Watch Fall by Porter-Gaud School

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Porter-Gaud School Fall 2014 Volume V Issue I

cyclone

Kole Burke

Logan Coleman

Will Limehouse Brett Cranny

Andre Hebra

Benjamin Joye

Cinnie Saunders William Chapman

Alex Dodenhoff Derrick Main

John Peters

Judah Ellison

Nikki Bregman Lydia Puwalski 2

Matthew Key

Monica Nyland

John Frye

Cade Callen

Garis Grant

Dr. Lehman

Mr. Smith 3

The watch would like to acknowledge assistance from the following: Mr. Ricky Hicks, Ms. Karleigh Hambrick, Ms. Tucker Branham, Mr. Al Trivette, Mr. Shawn Carrie, Mrs. Jeannie Gleaton, Ms. Anne Anoia, Mr. Chris Mullinax, Dr. Tom Westerman, Mr. Dave Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Donnell, Mikell Hay, Father Brian McGreevy, Mr. David Myer, Mr. Aaron Lipka, Dr. Bill Slayton, Paul Qualey, and McRae Lawrence.

Table Of Contents 6

That Literally, Shouldn’t Be a Thing: A Glance at Our Culture’s Don’ts

Let’s Burn It!: Is Censorship the New Witchhunt?

#breaking: Journalism by the People?

Finding Bigfoot?: Our Obsession with Cryptozoology

Charleston’s New Curfew: Get Home by 12, Period!

Bright Lights and Gigabytes: As Porter Powers On What Is Being Lost?

Whoops! Learning from Teachers’ Mistakes

Reviewing the New Kids on the Block (Not The Boy Band)

“Hit List”: A Playlist of Straight Fire

Swine Tasting: Looking For the Perfect Pork

Teacher Feature: Featuring New Teachers

In Loving Memory of Shriver Soliday

Garis Grant John Frye Nikki Bregman Matthew Key Alex Dodenhoff Judah Ellison Monica Nyland John Peters Cinnie Saunders Will Limehouse Cinnie Saunders, Alex Dodenhoff, Will Limehouse, Judah Ellison Mikell Hay & Father Brian

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By John Frye

LET'S BURN IT Is Censorship Today’s Witchhunt?

As the French intellecual Voltaire once said, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” If there is one thing that Voltaire has ever gotten right, it’s that one little thing, because speaking your mind is a human right—a human right that, all too often, is being seen as a crime. Perhaps that statement is a little dramatic, but you get the point. Ever since we could smudge berry juices and ash onto a cave wall, people have been able to express themselves. It’s a little thing called art, in case you didn’t know. Slowly, that art evolved; it became music, books, pictures, movies, video games—anything that could tell a story. But whenever that art goes up, you can almost be certain that someone (or something) will take offense. And when someone takes offense, precious, precious masterpieces go to the bonfire. Who is this evil tyrant, you might ask? The Man—The Man that so easily crushes dreams. Now, I don’t strut around the street in a tinfoil hat, but The Man definitely tops my list for things that are dark, oppressive, and lurking in the shadows. My definition, though, differs from the general consensus; you know, evil governments and shadow creatures. To me, The Man is just the people around us. In saying this, you know who I’m talking about; the only ones to ever push down humanity are who else but other humans (particularly the ones afraid of *gasp* different ideas and *gasp* book learnin’). Every man, woman, child, and family pet knows what I’m talking about. Art surrounds us, but as soon as a cluster of sheltered minds finds that “sinful” and “in poor taste,” they take it upon themselves to cover it up. That’s something The Man has always been great at: censoring human expression so no one can be “harmed” by it. Censorship has always been a concern in America, and this is America we’re talking about. You know, life, liberty, eagles, explosions. There were big bold letters in the Constitution that basically shouted “Hey, freedom of speech, people!” Looking at our culture now, it’s hard to think about that. In the present day, media remains under constant fire from The Man and his censorship, this time surfacing as abhorrent harpy creatures calling themselves “family groups.” You know, preserving family values like book burning and funeral picketing. I’m not making this up one bit. Throughout America, protesters take to the street, dosing out hackneyed anti-this and anti-that rants about their agenda: censor the media to protect what they see as American values. To them, kids seeing violence makes violent kids, people expressing newfound religious views destroys their own faith, and stories of people who express who they truly are on the inside somehow ruins self-respect for anyone else. The media, they say, is a land of (cue the religious fanatic voice) sin! The thought that certain forms of media inspire either violence or “sin” pervades our culture. Why else would I be writing this? These people have been trying to pass bills with Congress to censor media for decades now. In America, for crying out loud! “Oh, but I do it for the children,” concerned do-gooders say. “I’m just trying to keep them safe.” Really? Let’s talk about that for a minute. I’ll start off by dissecting video games because they, out of all forms of media, get slammed for inspiring violence and, more specifically, for inspiring shooters. Because, obviously, when children see pretty colors and people firing Uzis off of motorcycles in space, they automatically trade in reality for a stone-cold killer mind-set. Here, though, are the facts: a study conducted by the Pew research center and NBC concluded that gun violence in America dropped by over 75% in the last twenty years. Inter-

