December Issue 2006

The Review

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID HOUSTON, TEXAS PERMIT 9081

The Official Student Newspaper of St. John’s School Vol. 58, Issue 5

Pippin cast prepares for spring musical

2401 Claremont Lane; Houston, TX 77019 | http://sjsreview.net | review@sjs.org

December 2006

TEAMS LEAVE SPC WITH MIXED RESULTS Photo courtesy of Craig Chambers (‘81).

By JADE LAW With auditions over and rehearsals taking place, this year’s SJS musical, Pippin, is moving along. Because the Fine Arts Department tends to vary the different styles of musicals each year, they decided to choose this rock musical from the seventies.

Running under two hours, the musical follows the story of a young prince, Pippin the Hunchback, son of Charlemagne. He valiantly searches for complete fulfillment and tries to find the meaning in his life through many different outlets. Despite his attempts, he often ends up failing and his ideals are shattered.

Bill McDonald, the producer and director for the SJS production of Pippin, noted that “great people are really coming to auditions very prepared and with a serious attitude.” Mr. McDonald often searches for those who are able to surprise him during the auditions. He believes that this year’s cast will work hard, and he hopes that the audience will “have a great time.” see PIPPIN p. 7

Varsity Field Hockey Captain Claire Smith (‘07) beats an Episcopal High School player to the ball.

By LUISA BARRON BOYS VOLLEYBALL “I don’t think people expected, after the loss of six seniors last year…a team like that to be one that could be saying we could go to the finals,” Head Coach Eric Lombardi said.

But with an impressive

22-7 record coming into the Southwest Preparatory Conference, there was a definite possibility of reaching those heights. After a first round loss to Casady, however, the boys varsity volleyball team settled for a third place finish.

Following a decisive win over Fort Worth Country

Keepin’ the cars moving Many stories exist behind officer’s neon jacket JENNY LEWIS | The Review

By EMILY FOXHALL The first person many SJS students see as they turn from Claremont into the carpool circle is police officer Megan Howard, waving her arms and blowing her whistle in an attempt to keep traffic running smoothly.

Index

News..........................................2 A&E...........................................5 Features......................................8 Photo Spread...........................12 Sports.......................................14 Fun&Games.............................18 Opinions..................................20 Odds&Ends.............................23

“You look at the light, see when the light changes, and then do what you got to do. It’s as boring as it looks,” Ms. Howard said.

Perhaps directing traffic isn’t the ideal way to start off the day, but it does provide good upperbody exercise. “You just kind of turn off your brain and wave

Day, a game against longtime rival Greenhill came up for the third place game.

“We could not have been more thrilled to have it be Greenhill who we were playing, who none of these kids had ever beaten. The chance to play them and to end that drought was a big deal. Then the fact that

NCAA: An Exclusive Interview One of our writers discussed this year’s NCAA basketball season with two selfproclaimed experts.

page 14

see SPC p. 15

Scenes from the show

people this way and that way,” Ms. Howard said. “Usually I can focus on the traffic that’s in front of me and then look at the light and I’ll see that it’s changing. You kind of get to know the cycle. It’s ridiculous.”

The shrill blow of her whistle and her arm-gestures could lead anyone to the conclusion that Ms. Howard is a true traffic-directing expert, but her experiences away from the SJS campus provide a whole story waiting to be told.

Ms. Howard graduated from the University of Houston magna cum laude with a bachelors degree in biochemistry, but rather than pursue a career as a biochemist, she said she thought, “You know what? The next logical step must be policing.”

Ms. Howard couldn’t see herself making a living in biochemistry so she reverted back to her long-lost childhood dream. As children, many people dream of see TRAFFIC p. 9

we did beat them was a really big deal,” Coach Lombardi said.

A total of three matches were played at SPC, and fourteen out of the maximum fifteen games were played, showing how “close everything was,” he said.

photo spread page 12

KATHERINE KELLEY | The Review

SJS community holds blood drive The SJS fall blood drive was held last week.

Check out the story in News.

page 2

Wrapping the Quad Parents, faculty and even students oppose this ageold tradition. Read what two writers had to say about toilet paper in the cloisters.

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news The Review

December 2006

Fall blood drive recieves record 44 student donors James Van Sweringen (‘08) donates blood during an off-period.

KATHERINE CARMICHAEL | The Review

By LEEOR MUSHIN Everybody knows best combination of gifts is a power bar and a T-shirt, but no one knows where to get both at the same time. Well, at this year’s blood drive, which happened on Nov. 14 and 15 at SJS in Trammel Commons, this combination was given to all who donated blood.

“After you give blood you get a Tshirt, and in the morning we give the person a power bar, so their blood sugar stays high,” Daisy Wolf (’10), one of the coordinators of the blood drive, said.

KATHERINE CARMICHAEL | The Review

JENNIFER DENFIELD | The Review

TOP: The blood drive took place in Trammell. BOTTOM: Eve Lapin, mother of a Middle School student, takes time out of her busy schedule to donate blood.

This year, out of 82 donors, a record 44 students donated blood.

The blood drive, sponsored by the Gulf Coast Blood Center, has major implications as every time a person donates blood, it saves three peoples’ lives. Not everyone can donate blood, however.

“Some of the restrictions in the blood drive are that the person must be 17 years old, cannot travel for a short amount of time, be at least 110 pounds, and have no blood-related diseases,” Wolf said.

Sarah Jewett (’08), the drive’s other coordinator, said that the turnout was great with 14 faculty members and a record 44 student donors, but she still wishes she could increase the student participation.

“I do wish we had some more students come, but the parent participation was excellent,” Jewett said.

Despite the turnout of parents, Jewett agrees that more could have been done to have students come. “[Daisy and I] went to the class meetings to get people to come, but maybe if we went to the class meetings or

had some of the people who had gone through the process already talk to the seniors, it could have been better,” Jewett said.

Two reasons the parent and faculty participation was so great were because of phonathon led by Jewett and Wolf with the help of science teacher Paula Angus.

“The phonathon we did about a week in advance of the blood drive was great. We would only get about two to three people every two pages of people’s numbers, which is kind of weak, but we were calling the entire SJS family,” Jewett said. “For the faculty, they just heard about floating around the school, but Ms. Angus was great, especially running it throughout the day and the planning.”

Even though Ms. Angus knew the workload would be tough, she decided to take on the job last year because it did involve one of her loves—biology.

“The whole process of getting blood does deal with [biology], and is definitely why it makes sense for me to be the head of it,” Ms. Angus said. “I love doing it especially when you have great SAC members helping you... I plan to do it until someone tells me that they have to do it.”

Despite being a freshman, in the eyes of her fellow classmates Wolf was ready for the job.

“Daisy definitely has Head Prefect potential,” Stuart Dickerson (’10) said. “She’s in the Laura Franklin (’07) mold.”

Jewett, who has been on SAC since freshman year, wanted to take a handson approach this year after playing a backup role in the past.

“I’ve heard it was a big project from previous years, and I just wanted to take on this something bigger,” Jewett said. “As a junior, I wanted to be part of a bigger thing. Before this my biggest project had been Maverick Mayhem.”

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The Review

December 2006

JSA prepares for Texas Fall Convention

By COURTNEY CARVILL This year there will be ten Junior Statesmen of America fall conventions held in eight different states. The Texas convention, held the weekend of Nov. 18 in Austin, is the first and largest convention of the year and features keynote speakers, informal student debates, around 20 different seminars, mock trials and, of course, the JSA dance.

The 27 SJS students, accompanied by history teachers Dr. Richard Doina, Stephen Popp and Dr. Bela Thacker, will discuss issues and policies concerning domestic and international affairs with students from across the state.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for students interested in politics,” said Dr. Doina. He emphasized opportunities for leadership roles for students to gain insight into the inner workings of government and for socializing.

This year SJS has six members on the board of elected officials and their cabinet includes Alice Alsup (’08), Christina Mai (’08), Betsy Cowell (’08), Allison Pfeiffer (’08) and Ellis Bowen (’08).

Katherine Kelley (’08), Chapter Affairs Director of the Texas Region, said, “Our goal this year is to be more active on campus. SJS is one of the most powerful chapters in terms of numbers but one of the least active on campus.”

Some schools have a consistently powerful presence at the conventions. The John Cooper School, for example, usually sends numerous well-organized and well-prepared delegates with researched and developed arguments, said Dr. Doina.

He also said the debates are “pretty competitive” and take some level of preparation. However, they are student regulated, and any delegate of the audience can speak at the podium. At the end, everyone votes on the best speaker of the debate.

This year delegates will debate under the theme “E Pluribus Unum? Piecing Together a Shattered America” which includes topics like world hunger, youth violence, terrorism, economic insecurity, immigration and health care. According to a JSA pamphlet, students will work together “to determine what the future will be.”

Alice Alsup (‘08) and Mel Lilienstern (‘09) discuss JSA matters as Christina Mai (‘08) looks on during a meeting before the Fall Conference.

KATHERINE KELLEY | The Review

SJS community service grants holiday wishes

By TIFFANY SHYU The Community Service Club has had a successful first semester and, with the help of other clubs, is working hard to organize many more events for the holidays.

This winter, SAC is organizing a holiday toy drive as they have in previous years. Each advisory picked the number of children they wanted to sponsor. In a few weeks, the advisees will receive the names of the children they are sponsoring, along with a list of requested gifts. The advisees will then buy the gifts and bring them to school, where they will be sent to the children According to Head Prefect Laura Franklin (’07), the main goal of the holiday drive is “to get everyone to participate and fill all of the kids’ holiday wishes.” She said, “I think it’s a great program and I hope that this year participation is high.”

Another event coming up for the holidays is Elves and More, which will take place Dec. 16, 2006. Elves and More is a foundation which aims to help underprivileged children in low-income neighborhoods. The organization recruits a large number of volunteers to assemble bikes for these children, who do not have enough money to purchase their own mode of transportation.

“We got a little assembly line going [and] then we would ride [the bikes] to the other side of the factory. They looked spectacular,” said Travis Foxhall (’09), who volunteered with Elves and More last year.

The main goal of the foundation is to make a certain number of bikes and give them to as many kids as possible.

“It’s really cool just to be making the bikes and knowing that you’re actually making a difference. [When] I was a

kid I loved riding my bike, and for the kids who don’t have that much, being able to have a bike must be really cool for them,” said project leader Brooke Schuler (’09). “Just because people don’t have enough money, we can’t let that ruin their holiday!” said Foxhall.

The Alumni Phoneathon will be taking place over winter break. Though the event is not set in stone yet, plans are being made for this project. For the Alumni Phonathon, faculty, current students and parents volunteer to call SJS alumni and ask for contributions and donations to the Annual Fund.

“That’s why it’s really neat – because it’s really important in that it provides so much for the school, and its also good because you get to interact with the people you’re calling,” said project leader and Community Service Officer Dillon Chapman (’07). He continued, “The best part about it is when you get someone who’s interested in what’s going on at St. John’s, and you have a conversation with them and give them an update.”

According to Chapman, one goal of the Alumni Phonathon Project is acquiring funds that are essential to improving the school. Another goal is helping the alumni keep in touch with SJS. “It’s really fun because everyone that’s doing it is someone who’s really feels strongly and passionately about St. John’s and wants to help St. John’s, so its just a great environment working with those people because they’re all so happy to be there to help the school,” said Chapman.

Other events that will be occurring are the Ronald McDonald House Dinner, which will be occurring on Nov. 26, and Ornament Making, which will take place on Dec. 3.

4 Imagination holds Lockdown Lite ‘08 was a larger group of writers and artists,” said Law, “and it wasn’t focused in the quad—it was everywhere.”

“I’ve been going to Lockdown since ninth grade, so I was pretty sad that it wasn’t the full time, but I think we got a lot more done than we usually do,” Alsup said. “I liked that it was in the quad for most of the time because we got to go outside a lot more, and also the quad is a lot of fun and pretty.”

