The Merionite

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The Merionite March 26, 2010 Volume 81, Issue 5

The official student newspaper of Lower Merion High School since 1929

Doe v. LMSD Maya Afilalo

Class of 2012

Despite being overshadowed by the highly publicized webcam lawsuit against LMSD, the District is facing other unrelated, precedent-setting litigation. Last year, several Ardmore parents filed a lawsuit, known as Student Doe v. Lower Merion, on behalf of their children against LMSD. The suit claims that their children, who are a racial minority, were redistricted to Harriton High School because of race. The plaintiffs, only one of whom is of high school age, will be bussed to Harriton instead of having the choice between the two high schools. The rest of the plaintiffs are currently in second, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh grades in LMSD. “The district developed its redistricting plan for one purpose - to equalize enrollments at two, newly constructed high schools,” reads a statement posted on the LMSD website.

The District filed a motion to dismiss the case, which was denied. Before the motion was dismissed, the plaintiffs filed a rebuttal to the District. In their response to this rebuttal, the District contended that, “[The opposition argument] is riddled with non-material, extraneous factual allegations, subjective interpretations, mischaracterizations of testimony, conjecture, and other red herrings.”

The suit cites the famous 1954 Supreme Court case, Brown v. Board of Education, as grounds

Photo courtesy of LMVUE

One year later and protesting has continued over the District’s newest redistricintg plan. On February 23, a U.S. District Judge released a myriad of documents that had previously been confidential, which have seemingly painted the District in a negative light. for the illegality of LMSD’s redistricting plan.

“The legal principle emanating from Brown is that students cannot be assigned to schools based upon their race,” wrote the plaintiffs’ attorney David Arnold in the opposition to the District’s motion to dismiss. “Students Doe have come before this Honorable

Court, and ask it to reaffirm and apply the holding in Brown.”

There are two exceptions to the Brown v. Board of Education decision in which race may be considered a

See COURT CASE, page 4

LMSD contract expires Eric Cohn

Class of 2012

On July 1, the current five-year contract for LMSD staff will expire. As part of the standard procedure, the Lower Merion Education Association (LMEA) began the negotiation process back in January. Since then, the LMEA has met with representatives from the school board twice and several more meetings were scheduled.

In these discussions, the school board and the LMEA each develop and exchange proposals. The first discussion took place in January. The content of these discussions, however, remains confidential.

“By mutual agreement the specific subjects being discussed and the positions being taken are not being made public at this time,” said Harriton history teacher and teachers’ union head Chris Santa Maria.

The duration of these negotiations also remains a gray area.

“It is hard to predict how long the negotiations will last,” said Director of Human Resources Marty Yoder. “It all dePhoto courtesy of Marianna Kozak pends on the issues that are being discussed.”

See “HACIA off to Costa Rica” Page 3

Because the negotiation process remains such uncharted territory, it is important that the District is prepared for all situations.

“The LMEA is prepared to continue contract negotiations as long as it takes to reach an agreement with the District,” said Santa Maria. “A state mediator…will join the discussions if an agreement is not reached by April.”

Additionally, if an agreement cannot be reached by July, Pennsylvania law requires that the current contract remain effective until a new one is reached. Contracts typically refer to this interim period as the status quo stage.

Just as with all legal dealings in the workplace, there is a possibility of a strike. The teachers’ right to strike is protected by Pennsylvania law if an agreement is not reached

by September. LMSD teachers, however, have not gone on strike since 1983. Additionally, teachers have the option of returning to school in September without a new contract.

“Allowing a contract to expire without a successor agreement is a very serious matter,” said Santa Maria.

“If that

See PA CONTRACTS, page 4

Alumnus Chris Frederick’s advice for collegebound seniors Christopher Frederick

Class of 2009

I’m taking a gap year as you read this sentence. So what do I do? I rent a room in Ithaca, New York. I take Brazilian guitar lessons twice a week. I play samba music at Cornell University every Thursday. I volunteer for Prisoner Express, a journal of writing by prison inmates. I cook my own food. I’m traveling to South America for five months to learn Spanish.

And I pay for everything myself.

Okay, now it’s your turn. You’re a senior, you got in to college, but you choose to wait a year before you go. Now what? First, ask your college to defer your admission. Lucky

for you, deferring is easy. Usually all you need to do is click “defer” and write a couple sentences about your plans, to prove you’re not going to stay home all year watching TV. Where’s the catch? Why is this so easy? It’s because many colleges recognize the advantages of time away from school. If you need a high-profile endorsement, look no further than Harvard, which actively encourages each admitted student to consider a gap year between high school and college with an article entitled “Time Out or Burn Out for the Next Generation.” Or take Princeton, which just unveiled a “bridge year” program that will pay for up to 10% of every incoming freshman class to first spend a year in another country learning to speak a foreign language and volunteering.

It’s a fact: more and more college-bound students are finding out they don’t have to go straight to college. Yet too many of us continue to miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: only about 30 students from my college took time off this year, out of a freshman class of 1,700.

Let’s change that. Are you with me?

Here’s how to get started on your own gap year, based on my experience paying for and organizing a year independently: Talk to people: Ask around, and you’ll find people who took a gap year. Email them or send a Face-

See GAP YEAR, page 4

2

March 26, 2010

NEWS

The Merionite

Jay-walking on Montgomery: is it worth arriving on time? started jaywalking because the sidewalk on the same side of the street as the school was covered with snow.

The sidewalk on the other side of the street was comEveryone has seen the jay-walkers and the people pletely shoveled, so I would stay on that side of the getting dropped off on Montgomery Avenue by their street until I was across the street from the entrance for parents. The police, as well as the administrators, the buses.” She acknowledged that there is “the risk of have constantly threatened to ticket those who feel getting hit by a car,” and knows that the administration compelled to stop traffic so they can drop off their “just want people to be safe.” However, she said that children. most people jaywalk or get dropped off on Montgom“The Lower Merion Police Department did ticket ery Avenue “because [they are] lazy.” drivers who violated these rules at the beginning of the In a video on the LMSD web site, called “Ride year,” said assistant principal Douglas Arnold.

Along with the Principal,” the project manger of this “However,” added assistant principal Wagner program, Jim Lill, lays out the correct protocol for Marseille, “individuals who were aware of this tick- dropping off children, and mentions that dropping them eting began dropping off students further away from off along Montgomery Avenue or in the parking lot on campus. [Soon] the police… stopped with their patrol the high school side is completely unacceptable. No and we are [now] seeing a higher rate of individuals traffic is allowed in that specific parking lot unless it being dropped off on Montgomery.” involves handicapped pickup or drop-off.

“When the police are at the schools in the morning The problem that has surfaced is not a lack of they will give warnings and ticket people [and] cars,” desire from the administration to ticket those who said principal Sean Hughes, jaywalk or drop their children off on Montgomery Assistant principal Scott Kilpatrick said, “So have Avenue; it is a lack of manpower because the number we given any school consequences? No. But [the thing of parents and students violating the new patterns is is], it [should be] common sense.” far greater than the number of people out there trying It is not hard to sympathize with the parents, be- to stop them. cause taking that long loop inside the parking lot can “I can’t go out in the middle of the road and stop traffic. I’m not a police officer,” Kilpatrick said.

He went on to point out how at any given time there are people from all directions breaking the rules.

“It’s the other side of the road, it’s down the road, anytime on a red light you can have four to five kids getting out of cars.”

People are always resistant Photo illustration by Madeline Berger/staff to change, but adbe time-consuming for already rushed drivers. ministrators assured that this procedure, caused by “In some aspects I understand parents/guard- construction, is solely for the safety of the students ians want to drop off students as quickly as possible and that no good can come from jaywalking or being without making that loop into the parking lot,” agreed dropped off on Montgomery Avenue.

Marseille, but there is one major problem: “the practice The administration has tried, albeit in vain, to of dropping of on Montgomery Avenue has become prevent parents from doing this. very dangerous.”

“We sent out a letter,” stated Kilpatrick. “I think Kilpatrick further stated, “What’s really the prob- 95% of our students are doing the right thing. I think lem is… parents and the kids need to come in the it’s just the five percent. It’s easy: oh, the light’s red, parking lot. I know they run late and don’t want to I’m going to jump out. It’s quick and it’s easy. They be late to school, but let’s not put safety [after] being don’t have to drive in the parking lot, drive around late to school.” there, and wait for the light to go. So, instead of ten “The students and the parents need to take a mo- minutes to drop my child off, it takes two minutes or ment,” said Kilpatrick. “If you have to leave five one minute. But, is ten minutes worth losing your child minutes early, don’t push the envelope. I don’t think it’s or your child getting hurt?” blatant disrespect to the law or the school; I just think…

“We want all of our students to graduate and not we’re busy. We’re in a rush in the morning.” find themselves injured or killed while coming to Arnold concurred, bluntly stating, “This is simply school,” said Arnold. a school safety issue.”

Kilpatrick also said, “Someone is going to get “We just have to make sure we are acting in a safe seriously hurt if students and parents aren’t doing the manner – that is the key to the entire process: safety,” right thing.” added Hughes.

That is a blunt but also very true statement, as Kilpatrick shed some interesting light on the matter, parents and students must realize that the school will “I’ve already been witness to three insurance cases. always have the students’ best interests at heart, even What’s happening is: people are stopping, not even [at if not everyone always sees it. a] red [light] and people aren’t even paying attention At the end of the interview, Kilpatrick addressed and [they get] rear-ended. Or I’ve seen parents drop the student body. kids off and the tires don’t even stop.”

“Is ten minutes worth your life? It is time to A sophomore girl at Lower Merion declared, “I wake up.”

Zach Schlosberg

Photo illustration by Madeline Berger/staff

Red means stop; green means go Aziz Kamoun

Class of 2012

Look left. Look right. Look left again.

Coming across extensive congestion around Lower Merion High School is as routine as looking both ways before crossing a street.

The early morning rush to get to work and school has always generated large volumes of both pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Two years ago, however, with the new school beginning construction, a new temporary parking lot on the south side of Montgomery Avenue, facing Lower Merion, was built. Ever since, teachers and students must cross Montgomery at a traffic light in order to access the athletic fields and cars.

“We hope everyone crosses at the red light, when the green light is activated in your direction,” said Mike McGinley, head of campus aides. “But with the traffic around you at such a high volume, you always have to be especially careful crossing the street because people come around that curve from both directions at high rates of speed. It is a very dangerous place to cross.”

The scene might as well be described as controlled chaos: cars turn into the parking lot to either drop off students or park, as pedestrians walk on paths protected from traffic. Even with two campus aides stationed in the parking lot, pedestrians must remain aware of their surroundings.

Adjoining Montgomery lies another busy area in Church Road. McGinley advised, “[Pedestrians are] not to cross there. There is no crosswalk there because it breaks up the traffic flow and it is extremely hazardous to try to cross there.”

Principal Sean Hughes assured, “The pedestrian traffic patterns were established after many meetings with the township and traffic specialists. Our goal is to make sure the routes are safe, clearly labeled and communicated to the students, staff, and public, and enforced (if needed this is where the police come in).”

In addition, school bus traffic often causes morning delays on Montgomery Avenue, as the buses wait their turns to pull into the bus circle.

“The delays aren’t a problem for me,” said sophomore Ben Magalaner. “The school district organizes the time the buses pick up and drop off the students with plenty of time for us to get to class and do whatever we need to do in the morning.”

The countless winter storms have not

helped commuters either. While the snow forces the district to clear the roads, the remnants linger on sidewalks used by students. In February, senior Caroline Meehan slipped on the way to school after a two-hour delay. “The sidewalk was covered with black ice,” said Meehan.

“Nothing serious [happened], my back was in some pain for the rest of the day though. Also, I landed on my back and my computer broke. I became a lot more careful when walking to school.”

When questioned whether she had noticed any apparent changes by Lower Merion to avoid a similar incident from reoccurring, Meehan responded, “No not really, there wasn’t any salt down on the sidewalk when I slipped and the sidewalk was still a mess for the next week and they rarely salt it in the mornings.”

Although the snow has melted, the traffic issues on Montgomery have not vanished with it. On Friday, March 12, a bus was rear-ended by a car near the traffic light at the Church and Montgomery intersection.

“This morning we did have a school bus rear ended by a person in the school zone, right in front of the Administration building,” said McGinley. “Thankfully there were no injuries. That’s the reason they have the 15 mph school zone, which as you probably have figured out is not well respected by everyone in a hurry to get to and from work.”

Sophomore Jeffrey Lehrer described the incident from a passenger perspective.

“We were stopped at the light and everyone was talking as usual when we felt a little thud almost. It wasn’t a big collision so no one really knew what had happened. I assume it was either their front bumper [that] hit our back bumper or they tried to go around us and clipped the backside of the bus,” said Lehrer.

As springtime rapidly approaches and the weather becomes more pleasant, more drivers and pedestrians are likely to be about. Thus, the number of potential accidents may increase. “[The traffic is] a big problem out there, the police department does a good job, the administrative team does a good job encouraging students to obey the law and be careful crossing the streets,” said McGinley. Regardless of the season, LMSD’s number one priority is the safety of its students.

“Out of the school, certainly we hope that the staff and the students adhere to the township and state laws regarding pedestrian traffic,” said McGinley.

