunter Chamberlain expresses his opinion on the half-day spent on the junior self-evaluation. Hunter Chamberlain Staff Writer

were supplied with a lengthy

fun time talking in the small

upcoming seniors. However,

had been given just a study

Q&A with

Ahmad A brief chat with Ahmad Ansari ‘15. Alex Hrinya and Daniel Spertus Contributers

V: How many papers do you have up on the fail board? A: At least a dozen. V: What is your worst habit? A: No comment.

V: Favorite US President? A: Bill Clinton. V: Have you been anywhere exotic before? A: Nowhere exotic, unless Branson is exotic.

V: Favorite TV Show? A: The Sopranos.

V: What food could you not live without for the rest of your life? A: Cheeseburgers.

V: Favorite Comedian? A: Louis C.K.

V: Favorite NASCAR driver? A: Jeff Gordon, the one who’s retiring.

V: Who is the greatest NBA player of alltime? A: Michael Jordan.

V: East Coast or West Coast Rap? A: East, West, can’t really decide.

V: What color was the dress? A: It changed.

V: If the world was going to end and you knew it what three things would you do? A: I don’t know.

V: If you could have one superpower, what would it be? A: Invincibility.

V: Top three favorite websites? A: I don’t use the internet.

V: Are you naturally gifted at karaoke or was it an acquired skill? A: All natural. 18

V: Have you met anyone famous? A: Nah.

Julianne Waters

Q&A

Davis Brooks Assistant Editor

V: What advice, as someone who has made it through high school, do you have for someV: What three objects or words best sum up one just starting? who you are? A: Wear a cowboy hat everyday so people know A: 1) A skeleton in Sailor Moon cosplay you’re the man. 2) The sunglasses guy emoji 3) A sense of impending doom V: What do you plan on studying in the future and where? V: With the year coming to a close, what are A: I’m planning on studying at School of Rock. you going to miss most about Pembroke? A: The steady undercurrent of a feminist revo- V: If you could live anywhere in the world, lution brewing in the sophomore class. where would it be? A: The isolated depths of the lost city Atlantis. V: What’s your favorite memory from high Not to be confused with the resort island, freschool? quented by hard-working, middle class famiA: Sneaking all the dogs out of Wayside Waifs lies. for a night on the town during Jan Term.

Know someone who would be great for our Q&A’s? Email us at

voice@pembrokehill.org

Matt Burke’s

Top 7 Albums

of the Year

7. Angel Olsen Burn Your Fire for No Witness

In her song “White Fire,” Angel Olsen sings: “Everything is tragic/It all just falls apart.” Never has a couplet summed up an album better. Who could even imagine that a girl from St. Louis of all places could be so dissatisfied and melancholy (nah, I’m just joshin’ ya, St. Louis is a cesspool)?

2. Swans - To Be Kind

To say that Swans aren’t a band for the faint of heart is the understatement of the century. Seriously, if you value your sanity, disregard everything I’m about to say about this album. I suppose I should first elaborate why this album is number two. First, it’s over two hours long, but manages to stay fresh the whole way through, a feat that’s more than a little impressive. Second, Swans have been around for thirty years, which means that lead singer Michael Gira and co. are currently pushing sixty. However, if you told me that Swans were a bunch of twenty-year-olds, I would believe it, because To Be Kind sounds like some of the most cutting-edge s**t around, the kind of stuff that could only exist in the decade we currently find ourselves in. It’s not quite as apocalyptic and harrowing as its predecessor, The Seer (which I recommend you listen to first, if you’re bold enough to give this album a try), but it’s every bit as daring, grandiose, and ambitious. Don’t say I didn’t warn you, though.

6. St. Vincent St. Vincent

After four albums, I thought for sure St. Vincent would’ve sounded mediocre by now. I guess not. It really could’ve gone either way with this album; her sudden change in style and decision to dye her hair white left a lot of people with the impression that she had chosen style over substance this time around. Once again, I guess not. After repeated listens, I’ve come to the conclusion that there really isn’t a bad track in the album; running at just forty minutes, it’s short, sweet, and to the point. Oh, and I have an enormous crush on St. Vincent. I feel like I might as well include that.