Kat Oshman (’09), also an art editor, seemed to agree with Alsup. She said, “I thought it was really, really fun. I enjoyed the atmosphere. It felt very creative, and everyone was very into it, more so than last year. I fell asleep last year, so I felt more productive this year since I was awake.”

David Nathan, a faculty advisor for Imagination said, “What was successful is that I didn’t have to stay up until 4 in the morning and have cheese put on my face and have people take pictures of me and put it in the yearbook.” He added, “Sometimes our best writing took place at three in the mornKATHERINE KELLEY | The Review ing––there were a lot of amazCo-Art Editor Alice Alsup (‘08) writes during the Imagination ing, bizarre, strange, wonderLockdown Life ‘08. Instead of staying overnight, the Lock- ful, stories that were derived at three in the morning, but down took place right after school till 8:45 pm. it looked like people were being productive and writing

By MADDIE McDOWELL interesting pieces [this year].”

Alsup did supply some sugthis preference, gestions for next year. “[I Imagination, the SJS literary Despite magazine, cancelled the annual Law was pleased with the wish we had] broken up into all-night Lockdown this year. quality of the prompts different stations more: ficInstead, the group decided to she was given. “They’re tion, non fiction, you know.” try something new. Dubbed very unique. I wouldn’t Mr. Nathan based his view Lockdown Lite ‘08, the mem- think of them,” she said. of the success of the Lock“The prompts were pretty down solely upon the writbers of the publication met, instead, during the daylight good,” said Alice Alsup (’08), ers. “Like so many things, it’s hours on Friday, Nov. 3, 2006. one of the art editors for the student-run. If the students For many the main fo- magazine. “I liked their whole come up with great submiscus of the gathering was ‘Sumpin’ for everyone, but sions, then we’ll have a great simply to have some time nothin’ for you’ slogan, [and] I literary magazine. We’ve been to write amidst the hectic liked the speed round prompts.” very fortunate that the last The magazine, however, also few years we’ve had some schedule of the SJS student.

“My favorite part was writ- showcases the artistic accom- really great people, and this ing the stuff because I’m re- plishments of its members. year is a transition year be“I don’t usually draw…but cause we’ve got a whole new ally busy all the time, and I don’t write as much as I’d like now that I’m given the chance, group of editors in there, and to,” said Kyle Herzik (’09). why not?” said Law, “It’s fun I think they’ll do just fine.”

To help spark ideas, the edi- because I’ve never really drawn Imagination has yet to detors provided with prompts before, and there are a lot of termine whether the all-night on which to write. “I don’t pastel colors available to use.” Lockdown will be revived.

In comparison to last really usually write without a “I think it depends solely upon prompt,” said Lila Blum (’09), year’s Lockdown, students the interest of the editors to put “so this was much better.” said they felt the mini- it together,” said Mr. Nathan.

Jade Law (’09), however, said Lockdown was a bit more “If the editors are ambitious and productive. enough to pull it off, then we “I would rather write on my focused “I think it’s more focused may go back to the overnight.” own, but it’s hard to think of inspiration automatically.” because last year there

news The Review

December 2006

History Club founded, makes plans for the future

By DANIELLE PIKE One of the clubs that has surfaced since the beginning of this school year is the History Club. This club was formed to give students a chance to talk about current events and events of the past.

The first meeting was held a few weeks ago, when Dr. Richard Doina and Stephen Popp, the club sponsors, discussed the purpose of the club and possible activities. In addition to trips to the museums and guest speakers, the club is in the process of planning a trip to historical places in the United States.

History Club is a place where something that is not covered in a history class can be discussed.

The club is a place to “connect and discuss current events,” said Dr. Doina. He wants the club to be “studentdriven and cater to student’s interests.”

Right now History Club is looking for speakers to come speak about various topics.

According to Mr. Popp, there are many organizations in Houston in which students can get involved. Also, Dr. Doina is hoping that the club will take some field trips on the weekends to the museums to see some exhibits. One exhibit that is on the list is the Benjamin Franklin exhibit at the Museum of Natural Science. Another exhibit that the students might take a trip to is the western art exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts.

Dr. Doina and Mr. Popp are also trying to organize

a trip this summer that will take students to New York, Philadelphia and Boston. The ultimate trip, according to Dr. Doina, would be start in London to observe the other side of the American Revolution before coming back to America to visit places like Independence Hall and Valley Forge. To prepare for this trip, students would need to read some books such as 1776 to get background knowledge on the topics covered on the trip.

The trip could also possibly be turned into an independent study project.

According to Mr. Popp, History Club is a “forum where students can come and talk about current events and politics without constraints of the bell or any set curriculum.”

At meetings, students can compare events going on in today’s world with events that have occurred in the past.

For instance, the recent election can be compared to elections of the past. Also, another topic of interest for the club is the recent Upper School Production of The Crucible. The events portrayed in the play could lead to a discussion at one of their meetings.

“Discussions at the club’s meetings will not only look at the events but try to place the events in historical context,” said Mr. Popp.

Even though they have only had one meeting, History Club has a lot on its agenda.

The club is in the “very early stages and is trying to get more people,” said Dr. Doina.

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December 2006

The Review

Annual visual arts show features various fresh artwork

KATHERINE KELLEY | The Review

“Tigerlilly” collage by Kailee Small (07).

By LILIANA VARMAN The annual Upper School Visual Arts exhibition is currently on display in the VST balcony and lobby. The exhibit features artworks of various medias such as pencil drawing, mixed media collage, block prints, black and white photography and ceramic sculptures and bowls.

Students taking design, ceramics, and photography classes and Art Club member Kat Oshman created the works displayed in the VST. Every currently-enrolled art student has at least one work showcased in the VST. “Each work merits an audience,” said Dan Havel, Upper School art teacher.

Mr. Havel set aside a por-

tion of class time for discussion about how art is a form of communication. He stressed the importance of the relationship between a piece of artwork and the viewer, and how students should look at their pieces through the eyes

“Eeach work merits an audience.”

-Dan Havel of the viewer. “That interaction,” Mr. Havel said, “can add to the quality of the work.”

Although many of the works were created using similar tech-

Self Portrait by Kat Oshman (‘09).

KATHERINE KELLEY | The Review

niques, materials and content goals, they are each unique.

Mr. Havel said that the excitement of teaching comes from observing how each individual artist comes up with his or her own unique style and meaning.

Mr. Havel said he hoped the exhibition would attract many viewers. The debut of the current exhibition included the debut of new panels replacing the ones used in last year’s exhibition. Mr. Havel joked that people should “come to the opening not only to see the new art, but to see the new walls, too!”

Over sixty works are featured in the exhibit. A few “standout” ones, according to Mr. Havel, include a ceramic portrait bust of Bob Marley created by Doug Bahr (’07), and a crouching figure and tea bowl set made by Michelle Kiston (’07).

Bahr and Kitson, both Ceramics students, based their vessels on pots made by the Moche culture of Peru.

Bob Marley, said Bahr, was the perfect subject as Marley was both a religious and spiritual leader. “[Bob Marley] alone set the precedent for all reggae artist to follow and no doubt, he set the bar high,” said Bahr.

Bahr said he was influenced to create a Bob Marley piece because of his influential capacity and iconic qualities. “Or maybe it was the fact that [the song] Jammin’ was stuck in my head”.

Ellie Ezzell’s (‘07) “hyper kid brother” inspired Kitson to create her vessel of a crouching figure. Kitson’s figure features a hollow stirrup spout, a defining feature in Moche pots. Kitson also created tea bowls in Ceramics class as an introduction to the wheel. The assignment was to create summer bowls, which are open and shallow, and winter bowls, which are closed and more upright.

Another highlight of the exhibit is a display of photographs taken by Austin Rodd (’08).

“Photography is interesting in that it requires a unique blend of luck and skill,” Rodd said.

Rodd said that in one of his photos, four different peo-

Ceramic by Michelle Kitson (‘07). ple are engaged in four completely dissimilar actions, but still become part of the overall image. Rodd said he believes he was lucky that he had been there at the right time to take the photograph.

Two of Rodd’s other photographs are of a sculpture at Menil Park. He explained the process of photography as taking

KATHERINE KELLEY | The Review

ordinary images and personalizing them by cropping images, changing the camera angle and by combining environmental factors such as light and shadow. “You can take an image and exert your control over it— that’s why I like photography”.

The art exhibition, on display until December 12, is open during school hours.

Painting by Kat Oshman (‘09).

KATHERINE KELLEY | The Review

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December 2006

Debut of the new Wii is a breakthrough for Nintendo

By BRET VOLLMER Staff Writer

In a fan-made advertisement closely resembling the recent Macintosh vs. PC commercials, two women stand side by side in a white room. One, wearing a sweater vest and glasses, represents Sony’s PS3, and the other, a bikini-clad blonde, represents the Nintendo Wii. While the PS3 describes herself as “educated and worldly”, the Nintendo Wii blows kisses at the camera and answers, “I’m just peppy.”

After being overshadowed by Sony and Microsoft, Nintendo hopes to see success with their next console, the Nintendo Wii, by emphasizing fun and innovation over technical power.

The most prominent and ground-breaking feature of the Wii is the “Wiimote” controller which closely resembles a common television remote. By creating a controller that most consumers are familiar with, Nintendo hopes to create a controller that is intuitive and accessible to non-gamers.

Many individuals in the industry have voiced concerns over Nintendo’s latest hard-

ware, the most common regarding the use of gyroscopic technology.

An accusation that Nintendo has had to face is the idea that the Wiimote is ultimately a gimmick that does not allow for any serious depth.

Some worry that the Wiimote will not be responsive enough or that there will be a delay between the actual movement and the on-screen action.

For games which often rely on precise timing, any problem in interface could ruin the game.

Others, however, believe that the constant swinging, spinning, and turning that the Wiimote requires from gamers will become tiresome or will prohibit the player from being able to sit down. Nintendo has assured its critics that the high responsiveness and sensitivity of the Wiimote means that the gamer only has to make small movements, and not the animated gestures many believe.

Skepticism aside, most fans expect more from the Wii than any other console. This hype, however, may ultimately be detrimental to the Wii if it fails to meet such high expectations.

After having the opportunity to play the Wii myself, I can only say that fans’ hopes will be met.

Because I was only able to play one of the launch title’s,

Excite Truck, for a short period I can’t say if Wii games will have any longevity or if they will ultimately prove boring when played for long periods of times.

I am, however, assured that the Wiimote will allow for fun as well as sophisticated gameplay.

Excite Truck played similarly to the highly acclaimed and

“I don’t know how much long-term appeal Wii games will have. I do know, though, that I have never had more fun playing a racing game.”

-Bret Vollmer

influential Burnout series on the Xbox and PS2. Blisteringly fast gameplay was punctuated by close-calls and remarkable collisions. As in Burnout, the ability to force opponents to crash, as well as the inclusion of boosts, point systems and careful timing resulted in an added level of strategy. Excite Truck demonstrated the capabilities of the Wii to enhance established gameplay elements, resulting in a refreshingly orig-

inal experience.

Open environments allowed for multiple paths to get ahead of competition, and the ability to change the geography of the track resulted in a higher level of excitement than most other racing games. However, it was the Wiimote motion-sensor functionality that proved to be the greatest addition.

Instead of using the joysticks as in other racers, steering was actually done by tilting the Wiimote as if it were a steeringwheel itself. Although I initially found myself trying to steer using the directional pad like in more traditional racing games, in time I was avoiding totaled cars with small wrist movements and tilting my entire body to make a hairpin turn.

I am confident that Nintendo has created a user interface that is intuitive and accessible to non-gamers. It is most likely the “hardcore” gamers who are used to playing games a certain way that will most likely have the most difficulty, not their little sisters, but even they will be able to adapt.

