Hornet's Nest | May 5, 2023 | Vol. 8 | Issue 5

HORNET’S NEST

I have seen her put her students first. Terry has impacted all of our community by being kind and making students feel safe and loved. Terry reflected on her Proctor career.

Your favorite moment?

“Watching kids and faculty friends blossom and grow. I have millions of favorite moments. They are almost all about the “Aha” moment when someone makes a breakthrough into their truest selves.”

How has Proctor changed you over the years?

Red Converse

By Cosi Gregg

She’s on a new path to nursing, moving from a teacher to a student. After spending twenty-nine years at Proctor, Terry Stoecker has made our school a brighter, kinder community.

Terry started her career here as the Director of the Drama department, she taught classes and directed plays and musicals. She had a background in drama and acting; she worked as a professional actor after college. Throughout Terry’s time at Proctor, she has also worked in the social science department teaching psychology, Mindfulness and Meditation and freshman and sophomore seminar classes in the Wellness department.

Terry has decided it is her time to move on from Proctor. She will be working as a Medical Technician at the New London Hospital, being in charge of checking in patients, taking their vitals, blood pressure, and updating charts. This decision has been in the making for six to seven years. She said she loves to work and still wants to be busy once she leaves Proctor, noting, “I’m gonna miss my work and my kids.”

Winnie Walker, a three-year junior and an advisee of Terry’s shared her views of Terry.

How has she changed the Proctor community?

“She has changed the community with positive energy and encouraging words!”

What do you think Terry does best for her students?

“Terry is a very gentle and understanding teacher at Proctor Academy. She is always willing to listen and hear out students’ struggles or troubles. She does the best when she is with her students and making them feel seen.”

As a student who has taken a class with Terry,

“I came to Proctor as a freelance actor, writer, director, theater educator, and designer with an absolute devotion to making theater with young folks for young folks---believing that theater was the perfect vehicle for learning about being human, being healthy, being kind, finding ones’ truth, being part of a collaborative, and believing in oneself. I leave my time at Proctor with new ways of doing the important work of being with young folks. Horses, psychology, topics around health, finding personal peace, topics of well-being, and above all only love and kindness.”

Another huge part of her life is her horses and the afternoon program she runs.

Could you talk a little about what it means to be able to be around your horse and being able to share the love with the Proctor community?

“Well, here comes the idea of being blessed again. In 2004 I was diagnosed with cancer. Proctor stood by me during the healing process. It was during my healing that I realized how much I missed having horses in my life. It had been decades. Then Stoney, Tex, Clowny, Oliver, Andy, Sunny, and now Danke Schoen and Stuart teach me every day how to be in the moment, to have courage, to care deeply, how to watch, how to listen, how to be open to nature, and how to express gratitude with a full heart. Now one of my very favorite things is to watch young riders glide as if on wings of sweet air defying gravity with bonded trust and courage. I have learned to breathe into my soul the heart filled nuzzles of a warm soft snuggly horse hug.”

Terry continued, “Proctor has been and always will be a God-send in my life. Without having had children of my own I have been blessed and blessed and blessed again with lasting relationships with students from the earliest days of making theater with kids. Proctor has been a place of growing love and personal unfolding that would not have been possible in any other place on the planet.”

Thank you for twenty-nine years of inspiring students Terry, we wish you the best on your next adventure.

WUBER: Just the Beginning

By Rohan Goswami

Here at Proctor, you have probably heard the term “Wuber,” one of the biggest happenings to strike Proctor since E. Coli.

Wuber is a rideshare service operating in Montana by Will Lunder ‘24. I spoke with the company’s owner and lead operator to learn more about this convenient, exclusive, and luxurious organization that will no doubt soon be a Fortune 500 Company. Wuber began service in 2021 because of the need to safely transport locals. “When parents no longer wanted to pick up their kids they asked if I could so they wouldn’t have to drive them.” Wuber’s popularity has skyrocketed due to the number of people requesting pick-ups and drop-offs.

Customer service is one of the most important features for ride-share companies, and Wuber’s customer feedback shows how exceptionally well they deliver a great experience. “I haven’t gotten a bad review yet and don’t plan on it any time soon,” Wuber Will reports. One customer exclaimed, “This is great! *Vomiting noises*”

Since the beginning of Wuber, Will has given around 120 rides. “Alone on New Year’s Eve I drove maybe 45 people,” Will said. However, Wuber orders fluctuate, increasing and decreasing over the year. Will told me, “During Christmas time there is a large increase in Wuber orders.”

