The Proctor Pulse | Vol. 1 | Issue 1 | April 17, 2017

PROCTOR PULSE Proctor Academy | April 17, 2017 | Issue 1

KARIN CLOUGH

ROOTS IN THE COMMUNITY:

Karin’s connection to all aspects of Proctor

By Addy Shannon When most people think of a double life, secret agents or people on the run cross their minds. In the case of the Weber family, this double life takes on a much lighter meaning. Our Assistant Head of School, Karin Clough and children Sofia, Luke and Finn Weber moved into a dorm on campus this year. The three are now living with the conveniences of boarding students and freedom of a day student, the company of family, and the ability to stay independent. So with all of the perks and differences that the Clough/Weber family has, what is it like to live on campus?

Our Assistant Head of School grew up living on the Holderness campus while her father was the Assistant Head of School. As a former faculty kid herself, Karin understands what it means to be involved in campus life but also take time to be with her family and friends. “I think a lot of times at school the higher up you get [as a job in the community] the further away from students you get.” Karin is the exception.

Karin explains that at Proctor, and in her life, this is different because while she took on more responsibilities as the Assistant Head of School, she also stepped into the shoes of a dorm parent. “I think definitely being a dorm parent has made me much more cognizant and aware of what it is like to be a dorm parent.

And what it’s like for the boarding students, trying to create that sense of home and community within a dorm which I’ve always

thought is really important.”

Returning to a dorm has impacted Karin and her family greatly, she observes, “I feel like I can still be at home but also be at work.” Karin finds that being on campus has been a positive experience for her and her children because of the independence that they all feel now compared to when they lived off campus. “I think my kids are really enjoying the experience because they have friends in and out of the house all the time and are feeling like they have more in common with the boarding students.”

Her son, Luke, agrees, “Living in the new dorm has been an amazing experience because even though I have always lived in Andover, I haven’t been able to enjoy the convenience of having all my belongings on campus. I feel closer to the campus and to my friends.”

FINN WEBER

Karin’s other son, Finn Weber, also a three year Junior, speaks about his appreciation for seeing his mom more frequently, “Overall, I am proud to be the Assistant Head’s son and appreciate being able to see her on a daily basis.”

I asked Sofia Weber, daughter of Karin and a two year sophomore here at Proctor how she felt as a freshman at Proctor with her mother being the Assistant Head. “Well I guess I don’t really think about it as much now, but it used to really bother me.”

Sofia also explained, “ I didn’t like the way that people acted differently towards me if they were afraid I was going to tell Karin or if they were scared to be friends with me if they thought they would be treated differently.”

However, Sofia made it clear that Karin is not one to be afraid of, “I love my mom and everything she does for me, so it was hard to understand why people would treat me differently because I was the Assistant Head of School’s daughter. One thing I wish people understood more is how awesome she is - and relaxed!!”

Luke Weber, like Sofia and Finn, is very proud of his mom, but doesn’t think as often about her title at the school, “Having my mom be the Assistant Head is honestly something that I do not think of often. I think it is because she is loved by so many people on campus outside our family that it makes Proctor even more a part of family to me.”

The Weber kids and their mom, Karin share a special bond not only with each other but with Proctor. While they may experience an untraditional Proctor Academy student life, the Weber children are knowingly lucky to be able to walk down the halls and call the Assistant Head of School their mother and Proctor their home.

Different Perspectives, One Campus: Proctor’s Muslim Viewpoint

ROBERT AZZI

During this past Project Period, Tom Morgan took three Proctor students next door to Franklin, NH for his ‘Telling True Stories” project. Franklin has had a reputation as a town with lots of problems, not enough funding and one of the worst ranked high schools in the state. However, that is not the entire story. In the past two years, there has been a huge effort to bring Franklin up to it’s full potential. John Schimmel, a Proctor freshman, wrote this piece about a outdoor gear store for kayakers being opened recently in downtown Franklin.

Marty Parichand: Local Entrepreneur, Owner of Outdoor New England

has a rustic-chic character, as a rainbow of upscale kayaks, gear, and paddles contrasts with old mill brick walls and a host of heritage items on display.

When we interviewed Parichand he shared with us that he thinks the key to the revitalization of Franklin is creating a new whitewater kayak park on the Winnipesaukee River.

With urban renewal projects, sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. In this case, whether to start with the revitalization of the downtown, or with creation of the whitewater kayak park.

Parichand believes that if the water park is constructed downtown Franklin could receive a surge of businesses, and entrepreneurs would be more interested to set up shop in the city.

By John Schimmel Marty Parichand is the owner of a new store in Franklin, NH called Outdoor New England. The store sells high quality whitewater kayaking gear and to adventurers from around the East.

Outdoor New England is located in a beautifully renovated old building on Main Street in Franklin and is one of only two highend whitewater kayaking shops in all of New England. The store

MARTY PARICHAND

By Alex Wykoff Following the controversial travel ban put in place recently, Proctor allowed students returning to campus through airports to delay a day in order to avoid protests.

