HORNET’S NEST Proctor Academy | January 18, 2019| Vol. 4 | Issue 4
PAWN at Proctor By: Logan Dunne
At Proctor we rely on the internet all day. We often find ourselves needing some type of technology for every class. But how is the school managing it and is the school’s control too much? Should Proctor be allowed to regulate the internet? Should the students be allowed to have the wi-fi through the entirety of Saturday into Sunday? I sent a survey to students and started by asking, “Do you feel that the internet helps the students at Proctor?” The options for the question included, “Yeah for sure,” “No not at all,” and, “It helps certain kids.” Out of the 81 responses for the survey, 49 stated that it certainly helps us. Six kids said that it outright does not help with our intelligence or social life.
The second question was, “Should Proctor be able to regulate the internet?” Six of the 81 responders didn’t even know that it happened. Fifty-Two people didn’t want Proctor to continue to regulate the internet. Twenty-three students felt that Proctor should be allowed to regulate the internet. The school is required to ban some of the content that is rated for an older crowd. Rather than having everyone’s WIFI filters customized, they must filter all of it.
The next question is more contentious. “Do you think that the wifi should stay on throughout the entirety of Saturday night into Sunday?” The Saturday night wifi issue has been debated many times in my Proctor career. Sixty-six out of the total 78 responses said that the wifi should not turn off during the weekend. Some of the responses: “Because that is our one free night and day without athletics or study hall.” Another student suggested that maybe just the seniors would be given a longer period with the wifi than their younger peers. Should the student body start a petition to try and reform the rules around the Saturday night wifi? I liked this response best, “I think that the wifi shouldn’t turn off at 12 on school days because often I am still doing homework at that time. And, the wifi shouldn’t turn of on Saturday [night].” The students have spoken - what comes next?
hockey game or having fun on Head’s Day, there are so many things to look forward to!”
Turn Your Winter Thoughts From SAD to RAD! By: Anna Hollenbaugh
Winter term at Proctor Academy can be really hard. If you dread winter and you notice that your mood changes, you might be suffering with SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder. ‘SAD’ is a mood disorder characterized by depression that occurs during this time of year. Since we do not soak up as much vitamin D from the sun in the winter, our bodies do not produce enough seratonin. Megan Hardie, Proctor’s Student Health and Wellness Coordinator, explained the warning signs of SAD, “Typically students feel really tired, more so than usual, and it lasts longer than a few days, oversleeping can happen too. There starts to be little motivation or interest to do things school work, go out to activities.” SAD can have a negative impact on relationships and academic success.
A student with SAD describes their experience, “My emotions are all over the place. I am mainly feeling anxious and sad.” When asked if they knew if other people suffered from this disorder they responded, “I do not know too many people with this disorder, but I know some people suffer from it. I think if you are stuck in one place like a lot of people at Proctor you are more prone to it, because you can’t leave. I just want to stay in bed all day and that really kills my social life.” A piece of advice this student has for others is, “Although people may not live through SAD or depression, everyone should be aware of it.” Although we all know of the winter blues, there are activities that can help you change your perspective. A four year senior, Samantha Parkman proclaimed, “I love the winter. Whether it’s going to watch a basketball and
Megan advises that anyone who is feeling the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder to go outside, even if it is freezing, and get some exercise. If you are really struggling, find a trusted friend or adult. Remember, winter doesn’t have to be a sad term, just get yourself out there and embrace the snow!
Proctor’s Unsung Hero of Heat By: Eric Nemirovsky
As we enter the heart of winter, the previously dormant smokestack of the Walt Wright Biomass Plant has begun spewing vapor again, and Proctor Academy will rely on Dana Newton to ensure we all receive heat. If you are ever looking for Dana, the first place you should check is the biomass plant. On top of being responsible for all of Proctor’s plumbing needs, he spends forty hours a week in the plant. Being an unusual system for heating on a large scale, there is no user’s manual. When Proctor built the biomass facility in 2009, running it became Dana’s responsibility. Dana recalled the plant’s early years of operation saying, “It was certainly a learning experience. There are a lot of moving parts and things that can go wrong. The steam is under extreme pressure and needs to be handled properly. Within the facility’s first year of operation, I almost blew the whole thing up.”
