Merionite June 2008

The Merionite June 3, 2008

Volume 79, Issue 8

The official student newspaper of Lower Merion High School since 1929

District breaks ground in construction of new high school Samantha Hershman

Class of 2009 On Friday, May 23, LM celebrated the official commencement of the construction of the new high school with a groundbreaking ceremony.

“The event serves as an opportunity for all those who helped to make the project a reality to come together and celebrate the symbolic launch of a new era for LM,” said Director of School and Community Relations, Doug Young.

The groundbreaking was led by Young, along with Superintendent Dr. Jamie Savedoff, Principal Norton Seaman, 12th Grade Assistant Principal Sean Hughes, Student Body President Sam Helfaer, upcoming Student Body President John Lundy, construction board members, and the student council. Congressman Jim Gerlach, as well as community members, also attended the event.

“The ceremony was a gesture to acknowledge all the work and contributions of many people and committees,” said Seaman.

“The groundbreaking followed a program that included the national anthem, a brief history of the school, as well as speeches delivered by architects, the Superintendent, project managers, students, administrators, and other dignitaries.”

The entire LM community was invited to attend the one-hour ceremony, which featured the LM Jazz Band, directed by Andrew Neu, and the LMHS Band, directed

by Aaron Datsko. Senior Samantha van Adelsberg sang the “Star Spangled Banner”, and also performed “Start of Something New” from High School Musical in a duet with sophomore Matthew Ciarrochi to commemorate the event.

The groundbreaking included the presentation of a time capsule, which will be buried by the new school building following the completion of construction.

“The time capsule represents the memories and history of the old building, so that in the future, the life of LM will never be lost and students can see the whole history of this school,” said the presenter of the time capsule and future Sergeant at Arms, Dan Saris. “The time capsule acts as a link to the past for alumni and soon to be graduates.”

The time capsule will hold a myriad of objects including a football jersey, lacrosse cleat, Players program, and copy of the “LM March.”

As a symbolic representation of the groundbreaking, “gold Photo by Esther Hoffman/Staff shovels were used to dig into a box of dirt,” said Hughes. School Board members used golden shovels to break ground at the celebration of the com“The shovels will eventually be mencement of construction at the school-wide groundbreaking ceremony. placed in a trophy case located in the new school.” to go to a new high school.” tra space will come in handy for academic DWKCB architects began the designs for The new building will include state of classes.” the new high school in January 2005. These the art facilities including a natatorium, per“The groundbreaking represents many plans were implemented after a period of formance theatre, gymnasium, lecture room transitions,” said Hughes, the future prinbid and award contracting during the fall with tiered seating, library, and multi-media cipal of LM. “The current principal, Mr. of 2007. The building’s construction is pre- center. In addition to these cutting edge Seaman, will retire and Student Body dicted to last until May 2010, and students, resources, the school will employ the use of President Sam Helfaer will graduate at the teachres, and other faculty are expected to ‘green’, or energy efficient, devices. end of this year.” move in by September 2010.

“I think that the new school will really “I think the construction of the new “Even though I won’t be able to attend improve the overall environment of the LM building is a great thing for the entire comthe new school, I’m excited for construction community,” said junior Sarah Perlman. “It munity,” said Seaman. “I’m hoping to come to start,” said junior Jake Eisenhard. “It’s will give future students a larger variety of back in when the school opens in a few years cool that my younger brothers will be able extracurricular activities to try, and the ex- and see the cutting of the ribbon.”

Extracurricular activities to be omitted from transcripts

The Annex Remembered

Hana Rouse

D

estruction of the Ardmore Annex is scheduled to commence once students leave for summer break. The demolition of this building, built in 1963, signifies the start of ongoing construction that will ultimately result in a new Lower Merion High School. See inside for more details.

Class of 2010

With the start of the 2008-2009 academic year, student transcripts will no longer record school activities. Transcripts will instead serve as exclusively academic records, and students will be expected to keep track of their own activities and draft their own resumes to send to colleges.

The switch is partially meant to further the eventual goal of equalizing Lower Merion and Harriton High Schools.

“There is an effort now to make the two schools identical, and Harriton has not had activities on their transcripts for a number of years,” said eleventh grade guidance counselor Marsha Rosen.

In addition, many schools throughout the country do not record activities on their transcripts; this was a policy largely exclusive to Lower Merion.

Ninth grade history teacher Grace Chung rem e m b e r s a d i ff e r e n t p o l i c y a t h e r o w n h i g h s c h o o l .

“When I was in high school, we had to do it ourselves.

We had to write down all our activities on a resume,” said Chung. “I’m surprised that our guidance office ever did that.”

“This will not affect college admissions or any other aspect of the college admissions process,” said guidance counselor Barbara Serratore.

See Transcript Credit, page 4

Summer movie preview

LM Class of 2020

Matriculation ‘08

A look at the summer’s best

The Merionite has circle time with District Kindergarteners

Saying goodbye to the graduating senior class

See Features, page 9

See Senior Section pullout

See A&E, page 15

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June 3, 2008

NEWS

Teachers relocate Construction means due to impending changes for LM Annex demolition Samantha Hershman

Samantha Hershman

Class of 2009

To compensate for the removal of the annex, a fundamental part of LM life since its construction in 1963, many teachers have been assigned to share classrooms and facilities.

The annex currently makes up approximately one third of the building, containing seven active classrooms, two gyms, a pool, and over 200 student lockers.

“Things are going to be a little bit tight,” said 12th Grade Assistant Principal Sean Hughes. “We’re been meeting with teachers from the annex since October to help guide them through this transition.”

10th grade Assistant Principal Doug Arnold headed the teacher-relocating program. He consulted with administrators and department chairs to create a master list of which teachers will share classrooms.

“Many teachers are excited to be in a new building, and everyone has shown a great deal of willingness to think outside of the box,” said Hughes.

“They understand that it will be tough for everybody, but this faculty is very invested in the school.”

Although two-teacher classrooms may seem problematic, they provide staff with new beneficial opportunities.

“One of the positives of sharing a room with Mr. Levy, someone that I can learn from and interact with, is being able to share common experiences,” said history teacher Tom Reed, one of the many teachers who have already been relocated to share a classroom. “There are definitely a lot more positives than negatives.”

However, some students find that the administrative decision for teachers to share classrooms only presents added anxiety. “I think that it’s such a nuisance,” said junior Kelly Kempf.

“Teachers will be more frustrated during the day from lagging materials, leaving things behind, or running to the next class.”

For many teachers though, switching classrooms throughout the day is no extraordinary occurrence.

“I’ve been floating from class to class this year, and I’ve found all teachers to be extremely kind and courteous,” said English teacher Kristine Marsh. “I’m sure that this will continue next year as more teachers begin sharing rooms.”

Photo by Esther Hoffman/ Staff

Desks and chairs were cleared from annex classrooms in preparation for the impending demolition of the building. They now line the halls of the main building, and will be moved to new classrooms in the fall.

Class of 2009

The deconstruction of the Ardmore annex will occur after the completion of student classes, causing LM to lose access to a pool, two gyms, seven classrooms, and over 200 student lockers.

The shortage of space due to the project has pushed administrators, teachers, and other faculty members to find new alternatives to compensate for the removal of the annex. For example, the staff plans to convert the former videoconference room located in the library into a running classroom for the upcoming school year.

Various computer labs around the building will also be transformed into functioning academic classes. “The computer labs are not a necessity anymore,” said 12th Grade Assistant Principal Sean Hughes. “Now that the school has laptop carts, students can use them and access the Internet through our wireless connection.”

The loss of the gyms will not halt physical education classes. The school plans to take advantage of outdoor fields, tennis courts, track, and other areas surrounding the building. “We have even looked into getting a spinning room, an extra aerobic room, or even a yoga room,” said Hughes.

Unfortunately, the dismantling of the annex will impede the swim gym program for two years.

However, administrators are currently dialoguing with The Episcopal Academy and other schools to plan future access to a swimming pool for the LM swim team and for other after-school swim programs.

“The pool at Episcopal is pretty decent,” said junior and future swim team captain Ryan Farber.

“I’ve actually swum in it before for the LMAC [Lower Merion Aquatic Club] when it was our home pool. The only bad thing about sharing a pool is that the team might not have as much time to practice, and also it doesn’t have a separate diving pool like LM used to have.”

Another concern of many students and staff relates to the soon-to-be overcrowded hallways and congested stairwells during class changes.

“There are way too many students in our school for us to be put into such a small area,” said junior Ariel Morgenstern.

LM builds towards the future

“The incoming freshman class is actually down in numbers,” said Hughes. “We would like all the students to understand the layout of the building, and we are currently looking to assign some staircases as ‘up staircases’ and others as ‘down staircases’ to facilitate movement from class to class during period changes.”

The entire demolition is scheduled to last three months, ending the last week in August.

While the deconstruction of the annex has

Photo by Esther Hoffman/ Staff

caused much dismay throughout the student body, there are some students who feel positively about it. “I think that it’s good that they’re demolishing the annex first,” said sophomore Lauren Maslanka. “Most people don’t have as many classes there, so it won’t affect as many students.”

“This project has taken a lot of creativity from teachers, administrators, and students,” said Hughes. “We have not had to downsize the class schedule or any student programs and extracurricular. Also, the removal of the annex will not impact any classroom functions or activities.”

The school is currently preparing the annex for the three-month deconstruction by removing furniture, including teacher and student desks, chairs, bookshelves, files, and other school supplies. The emptying of the annex acts as a visual representation of the commencement of the construction of the new high school.

“I’m glad that our school is becoming better,” said junior Emily King. “But at the same time it’s kind of annoying that during our senior year the school will be under construction and such.”

While aware of the obstacles that lie ahead, Hughes remains optimistic. “We keep stressing communication between teachers, students, and other members of the LM staff. Everyone has been very supportive during this exciting time, and they’ll look at the construction and think, ‘Wow, this is really going to come true!’”

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June 3, 2008

The Merionite

LM bus drivers triumph at ‘Bus Rodeo’ Sivahn Barsade

Class of 2010

On May 3 LMSD bus drivers met at Wissahickon High School to test their driving skills against other bus drivers from Montgomery and Bucks counties at the 35th annual Montgomery/Bucks School Bus Safety Competition. This event, formerly known as the “school bus rodeo”, involved a written exam and a skills test. The LMSD team placed second among thirteen competing school districts.

“It is a great experience that brings the team together and is also a good way to test yourself,” said LMSD bus driver Sherry Gilmore. “I try to beat myself each year”.

The first round of the National School Bus Safety Competition pitted Montgomery County and Bucks County bus drivers against each other for a day of healthy competition. Drivers first took written knowledge exams and then participated in a vehicle inspection test as well as a driving obstacle course. The skills test, designed to measure driving ability, involved ten different events.

“I am so proud of my bus driver; she is now the 11th best bus driver in Montgomery and Bucks County!” said sophomore JJ Warshaw. “She is the best freckin’ bus driver ever!”

LMSD sent a fivemember team that included Gilmore, Joe Jenkins, Beth McGowan, Vicky Sturkey, and John Welsh.

Jenkins (5th), McGowan (6th), and Gilmore (11th) Photo courtesy of MCIU.org received indiA District bus navigates the course at 35th annual vidual honors in Montgomery/Bucks School Bus Competition. addition to the second place team award given to LMSD. Gowan will represent LMSD at the state Despite some challenges before the compe- championship. The top competitors from tition, the team performed extremely well. the state event will move on to the School “Our team was put together two Bus Driver International Safety Competiweeks before the competition. We didn’t tion held together with the National School have any time to practice and also had Transportation Association Conference to drive on a new style of bus,” said in Calgary, Alberta, Canada during July.

Gilmore. “We drive transit style but the LMSD has always been a top conbuses they had were conventional style.” tender at the bus safety competition, winThe competition was open to ning the first place trophy in 2006. Jenany bus driver who was ‘acci- kins has placed in the top ten for the past dent free’ for the past two years. three years. Gilmore and McGowan have The drivers who placed in the top seven also previously won individual awards. in at the Montgomery/Bucks County com“It is a great opportunity for petition advanced to the state competition us to work as a team and is alto be held on June 20. Jenkins and Mc- ways a lot of fun,” said Gilmore.

LM bids farewell to teacher of 27 years Hana Rouse

Peterson has no plans for life after Lower Merion.

“Right now I envision lots of golf, travel to North After 27 years of teaching in LMSD, chemistry Carolina and Oregon and other locales.” teacher Henry Peterson will retire at the end of the “[I] wanted to leave while I still loved it. Forty2007-2008 school year. one years is enough [and] I need to meet some new Peterson has been a teacher for 41 years. In golf courses.” addition to teaching for 25 years at LM and two The Lower Merion community will miss years at Harriton, he spent four years in Oregon Peterson. and ten in North Carolina.

“He’s one of those teachers, that if you say you Peterson received an undergraduate and Mashad him, everyone says ‘He’s awesome!’” said ter’s degree from the University of North Carolina sophomore Liz Bruss. at Chapel Hill. He also completed graduate course “He is a crazy old man, but he has been a great work at Boise State University, Temple University, colleague, and a friend to education,” said fellow and College of Idaho.

Photo by Esther Hoffman/ Staff chemistry teacher Glenn Brooks.

Peterson said, “I got into teaching accidentally.

Another chemistry teacher, David Moyer, said, “I I needed something to do after undergraduate school and took the admire his enthusiasm...He likes kids, and he likes school.” education course work at the same time. I survived the first year, “[I will] definitely [miss] the students and my colleagues,” said and loved it ever since.”

Peterson. “[And] making copies of the crossword puzzle, and early Peterson taught chemistry, his favorite subject in high school. morning coffee.”

