The Merionite May '10

The Merionite May 7, 2010

Volume 81, Issue 6

News alert: MAP advisories The Minority Achievement Program (MAP), which supports and encourages minority students to enroll in honors and other advanced classes, hopes to create MAP exclusive advisories in the Freshmen, Sophomore, and Junior classes next year. These advisories would be comprised solely of MAP students who volunteer to be ‘clustered’ into academic classes and receive extra support. MAP advisories will be lead by teachers who volunteer for the position. Students who choose to be in a MAP advisory will be removed from their current advisories and join the MAP advisory. Share your thoughts on this program at www.themerionite.org!

The official student newspaper of Lower Merion High School since 1929

In midst of laptop fiasco, Doe v. LM persists

Redistricting: District and parents continue to battle in court over alleged racial bias in redistrciting plans affecting the high schools.

Maya Afilalo that the preparation of the plan was based on race.”

Class of 2012 On April 8, the trial began for Student Doe v. LMSD, a lawsuit against the district. The case, which was filed by several Ardmore parents on behalf of their children, claims that the District unlawfully considered race when planning redistricting over a year ago.

Among the first to take the stand after both sides made their opening statements were some of the parents who filed the lawsuit. One parent said she “believe[s]

Superintendent Christopher McGinley was the next witness, and the plaintiffs’ attorney David Arnold questioned him.

Arnold asked McGinley about notes made during the redistricting process concerning the number of African-American students attending Harriton High School and Lower Merion High School. McGinley responded that he did not know why

See Court Case, page 4

Lacrosse fights back Avi Chatterjee

Class of 2011

With a month under their belts, the boys’ lacrosse team has already met its fair share of disappointment, triumph, saddled expectation and cautious optimism. Soaring aspirations gave way to a team taken aback after a seasoning-open defeat to perennial Pioneer Athletic Conference (PAC) power Springford, a team with talent but a team the Aces expected to defeat. After a rough string of four subsequent losses, including close contests against Avon Grove, Ridley and Springfield (Delco), the team understood that though their schedule was appreciably difficult, the buck had to stop. They had to start winning. And they did just that.

See Boys lax, page 15

No new Moon

Photo courtesy of The White House (Pete Souza)

The Editors stare in awe as they excitedly greet President Obama in the West Wing of the White House on March 24.

Obama welcomes Merionite editors Lower Merion: Merionite Editors receive surprise visit by Barack Obama during a recent trip to Washington, D.C.

H. Rouse/E. Sorensen

Class of ’10/’10

Washington DC: a city of policy makers, presidents and, from March 24-25, Merionite editors. The editorial staff of the paper tapped the journalistic offerings of the capitol, visiting a variety of media-related organizations ranging from the Center for Public Integrity to the Newseum. But the highlight of the trip was by far the Merionite’s visit to the White House.

At 5:00 on March 24, the staff gathered at the iron gates of the nation’s capitol. As we entered, enjoying the jealous looks of other tourists, we jointly crafted a witty story about how we had met Obama – perhaps we walked in on one of his meetings, or he and an editor happened to cross paths during Bo’s walk.

The staff entered the White House only expecting the amazing opportunity to speak to members of the Press Corps. The experience we had far exceeded our expectations.

As we walked down the back drive, we marveled at everything from the greenness of the grass to the guards on the roof.

Upon arriving at the West Wing, the editors were met by a stoic guard standing by the door. We were led to the Roosevelt room (where the entire staff had recently assembled to watch the health care vote). There we met with Richard Wolffe, Newsweek’s senior White House correspondent. Wolffe was one of the first to cover Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, is the author of the book Renegade: The Making of a President and is currently writing a

See Obama, page 9

L3 finds fault in LMSD Tech dept.

Webcam: ‘Webcamgate’ report finds technology employees “overzealous” in activations of laptop webcams.

District officials that had the ability to ac- istrators claim to have forgotten to turn off Conor Ferguson Class of 2011

Kay Moon, the longtime Ceramics teacher, announced her retirement earlier this year. She soon discovered that the District did not plan to replace her with another ceramics expert. Moon was hired 11 years ago to build the Ceramics program and enjoyed great success in this effort as the number of students in Ceramics classes grew every year. Next year, however, Ceramics students will be split among the remaining art teachers, none of whom share Moon’s expertise in the field.

See Op-Ed, page 5

Since The Merionite’s last publication, the Robbins vs. LMSD court case has continued to wage on with little end in sight.

Two weeks ago, Lower Merion School District attorney Henry Hockheimer released some of their most recent findings from their investigation. It was revealed that District officials had activated the LanRev tracking software around 80 times in the past two years, capturing over 56,000 images.

In response to this recent development Mark Haltzman, the Robbins’ family lawyer, accused LMSD information systems coordinator Carol Cafiero—one of two

tivate the software, of potential voyeurism.

Cafiero, who was placed on paid administrative leave in late February, initially refused to give a deposition in the lawsuit and instead chose to assert her Fifth Amendment right. Recently, she has agreed to testify in the case and has surrendered her home computer to investigators, after Haltzman claimed that Cafiero could have viewed some student images on her home computer.

Of the 56,000 images captured by the tracking device, roughly 38,500 came from six computers that were reported missing from Harriton High School in 2008 that have since been recovered. A few thousand separate photos were captured after admin-

the software once the computers had been found and returned. In about ten cases, it was unclear to investigators as to why the tracking software was activated, a fact that may prove to be a serious point of contention.

In a statement to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Hockhiemer said that none of the images that were captured appeared to be “salacious or inappropriate.” Hockhiemer admitted that, “the whole situation was riddled with the problem of not having any written policies and procedures in place. And that impacted so much of what happened.”

However, Haltzman says that around 400

See Webcamgate, page 4

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May 7, 2010

The Merionite

NEWS

MEET YOUR NEW OFFICERS

President Shira Barlas:

“As president, I’m the liaison between the administration and the students, and I’m also there to create the best environment for the whole student body, and make sure that everything is going smoothly. Next year, I want student government meetings to be a big deal. For example, I think the biggest problem with our school is communication in general. I think there’s a lack of communication, and when we communicate we don’t really do it in the best ways. Committee heads won’t just be seniors; student government isn’t just for the senior class- it represents the whole school. For the past two years, I think that the spirit of LM has kind of disintegrated with the building. I want to restore the spirit, and I want to do that by opening the school with a big bang. We’re going to have huge pep rallies in our new gym, continue spirit week, and try and incorporate random spirit days. Creating a larger sense of school spirit and appreciation is something that needs to be brought back to Lower Merion.”

Vice President Michael Buchwald: Once I looked at the constitution, I saw what kind of role I would have as Vice-President and I knew that it was a position I would be interested in. I wanted to be able to change the school and in this position I think that I’d be able to.

What I want, realistically, is to make the new school our school, to make it so that it is personalized to us beyond being just a new, nice building. What I’ve noticed is that we all talk about what we want—everyone has an equal stake in this.

Secretary Jonathon Gilbert: “As secretary it is my job to keep track of minutes of the meetings, and what was discussed at these meetings and circulate it. I also oversee and/ or carry out communications and correspondence. I believe it is important that student government becomes a big deal this year because it can be

one of the school’s most useful tools. The student body and the administration need to become close, and communicate ideas and feelings with each other; the student government can be the perfect intermediate between the two. With a brand new school it is our job to bring past traditions along with new ideas and have school spirit thrive. We really need to come together as a group and support our new school and liven up the spirit we used to have when I was a freshman. A new school with new amenities will help, but its truly on all of us to make this happen. I find that being a part of the class that gets to be the first in the new school is amazing, and I’m very excited to see what’s in store for 2010-2011.”

Treasurer Jesse Cohen: “Well, to tell you the truth, the whole election process was a little stressful. I wanted to make sure everyone understood where I was coming from. I enjoyed hanging posters up and I needed to get all the support that I could, and finding a way I could do that was interesting. As Treasurer, I have to appropriate the entire school’s money into organizations or events. With the new school, I have plans to create more of

Photo and Graphic by Madeline Berger/Noah Zuares/staff a community-like feeling, so events like Maroon Madness, where everyone gets together feel more like a community instead of all different classes. I guess that’s probably our main goal. I’m very excited for next year. I feel like it’s a big goal of ours for student government to play a bigger role in the school.”

Sergeant at Arms Jason Buckman: “I thought that since I had attended all but one student government meeting this year that I was one of few eligible candidates to run, but since the school’s very important to me, I thought, ‘what better way to serve my school than run for office?’ Instead of focusing my efforts on putting up posters, I was really able to think about what I really wanted to do once I began my new position. The opening of the school is important and I want to make sure that we have really great school spirit next year, and that everyone embraces the new building, and works towards some sort of compromise with parking. We’ve thrown out some ideas such as a raffle with the proceeds going to charity. That’s something that’s important to us.”

Delia Votsch wins international award with FIRST Itai Doron

Class of 2011

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), an organization that develops student interest in the engineering and technology fields, named LM senior Delia Votsch as a “Dean’s List” Award recipient after reaching the finals of the FIRST Robotics Competition on April 16.

Votsch is one of ten award winners out of 96 international candidates. More than 1,800 robotics teams had the opportunity to nominate team members for candidacy.

Throughout her high school career, Votsch has invested many hours in the development of her team. During her four years in LM Robotics, she has played a crucial part in almost every aspect of the team, as mentor Rich Kressly and the rest of the robotics team described in an essay. In the essay they took note of “her selfless approach to all team projects;” which included “wiring robots, arranging team travel, ordering machine parts, and organizing team meetings and dinners.”

“Simply put,” Kressly added, “Delia is one of the most uniquely dedicated individuals I have ever worked with in my sixteen years as an educator.”

One of Votsch’s biggest individual contributions that she made for the team was to coordinate a Lego competition for kids ages 6 – 9 at Penn Wynne Elementary School.

While being one of two students to have coordinated such an event, she also played a major role in developing the interest of young children in engineering and technology for the future, a critical step in increasing the membership of the robotics team over the next few years. She also makes a huge impact on her fellow engineers and even

those of other schools by becoming a two-term captain, co-authoring a national journal article, single-handedly writing out a team business plan, and even visiting PA state legislature and members of Congress to discuss the importance of FIRST. Votsch was invited to Atlanta, Georgia after being chosen by FIRST as a finalist for the award after a strong performance in the Washington, DC robotics competition in February. She also expressed the criteria the organization was looking for, including an interest and passion for commitment to FIRST, strong contribution to her team, expertise, creativity, ability to lead Photo courtesy of Delia Votsch and motivate team members, and effectiveness at increasing awareness Delia Votsch (2nd row, center) poses for a picture with fellow Dean’s List of FIRST at the high school level. award recipients and U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan.

Finally, Kressly and the rest of the robotics team’s nomination essay highlighted the enor- this workshop, she will discuss the future of students and mous effort she put into her team and her great expertise technology and engineering with the founder and leaders in the field of engineering. of the organization, allowing her to share her unique creVotsch was honored and humbled by the award. ativity and expertise with others who share her interests.

“I was so touched to be a finalist; I never believed I Additionally, the award gives Votsch a recommendation would win the national award,” she said. “For me it was from the FIRST leaders and her team a large reduction in really a testament to the kind of work our team does and the registration fee for future robotics competitions. the kind of people it creates.”

Through her dedication and leadership in the LM As a winner of this award, Votsch gets the chance to Robotics team Dawgma 1712, Delia Votsch provides an meet with the other nine winners at a Leadership in Engi- example of a unique LM student who will leave a legacy neering Workshop over the summer in Manchester, NH. At in the school’s technology program.

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May 7, 2010

The Merionite NEWS LMSD develops new math curriculum for entire district Ian Cohn

Class of 2012 For the past few months, the Lower Merion School District has been developing plans to change the math curriculum across the district. Finally, the administration has decided to introduce the changes discussed in the plan.

The new mathematics sequence was suggested in order to “continue to provide a meaningful and challenging math experience for all students, to provide to all students a strong foundation and understanding of key mathematical concepts necessary for success in Algebra 1 and beyond, to offer the opportunity for students to take Algebra 1 in one year as opposed to two, and to provide an additional opportunity for students on grade level at the middle level to advance,” according to the LMSD website. Math courses that were previously two years in length will now

be consolidated into one. The two-year accelerated math class will also be removed from the curriculum completely.

The number of math classes that students must take will also be reduced in this new math sequence. Currently, a student in grade-level math would take Pre-Algebra in 7th grade and Intro to Algebra in 8th, Algebra 1 in 9th grade, Geometry in 10th grade, Algebra 2 in 11th grade, and then Math Analysis/ Trig (or Algebra 3/Trig) in 12th grade.