3. Todd Terje It’s Album Time

5. Sun Kil Moon Benji

Back in junior year, I wrote a review of this album in which I gave it a perfect A+...I’ll admit I might have gotten overly excited about it. Now, I’d probably give the album an A or an A-; most likely because I simply played this album to death and got tired of it. The more I listened to it, the more obvious its glaring flaws became. However, flaws aside, there really is nothing like Benji, which should really account for something. Come for the feels, stay for the feels. No really, there are lots of feels contained within this album.

4. Freddie Gibbs and Madlib - Pinata

It’s the return of Madvillainy...sort of. Freddie Gibbs is no MF DOOM, but he’ll definitely do for now. To be honest, I had no idea Madlib still had it in him to make beats this fresh, but I guess he does. The truly astounding thing is that Freddie definitely holds his own, spitting fire on pretty much every track with bravado that seems effortless. Critics have compared this album over and over to Only Built 4 Cuban Linx by Raekwon (who actually appears on the album), and I think it’s an apt comparison, especially because they both rely so heavily on samples from crime movies. Short and to the point, Pinata is an instant rap classic. In a year of mostly weak hip-hop releases, RTJ2 stands out from the crowd like the glorious pillar of excellence it is. Although El-P and Killer Mike’s first album under the Run the Jewels moniker was rather great, it felt more like a glimpse of what was to come. If this album is what was to come, then I’m incredibly excited for what comes next. Essentially, if you call yourself a fan of rap music, or music in general, every second you spend not listening to this album is a waste. As rappers, Mike and El-P are on fire, delivering verses with machine-gun force from everything to conspiracy theories, the sorry state of the police force, sex, and llamas (two to be exact). As a producer, El-P has finally created something that could be considered on par with The Cold Vein, which, as you’ll recall, I declared my favorite rap album of all time. As El says on the record himself, if you don’t like it, you can “run backwards naked through a field of…”well, you’ll just have to listen to the album to find out. I got a lot of confusion and scorn (mostly from Joe Thomas) for writing an article on this album earlier this school year. I would just like to clear things up by saying that I am in no way a huge EDM fan; for the most part, the genre can shove it. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some key exceptions. Last year it was Disclosure’s Settle; this year, it’s….It’s Album Time. I can’t really think of that many albums I’ve had more fun listening to, or albums that I loved so immediately. To put it simply, this album is a whole lot of fun.

1. Run the Jewels - Run the Jewels 2

UnBiased Opinions with Burke

Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly It’s hard for a rapper to repeat themselves after making a classic. It took Nas three tries before he could repeat the genius of Illmatic. Kendrick nailed it. If you told me three years ago that Kendrick’s follow up to good kid, m.A.A.d city would be just as good, if not better, I wouldn’t believed you. Yet Kendrick managed to create something far more complex, cohesive, and ambitious. Though Kendrick’s rapping isn’t noticeably any better than last time around (it’s more or less the same level of amazing), the production is much, much more complex. The unsung MVPs of TPAB are Flying Lotus and Thundercat, who bring their own brand of psychedelic hip-hop/funk into the mix, mainly through Thundercat’s amazing bass playing, which gives the album another edge that, while unnecessary, certainly doesn’t make the album any worse. The duo’s most noticeable contribution is in the album’s opener, “Wesley’s Theory,” which also features the pair’s voices in addition to those of Kendrick’s mentor Dr. Dre and none other than George Clinton, the master of funk music itself. While the album’s multiple songs are separate in subject matter, they all for the most part tie into the album’s central theme of black exploitation in America and a sin-

gle poem of Kendrick’s, which is told little by little until ultimately it is revealed to be addressed to Kendrick’s idol, 2Pac, in the album’s twelve minute closing epic, “Mortal Man.” Kendrick must identify with Pac to some degree; after all, like Pac, Kendrick has been faced with the new challenges of

success, which include Kendrick’s fear of his own ego and his love for spending money on things he doesn’t need (“For Sale?”) as well as his fear that his new friends are only pretending for their own reps (“You