Class of 2012

3

March 26, 2010

The Merionite HACIA and buildOn travel abroad this spring Ian Cohn

tions, including Haiti, Malawi. This year, through an extensive and intense application process, two students from LM, sophoClass of 2012 For many students at Lower Merion, March is the month of col- more Maddie Guss and junior Cat Rideout, were selected to go on lege basketball pools, spring sports, a change of season, and perhaps this year’s buildOn trip to Malawi. Other candidates come from even pi day. But for Harvard Association Cultivating Inter-Ameri- the Philadelphia area, including students from Upper Darby, Abcan Democracy (HACIA) and buildOn, March means preparations bington, Bodine, and Harriton. While in Malawi, they will help for important and exciting journeys to other nations, trips which to build a school, as well as learn the culture of Malawi Africans. involve international debate for HACIA, and the construction of a “While [in Malawi] we are going to be spending our time with a school for buildOn. BuildOn leaves on March 26 and returns April ‘host family,’ who for the duration of the stay take on the role of our 10. HACIA left on March 12 and returned on March 14. parents,” said Guss. “We will be working side by side with the vilHACIA and buildOn are both extra-curricular organizations lagers in building the foundation. That entails helping with digging at LM. HACIA is a program organized by 350 students from and the making/placement of the bricks. We will also be doing culacross the Americas that simulates the gathering of the Organiza- tural workshops where we will spend time with the women/men/ tion of American States (OAS). At the Costa Rican conference, children and learn the differences between our lives and theirs.” students act as delegates for a specific country from the AmeriTaking a trip to Malawi requires intensive preparations. builcas and debate issues such as human trafficking, abortion, and dOn members voyaging to Malawi must be vaccinated for variwomen’s rights. Delegates are divided into ous diseases and drink committees, which govern the topics over large quantities of wawhich the countries must debate. Last year, ter daily. Students from delegates traveled to Mexico to simulate LM going on the trip the OAS. Senior Jon Lubeck described his also meet with other experience attending conference last year. buildOn members from “Once you let yourself become engaged the Philadelphia region. in any debate, the process itself becomes “One of the experiso rewarding and enjoyable,” said Lubeck. ences that really stayed “When you go, you kind of doubt debatwith me was working side ing ‘Indigenous Rights’ for almost 20 hours by side with the villagers could be interesting, but alas, trust me, it [is].” on the work site,” said seHACIA is based at Harvard University, nior Jordan Cooper, who and is entirely staffed by Harvard underattended buildOn’s trip graduates. Members of HACIA emphasize to Mali last year. “There Photo Courtesy of Marianna Kozak were only girls on my trip the principles of democratic decisionmaking such as consensus, cooperation, The Philadelphia Delegation spent the first two days ofso when we started workand negotiation. Another resident organi- their trip sightseeing, during which time they swam in ing the men on the site a waterfall, visited a rainforest, and zip-lined. zation, buildOn, is a service program that were constantly asking us is housed by high schools across America. buildOn’s mission if we wanted a break or trying to help us lift things but we were involves providing aid both nationally and internationally. like ‘No it’s okay; we can do this,’ and I think by the end they “We have over 100 members at Lower Merion High School were just as amazed as we were at how strong we were. I think who throughout this school year have provided over 1,500 hours trek is different from many other community service projects beof community service,” explained history teacher and buil- cause not only did we help them build a school, but we got to dOn sponsor Tom Reed. “Our ultimate goal is to build schools meet the kids who would go to the school and learn from them.” throughout the developing world. We help finance the building Both groups on these trips expected to return with newly acquired of these schools, so far raising over $6,000 this school year, and values and experiences that will resonate with each of them for participate in the actual physical construction of the schools.” years to come. After returning from her HACIA delegation, Senior Every year, representatives from participating schools apply Marianna Kozak described what she retained from the conference: to attend a trip to another country. In the foreign nation, students “The trip overall was fantastic. It was great to assist underprivileged communities by helping to build schools. meet new people…[and] I gained invaluable culturOver the past years, buildOn has constructed schools in many na- al experience from my peers from across the globe!”

Webcam case faces further scrutiny by parents Conor Ferguson

Class of 2011 On March 2, the four founding members of lmsdparents.org held a meeting at the Narberth Borough Hall to discuss alternative ways in which the Blake J. Robbins v.

LMSD lawsuit could be resolved. Around 150 parents of Lower Merion and Harriton High School students were in attendance.

At the March 2 meeting Larry Silver, one of the founding members of the organization stated that it needed to be decided if, “we wanted to eliminate the class action,” and furthermore, “ask the court to change the gag order and to allow our elected officials to talk to us.” Michael Boni, another founding member of the organization stated that, “until the class [action] is certified by the judge, it is nothing more then a punitive class or an alleged class.” Boni went on to state that: “if and when it becomes a class action case, you will be given notice of the class and then the opportunity to opt out.” An overwhelming majority of parents that were in attendance expressed that they hoped to resolve this case in a non-litigious matter that was the most cost efficient for the District and taxpayers. During the March 2 meeting, many parents expressed concern about the bill that would be incurred by the District as a result of legal fees. When Boni was asked about the potential cost for the district he stated that the District had employed a “top tier institutional firm” to represent them and that “litigation is a very very expensive process,” however, it is “impossible to put a number on it.”

Since that March 2 meeting, the LMSD has decided to put Michael Perbix and Carol Cafiero, two technology administration officials, on paid administrative leave as a precautionary measure while the case is under investigation. LMSD Community and Public Relations Director Doug Young stated that, “this is something that would occur during an investigation like this. It doesn’t necessarily represent any wrong doing on the part of any staff member but it is a prudent move during an investigation.” Furthermore, the district has hired the computer-forensics firm, L-3, to conduct an internal investigation into how many times the LANRev software was activated and the reasons for its activation. In a statement to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Robbins’ family attorney stated that, “the District had agreed to share the results of the computer analysis with him and his computer forensic expert, Vestige Ltd. As of March 11, both the Robbins’ family and the LMSD have agreed to “freeze” the case until April 28, while both parties conduct a further investigation into the supposed “spying” allegations. U.S. District Judge Jan E. DuBois stated: “the parties are hopeful that this information will enable an expeditious and cost-effective resolution of this action.” Michael Boni stated: “It’s a great first step that they’re stopping the bleeding.” He continued: “I have to think the hue and cry of the community against this might have something to do with it. “ More recently, Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter seemed to be concerned with the

allegations that have been brought against the LMSD. Specter stated, “there is an issue whether we need federal legislation to deal with the technological advances.” Specter, who chairs the subcommittee on crime and drugs, stated that he would hold a special hearing on March 29 in Philadelphia where the use of remote tracking software would be addressed.

Lmsdparents.org stated that they took this action in an attempt to: “seek an end to the litigation, especially the class action for damages, [and] to reduce monetary costs to the District.” This Motion to Intervene will now “get us a seat at the table,” said lmsdparents.org cofounder, Michael Boni.

Most recently, Carol Cafiero, who was placed on paid administrative leave, has refused to give a deposition for the lawsuit, following advice from her attorney. Charles Mandracchia, Cafiero’s attorney, filed a motion to block his client’s deposition, stating that it was unnecessary since he claims that she has done, “nothing wrong or inappropriate.” Furthermore, Mandracchia is worried that if his client does provide a deposition, that the Robbins’ family attorney would lambast her with unnecessary questions. If Cafiero continues to refuse, she could fear being subpoenaed by the federal government, a move which would force her to give a deposition. However, at the time of press, no such action had been taken.

Though this case seems far from over, Young said that the District is steadfast in their goal, “to reach an outcome that benefits the families and taxpayers of LM.”

NEWS

NEWS IN BRIEF OSHA investigates construction accident

On March 1, a construction accident occurred in the new LM, injuring a construction worker and sparking an Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) investigation.

According to Philly.com, at the site where the new swimming pool is being built, a lift collapsed inside, which fell and pinned a construction employee. Fortunately, he was freed by other workers within minutes and was standing on his own by the time the first responders arrived to the scene. He was transported to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania immediately and the next morning he was reportedly in excellent condition.

Even after such a speedy recovery by the construction worker, the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration were quick to jump on the incident. Their investigators will inspect the accident for the next six months, expecting to find answers as to what caused the accident. Apparently the conditions of construction could have infringed the Federal Health and Safety act. This concern, however, is very slight and, according to Director of School & Community Relations Doug Young, “does not affect the safety of the site or the building itself.”

Although no one emerged from the accident gravely injured, there has been a new attitude applied to current construction.

“Safety has been and will continue to be of primary importance every single day on the high school construction site,” said Young. “The accident was an isolated incident.”

Work at the site continues to go as planned, and, although an official investigation will be made, it should not hinder or slow down the progress made on the construction of the new LM.

--I. Doron/G. Doron, ‘11/‘12

Hypnotist Michael C. Anthony to visit LM and Harriton

The Technology Student Association (TSA) clubs from Lower Merion, Harriton, Bala Cynwyd Middle School and Welsh Valley Middle School are holding a unique fundraiser. Hypnotist Michael C. Anthony will be performing a show yesterday at 7PM at Harriton and tonight at LM at 7PM. VHI calls Anthony the “best stage hypnotist on the planet.”

In this fundraiser, half of the proceeds from the tickets sold benefit TSA. The four TSA groups plan to donate a potion of their money to the American Cancer Society, TSA’s national partner charity.

When asked how LM’s tech club will be spending their portion of the money, junior Anna Murphy, a TSA club member, said, “Tech Club fundraising goes to a few different things, but a lot of it helps cover travel costs. The TSA side of the club takes three trips a year, one to the regional conference in Quakertown, one to the state conference near Harrisburg, and one to the national conference, which is in a new location every year and in the past has been held in Denver, Orlando, Dallas, Chicago, Nashville. As you can imagine, the costs can get pretty lofty. The money will also go to materials and resources for Robotics and TSA projects and startup for community service events.”

The club seems very excited at the prospect of the fundraiser.

“I think that this is a very unique way of raising money and if it’s successful has the potential to raise a lot of money. The show is going to be very funny and enjoyable for people of all ages,” said sophomore and club member Aniqa Hassan.

TSA president and senior Laura Sokil said, “This fundraiser comes at an exciting time we have already participated in a regional TSA competition and look forward to both the Pennsylvania State TSA competition and the National TSA Competition in Baltimore, MD.” The president of Harriton’s TSA Phil Hayes commented on Harriton’s excitement of the upcoming show.

“Harriton TSA is thankful to Michael C. Anthony’s team for giving us all of the resources we need to pull this off: tickets, posters, prizes, and other promotional resources. It’s evident that Mr. Anthony is an expert at what he does. As soon as people watch the video previews of his performance, they are thoroughly animated with excitement and are sure to come to the show,” said Hayes.

--Liz Bruss, ‘10

4

March 26, 2010

NEWS Explore the gap year Redistricting battle rages on one year later The Merionite

From GAP YEAR, page 1

-book message; get lunch with them if they live nearby. Bring good questions and write down what they say.

How about connecting with kids from your college? For example, if you’re going to Rad College, see if there’s a “Rad Class of 2014” Facebook group, then make a post asking anyone who took a gap year to contact you. Also ask the admissions office for a list of other freshmen who are choosing a year off. Find just one cool person on that list, and bam, you and your cool person can keep in touch all year long.

Tapping into advice from adults is also incredibly useful, because if you’re like me, you will need help at some point. Know any adults who are easy to talk to? My friend Gabe’s parents helped me a lot, getting me organized when I was struggling and even editing this article. My dad couldn’t understand at first why I didn’t want to go to college yet, but now he’s a huge supporter. My sister, who’s 27, supported my gap year from the beginning; thanks to her I found Deixa Sambar, my samba group, and met my friend Roberto, who helped me practice Spanish in exchange for help with his English.

Pay for it yourself: Why do I push this?

Because skeptical parents (like mine) become more supportive when they aren’t expected to pay for everything. A gap year does not have to be expensive, something you might not realize at first. Work and save up money, fundraise, or look into programs like AmeriCorps that actually pay you thousands of dollars to take a year off before college. Why would

you want to work? Because jobs teach you a lot. They teach you that working is not always fun. They force you to be responsible in a way school does not. Can you manage money?

Earn enough on your own, and suddenly being smart about money will seem a lot more relevant to your life. I saved up about $6,000 from my earnings; I drove vans for a tourism company, I worked as a car rental agent, and at a college bookstore. Best of all, I’m truly excited now for the freedom and easy opportunities I’ll find in college. The bottom line?

Pay for a gap year yourself. Be in charge of your own life.

Get with the program: Sign up for a yearlong program, or string together a few programs.

It is absolutely possible to create your own “programs” (for instance, I’m working through a list of books I always wanted to read), but it takes discipline. Side effects of a gap year are nearly all positive, but may include occasional doubt and frustration, so minimize those by good planning. Check out the programs below, which are either very low-cost or offer full scholarships.

I admit it. A gap year is not for everyone, but everyone should know that it’s an option.

With some idea of what you want to do and a little motivation, you’re ready to plan it yourself. Remember, we’re not talking about never going to college, we’re talking about taking college seriously by getting twelve months of life experience before freshman year. Interesting?

Don’t defer the real world four more years; defer college instead. Pass it on: take a gap year.

HOW TO GET STARTED ON YOUR GAP YEAR: Tips and Websites

NSLI-Y: The National Security Language Initiative for Youth offers full scholarships to study a foreign language for a year or a summer in China, India, Korea, Russia, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tajikistan, or Turkey. My friend Meredith is in Egypt with NSLI-Y, living with a host family and studying Arabic. nsliforyouth.org Public Allies: In this program founded by Michelle Obama, “Allies” become leaders in their communities through full-time, paid internships. Check out City Year for a similar urban service program offered in Philly. Public Allies and City Year are both AmeriCorps programs, which means they actually pay you $5,350 towards college and $1,000-$2,000 a month to cover living costs. Sound good? publicallies.org SERVAS: For $85, you join a network of people around the world who host travelers in their homes at no charge. Instead of being a tourist, how about participating in the daily lives of real people? Check out the SERVAS Youth Language Exchange (SYLE) for a free month-long experience in Europe or Latin America. My own SYLE will be in Montevideo, Uruguay this spring for one month, and I will use my Servas membership this summer to stay with South Americans for free. usservas.org

From COURT CASE, page 1

factor when assigning students to schools.

The first instance is when school districts take race into account when rectifying former segregating policies. The second is when colleges and universities consider race along with a number of other factors when accepting students in an attempt to have a diverse student body, and may admit students with lower SAT, GPA, and other scores in the process. The second example is more commonly known as “affirmative action”.