A 1-year accelerated student would take the same courses, although a year earlier, and would have the option of taking AB or BC Advanced Placement Calculus, or to take AP Statistics as a senior. A student accelerated two years would take the same courses as those accelerated one year but be placed in them one year earlier, with the option of taking Senior Seminar, a post-calculus course, as a senior.

In the new math sequence, the 2-year advanced class will be removed completely. Intro to Algebra and Algebra 1 will be combined into a 1-year course (for most students), to be known simply as Algebra 1. This will give gradelevel math students the ability to take AP AB Calculus, AP BC Calculus, or AP Stat as a senior. It will also give students accelerated one year the option of taking Senior Seminar as a senior.

Another of the largest changes involves the testing of children in 4th grade for the amount of acceleration said children will receive. Currently, students are tested at the end of 4th grade in order to be placed in their appropriate math classes in 5th grade. To achieve one-year acceleration, a student must meet several criteria, one of which is testing into the 80th percentile on ERB, a standardized test, on the mathematics section.

To achieve two-year acceleration, a student must be in the 92nd percentile for the ERB mathematics section, as well as qualify in other criteria such as classroom evaluation. In the new sequence, students will be tested in virtually the same way in fourth grade, though without the chance of a 2-year accelerated class. Students who do not receive acceleration in math, those who will remain at the grade level, will have the option of re-testing for acceleration at the end of 7th grade.

This change in the math sequence will not affect current students at LMHS. Additionally, all students currently above the seventh grade will be unaffected and remain in their current math classes. Students below seventh grade will be the first affected by this adjustment, as the change in testing is instituted in the fourth grade and at the end of the seventh grade.

hosts annual gala In Loving Memory of Jeremy Libon SUAVE Gilad Doron 1991-2010 On Sunday, April 25 2010, LM’s senior to him three days before his death and he said class lost one of its dearest members, Jeremy he felt a lot better.”

Libon. Jeremy, who was going to turn 19 in Jeremy’s trademark accessory was the mulMay and graduate in June, left a huge mark on titude of wristbands he wore on his arms. “He the school he left behind. used to wear armbands [representing] every Ask anyone who knew him and one of the cause or charity,” explained Kirche. Wristfirst things they will mention is his positivity, bands with Jeremy’s name on them will be sold his contagious smile, and his unfailing opti- as a fundraiser in Jeremy’s honor. The seniors mism. Through the sometimes-difficult days will wear the bands at graduation so that his of high school, many have found Jeremy’s presence is felt throughout the night. “I can’t cheerfulness imagine any unique, and [fundraiser] always welmore percome. fect,” said Ms. Kirche, senior Laura Jeremy’s adLevine. visor, raved Nicky about Jeremy’s McAvoyoptimism.

Hull was “He was alanother of ways happy, his close even when I friends. “Jerknew that he emy was a wasn’t necesPhoto courtesy of Lauren Lewis good friend; sarily having a Ms. Kirche’s advisory poses during the 2008-2009 school year he was the good day. He with Jeremy, fifth from the left. Libon was a beloved member first person never let any- of the advisory, and several of the advisory members attended to reach out thing bring him his funeral. to me when down. He was I moved here happy to be here and happy to learn.” from California,” she reminisced. “He knew Ms. Kirche’s advisory said that Jeremy was how to make everyone smile when they were an integral part of their community. “Jeremy down and having a bad day.” was the glue that held our advisory together— Jeremy will be missed, as he was clearly a he always managed to make us laugh during beloved member of LM. “He was just always those important ‘A’ day meetings,” said senior this beacon of light,” said Kirche. “Nothing Lauren Lewis, a member of Kirche’s advisory. fazed him. He was glad to be here.” Money is “Whether we were playing Simpson’s trivia or being collected in his honor for Make-A-Wish talking about ‘iCarly,’ he was always glowing Foundation, Camp Echo, and Hope with Heart. with his infectious smile.”

Contact the guidance department for more Senior Sasha Levyn, also in Jeremy’s advi- ways to commemorate Jeremy’s memory. sory, agreed with Lewis. “He always had the biggest smile on his face and could cheer up De Pasquale wrote a beautiful poem to anyone,” said Levyn. “His favorite thing to do capture his initial feelings about the death of was tell jokes or repeat lines from his favorite his friend and shared it with The Merionite: shows, ‘The Simpsons’ or ‘Family Guy.’ Jeremy always had such a positive energy and an I thought about you with love today optimistic attitude.”

But that is nothing new “He was always known for his corny I thought about you yesterday jokes,” Kirche mused. “‘The Simpsons’ was And days before that, too his ‘thing.’ I would tell him that it’s the most I think of you in silence disgusting show, and we would have debates I often speak your name on the merits of ‘The Simpsons.’”

All I have are memories One of Jeremy’s best friends was Alex de And your picture in a frame Pasquale. “Jeremy was like an older brother Your memory is a keepsake to me,” de Pasquale said. “I will remember With which I’ll never part all the laughs, enjoyment, and friendship we God has you in his heart had. And I will always remember his childish goofy speaking voice he would use to talk to me…I was very shocked by his death. I talked Compiled by Hannah Weilbacher ‘10

Class of 2012

Exciting performances from Ace Harmony and Aces Angels entertained the crowd. Both groups did an excellent job of warming up the audience.

“Both gave incredible performances during their warm up before the event,” said senior SUAVE officer Angela Chang.

“The lady from Polaris even came up to me and asked that she speak before they perform because [they] would be a hard follow-up,” added Chang.

Despite the strength of the entertainment, Janice Cori’s message strongly impacted those at the Gala.

“I took from it that trafficking is much more widespread in the United States than most would think,” said senior Chris Baumohl.

“It stretches from the urban cities to even small Midwest farms.”

One disappointment at this year’s Gala was the lower than usual turnout.

“Due to the weather and other unexpected events, we had maybe around 70 people show up including our volunteers and performers,” said Chang.

Students found the food delicious, as sponsors included Panera Bread, Chipotle, and Corner Bakery.

As the night went on, many individuals made contributions to the Polaris Project.

SUAVE continues to work on its mission to eradicate violence, and remains an excellent means for LM students to become involved on a local, regional, and international level.

On April 16, students from the LM organization known as SUAVE, gathered at the Merion Tribute House for a night of entertainment, food, and most importantly, combating violence.

SUAVE, or Students United Against Violence Everywhere, is sponsored by Spanish teacher Sara Nemoy. It strives to spread awareness of violent crimes against women. In addition, SUAVE members learn how to promote a sense of local and global community by participating in open forum discussions. Since students do not meet frequently after-school, they are able to focus on outreach projects.

The most important event of the year for SUAVE is its main fundraiser, the Gala. Every year, Main Line businesses sponsor the Gala, and school and local performance groups provide entertainment. The funds raised from the Gala are directed towards a specific organization, chosen each year, that students find compelling.

This year, SUAVE decided to donate to the Polaris Project. The Project combats human trafficking by providing services and direct outreach to human trafficking victims. The Project is one of the largest anti-trafficking organizations in the USA and Japan. Students were very impressed by the mission of this organization and unanimously decided to dedicate this year’s efforts to the Polaris Project. The Project sent one of its representatives, Janice Cori, to the Gala who delivered a moving presentation.

While the Polaris Project provided the international message for the evening, Photo courtesy of Julie Prizer regional talent provided Students come to support the cause, eat food, the local listen to music, and overall experience a great LM touch. night with SUAVE.

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May 7, 2010

The Merionite

TSA once again victorious at state competition Eric Cohn

Class of 2012 Once again, LM TSA has returned from its states competition victorious, finishing first place in four events and ranking highly in many others. The competition occurred from April 14 to April 17, in which students competed in a myriad of events.

“There are over 30 competitive TSA events, covering a wide range of topics,” said junior Rachel Newell. “There are events that challenge a student to build a plane, research biotechnology, prepare a speech, or study parliamentary procedure.”

“Most students compete in at least three different events,” said TSA head advisor and Tech Ed teacher Mark Piotrowski. “And they spend the three days competing in their respected events.”

Students at the state conference each had their own schedule, with many events taking place at once. This constant juxtaposition created a hectic atmosphere for the already worn-out students.

“The hustle and bustle of the conference is magnified when over 1500 students are rushing all over the place to compete,” said Newell.

Many students participated in on-site events, which meant they worked on their events on location at the state conference.

However, most students completed their events at home before the competition, requiring rigorous work and many late nights.

“States was one of the most stressful things,” said sophomore Ines Roman.

But the stress and hard work paid off. LM students placed first in four events: Agriculture and Biotechnology Design, Prepared Presentation, Technology Bowl, and Chapter Team – Written. They also placed second in two events and third in two more.

“The part I enjoyed the most was the feeling of accomplishment when I [won a] trophy in an event because it makes me feel that all my hard work has paid off,” said sophomore Tran Nguyen. “Winning isn’t everything, but it feels great when you do.”

And these feelings of pride and

accomplishment were deserved. LM TSA has had a successful season so far, with 35 out of 36 students from states qualifying for the national TSA conference in Baltimore this summer. Qualifying for states alone is an impressive feat.

“In order to make it to states, all the members of LM TSA, 39 students in all, had to make it through the regional conference in Quakertown, which was held in February,” said Newell.

Despite all the hard work involved, students at the conference received plenty of free time to recover from their laborious undertakings.

“Since all of your events are completed at home, the conferences are really laid back,” said Nguyen. “There are tons of activities inside the hotel that you could do.”

The student freedom of the states conference was also highlighted in its special interest sessions, in which students conducted presentations about topics of interest. Students could have also taken this time to advocate for a cause they felt strongly about.

“Another person and I happened to co-present a special interest session to talk about the Pennsylvania TSA Green Initiative,” said sophomore Josh Hoffman, “which I have been heavily involved in.”

One common theme across all the events and even the relaxation time was the camaraderie among TSA members. Newell, who was sworn in as a Pennsylvania TSA State Officer at the conference, recognized the importance of teamwork in the competition.

“I worked with incredible people on these events,” she said, “and it was the team effort that made [our successes] possible.”

Photo courtesy of TSA

Webcamgate costing the District money and pain From Webcamgate, page 1 pictures of his client were captured by the software and claimed that some of them display his client shirtless and asleep in his bed, a fact that appears to contradict Hockhiemer’s statement.

The District’s legal fees for this case have already amounted to $550,000, a figure that will presumably continue to grow. LMSD’s insurance provider, Graphic Arts Mutual Insurance Company, has requested not to pay for any damages, citing incongruence between the policy coverage and the damages the District is currently procuring. But until an agreement between the district and its insurer has been made, the latter will cover up to 80 percent of the legal fees.

Lower Merion School District Community and Public Relations Director, DougYoung responded to this by stating that regardless of this latest development, “[the District is] moving forward as we would normally; submitting our request with the insurer.”

On April 21, the Robbins family and their attorney met with the District’s attorney to discuss a potential settlement.

Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Reuter presided over the meetings; neither side would confirm if a settlement had been reached. More recently, Blake Robbins’ mother, Holly Robbins, spoke with The Philadelphia Daily News and insisted that, “you can think what you want, but it’s not about the money.”

At the May 3 board meeting, the report on the independent investigation—regarding the remote monitoring of student laptop computers was released. It was revealed that 80% of the nearly 58,000 pictures that were captured by the LANrev software were captured due to technology administrator’s failure to deactivate the software. Hockhiemer expanded on that claim by adding that, at times the LANrev software was left on for, “weeks and in some cases months” before technology administrators turned it off.

The TheftTracking software was activated on twelve teacher computers, and captured just over 7,500 images.

The report, noted that the TheftTracking software had three components that it could use to track the potentially lost, stolen, or missing laptops. Hockhiemer explained that an IP address, webcam image, and screen shot could be taken to aid in the tracking of the computers but noted that not all of these components were activated in every case. Moreover, it was revealed that in 67 cases of uninsured laptop tracking, the TheftTracking software tracked only the IP address. However, it was mentioned that in only one case all three tracking devices were activated (IP, webcam, screenshot) for an uninsured laptop taken off campus. When a parent from the audience asked Mr. Hockhiemer if that one computer was the computer from the Robbins’ investigation, Hockhiemer simply replied, “yes.”

The report stated that the Ballard Spahr attorneys had, “found no evidence that any District personnel specifically told the solicitor of the existence of TheftTrack or sought advice from the solicitor concerning its use.” However, documents obtained by The Merionite from Charles Mandracchia, the lawyer of Cafiero, specifically show evidence that his client had attempted to draft some sort of protocol regarding the TheftTracking capability of LANrev in August of 2009. In the meeting agenda that was sent to District Head of Technology George Frazier, it shows that Cafiero added, “establish computer tracking guidelines,” to the agenda. It later mentions that the topic was discussed but no decisions had been made.

