The Nevarmore, October 2014 by Ravenscroft

Nevarmore

Ravenscroft School

7409 Falls of Neuse Road

October 2014

Administration stresses collaboration with students for substance abuse prevention education effort to be implemented this year Emi Myers T

Editor

he Community Health Team policy, in the Student Handbook for the last 3 years, will be enacted for the first time in the 20142015 school year, said Peter Bogue, Head of Upper School. This team is a program designed to be a non-disciplinary resource for students to raise concerns about their peers in regard to alcohol and drug use, said Susan Perry, Assistant Head of Upper School for Faculty Development and Student Guidance. Three to five faculty members will be elected by students in the coming months to choose trust-

worthy representatives whom they would feel comfortable talking to about sensitive issues concerning the wellbeing of their peers. The exact responsibilities and particulars of the team have not been decided however the administration is more inclined toward instituting a non-anonymous system. In this proposed system, a concerned student would sit down with a member of the Community Health Team and raise concerns about the health of a peer. Depending on the severity of the report, actions taken by the Community Health Team can range from a meeting with both the team and their parents to no action at all. In most cases, however, students’ parents will not be involved unless a

second report is received according “Deep down, if I was a drugto an outline from the Freedom from gie I would want one of my friends Chemical Dependence organization to go straight to me,” said Drew Daprovided by Perry. vis, ‘16. If he remained stubborn or Meetings with the Community unchanged by his friends’ expressed Health team will concerns, Davis not have legal consaid he would want fidentiality protechis friends to seek tion like a profes“Our job is not to parent additional help. sional counsellor As a student you. Our job is to support and friend, and will not serve it is to help students you as people.” difficult to make a manage depen- Peter Bogue decision as to how dency issues but Head of Upper School to help peers exrather refer them to plained Will Redother professionals din. who are qualified “You don’t to help. want to get your friends in trouble but The team will be advised by at the same time you want them to be Perry who has instituted similar pro- healthy,” said Reddin. grams at two other schools. The program is slated to be

fully operational by January. Faculty who have volunteered for positions on the team were trained by Freedom from Chemical Dependency, a non-profit dedicated to working “with schools and other organizations across the United States and around the world to provide students with the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to make intelligent, healthy choices about alcohol and other drug use,” according to their website mission statement. “This is not a narcing policy,” said Bogue. “Our job is not to parent you. Our job is to support you as people.” Bogue stressed the importance of a “team, not adversarial” relationship between students and the faculty and administration.

Andrew Vande Berg, ‘15, leader of Disc Club and Pokemon Club gains a new recruit at the second annual Club Bazaar. Photo by Emi Myers

Club Bazaar attracts Upper School students to new groups Austin Morin T

Editor

he second annual Club Bazaar was held on the Ravenscroft Quad in early September during lunch. Leaders from Upper School clubs presented their activities, causes, and interests to the student body, allowing students to sign up directly at the booth. “People could sign up for a wide variety of clubs,” said Brett Haensel, ‘17, leader of Running Club. He believes that the excitement from club leaders assisted students in learning about and deciding upon which clubs to get involved with this year.

On the other hand, the ability to sign up for many clubs was possibly one of the Bizarre’s downfalls because “some people didn’t take it seriously, and signed up for too many clubs halfheartedly,” Haensel added. Space was an issue for Mel Broughton, ‘15. He shared that there was so much excitement in the air that “it was a bit loud and noisy” so he had a hard time explaining what Pokemon club was all about. Broughton suggested spacing out the tables a bit more next year. Three years ago, the administration dedicated a 9:35 Common Period to a club assembly in the Jones Theatre. Each club would send a member to the stage to explain the purpose their organization. Many students found this approach boring and strung out.

John Landers, ‘15, believed that the old approach did a poor job of attracting new members to clubs. Although “the leaders would do a great job presenting their clubs, practically no one would pay any attention because it was so long,” said Landers. Peter Bogue, Head of Upper School, introduced the idea of a Club Bazaar from his experiences at his previous job at a school in California. He shared the idea with Helen Velk, Upper School Journalism Instructor/Student Activities, and Kevin Billerman, Assistant Head of Upper School for Student Leadership, who helped him put the idea in motion. Velk, organizer of both the 2013 and 2014 Club Bazaars, believes the new approach to be better than “listening to endless students blabber on and on.”

Nevarmore

2 Table of Contents Page 2 Visiting Artist, SGA, Calendar Austin Morin & Delaney Roberts

Page 3 24 Hour Play

Katherine Booth & Jonathan Marlowe

Swedish tapestry artist visits Ravenscroft

Austin Morin In 87 years, Silvia Heyden Editor

has lived an extraordinary life. She saw the construction of the Berlin Wall, sensed the looming danger of staying in East Germany, and was among the last vehicles to leave communist East Germany for the democratic West side. Once out of college, she wanted to be a luthier, one who builds violins. The male exclusive industry did not accept female apprentices so Heyden abandoned her luthier aspirations and explored other art forms.

