The Beacon - October 2012 by Portsmouth Abbey School

THE BEACON OCT 2012

Portsmouth Abbey School 285 Cory’s Lane Portsmouth, RI 02871 (401) 683-2000 www.portsmouthabbey.org

ISSUE 1

FALL ISSUE

Islamic Protest By Eden Franz Staff Writer

Dom Julian By Doug Lebo Staff Writer

t six-and-a-half years old, Dom Julian began his life as a Roman Catholic by being baptized in a church in Oxford, England. His father had recently converted from the Church of England, and gave his son a choice: to be baptized as a Roman Catholic, or to remain an Anglican. He freely chose to be baptized as a Catholic. It was in that same sacristy, almost nineteen years later, that Father Julian was ordained a priest. Looking back at his sixty years as a priest—and sixty-nine years as a monk here at Portsmouth—at Downside Abbey and Worth Priory (now Worth Abbey) in Oxford, England, Father Julian remarked very strongly on one thing. Before becoming a priest, he was convinced that after hearing confession, he would “feel like a sewer.” However, after giving out many a ‘Hail Mary’ and ‘Our Father’ he was overwhelmed by the exact opposite feeling: his singular impression from the priesthood has been the overwhelming goodness of the human spirit. People’s confessions of their sins, for which they are truly repentant, lead him to the belief that the human spirit is truly tenacious in goodness and love. With little space to be wasted, the monks’ rooms lack any frivolous effects. Father Julian’s room is no exception. An Orioles baseball cap and an ancient desktop computer sit

on his desk, and he can often be found typing at the old console. An avid poet, Father Julian’s own poems, in a collection titled There Shines Forth Christ, are floating around several locations here on campus. He has also written books of prose: one on Benedict’s Rule, and another co-authored on leading a Christian life of love. Fluent in Italian, Father Julian has translated a few books from their Italian prose, but loves best Dante in the original. With such love for the written word, it makes sense that Dom Julian loves to tell stories, as any Abbey student who has heard one of his homilies knows. Arriving here at Portsmouth in September 1943, he knew both Dom Leonard Sargent, the founder of the monastery, and Dom Hugh Diman, the founder of the school. With many stories of driving Father Hugh to his sister’s house in Providence for Sunday lunch, and quite a few of him as headmaster of both Portsmouth Priory and Diman Vocational in Fall River, Massachusetts, Father Julian seems never to run out of history. The monastery farm, its workers, and the old monks who sat in the same church we do today evoke nostalgia in the hearts of anyone who hears their stories. At first, they sound like any old Christian tall tale with a glaring sense of morality, but as they go on, they become more

and more relatable, until you realize that they are much the same as the stories we like to tell today. Sitting down with Father Julian after Sunday Mass was at first quite daunting. The task of interviewing this man, who has had such a long history here at Portsmouth, was certainly an intimidating one. However, after we sat under the huge beech next to the church, I began to feel that I was not talking to a set of vestments on a mannequin. There is so much more to Dom Julian than the green surplice and the glasses on a string. Walking away after a half hour, I felt like I had gained quite a bit more than what I brought to the table. Like all the monks, Father Julian leads a quiet life. He represents for us one of the most endearing traits of the Abbey: the timeless fusion of the old and new. Even with Chase pulling into the back of the dorms, internet in Study Hall, and Tuck Dances, the Abbey somehow still retains a sense of order in its oldest traditions. The monks are still here, and we all go to church on Sundays. Father Julian may have arrived here over half a century ago, but he is still a person—he just has more stories to tell than we do. Now it’s just up to us to ask for them.

Christopher Ogden By Julia Slupska Staff Writer

hristopher Ogden, one of the Abbey’s most distinguished alumni, has travelled to 140 countries and reported during the terms of six American presidents. He also came to give an Elizabeth Seton lecture for the school last Friday. He summarized a few of the high points of his career, describing some of the most interesting people he had interviewed, stating, “This fed into my belief that it is people who make history, not the other way around.” He argued that each of these notables had been considered outcasts or misfits in their community at some point in their life.

Ogden graduated from Yale and began his reporting career in London before becoming a foreign correspondent in Moscow for Time Magazine. There, he met Alexander Solzhenitsyn, a dissident from the Soviet Union. Odgen described how he had to hide the notes from the interviews underneath his clothing as secret police officers surrounded the house and harangued him when he exited. Solzhenitsyn gave these interviews under the promise that they would be held secret until he gave Ogden permission; in fact, he was using the interview with Time as a safety measure in case he was

SUMMER TRAVELS

aggression from Islamic protesters directed against United States embassies throughout the Middle East and Africa has prompted an examination of the motivations and methods behind this violence. In Cairo on September 11th, protesters tore down the American flag from outside the consulate and replaced it with an Islamic flag, and the following protests injured over two hundred people and killed one. The attack on the American consulate in Benghazi took place on the same day; for nearly five hours, the proclaimed terrorists pummeled the embassy with rocket-propelled and hand grenades, assault rifles, gun trucks, and mortars. Four Americans were killed in the attack, including J. Christopher Stevens, the U.S. Ambassador to Libya. Several days later, protesters in Yemen and Tunisia surrounded and even set fire to the local American consulates, with four deaths in each country in addition to nearly a hundred injuries between the two incidents. A total of seventy-nine people died in September as a result of these protests. Originally, investigators cited the recent upload of anti-Islamic videos on YouTube as the main motivation for the violence. Chunks of video, roughly fifteen minutes long, were first put on the Internet in the beginning of July and showed trailers for a film entitled The Innocence of Musecent