In the May 3 report it was found by the Ballard Spahr attorneys that they had, “not seen any evidence of spying or intentionally targeting of students in anyway.” As for the substantial amount of pictures that were captured, Hockhiemer stated that a, “large number of cases were due in part to the District’s failure to implement policy for LANrev use.”

Despite the controversy, LMSD Superintendent Christopher McGinley noted that the District is dedicated to using technology for the better of their students and has vowed to learn from the mistakes that have been made and prevent them from ever happening again.

NEWS

New testimony sheds light on Doe v. LM court case proceedings From Court Case, page 1

Ross Haber, a consultant hired to aid the District during redistricting, had put the notes in the documents.

“In the case of redistricting, the facts are known, in terms of what took place and when it took place,” McGinley said a few weeks before the trial commenced.

After the first day of the trial, District spokesman Doug Young released a statement to the press.

“The District’s position is that the lawsuit challenging the district’s new redistricting plan is totally without merit and will eventually be concluded in our favor. We strongly believe that the facts support the appropriateness of the redistricting plan development, adoption and implementation,” read one part of the statement.

Although he had been hired as a consultant for LMSD, Haber took the stand a week later as a witness for the plaintiffs. When asked on cross-examination by the District’s attorney, Judith Harris, whether he was ever told to change or throw out a potential plan because of race numbers, he said he was not.

The same day, McGinley admitted that race had influenced the redistricting process.

“This is exactly what the plaintiffs have been contending all along, that these plans were accepted, evaluated, and rejected based on race,” said plaintiffs’ spokesman James Herbert on McGinley’s testimony.

Harris asked McGinley, “Did you ever do anything other than use racial statistics to promote the educational experience of students?” McGinley said he had not.

At one point, Arnold asked Haber whether the District asked for a “color-blind” scenario. Haber said they had not.

“I did send a color-blind scenario, but to the best of my recollection, the District never used it,” he testified.

However, under cross-examination from Harris, Haber said that equal enrollment between the two schools, and not race, was the main objective of the redistricting plan.

The trial began after almost a year of motions being filed by both sides, during which the District asked the presiding judge, Michael Baylson, to dismiss the case. Baylson denied the District’s motion to dismiss.

Baylson was expected to deliver a verdict on May 3, after both sides had made their closing statements. Instead, he announced that he would not reach a decision in the near future, and called for a more thorough investigation of the facts of the case.

“This is not necessarily a final resolution of the case,” Baylson explained.

Baylson said he would set another hearing, so the significance of the Supreme Court Case, Brown v. Board of Education can be more extensively considered. The ruling of this case was the grounds for the plaintiffs’ argument.

As the proceedings came to a close, Baylson said that both attorneys had represented their respective sides “zealously.”

It is likely that the side that loses will file for an appeal.

The case may move on to the US Supreme Court, if the conflict continues after the appeals court.

May 7, 2010

5

The Merionite EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL/LETTERS

Field trips: Are we there yet?

I think it’s fair to say that we almost passed out.

President Barack Obama was standing mere feet from us, smiling, waving—and then he shook each of our hands. As he looked each of us in the eyes and offered us a warm welcome to the White House, The Merionite staff realized how relevant our presidential encounter—and our entire trip to Washington, D.C.—had been to our scholarly lives.

The trip lent startling context to what we were learning in school and thus renewed our enthusiasm for academics. And then we noticed: experiential learning is such a vital yet neglected aspect of our LM academic career. Field trips and class excursions have slowly been phased out since elementary school, as it seems we have forgotten their intrinsic value. We forget that a trip can supplement the material covered in class. We ignore that the modern classroom is not containable within four walls. We neglect the practicality of the theories we study.

In Washington, D.C., stepping into the Oval Office and seeing the resolute desk where important treaties in American history were signed brought our Gov and US History curriculums to life. Imagine a Biology class stepping into a building at UPenn, being led from lab station to lab station as a professional research project makes ground-breaking scientific discoveries right before their eyes.

In Washington, D.C., conferring with writers at the Center for Public Integrity illuminated the importance of moralistic journalism. Imagine a Philosophy class spending an afternoon with an Ethics seminar at Villanova University, interacting with college students and professors already devoted to the study of practical morality.

In Washington, D.C., perusing the exhibits at the Newseum allowed us to glimpse the development of global media over the centuries. Imagine an English class walking among the shelves of the Folger Shakespeare library, appreciating the effect Shakespeare continues to have on worldwide literature and culture.

Imagine the enrichment that these field trips could offer. Unfortunately, at LM we have placed a stigma upon educational trips. This aversion to excursions is logical— our schedule is jam-packed, students dread missing classwork and tests, and teachers must accept a great deal of responsibility for any students on a trip. And besides, the annual field trips that are offered seem more frivolous than enriching—Hershey Park, anyone?

If only we could overcome this stigma and realize that the benefits of a well-planned and relevant field trip far outweigh the red tape we must cross in order to set one up.

A new approach might be a system in which students could propose and organize authentic and meaningful field trips to alleviate the burden on teachers, perhaps with a “Student Field Trip Council” that could allocate money.

We must take a step back and realize that while legal liability is important and missing a test is less than ideal, without experiential learning we become completely liable for our own apathy. And, as The Merionite staff can tell you, the best cure for student apathy is a field trip to lend context, relevance, and passion to our education.

Letters to the Editor

The fragile state of Ceramics Dear Merionite,

I have always been a firm believer in LM’s art programs. The wide spectrum of classes we are offered is unique to this school, and that is all possible thanks to the especially talented array of art teachers. Ms. Moon, the Ceramics teacher extraordinaire, announced her retirement earlier this year. Recently, however, I learned that LM was not replacing Ms. Moon with a new Ceramics teacher. Disappointment and confusion ran through my mind when I realized that Ceramics students would be split among existing art teachers’ classes, without the focus or instruction of a true Ceramics wizard.

This is truly upsetting. In the duration of my high school career, my mom has stood by one rule that she outlined for me: I must have an art class in my schedule for at least one semester per year. Reflecting back now, I realize that this rule is a vital guide to survival. Art class is a time to release all stress acquired during the day or week. It is more meaningful that merely having a “free” in my schedule, because it is a time where I am essentially forced to not think about the hours of Gov studying I have ahead of me or the terrifying game against Radnor’s girls’ lacrosse team in the afternoon.

Ceramics is a unique form of art that requires concentration, precision, and creativity. Creating timeless pieces of art with the instruction of a teacher who truly understands her craft is something LM should be proud of, and should take advantage of! By not filling Ms. Moon’s position, LM is losing a vital component of its strong art program. The ability to create ceramic pieces of art is amazing, and although she is irreplaceable as a person, Ms. Moon’s teaching position absolutely should be filled with an instructor with a ceramics specialty!

So, Merionite, I urge you: use your newspaper as an outlet to advocate the importance of art in this school, especially such a unique form of art that requires concentration, precision, creativity—and the opportunity to get your hands a little dirty.

Sincerely, Rebecca Rittenberg Class of 2010

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.

Congratulations to the 2010-2011 Merionite staff!

Editors-in-Chief Conor Ferguson, ’11 Arts & Han Tran, ’11 Leah Rosenbloom, ’11 Entertainment Emily Shepard, ’11 Managing Editor Matt Rublin, ’11 News Editors Maya Afilalo ‘12 Eric Cohn ‘12 Ian Cohn ‘12 Op-Ed Editors Jess Lebow, ’11 Avi Chatterjee, ’11 Jake Wellens, ’11 Features Editors Liz Dunoff ‘11 Lisa Li ‘11 Danielle Moscow ‘11

Sports Editors Danny Kane, ‘11 Wenwen Yang, ’11 Photo Editor Madeline Berger, ‘11 Copy Editor/ Dan Weitz ‘11 PhotoManager Web Manager Jake Delman, ‘11 Business Andrew Sy, ‘11 Managers Richie Weker, ‘11

6

May 7, 2010

OPINIONS

The Merionite

Question of the Month

What is the one thing you would change about PSSA testing?

“

Make our parents take them too.

“

“

I would not make the testing periods so long.

[Most students never] use all of the allotted time to complete the test.

“

”

- Jen Rosen, ’11

Seniors suffer from losing AR because they’re about to finish school and need to make up lots of tests.

- Leah Sutton, ’10

”

- Jonah Mann, ’10

“

I would have less dull essay and short answer prompts asked in the Reading and Writing sections.

- Josh Hoffman, ’12

”

Wow, that’s a really tough question. The whole system of No Child Left Behind and the PSSAs is so fundamentally flawed. I’m not sure how one or multiple changes would make it an effective way to measure and encourage student progress. The premise that every student—statewide or nationally—needs to have mastered the same material in the same way is a direct contradiction to every learning theory of which I am aware. From a practical side, saying every student needs to have the same skills upon graduation will not properly prepare students for what they do after high school, whether it be developing a trade, going directly into the workforce, going to a four-year college to major in humanities, going to college to be a pre-med major, or a myriad of other careers.

The way that the tests are administered magnifies the fundamental flaws of the system. By administering all PSSA tests to eleventh graders backed up against the AP tests, ACT, SAT, and SAT II tests means that many of our kids are taking standardized tests from April to June, severely disrupting the educational process. With the Keystone Exams coming next year, it seems that things will get even worse.

- David Vinci, Physics Teacher

“Get rid of it.

”

- Russ Loue, Art Teacher

“

”

I think the lack of mints during the second week soured the general disposition of the students...

They [should] have sufficient government funding to keep us minty the whole way through.

- Sami Wischnia, ’11

”

”

Art by Isaac Lindy and Leah Rosenbloom/Staff

LM’s favorite themed event: Welcome to the “Pity Party” Jess

Lebow

Class of 2011

It’s no secret that LM kids are competitive. With our obsessive Powerschool checking and our compulsive tendencies to “one up” each other, it’s easy to see how competition runs rampant in

our high school, even in our conversations.

It is safe to say that the number one conversation starter at LM is “I’m so tired.” The conversation inevitably follows the same pattern, a series of attempts to “out tire” the other person.

Whether we went to bed at two and woke up at five to build our bridge and finish our Webassign or didn’t get any rest over the weekend because of our homework, job, and social scene, we are all adamant that we are, in fact, equally if not more tired than the person with whom we’re conversing.

Moving past this not-so-original start, students dig a little deeper in self-pity. The second phase of our conversations often include detailed lists of obviously exaggerated homework assignments. It’s undeniable that if we spent this portion of the conversation doing the alleged work, we would be a lot better off, but it seems that the more Honors and AP classes we take, the more likely we are to blow off our work for these pity parties.

If our misery contests follow the routine course of action, thus ensues a series of derogatory remarks about our teachers.

Here comes a fork in the road: a divergence to either A) “proof“ of the absolute incompetence of our teachers or B) the unjust grades we receive from our teachers that justify our struggles to achieve. Choice A is slightly more common because just about anybody can make it work. We list mistakes that teachers have made, times they have misspoken, instances in which they have talked around our questions and circumstances in which they completely failed to make something clear.

Choice B is often equally unfounded in that our grades typically correspond with our work and most of our teachers, whether we believe it or not, try very hard to be impartial. What unites these conversational segments is our complete confidence in our shoddy theories about teaching practices that, in truth, only reflect our own frustrations.

The final portion of this competitive LM conversation, though, is the most ironic. This is the duel to determine who does less work. This incessant insistence that “I barely studied at all—I’m screwed” is a transparent way of saying “I’m nervous and I want to set up an excuse for myself in case I don’t perform well.” For all of those students too nonchalant and blasé to realize or acknowledge the benefits of studying, surprise: there is typically a correlation between work and success. Still, students are determined to insist upon having studied the least until they defeat their assumed opponents or at least reach a justified armistice.

People then allow the conversation to loop back to the sleep and time they lost due to their immense amount of homework.

Pity party recommenced.

In actuality, is all of this “excuse” competition necessary?

No. Is it productive?

Clearly not. So why do we insist on competing so meaninglessly with one another? What impetus is there for claiming we are “more” overwhelmed? Isn’t this obsessive competition just a method by which we intend to boost our self-esteem? If so, it’s clearly not working, because the cycle is never-ending and we are constantly competing.

And, if we insist on competing with one another, must our competition be so commonplace? I challenge students at LM to become more original with their conversations. I’d be curious to see how competition might soar at that prompt. Perhaps a future article will detail the random topics heard throughout the new halls of Lower Merion, possibly a portrayal of what truly goes on when we get home; then again this might involve more studying, work and sleep than students would feel comfortable divulging to the public.