You would think with a company like Wuber, profits would be off the charts. But those of you ready to invest your life savings into the company have to wait. Wuber Will reports, “One major challenge is the fact that it’s not a legitimate company… so I technically don’t make money.” He hopes one day to obtain a business license so he can start making profits.

Wuber is not the only rideshare company out there. Lyft and Uber are other names you have probably heard of, but these are not the main threat to Wuber. “I have one main competitor; the Yellowstone Club Valet,” Will said. “Their prices are through the roof,” but Will maintains a competitive advantage. “My prices are significantly lower than the YC Valet considering the fact that I don’t charge people at all.” Despite being direct competitors, they have a good relationship. “They really like me and we talk a lot… they have actually outsourced me for rides on New Year’s Eve when they couldn’t get someone a ride till 3:30 in the morning.”

Here in Andover, you can find Wuber all around Proctor’s campus. Maybe you are friends with someone who the company sponsors. Two of his sponsorship programs are Wuber Hockey and Wuber Ski and Board. There are some requirements to be sponsored by Wuber though. “I will sometimes not allow an athlete to be sponsored if they don’t do a real sport, like soccer or something.” But with sponsorship comes some great benefits. Will told me some of them are, “a certificate of sponsorship, a ‘sponsored by Wuber sticker,’ and bragging rights.”

I asked Wuber Will for any final statements. “I bet you that one out of five people know or have heard about Wuber. There is a strong possibility that you can go up to someone in the dining hall and they are wearing a Wuber wristband or own a sticker. I’m gonna take this opportunity and do some marketing. Wuber does ship domestically, orders over $4500 get free shipping. Wuber has Carhartt hats coming with the Wuber name. I have shirts, quarter zips, and zip-ups coming if people want them. I can order more so you too can be a part of Wuber.”

Class On The Wheel

By Carrie Babson

With the sun beaming through the grand windows, and the quiet buzz of the ceramics wheel spinning, Slocumb is one of the most appreciated classrooms at Proctor. Over my three years at Proctor, I have been told countless times that taking a ceramics class is a Proctor right of passage.

This spring I got the opportunity to take my first ceramics class. In the first meeting, I was taken aback by how comfortable I felt in the classroom. It also made me wish I had joined a ceramics class long before my last term at Proctor, and it became my favorite type of art at Proctor. With ten types of art offered, this got me thinking about why ceramics class is set apart from other arts and keeps students coming back to the studio.

At Proctor, all students are encouraged to try things out of their comfort zone. People of all grades and skill sets come together in art classes. In addition to this, the Slocumb building, inviting and beautiful, is one of the most comforting and relaxing spaces on campus.

While sitting at the wheel on the far wall of the ceramics studio, I got talking with my neighbor Mia MacNamara about how ceramics are set apart from the other arts. According to Mia, a senior at Proctor Academy and two-term ceramics student, “It’s very relaxing [and a] good opportunity to break up your day from challenging classes, and fun to see a final product at the end.”

I later asked Kate Austin, one of the ceramics teachers at Proctor, why she loves teach-

Wuber Will making a local drop-off

ing ceramics and what keeps her going to work every day. “I love being able to share my love of the medium. Ceramics has the ability to teach us more about ourselves within a space that is so forgiving. The space and medium are all about being able to be consistent, understanding, and compassionate.” Then I asked what is her most satisfying part of ceramics. “The atmosphere. The studio space offers us consistent light and space that we can call our own. For some, they might sit at the same wheel each block.”

blazing from the three forges up against the wall. It’s just another typical day in the Proctor forge.

Week 1 begins with creating a barn hook. Teacher Corby Leith gives students a long, thin piece of square steel and demonstrates how to plasma cut the piece to the length you need. Then, students put the metal into the red-hot fire, wait for it to get hot, and begin to round the steel out with their hammer against the anvil. After rounding the tips of the metal, students learn how to bend the ends up and around into a beautiful loop. Students decide to finish there or learn to twist the metal for decoration.