estingly, in times before shooter video games and other forms of violent media were very readily available, there was more gun violence. It gets better; in the report Homicide in the US Known to Law Enforcement, researchers concluded that in the past twenty years, overall homicide and violent crime rates dropped by over 49%. How about this: “The Economist” reports that video game consumption has risen 500% between 2000-2005, while the number of youth crimes committed fell by nearly 50%. I’m not just talking about video games making people violent. In recent years, with the higher percent of US adults and children alike using technology and social media, companies such as Netflix (provider of violent movies and TV), Pandora, and Spotify (provider of violent music), and various social media outlets (provider of violent…well, everything else) have become a staple in American homes. With that level of connection to violent media, you’d think violence would become more prominent, right? Well, here’s what the CIA, an integral part of the United States, and the UN, the biggest multinational entity in the entire world, have to say: no. No, nicht, nie, não, and いやだ with a capital い. Both studies show there is absolutely no correlation between violence in the media and violence in people unless the people in question were already psychotic and thus, you guessed it, prone to violence anyways. Compelling? Factual? I think so indeed. However, violence is only half of the target of censorship groups. The media, they say, is a place of sin! With more taboos such as social change, gender, and sexuality coming into the media, you can be certain The Man is already sharpening pitchforks. Take, for example, a “family oriented” group of whom I will not name (it has something to do with moms). In the winter of 2012, JCPenney released a Christmas themed commercial about Santa’s elves making clothes for the company. Immediately after its release, a firestorm of protest and what I could only assume as drool befell the clothing retailers. What did they do so heinously? Insult millions of little people? Make anti-religious jokes of a sacred holiday? No, it was because the ads starred Ellen DeGeneres, a well-known comedienne and outspoken lesbian. That’s it; her sexuality is literally the only reason why thousands demanded the commercial be banned. Of course, that isn’t the only story. Remember the graphic novel “Fun House,” which was to be read at the College of Charleston? A ban was to be placed because of the main characters “sinful” sexual orientation. What about “Harry Potter?” It was picketed because of black magic scares. Pokémon? Yep; boycotted too. And last but not least, the show “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” has gone under a firestorm of controversy for having female characters in lead roles, views on homosexuality (which is never talked about; it’s a kid’s show, for crying out loud!), and, my favorite, for inspiring Satanism and black magic. If you think I’m joking, look it up; people actually think that talking, colorful ponies in a fictional cartoon inspire children, or grown men eating cool-whip in their basement, to worship demons. Now here comes the part where I point out the ridiculousness of this idea. Number one: the media will not make anyone suddenly go “poof” and change sexuality. There is absolutely NO data to support this. Two: since when does someone else having another religion affect you? This might come as a shock, but demeaning someone else’s faith doesn’t improve your own. And, most importantly, three: talking ponies (and the like) do not dictate the life of a child! Jiminy Cricket on a stick, you’d think people would figure this out sooner! Look, I have this much to say to The Man: I’m an American, I’m a Christian, and I enjoy peace, but out of all of those things, I’m a human being. We all are, and that’s what we have to realize. Humans were given hands to create, to tell a story. That story is our art, today called our media, and now it is under fire from other people who are afraid. They feel threatened, they feel like they are losing their grip, and now they resort to silencing others with a story to tell. That is censorship. However, this is a nation founded on the idea that we could be free. We can choose what to say, what to do, what to believe, and what to create. These are our rights, and who are we, as citizens of a free nation, to pick and choose which one can stay and which one can go? Certain types of art goes up; people burn it down. Now where have I heard that before? It was in a witch hunt, in a genocide, in so many horrible things. It was once said that where they burn books, they will ultimately burn people. I’d expect to see that in the darkest times of humanity, not in a nation we call free. I can picture the scene. A guy or a gal’s walking through the park when they get an idea. They want to create something, and in a few months’ time, the world greets a new work of art— whether it be a book, a song, a painting, or maybe even a video game. But that art has a message that the masses don’t like. The Man is afraid, and, as always, he takes action. Everybody, get your torches, grab your pitchforks. Someone has expressed themselves, and we don’t like it. Light a match and hold hands around the bonfire. We don’t like it. Let’s burn it.

# #

By Nikki Bregman

#breaking

How social media is making journalists into “everymen” and every man a journalist

The news is supposed to be honest – a paragon of truth – educating readers on the day’s events through a clear lens of journalistic integrity. It’s not. Of course it isn’t. People are biased and flawed and mostly refuse to understand that there is any view other than their own. So journalists write what they believe, and consumers read what flatters the beliefs they already hold. That’s why Twitter news – the small bites of information served up in 140 characters – won’t be the end of the fact-checking, source-citing, editorapproved news machine as we know it; instead they sate a vastly different need of the American public. Our hunger for information, for a raw stream of data untainted and presented without comment, has been slaked for the first time by an unlikely source – the Twitter feed. Twitter news is not to be confused with “hashtag activism,” the pervasive trend of attaching hashtags to everything and anything in order to raise awareness. Twitter news takes two forms. The first form belongs to the journalist, who shortens snippets of traditional articles and flings that ungainly adaptation into the “Twitterverse.” The second, written by the “everyman,” consists of commentary and first-hand accounts. When those two groups are able to work together, this interaction creates a perfect catalyst for something called “collaborative journalism,” a process in which both amateur and professional journalists collaborate. Certain conditions are necessary for those two parties to join forces. For the reporter, there must be a story with some degree of national publicity. The “everyman” needs emotion – emotion to motivate him to tell his story. That combination of emotion and publicity often manifests after an event that provokes strong reactions, and those reactions, often visceral ones, are what is worth reporting. The most recent example is the unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, following the fatal shooting of the unarmed black teen Michael Brown. Similar examples include the anger and protests that were precipitated by the shooting of Kimani Grey, the strangulation of Eric Garner, the shooting of two men by the Anaheim police department, and the “accidental” shooting of Oscar Grant in the Fruitvale BART station. Protests of varying degrees of violence followed all of these tragedies, with the common thread being the role of the police. The police, deserving or not, are easy targets. Police officers choose to join the force, to get up every day and act as an extension of the law. They, by choice, present themselves as figures of authority and appear as a united front. And while murders happen every day, the fury felt after these tragedies sprung from a feeling of betrayal and mistrust. The backlashes to these public injustices disprove the 10

Source Image: Shawn Carrié @ http://twitter.com/shawncarrie

condescending assumption that the common man lacks the capacity to comprehend complex social issues and the courage to speak up. The public wants to participate in our national narrative, and now, through the Internet, social media, and Twitter, they can both make history and help write it. Unlike traditional journalism, web-based, crowd-sourced news provides instant dissemination of information, making first-hand accounts and stories more accessible – media that is shared rather than published. Accounts that appear through social media like Twitter, when treated like data, can identify common trends and outliers. The greater the number of eyes and ears on the ground, the more information can be gathered. At its core, the public’s participation in the news narrative promises a future in which the public’s voice is celebrated rather than discounted. There are, as always, drawbacks. Twitter is full of feuds, silly pranks, and hurtful lies. This type of “citizen journalism” can be unreliable due to the biased, un-verifiable nature of the work of non-professionals. Some suggest the public wouldn’t comprehend the complexities of certain situations, and thus would provide inaccurate information out of ignorance. Photos and videos captured by the “man on the street” solve that problem, as they are rarely doctored and are not subject to the same biases that may present themselves in citizen accounts. As Jay Stanley of the ACLU so succinctly put it in his insightful piece, “The Video Revolution in Policing,” “[p]art of the power that police have wielded comes from knowing that, should their victims complain, they will experience the nightmare of not being believed.” The power of the digital era lies in its ability to validate the voices that would otherwise be silenced. It substantiates the stories we don’t want to be true and provides incontrovertible proof of things to which we are often intentionally blind. This new style of journalism serves the public most effectively when it becomes truly collaborative, when traditional reporters champion those citizens bravely sharing their stories. Hearteningly, this summer, many journalists in Ferguson, Missouri, devoted themselves to re-tweeting the accounts of citizen journalists. Their numbers included journalists from USA Today, The Washington Post, and The Huffington Post who lent their credibility to the accounts they unflinchingly re-tweeted. Then, when the mainstream media’s livestreams and feeds from Ferguson were, one by one, shut down, ten thousand individual cameras filled the informational black hole. In a democracy, it is the duty of citizens to stay informed and the duty of the news media to inform— at least, it used to be. The Internet has forever changed that relationship. The people, the citizens, the “everyman”: they are the ones who understand the plight of the common man. Consider, for a moment, that we listen to their voices every once in a while – they might have something valuable to say. 11