Her early artistic interest was in fabric printing and hooked rugs. She only happened upon tapestry weaving in the early 1960s when she studied in the Bauhaus tradition under Johannes Itten and Elsi Giauque at the School of Arts in Zürich. She was introduced to tapestry by her professor and she bought her first loom in 1964. Heyden has been weaving ever since. One of Heyden’s favorite presents was 100 pounds of yarn given to her by her husband before moving to the United States. Yarn remains one of Heyden’s

Page 4 Ravens Apply To Colleges Abroad Parker Mikesh

Page 5 Faculty Fantasy Football MJ Malone

Page 6 Homecoming Queen Casey Harris

Emi Myers, Haley Gardner, Austin Morin, Casey Harris, Sarah Lowery, Stephanie Wiehe

Page 8 ‘Croft Halloween Traditions Delaney Roberts

Page 9 Summer Travels Axel Barth

Page 10 State Fair Recap Haley Gardner Raven Athletes Taking Talents to Next Level Anna Collawn & Brett Haensel

Tiger Harris & S ydney Jordan

Photo by Allie Wilson

favorite things in the world; the possibilities of color and color combinations excites her. In her studio, there is a wall of baskets filled to the brim with miles of colorful yarn displaying every imaginable hue. Remnants of the 100 pounds of yarn she received as a gift can still be found there. Following the lunchtime opening of her show in the Fine Arts lobby, Heyden visited the art classes and taught a lesson on color theory. Color theory explains relationships between color placement. In the many years Heyden has walked this earth, her colors have

failed to fade with age. Joyce Fillip, Head of the Upper School Arts Program, discovered Silvia Heyden at her art show Together Again held at Durham Arts Center. Fillip was fascinated by Heyden and arranged for a group of students to visit her studio to explore the dying art of tapestry with the assistance of the Morton Committee for the Endowment of the Arts. The students were on the mission to purchase one of her tapestries. She returned to the school to officially open her show in the Fine Arts building at the start of the 20142015 school year.

Staff Writer

“D

on’t follow other people because it’s popular,” said Wes Stroud, ‘15, on the first day of school. Last year students voted a new SGA President to replace 2013 graduate Rosie Waring. Stroud, this year’s president has several goals he wants to attain. Stroud wants to make a legacy for JT Taylor, ‘14, after his death in June 2014. To accomplish this, the SGA allowed students to vote on their favorite of the five charities mentioned in Taylor’s obituary. The student body chose the American Cancer Society. Stroud also wants to work on improving existing SGA sponsored events, like celebration days, kickball badminton tournaments, and dances. Stroud says that SGA is currently working on a website. “It’s to keep people updated

SUNDAY

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Photo by Allie Wilson

Delaney Roberts

Philip Phillips @

on SGA things,” Stroud said. The SGA is working to increase student retention, especially in the transitions between schools. “We want to make sure that we can keep people in Ravenscroft from Middle to Upper School,” he says. Goals and planning aside, Stroud is probably not only known as President of the SGA but also for his

TUESDAY

Election Day

use of quotes. He ended his election speech with Dr. Seuss’s, “Fun is good.” He also talked earlier this year about leadership at a school event. His leadership quotes, he said, were found on some Sun Maid’s raisin boxes. “I was trying to think of something inspirational,” he recalled of the raisin inspired quote from his

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

speech, “and I was eating raisins. I chose some of my favorite quotes off the boxes and took it from there.”

@RAVENSCROFTSGA @RAVENSCROFTSGA

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

7 Ravenscroft Swim-A-Thon

v. @

Veteran’s Day

Canned Food Drive

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A “screen shot” of the Ravenscroft Student Government Association’s Instagram account.

MONDAY

Local

Page 12 Football Team Welcomes New Members

Students explore color theory with yarn with Silvia Heyden.

Silvia Heyden speaks with Alanksha Sharma, ‘17, during her art show in the lobby of the Jones Theatre in September.

Stroud sets new tone for Student Government Association

Page 7 Editorial

Page 11

News

Canned Food Drive for Wake Relief

Q1 Celebration Day

28 Thanksgiving Break

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3 Nevarmore Ravenscroft 24 hour play premiere

News

Katherine Booth Staff Writer

fter 24 hours of being stuck in the Young People’s Black Box theater, eleven students spent Saturday September 13 practicing, and performing self-written plays. Being locked in the black-box theatre may not be the typical idea of a good time, but all participants were energetic and enthusiastic. The three plays opened at 7 p.m. on Saturday, featuring memorized lines, props, and even costumes. When the students first arrived in the Black Box on Friday night, they learned the rules of 24 hour theater. Three groups of participants chose one piece of paper from three cups. The cups contained conflicts, relationships, and miscellaneous including props and funny lines which had to be incorporated into each group’s play. During the writing process the participants were allowed other picks from the cups. The only stipulation was any additional element a group picked needed to be incorporated into the performance. “After two hours of writing their plays, the students tried some improv to get a sense of their plot”, said Jason Sharp, Ravenscroft drama instructor. After a food break, the participants continued to write their scripts until 2 a.m. scripts were finalized by noon, rehearsals took place in the afternoon, and performances took place in front of an audience that evening. Gwen Shope, ‘15, most enjoyed “when we all came back together as a group, to eat meals and to take breaks, where we all got to tell each other what we had been working on”.

The Grimm Life of Norman Grimm

Alexis Murphy ‘18, Louis Mallison ‘15, and Matt Sheaffer ‘18 discuss the betrayal. Photo by Katherine Booth

The tragic story of Norman Grimm’s life, and his determination to destroy his assistant’s happiness.

Grace Berry’16, Darrion Underwood ‘16, Louis Mallison ‘15, Briana DeStaffan ‘17, Alexis Murphy ‘18, Ethan Fisk ‘18, Sage Battle ‘18, Matt Sheaffer ‘18, Haley Murdoch ‘16, Gwen Shoppe ‘15, and Sophie Raymer ‘15 pose for a cast picture. Photo by Katherine Booth

Review

Eat, sleep, play, repeat Ravenscroft students spent 24 hours in the Young People’s Theatre

Jonathan Marlowe

Dottie’s Mountain Adventure

Haley Murdoch ‘16, and Grace Berry ‘16 look on while Gwen Shoppe ‘15 laments. Photo by Katherine Booth

Follow Dottie’s hunt to find and take down her husband’s mistress while on a yoga retreat.

Silent Elevator A silent play about 4 very different people and the struggles they face while trapped in an elevator.

