NHL Lockout
Halloween Traditions
Page 6
Page 13
Cafeteria Craze
Sports Update
Teacher Hobbies
Page 15
Page 10
Pages 8 & 9
Best Selling Author Nicholas Sparks Speaks at Ravenscroft Casey Harris S
STAFF WRITER
teve McGill, English Instructor, jokingly said he put a “Message in a Bottle” to invite the famous romance novelist Nicholas Sparks to speak to his Advanced Placement Language classes after they read his novel, “Three Weeks with My Brother.” Sparks sat down with McGill’s AP Language and Composition classes and answered questions about his inspiration, his writing process, and specifically about the book McGill chose to use as part of his curriculum this year. Written by Sparks and his brother Micah, “Three Weeks with My Brother” is a real story of the brothers’ three week trip around the world after their parents passed away. It tells of the discoveries they made about the love and loss life brings.
While the majority of Spark’s works are fictional romances, “Three Weeks With My Brother” is a touching non-fiction novel that Sparks publicly says “is the one that people should read.” McGill coached Spark’s son, Miles, during his high school career in hurdles. “Steve didn’t have to do what he did for my son either and I think it is just, if someone does something nice, you know, I think you find a way to repay them. I was very honored that he chose to read ‘Three Weeks with my Brother’. It is a very special book to me,” explained Sparks. He shared many personal responses to questions from the audience that helped them to further understand his family connections and the background for his novels. Later, he graciously signed all autographs and posed for countless photos with anyone who asked him to do so.
Will Barefoot, ‘13, Max Sminkey, ‘13 and Colson Dorafshar, ‘14, get their books signed by Nicholas Sparks after the discussion. Photo by Helen Velk
Q & A with Nicholas Sparks
Steve McGill enjoys a chuckle with Nicholas Sparks after commenting that he sent a “Message in a Bottle” to ask him to visit with his students. Photo by Helen Velk
Sparks Explains His Writing Method 1. The first thing I do is choose the age of the characters. My readers range in age from 12100 and the characters have to be relatable. Or, what’s the point?
2. The second thing is, how
they meet. It has to meet three criteria: 1. Be original 2. Be Interesting 3. Be Universal
3. Conflict. What is it that keeps them apart? No conflict, no story.
4. Next, what forces them together? 5. I have to decide the ending and there are only three endings. 1. Happy, which is defined as the couple gets together. 2. Or, tragic, one of them dies. 3. Or, bittersweet, they want to be together, but they can’t; like “Dear John.”
“Reading “Three Weeks with my Brother” and if you were to ask us what genre you would be famous for writing after reading that, I think, or I know I would guess adventure and action. What inspired you to write in the romantic genre?” -Will Barefoot, ‘13. “You know, it is interesting. “The Notebook” was a story inspired by my wife’s grandparents. And, so it was a story that I thought I could write and when I sat down to write I really wanted to write a book that could make an impact and I had this grand, big strategy. And, I said, this kind of genre might work, if I do it really well. So, I kind of chose that one for that reason. Had “The Notebook” flopped, maybe I would be writing adventure or thriller or horror or science fiction or anything else. It just so happened that “The Notebook” sold 23 million copies. So, look, then there is a choice you make. You think, well, I’ll just stick with this then.” “There are one or two novels that you wrote before you released “The Notebook” that you just kind of wrote for yourself. Have you ever thought of reviving or revamping them?” - Allison McAdams, ‘13. “Um. I, no. They would have to be rewritten from scratch.” “Are there some specific things in your writing where you can tell that, oh that is not going to be good or when you just, feel it?” - Mariel Ziperski, ‘13. “Everyone in creative writing knows this simple rule and it is not so simple to implement; you show, don’t tell. Anyone ever heard that? [laughs and groans from the audience] That’s hard! That is still hard now. I don’t want to write a book that you have read Emily Bedsole, ‘13, laughs before. Like the one that I am working on now, [ha, ha], you’ve never read it before, trust me! along with Mariel Ziperski, ‘13, who is quite impressed with And, it will move you.”
her own question to Sparks. Photos by Helen Velk
2
Table of Contents
Page 2 Election Quiz Sarah Lowery Page 3 Election 2012 Sarah Lowery Page 4 Homecoming Layla Tanik & Emerson Storch Page 5 Chick-Fil-A Casey Harris Page 6 NHL Lockout Audrey Hammerstein Page 7 NHL Lockout Editorial Caroline Scales, Calley Mangum & Max Sminkey Pages 8 & 9 Cafeteria Lindsay Thompson Page 10 Teacher Hobbies Austin Morin Page 11 Overnight Play Crucible Caroline Scales Page 12 FrEsh Advice Emi Myers & Stephanie Wiehe Page 12 First Date Stories Kate Sweeney Page 13 Halloween Tate Replogle Page 14 ChromeBooks Marki Moments Marki Bryan Page 15 Fall Sports Recap Christian Walker Page 16 Bballers Fballing Jamie Herakovich Greg Harper Nevarmore NamePlate ArtWork Bella Kron
News
News
Election 2012: You Decide Sarah Lowery
Economy
O
STAFF WRITER
n November 6th, America will decide who will lead the country for the next four years. Either current president Barack Obama or ex-Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney will be expected to fix the current issues that plague Americans like the economy, flaws in the education system, and dependence on unreliable sources of energy. These issues are vital to the future of the United States.