Ceramics is a form of art that requires lots of material most people don’t have handy unlike photography and visual arts, where you can easily pick up your phone or pull out some markers to create art. This is also what makes Ceramics special. Students soak up the little time they have in Slocumb and use their time wisely.

The wonderful studio, a unique type of art, and the ability to bring students together make ceramics a special activity that engages each artist with the wheel and the people around it.

Corby is often seen mentoring Ben Mensforth ‘24 at the Proctor Forge. Ben and I are currently students in Corby’s Metal Sculpture class. While at Proctor, I have taken Metal with Corby more than any other class at Proctor. I have fallen in love with the forge and fire, and believe every student should take metal sculpture.

As Corby’s advisee and metal major, I spend a lot of time around him. I asked Corby how he felt about sculpture compared to other art forms. “Sculpture versus painting, you know both are extremely exciting. I think sculpture though, it’s like a tree you walk around. You enjoy it; it’s this three-dimensional object.” Creating metal is different from working on a painting. Instead of just looking at it straight on, with your sculpture, every bit of the metal can be manipulated, and turned to any angle. When a student sets it down to look at it from the back, the front, the side, top, and bottom, they will all display something different. For sixty minutes a day, students can be blacksmiths with the opportunity to not only create art but also get a break from the buzz of traditional classes. Corby observed, “It’s something different for your day.” Throughout our days, we sit in class, while in metal, we move, get dirty, and learn.

Junior Ben Mensforth loves metal sculpture and told me, “I personally like to create large optical sculptures or figures that catch your eye. I like when people have to take a moment and look at my pieces and really ask themselves what’s going on here.”

Forging The Proctor Story

By Teague Kelly

The sounds of metal smashing metal, the walls glowing with fire, and smoke billowing out of the garage door. There are flames

I completely agree with Ben, when creating art in the forge one of the objectives is to try to make it stand out. Ben’s response reveals how open and free the forge can be with Corby guiding us down individual paths.

The Proctor Forge is one of those extraordinary experiences that makes us so different

from other schools. The forge is a place on campus where you can escape the classroom and step into your own world. I began making a barn hook like everyone else and the second I completed it, I transitioned into what I had joined the class to create: a dragon. Through this project, I learned to weld and work with thin sheet metal.

After completing the dragon, I created a two-foot-tall snowboarder with wings. After making two realistic pieces, I wanted to move more into the abstract. So I built a massive chunk of weaving metal that was one line. I was able to spend more of my time in the forge and in the driveway outside of the shop welding pieces to the shape needed. I then switched to working more with flat steel and cutting and welding the pieces together with elaborate designs. I am now at my final term and final piece with a six-foot-tall abstract sculpture. Corby’s shop is a place where you have the freedom to build and forge your own art that will truly stand the test of time.

If you haven’t taken Metal sculpture or seen the Proctor forge, you should!

Gatekeeper of the fire, Corby.

My Dragon

Does your Phone make you Happy? The Mountain Classroom Experience

By Charlie Krayer

It’s February 8th, and I’m sitting somewhere in the New Mexico desert with nothing but some food, a sleeping bag, and a journal. I will live in this spot for three days, all by myself. To most people, this sounds horrible, which is why they’re always surprised when I tell them it was one of the best memories of my year.

This winter I was on Mountain Classroom, and it was quite the adventure. I saw a ton of beautiful places, met some really cool people, and slept on the ground for 2 ½ months. But the most impactful part of my Mountain Classroom experience was at times, the most challenging, (while simultaneously my favorite) one. It was the part where I was away from my phone and therefore, almost all contact with the outside world.

When I talk to people about my trip, they often say that they could never do something like that, on account that they wouldn’t want to be away from their phone for that long. They always seem very surprised when I tell them that being away from tech was far and away the best part of the trip.

I didn’t even realize how incredibly stressed my phone made me until I went without it for so long. At first it was brutal with no way to fill those moments of boredom or silence, like the long bus rides, but after a while, I learned to love it. Without that distraction always nagging at you from your pocket, you learn how to actually live in the moment. Your mind isn’t split between what’s going on and what’s going on virtually, you’re forced to just slow down and…be. It definitely took some getting used to.