Briana DeStaffan ‘17, Sage Battle ‘18, Ethan Fisk ‘18, and Darrion Underwood ‘16 take an elevator selfie. Photo by Katherine Booth

Staff Writer

n Saturday night, if you were on a date with your boyfriend/girlfriend or at home on Netflix, you missed a night full of laughter and probably missed three very good plays. All three plays stood out in their own ways, which made the night so spectacular. Drama club is made up of marvellous actors and actresses that may have a bright future in the acting business. Hard work and preparation was put into these plays, and it showed when in the performances! The Grimm Life of Norman Grimm was, by far, the funniest as it included joy, laughter and romance. Even though this play was filled with laughter, it also had a strong theme. From my interpretation, the moral of this play was that your best friend or anybody can turn their back on you in an instant, and it is in your best interest to trust few people. If you saw this play, you would have felt as if you were watching The Titanic because of the drama that one man had to overcome to get his true love back after she had been stolen. This play was by far the funniest, just because they used a lot of stagecraft and incorporated lines from famous movies like the The Titanic which made the play standout. Actors that were particularly notable were Matt Sherraff, ‘18, Alex Murphy and Louis Malliison, ‘15. The best part was when the two male actors; Murphy and Sherraff began to run in slow motion toward a boat where the true love awaited them, a scene very similar to the end of The Titanic. In Dottie’s Mountain Adventure, the main character was Rae Thistlebrush played by Haley Murdoch, ‘15 . She played a very comedic role that was based upon her character’s innocent, naive personality, which made the crowd laugh constantly. This play took place on a yoga retreat where three young girls were on vacation and met each other during a yoga session and became quick friends. Gwen Shope,‘15, who played Dottie Pimbleton and, Grace Berry, ‘16, who played Juniper Greenleaf were the supporting roles and worked well with Murdoch’s character. The conflict was the best part of the play because it had a twist that made Dottie’s Mountain Adventure stand out from the others. Dottie Pimbleton (Shope 15’) goes to a yoga retreat trying to catch her boyfriend in the act of cheating on her with Thistlebrush, her best friend.

Having just a few vague clues to help her find her beau’s mistress,Pimbleton jumps to conclusions and falsely accuses Greenleaf of ruining her relationship when in reality it was her friend Thistlebrush all along. Besides the conflict, Shope really stood out in my eyes. She is a great actress and has a bright future if she continues to act. Murdoch 15’ added humor with her “nature quotes” and her passive personality. In Silent Elevator the plot of the play was four random strangers trapped in an elevator. Besides, the comedy, this play was very confusing at times because it was silent. At some point in the play I felt as if they were losing the crowd’s attention but Ethan Fisk, ‘18, changed my opinion with his great comedic acting. The one thing that I will give them credit for, is being different from the other’s plays. It contained the most unusual theme of the evening but was also the most confusing, the fact that it was a “silent” didn’t help. Ethan Fisk is a great actor reason because he was very dramatic, and hilarious to watch. The best scene was when they shared a pair of headphones, and each song displayed what they were thinking at the moment, which was creative. The funniest part was when the song “Hot boy” by Bobby Shmurda came on and the actor Darrion Underwood, ‘16, started doing the “Shmurda” dance. The entire student body should have come out, and they would have had a great time. This crew of overnight actors, writers, producers, and costumers set a very high level of expectation for the next play to come.

If you missed these great performances...

Don’t forget to put the dates for the Addams Family on your calendar

Feb. 6 & 7 2015

Nevarmore

News/Review

Ravens and College Counselors prepare for the takeoff of a lifetime Though not the norm, several seniors apply abroad

Parker Mikesh STAFF WRITER

College Counselor Bill Pruden will make a final application boarding call for all students to submit their applications and Austin Morin, ‘15, is already on board to take off with this process. Photo by: Parker Mikesh

The Nevarmore Asks... Why did you apply to a college outside the United States? “I have always enjoyed traveling and experiencing other cultures.”

“I am originally from Canada, and I want to go home.”

-Katherine Booth, ‘15

-Alexandra Zuckerman, ‘15

“I used to live abroad and want to experience that again.” -Emi Myers, ‘15

Only four Ravens have gone outside of the US in the past five years University of Toronto, Canada

University of Lincoln, UK Devon Williamson’13

Taylor Fleck’13 University of St. Andrews, Scotland Tyler Fergusson,’12

Gent University Carole Verdru, ‘12

he college application process is made up of some of the toughest decisions that the student has made in their scholastic career, and even their life. Where to apply is affected by many factors and can be difficult to decide on, and where to go once accepted can be even more challenging. The United States is filled with colleges that are all perfect for somebody, but the reality of finding that perfect match can be quite difficult. Sometimes the school is just right for the student, but it happens to be in another state, or sometimes, even another country. Distance is a major player for many students in how they view their college process and experience. A prime example of how distance is relevant to one’s process is Raven, Austin Morin class of ‘15. Morin has been looking into schools across the Atlantic like St. Andrews, University of Edinburgh, and University of Glasgow. Morin gave some helpful insight into why and how he is going about reaching his far away schools. “My parents don’t really want me to go out of state, but I have been trying to persuade them for a long time that this is what I really want to do. And I will end up paying for my own college education so they are letting me know in advance that I may be digging my way into some student loans”, said Morin. Morin understands the responsibilities and decisions that he has to deal with to pursue his abroad colleges, but he said “in a perfect world where money was no object I would go as far away as I can get. I think that in such a crucial part of growing up that throwing myself way out of my comfort zone will make me stronger as an individual on my own. But because money is a factor, I may have to stay in state.” For someone to commit to such a far away school, they must have the right mind-set, for it is just as important as going through the motions of completing the process, and Austin Morin not only has the right idea, but the right attitude as well. “I think a student can be independent only miles from home. To me it is a matter of the experience they pursue and what they do with it, not the distance. Especially with modern social media, I think you can still be very dependent even if you are far away” said Bill Pruden, College Counselor. Independence will spawn for any Raven upon reaching college, the process alone promotes independence because of all of the responsibility that comes along with it. Many schools close to home remain popular for Ravens each year. Pruden commented on the popularity of College pamplets and sign ups certain schools and said, “I can be found outside the Colwould not say a regular group, lege Counseling office on the but there are certainly schools2nd floor of Murphy Hall. -UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State, Photo by Parker Mikesh South Carolina, App State and others that year in and year out get a large number of applications.” These schools are examples of close colleges that promote independence from within the state and are popular amongst Ravenscroft students when application time rolls around senior year.

“Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Seniors, don’t forget: College applications must be submitted 1 week before the official due date!

Nevarmore

Feature

Faculty Fantasy Football, Child’s Play?

Faculty Fantasy Football league’s current leader, Team Ambush, technically led by Bill Pruden, with the help of an adolescent. A real rookie. MJ Malone STAFF WRITER

“T

eam Ambush” caught members of the faculty Fantasy Football League off-guard with the unprecedented leadership of the youngest coach in Ravenscroft’s history of the league. By young, we’re talking ten-years-old. Headed by Bill Pruden, Director of Civic Engagement, “Team Ambush” tops the standings after two solid performances in the opening weeks of the Fantasy Football competition. He admits that the key factor to his team’s success lies in the hands of his son, Jack, the mastermind behind the Ambush’s triumph over the past few weeks. “I am just the face of the team,” Pruden confessed, “we’ve gotten lucky as far as the draft.” Pruden divulged, however, that Jack worries a great deal over Fantasy Football. “He agonizes [over] what the starting lineup should be everyday until the Thursday Night Football game.” As the weeks of the season are well in the books, the Ravenscroft Fantasy Football competition continues to heat up. At this point in the game, even the most obsessive owner of a team can end up in the losing column. Injuries, bad luck, and poor performance are all factors Fantasy Football owners must recognize as possible threats to their teams’ success. As a result of these looming complications, many members are superstitious when drafting their teams. Elise Thrash, Ravenscroft librarian and Florida State University graduate, primarily drafts former FSU players, hence her team name “the Seminoles.” However, she also includes a few players which considers to be “must haves.” Among her “ must haves” is the Green Bay Packers’ quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, who strongly started the season, averaging 17.8 points per game, and coming off a major 300+ yards outing versus the New York Jets. So, it is no surprise that Thrash’s method of drafting has proven successful. “My biggest triumph was coming in 3rd place last New comer Jack Pruden is taking the season, which was a pretty big league by storm, as he seeks his first deal considering it was my first year participating,” Thrash championship title. added. Currently she sits at Photo by Helen Velk

Members of the Faculty League: Dr. Jonathan Avery, Latin Instructor, Kevin Flinn, English Instructor, Kerry Norman, PE Instructor, Shon Hardy, PE Instructor, Elise Thrash, Upper School Librarian, and Bill Pruden, Director of Civic Engagement pose for a fierce group picture. Photo by Cross Carpenter

11th in the standings of 20 members, and she hopes to bounce back in the coming weeks. When asked to name the most competitive owner in the league, Amy Lamond, Upper School Administration Assistant and owner of the 16th place “Pirates,” responded, “Mr. Durham, because he constantly is driven to win and be number one.”

Name That Owner:

Ed Durham, founder of the infamous “Ravensrule,” currently places comfortably in the 4th place spot after two weeks of play. Although Durham challenges all opponents who stand in his way, Lamond is quite confident that her team can rebound after an 0-2 start. “I feel more experienced, and less hesitant to switch or substitute players when

Bill Chissoe looks to defend his title from all competitors. Photo by MJ Malone

Below are the names of each faculty member’s team name. Can you match the name of each team to their rightful owner?

1. Jonathan Avery 2. Peter Bogue 3. Rick Cameron 4. Bill Chissoe 5. Ed Durham 6. Kevin Flinn 7. Shon Hardy 8. Phil Higginson 9. John Karny 10.Amy Lamond

11.Mark Laskowski 12.David Monaco 13. Kerry Norman 14.Bill Pruden 15.Scott Rigenbach 16. Michael Ronco 17.Tim Savage 18. Elise Thrash 19. Russell Vacanti 20. Meghan Winter

Answer to quiz on Page 8

Nevarmore

Opinion

The Homecoming Court stands in the gym before Emily Sikkel, ‘15, was announced 2014 Homecoming Queen. From left to right stands Eva Simmons, ‘15, and her father, Luke Simmons, Charlotte Spence, ‘15, and her father, Eric Spence, Emily Sikkel, ‘15, and her father, Pieter Sikkel, Jen Funsten, ‘15, and her father, Landon Funsten, Nina Barnett, ‘15, and her father, Hall Barnett, Olivia Aschman, ‘15, and her father, Carl Aschman. Photo by Allie Wilson

Students campaign for candidate and rocked the vote Homecoming election reforms set in place this year are works in progress Casey Harris