Chris
3
Education B
ill Pruden, Head of Upper Kelly, Physics Instructor, School, believes that the educational credits the current recession, which has system’s problems result from the fact been the worst since the Great Depression, that many Americans face difficulty in to a lack of demand for goods. accessing a well-rounded education. With so much spending by the College tuition costs are rising, making government attempting to reverse the higher education attainable to a shrinking economy’s current state, the national debt range of prospective students. is rising to astounding levels, which Kelly Due to the lack of resources and assures students will be paid by a later funding, it is becoming more and more generation, creating reason for younger difficult for public schools around America generations to pay attention to current John Paraskevas/Newsday/MCT John Paraskevas/Newsday/MCT events in politics. Plus, the cost of the to provide basic supplies, like textbooks, Affordable Care Act, which provides healthcare and the search for quality teachers is becoming more for all Americans, is astoundingly high, which and more challenging. According to Pruden, society as will be paid for with more taxes. a whole is putting a burden on teachers to do more than Kelly does admit that Obama was, they can handle, which was also communicated by the in fact, given a very rough economy. Under he condition of the environment, issue of global warming, and the need recent Chicago teachers’ strike. the Bush administration, the combination of for new sources of energy are highly debated topics among politicians. Many large “Education is not an issue that can easily be lowered taxes and expensive wars after the manufacturing plants produce emissions and other forms of pollutants that go into the fixed at the federal level. The 9/11 attacks was environment around us. president can provide more of the beginning to a Democrats, like Obama: the much-needed resources to spiraling economy. Believe in the science behind global warming, which links it to the excess amounts of schools, but he or she cannot In general, greenhouse gas emitted by human-made sources like fossil fuels. extend their influence beyond Democrats tend to Republicans, like Romney: that point, as the general want government Believe that global warming is not linked to human-made emissions, but rather that the culture that the student is to spend money in source of the problem is unknown. immersed in is more likely order to stimulate It is a well-known fact that fossil fuels are an unsustainable source of energy, and at to influence them. Anything the economy, some time during the future, fossil fuel reserves will empty and there will have to be that measures students’ while Republicans dependence on some other form of energy in order to support America. progress quantitatively, like generally want to President Obama used his power to regulate coal plants and the number of standardized testing, is not Bill Pruden, Head Chris Kelly, Science lower taxes and emissions they are allowed to put into the environment. Obama also invested $40 an answer as to students’ of Upper School Instructor spending in order to billion from the 2009 stimulus in the area of clean energy to promote sustainable energy Photo by Lifetouch progress,” Pruden believes. Photo by Lifetouch resolve the problem. sources. When fracking companies start to drill, it is required that all chemicals used are He went on to explain But, facing the problem of national debt, Kelly recorded and ensures that gas wells are very well isolated in order to prevent potentially that “education doesn’t know what it really wants to be states that, “if we taxed the one-percenters at hazardous leaks. defined as, because for every student it has a different one-hundred percent, it wouldn’t even come Romney, on the other hand, would roll back EPA regulations on coal-powered meaning. For example, to a prospective Harvard student, close to touching the debt we have.” plants, and he firmly believes that carbon emissions from these plants should not education means something completely different for a Kelly majored in Economics and be regulated under the Clean Air Act. Romney would also cut federal subsidies that student who is preparing to attend a local community Political Science at Yale. In addition, Kelly promote developing sustainable energy, like solar power. Finally, Romney also supports college.” worked on Wall Street at Merrill Lynch for fracking in order to make America “the most attractive place for entrepreneurs”. three years.
T
Environment
Do Mask Sales Pick the President? The candidate whose Halloween mask sells best has won the election, so say some in the costume business.
4
News
Homecoming 2012 Haunting Horrors of Homecomings Past Emerson Storch & Layla Tanik
Seniors Dominate PowderPuff
STAFF WRITERs
Senior Cheerleaders
Senior Coaches
A
fter last year’s Homecoming Dance sit-in debacle over the 80s genre of undanceable music, we sat down with Head of Upper School Bill Pruden to discuss past Homecoming horrors, and some unfortunate situations that have occurred over the years at Ravenscroft School.
“There have been two Homecoming dances in the many years I have worked here with major alcohol problems,” said Pruden. Seven years ago, in the fall of 2006, a group of students decided to rent a limo as transportation to the dance. The limo also picked up the students’ parents after the students were dropped off and took them to a meal. The limo contained large amounts of alcohol, and it was apparent to the faculty that the students were under the influence. The group of irresponsible students was immediately asked to leave the dance, and was punished further by the administration.
“There are lots of different ways to have fun that don’t jeopardize your legal status or safety.” In an earlier Homecoming incident, students were found with beer cans inside their cars. After drinking the alcohol within their cars, they opened their passenger-side car door, and a beer can fell out onto the ground and was seen by a faculty member who was greeting students at the doors. These students were asked to leave Ravenscroft permanently.
Standing: Shakim McKeithan, Quentin Taylor, Will Barefoot, & Bryant Dowd Kneeling: Jamal Carson & Marcus Bryan All Powderpuff and Homecoming Court Photos by Dr. Watters
Class of 2013 Powderpuff Team
“Not a whole lot of good happens after midnight.” He also stated that chaperoning high school dances is not enjoyable for members of the faculty and if asked, most faculty would prefer to be doing something else on a Saturday night in October. Pruden went on to say that he feels the dances in general are becoming “Outdated and unnecessary.” In addition, he believes they may just serve as an excuse for groups of students to dress up and go out to dinner. In comparison to these incidents, last year’s sit-in seemed to be a minor problem. Thankfully, these problems occurred many years ago and there have been no recent problems regarding illegal substances on campus at Ravenscroft dances, reported Pruden.
Senior Homecoming court members homecoming queen
Maid of Honor
Lee Massey
Tay lo r L e t t s
Nata l i e H o l d s to c k
C a m e ro n c a s t l e b e r ry
Mariel Ziperski
R ac h e l Wa k e f o r d
5
Opinion
Protesters gather in front of a Chick-fil-A to protest Chick-fil-A's anti-gay stance (on Same Sex Kiss Day) in Memphis, Tennessee on August 3, 2012 Photo by Theopolisme CC BY
Religious-Base Business: Opinion Over Profit? Casey Harris STAFF WRITER
Chick-fil-A, a family-owned
fast food chain, has always been associated with Christianity-based traditions, such as closing down on Sundays, but recent news has been filled with articles about the “homophobic” statements made by Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy, when he came out and publicly stated his religious opinion on marriage. Cathy claims that his family and his restaurant chain, Chick-filA, are “very much supportive of the family – the biblical definition of the family.” Cathy went on to say, “We are a family-owned business, a familyled business, and we are married to our first wives.” Many customers have found these statements to be offensive to same-sex couples. Cathy ensured in a later statement to CNN that "the Chick-fil-A culture and service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect — regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation, or gender." However, a large number of people continue to boycott Chick-fil-A in an attempt to minimize the company’s business.
In spite of those who oppose Chick-fil-A’s stance, many have gained respect for, and interest in the restaurant due to their religious affiliation. Radio talk shows and social media organized a “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day” in order to show support. Despite being closed on Sundays, and essentially wiping out 52 business days a year, Chick-fil-A makes around $12.8 million a day in revenue and on Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day, they recorded “unprecedented sales.” So, are companies in the wrong, and therefore threatening the success of their business by having religious affiliations? Amendment I is very clear in stating that there shall be no laws made that interfere with free exercise of religion, and freedom of speech. Some may argue that a company does not fall under the rights of Amendment I, but if Dan Cathy runs the company, he has the right to make executive decisions regarding his company’s values. Cathy was simply sharing how he chooses to live his life and how he chooses to run his company. If anyone agrees with or objects to his beliefs, they can make their own choice whether or not to eat at Chick-fil-A.
The Nevarmore asks...