But life was a lot more fun for me without the constant overstimulation of youtube or the anxiety of social media. When you don’t have headphones to get lost with during an

8-hour drive, you start to have more meaningful conversations with people. But if I wasn’t forced to, I know that I would’ve never spent that much time away from my phone. According to CNN’s 2019 article by Kristen Rogers, “US teens use screens more than seven hours a day on average – and that’s not including school work.” Spending so much time online prevents us from being active and outdoors, and also creates somewhat parasocial relationships with less face-to-face interaction.

Before Mountain, the notion of going without my phone for so long intimidated me, I won’t lie. But I think it’s a shame that there are a lot of students at Proctor who’ll pass on an opportunity like Mountain or Ocean classroom, simply because they can’t be without their phone.

I asked Proctor junior Griffin Stewart how his experience without his phone on Ocean classroom was, and he said, “I loved it, especially on Ocean, because you’re kinda forced to just be in the moment… it was nice to have everybody on deck for a sunrise without people taking photos, everybody’s just in the moment.”

And you know what, I can attest to this. During my first days of Mountain I would sometimes almost instinctively reach into my pocket looking for my phone, which seemed crazy to me. But after that hump of not knowing how to occupy myself, I would learn to replace scrolling on my phone with reading, or journaling, or something more productive, and I suddenly felt a lot better about myself. It was almost as if a weight was removed from my mind.

The Moon is Beautiful

By Lauren Anzalone

The pair strolled through the arbor for the third time as they traveled through each other’s lives by sharing stories. A coat of snow had covered the two like powdered sugar; Vienna felt her friend’s eyes fall on her as she began to speak, “The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?”

“The moon has always been beautiful.”

For those that do not know the history of this phrase, it originated when Japanese writer Natsume Soeseki overheard one of his students awkwardly translate the phrase “I love you.” The student had translated it into its more literal and direct translation, thus the more subtle, nuanced translation of “The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?” was established. It is a poetic, subtle yet passionate way to express one’s love to another. The response “The moon has always been beautiful” signifies the person is responding with “I love you too” in a soft expression. My close friends and I often pass time outside watching the stars and observing the moon and this phrase has become invaluable for us as it is a more hidden way to express our love for one another without being so forward with it as that can be difficult for some.

https://www.tsuki.world/world/the-moonis-beautiful-isnt-it

Vibin

By Griffin Stewart

Vibin is a playlist curated by the accomplished playlist craftsman, me. This playlist has a massive following of ten likes. Regarded by some fans as “The Perfect playlist for a calm and relaxing time.” The playlist has a curation of 151 songs, and it keeps mounting. I will summarize ten songs to give you a taste of the playlist.

Of course, that’s just me being dramatic, but I think that it’s something everyone should try. I realize that being on the Proctor campus makes this feel impossible, but we just so happen to have these crazy off-campus programs where you’re forced to ditch the phone and be in the moment. So if you’ve been interested in going on Mountain, or Ocean, or anything out of your comfort zone, I urge you to do it. Sometimes, the hardest things are the best.

Song 1: Super Bounce, by Duckworth and EARTHGANG

With a heavy baseline and lyrics as smooth as satin Super Bounce can send you to a heavenly place. It’s chill, and the slow pace allows for listening for any time of day except if you’re trying to work out.

My mountain group

Getty images

Song 2: Six Speed, by Current Blue

Its wavy guitar rift and vocals bring any listener to a simpler time. The song also makes the listener reflect on the decisions they make in the pursuit of love. However, the heavy tone doesn’t stop anyone from jamming out.

Song 3: Nicotine, by Pretty Boy Aaron, Bruhnice, and Sabz

A song about fighting the acceptance of having an addiction. Whether that’s to Nicotine itself or a relationship, this song never fails to deliver that buzz you crave. Its rift is crafted to perfection, and smooth vocals roll like smoke.

Song 4: HIT EM WHERE IT HURTS, by PawPaw Rod

This beat can make anyone jump out of their seats. PawPaw seems to make the most upbeat song about revenge.

Song Five: Sea Sick, by binki

A simple beat but complex vocals is the best way to describe Sea Sick. Perfect choice for when your life seems to be rocky and you need a little stabilization.

Song 5: CHOCOLATE100x, by jackwoods

Are wasting time and driving things you like to do? Well, this song is for you. With a smooth base and lyrics that hit you abruptly but take you to a different place. You’re taken on a journey through this song.