May 7, 2010

7

OPINIONS

The Merionite

Cream and sugar? Our spirit daze

Andrew

Pasquier

You are “sooo” Jewish:

The hateful LM attitude Class of 2013

It’s Tuesday, September 8, 2009, and it’s my first day as a freshman in a new school. While all freshmen also had to

Itai

Barsade negotiate the labyrinthine hallways and sadistic glares from upperclassmen, I had just graduated from a private Jewish Day School and was coming into a place where I knew absolutely no one.

In my first class a fellow peer asks me, “So, where did you go to school?”

I told him that I went to a Jewish Day School in Elkins Park; he proceeded to ask me “So, wait: that means you

Cops and robbers. Color wars. Halloween costumes. Horn-rimmed glasses and suspenders.

And here I see the greatest benefit of spirit days: they offer a safe outlet to release all that creativity you have kept bottled up since who knows when. It is a chance to stand out from the crowd—of course, with the rest of your teammates— and dress up in an outfit that you would otherwise scorn.

It is so crucial to remember that you do not brave spirit days alone, which is why you should go all out with your getups.

Having the nerve to dress up like a person obsessed with the color blue or a robber intent on stealing someone’s lunch is a symbol of courage.

We’ve all seen people in our school But spirit days do not just improve don these crazy outfits. Strange as it may your mood. You will have also brightseem, spirit days are some of the most ex- ened everyone else’s day. After a gruehilarating events for these students. Not some APUSH exam, for instance, seeing a only do they get the opportunity to wear girl dressed up as a pumpkin helps me get something they over the overrarely take out whelming stress of the closet, but of the test; few they also get the LMers can chance to bond truthfully admit with teammates that seeing a felover the hilarilow student in a ous humiliation of crazy ensemble classmates’ stares. does not brightExciting as en their moods. spirit days may Do us all a be, however, some favor. The next people still pretime you have a fer to avoid the spirit day, don’t “shame” of lookbe one of those ing eccentric in people who public. Furtherclaim to have more, the boys’ forgotten in orsports teams rareder to avoid the ly step outside the “humiliation” of box and dress in being caught in something other a wacky outfit.

Art by Liora Ostroff/Staff The “humiliathan shirts and ties. While it may seem more embarrass- tion” that you may dread is really nothing than fun to come to school dressed ing of the sort. What you may consider to strangely, it is actually a fulfilling and en- be shameful might be courageous—and riching experience. hysterical—in the eyes of others. You will For me, spirit days are a major reason not lose respect by dressing up like a farm why I continue to join sport teams. I love girl. Not only will you gain respect, but the excitement of the night prior to the you may also gain better relationships designated date spent planning the perfect with your teammates. outfit to fit the established criteria. The And by the end of the day, you will crazier the costume, the better! This ex- have become someone a tad more origiperience is not only fun but it also teaches nal, someone less afraid to go against you to recognize your own originality. the norms of LM society. You will have Spirit days teach you that “fitting in” is become an integral individual of a larger overrated. To be your own person is to team—where else could you gain such a have the guts to dress however you like simultaneous sense of individuality and despite the fear of being mocked. belonging?

Class of 2011

Class of 2013

The Tea Party Movement bases its protest tutionally derived individualism serve for the on two emotions: anger and nostalgia. And betterment of our country? Do our glorified these emotions make sense—we are just slowly freedoms somehow shirk us of our responsibilities to provide a better life for others?

The Movement’s motto, “I’ve got mine… so screw everybody else,” runs counter to a quintessential part of humanity: our dependence upon other people.

The Tea Party Movement wishes to limit government policies directed to those in need and therefore sever the helping hand that serves the poor. They believe the social advances we have made over the last half-century to help the needy—through President Johnson’s Great Society programs and even now through climbing out of a great recession and economic President Obama’s health care reform—have pain can be heard echoing across the country. somehow polluted the real, authentic America Wars rage overseas and there seems to be no end in which everyone should fend for themselves to international conflicts. The Movement claims without the need of some bloated, bureaucratic that somehow the idea of the American dream federal government. coveted since the 1950s is fading away under Students should know more than anyone this new tide of big government involvement in about the interdependence of humans and our the lives of its citizens. constant reliance upon the help of others. We The anger is real, and they share this anger need to remember as we move through our lives with many Americans, the left and the right that we are part of the commune of humanity alike. The Tea Party pines for a return to some and we must not let our own personal comfort former, unpolluted America. They cry out and self-interest block the advancement of our against big government spending and enormous society. Individualism may produce ideas, but deficits. Financial austerity and the belief in concerted effort is what produces change. limited government is the name of their game.

When we peel back the layers and reach But does this belief of “true” American, consti- the core of the Tea Party members’ moral compasses, we realize that it points nowhere but back to themselves. They believe that because of the ideals of freedom and liberty ingrained in our country, we somehow escape from all constraints of our responsibility to heed the distress of others. They play upon real emotions to quell any further governmental actions.

This remains my central issue with the Tea Party Movement: it is, at its core, selfish. And should this selfish attitude ever gain widespread support, it might just start to eat away at the edifice of social Art by Zach Ostrum/Staff progress.

Wenwen Yang

speak…Jew?” as a perceived slur. This issue suddenly If I remember correctly, “Jew” is not seemed systemic throughout LM. And one of the thousands of languages or we all know it, too. We all hear comdialects spoken around the world. ments like “Oh you are soooooo Rather, Hebrew is the official lanJewish” or “Stop being Jewish.” guage spoken by millions These cannot be cateof Jews—and non-Jews— gorized as anything but across the globe. tasteless jokes turned This peer of mine was thoughtless insults.

Jewish. He knew very well I find it shocking that that “Jewish” is, in fact, people use Judaism as not a language. Beyond a derogatory label and the ridiculous mistake, even more shocking however, was the tone of that most of this antithe comment that bothered Jewish attitude comes me. It was a comment that from Jews themselves. wrongly assumed a certain It is stupid that people level of Jewish knowledge think of Judaism, and on my part. The comment often the frequency of seemed to label me—and the practice of the relabels often have negative ligion, as something connotations. to be ashamed So, it was of or somethrough this inArt by Leah Rosenbloom/Staff t h i n g t o cident that a much point out larger issue came to my attention, that and highlight. But what can we do to of an ironic increase in using Judaism fix this recent issue of superficial com-

ments based upon trivial and essentially non-existent differences in religious practices?

The administration and teachers cannot fix a problem like this. We’ve all seen the reception to “No Place for Hate”: lackluster at best. Therefore, it is up to us students to reject this kind of behavior. The next time someone makes a stupid joke or comment, it is our duty to tell him or her that it was not funny, but offensive.

Even further, LM students need to not only change their humor, but also their outlook on religion. It is preposterous that one should think that belief in a certain religion—or anything else—is necessarily bad.

And perhaps most importantly, it is this exact behavior that leads others to act in a truly anti-Semitic way. These un-funny remarks and casual slurs create an atmosphere of contention and a tendency to alienate others. They cannot continue if we wish LM to foster and take pride in the rich diversity that makes this school so special.

8

May 7, 2010

FEATURES SPORTS

The Merionite

¡Hola Señora Nemoy!

the U.S. They have two sons: Sebastian, a freshman at LM, and Matias, a student at Bala Cynwyd Middle School.

Señora Nemoy, raised in Uruguay, didn’t Although Nemoy’s boys love sports, Nemoy always want to be a teacher. When she fin- was never a big sports fan herself. She says ished high school, she wanted to study art, but it is because it was part of her culture. “They “the dictators of Uruguay had closed the art don’t promote sports in women, so I grew schools because they did not like the creative up just watching football and soccer. They side of their culture at the time,” so she chose wouldn’t really let girls play. Now it’s changto become an educator. ing but when I was growing up it was a dicNemoy’s first teaching job was at a public tatorship and in the general Hispanic culture school in Uruguay, where she taught Spanish to girls didn’t use to play sports. I guess it was native speakers, much like an English teacher considered not ‘feminine.’” does here.

This type of When Nemoy restriction was moved to the Unitcommon in ed States about 20 many aspects years ago, she was o f N e m o y ’s offered a job as a life. Coming Spanish teacher at from a counLM, Obviously, she try that would accepted. “tell you the “I think it was way that you karma, and that I should dress was born to be a and behave,” teacher,” said NemAmerica was oy a whole new Nemoy recalled world. her Spanish meth“It was a odology professor Photo by Emily Sorensen/ Staff b i g c h a n g e t e l l i n g h e r t h a t Nemoy remembers her roots to her home country, Uruguay s e e i n g h o w teaching was “dewomen befined in [herself],” and she could not help but haved in this country. I learned to be myself smile as she exclaimed, “I just love being a here. I really loved that part of the immigrant teacher!” experience. It’s a freedom that comes from While Spanish is Nemoy’s primary lan- inside. Part of the system is to empower the guage, she admits a love for the English lan- girls and allow them to be themselves.” guage as well. “I love to read in English. I’d

Especially intriguing was how ahead become an English teacher if I could!” Outside of the game many Americans seem. During of school, Nemoy loves to read in both Span- the five years that Nemoy lectured at Penn, ish and English (and “can read upside down”). she saw many people younger than she was She particularly likes English mystery novels, who had their entire lives planned out. This especially those by Agatha Christie, one of her was very different than the culture back in favorite authors.

Uruguay.

However, Nemoy’s favorite activity outside “Americans generally have a layout of their of school has to be cooking. She absolutely lives much more clearly. They know that they loves to cook, whether for fun or to relieve have the possibility to pursue their dreams; stress. Nemoy typically cooks Spanish food, this is something very foreign to us.” or rather, “any Italian dish with Uruguayan While Nemoy misses her mother and flavor,” as she is not an American food lover other loved ones back in Uruguay, she said, (especially not pizza). Nemoy prefers Thai “I wouldn’t change my experience of living food, her favorite type of food that she has here for anything. There are things that you tried since coming to America. take for granted because you’re American. The Nemoy’s husband is also from Uruguay, freedom you have living here, for me, makes where they were married before moving to it all worth it.”

Danielle Moskow

Class of 2011

The few, the proud, the military-bound Itai Barsade

Class of 2013

Senior Mark Fitzmyer never filled out a college application and never waited anxiously for his college acceptance. This is because Fitzmyer chose a different route, a route far less taken. Fitzmyer decided to enlist in the Marine Corps.

The fact that Fitzmyer chose to enlist in the military makes him among a select few. But what would motivate someone to enlist?

“It’s something I have always wanted to do since I was a little kid,” Fitzmyer said, “but factors such as the college assistance, patriotism, and the making a life for myself have also attracted me to the Marine Corps.”

Not many teenagers share those same sentiments. In fact, only about 1% of U.S. high school seniors decide to enlist in the military. Despite that, this year, three LM students are enlisting this year in the Marine Corps.

The process of deciding to enlist starts around junior year. You may see local recruiters in the cafeteria during lunch, at sports games or college fairs.

This is part of a nearly three billion-dollar initiative by the U.S. government to recruit qualified civilians into the armed services. They offer t-shirts, pens and other gifts for expressing interest in learning more about what it is like to join the military.

Local Marine Recruiter Cedric J. Bennett said, “I am here to educate qualified high school students about enlisting. Currently a major issue we are facing is rumors and misconceptions about the Marines. I am here to dispel these rumors and inform people about the Marines. If they are still interested and the Marines is the right place for them we proceed with the process to recruit a Marine.”

This journey of recruiting is lengthy. Once potential recruits talk to a recruiter and express interest in joining the Marines, they take an aptitude test to determine proficiency in a variety of subjects. They are then screened to see if they are qualified to join the Marines.

“A qualified recruit is someone who is on the way to graduating high school, does not have any obscene or disgraceful tattoos, and is overall an outstanding citizen. In the Marine Corps, we look for quality, not quantity,” said Bennett.

Once civilians are deemed qualified, they sit down with a recruiter and their parents to decide if the Marines Corps is the right place for them. After that they enter the delayed entry program, a pre-basic training program for people enlisted in the Marines, which prepares them for the rigors of boot camp. Recruits participate in team sports, fun nights, calisthenics and a variety of other activities.

During this period, recruiters maintain special relationships with future recruits. Fitzmyer said, “My recruiter and I are very close; he calls once a week to see how I am doing, we go on runs together, and he gets me ready for Boot Camp.”