Finding Bigfoot? An Exploration into Our Dumbfounding Obsession with Cryptozoology

By Matthew Key

A deep grumble erupts from the shadowed Canadian woodland. A wood-knock echoes throughout forest. Two stout middle-aged men and a skeptical woman stand motionlessly in utter silence, waiting for a moan or shriek to burst back—yet nothing. A snap of a limb among the underbrush grabs their attention. “No doubt in my mind: that’s him,” whispers the pudgier of the two. Everyone is well aware of the giant, ape-like creature known as Bigfoot who supposedly roams the forests across North America and, on a larger scale, the globe. Footprints, hair samples, and hundreds of eyewitness accounts have been accumulating for centuries; however, to date, no irrefutable evidence exists. Yet the human race still searches. Surely by now someone would have found something: A body? A live specimen? Why are fanatics searching for this legend if its existence is nothing more than legend? It may be the hope for an intelligent creature living among us—or perhaps something deeper. In no way, shape, or form is there evidence irrefutably prooving the existence of Bigfoot. The skeptics introduce a truly understandable rationale that the monster of the forest is nothing more than a man in a suit. In fact, more than 70% of these alleged “sightings” end up being hoaxes, and, commonly, bear-tracks and hair samples are often mistaken for Bigfoot evidence. Logically, then, it seems far more probable that this creature is merely a myth. As human population increases exponentially, many question how we could completely miss a bipedal, ape-like creature roaming the countryside. Moreover, investigation into the life a Bigfoot raises the question of how they can survive. What could a 400-to-1000 pound creature consume in the sparse American woodlands to support its existence? And the other side of the mystery: Where are the bodies of those who haven’t survived? The accidental discovery of dozens of microscopic insects trumps the fact that a giant creature remains to be unidentified—or more likely denied in its existence. It seems illogical that a creature the size of a crumb on the ocean floor is scrutinized more thana 700-lb. monkey. But, then again, how could anyone deny the hundreds of encounters in the U.S. alone? While surely some of these are blatant lies, a majority of the sightings are reported by model citizens who have enough sense to tell the difference between a bear and what is rumored to be Bigfoot. Some of the hair samples collected do indeed belong to dogs or even unnaturally hairy men, but a large majority of the others allegedly return to a species of an unknown origin. Entire television shows are dedicated to its discovery. The cast of Finding Bigfoot has spent seasons searching for Sasquatch with 12

hardly a shred of evidence to show for it, but surely a major network wouldn’t waste its time. Or would they? Perhaps ultimately the producers—and even we—don’t really want to find Bigfoot anyway. The search for this creature is far more than just a fad of this decade—but rather a natural instinct to cling onto any hope of fantasy. Our interest in cryptozoology is not limited to Sasquatch but expands to a far wider sphere of Chupacabras, Lochness Monsters, and even the Moth Man of the South. Even if the factual emergence of a dog-faced, long-necked, talon-bearing Jersey Devil existed, we would probably immediately destroy it, given our natural fear of the unknown. Yet, paradoxically, that fear is exactly what causes people to become engrossed in these creatures. When such an animal has been discovered, however, its mythical past is swept under the rug as humanity shifts its attention towards a creature of even more mythic proportions. Take the giant squid, for example: a creature comparable to the Kraken of myth was photographically and genetically proven to exist in the early 2000s before its fascination slowly disappeared into the catalog of forgotten sea creatures. However, mermaids still capture our imagination. Rather than a mystical Ariel-type creature of Disney, the modern view of a mermaid consists of a crude humanoid with slits of eyes and a lack of hair. This repulsive creature is examined so deeply to the point where it is even recognized more the giant squid. Once the a realization of the squid came to fruition, it transferred into a realm of forgotten sea creatures and lost its infamous spot amongst the cryptids. Rather than focus on reality, people tend to drift towards a zone filled with myth and legend, and perhaps the horrific nature of these creatures is precisely what draws mankind’s attention. The unicorn is rarely grouped into the realm of cryptozoology. It rather holds an age-old position amongst the classical views of mythology and is considered to be nothing more than just that—a myth. While it was once considered to be real, it now exists in a world of fairy tales. In a less er view, the unicorn is nothing more that a joke or a quick reference for something ridiculous and undeniably abstract. While this flying winged horse once enamored humankind, it is now nothing more than a farce. Is this destiny the same for Bigfoot? Will Bigfoot be nothing more than a joke—a character in childrens’ book? In the age of the mythical unicorn, similar stories circulated across the discovered world just as Bigfoot stories flourish today. Yet this folklore was hardly ever challenged but rather just accepted as fact and almost placed in a world of the divine. Today, Bigfoot enthusiasts dedicate their lives to examining its existence and countless others are out to crush or rather prove its absence. However, the world is still undecided—perhaps they still cling onto some hope of fantasy. But, like the unicorn, Bigfoot must exist even if it doesn’t. 13

Artwork by Cinnie Saunders

Charleston, Home by 12, Period!

Downtown Officials Are Not-So-Politely Telling Youth in the City To Calm Down... Or Get Out.

Alex Dodenhoff Charleston is changing—whether you like it or not. Downtown is getting a cultural fix, negative beyond measure to some, yet greatly beneficial to others. Under a current proposal, Mayor Joe Riley and others have suggested a midnight closing time for new downtown establishments. This change aims to bring a halt to, or at least dial back, the rambunctious nightlife that has characterized the city for years. So who is right? What other motives are fueling these changes? And where is Charleston headed? The youth in our town is lively and abundant, something that a community based on food and drink harbors very well. At the first signs of dusk, young 20-something-year-olds and the more reserved—but just as loud—thirty-year-olds rule the whole city. The idea of social shift, a curfew to some, would crush ageold ways of wandering around the streets bar-hopping until the wee hours of the night. On one hand, it seems Charleston can handle this nightlife; on the other, many wonder if such a dynamic is unhealthy for the locals. Mayor Joe Riley says a stern “yes, it is,” while the overwhelming college population says “so what?” Finding a balance between profit and safety is a major problem that cities face across the nation. Yes, the cities are correct to be heedful of letting too many night businesses into their economy due to its effects on safety, but being too harsh on these businesses and new opening ones can take a toll on the economy. Countless cities—Baltimore, for example—have made the decision to set business curfews, and they are now facing serious consequences. Such a situation poses a question: Is squashing a town’s nightlife synonymous with squashing the heart of that very town? Nighttime in a city full of youth like Charleston or Baltimore is a time for economic prosperity. Entire sources of income are made long past sunset. So now you are well-versed on the issue. Are you full of fiery indignation that the nightlife is dying in your city before you can even enjoy it, or are you giddy with joy that the city is being revamped and made safer? Either way, you probably share an opinion with someone on the scene. The sheriff has one opinion, the mayor has another, and everyone else has his own. This dilemma poses more questions than it can answer. Should the mayor listen to the people? Should the people listen to the mayor? And what about the sheriff? If the mayor heeds the people, then which side should he listen to? 16