From a technical standpoint Excite Truck and the Wii stands up well to the majority of other current videogames. Short loading times, a smooth-as-silk framerate and high-quality visual effects all make “Excite Truck” feel like a true next-

generation experience. The graphics, although clean and visually pleasing, were simplistic. However, in the blur that the scenery often becomes in racing games, graphical problems were forgotten, and poor textures were only noticed in the few instances when action slowed down, like after a headon collision with a tree.

A standout feature was the draw-distance which allowed for breathtaking views and panoramas during game play. The audio although without any serious problems was forgettable.

However, after playing Excite Truck I am convinced that the Wii will be host to many technically solid games.

As one who is not very fond of racing games, I am surprised at how enjoyable Excite Truck was. I will admit that I think very highly of Nintendo. I don’t know how much long-term appeal Wii games will have. I do know, though, that I have never had more fun playing a racing game.

Playing a game with the Wiimote will remind gamers of the first time they ever picked up a controller. If the Wii is capable of doing to other genres what it did to racing games, then I have little doubt that it will be a remarkable console.

Courtesy of wikipedia.org

1985

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The evolution of Nintendo gaming systems, starting with the Nintendo Entertainment System and progressing to the brand new Wii gaming system.

The Prestige mesmerizes audience with unique plot

By ASHLEY TAM Staff Writer

There are three parts to a film review: first, the viewing.

The reporter spends a Saturday night mixing work and play and tries to charge the tickets to The Review.

Second, there’s the struggle.

It’s late week, your article was due a week ago, your editor is in trouble, and you’re trying to remember what happened in Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige besides Christian Bale’s face.

Joined together again from

Batman Begins, Christian Bale,

Christopher Nolan, and Michael Caine, along with Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johannsen and Rebecca Hall, deliver a heistlike escape into turn-of-thecentury London, when magic ruled and humanity longed to believe their tricks.

Adapted from Christopher Priest’s novel of the same name, The Prestige follows Alfred Borden (played by Christian Bale) and Robert Angier (a cleaned-up Hugh Jackman), two magicians who show the side of magic that is less the grandeur of a trick and more the gritty (and sometimes evil) mechanics behind it.

As rival magicians, Borden and Angier fight to outdo each other and step closer and closer

until they finally crash over the line of morality.

Director Nolan proves himself a faulty magician as well: the cinematography is appropriately dark, the costuming is mostly true to the period, and the non-linear plot is just challenging enough to be confusing yet still relatively enjoyable.

Bale and Jackman perform reasonably well as the principle rivals, both on stage and behind the scenes of their respective magic shows.

Caine steals more attention as a sort of magic mechanical engineer, and David Bowie’s presence is pronounced as the mad scientist Nikola Tesla. He plays the part well, transforming into the mad scientist.

Scarlett Johanssen plays the

magicians’ sidekick/showgirl as well as can be expected, mainly serving as the unnecessary aesthetic and secondary love interest; however, newcomer Rebecca Hall, as Borden’s wife, is heart wrenching and true.

Though I was expecting this film to be lighter and less serious, I didn’t mind when it turned out to be more of a dramatic crime. However, the plot

took a ridiculous turn toward the science fiction and the ending was creepy and unsettled.

Exploring a kind of competition I’m sure all of us here at SJS can understand, The Prestige is slightly confusing and depressing with an irresolute, unsatisfying ending.

And that, my friends, is the third part… THE PRESTIGE!

Scarlett Johansson and Hugh Jackman in The Prestige

popmatter.com

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The Review

December 2006

Rock, funk, gospel make exciting rock ‘n’ roll musical PIPPIN cont. from p. 1 Aaron Girlinghouse, the choreographer for this musical, put together an intricate dance combination for auditions. He was trying to capture the complex and distinctively slinky style of Bob Fosse, who was the original choreographer for the Broadway show of Pippin. Mr. Girlinghouse quickened the pace of Fosse’s style and included three different levels of movement in the audition dance; a fast movement, a slower movement where the music gets faster, and an ex-

“Everybody did a really great job of capturing the dance.”

-Aaron Girlinghouse

tremely accelerated movement.

Nick Jordan (’07) thought that the Fosse-inspired dance was “pretty tough to learn because it moves really fast.”

Mr. Girlinghouse thought that during auditions “everybody did a really great job of capturing the dance.” For Mr. Girlinghouse, the musical is an outlet for him to be creative and come up with unique choreography rather than sticking to the stricter limitations and requirements of a dance class.

“It allows me to be creative in a confined structure. I have to get a message across in a certain amount of time, and it’s fun,” said Mr. Girlinghouse.

In addition to the freedom that choreographing musicals gives him, he enjoys working with different upper school students as well as working with Mr. McDonald and Scott Bonasso as a team. For Mr. Girlinghouse, the most important thing about auditions is the preparation. He said, “You come prepared to dance, you have a song, you have a monologue, I mean, you want to be the triple threat and getting over the nerves.”

Mr. Bonasso, the musical director for Pippin, noted that the auditions went smoothly and efficiently, with the help of the assistant directors. “Every year I’m impressed by the talents displayed by our students in the musical audition and this year was no different,” said Mr. Bonasso. Having so much talent in the SJS fine arts program is wonderful, but “casting only a handful of principal roles out of so many gifted students is a difficult process.” All three directors must take into account the dancing, acting and singing requirements for each role.

Playing the part of Catherine, a widow whom Pippin meets, is Camille Nimocks (’09). She is excited to portray Catherine, and said the two are similar. “In the script, Catherine is pretty much out of it. It is probably a good role for me because people sometimes accuse me of being a little spacey,” she said.

In the first audition, Nimocks had a lot of fun because there was nothing to lose by trying out. But during her callbacks, the lack of time to rehearse

and learn the music caused the audition to be more stressful.

Nimocks prepared for callbacks by having an “emergency voice lesson” with John Allman (’09), who was chosen to be the narrator for Pippin. Nimocks said, “During the audition I had a lot going through my mind, like: why are my feet shaking, why is Mr. Girlinghouse laughing at me, and why did I pick this monologue… it is so whiny and annoying.” Musical theatre has always been a favorite activity for Nimocks, and she is “so happy to be able to work with my friends in this show and with Mr. McDonald.”

Playing the part of King Charlemagne is John Preston (’07). Although he got sick and lost his voice a couple days before the auditions, Preston still tried his best at his audition and got a callback. The Pippin audition song has a tenor role, and Preston is a baritone, so “it was a little higher than I was comfortable with, but I went ahead and did it.”

Preston was not nervous about the auditions because of his experience in musicals from previous SJS years. He believes that the dance section of the musical will be one of the highlights of the show. “I personally enjoy being on stage… I’m kind

“Every year I’m impressed by the talents displayed by our students in the musical and this year was no different.”

-Scott Bonasso

of a seasoned veteran,” said Preston. “I understand what the process is, and I’m looking forward to it,” he added.

Playing the part of Pippin, the main character in the musical, is Nick Jordan (’07). “Pippin is kind of a lost soul who doesn’t know what he wants to do with his life,” said Jordan. He is excited to be able to play this part although Pippin is a “tough character because he goes back and forth between being confident and unsure of himself.” On the day of his audition, Jordan watched the DVD of Pippin, which helped him get in character.

Unlike previous musical auditions, Jordan was a bit nervous during the auditions. He said, “I think it had something to do with the fact that I’m a senior and this is my last show at SJS so I wanted to have a good audition and a big role.”

Jordan looks forward to bonding with the other cast members of Pippin and getting to know new people.

In addition to the buoyant atmosphere among the entire cast, the show will be “fun and entertaining” because of the upbeat music and dancing.

“There is an unusually big chorus which should be really fun because the more the merrier,” he said, “I’m really thankful for the opportunity I have because this is a really talented cast and I think it will be a great show.”

“This is a rock ‘n’ roll show: think 1970’s rock, funk, gospel,” said Mr. Bonasso.

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features The Review

December 2006

Mysteries of nearby psychic revealed

Margaret Greenberg (‘08) in front of the psychic’s office on Westheimer that revealed her fortune.

By MARGARET GREEBERG Staff Writer Walking up the steps to the house, I began to grow nervous. Could I get an appointment on such short notice?

Would I emerge from the house an enlightened person? Or would I emerge at all?

It was 3:15 on a Monday afternoon, and SJS students driving down Westheimer towards home noticed me pacing in front of the house in my plaid skirt and polo shirt; some honked their horns and laughed, others rolled down their windows to ask me what I was doing (and if I was seriously going inside the house). I nodded “yes” to all and focused my energy upon the door. The only title I could find for the place was “Palm and Tarot Card Readings.” Sketchy as it all seemed, I blocked out the distractions and forced myself to ring the doorbell.

My fears were calmed when an ordinary woman, dressed in a button-down shirt and pants, opened the door. Much to my relief, she was not wearing long robes or a pointy hat, and she carried neither a magic wand nor a crystal ball. Instead she gave me a maternal smile and ushered me around the side of the house into the waiting

area. Decorated with a blue carpet and a muted television, the room was both comfortable and domestic, and my anxiety turned to anticipation. Even at SJS, a visit to a psychic is no

Would she predict some sort of doom or destruction in my future? normal after school activity.

The woman’s name was Janelle, and Janelle listed for me her services and prices.

Palm reading is $20, and a tarot card reading is $30. The time it takes depends on the individual customer, based on how much information she is able to “read” for that person.

I decided on the palm reading, and she led me into a room decorated with statues of the Virgin Mary and Jesus. The room was lit by a window to Janelle’s back; she sat in a chair opposite me across a round table covered with a mystical-looking printed fabric.

She directed me to place my right hand, relaxed, flat upon the table. She asked me to think of two wishes, and then instructed me to share one with her. Next she informed me of her obligation to tell me both the positive and negative she would read in my palm.

At the point my anxiety returned. Would she predict some

sort of doom or destruction for my future? Before I had time to express further doubt, however, she began reading my palm.

The first line she read was my lifeline. From this she gathered that I would lead a long, healthy life, which, of course, relaxed me a little. Next she switched to career: I am destined, she said, to achieve success and great wealth. I was beginning to wonder if my future could get any brighter when she began to speak of “delay lines” concerning my career.

Delay? True to their name, the delay lines, according to Janelle, represent the extra time it will take for me to achieve my career goals. Though success will come, she warned it will be after significant delay.

Janelle also predicted travel in my line of work. I decided the positives outweighed the negatives concerning career and I hung on for her next words.

Concerning relationships, I was happy to hear that I will have one life-long, strong marriage and will never have a divorce. However, my delight was somewhat dampened when Janelle added that I will be involved in an intense relationship prior to marriage which will involve talk of marriage, possibly an engagement, before it will fall through and end in nothing.

As I was pondering these words, she mentioned the Cword: CHILDREN. I immedi-

ately straightened up, silently praying that she was not about to tell me I would be a mother of 12. As it turns out, according to Janelle I will have 2 strong, healthy children. She warned me though that, in general, predictions concerning children have about a 50/50 chance of coming true since contraception can prevent natural occurrence. To me

Next she informed me of her obligation to tell me both the positive and negative she would read in my palm.

that made sense both as ratiocination and as a copout, but I was too relieved by the number “2” to question her further.

Finally, she analyzed my personality. According to Janelle, my character has two components that are not united: a strong side and a sensitive side.

They are not quite developed, but at some point they will unite, and the person I am now is not who I will be in the future. This surprised me more than any of her other predictions, and it was also the last bit of wisdom she could read in my palm.

As I sat weighing the validity of those predictions, the topic shifted to Janelle and her line of work. Janelle has been working professionally as a psychic for 20 years. She learned the art from her mother and grand-

JENNY LEWIS | The Review

mother, as well as on her own and through the gifts that she possesses. Janelle believes the practice is hereditary, as she has always felt a unique ability to “pick up on and feel certain things.” Yet Janelle informed me that anyone can learn through books. She recommends simply going to the bookstore and buying a book on palmistry or on tarot cards, and then practicing. As a side note, Janelle told me about the time she allegedly looked into the future of Britney Spears, as well as another celebrity whose name she is obligated to keep secret.