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arrested again. However, Ogden pointed out, Solzhenitsyn later became a vastly influential novelist and Nobel Prize winner. Ogden then described his first trip to Beijing, right after the death of Mao Zedong. He described the visible differences and power struggle between Deng Xiaoping and Hua Guofeng. In the 1980s he returned to London where he worked with Margaret Thatcher, whom he admires as one of the world’s best political leaders. He spoke admiringly of the way she became Prime Minister in a political world dominated by men. She came from the lower middle class and became a “modern day medievalist who fought like a knight” for the causes she believed in. He also described the meteoric rise of Singapore under the rule of Lee Kuan Yew. Yew’s Confucian principals and style of government became a model for other rising countries. Lastly, Odgen relayed his interviews with Nelson Mandela, who peacefully transitioned South Africa into a democracy. Mandela controversially chose to learn about his opponents and negotiate with them. Ogden finished by telling the school not to judge the misfits or oddballs in the group, as they sometimes make huge differences because they dare to be different. Later, he gave an exclusive interview to the Beacon. When asked what part of his Abbey education helped him the most when interviewing and writing about such famous and unique people, he responded, “How to read . . . how to think independently, and not to simply parrot what I have been told.” He continued, “too many people of my generation, and of every generation, tend to think, ‘Well I can

get by if I know just enough, and if it’s only the teacher’s knowledge, he’ll give me a good grade on the test.’ That’s not learning.” He also gave advice specifically for the student journalists: “Research your subject and, before you go in, think, ‘What do I want to learn from this person?’” Mrs. Ogden, who sat in with the interview, added that one value that has always been important to him was being against plagiarism— you should never copy someone else’s work out of laziness, because “you are doing yourself a disservice.” Ogden agreed, “We are all individual thinkers, we think differently and react differently; this is why people follow different political parties. So if someone tells you this is how you should think about something, you should say ‘Not necessarily,’” When asked how journalism had changed with the internet, he mentioned the rise of anonymous sources. “You should really fight anonymity on these things. People hide behind anonymity and it’s not good. Most politicians ask for things they say to be off the record (that’s what I loved about Margaret Thatcher – she never asked that) and every time you agree to that, you lose integrity.” If your sources ask you to go off the record, try and get them to say something that can be put on record. Mrs. Ogden also stressed the importance of great editors: “Chris always says it’s a very difficult thing to write 300 words; it’s a lot easier to write a thousand.” Mr. Odgen added, “It’s very hard to write tight, but it is very important to write tight, and most of all, you have to think tight.”

NEW TO THE ABBEY

FAREWELL TO ST. BEDES

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SUMMER The Miracle of Lourdes By Matthew Benevides Staff Writer

On February 11, 1858, Bernadette Soubirous went with her sister to collect firewood by the river near the Grotto of Massabielle. There she heard the sound of two gusts of wind and before her appeared a lady dressed in white with a blue sash. She wore a crown of twelve stars and a rose on each foot. The Lady came to Bernadette many times and eventually identified herself with these words: Que soy era Immaculada Conceptiou. Bernadette visited the Lady eighteen times and during these meetings the Lady told Bernadette to do penance, to bathe in the waters, and to come in processions. To this very day people come to fulfill the call of Lourdes and to serve those who are in need of God’s love and care. This is what led Portsmouth Abbey pilgrims to enter into the special vocation of Lourdes. In 1953, Ampleforth College took a group of fifty-three boys to Lourdes. Fr. Martin Haigh, of Ampleforth, believed that Lourdes was the perfect place to learn to serve others just as Christ did. Every year since, Ampleforth Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes has traveled to Lourdes with students from the college, alumni, teachers, Ampleforth monks, and invited affiliates such as Portsmouth Abbey School students. People go to Lourdes to find peace in their lives, for about a week, by placing the needs of others in front of their own needs. Just as so many people are called to the service of others in Lourdes, so was Fr. Julian, Dr. Billings, Mrs. Weida, Kat Haines, Ann Gallagher, Hadley Matthews, Nick Medley, Garin Tracy, Fen Billings and myself. Those who worked as helpers woke up early in the morning to walk over to the rented hospital floor

to dress the patients, bring them to breakfast, and prepare them for the morning’s liturgical services. We would find ourselves traveling down to the shrine for Mass in one of the chapels or at the Grotto, a trip to the baths on Thursday, confessions, or on Friday a healing service with the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick in the City of Saint-Pierre. In the afternoon, we would always enjoy time with our friends from England over a few laughs and a trip around Lourdes at night. The best way we would end the day was with a Grotte Trot—when your designated group would travel to the dimly lit Grotto of Lourdes at midnight for group prayer and meditation before retiring to bed at the Saint Rose hotel after a tiring day of work, but worth every minute. I can only explain our experience in Lourdes as a conversion of spirit. Some may ask what that means, but most words would do no justice to the actual meaning that burns in the hearts of all those who spent a week with such wonderful people. It astounded us how someone with cancer could make our view of life change completely; how someone who could not speak was the joy of those who surrounded him. The love that reigned in every one of those people molded our very being during our pilgrimage in Lourdes. During a Eucharistic Procession at 5:00 PM, I found myself in front of the Blessed Sacrament as He passed in front of me and as I went to kneel, an elderly woman grabbed my shoulder for me to aid her to kneel as I did the same. It was a feeling beyond all belief and it was my conversion of spirit. I knew that this was something that could only happen in Lourdes and it was one of the best moments of my life.

PRAGUE By Isabel Keogh Staff Writer

rague is now one of my top two favorite cities. Our school trip was a sort of “trial run” so it was just Callie, Sarah, Ms. Swift and her friend Haven. Since there were so few of us we had much more flexibility. On most days we would go visit one or two museums or monuments followed by a few free hours where we could explore the city on our own. Even just being surrounded by the harsh language was engaging. Of all the places we visited, some of my favorites were the Charles Bridge, Nelehoseves (the country palace of the Lobkowicz family), and the Jewish quarter. The Charles Bridge has one of the best views of the city, and the street vendors on the sides actually have really impressive artwork. When we went to the main palace on top of the hill, we met with a fairly recent Abbey graduate. She is now working in Prague and coordinates the showings of the Lobkowicz family estate. It was great to meet someone who knew some of the same teachers and could offer some perspective on life after

Salamanca By Charlie Ramsden Staff Writer

n our first night in Salamanca, we ventured to the city’s main plaza, Plaza Mayor, and found red and yellow streaming left and right. Along the perimeter, all of the restaurants had set up ginormous televisions in order to show the 2012 European Soccer Cup between Spain and Italy. In the middle, families, groups of friends, and children sat on the ground talking with excitement. Well before the first whistle, the Plaza became packed with Salamanca residents ranging from all ages. Luckily, we found a couple of tables with a great view of a television to watch the game. Ninety or so minutes later, Spain had decisively defeated Italy 4-0. The Plaza quickly transformed, as everyone met in the middle waving their flags, dancing, and singing traditional songs of celebration. This memorable night affirmed the Plaza May-

or as our favorite place for the month to come. As the 2012-2013 school year started, twenty Abbey students walked onto campus with six to nine hard-earned college level credits from Spanish courses taken in Salamanca. However, this unique trip to Salamanca consisted of much more than learning inside of a classroom. Throughout the month of July, we learned and loved Spain’s culture, food, customs, traditions, and of course the football (soccer). On weekends, we traveled to all different cities such as Madrid, Segovia, Granada, and even Lisbon and Fatima in Portugal as well. During the trip, we befriended many of the University students who took classes with us and appreciated the dedication of all of our professors. For many of us, a normal day involved one hour of culture class, four hours of detailed grammar

class, and one hour of conversation class. Salamanca’s attractions such as the two cathedrals, its beautiful Plaza Mayor, the Roman bridge, and all of the various museums will be truly missed. The entirety of the 2012 Salamanca trip gratefully thanks Señor Guerenabarrena for his hard work to make this trip happen year after year and the University of Rhode Island for having Portsmouth Abbey students be a part of their program.