In addition to these questions, tech companies are complicating the issue: Should we let them into the bustling city? Tech companies are entering Charleston. Tech companies. That is why the mayor even dares to mention this curfew as a cultural fix. A three-hundred-year-old city is encouraging tech companies to settle in the bustling streets of Upper King, a long-identified bar district. This area of late night antics is on track to become a quiet “coding district” where not a soul roams the street after dark. Tech companies are requiring a silent atmosphere that is calm, toned down by midnight, and safe enough that a walk from the car to the office one block away is not a battle against… Wait, they go to work from nine to five, right? So the battle against the noise, the danger, and the loads of young people roaming the streets does not even start until after seven o’ clock (and on weekends). Tech companies operating on weekdays, nine to five, and vacant at any other time are the main reason for this curfew? Is the mayor joking? The mayor and the sheriff are pretty much in cahoots. But the people couldn’t be any more divided, and the opinions that the citizens hold are based primarily on their age. The youth obviously wants to continue its up-all-night life, but the aging population thinks otherwise. Ironically, “aging” in this case means just passing the golden ages of 20 and 30 into the get-serious, settle-down 40. Yes, the 40-year-olds. Weren’t they young at one point, probably engaging in the same activities? Of course, but now they are cranky, and cranky means they won’t put up with the youth roaming the streets (the youth they once were). They are demanding the stoppage of the young lifestyle that the city has come to harbor. And if you examine the older people—forget it, they only get angrier. The people are divided. So where do you fit into this mix? You would be foolish as a high school student to figure that the recent changes won’t affect you. The city is telling you that when you pass the age of twenty… move out. This town does not want you and your buddies to travel the downtown streets and have typical Charleston fun; they want you to leave. If you want to come back and retire, they would love your return! Yet, if you want to stay in Charleston for all your days for your love of the city, don’t expect a happy response. While I may sound hopelessly negative, my tone only reflects my passion. Keep in mind that Charleston’s youth will live on through college, but the age-old name of “Youngest Town in the Nation” will be long gone by the time you can enjoy it. Check, please. 17

EVERY 5 MINUTES A STUDENT IS LOST TO GAMES Watch

1:27pm

BRIGHT LIGHTS & GIGABYTES As Porter Powers On,What is Being Lost?

Once upon a time, before laptops and iPhones, books served as the primary mode of passing on information. People strolled around, faces masked by their held-up newspapers, and patients passed time reading magazines in their doctor’s waiting room. As technology expanded, newspapers shifted their attention to online subscriptions, and patients pulled out their smart phones before and during their appointments. Likewise, technology has replaced textbooks and notes in the realm of school. In the past, high school students stuffed their book bags until they burst, textbooks toppling across the floor. Teachers whipped through PowerPoints, leaving dazed students staring at their blank notes. Over the last few years, Porter-Gaud has mirrored the world’s growing demand for technology through its new technology program. By renovating the school website and standardizing the school email, Porter-Gaud, led by Mr. Phil Zaubi, IT Director, has created an easy way for teachers and students to stay on the same page and communicate. EBooks and new laptops have replaced heavy textbooks and disorganized notes. While these new changes have facilitated teacherstudent communication and school uniformity, we may also wonder about the new system’s dependency on the Internet and laptops. With a misplaced click, all of your work can suddenly disappear. Earlier this school year, three major shifts in the school life took place. By renovating the old website, Porter-Gaud has created not only a more attractive site but also an easier way for teachers to communicate with students. The new website features discussion sections, online quizzes, a Drop Box, and a simple calendar. In addition, students can link the website to their email so that they can pull up their inbox on the website. Teachers have started to shift their curriculum towards the website and Google Drive in order for everything to be located in one spot. While last year the website mainly served the purpose of announcing homework and posting Power Points, it is now used for email, announcing homework, discussions, quizzes, helpful resources, turning in homework, downloading handouts and posting videos. With the addition of these features, teachers have abandoned burdensome handouts and added more online documents. No more need for folders and beautifully embellished binders. To further cement the cutback on handwritten work, this year’s freshmen and sophomores received MacBook Airs from the school. With these new laptops, students can take notes, follow Power Points at their own speeds, and do research without Chromebook carts. Limited in supply, Chromebooks often left teachers dependent on the cart’s availability for their class period. Study halls and free periods have become more valuable since students have the opportunity to take their work anywhere on campus. Similar to the new website, the laptops replace tangible folders and notes with virtual folders and documents. The smallest change of this school year has been the shift from .org email addresses to .edu. We may not notice the adjustment, but now the entire school is united under the .edu format. Last year, students had to choose between teacher’s .org and .edu accounts, but now everyone has the same type of email. Though it is a minor change, the new emails signify just one more step to make teacher-student communications as simple as possible. All of these examples show Porter’s shift towards technology in school. The world now faces the decision of how much we should rely on computers. Is it worth the money to finance laptop programs in schools, or are laptops just an added distraction in the school environment? All of these aspects of technology in school are used via laptop, so everything boils down to a central question: Should students be given laptops in school? As discussed above, the use of laptops in classrooms facilitates the teacher’s job dramatically. Also, in a world revolving around technology, many students learn better when using their beloved devices. Laptops provide available resources at your desk, the ability to write papers in class, and follow teachers’ presentations on your own.