Upon completing Boot Camp, the Marine Corps offers a variety of options, which Fitzmyer is excited to explore. Since Fitzmyer is initially enlisting in the reserves, he can attend college on a 40% tuition discount. He will also enjoy major travel benefits. “I am excited for the traveling around the world. My staff sergeant has been to over 40 countries!”

In August, when most of this year’s seniors are preparing their dorm rooms, Mark Fitzmyer will be standing in formation at Parris Island preparing to be a Marine rifleman, learning how to protect our nation. These commitments make our nation safe, and young people like Mark Fitzmyer make our school proud.

There isn’t much better than a fresh tomato on a summer day. Learn how to grow your own here!

Step 1: Choose a spot to plant your tomatoes that has full sun and a lot of space for your plant to grow. Dig a hole big enough to fit the base of your plant.

Step 3: Water the soil a lot in the beginning, and then every other day.

Help it thrive by giving it liquid fertilizer every two weeks.

If as the plant grows, it begins to lean over, you may need to tie it to a plant stake to help it grow straight.

Step 2: Plant your tomatoes in the hole, making sure the top of your base is in line with the top of the hole and the roots fit comfortably. Try not to disturb the roots.

Step 4: Enjoy your cherry tomatoes! Cherry tomatoes are a delicious and healthy food, and even more so when you grow them yourself! Put them in salad, make a nice sauce, or just eat them as a snack. Happy growing!

Photos by Emily Sorensen/ Staff

9

May 7, 2010

FEATURES Oh, the places they’ll go: Seniors X abroad The Merionite

Bina Peltz

Class of 2010 After four long years, we have reached the end. After surviving broken heaters, Okwonkwo’s journey, rainy fire drills, and the dreaded slew of standardized tests, it’s time to get that experiential learning on, throw your tasseled hat in the air, enjoy a nostalgic summer, and then party in the USA college system. Right? Not necessarily.

Many American high school graduates are choosing to broaden their horizons by spending time outside the US during or before college. A number of current seniors at LM will be taking a form of a gap year, a semester abroad, or a full blown overseas college experience, spending the next year across the ocean.

Two LMers, Kelly Dougherty and Eve Laren, are planning to spend their college experience abroad. Dougherty, who will be attending NYU’s campus in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, chose NYU AD because of its small size and international status. Dougherty will be a member of the first incoming class of NYU Abu Dhabi, which bills itself as the “World’s Honor College.”

“I was bent on going to Columbia, and in late October I visited Columbia and out of curiosity I stopped by NYU AD’s New York office. It sounded like all I could want in a school,” said Dougherty. “Later that day at Columbia, I was sitting in the cafeteria and I was barely able to hear myself think with so much going on around me. I realized that I didn’t want this.”

Unlike Dougherty, Laren had her eye set on attending the University of St. Andrews in Scotland after taking a course there two summers ago. “I was immediately attracted to the architecture of the 600 year old school be-

cause I felt like I was at Hogwarts, but it was the professors I met, and the degree structure they offer that made me sure that’s where I wanted to be,” said Laren. Unlike most US colleges, students at St. Andrews don’t have any general requirements; they begin in their specialized courses from the onset.

For each course, there are three lectures and one tutorial of five to eight people each week. “I liked that I would be able to only take classes that interested me rather than just taking ones that I was required to. I also liked the idea that I’d have lectures, but still have a chance to get close with a professor and get help if needed with the tutorials,” said Laren.

While some are attending universities abroad, Aly Miller, who has matriculated at Skidmore College, is spending her first semester of college in London through the Skidmore in London Program, which is located at the city’s center along the Thames River. Miller will be taking classes at the Institute for the International Education of students and will receive course credit for cultural activities and trips run by Skidmore professors. “I’m excited to have this opportunity to learn in a new country, accompanied with a sense of adventure and initiative.

The classes are mostly art, British history,

and theater based so we can do more hands on learning throughout the city, and learn in a more intimate setting, as there are only 36 students in the program,” said Miller.

The majority of LM students going abroad next year are attending gap year programs.

The origination of the American gap year was after World War Two when governments thought that youth travel and cultural exchange would produce a greater global understanding that would prevent future wars.

While most LMers aren’t traveling with the goal of world peace in mind, the idea of being exposed to other cultures is indeed a major factor. Laren commented that at St. Andrews, only 15 percent of the student population hails from North America, so she will have a greater opportunity to meet a more diverse group of students from a variety of backgrounds than if she attended an Americancollege.

Shula Smith will be in Israel next year living on a kibbutz, a collective farm, while working with Israeli and Arab children teaching English and running co-existence activities. “ The trip is really geared towards community service and gaining a greater understanding of the people of Israel,” said Smith.

Senior Niki Forman will be joining Smith in Israel, but she will be having a completely separate experience: she will be studying in a music conservatory. Forman will be able to study music intensively while having the opportunity to experience something entirely new, but also something familiar: music!

“Like American conservatories, people are coming to study from all over the world. I will also be able to immerse myself in the language and culture of Israel,” said Forman.

Through this immersion in culture, the post high school experience of these students will differ from that of LM students attending American schools. Dougherty is hoping to pick up some Arabic, Smith plans on gaining more familiarity with Hebrew, and Miller is looking to create a more credible British accent. St. Andrews offers sports such as polo, shinty, and korfball, which are not available at most US schools. In both the United Kingdom and Israel the drinking age is 18, which will be a cultural shift. “I’ll be able to have legally have wine with dinner,” said Miller.

For Dougherty in Abu Dhabi, alcohol and drugs, which are dangerously illegal, will not be a large part of the college experience. “The social customs will be significantly different,” commented Dougherty.

While going abroad for gap years and college is still fairly uncommon (Dougherty often gets, “NYU Upper Darby? Oh, I didn’t know they had a campus there”), the advantages of the experience are garnering a growing interest around the country.

The independence, interactions with new ideas and people, and travel opportunities are vital in creating true world citizens. As Smith put it, “You learn just by virtue of being abroad, the experience is invaluable.”

The Merionite takes D.C.

From Obama, page 1 book on the Obama White House.

Wolffe, an experienced TV and print journalist, had just begun talking about his work when the door behind him opened.

Our jaws dropped. What we had expected to be another White House aide was actually the President of the United States. He casually greeted us with, “Hey guys.” He walked around the room, shaking each Photo courtesy of Noah Zuares/Staff Photo courtesy of The White House (Pete Souza) person’s hand, while Richard The Merionite staff in from of the West Wing. Pictured: Mr. and Mrs. Wolffe bemoaned that he was Obama chilling with The Merionite staff. Pictured: Conor FerHenneberry, Conor Ferguson, Emily Sorensen Xinran Wang, Ben Forer, being upstaged. Obama paused guson, Molly Tranbaugh, Connie Hua, Noah Zuares, Obama, Sivahn Barsade, Bina Peltz, Isaac Lindy, Noah Zuares, Hannah Weilto ask us why we were in Ben Forer, Rachel Cohen, Leah Rosenbloom bacher, Hana Rouse, Connie Hua, Becca Hafter, Leah Rosenbloom D.C., and yes, Obama, did say the words, “The Merionite.”

When he left the room, we were all in a daze. We met with many amazing people after him, but our minds were still on the President. Robert Gibbs, press secretary to the President, stopped by to answer our questions, as did Bill Burton, deputy press secretary.

We then toured the West Wing, Photo courtesy of Noah Photo courtesy of The White House Zuares/Staff and were given the rare oppor(Pete Souza) tunity to visit to the Oval OfConor Ferguson meets Lester fice, a room that is usually off Photo courtesy of Noah Zuares/Staff Holt, the anchor of the week- Obama shaking Bina Peltz’s end editions of Today and limits to the public. The office In the White House press briefing room. Pictured: Conor Fergu- Nightly News outside of the hand. Also pictured: Sivahn Barsade, Xinran Wang, Emily Sohas remained largely the same son, Bina Peltz, Connie Hua, Emily Sorensen, Hana Rouse, Noah White House. rensen, White House Aide Molly since Bush occupied it, minus Zuares, Rachel Cohen, Mr. Henneberry Tranbaugh a few details: the desk is raised to allow for Obama’s height, the book ends have been switched from Yale to Harvard, While we were sad to finally leave the White House everyone we could think of to let them know: we just and a bust of Martin Luther King, Jr was put on display. at 8:00 pm, we also reveled in our returned cell phones met the President. We left the White House with our Our other stops included the Rose Garden and the Press (which we had to give up while in the White House) minds in a daze, with presidential M&M’s in our pockBriefing room, and we got to peek into the Cabinet room. so we could hurriedly tweet, message, text and call ets, and with a story that we will tell our grandchildren.

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May 7, 2010

FEATURES

The Merionite

To sleep or not to sleep? LM after hours Rachel Cohen

Class of 2010

Ever since we can remember we’ve been told “You need to make sure you get eight hours of sleep!” And for the most part, we tried our best to adhere to this golden rule of rest. Then we got to high school, and we began experimenting with some new toys--like coffee, Redbull, and sugar. And for some, sleeping patterns began to change.

Some kids stay up late due to difficult schedules and an overabundance of extracurricular activities.

Some kids stay up due to social networking addictions and packed TV schedules. Some kids stay up because the energy needed to go brush their teeth and change their clothes to get into bed seems like an awful lot of effort. And some kids… diligently go to bed. At LM, we have a nice gradient of sleepers—from the ultra weary to the contentedly rested.

For some, nothing is more important than sleep.

“I’m absolutely in bed by 10, and most nights I try to be asleep by 9,” said senior Nora Lashner. When asked why, she replied, “I go to sleep early ’cause I’d rather be sleeping than stalking Facebook. No one puts up new pictures during the week anyway.”

Homework may or may not be finished when students hit the hay. “Sometimes it is, sometimes it’s not. But I try to be asleep by 10:15” said junior Scott Cheloha.

On the other end we have those who get very little sleep. When all the world goes to bed there remains a little nocturnal community, full of late night blog-

gers, music hunters, writers, stalkers, readers, and more. “Last week during the week I got a total of nine hours of sleep,” said junior Neil Zhang. “But then on the weekend I died.”

There’s also The Nap. The nap varies as well; there is the Power Nap, the Cat Nap, and then the Nap which lasts a few REM cycles and people start to debate whether it was a nap at all.

“I love naps. They definitely make it harder to fall asleep later but I need them to feel replenished to start my homework,” said sophomore Jaime Wikler.

Napper JJ Warshaw said, “The best part of napping is how trippy you are just after you wake up, I remember one time I took a shower right after one and I thought my arm was a snake in the Nile river.”

Some people are heatedly against naps. “Naps take away from your night sleep time. When you wake up you feel horrible and confused and it’s just a waste of my time,” said junior Maggie Walker.

When kids go off to college, they may schedule their courses so they do not have to wake up before

Check themerionite.org for the solution to this puzzle!

ACROSS 1. Where those in love hate to be 6. Protectors of the tho- racic cavity 10. Idiot 14. Lassos 15. Bug follower 16. Fencing sword 17. Beethoven’s Für _____ 18. Leonard of Massachu- setts 20. Jai ____ 21. Less fitted 22. Stephen of New York 25. Boring fabrics 28. Slippery sea creatures 29. Reverence 31. British drink 32. Paid (for), spiritually 35. Equal: prefix 36. Suffix with part 37. Made even….or what

18- 22-,47-, and 57- Across did during their careers 41. Sort-of: suffix 42. Started a game of duck duck-goose 43. The Gorgons, for ex ample 44. Tavern drink 45. Basketball pos 46. Not shiny 47. Drug pusher 49. John of New York 53. Betrayal 56. Red veggie 57.Claude-Michel of France 59. Linguini 60. Sir Connery, once a Bond 61. Whack 62. What music tells 63. Quality of sound 64. Boho 65. Towed cars

Art by Liora Ostroff/ Staff

10:00 virtually…ever. This can be a puzzling and exciting concept for students who are accustomed to 6:30 a.m. wakeups every morning. Keep in mind that while our sleeping schedules will continue to shift throughout our lifetime, while we’re in high school try and get a good night’s sleep…whatever that means for you individually. And remember that sleep deprivation catches up to everyone. (Even for those kids who pretend they are superhuman and don’t “need” sleep.)

DOWN 1. Spaces 2. ____ Adobado, chicken dish 3. Bee-like 4. Apartment dweller 5. When repeated, a nasty fly 6. Hebrew scholars 7. A support for skyscrapers 8. Tennis’ Bjorn 9. Words and music 10. Discourage 11. + or 12. Hawaiian offering 13. Number of dextrous digits 19. “Whose ___ are you on?”