While planning redistricting, the District hired a consultant, Ross Haber, to help with the process. Haber was not hired in any connection to the lawsuit, although part of his job was to compile data regarding enrollment trends based on ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Arnold argued that the District would not hire such a service unless race was a factor influencing redistricting.

“Why would a school district that is setting attendance zones in a color-blind fashion spend public money for this type of service, unless it was districting in part based on race?”

Arnold said to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Director of School & Community Relations Doug Young responded to these allegations.

“Board members never saw a number of the documents listing diversity outcomes for potential redistricting scenarios,” said Young. “The community’s interest in the value of diversity is what led the dis-

trict to report on the diversity outcomes of a particular proposed scenario or plan.”

According to Superintendent Christopher McGinley, the outcome of the case should not affect the implementation of redistricting. “[The moving of families] was something that had to happen; it was a very difficult part of the process,” said McGinley.

“The Board adopted four non-negotiables that we needed to build the plan around and the plan was built around that. To get an overall number of students to Harriton High School was primary among those goals,” he added. McGinley stated that bussing students was not an aim of the Board when making the redistricting plan. He also said that he is confident that the judge will understand what LMSD’s goals were during redistricting.

On February 23, U.S. District Judge Michael M. Baylson, the judge presiding over the case, unsealed a myriad of documents that were previously confidential. Both parties agreed in a hearing before the documents, which include two legal briefs and 83 other memos, emails, and expert opinions, were unveiled.

“It was very clear that they were making this decision based on race,” said the plaintiffs’ spokesman James Herbert, when discussing the unsealed communications on television. “There’s a big discrepancy between what they said behind the scenes and what they said publicly.”

Ultimately, the courts will make the decision; a trial date is set for April 8.

District and union haggle over contracts From PA CONTRACTS, page 1

should happen the LMEA will weigh all of its options very carefully.”

Typically, the LMEA and the District will establish a contract before September.

This occurs after both sides reach a tentative agreement and present it to their respective voting bodies.

“In the case of the LMEA that would be our rank and file—the general membership—who would deliberate and vote to either ratify or reject,” said Santa Maria.

Though the deliberations take place among a relatively small group of people, they actually involve a far greater number.

The LMEA is in fact comprised of over 1300 members.

“The LMEA is somewhat unique among education unions in Pennsylvania,” said Santa Maria. “We are a combined local of not only teachers, but also guidance counselors, school psychologists, nurses, bus drivers, mechanics, aides, secretaries, clerical, custodians, food service and skilled craftsmen. In short, everyone except administrators belong to the LMEA.” Because of the great multitude of individuals affected by this decision, the process is a difficult one. The LMSD staff and administration continue to struggle

March 26, 2010

5

The Merionite EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL/LETTERS

Redistricting: falling off the map?

We seem to be gluttons for secrets lately at LM. The redistricting debacle, which erupted in board meetings and in homes across the District about one year ago, has not been solved. It merely has been swept under the carpet like last year’s dust.

What once was a major source of debate and contention in the community has since been eclipsed by anything and everything, from WebcamGate to the roaches in the caf. What we seem to be ignoring is still one of the most pressing issues in our community.

Where did our redistricting woes go? The Merionite wanted to find out.

So, we did a little research. A quick query of “redistricting” on the District website turned up seemingly meaningful results. The updates we found revealed that redistricting is still very much alive; in fact, the issue has hit federal courts as a dissatisfied Belmont Hills Elementary School parent alleged that the District…?

Well, that’s just the thing. We have no idea. The most recent update we found, dating from February 22, was a two-paragraph entry about the preparation necessary for such a substantial Federal case. It preached optimism, and reaffirmed that “the facts in this case support the appropriateness of the redistricting plan development, adoption, and implementation.” After reading the update twice, we felt confident that the District had adequately prepared for such an important and monumental case—the sweeping (and rather vague) rhetoric proved effective, until we took a step back and realized that the carefully crafted announcement was masking crucial information. The “facts” they were referring to were inconspicuously omitted from the update.

So, we wondered, where were the facts? Where could we find the most recent policy being debated in this case, the that is now perhaps affecting us? We decided to do another search, looking for the most recent redistricting policy. Our epic quest again proved futile: we only found reports from the fiery debates dating a year back.

Two paragraphs a month are more than enough to keep us updated—if only those paragraphs contained concise and meaningful information. Redistricting affects us all, and if not us personally then surely our neighbors or younger siblings. It’s not too much to ask to be sufficiently informed with the most recent policies and happenings dealing with redistricting instead of receiving vague and safe “updates.”

This year, we’ve witnessed that the elephants in the room eventually stomp their feet. To prevent another scandalous eruption like the one we saw last year—and more recently with WebcamGate—we must receive accessible and easily comprehensible updates about redistricting directly from LMSD. We need this information to continue to spark informed debate and bring this issue back into the spotlight where it rightfully belongs. After all, even the District admits that we are “a community that may not always be in agreement but…one that welcomes and encourages all voices be heard.” But what good is an uninformed voice?

Unsigned editorial on this page reflects the general opinion of student editors, not the views of individuals.

The Merionite Published since 1929

Editors-in-Chief Managing Editor News Editors

Op-Ed Editors Features Editors

Arts & Entertainment Editors

Sivahn Barsade, ’10 Hana Rouse, ’10 Hannah Weilbacher, ’10 Hannah Goldberg-Morse, ’10 Jenny Ma, ’10 Matt Rublin, ’11 Conor Ferguson, ’11 Isaac Lindy, ’10 Leah Rosenbloom, ’11 Rachel Cohen, ’10 Bina Peltz, ’10 Emily Sorensen, ’10 Han Tran, ’11 Jake Wellens, ’11

Sports Editors

Layout/Web Editor Photo Editor

Emily Eisner, ’10 Avi Chatterjee, ’11 Xinran Wang, ’10 Noah Zuares, ’10 Madeline Berger, ’11

Photo Manager

Dann Weitz, ’11

Copy Editor

Connie Hua, ’10

Business Manager Advisor Business Advisor

Ben Forer, ’10 Mr. Chad Henneberry Mr. Sean Flynn

The editors believe all facts presented in the newspaper to be accurate. The paper acknowledges that mistakes are possible and welcomes questions as to accuracy. Inquiries regarding accuracy should be directed to the editors of the paper. Editors can be contacted via e-mail at merionite@gmail.com or in Room 116. To represent all viewpoints in the school community, The Merionite welcomes all letters to the editor. Letters can be sent via e-mail or dropped off outside the Merionite office. The Merionite reserves the right to edit letters to the editor for length or clarity.

Letters to the Editor

From the outside looking in

A parent’s perspective

Dear Merionite, I was recently particularly impressed with your coverage of the LMSD Webcam lawsuit. As a parent of two LMHS students as well as a Lower Merion resident and taxpayer, I have great interest in the suit and have been informing myself directly as well as following it closely in the general media.

Give yourselves a big pat on the back, because in my estimation your coverage has been the most comprehensive, fact-based and unbiased that I have come across. Unlike articles in major newspapers or discussions on television and radio talk shows on the matter, your coverage has been free of fantasy-based speculation and sensationalism. Kudos to all involved!

-Phyllis Rubin LMHS Parent

A language all our own

I am awed by the language used in this publication. Sorry Merionite, but don’t take that as a compliment. I don’t mean that this newspaper has a great command of the language (even though it might); I mean that English is awesome. I can go up to any kid from around here, or even from really far away, and just start talking, and they will understand my speech. And even when I’m talking to my family, still I use the same speech; living with someone for my entire life isn’t enough to alter my speech beyond the understanding of an outsider. I know that that’s the purpose of language-- to be able to communicate with other people, and our bodies adapt themselves to be able to speak exactly like everyone else around us-- but still, it’s cool. I think this widespreadness shows the power of the makers of English-- us. Every time any of us says an English word, I am reminded of the power of our community because (almost) every original thought anyone has ever had was composed entirely of words first used by other people.

But as much as English is ours (“hey” means “hey” because we all agree it does), as much as we recreate it every generation, it is still something mostly inherited. I am jealous of our community (from which I inherited English) for having (unintentionally) created such a widely used, widely useful code.

So why not act upon my jealousy? Why not try to do what our community has done? Why not create my own useful code, and spread it so it becomes used? Every utterance then would be a reminder of my control of my own thoughts. Maybe that’s how the makers of new fonts feel when they see words written in typefaces they created. Well, I have acted on that jealousy. I have tried to create my own code, where “iu” means “hey” because I say it does.

And I’m trying to spread it. So when you pass me in the hallways, tell me “iu,” or teach me what code you want to use that can be a reminder of your own independence and power.

- Jonah Mann Student Government Treasurer, Class of ’10

6

March 26, 2010

The Merionite

“

OPINIONS

Question of the Month

Should teachers assign work over Spring Break?

“

Absolutely, but teachers must be reasonable. I assigned a short reading on Carmen by Prosper Mérimée.

Voilà!

- Jean-Claude Contassot, French Teacher

“

”

No, I think Spring break is a good time to relax and get your brain ready for the final push to June. It’s also a good time to catch up on things you may not have been able to get done before the break. Many people go away as well and you don’t want to have to do homework on vacation.

Hopefully students will read or sketch or do something productive with all their free time. If they don’t, that’s their decision and their parents’, not the fault of teachers who have done their best to give students skills to take out into the world.

- Louise Pierce, Art Teacher

I wholeheartedly believe that the cruel institution of teachers assigning work over spring break should be forbidden. Spring break is the second of our two chances to distance ourselves from school for an extended period of time without consequence and I am fully prepared to spend my break NOT thinking about school. If I am forced to interrupt my low stress daily schedule of sleeping, lounging at the pool, napping, and watching movies due to some assignment, how can my spring break be considered a break? Let’s say I am assigned a math packet or paper to write over break—as a typical high school student, what are the chances of actually completing this assignment before Sunday night? Zero.

Welcome to Procrastination 101: I’ll spend the whole break stressing about the assignment instead of actually doing it, rush to complete my work in a panic on Sunday night and realize on Monday that my break was wasted due to the emotional distress of procrastination.

This ends up being completely counterproductive because I am just as stressed out as I was before and spring break is supposed to allow us to return to school refreshed and ready to buckle down for our last few months of school. Therefore, if teachers really do want us to be successful in the waning months of the school year, they should NOT assign work over break and should spare us from this misery for the sake of our sanity and our productivity.

Let our break truly be a break.

”

-Laura Sokil Student Government Treasurer Class of 2010

“

I think each teacher needs to make his or her own decision, but I try not to assign work over school breaks. I think that breaks from school are meant to be breaks from school work as well.

- Mark Hansler, Social Studies Teacher

“

No. It’s a vacation!!

“

”

- Diane Sweeney, Math Teacher

I think teachers should do what they need to do to benefit and maximize their students’ education. If that means work over Spring Break- so be it. At least students have a chance to sleep later and perhaps do their assignments on a beach, by a lake, in a park, or comfy on the couch.

- Myra Rios, Spanish Teacher

”

”

”

A high price for the “Keystone” to success Jake

Delman

Class of 2011

While many at LM worry about the District’s alleged interference in our home lives, I worry about the Pennsylvania government’s interference in our school

lives. It is the job of the Commonwealth, aided by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), to set curriculum guidelines and other regulations for schools, but in the past few years they have gone too far. Education in LMSD is suffering, and will suffer more due to the over-reaching policies that the PDE has set forth.

In June 2006, the term “Act I” instantly began to dominate the vocabulary of every school board member across the state. Simply, Act I limits the amount a school board can increase property taxes on the residents of the school district. Such a measure, in theory, would not be detrimental to a school district with steady expenses, but it would negatively affect a school district that is, say, building two new high schools.

Our school board had to apply for Act I exemption a few years ago, and is planning to do so again for the next fiscal year. This is absolutely necessary to handle the construction expenses while keeping educational funding at its current level. The PDE might argue

that they are protecting taxpayers with their nugatory how we spend our parents’ tax money should be made caps, but in reality, the taxpayers don’t need the Com- here in Lower Merion by our elected officials--not in monwealth to protect them. If the citizens of Lower Harrisburg by appointees. This is a school district that Merion and Narberth become unhappy with how the provides a laptop to each high school student. This board is levying taxes, they would vote the school is a school district that started to mandate compreboard members out in the next election. hensive A.I.D.S. awareness and education only a few Last year, the PDE approved a resolution that would short years after Ronald Reagan finally admitted that require students to pass a series of tests, “The Keystone it was a real disease and not a “gay plague.” This is Exams,” in order to receive a high school diploma. a school district that outperforms most other public Each exam would be a subject-specific test given at the schools regarding PSSAs, SATs, graduation rates, and end of every high school course, similar to the Regents college acceptance rates. We have managed to be this Exams in New York. The Keystone exams would cover progressive and successful without Keystone Exams only material that is in the state curand Act I caps. So perhaps the PDE riculum, but here at LM, we deviate should stop trying to bring us down from that curriculum. Social studies to their level, and start bringing the The outsourcing courses are the primary example of rest of their schools up to our level. of our education is a Instead of arbitrary caps on the school this because most schools don’t spend dangerous idea... any time discussing the little-known districts like ours that perform well, figures in Pennsylvania history that We have managed to perhaps the PDE should consider dominate the state curriculum. The innovative intervention in the strugbe progressive and Class of 2014, the first class affected, gling school districts. There is no might learn about William Penn’s need for such proposed (and already successful without first cousin once removed instead of instated) blanket rules.

Keystone exams the Armenian Genocide, The Treaty We have all heard the old jokes and Act I caps. of Versailles, or the Munich Agreeabout how inefficient the government ment. This could also mean mandated is; one may point to a Department of changes in other subjects; what if the Motor Vehicles (DMV) office and PDE decided to only teach creationism in science ask, “do you really want them running your…” While I classes and write evolution out of the curriculum? We don’t necessarily have a burning ideological antipathy would be forced to accept that change and alter our toward the government, I do know that a DMV office teaching accordingly. is one of most inefficient places you will ever have The outsourcing of our education is a dangerous the misfortune to be in. Of course LM is nothing like idea. While it is easy to understand what the Com- a DMV office—our computers work and the adminismonwealth hopes to achieve by standardization, it is tration, faculty and staff are pleasant and knowledgealso easy to see why it wouldn’t work. Lower Merion, able. However, if LM is regulated like a DMV—by for instance, is a unique place with its own values, the powers-that-be all the way out in Harrisburg—it which is why the tough decisions of what we learn and may just start to look like one.

