Hornet's Nest | October 19, 2023 | Vol.9 | Issue 1

HORNET’S NEST Proctor Academy | October 19, 2023 | Vol. 9 | Issue 1

A New Leader Arrives

By Zack Cong

Our new student leader, Zoie Hower, is ready to work with the community.

Zoie is a four-year senior at Proctor. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with her family and her dog Cooper. She is the captain of the girls varsity tennis team, a green key leader, and, most importantly, our new Student Leader.

When asked about three things she can’t live without, Zoie didn’t hesitate: “I would say my loved ones, a comfortable sweatshirt, and my water bottle.”

What past experiences have helped you to see yourself as a leader?

In middle school, we had a student government. I had to write a speech and get voted on. It was in middle school that I gained the confidence to be a leader and use my voice for good. That was when I felt like maybe I could step into some more concrete leadership positions.

What are some of the goals you want to achieve as School Leader?

My first priority is opening dorm visitation back up. I am really determined, and I want the student body to know I am determined. They may not see stuff happening, but a lot is happening on my part to try to get this back behind the scenes. [Reporter update: Zoie was successful in starting this].

I think that activities foster memories, relationships, and happiness. I really want everyone to be happy, have fun, and feel a sense of belonging. A game about running like capture the flag or manhunt may not be everyone’s thing. I want to make sure that we are offering things for everyone, the freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. I don’t want to only focus on the seniors.

What/ who inspired you to run for the school leader?

The student leader I saw as a freshman inspired me to become a student leader. Cha Krupka. He was such a pillar of joy and positivity during a difficult time of COVID. I really want to emulate that for the freshmen.

Even though it was a hard year, he felt very accessible to talk to and very kind. I really try to be that person for anyone who needs it.

What personality traits do you have that will contribute to being a good leader?

According to the website TaskQuest, empathy, communication, decision-making, confidence, and creativity are some of the top skills and qualities of a good leader.

I do think that I am an empathetic and compassionate person. I feel deeply for my classmates, friends, or even people with whom I might not have close relationships. I still think about them and look out for them.

Zoie possesses a remarkable blend of passion, unwavering determination, and a warm nature. Her commitment to serving our community shines brightly, and is evident in her actions and dedication. With her at the helm, it’s likely Proctor will navigate the upcoming year smoothly and successfully.

I think my three-year Proctor experience is a good overview of flexibility, acquiring skills, and experience. Flexibility was always important to me, and I’ve switched between 3D Design, Recycled Arts, and Metal engineering.

Currently, I’m in Recycled Arts, and the only reason I’m in the class is because Jill Jones Grotnes improves every day that I have the class. Fortunately for me, I have space in my schedule to take two skills classes. Along with Recycled Arts, I am taking 3D Design exclusively because I find that the material in the class is fun to learn. There are always two sides of the coin with skills classes, which makes them great for all students.

By Rex Rabil

Not all students love Proctor. This may come as a surprise, but one thing that we all do love is skills classes. Here’s why.

What is your musical background and how and when did you start acting in musicals?

I used to sing at karaoke clubs when I was in elementary school. My uncle owned a company and my mom heard I had some talent.

I started musicals in the 5th grade in school and grew to love it by middle school, wanting to perform as much as possible.

Skills classes are information-based experiential classes that Proctor offers as electives.

Spencer Corkran, the teacher of 3D Design, sums it up well. ” Skills classes let students have a stress-free environment to learn new skills and sometimes pick up new hobbies.”

Jill Jones Grotnes, the teacher of Recycled Arts, observed; “The teachers of the classes do matter more than the work that is being done in them sadly.” The teachers make Proctor’s culture around skills classes so different.

You could go with your favorite teacher and just have fun making projects, or you could try and learn as much as possible about a medium and skill. Flexibility is important and skills classes provide just that.

What is one thing you can’t live without?

I cannot live without my girls. My daughters.

My favorite thing to do with my daughters is probably vacationing at the beach. Or vacationing anywhere really, when we can relax and have fun - enjoying food, shopping, and adventures.

What are you looking forward to the most at Proctor?

I’m looking forward to finding ways to share my talents with the community and create a culture of excitement around performing arts here at Proctor.