sleeping in a bumpy van. 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, the skier races and the last thing the skiers consider is school work. 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm is dinner, ski prep, and stretching to prepare for another day of the same thing. This is the average schedule of Eastern skiers at a race series. Eastern skiers have many skills which make them stand out from the crowd; one of these is their independence and initiative to get school work done. It is incredibly hard to find time to do work during a race series because of all the ski prep and refueling your body needs to perform for two to four days in a row.
Dana Newton (right) teaches Proctor students about the plant.
Proctor’s biomass plant was built in 2009. It replaced the oil furnaces that produced heat for the campus for fifteen years. In a period of four and a half months (the amount of time the plant runs each year), Proctor burns 135,000 gallons of oil, which costs approximately $337,000 for the four months. The chip plant burns three loads of wood chips a week, and a load costs $1200 dollars, so the investment in the plant means fuel costs are reduced to approximately $70,000 dollars for the same time period. The Biomass plant saves Proctor significant money while distributing steam through a network of pipes to roughly 70% of Proctor’s campus. It produces this steam by burning wood chips harvested entirely from the Proctor woodlands as well as adjacent lands. Though you can see thick white plumes billowing from the stack on cold days, the plant’s only emissions are clean water vapor. Dana stays on call 24/7. If the plant malfunctions and shuts down, he needs to be there night or day, before Proctor’s pipes freeze. Most students don’t know him, but we all rely on Dana to keep us warm and comfortable in the winter.
Eastern Skiers: Finding Independence By: Anders Klinkenberg
5:15 am, Wednesday, the alarm goes off and a few Eastern skiers are awake. 5:30 am, they walk out the door with ski bags on their shoulders. 5:45 am, they pack skis into a cold van and get ready to leave. 6:00: the van departs from school. The Eastern skiers use one of their more developed traits,
Ashleigh Boulton works as a U16 coach and a Learning Skills teacher. She often helps the athletes who have trouble with balancing skiing and school, “About 75% of kids require help with school work while they are away at races or at camps. Older athletes (second year U19s) usually have a better understanding of the level of time management it takes to juggle skiing and school work.” The Eastern skiers are well aware that if their academics are not on par they will not be able to participate in as much racing as they may wish. Ashleigh’s number one recommendation for Eastern Skiers is to do as much of their work before they depart for the race. She observes, “The students I worked with last year are already showing more initiative, accountability, and resourcefulness.” As a second year U19, Ellie Richardson knows what it takes to balance skiing and school. She has a rich perspective on the independence skiers are given, “Missing class is challenging either way, but I like being on my own schedule and I feel accomplished when I find success in my academics and skiing”. This accomplishment is what keeps skiers going and striving for more in both athletics and academics.
A Former White Supremacist at a Diversity Conference: Can Someone Overcome a Past of Racism and Hatred? By: Neal Shivakumar
“How do you hold yourself responsible for families that are shattered, lives that cannot be given back? How do you hold yourself accountable?” The convention center filled with approving snaps and applause as Ricky Anderson, a high school senior, challenged the speaker. “And I want to let you know that speaking up here doesn’t cut it.” Five Proctor students, including me, represented our school at the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) in Nashville, Tennessee in December. We joined the conference for serious discussions about diversity issues within our schools and our society. None of us knew what was about to happen, but we felt motivated and excited to see what we could learn and bring back to campus. Early on, we were separated from each other in groups with students from all over the country from many different backgrounds. We dove into personal conversations related to race, class, gender and culture. On the second day, we were told there was a guest speaker. All of the students at the conference filed into the huge
auditorium. When Rodney Glasgow, Head of SDLC, stepped on stage and announced that the next speaker was a former white supremacist, the audience gasped in shock. “I will sit down and have a conversation with him, then a few of you will be allowed to take my place and have a conversation with him,” said Rodney before the speaker was brought out. This was sure to be a memorable conversation. Christian Picciolini stepped on stage and walked over to Rodney, who opened his arms and they hugged. Seeing a gay black man and a proclaimed former white supremacist hug brought the crowd to a standing ovation. SDLC was fully aware of how controversial Christian Picciolini’s presence would be. He started off by talking about the early days of his life and how he experienced bullying from a young age and had a lot of self hatred. He explained how he came to be drawn in by this movement and why it gave him a sense of purpose. He shared some the horrifically embarrassing details of his life. When student Ricky Anderson challenged him, he was the first to show
raw emotion on stage. In response to his heated question, Picciolini responded, “I don’t know that anything I’ll ever do will ever erase what I did. I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to bring closure to the people that I hurt. . . . All I can try and do with what I’ve done is stop it from happening in the future. . . . For me to keep my mouth shut, ignore what’s happening, to not help people to get out of lives of violence, would be the worst thing I could do.” The crowd supported him with applause.