Ain’t Gotta Lie”). Along the way, Kendrick also shows a fair amount of resentment in himself. In “u,” Kendrick drowns in a sea of liquor, which brings back some haunting memories involving a friend of his who died due to his own carelessness. In “The Blacker the Berry,” Kendrick calls himself a “hypocrite” for crying over Trayvon Martin when gang life has led him to kill other black men for no particular reason, which really worries him because of his secret desire to return to “the hood,” which he expresses in “Institutionalized.” Without rambling too much, I’ll make a long story short: Kendrick has a lot on his mind. TPAB is an album chock full of opinions that are never without their fair dose of insight. It seems kind of early to say this, but I’m fairly confident this is the best rap album in a couple of years. I’d say it’s the first truly groundbreaking hip hop album since Kanye’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, and is honestly close to that album in quality (in case you didn’t know, I really dig that Kanye West fellow). Though I’m sure a lot of you have already heard it and immediately wrote it off as a disappointment, I recommend that you give it another try. You won’t regret it. n

Saying Goodbye to UnBiased Opinions Looks like this is my last review. Sorry that this column has been literally nothing other than my constant, rather one-sided opinion. I hope I didn’t come across as pretentious as I think I did. I’ve learned something valuable from this experience though: I never want to actually become a professional critic. I imagine that when your actual occupation is literally nothing other than vomiting out your meaningless opinions on a weekly basis, it’s very probable that you would get way too full of yourself. With that being said, this month is the last time I ever vomit out my opinions on paper. Thanks to anybody who actually enjoyed these things. Sincerely, Matt Burke

Bo Burnham Concert Review Megan She and Lizzie Shulman Managing Editor and Assistant Editor

“Comin’ from the streets with nothing,” contemporary satirical artist Bo Burnham now makes hit records. While he began his career with YouTube videos from his attic bedroom, he has since taken off, authoring critically-acclaimed poetry collection Egghead, starring in and writing cult MTV show Zach Stone Is Gonna Be Famous, and headlining his own international tour. We had the privilege of seeing Burnham on March 10th, where his most recent tour, Make Happy, sold out Kansas City’s Folly Theater. His work comments on the concept of comedy’s idiosyncrasies; his gimmicky performance uses contrasting dark undertones to highlight the ironic nature of humor. “Capitalizing on the animalistic impulses of the public,” Burnham played off of the “unmentionables” and tropes of society. We, as antagonists of the country genre, passionately related to his qualms with the generic repetitiveness of country music (“Panderin’”), and we, as long-time Bo Burnham fans, rejoiced at the opportunity to sing along to one of our favorite songs (“From God’s Perspective”). He struck a “dischord” with the audience in his improvisational mocking of Kansas City barbecue, evoking “the strongest response [he’s] gotten on the tour so far,” with all of us quickly jumping to the defense of our heritage. Natalie Dameron ‘17 declared: “The best part was when he rapped about Chipotle’s disproportionate burrito fillings!” With his humorous and personal support for everyone (but the “Straight White Male”), we find that Bo Burnham truly serves as a “voice for the voiceless.”n

“The best part was when he rapped about Chipotle’s disproportionate burrito fillings!” - Natalie Dameron ‘17

Comedian Bo Burnham performing at the Folly Theater.

Katie Graves Contributor

MisterWives

Album Review

Just like Mandy Lee cries in the opening chords of Our Own House, this band truly “came in like the breeze.” A few months ago I had no idea who MisterWives was, but now I find reflections (pun intended) of them everywhere. In the course of only a year, they will visit Kansas City three times, and will surely win the hearts and shrieking voices of their young, sweaty audiences. The most notable trait of the group is, in fact, the lead singer’s talent. The vocal trills and melodious runs give the album dynamics that volume variation alone cannot provide. The pop-beats of the numbers include rhythmic snaps, taps, and claps. Unlike most albums, this record builds up to the last song rather than starting with a bang and dying somewhere toward Track 7. The ending number, “Queens,” has the same upbeat, youthful thematic elements as the rest of Our Own House, compelling the listener to play the album on loop. This record breaches multiple genres due to the band’s alt-rock vibe and the natural pop sensibilities of Mandy Lee’s high, shrill soprano. Each of the tracks can stand alone as a single release, but in conjunction with one another, the songs create something much more powerful and tangible than a typical girly love song or a reason to flip your hair violently in a very large crowd (guilty as charged). I highly recommend this record because it is, after all, OK to separate yourself from angst for a bit and listen to something catchy. n