high school. Having Ms. Swift leading the trip taught all of us so much about the architecture and period artwork that we never would have noticed on our own. Perhaps the most impressive architecture was that of the Prague Synagogue. It was pink, yellow, blue and green; an unusual color palate especially for the time period. Our day trips were always the perfect length, we were never left bored walking around a museum. Most of our time was spent walking, and when we were not walking we were eating. Photography opportunities were amazing, the lighting was always great as was the weather. Everyday was sunny and mid- 70s. We took pictures all day, except for the time when Ms. Swift offered to take us on a shoot at five in the morning. The food consisted of lots of schnitzel and gnocchi. On top of that the Euro Cup overlapped with our trip, so we got to watch multiple games. They were displayed in the city center on huge projectors, when the games were on it was so crowded you could barely move. It was an amazing few days, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.

SUMMER One of the Riches of Costa Rica By Lauren Thompson Staff Writer

o light but the stars, no sound but the waves. Sometimes, one of the leaders shined their red flashlight if they thought there were tracks ahead. The turtles could not see the red light well, so it did not disorient them. It could be nine, or midnight, or two in the morning. The patrols went out regularly with the tides, but I lost track of time when I was walking. All my focus was on my senses, looking down the beach for obstacles that would make me stumble. More than once I raised a foot over a crab hole or log that wasn’t there. Sometimes one of the leaders tripped over something, and cursed softly in Spanish. This was what I experienced on my trip to a sea turtle conservation project in Costa Rica. When I was not walking on the beach, I was sitting in the hatchery. If it was raining, I sat down in the hut, because no one ever sat in a tower on the beach when there could be lightning. I also kept a large stick nearby for the ghost crabs; if they got near the nests, they would try to burrow into them and eat the eggs. I watched along the horizon for light. Sometimes, if I was on a watch early in the morning, the light came from the sunrise over the water. However, if I was on watch late at night, the light meant a poacher on the beach, and I hoped they would find nothing, hoped that all the eggs were safe below me.

ROME

By Kimberly Mehrtens Editor-in-Chief

his past summer 39 Portsmouth Abbey students traveled with Mr. O’Connor and Brother Gregory for a Humanities trip to Rome. On June 3, we all gathered at the turnaround near the art building to receive our art bags and get on a bus to the airport. From the moment we stepped into Trastevere (the neighborhood we would be living in for the next two weeks), it was hot, with the sun shining down on us 24/7. However, Mr. O’Connor soon showed us one of the greatest things about Rome: their aqueduct system. On almost every street there was some form of perpetually running water fountain, to refill a water bottle or take a sip as you walked by. This system is an ancient part of Rome and one afternoon, on our last week, we were actually able to go into one of the many dark aqueducts in the city. Besides the hot weather, this trip centered a lot on

Franz, Cont’d from Page 1 lims. Though the film itself has not been posted online, and allegedly only an audience of about ten people has viewed it in its entirety, the clips depict Muhammad as a womanizing fraud and essentially mock and demean the teachings and rituals of the Islamic faith. According to the actors, the film originally had nothing to do with Islam at all, and all derogatory messages were overdubbed after their work on the production was finished. The film was written and directed by Nakoula Basseley Nakoula (under the pseudonym Sam Bacile), an Egyptian-American Coptic Christian living in California. Some sources claim that the non-profit Media for Christ arranged for the filming permits, although the president of that organization denies knowledge of any connection to the project. Versions of the vid-

walking and public transportation. Almost any site of interest in Rome was open for viewing, if you were game for walking. From the moment our bus parked at the hostel we would be living in, we dropped off our bags and began walking around the neighborhood for a guided tour with Mr. O’Connor. We soon discovered that the best gelato and the best pizza place were all in walking distance! As was the Colosseum—a 30-40 minute endeavor from Trastevere depending on how often you stopped (not often). However, this persevering attitude to get where you wanted no matter what was integral to this trip. Because of this constant readiness for new experiences, we were able to travel to an amazing number of churches, which featured views like the priceless works of Bernini and 2-dimensional ceilings that appeared to be jutting up into the sky. As I mentioned, we had the option to go to the Colosseum. By far, this is one of my favorite memories of Rome. The day was hot—almost as hot as the day we went on the Spanish Steps—and we had to wait in

eos translated in Arabic appeared online September 9th, and after an Arab news show aired clips of the offensive material, the protests were believed to have begun. It was not until September 20th that the White House released a statement confirming that the Libyan attack, the only one that claimed American lives, might have been premeditated rather than provoked by the videos. The professionalism of the violence on the embassy had given rise to suspicions of more detailed planning and calculated strategy than could be expected from angry protesters. The announcement was spurred by director of the National Counter-Terrorism Center Matt Olsen’s September 19th statement that “they (the American victims in Benghazi) were killed in the course of a terrorist attack on our embassy… We are looking at indications that individuals involved in the attack may have

The hatchery was arranged in a grid, with each nest occupying its own square. The program leaders showed us how to dig a nest during my training, and I saw two nests lined with eggs. The first nest was filled with ninety-six eggs that the leaders found on my first patrol. The second nest I dug myself, for the six eggs found on my second patrol. I had to dig a deep hole with my hands. Kneeling on the ground, I could lay my hand flat at the bottom of the nest and only my shoulder and the very top of my arm would be visible. The bottom of the nest was rounded out, and the eggs were carefully placed in one by one. The eggs were about the size and shape of a golf ball, but perfectly smooth. They had a flexible surface, and I handled them as gently as I could in order not to crush them. They felt extremely small and delicate in the palm of my hand. Once they were all placed in the nest, I picked up handful after handful of sand and let it fall gently through my fingers until the hole was filled. It was important not to pack the sand in place or the baby turtles would not be able to dig their way out. After the nest was covered with sand, I placed a mesh net over it. Then the nest was complete, and I was free to stumble back to the house, fall into bed, and dream of sea turtles.