Picciolini’s response impressed the crowd. For him to give a response that gained everyone’s respect is remarkable. On a personal level, I realized then that this man is doing a lot
to make up for his past. To dig yourself out of a hate movement is hard enough, but knowing what to do next is the real challenge. Deciding to help others and set an example, no matter how much skepticism and anger he would face, made him a powerful role model. Mikel Timm ‘19 has some interesting thoughts after this experience: “He slowly but surely gained my respect
and attention because of the way that he told his story from start to finish and pointed out all of the places he went wrong. The guest speaker proved to me and many others that although people can make horrible choices in life, there is always time and room for that person to change their life around for the better.”
It showed the importance of allowing individuals to tell their story, especially people who want to change their lives for the better. It was also fascinating to hear that Piccioloni’s racism and hatred came from wanting to belong. Provocative speakers like Picciolini would be good to have at Proctor to generate the kinds of discussions that were so enlightening.
Witnessing this live was an incredible journey for the five of us from Proctor.
The Uncertainty with Our Current Winter Schedule By: Jesse Aguilar ’19
Proctor: No Time for Healthy Living? By: Samantha Parkman
During the school year, it is hard to find the time to focus on being healthy. The Healthy Living Club, created by Anna Hollenbaugh and Audrey Colgin, gives us the option to start out our day with some exercise and a breath of fresh air. So why don’t more people take advantage?
In recent years, the school has searched for better versions of our winter schedule. In the graph above, I asked, “What best describes your views of the current winter schedule?” Despite the progress that the school has made refining the schedule, there is still work to be done. The student body’s overall feeling toward the schedule is mixed, but most students are more critical of the schedule. A total of fifty students responded. Out of those students, 40% of them are critical of the schedule. 30% of those who answered are in favor of the current schedule. The other 30% were indifferent towards the schedule altogether. Students who like our schedule praise the shorter class times, we get out of class earlier, and there is more free and afternoon activity time. There’s also mention of the popularity of the Friday sleep-in.
Students, no surprise, are critical about the fact that classes in the winter start at 8:00 instead of 8:10. Students seem to widely agree with this. The ten minutes of sleep means a lot to the student body. Other students voiced their frustration with hour-long blocks and especially when there are two long blocks back to back. One perception of winter is that half of the students not on snow are playing an increased amount of video games. With that said, all of this evidence seems to point to the fact that it’s a hard task to put forth a winter schedule that works for everyone. As we’ve seen, the school has implemented many schedules over the years and the quest for the perfect schedule continues.