KC Crawl

Chai Shai

Elizabeth Gerson, Christine Zheng, Bella Foote Managing Editor, Staff Writer, Staff Writer Comfortably tucked between the side streets of Brookside, Chai Shai, purveyor of Indian and Pakistani cuisine, is a true Kansas City gem. This unique establishment deviates from the norm because of its absolute commitment to the true tastes of the owners’ homelands. In short, the cuisine of Chai Shai is purely, and pleasantly, authentic to the core. In the words of Kashif Tufail, owner of the restaurant: “Our intent has always been that so people can always have a comfortable view of what our cuisine is and provide them with a classical taste of our culture.” While Chai Shai has developed to become well-renowned and respected in the KC area, it originated as a sort of happy accident. Tufail explains: “This place was supposed to be a production facility for samosas to be sold wholesale. It was never designed to be a restaurant or have a customer to walk through the door.” However, as nearby residents voiced their desire for a casual yet quality eatery, Tufail listened. He crafted a menu, opened the doors to the public, and thus, Chai Shai was born. Upon entering the restaurant, we immediately took in its modern “French cafe” style atmosphere; as we sipped our teas and munched on samosas (a fried pastry with vegetable filling and ground meat), the restaurant’s claims to fame, we chatted with Tufail about the importance of ambiance: “Food is a very personal and emotional thing, and music and your environment are big pieces of the overall

Left, sample platter; right, Rooh Afza.

experience, from the color of the wall to the lighting to the tables and chairs . . . if you can bridge that gap between food and atmosphere, and bring the entire environment together to invoke all of the senses, and do killer food, then you make someone happy and that’s a mood that they’ll remember.” He continues to explain that “the music is just as important as the food we serve, and we curate the music selection here with the same care as when we plate dishes.” Chai Shai truly captures an absolute sensory experience, from the eclectic music choices, to the decor to the incredible cuisine itself. As if the authentic, heavenly dishes as well as the unique inclusion of all the senses did not have us sold on the restaurant enough, Tufail went on to describe what the restaurant meant to him, personally: “Food talks a lot about the region and the people. Meals and food are really personal things. A lot of it ties to memories as a kid

Photo credits to Christine Zheng

or a certain place and time of your life, so one of the things we talk about here is if somebody from India walks in and they eat and remember home, we really feel like we’ve done our job. It’s something that we as restaurant owners missed when we went out to eat at other Indian-Pakistani restaurants . . . that’s one of the things we focus on here, doing food that reminds people from back home of home, and for people that aren’t from there, to give them a clear understanding of who we are as a people and a culture.” If ever you find yourself craving a relaxed restaurant experience without compromising the integrity of a perfectly crafted atmosphere or impeccable food, we highly recommend a stop by the Southwest corner of 59th Street and Holmes to give Chai Shai a shot. We truly adhere to our belief that it is some of the best Kansas City has to offer as it has ascended to the top of the list of KC Crawl favorites. n

Senior Horoscopes Capricorn You are a forward-thinking person who believes in planning and strategizing, but this month you will open up to various ideas that you never would’ve given thought to. These ideas will challenge and inspire you, and life will feel more fluid than it ever has before. - Example: Molly Reardon (1/18) Aquarius Balance is key for you this month. You are deeply intellectual

but you also have a powerful spiritual side. Perhaps you are unaware of this side of yours, and it has caused you trouble that you cannot entirely justify. April will be the month for you to find a balance between these two aspects of yours, and, in the process, get to know yourself in a different perspective. - Example: Domenico DiMare (2/02)