“I think they did the right thing by expressing their opinion truthfully and being honest which is something not a lot of big companies do these days!” - Shelby Major, ‘13
“If I want a Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich, Chick-fil-A’s religious beliefs aren’t going to stop me from getting one.” - Caroline Gainey, ‘15
Other Stores With Christian Values FOREVER 21
Photos by Casey Harris
What do Ravens think about Cathy’s comment?
Chick-Fil-A’s Religious Opinions On Marriage Makes Ravenscroft Students:
The young women’s clothing company may be best known for its skimpier clothing items, but it also displays subtle piety. The words “John 3:16,” a popular bible verse, appears at the bottom of its stores’ shopping bags.
Indifferent
Walmart The Walton family, which founded Walmart and still owns a major stake in it, has used Christian leadership models in building the world’s largest retailer. CC BY
Want to eat there more Want to eat there less
6
News
The Carolina Hurricanes’ Jeff Skinner leaves the locker room after an informal workout at Raleigh Center Ice amid the league’s ongoing labor strife on Friday, September 14, 2012, in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Ethan Hyman/Raleigh News & Observer/MCT)
HAT TRICK FOR BETTMAN AudreyHammerstein
staff writer
After only seven years, the NHL is having it’s second lockout under Gary Bettman, the current commissioner of the league. With this lockout, many young players are moving to the AHL, while older players are going overseas.
Beginning at midnight, on September 15th, the National Hockey League (NHL) entered a
lockout. This is the third lockout under Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner. The revenue of the NHL grew from $2.2 billion to $3.3 billion after the last season, so it seems crazy to have a lockout. But with all this new money, the owners and the players need to figure out how to split the revenue. The players previously received 57% of all revenue, and originally, Bettman wanted to drop it down to 43%. Of course, the players didn’t agree with this. Now Bettman is proposing a 50/50 split, and The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) now has to decide whether to accept or decline this proposal. Currently, 179 games have been missed, 97 total preseason games and 82 regular season games, and the future’s not looking too bright. Teams have reassigned many of their star players the NHL’s minor league, The American Hockey League (AHL). The AHL is not affected by the NHL lockout, and whether they play or not. The AHL will ironically benefit from the lockout, because of the high caliber of the players playing in the league. More people will come and attend AHL games with no NHL season, because many of their favorite players can compete in that league. The local NHL team, the Carolina Hurricanes, have sent down two of their younger, well-known players, Jeff Skinner and Justin Faulk, to play for their AHL team, the Charlotte Checkers. Other famed athletes like Adam Henrique of the New Jersey Devils and Ryan Hopkins-Nuget of the Edmonton Oilers have also been sent down to their AHL teams. Because of the two-way contracts these players have, they are allowed to play in the minor league without their NHL contracts being affected. Not all players can use this option because only the newer ones have the two-way contracts, which is why the more experienced players cannot move down and play. Many players whose two-way contracts have expired are going overseas to continue to play without the NHL season, like Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Jeff Glass of the Calgary Flames. Hopefully, the players and owners will come to an agreement soon, but with no bright outlook for the future, it seems like it will be a long and empty winter.
U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2012 Inductees 40th annual U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Dallas Marriott City Center in Dallas, Texas, on October 15, 2012.
Mike Modano (Right) Ed Olczyk and Ron DeGregorio (Left) (Vernon Bryant/Dallas Morning News/MCT)
The NHL Lockout:
The Other Campaign Sarah Miller
staff writer
T
he National Hockey League has postponed its 2012-2013 season and has locked out its players, only eight years after the work stoppage that cancelled a whole season in 2004-2005. But why? What’s the big deal? The players and owners cannot agree on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, or CBA, which expired on September 15, 2012. Hockey cannot commence until a new one has been decided and agreed on.
Sounds simple, right? But it’s more complicated than it seems. The situation looks eerily similar to that of our current political campaign, with two firm sides that have no plan of compromising their own agendas. To make it easier to understand, here is a basic layout of the situation.
The Sides Owners
Players
(NHL)
(NHL Players Association; NHLPA) Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/MCT
The Views
The main issue these two sides cannot agree on is the player’s overall share of revenue. Currently, the players recieve 57% of league revenue.
In the new proposal:
The NHL aims to directly lower players’ revenue share from 57% to about 46-50% and remains that percent throughout the new agreement. The NHLPA, on the other hand, is focusing on the proposed growth of revenue. They offer to lower their share of future growth, and then increase it over the three years until by the final fourth year their share returns to 57%. They argue this system will benefit owners because if revenue continues to grow over the years as it is currently, the player’s actual dollar amount of will essentially be lower compared to that of the owners. Then, the significantly larger portions can go to financially weak clubs, and also to the owners.
Lingo to Know:
Salary Range:
The amount each NHL team can pay for player salaries
Salary Floor:
The minimum amount a team must pay
Salary Cap:
The maximum amount a team can pay
Hockey Related Revenue: Defined in the CBA, this includes all the money made from the regular season and the playoffs (games, broadcasts, merchandise, etc.)
7
Editorial
Negotiating Takes Two, Mr. Bettman
I Got 99 Problems but a Season Ain’t One
NHL Comissioner Refuses to Budge in Contract Negotiations O
wners may own the franchise, but they do not own the players, even if that’s how Gary Bettman sees it. There is an expectation of fair play between NHL players and the owners, yet Bettman will not compromise. Merriam-Webster defines a bargain as “an agreement between parties settling what each gives or receives in a transaction between them.” So far, the only party involved with the NHL lockout that’s been asked to give up anything has been the players. As was the case during the season-ending lockout of the 2004-05 NHL season, the issue stems from league revenues. Back then, the league’s Board of Governors voted unanimously in favor of a new collective bargaining agreement that created a salary cap and mandated that players would receive 57% of league revenue, a 24% rollback in salaries. Not surprisingly, players denied the terms willingly, and only after an entire season was canceled, for the first time in history, did the two parties reach a settlement. To Bettman and the owners, it appears as if a lockout is not something they fear. Under Bettman’s 19 years as commissioner, the NHL has seen three lockouts. Rather than avoiding them as a cause for lost profits and fan market-base, ownership has somewhat used the idea of a lockout as a bargaining chip in negotiations. What happens is that the end result is a disastrous game of “chicken” that only the players can stop. Perhaps as an intended goal, the owners attempt to place the players at the root of the problem, and leave them with the proverbial “puck in their rink” so that if a deal cannot be reached, blame can be put solely on the players for not accepting the owners’ proposal. This strategy is flawed for several reasons. First, not only are owners not negotiating in good faith, but in their insistence on a final, take-it-or-leave it offer leaves little room for the NHLPA to tweak the offer so both sides can achieve a balanced deal. In the 50/50 deal offered to players, owners and Bettman expected players to again accept a reduction in salaries and a 7% cut in overall player revenue effective immediately with no concessions for the players. To think players would be excited to accept a more modest offer than the initial 43% stake owners offered is unrealistic. And when players counter-offered with three additional options, owners rejected all three outright within an hour of the two groups meeting, hardly enough time to learn the full details of the agreement. Second, though at first glance the two sides may appear far apart, they are closer than they realize. Players are willing to accept a 50/50 split so long as ownership honors the payment of existing contracts that they signed before the Collective Bargaining Agreement expired. Owners must realize that to get something in return, they must, at the very least, keep true to their word and pay players as they had previously promised. Lastly, owners must both keep in mind the implications a season-ending lockout would have for fans and those who make their living working for the NHL. Thousands of seasonal arena-workers and team administrative employees would lose their part-time jobs, and long-term, season ticket holders will question whether it is worth it to invest their hard-earned money in tickets for future hockey games that might not happen. Over the years since the last lockout, the NHL has made tremendous progress both in expanding its fanbase and and revenues. Events such as the All-Star Game and Winter Classic, coupled with the NHL’s highest-ever TV ratings have produced a fast-rising league that cannot afford to lose another season. Not now. A deal needs to get done, and it needs to get done soon. While both Gary Bettman and the NHL can save whatever dignity and reputation they have left.