The club was created last year when the two friends got together to form a group that could promote a healthy lifestyle on campus. Anna says, “It was one of those moments where you and a new friend are like, “Oh my gosh, we should start a club,” and in this case we actually followed through.” Though Anna and Audrey are always enthusiastic about the club, they wish more people would attend. “On average, there are usually around two to three new people,” Anna says. So why isn’t the club getting more attention since living healthy is something that most people here strive for? Maybe more people don’t attend because they enjoy doing it alone or they don’t have the time to go when the club meets. Anna says, “I think a lot of people don’t come because it is in the morning. Many people tell us to change the time, but that would defeat the purpose of the club because the
point is to wake people up and start their day on a good note.” I personally have a hard time getting up and doing any sort of exercise in the morning and have only attended the club once for some mindfulness coloring. I like exercise in the afternoon when I’m awake and motivated. There have been times when the club has met later in the day, for example, pick up soccer this past fall and a lot more people attended that meeting. Anna states, “I think having a bigger range of activities might make more people interested. Not everyone is going to like yoga and running.” Having any kind of free time is when most students consider sleep, homework, or maybe just watching Netflix. Students have a hard time fitting in a workout. The good
Love is in The Chilly Air: Proctor Academy’s Power Couples By: Ellie Richardson
thing about Proctor is that you are required at least one performance credit so that way you are getting your daily exercise through a sport. Anna, the first face in the photo, and Audrey, in the blue Patagonia jacket in the front, have continued to surprise us with a variety of activities, but will Proctor’s busy schedule mean that Anna and Audrey will keep meeting all alone? Every student wants to have a social life and also keep their grades up. For the winter term, Anna and Audrey are planning on doing more yoga and maybe even some Zumba. They will mostly be hosting indoor activities for the rest of the term. Anna says, “We would love to see you there!”
favorite qualities about Mihaela, “She’s a beautiful person, not just physically beautiful but she’s spiritually beautiful, she has a deeper beauty than what meets the eye.” Mihaela reveals that while Ezra is driven and may appear tough on the outside, he has the kindest heart. Katharine Payson and Kai Pilla have been together for almost a year now after… you guessed it, meeting in the Wise. They enjoy going on hikes together, swimming, and hanging out in the day student lounge in the library. While eating breakfast in the dining hall recently, the pair smiled and recalled their favorite memory, a day spent in Boston, Katharine recalled, “We went to the Prudential Center, to Eataly, Kai really liked the hot chocolate there, then we went shopping.” Kai added, “We went to lululemon too and I got joggers.”
Mihaela Davies and Ezra Jenifer at Spring Formal 2018
Love and romance is evident around campus as winter settles in and we all seek warmth and a snuggle buddy. Whether you are looking for love or have been in a long term committed relationship, love could be in the air for the hornets. For Mihaela Davies and Ezra Jenifer, strong communication helps their relationship of two years. Mihaela reflects on meeting Ezra for the first time, “I thought he was staring at this really pretty girl next to me... and I kind of pushed my friend forward…and he was like no, it’s you… so that’s how we started talking, from the miscommunication sophomore year.” Mihaela adds that dating a day student has positive advantages, like being able to go to his house on the weekend and connecting with his family. Ezra, a captain of the football team, ecstatically declares his
Even though Andover does not have an Eataly, you can find yourself a cozy booth at Pizza Chef to share some spaghetti… Lady and the Tramp style, if you choose. If you’re looking for love similar to Katharine and Kai’s, grab hot chocolate with who catches your eye in the dining hall. Fellas, one huge ‘pro’ to dinner dates at the dining hall is you don’t have to worry about that awkward decision of paying or not paying, ‘cause the foods free, right? Although there are couples who have blissfully shared every term togeth- Katharine Payson and Kai Pilla at the top of er on campus, Mount Kearsarge
there are others who must suffer long distance love. Eric Nemirovsky has to cope with his girlfriend Lulu Larkin being on Mountain classroom this winter. “It makes the depressing winter more depressing to have Lulu off campus, but it leaves me hopeful for the spring when she will return.”
into something deeper. Besides not being able to get warm Lulu hugs on the regular, Eric misses her laugh and smile the most. His advice for other guys who are missing their pair for the winter term? “Stay involved with your friends and spend time with other people.”
After being friends since freshman year, Eric and Lulu decided to dive
Many current couples at Proctor met via mutual friends, in the Wise, and
have had their friendship develop into a deeper love. If you do end up finding another hornet that buzzes the right way for you, hit up the dining hall for a louder, cheaper way to sip some hot chocolate, walk to Pizza Chef for a cozy booth, or you can hit up Ragged Mountain for a Sunday ski and snuggle on the chair lift.