March 26, 2010

7

Class of 2012

Auto-Tune has been the center of un- uses of the software in recent pop. 808s fathomable controversy as of late. This and Heartbreak was not so much a title as a theme, to relate the robotic sounds of electronic instruments such as the TR808 drum machine to cold emotions such as heartbreak and loneliness. The disc used its robotic beats and production to amplify the meaning of its lyrics. West had previously worked with experimental electronic dance music on his own tracks, and the embrace of Auto-Tune seems to be a natural progression down this path.

Kanye’s is an artful use of the Auto-Tune piece of musical software has the ability to software that, after the fad wears off, could repair pitch in recorded music, specifically very well be an artistic influence to many in a singer’s voice. It is mainly used to dis- in the future. guise mistakes and compensate for lack of Within the realm of Electronica, Autotalent in popular music. Apart from lying Tune can be used with great positive afto audiences, Auto-Tune can be used more fect. Utilizing Auto-Tune, or even visibly to create a robot-like effect and ap- a vocoder, vocals can be so deeply ply a futuristic sheen to the singer’s voice. integrated into the sound to make While this sounds kind of neat in theory, the words seem to emanate from its current explosion of use in all genres the same computer producing the has caused all music to sound too perfect, music. The software can also making music largely uninteresting and be used to intentionally obscure un-unique. While I obviously decry the words to destroy their meaning common use and abuse of the software, as to make a new instrument.

I have seen many times the effect being Conversely, the Auto-Tune could artfully applied and utilized as an instru- and has made unintelligible vocals ment. If Auto-Tune is seen and used as seem wholly lyrical. One could an instrument instead as a supplement, it theoretically use this tool, in addican produce wondrous results. tion to others, to craft a voice from A very popular example of Auto-Tune strange sounds. Many electronic is Kanye West’s most recent album. As artists have used this tool to great far as Auto-Tune-produced robotic effects effect, acclaim, and influence; artgo, this record contained some of the best ists including Kraftwerk (“Trans-

Julian Davis

Europe Express,”) Aphex Twin (“Windowlicker,”) and Boards of Canada (“In a Beautiful Place Out in the Country”).

When used to conceal the musical flaws of talentless pop stars, Auto-Tune can be viewed as dubious, immoral, and dishonest. To deceive the audience of the talent of the artist is wrong, and to simply apply a robotic effect on every song for only commercial purposes is both artistically static and obnoxiously repetitive.

So, it is obvious that the current trend of same-sounding Auto-Tuning is annoying, but the software itself has the potential to be great. Auto-Tune does not kill creativity in music, as its naysayers argue, and is only, in fact, a new instrument to be used in any imaginable way.

Art by Liora Ostroff/Staff

Auto-Tune on trial: Sentenced to “Death”?

safety net is removing any need for musical skill at all.

Auto-Tuning is just a short cut for pop-star wannabes and shouldn’t be used. Kanye West, known to some as “the voice of our generation,” has used the technology on several occasions. Kanye was a musical guest during an episode of Saturday Night Live and he sang the song “Love Lockdown” without Auto-Tune. If you’ve heard the performance, you could guess that his off-key singing pained my fragile ears; Kanye has obviously used AutoTune in the past to cover up his lack of singing talent, as have many other modern pop “artists.”

Several musical masters in the business would agree that Auto-Tune is simple a disguise for a lack of talent.

Rapper Jay-Z’s song “Death of Auto-Tune” ridicules TPain for using Auto-Tune on his albums, chanting “Get Auto-Tuning is pitch correction, plain and simple. You back to rap you T-Pain’n too much.” Our Jay-Z isn’t a could sing hideously off key through an Auto-Tune device hypocrite: he engaged in further protest by removing all and it would just fix your singing for you. So then why songs on his album that had been Auto-Tuned. would a skilled singer ever be necessary?

Indie rockers Death Cab for Cutie have their own form Music producers insist that artists use Auto-Tune as of protesting. The band wore suits and blue pins during a safety net to prevent mistakes during a song. But you their Grammy award performance to raise awareness of have to ask yourself; How is that any different from hav- the overuse of Auto-Tuning. “We just want to raise awareing a cheat sheet just in case you don’t know the answers ness while we’re here and try to bring back the blue note,” on a test? How is that different from taking steroids in said Death Cab for Cutie front man Ben Gibbard, “The case you’re not fit enough to play a sport? Using this note that’s not so perfectly in pitch and just gives the recording some soul and some kind of real character. It’s how people really sing.”

You can’t appreciate a musician’s skill or raw talent anymore. Using Auto-Tune eliminates that possibility because we never know what we are listening to: either a commendable performance of spot-on pitch or a contemptible display of Auto-Tune trickery.

All artists out there who are using their talent instead of machinery to make music, I salute you. Auto-Tuning and pitch correction are overused and abused to the point where most music doesn’t hold the uniqueness of an artist. Auto-Tune compensates for a startling lack of talent in certain cases, and makes it impossible to appreciate the raw sound of the true artists. Gibbard got it right: AutoTune sounds eerily un-human, like a robot playing notes, and robots don’t have souls.

And if there is no soul, or feeling, or even Art by Liora Ostroff/Staff imperfection, then why listen?

Jeremy

Lordan

Class of 2012

I think its safe to say that music appreciation is something everyone at LM shares. But it well may be that the music you hear and the songs you think you appreciate are just Auto-Tuned lies.

OPINIONS

My (Mr.) LM school spirit

The lights dimmed, flashing ominously. It was seven on a Thursday night and I was back at school once again. Tired from a long week,

Class of 2010

The Merionite

the last of the quarter, I began to question my decision to return to school after just a half hour at home and a brief stop at Wawa to boost my energy reserves. But it was time for Mr. LM, and despite my initial trepidation I’d been coerced, by people who shall remain unnamed, to attend.

The video shorts started. They were funny. I looked around the nearly-full auditorium, glancing over the heads of people I’d known for years laughing in unison with our principal as the candidates paraded onto the stage in their tuxedoes.

It was silly and charming and hilarious, but also bittersweet.

I’m going to level with you—I’ve never had the most school spirit. Sure, in my years at LM you could find me at the assorted football game, basketball tournament, Players show. I’ve drained my wallet from school apparel, dabbled in many of the activities LM has to offer, pulled my most morose clothing from my closet for those all-school blackouts, screamed myself hoarse at pep rallies. But these were born more from a sense of obligation—this was how I was supposed to support my school, right?—than from any real emotional ties to my school.

You see, for the amount of time I spend at LM, sometimes staying for 14 or 15 straight hours, I had never formed a strong attachment to the place. Because although the different facets of LM life—the students, faculty, activities— have made significant impacts on me, the idea of LM, for me, was just a shell, a place to house all of the other, more important, elements. LM was the name on the fundraiser, the heading of the school paper, plastered across my track uniform, but it was little more than that. And when it was, it was more often the unified recipient of my assorted complaints (see previous Merionite issues for further reference) than any sort of tangible thing.

Looking around the auditorium, though, watching the impressive talents of our student body and sharing in the humor of the event, made me appreciate the school in a different way. I’m not a particularly sentimental person, but Mr. LM made me fiercely proud of my school. Of the way the community banded together to create such an incredible event, of all the behind-the-scenes efforts of those involved in the production, filmmaking, lighting, sound, and choreography. Of everyone who volunteered to help in some small or large way, with the conception and planning or the concession sales. Of the competitors, the gracious and amusing hosts. Of the people who packed into the auditorium to support their friends, peers, family, and classmates.

Maybe it’s that I’m leaving so soon, or that time has made me a sappy person. Maybe this sudden outpouring of emotion comes from some deep-down psychological fear of change. But I think it’s more than that. Mr. LM, in ways I don’t think I could even articulate, made me see how much LM truly means to me. How, more than being just a place where a significant portion of my waking moments take place, it is the thread that runs through so much of what I, what we all, do. LM is the common denominator for us all, connecting me to each person in that auditorium and in the halls of the building. So even though neither I nor the physical structure will be here next year, I’ll rock my LM apparel with pride and a bit of sentiment.

8

March 26, 2010

The Merionite

OPINIONS

Bus it baby: the art of appreciation Class of 2011

Things slowly come into mental focus as I pry my unwilling eyes open, only to wince at the harsh and recalcitrant beep

Wenwen

Yang

of my Hello Kitty alarm clock. It’s Monday morning, 6:49 AM. I’ve overslept.

I take my violin, a wet oil painting, and a hastily packed backpack and sprint out the door. I see the bus and dash toward it, hoping that the driver sees me. I’m almost there. The bus driver starts driving toward me. Surely she doesn’t have the heart to leave me in the cold.

Crap! I was wrong. I desperately hobble after the bus to the next stop, trying to keep paint from getting on my clothes while keeping my fragile violin from the hard cement ground. Breathless, I board the bus only to hear the driver berate me for not being on time—Thank God this all ended

with the close of last school year.

Oh no! I woke up too late again. I get a déjà vu feeling as I race towards my bus in the rain. The driver sees me and I pray that I don’t repeat last year’s scene. My heart is pounding. I gasp for air in the cold winter morning. But he is slowing down instead of speeding up. I make it on the bus only because he is kind enough to wait for me. He bids me “good morning” and closes the doors.

Same situation two different bus drivers and two totally different experiences.

This year’s bus driver could have driven away like the bus driver from last year.

After all, he

for us may not seem like much, but when looked at as a whole, they can make the greatest difference between a bad day and a good day.

I would be completely ignorant of the kindness of my current bus driver if not for last year’s driver. It was clear that she despised her job. She frequently lectured kids for trivial things like bringing a lollypop onto the bus or arriving at the bus stop a couple of seconds late. Even if she were early, she would still greet “late” kids with an indignant “get to your bus stop on time!”

This year, my bus driver couldn’t be any nicer. When he gets to my bus stop,

is paid only to get me from destination A to destination B; he didn’t have to wait for me and he definitely didn’t have to start off my morning with a friendly greeting.

These little things that such people do

which is on a busy street, he honks his horn at drivers who ignored the stop sign sticking out of the side of the bus. When they don’t stop, he records their license plate numbers to make sure that they obey

the traffic laws next time. He is so concerned about our safety that he is willing to put in the extra effort to make sure that we can cross the streets unharmed.

Moreover, he is somehow able to paste a smile on his face for us every morning and afternoon despite being around little elementary-school rugrats for the majority of his day. We all know how annoying they can be.

Most of us don’t take time to appreciate these little things. Our bus drivers could be total pains in the butt, demanding that we put away that one bite of bagel before we get on the bus or that we cap our water bottle on a hot summer day. We take the positive aspects of our bus drivers for granted.

They have the ability, however, to make or break our day just by being friendly. The least we can do to repay them is to return that kindness. I never feel like I can thank my bus driver enough for being who he is. Last year ’s experiences have made me realArt by Zach Ostrum/Staff ize just how lucky I am this year to have been assigned such a caring and courteous bus driver. The next time you get off a school bus, be sure to thank the driver because they really do deserve every bit of gratitude you can give.

The marriage of tradition and progressivism

Leah

Class of 2011

There is something horribly wrong with justifying the prohibition of gay marriage with “America was founded on Christian values,” invariably condemning

Rosenbloom homosexuality. It’s an argument I’ve heard more than you would expect, and I still don’t understand why it justifies an obvious infringement of the First Amendment and even a direct violation of our inherent rights as human beings, some of the most important things our founding fathers fought to protect.

The First Amendment alone is enough to poke a hole in the “Christian America” argument. If “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,” isn’t an obvious separation of Church and State, I don’t know what is. It’s clear that when our founders passed the Bill of Rights, they intended American government to steer clear of any specific religious affiliations or loyalties. True, most of these men were Christian. True, most had faith in God. But when it came time to create a secular government for everybody else, they were astute enough to leave their religious affiliations at home.

That’s not to say the founding fathers were perfect, because their initial disregard to the institution of slavery put some serious flaws in their master plan.

The key here, though, is “disregard.” Even though some of the founding fathers owned slaves, they were extremely careful when dealing with the issue and tried not to bring personal preference into a document that would represent the inherent rights of all American citizens—just like they were careful when dealing with religion.

Some politicians today seem to have forgotten this.

Even the people that founded America’s “Christian values,” the Puritans, “defined matrimony as a contract rather than a religious sacrament, and New England couples were married by justices of the peace instead of ministers.” That’s in quotes because I took it word for word from my history textbook: the infamous Enduring Vision. Just for the sake of clarification, this means that even though most Puritans were orthodox Christians, they saw marriage as a legal contract. Because marriage was a civil institution, colonial women could request a divorce if her husband abused her, deserted her, or cheated on her. These Puritan values were what separated American marriages and values from English Anglican ones. These Puritan values are what make America unique.

And with this information it becomes obvious that the “Christian values” America was founded on weren’t intended to serve in the office and affairs of marriage at all, even in colonial times. Marriage stood as a separate entity altogether: a “civil” entity. “You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination,” might be Biblical law, but is not at all relevant to marriage, especially since our government is so explicitly secular. Regardless of what the Bible may preach, homosexuals should have every single civil right that heterosexual couples have, including

rights to social security, life insurance, and family healthcare plans.

Gay couples have already shown in massive numbers that they are capable of forming the same exact interdependent, cooperative relationships as heterosexual couples, and there is, therefore, no justifiable reason that they should be treated any differently under the law.