line for 20 minutes or more. However, as we waited by drawing in our sketchpads and goofing around, we were soon struck by the timelessness of the Colosseum. Sure, it was old and damaged, but this was where they had mock naval battles! An elderly South African couple behind us shared our enthusiasm. We took many pictures that day and bought quite a few souvenirs at the gift shop, but it’s hard to show the true greatness we all felt inside the Colosseum. I can never forget the experiences I have had in Rome. Thanks to Brother Gregory, I can say I have gilded a sketchbook and drawn in the streets of Rome. Thanks to Mr. Connell, our tour guide, I know that the head statue in the corner of the vast church was a priceless Bernini worth more than I could ever imagine. And finally, thanks to Mr. O’Connor and Mrs. O’Connor, I had the opportunity to spend two weeks in a city as historically and artistically rich as Rome. This was truly the best summer ever.

had connections to al-Qaeda or al-Qaeda’s affiliates; in particular, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.” On September 15th, members of al-Qaeda, claimed that they were responsible for the attack, seeking vengeance for the assassination of one of their leaders, Abu Yahya al-Libi; he was killed in an American drone strike this June but his death was not confirmed until September. Libyan police arrested fifty people in connection with the attack. President Mohammed el-Megarif stated that foreigners from Mali and Algeria with al-Qaeda connections had infiltrated the nation months before, and were involved in the violence at the consulate. This professional attack may or may not be related to the protests that took place in September, though perhaps it inspired some people to go to greater lengths in expressing their dissatisfaction than they would have

otherwise. The Cairo protests, as well as those that took place in Tunisia, Yemen, Sudan, Pakistan, Greece, India and Indonesia, occurred in the context of years of aggression directed towards American embassies in the Middle East and Africa, and among Muslim populations around the world. Though Islam has suffered a great deal of ridicule in the past decade in particular, Muslims’ violent reaction to these offenses surely cannot elevate them above the extreme terrorist sects of their religion in the eyes of Americans and all non-Muslims. Though ideally they should not have to prove the worth of their religion to anyone, considering the current attitude toward Islam in our country especially, these offended citizens could ultimately receive greater respect by voicing their frustrations in a more peaceful fashion.

ABBEY LIFE

Farewell to St. Bedes By Justin Mistikawy and Fletcher Bonin Staff Writers

or us it was everything. It was a safe haven, it was family, and it was pride. It was the lawless outskirts of the campus. It was the forgery of brotherhood and an assembly of fraternity. It was a place where dreams could come true, held together by protein powder and chewing gum. It was St. Bede’s and it was our dorm. The darkness either comes from the imposing shadow of St. Martins or the rarely working electricity within the dorm. The peeling brown paint was complemented by the nearly functioning burgundy doors. The broken windows provided for great ventilation. The grass in the courtyard was a spectacular shade of yellow, and the soil unfruitful. It was no biblical land of milk and honey. The fountain in the middle was missing, but our love for the dorm wasn’t. The distinct one-story, square shape of our dorm drove us together by force, but we stayed there by choice. With spotty electricity and shoddy computers we needed each other. Not only for entertainment, or warmth, but for a sense of place. Upon walking in, one might see such characters as Rob Suscy shaking the paper thin walls with shrieks of “Mortal Kombat.” Look up and you might see Nick Medley climbing some splin-

tering rafter. P-Bar grazed outside, throwing Frisbees to himself, and next to him the Andrew “The Lowcat” Lowis was on the prowl. One glimpse into a room and you could spot Joe Yates, hard at work. Starky juked, sprinted, and rolled during a rousing game of Bede’s football. He was Tebowesque in our own private Gillette Stadium. These people fueled the fire of our dorm. We and the legendary Bedesmen before us built the soul that gave the dorm its true meaning. It was more than a place to go during conference, it was a place to belong. We would like to take this time to thank Mr. Dolan, and Ms. Miller. Or as we know them, “Mom and Dad.” Mr. Dolan taught us how to be men, Bedesmen. And Ms. Miller fostered a hospitable zone feeding the hungry day students with treats woven with the finest ingredients and love and butter. Despite the dorm’s exterior, the interior was always neat and clean. Thank you Mr. Barbosa. These people were the reason we chanted BEDES at assemblies. Because dorms are built with people, not materials. Gone are the days where we could lounge on the broken furniture that littered the back common room. The sun has set on our foosball tournaments. A silence fills the void left by Will Shaw’s European techno that once shook our two hallways. The dorm may be gone, but like a Phoenix, the spirit will rise again.

Ode to St. Martins By Kilian White Staff Writer

Shall I compare thee to the other dorms? Thou art more lovely than their aged forms. Ill-use makes old abruptly all the rest, But Martin’s you are new and thus the best. What’s more you have a far superior view, Albeit most remote a house you are ‘tis true. Just because your paint drops off the walls, Renders not you less than other halls. And though we still know your issues to be manifold, We sleep sound at night knowing at least you’re not so old. And so we stand affirmed you are superior, And so our peers must know they are inferior.

Greek Class By Michelle Mehrtens Editor-in-Chief

It usually happens in the fall. We are sitting in the classroom, discussing last night’s homework with Mr. Micheletti, when a student barges in. This student stares at us, pauses, and then says, “Wait, is this a class?” We all nod our heads. “This is Greek class,” one of us explains. “Oh. Sorry.” The student leaves, but not before glancing back one last time in confusion and amusement. Kelsi Harper, Kilian White, and I are in our third year of Greek. We are the original triumvirate of a class that translates ancient texts and engages in heated philosophical discussions. Mr. Micheletti teaches the class, explaining grammar rules and how to pronounce obscure vocabulary. Greek is a

complex, challenging language with roots in many modern-day languages. Because of this course, we know the derivatives behind “anthropology” and “hypnosis”, and can figure out the meanings behind words

like thanatosis and iconoclastic. Ancient Greek is like dinosaurs and zombies. They may be dead, but they are undeniably awesome. Greek class encourages philosophical

and consists of seminars, lectures, writing sections, and plenary. One instructor focuses on literature, while the other delves into history, philosophy, and theology. Despite these divisions, there is considerable overlap among the sections. The Humanities curriculum includes St. Augustine’s Confessions, Rene Descartes’ Discourse on Method, and Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness. Some have questioned whether fourth formers are ready for such heavy books. Father Paschal noted that regardless of the age