The Middle East often carries negative connotations, but what is the perception of Muslims at Proctor?

Proctor Academy is a unique community. While it has no religious affiliation, classes like Comparative Religion and Middle East Studies help students learn about all different types of people. I had the chance to speak with Comparative Religion teacher Melanie Maness and about how members of the community react to Muslims. When asked how Proctor views Muslim, Melanie responded, “I’ve always been impressed by the curiosity and interest of my Comparative Religion students. I thought the Proctor community was welcoming and engaging with Robert Azzi, an Arab American Muslim photojournalist and columnist, who addressed us in the fall. I loved the conversations his talk stirred.”

His words gave many people a new perspective and the curriculum at Proctor builds on that.

Classes like Comparative Religion are important to keep the community open to all types of diversity. Mel provided some insight on her goals for her class. “With current events regularly highlighting Islam, global citizens must educate and engage. I implore students to look beyond the salacious headlines and do their own research.” This kind of challenge is what will hopefully broaden the global knowledge of students.

There is not a large population of Arab-American students here at Proctor, but those here feel welcome and loved. I spoke with Hazem Chehabi, a three year junior from Jordan. “I really don’t feel much discrimination. Any kind of profiling or stereotypes that I do notice pretty much come from my friends who are joking around.”

Eamonn Healey, four year senior and fellow Comparative Religion student has expanded his view of people who are of a different race or religion. “I have learned about so many different religions that now I find faith very cool and fascinating. I have also learned to be more respectful of the beliefs of people who are a part of different religions. It is a class that I think everyone should take.”

HAZEM CHEHABI

I had to think a while about what Eamonn had to say. If everyone had the opportunity to take a class or learn more about different cultures, it may help to stop discrimination against those who are different.

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Class of 2017

A Proctor Student’s Pantry

By Madison Clarke Senior Jack wakes up late and rushes to Jake’s for a breakfast burrito. He grabs a coffee and a Clif bar with only a few minutes to get to his Journalism class.

When students miss a meal at the dining hall, or have time in between classes, they run across the street to find all of the best snacks. Jake’s provides them with a pantry away from home.

The first Jake’s Market opened in Lebanon, NH in 1997, with the Andover Jake’s opening shortly after. With the busy schedules of Proctor students, Jake’s is the popular place for breakfast sandwiches, caesar wraps, coffee, and candy.

The dining hall does a wonderful job of serving students, but only operates during meal times. Because Jake’s is open from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM, students are able to access food and drink more frequently throughout the day and acts as the Proctor students’ pantry. Catherine Hourihan, a four year senior, claimed, “I find that since we have dinner so early on campus, I’m hungry by 7:30 and so I often go to Jake’s before study hall to get cape cod chips, chocolate, and a snapple.”

The relationship formed amongst Proctor and Jake’s has proved itself to be symbiotic. Students fulfill their food cravings and their desire to step off-campus, while Jake’s loves the steady stream of Proctor business.

There are few who visit Jake’s every meal in replacement of the dining hall, but for

those that do, the employees have the orders and names of the students memorized. When Griffin Del Prete, a four year senior, ordered an unexpected sandwich at the grill an employee commented, “Griffin, you decided to order something different today?” The employees and students have a friendly relationship.

The manager of Jake’s, Ms. Braley, explained that it can get very busy with Proctor students sometimes, but said she’s happy to have them. She commented, “The biggest challenge is having so many kids in here at once, but we love the business and it makes the day go by faster….It does get really quiet when you guys are gone on break, we miss you guys when you’re not around.”

She admitted there have been a few incidents in the past with Proctor students causing disturbances, but claims it is rare and has been easily solvable. Most students are polite when they visit, they say please and thank you, and greet the employees with a hello. Michelle, a Jake’s employee, stated, “A lot of Proctor students say thank you and have a good day. If you say something to them, they say something to you. It’s good communication- if you don’t have that, they won’t have that.”

Many students claim they visit only a

few days a week, the main appeal being the breakfast sandwiches available before morning class, hot coffee to get them through their last afternoon class, and candy for study hall time. Liam, a first year student stated, “I like Jake’s a lot, I go about three to four times a week. I go for lunch instead of the dining hall, and I usually get their steak and cheese, Reese’s, and an iced tea.” Jake’s isn’t a favorite of just boarders, but also day students. Timmy, a current day student said he likes going to Jake’s with friends, “I usually go to Jake’s four times a week and buy Arizona tea and sour patch kids.”

Jake’s Market has become a part of Proctor’s campus and will the two will continue their love affair. Students and employees benefit from one another, and together, complete the Proctor community.

LEFT: COURTNEY - JAKE’S EMPLOYEE RIGHT: JEN - JAKE’S MANAGER