In case you were living

under Plymouth Rock Quick Facts on Puritan Marriage • Puritans were the foundation of Christianity in colonial America • In the 17th century, Puritans passed an Act of Parliament stating that marriage was “to be no sacrament,” thus making marriage purely secular • Marriages thereafter were performed by justices of the peace, not ministers • Puritan marriage was a civil contract • If the obligations stated in the contract were not met by either party, Puritans were allowed to divorce • Parents never arranged marriages Puritans married for love

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March 26, 2010

FEATURES Adults in high school: Main Line School Night The Merionite

Elizabeth Dunoff

adults who spend their evenings back in a were a little separated from the group, so I inside was working on watercolors instead high school, last Tuesday night I headed managed to sneak in some questions while of pottery. I spoke with the teacher, Bill Class of 2011 over to experience Main Line School Night they tried to keep the hoops from falling Greenwood. His wife and daughter are If you’ve ever driven past LM at around for myself. Pulling into the parking lot at to the ground. The brunette told me that both LM grads, and he’s been teaching 6:30 p.m. on a Tuesday night, you’ve 7:00 p.m., I had to park in the reserved sec- this was her second MLSN class—she had for MLSN for 13 years. A graduate of the probably noticed all the cars pulling into tion; all the normal spots were full. Walking previously taken zumba at Harriton. She Pennsylvania Academy for Fine Arts, he the parking lot. Maybe you’ve wondered in through the door near the gym, amateur liked the classes because they were fun, and works “primarily as a landscape painter,” why they were there, or maybe you just violin playing could be faintly heard in “absolutely better than going to the gym.” but is also “working on a book about chalked it up to one of the cultish student the hallway– composition.” He got into teaching organizations that requires its members to r o o m 1 0 7 , because when he asked one of his stay far past the last late bus. However, normally used former teachers how he could ever the Tuesday night party isn’t made up of f o r h e a l t h repay him, the reply he got was “You insane Players or rowers, it’s made up of classes, was can’t– pass it on.” He also believes middle-aged adults. taken over that learning from books “can’t get Every Tuesday night, Main Line School by a beginner anywhere close to the one-on-one Night (MSLN) takes over the high schools. violin class. critique process.”

Founded in 1938, MLSN is a non-profit The lobby Jazzy music had been emitting organization that runs over 500 courses in outside of the from the basement all evening long, over 30 different locations, spanning from main office so I followed the sound down the ChrisiTurton’10 dance studios to tennis clubs to Chinese s the censtairwell and into the cafeteria. About restaurants. They run wine tastings at tral check-in 13 couples were dancing to Ella Beaumont Retirement Communities, bee- area. I talked Fitzgerald, as an older man counted keeping introductory courses at Harriton to Hilary Marout loud, “Slow, slow, back forth.

House, and tennis lessons at Welsh Valley tin, who was Slow, slow, back forth.” Although Middle School. manning the the average age was around 50, there While some of those offerings might d e s k . S h e ’s was one couple who looked to be seem at bit random, they have nothing on been choosing in their 20s, possibly practicing for Photo by Madeline Berger/Staff the courses offered at our own LM. Along what courses their wedding dance. The number Main Line School Night students enjoy a class in Argentine Tango taught with classes in languages, dancing, and MLSN offers by Kelly Ray and Lesley Mitchell. of smiles in the room put me in such a crafts, MLSN offers a five-session course for the past six good mood for the rest of the night that called “Make Money in Voice-Overs: years, based on “what seems interesting.” Her blond friend agreed, but then her hula- even a Webassign couldn’t wipe the smile Beginner.” Who signs up for that course, She also advised me to check out the hula hoop rolled away, and she ran off chasing off my face.

I have no idea, but it seems that enough hooping class exercising in the auditorium it before I could ask her anything.

Main Line School Night attracts a pretty people graduate it to have a follow-up lobby.

Scared of the rogue hula-hoops, I fol- good cross-section of the community; course, “Make Money in Voice-Overs: Women of all ages– and one man– were lowed an elderly gentleman into the tech about 780 students were in the building Advanced.” swinging large striped candy-colored hula- building. He led me to what is normally that evening. Unfortunately, for those of To try and understand these mysterious hoops around their waists. Two women known as the ceramics studio, but the class you looking to spend even more time in

Belmon-Do Re Mi Emily Sorensen

my student teaching and my first job, I just knew I was in because a blurb in the right profession.” However, he only got to teach one The Merionite hardly does Class of 2010 year before being drafted to go into the service justice to his whole experience.

You may sing with him every day, you may have seen Belmondo admitted, “I never thought I would be going But for now, onto lighter topics. He got his music eduhis Vietnam presentation, you may have no idea who he is to Vietnam at the time, because I had a college degree… cation degree from the State University of New York at because you never visit the music wing of the school. But it didn’t matter.” So he went to Vietnam Fredonia, then moved Dr. Belmondo, or as many of his students affectionately call for a year and said of the experience, “it to the Philadelphia area him, “Bel,” is a teacher worth knowing. He’s been teach- was a rough time. During the time that and was “in Singing ing at LM for ten years, directing the concert and freshmen I was there I was a grunt, which is the City and worked for the choirs as well various after school groups, like the current lowest level, and that was because I didn’t Philadelphia Singers Harmony Explosion. want to go into officers training. In the for a couple of years,” Belmondo got started with music in high school, play- fields I was doing a lot of stuff…and 33 but wound up teaching ing the piano and singing. He has always loved the choral guys were killed in the time I was out, high school. He said, sound, and said, “When I was in high school, the Mormon which was six months and three weeks, “I especially love high Tabernacle Choir was singing the Battle I know that for a school. I don’t get tired Hymn of the Republic…and the sound of fact. That number of that. I think I’m odd that, the incredible sound—375 singers— has always stuck that way….I just love it just was awesome. I wrote a letter to the with me. ” listening to the rehearsPhoto by Dann Weitz/Staff als. It’s great stuff.” conductor through our local newspaper, So how does Belmondo today in 2010 and I asked him questions about being a such an experience Now for an answer singer in the choir, and he responded. And affect him now? “I look back now,” to a question that anyone who has ever been in the chorus through that I won a set of encyclopedias, Belmondo said, and “it’s not like room may have: why are there four scrambled words written which I still have, in the attic, because I’m haunted by the experience… on the left chalkboard every day? Belmondo laughs at the nobody uses them anymore.”

I’m grateful I got out of it safe and mention of it. “Those are from the Philadelphia Inquirer—I Belmondo also harbors a love for the unharmed, because a lot of people always keep extras so I don’t run out. I love doing them. I piano, saying, “When I retire I would like didn’t. Right now it seems like it was don’t know how it began. I just put them on the board once to practice. I would like to be as good an entire lifetime away. I can’t see and people started coming in and asking ‘what is that,’ and as some of our—I’ll never be as good as myself doing what I actually did back I tell them. Now it’s a big thing…we have people coming some of our students. I look at JJ [Warthen, it just seems so distant.” In in at 7:15 in the morning and fighting over them. It just shaw] and I look at Jeremy Yodh and Eric fact, he’s remarkably open about the kind of draws people into it—it’s just a fun thing. There Guo and I am so envious….I just want subject and does presentations every are a couple people who can come in a look at them and get to play like them! I never will. I mean, three years detailing the experience, them almost instantly, and that freaks me out.” they’re just extraordinary players.” Aw, complete with photos.

Lately, he’s also been adding silly puns and phrases surely he’s being too self-deprecating.

“I organized all of the slides into a from emails he gets underneath for amusement (like “When But not surprisingly, what he’s looking Photo courtesy of Daniel Belmondo presentation and somebody from my you send something by car it’s a shipment; when you send forward to most in the new school is the Belmondo holding the North Vietnamese high school asked me to return there something be ship it’s cargo”).

Rifle (the AL-47) following an all night and do a presentation—they had a piano lab. fight where they lost seven men.

Favorite composers? “Bach and whole school assembly. It went over In honor of Belmondo, I’ll leave you with four Chopin were really inspirational for me,” he said, but “[my extremely well. So when I started teaching, I just decided words to unscramble. Enjoy! wife] hates when I practice Bach. She always has to go out I would do it every three years (at least), so in a four-year shopping.” cycle everyone would get a chance to see it. There’s always So getting back to the past, after high school Belmondo good stuff—people ask good questions, so I enjoy showing was in the university group at college, and said, “between it,” said Belmondo. If you haven’t already, try to see one,

CIMUS HCOURS ERICVSE IAPNO

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March 26, 2010

FEATURES

The Merionite

LM resident helps heal Haiti

Maia Wikler

Class of 2011 On January 12, Debbie Abraham traveled by plane to one of the poorest countries in the world: Haiti. Debbie has worked as a nurse practitioner for the past 30 years, as well as a volunteer for hôpital Albert Schweitzer for the past eight years to teach CPR. Although this was her eighth year traveling to Deshapel, she was still astonished by the thousands of tin roofs littering the Haitian land, steam drifting off of the roofs in the intense heat.

Debbie walked through the Haitian airport in search of Zulta, a Haitian midwife, whose home is nestled in Tobar, a community located three miles from Port-au-Prince. Debbie would be staying with her friend Zulta before leaving to volunteer in Deshapel, located 42 miles northeast of Port-au-Prince. Deshapel, called the “breadbasket” of rural Haiti, is known as extremely lush and beautiful, especially in comparison to the rest of the country, which has been severely traumatized by massive deforestation and soil depletion.

Debbie and Zulta were unaware of the national catastrophe

that would change their lives forever within three hours. They were standing in the kitchen of Zulta’s small home preparing a meal of brisket, when an ear splitting sound like an explosion pulsed throughout the neighborhood of Tobar. Within seconds, the walls of Zulta’s home began to shake violently, cracks appeared in the cement floor; Debbie, Zulta, and Zulta’s husband rushed their family outside; the neighborhood began to flock into the streets, praying and chanting, looking up to the sky for some sort of explanation. The ground rocked back and forth, cars flipped over while houses surrounding Zulta’s crumbled with loud crashes. Debbie recalls, “you couldn’t walk in a straight line, we all thought it was an explosion,” because of the smoke billowing along the horizon. Within seconds, hundreds of thousands of Haitians were fatally injured, the national bank collapsed, along with the royal palace, the most reputable Haitian nursing school with 150 nurses, and thousands of homes. What little the families had was now lost among the rubble. While the world learned of the 7.0 earthquake, the Haitians had no way of knowing what had

happened until seven hours later. cord injuries, and skull fractures.” was mortified by “towns that were Zulta’s husband finally managed The next day, Debbie and Zulta completely leveled.” to work the car radio, tuning into the took a ten-minute car ride into the Hôpital Albert Schweitzer is international French station. Hun- devastated town of Port-au-Prince. almost entirely funded by donations dreds of people gathered around They drove through in shock; and run by Haitian nurses, doctors, his car, as they listened in somber overwhelmed by the odor of hun- as well as international volunteers. silence to the horrifying news. “The dreds of bodies lined along the The hospital, which typically cares isolation was incredible,” Debbie re- streets, decaying in the strong sun. for 85 patients, admitted over 500 calls as she daily. Mattresses litstruggled tered the crowded floor to find any of the hospital with means of earthquake victims and communitheir remaining famcation with ily members. Debbie her family would spend the next in Philadelten days triaging and phia. Sevenlater working as the teen hours floor’s staff nurse, deafter the livering care and mediearthquake, cations to about 150 Debbie and people per day. Debbie Zulta began says one of the most distributing emotionally wrenching the little aid moments while volunPhoto courtesy of Deborah Abraham teering was, “walking they had, ( g a u z e , Debbie treating earthquake victim at hôpital Albert Schweitzer. by people while they band-aids, Motrin, and splints). Sights that Debbie said, “no hu- grabbed my pant leg asking for “Many injured had applied their man being should ever see. hôpital help.” own tourniquets and braced broken Albert Schweitzer” That Thursday, Debbie returned to the U.S after limbs with cardboard boxes,” said Debbie left earlier than planned to 12 days of tireless service, each day Debbie. “There was an extreme travel to Deshapel, the location of she painfully remembers the faces amount of compound fractures, the hospital where she volunteered of her friends in Haiti, desperate to bones sticking out of the skin, spinal annually. While in the car, Debbie return and finish what she started.

Don’t say it to my face Sarah Zimmerman

A common post goes something like this: Class of 2011 “Hiiii I see you all the time in the hallway but If you, like so many of us, have been living you’re so pretty and I’m too nervous to go up under a rock or hibernating for winter, you and talk to you!” If these posts are genuine, may have missed the buzz about the new Web we will never know, but the compliments have site Formspring. The gist is this: you register got to feel good. and are asked anonymous questions by friends Junior Gustavo Vallejo uses Formspring, and strangers alike. It’s in the same genre as yet he is a bit cynical about the site and the Honesty Box, that favorite old Facebook ap- compliments he receives. His favorite complication. These types of things never used ment to date is: “I think your smile is one of a to exist. Fights used to happen face to face. kind and i wonder why you dont smile more....

Without this vehicle, anonymous opinions had when i see you from afar you look like your to be kept to yourself. Is this new technology having fun but up close you seem broken... good or bad for our society? who are youu REALLY?” He said that this Formspring is the Honesty Box for the post made him laugh, but also said something high school generation. Honesty Box was all important about our generation: “A lot of high the rage back in 2007: you leave a message school students cover up who they really are in someone’s virtual box, and all they can see just to impress their friends and the school, and is the gender of the person who no one really is themselves anymore.” left it. I remember back Freshman girls predominate on in the day, a friend of Formspring. And while Vallejo mine went to such doesn’t exactly fit into that catlengths as to change gory, upon investigation, howher gender on Faever, it was discovered that a cebook, just so freshman girl actually creher friends would ated Vallejo’s profile for be even more him. This is a dangerous bewildered at the idea, because anyone can anonymous com-Graphic by Noa make anyone a profile. h Zuare s/Staff ments she left.