of the reader, the most important thing is that “what you learn from great books is humility.” After reading Pascal’s Pensees or Milton’s Paradise Lost, students must realize that they have much more to learn. Father Paschal suggested that students read these books repeatedly throughout their lives, because new insights can be revealed each time a great book is read. Mr. Zelden adds that, at first, he was “a skeptic” as to whether Fourth Formers could handle such a course, but happy to find that he was wrong. Mr. Zelden also said, “Fourth Form year is the most pure.” Fourth Formers have already learned the ropes during freshman year, but are not yet mired in the stress caused by the daunting college process. He also adds that while an older audience will certainly have a more sophisticated interpretation of a book such as Dante’s Inferno, younger students should still read these books as long as they continue to reread them later in life. As an example, Mr. Zelden pointed out that he has read Dante’s Inferno almost ten times now. Each time he reads it, he still gets a “wow” feeling. Moreover, he has observed that, “students often rise to the occasion.” When he first taught the challenging Paradise Lost, he simply “let Milton reach the students,” and was amazed at what the students got out of it. However, Milton cannot reach the students if they do not remain open-minded. Younger students are often more candid than older students, and the success of the class is contingent upon this. They need to actively learn and actually read the books; they must avoid the pernicious SparkNotes at all costs.

Humanities

By Timothy Cunningham Staff Writer

or Abbey students, simply mentioning Humanities evokes memories of rich class discussions, fascinating books, and countless hours of reading. This class dominates the Fourth Form year, and is equally renowned for its demanding workload and the profound insights acquired by students. The Humanities course meets eight times a week—twice as much as any other course. Although it takes up two class periods, it replaces three other classes: English, History, and Christian Doctrine. The class is taught by a team of two teachers,

discussion and social commentary. During these past few months, we have been translating Plato’s Apology and will eventually move onto Homer. Reading these works has provided stimulating debate topics, such as the influence of social media in the United States and the legality of the death penalty, or whether Socrates was correct and “the unexamined life is not worth living”. We are able to gain a stronger grip on the text through these discussions, and apply their insights into our work. Being able to translate a well-known story in its original language also reveals nuances lost in the modern-day version. After class, we exit the room to face a large group of students, shuffling their feet and waiting to enter. “There were only three kids in there,” someone whispers. “They take Greek,” another explains. A different student glances at us. “That is so weird.”

What truly sets Humanities apart is the integration of many subjects, including literature, history, philosophy, and theology, into one class. Both Mr. Zelden and Father Paschal observed that the students seem to enjoy the experience. Father Paschal adds that with the right team of teachers, these various subjects enhance each other immensely. Mr. Zelden appreciates how students begin to connect subjects that they thought were completely separate. In addition, he sees how the class tells the story of Western Civilization through various voices. He notes that as with all Abbey classes, in Humanities, something very significant is at stake. Mr. Zelden also said that it was unique that books like More’s Utopia and Dante’s Inferno could be read as a literary story, a political treatise, a philosophical discourse, and a theological work. Mr. Zelden considered the formation of a United States Humanities, where the class could read the Constitution, The Federalist Papers, Tocqueville’s Democracy in America, along with works by Melville, Thoreau, and Emerson. He adds that the United States has a rich tradition of literature, politics, and philosophy that would be fascinating to explore. The Humanities course is undoubtedly a favorite among students. The opportunity to discuss the big ideas that formed the world we live in today is an incredible one. However, teachers also enjoy the class. For example, Mr. Zelden still loves to teach Humanities, and to witness the “light bulbs go off” in the minds of students. However, as Father Paschal said, the most important part of Humanities is “to transform the person.”

ABBEY LIFE The Regan Lecture Hall

rom now on, no student will ever dread taking exams in the SLH. Now called the RLH, the classroom is a beautiful and comfortable environment, from the cushioned revolving chairs to the sturdy desks. The official name of this newly renovated room is The John M. and Prudence S. Regan, Jr. Lecture Hall. The renovations were funded by The Regan Family—specifically Mr. and

By Rachel Sousa Staff Writer

Mrs. Regan, who were the parents of John “Mac” ’68, Peter ’71, and Chris ’73, and the grandparents of Caroline ’07. The Regan’s hope was that, by providing the funding for the Lecture Hall, students and faculty would be able to better enjoy classes with the improved lighting, seating, and technology. Students have commented on the “convenient chairs” and the “cutting-edge feel” of the new

and improved classroom. Mr. Burke, head of the alumni department at Portsmouth Abbey School, says that “the renovated lecture hall is spectacular. I hope that all of us who are in the Regan Lecture Hall for a meeting, class or presentation appreciate the space and the generosity and the kindness that made the renovation possible.” If you have the pleasure of taking a class or taking an exam in the

beautifully renovated lecture hall try not to get lost in the groovy acoustic wall or the wavy designs. There is a lot of really interesting little things that make the RLH a wonderful new part of our community. If you have a chance go check it out.

Cross Country By Doug Lebo Staff Writer

Bolstered by many new additions to the team, Cross Country has seen some amazing things during the opening weeks

SPORTS

of a good season. For the boys, captain Joe Yates and returning junior Sean McDonough lead the front pack, as usual, and shattered their times from last year. Nick Medley has returned from an injury better and faster than ever, and has quickly risen from a middle-pack JV runner to

being in the top five. Far from being novices to cross-country, newcomers to the team Justin Mistakawy and Jon Campau fill out the upper crust boys’ varsity team. For the girls, captains Hadley Matthews and Claire Gralton, along with returners Maria Luisa Ruiz, Allison Bolles, and

Claire Ritch fill out the top five, and are all working to return their times to last year’s best. Three freshmen – Zoe Butler, Claire Davidson, and Gabby Blaine – fall in right behind the returning top five, and have surpassed expectations for their first Abbey season.

Boys’ Varsity Golf By Amy Huang Staff Writer

Although the boys’ varsity golf team lost a number of outstanding players from last year, the team has had a successful start of this season with 5:1 over Landmark School. Yet the following two losses indicate that the golfers need more experience in their games. Led by Garin Tracy, a returning 4-year veteran and captain, the Abbey golfers have showed great effort in the team. Fourth Former Will Hall is playing #1 and has had a great start to the year; he is on the way to becoming one of the top golfers in the league. Jake Gudioan, a returning player, has been starting every match as well. New to the Abbey and the team are Steve Vye, Ross Powell and George Sturgess. The golfers look forward to a strong season this year!