After I thanked Janelle and turned towards school, I thought over what I had heard. I passed the wishing well in front of the house, as well as the sign reading “$20 for answers and solutions.” I concluded that I had received some answers, but the solutions still eluded me.

While many of the things Janelle told me seemed reasonable, some made little sense at all to me. Nevertheless, if in 20 years I am a happily married mother of 2 healthy children traveling the world for my successful career with a personality radically different from the one I possess now, perhaps I will take a break from my travels to visit Janelle. And at that point, who knows? I might even be willing to cough up $30 for a tarot card reading.

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The Review

December 2006

Police officer relays story of a severed finger TRAFFIC cont’d from page 1 ballerinas, vets, or firemen when they grow up, but Ms. Howard had her heart set on becoming either a professional athlete or a police officer. Although she played football, basketball, softball, and swam for her New Orleans high school teams, becoming an athlete was out of the question, so she opted for becoming a police officer.

In 2003, Ms. Howard entered the police academy, and after six months of class work and physical training she became a certified Houston Police Department police officer.

Following her certification, Ms. Howard was assigned to work at the Southeast jail for a year. Howard spent the majority of her 8-hour shift searching female prisoners and working the female housing areas. “I wouldn’t say it was scary but frustrating at times,” Howard said. “To a certain extent, to work in a jail you essentially become a prisoner…

There’s a certain personality in a lot of police officers

To a certain extent, to work in a jail you essentially become a prisoner.

-Police officer Megan Howard

where we enjoy our freedom.

We enjoy being in a car and being able to go wherever we want [so] it’s very frustrating to be in a jail environment.”

However, working in a jail provides experiences other jobs would not. When she was working in the jail an older officer walked over to where Ms. Howard was working and reported there was a finger in the sally port (the area where prisoners are brought in).

Believing his statement to be a joke, Ms. Howard remained where she was rather than going to investigate, thus ensuring she would not be caught on one of the many cameras in the jail falling for the joke. Later, however she saw the officer return holding a plastic bag with something in it. “I look over and I’m thinking, I shouldn’t do it but I’m going to go look at it,” said Ms. Howard. “He shows it to me and sure enough it’s down to the first knuckle of a finger… that was interesting.”

Thinking they surely would

have noticed if a prisoner had been bleeding profusely from their hand, the officers remained confused as to how exactly the finger got into the jail until a bondsman came up to the bonds window looking for the lady who had bit off a finger.

“We look at the name, let’s

her training. “It’s not upscale, by any means. It’s a very poor neighborhood but I enjoy working there,” she said. “One of our primary duties is to run calls for service. Whenever someone dials 9-1-1 and they ask for the police, we have to go and find out why they need

the police. Sometimes there’s a reason, sometimes there isn’t.”

Though being a police officer seems like monotonous work, it provides satisfaction for Ms. Howard. “Since I was little I wanted to be a police officer,” she said, “and now I get a lot of satisfaction from the very rare

occasions when you actually get to help somebody…You can actually make a difference in someone else’s life by changing things. It’s very rare that we get to do that, but on those days I remember, ‘Hey, that’s why I like doing what I do.’”

One of them just stuck their finger into their mouth and she just bit down.

-Ms. Howard

call her Mrs. Jackson, [and] we go in there and we holler out, ‘Where’s Jackson?’ and two people step forward,” said Howard. After identifying the Mrs. Jackson who bit off somebody’s finger, they learned she had gotten into a fight with another woman during which Ms. Howard said, “One of them just stuck their finger into their mouth and she just bit down.”

Moving past the bizarre finger incident, Ms. Howard eventually completed the time necessary for her to work in the jail, and proceeded to establish her daily schedule.

So, when you see Ms. Howard standing in the middle of Claremont, her daily routine has just begun. “I wake up at 7:05,” she said, “I roll out of bed. I just barely manage to get my boots on and get out the door and get here by 7:30.”

Though she doesn’t have time to fulfill the classic police stereotype and stop by Starbucks to pick up some coffee and a donut, Ms. Howard is instead greeted by the sleepy faces of SJS students arriving to school.

“People wave. Some people have their windows down, they’ll say good morning,” Ms. Howard said. “Some people want to make a left-hand turn and they get all frustrated and they don’t wave so friendly. So, yeah. Some people wave good morning some people don’t.”

After completing her stimulating duties at the SJS Upper School entrance, Ms. Howard goes to the gym. Then, from 3 P.M. to 1 A.M. Ms. Howard drives around on patrol.

“Most people work 8 hour shifts, but I’m lucky enough to work 10 hour shifts. I’ve been blessed,” she said with a laugh.

Ms. Howard works on patrol in the Northeast division, also known as the Fifth Ward, where she underwent

Police officer Megan Howard directing traffic before school one

JENNY LEWIS | The Review

American politics and society relevant abroad

By ELIZABETH RASMUSSEN “Do you hear about Spanish politics a lot on the news in the United States?” my Spanish sister asked me the day before the US senatorial elections.

I had no idea how to respond to a question like that.

It seemed impossible to reply truthfully without sounding belittling towards her country–I watch the news on a fairly regular basis in the US, but I could not recall ever hearing about Spanish politics.

My Spainsh sister continued, telling me how there is some-

thing relating to the US in the Spanish news almost every day, and in early November, with the senatorial elections, the American politics flooded the Spanish news. I do not thing I have ever heard about a Spanish election in the US, not even a presidential one.

The next morning I was bombarded by the usual group of paperboys that attack me, trying to get me to take a copy of their paper. I usually tend to avoid the paper boys, not because I do not want to spend my money (these are free local papers that are handed out daily), but

because I simply do not have enough time in my day to focus on the hour long protest that happened the previous day in Zaragoza or the engagement of two idolized Spanish celebrities.

This one particular day, one paper caught my attention; it talked about something that is actually very relevant and important to me–American politics.

Our politics constantly make the news here in Spain, but it amazed me that the frontpage story of a local newspaper handed to me on a street corner so many miles away from the US was about Don-

ald

Rumsfield resignation.

While living in the United States, I focused on my own life and what was closest to me, not paying attention to the global community that I am now an active member of.

I did not realize how much pull and influence we have around the world, not only in politics, but also in peoples’ daily lives.

So often, all we hear about through the media is how much we are hated by the global community. I have encountered hostility toward America, it is the first think that pops into peoples’ minds, but in re-

ality, there is a lot more to that.

Our politics floods their news, our entertainment makes up a large percentage of theirs, our fashion inspires their fashion.

I have run into a few Spaniards who scorn and sneer at all things American, but yet at the same time, they do not realize how similar we our countries are–the very foundations of their pop culture are generated from ours. All of the global cultures combined to form the American culture, and now the American culture is (to a certain extent) forming the new global culture.

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features The Review

December 2006

Working behind the scenes, John Enciso keeps school running

Mr. Enciso returning emails on his computer in his office, doing his part to keep the school running smoothly.

By ANOUSHKA SINHA Many members of the SJS family believe our school shuts down at 3:30 – that each morning the school is magically returned to its pristine form. Little do they know that while we trudge uniformly to the exit of the campus each the afternoon, a group of uniformed people, unknown to many SJS students, begin their work, flinging a “security blanket” over our school during the long hours of night.

The conductor of this daily service is John Enciso, the Director of Security and Facility Services at SJS. He provides security coverage on campus, he is in charge of the housekeeping department, and he manages rentals of various buildings on campus. “A typical workday for me includes…lock[ing] the campus, check[ing] the buildings,…and consult[ing] with the security staff,” said Mr. Enciso.

Working from 1 P.M. until 10 A.M., Mr. Enciso sometimes “stay[s] later, depending on what activities are going on. I work from Monday through Friday, but I’m also on call 24/7 so my phone is with me at all times.”

Prior to joining the SJS family, Mr. Enciso worked for “Ogdin Allied, which provides services for private and government buildings as well as for airlines security.” However, since his first day at SJS in 1995, Mr. Enciso has been lending his services to our school. Over the years he has been able to see some of the kindergarten students graduate. “They’re like my second children,” he said warmly.

Mr. Enciso possesses a strong appreciation of family. His two sons both attend Texas Tech University in Lubbock. “I try to go out with my children as much as possible,” he said.

“Other than that, my wife and I like to go out and…just get in the car and drive out in the country, look[ing] for antique shops and meet[ing] other people…and parents as well. We try to enjoy an early retirement now that the boys are away in college.”

A typical Thanksgiving at the Enciso household testifies to his devotion to his family. “We’ve celebrated Thanksgiving the last few years with my sons being involved in the kitchen and

I see all those children that I knew from Lower School evolving into… mature adults.

-Director of Security and Facility Services John Enciso

planning the activities…Prior to that, we [would] get together, my family and my wife’s family, and there [would be] about fifty to sixty people at one time in my house. We [would] have about three turkeys at the house and all of my in-laws and nephews and nieces.”

Mr. Enciso’s attachment to family extends to his second family at SJS. “I just enjoy working here at St. John’s. I’ve always felt that it’s a good place to work – it’s very family-oriented. It kind of makes me enjoy [how] now that my kids are in college, I get to see what they did when they were young.”

Working throughout campus every day, Mr. Enciso truly obtains an overhead view of the SJS students. “I see each child according to [his or her] level.

Lower school – I see them as young…children that are interested in knowing a lot of things and asking a lot of questions.

Middle school students – I see them growing but still being children. And then the upper school – I see all those children

that I knew from Lower School evolving into…mature adults.”

Like in any other profession, there are pros and cons to Mr. Enciso’s job. He enjoys welcoming newcomers to our school and easing them into the SJS family. “My favorite part about my job is helping the new students and the new parents adjust to St. John’s, direct them from where they go, show them the facilities, and make sure they know that St. John’s is a good place to have your children study,” he said.

On the other hand, being on call 24/7 has its drawbacks.

“My least favorite thing about my job is sometimes receiving calls at two or three in the morning because somebody didn’t have access to get their car when they went out on a trip, or we have some mischief going on.”

One part of his job that Mr. Enciso enjoyed especially in his career at SJS is that of getting to work in the filming of Rushmore. “I enjoyed that experience – working with filmmakers, actors, crew hands, getting up early to make sure everything was open for them to stay there and making sure everything was closed.”

The Director of Security and Facility Services even got to meet the director of Rushmore, SJS alumnus Wes Anderson, as well as actor Bill Murray. “Before it was previewed in Hollywood, it was previewed here in Houston at the Museum of Fine Arts… and some people from Hollywood flew in to see the movie, so it was a very interesting experience for me.”

Several activities add to the workload of Mr. Enciso’s 17member staff. For instance, the tradition of wrapping the quad focuses many workers in that area. However, “the staff doesn’t complain about it. The only problem sometimes that we have is that by the students

helping clean the windows, it’s double the work to clean.

The last couple of years it’s been getting better; with the assistance of the Dean of Students, they’ve been able to get the students to do a better job, but…they know it’s their job to clean, so it’s part of their job.”

SJS students certainly have room for improvement as far as sanitation goes. Specifically, there are two rooms that pose major difficulties for Mr. Enciso’s staff: Trammel Commons and Senior Country. “If we can use more of the trash cans in-

DAN PERENYI | The Review

stead of the floor [and] pick up all [the] leftover food and dispose of it properly, it would be great,” he suggested.

All in all, the combination of people at SJS all come together to form one coherent body that makes SJS what it is, according to Mr. Enciso, with everyone contributing to the school in their own way.

“The students have the same life almost as I do, so we kind of live it the same way – you guys do it academically, I do it in the other area.”