“I had always understood and appreciated science. It was a natural Peterson advises his students to “enjoy your time here. You have a selection.” great school, an outstanding educational opportunity, and great people His second choice, however, would have been English. Currently, to be and work with. It passes much too quickly.”

Class of 2010

Changes for 2008-2009 class elections Sivahn Barsade

Class of 2010 This year, the 2008-2009 class officers were chosen before summer break as opposed to in the beginning of October. This change was spearheaded by Athletics/Activities Secretary Kim Shalon and Student Government sponsor and Challenge teacher Lynne Freeland. On May 23 students listened to speeches during class meetings and voted immediately afterwards.

“We [Shalon and Freeland] created this new system so that the group of officers will be ready to start in the fall,” said Freeland.

The elections were held on the half-day before Memorial Day weekend. Conservative estimates claim that 274 students were absent that day, leaving about

Photo by Esther Hoffman/ Staff

While many changes were made to class elections, a plethora of posters still plastered the hallway. All candidates were limitted to 40 posters, but only presidential hopefuls could post banners.

75% of the student body to vote for their class officers.

“I think it is absolutely ridiculous that they moved the elections to a date where a large section of the population was unable

to vote,” said sophomore Jacob Adenbaum. “I also think it is ridiculous that they picked a date because of convenience that in turn disenfranchised a part of the school population.”

Also different this year was the actual voting process. Instead of voting at a later date in advisories students voted directly after the speeches in the assembly venue.

“I really like that the voting was held immediately after the speeches because it was easy to remember the candidates,” said sophomore Carol Hoelscher.

Freeland viewed the elections as a success citing that the new officers will have the entire summer to plan for the upcoming year.

“I think that [having elections in May] will give us more time and progress than having elections in October because we won’t lose the three months in the beginning of the school year,” said sophomore class presidential hopeful Bryce Friedman.

NEWS

NEWS IN BRIEF

District hires pair of consultants to facilitate redistricting process

Following further discussion, the District has selected a pair of consultants to facilitate community dialogue regarding the future of redistricting. LMSD is currently attempting to equalize the number of students at each high school and middle school by drawing boundaries to establish attendance areas.

Elementary school students will also be redistricted according to the size of the schools they feed into.

“There are several elementary schools that have reached maximum classroom capacity,” wrote Superintendent Jamie Savedoff in a letter to the Lower Merion Community.

As a result of redistricting, a portion of current students will have to switch schools once the construction of the new facilities is completed.

The district hired a pair of professional consultants, Harris Sokoloff and Ellen Peterson, to spearhead this process. They led a public forum regarding redistricting on May 29, and will hold future meetings on June 8, 9, and 10. Sokoloff and Peterson will report any information gathered during the meetings to the Board of School Directors.

“The purpose of the public forums is to get a clear sense of the community’s values in general, and how these values relate to redistricting. Those values would then become part of the input that the experts would use when deciding how to draw the redistricting lines,” said Sokoloff.

In addition, community members will be able to provide feedback via a survey available on www. lmsd.org from June 1 through June 11.

The public forums are part of phase one of the redistricting process. Over the summer the plans will be drawn, and will be released for public review.

Final decisions should be made sometime between September and January.

--Hana Rouse, ‘10

One Laptop per Child definite for Harriton, and tentative at LM The One Laptop per Child initiative, which will provide each student with a personal laptop, will definitely be implemented at Harriton. Plans for Lower Merion are tentative, but the possibility is being explored and plans are being refined.

Administrators hope to remedy a variety of problems associated with the present system by adapting a one-to-one arrangement. The current situation makes laptop maintenance difficult, as they are often not shut down properly, and keys are frequently missing. Storing large projects is also more difficult when laptops are shared.

However, some students do not think the solution to these concerns needs to be as drastic.

“I have teachers who use a ‘numbering system’ for the laptops, and do not let the kids leave the room until every laptop is correctly put away and charged,” said junior Charlotte Weisberg. “There are simple solutions to the current problems.”

Other students see the plan as beneficial to the student body as a whole.

“I think [the initiative] is a good thing,” said sophomore David Hockey. “It enhances equity for those that can’t afford a computer at home.”

There are some concerns over the availability of wireless Internet access if the school were to switch to a one-to-one environment.

“The District will continue to pursue alternatives for students who cannot afford [wireless] Internet access,” said District Director of Technology Virginia DiMedio. “In the meantime there are places with free access libraries, [such as] Starbucks, Milkboy, and Bethel church.”

The District is currently focusing on refining the plan in order to address this and other anxieties. However, they see the introduction of such a plan as a necessity.

“We have more laptops than students. If we don’t deploy a one-to-one initiative, the District will have to upgrade several labs at each high school, and maintain the number of computers in the Libraries.

It is [the Technology Department’s] responsibility to plan cost-effective solutions,” said Dimedio.

“It is essential that all students are digitally literate, work in a twenty-first century environment, and have access to the same resources at home.”

--Hana Rouse, ‘10

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June 3, 2008

NEWS Meet Dr. Christopher McGinley

The Merionite Guidance makes changes to transcript format From Transcript Credit, page 1 In the past, student transcripts consisted of two pages: the first documenting a student’s grades over their high school career, and the second listing a student’s extracurricular activities. Under the new policy the second page will be eliminated.

Instead guidance counselors will encourage students to record their own activities each year.

“I have always encouraged my students to write a high school resume,” said Serratore. “It is useful when interviewing both for admissions, summer jobs, or even work study positions when you get to campus in the fall. It is a great thing to give to your counselor and the teachers who are writing your recommendations.”

The old transcript process also posed difficulties for administrators.

“Under our old computer system all the registrar had to do to put an activity on a transcript was to put in a four digit numeric code. With PowerSchool, the Registrar must type out the full name of the activity. It’s a considerable change in the amount of time and work,” said Serratore.

In the past at the end of each school year club sponsors submitted a list of participants to a secretary who would then hand-enter the information onto student transcripts.

Administrators hope to make the process of creating transcripts less burdensome.

Overall, Rosen sees the transition as beneficial to students.

“I think in a way it’s a good thing,” Rosen continued. “Students need to realize that while activities are important for your growth, as far as college admissions, your transcript and standardized test scores are what the colleges look at.”

But a number of students see it as an unnecessary stress.

“When you’re writing college applications the process is stressful enough, and having to do all that extra stuff that the school used to do for you is just adding to it,” said junior Emily King.

Some students have expressed concerns over whether people will be able to claim they participated in activities that they were not actually a part of.

“I think a lot of people can’t be trusted with the responsibility of keeping track of their own transcript,” said freshman Larz Goldsmith.

Fellow freshman Han Tran expressed similar concerns: “It could result in people lying about every activity they did.”

Rosen, however, is more optimistic. “Will a couple of people try to cheat? Probably. However, I don’t think the majority will. If they do, I think colleges are pretty savvy at recognizing these things—they’ll be able to tell,” she said.

There is also some apprehension over whether students will be able to accurately document their own extra-curricular activities.

Sophomore Zoe Benditt believes that she could keep track of her small number of activities, “but for a lot of people it could be a problem.”

“The good thing is, it makes us aware of what we do,” said sophomore Eric Guo. Rosen agrees. “Hopefully, students will learn to find their passions.”

Transcripts will definitely follow this new policy next year, and Rosen offers this advice to current students: “Start keeping track of various activities from freshman year. Also, go to various websites, like mystudentedge.com, which has examples of resumes, if you have questions. Show your finished resumes to a counselor.”

Sivahn Barsade

Class of 2010

Dr. Christopher McGinley left his post as Executive Director of Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) to assume the role of LMSD’s new superintendent, replacing Dr. Jamie Savedoff. McGinley has been involved in education for a number of years, serving as superintendent of Cheltenham School District before working with DCIU. The Merionite was fortunate enough to sit down with Dr. McGinley to discuss how he found his way into education and what he thinks of LMSD. The Merionite: Why did you decide to work in education?

McGinley: I come from a family with a number of people who are involved in education. My father was a teacher and a principle, my mother worked in a school library and my grandmother was a cleaning lady in a school. So discussing teaching and learning was part of my upbringing. That’s what was discussed over the dinner table and what was talked about at any family event. I have had wonderful teachers

who I have found to be very inspirational. But then there were other parts of growing up and being in a large school, a large school district that I didn’t like very much, and so I often thought that if I was a teacher I could do a much better job at this or that, and then when I was teaching, if I was a principle.

TM: Why did you focus on improving special education?

M: I would attribute that to family circumstances. I had a cousin who was my exact age who had cerebral palsy.

Growing up around that, I was aware pretty early on that I went to school and he did not because they didn’t have programs for people with his disabilities at the time. And so I just think that I had an affinity for working with children with disabilities.

TM: Why did you decide to apply for superintendent?

M: I have found that working at the intermediate level is a little too far removed from the day to day lives of students and families, so I

Photo courtesy of LMSD.org

really missed that for the last few years and wanted to come back.

TM: What do you think is LMSD’s best quality?

M: The level of commitment and engagement that parents and community members have for the school. I think that that along with a very capable and involved and socially active student body is what makes it a really attractive place. I see that here that the students are very engaged, driven to be responsible citizens of the district and the world.

TM: Do you have any plans you hope to implement in LMSD? M: I am not walking in here with a package to change Lower Merion, while I hope to enhance the program offerings for students and make sure those improvements occur and

take advantage of these great facilities.

TM: What do you like to do in your spare time besides running school districts?

M: I am a water person and I like to be at the beach.

I have 5 kids and spend my spare time with my family.

I’ve served on the board of the National Adoption Center and for absolute recreation I also like to ski and fish occasionally.

TM: As someone who has been involved in many different aspects of education, what do you see as the biggest problem that students nationally face?

M: I think one of the biggest challenges that high school students face is maintaining a balance regarding keeping our longer term goals in perspective. I reminisce when the times were more simple and the focus wasn’t always on what’s the long term goal and what does this mean for my GPA and how will this look on my college application. I think we are in a time in education when there is a lot of pressure and we have to think about having fun sometimes for the sake of having fun.

YOUR NEW OFFICERS

President

John Lundy Q. What do you plan to do as president?

A. I plan to protect the rights and freedoms students already have as well as provide new ones, such as designated tech areas and allowing students to move their cars in two hour parking (without getting in trouble).

Q.How do you feel about following in the footsteps of Andrew Karasik and Sam Helfaer?

A . H o n e s t l y, I couldn’t be happier, I had two different but equally great presidents to learn from, and my friendship with Sam has led to some invaluable advice. On the other hand neither of these men faced such a trying time as what we as a school are going to face next year, so there will be new situations where I cannot seek their advice.

Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

Ari Stern

Betty Walker

Josh Mallin

Q. What past experience do you have in student government?

A. I was VP of my class last year. That’s pretty much it.

Q. Why did you decide to run for vice president?

A. I wanted to get involved in student government again and I wanted to have a leadership role.

I didn’t think I would be able to win the presidency so I ran for vice.

Q. What do you think student government still needs to work on?

A. I’d like the SG to make the school’s environmental impact a concern. SG with the help of the Lower Merion Environmental Club can create strong and lasting will power to move the school towards an “environmentally beneficial” future. Also, I’d like to see the student lobby become active again; however, that may be a lost cause. I’ll let you know about that one.

Q. Why did you decide to run for secretary?

A. In the end, other than the title and a few odd jobs, most of the officers do similar things. I have been president for two years and didn’t have the time to campaign for presidency, so I decided to run for Secretary.

Q. What do you plan to do as secretary?

A. Keep the boys organized :D Q. The race for secretary was highly contested. What did you think of your campaign?

A. I’m not going to lie, my workload during the week of campaigns was through the roof.

I hardly made posters and just focused on my everyday attitude and interactions with students and hope that my attitude along with my speech would get me through.

Q. What past student government experience do you have?

A. My past student govt. experience includes being a homeroom rep my first two years of high school. This year I was a finance committee head.

Q. What do you plan to do as treasurer?

A. As treasurer I plan to collaborate with my fellow offi cers and find ways to make more money for our school. We desperately need money and I am pretty confident that we can do this.

Sergeant at Arms

Dan Saris Q. What do you think is the best thing student government has ever done?

A. I think that student rights committee, while underused, has been an important step that student government has taken in being a true and effective voice for the students. I wish people knew more about it and how it could really help everyone find the justice they deserve.

Q. How much money does student government actually have right now?

A. We’re working on it.

Q. What exactly does a sergeant at arms actually do?

A. The sergeant at arms is in charge of taking attendance at meetings and keeping order at the meetings as well, but as I grow into my role more and more I see that there are a lot of behind the scenes jobs that each officer takes on equally.

Q . P re s i d e n t i a l Choice for 2008?

A. Barack the vote!

Q . P re s i d e n t i a l Choice for 2008?

A. Stephen T. Colbert

5

June 3, 2008

The Merionite EDITORIAL

“A person’s a person no matter how small” Remember back in third grade when you first cast your vote for a class representative in student government? Democracy is a common American value that we’ve been exposed to as far back as our elementary days, since our very first class elections, or the first time we were read Dr. Seuss. We’ve been taught to believe that even the smallest voice can make a difference—we’ve been taught to be that voice.

Certainly our school has granted us a voice through student government events and activities, like prom and Taste of Lower Merion. They have given us control over these fundraising campaigns, but what about the school matters that affect us day to day? We were largely ignored when they planned a new schedule, and our voices today are again being silenced.

Starting next year, the district plans to give every student a laptop, which some fear will inevitably center classrooms on technology. We certainly shouldn’t fear technology, but as many students who signed a petition believe, forcing laptops into the classroom will damage class time. This, however, isn’t the greater problem.

The problem is that the administrators of this plan have not listened to nor even given a fair chance for us to talk with them about the plan before they passed a final decision. They did not tell us when they were going to meet to discuss the plan with student representatives. They did not adequately inform the entire student body about the plan itself before pulling three students to “voice” our views on it at the discussion. And in the meeting, they warned their challenger against turning the issue into a “debate”.