The Hidden Gems of Proctor: Skills classes

So what does it matter if some students learn skills that they could learn on YouTube? It’s all about the environment and culture surrounding the classes. The teachers make the classes whether that’s a skills class or AP physics, if you enjoy being around your teacher you will enjoy the class. Moreover, in a class with few responsibilities besides creating, the importance is magnified.

What is your best memory from orientation?

I was on orientation support - I loved the vibe of everyone coming together to make sure all the gear was ready and food prepared for the hikers.

Welcome Amy Mathison

By Beckett Homlish

Proctor has a new addition to the history and theater departments.

What is your favorite production & your favorite role?

My favorite production I’ve directed is probably Xanadu, it was a challenge but I was proud of what we accomplished. My favorite show I’ve performed in is probably Noises Off! Not a musical, but a lot of fun, I played the Brooke/Vicki role.

What brought you to Proctor and what roles will you be filling?

I came to Proctor for a number of reasons but largely because it’s a school and program that I’ve admired my whole professional career. I will be teaching history and directing the winter musical as well as a spring production.

What was your favorite topic in school as a student or a teacher?

My favorite subject in school was music or theater. English and history were close behind.

I’ve loved teaching both history and English.

What was your favorite memory from when you were acting/singing in New England?

My Favorite memory from performing was just meeting people and having a creative outlet - I look forward to incorporating more performance back into my life now that I’m back in NH.

New Class Deans

By Molly Babcock

This year for the first time, Proctor has created class deans. I sat down to talk to Annie Mackenzie, a learning specialist, Sally B dorm parent, and former Mountain Classroom instructor, to ask her about her role as one of the class deans.

Each of the class deans will follow their class until graduation. Here are our Proctor class deans: for the class of 2024, Will Wamaru and Drew Donaldson, for the juniors Annie Mackenzie, for the sophomores Megan Hardy, and lastly, for the niners Kyle Connolly and Ellie Sperry.

Who started the idea of having class deans?

“It was an idea that Karin [Clough] and Brian had to help create class cohesion and engagement.”

What are your goals as the class dean of 2025?

“Our goal is to work with advisors to nurture student potential, foster class culture, and promote accountability to build an inclusive and healthy community.” In addition, “My goal is to really help kids be seen and heard”

How do you feel having a class dean will help students?

“One thing that I am really excited about is getting to know the entire class of 2025.” Before school started, Annie sent out an email to the class of 2025 stating, “As your Class Dean, my goals are to nurture your academic potential, foster a class culture, and promote accountability to help create a fun and inclusive community.”

What is your responsibility as the class dean?

“I see one of my jobs as looking for opportunities for students to be seen and heard and lead.” To meet the goals set, each class will gather every other Thursday during the assembly block, where students will be able to give the adults in the community input and raise concerns. Sometimes classes will meet in big groups and sometimes in small groups, and even at times, meet individually. The overall point of the class deans is to shape class culture at Proctor and create strong cohesion.

Derek also emphasized that when writing is assigned, teachers need to know why they are assigning it. He said, “When you’re asking a student to write something, why? … What is the true goal of the assignment? If it is, like, to really help you become a better writer, then we might need you to write and have no AI help at all. If it is for you to be able to represent your thinking about a complex topic, maybe it doesn’t hurt to have Grammarly to make your language clearer. It is not all black and white.”

AI: Tool or Trouble?

By Kiefer Reutlinger

Long-time Proctor English teacher Tom Morgan paused to consider the impact of Artificial Intelligence on school and said, “Here I am as a writing teacher, … but what is my job anymore?” Last winter, ChatGPT – an AI tool capable of creating text and responding to any prompt – was on the rise and Proctor as well as other schools began the struggle to cope with this new technology.

Students have found the tool and realize that it could write out essays for them in a matter of seconds. There have been conversations with students regarding the integrity of their work, and it is a weird time because everyone has been learning, together, the power of this AI tool. At the same time, there is no standard to what the ethical use of AI looks like, and teachers are left wondering about the source of the quality and ideas of any given student’s writing. Despite this, Proctor has begun to turn a corner and embrace AI as a tool.