Of course, many traditional parents argue that giving laptops to students is the equivalent of sitting them on the couch and placing a videogame controller in their lap. In other words, laptops are massive distractions. Though the school’s Acceptable Use Policy clearly restricts use of games on school property, students often neglect this rule, thinking of it as a rule that is “meant to be broken.” Even so, forget the games! Students have access to the majority of the worldwide web. Despite selected blocked sites, the Internet can be a distraction whether you are on ESPN.com or USA.gov. Without access to certain websites, the Internet would be useless in school, so the decision comes down to distractions with Internet or no Internet. Other arguments claim that laptop use in class could make teachers essentially useless. Instead of stereotypes of evil teachers laboring over ways to trick students, the argument holds, teachers will become couch potatoes who post links for online courses. While this argument goes towards the extreme, it does bring up a valuable question: what will happen to teachers? While their role may become less active, most teachers will probably use the laptops to support their lectures and not vice versa. Moving onto eBooks, different people take different stands on whether we should use textbooks or eBooks in school. This circumstance depends, of course, on student preference. Many people love being able to carry huge books on a small device, but people like me prefer turning concrete pages and being able to see how much you have read. Holding a book and device significantly changes the reading experience. If the school uses laptops often, it should be balanced with tangible textbooks. In terms of literature, actual books are the most traditional and real way of reading. EBooks simply imitate real books, and literary classics originally were written as tangible books. Though eBooks do reduce added backpack weight,

textbooks should always survive since schools will soon be the final haven of tangible books after Nooks and Kindles take over the literate world. While on the topic of books, one might bring up 1984 or the TV show “Revolution.” In George Orwell’s classic, the government spies and controls its subjects via technology. This year included numerous scandals that included hackers spying on and recording videos of celebrities. Are we being watched at this moment? We can’t know for certain, but you should keep in mind that Big Brother is always watching. NBC’s TV show “Revolution” introduces the concept of a worldwide blackout, in which no electronic devices work. In this electricity-less world, only written records survive. So too with the new Internet/laptopbased technology program: What would happen, we wonder, if the laptops crashed, or the WiFi could not be accessed? While backups should save your work, when it comes to technology, no one can be certain. In addition, without Internet or eBook access, students have no way of doing their homework in this new system. We now see how much we rely on technology. Porter-Gaud’s new technology system can really improve academics with more easily available resources and more efficient class time—if it works. Mr. Zaubi and many other technology employees at Porter-Gaud have labored over the installation of new laptops, new emails, and a new website, and their efforts should pay off. However, while it should improve academics, it is vital that the technology work. Will school suddenly become much easier to manage, or will everything suddenly crash, leaving us with none of our work? The technology department has made a bold and risky move, and we, the lab rats, will test the system and pray that it works. If it does, then we should be prepared for a treat.

Whoops! BREAKING NEWS: Faculty Falls on Face!

Often what we learn from teachers isn’t part of their curriculum.

Monica Nyland “Everybody makes mistakes.” “No one is perfect.” We always use these cheesy sayings in a moment of error—picture a comforting mother, rubbing the arm of a sobbing child with heaving shoulders over a low grade made in middle school. “Life is made of mistakes, son,” she says softly. “Even I make mistakes.” But for the child these instances never seem to reassure. I can remember being small and looking up at my mother thinking she had never made a mistake, and how badly I wished to be more like her. As we age, our parents slowly let their mistakes seep into our knowledge, and they become flawed figures. Their mistakes make them more familiar. At a school like Porter-Gaud with an enigmatic and animated faculty, our teachers can become “stock characters” in our lives—so much so, in fact, that we lose sight of the notion that they are humans. A teacher sighting in a grocery store aisle, perusing the frozen novelties in gym shorts and an old tee shirt, becomes widely discussed news among a grade. We stare in awe and wonderment when we realize our teachers do not actually sleep under their desks. They have lives. They were once teenagers. And they have made mistakes just like us. So, in an attempt to re-humanize the P-G faculty, we at the watch asked a few brave souls about their favorite mistakes. Like the rest of us, theirs range from pratfalls to poignant moments, sheer mishaps to monumental lapses in judgment, or even hubris, but in the end it’s the acknowledgement of our imperfections that can lead to a healthier state of mind. And with enough humility, even a misstep can be down a path to a more pleasant existence, and perhaps even toward our destiny.

“When I was in high school, I was in an Advanced Chemistry class, and I was in a bit over my head. I scrambled, leaning on my lab partner and doing more flirting than learning. There was a boy in my class named Allen with whom I was hopelessly in love—he was my type, the ‘intellectual.’ Our teacher, who strongly resembled Lucifer, had an arbitrary and unnecessary way of handing back our tests by announcing our names and making us process to the front of the room to receive our grades. I had dressed up in my adorable suede skirt, and on my trek back to my seat, I 22

tripped and fell flat on my face right in front of Allen. He never asked me out. In fact, he went for my best friend.” -Anna Smith, English Department “On my first day of college, I was soundly asleep on the top bunk of my bed. When my alarm sounded, I reached for it and rolled completely off and fell face first onto the floor.” -David Myer, Math Department

“When I was a sophomore in college, I was majoring in musical performance, specializing in the bassoon. My entire life revolved around it. When I was on a train going home for a break, I had all my possessions with me, including my highly expensive bassoon. I got off at a stop to grab a slice of pizza, and being the responsible eighteen-year-old that I was, left my things on the train for a moment. When I returned everything had been stolen. Crisis ensued, and I was left reconsidering my entire life, identity, and career. It was this loss that led to my growing interest in Latin, and led me to where I am today.” -Aaron Lipka, Latin Teacher

Reviewing The New Kids On The Block John Peters

(New albums, that is, not the boy band)

As an avid music listener and writer, when I was presented with the opportunity to write an article about basically anything, I naturally chose music. I sincerely hope you find my review of these three albums enjoyable.

DJ Mustard “10 Summers”

Hip-Hop producer DJ Mustard’s first full-length studio album starts with, and is for the most part composed of, stereotypically similar, bass-heavy tracks featuring big-name artists such as YG, Jeezy, 2 Chainz, Wiz Khalifa, Rick Ross, Yo Gotti, Lil Wayne, Big Sean, Nipsey Hussle, Boosie, Ty Dolla $ign, and several others. While the first eight tracks have a familiar DJ Mustard feel, the final four R&B tracks are surprisingly dissimilar to the rest of the album. Overall, the album will most likely stagnate DJ Mustard’s musical progression, but will still bring him acclamation for frequently creating catchy, popular songs.