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The Review

December 2006

Aspiring astronaut now inspires SJS student body

By GABRIELLA WISE SJS recently added an aspiring astronaut to its faculty, first-year teacher Luke Probst.

Mr. Probst’s inquisitive nature and adventurous spirit make him a perfect candidate to explore the endless possibilities of outer space and, of course, teaching Physics and Calculus at SJS. “My dream since high school was to be a NASA scientist,” said Mr. Probst.

He started his pursuit of that dream at Bemidji State University in Minnesota, where he majored in Physics and minored in space studies, geology and math.

“I loved my studies. I lived and breathed my studies,” said Mr. Probst.

His dream to become an astronaut was not always so clear to him, however. In high school, he planned to be a pilot in the air force academy, but his eyesight was not good enough.

However, Mr. Probst was able to pursue an intellectually rigorous path to become a

I loved my studies. I lived and breathed my studies.

-Physics teacher Luke Probst

NASA scientist and, he hopes, someday an astronaut. After Bemidji State, Mr. Probst came to Rice University to study in the astrophysics department.

Despite his youth, Mr. Probst has had a more adventurous life than most hope to have in a lifetime. His multiple jobs and internships have taken him across the North American continent; from the Canadian border, where he cut dry ice, to the very south of America, here in Houston.

Originally from Little Fork, Minnesota, Mr. Probst was born with a natural affinity for the great outdoors. Following that passion, Mr. Probst landed a job working in the Rocky Mountains for the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. With the fellowship, he went to a retreat center called Bear Trap

Ranch, which had an elevation of 9100 feet. “I retreated there to figure out my next step,” said Mr. Probst. While at Bear Trap Ranch, Mr. Probst had an epiphany. “While I was working in the mountains, I knew I wanted to go into teaching.”

At the Bear Trap Ranch, he was a jack of all trades, working in the kitchen and cleaning cabins, until the mountaineer at the ranch had to leave.

“They didn’t directly ask me, it just happened. They just let me be a mountaineer. For the last several months I was taught the ropes,” explained Mr. Probst.

Some of the pinnacles he had to climb were more than 10,000 ft. “I got training on how to repel people and how to do the really complicated rope system.

Basically, my job was to push people off of cliffs,” said Mr. Probst.

Mr. Probst also worked at the Lunar and Planetary Institute before he came to Rice, where he studied the Mars Rover the year that it launched from Earth. He worked with the astrobiology team which was working on discovering life on Mars.

Mr. Probst’s interest in discovering the world (and the universe at large) was influenced by one of his favorite professors at Bemidji State University, who was one of the original Antarctic explorers, living in the continent for more than a year. “The first research I did with him was studying the flow of ice fields in Antarctica. He started NASA’s annual meteor hunting expeditions,” explained Mr. Probst. “I was studying the flow of glaciers and looking at maps of meteorite finds. We were developing mechanisms of how meteorites could be concentrated.” One of Mr. Probst’s goals is to go on one of those expeditions.

Although traveling to Antarctica is a long-term goal, Mr. Probst has been able to check a few countries off his traveling itinerary. China, Iceland, and the Philippines are only a few of the countries he has traveled to. “I went to Iceland on a Bemidji geology expedition with an Antarctic team. We hiked through one-fourth of the country.”

Mr. Probst scaling the rock wall, much as he has real mountains.

With his wide array of interests, goals and achievements, Mr. Probst fits the profile of an SJS teacher. When asked how he has liked SJS thus far, Mr. Probst responded, “SJS is awesome.” However, his response to how he enjoyed the city of Houston was less enthusiastic. “Unfortunately, there is

Mr. Probst reads from a physics textbook in his room with a student studying in the background.

no outdoors. I wish there was one mountain.” The flat lands of Houston, however, do not prevent Mr. Probst from feeding his appetite for nature. “I go looking for alligators on the coast at wildlife reserves like Brazoria and Brazos Bend. At sunset, all the alligators come out.”

JENNY LEWIS | The Review

“My goal in life is to have as adventurous a life as I can,” said Mr. Probst. Looking for alligators in Houston, living on top of garbage dumps in the Philippines, and searching for life on Mars certainly qualifies as being adventurous. Mr. Probst added as a side note, “Oh yeah—I also want to be an astronaut.”

GABRIELLA WISE | The Review

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photo spread The Review

December 2006

A

Th

Upper S

Photo Dan Jen

photo spread The Review

December 2006

Arthur Miller’s

he Crucible Directed by Beth Sanford

School Fall Production November 10 & 11 ~ os by Katherine Kelley (‘08) niel Perenyi (‘09) and nny Lewis (‘10)

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14

sports The Review

December 2006

Varsity boys basketball team looking forward to success with new coach

By MAX SUSMAN The 2006-2007 varsity basketball team is undergoing several big changes from last year: they have a new coach, new attitude, new goals and new players.

This year’s varsity basketball coach is leading the team for the first time in his career at SJS. Head Coach Harold Baber believes that he has a promising team this year, highlighted by returning varsity players and captains Robert Howard (’07) and Jordan Thomas (’07), along with Brian Burdine (’07) and Evan Davis (’07).

“Two of our key players would be our returning seniors.

Along with those guys we have a plethora of underclassmen, freshmen and sophomores, that we will be depending on heavily that will play a lot of minutes. There are also some juniors mixed in there,” Coach Baber said.

“William Young (’10) will be playing point guard for us, that’s an obviously key position.

Ethan Harry (’09) will start at the two guard for us. Also we will have a bunch of role guys, like Patrick Wilkey (’09), Eugene Wu (’07), Jeff Derbyshire (’08), Angus Mitchell (‘09), Charlie Pendergraft (‘08), John Wallace (‘08) and Will Ytterberg (‘08),” Coach Baber said.

Young, this year’s only freshman varsity player, was asked about how he felt playing with varsity. “It’s really cool, fun, and exciting,” he said.

Regarding how he believes

DAN PERENYI | The Review

The boys varsity basketball his skills will match up with those of the other players, “I don’t know yet, we’ll see about it,” Young said.

As a new coach, Coach Baber has a strategy to bring the team together for the win.

“Anytime you have a new coach and have started a new program, and the whole system is new, I think every player on your roster is a key player. The deeper we can be, the better team we can be,” he said.

The team’s first game was Tuesday, Nov. 13 in Fort Bend against Fort Bend Baptist. The Mavericks pulled out a 54-51

team runs drills during practice. Jeff Derbyshire (‘08) win. Coach Baber had some in- mentary on how he thought put on his thoughts about the the team would be this year. first game.

“I think we’ll surprise a lot “To be honest with you, I’m of people because we are a very trying to keep an open mind versatile team, and we have a about our first game. We’ve bunch of players that can play thrown a lot of things at the different positions. I think we’ll kids in a short amount of time; catch some teams off guard beit’s a work in progress. We cause of that. We’re only as would like to be playing our good as the work everyone else best basketball around January puts in,” he said. “We wrote when we start playing counter down team goals. Pretty much games. It’s different because we everyone agreed we wanted to haven’t been in any tough situ- make Division I, and then to ations as a team; I don’t know win Division I. I don’t think how our guys are going to react SPC is that far off of a goal.” during those times.”

This year’s team is also already Howard offered some com- gaining popularity. Psyched

is going up for a shot. fan, Stuart Dickerson (’10), has some input on why he is so pumped. “We’ve got a great team, we’ve got a great coach who can put it all together, and we have diversity in each of the classes.

Dickerson and his brother, Steven (’07), will be announcing the games.

“I think that the big thing is that everything is new this year and we’re trying to implement a lot of new things. If we can pick up on it early I think we’ll have a really successful season in the beginning and the end,” Coach Baber said.

NCAA basketball: SJS “bracketologists” weigh in on the wide open race to Madness

By JORDAN THOMAS

Photo courtesy of AP

Duke’s Greg Paulus plays against Georgia Southern Nov. 13.

Last year’s NCAA Tournament completely dumbfounded many of college basketball’s critics. Watching Duke, a team many thought would win the tournament, fall in the Sweet 16 to No. 5 ranked LSU was surprising. But nothing shocked the college basketball world more than seeing the Cinderella team, 11th seed George Mason, emerge from nowhere, beating Michigan State, North Carolina and UConn on their path to the Final Four in Indianapolis.

This season might also be the year of the freshman with Ohio State’s Greg Oden, Georgia Tech’s Thaddeus Young, Texas’ Kevin Durant and Duke’s Gerald Henderson. Most likely all these players would be playing in the NBA, but because of the new age limit of 19, college basketball will prove to be even more exciting This year promises to be yet another exciting season of NCAA hoops. With so many quality teams in the NCAA, predicting who will succeed and who will fall short is, well,

unpredictable. In order to breakdown the conferences, I sat down with two of SJS’s most qualified college basketball analysts: self proclaimed “Bracketologist” Robert Howard (‘07) and Ben “Number one sports fan alive” Jones (‘07).

Review: Let’s start with the Big 12 Conference: who are the top teams to watch?

Rob: It’s a weak conference, but Kansas [despite losing to unranked Oral Roberts 78-71] is going to be the best.

Ben: Yeah, Kansas, Texas, and Missouri are all good.

Review: Who’s good in the Big 10?

Rob: Ohio State’s good, but they’re young.

Ben: Ah, Ohio State? You’re sleeping on [Coach Tom] Izzo’s boys! Michigan State…

But, yeah, if [Ohio State] can get their young guys to play to their potential they’ll be really good.

Rob: They need [freshman recruit Greg] Oden to step up. If

he has a big year then they’ll be good.

Ben: Michigan and Iowa are good, too. But I don’t know what [Iowa] will do without Bruenner [who’s out until Jan.].

He was key to their game last year. I don’t know how they’ll respond without him.

Review: Let’s talk some ACC

basketball. I know you two are huge fans of that conference.

How are they going to compare to the rest of the country?

Ben: Don’t go to sleep on my Dukies. The thing is, they have a lot of really good, young, underrated players. [Greg] Paulus will be one of the best players in the country.

Rob: If his foot’s OK. The main thing you need to know about the ACC is UNC—they’re going [to have a] top 3 [ranking in the nation] the entire year.

Ben: Psh, I don’t know if I buy into that—top 5 probably.

Rob: Tyler Hansboro is the best big man in the country—

See NCAA on p. 17

sports

15

The Review

December 2006

SJS varsity teams have fun, meet expectations at fall SPC in Dallas SPC cont. from p. 1 But there was definite disappointment in not reaching the finals.

“I think we had a really good chance of winning. The team that won was a team that we had beaten before. We’ll always think we should’ve been in the finals, at the very least,” he said.

The entire season was “great” for all the team and especially Coach Lombardi.

“This was a great team to coach. They were really helpful to each other throughout the season [and] really easy to make suggestions to; everything you could have wanted from a team. Lots of that was due to the seniors as a whole, to Cullen Avidan (’07) and Robert Howard (’07) as the captains, in particular.”

Capping the season with a win over Greenhill was just “a great ending,” Coach Lombardi said.

“We were unquestionably disappointed that we weren’t playing the championship match. But we left after that match feeling like that was a big accomplishment, to beat a team that we’d just had a jinx against, to beat them in our final match of the year, and for the seniors, probably the final time a lot of them will play volleyball. It was a major, major accomplishment.”

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL After a strong season with a 28-9-1 record, the girls varsity volleyball team put in a solid performance at SPC that ended with a third place finish.

They won the first round match against Trinity Valley, which put them into the Division I semifinals. But then came a tough loss to Greenhill in the second round.

“We’re a good team, we played really well all season. It just so happens that we didn’t put to-

Photo courtesy of Craig Chambers (‘81)

Carolyn Prioleau (‘08) plays against Episcopal on the second day of SPC. The team beat the Knights to finish in fifth place. gether our best match. That’s a disappointment, but it’s kind of the way it works. Someone has to win, someone has to lose...unfortunately, we lost.”