The administration does not truly listen. Their agendas chug along—schedules get approved, laptops get allocated. Next year, construction will precipitate many changes for us. If we accept what we have, we will be passed over again. Unless we fight to actually get our voices recognized, the extent of our democratic influence on our school can only amount to the witty campaign slogans we tape on its walls.

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

The Merionite Published since 1929

Editors-in-Chief Carolyn Chou, ‘09 Liz Jacobs, ‘09 Managing Editor Emma Saltzberg, ‘09 News Editors Sivahn Barsade, ‘10 Samantha Hershman, ‘09 Hana Rouse, ‘10 Op-Ed Editors JC Chou, ‘09 Ethan Cohen, ‘09 Niklas Thompson, ‘09 Features Editors Hannah Goldberg-Morse, ‘10 Bina Peltz, ‘10 Jessica Scolnic, ‘09 Arts & Entertainment Editors

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Editorial/Letters Letters to the Editor

From the desk of the president...

Hello everyone, I hope you are all enjoying the last few weeks of school and I hope the arrival of finals is not stressing you all out.

When your finals are done, brace yourselves for the excitement of the coming school year, because the next school year is going to be anything but dull as construction deconstructs our classrooms and hallways before our very eyes.

I am hoping to see the opening of more areas for social space—that is, of course, of areas still in use. This would include the library lobby, the main lobby, and areas in the tech building. Issues concerning space will not be the only issue we have to deal with, however; we still face the no cell phone rule, which needs to be changed to allow the use of cell phones outside the classroom. I will also work with the administration to allow a system where students will be able to move their cars in 2 hour parking without getting in trouble for leaving campus.

Next year will also bring with it new faces, Mr. Seaman will be leaving us, and

in his place Mr. Hughes—an equally great man—will sit.

Nevertheless, the administrative switch will leave a vacant assistant principal slot that will need to be filled, and I intend to see students become involved with this selection committee as well as the committee that will search for our new athletic director.

We as students should do our best to welcome these new members of our LM community and show them how great this place can be.

I have no doubt that we will continue to have the incredible school spirit that we have had in the past; our school’s traditions will continue to grow with each day. I am proud to be your president, and I am honored that you have chosen me to lead one of the greatest high schools in America. I hope you all have an amazing remainder of the school year, and an amazing summer, and that you all will never be afraid to contact me for anything at all.

John Lundy Class of 2009

From the vice president’s escritoire...

Good morning everybody! Only five more days of school left and I’m sure that you are all just as excited as I am for summer break. By now, you have either shut your brain off completely or are busy worrying about what your final grades for the year will be, so I shall not burden thee by repeating everything that the very wise Mr. Lundy has said so well above.

However, it is important for you to know that next year will not be lost and ruined amidst construction. We will work to open more spaces, as Lundy mentioned, and try to make the cell phone rule more accommodating. Furthermore, our new spirit committee is very excited to start planning activities for next year.

I’m not quite sure what they have in mind yet, but did someone say pudding?

Today, though, as my first act as vice president, I will fulfill my first promise: I declare today to be Max Vargo appreciation day. What better day than his birthday, right? If you see Max, or any other Max for that matter, give him/her a pat on the back and wish them a great day.

In all seriousness though, I am very proud to be your vice president and I promise to make you proud of me during this coming year. Have a great summer. Do not get into too much trouble. See you next year...if I don’t see you in the coming week!

Ari Stern Class of 2009

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June 3, 2008

OP-ED

The Merionite

Give me credit or give me death Maybe it’s because I’m not really a sports “person” but I just don’t understand all the hype. I’ve never really felt any loyalty to a sports team, nor have I found most organized sports games Niklas Thompson Class of 2009 particularly interesting. Yet I seem to be in the minority. In America especially we seem to have a huge sports culture, with such well-known routines as the Sunday football game testifying to its grip on our society.

And this enthusiasm for expositions of human exertion has certainly penetrated our school community (see pages 17-20).

Our school demonstrates time after time its support for our

sports teams. In fact, with pep rallies, daily announcements, and the like, it’s very difficult to ignore the sports scene at LM. But where does that leave the cultural scene? We have here at our school a large core of students dedicated to sports’ lesspraised sibling—composed of the visual arts, theater, and music—but I almost never seem to hear much news regarding them.

What’s more troubling to me, though, is that this seeming lack of recognition for the arts is also manifested in policy. This, to me, is far more significant than any lack of enthusiasm from the community itself, because it means that the arts are actually denied the recognition they deserve.

The most glaring example of this is how classes in the arts are treated scholastically.

No one will deny that both art and music honors classes are academically rigorous. I know from first hand experience that LM’s art honors curriculum is just as de-

manding as the typical AP course.

In fact, there is, among the repertoire of classes created by the College Board, an AP Art curriculum.

While students can still send AP portfolios to College Board in May to receive AP credit without having completed a formal AP

art course,

the

majority of LM artists do not do so. This is due largely to the fact that, because LM does not offer an AP art course, students are simply unaware of this opportunity. If our art honors students complete work worthy of AP credit (which they do), why do their accomplishments usually go unrecognized? LM does offer AP Music Theory for hardworking musicians, but the lack of such opportunity for studio arts is disturbing.

This lack of recognition of the arts isn’t just a local trend either. The practice of recruiting

athletes for university-level education is widespread in our nation.

At the same time, though, the recruitment of artistically talented students to colleges (outside of specialty schools) is unheard of.

Why the discrepancy? If you ask someone whether sports are more inherently meritorious than the arts, they will probably respond in the negative, yet this belief is not in practice in higher education.

It seems to be apparent that, at least in mainstream education, the arts are not given the same credence as sports. Often we hear the cliché argument that athletes should not be given special treatment simply because of athletic achievement. But I do not believe that special treatment of sports is the issue here. We should celebrate sports, for what more elemental expression of human achievement is there? At the same time we should give the same praise to our artists, musicians, and actors, and for exactly the same reason. By no means do I wish to discredit sports; I merely wish to give credit where credit is due.

Mr. Gorbachev, paint this wall Of all the qualities we the student body possess, we are under-appreciating one of them: our artistic creativity. We have excellent art teachers guiding equally Isaac Smith excelClass of 2009 lent students in their quest for artistic perfection, but it is to no appreciable end, since the work is hidden in the dreary annals of the remote Tech building. If one has a class or two in the Tech building, one is certainly able to enjoy the art in passing, but the darkness of the building greatly affects the art, so much that a cheerful work of art can be forced to give off an overwhelming mood akin to that of a SoHo flat.

Furthermore, artwork is not meant to sit around idly collecting dust and losing its grandeur when it could be proudly displayed and appreciated by all of us who wander through the hallways on our way to class. Imagine the stimulation we would receive in seeing a wonderful painting in between classes when our minds are usually at their dullest. Art, quite simply, needs to be more dispersed through the building, both for our sake and for the artists’.

While not a student in the art program, I can only imagine how stifling the allotted space might be. After all, the annual display of art – as far as I can recall – is held in the Girl’s Gym, not the place where the art was created. Artists could be well served with a bigger venue to do and display their work. “But where?” you might ask, “Anyways we’re getting a new school, so why can’t they wait?” This logic is precisely where I am going, for the fact that we are getting a new school certainly mutes the point of getting new art rooms; however, the fact that we are getting a new school also mutes the point of not having a little creative fun with this one.

In other words, let the artists paint the school.

This is not another absurd proposition, either, especially when considering how the school looks now, with all its once-upon-a-time-they-werewhite walls. The bland mood

of the interior could be dramatically enhanced by some murals that our very own art students could create. Murals could pay homage to the great academic, athletic, and cultural traditions LM has fostered in this building that we all will miss once it is gone. Murals, as well, will brighten up our time spent in the building, potentially translating into better performance in the classroom.

Having the school be the canvas, as well, would provide a great means of self-expression for a student body that has a lot to say.

Openness and communication, especially by creative means, would further our school’s strengths on an individual and holistic basis. Take the school-wide response to the Tech building bathroom that was painted last year. The chap who painted it became widely respected and admired for his talent in creating a once standard-bathroom into a sanctuary for messages of open-mindedness and knowledge-of-self. The altruistic messages that are themed in the mural inarguably did more good in a place where people frequent (despite it being a Tech building bathroom) than in the back corners of a classroom. And much of the same can be said for the mural project just outside of the Library.

We need to establish more creative ways for self-expression, and we also need to make sure that we are listening to each other’s thoughts and ideas if we are to continue our legacy as a safe and successful environment. If the idea behind the Tech building bathroom

mural was applied throughout the school, we would have no choice but to listen to the ideas of those whose communicative niche lies not in vocalization, or in writing, or any other developed medium at this school, but whose importance is no-less because of it.

The Comedy Quarterpage It’s funny ‘cause it’s true A senior reflection

by Will Laren

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June 3, 2008

The Merionite

OP-ED Pop politics: Candidates appeal to young voters As the spring season of television came to a close in May, Saturday Night Live had its final episode. The show not only featured Steve Carell, but also starred presumptive Republican presidential candidate John McCain for one sketch and as a guest on Ethan Cohen the news break Class of 2009 Weekend Update. His appearance on the late night variety show, however, was not out of the ordinary. John McCain was, in fact, the last of all the serious presidential candidates to be on Saturday Night Live. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Mike Huckabee, and Rudy Giuliani have all made their appearances this season. It seems that with this election year, candidates are focusing on pop-culture and the younger voters.

A major part of this has been

the use of the Internet and popular websites like YouTube.Com. Earlier in the races, CNN and YouTube joined forces to have both Democratic and Republican YouTube debates, which involved average people asking questions via web cam videos, and the candidates answering these questions on televised debates.

Through YouTube, the candidates have been able to post campaign advertisements, speeches, and clips from talk shows on which they appeared. For those who were not in

front of a television at midnight on Saturday, they can find clips from Saturday Night Live when a candidate made an appearance. On YouTube, you can even find video of each of the candidates giving speeches during a WWE professional wrestling match. Candidates know the frequency with which younger people go on the Internet, so it has become a campaign war zone.

Where has this focus on young voters come from?

Why do candidates suddenly strive to seem youthful and hip?

It has mostly come from Barack Obama. He is young and handsome, and he plays basketball. He naturally appeals to younger voters. Signs created by famous graphic design and graffiti artist Shepard Fairey, that have a stenciled picture of Obama and read “HOPE”, hang in the windows of numerous shops in the city. Students

Put this in your pipe and toast it

Cafeteria food has always been synonymous with bad food.

Through elementary and middle school, buying lunch meant scrounging for some item in the lunch line that looked mildly edible. ForIsaac Lindy tunately, Class of 2010 and to the delight of all LM lunch-buyers, our cafeteria has truly upped the ante in its food preparation, making lunch so much more enjoyable for countless teachers and students.

On the exterior, LM’s cafeteria does not appear different; the same dismal lighting illuminates the lobby, the same grey/green paint covers the walls, the same campus aids survey the area.

On the inside, however, the cuisine LM has to offer has changed dramatically. This dramatic change is largely due to the installation of the all-mighty hoagie grinder.

Before the hoagie grinder, the hoagies that LM produced were anything but extraordinary.

Partly stale bread encompassed bland meat, while wilted lettuce and rotten tomatoes finished off a wholly unsatisfactory sandwich.

But now, thanks to the wonderful industrial sized toaster, LM’s hoagies are absolutely scrumptious.

The entire process of making a hoagie is simply a joy. Begin-

ning with waiting in the amazingly long line, your taste buds are whet with wafts of toasted bread, cheese, and various meats. Soon, after crossing the threshold into the cafeteria and finally having your turn to order, you first view the overwhelming array of ingredients with which to make your hoagie delicious. Being greeted by incredibly friendly cafeteria staff is an added bonus, making you feel welcome and confident in your choice to get a hoagie.

Then comes the most crucial part of the entire hoagie process: the decision. Between the countless choices of breads, meats, cheeses, vegetables, and condiments, this aspect of the process can be quite difficult. If

you are familiar to the process, however, then you can easily choose, knowing that flat bread goes well with Italian meats and not so well with turkey, that Swiss cheese when toasted tastes like rubber, that putting your lettuce on your hoagie before toasting it is a fatal mistake.

After ordering your hoagie and leaving the preliminary line, you join the second line of the hoagie process. This line is quite possibly the most torturing to wait through, as you can visibly observe your tantalizing hoagie going through

the grinder, and it takes all mental strength to just wait those few extra minutes for your hoagie to be toasted to crispy perfection.

Finally you reach the front of the second line, just in time to see your hoagie emerge from the other side of the grinder. A third jovial staff member awaits you at this point, and asks what additions you may want for your hoagie, including balsamic vinaigrette dressing and of course lettuce and tomato.

And, at long last, your beautiful creation falls into your hands, just waiting to be eaten.

In all truth, the hoagie ingredients have not vastly changed. Perhaps it is the effects of the grinder on the stale bread, or maybe the euphoric mental state achieved through toasted sandwiches, but for some reason LM’s hoagies taste so much better now than they ever did.

This is also not to say that the rest of the food of the cafeteria is not worth eating.

For example, many days the salad bar bursts with fresh vegetables and interesting ingredients like pepperoni and pasta salad. And Savi’s Hut is always open, offering those high-calorie cookies we all adore.

The changes in the LM cafeteria, while somewhat discreet, have influenced my mindset about lunchtime. I look forward to what the cafeteria may be offering each day. The outstanding hoagies and overall solid food offered by LM’s cafeteria are doubtful to change how the majority of people regard school lunch. But maybe, just maybe, the synonym for cafeteria food will change to something more enticing, just like the toasted hoagies at LM.

stroll through high-school hallways wearing t-shirts with clever slogans like “Barack the Vote” or “Obama For Yo Momma” from stores like Urban Outfitters that appeal mainly to young crowds.