Need a BETT
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Faculty Advisor: Helen Velk
Cartoon by Caroline Scales
Editorial Content:
This paper serves as a communication link within Ravenscroft School and between the school and the local community. The Nevarmore staff strives to produce a professional-quality publication that follows the Code of Ethics of the Society of Professional Journalists. Our overall objective is to print the news for and about our students and other members of our school and community in a fair and objective way with the utmost regard for integrity.
Wire Service
-A- M A N
Editor-in-Chief
Caroline Scales
Associate Editors Calley Mangum & Max Sminkey The unsigned editorials in this issue are a reflection of the combined opinions of the editorial team. Responses in the form of a letter are welcomed and will be considered for publication.
NamePlate Artist Bella Kron
1) The students on The Nevarmore staff will print articles which have been researched to the best of their ability to obtain the most complete information. 2) The information will be presented in an objective, truthful and fair manner. 3) When personal commentary is given it will be in good taste on issues that have been researched, analyzed and where expert opinion has been sought, and then presented to the best ability of the writer. 4) No material which is obscene, libel or anything that will cause a “material and substantial disruption” of the school day, according to accepted legal definitions, will be printed.
C
AFET The Ca
The Ravenscroft C
point, and some opinions r By taking a closer to see that there a areas that could u concerns, however willing to listen,
Christian Walker, ‘14, wishes there was more variety in the types of fruit found in fruit cups.
A shot of the cafeteria before the lunch periods begin. Photo by Lindsay Thompson
What Doe Direct
Photo by Lindsay Thompson
The Role of Finances
A
Leonard Johnson, Assistant Head of School for Business and Finance, responded that the
my Lamond, Foo about the potential for comp mond emphasized the fact t support school cafeterias. It sponsor cafeteria meals, bu eteria. Additionally, it make success and generally popul The remaining food i contribute. There is also an grown produce. The comp ways welcomes feedback re
Photo by Lifetouch school’s primary aim for the cafeteria is to provide a place for students to eat, and is not sponsored
for the sole purpose of making a profit. In fact, the school actually does subsidize meals which theoretically is supposed to help keep costs down, and it does not make a profit on this enterprise. With the goal of at least breaking even, the school does have a contractual relationship with Aramark, which does attempt to make a profit, although it is not one of Aramark’s major revenue sources considering all of the locations they serve. The school does not have a mandatory meal plan which does to some extent limit the offerings made by Aramark. Although the School does have some influence over the management of the cafeteria, the day to day operations are the responsibility of Aramark while the facility is provided by Ravenscroft. One example of such influence is the offering of Chick-Fil-A products on Mondays, which is in fact generally a more successful business day. They do not offer Chick-Fil-A every day in an effort to provide some degree of variety in meal options. Johnson also emphasized the school’s willingness to consider student’s input regarding suggestions for the cafeteria, although most of the decisions are made independently through Aramark. As far as limiting factors to changes, Johnson responded that the school would never intend to prevent anything that made sense or fixed an obvious problem. One exciting possibility that is currently being considered is the potential renovation of the main lobby in the cafeteria to help with space issues and promote efficiency, perhaps to be done over holiday break.
Lamond encoura community to comment cess the comment sectio Lamond was also able t statement that the schoo service area in the next and comfort in the lunch
Tate Replogle, ‘14, poses by the drink selection. Photo by Lindsay Thompson
What Mr. Pruden Has to Say When asked about the school’s intention for the role of the cafeteria, Bill Pruden, Head of
Photo by Lifetouch Upper School, replied that the school does indeed place emphasis on the role of teaching students
how to make healthy lifestyle choices, involving both food and physical exercise, as emphasized by the goal of providing healthy meal options and the school’s extensive athletic program. When asked about the process for potential feedback/improvement, Mr. Pruden replied that he believes there used to be a comment box but is unsure of exactly what happened to it. Although the administration is willing to listen to concerns and suggestions, and feedback may be offered by email, this has not proved to be an especially utilized tool. The school has considered the issue of providing good and healthy meals for its students, has recognized that this is a complex issue, and has discussed these issues to some extent on the administrative level.
Raven Reviews:
Quality of Food
More Than Just a List of Complaints O
n the other hand, one student did make a comment suggesting that these are not legitimate issues and people should not complain so much. “I don’t see why everyone makes such a big deal about it. It’s a school
cafeteria; you can’t expect gourmet meals,” pointed out Rachel Hopkins, ‘16. While it is true that this is just a school cafeteria, and it would indeed be unreasonable to expect perfection, it is clear that many students are extremely dissatisfied with the current cafeteria situation, and that the other extreme of serving meals that are generally disliked should be avoided as well. Carter Voelkel, ‘13, summed up the general opinion that, “The food at Ravenscroft is not good.”
Suggestio O
vera problems of va There is the
1 2 4 Investigating
and encouraging the addition of new menu items that are healthier and taste better.