Winter Sports Roundup - January 15 Nordic Skiing: “Boys nordic won their first race in seven years. We plan on winning states and hopefully going global.” -Ryan M. In fact, nine skiers and three coaches are skiing in Norway in March! The team is witnessing great improvement by the girls. (Coach PS). Girls V BB: (8-2) Undefeated in the new year with their last win vs. a stubborn Beaver Country Day team forcing them to find their tenacity after foul trouble & subpar play. Girls JV BB: (0-4) closest game of the season vs Tilton on Wednesday, January 9th. The final score was 19-43. This team has youth, a deep bench, and a winning attitude. Boys VBB: (1-5) “We are fortunate to have a roster full of competitive guys. Competitive people relish good competition. The better the competition, the more motivated our guys are.” (Coach Gregor). Boys JVBB: (8-0) This year’s Proctor JV Basketball team is the most talented JV Hoops team in my tenure (13 years) with the program. We are currently 8-0 and have beaten teams that traditionally give us trouble, like Cardigan Mountain and Tilton. With great assistant coaches and tremendous experience from our seven seniors (led by tri-captains, Declan Healey, Henry Bechok, and DJ Rankins), we hope to continue our winning ways. (Coach Mark T.)
USSA/FIS (Eastern skiing): The team has traveled worldwide, training hard in Chile, British Columbia, Switzerland, and California. This past weekend the team put their passports in storage & raced at Whiteface and West Mountain in New York, Burke in Vermont, and nearby Mount Sunapee. Rob Gillis, Annabelle Graziano, Emily Charleston, Andrew Harrell, and Gerrit Kursh all had fantastic finishes, placing in the top 10 in their races. Snowboarding: The freestyle snowboard team has only had one competition so far this season, but they finished with two athletes on the podium placing second and third.
Boys JV Hockey: (1-8) This group of young hockey gunslingers is waiting to build on their December win and are happy to take the ice anytime, anywhere. Check out their livestream: https://livestream.com/proctortwo/events/8471742 Girls V Hockey: (5-8-1) The team is coming off a big win vs.Tilton this week and looks to build on valuable momentum. This group of young women knows how to sing on the bus & play on the road with more than their share of away games.
Freeskiing: The freeski and snowboard teams continue to rip it up at Ragged. The teams are happy to be riding on a good base of snow and are hoping for big storms this weekend.
Girls JV Hockey: (2-1-2) From a game write up: “The thing about playing a vastly superior opponent is that it exposes, by comparison, what we can’t do…yet. An interpretive video of yesterday’s contest would be the scene in ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’ in which the dark knight (Proctor) spars with King Arthur. The knight’s response to having his limbs lopped off: “Tis but a scratch.” “I’ve had worse.” “Just a flesh wound.” Our team stayed focused and pumped for the full 45 minutes and we’ll use the experience to motivate us to keep working hard to get better.
Boys V Hockey: (10-5-1) Boys hockey is off to a great start. This year’s team doesn’t give up when things get tough. We had a game against Andover and were trailing 5-2 late in the game. Instead of packing it in..., our team rallied and ended the game with a 6-6 tie. It was not a win, but it shows the mindset of our team. (capt KC)
Alpine Ski Racing: The girls won and boys came in second at the first race on Wednesday January 9th. For the girls, Audrey Colgin placed first, Kaley Famer placed second, Sophie Lyras placed third and Ella farmer placed 4th.
Ski Jumping: The Ski Jumping team hosted their first competition of the season last weekend. The whole team flew well at the Proctor Ski Area, AKA the ski jumping center of the universe.
terville and UNH, I had a few races at the Proctor Ski Area. I was always fascinated by the concept of a private ski area at a school,” adds Mike. “It really sets Proctor apart being the only high school in the nation with a private ski hill, and it’s certainly an aspect that attracted me to the job offer.” After experiencing what many North American ski academies have to offer, Mike has brought tremendous insight to the Proctor community with the hope to make a big impact on a small community. “Off the bat, I noticed Proctor is much more demanding academically. Students seem engaged and passionate about what they are doing, both athletically and academically. It didn’t really hit me until the fall art show where I was mesmerized by the variety of amazing art. I had never seen such high-quality work from high schoolers before. It’s just another example of what makes Proctor special.”