Obama also runs a successful Internet campaign, raising far more money on his website than any of the other candidates.

McCain and Clinton attempt to keep up with the pop-culture aspect of elections that Obama has naturally brought to the front burner, and as a result, the election becomes focused on pop stardom. Simultaneously, though, candidates focus on young voters. The result is both positive and negative. The focus on young voters is important, being that the young voters are the future of America and will benefit or suffer the most from presidential policies. Focusing on the cool factor more than more substantive aspects of politics, however, will not have good consequences in a presidential election.

Over the summer, as the Democratic and Republican nominees are officially announced, we will see if the focus changes.

AP Gym:

shooting for the five Currently, Advanced Placement courses cover over 37 different subjects. The subjects span science to studio arts, and are college-level classes designed to test the limits of human endurance.

While Hannah Goldberg-Morse providClass of 2010 ing a wide variety of options in the core curriculum, the College Board, administrator of those infamous AP tests, fails to include one of the longtime standards of school education: the physical education class.

The current plethora of choice has failed us. Why shouldn’t we have the ability to substitute our hours of badminton in the gym for a college-level course? After all, many colleges have requirements for physical education, or gym, credits. Were an Advanced Placement physical education course offered in high school, students would be able to complete the requirement before ever setting foot in the hallowed halls of their chosen school. The

class would be a rigorous combination of cardiovascular activity, strength training, and a selection of sports. In a nation where children are being affected evermore by obesity, a more strenuous gym class could be the answer to many of these problems. Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural stress relievers. The intensive course could be a good chance to work off the stress of the latest history test or chemistry quiz. For what is probably the first time, an Advanced Placement course could actually reduce the trials of the student body- a novel idea for the College Board.

Additionally, it would provide an opportunity for students who excel in more hands-on activities to have a class where their talents could truly shine. And for all those gym “tryers” out there, it would bring a new element of competition and personal and group achievement to the average gym class. In AP physical education, it would be every man for him-self, a no holds-barred clash of brawn against speed, testing the limits of human endurance. No procrastination.

No slacking. And certainly no chewing gum. No other course could offer the satisfaction gained from seeing all the grade-grubbers in the school getting pelted during an intense game of dodgeball. It would be an AP course, after all.

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June 3, 2008

The Merionite

FEATURES

In Memoriam...

Shalena Wearing, class of 2003 Those performances took place at OaShalena Wearing lived her life “somesis of Praise Ministries Church, where where in between”— in between the Shalena was a member. She also exlimits drawn for her by other people and pressed her love what she herself beof music by lieved she could be. singing with the Born with an extremePhiladelphia ly rare medical condiJoy Unlimited tion, she spent her life Mass Choir striving to find a place. for six years.

At birth, Shalena For her siswas diagnosed with ter’s wedding omphalocele.

By in September the time she was 11 of 2007, Shaleyears old, she’d unna stepped dergone seven major into the role of reconstructive surmaid of honor, geries. She was also and hosted the identified as mentally bridal tea at challenged—but that Evviva Resdidn’t stop her from taurant in Narworking to be the berth. “She was best person she could. so proud to be “A child like the hostess and Shalena, who’d been plan the whole labeled early—I don’t event,” Mrs. think people realized Wearing said. what she could do,” Shalena said Shalena’s mother, and Ceora, her Renee Wearing. “She Photo courtesy Ceora Wearing sister, were read the entire Harry Shalena worked as a junior counselor close. at Camp PEP in South Philadelphia. very Potter series. She Ceora wrote taught herself how to two short stories about Shalena, “Mirdo sign language and she would mime acle Child” and “Somewhere in Beto spiritual music to inspire people.”

tween”, about Shalena’s struggles and portant to Shalena as she believed that evtriumphs over the course of her life. ery class at LM was a stepping stone toShalena was a part of Camp PEP ward obtaining her goals,” Petrillo added.

Along her path to meaningful employ(Programs Employing People) in Philadelphia from the age of seven, and ment, Shalena worked at Sunrise Assisted Living in Ardeventually became more, Whole Foods, a junior counselor and Genuardi’s. with the program.

“Shalena reAfter growing up ally became a part in West Philadelphia, of Ardmore,” Mrs. Shalena moved to ArWearing said. dmore. She attended After working for LM, graduated with a few years, Shalena her class in 2003, and expressed a desire for three more years to fulfill her lifelong walked the halls of dream of going to the school, working college. Following with LM’s Office much deliberation, of Vocation Reloshe and her parents cation to find work decided last fall to that she enjoyed. enroll her in the LM Guidance kitchen help and cucounselor Paul linary arts program Petrillo, who worked at Hiram G. Andrews with Shalena during Technical Center in her time here, said Johnstown, PA. She that “sensitive, outattended classes up going, diligent, hardthrough October working and comcourtesy Ceora Wearing of 2007, but then mitted to family Shalena andPhoto her father, Delmar Wearing. was forced by her and friends” would be the adjectives that come to medical condition to return home. The mind when thinking of Shalena. day she died was the day she would “School and education were very im- have graduated from the program.

Josh Sack, class of 2004

On May 4, Josh Sack, drummer for local band The Brakes, lost his battle with acute myelogenous leukemia. Here are a few tributes to Josh from some of those who knew him best.

“Josh as the first student I met when I started working at LM. I remember the first day of band camp when I was assigned to work with the drummers, and was told that Josh would be doing most of the teaching, and I should just oversee the rehearsal to make sure everything went smoothly. I didn’t know what to expect, so I followed those orders, figuring I’d step in after about five minutes to take over the rehearsal. It became apparent in the first two minutes that Josh had the situation under more control than I could have ever hoped to on my first day.

Josh was a junior my first year, so I only knew him as a student for two years. In those two years, though, I was in awe of his skills as a musician. I remember sitting behind him at the last jazz band performance he would ever play in. I watched him make the drums look so easy to play, and I think that’s what sticks with most people who remember Josh. He just played; he never looked like he was working at it (though I know he worked hard at what he did). It looked so easy that I thought I could step up and play just like him. For the record, I’m nowhere close.

Josh is going to be missed by many not only because he was a great musician, but also a great human being. He was one of the few students that I saw repeatedly after he graduated, always making it a point to stop in to the music wing when he was around.

I remember how excited he was when I finally got to see The Brakes play live at the Katrina Benefit. We talked for a long time before they went on, and I’ll never forget

how excited he, as well as the rest of the less. My previous teachers weren’t nearly as band, were about how their lives as profes- talented and down to earth as he was. I felt sional musicians was shaping up. Josh was like in the small time span of me knowing always excited about something, though him, I already could tell how genuine and he never let it giving of a pershow. He was son he was.” sarcastic more --LM junior often than not, James Irving but he was “As a musinever meancian, Josh was spirited, which incredibly giftis hard to do. ed. He learned I’ve been very quickly, recommending and his analytithe new Brakes cal mind was album ‘Tale of powerful and Two Cities’ to open. He was anyone who able to play will listen. It’s any instrument a great album he could get with a level of his hands on, musicianship and few people you just don’t know this, but hear from your in addition to average ‘lobeing an excelcal band.’ But lent drummer, more imporhe was a great tantly, it’s the bass player last recording and teacher. of a drummer/ About six musician/ humonths before man being he got sick, I Photo courtesy David H. Sack who was trunoticed a huge ly one of a kind. It’s a small com- leap forward in his drumming. He was able fort to listen to the album knowing that to achieve a level of musicianship on the while Josh is gone, there’s part of him drums that few reach. He seemed to bethat can potentially be around forever.” come the drummer that we all thought he --LM music teacher Aaron Datsko would be someday and it was a great joy “Josh was an inspiring teacher, amaz- to see. I always knew he had great potening friend and genuine person. ... Although tial, and to see it realized made me very Josh was only my drum teacher for five or happy. It seems fitting that all of those six months, he inspired me greatly nonethe- performances were documented and an

album was made to remember that incredible time in our histories. His playing was so steady and confident; I used to tell him that he had achieved ‘Bonham’ status.

He shrugged it off humbly like I knew he would, but I knew it meant a lot to him.

When I was in the studio mixing the songs, Josh was already in the hospital. I remember thinking how important it was for everyone to hear his superb drumming on these recordings. Now more than ever, I feel it’s my duty to have the world hear and remember Josh, for the smart, talented and passionate friend that he was.

We were able to play with him a couple weeks ago, when he came over to hang out with us during a practice for our upcoming tour. As I watched him, he looked a little dazed as he sat on the couch in Derek’s basement, conducting the tunes in his head as we played through them. But the moment he stepped behind that drum set, he came alive and the music just poured right out of him. I will never forget the expression on his face as he played; it was one of deep concentration but complete ease and relaxation at the same time. It was if for those brief minutes, he had been set free by the music.

All of the pain, and months of chemotherapy disappeared, and there he was filling the missing link in our irrevocable bond. It was a really cathartic moment for all of us. And I don’t think that any of us knew that that was the last time we would ever see him, but I am so glad that we got to play with him one last time. I will remember it always.”

--from the eulogy written and delivered by Matt Kass, 2004 LM graduate and member of The Brakes Compiled by Emma Saltzberg ‘09

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June 3, 2008

FEATURES

The Merionite

The class of 2020: they can see clearly now Jessica Scolnic

Class of 2009 Ahh, kindergarten. Between snack time, recess, and “free play” time, high schoolers look back on kindergarten with fondness and just a twinge of jealousy. Back when sleep was an annoyance instead of a luxury, the day was broken up by cookies and juice, and the biggest dilemma anyone faced was whether to play tag or hide-and-go-seek during recess, those half-days barely seemed like school.

Though kindergarten may feel like it was about a million years ago, it’s not actually all that different from high school.

The kindergarteners The Merionite talked to unanimously agree that their favorite time of the day is free play: the kindergarten equivalent of a free. Second best is snack time—walk into any midmorning class of LM juniors and you’ll find maybe a dozen student munching away as if the teacher had just told them to go to their cubbies and get something to eat.

Obviously, there are some stark contrasts as well. Kindergarteners proudly proclaim themselves “too old for naptime,” while many LMers crash on the couch as soon as they get home in the afternoons. Unlike the AP webassigns

and eight page research papers that LM students dread, homework in Mrs. Suzanne Spiegelman’s kindergarten class in Cynwyd elementary school comes once a week, and is a challenge the students look forward to. When asked if they could imagine getting homework every night (and even on weekends) the basic reaction was an eager nod, as if they were excited by the prospect.

Spiegelman’s room is bright, colorful and filled with energy. Kids are scattered around the room for free playtime—a chance to build with Legos, play with alphabet blocks, and color.

During circle time, the students gather around their teacher as she directs daily activities to help them learn to read, spell, and speak in complete sentences.

“The theme for today is “thinking about what it’s like to be someone else”,” explains Mrs. Spiegelman. After reading Alex and the Amazing Lemonade Stand and imagining what it would be like to be a little girl like Alex Scott, a few of these students sat down with The Merionite to predict what they will be like in high school and beyond. They also shared some insight on high school teachers, homework, naptime, and physics.

“Physics? I don’t even know what that word means. It’s like work maybe? Like really hard work?”

These pictures were drawn by kindergarteners in Mrs. Spiegelman’s class at Cynwyd Elementary School. The students were instructred to draw what they think they will look like in high school.

“I think high school teachers will be different kind of. Maybe they’re older, and kinda mean like when you don’t bring in your homework on time.”

“I don’t know what physics is. Is it a kind of cat?”

“High school is going to be hard when you have a lot of math and stuff. My older sister takes up the whole homework table with her homework and I have to work on the floor so she doesn’t hit me with her books.”

“In high school the teachers will be tall. All of them will be really tall.”

“I think high school will be really hard because you need to do a lot of subtraction and multiplication and division.”

“After high school I want to go to basketball camp. I’ve never been to basketball camp because I’m too little but I’ve always wanted to go.”

“I’m too old for naps; sleeping is boring. I’d rather be awake and doing stuff.”

These are some of their thoughts about life in high school.

“Physics is like a thing...it’s like a test kind of? I forget what kind of test but I definitely know what physics is.”

Class of

2020

A typical day in kindergarten vs. a typical day in high school Kindergarten

9:05 am -9:35: Free play 9:30-10:00: Circle and Show and Tell 10:00-11:00: Stations, Lessons, Independent Work 11:00-11:30: Kidwriting 11:30-11:40: Outside play

*The day is complete at 11:40 am.

High School

7:30 am -8:15: Western Civ 8:20-9:30: Orchestra 9:35-11:55: Double Chem 12:00 pm -12:35: Lunch 12:40-1:35: Latin 1:40-2:30: Algebra II 2:35:-4:30: Players Rehersal 4:30-4:45: Check in at Merionite 4:45-7:00: Back to Players for a late night 7:30-9:45: Soccer practice 9:45-11:40: Homework

*The day is complete at 11:40 pm.

Left: LM students fondly remember “circle time” and attempt to recreate the bliss.

Photo by Esther Hoffman/Staff

June 2007

•US FDA warns consumers to throw away all toothpaste made in China after discovering diethylene glycol in it •Chinua Achebe wins the Man Booker International Prize •The Comcast Center officially becomes the tallest building in Philadelphia •North Korea test-fires a short-range missile toward Japan •A girl’s feet are cut off at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom on the Superman Tower of Power

July 2007

•Snow falls in Argentina for the first time in 89 years •China bans diethylene glycol as a toothpaste ingredient •US House of Representatives votes to withdraw troops from Iraq: President Bush threatens to veto • Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is released worldwide •Argentina defeats the Czech Republic in the FIFA world cup

August 2007

•San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds passes record holder Hank Aaron for most career homeruns •Authorities in Mozambique seize thousands of boxes of counterfeit toothpaste which they fear may contain the dangerous chemical diethylene glycol •Mattel recalls over 18 million toys made in China that potentially contain lead

September 2007

•Apple releases a new line of iPods, including the iPod touch, a new nano, and a remade “classic”.