Junior Margeaux Formspring is advertised as a site for Abrams was innocently doquestions, but many posts are devoid of a ques- ing her homework, and came back to the tion mark and can get incredibly nasty. People computer only to find that her friend had made poke fun at insecurities, call each other ugly her a Formspring. Abrams said of this, “It was and make fun of romantic exploits. Freshman terrible because it was someone else (my best Troi Williams said of insults, “When people friend no less) pretending to be me, but it was say something mean I tend to answer with a also pretty funny.” Even if you choose to opt funny remark. I’d rather people say it to my out of Formspring, someone else can create face but I understand some people just might a page, impersonating you; the site is imposbe scared to say it, or the things they say are sible to avoid. so out of line that they really should be anonyWe are afraid to insult people to their faces, mous.” Despite an option to sign your name and Formspring helps us bypass confrontato a comment; not surprisingly, anonymous tion. It’s easy to be nice in person and mean comments dominate over signed comments, anonymously and virtually. Vallejo lamented especially the mean ones. the two-facedness of this generation, saying, Not all comments are malicious. Form- “I would much rather them tell me in person spring can be an outlet for shy people to what they truly feel about me.” express their feelings. Comments like “your Williams agreed, adding, “I don’t care so pretty” are almost as ubiquitous as “i what people have to say if they can’t say hate youuu.” it to my face.”

Love your library

Lisa Li

Class of 2011

Need help understanding history? How about more sources for that English paper?

Have no fear for LM library pages is here!

Every year, the LMHS spends thousands of dollars on online resource pages for its students. To make use of these pages, go on to www.lmsd.org and find the tab that reads “library pages” on the right under featured links. From there, click Lower Merion High School Library and you will find access to all of the following online resources and more.

ELibrary ELibrary, third under the Proquest icon, offers more than 2000 sources from top newspapers, magazines, books, and videos. Just type the desired search word or words into the basic search box and tick off the different kinds of resources you want—audio, video, etc.

You’ll be given brief summaries of all the resources, including the reading level, date of publication, and size of the document.

ELibrary really is an “electronic library,” providing all the knowledge found in a library available anywhere, anytime.

Gale Probably the most well known among students at LM, Gale is another resource database. In Gale, you can choose from the Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center, the Student Resource Center-Gold, and the Student Resource Center –Health Module. The Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center is great to gain insight into two sides of a topic. Perfect for debaters or persuasive pieces, it can forestall what your opponent’s points are so that a refutation can be prepared to knock down the opposition. The Student Resource Center–Gold, which is great for any kind of research, covers all core curriculum areas.

If you’re considering a career in medicine, The Student Resource Center –Health Module is for you. It consists primarily of

essays on medical and health-related topics, including diseases, treatments, and major historical figures in the fields of medicine, chemistry and biology as well as more than 300,000 full-text articles.

CultureGrams If you’re interested in learning about different parts of the world and their various cultures, CultureGrams is for you. Choose either from the World Edition, States Edition, Kids Edition, or Provinces Edition and enter a world where you can virtually explore the world!

Learn about the background, the customs, and the lifestyles of people from more than 200 countries around the globe, as well as quirky facts. Enjoy every country’s national anthem with the click of a button, sit back, and take a tour of the world—all at CultureGrams!

JSTOR JSTOR is an academic Web that provides over 1000 archives to help scholarship and teaching. Its documents include articles from leading academic journals across the humanities, social sciences, and sciences so that students have a wide range of subjects to choose from. In addition to full-length texts, JSTOR gives citations and references for easy bibliographies.

ABC Clio ABC Clio is the perfect tool for all history classes taught at LM. Providing information to match those of textbooks, ABC Clio also offers more pictures and interactive activities. Start by choosing a database straight from the LMHS library page and then either “explore” or “analyze” the chosen period. You can then narrow down the years by choosing an era to explore, such as “The New Deal.” ABC Clio really makes history more exciting, helps to alleviate confusion, and develops students’ critical thinking skills.

March 26, 2010

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FEATURES Snowstorm Dorn: Self-proclaimed weather forecaster The Merionite

Kira Goldner Class of 2010

As snowstorm after snowstorm hit Lower Merion, closing school a grand total of three times in February, granting us two early dismissals and one late opening, much of the community looked for a reliable source of information concerning their chances of having school.

Well Lower Merion, ask and ye shall receive! Junior Casey Dorn, known amongst his friends for his passion for meteorology, rose to the occasion and immediately began posting self-recorded video weather forecasts on Facebook. The typical forecast includes a five-day forecast, any updates on predicted extreme weather and in-depth explanations of how weather can be detected in advance or what specifically causes the weather patterns that we are currently expecting.

I stumbled upon my first Dorn forecast during the first weekend of February, receiving advice from the video as to when it was safe to go outside, what to use the snow for, and the chances of a delay on Monday – 80% chance that school will not start on time, he predicted, and he was correct. By mid-February, Dorn found his friend requests exceeding his comfort limit and switched over to a YouTube channel under the username CumulonimbusCalvus.

As awareness of Dorn’s broadcasts increased, so did the demand for them. Yet again, Dorn responded to the demand of the Lower Merion community by increasing the frequency of forecasts, taking the time to respond to any and all questions via Facebook or YouTube, and jumping at the opportunity to enlighten our community to meteorology and climate extremes.

Dorn guided us through this winter of the second largest snowfall in Philadelphia’s history and the absolute most total snowfall that Philadelphia has ever seen. His peers rely on him greatly.

Junior David Silberthau said, “Whenever a snowstorm comes in, he is one of my top go-to sources, along with weather.com and Accuweather.”

After speaking with Dorn, his intentions and goals of his broadcasts are all that one would assume from his pedagogical portions. Dorn sees his duty as utilizing his newfound attention to demonstrate the impact that human actions have upon the climate. “Climate change doesn’t just mean ‘warming,’” Dorn urges, “it means extremes like we’re see-

ing now. If I can change the viewpoint of just one single has sparked more interest.” person on this issue, I’ll consider myself a success.”

Stettner deems Dorn a “fanatical student (in a good way) When asked about his opinion of the heightened aware- who thrives on data and speculative discussion.” Admiraness of meteorology in the LM community at the moment, tion of Dorn rings throughout the school, as well as praise Dorn pensively responded, “I don’t expect this winter to for his guidance through this extreme winter. suddenly make meteorology the ‘thing to do.’” He again Even Dorn’s peers in meteorology agree. “I have a expressed his hope that the experience of the severe winter tremendous amount of respect for Casey,” sophomore and will make our community more enlightened on “our planet, meteorology enthusiast Chris Jarmas told me. “He’s defiour climate, and our effect on it.” nitely a better and more experienced forecaster than I am, If you’re a Snowstorm Dorn fan like myself, perhaps you and he has an attitude about weather that will certainly help witnessed the chaos that broke out on his Facebook wall. On February 25, Lower Merion released the high school students at 12:30 for an emergency early dismissal due to forecasted snow. That night, much of the community gathered in anticipation, eagerly awaiting Dorn’s updates as to the chances of having school the following day. Many of us sat on the edge of our chairs, glued to the computer screen and awaiting Dorn’s latest explanation of why exactly that storm was so hard to forecast.

No, Dorn’s initial broadcast of that storm was not 100% correct, as he managed to be for the rest of the winter. “The very nature of forecasting,” Dorn explained in Photo by Madeline Berger/Staff self-defense, “means that you won’t Dorn began dabbling in meteorology out of his curiosity in thunderstorms. always be right.” Despite his luck thus far with his forecasts, he reminds his viewers of “the him succeed as a pro meteorologist. triumphs that we are able to achieve in forecasting in gen“This winter was extremely historic and we may never eral” rather than the mistakes that will inevitably be made see one with a pattern as conducive to snow as we saw this due to the spontaneity of weather.

February,” explained Jarmas. “The snowy February was Dorn actually embraces his mistakes, recognizing them set up by an active southern jet stream: an air current that as an opportunity to learn and grow as a forecaster. “If I carries moisture north (which gave us the precipitation). was right every time,” he said, “I’d be working in New York The cold was set up by what’s called a “block,” which, as City as the lead forecaster right now.” its name suggests, blocks cold air from Canada and pushes Dorn is a self-proclaimed meteorologist who certainly it south towards us. These two features caused the storms does intend his current work to prepare him for a later ca- to come up the coast with gulf moisture, but still having reer in broadcast based meteorology. “It’s a very tight job it be cold enough to snow.” As much of an anomaly as market,” meteorology teacher Michael Stettner said, “I think this past winter was, we should all be thankful that we had the availability of free weather information on the internet Snowstorm Dorn to guide us through it.

Don’t talk to strangers....unless it’s virtual Danielle Moskow Class of 2011

Tired of video chatting with the same friends? Looking for something new to spice up your night? Cue in Chatroulette.

Chatroulette is a Web site where any person from anywhere in the world can videochat with…a stranger. Kind of sketchy, right?

The Web site was created in November 2009 by a teenager in Moscow, Russia.

The rules are simple: you must be at least 16-years-old, and there must not be any “obscene, offending, [or] pornographic material.” You don’t need to sign up or create a username to begin; all you have to do is log on, press play, and your partner will pop up on your screen. If you’re bored with your partner, or if it just gets too awkward, all you have to do is click “next,” and immediately someone new will appear.

While this Web site may seem a bit odd to some, at LM it’s quickly becoming all the rage. On the weekends, many students explore it with friends, either making new friends or laughing at how ridiculous some of their partners appear.

“All I hear in the hallway is people talking about staying up until one in the morning on Chatroulette meeting the craziest people and seeing people do the craziest things,” said junior Ben Wachs.

However, some people have their doubts.

“I think it’s a good way to find new friends and meet new people, but I don’t think it works well. I don’t think you can make new friends by video chatting with someone for two minutes,” said sophomore Nico Lake.

Although the Web site claims that “obscene, offending, pornographic material” is prohibited, no one actually enforces this rule. Therefore, most Chatroulette experiences are filled with obscenity, exposed body parts and crude hand gestures.

Junior Jonathan Gilbert said, “I can see how people think it’s interesting to meet

people online but frankly I’m disturbed to know that my image may be the catalyst of some stranger’s ‘alone time.’”

The age rule is not enforced either, go figure. Without parental consent, kids can videochat with adults they have never met.

Junior Emylie Rosenbaum said, “I used to do it until I saw my 11-year-old sister on it.” Even though the Web site is international, occasionally you will be matched up with someone you know, so be careful of what you’re doing.

And things just keep getting weirder

and weirder. “Wouldn’t it be awesome to videochat with a Viking on cocaine?

Oh wait, I did that last night,” said junior Adrienne Ross.

Freshman Emma Vandernoot recalled making her own fun: “One time my friends and I sang Spanish songs on it and people thought we were so weird.”

Even teachers are giving their two cents on the matter. Social studies teacher Jeff Cahill gave his opinion: “What I don’t understand is this new culture of videochat.

Why does anyone care what a stranger is doing? Why would anyone want to chat Photo courtesy of Chatroulette.com with a stranger? I don’t want to talk to people I know, or don’t know; I just want to be alone, with my own thoughts. It just sounds like video twitter to me.”

Chatroulette is everywhere. Recently Time Magazine released an article on Chatroulette, expressing just as much apStranger: Hey there prehension of the site as students at LM You: Oh helllooo have felt. The author of the article, Dan Stranger: Waddup with your face yo Fletcher, recalled he, “spent 15 seconds You: WADDUP with your face? watching live via webcam as some guy Yankees suck danced around his room in a gas mask Stranger: LOLLLLZZ...I LOVE MEETING while wrapped in the American flag.”

STRANGERS ON SOCIAL NETWORKING While some are concerned with such SITES a potentially dangerous site and the You: HEEHEE..me too.

Stranger: Cool. So, like what do you do for prospect of it getting out of hand, others disregard any anxiety. Junior Ben Edelfun? man believes it is “just another cultural You: You know, the normal. This type of meme. It’ll die out.” Whether you are thing now curious about the site or have no Stranger: OMG ME TOO interest in checking it out, just be carefulYou: WANNA BE BIFFERS? -you never know who will pop up on your screen next.

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March 26, 2010

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT The Merionite LM extra-curriculars: a commentary Piecrust perfection

Jake Wellens

Class of 2011 My first two years in high school were relatively club-less. I wrote for the Merionite and ate tacos with the Spanish club, but refrained from joining many of the time consuming clubs that seemed interesting, fearing that they were run by a rank of indifferent upperclassmen and filled with competitive, credit-hungry officer hopefuls. I was not alone in my fear, it seems, as it has become a sort of aphorism that most students who belong to a lot of clubs are in them solely for the transcript credit.

This year, however, as I’m beginning to get more deeply involved with certain extracurricular groups such as Science Olympiad and Mu Alpha Theta, my rigid belief in this axiom is beginning to falter. The people in these clubs are not thinking about college transcripts at all – they are legitimately having fun.

LM’s Science Olympiad team, while known for its laziness, is actually a highly motivated bunch. I always thought team spirit was a fictional concept, but I feel its presence at Science Olympiad competitions.

Each of us has found our niche – an event or two to call our own. We form partnerships, share responsibilities, and accomplish some pretty impressive things. Most importantly,

we have fun: all of us. We don’t have to succeed – it doesn’t show up on our transcripts – but we love the competition, and we work pretty hard to make sure we take home a few medals. Science Olympian and LM junior Maggie Walker agrees.

“Not one of the members is there for transcript credit,” said Walker.

“Everyone does it because they like science and because they like hanging out with other nerds (or at least that’s why I do it).”

Mu Alpha Theta, LM’s math club, is also not the lot of credit-grubbing sycophants I thought it would be. No one is concerned with transcripts; no one is trying to squeeze extra credit out of Mr. Kaczmar. The kids in math club like math, and they like to talk about math with other people who like math. That’s why they do it, and nothing else. Recently, Mu Alpha Theta missed school to take a three-hour math test at an engineering-themed competition at Widener University. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a group of kids having more fun taking a multiple choice math test.

As for those of your litigative peers who have been periodically coming to school in suits and ties, LM’s Mock Trial team is comprised of committed, ambitious trial enthusiasts who pay little heed to the

call of the transcript. Mock Trial has been acquiring notoriety due to their recent success.