Proctor Through the Eyes of New Ski Coach Mike Fairbrother By: Rob Gillis
Mike Fairbrother, Proctor’s newest addition to the Eastern Ski Team coaching staff, has gained new and insightful perspective on Proctor Academy during his return to New Hampshire. Mike grew up on skis in the blue ridge mountains of Virginia and attended Waterville Valley Academy (WVA), in Waterville Valley, NH, in 7th grade through his senior year of high school. As well as an avid ski racer, Mike also played soccer at WVA and he continued his sports career through college by skiing for the University of New Hampshire and was also a walk-on to the men’s soccer team. After college, Mike moved to Colorado for the better part of ten years where he started his coaching career at Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club and went on to coach at Sugarbowl Academy, Treble Cone Racing Academy, and most recently Vail Ski and Snowboard Academy. This summer, Mike accepted a job opportunity as the head men’s FIS team coach and moved back to New Hampshire with his girlfriend Kate (who we met in assembly pitching her African travel program recently) and a black lab, Cricket. Growing up at Waterville, Mike knew little about Proctor Academy. The Eastern Ski Team was beginning to take shape and was relatively unheard of. “During my time at Wa-
With a lot riding on his shoulders as a new head coach, Mike hopes to see great achievement at all levels within the FIS team. “I see a lot of room for potential with our tight knit group of boys. Everyone will achieve success at some point this season, but this time of year we’re focused on the process which will translate to success later on this season,” adds Mike. “In the coming years, I hope to remain a strong link of the Proctor community and continue to strengthen the FIS program at Proctor.” Within each conversation, Mike continuously provides insight that will strengthen the Proctor community. His previous experience in the coaching world and devotion on and off the hill makes him a strong addition to the Proctor community. If you see him on campus, be sure to say hi, as he is truly excited to be a part of the community.
New Officer In Town: Dan Mori By: Ben Levisay
Many people these days believe they can go over the speed limit without getting caught. Well, not here in Andover. New police officer and Proctor alum Dan Mori is making sure our streets are safe. I sat down with Dan to learn more about the man wearing the badge.
Dan, born in Boxford, Massachusetts, attended Proctor Academy from 19791983. Before returning to Proctor, Dan was a member of the marines, which would introduce him to his favorite sport. Dan says, “ I worked in the Marine Corp for four years, and I came home Christmas break and I found rugby.” In 2015, Dan decided to return to the Proctor community. Dan says , “I just wanted to get more time to spend with my kids so I called up Alex Estin and told her I was thinking about moving back, and she said houses were for sale near Proctor…. So it just worked out.” Dan is currently the rugby coach at Proctor and hopes to expand the program more.
another part time officer, they asked me if I could do it...I said sure.”
Fac Brats
By: Ryan Methven AKA- a Fac Brat Most years there is at least one “fac brat” (faculty kid) in every class at Proctor. Imagine having your teacher’s son or daughter in your class. How would you feel if your parent worked at your school? While writing this article, I got to hear some surprising views of fac brats at Proctor.
Hailey ’19 and Chloe ’20 Makechnie
Social science teacher Brooke Haynes noted, “Faculty kids are important; they make this community feel like home. When I see a teacher with a child they seem more approachable.” In addition, seeing little Fac Brats grow up on camps makes our campus feel safer. Dan summarizes his path, “I got out [of Proctor], went to college at Norwich University up in Vermont, got my commission as a marine officer, went to law school in Springfield, Mass, and then I went on active [marine] duty from 1995 to 2012.” Dan’s accomplishments have allowed him to successfully serve his country with pride and respect. Dan is not new to being in the line of duty. Dan noted, “ When I was in college, I was a part time officer in Kennebunk, and so when I was here working, the department said they needed
I also asked Brooke, “Do you feel more pressured when grading the work of a fac brat than you do when grading the work of another student?” Brooke responded, “No, but I feel like it might be harder for faculty kids because they might be viewed as someone who needs perfect grades.” As a one of them I think faculty kids feel like they have pressure on them when it comes to grades and relationships with teachers. I think much of the time, they might feel they constantly have eyes on them, seeing if they are doing anything wrong.