Adding other compani
Chick-Fil-A, could be co and taste of food as well companies or sandwich opinions advocating choices such a healthy options to be made availab
A
s for the price of items, of the biggest oppositions to the ca maybe a process to review the pric a contractual relationship means t money by subsidizing meals and sense that this is the best option. Th
Lunch Options at Othe
Cary Academy
Quality of Food 12
No. of Respondants
10 8 6 4 2 0
1
Worst
2
3
4
5
6 Score
7
8
9
10
Best
Cary Academy has a mandatory meal plan for its dining facility which costs $800 per year, according to their website. According the Cary Academy website: Cary Academy and SAGE Dining Services are pleased to present an exciting dining program! The talented Chef Sam from SAGE Dining Services has transformed lunchtime at Cary Academy into a daily culinary adventure. Our students are treated to real food, cooked from scratch. SAGE`s seasonal menus are custom designed for us, reflecting the students` preferences as well as the fresh products available in the market. SAGE`s registered dietitians review and approve each menu to ensure that it offers a wide variety of nutritious choices.
Durham Academy
According the Durham Academy website: All students at Durham Academy bring a lunch. The Preschool, Lower and Middle Schools have a hot lunch about once a month. The Upper School student council has arranged with local vendors to provide lunchtime options. The cost is around $5 per day. A schedule of vendors is included in the daily Upper School announcements.
A
ccording to Asst. Head of Scho Finance, the school policies of other in of similar sizes here Apparently most sc which suggests that a successful option means be completel Other schools place for students options at all in o minimal conflict su taste.
C
ERIA
RAZE
f e t eria Conundr u m
New student, Sarah Lowery, ‘15, says the food at Ravenscroft is so much better than the food at her previous school.
Lindsay Thompson
STAFF WRITER
Cafeteria is a place that almost everyone has been to at some of us even eat there daily. However, there is a wide range of regarding this central part of our school community. r look at the real opinions of many relevant parties, it is easy are many good things about our cafeteria as well as several use some improvement. It is clear that people have legitimate they are not being effectively conveyed. The administration is and hopefully this article will help to highlight these issues.
es the Food Services tor Have to Say?
od Service Director, also provided several interesting points. When asked panies in addition to Chick-Fil-A to be represented in the cafeteria, Lathat Chick-Fil-A is one of the few companies that has programs set up to t is somewhat difficult to find other vendors who not only are willing to ut also meet the high quality and safety standards necessary for our cafes sense that Chick-Fil-A is the company represented due to its extreme lar meal options. is primarily provided by Sysco, although Pet Dairy and Fresh Point also n ongoing effort to stimulate the local economy by using fresh, locally pany, Aramark, enjoys an amicable relationship with the school, and alegarding Ravenscroft’s dining services.
ages members of the Ravenscroft via the school website. One may acon through the “Campus Life” link. to reinforce Mr. Johnson’s exciting ol does hope to be able to expand the year in order to increase efficiency h line.
ons for Improvement
all, it is evident that there are indeed a series of arying degrees of urgency involving the cafeteria. e potential for improvement to help make the cafeteria the he school might best it can be. also consider paying
2
It would also be appreciated by many if a few microwaves were added.
ies’ products, similar to those from onsidered to help improve the quality l. Desires for options such as local pizza shops have been expressed, as have as fresh fruit, fresh salads, and other ble.
3 5
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special attention to the cashiers’ stations to promote ease and efficiency of the customers’ check-out process.
As for space
and noise level, a renovation would most likely significantly help to solve this problem.
it is very interesting that the school subsidizes meals, and yet price is still one afeteria. There are surely many details that contribute to this aspect, however ces would be valuable. Of course it is important to understand that the nature of the school has limited influence over this issue. However if the school is losing the items offered are still described as being overpriced, it just doesn’t make here should be room to reevaluate pricing during the next contract negotiation.
Photo by Lindsay Thompson
S t u d e n t S u r v ey
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o ensure that this article is based on true facts and is more than just a list of opinions, a survey was sent out to the students of the Upper School inviting them to express their true opinions and better pinpoint the areas that need some improvement. Overall, a total of 63 students responded to this survey. According to the data, 52.4% of the students who replied never buy their lunch in the cafeteria. 25.3% only buy once or twice a week. This means that more than three quarters of these students don’t buy their lunches more than two times a week. Additionally, 39.7% of students do not buy lunch from Rhonda’s Café at all, and 42.9% buy lunch there once or twice a week. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the majority of these students do not buy their lunch from the school. When students were asked to rate several issues on a scale of one (the worst grade) to ten (the best), several interesting trends emerged. 40% of students who replied said that they thought that the quality of the food is a three or below. 70% said it is average or below. The taste of the food is also an issue: 63.3% of the results rated the taste as average or below. In addition, 71.7% rated the variety of meal options as being average or below. Furthermore, 54.1% of the questioned students rated the prices of the food at two or below, and 38.3% gave microwave access a three or below. This data certainly suggests that there are several aspects of the school cafeteria that are less than satisfactory and perhaps it would be beneficial for the school to address them. One might argue that these are just minor complaints and need not be dealt with. However, in response to a question asking about whether these issues are indeed legitimate and whether the students would recommend that they be addressed, over 82% responded “yes”. It seems reasonable that this level of frustration would at least encourage the school to consider these issues.
S
What the Students Think
everal students were interviewed, and the three main issues they commented on were price, health, and the variety of meal choices. The food at the cafeteria was repeatedly described as being extremely expensive, and that students don’t feel like they get good value. Another major concern is the nutritional value of the food. One 11th grade student, Mary Grady Bell, commented, “The food there is so unhealthy. If only there were options that were healthier I might consider buying my lunch more often,” commented Mary Grady Bell, ‘14. Chris Antonello, ‘14, reinforced this opinion and also touched on concerns with quality of food by stating, “I think we need some healthier choices, and the week-old salads and sandwiches don’t count.” Whether or not the food is actually this old was not officially investigated; however, the fact that this might be the general perception of the cafeteria’s products should raise concern, especially if this is based on various individual’s personal experiences. “There is only one thing that I like to eat there, so I usually bring my lunch instead,” reported Tate Replogle, ‘14. This lack of appeal of the food has also been expressed through a comment box on a student survey suggesting that between specialized diets, such as vegetarianism, and the wide variety of students’ individual tastes, variety and appeal are both significant issues. Another key issue involves the length of lines. Bell also commented on the fact that the cafeteria is often crowded, cramped, and completely chaotic. She also mentioned the point that perhaps this is partly due to inefficiencies in the timing of lunch amongst age divisions and sharing space with the Lower and Middle School students.
Johnson stated:
Raven Reviews:
potential renovation of the main lobby in the cafeteria to help with space issues and promote efficiency, perhaps to be done over holiday break.