“Weird Al” Yankovic “Mandatory Fun” “Mandatory Fun,” Weird Al’s most recent album since his 2011 project “Alpocalypse,” is full of clean, familyfriendly parodies of popular songs like “Fancy” by Iggy Azalea, “Royals” by Lorde, “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke, “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons “Happy” by Pharrell Williams, and several others. As he often does, Weird Al adapts popular songs usually about riches and lavish living to more commonplace activities and themes. For instance, in his song “Handy” (a parody of Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy”) Weird Al turns a song about high heels and living in the fast lane into a song about grouting bathrooms and fixing rusty disposals. The third track on the album “Foil” follows the same theme as “Handy.” It parodies one of Lorde’s hit songs “Royals,” a track that criticizes artists that speak only about superfluously lavish things such as gold teeth and pouring out expensive adult beverages. “Foil” takes a drastic turn from these subjects as Weird Al mentions very common and humble things such as putting a sandwich in aluminum foil to keep it fresh and drinking “a refreshing herbal tea.” Weird Al has addressed social issues and human imperfections in some older songs like his 2003 release “ebay.” Track five on “Mandatory Fun,” “Word Crimes” is a parody of Robin Thicke’s controversial song “Blurred Lines.” “Word Crimes” uses the instrumental to a song widely perceived as misogynist and overlays it with lyrics promoting literacy.

Iggy Azalea “The New Classic” Iggy Azalea’s third studio album is a mostly solo project, but still features a few big name artists like Rita Ora, T.I., and Charli XCX (who until writing this I thought was an Olympic cross-country runner.) Although Iggy Azalea worked with several talented artists, she obviously didn’t ask them for advice when writing the same, rags-to-riches, “never stop grinding” -type track four times with the songs “Walk The Line,” “Don’t Need Y’all,” “Impossible is Nothing,” and “Work.” While listening to this cringe-fest of an album all the way through for the first time, I found myself shockingly refreshed at the discovery of oases like “Black Widow” and “Fancy.” Although “Fancy” was chafed and peeled to a bloody, protruding nub by radio stations overplaying it this summer, I couldn’t help but appreciate it’s simplicity and catchiness as a pop song that you’ll remember, like a lesser version of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” These two tracks (“Black Widow” and “Fancy”) are what transformed this album, and even the artist herself, from an ex-trap Houston Rapper with a fan base of two deaf Cocker Spaniels in Barrow, Alaska, and an onion rotting the depths of a dumpster behind a seldom frequented Philadelphia pub to an artist that even a hard-hearted HipHop fan like myself can appreciate, and maybe even enjoy.

““Hit List”” DJ CIN CITY’S FIRE MIXTAPE DROPPED! - Cinnie Saunders I take a lot of pride in the compilation of music. As a well established DJ and entrepreneur within the music industry, I am known through my self-made label, Young Prodigyz Enterprise, and through my DJ name, DJ Cin City. Starting from the bottom and now being here, I am faced with the task of formulating the ideal playlist to fully capture the essence of winter. With the inspiration of the season, it seems only fitting to include various genres to coincide with the diverse feelings that come with the season. The season of winter goes hand and hand with the brisk illumination of conflicting emotions. Not only does the anticipated excitement of the season embellish everyday surroundings, but a contrasting element of gloomy tranquility lurks through the mind. To capture this clash, the following arrangement of songs insinuates different vibes, similar to the transition of the season. With the inclusion of alternative artists, EDM beats, and hiphop influences, this playlist is fitting for all occasions.

1. Biggie Smalls—Big Poppa (nosleep Remix) -I love how the EDM beat makes the always perfectly flowing Biggie even smoother. 2. Gramatik—Obviously (feat. Cherub) -Gramatik does a perfect blend of capturing not only their electronic style, but keeping the alternative flow of Cherub. The two go together in harmony with a more energized beat, keeping the song interesting and fresh. 3. Childish Gambino—Pound Cake Freestyle* -The song truly captures the raw talent of Gambino tied with a steady and relaxed beat. 4 Jhene Aiko—Stay Ready (feat. Kendrick Lamar)* -When this album was released, I was intrigued by her immediately from her various features in prestigious rappers’ songs. This was my favorite off her album for the amazing feature done by Kendrick, as well as Aiko’s brilliant vocal talent. 5. Bondax—Gold (Snakehips Bootleg) -I’ve known this song forever, and it always finds its way onto my playlists. The beat is lifting, catchy, and the EDM tone isn’t stereotypical. 6. Lupe Fiasco—Hood Now (Outro)* -I’ve always admired how Lupe incorporates meaning into his songs. Through his accurate noting of the cycle of hood trends, he captures a social element with a simple beat. 7. Banks—Warm Weather (Snakehips Remix) -I enjoy the vocals in this song, which is flawlessly paired with an upbeat but understated beat. 8. Kanye West—Flashing Lights* -This will always be a favorite Kanye song of mine, which happens to fit the vibe of this playlist elegantly. 9. Alina Baraz & Galimatias—Make You Feel (Vestige Remix) -A perfect song for relaxation. 10. Kendrick Lamar—Swimming Pools (BMB SPACEKID Remix) -This song blends a few Kendrick beats into a stylistically original take on the standard “remix.” *watch Advisory: When downloading these titles, be sure to choose “clean” versions. 27

Swine Tasting Looking for the perfect pork

By Will Limehouse A pile of pig flesh sat in a small pile in front of me. After thoroughly covering it with a thick liquid, I decided it was ready. No, I am not preparing a sacrifice, but eating my favorite food: a pulled pork sandwich. This particular one is from Melvin’s Barbecue just down the road, but I’m not picky and frequently eat them from other establishments. As a barbecue sandwich enthusiast, I am often asked, “Will, what is the best pulled pork sandwich in Charleston?” I give a weak answer like, “it depends on your taste” or “well, what are you in the mood for?” It was time to end my indecisiveness and come up with a definite answer. I would go on a quest for the best pulled pork sandwich in the city. South Carolina is home to a lot of good barbecue. Restaurants serve vinegar-, tomato-, and mustard-based sauces throughout the state, but mustard sauce is South Carolina’s signature. This is due to Germans settling in the mid-state, and combining their affinity for the condiment with the existing popularity of smoked pork. This lead to the mustard based sauce that is used so widely today. Before I give you my opinion on pork, mustard, and tomato based sauces, I must admit that I have little experience when it comes to criticizing and reviewing food. Do not expect Anthony Bourdainesque descriptions, but those from a small town food critic who also doubles as the writer for the advice column. My first stop was Nick’s Barbecue on King Street. The bread was warm and soft, and the meat was tender. The sauce is tomato based and slightly spicy. Nick’s is definitely a contender for the top sandwich in the city. My only complaint was the organization of the slices of pork. The meat was sloppily and unevenly thrown onto the bun like a preschooler’s art collage. Besides the sloppy presentation, all of the ingredients were great, and I would recommend it to anyone. Anyone who has eaten barbecue knows staying neat is often a problem. I experienced the worst of this when I ate from Hometeam Barbecue in West Ashley. The couple bites of the sandwich were great, but the bread was dry, and slowly started to crack and crumble in my hands. I cradled the sandwich like a baby bird between my fingers as I ate it. The problem worsened after I continuously put the sandwich down and picked it back up. I did this so I could pause and savor the tastes of the various sauces. Every time I put it down and picked it back up, it lost its shape even more as the bun broke off and the chopped pork crumbled away like sand.