“This year Mock Trial made it to finals for the first time in 15 years because of the hard work and dedication of the team,” said junior Isaac Silber. “A club can’t accomplish this if its members are just in it for the credit.”

Academic clubs are not the only homes to legitimacy. Artsy clubs like Players, Dolphin, and Jazz Band also defy the stereotype with their sincerity.

Junior Elizabeth PhillipsonWeiner, a trombone player in LM’s Jazz Band, believes that Jazz Band is not about credit at all. “It’s all about coming together to make some great music, while connecting with people you probably wouldn’t get to talk to in any other setting,” said Phillipson-Weiner.

While the long acronyms of a few clubs may stand mostly for transcript credit, there is certainly a wide enough variety of legitimately enriching clubs to offer a worthwhile experience in nearly any area of interest. Fear not, my classmates, the old untrue adage any longer. Do not let it hold you back from pursuing your interests and sharing in those pursuits with some remarkable gems outside your circle of friends.

The victories of jazz band Emily Shepard

though not freshmen, are new to the band as well.

The jazz band’s season began Lower Merion Jazz Band is a with Plymouth Whitemarsh High collection of LM’s most talented School’s Jazz Festival, at which and hardworking musicians, dedithey achieved a superior rating cated to learning, practicing and and guitarist junior Han Tran won performing jazz music under the the award for Outstanding Soloist. direction of Mr. Next, they traveled to Quakertown Andrew Neu, High School’s Jazz Festival and a professional secured another Superior rating; in jazz musician. addition, they were honored with a Much like Best Rhythm Section award, senior LM athletic Nash Tomey on bass and sophomore teams, the Jazz Adam Cohen-Nowak on vibraphone Band has a comwon Outstanding Soloist Awards, petition season: and Tran won the Overall Top Musithree months in cian Award. Following that triumph, the winter durthe jazz band was slated to perform ing which they at Pennridge’s Jazz Festival; the travel to local band there encountered significant jazz festivals obstacles, with notable members of Photo courtesy of John Tobias and compete With newcomers, the LM jazz band saxophone section their band missing. Lead trombonist against other still packs a punch. junior Elizabeth PW, Tomey, and high school jazz bands for the ratpianist senior JJ Warshaw were all ings of three judges. A jazz festival absent due to a performance with consists of competing band each the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra playing three tunes throughout the that night; Tran was gearing up to night, and being awarded accordtake the SAT’s the next day; and ing to their merit. Awards include: Cohen-Nowak was sick. Lower Superior, Outstanding, Very Good Merion still gave an outstanding and Good. Lower Merion has not show, securing not only a Superior once earned less than a Superating, but also a Best Saxophone rior rating this year. Additionally, Section award (which is especially sectional awards are given to the significant given that three of LM’s schools with the Best Saxophone saxophonists are new to the band) Section, the Best Trumpet Section, and an Honorable Mention Soloist the Best Trombone Section, and award, given to junior Christine Photo by Madeline Berger/Staff the Best Rhythm Section (drums, Andrew Neu, the LM jazz Emery on trumpet. bass, piano, guitar, etc.). Finally, On Friday April 9, Lower Merion band director, regularly rethree Best Soloist awards are given. cords albums and performs is traveling to Bensalem’s Jazz FesOccasionally, Honorable Mention tival, now directed by Mr. Michael at paying gigs.

Soloist and Top Musician awards Zimmerman, who many may recall are given.

Gabe Nathans and Dylan Edwards, from his days at Bala Cynwyd. If The jazz band is operating under trombonist junior David Silberthau, you see a member in the hall, wish a slightly different dynamic this drummer senior Dylan Scott, and them good luck, and congratulate year; many veteran members gradu- percussionist junior Josh Feldman, them on a phenomenal season.

Class of 2011

ated after the 2008-2009 school year, and two talented freshmen, Josh Moskow on alto saxophone and Rebecca Arenson on tenor saxophone, have been selected to join the prestigious ensemble.

Baritone saxophonist sophomore Jack Lashner, bassists sophomores

Nick Normile

Class of 2011 The ability to prepare a pristine piecrust is a premier skill to possess, yet few people have it. This ability is almost irrelevant nowadays, due to the ubiquitous use of pre-made piecrusts. Pre-made piecrusts are so prevalent, I can’t think of one person who prepares their own from scratch. That’s a shame. It’s extremely easy—it requires little culinary competence—and the time you sacrifice will be made up tenfold in flavor and potentially, the much sought-after flakiness. Sure the store-bought versions are acceptable, but they severely limit the greatness that a pie can achieve.

So now that you see the benefits of making your own

crust, we can talk method. Piecrust is very versatile and varieties range from bacon fat piecrust for quiche, to graham cracker crust for cheesecake. For now, I’d like to focus on an all-butter piecrust – perfect for fruit pies.

Shortening increases flakiness in crusts, but butter provides more flavor, and an all-butter crust can actually be flaky if prepared correctly. The trick is keeping everything cold—I freeze the pie plate before adding the crust—and though you can use the crust immediately, I like to refrigerate it while I prepare the filling. This recipe is easiest to make with a KitchenAid mixer, but it can also be prepared by pinching together the butter and the flour and then stirring in the ice water. This recipe makes enough for a double-crust pie. Before baking I like to brush the top crust with a beaten egg and sprinkle it with sugar. Also, if you plan to make apple pie with this crust, use apple juice rather than water.

All-Butter Pie Crust:

RECIPE

2 cups flour 2 sticks butter (cut into cubes and frozen) 1/4 cup sugar Ice Water (at least two cups) Pinch of salt 1. In a KitchenAid mixer with the paddle attachment, beat together salt, sugar and flour.

2. Add butter gradually, and beat on low speed until the butter cubes are slightly larger than peas.

3. Gradually pour in the ice water until the dough just comes together. Be careful no to add too much.

4. Push together the dough and use immediately, refrigerate for up to three days, or freeze indefinitely.

5. Roll out.

6. And you’re done. Really. That’s it.

Photos courtesy of Nick Normile

March 26, 2010

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The Merionite

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Aces of The Arts A view from inside the hat Stefan Richter, Class of 2012

Photo by Madeline Berger/Staff In what arts do you dabble?

Music: Guitar and Tuba Of what artistic accomplishments are you most proud?

Learning to play guitar and getting into orchestra without auditioning (because I’m a boss).

Who is your artistic role model?

Pete Townshend or Thom Yorke Where can we see you play?

Any school concert involving Symphony Orchestra and at Milkboy once in a while.

Advice to artists?

Practice a lot.

Amanda Lewis, Class of 2010

Photo by Dan Weitz/Staff In what arts do you dabble?

The arts that interest me include drawing, painting, sculpture, mural arts, and fashion design and illustration (although I’d like to think I do much more than dabble).

What inspired you to get into the arts?

Spending time around artists all my life.

Who is your artistic role model?

I don’t know that I have a role model, but one of my great friends and artist Michael Olszewski is a personal mentor. His work has a rare quiet power.

Where can we see your artwork?

At the school-wide art show in May What advice for artists do you have?

Practice compulsively!!!!!!!!!!

L. Wang/J. Wellens

the street, and since then, has survived the test of time –existing for more than 2,000 years, a Class of 2011 clear sign that it is a classic.

As with every art form, the mysterious art of Another beloved series of tricks used by mamagic has its own history. Magic started to be gicians all around the world are the tricks that formally practiced around 50,000 B.C.E. Since involve cards. Cards offer unlimited creativity, then, magic has undergone great improve- and new card tricks are always created. Cards ments through the years and are great tools for beginners has developed many clasto learn magic, and are also sic tricks. There are many great tools for masters to kinds of magic, but LMers demonstrate their extraordiespecially love “close up” nary skills. Many magicians magic. in our school are excellent at The cool thing about card magic, as the creativity close up magic is that the and the easy access of card audience knows that they magic are what make card are being lied to, but that magic great. they cannot determine The most important aswhere the lie is. “Close up” pect about magic is not the magic is often performed trick itself; it is the person using everyday items, makwho performs it. The magic ing ordinary objects extraoris all in the presentation: in dinary. Cups and Balls and other words, showmanship Playing Card magic are the is important. Everyone perPhoto by Madeline Berger/Staff forms the same magic trick most common kinds of clasLian Wang: Master magician sic “close up” magic. with a different flair, as difA magician’s prowess is judged by his abil- ferent magicians add their own personalities to ity to perform the classic “Cups and Balls” the trick. trick, where he places a ball in a cup and makes There is an unofficial club in Lower Merion the ball disappear. The “Cups and Balls” trick that teaches people how to do magic, but hopehas every element of magic: transportation, fully it will be official come September. So if transformation, disappearance, and reappear- you want to experience the beautiful art of magance. It was first performed in ancient Rome on ic, then come join The Magic Club next year!

Musing about Muse’s music

Maia Wikler

Prepared for the inevitable, the stairs, my sister and I joined the Class of 2011 my sister and I casually sat in our swarm, sprinting down the stairs Starting the day that Muse’s lat- seats for the opening band’s perfor- to the barrier, lost in the crowd of est album, The Resistance, was re- mance: Silversun Pickups. During people. And with a swift leg hurleased, I began to anxiously check their mediocre performance (com- dle, we were in. We ran into the pit, their website for tour updates - pared to the legendary Muse), we hiding our bare wrists--lacking the hourly. Finally, on December 9th, I scoped the stadium--watching general admission wristband, from received an email from Muse with people entering and leaving gen- the security guards. a link to pre-order tickets for their eral admission, memorizing enAfter standing in close proximishow, in Philadelphia! After recov- tryways to each section and de- ty to the stage and waiting for about ering from some heart palpitations, termining which section had the an hour for muse to come on, the I realized I was against the clock least amount of security and dou- lights began to dim, and my heart with about a million other Muse ble-barriers in order for us to do a began to race. Pillars rose from the fans anxiously trying to buy tick- quick hurtle over when the lights stage, projecting thousands of peoets to a soon-to-be sold out show. were out. And then, after about ple marching up flights of stairs.

I bought the tickets: Section 106 an hour of patrolling the area, we In sync with a loud strum of Matt baby. found it: Section 116, the only Bellamy’s guitar, the lights flashed For the next couple of months section leading directly down into out, and then the laser light show I prepared myself--memorizing general admission with a 4 foot began, along with Muse’s opening every line to every song of their barrier--easily passable. When Sil- song, “Uprising.” every album, watching every live versun Pickups finished their last From the incredible effects of performance from my personal fa- song, “Panic Switch,” we tore out the laser lights in accompaniment vorite in Wembley to their last one of our seats and ran the perimeter with Matt’s awesome vocals, Dom in Philly at Penn’s Howard’s drum Landing.

Then, skills, and Chris after what seemed Wolstenholme’s like an eternity, I skills on the entered the Wachobass--it was one via stadium with of the best live my sister. performances I But let’s go have seen. Muse back to Decemplayed a large arber 9th, the day I ray of their songs bought those tickfrom all of their ets. My excitement albums: New wasn’t because of Born, Map of the the desirable locaProblematique, tion of the seats, Bliss, Knights of Photo Courtesy of Maia Wikler Cydonia, Time which are directly Muse, the British rock trio, performed at the Wachovia in front of the is Running Out, Center on March 2, 2010 stage--but because Hysteria, Exothe location of the seats would fa- of the stadium over to section 116, genesis, Starlight, United States cilitate my plan to sneak into gen- climbing over seats and concert of Eurasia, Plug in Baby, Helsinki eral admission. How could I go to goers. Finally, we were in section Jam, and Nishe, to name a few. a Muse concert without experienc- 116, about 10 feet from general adIf you aren’t a Muse fan, you ing the mosh pit? I wasn’t about to mission. We sat in two unoccupied are denying yourself some amazlet my ticket or previous mosh pit seats and waited for the sea of peo- ing music. When Muse releases injuries (concussion, chipped tooth ple leaving from general admis- its next album, I will be refreshing and split lip) deter me from enter- sion to go buy food, beer, and hit their tour updates page yet again, ing into an epic moment of musi- the loo before Muse came on. And in hopes of gaining access to ancal perfection. as the swarm of people climbed up other epic performance.

14

March 26, 2010

The Merionite

Trio key to success for B. Lacrosse From B. LAX, page 16 -nized stars- senior attacker Andrew Mongeluzzi, senior midfielder Ahmad Zachary and senior attacker Jordan Wolf-all of whom will matriculate to college and continue their lacrosse

seeks to realize them. Additionally, the staff has been further buttressed this year with the addition of coach Mongeluzzi, father of the aforementioned Andrew.

“The addition of coach Mongeluzzi should really help our players develop into true tal-

Photo by Madeline Berger/ Staff

Boys lacrosse team members line up in anticipation for practice careers at season’s end. They will be headed to Towson University, the University of Vermont and Duke University, respectively. The pure talent that these players possess is a significant boost to the team and will keep them competitive, if not dominant, in every game they play.

But players are only one aspect of the team, and their potential can only be maximized through the work of the equally dedicated coaching staff, headed by coach Chet Laubach, who has developed into a leader that the players respect; the team has accepted his expectations and now

ents,” Klincewicz added, visibly excited at the prospect of learning the sport’s nuances under the tutelage of his respectable new coach. The team as a whole should greatly benefit from Mongeluzzi’s expertise from the sport in general and the region’s teams in particular.

Indeed, pundits nationwide recognize the Mid-Atlantic region, and specifically southeastern Pennsylvania, as a hotbed for lacrosse activity. Some of the nation’s best players, coaches, and teams, both high school and travel, call this region home and as such, there is always ample

opportunity to schedule exciting matchups against first-rate competition. Laubach has seized this opportunity, arranging a slue of formidable non-conference opponents, most notably an April Fools’ Day matchup with InterAc foe Episcopal Academy and an April 24th contest against perennial Catholic League powerhouse La Salle. The Central League is no slouching assemblage either, with the Radnor and Conestoga matchups sticking out as particularly difficult game teams. All these teams, as well as many not named here but still on the schedule, have the ability to compete with, and even beat, the Aces. Confidence, however, remains potent and palpable.