Price of Food
r Area Private Schools S t . D av i d ’ s
Cardinal Gibbons
At St. David’s, lunch efficiency is promoted by the establishment of a series of stations organized by grade level which are attended to by parents. The school offers the option for students to pre-order food from places such as Chick-Fil-A which is then delivered to the school. St. Davids does not have official staff members or a facility in which food is prepared.
According to the Gibbons website: The cafeteria is open before school Tuesday through Friday from about 7:30—8 a.m. and during periods 4, 5, and 6 (from 10:45 a.m. to 1:10 p.m. on a regular schedule day). In the mornings, items such as drinks, bagels, and doughnuts are available. Each day of the week features a different main lunch item. See www.cghsnc.org/cafeteria for details. Various snacks and drinks are available every day. For a sandwich, drink, and chips, the cost is at least $5.00. Students may eat in the cafeteria, in the hallways, or outdoors.
Price of Items 18 16 14 No. of Respondants
o Leonard Johnson, ool for Business & l does consider the ndependent schools e in North Carolina. chools do contract, t this can indeed be n and should by no ly outruled. s simply provide a to eat but no meal order to allow for urrounding personal
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Best
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Feature
Weird and Wacky Teacher Hobbies AustinMorin
STAFF WRITER
Have you ever seen a teacher in the wild. Well it may be shocking but their life is not focused around grading your papers. They also have lives and do interesting things in their free time. From cooking to construction.
Bill Pendergrass, Band Instructor “I sample barbeque from restaurants across the state. I also like to cook” Original photo of Pendergrass by Dr. Watters, PhotoShopped image by Austin Morin
Allison Kelly
John Karney
Dan Teitelbaum
English Instructor
French Instructor
Science Instructor
“I make glass tile mosaic tables and I also write and publish critical essays in the horror genre”
“My hobby is genealogy: I have traced practically all sides of my family as far back as the 1500s”
“I sing in my church choir and have in the past sung with the NC Master Chorale and the Hillyer Community Chorus. My other primary hobby is playing doubles volleyball.”
Photo by Lifetouch
Photo provided by Teitelbaum
Photo by Lifetouch
Susann Heckman Science Instructor
“I love cooking and cake decorating. I collect Star Trek memorabilia, I make jewelry and work in Ceramics.”
Nicole Moore English Instructor
“Home improvement projects. and refinishing furniture.” Photos provided by Moore and Heckman
Noel Egeland Science Instructor
Egeland visits presidential homes with her husband, Charles. Above: Peacefield Left: Montecello Right: Mount Vernon
Steve Swaim Spanish Instructor
“It’s not exactly a secret, but I shoot pool competitively, in leagues and tournaments”
Russell Vacanti Stage Craft Instructor
Swaim finally found a worthy opponent! Photo provided by Steve Swaim
“My hobbies are playing wargames, Tanks and researching the Eastern Front in WWII
Photo by Austin Morin
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Fine Arts
24 Hours ‘Till Curtain: Crash Course in Drama CarolineScales
STAFF WRITER
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Lloyd Mallison, ‘13, as the plumber in Checking Out and Becca Israel, ‘14, as Bobo the Clown in Bobo and the Hobo. Photo by Caroline Scales
Emiko Myers, ‘15, and Becca Israel, ‘14, both of Ravenscroft School, as Cub Scout Russell and Bobo the Clown in Bobo and the Hobo Photo by Caroline Scales
Lloyd Mallison, ‘13, is apparently too exhausted to feed himself but he’ll get by with a little help from Becca Israel, ‘14.
tuck a whole day and night with a teacher. Doesn’t sound too appealing, does it? Well, that’s exactly what some Ravenscroft and Cary Academy actors chose to do as they were united by the common goal of creating, writing and performing two fifteen minute plays with under four hours of sleep. From 7 p.m. on September 7th, to around 9 p.m. on the 8th, actors were placed in the Christina B. Jones Theatre and Young People’s Theatre, forbidden to leave. Under Drama Instructor Jason Sharp, the student actors completed what seemed to be a daunting task just hours earlier. Split into two groups, each group chose a genre, location, character, prop, and phrase they must have included in their script. One group picked a melodrama, park, clown, and suitcase, naming their play “Bobo and the Hobo.” The other picked a drama, library, plumber, and gun, which later became “Checking Out.” Both scripts needed to include the phrase “what’s that on your face?” So much work was put in for, quite literally, fifteen minutes of fame. In the morning, everyone was tired, yet trudged on. “The long hours on writing and blocking were worth all the fun times and the final product!” says Becca Israel, ‘14, of Ravenscroft School, who played the role of Bobo the Clown in “Bobo and the Hobo.” The result was a spunky, fun, creative experience that allowed students a chance not only to act, but also to write, all with the stress of hardly any sleep.
Photo by Emi Myers
Scenes From The Ravenscroft Fine Arts Performance of Aurthur Miller’s
The Crucible
on October 12 & 13 in the Christina B. Jones Theatre Photos by Susan Washburn
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Fresh Advice for Freshmen Foolproof Tips to Survive Freshman Year With Style Stephanie Wiehe & Emi Myers
The transition from middle school to high
STAFF WRITERs
school can often be a scary and confusing change. New classes, new friends, more freedom, and a crazy lunch situation can leave freshmen wondering ‘what the heck am I supposed to do!?’ Here are some helpful tips to get through your freshman year.
Stepping in the Spotlight Making a first impression is an important part of high school and even of everyday. Here are a few tips regarding attire and social conduct.
I’m Sexy and I Know It
1 Life is a Highway... 2
This is what it looks like to upperclassmen when freshmen gather in the middle of the halls. Photo by Emi Myers
Upper school hallways are often chaotic but there are rules and regulations regarding your behavior, guaranteed to make your travels a breeze.
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Directionality
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The hallways are like roads in that you must always travel on the right side. Walking on the left side of the hall can lead to head on collisions or awkward eye contact. If you are to enter a situation in which a head on collision might occur, always pass to the right. In the end, if you can’t walk down the right side of the hall, how do you plan on driving?
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Intersections
Having lots of friends in high school is great, however, gathering in the middle of the hall will soon lead to you having no friends. If you’re gathering in the middle of the hall with many friends, the hallway become congested, and others trying to pass must face a difficult situation, either waiting for everyone to move or plowing over freshmen.
Alcoves, Rhonda’s, and the great outdoors are all wonderful alternatives to clogging the hallways. Upperclassmen have been patient so far, but be warned, this will not last for long.
Reserved Parking
It’s called
Study Hall for a reason.