23. Stay 24. Son who inherits all 26. The hair on your chinny- chin-chin 27. Causes for stampedes at the mall

29. Ingredient to make soap, once 30. Crestfallen 32. Cambodian or Thai, for example 33. Inventor of electricity-generating coil 34. Besides 35. Cousin of “The Addams Family” 38. Patriotic org. for women 39. Window part 40. Like monks or nuns 45. Joel or Ethan 46. Small motorboat 48. Hag 49. Of the poorest quality 50. Writer of fables 51. Subway in France 52. Checks or curbs 54. Pop group of the ‘70s 55. Give a quick burn 57. Former flier 58. Head honcho 59. Force over area Abbr.

May 7, 2010

11

The Merionite

Aces of The Arts Stephen Allen - Class of 2011

Photo by Dann Weitz/Staff What instrument do you play, and what ensembles are you involved with?

Cello - the Delaware County Youth Orchestra, a piano trio at Settlement Music School, Music in the Mountains PA (summer camp), a couple groups at school.

How you got involved with music, and what your advice is to others who also want to get involved: My family is very musical; I was bound to play something and when I was a little kid I liked the idea of playing a big instrument.

Turns out I picked the best instrument; cello has a beautiful sound, great repertoire, and it’s just fun to play. My advice to people is to give classical music a chance if you haven’t already. There’s so much incredible music I’m sure can find something that you like.

Favorite quote?

“If you wanna end war and stuff you gotta sing loud.”

Current favorite song?

“Boogie Chillen” by Buddy Guy & Junior Wells

Christine Emery - Class of 2012

Photos by Dan Weitz/Staff

What instrument do you play, and what ensembles are you involved with?

I play trumpet and piano; I participate in the Kimmel Center Youth Jazz Ensemble, LMHS Jazz band and orchestra, all for trumpet How you got involved with music, and what your advice is to others who also want to get involved: I first began playing piano in first grade and later picked up the trumpet in fourth grade with school. Since then I have been taking private lessons and have been participating music groups in and out of school. I also write my own music, both vocal and instrumental, on the piano, and have been experimenting with recording. I am not quite sure if I want to pursue music as a full career, although I will definitely keep playing as I get older! In addition to music, I have been dancing ballet since preschool at Radomile Academy of Dance and am currently a company member there.

Favorite quote: “Every man dies. Not every man really lives.” - William Wallace Current favorite song: World News by Local Natives and Horchata by Vampire Weekend

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT The poetic expression of myself

Austin Rapkin-Citrenbaum

Class of 2012 I often used to feel like I had something to say, but I didn’t know how to say it. This year, I turned to the one thing I have always been good at - writing.

Since my single digit years I have loved to write little songs or poems about whatever was on my mind, so in the heart of the winter when I wrote a poem about missing the sun, I suspected it would eventually lose itself in the depths of my hard drive. However, when I showed it to my friend and she insisted that I post it online, I decided to make a blog on which to post it.

On the twenty first of January I posted my first poem entitled “The Feeling of Warmth From the Sun On My Back,” on my newly founded blog, titled “Sun On My Back.”

Since then I have posted one poem every day, totaling over eighty poems. Some are happy, some are sad, some are neither, but the important thing is that I have found refuge from my unpredictable mood with the act of writing. The thing I love about my blog is that I can convey the essence of myself in words and anyone can choose to take the time to read them or ignore them; at the end of the day, it is satisfying to sum up my feelings in a single poem. I love that I get positive feedback from people who I have never met from all around the globe, and I love even more the feedback from those I do know, which is why I often share my poems with those close to me.

My writing and blogging has become a part of my daily routine. I never allow myself to go to sleep without posting a poem (even if I post one about

how I have nothing to write, which has happened).

I have my hit-counter bookmarked of course, and I can constantly be seen checking it and sometimes announcing to the world that I have just rounded off another hundred hits! I think that a lot of people have messages that aren’t necessarily so easy to see, and if those people can find a way to show the message to the world maybe they will learn that other people enjoy it as much as they do. That’s why I love to express myself through writing; it allows my readers to learn more about me from my point of view. It also allows me to sit back and look at what I’m feeling and maybe understand why I feel that way. I love to know that people can relate to my poems and the messages they contain. I hope that people may read something I write and realize that they aren’t the only person who feels a certain way.

Writing is an easily accessible form of self-expression that deserves consideration. You could write a poem, a song, a story, or any other thing you conjure up. I love posting online and if you are thinking about starting a blog I highly encourage it, but even if you don’t want to post your thoughts to the internet, there’s nothing wrong with saving it on your computer for your eyes only. The act of writing helps everyone with blowing off steam and nobody should be too shy to show his or her feelings to the world; I know I’m not.

I love writing and blogging and I plan to continue to post one poem every day. for a long time.

Read all of Austin’s poems at www.sunonmyback.blogspot.com

A taste of Delhi just around the corner Hannah Goldberg-Morse

Class of 2010

Just a year ago, I would’ve been surprised to find one decent Indian restaurant within a few mile radius, let alone three. I’ve always loved Indian food, but after spending the summer after my sophomore year in India, eating my way through the regional specialties and dhabas of Delhi, I found myself with a hunger for dal and dosa that’s never fully sated. Until recently, though, I found myself constantly heading into the city for South Asian grub.

But after sampling the new Indian venues on the Main Line, I am happy to report that tasty Indian cuisine can be found much closer to home.

pyramids of potato and peas can be better elsewhere- or the malai koftathe sauce for these paneer (cheese) and vegetable fritters is too rich and buttery for even my taste.

Chicken tikka masala test: The chunks of chicken used at Saffron are tender and delicious. The sauce, like most others at the restaurant, is well-balanced though mild. It’s not the worst I’ve ever had, but it’s certainly not the best. At $13, it’s not the greatest value.

Although the sauce seemed, upon closer reflection, the same as that of the butter chicken, the chicken used in the tikka masala was cut in strips and a bit too chewy. At $13.50, I wouldn’t order it again.

Tiffin

Just so my bias is clearly laid-out, I’ve been to Tiffin three times since it opened just over a week ago. Simply put, it’s awesome. I’d been to the NoLibs flagship before, but quickly tired of finding parking in the slightEkta ly sketchy area and stuck with my Ekta opened in Bryn Mawr, on West Philly haunts. Now that Tiffin Lancaster Avenue, in February. I had has opened in Wynnewood, I can’t the opportunity to eat there a few imagine going elsewhere in the area weeks ago, and found the branch of for my paratha and vindaloo. Tiffin the popular Northern Liberties res- has a slightly more limited menu than Ekta, but after sampling a fair amount of it, Saffron I have yet to find a dish I Saffron was first don’t like. The items from to open, welcoming the tandoor (the traditiondiners to its storefront al Indian oven) are moist on Montgomery Avand flavorful, the chaat enue in Bala Cynis fresh-tasting and the wyd last summer. portion is large enough I’ve probably eaten to share, and the seekh at Saffron around ten kebab nearly rival Katimes since then, and rim’s, my favorite Delhi always enjoyed my haunt. The tangy coconut meals. The atmoPhoto by Dann Weitz/Staff sauce of the South Indian sphere is welcoming, Saffron opened successfully last summer on Montgom-shrimp curry was a favorthe black and yellow- ery Avenue in Bala Cynwyd. ite in my group, and the clad room holding ten or fifteen small taurant good but with several flaws. roganjosh was tender enough to eat tables. The service is prompt, bearing Upon entering, I found the ambi- with just a fork. With the abundance the standard, slightly-Americanized, ance - replete with painted columns of naan and the delicious chutneys, mostly Punjabi (North Indian) fare. and Romanesque murals- slightly I don’t know how my fellow diners I’ve found the spices of the dishes reminiscent of an Italian restaurant, and I even came near finishing the to be well-balanced, though mild, though clean and nicely appointed. meal. But it was so good that we aland well-suited to those just begin- The highlights of the meal were most managed. ning their journeys into the depths of the complimentary papadum (lentil Chicken tikka masala test: The Indian cuisine. Some of my Saffron wafers with various sauces) and the huge and perfectly-cooked hunks of favorites are the papri chaat, an appe- butter chicken, though the spices chicken seemed to marinate in the tizer of lentil wafers, yogurt, chick- weren’t fully ground and left me with mild sauce with just a hint of spice. peas, potato, and tamarind sauce; small bits of clove in my mouth. The The chicken seemed to have already chana masala, a chickpea dish, and lamb saag was, as my dining com- been cooked in the tandoor, which lamb roganjosh, a tasty, though- panion pronounced, too “spinach-y,” lent it a more distinctive flavor and mild, version of the classic Kashmiri and the chickpeas in the chaat didn’t kept the meat tender. At $12, it was dish. I wouldn’t recommend, how- seem fully cooked. both the cheapest and best of the ever, trying the samosas-these fried Chicken tikka masala test: bunch.

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May 7, 2010

The Merionite

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

UPenn film examines LM redistricting

Sarah Zimmerman

Class of 2011 As scandal du jour “webcamgate” is slowly fading, we must turn our attention back to the ageold issue of redistricting. The current bone of contention has been a problem since 1997, when both Lower Merion High School and Harriton High School decided to revamp their facilities and balance their student variety. Redistricting in LMSD, however, has been an issue for much longer.

Last week, I attended the 2010 Rough Cut Video Festival of the Penn Program on Documentaries and the Law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. This program encourages lawyers to be “knowledgeable participants in cultural and social debates,” through a research process and subsequent film production. The program cites the documentary “Supersize Me” by Morgan

Spurlock as an example of a law-related film that still appeals to the public.

I went to the Rough Cut Festival to see a particular film entitled, “A Thin Line: Redistricting in Lower Merion,” produced and directed by Penn law students, Wendell Holland, Genevieve Uzamere and Nathan Vogel.

Although the content concerned my school and neighborhood, I had little prior knowledge of what angle the film would take on the issue. The producers call themselves “visual legal advocates”- what did that mean, and how would the filmmakers present the subject to an audience with no connection to the issue?

As an unfamiliar rap song about “Miss Education” (or is it “miseducation?”) blasted through the speakers, my fellow audience members and I watched shots of LM, Harriton, Narberth, and Penn Wynne. A picture of Mapes True Value Hardware store popped up and I smiled.

The film commenced to interview Maris Goldin, political science professor at Bryn Mawr; Joanne Siciliano, concerned parent of Ardmore; Ted Goldsborough, old BC and LM English teacher; and Reverend James Pollard Sr., of the Zion Baptist Church of Ardmore. By talking to a myriad of sources, the filmmakers strove to establish an admirable tone of bipartisanship.

In the documentary, Reverend

Pollard and his wife discussed their experience of discrimination in LMSD. According the Pollard, in the 1950s, LM was the only high school in the District. After the 1954 case Brown v. Board of Education, Pollard asserted that the residents on the western side of the district (the more affluent side) were afraid that city kids would be bussed to LM, and decided to build Harriton High School in 1958.

Later, there was dispute involving the elementary schools.

According to Rev. Pollard, South Ardmore had their own elementary and middle schools, but their resources and facilities were inferior to the other schools in the district. Ardmore residents protested, and Ardmore Elementary School was closed down.

The film went on to examine LMSD’s impetus for redistricting. In the 90s, the filmmakers

claim, some parents of Harriton students started to complain about the “substandard” education their children were receiving. Because of the large plots of land, and the larger percentage of students going to private school, the western side of the District has a smaller population, and thus Harriton was designed as a smaller school.

In the opinion of some parents, this lead to less educational opportunities such as AP courses, and, in general, less competitive sports teams. The District tried to address the first problem by implementing the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Harriton. When parent concerns were not alleviated, the filmmakers contend that LMSD decided to take more radical action, and even out the student populations.

The filmmakers advanced three motives for LMSD’s redistricting: One: Harriton wanted better sports teams. Two: The district wanted to close the achievement gap. Three: Redistricting would increase diversity at Harriton.

There have been three redistricting plans. The documentary very thoroughly described each one that LMSD has tested, and the subsequent opprobrium each plan has had to endure from the community. Even after hiring an impartial consultant, the redistricting board could not appease everyone.

After summarizing the context of the case, Holland, Uzamere and

Vogel examined the discrimination aspect of Doe v. LMSD. It was hard for them to get information since all involved in the pending litigation had been “gagged.” The filmmakers asked of redistricting, is it “discrimination, class struggle, or just a tough choice?”

Rev. Pollard challenged the District to take a look at history. They will notice, he said, “that South Ardmore has been singled out three times in the last century.” The filmmakers ask the viewers: Is this because of race?