Despite the challenge that came with eating it, the Hometeam sandwich was quality barbecue. I chose to eat it with multiple sauces and would recommend the hot red or mustard-based options. The third restaurant was Duke’s Barbecue. For convenience I visited their location on Folly Road, one of six Duke’s in the state. I’m proud to say I’ve eaten at three of them, one of which was in Blackville, SC. The best way I can describe its location is 2/3s of the way from Charleston to Augusta. Like most small towns, Main Street was comprised of plain, brick buildings. Duke’s was a little different; the building was long and narrow with a low, shingled roof similar to a barn. The tables had checkered table cloths, with mismatched wooden chairs, and a buffet in the back. I seriously questioned the legitimacy of this franchise, mostly because the inside of the Blackville Duke’s reminded me more of eating at the storeroom of a farm supply store on Customer Appreciation Day than a restaurant. The James Island Duke’s was institutional and mundane when compared to the enigmatic Blackville location. While the environment changed, the food remained the same. The pork was thinly cut and the whole sandwich stayed together fairly well. The sauce was mustard-based and the bun was soft. The meat itself wasn’t as tender and smoky as the others. After eating three of the sandwiches I remembered why I am so indecisive about the best pulled pork in the city; Charleston is home to a lot of top-tier barbecue. However, I didn’t let this hinder my hunt for the perfect pork. I continued eating sandwiches until my journey brought me to one restaurant superior to the others. The place that had achieved barbecue sandwich nirvana. The bun was soft and stayed together. The pork had the right amount of smoky-flavor as well as tenderness. The sandwich was easy to eat, and the barbecue sauce had perfect balance of mustard along with pepper and other spices. All aspects were in perfect harmony. The Holy Trinity between the bun, pork, and sauce. It became obvious to me that Melvin’s Barbecue is the king of Charleston Barbecue sandwiches. The food is consistent between the two locations, so it doesn’t matter which one you visit. Just make sure you do.

Teacher Feature:

Four students sat down with each of the new Upper School teachers to discover who they are outside the classroom Mr. Dave O’Donnell, Latin Teacher

Dr. Tom Westerman, History Teacher

by Alex Dodenhoff

by Cinnie Saunders

WATCHING: Sports and news: If they aren’t in uniforms, I try not to watch it. And some shows you have to watch— like The Simpsons—but a man my age can only have one cartoon in his life. Oh, and it’s embarrassing to admit, but I’ve been watching Nashville. READING: I’m a big newspaper fan. I read the Charleston City paper every morning—lots of murders. Pittsburgh Post for sports, L.A. Times, Washington Post all online. You can even do the crosswords online now. Even when I travel, I find the newspaper first in the morning to get a feel for the city. LISTENING: I try not to be the old guy who listens to all old rock and roll, so I listen to old-time performers still making new stuff like Mark Knopfler from Dire Straights. I’ve also been listening to those hippie bands, like Jazon Mraz and that Santa Barbara band, The Plain White Tees. I’m not into The Red Hot Chili Peppers because even though the singer is interesting, he’s annoying. A performer should be entertaining but not stupid. FOLLOWING: No one. I did follow Lance Armstrong—but I don’t need to know that much about people. I don’t want to know every thought you have. I like information, but not from Twitter: Twitter will ruin what you think of people. My favorite athletes can say such stupid things, and I don’t want to hear it. SURVIVING: [If I’m stuck on an island with one person] I want someone who knows about boats, like Jacques Cousteau, so I can get off the island and someone who won Survivor to do the things I wouldn’t, like getting coconuts and chasing spiders. And, of course, I would want my dad because he’s the funniest man I’ve ever met. No one like Howard Stern or a Kardashian; even Einstein would be annoying for that long.

WATCHING: I’m trying to watch a little less TV these days, but I really like comedies, so Brookyn-99 is a favorite, as is Parks and Recreation. Community, may it rest in peace, was a great show. I’m not ashamed to say I’m a Downton Abbey fan. It’s pure soap opera, but it’s great fun. I also really like Nashville. I’m happy to have Turner Classic Movies back on my cable package because I love classic films. I just rewatched All the Presidents’ Men and the original The Manchurian Candidate. READING: Right now I’m reading the 9th and 10th Grade textbook as I prep lessons for this year! I love reading all kinds of history and non-fiction. Biographies are always a lot of fun. The most recent one “for fun” that I read was on Henry Seward, probably the second greatest Secretary of State. (John Quincy Adams, for me, is the best.) For real fun I finished The Hunger Games series over the summer. Loved it! And Harry Potter, of course. LISTENING: Well, I was born and raised on Long Island so Billy Joel is always a favorite. Bruce Springsteen, too. Recently, I’ve been listening to bands like The Lumineers, Neko Case, The Head and the Heart, and stuff like that. My wife and I went to a Lone Bellow concert in Atlanta in November. They actually got their start as a band in a coffee shop near where we were living in Brooklyn before we moved to Charleston. And we’re loving living in Charleston! FOLLOWING: I probably spend a little too much time on social media, but it’s a great way to keep up with friends and family. So, I probably “follow” them (friends and family) the most. One of my favorite things to follow on social media is something called “Humans of New York.” This photographer goes around NYC and takes pictures of random people and asks them questions. He gets some great shots and great comments from his subjects. He recently went to a number of places like Iran, Ukraine, and Kenya and got even more amazing pictures and stories from those parts of the world. For fun I follow people like Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling, Jon Stewart, John Oliver, and Patton Oswalt. For cool science stuff, Neil deGrasse Tyson is great. I have eclectic tastes. EATING: Okay, so this is the last time I’ll say I’m from NY, but we take our pizza seriously there, so I’m pretty particular: Thin crust, sauce, mozzarella cheese, and then meat like pepperoni or sausage. No veggies for me!