Head Coach Dawn Kelly said.

However, the season ended on a good note with a win against Hockaday to seal third place.

Still, the possibility of going to the finals was definitely there.

But losing to Greenhill was not enough to put a damper on the season.

“We won 30 games, and that one loss certainly doesn’t take away from the thirty that we won,” Coach Kelly said. “The girls had an excellent season.”

The team as a whole is to be attributed to for the winning season.

“I think all of our team did a really, really good job, especially our seniors,” Coach Kelly said.

And as for the returning players in the volleyball season to come, “We certainly hope it’s

only made them more excited for next year,” Coach Kelly said.

FIELD HOCKEY A first-round loss to Fort Worth Country Day led the varsity field hockey team to the fifth-eighth place bracket, but nonetheless, they saw success there with two wins, resulting in a 5th place finish at SPC. “It was disappointing to lose that first game,” Head Coach Craig Chambers (‘81) said. “The team we lost to ended up going to the finals and losing in overtime.”

The team came into the tournament with a 7-5-1 record.

“We had some ups and downs earlier in the season, but as we entered the SPC, we were sort of on a constant rise on the level of playing,” Coach Chambers said.

Playing Kinkaid in the second round was “very exciting, down to the wire. We’d lost to

Photo courtesy of Dawn Kelly

The girls volleyball varsity team celebrates after a win. They finished in third place at SPC.

[Kinkaid] twice earlier in the season, once in a very close game, the second time in a very close overtime game, and in this game, the same kind of deal,” Coach Chambers said.

“Finishing off beating Kinkaid and Episcopal, especially them being the across-town rivals, was very satisfying.”

Everyone gave their part to the wins, as “all the seniors got to play in the last game, and everybody did a good job,” he said. “The three captains all did a great job—Claire Smith (’07), Kate Donnelly (’07), and Sarah Daniel (’07), who each played different thirds of the field— they all had great games.”

A particularly successful SPC participant was “Allison Bland (’07)…she really had a fantastic game against Episcopal and Kinkaid,” said Coach Chambers.

Altogether, the entire team was pleased with the playing at SPC. “We had a lot of fun, played some great hockey, and I think everyone was fairly satisfied,” Coach Chambers said.

“We just played some really pretty hockey.”

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY Expectations were met at SPC for the girls cross country team.

Out of fifteen teams competing, the team finished solidly in 6th place. “I think the team finished right where we had anticipated finishing,” Head Coach Rachel Skinner said.

There was a little disappointment in the final results, but the team all put forth strong performances.

“We had a couple girls that set personal bests, and we had several girls run as consistently as they had been all season,” Coach Skinner said.

Standout members of the team were, “the juniors…Emily Watkins (’08) and Catie Reynolds (’08) both performed very well for us,” Coach Skinner said.

But SPC was also seen as a “learning experience for a couple of the girls,” Coach Skinner said. “I think some of our

younger runners learned a lot at SPC, and they were where they need to be.”

Coach Skinner is expecting great things for next season “I think next year will be a little bit different. I’m really excited going into next season with the talent that we have.”

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY Though SPC was not the highlight of the year for boys cross country, the season ended with strong individual performances and great potential for next season. “We were disappointed with 11th place and having no one in the top 20, but most runners did improve this year,” Head Coach Richard Mercado (’79) said.

A positive note of the season was the meet in Magnolia, “with great performances by individuals and the team,” Coach Mercado said. The team somewhat maintained consistency, as “we had some runners who had trained well but not run as well in all the meets, but some ran pretty well in the major meets and SPC,” he said. “We worked hard, but did not have that many great meets.”

The team’s first finisher at SPC was Henry Chapman (’10), also with Carlos Falcon (’09), Eric Elliot (’08), Tyler Citek (’08), and John Preston (’07) rounding out the team scorers for the conference. Overall, most runners improved from 2005, but further improvement is anticipated for next season.

Since half of the team members that went to SPC are seniors, the team expects next year to be a time for development for the younger team.

“We need to decide if we want to compete in the SPC by getting ready and being runners more than just in the fall,” Coach Mercado said. “We have won four SPC championships in the last twelve years and have been second several times.

We would like to get back in the top three to four over the next couple of years and it will take a lot of effort and determination by the boys.”

16

sports The Review

December 2006

Boys soccer team excited to be bringing back a slew of starters, upperclassmen

By REBECCA WELBOURN The boys varsity soccer team, under Head Coach George Turley and captains Luca Ghiotto (‘07), Seth Koslov (‘07) and Walter Schiffer (‘07), is looking forward to the new season.

“I’m excited, I’m anticipating a pretty good season. We’ve got a lot of kids coming back [and] we’ve got some really good freshmen trying out this year,” Schiffer said.

The team lost six seniors from last year’s varsity team, and of the 12 players returning this

year, eight were starters last season.

The tryouts for the team were held on Nov. 6-8, and the team scrimmaged against Kinkaid, Episcopal and John Cooper on November 9.

“The team played very well offensively, scoring a combined total of six goals in [each of the three 25-minute] matches,” Coach Turley said, although “defensively there were some miscues and miscommunication.”

The team’s next two games were played on Nov. 17 and 18, against St. Louis Catholic and

DAN PERENYI | The Review

The boys varsity soccer team does drills during practice, with Blake Longoria (‘07) in the goal.

DAN PERENYI | The Review

Members of the boys soccer team scrimmage during practice.

St. Thomas, respectively. St. Louis Catholic was voted the number-one high school team in America in the National Soccer Coaches of America poll.

“We’ll find out real fast [how good we are],” Coach Turley said of the SJS-St. Louis game.

The team’s true competition, though, is Kinkaid, Episcopal, St. Mark’s and John Cooper.

“We need to play well in those games and win those matches,

and all four of those teams have strong programs,” Coach Turley said. Schiffer also named Oakridge as a big competitor.

Against Kinkaid, SJS has traditionally alternated winning and losing years. “There’s never really any sort of dominance there,” said Coach Turley. SJS has beaten Episcopal the past three years, and the team has not lost to John Cooper since they came into the conference.

Also, SJS has won the past two times against St. Mark’s. “Hopefully our luck won’t run out,” Coach Turley said.

The team’s goal this year is to win the South Zone championship, where they finished second last year. “This year we’re looking to come out of it as the top seed,” Coach Turley said.

“We’re just going to work hard and see how well we can do,” Schiffer said.

Girls varsity soccer team kicking it into action with new coach, players

By REBECCA WELBOURN The girls varsity soccer team is anticipating an exciting upcoming season. “We have a new coach, and a lot of our team will be new to varsity, and we’re really excited about the potential we have…We have a lot of really strong players and hopefully it’ll be a really good season,” captain Maggie McDaniel (‘07) said. The girls are looking to new coach Rachel Skinner and the team captains—Kate Donnelly (‘07), McDaniel and Nora Niebruegge (’07)—for leadership.

Tryouts for the team were held Nov. 6-8, and the team played their first game against Awty to a 0-0 tie on November 9. Coach Skinner said that she was pleased with the team’s performance in the Awty game, considering the fact that it was still a “tryout for many of the girls” and that they had not had a formal practice yet. “We’re really excited about…jumping into the season,” McDaniel said.

The team traveled to San Antonio over the weekend of November 18 to play in a tournament. In addition to the teams

they faced there, McDaniel said that the Kinkaid and Episcopal teams will be their biggest competition. “[Those] are always big, important games, so we’re excited to play them because they’re always close and hardfought,” McDaniel said.

The team is also concentrating on integrating a new coach and new players. “I met with the captains, we have talked about things that they thought went well last year and things that they really want to improve upon. I think that they have some valuable insight for a positive season,” Coach Skinner said.

“We feel like we can be a really strong team under her, and we’re looking forward to seeing what we can do with the season,” McDaniel said of their new coach.

“I’m very excited, I’ve heard great things about the team and the girls and incoming freshmen,” Coach Skinner said.

Coach Skinner said that one of the team’s goals is to place in the top eight of the conference. “I think that we are going to have a pretty solid squad this year, all the girls are hard workers and are looking forward to the season,” she said.

JENNIFER DENFIELD | The Review

Kelley Harrison (‘09) takes the ball down the field in a home game against Duchesne.

sports

17

The Review

December 2006

Indoor track discussion continues

By HUDSON DUNCAN Until two years ago, many track and field athletes took part in an off season conditioning program during the winter.

The athletes ran in meets against non-Southwest Preparatory Conference Schools, and it was commonly referrred to as “the indoor track option.”

SPC officials deemed the offseason option unfair due to the fact that other SPC track and field programs did not offer training during the winter.

The result was a bunch of disgruntled athletes who thought the decision made by SPC officials was unfair itself, not the indoor track option.

“Over a year ago, a school brought up the notion that this was unfair advantage for us and it was not an SPC sport so it should not be allowed,” Richie Mercado (‘79) said. “The schools’ [athletic directors] voted it down as an unfair advantage and a violation of the early training rule for SPC.” “That [athletes could not participate in indoor track] is ridiculous because none of the athletes that participated in in-

door track scored at SPC,” Matthew Steffen (‘07) said.

In fact, a minimal number of athletes even competed in the SPC track and field championships in 2004, the last year indoor track was available.

“The year that the track team won SPC, only two of us were in winter track--Catie Reynolds (‘08) and me, so we didn’t really have an advantage,” Yjing Sun (‘07) said.

“Since indoor track was never an SPC sport, I do not believe that they have the right to govern it,” David Finkelstein (‘07) said.

He also added the fact that athletes participating in sports other than track train with coaches during the offseason.

“Football players still train with Coach Griffin when it is not football season; track athletes should have that same right to train with Coach Mercado,” he said.

The last reason the athletes made about why the decision was wrong was their downright appreciation for indoor track.

“When indoor track was banned, I was not motivated

enough to meet with Coach Mercado during the winter, and thus, I was at a great disadvantage when the spring season began because I had allowed myself to get out of shape during the winter,” Finkelstein said.

It’s not that athletes cannot train for the track and field season, it’s just that the indoor track option made it much easier on the athletes to get out and do it.

“There is nothing to keep you from running on your own. It’s just nice to have a coach with you,” Steffen said.

Finkelstein felt the same way.

“Winter track simply made it more efficient and convenient for Coach Mercado to meet with all of the different athletes during a designated practice time,” he said.

In the eyes of the track athletes, the absence of winter track has affected their performances.

It has been gone for two years now, but the players who participated in winter track still remain. They want indoor track to come back.

NCAA cont. from p. 14 Ben: WHAT?!

Rob: HOW IS HE NOT?! He proved himself last year as a freshman and— Ben: Hansboro is technically and athletically gifted, but he doesn’t play as well as he should—he’s like Yao Ming.

Rob: YAO MING WITH TALENT!

Review: OK, what about some

of the other teams in the conference?

Ben: Wakeforest is being [overlooked] because they lost Chris Paul.

Rob: Definitely. And Virginia will be good, too. [Junior Sean] Singletary is going to be incredible! Did you know [SJS alum David] Noel (‘06) [made a 3 pointer on him] in practice?

Ben: That’s awesome. But yeah, Virginia is so underrated.

Rob: The ACC consistently has 2 or 3 great teams that destroy all the other teams in the conference [making them look bad]. Duke and UNC will beat up on all the mediocre teams this year.

Review: Tell me about the SEC, who are your favorites?

Ben: Everybody’s all over Florida!

Rob: Yeah but ‘Bama is going to sneak up on everybody.

Ben: True. Kentucky is good.

Rob: They’re consistently good, but they haven’t played up to their potential lately.

Ben: LSU, man!

Review: They’ll be good this year?

Ben: All you need to know is this: Glenn “Big Baby” Davis.

Rob: He’ll be a top candidate for the Naismith [Award].

Ben: Yeah, definitely, but he’s got to improve his defense. He’s got extreme offensive skills... for a guy his size, he’s got great moves in the post...he’s really quick.