Song 7: Kickback, Omar Apollo

The perfect song to Kickback to. Clearly written and produced on a couch made of clouds. This song does deliver an upbeat and relaxed flow.

Song 8: Found, by Tems, and Brent Faiyaz

Finding this song can bring anyone to a different world. Tems sings with a passion that’s unmatched. With a beat that makes anyone want to dance, this song is a spiritual experience.

Song 9: Dancing, by bLAck pARty

It’s really all in the name. No further explanation.

Song 10: Still, By Eddie Zuko

If a love song were a person who grew up in southern California and loved reggae, this song would be it. Eddie Zuko made a song that makes

you want to blast out of any speaker and play repeatedly. Perfect for summer and just being in a good mood.

Unleashing the Benefits of Journaling

By Lillian Holley

There are more than 900 million dogs in the world, and compared to that I don’t know how many people journal, but a study from Psychology Today (2020) shows that there’s a one in two chance you’ve kept a journal at some point in your life. Like a dog, journaling can help reduce stress and anxiety, and bring mental peace.

Currently, many off-campus programs require students to journal. Spain and Ocean require a written journal throughout the semester, and Euro requires students to draw in a Carnet de Voyage, a near-daily account of their lives through art. Even students that aren’t currently on an off-campus program journal. In a survey I sent to the Proctor community, 57% of students and faculty reported that they journal.

According to a 2002 article published by the mental health website Reflection.App, “Studies have also shown that journaling can reduce the frequency of intrusive, depressive thoughts, help college students who are vulnerable to depression, and reduce overall levels of depression in those diagnosed with a Major Depressive Disorder.” The uses of journals at Proctor vary greatly, some faculty and students reported using their journals for coaching, creative writing, and habit tracking. Others reported using journals for writing poetry, drawing, planning, manifesting (visualizing goals and wishes to make them a reality), and writing about their day-to-day lives. Most Proctor people stated that they used their journals for writing day-to-day thoughts, activities, and feelings. The Reflection.App article also states that, “Journaling allows you to get [your] thoughts down on paper, process them in a more analytical, non-emotional way, and then respond appropriately to them.”

Senior Libby Walker spoke about journaling and her thoughts on the activity. “I don’t journal, I’ve tried to, many times, because I think that it would probably be good for me because… I have no other real outlet for my emotions. But every time I try and start, I journal for like five seconds and then I run out of words and I’m like ‘AH, God,’ and then I never pick it up again…on Euro, I re -

ally liked the Carnet. I enjoyed really carrying it around with me and being able to put on paper what I’m seeing every day and not just pictures. I liked having my own artistic style and sort of being able to see [my experiences] through my eyes again.” According to my Proctor survey, Libby isn’t the only person that struggles with journaling. According to the survey, 44% of the community does not journal, but of that 44%, 64% of people have thought of starting one.

Alternatively, Cosi Gregg does keep a journal and is very passionate about keeping up with the habit. Cosi said, “I journal, basically because my Mom started journaling. I really loved the idea of having years and years of journals and being able to go back and see little notes that I make… I also really loved [journaling] while I was in Spain, it was a requirement but I just kept going on with it.”

Journaling can be difficult to start, so with all the benefits you could enjoy, I’ll take the liberty of giving you three prompts to try. What are three things that went well today and why? What is your favorite meal and why do you love it so much? And, are you a cat or a dog person and why do you like one more than the other?

Libby Walker on Euro

Cosi Gregg and Paige Mackecknie

Dream of Love

By Lauren Anzalone

Echoing throughout the halls, not a person could pull away from the sounds of the Steinway piano. Captured by the young performer’s outstanding emotion, the audience follows Kally’s hands as they stretch to mirror Franz Liszt’s classic piano piece, Liebesträume.

For over thirteen years, Kally Bryant has played piano. Influenced by her parents and siblings, she has mastered many pieces throughout the years, one of her most recent being Liebesträume by Franz Liszt. This piece is considered a more modern classical performance as it does not include so many technical parts like those from the Baroque era.