•The Pentagon announces plans to send 3,200 additional Marines to Afghanistan

•China and the U.S. sign an agreement officially banning the exportation of toys with lead paint to the US; half a billion toys are recalled

•Australian actor Heath Ledger dies

•NASA releases new plans for a moon base in 2020

•New York Senator Hillary Clinton wins the first Democratic primary

October 2007

•Arizona Senator John McCain wins the first Republican primary.

•Over 1,000,000 people in southern California are forced to evacuate due to wildfires •The Boston Red Sox win the world series •The Writer’s Guild of America requests 12,000 of their members to join a screenwriter’s strike over a disagreement about residuals •Major League Baseball player Barry Bonds is indicted by a federal grand jury in San Francisco for allegedly lying under oath about his use of steroids •The Annapolis Conference, a peace conference trying to end the ArabIsraeli conflict, is held in Annapolis, Maryland •A knife, accompanied by a threatening letter, was found taped to an entrance of LM.

December 2007

•Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto is assassinated by a suicide bomber •Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick receives a 23-month jail sentence for his involvement in a dogfighting ring •At 81 years, 7 months, and 29 days, Queen Elizabeth II becomes the longest-lived British monarch, surpassing the record of Queen Victoria •In the San Francisco Zoo, a tiger escapes from its enclosure and attacks three visitors, killing one of the men and mauling two others

January 2008

•In the Iowa caucuses, Democratic Illinois Senator Barack Obama and Republican fomer Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee win

•Britney Spears is admitted to the hospital for mental-health evaluation

February 2008

•The New York Giants defeat the New England Patriots 17-14 in the Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Arizona •After three months, members of the Writers Guild of America vote to end the writer’s strike.

•Roger Clemens, former Major League Baseball pitcher testifies to using performance enhancing drugs.

•A gunman opens fire at a Northern Illinois University lecture hall, injuring 18 students and killing 6 people.

•Kosova declares independence from Serbia, resulting in much protest.

•After 49 years in office, Fidel Castro resigns as President of Cuba and as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.

• Fidel’s brother Raul Castro is selected to succeed him.

March 2008

•Brett Favre, quarterback of the Green Bay Packers announces his retirement from the NFL after 17 years •The Olympic flame is lit in Olympia, Greece •At 8:00 pm on March 29, “Earth Hour,” many businesses and households across the world turned off their lights for an hour in an effort to raise awareness of climate change •New York governor Eliot Spitzer resigns amid a prostitution ring scandal •Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, is named the richest person

in the world by Forbes magazine

April 2008

•The United States House of Representatives votes to provide $50 billion over five years to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in Africa and other third world areas •Cuban citizens now have access to what were formerly “tourist-only” hotels and cellphones •183 women and children are taken into protective custody from the YFZ Ranch compound linked to polygamist Warren Jeffs •Assistant principal Sean Hughes is appointed as the next principal of LM - Dr. Christopher McGinley is named LM superintendent

May 2008

• Illinois Senator Barack Obama wins North Carolina while New York Senator Hillary Clinton narrowly wins in Indiana •A swarm of tornadoes in southwest Missouri kills at least 12 people with much of the damage in Newton County, Missouri •An international relief operation begins after cyclone Nargis strikes Burma which resulted in at least 63,500 people reported killed or missing •A magnitude 7.9 earthquake hits China’s Sichuan province, killing at least 22,000 people - The California Supreme Court rules that a ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional under the California state constitution • LM officially marked the groundbreaking for the new high school.

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June 3, 2008

FEATURES

The Merionite

Annexing our hearts “The Annex was the best-kept secret in the school. Not many people even knew where it was. People (faculty and kids) didn’t bother coming over most of the time because it was too far away.

The heat. That was the only negative. I remember a kid passing out during a class period because it was so hot. The next day I got a fan from administration.”

-Michael Moeller, history teacher Fact: It takes 04:52:71 minutes to walk from the Biology hallway to the annex at a quick pace.

(Not including the crush of people between bells, a heavy backpack, and possible mishaps that occur along the way.)

Photo courtesy of the Wikipedia.org

The Annex: a history Liz Jacobs

Class of 2009

As much as we all hated the sevenminute treks to Mr. Moeller’s room freshman year to listen to a 48- minute hodgepodge of information about the Bacca tribe, or feared being locked in by that big scary metal gate, you’ll Photo courtesy of Lower Merion Historical Society be hard-pressed to find someone at LM Look familiar? Construction of the Annex back in ‘63 who won’t miss the annex.It’s part of “I have never gotten lost, I just kept walking! I’m not sad at all, it’s hot, gross our LM history, unless you were part of the and far away from everything else. Basi- privileged few who were accepted on the first floor of the “new” wing while your little cally, Mr. Moeller sums it up.” ninth grade peers were shunned far, far away -freshman Mayan Silkoff from the AP Chem classes. But regardless Fact: There are more gyms per square of where you discussed Things Fall Apart foot in the annex than anywhere else in and completed ABC-CLIOs, the Annex is the entire school. Additionally, there is an integral part of LM that will be forever a higher concentration of entryways as lost on June 17. well.

Construction of the Ardmore Annex “The positives and negatives are the began in 1963 as part of the new LM, the same-distance. It was quiet over there. air-conditioned wing of the school we still We could use the hallways, put kids in use today. Primarily used as classroom groups, partner our classes together, and space for Ardmore Jr. High School, it also no one was bothered by the noise. On the offered the school a gym. The building was other hand, getting to the main office or home to the Lower Merion Education Asmailboxes was not quick. Having students sociation for ten years, hosting meetings on go to the bathroom was not quick, and the second floor. Inside the Annex walls, the being by the pool was really hot in the Association wrote its newsletter, educated fall and spring.” teachers on in-service days, and planned and -Trish Schuller, English teacher executed a strike in the 1980s. The Annex Fact: For students interested in animal also doubled as a daycare center during this studies, the annex can provide an opportu- time, allowing little children to roam the nity for closer immersion.. Says Moeller halls while their parents were at work.

It was at this daycare center that perhaps of the building, “Wildlife in the Annex: the most memorable Annex event took mice, roaches, and squirrels.”

place: a shooting. While the events are hazy to many, a woman entered the daycare center and shot a teacher in front of her students.

She died, but no students were injured.

The site on which LM stands today once housed three separate buildings. The original was built in 1910 (look at the cornerstone block in the wall by the Auditorium Lobby sometime) and replaced the 1894 Lower Merion High School, which was located on the south side of Ardmore and burned in 1900 but was rebuilt on the same site. A technical wing was added on in 1943, and we still use it today (think art classrooms), although the rest of the original stone building was demolished in 1965.

The second edifice located on LM’s current property was Ardmore Junior High. A separate building from the Annex, it used the facilities there until it closed in 1978 due to a decrease in student enrollment. When it was built in 1924, the District named it Lower Merion Township Junior High, but renamed it Ardmore Junior High when Bala Cynwyd Junior High was founded in 1939.

The third and final building that rests on LM grounds is the Administration building, a relic that will stay with LM into the 21st century. Constructed under Superintendent Edgar Downs, the building includes the Downs gym and was built in 1932 out of granite and limestone.

Photo courtesy of Lower Merion Historical Society

A bridge between the Annex and Ardmore Jr. High School connected the buildings.

Fact: The Annex was the last remaining part of the original Ardmore Junior High that was closed in 1980. Mr. Rosazza’s room was a daycare center prior to 1998.

“I’m sad to be leaving the annex because AA22 was my first and only classroom here at LM. I had a big corner room on the second floor and it was great. I think the next few years of construction will mean a more hectic pace than what used to happen on d daily basis in the annex so that is going to be an adjustment for those of us merging into the main building.”

-Trish Schuller Fact: “The faculty bathrooms in the Annex were spacious. They were as big as a Persian palace.”- Michael Moeller

“I’ll miss being able to go outside with my classes during those hot May and June days. I’ll miss the learning and laughter that took place over the last nine years of teaching in the annex..

Not having the Environmental Club and Green Council meetings in AA01 will be missed. The club created a butterfly garden in memory of Jessica Easter that is also destined for destruction... I used to tell my science colleagues that my room had a different zip code. The annex was a place less traveled to by many of the staff, which helped to create a camaraderie amongst the annex teachers that was special. Most of all, I’ll miss the convenience my room provided to have students past and present drop by my room to say hello on their way out the annex exit door. I will miss being in AA01, but I’ll always cherish its memories.”

-Glenn Rosazza, science teacher

Photo by Esther Hoffman/Staff

Teachers of the Ardmore Annex before their eviction.

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June 3, 2008

The Merionite

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

LM artists display their skills

Jennifer Zhang, Grade 12 Erica Gillman, Grade 12 Lorenzo Errico, Grade 12 Keira Missanelli, Grade 11

Michael Henrich, Grade 11 Lilian Crooks, Grade 10

Julia Miller, Grade 10 Photos by Esther Hoffman/Staff Graphics by Sam Blum/Staff

Students take back the Annex Hannah Weilbacher

Class of 2010

Upon hearing that parts of our school will be demolished, students in the Art 3 Studio class decided to decorate the bare hallway between the main hallway and the library lobby.

The class spent a few weeks painting and drawing on the wall to brighten it up. For the remainder of its existence, students can admire their finished product, a colorful wall of artwork in the hallway.

Inspired by this, junior Jake Eisenhard came up with the idea to sell sections of the walls that will be destroyed to students who wish to decorate them.

Junior Aili Klein then proposed the idea to student government sponsor, Mrs. Freeland. While other people had contemplated similar projects, Klein took the initiative to get the project going.

Unfortunately, the plan fell through due to lack of interest.

Most students seemed to reject the idea of paying to decorate walls they could graffiti for free. Accompanied by a few daring teachers, students broke out their sharpies and commenced to scribble their names, political statements, and short messages professing their love for the An-

nex, their friends, and various sports teams. Many messages and drawings were profane, some downright offensive, but the majority remains clean and touching.

“A lot of students have expressed their love for the Annex by writing on the walls,” said sophomore Lili Barlow. “I thought the graffiti was really cool!”

The adrenaline rush that comes with tagging school property and the feeling of leaving a mark, no matter how soon it will be destroyed, seems to combine

and form a powerful incentive for breaking school rules. During any given period, students can be found using their frees to express themselves on the walls.

For those unwilling to leave their own signature on the school, the comments and drawings certainly make the long walk to the late buses more interesting.

After many years of service to LM, it is the

Annex’s time to go. Signing the walls (and sometimes the floors) with their names and pictures, however, may make it easier for students to say goodbye to the hallway they have grown to love, a hallway they will miss very much.

Photos by Esther Hoffman/Staff

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June 3, 2008

The Merionite

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Glow in the Dark Vacation consolation: summer concerts Tour lights up the stage Jenny Smolen

Hannah Weilbacher

Class of 2010

dedicated to his mother, whom he considers his greatest inspiration.

On a lighter note, the concert was a hit. Its exciting atmosphere and ridiculous set made it an evening to remember for those

The Glow in the Dark Tour, featuring Kanye West, Rihanna, N.E.R.D., and Lupe Fiasco, came to the Susquehanna Bank Center on May 16.

The tour, which started April 16 in Seattle, is crossing the country.

The tour also travelled around the world a few months ago.

Kanye West headlined this much-anticipated concert. West, a Grammy-awardPhoto courtesy of latimes.com winning hip-hop Kanye West, sporting his trademark sunglassartist, was “by far es, came to the Susquehanna Bank Center the best perform- on May 17. er,” according to sophomore Libby Arganbright. who attended (aka...all of LM).

“The stage blew up around With an outer-space theme, the him,” said sophomore Aly Mill- set was filled with lasers, metal, er. a crashed spaceship, a sidekick West has been rising to the robot Jane, and many wild colors top of every chart for the past and shapes. couple of years. He has won mul“It was extremely cool,” said tiple Grammy awards, including Miller.

Best Rap Album for Graduation.

For many, the most excitEver since his first hit, “Through ing part of the set was the colthe Wire,” West has been a su- orful lighting that dominated perstar, and this tour solidified the stage. West sported a neon his fame. jacket topped with his trademark shades. The other performers continued the feel of the concert even after Kanye’s act.

N.E.R.D., led by rapper Pharrell, performed songs including “Lap Dance” and “She Wants to Move.”

Rihanna, a talented singer devoted to umbrellas and breaking dishes, performed Photo courtesy of mtv.com some of her wellBarbados native Rihanna sings one of known hits, along with her many hits as a supporting act of a cover of “Doo Wop (That Thing)” origiKanye West’s Glow in the Dark Tour. nally by Lauryn Hill, and M.I.A.’s “Paper After dealing with the loss of Planes.” Lupe Fiasco also perhis mother, Donda West, last year formed songs like “Kick Push,” to complications from plastic “Superstar,” and “Paris Tokyo.” surgery, the rapper has become “It was extremely fun!” said much quieter, and also stronger Miller. “I had a great time.” (no song reference intended). He Those lucky enough to attend, made a passionate and emotional including many students from speech about his late mother at across the Main Line, seem to the opening show of the tour in share that sentiment.

Paris last year.

“Lower Merion was definitely In Philly he sang “Hey represented,” said junior Kyra Mama,” a tribute to his mom. Sutton.

West earned his LM fan base While “Don’t Stop Believing” played in the background, he sat with his clever lyrics and catchy on the stage thinking and mourn- songs. Live, these qualities were ing for the entire song. His 2005 amplified even more, and the album, Late Registration, is concert did not disappoint.