Pisces This month your intuition will be in full swing, and you

will follow your gut. People will be surprised by this intuition of yours, but don’t be afraid to follow the lead of your hunches. - Example: Kel Walls (3/06)

Aries You will feel more confident and bold than you ever have before. Since

your sign is ruled by the element of fire, your ability to take initiative and be efficient will easily expand your boundaries this month and allow to accomplish your highest goals. - Example: Brooke Peterson (3/28)

Taurus With Venus, the goddess of love, as Taurus’s ruler, relationships and harmony markers in your sign will make you an attraction for other people’s attention. You’re magnetic Taurus, and what you tend to attract this month is love and money, or both. - Example: Walter Fromm (4/23)

Cancer If you’ve had any muddled thoughts lately, now is the time they will be sorted out. You might be shocked just how much you can accomplish if your keep your head up and stay focused. You will channel your passion into work, and travel is definitely a major aspect of your life this April and well into summer. - Example: Eric Koch (6/10) Gemini Spending time doing anything boring, tedious or way too grown up will definitely be the very last thing on your mind this month. Now is the time for you to laugh your heart out and let go of all your worries. - Example: Tammy Lee (6/11)

Leo Now is the month where getting on board with others is a great move. Ideas will be exchanged, creativity will be exercised. By combining your drive and your lucky (and quirky) streak, you will have everything to gain and nothing to lose. - Example: Julianne Waters (7/27) Libra Your sign is represented by the Scales, and this month, you will have the opportunity to stand up for something you believe in. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you carefully consider and think it through. After you make the decision, do not hesitate to stride forward. - Example: Caroline Hogan (10/16) Virgo Energy flows where attention goes, and this month, your attention will go more toward relationships than your usual analytical, deep way of thinking. You will have the chance to find a deeper commitment this April and be more in tune with a side of your self that often goes unnoticed. - Example: Joe Thomas (11/05) Scorpio Perspective is a key word for you this April,

and you will be around people who give you a glimpse of how other people see you in a way that you’ve never seen before. This experience will be enlightening and lead to a many discoveries and changes in yourself and in your life. With perspective there then comes transformation. - Example: Katie Hall (11/04)

Sagittarius Being the charismatic sign that you are, partnering up with new (and old) friends this April will be a great way to bring about more excitement and thrill in your life. You live for experience, and involving yourself with more people allows for that. Your horizons will be broadened as you socialize and new knowledge will be gained. - Example: Seun Adebo (12/19)

Fielding

Nick Dowling ‘17

Burnette ‘18

V: If you were writing a story about your life so far, what would the title be? N: About a Boy, that’s such a good movie.

V: What inspires you? F: That is really a big question that I can’t answer right now!... Why don’t you put Clay Lundgren.

Humans of PHS

Delaney

Northington ‘18

V: If you were writing a story about your life so far, what would the title be? D: Disappointing My Parents.

Sergi

De Anda ‘16

V: What do you want to be when you grow up? S: I’d like to work in an Embassy; I think that would be pretty cool.

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

Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park boasts one of the most stunning compilations of petrified wood and mesmerizing fossilized forests in the United States. Chunks of these rock lay scattered throughout the park; like most pretty things that just lie around, these stones have been extremely prone to theft, despite the hefty fines and warnings. Most minor thefts start with materialistic or monetary greed and end with mild guilt or shame. The thefts at this national park fit a different trope: thieves of the petrified wood are ridden with such extreme guilt, and sometimes fear, that the rocks are shipped back to the park along with apology letters. It’s become such an extraordinary phenomenon that the Petrified Forest National Park actually has an entire (still growing) installment of these rock and confession combos in their Rainbow Forest Museum. Keep in mind these apology letters aren’t just short and simple. Most letters are chillingly superstitious and suspect the rocks of curses and bad luck. “Upon returning home we first found out that my stepmother had kidney failure, then our dog died, our central air conditioning went out and our freezer,” recalls a former thief in 1980, relating all unfortunate events in her life to the stealing of a cursed rock. In a shorter note, another anonymous thief writes, “Here are your rocks, nothing but trouble,” giving