Girls’ Varsity Soccer By Mossiah Kouassi-Brou Staff Writer

Despite some setbacks last year, the girls’ varsity soccer had an impressive start this season, coming up with a win for its first game. Though the team later suffered several losses, strong sixth form leaders are pushing the team towards greatness and remain optimistic for this fall. The team has made great progress since the beginning of the season under Coach O’Connor and Assistant Coach Michelletti. Newcomers have greatly enhanced the efforts, with a strong defense. Returning players, Kelley Oliveira and Annie Kirscht are valuable assets with Kelley as a striker, scoring 5 beautiful goals in one game, and Annie seemingly everywhere at once on the field. Although several of the players have suffered injuries, the girls are working hard to improve their skills and win our few remaining games, in the hopes of making it to the EILs.

TRENDS

Perks of Music By Em Magnifico Staff Writer

Even though we all know that study hall is meant to be a two hour span of silence to nurture a working environment, to say that it is free from all distractions is entirely untrue. The ticking of your roommate’s alarm clock, the sound of someone rapidly punching at a keyboard, the clattering of a fallen pencil— unless you’ve been endowed with a bombproof attention span, even the smallest thing can draw your mind away from your work. This is where music comes in. We’ve all experienced that moment where we plug our headphones in and start working and suddenly five songs pass and you do not remember listening to any of them. Music becomes that white noise in the background that isolates your mind away from all the little ambient sounds that accompany the quiet. Some people argue against this, saying that music becomes a larger distraction than anything else, thus causing a decline in the quality of the work being done. However,

for a lot of people, it is not the music that causes their work while studying to decline, but a lack of interest or motivation. When you are discontent with having to sit there like a robot and crank out your homework for two hours, ultimately your productivity declines. If we had music during study hall, I know that personally I would get significantly more work done. It is a simple principle: happy people are more productive. Music also has the ability to affect our memory, and often we associate memories with the music in the background. We can all remember when we were little kids and they would teach us the alphabet in the form of a song or the rhyme about Columbus sailing the ocean blue in 1492. This is because music makes learning easier; the brain remembers things with rhythm and beat more efficiently than just plain words without any melody at all. For people who have difficulty remembering those tricky recitations imagine

Dear Abbey

putting the words of that recitation to the beat of your favorite song. Even though you will not be able to recite it in harmony, at least you will have the words down. Also, we cannot forget that we are going through our adolescence in a very technological era, and that when we leave Portsmouth Abbey, there won’t be any more study hall. We won’t have house-parents pacing the halls waiting to snatch away anything that’s distracting us. We will have noisy roommates, and friends constantly drawing us away from our work, and in the bustle of the college dorm music will be our companion to block out the rest of the world. Music has become a tool to block distractions more than anything else. And to be quite frank, now that they have given us the internet during study-hall, Facebook and Twitter and Tumblr are far more distracting than listening to music could ever be. At least with music, you can get something done, whereas if you sit on one of those sites for an

hour, you will literally accomplish nothing. The reality is that the minute we enter college we are going to do our work with our headphones on, and Portsmouth Abbey’s main goal, after all, is to prepare us for college. Plenty of intelligent students here at the Abbey listen to their music when they study outside of the eight-to-ten block, and their work still gets done in an acceptable fashion, and they still get the good grades expected of them. This year they started trusting us to get our work done with the infinite distraction of the internet, it only seems fair that they should start trusting us to get our work done with music again as well.

Internet During Study Hall By Winslow Wawro

Dear Abbey,

Staff Writer

I just turned eighteen, and now it’s time for me to vote. Unfortunately, after living in the Portsmouth Abbey fishbowl for so long, I have absolutely no idea what’s going on in the presidential campaign. I don’t even know which is the right wing or the left wing. Who should I vote for? Please help! Sincerely, The Elephant/Donkey in the Room

Dear Directionally Confused, As I am bound by my editors to be politically correct all the time, I can’t necessarily tell you who to vote for. It depends largely upon your moral compass (or lack thereof for that matter), and no matter which side you pick you can never be “right”—but in the eyes of your opposition you will most definitely always be wrong. Even when you think you’re right, you’re wrong. Just let that sink in for a second there. Welcome to politics. Essentially, what you do is pick the evil you like more, so to speak. When you boil it down to the basics, selecting a presidential candidate this year is a lot like playing the game ‘Would You Rather?’ Would you rather go to college or… get a job? And you can only choose one. It’s up to you. Happy voting! Politically Ambiguous, Abbey

There really is only one question to ask about internet during study hall, and it seems to be difficult to answer: Is having internet access during a designated study time a good thing or a bad thing? This issue seems to have been made much more complicated than it really is. I have heard various opinions from both students and teachers, and it appears that the main focus point is the possibility of distraction. There you are working on a Lab report, when your mind starts to wander. Before you know it, your internet browser is open and you’re scrolling down your news feed on Facebook. Or you intend to check your school e-mail, and instead you’re looking at LOLCats. This is not a problem, I assure you.

I don’t mean to say that you should be on Facebook during study hall. I’m saying that having internet access denied is unrealistic. The internet is here to stay, it’s going to be a permanent distraction, and everyone has to learn to deal with it. Wherever you end up after Portsmouth Abbey, you will have internet access. It will always be there to help you squander your time when you need to get work done. Many of us are at the age where we can legally drive, and if we are old enough and mature enough to drive a car down a highway at 65 miles an hour, I hope we can handle the distraction of the internet for two hours during study hall.

What’s Hot /What’s Not By Nicholas DeLieto Staff Writer

Ping pong club Class of 2013

Class of 2012

Snap Chat

Instagram

The Facebook

School IDs

The view from Martin’s

HOT

Jortz

The view from Brigid’s

Apple

Samsung

TI-89

TI-Nspire

Starting quarterbacks Getting into college

Sports injuries The Common App

Gangnam Style

Call Me Maybe

Miley and Liam

Tom and Katie Holmes

Internet during study hall Summer 2012

Study Hall Fall term

NOT

NEW TO THE ABBEY

Ms. Kathleen Behan Mr. Kevin Calisto

Mr. Adam Card

Mr. Jeff Kerr

Staff Writer

By Meredith Horan

By Charlie Ramsden

ne of the newest faces around campus is Ms. Behan, who graduated from the Abbey in 2008. As a student, she loved the feel of the school, including the faculty and student relationships, spurring her to come back. Ms. Behan still enjoys these relationships, and says that it is not that different being a teacher. Originally, she knew that she wanted to return to the Abbey, but not necessarily in a teaching capacity. Her dedication as class agent made her see herself working in administration or development. In the past, she has participated in phone-a-thons for the Abbey, and has definitely stayed connected. As the new Spanish teacher, she now lives in an apartment in St. Bede’s. When asked if she could change anything about her time at the Abbey, Ms. Behan said she would choose to be a boarder. While a student, she was Athlete of the Week, captain of soccer and basketball (she played on varsity all four years), and a tri-varsity athlete. Her favorite teachers were Señor and Mr. O’Connor. She graduated from Providence College last spring, with a major in Spanish. Her favorite food is her mom’s chicken Caesar salad, and her favorite place in the world (other than the Abbey) is Providence College. In terms of movies, she loves both Bridesmaids and Remember the Titans.