Class of 2009

Summer is right around the corner. Worried that these next three months will bring nothing but sunshine and boredom? No need, this summer is jam-packed with concerts for you to enjoy.

Philadelphia radio station XPN kicks off June with a concert featuring Ingrid Michaelson with Greg Laswell. The show begins at 8:00 pm at the Theater of Living Arts. If you don’t know who Michaelson is, you may remember her voice from the Old Navy sweater commercial, or from her interview in the March issue of The Merionite.

Perhaps better-known to LM students, Dave Matthews Band’s summer tour will hit the Susquehanna Bank Center (formerly known as the Tweeter Center) on June 3. State Radio will be opening for Dave, a treat for Dispatch fans who might remember State Radio’s frontman, Chad Urmston.

If you are into the arts, you might enjoy the Appel Farm Arts and Music Festival on June 7 at the Appel Farm Arts and Music Center. This year, the all-day, outdoor festival features Matt Duke,

Photo courtesy of blogs.msg.com

Besides the premiere of their Disney Channel Original Movie, the Jonas Brothers will be performing a summer tour.

They Might Be Giants, Nichole Reynolds, Suzanne Vega and more. A family event, the festival also includes children’s activities and a crafts fair.

Death Cab for Cutie fans should look for tickets to the band’s concert at the Mann Center for Performing Arts on June 12. Popular teen drama “The O.C.” threw this band into the mainstream in 2005 when Death Cab performed on the show. They also just released their second album, titled Narrow Stairs, for Atlantic Records. The band will likely play mostly new music to promote their CD. The Verizon VIP Tour comes to Philadelphia at the Theater for the Living Arts on June 16. The tour features Natasha Bedingfield, known best for “Unwritten” and the newer “Pocket Full of Sunshine.” The Veronicas will also perform, as well as Kate Voegele, whom you may recognize from her recurring guest spot on the CW’s “One Tree Hill.”

On June 17, another tour hits

The Verizon VIP Tour, starring Natasha Bedingfield, comes to the TLA in June.

of a festival, the show is complete with extreme sports. It will also be green-friendly, as the tour hopes to make less of an impact on the environment. The tour’s website states it will be reducing its use of fossil fuels by fueling its buses with a biodiesel blend, reusing all plates and utensils, powering the stage with solar power, and recycling everything they can.

On August 12, Radiohead will perform at the Susquehanna Bank Center. The British group, known for their sprawling electronictinged sound, released their latest CD In Rainbows last October.

The show will also feature the rock group Grizzly Bear.

After one of the most popular seasons yet, “American Idol” will

the Mann Center, starring R.E.M., Modest Mouse, and the alternative rock group The National.

R.E.M. is currently promoting their newest album, Accelerate, which has gotten rave reviews from music critics.

John Mayer comes to the Susquehanna Bank Center on July 10. This show also features Colbie Caillat, known for her songs “Bubbly” and “Realize.”

Brett Dennen, a folk-y favorite of XPN, will be performing as well.

Although his reality show, “Fatherhood,” was fairly successful on E!, Snoop Dogg has decided to Photo courtesy of jalc.org return to his music roots. Snoop Dogg is known for “Drop It Like John Mayer will be performIt’s Hot” and “Sensual Seduc- ing at the Susquehanna Bank tion,” as well as his role as Huggy Center on July 10.

Bear in Starsky & Hutch. His tour kicks off June 24 in Phoenix, Ari- be having a tour featuring the top zona and hits Penn’s Landing in 10 contestants, including winner David Cook and runner up David Philadelphia on July 15.

Projekt Revolution, a tour Archuleta. The tour will come to started by band Linkin Park so the Wachovia Center on August new talent could be heard, comes 13. to the Susquehanna Bank Center The Jonas Brothers will be on July 19. This tour, the fifth coming to the Susquehanna Bank installation, also features Chris Center on August 27 for their Cornell, The Bravery, and Ashes Burning Up Tour. These brothers Divide. brushed up on their songwriting The World Café in Philadel- for their CD, writing or co-writphia will have an exciting show ing all of the tracks. The concert on July 21. It features the Scott also features Demi Lovato, a new Harris Project, Hilary McRae, and Disney Channel Star, as a special Teddy Geiguest perger, whom former. you might This conknow from cert will be the cover a reunion on the of sorts, Novemsince Lober 2006 vato and issue of the Jonas Seventeen Brothers Magazine, star toor his CD gether in Underage Photo courtesy of blog.wired.com the Disney Thinking.

Channel The Radiohead’s latest album, In Rainbows, Original Vans was offered as an online download for Movie Warped whatever price the buyer wished to CampRock, Tour will pay. which be at the comes out Susquehanna Bank Center on on June 20.

July 25. The tour features Gym Judging by this packed roster, Class Heroes, Relient K, Cobra this summer looks like it will be Starship, The Academy Is..., and filled with music and fun, no matabout 60 additional bands. More ter your tastes.

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June 3, 2008

The Merionite

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Flicks to fill your summer

Hannah Weilbacher

Class of 2010

Some LM students and teachers will take fabulous vacations this summer. For those stuck at home...well, at least the movie selection looks good. Here’s a taste of the films coming out after school ends:

The Happening

Seeing as it comes out on Friday the 13th of June, it is only appropriate to go see the new M. Night Shyamalan thriller. Much of the film was shot in Philadelphia, so you might even recognize familiar places—only they will probably be filled with ominously deserted cars on empty streets. The film, starring Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel, and John Leguizamo, is about people trying to escape a mysterious “happening” that is killing off American citizens.

Photo Courtesy of ubergizmo.com

Wall-E, the robot subject of DisneyPixar’s newest film.

The Incredible Hulk

If you are looking for a little more action and a little less suspense to celebrate the end of the school year, lean towards this new interpretation of the classic comic book. The film stars Edward Norton as Bruce Banner, and will also be coming out on June 13.

This time Banner (The Hulk) has to face off against another gamma-ray created being, The Abomination. Liv Tyler rounds out the cast as Betty Ross, Banner’s love interest.

For fans of Judd Apatow’s films, he produced this new movie written by the same guys as Superbad. It also arrives in theaters August 8. Seth Rogen and James Franco star as stoners forced to flee for their lives after one witnesses a murder, somehow melding stoner and action flick into one. Though the marriage of genres seems unlikely, if the trailer is any indication, Pineapple Express can definitely pull it off.

Wall-E

From Finding Nemo to The Incredibles, whenever Disney and Pixar team up it seems to produce nothing but cute and funny family flicks. This time, the collaboration resulted in a film about a robot, WallE, left on Earth to pick up waste after all the humans have left. Take a little sibling with you on June 27; it should be funny for them and fun for you too.

The Wackness

Having won the audience award at the Sundance Film Festival, indie film fans are already talking about this new film. Set in New York City in the 90s, Josh Peck, of Nickelodeon’s “Drake and Josh,” stars as a recent high school graduate. He fills his time selling marijuana, trading it to Dr. Squires (Ben Kingsley) for therapy, and trying to get the attention of Squires’ stepdaughter (Olivia Thirlby, who played the best friend in Juno). Although it may be playing only in smaller, artsier theaters, beginning July 4, this movie looks worth the search.

The Dark Knight

Heath Ledger’s sudden death brings a new light to his portrayal of The Joker in this next installment of the Batman series, out July 18. This sequel to Batman Begins, of 2005, brings back Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne and Michael Caine as Alfred Pennyworth. However, it has Maggie Gyllenhaal in the role Katie Holmes originated.

Photo courtesy of flickscribe.com

The Sisterhood celebrate their graduation in the film Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2.

Mamma Mia!

Hit broadway show based on hit band’s music to become hit film? We’ll see... This movie musical has a great cast: Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Stellan Skarsgard, but they will have to prove their singing and dancing chops to ABBA’s classic tunes like “Dancing Queen.” The movie will be out July 18 as well.

Photo courtesy of snarkerati.com

Christian Bale and the late Heath Ledger fight the battle of good and evil in The Dark Knight

Tropic Thunder

A group of pampered actors think they are in the middle of a film workshop preparing them to play soldiers. In fact, they are in the middle of an actual war. Robert Downey Jr. plays a white actor playing a black soldier—in full makeup. Ben Stiller plays an action hero. Well. This movie, coming out August 15, will certainly be unique. Viewers will have to decide for themselves whether it is funny or just plain ridiculous.

American Teen

If you are sick and tired of watching a 50 year-old director’s idea of what high school is like, this film, coming out July18, is a refreshingly real take on teenage life. Though it has its stereotypes (the jock, princess, heartthrob, rebel, geek) the film is the product of ten months of filming its subjects’ every day life in a small town of Indiana. The result? More teenage reality than you would ever find on the CW.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2

Wanted

An average guy (rising star James McAvoy) is recruited by a sexy stranger named Fox (Angelina Jolie) to join an elite group of assassins. Got your attention already?

The film boasts not only a great cast, with

Pineapple Express

Morgan Freeman as well, but also promises some intense action and crazy stunts with its premiere on June 27.

Don’t lie, we know you’re excited. This new movie is based on the last three of Ann Brashares’ series, focusing mostly on the fourth, Forever in Blue. It follows Bridget, Carmen, Tibby, and Lena during the summer after freshman year of college. The girls go on new adventures, find new loves, meet new friends, and face new obstacles, but they never forget each other. On August 8, go with a group of friends, and figure out which sister you are.

Photo courtesy of comingsoon.net

James Franco, Seth Rogan, and Bill Hader star in Pineapple Express

Hamlet 2

After failing to make it as an actor, Dana Marschz (Steve Coogan) decides to try teaching high school drama. That doesn’t work out well either, and Marschz must resort to writing a play in the hopes of saving the school’s drama department. He comes up with a novel idea: a sequel to Hamlet.

Only a musical. With Jesus. Out August 22, Amy Peohler, Catherine Keener, and David Arquette also make appearances in the movie, as well as Phoebe Strole and Skylar Astin, recently of Broadway’s Spring Awakening.

New mural to brighten burough

Jenny Smolen

Class of 2009

Seniors Alexis Turner and Celeste DeHaven created a lasting work of art that contributes to the community for their senior project.

When Ricklin’s Hardware in Narberth wanted to have a mural painted on their store, they approached art teacher Ms. Pierce. She, in turn, presented this opportunity to her students.

Turner wanted to use the experience gained from a summer spent working with the Mural Arts Program of Philadelphia, so she grabbed the opportunity to connect that experience to her senior project. With Ms. Pierce as her sponsor, Turner began to make plans for the mural.

For such a big job, “I knew

that I could not do it alone, so I asked my friend (DeHaven) to be my partner,” said Turner.

Ricklin’s, while very flexible, did have some idea of what the mural should be like.

“Their only requirement was that it have a Narberth theme, but they gave us a lot of room to be creative,” said Turner. In order to come up with an appropriate design, Turner and DeHaven, reasearched online and in historical books, and then walked around Narberth to come up with ideas.

“We finally came up with a complete design after sketching for a couple days. Our mural includes the Narberth tunnel, the war memorial, and fireworks,” said Turner.

The two also credit fellow seniors Martina Trommler

and Elka Peterson-Horner for helping them with the mural.

As DeHaven explained, they primed large wooden panels, then sketched their designs on the panels, making some adjustments because of the scale. Finally, they painted the panels.

“Overall, I’m really proud because it’s actually been a lot of work and I’m learning from Alexis. I was worried at the beginning that I wouldn’t be much help and she would do it all since she’s experienced, but it’s ended up that we work great together,” she said.

All supplies for the mural were provided by Ricklin’s Hardware. According to DeHaven, the seniors’ work will be displayed when the hardware store puts up the panels after it is done its flower sale.

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June 3, 2008

The Merionite

From disks and disco to Darfur Jenny Smolen

Class of 2009

Last month, sophomores Dan Harris and David Zucker saw their hard work pay off when they raised over 3,000 dollars for UNICEF and the Darfur Alert Coalition.

The two planned, publicized, and executed the events with the help of Ultimate Frisbee coach and special education teacher Christina Minecci. The two sophomores held a similar Frisbee tournament when they were in eighth grade at Bala Cynwyd Middle School, and raised over 2,500 dollars. This year they decided to expand with a concert as well.

The concert was held at Delancey Street Bagels in Wynnewood on May 17, and featured performances by local bands and both LM a cappella groups. Adrian Bridges, who graduated from LM last year, played classical guitar. The events on May 18 consisted of a hat tournament held at Amherst Field in Bala Cynwyd, an auction, and a raffle. In a hat tournament, anyone can show up and put their name in a hat. Teams are picked randomly from the hat, and all levels play together.

Harris and Zucker did have some difficulty finding a date

to hold the tournament that did not conflict with LM’s Ultimate Frisbee schedule, but they managed to find the time in between the city and state championships.

The rainy weather on the day of the tournament presented another problem, but “we had 4 full teams, even with the rain,” said Minecci.

“It was excellent to see so many teenagers out there supporting such a great cause.” Unfortunately, the woman from Darfur set to speak at the concert cancelled last minute, a disappointment for all.

Zucker estimated that around 100 people came to the concert, and 40-50 people, mostly local high school students, participated in the tournament.

Although the events are over, “we are still absolutely taking donations,” said Zucker.

Photo courtesy of E. Hoffman/Staff

LM students perform at the Darfur benefit concert on May 18.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Of concerts and carnivals

Sophia Hirsch

Class of 2009

Maestro the Lion, the beloved mascot of LM’s orchestra, hosted the second annual Maestro the Lion Carnival Concert event on Sunday May 18.

Orchestra director Mr. Tom Elliott and the LM orchestra have been hosting Maestro the Lion themed concerts to introduce classical music to elementary school children for the past 17 years. Last year, Elliott expanded the program to include a carnival with activities for the children along with a concert.