I had the chance to sit down with Derek Nussbaum Wagler, Dean of Teaching and Learning, to discuss AI in the classroom. While it is clear that teachers have to set rules around AI, they also must learn how it can be used as an instrument in the classroom. Derek said, “It ​​ is a tool, it is not going away, it is only going to get stronger. And so, we don’t want to just pretend that it is a shiny object that nobody can ever touch.”

One teacher who has embraced AI in the classroom is Tom Morgan. Tom was one of many faculty members taken aback by the initial rise in AI, worrying that his job as an English and writing teacher could become obsolete. So, he changed his teaching and assignments to coexist with AI. During Tom’s Creative Nonfiction class, he and his students learned about AI and its capabilities together. This culminated in them designing a final project for Tom’s English 10 sophomore classes.

Through learning about ChatGPT, Tom found that there were “roadblocks” that could be used to stop students from being able to use AI. Among these are requiring students use a personal anecdote, conducting some kind of poll or survey, or relating a topic to a local community. On top of these roadblocks, students were allowed to use AI, so long as they documented when and where they used it. Another thing that the class found was that ChatGPT is not very good at writing thesis statements. The basis of this assignment is that you can use AI, but you have to do the thinking.

A paper or assignment like this one also teaches students to use AI as a tool. There are skills to be used with AI, such as how well can you generate a prompt for it. Tom said, “We have this tool, but if I can teach students how to use the tool really well, then I am on to something. Right, so I have got something to teach.

My job is still safe here.” Teachers will have to roll with this development in AI, but as Tom demonstrated, they can adapt and change their classes.

Ultimately, AI is here to stay, and Proctor can and will grow with it. Moreover, we cannot just ignore this new tool. Tom proposed this analogy, “When the chainsaw came along, I know that there were all those people out there who used to cut down [trees] with a crosscut saw. And they were like ‘Aww, ya know, gone is the singing of the crosscut saw.’

But if you have ever used a crosscut saw, and then used a chainsaw, you’re like ‘Oh yeah, let me have that chainsaw please.’” AI is not headed for a takeover of the classroom, but it will simply become a tool that students can use to enhance their writing, and teachers will continue to work with students on how to properly use it. While Proctor was briefly sent reeling from AI and is certainly not fully adapted to the state of AI, the school is in a much better place where people are figuring out how it can and should be used.

2nd Pool Table On-Campus

By Pearce Schultz

What if I told you there is a second pool table on campus, and the only reason it’s there is because of a coin flip?

Let me take you back to the end of spring term 2023. The housing lottery was about to begin and two of the current dorm leaders of Carr House wanted Room 31, the biggest triple on the third floor. Kyle Tremblay, Dean of Residential Life, decided that a coin flip would settle who would live in Room 31 for the following school year. Will Lunder ‘24 and Conrad Laesch ‘24 met in lower Maxwell Savage for the flip. As “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor played, Kyle’s thumb rocketed the coin into the air. While in air, time slowed down as Will called “heads.” The coin fell to the ground, spinning. Everyone huddled around to see who won, and luckily it was on heads.

It was decided then and there that Will Lunder ‘24, Griffin Stewart ‘24, and Willem Hurd ‘24 would be living in Room 31.

Afterward, the boys realized they would have some serious space to fill in their room and the ideas started to flow about what kinds of

Carr House pool hall

crazy items they could fill their room with.

Their first collective idea was to buy a pool table for their room, and that’s what they did.

Fast forward to move-in day and the pool table’s debut. The three lugged a 150-pound foldable pool table up two flights of stairs with two hairpin turns. After about ten minutes, the pool table was set up and ready to roll.

As the room’s main attraction, sitting dead center, they decided to place couches, beds, TVs, and desks around the table. This layout allows spectators to have space to watch ongoing games. Griffin stated, “It astonishes me actually, that no one has ever thought of putting a pool table in this room because it’s so big.

There’s nothing else you can do with the space beside a pool table.” Well, other than having a hot tub and a full-blown VR headset, right?

Having their own pool table allows them to play pool whenever - whether it’s a quick game if they got let out of class early, or after study hall when the Wise isn’t open, and even when the Wise is open, they don’t have to worry about waiting their turn if the line is too long.