Staff Writer

or his first year at Portsmouth Abbey, Mr. Calisto is teaching Fundamentals of Art, Visual Arts, and Advanced Arts. Originally residing in Bristol R.I, he heard about the Abbey from two cousins who graduated from the school. Mr. Calisto has highly enjoyed the community, small class sizes, and his own classroom. Currently, he lives in St. Hugh’s as one of three house-parents. House-parenting forty-three third formers was initially overwhelming, but getting to know individuals and the community of the dorm made it much easier. When asked what made him decide to become a teacher, Mr. Calisto responded that he had an influential art teacher in high school, and that he personally believes not only in making his own artwork, but also in sharing and teaching art to others. Mr. Calisto enters this teaching position highly qualified with a BFA Education in painting and a minor in art history from the College of Saint Rose, Albany, and also a Master’s degree in drawing from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth. Along with teaching, Mr. Calisto coaches Boys’ Varsity Soccer, and will coach the Boys’ Tennis team in the spring. Outside of the classroom, Mr. Calisto’s hobbies include cooking, baking, tennis, creating art, and running. His favorite TV show is Grey’s Anatomy, and his favorite movie is Inception. Mr. Calisto specializes in painting and drawing. Be sure to check out his blog where many of his works are displayed: http:// kevincalisto.blogspot.com/

By Jake Kim

his winter, the sport of wrestling returns to Portsmouth Abbey School. It will be run by our new Computer Science teacher Mr. Card. He looks like a perfect match for the wrestling coach. Tall, physically imposing, and calmly confident, it doesn’t take a giant leap of imagination to see him crushing an opponent in the ring. However, it wasn’t always this way. His wrestling career began in seventh grade at the urging of his mother, who was concerned about his weight. It may shock you to find out that he wasn’t a star from the first day. In fact, he stunk. He was one of the worst kids on the team, but he could not have cared less. Despite his initial lack of skill, he saw something in the sport that naturally attracted him. The more he was challenged, the more he responded. He realized that to succeed he had to put his best foot forward and outwork anyone in his way. “It’s either 100% or 0%” he says, “You have to give it your all.” So he fell in love with the sport, worked hard off-season at wrestling camps over the summer, and by the time he was a senior he became the captain of his high school team. Mr. Card has spent a very long time thinking about starting this program from the ground up. Most of the kids won’t have any wrestling experience. Mr. Card’s short-term goals are to get some matches won, and see some boys on the podium. He also presses the importance of a strong team spirit in this individualistic sport. He hopes for kids that may be “an inch too short or a pound too light,” and says he absolutely does not care about physical ability or athletic experience, as long as they are willing to put their whole selves out on the mat and work harder than they have ever worked before. Regardless of who you are in terms of muscle mass, if you are a hard worker Mr. Card wants you on the team!

By Hannah Niles

y now, many of us recognize Mr. Kerr as the man with the voice of an angel that we have seen and heard singing at mass. Mr. Kerr is responsible for everything related to music at the Abbey, including Schola, several other music classes, the two a cappella groups, the chorus, the orchestra, jazz band, the drum circle, and more. He previously taught in eastern Connecticut making this his nineteenth year of teaching. Mr. Kerr’s decision to come to the Abbey was mostly due to one of our recently graduated fellows, Jessie Bessinger. Jessie was a family friend of the Kerrs’ and kept him informed as to how the performing arts program was growing. Mr. Kerr was particularly attracted by the Abbey’s recent efforts to expand its program and having already successfully developed two music programs at other schools, he is looking to do the same here at the Abbey. He is most excited by the enthusiasm within the student body. This is a necessary ingredient for success in any environment, particularly the arts. Mr. Kerr is also exploring ways to give students opportunities to perform competitively with other students from throughout the state. His greatest challenge for this year is catering to time constraints. Given that all of the ensembles are optional, extra time must be set aside from already hectic schedules to rehearse. Nonetheless, Mr. Kerr says that the students’ willingness to make the time and put in effort is most encouraging. Mr. Kerr is originally from Walpole, Massachusetts. He is classically trained and primarily focuses on performing with voice. He was a part of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus which performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra for years. Mr. Kerr has a wife, Lisa and two children- a daughter, Emma, in fifth grade and a son, Caellum, who is a third former at the Abbey. Mr. Kerr is already a positive presence on campus. We are happy to have him, along with his family, as a part of the Abbey community.

ENTERTAINMENT A Sense of Community By Michelle Mehrtens Editor-in-Chief

At least once a year, I find a television show that I completely and irrevocably love. I will fight to the death for this show, defend it from critics, and fantasize about its seasons stretching on for eternity (yet still maintaining its original shine and creativity). Inevitably, though, the episodes end, or the characters grow lackluster, and I believe that this is it. I will never find a show as good as the one I just watched. However, this time I have truly discovered something fantastic—and, guys, this is the one. Community, created by Dan Harmon, is delightfully bizarre and imaginative. It follows the lives of a group of students at a community college called Greendale. The ringleader is Jeff Winger, a former lawyer fired for forging his bachelor’s degree. Attracted to a student named Britta Perry, he creates a fake study group in order to meet with her again. To Jeff’s chagrin, real students arrive for the study session—including Annie Edison, a perky perfectionist; Troy Barnes, a former high school football star; Shirley Bennett, a Christian single mother; Pierce Hawthorne, a wealthy, grumbling old man; and Abed Nadir, a film addict who struggles to interact with others. It is immediately clear that each character has issues. It is also immediately clear that their year at Greendale is going to be hilarious. Community is quirky, innovative, and very self-aware. Abed sees the world in terms of pop culture, TV shows, and films; he frequently compares the group’s misadventures to film—both acknowledging and embracing storytelling clichés. In one episode, Annie loses her pen and manically declares that they will not leave the library until they find it. Abed aptly—and cleverly—notes, “This is a bottle episode.” Bottle episodes are filmed at a minimal cost, usually regulating scenes to one location—in this case, the library. The show winks at the audience, openly recognizing its own actions—creating a world where the characters comment upon their own lives with as much awareness as the audience. Community also subverts clichés; the “will they or won’t they?” relationship between Jeff and Britta is turned on its head in the season one finale. Nothing is as it seems—the writers of the show make sure of that. Many different episodes have paid homages to wellknown films. “Modern Warfare”, which centered on a massive game of paintball on the school campus, spoofs dramatic action movies. Another gem is “Pillows and Blankets”, which parodies Ken Burns’ documentary, The Civil War; Troy leads the soldiers (or students) of Blanketsburg against Abed’s Pillowtown into dramatic battles with contemplative voiceovers. In “Digital Estate Plan-