Fac Brats, Hailey ’19, and Brynne ’22 Makechnie and Sasha MacKenzie, ’22, support Proctor at Holderness Weekend.
However, from the standpoint of an actual fac brat, the view is a lot different. The Makechnies, whose families have been associated with Proctor for several generations, shared their experiences. Hailey Makechnie, a two-year senior, said that she likes to have her mom, Jill Makechnie, work at Proctor because she gets to hear a lot of great things about her from other students. Hailey also said that having a parent that works here “Makes [her] feel more connected to the community.” Nelson Makechnie, her cousin, observed, “I’m very grateful for my father being here because without him I wouldn’t be able to attend Proctor, but I do feel pressured.” Nelson feels pressured to uphold the high standards of what his father represents at Proctor. However, this also serves as a motivating force for him to do his best. I have found this to be true. Having a parent work here creates an environment where you feel more comfortable with the faculty because I have known many of my faculty my whole life, and they have seen me grow up. Even though it can get annoying having a parent always checking over your shoulder and having the extra faculty eyes can be stressful, the positives outweigh the negatives. It’s beneficial and comforting to always have that support ready for you from your family and your teachers.
it in the best way for themselves. He also spoke about how Proctor’s model isn’t about taking classes you are told to take, Proctor is about promoting classes that will interest each student. As the faculty continues to explore the controversial issue of AP curriculum, it is only the beginning of a long road. The school won’t get rid of AP classes without a good replacement that satisfies current and future students and families. College pressure, a rigorous course load, and finding personal interests - will future Proctor students find the right path?
Will AP Classes Retire? By: Henry Bechok
Volviendo a Proctor: The Fall Spain Group Returns By: Sam Wyckoff
For years now, there have been rumors and gossip around eliminating AP classes at Proctor. Students are so focused on taking AP classes because they are worried they won’t get into selective schools that they are missing out on other opportunities and great classes that Proctor offers. AP classes are college level classes. Most students take these courses in preparation for the AP exams which can give you credit at some schools. Nowadays there is an extraordinary amount of pressure for students to take these high level classes so they can be admitted to the top colleges and universities. Derek Nussbaum-Wagler, Proctor’s Academic Dean observed, “AP classes don’t allow you to fully dive into topics that interest the kids. They move at such a fast pace that if we do something the kids really like, we can’t take multiple classes to [delve into] it.” Derek believes that AP’s are taking away from the unique Proctor curriculum and model. Science and math teacher Josh Norris observed, “I think AP’s are very hard to teach because you aren’t teaching the material that well and it’s not as much in depth... You are teaching to the AP test which most kids don’t even take.” Ben Warren, a senior who takes two AP classes said, “I feel like there isn’t much pressure from anyone except my parents to take these classes. However, I think without taking APs, my college application wouldn’t look as good.” Then he added, “The only reason I do take APs is so that colleges think I am challenging myself.” DJ Rankins, a senior enrolled in three AP classes added, “I am taking three AP classes this year because it’s what the colleges I’m applying to want to see. I don’t take those classes because I want to.” Derek emphasized how important it is for high schoolers to challenge themselves but also make sure they are doing
Returning to Proctor for a dark and cold winter term takes a lot of adjustment after ten weeks in the sun of a Spanish autumn. Moving from three classes and relaxed European days to seven subjects and 7:30 am wake-ups can seem rather dull, but for many returning students, the most unexpected change is losing their independent lifestyle. Days in Spain are different. Classes are from 9:25 in the morning until about 1:45 in the afternoon, followed by lunch with host families. Afternoon activities follow, and can range from mountain biking with one of the program directors to metal arts, vocal lessons, or yoga with eccentric Spaniards. In Segovia, the city was our playground. We had plenty