You Don’t Know You’re Beautiful
Although high school is about pushing yourself to new limits, dress code is not one of these limits to push. The dress code is set for a reason, and wearing really tight, short, and revealing clothes will get you nothing but a bad reputation. Furthermore, we all know you aren’t wearing yoga pants just for comfort. Oh, and lose the crocs.
The Good, the Bad, and the Creative of Dating Kate Sweeney
STAFF WRITER
I
f you ask any girl to describe her dream date, the response almost always demonstrates her desire for a spontaneous, sweet, well-planned, creative rendezvous. Mariel Ziperski, class of 2013, is an exception. Her dream date is “being left alone to eat in peace and quiet. Everyone ruins the moment by talking and making noise.” Creative dates can be great, but Helen Velk, journalism instructor, advises not to do anything too creative as it might come across as creepy. She describes an experience where she was sent flowers countless times from a “secret admirer.” She recieved creepy voicemails talking about how she looked nice in what she was wearing that day from someone she didn’t know. Velk’s stalker might have been creative and spontaneous, but not in the right way. She eventually contacted the florist and found out the man who was sending the flowers was a basketball coach from the local community college. She had never even met him! “We went out to eat, and I just started choking on the food. I had to go into the bathroom. I never asked to her again after that.” Austin Morin ‘15 I went to my Filipino boyfriend’s house for a traditional dinner with his parents. They served me something called “chocolate meat.” Not wanting to be rude, I ate some, then later found out that the “chocolate” was actually congealed blood mixed with pork. Nicole Moore, English Instructor
Like travelling down the right side of the hallway, always travel through the right door during rush hour. Like the halls, travelling through the wrong door can lead to blind-sided head on collisions.
Parking in the Halls
4Senior
Jeans are always a safe bet in the High School. They’re comfy and functional, much like t-shirts and hoodies. Because in the end, comfort always surmounts style.
Feature
“My friend went on a date to an apple orchard, and when they were climbing the little ladder, she fell off!” Gabrielle Rhodes ‘13
Casey Harris, 15, and Stephanie Wiehe, ‘15, show an example of acceptable attire. Note the lack of yoga pants or crocs. Photo by Emi Myers
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Loveshack It may seem like a pretty big deal now, but you WILL survive without a “significant other” so don’t waste your energy, time, tissues, and chocolate ice cream.
It’s Friday, Friday... You Get the Point
Confidence goes a long way in every situation. Don’t be that guy (or girl if you go that way) that asks someone out via text. Get creative, and you never know until you try. And remember, it’s one night, don’t stress about it all year long, and you WILL survive if you don’t go. There’s always next year.
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Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself They’re seniors. There is a hierarchy in place in the High School. Respect it, and you will be fine. Oh, and senior study hall is STILL off limits.
Sleep enough, work hard, listen and learn, and you’ll get through your freshman year. High school is a process and it’s all about getting in the flow of things. High school is stressful but don’t forget to take time to relax and have some fun. Welcome to high school!
“I went on a double date, and my boyfriend kept texting me during the whole movie saying he’d be there in 5 minutes. He never showed up, and later told me it was because he was sore from workouts. I had to cuddle with a grandpa sitting next to me because I was so upset!” Casey Harris ‘15
“I kissed a girl in the eye once.” Nick LeFevre ‘13
Creative Date Ideas •Berry picking•bake cookies together •Rock climbing •Visit a pet store and play with the animals •Pack a sushi picnic •See a movie at the art museum•paint pottery•Write in a journal together •Shop at a thrift store or a garage sale •Get a disposable camera, take pictures, and get them developed•Fly kites •Feed the ducks•Rollerblading •Have an indoor picnic•make a scarecrow together•Carve pumpkins together•Stargazing •Rafting or canoeing or tubing •Visit a flea market
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Hallowscream
Ravenscroft Key Club
Service Opportunities Warmth for Wake Saturday, November 3
Please sign up through the email link sent to all US students by Bryant Dowd, ‘13, bdowd@ravenscroft.org
Kiwanis Family Conference at Black Mountain Friday - Sunday (11/4-11/6)
This is a leadership conference. Please see Alfre Wimberley, ‘13, awimberley@ravenscroft.org for more information.
Wake Relief Collection November 7-15
Please see Margaret Edwards, ‘13, medwards@ravenscroft.org for more information.
Duke Children’s Hospital Swimathon Thursday, November 8 (Parent-Teacher Conference Day) from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm @ Pool- Jessie Lutz
Lower School Child Care Thursday, November 8 (Parent-Teacher Conference Day)
8:00 am - 4:00 pm games in the cafeteria – Savannah Miller
JDRF Walk at Walnut Creek Sat. November 10 8:30 am - Noon
We eat breakfast, raise money and walk! Please contact Virginia Douglas, ‘14, vdouglas@ravenscroft.org or Lee Owen, Faculty Advisor, lowen@ravenscroft.org
Dance Marathon for UNICEF Saturday November 10 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Ravens’ Halloween Traditions
Tate Replogle
STAFF WRITER
M
any students have different Halloween traditions. Some still dress up and trick-or-treat. Others help hand out candy while others hang out with friends and have some fun; like braving haunted houses, watching scary movies, or going to Fear Farm to have a good time. Fear Farm open day and night and is located in Clayton, NC. Fear Farms is open in the day and at night. It has corn mazes, a pumpkin patch, and much more. Eryn Murphy, ‘14, and a few friends attended a Halloween party hosted by acquaintances from North Raleigh Christian Academy. They were required them to sign a fake waiver form prior to a walk through the woods and were in which parents and older kids sprung from hiding places and dark shadows along the trail wielding chain saws, and other frightening props. “I was super scared the whole time, but it was a lot of fun,” said Murphy. Lots of people like to dress up as movie or TV characters. Many young kids like to dress up as the traditional ghosts, devils, witches, vampires, werewolves, pumpkins, princesses, pirates, cowboys/ cowgirls, and superheroes. The older you get, the more creative options come into play. I know when I was young, my whole family dressed up as the crew in the Hundred Acre Woods (Winnie the Pooh). Some families, or a group of friends dress up a group. Such as, a group of bugs or characters from the same TV show or movie. “I don’t know what/who I’m dressing up as. And I think my favorite costume would be anything from “Mean Girls.” It doesn’t matter it’s the actual costumes that the Plastics or any other person wore to the Halloween party, or just dressing up as a character from that movie. That’s my favorite costume because “Mean Girls” is such a quality movie,” said Murphy. “I have [been to Fear Farms] and it was pretty fun with all the