ning”, the group spends almost their entire time as videogame characters in an antiquated 90’s videogame created by Pierce’s father. The relationships among the characters are heartfelt, troubling, hysterical, and realistic. One of the highlights of the show is the friendship between Abed and Troy. They tend to act like little kids, excited to build pillow forts and act out movie scenes. But they are also always prepared to support each other. They do not feel compelled to constantly assert their masculinity. As a result, they are not ashamed or embarrassed by their close friendship, and their enthusiasm is refreshing. Britta is someone who consistently tries to do good and consistently messes everything up. She wants to be better than she is, but sometimes questions whether she wants to act selfless for others, or because she wants to feel superior to everyone else. Her struggle is honest, open, and sidesplitting. In fact, the group turns her name into a verb synonymous with making mistakes: “Don’t ‘Britta’ it!” Annie is an overachiever, and the only one who actually seems to do her homework. Her attempts to bring out the best in everyone make her Pierce’s “favorite” of the group, although Jeff accuses her of employing such skills for manipulation. When she attempts to gain sympathy, Jeff warns the others, “Now she is going to make the Dis-

Call the Doctor: The New Doctor Who By Kelsi Harper Staff Writer

or those of you ‘new to Who,’ Doctor Who is the amazing BBC science fiction TV show that catalogues the adventures of The Doctor, a quirky time traveler from space and his companions, whom he picks up along the way (don’t be alarmed, it’s not as nerdy as you think!). His time machine is called the TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimension in Space), which is forever disguised as a blue police callbox due to a malfunction of its camouflaging technology. And, as every character exclaims once he or she steps into it, “It’s big-

ger on the inside!” The original series ran from 1963-1989, and was revived in 2005 for the betterment of all society. The first half of season seven just ended in October. Comedy fuels the show, along with heart-wrenching storylines and moments of gravity. The show speaks to the humanity of its viewers and brings up genuine questions we need to ask ourselves. This is done in a very clever way thanks to the showrunner, Stephen Moffat, who employs unexpected plot twists—never allowing for one second of monotony.

ney face.” Shirley is the “grown-up” of the group, a woman who raises two sons while attending school at the same time. She is someone who deeply cares about her faith, yet tends to use her beliefs to guilt others into doing the right thing. However, her guilt-tripping becomes that much funnier when she realizes its power and chooses to wield it like a weapon. Pierce, played by Chevy Chase, constantly speaks in an offensive, politically incorrect manner. At the age of 65, he enrolls in Greendale out of boredom, and tries to keep up with the group as much as he can. His abrasive personality usually makes him difficult to like. However, the moments where he reveals how completely oblivious he is of modern pop culture are hysterical. Jeff, the almighty cynic of the study group, secretly cares for his friends—and, at times, realizes how much he actually needs them. Although the protagonist, he is far from the lynchpin of the group. Each character contributes to these friendships, and each of them experiences highs and lows. They are all just trying to survive the wackiness of Greendale and figure out what exactly they want to do with their lives. They are all a little broken, a little unsure, but always hilarious, always heartfelt, and always ready to lend each other a hand.

The regeneration quality of The Doctor allows him to escape death by transforming into a new body and personality. Along with the cyclical nature of his friends, this maintains the excellent longevity of the show.” How can this be? Wouldn’t that be horrible?” you may ask? Well, dear reader, the constant change of actors allows for multiple personalities—instead of a long, drawn-out show which uses a handful of actors who become too old for the characters they play (*cough cough* Glee). If you don’t like one, don’t worry, someone new will enter in a few seasons. On the other hand, once you fall in love with specific characters, there is only a limited time before they have to leave you. This may com-

pel you to kneel at the TV, crying and begging for them to come back. But then you get over it, because Moffat has granted you with another awesome character to fill the void in your heart. When traveling either into the past or future, The Doctor encounters enemies no matter where he goes. Monsters he must battle range from Daleks, robotic creatures that are determined to extinguish all life forms, to Weeping Angels, seemingly innocent statues of angels that move to attack when you aren’t looking at them. Doctor Who is most highly recommended for those who want to be happy. Geronimo!

CANDIDS WELCOME, NEW STAFF MEMBERS!

Editors-In-Chief Katherine Haines Kimberly Mehrtens Michelle Mehrtens Layout Editor MinJae (Steve) Cho Photo Editor HyungSeok (Toby) Yun FAculty Advisor Mr. Cowan

STAFF WRITERS & PHOTOGraphers

Special Thanks

Antonia Ambrose Matthew Benevides Fletcher Bonin

Brian Fredericks YueLin Guo Abby Hackl

Rhoads MacGuire Em Magnifico Julian Minondo

Lucy Ferry

Douglas Lebo

Erin Shaw

David M. Brower Emma Butler Zoe Butler Melanie Camacho Minqian Chen Seha Choi Tim Cunningham Siddharth D'Silva Nicholas DeLieto Eden Franz

Gerrard Hanly Kelsi Harper Meredith Horan Xuanqing (Amy) Huang Liam Kelly Isabel Keogh Mary-Frances Kielb Jake Kim Mossiah Kouassi-Brou JooSeung Lee

Justin Mistikawy Melody Mo Helen Nelson Hannah Niles Rory O'Connor Madeleine O'Shea Paulina Power Peter Russell Patrick Ruvane

Julia Slupska Rachel Sousa Lauren Thompson

Peter Vergara Stephen Vye Yazhen (Alex) Wang Winslow Wawro Kilian White Patrick Wilks Yanqi Zhang Annie Zhao

Dom Julian Ms. Kathy Stark Ms. Kathy Heydt

Mr. and Mrs. Ogden

Brigid Shea

Presidential Elections 2012 Look for our special Election edition in your mailbox November 6th!