“The schedule has a lot of games that should be tough but I think if our starters can pull it together we can beat anyone out there,” Klincewicz said.

As the players have refused to tether their ambition for this season, so too have the ranking services refused to lower their expectations for the squad. MaxPreps.com currently has the team ranked 12th in the state and 129th nationally, gaudy numbers to be sure, but numbers that the team knows is essentially irrelevant until they start actually playing.

It is only the field where they can prove that those rankings bear merit. But by the early season outlook, those rankings appear deserved, and could very well be vindicated in two month’s time.

Hopefully by then we’ll be talking about a state tournament run and not just the prospect of one.

SPORTS Inaugural year for girls’ intramural basketball Emily Eisner

Class of 2010

This year marked the first time that Lower Merion had its very own girls’ intramural league. Seniors, led by senior Kylie McDevitt, conceived of the league in search of a forum to play basketball for fun, but in a competitive, organized environment. Before this year, LM did not have a girls’ intramural league to complement the very successful boys’ league.

Senior Emily Partridge, who has enjoyed playing basketball since third grade, but

disparity between support for boys’ and girls’ sports at LM. “I think it was important to start making things fair between the extracurriculars for girls and boys, so only having boys intramural basketball seemed absurd,” said Partridge.

Other participants in the league agreed, and found the creation of the girls’ intramural league to be important for the equality of extracurriculars in our school. “It’s important to offer an opportunity to play basketball to people not on the LM team to boys and girls,” said senior Carolina Howland.

Photo courtesy of Emily Partridge

“Victorious Secret” competed in the girls’ intramural league was forced to stop because of knee injuries, says, “I actually always joked about joining the boys league in the past four years, I always thought it was a little strange the league was set up for guys, and the girls had nothing.” This year finally, a league was created to satisfy her outstanding desire to play in a fun, not too competitive environment.

The creation of the girls’ intramural basketball league finally resolves a long time

Despite the progress made by creating the league, many players felt that the girls’ intramural league was not taken as seriously as the boys’ league. “I felt like even the refs treated us like ‘girls,’” said Partridge, “they often favored the underdogs.”

However, this may be attributed to this being the first year of the league. Players and referees are all still growing accustomed to the newly created atmosphere. “I just think that the level of play and competitive spirit were on different levels, perhaps because this is the first year girls’ intramural basketball, where as the boys league has already been well established,” said senior Grace Gallagher.

“For the most part I think the girls were treated with respect. At the championship game we actually had a good number of people watching,” said Howland.

For it’s first year ever in existence, the girls’ intramural league is a landmark development in women’s equality in sports in our school.

Most importantly, the girls had fun and enjoyed the new league. Said, “we worked to get our own league, and it paid off! We had so much fun playing with the other girls!”

March 26, 2010

15

SPORTS

The Merionite

LM student tries-out An Olympian among us for natl. ultimate team Sivahn Barsade

From ULTIMATE, page 16 in a triangle shape, throwing back hands and and forehands: twenty in cuts and twenty away cuts. By the end of that drill I was grunting like a tennis player as I ripped through the air throwing long passes.

Women’s ultimate is developing incredibly quickly – especially high school women’s ultimate. The team that I tried out for – which is going to compete in Germany this summer, was founded only ten years ago. Remarkably, one of the captains of the first girls’ junior worlds team is the offensive coach of the team this year. She remembers being on that first team, having never even thrown an up-field forehand (a fundamental throw in ultimate) and despite that, winning gold. “Not only would every one of you have made the team ten years ago,” she said, “but each of you would have been the best player on the team…by far!”

However, the rapid development has been uneven. Some schools have varsity girls ultimate teams, and some cities have close to twenty high school women’s teams and club teams; others, like Philadelphia, have only four or five club teams.

Thus, most of the players at the try-out came from two places – Amherst, Massachusetts and Atlanta, Georgia. These areas have the best youth ultimate programs on the East coast, with girls and boys playing organized ultimate in elementary school. Unlike Philadelphia in general and Lower Merion in particular, in Atlanta and Amherst Ultimate Frisbee is considered a varsity sport , and try-outs are required to make a team. Consequently, the girls from Amherst and Atlanta were the most experienced, and used to playing in a more competitive environment. Some of the coaches for the 2010 USA team hail

Freshman Thomas Vernier I play tennis. My dad is French and my mom is Japanese. My favorite foods are crepes and sushi.

My favorite animals are koalas. I was born in France, and then I lived in Kentucky. After that, I moved back to France again and came back to the U.S. four years ago. When I lived in France I was on the national junior skiing team. I started playing tennis when I was six and began to play more competitively six years ago. I think Kentucky is going to win March Madness. I love hanging out with friends MDR<3

from these areas too. So, those of us from elsewhere in the country had an additional burden: we had to prove we belonged on the same field with the Atlanta/Amherst elite.

But the weekend was about more than the 2010 team: the coaches would say, “the purpose of this weekend is not only to pick a team, but more importantly to teach skills and drills and intensity that each of you can bring back to your homes and teach there.” The coaches, understand the disparity between different regions of the country and are working hard to help change it, to help regions with little ultimate opportunity for young women, like Philadelphia, grow and thrive.

Still, we all focused on the competition.

We were evaluated not only on our skills and fitness, but on the contributions we might make to the team. As we stood on the sideline of a scrimmage, the coaches watched our enthusiasm, spirit, and ability to help and talk to our teammates while they played.

This spirit induced a sense of family into every girl. At the end of the try-out, although each of us desperately wanted a position on the team, I felt that our bond was so strong that we already were a team, and that I would be proud of whoever was chosen to represent us at the world games over the summer.

So, after to most tiring weekend of my life – after playing the hardest defense I’ve ever played, running until I could barely walk up stairs and cheering for my team like I never have before – the most amazing feeling was exactly what our defensive coach said: it was so awesome to be a young woman, playing my hardest at the game we all love. It is so cool to be able to grow and learn with the sport itself, so no matter the outcome, I will always remember how much I learned, and use that knowledge to spread a love of ultimate and being a strong young woman to my peers

Sophomore

Shane Votto

My favorite bands/artists are the Red Hot Chili Pepper, Dave Matthews Band, and Switchfoot. When I’m not playing sports, I like to hang with friends, play video games, and listen to music. My favorite movies are Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, and Glory. Some of my favorite TV shows are 24, Lost, and Sportscenter. My favorite athlete is Kobe Bryant, but I do like Peyton Manning. I play JV soccer, JV basketball and varisty volleyball.

Class of 2010

While international sports stars met this winter in Vancouver, Canada for the Olympics, LM’s own figure skater Andy Gardner travelled to Johnstown, PA on February 21 to compete in the Special Olympics. After nailing “swizzles” and “one foot glides” Gardner left Johnstown with a gold medal.

Gardner began skating six years ago and participates in the Special Olympics at the Philadelphia Skating Club and Human Society. Every Sunday coached

by Keith Photo courtesy of Karen Gardner Gengler, Andy Gardner prepares Gardner to amaze on the ice. practices compulsories, which are specific tricks and skills, and his program set to music. Although Gardner has participated in five Special Olympics, he did not originally want to compete, or even skate.

Gardner’s parents first encouraged him to take up skating and Gardner soon agreed.

“Even though it was hard at the be-

Junior

ginning…I started learning and got really good at [skating],” said Gardner.

Soon Gardner developed into such a strong skater that he could qualify for the Special Olympics. So his father asked him if he wanted to compete at Johnstown in the Special Olympics and Gardner responded “NO.” “I didn’t think I would enjoy it…I didn’t like the noise and all that,” said Gardner. “But my dad talked me into it.”

Since then, Gardner has excelled at skating and “has gotten used to [the noise] and gotten over it,” Gardner continued. He incorporated Swizzles (carving footballs on ice with feet), jumps, one hand glides and skating backwards into his program. Reflecting on this past year’s competition, Gardner stated, “I had a lot of fun. People were very nice and the atmosphere is very laid back. I like it that way.”

Even though Gardner initially hesitated to compete in skating, he now is eager to share his accomplishments.

“He was really proud of [his accomplishments]. He talked about his event and his routine [to his peers],” said SpecialEd teacher Mike Borsch. “Because of this sport he’s more proud of himself and of his accomplishments. He is excited that he is getting recognized for something.”

Even though Gardner is a gold medal winning Special Olympian, he still has some fears. When he initially did not want to skate it was because “[he] was too scared to fall.” Gardner now states that “I’m always scared to fall…but I don’t fall anymore.”

While Gardner can credit his parents for first encouraging him to pursue skating, his accomplishments truly stem from his own determination.

“Andy is really invested in making himself better,” said Special Olympics volunteer Isaac Lindy who once coached Gardner. “He is really good at diagnosing what he needs to work on and has greatly improved as a result of his dedication and determination.”

Senior

Sarah Garrity Sarah Winston I play field hockey and run indoor and outdoor track. I play almost every position for hockey, but midfield is my favorite. During the track seasons, I do hurdles, long jump, and triple jump. My goal for this spring track season is to PR in my events and to improve my C-skip. My goal for the field hockey season next fall is to keep up the spirit and maybe even win some games.

Hi! I am Sarah Winston, I am a loud and proud Latina. I love to run, be with friends, all the girls on the XC, and Track teams. My favorite food is an everything bagel with cream cheese. I enjoy listening to Vampire Weekend, and Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA.” I have two main goals in life, to be a Face of the Aces, and to step on every continent. Now the latter seems quite easy, compared to getting on this coveted page.

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Volume 81, Issue 5

The Merionite

Being put to the ultimate test

Emily Eisner

played ultimate since they were in third grade, a rare occurrence in a quickly developing sport.

The try-outs measured our mental and physical abilities, through various drills and scrimmages aimed to test our endurance, explosiveness, speed, and field awareness. In an email I received leading up to the tryout, one of the coaches predicted that the weekend would be “one of the most physically demanding experiences of [my] life to date.” After 9 hours of play on

ented and how competitive every athlete at this try-out was.

I had never seen so much talAs we stood in a circle, arms ent in one place. Every girl on each other’s shoulders, feeling brought her best game, making our legs stiffen and sweat trickle the weekend a fierce competition. down our burnt foreheads, the Before starting on the first day, defensive coordinator, herself a the head coach warned us, “If world champion Ultimate Frisyou’re going to make this team, bee player, said something that you are going to have to play deresonated with me for the whole fense.” He expected players to shut weekend: “Isn’t it so awesome to down each other, to dive through be here and to be young women!” passes to get an interception and After two long days of hard work, to run harder than anyone else on fighting for only 20 spots on the the field. Expectations were high, under-20-year-old producing serious, almost women’s USA ulvicious intensity. It was timate team, each obvious why he asked girl on the field us to play hard defense: was tired, stiff, defense is a weakness sore, and sun of many young women, burnt, ready to go who are usually skilled home and stretch. with a disc and who are In the rapvery smart on offense idly developing and on the field, but world of high lack the intensity and school women’s the killer instincts reultimate, the quired for good defense. most elite comWe did drills that petition is at the tested our ability to play international levphysically against anel – at the World other player – drills in Junior Ultimate which we had to cover Championships and in-cut, and use our that take place bodies to physically bi-annually. Two force cuts away from the years ago the Frisbee. We did drills girls’ USA team testing our willingness came in a disapto throw our bodies past pointing third a player to prevent a (compared to the completed pass to an inworld champion cut. Each drill combined boys’ team) so sprinting with skill and this year the inintensity. I came out of tensity was high, each defensive drill with in preparation stinging scrapes and for a dominatbruises all over my body.

Photo courtesy of Brian Canniff ing performance We also ran drills Senior Emily Eisner throws an easy upfield flick. at the 2010 that tested our throwChampionships. ing and catching skills I had been invited to participate Saturday, as I slumped on a bed, when tired. One drill – my fain the East coast try-out for this stretching and icing my hip flex- vorite, aptly named “the triangle team (which was held March 12- ors while mentally preparing of death” – requires one player to 13 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, for the next day, I realized that, run back and forth between cuts to be followed by a West Coast truly, I had never been as tired try-out later this week) with for- after just one day of playing.

See ULTIMATE, page 15 ty-two other girls, some who have It was incredible how talClass of 2010

The Merionite

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Lower Merion High School

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March 26, 2010

SPORTS Expectation high for B. lacrosse despite senior losses Avi Chatterjee

Class of 2011

Like the proverbial middle child, the boys’ lacrosse team has long been shrouded in relative obscurity, overshadowed by the soccer, tennis and basketball teams’ triumphs. The growing success of the program has been seemingly forgotten amidst the string of district championships and state titles achieved by these other teams. Yet the lacrosse team should not be forgotten nor overlooked, lest our school fan-base condemn itself to missing an opportunity to witness an immensely talented, highly-committed squad with the experience of winning and winning big. The winds of change are beginning to pick up, and the lacrosse team is starting to gain the attention it has worked hard to deserve.

As is almost always the case, the team will have to burden the losses Photo by Madeline Berger/ Staff of a host of seniors that ended their high Members of the team warm up with a drill school careers after prior to practice. last season. The team remains confident that these losses, even that of high-scoring attacker Matt Dilks, will be minimized by the improving talent of the current squad at hand. Expectations have not been compromised.

“We lost a lot of seniors last year but everyone has improved and we’re looking forward to another great season,” said junior defenseman Alek Klincewicz.

In addition to the continual improvement of players that have been with the team for three or four years, the team is eagerly anticipating the indoctrination of three new players into the program, players that can help mitigate last year’s losses and bring a new, athletic dimension to the team’s dynamic. Senior midfielders Justin Starkman, Jon Whiteman and Mark Fitzmeyer figure to play an integral role in this team’s success, despite their relative infancy to the team and its standards. To this point, Klincewicz remarked, “The team added a ton of athletic middies and it’s going to be fun to watch them develop.”

Of course, the team will still be heavily reliant on anSee B. LAX, page 14 other trio, one of well-recog-

Ardmore, PA

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