When I asked Griffin about the chance of selling tickets for non-Carr residents he said, “We’ve considered the idea of hosting games for non-residents of Carr; however, we can’t due to dorm visitation being limited.” Once in-room visitation is back, plan ahead to buy a ticket to play Carr House pool.

Even though the pool room is the main attraction, Carr House’s second triple has been transformed into a movie room with a DJ setup. A resident of that room, Charlie Maynard ‘24 said, “I’m glad they got Room 31, we wouldn’t know what to do with all that space.”

I guess the coin landing on “heads” was a win for both parties.

Griffin, Willem, Pearce

Alisa Barnard, Our New Assistant Head of School

By Brennan Lopes

We have a new Assistant Head of School read on to find out more about who she is.

What brought you to Proctor?

Everyone has their own specific reasons for coming to Proctor, even faculty. Something that stood out to Alisa was Proctor’s “Commitment to experiential learning programs.”

She believes that it “signals we are a school committed to providing the best possible experience for our students even if it means sticking our necks out there a little bit.” She also believed that the “Strength of our Learning Skills program means teachers are much better teachers across the board.”

What are things that stand out to you about Proctor compared to other schools?

She found something right off the bat, “Orientation was fun but also intimidating.” A major change from her former school (St. Pauls) was as she called it the “First name thing.”

What excites you most about your first year at Proctor?

Alisa is excited about a few different things about coming to Proctor one of them being “getting to know people.” She was “Curious about what little traditions and community events will surprise me or what will be different to experience rather than hear about it.”

She specifically highlighted Holderness Day.

A new skill I’ve been trying to do is I’ve been trying to walk on my hands. It’s a lot of core strength, a lot of coordination, a lot of shoulder stability.

What would you recommend to someone who is new to the gym or doesn’t know a lot about working out?

“The big thing for me is understanding what their goals are, that’s kind of the personal trainer in me, I’m gonna help you reach your goals. But, starting out it’s a lot of analyzing movements and how well you move so I can structure a program for you that is #1, safe for you, and #2, so you can reach your goal as quickly and as efficiently as possible.

What’s your role at Proctor?

What exactly does the Assistant Head of School do? Her “official responsibility is the student experience.” This means she works with students to make sure they have a great experience at Proctor. She brought some new ideas this year with “class deans and any aspect of the student experience.”

What are some things about you that you’d want Proctor to know?

“I want students to know that I’m approachable and eager to talk to anybody.”. She also loves her “two dogs and two children” who she can be seen walking around campus and in the woods. Alisa “loves the outdoors and loves mountain biking” just like many students here at Proctor. She is also open to trying new activities as she “took up golf during the pandemic, [I] love it, [but I’m] not very good.”

Live to Learn, Learn about Dean Miller

By Madoc Harden

Every once in a while a new face pops up on campus - a mystery person. Who are they?

What do they do? Wait… is he walking on his hands?

What brought you to Proctor?

I was a student at Colby Sawyer for the past four years and just graduated this past spring.

Originally, Colby Sawyer offered this master’s program, a master’s of exercise science. Professors recommended I get some experiential learning as well which led me to Proctor.

What made you want to pursue this for your master’s?

In the world of strength and conditioning, if you want to work for colleges you kinda need it. And I’m still on the fence if I want to stay in this area, do private practice and personal training, or seek out a college team. If you want to work for a college team you need [experience], so if the opportunity comes I’ll have the credentials.

3 things you can’t live without?

“Walking in the woods with [her] dogs everyday.” You may also see her on her bike as she said, “I do love my mountain bike, any one who rides would understand it’s all about having just the right bike that you have a special relationship with.” Something off campus that she enjoys is “travel and going places” because she “Can’t live without some type of adventure on the horizon” to look forward to.

Do you have any background in teaching?

I actually have a Minor in Education. I did practical teaching at Kearsarge last year, but this is my first time doing a class like this. Now it’s like, “I have this group of kids I have to get them to their goal”...

If you could do one workout every day, what would it be?

What’s your favorite food and what’s a food you’d recommend?