Deep in the Hundred Acre ‘Croft, lives the Ravens version of the Pooh Crew. Grace “Tigger” Replogle, ‘15, Tate “Pooh” Replogle, ‘14, Kristin “MaMa Pooh” Reploge, Sarah “Piglet” Replogle, ‘19, and last, of course, John “Eeyore” Replogle. Photo provided by Kristin Replogle
disguised people trying to jump you or something, but I’m not an easy person to scare so I was not afraid,” said Jordy Baende, ‘14. “I’m planning on going as an alternate costumed Spider-Man, to match with my baby sister’s (undecided) superhero costume. My favorite costume I’ve worn so far has to be either a pirate or a vampirevery cliche, but, you know. I went to a Fear Farm last year, I think? It was fun- a little bit scary, but once you get over the initial fear and start making fun of things, it was a lot sillier. My most memorable Halloween memory is probably hiding out in bushes and scaring my sister’s soccer team by jumping out of some bushes and chasing the trailer with a clown mask and a mallet- the reactions were
Wanna Be “Mean Girl” Eryn Murphy with the Plastics
Kyla Babson, ‘13, kbabson@ravenscroft.org & Elisabeth Schricker, ‘13, eschricker@ravenscroft.org
Collect cans and deliver them to Wake Relief downtown at St. Saviours Thursday, November 15 - Collection at 9:35 Advisory Period - Delivery - After School Please contact Margaret Edwards, ‘13, medwards@ravenscroft.org
Gleaning for Sweet Potatoes Saturday, November 17th 8:30 am - Noon Limited to 14 students
Meet in the Upper School parking lot with gloves, closed toed shoes, and a water. Please contact Austin Morin, ‘15, amorin@ravenscroft.org *Permission Form Required
priceless. We usually make dinner together and put the baby to bed, then sort out candy and watch any movie afterward,” said Morgan Shuey, ‘15. Senior Mariel Ziperski’s favorite memory is when “a total stranger gave me candy for no apparent reason at all! It was CRAY”. “I’m going as Kourtney Kardashian,” said Caroline Poole, ‘16. Poole’s most memorable Halloween involved a trick or treating adventure in which her costume caught on fire as she passed a lit candle in the driveway in pursuit of candy. “I even got scars from it. And I have never been to a Fear Farm,” said Poole.
PhotoShopped Image by Tate Replogle
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Feature
Chromebooks were distributed to all 7th - 12th grade students last week by the Ravenscroft Technology Department Members
To F i n d O u t A n s w e r s t o Yo u r Q u e s t i o n s A b o u t Yo u r N e w C h r o m e b o o k , G o t o N e Va r m o r e O n l i n e
Scan this QR code for instant access!
Sports
Varsity Sports Recap
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Football
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e’re making good strides and improving the team and we’re getting some good wins. We are really busy rotating and helping the more inexperienced players. There’s no real key player. It’s a team effort and the team glory is more important than any one player’s.
- Coach Gonet
Boys Soccer
Overall, we had a very good season. From the beginning, we had a goal to win States. Weslyan was a difficult opponent, so we’re disappointed that we did not win. But, we are happy with the season.
- Chris Brajer, ‘13
Avery Edwards, ‘14, Will Barefoot, ‘13, and Shakim McKeithan, ‘13, head out for the opening coin toss.
Field Hockey
Zane Laughery, ‘13, about to blast a rocket ball.
Boys Cross Country
Girls Cross Country
We did great this year.
T
he team has really improved from last year and I think this is the best team that Ravenscroft has fielded in years, if not ever. The boys should surprise a lot of teams this year. Thomas Sigmon, Keeton Glenn, and Max Haensel are leading the boys team!
All the girls ran
We made it to the quarter-finals of the playoffs and lost 2-1 to Durham Academy. It was a sad loss but a really good season. Everyone left it all on the field and we’re really looking forward to next season.
really well. Even though 2nd place was really was not our goal, everyone is so proud of each other. - Casey Harris, 15
- Emerson Storch, ‘14
- Coach Payne Emerson Storch, ‘14
Mary Grady Bell, ‘14
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Thomas Sigmon, ‘13
Girls Golf
he Girls Golf team placed 7th at the NCISAA State tournament. The girls golf team is the bomb.com! We didn’t win but we finished all 18 holes.” -Mariel Ziperski, ‘13
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The Varsity Girls Golf team at a match.
Volleyball
he Varsity Girls Volleyball team finished the season with a record of 9-13.
The Varsity Volleyball team getting pumped up during a game.
Tennis
Tennis is having a good season – losses are all extremely close and the team is learning from those losses and improving every match. Doubles play is definitely starting to click and should prove a big advantage for us as the season goes on. We competed very strong in three back to back Charlotte matches which bodes well for how we may do in the state playoffs. Layla Tanik, a senior who has been on the team for 5 years, is playing #1 singles and #1 doubles and is playing at a very high level. She has a good chance to dominate in our conference as well as across the state.
The Varsity Girls Tennis team poses for a photo.
- Coach Peek
Kelsey Frazier, ‘14, leading on the Varsity Football team.
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Sports
Down. Set. Slam Dunk! Marcus Bryan, ‘13
This year, three basketball standouts take their talents from the court to the football field JamieHerakovich & Gregharper STAFF WRITERS
Marcus Bryan has been playing basketball since he was two-years-old. The Appalchian State commit plays power foward and center on the basketball court. Bryan stopped playing football after 8th grade to focus on basketball. On the football field, Bryan plays tight end and outside line backer.
“I like to hit people” Marki Bryan, ‘13 Marcus Bryan, ‘13, dunking a basketball through the goal post on the football field. Photo by Greg Harper
G r e g H a r p e r, ‘ 1 4
Greg Harper is a tremendous student athlete
with a postive attitude both on and off the court. He tranfered to Ravenscroft this year from Greene Central High School in Snow Hill, North Carolina. He missed last years season due to a hip fracture he suffered after landing on his hip after dunking. Harper plays shooting guard and small forward on the basketball court and currently plays wide reciever and corner back on the football field for the first time in many years.
“I love football, but I’m IN LOVE with basketball” Greg Harper, ‘14
Greg Harper, ‘14, finishing an alley-oop with a football. Photo by Christian Walker
L J Yo u n g , ‘ 1 4
LJ has been playing basketball since he
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Photo by Dr. Watters
asketball Coach, Kevin Billerman, thinks basketball players playing football is a great experience for high school athletes. Billerman himself played varsity basketball and football in high school back in the day. He also thinks it helps to remove the “soft” image stereotype that many private schools have to contend with.
was 6-years-old. On the court, LJ plays point guard and shooting guard. He is a major contributer on the football field, playing quarterback, wide reciever, and linebacker.
“Football makes me tough” LJ Young, ‘14 Football Photos by Dr. Watters