Editor

This year Ravenscroft

Above: Emily Sikkel, ‘16, poses with her dad after being crowned Queen. Below: Emily Sikkel, ‘16, receives a hug from 2013 Queen, Mary Grady Bell, ‘14. Photos by Allie Wilson

continued the annual tradition of electing a homecoming court, but added a twist. Prior to elections, Head of Upper School, Peter Bogue, sent out an email with parameters listing characteristics of “an ideal court member.” The statement created by SGA stressed that Homecoming Court should be based not on personality, but on active participation in Upper School clubs, community service contributions, and positive effects on the Ravenscroft community as a whole. Students were reminded to keep this in mind while voting. These guidelines for Homecoming Court elections parallel Ravenscroft’s continued effort to involve the Center For Creative Leadership principles in school-sponsored events. While Ravenscroft appeared to be moving towards a reform of the stereotypical popularity contest, there are still several issues surrounding the process as a whole. In many other schools, the Homecoming Court consists of both young women and young men, electing a

Homecoming Queen and King. Ravenscroft continues to promote a single-sex court, only offering the names of the female students for consideration. When asked about future plans surrounding a co-ed court, Bogue said that the decision will be left to the student body, tending to agree with those in favor of the change. The addition of an elected group of male students to the court would foster the kind of inclusivity that Ravenscroft would like its students to portray. Another typical aspect of a Homecoming Court is the requirement of its members to participate in various activities leading up to the Homecoming game, usually involving a form of community service. While the ladies on the court attend the Homecoming dinner, there are no other opportunities for them to display the characteristics that the SGA’s statement promotes. Creating several events to give the court an opportunity to contribute to the Ravenscroft Community could help give meaning to the tradition. Members could sponsor a charity event, run a bake sale, or support a featured club

in the week leading up to the Homecoming game. When dealing with elections of teenagers by their peers, there will always be a certain degree of social consideration. Ravenscroft is taking steps to enhance the tradition of having a Homecoming Court, and despite a controversial Queen ballot that contained no description of the accomplishments of the candidates, it seems to be moving in the right direction. Homecoming Court 2015 will only change if SGA and interested students take an active leadership position and promote their ideas for change to administrators.

Katherine Booth,‘15, was one of several students that campaigned for candidate Emily Sikkel, ‘15. Photo by Helen Velk

Editor’s Note: Without information on the activities, community service hours, and campus involvement of each contestant, it is impossible for the general population to make an informed and accurate vote.

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Drug and alcohol screening at schools fail to help students

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the loss Jonathan Tay500 lor, ‘14, in June, 2014, mg investigators suspect that 50 0 vehicle mg speeding and alcohol caused the accident, according to WRAL. In light of this event, there were rumors that parents and administrators might look to drug and alcohol testing to prevent this kind of accident in the future. Rest assured; random drug and alcohol screening is not going to be implemented at Ravenscroft, according to Peter Bogue, Head of Upper School, though this policy is used at a few private high schools across the nation. St. Viator High School in Illinois tests students for alcohol and drug use by cutting and analyzing hair samples from students’ heads. This decision is a part of the school’s commitment “to providing and maintaining a school environment that is drug free,” according to the Saint Viator High School Student Handbook. Psychemedics Corp. is the company contracted to conduct the drug and alcohols tests in their lab in Massachusetts. The Psychemedics Corp. website requires a hair sample with the diameter of pencil lead. The school tests every student within the first six weeks of school. In each subsequent week, 15 students

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are selected per week by a random generator to be tested. The test is able to detect consumption as far as three months prior to sample collection. Although private schools are exempt from legislation protecting privacy, they should not be able to run a police state. Instituting random drug and alcohol tests establishes the notion of guilty until proved innocent instead of vice versa. Such an idea fosters distrust between teenagers and adults. This is especially true when tests are administered at random because it implies that students cannot be trusted

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of adolescent medicine providers disagree or strongly disagree with policies requiring students to be drug tested in school.

at any time. When students are constantly being pitted against teachers, administrators, and parents, they will not talk to them about issues that can catalyze substance abuse. The Community Health Team could be a more constructive way to deal with substance abuse in a school community because it encourages discussion about student’s peer’s activities, if used, rather than attempts to cover up possibly dangerous habits. Illegal substance screening policies extend the power of the school too far over that of parents who should be able to discipline their

Nevarmore

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.

children whereas the Community Health Team is an on-campus, nondisciplinary resource for students to use. Any illicit activity occurring off of school grounds should be the right and responsibility of parents to seek and deal with as they see fit. Randomly drug testing students fails to diminish use of illegal substances. According to a study by Sharon R. Sznitman, a lecturer at the University of Haifa in Israel, students who were subjected to drug and alcohol testing increased their contraband use after 1 year. Similarly, a study in the Journalism of Adolescent Health in 2006 found that 93% of adolescent medicine providers disagree or strongly disagree with policies 500 requiring students to be drug mg tested in school. As the 300 community con- mg tinues to find ways to avoid otherwise preventable deaths, 300 Ravenscroft should mg promote open dialogue and a trusting environment instead of insti- 500 tuting drug and alcohol testing which would mg result in an unstable and stressful environment. The choices that lead to fatal accidents come down to the individual student and so the goal of the school should be to enable students to make informed decisions about their lives.

HIGHlight Testing...

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Following

...could leave you stranded!

Editorial Team: Emi Myers, Editor-In-Chief Haley Gardner Casey Harris, Sarah Lowery, Austin Morin, Stephanie Wiehe Associate Editors

Wire Service

The Nevarmore subscribes to MCT Campus, which provides photographs, national news & entertainment services to high school newspapers.

Faculty Advisor: Helen Velk

Editorial Cartoon by Austin Morin

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.

Editorial Content:

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.