“I’m a big breakfast guy so ima big omelette guy.” For recommending a meal, as long as you eat a well-rounded meal try and cut out processed sugars, eat to you’re full, and hydrate. While also getting all those little salts in you, you should be set with a full, colorful plate.

The new face in the weight room is not a scary one! If you have a goal you want to reach in the gym, or you just don’t know squat, Dean is determined to help this community. Who knows, maybe everyone will be walking on their hands soon.

Eric Skinner on the ride

Mountains and Mental Health

By Rohan Goswami

Even though Proctor has ways for us to be involved with wellness, campus should not be the only place where you pursue it. There are other ways to support wellness year-round other than just during the school year.

This past spring during the cycling season, Kailee Skinner ‘23 and her father Eric, (who joins the team for many cycling rides) informed me about a cycling fundraiser called The Highs and Lows Tour which supports programs to address Mental Illness. People who support or are affected by the issue donate money, which goes directly to an organization that provides resources, and then there

is one day when all the donors get together to go ride bikes.

In this case, all the funds raised go to the National Alliance on Mental Illness or NAMI New Hampshire. NAMI was founded in 1979 and is now one of the nation’s leading voices on mental illness. In just the second year, the tour this past summer helped raise a total of over $26,000.

of options in the dining hall… It is hard work on the part of our faculty and staff but they continuously step up and show up for our students.” (Megan Hardie, Director of Welness).

After riding those 40 miles, this tour is something that I now look forward to. If you want to join, you can choose to ride less! If you are interested in any more information about this tour, feel free to reach out.

On August 12 when I got to the Common Man Inn in Plymouth there were around fifteen other people from the Proctor community. Faculty, friends, and even the Head of School Brian came to participate and support.

Seeing all these Proctor members put into perspective how important it is to recognize and understand mental health.

Proctor people on the ride

Kara Jacobs, The New Beginning

By Isabella Guzman

While we have the Health Center and the counselors to assist us, there are also people outside of this community who may need the same help and support but do not have the same resources available. It is important that we not only support them but also others.

I asked some people about their thoughts either on the Highs and Lows Tour or wellness at Proctor.

“My feeling on the highs and lows tour, in relation to mental health and wellness is that participating in the ride in any way whether it be volunteering or riding, opens the door to connect with others in the mental health community in a safe and relaxed environment. Everyone is there to support one another which makes the stigma around mental health feel nonexistent.” (Kailee Skinner ‘23).

“I think Proctor really does want each student to be “the best version of themselves.” To help students achieve that they need, at the most fundamental level, to be well. There are so many factors that play a role in an individual’s well-being. Proctor encourages its students to be active, sleep, and nourish their bodies through many opportunities and choices, a few examples being afterschool activities, a few small sleep-ins each week, and the range

Welcome Kara Jacobs, our new Language Department head.

What brought you to Proctor?

I knew Ale, Ross, and Erik because I give a lot of professional development to language teachers. So I like to present and I create resources, especially around music. …then I saw the off-campus programs and that looked amazing. Then also the environmental focus and the outdoors focus, and then I have a son who is a freshman and I thought, “Oh, this could be great for me and for him.” So I decided to take the leap.

the best ways to incorporate culture is to use music in the classroom. So like get some Bad Bunny in the classroom or Peso Pluma.

I was just listening to the podcast this morning about the Latin Grammys and how they kind of felt like Peso Pluma and Grupo Frontera were maybe kind of snubbed. I kind of want to bring some of that Latin music into the classroom. So teaching about protests in Chile, teaching about Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, or the history of Cuba, or teaching about Día de los Muertos. So, we are just trying to make it as engaging as possible.

What most excites you about Proctor?

The idea of the off-campus programs and what that might do to a student population. So if some sophomores are going to Costa Rica and coming back. Just that ripple effect of them leaving and growing and coming back to the small community or all the programs, students leaving and then coming back. It seems like it’s a really unique school, and students who come here would be of a similar mindset.

They might be interested in the off-campus programs or just living at a boarding school.

And just that excites me.

What are four things you can’t live without?

Coffee, running, my husband, and my family.

What do you like to do in your free/spare time?