the mysterious rocks an even more ominous aura. “Found this in my room, you can have it, it’s bad luck. Got busted last night,” one admits. Begs another, “Please put this back so my husband can get well. I tried to keep him from taking it.” In the most popular letter, the eerie note was simple: “This stone, with misfortune abounds! To you... I am now absolved.” For others, the theft has weighed on their minds for years on end, in many cases haunting people up into their adulthood. “To the Keeper of Rocks: Adolescent foolishness caused me to take this. Adult guilt caused me to return this. In reality, there is no excuse. Please forgive,” admits another patron of the park, returning the problematic rock years after he initially took it. “They are beautiful, but I can’t enjoy them – they weigh like a ton of bricks on my conscience. Sorry.” As to why the mysterious stones have created such a widespread, guilt-stricken phenomenon from so many desperate and paranoid thieves nationwide, no one really knows. If you want to see real photos of the letters and information about the park itself, check out Bad Luck, Hot Rocks by Ryan Thompson and Phil Orr (a compilation of letters and rocks within the Rainbow Forest Museum) or the official “Bad Luck, Hot Rocks” Tumblr blog. n

REMEMBERING

Showcase

2011

Showcase, the annual 7th and 8th grade musical spectacle, entertains and encourages students to express their talents onstage.

The Voice compares two eras of the MiddleSchool theatrical production to celebrate the rising freshman and bid farewell to the graduating seniors

we’re doing a show and we’re throwing it back Jacqueline Kincaid Staff Writer Showcase, the annual 7th and 8th grade musical spectacle, entertains and encourages students to express their talents onstage. Four years ago, our current seniors participated in Showcase ‘11, singing 100 years of music to represent the Centennial of Pembroke Hill. A few of the most memorable group ensembles from Showcase ‘11 include the girls’ 1940s medley, boys’ 1950s medley, and “Jai Ho” as the finale. During the finale, the performers called out the names of dance moves they made up. One move, the “Eight-Punch Combo,” pertained to a novel read in English class, The Power of One. Notable individual performances included Beck Guastello ‘15 singing ”I Just Haven’t Met You Yet.” Both seventh and eighth graders that year had a great time working to put together a show. When Lizzie Whitney ‘15 auditioned for a “You’re So Vain” solo, Isabella Pallotto ‘15, Shaina Desai ‘16, and Maya Hill ‘16 created a backup dance. Choral director Debra Anderson was so impressed with the hilarious dance that she made it a number in the show. Cole Kiersznowski ‘15, another featured soloist, recounts some of his memories of

Showcase: "I liked that [Showcase] was a really big deal to the Middle School and that I got to be a part of that tradition. Being able to perform in front of all my friends and family was a blast.” Also, Carlie Sherman ‘15 comments that, during Showcase ‘11, she found her passion and skill for signing through the her two solos, which has helped her to earn a musical theater scholarship for college. Showcase ‘11 executed “Through the Years” very well for the perfect end to Pembroke’s 100th year! This year, Showcase ‘15 consists of “Footloose” for the girls’ medley and boys’ 1970s disco medley, as well as a condensed version of Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat. Jay Mehta '19, who will play the role of Joseph, says, “I’m thrilled to be playing the part of Joseph and feel lucky to have the role. My favorite song is ‘Pharaoh’s Story.’” Soloists include Colleen Crabtree, Jaden Fire, and Lauren Lee '19. Crabtree has the solo song of “Dear Future Husband.” When she first saw her act posted, she felt mixed emotions of anxiousness and excitement as students started to congratulate her on her part. Fire is signing “Blueberry

Pie.” She says, “I really love how everything comes together in the end [of Showcase]. Of course at first we are a little bit messy, but it is truly amazing to see how everyone progresses and learns to work together for that final product.” Lee will be singing “Chasing Pavements” in Showcase ‘15. “When I first found out I was singing a solo with no one else on stage, I was a little freaked out! But as Showcase comes closer, the nervousness turns into excitement. Can’t wait for Showcase 2015!” Throughout the years, Showcase has reinforced the importance of musical exposure to Middle School students and helped build bonds between students. Caroline Hogan ‘15 describes this perfectly by stating, “I would have to say my favorite memory of Showcase was being able to hang out with my friends during rehearsals as well as getting to know other people!” As the tradition of Showcase continues, boys will sign the Showcase poster that is put outside of the dressing rooms, and girls will kiss the poster with the infamous red lipstick. As a Pembroke Hill community, we thank and congratulate Debra Anderson on her thirtieth year of Showcase! n

1. Pink heart on table gone 2. Blue to red bucket 3. Cole and John face swap 4. Under Armour flipped 5. Bad Day to Day Bad 6. Journeying through... to Journey through......