In order to truly understand and master the pieces, Kally studies them extensively. She follows the sheet music, learns the notes, tempo changes, dynamic alterations and other intricacies that make the piece unique. Once she has studied it thoroughly and developed a strong understanding of the piece, she is able to incorporate modifications. This is where her creativity and artistic identity appears. While still keeping many aspects of the piece the same, Kally can choose to lengthen or shorten rests, sustain certain notes, or increase the volume of certain parts. These modifications can only be made to a certain extent, otherwise it is not true to the composition. These small changes are incredibly valuable as they are what enhance the emotional interpretation of the piece, displaying the performer’s art.

Emotional pieces like Liebesträume are interpreted differently depending on each performer. The piece’s title means “dream of love” and is inspired by a set of poems; it reflects bittersweet and somber feelings of a loss of love. This is incredibly important to know when performing as it can be reflected in the alterations made by the performer. Kally shared with me her interpretation of the song and how that affected her performance. She explained that the slower beginning of the piece reminds her of the initial stages of two people falling in love, the sounds feel like when you get butterflies in your stomach.

As it continues, she believes the two fall deeper for one another as the tempo and dynamics build up. Finally, she says the most dramatic part of the piece gives her the impression that the love that blossomed may still be present, but struggles and it be -

gins to feel like everything is falling apart. There is a dramatic cadenza towards the end, signaling in Kally’s eyes, heartbreak. The last part of Liebesträume directly mirrors the initial sounds and mourns the love that has passed. Many interpret the piece as the process of grief after losing a loved one, but Kally chooses to see the piece in a less morbid light.

After six months of studying and practicing, Kally performed Liebesträume in June of 2022 in the Concord Community Music School. I was fortunate enough to witness her dedication and creativity displayed in this final performance. Her performance and interpretation of the piece was beautiful.

es it provides to students, take away an experience. However, I am biased on this front.

In my freshman and sophomore year, every chance I had, I would hustle to the sugar house and hop in the back of the forestry truck to collect sap or help with the boil. It gave me options for things I could do on the weekends. I

A Change in The Flow of Syrup

By Griffin Stewart

There was a time when the sugar house was open 24/7—spewing hot steam high up in the air with sweet syrup flowing into paper cups and glass bottles. Now you will be lucky if you see someone taking a call in front of the building.

Along with the sugar house being closed down, a popular project period, maple sugaring, was absent from this year’s list. The project allowed students to immerse themselves in the New England tradition of maple sugaring.

I have two questions: will students ever get to make maple syrup again, and will the Sugarhouse be a relic of our past?

I sat down with Chris Jones, who is a sugaring hobbyist who has helped with the Proctor sugaring in the past. He informed me that the sap collection is still up and running, but sap will not be processed by Proctor faculty or students. This new knowledge made me upset to hear. I never thought I would hear Proctor, a school that is known for the unique experienc-

could stop by on Saturday night for some syrup or just help out on Sundays rather than sitting in my dorm. It confuses me how this activity could go away.

The more people I talked to, the more I realized I am not alone in how I feel. Faculty and students shared their concerns. Some faculty said sugaring is integral to Proctor’s history and has occurred for decades. Students are sad that they can’t help out or stop by to enjoy a small sample of warm maple syrup.

During the revisit days, I talked to a member of the family now running Proctor’s sugaring operation. They used the sugarhouse on revisit days to show off Proctor’s Maple sugaring operations. While talking, I was handed a paper cup of syrup and saw the steam rise from the evaporator. I was told why the family company stepped in. “We want to get the program back on track … and bring back the sugar bush.” This is a fair thing to want, but that still doesn’t directly mean students can partake in the activity, so I asked if it would include students. It turns out they want to allow students more chances to participate in the activity, but because the family is new to Proctor sugaring, there are still things to work out.

In the meantime, all we can do is wait and see. Hopefully, steam will rise out of the sugar house next year, and the syrup will flow again.

Proctor Pedals

By Rohan Goswami

Twenty-one Proctor athletes speed down Route 11 on bikes, packed tightly side by side and tire to tire, trusting each other to keep pace and not cause a wreck. Despite the skill and attention required to be safe on the road and the strength and energy needed to complete these long rides, what makes it a favorite sport among its racers?

This year, the Proctor Cycling team has a total of eighteen student-athletes and our three coaches. Some athletes are new to the sport, others are returning or experienced cyclists. Kristen Farrell, Drew Donaldson, and Derek Nussbaum-Wagler are the coaches who provide outstanding leadership and skill training. They provide strategy and tips that aid all riders in being the best that they can be.