In the current legal action taken against the District, plaintiffs have asserted that “having less than 15 percent of a minority at a school makes members of the minority group token items of their race.” Reverend Pollard’s wife Virginia mentioned the psychologically damaging effects of being the only person of color in

Artwork by Liora Ostroff/Staff

a class of 30. “The achievement gap,” she says, “is the District’s own fault. Segregating classes, in fact, makes children fail.”

The terms “racial balance” and “racial imbalance” are central to the case. As of December 2009, 82% of Harriton students are white, with only 74 AfricanAmericans, as opposed to the 78% Caucasian rate at LM. With litigation pending, many want this extended issue to be put to rest. A recent editorial in the Philadelphia Inquirer urged the plaintiffs and defendants of Doe v. LMSD to settle the case.

The article, which took some notable criticism from the Ardmore Coalition, took the stance that redistricting is not a race issue.

Instead, the column asserted, the problem is inconvenience: Penn Wynne kids don’t want to have to haul out to Harriton.

All in all, the documentary film was enlightening and interesting. It did lack some drama and was devoid of students’ points of view, but the Penn students did a good job with the task at hand.

The sometimes poorly focused shots were a bit distracting, and reminded me that this was still just a school assignment. I left the Festival thinking that Harriton and LM are both among the top three public schools in the area and if students are receiving their education at either of these two, I believe things will turn out alright.

How to bake Nick Normile’s favorite cake

Nick Normile

Class of 2011

I’m often a bad brother or a bad son. When a sorry won’t suffice, I comfort my family with food. Nothing says sorry like a sweet cake with confectioner’s sugar butter cream. Cake also doubles as my birthday present to others — who doesn’t like cake on their birthday? It costs little, yet is always appreciated. Plus baking a cake displays a willingness to put in effort for the recipient.

That said, there’s nothing wrong with making this cake simply for your own consumption. It’s incredible – my favorite cake ever.

It’s tender and moist, yet rich and substantial, unlike cake made from a mix. I would eat the cake without icing, yet this vanilla butter cream frosting is as delicious as the cake. So claim that you’re making it for someone’s birthday, but make sure to get yourself a slice.

Golden Cake

The recipe is from Bakewise by Shirley Corriher. There are a good amount of ingredients but it’s not difficult to make, and they can all be bought at a regular grocery store. You must be sure to use cake flour, not all purpose, or else the cake will be sunken in the center.

Non-stick spray 2 large eggs 3 large yolks 1/3 cup buttermilk 2 tsp pure vanilla extract 1 ¾ cups cake flour 1 ½ cups sugar 1 ¾ tsp baking powder ½ tsp salt 4 tbs unsalted butter cut into four pieces 1/3 cup canola oil ½ cup heavy cream 1. Preheat oven to 350 2. Spray a 9 x 2 round cake pan with non-stick spray then top with a circle or parchment paper.

3. Stir together the eggs, yolk, buttermilk and vanilla together.

4. In a stand mixer, thoroughly mix together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.

5. Add butter and oil and mix on medium speed for 1.5 minutes.

6. Slowly add the egg mixture.

7. Whip the cream with a hand mixer until it forms peaks that fall over but retain their shape with the mixer is removed from the cream.

8. Fold the cream into the batter.

9. Bake the cake about 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean but moist.

Photo courtesy of Nick Normile

Confectioner’s Sugar Buttercream Icing 1 ½ cup unsalted butter at room temperature ½ cup Crisco 2 tsp vanilla extract 4 cups confectioner’s sugar ¼ teaspoon salt 2 tbs heavy cream 1. With a stand mixer, whip the butter with the Crisco then beat in the vanilla extract.

2. On the lowest speed, slowly add the sugar.

3. Add the cream.

4. Add more sugar or cream to adjust the texture.

5. Refrigerate up to 2 weeks.

May 7, 2010

13

The Merionite

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The Five Best Movies You’ve Never Seen

Matthew Kauffman

Class of 2013

of the plant that frightens the superstitious Haitian locals into thinking that

The following films are not meant to be e n j o y e d , p e r s a y, but rather they are meant to be scrutinized, guffawed at, and mulled over for many hours…long after your mind has called it quits and your wits have committed ritual suicide. If that sounds grim, put this paper down - it gets worse, much worse. Welcome to the twilight zone, the cinematic outfield. What you’ll leave behind is your sanity, and what you’ll get in return is about 10 hours propped on the couch (that’s right folks, I wasted all that time just for you). Okay - let’s begin.

Art by Zach Ostrum/Staff

T H E T W I L I G H T As an homage to his first feature film, George Z O N E : T H E M O V I E Lucas would reference the numbers and letters in THX 1138 in later films like Star Wars and (1983) In 1959, NBC network unveiled a show that would change television history forever. Brimming with wit, humor, and intelligence galore, “The Twilight Zone” is a favorite for any baby boomer and Sci-Fi aficionado. Each episode consisted of a half hour tale of bizarre occurrences with home name actors and each episode ended with a moral message that struck a chord for nerds and critics alike (here’s a classic for you: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder). Success for the show and its creator, Rod Sterling, was imminent, and in just 24 years of original conception, four remakes, or “reimaginings” of classic Twilight Zone episodes have hit the big screen, each segment being directed by the most prestigious of 80’s filmmakers. Turn on, tune in, and drop out; no film since Star Wars has been this fun, and no film like it has been made since.

THE SERPENT AND THE RAINBOW (1988) H o r r o r b u ff s e v e r y w h e r e k n o w the name Wes Craven. The creator of slasher icon Freddy Krueger, Craven got his start helming low budget masterpieces and visceral screen visions until New Line Cinema gave him the ok-go for directing “A Nightmare on Elm Street” back in ’84, which, in turn, changed the course of cinema shock.

Four years later, this film came along, and although the movie itself remained a subject of controversy at the time of its release, not much can be said for this real life “zombie” flick nowadays.

The plot is based on the somewhat true, semi-factual experiences of anthropologist Dennis Allen (Bill Pullman), and his excursion into Haiti in search of a drug infused with the powers of zombification. A real substance, tetrodotoxin can easily make one hallucinate and experience strong, month- lasting comas. It is this property

the dead are coming back to life, and Dennis, ever the intrepid womanizer and researcher, must get to the very heart of zombie lore before he can return to the states - risking life, limb, and sanity in the process. A very fun movie, “The Serpent and the Rainbow” is cloaked in mystique and spattered with gory good times…you don’t even have to be a Resident Evil or LFD fan to enjoy it, and believe me, you will enjoy it.

WEIRD SCIENCE (1985) John Hughes directed this film, and, dying just last year, we teens owe a great debt to this adolescent connoisseur. Among his stupendous body of directorial and screen writing work, one can find such treasures as The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, and the immortal “Brat Pack” classic, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (I’ve really only scratched the surface though). Weird Science, unsuccessful critically and commercially upon first release, now finds itself in the rarest of positions, that of a cult 80’s time capsule, loved deeply by all and coveted by many.

The movie’s stars are two nerds, Gary and Wyatt. These nice, but socially stifled 15 year olds, badgered by hormones and bullies alike, are practically begging for a lady to sweep them both off their feet. Several fruitless (barren almost) love attempts later it hits Gary and Wyatt like, well, like Frankenstein’s lightning, that they ought not to wait for a solution to come their way, but make one instead; in other words, our protagonist pair creates a girl with an extremely early Macintosh computer. The girls name… is Lisa; don’t mess with her,

but by all means check out this tonguein-cheek flick. IT’S ALIVE!!!

THX 1138 (1971) As difficult as it may seem after seeing the Star Wars prequels, George Lucas was once considered the greatest movie-making talent of his generation.

This was Mr. Lucas’s first feature film, and it certainly is a Sci-Fi tale for the ages. The story serves as an amalgam for every dystopian future, 1984 up. Set in the near future, prescription drugs control every citizen of an unnamed totalitarian state and everyone and everything is brainwashed with one simple rule; consume, consume, consume! Failure to comply with these rules is insubordination, resulting in re-indoctrination, and even liquidation; for our law breaking friend THX, all hell breaks loose in his already insecure world once he starts to question the authoritative powers that be. Will our hero ever survive, and, more importantly, will he ever truly learn what it means to be free?

When THX 1138 was first released, it failed to make even a dent. Nowadays, geeks the world over ponder everything from the films philosophical nature to it’s outstanding visual skill, via cyber cafes and yearly conventions. Go ahead; check out a trailer for this one on YouTube…I dare you.

Adam’s Global Playlist

Adam Reicherter

Class of 2010

THE CROW (1994) The Crow is completely style over substance, but, for what it’s worth, you’ll wrap your head around its comic book charm like a pair of old slippers. Directed

by Alex Proyas (I, Robot), this film is drenched in dark colors and grungy atmosphere, all the while filled with nonstop action, spectacle…and even a solid Goth rock soundtrack (Nine Inch Nails, The Cure, etc).

The plot is simple enough. It is October 30th, Devil’s night, Detroit city, and guitarist Eric Draven (Brandon Lee) is murdered along with his girlfriend by vicious, wise cracking sociopaths (fine, fine actors, too). Exactly one year later, however, a crow perches upon Eric’s grave, and, in a spray of soil and anguish, he emerges from the ground, reborn!

What follows is revenge, pure and simple (well, maybe not pure) along with oneliners to make Superman pee his pants as our hero bounds rooftops, seeking out justice and heavy metal solos.

Please, please, please, gather your boundless supply of popcorn, dig deep into the living room couch… and let The Crow fly you through hell and back again, it’s a ride you won’t want to miss.

Artwork by Noah Zuares/Staff

Fire by 2NE1 - Korea Black Box by Stan Walker- New Zealand Bad Boys (ft. Flo Rida) by Alexandra Burke - UK Monsta by Culcha Candela - Germany Bottoms Up by Keke Palmer - US Kylie by Akcent - Romania Walking On Air by Kerli - Estonia Release Me by Agnes - Sweden

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May 7, 2010

SPORTS

The Merionite

Spirit and sisterhood unite g. lax Wenwen Yang

Class of 2011

The girls’ lacrosse team is in great spirits and the season is full of hope. The girls have formed a fantastic team dynamic this year, one that is only growing stronger

and stronger as the season progresses.

“The team has great camaraderie and togetherness this year,” says senior Julia Buckman. Energized by spirit days and a boosted team morale, this camaraderie is only continuing to increase.

On LM’s girls’ lacrosse team, chemistry

spans across both the JV and Varsity teams.

While the traditional JV and Varsity groups still exist, the girls are ultimately connected as one cohesive group.

“It is important that each team supports each other, so JV watches Varsity games and Varsity stays to watch JV as well,” said captain Jennifer Barker.

This team bonding has obvious and sometimes untold benefits, ranging from better friendships between teammates to overall better performances during games and practices.

The team celebrates their spirit frequently with creative spirit days and spirit sisters.

Jennifer Barker explained that the “primary goal is that [the] team can work as a unit and not rely on just a few girls to lead.”

The team bonding also allows the girls to be more comfortable in cooperating with one another. Senior Emily Partridge believes that “since we’re closer this year, I think that it also adds a level of trust to the team; Photo by Madeline Berger/ Staff if someone needs pointers

The LM girls’ lacrosse team works hard at and away from practice to develop skills and spirit.

Despite losses, LM softball team remains optimistic Mike Buchwald

Class of 2011

Though their record might not be the strongest in the Central League, the girls’ softball team here at LM is losing in style. The disappointing 0 – 9 start to the season will most likely not bring home a championship, but the winless mark is deftly deceiving. Not all of the team’s losses have been completely one-side.

Team captains Katie Walsh and Sophie Skoke described how the theme with this ballclub is perseverance. The girls always play hard until the final out, and give each pitch their entire effort. And despite the rough start, they all bring the same positive attitude to the diamond every single day. The team is young, and they believe there is a bright future ahead.

Walsh did pinpoint that youth has been a weakness this season, and the fact that the team is “a very, very young team with mostly all freshman and sophomores” may sometimes coincide with the reality that they “don’t always play like a team and sometimes get very frustrated easily.”

However, a youthful team leads to a promising tomorrow.

The team is clearly showing

signs of improvement. To this point, Skoke said that “With each new game, we are progressing as a unit; we are beginning to understand the game more and more, which helps our chances of getting some wins this season.”

Though the squad has not cracked the win column yet, its improvement is steadily occurring and readily apparent. In the matchup against rival Haverford, the team posted an impressive stat line. Collectively, the players had a “couple of great hits, one homerun and one triple. We just played like a team and had great hits,” said Walsh.

This kind of experience will be advantageous in the years to come. The team already has a good hitting core, an ingredient necessary for any present or future success.

Team unity was another asset crucial for success, a sentiment echoed by the captains’ goals. Skoke’s aimed to “get everyone in sync”, and Walsh wanted to “develop the young team.” Both captains, and the team as a whole, look to continue to meet these ends.