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

Puzzles

Find the Differences

Name:

Crossword

Complete the crossword below 1 2

Puzzles

ACROSS 2. Confucius once said: “Look to a man’s pants, and you can tell which week it is.” Or maybe that was this senior. 8. If you need an outfit to lead a revolution, talk to this senior who won a Gold Key Scholastic Art Award for her wearable art. 9. This senior lived in Germany and attended an international school until sixth grade. 11. There’s no spelling bee in the high school, but try to spell the Polish surname of this sports-inclined senior. 12. This senior, who showed off her French accent at assembly announcements, is interning in France this summer. 13. After living in both Canada and South Korea, she transferred to Pembroke Hill this year.

Created on TheTeachersCorner.net Crossword Maker

DOWN 1. This Stanford-bound senior is a champion fencer who competes on the state circuit. 3. This senior, attending what 4-down might call “fake” Georgetown next year, scored over 1,000 points in her basketball career. 4. See 3-down 5. Crowned Homecoming King, this senior sports two different pairs of colored, crushed-velvet glasses. 6. This senior has signed to play baseball at Tufts University. 7. This senior will forever attend Shawnee Mission East. 10. This senior has a history in professional acting in the KC area.

Letter

from the

Editors

As we reflect on our first back-of-the-magazine letter, we recall we were pretty excited about how glossy this magazine was going to be. As we’re nearing the end of the school year, we still believe a Statue-of-Liberty-esque Dr. Clothier can use our shiny magazine to illuminate the Pembroke Hill community. Our dedicated staff helped the publication navigate a tricky transition, and we’re proud of the Voice’s evolution. We’ve had our ups and downs this year: everlasting paste-ups, last-minute article scrambles, cover pixelation issues, and waffle iron catastrophes. At the end of the day, though, we hope the publication has captured the spirit of Pembroke Hill. We won’t toot our metaphorical horns though the whole letter, though. This year, the staff pushed the boundaries of the Voice’s identity more than ever before; they took risks, both in terms of content and design. And even when those gambles fell flat, we couldn’t be too unhappy; our ambitious failures often accomplished more than our conservative successes of the past. As of now, we’re no longer the Editors-in-Chief of the Voice. This year, we’ve done our best to imbue a sense of ambition in the staff. No matter what happens next year, we’re betting – call it hoping – the Voice will be even more ambitious in the future. If a few of them don’t pan out, that’s ok. Because it’s all up from here. It’s been a pleasure.

Whispers News Blurbs From Around School

mr. challacombe... is a new father to evan santiago challacombe. angela garza ‘15... is a state finalist for the national american miss pageant, which takes place in june. it’s always sunny in philadelphia... is the most popular show on the new commons apple tv. veronica loskutova ‘16... won a national scholastic national silver medal for her piece “miss universe.” lizzie whitney ‘15 and dylan peters ‘15... are two of 53 students in Kansas who have been named candidates for the Presidential Scholars Award. elizabeth gerson ‘16... is the recipient of the woods scholarship and will be attending classes at harvard this summer.

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 issuu.com/PHSVoice. The Voice is YOUR publication. Please read responsibly.

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 Kate Kramer Jillian Jetmore Assistant Editors Business Managers Tammy Lee Davis Brooks Cormac Chester Ellie Miller Devon Dietrich Grace McFee Will Park Olive Honan Gina Pepitone Lizzie Shulman Photo Editor Daniel Stark Christine Zheng Cormac Chester Lauren Washington Julianne Waters 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