of choices and options on where to spend free time: shopping, meeting native Segovians, or simply enjoying the beauty of the aqueduct, cathedral, and castle. On Sundays and weekdays we would have to return home by 9:00, an hour later than on campus, and we could roam the twisting city streets until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. On three occasions we left Segovia and had the opportunity to explore other Spanish cities at our leisure. Wherever we went, we chose the which adventures to go on. Some would venture off to the Barcelona Aquarium, where Sam Crocker saw his first shark. Others would go to shopping centers or watch massive political gatherings in the streets. When asked about her experience returning, Junior Avery Nye responded, “The weirdest thing about coming back to school is probably the fact that we went off for all of fall doing our own thing, as a group and as individuals, and now we’re back in such a structured environment.” Senior Chadwick Hildner added, “I definitely feel like we’re more closely watched here. Not that that’s wrong,” he defended, “it’s just very different. On weekends in Spain we’d check in with Ryan and Mikaela [Program Directors] every once in a while and then get to enjoy the nights of our city.” Through the fall, Chad loved to walk down strange roads, eat new foods, and visit iconic locations wherever the group went. “I know I can’t do those kinds of things here because we’re not in a city like that, but its super weird to go from that to having the ‘Proctor Eye’ on you in the twenty-whatever buildings we have.” Both Avery and Chad admit the change of independence is not an issue, just a difference. “It’s not some-
thing I’ve ever thought of as strange or excessive before going to Spain, it just takes some getting used to coming back,” said Nye. Hildner agreed, “there are so many other parts of going off and on [campus], though. I miss my host family and Spanish food and all that too, but the most noticeable thing for me is the different lifestyle around our schedules... I didn’t see it coming.” As incredible as a term in Segovia is, both Avery and Chad have ties here to which they are excited to return. Chad says, “I’m excited to be back on the grind…. being able to see friends on a daily and be in the loop, and being part of the Proctor community for my last year.” For Avery, it’s meeting the new students and managing the JV Hockey team. She conceded, “Life back here is definitely not as exotic as Spain, but I’m happy to be back at my school and with my gang.”
Proctor’s Restrooms… The Divine Experience By: TJ Beaver
Three hundred years after the invention of the flushing toilet, the device has become not only a necessity for life, but a time honored tradition with a rather divine nature. Going to the restroom is about the experience and we at Proctor know how important that is.
In the late 16th century there lived a man Sir John “Toilet” Harrington, a godson of Queen Elizabeth I. According to Historic UK Harrington was the man who invented toilets that flush and toilets are now referred to as the “John” due to his remarkable invention. Nearly some 300 years later the toilet has become not only necessity for life, but a time honored tradition with a rather divine nature. Restrooms have meaning because of the experience as a whole. Proctor Academy is a school with an extremely diverse array of restroom options due to buildings both old and new. Everyday we all spend a portion of our time on the John, it’s hard not to care about something you do all the time. According to a student survey of about sixty students, 20% believe that the Dining commons provide the best experience. The seats are always clean, and according to students, it is the most pristine bathroom around campus. Following closely behind, 18% of students prefer the bathrooms in the Teddy Maloney rink because they are “extremely comfy.” Restrooms are not just used to relieve ourselves but some of the greatest ideas in history are thought on the John. Doc Brown from Back To The Future created the flux capacitor after hitting his head on a toilet. Without the bathroom, time travel would not be what Marty McFly proved it is today.
Homo Sapiens are creatures of habit. Which means that we all tend to love what we know, and savor the little joys in our lives. Nearly 50% of all students identified their ‘go to’ restroom is in their dorm. It seems Proctor students find a certain sense of tranquility and calmness with a restroom experience that is familiar. There is no greater routine than a morning or night time constitution. Some people use it to sleep while others need it to begin their day. According to ExaminedExistence. com, “Routine provides a sense of structure and familiarity. Structure is a way of organizing your life so that it makes sense to you. You wake up with a sense of ownership, order, and organization of your life.” There is no better feeling than owning this morning routine.