Review: OK, here’s the real question: who will win it all?

Ben: You know what? I’m going to [say] it. I hate myself but...I’m going to have to say Kansas.

Rob: YES! THAT’S RIGHT! I knew you would, Ben. Ben: I hate them.

Fall Athletic Awards The Review congratulates all athletes for their individual and team achievements.

Girls Cross Country Most Improved: Sarah Patterson (‘10) Athletic Excellence: Emily Watkins (‘08) All Conference: Emily Watkins (‘08) 2007 Captains: Emily Watkins (‘08), Danielle Pike (‘08), Catie Reynolds (‘08)

Field Hockey Most Improved: Allison Bland (‘07), Sarah Jewett (‘08) Athletic Excellence: Kate Donnelly (‘07) All Conference: Kate Donnelly (‘07), Kelley Harrison (‘09) All South Zone: Sarah Daniel (‘07), Carolyn Prioleau (‘08) 2007 Captains: Jessica Chen (‘08), Hallie Crawford (‘08), Sarah Jewett (‘08), Carolyn Prioleau (‘08)

Boys Cross Country Most Improved: Ben Marek (‘10), Blake Longoria (‘07) Nick Finnegan Award for Athletic Excellence: Carlos Falcon (‘09) 2007 Captains: Tyler Citek (‘08), Eric Elliott (‘08), Carlos Falcon (‘09)

Girls Volleyball Most Improved: Virginia Waldrop (‘08) Athletic Excellence: Blair Bashen (‘07), Nora Niebruegge (‘07) All Conference: Blair Bashen (‘07), Nora Niebruegge (‘07) All South Zone: Clayton Crum (‘08), Julia Gibbs (‘09), Nora Niebruegge (‘07) 2007 Captains: Laynie Johnson (‘08), Clayton Crum (‘08), Virginia Waldrop (‘08)

Boys Volleyball Most Improved: Evan Davis (‘07) Athletic Excellence: Robert Howard (‘07) All Conference: Robert Howard (‘07), Jeremy Slawin (‘07) All South Zone: Evan Davis (‘07), Robert Howard (‘07), Evan Winograd (‘08) 2007 Captains will be announced next year

Football Most Improved Offensive Player: Luke Phillips (‘08) Most Improved Defensive Player: Mitchell Nimocks (‘07) George D. Broyles, Jr. Offensive MVP: Danny Ball (‘07) Scott Turner Defensive MVP: David Sklar (‘07) Skip Lee Fighting Heart Award: Derry Herlihy (‘07), Matthew Ziemnicki (‘07) All Conference: Danny Ball (‘07), Mitchell Nimocks (‘07), Luke Phillips (‘08), David Sklar (‘07) 2007 Captains will be announced next year

18

fun&games The Review

December 2006

Well, the holidays are just around the corner. And while you’re setting up your Christmas tree, lighting your Hanukkah candles, or ringing in the new year, we thought you all could use a little break. Hey, you can even put off those college applications or synthesis paper a little longer! Either way, enjoy the holidays!

-The Editors

Crossword BY ANOUSHKA SINHA

Solution will appear next month!

Across 1. Decapitating machine 3. Author of Fantastic Mr. Fox 6. Moderately slow speed, to musicians 8. Director of Vertigo 10. Mythical women warriors 11. Greek god of love 13. Paradise 14. Taj Mahal city 17. Founder of the Persian Empire 19. Hero of the Iliad 20. “Is this the face that launched a thousand ships?”: subject 25. Sevigny or Dao 26. Seeker of the philosopher’s stone 28. 1st woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize 29. Fool’s gold 30. Fight on horseback 33. Discoverer of Tutankhamun’s tomb 34. Storied _________ 35. Director of The Godfather 36. Verdi’s last opera Down 2. Dalai ____ 4. Daughter of Oedipus 5. Lincoln’s assassin 7. Anna Karenina author 9. Aurora ________: northern lights 12. Little Miss ________ 13. Australian bird 15. Believers in salvation by knowledge rather than mere faith 16. Talking Heads’ David 18. Director of Good Night, and Good Luck 19. Seabird that is the subject of many superstitions, esp. among sailors 21. Jane Austen novel 22. “Veni, Vidi, ____”: Julius Caesar 23. Epic monster 24. Main division of a play 27. 24’s Sutherland 31. Greek letter 32. Spanish fleet

fun&games

19

The Review

1.

December 2006

2.

Sudoku

3.

Creative Captions What’s going on in this picture?

BY DANIEL ANDREEFF

1.

2.

What are these people thinking?

3.

Submit your answers to review@sjs.org by Friday, December 8.

We’ll print the funniest responses in next month’s issue!

20

opinions The Review

December 2006

Editorials

Mock campaign got out of hand

T

hroughout October, leading up to the Nov. 7 midterm Congressional elections, the SJS senior AP Government classes held a mock campaign. Each of the three classes put up their own candidate: one Democratic, one Republican, and one independent.

For several weeks, the campaigns progressed smoothly.

Candidates held “Meet and Greets” in the cafeteria at lunch, put up some fliers to get their candidates’ names out in the community, launched websites and filmed policy-driven commercials.

Toward the end of the last full week of the campaign, however, things got pretty ugly. Candidates launched negative advertising campaigns, and given that their project goal was to mock a real-life campaign, this step was commendable. However, instead of focusing on national issues, the campaigns all resorted to petty attacks on each other. By the Friday before the election, the campus was plastered wall to wall with hundreds of campaign fliers.

The fliers were, generally, personal attacks on the work that all three candidates had put forth, and personal attacks on the work students who had worked for hours in writing a policy paper or drawing a political cartoon.

The posters called out the candidates for this or that, charges flew, and the project

got slightly out of hand.

The Editorial Board of The Review is concerned by these personal attacks. Although they volunteered for the job, Robert Howard (’07), Nora Niebruegge (’07) and Jordan Thomas (’07) should not have had to see their names slandered on a posted at every turn towards the end of the campaign. Accusations against faculty members were absurd and have no place in a school project.

Finally, most frustrating were the tensions that quickly developed among students who were in and out of the government classes. Classmates were bitter to each other throughout the campaign, even if they were close friends. Even students not enrolled in government classes, especially seniors, jumped on the bandwagon and took every opportunity to bash one of the candidates or someone working on their campaigns.

The student feedback from the project was excellent— everyone learned a lot about running real campaigns and, overall, had a good time.

While there is certainly an educational value to the project, if it were to be held again in 2008, 2010, or beyond, rules would have to be in place to protect candidates and their campaign staff. Not to lessen the “reality factory” in the campaign, but to keep some semblance of respect here at SJS during the campaign season.

Homecoming dance was a success

T

he Editorial Board of The Review would like to congratulate the Student Affairs Council on doing an excellent job organizing and running the first SJS homecoming dance.

By taking the initiative to organize a homecoming dance, SAC succeeded in bringing homecoming—in its traditional sense—back to SJS. The Board agrees that homecoming was very well planned and was executed successfully.

The Board also lauds the organizers for not only making it a fun night, but also a safe night.

SAC members managed to be so meticulous about organizing homecoming that they were even able to get students to turn in attendance slips with guests’ names in advance. This helped tremendously in keeping drugs and alcohol

away from the dance, making it more pleasant for everyone.

The teacher chaperones were also very appreciated.

The way they were strict about certain things, yet relaxed about others made the night even more enjoyable.

The class meeting talks discussing drinking and other issues before the dance also made the entire night more fun.

The Board was also pleased to hear that students were offered the chance to clean up after the homecoming dance in exchange for getting their d-halls voided. It was a clever way to get students to clean up after the dance while still maintaining a positive atmosphere.

The Board was impressed by the homecoming dance this year and hopes to see more in future years.

Corrections: November 2006 Following the publication of the November 2006 issue of The Review, there several errors that came to the Editorial Board’s attention.

There was inadvertent confusion in several articles relating to Kinkaid Week

I

really don’t think that students realized just how close the holidays were until our latest cold front blew through town. The piercing winds everyone felt walking around school towards the end of last week were a far cry from the hot mugginess that seems to have disappeared only a few weeks ago.

One thing’s for certain: the holiday season is here, and with it, the final weeks of the fall 2006 semester here at SJS. With only 12—yes, count them, 12—school days left after Thanksgiving, the semester will be over in the blink of an eye.

I must say that this has been the fastest semester I’ve had at SJS yet, most likely because the work I do at school, on college applications, and with this newspaper blurs together. I feel like August was yesterday!

I’ll also submit, however, that a large part of why the semester has gone so fast is due to all that has been going on here on campus. The school is buzzing as usual, and not only because

events. Zac Hoffer, Donovan Evans, Carlton Wilde, Pierce Cohen, Maria Vreck, Safeena Walji, Melissa Kuo, and Hall Thanheiser are all students at The Kinkaid School.

In the article about break-ins at school parking

synthesis papers, exams, and colleges’ regular admissions deadlines loom. Its “that time” of year at school; the holidays are approaching, and everything that students have been working on all semester is culminating.

The SJS Theater Department recently presented its fall show, The Crucible, which was definitely a hit. In the wake of that production, however, the department is gearing up for the spring musical, Pippin. You can read about Pippin starting on the front page and continuing in Arts & Entertainment, and don’t miss our photo spread of The Crucible starting on page 12.

The winter athletics season has begun, but only after many of our teams and athletes performed outstandingly at the fall Southwest Preparatory Conference Championship several weeks ago. The SPC story starts on the front page, and continues in sport; previews of what our winter teams’ seasons are going to look like can be found in Sports, too.

In News, you can read all about the SJS fall blood drive, literary magazine Imagination’s “Lockdown Lite ’08,” and our Junior Statesmen of America chapter.

The issue of wrapping the Quad with toilet paper was revisited this month in Opinions.

Finally, our Features section this month covers a number of

lots, SJS Director of Finance and Operations Greg Swan had his name spelled incorrectly.

An article about the fall chorale concert in Arts & Entertainment was accidentally cut off at the end. The end-

interesting people in our community: Megan Howard, the policewoman on Claremont in the mornings; John Enciso, Director of Security and Facility Services at SJS; and Luke Probst, aspiring astronaut and new SJS calculus and physics teacher this year. Be sure to check out one writer’s account of her visit to the psychic across the street from SJS! We know the holidays are an exciting and busy time, so if you need a break, be sure to check out the crossword puzzle, sudoku, and caption contest starting on page 18 in this issue.

This is our last issue of the semester; we’ll go to press again right after we get back from winter break. I think we’ve given you some great stories to read over the next few weeks as we celebrate this great time of the year with family and friends. As always, I welcome your comments, concerns, suggestions, and feedback. You can always reach me at review@sjs. org, or by mail at the address listed in our masthead above.

But for now, from all of us at The Review, enjoy the paper, thanks for reading, and have a fantastic holiday season.

Sincerely,

Justin Stein Editor-in-Chief, The Review

ing should have read, “‘Everyone should come to Candlelight. That’s where the real performance is,’ Charania joked.”

The Review regrets the errors.

opinions

21

The Review

December 2006

Point/Counterpoint

Should the seniors have wrapped the Quad?

Yes, it is part of SJS tradition No, it is disrespectful to SJS

By VAIL KOHNERTYOUNT Staff Writer

O

ur school has endured change since its founding in 1946. From old to new, from demolition to construction, from Rebels to Mavericks we have traveled, but the basic values of SJS have remained the same.

Challenges to our long-held traditions often seem to contradict the values we hold so dear. For example, when our beloved former mascot was retired, we students adjusted to our new symbol because we understood why we needed the change, though we may not have agreed with it.

However, this year harmless and timeless traditions, such as the senior privilege of wrapping the Quad, were challenged by the administration. Simply naming something a “tradition” should not immediately justify students’ actions when they conflict with the administration’s interests. However, the continuation of rituals is one of the most important motivations surrounding this issue.