While last year the carnival took place in the fall, this year it was moved to the spring in an effort to bring in more families. Although poor weather limited the number of attendees, 250 people came to the carnival to participate in activities including face painting, t-shirt decorating, and tambourine making. The orchestra then performed for the children, playing songs that corresponded with the story of the most recent Maestro the Lion book, “Of Canvases and Canyons.”

Narrated by sophomore Niki Forman, the concert told the story of Sam Squirrel, played by junior Laura Piccoli, traveling for the

first time with the forest orchestra as he sends letters to Maestro.

Senior Matt Gabalawi, the voice of Maestro, “enjoyed the more pronounced publicity and the renewed enthusiasm for this year’s production. The program seemed to reach more Photo courtesy of E. Hoffman/Staff young children than it ever had reached before.” Al- Maestro the Lion entertains young though Gabalawi provides children at the carnival and concert. the voice for Maestro, the carnival, senior cellist Neera Chatactual man behind the costume is terjee decided to help organize the kept strictly secret. event for her senior project. As “The goal of the concerts is for the planning involved a variety of the younger children to make con- elements, Chatterjee was able to nections with our high school mu- “paint a huge plywood sign one sicians,” said Elliott. “They have day and meet with a literary spethe opportunity to experience clas- cialist to talk about the Maestro sical music in a fun and stimulat- books the next.” ing way.”

Elliott benefited from ChatterTo enhance this experience, jee’s help, and would like to see Hadyn’s “Toy Symphony” pro- the student participation continue vided the children with the chance in the future. “It would be great to participate more actively in the to see current juniors consider usconcert, shaking their newly made ing Maestro the Lion program as tambourines when directed. a way to fulfill their senior project In addition to the time of year, for next year,” he said. a large change was made in the “While I wish more people amount of student involvement in could have been there,” summed the carnival. Last year’s was co- up Chatterjee, “I think that a Carordinated entirely by Mr. Elliott nival Concert is a great idea and and a group of parent volunteers, I’m sure next year’s will be even but after helping with last year’s better.”

MTV’s “The Paper:” An A&E Commentary Sophia Hirsch

Class of 2009

An award winning high school newspaper with a staff of 50, a group of loud, opinionated editors, and a hyper-organized editor-in-chief. Sound like The Merionite? Think again.

On Mondays at 10:30 pm, wedged in between two episodes of MTV regular, “The Hills,” television viewers could watch a new MTV reality show, “The Paper.” If you missed it, “The Paper” followed the editors of The Circuit, the student publication of Florida’s Cyprus Bay High School. From editor decisions in the spring through the monthly process of putting out a paper, “The Paper” shows a surprisingly realistic view of high school newspapers.

Amanda, the overzealous editor-in-chief, just wants to be liked. Little does she know, the rest of her staff hangs out together on weekends and badmouths her. From the moment she was appointed editor-inchief, the other editors decided not to listen to her, calling her “controlling,” and never making much of an effort to get along with her. In fact, as each episode progressed, Amanda seemed to

concede more and more of her camp is ex-friend, Gianna, who refusing to paticipate. power in order to avoid conflict seems to dislike Amanda for For most of the season, manwith the other editors. merely existing. As far as I can aging editor Alex fell somewhere At first, seeing Amanda sitting tell, Amanda has never done in the middle of the battle. At at lunch with the people she thinks anything to Gianna. When asked first, he and Amanda seemed to are her friends, yet continuing to join an editor meeting dis- be on the same page, despite his to be overly self-confident, just cussing the rift, Gianna laughed bitterness at being her secondmade in-comme anmand, gry. But, but as the as the show conweeks tinued, he went on, revealed I realhis true ized how colors. By badly the end, she he loudly wanted vilified apAmanda, proval. proclaimIn relining their quishing friendso much ship over of her and givpower to ing her appease the silent Photo courtesy of screenhead.com her sotreatThe cast of The Paper posing outside of their Florida high school called ment. In friends, she lost any respect at Amanda to her face, then de- the end, Alex acted immaturely, she might once have had. Sure, nied it, while MTV replayed her unable to move beyond personal she may be self-absorbed and blatant rudeness. Whenever the differences with Amanda. Still, over-involved, but she is a real other editors attempt to bond, deleting all the pictures she had person, and it is just painful to taking group pictures at home- of him was hardly an adult reacwatch her spend Saturday nights coming or doing a group bond- tion to their feud. talking to her dog. ing ropes course, Gianna is alPersonally, I thought the last Leading the anti-Amanda ways the most vocal opponent, episode redeemed Amanda.

While Alex showed just how much of a jerk he is, Amanda finally stood up for herself. By finally ignoring her peers’ negativity, Amanda was finally able to prove herself a good editorin-chief, ending the season on a high note.

With all the editor drama and romance going on, viewers are left wondering when the paper actually gets put together. The brainstorming sessions seem disastrous, and no one seems to work during the newspaper class in school, yet the paper is put out without fail. Sure, it’s a reality show, but don’t they ever have homework? Or are newspaper editors exempt? (And why didn’t I get the memo?)

Maybe it’s the colder climate of Pennsylvania, but tempers at The Merionite don’t tend to flare quite as hot as those at The Circuit. High school journalism isn’t really as angst- and romance-ridden as “The Paper” makes it seem. It is just as funfilled and glamorous though (you should all join!). Watching “The Paper” makes me appreciate our own paper. But really, it makes me wonder ...why didn’t The Merionite apply to be on that show?

17

June 3, 2008

SPORTS

The Merionite

Sports Staff

A Tribute to the Main Gym Class of ’09/’10

With the approaching June demolition of the annex, the LM community will lose its legendary Main Gym, a true asset to the school that will be sorely missed. Built in 1964, the gym has been a hallmark of LM athletics, physical education, and school activities since its inception. In December of 1965, the boys basketball team marked the opening of its new gym with a 64-58 win over Haverford High. And the gym has since seen its share of state-winning teams, All-American players, and plenty of memorable games. But basketball aside, the gym has been host to spirited pep rallies, Tastes of Lower Merion, and heated badminton games that have established the Main Gym as one of the most cherished facilities in the school. Dawg Pound members and gym tryers alike are grieving the loss of the historic gym. To commemorate the gym, we have asked students and faculty to share their memories of the soon-to-be-demolished gym.

Junior Hana Chamoun: “I’m going to miss walking around the gym, because if you time it right, one lap could take half the period.”

History teacher Jeffrey Cahill: “When Ms. Ackerman dribbled towards the wrong hoop during the student-faculty basketball game.”

Sophomore David Hocky: “Badminton. Birds and squirrels running along the rafters.”

Junior Shauna Pierson:“Hiding from gym teachers in the nooks and crannies of the main gym”

Junior Nadav Hirsch: “What are we going to do for gym? What about the taste of LM? Everything’s going to be tiny.”

Math teacher Brian Feeney: “During my first year at LM, at a fall sports pep rally. This was back in the day when those in charge of the pep rallies included the teachers on the “Shake your booty”. Hardly anyone knew me because I was relatively new to the school, but I let out with my patented “Ride the Pony” dance. The legend of “FEENEY” has been growing ever since.”

Junior Marnie Wachs: “Dancing for the games.”

Freshman Zach Lemisch:“Dodgeball in the wrestling room was my favorite part of the Main Gym.”

Junior Eugenia Jin: “I will remember how fun the pep rallies were.”

Coach Downer’s Memories of the Main Gym Photo by Esther Hoffman/ Staff

Elie Peltz

Class of 2009

The Main Gym has been synonymous with LM basketball for close to half-a-decade. The home court of the Aces since 1964, the storied gym has seen its share of memorable games and spectacles. Unfurled on its walls are banners of championship-inning teams and 1,000-point scorers, and the retired jersey of number 33—all of whom called the Main Gym home. With the impending demolition of the Annex wing, LM will bid farewell to its familiar basketball venue. To truly convey the uniqueness of the gym and its importance to LM athletics, The Merionite sat down with boys basketball head coach Gregg Downer. Downer has witnessed the indelible contribution of the Main Gym to LM athletic history during his eighteen years as coach, and offered insight into why the gym will be missed so sorely.

Photo by Esther Hoffman/ Staff

The Merionite: What are your feelings about losing the Main Gym, a true staple of LM basketball for half-a-century?

Coach Downer: It’s an end of an era. It will be strange playing elsewhere. I spent eighteen years of my life in that gym.

Merionite: What did the main gym contribute to LM basketball?

Downer: It was a place that created a legacy over time. It just became a really good home court advantage. A lot of great people, great athletes, and hard working kids came through here in the last eighteen years.

Merionite: Were other teams, at times, scared to come to the gym to play against you guys?

Downer: At times, it could be an intimidating place. It got loud and the fans sat behind the bench and when the games had good attendance, I think it was a difficult place for the opposition.

Merionite: What made the gym so special as a home court?

Downer: The olden wooden bleachers,

Graphics by Sam Blum/ Staff

fans right behind the bench cheering, and the history of it all. It really became home.

Merionite: What is your fondest memory of the gym?

Downer: I have a lot of fond memories.

Kobe scoring 50 in a playoff game; Rob Jones’ buzzer beater at the end of second overtime versus Conestoga; Rashee Summers’ buzzer beater versus Strath Haven for a 31-30 win in a game we were leading at halftime 4-2; and, recently, Harley Williamson’s buzzer beater against Prep Charter.

Merionite: Where will the team play and practice until the new gym is completed?

Downer: It looks like Bala Cynwyd Middle School.

Merionite: And the real question, what’s going to happen to the Dawg Pound without their stage anymore?

Downer: They will have to carry on the tradition at BC.

Merionite’s Monthly Health Tip: Mr. Pavia Myth or Fact: With the demolition of the annex, expect no more gym classes next year

Myth:

Photo by Esther Hoffman/ Staff

While it may be true that we will not have a “bubble gym” and that we probably won’t be playing badminton for a couple of years, we will still have PE classes. The plan right now is to purchase some new equipment and to convert some classroom spaces into areas where we can still be active and participate in some new Physical Education activities. More specifically, we are planning on conducting spinning classes in one classroom and converting another one into a cardio room where we can work out on elliptical trainers and treadmills. In addition, there will be a space for Yoga classes. Lastly, we will relocate the weight room and we will continue to use of the Down’s Gym (girl’s gym). Of course, we will also try to have classes outside when the weather is nice.

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June 3, 2008

The Merionite

SPORTS

B. Tennis loses bid for third consecutive state title Elie Peltz

Class of 2009

Streaks are made to be broken.

The old adage is quite fitting for the boys varsity tennis season, recently completed with a 3-2 loss to Upper St. Clair High School in the final round of the state tournament. Midway through the season, the team’s 57-game winning streak spanning three seasons was shattered during a loss to The Haverford School. But more disheartening was the loss at States, coming at the hands of a team the Aces had defeated for the championship the past two years.

“Everybody on the team was very upset about losing to Upper St. Clair. This year was still a very successful season although the end result is obviously not what we wanted,” said junior Robby Kay. The road to the championship was indeed one to remember. After two successive state titles, the team entered the season a favorite to repeat as champion, having built a reputation as one of the top teams in the state. Reshuffling the roster throughout the regular and postseason due to injuries, the team looked to overcome several junior varsity additions and bolster its

doubles game in order to compete for another state crown. The consistency of its singles players— senior Courtney Scott, Kay, and junior Matt Savran—propelled the team, as it repeatedly thrashed both in and out-of-league opponents throughout the regular season. Doubles players including seniors Ben Bar-David and Steven Chen, junior Brian Maislin, and sophomores Ben Sataloff and Julian Eisner overcame inexperience to nicely complement the team’s dominant singles game.

“Our team was almost as strong as last year although there were definitely moments when we missed past players. But in the loss [to Haverford], we found out we were going to have some really good doubles teams,” said Kay. After their successful regular season schedule, the Aces opened the post-season on a dominant note with blowout victories in the first rounds of Districts. After a first round win over Owen J. Roberts, the team trumped Council Rock South in the following match with all singles players and doubles duos winning in straight sets. A semifinal win over Cen-

Crew to nationals

Corinne Zucker

girls lightweight four placed Class of 2009 second. At the Cooper Cup, the girls and boys lightweight After another sensational sea- teams both obtained first place. son, the lightweight four girls, lightAt Stotesbury Cup Regatta, the weight four boys, and heavyweight biggest high school regatta in the four girls all competed in the 2008 world, the girls lightweight four national crew tournament. On Me- placed fourth, boys lightweight four morial Day weekend, the group placed fifth, and girls heavyweight traveled to Oak Ridge, Tennessee to four made it to the semifinals. participate in the acclaimed regatta.

The crew team at first expected The lighta transitionweight four al year this girls, comseason, due posed of to coaching junior Aly changes.

Goldstein, Despite sophomore such initial Leah Greensthoughts, pan, senior new head Lisa Weincoach J.D. berg, sophoBridges more Julia and varsity Policastro, girls coach and junior Sheila Dyer Photo courtesy of lmcrew.org GabbyMezohave proven The boys lightweight 4 rows to a chow made it to be instrusilver medal at Stotes. to semifinals. mental facThe heavyweight four girls, tors in the team’s success. with junior Paulina Marcucci, “Our new coach has been great,” senior Amanda Robbins, junior said Abrams. “He’s hilarious and Sarah Camitta, junior Becky has really helped the team improve.”

Wahrman, and sophomore Diana For some time, the lightweight Levin competed in the petite final. four girls have not been as sucThe lightweight four boys, cessful as they currently are. Last consisting of junior Tom Mick- year’s heavyweight four girls went ler, junior James Buckmann, ju- to Nationals and placed, but were nior Sam Ostrum, junior Casey not as successful in the medal races.