Nevarmore

Feature

Students and teachers celebrate Halloween in style

Delaney Roberts

staff Writer

he trick or treating days of old are long gone for most, but a few Ravenscroft students and faculty keep themselves busy with block parties, horror movies and dressing up . Katherine Booth, ‘15, volunteers at her neighborhood’s Halloween party. “I hand out my baby sitting cards and hang out with all the kids,” she said, “It’s a good way to drum up business.” Amy Lamond, Upper School Administrative Assistant, goes trickor-treating with her son Zander, ‘28, but it’s more like going to a block party than trick-or-treating. “We go all the way around the neighborhood,” said Lamond, “The people at the end of the block have a grill and make hot dogs.” She said Halloween night is longer now that Zander is older and has more energy. “We used to be able to cruise only half of the houses….

now we go to every house.” Sometimes, she stays home to hand out candy. One time, a kid dressed up as Elvis came to her door, and upon getting candy, he said “Thank you, thank you very much.” Most students stay home and watch horror movies on Halloween night. Many students responded that didn’t know why they don’t dress up. For those that do dress up, it’s often not a big deal. “I don’t go all out,” said Cross Carpenter, ‘16. It would be hard for many Crofters like Carpenter Seniors Justin Pederson, Jack Van to dress up anyway in Lokeren, McLean Voekel, Cole Cutter, 2014: there will be a football game against David Reynolds, Wes Stroud, and Sean Harrells Academy on the Mahoney pose for a picture in their spookiest night of the lumberjack costumes in 2013. year and Carpenter is on Photo provided by Sean Mahoney the football team.

Sydney Ritenour ‘17

hose who do go all out find Halloween the most exciting holiday of the year. “I’m that one teenager who goes around scaring people,” Sydney Ritenour, ‘17, said.“I’ll sit at my doorstep and jump out of the bushes when they ring the doorbell. I usually take my mask off and give [them] a hug after it though.” “Halloween is my specialty,” she said. “It’s the one day that you can be weird and nerdy and no one will judge you. My friends will all come over and we’ll watch old cheesy horror movies and play Dungeons and Dragons.” A few, like Ritenour, even make their Halloween looks themselves. “I have a stash of FX makeup that I don’t use until Halloween.” Ritenour’s costuming handiwork is not exclusive to Halloween. For the Beaufort Pirate Invasion, an event where people dress up and act like pirates, in August 2014, Ritenour wore a pirate costume of her own design.

Steve Swaim dressed up as Dracula for a haunted house. Photo provided by Steve Swaim.

Señior Swaim ‘17

in a S panish teacher Steve Swaim participated Theater in the Park haunted house “tour”

near North Carolina State University, where he transformed himself into Dracula as pictured above. “At the appropriate point in the guide’s spiel, I scratched at the coffin and then I came out and showed my teeth,” Swaim said. “One time, a couple that was already scared came into my room, and I made it look like I came out of my coffin. They sprinted away.” Swaim isn’t sure what he is going to dress up as this year. “I have a monk’s robe...and I have a medieval scholar’s outfit. I am not a good hat person but I look good in that floppy velvet hat.”

ARG MATEE! Answers To Faculty Fantasy Football Name That Owner

Sydney Ritenour, ‘ 17, poses with her Grandfather at the Beaufort Pirate Invasion.

Thank you, Señior Steve Swaim, for COFFIN up the above photo for The Nevarmore!

US Math

MS English

Kerry Norman

Megan Winter

Rick Cameron

US Math

Admin. Assistant

Development

Phil Higginson

Amy Lamond

Ed Durham

US Math

Drama

Russell Vacanti Shon Hardy

Aaron Sunstrom

US Science

Former Asst. Head of Schoo1

Dave Monaco John Karny

US English

MS Math

Mike Ronco

Scott Ringenbach

Tim Savage

Head of US

US English

Peter Bogue

Bill Pruden?

Civic Engagement US Latin

Jonathan Avery

Kevin Flinn

US History

Mark Laskowski

US Librarian

Elise Thrash

Bill Chissoe

Computer Science

Photo provided by Sydney Ritenour.

Nevarmore

Feature

Students travel far, and near for summer plans

National Outdoor Leadership School, also known as NOLS, focuses on teaching young adults wilderness education. “NOLS takes students of all ages on remote wilderness expeditions and teaches them technical outdoor skills, leadership, and environmental ethics,” according to the NOLS website. Photo by Jack Dempster

Jack Dempster, ‘15

Favorite NOLS Memories Dr. Susan Perry

When Dempster, was leader of the day, he decided to cut over a mountain instead of going around. Going up the mountain was harder than going around recollected Dempster. He regretted his decision halfway up, but upon arrival at the top, the view made the hike worth it.

Austin Morin, ‘15

Assistant Head of Upper School

here were two days of really hard hiking through an overgrown forest, and at the end of each day they had a dinner of macaroni and cheese. Despite the difficult terrain, the group maintained high morale and a positive attitude.

r. Perry, was setting up her lunch within her kayak and a sea lion popped up out of the water right next to her kayak, and then an entire pod of sea lions were swimming around her.

What did you do this summer? F

Ecuador Study Abroad

Theresa Frederick, ‘15

Spoleto Study Abroad

rederick went to New York City for a fashion program, Wrightsville Beach with friends, and Ecuador. Her favorite memory was a 3-year-old girl named Julie picking up puppies on the road, and giving them rope leashes.

Talia Wahl, ‘15

“One of my favorite memories was s

hopping at all the leather markets in Florence, and I was able to bargain with a lot of the market people. The other favorite memory I have is when I was able to sketch and draw in the narrow alley ways of Spoleto. My biggest favorite memory was being able to experience it with my best friend, Melanie Moravec”.

Caroline Hansen, ‘15, poses with a co-woker for a goofy picture at Mojos on the Harbor, Hansen’s employer. Photo provided by: Caroline Hansen.

Caroline Hansen, ‘15

Theresa Fredrick, ‘15, hugs Julie, an Ecuadorian girl who made a rope leash for a stray puppy. Photo by: Axel Barth

Work

ansen worked as a hostess on Bald Head Island at a restaurant called “Mojos” on the Harbor that mainly serves seafood. She decided to work there so she could live at the beach for the summer. On her days off, she went to the beach.