I like to spend time outside and I like to listen to music, and this is kind of like a nerdy Spanish teacher thing. However, I like to create resources for other teachers and learn about the Spanish-speaking world. So I’m a co-author of an AP textbook, and I’ve done a lot of different things for Spanish teachers. So I like to hike.

I like to spend time on Lake Winnipesaukee, where we have a house as well. I’m very excited to be a part of the Proctor community and help incorporate culture into language classes.

What’s your goal as Proctor’s Head of the Language Department?

One of my big goals is to have students enjoy learning a language or acquiring the language, to have students enjoy the class, and to have lots of students take higher levels of all the languages. Also learning about current day Spain, history of Spain, food, music.

What is your method for teaching languages?

Acquisition-driven instruction focuses on giving students lots of interesting input. So listening a lot, reading a lot. And then eventually once they’re somewhat filled up with that input, they start to speak or output. So one of

Student Activities Reborn

By Brendan Gurtler

Meet Rosanna Eubank, our new Student Activities Coordinator. Rosanna is no stranger to Proctor, as she plays several other roles for the

school: Assistant Librarian, European Art Coordinator, Rock Climbing Assistant Coach, as well as Developmental Ski and Snowboard Coach. As Rosanna is stepping into this new position, Weekend Love will be changing for the better.

Rosanna plans to continue the Weekend Activities Club that was in place last year, so all students can have a voice in activities being offered. Students involved behind the scenes include Rowan Goswami, Zoie Hower, and Will Lunder. Here are some of their plans.

Rosanna Eubank: My primary goal is to look for ways to create opportunities to keep building community.

I love the idea of offering a variety of activities that give students a chance to do things they already know they enjoy or discover new things, alongside friends.

What are some of your ideas for new activities this year?

I have a ton of various interests myself, and that is what has always appealed to me about Proctor - its total commitment to the outdoors AND the arts AND sports AND academics, etc. So ultimately I want to make sure that students who want to spend their weekend time outside can do so. Or if they want to create art, there is an opportunity. Or giant, schoolwide games that create camaraderie. Or just hang out with friends in the Coffee House or play pool in the Wise. It isn’t even so much what MY ideas for new activities are, but the students’ ideas, in all areas. I’m just here to hopefully help make that happen :) What activities would you like to see more of?

I love it when students have a really specific idea, whether it is a pool tournament or a trip to SkyZone or wanting to open the Climbing Wall for a few hours.

Zoie Hower What are your goals for student activities this year?

I think Capture the Flag was a great success and want more experiences like that.

What are some of your ideas for activities?

Games with each grade as well as senior campouts, but offer this for other students too.

Rowan Goswami: What are some of your ideas for activities?

Paintball, Top Golf, driving range, go-karting, and other active sports. Plus, I would like to see more free skating time being offered in the winter and rollerblading.

for others, and to internalize lessons that will sustain all of us for generations to come. Be it on the fields of play or in one of the many classroom spaces near and far, we give our all and do our best. We embody our motto…

In every aspect of our expansive educational model, we capture and guide the engaged and passionate young mind to be more than they ever thought they could be.”

Will Lunder: What are some of your ideas for activities?

Dummy jump with sleds (building sleds and putting mannequins in them to go over jumps and see if they can stay in their sleds without falling out).

What activities would you like to see more of?

I would like to see more ManHunt and sledding competitions.

With new leaders comes new opportunities and these leaders are ready to take charge!\

I can see Brian’s love and passion for students’ success, he wants to see every student succeed for themselves and their family. Speaking to him is always motivating because he just has a contagious positive effect that can change your whole mood. He knows how to engage with students, but also be that adult to keep things in place along with a lot of other help in Admissions.

Also, a big difference in the school is all the diversity you see on campus, there are people who are here from all over the world and who look very different from one another. Brian being the Head Of School shows people that Proctor is an accepting community with faculty full of encouragement and love.

Brian has been a Head Of School or in some type of leadership position at plenty of different schools in his life. Having conversations with him, I feel that he is very comfortable in this space. He can be himself, and encourage others to do the same like he has for me.

Deep Care for Proctor

By Exodus Ayers

Brian Thomas loves his job and he fits perfectly into our Proctor community motto, and his energy and attitude toward every person on the campus is positive..