Klein, and junior Dan Abrams The boys lightweight four have placed a sensational third. traveled to nationals for the past two To get to such a celebrated years, receiving first place two years regatta, both the boys and girls ago, and second last year. They hope had to obtain high rankings in to continue their success next year. previous regattas during the “This year has been really great,” regular season week after week. said Camitta. “Everyone – the JV In the Philadelphia Scholas- eight, freshman eight too – everytic Regatta, both the boys and one’s done a great job.”

tral League rival Radnor set up a championship matchup with Great Valley. The title game proved harder to win then earlier rounds.

Great Valley tied the match at 2-2 after losses by Scott and Chen at first and third singles respectively.

But with the match on the line, Kay beat Zach Johnson of Garnet Valley in a hard-fought 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 win, securing a third consecutive District 1 title for the Aces.

“It was clutch of [Kay] to pull the match out while all the pressure was on,” said Savran.

Next up for the team was the state tournament. A 4-1 slaughter of Wilson High School in the opening round was followed by a quarterfinal win, albeit a 3-2 nailbiter, over State College. In an all-District 1 semifinal, the Aces topped Council Rock North, earning a third bid to the state championship game. And their opponent?

Who else but Upper St. Clair, the same team they beat the previous two years in the title game. A bitter rivalry had emerged between the Aces and the Pittsburgh-based team, and this year, the game was as tension-packed as the last.

“We had beaten them in the

Photo courtesy of The Philadelphia Inquirer

Robby Kay slams an ace during the District 1 championship same position twice in the last two years. So, we knew what they had and we were prepared for the challenge,” said Scott.

The preparation seemed to pay off after Bar-David and Savran, as well as Eisner and Maislin, won their doubles matches. But the Aces lost at all three singles spots, losing in a 2-3 heartbreaker and failing to pick up their third consecutive state title.

“The loss was extremely hard to take. We worked all year for

that moment and not to win the gold medal was the worst feeling in the world,” said Savran.

Indeed, the loss punctured the team’s morale. Yet despite the disappointing loss, the team hopes to return next year and pick up from where it left off.

“With other teams losing crucial senior players, and our young team getting another year of experience and practice in, we are optimistic about another run at the title,” said Sataloff .

B. Lax: a season to remember Xinran Wang

Class of 2010

Last year, the boys varsity lacrosse team saw huge improvements as it played its way to the first winning record of the decade. Consequently, at the beginning of this season, the players set high expectations for themselves, namely obtaining a much-improved record and securing a playoff spot.

Both of their goals were met.

The team finished the season with a 17-5 record and its regular season performance warranted a ninth place ranking in the state. The Aces won their first round playoff match against Archbishop Wood High School, but failed to advance further, losing their second round game to Springfield High School.

Much of the season’s success can be attributed to a rigorous off-season workout schedule implemented by Central League Coach of the Year, Chet Laubach.

“All of our really key guys put in a ton of work over the summer and throughout the rest of the off season,” said senior captain Marc Schaevitz.

Due its preparations, the team saw huge improvements on both sides of the field. The defensive unit, led by juniors Jake Eisenhard and Nowlan Montague, Shaevitz, and junior goalie Cody Hornung, proved to be one of the toughest of the league.

“This year, Hornung showed incredible improvement and earned 1st team all-league honors,” said senior captain Dylan Chou.

The offense was also a true

asset to the team. Attackmen, after that game we regrouped junior Matt Dilks, sophomore and won 8 straight,” says Chou.

Jordan Wolf, and Chou have With a successful regular been outstanding, with Dilks season propelling the Aces into and Wolf both contributing al- the playoffs, the players were most 90 points on the season. excited to make their mark As a result of these vast in the post-season. In their improvements on the offen- EPSLA first round game, the sive and defensive sides of team scored seventeen goals the field, the team posted nu- in an impressive effort to hand merous impressive wins this Archbishop Wood an early exit season. The team won by at out of the tournament. The deleast six goals in an incredible fense only allowed seven goals, eleven out of a total twenty- many of which were scored one games, posting a goal dif- when the game was already far ference of 234 goals scored to out of reach for the opponent. only 130 allowed. They also In the second round, the team had winning streaks of three, faced Springfield, attempting to five, and eight games, including avenge an earlier loss. Unfortubig wins over Radnor, Episco- nately, the Aces, despite a late pal, Conestoga, and Penncrest. fourth quarter comeback, fell in “We had a very exciting week a hard-fought 12-10 loss, endwhen we beat Radnor, Episco- ing one of the most memorable pal Academy, and Conestoga all seasons in LM lacrosse history. in the same week,” says Schaevitz.

However, a few key losses plagued the Aces and made them strive to work even harder. In a close match against Strath Haven, the team lost on an overtime Hail-Mary type of play.

That game disappointed many of the players, but provided motivation for players to excel.

“We suffered a key loss to Photo by Esther Hoffman/ Staff Strathhaven, 4-3 The boys practice for their first round playoff match against Archbishop Wood in overtime, but

19

June 3, 2008

SPORTS LM’s top 10 sports achievements of ’07-’08 The Merionite

To mark the completion of the athletic year, The Merionite has once again compiled a list of the top ten sporting achievements for 20072008. These accomplishments are a testament to the exemplary athletics reputation LM has established, and we take pride in congratulating this year’s individuals and teams for all of their successes. These feats have been solely ranked based upon merit and do not represent any partiality on the part of the Sports Editors of The Merionite.

10. Crew qualifies for Nationals The boys lightweight four traveled to Nationals for the third straight year. In addition, this year the heavyweight four girls and lightweight four girls accompanied them to Oak Ridge, Tennessee for the national competition.

The boys lightweight four placed third, the girls heavyweight four competed in the petite final, and the girls lightweight four made it to semifinals.

9. Frosh boys basketball records second straight undefeated season The freshman boys basketball team achieved an unparalleled feat among LM sports teams for the second year in a row: an undefeated season.

Exhibiting the prowess of the LM basketball program, the boys finished their campaign with a dominating 20-0 record. Coach Jon Fadely’s guidance propelled the team to repeated wins against Central League opponents.

8. Boys Basketball scores buzzer-beater win over Prep Charter In a game for the ages against powerhouse Prep Charter, the last-minute heroics of junior Harley Williamson led to a stunning 62-61 win over the defending state champions.

Trailing by six with a minute remaining, the Aces fought back to within one with .4 seconds left. On an inbounds play, Kevin Photo Courtesy of lowermerionathletics.org Escott threw a 50-foot Anthony Fulginitti pins down a Pottstown opponent cross-court pass over at the district tournament

Highlight of the year: Beating Radnor, Conestoga, an and Episcopal in the same week Hobbies: Music, all sports Summer Plans: Do nothing at the beach Quote: .

“Losers quit when they’re tired. Winners quit when they have won”

Sports:

Highlight of the year:

Hobbies: Summer Plans: Quote:

Varsity Tennis Varsity Indoor Track Varsity Track and Field Districts in the rain, coach Hoopes dancing, getting hit by lacrosse balls and everyone on the team Sleeping, eating, running, tennis, Guitar Hero JKST tennis camp and going to the beach “Just do it!”

Junior

Varsity Swimming Varsity Lacrosse

Nowlan Montague

Sports:

Va

Sophomore

Freshman

Alek Klincewicz

m Lauren Zackheim

Faces of the Aces Sports:

Highlight of the year: Hobbies:

Summer Plans: Quote:

The best athletes that LM has to offer

Varsity Football Varisty Lacrosse Being on the winningest team in LM lacrosse history Interpretive dancing, getting hyphy, asking my friends to provide me with funny hobbies Barbeques, football pre-season “Cool beans”

Senior

Class of ‘09/’10

Led by an extremely strong and talented junior class, Molly Hanlin, Lil Carney, Amy Woods, Alvida Clemons, and Erin Knox provided the leadership for the young team to thrive this year.

4. Boys soccer wins district championship, capping successful season The boys soccer team had not won Photo by Esther Hoffman/ Staff a district champion- Boys Lacrosse practices proved to have played an influetnial role in their successful season ship since 1988, a paign. After another undefeated regular season, span of two decades. This year, however, the Fulginitti continued his dominance throughout team ended that streak with strong performances the post-season. He became the first LM wresin the regular season. Led by seniors Kevin tler since 1992 to win the AAA Southeastern Escott and Peter Vagnoni and juniors Jason Regional Championships. He also registered Kass and Greg Robbins, the team capped their a 1st place finish at the district tournament. season with an incredible overtime win to clinch Competing against the premier wrestlers in Pennthe District championship against the Abington sylvania, Fulginitti placed eighth in his weight Ghosts. But just two days after this tense match, class at States, registering an impressive 36-4 the team met Central Dauphin in the state tourfinal record. Credit is also due to senior wrestler nament. The match again proved to be close as Marcus Neafsy, who concluded his career with the score was tied 1-1 by half time. However, a the fourth-most wins of any LM wrestler. late goal by the Ghosts sealed the disappointing 1. Boys tennis finishes 18-2 and second loss and end to their season. One promising fact in state is that the team is relatively young and will be Four consecutive Central League titles, three back next year looking for a state title. consecutive District 1 championships, and three 3. Berman & Furcht travel multiple times consecutive appearances in the state championto States ship game—quite a resume for the graduating Two stellar track athletes arose from the members of the boys varsity tennis team. For a rest this season: juniors Neal Berman and Ben second straight year, the team tops this list after Furcht. Furcht traveled to all three state courses again proving why LM is considered one of the for cross country, indoor, and outdoor, while top tennis programs in the state. Although their Berman went for cross country and outdoor. In unbeaten streak spanning three seasons was the cross-country 5k states course in Hershey, broken and their hopes of winning a third straight Berman managed to finish in 16:51 for 43rd state title were dashed, the boys exhibited conplace and Furcht in 16:53 for 49th place. For the sistency and dominance throughout the season, Indoor season, Furcht qualified for the 3k state reaching the final round of the state tournament race at Penn State, finishing in 11th place with a despite unforeseen injuries to top players and time of 8:55.78. Over Memorial Day weekend, unaccustomed competition at the district and both Berman and Furcht participated in the 3200 state levels. Facing Upper St. Clair for the third m at outdoor States. Both finished with imprestime in the state title game, the Aces lost in a 3-2 sive times -- Berman in 9:45.85 for 17th place, heartbreaker despite the resiliency of seniors and Furcht in 9:23.04 for 4th place.

Courtney Scott and Steven Chen, both suffer2. Wrestler Anthony Fulginitti completes ing from cramps. Despite the heart-wrenching undefeated regular season; Marcus Neafsy loss, the team, once again, made this a season accumulates record number of wins to remember.

Senior Anthony Fulginitti ended his LM wrestling career with a tremendous 2008 cam-

Jamie Goldstone

Sports Staff

a defender to the awaiting Williamson, who calmly sunk a 10-foot runner at the buzzer—a memorable end to one of the most exciting LM basketball games in recent years.

7. Boys Lax compiles most wins in LM history The boys lacrosse team built off of last year’s first winning season of the decade, completing an LM-best 17-5 record. Their man-down defense, led by juniors Jake Eisenhard and Nowlan Montague, and senior Marc Schaevitz, proved to be impenetrable. The explosive offense consistently put up huge scores with both sophomore Jordan Wolf and junior Matt Dilks scoring over 90 goals on the season. The Aces easily won their first round playoff match with a 17-7 win, but fell in the following game.

6. Girls Tennis doubles goes to States While the girls tennis team made an early exit out of the state tournament, the doubles duo of senior Kristen Roth and sophomore Devi Jadeja made an incredible run through the post-season.

After winning the Central League title, they went on to cruise through the district tournament. They charged through the states tournament as well, winning 6-4, 6-1 in the first round, and 6-1, 6-0 in the quarterfinals. However, they ran into trouble in the semifinals, suffering a tough loss against the eventual champions from Peters Township.

5. Girls Basketball surprises with showing at States After finishing a successful season with a 21-9 record overall and second ranking in the Central League, the girl varsity basketball team advanced to the state playoffs. Obtaining their initial goal of winning the first two games of Districts, the girls went on to lose in their first game in the State tournament against Wilson High School, 43-32.

Sports:

Highlight of the year: Hobbies: Summer Plans: Quote:

Varsity Cheerleading Varsity Track and Field Breaking the school track record and earning a pizza party Dancing, eating, playing on my new swingset It’s not summer?

“Remember, there is always a little girl in the stands who wants to be just like you.

Don’t disappoint her.”

20

Volume 79, Issue 8

June 3, 2008

SPORTS

The Merionite

Photo by Esther Hoffman/ Staff

Graphic by Sam Blum/ Staff

The best of senior athletes ’08 Best of Girls Natalie Gay

Best of Boys Dylan Chou

*Captain varsity volleyball and softball *1st team All Main Line for volleyball *All Central League for softball

*Captain varsity golf and lacrosse *1st team All Main Line lacrosse *Two-time Honorable Mention All Central League golf

Jamie Goldstone

Anthony Fulginitti

*Captain varsity cheerleading and track *UCA All-Star cheerleading *School Record Holder for pole vaulting

*Captain varsity wrestling and baseball *Two-team All Central League wrestling *Disrict and Regional champion

*Captain varsity lacrosse *Member of varsity lacrosse and soccer *2nd team All Central League defense for lacrosse

*Captain varsity basketball *1st team All Central League *1st team All Main Line

Michele Lockhart

*Captain indoor track and lacrosse *2nd team All Main Line for soccer

Kristen Roth

*Captain varsity tennis *Runner up in state doubes tourtament *Three-time doubles district champion

Carl Johnson

Courtney Scott

*Captain varsity tennis

*1st team All Main Line all four years

Steven Stewart

*Captain of varsity ice hockey *ICSHL All-Star