What are the team’s views on cycling as a sport? I talked to two riders; returning rider Grace Schad ‘23, and new rider Lucy Girouard ‘24. I asked them what got them into the sport and what they like and dislike about the sport.

Lucy and Grace have a lot of things that they love about cycling. Lucy said, “It’s the most fun sport I’ve done and the team is absolutely incredible. It is a phenomenal group of humans and every practice is filled with jokes and team songs. I love the feeling

of being on your bike and I love to work out. It’s different from other forms of exercise.” Grace noted, “I like the fact that you can just zone out for an entire ride, and [that] can be surprisingly relaxing. And as Lucy said, the team is so great too.”

They both gave the same answer to one thing they do not like about the sport. That is that the weather and road conditions need to be good in order to ride. You can’t really bike in the rain on the wet pavement without risking your safety.

They both have different paths that led them to the team. “I started cycling with Proctor this year. I have cycled before, but just for fun.” Lucy told me. Grace joined the cycling team last year, at the same time I did. They both were urged by other riders to do the sport. Grace said, “My dear advisor, Kristen Farrell, is the coach, and she told me to do it.” Lucy was also persuaded by Kristen and one other person. “While I was on Euro, Rohan was very persistent about getting me to join the cycling team.”

This season, the team has five races, all of which are held at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, so there is some competition. Lucy commented on these competitions and practices, saying, “...Other sports tend to have a kind of competition among the team because you do have the top players. With cycling, there is personal competition, and I think that takes away the toxicity in competing.” Grace added, “This team is quite small, and you really get to know everyone, and everyone is very friendly, supportive, and overall fun.”

If you are ever interested in switching sports, trying something new, or maybe looking for a way to escape the ruthless bugs during the late spring term, there will be room for you on the cycling team. Just ask Drew, and you’ll be on a bike in no time!

Preparing Seniors for the Future:

By Cole Gavigan

Independence, responsibility, and time management. With seniors gearing up to head off to college, one of the last things Proctor tries to do is prepare seniors for the real world. In their final term at PA seniors no longer have to check in at 7:30 and crank out homework for 2 hours; they have the luxury to do what they want with their time. This is to try to simulate the freedom seniors will experience next year in college, this system is Senior Study Hall.

Drew Donaldson, Dean of Students, summarized the purpose of Senior Study Hall in an email to the senior class, “The rationale for Senior Study Hall is to award seniors some additional independence in your last term at Proctor and in doing so create an opportunity for you to manage your time wisely before graduation.” Seniors must follow certain rules or will lose the privilege if they cannot demonstrate that they can handle themselves with this new found freedom.

Curious about how much my classmates are using this privilege, I sent a survey to the seniors asking about how much everyone uses Senior Study Hall, what they do during their time, and how they think the system could be improved:

The results suggest that students are being responsible and productive with their time. Currently, during Senior Study Hall, you can access four of Proctor’s buildings as well as Jakes’s. The buildings are Maxwell (for the Wise), the Field House, Slocumb, and the Coffee House. During Senior Study Hall, some favorite activities of the current senior class are shooting hoops, playing pool, creating art, and hanging out with friends. There are also some organized events, such as senior sushi (take-out), and senior basketball. While Senior Study Hall is a pretty good system, the current senior class had some suggestions on how it could be improved. Some common ideas were to start Senior Study Hall in the fall, allow travel to Pizza Chef, open up more buildings (including dorms), have more organized activities, and offer trips off campus.

Some people may be asking themselves if learning about independence is that im-

Grace Schad ‘23

portant for high school students. To put any doubting minds at ease, The Skyline View, a college newspaper from Skyline College reports, “College will challenge and inspire many and will also help develop maturity and independence in students. For college students, the goal is acquiring independence and learning the importance of being able to set their own agendas.”

Senior Study Hall is both an enjoyable and effective system. Students can enjoy their last term here at PA while preparing for the freedom that comes with college.

because getting locked out of places while alone is difficult. There have been multiple times I have seen and experienced this myself where something important gets locked inside somewhere and my FOB won’t work.

There is also the problem of a lost feeling of community. Twenty percent of my responses said that they didn’t feel like they were part of the community, and Proctor pushes this concept that everyone should feel included. Being a day student means you have to put more energy to be included in activities, and that can be tiring. A responder wrote, “I feel like I’m not included as much, and when people talk about their dorm life I know I wouldn’t be able to have that.”