Preparation was another key theme as well. Skoke preached the idea of “being a team that knows what to do in

every possible situation.”

This really only comes with time and personal improvement. Maybe this season is not turning out the way the girls had hoped, but even in losing there is ample opportunity for fun. Even if the losses keep piling on in the 2010 season, the underclassmen can still wear a smile knowing that this is positive experience for the coming years; and that is an encouraging thought.

M A T T H E W

about lacrosse, there is someone on the team they can go to for help, and everyone is always willing to help.”

“We’ve been bonding and spending a lot of time together which has shown up in our games,” said captain Nadia Klincewicz. As the team continues to forge stronger bonds, players begin to trust each other more, a necessity in a team-oriented sport like lacrosse.

The connections within the team continue to grow stronger each day. The girls are given multiple chances to bond with one another, whether it may be during practices, games, at school, or outside of school; it’s almost as if the players are joined at the hip. Members coach youth league teams with other teammates; the team shares both food and memories as they host team dinners at school before night games, spirit dinners the night before a game, and breakfast after a Saturday game.

Though some may question the highly spirited team nature, preferring instead a more austere approach to a game that requires seriousness and attentive focus, the team’s success has spoken for itself, and silenced many critics. So long as the winning ways continue, the spirit will continue and this lacrosse sisterhood shall live on.

H O L L I N

Swimming to Special Olympic success This April, Matthew Hollin, a sophomore at LM, won three medals at the Montgomery County Special Olympics in swimming events. Hollin won a gold medal in the 25M Freestyle, a silver medal in the 50M freestyle and another gold medal in the 25M backstroke.

Already an accomplished swimmer, Hollin will also be competing in the Montgomery County Special Olympics in Track and Field that will be held on May 19th at North Penn High School.

May 7, 2010

15

SPORTS Early season woes a distant memory Crew rows to From Boys lax, page 1 success on the Schuylkill The Merionite

rate competition. Specifically, he noted that the Central League is by far the toughest and deepest league in the PIAA, a testament to the region’s passion for the sport and a deserved qualification to some of the team’s losses that outsiders may have not expected or predicted.

“According to the dependable Laxpower.com power rankings, we have the second most difficult schedule in Pennsylvania, and I feel that our tough in and out of league schedule will certainly pay dividends in the playoffs.”

At the time this article went to press, the team had won seven of its last nine games, including impressive victories over Owen J. Roberts, league rival Radnor and gritty Strath Haven. These recent successes have improved the team’s record to 7-7. Moreover, the most recent of those wins, a 20-7 thrashing of West Chester East, has all but assured the squad a spot in the upcoming District playoff tournament. The focus now is winning consistently in league play to nab a high seed and enter the tourney with palpable momentum.

“Our schedule gets considerably easier for the remainder of the season and I anticipate us racking up the wins in the next couple of weeks,” said head coach Chet Laubach.

As a host of teams jostle for playoff positioning, Laubach anticipates that these easier contests will set the team up well for a Photo by Madeline Berger/Staff run deep into May, Two members of the team battle for position during practice on Arnold Field. perhaps even June.

“Our goal at this point is to finish in the top three But perhaps more importantly is Laubach’s genuin the Central League, get a top ten seed in the Dis- ine and refreshing confidence in his team, its various tricts, and qualify for the state tournament like we did components, and each individual player. He spoke of last season,” said Laubach, who was evidently confi- the real bond he and his players have formed, and his dent in his team’s prospects, despite the early season appreciation for the indelible effort they give him. struggles and cacophonous alarmism of some local So though the beginning of the season was far from naysayers. fortuitous, the team’s recent success has energized the Laubach derives his confidence in part through his players with a newfound confidence - confidence that belief that his team’s tough schedule has, and will con- should suit them well come playoff time. Winning is tinue to, provide invaluable experience against first- yet expected.

Sophomore Freshman Carolyn Normile Matt Cooper I play varsity volleyball and I’m on the varsity diving team. I am currently playing ultimate frisbee.

This is my first year playing ultimate and diving and my second year playing volleyball. In the winter I like to ski and snowboard, and in the summer I like to go to the beach and surf. My brother, Nick Normile, is a chef and I love his pulled pork and chocolate chip cookies. My favorite color is light purple and my favorite animals are zebras and monkeys.

My name is Matt Cooper. I play squash in the winter, and run XC and outdoor track. XC and track are great, because the team is one big family. It is also great conditioning for all other sports. I’m looking forward to the squash season next year.

It could be a great season for the HLM team. The sports that I play seem to be individual competitions, but the team is actually very important. They are defiantly team sports.

In my spare time I play sports, read, or listen to music.

Jon Hirsch

Class of 2010 The water glistens in the sunlight, undisturbed as the powerful men and women fasten themselves into their respective boats. Once they’re off, they power themselves through the water towards the finish line of the 1500m track with tremendous force and uncanny determination. The women’s 4-boats consistently place in the top 10, and the men’s boats show their stuff as the team’s approach the medaling opportunities of their season. The captains (Julia Policastro, Carolina Torres, Howie Robbins, and Adam Reicherter) lead their boats to compete in Nationals as the season winds down. Even though those 5 am workouts are just a myth in the vast world of high school rowing, the teams still do have early morning workouts over spring break, which include 2-a-days.

During practice, there is no shortage of things to do in a boat, despite some common misconceptions perceived by outsiders. Workouts on the water include state pieces, short sprint pieces, practice races, and technique drills where the stroke is broken down to work on its specific parts. In addition to all this hard work I was amazed to find that most all of the team finds a way to manage their time effectively, balancing evening crew practices, schoolwork, and their social lives. If they aren’t rowing in Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer crew, the offseason for an LM rower includes sufficient amounts of the usual.

“The crew season takes a massive toll on the body, and once the season is over everyone wants and needs to take it easy and unwind,” said to senior Captain Howie Robbins. A typical day for LM rowers? Wake up feeling like the German National Rowing team (who recorded the best times in the world), grab their oars and hit the water. Maybe destroy the competition at a weekend regatta (if they feel like it) and hit the club scene for a night of dance battles with the locals- here being that the team bonds extremely well. There is no doubt in, or anyone else’s mind that LM’s Crew Team will end their season with a strong record, many medals, and in high spirits.

Junior Colin Eisenstaedt I’m Colin Eisenstaedt and I play soccer and basketball for the school. Many who know me refer to me as Wow, which started when my friends used to call me Colin Powell. I later began to be called Powell the Wow, which eventually led to just Wow. My favorite show is Entourage and my favorite movies include “Crash,” “Old School,” and “The Legend of Bagger Vance.” I love to compete in anything and I enjoy taking part in activities with friends and family.

Senior Kylie McDevitt

I’m Kylie, that tall senior that always seems to be dressed in spirit.

This year I got to be captain of the most spirited team in the school, otherwise known as the Field Hockey team. I also throw for track & field; we’re like our own little family. A few of my favorite songs are “Lose Control” by Miss Elliot and “Love Me” by Justin Bieber.

When I grow up I want to be like Bar Refaeli, and if that doesn’t work out, I’m going to be a gym teacher.

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Volume 81, Issue 5

May 7, 2010

SPORTS

The Merionite

Hope springs eternal for LM track and field Peter Johnston

the boy’s side, the balance of the team is looking excellent. LM’s sprinters, seniors Zach Ray and Stephen Prifti along with Like the cicada emerging from its Junior Dan Litt, are expected to step up cocoon to enjoy the warm weather after in their events, while the terrible twosome the nasty chill of winter, LM’s very own that is Senior Kyle Ingerman and Junior Spring Track and Field team has arrived Michael McGowan are looking to conready and willing to run all over the comtinue their dominance at distance. This petition. Coming off of a very successful year the team also expects to do very well winter season, LM is hungry for a strong in field events with a trio of Juniors, Jeremy Eckstein, Najee Williams, and Adam Dai, leading the charge.

Even with the season finally getting in to full swing, it’s not hard for the Seniors on the team to already feel emotional about their final season. After all, most of the Seniors on the team have put their heart and soul into the team for a solid four years. After all of the triumphs, the defeats, and the silly shenanigans that they’ve gotten into, clearly they will miss the team. “It’s definitely weird to walk away from something that’s taken up so much of my life for the last four years,” says Baumohl, a runner of four years, “but I’m excited to see the team progress.”

Senior Captain Lucas Van Houten, who has run every season of his high school career, says, “I am both sad to leave and excited for what the future holds. I don’t Photo courtesy of Anthony Li consider graduating to be “stepping Senior Marcus Odom competes in the long jump in a recent meet against Penncrest away,” alums always come back and run with us on break and continue spring season to finish off the year. With State Qualifiers Ben Furcht and Neal Ber- to provide their support. We are merely both the boys’ and girls’ teams both ready man and District Qualifiers Drew LeDon- passing the baton to the juniors and sophto show the Main Line exactly why the ne, Jake Perry, and Tim Reagan while omores who are ready to lead the team.

LM Track team is a force to be reckoned the girls lost strong runners such as Cara It will be awesome to check the eBoard with, it should shape up to be an interest- Piccoli and Hayley Hanafee. But both when I’m at college and see how well the ing season. teams are still confident in their chances team is doing. However, the team really is With the boys’ team, the goals remain this year. Beyond the strong core of the like my family and I’ll miss them.” the same as always for Senior Chris Bau- girls’ such as senior Zoe Matza and juWith so much talent and positive enmohl. “The team’s goals are always to nior Julie Prizer, Levine points out juniors ergy around the team this year, there is no win as many league meets as possible Patty Neckowicz and Laura Peterson as doubt that this season will be one that evand qualify individuals and relays for dis- the runners to look out for this season. On eryone remembers for a very long time.

Class of 2010

tricts,” says Baumohl. Even though the boys are out of contention for the Central League with a tough loss to Marple Newtown, spirits are still high. The girls’ team has similar goals as Senior Captain Laura Levine points out that “a bunch of individuals and relays have qualified for Districts”.

However both teams have lost a great deal of talent since last year. The boys lost

Photo courtesy of Dan Litt

Boys’ tennis serves up pleasant surprises Danny Kane

Class of 2012

At Lower Merion, the beginning of spring always seems to mean the beginning of another successful boys’ tennis season. Despite the lost of last year’s top three singles players – Coby Kramer-Golinkoff, Matt Savran and Robby Kay (all of whom have gone on to play Division 1 in college) – this year appears to be no different; Coach Joe Monaco’s squad was sitting at an impressive 7-2 record when this paper went to press. Though the record indicates yet another competitive squad, the reality is that the team is at least somewhat reeling from the loss of such top-tier players. According to junior Ben Levitt, “It was a shock for our team to lose so many top players last year.”

Ultimately, the team has responded well to these sustained losses, and has fared far more successfully than could have been predicted before the season’s start. Levitt noted that, “the Aces have stepped up the effort and done better than we expected.”

One player who has been a nice sur-

The Merionite

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prise for the team is freshman Thomas Vernier, who has competed at the 2nd singles’ position all season. His solid

play has earned the respect of all his teammates, including senior captain Ben Sataloff, who has said that Vernier has, “really come through for us at singles, as he completes our very solid singles trio [Levitt and Sataloff] with clutch wins over teams like Strath Haven.” Another bright spot for the team has been the play of the 1st doubles team, made up of seniors Doug Blum and Drew Goldberg.

Sataloff remarked that Goldberg is, ”perhaps our most improved player, and has stepped it up at number one Doubles.”

With their highly successful regular season coming to an end, the Aces do have a vision for greater success, as Levitt says that, “going forward, Photo courtesy of Leah Puklin our team is ready for disSenior Ben Sataloff has anchored the team tricts and hopefully we at number one Singles this season.

Lower Merion High School

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Ardmore, PA

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can make a run and qualify for states.”

Sataloff also predicts a solid ending to the season, though he is also well aware of the obstacles the team will face in the highly competitive PIAA District 1, “We are confident that we will make districts and we hope to get a state birth but it will be a challenge making the semi-final round.” Despite the difficulty ahead, Coach Monaco is confident that any experience his team gets will build a solid foundation for future years of Aces tennis.

“We are a young team so we are hoping to get into the AAA team playoffs and get some playoff experience against the best competition in the area,” said Monaco. The success hitherto this point cannot be questioned, and should indeed be commended, considering the sheer talent the team lost at the end of last season. Still, the Aces seem well aware that to extend their season deep into spring, to cement their place in the program’s heralded legacy, to truly matter as a team and eventually be remembered, they need to keep improving every day and keep disproving their persistent detractors.

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