Photo provided by Talia Wahl

Nevarmore

Feature

Fair Weather for Fun “Ye old” NC State Fair

Teenagers ride the Freak Out at the North Carolina State Fair in October, 2011. Photo by MCT Campus

Haley Gardner T

Editor

he North Carolina State Fair, appropriately themed “October Original,” started on Thursday, October 16th and ended on Sunday, October 26th. The State Fair recorded 929,748 fairgoers who took advantage of its many new festivities. Fairgoers had the opportunity to taste test many unusual concessions including deep fried mini

cupcakes, Twinx (Twix candy bars stuffed into Twinkies, wrapped in bacon, and then deep fried), and deep fried bananas foster served with ice cream. Musical guests such as Vanilla Ice, Parmalee, Love and Theft, and Trace Atkins performed at Dorton Arena for under $15 a concert. The new World War I exhibit, held at Dorton Arena, included a reconstructed trench section built by the U.S. National Guard, and his-

torians in uniform were on hand to answer questions and describe the conditions North Carolina doughboys experienced in the trenches. At the Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. Horse Complex, the N.C. Horse Council Celebrated the Year of the Horse with activities such as five minute horse-riding lessons, parades of breeds, and headline shows featuring Guy McLean and his Australian stock horses and Mary Miller Jordan and her wild mustangs.

1853 – State Agricultural Society held the first State Fair; it was four days long. The largest attendance day had 4,000 fairgoers. 1861-1868 – Fair was not held due to Civil War and Reconstruction period. 1884 – Electricity was used at the fairgrounds for the first time. 1891 – The first Midway ride, the Switchback Railway, were constructed on the fairgrounds. 1900 – First food booths popped up on the fairgrounds. 1905 – President Theodore Roosevelt spoke to fairgoers. 1916 – Cary United Methodist Church served its first ham biscuit. 1942 – Fair closed due to World War II, reopened in 1946. 1950 – Village of Yesteryear opened. 1952 – State Fair Livestock Pavilion was completed. 1960 – Adult admission was $.75 and child admission was $.35. 1976 – President Gerald Ford spoke to fairgoers. 1978 – N.C. State Food Science Club served its first ice cream cone. Timeline information according to ncstatefair.org

RAVENS, what is your most memorable fair experience? “This guy was like, ‘Hey you, do you want to try some chili pepper cotton candy?’ I said no, but my dad decided to try it. He was the first person ever to sample chili pepper cotton candy, [and he] said it was actually good... but very spicy.” -Katherine Booth, ‘15

About Oscar William: The man behind the crazy cotton candy concoctions, Oscar William, shared the secret behind his tasty creations. “Our son (Kyree) is the mastermind behind introducing unique Image by Oscar William flavors to the public. Cotton Candy. We wanted to be a new spin on the sweet treat...Our most popular flavor is lemonade, [and] we are excited about introducing our bread pudding flavor for the Thanksgiving holiday.” Make sure to look out for Oscar William Cotton Candy at the North Carolina State Fair in future years to try some of his uniquely flavored cotton candy .

Photo by Haley Gardner.

“I was on the Zipper with my sister, and we didn’t know that the Zipper does flips. On the second go round, my sister Ashley yelled, ‘Stop the ride, get me out!’ and the whole ride stopped because of her.” -Jonathan Marlowe, ‘16 “I jumped out of the cart [in a scarythemed ride], and one of the zombies told me I had to get back in, so I cried.” -Sydney Jordan, ‘15 Photo by Haley Gardner.

Police stand around the Vortex the night of the accident. Photo by MCT Campus.

“David [David Reynolds, ‘15], Tommy Buckets [Tommy Corchiani, ‘16], and I were about a hundred yards away from the Vortex when the people were catapulted off of it last year. We saw a group of about 15 police officers running toward the ride, so we ran with them, thinking something big had happened” -McLean Voekel, ‘15

Nevarmore

Feature

Ravens taking talents to the next level Q and A with some student athletes about their ability to play a sport in college Anna Collawn & Brett Haensel

Staff Writers

fter putting years of hard work into their respective sports, Ravenscroft student-athletes have varying opinions and options of competing at the next level We interviewed several of the top student-athletes in the high school about why or why not they want to play a sport in college.

David Reynolds: Basketball Justin Bednar, ‘15, on the mound ready to pitch. Photo by Allie Wilson

Justin Bednar: Baseball Q. Why do you play the sport? A. “I play baseball because I’m good at it, I like

competition and challenging myself to the best of my ability. Whenever I step onto the field I feel comfortable and as if I belong there.”

Q. What is your special talent or ability that adds to your team?

A. “I guess my special ability is the fact that I’m

left handed, which is not nearly as common as righthanders in baseball, my experience I have to offer, and my IQ.”

Q. Have you gotten any interest from schools? A. “I’ve gotten interest from Gordon College and

Catholic University, but I am not planning on going to either of those colleges.”

Q. What’s the greatest advice that a coach ever gave you?

A. “The greatest advice a coach ever gave me was

to create a routine before every game. All of the greatest athletes have a set routine they do before every game, such as Derek Jeter. #RE2PECT.”

Q. What position do you play? A. “I pitch and play first base.” Q. What’s the most improved aspect of your play?

A. “The most improved aspect of my game has probably been my pitching, more specifically my velocity on my fastball and my break on my curve ball.”

Q. Even if you don’t make it to the next level,

what skill/trait/lesson do you think you’ll take with you for the rest of your life?

A. “Even if I don’t make it to the next level, I have learned the importance of having a good work ethic and being prepared; preparation leads to success.”