How are Day Student Problems Different from Boarding?

By Owen Woods

Being a day student might seem like it has freedom and more benefits than boarding at Proctor, but being disconnected from a school that stresses the importance of community can be a problem.

Most day students have to live with the pressure to be part of the community but their busy schedules leave them wanting to be home. I sent out a survey asking questions about day student life regarding Proctor. It showed how long our days are, and how homework ends up filling their little time at home..

Attending classes on Saturday was a main concern of day students, as many had to spend most days at Proctor until 8:30. One frustrated student noted, “Let us go home without punishing us if we go home without telling someone; it’s the same as going back to a dorm room….” It’s hard having to wait until all mandatory activities are completed because many day students just want to go home and be comfortable.

One of the frequent responses was many day students want dorm visitation rules loosened. Of course, having boarding student friends and only seeing them during school blocks is sad. Boarding students want rest during the day, and day-student friends can’t socialize in the dorms. While on the topic of availability, the student IDs should be able to access a bit more,

This doesn’t sound like jealousy but instead some sort of emptiness, even though there really shouldn’t be any feelings like that here. It could just be the fact that like many other day students, we don’t want to be on campus for thirteen hours and spend the rest of their night doing chores and finishing up homework at 10:00. There really isn’t that much time to rest or socialize so it can definitely seem demanding. Listening to what other day students suggest could help the community to make Proctor an even better place where all feel welcome.

Stepping Off the Winter Path?

By Rose Werner

For years, students have chosen to give up sleep to go on escapades outdoors like Owl Prowl and Polar Plunge. The question is, why would someone want to do this?

These events have helped students get through the dark winter months by teaching them how to appreciate nature even when the temperature dips into the 20s. From jumping into the freezing cold water to lying in the snow for long periods of time in the hope of seeing an owl, these two events test many students’ strength and willingness to handle the brutally cold weather.

Why are Proctor students participating in these events? As Lily Rusis, a junior, who loves participating in the polar plunge said, “I think that it is a very exhilarating experience and it really contributes to the Proctor experience to be

able to say that you did a polar plunge.” When speaking with a few alums, they often talk about how Polar Plunge and Owl Prowl were some of the best memories they had when looking back at their experiences at Proctor. Lucy Werner ‘23, (my sister) told me, “Every student should partake in at least one of these events before leaving Proctor. Each of these events has helped me learn that I can still have fun outside even if it is freezing cold.”

Students hear about polar plunge at assembly and receive an email the night before it happens. Those brave souls pile into the van to head over to Elbow Pond, with visions of shivering goosebumps dancing in their heads. When they arrive at the pond, students strip down into their swimsuits ready to jump in the chilly water, and then heat up in the steaming hot wood-burning sauna. Lily commented, “I get a community of people that I really enjoyed spending time with during those days and I also gained resilience with the freezing cold water.”

Alan McIntyre, the teacher known for blasting music on bus trips, is in charge of Polar Plunge. Alan loves to talk about these events as he stated, “I love being connected to places. You can only do that when you experience it with others. Dawn and midnight are times in which we rarely share time with wild habitats and students so those moments are sweet.”

Trying to find or hear an owl? Around 10:30 at night, students bundle up and walk across campus to meet Alan to search for these nocturnal birds of prey. This chance only comes around two to three times a winter, usually happening on the night before Head’s Day. Students will trek into the woods to try to find and hear the exotic sound of owls. They will hike till they find a good spot, then they will lie down and stay still and hope to see a Barred Owl, a Boreal Owl, an Eastern Screech Owl, or maybe even a Snowy Owl. Practicing their own owl calls usually makes people start laughing.

As Ellie Bullion, a senior at Proctor said, “I, unfortunately, did not see any owls, but our group did end up hearing two different owls. I really enjoyed looking up into the stars as it was so quiet. It gave me time to reflect on my life and just was very surreal.”

Even some of the most introverted students come out to experience owl prowl and polar plunge and surprise themselves with how much they enjoy trying something new. I feel as though these events give me an opportunity to step away from everything and just be in nature. Trying something new, even in the freezing cold winter, may open your eyes to new possibilities.