Opponents of our toilet paper tradition may argue that the long-standing custom degrades the beauty of our campus, causes unnecessary work for the maintenance staff, and costs the school too much money for the benefit it provides.

Though admittedly the few left-over remnants of toilet paper aren’t the most pleasant additions to our grounds, nothing serves as a better reminder of the most thrilling athletic contest of the year than arriving at school early Wednesday morning and discovering our ivycovered buildings swathed in white.

Additionally, if in fact too much stress lies upon the maintenance staff to clean up the remainders of the decorations, then the administration, students, and staff must work together to realize reasonable solutions. One such solution is using students serving Saturday work halls to help refresh the campus. The maintenance staff and the student body enjoy a great friendship, and I have faith that the situation can be remedied to suit the needs and wants of both groups.

Even more, the argument that cleanup costs too much is absurd. Our parents pay an exorbitant amount of tuition money, though it is well-spent. We are incredibly lucky to be able to employ a full-time maintenance staff, and there is no need to spend more on other frivolous clean-up expenses. Besides, if we can hire a couple of helicopters to fly in our cheerleaders for a pep rally, I’m sure we can spare a couple extra dollars out of pocket for other activities.

What angers me

the most about this issue is not disagreement among members of the community about the validity of this ritual; in fact, those who disagree with me have valid concerns. What angers me the most is the attempt by the administration to literally bribe the senior class to surrender a long-held and long-beloved tradition.

The best way to approach disagreement on both sides of the issue would be to open the lines of communication between the students. The most respected tenet of student life at SJS is personal responsibility. Let the students take responsibility for our actions; let us decide whether or not we want to continue our tradition independent of other motivating factors, such as early sign-out rights.

The administration should never compromise or ruin the integrity of the students by pitting us against each other in a petty battle to save money, or whatever reason they chose to cite in their demand. If the administration has a genuine concern about the negative impact this tradition may have on school life, then they have a responsibility to explain these reasons to the students, consider reasonable solutions to the situation without blindly abolishing the practice, and reach a decision using student input that addresses the entire community’s concerns.

All we ask is that members of the administration treat us with the respect we students demand of each other.

Without even listening to our voices, it is not possible to reach a decision that the students will respect in return.

Besides, privileges such as wrapping the Quad unify the senior class before they too move on from the storied cloisters as the 60th graduating class.

And let’s face it, a little revenge for all the hard work of the past years is fun, especially in the form of toilet paper.

By JORDAN THOMAS Staff Writer

T

radition. It is the motivation and justification for many of our actions around the school.

It is tradition for seniors to park their cars on the sidewalk during Kinkaid week. It is tradition for underclassmen to be hazed on varsity teams. It is tradition for sophomores on the football team to dance at the Kinkaid pep rally. But just because something is tradition doesn’t make it right.

One tradition during Kinkaid week is for the seniors to wrap the Quad.

Most students enjoy seeing the toilet-

school, expecting someone will pick up after us. We trash Trammel and Senior Country daily, knowing that in the morning when we return, the mess will have magically disappeared. We leave the locker rooms in disarray, confident that the mess will take care of itself. So why should the Quad be any different?

This year, the seniors were given a choice of either wrapping the Quad or getting early sign out privileges.

Many were upset of the possibility that their tradition was being disrespected.

When asked how she felt about seniors wrapping the Quad, and if it bothered her that the maintenance staff had to clean it up every year, Kirsten Scott (‘07) responded with, “It’s an unfortunate, burdensome part of [the maintenance staff’s] job...but [the school shouldn’t] guilt trip the students [into discontinuing the tradition]. I don’t

Not one member of the maintenance staff has ever thrown toilet paper in the trees of the Quad, yet, year in and year out it is they who restore the Quad to its original beauty... Since when did tradition take precedence over common decency? paper-covered Quad during the festive week. Many seniors claim it is a privilege they have looked forward to since their freshman year or even since kindergarten. However, few students pay attention to those seemingly invisible men and women who spend weeks cleaning up after the senior class’ “tradition” every year.

We pass them everyday; in the halls, the cafeteria, outside of our classrooms, yet, still, at times, it’s as if the work of the maintenance staff goes unnoticed by many. We leave cafeteria trays, with half eaten food, scattered across the

think [cleaning the Quad] is the students’ responsibility, it’s the school’s.”

Plenty of people agree with Scott, charging that yes, it is the maintenance staff’s job to clean the Quad after Kinkaid week. Perhaps, they’re right. If they can clean our messes in Trammel, in Senior Country, in the cafeteria and anywhere else in the school, why not the Quad as well? The real question is: why would we want to make their job anymore difficult than what it already is? Why do we continually take for granted the selfless work in which they engage everyday? Keeping the school clean and facilitating the daily grind is one thing, but asking the maintenance staff to spend weeks cleaning a mess caused by over 100 rowdy seniors is another thing entirely. Not one member of the maintenance staff has ever thrown toilet paper in the trees of the Quad, yet, year in and year out it is they who restore the Quad to its original beauty.

What type of message are we projecting with our actions?

Are we so careless that we don’t even think twice about the people we affect with our choices? Since when did tradition take precedence over common decency?

Tradition in itself isn’t a bad thing, not even this particular tradition; only the fact that the seniors are not held accountable for their antics is wrong. If the senior class chooses to continue the tradition, then so be it. But perhaps they should be held accountable for doing so. It should be those that participate in wrapping the Quad that clean it- passing the burden to someone else just isn’t right.

KAT OSHMAN | The Review

22

opinions The Review

December 2006

Uniform policies have certain unnecessary restrictions

By JEREMY SLAWIN Staff Writer

O

ur uniform code here at SJS is one of the most complained about policies that our school has. All of us grumble when nagged about un-tucked shirts and illegal outerwear. But believe it or not, there are good reasons for these seemingly pointless rules.

The 2006-2007 Upper School Handbook states that the uniform code “reduces competition between students based on the style and expense of their clothes… [it] also encourages individual expression based on character, personality, and special talents, rather than on the superficial basis of clothing.”

The handbook also states that students must “maintain a neat and clean appearance.”

Stated in these terms, our

uniform code seems reasonable and justified. However, many of the code’s policies do not reflect this logical justification. Why is it acceptable for a football player to wear his gray team sweatshirt, but unacceptable for me to wear my black volleyball team sweatshirt?

These two articles of clothing are essentially the same thing, the only difference being the color. And our school colors are after all red and black, so what is so egregious about wearing a black, school-affiliated sweatshirt? Nowhere in the “General Statement” issued by the handbook is there sufficient reasoning.

While it does not relate to me, one of the most complained about uniform policies is the fact that only closed toed, closed heeled shoes are allowed.

On the surface, this rule makes perfect sense. It eliminates competition between girls who, without the rule, might wear their showy, expensive shoes to school, while at the same

time rules out flip-flop sandals which many would deem as appearing “sloppy.” In addition, another reason for this policy is that open shoes are unsafe within science classrooms that deal dangerous chemicals.

However, I still find fault

makes me wonder just how distasteful the school finds these illegal shoes.

Another aspect of the uniform code that I have heard complaints about is the section in the handbook labeled “grooming.” Among other clarifications

Certainly, nearly every uniform related rule achieves this goal, but obviously there are some which are unnecessary and only create frustration within the student body. with this rule. Several girls still wear designer shoes to school every day, albeit they pass the shoe regulations issued by the uniform code. Simply disallowing certain types of shoes does not eliminate this style-based competition. And just how unsafe are flip-flops, when certain teachers can be seen wearing such footwear prohibited to students. Since teachers are allowed to wear such footwear, it

In the past few months, SJS has seen a resurgence of the issue of tradition, especially within the student body. Many of these issues were raised due to events pertaining to Kinkaid Week. Several points of controversy, such as when the administration offered the seniors the option to have sign-out privileges two months early in exchange for not wrapping the Quad, have created different positions on the issue of tradition and how it is handled at SJS. The administration questioned the merits of wrapping the Quad as a tradition and decided to offer seniors a choice rather than end the tradition outright. The Review sent out several staffers to ask fellow students their opinions on the issue. Here’s some of what students said: “I voted for sign-outs, because they would have a more lasting effect. The Quad was cleaned up the day after it was wrapped, and this seemed like a minimal privilege, since sign-outs last for two months.” – Kaleta Johnson (’07) “The administration [tried] to bribe the seniors into giving up this tradition [wrapping the Quad] by giving us sign out privileges early.”-Tyler Gibson (‘07) “It’s like sell outs picking early sign-out. I heard from some seniors that wrapping the Quad wasn’t very fun. It’s just staying at school and we already stay at school all day.” – Bess Alford (’08) “We should have chosen to have sign-out privileges...wrapping the Quad gets to be really wasteful. It’s nice of them [the administration] to offer us something in return because based on the cost issues and environmental impact, they could’ve just taken it [wrapping the Quad] away.” - Katy Terrell (‘07) “It’s a good idea [to offer seniors a choice], but I’m glad that the seniors stuck to tradition.” - George Alcorn (‘09) “I don’t think that they [the administration] should be trying to get rid of that tradition. The seniors chose to wrap the Quad, obviously, and I think that it shows that it’s a very important tradition.” - Laura Burdine (‘09) “No one should ever wrap the Quad because it is the only pretty part of campus, and it makes it look so disgusting. Why would you vandalize your own campus?” - Tiffany Kim (‘08) “I could be at the Houstonian right now.” - Ali Lavine (‘07) “By not upholding traditions, the spirit of the school is lower than it has ever been.” - Jessica Chen (‘08) “It split us all up in for it or against it.” - Hannah Herzog (‘07)

of uniform infractions, this section states regulations regarding both hair length for boys and facial hair. Clearly this section is attempting to deal with the “neat and clean appearance” that SJS expects of its students. However, the absolute prohibition of long hair and facial hair for boys is not the only way to ensure that this principle is upheld. Even my hair is pushing the limits put forth

by the handbook, but hardly anyone would call it messy or distasteful. Likewise, the mere presence of facial hair does not guarantee that that student will appear untidy. Sure, many students needed to shave after going an entire summer without doing so, but at the same time not all cases were alike. David Sklar (’07), for example, has been yelled at several times for simply not having time to shave in the morning.

I think everyone understands why we have a uniform code.

It ensures that our appearances are of a quality that makes certain that everyone at school can remain focused on learning. Certainly, nearly every uniform related rule achieves this goal, but obviously there are some which are unnecessary and only create frustration within the student body. If the uniform code’s goal is to create an environment that fosters learning, it would be in its best interests to eliminate certain policies.

The Student Pulse The Review Online Poll This month’s question is...

Should we have wrapped the Quad?

Go online to vote now! www.sjsreview.net Poll open: 11/20 to 12/8

Last month’s results...

odds&ends Thumbs Thumbs up down The Crucible Dynamo win Thanksgiving break

Word for Word

“Brown” outs Rockets lose to Spurs Synthesis papers loom

Photo of the Issue

No one said anything funny this month.

Please check back in January.

Staffer of the Issue

Jordan Thomas (‘07)

Jordan did exemplary work for this issue, writing articles for both the Sports and Opinions sections.

Not only are his articles well-written, Jordan has been a pleasure for his editors to work with all year long. The Review Editorial Board commends Jordan for his effort and dedication and looks forward to working with him in the future.

sixty seconds with john wallace (‘08) by margaret greenberg name John Wallace grade eleventh music classic rock (the Stones) hangout trammel sport to play basketball sport to watch basketball radio station 93.7 dream vacation the Bahamas drink Propel breakfast food eggs hero Tracy McGrady Facebook or MySpace? Facebook.

Tituba (Anjali Patel [‘07]) brews up the controversy that is Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. Photo by Katherine Kelley (‘08).

Happy holidays and best wishes for the new year from the staff of

The Review