Q. Pre-Game rituals or superstitions? A. “Before every game, I eat something, listen to the same play list, and do the same stretches before every game. I have a couple superstitions- the bats inside the dugout cannot be crossed or else we will not hit well, rally caps work late in the game when we need runs, and only spit seeds on defense and chew gum on offense.”

Q. Favorite memory from a past team or season?

A. “My favorite memory is my freshman year on

varsity against NRCA when I hit a walk-off triple to win 6-5. “

Q. What position do you play? A. “I play small forward for my

AAU team and here at Ravenscroft.”

Q. Why do you play the sport? A. “I love the game and it is a great way for myself to get into a college I couldn’t get into from academics alone.”

Q. What do you do in the off season? A. “There is a limited off season

David Reynolds, ‘15, eludes a defender. Photo by Allie Wilson

because of summer ball and high school, but I lift and shoot every day of the week in the mornings and afternoon.”

Sydney Jordan, ‘15, serving the ball to her opponents. Photo by Allie Wilson

Sydney Jordan: Volleyball

Q. Why do you not want to play volleyball in Q. What is your special talent or ability that adds to your team? college? A. “I feel like I am a good scorer and rebounder. I can also add intangibles like leadership and hustle plays that can drive our team to success.” A.“It’s too much of a commitment and I don’t love it enough to play it in college” Q. Do you want to play at the next level? Q. Have you thought about playing Division A. “Yes, for sure. I want to play basketball as long as possible.” three rather than Division one because it would be less of a commitment? Q. Have you gotten any interest from schools? A. “I would only be able to play Division three or two any ways, and that is already too much of A. “Yes, from schools in the ACC, PAC-12, Ivy, Patriot, A-10, Big South and Big Division a commitment” East leagues.”

Q. Would you consider playing club volleyball in Q. What’s the most improved aspect of your play? college rather than varsity? A. “Definitely defense and strength. Coach Billerman got on my back during the A. “Yes” off season and I took it upon myself to get quicker and stronger through strength training.” Q. Have you been contacted by coaches? A. “Yes, they were all Division three schools” Chloe Mikles: Swimming Q. Have you made highlight videos and why? A. “Yes, this was back when I still wanted play in Q. How long have you been play- college, so I made them to send to coaches.” ing the sport?

Chloe Mikles ‘16 finishes a race. Photo by Allie Wilson

A. “I have been swimming since I

was 2, but have swam year round for 7 years now.”

Q. Favorite memory from a past team or season? A. “My 100 free a few years ago. I out-touched the UNC Swimming head coach’s daughter by one-one hundredth of a second.”

Q. What is your special talent or ability that adds to your team? A. “I always have great finishes, I have been known to out-touch other swimmers

by one-one hundredth of a second, so I always anchor relays. My coach will refer to me as “OTF,” (Olympic Trial Finish) because I stop breathing 15 meters out from the wall and usually pass several people in those last few yards.”

Q. Do you want to play at the next level? A. “Yes definitely. I do not know what I would do without swimming. It is wonderful having the team, as well as something competitive and fun, separate from school.”

Q..Have you gotten any interest from schools? A. “Yes, I have been emailing back and forth with several college coaches. I can verbally commit this time next year.”

Editor’s Note: Coaches of all Fall Sports were contacted and an email was sent to all Upper School students to invite any athlete to volunteer to be featured in this issue of The Nevarmore. This page represents a few of the responses.

Nevarmore

New to the nest

Sports

Ravens football team welcomes two new players Tiger Harris & Sydney Jordan

Staff Writers

Ravenscroft is home to four new transfer students to sports at the varsity level this season. Cross Carpenter, ‘16, a quarterback, first became interested after attending Coach Ned Gonet’s summer football camp. Devon Perry, ‘17, a defensive back, decided to come because of family ties. He is a cousin of Ravenscroft alumni and former football player (Shaq Mckeithan ‘13). Also, Ravenscroft welcomes Troy Jones, ‘ 16, and Tyler Williams, ‘18, whose move here shows great potential.

Cross Carpenter

How does your old school compare to this school? “It’s a lot more crowded and loud at my old school and there are not as many fights here.” Would you rather brush your teeth and then drink orange juice, or drink orange juice then brush your teeth? “Drink orange juice, then brush my teeth.”

Cross Carpenter, ‘16, reels back to throw a pass.

How do you feel about Rhonda’s Cafe, what’s your favorite food that is available there? “It is convenient, and cereal cups are awesome!”

Photo by Collin Thrash, ‘16

Would you say you have “flow”? “All day every day!” Could you give junior Tommy Corchiani a smooth bucket? “Of course!”

Is there anything you would change about Ravenscroft? “Not really.”

Is it easy to make new friends? “Yeah, usually. The people here are nice.”

Most embarrassing football story: “When I was in middle school on 4th down, I heard someone from the sidelines yell to me to spike the ball. So, I hurried everyone to the line and I spiked the ball causing a turnover on downs.” What do you do in Do you think you could beat your spare time? senior McLean “Homework.” Voelkel in a race? “Maybe.”

Troy Jones How does your old school compare to this school? “The amount of students , Ravenscroft is a lot smaller.” Is it easy to make new friends? “No. I miss my old friends....Just kidding!” Most embarrassing football story: “I’m pretty much perfect on the field so…I got decked on the first week of practice by Tiger [Harris, ‘15].” Is there anything you would change about Ravenscroft “Nothing.” Could you beat What do you What is wrong with McClean in a do in your spare senior John Bailey? race time? “He plays with fire“On Sundays.” “Homework.” crackers a lot.”

Troy Jones, ‘16, picks up a block from Jaedon Williams, ‘18, as he motors down the field.

Photo by Steve Murphy