This school year 2023-2024 will be Brian’s third year as the Head Of School. Over the past two years, Brian has grown on this campus to learn about the ways of Proctor, and how it can impact us positively. In his third year, he wants to make sure people know about the uniqueness of Proctor and how tight the love is with one another. “The Proctor Academy of today fits more than just our current context, it thrums with the fierce urgency to do things that matter deeply to those of us who are fortunate enough to be here now and hereafter.”

Meeting with Brian in the dining hall gave me plenty of time to sit down with him and have a great conversation on what he was thinking about. Brian continued, “Proctor prepares students to build their lives, to make things better

What I want you to take from my writing is the willingness to go up to Brian and have a conversation at school. If you aren’t on campus and don’t see Brian, I just wanted to inform you how he treats students and actually cares about where we end up in our future.

This leads to students wanting to be better, which pushes the board along with the faculty to better themselves also. He understands the kind of place people are pushing for Proctor to become which is positive for everyone.

In the end, Alisa says we will not end up far from where we were with dorm visitation last year. She is unsure when new rules will be in place, however, I hope there will be dorm room visitation soon.

Back 2 Back?

By Cam Chambers

NO DORM VISITATION?

By Hannah Lyga

Things have taken a turn for the worse – we have no dorm visitation.

Alisa Barnard, our Assistant Head of School, states the visitation problem was that dorm surrogates and dorm parents were unable to do what they are supposed to do while watching over other students visiting. She stated, “Dorm parents need to feel like they can do all the aspects of their job well. Dorm surrogates and parents need a clear expectation for them while there is visitation.”

After last season’s success, coaches, returners, and even new players all have the same winning mindset to bring another New England title home to the community. How to do it?

Building a good team culture and doing the little things that make good teams great.

As of Friday, the 29th, dorm visitation has been changed to allow students in a dorm’s common room from 6:15 - 7:15 PM. While an improvement, this only provides students with a short amount of time in another dorm.

Few students want to spend their time in the common room; many are uncomfortable and uninviting.

I talked with 4th-year senior captain Willem Hurd what he thinks the team needs to do to continue its success. “Overcoming challenges and difficulties all together.” One of the team’s biggest goals this season has been ATD which stands for “attention to detail.” Having something for a team to stand by like a motto or a certain goal helps everyone to meet challenges

Head coach Ben Rulli shared his goals and expectations for the team. “Well every year we’re looking to hopefully win a New England title and represent the school properly out on the football field, we talked as a team in the preseason about the expectations of our programs now for over 20 years, continuing that successful winning championship tradition that we all know and love here at Proctor.” together as everyone is being held to the same standards, no matter whether you don’t play a single minute or you never come off the field.

Dorm visitation is important to students, especially day students in search of a comfortable place to relax. Most of my friends live off campus, so I find myself spending less time with them because they are unable to enter the dorms. Last year, when it was too cold to be outside, we would be in our dorms, hanging out and decompressing.

Where are we going to visit with friends this year, and will we be able to maintain our friendships? When asked about the consequences of no dorm visitation, three-year junior Bella Morgan stated, “This can cause worse events of people sneaking into dorms and an overall loss of trust.” Students may end up breaking the rules. New students understand and Mia Beaudette, a first-year freshman told me, “Friends, relationships, and day students need places to be during these times.”

Many faculty members I have spoken to agree, including Kate Piacenza who says, “It’s an exaggerated rule, especially for day students because it’s not fair they don’t have a place to go in between activities.”

teammates. I asked 4-year senior and platoon leader of ‘Seventh,’ Thomas Spillane why platoons are important. “Helps with competition as we compete as platoons against one another almost every day, and it makes you feel closer with a small group of players on the team.”

As someone who has been here for four years, I can say that this team has been getting along better than any team I have been a part of at Proctor. On and off the field, everyone is a part of our family. Whether that’s getting along on the field or hanging out together around campus in the Wise or the turf. This team has something special, a tight bond that players have with one another. This and the will to win every game are key components to a championship season.

Platoons help bring our team together. Platoons are small groups within the team where a coach and a player lead a small group of