Ms. Anne Anoia, Math Teacher by Will Limehouse WATCHING: I’m not a really big TV person, but I really like movies. My favorite comedy is probably Bridesmaids, and I like the TV show Modern Family. I just saw St. Vincent on Saturday night. It was better than I thought it was going to be. I like comedies, or suspense, mystery, whatever. I really like it when there is a twist at the end, when it’s thought provoking. I like a movie when you come out of the theatre and you talk to someone about it, like Sixth Sense. READING: I like historical fiction. One of my favorite books is Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. I just read The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd. I like to read about different cultures. My mother and I went to France two years ago, and before we left I read some books that took place in France. We also went to Holland, so I read The Girl with the Pearl Earring before we left. I like to get the feel of the country before I go to get the feel of the place. FOLLOWING: I like the Ravens, which I know might be controversial. I’m not a really big fan of college football, but my husband likes Notre Dame, and I’ve been to maybe like five Notre Dame, games so I guess I like them. LISTENING: I like listening to the radio so I like pop/hits. Then I also really like reggae music, and that may because I grew up at the beach (Ocean City, Maryland). I like listening to Bob Marley. I love the band Kings of Leon; for my birthday, my husband, before he was my husband, got me surprise tickets to see them in Las Vegas, and we were five feet from them. I’ve been to a lot of Dave Matthews’s concerts. I like them, too. They are almost like classic to me now. I’ve probably been to at least 10-15 Dave Matthews’s concerts. TRAVELLING: I got married last year, and we went to Bora Bora and stayed in one of those overwater bungalows. But on the way to the honeymoon, I broke my foot in the airport, so my husband pushed me around in a wheelchair during the honeymoon. We went to Greece this summer. I studied abroad in Australia. The day before I arrived, there was a shark attack, and people were just swimming in the water the next day like it was no big deal. On the way there, I met Shaquille O’Neal. I’m really short, and I’m so upset I don’t have a picture of me standing beside him. I talked to him for a while. He was nice.

Mr. Chris Mullinax, Math Teacher by Judah Ellison

WATCHING: Right now, my favorite show is The Voice. I also like The Big Bang Theory. Those are probably my two favorite shows. The other show I like, though it’s not on television anymore, is the original Law and Order and a show called Boston Legal. I really like those two shows. As far as movies, I’m not a horror fan, especially when it comes to demonic movies (movies like demons). Now, the slasher films, like Halloween and Friday the 13th, [those] are fine. I’m probably more of an action/ comedy guy as far as movies. I do like some artsy movies. Of course, [I like] all the Marvel movies. I mean as far as movies, I have a wide variety. READING: Generally, I read detective fiction, and I like John Grisham and Robin Cook—so anything dealing with legal and the law. One’s a little bit more medical. I also like science fiction. I’m a big David Eddings fan. He’s passed away now, but I’ve read most of his books, so I’ve also read some science fictions. Also, I like biographies—Einstein’s, George Washington’s, and FDR’s biographies. LISTENING: I listen to everything. I try to stay on top of modern music. I listen to country and pop rock. My weakest area would be rap, which is because of the language. I don’t like the very poor language in some of the rap songs, so I’m not as avid of a rap listener. [I listen to] some hip-hop. I like Usher and No Doubt. I like the leader singer of No Doubt. [I also like] Evanescence—also classic rock [and] the hair band from the eighties—Bon Jovi and AC/DC. FOLLOWING: I don’t really follow anyone on social media. I’m not a social media person just because I’m so worried about my privacy. As far as people, I follow pretty much anyone in the political arena (more national than local, though) because I like to keep a grasp on what’s happening. However there’s not one single person that I follow. FLYING?: [If I could have any superpower, I would want] the ability to fly just because I could get to places more quickly. I wouldn’t necessarily want to use it for anything other than to beat traffic and to get places faster.

David Shriver Soliday IV 1996 - 2014 32

Like the great old Low Country saying says, I’ve been knowing him as long as I’ve been knowing myself. We were born one month apart and were practically inseparable from diapers through high school. Shriver and I have been loyal friends all of our lives. It seemed as though we simply laughed from one adventure to the next these past seventeen years. Some of my earliest memories of the two of us are from when Shriver lived in the ACE Basin and how I would tag along behind him in his big black rubber boots. His ideas of adventure and mischief ranged from loading the two of us and two dogs into a sleeping bag full of pillows and sliding down the stairs to hiding Ruthie’s bras in the freezer. As we grew older, our adventures continued; we loved boating together—whether that meant fishing, tubing, or just riding around. Shriver, though, was never really too committed to the fishing part and usually lost interest and turned his attention towards the snacks. Where Shriver really excelled was tubing. He would endure some very harsh nipple chafe just to stay on the tube. As we moved to high school, Shriver really came to embrace his sophisticated style and fashion that we all admired. He looked good no matter what the occasion. His friends soon came to realize that Shriv was really more like a 75-year-old man in the body of a teenager. He enjoyed working at Croghan’s with all the older women and all the drama that came with it. Shriver was probably the only young man to collect watches, a passion that came from his father. He drank hot tea in the morning and really wanted to live at Bishop Gadsden. When asked why, he would respond: “Hey, it’s a really nice place—who wouldn’t want to live there?” Yes, ol’ Shriv was a quirky guy with an infectious smile and an outstanding ability to bring people together. Shriver, you are and always will be my brother.

-Mikell Hay

The story that I think most vividly illustrates some of the things I loved the most about Shriver happened this summer when Shriver had his wisdom teeth taken out. He was at home and wasn’t able to do much. He and I had been talking recently about our mutual love for Mr. Bean, the bumbling character played by the British actor Rowan Atkinson, and especially for the movie Mr. Bean’s Holiday, which is set in France and where we both found the same parts to be hilarious. Shriver was very concerned that his very close friend Michael Lally had never seen this movie, and was determined that the three of us needed to get together so that we could share our delight in Mr. Bean with Michael. Shriver decided that he should get Michael to come kidnap him and bring him to the chapel at Porter-Gaud, where we could watch the movie on a big screen. He then told Michael he should bring some food. Michael, being a lover of all things French and knowing Shriver well, decided to go to Rue de Jean and get truffled potato soup for all of us for dinner, since Shriver couldn’t chew anything (he had just had his wisdom teeth pulled). Shriver suggested I pick up Orangina and Perrier to carry on the French theme. We ended up having a French dinner in my office and then watching the movie in the chapel—to Shriver’s great delight as we pointed out to Michael all the parts we found so funny. Shriver loved the chapel at PG and felt at home there. It was where we talked and prayed, it was where he felt fed spiritually, and it was where he had his blanket. A famous napper, Shriver was the only student who kept a blanket in my office in case he wanted to come take a nap. This story also shows Shriver’s delight in sharing things with his friends. He wanted them to appreciate one another and loved to share his enthusiasm. He also took joy in making things special, and knew Michael and I would enjoy this event as much or more than he did. -Father Brian McGreevy

Family and friends in the Porter-Gaud community are establishing a scholarship in loving memory of Shriver Soliday. For more information, please contact Tucker Branham, Executive Director of the Porter-Gaud Foundation at tucker.branham@portergaud.edu.

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